Association of zinc level and polymorphism in MMP-7 gene with prostate cancer in Polish population

Matrix metalloproteinases targeting in prostate cancer

Prostate cancer (PCa) is one of the most common tumors affecting men all over the world. PCa has brought a huge health burden to men around the world, especially for elderly men, but its pathogenesis is unclear. In prostate cancer, epigenetic inheritance plays an important role in the development, progression, and metastasis of the disease. An important role in cancer invasion and metastasis is played by matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), zinc-dependent proteases that break down extracellular matrix. We review two important forms of epigenetic modification and the role of matrix metalloproteinases in tumor regulation, both of which may be of significant value as novel biomarkers for early diagnosis and prognosis monitoring. The author considers that both mechanisms have promising therapeutic applications for therapeutic agent research in prostate cancer, but that efforts should be made to mitigate or eliminate the side effects of drug therapy in order to maximize quality of life of patients. The understanding of epigenetic modification, MMPs, and their inhibitors in the functional regulation of prostate cancer is gradually advancing, it will provide a new technical means for the prevention of prostate cancer, early diagnosis, androgen-independent prostate cancer treatment, and drug research.

Zinc dampens antitumor immunity by promoting Foxp3+ regulatory T cells

Introduction

The role of zinc (Zn) in tumor development and immune modulation has always been paradoxical. This study redefines our understanding of the impact of Zn on cancer progression and therapeutic strategies.

Methods

We investigated the effects of dietary Zn levels on tumor progression and immune responses. This included examining the impact of both high and deficient dietary Zn, as well as Zn chelation, on tumor growth and immune cell populations. Specifically, we analyzed the frequency of Foxp3+ regulatory T-cells (Tregs) and identified the role of FOXO1 in Zn-mediated effects on Tregs. Additionally, we explored the therapeutic potential of clioquinol (CQ) in enhancing α-PD-1 immunotherapy responses, particularly in melanoma.

Results

Our findings show that high dietary Zn promotes tumor progression by fostering a protumorigenic environment mediated by T cells. Increased Zn intake was found to facilitate tumor progression by increasing Foxp3+ Treg frequency. In contrast, deficiency in dietary Zn and chelation of tissue Zn emerged as potent drivers of antitumor immunity. We pinpointed FOXO1 as the master regulator governing the influence of Zn on Tregs.

Discussion

These results reveal a novel mechanistic insight into how Zn influences tumor progression and immune regulation. The identification of FOXO1 as a key regulator opens new avenues for understanding the role of Zn in cancer biology. Furthermore, we introduce a promising therapeutic approach by showing that administering clioquinol (CQ) significantly enhances α-PD-1 immunotherapy response, particularly in melanoma. These revelations transform our comprehension of the multifaceted role of Zn in tumorigenesis and immune regulation, highlighting innovative possibilities for cancer therapy.

Current evidence on the relationships among five polymorphisms in the matrix metalloproteinases genes and prostate cancer risk

Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) had a variety of subtypes, which may be related to tumor invasion and angiogenesis, and the polymorphisms from MMPs have been also associated with the susceptibility to a variety of tumors, including prostate cancer (PCa). However, previous studies have not systematically analyzed the association between MMP and prostate cancer, so we conducted systematic data collection and analyzed to evaluate the relationship among polymorphisms in MMPs and PCa susceptibility. We searched PubMed, Web of Science, Embase and Google Scholar for all papers published up to Apr 3rd, 2023, and systematically analyzed the relationship among MMP1-1607 2G/1G, MMP2-1306 T/C, MMP2-735 T/C, MMP7-181 G/A, MMP9-1562 T/C and PCa susceptibility using multiple comparative models and subgroup analyses. We found that MMP2-1306 T/C polymorphism showed associations with PCa susceptibility, with the Ethnicity subgroup (Asian) being more pronounced. Similarly, MMP9-1562 T/C has also had associations with PCa susceptibility. Our current study found that the polymorphisms of, MMP2-1306 T/C, and MMP9-1562 T/C had strong associations with PCa risk.

