RESUMO
BACKGROUND: The MNS16A polymorphism is located in the downstream region of the hTERT gene and affects telomerase activity. METHODS: MNS16A has been investigated as a potential risk factor and/or prognostic marker for malignant glioma in a cohort of 352 patients (205 glioblastoma, 147 anaplastic gliomas) and 305 controls. RESULTS: The S ("short") allele (which results in a higher telomerase activity) was significantly more frequent in glioma patients compared to the control population (278/704=39.5% vs. 200/610=32.8%; P=0.012). The odd ratios were 1 for LL (taken as reference), 1.33 [0.96; 1.84] for SL and 2.05 [1.22; 3.44] for SS. However, in contrast to a previous report, no significant difference of survival was found between SS, LL and SL allelotypes. CONCLUSION: We found here the short allele of MNS16A more frequent in glioma patients, but it did not seem to be predictive of survival.
