Genetic variation of long non-coding RNA TINCR contribute to the susceptibility and progression of colorectal cancer

Colorectal cancer (CRC) accounts for the leading causes of cancer-related morbidity and mortality. However, a large part of heritable factors are warranted to be explored. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) serve critical roles in cancer development and progression. Herein, we explored effect of genetic variants of Tissue differentiation-inducing non-protein coding RNA (TINCR), a key lncRNA required for somatic tissue differentiation and tumor progression, on risk and progression of CRC. Three tagSNPs, including rs2288947, rs8105637, and rs12610531, were evaluated in in a two-stage, case-control study. Two SNPs, rs2288947 and rs8105637, were significantly associated with susceptibility of CRC in both stages. When pooled together, the allele G was significantly associated with 23% decreased risk of CRC (OR=0.77; 95% CI=0.67-0.88; P value = 1.2×10(−4))for SNP rs2288947. While for SNP rs8105637, the allele A was significantly associated with 22% increased risk of CRC (OR=1.22; 95% CI=1.09-1.37; P value = 6.2×10(−4)). The two SNPs were also statistically associated with occurrence of lymph node metastasis of CRC. The carriers of allele G are less likely to get lymph node metastasis (OR=0.77; 95% CI=0.63-0.94; P value = 0.011) for rs2288947, and the carriers of allele A are more likely to get lymph node metastasis (OR=1.22; 95% CI=1.03-1.43; P value = 0.019) for rs8105637. These results suggest that lncRNA TINCR polymorphisms may be implicated in the development and progression of CRC.