These results demonstrate that MICA rs2596542G/G, and particularly the rs2596538C/C polymorphism, are associated with the risk of developing HCV-related HCC in a Sicilian population sample.
Finally, sMICA levels significantly increased during HCV-related liver disease progression, while a significant relationship between both rs2596542 and rs2596538 genotypes and sMICA plasma levels was identified in patients with LC and HCC.
Moreover, SNP rs2596538 showed stronger association with HCV-induced HCC (P = 1.82 × 10(-5) and OR = 1.34) than the previously identified SNP rs2596542.