Tumor Necrosis Factor-α T-857C (rs1799724) Polymorphism and Risk of Cancers: A Meta-Analysis

Evaluation of Tumor Necrosis Factor-Alpha Gene (−308 G/A, −238 G/A and −857 C/T) Polymorphisms and the Risk of Gastric Cancer in Eastern Indian Population

Introduction: Gastric cancer (GC) is one of the leading causes of cancer-related decimations worldwide. The gastric infection at both the stomach and duodenum with Helicobacter pylori causes inflammation by the tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α). The aim of the study was to associate and evaluate the three TNF-α gene polymorphisms at positions −308 G/A, −238 G/A, and −857 C/T with the risk of GC. Methods: A total of 156 individuals (consecutively diagnosed 95 GC patients and 61 controls) above the age of 18 years were enrolled in the study. Healthy individuals with normal upper gastrointestinal endoscopy (UGIE) irrespective of their family history of GC or peptic ulcer were included as controls. The cited three TNF-α gene polymorphisms were evaluated using polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP). Results: There was no significant difference in the distribution of gene polymorphisms as genetic factors, TNF-α−308 GA/AA (22.1% vs. 14.8%, p = 0.2), TNF-α−238 GA/AA (21% vs. 19.6%, p = 0.8), and TNF-α−857 CT/TT (8.4% vs. 11.5%, p = 0.5), between GC cases and healthy controls. A subgroup analysis of H. pylori-positive patients showed that there was no significant difference in the distribution of GA/AA polymorphisms in TNF-α−308 (15(45.5%) vs. 3(23%); p = 0.17) and −238 (12(36.3%) vs. 2(15.4%); p = 0.17), and the distribution of TT/CT −857 CT/TT (13(39.4%) vs. 2(15.4%); p = 0.13), among the GC cases and controls. Conclusion: The statistical comparisons of GA/AA vs. GG genotypes at −308 (with OR = 1.6, 95% CI: 0.6–3.8), −238 (OR = 1.09, 95% CI: 0.4–2.4) and TT/CT vs. CC genotypes at −857 (OR = 0.7, 95% CI: 0.2–2.1) did not suggest any association of TNF-α with GC in the population herein. Hence, the TNF-α (−308 G/A, −238 G/A and −857 C/T) may not be the associating factor for GC incidence determined by the PCR–RFLP method.

Evaluation of genetic and epigenetic changes of Tumor Necrosis Factor-Alpha gene in larynx cancer

BACKGROUND

Tumor Necrosis Factor-Alpha (TNF-α) is a proinflammatory cytokine that plays a role in inflammation, which is one of the hallmarks of cancer, and its polymorphic variants have been associated with disease risk in many cancers in the literature. The aim of this study was to investigate four different polymorphic variants, differential methylation and expression status of the TNF-α gene and to determine the associations between these variants and disease risk, and to evaluate the relationship between the results and clinical parameters. We purposed to investigate the genetic and epigenetic alterations of the TNF-α gene in larynx cancer (LC).

MATERIAL AND METHODS

After isolation of DNA/RNA from whole blood, tumor and normal tissue, polymorphic variant alleles differrential expression and methylation levels were analyzed by RFLP, semiquantitative RT-PCR, and restriction enzyme digestion, respectively. TNF-α expression and methylation levels were calculated using BIO1D software. The frequencies of the variants c.-238 G>A (rs361525), c.-857 C>T (rs1799724), c.-863 C>A (rs1800630), and c.-1031 T > C (rs1799964) in the promoter region of TNF-α in LC Turkish patients and healthy individuals were examined using the De-Finetti case-control program. Haplotype frequencies and linkage disequilibrium were analyzed using the SNPStats program.

