Genetic polymorphisms of p21 are associated with risk of squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck

The p21 (Waf1/Cip1/CDKN1A) protein regulates the transition from the G1 to the S phase and has an important role in modulating cell-cycle control, apoptosis and cell growth. Two polymorphisms of the p21 gene at codon 31 (p21 C98A, dbSNP rs1801270) and at the 3' untranslated region (p21 T70C, dbSNP rs1059234) may have an effect on the protein function and may thus play a role in the development of cancer. We hypothesized that these two p21 polymorphisms are associated with the risk of squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN). We tested this hypothesis in a hospital-based case-control study of 712 patients newly diagnosed with SCCHN and 1222 cancer-free controls who were frequency-matched by age, sex and ethnicity. All subjects were non-Hispanic whites. Our results showed that the variant alleles and genotypes were more common among cases than among controls (P < 0.001 and P = 0.013 for p21C70T, and P < 0.001 and P = 0.035 for p21C98A, respectively). Compared with the p21 70CC genotype, there was a significantly greater risk of SCCHN associated with the variant p21 70TC [odds ratio (OR) = 1.47, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.12-1.93] and combined p21 70TC/TT (OR = 1.49, 95% CI = 1.14-1.95) genotypes. Similarly, compared with the p21 98CC genotype, there was also a significantly greater SCCHN risk associated with the variant p21 98AC (OR = 1.32, 95% CI = 1.00-1.73) and combined p21 98AC/AA (OR = 1.37, 95% CI = 1.05-1.79) genotypes. When these two polymorphisms were evaluated together by the number of risk alleles, there was a significant increase in SCCHN risk that was dependent on the number of risk alleles (P(trend) = 0.001). Our results suggest that the presence of these two p21 polymorphisms may be a marker of genetic susceptibility to SCCHN.     

p14ARF genetic polymorphisms and susceptibility to second primary malignancy in patients with index squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck

BACKGROUND:

p14^ARF, an alternate reading frame (ARF) product of the cyclin‐dependent kinase inhibitor 2A locus, plays a critical role in crosstalk between the tumor protein 53 (p53) and retinoblastoma (Rb) pathways and in cellular anticancer mechanisms. Therefore, the authors of this report investigated the association between single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of the p14^ARF gene and the risk of developing a second primary malignancy (SPM) after an index squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN).

METHODS:

The log‐rank test and Cox proportional hazards models were used to assess the association of 2 p14^ARF SNPs (reference SNP [rs]3731217 and rs3088440) with SPM‐free survival and with the risk of developing an SPM among 1287 patients who had SCCHN.

RESULTS:

Patients with either p14^ARF variant genotypes of the 2 polymorphisms had a significantly reduced SPM‐free survival compared with patients with no variant genotypes (log‐rank test; P = .006). Compared with the p14^ARF thymine‐thymine (TT) and guanine‐guanine (GG) genotypes, the variant genotypes of p14^ARF TG/GG and guanine‐adenine (GA)/AA were associated with a significantly moderately increased risk of developing an SPM (p14^ARF rs3731217: adjusted hazard ratio [aHR], 1.48; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.00‐2.19; p14^ARF rs3088440: aHR, 1.61; 95% CI, 1.07‐2.43). Moreover, after combining the variant genotypes of the 2 SNPs, patients who had variant genotypes were at significantly greater risk of developing an SPM compared with patients who had no variant genotypes (aHR, 3.07; 95% CI, 1.54‐6.12), and the risk was particularly pronounced in several subgroups.

CONCLUSIONS:

The current results suggested that there is a modestly increased risk of developing an SPM after an index SCCHN with each p14^ARF polymorphism, and there is an even greater risk of developing an SPM for patients with combined variant genotypes of the 2 SNPs. Therefore, p14^ARF polymorphisms may be susceptible markers of the risk of developing an SPM in patients with SCCHN. Cancer 2011. © 2010 American Cancer Society.     

Genetic variants of the p53 and p73 genes jointly increase risk of second primary malignancies in patients after index squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck

BACKGROUND:

Because of the structural and biochemical similarities between the antitumor p53 and p73 proteins, the authors hypothesized that individuals who carry high‐risk genotypes of p53 codon 72 and p73 G4C14‐to‐A4T14 polymorphisms have a higher risk of developing second primary malignancy (SPM) after index squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN).

