Insulin-like growth factor binding protein-3 (IGFBP-3) genetic variant and the risk of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma in a Chinese population

Overview of Risk Factors for Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma in China

(1) Background: China has the highest esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) incidence areas in the world, with some areas of incidence over 100 per 100,000. Despite extensive public health efforts, its etiology is still poorly understood. This study aims to review and summarize past research into potential etiologic factors for ESCC in China. (2) Methods: Relevant observational and intervention studies were systematically extracted from four databases using key terms, reviewed using Rayyan software, and summarized into Excel tables. (3) Results: Among the 207 studies included in this review, 129 studies were focused on genetic etiologic factors, followed by 22 studies focused on dietary-related factors, 19 studies focused on HPV-related factors, and 37 studies focused on other factors. (4) Conclusions: ESCC in China involves a variety of factors including genetic variations, gene-environment interactions, dietary factors like alcohol, tobacco use, pickled vegetables, and salted meat, dietary behavior such as hot food/drink consumption, infections like HPV, poor oral health, gastric atrophy, and socioeconomic factors. Public health measures should prioritize genetic screening for relevant polymorphisms, conduct comprehensive investigations into environmental, dietary, and HPV influences, enhance oral health education, and consider socioeconomic factors overall as integral strategies to reduce ESCC in high-risk areas of China.

Retracted: Ras-PI3K-AKT signaling promotes the occurrence and development of uveal melanoma by downregulating H3K56ac expression

BACKGROUND

Uveal melanoma (UM) is an intraocular malignant tumor characterized by rapid progression and recurrence. The current conventional treatments are unsatisfactory. Histone acetylation at H3 lysine 56 (H3K56ac) has been reported to be a tumor suppressor in breast cancer. However, whether H3K56ac prevents the occurrence and development of UM remains uninvestigated. The study aimed to explore the regulatory effect of H3K56ac on Ras-PI3K-AKT induced UM cells proliferation and migration.

METHODS

The vectors of pEGFP-Ras^WT , pEGFP-K-Ras ^G12V/Y40C , and pEGFP-N1 were transfected into MP46 cells, and protein levels of phosphorylated AKT ^Ser473 and H3K56ac were examined using western blot analysis. The effect of H3K56ac on cell proliferation and migration were studied using 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5 diphenyl tetrazolium bromide, colony formation, and Transwell assays. Reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) and chromatin immunoprecipitation assays were performed to determine the phosphoinositide 3-kinase/protein kinase B (PI3K/AKT) downstream genes. Further, the regulatory effects of silent mating type information regulation 2 homolog-1 (SIRT1), general control nonderepressible 5 (GCN5), and mouse double minute 2 homolog (MDM2) on Ras-PI3K-AKT affected H3K56ac expression were also investigated.

RESULTS

H3K56ac expression was specifically downregulated by Ras-PI3K-AKT activation pathway. H3K56ac inhibited the tumorigenic effect of Ras-PI3K-AKT on MP46 cells viability, colony formation, and migration, as well as participated in regulating the transcription of PI3K/AKT downstream genes. SIRT1 silence recovered H3K56ac expression, and reversed the tumorigenic effect of Ras-PI3K-AKT activation on MP46 cells. Downregulation of H3K56ac induced by Ras-PI3K-AKT activation was found to be associated with MDM2-mediated the degradation of GCN5.

CONCLUSIONS

The results demonstrated that Ras-PI3K-AKT signaling promoted UM cells proliferation and migration via downregulation of H3K56ac expression, which might be related to MDM2-mediated the degradation of GCN5.

Relationship between IGF2BP2 and IGFBP3 polymorphisms and susceptibility to non-small-cell lung cancer: a case-control study in Eastern Chinese Han population

Background

IGF2BP2 and IGFBP3 polymorphisms may be associated with cancer risk.

Methods

With an aim to determine the association of variations in IGF2BP2 and IGFBP3 genes with risk of non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC), IGF2BP2 rs1470579 A>C, rs4402960 G>T and IGFBP3 rs2270628 C>T, rs3110697 G>A, and rs6953668 G>A polymorphisms were selected and genotyped in 521 NSCLC patients and 1,030 controls.

Results

We found that there was no difference in IGF2BP2 and IGFBP3 genotype distribution among the NSCLC patients and controls. The stratified analyses suggested that IGF2BP2 rs1470579 A>C polymorphism decreased the risk of NSCLC in some subgroups (female subgroup: CC vs AA: adjusted P=0.032 and CC vs AC/AA: adjusted P=0.028; <60 years subgroup: CC vs AA: adjusted P=0.012 and CC vs AC/AA: adjusted P=0.013; and never drinking subgroup: CC vs AA: adjusted P=0.046 and CC vs AC/AA: adjusted P=0.031). The stratified analyses also found that IGF2BP2 rs4402960 G>T polymorphism decreased the risk of NSCLC in some subgroups (female subgroup: TT vs GG: adjusted P=0.031 and TT vs GT/GG: adjusted P=0.026; <60 subgroup: TT vs GG: adjusted P=0.037 and TT vs GT/GG: adjusted P=0.038; and never drinking subgroup: TT vs GT/GG: adjusted P=0.046). Haplotype analysis indicated A_rs1470579C_rs2270628G_rs3110697G_rs4402960A_rs6953668 haplotype decreased susceptibility of NSCLC (P=0.007).

