Association of the microsatellite (GT)_n repeat polymorphisms of the HO-1 gene promoter and corresponding serum levels with the risk of laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma

Abstract

Conclusion: Long (GT)_n repeat polymorphisms in the heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) gene promoter and decreased serum HO-1 levels are associated with a higher susceptibility to laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC). Objective: In this case-control study, the association of HO-1 microsatellite (GT)_n repeat polymorphisms and serum levels with the risk of LSCC was investigated. Methods: A total of 142 LSCC patients, 54 vocal leukoplakia patients and 98 healthy controls, were examined for (GT)_n polymorphisms by sequencing, and the serum HO-1 levels were detected in a sub-set from participants above by ELISA. Results: Compared with the controls, the LSCC group had significantly higher frequencies of L-allele (> 29 repeats) and L-allele carriers (p < 0.001, OR = 2.037 and p = 0.005, OR = 2.152, respectively). The frequencies of lymph node metastasis and of moderate or poor differentiation were significantly higher in L-allele carriers compared to non-L-allele carriers (p < 0.05). Significantly lower serum HO-1 levels were detected in LSCC patients (p < 0.001), and patients with lower serum HO-1 levels had more advanced cancer stage and a higher lymph node metastasis rate (p < 0.05). Furthermore, the L-allele carriers had lower serum HO-1 concentrations compared with the non-L-allele carriers (p = 0.019).

Keywords:

• Heme oxygenase-1
• polymorphism
• serum
• laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma
• vocal cord leukoplakia

Acknowledgements

This study was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (30801283, 30972691), the Shanghai Science and Technology Development Funds (09QA1401000, 10QA1405900, 14411961900), the Training Program of the Excellent Young Talents of Shanghai Municipal Health System (XYQ2011055, XYQ2011015), and the Shanghai Municipal Science and Technology Foundation (11JC1410802).

Disclosure statement

The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the paper.