Genetic variants in MicroRNA biosynthesis pathways and binding sites modify ovarian cancer risk, survival, and treatment response

Cancer Res. 2010 Dec 1;70(23):9765-76. doi: 10.1158/0008-5472.CAN-10-0130. Epub 2010 Nov 30.

Abstract

MicroRNAs (miRNA) play important roles in tumorigenesis. Genetic variations in miRNA processing genes and miRNA binding sites may affect the biogenesis of miRNA and the regulatory effect of miRNAs to their target genes, hence promoting tumorigenesis. This study analyzed 226 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) in miRNA processing genes and miRNA binding sites in 339 ovarian cancer cases and 349 healthy controls to assess association with cancer risk, overall survival, and treatment response. Thirteen polymorphisms were found to have significant association with risk. The most significant were 2 linked SNPs (r(2) = 0.99), rs2740351 and rs7813 in GEMIN4 [odds ratio (OR) = 0.71; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.57-0.87 and OR = 0.71; 95% CI, 0.57-0.88, respectively]. Unfavorable genotype analysis showed the cumulative effect of these 13 SNPs on risk (P for trend < 0.0001). Potential higher order gene-gene interactions were identified, which categorized patients into different risk groups according to their genotypic signatures. In the clinical outcome study, 24 SNPs exhibited significant association with overall survival and 17 SNPs with treatment response. Notably, patients carrying a rare homozygous genotype of rs1425486 in PDGFC had poorer overall survival [hazard ratio (HR) = 2.69; 95% CI, 1.67-4.33] and worse treatment response (OR = 3.38; 95% CI, 1.39-8.19), compared to carriers of common homozygous and heterozygous genotypes. Unfavorable genotype analyses also showed a strong gene-dosage effect with decreased survival and increased risk of treatment nonresponse in patients with greater number of unfavorable genotypes (P for trend < 0.0001). Taken together, miRNA-related genetic polymorphisms may impact ovarian cancer predisposition and clinical outcome both individually and jointly.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Binding Sites / genetics
  • Biosynthetic Pathways / genetics
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Female
  • Genetic Predisposition to Disease / genetics*
  • Genotype
  • Haplotypes
  • Humans
  • Kaplan-Meier Estimate
  • Lymphokines / genetics
  • MicroRNAs / biosynthesis*
  • MicroRNAs / genetics
  • MicroRNAs / metabolism
  • Middle Aged
  • Minor Histocompatibility Antigens
  • Odds Ratio
  • Ovarian Neoplasms / drug therapy
  • Ovarian Neoplasms / genetics*
  • Ovarian Neoplasms / pathology
  • Platelet-Derived Growth Factor / genetics
  • Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide*
  • Ribonucleoproteins, Small Nuclear / genetics
  • Risk Assessment
  • Risk Factors
  • Transfection
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • GEMIN4 protein, human
  • Lymphokines
  • MIRN425 microRNA, human
  • MicroRNAs
  • Minor Histocompatibility Antigens
  • Platelet-Derived Growth Factor
  • Ribonucleoproteins, Small Nuclear
  • platelet-derived growth factor C