Int J Med Sci 2026; 23(4):1257-1263. doi:10.7150/ijms.129479 This issue Cite

Research Paper

Association of NUCB2 genetic variants with the clinicopathological features of oral cancer

Chang-Chiang Yu1, Hsueh-Ju Lu2,3, Ming-Yu Lien4,5, Chiao-Wen Lin6,7, Jian-Hong Yu1,8, Shun-Fa Yang9,10 Corresponding address, Chih-Hsin Tang4,11,12,13 Corresponding address

1. School of Dentistry, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan.
2. School of Medicine, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan.
3. Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, Chung Shan Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan.
4. School of Medicine, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan.
5. Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan.
6. Institute of Oral Sciences, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan.
7. Department of Dentistry, Chung Shan Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan.
8. Department of Orthodontics, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan.
9. Institute of Medicine, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan.
10. Department of Medical Research, Chung Shan Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan.
11. Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan.
12. Department of Medical Laboratory Science and Biotechnology, Asia University, Taichung, Taiwan.
13. Chinese Medicine Research Center, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan.

Received 2025-9-21; Accepted 2026-2-5; Published 2026-2-26

Citation:
Yu CC, Lu HJ, Lien MY, Lin CW, Yu JH, Yang SF, Tang CH. Association of NUCB2 genetic variants with the clinicopathological features of oral cancer. Int J Med Sci 2026; 23(4):1257-1263. doi:10.7150/ijms.129479. https://www.medsci.org/v23p1257.htm
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Abstract

Graphic abstract

Oral cancer ranks as the fourth most common cancer among men in Taiwan and the ninth most common cancer among men worldwide. Nesfatin-1, an adipokine derived from the precursor NUCB2 gene, was originally discovered in hypothalamic neurons. The connections among lifestyle factors that promote cancer, NUCB2 polymorphisms, and oral cancer are still not well understood. We examined the association of four NUCB2 gene polymorphisms (rs1330, rs214101, rs757081, and rs10766383) and clinicopathological characteristics with oral cancer in Taiwanese men compared with healthy controls. According to our data, in patients aged ≥60 years, specific NUCB2 genotypes were significantly associated with more aggressive disease features. Compared with the wild-type C/C genotype, carriage of at least one polymorphic allele (T allele at rs1330 or G allele at rs757081) was correlated with an elevated risk of progression to stage III/IV disease. Furthermore, the GA/AA genotypes at rs214101 and the TG/GG genotypes at rs10766383 were associated with elevated risks of both advanced-stage (III/IV) disease and lymph node metastasis. Our findings suggest that NUCB2 SNPs may play a pivotal role in oral cancer progression and metastatic potential, particularly in older patients.

Keywords: nesfatin-1, NUCB2, oral cancer, genetic polymorphisms

Introduction

One of the key etiological factors of high death rates is oral cancer, which is the most frequent type of head and neck cancer [1]. Oral cancer has emerged as one of the most prevalent malignant tumors worldwide, according to the "Global Cancer Statistics 2022" survey [1]. Of all oral cancers, oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is the biggest general (representing nearly 90% of all malignancies of the mouth cavity) [2]. Human papillomavirus infection and regular use of carcinogens including alcohol, tobacco, and betel nuts are major risk factors for OSCC [3, 4]. Around 86% of Taiwanese oral cancer patients are frequent betel nut chewers [5, 6]. Oral cancer is also linked with genetic anomalies caused by DNA repair, dysregulation of carcinogen metabolism and cell cycle regulation [7].

