Background: Polymorphisms in genes encoding subunits of heterotrimeric G proteins have been repeatedly associated with the course of cancer. As previously shown, intron 1 of GNB4 harbours distinct haplotype blocks and block 1 is associated with survival and disease progression in urothelial bladder cancer. This study investigated whether haplotype block 2 is associated with survival in colorectal cancer patients.
Patients and methods: The haplotype tagging polymorphism of GNB4 haplotype block 2 was genotyped in 136 colorectal cancer patients and associated with demographic and clinical data and survival.
Results: Haplotype block 2 is associated with survival in colorectal cancer patients. Patients with advanced tumour stages carrying the 2*1 haplotype revealed decreased survival (HR 2.04, 95% CI 0.91-3.69). In multivariate analysis, the diplotypes were independent prognostic factors.
Conclusion: Intron-1 haplotypes of GNB4 might be predictive markers for survival of patients with advanced colorectal cancer, thus influencing the clinical management of these patients.