ABCB1 C3435T polymorphism is associated with leukemia susceptibility: evidence from a meta-analysis

Construction and in vitro evaluation of pH-sensitive nanoparticles to reverse drug resistance of breast cancer stem cells

Breast cancer is a major threat to safety and health of women. The breast cancer stem cells (BCSCs) have multi-drug resistance to chemotherapy drugs, which leads to chemotherapy failure. We proposed a strategy of delivery of tumor-killing drugs and a resistance reversal agent, to enhance inhibition of BCSCs. Here, schisandrin B (SchB)/AP NPs are constructed using acid-grafted-poly (β-amino ester) (ATRA-g-PBAE, AP) grafted polymer nanoparticle encapsulated SchB, with pH-sensitive release function. This drug delivery system has good pharmacological properties and can increase the SchB release with the decrease of pH. The NPs showed cytotoxic effects in reversing ATRA resistance to BCSCs. Lysosomal escape was achieved when the nanoparticles were taken up by BCSCs. In addition, we found that NPs may reverse MDR by inhibiting the expression of P-glycoprotein (P-gp) and affecting the energy supply of drug efflux. This study provides a nanodelivery therapy strategy that reverses BCSCs multidrug resistance (MDR) and demonstrates that it did so by interfering with cancer cell energy metabolism. Therefore, the co-delivery strategy of ATRA and SchB provides a new option for the treatment of breast cancer.

Pharmacogenetic Study of the Impact of ABCB1 Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms on the Response to Cyclosporine in Psoriasis Patients

Psoriasis is a chronic, T cell-mediated skin disease affecting 2-3% of the Caucasian population. Cyclosporine A is a calcineurin inhibitor that acts selectively on T cells. The cyclosporine A treatment response has been suggested to be modulated by single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the ABCB1 gene. The aim of this research was to evaluate the effect of ABCB1 genetic variants that could affect the response to a cyclosporine treatment in Russian psoriasis patients with the ABCB1 genotype status. The ABCB1 T-129C, G1199A, C1236T, G2677T/A and C3435T SNPs in the 168 patients with psoriasis were genotyped by PCR-RFLP (polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism) and TaqMan SNP genotyping assays. The ABCB1 C1236T, G2677T/A and C3435T SNPs were significantly associated with a negative response to cyclosporine therapy. A very strong association was evident for the C3435T SNP in the ABCB1 gene in the allele, dominant and recessive models (OR = 2.58, OR = 4.01, OR = 2.50, respectively). ABCB1 C1236T and G2677T/A polymorphisms were significantly associated with a negative response to the cyclosporine therapy in the codominant, dominant and recessive models (p ˂ 0.05). Additionally, the haplotype analysis identified that the TGC haplotype is significantly associated with a negative response to cyclosporine therapy in psoriasis patients (p ˂ 0.05). The current study to the best of our knowledge is the first of its kind to be performed in the Russian population. In conclusion, the present results suggest an association between the ABCB1 genetic variants and unresponsiveness to cyclosporine in the Russian population. Further, larger studies are necessary to confirm our findings and replicate them in various ethnic populations before its implementation in the clinical practice.

Genetic Variants of ABC and SLC Transporter Genes and Chronic Myeloid Leukaemia: Impact on Susceptibility and Prognosis

Solute carrier (SLC) and ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporters comprise a variety of proteins expressed on cell membranes responsible for intrusion or extrusion of substrates, respectively, including nutrients, xenobiotics, and chemotherapeutic agents. These transporters mediate the cellular disposition of tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs), and their genetic variants could affect its function, potentially predisposing patients to chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML) and modulating treatment response. We explored the impact of genetic variability (single nucleotide variants—SNVs) of drug transporter genes (ABCB1, ABCG2, SLC22A1, and SLC22A5) on CML susceptibility, drug response, and BCR-ABL1 mutation status. We genotyped 10 SNVs by tetra-primers-AMRS-PCR in 198 CML patients and 404 controls, and assessed their role in CML susceptibility and prognosis. We identified five SNVs associated with CML predisposition, with some variants increasing disease risk, including TT genotype ABCB1 (rs1045642), and others showing a protective effect (GG genotype SLC22A5 rs274558). We also observed different haplotypes and genotypic profiles associated with CML predisposition. Relating to drug response impact, we found that CML patients with the CC genotype (rs2231142 ABCG2) had an increased risk of TKI resistance (six-fold). Additionally, CML patients carrying the CG genotype (rs683369 SLC22A1) presented a 4.54-fold higher risk of BCR-ABL1 mutations. Our results suggest that drug transporters’ SNVs might be involved in CML susceptibility and TKI response, and predict the risk of BCR-ABL1 mutations, highlighting the impact that SNVs could have in therapeutic selection.