Conclusion

Our study suggests that IGF2BP2 rs1470579 A>C, rs4402960 G>T single-nucleotide polymorphisms are candidates for decreased susceptibility to NSCLC among female, <60 years, and never drinking subgroups. In the future, more case–control studies with functional analysis are needed to confirm these preliminary findings.

The low IGFBP-3 level is associated with esophageal cancer patients: a meta-analysis

Background

Esophageal cancer was a vital cause of cancer-related mortality worldwide, and the insulin-like growth factor-binding proteins (IGFBPs) has been proved to be an important factor of multiple types of tumors. There is a controversy that whether the IGFBP-3 level is associated with the clinical pathological characteristics and overall survival of esophageal cancer patients. Herein, we aimed to comprehensively assess the association between the low IGFBP-3 level and the risk, overall survival and clinical pathological characteristics of esophageal cancer.

Method

We conducted a meta-analysis using seven eligible studies. The overall odds ratios (OR)/relative risk (RR) and their corresponding 95% confidence interval (CI) were calculated for each parameter.

Results

For the risk of esophageal cancer, the OR was 2.342 (p = 0.000), indicating that individuals with lower IGFBP-3 level were more likely to suffer from esophageal cancer, compared to those with relatively high IGFBP-3 level. With respect to the 3-year survival rate, the RR was 2.163 (p = 0.027), which demonstrated that esophageal cancer patients with low IGFBP-3 level had significantly lower 3-year survival rate; in terms of clinical pathological characteristics, significantly lower IGFBP-3 level was found for patients in all categories; for survival status, patients in low IGFBP-3 level are more likely to be in the dead survival status (OR = 4.480, p = 0.000).

Conclusion

Our meta-analysis suggests that for esophageal cancer, the low IGFBP-3 level is associated with high cancer risk, poor prognosis, and unfavorable tumor stage and metastasis.

Correlation between insulin‑like growth factor binding protein 3 and metastasis‑associated gene 1 protein in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma

The present study aimed to investigate the correlation between insulin‑like growth factor binding protein 3 (IGFBP‑3) and metastasis‑associated gene 1 (MTA1) protein, and the clinicopathological features and prognosis of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). Patients with ESCC who underwent surgical resection were enrolled in the current study, ESCC tissues and adjacent normal tissues (control) were obtained from 197 patients. The protein expression levels of IGFBP‑3 and MTA1 were detected using immunohistochemistry. The results demonstrated that the expression of IGFBP‑3 in ESCC tissues was significantly lower than in the adjacent normal tissues (27.4 vs. 40.6%; P<0.05), and was negatively correlated with smoking status, degree of tumor differentiation and lymph node metastasis (P<0.05). The expression of MTA1 protein in ESCC tissues was significantly higher than that of the adjacent tissues (42.1 vs. 11.2%; P<0.05), and was positively correlated with the tumor size, extent of tumor invasion and lymph node metastasis (P<0.05). No association was identified between the protein expression levels of IGFBP‑3 and MTA1. The protein expression levels of IGFBP‑3 and MTA1 were not independent risk factors for ESCC prognosis; however, the degree of tumor invasion (P=0.02) and rate of lymph node metastasis (P=0.027) were. IGFBP‑3 inhibits the proliferation and metastasis of ESCC; however, MTA1 promotes the proliferation and metastasis of ESCC. There is no interaction between IGFBP‑3 and MTA1 in ESCC, and they are not independent risk factors for ESCC prognosis.

Role of insulin-like growth factor-binding proteins in the pathophysiology and tumorigenesis of gastroesophageal cancers

The insulin family of proteins include insulin-like growth factor binding proteins (IGFBPs) that are classified into two groups based on their differential affinities to IGFs: IGF high-affinity binding proteins (IGFBP1-6) and IGF low-affinity IGFBP-related proteins (IGFBP-rP1-10). IGFBPs interact with many proteins, including their canonical ligands insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-I) and IGF-II. Together with insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF1) receptor (IGF1R), IGF2R, and ligands (IGF1 and IGF2), IGFBPs participate in a complex signaling axis called IGF-IGFR-IGFBP. Numerous studies have demonstrated that the IGF-IGFR-IGFBP axis is relevant in gastrointestinal (GI) and other cancers. The presence of different IGFBPs have been reported in gastrointestinal cancers, including esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC), esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAD or EAC), and gastric adenocarcinoma (GAD or GAC). A literature-based survey clearly indicates that an urgent need exists for a focused review of the role of IGFBPs in gastrointestinal cancers. The aim of this review is to present the biochemical and molecular characteristics of IGFBPs with an emphasis specifically on the role of these proteins in the pathophysiology and tumorigenesis of gastroesophageal cancers.

