Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms in IL-10, IL-12p40, and IL-13 Genes and Susceptibility to Glioma

Cell-based and cell-free immunotherapies for glioblastoma: current status and future directions

Glioblastoma (GBM) is among the most fatal and recurring malignant solid tumors. It arises from the GBM stem cell population. Conventional neurosurgical resection, temozolomide (TMZ)-dependent chemotherapy and radiotherapy have rendered the prognosis of patients unsatisfactory. Radiotherapy and chemotherapy can frequently induce non-specific damage to healthy brain and other tissues, which can be extremely hazardous. There is therefore a pressing need for a more effective treatment strategy for GBM to complement or replace existing treatment options. Cell-based and cell-free immunotherapies are currently being investigated to develop new treatment modalities against cancer. These treatments have the potential to be both selective and successful in minimizing off-target collateral harm in the normal brain. In this review, several aspects of cell-based and cell-free immunotherapies related to GBM will be discussed.

Gene polymorphisms of interleukin 10 (− 819 C/T and − 1082 G/A) in women with ovarian cancer

Background

Ovarian cancer (OC) is the leading cause of death associated with gynecologic cancer. IL-10 plays an important role in tumorigenesis. We investigated IL-10 gene polymorphisms in OC patients. The current case–control study screened forty-eight women with OC and forty-eight healthy women who did not have OC. The genotyping of SNPs (− 1082 G > A; rs1800896 and − 819 C > T; rs1800871) of the IL-10 gene was done by tetra primers sequence-specific primer polymerase chain reaction (SSP-PCR) technique. The plasma levels of IL-10 were measured using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).

Results

For IL-10 (− 1082 G/A) polymorphism, the G (wild allele) was significantly associated with increasing the risk of OC (OR = 2.054 with CI = 1.154–3.657; P < 0.05), while the A (variant allele) and AA genotype was significantly associated with decreasing the risk of OC (OR = 0.487 with CI = 0.273–0.867; P < 0.05) and (OR = 0.15; 95% CI = 0.04–0.63; P < 0.05), respectively. For IL-10 (− 819C/T) polymorphisms, the T allele (variant allele) and (TT, CT genotypes) were significantly associated with increasing the risk of OC (OR = 2.800 with 95% CI = 1.577–5.037; P < 0.05), (OR = 18.33 with 95% CI = 3.46–97.20; P < 0.001), and (OR = 9.44 with 95% CI = 2.52–35.40; P < 0.001), respectively, while the C (wild allele) was significantly associated with decreasing the risk of OC (OR = 0.357 with 95% CI = 0.199–0.642; P < 0.05). The haplotype analysis for (− 1082 G > A and − 819 C > T shows the GT haplotype was significantly associated with increasing the risk of OC (OR = 50.09 with CI = 6.34–395.92; P < 0.001). OC was substantially correlated with IL-10 level (r = 0.457; p < 0.001). There is no linkage disequilibrium (LD) between IL 10 − 1082 G/A and IL 10 − 819 C/T (D′ = 0.1315, r2 = 0.016; P = NS). A statistically significant positive relationship existed between IL-10 and CA125 and ALT (P < 0.05). IL-10 and albumin showed a strong negative association (P < 0.05), whereas the correlation of IL10 plasma level with BUN, AST, T. Bil., TLC, PLT, Cr., and HB has not any significant value (P > 0.05).

Conclusions

Overall, this study supports an association of IL-10 (− 1082 G/A and − 819C/T) polymorphisms with the risk of ovarian cancer.

Predisposition to Myocardial Infarction Influenced by Interleukin 13 Gene Polymorphisms: A Case-Control Study

BACKGROUND

Additional inflammatory responses and subsequent damage-arising from enhance transcriptional activity or forming the more active protein due to existence of polymorphic sites in the pro-inflammatory cytokines gene loci-give rise to myocardial infarction susceptibility.

OBJECTIVES

The aim of our study was to explore whether two interleukin-13 gene polymorphisms (-1512A/C and +2044G/A) could serve as underpins genetic susceptibility of myocardial infarction.

