Genome-wide analyses on loss of heterozygosity in hepatocellular carcinoma in Southern China

Background/Aims: To conduct a genome-wide analysis of loss of heterozygosity (LOH) and its clinical significance in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in Southern China where high incidence of HCC was documented. Methods: LOH of 382 microsatellite loci on all autosomes were detected with polymerase chain reaction-based microsatellite polymorphism analyses in 104 HCC tumor tissues. Results: High frequency of LOH (>55.7%) was observed on chromosome 1p, 1q, 2q, 3p, 4q, 6q, 8p, 9p, 13q, 16q, and 17p. LOH rates on loci D4S2964 (4q21.21), D8S277 (8p23.1–pter) and D17S938 (17p13.1–p13.3) were significantly higher in cases with positive HBsAg than in those with negative HBsAg. Similarly, LOH on loci D1S214 (1p36.3), D1S2797 (1p34) and D3S3681 (3p11.2–p14.2) were more frequently detected in tumors with intrahepatic metastasis than in those without. Conclusions: Status of LOH in HCC in Southern China is similar to that reported previously in other countries and areas. However, we firstly identified high-frequency LOH on chromosome 3p in HCC. Furthermore, HBV infection, as well as tumor intrahepatic metastasis, may be correlated with allelic losses on certain chromosome regions.