Baseline β-catenin, programmed death-ligand 1 expression and tumour-infiltrating lymphocytes predict response and poor prognosis in BRAF inhibitor-treated melanoma patients.

Eur J Cancer. 2017 Apr 13;78:70-81

Authors: Massi D, Romano E, Rulli E, Merelli B, Nassini R, De Logu F, Bieche I, Baroni G, Cattaneo L, Xue G, Mandalà M

Abstract
BACKGROUND: The activation of oncogenic Wnt/β-catenin pathway in melanoma contributes to a lack of T-cell infiltration. Whether baseline β-catenin expression in the context of tumour-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) and programmed death ligand-1 (PD-L1) overexpression correlates with prognosis of metastatic melanoma patients (MMPs) treated with mitogen-activated protein kinase, MAPK inhibitor (MAPKi) monotherapy, however, has not been fully clarified.
PATIENTS AND METHODS: Sixty-four pre-treatment formalin-fixed and paraffin embedded melanoma samples from MMP treated with a BRAF inhibitor (n = 39) or BRAF and MEK inhibitors (n = 25) were assessed for presence of β-catenin, PD-L1, cluster of differentiation (CD)8, CD103 and forkhead box protein P3 (FOXP3) expression by immunohistochemistry, and results were correlated with clinical outcome. Quantitative assessment of mRNA transcripts associated with Wnt/β-catenin pathway and immune response was performed in 51 patients.
RESULTS: We found an inverse correlation between tumoural β-catenin expression and the level of CD8, CD103 or forkhead box protein P3 (FOXP3) positivity in the tumour microenvironment (TME). By multivariate analysis, PD-L1 <5% (odds ratio, OR 0.12, 95% confidence interval, CI 0.03-0.53, p = 0.005) and the presence of CD8+ T cells (OR 18.27, 95%CI 2.54-131.52, p = 0.004) were significantly associated with a higher probability of response to MAPKi monotherapy. Responding patients showed a significantly increased expression of mRNA transcripts associated with adaptive immunity and antigen presentation. By multivariate analysis, progression-free survival (PFS) (hazards ratio (HR) = 0.25 95%CI 0.10-0.61, p = 0.002) and overall survival (OS) (HR = 0.24 95%CI 0.09-0.67, p = 0.006) were longer in patients with high density of CD8+ T cells and β-catenin <10% than those without CD8+ T cells infiltration and β-catenin ≥10%.
CONCLUSION: Our findings provide evidence that in the context of MAPKi monotherapy, immune subsets in the (TME) and gene signature predict prognosis in MMPs.

PMID: 28412591 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

The Molecular Revolution in Cutaneous Biology: EDC and Locus Control.

J Invest Dermatol. 2017 May;137(5):e101-e104

Authors: Oh IY, de Guzman Strong C

Abstract
The epidermal differentiation complex (EDC) locus consists of a cluster of genes important for the terminal differentiation of the epidermis. While early studies identified the functional importance of individual EDC genes, the recognition of the EDC genes as a cluster with its shared biology, homology, and physical linkage was pivotal to later studies that investigated the transcriptional regulation of the locus. Evolutionary conservation of the EDC and the transcriptional activation during epidermal differentiation suggested a cis-regulatory mechanism via conserved noncoding elements or enhancers. This line of pursuit led to the identification of CNE 923, an epidermal-specific enhancer that was found to mediate chromatin remodeling of the EDC in an AP-1 dependent manner. These genomic studies, as well as the advent of high-throughput sequencing and genome engineering techniques, have paved the way for future investigation into enhancer-mediated regulatory networks in cutaneous biology.

PMID: 28411839 [PubMed - in process]

GRECOS Project (Genotyping Recurrence Risk of Stroke): The Use of Genetics to Predict the Vascular Recurrence After Stroke.

Stroke. 2017 Apr 14;:

Authors: Fernández-Cadenas I, Mendióroz M, Giralt D, Nafria C, Garcia E, Carrera C, Gallego-Fabrega C, Domingues-Montanari S, Delgado P, Ribó M, Castellanos M, Martínez S, Freijo M, Jiménez-Conde J, Rubiera M, Alvarez-Sabín J, Molina CA, Font MA, Grau Olivares M, Palomeras E, Perez de la Ossa N, Martinez-Zabaleta M, Masjuan J, Moniche F, Canovas D, Piñana C, Purroy F, Cocho D, Navas I, Tejero C, Aymerich N, Cullell N, Muiño E, Serena J, Rubio F, Davalos A, Roquer J, Arenillas JF, Martí-Fábregas J, Keene K, Chen WM, Worrall B, Sale M, Arboix A, Krupinski J, Montaner J, GRECOS Study Group

Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Vascular recurrence occurs in 11% of patients during the first year after ischemic stroke (IS) or transient ischemic attack. Clinical scores do not predict the whole vascular recurrence risk; therefore, we aimed to find genetic variants associated with recurrence that might improve the clinical predictive models in IS.
METHODS: We analyzed 256 polymorphisms from 115 candidate genes in 3 patient cohorts comprising 4482 IS or transient ischemic attack patients. The discovery cohort was prospectively recruited and included 1494 patients, 6.2% of them developed a new IS during the first year of follow-up. Replication analysis was performed in 2988 patients using SNPlex or HumanOmni1-Quad technology. We generated a predictive model using Cox regression (GRECOS score [Genotyping Reurrence Risk of Stroke]) and generated risk groups using a classification tree method.
RESULTS: The analyses revealed that rs1800801 in the MGP gene (hazard ratio, 1.33; P=9×10(-)(03)), a gene related to artery calcification, was associated with new IS during the first year of follow-up. This polymorphism was replicated in a Spanish cohort (n=1.305); however, it was not significantly associated in a North American cohort (n=1.683). The GRECOS score predicted new IS (P=3.2×10(-)(09)) and could classify patients, from low risk of stroke recurrence (1.9%) to high risk (12.6%). Moreover, the addition of genetic risk factors to the GRECOS score improves the prediction compared with previous Stroke Prognosis Instrument-II score (P=0.03).
CONCLUSIONS: The use of genetics could be useful to estimate vascular recurrence risk after IS. Genetic variability in the MGP gene was associated with vascular recurrence in the Spanish population.

PMID: 28411264 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

Knowledge and attitude regarding pharmacogenetics among formerly pregnant women in the Netherlands and their interest in pharmacogenetic research.

BMC Pregnancy Childbirth. 2017 Apr 14;17(1):120

Authors: Daud ANA, Bergsma EL, Bergman JEH, De Walle HEK, Kerstjens-Frederikse WS, Bijker BJ, Hak E, Wilffert B

Abstract
BACKGROUND: Pharmacogenetics is an emerging field currently being implemented to improve safety when prescribing drugs. While many women who take drugs during pregnancy would likely benefit from such personalized drug therapy, data is lacking on the awareness towards pharmacogenetics among women. We aim to determine the level of knowledge and acceptance of formerly pregnant women in the Netherlands regarding pharmacogenetics and its implementation, and their interest in pharmacogenetic research.
METHODS: A population-based survey using postal questionnaires was conducted among formerly pregnant women in the Northern parts of the Netherlands. A total of 986 women were invited to participate.
RESULTS: Of the 219 women who returned completed questionnaires (22.2% response rate), only 22.8% had heard of pharmacogenetics, although the majority understood the concept (64.8%). Women who had experience with drug side-effects were more likely to know about pharmacogenetics [OR = 2.06, 95% CI 1.16, 3.65]. Of the respondents, 53.9% were positive towards implementing pharmacogenetics in their future drug therapy, while 46.6% would be willing to participate in pharmacogenetic research. Among those who were either not willing or undecided in this regard, their concerns were about the consequences of the pharmacogenetic test, including the privacy and anonymity of their genetic information.
CONCLUSION: The knowledge and attitude regarding the concept of pharmacogenetics among our population of interest is good. Also, their interest in pharmacogenetic research provides opportunities for future research related to drug use during pregnancy and fetal outcome.

PMID: 28410576 [PubMed - in process]

Acute kidney injury in symptomatic primary Epstein-Barr virus infectious mononucleosis: Systematic review.

J Clin Virol. 2017 Mar 21;91:12-17

Authors: Moretti M, Lava SAG, Zgraggen L, Simonetti GD, Kottanattu L, Bianchetti MG, Milani GP

Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Textbooks and reviews do not mention the association of symptomatic primary Epstein-Barr virus infectious mononucleosis with acute kidney injury in subjects without immunodeficiency or autoimmunity.
STUDY DESIGN: Stimulated by our experience with two cases, we performed a review of the literature.
RESULTS: The literature documents 38 cases (26 male and 12 female individuals ranging in age from 0.3 to 51, median 18 years) of symptomatic primary Epstein-Barr virus infectious mononucleosis complicated by acute kidney injury: 27 acute interstitial nephritides, 1 jaundice-associated nephropathy, 7 myositides and 3 hemolytic uremic syndromes. Acute kidney injury requiring renal replacement therapy was observed in 18 (47%) cases. Acute kidney injury did not resolve in one patient with acute interstitial nephritis. Two patients died because of systemic complications. The remaining 35 cases fully recovered.
CONCLUSIONS: In individuals with acute symptomatic Epstein-Barr virus infectious mononucleosis, a relevant kidney injury is rare but the outcome potentially fatal. It results from interstitial nephritis, myositis-associated acute kidney injury, hemolytic uremic syndrome or jaundice-associated nephropathy.

