Correlation between OPN gene polymorphism and susceptibility to nasopharyngeal carcinoma

We studied the correlation between osteopontin (OPN) gene polymorphism and susceptibility to nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) among Han population in Jiangsu Province. The case-control study design was used. From February 1st 2011 to February 20th 2014, 197 patients of NPC treated at our hospital were included. For the control group, 197 healthy volunteers receiving physical examination at the same hospital from January 1st 2013 to August 1st 2013 were randomly selected. Single base extension (SBE)-PCR and DNA sequencing were performed to detect single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) at rs11728697 and rs4754 locuss in OPN gene for all cases. The haplotype frequency of the OPN gene was analyzed. At rs11728697 locus, the carriers of CT genotype had a higher risk of NPC than those of CC genotype (OR=1.56, 95% CI: 1.01 similar to 2.76, X-2=4.592, P=0.042). However, TT genotype was not indicative of a higher risk of NPC (OR=0.83, 95% CI: 0.46 similar to 1.58, X-2=0.043, P=0.876). Allele frequency at this locus was not significantly different between the two groups. At rs4754 locus, the two groups also showed no significant difference in allele and genotype frequencies or haplotype frequency of the OPN gene (P>0.05). In summary, among Zhuang population in Guangxi Province, CT genotype at rs11728697 locus in the OPN gene can increase the susceptibility to NPC, while SNP at rs4754 locus was not relevant.