Abstract: Objective To explore the influences of the rs 12506899 and rs 16849384 polymorphisms in the α-fetoprotein（AFP） gene and the rs 7688274 polymorphism in the albumin（ALB） gene on AFP levels in human hepatoma cell lines. Methods AFP levels in the medium were measured for cultures of AFP-negative normal human cell line HL-7702 and AFP-positive human hepatoma cell lines BEL-7402，BEL-7404，Hep-G2，MHCC-97H and SMMC-7721.DNA was extracted and genotyped by real-time PCR（Taq-man assay）. AFP levels were compared for hepatoma cell lines with different genotypes. Results A statistically significant association was observed between rs 16849384 and AFP levels.AFP levels were higher in Hep-G2 cells carrying a T/T genotype at rs 16849384 than in SMMC-7721，HL-7702 and BEL-7402 cells carrying a C/T genotype（P<0.001，<0.001 and<0.015，respectively）. Conclusions Genotypes of rs 16849384 may be associated with AFP levels in hepatoma cell lines，and the T allele of rs 16849384 is associated with higher AFP level.

Key words:  Liver neoplasms, Human hepatoma cell line, α-fetoprotein, Single nucleotide polymorphisms