Stromal cell-derived factor-1 but not its receptor, CXCR4, gene variants increase susceptibility and pathological development of hepatocellular carcinoma

The Role of the CXCL12/CXCR4/CXCR7 Chemokine Axis in Cancer

Chemokines are a family of small, secreted cytokines which regulate a variety of cell functions. The C-X-C motif chemokine ligand 12 (CXCL12) binds to C-X-C chemokine receptor type 4 (CXCR4) and C-X-C chemokine receptor type 7 (CXCR7). The interaction of CXCL12 and its receptors subsequently induces downstream signaling pathways with broad effects on chemotaxis, cell proliferation, migration, and gene expression. Accumulating evidence suggests that the CXCL12/CXCR4/CXCR7 axis plays a pivotal role in tumor development, survival, angiogenesis, metastasis, and tumor microenvironment. In addition, this chemokine axis promotes chemoresistance in cancer therapy via complex crosstalk with other pathways. Multiple small molecules targeting CXCR4/CXCR7 have been developed and used for preclinical and clinical cancer treatment. In this review, we describe the roles of the CXCL12/CXCR4/CXCR7 axis in cancer progression and summarize strategies to develop novel targeted cancer therapies.

Signatures of gene expression, DNA methylation and microRNAs of hepatocellular carcinoma with vascular invasion

Aim: Micro and macro vascular invasion (VI) are known as independent predictors of tumor recurrence and poor survival after surgical treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Here, we aimed to re-analyze The Cancer Genome Atlas of liver hepatocellular carcinoma datasets to identify the VI-expression signatures. Materials & methods: We filtered The Cancer Genome Atlas liver hepatocellular carcinoma (LIHC) datasets into three groups: no VI (NVI = 198); micro VI (MIVI = 89) and macro VI (MAVI = 16). We performed differential gene expression, methylation and microRNA analyses. Results & conclusion: We identified 12 differentially expressed genes and 55 differentially methylated genes in MAVI compared with no VI. The GPD1L gene appeared in all of the comparative analyses. Higher GPD1L expression was associated with VI and poor outcomes in the HCC patients.

Potential Role of CXCR4 Targeting in the Context of Radiotherapy and Immunotherapy of Cancer

Cancer immunotherapy has been established as standard of care in different tumor entities. After the first reports on synergistic effects with radiotherapy and the induction of abscopal effects-tumor shrinkage outside the irradiated volume attributed to immunological effects of radiotherapy-several treatment combinations have been evaluated. Different immunotherapy strategies (e.g., immune checkpoint inhibition, vaccination, cytokine based therapies) have been combined with local tumor irradiation in preclinical models. Clinical trials are ongoing in different cancer entities with a broad range of immunotherapeutics and radiation schedules. SDF-1 (CXCL12)/CXCR4 signaling has been described to play a major role in tumor biology, especially in hypoxia adaptation, metastasis and migration. Local tumor irradiation is a known inducer of SDF-1 expression and release. CXCR4 also plays a major role in immunological processes. CXCR4 antagonists have been approved for the use of hematopoietic stem cell mobilization from the bone marrow. In addition, several groups reported an influence of the SDF-1/CXCR4 axis on intratumoral immune cell subsets and anti-tumor immune response. The aim of this review is to merge the knowledge on the role of SDF-1/CXCR4 in tumor biology, radiotherapy and immunotherapy of cancer and in combinatorial approaches.

Inflammation polymorphisms and prostate cancer risk in Jamaican men: Role of obesity/body size

African ancestry and obesity are associated with higher risk of prostate cancer (PC). In a pilot study, we explored interactions between obesity (as measured by waist to hip ratio (WHR)) and inflammatory SNPs in relation to PC risk among Jamaican men. This study evaluated 87 chemokine and cytokine associated SNPs in obese and normal weight cases (N=109) and controls (N=102) using a stepwise penalized logistic regression approach in multivariable analyses. Upon stratification by WHR (normal weight (WHR<0.90) or obese (WHR≥0.90)), inheritance of CCR6 rs2023305 AG+GG (OR=1.75, p=0.007), CCR9 rs7613548 AG+GG (OR=1.71, p=0.012) and IL10ra rs2229113 AG+GG (OR=1.45, p=0.01) genotypes was associated with increase in overall or low grade (Gleason score<7) PC risk among normal weight men. These odds were elevated among obese men who possessed the CCR5 rs1799987 AG+GG (OR=1.95, p=0.003) and RNASEL rs12135247 CT+TT genotypes (OR=1.59, p=0.05). CCR7 rs3136685 AG+GG (p=0.032) was associated with a 1.52-1.70 fold increase in the risk of high grade cancer (Gleason score≥7) among obese men. CCR7 variant emerged as an important factor associated with high grade PC risk among obese men in our analyses. Overall, genetic loci found significant in normal weight men were not significant in obese men and vice-versa, partially explaining the role of obesity on PC risk among black men. Also, older age was an important risk factor both in normal weight and obese men but only with regard to low grade PC. Associations of inflammatory SNPs with obesity are suggestive and require further validation in larger cohorts to help develop an understanding of PC risk among obese and non-obese men of African descent.

