We found that G allele of rs2736100 and G allele of rs2853669 in TERT gene, interaction between rs2736100 and smoking, and haplotype containing the rs2736100- G and rs2736109- A alleles were all associated with increased GC risk.
Because this is the first study regarding the hTERT rs2736109 G>A, rs2735940 T>C, rs2853669 A>G and rs2736100 T>G polymorphisms and the risk of GC susceptibility in the literature, further independent studies are needed to verify our results in a larger sample sizes, as well as in patients of different populations.
The rs2736100 polymorphism of the hTERT gene is involved in the regulation of hTERT expression and telomere length, but not in the risk of gastric cancer.