A functional polymorphism in the promoter region of the IL1B gene is associated with risk of multiple myeloma

An IL-1β-driven neutrophil-stromal cell axis fosters a BAFF-rich protumor microenvironment in individuals with multiple myeloma

Human bone marrow permanently harbors high numbers of neutrophils, and a tumor-supportive bias of these cells could significantly impact bone marrow-confined malignancies. In individuals with multiple myeloma, the bone marrow is characterized by inflammatory stromal cells with the potential to influence neutrophils. We investigated myeloma-associated alterations in human marrow neutrophils and the impact of stromal inflammation on neutrophil function. Mature neutrophils in myeloma marrow are activated and tumor supportive and transcribe increased levels of IL1B and myeloma cell survival factor TNFSF13B (BAFF). Interactions with inflammatory stromal cells induce neutrophil activation, including BAFF secretion, in a STAT3-dependent manner, and once activated, neutrophils gain the ability to reciprocally induce stromal activation. After first-line myeloid-depleting antimyeloma treatment, human bone marrow retains residual stromal inflammation, and newly formed neutrophils are reactivated. Combined, we identify a neutrophil-stromal cell feed-forward loop driving tumor-supportive inflammation that persists after treatment and warrants novel strategies to target both stromal and immune microenvironments in multiple myeloma.

IL1B Polymorphism (rs1143634) and IL-1β Plasma Concentration as Predictors of Nutritional Disorders and Prognostic Factors in Multiple Myeloma Patients

BACKGROUND

Multiple myeloma (MM) is a hematological neoplasm of the early precursor of B-cells. The most characteristic symptoms observed during MM include hypocalcemia, anemia, bacterial infections, and renal damage. Nutritional disorders, especially malnutrition, are noted in about 35-71% of MM patients. Interleukin 1 beta (IL-1β) is a proinflammatory cytokine responsible for muscle atrophy and lipolysis during malnutrition and cachexia. This study aimed to evaluate the usefulness of the IL1B single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) (rs1143634) and plasma concentration of IL-1β in the assessment of the risk of nutritional disorders and prognosis in patients with MM.

METHODS

In our study, 93 patients with the de novo MM were enrolled. The real-time PCR with specific TaqMan probes method was used in genotyping. The IL-1β ELISA kit was used to determine IL-1β concentration in plasma samples.

RESULTS

Patients with the CC genotype, compared to the carriers of the other variants of the IL1B, demonstrated significantly higher concentrations of IL-1β in plasma (7.56 vs. 4.97 pg/mL), a significantly higher risk of cachexia (OR = 5.11), and a significantly higher risk of death (HR = 2.03). Moreover, high IL-1β plasma level was related to a significantly higher risk of cachexia (OR = 7.76); however, it was not significantly associated with progression-free survival (PFS) or overall survival (OS).

CONCLUSIONS

Determination of the IL1B SNP (rs1143634) and plasma concentration of IL-1β may be useful in the assessment of the risk of cachexia and prognosis in patients with MM.

Current perspectives on interethnic variability in multiple myeloma: Single cell technology, population pharmacogenetics and molecular signal transduction

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This review discusses the emerging single cell technologies and applications in Multiple myeloma (MM), population pharmacogenetics of MM, resistance to chemotherapy, genetic determinants of drug-induced toxicity, molecular signal transduction.

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The role(s) of epigenetics and noncoding RNAs including microRNAs (miRNAs) and long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) that influence the risk and severity of MM are also discussed.

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It is understood that ethnic component acts as a driver of variable response to chemotherapy in different sub-populations globally.

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This review augments our understanding of genetic variability in ‘myelomagenesis’ and drug-induced toxicity, myeloma microenvironment at the molecular and cellular level, and developing precision medicine strategies to combat this malignancy.

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The emerging single cell technologies hold great promise for enhancing our understanding of MM tumor heterogeneity and clonal diversity.

