DNA repair processes assure genomic integrity and play the crucial role in protecting against carcinogenic factors. Mutations in DNA repair genes, which code proteins engaged in repair processes, may lead to carcinogenesis and among others also to colorectal cancer development. RAD51 gene encodes a protein of DNA homologues recombination repair.
Aim of the study: To evaluate the role of RAD51 gene polymorphism in patients with colorectal cancer in Polish subpopulation Materials and methods. The studied group comprised 100 colorectal cancer patients (aged 57-75) and 236 age, sex-, age- and ethnicity-matched cancer-free controls. Genotypes were determined in DNA from peripheral blood lymphocytes by PCR-RFLP.
Results: An association between colorectal cancer occurrence and the G/C variant of the 135 G/C RAD51 polymorphism was found (OR 2.45; 95% CI 1,45-4,14) (p > 0.05).
Conclusions: The G/C variant of the 135 G/C RAD51 polymorphism may be associated with the increased risk of colorectal cancer development.