CCR5 Delta32 polymorphism: associated with gallbladder cancer susceptibility

Environmental and Lifestyle Risk Factors in the Carcinogenesis of Gallbladder Cancer

Gallbladder cancer (GBC) is an aggressive neoplasm that in an early stage is generally asymptomatic and, in most cases, is diagnosed in advanced stages with a very low life expectancy because there is no curative treatment. Therefore, understanding the early carcinogenic mechanisms of this pathology is crucial to proposing preventive strategies for this cancer. The main risk factor is the presence of gallstones, which are associated with some environmental factors such as a sedentary lifestyle and a high-fat diet. Other risk factors such as autoimmune disorders and bacterial, parasitic and fungal infections have also been described. All these factors can generate a long-term inflammatory state characterized by the persistent activation of the immune system, the frequent release of pro-inflammatory cytokines, and the constant production of reactive oxygen species that result in a chronic damage/repair cycle, subsequently inducing the loss of the normal architecture of the gallbladder mucosa that leads to the development of GBC. This review addresses how the different risk factors could promote a chronic inflammatory state essential to the development of gallbladder carcinogenesis, which will make it possible to define some strategies such as anti-inflammatory drugs or public health proposals in the prevention of GBC.

Association of CCR5Δ32 Deletion and Human Cytomegalovirus Infection With Colorectal Cancer in Tunisia

Background and objectives: Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) and genetic polymorphisms of the chemokine receptor 5 have been suggested as factors associated with the progression of colorectal cancer (CRC). The aim of the study was to evaluate the associations of both CCR5Δ32 genetic deletion and/or HCMV virus infection with CRC in Tunisia.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The association between HCMV and CRC was validated by Nested PCR technology performed for HCMV and HCMV-specific serum IgG and IgM antibodies were investigated by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Experiments were carried out on 40 tumor and 35 peri-tumor tissues, 100 blood from CRC patients and on 140 blood samples from healthy subjects and finaly serum samples of 80 patients with CRC and 100 healthy individuals. A conventional PCR has been optimized for the detection of CCR5Δ32 in100 CRC patients and 100 healthy subjects.

RESULTS

Our results show that HCMV is significantly active in 93% of patients compared to 60% in controls (p < 0.0001, OR = 8.85, 95% CI: 3.82 -20.50). Compared to the healthy controls, the titers of IgG and IgM antiCMV antibodies in CRC patients were significantly higher than in healthy subjects (p value < 0,0001 for IgG and IgM). Statistical analysis revealed a lack of association between CCR5Δ32 mutation and colorectal cancer (p = 0.788, OR = 1.265, 95% CI: 0.228-7.011).

CONCLUSION

our data confirmed that the HCMV infection was related to the development of CRC and that CRC cells may be infected more favorably by HCMV. Given the importance of the CCR5 in inflammation and therefore CRC progression, further studies still needed to evaluate CCR5 role as a potential candidate gene for CRC susceptibility under other polymorphisms.

Chemokines in the Landscape of Cancer Immunotherapy: How They and Their Receptors Can Be Used to Turn Cold Tumors into Hot Ones?

Over the last decade, monoclonal antibodies to immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI), also known as immune checkpoint blockers (ICB), have been the most successful approach for cancer therapy. Starting with mAb to cytotoxic T lymphocyte antigen 4 (CTLA-4) inhibitors in metastatic melanoma and continuing with blockers of the interactions between program cell death 1 (PD-1) and its ligand program cell death ligand 1 (PDL-1) or program cell death ligand 2 (PDL-2), that have been approved for about 20 different indications. Yet for many cancers, ICI shows limited success. Several lines of evidence imply that the limited success in cancer immunotherapy is associated with attempts to treat patients with "cold tumors" that either lack effector T cells, or in which these cells are markedly suppressed by regulatory T cells (Tregs). Chemokines are a well-defined group of proteins that were so named due to their chemotactic properties. The current review focuses on key chemokines that not only attract leukocytes but also shape their biological properties. CXCR3 is a chemokine receptor with 3 ligands. We suggest using Ig-based fusion proteins of two of them: CXL9 and CXCL10, to enhance anti-tumor immunity and perhaps transform cold tumors into hot tumors. Potential differences between CXCL9 and CXCL10 regarding ICI are discussed. We also discuss the possibility of targeting the function or deleting a key subset of Tregs that are CCR8+ by monoclonal antibodies to CCR8. These cells are preferentially abundant in several tumors and are likely to be the key drivers in suppressing anti-cancer immune reactivity.

