Int7G24A variant of transforming growth factor-beta receptor 1 is associated with osteosarcoma susceptibility in a Chinese population

The TGF-beta signaling pathway is important in the development and invasion of cancers. Int7G24A is an intronic variant of TGF-beta receptor type 1 and has been shown to be associated with the occurrence of some kinds of cancers. Nevertheless, the association of this polymorphism with osteosarcoma is unknown. In this study, we evaluated Int7G24A variant frequencies in osteosarcoma cases. The case–control study involved 168 osteosarcoma patients and 168 age- and gender-matched controls. The blood samples were obtained, and Int7G24A variant was determined by PCR amplification and DNA sequencing. The odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (95% CI) for the Int7G24A polymorphism were calculated using unconditional logistic regression adjusted for age and gender. Three analysis models, which are the dominant model, additive model and recessive model, were used to analyze the contribution of Int7G24A variant to osteosarcoma susceptibility. Heterozygotic and homozygotic Int7G24A variants were 33.93 and 6.55% in total 168 cases, while they were 28.57 and 2.98%, respectively, in total 168 controls. The ORs for homozygosity and heterozygosity of Int7G24A allele were 1.56 [95% CI, 0.98–1.83] and 2.89 [95% CI, 1.46–4.92] in additive model. The ORs of Int7G24A genotypes in dominant model and in recessive model were 1.75 [95% CI, 1.21–2.68] and 2.21 [95% CI, 1.34–4.72], respectively. There were significant increases in Int7G24A variants in osteosarcoma cases when compared to control in every three models. Further analysis showed that Int7G24A genotypes were not associated with gender and osteosarcoma location of the cases. However, Int7G24A was significantly increased in the cases less than 20 years old. Moreover, Int7G24A was significantly associated with increased distant metastasis of osteosarcoma. It is concluded that Int7G24A is a polymorphism of TGFBR1 that is associated with the susceptibility and distant metastasis of osteosarcoma.