High expression levels and the C3435T SNP of the ABCB1 gene are associated with lower survival in adult patients with acute myeloblastic leukemia in Mexico City

BACKGROUND

Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a heterogeneous hematologic malignancy characterized by different genetic alterations that cause changes in the normal mechanisms of differentiation, which are associated with chemoresistance. The ABCB1 gene is part of a family of ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporter genes involved in the progression of various types of cancer. The following work aimed to evaluate the expression levels of the ABCB1 gene and the C3435T SNP with the response to first-line treatment and survival in patients with AML.

METHODS

In total 135 samples were taken to isolate total RNA and DNA at the beginning of the treatment. Expression analysis by RT-qPCR and SNP C3435T assessment method were performed for real-time Polymerase chain reaction (qPCR).

RESULTS

The expression levels impact on the survival of patients with AML compared to low or absent levels; the CC genotype was found in 22.9%, the CT genotype was found in 47.4%, and the TT genotype was found in 29.6%, the presence of the C3435T SNP, the TT genotype also impacts with a lower survival compared to CT and CC genotypes. In addition, it was shown that the dominant model significantly impacts survival.

CONCLUSION

In conclusion, we have found that the overexpression of the ABCB1 gene, as well as the presence of the TT genotype of the C3435T SNP, contributes to a worse prognosis in AML.

Promising genes and variants to reduce chemotherapy adverse effects in acute lymphoblastic leukemia

Almost two decades ago, the sequencing of the human genome and high throughput technologies came to revolutionize the clinical and therapeutic approaches of patients with complex human diseases. In acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), the most frequent childhood malignancy, these technologies have enabled to characterize the genomic landscape of the disease and have significantly improved the survival rates of ALL patients. Despite this, adverse reactions from treatment such as toxicity, drug resistance and secondary tumors formation are still serious consequences of chemotherapy, and the main obstacles to reduce ALL-related mortality. It is well known that germline variants and somatic mutations in genes involved in drug metabolism impact the efficacy of drugs used in oncohematological diseases therapy. So far, a broader spectrum of clinically actionable alterations that seems to be crucial for the progression and treatment response have been identified. Although these results are promising, it is necessary to put this knowledge into the clinics to help physician make medical decisions and generate an impact in patients' health. This review summarizes the gene variants and clinically actionable mutations that modify the efficacy of antileukemic drugs. Therefore, knowing their genetic status before treatment is critical to reduce severe adverse effects, toxicities and life-threatening consequences in ALL patients.

Clinical effects of high frequency hyperthermia-assisted irinotecan chemotherapy on patients with middle and advanced colorectal cancer and its safety assessment

Clinical effects of high frequency hyperthermia-assisted irinotecan chemotherapy on patients with middle and advanced colorectal cancer and its safety assessment were investigated. A retrospective analysis was performed on the medical records of 103 patients with middle and advanced colorectal cancer treated in Cancer Center of Guangzhou Medical University from May 2011 to June 2015, including 48 patients receiving irinotecan plus conventional treatment (irinotecan group) and 55 patients receiving high frequency hyperthermia-assisted irinotecan plus conventional treatment (combination group). The treatment effects, severity and incidence of adverse reactions, quality of life and 3-year survival rates of patients were analyzed and compared between the two groups. After 4 courses of treatment, there were statistically significant differences in the proportions of patients with partial remission and objective remission, with those in combination group higher than those in irinotecan group (both P<0.05). After 4 courses of treatment, no patient died. After 4 courses of treatment, those that increased in different degrees (all P<0.05), compared with those in combination group were significantly higher than those in irinotecan group (all P<0.05). The 1-, 2- and 3-year survival rates of patients in irinotecan group were 31.25% (15 cases), 22.92% (11 cases) and 12.50% (6 cases), respectively. Those in combination group were 58.18% (32 cases), 29.09% (16 cases) and 16.36% (9 cases), respectively. The results of K-M survival curve analysis showed that there was no statistically significant difference in survival rate between the two groups of patients (P=0.050). High frequency hyperthermia-assisted chemotherapy for patients with middle and advanced colorectal cancer can effectively improve its treatment effects and patients' quality of life, with better treatment safety, worthy of clinical promotion.