CXC motif chemokine receptor 4 gene polymorphism and cancer risk

BACKGROUND

Previous epidemiological studies have reported the relationship between CXC motif chemokine receptor 4 (CXCR4) synonymous polymorphism (rs2228014), and risk of cancer, but the results remained conflicting and controversial. Therefore, this study was devised to evaluate the genetic effects of the rs2228014 polymorphism on cancer risk in a large meta-analysis.

METHODS

The computer-based databases (EMBASE, Web of Science, and PubMed) were searched for all relevant studies evaluating rs2228014 and susceptibility to cancer. In the analysis, pooled odds ratios (ORs) with its corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated in 5 genetic models to assess the genetic risk. Egger regression and Begg funnel plots test were conducted to appraise the publication bias.

RESULTS

Data on rs2228014 polymorphism and overall cancer risk were available for 3684 cancer patients and 5114 healthy controls participating in 11 studies. Overall, a significantly increased risk of cancer was associated with rs2228014 polymorphism in homozygote model (OR = 2.01, 95% CI: 1.22-3.33) and in recessive model (OR = 1.97, 95% CI: 1.23-3.16). When stratified by ethnicity, the results were positive only in Asian populations (heterozygote model: OR = 1.36, 95% CI: 1.13-1.65; homozygote model: OR = 2.43, 95% CI: 1.21-4.91; dominant model: OR = 1.47, 95% CI: 1.13-1.90; recessive model: OR = 2.25, 95% CI: 1.13-4.48; and allele model: OR = 1.48, 95% CI: 1.10-1.99). Besides, in the subgroup analysis by source of control, the result was significant only in population-based control (homozygote model: OR = 2.39, 95% CI: 1.06-5.40; recessive model: pooled OR = 2.24, 95% CI: 1.02-4.96).

CONCLUSION

In general, our results first indicated that the rs2228014 polymorphism in CXCR4 gene is correlated with an increased risk of cancer, especially among Asian ethnicity. Large, well-designed epidemiological studies are required to verify the current findings.

The SDF-1 rs1801157 Polymorphism is Associated with Cancer Risk: An Update Pooled Analysis and FPRP Test of 17,876 Participants

The stromal cell derived factor-1 (SDF-1) rs1801157 gene polymorphism has been implicated in susceptibility to cancer, but the results were inconclusive. The current study was to precisely investigate the association between SDF-1 rs1801157 polymorphism and cancer risk using meta-analysis and the false positive report probability (FPRP) test. All 17,876 participants were included in the study. The meta-analysis results indicated a significant association between the SDF-1 rs1801157 polymorphism and cancer risk. By subgroup analyses, the results detected that the SDF-1 rs1801157 polymorphism was associated with cancer susceptibility among Asians and Caucasians. Additionally, we also found significant associations between the SDF-1 rs1801157 polymorphism and susceptibility to different types of cancer. However, to avoid a "false positive report", we further investigated the significant associations observed in the present meta-analysis using the FPRP test. Interestingly, the results of the FPRP test indicated that only 4 gene models were truly associated with cancer risk, especially in Asians. Moreover, we confirmed that the SDF-1 rs1801157 gene polymorphism was only associated with lung and urologic cancer risk. In summary, this study suggested that the SDF-1 rs1801157 polymorphism may serve as a risk factor for cancer development among Asians, especially an increased risk of urologic and lung cancers.

CXCR4 dysfunction in non-alcoholic steatohepatitis in mice and patients

Homing of inflammatory cells to the liver is key in the progression of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). An abnormal response of CD4+ T-cells from obese mice to the chemotactic effect of CXCL12 has been reported but the mechanism involved in this process and relevance in patients are unknown. We aimed to explore the mechanism involved in the abnormal chemotaxis of CXC chemokine ligand 12 (CXCL12) in several mouse models of NASH and the relevance in the context of human non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). We assessed chemotactic responsiveness of CD4+ T-cells to CXCL12, the effect of AMD3100, a CXC chemokine receptor 4 (CXCR4) antagonist, in mice and lymphocytes from patients with NAFLD, and the affinity of CXCL12 for CXCR4. CXCL12-promoted migration of CD4+ T-cells from three different mouse models of NASH was increased and dependent of CXCR4. CD4+ T-cells from patients with NASH, but not from patients with pure steatosis, responded more strongly to the chemotactic effect of CXCL12, and this response was inhibited by AMD3100. Treatment with AMD3100 decreased the number of CD4+ T-cells to the liver in ob/ob mice. CXCL12 expression in the liver, CXCR4 and CXCR7 expression in CD4+ T-cells were not increased in three different mouse models of NASH. However, the affinity of CXCL12 for CXCR4 was increased in CD4+ T-cells of ob/ob mice. In conclusion, the CXCL12/CXCR4 pathway contributes in both mice and patients to the enhanced recruitment of CD4+ T-cells in NASH. An increased affinity of CXCL12 to CXCR4 rather than a higher expression of the chemokine or its receptors is involved in this process.

