Loss-of-Function Variants in the Tumor-Suppressor Gene PTPN14 Confer Increased Cancer Risk

The success of genome-wide association studies (GWAS) in identifying common, low-penetrance variant-cancer associations for the past decade is undisputed. However, discovering additional high-penetrance cancer mutations in unknown cancer predisposing genes requires detection of variant-cancer association of ultra-rare coding variants. Consequently, large-scale next-generation sequence data with associated phenotype information are needed. Here, we used genotype data on 166,281 Icelanders, of which, 49,708 were whole-genome sequenced and 408,595 individuals from the UK Biobank, of which, 41,147 were whole-exome sequenced, to test for association between loss-of-function burden in autosomal genes and basal cell carcinoma (BCC), the most common cancer in Caucasians. A total of 25,205 BCC cases and 683,058 controls were tested. Rare germline loss-of-function variants in PTPN14 conferred substantial risks of BCC (OR, 8.0; P = 1.9 × 10^-12), with a quarter of carriers getting BCC before age 70 and over half in their lifetime. Furthermore, common variants at the PTPN14 locus were associated with BCC, suggesting PTPN14 as a new, high-impact BCC predisposition gene. A follow-up investigation of 24 cancers and three benign tumor types showed that PTPN14 loss-of-function variants are associated with high risk of cervical cancer (OR, 12.7, P = 1.6 × 10^-4) and low age at diagnosis. Our findings, using power-increasing methods with high-quality rare variant genotypes, highlight future prospects for new discoveries on carcinogenesis. SIGNIFICANCE: This study identifies the tumor-suppressor gene PTPN14 as a high-impact BCC predisposition gene and indicates that inactivation of PTPN14 by germline sequence variants may also lead to increased risk of cervical cancer.

Genome-wide association identifies seven loci for pelvic organ prolapse in Iceland and the UK Biobank

Pelvic organ prolapse (POP) is a downward descent of one or more of the pelvic organs, resulting in a protrusion of the vaginal wall and/or uterus. We performed a genome-wide association study of POP using data from Iceland and the UK Biobank, a total of 15,010 cases with hospital-based diagnosis code and 340,734 female controls, and found eight sequence variants at seven loci associating with POP (P < 5 × 10-8); seven common (minor allele frequency >5%) and one with minor allele frequency of 4.87%. Some of the variants associating with POP also associated with traits of similar pathophysiology. Of these, rs3820282, which may alter the estrogen-based regulation of WNT4, also associates with leiomyoma of uterus, gestational duration and endometriosis. Rs3791675 at EFEMP1, a gene involved in connective tissue homeostasis, also associates with hernias and carpal tunnel syndrome. Our results highlight the role of connective tissue metabolism and estrogen exposure in the etiology of POP.

Common and Rare Sequence Variants Influencing Tumor Biomarkers in Blood

BACKGROUND

Alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), cancer antigens 15.3, 19.9, and 125, carcinoembryonic antigen, and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) are widely measured in attempts to detect cancer and to monitor treatment response. However, due to lack of sensitivity and specificity, their utility is debated. The serum levels of these markers are affected by a number of nonmalignant factors, including genotype. Thus, it may be possible to improve both sensitivity and specificity by adjusting test results for genetic effects.

METHODS

We performed genome-wide association studies of serum levels of AFP (N = 22,686), carcinoembryonic antigen (N = 22,309), cancer antigens 15.3 (N = 7,107), 19.9 (N = 9,945), and 125 (N = 9,824), and ALP (N = 162,774). We also examined the correlations between levels of these biomarkers and the presence of cancer, using data from a nationwide cancer registry.

RESULTS

We report a total of 84 associations of 79 sequence variants with levels of the six biomarkers, explaining between 2.3% and 42.3% of the phenotypic variance. Among the 79 variants, 22 are cis (in- or near the gene encoding the biomarker), 18 have minor allele frequency less than 1%, 31 are coding variants, and 7 are associated with gene expression in whole blood. We also find multiple conditions associated with higher biomarker levels.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results provide insights into the genetic contribution to diversity in concentration of tumor biomarkers in blood.

