The MMP-7-181A/G gene polymorphism is a prognostic indicator in patients with gastric cancer

Abstract

Background: This study was designed to investigate the prognostic role of the MMP-7-181 A/G gene polymorphism in patients with gastric cancer and to correlate the genotype with clinicopathological features. Methods: The polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) method was used to detect the MMP-7-181 A/G gene polymorphism, and prognostic analyses were performed to elucidate the prognostic role of the gene polymorphism. Results: The MMP-7-181 A/A genotype was detected in 83.8% (176/210) of cases, A/G genotype in 16.2% (34/210) of cases and G/G genotype in 0% (0/210) of cases. The MMP-7-181 A/G polymorphism was closely correlated with lymph node metastasis (P=0.037). A/G genotype carriers exhibit lymph node metastasis more frequently than A/A genotype carriers. The MMP-7-181 A/G polymorphism was also strongly correlated with vascular invasion (P=0.003), and A/G genotype carriers show an increase in vascular invasion over A/A genotype carriers. The 5-year overall survival rates of A/A genotype carriers and A/G genotype carriers were 59.56% and 33.33%, respectively. The discrepancy was significant (P=0.0164). The prognosis of A/G genotype carriers was significantly worse than that of A/A genotype carriers. Multivariate survival analysis by Cox regression model confirmed that the MMP-7-181 A/G genotype was an independent prognostic factor of gastric cancer (HR =2.10; 95% CI: 1.09–4.05; P=0.027). Conclusions: The MMP-7-181 A/G genotype was closely correlated with malignant biological behaviors and prognosis of gastric cancer. The MMP-7-181 A/G genotype may serve as valuable prognostic indicator of gastric cancer.