Association between the rs2910164 polymorphism in pre-Mir-146a sequence and thyroid carcinogenesis

Wen-Jun Wei1, Yu-Long Wang, Duan-Shu Li

  • 1Department of Head & Neck Surgery, Cancer Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.

Plos One
|March 2, 2013
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

The single nucleotide polymorphism rs2910164 in miR-146a was not linked to papillary thyroid cancer or benign thyroid tumor risk in Chinese patients. However, the GG genotype may increase the risk of benign tumors progressing to papillary thyroid cancer.

Area of Science:

  • Genetics
  • Oncology
  • Molecular Biology

Background:

  • Rs2910164, a single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) in the precursor microRNA sequence of miR-146a, is the sole microRNA sequence SNP investigated in papillary thyroid cancer (PTC).
  • Previous association studies in US and UK-Northern European populations yielded inconsistent results regarding rs2910164 and PTC risk.
  • This study aimed to evaluate the association between rs2910164 and the risk of PTC and benign thyroid tumors (BN), and to examine clinicopathological characteristics across different genotypes.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the association between the rs2910164 polymorphism and the risk of papillary thyroid cancer (PTC) and benign thyroid tumors (BN) in a Chinese Han population.
  • To analyze the clinicopathological characteristics of PTC and BN in relation to rs2910164 genotypes.
  • To explore the potential role of rs2910164 in the progression from benign thyroid tumors to PTC.

Main Methods:

  • A case-control study involving 753 PTC cases, 484 BN cases, and 760 controls from a Chinese Han population.
  • Genotyping of the rs2910164 polymorphism.
  • Comparison of clinicopathological and genetic data using multivariate logistic regression to calculate adjusted odds ratios (ORs).

Main Results:

  • No significant differences in rs2910164 genotype distributions were observed among PTC, BN, and control groups.
  • PTC cases with co-existing benign tumors (PTC/BN) exhibited distinct characteristics, including older age, smaller tumor size, lower serum thyrotropin levels, and reduced lymph node metastasis rates compared to PTC-only cases.
  • The rs2910164 GG homozygote was identified as the sole significant risk factor (OR=2.25, P=0.01) for the progression from benign thyroid tumor to PTC.

Conclusions:

  • Rs2910164 is not associated with an increased risk of developing papillary thyroid cancer or benign thyroid tumors in the Chinese population.
  • The rs2910164 polymorphism, specifically the GG genotype, may play a role in the latent transformation of benign thyroid tumors into papillary thyroid cancer.

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