MMP2 Polymorphisms and Colorectal Cancer Susceptibility in a Chinese Han Population

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is among the most common cancers worldwide and an important cause of cancer-related death. Inherited genetic variation plays a vital role in the occurrence and development of CRC. The aim of this study was to evaluate the association of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in MMP2 with CRC risk.

Three candidates, MMP2 SNPs, rs1053605, rs243849, and rs14070, were selected and genotyped using the Agena MassARRAY RS1000 system, and their association with risk of CRC was evaluated in 663 CRC cases and 663 healthy controls by calculating odds ratio (OR) with 95% confidence interval (95% CI) values.

The minor allele of rs243849 (T) was significantly less frequent in cases than controls (p = 0.021), and this SNP was associated with a decreased risk of CRC under co-dominant (p = 0.033), dominant (p = 0.021), and log-additive (p = 0.017) models, after adjusting for confounding factors. After stratification, rs243849 was found to be protective against CRC in patients who were non-smoking, consumed alcohol, and were ≥60 years old (p < 0.05). Conversely, rs1053605 was associated with disease occurrence in patients with CRC who consumed alcohol and were <60 years old (p < 0.05). Furthermore, rs1053605 genotype was associated with an increased risk of colon cancer (p < 0.05), while that of rs243849 was associated with a decreased risk of rectal cancer (p < 0.05). The rs1053605-rs243849 CT haplotype exhibited a protective role in CRC risk, following adjustment for confounders (p = 0.014). The rs14070 SNP was not associated with CRC risk. Finally, the false discovery rate (FDR) method was used to validate the study results.

Overall, the MMP2 gene polymorphisms, rs243849 and rs1053605, may be useful for predicting CRC progression.