RESULTS

The frequency of genotype c.-1031 T > C was significantly lower in patients than in healthy individuals [TT vs TC: OR (%95CI) = 7.00 (1.75-27.93), p = 0.003, χ2 = 8.76]. The heterozygous variant of - 857 was associated with recurrence [T vs G: OR (%95CI) = 0.15 (0.02-0.95), p = 0.02, χ2 = 4.86]. For c.-238 G>A, c.-857 C>T, and c.-863 C>A, there was no statistically significant difference between the patient and healthy group in terms of disease risk. A significant association was found between c.-1031 T > C and disease risk of LC. Decreased expression was detected in 46% (23/50) and increased expression in 54% (27/50) of tumor tissue samples compared to the matched normal tissues of patients. Methylation-related loss of expression was detected in 53.3% (16/30) of patients.

CONCLUSION

Our study is the first investigating four different polymorphic regions of the TNF-α promoter region and the expression/methylation status of TNF-α in the same LC patient and healthy cohort. According to our results, the c.-1031 T > C variant was reported to be significantly associated with a reduced risk of LC. In addition, the TNF-α variant c. -857 C>T suggests that it may be a potential biomarker for predicting the recurrence of LC. An association between c. -857 C>T variant and methylation-based expression status was observed.

Integrative Analysis Identifies a TNFα-Derived Gene Signature for Predicting Prognosis, Tumor Immunity, and Treatment Sensitivity in Gastric Cancer

Objective: TNF-α is an essential pro-inflammatory cytokine in the tumor microenvironment of gastric cancer (GC), possessing a key biological and clinical impact. Here, we conducted an integrative analysis of the role of TNFα-derived genes in GC prognosis and precision medicine.

Methods: We pooled transcriptome and clinical features of GC patients from TCGA and GSE15459 projects. TNFα signaling was quantified through the ssGSEA algorithm, and TNFα-derived genes were screened with WGCNA. Thereafter, a LASSO model was established. The somatic mutation was analyzed across GC specimens. Immune cell infiltrations were inferred through ESTIMATE and ssGSEA algorithms, followed by measuring the immune checkpoint expression. AKR1B1, CPVL, and CTSL expressions were measured in gastric mucosal cells GES-1 and GC cells (HGC-27, MKN-28, and AGS) through RT-qPCR and Western blotting.

Results: A TNFα-derived gene signature (containing AKR1B1, CPVL, and CTSL) was developed for GC. A high-risk score indicated more undesirable OS, DFS, DSS, and PFS outcomes. Time-independent ROC curves and multivariate cox regression models confirmed that the signature reliably and independently predicted GC prognosis. Additionally, risk scores displayed significant correlations to more severe histological grades and pathological stages. A low-risk score was characterized by increased somatic mutation, while a high-risk score was characterized by immune and stromal activation, enhanced immune cell infiltrations, and increased expression of immune checkpoint molecules. Experimental results confirmed the significant upregulation of AKR1B1, CPVL, and CTSL in GC cells.

Conclusion: Collectively, stratification based on the TNFα-derived gene signature might enable GC patients to predict prognosis, benefit from immunotherapy, and assist in formulating novel therapeutic regimens.

Genetic Association between TNFA Polymorphisms (rs1799964 and rs361525) and Susceptibility to Cancer in Systemic Sclerosis

Tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α is a proinflammatory cytokine that plays an important role in the pathogenesis of autoimmune diseases. The aim of the study was to establish an association between TNF-α promoter variability and systemic sclerosis (SSc). The study included 43 SSc patients and 74 controls. Four single nucleotide polymorphisms (rs361525, rs1800629, rs1799724, and rs1799964) located at the promoter of the TNFA gene were genotyped using commercially available TaqMan allelic discrimination assays with real-time PCR. The rs1799724 allele was associated with an increased SSc susceptibility (p = 0.028). In turn, none of the polymorphisms studied were related to the clinical and laboratory parameters of SSc patients, except for a higher prevalence of anti-Ro52 antibodies in the AG rs1800629 genotype in comparison to GG carriers (p = 0.04). Three of four cancer patients had both CT rs1799964 and AG rs361525 genotypes; thus, both of them were related to the increased risk of cancer, as compared to the TT (p = 0.03) and GG carriers (p = 0.0003), respectively. The TNFA C rs1799724 variant is associated with an increased risk of SSc, while the CT rs1799964 and AG rs361525 genotypes might enhance cancer susceptibility in SSc patients, although large observational and experimental studies are needed to verify the above hypothesis.