Adipokines are bioactive agents secreted by adipose tissue that regulate a range of physiological processes, including inflammation, homeostasis, insulin responsiveness, and immune responses [8]. Metabolic and inflammatory pathways are influenced by key adipokines for instance nesfatin-1, adiponectin, resistin and leptin, which act locally or systemically through endocrine, autocrine, or paracrine processes [9]. Adipokines have multifaceted effects in cancer, impacting the tumor microenvironment, cellular proliferation, apoptosis, angiogenesis, and metastasis [10-12]. Originating from its precursor NUCB2, nesfatin-1 is an 82-amino acid polypeptide that was originally found in hypothalamic neurons [13]. Additionally, peripheral tissues include adipose tissue, the pancreas, the ovaries, the colon, and the duodenum express nesfatin-1 [14]. Multifaceted roles have been related with nesfatin-1 and it is documented as an anorexigenic peptide having antihyperglycemic, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant functions [15, 16]. Recently, investigations have found elevated NUCB2 expression in colon, breast, endometrial, thyroid, and prostate cancers [17]. These data reveal a clear link between nesfatin-1 level and poor prognosis, with the development of metastasis and reduced disease-free survival.

A change in a single nucleotide that takes place at a particular position in the genome is known as a single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) [18]. SNP distribution frequency comparisons between patient populations are commonly applied to estimate the prognosis and risk of diseases, including cancer [19, 20]. No data are available on the links between carcinogenic lifestyle factors, NUCB2 gene polymorphisms, and oral cancer. Consequently, this research investigated the impact of carcinogenic lifestyle factors and NUCB2 gene polymorphisms on the likelihood of oral cancer development in a cohort of Taiwanese. We also investigated the relationships between NUCB2 genotypes and the histopathological prognostic variables of oral cancer.

Materials and Methods

Study participants

We registered 1161 patients with oral cancer at Chung Shan Medical University Hospital in Taiwan. From the Taiwan Biobank Project, 1186 healthy controls (HCs) with no cancer history were randomly chosen and anonymized. Demographic data and carcinogenic lifestyle practices (alcohol use, cigarette smoking, betel nut chewing) were recorded. Daily smokers were defined as those who had smoked at least one cigarette per day for the three months prior. Alcohol consumers were defined as those who, on average, drank more than two alcoholic beverages per day. Oral cancer was assessed using the 2018 American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) Cancer Staging Manual [21]. A pathologist used the AJCC classification standards to evaluate tumor cell differentiation. Every method employed in the research involving human beings complied with the Declaration of Helsinki's standards. After gaining access to the data, each author reviewed and approved the study. The Chung Shan Medical University Hospital's Institutional Review Board approved the study before to its start.

Selection and genotyping of SNPs

The NUCB2 SNPs rs1330, rs214101, rs757081 and rs10766383 were selected based on previous reports [22, 23]. Every SNP had a minor allele frequency greater than 5%. Genomic DNA was extracted from 3 mL peripheral blood samples using QIAamp DNA Blood Kits (Qiagen, CA, USA). Using previously described assessment techniques [8, 20, 21], allelic discrimination was performed on the SNPs. RT-qPCR experiments and the isolation of RNA were performed following the protocols we published earlier [24, 25].

Statistical analysis

To assess the differences between the oral cancer and control groups, the Fisher's exact test and Mann-Whitney U test were employed, with p-values below 0.05 considered statistically significant. Logistic regression was used to calculate odds ratios (ORs) and their 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for the associations between genotype frequencies and oral cancer risk. The collected data were analyzed using version 9.1 of the Statistical Analytic System (SAS) software.

Results

Table 1 shows the distribution of demographic and clinical characteristics in 1161 cancer-free HCs and 1,186 male patients with oral cancer. The percentage of patients aged ≥ 60 years was markedly higher in the oral cancer group (40.0%, n=464) than in the control group (34.9%, n=414) (p = 0.011). Controls reported betel quid chewing (p < 0.001), cigarette smoking (p < 0.001), and alcohol consumption (p < 0.001) markedly less frequently than the oral cancer patients (Table 1). The proportions of patients classified as T1/T2 or T3/T4 tumor status were similar. Regarding lymph node status, 66.3% of patients had N0 status, while 33.7% had N1-N3 status. The vast majority (99.5%) of patients were without distant metastasis (M0). Furthermore, 84.5% of patients had moderately or poorly differentiated oral cancer, compared to 15.5% with well-differentiated disease (Table 1).

