Apolipoprotein E (ApoE) gene polymorphism is a major factor in lipid metabolism. It has been suggested that this polymorphism can modulate colorectal tumour risk. We tested this hypothesis for colorectal cancer (CRC). ApoE genotype was determined in 206 patients with CRC and 353 healthy controls from the East Anglia region of the U.K. Compared with individuals possessing the most common ɛ3/ɛ3 genotype, those with the ɛ2/ɛ3 genotype had an increased risk of colon cancer [odds ratio (OR) = 1.91; 95% confidence interval 1.05–3.45]. However, this association was strongly affected by gender. Separate analysis of male and female subjects revealed a highly significant association in men (OR = 2.71; 95% confidence interval 1.30–5.65), but no association in women (OR = 1.01; 95% confidence interval 0.37–2.77). Likewise, the proportion of male patients with more advanced tumours (Dukes' C&D) was significantly increased among those with the ApoE ε2/ε3 genotype (OR = 4.16; 95% confidence interval 1.36–12.75). No significant effect of the presence of the ε4 allele on CRC risk was found; however, there were no ε4/ε4 homozygotes among patients with proximal colon cancers. The ApoE ε3/ε3 majority genotype appeared to be associated with the lowest risk of CRC. These results suggest that ApoE genotype can influence both CRC risk and prognosis of the existing disease in a gender-dependent manner.
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Research Article|
May 01 2003
Apolipoprotein E gene polymorphism and colorectal cancer: gender-specific modulation of risk and prognosis
Mark A. WATSON;
Mark A. WATSON
*Department of General Surgery, Norfolk and Norwich Health Care NHS Trust, Norwich NR1 3SR, U.K.
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Laura GAY;
Laura GAY
†MRC Dunn Human Nutrition Unit, Wellcome Trust/MRC Building, Hills Road, Cambridge CB2 2XY, U.K.
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William S. L. STEBBINGS;
William S. L. STEBBINGS
*Department of General Surgery, Norfolk and Norwich Health Care NHS Trust, Norwich NR1 3SR, U.K.
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Chris T. M. SPEAKMAN;
Chris T. M. SPEAKMAN
*Department of General Surgery, Norfolk and Norwich Health Care NHS Trust, Norwich NR1 3SR, U.K.
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Sheila A. BINGHAM;
Sheila A. BINGHAM
†MRC Dunn Human Nutrition Unit, Wellcome Trust/MRC Building, Hills Road, Cambridge CB2 2XY, U.K.
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Alexandre LOKTIONOV
†MRC Dunn Human Nutrition Unit, Wellcome Trust/MRC Building, Hills Road, Cambridge CB2 2XY, U.K.
Correspondence: Dr Alexandre Loktionov (e-mail [email protected]).
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Publisher: Portland Press Ltd
Received:
November 18 2002
Revision Received:
January 09 2003
Accepted:
January 14 2003
Accepted Manuscript online:
January 14 2003
Online ISSN: 1470-8736
Print ISSN: 0143-5221
The Biochemical Society, London ©2003
2003
Clin Sci (Lond) (2003) 104 (5): 537–545.
Article history
Received:
November 18 2002
Revision Received:
January 09 2003
Accepted:
January 14 2003
Accepted Manuscript online:
January 14 2003
Citation
Mark A. WATSON, Laura GAY, William S. L. STEBBINGS, Chris T. M. SPEAKMAN, Sheila A. BINGHAM, Alexandre LOKTIONOV; Apolipoprotein E gene polymorphism and colorectal cancer: gender-specific modulation of risk and prognosis. Clin Sci (Lond) 1 May 2003; 104 (5): 537–545. doi: https://doi.org/10.1042/CS20020329
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