Abstract
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are a group of small, non-coding, and endogenous RNAs that regulate gene expression and over 50% of them are located at cancer-related genomic regions or fragile sites. According to previous studies there is significant association of miRNA single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) with tumorigenesis (e.g., esophageal cancer, hepatocellular cancer, gastric cancer, bladder cancer, breast cancer, lung cancer, and colon cancer), however, the conclusions have been inconsistent. To investigate the relationship between miR-146a rs2910164 C > G, miR-196a2 rs11614913 T > C, and miR-499 rs3746444 A > G polymorphisms and the susceptibility to esophageal squamous cell cancer (ESCC) in the Chinese Han nationality, we recruited 829 cases and 1522 controls in our study. In this case-control study, our results suggest that the rs3746444 GG genotype increased ESCC risk [homozygote model: adjusted odds ratio (OR), 2.26; 95% CI, 1.33-3.83; p = 0.003, recessive model: adjusted OR, 2.34; 95% CI, 1.38-3.96; p = 0.002], which remained consistent after Bonferroni correction. There was no association of rs11614913 and rs2910164 polymorphisms with ESCC. After adjusting by age, sex, smoking, and drinking status and body mass index (BMI), the multiple logistic analysis suggested that rs11614913 T → C variation reduced ESCC susceptibility in females and in the ≥63 years old subgroups, while rs2910164 C → G variation increased ESCC risk in both two BMI subgroups.