Short tandem repeat polymorphisms of exon 4 in Kazal-type gene ECRG2 in pancreatic carcinoma and chronic pancreatitis
Kaifi, J.T.; Cataldegirmen, G.; Wachowiak, R.; Schurr, P.G.; Kleinhans, H.; Kosti, G.; Yekebas, E.F.; Mann, O.; Kutup, A.; Kalinin, V.; Strate, T.; Izbicki, J.R.
Anticancer Research 27(1a): 69-73
2007
ISSN/ISBN: 0250-7005 PMID: 17352218 Document Number: 614956
Background: Short tandem repeat (STR) polymorphisms in exon 4 of the Kazal-type esophageal cancer related gene (ECRG2) have been reported to be associated with esophageal carcinoma. Kazal-type genes are associated with cancer and pancreatic disease. The aim of the present study was to examine whether ECRG2 STR polymorphisms are associated with pancreatic carcinoma and chronic pancreatitis. Materials and Methods: A total of 209 surgically treated patients were analyzed, 92 with pancreatic adenocarcinoma and 117 with chronic pancreatitis. We retrospectively analyzed genomic DNA from peripheral blood leukocytes for STR TCA(3)/TCA(3), TCA(3)/TCA(4) and TCA(4)/TCA(4) in the noncoding region of exon 4 of ECRG2. Associations between STRs and survival of cancer patients were investigated using log-rank test. Results: ECRG2 STR of highest incidence was TCA(3)/TCA(3) [47 (51%) in pancreatic carcinoma; 59 (50%) in pancreatitis patients], followed by the TCA(3)/TCA(4) [37 (40%); 54 (46%)] and TCA(4)/TCA(4) [8 (9%); 4 (4%)] genotypes. No correlation in frequency of STRs comparing chronic pancreatitis and pancreatic cancer was determined using the Chi-squared test (p=0.23). STR polymorphisms were not significantly associated with reduced tumor-specific or overall survival (p > 0.05; log-rank test). Conclusion: The data show that ECRG2 STR polymorphism TCA(3)/TCA(3) in exon 4 is the most prevalent polymorphism found in pancreatic adenocarcinoma and chronic pancreatitis detected in peripheral blood. None of the polymorphisms was associated with poor clinical outcome in pancreatic cancer-patients.