Stromal cell-derived factor-1 G801A polymorphism and the risk factors for cervical cancer

Although certain studies have demonstrated no association between the stromal cell‑derived factor‑1 (SDF1‑3') G801A single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) and cervical carcinoma, the interactions between the SDF1‑3' G801A SNP and contraceptive use, menopausal status, parity and tobacco smoking remain to be fully elucidated. Using polymerase chain reaction‑restriction fragment length polymorphism, the distribution of SDF1‑3' G801A genotypes in patients with cervical cancer (n=462) against control groups (n=497) was investigated. Logistic regression analysis, adjusting for age, pregnancy, oral contraceptive use, tobacco smoking and menopausal status, did not identify the SDF1‑3' G801A polymorphism as a genetic risk factor for cervical cancer. The adjusted odds ratio (OR) for patients with the A/G, vs. G/G genotype was 1.203, with a 95% confidence interval (CI) of 0.909‑1.591 (P=0.196). The adjusted OR for the A/A, vs. G/G genotype was 1.296 (95% CI=0.930‑1.807; P=0.125) and for the A/A or A/G, vs. G/G genotype was 1.262 (95% CI=0.964‑1.653; P=0.090)]. The P‑value of the χ2 test of the trend observed for the SDF1‑3' G801A polymorphism was at the borderline of being statistically significant (ptrend=0.0484). Stratified analyses between the distribution of the SDF1‑3' G801A genotypes and cervical cancer risks demonstrated that this polymorphism may be a risk factor for patients with a positive history of tobacco smoking (1.778; 95% CI=1.078‑2.934; P=0.0235). These findings suggested that the SDF1‑3' G801A polymorphism may be a genetic risk factor for cervical cancer in patients with a positive history of tobacco smoking.

A4383C and C76G SNP in Cathepsin B is respectively associated with the high risk and tumor size of hepatocarcinoma

Single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) in some genes is a candidate for having or developing a cancer. Cathepsin B (CTSB) is considered to be the biomarker of cancers. The study aimed to evaluate the impacts of three SNPs in CTSB gene on the risk and progress of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The SNPs of CTSB C76G (rs12338), CTSB A4383C (rs13332), and CTSB A8422G (rs8898) from 135 patients with HCC and 520 control participants in Taiwan were determined by real-time PCR. Through analyzing by statistics, we found that the polymorphism of rs13332 was significantly associated to the risk of HCC cancer; a significantly high frequent tumor size development was observed in HCC patients carrying rs12338 polymorphic genotype than those carrying ancestral genotype. The SNPs of rs12338, rs13332, and rs8898 were irrelevant to the frequencies of HCC clinical status and the levels of HCC clinicopathological markers. In conclusions, CTSB A4383C SNP is observed modestly more often in patients who developed HCC than in healthy controls and might be associated with the risk of HCC. The association between CTSB C76G SNP and greater tumor size may warrant further study in regards to the biology of HCC.

CD44 gene polymorphisms on hepatocellular carcinoma susceptibility and clinicopathologic features

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the second leading cause of cancer deaths in Taiwan. CD44, one of the well-known tumor markers, plays an essential role in tumor cell differentiation, invasion, and metastasis. We investigated the CD44 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) with environmental risk factors related to HCC susceptibility and clinicopathological characteristics. Six SNPs of CD44 were analyzed using a real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in 203 patients with HCC and in 561 cancer-free controls. We determined that the individuals carrying at least one G allele at CD44 rs187115 has higher risk of developing HCC than did wild-type (AA) carriers. We further observed that the CD44 rs187115 polymorphisms with at least one G allele had a higher frequency of distribution in nonsmoking stage III/IV HCC patients, compared with wild-type carriers. Our results suggested that patients with CD44 rs187115 variant genotypes (AG+GG) were associated with a higher risk of HCC development and that these patients might possess chemoresistance, causing more likely progression to late-stage HCC than wild-type carriers without the overexpression of CD44 induced by heavy smoking. CD44 rs187115 might be involved in CD44 isoform expression of p53 stress response in HCC and provide a marker for predicting worst-case prognosis of HCC.

Effects of EZH2 polymorphisms on susceptibility to and pathological development of hepatocellular carcinoma

Background

The enhancer of zeste 2 (EZH2) gene encodes the histone methyltransferase that is the catalytic component of the polycomb repressive complex-2, which initiates epigenetic silencing of genes. The expression level of EZH2 in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is highly correlated with tumor progression; however, it has not been determined if specific EZH2 genetic variants are associated with the risk of HCC. This study investigated the potential associations of EZH2 single-nucleotide polymorphisms with HCC susceptibility and its clinicopathologic characteristics.

Methodology/Principal Findings

A total of 220 HCC patients and 552 cancer-free controls were analyzed for four EZH2 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (rs6950683, rs2302427, rs3757441, and rs41277434) using real-time PCR genotyping. After adjusting for other co-variants, the individuals carrying at least one C allele at EZH2 rs6950683 and rs3757441 had a 0.611-fold and a 0.660-fold lower risk of developing HCC than did wild-type (TT) carriers, respectively. The CCCA or CCTA haplotype among the four EZH2 sites (rs6950683, rs2302427, rs3757441, and rs41277434), respectively, was also associated with a reduced risk of HCC. Furthermore, HCC patients who carried at least one C allele at rs6950683 or rs3757441 had a higher lymph–node-metastasis risk but a lower liver-cirrhosis risk than did patients carrying the wild-type allele.

