Genetic variants of DNA repair genes predict the survival of patients with esophageal squamous cell cancer receiving platinum-based adjuvant chemotherapy

Homologous recombination deficiency score is an independent prognostic factor in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma

Homologous recombination deficiency (HRD) represents an impairment in the homologous recombination repair (HRR) pathway, crucial for repairing DNA double-strand breaks and contributing to genomic instability in cancer. The HRD score may be a more reliable biomarker than HRR-related gene mutations for identifying patients sensitive to poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase inhibitors. Despite its relevance in various cancers, the HRD score remains underexplored in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). We retrospectively analyzed HRD scores in 96 ESCC patients, examining correlations with clinical characteristics and survival outcomes, and validated our findings using the TCGA dataset. Genomic sequencing utilized a custom superHRD next-generation sequencing panel, and HRD scores were calculated from 54,000 single-nucleotide polymorphisms using Kruskal-Wallis rank-sum tests and two cut-off points for analysis. Higher HRD scores correlated with advanced tumor stages, recurrence, and mutations in TP53 and ABCB1, while APC mutations were linked to lower HRD scores. Patients with high HRD scores had significantly shorter disease-free survival (p = 0.013) and a trend toward shorter overall survival (OS) (p = 0.005), particularly those not receiving adjuvant therapy. Conversely, HRD-high patients undergoing adjuvant therapy showed a trend toward longer OS (p = 0.015). Multivariate analysis identified HRD as an independent prognostic factor (hazard ratio = 2.814 for recurrence, p = 0.015). Validation with the TCGA dataset supported these findings. This study highlights the associations between HRD scores, clinical characteristics, and genomic mutations in ESCC, suggesting HRD as a potential prognostic biomarker. HRD assessment may aid in patient stratification and personalized treatment strategies, warranting further investigation to validate the therapeutic implications of HRD scores in ESCC.

Gene polymorphism and prediction of toxicity to platinum-based chemotherapy in patients with gynecologic cancer

The relationship between single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) at various loci and adverse drug reactions (ADRs) in patients with gynecologic cancer receiving platinum-based chemotherapy (PPCT) remains unexplored. This research aimed to investigate the correlation between SNPs at several loci (e.g., GSTP1 rs1695, MTHFR rs1801133, XPC rs2228001, TP53 rs1042522, and ERCC1 rs3212986) and ADRs in patients with gynecologic cancer receiving PPCT. A total of 244 patients with gynecologic cancer who received first-line PPCT were included in this retrospective study. Blood fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction was used to detect genotypes. Logistic regression, Pearson's Chi-square test, and Fisher's exact test were used to explore the correlations between these SNPs and the occurrence of ADRs. The logistic regression results showed that different genotypes of the five genes had no statistical significance in the overall grade greater than or equal to 3 ADRs. The results of Pearson's Chi-square test showed the same results. On specific adverse reactions, we found that the rs1042522 GG genotype significantly increased the risk of grade greater than or equal to 3 leucopenia compared with the CG and the CC genotypes (p = 0.002). The rs1695 AG genotype showed higher correlation for grade greater than or equal to 3 neutropenia (p = 0.020). The rs2228001 CC genotype also had a higher risk for grade greater than or equal to 3 neutropenia (p = 0.003). This study found that whereas the overall grade greater than or equal to 3 adverse reactions in patients with gynecologic cancer receiving PPCT were not associated with SNPs, specific SNPs (rs1042522 GG, rs1695 AG, and rs2228001 CC) were linked to higher risks of leucopenia and neutropenia, indicating their potential as predictors of hematotoxicity in PPCT-treated patients with gynecologic cancer.

The Association of Single-Nucleotide Polymorphism rs13181 in ERCC2 with Risk and Prognosis of Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma in an Endemic Chinese Population

Objective

We examined whether the single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) rs13181 in the gene encoding excision repair cross complementation group 2 (ERCC2) is associated with the risk and prognosis of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC).

Methods

SNPs at rs13181 were genotyped in 439 NPC patients (NPC group) and 431 age- and gender-matched cancer-free controls (control group) from a region of China where NPC is endemic, and frequencies of GG, GT and TT genotypes were compared between the two groups in the case–control study. In a subset of 365 NPC cases, SNPs were examined for potential correlation with tumor-free survival time (TFS) and overall survival (OS).

