Association of Inherited Variation in Toll-Like Receptor Genes with Malignant Melanoma Susceptibility and Survival
2011

Toll-Like Receptor Genes and Melanoma Risk

Sample size: 1499 publication 10 minutes Evidence: moderate

Author Information

Author(s): Gast Andreas, Bermejo Justo Lorenzo, Claus Rainer, Brandt Andreas, Weires Marianne, Weber Alexander, Plass Christoph, Sucker Antje, Hemminki Kari, Schadendorf Dirk, Kumar Rajiv

Primary Institution: German Cancer Research Center, Heidelberg, Germany

Hypothesis

Does genetic variation in Toll-like receptor (TLR) genes affect melanoma susceptibility and survival?

Conclusion

The study found a novel association between TLR gene variants and melanoma survival, particularly highlighting the role of the TLR4-rs4986790 polymorphism.

Supporting Evidence

  • The study included 763 melanoma cases and 736 matched controls.
  • Statistically significant differences in haplotype distribution were found between cases and controls.
  • Carriers of the TLR4-rs4986790 variant allele had improved overall survival.

Takeaway

This study looked at how certain genes related to the immune system might affect whether people get melanoma and how long they live after being diagnosed.

Methodology

The study genotyped 47 SNPs in 8 TLR genes in 763 melanoma cases and 736 matched controls.

Limitations

The study did not find strong associations for most polymorphisms with melanoma susceptibility, and some associations were not statistically significant.

Participant Demographics

763 melanoma patients (418 male, 345 female) and 736 healthy controls (368 male, 368 female) from Germany.

Statistical Information

P-Value

0.01

Confidence Interval

95% CI 0.32–0.88

Statistical Significance

p<0.05

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1371/journal.pone.0024370

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