Microsomal epoxide hydrolase polymorphisms and lung cancer risk: a quantitative review

To investigate the role of microsomal epoxide hydrolase (mEH) polymorphisms in the aetiology of lung cancer and to assess the interaction between mEH polymorphisms and smoking, we performed a meta-analysis of seven published studies, which included 2078 cases and 3081 controls, and a pooled analysis of eight studies (four published and four unpublished at that time) with a total of 986 cases and 1633 controls. The combined metaanalysis odds ratios (ORs) were 0.98 (95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.72-1.35) for polymorphism at amino acid 113 in exon 3 (His/His versus Tyr/Tyr genotype) and 1.00 (95% CI= 0.71-1.41) for polymorphism at amino acid 139 in exon 4 (Arg/Arg versus His/ His genotype). In the pooled analysis, we observed a significant decrease in lung cancer risk (OR = 0.70, 95% CI = 0.51-0.96) for exon 3 His/His genotype after adjustment for age, sex, smoking and centre. The protective effect of exon 3 polymorphism seems stronger for adenocarcinoma of the lung than for other histological types. The OR for high predicted mEH activity, compared with low activity, was 1.54 (95% CI = 0.77-3.07) in the meta analysis and 1.18 (95% CI = 0.92-1.52) in the pooled analysis. We did not find a consistent modification of the carcinogenic effect of smoking according to mEH polymorphism, although the risk of lung cancer decreased among never smokers with high mEH activity and among heavy smokers with the exon 3 His/His genotype. In conclusion, this study suggests a possible effect of mEH polymorphisms at exon 3 in modulating lung cancer. If present, this effect may vary among different populations, possibly because of interaction with genetic or environmental factors.     

CYP1A1 genetic polymorphisms, tobacco smoking and lung cancer risk in a French Caucasian population

The     

CYP1A1 genetic polymorphisms,tobacco smoking and lung cancer risk in a French Caucasian population

The CYP1A1 gene encoding for an enzyme involved in the metabolic activation of important tobacco carcinogens could be implicated in smoking-induced lung cancer. Given the strong association between tobacco smoking and lung cancer, the effect of tobacco smoke exposure has to be taken into account when studying the potential association between lung cancer and CYP1A1 genotypes. The effect of two CYP1A1 genetic polymorphisms (Mspl and IIe-Val) on lung cancer risk were evaluated using peripheral blood DNA from 150 lung cancer patients and 171 controls. The Mspl sitepresent allele was found among 19.3% of both cases and controls and the variant allele Val among 6.7% of cases and 8.8% of controls. Lung cancer risks associated with the Mspl site-present allele (OR= 0.9; 95%Cl: 0.5-1.8) or with the Val allele (OR= 0.8; 95%Cl: 0.3-1.9) were not increased after adjustment for tobacco and asbestos exposures. These results persisted when analyses were stratified on smoking status, daily consumption of tobacco or duration of smoking. Similar findings were obtained when squamous cell or small cell carcinomas were studied separately. This study thus suggests a minor role for the known CYP1A1 gene polymorphisms in predisposition to lung cancer among Caucasian populations.     

Polymorphisms in human soluble epoxide hydrolase: effects on enzyme activity, enzyme stability, and quaternary structure

Human soluble epoxide hydrolase (hsEH) has been shown to play a role in regulating blood pressure and inflammation. HsEH consists of an N-terminal phosphatase and a C-terminal epoxide hydrolase domain. In the present study, we examined the effects of polymorphisms in the hsEH gene on phosphatase activity, enzyme stability, and protein quaternary structure. The results showed that mutants Lys55Arg, Arg103Cys, Cys154Tyr, Arg287Gln, and the Arg103Cys/Arg287Gln (double mutant) have significantly lower phosphatase activity compared to the most frequent allele (MFA) of hsEH. In addition, the Lys55Arg, Arg103Cys, Cys154Tyr, Arg287Gln, and the double mutant have significantly lower kcat/Km values. The stabilities at 37 degrees C of purified Arg287Gln and Arg103Cys/Arg287Gln mutants were also significantly reduced compared to the MFA. HPLC size-exclusion studies showed that the MFA exists predominantly as a dimer. However, the Arg287Gln and Arg103Cys/Arg287Gln mutants show increased concentration of the monomer. We conclude that the Arg287Gln polymorphism disrupts putative intra- and inter-monomeric salt-bridges responsible for dimerization.     