Dual Role of TNF and LTα in Carcinogenesis as Implicated by Studies in Mice

Tumor necrosis factor (TNF) and lymphotoxin alpha (LTα) are two related cytokines from the TNF superfamily, yet they mediate their functions in soluble and membrane-bound forms via overlapping, as well as distinct, molecular pathways. Their genes are encoded within the major histocompatibility complex class III cluster in close proximity to each other. TNF is involved in host defense, maintenance of lymphoid tissues, regulation of cell death and survival, and antiviral and antibacterial responses. LTα, known for some time as TNFβ, has pleiotropic functions including control of lymphoid tissue development and homeostasis cross talk between lymphocytes and their environment, as well as lymphoid tissue neogenesis with formation of lymphoid follicles outside the lymph nodes. Along with their homeostatic functions, deregulation of these two cytokines may be associated with initiation and progression of chronic inflammation, autoimmunity, and tumorigenesis. In this review, we summarize the current state of knowledge concerning TNF/LTα functions in tumor promotion and suppression, with the focus on the recently uncovered significance of host-microbiota interplay in cancer development that may explain some earlier controversial results.

Relationships between IL-1β, TNF-α genetic polymorphisms and HBV infection: A meta-analytical study

BACKGROUND

IL-1β and TNF-α have been demonstrated as pro-inflammatory cytokines to participate in the innate immune response and suppression of HBV infection. However, the exact relationship between IL-1β, TNF-α gene polymorphisms and HBV infection remains unknown. Our study aims to assess the associations between IL-1β, TNF-α gene polymorphisms and HBV infection.

METHODS

A systematic literature search of PubMed and Embase databases was conducted through February 2020, and studies that were included in the present meta-analysis should fulfil the following conditions: (1) case-control studies focusing on the associations between IL-1β, TNF-α polymorphisms and HBV infection; (2) patients in the case group should be tested positive for the HBsAg and/or HBV-DNA without liver cirrhosis or hepatocellular carcinoma; (3) the control group including healthy population or HBV spontaneous clearance population; (4) odds ratios (ORs) and their 95% confidence intervals (CIs) could be calculated based on the allele and genotype frequencies provided in articles. The quality of included studies was assessed according to the Newcastle-Ottawa scale (NOS) assessment system. Pooled ORs and 95% CIs were used to analyze the strength of associations. Subgroup analysis was performed according to ethnicity and control type.

RESULTS

In the present meta-analysis, 49 articles including 10,218 cases and 9,557 controls were enrolled and seven polymorphisms (IL-1β rs16944, rs1143634, TNF-α rs1799724, rs1799964, rs1800629, rs1800630, rs361525) were studied. In overall meta-analysis, significant associations were found in IL-1β rs1143634, TNF-α rs1799724 and TNF-α rs1799964. For subgroup analysis under ethnicity, TNF-α rs1799724 and rs1800630 were markedly related to HBV infection in both Asian and Caucasian populations. In terms of control type subgroup, TNF-α rs1799724, rs1799964, rs1800630 were significantly associated with HBV persistence in HBV spontaneous clearance group.

CONCLUSION

In the present study, we identified that three polymorphisms (IL-1β rs1143634, TNF-α rs1799724, rs1799964) might serve as potential genetic biomarkers in HBV infection.

Association between Genetic Variants in NOS2 and TNF Genes with Congenital Zika Syndrome and Severe Microcephaly

Zika virus (ZIKV) causes Congenital Zika Syndrome (CZS) in individuals exposed prenatally. Here, we investigated polymorphisms in VEGFA, PTGS2, NOS3, TNF, and NOS2 genes as risk factors to CZS. Forty children with CZS and forty-eight children who were in utero exposed to ZIKV infection, but born without congenital anomalies, were evaluated. Children with CZS were predominantly infected by ZIKV in the first trimester (p < 0.001) and had mothers with lower educational level (p < 0.001) and family income (p < 0.001). We found higher risk of CZS due the allele rs2297518[A] of NOS2 (OR = 2.28, CI 95% 1.17–4.50, p = 0.015). T allele and TT/CT genotypes of the TNF rs1799724 and haplotypes associated with higher expression of TNF were more prevalent in children with CZS and severe microcephaly (p = 0.029, p = 0.041 and p = 0.030, respectively). Our findings showed higher risk of CZS due ZIKV infection in the first trimester and suggested that polymorphisms in NOS2 and TNF genes affect the risk of CZS and severe microcephaly.

