AIM: To study the relationship between MIF gene -173 locus polymorphism, helicobacter pylori (Hp) infection, and gastric cancer in high prevalent (Shanxi) and low prevalent (Guangdong) regions in China. METHODS: Genomic DNA was extracted from peripheral blood of 104 healthy controls, 104 gastric patients from Guangdong and 102 healthy volunteers, and 102 gastric cancer patients from Shanxi. Polymorphism of MIF-173 locus was analyzed by polymerase chain reaction and restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP). RESULTS: In high prevalence region, the number of patients who carrying with MIF -173 C/C is much higher than those of healthy controls (28.8% vs 15.4%, ?~2=5.47, P0.05). CONCLUSION: The C genotype of MIF -173 locus may be associated with the risk of gastric cancer in China.