Background: Insuline-like growth factor I (IGF1) is a peptide growth factor that promotes cell proliferation and inhibits apoptosis.
Aim: To examine the association of genetic variants in IGF1 (rs12423791, rs1019731, rs5742632, rs2033178 and rs2373722) with risk of colon cancer in Tunisia.
Methods: The study included 76 formalin-fixed paraffin embedded primary colorectal carcinomas and paired normal colon. The five IGF1 polymorphisms were determined by polymerase chain-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP).
Result: A significant differences in genotypes and alleles frequency of the five examined IGF1 polymorphisms was determined between tumor and healthy tissues of colon cancer patients (P<0,01). While, no significant association was found between genetic variation in IGF1 variants and clinic-pathological parameters in tumors tissues. Expect for rs2373722, a statistically significant correlation was detected between tumor localization and the presence of the (A) mutated allele (OR=0,49; 95% CI 0,25-0,99; P=0,03).
Conclusion: This analysis shows that IGF1gene polymorphisms rs12423791, rs1019731, rs5742632, rs2033178 and rs2373722 are associated with the risk of colon cancer in Tunisian population.