METHODS:

A cohort of 1269 patients with index cases of SCCHN was recruited between May 1995 and January 2007 at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center and followed for SPM development. Patients were genotyped for p53 codon 72 and p73 G4C14‐to‐A4T14 polymorphisms. A log‐rank test and Cox proportional hazard models were used to compare SPM‐free survival and SPM risk among different risk groups with the combined risk genotypes of the 2 polymorphisms.

RESULTS:

The data demonstrated that patients with p53 WP + PP and p73 GC/GC genotypes had a worse SPM‐free survival and an increased SPM risk compared with the corresponding p53 WW and p73 GC/AT + AT/AT genotypes. After combining the 2 polymorphisms, a borderline significantly or significantly reduced SPM‐free survival and increased SPM risk were observed in the medium‐risk group (p53 WW and p73 GC/GC or p53 P carriers and p73 AT carriers) and high‐risk group (p53 P carriers and p73 GC/GC) compared with low‐risk group (p53 WW and p73 AT carriers), respectively.

CONCLUSIONS:

The results suggest an increased risk of SPM after index SCCHN with both p53 and p73 polymorphisms individually and in combination. Cancer 2011;. © 2011 American Cancer Society.     

How to do it: the difficult thyroid

Background

We examine the potential prognostic and predictive roles of EGFR variant III mutation, EGFR gene copy number (GCN), human papillomavirus (HPV) infection, c-MET and p16 ^INK4A protein expression in recurrent or metastatic squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (R/M SCCHN).

Methods

We analyzed the archival tumor specimens of 53 patients who were treated in 4 phase II trials for R/M SCCHN. Two trials involved the EGFR inhibitor erlotinib, and 2 trials involved non-EGFR targeted agents. EGFRvIII mutation was determined by quantitative RT-PCR, HPV DNA by Linear Array Genotyping, p16 and c-MET protein expression by immunohistochemistry, and EGFR GCN by FISH.

Results

EGFRvIII mutation, detected in 22 patients (42%), was associated with better disease control, but no difference was seen between erlotinib-treated versus non-erlotinib treated patients. EGFRvIII was not associated with TTP or OS. The presence of HPV DNA (38%), p16 immunostaining (32%), c-MET high expression (58%) and EGFR amplification (27%), were not associated with response, TTP or OS.

Conclusion

EGFRvIII mutation, present in about 40% of SCCHN, appears to be an unexpected prognostic biomarker associated with better disease control in R/M SCCHN regardless of treatment with erlotinib. Larger prospective studies are required to validate its significance.     

p73 G4C14‐to‐A4T14 polymorphism and risk of second primary malignancy after index squamous cell carcinoma of head and neck

P73 plays an important role in modulating cell‐cycle control, inducing apoptosis, and inhibiting cell growth. A novel noncoding p73 G4C14‐to‐A4T14 exon 2 polymorphism was associated with risk of squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN). We hypothesized that p73 G4C14‐to‐A4T14 polymorphism modulates risk of second primary malignancies (SPM) in patients after index SCCHN. We followed a cohort of 1,384 patients diagnosed with incident SCCHN between May 1995 and January 2007 for SPM development. Log‐rank test and Cox proportional hazard models were used to compare SPM‐free survival and SPM risk between the different genotype groups. Our results showed that patients carrying the p73 variant AT allele were less likely to develop SPM compared with the patients with p73 GC/GC genotype (Log‐rank test, p = 0.013). Compared with the p73 GC/GC genotype, there was a significantly reduced risk of SPM associated with the p73 GC/AT genotype (HR, 0.61, 95% CI, 0.40–0.93) and the combined p73 GC/AT+AT/AT genotypes (HR, 0.59, 95% CI, 0.39–0.89), but a nonsignificantly reduced risk for p73 AT/AT genotype (HR, 0.44, 95% CI, 0.14–1.41). The p73 AT allele was significantly associated with risk of SPM in an allele dose‐response manner (p = 0.011 for trend). The risk of SPM associated with p73 variant genotypes (GC/AT+AT/AT) was more pronounced in several subgroups (e.g., older patients, men, minorities, ever smokers, and ever drinkers). Our results support that this p73 polymorphism may be a marker for risk of SPM among patients with an incident SCCHN. © 2009 UICC     

