Association between CT-based adipose variables, preoperative blood biochemical indicators and pathological T stage of clear cell renal cell carcinoma.

Background: Clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) is corelated with tumor-associated material (TAM), coagulation system and adipocyte tissue, but the relationships between them have been inconsistent. Our study aimed to explore the cut-off intervals of variables that are non-linearly related to ccRCC pathological T stage for providing clues to understand these discrepancies, and to effectively preoperative risk stratification. Methods: This retrospective analysis included 218 ccRCC patients with a clear pathological T stage between January 1st, 2014, and November 30th, 2021. The patients were categorized into two cohorts based on their pathological T stage: low T stage (T1 and T2) and high T stage (T3 and T4). Abdominal and perirenal fat variables were measured based on preoperative CT images. Blood biochemical indexes from the last time before surgery were also collected. The generalized sum model was used to identify cut-off intervals for nonlinear variables. Results: In specific intervals, fibrinogen levels (FIB) (2.63-4.06 g/L) and platelet (PLT) counts (>200.34 × 109/L) were significantly positively correlated with T stage, while PLT counts (<200.34 × 109/L) were significantly negatively correlated with T stage. Additionally, tumor-associated material exhibited varying degrees of positive correlation with T stage at different cut-off intervals (cut-off value: 90.556 U/mL). Conclusion: Preoperative PLT, FIB and TAM are nonlinearly related to pathological T stage. This study is the first to provide specific cut-off intervals for preoperative variables that are nonlinearly related to ccRCC T stage. These intervals can aid in the risk stratification of ccRCC patients before surgery, allowing for developing a more personalized treatment planning.

Association of single nucleotide polymorphism rs2065955 of the filaggrin gene with susceptibility to Epstein-Barr virus-associated gastric carcinoma and EBV-negative gastric carcinoma.

The relationship between the Filaggrin gene (FLG) rs2065955 polymorphism and susceptibility to Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-associated gastric carcinoma (EBVaGC) and EBV-negative gastric carcinoma (EBVnGC) was investigated in Shandong Province, China. We detected the FLG rs2065955 genotype and allele distribution by using PCR and restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) in 64 EBVaGC, 82 EBVnGC, and 111 normal control samples. Immunohistochemistry was used to detect the level of FLG protein in 35 EBVaGC and 51 EBVnGC tumor tissues. Compared with normal controls, the genotype CC and allele C of FLG rs2065955 showed higher frequency in EBVaGC and EBVnGC. There was no significant difference between EBVaGC and EBVnGC in allele distribution of FLG rs2065955, but the genotype CC was found more frequently in EBVaGC than in EBVnGC. The risk of developing either EBVaGC or EBVnGC in genotype CC was higher than in other genotypes. Furthermore, genotype CC of FLG rs2065955 may contribute more to the risk of developing EBVaGC than EBVnGC. There was no significant difference in the expression level of FLG protein between EBVaGC and EBVnGC. In conclusion, the FLG rs2065955 polymorphism was significantly related to gastric carcinoma. Allele C of FLG rs2065955 could be a risk factor for EBVaGC or EBVnGC, while genotype CC of FLG rs2065955 was especially associated with EBVaGC.

Glypican-4 gene polymorphism (rs1048369) and susceptibility to Epstein-Barr virus-associated and -negative gastric carcinoma.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Gastric cancer (GC) is one of the most common malignant tumors in China and single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) have been found to be highly related to GC carcinogenesis. Glypican-4 (GPC4), a member of the heparan sulphate proteoglycan family, plays an important role in the regulation of cell growth and differentiation. However, little is known about polymorphisms of GPC4 gene and their associated susceptibility to GC, especially to Epstein-Barr virus-associated GC (EBVaGC). Here we studied the GPC4 polymorphism (rs1048369) in GC individuals, especially those with EBVaGC, and we explored an association between the GPC4 gene polymorphism (rs1048369) and susceptibility to EBVaGC and Epstein-Barr virus-negative GC (EBVnGC) in a population from Northern China. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The GPC4 gene polymorphism (rs1048369) was detected in 54 cases of EBVaGC and 73 cases of EBVnGC using polymerase chain reaction (PCR). One hundred and seven peripheral blood samples from healthy individuals were also measured as a control group. RESULTS: There were significant differences in both the genotype and allelic frequency of GPC4 gene (rs1048369) between the EBVaGC and EBVnGC patients. Meanwhile, the distribution of genotype and allelic frequency of GPC4 (rs1048369) differed between EBVaGC and control groups. Distribution of the GPC4 genotype also revealed differences between EBVnGC and control groups, no significant differences in the allelic frequency of the GPC4 gene (rs1048369) were observed. The frequency of the T allele in EBVaGC group was significantly higher than that in control and EBVnGC groups. CONCLUSIONS: The GPC4 gene polymorphism and the allele of GPC4 are both associated with susceptibility to EBVaGC. The T allele of GPC4 may represent a risk factor for EBVaGC.