RANTES promoter genotype and gastric cancer risk in a Japanese population

Background: A complex interaction of genetic and environmental factors is relevant in gastric carcinogenesis. Previous studies reported that the expression of RANTES is enhanced in Helicobacter pylori-infected gastric mucosa. Elevated serum level of RANTES in gastric cancer patients was also reported. We aimed to clarify the effect of RANTES promoter polymorphism on the risk of gastric cancer (GC) in a Japanese population. Materials and Methods: A total of 191 GC and 335 non-cancer patients including H. pylori-positive gastritis (n=180) and H. pylori- negative healthy stomach (n=155) were genotyped for polymorphisms at -28 C/G in the RANTES gene promoter region. Results: RANTES promoter genotype distributions were not significantly different among GC, overall non-cancer patients, healthy stomach and gastritis. In the comparison of genotype frequency between GC and healthy stomach, only a weak correlation was found between -28G/G genotype and GC in individuals more than 70 years of age (odds ratio (OR)=7.65, 95% confidence interval (CI)=0.78-75.0, p=0.07), with advanced stage (OR=6.58, 95% CI=0.72-59.77, p=0.07), lymph node metastasis (OR=7.20, 95% CI=0.79-65.46, p=0.06) and peritoneal dissemination (OR=10.93, 95% CI=0.96-124.64, p=0.07). Conclusion: The effect of -28 C/G polymorphism in the RANTES gene promoter on GC development may not to be very strong. The role of RANTES promoter polymorphism in gastric carcinogenesis needs further evaluation.