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Updated: Jun 16, 2026

Multi-Gene Single Nucleotide Polymorphism Detection in Gastric Cancer Based on Ion Semiconductor Sequencing Platform
Published on: May 10, 2024
Depression and serotonin transporter (5-HTTLPR) polymorphism in breast cancer patients
Luigi Grassi1, Elena Rossi, Marina Cobianchi
1Section of Psychiatry, Department of Behavior and Communication, University of Ferrara and Unit of Clinical Psychiatry Department of Mental Health and Drug Abuse, Health Agency, NHS, Ferrara, Italy. luigi.grassi@unife.it
Background:
Mixed evidence in the general population and medically ill patients has suggested that homozygous carriers of the short allele (s/s) of the serotonin transporter gene-linked polymorphic region (5-HTTLPR) may increase the risk of depression in comparison with carriers of the long allele (l/l) or s/l. Given the lack of data in oncology, we examined the relationship of depression with the 5-HTTLPR and psychosocial variables among breast cancer patients.
Methods:
A sample of 145 breast cancer patients were studied as regards to depression, psychosocial-related variables (coping, Type D-personality, life events, and social support), and the 5-HTTLPR, which was genotyped by using a standard protocol with DNA extracted from the blood.
Results:
No difference was found between s/s, s/l and l/l patients on depression and any other psychosocial variable. No gene-by environment (GxE) interactions were observed between the 5-HTTLPR and recent life events.
Conclusions:
The study did not provide support of a possible association between 5-HTTLPR polymorphism, alone or in conjunction with life events, and depression in newly diagnosed breast cancer. Further follow-up studies are however necessary to confirm these data.
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