IRGM gene polymorphisms and risk of gastric cancer

Abstract

Objective: The study aimed to assess the possible association of polymorphisms in the autophagy gene IRGM (rs13361189 and rs4958847) with the risk of gastric cancer.

Methods: A total of 102 patients with gastric adenocarcinoma, 52 with chronic gastritis and 351 healthy controls were included in this study. IRGM allelic variants were genotyped by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. The association between polymorphisms and gastric cancer risk was estimated by odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI).

Results: A significant difference was found for rs4958847 A allele. Carriers of the A allele were protected against gastric cancer (OR = 0.58, 95% CI 0.35-0.97, P = 0.038). Moreover, the presence of this allele seems to play an important role in decreasing the risk for the intestinal type of gastric cancer (OR = 0.47, 95% CI 0.23-0.94, P = 0.03). In contrast, the rs13361189 IRGM polymorphism was not associated with susceptibility to gastric cancer. None of the targeted polymorphisms were associated with chronic gastritis.

Conclusion: IRGM rs4958847 polymorphism influences susceptibility to gastric cancer, mainly for the intestinal type.