Polymorphisms in gene and neuroblastoma risk in Chinese children: a 3-center case-control study.

INTRODUCTION

Neuroblastoma is an embryonal tumor of the sympathetic nervous system. The oncogene is amplified in some neuroblastoma patients and correlated with poor prognosis. However, less is known regarding the relationship between gene single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and neuroblastoma risk.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

To investigate the contribution of gene polymorphisms to neuroblastoma risk, we performed a 3-center case-control study by genotyping 4 SNPs in the gene from 429 cases and 884 controls.

RESULTS

The results showed that only rs57961569 G>A was associated with neuroblastoma risk (GA vs GG: adjusted odds ratio =0.76, 95% confidence interval =0.60-0.98, =0.033), while the other 3 SNPs were not (rs9653226 T>C, rs13034994 A>G, and rs60226897 G>A). Stratified analysis revealed that rs57961569 GG carriers were more likely to develop neuroblastoma in the following subgroups: children older than 18 months, tumor derived from the adrenal gland, and clinical stages III + IV. The increased neuroblastoma risk associated with the rs9653226 variant CC genotypes was more evident in the following subgroups: females, tumor derived from the adrenal gland, and clinical stages III + IV. The presence of 2-3 risk genotypes had a significant relationship with the following subgroups: tumor derived from the adrenal gland and clinical stages III + IV.

CONCLUSION

This study demonstrates a weak impact of gene polymorphisms on neuroblastoma risk, which should be further validated.