Impact of the HOTAIR (rs920778) and miR-3117 (rs7512692) variants on the Susceptibility and Clinicopathologic characteristics of patients with colorectal cancer

Abstract

Background: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the most common type of gastrointestinal cancer. Genetic, epigenetic, and lifestyle factors have been implicated in the development of CRC. Non-coding RNAs such as HOX transcript antisense RNA (HOTAIR) and miR-3117genes have been associated with cell proliferation, progression, invasion, and metastasis as well as poor survival in several cancers. This study examines the potential association between the HOTAIR rs920778 and miR-3117variants and the clinicopathological features of CRC in Mexican patients. Methods: The study included peripheral blood samples from 588 individuals (289 CRC patients and 299 controls). The variants were identified by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP). The association was calculated using the odds ratio (OR) test. P-values were adjusted using the Bonferroni test (0.016). Results: Individuals carrying the T/C and T/T genotypes for the HOTAIR rs920778 variant exhibited a higher susceptibility to CRC (OR=1.73, 95% CI: 1.15-2.58, P=0.009 and OR=2.78, 95% CI: 1.74-4.45, P=0.001, respectively). Male patients older than 50 years and carrying the C/C genotype demonstrated an increased susceptibility for developing CRC (OR=1.73, 95% CI: 1.15-2.58, P=0.009). Additionally, C/C genotype carriers exhibited an association with advanced TNM stage. Furthermore, for the rs7512692 variant of the miR-3117 gene, patients carrying the C/T genotype exhibited increased susceptibility for developing CRC (OR=1.92, 95% CI: 1.35-2.74, P=0.001). Male patients over 50 years of age and carrying the C/T genotype demonstrated increased susceptibility for early TNM stages and tumor location in the colon. Conclusion: The results obtained suggest that the HOTAIR rs920778 and miR-3117rs7512692 variants play a significant role in colorectal cancer risk.