Aim of this study was to analyze the correlation between polymorphisms of ERCC2 and ERCC5 genes and efficiency of repair of oxidative DNA damage with the risk of colorectal cancer (CRC). Experimental material was peripheral blood and tumor slices from CRC collected from 235 patients, 240 people without any cancer were control group. Distribution of polymorphisms of ERCC2 and ERCC5 genes in patients with CRC and healthy subjects, as well as level of oxidative DNA damage in patients and in healthy controls was performed. It has been found that the genotype 751Gln/Gln and allele Gln of ERCC2 gene and allele Asp of 312Asn/Asp polymorphism of ERCC2 gene may be associated with an increased risk of colorectal cancer. Reduced DNA repair efficiency was also demonstrated, which can confirm the important role of oxidative damage and polymorphisms of ERCC2 and ERCC5 genes in the pathogenesis of CRC. In summary, it is critical to establish a link between gene polymorphisms in repair of oxidative DNA damage with the risk of cancer. This in future will allow for diagnostic tests which will let to identify persons with high risk of developing cancer and thus effectively implement prophylactic treatment.
Keywords: Colorectal cancer; ERCC2; ERCC5; NER; oxidative DNA damage; polymorphisms.