Metabolomics as an Approach to Characterise the Contrasting Roles of CCR5 in the Presence and Absence of Disease

Chemokine receptors such as C-C chemokine receptor 5 (CCR5) are activated through interaction with their ligands and are well known for their role in chemotaxis and signal transduction. While serving these roles, cellular responses are effected, hence the immune function of these molecules is established. Given the role of CCR5 in immune function and that the immune and metabolic systems are interlinked, subsequent immune-directed changes should be measurable at a metabolic level. Numerous investigations have reported on metabolic changes associated with CCR5 status in the presence of disease, so as to understand whether specific CCR5 genotypes, frequency and/or levels offer protection to the host or not. However, these metabolic changes were recorded using older conventional techniques. Depending on certain factors such as the disease model, the geography of the samples and/or the ethnic group under study, the role of CCR5 in disease differs. In addition, little is known about CCR5’s role in the absence of an enhanced inflammatory state, such as when infection persists. Metabolomics is defined as the study of metabolites and informs on metabolic changes within living organisms as induced by various stimuli, such as the interaction of CCR5 with its ligand. Since metabolomics reflects the underlying biochemical activity and state of cells/tissues, this review proposes it as a tool to clarify the contrasting roles of CCR5.

Clinical significance and prospective molecular mechanism of C‑C motif chemokine receptors in patients with early‑stage pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma after pancreaticoduodenectomy

The present study aimed to determine the clinical significance and potential molecular mechanisms of C‑C motif chemokine receptor (CCR) genes in patients with early‑stage pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). The transcriptomic, survival and clinical data of 112 patients with early‑stage PDAC who underwent pancreaticoduodenectomy were obtained from The Cancer Genome Atlas. The prognostic values of the CCR genes involved in early‑stage PDAC were evaluated using Kaplan‑Meier analysis and the multivariate Cox proportional risk regression model, and the potential molecular mechanisms were determined using bioinformatics tools. The identified CCRs closely interacted with each other at both the gene and protein levels. High expression levels of CCR5 [adjusted P=0.012; adjusted hazard ration (HR)=0.478, 95% confidence interval (CI)=0.269‑0.852], CCR6 (adjusted P=0.026; adjusted HR=0.527, 95% CI=0.299‑0.927) and CCR9 (adjusted P=0.001; adjusted HR=0.374, 95% CI=0.209‑0.670) were significantly associated with longer overall survival times in patients with early‑stage PDAC. The contribution of CCR5, CCR6 and CCR9 to the outcome of early‑stage PDAC was also demonstrated. Combined survival analysis of CCR5, CCR6 and CCR9 suggested that patients with high expression levels of these CCRs exhibited the most favorable outcomes. A prognostic signature was constructed in terms of the expression level of CC5, CCR6 and CCR9, and time‑dependent receiver operating characteristic curves indicated that this signature was able to effectively predict the outcome of patients with early‑stage PDAC. The potential molecular mechanisms of CCR5, CC6 and CCR9 in PDAC include its intersection of the P53, nuclear factor (NF)‑κB, generic transcription, mitogen‑activated protein kinase and STAT signaling pathways. Collectively, this highlights that CCR5, CCR6 and CCR9 are potential prognostic biomarkers for early‑stage PDAC.

