Cyclin D1 A870G polymorphism and the risk of colorectal cancer and adenoma

Cyclin D1 (CCND1) plays a key role in cell cycle control, particularly in the transition from G1 to S phase, which is regulated by cyclin-dependent kinases. A common adenine to guanine polymorphism (A870G) in the CCND1 gene has been associated with a longer-life protein and an increased risk of colorectal cancer and adenoma in some studies. Among subjects with hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer, the A870G polymorphism has also been associated with a younger age of onset of colorectal cancer. We analysed 181 colorectal cancer cases and 475 matched controls and 524 adenoma cases and 517 matched controls within women in the Nurses' Health Study (NHS) cohort, 171 colorectal cancer cases and 347 matched controls and 372 adenoma cases and 712 matched controls nested within men in the Health Professionals' Follow-Up Study (HPFS) cohort, and 258 colorectal cancer cases and 415 matched controls within men in the Physicians' Health Study (PHS) cohort to assess the risk associated with the CCND1 A870G genotype. Moreover, we assessed whether CCND1 genotype modified the effect of a sporadic (nonsyndromic) family history of colorectal cancer as well as the effect of other dietary and lifestyle risk factors for colorectal cancer and adenoma. In all cohorts combined, the CCND1 polymorphism did not show statistically significant associations to risk of colorectal cancer (odds ratio (OR) for A allele carriers, 1.04; 95% confidence interval (95% CI), 0.82-1.32) or adenoma (OR, 0.96; 95% CI, 0.79-1.18). The CCND1 A870G genotype was associated with a modest, although nonsignificantly elevated risk of colorectal cancer (OR, 1.59; 95% CI, 0.98-2.57) in women. In contrast, the polymorphism was not associated with increased risk of adenoma in either men or women. Among participants with the A870G genotype, a family history of colorectal cancer conferred a substantially greater risk of colorectal cancer in the women (P for interaction=0.06) and adenoma in the men (P for interaction=0.02). Current postmenopausal hormone (PMH) use was associated with a significant reduction in the risk of colorectal cancer and adenoma among women with the A870G genotype, whereas there was no effect of PMH use among those with the GG genotype. The CCND1 polymorphism appeared to confer a modest elevation in the risk of colorectal cancer among women. Moreover, the A870G genotype may enhance the protective effect of postmenopausal oestrogen use on the development of colorectal neoplasia.     

Clinical implications of UGT1A1*28 genotype testing in colorectal cancer patients

BACKGROUND:

Metastatic colorectal cancer is frequently treated with irinotecan, a topoisomerase‐I inhibitor. The UGT1A1 gene encodes for an enzyme that metabolizes irinotecan, and its genetic variants were shown to be associated with increased drug toxicity. We evaluated clinical outcomes associated with the UGT1A1*28 variant.

METHODS:

The study included 329 colorectal cancer patients from the Israeli population‐based Molecular Epidemiology of Colorectal Cancer study who were treated with a chemotherapy regimen that included irinotecan. Patients with metastases or disease recurrence were followed up for a median period of 2 years after occurrence of the event. Study end points were appearance of grade 3‐4 hematological and gastroenterological toxicity, hospitalization due to toxic events (mostly neutropenia, fever, diarrhea, or vomiting), length of hospitalization, and overall survival. UGT1A1*28 was genotyped from peripheral blood DNA by fragment analysis and reported as number of TATA sequence repeats in the promoter of the gene.

RESULTS:

The 7/7 variant of UGT1A1*28 was detected in 11.9% of the 329 participants. Grade 3‐4 hematological toxicity was significantly higher in 7/7 carriers compared with 6/7 and 6/6 carriers (48.0%,10.2%, and 7.7% respectively; P < .001), as was the risk of toxicity‐related hospitalization (45.8%, 25.3%, and 14.4% respectively; P = .001). Both short‐term death within 2 months of treatment start (12.8%, 5.2%, and 2.9%, respectively) and median overall survival (1.6, 2.0, and 2.4 years, respectively; P = .01) were significantly worse in the 7/7 carriers. The age/stage‐adjusted hazard ratio for patients with the 7/7 genotype compared with 6/6 was 1.7 (95% confidence interval, 1.1‐2.3).

