Digit ratio (2D:4D) is associated with gastric cancer

Background

Sex steroid exposure during early human development may influence disease susceptibility. Digit ratio (2D:4D) is a putative marker for prenatal hormone exposure and sensitivity, as well as the action of genes closely related to carcinogenesis. Digit ratio could act as a possible marker for cancer predisposition.

Aims

The aim of this study is to investigate the possible correlations between right hand, left hand and right minus left (R − L) 2D:4D and gastric cancer (GCA) in men and women and assess the correlations with tumor staging and histological diagnosis.

Methods

Digital images of the right and left hand palms of patients diagnosed with GCA (n = 57, 42 males, 15 females) and age and sex-matched controls (n = 59, 41 males, 18 females) were obtained. Means for 2D:4D were compared. Data were analyzed by repeated-measures one-way ANOVA and Student's t-test for finger measurements and group comparisons and Pearson's and Spearman's tests for correlations with tumor staging (α = 0.05).

Results

GCA group presented significantly higher left 2D:4D, but significantly lower R − L in comparison to healthy controls, particularly so for males. Digit ratio did not correlate to clinical staging or TNM staging. However, low R − L was significantly related to adenocarcinomas.

Conclusions

Early developmental conditions, including prenatal testosterone seem to play a role on the malignant transformation of gastric lesions. The 2D:4D pattern found for gastric cancer parallels that earlier described for breast cancer. The findings suggest that 2D:4D could add to the list of etiological factors and be a putative marker for the screening of patients’ susceptibility to develop gastric cancer.