Effect of KRT81 rs3660 Polymorphism on Risk of Lung Cancer

Objective To explore the association of rs3660 polymorphism in the 3′UTR of KRT81 with the susceptibility for lung cancer.

Methods The genotypes of rs3660 were determined by TaqMan-MGB real-time PCR. The OR and 95%CI were estimated by Logistic regression to evaluate the association of rs3660 polymorphism with the risk of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and small cell lung cancer (SCLC).

Results KRT81 rs3660G > C variant affected the risk of SCLC (P=0.048), not NSCLC (P=0.614). When compared with the individuals with rs3660GG genotype, a significant decreased risk of developing SCLC was shown in C allele carriers (OR=0.70, 95%CI: 0.49-0.99). When stratified by smoking status, C allele carriers had significantly decreased risk among non-smokers (OR=0.60, 95%CI: 0.36-0.99, P=0.049). We also found that C allele carriers had no significantly decreased risk among light smokers (or heavy smokers) (OR=0.61, 95%CI: 0.26-1.43, P=0.254).

Conclusion KRT81 rs3660G > C polymorphism contributes to the risk of SCLC, not NSCLC.