Significance of Hereditary Hemochromatosis Gene (HFE) Mutations in Chronic Hepatitis C and Hepatocellular Carcinoma Patients in Egypt: A Pilot Study

BACKGROUND: Hereditary hemochromatosis is a genetic disease defined by enhanced overloading of iron and associated with Chronic Hepatitis C (CHC). This study aims to evaluate the correlation of the HFE gene mutations on Egyptian CHC with liver disease progression and the risk of HCC development. METHODS: The HFE mutations (C282Y and H63D) were genotyped on 100 CHC patients and 50 healthy individuals by a hybridization assay. The serum iron content was also measured for all subjects. RESULTS: A significant elevation of the serum iron, ferritin, and TIBC in HCV-infected patients (p≤0.05). The H63D mutation was detected in 23% of the all studied samples. The serum iron and the H63D heterozygosity were correlated significantly between non-cirrhotic and cirrhotic without HCC patients. CONCLUSION: The H63D heterozygosity might have a potential role in iron accumulation. Moreover, HFE mutations did not tend to be associated with an increased risk of HCC in cirrhotic patients.