title: EcoRI polymorphism of the L-myc gene in gastric cancer patients.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  L-myc is a nuclear oncogene, which is activated late in cancerogenesis. It has been documented that the EcoRI polymorphism of the L-myc gene is related to an individual's susceptibility to malignancy. Some studies have suggested that the presence of the S allele in patients with cancer is associated with a higher risk of metastases. Despite many studies, it is unclear whether this occurs in gastric cancer. The aim of our study was to determine whether the L-myc polymorphism is associated with susceptibility to gastric cancer in the Caucasian population and to evaluate the presence of the S allele in gastric cancer patients with respect to cancer histology, stage and site, and the patients' age and gender.
  
  
  METHODS
  We studied 100 gastric cancer patients and 65 healthy unrelated individuals. Restriction fragment-length polymorphism of the L-myc gene was examined by polymerase chain reaction amplification of genomic DNA followed by EcoRI digestion.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There were no significant differences in genotype distribution between the cancer group (genotypes: SS 24.6%; LS 58.5%; LL 16.9%) and the control group (genotypes: SS 24%; LS 47%; LL 29%). Significant correlation between S-allele presence and regional nodal metastasis was found (P < 0.025). No correlation with other clinicopathological features was observed. No relation between L-myc polymorphism and susceptibility to gastric cancer was found.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our study suggests that L-myc polymorphism can be a predisposing factor in the development of nodal metastases in stomach cancer patients.
authors.affiliation: Department of Gastroenterology, Pomeranian Academy of Medicine, Szczecin, Poland. Aldona.Dlugosz@gastro.hs.sll.se
authors.forename: Aldona
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Dlugosz
authors.forename: Grazyna
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Adler
authors.forename: Andrzej
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ciechanowicz
authors.forename: Halina
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Jaroszewicz-Heigelmann
authors.forename: Teresa
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Starzynska
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000483:Alleles; D005260:Female; D016259:Genes, myc / Q000235:genetics*; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease / Q000235:genetics; D005838:Genotype; D006801:Humans; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis / Q000235:genetics; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic / Q000235:genetics; D017422:Sequence Analysis, DNA; D015265:Site-Specific DNA-Methyltransferase (Adenine-Specific) / Q000235:genetics*; D013274:Stomach Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics*
chemical_list: C020098:DNA modification methylase EcoRI; D015265:Site-Specific DNA-Methyltransferase (Adenine-Specific)