TGFβ1 genetic polymorphism is associated with survival in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma independent of the severity of chemoradiotherapy induced mucositis

Chemoradiotherapy (CRT) of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is often accompanied by severe mucosal reactions. We have recently shown that the single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) rs1982073 of the TGFβ1 gene (TGFB1) is associated with the survival of HNSCC patients who have undergone CRT. In order to evaluate possible mechanisms mediating this, we investigated if the TGFB1 polymorphism was associated with the severity of mucositis induced by CRT. Peripheral blood DNA of 34 HNSCC patients who had undergone CRT was genotyped for the SNP rs1982073 of the TGFB1. Mucositis was graded according to acute toxicity criteria of radiation therapy oncology group (RTOG). The mean follow-up time was 48 months (range, 4-115 months). We did not find a significant association between the TGFB1 polymorphism and the degree of acute mucositis (OD = 2.65; 95% CI 0.50-13.89; p = 0.25). The degree of acute mucositis was not connected to disease-free survival (p = 0.35). However, the TGFB1 polymorphism was associated with survival irrespective of the degree of mucositis (HR = 3.23; 95% CI 1.19-8.77; p = 0.02).