 Table 1 

The distributions of demographical characteristics in 1186 controls and 1161 male patients with oral cancer.

VariableControls (N=1186)Patients (N=1161)p value
Age (yrs)
< 60772 (65.1%)697 (60.0%)p = 0.011*
≥ 60414 (34.9%)464 (40.0%)
Betel quid chewing
No989 (83.4%)385 (33.2%)
Yes197 (16.6%)776 (66.8%)p < 0.001*
Cigarette smoking
No554 (46.7%)249 (21.4%)
Yes632 (53.3%)912 (78.6%)p < 0.001*
Alcohol drinking
No951 (80.2%)720 (62.0%)
Yes235 (19.8%)441 (38.0%)p < 0.001*
Stage
I+II501 (43.2%)
III+IV660 (56.8%)
Tumor T status
T1+T2569 (49.0%)
T3+T4592 (51.0%)
Lymph node status
N0770 (66.3%)
N1+N2+N3391 (33.7%)
Metastasis
M01155 (99.5%)
M16 (0.5%)
Cell differentiation
Well differentiated180 (15.5%)
Moderately or poorly differentiated981 (84.5%)

* p value < 0.05 as statistically significant.

 Table 2 

Odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) of oral cancer associated with NUCB2/nesfatin-1 genotypic frequencies.

VariableControls (N=1186) (%)Patients (N=1161) (%)AOR (95% C.I.)p value
rs1330
CC466 (39.3%)475 (40.9%)1.000 (reference)
CT562 (47.4%)515 (44.4%)0.888 (0.724~1.090)p=0.256
TT158 (13.3%)171 (14.7%)1.141 (0.851~1.528)p=0.378
CT + TT720 (60.7%)686 (59.1%)0.942 (0.777~1.142)p=0.544
rs214101
GG814 (68.6%)777 (66.9%)1.000 (reference)
GA322 (27.2%)341 (29.4%)1.038 (0.840~1.283)p=0.732
AA50 (4.2%)43 (3.7%)1.078 (0.664~1.751)p=0.761
GA + AA372 (31.4%)384 (33.1%)1.043 (0.852~1.276)p=0.686
rs757081
CC475 (40.1%)479 (41.3%)1.000 (reference)
CG565 (47.6%)510 (43.9%)0.854 (0.696~1.048)p=0.131
GG146 (12.3%)172 (14.8%)1.262 (0.939~1.698)p=0.123
CG + GG711 (59.9%)682 (58.7%)0.935 (0.771~1.133)p=0.491
rs10766383
TT317 (26.7%)286 (24.6%)1.000 (reference)
TG597 (50.3%)586 (50.5%)1.031 (0.819~1.297)p=0.796
GG272 (23.0%)289 (24.9%)1.173 (0.897~1.534)p=0.245
TG + GG869 (73.3%)875 (75.4%)1.075 (0.865~1.335)p=0.514

The adjusted odds ratio (AOR) with their 95% confidence intervals were estimated by multiple logistic regression models after controlling for betel quid chewing, cigarette smoking, and alcohol drinking.

Genotyping results for the NUCB2 SNPs in HCs and oral cancer patients are presented in Table 2. The homozygous C/C genotype for rs1330 and rs757081, the homozygous G/G genotype for rs214101, and the homozygous T/T genotype for rs10766383, were the most common (Table 2). After adjusting for betel quid chewing, cigarette smoking, and alcohol consumption, none of the genotypes for the four NUCB2 SNPs across different comparison groups exhibited a significant association with oral cancer (Table 2).

