Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor Gene Polymorphisms and Gastric Cancer in Iran

Abstract

<b>Background:</b> Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) is a transmembrane receptor which contributes tomany processes involved in cell survival, proliferation and inhibits apoptosis, that may lead to cancer development.Gastric cancer is one of the most common diseases of digestive system that has low 5-year-survival. The aim ofthis research was to determine the significance of EGFR tyrosine kinase domain gene polymorphisms in gastriccancer in Iran. Materials and <br/><b>Methods</b>: In the present study, 83 patients with gastric cancer and 40 normalsubjects were investigated for EGFR gene polymorphisms in exons 18-21 by PCR-SSCP. Then, DNA sequencingwas conducted for different mobility shift bands. Finally the data were statistically analyzed using the chi-2 testand the SPSSver.16 program. <br/><b>Results</b>: Exon 18 of EGFR gene showed three different bands in SSCP patternand DNA sequencing displayed one mutation. SSCP pattern of Exons 19 and 21 did not show different migrationbands. Exon 20 of EGFR gene revealed multiple migrate bands in SSCP pattern. DNA sequencing displayed 2mutations in this exon: one mutation was caused amino acid change and another mutation was silent. <br/><b>Conclusion</b>:It may be that EGFR tyrosine kinase gene polymorphisms differ between populations and screening could beuseful in gastric cancer patients who might benefit from tyrosine kinase inhibitor therapy.