Zinc and Its Antioxidant Properties: The Potential Use of Blood Zinc Levels as a Marker of Cancer Risk in BRCA1 Mutation Carriers

BRCA1 mutations predispose women to breast and ovarian cancer. The anticancer effect of zinc is typically linked to its antioxidant abilities and protecting cells against oxidative stress. Zinc regulates key processes in cancer development, including DNA repair, gene expression, and apoptosis. We took a blood sample from 989 female BRCA1 mutation carriers who were initially unaffected by cancer and followed them for a mean of 7.5 years thereafter. There were 172 incident cases of cancer, including 121 cases of breast cancer, 29 cases of ovarian cancers, and 22 cancers at other sites. A zinc level in the lowest tertile was associated with a modestly higher risk of ovarian cancer compared to women with zinc levels in the upper two tertiles (HR = 1.65; 95% CI 0.80 to 3.44; p = 0.18), but this was not significant. Among those women with zinc levels in the lowest tertile, the 10-year cumulative risk of ovarian cancer was 6.1%. Among those in the top two tertiles of zinc level, the ten-year cumulative risk of ovarian cancer was 4.7%. There was no significant association between zinc level and breast cancer risk. Our preliminary study does not support an association between serum zinc level and cancer risk in BRCA1 mutation carriers.

Biochemical, histological and transcriptional response of intestines in Litopenaeus vannamei under chronic zinc exposure

Zinc (Zn) is an essential trace element for the normal physiological function of aquatic organisms, but it could become toxic to organisms when the concentration increased in water. As the first line of defense, the shrimp intestines are the most susceptible organ to environmental stress. In this study, the chronic toxicity of 0 (control, IC), 0.01(IL), 0.1(IM) and 1 mg/L (IH) Zn in intestines of Litopenaeus vannamei was investigated from the perspectives of biochemical, histological and transcriptional changes after exposure for 30 days. The results showed that the intestinal tissue basement membrane is swollen in the IM and IH groups and detached in the IH group. The total antioxidant capacities (T-AOC) were reduced while the content of malondialdehyde (MDA) were increased significantly in IM and IH groups. The production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) was increased significantly in IH group. Many differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified in IL, IM and IH groups, respectively. GO and KEGG enrichment analyses were conducted on the DEGs to obtain the underlying biological processes and pathways. The gene modules related to the sample were identified by weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA), and genes in modules highly corelated with IH group were mainly enriched in immune related pathways. Nine DEGs were selected for validation by quantitative real time PCR (qRT-PCR) and the expression profiles of these DEGs kept a well consistent with the high-throughput data, which confirmed reliability of transcriptome results. Additionally, 10 DEGs were screened to detect the changes of expression level in different groups. All these results indicated that Zn exposure could damage the intestinal barrier, provoke oxidative stress, reduce the immune function, increase the susceptibility to bacterial infections of L. vannamei and cause inflammation, ultimately result in cell apoptosis. Our study provides more perspective on the stress response of crustacean under Zn exposure.

The association between zinc and prostate cancer development: A systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Prostate cancer is affecting males globally, with several complications. Zinc can play roles in cancers. We aimed to clarify the association between zinc levels or intake with prostate cancer development.

METHODS

We searched PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), and Web of Science until May 1, 2023. We included case-controls and cross-sectionals that measured zinc level and/or intake in patients with prostate cancer or cohorts that evaluated the association between zinc and prostate cancer development. Studies that did not have a healthy control group were excluded. Joanna Briggs Institute was used for quality assessment. Publication bias was evaluated using Egger's and Begg's tests and funnel plot.

RESULTS

Overall, 52 studies (n = 44 case controls, n = 4 cohorts, and n = 4 cross sectionals) with a total number of 163909 participants were included. Serum (standardized mean difference (SMD): -1.11; 95% confidence interval (CI): -1.67, -0.56), hair (SMD: -1.31; 95% CI: -2.19, -0.44), and prostatic fluid or tissue zinc levels (SMD: -3.70; 95% CI: -4.90, -2.49) were significantly lower in prostate cancer patients. There were no significant differences in nail zinc level and zinc intake between those with prostate cancer and healthy controls. There was no publication bias except for serum and hair zinc levels based on Begg's and Egger's tests, respectively. The mean risk of bias scores were 4.61 in case-controls, eight in cohorts, and seven in cross-sectionals.

CONCLUSIONS

Overall, high zinc levels might have a protective role in prostate cancer, which can be used as a therapeutic or preventive intervention. Future large-scale studies are needed to confirm the association.

Toenail zinc and risk of prostate cancer in the MCC-Spain case-control study

BACKGROUND

Some researchers have suggested that zinc (Zn) could reduce the risk of prostate cancer (PC). However, research from observational studies on the relationship between PC risk and biomarkers of Zn exposure shows conflicting results.

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate the association between toenail Zn and PC, considering tumour extension and aggressiveness, along with a gene-environment approach, exploring the interaction of individual genetic susceptibility to PC in the relationship between toenail Zn and PC.

