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

Abstract

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. 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. None of the single-nucleotide polymorphisms were found to be statistically significantly associated with all-cause or CRC-specific mortality. 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.