Detection of polymorphisms at exons 3 (Tyr113-->His) and 4 (His139-->Arg) of the microsomal epoxide hydrolase gene using fluorescence PCR method combined with melting curves analysis

An association between exon 3 polymorphisms of the gene encoding microsomal epoxide hydrolase (mEH) and susceptibility to the development of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) has been described. We have developed two methods for detecting polymorphisms at exons 3 (Tyr113-->His) and 4 (His139-->Arg) of the mEH gene based on different melting temperatures (T(m)) of fluorescent-labeled oligonucleotide hybridization probes using single-step assays that combine fluorescence PCR and melting curve analysis (LightCycler methodology). DNA was extracted from blood in 79 COPD patients and 146 healthy controls. Results were compared with those obtained by restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analysis to detect Tyr113His variants and a single-strand conformation polymorphism (SSCP) assay for His139Arg detection. The T(m) of the exon 3 polymorphisms were 61.3 degrees C for Tyr113 (wild type) and 67.5 degrees C for His113 (mutant). The T(m) values of the exon 4 polymorphisms were 67.5 degrees C for His139 (wild type) and 59.2 degrees C for Arg139 (mutant). The within- and between-run melting peaks for the same allele differed by less than 0.5 degrees C for both the exon 3 and the exon 4 polymorphisms. Thus, melting analysis allowed easy and unambiguous assignment of genotyping by means of the respective melting curves. The proportion of individuals who were homozygous mutant for exon 3 was significantly higher in the COPD group than in the control group (p=0.004). LightCycler fluorescence genotyping of exon 4 polymorphisms correlated perfectly with SSCP results. RFLP assay classified 2 patients as homozygous mutant while LightCycler analysis genotyped them as heterozygous. DNA analysis by PCR and sequencing confirmed the LightCycler result. These high-speed (about 40 min for 32 samples), highly sensitive, and specific small-volume assays with low labor requirements hold great promise as tools for rapid detection of COPD susceptibility.     

In vitro studies of the influence of glutathione transferases and epoxide hydrolase on the detoxification of acrylamide and glycidamide in blood

Enzymes involved in the metabolism of xenobiotic substances are often polymorphic in humans. Such genetic polymorphisms may result in inter-individual differences in detoxification of certain chemicals, and as a consequence, possibly affect health-risk assessments. This present work concerns studies of the influence of polymorphic enzymes in the detoxification of acrylamide and its metabolite glycidamide. Enzymes that enhance conjugation with glutathione (GSH), the glutathione transferases (GSTs), may influence the detoxification of both acrylamide and glycidamide, whereas the enzyme epoxide hydrolase (EH) should only catalyse the hydrolysis of glycidamide. In this study, the doses of acrylamide or glycidamide measured as specific adducts to hemoglobin (Hb) were analysed in blood samples after in vitro incubation with these compounds. Blood samples from individuals with different genotypes for GSTT1 and GSTM1 were studied. No significant differences in adduct levels depending on genotype were noted. In a parallel experiment, incubation with ethylene oxide was used as positive control. In this experiment individuals carrying GSTT1 showed lower adduct level increments from ethylene oxide than individuals lacking GSTT1. Furthermore, addition of ethacrynic acid or laurylamine, compounds which inhibit GST and EH, respectively, did not affect the adduct levels. These results suggest that neither GSTs nor EH have any significant effect on the blood dose, measured as Hb-adducts over time, after exposure to acrylamide or glycidamide.     