CONCLUSIONS:

The UGT1A1*28 7/7 genotype is strongly associated with severe hematological toxicity and higher hospitalization rate and predicts lower survival of colorectal cancer in users of irinotecan. Cancer 2011. © 2011 American Cancer Society.     

Impact of UGT1A1 genotype on the efficacy and safety of irinotecan-based chemotherapy in metastatic colorectal cancer

The phase III AXEPT study showed the noninferiority of modified capecitabine plus irinotecan (mXELIRI) with or without bevacizumab relative to fluorouracil, leucovorin, and irinotecan (FOLFIRI) with or without bevacizumab as a second-line treatment for metastatic colorectal cancer. We evaluated the associations between the UGT1A1 genotype linked to adverse events—caused by irinotecan—and the efficacy and safety of mXELIRI and FOLFIRI. The UGT1A1 genotype was prospectively determined and patients were categorized into three groups according to WT (*1/*1), single heterozygous (SH; *28/*1 or *6/*1), and double heterozygous or homozygous (DHH; *28/*28, *6/*6, or *28/*6). Overall survival (OS), progression-free survival, response rate, and safety were assessed. The UGT1A1 genotype was available in all 650 randomized patients (WT, 309 [47.5%]; SH, 291 [44.8%]; DHH, 50 [7.7%]). The median OS was 15.9, 17.7, and 10.6 months in the WT, SH, and DHH groups, respectively, with an adjusted hazard ratio (HR) of 1.53 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.12-2.09; P = .008) for DHH vs WT or SH. The median OS in the mXELIRI and FOLFIRI arms was 18.1 vs 14.3 months (HR 0.80; 95% CI, 0.62-1.03) in the WT group, 16.3 vs 18.3 months (HR 1.04; 95% CI, 0.79-1.36) in the SH group, and 13.0 vs 9.1 months (HR 0.71; 95% CI, 0.39-1.31) in the DHH group, respectively. Modified capecitabine plus irinotecan with or without bevacizumab could be a standard second-line chemotherapy in terms of efficacy and safety regardless of the UGT1A1 genotype.     

Association of serum bilirubin and promoter variations in HMOX1 and UGT1A1 genes with sporadic colorectal cancer

Heme oxygenase-1 (HMOX1) and bilirubin UDP-glucuronosyltransferase (UGT1A1) enzymes, both involved in bilirubin homeostasis, play an important role in the oxidative stress defense. The objective of our study was to assess the effect of promoter variations of HMOX1 and UGT1A1 genes and of serum bilirubin on the risk of sporadic colorectal cancer (CRC). This exploratory case-control study was based on 777 CRC patients and 986 controls from the Czech Republic. The (GT)(n) and (TA)(n) dinucleotide variations in HMOX1 and UGT1A1 gene promoters, respectively, were determined by fragment analysis. In addition, the A(-413)T variant in HMOX1 promoter was also analyzed using a polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) method. Serum bilirubin levels were compared in a subset of 174 cases and 247 controls, for whom biochemical data were available. After adjustment for age, a significant association between CRC risk and UGT1A1*28 allele carrier status was detected [odds ratio (95% confidence intervals) = 0.80 (0.60-0.97), p = 0.022]. No association between CRC risk and individual HMOX1 gene variants was observed, although a diplotype analysis revealed an increased risk for a specific HMOX1 genotype combination. These effects were more pronounced in males. Substantially lower serum bilirubin levels were detected in CRC patients compared to the controls (p < 0.001); each 1 μmol/L decrease in serum bilirubin was associated with a 7% increase of CRC risk (p < 0.001). In conclusion, UGT1A1*28 allele carrier status might be a protective factor against the development of CRC in the male population, whereas low serum bilirubin levels are associated with an increased risk of CRC in both genders.     