Multiple myeloma (MM) is an aggressive cancer characterised by malignancy of the plasma cells and a rising global incidence. The gold standard for optimum response is aggressive chemotherapy followed by autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT). However, majority of the patients are above 60 years and this presents the clinician with complications such as ineligibility for ASCT, frailty, drug-induced toxicity and differential/partial response to treatment. The latter is partly driven by heterogenous genotypes of the disease in different subpopulations. In this review, we discuss emerging single cell technologies and applications in MM, population pharmacogenetics of MM, resistance to chemotherapy, genetic determinants of drug-induced toxicity, molecular signal transduction, as well as the role(s) played by epigenetics and noncoding RNAs including microRNAs (miRNAs) and long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) that influence the risk and severity of the disease. Taken together, our discussions further our understanding of genetic variability in ‘myelomagenesis’ and drug-induced toxicity, augment our understanding of the myeloma microenvironment at the molecular and cellular level and provide a basis for developing precision medicine strategies to combat this malignancy.

Role of Interleukin-1 in the pathogenesis of colorectal cancer: A brief look at anakinra therapy

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is known as one of the deadliest and most common cancers globally and causes nearly one million cancer deaths yearly. Like many malignancies, the immune system and its components play a crucial role in the pathogenesis of CRC. As multifunction mediators of the immune system, cytokines are involved in several inflammatory and anti-inflammatory responses. Interleukin-1 (IL-1) belongs to a family of 11 members and is involved in inflammatory responses. Beyond its biological role as a mediator of innate immune responses, it is also seen in chronic stress and inflammation and numerous pathological states. The role of IL-1 in malignancies can also be very significant because it has recently been shown that this cytokine can also be secreted from tumor cells and induce the recruitment of myeloid-derived immunosuppressive cells. As a result, the tumor microenvironment (TME) is affected and, despite being inflammatory, causes the onset and progression of tumor cells. Since surgery and chemotherapy are the first choices to treat patients with cancer, especially CRC, it is usually not well-prognosed, particularly in patients with metastatic lesions CRC. Therefore, targeted therapy may prolong the overall survival of CRC patients. Furthermore, evidence shows that anakinra has had satisfactory results in treating CRC. Therefore, this review summarized the role of IL-1 in the pathogenesis of CRC as well as immunotherapy based on inhibition of this cytokine in this type of cancer.

Relationship between the IL-1β serum concentration, mRNA levels and rs16944 genotype in the hyperglycemic normalization of T2D patients

To evaluate Interleukin 1-beta (IL-1β) serum and mononuclear leucocyte mRNA levels, also rs16944 (−511C/T) genotype, in relation to hyperglycemic normalization in Type 2 diabetes (T2D) patients, we recruited 30 individuals recently T2D diagnosed with hyperglycemia studied at basal time and after 6 and 12 months of the normalization treatment. At basal time, the T polymorphic allele of the rs16944 was associated with lower IL-1β mRNA expression (p = 0.006); and higher glucose level was positive correlated to IL-1β protein levels (p = 0.015). After treatment, the individuals showed a significant decrease in glucose level (p = 0.003), but they did not express significant changes in the IL-1β serum levels. Surprisingly, we observed that the greater decreases in glucose level were associated to increased IL-1β serum levels (p = 0.040). This is the first follow-up study evaluating IL-1β mRNA expression and serum levels in hyperglycemic T2D individuals and after glycemic normalization treatment. The current results contribute to the knowledge of the relationship between inflammation and glucose metabolism in T2D.

Association between interleukin gene polymorphisms and multiple myeloma susceptibility

The present study performed a retrospective observational study in order to investigate the relationship between the interleukin family gene polymorphisms and risk of multiple myeloma (MM), based on sixteen case-control studies that contained 2,597 patients with MM and 3,851 controls. The results demonstrated that the genotypes IL-6 and IL-1 GG increased the risk of MM by approximately 40.8 and 80.2% compared with the genotypes AA and CC [odds ratio (OR)=1.14, 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.88-1.47, and OR=1.16, 95% CI, 0.61-2.19; respectively]. The results also revealed a significant association between T:C polymorphism of the IL-6 and IL-10 and the risk of MM (TC/CC: OR=1.37, 95% CI, 0.88-2.16 and TT/CC: OR=1.26, 95% CI, 0.77-2.06, respectively). Additionally, no significant association was identified between the C:A polymorphisms of the IL-6 (rs8192284) and IL-10 (rs1800872) receptors and the overall risk of MM (P>0.05). G:C polymorphisms of the IL-1β1464G>C and IL-6572G>C significantly increased the risk of MM (P<0.05). However, it has been determined that there is a significant association between the C:T polymorphism of the IL-1α-889C>T and IL-1β-3737C>T and the risk of MM (P<0.001). Subgroup analysis revealed that the detection of G:A polymorphisms in the IL-6 promoter (OR=1.05, 95% CI, 0.78-1.44) is more accurate in MM samples of the Asian population (OR=1.24, 95% CI, 0.92-1.74). In addition, no significant association was identified between the IL gene polymorphisms in MM samples categorized by ethnicity and the IL family type (P=0.27). These single nucleotide polymorphism loci may be the appropriate gene markers for gene screening and a promising therapeutic strategy in the prognostics of patients with MM.

