HMGB1 genetic polymorphisms in oral squamous cell carcinoma and oral lichen planus patients.

OBJECTIVES

This study examined the single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in high-mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) gene in patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) and oral lichen planus (OLP).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The study was conducted on 93 patients with OSCC, 53 patients with OLP, and 100 controls, all Caucasians of the same ethnicity, matched by age. HMGB1 genotypes for 4 SNPs, 2262G/A (rs1045411), 1177G/C (rs3742305), 3814C/G (rs2249825), and rs4540927, were assessed using TaqMan SNP Genotyping Assays, Applied Biosystems.

RESULTS

The HMGB1 1177GG genotype was associated with lymph-node metastasis and tumor stage in OSCCs (P = 0.016 and P = 0.030, respectively). Genotype 1177GG resulted in poorer recurrence-free survival (RFS), P = 0.000. The 1177G/C polymorphism was an independent predictor of RFS compared to GG genotype, P = 0.001. The three polymorphisms were in linkage disequilibrium (LD). The AGC and GGC haplotypes were associated with an increased oral cancer risk, determined over the haplotype odds ratios (HOR = 13.316, P = 0.015, and HOR = 5.769, P = 0.029, respectively). The AGC haplotype was related to erosive OLP progression to OSCC (HOR = 12.179, P = 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

HMGB1 polymorphism 1177G/C could be associated with tumor progression and recurrence-free survival in patients with OSCC. The haplotypes of HMGB1 gene might be associated with susceptibility to OSCC and OLP progression to OSCC.