Association of a p53 codon 72 gene polymorphism with environmental factors and risk of lung cancer: a case control study in Mizoram and Manipur, a high incidence region in North East India

The cell cycle regulatory gene polymorphisms TP53 (rs1042522) and MDM2 (rs2279744) in lung cancer: a meta-analysis

Lung cancer is one of the most common types of cancer in the world. Although the mechanism of lung cancer is still unknown, a large number of studies have found a link between gene polymorphisms and the risk of lung cancer. The tumor suppressor p53 plays a crucial role in maintaining genomic stability and tumor prevention. MDM2 is a critical regulator of the p53 protein. Despite the importance of p53 pathway in cancer, data on the contribution of SNPs of TP53 (rs1042522) and MDM2 (rs2279744) to the development of lung cancer are very contradictory. A metaanalysis that collects quantitative data from individual studies and combines their results has the advantage of improving accuracy, providing reliable estimates, and resolving those issues in which studies on individual associations are not effective enough. The aim of this study was to determine whether the TP53 (rs1042522) and MDM2 (rs2279744) polymorphisms confer susceptibility to lung cancer. A meta-analysis was conducted on the associations between the TP53 (rs1042522) and MDM2 (rs2279744) polymorphisms and lung cancer. A total of 51 comparison studies including 25,366 patients and 25,239 controls were considered in this meta-analysis. The meta-analysis showed no association between lung cancer and MDM2 (rs2279744) under any model. A noteworthy association of TP53 (rs1042522) with susceptibility to lung cancer in overall pooled subjects was observed under three different models (allele contrast, homozygote contrast (additive) and dominant). Stratification by ethnicity indicated an association between the TP53 (rs1042522) and lung cancer in Asians and Caucasians. This meta-analysis demonstrates that the TP53 (rs1042522), but not MDM2 (rs2279744) polymorphism may confer susceptibility to lung cancer.

Exploring the p53 connection of cervical cancer pathogenesis involving north-east Indian patients

BACKGROUND

As per WHO, Cervical cancer (CaCx) is a global issue, being the fourth common cancer in women with incidence rate of 13.1 per 1 lakh women globally and accounting for 311000 deaths in the year 2018 itself globally. The molecular pathogenesis in Human papillomavirus (HPV) infected cases is inconclusive. The detection of molecular factors leading to progression of CaCx can be important in the diagnosis and management of the disease. p53 a known tumor suppressor gene having a regulative role in cell cycle has been highlighted as key factor in the prevention of cancer but its significance in CaCx cases has been variably documented. The present study therefore targeted to evaluate the significance of p53 profile in CaCx cases in ethnically distinct northeast Indian population.

METHODS

Blood and Tissue samples (N = 85) of cervical cancer patients were collected and screening for HPV was performed using PCR. Thereafter the differential mRNA expression(qPCR), Immunohistochemistry, Mutation (PCR direct sequencing method) of p53 was studied. Further p53 epigenetic profiling was done by Methylation specific PCR (MS-PCR) and western blotting by using p53 acetylation specific antibodies.

RESULTS

Our findings revealed that the downregulation of p53 was associated with the progression of disease and the variation in downregulation based on p53 polymorphism was observed. Further hypermethylation and deacetylation of p53 was also found to be associated with the pathogenesis of CaCx. The downregulated expression and hypermethylation of p53 in lower grade of CaCx, together established its association with the progression of CaCx from lower to severe grade.

CONCLUSION

Therefore, in CaCx patients of northeast Indian population, malfunctioning of p53 is found to have significant role in cervical cancer progression.

Association of TP53 Codon 72 Arg>Pro Polymorphism with Breast and Lung Cancer Risk in the South Asian Population: A Meta-Analysis

BACKGROUND

A transversion missense polymorphism of the TP53 tumor suppressor gene at the codon 72 codes proline instead of arginine causes an altered p53 protein expression and has been found to be associated with an elevated risk of various cancer; especially breast and lung cancer. As the previous case-control studies on the South Asian population have shown controversial results, we performed a meta-analysis to evaluate a precise estimation of the relationship between the TP53 Arg72Pro polymorphism with breast and lung cancer.

METHODS

A total of 12 related studies on the South Asian population have been included through comprehensive database searching. Six studies were selected for breast cancer meta-analysis involving 950 cases and 882 controls; the other six studies were for lung cancer meta-analysis including 975 cases and 1397 controls. The results have been determined by using the Review Manager (RevMan) 5.3. Additionally, the stability of our analysis was assessed by heterogeneity, publication bias analysis and sensitivity testing.

RESULTS

A significantly increased risk of breast cancer was found in Pro allele (Pro vs. Arg), co-dominant model 2 (Pro/Pro vs. Arg/Arg), dominant model (Pro/Pro + Arg/Pro vs. Arg/Arg). In case of lung cancer, significantly increased risk was found in the allele, co-dominant 1, co-dominant 2, co-dominant 3, dominant, and recessive models. No association with other genetic models with breast and lung cancer risk was found in the South Asian population.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results indicate that TP53 Arg72Pro polymorphism is a risk factor for the development of breast cancer and lung cancer in the South Asian population.

