Characterization and Prognostic Value of Mutations in Exons 5 and 6 of the p53 Gene in Patients with Colorectal Cancers in Central Iran

BACKGROUND/AIMS: We aimed to investigate the relation-ships among various mutations of the p53 gene and their protein products, histological characteristics, and disease prognosis of primary colorectal cancer in Isfahan, central Iran. METHODS: Sixty-one patients with colorectal adenocarcinoma were enrolled in the study. Mutations of the p53 gene were detected by single-stranded conformation polymorphism and DNA sequencing. The protein stability was evaluated by immunohistochemistry. Patients were followed up to 48 months. RESULTS: Twenty-one point mutations in exons 5 and 6 were detected in the tumor specimens of 14 patients (23%). Of those, 81% and 9.5% were missense and nonsense mutations, respectively. There were also two novel mutations in the intronic region between exons 5 and 6. In 11 mutated specimens, protein stability and protein accumulation were identified. There was a relationship between the type of mutation and protein accumulation in exons 5 and 6 of the p53 gene. The presence of the mutation was associated with an advanced stage of cancer (trend, p<0.009). Patients with mutated p53 genes had significantly lower survival rates than those with wild type p53 genes (p<0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Mutations in exons 5 and 6 of the p53 gene are common genetic alterations in colorectal adenocarcinoma in central Iran and are associated with a poor prognosis of the disease.

Epidemiology of peptic ulcer disease: endoscopic results of a systematic investigation in Iran

Peptic ulcer disease is a multifactorial health problem affecting almost all populations worldwide. Large scale population-based studies are crucial to understanding its scope and specifications in various nations. We aimed to explore environmental risk factors of peptic ulcer disease in the first population based study in Ardabil, Northwest Iran. This study was a part of a larger survey on upper gastrointestinal tract health conducted in Ardabil and Meshkinshahr with a total catchment area population of 600,000 persons during 2000-01. Using a random sampling proportional to place of residence, 1122 persons aged 40 or elder were selected. 1011 [90.1%] accepted participation and underwent a comprehensive medical examination and a systematic upper gastrointestinal endoscopy. Point prevalence of peptic ulcers was correlated to various life style risk factors. Gastric and duodenal ulcers were identified in 33 [3.26%] and 50 [4.94%] participants, making an overall prevalence of 8.20%. Based on multivariable logistic regression analyses, H.pylori infection [OR 3.1, 95% CI: 2.1-4.7], Smoking [OR 1.8, 95% CI: 1.1-6.8], and chronic intake of NSAIDs [OR 2.8, 95% CI: 1.3-4.4] were main risk factors of gastric ulcer. For duodenal ulcer, in addition to H.pylori infection [OR 5.6, 95% CI: 1.9-8.8] and Smoking [OR 2.3, 95% CI: 1.4-6.5], male gender [OR 3.6, 95% CI: 1.2-5.8] and living in an urban area [OR 1.9, 95% CI: 1.1-5.2] were among significant risk factors. This is the first population-based endoscopic study in North West of Iran reporting accurate point prevalence of peptic ulcer disease. The rate of 3.3% for gastric ulcer and 4.9% for duodenal ulcers are substantially lower than the estimates reported in Asian population-based endoscopic studies but higher than European reports