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World J Gastroenterol. Mar 7, 2006; 12(9): 1426-1429
Published online Mar 7, 2006. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v12.i9.1426
Evaluation of p53 codon 72 polymorphism in adenocarcinomas of the colon and rectum in La Plata, Argentina
Luis Orlando Pérez, Martin Carlos Abba, Fernando Noel Dulout, Carlos Daniel Golijow
Luis Orlando Pérez, Martin Carlos Abba, Fernando Noel Dulout, Carlos Daniel Golijow, Centro de Investigaciones en Genética Básica y Aplicada, Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, Universidad Nacional de La Plata, Calle 60 y 118 S/N, B 1900 AVW, La Plata, Argentina
Supported by the National University of La Plata (grant v-138), Argentina
Correspondence to: Pérez, Luis Orlando, Centro de Invest-igaciones en Genética Básica y Aplicada, Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, Universidad Nacional de La Plata, Calle 60 y 118 S/N, B 1900 AVW, La Plata, Argentina. prezluis@yahoo.com.ar
Telephone: +54-221-4211799 Fax: +54-221-4211799
Received: September 13, 2005
Revised: October 1, 2005
Accepted: October 26, 2005
Published online: March 7, 2006
Abstract

AIM: To evaluate the potential association between p53 codon 72 polymorphism and sporadic colorectal adenocarcinoma development, and human papillomavirus (HPV) infection.

METHODS: One-hundred and nine controls and 53 patients with colon cancer from the city of La Plata, Argentina were analyzed. p53 codon 72 genotypes and HPV infection were identified using allele-specific polymerase chain reaction and nested polymerase chain reaction, respectively.

RESULTS: The differences in the distribution of p53 codon 72 polymorphism between the cases and controls were statistically significant. The arginine allele had a prevalence of 0.65 in controls and 0.77 in cases. The corresponding odds ratio for the homozygous arginine genotype was 2.08 (95% CI, 1.06-4.05; P<0.05). Lack of association was found between p53 polymorphism and HPV infection in the set of adenocarcinomas.

CONCLUSION: The findings of the present study indicate that p53 codon 72 arginine homozygous genotype may represent a genetic predisposing factor for colon cancer development. However, further studies are needed in order to elucidate the role of p53 codon 72 polymorphism in colorectal cancer.

Keywords: p53 codon 72 polymorphism; Human papillomavirus; Colorectal cancer