AIM:To determine whether-1195 A→G and/or-765 G→C polymorphisms in Cyclooxygenase-2(COX-2 ) may have a risk modifying effect on the development of esophageal carcinoma in a Dutch Caucasian population.METHODS:Two study groups were recruited, 252 patients with esophageal carcinoma and 240 healthy controls, matched for race, age, gender and recruiting area.DNA was isolated from whole blood and used for genotyping.PCR products were digested with restriction enzymes and products were analyzed by agarose gel electrophoresis.Odds ratios(OR) and 95% confldence intervals(CI) were estimated.RESULTS:The distribution of the-1195 A→G polymorphism was signif icantly different in esophageal cancer patients compared to controls.The-1195 GG genotype resulted in a higher risk of developing esophageal adenocarcinoma(OR = 3.85, 95% CI:1.45-10.3) compared with the-1195 AA genotype as a reference.The-765 G→C genotype distribution was not different between the two groups.The GG/ GG haplotype was present more often in esophageal adenocarcinoma patients than in controls(OR = 3.45, 95% CI:1.24-9.58;with AG/AG as a reference).The same trends were observed in patients with squamous cell carcinomas, however, the results did not reach statistical signif icance.CONCLUSION:Presence of the COX-2-1195 GG genotype and of the GG/GG haplotype may result in a higher risk of developing esophageal carcinoma. AIM: To determine whether-1195 A → G and / or-765 G → C polymorphisms in Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) may have a risk modifying effect on the development of esophageal carcinoma in a Dutch Caucasian population. METHODS: Two study groups were recruited, 252 patients with esophageal carcinoma and 240 healthy controls, matched for race, age, gender and recruiting area. DNA was isolated from whole blood and used for genotyping. PCR products were digested with restriction enzymes and products were analyzed by agarose gel (OR) and 95% confldence intervals (CI) were estimated .RESULTS: The distribution of the-1195 A → G polymorphism was signif icantly different in esophageal cancer patients compared to controls. -1195 GG genotype resulted in a The higher risk of developing esophageal adenocarcinoma (OR = 3.85, 95% CI: 1.45-10.3) was compared with the-1195 AA genotype as a reference. The G → C genotype distribution was not different between the two groups. The GG / GG haplotype was prese nt more often in esophageal adenocarcinoma patients than in controls (OR = 3.45, 95% CI: 1.24-9.58; with AG / AG as a reference). The same trends were observed in patients with squamous cell carcinomas, however, the results did not reach statistical signif icance. CONCLUSION: Presence of the COX-2-1195 GG genotype and of the GG / GG haplotype may result in a higher risk of developing esophageal carcinoma.