The genetic variants in the PTEN/PI3K/AKT pathway predict susceptibility and CE(A)F chemotherapy response to breast cancer and clinical outcomes

Cytotoxic and molecular differences of anticancer agents on 2D and 3D cell culture

BACKGROUND

Cancer and multidrug resistance are regarded as concerns related to poor health outcomes. It was found that the monolayer of 2D cancer cell cultures lacks many important features compared to Multicellular Tumor Spheroids (MCTS) or 3D cell cultures which instead have the ability to mimic more closely the in vivo tumor microenvironment. This study aimed to produce 3D cell cultures from different cancer cell lines and to examine the cytotoxic activity of anticancer medications on both 2D and 3D systems, as well as to detect alterations in the expression of certain genes levels.

METHOD

3D cell culture was produced using 3D microtissue molds. The cytotoxic activities of colchicine, cisplatin, doxorubicin, and paclitaxel were tested on 2D and 3D cell culture systems obtained from different cell lines (A549, H1299, MCF-7, and DU-145). IC50 values were determined by MTT assay. In addition, gene expression levels of PIK3CA, AKT1, and PTEN were evaluated by qPCR.

RESULTS

Similar cytotoxic activities were observed on both 3D and 2D cell cultures, however, higher concentrations of anticancer medications were needed for the 3D system. For instance, paclitaxel showed an IC50 of 6.234 µM and of 13.87 µM on 2D and 3D H1299 cell cultures, respectively. Gene expression of PIK3CA in H1299 cells also showed a higher fold change in 3D cell culture compared to 2D system upon treatment with doxorubicin.

CONCLUSION

When compared to 2D cell cultures, the behavior of cells in the 3D system showed to be more resistant to anticancer treatments. Due to their shape, growth pattern, hypoxic core features, interaction between cells, biomarkers synthesis, and resistance to treatment penetration, the MCTS have the advantage of better simulating the in vivo tumor conditions. As a result, it is reasonable to conclude that 3D cell cultures may be a more promising model than the traditional 2D system, offering a better understanding of the in vivo molecular changes in response to different potential treatments and multidrug resistance development.

Potential role of genetic polymorphisms in neoadjuvant chemotherapy response in breast cancer

Chemoresistance leads to treatment failure, which can arise through different mechanisms including patients' characteristics. Searching for genetic profiles as a predictor for drug response and toxicity has been extensively studied in pharmacogenomics, thus contributing to personalized medicine and providing alternative treatments. Numerous studies have demonstrated significant evidence of association between genetic polymorphisms and response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) in breast cancer. In this review, we explored the potential impact of genetic polymorphisms in NAC primary resistance through selecting a specific clinical profile. The genetic variability within pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, DNA synthesis and repair, and oncogenic signaling pathways genes could be predictive or prognostic markers for NAC resistance. The clinical implication of these results can help provide individualized treatment plans in the early stages of breast cancer treatment. Further studies are needed to determine the genetic hosts of primary chemoresistance mechanisms in order to further emphasize the implementation of genotypic approaches in personalized medicine.

Genetic Variations of AKT1 are Associated with Risk Screening for Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease

Purpose

Protein kinase B (PKB/AKT) has shown a high profile in the research of metabolic diseases. This research sought to determine whether the AKT1 gene's single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and the risk of developing non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) were related.

Patients and Methods

Recruited in this case-control study were 2693 subjects, including 815 with NAFLD and 1878 without NAFLD. Three SNPs of AKT1 (rs2494732, rs2494752 and rs1130233) were genotyped. To examine the correlation between SNPs and NAFLD susceptibility, logistic regression was performed.

Results

After adjusting for sex, age, triglyceride and glucose, AKT1 rs2494732-C (all P < 0.05 in co-dominant model, dominant model and additive model) and rs2494752-G (P < 0.05 in co-dominant model) were linked to a lower risk of NAFLD. The combined effect of both SNPs on NAFLD risk was statistically significant, showing a dose dependence (P_trend = 0.010). Sex, body mass index, hypertension, hyperglycemia, hypertriglyceridemia, high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol, alanine aminotransferase, and beneficial alleles were all significant predictors of NAFLD risk (all P < 0.05). The prediction model achieved good discrimination, with an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.779. The Hosmer-Lemeshow test suggested an inadequate calibration of the model (χ² = 21.073, P = 0.007).

