Cyclooxygenase-2 gene polymorphisms and susceptibility to colorectal cancer in a Brazilian population.

BACKGROUND: Multi-ethnicity of Brazilian population displays high levels of genomic diversity. Polymorphism may detect people at higher risk of developing cancer, distinctive response to treatment, and prognosis. Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) is induced in response to growth factors and cytokines, and is expressed in inflammatory diseases, precancerous lesions and colorectal cancer (CRC). The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of COX-2 -1195A > G and 8473T > C polymorphisms as a risk factor of developing CRC.

METHODS: We evaluated COX-2 Single Nucleotide Polymorphism (SNP) of 230 CRC patients and 196 healthy controls by Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction.

RESULTS: Populations were in Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium (HWE), except for control group of 8473T > C SNP. The frequencies were similar in both groups for genotypes and haplotypes. There was no association between studied polymorphisms and risk of CRC.

CONCLUSIONS: The gene polymorphisms studied do not participate in the genetic susceptibility to CRC in a Brazilian population.