IMPACT

Genetic correction of biomarker values could improve prediction algorithms and decision-making based on these biomarkers.

Variants associating with uterine leiomyoma highlight genetic background shared by various cancers and hormone-related traits

Uterine leiomyomas are common benign tumors of the myometrium. We performed a meta-analysis of two genome-wide association studies of leiomyoma in European women (16,595 cases and 523,330 controls), uncovering 21 variants at 16 loci that associate with the disease. Five variants were previously reported to confer risk of various malignant or benign tumors (rs78378222 in TP53, rs10069690 in TERT, rs1800057 and rs1801516 in ATM, and rs7907606 at OBFC1) and four signals are located at established risk loci for hormone-related traits (endometriosis and breast cancer) at 1q36.12 (CDC42/WNT4), 2p25.1 (GREB1), 20p12.3 (MCM8), and 6q26.2 (SYNE1/ESR1). Polygenic score for leiomyoma, computed using UKB data, is significantly correlated with risk of cancer in the Icelandic population. Functional annotation suggests that the non-coding risk variants affect multiple genes, including ESR1. Our results provide insights into the genetic background of leiomyoma that are shared by other benign and malignant tumors and highlight the role of hormones in leiomyoma growth.

Uterine leiomyomas are common benign tumors. Here, a meta-analysis of two European leiomyoma GWAS uncovers 21 leiomyoma risk variants at 16 loci, providing evidence of genetic overlap between leiomyoma and various benign and malignant tumors and highlighting the role of estrogen in tumor growth.

Permanent Genetic Resources added to the Molecular Ecology Resources Database 1 February 2010-31 March 2010

This article documents the addition of 228 microsatellite marker loci to the Molecular Ecology Resources Database. Loci were developed for the following species: Anser cygnoides, Apodemus flavicollis, Athene noctua, Cercis canadensis, Glis glis, Gubernatrix cristata, Haliotis tuberculata, Helianthus maximiliani, Laricobius nigrinus, Laricobius rubidus, Neoheligmonella granjoni, Nephrops norvegicus, Oenanthe javanica, Paramuricea clavata, Pyrrhura orcesi and Samanea saman. These loci were cross-tested on the following species: Apodemus sylvaticus, Laricobius laticollis and Laricobius osakensis (a proposed new species currently being described).

Salmonella osteomyelitis in pregnancy

Salmonella osteomyelitis is rare in the immunocompetent host, even though Salmonella is not an infrequent public health problem. Invasive salmonellosis has in general a poor outcome in pregnancy with regard to fetal survival. We report the case of a healthy woman who developed Salmonella osteomyelitis of the iliac bone four weeks after a febrile gastroenteritis in the first trimester of pregnancy. Diagnosis was confirmed by magnetic resonance imaging scanning of the iliac bone and a growth of Salmonella enteritidis in blood culture. The patient recovered fully after six weeks treatment with intravenous antibiotics and delivered a healthy infant at 40 weeks.

Sequence variants at the TERT-CLPTM1L locus associate with many cancer types

The common sequence variants that have recently been associated with cancer risk are particular to a single cancer type or at most two. Following up on our genome-wide scan of basal cell carcinoma, we found that rs401681[C] on chromosome 5p15.33 satisfied our threshold for genome-wide significance (OR = 1.25, P = 3.7 x 10(-12)). We tested rs401681 for association with 16 additional cancer types in over 30,000 cancer cases and 45,000 controls and found association with lung cancer (OR = 1.15, P = 7.2 x 10(-8)) and urinary bladder, prostate and cervix cancer (ORs = 1.07-1.31, all P < 4 x 10(-4)). However, rs401681[C] seems to confer protection against cutaneous melanoma (OR = 0.88, P = 8.0 x 10(-4)). Notably, most of these cancer types have a strong environmental component to their risk. Investigation of the region led us to rs2736098[A], which showed stronger association with some cancer types. However, neither variant could fully account for the association of the other. rs2736098 corresponds to A305A in the telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT) protein and rs401681 is in an intron of the CLPTM1L gene.