Conclusion

AKT1 rs2494732 and rs2494752 may be related to Chinese NAFLD susceptibility. The prediction model combining both SNPs with clinical factors displays a strong ability to discriminate NAFLD patients. Both SNPs may be exploited to design new models for early screening of NAFLD high-risk population.

mTOR pathway candidate genes and physical activity interaction on breast cancer risk in black women from the women's circle of health study

BACKGROUND

Physical activity has been shown to affect the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling pathway and consequently breast carcinogenesis. Given that Black women in the USA are less physically active, it is not well understood whether there are gene-environment interactions between mTOR pathway genes and physical activity in relation to breast cancer risk in Black women.

METHODS

The study included 1398 Black women (567 incident breast cancer cases and 831 controls) from the Women's Circle of Health Study (WCHS). We examined interactions between 43 candidate single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in 20 mTOR pathway genes with levels of vigorous physical activity in relation to breast cancer risk overall and by ER-defined subtypes using Wald test with 2-way interaction term and multivariable logistic regression.

RESULTS

AKT1 rs10138227 (C > T) and AKT1 rs1130214 (C > A) were only associated with a decreased risk of ER + breast cancer among women with vigorous physical activity (odds ratio [OR] = 0.15, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.04, 0.56, for each copy of the T allele, p-interaction = 0.007 and OR = 0.51, 95% CI 0.27, 0.96, for each copy of the A allele, p-interaction = 0.045, respectively). MTOR rs2295080 (G > T) was only associated with an increased risk of ER + breast cancer among women with vigorous physical activity (OR = 2.24, 95% CI 1.16, 4.34, for each copy of the G allele; p-interaction = 0.043). EIF4E rs141689493 (G > A) was only associated with an increased risk of ER- breast cancer among women with vigorous physical activity (OR = 20.54, 95% CI 2.29, 184.17, for each copy of the A allele; p-interaction = 0.003). These interactions became non-significant after correction for multiple testing (FDR-adjusted p-value > 0.05).

CONCLUSION

Our findings suggest that mTOR genetic variants may interact with physical activity in relation to breast cancer risk in Black women. Future studies should confirm these findings.

mTOR pathway candidate genes and obesity interaction on breast cancer risk in black women from the Women's Circle of Health Study

BACKGROUND

Obesity is known to stimulate the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling pathway and both obesity and the mTOR signaling pathway are implicated in breast carcinogenesis. We investigated potential gene-environment interactions between mTOR pathway genes and obesity in relation to breast cancer risk among Black women.

METHODS

The study included 1,655 Black women (821 incident breast cancer cases and 834 controls) from the Women's Circle of Health Study (WCHS). Obesity measures including body mass index (BMI); central obesity i.e., waist circumference (WC) and waist/hip ratio (WHR); and body fat distribution (fat mass, fat mass index and percent body fat) were obtained by trained research staff. We examined the associations of 43 candidate single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in 20 mTOR pathway genes with breast cancer risk using multivariable logistic regression. We next examined interactions between these SNPs and measures of obesity using Wald test with 2-way interaction term.

RESULTS

The variant allele of BRAF (rs114729114 C > T) was associated with an increase in overall breast cancer risk [odds ratio (OR) = 1.81, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.10-2.99, for each copy of the T allele] and the risk of estrogen receptor (ER)-defined subtypes (ER+ tumors: OR = 1.83, 95% CI 1.04,3.29, for each copy of the T allele; ER- tumors OR = 2.14, 95% CI 1.03,4.45, for each copy of the T allele). Genetic variants in AKT, AKT1, PGF, PRKAG2, RAPTOR, TSC2 showed suggestive associations with overall breast cancer risk and the risk of, ER+ and ER- tumors (range of p-values = 0.040-0.097). We also found interactions of several of the SNPs with BMI, WHR, WC, fat mass, fat mass index and percent body fat in relation to breast cancer risk. These associations and interactions, however, became nonsignificant after correction for multiple testing (FDR-adjusted p-value > 0.05).