Next, we conducted a comparison of the distributions of clinical aspects and NUCB2 genotypes among oral cancer patients. No significant influence of SNPs rs1330, rs214101, rs757081 and rs10766383 on clinicopathologic traits in oral cancer patients (Table 3-6). However, in patients aged ≥60 years, those carrying at least one polymorphic T allele at rs1330 (C/T + T/T genotypes) showed increased susceptibility to progression to stage III/IV disease compared with the C/C genotype (OR = 1.462; 95% CI: 1.011-2.114; p < 0.05) (Table 3). Similarly, the GA or AA genotypes at rs214101 were linked with a higher risk of stage III/IV disease (OR = 1.637; 95% CI: 1.102-2.432; p < 0.05) and lymph node metastasis (OR = 1.616; 95% CI: 1.067-2.446; p < 0.05) in patients aged ≥60 years with oral cancer (Table 4). In addition, individuals with at least one polymorphic G allele at rs757081 (C/G + G/G genotypes) exhibited greater susceptibility to stage III/IV disease compared with the C/C genotype (OR = 1.548; 95% CI: 1.070-2.239; p < 0.05) (Table 5). Furthermore, the TG or GG genotypes at rs10766383 were linked with an elevated risk of stage III/IV disease (OR = 1.748; 95% CI: 1.160-2.632; p < 0.05) and lymph node metastasis (OR = 1.963; 95% CI: 1.207-3.194; p < 0.05) in oral cancer patients aged ≥60 years (Table 6).

Discussion

Many cancer reports have confirmed the effectiveness of biomarkers based on genetic aberrations related to tumors in assessing risk, aiding in early diagnosis, and predicting treatment results [26, 27]. Approximately 1% of the overall population carries genetic polymorphisms, which are variations in genomic sequences among individuals. Repetitive sequences most frequently exhibit alterations in the form of SNPs [28]. An expanding body of investigation has recently underscored the significance of SNPs and other genetic changes in defining and predicting pharmacotherapeutic functions in oral cancer [19, 29, 30]. Moreover, the methodical identification of functional variants linked to cancer risk has demonstrated how SNPs in functional domains affect gene level and tumor susceptibility, highlighting the importance of SNPs in tumor biology​ [31]. These findings are supplemented by thorough reviews that detail the biological and molecular processes through which SNPs affect gene expression, thereby affecting the progression and development of tumor​​ [32]. Hypothesis-driven genetic research has informed both case-control and prospective cohort reports that investigated the connection between SNPs and oral cancer. The studies have underscored the connection between changes impacting multiple biological mechanisms—for instance oxidative stress, DNA repair, and inflammation processes—and the evolution of oral cancer in patients [19, 33]. We investigated polymorphisms in the NUCB2 gene and noted their different distributions among oral cancer patients. Our investigation revealed that, in oral cancer patients aged ≥65 years, all four NUCB2 SNPs (rs1330, rs214101, rs757081, and rs10766383) were significantly associated with advanced-stage (III/IV) disease. Furthermore, rs214101 and rs10766383 were also associated with lymph node metastasis.

 Table 3 

Clinical statuses and genotypic frequencies of NUCB2/nesfatin-1 rs1330 in 1161 oral cancer patients.

NUCB2/nesfatin-1 rs1330
All (N=1161)Age < 60 (N=697)Age ≥ 60 (N=464)
VariableCC (N=475)CT + TT (N=686)p valueCC (N=268)CT + TT (N=429)p valueCC (N=207)CT + TT (N=257)p value
Clinical Stage
Stage I+II212 (44.6%)289 (42.1%)0.397108 (40.3%)184 (42.9%)0.500104 (50.2%)105 (40.9%)0.043*,a
Stage III+IV263 (55.4%)397 (57.9%)160 (59.7%)245 (57.1%)103 (49.8%)152 (59.1%)
Tumor size
≦ T2240 (50.5%)329 (48.0%)0.390128 (47.8%)207 (48.3%)0.900112 (54.1%)122 (47.5%)0.155
> T2235 (49.5%)357 (52.0%)140 (52.2%)222 (51.7%)95 (45.9%)135 (52.5%)
Lymph node metastasis
No315 (66.3%)455 (66.3%)0.997163 (60.8%)280 (65.3%)0.235152 (73.4%)175 (68.1%)0.210
Yes160 (33.7%)231 (33.7%)105 (39.2%)149 (34.7%)55 (26.6%)82 (31.9%)
Cell differentiation
Well72 (15.2%)108 (15.7%)0.78639 (14.6%)65 (15.2%)0.82933 (15.9%)43 (16.7%)0.819
Moderate or poor403 (84.8%)578 (84.3%)229 (85.4%)364 (84.8%)174 (84.1%)214 (83.3%)

