Matrix metalloproteinase-9 -1562T allele and its combination with MMP-2 -735 C allele are risk factors for breast cancer

Significant Association of Matrix Metalloproteinase-9 Polymorphisms With Triple Negative Breast Cancer Risk

BACKGROUND/AIM

Matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) has been associated with the development and progression of breast cancer (BCa). However, the relationship between MMP-9 genetic variants and BCa susceptibility remains contentious and inconclusive. This study aimed to evaluate the association of MMP-9 rs3918242 promoter polymorphisms with BCa, with a particular focus on the risk of triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A case-control study was conducted involving 1,232 BCa patients and 1,232 healthy controls. The MMP-9 rs3918242 genotypes were determined using polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) analysis.

RESULTS

The genotype distribution of MMP-9 rs3918242 among the control group adhered to Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium (p=0.3265). No statistically significant differences were observed in the genotype frequencies between BCa cases and controls (p for trend=0.2555). Although the homozygous variant genotype (TT) showed a potential risk-increasing effect, this was not statistically significant [odds ratio (OR)=1.43, 95% confidence interval (CI)=0.88-2.36, p=0.1869]. Similarly, allele frequency analysis indicated no significant association between the variant T allele and overall BCa risk (OR=1.13, 95%CI=0.97-1.33, p=0.1265). Additionally, no interaction was detected between MMP-9 rs3918242 genotypes and the age of BCa onset (both p>0.05). Notably, the TT genotype of MMP-9 rs3918242 was significantly associated with an increased risk of TNBC (OR=2.49, 95%CI=1.32-4.72, p=0.0072).

CONCLUSION

The MMP-9 rs3918242 TT genotype may serve as a potential predictive biomarker for TNBC in the Taiwanese population.

The therapeutic effects of berberine for gastrointestinal cancers

Cancer is one of the most serious human health issues. Drug therapy is the major common way to treat cancer. There is a growing interest in using natural compounds to overcome drug resistance, adverse reactions, and target specificity of certain types of drugs that may affect several targets with fewer side effects and be beneficial against various types of cancer. In this regard, the use of herbal medicines alone or in combination with the main anticancer drugs is commonly available. Berberine (BBR), a nature-driven phytochemical component, is a well-known nutraceutical due to its wide variety of pharmacological activities, including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antifungal, antiparasitic, antidiabetic, antihypertensive, and hypolipidemic. In addition, BBR exerts anticancer activities. In present article, we summarized the information available on the therapeutic effects of BBR and its mechanisms on five types of the most prevalent gastrointestinal cancers, including esophageal, gastric, colorectal, hepatocarcinoma, and pancreatic cancers.

MMP-9 gene polymorphisms on cancer risk: an updated systematic review and meta-analysis

To provide a comprehensive account of the association of MMP-9 gene polymorphisms (rs3918242) with susceptibility to cancer. A literature search for eligible candidate gene studies published before May 27, 2022 was conducted in PubMed, Medline, Google Scholar and Web of Science. Potential sources of heterogeneity were sought out across subgroups and sensitivity analysis. Publication bias were also estimated. Overall, a total of 37 articles with 7616 cases and 8165 controls for rs3918242 gene polymorphisms were enrolled. Our meta-analysis suggests that MMP-9 rs3918242 might be associated with breast cancer and gastric cancer susceptibility, and perhaps reduce the risk of lung cancer.