PMID: 28410496 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

Genetic Testing for Opioid Pain Management: A Primer.

Pain Ther. 2017 Apr 13;:

Authors: Agarwal D, Udoji MA, Trescot A

Abstract
Patients see their primary care physicians (PCPs) for a variety of medical conditions, chronic pain being one of the most common. An increased use of prescription medications (especially opioids) has led to an increase in adverse drug reactions and has heightened our awareness of the variability in response to medications. Opioids and other pain adjuvants are widely used, and drug-drug interactions involving these analgesics can be problematic and potentially lethal. Pharmacogenetics has improved our understanding of drug efficacy and response, opened doors to individual tailoring of medical management, and created a series of ethical and economic considerations. Since it is a relatively new field, genetic testing has not been fully integrated into the primary care setting. The purpose of this paper is to review the metabolism of commonly prescribed opioids, discuss the economic and ethical issues, and provide PCPs with an understanding of how to incorporate genetic testing into routine use to improve clinical practice and patient management.

PMID: 28409480 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

The SLCO1A2 -189_-188InsA polymorphism reduces clearance of rocuronium in patients submitted to elective surgeries.

Eur J Clin Pharmacol. 2017 Apr 14;:

Authors: Costa AC, Coelho EB, Lanchote VL, Correia BV, Abumansur JT, Lauretti GR, de Moraes NV

Abstract
PURPOSE: Rocuronium (ROC) is a neuromuscular blocker mainly eliminated by biliary excretion dependent on organic anion transporting polypeptide 1A2 (OATP1A2) hepatocellular uptake. However, the influence of SLCO1A2 (gene encoding OATP1A2) genetic polymorphism on ROC pharmacokinetics was never described before. The objective of this work was to evaluate the influence of genetic polymorphisms of SLCO1A2 on the pharmacokinetics of rocuronium (ROC).
METHODS: Patients undergoing elective surgeries under general anesthesia using rocuronium as a neuromuscular blocker were genotyped for SLCO1A2 polymorphisms in the coding region (41A>G, 382A>T, 404A>T, 502C>T, 516A>C, 559G>A, 830C>A, and 833delA) and in the promoter region (-1105G>A, -1032G>A, -715T>C, -361G>A, and -189_-188insA). Rocuronium pharmacokinetic parameters were estimated by non-compartmental analysis.
RESULTS: None of the patients had heterozygous or homozygous variant of 404A>T, 382A>T, 502C>T, 833delA, 830C>A, 41A>G, and -715T>C. A linkage disequilibrium was found between -1105G>A and -1032G>A genotypes. Patients genotyped as -A or AA (n = 17) for SLCO1A2 -189_-188InsA showed reduced total clearance of ROC compared to patients genotyped as -/- (n = 13) (151.6 vs 207.1 mL/min, p ≤ 0.05). The pharmacokinetics parameters of ROC were not significantly different between other SLCO1A2 genotypes.
CONCLUSION: SLCO1A2 -189_-188InsA polymorphism is related to the reduced clearance of rocuronium in patients submitted to elective surgeries under general anesthesia.
TRIAL REGISTRATION: NCT 02399397 ( ClinicalTrials.gov ).

PMID: 28409297 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

Bringing a genomic perspective to the safety of drug treatment in oncology.

F1000Res. 2017;6:

Authors: Innocenti F

Abstract
This article describes the clinical relevance of toxicity of therapies administered to patients with cancer, putting the patient, rather than disease, at the center of the evaluation of safety of anti-cancer therapy. Hence, the implications of adverse events are described from the patient perspective, focusing on the impact of patient safety on quality of life and efficacy of treatment. Issues revolving around other types of safety, such as financial toxicity, are also discussed. The role played by genetics in the assessment of a patient's risk of adverse events is also discussed, both in relation to the potential of genomic research and in the context of current tools of fruition in clinical care.

PMID: 28408974 [PubMed - in process]

Methylomic changes in individuals with psychosis, prenatally exposed to endocrine disrupting compounds: Lessons from diethylstilbestrol.

