Relationship between esophageal cancer and interactions of genes and environmental factors

Abstract

AIM: To explore the risk factors of esophageal cancer and these factors' interaction from the angle of environment and heredity. METHODS: Using a case-control study, we performed epi-demiologic investigations on all the objects. Immunohis tochemical method was adopted to detect P53, P16 and CyclinD1 protein expressions in 47 patients and 50 controls. Multivariate analysis was used to assess the relationship between the environmental factors and gene expression in the progress of esophageal cancer. RESULTS: At the certain level(α= 0.10)Significant risk factors(P=0.10) included substantive intake of mildewed potatoes(P= 6.396), smoking(P=3.054), esophageal cancer with family history (P=6.120), over-expression of p53 protein (P=7.028) and absent expression of p16 protein (P= 4.676). Tea drinking (P=0.241) and frequent intake of bean product (P= 0.160) were the protective factors. Synergism was significantly showed in interactions between over-expression of P53 and smoking, substantive intake of mildewed potatoes, esophageal cancer with family history, as well as between absent expression of p16 protein and those above factors. On the contrary, tea drinking could antagonize the mutation of p53 gene and influence family history of esophageal cancer. CONCLUSION: Environmental factors together with heredity play important roles in the high incidence of esophageal cancer in Fujian province and the interactions between gene and environment were particularly significant in the development of esophageal cancer.