Bladder Cancer and NOS-NO Gene Polymorphısms

Abstract

Nitric oxide (NO) is a pleiotropic molecule with a variety of functions. NO may have both pro- and antitumor functions. NO could take part in tumour development and progression. Polymorphisms in the endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) gene may infuence the risk of cancer, but the results are still conflicting. Most studied eNOS gene mutations are T-786C, G894T and intron 4a/b polymorphisms in the literature. Environmental factors and genetic susceptibility may contribute to cancer development. Numerous clinical and molecular studies have shown that bladder cancer is a heterogeneous disease. Different chemical carcinogens are associated with similar levels of risk for developing varying grades and stages of bladder cancer, and therefore, carcinogen exposure alone cannot explain the heterogeneity of the disease. Molecular alterations may lead to heterogeneity and are influenced by environmental exposure. There are many genetic polymorphisms in metabolic enzymes, and other genes have been found to be bladder cancer risk factors. But a few studies have evaluated the role of eNOS polymorphisms in a this cancer. The objective of this review is to evaluate the role of the eNOS polymorphisms in cancer susceptibility, especially in bladder cancer which is the second most common malignancy of urinary tract.