Matrix Metalloproteinase Gene Polymorphisms Are Associated with Breast Cancer in the Caucasian Women of Russia

We conducted this study to explore the association between matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) gene polymorphisms and breast cancer (BC) risk in the Caucasian women of Russia. In total, 358 affected (BC) and 746 unaffected (cancer-free) women were included in this case-control retrospective study. From BC-related genes in previous studies, ten single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in five MMP genes (MMP1, 2, 3, 8, 9) were genotyped. The BC risk was calculated by logistic regression (to evaluate the SNPs’ independent effects) and model-based multifactor dimensionality reduction (MB-MDR) (to identify SNP−SNP interactions) methods. The allelic variants’ distribution of c.836 A > G (rs17576) and c. 1721 C > G (rs2250889) MMP9 was significantly different between BC and cancer-free women: for G minor alleles, these SNPs manifested disorder protective effects (OR 0.82 and OR 0.67−0.71, respectively, pperm ≤ 0.035). Eleven haplotypes of six SNPs MMP9 were involved in BC risk (nine haplotypes) and protective (two haplotypes) effects. All 10 SNPs of the MMP genes examined were associated with BC within the 13 SNP−SNP interaction simulated models, with a pivotal role of the two-locus (rs17577 × rs3918242) MMP9 epistatic interaction (defined as 1.81% BC entropy within more than 60% of the genetic models). Under in silico bioinformatics, BC susceptibility MMP polymorphic loci are located in functionally active genome regions and impact genes expression and splicing “regulators” in the mammary gland. The biological pathways of BC MMP candidate genes are mainly realized due to metalloendopeptidase activity and extracellular matrix organization (structure, disassembly, metabolic process, etc.). In conclusion, our data show that MMP gene polymorphisms are related to BC susceptibility in the Caucasian women of Russia.

Estimation of associations between MMP9 gene polymorphisms and breast cancer: Evidence from a meta-analysis

Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are a family of zinc-dependent endopeptidases, which play critical roles in cancer progression and metastasis. In recent years, many researchers have been studying the relationship between MMP9 and breast cancer. However, it still remains indecisive. Therefore, we conducted a meta-analysis to draw more accurate conclusions. A total of 21 relevant documents were retrieved, including 25 case-control studies. We quantitatively analyzed the data obtained. To clarify the relationship between MMP9 polymorphism and breast cancer susceptibility under different conditions, we also made a further subgroup analysis for each locus. In summary, we discovered that MMP9 rs3918242 rendered an increased risk for breast cancer, especially among Iranians and Indians. MMP9 rs3787268 could be a protective factor. MMP9 rs17576 and MMP9 rs2250889 have no association with breast cancer risk.

Correlation between matrix metalloproteinase-2 polymorphisms and first and recurrent atherosclerotic ischemic stroke events: a case-control study

Objective

To determine the associations between matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2, encoded by the MMP2 gene) 1306C/T and 735C/T polymorphisms and first and recurrent ischemic stroke in a Chinese population.

Methods

Patients with first and recurrent ischemic stroke were included. Serum MMP-2 was measured, and MMP2 1306C/T and 735C/T polymorphisms were detected. The associations between MMP2 1306C/T and 735C/T polymorphisms and first and recurrent ischemic stroke were analyzed.

Results

Serum MMP-2 in patients with first and recurrent ischemic stroke was significantly higher compared with controls, and patients with recurrent ischemic stroke had higher MMP-2 than those with first ischemic stroke. The frequency of the CC genotype and C allele of MMP2 735C/T was highest in patients with recurrent ischemic stroke, followed by patients with first ischemic stroke, and controls. Conversely, the genotype and allele of MMP2 1306C/T did not significantly differ between groups. The CC genotype of MMP2 735C/T was independently associated with first and recurrent ischemic stroke (odds ratios = 1.45 and 1.64, respectively), as was the C allele of MMP2 735C/T (odds ratios = 1.68 and 1.77, respectively).

Conclusions

The CC genotype and C allele of MMP2 735C/T were associated with first and recurrent ischemic stroke in a Chinese population.

