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Tavares V, Savva-Bordalo J, Rei M, Liz-Pimenta J, Assis J, Pereira D, Medeiros R. Haemostatic Gene Expression in Cancer-Related Immunothrombosis: Contribution for Venous Thromboembolism and Ovarian Tumour Behaviour. Cancers (Basel) 2024; 16:2356. [PMID: 39001418 PMCID: PMC11240748 DOI: 10.3390/cancers16132356] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2024] [Revised: 06/24/2024] [Accepted: 06/26/2024] [Indexed: 07/16/2024] Open
Abstract
Ovarian cancer (OC) is the deadliest gynaecological malignancy. Identifying new prognostic biomarkers is an important research field. Haemostatic components together with leukocytes can drive cancer progression while increasing the susceptibility to venous thromboembolism (VTE) through immunothrombosis. Unravelling the underlying complex interactions offers the prospect of uncovering relevant OC prognostic biomarkers, predictors of cancer-associated thrombosis (CAT), and even potential targets for cancer therapy. Thus, this study evaluated the expression of F3, F5, F8, F13A1, TFPI1, and THBD in peripheral blood cells (PBCs) of 52 OC patients. Those with VTE after tumour diagnosis had a worse overall survival (OS) compared to their counterparts (mean OS of 13.8 ± 4.1 months and 47.9 ± 5.7 months, respectively; log-rank test, p = 0.001). Low pre-chemotherapy F3 and F8 expression levels were associated with a higher susceptibility for OC-related VTE after tumour diagnosis (χ2, p < 0.05). Regardless of thrombogenesis, patients with low baseline F8 expression had a shorter progression-free survival (PFS) than their counterparts (adjusted hazard ratio (aHR) = 2.54; p = 0.021). Among those who were not under platelet anti-aggregation therapy, low F8 levels were also associated with a shorter OS (aHR = 6.16; p = 0.006). Moving forward, efforts should focus on external validation in larger cohorts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valéria Tavares
- Molecular Oncology and Viral Pathology Group, Research Center of IPO Porto (CI-IPOP)/Pathology and Laboratory Medicine Dep., Clinical Pathology SV/RISE@CI-IPOP (Health Research Network), Portuguese Oncology Institute of Porto (IPO Porto)/Porto Comprehensive Cancer Centre (Porto. CCC), 4200-072 Porto, Portugal;
- ICBAS—Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas Abel Salazar, Universidade do Porto, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal
- Faculty of Medicine of the University of Porto (FMUP), 4200-072 Porto, Portugal;
| | - Joana Savva-Bordalo
- Department of Medical Oncology, Portuguese Institute of Oncology of Porto (IPO Porto), 4200-072 Porto, Portugal; (J.S.-B.); (D.P.)
| | - Mariana Rei
- Department of Gynaecology, Portuguese Institute of Oncology of Porto (IPO Porto), 4200-072 Porto, Portugal;
| | - Joana Liz-Pimenta
- Faculty of Medicine of the University of Porto (FMUP), 4200-072 Porto, Portugal;
- Department of Medical Oncology, Centro Hospitalar de Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro (CHTMAD), 5000-508 Vila Real, Portugal
| | - Joana Assis
- Clinical Research Unit, Research Center of IPO Porto (CI-IPOP)/RISE@CI-IPOP (Health Research Network), Portuguese Oncology Institute of Porto (IPO Porto)/Porto Comprehensive Cancer Center (Porto. CCC), 4200-072 Porto, Portugal;
| | - Deolinda Pereira
- Department of Medical Oncology, Portuguese Institute of Oncology of Porto (IPO Porto), 4200-072 Porto, Portugal; (J.S.-B.); (D.P.)