Importance of TNF-alpha and its alterations in the development of cancers

TNF-alpha is involved in many physiologic and pathologic cellular pathways, including cellular proliferation, differentiation, and death, regulation of immunologic reactions to different cells and molecules, local and vascular invasion of neoplasms, and destruction of tumor vasculature. It is obvious that because of integrated functions of TNF-alpha inside different physiologic systems, it cannot be used as a single-agent therapy for neoplasms; however, long-term investigation of its different cellular pathways has led to recognition of a variety of subsequent molecules with more specific interactions, and therefore, might be suitable as prognostic and therapeutic factors for neoplasms. Here, we will review different aspects of the TNF-alpha as a cytokine involved in both physiologic functions of cells and pathologic abnormalities, most importantly, cancers.

Association of hepatocellular carcinoma risk with polymorphisms in tumour necrosis factor alpha gene in a Chinese Han population

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the third leading cause of cancer-related death worldwide. Studies have shown that the tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) plays an important role in the development of HCC; however, the association between genetic variations of TNF-α and HCC is not yet fully understood. To evaluate the correlation of TNF-α polymorphisms with HCC, we randomly selected 327 HCC patients and 432 healthy controls, all these subjects reported Han nationality. Genotyping of four TNF-α SNPs (rs1799724, rs1800629, rs1799964 and rs1800610) was performed using the matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF-MS) method. Distributions of rs1799964 genotypes and rs1800610 alleles were found to be significantly different between cases and controls (p = .011, p = .001). The recessive model of rs1799964 significantly increased HCC risk (p = .0015), while the dominant and over-dominant models of rs1800610 significantly reduced HCC risk (p = .0096, p = .014). Haplotype analysis of the four TNF-α SNPs revealed that the TGTA haplotype was associated with a reduced HCC risk (p = .0033, OR = 0.53), while the TGTG haplotype was associated with an increased HCC risk (p = .0032, OR = 9.69). These findings indicated that specific TNF-α polymorphisms may be associated with the susceptibility to HCC.

Promoter Polymorphism (-308G/A) of Tumor Necrosis Factor-Alpha (TNF-α) Gene and Asthma Risk: An Updated Meta-Analysis

Background and Aims: The relationship between the promoter polymorphism (-308G/A) of the tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) gene and the susceptibility to asthma has been tested in several studies. However, the results have been inconsistent. Therefore, we performed an updated meta-analysis to evaluate the relationship between this promoter polymorphism of the TNF-α gene and the risk of asthma. Methods: Fifty case-control studies were included in this meta-analysis which provided 17,937 controls and 9961 asthma patients. The pooled p-value, odds ratio (OR), and 95% confidence interval (95% CI) were used to investigate the strength of the association of this polymorphism of the TNF-α gene with the risk of asthma. The meta-analysis was carried out by Comprehensive Meta-Analysis software. Results: The results of our meta-analysis revealed that the TNF-α polymorphism (-308, G/A) was strongly associated with the risk of asthma (p < 0.05 in the allelic, dominant, and recessive models, respectively). In further analyses, based on age group and ethnicity, we observed this association for all subpopulations examined (p < 0.05 in allelic, dominant, and recessive models, respectively). Conclusion: This large-scale meta-analysis supports a strong association between the TNF-α gene promoter polymorphism (-308G/A) and the development to asthma in both children and adults.