Genetic variants of p21 and p27 and hepatocellular cancer risk in a Chinese Han population: A case‐control study

The p21 (Cip1/CDKN1A) and p27 (Kip1/CDKN1B) are members of the Cip/Kip family of cyclin‐dependent kinase inhibitors, which can arrest cell proliferation and serve as tumour suppressors. We hypothesized that genetic variants in p21 and p27 may modify individual susceptibility to hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). To test this hypothesis, we evaluated the associations of the polymorphisms of Ser31Arg and C+20T in p21 and C‐79T and Gly109Val in p27, as well as their combinations, with HCC risk in a case‐control study of 476 HCC cases and 526 cancer‐free controls in a Chinese population. The matrix‐assisted laser desorption ionisation time‐of‐flight (MALDI‐TOF) mass spectrometry method was performed to detect these polymorphisms. We found that the variant genotypes of p21 Ser31Arg and p27 C‐79T were individually associated with a significantly increased risk of HCC, but no associations were observed for other variant genotypes. Moreover, the combined variant genotypes of the four loci were associated with a significantly increased HCC risk (adjusted OR = 2.24, 95% CI = 1.72, 2.91 among subjects carrying 3 or more variant alleles), especially among HbsAg‐positive individuals (adjusted OR = 3.09, 95% CI = 1.86, 5.14). Furthermore, the combined variant genotypes of the four loci (carrying three or more variant alleles) increased a 1.93‐fold (95% CI = 1.20, 3.09) and 1.76‐fold (95% CI = 1.17, 2.64) risk of HCC among smokers and nonsmokers. The variant genotypes of the two genes in this study have negative correlation with the clinicopathologicals observed. These results suggest that p21 polymorphisms individually or in combination with p27 polymorphisms increases risk of HCC, particularly among HbsAg‐positive individuals.     

Role of one-carbon metabolizing pathway genes and gene–nutrient interaction in the risk of non-Hodgkin lymphoma

Purpose

Genetic polymorphisms in one-carbon metabolizing pathway genes have been associated with risk of malignant lymphoma. However, the results have been inconsistent. The objectives of this study were to examine the potential relationship between gene–nutrient interactions and the risk of non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL).

Methods

We examined 25 polymorphisms in 16 one-carbon metabolism genes for their main effect and gene–nutrient interactions in relation to NHL risk among 518 incident cases and 597 population-based controls of Connecticut women enrolled between 1996 and 2000.

Results

A significantly reduced risk of NHL was associated with the homozygous TT genotype in CBS (rs234706, Ex9+33C>T) (OR = 0.51, 95 % CI 0.31–0.84), the homozygous CC genotype in MBD2 (rs603097, ?2176C>T) (OR = 0.37, 95 % CI 0.17–0.79), the heterozygote AG genotype in FTHFD (rs1127717, Ex21+31A>G) (OR = 0.73, 95 % CI 0.55–0.98), and a borderline significantly reduced risk of NHL was observed for the homozygous CC genotype in MTRR (rs161870, Ex5+136T>C) (OR = 0.23, 95 % CI 0.05–1.04). The reduced risk of NHL associated with these genotypes was predominately in those with higher dietary vitamin B6 and methionine intakes, as well as with higher dietary folate intake although results were less stable. A borderline significantly increased risk of NHL was also observed for CBS (rs1801181, Ex13+41C>T), FTHFD (rs2305230, Ex10?40G>T), SHMT1 (rs1979277, Ex12+138C>T), and SHMT1 (rs1979276, Ex12+236T>C), and these associations appeared to be contingent on dietary nutrient intakes.

Conclusion

Our results suggest that variation in several one-carbon metabolizing pathway genes may influence the risk of NHL through gene–nutrient interactions involving dietary nutrient intakes.     

Polymorphisms in HIF-1alpha affect presence of lymph node metastasis and can influence tumor size in squamous-cell carcinoma of the glottic larynx

Background

HIF-1alpha plays a key role in the development and progression of cancer. Its polymorphic variants C1772T and G1790A have been associated with greater susceptibility to cancer and increased tumor progression.