Conclusions

The rs6950683 and rs3757441 polymorphic genotypes of EZH2 might contribute to the prediction of susceptibility to and pathological development of HCC. This is the first study to provide insight into risk factors associated with EZH2 variants in carcinogenesis of HCC in Taiwan.

G801A polymorphism of human stromal cell-derived factor 1 gene raises no susceptibility to neoplastic lesions of uterine cervix

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to investigate the association of stromal cell-derived factor 1 (SDF-1) gene polymorphisms with the neoplastic lesions of uterine cervix in Mid-Taiwan women.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Four hundred ninety-eight blood samples were collected from 161 patients with neoplasia of uterine cervix, including 76 cancer patients, 61 patients with high-grade dysplasia, and 24 with low-grade dysplasia, and 337 healthy controls who lived in Mid-Taiwan. Polymorphism of the SDF-1 gene was examined using polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism.

RESULTS

For SDF-1 gene polymorphisms, the wild-type homozygous alleles (G/G) yielded 100- and 193-bp products, the heterozygous alleles (G/A) yielded 100-, 193- and 293-bp products, whereas the mutated-type homozygous alleles (A/A) yielded a 293-bp product. We found no significant difference in genotypes or alleles distribution of SDF-1 polymorphisms between patients with cervical neoplasia and healthy women (P = 0.530). Compared with the homozygous GG subgroup, GA and AA subgroups do not increase the risk of cervical neoplasia.

CONCLUSIONS

Although the expression of SDF-1 was reported to be significantly increased in cervical carcinogenesis in previous studies, our results, however, show that SDF-1 gene polymorphism could not be considered as a factor related to an increased susceptibility to cervical neoplasia.

Effects of NFKB1 and NFKBIA gene polymorphisms on hepatocellular carcinoma susceptibility and clinicopathological features

BACKGROUND

Constitutive activation of nuclear factor (NF)-κB is frequently observed in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The current study examined associations of polymorphisms within promoter regions of NFKB1 encoding NF-κB1 and NFKBIA encoding IκBα with the susceptibility of developing HCC and clinicopathological characteristics of the tumors.

METHODOLOGY AND PRINCIPAL FINDINGS

Genetic polymorphisms of NFKB1 and NFKBIA were analyzed by a real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in 135 HCC patients and 520 healthy controls. The genotypic frequency of the NFKB1 -94 Ins polymorphism in HCC patients was significantly higher than that of the controls (adjusted odds ratio (AOR) = 2.23; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.32∼3.77). No statistical significance was observed for the distribution frequency of the NFKBIA --519 C/T, -826 C/T, or -881 A/G genotype and haplotype polymorphisms between HCC patients and controls. Furthermore, female HCC patients carrying the NFKB1 -94 Ins polymorphism were associated with lower clinical stages and smaller tumor sizes.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results indicate that the NFKB1 -94 Ins promoter polymorphism increased the risk of HCC, and may be applied as a predictive factor for the clinical stage and tumor size in female HCC patients.

Chemokine Ligand 5 (CCL5) and chemokine receptor (CCR5) genetic variants and prostate cancer risk among men of African Descent: a case-control study

BACKGROUND

Chemokine and chemokine receptors play an essential role in tumorigenesis. Although chemokine-associated single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) are associated with various cancers, their impact on prostate cancer (PCA) among men of African descent is unknown. Consequently, this study evaluated 43 chemokine-associated SNPs in relation to PCA risk. We hypothesized inheritance of variant chemokine-associated alleles may lead to alterations in PCA susceptibility, presumably due to variations in antitumor immune responses.

METHODS

Sequence variants were evaluated in germ-line DNA samples from 814 African-American and Jamaican men (279 PCA cases and 535 controls) using Illumina's Goldengate genotyping system.

RESULTS

Inheritance of CCL5 rs2107538 (AA, GA+AA) and rs3817655 (AA, AG, AG+AA) genotypes were linked with a 34-48% reduction in PCA risk. Additionally, the recessive and dominant models for CCR5 rs1799988 and CCR7 rs3136685 were associated with a 1.52-1.73 fold increase in PCA risk. Upon stratification, only CCL5 rs3817655 and CCR7 rs3136685 remained significant for the Jamaican and U.S. subgroups, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

In summary, CCL5 (rs2107538, rs3817655) and CCR5 (rs1799988) sequence variants significantly modified PCA susceptibility among men of African descent, even after adjusting for age and multiple comparisons. Our findings are only suggestive and require further evaluation and validation in relation to prostate cancer risk and ultimately disease progression, biochemical/disease recurrence and mortality in larger high-risk subgroups. Such efforts will help to identify genetic markers capable of explaining disproportionately high prostate cancer incidence, mortality, and morbidity rates among men of African descent.

