Genetic polymorphisms in the <em>TERT</em> gene and susceptibility to non-small cell lung cancer in a Chinese Han population

Abstract

BackgroundRecent studies have revealed that the TERT gene plays crucial roles in cancer initiation and development. Genome-wide analysis studies and case-control studies have demonstrated that polymorphisms in the TERT gene are associated with various cancers.Materials and methodsIn the current study, we analyzed the associations of eight single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the TERT gene with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) in a Chinese Han population. A total of 467 NSCLC patients and 526 healthy individuals were recruited for SNP genotyping using a TaqMan assay.ResultsOur results revealed that the allelic frequencies of rs2853677 and rs2853691 were significantly different between the NSCLC and control groups (P=0.004 and 0.001, respectively). Moreover, the T allele of rs2853677 and the A allele of rs2853691 might be the protective factors against NSCLC (OR=0.766; 95%CI: 0.639–0.918 and OR=0.714; 95%CI: 0.584–0.875, respectively). Additionally, stratified association analysis of the eight SNPs with the different pathological NSCLC stages (I+II and III+IV) and different pathological types (adenocarcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma) revealed that none of the SNPs were significantly different between patients with different pathological stages and pathological types.ConclusionOur results indicated that rs2853677 and rs2853691 in the TERT gene might be associated with NSCLC in this Chinese Han population.