Evaluation of GALNT16 polymorphisms to breast cancer risk in Chinese population

Abstract Background Polypeptide N‐acetylgalactosaminyltransferase 16 ( GALNT16 ) is an N‐acetylgalactosaminyltransferase gene that alters protein O‐glycosylation, which plays a role in tumor development. This study aims to explore the association of eight GALNT16 polymorphisms with susceptibility to breast cancer (BC). Methods This case–control study included 563 BC patients and 552 age‐matched healthy controls from the Chinese Han population. The genotypes of GALNT16 polymorphisms were detected using the Agena MassARRAY. The relationship between GALNT16 polymorphisms and BC risk was evaluated using a chi‐squared test with an odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) under five genetic models. Results We observed that rs2105269 and rs72625676 were associated with higher BC risk in younger patients with age ≤51 (rs2105269, codominant: p = .006; recessive: p = .005 additive: p = .018; and allele: p = .012; rs72625676, codominant: p = .038; recessive: p = .037). For rs1275678 polymorphism, there was a significantly decreased risk of BC among elder patients (codominant: p = .017; dominant: p = .019; additive: p = .030; and allele: p = .029). Further analysis by clinical characteristics showed rs2105269 was associated with tumor size and lymph node metastasis. Conclusion Our study suggests that GALNT16 polymorphisms are associated with BC susceptibility in Chinese population.