Nrf2 and P73 polymorphisms in Egyptian women with breast cancer

The aim of the study was to assess the role of Nrf2 promoter and P73 G4C14 to A4T14 polymorphisms in breast cancer and the potential relation to the onset of the disease. Eighty six female patients with breast tumor were included in this study. Nrf2 [rs6721961] and p73 [G4A] genetic polymorphisms in promoter and exon2 region respectively were investigated using PCR-CTPP assay. The genotype frequencies of the three genotypes of Nrf2 promoter SNP [CC, CA, AA] showed no significant difference between benign and malignant groups. Genotype frequencies for P73 G4A SNP [GG, GA] showed no significant difference between benign and malignant groups, no patient have the AA genotype. Regarding the onset of disease, the three Nrf2 genotypes in pre - and post-menopausal patients, showed that the distribution differ significantly in the 2 patients groups and that the AA genotype is significantly higher in the pre-menopausal patients compared to post-menopausal patients. Nrf2 [rs6721961] AA genotype might be related to early breast cancer onset. P73 G4A polymorphism shows no relation to both disease risk and disease onset. Therefore Nrf2 [rs6721961] promoter genotyping might be related to the risk of pre-menopausal breast cancer

Expression of MMTV-like env gene in Egyptian breast cancer patients

Mouse mammary tumor virus [MMTV] causes breast cancer in mice. DNA sequences related to MMTV-like env gene is detected in human breast cancer [EC] tissue suggesting its etiology in human BC. The objective of our study was to assess the significance of MMTV-like env gene in Egyptian BC women. One hundred and fifty archival formalin-fixed paraffin embedded breast tissues were used and divided into 2 groups; group one included 100 malignant, group two included50 benign tissues. To amplify the MMTV-like env gene, semi-nested PCR was used and to confirm the homology with the MMTV genome direct sequencing was used. MMTV-like env was efficiently detected in36%ofmalignantand 4% of benign breast tissues. Sequence analysis was evident revealed 96% homology with the MMTV genome, but no other significant similarities with the human genome

The presence of the viral sequences was associated significantly with estrogen and progesteron positive cases and insignificantly the other pathological parameters studied. The molecular analysis of breast cancer tissue confirmed the presence of MMTV-like env sequences with significant high percentages in cancerous tissues than in benign one. These data raising the possibility that MMTV viral infection may be involved in the neoplastic process