POSSIBLE ASSOCIATION OF TAS2R38 BITTER TASTE RECEPTOR WITH LARYNGEAL CANCER

It is reported that the bitter taste develops to protect people from the consumption of toxic compounds. Genetically, the alleles of the TAS2R38 gene are the main genetic markers of phenotypic variation in 6-n-propylthiouracil (PROP) taste sensitivity used to describe the ability to taste bitter compounds. TAS2R38 mutations and bitter taste responses have been found to be associated with many diseases, including alcoholism, obesity, thyroid function and cancer. Therefore, this study aims to investigate the role of bitter taste receptor genes or polymorphisms in these genes, which can be related to risk factors in head and neck cancers in laryngeal cancer. Eighty-two individuals, 44 patients diagnosed with laryngeal cancer and 38 patients in control group, were included in this study. DNA isolation was perfoimed from whole blood samples and analysis of TAS2R38 (rs713598, rs1726866, rs10246939) polymorphism from DNA samples was perfoinied on RT-PCR. While PAV was more common in patients with laryngeal cancer, AVI frequency was similar in both groups. The prevalence of heterozygous individuals was lower in the patient group (p<0.005). To our knowledge, this is the first study investigating the role of TAS2R38 with laryngeal cancer in the literature. Thus, further studies on the role of TAS2R38 in the diagnosis and treatment of the disease, including taste sensitivity tests shoud be conducted.

Automated summary

This study investigates the role of bitter taste receptor genes or polymorphisms, specifically TAS2R38, in laryngeal cancer. The study found that TAS2R38 mutations were more common in laryngeal cancer patients, while heterozygous individuals were less prevalent in the patient group. This is the first study exploring the relationship between TAS2R38 and laryngeal cancer, suggesting further research should be conducted on the diagnosis and treatment of the disease, including taste sensitivity tests.