Investigation on the role of VEGF gene polymorphisms in the risk of osteosarcoma

OBJECTIVE: The VEGF in low oxygen conditions are reported to prolong the survival of malignant cell, and thus this gene has a critical role in tumor growth and invasion as well as development of malignant tumor. We aimed to assess the association between the six common SNPs and the risk of osteosarcoma, and their association with environmental factors. METHODS: 176 subjects with osteosarcoma and 176 gender- and sex-matched healthy control individuals were enrolled into our study. The VEGF -2578C/A, -1156G/A, +1612G/A, +936C/T, -634G/C and -460T/C gene polymorphisms were determined using a polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) assay according to manufacturer’s instructions RESULTS: By conditional logistic regression analysis, AA and CA+AA genotypes of VEGF -2578C/A were associated with significant increased risk of osteosarcoma compared with CC genotype, and the ORs(95%CI) were 2.32(1.18-4.60) and 1.68(1.07-2.64), respectively. Moreover, individuals with CC and TC+CC genotypes of VEGF-460T/C had significant increased risk of osteosarcoma compared with those carrying with the TT genotype, and ORs(95%CI) were 2.15(1.10-4.21) and 1.60(1.0-2.58), respectively. By stratified analysis, we did not find statistically significant associated between VEGF -2578C/A and -460T/C gene polymorphisms and cancer risk by stratification analysis. CONCLUSION: Our results suggested that VEGF -2578C/A and -460T/C gene polymorphisms may be association with an increased risk of osteosarcoma.