Association of genetic variants of CircCHST15 with oral squamous cell carcinoma in the Chinese Han population

Background: Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is the most common cancer in the oral cavity. The relationship between the genetic susceptibility of circCHST15 and OSCC remains unclear.

Methods: Genetic variants of circCHST15 were screened using a genotyping analysis from 1044 patients with OSCC and 3199 healthy participants. The circCHST15 expression was detected in 32 pairs of OSCC tissues. The circular RNA quantitative trait locus analysis and the reporter gene assay were performed for verification.

Results: The circCHST15 expression was upregulated in OSCC (Wilcoxon p < 1e-3). The genotyping analysis screened out 61 loci in circCHST15 associated with the risk of OSCC. After adjustment and annotation, rs28707473 (A > C, odds ratio = 1.21, 95% CI: 1.076-1.361, p = 1.453e-3) was selected. This genetic variation could elevate the circCHST15 expression level possibly by altering the structure of circular RNAs and affecting transcription factor binding.

Conclusions: The results of this study suggested that genetic variants of circCHST15 may contribute to OSCC susceptibility.