Association of p53 polymorphisms and colorectal cancer: Modulation of risk and progression.

Abstract: Objectives: p53 Gene variants BstUI RFLP at codon 72 in exon 4, 16 bp tandem repeat in intron 3 and Mspl RFLP in introit 6, which code for two functionally different protein isoforms, have been shown 10 modulate susceptibility to different types of human neoplasms. Methods: p53 genotype was assessed in 90 CRC patients, 321 age-matched controls and 322 centenarians. Results: The p53 codon 72 arginine. the p53 16 bp deletion, and the Mspl RFLP were significantly more frequent in CRC patients in comparison to the controls and to the centenarians (odd ratio 1.44 and 1.93). In the CRC group, the BstUI RFLP polymorphism was the more frequent combination (62.2%), and it was significantly associated with highly infiltrating (p<0.01), poorly differentiated (p < 0.01). and metastatic (p < 0.05) tumours. Our findings indicate that the p53 codon 72 polymorphisms are associated with a higher risk of CRC and are associated with more advanced and undifferentiated tumours. (C) 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.