Genetic polymorphisms in the TERT gene and susceptibility to non-small cell lung cancer in a Chinese Han population

BACKGROUND: Recent studies have revealed that the TERT gene plays crucial roles in cancer initiation and development. Genome-wide analysis studies and case-control studies have demonstrated that polymorphisms in the TERT gene are associated with various cancers. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In the current study, we analyzed the associations of eight single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the TERT gene with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) in a Chinese Han population. A total of 467 NSCLC patients and 526 healthy individuals were recruited for SNP genotyping using a TaqMan assay. RESULTS: Our results revealed that the allelic frequencies of rs2853677 and rs2853691 were significantly different between the NSCLC and control groups (P=0.004 and 0.001, respectively). Moreover, the T allele of rs2853677 and the A allele of rs2853691 might be the protective factors against NSCLC (OR=0.766; 95%CI: 0.639–0.918 and OR=0.714; 95%CI: 0.584–0.875, respectively). Additionally, stratified association analysis of the eight SNPs with the different pathological NSCLC stages (I+II and III+IV) and different pathological types (adenocarcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma) revealed that none of the SNPs were significantly different between patients with different pathological stages and pathological types. CONCLUSION: Our results indicated that rs2853677 and rs2853691 in the TERT gene might be associated with NSCLC in this Chinese Han population.