Abstract: Objective: To evaluate the association between p53 codon 72 polymorphism (R72P) and the risk of colorectal liver metastases. Methods: The p53 R72P genotype was identified by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) method in 78 consecutive colorectal cancer patients with liver metastases and 214 age- and sex-matched cases with nonmetastatic colorectal cancer. Results: The R allele of the p53 R72P polymorphism was more frequently found in metastatic cases than in nonmetastatic cases (P=0.075). Carriers of the 72R allele had a 2.25-fold (95% CI (confidence interval)=1.05~4.83) increased risk of liver metastases. On the stratification analysis, 72R-carrying genotype conferred a 3.46-fold (95% CI=1.02~11.72) and a 1.05-fold (95% CI=0.36~3.08) increased risk of liver metastases for p53 overexpression-positive and negative colorectal cancers, respectively. Conclusion: These results demonstrate for the first time that the 72R allele of the p53 polymorphism has an increased risk for liver metastases in colorectal cancers positive for p53 overexpression.

Key words: Colorectal cancer, p53, Genetic polymorphism, Liver metastases, Overexpression

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