Background and aims: L-myc is a nuclear oncogene, which is activated late in cancerogenesis. It has been documented that the EcoRI polymorphism of the L-myc gene is related to an individual's susceptibility to malignancy. Some studies have suggested that the presence of the S allele in patients with cancer is associated with a higher risk of metastases. Despite many studies, it is unclear whether this occurs in gastric cancer. The aim of our study was to determine whether the L-myc polymorphism is associated with susceptibility to gastric cancer in the Caucasian population and to evaluate the presence of the S allele in gastric cancer patients with respect to cancer histology, stage and site, and the patients' age and gender.
Patients and methods: We studied 100 gastric cancer patients and 65 healthy unrelated individuals. Restriction fragment-length polymorphism of the L-myc gene was examined by polymerase chain reaction amplification of genomic DNA followed by EcoRI digestion.
Results: There were no significant differences in genotype distribution between the cancer group (genotypes: SS 24.6%; LS 58.5%; LL 16.9%) and the control group (genotypes: SS 24%; LS 47%; LL 29%). Significant correlation between S-allele presence and regional nodal metastasis was found (P < 0.025). No correlation with other clinicopathological features was observed. No relation between L-myc polymorphism and susceptibility to gastric cancer was found.
Conclusions: Our study suggests that L-myc polymorphism can be a predisposing factor in the development of nodal metastases in stomach cancer patients.