Association of lncRNA CCAT2 and CASC8 Gene Polymorphisms with Hepatocellular Carcinoma.

The worldwide incidence of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), the major histological type of primary liver cancer, is heterogeneous due to the variable prevalence of etiological factors, indicating a correlation of HCC risk with genetic variations among individuals. Among long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) located in the chromosome 8q24 loci and involved in the carcinogenesis are colon cancer associated transcript 2 (CCAT2) and cancer susceptibility candidate 8 (CASC8). In this study, the association of CCAT2 and CASC8 gene polymorphisms with the occurrence of HCC was explored between 397 HCC patients and 1195 controls. We found that carriers of rs6983267 GG in CCAT2 were more susceptible to HCC, with the odds ratio (OR) and adjusted odds ratio (AOR) being 1.532 (95% CI, 1.103-2.129; p = 0.011) and 1.627 (95% CI, 1.120-2.265; p = 0.033), respectively. Moreover, for patients stratified by age (under 65), gender (male only), or status of drinking (habitual drinkers), a protective effect of CASC8 rs3843549 on presenting high Child-Pugh scores, metastatic vascular invasion, or large-size tumors was observed in a dominant model. Collectively, our data reveal association of CCAT2 and CASC8 gene polymorphisms with the occurrence and progression of HCC.

Association of lncRNA H19 Gene Polymorphisms with the Occurrence of Hepatocellular Carcinoma.

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common type of primary liver cancer, whose diversified occurrence worldwide indicates a connection between genetic variations among individuals and the predisposition to such neoplasms. Mounting evidence has demonstrated that long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) H19 can have both promotive and inhibitory effects on cancer development, revealing a dual role in tumorigenesis. In this study, the link of H19 gene polymorphisms to hepatocarcinogenesis was assessed between 359 HCC patients and 1190 cancer-free subjects. We found that heterozygotes for the minor allele of H19 rs2839698 (T) and rs3741219 (G) were more inclined to develop HCC (OR, 1.291; 95% CI, 1.003-1.661; p = 0.047, and OR, 1.361; 95% CI, 1.054-1.758; p = 0.018, respectively), whereas homozygotes for the polymorphic allele of rs2107425 (TT) were correlated with a decreased risk of HCC (OR, 0.606; 95% CI, 0.410-0.895; p = 0.012). Moreover, patients who bear at least one variant allele (heterozygote or homozygote) of rs3024270 were less prone to develop late-stage tumors (for stage III/IV; OR, 0.566; 95% CI, 0.342-0.937; p = 0.027). In addition, carriers of a particular haplotype of three H19 SNPs tested were more susceptible to HCC. In conclusion, our results indicate an association between H19 gene polymorphisms and the incidence and progression of liver cancer.

Effect of genetic variation in microRNA binding site in WNT1-inducible signaling pathway protein 1 gene on oral squamous cell carcinoma susceptibility.

BACKGROUND: Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC), which is the most common head and neck cancer, accounts for 1%-2% of all human malignancies and is characterized by poor prognosis and reduced survival rates. WNT1-inducible signaling pathway protein 1 (WISP1), a cysteine-rich protein belonging to the Cyr61, CTGF, Nov (CCN) family of matricellular proteins, has many developmental functions and may be involved in carcinogenesis. This study investigated WISP1 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) to elucidate OSCC susceptibility and clinicopathologic characteristics. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: Real-time polymerase chain reaction was used to analyze 6 SNPs of WISP1 in 900 OSCC patients and 1200 cancer-free controls. The results showed that WISP1 rs2929970 polymorphism carriers with at least one G allele were susceptible to OSCC. Moreover, compared with smokers, non-smoker patients with higher frequencies of WISP1 rs2929970 (AG + GG) variants had a late stage (stages III and IV) and a large tumor size. In addition, OSCC patients who were betel quid chewers and carried WISP1 rs16893344 (CT + TT) variants had a low risk of lymph node metastasis. CONCLUSION: Our results demonstrate that a joint effect of WISP1 rs2929970 with smoking as well as WISP1 rs16893344 with betel nut chewing causally contributes to the occurrence of OSCC. WISP1 polymorphism may serve as a marker or a therapeutic target in OSCC.