Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is the sixth leading incident cancer worldwide. In this study, we aimed to investigate the possible association of OX40 gene polymorphisms, rs17568G/A and rs229811A/C, with susceptibility to HNSCC and its clinicopathological features. Two hundred and two HNSCC patients and 200 healthy age-sex matched individuals were enrolled. rs17568G/A and rs229811A/C polymorphisms in OX40 gene were genotyped using RFLP-PCR method. We observed more than 2 times increased risk for squamous cell carcinoma development in nose and paranasal sinuses among individuals who inherited GG genotype at rs17568 region (OR 2.29; CI 1.01-5.20; P = 0.035). Considering rs2298211 SNP, AA genotype was also observed with higher frequency, in comparison with other two genotypes (AC or CC), among patients with HNSCC originated from these regions (P = 0.003). Besides, we observed that patients with C allele at this locus (AC and CC genotypes) have tumors with significantly higher histological grade (P = 0.042). Our findings suggest the possible association of rs17568 GG genotype, as well as rs2298211 AA genotype with susceptibility to develop squamous cell carcinoma in the nose and sinonasal cavities.
Keywords: CD134; Gene polymorphisms; HNSCC; OX40; rs17568; rs2298211.