Rs55705857

rs55705857 is a SNP located in a relatively gene-poor area of chromosomal region 8q24.21, near other SNPs that have been associated with certain cancers (prostate and ovarian).

A study by UCSF and Mayo Clinic researchers of over 1,600 glioblastoma patients concluded that carriers of a rs55705857(G) allele are at 5 - 6 fold higher risk for developing a glioma disease subtype categorized by harboring IDH1 or IDH2 (somatic) mutations (for example, with oligodendrogliomas, the odds ratio was 6.3, CI 4.6–8.8, p = 2.2 × 10e−28). These risk factors are among the highest ever reported for cancer-associated SNPs found in a SNP survey; nonetheless, keep in mind that glioblastomas are quite rare, with on average 2 - 3 people per 100,000 diagnosed per year, even with an allele frequency for rs55705857(G) of between 2 - 8%.

See also: http://www.genengnews.com/gen-news-highlights/gene-variant-raises-brain-tumor-risk/81247234/