LTA 252GG andGAGenotypes are Associated with Diffuse-Type Noncardia Gastric Cancer Risk in the Japanese Population

Background: There are limited numbers of reports on the association of lymphotoxin-alpha (LTA) genotypes with gastric cancer. Methods: A nested case–control study was carried out in the longitudinal cohort of atomic bomb survivors using stored sera before diagnosis (mean, 2.3 years) and blood cells. Enrolled were 287 cases with noncardia gastric cancer of diffuse and intestinal types and three controls per case selected from cohort members matched on age, gender, city, and time and type of serum storage and counter-matched on radiation dose. Results: LTA 252GG and GA genotypes were associated with the prevalence of Helicobacter pylori IgG seropositivity and higher antibody titer against H. pylori cytotoxin-associated gene A (CagA) protein in controls and they were an independent risk factor for noncardia gastric cancer of diffuse type (RR = 2.8 (95% CI: 1.3–6.3), p = .01, and RR = 2.7 (95% CI: 1.5–4.8), p