Role of polymorphisms in BCL-2 and BAX genes in modulating the risk of developing non-Hodgkin lymphoma

AbstractThe aim of this study was to investigate whether polymorphisms of − 938C/A and Thr43Ala in the BCL-2 gene and G − 248A in the BAX gene are associated with the risk of developing non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL). We genotyped polymorphisms of − 938C/A and Thr43Ala in the BCL-2 gene and G-248A in the BAX gene among 424 patients with NHL and 446 controls. We found that the − 938AA genotype of the BCL2 gene was significantly associated with the risk of developing NHL (p < 0.001) and this genotype was associated with advanced stage (p = 0.01). Meanwhile, individuals having − 248AG + AA genotypes were significantly associated with an increased risk of NHL (p = 0.01), and these genotypes were associated with larger tumor size (p = 0.02). The present study demonstrated that the − 938AA genotype of the BCL-2 gene and − 248AG + AA genotype of the BAX gene may be susceptible genotypes for NHL. There appeared to be an impact of the BCL2 − 938AA genotype on advanced stage and − 248AG + AA genotypes on tumor size in NHL.