Association of XPD polymorphisms with prostate cancer in Taiwanese patients

The DNA repair gene XPD, an important caretaker of the overall genome stability, is thought to play a major role in the development of human malignancy. Polymorphic variants of XPD, at codon 312, 751, and other sites, have been associated with cancer susceptibility, but few studies have investigated their effect on prostate cancer risk.

In this hospital-based case-control study, the association of XPD codon 312, 751 and promoter-114 polymorphisms with prostate cancer risk in a Taiwanese population were investigated. In total, 123 patients with prostate cancer and 479 healthy controls recruited from the China Medical Hospital in Central Taiwan were genotyped.

We found a significant difference in the frequency of the XPD codon 312 genotype, but not the XPD codon 751 or promoter-114 genotypes, between the prostate cancer and control groups. Those who had GIA or A/A at XPD codon 312 showed a 1.81-fold (95% confidence interval=1.21-2.69) increased risk of prostate cancer compared to those with GIG. As for XPD codon 312 or promoter-114, there was no difference in distribution between the prostate cancer and control groups.

Our findings suggest that the heterozygous and homozygous A allele of the XPD codon 312 may be associated with the development of prostate cancer and may be a useful marker for primary prevention and anticancer intervention.