Functional promoter -31G/C variant of Survivin gene predict prostate cancer susceptibility among Chinese: a case control study

Background: Abnormal expression of Baculoviral inhibitor of apoptosis repeat-containing 5 (BIRC5, also called as survivin), a novel member of the inhibitor of apoptosis protein (IAP) family, has implications in many types of cancer and is considered as a new therapeutic target. We suppose that genetic variant rs9904341 in the 5' UTR region of survivin gene may be associated with the development and progression of prostate cancer (PCa) in Chinese population. Methods: TaqMan assay method was used to genotype the polymorphism in the hospital-based case-control analysis of 665 patients with PCa and 710 age-matched cancer-free controls. The genetic associations with the occurrence and progression of PCa were calculated by logistic regression. Results: Our results indicated that compared with GG genotypes, there was a statistically significant increased risk of PCa associated with those with CC genotypes [odds ratios (ORs) = 1.57, 95% confidence intervals (CIs) = 1.17-2.13, P = 0.004]. Moreover, stratification analysis revealed that the association was more pronounced in subgroups of nondrinkers, nonsmokers and those without a family history of cancer (all P < 0.05). In addition, we observed that PSA = 20 was more frequent in patients carrying GC/CC genotypes than in those with a wild type genotype. Conclusion: The functional survivin rs9904341 genetic variant may have a substantial influence on the PCa susceptibility and evolution.