Background and aims: Esophageal cancer is highly variable distribution and geographical spread compared with another type of cancers. The incidence of esophageal cancer in Iran is very high. Genetic factors, particularly oncogenes, are the main factors that affect the cancer development and progression in tissues. CYP1A1 (Cytochrome P450, family 1, subfamily A, polypeptide 1) is one of the families of cytochrome P450 which is involved in esophageal cancer. The aim of this study was to assess the CYP1A1 gene expression in patients with esophageal cancer.

Methods: At the present historical cohort study, 30 paraffin-embedded samples (15 patients with esophageal cancer and 15 healthy control subjects) were collected and investigated the CYP1A1 gene expression by real-time PCR from 2005 to 2012. Data were analyzed by SPSS, Inc., Chicago, IL software.

Results: The results indicated a significant difference in CYP1A1 gene expression between patients and controls (P<0.05). No significant difference was observed in CYP1A1 gene expression between males and females (P>0.05).

Conclusion: The results revealed decrease in the CYP1A1 expression level in cancer patients.

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