Meta-analysis of the association of CYP1A1 polymorphisms with gastric cancer susceptibility and interaction with tobacco smoking

The association of two cytochrome P4501A1 (CYP1A1) polymorphisms, m1 (T6235C transition) and m2 (A4889G transition), with gastric cancer risk is inconclusive. We conducted a meta-analysis of all available studies to evaluate the potential role of the polymorphisms and their interactions with tobacco smoking in gastric cancer susceptibility. Published literature from PubMed was retrieved by two investigators independently. Fourteen case-control studies with 2,032 gastric cancer cases and 5,099 controls were selected. A fixed effects model or a random-effects model was used to estimate the odds ratio (OR) for the CYP1A1 polymorphisms and the occurrence of gastric cancer. Significant associations between CYP1A1 m1 and m2 polymorphisms and gastric cancer susceptibility were not observed in all genetic models in the overall analyses. Subgroup analyses by ethnicity and source of controls did not reveal significant associations with gastric cancer risk. Stratification analysis by smoking status found that carriers of the heterozygous and homozygous m1 genotypes decreased the susceptibility of gastric cancer among ever-smokers (pooled OR = 0.56, 95 % CI 0.36-0.89, fixed effects). In contrast, the m2 genotypes (G/G and A/G) did not show any relevance to gastric cancer risk among the smoking population (pooled OR = 1.30, 95 % CI 0.84-2.00, fixed effects). Overall, we found that the CYP1A1 polymorphism itself, either m1 or m2, did not represent an independent genetic risk factor influencing gastric cancer. However, subgroup analyses suggest that carriers of the heterozygous and homozygous m1 genotype who are exposed to tobacco smoke have a significantly lower risk of developing gastric cancer. To explain the observed reduction of gastric cancer risk, we proposed a novel hypothesis of "observation bias". This hypothesis is also applicable to explain the combined effects of other genetic polymorphisms and environmental factors on the risk of developing cancers, and the rationality of the hypothesis needs to be further investigated.     

曲妥珠单抗联合SOX方案治疗HER-2阳性晚期胃癌的临床疗效观察

目的:探讨曲妥珠单抗联合替吉奥和奥沙利铂(SOX方案)治疗人类表皮生长因子受体-2(HER-2)阳性晚期胃癌的临床疗效。方法:选择2014年2月到2016年2月在我院收治的48例HER-2阳性晚期胃癌患者,随机分为实验组和对照组,各24例。对照组患者给予SOX化疗方案,实验组患者给予曲妥珠单抗联合SOX化疗方案,两组患者均给予治疗3个疗程。评价并比较两组患者临床疗效。比较两组患者治疗后不良反应发生情况。检测并比较两组患者治疗前后血清糖类抗原125(CA125)、癌胚抗原(CEA)及组织多肽特异性抗原(TPS)水平。结果:实验组患者的有效率(RR)为58.33%、疾病控制率(DCR)为87.50%,均明显高于对照组患者的29.17%和45.83%,差异具有统计学意义(P0.05)。治疗后两组患者血清CA125、CEA及TPS水平均明显低于治疗前,且实验组患者上述各指标均明显低于对照组,差异具有统计学意义(P0.05)。两组患者不良反应发生率比较差异均无统计学意义(P0.05)。结论:曲妥珠单抗联合SOX方案治疗HER-2阳性晚期胃癌患者临床疗效显著,能够明显降低血清CA125、CEA及TPS水平,不良反应发生率低,值得在临床上推广应用。     

Effect of interleukin-17A and interleukin-17F gene polymorphisms on the risk of gastric cancer in a Chinese population

