Association Study of Polymorphisms of Epidermal Growth Factor and Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor With Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia in a Korean Population.

PURPOSE: Recent studies have suggested that specific single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) contribute to the clinical features of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). In this study, we investigated the relationships of genetic polymorphisms of the epidermal growth factor (EGF) gene and the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) gene with BPH.

METHODS: A total of 218 patients with BPH were enrolled in this study. We evaluated the relationship between eight SNPs in the EGF and EGFR genes and prostate volume, prostate-specific antigen (PSA), and International Prostate Symptom Score of BPH patients. Each SNP was genotyped by direct sequencing. Statistical analysis applying codominant, dominant, recessive, and log-additive models was performed via logistic regression.

RESULTS: The rs11568943 and rs11569017 SNPs in the EGF gene showed significant associations with prostate volume (rs11568943: P=0.038 in the log-additive model, P=0.024 in the allele distribution; rs11569017, P=0.031 in the dominant model, P=0.028 in the log-additive model, P=0.020 in the allele distribution). Additionally, the rs3756261, rs11568943, and rs11569017 SNPs of the EGF gene and the rs2293347 SNP of the EGFR gene were associated with PSA levels (P<0.05 in each model, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that the EGF gene may affect prostate volume. In addition, the EGF and EGFR genes may be associated with PSA levels in patients with BPH.