Deletions on Chromosome Y and Downregulation of the SRY Gene in Tumor Tissue Are Associated with Worse Survival of Glioblastoma Patients

The effects of loss of Y chromosome on male health

Loss of Y chromosome (LOY) is the most commonly occurring post-zygotic (somatic) mutation in male individuals. The past decade of research suggests that LOY has important effects in shaping the activity of the immune system, and multiple studies have shown the effects of LOY on a range of diseases, including cancer, neurodegeneration, cardiovascular disease and acute infection. Epidemiological findings have been corroborated by functional analyses providing insights into the mechanisms by which LOY modulates the immune system; in particular, a causal role for LOY in cardiac fibrosis, bladder cancer and Alzheimer disease has been indicated. These insights show that LOY is a highly dynamic mutation (such that LOY clones expand and contract with time) and has pleiotropic, cell-type-specific effects. Here, we review the status of the field and highlight the potential of LOY as a biomarker and target of new therapeutics that aim to counteract its negative effects on the immune system.

The impact of mosaic loss of the Y chromosome (mLOY) in men of advanced age

The Y chromosome has long been considered to be a "genetic wasteland" harboring only few genes essentially involved in male sex development and spermatogenesis. However, the discovery of mosaic loss of the Y chromosome (mLOY) in older men has led to revisiting of the potential impact of the Y chromosome on health and the pathophysiological processes of multiple diseases such as cancer, Alzheimer's disease and cardiovascular disease. Hence, developing more sensitive techniques for the detection of mLOY has become an emergent concern. In this article, we present a comprehensive review of the literature regarding mLOY. Additionally, we discuss the emerging discoveries concerning mLOY as well as the underlying mechanisms promoting disease in men of advanced age.

Sex difference in human diseases: mechanistic insights and clinical implications

Sex characteristics exhibit significant disparities in various human diseases, including prevalent cardiovascular diseases, cancers, metabolic disorders, autoimmune diseases, and neurodegenerative diseases. Risk profiles and pathological manifestations of these diseases exhibit notable variations between sexes. The underlying reasons for these sex disparities encompass multifactorial elements, such as physiology, genetics, and environment. Recent studies have shown that human body systems demonstrate sex-specific gene expression during critical developmental stages and gene editing processes. These genes, differentially expressed based on different sex, may be regulated by androgen or estrogen-responsive elements, thereby influencing the incidence and presentation of cardiovascular, oncological, metabolic, immune, and neurological diseases across sexes. However, despite the existence of sex differences in patients with human diseases, treatment guidelines predominantly rely on male data due to the underrepresentation of women in clinical trials. At present, there exists a substantial knowledge gap concerning sex-specific mechanisms and clinical treatments for diverse diseases. Therefore, this review aims to elucidate the advances of sex differences on human diseases by examining epidemiological factors, pathogenesis, and innovative progress of clinical treatments in accordance with the distinctive risk characteristics of each disease and provide a new theoretical and practical basis for further optimizing individualized treatment and improving patient prognosis.

Insights into brain tumor diagnosis: exploring in situ hybridization techniques

Objectives

Diagnosing brain tumors is critical due to their complex nature. This review explores the potential of in situ hybridization for diagnosing brain neoplasms, examining their attributes and applications in neurology and oncology.

Methods

The review surveys literature and cross-references findings with the OMIM database, examining 513 records. It pinpoints mutations suitable for in situ hybridization and identifies common chromosomal and gene anomalies in brain tumors. Emphasis is placed on mutations' clinical implications, including prognosis and drug sensitivity.

Results

Amplifications in EGFR, MDM2, and MDM4, along with Y chromosome loss, chromosome 7 polysomy, and deletions of PTEN, CDKN2/p16, TP53, and DMBT1, correlate with poor prognosis in glioma patients. Protective genetic changes in glioma include increased expression of ADGRB3/1, IL12B, DYRKA1, VEGFC, LRRC4, and BMP4. Elevated MMP24 expression worsens prognosis in glioma, oligodendroglioma, and meningioma patients. Meningioma exhibits common chromosomal anomalies like loss of chromosomes 1, 9, 17, and 22, with specific genes implicated in their development. Main occurrences in medulloblastoma include the formation of isochromosome 17q and SHH signaling pathway disruption. Increased expression of BARHL1 is associated with prolonged survival. Adenomas mutations were reviewed with a focus on adenoma-carcinoma transition and different subtypes, with MMP9 identified as the main metalloprotease implicated in tumor progression.

Discussion

Molecular-genetic diagnostics for common brain tumors involve diverse genetic anomalies. In situ hybridization shows promise for diagnosing and prognosticating tumors. Detecting tumor-specific alterations is vital for prognosis and treatment. However, many mutations require other methods, hindering in situ hybridization from becoming the primary diagnostic method.

mRNA markers for survival prediction in glioblastoma multiforme patients: a systematic review with bioinformatic analyses

BACKGROUND

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is a type of fast-growing brain glioma associated with a very poor prognosis. This study aims to identify key genes whose expression is associated with the overall survival (OS) in patients with GBM.

