Single nucleotide polymorphisms in the u-PA gene are related to susceptibility to oral tongue squamous cell carcinoma in the Northern Chinese Han population.

Aim: The purpose of this study was to determine whether susceptibility to oral tongue squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is related to polymorphisms in the u-PA gene.

Methods: We examined the rs2227564 C/T and rs2227562 G/A single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in 196 OSCC patients and 201 age- and gender- matched controls via direct sequencing and PCR-RFLP methods.

Results: Significant differences were found in allelic and genotypic distributions of the rs2227564 and rs2227562 loci when comparing cases and controls. In addition, logistic analyses indicated that the rs2227564 C/T genotype was related to a 1.52-fold increased risk of developing OSCC (adjusted OR=1.521, 95%CI: 1.144~2.022, P=0.004). Linkage disequilibrium analysis was conducted and no association between the two loci was found (D'=0.031, r2=0.000).

Conclusions: Our findings provide evidence that the rs2227564 C/T SNP in the u-PA gene is associated with the development of OSCC.