P53 codon 72 genotypes in colon cancer. Association with human papillomavirus infection

It has been reported that the p53Arg homozygous genotype could be a potenti al genetic risk factor for cancer. In this study are investigated the propo rtion of p53 codon 72 genotypes in patients with colon cancer and compared to a control population. A region of the p53 gene containing the polymorphi c site was amplified by PCR and the genotypes were determined by restrictio n enzyme digestion. No significant difference was found between genotype fr equencies in the study groups. Infection with human papilloma virus was als o investigated in the tumor samples. HPV Is and HPV 33 infection was observ ed in a considerable number of the tumor samples. Incidence of HPV infectio n did not show a correlation with the genotypes. Thus the p53 genotypes do not seem to be associated with risk of colon cancer or HPV infection.