Lack of Association Between CTLA-4 Genetic Polymorphisms and Noncardiac Gastric Cancer in a Chinese Population

Association of leptin receptor polymorphisms with susceptibility of non-small cell lung cancer: Evidence from 2249 subjects

Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is increasing dramatically. It is believed that energy metabolism-related genes could play an important role in etiology of NSCLC. In this study, we sought to assess the correlation between three LEPR single nucleotide polymorphisms (rs1137101, rs1137100 and rs6588147) with NSCLS susceptibility. In total, 1193 NSCLC cases and 1056 controls were included. SNPscan™ genotyping method was used to analyze the genotypes of LEPR polymorphisms. Compared to rs6588147 GG in LEPR gene, this study identified a protective role of LEPR rs6588147 GA and GA/AA for the occurrence of NSCLC (GA vs. GG [p = 0.021] and GA/AA vs. GG [p = 0.030]). As well, we found that a protective role of LEPR rs6588147 for the occurrence of non-SCC subgroup (p < 0.05). By logistic regression analysis, we found that the rs6588147 A allele related genotypes might play a protective role for the occurrence of NSCLC in drinking, BMI ≥24 kg/m2, smoking and male subgroups. We also found that the rs1137101 A allele related genotypes played a protective role for the occurrence of NSCLC in male, younger participants (under 59 years) and overweight/obesity (BMI ≥24 kg/m2) subgroups. We found that LEPR Ars1037100Ars1037101Ars6588147 haplotype might play a protective role for the occurrence of NSCLC (p = 0.013). In addition, our findings indicated that LEPR rs1137100 G>A SNP might increase the risk of lymph node metastases (p = 0.038). This study highlights that LEPR rs6588147, rs1137101 genotypes and LEPR Ars1037100Ars1037101Ars6588147 haplotype are correlated with the occurrence of NSCLC. LEPR rs1137100 G>A SNP increases the risk of lymph node metastases.

Impact of the cytotoxic T-lymphocyte associated antigen-4 rs231775 A/G polymorphism on cancer risk

Background

Cytotoxic T-lymphocyte associated antigen-4 (CTLA-4) is an immunosuppressive checkpoint that is involved in the development and metastasis of cancers. Several studies revealed that CTLA-4 rs231775A/G polymorphism may be associated with the risk of cancer in some populations, but the conclusions of these studies are not consistent.

Methods

We conducted a pooled analysis with eligible studies to explore the association between the CTLA-4 rs231775 variant and cancer risk. Additionally, we used in silico tools to evaluated the expression of CTLA-4 on urinary system cancer. Moreover, we adopted the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and Gene Set Enrichment Analysis (GSEA) to investigate the effects of CTLA-4 on bladder cancer (BLCA).

Results

In total, 92 case-control studies involving 29,987 patients with cancer and 36,484 healthy individuals (controls) were included in the pooled analysis. In the stratified analysis based on cancer type, the rs231775 A/G polymorphism was associated with increased bladder cancer risk in the heterozygote contrast model (OR = 1.23, 95% CI = 1.01-1.51, P = 0.040). The race-stratified analysis revealed that East Asians with the GG genotype had a 12% lower risk of developing cancer than those with the GA + AA genotype (95% CI = 0.81-0.95, P = 0.001). The in silico analysis showed that CTLA-4 expression was augmented in patients with BLCA. The ELISA results revealed that CTLA-4 expression was reduced in patients with BLCA carrying the AA genotype. Several signaling pathways, including cytokine-cytokine receptor interactions and T-cell receptor signaling, were associated with CTLA-4 expression.

Conclusion

The CTLA-4 rs231775 A/G polymorphism is associated with cancer risk in East Asian population. This polymorphism is especially associated with BLCA.

