Association between miR-27a genetic variants and susceptibility to colorectal cancer.

Background: MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are short, non-coding RNAs that negatively regulate target genes. A single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) in a miRNA sequence may alter miRNA expression and/or maturation, which was proposed to associate with the development and progression of cancer. The rs895819 polymorphism, located in the terminal loop of pre-miR-27a, has been reported to have relevance to several cancers. In this study, we investigated the possibility of association between polymorphism in rs895819 and susceptibility to colorectal cancer (CRC).

Methods: We identified a single SNP, rs895819 in pre-miR-27a, for further investigation, were determined in 205 CRC patients and 455 healthy controls.

Results: When taking the AA genotype as a reference, we found that AG genotype was not statistically significantly associated with the risk of CRC (AG vs. AA, OR 1.245, 95% CI: 0.806 - 1.923). However, the GG genotype was significantly associated with risk of CRC (GG vs. AA, OR 1.599, 95% CI: 1.052 - 2.430). In the AG + GG vs GG group, no significant difference was detected (OR 1.424, 95% CI, 0.974 - 1.801). GG genotype and G allele was associated with an increased risk of metastasis in this study (P < 0.001 and P = 0.003, respectively).

Conclusions: This study found significant association between rs895819 polymorphism in pre-miR-27a and CRC risk. Population-based studies with large number of subjects and long-term follow-up are needed to verify the association of miR-27a polymorphism with CRC susceptibility and severity. The virtual slide(s) for this article can be found here: http://www.diagnosticpathology.diagnomx.eu/vs/2061490734125077.