* p value < 0.05 as statistically significant.

a OR (95% C.I.): 1.462 (1.011-2.114)

The odds ratio (OR) with their 95% confidence intervals were estimated by logistic regression models.

 Table 4 

Clinical statuses and genotypic frequencies of NUCB2/nesfatin-1 rs214101 in 1161 oral cancer patients.

NUCB2/nesfatin-1 rs214101
All (N=1161)Age < 60 (N=697)Age ≥ 60 (N=464)
VariableGG (N=777)GA + AA (N=384)p valueGG (N=467)GA + AA (N=230)p valueGG (N=310)GA + AA (N=154)p value
Clinical Stage
Stage I+II348 (44.8%)153 (39.8%)0.110196 (42.0%)96 (41.7%)0.954152 (49.0%)57 (37.0%)0.014*,a
Stage III+IV429 (55.2%)231 (60.2%)271 (58.0%)134 (58.3%)158 (51.0%)97 (63.0%)
Tumor size
≦ T2391 (50.3%)178 (46.4%)0.203225 (48.2%)110 (47.8%)0.930166 (53.5%)68 (44.2%)0.057
> T2386 (49.7%)206 (53.6%)242 (51.8%)120 (52.2%)144 (46.5%)86 (55.8%)
Lymph node metastasis
No523 (67.3%)247 (64.3%)0.311294 (63.0%)149 (64.8%)0.637229 (73.9%)98 (63.6%)0.023*,b
Yes254 (32.7%)137 (35.7%)173 (37.0%)81 (35.2%)81 (26.1%)56 (36.4%)
Cell differentiation
Well124 (16.0%)56 (14.6%)0.54271 (15.2%)33 (14.3%)0.76653 (17.1%)23 (14.9%)0.554
Moderate or poor653 (84.0%)328 (85.4%)396 (84.8%)197 (85.7%)257 (82.9%)131 (85.1%)

* p value < 0.05 as statistically significant.

a OR (95% C.I.): 1.637 (1.102-2.432); b OR (95% C.I.): 1.616 (1.067-2.446)

The odds ratio (OR) with their 95% confidence intervals were estimated by logistic regression models.

 Table 5 

Clinical statuses and genotypic frequencies of NUCB2/nesfatin-1 rs757081 in 1161 oral cancer patients.

NUCB2/nesfatin-1 rs757081
All (N=1161)Age < 60 (N=697)Age ≥ 60 (N=464)
VariableCC (N=479)CG + GG (N=682)p valueCC (N=269)CG + GG (N=428)p valueCC (N=210)CG + GG (N=254)p value
Clinical Stage
Stage I+II218 (45.5%)283 (41.5%)0.174111 (41.3%)181 (42.3%)0.789107 (51.0%)102 (40.2%)0.020*,a
Stage III+IV261 (54.5%)399 (58.5%)158 (58.7%)247 (57.7%)103 (49.0%)152 (59.8%)
Tumor size
≦ T2245 (51.1%)324 (47.5%)0.222132 (49.1%)203 (47.4%)0.673113 (53.8%)121 (47.6%)0.186
> T2234 (48.9%)358 (52.5%)137 (50.9%)225 (52.6%)97 (46.2%)133 (52.4%)
Lymph node metastasis
No321 (67.0%)449 (65.8%)0.676166 (61.7%)277 (64.7%)0.422155 (73.8%)172 (67.7%)0.152
Yes158 (33.0%)233 (34.2%)103 (38.3%)151 (35.3%)55 (26.2%)82 (32.3%)
Cell differentiation
Well73 (15.2%)107 (15.7%)0.83540 (14.9%)64 (15.0%)0.97633 (15.7%)43 (16.9%)0.725
Moderate or poor406 (84.8%)575 (84.3%)229 (85.1%)364 (85.0%)177 (84.3%)211 (83.1%)

