Among the models for six polymorphic loci, DICER (rs3742330 and rs13078), DROSHA (rs10719 and rs6877842), RAN (rs14035) and XPO5 (rs11077), one allele combination (A-A-T-C-C-C) showed synergistic effects in terms of an increased risk of HCC development (OR = 8.881, 95% CI = 1.889–41.750, P = 0.002) (Table 3). Here, XPO5 is linked to hepatocellular carcinoma.