| | - Rui Medeiros
- Molecular Oncology and Viral Pathology Group, Research Center of IPO Porto (CI-IPOP)/Pathology and Laboratory Medicine Dep., Clinical Pathology SV/RISE@CI-IPOP (Health Research Network), Portuguese Oncology Institute of Porto (IPO Porto)/Porto Comprehensive Cancer Centre (Porto. CCC), 4200-072 Porto, Portugal;
- ICBAS—Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas Abel Salazar, Universidade do Porto, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal
- Faculty of Medicine of the University of Porto (FMUP), 4200-072 Porto, Portugal;
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Fernando Pessoa University, 4200-150 Porto, Portugal
- Research Department, Portuguese League Against Cancer (NRNorte), 4200-172 Porto, Portugal
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Neto BV, Tavares V, da Silva JB, Liz-Pimenta J, Marques IS, Salgado L, Carvalho L, Pereira D, Medeiros R. Haemostatic gene variations in cervical cancer-associated venous thrombosis: considerations for clinical strategies. J Thromb Thrombolysis 2024; 57:815-827. [PMID: 38643313 DOI: 10.1007/s11239-024-02983-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/09/2024] [Indexed: 04/22/2024]
Abstract
Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is a life-threatening haemostatic disease frequently diagnosed among the cancer population. The Khorana Score is currently the primal risk assessment model to stratify oncological patients according to their susceptibility to VTE, however, it displays a limited performance. Meanwhile, intensive research on VTE pathophysiology in the general population has uncovered a range of single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) associated with the condition. Nonetheless, their predictive ability concerning cancer-associated thrombosis (CAT) is controversial. Cervical cancer (CC) patients undergoing chemoradiotherapy often experience VTE, which negatively affects their survival. Thus, aiming for an improvement in thromboprophylaxis, new thrombotic biomarkers, including SNPs, are currently under investigation. In this study, the predictive capability of haemostatic gene SNPs on CC-related VTE and their prognostic value regardless of VTE were explored. Six SNPs in haemostatic genes were evaluated. A total of 401 CC patients undergoing chemoradiotherapy were enrolled in a retrospective cohort study. The implications for the time to VTE occurrence and overall survival (OS) were assessed. CAT considerably impacted the CC patients' OS (log-rank test, P < 0.001). SERPINE1 rs2070682 (T > C) showed a significant association with the risk of CC-related VTE (CC/CT vs. TT, log-rank test, P = 0.002; C allele, Cox model, hazard ratio (HR) = 6.99 and P = 0.009), while F2 rs1799963 (G > A) demonstrated an important prognostic value regardless of VTE (AA/AG vs. GG, log-rank test, P = 0.020; A allele, Cox model, HR = 2.76 and P = 0.026). For the remaining SNPs, no significant associations were detected. The polymorphisms SERPINE1 rs2070682 and F2 rs1799963 could be valuable tools in clinical decision-making, aiding in thromboprophylaxis and CC management, respectively.
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Affiliation(s)
- Beatriz Vieira Neto
- Molecular Oncology and Viral Pathology Group, Research Center of IPO Porto (CI-IPOP)/Pathology and Laboratory Medicine Dep, Clinical Pathology SV/ RISE@CI-IPOP (Health Research Network), Portuguese Oncology Institute of Porto (IPO Porto) / Porto Comprehensive Cancer Centre (Porto.CCC), Porto, 4200-072, Portugal
- Research Department, Portuguese League Against Cancer (NRNorte), Porto, 4200-172, Portugal
| | - Valéria Tavares
- Molecular Oncology and Viral Pathology Group, Research Center of IPO Porto (CI-IPOP)/Pathology and Laboratory Medicine Dep, Clinical Pathology SV/ RISE@CI-IPOP (Health Research Network), Portuguese Oncology Institute of Porto (IPO Porto) / Porto Comprehensive Cancer Centre (Porto.CCC), Porto, 4200-072, Portugal
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto (FMUP), Porto, 4200-072, Portugal
- Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas Abel Salazar, ICBAS, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - José Brito da Silva
- Oncology Department, Portuguese Institute of Oncology of Porto (IPOP), Porto, 4200-072, Portugal
| | - Joana Liz-Pimenta
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto (FMUP), Porto, 4200-072, Portugal
- Department of Medical Oncology, Centro Hospitalar de Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro (CHTMAD), Vila Real, 5000-508, Portugal
| | - Inês Soares Marques
- Molecular Oncology and Viral Pathology Group, Research Center of IPO Porto (CI-IPOP)/Pathology and Laboratory Medicine Dep, Clinical Pathology SV/ RISE@CI-IPOP (Health Research Network), Portuguese Oncology Institute of Porto (IPO Porto) / Porto Comprehensive Cancer Centre (Porto.CCC), Porto, 4200-072, Portugal
| | - Lurdes Salgado
- External Radiotherapy Department, Portuguese Institute of Oncology of Porto (IPOP), Porto, 4200-072, Portugal
| | - Luísa Carvalho
- External Radiotherapy Department, Portuguese Institute of Oncology of Porto (IPOP), Porto, 4200-072, Portugal
| | - Deolinda Pereira
- Oncology Department, Portuguese Institute of Oncology of Porto (IPOP), Porto, 4200-072, Portugal
| | - Rui Medeiros
- Molecular Oncology and Viral Pathology Group, Research Center of IPO Porto (CI-IPOP)/Pathology and Laboratory Medicine Dep, Clinical Pathology SV/ RISE@CI-IPOP (Health Research Network), Portuguese Oncology Institute of Porto (IPO Porto) / Porto Comprehensive Cancer Centre (Porto.CCC), Porto, 4200-072, Portugal.
