The analysis between functional human telomerase reverse transcriptase MNS16A polymorphisms and the risk of developing non-small cell lung cancer in the taiwanese population

Background: MNS16A is a functional polymorphic tandem repeat in the human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT). Its variant (long-long, LL genotype) has been associated with an increased risk for developing lung cancer in Caucasians. The aim of this study was to investigate the distribution of MNS16A genotypes in non-small cell lung cancers and whether these variant genotypes represent a genetic risk factor for lung cancer in Taiwan. Methods: A retrospective case study and the genotypes of MNS16A were compared between 205 lung cancer patients and 219 normal individuals using conventional polymerase chain reactions. Results: In the Taiwanese population, the distribution of the MNS16A variants LL and LS was 89.95% and 10.06%, respectively; less than 1% of our study population had the SS genotype. Statistical analysis revealed that MNS16A variants were not associated with an increased risk for lung cancer, after stratification for age, sex, pathology, stages, smoking history, or the presence of epidermal growth factor receptor mutations. Conclusion: In contrast with the early study obtained from the Caucasian population, MNS16A polymorphisms might not be a key genetic risk factor for developing non-small cell lung cancer in the Taiwanese population.