Genetic epidemiology of ovarian cancer in the 22 Arab countries: A systematic review

CircWHSC1 (CircNSD2): A Novel Circular RNA in Multiple Cancers

Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are a type of non-coding RNA (ncRNA) that possesses a unique single-stranded circular structure. They are primarily formed through alternative splicing of pre-mRNA (messenger RNA). The primary biological function of circRNAs is to regulate gene expression at both the transcriptional and post-transcriptional levels. Recent studies have increasingly demonstrated a close association between the dysregulation of circRNAs and the progression of diverse cancers, where they can function as either tumor suppressors or oncogenes. circWHSC1 (circNSD2) is a circular ncRNA that originates from the first 2 exons of the Wolf-Hirschhorn syndrome candidate gene (WHSC1). As Chen 2019 discovery that circWHSC1 (circNSD2) functions as a sponge for miRNAs and promotes cancer, this circRNA has garnered significant interest among researchers. circWHSC1 (circNSD2) has been found to be up-regulated in various malignant tumors, including nasopharyngeal carcinoma, lung cancer, breast cancer, liver cancer, colorectal cancer, ovarian cancer, cervical cancer, and endometrial cancer. It exerts its effects on cancer by either inhibiting or promoting the expression of related genes through direct or indirect pathways, ultimately affecting cancer proliferation, invasion, and prognosis. This article provides a comprehensive review and discussion of the biological roles of circWHSC1 (circNSD2) and its target genes in various cancers, as well as the latest research progress on related molecular biological regulatory mechanisms. Furthermore, the potential significance of circWHSC1 (circNSD2) in future clinical applications and transformations is thoroughly analyzed and discussed.

Identification of Novel Genes and Pathways of Ovarian Cancer Using a Comprehensive Bioinformatic Framework

Ovarian cancer (OC) is a significant contributor to gynecological cancer-related deaths worldwide, with a high mortality rate. Despite several advances in understanding the pathogenesis of OC, the molecular mechanisms underlying its development and prognosis remain poorly understood. Therefore, the current research study aimed to identify hub genes involved in the pathogenesis of OC that could serve as selective diagnostic and therapeutic targets. To achieve this, the dataset GEO2R was used to retrieve differentially expressed genes. The study identified a total of five genes (CDKN1A, DKK1, CYP1B1, NTS, and GDF15) that were differentially expressed in OC. Subsequently, a network analysis was performed using the STRING database, followed by the construction of a network using Cytoscape. The network analyzer tool in Cytoscape predicted 276 upregulated and 269 downregulated genes. Furthermore, KEGG analysis was conducted to identify different pathways related to OC. Subsequently, survival analysis was performed to validate gene expression alterations and predict hub genes, using a p-value of 0.05 as a threshold. Four genes (CDKN1A, DKK1, CYP1B1, and NTS) were predicted as significant hub genes, while one gene (GDF15) was predicted as non-significant. The adjusted P values of said predicted genes are 2.85E - 07, 5.49E - 06, 4.28E - 07, 1.43E - 07, and 3.70E - 07 for CDKN1A, DKK1, NTS, GDF15, and CYP1B1 respectively; additionally 6.08, 5.76, 5.74, 5.01, and 4.9 LogFc values of the said genes were predicted in GEO data set. In a boxplot analysis, the expression of these genes was analyzed in normal and tumor cells. The study found that three genes were highly expressed in tumor cells, while two genes (CDKN1A and DKK1) were more elevated in normal cells. According to the boxplot analysis for CDKN1A, 50% of tumor cells ranged between approx 3.8 and 5, while 50% of normal cells ranged between approx 6.9 and 7.9, which is greater than tumor cells. This shows that in normal cells, the CYP1B1 has a high expression level according to the GEPIA boxplot; addtionally the boxplot for DKK1 indicated that 50% of tumor cells ranged between approx 0 and 0.5, which was less than that of normal cells which ranged between approx 0.3 and 0.9. It shows that DKK1 is highly expressed in normal genes. Overall, the current study provides novel insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying OC. The identified hub genes and drug candidate targets could potentially serve as alternative diagnostic and therapeutic options for OC patients. Further research is needed to investigate the clinical significance of these findings and develop effective interventions that can improve the prognosis of patients with OC.