The Role of Interleukin-1 in the Pathogenesis of Cancer and its Potential as a Therapeutic Target in Clinical Practice

Interleukin-1 (IL-1) has long been known to be a key mediator of immunity and inflammation. Its dysregulation has been implicated in recent years in tumorigenesis and tumor progression, and its upregulation is thought to be associated with many tumors. Overexpression of the IL-1 agonists IL-1α and IL-1β has been shown to promote tumor invasiveness and metastasis by inducing the expression of angiogenic genes and growth factors. IL-1 blockers such as anakinra and canakinumab are already approved and widely used for the treatment of some autoimmune and autoinflammatory diseases and are currently being tested in preclinical and human clinical trials for cancer therapy. In this paper we review the most recent discoveries regarding the association between IL-1 dysregulation and cancer and present the novel IL-1 blockers currently being tested in cancer therapy and their corresponding clinical trials.

Toll-like receptor 4 rs11536889 is associated with angiographic extent and severity of coronary artery disease in a Chinese population

Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) is a key modulator in many inflammation-related diseases. Polymorphisms in the TLR4 gene may alter TLR4 expression and affect the extent and severity of coronary artery disease (CAD). We analyzed 3 polymorphisms of TLR4 in 607 Chinese subjects who underwent coronary arteriography. Blood samples were collected to identify the polymorphisms. We evaluated the relationships between the polymorphisms and the number of vessels involved in coronary stenosis, Gensini scores, and Duke prognostic scores. We found that rs11536889 was associated with an increased risk of 3-vessel disease. When subjects with 3-vessel disease were compared to subjects with nonsignificant CAD, rs11536889 variant genotypes were associated with an increased risk of 3-vessel disease (GC/CC vs. GG: OR=2.06, 95%CI=1.21-3.51). When subjects with 3-vessel disease were compared to subjects with 1-vessel disease, rs11536889 variant genotypes were associated with an increased risk of 3-vessel disease (GC vs. GG: OR=2.14, 95%CI=1.20-3.79; GC/CC vs. GG: OR=2.06, 95%CI=1.20-3.54). When subjects with 3-vessel disease were compared to subjects with non-3-vessel disease, rs11536889 variant genotypes were associated with an increased risk of 3-vessel disease (GC vs. GG: OR=1.76, 95%CI=1.12-2.75; GC/CC vs. GG: OR=1.83, 95%CI=1.19-2.82). The TLR4 rs11536889 polymorphism was also related to Gensini score (P=0.02). The Gensini score was higher in subjects with the variant CC and GC/CC genotype than in subjects with the wild GG genotype (61.28 1.84 and 57.6434.82 vs. 51.2734.57). Our results demonstrate that TLR4 rs11536889 polymorphism is a novel genetic factor in the development of CAD, influencing the extent and severity of CAD.

An updated meta-analysis of 37 case-control studies on the association between NFKB1 -94ins/del ATTG promoter polymorphism and cancer susceptibility

As a cell survival signal, nuclear factor-kappa B (NFKB) is associated with the pathogenesis of numerous malignancies. According to several studies, NFKB1 −94ins/del ATTG promoter polymorphism is associated with the risk of different malignancies, but the results were not consistent. Therefore, we performed an updated meta-analysis based on 37 case-control studies from 33 articles (16,271 cases and 22,781 controls) to clarify the relationship. The odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) were used to determine the strength of the association. We found that the NFKB1 −94ins/del ATTG promoter polymorphism was significantly associated with increased susceptibility to cancer in the recessive (II vs. ID+DD, OR = 1.140, 95% CI = 1.029–1.263, p =0.012), homozygote (II vs. DD, OR = 1.259, 95% CI = 1.068–1.485, p =0.006), and allele (I vs. D, OR = 1.109, 95% CI = 1.025–1.199, p =0.010) genetic models. The subgroup analysis for ethnicity found that the NFKB1 −94ins/del ATTG promoter polymorphism was significantly associated with an increased susceptibility to cancer in Asians and with a decreased susceptibility in Caucasians. The stratified analyses revealed significant associations between the polymorphism and increased susceptibility to ovarian cancer, oral squamous cell carcinoma, and nasopharyngeal carcinoma.

