The analysis of Survivin promoter (-31G/C) gene variation in oral squamous cell carcinoma risk and prognosis

Abstract

Background/aim: Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is a malign tumor that associated with smoking and alcohol consumption, eating habits, environmental factors, and genetic susceptibility of the individuals. The Survivin gene, also known as BIRC5, plays important roles in the regulation of the cell cycle and apoptosis. The aim of the present study is to investigate Survivin -31G/C polymorphism in OSCC development and prognosis.

Materials and methods: A total of 61 patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma and 133 healthy individuals were genotyped by using the Polymerase Chain Reaction-Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism method (PCR-RFLP) to evaluate the role of the Survivin gene promoter region (-31) variation.

Results: There were no statistically significant differences in the distribution of Survivin promoter -31 polymorphism genotype and allele frequencies between the cases and controls but we analyzed the clinicopathological characteristics of patients and noticed a significant correlation between the C allele and advanced tumor stage in the patients (p = 0.022).

Conclusion: The Survivin (-31) gene polymorphism might be associated with advanced tumor stage in oral squamous cell carcinoma but further studies in a larger population are needed most effective evaluation of the Survivin (-31) gene variation in the OSCC risk and prognosis.

Keywords: Apoptosis; Cell cycle; Genetic; Oral squamous cell carcinoma; Survivin gene; Variation.