ROLE OF POLYMORPHISMS IN VEGF AND KDR GENES IN OSTEOSARCOMA SUSCEPTIBILITY: A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Genetics
• Molecular Biology

Background:

• Osteosarcoma is a prevalent aggressive bone tumor in children and adolescents.
• Tumor angiogenesis, driven by vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and its receptor (KDR), is crucial for osteosarcoma development.
• The association between common genetic polymorphisms in VEGF and KDR genes and osteosarcoma risk is not well-established.

Purpose of the Study:

• To systematically review observational studies evaluating the association between VEGF and KDR gene polymorphisms and osteosarcoma susceptibility.
• To synthesize current evidence on the role of these genetic variations in osteosarcoma development.

Main Methods:

• A systematic literature search was conducted in PubMed, Medline, Lilacs, and SciELO up to April 2024.
• Eight case-control studies (1,681 cases, 2,049 controls) from the Chinese population were included.
• Six VEGF polymorphisms were analyzed; KDR gene polymorphisms were not evaluated in any included study.

Main Results:

• Specific VEGF polymorphisms (rs699947, rs2010963, rs3025039, rs833061) showed potential associations with increased osteosarcoma susceptibility.
• No significant associations were found for VEGF polymorphisms rs1570360 and rs10434.
• No studies investigated KDR gene polymorphisms in relation to osteosarcoma risk.

Conclusions:

• Certain VEGF gene polymorphisms may contribute to osteosarcoma susceptibility in the Chinese population.
• The role of KDR gene polymorphisms in osteosarcoma remains uninvestigated.
• Further research in diverse ethnic groups, including Brazilians, is needed to confirm these findings and explore prognostic implications.