Genetic landscape of gallbladder cancer: Global overview

Gallbladder cancer (GBC) is a rare malignancy of biliary tract cancer (BTC), characterized by late presentation and poor prognosis. It exhibits wide geographical as well as ethnical variations. So, diverse epidemiology along with etiological factors have been discussed in the current article. Present review unravels the germ line polymorphisms contributing to GBC susceptibility through candidate gene approach and GWAS. GBC is enriched with multiple mutations consisting of both passenger and driver mutations. The identification of the hotspot driver mutations which are involved in the etiopathogenesis of this cancer is necessary, before targeted therapies could be implemented clinically. Thus, this review sheds lights on both traditional low throughput methods along with high throughput NGS used to determine somatic mutations in cancer. With the advent of GWAS and high throughput sequencing methods, it is possible to comprehend the mutational landscape of this enigmatic disease. This article is the first one to provide insights into the genetic heterogeneity of GBC along with somatic mutational data from Catalogue of Somatic Mutations in Cancer (COSMIC) database. In addition, management of tumor heterogeneity as a therapeutic challenge has been discussed. Future goals involve liquid biopsy based research for better clinical management of the disease. Therefore, research efforts involving discovery of non- invasive markers for early stage cancer detection along with novel therapies should be directed.

Gallbladder cancer: review of a rare orphan gastrointestinal cancer with a focus on populations of New Mexico

Gallbladder cancer is a rare malignancy of the biliary tract with a poor prognosis, frequently presenting at an advanced stage. While rare in the United States overall, gallbladder cancer has an elevated incidence in geographically distinct locations of the globe including Chile, North India, Korea, Japan and the state of New Mexico in the United States. People with Native American ancestry have a much elevated incidence of gallbladder cancer compared to Hispanic and non-Hispanic white populations of New Mexico. Gallbladder cancer is also one of the few bi-gendered cancers with an elevated female incidence compared to men. Similar to other gastrointestinal cancers, gallbladder cancer etiology is likely multi-factorial involving a combination of genomic, immunological, and environmental factors. Understanding the interplay of these unique epidemiological factors is crucial in improving the prevention, early detection, and treatment of this lethal disease. Previous studies have failed to identify a distinct genomic mutational profile in gallbladder cancers, however, work to identify promising clinically actionable targets is this form of cancer is ongoing. Examples include, interest in the HER2/Neu signaling pathway and the recognition that chronic inflammation plays a crucial role in gallbladder cancer pathogenesis. In this review, we provide a comprehensive overview of gallbladder cancer epidemiology, risk factors, pathogenesis, and treatment with a specific focus on the rural and Native American populations of New Mexico. We conclude this review by discussing future research directions with the goal of improving clinical outcomes for patients of this lethal malignancy.

Gallbladder cancer epidemiology, pathogenesis and molecular genetics: Recent update

Gallbladder cancer is a malignancy of biliary tract which is infrequent in developed countries but common in some specific geographical regions of developing countries. Late diagnosis and deprived prognosis are major problems for treatment of gallbladder carcinoma. The dramatic associations of this orphan cancer with various genetic and environmental factors are responsible for its poorly defined pathogenesis. An understanding to the relationship between epidemiology, molecular genetics and pathogenesis of gallbladder cancer can add new insights to its undetermined pathophysiology. Present review article provides a recent update regarding epidemiology, pathogenesis, and molecular genetics of gallbladder cancer. We systematically reviewed published literature on gallbladder cancer from online search engine PubMed (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed). Various keywords used for retrieval of articles were Gallbladder, cancer Epidemiology, molecular genetics and bullion operators like AND, OR, NOT. Cross references were manually searched from various online search engines (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed,https://scholar.google.co.in/, http://www.medline.com/home.jsp). Most of the articles published from 1982 to 2015 in peer reviewed journals have been included in this review.

