Patatin-Like Phospholipase Domain Containing 3 I148M Variant Affects Hepatocellular Carcinoma Recurrence After Liver...

Area of Science:

• Hepatology
• Genetics
• Oncology

Background:

• The PNPLA3 I148M variant (rs738409 C>G) is associated with liver disease progression, including fibrosis and HCC.
• Its impact on HCC recurrence post-liver resection is not well understood.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the association between PNPLA3 variants and recurrence rates after liver resection in non-viral HCC patients.
• To identify if PNPLA3 genotype influences long-term outcomes and fibrosis progression.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective analysis of 116 non-viral HCC patients undergoing curative liver resection.
• PNPLA3 rs738409 genotyping from blood DNA.
• Comparison of recurrence-free survival (RFS) across genotypes and multivariate analysis.
• Evaluation of fibrosis index changes over 2 years post-surgery.

Main Results:

• Patients with PNPLA3 CG/GG genotypes had significantly worse RFS compared to the CC genotype.
• The PNPLA3 CG/GG genotype was an independent risk factor for late HCC recurrence.
• Fibrosis indices worsened in the CG/GG group but remained stable in the CC group post-surgery.
• Worsening fibrosis in CG/GG patients correlated with a higher rate of late recurrence.

Conclusions:

• PNPLA3 CG/GG genotype confers a high risk of HCC recurrence after liver resection, especially when associated with progressive fibrosis.
• PNPLA3 genotyping can identify high-risk patients needing intensive long-term surveillance post-liver resection.