Polymorphisms of COMT and XPD and risk of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma in a population of Yili Prefecture, in Xinjiang, China

Abstract

Objective: To investigate polymorphisms of COMT (Rs4680) and XPD (Rs13181) and risk of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) in a population from Yili Prefecture, Xinjiang, China.

Methods: A hospital-based case–control study was designed. Genotypes were determined by polymerase chain reaction–restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP). Odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were analysed using unconditional logistic regression.

Results: An increased risk of ESCC was discovered with COMT in relation to the frequency of the presence of the A allele (Rs4680; OR 1.30, 95% CI 1.00–1.68). An individual with combined COMT 158 (Val/Met or Met/Met) and XPD 751 (Lys/Gln or Gln/Gln) genotype had an increased ESCC risk.

Conclusions: Polymorphic variation in COMT Val158Met and XPD Lys751Gln may be important for ESCC susceptibility.

Keywords::

• Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma
• COMT gene
• XPD gene
• polymorphisms