Effect of P21(C98A) polymorphism on the risk of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma in an Indonesian population

The high prevalence of head and neck cancer in Indonesia could imply possible population-specific causative factors. The polymorphisms of the p21 gene may modify important cellular defenses to carcinogenesis through the involvement of p21 in the cell cycle. It is known that p21 has a role as a mediator of p53 tumor suppressor that is involved in DNA repair and apoptosis. This study aimed to investigate the possible association of p21 (C98A) polymorphism with the risk of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) in Indonesia. The PCR-RFLP method was used to genotype stored DNA samples from 50 HNSCC patients and 50 healthy control subjects. The CA genotype was the most common variant in both case and control groups. Conclusion: There was no significant association between the genetic polymorphisms of p21 (C98A) with HNSCC in the tested Indonesian population.The high prevalence of head and neck cancer in Indonesia could imply possible population-specific causative factors. The polymorphisms of the p21 gene may modify important cellular defenses to carcinogenesis through the involvement of p21 in the cell cycle. It is known that p21 has a role as a mediator of p53 tumor suppressor that is involved in DNA repair and apoptosis. This study aimed to investigate the possible association of p21 (C98A) polymorphism with the risk of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) in Indonesia. The PCR-RFLP method was used to genotype stored DNA samples from 50 HNSCC patients and 50 healthy control subjects. The CA genotype was the most common variant in both case and control groups. Conclusion: There was no significant association between the genetic polymorphisms of p21 (C98A) with HNSCC in the tested Indonesian population.