We selected six tagged single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the IL-17A and IL-17F genes, and evaluated the relationship between the six common SNPs and H. pylori infection, tobacco smoking and subsites of gastric cancer in gastric cancer patients. Genotyping of IL-17A (rs2275913, rs3748067 and rs3819025) and IL-17A (rs763780, rs9382084, and rs12203582) was performed in a 384-well plate format on the MassARRAY® platform. An unconditional multiple logistical regression model was performed to determine the association between IL-17A and IL-17F genetic variations and gastric cancer risk. Unconditional logistic regression analysis showed that subjects carrying the rs2275913AA and rs3748067 TT genotypes were 1.70 and 3.45 times more likely to develop gastric cancer. Furthermore, rs2275913 and rs3748067 genetic variants significantly interacted with H. pylori infection on the risk of gastric cancer. The interaction between rs3748067 and rs9382084 genetic variants and tobacco smoking trend was significant. In addition, rs2275913, rs3748067 and rs9382084 genetic variants were only associated with non-cardia gastric cancer. The findings suggest that the rs2275913, rs3748067 and rs9382084 polymorphisms increase the risk of gastric cancer, and they interact with H. pylori infection, tobacco smoking and subsites of gastric cancer. These findings could be helpful in identifying individuals at increased risk for developing gastric cancer.     

Novel Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms in Interleukin 6 Affect Tacrolimus Metabolism in Liver Transplant Patients

Background

Tacrolimus is the first-line immunosuppressant after organ transplantation. It is mainly metabolized by cytochrome P450, family 3, subfamily A (CYP3A) enzymes, but there are large individual differences in metabolism. Interleukin 6 (IL6) has been shown to cause a pan-suppression of mRNA levels of ten major CYP enzymes in human hepatocyte cultures. IL6 has been shown to provide hepatoprotection in various models of liver injury. Rs1800796 is a locus in the IL6 gene promoter region which regulates cytokine production. We speculated that IL6 rs1800796 polymorphisms may lead to individual differences in tacrolimus metabolism by affecting CYP3A enzymes levels and liver function after liver transplantation.

Methodology/Principal Findings

Ninety-six liver transplant patients receiving tacrolimus were enrolled in the study. Two single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP), CYP3A5 rs776746 and IL6 rs1800796, were genotyped in both donors and recipients. The effects of SNPs on tacrolimus concentration/dose (C/D ratio) at four weeks after transplantation were studied, as well as the effects of donor IL6 rs1800796 polymorphisms on liver function. Both donor and recipient CYP3A5 rs776746 allele A showed association with lower C/D ratios, while donor IL6 rs1800796 allele G showed an association with higher C/D ratios. Donor CYP3A5 rs776746 allele A, IL6 rs1800796 allele C, and recipient CYP3A5 rs776746 allele A were associated with fast tacrolimus metabolism. With increasing numbers of these alleles, patients were found to have increasingly lower tacrolimus C/D ratios at time points after transplantation. Donor IL6 rs1800796 allele G carriers showed an association with higher glutamic-pyruvic transaminase (GPT) levels.

Conclusions

Combined analysis of donor CYP3A5 rs776746, IL6 rs1800796, and recipient CYP3A5 rs776746 polymorphisms may distinguish tacrolimus metabolism better than CYP3A5 rs776746 alone. IL6 may lead to individual differences in tacrolimus metabolism mainly by affecting liver function.     

'Smoking genes': a genetic association study

Some controversy exists on the specific genetic variants that are associated with nicotine dependence and smoking-related phenotypes. The purpose of this study was to analyse the association of smoking status and smoking-related phenotypes (included nicotine dependence) with 17 candidate genetic variants: CYP2A6*1×2, CYP2A6*2 (1799T>A) [rs1801272], CYP2A6*9 (-48T>G) [rs28399433], CYP2A6*12, CYP2A13*2 (3375C>T) [rs8192789], CYP2A13*3 (7520C>G), CYP2A13*4 (579G>A), CYP2A13*7 (578C>T) [rs72552266], CYP2B6*4 (785A>G), CYP2B6*9 (516G>T), CHRNA3 546C>T [rs578776], CHRNA5 1192G>A [rs16969968], CNR1 3764C>G [rs6928499], DRD2-ANKK1 2137G>A (Taq1A) [rs1800497], 5HTT LPR, HTR2A -1438A>G [rs6311] and OPRM1 118A>G [rs1799971]. We studied the genotypes of the aforementioned polymorphisms in a cohort of Spanish smokers (cases, N = 126) and ethnically matched never smokers (controls, N = 80). The results showed significant between-group differences for CYP2A6*2 and CYP2A6*12 (both P<0.001). Compared with carriers of variant alleles, the odds ratio (OR) for being a non-smoker in individuals with the wild-type genotype of CYP2A6*12 and DRD2-ANKK1 2137G>A (Taq1A) polymorphisms was 3.60 (95%CI: 1.75, 7.44) and 2.63 (95%CI: 1.41, 4.89) respectively. Compared with the wild-type genotype, the OR for being a non-smoker in carriers of the minor CYP2A6*2 allele was 1.80 (95%CI: 1.24, 2.65). We found a significant genotype effect (all P≤0.017) for the following smoking-related phenotypes: (i) cigarettes smoked per day and CYP2A13*3; (ii) pack years smoked and CYP2A6*2, CYP2A6*1×2, CYP2A13*7, CYP2B6*4 and DRD2-ANKK1 2137G>A (Taq1A); (iii) nicotine dependence (assessed with the Fagestrom test) and CYP2A6*9. Overall, our results suggest that genetic variants potentially involved in nicotine metabolization (mainly, CYP2A6 polymorphisms) are those showing the strongest association with smoking-related phenotypes, as opposed to genetic variants influencing the brain effects of nicotine, e.g., through nicotinic acetylcholine (CHRNA5), serotoninergic (HTR2A), opioid (OPRM1) or cannabinoid receptors (CNR1).     