METHODS

The Iranian population that belong to the Parsis ethnic group was involved in the present study. A total 250 patients with definite myocardial infarction-meeting hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, hyperglycemia, and coronary artery disease requirements-were recruited from the Shiraz urban hospitals. 250 age- and sex-matched healthy individuals without a history of cardiovascular disease and heart disease related risk factors constituted the control group. PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism technique applied to genotyping at -1512A/C and +2044G/A loci. Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium test was performed (combined cases and controls). The differences of the genotype frequencies in cases and controls were analyzed using a chi-square test. Logistic regression analysis was performed to assess the association between the genotypes and most important risk factors for myocardial infarction. All statistical analyses were performed in SPSS Version 22.0. p-values below 0.05 were hailed as statistically significant.

RESULTS

Deviation from Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium was not significant in the -1512A/C locus. Statistically significant difference between our study groups was found in genotype frequency of the -1512A/C. This variant was found in associated with myocardial infarction risk factors. The +2044G/A polymorphism was not in Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium and no significant difference observed in the distribution of +2044G/A genotype frequency among cases and controls. However, further analysis revealed that this genotype associated with an increased susceptibility to myocardial infarction risk factors.

CONCLUSIONS

The presence of interleukin-13 -1512A/C and +2044G/A gene polymorphisms underpin myocardial infarction predisposition in the ethnic Parsis of the Iranian population.

IL-10 Gene Rs1800871, Rs1800872, and Rs1800896 Polymorphisms and IL-10 Serum Levels Association with Pituitary Adenoma

The aim and objective of this study is to determine the association between the rs1800871, rs1800872, and rs1800896 polymorphisms of the gene IL-10 and the serum levels of IL-10 in patients with pituitary adenoma. Methods: Data from 106 patients with pituitary adenoma and 192 control patients were used for the study. DNA was isolated from peripheral blood using the salt precipitation method. The samples were genotyped in real-time using the polymerase chain reaction method. IL-10 serum levels were evaluated using an ELISA kit. The data obtained were systematized using the computer program IBM SPSS Statistics. Results: The AG genotype of IL-10 rs1800871 was statistically significantly lower in the inactive PA group than in the control group (22.7% vs. 40.6%, p = 0.027). The TG genotype of IL-10 rs1800872 was also statistically significantly lower in the inactive PA group than in the control group (22.7% vs. 40.6%, p = 0.027). A binary logistic regression analysis of the polymorphisms in the IL-10 gene in PA and control groups based on the pituitary adenoma activity showed that the AG genotype of IL-10 rs1800871 increased the chance of inactive PA by 2.2-fold in codominant (OR: 2.272, CI: 1.048–4.925, p = 0.038) and overdominant (OR: 2.326, CI: 1.086–4.982, p = 0.030) models. Moreover, the TG genotype of IL-10 rs1800872 increased the probability of inactive PA by 2.2-fold in codominant (OR: 2.272, CI: 1.048–4.925, p = 0.038) and overdominant (OR: 2.326, CI: 1.086–4.982, p = 0.030) models. The association of the IL-10 polymorphisms with PA invasiveness and recurrence in PA and control groups did not yield statistically significant results. Conclusions: IL-10 rs1800871 and IL-10 rs1800872 may be associated with the development of inactive PA.

PubMed-indexed neurosurgical research productivity of Iraq-based neurosurgeons

Background:

Research is a central component of neurosurgical training and practice and is increasingly viewed as a quintessential indicator of academic productivity. In this study, we focus on identifying the current status and challenges of neurosurgical research in Iraq.

Methods:

An online PubMed Medline database search was conducted to identify all articles published by Iraq-based neurosurgeons between 2003 and 2020. Information was extracted in relation to the following parameters: authors, year of publication, author’s affiliation, author’s specialty, article type, article citation, journal name, journal impact factor, and topic. This data were then tabulated and analyzed.

