Lack of associations of the COMT Val158Met polymorphism with risk of endometrial and ovarian cancer: a pooled analysis of case-control studies.

This meta-analysis was conducted to examine whether the genotype status of Val158Met polymorphism in catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) is associated with endometrial and ovarian cancer risk. Eligible studies were identified by searching several databases for relevant reports published before January 1, 2014. Pooled odds ratios (ORs) were appropriately derived from fixed-effects or random-effects models. In total, 15 studies (1,293 cases and 2,647 controls for ovarian cancer and 2,174 cases and 2,699 controls for endometrial cancer) were included in the present meta-analysis. When all studies were pooled into the meta-analysis, there was no evidence for significant association between COMT Val158Met polymorphism and ovarian cancer risk (Val/Met versus Val/Val: OR=0.91, 95% CI=0.76-1.08; Met/Met versus Val/Val: OR=0.90, 95% CI=0.73-1.10; dominant model: OR=0.90, 95% CI=0.77-1.06; recessive model: OR=0.95, 95% CI=0.80-1.13). Similarly, no associations were found in all comparisons for endometrial cancer (Val/Met versus Val/Val: OR 0.97, 95% CI=0.77-1.21; Met/Met versus Val/Val: OR=1.02, 95% CI=0.73-1.42; dominant model: OR=0.98, 95% CI=0.77-1.25; recessive model: OR=1.02, 95% CI=0.87-1.20). In the subgroup analyses by source of control and ethnicity, no significant associations were found in any subgroup of population. This meta-analysis strongly suggests that COMT Val158Met polymorphism is not associated with increased endometrial and ovarian cancer risk.

Association between the CYP4A11 T8590C variant and essential hypertension: new data from Han Chinese and a meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE: CYP4A11 oxidizes endogenous arachidonic acid to 20-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid, a renal vasoconstrictor and natriuretic in humans. Previous studies demonstrated an association between a functional variant (T8590C) of CYP4A11 and essential hypertension, though with conflicting results. To elucidate this relationship, a case-control study and meta-analysis were performed to assess the possible association of essential hypertension with CYP4A11 genetic variations. METHODS: Associations between the T8590C polymorphism and essential hypertension were examined in 328 unrelated cases and 297 age-matched controls in Han Chinese individuals. High-resolution melting was used to identify the CYP4A11 variant. To further investigate the association, we conducted a meta-analysis including eight studies published previously in July 2012. RESULTS: The frequency of the CYP4A11 T8590C polymorphism showed no significant difference between cases and controls (all P>0.05). However, the meta-analysis showed that the CYP4A11 T8590C polymorphism may increase the risk of essential hypertension in an additive model (OR: 1.15, 95% CI: 1.02-1.29, P = 0.02), a dominant model (OR: 1.06, 95% CI: 1.01-1.32, P = 0.03), a recessive model (OR: 1.52, 95% CI: 1.15-2.02, P = 0.003) and a homozygote contrast (OR: 1.38, 95% CI: 1.07-1.78, P = 0.01). Also, a significant relationship was observed among Caucasians in the additive model, the homozygote contrast, the recessive model and the dominant model (all P<0.05). However, no association was observed in an Asian population (all P>0.05). CONCLUSIONS: This meta-analysis suggests there is a significant association between the CYP4A11 T8590C variant and essential hypertension, especially in Caucasians. The case-control study did not find a significant association among the Han Chinese population, but the controls were poorly matched and meaningful conclusions cannot therefore be made. Further large-scale studies are needed to clarify whether the CYP4A11 T8590C polymorphism is associated with hypertension risk in Asians or has a gender-specific effect.

Association between the XRCC3 T241M polymorphism and risk of cancer: evidence from 157 case-control studies.

The T241M polymorphism in the X-ray cross-complementing group 3 (XRCC3) had been implicated in cancer susceptibility. The previous published data on the association between XRCC3 T241M polymorphism and cancer risk remained controversial. Hence, we performed a meta-analysis to investigate the association between cancer susceptibility and XRCC3 T241M (61,861 cases and 84,584 controls from 157 studies) polymorphism in different inheritance models. We used odds ratios with 95% confidence intervals to assess the strength of the association. Overall, significantly increased cancer risk was observed in any genetic model (dominant model: odds ration [OR]=1.07, 95% confidence interval [CI]=1.00-1.13; recessive model: OR=1.15, 95% CI=1.08-1.23; additive model: OR=1.17, 95% CI=1.08-1.28) when all eligible studies were pooled into the meta-analysis. In further stratified and sensitivity analyses, the elevated risk remained for subgroups of bladder cancer and breast cancer, especially in Caucasians. In addition, significantly decreased lung cancer risk was also observed. In summary, this meta-analysis suggests the participation of XRCC3 T241M in the susceptibility for bladder cancer and breast cancer, especially in Caucasians, and XRCC3 T241M polymorphism is associated with decreased lung cancer risk. Moreover, our work also points out the importance of new studies for T241M association in some cancer types, such as gastric cancer, colorectal cancer, and melanoma skin cancer, where at least some of the covariates responsible for heterogeneity could be controlled, to obtain a more conclusive understanding about the function of the XRCC3 polymorphism in cancer development.