Cytochrome P4501A1 and microsomal epoxide hydrolase gene polymorphisms: gene-environment interaction and risk of prostate cancer

The role of low penetrance genes and environmental factors in the etiology of prostate cancer (PCa) is unclear. Most procarcinogens require metabolic activation by CYP4501A1, whereas microsomal epoxide hydrolase (mEH) is involved in the detoxification. In our case-control study, we assessed whether CYP1A1 and mEH susceptibility genotypes, tobacco use, and age factors contribute to PCa risk. One hundred thirty patients with PCa and 140 control subjects were analyzed by polymerase chain reaction/restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR/RFLP) method from genomic DNA samples. Binary logistic regression model was used for assessing differences in genotype prevalence and their association between patient and the control group. T/C polymorphism of CYP1A1 gene revealed significant association with the tobacco users (p < 0.005) for PCa risk. Our results demonstrated significant association with exon 3 variant genotypes of the mEH alone or in combination with tobacco users (p < 0.005), whereas in exon 4 genotypes, no association was observed. Haplotype analysis projected significant associations with very slow haplotypes of mEH gene (OR = 2.48, 95% CI = 1.41-4.38, p = 0.002). In conclusion, our study demonstrated that exon 3 of mEH and CYP1A1 T/C gene polymorphism are predisposing risk factors for susceptibility of sporadic PCa in northern India. It also suggests that a combination of smoking plays a significant role in modified PCa risk on the study population, which means that smokers carrying susceptible genotypes may be subjected to higher risk than those carrying nonsusceptible genotypes.     

Methyl-CpG binding domain 1 gene polymorphisms and lung cancer risk in a Chinese population

Polymorphisms of the methyl-CpG binding domain 1 (MBD1) gene may influence MBD1 activity on gene expression profiles, thereby modulating individual susceptibility to lung cancer. To test this hypothesis, we investigated the associations of four MBD1 polymorphisms and lung cancer risk in a Chinese population. Single locus analysis revealed significant associations between two polymorphisms (rs125555 and rs140689) and lung cancer risk (p=0.011 and p=0.005, respectively). Since the two polymorphisms were in linkage disequilibrium, further haplotype analyses were performed and revealed a significant association with lung cancer (global test p-value=0.0041). Our results suggested that MBD1 polymorphisms might be involved in the development of lung cancer. Validation of these findings in larger studies of other populations is needed.     

Circulating anti-p53 antibodies in lung cancer and relationship to histology and smoking

Anti-p53 antibodies were examined in the plasma of 112 lung cancer patients by ELISA in order to study the distributions in lung cancer patients and the determinants of these antibodies in relation to lung cancer. Twenty (17.9 %) lung cancer patients were found to have anti-p53 antibodies. The distribution of the antibodies by histological type was 7/48 (14.6 %) adenocarcinoma, 8/32 (25.0 %) squamous cell carcinoma, 3/7 (42.9 %) small cell lung cancer, 0/4 large cell carcinoma, 0/8 adenosquamous cell carcinoma and 2/13 (15.4 %) other types. By ethnicity, 8/44 (18.2 %) Caucasians, 4/20 (20.0 %) Hispanics and 8/48 (16.7 %) African-Americans were positive for anti-p53 antibodies, with no significant differences among the groups (p=0.5137). The antibody positivity rates were higher in lung cancer patients 55 years or older (21.2 %) than in the patients under 55 years (7.4 %). The positive rates of the antibodies were 14.3 % in non-smokers, 16.7 % in ex-smokers and 19.1 % in current smokers, with heavy smokers (41 pack-years) having the highest positive rate (28.6 %), but none of these differences were statistically significant (p > 0.05). Seven controls who had anti-p53 antibodies were all ex-smokers or current smokers and some had occupational exposures. No anti-p53 antibodies were found in 41 non-smoking controls. These results suggest that the development of anti-p53 antibodies in pulmonary carcinogenesis and its association with smoking and other carcinogenic exposures deserve further study.     