Results:

Between 2003 and 2021, a total of 52 PubMed indexed papers were published from Iraq. All publications have been clustered in the period of 2012–2020. From 2012 to 2016, only four papers were published, one per year. The number of publications increased from 2017 to 2021, with an average of 12 publications per year. The most common article type was “case reports” (n = 14). Neurotrauma (n = 10) and vascular neurosurgery (n = 10) were the two most common topics. Most of the studies came from the city of Bagdad (n = 46), with just nine studies coming from peripheral governorates. The Neurosurgery Teaching Hospital in Bagdad was the neurosurgery center with the highest research output (n = 38).

Conclusion:

The number of publications per year has been showing a, relatively, promising trend since 2012. However, to promote sustained growth in academic productivity, a strategic plan that acknowledges the political, financial, and health-system-related challenges are urgently needed.

Making Sense of Genetic Information: The Promising Evolution of Clinical Stratification and Precision Oncology Using Machine Learning

Precision medicine is a medical approach to administer patients with a tailored dose of treatment by taking into consideration a person's variability in genes, environment, and lifestyles. The accumulation of omics big sequence data led to the development of various genetic databases on which clinical stratification of high-risk populations may be conducted. In addition, because cancers are generally caused by tumor-specific mutations, large-scale systematic identification of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in various tumors has propelled significant progress of tailored treatments of tumors (i.e., precision oncology). Machine learning (ML), a subfield of artificial intelligence in which computers learn through experience, has a great potential to be used in precision oncology chiefly to help physicians make diagnostic decisions based on tumor images. A promising venue of ML in precision oncology is the integration of all available data from images to multi-omics big data for the holistic care of patients and high-risk healthy subjects. In this review, we provide a focused overview of precision oncology and ML with attention to breast cancer and glioma as well as the Bayesian networks that have the flexibility and the ability to work with incomplete information. We also introduce some state-of-the-art attempts to use and incorporate ML and genetic information in precision oncology.

Association between Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms and Glioma Risk: A Systematic Literature Review

This study aimed to determine the main single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) that are associated with an increased or decreased risk of glioma development in healthy individuals. We conducted a systematic review of the articles published in English on the PUBMED database between January 2008 and December 2017. Our search resulted in a total of 743 articles; however, only 56 were included in this review. A total of 148 polymorphisms were found, which involved 64 different genes. The polymorphisms that were most associated with an increased risk of glioma development were polymorphic variants rs179782, rs13181, and rs3791679 of the genes XRCC1, ERCC2, and EFEMP1, respectively.

Relationships Between IL-13 and IL-4 Genotypes and Aeroallergens with Risk of Allergic Rhinitis in Iranian-Azeri

Background: Up to 40% of the world populations are affected by allergic rhinitis (AR). Interplay between genetics, epigenetics, and environmental factors leads to allergic disease. Objective: In this study, we evaluated the accompaniment between polymorphic variants of IL-13 and IL-4 and aeroallergens among Iranian-Azeri children and adolescent in AR's risk. Methods: Five-hundred AR patients and 300 healthy individuals were enrolled in this study after diagnosis via blood testing for IgE and skin prick test by subspecialty of Allergy and Immunology from Azerbaijan, northwest of Iran, from 2017 to 2019. Genomic DNA was prepared from all samples for genotyping of IL-4 and IL-13. Results: We identified genetic variation of IL-13 and IL-4 and important aeroallergens that could increase the AR risk during childhood and adolescent. The risk of AR increased in the subjects with +2044GA genotype of IL13 [adjusted odds ratio (OR), 1.80; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.97-3.33] and -590CT genotype of IL4 (adjusted OR, 1.94; 95% CI, 1.00-3.87) in childhoods, compared with the control subjects. However, none of genotypes and allele frequencies of IL4 -590C/T and IL13 +2044G/A polymorphisms revealed significant variation between the AR patients and controls in adulthood. The frequency of sensitization to pollens was high in all genotypes of IL4 -590C/T and IL13 +2044G/A polymorphisms in both age groups of AR patients. Conclusion: AR is considered to be the most common form of atopic disease. Susceptible individuals had family history of allergic disease and indicated sensitivity to various environmental factors. In this study, pollen and feather played an important role in occurrence of AR. Childhood with GA at IL13 +2044 and CT at IL4 -590 are at increased risk for AR. Moreover, further studies with more samples are required to confirm our findings and also to help us develop new procedure for genetically detecting more efficient proceedings of prevention and intervention.