From desert flora to cancer therapy: systematic exploration of multi-pathway mechanisms using network pharmacology and molecular modeling approaches

Ovarian cancer, often labeled a "silent killer," remains one of the most compelling and challenging areas of cancer research. In 2019 alone, a staggering 222,240 new cases of ovarian cancer were reported, with nearly 14,170 lives tragically lost to this relentless disease. The absence of effective diagnostic methods, increased resistance to chemotherapy, and the heterogeneous nature of ovarian cancer collectively contribute to the unfavorable prognosis observed in the majority of cases. Thus, there is a pressing need to explore therapeutic interventions that offer superior efficacy and safety, thereby enhancing the survival prospects for ovarian cancer patients. Recognizing this potential, our research synergizes bioinformatics with a network pharmacology approach to investigate the underlying molecular interactions of Saudi Arabian flora (Onopordum heteracanthum, Acacia ehrenbergiana, Osteospermum vaillantii, Cyperus rotundus, Carissa carandas, Carissa spinarum, and Camellia sinensis) in ovarian cancer treatment. At first, phytoconstituents of indigenous flora and their associated gene targets, particularly those pertinent to ovarian cancer, were obtained from open-access databases. Later, the shared targets of plants and diseases were compared to identify common targets. A protein-protein interaction (PPI) network of predicted targets was then constructed for the identification of key genes having the highest degree of connectivity among networks. Following that, a compound-target protein-pathway network was constructed, which uncovered that, namely, hispidulin, stigmasterol, ascorbic acid, octopamine, cyperene, kaempferol, pungenin, citric acid, d-tartaric acid, beta-sitosterol, (-)-epicatechin gallate, and (+)-catechin demonstrably influence cell proliferation and growth by impacting the AKT1 and VEGFA proteins. Molecular docking, complemented by a 20-ns molecular dynamic (MD) simulation, was used, and the binding affinity of the compound was further validated. Molecular docking, complemented by a 20-ns MD simulation, confirmed the binding affinity of these compounds. Specifically, for AKT1, ascorbic acid showed a docking score of -11.1227 kcal/mol, interacting with residues Ser A:240, Leu A:239, Arg A:243, Arg C:2, and Glu A:341. For VEGFA, hispidulin exhibited a docking score of -17.3714 kcal/mol, interacting with Asn A:158, Val A:190, Gln B:160, Ser A:179, and Ser B:176. To sum up, both a theoretical and empirical framework were established by this study, directing more comprehensive research and laying out a roadmap for the potential utilization of active compounds in the formulation of anti-cancer treatments.

DNA damage response signaling: A common link between cancer and cardiovascular diseases

DNA damage response (DDR) signaling ensures genomic and proteomic homeostasis to maintain a healthy genome. Dysregulation either in the form of down- or upregulation in the DDR pathways correlates with various pathophysiological states, including cancer and cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). Impaired DDR is studied as a signature mechanism for cancer; however, it also plays a role in ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI), inflammation, cardiovascular function, and aging, demonstrating a complex and intriguing relationship between cancer and pathophysiology of CVDs. Accordingly, there are increasing number of reports indicating higher incidences of CVDs in cancer patients. In the present review, we thoroughly discuss (1) different DDR pathways, (2) the functional cross talk among different DDR mechanisms, (3) the role of DDR in cancer, (4) the commonalities and differences of DDR between cancer and CVDs, (5) the role of DDR in pathophysiology of CVDs, (6) interventional strategies for targeting genomic instability in CVDs, and (7) future perspective.