Gene expression analysis of hematopoietic progenitor cells identifies Dlg7 as a potential stem cell gene

Inducible hematopoietic stem/progenitor cell lines represent a model for studying genes involved in self-renewal and differentiation. Here, gene expression was studied in the inducible human CD34+ acute myelogenous leukemia cell line KG1 using oligonucleotide arrays and suppression subtractive cloning. Using this approach, we identified Dlg7, the homolog of the Drosophila Dlg1 tumor suppressor gene, as downregulated at the early stages of KG1 differentiation. Similarly, Dlg7 was expressed in normal purified umbilical cord blood CD34+CD38- progenitors but not in the more committed CD34+CD38+ population. Dlg7 expression was not detected in differentiated cells obtained from hematopoietic colonies, nor was expression detected in purified T-cells, B-cells, and monocytes. When analyzed in different types of stem cells, Dlg7 expression was detected in purified human bone marrow-derived CD133+ progenitor cells, human mesenchymal stem cells, and mouse embryonic stem (ES) cells. Overexpression of Dlg7 in mouse ES cells increased their growth rate and reduced the number of EBs emerging upon differentiation. In addition, the EBs were significantly smaller, indicating an inhibition in differentiation. This inhibition was further supported by higher expression of Bmp4, Oct4, Rex1, and Nanog in EBs overexpressing Dlg7 and lower expression of Brachyury. Finally, the Dlg7 protein was detected in liver and colon carcinoma tumors but not in normal adjacent tissues, suggesting a role for the gene in carcinogenesis. In conclusion, our results suggest that Dlg7 has a role in stem cell survival, in maintaining stem cell properties, and in carcinogenesis. Disclosure of potential conflicts of interest is found at the end of this article.

BRCA2, but not BRCA1, mutations account for familial ovarian cancer in Iceland: a population-based study

A single founder mutation in each of the BRCA genes has been identified in Iceland. The frequency of the BRCA1 G5193A and BRCA2 999del5 mutations in all ovarian cancer patients diagnosed over the period 1991-2000 was determined. Mutation status was correlated with family history, tumour morphology and age at diagnosis. Samples from 86% of cases (179 carcinomas and 74 borderline tumours) were available. In the carcinomas, BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutations were present in 1.2% and 6% of cases, respectively. No BRCA mutations were found in the borderline tumours. Odds Ratio (OR) of developing ovarian cancer was 20.65 for BRCA2 carriers. Family history of breast/ovarian cancer was present for 70% of BRCA2 carriers and approximately 14% for non-carriers with carcinoma. In conclusion, BRCA2 999del5 is present in 6% of ovarian cancer cases in Iceland and is associated with a 20-fold increase in the risk of the disease. The BRCA1 G5193A mutation is too rare to contribute significantly to ovarian cancer in Iceland.

HPV subtypes and immunological parameters of cervical cancer in Iceland during two time periods, 1958-1960 and 1995-1996

OBJECTIVE

Cervical cancer is a disease caused in part by an infection with an oncogenic subtype of human papillomavirus (HPV). In this study we analysed all cervical cancer samples diagnosed in Iceland during two periods, 1958-1960 and 1995-1996, and asked whether significant changes in viral or immunological parameters had occurred over a period that spanned both significant changes in sexual attitude and the implementation of organized screening for cervical cancer.

METHODS

Samples from 47 patients (46 squamous cell carcinomas (SCC) and 1 adenosquamous carcinoma (ASC)) in the first period and 30 patients (20 SCC, 4 ASC, and 6 adenocarcinomas (AC)) in the later period were analysed for viral subtype and expression of Fas, FasL, MHC class I, p53 and apoptosis.

