Contribution of Matrix Metallopeptidase-1 Genotypes, Smoking, Alcohol Drinking and Areca Chewing to Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Susceptibility.

BACKGROUND/AIM: The up-regulation of matrix metalloproteinase-1 (MMP-1) has been demonstrated to be correlated with lymph node metastasis of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC); however, the genotypic role of MMP-1 is not well understand. The present study aimed to assess the contribution of MMP-1 promoter -1607 genotypes, combined with environmental carcinogens, on the predisposition to NPC tumorigenesis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The MMP-1 promoter -1607 genotypes were examined for 352 age- and gender-matched controls and 176 NPC patients by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) methodology. RESULTS: We found that the MMP-1 promoter -1607 heterozygous 1G/2G and homozygous 1G/1G genotypes, were more and more prone to be associated with NPC risk (odds ratio (OR)=0.64 and 0.63, 95% confidence interval (CI)=0.43-1.03 and 0.36-0.96, p=0.0659 and 0.0932, respectively). In the dominant models, there was a significant association between the genotype of MMP-1 promoter -1607 and NPC risk (OR=0.64, 95% CI=0.43-0.91, p=0.0359). In addition, individuals carrying the 1G allele at MMP-1 promoter -1607 were less susceptible to NPC (OR=0.73; 95%CI=0.59 to 0.96, p=0.0418) after adjustment for age, gender, cigarette, alcohol and areca consumption. CONCLUSION: The 1G/1G genotype of MMP-1 promoter -1607 may independently have a protective effect on NPC risk, without interaction with behavioral factors, including cigarette, alcohol and areca consumption.