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Common single nucleotide polymorphisms in the vascular endothelial growth factor gene and colorectal cancer risk

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Abstract

Purpose

Tumor growth requires the formation of new blood vessels, a phenomenon known as angiogenesis. The most important regulator of angiogenesis is vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). Several common polymorphisms in the VEGF-gene have been associated with different VEGF expression, production and plasma levels according to allele status, and influence the risk of developing different types of cancer. Therefore, these variants might be risk factors for colorectal cancer (CRC).

Methods

In the present case–control study, VEGF genotypes of the +936 C > T, −2578 C > A and −634 G > C polymorphisms were determined in 427 patients with histologically verified CRC and 427 age and sex-matched healthy control subjects. Genotypes were analyzed by a fluorogenic exonuclease assay (TaqMan™). P-value for age at diagnosis was analyzed by student’s t test, P-values for tumor characteristics were determined by Pearson’s Chi-square test. Threshold for significance was P < 0.05.

Results

At the time of diagnoses, patients were between 29 and 83 years of age, with a mean age of 61 ± 10.9 years. VEGF −2578 C > A and VEGF −634 G > C genotype frequencies were similar among patients and controls. Carriers of the 936T-allele were found slightly more frequent among controls (27.2%) than among patients (22.5%), but this difference did not reach statistical significance (P = 0.07). Furthermore, no correlation was found between all these variants and tumor characteristics like size, histological grading, positive regional lymph node metastases or tumor stage.

Conclusion

We conclude that the investigated polymorphisms are not associated with individual susceptibility to colorectal cancer.

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Acknowledgments

This study was supported by the “Austrian Cancer Aid/Styria” (project no. 02/2005)

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, Medical University of Graz, Auenbruggerplatz 15, 8036, Graz, Austria

    Guenter Hofmann, Uwe Langsenlehner, Armin Gerger & Hellmut Samonigg

  2. Clinical Institute of Medical and Chemical Laboratory Diagnostics, Medical University of Graz, Auenbruggerplatz 15, 8036, Graz, Austria

    Wilfried Renner

  3. Department of Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology, Medical University of Graz, Auenbruggerplatz 32, 8036, Graz, Austria

    Tanja Langsenlehner

  4. Division of Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Medical University of Graz, Auenbruggerplatz 15, 8036, Graz, Austria

    Babak Yazdani-Biuki

  5. Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Medical University of Graz, Auenbruggerplatz 5–7, 8036, Graz, Austria

    Heimo Clar

  6. Division of General Radiological Diagnostics, Department of Radiology, Medical University of Graz, Auenbruggerplatz 9, 8036, Graz, Austria

    Martin Wehrschuetz

  7. Department of Internal Medicine, Regional Hospital of Fuerstenfeld, Krankenhausgasse 1, 8280, Fuerstenfeld, Austria

    Peter Krippl

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  1. Guenter Hofmann
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  2. Uwe Langsenlehner
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Correspondence to Guenter Hofmann.

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Hofmann, G., Langsenlehner, U., Renner, W. et al. Common single nucleotide polymorphisms in the vascular endothelial growth factor gene and colorectal cancer risk. J Cancer Res Clin Oncol 134, 591–595 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00432-007-0322-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00432-007-0322-x

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