Association of TNF-α (-238 and -308) promoter polymorphisms with susceptibility of oral squamous cell carcinoma in North Indian population.

BACKGROUND

The pro-inflammatory cytokines play an essential role in immune response and are involved in a variety of inflammatory and infectious disease. Tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) gene polymorphism has been a potential determinant of susceptibility to various types of cancer.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the association of TNF-α gene promoter (-238) G/A and (-308) G/A polymorphisms with the susceptibility of OSCC patients in North Indian population.

METHODS

A total 272 patients with OSCC and 185 healthy volunteers were genotypes for the TNF-α (-238) G/A and (-308) G/A gene polymorphism. Genotypes were identified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP). Genotype frequencies were evaluated by Chi-square test and Odds ratio (OR) relative risk.

RESULTS

TNF-α (-238) G/A polymorphism was significantly associated with OSCC patients as compared to healthy volunteers (GG vs. GA: OR=0.3500, 95% CI=0.1289-09502; p=0.036; G vs. A: OR=0.3589 1.477, 95% CI=0.1335-0.9652; p=0.0386). No significant association was found in TNF-α (-308) G/A gene polymorphism with OSCC patients and controls.

CONCLUSIONS

We conclude that the TNF-α (-238) G/A polymorphism was significantly associated with OSCC however TNF-α (-308) G/A polymorphism was not associated in OSCC patients.