A genome-wide CRISPR screen identifies a restricted set of HIV host dependency factors

Host proteins are essential for HIV entry and replication and can be important nonviral therapeutic targets. Large-scale RNA interference (RNAi)-based screens have identified nearly a thousand candidate host factors, but there is little agreement among studies and few factors have been validated. Here we demonstrate that a genome-wide CRISPR-based screen identifies host factors in a physiologically relevant cell system. We identify five factors, including the HIV co-receptors CD4 and CCR5, that are required for HIV infection yet are dispensable for cellular proliferation and viability. Tyrosylprotein sulfotransferase 2 (TPST2) and solute carrier family 35 member B2 (SLC35B2) function in a common pathway to sulfate CCR5 on extracellular tyrosine residues, facilitating CCR5 recognition by the HIV envelope. Activated leukocyte cell adhesion molecule (ALCAM) mediates cell aggregation, which is required for cell-to-cell HIV transmission. We validated these pathways in primary human CD4⁺ T cells through Cas9-mediated knockout and antibody blockade. Our findings indicate that HIV infection and replication rely on a limited set of host-dispensable genes and suggest that these pathways can be studied for therapeutic intervention.

Chemokine Receptor Signaling and the Hallmarks of Cancer

The chemokines are a family of chemotactic cytokines that mediate their activity by acting on seven-transmembrane-spanning G protein-coupled receptors. Both the ability of the chemokines and their receptors to form homo- and heterodimers and the promiscuity of the chemokine-chemokine receptor interaction endow this protein family with enormous signaling plasticity and complexity that are not fully understood at present. Chemokines were initially identified as essential regulators of homeostatic and inflammatory trafficking of innate and adaptive leucocytes from lymphoid organs to tissues. Chemokines also mediate the host response to cancer. Nevertheless, chemokine function in this response is not limited to regulating leucocyte infiltration into the tumor microenvironment. It is now known that chemokines and their receptors influence most-if not all-hallmark processes of cancer; they act on both neoplastic and untransformed cells in the tumor microenvironment, including fibroblasts, endothelial cells (blood and lymphatic), bone marrow-derived stem cells, and, obviously, infiltrating leucocytes. This review begins with an overview of chemokine and chemokine receptor structure, to better define how chemokines affect the proliferation, survival, stemness, and metastatic potential of neoplastic cells. We also examine the main mechanisms by which chemokines regulate tumor angiogenesis and immune cell infiltration, emphasizing the pro- and antitumorigenic activity of this protein superfamily in these interrelated processes.

Chemokine and Chemokine Receptor Polymorphisms in Bipolar Disorder

OBJECTIVE

Bipolar disorder (BD) is a debilitating psychiatric disease with unknown etiology. Recent studies have shown inflammation as a potential contributing factor of BD pathogenesis. However, potential associations between chemokine and chemokine receptor polymorphisms and BD have been fundamentally understudied. To identify participation of chemokines in BD pathogenesis, we examined genetic variants of several chemokine and chemokine receptor genes.

METHODS

The study population comprised 200 patients with BD and 195 age- and sex-matched healthy controls. Genotyping of monocyte chemotactic protein 1 (MCP-1) A2518G, CCR2 V64I, CCR5 Δ32, CCR5 A55029G, stromal cell-derived factor 1 (SDF-1) 3'A, and CXCR4 C138T polymorphisms was performed using polymerase chain reaction and restriction enzyme digestion.

RESULTS

We found that CCR5-Δ32 II and CXCR4-C138T C+ genotype frequencies contributed to an increased risk for BD. However, no statistical significance could be obtained with these genotypes after Bonferroni correction. A significant asssociation was only found with MCP-1 GG and G+ genotypes, which were markedly more prevalent in patients with BD and these genotypes seemed to significantly increase the risk for BD even after Bonferroni correction.

CONCLUSION

Our findings indicate an association between genetic variants of certain chemokine and chemokine receptor (especially MCP-1) genes and BD. The exact mechanisms by which these variants contribute to BD pathogenesis and their clinical implications need to be further investigated.

