Polymorphisms within Autophagy-Related Genes as Susceptibility Biomarkers for Multiple Myeloma: A Meta-Analysis of Three Large Cohorts and Functional Characterization

Multiple myeloma (MM) arises following malignant proliferation of plasma cells in the bone marrow, that secrete high amounts of specific monoclonal immunoglobulins or light chains, resulting in the massive production of unfolded or misfolded proteins. Autophagy can have a dual role in tumorigenesis, by eliminating these abnormal proteins to avoid cancer development, but also ensuring MM cell survival and promoting resistance to treatments. To date no studies have determined the impact of genetic variation in autophagy-related genes on MM risk. We performed meta-analysis of germline genetic data on 234 autophagy-related genes from three independent study populations including 13,387 subjects of European ancestry (6863 MM patients and 6524 controls) and examined correlations of statistically significant single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs; p < 1 × 10^-9) with immune responses in whole blood, peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs), and monocyte-derived macrophages (MDM) from a large population of healthy donors from the Human Functional Genomic Project (HFGP). We identified SNPs in six loci, CD46, IKBKE, PARK2, ULK4, ATG5, and CDKN2A associated with MM risk (p = 4.47 × 10^-4-5.79 × 10^-14). Mechanistically, we found that the ULK4_rs6599175 SNP correlated with circulating concentrations of vitamin D3 (p = 4.0 × 10^-4), whereas the IKBKE_rs17433804 SNP correlated with the number of transitional CD24⁺CD38⁺ B cells (p = 4.8 × 10^-4) and circulating serum concentrations of Monocyte Chemoattractant Protein (MCP)-2 (p = 3.6 × 10^-4). We also found that the CD46_rs1142469 SNP correlated with numbers of CD19⁺ B cells, CD19⁺CD3^- B cells, CD5⁺IgD^- cells, IgM^- cells, IgD^-IgM^- cells, and CD4^-CD8^- PBMCs (p = 4.9 × 10^-4-8.6 × 10^-4) and circulating concentrations of interleukin (IL)-20 (p = 0.00082). Finally, we observed that the CDKN2A_rs2811710 SNP correlated with levels of CD4⁺EMCD45RO⁺CD27^- cells (p = 9.3 × 10^-4). These results suggest that genetic variants within these six loci influence MM risk through the modulation of specific subsets of immune cells, as well as vitamin D3^-, MCP-2^-, and IL20-dependent pathways.

Assessment of Dothistroma Needle Blight of Pinus radiata Using Airborne Hyperspectral Imagery

ABSTRACT Dothistroma needle blight is a serious foliar disease in Australian Pinus radiata plantations causing defoliation, decreased productivity and, in extreme cases, tree death. Conventional methods of monitoring forest health such as aerial survey and ground assessments are labor intensive, time consuming, and subjective. Remote sensing provides a synoptic view of the canopy and can indicate areas affected by damaging agents such as pests and pathogens. Hyperspectral airborne remote sensing imagery (CASI-2) was acquired over pine stands in southern New South Wales, Australia which had been ground assessed and ranked on an individual tree basis, according to the extent of Dothistroma needle blight. A series of spectral indices were tested using two different approaches for extracting crown-scale reflectance measurements and relating these to ground-based estimates of severity. Dothistroma needle blight is most severe in the lower crown and statistically significant relationships were found between crown reflectance values and ground estimates using a 'halo' approach (which ignored each tree crown's brightest central pixels). Independent accuracy assessment of the method indicated that the technique could successfully detect three levels of Dothistroma needle blight infection with an accuracy of over 70%.

Cytogenetic profile of uterine sarcomas

BACKGROUND

Diagnostic and consistent chromosomal abnormalities have been reported in several soft tissue sarcomas, but few studies have reported the frequency of chromosomal abnormalities in uterine sarcomas.

METHODS

Cytogenetic studies were performed on specimens of uterine sarcoma from 14 patients. The specimens included five of leiomyosarcoma (LMS), four of endometrial stroma sarcoma (ESS), and five of malignant mixed mesodermal tumor (MMMT).

RESULTS

Chromosomal abnormalities were detected in 10 of 14 (71%) patients. Chromosome 1 was involved in 7 of 13 (54%) of the patients, chromosome 11 in 6 of 13 (46%), and chromosome 7 in 6 of 13 (46%). A site-specific chromosomal abnormality, del(11)(q22) was found in two patients with LMS and three patients with MMMT, and 7q31 also was involved frequently. Marked genomic instability characterized the MMMT studied.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings suggest that abnormalities of chromosomes 1, 7, and 11 may play a role in tumor initiation or progression in uterine sarcomas. Genomic alterations in the region 11q22 may be specific for malignant smooth muscle tumors of the uterus.

Ovarian malignant luteinized thecoma--an unusual tumor in an adolescent

Malignant luteinized thecoma is an extremely rare ovarian tumor. The fifth reported case of this tumor presenting in a 13-year-old epileptic child on anticonvulsant therapy with a rapidly enlarging pelvic-abdominal mass is discussed. At laparotomy, bilateral ovarian involvement, massive ascites, and omental and bowel serosal metastases were present. The pathological diagnosis was difficult with initial diagnoses of ovarian edema, endodermal sinus tumor, and ovarian fibrosarcoma. The final diagnosis of malignant luteinized thecoma was made by recognizing the presence of lutein cells with foamy vacuolated cytoplasm and intracytoplasmic staining for oil red O. Electron microscopy also demonstrated vacuolated cells with multiple fat globules. After surgical debulking the patient was treated with combination chemotherapy with complete response. The similarities of this case to three previously reported bilateral thecomas presenting in children on anticonvulsant therapy is discussed.

Computed tomography in evaluation of patients with ovarian carcinoma in complete clinical remission. Correlation with surgical-pathologic findings

Computed tomography (CT) of the abdomen and pelvis was performed in 47 patients who were in complete clinical remission from ovarian carcinoma. Results of CT were correlated with surgical-pathologic findings at surgical reexploration. Overall, CT had a sensitivity of 0.32, specificity of 0.77, positive predictive value of 0.79, and negative predictive value of 0.30. Accuracy of CT did not vary by intraperitoneal or retroperitoneal site studied. Computed tomography detected only 7% of tumor nodules 1 cm or less in diameter and only 37% of nodules over 1 cm in diameter. The utility of CT in this clinical setting was limited to approximately 20% of patients with true-positive CT findings who might have been saved surgical reexploration. Due to a high false-negative rate, a normal CT cannot replace a second-look laparotomy for accurate assessment of disease status.

Hyperprolactinemic response after bromocriptine withdrawal in women with prolactin-secreting pituitary tumors

In patients with prolactin (PRL)-secreting tumors, plasma PRL concentrations after discontinuation of bromocriptine therapy have been used clinically as an index of tumor activity. To investigate the pattern of PRL response under these conditions, seven women on chronic bromocriptine therapy for PRL-producing pituitary tumors were followed with serial PRL determinations for 2 months after bromocriptine withdrawal. In these patients, peak PRL concentrations were achieved 28.1 days (mean; range, 14 to 49 days) after bromocriptine discontinuation. However, PRL concentrations did not usually plateau until at least 40 days after cessation of therapy, and the pattern of PRL response was highly variable. Because of the inconsistent pattern of serum PRL response during the first 40 days after discontinuation of bromocriptine, decisions regarding tumor activity based on PRL concentrations should not be made until at least 6 weeks after withdrawal of the drug.