Correlation of CTLA-4 polymorphism and the risk of gastric cancer in a Chinese Bai population

Cytotoxic T lymphocyte-associated antigen-4 (CTLA-4) is involved in the regulation of immune responses mediated by T cells. This study aimed to explore the correlation between CTLA-4 gene polymorphisms and the risk of gastric cancer (GC) in the Bai minority population of southwestern China. A total of 422 GC patients and 397 healthy controls (HC) were included in this case-control study. Four single nucleotide polymorphism sites of CTLA-4 gene (rs231775, rs733618, rs16840252 and rs3087243) were selected and analysed. The results showed a significant difference in the rs733618 loci between GC and HC groups. The frequency of the rs733618 polymorphism 'TC' genotype was significantly lower in GC group compared to the HC group [odds ratio (OR), 95% confidence interval (CI): .47 (.35-.63), p < .001]. GC cases with dominant genetic model 'TC + CC' had a 47% reduced risk of GC [OR, 95%CI: .53 (.40-.71), p < .001]. Subgroup analyses revealed that the rs733618 'TC + CC' genotype was associated with a lower risk of GC in male patients [OR, 95%CI: .42 (.31-.58), p < .001], those aged ≤60 years old [OR, 95%CI: .27 (.18-.42), p < .001], non-drinkers [OR, 95%CI: .21 (.13-.33), p < .001], non-smokers [OR, 95%CI: .38 (.25-.57), p < .001] and individuals without Helicobacter pylori infection [OR, 95%CI: .16 (.10-.26), p < .001]. Further multivariated analyses indicated that individuals with the 'TC + CC' rs733618 genotype who were aged ≤60 years old [OR, 95%CI: .42 (.29-.83), p = .032] and had no H. pylori infection [OR, 95%CI: .35 (.28-.76), p = .018] were found to have a protective effect against GC. Additionally, soluble CTLA-4 were significantly lower in GC patients with 'TC' and 'TC + CC' genotypes (all p < .05). Our findings suggest that the rs733618 polymorphism of CTLA-4 gene may play a critical role in the prevention of GC.

Association between PPARγ, PPARGC1A, and PPARGC1B genetic variants and susceptibility of gastric cancer in an Eastern Chinese population

PURPOSE

Previous studies showed that peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ) and PPARγ coactivator1 family (PPARGC1A and PPARGC1B) gene single nucleotide variants (SNVs)were strongly associated with cancer susceptibility. The purpose of this study was to investigate the association of PPARγ, PPARGC1A, and PPARGC1B variants with the risk of gastric cancer (GC).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We performed a case-control study of 490 GC cases and 1,476 healthy controls from eastern China. PPARγ rs1801282 C > G, rs3856806 C > T, PPARGC1A rs2970847 C > T, rs8192678 C > T and PPARGC1B rs7732671 G > C, rs17572019 G > A SNVs were selected to investigate the association between these SNVs and GC susceptibility. Genotypes of the SNVs were assessed by multiplex fluorescent PCR using a custom-by-design 48-Plex SNPscan^tm Kit.

RESULTS

The PPARγ rs1801282 SNV was associated with a decreased risk for GC (GC vs. CC: odds ratio (OR) = 0.62, 95% confidence interval (95%CI) = 0.42-0.93, adjusted P = 0.019; GC + GG vs. GG: OR = 0.63 95%CI = 0.42-0.93, adjusted P = 0.019; respectively). In addition, stratified analysis revealed that the PPARγ rs1801282 SNV was correlated with the risk of GC in subgroups of age ≥ 61, no smoking, and no alcohol consuming. We also confirmed that the PPARγ rs3856806 C > T SNV promoted the risk of GC in women. The PPARGC1A rs8192678 TT genotype decreased the susceptibility of GC in men. The PPARGC1A rs2970847 C > T SNV decreased the susceptibility of GC in the subgroup of BMI ≥ 24 kg/m². The PPARGC1B rs7732671 G > C and rs17572019 G > A SNVs promoted the risk of GC in the subgroup of BMI ≥ 24 kg/m².

CONCLUSION

This study indicates that the PPARγ, PPARGC1A, and PPARGC1B SNVs may be associated with the susceptibility of GC in eastern Chinese population. Future studies with larger populations, detailed H. pylori infection status for subgroup analysis, and functional study are needed to further clarify the relationship between these SNVs and GC risk.

