Investigation of gene Val158Met polymorphism in ovarian cancer.

OBJECTIVE

Catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT), the product of the gene, detoxifies the carcinogenic catechol estrogens. The aim of the present study was to examine the relationship between polymorphism and the risk of ovarian cancer.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The study groups consist of 94 individuals as a patients group with ovarian cancer (n=47) and control group (n=47). The allele and genotype frequencies were determined according to Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium (HWE). The allele and genotype frequencies. determined according to HWE. Genetic analysis were performed by real-time-polymerase chain reaction instrument, and the statistical analysis were performed by SPSS program.

RESULTS

Although no significant relationship was obtained among groups (p=0.413) regarding gene Val158Met polymorphism, the genotype frequencies for COMT Val158Met (rs4860) polymorphism in groups was homozygote wild type GG genotype 25.5%, heterozygote GA genotype 46.8%, homozygote mutant AA genotype 27.7%.

CONCLUSION

This study is the first to investigate the relationship between ovarian cancer and the polymorphism in the gene in a Turkish population. No statistically significant relationship was identified among genotypes belonging to the patient and control groups although sample sizes were relatively small and the analysis should be repeated in a larger cohort.