Cytotoxic T-lymphocyte Antigen-4 (CTLA-4) Gene Polymorphism (rs3087243) Is Related to Risk and Survival in Patients With Colorectal Cancer.

Abstract

Cytotoxic T-lymphocyte antigen-4 (CTLA-4), transiently expressed on T cells, plays a pivotal role in the negative feedback regulation of T-cell activation and proliferation. The aim of the present study was to examine the influence of CTLA-4 gene polymorphism rs3087243 on CRC susceptibility and long-term survival in Swedish patients with CRC. Genotypes of 491 patients and 433 healthy controls were determined, using TaqMan single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) assays based on polymerase chain reaction. Patients carrying allele A were found to be at a higher risk of CRC and this allele was found to be more common in patients with disseminated disease compared to localized disease in the right colon. Kaplan-Meier analysis of cancer-specific survival showed that carriers of allele A had the highest risk of CRC-related death. The SNP rs3087243 of the CTLA-4 gene was associated with CRC risk and, therefore, it could be a prognostic marker for Swedish patients with CRC.