Short tandem repeat polymorphism in exon 4 of esophageal cancer-related gene 2 detected in genomic DNA is a prognostic marker for esophageal cancer.
BACKGROUND
Short tandem repeat (STR) polymorphisms in exon 4 of the esophageal cancer-related gene 2 (ECRG2) are a risk marker for esophageal carcinoma. The aim of the present study was to correlate these STRs with clinical outcome.


METHODS
Genomic DNA of 86 patients who underwent complete surgical resection was analyzed for STRs TCA3/TCA3, TCA3/TCA4, and TCA4/TCA4 in exon 4 of ECRG2 by polymerase chain reaction and DNA sequencing.


RESULTS
ECRG2 STR TCA3/TCA3 and TCA3/TCA4 were found in 40 (47%) patients, respectively, and TCA4/TCA4 in 6 (7%) cases. TCA3/TCA3 genotype was significantly associated with reduced survival (P < .05, log-rank test). TCA3/TCA3 STR was the strongest prognostic factor determined by multivariate Cox regression analysis.


CONCLUSIONS
Genetically fixed STR polymorphism TCA3/TCA3 in exon 4 of ECRG2 is associated with poor clinical outcome in surgically treated esophageal cancer patients and might be a potential prognostic marker. The usefulness of these genetic markers to predict responsiveness toward neoadjuvant treatment of esophageal cancer patients would be of high clinical interest and should be examined in future studies.
Kaifi
Jussuf T
JT
Department of General, Visceral and Thoracic Surgery, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Martinistrasse 52, 20246 Hamburg, Germany. jkaifi@uke.uni-hamburg.de
Rawnaq
Tamina
T
Schurr
Paulus G
PG
Yekebas
Emre F
EF
Mann
Oliver
O
Merkert
Petra
P
Link
Bjoern-Christian
BC
Kalinin
Viacheslav
V
Pantel
Klaus
K
Sauter
Guido
G
Strate
Tim
T
Izbicki
Jakob R
JR
D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000235:genetics*; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000235:genetics*; D004273:DNA, Neoplasm; D004938:Esophageal Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics*; D005091:Exons / Q000235:genetics*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D018895:Microsatellite Repeats; D008875:Middle Aged; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic; D011379:Prognosis; D053491:Proteinase Inhibitory Proteins, Secretory; D000074162:Serine Peptidase Inhibitors, Kazal Type; D025521:Tumor Suppressor Proteins / Q000235:genetics*
D004273:DNA, Neoplasm; D053491:Proteinase Inhibitory Proteins, Secretory; C473799:SPINK7 protein, human; D000074162:Serine Peptidase Inhibitors, Kazal Type; D025521:Tumor Suppressor Proteins