Immobilization of epoxide hydrolase from Aspergillus niger onto DEAE-cellulose: enzymatic properties and application for the enantioselective resolution of a racemic epoxide

Recombinant epoxide hydrolase (EH) from Aspergillus niger can be a very promising tool for the resolution of various racemic epoxides by enantioselective hydrolysis. The enzyme was successfully immobilized by ionic adsorption onto DEAE-cellulose (99% yield, 70% of retention activity). The temperature for maximal activity (40 °C) and the activation energy (38.8 kJ/mol) were similar for both the immobilized and free EHs, whereas the optimal pH was about one unit less for the immobilized enzyme. Thermal stability was also affected by immobilization; the immobilized enzyme appeared to be slightly less stable than the free one. However, a gram-scale resolution of racemic para-chlorostyrene oxide (pCSO) was successfully carried out in a repeated batch reactor, operated for seven cycles. Furthermore, using a very high substrate concentration of 2 M (306 g/L), i.e. biphasic conditions, the resolution of 3 g of pCSO was also achieved in a repeated batch reactor using approximately 300 mg of immobilized EH, corresponding to less than 3 mg of the enzymatic powder.     

Polymorphisms in the N acetyltransferase 1 NAT1 gene and lung cancer risk in a minority population

One of the most consistently observed exposure-disease relationship is the one between cigarette smoking and lung cancer. Aromatic amines and their metabolites are found in tobacco smoke and may be a class of carcinogen involved in lung carcinogenesis. T he human N -acetyltransferase 1 ( NAT 1 ) enzyme can activate or deactivate aromatic amines, making it a candidate genetic susceptibility gene. We evaluated the potential role of the NAT 1 gene in lung cancer risk in a hospital-based case-control study in a minority population composed of Mexican- and African-Americans. We also assessed the potential interaction between NAT 1 and other environmental exposures such as cigarette smoking. T here was no overall association between the NAT1*10 genotypes and lung cancer risk. T he adjusted odds ratio for the rapid acetylation genotypes was 0 72 (95 % CI 0 37-1 39) for NAT1 defined as the presence of at least one copy of the NAT1*10 allele when compared with all genotypes without the NAT1*10 allele. Analyses by histological subtype or smoking history did not alter these findings. Other NAT 1 alleles will need to be studied for more conclusive results regarding the relevance of NAT 1 activity to lung carcinogenesis.     

XPA及XPG基因多态性与晚期非小细胞肺癌铂类药物化疗疗效及预后的关系

目的：研究DNA修复基因XPAA23G及XPGC46T位点基因多态性与晚期非小细胞肺癌铂类化疗疗效及预后的关系。方法：经病理学确诊的晚期非小细胞肺癌患者89例,化疗前提取其外周血DNA,用DNA测序技术检测XPA、XPG基因型,所有患者均接受2-4个周期铂类药物为基础的化疗。结果：1）89例患者中,携带XPA23A/A及A/G＋G/G基因型的化疗有效率分别为47.5%和24.5%,差异有统计学意义（x2=5.137,P=0.023）;携带XPG46C/C及C/T＋T/T基因型的患者治疗有效率分别为47.6%、23.4%,二者间也有统计学差异（x2=5.729,P=0.017）,联合分析显示A/A及C/C型化疗有效率最高,达63.0%,而A/A及C/T＋T/T型最低,仅15.4%,四组间有显著统计学差异（x2=14.080,P=0.003）。2）89例患者中位TTP为7个月,XPA23A/A基因型中位TTP为11个月,A/G＋G/G基因型为6个月,两者比较差异有显著性（x2=44.640,P〈0.01）;XPG46C/C基因型中位TTP为10个月,C/T＋T/T基因型为6个月,两者也有统计学差异（x2=32.236,P〈0.01）。联合分析显示,XPAA/A＋XPGC/C型中位TTP最长,达到11个月,而A/G＋G/G及C/T＋T/T基因型最短,仅有4个月,四组间差异有显著统计学意义（x2=59.295,P〈0.01）。结论：XPAA23G及XPGC46T单核苷酸多态性可单独及联合用于预测晚期NSCLC病人对铂类药物的化疗疗效及TTP,初步提示可以根据患者基因型来指导个体化治疗。     