Pinosylvin inhibits migration and invasion of nasopharyngeal carcinoma cancer cells via regulation of epithelial‑mesenchymal transition and inhibition of MMP‑2

Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is a tumor located in the nasopharynx with highly invasive and metastatic properties. Metastasis is a primary cause of mortality in patients with NPC. The terpenoid polyphenol pinosylvin is a known functional compound of the Pinus species that exhibits anti‑inflammatory effects; however, the effect of pinosylvin on human NPC cell migration and invasion is unclear. The present study aimed to investigate the functional role of pinosylvin in NPC cells (NPC‑039, NPC‑BM and RPMI 2650). Gap closure and Transwell assay indicated that pinosylvin at increasing concentrations inhibited migration and invasion of NPC‑039 and NPC‑BM cells. In addition to inhibiting the enzyme activity of MMP‑2, pinosylvin also decreased the protein expression levels of MMP‑2 and MMP‑9. Pinosylvin decreased the expression of vimentin and N‑cadherin and significantly increased the expression of zonula occludens‑1 and E‑cadherin in NPC cells. Additionally, pinosylvin suppressed the invasion and migration ability of NPC‑039 and NPC‑BM cells by mediating the p38, ERK1/2 and JNK1/2 pathways. The present results revealed that pinosylvin inhibited migration and invasion in NPC cells.

Variants of Genes Involved in Metabolism of Folate Among Patients with Breast Cancer: Association of TYMS 3R Allele with Susceptibility to Breast Cancer and Metastasis

Background & Objective:

Breast cancer (BC) is known to be the most prevalent cancer among women. One-carbon metabolism disturbance might play an important role in the etiology of BC. The present study aimed to investigate the thymidylate synthase (TYMS), 5-methyltetrahydrofolate-homocysteine methyltransferase (MTR), and methionine synthase reductase (MTRR) variants as good candidates for studying the role of genetic variants of folate metabolizing enzymes in the risk of BC.

Methods:

The present case-control study includes 100 BC patients and 141 healthy females. The TYMS 2R/3R (rs34743033), MTR c.2756A>G (rs1805087), and MTRR c.66A>G (rs1801394) variants were detected by polymerase chain reaction (PCR), PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP), and a designed amplification-refractory mutation system (ARMS) method, respectively.

Results:

The 3R allele of TYMS enhanced the risk of BC by 2.84-fold (P<0.001). In the presence of TYMS 3R/3R, compared to TYMS 2R/3R, there was a trend toward enhancing the risk of metastasis by 4.15-fold (95% CI: 0.96-17.85, P=0.055). The frequencies of MTR c.2756A>G and MTRR c.66A>G variants were not significantly different among patients and controls.

Conclusion:

We observed that the TYMS 3R is a risk allele for susceptibility to BC and this allele may increase the risk of metastasis in BC patients. .

Association between matrix metalloproteinase 9 polymorphisms and breast cancer risk: An updated meta-analysis and trial sequential analysis

BACKGROUND

Numerous studies have sought associations between matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP-9) polymorphisms and breast cancer risk. However, these studies have yielded conflicting results. Hence, we performed an updated meta-analysis to clarify the effects of four MMP-9 gene polymorphisms (rs3918242, rs2250889, rs3787268, and rs17576) on breast cancer risk.

METHODS

A comprehensive literature search for eligible studies was conducted in five electronic databases, including PubMed, Embase and Web of Science, up to March 1, 2020. Summary odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were used to assess the strength of associations in random-effects models. For the reduction of type I errors, a trial sequential analysis (TSA) was performed.

RESULTS

Twenty-one studies (8813 breast cancer cases and 9323 controls) were included in the quantitative analysis. For rs3918242, the overall ORs were significant under allelic comparison (OR _{A vs. G} = 1.34; 95% CI 1.03, 1.74, P = 0.028) and the recessive genetic model (OR _{AA vs. GG+GA} = 1.40; 95% CI 1.06, 1.84, P = 0.016). For rs2250889, the ORs were significant under homozygote comparison (OR _{GG vs. CC} = 2.57; 95% CI 1.22, 5.42, P = 0.013), heterozygote comparison (OR _{GC vs. CC} = 2.48; 95% CI 1.17, 5.23, P = 0.018), and the dominant genetic model (OR _{GG+GC vs. CC} = 2.53; 95% CI 1.23, 5.20, P = 0.012). No associations were observed for rs3787268 or rs17576. The subgroup analyses indicated that the risk effect of the rs3918242 A allele was observed only among Asians. TSA showed that the findings for rs3918242, rs3787268, and rs17576 were robust, but many more patients are needed before definitive conclusions can be made for rs2250889.