Methods

We determined the distribution of these polymorphisms among 121 patients with glottic cancer and 154 healthy volunteers by PCR–RFLP. We also analyzed the relationship between the presence of these polymorphisms and various clinicopathologic variables.

Results

Advanced tumors (T3–T4) were associated with the TT variant (p = 0.036), which was present in 75 % of T4 tumors (p = 0.008). Among patients with nodal metastasis (N+), 41.7 and 22 % were carrying the TT and GA variants, respectively, compared with 9.4 and 2 % of the patients with no metastasis (N0), (p = 0.006 and p = 0.032).

Conclusions

The presence of the TT and GA variants were associated with lymph node metastasis, while the presence of the TT variant can be associated with larger tumor size.     

A common missense variant in BRCA2 predisposes to early onset breast cancer

Introduction

Mutations in the BRCA2 gene are one of the two major causes of hereditary breast cancer. Protein-truncating mutations of BRCA2 are usually deleterious and increase the risk of breast cancer up to 80% over a lifetime. A few missense mutations in BRCA2 are believed to have a similarly high penetrance, apart from more common neutral polymorphisms. It is often difficult to classify a particular sequence variant as a mutation or a polymorphism. For a deleterious variant, one would expect a greater allele frequency in breast cancer cases than in ethnic-matched controls. In contrast, neutral polymorphic variants should be equally frequent in the two groups.

Methods

We genotyped 3,241 cases of breast cancer diagnosed at under 51 years of age, unselected for family history, from 18 hospitals throughout Poland and 2,791 ethnic-matched controls for a single BRCA2 C5972T variant.

Results

The variant was present in approximately 6% of the Polish population. In the study, 13 women (11 cases and two controls (OR = 4.7; p = 0.02)) were homozygous for the variant allele. The overall odds ratio for breast cancer in women with a single copy of the BRCA2 C5972T variant was 1.1 (p = 0.7); however, the effect was significant for patients diagnosed at or before age 40 (OR = 1.4; p = 0.04). We reviewed the association between the BRCA2 variant in different histologic subgroups and found the effect most pronounced in women who had ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) with micro-invasion (OR = 2.8; p < 0.0001).

Conclusion

The BRCA2 C5972T allele is a common variant in Poland that increases the risk of DCIS with micro-invasion. The homozygous state is rare but increases the risk of breast cancer five-fold.     

XRCC1 and XPD genetic polymorphisms, smoking and breast cancer risk in a Finnish case-control study

Introduction

It has been suggested that individuals with reduced DNA repair capacities might have increased susceptibility to environmentally induced cancer. In this study, we evaluated if polymorphisms in DNA repair genes XRCC1 (Arg280His, Arg399Gln) and XPD (Lys751Gln) modify individual breast cancer risk, with emphasis on tobacco smoking.

Methods

The study population consisted of 483 incident breast cancer cases and 482 population controls of Finnish Caucasian origin. The genotypes were determined by PCR-RFLP-based methods. Odds ratio (OR) and confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated by unconditional logistic regression analyses.

Results

No statistically significant overall effect in the breast cancer risk was seen for any of the studied polymorphisms. However, a significant increase in breast cancer risk was seen among ever smoking women if they carried at least one XRCC1-399 Gln allele (OR 2.33, 95% CI 1.30–4.19, p _int 0.025) or XPD-751 Gln/Gln genotype (OR 2.52, 95% CI 1.27–5.03, p _int 0.011) compared to smoking women not carrying these genotypes. The risks were found to be confined to women smoking at least five pack-years; the respective ORs were 4.14 (95% CI 1.66–10.3) and 4.41 (95% CI 1.62–12.0). Moreover, a significant trend of increasing risk with increasing number of the putative at-risk genotypes (p for trend 0.042) was seen. Women with at least two at-risk genotypes had an OR of 1.54 (95% CI 1.00–2.41) compared to women with no at-risk genotypes. Even higher estimates were seen for ever actively smoking women with at least two at-risk genotypes.

Conclusion

Our results do not indicate a major role for XRCC1 and XPD polymorphisms in breast cancer susceptibility, but suggest that they may modify the risk especially among smoking women.     

