Rs351855 (c.1162G>A) is an SNP that is located at the FGFR4 gene. This SNP is also known as Gly388Arg, so that the G allele encodes for a glycine amino acid (Gly) and the A allele encodes for an arginine amino acid (Arg) at position 388 of the protein encoded by the FGFR4 gene.

A study based on 372 patients defined that it was probably that the FGFR4 protein in its version with an arginine instead of a glycine, that is, if rs351855 has one or two A alleles (AA or AG genotypes) can produce a version of the protein that makes breast cancer ganglia harder to treat, and thus reduce the effectiveness of Herceptin® (Trastuzumab).

In a study of approximately 500 Japanese with prostate cancer, individuals with AA genotype for rs351855 were found to present between 2.2 and 1.9 more risk of prostate cancer and benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), and a risk of metastatic prostate cancer 1.8 times higher compared with the GG genotype patients.

A meta-analysis that was published in 2011 examined a total of 2,618 cases of prostate cancer, and concluded that the increased risk for the presence of the A allele for rs351855 was 1.17 for each A allele. Likewise, in this study it was seen that when the cases were stratified by ethnicity, Caucasians and Asians were those that were associated with a higher risk in relation to the genotype in this SNP.

The protein encoded by the FGFR4 gene is a fibroblast growth factor receptor protein. This protein participates in the regulation of cell proliferation and differentiation, in cell migration and its malfunction has been associated with various types of cancers, such as prostate cancer, neuroendocrine carcinoma and breast cancer.

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