YTHDC1 gene polymorphisms and Wilms tumor susceptibility in Chinese children: A five-center case-control study

Abstract Wilms tumor is a common pediatric tumor with abundant genetic drivers. YTHDC1 is an important reader of the N6-methyladenosine modification that widely regulates eukaryotic transcripts. YTHDC1 has been associated with the occurrence and development of some tumors. However, this is the first study on YTHDC1 gene polymorphisms and Wilms tumor susceptibility. In brief, we conducted a five-center case-control study to explore the associations between YTHDC1 polymorphisms (rs2293596 T>C, rs2293595 T>C, and rs3813832 T>C) and Wilms tumor susceptibility in Chinese children. A total of 404 cases and 1198 controls were successfully genotyped using TaqMan real-time PCR. Odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were used as the evaluation indicators. We found that children with the 2-3 risk genotypes were more likely to develop Wilms tumor than those with the 0-1 risk genotypes (adjusted OR=1.28, 95% CI=1.01-1.62, P=0.042). However, no other statistically significant results were found in this research study. The combined effect of YTHDC1 polymorphisms significantly increases Wilms tumor susceptibility. Our results need to be verified in different populations after increasing the sample size and controlling for confounding factors.