CONCLUSION

Our meta-analysis suggests that MMP-9 rs3918242, but not rs3787268 and rs17576 polymorphisms, may be risk factors for breast cancer. The effect of rs2250889 needs further confirmation with a larger sample size.

Association of matrix metalloproteinases 3 and 9 single nucleotide polymorphisms with breast cancer risk: A case-control study

Two single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of matrix metalloproteinase (MMPs) 3 and 9 are functionally implicated in the progression of various types of cancer, including breast cancer (BC). However, the roles of these SNPs remain controversial. In addition, they also vary between one population and another. Therefore, the present study aimed to investigate the possible association between MMP3-1171 5A/6A and MMP9-1562 CT SNPs and the risk of BC among Egyptians, and to elucidate the alteration of MMP3 and MMP9 gene expression in patients with BC. The present case-control study enrolled 162 patients with BC and 146 control subjects. Restriction fragment length polymorphism-PCR was performed for analysis of the selected SNPs, gene expression of MMP3 and MMP9 was also assessed in 50 patients and 50 control subjects by reverse transcription-quantitative PCR. The frequencies of 5A/6A genotype and 5A allele of MMP3 were significantly higher in patients with BC compared with in healthy subjects. On the other hand, the distributions of MMP9 genotypes and alleles were not significantly different among patients and healthy subjects. Compared with healthy subjects, the expression levels of the two genes were found to be upregulated in patients with BC. Therefore, the present study indicated that MMP3-1171 5A/6A SNP, not MMP9-1562 C>T SNP may be a risk factor for developing BC among Egyptian females.

Association between the polymorphisms in MMP-2 and MMP-9 with adiposity and mammographic features

BACKGROUND

Matrix metalloproteinases (MMP)-2 and -9 may play an important role in adipogenesis and carcinogenesis. We investigated whether some polymorphisms located in these genes are associated with body adiposity and mammographic breast density, which are risk factors for breast cancer.

METHODS

Our study population included 731 premenopausal women. Multivariate generalized linear models were used to evaluate the association of polymorphisms rs243865 in MMP-2 and rs3918242, rs17576, rs2250889 and rs2274756 in MMP-9 with anthropometric factors that refer to adiposity and mammographic features (percent density, dense area and non-dense area) measured by computer-assisted method.

RESULTS

The number of copies of rs243865 T allele in MMP-2 was associated with increased means of anthropometric factors (p_trend < 0.05 for all except waist-to-hip ratio). The same allele of rs243865 was associated with decreased mean percent density (p_trend = 0.036) and increased mean non-dense area (p_trend = 0.031) when adjusted for potential confounders, but these associations were attenuated when further adjusted for adiposity.

CONCLUSION

These findings suggest that the relation between rs243865 in MMP-2 and mammographic features could be mediated by adiposity.

ALOX5, LPA, MMP9 and TPO gene polymorphisms increase atherothrombosis susceptibility in middle-aged Mexicans

