GENETIC POLYMORPHISM OF TUMOR NECROSIS FACTOR ALPHA (TNF-Α) AND TUMOR NECROSIS FACTOR BETA (TNF-Β) GENES AND RISK OF ORAL PRE CANCER AND CANCER.

Abstract

Background Inflammatory cytokines such as TNF-α andTNF-β may play a pathogenic role in the development of oral precancerous lesions and oral cancer. Genetic polymorphisms of in these genes are known to predispose to malignant disease. We hypothesized that the risk of oral precancerous lesions and oral cancer might be associated with polymorphisms in these two inflammatory genes. Methodology A total 500 patients with oral pre cancer &cancer and 500 healthy volunteers were genotypes for the TNF-α (-238) G/A and TNF-β (252) A/G gene polymorphism. Genotypes were identified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) restriction fragment length polymorphism(RFLP). Genotype frequencies were evaluated by Chi-square test. Results Compared to the GG genotype the GA genotype of TNF-α (G238A) polymorphism has been found to significantly increase the risk of oral disease (OR= 1.99) and especially the risk of Lichenplanus and oral malignancy (OR= 2.805 and 5.790 respectively). The risk of overall oral disease, Lichenplanus and oral malignancy were also high with allele A compared to allele G of TNF-α (G238A) polymorphism (OR =1.88, 2.34, 4.42) and respectively). Similarly, the risk of oral disease was also more in the heterzygote (AG) than the common allele homozygote (AA) of TNF-β (A252G) polymorphism (OR= 1.483). Conclusions We conclude that the TNF-α (-238) G/A, TNF-β(252) A/G polymorphism were significantly associated with Oral pre cancer & cancer.