Single Nucleotide Polymorphism of the Enhancer of Zeste Homolog 2 Gene rs2072408 is Associated with Lymph Node Metastasis and Depth of Primary Tumor Invasion in Gastric Cancer.

BACKGROUND: The single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) rs2072408 is located in an intron of the enhancer of zeste homolog 2 (EZH2) gene. Its role in gastric cancer (GC) has not been determined.

METHODS: In the present study, the genotype of (EZH2) rs2072408 and the relationship of genotype with lymph node metastasis (LNM) and the invasive depth of gastric wall (T stage) was determined in 330 patients with GC, and the association between the genotype and recurrence and survival was determined in 253 patients with GC.

RESULTS: The TT genotype was identified to be significantly associated with LNM [P = 0.013; odds ratio (OR), 6.49 (95% confidence interval (CI), 1.47 - 28.59)] and T stage [T1 + T2 vs. T3 + T4, p = 0.017, OR, 3.02 (95% CI, 1.22 - 7.44)]. The overall rates of LNM and T3 + T4 stage in the present study were 70.6% and 60.6%, respectively, the rates increased 23.8% and 20.0% in patients with the TT genotype.

CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that the TT genotype of EZH2 (rs2072408) was associated with LNM and the depth of gastric wall invasion in patients with GC.