Association between estrogen receptor β polymorphisms and prostate cancer in a Slovak population

Sex steroid hormones have important roles in the function of the prostate; however, they may also serve as factors in the initiation and progression of carcinogenesis. Estrogens, acting through estrogen receptors, may significantly affect prostate cancer development and progression. The main aim of the present study was to analyze the association between the rs3020449, rs4986938 and rs1256049 polymorphisms in the promoter region of the estrogen receptor β (ESR2) gene and prostate cancer risk in the Slovak population. A total of 510 patients with prostate cancer and 184 healthy men were included in the present study. No association between the rs4986938 and rs1256049 polymorphisms and prostate cancer development and progression was revealed; however, there was a statistically significant association between the rs3020449 GG genotype [odds ratio (OR), 2.35; P=0.002] and the G allele (OR, 1.42; P=0.005) and a higher risk of prostate cancer development. The rs3020449 GG genotype was significantly associated with a higher risk of development of carcinoma with a Gleason score >7 (OR, 2.66; P=0.005), as well as with the development of carcinoma with pT3/pT4 (OR, 2.28; P=0.02). According to the results from the present study, the rs3020449 polymorphism, in the promoter region of ESR2, may be considered to have a role in the development and progression of prostate cancer in the Slovak population.