State of Art of Cancer Pharmacogenomics in Latin American Populations

Over the past decades, several studies have shown that tumor-related somatic and germline alterations predicts tumor prognosis, drug response and toxicity. Latin American populations present a vast geno-phenotypic diversity due to the great interethnic and interracial mixing. This genetic flow leads to the appearance of complex characteristics that allow individuals to adapt to endemic environments, such as high altitude or extreme tropical weather. These genetic changes, most of them subtle and unexplored, could establish a mutational profile to develop new pharmacogenomic therapies specific for Latin American populations. In this review, we present the current status of research on somatic and germline alterations in Latin America compared to those found in Caucasian and Asian populations.

Association between ABCB1 polymorphisms and haplotypes and Alzheimer's disease: a meta-analysis

Although several epidemiological studies have investigated the association between ATP-binding cassette subfamily B member 1 (ABCB1) gene polymorphisms and Alzheimer's disease (AD) susceptibility, controversial results exist. Here, we performed a meta-analysis to assess whether ABCB1 polymorphisms 3435C > T (rs1045642), 2677G > T/A (rs2032582), 1236C > T (rs1128503) and haplotypes were associated with AD risk. Nine independent publications were included and analyzed. Crude odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) were applied to investigate the strength of the association. Sensitivity analysis was conducted to measure the robustness of our analysis. A funnel plot and trim and fill method were used to test and adjust for publication bias. The results showed a significant association between the 3435C > T single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) and AD susceptibility (CT vs. CC: OR = 1.24, 95% CI = 1.06-1.45, P = 0.01; CT + TT vs. CC: OR = 1.21, 95% CI = 1.04-1.41, P = 0.01) in the total population, as well as in Caucasian subgroup. The 2677G > T/A SNP was related to a decreased AD risk in Caucasian subgroup (TT + TA + AA vs. GT + GA + GG: OR = 0.68, 95% CI = 0.47-0.98, P = 0.04). Moreover, the ABCB1 haplotype analysis showed that the 1236T/2677T/3435C haplotype was associated with a higher risk of AD (OR = 1.99, 95% CI = 1.24-3.18, P = 0.00). Our results suggest that the ABCB1 3435C > T SNP, the 2677G > T/A SNP and 1236T/2677T/3435C haplotype are significantly associated with AD susceptibility.

Genetic Polymorphisms Associated to Folate Transport as Predictors of Increased Risk for Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia in Mexican Children

Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is a frequent neoplasia occurring in children. The most commonly used drug for the treatment of ALL is methotrexate (MTX), an anti-folate agent. Previous studies suggest that folate transporters play a role in ALL prognosis and that genetic polymorphism of genes encoding folate transporters may increase the risk of ALL. Therefore, the main goal of this study was to determine the associations among six genetic polymorphisms in four genes related with the folate transporter pathway to determine a relationship with the occurrence of ALL in Mexican children. A case-control study was performed in 73 ALL children and 133 healthy children from Northern and Northwestern Mexico. COL18A1 (rs2274808), SLC19A1 (rs2838956), ABCB1 (rs1045642 and rs1128503), and ABCC5 (rs9838667 and rs3792585). Polymorphisms were assayed through qPCR. Our results showed an increased ALL risk in children carrying CT genotype (OR = 2.55, CI 95% 1.11–5.83, p = 0.0001) and TT genotype (OR = 21.05, CI 95% 5.62–78.87, p < 0.0001) of COL18A1 rs2274808; in SLC19A1 rs2838956 AG carriers (OR = 44.69, CI 95% 10.42–191.63, p = 0.0001); in ABCB1 rs1045642 TT carriers (OR = 13.76, CI 95% 5.94–31.88, p = 0.0001); in ABCC5 rs9838667 AC carriers (OR = 2.61, CI 95% 1.05–6.48, p < 0.05); and in ABCC5 rs3792585 CC carriers (OR = 9.99, CI 95% 3.19–31.28, p = 0.004). Moreover, several combinations of genetic polymorphisms were found to be significantly associated with a risk for ALL. Finally, two combinations of ABCC5 polymorphisms resulted in protection from this neoplasia. In conclusion, certain genetic polymorphisms related to the folate transport pathway, particularly COL18A1 rs2274808, SLC19A1 rs2838956, ABCB1 rs1045642, and ABCC5 rs3792585, were associated with an increased risk for ALL in Mexican children.