The APC E1317Q Variant in Adenomatous Polyps and Colorectal Cancers

D. Hahnloser, G. M. Petersen, K. Rabe, K. Snow, N. M. Lindor, L. Boardman, B. Koch, D. Doescher, L. Wang, K. Steenblock, S. N. Thibodeau

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

28 Scopus citations

Abstract

Genetic susceptibility may play a role in many colorectal cancers (CRCs). Known syndromes such as familial adenomatous polyposis and hereditary nonpolyposis CRC account for <5% of CRCs. The germ-line missense variant of the APC gene, E1317Q, has been proposed to confer a risk for colonic adenomatous polyps (adenomas), but not for CRCs in the general population. These findings are contradictory and controversial. In the present study, 608 cases (377 patients with CRC, 145 patients with 4-100 lifetime adenomas, and 86 with ≤3 lifetime adenomas), and 679 controls (362 spouses and 317 patients with normal colonoscopy) were screened for the APC E1317Q variant. The frequency of heterozygotes for E1317Q among patients with CRC (2.4%), patients with 4-100 adenomas (1.4%), and ≤3 adenomas (3.5%) did not differ from spouse controls (2.8%). When CRC patients were examined by DNA mismatch repair status, age at onset (≤age 50 versus >50), or family history of CRC, no differences in the frequency of E1317Q were found. The APC variant E1317Q does not appear to be associated with increased risk for colorectal neoplasia in the general population. However, when we used normal colonoscopy controls (E1317Q carrier frequency = 0.3%), the prevalence of E1317Q was significantly increased in CRC patients, in patients with ≤3 adenomas, and in CRC patients with intact mismatch repair status, suggesting a possible role for E1317Q in colorectal tumorigenesis. These results underscore the importance of carefully defining the controls to be used in comparisons of allele frequencies.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)1023-1028
Number of pages6
JournalCancer Epidemiology Biomarkers and Prevention
Volume12
Issue number10
StatePublished - Oct 2003

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Epidemiology
  • Oncology

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'The APC E1317Q Variant in Adenomatous Polyps and Colorectal Cancers'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this