Association between novel PLCE1 variants identified in published esophageal cancer genome-wide association studies and risk of squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck
2011

PLCE1 Variants and Head and Neck Cancer Risk

Sample size: 2188 publication Evidence: moderate

Author Information

Author(s): Ma Hongxia, Wang Li-E, Liu Zhensheng, Sturgis Erich M, Wei Qingyi

Primary Institution: The University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center

Hypothesis

The study investigates the association between novel PLCE1 variants and susceptibility to squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN).

Conclusion

PLCE1 variants may influence the risk of SCCHN, particularly for tumors arising at non-oropharyngeal sites associated with tobacco and alcohol exposure.

Supporting Evidence

  • None of the three SNPs was significantly associated with overall risk of SCCHN individually.
  • The combined effects of risk alleles were associated with SCCHN risk in a locus-dose effect manner.
  • PLCE1 variants were particularly associated with non-oropharyngeal tumors.

Takeaway

This study looks at how certain gene changes might make people more likely to get a type of throat cancer, especially if they smoke or drink alcohol.

Methodology

The study genotyped three SNPs in PLCE1 among 1,098 SCCHN patients and 1,090 matched controls.

Potential Biases

Selection bias may exist due to the hospital-based design.

Limitations

The study is hospital-based, which may introduce selection bias, and the sample size may limit the power to detect weak associations.

Participant Demographics

Participants were non-Hispanic whites, with a mean age of 57.1 years.

Statistical Information

P-Value

0.046

Confidence Interval

95% CI = 1.01-1.64

Statistical Significance

p<0.05

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1186/1471-2407-11-258

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