Prognostic and clinicopathological value of MUC1 expression in colorectal cancer: A meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Accumulating evidence supports the overexpression of mucin 1 (MUC1) in colorectal cancer (CRC), but the value of elevated MUC1 expression remains controversial. Here, we evaluated the prognostic and clinicopathological value of MUC1 expression in CRC.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The Web of Science, PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, and Wanfang databases, as well as the China Biology Medicine disc (CBMdisc) and China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI) were searched for studies on MUC1 expression and prognosis of CRC through July 20, 2018. The pooled relative risks (RRs) and hazard ratios (HRs) with 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) were calculated to evaluate the prognostic and clinicopathological value of MUC1 expression in CRC. The Revman version 5.3 package and STATA, version 12 were employed for pooled analysis and analysis of publication bias.

RESULTS

This meta-analysis included 16 published studies. The combined analysis showed that CRC patients with high MUC1 expression had a worse clinical outcome in overall survival (OS) (HR = 1.51, 95% CI = 1.30-1.75, P <.00001). In addition, high MUC1 expression was associated with higher TNM stage (RR = 1.44, 95% CI = 1.17-1.77, P = .0007), greater depth of invasion (RR = 1.30, 95% CI = 1.10-1.53, P = .002), and lymph node metastasis (RR = 1.47, 95% CI = 1.20-1.80, P = .0002) of CRC. However, the elevated MUC1 expression was not related to disease-free survival/recurrence-free survival (DFS/RFS) (HR = 1.51, 95% CI = 0.78-2.89, P = .22), histological grade (RR = 1.15, 95% CI = 0.96-1.38, P = .12), gender (RR = 0.95; 95% CI = 0.83-1.08, P = .44), tumor size (RR = 1.11, 95% CI = 0.85-1.44, P = .44), tumor site (RR = 1.01, 95% CI = 0.88-1.16, P = .84), or mucinous component (RR = 0.83, 95% CI = 0.60-1.14, P = .24) in CRC.

CONCLUSION

Our findings indicated that high MUC1 expression represents a marker of poor prognosis in CRC. Meanwhile, elevated MUC1 expression was associated with advanced TNM stage, greater depth of invasion, and lymph node metastasis.

Genetic polymorphisms and gastric cancer risk: a comprehensive review synopsis from meta-analysis and genome-wide association studies

Objective

In the past few decades, more than 500 reports have been published on the relationship between single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) on candidate genes and gastric cancer (GC) risk. Previous findings have been disputed and are controversial. Therefore, we performed this article to summarize and assess the credibility and strength of genetic polymorphisms on the risk of GC.

Methods

We used Web of Science, PubMed, and Medline to identify meta-analyses published before July 30th, 2018 that assessed associations between variants on candidate genes and the risk of GC. Cumulative epidemiological evidence of statistical associations was assessed combining Venice criteria and a false-positive report probability (FPRP) test.

Results

Sixty-one variants demonstrated a significant association with GC risk, whereas 29 demonstrated no association. Nine variants on nine genes were rated as presenting strong cumulative epidemiological evidence for a nominally significant association with GC risk, including APE1 (rs1760944), DNMT1 (rs16999593), ERCC5 (rs751402), GSTT1 (null/presence), MDM2 (rs2278744), PPARG (rs1801282), TLR4 (rs4986790), IL-17F (rs763780), and CASP8 (rs3834129). Eleven SNPs were rated as moderate, and 33 SNPs were rated as weak. We also used the FPRP test to identify 13 noteworthy SNPs in five genome-wide association studies.

Conclusions

Sixty-one variants are significantly associated with GC risk, and 29 variants are not associated with GC risk; however, five variants on five genes presented strong evidence for an association upgraded from moderate. Further study of these variants may be needed in the future. Our study also provides referenced information for the genetic predisposition to GC.

