Nucleotide excision repair related gene polymorphisms and genetic susceptibility, chemotherapeutic sensitivity and prognosis of gastric cancer

Human genomic DNA is in a dynamic balance of damage and repair. Cells employ multiple and specific repair pathways, such as nucleotide excision repair (NER), as unrepaired DNA damage has deleterious consequences and could give rise to carcinogenesis. Gene polymorphisms play a crucial role in predicting the risk and prognosis of cancer. Polymorphisms of NER-related genes could alter the ability of NER to effectively monitor and repair DNA damage, and thus may be associated with genetic susceptibility, chemotherapeutic sensitivity and prognosis of cancer. In recent years, increasing studies have focused on the association between polymorphisms of NER genes and gastric cancer, the world's fourth most common cancer and the second most common cause for cancer-related death. Here we reviewed the recent studies on the associations between polymorphisms of NER genes and gastric cancer from perspectives of genetic susceptibility, chemotherapeutic sensitivity and prognosis.