乌苯美司胶囊联合SOX化疗对晚期胃癌患者的临床疗效研究

目的:探讨乌苯美司胶囊联合SOX化疗对晚期胃癌患者的临床疗效及安全性。方法:选择2013年9月至2015年9月我院接诊的90例晚期胃癌患者,通过随机数表法分为观察组(n=45)和对照组(n=45)。对照组给予SOX化疗方案,观察组在此基础上联合乌苯美司胶囊。比较两组治疗前后CD_4~+、CD_8~+、CD_4~+/CD_8~+、血清基质金属蛋白酶(MMP)-2、MMP-9水平、临床疗效、不良反应发生情况以及6个月、12个月生存率。结果:治疗后,观察组CD_4+、CD_4~+/CD_8~+显著高于对照组(P0.05),血清MMP2、MMP-9水平明显低于对照组(P0.05);临床疗效总有效率高于对照组[68.89%(31/45)vs48.89%(22/45)](P0.05),血小板下降、白细胞下降、恶心呕吐、肝功异常的发生率均显著低于对照组(P0.05)。观察组在6个月、12个月时生存率均高于对照组[93.33%(42/45)vs77.78%(35/45),82.22%(37/45)vs57.78%(26/45)](P0.05)。结论:与单用SOX方案相比,乌苯美司胶囊联合SOX化疗方案治疗晚期胃癌患者的效果显著,可有效改善免疫功能,提高远期生存率,且安全性更高。     

Haplotypes with Copy Number and Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms in CYP2A6 Locus Are Associated with Smoking Quantity in a Japanese Population

Smoking is a major public health problem, but the genetic factors associated with smoking behaviors are not fully elucidated. Here, we have conducted an integrated genome-wide association study to identify common copy number polymorphisms (CNPs) and single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) associated with the number of cigarettes smoked per day (CPD) in Japanese smokers ( = 17,158). Our analysis identified a common CNP with a strong effect on CPD (rs8102683; ) in the 19q13 region, encompassing the CYP2A6 locus. After adjustment for the associated CNP, we found an additional associated SNP (rs11878604; ) located 30 kb downstream of the CYP2A6 gene. Imputation of the CYP2A6 locus revealed that haplotypes underlying the CNP and the SNP corresponded to classical, functional alleles of CYP2A6 gene that regulate nicotine metabolism and explained 2% of the phenotypic variance of CPD (ANOVA -test ). These haplotypes were also associated with smoking-related diseases, including lung cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and arteriosclerosis obliterans.     

