The Association Between KRAS rs712 Polymorphism Within let-7 microRNA-Binding Site and Lung Cancer in the Iranian Population

Abstract

<strong>Introduction</strong>: Recent studies have indicated the function of polymorphisms in the miRNAs-binding sites within the target genes in cancer incidence. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between KRAS rs712 polymorphism within let-7 microRNA-binding site and lung cancer (LC) risk in the Iranian population.<br /> <strong>Materials and Methods: </strong>This case-control study was performed among 100 patients with LC and 100 healthy individuals. The rs712 polymorphism in KRAS gene promoter was evaluated using the polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) technique and direct sequencing. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS software and t-test.<br /> <strong>Results: </strong>The findings of this study revealed that rs712, TT and GT genotypes are significantly associated with LC incidence in the Iranian population (adjusted odds ratio [OR] = 3.556, 95% CI = 1.346–9.379, <em>P </em>= 0.01) and (OR = 2.45, 95% CI = 1.274–4.719<em>, P </em>= 0.01), and rs712 T allele was associated with LC incidence (OR = 1.711, 95% CI = 1.147–2.553, <em>P </em>= 0.01). In addition, our analysis showed an association between the rs712 TT genotype and LC metastasis (<em>P </em>= 0.006).<br /> <strong>Conclusions: </strong>According to our findings, rs712 T allele is significantly associated with the initiation and progression of LC in the Iranian population and it may be served as a LC screening marker in the future.