Association of transforming growth factor-beta1 gene polymorphisms with genetic susceptibility to nasopharyngeal carcinoma.
BACKGROUND
Nasopharyngeal cancer (NPC) is multifactorial, and the genetic background may be a crucial etiologic factor. Transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGF-beta1) is a multifunctional cytokine, it promotes tumor growth and metastasis in later stages of phase of cancer development. Variations in the DNA sequence in the TGF-beta1 gene may lead to altered TGF-beta1 production and/or activity, and so this can modulate an individual's susceptibility to NPC. To test this hypothesis, we investigated the association of the TGF-beta1 polymorphisms and their haplotypes with the risk of NPC in a Chinese population.


METHODS
We analyzed 2 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of TGF-beta1 gene promoter -509C/T and 869T/C (Leu10Pro) at exon one in 108 patients with NPC and 120 age- and sex-matched controls in a Chinese population, using a polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) strategy.


RESULTS
There were significant differences in the genotype and allele distribution of -509C/T and 869T/C (Leu10Pro) polymorphisms of the TGF-beta1 gene among cases and controls. The -509T and 869C alleles carriers were associated with a significantly increased risk of NPC as compared with the non-carriers (OR=1.64, 95% CI, 1.13-2.39, P=0.009 and OR=1.70, 95% CI, 1.17-2.46, P=0.006, respectively). Consistent with the results of the genotyping analyses, the -509T/869C haplotype was associated with a significantly increased risk of NPC as compared with the -509C/869T haplotype (OR=1.68; 95% CI, 1.14-2.48; P=0.009).


CONCLUSIONS
TGF-beta1 -509C/T and 869T/C polymorphisms, and their haplotypes are significantly associated with the risk of NPC. Our data suggests that TGF-beta1 -509C/T and 869T/C polymorphisms could be used as genetic susceptibility markers of the NPC.
Wei
Ye-Sheng
YS
Department of Immunology, West China School of Preclinical and Forensic Medicine, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, Sichuan, China.
Zhu
Yin-Hua
YH
Du
Bing
B
Yang
Zhi-Hui
ZH
Liang
Wei-Bo
WB
Lv
Mei-Li
ML
Kuang
Xiang-Hong
XH
Tai
Shu-Hong
SH
Zhao
Yu
Y
Zhang
Lin
L
D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000235:genetics*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002681:China / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D005838:Genotype; D006239:Haplotypes / Q000235:genetics*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009303:Nasopharyngeal Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000235:genetics*; D020641:Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide / Q000235:genetics*; D053773:Transforming Growth Factor beta1 / Q000235:genetics*
D053773:Transforming Growth Factor beta1