Association between GSTM1 and GSTT1 polymorphisms and esophageal squamous cell carcinoma: results from a case-control study in Kashmir, India

Interleukin 4 and Interleukin 4 receptor alpha gene variants and risk of atopy - A case control study based assessment

INTRODUCTION

IL4 pathway is known to upregulate IgE mediated immune responses and responsible for the manifestation of Atopic disorders. The current study was aimed to elucidate the genetic variations of Interleukin 4 (IL4) and Interleukin 4 receptor alpha (IL4R) genes and their possible association with atopic subjects.

METHODS

The well-designed questionnaire was used to collect the subject demographic and clinical details. Biochemical parameters were analysed using Chemiluminescent Immunoassay (CLIA) technique. The genotyping was performed using Polymerase Chain Reaction-Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism (PCR-RFLP).

RESULTS

We observed a statistically significant difference of serum Immunoglobulin-E (IgE) levels among cases and controls (P<0.05). Subjects harbouring the variant genotypes of I50V and Q576R single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in IL4R gene showed statistically differential risk towards atopic disorders. However, the variants genotype of 70 bp VNTR polymorphism in IL4 gene showed a protective role towards in predisposition to Atopy. On stratification, the above genetic variants had a significant impact on modifiable and non-modifiable factors associated with the disease.

CONCLUSION

Our study demonstrates that increased IgE levels and IL4 gene variants (I50V and Q576R) are significantly associated towards predisposition to allergic disorders in this study population.

Glutathione S-transferase Polymorphisms in Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma Treated with Chemotherapy and/or Radiotherapy

BACKGROUND/AIM

The Glutathione S-transferases (GSTs) are important carcinogen-metabolizing enzymes. Polymorphisms involved in these enzymes can modulate the development and treatment of head and neck cancer. To investigate the association of GSTs polymorphisms with head and neck cancer and risk factors, clinical-pathological features, and survival time of the patients treated with chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy.

METHODS

The GST gene polymorphisms were evaluated in 197 cases and 514 controls by PCR-RFLP-Polymerase Chain Reaction Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism.

RESULTS

The GSTP-313 was associated with a decreased risk for HNSCC (p=0.050). The GSTP1 haplotype analysis revealed a higher frequency of the AC and AT haplotypes in the case group than in the control group (p=0.013 and p=0.019, respectively), and the opposite for G-C haplotype (p = 0.015). Yet, the different combinations between the genotypes were associated with an increased risk of cancer. The study showed no association between the polymorphisms and primary tumor site, clinical-pathological characteristics, treatment (chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy) and survival time of the patients.

CONCLUSION

The GST polymorphisms combination showed an increased risk for carcinogenesis, and studies with larger casuistry can contribute to the clarification of the role in individual patient differences for the response to chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy and identify biomarkers of susceptibility.

Association of Activity Altering Genotypes - Tyr113His and His139Arg in Microsomal Epoxide Hydrolase Enzyme with Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma

The study aimed to explore the relationship of microsomal epoxide hydrolase (mEH) exon 3 (Tyr113His) and exon 4 (His139Arg) polymorphisms and predicted mEH activity with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) risk. 482 histologically confirmed cases and equal number of matched controls were analyzed by polymerase chain reaction-restriction length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP). Conditional logistic regression models were used to examine the association of polymorphisms with ESCC. We noted exon 3 slow genotype (OR = 6.57; CI 3.43-12.57) as well as predicted low mEH activity (OR = 3.99; CI 2.32-6.85) was associated with the ESCC risk. Elevated ESCC risk estimates were seen in smokers independent of genotypes but the association was stronger among smokers with exon 3 variant (OR = 6.67; 3.29-13.53) and low activity (OR = 7.52; CI 3.46-16.37) genotypes. Positive family history of cancer synergistically increased ESCC risk in the individuals who harbored exon 3 (OR = 13.59; CI 5.63-32.81) or altered mEH activity genotypes (OR = 13.35; CI 5.10-34.94). Significant interaction was seen between mEH exon 3 and exon 4 genotypes (P = 0.006) and between predicted mEH activity and positive family history of cancer (P = 0.018). These findings suggest association of ESCC risk with mEH polymorphisms which get modified by tobacco smoking and positive family history of cancer.

Association between the Glutathione-S-transferase T1 null genotype and esophageal cancer susceptibility: a meta-analysis involving 11,163 subjects

Background

Glutathione-S-Transferase T1 (GSTT1) null genotype has been shown to be associated with the risk of esophageal cancer. However, the results remain inconsistent. Thus a comprehensive meta-analysis was conducted to assess the strength of association between GSTT1 null genotype and the risk of esophageal cancer.