TP53 codon 72 Polymorphism and bladder cancer risk: a meta-analysis and emphasis on the role of tumor or smoking status

Background: Various studies had explored the relationship between TP53 codon 72 polymorphisms and the risk of bladder cancer (BC). However, their results remained inconsistent and the definite role of smoking or tumor status associated with this polymorphism in BC cases was seldom involved. Hence, this meta-analysis was to disclose such associations. Methods: Systematical and comprehensive retrieval of online databases PubMed, PMC, EMBASE and Web of Science were conducted to obtain eligible studies, up to May 30th, 2018. Pooled odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) were utilized to assess the associations between TP53 codon 72 polymorphisms and BC susceptibilities under five genetic comparison models. Results: Ultimately, this meta-analysis enrolled 22 applicable studies with 3,791 BC cases and 4,917 controls. Our results suggested that the variant genotypes were associated with BC risk in Asian subgroup (allele model: OR=1.19, 95% CI=1.04-1.34; dominant model: OR=1.27, 95% CI=1.06-1.52; homozygote model: OR=1.36, 95% CI=1.03-1.80), while negative outcomes were presented in Caucasians. In the relationship between TP53 codon 72 polymorphisms and BC tumor stage in Asian group, positive results were presented in allele model: OR=1.68, 95% CI=1.04-2.72; dominant model: OR=2.46, 95% CI=1.08-5.61; heterozygous model: OR=2.32, 95% CI=1.04-5.14; homozygote model: OR=2.66, 95% CI=1.04-6.81. However, no evidence was revealed between this polymorphism and BC tumor grade. Besides, significant associations were displayed between TP53 codon 72 polymorphism and smoking status (allele model: OR=1.40, 95% CI=1.06-1.84; dominant model OR=1.72, 95% CI=1.18-2.50; heterozygous model: OR=1.77, 95% CI=1.19-2.64). Conclusion: Taken together, our results shed light on that TP53 codon 72 polymorphism was significantly associated with the susceptibility to BC in Asians. In addition, positive associations were also revealed between this polymorphism and tumor stage/smoking status in BC cases.

No association of TP53 codon 72 and intron 3 16-bp duplication polymorphisms with breast cancer risk in Chinese Han women: new evidence from a population-based case-control investigation

Background

Many studies have demonstrated that the genetic variants of tumor suppressor gene TP53 contribute to the prediction of breast cancer risk. However, most of them focused on Europeans and Americans; the investigations about Asians, especially Chinese women, are scarce. Thus, the aim of this study was to explore the influence of TP53 codon 72 and intron 3 16-bp duplication polymorphisms on the breast cancer risk in Chinese women, especially those from eastern China.

Methods

Blood samples collected from 254 breast cancer patients and 252 healthy female individuals were investigated. Genotypes of the two polymorphisms were determined by direct sequencing and conventional PCR, respectively.

Results

Heterozygous Arg/Pro and homozygous Del/Del were the most frequent genotypes of the two polymorphisms, respectively. Heterozygous Arg/Pro had a higher prevalence in breast cancer cases (P_adj = 0.10; OR_adj = 1.43, 95% CI 0.93–2.18), and no homozygous 16-bp duplication (Ins/Ins) genotype was found in the whole 506 clinical samples. For the distributions of allele and haplotype frequencies, no statistically significant difference was observed between the two groups when multiple (additive, dominant and recessive) genetic models were utilized in the analysis (P_adj > 0.05).

Conclusion

The results suggested that the two TP53 polymorphisms did not affect breast cancer risk in Chinese Han women, but the heterozygous Arg/Pro may exist as the possible risk genotype of the codon 72 polymorphism in contrast to the homozygous Arg/Arg and Pro/Pro.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (10.1186/s40001-018-0345-6) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

ERS/ATS workshop report on respiratory health effects of household air pollution

Exposure to household air pollution (HAP) from solid fuel combustion affects almost half of the world population. Adverse respiratory outcomes such as respiratory infections, impaired lung growth and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease have been linked to HAP exposure. Solid fuel smoke is a heterogeneous mixture of various gases and particulates. Cell culture and animal studies with controlled exposure conditions and genetic homogeneity provide important insights into HAP mechanisms. Impaired bacterial phagocytosis in exposed human alveolar macrophages possibly mediates several HAP-related health effects. Lung pathological findings in HAP-exposed individuals demonstrate greater small airways fibrosis and less emphysema compared with cigarette smokers. Field studies using questionnaires, air pollution monitoring and/or biomarkers are needed to better establish human risks. Some, but not all, studies suggest that improving cookstove efficiency or venting emissions may be associated with reduced respiratory symptoms, lung function decline in women and severe pneumonia in children. Current studies focus on fuel switching, stove technology replacements or upgrades and air filter devices. Several governments have initiated major programmes to accelerate the upgrade from solid fuels to clean fuels, particularly liquid petroleum gas, which provides research opportunities for the respiratory health community.

Exposure to biomass smoke as a risk factor for oesophageal and gastric cancer in low-income populations: A systematic review

Background

Upper gastrointestinal cancers contribute significantly to cancer-related morbidity and mortality in sub-Saharan Africa, but they continue to receive limited attention. The high incidence in young adults remains unexplained, and the risk factors have not been fully described.

Methods

A literature search was conducted using the electronic database PubMed. Beginning from January 1980 to February 2016, all articles evaluating biomass smoke exposure with oesophageal and gastric cancer were reviewed.

Results

Over 70% of the African population relies on biomass fuel, meaning most Africans are exposed to biomass smoke throughout their lives. Cigarette smoke is an established risk factor for upper gastrointestinal cancers, and some of its carcinogenic constituents are also present in biomass smoke. We found eight case-control studies reporting associations between exposure to biomass smoke and oesophageal cancer, and two linking biomass smoke to gastric cancer. All of these papers reported significant positive associations between exposure and cancer risk. Further research is needed in order to fully define the constituents of biomass smoke, which could each have varying specific and synergistic or independent contributions to the development of upper gastrointestinal cancers

Conclusions

Exposure to biomass smoke is an environmental factor influencing the development of upper gastrointestinal cancers, especially in low-resource settings.