The CXCL12 G801A polymorphism and cancer risk: evidence from 17 case-control studies

CXCL12 has been implicated in human carcinogenesis, but the association between the most-studied G801A polymorphism (rs1801157) and the risk of various cancers was reported with inconclusive results. The aim of this study was to assess the association between the CXCL12 G801A polymorphism and cancer risk. A meta-analysis of 17 studies with 3048 cancer patients and 4522 controls was conducted to evaluate the strength of the association using odds ratio (OR) with its 95% confidence interval (CI). The overall results showed that the variant genotypes were associated with a significantly increased risk of all cancer types (OR=1.38, 95%CI=1.18-1.61 for GA versus GG, and OR=1.36, 95%CI=1.17-1.59 for GA/AA versus GG). In the stratified analyses, there was a significantly increased risk for the studies of breast cancer (OR=1.64, 95% CI=1.16-2.33 for AA versus GG, OR=1.42, 95%CI=1.18-1.71 for GA versus GG, and OR=1.44, 95%CI=1.21-1.72 for GA/AA versus GG) and lung cancer (OR=2.86, 95% CI=1.75-4.69 for AA versus GG, OR=1.62, 95% CI=1.20-2.18 for GA vs. GG, OR=1.80, 95% CI=1.36-2.39 for GA/AA versus GG, and OR=2.24, 95%CI=1.41-3.57 for AA versus GA/GG), which remained for the studies of Asian populations and hospital-based control sources. Although some modest bias could not be eliminated, this meta-analysis indicates that the CXCL12 G801A polymorphism is a low-penetrance risk factor for cancer development.

Single nucleotide polymorphisms associated with metastatic tumour antigen 1 overexpression in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma

BACKGROUNDS/AIMS

Metastatic tumour antigen 1 (MTA1) promotes angiogenesis by stabilizing hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α), which is closely associated with frequent postoperative recurrence and poor survival in patients with HCC. In this study, we determined single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in angiogenesis-related genes that are associated with MTA1 overexpression in HCC tissues.

METHODS

A total of 376 patients with HCC who had received curative surgical resection or liver transplantation were enrolled (312/21/43; HBV/HCV/NBNC). MTA1 expression was determined via immunohistochemistry. Thirty-three common SNPs sites (frequency ≥5%) in the angiogenic protein gene that are closely connected to one another were selected, including MTA1, VEGF, HIF-1α, FGF-2, and IGF-II.

RESULTS

Expression of MTA1 was detected in 120 HCC tissues (31%). An A allele at position IVS4-81G/A of the MTA1 gene (P = 0.016) and the TT genotype at position +12916C of the VEGF gene (P = 0.023) were significantly associated with MTA1 overexpression. However, the TT genotype at position -13021C (P = 0.011) and the haplotypes CT-CT (-11228C; -13021C) of the IGF-II gene (P(cor) = 0.033) were more common in patients with MTA1-negative HCC. Using multivariate analysis, the A allele at IVS4-81G/A in MTA1 gene (P = 0.015) and a T allele (TT+CT genotype) at -13021C in IGF-II (P = 0.002) were independent risk factors in HCC recurrence after curative surgical resection.

CONCLUSIONS

The genetic polymorphisms IVS4-81G/A in MTA1 and +12916C in VEGF genes were correlated with MTA1 overexpression. The SNPs in MTA1 and IGF-II genes may be important risk factors for the recurrence of HCC.

Survivin T9809C, an SNP located in 3'-UTR, displays a correlation with the risk and clinicopathological development of hepatocellular carcinoma

BACKGROUND

Early detection of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is seldom available because of the lack of reliable markers. Survivin is an anti-apoptotic protein that is implicated in the regulation of apoptosis and cell cycle, and it is undetectable in normal adult tissues but is overexpressed in various types of cancers. Survivin is thus commonly considered to be a marker of malignancy. The aim of this study was to explore the association between survivin gene polymorphisms and the risk and diagnostic progress of HCC.

METHODS

A total of 135 patients with HCC and 496 healthy control subjects were recruited. Five single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of survivin genes were determined by real-time polymerase chain reaction (real-time PCR) and further analyzed statistically.

RESULTS

We first found that the -241 C/T and -235 G/A genetic polymorphisms of survivin did not occur frequently enough or even lacked in Taiwanese population. The +9809 C/C polymorphism exhibited a significant (P < .05) low risk of 0.525-fold (95% confidence interval [95% CI] = 0.297-0.930) to have HCC compared with the wild-type homozygotes and a low ratio of 0.214-fold (95% CI = 0.051-0.890) for positive anti-HCV was shown in the individuals with survivin +9809 polymorphic CC allele compared with the TT/TC genotypic subgroup.

CONCLUSIONS

Survivin +9809 polymorphic genotype is associated with the risk of HCC, and the HCC patients with survivin +9809 CC homozygotes might have a low risk of developing infected HCV-dependent HCC. The results suggest that the survivin T9809C SNP might contribute to the prediction of susceptibility and pathological development to HCC.

Relationship of interleukin-8 gene polymorphisms with hepatocellular carcinoma susceptibility and pathological development

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most frequent malignant neoplasms worldwide, and the second leading cause of death from cancer in Taiwan. Interleukin-8 (IL-8) is an angiogenic chemokine with important roles in the development and progression of many human malignancies including HCC. This study investigates the effects of single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the IL-8 gene on the susceptibility and clinicopathological characteristics of HCC.

METHODS

One hundred thirty-one HCC patients and 340 control subjects were analyzed for four IL-8 SNPs (-251 T/A, +781 C/T, +1633 C/T, and +2767 A/T) using PCR-RFLP genotyping analysis.

