BACKGROUND: Adaptive response to hypoxia is regulated by several mechanisms and transcription factors, including hypoxia-inducible factors (HIFs). Activation of HIF-1α is associated with increased expression of P-glycoprotein and multidrug resistance in cancer cells. In this retrospective study, we analyzed candidate single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in HIF-1α and HIF-1β associated with risk of monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS) or multiple myeloma (MM). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Genotypes of SNPs associated with hypoxia were determined in an independent cohort of monoclonal gammopathies (MG) (275 MM and 228 MGUS patients) and in 219 cancer-free controls by real time polymerase chain reaction allelic discrimination. RESULTS: When MM patients were compared to controls, protective role of CG genotype compared to CC in HIF-1β (rs2228099) for MM development was observed (OR = 0.65; CI 0.45-0.95; p = 0.026). Even after adjustment for patients' age and body mass index (BMI), there were significantly lower odds (OR = 0.55; p = 0.045) of developing MM patients of CG genotype in comparison to CC genotype. Log-rank test confirmed association of GT haplotype (rs11549467, rs2057482) in HIF-1α with better overall survival (median 41.8 months; (CI 35.1-48.5)) for "none GT" and median 93.8 months (CI 31.3-156.4) for "at least one GT" haplotype (p = 0.0500). Further, significant associations between SNPs in MDR1 and outcome of MM were found in 110 MM patients that underwent bortezomib-based treatment. CONCLUSION: Our study showed a genetic predisposition for risk of MG development and/or outcome of MM patients; nevertheless, further studies are needed to confirm our initial analysis.

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