Selected polymorphisms in sex hormone-related genes, circulating sex hormones and risk of endometrial cancer

Background: The role of estrogen and progesterone in the development of endometrial cancer is well documented. Few studies have examined the association of genetic variants in sex hormone-related genes with endometrial cancer risk. Methods: We conducted a case-control study nested within three cohorts to examine the association of endometrial cancer risk with polymorphisms in hormone-related genes among 391 cases (92% postmenopausal at diagnosis) and 712 individually-matched controls. We also examined the association of these polymorphisms with circulating levels of sex hormones and SHBG in a cross-sectional analysis including 596 healthy postmenopausal women at blood donation (controls from this nested case-control study and from a nested case-control study of breast cancer in one of the three cohorts). Results: Adjusting for endometrial cancer risk factors, the A allele of rs4775936 in CYP19 was significantly associated (OR(per allele)=1.22, 95% CI=1.01-1.47, p(trend)=0.04), while the T allele of rs10046 was marginally associated with increased risk of endometrial cancer (OR(per allele)=1.20, 95% CI=0.99-1.45, p(trend)=0.06). PGR rs1042838 was also marginally associated with risk (OR(per allele)=1.25, 95% CI=0.96-1.61, p(trend)=0.09). No significant association was found for the other polymorphisms, i.e. CYP1B1 rs1800440 and rs1056836, UGT1A1 rs8175347, SHBG rs6259 and ESR1 rs2234693. Rs8175347 was significantly associated with postmenopausal levels of estradiol, free estradiol and estrone and rs6259 with SHBG and estradiol. Conclusion: Our findings support an association between genetic variants in CYP19, and possibly PGR, and risk of endometrial cancer.     

Inter-ethnic differences in genetic polymorphisms of xenobiotic-metabolizing enzymes (CYP1A1, CYP2D6, NAT1 and NAT2) in healthy populations: correlation with the functional in silico prediction

Several studies have shown that many polymorphisms of the xenobiotic-metabolizing enzymes (XME) affect either enzymatic functions or are associated with various aspects of human health. Owing to the presence of these single nucleotide variants (SNVs), differences in detoxification capacity have been observed between many ethnicities. The aim of this investigation was to study the prevalence of four polymorphisms in XME among various ethnic groups. Attention was focused on polymorphisms of CYP2D6 (rs1058172, G>A, p.Arg365His), CYP1A1 (rs4646421, c.-26-728C>T), NAT1 (rs4921880, c.-85-1014T>A) and NAT2 (rs1208, A>G, p.Arg268Lys). These polymorphisms were analyzed in 261 healthy Tunisians individuals in comparison with different ethnic backgrounds from hapmap database. In addition, in silico functional prediction was also performed to determine the loss of function variants. Our results demonstrated that population’s origins widely affect the genetic variability of XME enzymes and Tunisians show a characteristic pattern. In silico predictions showed a deleterious effect for p.Arg268Lys substitution on CYP2D6 function, findings confirmed its key role played in cancer susceptibility. These data show that detoxification genes structures depend on the studied population. This suggests that ethnic differences impact on disease risk or response to drugs and therefore should be taken into consideration in genetic association studies focusing on XME enzymes. Our results provide the first report on these SNV in Tunisian population and could be useful for further epidemiological investigations including targeted therapy.     

Role of xenobiotic metabolizing gene polymorphisms in breast cancer susceptibility and treatment outcome

Metabolic activation and inactivation of potential genotoxic agents occur by Phase I and Phase II enzymes in multiple interactions. An expanding body of literature demonstrates that ethnic differences in breast cancer incidence may be partly caused by host genetic factors particularly genetic polymorphisms of these carcinogen-metabolizing enzymes. The present case-control study aimed at identification of such low penetrance breast cancer susceptibility genes in 224 Indian women and to investigate the potential effects of their polymorphisms on sporadic breast cancer risk. The main objective of the study was to evaluate the effects of genetic polymorphisms of the xenobiotic metabolizing genes CYP1A1, GSTM1 and GSTT1 on breast cancer risk by PCR-RFLP and DNA sequencing. Our results showed a significant association between CYP1A1 m1, m2 polymorphisms and breast cancer risk; however there was a lack of association between GSTM1 null deletion and breast cancer. The associations of CYP1A1, GSTM1 and GSTT1 genotypes with breast cancer risk were more pronounced among the pre-menopausal patients. Combined genotype analysis revealed the CYP1A1 m2 ValVal-GSTM1 homozygous null deletion genotype combinations to be associated with the highest risk of breast cancer (OR=10.3, 95% CI=1.2-86.1). Correlations with clinicopathological factors and treatment outcome were also analyzed for predicting disease free survival by univariate and multivariate analysis. Significant differences in disease free survival between the wild and polymorphic genotypes were observed only for CYP1A1 m2, GSTT1 genotypes. Our results based on the analysis of functionally relevant polymorphisms in these low penetrance genes may provide a better model that would exhibit additive effects on individual susceptibility to breast cancer. Such genotype analysis resulting in a high-risk profile holds considerable promise for individualizing screening and therapeutic intervention in breast cancer. Hence, the present study may provide strong supportive evidence for genetic interactions in the etiology of breast cancer.     

