Association between polymorphisms of DNA repair gene ERCC5 and oral squamous cell carcinoma

ObjectiveShort nucleotide polymorphism in ERCC5 (rs751402), a key molecule in DNA damage repair, was analyzed in 575 individuals who were either control subjects with no clinical evidence of malignant transformation of the oral mucosa or subjects with oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC).Study DesignAll participants provided a blood sample, demographic data, and information on habitual use of tobacco, alcohol, and areca nut.Resultsrs751402 homozygocity for C allele was found to confer a statistically significant protection against OSCC (adjusted odds ratio 0.56, 95% confidence interval 0.35-0.89; P = .01), whereas rs751402 T alleles were associated with increased risk.ConclusionsOur findings suggest that there is an association between rs751402 polymorphism and incidence of oral cancer. ERCC rs751402 CC genotype is significantly associated with decreased risk of OSCC, whereas the T allotype is correlated with higher risk of OSCC.