UGT1A1基因不同表型与FOLFIRI方案治疗晚期结直肠癌疗效及毒副反应的相关性

目的:回顾性分析UGT1A1基因不同表型与FOLFIRI方案治疗晚期结直肠癌疗效及毒副反应的相关性。方法:收集贵州医科大学附属肿瘤医院腹部肿瘤科2014年1月至2018年12月收治的临床分期为Ⅳ期结直肠癌或根治性手术后复发转移的晚期结直肠癌患者240例的临床病理资料,所有患者初次行FOLFIRI方案化疗前抽血,提取全血中的DNA,采用PCR技术行UGT1A1基因型检测;接受FOLFIRI化疗方案治疗直至疾病进展或者发生不可耐受的毒性反应。分别采用Binary Logistic Regression模型分析UGT1A1基因不同表型与FOLFIRI化疗疗效的相关性,分解模型及广义估计方程多应变量回归分析UGT1A1基因不同表型与FOLFIRI化疗毒副反应的相关性。结果:本组患者共发现3种UGT1A1基因表型,分别为UGT1A1*1/*1(纯合野生型TA6/6型 188/240 78.3%)、UGT1A1*28/*1(杂合突变型TA6/7型 47/240 19.6%)和UGT1A1*28/*28(纯合突变型TA7/7型 5/240 2.1%)。UGT1A1基因型中TA6/7型TA6/6型相比,FOLFIRI化疗无应答风险增加16%,但无统计学差异;本组转移器官＞2个的患者中TA6/7型和TA6/6型相比,血液学及非血液学毒副反应发生的风险均增加了9.377 3倍（P=0.007 9）,其中消化道毒副反应发生风险增加了42.806 6倍（P=0.025 9）;本组行FOLFIRI化疗≥4周期的患者中,TA6/7型比TA6/6型的患者发生血液学毒性的风险增加了22.324 6倍（P=0.003 5）。结论:TA6/6型为我省结直肠癌患者最为常见的UGT1A1基因表型,而TA7/7型罕见;晚期结直肠癌转移器官数超过2个行FOLFIRI化疗的患者中UGT1A1基因TA6/7型较TA6/6型患者血液学及非血液学毒副反应发生的风险均明显增加,其中消化道毒副反应发生的风险更胜。     

Association between polymorphisms in UDP-glucuronosyltransferase 1A6 and 1A7 and colorectal cancer risk

Genetic polymorphisms of uridine diphosphate-glucuronosyltransferases 1A6 (UGT1A6) and 1A7 (UGT1A7) may lead to genetic instability and colorectal cancer carcinogenesis. Our objective was to measure the interaction between polymorphisms of these repair genes and tobacco smoking in colorectal cancer (CRC). A total of 68 individuals with CRC and 112 non-cancer controls were divided into non-smoker and smoker groups according to pack-years of smoking. Genetic polymorphisms of UGT1A6 and UGT1A7 were examined using polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP). We found a weak association of UGT1A6 polymorphisms with CRC risk (crude odds ratio [OR], 1.65; 95% confidence interval [95%CI], 0.9-3.1, P=0.107; adjusted OR 1.95, 95%CI 1.0-3.8, P=0.051). The ORs for the UGT1A7 polymorphisms were statistically significant (crude OR: 26.40, 95%CI: 3.5-198.4, P=0.001; adjusted OR: 21.52, 95%CI: 2.8-164.1, P=0.003). The joint effect of tobacco exposure and UGT1A6 polymorphisms was significantly associated with colorectal cancer risk in non-smokers (crude OR, 2.11; 95%CI, 0.9-5.0, P=0.092; adjusted OR 2.63, 95%CI 1.0-6.7, P=0.042). In conclusion, our findings suggest that UGT1A6 and UGT1A7 gene polymorphisms are associated with CRC risk in the Japanese population. In particular, UGT1A6 polymorphisms may strongly increase CRC risk through the formation of carcinogens not associated with smoking.     

