Genetic variants in m6A regulator genes confer susceptibility and progression of HCC in a Northern Chinese population

Abstract Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remains a leading cause of cancer-related mortality globally. While m6A regulators are implicated in cancer progression, the role of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in m6A regulator genes in HCC susceptibility remains underexplored. Here, we evaluated 3...

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Main Authors: Guohua Ji, Cize Gao, Yi Yang, Yuli Ding, Ruining Liu, Shuang Wu, Xuelong Zhang, Xiao Liang, Songbin Fu, Xiaobo Cui
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Springer 2025-04-01
Series:Discover Oncology
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1007/s12672-025-02305-9
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author Guohua Ji
Cize Gao
Yi Yang
Yuli Ding
Ruining Liu
Shuang Wu
Xuelong Zhang
Xiao Liang
Songbin Fu
Xiaobo Cui
author_facet Guohua Ji
Cize Gao
Yi Yang
Yuli Ding
Ruining Liu
Shuang Wu
Xuelong Zhang
Xiao Liang
Songbin Fu
Xiaobo Cui
author_sort Guohua Ji
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remains a leading cause of cancer-related mortality globally. While m6A regulators are implicated in cancer progression, the role of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in m6A regulator genes in HCC susceptibility remains underexplored. Here, we evaluated 31 candidate SNPs across eight dysregulated m6A regulator genes in a case–control study comprising 800 HCC patients and 800 healthy controls from Northeast China. Genotyping revealed three SNPs significantly associated with elevated HCC risk: rs2736158 C allele (PRRC2A; adjusted odds ratio [OR] = 1.295, 95% [CI] = 1.039–1.615, p = 0.021), rs9366785 A allele (PRRC2A; adjusted odds ratio [OR] = 1.312, 95% [CI] = 1.011–1.704, p = 0.041), and rs274054 C allele (IGF2BP3; adjusted odds ratio [OR] = 1.224, 95% [CI] = 1.040–1.440, p = 0.015). Comparison of genotype frequency of three SNPs under given genetic models further linked rs274054 CC (IGF2BP3), rs2736158 CC (PRRC2A), and rs9366785 AA + AG (PRRC2A) genotypes to higher HCC risk. Subgroup analyses identified associations between specific genotypes (e.g., rs9906944 TT/TC in IGF2BP1) and adverse clinicopathological features, including vascular invasion and liver cirrhosis. Haplotype analysis highlighted the CACA haplotype (PRRC2A: rs280801, rs2736171, rs2736158, rs2736157) as a high-susceptibility marker (adjusted odds ratio [OR] = 1.297, 95% [CI] = 1.041–1.616, p = 0.020). Our findings suggest that m6A regulator SNPs contribute to HCC susceptibility and progression, offering insights into genetic biomarkers for risk stratification in Northeast Chinese populations.
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spelling doaj-art-2d35a8f6d16d4b7f91d73edba56461b32025-08-20T02:17:50ZengSpringerDiscover Oncology2730-60112025-04-0116111710.1007/s12672-025-02305-9Genetic variants in m6A regulator genes confer susceptibility and progression of HCC in a Northern Chinese populationGuohua Ji0Cize Gao1Yi Yang2Yuli Ding3Ruining Liu4Shuang Wu5Xuelong Zhang6Xiao Liang7Songbin Fu8Xiaobo Cui9Laboratory of Medical Genetics, Harbin Medical UniversityLaboratory of Medical Genetics, Harbin Medical UniversityLaboratory of Medical Genetics, Harbin Medical UniversityLaboratory of Medical Genetics, Harbin Medical UniversityLaboratory of Medical Genetics, Harbin Medical UniversityLaboratory of Medical Genetics, Harbin Medical UniversityLaboratory of Medical Genetics, Harbin Medical UniversityLaboratory of Medical Genetics, Harbin Medical UniversityLaboratory of Medical Genetics, Harbin Medical UniversityLaboratory of Medical Genetics, Harbin Medical UniversityAbstract Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remains a leading cause of cancer-related mortality globally. While m6A regulators are implicated in cancer progression, the role of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in m6A regulator genes in HCC susceptibility remains underexplored. Here, we evaluated 31 candidate SNPs across eight dysregulated m6A regulator genes in a case–control study comprising 800 HCC patients and 800 healthy controls from Northeast China. Genotyping revealed three SNPs significantly associated with elevated HCC risk: rs2736158 C allele (PRRC2A; adjusted odds ratio [OR] = 1.295, 95% [CI] = 1.039–1.615, p = 0.021), rs9366785 A allele (PRRC2A; adjusted odds ratio [OR] = 1.312, 95% [CI] = 1.011–1.704, p = 0.041), and rs274054 C allele (IGF2BP3; adjusted odds ratio [OR] = 1.224, 95% [CI] = 1.040–1.440, p = 0.015). Comparison of genotype frequency of three SNPs under given genetic models further linked rs274054 CC (IGF2BP3), rs2736158 CC (PRRC2A), and rs9366785 AA + AG (PRRC2A) genotypes to higher HCC risk. Subgroup analyses identified associations between specific genotypes (e.g., rs9906944 TT/TC in IGF2BP1) and adverse clinicopathological features, including vascular invasion and liver cirrhosis. Haplotype analysis highlighted the CACA haplotype (PRRC2A: rs280801, rs2736171, rs2736158, rs2736157) as a high-susceptibility marker (adjusted odds ratio [OR] = 1.297, 95% [CI] = 1.041–1.616, p = 0.020). Our findings suggest that m6A regulator SNPs contribute to HCC susceptibility and progression, offering insights into genetic biomarkers for risk stratification in Northeast Chinese populations.https://doi.org/10.1007/s12672-025-02305-9M6AHepatocellular carcinomaSingle nucleotide polymorphismIGF2BP1IGF2BP3PRRC2A
spellingShingle Guohua Ji
Cize Gao
Yi Yang
Yuli Ding
Ruining Liu
Shuang Wu
Xuelong Zhang
Xiao Liang
Songbin Fu
Xiaobo Cui
Genetic variants in m6A regulator genes confer susceptibility and progression of HCC in a Northern Chinese population
Discover Oncology
M6A
Hepatocellular carcinoma
Single nucleotide polymorphism
IGF2BP1
IGF2BP3
PRRC2A
title Genetic variants in m6A regulator genes confer susceptibility and progression of HCC in a Northern Chinese population
title_full Genetic variants in m6A regulator genes confer susceptibility and progression of HCC in a Northern Chinese population
title_fullStr Genetic variants in m6A regulator genes confer susceptibility and progression of HCC in a Northern Chinese population
title_full_unstemmed Genetic variants in m6A regulator genes confer susceptibility and progression of HCC in a Northern Chinese population
title_short Genetic variants in m6A regulator genes confer susceptibility and progression of HCC in a Northern Chinese population
title_sort genetic variants in m6a regulator genes confer susceptibility and progression of hcc in a northern chinese population
topic M6A
Hepatocellular carcinoma
Single nucleotide polymorphism
IGF2BP1
IGF2BP3
PRRC2A
url https://doi.org/10.1007/s12672-025-02305-9
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