Association analysis of the VEGF gene variants with breast cancer susceptibility and tumor characteristics in an indigenous population: A pilot study

Abstract

BackgroundSingle Nucleotide Polymorphisms -2578C/A and + 936C/T in the Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) gene have shown associations with breast cancer susceptibility and tumor characteristics in different populations with conflicting results. AimThe present study conducted the association analyses of these polymorphisms with breast cancers in Pakistani population. Subjects and methodsThe study comprised 336 participants with 124 breast cancer patients and 212 matched controls. After informed consent, blood samples were collected followed by DNA extraction. PCR-RFLP methods were used for the genotyping of VEGF -2578C/A in the promoter region, and + 936C/T polymorphisms in 3′- untranslated region, respectively. Statistical analyses were performed. Pearson's χ2 test, Cochran-Armitage trend test, and odds ratio analysis were carried out to evaluate and quantify the breast-cancer associated risk. The association of these polymorphisms with tumor characteristics and prognostic factors including two year-survival was also evaluated. ResultsThe polymorphisms did not show statistically significant associations with either breast cancer risk or tumor characteristics including size, stage, grade, and two-year survival. ConclusionsThe pilot study presented here shows lack of association of VEGF polymorphisms with breast cancers in Pakistani population.