RESULTS

After adjusting for other confounders, results show that individuals with the IL-8 +781 T/T polymorphic genotype had a significantly lower risk of developing HCC than those with the wild-type (C/C) genotype (AOR = 0.346; 95% CI: 0.132-0.909). Multiple regression analysis showed that the presence of T/A or A/A at IL-8 -251 may indicate higher potential risk of hepatitis B infection (AOR = 2.847; 95% CI: 1.083-8.656). Additionally, these four IL-8 SNPs did not associate with liver-related clinicopathological markers in serum.

CONCLUSIONS

Genetic polymorphism at IL-8 +781 is an important factor in determining susceptibility to HCC in the Taiwanese population.

Genetic variants of SDF-1 and CXCR4 genes in endometrial carcinoma

In this study, we aimed to investigate a possible association between the Stromal cell-derived factor-1 (SDF-1) and CXCR4 polymorphisms and the risk of developing endometrial carcinoma. SDF-1 3'A and CXCR4 gene polymorphisms was performed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and restriction fragment length polymorphism in 139 healthy individuals and 113 patients with endometrial carcinoma. In our study groups SDF-1 3'A AA genotype frequency was higher in patients that of controls and individuals who had AA genotype showed a 2.6-fold increased risk for endometrial cancer. The carriers of CXCR4 T allele were higher in patients compared with controls and individuals who had TT genotype had a 2.5-fold high risk for endometrial carcinoma. Our finding suggest that there was no significant association between the (SDF-1) and CXCR4 polymorphisms and endometrium cancer risk. Further studies in a larger population are needed to better elucidate the role of (SDF-1) and CXCR4 gene polymorphisms in the risk of endometrial carcinogenesis. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to show such an association.

Effects of E-cadherin (CDH1) gene promoter polymorphisms on the risk and clinicopathological development of hepatocellular carcinoma

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most frequent malignant neoplasms worldwide, and is the second leading cause of cancer death in Taiwan. E-cadherin is an epithelial cell adhesion molecule, and decreased E-cadherin expression in HCC is associated with a poor prognosis. This study investigates the effects of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the E-cadherin/CDH1 gene promoter on the risk and clinicopathological characteristics of HCC METHODS: 131 HCC patients and 347 controls were recruited for this study. Genetic polymorphisms of CDH1-160 and -347 were analyzed by PCR-RFLP genotyping analysis.

RESULTS

After adjusting for other confounders, results show that individuals with the CDH1-347G/GA or GA/GA polymorphic genotypes had a significantly higher risk of developing HCC than those with the wild-type (G/G) genotype (adjusted odds ratio = 2.477; 95%CI: 1.421-4.319). Furthermore, patients with HCC with at least one mutant A allele of CDH1-160 had a 4.031-fold risk of progressing to stage III or IV.

CONCLUSIONS

This study shows that SNPs in CDH1-347 gene are associated with an increased risk of HCC, and at least one mutant A allele of CDH1-160 gene is associated with the development of stage III or IV of HCC in Taiwanese.

Polymorphisms in chemokine and receptor genes and gastric cancer risk and survival in a high risk Polish population

OBJECTIVE

To examine if genetic variations in chemokine receptor and ligand genes are associated with gastric cancer risk and survival.

METHODS

The study included 298 cases and 417 controls from a population-based study of gastric cancer conducted in Warsaw, Poland in 1994-1996. We investigated seven single nucleotide polymorphisms in a chemokine ligand (CXCL12) and chemokine receptor (CCR2, CCR5, CX3CR1) genes and one frameshift deletion (CCR5) in blood leukocyte DNA in relation to gastric cancer risk and survival. Genotyping was conducted at the NCI Core Genotyping Facility. Odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals were computed using univariate and multivariate logistic regression models. Survival analysis was performed using Cox proportional hazards models.

RESULTS

Gastric cancer risk was not associated with single chemokine polymorphisms. A CCR5 haplotype that contained the common alleles of IVS1+151 G>T (rs2734648), IVS2+80 C>T (rs1800024) and minor allele of IVS1+246 A>G (rs1799987) was associated with a borderline significantly increased risk (OR = 1.5, 95% CI: 1.0?2.2). For gastric cancer cases, there was a greater risk of death for carriers of the minor alleles of CCR2 Ex2+241 G>A (rs1799864) (HR = 1.5, 95% CI: 1.1-2.1) and CCR5 IVS2+80 C>T (rs1800024) (HR = 1.5, 95% CI: 1.1-2.1). Carriers of the CCR5 minor allele of IVS1+151 G>T (rs2734648) had a decreased risk of death compared to homozygote carriers of the common allele (HR = 0.8, 95% CI: 0.6-1.0).

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings do not support an association between gastric cancer risk and single chemokine genetic variation. The observed associations between cancer risk and a CCR5 haplotype and between survival and polymorphisms in CCR2 and CCR5 need replication in future studies.

Role of MMP14 gene polymorphisms in susceptibility and pathological development to hepatocellular carcinoma

BACKGROUND

Early detection of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is seldom available because of the lack of reliable markers. Matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) 14 is a cell surface proteinase that displays a broad spectrum of activity against extracellular matrix components and promotes the invasion/metastasis of cells. MMP14 is overexpressed in HCC, and the level is correlated with poor overall survival. The purpose of this study was to examine whether the MMP14 gene polymorphisms are associated with the susceptibility and clinicopathological development of HCC.

