Association of genetic polymorphisms of MK, IL-4, p16, p21, p53 genes and human gastric cancer in Taiwan

Aims: To assess gastric cancer risk and clinical-pathological factors associated with genetic polymorphisms of MK, IL-4, p16, p21 and p53 genes. Methods: A retrospective study was conducted for 123 patients who had recently developed primary gastric cancer. Clinical data and pathological findings were collected, genetic polymorphisms of MK, IL-4, p16, p21 and p53 genes were analysed, and the associations of genetic polymorphisms with gastric cancer carcinogenesis were evaluated. Results: There was significant association of genetic polymorphisms between gastric cancer and control groups in p53 genes. After further stratification of the cancer group into different clinical-pathologic parameters, there were significant associations in the sex and LN involvement groups in MK gene; alcohol consumption group in p16 gene; age and cell differentiation groups in p21 gene; age and tumour location groups in p53 gene; but we fail to find any significant association with IL-4 gene polymorphisms. Conclusions: Genetic susceptibility testing is a tool to evaluate the association of genetic polymorphisms with gastric cancer carcinogenesis.