Genetic mutation rs972283 of the KLF14 gene and the incidence of gastric cancer

Introduction and Aim: Genetic factors and family gene clustering constitute an important ratio for gastric cancer. Kruppel Like Factor 14 (KLF14) gene has a carcinogenic role and a clear role in metabolic diseases, but how this gene regulates these metabolic traits is still obscure. Previous studies proposed that the accumulation of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in KLF14 may be associated with gastric cancer. The current study aimed to investigate whether single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) rs972283 in KLF14 is associated with an increased risk of gastric cancer in the Iraqi population.   Materials and Methods: The SNP was genotyped using tetra primer ARMS-PCR in 101 (79 men and 22 women) gastric cancer patients who did not receive chemotherapy, and 80 healthy controls (53 men and 27 women). All patient samples were taken from the Baghdad Hospital of Gastroenterology and Hepatology laboratories. Patient records included age, sex, histological type, and H. pylori infection status   Results: The KLF14 rs972283 genotype was significantly different between the gastric cancer and control groups. The heterozygous AG genotype and A mutant allele were significantly higher in gastric cancer patients compared to controls (56.4% vs 38.7%, p<0.01 and 61% vs 40.6%, p<0.01, respectively). In contrast, the GG wildtype genotype and G wildtype allele were significantly higher in controls (40% vs 11%, p<0.01 and 59.4% vs 39%, p<0.01, respectively). The AA homozygous mutant genotype also showed a weak correlation with increased gastric cancer risk. These results indicate the A allele is a risk factor while the G allele has a protective effect for gastric cancer.   Conclusion: the KLF14 polymorphism rs972283 exhibits a significant association with gastric cancer risk in our Iraqi cohort. The SNP may serve as a useful prognostic marker, pending validation in larger studies.