Results

Relative to NPC risk with a TT genotype, NPC risk was similar with GT + GG genotypes (OR 1.052, 95% CI 0.656–1.688), after adjusting for gender, age, smoking history, and immunoglobin A against Epstein-Barr virus capsid antigen (EBV-VCA-IgA) status. Univariate analysis showed that the GG or GT genotype was associated with significantly worse TFS (p<0.001) and OS (p=0.010) than the TT genotype. Prognosis was significantly worse for men than for women (TFS, p=0.045; OS, p=0.031), for T3–T4 classification than for T1–T2 (TFS, p=0.009; OS, p=0.007), for N3 than for N0+N1+N2 (TFS, p<0.001; OS, p<0.001). Based on multivariate analysis, independent risk factors for poor TFS were GG or GT genotype (HR 2.629, 95% CI 1.625–4.254, p<0.001), T3–T4 classification (HR 2.146, 95% CI 1.244–3.701, p=0.006) and N3 (HR 2.527, 95% CI 1.574–4.059, p<0.001). GG or GT genotype (HR 2.217, 95% CI 1.283–3.832, p=0.004), gender (HR 1.989, 95% CI 1.046–3.785, p=0.036), T3–T4 (HR 2.431, 95% CI 1.306–4.526, p=0.005) and N3 (HR 2.693, 95% CI 1.637–4.432, p<0.001) were independent risk factors for poor OS.

Conclusion

The rs13181 SNP in ERCC2 does not appear to be associated with NPC risk, but it may serve as an independent prognostic factor for NPC recurrence and death.

Liver Cirrhosis in Chronic Hepatitis B Patients Is Associated with Genetic Variations in DNA Repair Pathway Genes

Simple Summary

As DNA repair enzymes affect dynamics of liver damage and are involved in HBV viral replication, this study focused on the role of genetic variations within genes representing key DNA-repair pathways in HBV-induced liver cirrhosis. The obtained results have demonstrated that SNPs within XRCC1, ERCC2 genes may confer susceptibility to liver cirrhosis in chronic hepatitis B patients.

Abstract

Liver cirrhosis (LC), contributing to more than 1 million of deaths annually, is a major healthcare concern worldwide. Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is a major LC etiological factor, and 15% of patients with chronic HBV infection (CHB) develop LC within 5 years. Recently, novel host genetic determinants were shown to influence HBV lifecycle and CHB course. DNA repair enzymes can affect dynamics of liver damage and are involved in HBV covalently closed circular DNA (cccDNA) formation, an essential step for viral replication. This study aimed to evaluate the possible role of genes representing key DNA-repair pathways in HBV-induced liver damage. MALDI-TOF MS genotyping platform was applied to evaluate variations within XRCC1, XRCC4, ERCC2, ERCC5, RAD52, Mre11, and NBN genes. Apart from older age (p < 0.001), female sex (p = 0.021), portal hypertension (p < 0.001), thrombocytopenia (p < 0.001), high HBV DNA (p = 0.001), and high aspartate aminotransferase (AST) (p < 0.001), we found that G allele at rs238406 (ERCC2, p = 0.025), T allele at rs25487 (XRCC1, p = 0.012), rs13181 GG genotype (ERCC2, p = 0.034), and C allele at rs2735383 (NBN, p = 0.042) were also LC risk factors. The multivariate logistic regression model showed that rs25487 CC (p = 0.005) and rs238406 TT (p = 0.027) were independently associated with lower risk of LC. This study provides evidence for the impact of functional and potentially functional variations in key DNA-repair genes XRCC1 and ERCC2 in HBV-induced liver damage in a Caucasian population.

Polymorphisms in ERCC5 rs17655 and ERCC1 rs735482 Genes Associated with the Survival of Male Patients with Postoperative Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma Treated with Adjuvant Concurrent Chemoradiotherapy

The nucleotide excision repair (NER) pathway plays a major role in the repair of DNA damaged by exogenous agents, such as chemotherapeutic and radiotherapeutic agents. Thus, we investigated the association between key potentially functional single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the NER pathway and clinical outcomes in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) patients treated with concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT). Thirteen SNPs in five key NER genes were genotyped in 319 male OSCC patients using iPLEX MassARRAY. Cox proportional hazards models and Kaplan–Meier survival curves were used to estimate the risk of death or recurrence. Carriers of the XPC rs2228000 TT genotype showed a borderline significant increased risk of poor overall survival under the recessive model (hazard ratio (HR) = 1.81, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.99–3.29). The CC genotypes of ERCC5 rs17655 (HR = 1.54, 95% CI = 1.03–2.29) and ERCC1 rs735482 (HR = 1.65, 95% CI = 1.06–2.58) were associated with an increased risk of worse disease-free survival under the recessive model. In addition, participants carrying both the CC genotypes of ERCC5 rs17655 and ERCC1 rs735482 exhibited an enhanced susceptibility for recurrence (HR = 2.60, 95% CI = 1.11–6.09). However, no statistically significant interaction was observed between them. Our findings reveal that the ERCC5 rs17655 CC and ERCC1 rs735482 CC genotypes were associated with an increased risk of recurrence in male patients with OSCC treated with CCRT. Therefore, CCRT may not be beneficial, and alternative treatments are required for such patients.

