p53 Codon 72 polymorphism is associated with occurrence of cervical carcinoma in the Chinese population

We investigated the genotype distribution of the p53 Arg72Pro polymorphisms in 500 cervical carcinoma and 800 normal women in Chinese population. HPV infection rates in carcinoma patients and control were 89.4% and 31.0%. Women carrying the p53 Arg72Pro or p53 Pro72Pro increased the risk of cervical carcinoma (ORs and 95% CIs being 3.74 (2.65–5.30), 2.23 (1.49–3.34)). In HPV positive population, elevated risks were also associated with p53 Arg72Pro, Pro72Pro (ORs and 95% CIs being 3.83 (2.02–7.24), 2.38 (1.14–4.99)). These results suggest that a proline in position 72 of p53 increases the risk of cervical carcinoma in Chinese population.