Alpha 1 antichymotrypsin genotype is associated with increased risk of prostate carcinoma and PSA levels.
BACKGROUND
Prostate cancer (PCa) is the most common non-skin cancer among men in Western countries. Inflammation appears to be involved in the pathogenesis of PCa. Recent studies have shown that many inflammatory genes are associated with the risk of PCa. Alpha 1 antichymotrypsin (ACT) is an acute phase protein and it is part of the circulating prostate specific antigen (PSA).


METHODS
Allele and genotype frequencies of a promoter single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) in ACT gene were investigated in patients with benign prostate hypertrophy (BHP) or PCa and controls.


RESULTS
The G allele was more represented in PCa patients (odds ratio = 2.349). The PSA levels and prostatic volume did not correlate with the ACT genotype. However, stratifying subjects by age, a correlation of PSA levels and the GG genotype in young PCa patients was found.


CONCLUSIONS
Carriers of the ACT G allele are at risk of developing PCa and genotyping healthy subjects could be a new approach for early prevention.
Licastro
Federico
F
Department of Experimental Pathology, University of Bologna Via S. Giacomo 14, 40126 Bologna, Italy. licastro@alma.unibo.it
Bertaccini
Alessandro
A
Porcellini
Elisa
E
Chiappelli
Martina
M
Pernetti
Remigio
R
Sanguedolce
Francesco
F
Marchiori
Debora
D
Martorana
Giuseppe
G
D000368:Aged; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D005838:Genotype; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D020641:Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide; D011401:Promoter Regions, Genetic; D017430:Prostate-Specific Antigen / Q000097:blood*; D011470:Prostatic Hyperplasia / Q000097:blood / Q000235:genetics; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000097:blood* / Q000235:genetics*; D000514:alpha 1-Antichymotrypsin / Q000235:genetics*
D000514:alpha 1-Antichymotrypsin; D017430:Prostate-Specific Antigen