中国人尿苷二磷酸葡糖苷酸转移酶1A基因多态性与伊立替康毒性的相关性

目的评价伊立替康(CVT-11)联合5-氟尿嘧啶(5-Fu)和亚叶酸钙(LV)治疗晚期大肠癌的毒性与尿苷二磷酸葡糖苷酸转移酶1A(UGT1A)基因多态性的相关性。方法收集70例晚期大肠癌患者及健康志愿者的外周血,提取基因组DNA,PCR法扩增目的基因片段,直接测序法分析UGT1A基因多态性,并与毒性进行相关性分析。结果70例晚期大肠癌患者的3～4度中性粒细胞减少发生率为20.O%(14/70);2～4度迟发性腹泻发生率为22.9%(16/70),其中3-4度迟发性腹泻率仅为5.7%(4/70)。UGT1A1*28的野生基因型TA6/6患者的2-4度迟发性腹泻发生率为15.7%,低于TA6/7和TA7/7基因型的患者(P=0.027)。健康人群和大肠癌患者UGT1A基因家族中各个基因多态性的分布无差别。结论UGT1A1*28的野生基因型TA6/6在中国人中分布频率较高,这也是CPT-11为主方案治疗晚期大肠癌发生严重迟发性腹泻较少的原因。     

Increased UGT1A3 and UGT1A7 Expression is Associated with Pancreatic Cancer

UGT1A play important roles in the glucuronidation of a variety of endogenous and exogenous compounds.UGT1A isoforms are expressed tissue specifically. The aim of this study was to examine the relationship betweenUGT1A3 and UGT1A7 mRNA expression and pancreatic cancer. Paired healthy and tumor tissue samples of43 patients with pancreatic cancer were included in this study. UGT1A3 and UGT1A7 mRNA expressions wereanalyzed by real time-PCR. In the result of study, UGT1A3 and UGT1A7 mRNA expressions were significantlyhigher in tumor tissue than normal tissue of pancreatic cancer patients (p<0.05). In addition, high mRNAexpression of UGT1A3 and UGT1A7 was significantly associated with larger tumor size (p<0.05). The datasuggested that UGT1A3 and UGT1A7 may play roles in the progression of pancreatic cancer. Consequently,UGT1A3 and UGT1A7 are potential prognostic indicators.     

川东北地区人群结直肠癌患者UGT1A1*28基因多态性与伊立替康所致毒副反应的相关性

目的:观察结直肠癌患者UGT1A1*28基因多态性的分布频率,了解UGT1A1*28基因多态性与结直肠癌患者应用伊立替康联合5-氟尿嘧啶化疗毒副反应的相关性。方法:从384例接受伊立替康联合氟尿嘧啶一线化疗的晚期结直肠癌病例中采外周血提取DNA。采用PCR 法扩增目的基因片段,直接测序法分析UGT1A1*28基因多态性。临床观察并评价患者化疗毒副反应分级,统计分析UGT1A1*28基因表型与化疗毒副反应相关性。结果:全部 384例患者 UGT1A1*28基因多态性分布情况:TA6/6野生基因型287例(74.7％),TA6/7杂合基因型73例（19.0％）,TA7/7纯合基因型24例（6.3％）。化疗毒副反应和UGT1A1*28基因多态性进行临床单因素分析显示UGT1A1*28基因纯合型TA7/7、杂合型TA6/7与3-4度白细胞减少、中性粒细胞减少、腹泻、胆红素升高具有明显相关性（P<0.01）,UGT1A1*28基因纯合型TA7/7及杂合型TA6/7患者发生中性粒细胞减少的风险较UGT1A1*28基因野生型TA6/6患者高5.625倍（OR=5.625）。UGT1A1*28基因纯合型TA7/7和UGT1A1*28基因杂合型TA6/7患者发生腹泻的风险较UGT1A1*28基因野生型TA6/6患者高6.778倍（OR=6.778）。结论:UGT1A1*28基因纯合型TA7/7及杂合型TA6/7患者应用伊立替康化疗后发生重度中性粒细胞减少、重度腹泻的风险高于UGT1A1*28基因野生型TA6/6,为临床伊立替康用药选择、剂量调整、毒副反应的提前干预提供理论依据。     