RESULTS

AC and ASC are proportionately much more common today than 40 years ago (30% vs 2%). The distribution of HPV in cervical cancer is similar in both periods, with HPV16 found in 75% and HPV18 in 13% of cases. Other HPV types found were 31,33,45, and 59. No significant differences were found in the immunological profiles of tumors from the two periods except that a higher fraction of SCC in the later period stained positive for FasL. When SCC are compared with AC/ASC, the latter have less expression of MHC class I, less expression of Fas, and stronger FasL expression.

CONCLUSIONS

AC/ASC tumors show some immunological features that suggest that they are more resistant to immune attack than SCC.

Isolation of angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibiting triterpenes from Schinus molle

Bioactivity-guided fractionation of extracts of Schinus molle leaves, using an in vitro assay, led to the isolation of ACE-inhibitory steroidal triterpenes of the euphane type, identified by means of NMR spectroscopic methods. One of the triterpenes was isolated as an equilibrium mixture of epimeric aldehydes. The triterpenes showed moderate ACE-inhibitory activity (IC(50) about 250 microM).

[Toxicity of monkshood. Review.]

Monkshood, Aconitum napellus L. (Ranunculaceae), is considered one of the most poisonous plants growing in Europe. Monkshood and other Aconitum species are still used in Oriental and homeopathic medicine as analgesics, febrifuges and hypotensives. The neurotoxin aconitine is the principal alkaloid in most subspecies of monkshood. A review is presented, which includes historical aspects of monkshood as a poisonous and medicinal plant, the mode of action of aconitine, symptoms of toxicity, treatment and reports of recent poisoning incidents. In addition, results of quantitative HPLC examination of hypogeous and epigeous organs from a population of A. napellus ssp. vulgare cultivated in Iceland are discussed. The fact that children in Iceland have commonly been known to eat the sweet tasting nectaries in monkshood prompted an investigation of the alkaloidal content of these organs specifically. The low aconitine content found in the nectaries as well as in whole flowers accords with the absence of reported toxicity arising from the handling of flowers and consumption of nectaries from A. napellus in this country.

[Health risks of vaccination of farmed fish]

In 1991, three cases of anaphylactoid reactions among vaccinators of farmed fish were registered in Norway. The reactions developed after repeated accidental self-injection of vaccine against salmon furunculosis. In 1991, some 60 million salmon were vaccinated against furunculosis at approximately 50 grams body weight. Following such self-injection of vaccine, inflammatory reactions are seen in the injected finger, also spreading occasionally to the hand. More seldom a "flu" like syndrome with fever, muscle aches, and general malaise is experienced probably caused by endotoxins in the vaccine. Devices to protect the fingers against accidental self-injection have been developed and, so far, the results are promising.

Fluvoxamine in the treatment of demented elderly patients: a double-blind, placebo-controlled study

The efficacy of fluvoxamine on cognitive functioning and behavioral changes was evaluated in a double-blind, placebo-controlled study of 46 elderly demented patients. The patients had a DSM-III diagnosis of primary degenerative dementia or multi-infarct dementia and were aged greater than or equal to 65 years. Twenty-two patients were given 150 mg fluvoxamine per day and 24 received placebo tablets; 14 and 15 patients, respectively, completed 6 weeks of treatment. Within treatments, there were no significant changes in median scores on neuropsychological tests (picture recall and recognition, trail making and finger tapping) or the GBS scale scores (degrees of dementia) or GBS subscale score (clinical profiles, including symptoms common in dementia, motor, emotional and intellectual functioning). Between treatments, the median changes in psychometric test scores did not differ significantly. However, within and between treatments, there were trends favoring fluvoxamine on symptoms common in dementia (confusion, irritability, anxiety, fear-panic, mood level and restlessness). In conclusion, the study does not support the hypothesis that fluvoxamine improves cognitive functioning or behavioral changes in elderly dementia patients.