SOX 与FOLFOX6 化疗方案治疗老年晚期胃癌患者的临床疗效对比

目的：探讨SOX 与FOLFOX6 化疗方案治疗老年晚期胃癌患者的临床疗效。方法：选择2009 年10 月~2014 年10 月本院收 治的老年晚期胃癌患者共80 例,按照随机数字表法随机分为实验组和对照组,实验组采用SOX 化疗方案,对照组采用FOLFOX6 化疗方案,对两组患者近期有效率、疾病控制率和不良反应发生状况进行评价。结果：两组近期有效率及治疗控制率比较, 差异无统计学意义（P>0.05）。两组患者不良反应主要表现为口腔炎症、胃肠道反应和骨髓抑制,主要以I~II级常见。两组患者口腔 炎、腹泻、白细胞减少、贫血和血小板减少的差异均无统计学意义（P>0.05）,实验组患者恶心呕吐发生率为（19.05%）明显低于对照 组发生率（42.11%）,差异有统计学意义（P<0.05）。结论：SOX和FOLFOX6 化疗方案治疗老年晚期胃癌患者疗效、不良反应发生 状况基本相似,但SOX化疗方案胃肠道副反应更少,且应用方便,值得在临床上推广应用。     

Polymorphic markers of the CYP1B1 (4326C > G), CYP2F1 (c.14_15insC), CYP2J2 (-76G > T), and CYP2S1 (13106C > T and 13255A > G) genes and genetic predisposition to chronic respiratory diseases induced by smoking and occupational factors

The contribution of the polymorphic markers of cytochrome P450 genes to respiratory diseases caused by smoking and occupational factors has been assessed. For this purpose, PCR-RFLP analysis of the CYP1B1 (rs1056836, 4326C > G), CYP2F1 (rs11399890, c.14_15insC), CYP2J2 (rs890293, -76G > T), and CYP2S1 (rs34971233, 13106C > T and rs338583, 13255A > G) gene polymorphisms has been performed. The analysis has shown that the polymorphic variants of the CYP1B1 (rs1056836, 4326C > G) and CYP2F1 (rs11399890, c. 14_15insC) genes may contribute to the development of occupational chronic bronchitis. The proportion of CYP1B1* 1*3 heterozygotes in the group of patients with occupational chronic bronchitis is considerably greater than in the group of healthy workers (69.16% versus 53.29%; chi2 = 5.94, P = 0.02, P(cor) = 0.04, OR = 1.97, the 95% CI is 1.13-3.42). Patients with occupational chronic bronchitis and healthy workers significantly differed from each other in the frequency distribution of the genotypes ofthe CYP2F1 (rs11399890, c.14_15insC) polymorphic marker (chi2 = 6.18, d.f = 2, P = 0.05). The frequency of the wild type/ins heterozygous genotype for the CYP2F1 gene is higher in healthy workers (36.08%) than in patients (22.22%) (chi2 = 5.48, P = 0.02, P(cor) = 0.04, OR = 0.51, the 95% CI is 0.28-0.90). No association has been found between the CYP2J2 (rs890293, -76G > T) or CYP2S1 (rs34971233, 13106C > T, P466L and rs338583, 13255A > G) gene polymorphisms and respiratory diseases.     