Role of NAD(P)H:quinone oxidoreductase polymorphism at codon 187 in susceptibility to lung,laryngeal and oral/pharyngeal cancers

NAD(P)H:quinone oxidoreductase (NQO1) has been proposed to play a protective role against the toxic effects of benzo[a]pyrene quinones. The C⁶⁰⁹T base change in the NQO1 gene, resulting in a Pro¹⁸⁷Ser amino acid change in the protein, has been associated with deficient enzyme activity. We examined whether this polymorphism modified the risks of smoking-related cancers in a case-control study involving patients with lung cancer (n = 150), laryngeal cancer (n = 129), oral/pharyngeal cancer (n = 121) and control individuals (n = 172), all Caucasian smokers. No statistically significant associations were observed between the NQO1 genotypes and smoking-related cancers, although the Ser/Ser genotype was associated with a tendency towards increased risk for lung cancer (odds ratio [OR] = 2.2, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.7-6.7) and for oral/pharyngeal cancer (OR = 2.3, 95% CI 0.6-8.2). No significant interaction between the NQO1 genotype and either smoking exposure or GSTM1 genotype was found. Our results are consistent with the hypothesis that lack of NQO1 activity may be involved in some smoking-related cancers. However, they were based on small numbers of individuals with the putative atrisk genotype, and the associations did not reach statistical significance. Moreover, these results contrast with those observed in some other ethnic populations, where a protective effect of the NQO1 Ser allele was found. Further studies are therefore clearly needed for a better understanding of the potential role of NQO1 activity in tobacco-related cancers.     

Activation of microsomal epoxide hydrolase by interaction with cytochromes P450: kinetic analysis of the association and substrate-specific activation of epoxide hydrolase function

The kinetics of the association between cytochrome P450 (P450) and microsomal epoxide hydrolase (mEH) was studied by means of resonant mirror based on the principle of surface plasmon resonance. The dissociation equilibrium constants (K(D)) for the affinity of P450 enzymes for mEH were estimated by resonant mirror using an optical biosensor cell covalently bound to rat mEH. Comparable K(D) values were obtained for CYP1A1 and 2B1, and these were greater by one order of magnitude than that for the CYP2C11. To clarify the influences of P450 enzymes on the catalytic activity of mEH, the hydrolyzing activity for styrene oxide and benzo(a)pyrene-7,8-oxide [B(a)P-oxide] was analyzed in the presence or absence of P450s. Styrene oxide hydrolysis was activated by all P450s including the CYP1A, 2B, 2C, and 3A subfamilies. In agreement with the association affinity determined by resonant mirror, CYP2C11 tends to have enhanced activity for styrene oxide hydrolysis. On the other hand, B(a)P-oxide hydrolysis was enhanced by only CYP2C11 while CYP1A1 and CYP2B1 had no effect. These results suggest that (1) many P450 enzymes associate nonspecifically with mEH, (2) the CYP2C11 plays a greater role in the association/activation of mEH and (3) the P450-mediated activation of mEH depends upon the substrate of mEH.     

Enzymatic resolution of racemic phenyloxirane by a novel epoxide hydrolase from Aspergillus niger SQ-6 and its fed-batch fermentation

