Association of Matrix Metalloproteinase-7 Genotypes With Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Risk

Background/Aim: Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is a multifactorial malignancy influenced by Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection, genetic susceptibility, and environmental factors. Matrix metalloproteinase-7 (MMP-7), a key regulator of extracellular matrix remodeling, has been implicated in NPC progression. This study investigated the association between MMP-7 rs11568818 and rs11568819 genotypes and NPC susceptibility in a Taiwanese cohort consisted of 208 NPC cases and 416 cancer-free controls. Materials and Methods: The genotypic patterns of MMP-7 rs11568818 and rs11568819 were revealed by utilizing PCR-RFLP methodology. In addition, the interaction between MMP-7 genotypes and lifestyle factors (including smoking, alcohol consumption, and betel quid chewing) was also analyzed in a stratified manner. Results: Genotypic distribution analysis of MMP-7 rs11568818 showed no significant association with NPC risk (p for trend=0.4641). Individuals carrying the AG (OR=1.22, 95%CI=0.79-1.90, p=0.4384) or GG (OR=1.74, 95%CI=0.52-5.79, p=0.5539) genotypes exhibited a modestly elevated, but statistically non-significant, risk compared to AA carriers. Similarly, allelic frequency analysis indicated that the G allele did not significantly contribute to NPC susceptibility (OR=1.28, 95%CI=0.87-1.87, p=0.2433). Stratified analysis revealed a significant interaction between MMP-7 rs11568818 and smoking status (p for trend=0.0018). Among smokers, AG and GG genotypes were associated with an increased NPC risk (AG: OR=2.70, 95%CI=1.34-5.44, p=0.0076; GG: OR=9.27, 95%CI=1.01-84.66, p=0.0345), which remained significant after adjusting for confounders (adjusted OR=2.53, 95%CI=1.27-4.88; adjusted OR=7.89, 95%CI=1.02-47.38). No interactions were observed with alcohol consumption or betel quid chewing. Additionally, no polymorphic genotypes were detected for MMP-7 rs11568819 in the studied population. Conclusion: While MMP-7 rs11568818 does not directly influence NPC susceptibility in a Taiwanese population, its interaction with smoking may contribute to elevated NPC risk.