Huang, Chung-FengHuang, Cing-YiYeh, Ming-LunWang, Shu-ChiChen, Kuan-YuKo, Yu-MinLin, Ching-ChihTsai, Yi-ShanTsai, Pei-ChienLin, Zu-YauChen, Shinn-CherngDai, Chia-YenHuang, Jee-FuChuang, Wan-LongYu, Ming-Lung2017-02-182016Huang, C., C. Huang, M. Yeh, S. Wang, K. Chen, Y. Ko, C. Lin, et al. 2016. “Genetics Variants and Serum Levels of MHC Class I Chain-related A in Predicting Hepatocellular Carcinoma Development in Chronic Hepatitis C Patients Post Antiviral Treatment.” EBioMedicine 15 (1): 81-89. doi:10.1016/j.ebiom.2016.11.031. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ebiom.2016.11.031.2352-3964http://nrs.harvard.edu/urn-3:HUL.InstRepos:30370961Background/aims The genome-wide association study has shown that MHC class I chain-related A (MICA) genetic variants were associated with hepatitis C virus (HCC) related hepatocellular carcinoma. The impact of the genetic variants and its serum levels on post-treatment cohort is elusive. Methods: MICA rs2596542 genotype and serum MICA (sMICA) levels were evaluated in 705 patients receiving antiviral therapy. Results: Fifty-eight (8·2%) patients developed HCC, with a median follow-up period of 48·2 months (range: 6–129 months). The MICA A allele was associated with a significantly increased risk of HCC development in cirrhotic non-SVR patients but not in patients of non-cirrhotic and/or with SVR. For cirrhotic non-SVR patients, high sMICA levels (HR/CI: 5·93/1·86–26.38·61, P = 0·002) and the MICA rs2596542 A allele (HR/CI: 4·37/1·52–12·07, P = 0·002) were independently associated with HCC development. The risk A allele or GG genotype with sMICA > 175 ng/mL provided the best accuracy (79%) and a negative predictive value of 100% in predicting HCC. Conclusions: Cirrhotic patients who carry MICA risk alleles and those without risk alleles but with high sMICA levels possessed the highest risk of HCC development once they failed antiviral therapy.en-USALT, alanine aminotransferaseAST, aspartate aminotransferaseAPRI, the aspartate aminotransferase-to-platelet ratio indexAFP, α-fetoproteinCHC, chronic hepatitis CEGF, epidermal growth factorHCV, hepatitis C virusIL-28B, interleukin-28BMICA, MHC class I chain-related APNPLA3, patatin-like phospholipase domain-containing 3SNP, single-nucleotide polymorphismHCCSVRSNPMICAPNPLA3IL-28EGFsMICATreatmentJournal Article2017-02-1810.1016/j.ebiom.2016.11.031