Abstract
PURPOSE: Lung cancer is the third most common type of cancer in Europe and is the first cause of death by cancer worldwide. Non-small cell lung cancer accounts for 75-85% of all histological types of LC. The transforming growth factor beta 1 is a multifunctional regulatory polypeptide that controls many aspects of cellular function (cellular proliferation, differentiation, migration, apoptosis, immune surveillance). TGFB1+869T>C is a functional polymorphism described in TGFB1 gene and this transition has been associated with higher circulating levels of TGFß1 that may modulate cellular microenvironment and consequently LC development and prognosis. METHODS: We studied TGFB + 869T > C functional polymorphism by allelic discrimination using 7300 real-time polymerase chain reaction system in 305 patients with NSCLC and 380 healthy individuals. RESULTS: We found an increased risk for C carriers to develop NSCLC, both epidermoid NSCLC and non-epidermoid NSCLC (odds ratio (OR) = 2.03, P < 0.0001, OR = 2.37, P < 0.001 and OR = 1.83, P = 0.001, respectively). TGFB1+869T>C functional polymorphism may influence NSCLC susceptibility with impact in cellular microenvironment. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that individual differences influence the susceptibility to LC and tumoral behavior. This genetic profiling may help define higher risk groups for an individualized chemoprevention strategy and therapy.