Correlation between functional genotypes in the matrix metalloproteinases-1 promoter and risk of oral squamous cell carcinomas

BACKGROUND: Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) and oral submucous fibrosis (OSF), which are highly associated with areca use, are prevalent in most Asian countries. Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are superfamily of metal-dependent proteolytic enzymes, mediating the degradation of extracellular matrix. Insertion/deletion (-1607 2G-->1G) polymorphism has been described in the promoter region of the human matrix metalloproteinases-1 (MMP-1) genes, which cause an alteration in the transcriptional activity. This genotype is associated with risks of cancer genesis and metastasis. In this paper, we studied the relationship between such genotype and areca-associated oral diseases. METHODS: Genomic DNA from the blood of OSCC (n = 121), OSF (n = 58) cases and controls (n = 147) were amplified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based genotyping. The OSCC were further grouped into buccal squamous cell carcinoma (BSCC) and non-buccal suqmaous cell carcinoma (NBSCC), in accord with the site of involvement. The significance of the differences was assessed by Fisher's exact test. RESULTS: The 2G genotype in MMP-1 promoter was observed with a higher frequency in both OSCC (0.69, P = 0.06) and NBSCC (0.76, P = 0.03) cases compared with controls (0.63), with an odds ratio of 2.17 and 4.58, respectively. This genotype was not related to the risk of OSF. No other clinicopathologic parameter was associated with the genotypes in OSCC cases. CONCLUSION: The results showed that 2G genotype in MMP-1 promoter was associated with the risk of OSCC.