METHODS

In MCC-Spain study we invited all incident PC cases diagnosed in the study period (2008-2013) and recruited randomly selected general population controls. In this report we included 913 cases and 1198 controls with toenail Zn determined by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. To measure individual genetic susceptibility, we constructed a polygenic risk score based on known PC-related single nucleotide polymorphisms. The association between toenail Zn and PC was explored with mixed logistic and multinomial regression models.

RESULTS

Men with higher toenail Zn had higher risk of PC (OR quartile 4 vs.1: 1.41; 95% CI: 1.07-1.85). This association was slightly higher in high-grade PC [(ISUP≤2 Relative risk ratio (RRR) quartile 4 vs.1: 1.36; 1.01-1.83) vs. (ISUP3-5 RRR quartile 4 vs.1: 1.64; 1.06-2.54)] and in advanced tumours [(cT1-cT2a RRR quartile 4 vs.1: 1.40; 95% CI: 1.05-1.89) vs. (cT2b-cT4 RRR quartile 4 vs.1: 1.59; 1.00-2.53)]. Men with lower genetic susceptibility to PC were those at higher risk of PC associated with high toenail Zn (OR quartile 4 vs.1: 2.18; 95% CI: 1.08-4.40).

DISCUSSION

High toenail Zn levels were related to a higher risk for PC, especially for more aggressive or advanced tumours. This effect was stronger among men with a lower genetic susceptibility to PC.

The Potential of Extracellular Matrix- and Integrin Adhesion Complex-Related Molecules for Prostate Cancer Biomarker Discovery

Prostate cancer is among the top five cancer types according to incidence and mortality. One of the main obstacles in prostate cancer management is the inability to foresee its course, which ranges from slow growth throughout years that requires minimum or no intervention to highly aggressive disease that spreads quickly and resists treatment. Therefore, it is not surprising that numerous studies have attempted to find biomarkers of prostate cancer occurrence, risk stratification, therapy response, and patient outcome. However, only a few prostate cancer biomarkers are used in clinics, which shows how difficult it is to find a novel biomarker. Cell adhesion to the extracellular matrix (ECM) through integrins is among the essential processes that govern its fate. Upon activation and ligation, integrins form multi-protein intracellular structures called integrin adhesion complexes (IACs). In this review article, the focus is put on the biomarker potential of the ECM- and IAC-related molecules stemming from both body fluids and prostate cancer tissue. The processes that they are involved in, such as tumor stiffening, bone turnover, and communication via exosomes, and their biomarker potential are also reviewed.

Serum Essential Elements and Survival after Cancer Diagnosis

In a prospective study, we measured the associations between three serum elements (Se, Zn and Cu) and the prognosis of 1475 patients with four different types of cancer (breast, prostate, lung and larynx) from University Hospitals in Szczecin, Poland. The elements were measured in serum taken after diagnosis and prior to treatment. Patients were followed from the date of diagnosis until death from any cause or until the last follow-up date (mean years of follow-up: 6.0-9.8 years, according to site). Kaplan-Meier curves were constructed for all cancers combined and for each cancer separately. Age-adjusted hazard ratios (HRs) were estimated using Cox regression. The outcome was all-cause mortality. A Se level in the highest quartile was also associated with a reduced mortality (HR = 0.66; 95%CI 0.49-0.88; p = 0.005) in all-cause mortality for all cancers combined. Zn level in the highest quartile was also associated with reduced mortality (HR = 0.55; 95%CI 0.41-0.75; p = 0.0001). In contrast, a Cu level in the highest quartile was associated with an increase in mortality (HR = 1.91; 95%CI 1.56-2.08; p = 0.0001). Three serum elements-selenium, zinc and copper-are associated with the prognosis of different types of cancer.

Cadmium exposure and the risk of prostate cancer among Nigerian men: effect modification by zinc status

BACKGROUND

Prostate cancer (PCa) may result from an interplay between many factors including exposure to trace elements. This study examined the association between cadmium exposure and PCa among Nigerian men and evaluated possible modification of this effect by zinc status.

METHODS

This case-control study involved men with histologically confirmed PCa (n = 82), benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH; n = 93) and controls (n = 98), aged between 40 and 80 years. Study participants were recruited from the main teaching hospital that draws clients from the entire Anambra State in South-Eastern Nigeria. Blood and urine samples were collected from these participants and were analyzed for trace elements using ICP-MS. Statistical models were used to assess the exposure risk for cadmium exposure as well as the mediating effect of zinc status.

