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.