Aim: This study was aimed to investigate the associations between single nucleotide polymorphisms of cancer stem cell marker genes, CD44 and CD133, and susceptibility and prognosis of gastric cancer.
Patients & methods: Five single nucleotide polymorphisms in CD44 and CD133 genes were genotyped in 898 gastric cancer cases and 992 controls.
Results: The A/C or C/C genotypes of CD133 rs2240688 were associated with decreased risk of gastric cancer comparing with the A/A genotype (odds ratio: 0.81; 95% CI: 0.67-0.97; p = 0.023). The T allele of CD133 rs3130 predicted a worse survival for gastric cancer patients receiving tumorectomy (hazard ratio: 1.28; 95% CI: 1.04-1.58; p = 0.020), independent from tumor node metastasis stage, vessel invasion and postoperational chemotherapy.
Conclusion: CD133 polymorphisms are promising biomarkers for genetic susceptibility and prognosis prediction of gastric cancer.
Keywords: CD133; CD44; gastric cancer; overall survival; polymorphism; susceptibility.