PLoS One. 2017;12(4):e0174783

Authors: Rivollier F, Chaumette B, Bendjemaa N, Chayet M, Millet B, Jaafari N, Barhdadi A, Lemieux Perreault LP, Provost S, Dubé MP, Gaillard R, Krebs MO, Kebir O

Abstract
BACKGROUND: In the Western world, between 1940 and 1970, more than 2 million people were exposed in utero to diethylstilbestrol (DES). In exposed individuals, and in their descendants, adverse outcomes have been linked to such exposure, including cancers, genital malformations, and less consistently, psychiatric disorders. We aimed to explore whether prenatal DES exposure would be associated with DNA methylation changes, and whether these epigenetic modifications would be associated with increased risk of psychosis.
METHODS: From 247 individuals born from mothers exposed to DES, we selected 69 siblings from 30 families. In each family, at least one sibling was exposed in utero to DES. We performed a methylome-wide association study using HumanMethylation450 DNA Analysis BeadChip® in peripheral blood. We analyzed methylation changes at individual CpGs or regions in exposed (n = 37) versus unexposed individuals (n = 32). We also compared exposed individuals with (n = 7) and without psychosis (n = 30).
RESULTS: There were more individuals with schizophrenia in the DES-exposed group. We found no significant differences between exposed and unexposed individuals with respect to differentially methylated CpGs or regions. The largest difference was in a region near the promoter of an ADAMTS proteoglycanase gene (ADAMTS9). Compared to exposed individuals without psychosis, exposed individuals with psychosis had differential methylation in the region encompassing the gene encoding the zinc finger protein 57 (ZFP57).
CONCLUSIONS: In utero exposure to DES was not associated with methylation changes at specific CpG or regions. In exposed individuals, however, psychosis was associated with specific methylomic modifications that could impact neurodevelopment and neuroplasticity.

PMID: 28406917 [PubMed - in process]

Hepatitis C virus pharmacogenomics in Latin American populations: implications in the era of direct-acting antivirals.

Pharmgenomics Pers Med. 2017;10:79-91

Authors: Trinks J, Caputo M, Hulaniuk ML, Corach D, Flichman D

Abstract
In recent years, great progress has been made in the field of new therapeutic options for hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. The new direct-acting antiviral agents (DAAs) represent a great hope for millions of chronically infected individuals because their use may lead to excellent cure rates with fewer side effects. In Latin America, the high prevalence of HCV genotype 1 infection and the significant association of Native American ancestry with risk predictive single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in IFNL4 and ITPA genes highlight the need to implement new treatment regimens in these populations. However, the universal accessibility to DAAs is still not a reality in the region as their high cost is one of the major, although not the only, limiting factors for their broad implementation. Therefore, under these circumstances, could the assessment of host genetic markers be a useful tool to prioritize DAA treatment until global access to these new drugs can be achieved? This review will summarize the scientific evidences and the potential implications of HCV pharmacogenomics in this rapidly evolving era of anti-HCV drug development.

PMID: 28405170 [PubMed - in process]

Mercaptopurine versus placebo to prevent recurrence of Crohn's disease after surgical resection (TOPPIC): a multicentre, double-blind, randomised controlled trial.

Lancet Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2016 Dec;1(4):273-282

Authors: Mowat C, Arnott I, Cahill A, Smith M, Ahmad T, Subramanian S, Travis S, Morris J, Hamlin J, Dhar A, Nwokolo C, Edwards C, Creed T, Bloom S, Yousif M, Thomas L, Campbell S, Lewis SJ, Sebastian S, Sen S, Lal S, Hawkey C, Murray C, Cummings F, Goh J, Lindsay JO, Arebi N, Potts L, McKinley AJ, Thomson JM, Todd JA, Collie M, Dunlop MG, Mowat A, Gaya DR, Winter J, Naismith GD, Ennis H, Keerie C, Lewis S, Prescott RJ, Kennedy NA, Satsangi J, TOPPIC Study Group

