Gene variant linked to benign prostate hyperplasia risk in Lebanese men

“Our results indicate a strong association between certain genotypes of the SNP -765 G>C of the PTGS2 gene and BPH.”

BUFFALO, NY – April 15, 2025 – A new research paper was published in Oncotarget, Volume 16, on April 4, 2025, titled “Association between two single nucleotide polymorphisms of the Prostaglandin-Endoperoxide Synthase 1 and 2 genes and cell proliferative prostatic diseases in Lebanon.”

The team of researchers led by first author Brock J. Sheehan and corresponding author Ruhul H. Kuddus, from Utah Valley University, discovered that a specific genetic variation in the PTGS2 gene is associated with a higher risk of benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH), a common condition in aging men. The study, which focused on Lebanese men, suggests that the C allele of the -765 G>C polymorphism in the PTGS2 gene may increase risk to this non-cancerous but problematic prostate condition. This finding could help identify men at greater risk earlier and lead to better treatment choices.

Benign prostate hyperplasia and prostate cancer are two common conditions that involve abnormal cell growth in the prostate gland. While prostate cancer is malignant and potentially life-threatening, BPH is a non-cancerous enlargement that can still significantly affect quality of life. Both conditions are widespread in older men, with BPH affecting over 70% of men above 60. Researchers have long suspected that inflammation-related genes may play a role in their development. In this study, the focus was to study PTGS1 and PTGS2, genes that help produce enzymes involved in inflammation.

Using DNA samples from 168 Lebanese men, including 61 with prostate cancer, 51 with BPH, and 56 healthy controls, the researchers analyzed two common gene variants. They found no link between the PTGS1 variant and either condition. However, the PTGS2 variant showed a strong association with BPH. Men carrying the C version of this gene were more than twice as likely to have BPH compared to those without it. While a similar trend was observed in men with prostate cancer, the results were less conclusive.

“The C allele of SNP-765G>C of the PTGS2 gene was significantly associated with an increased risk of BPH (OR = 2.30, p-value = 0.01).”

This is the first study to report a genetic link between the C allele of the -765 G>C polymorphism in the PTGS2 gene and BPH in Lebanese men. It builds on earlier findings that associated this gene variant with various cancers, including prostate, colon, and stomach cancers. Although based on a relatively small and specific population, the study offers new insight that could help improve genetic screening and guide prevention strategies.

The research also points to the potential benefits of COX-2 inhibitors—drugs already used to treat prostate conditions—which may be more effective for men with certain PTGS2 gene types. Further studies in larger and more diverse groups are needed to confirm these results and explore how this gene variant influences prostate disease. In the future, simple genetic tests could help identify men at higher risk before symptoms appear, allowing for earlier and more personalized care.

Continue reading: DOI: https://doi.org/10.18632/oncotarget.28710

Correspondence to: Ruhul H. Kuddus — ruhul.kuddus@uvu.edu

Keywords: cancer, PTGS1 and PTGS2 genes, COX-1 and COX-2 isozymes, single nucleotide polymorphism association study, prostate cancer, benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH)

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