Association of TNF-α polymorphism with susceptibility to and severity of non-small cell lung cancer

Background Genetic polymorphisms in the promoter region of the tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) gene are involved in the regulation of expression levels and have been associated with various inflammatory and malignant conditions. We have investigated two polymorphisms in the promoter region of the TNF-α gene (-308 G/A and -238 G/A) for their role in the susceptibility to and severity of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), by means of an allelic association study. Methods Using a case–control study design, lung cancer patients (n=202) and appropriate age- and sex-matched controls recruited from the health check-up unit (n=205) were subjected to genotype analysis for these polymorphisms, using a high-throughput allelic discrimination method. Results Genotype was analyzed using the polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism technique with genomic DNA isolated from peripheral blood lymphocytes. Overall, the distribution of the genotype frequencies of TNF-α-308 A/G and -238 A/G were significantly different between the lung cancer patients and the healthy controls, and also different between patients with lung cancers of various stages (p<0.0001). Logistic regression analysis revealed that higher odds ratios (ORs) for lung cancer were seen for individuals with TNF-α-308 AA/GA genotypes against GG genotype (an OR of 3.75, 95% CI 2.38–5.92, p<0.0001), and lower ORs were seen for individuals with TNF-α-238 AA/GA genotypes against GG genotype (an OR of 0.26, 95% CI 0.13–0.50, p<0.0001). The patients carrying a homologous AA or heterologous GA genotype at TNF-308 (p=0.017), or a homologous GG genotype at TNF-238 (p=0.001), had a tendency to advanced disease. Conclusions A significant association between the 308 G/A and 238 G/A polymorphisms in the promoter region of TNF-α and the susceptibility to lung cancer was demonstrated. Also, these two polymorphisms were associated with the severity of lung cancer. The -308 A allele has a promotive effect for lung cancer development and progression, whereas the -238 A allele has a protective function against lung cancers.