Colorectal cancer and polymorphism of methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (C677T) in Morocco

Introduction

Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) is a key enzyme in folate metabolism. It is involved in the synthesis, repair, and methylation of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA). The most frequently studied MTHFR gene polymorphism is C677T, which is involved in the pathogenesis of many diseases including cancer. This case-control study was undertaken to analyze the association of MTHFR C677T polymorphism and the risk of colorectal cancer (CRC).

Methods

We determined the genotypes and alleles of MTHFR gene in 36 patients with histological confirmed CRC (19 women and 17 men) and in 36 normal controls matched for sex without a history of cancer. DNA was isolated from peripheral blood samples, and genotypes were determined by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP).

Results

In light of our results, the association of combined CT and TT genotypes and T allele was associated with an increased risk of CRC odds ratio 6.88 [95% confidence interval (CI): 2.30?C20.49, P = 0.0005), 5.91 (95% CI: 2.14?C16.34, P = 0.0006), and 2.96 (95% CI: 1.4?C6.25, P = 0.0045), respectively. TT homozygous was not a protective factor in our study with an odds ratio of 2.36 (95% CI: 0.63?C17.65, P = 0.16). Relative risk, individuals carrying at least one T allele have a 2-fold greater risk of developing CRC.

Conclusion

The MTHFR C677T gene variant was a risk factor for CRC in our population under study.     

NQO1 rs1800566 (C609T), PON1 rs662 (Q192R), and PON1 rs854560 (L55M) polymorphisms segregate the risk of childhood acute leukemias according to age range distribution

Purpose

The risk of developing childhood leukemia has been associated with gene polymorphisms that decrease the activity of detoxifying metabolic enzymes and enzymes involved in systemic oxidative stress. We investigated the NQO1 and PON1 polymorphisms for associations with susceptibility to childhood leukemia.

Methods

Samples from 1,027 Brazilian children (519 acute lymphoblastic leukemia, ALL; 107 acute myeloid leukemia, AML; 401 controls) were analyzed. TaqMAN real-time assays were used to determine the NQO1 rs1800566 (C609T), PON1 rs662 (Q192R), and PON1 rs854560 (L55M) frequencies. Logistic regression was used to evaluate the association of polymorphisms with cases and controls, with age and somatic fusion genes (MLL-r and ETV6-RUNX1) as covariables.

Results

Children with at least one NQO1 variant allele were at lower risk for developing infant AML (odds ratio (OR) 0.26, 95?% confidence interval (CI) 0.10–0.68); no association was detected for ALL. PON1 rs854560 (L55M) was associated with an increased risk of developing childhood leukemia (LM?+?MM, OR 1.93, 95?% CI 1.32–2.81). The PON1 rs662 R192R genotype had a statistically significant decreased frequency in ALL (OR 0.64, 95?% CI 0.43–0.93). Infant ALL cases were more likely to harbor homozygous PON1 rs854560 alleles than controls (OR 1.72, 95?% CI 1.03–2.89); at least one M allele was associated with an increased risk of ALL in children older than 1?year (OR 1.99, 95?% CI 1.17–3.3).

Conclusions

The NQO1 rs1800566 (C609T), PON1 rs854560 (L55M), and PON1 rs662 (Q192R) polymorphisms modified risk depending on leukemia subtype (decreased in AML, increased and decreased in ALL, respectively), age strata, and variant genotype combinations.     

Genetic polymorphisms in the cyclooxygenase-2 gene, use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, and breast cancer risk

Introduction

The association between use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and breast cancer risk remains unclear. Inconsistencies in previously reported findings may be partly due to differences in expression of cyclooxygenase (COX)-2. We hypothesized that genetic polymorphisms (COX-2 .926, COX-2 .5209, and COX-2 .8473) may reduce overall breast cancer risk or risk for subtypes of breast cancer by modulating the inflammatory response and may interact with aspirin or any NSAID use.

Methods

We conducted a population-based, case-control study in which we genotyped 1,067 breast cancer cases and 1,110 control individuals included in the Long Island Breast Cancer Study Project.

