The DNA Repair Gene ERCC6 rs1917799 Polymorphism is Associated with Gastric Cancer Risk in Chinese

Objective: Excision repair cross-complementing group 6 (ERCC6) is a major component of the nucleotideexcision repair pathway that plays an important role in maintaining genomic stability and integrity. Severalrecent studies suggested a link of ERCC6 polymorphisms with susceptibility to various cancers. However, therelation of ERCC6 polymorphism with gastric cancer (GC) risk remains elusive. In this sex- and age- matchedcase-control study including 402 GC cases and 804 cancer-free controls, we aimed to investigate the associationbetween a potentially functional polymorphism (rs1917799 T>G) in the ERCC6 regulatory region and GC risk.
Methods: The genotypes of rs1917799 were determined by Sequenom MassARRAY platform and the status ofHelicobacter pylori infection was detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Odd ratios (ORs) and 95%confidential interval (CI) were calculated by logistic regression analysis.
Results: Compared with the commonTT genotype, the ERCC6 rs1917799 GG genotype was associated with increased GC risk (adjusted OR=1.46,95%CI: 1.03-2.08, P=0.035). When compared with (GT+TT) genotypes, the GG genotype also demonstrateda statistical association with increased GC risk (adjusted OR=1.38, 95%CI: 1.01-1.89, P=0.044). This was alsoobserved for the male subpopulation (GG vs. TT: adjusted OR=1.71, 95%CI: 1.12-2.62, P=0.013; G allele vs.T allele: adjusted OR=1.32, 95%CI: 1.07-1.62, P=0.009). Genetic effects on increased GC risk tended to beenhanced by H. pylori infection, smoking and drinking, but their interaction effects on GC risk did not reachstatistical significance.
Conclusions: ERCC6 rs1917799 GG genotype might be associated with increased GCrisk in Chinese, especially in males.