CONCLUSION

We found associations between mTOR genetic variants and breast cancer risk as well as gene and body fatness interactions in relation to breast cancer risk. However, these associations and interactions became nonsignificant after correction for multiple testing. Future studies with larger sample sizes are required to confirm and validate these findings.

Association between the AKT1 single nucleotide polymorphism (rs2498786, rs2494752 and rs5811155) and microscopic polyangiitis risk in a Chinese population

Microscopic polyangiitis (MPA) is an autoimmune disease, characterized by ANCA in blood and necrotizing inflammation of small and medium-sized vessels, one of the three clinical phenotypes of ANCA-associated vasculitis (AAV). Autophagy has been confirmed to be involved in the pathogenesis of AAV. AKT1 is one of the autophagy-regulated proteins. Its single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) are associated with multiple immune-related diseases, but there are rarely studies in AAV. The incidence rate of AAV has a notable geographic difference, and MPA is predominant in China. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between AKT1 SNP and MPA risk. Genotypes of 8 loci in AKT1 were evaluated by multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and high-throughput sequencing in 416 people, including 208 MPA patients and 208 healthy volunteers from Guangxi in China. Additionally, data of 387 healthy volunteers from China were obtained from the 1000Genomes Project on public database. Differences were observed between the loci (rs2498786, rs2494752, and rs5811155) genotypes in AKT1 and MPA risk (P = 7.0 × 10^-4, P = 3.0 × 10^-4, and P = 5.9 × 10^-5, respectively). A negative association was detected in the Dominant model (P = 1.2 × 10^-3, P = 2.0 × 10^-4 and P = 3.6 × 10^-5, respectively). A haplotype (G-G-T) was associated with MPA risk negatively (P = 7.0 × 10^-4). This study suggests that alleles (rs2498786 G, rs2494752 G and rs5811155 insT) are protective factors for MPA and alleles (rs2494752 G and rs5811155 insT) for MPO-ANCA in patients with MPA. There is a haplotype (G-G-T), which is a protective factor for MPA. It suggests that the role of AKT1 in MPA/AAV needs further study to provide more intervention targets for MPA/AAV.

PTEN rs701848 Polymorphism is Associated with Trastuzumab Resistance in HER2-positive Metastatic Breast Cancer and Predicts Progression-free Survival

BACKGROUND

Trastuzumab is an effective therapeutic approach for HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer (BC). However, a considerable number of patients develop resistance along the course of the disease. PTEN rs701848 polymorphisms are associated with an increased risk of developing cancer and have a potential role in predicting drug resistance.

OBJECTIVE

We studied the significance of PTEN rs701848 variants as significant predictors for trastuzumab resistance in HER2-positive metastatic BC patients. Therefore, considering their value in predicting clinical outcomes.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This case-control study was conducted among female patients with HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer who underwent Trastuzumab therapy during the period from March 2017 to December 2020. PTEN rs701848 genotypes were analyzed in 160 HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer who received Trastuzumab therapy and clinically monitored for therapeutic response.

RESULTS

PTEN rs701848 is deemed a significant predictor of Trastuzumab resistance and an independent prognostic factor of progression-free survival (PPFS). In particular, the C allele is associated with increased risk for Trastuzumab resistance and shorter PFS as compared to the homozygous TT genotype.

CONCLUSION

PTEN rs701848 is significant predictor of trastuzumab resistance. Therefore, their value in predicting clinical outcomes is recommended.

A novel PTEN mutant caused by polymorphism in cis-regulatory elements is involved in chemosensitivity in breast cancer

Phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN) is one of the most important tumor suppressor genes. Although studies have shown the association between cancer and genetic polymorphisms of PTEN, the underlying molecular mechanisms of breast cancer (BC) chemosensitivity that results from PTEN polymorphism is still unclear. This study aims to investigate potential links between PTEN polymorphisms in cis-regulatory elements and BC chemosensitivity in the Chinese population. A total of 172 BC patients who received neoadjuvant chemotherapy were included in the study, including 104 chemosensitive cases and 68 chemoresistant cases. The results showed a significant association between the rs786204926 polymorphism and BC chemosensitivity. Logistic multivariate regression analysis showed that age, lymph node metastasis, and the rs786204926 genotype were risk factors for BC chemoresistance. The G allele of rs786204926 is more prone to increasing the risk of chemosensitivity in BC. Additionally, analysis using Alamut Visual showed a preference of the G allele of rs786204926 to produce a novel PTEN mutant with an insertion of 18 bases from intron 4. While the transcriptional level of PTEN remained similar in chemosensitivity and chemoresistant samples, its protein level changed significantly. Interestingly, there were significant differences in both transcription and protein levels of the novel PTEN mutant between the two groups. Furthermore, we found that the mutant was more susceptible to dephosphorylation compared with wildtype PTEN, leading to chemosensitivity through the PI3K-AKT signaling pathway. These findings indicate that novel PTEN mutants caused by polymorphisms in cis-regulatory elements may be involved in BC chemosensitivity.

Single nucleotide polymorphisms as the efficient prognostic markers in breast cancer

BACKGROUND

Breast cancer (BC) is known as the most common malignancy in women. Environmental and genetic factors are associated with BC progression. Genetic polymorphisms have been reported as important risk factors of BC prognosis and drug response. Main body: Therefore, in the present review, we have summarized all single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) which have been significantly associated with drug response in BC patients around the world. We have also categorized the reported SNPs based on their related genes functions to clarify the molecular biology of drug responses in BC.

CONCLUSION

The majority of SNPs were reported in detoxifying enzymes, which introduced such genes as the main genetic risk factors during BC drug responses. This review paves the way for introducing a prognostic panel of SNPs for the BC patients in the world.

MassArray analysis of genomic susceptibility variants in ovarian cancer

Ovarian cancer (OC), a multifaceted and genetically heterogeneous malignancy is one of the most common cancers among women. The aim of the study is to unravel the genetic factors associated with OC and the extent of genetic heterogeneity in the populations of Jammu and Kashmir (J&K).Using the high throughput Agena MassARRAY platform, present case control study was designed which comprises 200 histopathological confirmed OC patients and 400 age and ethnicity matched healthy controls to ascertain the association of previously reported eleven single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) spread over ten genes (DNMT3A, PIK3CA, FGFR2, GSTP1, ERCC5, AKT1, CASC16, CYP19A1, BCL2 and ERCC1) within the OC population of Jammu and Kashmir, India. The association of each variant was estimated using logistic regression analyses. Out of the 11 SNPs the odds ratio observed for three SNPs; rs2699887 was (1.72 at 95% CI: 1.19-2.48, p = 0.004), rs1695 was (1.87 at 95% CI: 1.28-2.71, p = 0.001), and rs2298881 was (0.66 at 95% CI: 0.46-0.96, p = 0.03) were found significantly associated with the OC after correction with confounding factors i.e. age & BMI. Furthermore, the estimation of interactive analyses was performed and odds ratio observed was 2.44 (1.72-3.47), p value < 0. 001 suggests that there was a strong existence of interplay between the selected genetic variants in OC, which demonstrate that interactive analysis highlights the role of gene-gene interaction that provides an insight among multiple little effects of various polymorphisms in OC.

circNFATC3 sponges miR-548I acts as a ceRNA to protect NFATC3 itself and suppressed hepatocellular carcinoma progression

Circular RNAs (circRNA) have been reported as regulators involved in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), but their mechanism of activity remains unknown. This study performed quantitative reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction to determine if circNFATC3 was downregulated in 46 paired HCC tissues and cell lines. 3-(4,5-Dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide, apoptotic, and transwell assay proved that circNFATC3 can inhibit hepatoma cell proliferation, apoptosis, and migration/invasion in vitro. Mouse xenograft assay demonstrated that circNFATC3 suppressed tumor size and weight and reduced lung metastasis in vivo, and vice versa. The RNA-seq results showed that NFATC3 itself was the most significantly differentially expressed gene when circNFATC3 was manipulated, and bioinformatics and luciferase reporter assays verified circNFATC3 regulated the expression of NFATC3 by interacting with the hsa-miR-548I. Additionally, it was also indicated that the level of NFATC3 was downregulated in HCC patients also and was significantly correlated with the staging and prognosis of HCC. Moreover, both circNFATC3 and NFATC3 were shown to inhibit the phosphorylation of JNK, c-Jun, AKT, and mTOR signaling pathways. Overall, the circNFATC3 can sponge miR-548I to protect NFATC3 itself, then it regulates hepatoma cell function via the JNK, c-Jun, AKT, and mTOR signaling pathways, and the circNFATC3 can be a tumor-repressor on HCC.

