No evidence of relationship between colorectal cancer susceptibility and ERCC2 gene polymorphisms

Background: Excision repair cross-complementing group 2 gene (ERCC2) polymorphisms have been linked as being a risk factor for colorectal cancer (CRC) emergence. However, data from several studies are contradictory. To validate genetic biomarkers of the CRC; the impact of the following ERCC2 polymorphism (rs1799793 and rs238406) was examined on CRC susceptibility among sample of Iraqi population. Methods: A total of 126 subjects were enrolled in this case control study; 78 CRC patients and 48 apparently healthy individuals who are age, gender, smoking status and BMI matched. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used for genotyping, followed by sequencing then the association between genetic polymorphisms and CRC risk was investigated. Results: No associations were detected between ERCC2 genotypes or haplotypes and CRC susceptibility. Even though there was strong linkage disequilibrium (D′= 0.82). After stratification according to participants’ demographics, no effects were observed for age, gender, smoking status and BMI. Conclusions: Taken together the following results suggest that ERCC2 polymorphisms do not influence CRC development.