The spectrum of chromosomal translocations in the Arab world: ethnic-specific chromosomal translocations and their relevance to diseases

Chromosomal translocations (CTs) are the most common type of structural chromosomal abnormalities in humans. CTs have been reported in several studies in the Arab world, but the frequency and spectrum of these translocations are not well characterized. The aim of this study is to conduct a systematic review to estimate the frequency and spectrum of CTs in the 22 Arab countries. Four literature databases were searched: PubMed, Science Direct, Scopus, and Web of Science, from the time of inception until July 2021. A combination of broad search terms was used to collect all possible CTs reported in the Arab world. In addition to the literature databases, all captured CTs were searched in three chromosomal rearrangement databases (Mitelman Database, CytoD 1.0 Database, and the Atlas of Genetics and Cytogenetics in Oncology and Hematology), along with PubMed and Google Scholar, to check whether the CTs are unique to the Arabs or shared between Arabs and non-Arabs. A total of 9,053 titles and abstracts were screened, of which 168 studies met our inclusion criteria, and 378 CTs were identified in 15 Arab countries, of which 57 CTs were unique to Arab patients. Approximately 89% of the identified CTs involved autosomal chromosomes. Three CTs, t(9;22), t(13;14), and t(14;18), showed the highest frequency, which were associated with hematological malignancies, recurrent pregnancy loss, and follicular lymphoma, respectively. Complex CTs were commonly reported among Arabs, with a total of 44 CTs, of which 12 were unique to Arabs. This is the first study to focus on the spectrum of CTs in the Arab world and compressively map the ethnic-specific CTs relevant to cancer. It seems that there is a distinctive genotype of Arabs with CTs, of which some manifested with unique clinical phenotypes. Although ethnic-specific CTs are highly relevant to disease mechanism, they are understudied and need to be thoroughly addressed.

The Identification by Exome Sequencing of Candidate Genes in BRCA-Negative Tunisian Patients at a High Risk of Hereditary Breast/Ovarian Cancer

(1) Background: Germline variants in BRCA1/BRCA2 genes explain about 20% of hereditary breast/ovarian cancer (HBOC) cases. In the present paper, we aim to identify genetic determinants in BRCA-negative families from the South of Tunisia. (2) Methods: Exome Sequencing (ES) was performed on the lymphocyte DNA of patients negative for BRCA mutations from each Tunisian family with a high risk of HBOC. (3) Results: We focus on the canonical genes associated with HBOC and identified missense variants in DNA damage response genes, such as ATM, RAD52, and RAD54; however, no variants in PALB2, Chek2, and TP53 genes were found. To identify novel candidate genes, we selected variants harboring a loss of function and identified 17 stop-gain and 11 frameshift variants in genes not commonly known to be predisposed to HBOC. Then, we focus on rare and high-impact genes shared by at least 3 unrelated patients from each family and selected 16 gene variants. Through combined data analysis from MCODE with gene ontology and KEGG pathways, a short list of eight candidate genes (ATM, EP300, LAMA1, LAMC2, TNNI3, MYLK, COL11A2, and LAMB3) was created. The impact of the 24 selected genes on survival was analyzed using the TCGA data resulting in a selection of five candidate genes (EP300, KMT2C, RHPN2, HSPG2, and CCR3) that showed a significant association with survival. (4) Conclusions: We identify novel candidate genes predisposed to HBOC that need to be validated in larger cohorts and investigated by analyzing the co-segregation of selected variants in affected families and the locus-specific loss of heterozygosity to highlight their relevance for HBOC risk.

Mutational spectrum of BRCA1/2 genes in Moroccan patients with hereditary breast and/or ovarian cancer, and review of BRCA mutations in the MENA region

PURPOSE

Breast cancer (BC) is the most common form of female cancer around the world. BC is mostly sporadic, and rarely hereditary. These hereditary forms are mostly BRCA1- and BRCA2-associated hereditary breast and ovarian cancer syndrome. BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes are large and had some recurrent mutations specific to some populations. Through this work we analyze the most recurrent mutations in Moroccan population and compared them to a large review of other BRCA1/2 spectrum mutations in the MENA region.

