Objective: The identification of high-risk individuals can help to improve early cancer detection and patient survival. Risk assessment, however, can only be accomplished if the risk factors are known. To date, the genetic risk factors for ovarian cancer, other than mutations in the BRCA1/2 genes, have never been systematically explored in Malaysia. The present study aims to identify from a panel of cancer-associated single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), those associated with ovarian cancer risk in Malaysia.
Methods: A total of 768 SNPs associated with various cancers among Asians were identified through a search of the relevant literature, and these SNPs were then screened for their association with ovarian cancer. A total of 160 Malaysian subjects were recruited for the study, including both ovarian cancer patients and controls. Genotyping was carried out using Illumina BeadArray platform.
Results: A panel of 45 SNPs that are significantly (p<0.05) associated with ovarian cancer risk was identified. These ovarian cancer-associated SNPs were located in genes implicated in various pathways of carcinogenesis. Of these 45 SNPs, 5 have been previously associated with either ovarian cancer risk or survival.
Conclusion: This study has identified a panel of 45 SNPs that are significantly associated with ovarian cancer in a Malaysian population.