Materials and Methods

A literature search of PubMed, Embase, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI) and Wanfang databases up to March 31, 2017 was conducted and 30 eligible articles with 4482 cases and 6681 controls were finally recruited. The strength of correlation between GSTT1 polymorphism and the susceptibility of esophageal cancer was assessed by the crude odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Subgroup analyses and sensitivity analyses were performed to further identify the association.

Results

GSTT1 null genotype significantly increased the risk of esophageal cancer (OR = 1.20; 95% CI 1.04-1.40; P < 0.05). In a subgroup analysis by ethnicity, GSTT1 null genotype was correlated with a significantly increased risk of esophageal cancer among Asians (OR = 1.33; 95% CI 1.12-1.58; P < 0.05), instead of Caucasians or Africans (OR = 0.91; 95% CI 0.65-1.26; P > 0.05 for Caucasians and OR = 1.32; 95% CI 0.98-1.77; P > 0.05 for Africans). In the analysis by histological type, GSTT1 null genotype was correlated with a significantly increased risk of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (OR = 1.34; 95% CI 1.12-1.61; P < 0.05), particularly among Asians (OR = 1.54; 95% CI 1.30-1.82; P < 0.05), but not among Caucasians or Africans (OR = 0.87; 95% CI 0.48-1.57; P > 0.05 for Caucasians and OR = 1.32; 95% CI 0.98-1.77; P > 0.05 for Africans). In addition, there is no significant correlation between GSTT1 null genotype and the risk of esophageal adenocarcinoma (OR = 0.98; 95% CI 0.71-1.35; P > 0.05).

Conclusions

Our findings demonstrate that GSTT1 null genotype significantly increases esophageal cancer risk, particularly in Asians.

CYP1A2*1F Gene Variant, Alkaline Salt Tea Intake and Risk of Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Unlike many other cancers, the relationship of CYP1A2*1F (rs762551) polymorphism with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) risk has not been assessed so far. To evaluate its association with ESCC, we conducted a case control study in Kashmir, India, a high risk region. We recruited 404 histopathologically confirmed ESCC cases and 404 controls, individually matched for sex, age and residence to the respective cases. Information was obtained on dietary, lifestyle and environmental factors in face to face interviews using a structured questionnaire from each subject. Genotypes were analyzed by polymerase chain reaction, restriction fragment length polymorphism and sequencing randomly selected samples. Conditional logistic regression models were used to calculate odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs). We found that mutant genotype (AA) of CYP1A2*1F polymorphism was associated with ESCC risk (OR = 3.11; 95% CI: 1.72-5.36). A very strong ESCC risk was observed in subjects who drank >1250 ml of salt tea daily and harbored mutant genotype of CYP1A2*1F (OR = 14.51; 95% CI: 5.33-39.47). The study indicates that CYP1A2*1F polymorphism is associated with ESCC risk and the risk is modified in salt drinkers. However, more replicative and mechanistic studies are needed to substantiate the findings.

Family history of cancer and the risk of squamous cell carcinoma of oesophagus: a case-control study in Kashmir, India

Background:

Only a few studies have examined the association between family history of cancer (FHC) and the risk of oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) in high incidence areas of ESCC. We conducted a case–control study to evaluate the relationship between FHC and ESCC risk in Kashmir, India, with analysis of detailed epidemiological data and information on multiple gene polymorphisms.

Methods:

We collected detailed information on FHC and a number of socio-demographic and lifestyle factors, and also obtained blood samples for genetic analysis from 703 histopathologically confirmed ESCC cases and 1664 individually matched controls. Conditional logistic regression models were used to calculate odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs).

Results:

Participants who had FHC showed a strong association with ESCC risk, and the risk was stronger when first-degree relatives (FDRs) had FHC (OR=6.8; 95% CI=4.6–9.9). Having a sibling with a cancer showed the strongest association (OR=10.8; 95% CI=6.0–19.3), but having a child with a cancer was not associated with ESCC risk. A history of any cancer in the spouse was also associated with ESCC risk (OR=4.1; 95% CI=1.6–10.2). Those with two or more relatives with FHC were at a higher risk of ESCC. After restricting FHC to familial ESCC only, the above associations were strengthened, except when spouses were affected with ESCC (OR=2.5; 95% CI=0.7–8.9). When we examined the associations between several single-nucleotide polymorphisms and ESCC in those with and without FHC, the associations of variant genotypes in cytochrome P450 (CYP) 2C19 and CYP2D6 and the wild genotype of CYP2E1 with ESCC were much stronger in those with FHC. The FHC had an additive interaction with several risk factors of ESCC in this population.

Conclusion:

Our results showed that FHC was strongly associated with ESCC risk in Kashmir. It seems both genetic factors and shared environment are involved in this association.