Prevalence of p53 codon 72, p73 G4C14-A4T14 and MDM2 T309G polymorphisms and its association with the risk of oral cancer in South Indians

Abstract

Background and aimGenetic susceptibility to cancer through single nucleotide polymorphisms - p53 Pro72Arg, p73 G4C14-A4T14 (two linked polymorphism) and MDM2 T309G has been reported in various ethnic populations. Yet the association is unclear in oral cancer of Indian origin where tobacco chewing is widely practiced. The aim of the study was to evaluate the significance of these polymorphisms for the development of oral cancer. Materials and methodsSingle Nucleotide Polymorphisms were genotyped in 204 oral cancer cases and 212 unrelated controls by allele specific polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) methods. ResultsOur results indicate high prevalence of p53 Pro72 [28.92%] in cancer patients and an association with tobacco chewing [OR=3.72, 95%CI=1.697–8.143, p<0.001] as risk habit, while AT variant allele of p73 is less frequent in both the groups [<4%] and the MDM2 polymorphism is equally distributed in cases and control [25.98%] suggesting no involvement in oral cancer. ConclusionWe conclude P53 Proline allele confers risk of developing oral cancer when tobacco chewing is practiced.