Associations between Gene Polymorphisms and Epithelial Ovarian Cancer in a Chinese Population.

BACKGROUND

Epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) is highly lethal worldwide. Factors involved in the inflammation and hormone-associated signaling pathway play vital roles in EOC carcinogenesis. The transforming growth factor-- (TGF--) activated kinase 1 (MAP3K7) binding protein 2 (), mediating convergence of inflammatory and estrogen, may be implicated in EOC. The present study is aimed at exploring the association between the gene polymorphisms and EOC.

METHODS

Three single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) (rs237028, rs521845, and rs652921) of were genotyped by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) in 221 patients and 252 healthy controls. Associations between SNPs and clinical characteristics were performed either with the test or with Fisher's exact test. The Kaplan-Meier method and Cox proportional hazard models were used to detect associations between genotypes and overall survival.

RESULTS

The rs237028 polymorphism was significantly associated with an increased risk of EOC with an allelic genetic model (A G; OR = 1.45; 95%CI = 1.07-1.96; = 0.016), dominant genetic model (AA AG-GG; OR = 1.66; CI 1.14-2.41; = 0.008), and overdominant genetic model (AA-GG AG; OR = 1.60; CI 1.08-2.36; = 0.017). However, no significant association was observed between rs237028 polymorphism and overall survival.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study indicated that the rs237028 polymorphism in the gene was associated with EOC susceptibility and the gene might contribute to the initiation of EOC.