No association between epidermal growth factor and epidermal growth factor receptor polymorphisms and nasopharyngeal carcinoma

Cancer Genet Cytogenet. 2008 Sep;185(2):69-73. doi: 10.1016/j.cancergencyto.2008.04.019.

Abstract

Numerous candidate genes have been proposed as susceptibility factors for the development of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). Epidermal growth factor (EGF) and epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) interaction plays a pivotal role in cell proliferation, differentiation, and tumourigenesis of epithelial tissues. To our knowledge, however, no study has examined the relationship between the EGF/EGFR and NPC. The aim of this study is to investigate the potential association between single-nucleotide polymorphisms of EGF +61 G/A and EGFR +2073 A/T and NPC. A total of 173 patients with NPC and 206 age- and sex-matched controls were the participants. Genotypes were determined using a polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism strategy and DNA sequencing. There were no significant differences in the genotype and allele frequencies of EGF +61 G/A and EGFR +2073 A/T polymorphisms between the group of patients with NPC and the control group in a Chinese population (for EGF +61 G/A: OR=1.29, 95% CI: 0.95-1.74; for EGFR +2073 A/T: OR=0.91, 95% CI: 0.67-1.23). Further studies are still needed to explore the complicated interaction between environmental factors and EGF +61 G/A and EGFR +2073 A/T polymorphisms in the risk of NPC, particularly in ethnically different populations.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Alleles
  • Base Sequence
  • Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / genetics*
  • Case-Control Studies
  • DNA Primers
  • Epidermal Growth Factor / genetics*
  • ErbB Receptors / genetics*
  • Female
  • Gene Frequency
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Nasopharyngeal Neoplasms / genetics*
  • Polymorphism, Genetic*

Substances

  • DNA Primers
  • Epidermal Growth Factor
  • ErbB Receptors