METHODS

A systematic review was performed using PubMed, Scopus, Cochrane, and Web of Science up to Journey 2024. Two researchers independently extracted the data and assessed the study quality according to the New Castle Ottawa scale (NOS). The genes whose expression was found to be associated with survival were identified and considered in a subsequent bioinformatic study. The products of these genes were also analyzed considering protein-protein interaction (PPI) relationship analysis using STRING. Additionally, the most important genes associated with GBM patients' survival were also identified using the Cytoscape 3.9.0 software. For final validation, GEPIA and CGGA (mRNAseq_325 and mRNAseq_693) databases were used to conduct OS analyses. Gene set enrichment analysis was performed with GO Biological Process 2023.

RESULTS

From an initial search of 4104 articles, 255 studies were included from 24 countries. Studies described 613 unique genes whose mRNAs were significantly associated with OS in GBM patients, of which 107 were described in 2 or more studies. Based on the NOS, 131 studies were of high quality, while 124 were considered as low-quality studies. According to the PPI network, 31 key target genes were identified. Pathway analysis revealed five hub genes (IL6, NOTCH1, TGFB1, EGFR, and KDR). However, in the validation study, only, the FN1 gene was significant in three cohorts.

CONCLUSION

We successfully identified the most important 31 genes whose products may be considered as potential prognosis biomarkers as well as candidate target genes for innovative therapy of GBM tumors.

Loss of the Y Chromosome: A Review of Molecular Mechanisms, Age Inference, and Implications for Men's Health

Until a few years ago, it was believed that the gradual mosaic loss of the Y chromosome (mLOY) was a normal age-related process. However, it is now known that mLOY is associated with a wide variety of pathologies in men, such as cardiovascular diseases, neurodegenerative disorders, and many types of cancer. Nevertheless, the mechanisms that generate mLOY in men have not been studied so far. This task is of great importance because it will allow focusing on possible methods of prophylaxis or therapy for diseases associated with mLOY. On the other hand, it would allow better understanding of mLOY as a possible marker for inferring the age of male samples in cases of human identification. Due to the above, in this work, a comprehensive review of the literature was conducted, presenting the most relevant information on the possible molecular mechanisms by which mLOY is generated, as well as its implications for men's health and its possible use as a marker to infer age.

Crosstalk between SOX Genes and Long Non-Coding RNAs in Glioblastoma

Glioblastoma (GBM) continues to be the most devastating primary brain malignancy. Despite significant advancements in understanding basic GBM biology and enormous efforts in developing new therapeutic approaches, the prognosis for most GBM patients remains poor with a median survival time of 15 months. Recently, the interplay between the SOX (SRY-related HMG-box) genes and lncRNAs (long non-coding RNAs) has become the focus of GBM research. Both classes of molecules have an aberrant expression in GBM and play essential roles in tumor initiation, progression, therapy resistance, and recurrence. In GBM, SOX and lncRNAs crosstalk through numerous functional axes, some of which are part of the complex transcriptional and epigenetic regulatory mechanisms. This review provides a systematic summary of current literature data on the complex interplay between SOX genes and lncRNAs and represents an effort to underscore the effects of SOX/lncRNA crosstalk on the malignant properties of GBM cells. Furthermore, we highlight the significance of this crosstalk in searching for new biomarkers and therapeutic approaches in GBM treatment.

The spectrum of sex differences in cancer

Sex differences in cellular and systems biology have been evolutionarily selected to optimize reproductive success in all species with little (sperm) and big (ova) gamete producers. They are evident from the time of fertilization and accrue throughout development through genetic, epigenetic, and circulating sex hormone-dependent mechanisms. Among other effects, they significantly impact on chromatin organization, metabolism, cell cycle regulation, immunity, longevity, and cancer risk and survival. Sex differences in cancer should be expected and accounted for in basic, translational, and clinical oncology research.

Loss of Y chromosome: An emerging next-generation biomarker for disease prediction and early detection?

As human life expectancy increases substantially and aging is the primary risk factor for most chronic diseases, there is an urgent need for advancing the development of post-genomic era biomarkers that can be used for disease prediction and early detection (DPED). Mosaic loss of Y chromosome (LOY) is the state of nullisomy Y in sub-groups of somatic cells acquired from different post-zygotic development stages and onwards throughout the lifespan. Multiple large-cohort based epidemiology studies have found that LOY in blood cells is a significant risk factor for future mortality and various diseases in males. Many features intrinsic to LOY analysis may be leveraged to enhance its use as a non-invasive, sensitive, reliable, high throughput-biomarker for DPED. Here, we review the emerging literatures in LOY studies and highlight ten strengths for using LOY as a novel biomarker for genomics-driven DPED diagnostics. Meanwhile, the current limitations in this area are also discussed. We conclude by identifying some important knowledge gaps regarding the consequences of malsegregation of the Y chromosome and propose further steps that are required before clinical implementation of LOY. Taken together, we think that LOY has substantial potential as a biomarker for DPED, despite some hurdles that still need to be addressed before its integration into healthcare becomes acceptable.