METHODS

We report in this work a series of 163 unrelated patients (the largest series of Moroccan patients) with familial breast and/or ovarian cancer, selected among patients referred to our oncogenetic outpatient clinic, from 2006 to 2021. To identify genetic variants in these two genes, different genetic analysis strategies have been carried out, using Sanger Sequencing DNA or Target Panel Sequencing.

RESULTS

Pathogenic variants were identified in 27.6% of patients. The most frequent mutation identified in our patients was the c.1310_1313delAAGA, BRCA2 (33%), and three other mutations seem more frequent in the Moroccan population (33%) of all reported patients: c.798_799delTT, BRCA1; and c.3279delC, BRCA1; and c.7234_7235insG in BRCA2 gene.

CONCLUSION

Through this work, we emphasize the importance of screening for BRCA1 and BRCA2 recurrent mutations in Moroccan patients. Other MENA (MENA: English-language acronym referring to the Middle East and North Africa region) countries had also some recurrent BRCA mutations, which will allow a fast and unexpensive first line genetic analysis and a precise molecular diagnosis. This will allow an adapted follow-up of the patients and a pre-symptomatic diagnosis of their relatives.

Human MutT Homolog 1 (MTH1) Inhibitor Reduces the Biological Activity of Ovarian Carcinoma Cells

This study intends to discuss the mechanism of MTH1 inhibitor (TH588) in the biological activity of ovarian carcinoma cells. A2780 and SKOV-3 cells were treated with different concentrations of TH588 and assigned into AT group (control), BT group (8 μmol/L TH588), CT group (16 μmol/L), DT group (32 μmol/L), ET group (64 μmol/L) and FT group (128 μmol/L) followed by measuring level of Bcl-2 and Bax by Western blot and PCR, and cell biological activities by MTT, FCM and Transwell chamber assay. The cell proliferative rate was not affected in AT group, but was lower in other groups in a reverse dose-dependent manner. There was significant difference on apoptotic rate and cell invasion among groups with increased apoptosis and reduce invasion after TH588 treatment. FT group showed lowest expression of Bcl-2 and Bax compared to other groups. In conclusion, the biological activity of A2780/SKOV3 cells could be reduced by MTH1 inhibitor which was probably through regulation of Bax and Bcl-2 expression.

Cancer Burden Among Arab-World Females in 2020: Working Toward Improving Outcomes

PURPOSE

Cancer is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. This work presents the Arab-world females' cancers (AFCs) statistics in 2020, compared with the 2018 AFCs statistics, the Arab-world male cancers statistics, and the world females' cancers (WFCs) statistics in 2020. This can help set the stage for a better policy for cancer control programs and improve outcomes.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A descriptive review of the 2020 Global Cancer Observatory concerning AFCs was performed. Data on various cancers were compiled and compared among the countries in the region and WFCs.

RESULTS

A total estimate of 244,317 new cases and 132,249 deaths is reported in AFCs; representing 2.65% and 2.99% of WFCs, respectively, with an average crude incidence/mortality ratio of 116.2 (/100,000 population)/62.9 (/100,000 population) and an age-standardized incidence/mortality ratio of 137.7(/100,000 population)/77.2(/100,000 population) compared with 238.8(/100,000 population)/114.6(/100,000 population) and 186(/100,000 population)/84.2(/100,000 population) of WFCs, respectively. Five-year prevalent cases were 585,295; 2.28% of WFCs. In comparison to males, females accounted for 47.8% of the whole population, 52.9% in incidence, 46.9% in mortality, and 56.9% in the prevalence of patients with cancer. Mortality-to-incidence ratio (MIR) was 0.54 (range 0.39-0.62 in Arab countries, compared with 0.48 globally), and it ranged from 0.14 to 0.97 in the 30 AFC types. Breast cancer was the most common cancer in incidence and mortality, with an MIR of 0.39.