Association of phosphatase and tension homologue deleted on chromosome ten polymorphism rs1903858, but not serum levels with the risk of non-small-cell lung cancer: A case-control study

Background

To investigate the association between phosphatase and tension homologue deleted on chromosome ten (PTEN) gene polymorphisms and non–small‐cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and further identify whether these polymorphisms influence serum PTEN levels.

Methods

A total of 152 NSCLC patients and 124 healthy controls were included in the study. PTEN gene rs11202586 (T > C) and rs1903858 (A > G) polymorphisms were detected using the multiple single‐base extension technique (SNaPshot). The serum PTEN levels were determined using an enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kit.

Results

The rs1903858 AG, GG genotypes, and G allele were associated with a higher risk of NSCLC (odds ratio (OR) =2.079, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.087‐3.974, P = .027; OR = 1.897, 95%CI = 1.053‐3.419, P = .033; OR = 1.505, 95%CI = 1.065‐2.126, P = .020). Stratified analysis reveal that the rs1903858 GG genotype and G allele were associated with an increased risk of squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) (OR = 3.226, 95%CI = 1.075‐9.678, P = .037; OR = 1.873, 95%CI = 1.092‐3.212, P = .023). Among smokers, the rs1903858 G allele carriers have an increased risk of NSCLC (OR = 1.916, 95%CI = 1.023‐3.589, P = .042), but a decreased risk of NSCLC was found with the AT haplotype. With respect to the serum PTEN levels, no significant difference was noted between NSCLC patients and healthy controls in this study.

Conclusions

The study indicated that the rs1903858 gene polymorphism is associated with increased risk of NSCLC, particularly in SCC and smoker, and the haplotype AT was a protective factor for NSCLC. The serum PTEN levels were not associated with NSCLC.

ANLN and KDR Are Jointly Prognostic of Breast Cancer Survival and Can Be Modulated for Triple Negative Breast Cancer Control

Purpose: Kinase insert domain receptor (KDR) is the primary vascular endothelial growth factor receptor mediating survival, growth, and migration of endothelial cells and is expressed also in various tumor cells through autocrine production. The PI3K/Pten pathway is one of the downstream signalings affected by KDR activation and most commonly altered in breast cancer. Here, we investigate whether KDR expression is associated with members in PI3K/Pten signaling on the prognosis of breast cancer patients.

Methods: PI3K/Pten pathway components were defined by mapping The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) protein data to the KEGG database complemented by literature searching, accounting for 36 proteins subject to the interaction analysis with KDR on breast cancer patient survival. The identified interaction gene pair was subjected to in vitro validation following functional analysis.

Results: Anillin (ANLN) was found to interact with KDR at translational and transcriptional levels using the public TCGA protein expression data and five gene expression datasets. Favorable prognosis corresponds to high protein but low gene expression of ANLN when KDR is highly expressed. Externally modulating cells toward low ANLN and high KDR gene expression was shown to transit triple negative cells toward a luminal-like state with increased level of ER and elevated sensitivity to Tamoxifen.

Conclusion: Our study proposes a two-gene panel prognostic of breast cancer survival and a novel therapeutic strategy for triple negative breast cancer control via transiting cancer cells towards a luminal-like state sensitive to established targeted therapy.

