04 x 10-12, odds ratio [OR] = 0.75). In the second replication study, we again confirmed the association and finally observed a highly significant association (Pcombined = 3.59 x 10-16, OR = 0.79, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.75–0.84) and we observed no heterogeneity among the three studies (heterogeneity test P = 0.1 13). After adjusting for gender and age using multiple logistic regression analysis, the SNP remained highly significant with an OR = 0.79 (95% CI 0.70–0.89). Conclusions: Our findings suggest that a common variation in HLA-DQ locus affects

susceptibility to chronic infection with HCV in the Japanese population. Disclosures: Norio Akuta – Patent Held/Filed: SRL. Idasanutlin purchase Inc. Kenji Ikeda – Speaking and Teaching: Dainippon Sumitomo Pharmaceutical Company Hiromitsu Kumada – Speaking and Teaching: Bristol-Myers Squibb,Pharma International Joji Toyota – Speaking and Teaching: MSD Kazuaki Chayama – Consulting: Abbvie; Grant/Research Support: Dainippon Sumitomo, Chugai, Mitsubishi Tanabe, DAIICHI

SANKYO, Toray, BMS, MSD; Speaking and Teaching: Chugai, Mitsubishi Tanabe, DAIICHI SANKYO, KYORIN, Nihon Medi-Physics, BMS, Dainippon Sumitomo, MSD, ASKA, Astellas, AstraZeneca, Eisai, find protocol Olympus, GlaxoSmithKline, ZERIA, Bayer, Minophagen, JANSSEN, JIMRO, TSUMURA, Otsuka, Taiho, Nippon Kayaku, Nippon Shinyaku, Takeda, AJINOMOTO, Meiji Seika, Toray The following people have nothing to disclose: Daiki Miki, Hidenori Ochi, C. Nelson Hayes, Hiromi Abe, Tomokazu Kawaoka, Masataka Tsuge, Nobuhiko Hiraga, Michio Imamura, Yoshiiku Kawakami, Hiroshi Aikata, Shoichi Takahashi, Fumitaka Suzuki, Yoshiyasu Karino Whether HCV plays a direct role in hepatocarcinogenesis is still unknown. In particular, there are limited data on the HCV load and expression within the tumor. We analyzed up to 17 liver samples collected from each of 1 0 livers with HCV-related HCC undergoing liver transplantation (LT) or resection, including 5 samples from the tumor (1 from the center; 4 from the check details periphery), and 12 from outside the tumor (4 at 1 cm, 4 at 3 cm and 4 from the liver edge). As

controls, we studied up to 4 liver samples (2 from the right and 2 from the left lobe) from each of 6 non-HCC HCV cirrhotic explants. Serum samples were available from all patients at the time of LT. Gene expression profiling (GEP) identified 2,035 differentially expressed genes among the different liver areas, with a sharp separation between tumor and non-tumor tissue at the perilesional border. Strikingly, the tumors showed significantly less HCV RNA (1–3 logs) than the perilesional non-tumor areas, mirroring the sharp separation seen by GEP. The degree of HCV RNA decrease within the tumor correlated with the degree of malignancy. No differences in HCV RNA were seen in various areas of non-HCC cirrhotic livers.