NFKB1 -94insertion/deletion ATTG polymorphism and cancer risk: Evidence from 50 case-control studies

Nuclear factor-kappa B1 (NF-κB1) is a pleiotropic transcription factor and key contributor to tumorigenesis in many types of cancer. Numerous studies have addressed the association of a functional insertion (I)/deletion (D) polymorphism (-94ins/delATTG, rs28362491) in the promoter region of NFKB1 gene with the risk of various types of cancer; however, their conclusions have been inconsistent. We therefore conducted a meta-analysis to reevaluate this association. PubMed, EMBASE, China National Knowledge infrastructure (CNKI), and WANFANG databases were searched through July 2016 to retrieve relevant studies. After careful assessment, 50 case-control studies, comprising 18,299 cases and 23,484 controls were selected. Crude odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were used to determine the strength of the association. The NFKB1 -94ins/delATTG polymorphism was associated with a decreased risk of overall cancer in the homozygote model (DD vs. II): OR = 0.75, 95% CI = 0.64-0.87); heterozygote model (ID vs. II): OR = 0.91, 95% CI = 0.83-0.99; recessive model (DD vs. ID/II): OR = 0.81, 95% CI = 0.71-0.91; dominant model (ID/DD vs. II): OR = 0.86, 95% CI = 0.78-0.95; and allele contrast model (D vs. I): OR = 0.88, 95% CI = 0.81-0.95). Subgroup and stratified analyses revealed decreased risks for lung cancer, nasopharyngeal carcinoma, prostate cancer, ovarian cancer, and oral squamous cell carcinoma, and this association held true also for Asians (especially Chinese subjects) in hospital-based studies, and in studies with quality scores less than nine. Well-designed, large-scale case-control studies are needed to confirm these results.

Genetic association between NFKB1 -94 ins/del ATTG Promoter Polymorphism and cancer risk: a meta-analysis of 42 case-control studies

Accumulating evidences have indicated that the functional -94 ins/del ATTG polymorphism in the promoter region of human nuclear factor-kappa B1 (NFKB1) gene may be associated with cancer risk. However, some studies yielded conflicting results. To clarify precise association, we performed a comprehensive meta-analysis of 42 case-control studies involving 43,000 subjects (18,222 cases and 24,778 controls). The overall results suggested that the -94 ins/del ATTG polymorphism had a decreased risk for cancer, reaching significant levels in five genetic models (dominant model: OR = 0.86, 95% CI = 0.79–0.95, P = 0.002; recessive model: OR = 0.84, 95% CI = 0.74–0.94, P = 0.003; homozygous model: OR = 0.77, 95% CI = 0.66–0.90, P = 0.001; heterozygous model: OR = 0.90, 95% CI = 0.83–0.98, P = 0.011; allelic model: OR = 0.89, 95% CI = 0.83–0.96, P = 0.002). Furthermore, the -94 ins/del ATTG polymorphism could confer a decreased or increased risk for cancer development among Asians and Caucasians, respectively. Additionally, the stratification analysis revealed a significant association between the variant and decreased risk of oral, ovarian, and nasopharyngeal cancer in Asians. After we adjusted p values using the Benjamini-Hochberg false discovery rate method to account for multiple comparisons, these associations remained.

Deploying myeloid cells against myeloma

Myeloma remains incurable despite recent therapeutic advances. We propose that minimal residual disease following cytoreductive therapy may be controlled through re-education of myeloid cells to elicit tumoricidal activity. We review work from our laboratory and others highlighting aspects of macrophage-myeloma cell crosstalk as well as strategies for therapeutic macrophage reprogramming.