Cytokine Regulation of Metastasis and Tumorigenicity

The human body combats infection and promotes wound healing through the remarkable process of inflammation. Inflammation is characterized by the recruitment of stromal cell activity including recruitment of immune cells and induction of angiogenesis. These cellular processes are regulated by a class of soluble molecules called cytokines. Based on function, cell target, and structure, cytokines are subdivided into several classes including: interleukins, chemokines, and lymphokines. While cytokines regulate normal physiological processes, chronic deregulation of cytokine expression and activity contributes to cancer in many ways. Gene polymorphisms of all types of cytokines are associated with risk of disease development. Deregulation RNA and protein expression of interleukins, chemokines, and lymphokines have been detected in many solid tumors and hematopoetic malignancies, correlating with poor patient prognosis. The current body of literature suggests that in some tumor types, interleukins and chemokines work against the human body by signaling to cancer cells and remodeling the local microenvironment to support the growth, survival, and invasion of primary tumors and enhance metastatic colonization. Some lymphokines are downregulated to suppress tumor progression by enhancing cytotoxic T cell activity and inhibiting tumor cell survival. In this review, we will describe the structure/function of several cytokine families and review our current understanding on the roles and mechanisms of cytokines in tumor progression. In addition, we will also discuss strategies for exploiting the expression and activity of cytokines in therapeutic intervention.

Chemokine gene variants in schizophrenia

Background Chemokines are known to play a major role in driving inflammation and immune responses in several neuroinflammatory diseases, including multiple sclerosis, Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease. Inflammation has also been implicated in the pathogenesis of schizophrenia. Aim We aimed to investigate a potential link between chemokines and schizophrenia and analyze the role of MCP-1-A2518G, SDF-1-3'A, CCR5-delta32, CCR5-A55029G, CXCR4-C138T and CCR2-V64I gene polymorphisms in the Turkish population. Methods Genotyping was conducted by PCR-RFLP based on 140 patients and 123 unrelated healthy controls to show the relation between chemokine gene variants and schizophrenia risk. Results Frequencies of CCR5-A55029G A genotypes and CCR5-A55029G AG genotypes were found higher in patients than the controls and even also CCR2-V64I WT: CCR5-A55029G A and CCR2-V64I 64I: CCR5-A55029G A haplotypes significantly associated according to Bonferroni correction. However, no significant association was found for any of the other polymorphisms with the risk of schizophrenia. Conclusions Our findings suggest that CCR5-A55029G polymorphisms and CCR2-V64I WT: CCR5-A55029G A and CCR2-V64I 64I: CCR5-A55029G A haplotypes might have association with schizophrenia pathogenesis.

The inflammatory inception of gallbladder cancer

Gallbladder cancer is a lethal disease with notable geographical variations worldwide and a predilection towards women. Its main risk factor is prolonged exposure to gallstones, although bacterial infections and other inflammatory conditions are also associated. The recurrent cycles of gallbladder epithelium damage and repair enable a chronic inflammatory environment that promotes progressive morphological impairment through a metaplasia-dysplasia-carcinoma, along with cumulative genome instability. Inactivation of TP53, which is mutated in over 50% of GBC cases, seems to be the earliest and one of the most important carcinogenic pathways involved. Increased cell turnover and oxidative stress promote early alteration of TP53, cell cycle deregulation, apoptosis and replicative senescence. In this review, we will discuss evidence for the role of inflammation in gallbladder carcinogenesis obtained through epidemiological studies, genome-wide association studies, experimental carcinogenesis, morphogenetic studies and comparative studies with other inflammation-driven malignancies. The evidence strongly supports chronic, unresolved inflammation as the main carcinogenic mechanism of gallbladder cancer, regardless of the initial etiologic trigger. Given this central role of inflammation, evaluation of the potential for GBC prevention removing causes of inflammation or using anti-inflammatory drugs in high-risk populations may be warranted.

No Association between the CCR5Δ32 Polymorphism and Sporadic Esophageal Cancer in Punjab, North-West India

BACKGROUND

Chemokines and their receptors influence carcinogenesis and cysteine-cysteine chemokine receptor 5 (CCR5) directs spread of cancer to other tissues. A 32 base pair deletion in the coding region of CCR5 that might alter the expression or function of the protein has been implicated in a variety of immune-mediated diseases. The action of antiviral drugs being proposed as adjuvant therapy in cancer is dependent on CCR5 wild type status. In the present study, distribution of CCR5Δ32 polymorphism was assessed in North Indian esophageal cancer patients to explore the potential of using chemokine receptors antagonists as adjuvant therapy.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

DNA samples of 175 sporadic esophageal cancer patients (69 males and 106 females) and 175 unrelated healthy control individuals (69 males and 106 females) were screened for the CCR5Δ32 polymorphism by direct polymerase chain reaction (PCR).

