Association between polymorphisms in pre-miRNA genes and risk of lung cancer in a Chinese non-smoking female population.

BACKGROUND

MicroRNAs play important roles in the development of human chronic diseases including lung cancer. This is the first case-control study of lung cancer in a non-smoking female population in northeast China, to evaluate the roles of the polymorphisms in pre-miRNAs on risk of lung cancer.

METHODS

The genotypes of six polymorphisms in miRNAs were determined in 575 patients with lung cancer and 608 healthy controls who were frequency matched for age.

RESULTS

For miR-146a rs2910164, individuals carrying heterozygous CG or homozygous GG genotype had decreased risks of lung cancer compared with those carrying homozygous wild CC genotype (adjusted odds ratios were 0.76 and 0.64, 95% confidence intervals were 0.59-0.99 and 0.46-0.90, P values were 0.039 and 0.010, respectively). G allele of rs2910164 was associated with a lower risk of lung cancer with a significant odds ratio of 0.80. MiR-423 rs6505162CA or AA genotype was associated with significantly decreased risk for lung cancer compared to CC genotype (adjusted odds ratios were 0.77 and 0.54). The significant result was also found in the allele model with odds ratio of 0.75. However, miR-196a2 rs11614913, miR-30c-1 rs928508, miR-608 rs4919510 and miR-27a rs895819 polymorphisms were not significantly associated with lung cancer risks in any models. The similar results were also found in lung adenocarcinoma patients.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings suggest that miR-146a rs2910164C>G and miR-423 rs6505162C>A polymorphisms may contribute to genetic susceptibility to lung cancer and lung adenocarcinoma in Chinese non-smoking females.