Genetic Variations of CARMN Modulate Glioma Susceptibility and Prognosis in a Chinese Han Population

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to evaluate the relationship between CARMN polymorphisms and glioma risk and prognosis in a Chinese Han population. METHODS: Seven single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in CARMN were genotyped among 592 glioma patients and 502 healthy controls. Log-additive models were used for risk assessment by the odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Univariate and multivariate Cox regression analysis was applied to calculate Hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% CIs for prognosis assessment. RESULTS: CARMN rs13177623 was a protective factor for glioma susceptibility (OR = 0.78, p = 0.043). In addition, rs13177623, rs11168100, rs12654195 and rs17796757 were associated with the risk of glioma among the subgroup stratified by age or gender. We also found that G (rs13177623)G (rs12654195) haplotype was related to the decreased risk of glioma (OR = 0.61, p = 0.005). Importantly, rs13177623 [overall survival (OS): HR = 0.83, p = 0.047, and progression free survival (PFS): HR = 0.82, p = 0.031], rs12654195 (OS: HR = 0.64, p = 0.005 and PFS: HR = 0.65, p = 0.007) and rs11168100 (OS: HR = 0.71, p = 0.035) were associated with a better prognosis for glioma, especially in grade I-II glioma. In patients with grade III-IV glioma, rs17796757 polymorphism presented an improved OS. CONCLUSION: Our results firstly reported the contribution of CARMN variants (rs11168100, rs12654195, rs13177623, and rs17796757) to the susceptibility and prognosis of glioma in a Chinese Han population, which provided a novel insight on the relationship between CARMN gene and glioma tumorigenesis.