Brief Article
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World J Gastroenterol. Sep 14, 2013; 19(34): 5693-5699
Published online Sep 14, 2013. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v19.i34.5693
Polymorphism in the interleukin-17A promoter contributes to gastric cancer
Alireza Rafiei, Vahid Hosseini, Ghasem Janbabai, Abuzar Ghorbani, Abulghasem Ajami, Touraj Farzmandfar, Maedeh Darzyani Azizi, Jeremy J Gilbreath, D Scott Merrell
Alireza Rafiei, Abuzar Ghorbani, Abulghasem Ajami, Touraj Farzmandfar, Maedeh Darzyani Azizi, Molecular and Cell Biology Research Center, Faculty of Medicine, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari 48175-1665, Iran
Vahid Hosseini, Department of Internal Medicine, Imam Hospital, Sari 48175-1665, Iran
Ghasem Janbabai, Hematology and Oncology Ward, Department of Internal Medicine, Imam Hospital, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari 48175-1665, Iran
Jeremy J Gilbreath, D Scott Merrell, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD 20814, United States
Author contributions: All the authors contributed to this article.
Supported by The Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, No. 89-512
Correspondence to: Dr. Vahid Hosseini, Department of Internal Medicine, Imam Hospital, Amir Mazandarani St, Sari 48175-1665, Iran. dr.vahid47@gmail.com
Telephone: +98-151-3543088 Fax: +98-151-3543087
Received: December 5, 2012
Revised: March 25, 2013
Accepted: March 28, 2013
Published online: September 14, 2013
Abstract

AIM: To evaluate the contribution of the G-197A polymorphism in the interleukin-17 (IL-17) promoter region to gastric cancer risk in an Iranian population.

METHODS: We performed a case control study using samples from 161 individuals with gastric cancer and 171 healthy controls. For each individual, the G-197A genotype was determined by restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis of polymerase chain reaction-amplified fragments. Statistical analyses were performed to determine whether any demographic or behavioral factors, infection with Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori), or a particular G-197A genotype was associated with gastric cancer risk.

RESULTS: We found that the G-197A genotype was significantly associated with increased gastric cancer risk (P = 0.001). Patients who were homozygous (AA) at position -197 were 2.9 times more likely to develop disease (95%CI: 1.56-5.4; P = 0.001). Furthermore, logistic regression analysis revealed that the presence of a single A allele increased the risk of gastric cancer up to 1.7-fold (95%CI: 1.26-2.369; P = 0.001). This association was observed for early stage gastric adenocarcinomas only, and was not linked to H. pylori infection.

CONCLUSION: These results suggest that carrying one or more G-197A polymorphisms at position -197 in the IL-17 promoter region significantly increases gastric cancer risk in this patient population.

Keywords: Gastric cancer, Interleukin-17A, Cancer, Helicobacter pylori

Core tip: There is currently a need for genetic markers to identify individuals at risk for developing gastric cancer. In this study, we describe one such marker, a G-197A polymorphism in the interleukin-17A (IL-17A) promoter. Within our study population, individuals who carry the G-197A polymorphism in the IL-17A promoter region may be at a significantly greater risk of developing gastric cancer. Importantly, the presence of this polymorphism alone was sufficient to increase risk of gastric cancer development.