Background: Transporter associated with antigen processing (TAP), a member of the ATP-binding cassette transporter super family, is composed of two integral membrane proteins, TAP-1 and TAP-2. The TAP gene product is involved in the processing of endogenous peptides that bind to MHC class I molecules. Mutations and/or polymorphism within these genes could alter the efficacy of the immune response which might be relevant for the development of autoimmune diseases and cancer.
Methods: DNA was isolated from peripheral blood sample of 200 patients with cervical cancer and 200 healthy controls. TAP1 and TAP2 allele polymorphism were determined by polymerase chain reaction.
Result: Significant protective OR (OR = 0.22 95% CI = 0.09-0.51, P < 0.001-OR = 0.47, 95% CI = 0.24-0.92, P = 0.02) was observed for GG and combined AG+GG genotypes of TAP2 in patients with SCC respectively. Similarly, such genotypes (GG, AG+GG) appeared same OR for patient with cervical cancer in study group (OR = 0.12, 95% CI = 0.04-0.39-P < 0.001-OR = 0.5 ,95% CI = 0.25-0.95-P = 0.03). There was decrease risk of cervical cancer in user of oral contraceptive with AG and GG genotypes of TAP2 (OR = 0.55, 95% Cl = 0.41-0.73, P = 0.002, OR = 0.09, 95% CI = 0.02-0.36, P < 0.001) respectively. In case of TAP1 gene all allelic polymorphisms showed a decrease OR in patients with cervical cancer in passive smokers and user of oral contraceptives, though, no significant
Conclusion: Thus, TAP1 and TAP2 genes polymorphism are not linked to cervical carcinoma, since no association was found between a particular genotype and the disease.