Breast cancer resistance protein (BCRP), the second member of the ATP-binding cassette membrane transporter family, has a single nucleotide polymorphism, C421A (resulting in Q141K), that is of functional importance. Our aim was to explore the relationship between this polymorphism of the BCRP gene and the risk of renal cell carcinoma (RCC) development. For a case-control study, DNA samples from 200 nonpapillary RCC patients and 200 healthy control subjects were analyzed using the TaqMan technique. The genotypic frequencies of the BCRP C421A polymorphism were compared between RCC patients and control subjects. The frequency of the C/C genotype was significantly higher in RCC patients than in control subjects (age-and gender-adjusted OR 5 1.96, 95% CI 1.32-2.93). No associations were observed between the BCRP C421A polymorphism and clinicopathologic or epidemiologic factors, including age, gender, tumor grade, stage, cigarette smoking, family history of cancer and body mass index. Carriers with the C/C genotype of the BCRP C421A polymorphism are at risk of developing nonpapillary RCC. These data suggest that BCRP is a candidate RCC susceptibility gene. ' 2005 Wiley-Liss, Inc.Key words: breast cancer resistance protein; single nucleotide polymorphism; renal cell carcinoma RCC is the most common malignancy of human adult kidneys and accounts for 2-3% of all cancers. Approximately 80% of all RCCs belong to the clear cell subtype, originating from the proximal epithelia.1 The prevalence of RCC is increasing, 2,3 probably for the following reasons: (i) an improved detection rate arising from the widespread use of noninvasive imaging procedures, such as ultrasonography, CT and MRI; (ii) prolongation of the life span in developed countries; and (iii) increases in environmental risk factors, especially exogenous carcinogens derived from various foods and industrial processes. Regarding the metabolism of such xenobiotics, genetically polymorphic enzymes such as cytochrome P-450, glutathione S-transferase and N-acetyltransferase have been reported to modulate renal cancer risk.4-6 Detection of high-risk groups based on the knowledge of cancer-susceptibility genes is clearly important for further improvement in the early diagnosis and prevention of RCC.Accumulating evidence has revealed that transporter molecules involved in the distribution, delivery and penetration of environmental agents into cellular and subcellular compartments may also play roles in the risk of renal cancer development.7,8 P-gp (MDR1/ABCB1), MRP2 (ABCC2) and BCRP (ABCG2) are members of the ABC transporter family, which function in the uptake, binding, transport and distribution of xenobiotics. P-gp is a plasma membrane transporter encoded by MDR1. Studies have shown that these proteins are expressed not only in cancer cells for effluxing multi-anticancer agents but also in the apical membrane of normal enterocytes, where they presumably act as ''gatekeepers'', controlling the oral availability of many substances.
9This hypothesis could be applicable t...