Relation between food habits and p53 mutational spectrum in gastric cancerpatients

p53 tumour suppressor gene mutations were analysed in gastric cancer in rel ation to food habits and social class in 56 patients from a high risk regio n of Italy. Exons 5-8 were analysed with DGGE method on amplified DNA from formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded samples. Ail p53 mutations were observed i n patients belonging to low social class and the majority of mutations were found in intestinal type cancers. A positive association was also found wi th low raw vegetables, fresh, dried and preserved fruits, and ascorbic acid intake. Moreover, specific types of mutations were significantly associate d with particular factors, thus suggesting the presence of specific molecul ar etiologic process in stomach carcinogenesis.