Association between a p73 gene polymorphism and genetic susceptibility to non-small cell lung cancer in the south of China

Abstract

Background: This study aimed to identify any association between the p73 gene G4C14-to-A4T14 polymorphism and risk of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) in the south of China. Materials and Methods: We genotyped the p73 gene polymorphism of peripheral blood DNA from 168 patients with NSCLC and 195 normal controls using HRM (high resolution melting) and PCR-CTPP (polymerase chain reaction with confronting two-pair primers). Results: The results of genotyping by HRM and PCR-CTPP were consistent with direct sequencing, the p73 genotype distribution in 168 lung cancer patients being as follows: GC/GC 101 cases (60.1%), GC/AT 59 cases (35.1%), AT/AT 8 cases (4.8%). The carriers of AT/AT genotype had a significantly reduced risk of NSCLC (OR = 0.370; 95%CI: 0.170-0.806; p = 0.010) as compared with non-carriers. However, we found no relations between p73 genotypes and histological type (p = 0.798, x2 = 0.452), tumor stage (p = 0.806, x2 = 0.806), or lymph node metastasis (p = 0.578, x2 = 1.098). Conclusions: Our findings suggest that the p73 G4C14-to-A4T14 polymorphism may be a modifier of NSCLC susceptibility in the Chinese population.