Signaling pathways and therapeutic interventions in gastric cancer

Gastric cancer (GC) ranks fifth in global cancer diagnosis and fourth in cancer-related death. Despite tremendous progress in diagnosis and therapeutic strategies and significant improvements in patient survival, the low malignancy stage is relatively asymptomatic and many GC cases are diagnosed at advanced stages, which leads to unsatisfactory prognosis and high recurrence rates. With the recent advances in genome analysis, biomarkers have been identified that have clinical importance for GC diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis. Modern molecular classifications have uncovered the vital roles that signaling pathways, including EGFR/HER2, p53, PI3K, immune checkpoint pathways, and cell adhesion signaling molecules, play in GC tumorigenesis, progression, metastasis, and therapeutic responsiveness. These biomarkers and molecular classifications open the way for more precise diagnoses and treatments for GC patients. Nevertheless, the relative significance, temporal activation, interaction with GC risk factors, and crosstalk between these signaling pathways in GC are not well understood. Here, we review the regulatory roles of signaling pathways in GC potential biomarkers, and therapeutic targets with an emphasis on recent discoveries. Current therapies, including signaling-based and immunotherapies exploited in the past decade, and the development of treatment for GC, particularly the challenges in developing precision medications, are discussed. These advances provide a direction for the integration of clinical, molecular, and genomic profiles to improve GC diagnosis and treatments.

Comprehensive Analysis of 29,464 Cancer Cases and 35,858 Controls to Investigate the Effect of the Cytotoxic T-Lymphocyte Antigen 4 Gene rs231775 A/G Polymorphism on Cancer Risk

In our previous studies, we found that the rs231775 polymorphism of cytotoxic T-lymphocyte antigen 4 (CTLA-4) is associated with risks of different cancer types; however, the association remains controversial and ambiguous, so we conducted an in-depth meta-analysis to verify the association. A complete search of the PubMed, Google Scholar, Embase, Chinese databases, and Web of Science was conducted without regard to language limitations, covering all publications since November 20, 2021. The search criteria for cancer susceptibility associated with the polymorphism in the CTLA-4 gene rs231775 resulted in 87 case-control studies with 29,464 cases and 35,858 controls. The association strength was analyzed using odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals. Overall, we found that the CTLA-4 rs231775 polymorphism may reduce cancer risk. A stratified cancer type analysis showed that CTLA-4 rs231775 polymorphism was a risk factor for colorectal cancer and thyroid cancer; on the other hand, it was a protective factor for breast cancer, liver cancer, cervical cancer, bone cancer, head and neck, and pancreatic cancer. We also classified cancer into five systems and observed an increased association with digestive tract cancer, decreased associations with orthopedic tumors, tumors of the urinary system, and gynecological tumors. In the subgroup based on race, decreased relationships were observed in both Asians and Caucasians. The same decreased association was also shown in the analysis of the source of control analysis. Our present study indicates that the CTLA-4 rs231775 polymorphism contributes to cancer development and aggression.

Lack of Association Between PDCD-1 Polymorphisms and Colorectal Cancer Risk: A Case-Control Study

Functional variants of immune-related genes may be implicated in the occurrence of colorectal cancer (CRC). In this study, Programmed cell death (PDCD)-1.6 (rs10204525 T/C), PDCD-1.7 (rs7421861 A/G), and PDCD-1.9 (rs2227982 A/G) loci were selected to explore gene expression and the potential susceptibility to the development of CRC. Here, 1,003 CRC patients and 1,303 controls were included and three PDCD-1 tagging loci were selected and analyzed by using SNPscan genotyping assays. SHESIS software was harnessed to obtain the haplotypes of the PDCD-1 gene. We found that the genotype and allele distribution of PDCD-1 tagging loci did not significantly affect the risk of CRC. Adjustment for body mass index, age, smoking, alcohol using and sex also found that PDCD-1 tagging loci did not influence the occurrence of CRC. In conclusion, this study suggests that the PDCD-1 tagging loci (rs10204525, rs7421861, and rs2227982) are not correlated with CRC susceptibility.