自噬通路基因多态性与晚期非小细胞肺癌含铂化疗疗效的相关性分析

对晚期非小细胞肺癌患者采用含铂化疗是肺癌临床治疗中非常重要的方法,然而不同患者对含铂化疗的敏感性却存在着明显的个体差异,这提示发现潜在的分子标志物对预测临床中含铂化疗疗效具有关键作用。本研究旨在探索自噬通路基因多态性与晚期非小细胞肺癌含铂化疗疗效之间的相关性,以期寻找可能影响含铂化疗药物敏感性的分子标记。本研究纳入了1004例接受含铂化疗的晚期非小细胞肺癌患者,分析了自噬通路中13个基因上的99个SNP位点与含铂化疗临床获益、无疾病进展时间及总生存时间之间的相关性。研究发现,位于ULK1基因的位点rs7953348(G>A) (P=0.017, OR:0.67, 95%CI:0.49~0.93)和rs12303764(A>C) (P=0.009, OR:0.63, 95%CI:0.45-0.89)及位于ATG14基因上的位点rs17742719(C>A) (P=0.002, OR:1.83, 95%CI:1.26~2.66)、rs8003279(A>G) (P=0.006, OR:1.65, 95%CI:1.16~2.35)和rs1009647(G>A) (P=0.002, OR:1.70, 95%CI:1.22~2.37)与临床获益存在显著关联,位于DRAM基因上的位点rs7955890(G>A) (P=0.004, HR:0.63; 95%CI:0.46~0.86)和rs17032060(G>A) (P=0.006, HR:0.65, 95%CI:0.48~0.88)及位于ATG3基因上的位点rs13082005(G>A) (P=0.012, HR:1.27,95%CI:1.05~1.53)与含铂化疗的无疾病进展时间显著相关,位于ULK1基因的位点rs7953348(G>A) (P=0.011, HR:0.74, 95%CI:0.58~0.93)和位于ATG10基因上的位点rs1864183(G>A) (P=0.016, HR:0.42, 95%CI:0.21~0.85)对含铂化疗的总生存时间有着显著影响。研究结果提示自噬通路在含铂化疗敏感性中发挥着重要作用,自噬通路基因多态性可能是预测含铂化疗疗效的潜在分子标志物,这可能为临床上肺癌的个体化医疗提供一定的理论基础。     

SOX方案与FOLFOX4治疗进展期胃癌的临床疗效、毒副作用及生存时间比较研究

目的:探讨SOX方案与FOLFOX4治疗进展期胃癌的临床疗效、毒副作用及生存时间。方法:选取2013年10月到2014年10月期间唐山市人民医院收治的进展期胃癌患者90例作为研究对象,根据随机数字表法将其分为SOX组与FOLFOX4组,两组均为45例。SOX组患者给予奥沙利铂+替吉奥胶囊进行治疗,FOLFOX4组给予奥沙利铂+亚叶酸钙+氟尿嘧啶进行治疗。比较两组患者的疾病缓解率、疾病控制率、毒副反应、1年生存率、2年生存率和3年生存率。结果:两组患者的的疾病缓解率和疾病控制率经统计分析差异均无统计学意义(P0.05)。两组患者红细胞下降、血小板下降、腹泻、外周神经症状、手足综合征、肝功能异常发生率比较差异均无统计学意义(P0.05),FOLFOX4组I-II级白细胞下降、恶心呕吐的发生率高于SOX组(P0.05),两组III-IV级白细胞下降、恶心呕吐的发生率比较差异无统计学意义(P0.05)。两组患者的1年生存率、2年生存率、3年生存率经统计分析差异均无统计学意义(P0.05)。结论:SOX方案与FOLFOX4治疗进展期胃癌的临床疗效相近,且患者的生存时间无明显差异,但SOX方案的白细胞下降、恶心呕吐等毒副反应程度较轻。     

Genetic Variants in Hormone-Related Genes and Risk of Breast Cancer

Sex hormones play a key role in the development of breast cancer. Certain polymorphic variants (SNPs and repeat polymorphisms) in hormone-related genes are associated with sex hormone levels. However, the relationship observed between these genetic variants and breast cancer risk has been inconsistent. We conducted a case-control study nested within two prospective cohorts to assess the relationship between specific genetic variants in hormone-related genes and breast cancer risk. In total, 1164 cases and 2111 individually-matched controls were included in the study. We did not observe an association between potential functional genetic polymorphisms in the estrogen pathway, SHBG rs6259, ESR1 rs2234693, CYP19 rs10046 and rs4775936, and UGT1A1 rs8175347, or the progesterone pathway, PGR rs1042838, with the risk of breast cancer. Our results suggest that these genetic variants do not have a strong effect on breast cancer risk.     

