Association of ER-α gene PvuII polymorphism with ovarian cancer.

BACKGROUND

Ovarian cancer is the most common cancer among women worldwide. Estrogen plays an important role in follicle formation and maturation of oocyte via its receptor (ER). It has a special interest as their protein levels are always elevated in premalignant and malignant cancer cells and are over expressed in different tumors with a favourable prognosis. The present study is aimed to evaluate the role of ER-α gene ( rs2234693) PVUII polymorphism in the etiology of ovarian cancer.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A total of eighty clinically and histopathologically confirmed ovarian cancer patients and 100 healthy control subjects were included in the present study. Demographic details along with blood samples were collected from all the subjects. DNA was extracted, amplified and genotyped for ER-α gene PVUII polymorphism by PCR-RFLP method followed by agarose gel electrophoresis. Statistical methods were applied to test for the significance of the results.

RESULTS

The genotype frequencies revealed 50% of wild homozygotes (PP), 33.75% of heterozygotes (Pp), 16.25% of mutant homozygotes (pp) in the diseased group and 79% of wild homozygotes (PP), 12% of heterozygotes (Pp), 9% of mutant homozygotes (pp) in the control group. There is a significant increase of p allele in patients compared to controls.

CONCLUSION

The present study thus indicates the possible association of PVUII polymorphism of ER-α gene in the etiology of ovarian cancer.