RESULTS

Among men with prostatic disorders (case-case analysis), every 10-fold increase in urinary cadmium was associated with increased risk of PCa (adjusted odds ratios: 2.526; 95% CI: 1.096-5.821). Men in the highest blood zinc quartile had lower odds of PCa compared to the lowest quartile (AOR: 0.19; 95% CI, 0.06-0.54; p-for trend = 0.001). Zinc-specific effect was observed in this group: every 10-fold increase in urinary cadmium was associated with increased risk of PCa among men with creatinine-adjusted urinary zinc levels below the median value (AOR: 8.46; 95% CI: 1.97 -36.39) but not in those above the median value (AOR: 1.55; 95% CI: 0.45 - 5.39).

CONCLUSION

Higher exposure to cadmium may be associated with increased risk of PCa in Nigeria and probably other countries with high prevalence of Zn deficiency. These results point to the need to consider co-occurring trace metals in any effort to mitigate the toxicity of Cd in the environment.

The role of matrix metalloproteinases in pathogenesis, diagnostics, and treatment of human prostate cancer

The prostate gland is highly susceptible to oncogenic transformation, many times more than other sex tissues, such as seminal vesicles. In fact, prostate cancer (PCa) will be diagnosed in one in seven lifetime patients, making PCa the subject of intense research aimed at clarifying its biology and providing adequate treatment. PCa is the fourth most common cancer in the world in terms of the overall population and the second most common cancer for the male population. It is postulated that the development of PCa may be influenced by dietary factors, physical and sexual activity, androgens, obesity, and inflammation, but their role in the development of prostate cancer still remains unclear. Extracellular matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and tissue metalloproteinase inhibitors (TIMPs) play an important role in many physiological and pathological processes, including proliferation, migration, invasion, cell differentiation, participation in inflammatory processes and angiogenesis. Numerous studies point to a direct relationship between MMPs and both local tumor invasion and the formation of distant metastases. High activity of MMPs is observed in solid tumors of various origins, which positively correlates with a poor overall survival rate. Although biochemical diagnostic markers of PCa are currently available, from the point of view of clinical practice, it seems particularly important to develop new and more sensitive markers allowing for early diagnosis and long-term monitoring of patients after PCa treatment, and the assessment of MMP activity in urine and serum of patients are potential factors that could play such a role.

Characterization, mRNA expression profile, subcellular distribution and association analysis with piglet diarrhea of porcine matrix metallopeptidase 7 (pMMP7)

Matrix metalloproteinase 7 (MMP7) is involved in the degradation of extracellular matrix in disease processes and therefore plays an important role in host disease resistance/susceptibility. To better understanding the effects of porcine MMP7 (pMMP7) on piglets diarrhea trait, we characterized pMMP7 gene, identified genetic variations in pMMP7 and explored the relationship between pMMP7 polymorphisms and piglets diarrhea in Min pig and Landrace populations. The complete coding sequence of pMMP7 is 804 bp encoding a protein of 267 amino acids. Sequence alignment showed that the identity between pMMP7 and human MMP7 was approximately 80%. The expression of pMMP7 in the gut of healthy piglets were weak and the distribution of the pMMP7-EGFP fusion protein was observed mainly in the cytoplasm. After the identification of 21 genetic variations in 5' flanking region and exons, Hae III and Eco72 Ⅰ PCR-RFLP were established to genotype SNP rs327380117 and rs329429922, respectively. Statistical analysis indicated that Landrace piglets with a TT genotype at rs327380117 had a lower diarrhea score and day-14 wt than TC piglets (p < 0.05); the diarrhea score of AA Landrace animals with rs329429922 was lower than that of GG individuals (p < 0.05). The findings presented here contribute to the understanding of the biological function of pMMP7 and may provide new molecular markers for pig breeding.

Haplotypes of single cancer driver genes and their local ancestry in a highly admixed long-lived population of Northeast Brazil

Admixed populations have not been examined in detail in cancer genetic studies. Here, we inferred the local ancestry of cancer-associated single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and haplotypes of a highly admixed Brazilian population. SNP array was used to genotype 73 unrelated individuals aged 80-102 years. Local ancestry inference was performed by merging genotyped regions with phase three data from the 1000 Genomes Project Consortium using RFmix. The average ancestry tract length was 9.12-81.71 megabases. Strong linkage disequilibrium was detected in 48 haplotypes containing 35 SNPs in 10 cancer driver genes. All together, 19 risk and eight protective alleles were identified in 23 out of 48 haplotypes. Homozygous individuals were mainly of European ancestry, whereas heterozygotes had at least one Native American and one African ancestry tract. Native-American ancestry for homozygous individuals with risk alleles for HNF1B, CDH1, and BRCA1 was inferred for the first time. Results indicated that analysis of SNP polymorphism in the present admixed population has a high potential to identify new ancestry-associated alleles and haplotypes that modify cancer susceptibility differentially in distinct human populations. Future case-control studies with populations with a complex history of admixture could help elucidate ancestry-associated biological differences in cancer incidence and therapeutic outcomes.

