Association between p53 Gene Variants and Oral CancerSusceptibility in Population from Gujarat, West India

Background: p53 gene variants i.e. 16 bp duplication in intron 3, Arg72Pro in exon 4 and G>A in intron 6have been reported to modulate susceptibility to various malignancies. Therefore, the present study evaluatedthe role of these p53 polymorphisms in oral cancer susceptibility in a population from Gujarat, West India.
Method: Genotype frequencies at the three p53 loci in 110 controls and 79 oral cancer cases were determinedby the PCR-RFLP method.
Results: Heterozygous individuals at exon 4 showed protection from developingoral cancer. Homozygous wild and heterozygous individuals at intron 3 and those heterozygous at exon 4 incombination appeared to be at lowered risk. Furthermore, carriers of the 16 bp duplication allele at intron 3,proline allele at exon 4 and G allele at intron 6 were protected from oral cancer development.
Conclusion: p53polymorphisms, especially Arg72Pro in exon 4 could significantly modify the risk of oral cancer developmentin Gujarat, West Indian population.