Results

No major effects of the three COX-2 variant alleles on breast cancer risk were found. A total of eight distinct haplotypes and 18 diplotypes were observed in the population. Overall, no significant associations between COX-2 haplotypes/diplotypes and breast cancer risk were observed. Among women who used aspirin or any NSAID there was little evidence for an interaction with the at-risk COX-2 genotypes, with one exception. Among women with hormone receptor positive breast cancer, the reduced risk for any NSAID use was only evident among those who had at least one variant C allele of COX-2 .8473 (odds ratio = 0.7, 95% confidence interval = 0.5 to 1.0; P for the interaction = 0.02). There was no corresponding interaction for aspirin use, possibly because of limited power.

Conclusion

These data provide modest evidence that the C allele of COX-2 .8473 may interact with NSAIDs to reduce risk for hormone receptor positive breast cancer.     

Is IL-10 −819C/T Gene Polymorphism Modulating the Risk of Gallbladder Disease in North Indian Population?

Background

Gallbladder carcinoma (GBC) is a highly aggressive neoplasm that arises in the background of gall stones and inflammation. Anti-inflammatory cytokine interleukin-10 (IL-10) gene polymorphisms have been associated with susceptibility to various inflammatory diseases and cancers.

Aim of the study

The aim of the present study was to investigate whether IL-10 ?819C/T polymorphism is associated with GBC susceptibility.

Methods

The study subjects comprised 124 GBC patients, 135 patients with symptomatic gallstone disease, and 200 healthy subjects. Genomic DNA was extracted from blood leukocytes and IL-10 ?819C/T gene polymorphism was analyzed by polymerase chain reaction–restriction fragment length polymorphism.

Results

Frequency distributions of IL-10 ?819C/T genotypes were similar in GBC, gallstone patients, and healthy subjects. However, after stratification on the basis of sex, in male GBC patients, the TT genotype of IL-10 ?819C/T polymorphism showed an approximately sevenfold risk (p value?=?0.038; odds ratio?=?6.58; 95% confidence interval?=?1.11–39.11) in the presence of gall stones when compared with gallstone patients.

Conclusion

These results suggest that interplay of sex hormones and IL-10 ?819C/T polymorphism may lead to the susceptibility of gallstone-mediated gallbladder carcinogenesis.     

Polymorphisms in oxidative stress genes, physical activity, and breast cancer risk

Purpose

The mechanisms driving the physical activity–breast cancer association are unclear. Exercise both increases reactive oxygen species production, which may transform normal epithelium to a malignant phenotype, and enhances antioxidant capacity, which could protect against subsequent oxidative insult. Given the paradoxical effects of physical activity, the oxidative stress pathway is of interest. Genetic variation in CAT or antioxidant-related polymorphisms may mediate the physical activity–breast cancer association.

Methods

We investigated the main and joint effects of three previously unreported polymorphisms in CAT on breast cancer risk. We also estimated interactions between recreational physical activity (RPA) and 13 polymorphisms in oxidative stress-related genes. Data were from the Long Island Breast Cancer Study Project, with interview and biomarker data available on 1,053 cases and 1,102 controls.

Results

Women with ≥1 variant allele in CAT rs4756146 had a 23?% reduced risk of postmenopausal breast cancer compared with women with the common TT genotype (OR?=?0.77; 95?% CI?=?0.59–0.99). We observed two statistical interactions between RPA and genes in the antioxidant pathway (p?=?0.043 and 0.006 for CAT and GSTP1, respectively). Highly active women harboring variant alleles in CAT rs1001179 were at increased risk of breast cancer compared with women with the common CC genotype (OR?=?1.61; 95?% CI, 1.06–2.45). Risk reductions were observed among moderately active women carrying variant alleles in GSTP1 compared with women homozygous for the major allele (OR?=?0.56; 95?% CI, 0.38–0.84).

Conclusions

Breast cancer risk may be jointly influenced by RPA and genes involved in the antioxidant pathway, but our findings require confirmation.     

Prognostic role of microRNA polymorphisms in patients with advanced esophageal squamous cell carcinoma receiving platinum-based chemotherapy

Purpose

MicroRNA (miRNA) polymorphisms contribute to cancer susceptibility and prognosis. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of miRNA polymorphisms on clinical outcomes in patients with advanced esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) treated with platinum-based chemotherapy.

Methods

Five polymorphisms (miR-146a rs2910164, miR-196a2 rs11614913, miR-100 rs1834306, miR-125a rs12976445 and miR-26a1 rs7372209) were genotyped in 378 patients with advanced ESCC recruited at Zhongshan Hospital. The associations between genotypes and drug response, toxicity, and overall survival were analyzed.

