Interactive effects of AURKA polymorphisms with smoking on the susceptibility of oral cancer.

Objective: The objective of this study was aimed to investigate the interactions between Aurora kinase A (AURKA) gene polymorphisms (T91A and G169A) and smoking and their effects on the susceptibility of oral cancer. Methods: One hundred five healthy controls were frequency-matched with 91 oral cancer patients by age, sex and nationality. Detection of AURKA T91A and G169A polymorphisms was performed using polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) method. Differences in genotypes and alleles between case and control groups were compared using chi(2) test. Relative risk of oral cancer was presented as odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs). Results: AA genotypes respectively of AURKA T91A and G169A polymorphisms had higher frequencies in case group than in control group (p = .023; p = .038). However, only 91AA genotype was significantly associated with the occurrence of oral cancer risk (OR = 3.113, 95% CI = 1.176-8.236). A alleles of the two polymorphisms respectively increased the risk of oral cancer (OR = 1.700, 95% CI = 1.113-2.596; OR = 1.978, 95% CI = 1.132-3.454). Interactions between smoking and AURKA polymorphisms significantly associated with the onset of oral cancer (p < .05). Conclusions: AURKA polymorphisms are susceptible factors for oral cancer. Interactions between AURKA polymorphisms and smoking increase the risk of oral cancer.