UGT1A1基因多态性在FOLFIRI方案二线治疗转移性结直肠癌中的临床意义

目的 探讨尿苷二磷酸葡萄糖醛酸转移酶（UGT）1A1基因多态性在FOLFIRI方案二线治疗转移性结直肠癌（mCRC）中的安全性和作为疗效预测指标的价值。方法在FOLFIRI方案化疗前分离mCRC患者外周血中单核细胞,采用荧光定量PCR-HRM法测定UGT1A1基因型。根据NCI CTC 3.0和RECIST 10标准分别评价化疗的不良反应和疗效,并分析UGT1A1基因多态性与不良反应和近期有效率（RR）的关系。用Kaplan-Meier法进行生存分析,Log-rank 检验分析UGT1A1基因型对无进展生存期（PFS）的影响。结果38例患者中,UGT1A1*28位点的野生型（TA6／6）有31例（81.6％）,杂合突变型（TA6／7）2例（5.3％）,纯合突变型（TA7／7）5例（13.2％）;UGT1A1*6位点的野生型（G／G）有28例（73.7％）,杂合突变型（G／A）8例（21.1％）,纯合突变型（A／A）2例（5.3％）。在3～4级延迟性腹泻和中性粒细胞减少的发生率方面,UGT1A1*28的野生型（TA6／6）显著低于TA6／7和TA7／7基因型（P＜0.05）,UGT1A1*6的野生型（G／G）也显著低于G／A和A／A基因型（P＜0.05）。RR和PFS在UGT1A1各种基因型之间差异无统计学意义（P＞0.05）。结论 在FOLFIRI方案二线治疗mCRC中,UGT1A1*28位点和UGT1A1*6位点突变可以作为严重的延迟性腹泻和中性粒细胞减少的预测指标,但UGT1A1基因多态性与疗效无关。     

Impact of UGT1A1 genetic polymorphism on toxicity in unresectable pancreatic cancer patients undergoing FOLFIRINOX

Studies have indicated an association between UDP‐glucuronosyltransferase‐1A1 (UGT1A1) genetic polymorphisms and irinotecan‐induced toxicity. We undertook this study to investigate the association between UGT1A1 genetic polymorphisms and toxicity in patients treated with the FOLFIRINOX (comprising oxaliplatin, irinotecan, fluorouracil, and leucovorin) chemotherapy regimen in the JASPAC 06 study. Patients screened for UGT1A1*6 and UGT1A1*28, and treated with either the original FOLFIRINOX (oxaliplatin 85 mg/m², irinotecan 180 mg/m², leucovorin 200 mg/m², bolus 5‐fluorouracil [5‐FU] 400 mg/m², and continuous 5‐FU 2400 mg/m²) or a modified FOLFIRINOX (oxaliplatin 85 mg/m², irinotecan 150 mg/m², leucovorin 200 mg/m², and continuous 5‐FU 2400 mg/m²) as first‐line chemotherapy were included. Of 199 patients eligible for this analysis, 79 patients were treated with the original FOLFIRINOX regimen and 120 patients were treated with the modified FOLFIRINOX regimen. In the original FOLFIRINOX group, 54 were UGT1A1 WT, and 25 were UGT1A1 heterozygous type (?/*6, 12 patients; ?/*28, 13 patients). In the modified FOLFIRINOX group, 64 were UGT1A1 WT and 56 were UGT1A1 heterozygous type (?/*6, 33 patients; ?/*28, 23 patients). In the original FOLFIRINOX group, the incidence of diarrhea was significantly higher among patients with UGT1A1 heterozygous type than among those with UGT1A1 WT and the incidence of leukopenia and diarrhea was significantly higher among patients with UGT1A1 ?/*6 than among those with UGT1A1 ?/*28. Patients with UGT1A1 heterozygous type, especially those with UGT1A1 ?/*6, tended to show a higher incidence rate of severe adverse events, but this was not statistically significant. However, for patients who received the modified FOLFIRINOX, there was no difference in the frequency of adverse events due to UGT1A1 status. In conclusion, patients with heterozygous UGT1A1 polymorphisms treated with the original FOLFIRINOX regimen experienced severe toxicity more frequently than patients with WT UGT1A1.     