Polymorphisms of insulin-like growth factor binding protein-3 as a predictor for risk and patient survival in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Genetic single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) play a critical role in the development of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). The aim of this study is to investigate the associations between insulin-like growth factor binding protein-3 (IGFBP-3) gene polymorphisms and ESCC patients risk and survival after definitive chemoradiotherapy (CRT).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We undertook a case-control study to analyze two IGFBP-3 polymorphisms (rs2854744 A>C and rs2854746 G>C) in an Han Chinese population, by extraction of genomic DNA from the peripheral blood of 110 ESCC patients treated with CRT and 128 control participants, and performed IGFBP-3 genotyping using DNA sequencing.

RESULTS

The obtained results indicated that overall, no statistically significant association was observed in rs2854746 G>C. However, rs2854744 A>C genotype was at increased risk of ESCCs (P=0.032; odds ratio (OR)=1.201, CI 95%:1.014-1.423). Moreover, rs2854744 A>C genotype ESCCs were more significantly common in patients with tumor size of >6cm than A allele ESCC and in cases of lower T stage. Furthermore, ESCC patients with rs2854744CC genotype have the poorer CRT response and shorter survival time than GG+GC genotype ESCC.

CONCLUSIONS

In conclusion, polymorphism in IGFBP-3 rs2854744 A>C might be a potential predictor of ESCC risk and patient survival. Nevertheless, further investigation with a larger sample size is needed to support our results.

Impact of the IGFBP3 A-202C polymorphism on susceptibility and clinicopathologic features of breast cancer

BACKGROUND

Insulin-like growth factor binding protein 3 (IGFBP3) plays an important role in cellular proliferation, differentiation, apoptosis, and mammary carcinogenesis. Genetic variations in IGFBP3 have been identified to influence the circulating IGFBP3 level. The present study determined the impact of an important promoter polymorphism (A-202C, rs2854744) on susceptibility and progression of breast cancer in a Chinese population.

METHODS

We genotyped the IGFBP3 A-202C polymorphism in a case-control study involving 465 breast cancer patients and 799 age-matched, cancer-free controls using the TaqMan method. Logistic regression was used to assess the genetic association between the occurrence and progression of breast cancer.

RESULTS

Compared with the wild genotype (-202AA), we found a statistically significant increased risk of breast cancer associated with the variant genotypes (CC vs. AA: OR=2.00, 95% CI=1.25-3.21; AC+CC vs. AA: OR=1.34, 95% CI=1.06-1.70). In the stratified analysis, the increased risk was more apparent among the subgroups of older subjects (OR=1.70, 95% CI=1.20-2.42). Furthermore, we found that patients carrying variant genotypes (AC+CC) had a significantly greater prevalence of large tumor size (OR=1.72, 95% CI=1.13-2.64; P=0.021).

CONCLUSION

Our results suggest that the functional IGFBP3 A-202C polymorphism may influence the susceptibility and progression of breast cancer in the Chinese population.

Genetic association between p73 G4C14-A4T14 polymorphism and risk of squamous cell carcinoma

This study is to evaluate the association between p73 G4C14-A4T14 polymorphism and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) risk in diverse populations. We searched the PubMed, Embase, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, and Chinese Biomedicine databases for all articles on the association between p73 G4C14-A4T14 polymorphism and SCC risk through March 2014. We performed a comprehensive meta-analysis of six case-control studies that included 1,758 SCC cases and 2,970 case-free controls. All analyses were performed using STATA 11.0, using two-sided P values. Overall, this meta-analysis showed that the p73 G4C14-A4T14 polymorphism was associated with a significantly increased risk of SCC in three genetic models. However, after excluding one study deviating from Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium, the results then demonstrated that the p73 G4C14-A4T14 polymorphism was only associated with elevated risk of cervical squamous cell carcinoma (for AT/GC vs GC/GC: OR 1.51, 95 % CI 1.14-2.00, P heterogeneity = 0.996; for AT/AT+AT/GC vs GC/GC: OR 1.42, 95 % CI 1.08-1.87, P heterogeneity = 0.994) in subgroup analysis by tumor sites. No publication bias was found in the present study. This meta-analysis suggests that the p73 G4C14-A4T14 polymorphism is associated with an increased risk of cervical squamous cell carcinoma. Further large and well-designed studies are needed to confirm this association.