Association of Specific Genetic Polymorphisms with Atraumatic Osteonecrosis of the Femoral Head: A Narrative Review

INTRODUCTION

Atraumatic ONFH is one of the leading cause of hip morbidity in the working-age group. It is a multi-factorial disease whose root cause can be attributed to single-nucleotide polymorphism. Identifying such polymorphisms could pave the way for new modalities of treatment for ONFH.

METHODOLOGY

Two databases were electronically searched for relevant articles. The articles were screened through titles, abstract and full texts to include the relevant studies. A secondary search was done through the reference list of selected articles.

RESULTS

A total of 52 studies were included among the 181 hits. All 181 were case-control studies. Summary of these studies identifies multiple SNPs which can cause ONFH. There were 117 SNPs in all 181 studies, of which 92 were associated with the causation of ONFH and 25 were protective against ONFH.

CONCLUSION

SNPs play an essential role in causing atraumatic ONFH. Identification of SNP that contribute to causing ONFH may help reduce the disease burden by early identification, diagnosis and treatment, including targeted gene therapy.

Polymorphisms of matrix metalloproteinases affect the susceptibility of esophageal cancer: Evidence from 20412 subjects, systematic review and updated meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

The results of how matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) polymorphisms affect esophageal cancer (EC) risk are not consistent, especially for MMP1,2,7 and 9. A meta-analysis focused on the impact of MMPs to digestive cancers, but not a precise analysis to EC, therefore, we designed the current study to make a clear understanding of the association between MMPs polymorphisms and EC.

METHODS

Up to March 2020, we searched several databases to find case-control cohorts concerned about the risk of MMPs polymorphisms to EC risk. Odds ratios with 95% confidence intervals under five genetic models to generate the risk predicted value. The Q test and I2 statistics are used to estimate heterogeneity. Sensitivity analysis, Egger test, and Begg's funnel plot were employed to assess the results. In-silico analysis was performed to study the association between the polymorphism and mRNA expression.

RESULTS

19 case-control studies were enrolled, including 8371 EC patients and 12041 health controls. We observed the increased risk in BA vs. AA and BB + BA vs. AA models of MMP1-rs1799750 polymorphism. The protective effectiveness of EC was found in the MMP2 rs243865 polymorphism in B vs. A, BA vs. AA, and BB + BA vs. AA models. Meanwhile, the risk effect was also observed in the MMP7 rs11568818 polymorphism in most genetic models. In the furthermore bioinformatics analysis, we found that MMP1, MMP3, MMP7, MMP9, MMP12, MMP13 all increased in the tumor tissues, and the genetic alteration in the polymorphisms could impact the mRNA expression of the above MMPs.

CONCLUSION

MMP1 rs1799705 and MMP7 rs1156818 polymorphisms will take part in the tumorigenesis of EC, while MMP2 rs243865 acts as a protective role to decrease the risk of EC.

Are trace element concentrations suitable biomarkers for the diagnosis of cancer?

Despite advances in cancer research, cancer is still one of the leading causes of death worldwide. An early diagnosis substantially increases the survival rate and treatment success. Thus, it is important to establish biomarkers which could reliably identify cancer patients. As cancer is associated with changes in the systemic trace element status and distribution, serum concentrations of selenium, iron, copper, and zinc could contribute to an early diagnosis. To test this hypothesis, case control studies measuring trace elements in cancer patients vs. matched controls were selected and discussed focusing on lung, prostate, breast, and colorectal cancer. Overall, cancer patients had elevated serum copper and diminished zinc levels, while selenium and iron did not show consistent changes for all four cancer types. Within the tumor tissue, mainly copper and selenium are accumulating. Whether these concentrations also predict the survival probability of cancer patients needs to be further investigated.

Age-Related Changes in Zinc, Copper and Selenium Levels in the Human Prostate

Pathophysiological changes in the prostate gland-benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and prostatic adenocarcinoma (PCa)-are closely related to the age of men. In the prostate gland, zinc is of particular importance for its proper functioning, especially with regard to the effects of hormonal disorders. The aim of this study was to evaluate zinc, copper and selenium concentrations in different parts of the prostate gland in relation to age and the nature of pathological changes. Zinc and copper were determined by the AAS method and selenium by the spectrofluorometric method. The concentration of zinc in the central part of the prostate increases with age, and in patients over 36 years it is twice as high as in the peripheral part, where no increase in the level of this element was observed with the age of patients. The above data confirm a possible influence of zinc on the formation of PCa (located mostly in the peripheral part of the prostate, with low levels of zinc) and BPH in the central part where the levels of this element are the highest. The results apparently confirm the disturbed homeostasis of zinc and other essential elements in the etiology of BPH and PCa.

