Thymidylate synthase gene (<it>TYMS</it>) polymorphisms in sporadic and hereditary breast cancer

• Main Authors: Junior José da Silva Nogueira, Marson Fernando Augusto de Lima, Bertuzzo Carmen Sílvia
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: BMC 2012-12-01
• Series: BMC Research Notes
• Subjects: Thymidylate synthasel; Gene polymorphisms; Breast cancer; Sporadic breast cancer; Sporadic; Hereditary breast cancer
• Online Access: http://www.biomedcentral.com/1756-0500/5/676

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Breast cancer (BC) is a genetic disorder characterized by growth and proliferation of breast cells in a disorderly. In Brazil, there are approximately 49.240 new cases of BC, every year. The BC etiology is still poorly understood. The BC can be sporadic (SBC) or hereditary (HBC). Recent studies have correlated gene polymorphisms with the BC, such as alterations in <it>thymidylate synthase gene</it> (TYMS), which are used to improve diagnosis and prevention of the disease. Polymorphisms in the <it>TYMS</it> gene 5’-UTR region, usually present reps double (2R) and/or triple (3R). Studies have shown that homozygous 3R/3R is overexpressed compared with 2R/2R genotype, and these polymorphic variations may contribute to individual susceptibility to the development of BC. In this context, the objective of this study was to evaluate the frequency of the <it>TYMS</it> 2R and 3R polymorphisms, comparing genotypic and allelic distribution with SBC and HBC patients.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>In this study we included a total of 204 subjects, 70 with BC (33 with SBC, and 37 with HBC) and 134 healthy subjects (controls). The Polymerase Chain Reaction was the method used.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Results demonstrated a high frequency of the 3R allele at BC, SBC, and HBC groups. The frequency of genotype 2R/3R was significantly higher in BC group. This work showed association between the 2R/3R variants (OR = 4.14, CI95% = 1.77-9.71) in the development of SBC, and 2R/2R (OR = 0.233, CI95% = 1.63-7.65) and 2R/3R (OR = 3.53, CI95% = 0.06-0.81) for developing HBC. To BC, there was association with the genotype 2R/3R (OR: 3.79, CI95% = 2.03-7.08).</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Our results show relation to the development of BC in association with the analyzed polymorphisms.</p>