Atherothrombosis is the cornerstone of cardiovascular diseases and the primary cause of death worldwide. Genetic contribution to disturbances in lipid metabolism, coagulation, inflammation and oxidative stress increase the susceptibility to its development and progression. Given its multifactorial nature, the multiloci studies have been proposed as potential predictors of susceptibility. A cross-sectional study was conducted to explore the contribution of nine genes involved in oxidative stress, inflammatory and thrombotic processes in 204 subjects with atherothrombosis matched by age and gender with a healthy group (n = 204). To evaluate the possibility of spurious associations owing to the Mexican population genetic heterogeneity as well as its ancestral origins, 300 unrelated mestizo individuals and 329 Native Americans were also included. ALOX5, LPA, MMP9 and TPO gene polymorphisms, as well as their multiallelic combinations, were twice to four times more frequent in those individuals with clinical manifestations of atherothrombosis than in the healthy group. Once adjusting for population stratification was done, these differences remained. Our results add further evidence on the contribution of ALOX5, LPA, MMP9 and TPO polymorphisms to atherothrombosis development in the middle-aged group, emphasizing the multiethnic studies in search of gene risk polymorphisms.

Promoter Methylation Status of the Retinoic Acid Receptor-Beta 2 Gene in Breast Cancer Patients: A Case Control Study and Systematic Review

BACKGROUND

We aimed to determine the promoter methylation status of the retinoic acid receptor-beta 2 (RARβ2) gene among breast cancer patients and to review relevant studies in this field in various populations.

METHODS

We analyzed 400 samples which comprised blood specimens from 102 breast cancer patients, 102 first-degree female relatives of patients, 100 cancer-free females, 48 breast cancer tissues, and 48 adjacent normal breast tissues from the same patients. The RARβ2 methylation status was determined using methylation-specific polymerase chain reaction (MSP) and DNA sequencing methods.

RESULTS

The presence of combined partially methylated (MU) and fully methylated (MM) forms of the RARβ2 gene (MU+MM) in the blood of patients was associated with susceptibility to breast cancer (odds ratio = 4.7, p = 0.05). A significantly higher frequency of the MM genotype was observed in cancer tissue (10.4%) compared to matched adjacent normal breast tissue (0%) (p = 0.02).

CONCLUSION

We found a higher frequency of RARβ2 gene methylation in the blood and cancer tissues of patients compared to the blood of controls and adjacent normal breast tissues. The survey of studies on various populations demonstrated a higher RARβ2 methylation frequency in breast cancer patients compared to normal individuals, and many reports suggest a significant association between hypermethylation of the gene and susceptibility to breast cancer.

MMP-9-1562 C/T single nucleotide polymorphism associates with increased MMP-9 level and activity during papillary thyroid carcinoma progression

Papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC), a common form of thyroid malignancy, displays significant variations in clinical features and outcome. The malignant transformation of the thyroid is driven by altered expression of many matrix-modulating enzymes, including matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9). A single nucleotide polymorphism in its promotor (-1562 C/T) is suspected to cause overexpression of MMP-9, which in turn contributes to development of a tumour unfavourable phenotype. The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of MMP-9 promotor genotype on MMP-9 expression in PTC samples, and to assess its value as a possible risk factor for developing PTC or its aggressive phenotype. A total of 105 PTC patients and 43 healthy controls were genotyped by the polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) method. In order to estimate MMP-9 expression, PTC tissue sections were stained immunohistochemically. Statistical analysis showed that PTC cases and controls did not differ significantly in genotype frequencies (OR = 2.27, CI = 0.854-6.022). In PTC samples, the presence of the T allele was accompanied by elevated MMP-9 expression (p = 0.047) as well as a higher risk of developing extrathyroid extensions (p = 0.037) and high TNM stages (p = 0.009). Moreover, we observed overexpression of MMP-9 in cases presenting with extrathyroid invasion (p = 0.001), lymph node metastasis (p = 0.028), large tumour size (p = 0.031) and advanced stage (p = 0.005) compared to indolent tumours, along with enhanced enzymatic activity demonstrated by in situ zymography. Data suggests that MMP-9 (-1562 C/T) does not facilitate predisposition for PTC but affects the disease course by modulating MMP-9 expression. Genotyping MMP-9 provides important information which may prove beneficial in risk stratification of PTC patients.

