Lack of Association of CYP2C9 Genetic Polymorphism with Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Abstract

There is increasing evidence for the role of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and heterocyclic aromatic amines in carcinogenesis, including oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). Several of these mutagenic substances are cytochrome (CYP)2C9 enzyme substrates. In this study we examined the association of CYP2C9*2 and *3 genetic polymorphisms in 58 OSCC patients and 174 healthy, age and sex-matched controls. Genotyping was done with allele-specific polymerase chain reaction followed by agarose gel electrophoreses while selected samples were sequenced for confirmation of genotyping. Results show that wild type genotype (CYP2C9*1*1) was observed at 83%, *1*3 at 8%, *1*2 at 5%, *2*2 at 2% and *2*3 at 2% in combined case and control groups. On further analysis, however, our results did not reveal association of these variants with OSCC samples (Odds ratio: 0.608, 95% Confidence Interval: 0.289 - 1.281, p-value: 0.190). While larger studies are needed to confirm or refute these results, they show a lack of association of CYP2C9*2 and *3 polymorphisms with OSCC in this population.