CONCLUSION

The 2020 descriptive analysis of the females' cancers in the Arab world revealed a relatively high MIR compared with females' cancers worldwide; a lower MIR compared with the males; and comparable MIR to 2018 one. We call for more in-depth studies to determine the causes of these differences that might translate into actionable interventions and better outcomes.

miR-133a targets YES1 to reduce cisplatin resistance in ovarian cancer by regulating cell autophagy

Background

Accumulating evidence has revealed that aberrant microRNA (miRNA) expression can affect the development of chemotherapy drug resistance by modulating the expression of relevant target proteins. Emerging evidence has demonstrated that miR-133a participates in the tumorigenesis of various cancers. However, whether miR-133a is associated with cisplatin resistance in ovarian cancer remains unclear.

Objective

To investigate the role of miR-133a in the development of cisplatin resistance in ovarian cancer.

Methods

MiR-133a expression in cisplatin-resistant ovarian cancer cell lines was assessed by reverse-transcription quantitative PCR (RT–qPCR). A cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) assay was used to evaluate the viability of tumour cells treated with cisplatin in the presence or absence of miR-133a. A luciferase reporter assay was used to analyse the binding of miR-133a with the 3′ untranslated region (3′UTR) of YES proto-oncogene 1 (YES1). The YES1 expression level was analysed using a dataset from the International Cancer Genome Consortium (ICGC) and assessed by RT–qPCR and western blotting in vitro. The roles and mechanisms of YES1 in cell functions were further probed via gain- and loss-of-function analysis.

Results

The expression of miR-133a was significantly decreased in cisplatin-resistant ovarian cancer cell lines (A2780-DDP and SKOV3-DDP), and the overexpression of the miR-133a mimic reduced cisplatin resistance in A2780-DDP and SKOV3-DDP cells. Treatment with the miR-133a inhibitor increased cisplatin sensitivity in normal A2780 and SKOV3 cells. MiR-133a binds the 3’UTR of YES1 and downregulates its expression. Bioinformatics analysis revealed that YES1 expression was upregulated in recurrent cisplatin-resistant ovarian cancer tissue, and in vitro experiments also verified its upregulation in cisplatin-resistant cell lines. Furthermore, we discovered that miR-133a downregulated the expression of YES1 and thus inhibited cell autophagy to reduce cisplatin resistance. Yes1 knockdown significantly suppressed the cisplatin resistance of ovarian cancer cells by inhibiting autophagy in vitro. Xenograft tumour implantation further demonstrated that Yes1 overexpression promoted ovarian tumour development and cisplatin resistance.

Conclusions

Our results suggest that the miR-133a/YES1 axis plays a critical role in cisplatin resistance in human ovarian cancer by regulating cell autophagy, which might serve as a promising therapeutic target for ovarian cancer chemotherapy treatment in the future.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12935-021-02412-x.

Assessing frequency and clinical outcomes of BRCA mutated ovarian cancer in Saudi women

PURPOSE

BRCA gene mutations (BRCAm) have an impact on patients' characteristics and clinical outcomes of ovarian cancer (OC). The frequency and patterns of BRCAm vary among countries and ethnicities. There are limited data from Saudi Arabia (SA); thus, this study aims to determine the frequency, pattern, and impact on patient characteristics and outcomes of BRCAm OC compared to wild-type BRCA (BRCAw) in Saudi women.

METHODS

This retrospective study evaluated women diagnosed with non-mucinous OC, fallopian tube, or peritoneal carcinoma who had BRCA status tested in an accredited lab between January 2016 and December 2017. The associations between various parameters and BRCAm were estimated using logistic regression. Statistical analysis performed with SPSS (Version 27).

