Estrogen Metabolism-Associated CYP2D6 and IL6-174G/C Polymorphisms in Schistosoma haematobium Infection

Insights into the State of the Art of Urogenital Schistosomiasis with a Focus on Infertility

Schistosomiasis is a neglected tropical disease that affects developing countries worldwide and is caused by several species of parasites from the Schistosoma genus. Chronic infection is characterized by the formation of granulomas around the parasite eggs, the leading cause of pathology. The hepatosplenic clinical form is one of the most common, but urogenital schistosomiasis is another relevant clinical presentation responsible for infertility in men and women. Inflammatory response, anatomical deformations, and endocrine/biochemical changes are involved in the development of infertility. Schistosome parasites can synthesize catechol estrogen-like molecules and affect the sexual hormone balance in their host. Here, we review many aspects of the pathology of urogenital schistosomiasis, specifically infertility, and point to the biochemical and endocrinal elements that must be investigated in the future.

Cytochrome P450-2D6: A novel biomarker in liver cancer health disparity

Liver cancer morbidity and mortality rates differ among ethnic groups. In the United States, the burden of liver cancer in Asian Americans (AS) is higher compared to Caucasian Americans (CA). Research on liver cancer health disparities has mainly focused on environmental and socioeconomic factors yet has ignored the genotypic differences among various racial/ethnic groups. This lack of molecular level understanding has hindered the development of personalized medical approaches for liver cancer treatment. To understand the genetic heterogeneity of liver cancer between AS and CA, we performed a systematic analysis of RNA-seq data of AS and CA patients from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA). We used four differential gene expression analysis packages; DESeq2, limma, edgeR, and Superdelta2, to identify the differentially expressed genes. Our analysis identified cytochrome P450-2D6 enzyme (CYP2D6) as the gene with the greatest differential expression with higher levels in AS compared to CA. To scrutinize the underlying mechanism of CYP2D6, Ingenuity Pathway Analysis (IPA) and Cytoscape were conducted and found hepatocyte nuclear factor-4α (HNF4A) and interleukin-6 (IL6) in direct association with CYP2D6. IL6 is downregulated in AS compared to CA, while HNF4A is not significantly different. Herein, we report that CYP2D6 may serve as a putative biomarker in liver cancer health disparities. Its negative association with IL6 proclaims an intricate relationship between CYP2D6 and inflammation in the ethnic differences seen in AS and CA liver cancer patients. The goal of the present study was to understand how genetic factors may contribute to the interethnic variability of liver cancer prevalence and outcomes in AS and CA patients. Identifying ethnic-specific genes may help ameliorate detection, diagnosis, surveillance, and treatments of liver cancer, as well as reduce disease-related incidence and mortality rates in the vulnerable population.

Does Schistosoma Mansoni Facilitate Carcinogenesis?

Schistosomiasis is one of the most prominent parasite-induced infectious diseases, causing tremendous medical and socioeconomic problems. Current studies have reported on the spread of endemic regions and the fear of development of resistance against praziquantel, the only effective drug available. Among the Schistosoma species, only S. haematobium is classified as a Group 1 carcinogen (definitely cancerogenic to humans), causing squamous cell carcinoma of the bladder, whereas infection with S. mansoni is included in Group 3 of carcinogenic hazards to humans by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), indicating insufficient evidence to determine its carcinogenicity. Nevertheless, although S. mansoni has not been discussed as an organic carcinogen, the multiplicity of case reports, together with recent data from animal models and cell culture experiments, suggests that this parasite can predispose patients to or promote hepatic and colorectal cancer. In this review, we discuss the current data, with a focus on new developments regarding the association of S. mansoni infection with human cancer and the recently discovered biomolecular mechanisms by which S. mansoni may predispose patients to cancer development and carcinogenesis.

Involvement of cytochrome P450 enzymes in inflammation and cancer: a review

Cytochrome P450 (CYP) enzymes are responsible for the biotransformation of drugs, xenobiotics, and endogenous substances. This enzymatic activity can be modulated by intrinsic and extrinsic factors, modifying the organism's response to medications. Among the factors that are responsible for enzyme inhibition or induction is the release of proinflammatory cytokines, such as interleukin-1 (IL-1), IL-6, tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α), and interferon-γ (IFN-γ), from macrophages, lymphocytes, and neutrophils. These cells are also present in the tumor microenvironment, participating in the development of cancer, a disease that is characterized by cellular mutations that favor cell survival and proliferation. Mutations also occur in CYP enzymes, resulting in enzymatic polymorphisms and modulation of their activity. Therefore, the inhibition or induction of CYP enzymes by proinflammatory cytokines in the tumor microenvironment can promote carcinogenesis and affect chemotherapy, resulting in adverse effects, toxicity, or therapeutic failure. This review discusses the relevance of CYPs in hepatocarcinoma, breast cancer, lung cancer, and chemotherapy by reviewing in vitro, in vivo, and clinical studies. We also discuss the importance of elucidating the relationships between inflammation, CYPs, and cancer to predict drug interactions and therapeutic efficacy.

Neglected Agent Eminent Disease: Linking Human Helminthic Infection, Inflammation, and Malignancy

Helminthic parasitic infection is grossly prevalent across the globe and is considered a significant factor in human cancer occurrence induced by biological agents. Although only three helminths (Schistosoma haematobium, Clonorchis sinensis, and Opisthorchis viverrini) so far have been directly associated with carcinogenesis; there are evidence suggesting the involvement of other species too. Broadly, human helminthiasis can cause chronic inflammation, genetic instability, and host immune modulation by affecting inter- and intracellular communications, disruption of proliferation-anti-proliferation pathways, and stimulation of malignant stem cell progeny. These changes ultimately lead to tumor development through the secretion of soluble factors that interact with host cells. However, the detailed mechanisms by which helminths introduce and promote malignant transformation of host cells are still not clear. Here, we reviewed the current understanding of immune-pathogenesis of helminth parasites, which have been associated with carcinogenesis, and how these infections initiate carcinogenesis in the host.

Schistosomiasis and Infertility: What Do We Know?

There is increasing attention on the complex interactions occurring between schistosome parasites and their hosts. However, little is known about the occurrence, epidemiology, and mechanisms of schistosomiasis-associated infertility. In this article, we argue that an in-depth understanding of the interplay between parasites and the host endocrine system may significantly enhance current knowledge of infertility in infected individuals. We discuss the basic hormonal mechanisms that may lead to the discovery of entirely novel anthelmintic interventions against schistosomiasis.