Apolipoprotein E Genotypes in Patients with Prostate Cancer

Abstract

Background: Apolipoprotein E (ApoE) is a potential inhibitor of cell proliferation, immune regulation and modulation of cell growth and differentiation; it also has a substantial role in antioxidant activity. ApoE has a potential role in prostate cancer progression.

Materials and methods: ApoE genotyping was performed using real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) for blood samples from a group of patients with prostate cancer (n=68) and a control group (n=78).

Results: The frequency of the E3/E3 genotype was significantly higher in patients compared to controls (p=0.004). E3/E3 genotype carriers were 3.6-fold more likely to be patients than controls (odds ratio=3.67, 95% confidence interval=1.451-9.155; p=0.004). Additionally, the patients with E3/E3 genotype had significantly higher Gleason score (p=0.017), and more patients with this genotype had a Gleason score higher than 7 (p=0.007). Individuals carrying the E4 allele were significantly more common in the control group (p=0.006). The frequency of the E3/E4 genotype was found to be significantly higher in controls compared to patients (p=0.007), and patients were significantly less likely to have this genotype than controls (odds ratio=0.89, 95% confidence interval=0.833-0.967, p=0.007). Individuals carrying the E2/E3 genotype had a significantly lower Gleason score (p=0.049)-all of the patients with this genotype had a Gleason score lower than 7 (p=0.024).

Conclusion: E3/E3 genotype may be a potential risk factor for prostate cancer and high Gleason scoring. The E4 allele maybe a risk-reducing factor for prostate cancer.

Keywords: Apolipoprotein E genotypes; Gleason score; prostate cancer.