RT Journal Article SR Electronic T1 Gender-specific Association of the VEGF -2578C>A Polymorphism in Korean Patients with Colon Cancer JF Anticancer Research JO Anticancer Res FD International Institute of Anticancer Research SP 2535 OP 2539 VO 27 IS 4B A1 HYE MI PARK A1 SEUNG HO HONG A1 JONG WOO KIM A1 DOYEUN OH A1 SEONG GYU HWANG A1 HEE JUNG AN A1 NAM KEUN KIM YR 2007 UL http://ar.iiarjournals.org/content/27/4B/2535.abstract AB Background: Angiogenesis is involved in the development of cancer, promoting tumor growth, invasiveness and metastasis. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is a potent angiogenic factor. The present case control study was carried out, to determine whether there is an association between the VEGF -2578C>A polymorphism and colon cancer. Patients and Methods: DNA samples taken from 246 patients with colon cancer and 203 healthy controls were amplified by polymerase chain reaction for VEGF -2578C>A polymorphism. Results: Genotype frequencies of the VEGF -2578C>A polymorphism were not significantly different between patient and control groups. However, when the data were stratified by gender, the frequency of the -2578CA+AA (A allele-bearing) genotype was marginally significant different with protective effect for colon cancer in women (odds ratio, OR, 0.60; 95% confidence interval, CI, 0.36-0.99; p=0.056). The -2578CA+AA genotype was also associated with reduced risk in patients with proximal colon cancer (OR, 0.55; 95% CI, 0.31-0.97; p=0.049). This association also remained in women with proximal colon cancer. Conclusion: Although the VEGF -2578C>A polymorphism had no influence on susceptibility to colon cancer, some genotypes showed a significant difference between the case and control groups when the data were stratified by gender and the original location of tumor, suggesting that the VEGF -2578C>A polymorphism, at least in Koreans, is a genetic determinant of colon cancer risk. Copyright© 2007 International Institute of Anticancer Research (Dr. John G. Delinassios), All rights reserved