METHODS

A total of 135 patients with HCC and 496 healthy control subjects were recruited. Six single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of MMP14 genes were analyzed by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) genotyping and haplotype-base analysis.

RESULTS

A significant (p < 0.05) lower risk for HCC was shown in the individuals with MMP14 +6767 G/A and +7096 C/C genotypes compared with those with corresponding wild-type homozygotes; high frequency for anti-hepatitis C virus and cirrhosis positive were shown in the HCC patients with MMP14 +7096 TC/CC genotype after adjusting for other confounding factors. The distribution frequency of -165 T: +221 T: +6727 C: +6767 G: +7096 T: +8153 G haplotype and diplotype was significantly higher in the HCC patients than healthy control subjects.

CONCLUSIONS

The +6767 and +7096 polymorphic genotypes and haplotype -165 T: +221 T: +6727 C: +6767 G: +7096 T: +8153 G of MMP14 gene might contribute to the prediction of susceptibility and pathological development to HCC.

Association of genetic polymorphisms of CXCL12/SDF1 gene and its receptor, CXCR4, to the susceptibility and prognosis of non-small cell lung cancer

BACKGROUND

The aim of this study was to evaluate the relations of chemokine CXCL12, previously known as stromal cell-derived factor-1 (SDF1), and its receptor, CXCR4, gene variants on non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) risk and disease severity.

METHODS

Through a case-control study design, genomic DNA samples of 247 NSCLC patients and 328 age and sex-matched controls were subjected to polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis. The validity of this technique was proven by direct sequencing of amplified products. Statistical analyses were conducted to explore the contribution of polymorphism of the CXCL12/SDF1 gene and CXCR4, in the susceptibility to and prognosis of NSCLC.

RESULTS

Overall, the genotype frequencies of CXCL12/SDF1 gene and CXCR4, were significantly different between lung cancer patients and controls (p<0.0001), and also different between patients with lung cancers of various stages (p<0.0001). Logistic regression analysis revealed that higher odds ratios (ORs) for lung cancer were seen for individuals with CXCL12/SDF1 AA (an OR of 1.95, 95% CI 1.08-3.50, p=0.018), or CXCR4 TT (an OR of 4.71, 95% CI 1.99-11.2, p<0.0001), and for individuals with both CXCL12/SDF1 AA and CXCR4 TT genotypes (an OR of 12.4, 95% CI 1.56-98.3, p=0.002). The patients carrying a homologous AA genotype at CXCL12/SDF1, or a homologous TT genotype at CXCR4, had a tendency to advanced disease and toward poorer prognoses compared with other patients.

CONCLUSION

A significant association between the polymorphisms of CXCL12/SDF1 and CXCR4, and the susceptibility to and prognosis of NSCLC was demonstrated.

Chemokine polymorphisms and lymphoma: a pooled analysis

Polymorphisms in chemokine genes have been associated with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-related non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) but are understudied in non-HIV-related NHL. Associations of NHL and NHL subtypes with polymorphisms and haplotypes in CCR5, CCR2, CCL5, CXCL12, and CX(3)CR(1) were explored in a pooled analysis of three case-control studies (San Francisco Bay Area, California; United Kingdom; total: cases N = 1610, controls N = 1992). Adjusted unconditional logistic regression was used to estimate relative risks among HIV-negative non-Hispanic Caucasians. The CCR5 Delta32 deletion reduced the risk of NHL (odds ratio = 0.56, 95% confidence interval = 0.38-0.83) in men but not women with similar effects observed for diffuse large-cell and follicular lymphoma (FL). NHL risk also was reduced in men with the CCR2/CCR5 haplotype characterized by the CCR5 Delta32 deletion. The CCL5 -403A allele conferred reduced risks of FL and chronic lymphocytic leukemia/small lymphocytic lymphoma. Results should be interpreted conservatively. Continued investigation is warranted to confirm these findings.

Genetic polymorphism of CCR2-64I increased the susceptibility of hepatocellular carcinoma

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

The purpose of this study was to investigate genetic impact of monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) and its receptor chemokine receptor-2 (CCR2) gene polymorphisms on the susceptibility and clinicopathological characteristics of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

METHODS

A total of 446 subjects, including 344 healthy controls and 102 patients with HCC, were recruited in this study and subjected to PCR-RFLP to estimate the impact of these two polymorphic variants on HCC.

RESULTS

No relationship between MCP-1 -2518G/A gene polymorphism and HCC risk was found among our recruited HCC patients and healthy controls. However, there was a significantly increased risk (AOR = 1.91; 95% CI = 1.11-3.29) of having HCC among subjects with GA heterozygotes of CCR2 V64I after adjusting for other confoundings. There was no synergistic effect between gene polymorphism and environmental risk factors, including tobacco and alcohol consumptions, as well as clinicopathological parameters of HCC for MCP-1 -2518G/A and CCR2 V64I genes, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

CCR2-64I gene polymorphism is an important factor for the susceptibility of HCC but it might not influence the clinical pathological progression of HCC, and the contribution of CCR2-64I gene polymorphism on the susceptibility of HCC could be not through the affection of liver injury-related clinical pathological characteristics.

