doiSerbia

Association of TNF-R2 (676T>G) single nucleotide polymorphism with head and neck cancer risk in the Serbian population

Kostić Marija (Institute of Human Genetics, School of Dental Medicine, Belgrade)
Nikolić Nađa (Institute of Human Genetics, School of Dental Medicine, Belgrade)
Ilić B. (Clinic for Maxillofacial Surgery, School of Dental Medicine, Belgrade)
Jelovac D. (Clinic for Maxillofacial Surgery, School of Dental Medicine, Belgrade)
Trakilović Slobodanka (Institute of Human Genetics, School of Dental Medicine, Belgrade)
Božović Maja (Institute of Human Genetics, School of Dental Medicine, Belgrade)
Milašin Jelena (Institute of Human Genetics, School of Dental Medicine, Belgrade)

Tumor necrosis factor (TNF) which exerts its effects through two different receptors known as TNF-R1 and TNF-R2, is a major proinflammatory cytokine involved in the pathogenesis of different types of tumors. We have investigated whether polymorphisms in TNF-alpha (-308G>A), TNF receptor 1 (36A>G) and TNF receptor 2 (676T>G) genes modulate the susceptibility for oral squamous cell carcinomas (OSCCs) and basal cell carcinomas (BCCs) of the skin, two frequent types of head and neck cancers. Genotyping was done on 50 OSCC patients, 50 BCC patients and 60 healthy individuals, using PCR/RFLP. A significant difference in genotype and allele frequencies was found between patients and controls for the TNF-R2 polymorphism, in both OSCC and BCC. There was no statistically significant difference between patients and controls for TNF-alpha and TNF-R1 polymorphisms. Carriers of G allele had an approximately 2.5- and 5-fold higher risk for OSCC and BCC, respectively, in the Serbian population.

Keywords: Gene polymorphisms, TNF-alpha, TNF-R1, TNF-R2, head and neck cancer