Association of polymorphisms in WWOX gene with risk and outcome of osteosarcoma in a sample of the young Chinese population

Effect of WW Domain-Containing Oxidoreductase Gene Polymorphism on Clinicopathological Characteristics of Patients with EGFR Mutant Lung Adenocarcinoma in Taiwan

Lung adenocarcinoma is the most common histological type of non-small cell lung cancer, which accounts for the majority of lung cancers. Previous studies have showed that dysregulation of WW domain-containing oxidoreductase (WWOX) participates in the generation of several cancer types, including lung cancer. However, whether these WWOX polymorphisms are related to the clinical risk of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)-mutated lung adenocarcinoma is worthy of investigation. The present study examined the relationship between the WWOX single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs; rs11545028, rs12918952, rs3764340, rs73569323, and rs383362) and the clinicopathological factors in lung adenocarcinoma patients with or without EGFR mutations. We found that there was no significant difference in the genotype distribution of WWOX polymorphism between EGFR wild-type and EGFR mutant in patients with lung adenocarcinoma. Our results demonstrated that the presence of at least one G genotype (CG and GG) allele on WWOX rs3764340 was associated with a significantly higher risk of nearby lymph node involvement in those patients harboring EGFR mutations (odds ratio (OR) = 3.881, p = 0.010) compared with the CC genotype. Furthermore, in the subgroup of lung adenocarcinoma patients with the EGFR-L858R mutation, both WWOX rs3764340 C/G (OR = 5.209, p = 0.023) and rs73569323 C/T polymorphisms (OR = 3.886, p = 0.039) exhibited significant associations with the size of primary tumors and the invasion of adjacent tissues. In conclusion, these data indicate that WWOX SNPs may help predict tumor growth and invasion in patients with EGFR mutant lung adenocarcinoma, especially those with the EGFR-L858R mutant in Taiwan.

LncRNA WWOX‑AS1 inhibits the proliferation, migration and invasion of osteosarcoma cells

Recently, numerous long non-coding (lnc)RNAs have been revealed as serving important roles in human gene regulation. Previous studies have suggested that aberrant expression of lncRNAs is associated with cancer progression and metastasis. Previous studies have also demonstrated that decreased expression of WW domain-containing oxidoreductase (WWOX) is associated with poor prognosis in numerous cancer types. However, the effect of WWOX antisense RNA 1 (WWOX-AS1) in the development of cancer remains unknown. The aim of the present study was to investigate the role of WWOX-AS1 in osteosarcoma. The expression levels of WWOX-AS1 in human osteosarcoma cell lines and a normal osteoblastic cell line were investigated using reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). The results revealed that WWOX-AS1 expression was downregulated in osteosarcoma tissues. Furthermore, the association between WWOX-AS1 and the prognosis of patients with osteosarcoma was investigated using Kaplan-Meier and log-rank tests. The results suggested that patients exhibiting high WWOX-AS1 expression demonstrated a greater overall survival compared with patients exhibiting low WWOX-AS1 expression. In addition, overexpression and knockdown of WWOX-AS1 was performed using transfection experiments and confirmed by RT-qPCR in MG63 and SAOS2 cells, respectively. The results demonstrated that WWOX-AS1 and WWOX expression were positively correlated. Furthermore, the results of the knockdown and overexpression functional experiments suggested that WWOX-AS1 overexpression inhibited the proliferation, migration and invasion of MG63 cells, and knockdown of WWOX-AS1 enhanced the proliferation, migration and invasion of MG63 cells in SAOS2 cells. In conclusion, the results of the present study suggested that WWOX-AS1 may represent a potential biomarker and therapeutic target for the treatment of osteosarcoma.

Association between WWOX and the risk of malignant tumor, especially among Asians: evidence from a meta-analysis

Purpose

Many studies have been carried out to examine whether there are associations between WWOX polymorphisms (rs3764340 C>G, rs12918952 G>A, and rs383362 G>T) and malignant tumor risk, but the results from these studies remained inconsistent and even controversial. In the present study, we performed a meta-analysis to evaluate the relationships comprehensively.

