Ten common genetic variants associated with colorectal cancer risk are not associated with survival after diagnosis.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: To date, genomewide association studies have identified 10 genetic loci associated with colorectal cancer (CRC) susceptibility. We hypothesized that these loci might also affect cancer survival. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: To determine whether single-nucleotide polymorphisms tagging these 10 loci influenced all-cause and CRC-specific mortality, we prospectively followed survival outcomes for 2,838 Scottish patients recruited soon after a diagnosis of CRC. Survival analysis was conducted using Cox proportional hazard models adjusted for American Joint Committee on Cancer stage, age, and sex. RESULTS: None of the single-nucleotide polymorphisms were found to be statistically significantly associated with all-cause or CRC-specific mortality. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that none of the 10 common genetic variants thus far shown to be associated with CRC risk are associated with survival from CRC.