The Prostaglandin Synthase 2/cyclooxygenase 2 (PTGS2/COX2) rs5277 Polymorphism Does not Influence Risk of Colorectal Cancer in an Iranian Population

Abstract

<b>Background:</b> The prostaglandin-endoperoxide synthase 2 [PTGS2, commonly known as cyclooxygenase-2(COX-2)] is an enzyme induced by proinflammatory stimuli that is often overexpressed in malignant tissue andinvolved in the synthesis of prostaglandins and thromboxanes, regulators of processes such as inflammation, cellproliferation, and angiogenesis, all relevant for cancer development. We investigated whether a functional geneticpolymorphism, rs5277, in COX-2 may have a risk-modifying effect on sporadic colorectal cancer in an Iranianpopulation. Materials and <br/><b>Methods</b>: We conducted a case-control study on 167 patients with colorectal cancerand 197 cancer-free controls in Taleghani Hospital in Tehran, Iran, between 2007 and 2011. Peripheral bloodsamples of both groups were processed for DNA extraction and genotyping of the COX-2 gene polymorphism(rs5277) using PCR-RFLP. RFLP results were confirmed by direct sequencing. Logistic regression analysis wasperformed to calculate the adjusted odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (95% CI). <br/><b>Results</b>: There wasno significant difference in the distribution of COX-2 gene rs5277 polymorphism genotype and the allelic form,among CRC patients compared with the healthy control group (p: 0.867). <br/><b>Conclusions</b>: Our results suggest thatrs5277 polymorphism in COX2 could not be a good prognostic indicator for patients with CRC.