Parathyroid hormone-related protein regulates glioma-associated oncogene transcriptional activation: lessons learned from bone development and cartilage neoplasia

Association between dietary minerals and glioma: A case-control study based on Chinese population

Background

As one of the essential nutrients for the human body, minerals participate in various physiological activities of the body and are closely related to many cancers. However, the population study on glioma is not sufficient.

Objective

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the relationship between five dietary minerals and glioma.

Methods

A total of 506 adult patients with glioma and 506 healthy controls were matched 1:1 according to age (±5 years) and sex. The food intake of the subjects in the past year was collected through the food frequency questionnaire, and the intakes of calcium, magnesium, iron, zinc, and copper in the diet were calculated. The logistic regression model was used to estimate the odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (95% CI) for dietary minerals to gliomas.

Results

After adjusting for confounders, higher intakes of calcium (OR = 0.65, 95% CI: 0.57-0.74), magnesium (OR = 0.18, 95% CI: 0.11-0.29), iron (OR = 0.04, 95% CI: 0.02-0.11), zinc (OR = 0.62, 95% CI: 0.54-0.73), and copper (OR = 0.22, 95% CI: 0.13-0.39) were associated with a significantly decreased risk of glioma. Similar results were observed in gliomas of different pathological types and pathological grades. The restriction cubic spline function suggested significant linear dose-response relationships between intakes of five minerals and the risk of glioma. When the dietary minerals exceeded a particular intake, the risk of glioma stabilized.

Conclusion

Our study suggests that higher dietary intakes of calcium, magnesium, iron, zinc, and copper are associated with a decreased risk of glioma. However, the results of this study require further exploration of potential mechanisms in the future better to elucidate the effects of mineral intake on gliomas.

Diffuse gliomas in an adolescent with multiple enchondromatosis (Ollier's disease)

Ollier's disease is characterized by the hamartomatous proliferation of cartilage cells, producing masses termed chondromas. A patient presented with Ollier's disease which was found to be associated with diffuse gliomas. Investigating this disease is crucial as there is a high risk of sarcomatous transformation of the skeletal lesions as well as an increased risk of developing extra-osseous malignancies.

Cartilage tumours and bone development: molecular pathology and possible therapeutic targets

As a group, cartilage tumours are the most common primary bone lesions. They range from benign lesions, such as enchondromas and osteochondromas, to malignant chondrosarcoma. The benign lesions result from the deregulation of the hedgehog signalling pathway, which is involved in normal bone development. These lesions can be the precursors of malignant chondrosarcomas, which are notoriously resistant to conventional chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Cytogenetic studies and mouse models are beginning to identify genes and signalling pathways that have roles in tumour progression, such as hedgehog, p53, insulin-like growth factor, cyclin-dependent kinase 4, hypoxia-inducible factor, matrix metalloproteinases, SRC and AKT, suggesting potential new therapeutic approaches.