Abstract
BACKGROUND: Up to 60% of patients with Crohn's disease need intestinal resection within the first 10 years of diagnosis, and postoperative recurrence is common. We investigated whether mercaptopurine can prevent or delay postoperative clinical recurrence of Crohn's disease.
METHODS: We did a randomised, placebo-controlled, double-blind trial at 29 UK secondary and tertiary hospitals of patients (aged >16 years in Scotland or >18 years in England and Wales) who had a confirmed diagnosis of Crohn's disease and had undergone intestinal resection. Patients were randomly assigned (1:1) by a computer-generated web-based randomisation system to oral daily mercaptopurine at a dose of 1 mg/kg bodyweight rounded to the nearest 25 mg or placebo; patients with low thiopurine methyltransferase activity received half the normal dose. Patients and their carers and physicians were masked to the treatment allocation. Patients were followed up for 3 years. The primary endpoint was clinical recurrence of Crohn's disease (Crohn's Disease Activity Index >150 plus 100-point increase in score) and the need for anti-inflammatory rescue treatment or primary surgical intervention. Primary and safety analyses were by intention to treat. Subgroup analyses by smoking status, previous thiopurines, previous infliximab or methotrexate, previous surgery, duration of disease, or age at diagnosis were also done. This trial is registered with the International Standard Randomised Controlled Trial Register (ISRCTN89489788) and the European Clinical Trials Database (EudraCT number 2006-005800-15).
FINDINGS: Between June 6, 2008, and April 23, 2012, 240 patients with Crohn's disease were randomly assigned: 128 to mercaptopurine and 112 to placebo. All patients received at least one dose of study drug, and no randomly assigned patients were excluded from the analysis. 16 (13%) of patients in the mercaptopurine group versus 26 (23%) patients in the placebo group had a clinical recurrence of Crohn's disease and needed anti-inflammatory rescue treatment or primary surgical intervention (adjusted hazard ratio [HR] 0·54, 95% CI 0·27-1·06; p=0·07; unadjusted HR 0·53, 95% CI 0·28-0·99; p=0·046). In a subgroup analysis, three (10%) of 29 smokers in the mercaptopurine group and 12 (46%) of 26 in the placebo group had a clinical recurrence that needed treatment (HR 0·13, 95% CI 0·04-0·46), compared with 13 (13%) of 99 non-smokers in the mercaptopurine group and 14 (16%) of 86 in the placebo group (0·90, 0·42-1·94; pinteraction=0·018). The effect of mercaptopurine did not significantly differ from placebo for any of the other planned subgroup analyses (previous thiopurines, previous infliximab or methotrexate, previous surgery, duration of disease, or age at diagnosis). The incidence and types of adverse events were similar in the mercaptopurine and placebo groups. One patient on placebo died of ischaemic heart disease. Adverse events caused discontinuation of treatment in 39 (30%) of 128 patients in the mercaptopurine group versus 41 (37%) of 112 in the placebo group.
INTERPRETATION: Mercaptopurine is effective in preventing postoperative clinical recurrence of Crohn's disease, but only in patients who are smokers. Thus, in smokers, thiopurine treatment seems to be justified in the postoperative period, although smoking cessation should be strongly encouraged given that smoking increases the risk of recurrence.
FUNDING: Medical Research Council.

PMID: 28404197 [PubMed - in process]

A plea for TDM-based optimisation for treatment of Crohn's disease - Authors' reply.

Lancet Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2017 Feb;2(2):81-82

Authors: Kennedy NA, Keerie C, Mowat C, Satsangi J

PMID: 28403991 [PubMed - in process]

Pharmacogenetics of aromatase inhibitors in endocrine responsive breast cancer: lessons learnt from tamoxifen and CYP2D6 genotyping.

Anticancer Agents Med Chem. 2017 Apr 12;:

Authors: Baatjes KJ, Conradie M, Apffelstaedt JP, Kotze M

Abstract
BACKGROUND: Genetics play a significant role in drug metabolism of endocrine therapy of breast cancer. These aspects have been studied extensively in patients on tamoxifen, but the pharmacogenetics of aromatase inhibitors are less established. In contrast to the protective effect of tamoxifen, aromatase inhibitors are linked with an increased risk for bone loss and fractures.
OBJECTIVE: This review outlines key issues around implementation of pharmacogenetics of cytochrome P450 and tamoxifen as a model for optimal use of aromatase inhibitors in postmenopausal women with estrogen receptor positive breast cancer.
METHODS: Lessons learnt from the association between tamoxifen and CYP2D6 genotyping were applied to identify polymorphisms with the potential to change clinical decision-making in patients on aromatase inhibitors. The ability of next generation sequencing to supersede single-gene analysis was furthermore evaluated in a subset of breast cancer patients on aromatase inhibitors selected from a central genomics database.
RESULTS: Methodological flaws in major randomised controlled trials and continued referral to incorrect results in expert consensus statements are important factors delaying the implementation of CYP2D6 pharmacogenetics in tamoxifen treatment. This highlighted the importance of a clinical pipeline including comprehensive genotyping, to define the target population most likely to benefit from aromatase inhibitor pharmacogenetics.
CONCLUSION: The clinical utility of CYP2D6 genotyping is well-established in patients at increased risk of tamoxifen resistance due to cumulative risk. The pharmacogenetics of CYP19A1 requires further clarification in terms of bone risk assessment for appropriate use in the treatment algorithm of high-risk patients at the onset of aromatase inhibitors.

