Association between transforming growth factor β1 genetic polymorphism and response to chemoradiotherapy in head and neck squamous cell cancer

✍ Scribed by Marie Lundberg; Mervi Pajusto; Walter J. Koskinen; Antti A. Mäkitie; Leena-Maija Aaltonen; Petri S. Mattila

• Publisher: John Wiley and Sons
• Year: 2009
• Tongue: English
• Weight: 507 KB
• Volume: 31
• Category: Article
• ISSN: 1043-3074
• DOI: 10.1002/hed.21014

✦ Synopsis

Abstract

Background.

Transforming growth factor β (TGF‐β) is a pleiotropic cytokine that has diverse roles in cancer. Rate of production of the major isoform, TGF‐β1, is linked with rs1982073 single nucleotide polymorphism in TGFB1 gene signal sequence.

Methods.

Peripheral blood DNA of 175 head and neck squamous cell carcinoma patients were genotyped using real‐time PCR and fluorescent probes. The median follow‐up time was 2.9 years (range, 0.1–15.9 years). Survival was assessed using Cox regression.

Results.

Among the 38 patients who had received chemoradiotherapy without surgical resection the high‐producer TGFB1 genotypes CC and CT were associated with a better disease‐free and overall survival when compared with the low‐producer TT genotype (hazard ratios for interaction 3.42, 95% CI 1.12–10.5 and 3.09, 95% CI 0.96–10.0, respectively).

Conclusion.

Genetic polymorphism of the TGFB1 signal sequence is associated with the response to chemoradiotherapy. TGF‐β1 may sensitize cancer stem cells to chemoradiotherapy. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck, 2009