- Research Department, Portuguese League Against Cancer (NRNorte), Porto, 4200-172, Portugal.
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto (FMUP), Porto, 4200-072, Portugal.
- Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas Abel Salazar, ICBAS, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal.
- External Radiotherapy Department, Portuguese Institute of Oncology of Porto (IPOP), Porto, 4200-072, Portugal.
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Marques IS, Tavares V, Savva-Bordalo J, Rei M, Liz-Pimenta J, de Melo IG, Assis J, Pereira D, Medeiros R. Long Non-Coding RNAs: Bridging Cancer-Associated Thrombosis and Clinical Outcome of Ovarian Cancer Patients. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 25:140. [PMID: 38203310 PMCID: PMC10778953 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25010140] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2023] [Revised: 12/18/2023] [Accepted: 12/19/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Ovarian cancer (OC) and venous thromboembolism (VTE) have a close relationship, in which tumour cells surpass the haemostatic system to drive cancer progression. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) have been implicated in VTE pathogenesis, yet their roles in cancer-associated thrombosis (CAT) and their prognostic value are unexplored. Understanding how these lncRNAs influence venous thrombogenesis and ovarian tumorigenesis may lead to the identification of valuable biomarkers for VTE and OC management. Thus, this study evaluated the impact of five lncRNAs, namely MALAT1, TUG1, NEAT1, XIST and MEG8, on a cohort of 40 OC patients. Patients who developed VTE after OC diagnosis had worse overall survival compared to their counterparts (log-rank test, p = 0.028). Elevated pre-chemotherapy MEG8 levels in peripheral blood cells (PBCs) predicted VTE after OC diagnosis (Mann-Whitney U test, p = 0.037; Χ2 test, p = 0.033). In opposition, its low levels were linked to a higher risk of OC progression (adjusted hazard ratio (aHR) = 3.00; p = 0.039). Furthermore, low pre-chemotherapy NEAT1 levels in PBCs were associated with a higher risk of death (aHR = 6.25; p = 0.008). As for the remaining lncRNAs, no significant association with VTE incidence, OC progression or related mortality was observed. Future investigation with external validation in larger cohorts is needed to dissect the implications of the evaluated lncRNAs in OC patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Inês Soares Marques
- Molecular Oncology and Viral Pathology Group, Research Center of IPO Porto (CI-IPOP)/Pathology and Laboratory Medicine Department, Clinical Pathology SV/RISE@CI-IPOP (Health Research Network), Portuguese Oncology Institute of Porto (IPO Porto)/Porto Comprehensive Cancer Centre (Porto.CCC), 4200-072 Porto, Portugal; (I.S.M.); (V.T.); (I.G.d.M.)
- Faculty of Sciences of the University of Porto (FCUP), 4169-007 Porto, Portugal
| | - Valéria Tavares
- Molecular Oncology and Viral Pathology Group, Research Center of IPO Porto (CI-IPOP)/Pathology and Laboratory Medicine Department, Clinical Pathology SV/RISE@CI-IPOP (Health Research Network), Portuguese Oncology Institute of Porto (IPO Porto)/Porto Comprehensive Cancer Centre (Porto.CCC), 4200-072 Porto, Portugal; (I.S.M.); (V.T.); (I.G.d.M.)