Exploratory Study of Associations Between DNA Repair and Oxidative Stress Gene Polymorphisms and Cognitive Problems Reported by Postmenopausal Women With and Without Breast Cancer

PURPOSE

Women with breast cancer report varying frequencies of cognitive problems during adjuvant systemic therapy. This variability suggests latent subgroups. Therefore, we identified latent subgroups of self-reported cognitive problems among postmenopausal women with and without breast cancer. We explored associations between membership in these subgroups and (a) demographic, clinical, and symptom characteristics and (b) variations in candidate gene polymorphisms.

METHODS

We evaluated frequency of cognitive problems using the Patient Assessment of Own Functioning Inventory. Growth mixture modeling identified latent subgroups over 18 months of adjuvant systemic therapy and at matched time points for women without cancer ( N = 331). We evaluated for differences among subgroups in demographic, clinical, and symptom characteristics and in 41 single nucleotide polymorphisms in 10 candidate genes involved in DNA repair and oxidative stress pathways ( n = 199). We modeled associations between genotypes and subgroup membership using multinomial logistic regression.

RESULTS

We identified three latent subgroups: more frequent, persistent, and almost never. Receipt of chemotherapy plus anastrozole, depressive symptoms, and baseline neuropathic symptoms increased the odds of belonging to the more frequent subgroup. Anxiety and depressive symptoms increased the odds of belonging to the persistent subgroup. With covariates controlled for, carrying the ERCC5 rs873601 G minor allele increased the odds of reporting more frequent cognitive problems.

CONCLUSIONS

Chemotherapy plus anastrozole, depressive symptoms, and presence of neuropathic symptoms may predict more frequent cognitive problems during systemic therapy that later resolve. Mood dysregulation before therapy may predict persistent cognitive problems during therapy. ERCC5 genotype may influence frequency of cognitive problems after controlling for these risk factors.

XPG rs873601 G>A contributes to uterine leiomyoma susceptibility in a Southern Chinese population

XPG gene contributes to DNA repair defects and genomic instability, which may lead to the initiation of uterine leiomyoma. We hypothesized that genetic variants of XPG gene may alter the carriers' susceptibility to leiomyoma. The association between five potential functional single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), i.e. rs2094258 C>T, rs751402 C>T, rs2296147 T>C, rs1047768 T>C, rs873601 G>A, and uterine leiomyoma risk in Chinese, was investigated in this case-control study, which included 398 incident leiomyoma cases and 733 controls. We found that rs873601 was significantly associated with tumor risk in a recessive genetic model after being adjusting for age and menopause. When compared with rs873601 GG/GA genotypes, the AA genotype had an increased leiomyoma risk (adjusted OR = 1.59, 95% CI = 1.16-2.18, P=0.004; Bonferroni adjusted P=0.040). Furthermore, stratified analysis revealed that the association between the rs873601 AA genotype and leiomyoma risk was more evident among subjects younger than 40 years old (adjusted OR = 1.58, 95% CI = 1.06-2.35, P=0.023) and patients who had more than three myomas (adjusted OR = 2.05, 95% CI = 1.24-3.41, P=0.006). Yet, no significant association between the other four polymorphisms and leiomyoma risk was observed. To sum up, the present study reported on the association between XPG gene polymorphisms and myoma risk. The observed data indicated that SNP rs873601 G>A contributes to uterine leiomyoma susceptibility in a Southern Chinese population.

Genetic variants in nucleotide excision repair pathway predict survival of esophageal squamous cell cancer patients receiving platinum-based chemotherapy