A microorganism with the ability to catalyze the resolution of racemic phenyloxirane was isolated and identified as Aspergillus niger SQ-6. Chiral capillary electrophoresis was successfully applied to separate both phenyloxirane and phenylethanediol. The epoxide hydrolase (EH) involved in this resolution process was (R)-stereospecific and constitutively expressed. When whole cells were used during the biotransformation process, the optimum temperature and pH for stereospecific vicinal diol production were 35°C and 7.0, respectively. After a 24-h conversion, the enantiomer excess of (R)-phenylethanediol produced was found to be >99%, with a conversion rate of 56%. In fed-batch fermentations at 30°C for 44 h, glycerol (20 g L⁻¹) and corn steep liquor (CSL) (30 g L⁻¹) were chosen as the best initial carbon and nitrogen sources, and EH production was markedly improved by pulsed feeding of sucrose (2 g L⁻¹ h⁻¹) and continuous feeding of CSL (1 g L⁻¹ h⁻¹) at a fermentation time of 28 h. After optimization, the maximum dry cell weight achieved was 24.5±0.8 g L⁻¹; maximum EH production was 351.2±13.1 U L⁻¹ with a specific activity of 14.3±0.5 U g⁻¹. Partially purified EH exhibited a temperature optimum at 37°C and pH optimum at 7.5 in 0.1 M phosphate buffer. This study presents the first evidence for the existence of a predicted epoxide racemase, which might be important in the synthesis of epoxide intermediates.     

UDP-glucuronosyltransferase 2B17 genotype and the risk of lung cancer among Austrian Caucasians

Background: The enzyme uridine diphospho glucuronosyltansferase 2B17 (UGT2B17) glucuronidates several endogenous and exogenous compounds, including carcinogens from tobacco smoke like 4-(methylnitrosamino)-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanl (NNAL). UGT2B17 shows a remarkable copy number variation (CNV) and an association between deletion genotype and increased risk of lung adenocarcinoma in women has been previously reported. Methods: We investigated the UGT2B17 CNV by PCR in 453 Austrian lung cancer patients and in 449 healthy donors and analyzed the impact on lung cancer susceptibility and outcome. Results: Copy numbers of UGT2B17 were 44.4% (+/+), 42.2% (+/?) and 13.5% (?/?) in lung cancer patients and 43.0% (+/+), 46.3% (+/?) and 10.7% (?/?) among healthy donors. The null genotype was not significantly more frequent among women with adenocarcinoma compared to healthy women (p = 0.59). There was no association with overall survival (p = 0.622) and no significant sex-associated (p = 0.423) or histology-related impact on development of lung cancer. Conclusion: UGT2B17 deletion genotype was not associated with a significant risk for lung cancer development or outcome in our Central European patient cohort. Our study indicates that UGT2B17 is not a crucial factor in lung carcinogenesis among Caucasians and shows the importance of investigating such markers in large cohorts from different populations.     

Previous lung diseases and lung cancer risk: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Background

In order to review the epidemiologic evidence concerning previous lung diseases as risk factors for lung cancer, a meta-analysis and systematic review was conducted.

Methods

Relevant studies were identified through MEDLINE searches. Using random effects models, summary effects of specific previous conditions were evaluated separately and combined. Stratified analyses were conducted based on smoking status, gender, control sources and continent.

Results

A previous history of COPD, chronic bronchitis or emphysema conferred relative risks (RR) of 2.22 (95% confidence interval (CI): 1.66, 2.97) (from 16 studies), 1.52 (95% CI: 1.25, 1.84) (from 23 studies) and 2.04 (95% CI: 1.72, 2.41) (from 20 studies), respectively, and for all these diseases combined 1.80 (95% CI: 1.60, 2.11) (from 39 studies). The RR of lung cancer for subjects with a previous history of pneumonia was 1.43 (95% CI: 1.22–1.68) (from 22 studies) and for subjects with a previous history of tuberculosis was 1.76 (95% CI = 1.49, 2.08), (from 30 studies). Effects were attenuated when restricting analysis to never smokers only for COPD/emphysema/chronic bronchitis (RR = 1.22, 0.97–1.53), however remained significant for pneumonia 1.36 (95% CI: 1.10, 1.69) (from 8 studies) and tuberculosis 1.90 (95% CI: 1.45, 2.50) (from 11 studies).