XPD Lys751Gln polymorphism and esophageal cancer susceptibility: a meta-analysis of case-control studies.

The published data on the association between xeroderma pigmentosum group D (XPD) Lys751Gln polymorphism and esophageal cancer (EC) remained controversial. The present meta-analysis of literatures was performed to derive a more precise estimation of the relationship. A comprehensive literature search was conducted to identify all case-control studies of Lys751Gln polymorphism and risk for two main types of EC: esophageal adenocarcinoma (EADC) and esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). A total of 12 studies were identified to the meta-analysis, including 2,575 cases (1,294 ESCC and 1,281 EADC) and 4,951 controls (1,891 ESCC and 3,060 EADC). Random-effects or fix-effects model was used according to between-study heterogeneity. The odds ratio (OR) for the variant homozygous genotype Gln/Gln of the Lys751Gln polymorphism, compared with the wild type homozygote Lys/Lys, was 1.26, with 95% confidence interval (95% CI) 1.02-1.56, for EADC risk without between-study heterogeneity. When stratified by ethnicity, statistically significantly elevated risk was found among Chinese (Gln/Gln vs. Lys/Lys: OR 2.45, 95% CI = 1.10-5.44). However, no significant associations were found between XPD Lys751Gln polymorphism and EC risk when all studies pooled into the meta-analysis (Lys/Gln vs. Lys/Lys: OR 1.07, 95% CI = 0.88-1.28; Gln/Gln vs.us Lys/Lys: OR 1.25, 95% CI = 0.92-1.71; dominant model: OR 1.09, 95% CI = 0.90-1.33). In conclusion, this meta-analysis suggests that the Lys751Gln genetic polymorphism may be a potential biomarker of EC susceptibility in Chinese populations. And a study with the larger sample size is needed to further evaluate gene-environment interaction on XPD Lys751Gln polymorphism and EC risk.

Association between the XRCC3 polymorphisms and breast cancer risk: meta-analysis based on case-control studies.

The previous published data on the association between X-ray repair cross-complementing group 3 (XRCC3) T241M, A4541G, and A17893G polymorphisms and breast cancer risk remained controversial. Hence, we performed a meta-analysis to investigate the association between breast cancer and XRCC3 T241M (21,910 cases and 23,961 controls), A4541G (9,633 cases and 10,994 controls), and A17893G polymorphisms (10,761 cases and 12,235 controls) in different inheritance models. When all the eligible studies were pooled into the meta-analysis of XRCC3 T241M polymorphism, significantly increased risk of breast cancer was observed in recessive model (odds' ratio [OR] = 1.10, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.04-1.16) and in additive model (OR = 1.10, 95% CI = 1.03-1.16). No significant association was found between A4541G polymorphism and breast cancer risk. When all the eligible studies were pooled into the meta-analysis of XRCC3 A17893G polymorphism, no significant association was found in any genetic model. Additionally, when one study was deleted in the sensitive analysis, the results of XRCC3 A17893G were changed in the additive model (OR = 0.90, 95% CI = 0.82-0.99) and dominant model (OR = 0.94, 95% CI = 0.89-0.99). In summary, this meta-analysis indicates that T241M polymorphism show an increased breast cancer risk and A17893G polymorphism may be associated with decreased breast cancer risk. A study with the larger sample size is needed to further evaluated gene-environment interaction on XRCC3 T241M, A4541G, and A17893G polymorphisms and breast cancer risk.

Lack of association between BARD1 Cys557Ser variant and breast cancer risk: a meta-analysis of 11,870 cases and 7,687 controls.

