title: VEGF gene polymorphisms and susceptibility to colorectal cancer.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most common cancer in the world and its etiology involves the interaction of genetic and environmental factors. New blood vessels form through a process called angiogenesis and have an essential role in tumor growth, progression, and metastasis of malignant tumors. The vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), one of the most important angiogenic factors, is a specific mitogen for vascular endothelial cells. In the present case-control study, we carried out the study to evaluate whether the VEGF single-nucleotide polymorphisms play a role in modulating susceptibility to CRC.
  
  
  METHODS
  We evaluated the VEGF -2578A>C, +936C>T, and -460C>T genotypes obtained from 103 patients with CRC and 129 healthy controls by using the polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) assay. Also, haplotype analysis was determined. Odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were estimated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  -2578A>C was significantly associated with CRC risk (OR 1.81; 95% CI 0.94-3.47; p=0.0495), while distribution of +936C>T and -460C>T genotypes in cases and controls did not significantly differ. The VEGF A2578-T936-T460 haplotype might be associated with the development of CRC (OR 8.77; 95% CI 1.05-73.36; p=0.0434). There was significant haplotype effect for all eight haplotypes (p=0.02).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These results suggest that the VEGF polymorphisms might play a role in the development of CRC. Therefore, the VEGF polymorphisms might be further investigated to use in the determination of risk factors for CRC and to have a predictive value for anti-VEGF-targeted cancer therapies.
authors: 1 Department of Pharmaceutical Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Istanbul University , Istanbul, Turkey .
authors: Ayşe Tarbın
authors: AT
authors: Jannuzzi
authors: Gül
authors: G
authors: Özhan
authors: Hakan Teoman
authors: HT
authors: Yanar
authors: Buket
authors: B
authors: Alpertunga
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics*; D018450:Disease Progression; D005260:Female; D005787:Gene Frequency; D006239:Haplotypes; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic; D020641:Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / Q000235:genetics*
chemical_list: C467484:VEGFA protein, human; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A