The Associations between Metalloestrogens, GSTP1, and SLC11A2 Polymorphism and the Risk of Endometrial Cancer

Lead (Pb) in biological samples in association with cancer risk and mortality: A systematic literature review

BACKGROUND AND AIM

Lead (Pb) is a toxic heavy metal and pervasive environmental contaminant, and a class 2 A carcinogen according to the IARC classification, yet its link with cancer at several body sites remains uncertain. Here, we aimed at summarizing the scientific evidence regarding its association with cancer risk and mortality, focusing on studies that carried out Pb measurements in biological samples.

METHODS

We reviewed articles published in PubMed and EMBASE until January 2nd, 2024, that quantified the epidemiological association between Pb measured in blood, urine, nails, and other biological media, and cancer risk and mortality (overall and by cancer site/type).

RESULTS

We included 46 articles (out of 8022 screened) published in 1995-2023 and reporting on investigations conducted in fifteen countries. In terms of design, 20 were prospective, 24 were retrospective case-control studies, and 2 were cross-sectional. Pb levels were determined in blood in the majority of studies (n=28). The most consistent evidence was for the association of Pb with cancer of the gastrointestinal tract, particularly the oesophagus, stomach (RR ranging from 0.80 to 2.66), colon-rectum, and pancreas; and of the bladder and urinary tract (RR from 1.10 to 2.89). For other specific malignancies, the data were conflicting or too limited to draw reliable conclusions. Finally, increased Pb concentration in blood and urine was consistently associated with higher overall cancer incidence and mortality.

CONCLUSIONS

Lead is a widespread and highly persistent environmental pollutant associated with cancer at multiple body sites. Comprehensive primary prevention interventions aiming at reducing opportunities for Pb exposure need to be continuously promoted and implemented.

Cadmium in biological samples and site-specific cancer risk and mortality: A systematic review of original articles and meta-analyses

BACKGROUND

Cadmium (Cd) is classified as a class 1 carcinogen by the IARC, yet uncertainty persists regarding the total burden of cancer (incidence and mortality) caused by exposure to it, due to the still limited evidence with regard to its aetiological role in cancer at several body sites.

OBJECTIVES AND METHODS

We searched PubMed and EMBASE for meta-analyses and original articles published by February 1st, 2024, that focused on the link between cadmium measured in biological samples (blood, urine, finger-/toe-nails, and hair) and site-specific cancer risk and mortality.

RESULTS

We included 9 meta-analyses and 57 original articles (of these, the design was retrospective in 38 and prospective in 19, and Cd levels were quantified in blood, n=33, urine, n=19, both blood and urine, n=2, or finger-/toenail, n=3). Current data consistently suggest a causal role of exposure to cadmium in pancreas, lung, and bladder carcinogenesis. Total cancer risk and mortality are also positively correlated with Cd levels in biological samples. The evidence is weak or inconclusive for the remaining cancer sites (including breast and prostate), mostly due to the limited number of studies available to date and/or methodological limitations.

DISCUSSION

Exposure to cadmium poses a risk for increased cancer incidence and mortality. Cadmium-related cancer burden might indeed be currently underestimated, as the amount of available evidence for most cancer sites and types is currently limited, and more research in the field is warranted. Continuing efforts to contain Cd pollution and mitigate associated health risk are also needed.

Polymorphisms in miR-17-92 cluster promoter region is associated with risk and prognosis of endometrial cancer

Accumulating researches have reported that miR-17-92 cluster expression has strong association with tumorigenesis. In this study, we investigated the effects of 2 genetic polymorphisms in the promoter region of the miR-17-92 cluster and the risk and prognosis of endometrial cancer in northern Chinese women. Two polymorphisms (rs9588884 and rs982873) in the promoter of miR-17-92 cluster were genotyped by polymerase chain reaction and ligase detection reaction (PCR-LDR) in398 EC patients and 420 controls. The levels of miR-17-92 mRNA were investigated in 65EC tissues by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). The impact of genetic features on the risk and clinical outcomes of EC was analyzed. The prognostic value of hsa-miR-17 and hsa-miR-20a in EC patients was assessed using the Kaplan-Meier plotter database. The results showed that a significant decrease in risk of EC with rs9588884 (GG vs CC: OR = 0.49, 95% CI = 0.32-0.78, P = .002; G vs C: OR = 0.75, 95% CI = 0.62-0.91, P = .005, respectively). Similarly, association was found between rs982873 and a decreased risk of EC (CC vs TT: OR = 0.53, 95% CI = 0.34-0.82, P = .004; C vs T: OR = 0.77, 95% CI = 0.63-0.94, P = .010, respectively). Moreover, survival analysis showed that the CG or GG genotype of rs9588884 may significantly increase overall survival (OS) compared with the CC genotype in the 5-year follow-up (HR = 0.49, 95% CI = 0.29-0.82 and HR = 0.36, 95% CI = 0.16-0.83, respectively). RT-qPCR results showed that the expression level of miR-17-92 mRNA in EC tissues with the rs9588884 GG genotype was significantly lower than those with the GC + CC genotype (P = .030). However, there was no significant difference in the prognosis and expression level of miR-17-92mRNA in tissues of EC patients with different genotypes of rs982873 (P = .343). In addition, analysis using Kaplan-Meier plotter database showed that high hsa-miR-20a expression was significantly correlated with poor OS in EC patients (HR = 1.63, 95% CI = 1.02-2.61, P = .039). The genetic polymorphisms rs9588884 and rs982873 in the promoter of miR-17-92 cluster decreased EC risk. Both rs9588884 and the expression level of hsa-miR-20a mRNA may be associated with its clinical outcome in EC patients.