UGT1A1基因多态性与伊立替康治疗结直肠癌不良反应的关系

背景与目的：尿苷二磷酸葡萄糖醛酸转移酶1A1(uridine diphosphoglucu-ronosyltransferase 1A1,UGTlA1)是伊立替康代谢关键酶,其活性受基因多态性影响显著。本研究探讨结直肠癌患者中,UGT1A1*28和UGT1A1*6基因多态性与伊立替康治疗相关不良反应之间的关系。方法：入组2013年4月—2013年12月于复旦大学附属中山医院肿瘤内科接受治疗的消化道恶性肿瘤患者160例。抽提外周血中基因组DNA,分别采用STR方法和Sanger测序法,检测UGT1A1*28和UGT1A1*6基因型,分析UGT1A1基因多态性分布情况。对其中82例化疗方案中含伊立替康的结直肠癌患者进行随访,记录不良反应发生情况和严重程度,比较不同基因型患者之间的差异。结果：160例消化道肿瘤患者中,UTG1A1*28(启动子TATA盒区域TA重复次数)野生型TA6/6124例(77.5%);杂合子TA6/7 33例(20.5%);纯合子TA7/7 3例(2.0%)。UGT1A1*6位点(211G>A)野生型GG 105例(65.6%),杂合子GA 48例(30.0%);纯合子AA 7例(4.4%)。82例化疗方案中含伊立替康的结直肠癌患者中,*28基因型(TA6/7和TA7/7)显著增加发生3级以上中性粒细胞减少的风险(58.3% vs 0.0%,P<0.001),并增加整体不良反应发生率(76.0% vs 45.6%,P<0.001);*6基因型(GA和AA)、年龄、性别、化疗方案和伊立替康相关不良反应发生无显著相关性。结论：接受伊立替康化疗的结直肠癌患者,UGT1A1*28位点多态性显著增加中性粒细胞减少发生的风险,可预测伊立替康引起的骨髓抑制性不良反应,辅助临床选择合适的化疗方案。     

UGT1A1*28 polymorphism predicts irinotecan-induced severe toxicities without affecting treatment outcome and survival in patients with metastatic colorectal carcinoma

BACKGROUND: It is known that the uridine-diphosphoglucuronosyl transferase 1A1 (UGT1A1)*28 polymorphism reduces UGT1A1 enzyme activity, which may lead to severe toxicities in patients who receive irinotecan. This study was conducted to assess the influence of this polymorphism on the efficacy and toxicity of irinotecan treatment in Chinese patients with metastatic colorectal carcinoma (CRC). METHODS: In total, 128 patients with metastatic CRC who had received previous treatment with irinotecan plus 5-fluorouracil/leucovorin were analyzed retrospectively. Genomic DNA samples were obtained from patients' leukocytes, and genotypes were determined by analyzing the sequence of TATA boxes in the UGT1A1 gene. The influence of the UGT1A1*28 polymorphism on toxicity and treatment outcome was analyzed. RESULTS: Approximately 20% of patients were identified with the UGT1A1*28 polymorphism, including 15.6% (n = 20 patients) with the thymine-adenine (TA)6/TA7 genotype and 4.7% (n = 6 patients) with the TA7/TA7 genotype. The remaining 79.7% of patients (n = 102) had wild type TA6/TA6. Marked increases in grade 3 or 4 neutropenia (53.8% vs 4.9%; P < .01), neutropenic fever (38.5% vs 3.9%; P < .01), diarrhea (26.9% vs 5.9%; P < .01), and pretreatment bilirubin level (23.1% vs 8.8%; P = .04) were observed in patients who had the TA6/TA7 or TA7/TA7 genotypes. Patients' pretreatment bilirubin levels correlated well with irinotecan-induced neutropenia (P < .01). It was noted that, although the requirement for irinotecan dose reduction was significantly greater in patients who had this genetic variant (42.3% vs 12.7%; P < .01), it did not affect the response rate to irinotecan-based chemotherapy (42.3% vs 45.1%; P = .80), and it did not significantly affect progression-free survival (10 months vs 11 months; P = .94) or overall survival (19 months vs 18 months; P = .84). CONCLUSIONS: The current data suggested that the UGT1A1*28 polymorphism may be a key determinant for predicting irinotecan-induced severe toxicities without affecting treatment outcome for patients with metastatic CRC. Further prospective studies are warranted for using this polymorphism to optimize irinotecan-based chemotherapy.     