Immune Checkpoint Molecules-Inherited Variations as Markers for Cancer Risk

In recent years, immunotherapy has been revolutionized by a new approach that works by blocking receptors called immune checkpoints (IC). These molecules play a key role in maintaining immune homeostasis, mainly by suppressing the immune response and by preventing its overactivation. Since inhibition of the immune response by IC can be used by cancer to avoid recognition and destruction by immune system, blocking them enhances the anti-tumor response. This therapeutic approach has brought spectacular clinical effects. The ICs present heterogeneous expression patterns on immune cells, which may affect the effectiveness of immunotherapy. The inherited genetic variants in regulatory regions of ICs genes can be considered as potential factors responsible for observed inter-individual differences in ICs expression levels on immune cells. Additionally, polymorphism located in exons may introduce changes to ICs amino acid sequences with potential impact on functional properties of these molecules. Since genetic variants may affect both expression and structure of ICs, they are considered as risk factors of cancer development. Inherited genetic markers such as SNPs may also be useful in stratification patients into groups which will benefit from particular immunotherapy. In this review, we have comprehensively summarized the current understanding of the relationship between inherited variations of CTLA-4, PDCD1, PD-L1, BTLA, TIM-3, and LAG-3 genes in order to select SNPs which can be used as predictive biomarkers in personalized evaluation of cancer risk development and outcomes as well as possible response to immunotherapy.

The correlation of microRNA-499 rs3746444 T>C locus with the susceptibility of gastric cancer: from a case-control study to a meta-analysis

The relationship between rs3746444 T>C single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) in microRNA (mir)-499 and risk of gastric cancer (GC) has been widely investigated. However, the association was still unconfirmed. Here, we first recruited 490 GC patients and 1476 controls, and conducted a case-control study. And we did not find any association between rs3746444 T>C SNP polymorphism and risk of GC. Subsequently, we conducted a meta-analysis to explore the association of mir-499 rs3746444 polymorphism with GC development. Two authors searched the PubMed and EMBASE databases up to October 15, 2019 independently. Finally, nine literatures involving 12 independent studies were included. In total, 3954 GC cases and 9745 controls were recruited for meta-analysis. The results suggested that allele model, homozygote model and recessive model could increase the risk of overall GC (P = 0.002, 0.009 and 0.013, respectively). When we excluded the studies violated HWE, this association was also found in allele model (P = 0.020) and dominant model (P= 0.044). In subgroup analyses, we identified that rs3746444 SNP in mir-499 increased the risk of GC in Asians and gastric cardiac adenocarcinoma (GCA) subgroups. No significant bias of selection was found (all P>0.1). Test of sensitivity analysis indicated that our findings were stable. Additionally, we found that the power value was 0.891 in the allele model, suggesting the reliability of our findings. In summary, our analysis confirmed the association between rs3746444 and the risk of GC, especially in Asians and in patients with GCA.

Association of cytotoxic T lymphocyte-associated protein 4 gene -1772T/C polymorphism with gastric cancer risk: A prisma-compliant meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

We performed a meta-analysis to more precisely evaluate the association between the cytotoxic T lymphocyte-associated protein 4 (CTLA-4) -1772T/C polymorphism and overall gastric cancer (GC) risk and the influence of ethnicity and the source of controls on that association.

METHODS

A systematic literature search was performed in PubMed, EMBASE, the Cochrane Library, Web of Science (WOS) Database, Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), China biomedical literature database (CBM), Wanfang database, and VIP. Two investigators independently reviewed the articles, and disagreements were resolved by discussion and consensus. The odds ratio (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) was used to assess the strength of the association between the CTLA-4 -1722T/C polymorphism and GC risk, based on the genotype frequencies in cases and controls. The meta-analyses were performed with Stata 12.0, using two-sided P values. Trial sequential analysis (TSA) was calculated by TSA Software.

RESULTS

Overall, we identified 5 studies including 1039 GC cases and 2136 controls that evaluated the association of the CTLA-4 -1722T/C polymorphism and GC risk. Overall, there was no significant association between the CTLA-4-1722T/C polymorphism and the risk of GC. In the subgroup analysis based on ethnicity, the results showed that the relationship between the CTLA-4 -1722T/C polymorphism and GC susceptibility was strongest in the Chinese population rather than in the Iranian population (TC vs CC: OR = 1.405, 95% CI: 1.100-1.796, P = .007; TC+TT vs CC: OR = 1.329, 95% CI: 1.052-1.680, P = .017). Then, there was a significant association between the CTLA-4 -1722T/C polymorphism and the risk of GC in studies with HB controls. However, the above correlation can only be reflected in specific populations and gene models. Therefore, we believe that the evidence of this correlation is insufficient.

CONCLUSION

Our meta-analysis showed that the CTLA-4 -1722T/C polymorphism may be associated with the susceptibility to GC. However, the slight correlation can only be reflected in specific populations and gene models. Therefore, we believe that this association is negligible. The large and well-designed case-control studies are needed to validate our findings.