Abstract: Objective    To investigate the association between rs2910164 G>C polymorphism in pre-microRNA-146a (pre-miR-146a) and laryngeal cancer. Methods    We conducted a case-control study with 204 cases and 440 cancer-free controls by collecting general and clinical characteristics, and genotyped the rs2910164 polymorphism using the TaqMan method. Logistic regression model was used to evaluate genetic effects on the development of laryngeal cancer. Results    We found that rs2910164 was significantly associated with the increased laryngeal cancer risk (GC/CC vs. CC: OR adjusted=2.49, 95% CI=1.57-3.94). In the stratification analysis, pronounced among smokers, drinkers and no family history of cancer (P<0.05 for all) were increased risks, and rs2910164 in combination with smoking and drinking effected more deeply(OR=6.39, 95% CI=2.72-15.0 for smoking with rs2910164 GC/CC; OR=4.19, 95% CI=2.24-7.83 for drinking with rs2910164 GC/CC). Conclusion    The rs2910164 C allele in miR-146a was associated with increased laryngeal cancer risk, which may act as a potential biomarker for diagnosis of laryngeal cancer.

Key words: MicroRNA-146a, Genetic susceptibility, Laryngeal cancer, Single nucleotide polymorphism