Polymorphisms of the Ras-Association Domain Family 1 Isoform A (RASSF1A) Gene are Associated with Ovarian Cancer, and with the Prognostic Factors of Grade and Stage, in Women in Southern China

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to determine whether polymorphisms of the Ras-association domain family 1 isoform A (RASSF1A) gene were associated with ovarian cancer and with tumor grade and stage, which affect the prognosis of ovarian cancer, in women in Southern China. MATERIAL/METHODS: Women from Southern China with histologically confirmed, graded and staged ovarian cancer (n=1,375), and cancer-free controls (n=1,227), provided samples of peripheral blood. DNA was extracted from the blood samples, and five tagging single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) (rs4688728G>T, rs72932987C>T, rs1989839C>T, rs2073497A>C, and rs2236947A>C) were evaluated using an online assay-by-design platform. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) DNA amplification was performed and computational haplotyping analysis of genetic associations between the five tagging SNPs was performed to identify frequent haplotypes in women with ovarian cancer, and the associations with tumor grade and stage. RESULTS: In women in Southern China, the CT genotype of rs1989839 was associated with the patients with ovarian cancer (P=0.001), and was significantly correlated with tumor grade and stage (P=0.008). One of the remaining four SNPs studied, rs2073497A>C showed an association with the prognostic factors of grade and stage, but this association did not reach statistical significance. CONCLUSIONS: Polymorphisms of the RASSF1A gene, most significantly the CT genotype of rs1989839, might play a role in the development and prognosis of ovarian cancer in women in Southern China. To our knowledge, this is the first study to demonstrate an association between polymorphisms in the RASSF1A gene in ovarian cancer.