Genetics polymorphism in DNA repair genes by base excision repair pathway (XRCC1) and homologous recombination (XRCC2 and RAD51) and the risk of breast carcinoma in the Polish population

Background : Several polymorphisms in the DNA repair gene have been extensively studied in the association with various human cancers such as breast cancer.

Material and methods : We investigated the association of polymorphisms in the DNA repair genes XRCC1-Arg399Gln, XRCC2-Arg188His and RAD51-135G/C with the breast cancer risk. Genotypes were determined by PCR-RFLP assays in 220 patients with breast cancer and 220 age-matched healthy controls.

Results : Our results demonstrated a significant positive association between the XRCC1 399Gln/Gln homozygous genotype and breast carcinoma, with an adjusted odds ratio (OR) of 2.08 [1.08-3.98]. The 399Gln allele variant was also associated with type I breast cancer (OR = 1.41 [0.98-2.01], p = 0.034). The distributions of genotypes and alleles of the genes XRCC2 and RAD51 polymorphism were not significantly associated with the different stages of breast carcinoma (p > 0.05).

Conclusion : These results suggest that 399Gln allele of XRCC1 Arg399Gln may be a risk factor for breast cancer in the Polish population.