The genetic variants of LINC-PINT are related to head and neck squamous cell carcinoma susceptibility in Chinese population

Abstract Background: Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is the most leading incident tumor worldwide. Genetic factors act crucial role in the HNSCC progression. Our study is intent to explore the correlation of LINC-PINT polymorphism with the risk of HNSCC in Chinese population.Methods: The case-control study (including 537 HNSCC cases and 533 controls) was performed to determine the relationship between LINC-PINT polymorphisms and HNSCC susceptibility. Odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated to determine the associations.Results: The current study indicated that rs157916 and rs7781295 in the LINC-PINT gene have a strong significant correlation with HNSCC risk (OR 1.32, p = 0.042; OR 1.31, p = 0.016). Stratification analyses showed that rs157916 is related to the increased risk of HNSCC in age ≤ 46 years (OR 1.56, p = 0.029). Rs157916, rs16873842, rs7801029, and rs7781295 exhibited an enhanced risk of HNSCC in men (OR 1.82, p = 0.004; OR 1.61, p = 0.028; OR 1.53, p = 0.047; OR 1.62, p = 0.021). Besides, we found that rs16873842 significantly increased the risk of Nasopharyngeal SCC (OR 4.04, p = 0.015). Rs157916 (OR 1.39, p = 0.028) and rs7781295 (OR 1.30, p = 0.028) had a high susceptibility to Thyroid SCC.Conclusions: This research indicated that polymorphisms in the LINC-PINT gene are significantly associated with an increased susceptibility to HNSCC, which suggest that LINC-PINT polymorphisms have a significant role in prevention and diagnosis of HNSCC.