Analysis of XRCC2 and XRCC3 gene polymorphisms in pancreatic cancer

The double-strand break DNA repair pathway, including XRCC2 and XRCC3 genes, is implicated in maintaining genomic stability and therefore could affect the pancreatic cancer risk. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the clinical significance of the XRCC2 and XRCC3 gene polymorphisms in patients with pancreatic cancer. The present study included 203 patients: 101 with pancreatic cancer and 102 healthy controls. The Arg188His XRCC2 and the Thr241Met XRCC3 gene polymorphisms have been studied in DNA isolated from blood samples. The associations of the analysed genotypes and clinical data at diagnosis have been evaluated. The frequencies of the genotypes of the Arg188His XRCC2 and Thr241Met XRCC3 polymorphisms did not differ significantly between patients and controls. The study did not identify a correlation between the XRCC2 and XRCC3 genes polymorphisms and tumor size or localisation. Analysed polymorphisms were also not associated with the gender and age of the patient, or the presence of regional or distant metastases. In conclusion, the present study did not suggest an association between the Arg188His XRCC2 and the Thr241Met XRCC3 polymorphisms and the clinical data of patients with pancreatic cancer.