RESULT

Sixty-one women with a median age of 52 at diagnosis were analyzed. Germline BRCA mutations were found in 41% of cases (25/61). The most common deleterious germline BRCA1 mutation was c.1140dupG (39%). Most women (72%) had no family history of cancers and 82% had advanced stage. Regardless of BRCA mutations, an optimal overall response rate (ORR) to first-line treatment has been achieved although most cases relapsed (84%) and the majority were platinum-sensitive relapse (85%). Higher ORR to subsequent lines and better survival were obtained in women with BRCA-mutation.

CONCLUSION

The prevalence of BRCAm of OC was higher in Saudi women compared to regional and most of the international figures. The better clinical outcomes of BRCAm women agreed with the reported evidence. Further studies on BRCA mutations of OC and genetic counseling are highly recommended.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

Trial approved by the Institutional Review Board of King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center (RAC # 2171137) and conducted at King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center, PO Box 3354, Riyadh 11,211, Saudi Arabia.

Knowledge of ovarian cancer symptoms among women in Palestine: a national cross-sectional study

INTRODUCTION

Ovarian cancer (OC) is often diagnosed at advanced stages. This study aimed to assess the Palestinian women's knowledge about OC symptoms and determine the factors associated with having good knowledge.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study was conducted from July 2019 to March 2020 in the two main areas of Palestine: the West Bank and Jerusalem as well as the Gaza Strip. A translated-into-Arabic version of the validated OC awareness measure (OCAM) was utilized for data collection. Stratified convenience sampling was used to recruit adult women attending hospitals, primary healthcare centers, and public spaces at 11 governorates. The knowledge level was categorized into three categories based on the number of symptoms recognized: poor (0 to 4), fair (5 to 8), and good (9 to 11).

RESULTS

Of 6095 approached, 5618 participants completed the Arabic OCAM (response rate = 92.1%).A total of 5411 questionnaires were included in the analysis: 2278 from the Gaza Strip and 3133 from the West Bank and Jerusalem. Participants living in the West Bank and Jerusalem were older, of higher monthly income, and with more chronic diseases than those living in the Gaza Strip. The most frequently identified symptoms were 'extreme generalized fatigue' (n = 3821, 70.6%), 'unexplained weight loss' (n = 3607, 66.7%), and 'increased abdominal size on most days' (n = 3252, 60.1%). On the other hand, the least recognized symptoms were 'feeling full persistently' (n = 1553, 28.7%) and 'difficulty eating on most days' (n = 1971, 36.4%). Only 943 participants (17.4%) displayed good knowledge of OC symptoms. Participants from the Gaza Strip had a higher likelihood than participants from the West Bank and Jerusalem to have a good level of knowledge (21.0% vs. 14.8%). Being married, knowing someone with cancer, and visiting hospitals were all associated with a higher likelihood of having good knowledge level. However, living in the West Bank and Jerusalem was associated with a lower likelihood of having good knowledge.

CONCLUSION

The overall knowledge of OC symptoms in this study was low. Educational interventions are needed to improve Palestinian women's knowledge about OC symptoms.

Genetic Variants Associated With Alzheimer Disease in the 22 Arab Countries: A Systematic Review

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Alzheimer disease (AD) is a progressive and complex neurodegenerative disease. Approximately 70% of AD risk is attributed to genetic risk factors, including variants in amyloid precursor protein (APP), presenilin 1 (PSEN1), and presenilin 2 (PSEN2) genes. Several studies have revealed a considerable number of candidate loci and genes for AD among different ethnic populations. However, the outcomes of these studies have been inconsistent. In this study, we aimed to investigate the spectrum of variants that are associated with the onset and development of AD among 22 Arab countries.

METHODOLOGY

We systematically searched 4 literature databases (Science Direct, Scopus, PubMed, and Web of Science) from the date of inception until July 2020 using various search terms to obtain all the reported genetic data on Arab AD cases.

RESULTS

In total, 18 studies were included, comprising a total of 2173 individuals, of whom 888 were clinically diagnosed AD patients and were genetically tested for genes and variants associated with AD. A total of 27 variants in 8 genes were found to be associated with AD. Of these variants, 17 were unique to the Arab population and 10 were shared with other ethnic groups.

