Contribution of Matrix Metalloproteinase-2 Promoter Genotypes to Nasopharyngeal Cancer Susceptibility and Metastasis in Taiwan

Background/Aim: Matrix metalloproteinase 2 (MMP2) is up-regulated in many cancers. However, the association of MMP2 genotype to nasopharyngeal cancer (NPC) susceptibility in Taiwan remains elusive. Materials and Methods: In this study, the role of MMP2 promoter C-1306T (rs243865) and C-735T (rs2285053) genotypes were investigated among 208 NPC patients and 416 healthy controls, and their role in NPC staging and TNM classifications were examined. Results: There was no differential distribution as for the genotypic or allelic frequencies at MMP2 promoter C-1306T or C-735T between the control and case groups. Noticeably, those with MMP2 C-1306T CT+TT genotypes had a lower metastatic risk than those with CC (p=0.0295). As for staging, T and N classifications, there was no differential distribution in C-1306T genotypes (p>0.05). Also, there was no differential distribution of C-735T genotypes according to different behavioral/clinicopathological characteristics. Conclusion: CT and TT genotypes at MMP2 C-1306T were associated with a significantly decreased risk of NPC metastasis