Association analyses of CYP19 gene polymorphisms with height variation in a large sample of Caucasian nuclear families

Human height is a complex trait regulated by multiple genetic and environmental factors. CYP19 (cytochrome P450 19) encodes aromatase, which catalyses the rate-limiting step in the conversion of androgens to estrogens. Deleterious mutations in CYP19 can result in estrogen deficiency that will influence adult height to certain extent. In the present study, we aimed to test the associations between the CYP19 gene polymorphisms with adult height variation, using family-based association methods, such as QTDT (quantitative transmission disequilibrium test) and FBAT (family-based association test) in 1,873 subjects from 405 Caucasian nuclear families. We found one SNP (rs730154) significantly associated with height by both QTDT (P=0.0030) and FBAT (P=0.0016) analyses. Haplotype analyses corroborated our single-marker results by showing that the haplotypes in block 4 containing rs730154 were significantly associated with height variation. We thus concluded that CYP19 could be one of the genetic factors influencing adult height in Caucasians. Further studies are required to identify the causal functional variants responsible for Caucasian height within the CYP19 gene.Tie-Lin Yang and Dong-Hai Xiong have contributed equally to this work.     

PLCE1 Polymorphism and Upper Gastrointestinal Cancer Risk: A Meta-Analysis

Background

In recent years, the PLCE1 rs2274223 polymorphism has been extensively investigated as a potential risk factor for upper gastrointestinal cancers, including squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) and gastric cancer. However, the results of these studies have been inconsistent.

Methods

A meta-analysis of 13 case-control studies was performed including more than 11,000 subjects with genotyped PLCE1 rs2274223 polymorphisms. Odds ratios (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) were employed to assess the association of the PLCE1 rs2274223 polymorphism with a susceptibility to ESCC or gastric cancer.

Results

A statistically significant increase in the risk of ESCC was associated with the PLCE1 rs2274223 polymorphism. This included the homozygous genetic model (OR = 1.46), heterozygous genetic model (OR = 1.25) and allelic genetic model (OR = 1.23). Similar results were consistently found for gastric cancer. In a subgroup analysis, the PLCE1 rs2274223 polymorphism was found to be a very sensitive marker for gastric cardia cancer as shown by the homozygous genetic model (OR = 2.23), heterozygous genetic model(OR = 1.59) and allelic genetic model (OR = 1.47). The risk associations of all of the gastric cardia cancer models were statistically significant. In contrast, none of the genetic models for non-cardia gastric cancer were significant.

Conclusions

In this meta-analysis, the PLCE1 rs2274223 polymorphism was confirmed to have a statistically significant association with an increasing risk of ESCC and gastric cancer. The increase risk was especially observed for gastric cardia cancer.     

CYP1A1 rs1048943 and rs4646903 polymorphisms associated with laryngeal cancer susceptibility among Asian populations: a meta‐analysis

Many studies have investigated the association between CYP1A1 rs1048943 and rs4646903 polymorphisms and laryngeal cancer risk, but their results have been inconsistent. The PubMed and CNKI were searched for case–control studies published up to 01 July 2015. Data were extracted and pooled odds ratios (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated. In this meta‐analysis, we assessed 10 published studies involving comprising 748 laryngeal cancer cases and 1558 controls of the association between CYP1A1 rs1048943 and rs4646903 polymorphisms and laryngeal cancer risk. For CYP1A1 rs1048943 of the homozygote G/G and G allele carriers (A/G + G/G) versus A/A, the pooled ORs were 1.77 (95% CI = 1.28–2.81, P = 0.007 for heterogeneity) and 1.86 (95% CI = 1.45–2.40, P = 0.000 for heterogeneity). For CYP1A1 rs4646903 of the homozygote G/G and G allele carriers (A/G + G/G) versus A/A, the pooled ORs were 1.53 (95% CI = 1.31–2.21, P = 0.012 for heterogeneity) and 1.33(95% CI = 1.04–1.71, P = 0.029 for heterogeneity). In the stratified analysis by ethnicity, the significantly risks were found among Asians for both the G allele carriers and homozygote G/G. However, no significant associations were found in Caucasian population all genetic models. These results from the meta‐analysis suggest that CYP1A1 rs1048943 and rs4646903 polymorphisms contribute to risk of laryngeal cancer among Asian populations.