Genetic association between interluekin-4 rs2243250 polymorphism and gastric cancer susceptibility: evidence based on a meta-analysis

Possible Roles of Interleukin-4 and -13 and Their Receptors in Gastric and Colon Cancer

Interleukin (IL)-4 and -13 are structurally and functionally related cytokines sharing common receptor subunits. They regulate immune responses and, moreover, are involved in the pathogenesis of a variety of human neoplasms. Three different receptors have been described for IL-4, but only IL-4 receptor type II (IL-4Rα/IL-13Rα1) is expressed in solid tumors. While IL-13 can also bind to three different receptors, IL-13 receptor type I (IL-4Rα/IL-13Rα1/IL-13Rα2) and type II (IL-4Rα/IL-13Rα1) are expressed in solid tumors. After receptor binding, IL-4 and IL-13 can mediate tumor cell proliferation, survival, and metastasis in gastric or colon cancer. This review summarizes the results about the role of IL-4/IL-13 and their receptors in gastric and colon cancer.

Preliminary analysis of single-nucleotide polymorphisms in IL-10, IL-4, and IL-4Rα genes and profile of circulating cytokines in patients with gastric Cancer

Background

Gastric Cancer is highly prevalent and deadly worldwide. In Colombia, it is the most lethal form of cancer. Some single-nucleotide polymorphisms in IL-10, IL-4, and IL-4Rα genes have been associated with an anti-inflammatory environment and a Th2 profile in detriment of the antitumor Th1 response. This research sought to detect single-nucleotide polymorphisms in promoter sequences, like − 1082 (G/A), − 592 (C/A), and − 819 (C/T), as well as − 590 (C/T) of the IL-10 and IL-4 genes, respectively; in addition to the IL-4Rα mutation variants, Ile50Val and Q576R, together with circulating levels of IL-4, TNF-α, IL-10, and IFN-γ in patients with gastric carcinoma in Cúcuta, Colombia.

Methods

In a cross-sectional study, 17 patients and 30 healthy individuals were genotyped for the six polymorphisms mentioned through PCR-RFLP of DNA obtained from peripheral blood cells and serum samples were analyzed by sandwich ELISA to quantify cytokines. Statistical difference between groups was determined along with the association between the presence of polymorphisms and the risk of gastric cancer, as well as the mortality in patients, using Mann-Whitney U test and logistic regression analysis, respectively.

Results

An association between the − 1082 (G/A) and the risk of gastric cancer was found (OR = 7.58, range 0.77–74.06, P = 0.08). Furthermore, patients had a significant increase in IL-4 serum levels (P < 0.01) compared to healthy individuals, both variables showed a higher estimated risk of mortality in patients, although without statistical association (P > 0.05).

Conclusion

We infer that two possible biomarkers (one immunological and one genetic) could be considered in association with gastric cancer in our population, which should be confirmed by subsequent studies involving a greater number of individuals.

HLA-DQB1*03 genotype and perioperative blood transfusion are not conducive to the prognosis of patients with gastric cancer

BACKGROUND

Gastric cancer (GC) is a disease associated with a higher incidence and mortality, and some host genetic polymorphisms have been reported as potential factors contributing to the development of GC. In view of this, the study was conducted to investigate the effects of HLA-DQB1 gene polymorphisms and perioperative blood transfusion on prognosis of patients with gastric cancer (GC).

METHODS

A total of 142 patients with GC (case group) and 150 healthy controls (control group) were enrolled. Relationship between HLA-DQB1 gene polymorphisms, perioperative blood transfusion, and clinical pathological parameters of patients with GC after operation was analyzed. Kaplan-Meier curve was applied for analyzing survival rate of patients with GC, and Cox multivariate regression analysis for prognostic factors of patients with GC.

RESULTS

The frequency of HLA-DQB1*03 gene was increased in patients with GC. Patients with GC with HLA-DQB1*03 genotype had higher number of tumor size >6 cm, deeper depth of infiltration, higher LNM rate, and later stage of disease. Patients with HLA-DQB1*03 genotype had lower survival rate compared with other genotypes. Anemia before operation, depth of infiltration in T3 stage and T4 stage, LNM in N1 stage and N2 stage, and HLA-DQB1*03 genotype were regarded as independent risk factors for patients with GC.

CONCLUSION

These results demonstrate that HLA-DQB1*03 genotype and perioperative blood transfusion are not conducive to the prognosis of patients with GC, which could provide a reference for the treatment of GC.

Genetic Association between Matrix Metalloproteinases Gene Polymorphisms and Risk of Prostate Cancer: A Meta-Analysis

Background and Objective: Studies suggests that matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2-1306 C/T and MMP-1-1607 1G/2G polymorphisms affect the risk of prostate cancer. However, the conclusions remain controversial and no pooled evidence of this topic has been published. Therefore, we aimed to perform a meta-analysis to shed some light on the controversial conclusion pertaining to the associations of MMP-2-1306 C/T and MMP-1-1607 1G/2G polymorphisms with prostate cancer susceptibility.

