Association between XRCC3 Thr241Met Polymorphism and the Risk of Cancer in Northern Brazil

Aims: Cancer is a genetic disease characterized by an unbalance between cell growth and regulatory factors. The gene XRCC3 encodes a protein that contributes to the integrity of the genome and XRCC3 Thr241Met variants have their capacity of repair altered.

Study Design: Our goal was to evaluate XRCC3 241Met polymorphism in a sample of cancer patients in the city of Macapá.

Place and Duration of Study: Laboratory of Molecular Biology (Biological Sciences Program of the Federal University of Amapá), Dr. Alberto Lima Clinical Hospital (Hcal) and Institute of Hematology and Hemotherapy of Amapá between June 2009 and July 2010.

Methodology: We analyzed 100 DNA samples of patients (50 cases diagnosed with cancer and 50 controls). DNA samples were amplified and analyzed by PCR-RFLP with the enzyme NLaIII.

Results: The molecular analysis revealed that 58% of cases and 12% of controls had the Thr/Met genotype, while 82% of controls and 36% of cases had the Thr/Thr genotype.

Conclusion: Non-invasive independent predictors for screening esophageal varices may decrease medical as well as financial burden, hence improving the management of cirrhotic patients. These predictors, however, need further work to validate reliability. The frequency of the Thr/Met genotype was higher among cancer patients when compared to the control group. Our findings suggest that XRCC3 241Met polymorphism may be associated with the risk cancer in the study population.