Objective: The etiology of lung cancer has been attributed to both environmental and genetic factors. In this study, we investigated the association between five miRNA gene single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and the risk of lung cancer, and explored the interaction between genetic and environmental factors in the Han people of China, the ethnic group that represents >90% of the population of the country.
Methods: This case–control study included 1,067 cases and 1,085 controls. Epidemiological data were collected by in-person interviews using a standard questionnaire. Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time of flight mass spectrometry was applied to genotype the selected miRNA gene SNPs. Unconditional logistic regression and stratified analysis were used to analyze the associations between these SNPs and lung cancer, and to calculate the adjusted odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Crossover analysis, logistic regression, and the Excel table made by Andersson were used to analyze the combined and interaction effects of gene–environment.
Results: The rs12894467 CC/CT genotype was associated with a significantly increased risk for lung cancer in women (adjusted OR =1.46, 95% CI=1.01–2.10). Smokers carrying the CC/CT genotype were associated with a significantly decreased risk of lung cancer, the adjusted OR was 0.75 (95% CI: 0.57–0.98). In the dominant model, rs12894467 and gender were associated with a positive multiplicative interaction; rs12894467 and smoking were associated with a negative multiplicative interaction.
Conclusion: The rs12894467 polymorphism was potentially associated with primary lung cancer in the Han Chinese population and had an interactive relationship with environmental factors.
Keywords: microRNAs, single-nucleotide polymorphism, lung cancer, case–control studies, susceptibility