Methods: A thorough literature search was performed up to August, 2016 with the PubMed, EMBASE, CBM, CNKI, and Wanfang databases. Odds ratios (ORs) and corresponding 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) were calculated to address the correlations between these polymorphisms and risk of prostate cancer.

Results: The meta-analysis included six studies (1,921 patients and 1,988 controls) on MMP-2-1306 C/T polymorphism and three studies on MMP-1-1607 1G/2G polymorphism (438 patients and 394 controls), respectively. The overall results of meta-analysis showed that an elevated risk of the disease was implicated in MMP-2-1306 C/T polymorphism under two genetic models (CT vs. CC: OR = 1.78, 95% CI = 1.33–2.38; TT+CT vs. CC: OR = 1.62, 95% CI = 1.24–2.12) and no significant association was observed between MMP-1-1607 1G/2G polymorphism and the risk of prostate cancer. The subgroup analysis results of MMP-2-1306 C/T polymorphism were similar to the overall results. However, decreased risk of prostate cancer was observed in the Caucasians for MMP-1-1607 1G/2G polymorphism.

Conclusions: Current meta-analysis indicates that MMP-2-1306 C/T polymorphism is associated with elevated risk of prostate cancer, but MMP-1-1607 1G/2G polymorphism may inhibit the occurrence of prostate cancer in Caucasians. Further studies are warranted to verify the conclusions.

Association between four SNPs in IL-4 and the risk of gastric cancer in a Chinese population

Gastric cancer (GC) is the 5th most prevalent cancer. The etiology of GC is still poorly understood. We performed a case-control study in a Chinese population to investigate the association of rs2243248 (-1098 G/T), rs2227284 (-33 C/T), rs2243250 (-589 T/C) and rs2070874 (-107 T/C) polymorphisms and haplotypes with the development of gastric cancer in a Chinese population. A total of 362 patients with gastric cancer and 384 controls were recruited between December 2013 and December 2015. Genotyping of rs2243248 (-1098 G/T), rs2227284 (-33 C/T), rs2243250 (-589 T/C) and rs2070874 (-107 T/C) was performed in a 384-well plate format on the sequenom MassARRAY platform, and analyzed by MALDI-TOF MS. The TC and CC genotypes of rs2243250 (-589 T/C) were associated with an increased risk of gastric cancer when compared with the TT genotype, with adjusted ORs (95% CI) of 1.52 (1.07-2.15) and 2.13 (1.30-3.51), respectively. The TTTT haplotype revealed a reduced risk of gastric cancer (OR=0.65, 95% CI=0.45-0.94). No linkage disequilibrium was found among IL-4 rs2243248, rs2227284, rs2243250 and rs2070874. In summary, our findings support a significant association of IL-4 rs2243250 polymorphism with the risk of gastric cancer in the Chinese population, and IL-4 haplotype contributes to the development of this disease.

Serum Antibodies against Helicobacter pylori Neutrophil Activating Protein in Carriers of IL-4 C-590T Genetic Polymorphism Amplify the Risk of Gastritis and Gastric Cancer

BACKGROUND

Gastric cancer arises, mainly, on an inflammatory background. Helicobacter pylori neutrophil activating (HP-NAP) protein functions as a potent pro-inflammatory mediator. Similarly, IL-4 plays a critical role in the inflammation pathway, the levels of which are altered by C to T transition at position -590 in its promoter region. Here, we have aimed to assess the risk of gastritis and gastric cancer in the co-presence of these two inflammation modulating mediators.

METHODS

Gastritis (n=58) and gastric cancer (n=31) patients were evaluated and compared with H. pylori-positive asymptomatic controls (n=46), for serum antibodies against recombinant HP-NAP and IL-4 C-590T single nucleotide polymorphism using immunoblotting and PCR-RFLP, respectively. Multivariable logistic regression, adjusting for age, gender and ethnicity, was used for data analysis.

RESULTS

In terms of susceptibility to gastritis, seropositivity to HP-NAP projected a risk impact of 4.62 fold (OR=4.62, 95% CI=1.50-14.22), which when present in IL-4 -590 T carriers augmented the risk up to 9.7 fold (OR=9.70, 95% CI=2.06-45.69). A similar pattern, but of a stronger magnitude, occurred for the risk of gastric cancer, which was estimated at 9.07 fold (OR=9.07, 95% CI=1.99-42.0) for HP-NAP-seropositive subjects and was drastically amplified (OR=33.64, 95% CI=2.06-548.68), when double-positive (HP-NAP seropositive/IL-4 -590 T carrier) subjects were examined against double negatives (HP-NAP seronegative/IL-4 -590 CC).

CONCLUSION

Our preliminary data indicate that serum antibodies against HP-NAP represent a state of risk, which is further exacerbated in IL-4 -590 T carriers. These biomarkers, if validated in larger prospective studies, can be used to screen for gastric cancer susceptibility.