Prolactin responses to thyrotropin-releasing hormone in multi-infarct dementia and senile dementia of the Alzheimer type

The serum prolactin (PRL) responses to stimulation with thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) (500 micrograms Protirelin) were compared in 14 patients with multi-infarct dementia (MID) and 10 patients with senile dementia of the Alzheimer type (SDAT). Between the MID and the SDAT patients, there were no statistically significant differences in the median serum PRL concentrations, median changes in serum PRL concentrations or median proportional changes in serum PRL concentrations. Further, the serum PRL responses did not correlate with the GBS scale scores (degrees of dementia) or the GBS subscale scores (clinical profiles, including motor functioning, emotional functioning and intellectual functioning). In conclusion, the study does not support the hypothesis that serum PRL responses to TRH stimulation are of diagnostic value in differentiating between MID and SDAT.

Class I histocompatibility antigen expression: a prognostic factor for aneuploid ovarian cancers

Epithelial ovarian cancers with aneuploid DNA content are associated with a poorer clinical course than diploid tumors. Flow cytometric analysis may further categorize aneuploid tumors based on the relative expression of cell surface histocompatibility (HLA) antigens. Surgical specimens from 20 patients with aneuploid tumors were stained using an indirect immunofluorescence method with primary murine monoclonal antibodies W36/22 (class I HLA surface antigens) and L5.1 (irrelevant antibody), counterstained with propidium iodide (DNA stain), and analyzed with the flow cytometer using a computer program to correct staining intensity for cell size. Patients with high or low class I expression were similar with respect to age, stage, histology, grade, and residual disease following surgical debulking; all patients were treated with cisplatin-based chemotherapy. Women with low class I HLA antigen expression had higher progression rates and death rates than patients with high class I HLA expression. Low class I HLA antigen expression is a poor prognostic factor among patients with aneuploid ovarian cancers.

Flow cytometric versus immunohistochemical analysis of ovarian cancer class I antigen expression: differences may represent a defect in antigen expression

Class I antigen expression by ovarian epithelial neoplasms was determined by flow cytometric analysis and an immunoperoxidase technique for each specimen. The numbers of class I positive tumors determined by the methods were compared. The more subjective immunohistochemical analysis and the more objective flow cytometric technique revealed similar results as long as strict criteria for the interpretation of results was applied. Most of the tumor specimens revealed a homogeneous Gaussian distribution of green fluorescence, class I antigen expression, by flow cytometry. There were two specimens that exhibited a less than characteristic type of membrane staining. The antigen-antibody reaction product was expressed in the extracellular matrix, as well as on the cell membrane of certain cells. This may represent a defect in antigen expression and, if so, might alter the immune response to these tumors.

The GBS scale in multi-infarct dementia and senile dementia of Alzheimer type

The GBS profile was assessed for 39 patients with multi-infarct dementia (MID) and 34 patients with senile dementia of Alzheimer type (SDAT). The MID patients fulfilled the DSM-III criteria for multi-infarct dementia and had a score of 7 points or more on the Hachinski Ischemic Scale (HIS) and a score of 4 points or less on the Gustafson/Nilsson Alzheimer Scale (GNAS). The SDAT patients fulfilled DSM-III criteria for primary degenerative dementia and had a score of 5 points or more on the GNAS and a score of 6 points or less on the HIS. The total GBS score, the GBS subscale and relative subscale scores for intellectual functioning were significantly higher in patients with SDAT as compared with patients with MID. However, these subscale scores were considerably dispersed and nearly totally overlapping between patients with MID and SDAT, which implicates that the discriminative value is minimal. The validity between the GBS versus HIS and between the GBS versus GNAS was divergent, suggesting that the GBS scale has its own unique validity. In conclusion, the study does not support the hypothesis that the GBS profile may be of diagnostic value in clinical differentiation between multi-infarct dementia (MID) and senile dementia of Alzheimer type (SDAT).