The adverse role of endocrine disrupting chemicals in the reproductive system

Reproductive system diseases pose prominent threats to human physical and mental well-being. Besides being influenced by genetic material regulation and changes in lifestyle, the occurrence of these diseases is closely connected to exposure to harmful substances in the environment. Endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs), characterized by hormone-like effects, have a wide range of influences on the reproductive system. EDCs are ubiquitous in the natural environment and are present in a wide range of industrial and everyday products. Currently, thousands of chemicals have been reported to exhibit endocrine effects, and this number is likely to increase as the testing for potential EDCs has not been consistently required, and obtaining data has been limited, partly due to the long latency of many diseases. The ability to avoid exposure to EDCs, especially those of artificially synthesized origin, is increasingly challenging. While EDCs can be divided into persistent and non-persistent depending on their degree of degradation, due to the recent uptick in research studies in this area, we have chosen to focus on the research pertaining to the detrimental effects on reproductive health of exposure to several EDCs that are widely encountered in daily life over the past six years, specifically bisphenol A (BPA), phthalates (PAEs), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), parabens, pesticides, heavy metals, and so on. By focusing on the impact of EDCs on the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis, which leads to the occurrence and development of reproductive system diseases, this review aims to provide new insights into the molecular mechanisms of EDCs' damage to human health and to encourage further in-depth research to clarify the potentially harmful effects of EDC exposure through various other mechanisms. Ultimately, it offers a scientific basis to enhance EDCs risk management, an endeavor of significant scientific and societal importance for safeguarding reproductive health.

Nutrition and Specific Diseases in Women during the Life Course

In Western countries, the prevalence rates of risk factors for premature mortality and early non-communicable diseases are growing due to the increasing prevalence of poor nutrition habits, increasing levels of stress, and sedentary lifestyles [...].

SLC11A2: a promising biomarker and therapeutic target in ovarian cancer

Ovarian cancer has the highest mortality rate among gynecologic tumors, with a 5-year survival rate of less than 25%. There is an urgent need for early diagnosis and new drugs to reduce the disease burden of ovarian cancer. The aim of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of SLC11A2 as a therapeutic target and marker for ovarian cancer. Expression data of SLC11A2 were obtained from public databases. Then, the biological functions of SLC11A2 were validated in four ovarian cancer cell lines. Finally, we collected ovarian cancer clinical tissues, serum, and plasma exosomes and used immunohistochemistry, Elisa, and liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) to validate the test efficacy of SLC11A2. The results showed that ovarian cancers with high SLC11A2 mRNA expression had shorter 5-year PFS and MST. Knockdown of SLC11A2 reduced ovarian cancer migration and increased cisplatin-induced apoptosis. Serum SLC11A2 may help improve the detection rate of ovarian cancer.

Effects of dehydroabietic acid on nontarget lipidomics and proteomics of HepG2

Objective: Studies of the effects of dehydroabietic acid on the multiomics of HepG2 hepatoma carcinoma cells are currently lacking. In this study, the molecular mechanism of the influence of dehydroabietic acid on HepG2 cells was disclosed by studying lipidomics and proteomics. Correlations among multiomics conjoint analysis results were verified. Methods: First, proteomics analysis of HepG2 cells was carried out using dehydroabietic acid. Differentially expressed proteins were screened and analyzed. Pathway enrichment analyses of differential proteins were compared, and the molecular mechanism was disclosed. Second, lipidomics analysis of HepG2 cells was conducted using dehydroabietic acid. The influence of dehydroabietic acid on HepG2 cells was determined on the lipid molecular level. Finally, a conjoint analysis of data related to differentially expressed proteins of ferroptosis and differentially changing lipid molecules was implemented. Results: A total of 260 upregulated and 961 downregulated proteins were screened in the proteomics analysis. The top five significantly enriched pathways included ferroptosis, oxidative phosphorylation, and protein processing in the endoplasmic reticulum. In the lipidomics analysis, 30 significantly differential metabolites with upregulated and downregulated expression were identified, and differentially expressed lipids were mainly related to the metabolism of glyceryl phosphatide. According to the comprehensive multiomics analysis results, real-time quantitative PCR and the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), ACSL3 participated in cardiolipin metabolism. Conclusion: Dehydroabietic acid influences HepG2 cells through the above biological pathways.