* p value < 0.05 as statistically significant.

a OR (95% C.I.): 1.548 (1.070-2.239)

The odds ratio (OR) with their 95% confidence intervals were estimated by logistic regression models.

 Table 6 

Clinical statuses and genotypic frequencies of NUCB2/nesfatin-1 rs10766383 in 1161 oral cancer patients.

NUCB2/nesfatin-1 rs10766383
All (N=1161)Age < 60 (N=697)Age ≥ 60 (N=464)
VariableTT (N=286)TG + GG (N=875)p valueTT (N=157)TG + GG (N=540)p valueTT (N=129)TG + GG (N=335)p value
Clinical Stage
Stage I+II129 (45.1%)372 (42.5%)0.44358 (36.9%)234 (43.3%)0.15371 (55.0%)138 (41.2%)0.007*,a
Stage III+IV157 (54.9%)503 (57.5%)99 (63.1%)306 (56.7%)58 (45.0%)197 (58.8%)
Tumor size
≦ T2146 (51.0%)423 (48.3%)0.42772 (45.9%)263 (48.7%)0.53074 (57.4%)160 (47.8%)0.064
> T2140 (49.0%)452 (51.7%)85 (54.1%)277 (51.3%)55 (42.6%)175 (52.2%)
Lymph node metastasis
No194 (67.8%)576 (65.8%)0.53491 (58.0%)352 (65.2%)0.098103 (79.8%)224 (66.9%)0.006*,b
Yes92 (32.2%)299 (34.2%)66 (42.0%)188 (34.8%)26 (20.2%)111 (33.1%)
Cell differentiation
Well44 (15.4%)136 (15.5%)0.94921 (13.4%)83 (15.4%)0.53723 (17.8%)53 (15.8%)0.600
Moderate or poor242 (84.6%)739 (84.5%)136 (86.6%)457 (84.6%)106 (82.2%)282 (84.2%)

* p value < 0.05 as statistically significant.

a OR (95% C.I.): 1.748 (1.160-2.632); b OR (95% C.I.): 1.963 (1.207-3.194)

The odds ratio (OR) with their 95% confidence intervals were estimated by logistic regression models.

Adipokines are unique bioactive peptides released by adipose tissues and play a role in various bodily functions [34]. To examine the function of adipose tissue in the progression of inflammation and carcinogenesis, many investigators have been investigating this issue for the last two decades [35]. Recent studies have documented that nesfatin-1 plays a pivotal effect in cell differentiation and the promotion of cancer cell death [17]. High nesfatin-1 level was detected in colon, prostate, breast, and thyroid cancer tissues compared with surrounding non-cancerous tissues [36-38]. Additionally, increased nesfatin-1 expression was strongly linked to metastasis and advanced tumor stage in renal cell carcinoma [39]. A similar pattern of overexpression was also identified in colon and prostate cancer tissues [36, 40]. By contrast, research on the relationship between NUCB2 and oral cancer remains limited. We conducted this study to compare the allelic and genotypic distributions of NUCB2 gene polymorphisms between HCs and patients with oral cancer. No significant difference was identified between the four NUCB2 SNPs and overall oral cancer susceptibility. However, when we stratified oral cancer patients according to clinical parameters, all four NUCB2 SNPs were significantly associated with advanced-stage (stage III/IV) disease in patients aged ≥65 years.