RESULTS

The frequencies of wild type homozygous (CCR5/CCR5), heterozygous (CCR5/Δ32) and homozygous mutant (Δ32/Δ32) genotypes were 96.0 vs 97.72%, 4.0 vs 1.71% and 0 vs 0.57% in patients and controls respectively. There was no difference in the genotype and allele frequencies of CCR5Δ32 polymorphism in esophageal cancer patients and control group.

CONCLUSIONS

The CCR5Δ32 polymorphism is not associated with esophageal cancer in North Indians. As the majority of patients express the wild type allele, there is potential of using antiviral drug therapy as adjuvant therapy.

Association between chemokine receptor 5 delta32 polymorphism and susceptibility to cancer: a meta-analysis

OBJECTIVE

To explore whether the functional chemokine receptor 5 delta32 (CCR5-Δ32) polymorphism is associated with susceptibility to cancer.

METHODS

A meta-analysis was conducted on the association between the CCR5-Δ32 polymorphism and cancer using (i) allele contrast and (ii) the dominant model.

RESULTS

Thirteen articles, including 16 comparative studies on a total of 3087 patients and 3735 controls, were included in the meta-analysis. These studies encompassed breast cancer (n = 3), bladder cancer (n = 3), cervical cancer (n = 2), pancreatic cancer (n = 2), prostate cancer (n = 2), head and neck cancer (n = 2), lymphoma (n = 1), gallbladder cancer (n = 1), skin cancer (n = 1) and mixed cancer (n = 1). The meta-analysis revealed an association between cancer and the CCR5-Δ32 allele (OR = 1.368, 95% CI = 1.064-1.758, p = 0.014), and stratification by ethnicity showed an association between the CCR5-Δ32 allele and cancer in Indians (OR = 2.480, 95% CI = 1.247-4.932, p = 0.010). The meta-analysis also revealed an association between breast cancer and the CCR5-Δ32 allele (OR = 1.689, 95% CI = 1.012-2.821, p = 0.045). However, allele contrast and the dominant model failed to reveal an association between the CCR5-Δ32 polymorphism and bladder cancer, cervical cancer, pancreatic cancer, prostate cancer, and head and neck cancer.

CONCLUSIONS

This meta-analysis demonstrates that the CCR5-Δ32 polymorphism is associated with susceptibility to cancer in Indians and is associated with breast cancer.

CCL5-403, CCR5-59029, and Delta32 polymorphisms and cancer risk: a meta-analysis based on 20,625 subjects

Associations between CCL5-403, CCR5-59029, and Delta32 polymorphisms and cancer risk are inconclusive. To derive a more precise estimation of the association, we performed a meta-analysis by searching PubMed, EMBASE, Google scholar, and WanFang databases. A total of 20 eligible articles with 39 studies were included. Of those studies, there were 21 studies for CCR5-Delta32 polymorphism, 9 studies for CCR5-59029 polymorphism, and 9 studies for CCL5-403 polymorphism. Combined analysis revealed no associations between these polymorphisms and cancer risk. However, subgroup analysis by ethnicity suggested that CCR5-59029 polymorphism was associated with the risk of cancer among Asian populations (A vs. G: odds ratio (OR)=1.36, 95 % confidence interval (CI) 1.13-1.65, P H=0.27; AA vs. GG: OR=2.07, 95 % CI 1.37-3.12, P H=0.17; GA+AA vs. GG: OR=1.35, 95 % CI 1.03-1.77, P H=0.92; AA vs. GA+GG: OR=1.98, 95 % CI 1.01-3.88, P H=0.08), but not among Caucasian populations. CCL5-403 polymorphism was associated with the risk of cancer among African populations (A vs. G: OR=0.68, 95 % CI 0.55-0.83, P H=0.14; AA vs. GG: OR=0.51, 95 % CI 0.33-0.77, P H=0.52; AG vs. GG: OR=0.58, 95 % CI 0.42-0.80, P H=0.14; AG+AA vs. GG: OR=0.56, 95 % CI 0.41-0.75, P H=0.13), but not among Caucasian populations and Asian populations. Overall, this meta-analysis indicated that CCR5-Delta32 was not associated with the risk of cancer. CCR5-59029 polymorphism contributed to cancer risk among Asian populations, and CCL5-403 polymorphism was associated with the decreased risk of cancer among African populations.

