Macrophage migration inhibitory factor promoter polymorphisms (-794CATT5-7 ) as potential biomarker for early-stage cervical cancer.

AIM: The objective was to investigate the correlation between macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) promoter polymorphisms (-794CATT5-7 ) and early-stage cervical cancer (ESCC) and to identify a potential biomarker for ESCC.

METHODS: A hospital-based case-control study was performed. The case group contained 250 patients with histologically confirmed ESCC. The control group included 147 healthy women. Polymerase chain reaction-single strand conformation polymorphism was used to genotype polymorphisms of MIF promoter -794CATT5-7 . Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was applied to detect serum concentration of MIF.

RESULTS: The genotype distribution and allele frequency of MIF-794CATT in the ESCC group were significantly different from those in the control group (P < 0.05). The 7-CATT repeat carriers were significantly higher in the ESCC group than those in the control group (P < 0.05). The 7-CATT repeat carriers (5/7, 6/7, and 7/7) were associated with ESCC and increased risks of cervical cancer (odds ratio = 3.5, 3.0, and 5.6; 95% confidence interval = 1.2-10.5, 1.2-7.9, and 1.3-25.3, respectively). Serum concentration of MIF was significantly higher in the ESCC group than in the control group (P < 0.05), and it was significantly higher in 7-CATT carriers than in non-7-CATT carriers (P < 0.05). Neither polymorphisms of MIF-794 nor serum MIF were associated with lymph node metastases and differentiation (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSION: MIF promoter polymorphisms (-794CATT) were correlated with ESCC; and 7-CATT might play a role in ESCC. It could be a potential biomarker for ESCC.