Conclusions

Previous lung diseases are associated with an increased risk of lung cancer with the evidence among never smokers supporting a direct relationship between previous lung diseases and lung cancer.     

肺癌中piR-932的表达及其生物学行为机制研究

目的研究肺癌干细胞中piR-932的表达,以期为肺癌的治疗提供参考。方法应用piRNA芯片检测肺癌于细胞中piRNAs的表达,应用基因芯片检测肺癌干细胞中基因表达的差异,并检测表达下调的基因之一——Latexin的甲基化程度。结果经诱导至EMT的肺癌干细胞中,piR-932的表达明显增高,而Latexin的表达显著下降,并且Latexin启动子区域CpG岛发生了明显的甲基化。结论piR-932可能通过促进Latexin的甲基化而正渊节肺癌干细胞的EMT过程,它可作为肺癌治疗的一个潜在靶点。     

Association between the TP53 polymorphisms and lung cancer risk: a meta-analysis

The previous published data on the association between TP53 codon 72, intron 6, and intron 3 16 bp polymorphisms and lung cancer risk remained controversial. This meta-analysis of literatures was performed to derive a more precise estimation of the relationship. 38 publications with 51 studies were selected for this meta-analysis, including 17,337 cases and 16,127 controls for TP53 codon 72 (from 43 studies), 2,201 cases and 2,399 controls for TP53 intron 6 (from four studies), and 4,322 cases and 4,558 controls for TP53 intron 3 16 bp (from four studies). When all the eligible studies were pooled into the meta-analysis of codon 72 polymorphism, there was significant association between lung cancer risk and codon 72 polymorphism in any genetic model (dominant model: OR = 1.13, 95 % CI 1.05–1.21; recessive model: OR = 1.14, 95 % CI 1.02–1.27; additive model: OR = 1.19, 95 % CI 1.05–1.33). In the subgroup analysis by ethnicity, histological type, source of control, and smoking status, significantly increased risks were observed in subgroups such as Asians, Caucasians, lung squamous cell carcinoma patients for Asians, population-based study, hospital-based study, non-smokers, and smokers. When all the eligible studies were pooled into the meta-analysis of intron 6 polymorphism, there was significant association between lung cancer risk and intron 6 polymorphism in dominant model (OR = 1.27, 95 % CI 1.11–1.44). When all the eligible studies were pooled into the meta-analysis of intron 3 16 bp polymorphism, there was significant association between lung cancer risk and intron 3 16 bp polymorphism in dominant model (OR = 1.12, 95 % CI 1.02–1.23) and additive model (OR = 1.41, 95 % CI 1.04–1.90). Additionally, when one study was deleted in the sensitive analysis, the results of TP53 intron 3 16 bp duplication polymorphism were changed in the dominant model (OR = 1.11, 95 % CI 0.87–1.42) and additive model (OR = 1.01, 95 % CI 0.65–1.56). In summary, this meta-analysis indicates that codon 72 and intron 6 polymorphisms show an increased lung cancer risk. A study with the larger sample size is needed to further evaluated gene-environment interaction on TP53 codon 72, intron 6, and intron 3 16 bp polymorphisms and lung cancer risk.     

Molecular mechanisms by which selenoproteins affect cancer risk and progression

Selenoproteins comprise a unique class of proteins that contain selenium in the form of selenocysteine. Several selenoproteins have been implicated in the risk or development of cancers in humans by genetic data. These include Selenoprotein P, 3 members of the glutathione peroxidase family of anti-oxidant enzymes and Sep15. At-risk alleles in the germline indicate a likely role in determining susceptibility to cancer, while loss of heterozygosity or chromosomal epigenetic silencing indicate that the reduction in the levels of the corresponding proteins contribute to malignant progression. Lower levels of these proteins are likely to be detrimental due to the resulting cellular stress and perturbations in important regulatory signaling pathways. The genetic data indicating the involvement of these selenoproteins in cancer etiology are discussed, as are the possible mechanisms by which these genes might promote carcinogenesis.