Fas-1377A/G and FasL-844 T/C gene polymorphisms and epithelial ovarian cancer.

BACKGROUND

The Fas receptor is known to be widely expressed in various tissues and FasL is highly expressed on cells of the immune system and also on cells of immune-privileged areas such as the eyes and brain. Ovarian cells are known to exhibit marked FasL immunoreactivity throughout follicular development; there may also be a relationship between Fas and FasL polymorphisms and the immune privileges of the epithelial ovarian cells.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

The study included 47 epithelial ovarian carcinoma patients and 41 healthy subjects. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and restriction endonucleases were used to determine the polymorphic Fas and FasL genes.

RESULTS

The FasL CC genotype was found to increase the risk of ovarian carcinoma and a protective effect of the GGCT genotype was observed.

CONCLUSION

Because of the expressional aspects of the FasL-844T --> C polymorphism, individuals carrying the FasL-844C allele would be expected to have higher FasL expression on tumour cells compared with those carrying the FasL-844T allele. People with such a genotype show a tendency to develop various tumours.