Risk of prostate cancer and thrombosis-related factor polymorphisms

Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is a complication commonly encountered in cancer patients and is considered to be a major cause of morbidity and mortality. The genetic polymorphisms of thrombophilic factors in cancer patients have been focused on during the last few years. However, the number of available studies on the association between prostate cancer and thromboembolic diseases is limited. Prostate cancer is one of the four major types of cancer and its development is affected by a variety of environmental and genetic factors. In the present study we aimed to focus on the effects of thromboembolic factor gene variations on the risk of prostate cancer. In order to conduct our prospective study, we used amplification-refractory mutation system-polymerase chain reaction to investigate three polymorphisms [factor V Leiden (FVL) G1691A, factor II (prothrombin, PTH) G20210A and methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) C677T] in prostate cancer patients, via comparison with normal individuals. The results demonstrated no significant differences in FVL and PTH gene variations between cases and controls (P>0.05). Although some cases with the T allele of MTHFR 677 were identified, no significant solidarity was established by statistical analysis (P>0.05). Therefore, non-genetic factors that may disturb homeostatic balance should also be considered in future studies, in order to determine the exact association between VTE and prostate cancer.