An Association between EGF and EGFR Gene Polymorphisms with Gastric Cancer in a Chinese Han Population

Background/Aims: The epidermal growth factor and its receptor play an important role in the development of gastric cancer. We investigate the potential association between epidermal growth factor and its receptor gene polymorphisms with gastric cancer in a Chinese Han population. Methodology: Polymerase chain reaction restriction fragment length polymorphism strategies were used to genotype EGF +61 G/A and EGFR +2073 A/T in 207 gastric cancer cases and 318 healthy controls. Results: The A allele of EGF +61 G/A was less frequently in gastric cancer patients than in controls (OR=0.73, 95%CI=0.55-0.95, p=0.02). The A allele frequency was also associated with deeper tumor invasion (OR=1.74, 95%CI=1.05-2.89, p=0.03), increased lymph node metastasis (OR=1.74, 95%CI=1.08-2.82, p=0.02) and shorter survival time (95%CI=9.27-16.72, p=0.038). A T allele frequency in the EGFR +2073 A/T polymorphism was associated with increased lymph node metastasis in gastric cancer (OR=1.62, 95%CI=1.06-2.47, p=0.03). Conclusions: Our results suggest that the A allele of EGF +61 G/A polymorphism decreases the risk of gastric cancer. However, the presence of either the A allele of EGF +61 G/A or the EGFR +2073 T allele indicated a poor prognosis for gastric cancer patients.