PMID: 28403774 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

Molecular detection and species identification of Enterocytozoon bieneusi isolated from immunocompetent Orang Asli in Malaysia.

Parasitol Int. 2017 Apr;66(2):163-165

Authors: Ashikin A, Al-Mekhlafi HM, Moktar N, Anuar TS

Abstract
Most studies of opportunistic infections focus on immunocompromised patients. However, there is a lack of information on microsporidiosis in healthy people (immunocompetent) worldwide. This study aimed to detect and identify microsporidia species in immunocompetent Orang Asli living in Pahang, Malaysia. Orang Asli is a collective term for a group of indigenous people that usually reside in the interior regions of Peninsular Malaysia. They comprise about 0.7% of the total population in Malaysia and 76% of them lived below the poverty line i.e., poor housing conditions with the lack of access to safe drinking water and adequate sanitation, contaminated environment, high illiteracy rate and unhygienic practices by these people. Stool samples were collected from 209 Orang Asli and analyzed for detecting the presence of Enterocytozoon bieneusi and Encephalitozoon intestinalis by polymerase chain reaction assay targeting small subunit ribosomal RNA gene. E. bieneusi was detected in 8 individuals (3.83%). This infection was commonly found in males than females (5.2% vs. 2.7%). All infected Orang Asli were adults, with a mean age of 44years. Diarrhea and other gastrointestinal symptoms were reported in one case (12.5%) among individuals infected with this species. These findings clearly show that exposure to E. bieneusi may actually be common than reported. The accurate detection and identification of microsporidian species by molecular technique will improve therapy, clinical manifestations and prognosis of this infection, as no antiparasitic therapy has been approved for E. bieneusi. It is hoped that these findings will allow the formulation of better health management and disease prevention advisories, and improvement in the standards of health in similar communities.

PMID: 28115231 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

Cereblon and IRF4 Variants Affect Risk and Response to Treatment in Multiple Myeloma.

Arch Immunol Ther Exp (Warsz). 2016 Dec;64(Suppl 1):151-156

Authors: Butrym A, Łacina P, Rybka J, Chaszczewska-Markowska M, Mazur G, Bogunia-Kubik K

Abstract
Multiple myeloma (MM) is a plasma-cell malignancy derived from an early precursor of the B-cell lineage characterised by bone-marrow infiltration, lytic bone lesions, and the presence of a monoclonal protein in serum and/or urine. Interferon regulatory factor 4 (IRF4) is a critical transcriptional regulator in B-cell development and function that is required during immune response for lymphocyte activation and the generation of immunoglobulin-secreting plasma cells. Immunomodulatory drugs, derivatives of thalidomide, are commonly used in therapy against MM. They are known to target a protein called cereblon (CRBN); however, the exact mechanism remains unknown. The present study aimed to assess the association of two (rs12203592 and rs872071) polymorphisms within the IRF4 gene and two (rs711613 and rs1045433) in the CRBN gene with MM susceptibility, progression, and response to treatment. For this purpose, 144 MM patients and 126 healthy individuals were genotyped for the IRF4 and CRBN alleles. The presence of the IRF4 (rs872071) G allele was more frequently detected in patients than healthy individuals (OR 1.78; P = 0.034), and this relationship was especially pronounced in women (OR 2.83; P = 0.012). The CRBN (rs711613) A allele-carriers were better responders to the treatment (P = 0.012), in particular to thalidomide including therapy (P = 0.023). These results underline the prognostic significance of the IRF4 and CRBN polymorphisms in patients with MM.

PMID: 28083618 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

Significance of Polymorphism and Expression of miR-146a and NFkB1 Genetic Variants in Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis.

Arch Immunol Ther Exp (Warsz). 2016 Dec;64(Suppl 1):131-136

Authors: Bogunia-Kubik K, Wysoczańska B, Piątek D, Iwaszko M, Ciechomska M, Świerkot J