Methods

Published reports were searched in PubMed, Google Scholar, and Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure databases. Eight eligible case–control studies were included in the final analysis. In the analysis, pooled odds ratios (ORs) with corresponding 95% CIs were calculated in five genetic models to assess the genetic risk. Egger’s regression and Begg’s funnel plots test were conducted to appraise the publication bias.

Results

We found that rs12918952 G>A and rs383362 G>T polymorphisms were not associated with the susceptibility of malignant tumor. However, a significant correlation was found between WWOX rs3764340 C>G and malignant tumor risk in three genetic models (CG vs CC: OR=1.31, 95% CI: 1.12–1.53, P=0.031; GG/CG vs CC: OR=1.31, 95% CI: 1.11–1.54, P=0.014; G vs C: OR=1.28, 95% CI: 1.09–1.50, P=0.009). Furthermore, when stratified by source of control, the results were significant especially in population-based control for rs3764340.

Conclusion

In general, our results first indicated that the rs3764340 C>G polymorphism in WWOX gene can increase the susceptibility of tumor, while the others cannot. However, large, well-designed epidemiological studies are required to verify our findings.

Genetic susceptibility to bone and soft tissue sarcomas: a field synopsis and meta-analysis

Background

The genetic architecture of bone and soft tissue sarcomas susceptibility is yet to be elucidated. We aimed to comprehensively collect and meta-analyze the current knowledge on genetic susceptibility in these rare tumors.

Methods

We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of the evidence on the association between DNA variation and risk of developing sarcomas through searching PubMed, The Cochrane Library, Scopus and Web of Science databases. To evaluate result credibility, summary evidence was graded according to the Venice criteria and false positive report probability (FPRP) was calculated to further validate result noteworthiness. Integrative analysis of genetic and eQTL (expression quantitative trait locus) data was coupled with network and pathway analysis to explore the hypothesis that specific cell functions are involved in sarcoma predisposition.

Results

We retrieved 90 eligible studies comprising 47,796 subjects (cases: 14,358, 30%) and investigating 1,126 polymorphisms involving 320 distinct genes. Meta-analysis identified 55 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) significantly associated with disease risk with a high (N=9), moderate (N=38) and low (N=8) level of evidence, findings being classified as noteworthy basically only when the level of evidence was high. The estimated joint population attributable risk for three independent SNPs (rs11599754 of ZNF365/EGR2, rs231775 of CTLA4, and rs454006 of PRKCG) was 37.2%. We also identified 53 SNPs significantly associated with sarcoma risk based on single studies.Pathway analysis enabled us to propose that sarcoma predisposition might be linked especially to germline variation of genes whose products are involved in the function of the DNA repair machinery.

Conclusions

We built the first knowledgebase on the evidence linking DNA variation to sarcomas susceptibility, which can be used to generate mechanistic hypotheses and inform future studies in this field of oncology.

Genetic Polymorphisms of Insulin-Like Growth Factor 1 Are Associated with Osteosarcoma Risk and Prognosis

Background

Insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) gene plays an important role in bone and soft tumors. IGF-1 gene polymorphisms have been revealed to be correlated with the carcinogenesis and progression of solid malignancies. We therefore hypothesized that IGF-1 genetic polymorphisms might be associated with the risks and outcomes of osteosarcomas in Chinese individuals.

Material/Methods

This study included 173 conventional osteosarcoma individuals and 175 tumor-free controls. Five single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of IGF-1 (rs6214, rs6218, rs35767, rs5742612, and rs5742714) were genotyped. DNA was extracted from peripheral blood and analyzed for SNP genotyping using PCR.

Results

We found that rs6218 had a predictive role for the susceptibility and progression of osteosarcoma. The presence of TC and CC genotypes of rs6218 indicated higher risk of osteosarcoma. In addition, rs6218 TC and CC genotypes were discovered to be associated with later stage and elevated risk of osteosarcoma metastasis.