Chronic inflammation and gallbladder cancer

Gallbladder cancer (GBC) is the most common biliary tract malignancy with an extremely poor prognosis. Epidemiological data have demonstrated that chronic inflammation resulting from infection of gallbladder or gallstones predispose individuals to GBC. Recent studies have begun to elucidate molecular mechanisms underlying the development of GBC in the setting of chronic inflammation. It is possible that persistently local inflammatory reactions may contribute to the development and progression of GBC through inducing genetic alterations, and subsequent promoting survival and proliferation of mutated sells, inhibiting apoptosis, stimulating angiogenesis and metastasis. This article reviews the current understanding of the involvement of chronic inflammation in gallbladder tumorigenesis.

Inflammatory gene variants and the risk of biliary tract cancers and stones: a population-based study in China

Background

Genetic variants in inflammation-related genes have been associated with biliary stones and biliary tract cancers in previous studies.

Methods

To follow-up on these findings, we examined 35 single nucleotide polymorphism (SNPs) in 5 genes related to inflammation (IL8, NFKBIL, RNASEL, TNF, and VEGFA) in 456 participants with incident biliary tract cancer cases (262 gallbladder, 141 extrahepatic bile duct, 53 ampulla of Vater), 982 participants with biliary stones, and 860 healthy controls in a population–based case–control study in Shanghai, China.

Results

Suggestive associations were observed for SNPs in VEGFA with biliary stones, IL8 with gallbladder and ampulla of Vater cancers, and RNASEL with ampulla of Vater cancer (false discovery rate≤0.2).

Conclusion

These findings provide additional support for the role of inflammation in biliary stones and biliary tract cancer risk and need further validation.

The role of chemokine and chemokine receptor gene variants on the susceptibility and clinicopathological characteristics of bladder cancer

The gene variants of the chemokine and chemokine receptor genes associated with inflammation may be involved in cancer initiation and progression. The aim of this study was to explore the possible association of monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) A2518G, stromal cell derived factor 1 (SDF-1) 3'A and chemokine receptors CCR2A V64I, CCR5 Δ32, CCR5 59029 and CXCR4 gene polymorphisms with the risk and clinicopathological characteristics of bladder cancer (BC) in a Turkish population. The genotyping was done by PCR and PCR-Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism (RFLP) methods in 142 histologically confirmed BC patients and 197 controls. The SDF-1 3'AA genotype conferred significantly increased susceptibility to BC. The carriers with AA genotype or at least one A allele of CCR2 had an increased risk of developing BC. CCR5 wt/Δ32 genotype and CCR5 Δ32 allele were also observed to be involved in the susceptibility to BC. Additionally, the combination of CCR2 V64I and CCR5 Δ32 (i.e., GG-wt/Δ32) was found to be associated with BC risk. With respect to the stage of BC, the AA genotype of SDF-1 and at least one T allele of CXCR4 were significantly associated with high T stage as compared to GG genotype of SDF-1 and CC genotype of CXCR4. Furthermore, BC patients with AA genotype or at least one A allele of CCR2 had an increased risk of high grade and stage tumors as compared to those with GG genotype. Our results suggest that the genetic variants of SDF-1 3'A, CCR2A V64I and CCR5 Δ32 gene polymorphisms may modify the BC risk. Furthermore, SDF-1 3'A, CCR2A V64I and CXCR4 gene polymorphisms may contribute to the muscle invasive BC in a Turkish population.

