Association of the CYP17-34T/C Polymorphism with Pancreatic Cancer Risk

Pancreatic cancer is a leading cause of fatality worldwide. Several population studies have been conducted on genetic diagnosis of pancreatic cancer but the results from epidemiologic studies are very limited. CYP17A gene has a role in disease formation but its influence on pancreatic cancer is unclear. A polymorphism in the 5’UTR promoter region of CYP17A1-34T/C (A1/A2) has been associated with multiple cancers. The aim of the current study was to assess associations of this polymorphism and socio-demographic risk factors with pancreatic cancer. A total of 255 and 320 controls were enrolled in the study, and were genetically analyzed through PCR-RFLP. Statistical analysis was conducted with observed genotype frequencies and odds ratios (ORs) and 95% CIs were estimated using unconditional logistic regression. The impact of socio-demographic factors was accessed through Kaplen-Meir analysis. According to our results, the A2/A2 genotype was significantly associated with pancreatic cancer (OR=2.1, 95%CI = 1.3–3.5). Gender female (OR=2.6, 95%CI=1.8–3.7), age group 80s/80+ years (OR=2.2, 95% CI=1.2-4), smoking both former (OR=4.6, 95% CIs=2.5-8.8) and current (OR=3.6, 95% CI=2-6.7), and family history (OR=7.1; 95%CI = 4.6-11.4) were also found associated with increased risk. Current study suggests that along with established risk factors for pancreatic cancer CYP17A1-34T/C may play a role. However, on the basis of small sample size the argument cannot be fully endorsed and larger scale studies are recommended.