Association study of functional polymorphisms in interleukins and interleukin receptors genes: IL1A, IL1B, IL1RN, IL6, IL6R, IL10, IL10RA and TGFB1 in schizophrenia in Polish population

Schizophrenia has been associated with a large range of autoimmune diseases, with a history of any autoimmune disease being associated with a 45% increase in risk for the illness. The inflammatory system may trigger or modulate the course of schizophrenia through complex mechanisms influencing neurodevelopment, neuroplasticity and neurotransmission. In particular, increases or imbalance in cytokine before birth or during the early stages of life may affect neurodevelopment and produce vulnerability to the disease. A total of 27 polymorphisms of IL1N gene: rs1800587, rs17561; IL1B gene: rs1143634, rs1143643, rs16944, rs4848306, rs1143623, rs1143633, rs1143627; IL1RN gene: rs419598, rs315952, rs9005, rs4251961; IL6 gene: rs1800795, rs1800797; IL6R gene: rs4537545, rs4845617, rs2228145, IL10 gene: rs1800896, rs1800871, rs1800872, rs1800890, rs6676671; IL10RA gene: rs2229113, rs3135932; TGF1B gene: rs1800469, rs1800470; each selected on the basis of molecular evidence for functionality, were investigated in this study. Analysis was performed on a group of 621 patients with diagnosis of schizophrenia and 531 healthy controls in Polish population. An association of rs4848306 in IL1B gene, rs4251961 in IL1RN gene, rs2228145 and rs4537545 in IL6R with schizophrenia have been observed. rs6676671 in IL10 was associated with early age of onset. Strong linkage disequilibrium was observed between analyzed polymorphisms in each gene, except of IL10RA. We observed that haplotypes composed of rs4537545 and rs2228145 in IL6R gene were associated with schizophrenia. Analyses with family history of schizophrenia, other psychiatric disorders and alcohol abuse/dependence did not show any positive findings. Further studies on larger groups along with correlation with circulating protein levels are needed.

Dysregulation of the NLRP3 inflammasome complex and related cytokines in patients with multiple myeloma

OBJECTIVE

The NLRP3 inflammasome complex, an important regulatory factor of inflammation and cell apoptosis, has attracted considerable attention in the development of tumor. Here, we analyzed the expression and clinical significance of NLRP3 inflammasome complex and related cytokines in patients with multiple myeloma (MM).

METHODS

Peripheral blood and bone marrow of 38 newly diagnosed myeloma patients and 25 age- and gender-matched healthy people were studied. NLRP3 and caspase-1 were analyzed using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction and Western blot and IL-1beta, IL-18, RANKL, and OPG were evaluated by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.

RESULTS

We showed that aberrant NLRP3 and caspase-1 expression were observed in MM and down-regulated compared with the healthy people. We further demonstrated that NLRP3 mRNA was negatively correlated with beta2-microglobulin and plasma cell percentage in MM. The downstream cytokines IL-18 and sRANKL/OPG in MM patients were higher than that in control group. Moreover, the lower mRNA levels of NLRP3 and caspase-1 were shown to be positively correlated with IL-1beta in newly diagnosed MM patients.

CONCLUSIONS

This study demonstrated that dysregulated expression of NLRP3-caspase-1-IL-1beta axis was observed in patients with MM, suggesting they might be involved in the pathogenesis of MM.

Racial/ethnic disparities in inflammatory gene single-nucleotide polymorphisms as predictors of a high risk for symptom burden in patients with multiple myeloma 1 year after diagnosis

BACKGROUND

This study was conducted to determine whether any regulatory single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) in an inflammatory gene was associated with a high symptom burden in patients 1 year after the diagnosis of multiple myeloma (MM).

METHODS

MM patients rated symptoms with the MD Anderson Symptom Inventory multiple myeloma module (MDASI-MM) and provided buccal-swab DNA samples. SNPs for 4 cytokine genes (interleukin 6 [IL6] -174G>C, IL1β -511C>T, tumor necrosis factor α [TNFα] -308G>A, and IL10 -1082G>A) were tested. Logistic regression models were used to identify SNPs that might predict moderate/severe symptoms (rated ≥ 4 on the MDASI-MM 0-10 scale). For the evaluation of the relationship between SNPs and overall symptom burden, a 2-step cluster analysis was used to divide patients into subgroups with high or low symptom levels.

