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Abstract

Title: Microsatellite polymorphisms in the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) gene and the transforming growth factor-alpha (TGFA) gene and risk of oral cancer in Puerto Rico.
Author: Kang D, Gridley G, Huang WY, Engel LS, Winn DM, Brown LM, Bravo-Otero E, Wu T, Diehl SR, Hayes RB
Journal: Pharmacogenet Genomics 15(5):343-347
Year: 2005
Month: May

Abstract: OBJECTIVES AND METHODS: Risks of oral cancer related to a CA microsatellite repeat polymorphism in intron 1 of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) gene and a TaqI polymorphism in the transforming growth factor-alpha (TGFA) gene were evaluated in a population-based case-control study consisting of 157 cases and 149 controls recruited in Puerto Rico. RESULTS: Carriers of >/=16 CA repeats in EGFR showed a 1.9-fold increased risk for oral cancer (OR=1.9, 95% CI=1.0-3.5). Risks also tended to increase with decreasing number of alleles with >/=16 CA repeats (P for trend=0.06). Our data suggested a non-significant reduction in risk for subjects heterozygous for the TGFA polymorphism (OR=0.6, 95% CI=0.2-1.3). CONCLUSIONS: The EGFR-associated risk appeared to be independent of tobacco and alcohol use and may be restricted primarily to subjects who consumed low amounts of fresh fruits and vegetables (OR=5.9, 95%CI: 2.3-15.2). These data implicate dietary and molecular targets for oral cancer prevention.