METHODS: A total of 600 subjects were genotyped using PCR restriction fragment length polymorphism technique. Association analysis was carried out using logistic regression approach.
RESULTS: DKK3 rs7396187 showed a protective effect (p = 0.01). Subjects with heterozygous genotype of DKK2 rs17037102 and rs419558 showed an increased risk. The variant genotype of the genotypic combination, DKK3 rs3206824 and DKK2 rs419558 showed a twofold increased risk (p = 0.008). Lung cancer risk increased four-times in subjects with variant genotype of all the three DKK2 variants.
CONCLUSIONS: DKK2 is certainly playing a crucial role in modulating cancer susceptibility.