Abstract
MicroRNA-146a (miR-146a) has been shown to play an important role in the regulation of inflammatory innate immune responses, and found to be differentially expressed in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Through NF-κB pathway, this molecule is able to stimulate the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines such as TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-17. It has been also suggested that single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in miRNA sequences may alter miRNA expression and that miR-146a rs2910164 SNP may contribute to RA development. These observations prompted us to analyze the potential associations between the miR-146a-3p (rs2910164, G > C) and NFkB1 (rs28362491, ins/del ATTG) polymorphisms and miR-146a-5p expression in patients' sera in relation to clinical outcome of the treatment as well as predisposition to RA. Genotyping was performed in 111 patients and 130 healthy individuals while 16 controls and 13 RA patients (before and after three months of therapy with TNF-α inhibitors (TNFi)) were studied for the circulating miR-146a-5p serum expression level. Patients carrying the NFkB1 ins/ins genotype were characterized by worse response to TNFi treatment (p = 0.023). In patients, before TNFi therapy, expression levels of miR-146a-5p were less (0.422 ± 0.171) as compared to those detected after three months of treatment (1.809 ± 0.658, p = 0.033) and observed for healthy controls (5.302 ± 2.112, p = 0.048). Moreover, patients with higher circulating miR-146a-5p levels after three months of TNFi administration were more frequently carrying the rs2910164-C allele (p = 0.032). These results support the hypothesis that miR-146a might be involved in pathogenesis of RA and imply that miR-146a-3p polymorphism may be associated with miR-146a-5p levels in serum after anti-TNF-α treatment.

PMID: 28083614 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

An Association Between Functional Polymorphisms of the Interleukin 1 Gene Complex and Schizophrenia Using Transmission Disequilibrium Test.

Arch Immunol Ther Exp (Warsz). 2016 Dec;64(Suppl 1):161-168

Authors: Kapelski P, Skibinska M, Maciukiewicz M, Pawlak J, Dmitrzak-Weglarz M, Szczepankiewicz A, Zaremba D, Twarowska-Hauser J

Abstract
IL1 gene complex has been implicated in the etiology of schizophrenia. To assess whether IL1 gene complex is associated with susceptibility to schizophrenia in Polish population we conducted family-based study. Functional polymorphisms from IL1A (rs1800587, rs17561, rs11677416), IL1B (rs1143634, rs1143643, rs16944, rs4848306, rs1143623, rs1143633, rs1143627) and IL1RN (rs419598, rs315952, rs9005, rs4251961) genes were genotyped in 143 trio with schizophrenia. Statistical analysis was performed using transmission disequilibrium test. We have found a trend toward an association of rs1143627, rs16944, rs1143623 in IL1B gene with the risk of schizophrenia. Our results show a protective effect of allele T of rs4251961 in IL1RN against schizophrenia. We also performed haplotype analysis of IL1 gene complex and found a trend toward an association with schizophrenia of GAGG haplotype (rs1143627, rs16944, rs1143623, rs4848306) in IL1B gene, haplotypes: TG (rs315952, rs9005) and TT (rs4251961, rs419598) in IL1RN. Haplotype CT (rs4251961, rs419598) in IL1RN was found to be associated with schizophrenia. After correction for multiple testing associations did not reach significance level. Our results might support theory that polymorphisms of interleukin 1 complex genes (rs1143627, rs16944, rs1143623, rs4848306 in IL1B gene and rs4251961, rs419598, rs315952, rs9005 in IL1RN gene) are involved in the pathogenesis of schizophrenia, however, none of the results reach significance level after correction for multiple testing.

PMID: 28083609 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

AKR1B10 promotes breast cancer cell migration and invasion via activation of ERK signaling.

Oncotarget. 2017 Mar 28;:

Authors: Li J, Guo Y, Duan L, Hu X, Zhang X, Hu J, Huang L, He R, Hu Z, Luo W, Tan T, Huang R, Liao D, Zhu YS, Luo DX