Study of association between interleukin-8 - 845 T/C and + 781 C/T polymorphisms with periodontitis disease among population from Western Iran

Periodontitis is a chronic inflammatory disease that influences the protective tissues of teeth. IL-8, a member of the chemokine super-family, plays vital roles in the pathogenesis of periodontitis with activation and migration of neutrophils in inflammatory regions. The purpose of present study was to evaluate the association of interleukin-8 - 845 T/C and + 781 C/T polymorphisms with periodontitis in an Iranian population. A total of 65 patients with periodontitis including 18 patients with chronic periodontitis and 47 patients with aggressive periodontitis and 55 controls were enrolled into our study. Interleukin-8 - 845 T/C and + 781 C/T polymorphisms were analyzed by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) assay. For + 781C/T locus, in the dominant genetic model there was a significant difference between TT vs. CC + CT genotypes that significantly had a protective role against periodontitis disease with a value of 0.38 (95% CI 0.16-0.90, p = 0.02). Also, the analysis of results showed a significant positive association between the distribution of IL-8 - 845 T/C alleles and the risk of periodontitis disease (χ² = 6.2, p = 0.01) that presence of C allele of IL-8 - 845 increased the risk of periodontitis disease by 9.08-fold [OR 9.08 (95% CI 1.14-72.12, p = 0.03)]. In conclusion, our results demonstrate a positive association between distribution of IL-8 - 845 T/C alleles and risk of periodontitis disease.

Frankincense, pine needle and geranium essential oils suppress tumor progression through the regulation of the AMPK/mTOR pathway in breast cancer

BC (BC), as the most common malignancy in women worldwide, is associated with high morbidity and mortality. However, chemoresistance and toxicity are the main causes that limit the success of treatment in aggressive BC cases. Thus, there is a vital need to identify and develop novel therapeutic agents. Frankincense, pine needle and geranium essential oils have been reported to play critical biological activities in cancer. However, to the best of our knowledge whether frankincense, pine needle and geranium essential oils have any effect on the progression of BC in MCF-7 cells remains unclear. In the present study, we assessed the possible effects of frankincense, pine needle and geranium essential oils on cell viability, proliferation, migration and invasion as well as the possible mechanisms. MCF-7 cells were treated with oils, and associations with BC were investigated. In the present study, we clearly revealed that frankincense, pine needle and geranium essential oils suppressed cell viability, proliferation, migration and invasion in human BC MCF-7 cells. Further data demonstrated that frankincense, pine needle and geranium essential oils induced apoptosis, but did not affect cell cycle progression. Consistent with the in vitro activities, frankincense essential oil was effective in inhibiting tumor growth and inducing tumor cell apoptosis in a human BC mouse model. In addition, these 3 essential oils modulated the activity of the AMPK/mTOR signaling pathway. In conclusion, the present study indicated that frankincense, pine needle and geranium essential oils were involved in the progression of BC cells possibly through the AMPK/mTOR pathway.

Associations of MMP-2 and MMP-9 gene polymorphism with ulinastatin efficacy in patients with severe acute pancreatitis

We aim to explore the associations between matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) MMP-2/MMP-9 gene polymorphism with ulinastatin (UTI) efficacy in treating severe acute pancreatitis (SAP). A total of 276 SAP patients were assigned into the control (n=135) and observation (n=141) groups. PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) was used for genotype and allele frequency distribution. Relevance of MMP-2/MMP-9 genotypes with UTI efficacy was analyzed. The observation group showed lowered duration in symptoms (abdominal distension, abdominal pain, tenderness, and rebound tenderness) than the control group. Laboratory analysis (serum calcium, white blood cells, serum amylase, urine amylase, APACHE-II, and Balthazar CTIS scores) were decreased, while serum albumin levels increased after 7th day of therapy. The total effective rate of UTI for patients with MMP-2 C-1306T C/C genotype was higher than those with C/T and T/T genotypes after the 7th day of therapy, which was lower in patients with MMP-9 C-1562T C/C and C/T genotypes than those with T/T genotype. The duration for symptoms in patients with MMP-9 C-1562T T/T genotype was shorter than those with C/C and C/T genotypes, which was less in patients with MMP-2 C-1306T C/C genotype than those with C/T and T/T genotypes. The improvement values of APACHE-II and Balthazar CTIS scores for patients with MMP-2 C-1306T C/C genotype were higher than those with C/T and T/T genotypes, which for patients with MMP-9 C-1562T C/C and C/T genotypes were lower than those with T/T genotype. These results demonstrated that MMP-2/MMP-9 gene polymorphism was associated with UTI efficacy for SAP.

