The polymorphisms of the tumor suppressor gene p53 have been extensively investigated in numerous malignant tumors, particularly carcinomas associated with human papillomavirus (HPV) infection. However, the results remain controversial. To address a potential correlation between the p53 genotypes and the risk of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC), we investigated the p53 codon 72 polymorphism in 435 patients with ESCC and 550 cancer-free subjects from the same geographical region. p53 Arg/Arg genotype was significantly increased in ESCC cases compared with control subjects (85.7 vs. 49.6%, P < 0.001), resulting in an elevated ESCC risk (OR = 6.48, 95% CI = 4.65-9.03). In addition, among p53 Arg/Arg carriers, HPV infection, smoking, and drinking might further increase the risk of ESCC development.
(c) 2007 Wiley-Liss, Inc.