Objectives:Compared with the general population, low incidence of cancers in patients with schizophrenia has
been observed. It has been proposed that genetic predisposition toward schizophrenia is associated with reduced
vulnerability to cancer. Adenomatous polyposis coli(APC) genes, a tumor suppressor gene, is involved in colorectal
tumorigenesis. In order to analyze the genetic difference between Korean schizophrenia and colon cancer patients,
polymorphisms of APC gene were studied.
Methods:Two hundred and forty eight schizophrenia patients, 248 colon cancer patients, and 248 control subjects
were used to identify the SNPs. Genetic analysis was carried out in the rs2229992 and rs456899 SNP regions
using the SNP-IT™ assay. The allele, genotype and haplotype frequencies were compared between the three groups.
Results:The genotype, allele, and haplotype of the APC polymorphisms in schizophrenia patients were not significant
different from those of controls. When compared colon cancer patients, the schizophrenia patients showed
significantly more frequent in rs2229992 CT/TT genotype(odds ratio 2.179, 95% confidence interval(CI)=1.20-3.959)
and the male schizophrenia patients revealed significant differences in T-G haplotype(odds ratio 2.5915, 95%
CI=1.4677-4.5759), after adjusting for age and sex.
Conclusion:These results suggest that the APC polymorphisms found in schizophrenia patients, especially in
males, may be associated with reduced vulnerability to colon cancer.