Background
LIN28 is an RNA-binding protein that not only plays key roles in multiple cellular developmental processes and tumorigenesis, but also is involved in tissue inflammatory response. However, no published study has investigated associations between genetic variants in LIN28 and radiation-induced pneumonitis (RP) in patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) treated with definitive radiation therapy.
Methods
We genotyped eight potentially functional single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of LIN28A (rs11247946 T>C, rs3811464 C>T, rs11581746 T>C, and rs12728900 G>A), and LIN28B (rs314280 A>G, rs12194974 G>A, rs17065417 A>C and rs314276 C>A) in 362 patients with NSCLC, who received definitive radio (chemo) therapy. The associations between RP risk and genotypes were assessed by hazards ratio (HR) in Cox proportional hazards regression analysis with time to event considered with and without adjustment for potential confounders.
Results
Multivariate analyses found that patients carrying LIN28B rs314280 AG and AA/AG or rs314276 AC and AA/AC genotypes had a higher risk of grade ≥3 RP (for rs314280 AG and AA/AG versus GG, adjusted HR= 2.97 and 2.23, 95% CI, 1.32–6.72 and 1.01–4.94, P = 0.009 and 0.048, respectively; for rs314276 AC and AA/AC versus CC, adjusted HR = 2.30 and 2.00, 95% CI, 1.24–4.28 and 1.11–3.62, and P = 0.008 and 0.022, respectively). Further stratified analyses showed a more profound risk in the subgroups of the age <65 years subjects, males, stage III/IV, ever smokers and MLD ≥19.0 Gy.
Conclusion
Genetic variants of LIN28B, but not LIN28A, may be biomarkers for susceptibility to severe RP in NSCLC patients. Large, prospective studies are needed to confirm our findings.