title: Is there any correlation between TNF-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) genetic variants and breast cancer?
abstract: BACKGROUND
  TNF-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) is a death ligand and also a member of the TNF superfamily. We aimed to investigate the possible relationship between TRAIL and breast cancer. Here, we report the results of the first association study on genetic variation in the TRAIL gene and its effect on breast cancer susceptibility and prognosis.
  
  
  METHODS
  A C/T polymorphism at 1595 position in exon 5 of the TRAIL gene was genotyped in a Turkish breast cancer case-control population including 53 cases (mean age: 55.09 ±11.63 years) and 57 controls (mean age: 57.17 ±17.48 years) using polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) analysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There were no differences in the distribution of TRAIL genotypes and frequencies of the alleles in the breast cancer patients and controls. A heterozygous TRAIL CT polymorphism in exon 5 was present in 8.3% of tumour stage III-IV and 48.8% of stage I-II patients, and in 42.1% of controls. The reduced frequency of this genotype in patients who had advanced tumour stage was statistically significant (p = 0.017).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our findings indicate that genetic variants of TRAIL at position 1595 in exon 5 might be associated with progression of breast cancer.
authors.affiliation: Department of Molecular Medicine, Institute of Experimental Medicine, Istanbul University, Istanbul, Turkey.
authors.forename: Yemliha
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Yildiz
authors.forename: Ilhan
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Yaylim-Eraltan
authors.forename: Soykan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Arikan
authors.forename: H Arzu
authors.initials: HA
authors.lastname: Ergen
authors.forename: Seden
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Küçücük
authors.forename: Turgay
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Isbir