Abstract
BACKGROUND: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most prevalent form of primary liver cancer in Egypt, largely due to the widespread presence of hepatitis C virus. Symptoms of HCC often appear only at an advanced stage, making early detection essential through advanced methods. This study aimed to explore the association between the rs4444903 gene polymorphism in the epidermal growth factor and the likelihood of developing HCC in individuals with cirrhosis. METHODS: This study involved 152 ethnically homogeneous Egyptians, categorized into three groups: 49 patients with Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) with Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC), 52 patients with HCV but without HCC, and 51 control subjects. DNA was extracted from blood samples, and the SNP EGF rs4444903 was detected using a genotyping assay. RESULTS: The presence of the EGF G allele was significantly more common in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma and chronic hepatitis C compared to the control group (P = 0.006 and P = 0.018, respectively). CONCLUSION: The G allele of the EGF rs4444903 gene polymorphism is significantly associated with an increased risk of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in Egyptian patients with hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection, identifying it as a potential pathogenic variant. In contrast, the A allele appears to have a protective role. Individuals carrying the G allele may benefit from regular surveillance to enable early detection and timely intervention. Understanding the molecular mechanisms by which EGF polymorphisms contribute to HCC development may provide valuable insights for risk stratification and inform the design of targeted therapeutic strategies.