Background: The Saudi population has experienced a sharp increase in colorectal and gastric cancer incidences within the last few years. The relationship between gene polymorphisms of xenobiotic metabolizing enzymes and colorectal cancer (CRC) incidence has not previously investigated among the Saudi population. The aim of the present study was to investigate contributions of CYP1A1, CYP2E1, and GSTM1 gene polymorphisms.
Materials and methods: Blood samples were collected from CRC patients and healthy controls and genotypes were determined by polymerase chain reaction restriction fragment length polymorphism and sequencing.
Results and conclusions: CYP2E1*6 was not significantly associated with CRC development (odd ratio=1.29; confidence interval 0.68-2.45). A remarkable and statistically significant association was observed among patients with CYP1Awt/*2A (odd ratio=3.65; 95% confidence interval 1.39-9.57). The GSTM1*0/*0 genotype was found in 2% of CRC patients under investigation. The levels of CYP1A1, CYP2E1 and GSTM1 mRNA gene expression were found to be 4, 4.2 and 4.8 fold, respectively, by quantitative real time PCR. The results of the present case-control study show that the studied Saudi population resembles Caucasians with respect to the considered polymorphisms. Investigation of genetic risk factors and susceptibility gene polymorphisms in our Saudi population should be helpful for better understanding of CRC etiology.