Association of single nucleotide polymorphisms in ERCC2 gene and their haplotypes with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma

Overview of Risk Factors for Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma in China

(1) Background: China has the highest esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) incidence areas in the world, with some areas of incidence over 100 per 100,000. Despite extensive public health efforts, its etiology is still poorly understood. This study aims to review and summarize past research into potential etiologic factors for ESCC in China. (2) Methods: Relevant observational and intervention studies were systematically extracted from four databases using key terms, reviewed using Rayyan software, and summarized into Excel tables. (3) Results: Among the 207 studies included in this review, 129 studies were focused on genetic etiologic factors, followed by 22 studies focused on dietary-related factors, 19 studies focused on HPV-related factors, and 37 studies focused on other factors. (4) Conclusions: ESCC in China involves a variety of factors including genetic variations, gene-environment interactions, dietary factors like alcohol, tobacco use, pickled vegetables, and salted meat, dietary behavior such as hot food/drink consumption, infections like HPV, poor oral health, gastric atrophy, and socioeconomic factors. Public health measures should prioritize genetic screening for relevant polymorphisms, conduct comprehensive investigations into environmental, dietary, and HPV influences, enhance oral health education, and consider socioeconomic factors overall as integral strategies to reduce ESCC in high-risk areas of China.

Associations between cancer family history and esophageal cancer and precancerous lesions in high-risk areas of China

Background:

Family clustering of esophageal cancer (EC) has been found in high-risk areas of China. However, the relationships between cancer family history and esophageal cancer and precancerous lesions (ECPL) have not been comprehensively reported in recent years. This study aimed to provide evidence for identification of high-risk populations.

Methods:

This study was conducted in five high-risk areas in China from 2017 to 2019, based on the National Cohort of Esophageal Cancer. The permanent residents aged 40 to 69 years were examined by endoscopy, and pathological examination was performed for suspicious lesions. Information on demographic characteristics, environmental factors, and cancer family history was collected. Unconditional logistic regression was applied to evaluate odds ratios between family history related factors and ECPL.

Results:

Among 33,008 participants, 6143 (18.61%) reported positive family history of EC. The proportion of positive family history varied significantly among high-risk areas. After adjusting for risk factors, participants with a family history of positive cancer, gastric and esophageal cancer or EC had 1.49-fold (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.36–1.62), 1.52-fold (95% CI: 1.38–1.67), or 1.66-fold (95% CI: 1.50–1.84) higher risks of ECPL, respectively. Participants with single or multiple first-degree relatives (FDR) of positive EC history had 1.65-fold (95% CI: 1.47–1.84) or 1.93-fold (95% CI: 1.46–2.54) higher risks of ECPL. Participants with FDRs who developed EC before 35, 45, and 50 years of age had 4.05-fold (95% CI: 1.30–12.65), 2.11-fold (95% CI: 1.37–3.25), and 1.91-fold (95% CI: 1.44–2.54) higher risks of ECPL, respectively.

Conclusions:

Participants with positive family history of EC had significantly higher risk of ECPL. This risk increased with the number of EC positive FDRs and EC family history of early onset. Distinctive genetic risk factors of the population in high-risk areas of China require further investigation.

Trial registration:

ChiCTR-EOC-17010553.

The R156R ERCC2 polymorphism as a risk factor of endometrial cancer

Endometrial carcinoma (EC) is the most frequent malignant neoplasm of female genitals and the fourth most frequent malignant neoplasm in Polish women, after breast, colorectal and lung cancer. Despite intensive research, EC aetiology remains unknown. The variability, perceived in DNA repair genes, may be of clinical importance for evaluation of the risk of occurrence of a given type of cancer, its prophylactics and therapy. The aim of the study was to determine the relationship between gene polymorphism R156R (C to A, rs238406) of ERCC2 gene and modulation of the risk of endometrial cancer in Poland. Our research included 1360 patients with EC and 1320 healthy controls. The genotype analysis of ERCC2 gene polymorphism was performed using the PCR-based restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP). In the presented study, a relationship was identified between R156R polymorphism of the ERCC2 gene and the incidence of endometrial cancer. An association was observed between EC occurrence and the presence of A/A genotype (odds ratio (OR) 9.71, 95 % Cl 7.53-12.50, p < .0001). A tendency for an increased risk of endometrial cancer was detected with the occurrence of A allele of ERCC2 polymorphism (OR = 5.95, 95 % Cl 5.23-6.78, p < .0001). A relationship was confirmed between R156R polymorphism and endometrial cancer progression, assessed by histological grades. On the basis of these results, we conclude that ERCC2 gene polymorphism R156R may be associated with an increased risk of endometrial cancer.

An Association between Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms of Lys751Gln ERCC2 Gene and Ovarian Cancer in Polish Women

Aim. The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of the Lys751Gln (rs13181) ERCC2 gene polymorphism in clinical parameters and the risk for development of ovarian cancer. Material and Methods. The study consisted of 430 patients with ovarian cancer (mean age: 53.2 ± 10.11) and 430 healthy subjects (mean age: 50.31 ± 18.21). Analysis of the gene polymorphisms was performed using the PCR-based restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP). The odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for each genotype and allele were calculated. Results. The results obtained indicate that the genotype Gln/Gln is associated with an increased risk of ovarian cancer (OR 5.01; 95% CI 3.37-7.43; p < 0.0001). Association of Lys751Gln polymorphism with histological grading showed increased ERCC2 Gln/Gln (OR = 6.96; 95% CI 3.41-14.21; p < 0.0001) genotype in grading 1 as well as Gln allele overrepresentation (OR = 4.98; 95% CI 3.37-7.40; p < 0.0001) in G1 ovarian patients. Finally, with clinical FIGO staging under evaluation, an increase in ERCC2 Gln/Gln homozygote frequencies in staging I and Gln allele frequencies in SI were observed. Conclusion. On the basis of these results, we conclude that ERCC2 gene polymorphism Lys751Gln may be associated with an increased risk of ovarian carcinoma.