The ZMIZ1-AS1 rs704017 AG+GG genotype was independently associated with increased odds of colorectal polyps, and a significant interaction was observed between hypertension and rs704017 genotype, suggesting a potential interaction between genetic susceptibility and hypertension.
The distribution of ZMIZ1-AS1 rs704017 genotypes differed significantly between colorectal polyp cases and controls.
Individuals carrying the ZMIZ1-AS1 rs704017 AG+GG genotype had significantly higher odds of colorectal polyps compared to those with the AA genotype.
Hypertension alone was not significantly associated with colorectal polyp odds.
A significant interaction was observed between hypertension status and ZMIZ1-AS1 rs704017 genotype on colorectal polyp odds.
The study linked Taiwan Biobank participants to a national health insurance database to ascertain colorectal polyp and hypertension status.
This research investigated whether a specific genetic variant (rs704017 in the ZMIZ1-AS1 gene) and high blood pressure (hypertension) are linked to the development of colorectal polyps — small growths in the colon that can eventually become colorectal cancer. The study used data from nearly 9,000 participants in the Taiwan Biobank, combining genetic information with health insurance records to identify who had colorectal polyps and hypertension. Researchers found that people who carried the AG or GG version of the rs704017 genetic variant were about 39% more likely to have colorectal polyps compared to those with the AA version, regardless of whether they had high blood pressure. Interestingly, while high blood pressure alone did not significantly increase the odds of colorectal polyps, the combination of hypertension and genetic variant status revealed a meaningful interaction. Among people without hypertension, carrying the AG+GG genotype raised polyp odds by 62%. Among people with hypertension and the AA genotype, odds were raised by 45%, and those with both hypertension and the AG+GG genotype showed a 56% increase. This pattern suggests that hypertension and the genetic variant may interact in complex ways that affect polyp development. This research suggests that genetic factors, specifically the ZMIZ1-AS1 rs704017 variant, play an independent role in colorectal polyp risk, and that hypertension may modify how strongly this genetic risk is expressed. These findings could eventually help identify people at higher risk for colorectal polyps and, by extension, colorectal cancer — though further research in other populations is needed to confirm these findings and better understand the biological mechanisms involved.
Shiu B, Huang H, Nfor O, Hsu S, Liaw Y. (2026). Colorectal Polyp Occurrence Associated With the ZMIZ1-AS1 rs704017 Variant and Hypertension Among Taiwan Biobank Participants.. Cancer medicine. https://doi.org/10.1002/cam4.72246