Effect of p53 polymorphism on cancer risk in workers exposed to occupational radiation

The cancer incidence and intron polymorphisms in p53 gene (deletion dup 16 in 3, single-nucleotid Gl 3494A in 6) were analyzed in employees of the Siberian Chemical Plant, in cancer patients both exposed to occupational radiation (Rad+) and unexposed to occupational radiation (Rad-). For women of group Rad+, the breast and stomach cancer incidence rates tended to be increased as compared to the group Rad-. For men, no significant difference in the cancer incidence between workers exposed to occupational radiation and unexposed to occupational radiation was found. For the whole male group, the reduction in the incidence of minor alleles in intron 6 was found as compared to the control group. No significant difference in the incidence of homozygote genotypes in major alleles between workers exposed to radiation and the controls were observed. The incidence of homozygote genotypes was increased (79,5 % versus 61,8 %, p=0,017) as the incidence of heterozygote genotypes was decreased (15.9% versus 31,8 %, p(Y)=0,055). No differences in distribution of alleles and genotypes in intron 3 between the population control and cancer patients irrespective of the evidence of occupational exposure were found.