PURPOSE: The BRCA1-associated RING domain (BARD1) gene has been identified as a high-penetrance gene for breast cancer, whose germline and somatic mutations were reported in both non-BRCA1/2 hereditary site-specific and sporadic breast cancer cases. Some association studies suggested that the BRAD1 Cys557Ser variant might be associated with increased risk of breast cancer, but the results remain conflicting rather than conclusive. In order to derive a more precise estimation of the relationship, this meta-analysis was performed. METHODS: Eligible studies were identified by searching several databases for relevant reports published before March 2011. In total, 14 studies (11,870 cases and 7,687 controls) were included in the present meta-analysis. The pooled odds ratio (OR) with 95% confidence interval (CI) for breast cancer risk associated with Cys557Ser carrier was estimated. RESULTS: The carrier frequency of the Cys557Ser mutation was 3.85% (457/11,870) in patients with breast cancer and 3.29% (253/7,687) in healthy controls. When all studies were pooled into the meta-analysis, there was no evidence for significant association between Cys557Ser mutation and breast cancer risk (OR 1.14, 95% CI 0.94-1.34). In the subgroup analyses by design of experiment and family history with BRCA1/2 status (unselected cases, family history with non-BRCA1/2 cases, and family history with BRCA1/2-positive cases), no significant associations were found in any subgroup of population. CONCLUSIONS: This meta-analysis strongly suggests that BARD1 Cys557Ser mutation is not associated with increased breast cancer risk.

Association between the p53 polymorphisms and breast cancer risk: meta-analysis based on case-control study.

p53 is a tumor suppressor gene and plays an important role in the etiology of breast cancer. However, studies on the association between p53 polymorphisms and breast cancer risk have yielded conflicting results. We performed a meta-analysis to investigate the association between breast cancer and the p53 polymorphisms codon 72 (27,046 cases and 30,998 controls), IVS3 16 bp (3,332 cases and 3,700 controls) and IVS6+62A>G (8,787 cases and 9,869 controls) in different inheritance models. When all the eligible studies of codon 72 polymorphism were pooled into this meta-analysis, there was no evidence of significant association between breast cancer risk and p53 codon 72 polymorphism in any genetic model. However, in the stratified analysis for Indian population, significantly association was observed in additive model (OR = 0.62, 95% CI = 0.46-0.82, P value of heterogeneity test [P (h)] = 0.153) and recessive model (OR = 0.70, 95% CI = 0.50-0.92, P (h) = 0.463). IVS3 16 bp was significantly associated with breast cancer risk in a pooled 15 studies dataset (dominant model: OR = 1.14, 95% CI = 1.02-1.27, P (h) = 0.30; recessive model: OR = 1.61, 95% CI = 1.21-2.25, P(h) = 0.25; additive model: OR = 1.66, 95% CI = 1.24-2.21, P (h) = 0.28). No significant association was found between IVS6+62A>G polymorphism and breast cancer risk in a total of 14 studies. In summary, these results indicate that IVS3 16 bp is likely an important genetic marker contributing to susceptibility of breast cancer, and codon 72 homozygous mutants may be associated with decreased breast cancer risk in Indian population.

miR-29c induces cell cycle arrest in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma by modulating cyclin E expression.

Cyclin E is reported to be an important cell cycle regulator, and its dysregulation is implicated in tumorigenesis including esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). MicroRNAs (miRNAs) regulate gene expression at the posttranscriptional level and play important roles in tumor initiation and progression. However, the regulation of cyclin E by miRNAs is still unclear in ESCC. In the present study, we found that overexpression of miR-29c inhibited cyclin E expression by targeting 3' untranslated region of cyclin E messenger RNA in ESCC cells. Moreover, overexpression of miR-29c induced cell cycle G(1)/G(0) arrest through suppression of cyclin E expression, without affecting other G(1) phase-related proteins level, such as cyclin D1, cyclin D2, cyclin dependent kinase (CDK) 2 and CDK6. Furthermore, we demonstrated that overexpression of miR-29c inhibited proliferation of ESCC cells in vitro and in vivo. In addition, we detected miR-29c expression in 26 pairs of esophageal tumor-in-site-tissues and 60 pairs of ESCC tissues. The result showed that miR-29c level significantly decreased in ESCC tumor tissues and cell lines compared with normal esophageal epithelia. Taken together, our findings indicated that miR-29c was frequently downregulated in ESCC tissues and cells and suppressed tumor growth by inducing cell cycle G(1)/G(0) arrest mainly through modulating cyclin E expression.

Lack of association between XPG Asp1104His and XPF Arg415Gln polymorphism and breast cancer risk: a meta-analysis of case-control studies.

