Genetic Polymorphism of Thr241Met and Other Risk Factors Related with Gastric Cancer in Iranian Military Population: A Pilot Case Control Study

Background: Gastric cancer (GC) is a result of interaction between genetic and environmental factors. The recognition of GC risk factors is very important for early diagnostic and prevention from this cancer. Objectives: The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of some factors such as Thr241Met polymorphism on GC occurrence in Iranian military population. Methods: Investigated samples in the present study were 53 tissue samples from patients with pathologically proven GC and 91 sex-age matched blood samples from healthy controls. Data for cases and controls were obtained through registered files and questionnaires, respectively. Genomic DNA was extracted and PCR-RFLP was used for genotyping of Thr241Met polymorphism. Chi-square and odds ratio (OR) were used to determine the factors affecting the incidence of GC. Results: The Thr/Met genotype of Thr241Met polymorphism of the XRCC3 gene (P = 0.04 and o‎r = 2.99) and blood type B (P = 0.04 and o‎r = 2.99) significantly affected the incidence of GC. This study did not prove the significant effect of smoking (P = 0.08 and o‎r = 2.47) and positive family history (P = 0.13 and o‎r = 2.25) on GC risk. Conclusions: These findings may be helpful in early identification of high-risk individuals, especially in military population and prevention from GC.