The Role of the Metzincin Superfamily in Prostate Cancer Progression: A Systematic-Like Review

Prostate cancer remains a leading cause of cancer-related morbidity in men. Potentially important regulators of prostate cancer progression are members of the metzincin superfamily of proteases, principally through their regulation of the extracellular matrix. It is therefore timely to review the role of the metzincin superfamily in prostate cancer and its progression to better understand their involvement in this disease. A systematic-like search strategy was conducted. Articles that investigated the roles of members of the metzincin superfamily and their key regulators in prostate cancer were included. The extracted articles were synthesized and data presented in tabular and narrative forms. Two hundred and five studies met the inclusion criteria. Of these, 138 investigated the role of the Matrix Metalloproteinase (MMP) subgroup, 34 the Membrane-Tethered Matrix Metalloproteinase (MT-MMP) subgroup, 22 the A Disintegrin and Metalloproteinase (ADAM) subgroup, 8 the A Disintegrin and Metalloproteinase with Thrombospondin Motifs (ADAMTS) subgroup and 53 the Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinases (TIMP) family of regulators, noting that several studies investigated multiple family members. There was clear evidence that specific members of the metzincin superfamily are involved in prostate cancer progression, which can be either in a positive or negative manner. However, further understanding of their mechanisms of action and how they may be used as prognostic indicators or molecular targets is required.

Polymorphisms in MMP-1, MMP-2, MMP-7, MMP-13 and MT2A do not contribute to breast, lung and colon cancer risk in polish population

Background

Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and metallothioneins (MTs) are Zinc-related proteins which are involved in processes crucial for carcinogenesis such as angiogenesis, proliferation and apoptosis. Several single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in MMPs and MTs that affect genes expression have been associated with cancer risk, including breast, lung and colon.

Methods

The study group consisted of 648 unselected patients (299 with breast cancer, 199 with lung cancer, 150 with colon cancer) and 648 unaffected individuals. Five SNPs, rs1799750 in MMP-1, rs243865 in MMP-2, rs11568818 in MMP-7, rs2252070 in MMP-13 and rs28366003 in MT2A were genotyped and serum zinc (Zn) level was measured. The cancer risk was calculated using multivariable logistic regression with respect to Zn.

Results

None of the 5 tested polymorphisms showed a correlation with cancer risk in studied groups, although for MMP-2, MMP-7 and MT2A non-significant differences in genotypes frequencies among cases and controls were observed.

Conclusions

Analyses of polymorphisms, rs1799750 in MMP-1, rs243865 in MMP-2, rs11568818 in MMP-7, rs2252070 in MMP-13 and rs28366003 in MT2A in relation to serum Zn level did not show significant association with breast, lung and colon cancer risk among polish patients. Further studies are needed to verify this observation.

The prognostic value and potential mechanism of Matrix Metalloproteinases among Prostate Cancer

Background: Matrix Metalloproteinases (MMPs) play an indispensable role in the initial alteration and development of PCa. We tried to generate an MMP-related prognostic signature (MMPS) in prostate cancer (PCa). Methods: TCGA-PRAD, MSKCC/GSE21032, GSE116918, GSE70769 cohorts were enrolled to assess the prognostic value of MMPs. The least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) Cox regression was employed to generate the MMPS signature. The log-rank test and Kaplan-Meier (K-M) survival curve were applied to show the difference RFS, The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve and area under the ROC curve (AUC) was plotted to predict the accuracy of signature. CIBERSORT was conducted to analyze the different immune infiltration in MMPS-H and MMPS-L groups. Potential signaling pathways activated in the MMPS-H groups by Metascape. Results: MMP1, MMP7, MMP11, MMP24 and MMP26 were selected by LASSO regression and established the MMPS predict signature. The MMPS showed the high prognostic value in TCGA-PRAD training cohort (AUC=0.714) and validation cohorts (GSE116918: AUC=0.976, GSE70769: AUC=0.738, MSKCC: AUC=0.793). Pid integrin1 pathway, G2M checkpoint, and response to growth factor signaling pathways were activated in MMPS-H group, patients with the high MMPS risk score and low M2 macrophage showed the worst recurrence-free survival (RFS). Conclusion: MMPs involved and played an essential role in the tumorigenesis and biochemical recurrence in PCa patients. The MMPS signature could accurately predict the recurrence of PCa patients and validated in several cohorts.