The benefits of platinum-based chemotherapy (PBC) on survival of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) patients are inexplicit due to the varied therapeutic effects. Nucleotide excision repair (NER) pathway plays a vital role in removing platinum-DNA adducts in tumor cells and hence may modulate the therapeutic effect and survival outcome. The present study assessed the associations of 26 potentially functional regulatory single nucleotide polymorphisms (rSNPs) in nine core NER genes with disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS) in 339 ESCC patients. We found that ERCC2 rs2097215 T and rs3916788 A, ERCC5 rs3759497 A and XPC rs3731054 C alleles were associated with unfavorable DFS. Patients carrying high-risk allele group (HRG, 5-8 risk alleles) had a significantly shorter DFS, compared with those carrying low-risk alleles (LRG, 0-4 risk alleles) [adjusted hazards ratio (HR_adj ) = 1.64, 95%CI = 1.23-2.19, P_adj < 0.001]. Three of these SNPs (ie, ERCC2 rs2097215 T and rs3916788 A and ERCC5 rs3759497 A) were also significantly associated with a poorer OS (HRG vs LRG: HR_adj  = 1.75, 95%CI = 1.23-2.47, P_adj  = 0.002). The expression quantitative trait loci (eQTL) analysis revealed significant genotype-expression correlations for ERCC5 rs3759497 and ERCC2 2097215 and rs3916788, which suggest regulatory roles of these SNPs. It appears that these NER variants may independently or jointly exert an impact on survival outcome of Chinese ESCC patients undergoing adjuvant platinum-based therapy. Large studies are warranted to validate these findings.

Association between common polymorphisms in ERCC gene and prognosis of osteosarcoma in patients treated with chemotherapy: a meta-analysis

Purpose

Some previous studies have sought to investigate the roles of excision repair cross complementation group 1 (ERCC1), ERCC2, ERCC4, and ERCC5 gene polymorphisms in the prognosis of osteosarcoma patients. However, their results were inconclusive. Here, we performed a meta-analysis to determine the strength of the association between eight polymorphisms in the ERCC genes (rs11615, rs3212986, rs2298881, rs13181, rs1799793, rs1800067, rs2296147, and rs1047768) and prognosis of osteosarcoma patients treated with chemotherapy.

Materials and methods

We retrieved the relevant studies from PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science in human osteosarcoma published prior to July 2017. Primary outcomes included overall survival (OS) and event-free survival, expressed by hazard ratios (HRs) with their corresponding 95% CIs. STATA software (version 12.0) was utilized to perform data synthesis.

Results

A total of 13 eligible follow-up studies involving 2,303 patients met all the inclusion criteria, conducted in two populations of ethnic descent: 11 Asians and two Caucasians. In the present meta-analysis, we demonstrated that the homozygous variant genotypes in ERCC2 rs1799793 and ERCC5 rs2296147 were significantly associated with OS in osteosarcoma (TT vs GG for rs1799793: HR = 0.62, 95% CI = 0.41-0.93, P_{heterogeneity} = 0.310, I² = 15.3%, P = 0.020; TT vs CC for rs2296147: HR = 0.42, 95% CI = 0.23-0.78, P_{heterogeneity} = 0.708, I² = 0.0%, P = 0.006). In addition, no evidence of association was observed between prognosis in osteosarcoma and ERCC1 rs11615, ERCC1 rs3212986, ERCC1 rs2298881, ERCC2 rs13181, ERCC4 rs1800067, and ERCC5 rs1047768 polymorphisms.

Conclusion

Our meta-analysis indicated that TT genotype in the ERCC2 rs1799793 and ERCC5 rs2296147 might prolong the survival time of patients with osteosarcoma, suggesting that the rs1799793 and rs2296147 polymorphisms can be used as predictors for prognosis of osteosarcoma patients treated with chemotherapy.

ERCC1-C19007T基因多态性与中晚期食管癌铂类药物化疗敏感性的Meta分析

目的

定量分析中晚期食管癌患者切除修复交叉互补基因1(excision repair cross comple-menting 1, ERCC1)C-19007T基因多态性与铂类药物化疗敏感性的关系.

方法

计算机检索PubMed、EMBASE、Cochrane Library, 中文科技期刊数据库、中国生物医学文献数据库、中国期刊全文数据库和万方数据库, 收集有关中晚期食管癌患者ERCC1-C19007T基因多态性与基于铂类药物方案化疗敏感性的相关研究, 以临床化疗有效率(完全缓解＋部分缓解)作为化疗敏感评价指标, 采用Reviewm5.2及Stata12.1软件进行统计学分析, 计算合并比值比(odd ratio, OR)及95%可信区间(confidence interval, CI).

结果

本研究共纳入8篇文献. Meta分析结果显示, 各基因型之间(CT vs CC: OR = 3.31, 95%CI: 1.94-5.64); (CT vs TT: OR = 5.48, 95%CI: 3.21-9.35); (CT vs CC+TT: OR = 4.06, 95%CI: 2.66-6.18); 差异有统计学意义, 表明ERCC1-C19007T基因多态性与中晚期食管癌对铂类化疗药物敏感性的差异有统计学意义.

结论

ERCC1-C19007T基因多态性可能与食管癌铂类药物化疗耐药相关.