ＵＧＴ１Ａ１基因多态性与伊立替康临床疗效及安全性的关系

探索特殊化疗药物的疗效预测标志物以及毒性相关标志物有利于指导临床选择高效、低毒的化疗药物及其组合,以达到个体化治疗的目标是目前研究的热点。本文拟就ＵＧＴ１Ａ１基因多态性与伊立替康临床疗效及安全的相关性作一综述。     

UGT1A1 gene variations and irinotecan treatment in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer

SN-38 is the active metabolite of irinotecan and it is metabolised through conjugation by uridine diphosphate glucuronosyl transferase (UGT1A1). The major toxicity of irinotecan therapy is diarrhoea, which has been related to the enzymatic activity of UGT1A1. We examined the influence of the UGT1A1 gene promoter polymorphism in the toxicity profile, in the response rate and in the overall survival (OS) in 95 patients with metastatic colorectal cancer treated with an irinotecan-containing chemotherapy. Genotypes were determined by analysing the sequence of TATA box of UGT1A1 of genomic DNA from the patients. Clinical parameters and genotypes were compared by univariate and multivariate statistical methods. The more frequent adverse effects were asthenia (34 patients), diarrhoea (29 patients) and neutropenia (20 patients). Severe diarrhoea was observed in 7/10 homozygous (70%) and 15/45 heterozygous (33%) in comparison to 7/40 (17%) wild-type patients (P=0.005). These results maintained the statistical significance in logistic regression analysis (P=0.01) after adjustment for other clinical relevant variables. The presence of severe haematological toxicity increased from wild-type patients to UGT1A1(*)28 homozygotes, but without achieving statistical significance. No relationship was found between the UGT1A1(*)28 genotypes and infection, nausea or mucositis. In univariate studies, patients with the UGT1A1(*)28 polymorphism showed a trend to a poorer OS (P=0.09). In the multivariate analysis, the genotype was not related to clinical response or to OS. The role of the UGT1A1 genotype as a predictor of toxicity in cancer patients receiving irinotecan demands the performance of a randomized trial to ascertain whether genotype-adjusted dosages of the drug can help to establish safe and effective doses not only for patients with the UGT1A1(*)28 homozygous genotype but also for those with the most common UGT1A1 6/6 or 6/7 genotype.     

A high risk of occurrence of sporadic breast cancer in individuals with the 104NN polymorphism of the COL18A1 gene

We investigated the influence of the polymorphism D104N of the COL18A1 gene, encoding endostatin, on the occurrence of sporadic breast cancer in 181 patients and 448 controls. The homozygous 104NN polymorphism was found in five patients but was absent in controls (2.8% vs 0.0%; P = 0.002). Individuals with this genotype had a significantly increased risk for disease. Our results suggest, for the first time, that the homozygous 104NN polymorphism, even at low frequency, constitutes an important inherited determinant of the disease.