MYCN gene polymorphisms and Wilms tumor susceptibility in Chinese children

BACKGROUND: Wilms tumor, derived from embryonic cells, accounts for a large proportion of pediatric renal tumors. MYCN encoded by MYCN proto‐oncogene, a member of the MYC family, is a BHLH transcription factor. It plays a critical role in tumorigenesis and predicts poor clinical outcomes in various types of cancer. However, the role of MYCN remained unclarified in Wilms tumor. In this study, we investigated the association between MYCN gene polymorphisms and Wilms tumor susceptibility. METHODS: Four MYCN gene polymorphisms (rs57961569 G > A, rs9653226 T > C, rs13034994 A > G, and rs60226897 G > A) were genotyped in 183 cases and 603 controls. Adjusted odds ratios (AORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated to evaluate the association between MYCN gene polymorphisms and Wilms tumor susceptibility. RESULTS: Overall, no significant association was found for any of the four MYCN gene polymorphisms. Interestingly, in the stratification analysis, the rs57961569 was found to be associated with decreased Wilms tumor susceptibility in the children older than 18 months (AOR = 0.65, 95% CI = 0.42‐1.00, P = .050). Moreover, older children carrying 2‐4 risk genotypes were at increased risk of Wilms tumor (OR = 1.55, 95% CI = 1.001‐2.40, P = .0497). Haplotype GCAA was shown to significantly increased Wilms tumor risk (AOR = 2.40, 95% CI = 1.12‐5.14, P = .024). CONCLUSION: Our study demonstrated that these MYCN gene polymorphisms might be low penetrant variants in Wilms tumor.