PT - JOURNAL ARTICLE AU - ATHANASIOS YANNOPOULOS AU - NIKOLAOS NIKITEAS AU - AGAPI CHATZITHEOFYLAKTOU AU - CHRISTOS TSIGRIS TI - The (-590 C/T) Polymorphism in the Interleukin-4 Gene is Associated with Increased Risk for Early Stages of Corolectal Adenocarcinoma DP - 2007 Nov 01 TA - In Vivo PG - 1031--1035 VI - 21 IP - 6 4099 - http://iv.iiarjournals.org/content/21/6/1031.short 4100 - http://iv.iiarjournals.org/content/21/6/1031.full SO - In Vivo2007 Nov 01; 21 AB - Background: In the light of the known association between several carcinomas and the -590C/T polymorphism, which affects transcription of the antitumor interleukin-4 (IL-4) gene, the purpose of this study was to investigate the possible contribution of this polymorphism to the development of colorectal cancer. Materials and Methods: The -590C/T polymorphism was examined in DNA samples of 93 patients with colorectal cancer (adenocarcinomas) and 108 healthy controls of comparable ethnicity, age and gender. Results: The detected allele and carrier frequencies for the high expression T allele in the patient group were significantly decreased in comparison with that of the control group (13.44% versus 22.22%, and 21.51% versus 36.11%, respectively, p<0.01). The same pattern was observed between controls and patients in initial cancer stages. Conclusion: These findings indicate that IL-4 gene expression-related polymorphism is associated with the development of initial stages of colorectal cancer, while in advanced stages IL-4 levels appear to be less important. Copyright © 2007 International Institute of Anticancer Research (Dr. John G. Delinassios), All rights reserved