RESULTS

Forty-one percent of the 344 patients enrolled had a high overall symptom burden. The most prevalent moderate/severe symptoms were fatigue (47%), pain (42%), numbness (38%), and bone aches (32%). For non-Hispanic whites, the IL1β -511 CC genotype was associated with a high overall symptom burden (odds ratio [OR], 2.35; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.25-4.72; P = .004), whereas the IL6 -174 GG genotype predicted less moderate/severe fatigue (OR, 0.53; 95% CI, 0.29-0.88; P = .013). For other patients, the IL6 -174 GG genotype predicted moderate/severe pain (OR, 3.36; 95% CI, 1.23-13.64; P = .010).

CONCLUSIONS

These results support growing evidence showing that inflammation is associated with cancer-related symptoms, and they suggest that racial/ethnic factors contribute to this association.

Increased frequency of Mediterranean fever gene variants in multiple myeloma

High frequencies of inherited variants in the Mediterranean fever (MEFV) gene have been identified in patients with multiple myeloma (MM). The sample size of the present pilot study was small, therefore, the actual frequency of inherited variants in the MEFV gene could be investigated in patients with MM. Twenty-eight patients with MM and 65 healthy controls were included in the study. Six heterozygous and one homozygous (E148Q/E148Q) variant was identified in patients with MM. None of the patients had a family history compatible with familial Mediterranean fever. In the healthy control group, 11 heterozygous variants were identified. The difference in the overall frequency of the inherited variants in the MEFV gene between the MM patients and the controls was statistically significant (χ²=4.905; P=0.027). In conclusion, a high frequency of inherited variants in the MEFV gene was identified in patients with MM. Based on the current data, it is hypothesized that the MEFV gene is a cancer susceptibility gene. Additional evidence, such as familial aggregation, monozygotic versus dizygotic twin concordance, and tumors in genetically engineered model organisms, is required in order to support this hypothesis.

Association between NFKB1 -94ins/del ATTG Promoter Polymorphism and Cancer Susceptibility: An Updated Meta-Analysis

Nuclear factor-κB is associated with the pathogenesis of numerous malignancies, and the functional polymorphism −94ins/del ATTG (rs28362491) in the human NFKB1 gene is associated with cancer risk. Previous studies on the association between the −94ins/del ATTG polymorphism and cancer risk reported conflicting results. To clarify this relationship, we performed a meta-analysis of 21 case-control studies involving 6127 cases and 9238 controls. We used pooled odds ratios (ORs) with their 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) to assess the association. We found that the NFKB1 promoter −94ins/del ATTG polymorphism was significantly associated with cancer risk in four genetic models (ins/ins versus del/del, OR = 1.47, 95% CI = 1.11–1.93; dominant model, OR = 1.26, 95% CI = 1.03–1.53; recessive model, OR = 1.26, 95% CI = 1.05–1.51; ins allele versus del allele, OR = 1.19, 95% CI = 1.05–1.35). Stratified analyses revealed a significant association between the polymorphism and ovarian, oral, and prostate cancers. Similar results were determined in an Asian population and not in a Caucasian population. Thus, our results suggested that the polymorphism can contribute to cancer risk. Moreover, the polymorphism can exert race- and cancer-specific effects on cancer risk. Further large-scale and functional studies are necessary to elucidate this possible effect.

Interleukin-1β genotype and circulating levels in cancer patients: metastatic status and pain perception

OBJECTIVES

Proinflammatory cytokines released during inflammation can cause hyperexcitability in pain transmission neurons, leading to hyperalgesia and allodynia. Polymorphisms in interleukin 1 (IL-1) family of genes (IL1A, IL1B) and in IL-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1Ra, coded by IL1RN) may therefore induce alterations in cytokine levels/effects and pain related response. Our purpose was to investigate the influence of polymorphisms in IL1A/B/RN on cytokine serum levels and its correlation with pain intensity, performance status, adverse effects, metastases and breakthrough pain in Caucasian cancer patients.

DESIGN AND METHODS

Serum IL-1α/β levels of 74 cancer patients were measured by competitive enzyme immunosorbent assay. All patients were also genotyped for the polymorphisms in IL1A (rs17561), IL1B (rs1143634) and IL1RN (rs419598) with Real-Time PCR. Results were then correlated to the appearance of bone or CNS metastases and several pain-related parameters.

