Association between a miRNA-146a polymorphism and susceptibility to head and neck squamous cell carcinoma in Chinese patients: A meta-analysis of 8 case–control studies

Abstract

A closer association has been found between the microRNA-146a rs2910164 polymorphism and the risk of head and neck carcinoma in some molecular epidemiological studies. Recently two meta-analyses were performed to explore the relationship between miRNA-146a polymorphisms and the susceptibility of squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN); however, they yielded conflicting results in susceptibility regarding ethnic variations. Hence, the present study was performed to explain the relationship between the miRNA-146a rs2910164 polymorphism and the risk of SCCHN development of Chinese patients. We retrieved databases and screened eligible papers up to March 10, 2017 and then we extracted the essential data. The subgroup analyses were also performed based on the tumor site, region, and genotyping means. Crude odds ratios (OR) at 95% confidence intervals (CI) were chosen to describe the strength of the association. As a result, 6 publications were included in our study which involved 8 independent case-control studies. A significant association was found between miR-146a rs2910164 polymorphisms and the risk of SCCHN in Chinese patients according to the overall data [CC+CG vs. GG: OR = 1.13; 95%CI = 1.00–1.29; CC vs. GG: OR = 1.19; 95%CI = 1.03–1.38]. According to the subgroup analysis based on tumor site, the risk of cancer was significantly increased among laryngeal cancer (dominant model: OR = 1.76, 95%CI = 1.26~2.46, P = 0.001; homozygote model: OR = 1.83, 95%CI = 1.25~2.67, P = 0.002) and nasopharyngeal carcinoma (homozygote model: OR = 1.41, 95%CI = 1.05~1.90, P = 0.022). In summary, variant alleles of miR-146a rs2910164 alleles may have an association with the increased risk of SCCHN in Chinese patients, and these associations differed based on tumor site. Further studies including a larger sample size will be necessary to clarify these results.

Influence of CASP9 c.‐1339A>G and CASP3 c.‐1191A>G variants in outcome of patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma

“…We found that patients with CASP9 c.‐1339GG genotype had worse EFS than others. In disagreement with our data, the G allele or GG genotype was previously associated with increased survival in bladder, 4 colorectal, 2 and gastric 6 cancer patients, and did not alter survival in patients with lung 5 and hepatocellular 8 cancer. Since higher mRNA levels, suggesting a higher transcriptional activity, were previously associated with the G allele of CASP9 c.‐1339A>G SNV, 2 our data were not expected.…”

Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms in microRNA Genes and Colorectal Cancer Risk and Prognosis

“…Rs2910164 was not only the most studied miRNAs-SNP in CRC but it was also well investigated in other different cancers. The meta-analyses from the last few years demonstrated the association of rs2910164 with the increased risk of lung cancer [ 118 , 119 ], head and neck carcinoma [ 120 ], urological neoplasms, particularly bladder cancer [ 121 ], gastric cancer [ 35 ] and brain tumors [ 122 ]. For the last two cancers this risk was linked to GG genotype.…”

Validation of microRNA expression profile in Oral Lichenoid Disease through cytological samples

“…MicroRNA-146a was validated extensively in our study and is the only microRNA that has been described in oral cancer and potentially malignant oral disorders in both complete genome and candidate gene studies (17,20,21). Its implication in inflammatory and immunological processes, as well as in various neoplasms including oral cancer, has been demonstrated (21-25). Recently, Zhang et al (25) demonstrated that the allelic variants of miR-146a rs2910164 in a Chinese population may be associated with a higher risk of presenting head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.…”

“…Its implication in inflammatory and immunological processes, as well as in various neoplasms including oral cancer, has been demonstrated (21-25). Recently, Zhang et al (25) demonstrated that the allelic variants of miR-146a rs2910164 in a Chinese population may be associated with a higher risk of presenting head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. Based on these findings, we consider that microRNA-146a may be an important element in oral carcinogenesis by mediating the regulation of the proinflammatory pathways with a carcinogenic potential (26).…”