# LMO family gene polymorphisms and Wilms tumor susceptibility in Chinese children: a five-center case-control study

## TL;DR

This study found that specific genetic variations in the LMO gene family are linked to the risk of Wilms tumor in Chinese children.

## Contribution

The study identifies novel associations between LMO1 and LMO2 gene polymorphisms and Wilms tumor susceptibility in a Chinese pediatric population.

## Key findings

- LMO1 rs2168101 GT/TT genotypes were protective against Wilms tumor in children ≤18 months, males, and early-stage cases.
- LMO2 rs7933499 GA/AA genotypes increased Wilms tumor risk in children ≤18 months and early-stage cases.
- LMO1 rs11603024 TT genotype increased risk in children >18 months but was protective in sex- and gender-based subgroups.

## Abstract

Wilms tumor is the most prevalent embryonal kidney malignancy in children worldwide. Previous genome-wide association study (GWAS) identified that LIM domain only 1 (LMO1) gene polymorphisms affected the susceptibility to develop certain tumor types. Apart from LMO1, the LMO gene family members also include LMO2-4, each of which has oncogenic potential.

We conducted this five-center case‒control study to assess the correlations between single nucleotide polymorphisms in LMO family genes and Wilms tumor susceptibility. Odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals were calculated to evaluate the strength of the association.

We found LMO1 rs2168101 G > T and rs11603024 C > T as well as LMO2 rs7933499 G > A were significantly associated with Wilms tumor risk. Stratified analysis demonstrated a protective role of rs2168101 GT/TT genotypes against Wilms tumor in the subgroups of age ≤ 18 months, males and clinical stages I/II compared to the rs2168101 GG genotype. Nevertheless, carriers with the rs11603024 TT genotype were more likely to have an increased risk of Wilms tumor than those with rs11603024 CC/CT genotypes in age > 18 months. And the rs11603024 was identified as a protective polymorphism for reducing the risk of Wilms tumor in the sex- and gender- subgroup. Likewise, carriers with the rs7933499 GA/AA genotypes were at significantly elevated risk of Wilms tumor in age ≤ 18 months and clinical stages I/II.

Overall, our study identified the importance of LMO family gene polymorphisms on Wilms tumor susceptibility in Chinese children. Further investigations are needed to validate our conclusions.

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12885-024-12557-3.