Serum and Saliva Concentrations of Biochemical Parameters in Men with Prostate Cancer and Benign Prostate Hyperplasia

OBJECTIVES

To find suitable biomarkers for diagnosis of prostate cancer (PC) in serum and saliva; also, to evaluate the diagnostic efficacy of saliva in patients with PC.

METHODS

This case-control study included 20 patients with PC and 20 patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). Blood and saliva were collected from the participants and centrifuged. Serum and supernatant saliva were used for biochemical analysis. We evaluated serum and salivary levels of urea, creatinine, prostate-specific antigen (PSA), creatine kinase BB (CK-BB), zinc, β-2 microglobulin (B2M), and melatonin. Also, we used Mann-Whitney U testing, Spearman correlation coefficients, and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis to evaluate the data.

RESULTS

Serum and salivary concentrations of urea, creatinine, PSA, CK-BB, zinc, and B2M were significantly higher in patients with PC, compared with the BPH group (P <.05). However, serum and salivary concentrations of melatonin were significantly lower in patients with PC, compared with BPH group (P <.05). In both groups, salivary concentrations of all markers were lower (P <.05), compared with those values in serum. We observed positive correlation between serum and salivary concentrations of all markers studied (P <.05).

CONCLUSION

From the data, we conclude that investigation using saliva specimens is a noninvasive, simple, and effective tool for screening of biochemical parameters.

Metallothionein 2A gene polymorphisms in relation to diseases and trace element levels in humans

Human metallothioneins are a superfamily of low molecular weight intracellular proteins, whose synthesis can be induced by essential elements (primarily Zn and Cu), toxic elements and chemical agents, and stress-producing conditions. Of the four known isoforms in the human body MT2 is the most common. The expression of metallothioneins is encoded by a multigene family of linked genes and can be influenced by single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in these genes. To date, 24 SNPs in the MT2A gene have been identified with the incidence of about 1 % in various population groups, and three of them were shown to affect physiological and pathophysiological processes. This review summarises current knowledge about these three SNPs in the MT2A gene and their associations with element concentrations in the body of healthy and diseased persons. The most investigated SNP is rs28366003 (MT2A -5 A/G). Reports associate it with longevity, cancer (breast, prostate, laryngeal, and in paranasal sinuses), and chronic renal disease. The second most investigated SNP, rs10636 (MT2A +838G/C), is associated with breast cancer, cardiovascular disease, and type 2 diabetes. Both are also associated with several metal/metalloid concentrations in the organism. The third SNP, rs1610216 (MT2A -209A/G), has been studied for association with type 2 diabetes, cardiomyopathy, hyperglycaemia, and Zn concentrations. Metallothionein concentrations and MT2A polymorphisms have a potential to be used as biomarkers of metal exposure and clinical markers of a number of chronic diseases. This potential needs to be studied and verified in a large number of well-defined groups of participants (several hundreds and thousands) with a focus on particular physiological or pathological condition and taking into consideration other contributing factors, such as environmental exposure and individual genetic and epigenetic makeup.

Advances of Zinc Signaling Studies in Prostate Cancer

Prostate cancer (PCa) is one of the most common cancers and the second leading cause of cancer-related death among men worldwide. Despite progresses in early diagnosis and therapeutic strategies, prognosis for patients with advanced PCa remains poor. Noteworthily, a unique feature of healthy prostate is its highest level of zinc content among all soft tissues in the human body, which dramatically decreases during prostate tumorigenesis. To date, several reviews have suggested antitumor activities of zinc and its potential as a therapeutic strategy of PCa. However, an overview about the role of zinc and its signaling in PCa is needed. Here, we review literature related to the content, biological function, compounds and clinical application of zinc in PCa. We first summarize zinc content in prostate tissue and sera of PCa patients with their clinical relevance. We then elaborate biological functions of zinc signaling in PCa on three main aspects, including cell proliferation, death and tumor metastasis. Finally, we discuss clinical applications of zinc-containing compounds and proteins involved in PCa signaling pathways. Based on currently available studies, we conclude that zinc plays a tumor suppressive role and can serve as a biomarker in PCa diagnosis and therapies.

MMP2 and MMP10 Polymorphisms Are Related to Steroid-Induced Osteonecrosis of the Femoral Head among Chinese Han Population

Background

Steroid-induced osteonecrosis of the femoral head is a relatively serious condition which seriously reduces patient quality of life. However, the pathogenesis of steroid-induced ONFH is still unclear. In recent years, more scholars have found that the pathogenesis of steroid-induced ONFH is related to susceptibility factors such as MMPs/TIMPs system. The main purpose of this study is to investigate the correlation between MMP2 and MMP10 gene polymorphisms and steroid-induced ONFH in Chinese Han population.