- Faculty of Medicine of the University of Porto (FMUP), 4200-072 Porto, Portugal;
- Abel Salazar Institute for the Biomedical Sciences (ICBAS), University of Porto, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal
| | - Joana Savva-Bordalo
- Department of Medical Oncology, Portuguese Institute of Oncology of Porto (IPO Porto), 4200-072 Porto, Portugal; (J.S.-B.); (D.P.)
| | - Mariana Rei
- Department of Gynaecology, Portuguese Institute of Oncology of Porto (IPO Porto), 4200-072 Porto, Portugal;
| | - Joana Liz-Pimenta
- Faculty of Medicine of the University of Porto (FMUP), 4200-072 Porto, Portugal;
- Department of Medical Oncology, Centro Hospitalar de Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro (CHTMAD), 5000-508 Vila Real, Portugal
| | - Inês Guerra de Melo
- Molecular Oncology and Viral Pathology Group, Research Center of IPO Porto (CI-IPOP)/Pathology and Laboratory Medicine Department, Clinical Pathology SV/RISE@CI-IPOP (Health Research Network), Portuguese Oncology Institute of Porto (IPO Porto)/Porto Comprehensive Cancer Centre (Porto.CCC), 4200-072 Porto, Portugal; (I.S.M.); (V.T.); (I.G.d.M.)
- Faculty of Medicine of the University of Porto (FMUP), 4200-072 Porto, Portugal;
| | - Joana Assis
- Clinical Research Unit, Research Center of IPO Porto (CI-IPOP)/RISE@CI-IPOP (Health Research Network), Portuguese Oncology Institute of Porto (IPO Porto)/Porto Comprehensive Cancer Center (Porto.CCC), 4200-072 Porto, Portugal;
| | - Deolinda Pereira
- Department of Medical Oncology, Portuguese Institute of Oncology of Porto (IPO Porto), 4200-072 Porto, Portugal; (J.S.-B.); (D.P.)
| | - Rui Medeiros
- Molecular Oncology and Viral Pathology Group, Research Center of IPO Porto (CI-IPOP)/Pathology and Laboratory Medicine Department, Clinical Pathology SV/RISE@CI-IPOP (Health Research Network), Portuguese Oncology Institute of Porto (IPO Porto)/Porto Comprehensive Cancer Centre (Porto.CCC), 4200-072 Porto, Portugal; (I.S.M.); (V.T.); (I.G.d.M.)
- Faculty of Medicine of the University of Porto (FMUP), 4200-072 Porto, Portugal;
- Abel Salazar Institute for the Biomedical Sciences (ICBAS), University of Porto, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Fernando Pessoa University, 4200-150 Porto, Portugal
- Research Department, Portuguese League Against Cancer (NRNorte), 4200-172 Porto, Portugal
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Neto BV, Tavares V, da Silva JB, Liz-Pimenta J, Marques IS, Carvalho L, Salgado L, Pereira D, Medeiros R. Thrombogenesis-associated genetic determinants as predictors of thromboembolism and prognosis in cervical cancer. Sci Rep 2023; 13:9519. [PMID: 37308506 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-36161-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2023] [Accepted: 05/30/2023] [Indexed: 06/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is a leading cause of death among cancer patients. Khorana score (KS) is the most studied tool to predict cancer-related VTE, however, it exerts poor sensitivity. Several single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) have been associated with VTE risk in the general population, but whether they are predictors of cancer-related VTE is a matter of discussion. Compared to other solid tumours, little is known about VTE in the setting of cervical cancer (CC) and whether thrombogenesis-related polymorphisms could be valuable biomarkers in patients with this neoplasia. This study aims to analyse the effect of VTE occurrence on the prognosis of CC patients, explore the predictive capability of KS and the impact of thrombogenesis-related polymorphisms on CC-related VTE incidence and patients' prognosis regardless of VTE. A profile of eight SNPs was evaluated. A retrospective hospital-based cohort study was conducted with 400 CC patients under chemoradiotherapy. SNP genotyping was carried on by using TaqMan® Allelic Discrimination methodology. Time to VTE occurrence and overall survival were the two measures of clinical outcome evaluated. The results indicated that VTE occurrence (8.5%) had a significant impact on the patient's survival (log-rank test, P < 0.001). KS showed poor performance (KS ≥ 3, χ2, P = 0.191). PROCR rs10747514 and RGS7 rs2502448 were significantly associated with the risk of CC-related VTE development (P = 0.021 and P = 0.006, respectively) and represented valuable prognostic biomarkers regardless of VTE (P = 0.004 and P = 0.010, respectively). Thus, thrombogenesis-related genetic polymorphisms may constitute valuable biomarkers among CC patients allowing a more personalized clinical intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Beatriz Vieira Neto
