Association of CD28 gene polymorphism with cervical cancer risk in a Chinese population

Human papilloma virus plays a causal role in cervical carcinogenesis. However, only a small portion of infected individuals develop cervical cancer. Host genetic factors may confer susceptibility to this disease. CD28 participates in the maintenance of immune homeostasis as an important positive co-stimulatory molecule. Allelic variation of immuno-modulatory genes may be associated with alteration in immune function. This study investigated the associations between CD28 IVS3 +17T>C polymorphism and risk of cervical cancer in the Chinese population. Genotypes of CD28 polymorphism were detected in 619 cases with primary cervical cancer and in 985 normal controls. The odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated by unconditional logistic regression. A higher frequency of CD28 +17TC heterozygote was determined in patients in comparison with controls (19.4% versus 12.5%). Subjects carrying at least one CD28 IVS3 +17 C allele (TC or CC genotype) had increased risk of cervical cancer (OR=1.66, 95% CI=1.27-2.17). This study suggests that the CD28 IVS3 +17T>C polymorphism might be genetic susceptibility factor for cervical cancer in Chinese population.