Abstract
PURPOSE: Initiation/promotion of endometrial cancer is known to be associated with estrogenic influence. Therefore, it is possible that some allelic polymorphisms of the genes involved in steroidogenesis or steroid metabolism contribute to endometrial cancer susceptibility. METHODS: Here, we compared CYP19 (aromatase) gene polymorphism in 85 endometrial cancer patients and in 110 non-affected women. RESULTS: The genotypes containing the longest alleles (A6 and A7) of CYP19 were found to be over-represented in patients as compared to controls. In addition, these genotypes demonstrated a tendency to be associated with increased concentrations of estradiol and testosterone in postmenopausal patients. CONCLUSIONS: Thus, CYP19 polymorphism might be one of the genetic risk factors for endometrial cancer development.