CONCLUSIONS

There is a dearth of studies on the genetics of AD in the Arab world. There seems to be distinctive genetic and clinical susceptibility profiles for Arab patients with AD.

Screening for PIK3CA mutations among Saudi women with ovarian cancer

The study aimed to screen for PIK3CA gene mutations among Saudi women with Ovarian Cancer. The study included 298 Saudi women with epithelial ovarian cancers (EOC). DNA sequence analysis was employed to screen for the mutations. DNA sequence analysis of a coding region of exon 9 and 20 of PIK3CA gene revealed mutations in 37/298 (12.4%) EOC patients. About 21/37(56.8%) somatic mutations were identified in exons 9, and 16/37(43.2%) in exon 20. All analysed mutations were missense mutations, the frequencies of which varied from 2.7% to 43.2%. PIK3CA mutation was found to be significantly associated with age (p = .023), grade (p = .001) and histological types (p = .032). Only 6.6% of serous carcinomas and 3.8% of endometrioid had PIK3CA mutation. The Mutated PIK3CA gene was significantly involved in the pathogenesis of EOC among Saudi women. PIK3CA gene mutation and overexpression represent important clinical implications for diagnosis, and prognosis, which can be utilised for better EOC management.Impact statementWhat is already known on this subject? The detailed molecular and genetic phenomenon underlying the progression of these tumours is still unclear. Recently, the pathogenesis of ovarian cancer has been attributed to mutations of PIK3CA.What do the results of this study add? Mutation in the PIK3CA gene leads to altered PI3K/AKT signalling pathways responsible for the progression of the epithelial ovarian cancer.What are the implications of these findings for clinical practice and/or further research? The Mutated PIK3CA gene was significantly involved in the pathogenesis of EOC among Saudi women. PIK3CA gene mutation and overexpression represent important clinical implications for diagnosis, and prognosis, which can be utilised for better EOC management.

Genetic polymorphisms associated with obesity in the Arab world: a systematic review

BACKGROUND

Obesity, one of the most common chronic health conditions worldwide, is a multifactorial disease caused by complex genetic and environmental interactions. Several association studies have revealed a considerable number of candidate loci for obesity; however, the genotype-phenotype correlations remain unclear. To date, no comprehensive systematic review has been conducted to investigate the genetic risk factors for obesity among Arabs.

OBJECTIVES

This study aimed to systematically review the genetic polymorphisms that are significantly associated with obesity in Arabs.

METHODS

We searched four literature databases (PubMed, Science Direct, Scopus, and Google Scholar) from inception until May 2020 to obtain all reported genetic data related to obesity in Arab populations. Quality assessment and data extraction were performed individually by three investigators.

RESULTS

In total, 59 studies comprising a total of 15,488 cases and 9,760 controls were included in the systematic review. A total of 76 variants located within or near 49 genes were reported to be significantly associated with obesity. Among the 76 variants, two were described as unique to Arabs, as they have not been previously reported in other populations, and 19 were reported to be distinctively associated with obesity in Arabs but not in non-Arab populations.

CONCLUSIONS

There appears to be a unique genetic and clinical susceptibility profile of obesity in Arab patients.

Clinicopathological characteristics of gene-positive breast cancer in the United Arab Emirates

Introduction

Breast cancer is the most prevalent cancer in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). This is the first study to provide data on predisposition of breast cancer susceptibility genes with associated clinical and pathological aspects in the UAE.

Material & methods

A retrospective chart review for breast cancer patients undergoing genetic testing from 2016 to 2018. According to National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) guidelines genetic testing was offered. The analyzed data included; age, ethnicity, family cancer history, pathogenic variant, histopathology, stage, molecular subtype and proliferation.

Results

309 patients underwent genetic testing with a positive result in 130 patients (11.9%) over a period of 36 months. In 34.6% pathogenic and likely pathogenic variants were identified. BRCA2 was the most common gene identified. The mean age was 42.9 years (±9.01). Positive family history was identified in 66 patients (50.7%). Majority had stage 1 or 2 disease (66.2%), invasive ductal carcinoma (81.5%) and hormone receptor positive cancer (45.3%).