The xeroderma pigmentosum group G (XPG or ERCC5) and group F (XPF or ERCC4) play an important role in DNA repair, and produce dual incision 3' and 5' to the damaged nucleotide fragment. Several polymorphisms in the XPF and XPG gene have been described, including the commonly occurring Asp1104His in XPG and Arg415Gln in XPF. The published data on the association between these polymorphisms and breast cancer remained controversial. This meta-analysis of literatures was performed to derive a more precise estimation of the relationship. A total of 17 studies were identified to the meta-analysis, including 5,235 cases and 5,685 controls for XPG Asp1104His (from ten studies) and 3,910 cases and 3,985 controls for XPF Arg415Gln (from seven studies). Overall, no significantly elevated breast cancer risk was found in all genetic models when all studies were pooled into the meta-analysis (for XPG Asp1104His Asp/His vs. Asp/Asp: OR 1.02, 95% CI 0.94-1.11; His/His vs. Asp/Asp: OR 0.96, 95% CI 0.83-1.11; dominant model: OR 1.01, 95% CI 0.94-1.09; and for XPF Arg415Gln Arg/Gln vs. Arg/Arg: OR 1.00, 95% CI 0.89-1.12; Gln/Gln vs. Arg/Arg: OR 2.40, 95% CI 0.62-9.22; dominant model: OR 1.03, 95% CI 0.90-1.18). In stratified analyses, we observed an overall OR of 5.20 (95% CI 2.08-12.95) for breast cancer developing risk in the Caucasian ethnicity, comparing Gln/Gln type to wild-type Arg/Arg for Arg415Gln polymorphism. In conclusion, this meta-analysis suggests that XPG Asp1104His polymorphism is not associated with increased breast cancer risk, and XPF Arg415Gln may be a low-penetrant risk factor in the Caucasian ethnicity for developing breast cancer.

microRNA-92a promotes lymph node metastasis of human esophageal squamous cell carcinoma via E-cadherin.

microRNAs (miRNAs) regulate gene expression at the post-transcriptional level and play important roles in tumor initiation and progression. Recently, we examined the global miRNA expression profile of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) and demonstrated that miR-92a was highly expressed in tumor tissues. In this study, we found that the up-regulation of miR-92a was significantly correlated with the status of lymph node metastasis and TNM stage in 107 ESCC patients. Moreover, the up-regulation of miR-92a was associated with poor survival of ESCC patients and might be used as an independent prognostic factor. Next, we investigated the role and mechanism of miR-92a in ESCC cells, and found that miR-92a modulated the migration and invasion but not apoptosis and proliferation of ESCC cells in vitro. We further demonstrated that miR-92a directly targeted the CDH1 3'-UTR and repressed the expression of CDH1, a tumor metastasis suppressor. In addition, restoring of miR-92a-resistant CDH1 expression in miR-92a-overexpression cells recovered the pro-metastasis activity of miR-92a. Taken together, we demonstrated that miR-92a promotes ESCC cell migration and invasion at least partially via suppression of CDH1 expression, and patients with up-regulated miR-92a are prone to lymph node metastasis and thus have poor prognosis.

[Effects of microRNA miR-181a on gene expression profiles of K562 cells].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of microRNA on the gene expression profile of human leukemia K562 cells using microarray technique. METHODS: miR-181a RNA duplexes were designed and synthesized according to the mature sequence of miR-181a. Forty-eight hours after transfection of in vitro cultured K562 cells using Oligofectamine, gene expression profiles of the cells were studied and analyzed using Agilent Human 1A Oligo microarray. RESULTS: Totalling 228 differentially expressed genes were identified from the 20,173 screened genes, including 59 up-regulated ones (consisting of metabolism-associated genes, tumor suppressor genes, signal transduction-associated genes, immunity and defense-associated genes etc), and 169 down-regulated ones (consisting of oncogenes, DNA-binding and transcription genes, metabolism-associated genes, signal transduction-associated genes, cell cycle and development-associated genes etc.) in the transfected K562 cells as compared with the control K562 cells. Changes in expressions of CTCF, ZAP70, SEMA4C and RALA were confirmed by semi-quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. CONCLUSIONS: miR-181a transfection for 48 h induces gene expression profile changes in K562 cells, indicating the functionality of the miR-181a. These differentially expressed genes are related to the functions of the microRNA, and may also be the basis of the regulation model of posttranscriptional gene silencing. These findings provide an evidence for further study of the machineries and functions of the microRNA in mammalian cells.