- Molecular Oncology and Viral Pathology Group, Research Center of IPO Porto (CI-IPOP)/ Pathology and Laboratory Medicine Dep., Clinical Pathology SV/ RISE@CI-IPOP (Health Research Network), Portuguese Oncology Institute of Porto (IPO Porto) / Porto Comprehensive Cancer Centre (Porto.CCC), 4200-072, Porto, Portugal
- FMUP, Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, 4200-072, Porto, Portugal
- Research Department, Portuguese League Against Cancer (NRNorte), 4200-172, Porto, Portugal
| | - Valéria Tavares
- Molecular Oncology and Viral Pathology Group, Research Center of IPO Porto (CI-IPOP)/ Pathology and Laboratory Medicine Dep., Clinical Pathology SV/ RISE@CI-IPOP (Health Research Network), Portuguese Oncology Institute of Porto (IPO Porto) / Porto Comprehensive Cancer Centre (Porto.CCC), 4200-072, Porto, Portugal
- FMUP, Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, 4200-072, Porto, Portugal
- ICBAS, Abel Salazar Institute for the Biomedical Sciences, Rua de Jorge Viterbo Ferreira, 228, 4050-313, Porto, Portugal
- Research Department, Portuguese League Against Cancer (NRNorte), 4200-172, Porto, Portugal
| | - José Brito da Silva
- Oncology Department, Portuguese Institute of Oncology of Porto (IPOP), 4200-072, Porto, Portugal
| | - Joana Liz-Pimenta
- FMUP, Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, 4200-072, Porto, Portugal
- Department of Medical Oncology, Centro Hospitalar de Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro (CHTMAD), 5000-508, Vila Real, Portugal
| | - Inês Soares Marques
- Molecular Oncology and Viral Pathology Group, Research Center of IPO Porto (CI-IPOP)/ Pathology and Laboratory Medicine Dep., Clinical Pathology SV/ RISE@CI-IPOP (Health Research Network), Portuguese Oncology Institute of Porto (IPO Porto) / Porto Comprehensive Cancer Centre (Porto.CCC), 4200-072, Porto, Portugal
- FCUP, Faculty of Sciences, University of Porto, 4169-007, Porto, Portugal
| | - Luísa Carvalho
- External Radiotherapy Department, Portuguese Institute of Oncology of Porto (IPOP), 4200-072, Porto, Portugal
| | - Lurdes Salgado
- External Radiotherapy Department, Portuguese Institute of Oncology of Porto (IPOP), 4200-072, Porto, Portugal
| | - Deolinda Pereira
- Oncology Department, Portuguese Institute of Oncology of Porto (IPOP), 4200-072, Porto, Portugal
| | - Rui Medeiros
- Molecular Oncology and Viral Pathology Group, Research Center of IPO Porto (CI-IPOP)/ Pathology and Laboratory Medicine Dep., Clinical Pathology SV/ RISE@CI-IPOP (Health Research Network), Portuguese Oncology Institute of Porto (IPO Porto) / Porto Comprehensive Cancer Centre (Porto.CCC), 4200-072, Porto, Portugal.
- FMUP, Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, 4200-072, Porto, Portugal.
- ICBAS, Abel Salazar Institute for the Biomedical Sciences, Rua de Jorge Viterbo Ferreira, 228, 4050-313, Porto, Portugal.
- FCUP, Faculty of Sciences, University of Porto, 4169-007, Porto, Portugal.
- Research Department, Portuguese League Against Cancer (NRNorte), 4200-172, Porto, Portugal.
- CEBIMED, Faculty of Health Sciences, Fernando Pessoa University, 4200-150, Porto, Portugal.
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5
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Impact of hereditary thrombophilia on cancer-associated thrombosis, tumour susceptibility and progression: A review of existing evidence. Biochim Biophys Acta Rev Cancer 2022; 1877:188778. [PMID: 35963552 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbcan.2022.188778] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2022] [Revised: 07/22/2022] [Accepted: 08/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is a cardiovascular disorder frequently diagnosed among cancer patients. Aside from being common, VTE severely deteriorates the prognosis of these patients as they face a higher risk of morbidity and mortality, which makes clinical tools able to identify the patients more prompt to thrombogenesis very attractive. Over the years, several genetic polymorphisms have been linked with VTE susceptibility in the general population. However, their clinical usefulness as predictive biomarkers for cancer-related VTE is yet unclear. Furthermore, as a two-way association between cancer and VTE is well-recognized, with haemostatic components fuelling tumour progression, haemostatic gene polymorphisms constitute potential cancer predictive and/or prognostic biomarkers as well. Thus, in this article, we review the existing evidence on the role of these polymorphisms on cancer-related VTE and their impact on cancer onset and progression. Despite the promising findings, the existing studies had inconsistent results most likely due to their limited statistical power and population heterogeneity. Future studies are therefore required to clarify the role of these polymorphisms in setting of malignancy.
