An association between the −41657 C/T polymorphism of X-ray repair cross-complementing 2 (XRCC2) gene and ovarian cancer

X-ray repair cross-complementing group 2 (XRCC2) gene is important for the repair of double-strand DNA breaks (DSB) by homologous recombination (HR). XRCC2 polymorphisms may be associated with the development of certain types of cancers, but little is known about their association with ovarian carcinoma. XRCC2 −41657C/T (rs718282) polymorphisms were genotyped by the PCR–RFLP (restriction fragment length polymorphism) method in 608 patients with ovarian cancer and in 400 cancer-free women, who served as controls. In the present work, a relationship was identified between XRCC2 −41657C/T polymorphism and the incidence of ovarian cancer. An association was observed between ovarian carcinoma occurrence and the presence of T/T genotype [OR = 3.50 (2.46–4.97), p < 0.0001]. A tendency for an increased risk of ovarian cancer was detected with the occurrence of T allele of XRCC2 polymorphism. There were no significant differences between the distribution of XRCC2 −41657C/T genotypes in the subgroups assigned to histological grades. We suggest that the −41657C/T polymorphism of the XRCC2 gene may be risk factors for ovarian cancer development.