RESUMO
Several recent association studies implicate three neighbouring regions of chromosome 8q24 as the site of prostate cancer susceptibility loci. One region contains both a microsatellite marker DG8S737 and a single nucleotide polymorphism rs1447295. Both have been consistently associated with prostate cancer risk in several populations. However, studies to date have not inquired whether the susceptibility associated with this particular region of 8q24 extends to other cancer sites. We genotyped 3822 cases of cancer of various sites and 1807 controls for rs1447295 polymorphism. A positive association was seen for prostate cancer, but not for any of the other sites studied [odds ratios (ORs) ranging from 0.8 to 1.1]. Prostate cancer cases and controls were genotyped for both rs1447285 and DG8S737. Significant ORs were observed for the A allele of rs1447285 (OR = 1.4; P = 0.01) and the -8 allele of DG8S737 (OR = 1.6; P = 0.006). The association was particularly strong for men with familial prostate cancer (OR = 2.0, P = 0.004 for the A allele; OR = 3.5, P<0.0001 for the -8 allele). The OR associated with the A allele of rs1447295 was slightly higher for aggressive tumours (Gleason score 8 or more) (OR = 1.5), than for tumours with Gleason score 7 and below (OR = 1.3). In conclusion, the relationship between the rs1447295 and DG8S737 polymorphic variants on chromosome 8q24 and prostate cancer risk is seen in the Polish population to a similar degree as it has been observed elsewhere. Although the carcinogenic mechanism associated with this particular locus of 8q24 is unclear it appears to be specific to prostate cancer.