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Silva HH, Silva MRG, Cerqueira F, Tavares V, Medeiros R. Genomic profile in association with sport-type, sex, ethnicity, psychological traits and sport injuries of elite athletes: review and future perspectives. J Sports Med Phys Fitness 2021; 62:418-434. [PMID: 33666074 DOI: 10.23736/s0022-4707.21.12020-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
In the last few years, some inherited determinants have been associated with elite athletic performance, but its polygenic trait character has limited the correct definition of elite athlete's genomic profile. This qualitative descriptive study aims to summarise the current understanding about genetic and epigenetic factors in elite athletes, as well as their genomic profile in association with sport-type, sex, ethnicity, psychological traits and sport injuries. A narrative review of the literature across a broad cross-section of the elite athletes' genomic profile was undertaken. Elite performance relies on rare gene variants within a great interface between molecular, cellular and behavioural sport-related phenotypes and the environment, which is still poorly understood. ACTN3 rs1815739 and ACE I/D polymorphisms appear to be associated to specific sprint phenotypes and influence the athletic status, i.e., the rs1815739 variant is more influential to 200-m performance and the ACE ID polymorphism is more involved in the longer, 400-m sprint performance. Generally, athletes show endurance-based sports characteristics or power-based sports characteristics, but some studies have reported some genes associations to both sports-based characteristics. Furthermore, genetic studies with larger cohorts of single-sport athletes might be preferable than studies combining athletes of different sports, given the existence of distinct athlete profiles and sport demands. Athletic performance may be influenced by the serotonergic pathway and the potential injury risk (namely stress fracture) might be associated to a genetic predisposition associated to the mechanical loading from the intense physical exercise. The study of gene variants associated to sex and ethnicity-related to athletic performance needs further investigation. The combination of genome-wide association studies addressing the genetic architecture of athletes and the subsequent replication and validation studies might for additional genetic data is mandatory.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hugo-Henrique Silva
- ICBAS-Institute of Biomedical Sciences of the University of Porto, Porto, Portugal - .,União Desportiva Oliveirense, Senior Rink-Hockey Team, Oliveira de Azeméis, Portugal - .,Portuguese Ministry of Education, Lisbon, Portugal -
| | - Maria-Raquel G Silva
- Faculty of Health Sciences, University Fernando Pessoa, Porto, Portugal.,CIAS-Research Centre for Anthropology and Health - Human Biology, Health and Society, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal.,Comprehensive Health Research Centre-Group of Sleep, Chronobiology and Sleep Disorders-Nova Medical School, University of Lisbon, Lisbon, Portugal.,FP-ENAS Research Unit, UFP Energy, Environment and Health Research Unit, CEBIMED, Biomedical Research Centre, Fernando Pessoa University, Porto, Portugal
| | - Fátima Cerqueira
- Faculty of Health Sciences, University Fernando Pessoa, Porto, Portugal.,FP-ENAS Research Unit, UFP Energy, Environment and Health Research Unit, CEBIMED, Biomedical Research Centre, Fernando Pessoa University, Porto, Portugal.,Molecular Oncology & Viral Pathology Group, IPO-Porto Research Center (CI-IPOP), Portuguese Oncology Institute of Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Valéria Tavares
- ICBAS-Institute of Biomedical Sciences of the University of Porto, Porto, Portugal.,Molecular Oncology & Viral Pathology Group, IPO-Porto Research Center (CI-IPOP), Portuguese Oncology Institute of Porto, Porto, Portugal.,FMUP- Faculty of Medicine of the University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Rui Medeiros
- FP-ENAS Research Unit, UFP Energy, Environment and Health Research Unit, CEBIMED, Biomedical Research Centre, Fernando Pessoa University, Porto, Portugal.,Molecular Oncology & Viral Pathology Group, IPO-Porto Research Center (CI-IPOP), Portuguese Oncology Institute of Porto, Porto, Portugal.,Virology Service, Portuguese Oncology Institute of Porto, Porto, Portugal.,LPCC, Research Department - Portuguese League Against Cancer (LPPC - NRN), Porto, Portugal.,FMUP- Faculty of Medicine of the University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
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