Rs16901979

rs16901979 is a SNP on chromosome 8q24, associated with increased risk for prostate cancer in several studies. In some studies, the regions have been divided, and this SNP falls in region 2.

In a study of over 3,600 Caucasians with prostate cancer, rs16901979 is one of five SNPs used (with family history as a sixth factor) to cumulatively predict overall risk. On their own, the rs16901979(A;A) and (A;C) risk genotypes yield an odds ratio for developing prostate cancer of 1.53 (CI: 1.22-1.92, p=1.8x10e-4) and may account for 3.6% of population attributable risk.

cancer related according to this blog

Two genetic markers in the 8q24 region of chromosome 8 rs7008482 and rs16901979 have been linked to an increased risk of prostate cancer in African Americans. abstract

In follow-up studies looking at disease severity (and not just overall risk), this SNP is reported to account for the risk (from region 2) of advanced prostate cancer.

A meta-analysis of 10+ studies comprising over 15,000 prostate cancer patients concluded that the odds ratio for rs16901979(A) allele carriers is 1.74 (CI: 1.72-1.77).