NFKB1 insertion/deletion promoter polymorphism increases the risk of advanced ovarian cancer in a Chinese population.

Ovarian cancer is the leading cause of death among all gynecological cancers. This is mainly attributed to its frequent presentation at an advanced stage (International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics stage III-IV). Nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-κB) is critically involved in the carcinogenesis and development of ovarian cancer. A functional insertion/deletion polymorphism (-94 ins/del ATTG) in the promoter region of the NFKB1 gene, which encodes the p50 subunit of the NF-κB protein, has been recently identified and shown to increase the susceptibility to many diseases. The purpose of this study was to explore the association between this polymorphism and the risk of advanced ovarian cancer in a Chinese population. A total of 179 advanced ovarian cancer patients and 223 healthy controls were recruited into this study. Genotypes were determined using polymerase chain reaction-capillary electrophoresis method. The insertion increased the risk of advanced ovarian cancer (odds ratio = 2.111, 95% confidence intervals = 1.125-3.961, p = 0.019 for heterozygote insertion, and odds ratio = 2.656, 95% confidence intervals = 1.397-5.051, p = 0.002 for homozygote insertion) compared with homozygote deletion. Similar results were seen in age-adjusted analyses (p < 0.05). Our preliminary results suggest that NFKB1-94 ins/del ATTG promoter polymorphism may be associated with increased susceptibility to advanced ovarian cancer.