Candidate gene studies in gallbladder cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Gallbladder cancer (GBC) is the most frequent biliary tract malignancy. Wide variations in GBC incidence and familial and epidemiological data suggest involvement of a genetic component in its etiopathogenesis. A systematic review of genetic association studies in GBC was performed by applying a meta-analysis approach and systematically reviewing PubMed database using appropriate terms. Odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were appropriately derived for each gene-disease association using fixed and random effect models. Meta-regression with population size and genotyping method was also performed. Study quality was assessed using a 10-point scoring system designed from published guidelines. Following a review of 44 published manuscripts and one unpublished report, 80 candidate gene variants and 173 polymorphisms were analyzed among 1046 cases and 2310 controls. Majority of studies were of intermediate quality. Four polymorphisms with >3 separate studies were included in the meta-analysis [OGG1 (rs1052133), TP53 (rs1042522), CYP1A1 (rs1048943) and GSTM1 null polymorphism]. The meta-analysis demonstrated no significant associations of any of the above polymorphisms with GBC susceptibility except TP53 (rs1042522) polymorphism. To conclude, existing candidate gene studies in GBC susceptibility have so far been insufficient to confirm any association. Future research should focus on a more comprehensive approach utilizing potential gene-gene, gene-environment interactions and high-risk haplotypes.

CCR5 antagonists: host-targeted antiviral agents for the treatment of HIV infection, 4 years on

The chemokine coreceptor 5 (CCR5) antagonists are antiretroviral agents with an extracellular, host-targeted mechanism of action against HIV. Maraviroc, the first-in-class CCR5 antagonist, received regulatory approval in 2007, becoming the first oral antiretroviral from a new class in more than 10 years. Other compounds in this class are in various stages of clinical development. In 2005, we reviewed the limited clinical data then available on CCR5 antagonists. In this follow-up review, we revisit the field and assess the clinical and virological data that have emerged in the 4 years since, with particular reference to maraviroc for which the most comprehensive data currently exist.

Complement receptor 1 (A3650G RsaI and intron 27 HindIII) polymorphisms and risk of gallbladder cancer in north Indian population

Decreased expression due to genetic variations in complement receptor 1 (CR1) on erythrocytes might result in reduced clearance of immune complexes, conferring interindividual variation for gallbladder cancer (GBC) susceptibility. We studied role of CR1 (A(3650)G RsaI and Intron 27 HindIII) polymorphisms in gallstone disease and GBC in north Indian population. Study included 185 GBC patients, 185 gallstone patients and 200 controls. Genotyping was done by PCR-RFLP. Result showed GG genotype and G allele of CR1 A(3650)G RsaI were conferring significant risk for GBC [(P = 0.022; OR = 1.94; 95% CI = 1.1-3.4) and (P = 0.035; OR = 1.35; 95% CI = 1.0-3.8) respectively]. Also, comparison of GBC patients with gallstone patients showed increased risk for GBC in presence of GG genotype and G allele GBC (P = 0.048; OR = 1.74; 95% CI = 1.0-3.0) and (P = 0.027; OR = 1.39; 95% CI = 1.0-1.8) respectively. No association of CR1 A(3650)G RsaI polymorphism was observed when gallstone patients were compared with controls. CR1 Intron 27 HindIII polymorphism was not associated with GBC and gallstone susceptibility. Haplotype analysis showed increased risk of GBC in presence of G,L haplotype (P = 0.046; OR = 1.35: 95% CI = 1.0-1.8). Subgroup stratifications on basis of gender and gallstone status showed GG genotype of CR1 A(3650)G RsaI polymorphism imparted high risk for GBC in females (P = 0.043; OR = 1.99: 95% CI = 1.4-3.9). Also there was increased risk for GBC in presence as well as absence of gallstones (OR = 1.85 and 1.76 respectively), but it was not statistically significant. We conclude that CR1 A(3650)G RsaI polymorphism plays an important role in conferring genetic susceptibility to gallbladder cancer GBC in north Indian population.