One of the main causes of cancer-linked mortality is metastasis. It is believed that lymphangiogenesis and the modification of preexisting lymphatics are crucial stages in metastasis [41]. Higher numbers of lymphatic vessels are strongly associated with metastasis and clinical prognosis in a number of malignancies, and tumors can actively stimulate lymphatic expansion and lymphangiogenesis [25, 42]. A poor prognosis and an increased probability of recurrence or metastasis are indicated by oral cancer with lymph node metastases [43, 44]. Interestingly, in patients aged ≥60 years, specific NUCB2 genotypes were markedly linked with lymph node metastasis. An age threshold of ≥60 years is frequently used in oral cancer research to identify elderly or geriatric patients in clinical and prognostic investigations [45]. Despite having similar tumor biology, patients over 60 frequently show worse overall survival because to increased comorbidities, worse treatment tolerance, higher non-cancer-related mortality, and, occasionally, undertreatment [45]. The GA or AA genotypes at rs214101 and the TG or GG genotypes at rs10766383 were linked with an increased risk of lymph node metastasis. It is important to note the limitations of the current study. More research is required, which calls for a larger sample size and a longer follow-up time. Furthermore, an independent cohort of oral cancer cases from Taiwanese communities and other cohorts found in open-access databases must be used to confirm the current findings.

To sum up, our study is the first to uncover links between NUCB2 gene variants and oral cancer. In patients aged ≥60 years, specific NUCB2 genotypes were significantly associated with more aggressive disease features. Compared with the wild-type C/C genotype, carriage of at least one polymorphic allele (T allele at rs1330 or G allele at rs757081) was associated with increased risk of progression to stage III/IV disease. Furthermore, the GA/AA genotypes at rs214101 and the TG/GG genotypes at rs10766383 were associated with elevated risks of both advanced-stage (III/IV) disease and lymph node metastasis. Our findings suggest that NUCB2 SNPs may play a pivotal role in oral cancer progression and metastatic potential, particularly in older patients.

Acknowledgements

This work was supported by a grant from the National Science and Technology Council of Taiwan (NSTC 113-2320-B-039-049-MY3; NSTC 112-2314-B-039-018-MY3). China Medical University Hospital (DMR-113-008; DMR-115-013).

Competing Interests

The authors have declared that no competing interest exists.

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Author contact

Corresponding address Corresponding authors: Chih-Hsin Tang, PhD; E-mail: chtangcmu.edu.tw. Shun-Fa Yang, PhD; ysfedu.tw.


Citation styles

APA
Yu, C.C., Lu, H.J., Lien, M.Y., Lin, C.W., Yu, J.H., Yang, S.F., Tang, C.H. (2026). Association of NUCB2 genetic variants with the clinicopathological features of oral cancer. International Journal of Medical Sciences, 23(4), 1257-1263. https://doi.org/10.7150/ijms.129479.

ACS
Yu, C.C.; Lu, H.J.; Lien, M.Y.; Lin, C.W.; Yu, J.H.; Yang, S.F.; Tang, C.H. Association of NUCB2 genetic variants with the clinicopathological features of oral cancer. Int. J. Med. Sci. 2026, 23 (4), 1257-1263. DOI: 10.7150/ijms.129479.

NLM
Yu CC, Lu HJ, Lien MY, Lin CW, Yu JH, Yang SF, Tang CH. Association of NUCB2 genetic variants with the clinicopathological features of oral cancer. Int J Med Sci 2026; 23(4):1257-1263. doi:10.7150/ijms.129479. https://www.medsci.org/v23p1257.htm

CSE
Yu CC, Lu HJ, Lien MY, Lin CW, Yu JH, Yang SF, Tang CH. 2026. Association of NUCB2 genetic variants with the clinicopathological features of oral cancer. Int J Med Sci. 23(4):1257-1263.

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