Significant Association Between the MiR146a Genotypes and Susceptibility to Childhood Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia in Taiwan

BACKGROUND/AIM: Mounting evidence has shown that miRNAs play a critical role in the regulation of hematopoiesis of cell proliferation and apoptosis as well as in tumorigenesis. The miR146a rs2910164 polymorphism, which is closely responsive for its expression, has been reported to associate with the risk of several solid cancers. The study aimed at examining the association of the it with susceptibility to childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) in Taiwan. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We recruited 266 patients with childhood ALL and 266 healthy controls, and rs2910164 genotypes were determined by the polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism methodology. RESULTS: The allele G was associated with decreased childhood ALL risk (OR=0.66, 95%CI=0.52-0.85, p=0.0011). Consistently, the GG genotype was associated with a decreased susceptibility (OR=0.40, 95%CI=0.23-0.67, p=0.0004). Patients with CG and GG genotypes were of earlier onset than those with CC genotype (p=0.0255 and p=0.0001). CONCLUSION: MiR146a rs2910164 G allele serves as a protective marker for childhood ALL in Taiwan.