RESUMEN
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the association between the polymorphism of CYP17 gene and risk of prostate cancer in Chinese Vigurs men.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A case-control study including 31 patients with prostate cancer and 104 aged-matched controls was conducted. The polymorphism was investigated by PCR using DNA from peripheral blood lymphocytes. The transition (T-->C) in the risk allele (A2) produced a new recognition site for the restriction enzyme MSPAI I. Three genotypes of CYP17 gene (A1/A1, A1/A2, A2/A2) were determined and confirmed by sequencing.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Compared with male A1/A1 genotype, the odds ratios were 1.49 and 2.87 for the A1/A2 and A2/A2 genotypes (P =0.321, 0. 052, respectively). Comparison among 3 subgroups (division by genetypes) of prostate cancer patients, the PSA levels were not significantly different. But in the controls, PSA levels in A1/A2 group were higher but not significant than those in A1/A1 group (P = 0.062). Then, PSA levels in A2/A2 group were significantly higher than those A1/ A1 group (P = 0.018).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>More frequency of A2/A2 genotype in prostate cancer than in the control may be associated with the morbidity of prostate cancer in Vigurs male population. Meanwhile, the significant high PSA levels in A2/A2 group also support the view.</p>