Genetic interactions between ANLN and KDR are prognostic for breast cancer survival

Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) are the most common genetic variation in mammalian cells with prognostic potential. Anillin-actin binding protein (ANLN) has been identified as being involved in PI3K/PTEN signaling, which is critical in cell life/death control, and kinase insert domain receptor (KDR) encodes a key receptor mediating the cancer angiogenesis/metastasis switch. Knowledge of the intrinsic connections between PI3K/PTEN and KDR signaling, which represent two critical transitions in carcinogenesis, led the present study to investigate the effects of the potential synergy between ANLN and KDR on breast cancer outcome and identify relevant SNPs driving such a synergy at the genetic level. The survival associations of SNPs from KDR and ANLN were assessed through pairwise interaction survival analysis, quantitative trait loci analysis, pathway enrichment analysis and network construction, and the interactions between ANLN and KDR were validated in vitro. It was found that both rare homozygotes in the ANLN:rs12535394 and KDR:rs11133360 SNP pair are prognostic of favorable breast cancer survival and underpin the prominent roles of the immune response in cancer state control. This study contributes to breast cancer prognosis and therapeutic design by providing genetic evidence of interactions between ANLN and KDR, and suggesting the prominent role of the immune response in driving the synergies between the cancer cell life/death and angiogenesis/metastasis transitions during carcinogenesis.

Upregulation of Neural Precursor Cell Expressed Developmentally Downregulated 4-1 is Associated with Poor Prognosis and Chemoresistance in Lung Adenocarcinoma

BACKGROUND

The E3 ubiquitin ligase neural precursor cell expressed developmentally downregulated 4-1 (NEDD4-1) negatively regulates phosphatase and tensin homolog deleted on chromosome 10 (PTEN) protein levels through polyubiquitination and proteolysis, but its significance in lung cancer is still unclear. This study investigated the expression and the role of NEDD4-1 in tumor development and chemosensitivity of lung adenocarcinoma (ADC).

METHODS

We retrospectively investigated the expression and significance of NEDD4-1, PTEN, and p-Akt proteins in 135 paired ADC and adjacent noncancerous tissue specimens using immunohistochemistry. Furthermore, we evaluated the relationship between NEDD4-1 expression and clinicopathologic characteristics and prognosis. The effects of small interfering RNA against NEDD4-1 on proliferation and chemosensitivity were examined in A549 cells in vitro using 3- (4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl) -5-(3-carboxymethoxyphenyl) -2-(4-sulfophenyl)- 2H-tetrazolium method. The ability of migration and invasion of A549 cells was tested by transwell assay. Moreover, reverse-transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction and Western blotting analyses were used to determine the expression of NEDD4-1, PTEN, phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)/Akt activity, and its downstream target proteins.

RESULTS

NEDD4-1 protein was significantly upregulated in lung ADC tissues, whereas it was weak or negative in normal lung epithelial cells. The expression of NEDD4-1 in ADC (78.5%, 106/135) was significantly much higher than that in adjacent normal lung tissue (13.3%, 29/135, P < 0.01), and it was associated with lymph node metastasis, tumor-node-metastasis (TNM) stage, and chemotherapy resistance. PTEN expression was downregulated in lung ADC (60.7% vs. 100.0% in noncancerous specimens, P = 0.007), and was negatively correlated with lymph node metastasis, histological variants, clinical stage, chemoresistance. In addition, expression of p-Akt in ADC tissues (71.1% 96/135) was much higher than that in adjacent lung epithelial cells (6.7%, 9/135, P < 0.01). Kaplan-Meier and multivariate analysis demonstrated that expressions of NEDD4-1 and PTEN were both independent risk factors for survival in patients with lung ADC. NEDD4-1 knockdown in vivo decreased proliferation, migration, and invasion and improved chemosensitivity to cisplatin and paclitaxel in A549 cells. NEDD4-1 knockdown also significantly enhanced PTEN expression and inhibited p-Akt activity and downstream target proteins.

CONCLUSIONS

NEDD4-1 upregulation may contribute to the progression of lung ADC. NEDD4-1 may regulate the proliferation, invasion, migration, and chemoresistance of lung ADC cells through the PI3K/Akt pathway, suggesting that it may be regarded as a therapeutic target for the treatment of lung ADC.

Effects of FGFR gene polymorphisms on response and toxicity of cyclophosphamide-epirubicin-docetaxel-based chemotherapy in breast cancer patients

BACKGROUND

The chemotherapy resistance and toxicity of chemotherapy are major problems in breast cancer treatment. However, candidate biomarkers for predicting clinical outcomes and better prognosis remain lacking.

