Association of the AA genotype of the BCL2 (-938C>A) promoter polymorphism with better survival in ovarian cancer.
BACKGROUND
Bcl-2 plays a key role in the regulation of apoptosis. Recently, a novel regulatory single nucleotide polymorphism (-938C>A) in the inhibitory P2 BCL2 promoter was described. In this study we investigated its potential association with survival in epithelial ovarian cancer.


METHODS
Patients (n=110) with primary epithelial ovarian cancer were retrospectively genotyped by pyrosequencing.


RESULTS
Genotype distribution was not significantly different between 110 ovarian cancer patients and 120 healthy controls, suggesting that genotypes of this polymorphism do not increase the susceptibility to ovarian cancer. Kaplan-Meier curves showed a significant association of the AA genotype with increased survival (p=0.002). Multivariate analysis revealed that the BCL2-938AC/CC genotype (hazard ratio 4.5; p=0.003) was an independent prognostic factor compared to other prognostic factors such as age, histological grade or tumor stage.


CONCLUSIONS
The results suggest a role for the BCL2-938C>A polymorphism as a marker for survival in patients with epithelial ovarian cancer.
Heubner
Martin
M
Institute of Pharmacogenetics, Medical Faculty, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen - Germany. Martin.heubner@uk-essen.de
Wimberger
Pauline
P
Otterbach
Friedrich
F
Kasimir-Bauer
Sabine
S
Siffert
Winfried
W
Kimmig
Rainer
R
Nückel
Holger
H
D005260:Female; D005838:Genotype; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D010051:Ovarian Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics* / Q000401:mortality; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic; D011401:Promoter Regions, Genetic; D019253:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 / Q000235:genetics*
D019253:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2