SNPs and serological levels of HIF-1α and VEGF are associated to increase risk of Oral Submucous Fibrosis in Gutka users among North Indian population

ABSTRACT Objectives Tissue hypoxia in Oral Submucous Fibrosis (OSMF) induces hypoxia inducible factor (HIF-1α) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) causing angiogenesis. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) may predict susceptibility to environmental carcinogens, development of OSMF, its severity and malignant transformation. This study aims to determine the serological levels and frequencies of SNPs of HIF-1α and VEGF in OSMF. Study Design A prospective pilot study where frequencies of SNPs of HIF-1 α (C1772 T, G1790 A), VEGF-A 936 C/T and VEGF-C (rs7664413, rs1485766), in OSMF, OSCC and healthy controls (C) were determined by PCR (n=100 each) and serological levels by ELISA (n=50 each), in north Indian population. Results Heterozygous form of HIF-1α C1772T (CT: odds ratio [OR]5.0; 95% CI, 2.24-11.16; p Conclusions The SNPs of HIF-1α, VEGF-A and VEGF-C and their serological levels can act as prognostic biomarkers and aid development of specialized anti-HIF-1α or anti-VEGF drugs in the management and prevention of OSCC in OSMF.