METHODS

In this study, we analyzed possible impact of 8 genetic variants of fibroblast growth factor receptor1-4 (FGFR1-4) on the treatment response and toxicities in 211 breast cancer patients. DNA was extracted from peripheral blood cells, and the genotypes were examined using the TaqMan Pre-Designed SNP Genotyping Assays.

RESULTS

The FGFR4 rs1966265 and FGFR2 rs2981578 contributed to clinical outcome of breast cancer treated with docetaxel-epirubicin-cyclophosphamide (CET)-based chemotherapy. For rs1966265, AA genotype had significant correlation with the clinical response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NCT) when compared with GG and AG/GG genotype (P = 0.019 and P = 0.004, respectively). Moreover, A allele of FGFR2 rs2981578 had significant rates of response (P = 0.025). In addition, rs2420946 CC genotype was associated with higher frequency of toxicities compared with TT and CT/TT genotypes (P = 0.038 and P = 0.019, respectively). Also, rs2981578 AG genotype showed higher frequency of toxicities compared with GG genotype (P < 0.0001).

CONCLUSIONS

The results suggest these polymorphisms, especially rs1966265 and rs2981578, might be candidate pharmacogenomics factors to the response and prognosis prediction for individualized CET-based chemotherapy in breast cancer patients.

Association between AKT rs2494752 single nucleotide polymorphism and the risk of metastasis in hepatocellular carcinoma

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most common types of human tumors, which is characterized by high morbidity and mortality rates. AKT1 transcriptional activity is implicated in HCC initiation and development. In the present study, the effects of rs2494752 single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) on AKT1 transcriptional activity in the progression of HCC cells were investigated. A case-control study was analyzed in 1,056 HCC patients and 1,080 healthy individuals using the PCR assay method. Results indicated AKT1 expression levels were up-regulated in HCC tissue compared to adjacent normal tissues. Furthermore, a higher frequency of AKT rs2494752 AG and AA genotypes were observed in HCC cases (P=0.0046). Gene polymorphism identified C and T alleles were frequency in HCC patients compared to healthy individuals. Individuals harboring AKT rs2494752 AG/AA genotype had a vital increased susceptibility to HCC in the dominant model (P=0.0028). In addition, AKT1 rs2494752 GG genotype showed an increasing of AKT1 promoter activity determined by the luciferase assay. Furthermore, it was demonstrated that AKT1 rs2494752 GG and C polymorphism was more aggressive than other AKT1 rs2494752 cancer cells. Moreover, AKT1 rs2494752 GG markedly increased rates of response to NCT chemotherapy. Additionally, results revealed that AKT1 rs2494752 GG and C increased the risk factors of HCC. In conclusion, these results indicate that AKT1 rs2494752 polymorphisms may be regarded as a candidate gene in assessing the susceptibility, metastasis and responses to chemotherapy in the progression of hepatocellular carcinoma.

Single nucleotide polymorphisms rs701848 and rs2735343 in PTEN increases cancer risks in an Asian population

We performed this meta-analysis to analyze the cancer risk to individuals carrying the rs701848 and rs2735343 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN) gene. We searched the PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane library and the national knowledge infrastructure of China (CNKI) databases and identified 18 eligible case-control studies with 5458 cases and 6003 controls for rs701848 as well as 5490 cases and 6209 controls for rs2735343. Our analyses demonstrated that cancer risk was associated with rs701848 in the recessive model (CC vs. CT+TT, OR=1.169, 95% CI: 1.061-1.288) and with rs2735343 in the dominant model (GC+CC vs. GG, OR=0.758, 95% CI: 0.590-0.972). Subgroup analysis showed that in Asian subjects, carrying the C allele of rs701848 or GG genotype of rs2735343 was associated with increased cancer risk. Moreover, Asian subjects carrying the TC/CC genotype or C allele of rs701848 were associated with increased risk of esophageal squamous cell cancer. This meta-analysis indicates that the PTEN rs701848 (CC) and rs2735343 (GG) polymorphisms are associated with increased cancer risk in Asian subjects.