Association of hsa-miR-423 rs6505162 polymorphism with risk of nasopharyngeal carcinoma in Southern Chinese population

Objectives: The single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) occurring in microRNAs (miRNAs) are novel sources of genetic variation which may contribute to cancer susceptibility and prognosis. This study aimed to estimate the association between hsa-miR-423 polymorphism and risk of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) in Southern Chinese population. Methods: In a case-control study, a total of 406 patients with NPC and 418 healthy controls were genotyped using polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) assay. The genetic associations with the risk of occurrence and progression of NPC were estimated by logistic regression analysis. Results: Compared with CC/CA genotype, miR-423 rs6505162 AA genotype exhibited significant association with an increased risk of NPC (AA vs. CC: adjusted OR=2.056, 95% CI 1.126-3.751, P=0.019; AA vs. CA: adjusted OR=1.970, 95% CI 1.067-3.637, P=0.030; AA vs. CC/CA: adjusted OR=2.027, 95% CI 1.125-3.652, P=0.019, respectively). No significant association was observed between the genotypes and clinical characteristics of NPC patients. Conclusions: The functional polymorphism rs6505162 in miR-423 might alter individual susceptibility to NPC in Southern Chinese population. CC genotype or C allele might be a protective factor for NPC.