DNA base excision repair genes variants rs25487 (X-ray repair cross-complementing 1) and rs1052133 (human 8-oxoguanine glycosylase 1) with susceptibility to ovarian cancer in the population of the Jammu region, India

Background: Ovarian cancer is highly prevalent in the population of Jammu, in India; the ovarian cancer ranks third among other types of cancer prevalent in females. However, association studies on ovarian cancer are lacking in this region. We aimed to investigate the disease susceptible variants rs1052133 (human 8-oxoguanine glycosylase 1 [hOGG1]) and rs25487 (X-ray repair cross-complementing 1 [XRCC1]) with ovarian cancer in population of Jammu, India. Materials and Methods: The study conducted in the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University is a 3-year study which included a total of 280 well-characterized samples (130 ovarian cancer cases and 150 healthy controls). hOGG1 and XRCC1 polymorphisms were determined by polymerase chain reaction-based restriction fragment length polymorphism, and these genotyping results were confirmed by Sanger sequencing. Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium for both single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) was assessed using the Chi-square test. The allele and genotype-specific risks were estimated by odds ratios with 95% confidence intervals. Results: In this preliminary study, SNP rs1052133 showed protection with ovarian cancer (P = 0.042). The SNP rs25487 was not found associated with ovarian cancer (P = 0.271). Conclusion: Our results indicate that the G allele of rs1052133 imparts protection to the population whereas variant rs25487 was not associated with ovarian cancer in population from the Jammu region, indicating that larger sample size is needed for further statistical validation. Further, association of other SNPs in these genes should also be carried out as their role cannot be ruled out.

Genetic variant rs10937405 of TP63 and susceptibility to lung cancer risk in north Indian population

Several studies including genomewide association studies (GWASs) in diverse ethnic populations have reported a significant association of genetic variant rs10937405 of TP63 with nonsmall cell lung cancer (NSCLC). However, no data are available from any Indian population on the association of this variant with NSCLC. Using TaqMan genotyping chemistry, we conducted a case–control study involving 190 NSCLC cases and 400 ethnic, age-matched controls to explore the association of rs10937405 genetic variant with NSCLC in patients from north India. Our data support that the rs10937405 variant is also significantly associated with the NSCLC and is a risk factor in the north Indian populations to develop NSCLC. However, unlike most other studies, the wild-type allele T appears to be the risk allele, as its frequency was significantly higher in the cases than controls (0.439 in cases versus 0.383 in controls. OR=1.95 (1.23–3.09 at 95% CI); P value (adjusted)= 0.004). Genetic association was also observed by applying different genetic models. The present study provides important information of the genetic aetiology of NSCLC and strengthens GWAS findings, highlighting the role of TP63 in lung cancer risk.

Necessity of nuclear and mitochondrial genome analysis prior to assisted reproductive techniques/intracytoplasmic sperm injection.

Assisted reproductive technique (ART) has revolutionized the management of severe male factor infertility and in some countries 5% babies are conceived through ART/intra cytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI). However, the carry-home live birth rate after several ART cycles is low (18-25%) and this is financially, physically and emotionally crippling for the couples. Genetic factors could lead to pre or post-implantation failure and thus explain for low ART success rate. Thus, this study was planned to understand, if infertile men harbour genetic abnormalities which may be iatrogenically transmitted by ART and adversely affect growth potential of embryo. Ninety infertile men underwent semen, cytogenetic, Yq microdeletion and mitochondrial mutation analysis. Of these, 14.4% cases harboured cytogenetic abnormality, and 8.89% Yq microdeletions. A high frequency of mitochondrial mutations was found in 23 men with asthenospermia. It is important to understand that through ART genetic abnormalities are transmitted to offspring, resulting in impaired growth and development potential of embryo and poor take-home live birth rate. Thus, genetic analysis is strongly recommend in all men with idiopathic infertility who opt for ART to counsel couples and provide them with most adapted therapeutics.