Results

miR-146a rs2910164 was significantly associated with an increased risk of severe hematological toxicity [odds ratio = 0.374, 95 % confidence interval (CI) 0.171–0.819, P = 0.014]. The TT genotypes of both miR-196a2 rs11614913 and miR-125a rs12976445 were associated with worse survival [hazard ratio (HR) = 1.552, 95 % CI 1.112–2.165, P = 0.010; HR = 2.171, 95 % CI 1.173–4.017, P = 0.014, respectively]. Combined analysis revealed a 4.073-fold increased risk of death in patients carrying two unfavorable genotypes (P = 0.002).

Conclusions

Taken together, these findings indicate that miRNA polymorphisms may predict prognosis in advanced ESCC patients receiving platinum-based chemotherapy.     

The role of VEGF-C/D and Flt-4 in the lymphatic metastasis of early-stage invasive cervical carcinoma

Background

Genetic polymorphisms of DNA repair enzymes in the base excision repair (BER) pathway, may lead to genetic instability and lung cancer carcinogenesis. We investigated the interactions among the gene polymorphisms in DNA repair genes and lung cancer.

Methods

We analyzed associations among OGG1 Ser326Cys and MUTYH Gln324His gene polymorphisms in relation to lung cancer risk using PCR-RFLP. The study involved 108 lung cancer patients and 121 non-cancer controls divided into non-smokers, smokers according to pack-years smoked in Japanese.

Results

The results showed that the MUTYH His/His genotype compared with Gln/Gln genotype showed an increased risk for lung cancer (adjusted odds ratio [OR] 3.03, confidence interval [95%CI], 1.31–7.00, p = 0.010), whereas there was no significant increase for the Gln/His genotype (adjusted OR 1.35, 95%CI 0.70–2.61, p = 0.376). The MUTYH His/His genotype was at a borderline increased risk for both adenocarcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma (adjusted OR 2.50, 95%CI 0.95–6.62, p = 0.065 for adenocarcinoma; adjusted OR 3.20, 95%CI 0.89–11.49, p = 0.075 for squamous cell carcinoma, respectively). However, the OGG1 Ser/Cys or Cys/Cys genotypes compared with the Ser/Ser genotype did not have significantly increased risk for lung cancer, containing either adenocarcinoma or squamous cell carcinoma. The joint effect of tobacco exposure and the MUTYH His/His genotype compared with the Gln/Gln genotype showed a significant association with lung cancer risk in smokers, and there was not significantly increased in non-smokers (adjusted OR 3.82, 95%CI 1.22–12.00, p = 0.022 for smokers; adjusted OR 2.60, 95%CI 0.60–11.25, p = 0.200 for non-smokers, respectively). The effect of tobacco exposure and the OGG1 Ser326Cys showed also no significant risk for lung cancer.

Conclusion

Our findings suggest that the MUTYH Gln324His polymorphism appear to play an important role in modifying the risk for lung cancer in the Japanese population.     

High-risk HPV infection after five years in a population-based cohort of Chilean women

Background

Single-nucleotide polymorphisms within TP53 gene (codon 72 exon 4, rs1042522, encoding either arginine or proline) and MDM2 promoter (SNP309; rs2279744), have been independently associated with increased risk of several cancer types. Few studies have analysed the role of these polymorphisms in the development of hepatocellular carcinoma.

Methods

Genotype distribution of TP53 codon 72 and MDM2 SNP309 in 61 viral hepatitis-related hepatocellular carcinoma cases and 122 blood samples (healthy controls) from Italian subjects were determined by PCR and restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP).

Results

Frequencies of TP53 codon 72 alleles were not significantly different between cases and controls. A significant increase of MDM2 SNP309 G/G and T/G genotypes were observed among hepatocellular carcinoma cases (Odds Ratio, OR = 3.56, 95% Confidence Limits, 95% CI = 1.3-9.7; and OR = 2.82, 95% CI = 1.3-6.4, respectively).

Conclusions

These results highlight a significant role of MDM2 SNP309 G allele as a susceptibility gene for the development of viral hepatitis-related hepatocellular carcinoma among Italian subjects.