Abstract
BACKGROUND: Aldo-keto reductase family 1, member B10 (AKR1B10), is known to be significantly induced in the cells of various cancers such as breast cancer. However, the mechanisms of AKR1B10 promoting tumorigenesis in breast cancer remain unclear. In the present study, we demonstrated the potential role and mechanism of AKR1B10 in the invasion and migration of breast cancer cells.
METHODS: The expression level of AKR1B10 in breast carcinoma, para-carcinoma and cancer tissues were detected by immunohistochemical evaluation and real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), and the correlationships between AKR1B10 expression and clinicopathological features in breast cancer patients (n=131) were investigated. AKR1B10 was ectopically expressed in MCF-7 cells or silenced in BT-20 cells. The roles of AKR1B10 expression in the migration and invasion of MCF-7 cells and BT-20 cells were explored by wound healing assay, transwell migration assay and transwell matrigel invasion assay, and finally the activation level of extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (EKR1/2) activation and the expression level of matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP2) and vimentin in MCF-7 and BT-20 cells were measured by western blot.
RESULTS: We found that AKR1B10 expression was increased in malignant tissues, which was correlated positively with tumor size, lymph node metastasis (p<0.05). MCF-7/AKR1B10 cells displayed a higher ability of migration (43.57±1.04%) compared with MCF-7/vector cells (29.12±1.34%) in wound healing assay, and the migrated cell number of MCF-7/AKR1B10 was more (418.43±9.62) than that of MCF-7/vector (222.43±17.75) in transwell migration assay without matrigel. We furtherly confirmed MCF-7/AKR1B10 cells invaded faster compared with MCF-7/vector cells by transwell matrigel invasion assay. Finally, we found AKR1B10 induced the migration and invasion of MCF-7 and BT-20 cells by activating EKR signaling, which promoted the expressions of MMP2 and vimentin. PD98059, a specific inhibitor of the activation of MEK, blocked the migration and invasion by inhibiting the expression of MMP2 and vimentin.
CONCLUSIONS: AKR1B10 is overexpressed in breast cancer, and promotes the migration and invasion of MCF-7 and BT-20 cells by activating ERK signaling pathway.

PMID: 28402270 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

Association of CKIP-1 P21A polymorphism with risk of chronic heart failure in a Chinese population.

Oncotarget. 2017 Mar 28;:

Authors: Li MP, Zhang YJ, Hu XL, Zhou JP, Yang YL, Peng LM, Qi H, Yang TL, Chen XP

Abstract
Pathological cardiac hypertrophy is an independent risk factor for chronic heart failure. Casein kinase-2 interacting protein-1 (CKIP-1) can inhibit pathological cardiac hypertrophy. Therefore, we investigated whether CKIP-1 nonsynonymous polymorphism rs2306235 (Pro21Ala) contributes to risk and prognosis of chronic heart failure in a Chinese population. A total of 923 adult patients with chronic heart failure and 1020 age- and gender-matched healthy controls were recruited. CKIP-1 rs2306235 polymorphism was genotyped using PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism. Additional follow-up data for 140 chronic heart failure patients was evaluated. The rs2306235 G allele was associated with an increased risk of chronic heart failure (OR = 1.38, 95% CI = 1.09-1.75, p = 0.007), especially in patients with hypertension (OR = 1.45, 95% CI = 1.09-1.75, p = 0.006) and coronary heart disease (OR = 1.41, 95% CI = 1.09-1.83, p = 0.010) after adjustment for multiple cardiovascular risk factors. However, rs2306235 polymorphism was not associated with cardiovascular mortality in chronic heart failure (p = 0.875). CKIP-1 rs2306235 polymorphism may be a risk factor for chronic heart failure in a Chinese Han population.

PMID: 28402261 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

Association between VEGF-A and VEGFR-2 polymorphisms and response to treatment of neovascular AMD with anti-VEGF agents: a meta-analysis.

Br J Ophthalmol. 2016 Oct 21;:

Authors: Wu M, Xiong H, Xu Y, Xiong X, Zou H, Zheng M, Wang X, Zhou X

Abstract
AIMS: The purpose of this study is to investigate whether gene polymorphisms of the vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGF-A) and its receptor (VEGFR-2) have a pharmacogenetics effect on the anti-VEGF treatment for neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD).
METHODS: We carried out a meta-analysis focusing on the relationship between VEGF-related gene polymorphisms and treatment response of nAMD.
RESULTS: For the single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) within VEGF-A and VEGFR-2, anti-VEGF treatment was much more effective in patients with nAMD having rs833061 (CC vs TT:OR=2.222, 95% CI 1.252 to 3.944, p=0.006; CT vs TT: OR=2.537,95% CI 1.478 to 4.356, p=0.001 and CC vs CT+TT: OR=2.362, 95% CI 1.414 to 3.946, p=0.001), particularly for Asians (CC vs TT: OR=2.903, 95% CI 1.150 to 7.330, p=0.024; CT vs TT: OR=3.849, 95% CI 1.522 to 9.733, p=0.004 and CC vs CT+TT: OR=3.339, 95% CI 1.369 to 8.145, p=0.008, respectively). In subgroup analysis, rs833061 was more likely to be a predictor of response to anti-VEGF therapy specifically when ranibizumab (RBZ) only regime was adopted or visual acuity (VA) was taken as the standardised assessment of outcome. No association with response to anti-VEGF treatment was detected for the other eight polymorphisms.
CONCLUSIONS: Pharmacogenetics of VEGF-A polymorphism rs833061 may play a positive role in response to anti-VEGF therapy for nAMD.

PMID: 28400373 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]