Conclusions

IGF-1 polymorphisms are potential prognostic predictors of osteosarcoma susceptibility and outcomes.

Transcription Factor 21 (TCF21) rs12190287 Polymorphism is Associated with Osteosarcoma Risk and Outcomes in East Chinese Population

Background

The transcription factor 21 (TCF21) gene is believed to be a tumor suppressor gene. TCF21 gene polymorphisms were found to play a role in the tumorigenesis of some solid malignancies. We raised a hypothesis that genetic polymorphisms of TCF21 were correlated with risk and prognosis of osteosarcoma.

Material/Methods

We recruited 225 young osteosarcoma individuals and 250 cancer-free controls. Five tagging SNPs (TCF21 rs2327429 T>C, rs2327433 A>G, rs2327433 A>G, rs12190287 C>G, and rs4896011 T>A) were genotyped. Preserved DNA samples from blood underwent PCR analysis for genotyping.

Results

rs12190287 C>G is a good predictor of osteosarcoma risk and outcomes. The CG and GG genotypes of rs12190287 predict elevated risk of osteosarcoma. Besides, rs12190287 CG and GG genotypes are associated with Enneking stage and potential in forming metastasis of osteosarcoma.

Conclusions

Genetic polymorphisms of TCF21 are potentially predictive for osteosarcoma risk and outcomes.

Exosomes containing differential expression of microRNA and mRNA in osteosarcoma that can predict response to chemotherapy

A major challenge in osteosarcoma (OS) is the selection of the most effective chemotherapeutic agents for individual patients, while the administration of ineffective chemotherapy increases mortality and decreases quality of life in patients. This emphasizes the need to evaluate every patient's probability of responding to each chemotherapeutic agent. We developed a profiling strategy for serum exosomal microRNAs and mRNAs in OS patients with differential chemotherapeutic responses. Twelve miRNAs were up regulated and 18 miRNAs were under regulated significantly in OS patient with poor chemotherapeutic response when compared with those in good chemotherapeutic response (p<0.05). In addition, miR-124, miR133a, miR-199a-3p, and miR-385 were validated and significantly reduced in poorly responded patients with an independent OS cohort. While miR-135b, miR-148a, miR-27a, and miR-9 were significantly over expressed in serum exosomes. Bioinformatic analysis by DIANA-mirPath demonstrated that Proteoglycans in cancer, Hippo signaling pathway, Pathways in cancer, Transcriptional misregulation in cancer, PI3K-Akt signaling pathway, Ras signaling pathway, Ubiquitin mediated proteolysis, Choline metabolism in cancer were the most prominent pathways enriched in quantiles with the miRNA patterns related to poor chemotherapeutic response. Messenger RNAs(mRNAs) includingAnnexin2, Smad2, Methylthioadenosine phosphorylase (MTAP), Cdc42-interacting protein 4 (CIP4), Pigment Epithelium-Derived Factor (PEDF), WW domain-containing oxidoreductase (WWOX), Cell division cycle 5-like (Cdc5L), P27 were differentially expressed in exosomes in OS patients with different chemotherapeutic response. These data demonstrated that exosomal RNA molecules are reliable biomarkers in classifying osteosarcoma with different chemotherapy sensitivity.

Functional genetic variant of WW domain-containing oxidoreductase (WWOX) gene is associated with hepatocellular carcinoma risk

BACKGROUND

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most common malignant tumors worldwide. Human WW domain-containing oxidoreductase (WWOX) gene has been identified as a tumor suppressor gene in multiple cancers. We hypothesize that genetic variations in WWOX are associated with HCC risk.

METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS

Five single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of the WWOX gene were evaluated from 708 normal controls and 354 patients with HCC. We identified a significant association between a WWOX single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP), rs73569323, and decreased risk of HCC. After adjustment for potential confounders, patients with at least one T allele at rs11545028 of WWOX may have a significantly smaller tumor size, reduced levels of α-fetoprotein and alanine aminotransferase (ALT). Moreover, the A allele at SNP rs12918952 in WWOX conferred higher risk of vascular invasion. Additional in silico analysis also suggests that WWOX rs12918952 polymorphism tends to affect WWOX expression, which in turn contributes to tumor vascular invasion.

CONCLUSIONS

In conclusion, genetic variations in WWOX may be a significant predictor of early HCC occurrence and a reliable biomarker for disease progression.

Functions and Epigenetic Regulation of Wwox in Bone Metastasis from Breast Carcinoma: Comparison with Primary Tumors

Epigenetic mechanisms influence molecular patterns important for the bone-metastatic process, and here we highlight the role of WW-domain containing oxidoreductase (Wwox). The tumor-suppressor Wwox lacks in almost all cancer types; the variable expression in osteosarcomas is related to lung-metastasis formation, and exogenous Wwox destabilizes HIF-1α (subunit of Hypoxia inducible Factor-1, HIF-1) affecting aerobic glycolysis. Our recent studies show critical functions of Wwox present in 1833-osteotropic clone, in the corresponding xenograft model, and in human bone metastasis from breast carcinoma. In hypoxic-bone metastatic cells, Wwox enhances HIF-1α stabilization, phosphorylation, and nuclear translocation. Consistently, in bone-metastasis specimens Wwox localizes in cytosolic/perinuclear area, while TAZ (transcriptional co-activator with PDZ-binding motif) and HIF-1α co-localize in nuclei, playing specific regulatory mechanisms: TAZ is a co-factor of HIF-1, and Wwox regulates HIF-1 activity by controlling HIF-1α. In vitro, DNA methylation affects Wwox-protein synthesis; hypoxia decreases Wwox-protein level; hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) phosphorylates Wwox driving its nuclear shuttle, and counteracting a Twist program important for the epithelial phenotype and metastasis colonization. In agreement, in 1833-xenograft mice under DNA-methyltransferase blockade with decitabine, Wwox increases in nuclei/cytosol counteracting bone metastasis with prolongation of the survival. However, Wwox seems relevant for the autophagic process which sustains metastasis, enhancing more Beclin-1 than p62 protein levels, and p62 accumulates under decitabine consistent with adaptability of metastasis to therapy. In conclusion, Wwox methylation as a bone-metastasis therapeutic target would depend on autophagy conditions, and epigenetic mechanisms regulating Wwox may influence the phenotype of bone metastasis.

Ras-Association Domain Family 1 Isoform A (RASSF1A) Gene Polymorphism rs1989839 is Associated with Risk and Metastatic Potential of Osteosarcoma in Young Chinese Individuals: A Multi-Center, Case-Control Study

Background

The ras-association domain family 1 isoform A (RASSF1A) gene serves as a bona fide tumor suppressor gene. The polymorphisms in RASSF1A were previously reported to be associated with the risk of solid malignant tumors. We hypothesized herein that RASSF1A gene polymorphisms are involved in the risk and prognosis of osteosarcoma (OS).

Material/Methods

We recruited 279 young OS cases and 286 tumor-free controls from the east Chinese population. Five tagSNPs of RASSF1A gene (rs2236947A/C, rs2073497A/C, rs1989839C/T, rs72932987C/T, and rs4688728G/T) were genotyped. DNA was isolated from blood samples and then underwent PCR analysis for genotyping.

Results

rs1989839C/T is an important predictor of osteosarcoma risk and outcome. The CT genotype of rs1989839 is highly related to elevated risk of osteosarcoma. Furthermore, rs1989839C/T is also associated with the Enneking stage of osteosarcoma and risk of lung metastasis. One of the other 4 SNPs, rs2236947A/C, shows a borderline significance in predicting osteosarcoma risk.

Conclusions

Our study is the first to prove that RASSF1A gene polymorphisms may potentially be predictive for osteosarcoma risk and prognosis.