The COX-2 -765 G>C polymorphism is associated with increased risk of gastric carcinogenesis in the Chinese Hui ethnic population.

BACKGROUND: The Chinese Hui ethnic group has diverse origins, including Arab, Persian, Central Asian, and Mongol. The standardized mortality rate of gastric cancer in the Hui population is higher than the overall Chinese population. In this study, we investigated whether COX-2-765G>C polymorphism, an extensively studied polymorphism, contributes to gastric cancer and its precursor lesions (GPL) in the Chinese Hui ethnic group. MATERIALS AND METHODS: COX-2-765G>C polymorphism was determined by pyrosequencing in 100 gastric cancer cases, 102 gastric cancerand its precursor lesions cases and 105 controls. Data were statistically analyzed using Chi-square tests and logistic regression models. RESULTS: Among the Chinese Hui ethnic group COX-2 -765 C allele carriers were at increased risk for gastric cancer (OR=1.977, 95%CI=1.104-3.541). We also found an interaction between COX-2 -765 C carriers and Helicobacter pylori infection and eating pickled vegetables. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest a multi-step process of gene-environment interaction contributes to gastric carcinogenesis.