XRCC1 and XRCC3 Polymorphisms and Non-Melanoma Skin Cancer Risk

Strategic Insights -

A recent study published in Environmental Research has found that polymorphisms in the XRCC1 and XRCC3 genes may modify the associations between skin cancer risk and exposure to sunlight or arsenic. The study, conducted in Europe, analyzed data from 618 new cases of non-melanoma skin cancer and 527 hospital-based controls from Hungary, Romania, and Slovakia. The researchers discovered that the homozygous variant genotype of XRCC1 R399Q increased the risk of squamous cell carcinoma by 2.53 times, while the homozygous variant genotype of XRCC3 T241M had a protective effect against basal cell carcinoma, reducing the risk by 61%.

Key Takeaways:

  • The study found that XRCC1 R399Q polymorphism increased the risk of squamous cell carcinoma by 2.53 times (95% CI 1.14-5.65).
  • The XRCC3 T241M polymorphism had a protective effect against basal cell carcinoma, reducing the risk by 61% (95% CI 0.41-0.92).
  • Significant interactions were detected between XRCC3 T241M and sunlight exposure at work, and between XRCC3 T241M and exposure to arsenic in drinking water (p-value for interaction < 0.05).
  • The study suggests that polymorphisms in XRCC genes may modify the associations between skin cancer risk and exposure to environmental carcinogens.
  • The results of this study have substantial relevance to public health due to the high prevalence of genetic polymorphisms modifying the association between exposure to environmental carcinogens and non-melanoma skin cancer.
  • The study was conducted in Europe, with participants from Hungary, Romania, and Slovakia.

Statistics:

  • 618 new cases of non-melanoma skin cancer were enrolled in the study.
  • 527 hospital-based controls were used for the analysis.
  • The study had a 95% confidence interval (CI) of 1.14-5.65 for the XRCC1 R399Q polymorphism and 0.41-0.92 for the XRCC3 T241M polymorphism.
  • The p-value for interaction between XRCC3 T241M and sunlight exposure at work was < 0.05.
  • The p-value for interaction between XRCC3 T241M and exposure to arsenic in drinking water was < 0.05.

Sources:

  • Environmental Research, "Polymorphisms in DNA repair genes XRCC1 and XRCC3, occupational exposure to arsenic and sunlight, and the risk of non-melanoma skin cancer in a European case-control study", 2014;134():382-389.
  • German Cancer Research Center, Div Mol Genet Epidemiol, Heidelberg, Germany.
  • Academic Press Inc Elsevier Science, 525 B St, Ste 1900, San Diego, CA 92101-4495, USA.