Mouse double minute-2 homolog (MDM2)-rs2279744 polymorphism associated with lung cancer risk in a Northeastern Chinese population

Background: Altered expression or function of mouse double minute-2 (MDM2) protein could contribute to lung carcinogenesis; thus, this study investigated MDM2-rs2279744 polymorphism together with other epidemiologic factors for their association with lung cancer risk.

Methods: A total of 500 lung cancer patients and 500 age and gender-matched healthy controls living in Northeastern China were recruited for genotyping of MDM2-rs2279744. Clinicopathological data was collected and subjected to univariate and multivariate analyses.

Results: In univariate analysis, the MDM2-rs2279744 G/G genotype versus T/T + T/G genotypes showed a tendency toward a higher incidence of lung cancer in the recessive model (P = 0.043). However, there were no significant differences when it was analyzed by the dominant, additive, or multiplicative models. A significantly increased lung cancer risk was observed associated with lower education level, lower body mass index, cancer family history, prior diagnosis of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and pneumonia, exposure to pesticide or gasoline/diesel, tobacco smoking, and heavy cooking emissions when assessed by multivariate analyses. Moreover, MDM2-rs2279744 was still a significant risk factor even after incorporating environmental and lifestyle factors. However, there was no association between MDM2-rs2279744 and other factors.

Conclusions: The MDM2-rs2279744 G/G genotype was associated with a higher lung cancer risk, even after incorporating other epidemiologic factors.