Association of OX40 gene polymorphisms (rs17568G/A and rs229811A/C) with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma

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.