Influence of glutathione-S-transferase theta (GSTT1) and micro (GSTM1) gene polymorphisms on the susceptibility of hepatocellular carcinoma in Taiwan

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most frequent malignant neoplasms worldwide and is the second leading cause of cancer death in Taiwan. Genetic polymorphism has been reported as a factor for increased susceptibility of HCC. Glutathione-S-transferases theta (GSTT1) and micro (GSTM1) play essential roles in detoxification of ingested xenobiotics and modulation of the susceptibility of gene-related cancer. The aim of this study was to estimate the relationships between these two gene polymorphisms and HCC risk and clinicopathological status in Taiwanese.

METHODS

Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used to determine gene polymorphisms of 102 patients with HCC and 386 healthy controls.

RESULTS

Both gene polymorphisms were not associated with the clinical pathological status of HCC and serum levels of liver-related clinical pathological markers. While no relationship between GSTM1 gene polymorphism and HCC susceptibility was found, individuals of age <56 years old with GSTT1 present genotype have a risk of 2.77-fold (95% CI: 1.09-7.09) for HCC compared to that with null variant, after adjustment for other confounders.

CONCLUSIONS

GSTT1 and GSTM1 null genotypes do not associate with increased risk of HCC.

Evaluation of the association of urokinase plasminogen activator system gene polymorphisms with susceptibility and pathological development of hepatocellular carcinoma

BACKGROUND

The urokinase plasminogen activator (uPA) system is a serine proteinase system involved in extracellular matrix (ECM) degradation. The levels of uPA system components in tumor tissues are implicated as prognostic biomarkers in a wide range of malignancies. Although the contributions of uPA system components to the formation of many types of cancer are well known, their possible association with the prediction of risk and prognosis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remains poorly investigated.

METHODS

A total of 102 HCC patients and 344 controls were recruited. Genetic polymorphisms of uPA system genes, including uPA, uPA receptor (uPAR), and plasminogen activator inhibitor (PAI)-1, were analyzed by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) genotyping analysis.

RESULTS

When individuals were classified into male and female subgroups to estimate adjusted odds ratios (AORs) with their 95% confidence intervals (CIs) of each uPA system gene, the HCC risks of males and females with PAI-1 5G/5G genotype were 6.06-fold (95% CI = 1.39-26.36) and 0.04-fold (95% CI = 0.003-0.69), respectively, as compared with those with PAI-1 4G/4G genotype. High risk for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg)-positive clinical status and significantly higher serum aspartate aminotransferase (AST) concentration were exhibited in HCC patients with PAI-1 4G/5G and 5G/5G genotypes as compared with 4G/4G homozygotes.

CONCLUSIONS

The results suggest that PAI-1 genotypes could be an important factor contributing to increased susceptibility and pathological development of HCC in Taiwanese population.

Chemokines and hepatocellular carcinoma

Chemokines play a paramount role in tumor progression. In hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) progression, chemokines and their receptors play an intricate role. Currently, chemokines and their receptors such as the CXCL12-CXCR4 axis, CX3CL1-CX3CR1 axis and the CCL20-CCR6 axis have received much research attention. Although a large number of studies show that these axes are strongly associated with HCC, the exact mechanism by which these axes promote the growth and progression of HCC remains unknown. In this paper, several chemokines and their receptor interactions in HCC progression, growth and metastasis and immune response to HCC are reviewed.

Relationship of insulin-like growth factors system gene polymorphisms with the susceptibility and pathological development of hepatocellular carcinoma

BACKGROUND

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the major causes of cancer-related death worldwide. The insulin-like growth factors (IGFs) system consists of a group of proteins which may induce cell proliferation and inhibit cell apoptosis through several signal pathways, leading to transformation of normal cells into cancer cells. However, the impact of genetic polymorphisms of the IGFs system on HCC has not been clarified.

METHODS

In this case-control study, a total of 102 HCC patients and 306 age- and gender-matched controls were recruited. The genetic polymorphisms of the IGFs system genes, including IGF-1, IGF-2, IGF-1receptor (IGF-1R), IGF-2R, IGF binding protein (IGFBP-3), and insulin (INS) genes, were analyzed by polymerase chain reaction restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) and real-time PCR genotyping analysis.

RESULTS

A significant difference (p = 0.02) between case and control group in the distribution frequency of IGF-2 +3580 polymorphism was observed. Multiple regression model analysis showed that the presence of AA or AG at IGF-2R may exhibit a potential protective effect against hepatitis C [odds ratio (OR) = 0.35, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.15-0.82]. The combination of IGF-2 +3580 AA genotype and IGF-2R GG genotype may present a significantly lower risk of HCC (OR = 0.20, 95% CI = 0.05-0.87). Additionally, no polymorphisms of any IGFs system genes were associated with liver-related clinicopathological markers in serum.

CONCLUSIONS

Among IGFs system genes, IGF-2 and IGF-2R gene polymorphisms and combination could be considered as the most important factors contributing to increased susceptibility and pathological development of HCC.