Association of the hypermethylation status of PTEN tumor suppressor gene with the risk of breast cancer among Kurdish population from Western Iran

Breast cancer is the most common cancer with high morbidity and mortality among women worldwide. Aberrant hypermethylation in promoter regions of the tumor suppressor genes such as PTEN gene is a key event in the progression and development of breast cancer. The aim of the present study was to evaluate an association between PTEN gene methylation status with the risk of breast cancer in an Iranian population. We studied 255 individuals, including 103 patients with breast cancer, 102 first-degree female relatives of patients (mother, sister, or daughter of patients), and 50 healthy individuals as a control group. Genomic DNA was extracted from peripheral blood leukocytes, and the PTEN promoter methylation status was detected using methylation-specific PCR (MSP) method with specific methylated and unmethylated primers. In some samples, direct DNA sequencing was used to confirm the results obtained by the MSP method. The frequency of PTEN-methylated (MM) genotype was 6 % in the healthy control group, 23.3 % in relatives of patients, and 41.7 % in patients (χ (2) = 24.62, p < 0.001). There were significant differences in the frequency of PTEN-methylated genotype between healthy control compared to that in patients (χ (2) = 15.1, p < 0.001) and also compared to that in relatives of patients (χ (2) = 6.9, p = 0.009). In the presence of PTEN MM genotype, there was a 3.1-fold susceptibility to breast cancer compared to the UU genotype (p < 0.001). Also, in the presence of PTEN M allele, the risk of breast cancer was 2.71-fold compared to the presence of U allele (p < 0.001). Our findings indicated increased frequency of hypermethylation of PTEN promoter in the studied patients and their relatives that could be considered as one of the epigenetic factors affecting the risk of breast cancer in Iranians.

Long-term efficacy and downstream mechanism of anti-annexinA2 monoclonal antibody (anti-ANX A2 mAb) in a pre-clinical model of aggressive human breast cancer

There is considerable direct evidence that calcium binding protein ANX A2 is a potential target for treating aggressive breast cancer. The most compelling data are based on the finding of ANX A2 overexpression in aggressive triple negative human breast cancer (TNBC) cell lines and in human breast cancer tissues. Previously, we and others reported a unique role of ANX A2 in cancer invasion, including breast cancer. Moreover, we demonstrated that anti-ANX A2 mAb-mediated immunoneutralization of ANX A2 inhibited invasive human breast cancer growth in a xenograft model. We further evaluated the long-term effects of multiple treatments with anti-ANX A2 mAb and its mechanism of inhibition on human breast tumor growth. We now demonstrate that three treatments with anti-ANX A2 mAb led to significant inhibition of breast tumor growth in immunodeficient mice, and that the anti-tumor response was demonstrable from day 94. After treatment, we followed tumor growth for 172 days and demonstrated 67% inhibition of tumor growth without detectable adverse effects. Biochemical analysis demonstrated that anti-ANX A2 mAb treatment caused significant inhibition of conversion of tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) in the tumor microenvironment. This led to disruption of plasmin generation that consequently inhibited activation of MMP-9 and MMP-2. These results suggest that ANX A2 plays an important role in aggressive breast tumor growth by regulating proteolytic pathways in the tumor microenvironment. ANX A2 may represent a new target for the development of therapeutics for treatment of aggressive breast cancer.