RESULTS

IL-1β rs1143634 homozygous for T allele were associated with lower levels of IL1-β (p=0.032, Mann-Whitney test) and presented a trend for lower levels of pain (p=0.06, Fisher's Exact Test). Also, IL1-β levels were related with cancer onset status, since a four-fold increase probability of metastatic disease was observed in high IL-1β individuals (OR=4.074, p=0.010, Pearson χ(2) test). Among the female patients presenting metastatic disease and carriers of the TT genotype we observed a trend to lower levels of IL1-β (p=0.053, Pearson χ(2) test).

CONCLUSIONS

Our results indicate that genetic variation at IL1-β gene may influence serum levels of IL1-β, with proportional consequences in cancer-related pain.

NFKB1 -94 insertion/deletion polymorphism and cancer risk: a meta-analysis

Previous studies on the associations of the NFKB1 -94 insertion/deletion polymorphism with cancer risk have produced conflicting results. The purpose of this meta-analysis is to define the effect of the NFKB1 -94 insertion/deletion polymorphism on cancer risk. A search of the literature by PubMed was performed to identify studies based on the predetermined inclusion criteria. Twenty-three studies consisting of 6,494 cases and 9,884 controls were identified and analyzed. Overall, significant association was observed between the polymorphism and cancer risk under all genetic models. Subgroup analysis according to ethnicity and cancer type also detected significant association. The NFKB1 -94 insertion/deletion polymorphism was associated with cancer risk in Asian population (dominant model: OR=1.52, 95 % CI=1.17-1.98; recessive model: OR=1.50, 95 % CI=1.26-1.79; II vs. DD: OR=1.90, 95 % CI=1.37-2.65; ID vs. DD: OR=1.32, 95 % CI=1.05-1.66; I vs. D: OR=1.37, 95 % CI=1.17-1.60), but not in Caucasian population. In addition, significant associations in OC, HCC, and OSCC were observed, but significant associations were not found in BC and LC. The current meta-analysis suggested that NFKB1 -94 insertion/deletion polymorphism may influence cancer risk in Asian population.

Interactions between diet, lifestyle and IL10, IL1B, and PTGS2/COX-2 gene polymorphisms in relation to risk of colorectal cancer in a prospective Danish case-cohort study

Background & Aims

Diet contributes to colorectal cancer development and may be potentially modified. We wanted to identify the biological mechanisms underlying colorectal carcinogenesis by assessment of diet-gene interactions.

Methods

The polymorphisms IL10 C-592A (rs1800872), C-rs3024505-T, IL1b C-3737T (rs4848306), G-1464C (rs1143623), T-31C (rs1143627) and PTGS2 (encoding COX-2) A-1195G (rs689466), G-765C (rs20417), and T8473C (rs5275) were assessed in relation to risk of colorectal cancer (CRC) and interaction with diet (red meat, fish, fibre, cereals, fruit and vegetables) and lifestyle (non-steroid-anti-inflammatory drug use and smoking status) was assessed in a nested case-cohort study of nine hundred and seventy CRC cases and 1789 randomly selected participants from a prospective study of 57,053 persons.

Results

IL1b C-3737T, G-1464C and PTGS2 T8473C variant genotypes were associated with risk of CRC compared to the homozygous wildtype genotype (IRR=0.81, 95%CI: 0.68-0.97, p=0.02, and IRR=1.22, 95%CI: 1.04-1.44, p=0.02, IRR=0.75, 95%CI: 0.57-0.99, p=0.04, respectively). Interactions were found between diet and IL10 rs3024505 (P-value for interaction (P_int); meat=0.04, fish=0.007, fibre=0.0008, vegetables=0.0005), C-592A (P_int; fibre=0.025), IL1b C-3737T (P_int; vegetables=0.030, NSAID use=0.040) and PTGS2 genotypes G-765C (P_int; meat=0.006, fibre=0.0003, fruit 0.004), and T8473C (P_int; meat 0.049, fruit=0.03) and A-1195G (P_int; meat 0.038, fibre 0.040, fruit=0.059, vegetables=0.025, and current smoking=0.046).

Conclusions

Genetically determined low COX-2 and high IL-1β activity were associated with increased risk of CRC in this northern Caucasian cohort. Furthermore, interactions were found between IL10, IL1b, and PTGS2 and diet and lifestyle factors in relation to CRC. The present study demonstrates that gene-environment interactions may identify genes and environmental factors involved in colorectal carcinogenesis.