Methods

Six SNPs in MMP2 and two SNPs in MMP10 were genotyped using Agena MassARRAY RS1000 system from 286 patients of steroid-induced ONFH and in 309 healthy controls. The association between MMP2 and MMP10 polymorphisms and steroid-induced ONFH risk were estimated by the Chi-squared test, genetic model analysis, haplotype analysis, and stratification analysis. The relative risk was estimated by odd ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs).

Result

We found that the minor TG allele of rs470154 in MMP10 was associated with an increased risk of steroid-induced ONFH (OR = 1.45, 95% CI, 1.03 – 2.05, p = 0.032). In the genetic model analysis, we found that rs2241146 in MMP2 gene and rs470154 in MMP10 gene showed a statistically significant association with increased risk of steroid-induced ONFH. The six SNPs (rs470154, rs243866, rs243864, rs865094, rs11646643, and rs2241146) showed a statistically significant association with different clinical phenotypes.

Conclusion

Our results verify that genetic polymorphisms of MMP2 and MMP10 contribute to steroid-induced ONFH susceptibility in the population of Chinese Han population, and our study provides new insights into the role that MMP2 and MMP10 plays in the mechanism of ONFH.

The impact of plasma zinc status on the severity of prostate cancer disease

Purpose

The severity of prostate cancer (PCa), which determines the disease progression, is theorized to be a function of zinc status. Hence, this study was structured to determine the impact of zinc status on the severity and progression of PCa disease.

Materials and Methods

This was a descriptive cross-sectional study of 220 histologically-confirmed PCa patients and 220 age-matched controls, conducted prospectively in a Nigerian tertiary hospital. Plasma zinc, prostate-specific antigen, creatinine, fasting glucose, and estimated glomerular filtration rate were determined for both study groups. The International Society of Urological Pathology (ISUP) grades and the American Joint Committee on Cancer clinical staging were employed as indices for PCa severity (grade) and progression (stage) respectively.

Results

The PCa patients had markedly reduced plasma zinc status compared to controls (cases: 9.42±3.02 µmol/L versus controls: 15.23±4.47 µmol/L; p<0.001). Low zinc status was more pronounced within the severe grade and advanced PCa disease subgroups (p<0.001). Inverse relationships existed between zinc status and ISUP grades among the entire PCa patient (p<0.001) and the categorized PCa grade and stage subgroups (p<0.001). Low zinc status had significant impact of predicting severe (crude=odds ratio [OR], 8.714; p<0.001; age-adjusted=OR, 11.152; p<0.001) and advanced (crude=OR, 17.160; p<0.001; age-adjusted=OR, 18.927; p<0.001) PCa disease.

Conclusions

This study suggests that low plasma zinc status is associated with severe grade and advanced PCa disease. However, further well-designed studies with large sample sizes are warranted to confirm these associations.

Association between matrix-metalloproteinase polymorphisms and prostate cancer risk: a meta-analysis and systematic review

Background

Data from published articles on the relationship between MMP polymorphisms and prostate cancer risk are conflicted and inconclusive, so a meta-analysis and systematic review were performed to assess the relationship.

Methods

Relevant research articles were identified from databases using a search strategy. Studies with the same MMP polymorphisms that could be quantitatively synthesized were included in the meta-analysis. Five comparison models (homozygote, heterozygote, dominant, recessive, and additive) were applied, and a subgroup analysis by case-group sample type was performed. Studies with different polymorphisms that could not be quantitatively synthesized were included in the systematic review.

Results

Eleven articles encompassing 22 studies involving 12 MMP polymorphisms were included in this paper. Among the studies included, 13 studies involving MMP1 rs1799750, MMP2 rs243865, and MMP7 rs11568818 were quantitatively synthesized for meta-analysis, and the other nine studies involving nine polymorphisms (MMP2 rs2285053, MMP2 rs1477017, MMP2 rs17301608, MMP2 rs11639960, MMP3 11715A/6A, MMP3 1161A/G, MMP3 5356A/G, MMP9 rs17576, and MMP13 rs2252070) were included in the systematic review. Meta-analysis showed no associations between MMP1 rs1799750, MMP2 rs243865, or MMP7 rs11568818 and prostate cancer risk overall. Subgroup analysis by case-group sample type confirmed that no associations existed. The systematic review suggested that MMP3 11715A/6A and MMP9 rs17576 were associated with prostate cancer risk.

Conclusion

MMP polymorphisms are not associated with prostate cancer risk, except for MMP3 11715A/6A and MMP9 rs17576. However, it is necessary to conduct larger-scale, high-quality studies in future.