Ovarian Cancer Research Today is a free monthly online journal that collates and summarizes the latest research about Ovarian Cancer, including details on symptoms, causes, treatment, information.

CYP1A1 alleles in female genital cancers in the Polish population.

Seremak-Mrozikiewicz A, Drews K, Semczuk A, Jakowicki JA, Mrozikiewicz PM

Department of Perinatology and Gynaecology, Division of Perinatology, Karol Marcinkowski University of Medical Sciences, Polna Street 33, Poznań 60-535, Poland. asm@data.pl

OBJECTIVE: Cytochrome P4501A1 (CYP1A1) plays an important role in the bioactivation processes that transform aromatic hydrocarbons into ultimate carcinogens. Genetically determined differences in activity of this enzyme could modulate individual susceptibility to develop cancers. The role of CYP1A1 in metabolic pathway of estrogens suggests an influence on carcinogenic events in genital tissues. The aim of our study was to elucidate the possible role of CYP1A1 alleles in the pathogenesis of endometrial and ovarian cancers. STUDY DESIGN: We have compared CYP1A1 genotype frequency between genital (endometrial and ovarian) cancer groups and 212 healthy women. Cancer patients were stratified using FIGO classification and diagnoses were confirmed histopathologically. The analysis of CYP1A1 genotypes was performed using polymerase chain reaction/restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR/RFLP) assay. RESULTS: We have observed higher frequency of heterozygotic genotypes containing mutation m4 (CYP1A1*1/*4) in cancer groups (5.1% in ovarian and 5.6% in endometrial cancer versus 1.9% in controls). CONCLUSION: The higher frequency of mutated CYP1A1*4 allele connected with lower frequency of CYP1A1*2A and CYP1A1*2B in endometrial and ovarian cancer groups indicates that differences in the metabolic activity of CYP1A1 could play a significant role in the pathogenesis of genital cancers.

Published 17 January 2005 in Eur J Obstet Gynecol Reprod Biol, 118(2): 246-50.
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