An updated association between TNF-α -238G/A polymorphism and gastric cancer susceptibility in East Asians

Polymorphisms in the tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) gene are emerging as key determinants of gastric diseases. The TNF-α-238G/A single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) is the most extensively studied. However, this association is inconsistent amongst different populations. We therefore conducted an updated meta-analysis to obtain a more precise estimate of the association of TNF-α-238G/A polymorphism with gastric cancer (GC) risk. A comprehensive search of PubMed, Embase, Chinese (CNKI and WanFang) databases was performed to identify relevant studies through 5 May 2018. Odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) were used to assess the strength of the association. Fourteen studies were included in our meta-analysis involving 2999 cases and 4685 controls. There was no significant association between TNF-α-238G/A polymorphism and GC risk in the overall populations. In the subgroup analysis, we found that TNF-α-238G/A polymorphism was associated with the increased risk of GC amongst Asians, especially in Chinese, but not in Caucasians. Subgroup analysis by genotyping methods revealed increased risk for other methods. In conclusion, our present meta-analysis shows that TNF-α-238G/A polymorphism is associated with the risk of GC in East Asian individuals.

Association between TNF-α polymorphisms and the risk of upper gastrointestinal bleeding induced by aspirin in patients with coronary heart disease

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the correlation of tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) polymorphisms with upper gastrointestinal bleeding (UGIB) induced by enteric-coated aspirin in coronary heart disease (CHD) patients.

METHODS

In total, 154 CHD patients taking enteric-coated aspirin were enrolled in this study. Patients were divided into the UGIB group (n = 57) and non-UGIB group (n = 97) based on the presence or absence of signs of UGIB, respectively. TNF-α polymorphism (-857C > T, -863C > A, and -1031T > C) genotyping was performed using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification with sequence-specific primers (PCR-SSP).

RESULTS

Patients who had the CC genotype and C allele of -1031T > C exhibited a significantly increase risk of UGIB after receiving enteric-coated aspirin (CC vs. TT: odds (OR) (95% confidence interval (CI)): 7.568 (1.527-37.49), P = 0.005; C vs. T: OR (95% CI): 1.852 (1.036-3.312), P = 0.036). Patients who had CA and CA + AA genotypes and the A allele of -863C > A also exhibited an increased risk of aspirin-induced UGIB (CA vs. CC: OR (95% CI): 2.415 (1.143-5.101), P = 0.019: CA + AA vs. CC: OR (95% CI): 2.218 (1.123-4.381), P = 0.021; A vs. C: OR (95% CI): 1.788 (1.039-3.078), P = 0.035). However, the TNF-α -857 C > T polymorphism was unrelated to the induction of UGIB by enteric-coated aspirin in CHD patients (P > 0.05). In addition, the haplotypes of CCC (-1031T > C, -863C > A, and -857C > T) markedly reduced the risk of aspirin-induced UGIB in CHD patients.

CONCLUSION

TNF-α -863A and -1031C increased the risk of UGIB induction by enteric-coated aspirin in CHD patients, whereas TNF-α -857C > T was not correlated with the UGIB risk.

Serum IL-6 and IL-8 Correlate with Prognostic Factors in Ovarian Cancer

The aim of the study was to correlate serum levels of IL-2, IL-5, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, and TNF-α with clinical, laboratory, and pathological prognostic factors in patients with primary ovarian malignancy. Patients treated at the Pelvic Mass Ambulatory of the Discipline of Gynecology and Obstetrics/Oncology Research Institute (IPON) of the UFTM with confirmed diagnosis of malignant ovarian neoplasia (n = 26) were evaluated. Serum collection was performed preoperatively for the determination of tumor markers. The cytokines IL-2, IL-5, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, and TNF-α were assayed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The prognostic factors were compared using the Mann-Whitney test, with significance level lower than 0.05. When evaluating IL6, it was observed that higher serum levels were associated with overall survival less than 60 months (p = 0.0382). In the evaluation of IL8, higher serum levels were associated with neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) ≥ 4 and platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR) ≥ 200 (p = 0.0198 and p = 0.0072, respectively), altered values of serum CA125 (p = 0.0457), and stage IIIC (p = 0.0486). Therefore, increased levels of IL-6 and IL-8 are associated with factors of worse prognosis in ovarian cancer. Additional studies with a larger sample of patients are needed to confirm the role of cytokines as prognostic factors, in the definition of treatment, and in the development of future target therapies.