Multiple exposure to environmental factors and variations in CYP27B1 and the microRNA-binding site of IL-13 are associated with breast cancer risk

Purpose

Several molecular epidemiology studies have evidenced an association of environmental factors and genetic polymorphisms with breast cancer (BC) risk. However, most have considered the functions of a single element rather than combined effects.

Methods

This case‐control study of 693 newly‐diagnosed BC cases and 714 cancer‐free controls evaluated the effect of multiple exposures to environmental factors and polymorphisms in CYP27B1 and IL‐13 on BC risk. Genotypes were detected using TaqMan genotyping. Combinations and interactions were analyzed using cross‐over analysis and multivariate logistic regression. Combining exposure models were assessed using classification and regression tree and multivariate logistic regression analyses.

Results

No significant independent association was observed for any polymorphism in CYP27B1 or IL‐13 with the risk of BC. However, significant combined effects were noted for ≥1 time/wk physical activity with rs10877012 (adjusted odds ratio [OR_adj] = 0.21, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.11‐0.39) and rs4646536 (OR_adj = 0.21, 95% CI = 0.11‐0.39) in CYP27B1. Furthermore, taking garlic ≥4 times/wk, ≥1 time/wk physical activity, and a psychological index score ≥33 all displayed significant combined effects with three IL‐13 polymorphisms. These relationships remained significant after Bonferroni correction for multiple comparisons. Combining exposure models indicated that compared with consuming garlic ≥4 times/wk, five models (model 5, OR_adj = 2.94, 95% CI = 1.07‐8.06; model 6, OR_adj = 10.26, 95% CI = 5.81‐18.10; model 7, OR_adj = 5.05, 95% CI = 2.78‐9.17; model 8, OR_adj = 3.95, 95% CI = 2.79‐5.58; and model 9, OR_adj = 7.97, 95% CI = 5.26‐12.07) showed a significant increased risk.

Conclusions

Our findings suggest that personalized adjustments to diet and behavioral patterns may aid BC prevention in variant carriers of CYP27B1 and IL‐13.

IL-10 and PRKDC polymorphisms are associated with glioma patient survival

Interleukin-10 (IL-10) and DNA repair gene PRKDC mutations are implicated in the development of multiple human cancers, including glioma. We investigated associations between IL-10 and PRKDC gene polymorphisms and prognosis in low- and high-grade glioma patients. We analyzed the associations of one IL-10 and one PRKDC single nucleotide polymorphism with patient clinical factors in 481 glioma patients using Cox proportional hazard models and Kaplan-Meier curves. We also assessed associations between patient clinical characteristics and prognosis. Our data showed that the extent of tumor resection (gross-total resection) and application of chemotherapy were associated with improved patient outcomes in all glioma cases. Additionally, univariate (Log-rank p = 0.019) and multivariate Cox regression analyses (p = 0.022) showed that the IL-10 rs1800871 C/T genotype correlates with improved overall survival in cases of low-grade glioma, whereas the PRKDC rs7003908 C/C genotype correlated with reduced overall and progression-free survival in high-grade glioma patients in univariate (Log-rank p = 0.000 and p = 0.000, respectively) and multivariate Cox regression analyses (p = 0.001; p = 0.002, respectively). These results suggest that IL-10 rs1800871 and PRKDC rs7003908 may be useful biomarkers for predicting glioma patient outcome. Further functional studies are needed to evaluate the mechanisms by which these polymorphisms affect glioma progression.