TNFR1 single nucleotide polymorphisms are not associated with cervical HPV-induced pre-malignant lesion but regulate in situ cervical TNFR1 expression

Promising candidate drug target genes for repurposing in cervical cancer: A bioinformatics-based approach

Cervical cancer is the fourth most common cancer among women globally, and studies have shown that genetic variants play a significant role in its development. A variety of germline and somatic mutations are associated with cervical cancer. However, genomic data derived from these mutations have not been extensively utilized for the development of repurposed drugs for cervical cancer. The objective of this study was to identify novel potential drugs that could be repurposed for cervical cancer treatment through a bioinformatics approach. A comprehensive genomic and bioinformatics database integration strategy was employed to identify potential drug target genes for cervical cancer. Using the GWAS and PheWAS databases, a total of 232 genes associated with cervical cancer were identified. These pharmacological target genes were further refined by applying a biological threshold of six functional annotations. The drug target genes were then cross-referenced with cancer treatment candidates using the DrugBank database. Among the identified genes, LTA, TNFRSF1A, PRKCZ, PDE4B, and PARP were highlighted as promising targets for repurposed drugs. Notably, these five target genes overlapped with 12 drugs that could potentially be repurposed for cervical cancer treatment. Among these, talazoparib, a potent PARP inhibitor, emerged as a particularly promising candidate. Interestingly, talazoparib is currently being investigated for safety and tolerability in other cancers but has not yet been studied in the context of cervical cancer. Further clinical trials are necessary to validate this finding and explore its potential as a repurposed drug for cervical cancer.

The association of tumor necrosis factor alpha, lymphotoxin alpha, tumor necrosis factor receptor 1 and tumor necrosis factor receptor 2 gene polymorphisms and serum levels with periodontitis and type 2 diabetes in Serbian population

OBJECTIVES

Aiming to show that periodontitis (PD) and type 2 diabetes (T2D) are bidirectionally related and potentially linked by inflammatory cytokines, we searched for association between -308 G/A Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNFα), +252A/G Lymphotoxin-alpha (LTα), +36A/G Tumor necrosis factor receptor 1 (TNFR1) and +676 T/G tumor necrosis factor receptor 2 (TNFR2) single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and: risk of PD or PD + T2D; periodontitis parameters in PD and PD + T2D; serum levels of cytokines/their receptors. Relationship between periodontal inflammation and serum cytokine/receptor levels was also assessed.

DESIGN

Subjects were stratified as: 57 healthy controls (HC); 58 PD; 65 PD + T2D. Sociodemographic, environmental, behavioral and periodontal clinical data were recorded. SNPs were genotyped using polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism, while cytokines/receptors levels were quantified by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Impact of periodontal inflammation was measured using periodontal inflamed surface area (PISA).

RESULTS

TNFα AA genotype showed protective effect in T2D + PD compared to PD, even adjusted for behavioral/environmental factors (OR 0.18; 95 %CI 0.037-0.886; p = 0.035). LTα AG heterozygotes had increased risk of PD (OR 3.27; 95 %CI 1.35-7.96; p = 0.016), while TNFR2 TG genotype had protective effect (OR = 0.44; 95 %CI 0.954-0.9794; p = 0.043). TNFR1 AA was predictor of periodontal pocket depth and clinical attachment loss in PD. Correlation between TNFR2 concentration and PISA was negative in PD, positive in PD + T2D.

CONCLUSIONS

None of the SNPs showed cross-susceptibility between PD and T2D. + 252A/G LTα and +676 T/G TNFR2 SNPs are associated with PD risk. Periodontal destruction in healthy individuals is influenced by TNFR1 genotype. Impact of periodontal on systemic inflammation is masked by T2D.

Polymorphism of TNFRSF1 A may act as a predictor of severe radiation-induced oral mucositis and a prognosis factor in patients with head and neck cancer

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) (-135 T>C) of TNFRSF1 A and the frequency of occurrence and severity of oral mucositis (OM) in patients with head and neck cancer (HNC) treated with radiotherapy (RT).

STUDY DESIGN

This retrospective, cohort study included 60 patients with HNC treated with intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT). TNFRSF1 A SNP analysis (-135 T>C) was performed by using molecular probes (TaqMan, ThermoFisher Scientific, Waltham, MA) in DNA isolated from peripheral blood (QIAamp DNA MiniKit; Qiagen, Germantown, MD).

RESULTS

CC genotype was related to 4.5-fold higher risk of grade 2 OM after the second week of RT. Similarly, CC carriers had a significantly higher risk of severe (grade 3) OM after the fourth (6-fold) and fifth (7.5-fold) weeks of RT. The CC genotype of the TNFRSF1 A gene was significantly correlated with a higher risk of shorter overall survival (OS) (> 37 months follow-up period; hazard ratio [HR] = 2.78).

CONCLUSIONS

SNP (-135 T>C) of the TNFRSF1 A gene may act as a predictor of OM occurrence in patients with HNC treated with IMRT. The studied SNP may also serve as a prognostic factor in such cases.