Conclusions

This is the first study in the UAE to describe the clinical and pathological characteristics of hereditary breast cancer in a mixed ethnic group with dominant Arabic population. Further genetic studies will be required in the UAE population, as the prevalence of breast cancer continues to rise.

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First study about breast cancer genetics in the United Arab Emirates with a mixed ethnic population.

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BRCA2 is the most common mutation detected.

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Most hereditary breast cancers with a dominant Arabic ethnic group is diagnosed at a lower stage.

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Most hereditary breast cancers diagnosed a decade earlier compared to western population.

Familial/inherited cancer syndrome: a focus on the highly consanguineous Arab population

The study of hereditary cancer, which accounts for ~10% of cancer cases worldwide is an important subfield of oncology. Our understanding of hereditary cancers has greatly advanced with recent advances in sequencing technology, but as with any genetic trait, gene frequencies of cancer-associated mutations vary across populations, and most studies that have located hereditary cancer genes have been conducted on European or Asian populations. There is an urgent need to trace hereditary cancer genes across the Arab world. Hereditary disease is particularly prevalent among members of consanguineous populations, and consanguineous marriages are particularly common in the Arab world. There are also cultural and educational idiosyncrasies that differentiate Arab populations from other more thoroughly studied groups with respect to cancer awareness and treatment. Therefore, a review of the literature on hereditary cancers in this understudied population was undertaken. We report that BRCA mutations are not as prevalent among Arab breast cancer patients as they are among other ethnic groups, and therefore, other genes may play a more important role. A wide variety of germline inherited mutations that are associated with cancer are discussed, with particular attention to breast, ovarian, colorectal, prostate, and brain cancers. Finally, we describe the state of the profession of familial cancer genetic counselling in the Arab world, and the clinics and societies dedicated to its advances. We describe the complexities of genetic counselling that are specific to the Arab world. Understanding hereditary cancer is heavily dependent on understanding population-specific variations in cancer-associated gene frequencies.

Integrative Bioinformatics Approaches to Map Potential Novel Genes and Pathways Involved in Ovarian Cancer

Background and aims: Ovarian cancer (OC) is the seventh most commonly detected cancer among women. This study aimed to map the hub and core genes and potential pathways that might be involved in the molecular pathogenesis of OC.

Methods: In the present work, we analyzed a microarray dataset (GSE126519) from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database and used the GEO2R tool to screen OC cells and ovarian SINE-resistant cancer cells for differentially expressed genes (DEGs). For the functional annotation of the DEGs, we conducted Gene Ontology (GO) and pathway enrichment analyses (KEGG) using the DAVID v6.8 online server and GenoGo Metacore™, Cortellis Solution software. Protein–protein interaction (PPI) networks were constructed using the STRING database, and Cytoscape software was used for visualization. The survival analysis was performed using the online platform GEPIA2 to determine the prognostic value of the expression of hub genes in cell lines from OC patients.

Results: We identified a total of 809 upregulated and 700 downregulated DEGs. GO analysis revealed that the genes with statistically significant differences in expression were mainly associated with biological processes involved in the cell cycle, the mitotic cell cycle, mitotic nuclear division, organ morphogenesis, cell development, and cell morphogenesis. By using the Analyze Networks (AN) algorithm in GeneGo, we identified the most relevant biological networks involving DEGs that were mainly enriched in the cell cycle (in metaphase checkpoints) and revealed the role of APC in cell cycle regulation pathways. We found 10 hub genes and four core genes (FZD6, FZD8, CDK2, and RBBP8) that are strongly linked to OC.

Conclusion: This study sheds light on the molecular pathogenesis of OC and is expected to provide potential molecular biomarkers that are beneficial for the treatment and clinical molecular diagnosis of OC.