Metallothionein-1 Genotypes in the Risk of Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma

• Published in: Annals of surgical oncology Vol. 18; no. 5; pp. 1478 - 1483
• Main Authors: Zavras, A. I., Yoon, A. J., Chen, M. K., Lin, C. W., Yang, S. F.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York Springer-Verlag 01.05.2011; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Alcohol Drinking; Areca; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell - etiology; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell - pathology; Case-Control Studies; Female; Genotype; Humans; Male; Medicine; Medicine & Public Health; Metallothionein - genetics; Middle Aged; Mouth Mucosa - metabolism; Mouth Mucosa - pathology; Mouth Neoplasms - etiology; Mouth Neoplasms - pathology; Oncology; Polymerase Chain Reaction; Polymorphism, Genetic - genetics; Prognosis; Risk Factors; Surgery; Surgical Oncology; Translational Research and Biomarkers; Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma; Normal Oral Epithelium; Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma Case; Arecoline
• ISSN: 1068-9265; 1534-4681; 1534-4681
• DOI: 10.1245/s10434-010-1431-3

Background We conducted an independent analysis of metallothionein 1 (MT-1) rs8052394, rs11076161, rs8052334, rs964372, rs7191779, and rs708274 in 587 individuals who were either healthy controls or subjects with oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). Methods All participants provided a nucleic acid sample (blood) as well as epidemiologic information on covariates or “risk factors” for OSCC, including tobacco, alcohol, and areca quid use. The genotyping result was used in a logistic regression model that examined main effects as well as statistical interactions while controlling for confounders. Results MT-1 is involved in regulation of zinc and copper homeostasis. It also is a potent antioxidant and its polymorphisms correlate with the risk for OSCC. Rs11076161 A, rs964372 C, and rs7191779 C alleles were protective against OSCC (adjusted OR = 0.53, 0.49, 0.36, respectively; p  < 0.05), whereas rs8052394 A alleles were associated with increased risk. Areca quid chewing and tobacco use were strong risk factors for developing the disease and were associated with 20- and 8-fold increases in adjusted risk ( p  < 0.05), respectively. Conclusions Controlling for the effects of age, gender, areca quid, tobacco, and alcohol use, individuals with inherited the MT-1 rs11076161 AA, rs964372 CC, and rs7191779 GC genotypes may experience significant protection against OSCC, whereas individuals carrying the MT-1 rs8052394 A allele seem exposed to higher risk.