What you carry at this position in your DNA and what research says about it.
Prostate Cancer Risk: 10/10 evidence, 25 publications.
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Sample genotype (not yours): C/C
Higher Prostate Cancer Risk
Carrying two copies of the C allele is associated with a moderately increased risk of developing prostate cancer. This variant is thought to lower the expression of a protective tumor suppressor gene in the prostate.
What this genotype means: Increased risk of developing prostate cancer; Potential reduction in LMTK2 tumor suppressor expression.
Sample genotype (not yours): C/T
Slightly Higher Prostate Cancer Risk
Carrying one copy of the C risk allele is associated with a slightly increased risk of developing prostate cancer. This intermediate genotype represents a middle ground between the high-risk and protective profiles.
What this genotype means: Slightly increased risk of developing prostate cancer; Intermediate LMTK2 tumor suppressor expression.
Sample genotype (not yours): T/T
Typical Prostate Cancer Risk
Carrying two copies of the T allele is associated with a lower, typical risk of developing prostate cancer. This genotype avoids the risk-increasing variant and is linked to normal tumor suppressor function.
What this genotype means: Typical baseline risk of prostate cancer; Normal LMTK2 tumor suppressor expression.
Gene function and biological role
Gene Function: LMTK2 encodes lemur tyrosine kinase 2, a membrane-anchored kinase that plays a critical role in cellular signaling, endocytic trafficking, and cell survival. It is highly expressed in prostate tissue and acts as a key regulator of androgen receptor activity, which drives prostate cell growth. Decreased expression of LMTK2 is a hallmark of prostate cancer progression, suggesting the gene functions as a tumor suppressor. Genetic variations in this gene have been widely studied for their impact on cancer susceptibility and overall genomic architecture.
Variant Impact: The rs6465657 variant is an intronic single nucleotide polymorphism located within the LMTK2 gene on chromosome 7. This genetic change is proposed to act as a loss-of-function variant that reduces LMTK2 expression, thereby impairing its tumor-suppressive capabilities. Large-scale genome-wide association studies have consistently linked this variant to prostate cancer susceptibility, particularly in populations of European descent. The C allele represents the risk-increasing variant, whereas the T allele is associated with a protective effect against developing the disease.
Key Insight: LMTK2 acts as a molecular brake on the androgen receptor, meaning variants that lower its expression can accelerate prostate cell growth.
Location: LMTK2. Chromosome 7 · 7q21.3 · 98.2 Mb
Estimated prevalence by population
Global 42.9%; European 21.5%; African 79.1%; East Asian 74.4%; South Asian 59.1%; Americas 42.1%; Ashkenazi 17.6%; Finnish 28.9%; Middle Eastern 14.5%; Amish 27.9%.
Estimated CC genotype frequency.
Global 39.6%; European 49.7%; African 19.6%; East Asian 23.7%; South Asian 35.6%; Americas 45.6%; Ashkenazi 48.7%; Finnish 49.7%; Middle Eastern 47.2%; Amish 49.8%.
Estimated CT genotype frequency.
Global 17.4%; European 28.8%; African 1.2%; East Asian 1.9%; South Asian 5.4%; Americas 12.3%; Ashkenazi 33.8%; Finnish 21.4%; Middle Eastern 38.3%; Amish 22.2%.
Estimated TT genotype frequency.
Showing effects for C/C genotype
Cancer & Oncology
Prostate Cancer
Prostate Cancer. Evidence: 10/10. Source: PMID 18264097. ~1.1x Risk.
Organ Systems
Vision & Eye Health
Lacritin Levels. Evidence: 6/10. Source: PMID 39789286. Increased Levels.
Showing effects for C/T genotype
Prostate Cancer. Evidence: 10/10. Source: PMID 18264097. Slightly Increased.
Lacritin Levels. Evidence: 6/10. Source: PMID 39789286. Slightly Increased.
Showing effects for T/T genotype
Prostate Cancer. Evidence: 10/10. Source: PMID 18264097. Typical Risk.
Lacritin Levels. Evidence: 6/10. Source: PMID 39789286. Typical Levels.
What this genotype means for the people who carry it
Sample genotype: CC (Homozygous)
Prostate cancer susceptibility is moderately increased in those with the C/C genotype. Large-scale genomic studies have shown that this genotype is linked to an approximately 10% to 20% higher relative risk of developing prostate cancer compared to those with the protective T/T genotype. The underlying biological mechanism is believed to involve a reduction in LMTK2 gene expression, which normally acts to suppress tumor growth and regulate androgen receptor signaling. While this genetic marker increases susceptibility, it is one of many factors, and its presence does not guarantee the development of cancer. The association is most pronounced and well-replicated in men of European ancestry, with weaker or less consistent effects observed in other populations.
Increased risk of developing prostate cancer; Potential reduction in LMTK2 tumor suppressor expression.
Sample genotype: CT (Heterozygous)
A slightly elevated risk of prostate cancer is observed in individuals with the C/T genotype. This heterozygous profile is associated with a modest increase in prostate cancer susceptibility compared to the protective T/T genotype, but a lower risk than the homozygous C/C genotype. The presence of the C allele is thought to partially reduce the expression of the LMTK2 tumor suppressor protein, which plays a role in regulating cell cycle progression and androgen signaling in the prostate. Because prostate cancer is a complex disease influenced by dozens of genetic variants, this single marker represents only a small piece of the overall risk profile. The impact of this variant is most clearly established in European populations, while its relevance in other ancestral groups remains a subject of ongoing research.
Slightly increased risk of developing prostate cancer; Intermediate LMTK2 tumor suppressor expression.
Sample genotype: TT (Homozygous)
Protection against prostate cancer at this locus is highest for those with the T/T genotype. Normal expression levels of the LMTK2 tumor suppressor gene are maintained because the risk-increasing C allele is absent. Multiple large-scale genome-wide association studies have confirmed that the T allele is protective, helping to maintain normal regulation of androgen receptor activity in prostate cells. While this genotype is favorable, it does not eliminate the risk of prostate cancer entirely, as many other genetic and environmental factors contribute to the disease. This protective effect has been widely replicated across several independent cohorts, particularly in populations of European descent.
Typical baseline risk of prostate cancer; Normal LMTK2 tumor suppressor expression.
Variants with shared genetic architecture
rs11986220 · CASC8 Gene · Chr 8 · Prostate Cancer Risk
rs1571801 · DAB2IP Gene · Chr 9 · Prostate Cancer Risk
rs10486567 · JAZF1 Gene · Chr 7 · Prostate Cancer Risk
Content updated August 2026.
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