Background: Fibroblast growth factor receptor 4 (FGFR4) Gly388Arg polymorphism, located in the FGFR4 gene exon 9, was reported to be associated with malignant tumors prognosis; however, there has been no relevant research for gastric cancer. The purpose of this study was to investigate the clinical significance of FGFR4 Gly388Arg polymorphism as well as the mRNA expression of FGFR4 in patients with gastric cancer.
Methods: The mRNA expression of FGFR4 in 103 gastric cancer tissues and corresponding normal tissues were measured by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and real-time quantitative PCR. PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis was performed to detect the FGFR4 Gly388Arg in 103 gastric cancer tissues.
Results: In 57.3% of patients, homozygous or heterozygous Arg388 allele was present. FGFR4 expressions in mRNA levels were higher in gastric cancer tissues compared with those in relevant normal tissues. However, there is no significantly statistical difference compared with mRNA expression of FGFR4 in different genotypes. Associations between FGFR4 Gly388Arg polymorphism and overall survival exist in patients with gastric cancer (P = 0.046).The FGFR4 Arg allele (hazard risk (HR), 2.324; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.054-4.125; P = 0.037) and TNM stage (HR, 5.516; 95% CI 3.658-7.409; P = 0.005) were independent prognostic factors in patients with gastric cancer.
Conclusions: Based on this study, FGFR4 Arg388 genotype-a marker for gastric cancer progression-may predict prognosis of gastric cancer.