Association between genetic variants and risk of obsessive-compulsive disorder.

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a complex multi-gene disorder. In the current study, we genotyped six single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) within MOCOS, NINJ2 and AKT1 genes in a cohort of Iranian patients with this disorder and healthy controls. C allele of rs1057251 has been found to increase risk of OCD (OR (95% CI) =6.39 (4.64-8.79), P value <0.001). This SNP has been associated with risk of OCD in codominant model (OR (95% CI) = 69.53 (25.02-193.21) and 147 (34.2-631.75) for TC and CC genotypes, respectively, P value <0.0001). The rs1057251 was also associated with risk of OCD in dominant (OR (95% CI) = 72.87 (26.28-202.03), P value <0.0001), recessive (OR (95% CI) = 7.43 (2.49-22.19), P value =0.0002), overdominant (OR (95% CI) = 20.2 (11.1-36.76), P value <0.0001) and log-additive (OR (95% CI) = 20.87 (13.83-56.14), P value <0.0001) models. The rs3809263 within NINJ2 was also associated with risk of OCD. The A allele of this SNP has been found to confer risk of OCD (OR (95% CI) =3.28 (2.41-4.48), P value <0.001). This SNP was associated with risk of OCD in codominant (P value <0.0001), dominant (P value <0.0001), overdominant (OR (95% CI) = 9.28 (5.23-16.46), P value<0.0001) and log-additive (OR (95% CI) = 5.25 (3.4-8.1), P value <0.0001) models. Other SNPs were not associated with risk of OCD in any inheritance model. Taken together, rs1057251 and rs3809263 can be considered as risk loci for OCD in Iranian population.

Down-regulation of SLC16A-AS1 and LINC00900 lncRNAs in Iranian patients with breast cancer.

Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) influence pathetiology of breast cancer. Besides, VDR and ESR1 signaling pathways are two important pathways in this malignancy. In the present mixed bioinformatics and expression assay study, we have identified lncRNAs that are co-expressed with VDR and ESR1 in breast cancer tissues and analyzed their expression in 42 paired breast cancer and non-cancerous specimens. Expression of SLC16A-AS1 was significantly lower in breast cancer tissues compared with paired non-cancerous samples (expression ratio = 0.27, P value < 0.001). Similarly, LINC00900 was down-regulated in cancer tissues compared with non-cancerous ones (expression ratio = 0.26, P value = 0.01). There were no significant differences in the expressions of VDR and AATBC between these two sets of samples. Expression levels of VDR and AATBC were associated with histological grade (P values = 0.02 and 0.03, respectively). Moreover, expression of VDR was associated with tumor size (P value = 0.02). Finally, expression levels of SLC16A-AS1 were associated with first pregnancy age (P value = 0.006). In brief, the results of current study further support involvement of VDR and ESR1-associated lncRNAs in breast cancer.

Expression levels of ABCG2 and CD61 genes in breast cancer tissues of Iranian population.

Breast cancer as the most common female cancer is a malignancy with heterogeneous course. Dysregulation of several genes has been associated with development of this malignancy. Among these genes are the stem cell markers CD61 and breast cancer resistance protein (BCRP or ATP-binding cassette super-family G member 2 (ABCG2)). ABCG2 is one of the major efflux transporters implicated in multidrug resistance in cancer cells. In the present study, we compared expression of CD61 and ABCG2 transcripts between 30 breast cancer tissues and matched adjacent non-cancerous tissues (ANCTs) using real time qPCR technique. There was no significant difference in expression of CD61 or ABCG2 between tumoral tissues and ANCTs (Expression ratios = 1.21 and 0.98, P values = 0.55 and 0.96, respectively). There was a trend toward association between relative expression of CD61 (tumoral tissues versus ANCTs) and patients' age (P = 0.05) in a way that older patients tended to over-express this marker in their tumoral tissues compared with the matched ANCTs. Moreover, there was a significant association between expression of this gene and tumor size (P = 0.04) in a way that all tumors with sizes less than 2 cm showed down-regulation of CD61 (as compared with the matched ANCTs). Expression of CD61 was significantly higher in tumor tissues with extracapsular nodal extension compared with confined lesions (P = 0.007). Moreover, expression of ABCG2 was significantly higher in tumor tissues of patients aged less than 55 years compared with older patients (P = 0.04). There was no significant correlation between expression of CD61 and ABCG2 either in tumoral tissues or in ANCTs. The current investigation shows association or trends toward association between expression of two cancer stem cell markers and some clinical data of breast cancer patients such as extracapsular nodal extension, age and tumor size which might imply their importance in the pathogenesis of breast cancer.

Evaluation of expression of vitamin D receptor related lncRNAs in lung cancer.

Lung cancer as the most common cancer in the world is associated with high rate of mortality. Previous studies have detected expression of vitamin D receptor (VDR) in lung cancer tissues and reported significant of this gene in determination of patients' survival. Methods: In the current study, we assessed expression of VDR and five long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) which have been associated with VDR (MALAT1, SNHG16, SNHG6, LINC00346, LINC00511) in 32 pairs of lung cancer tissues and adjacent non-cancerous tissues (ANCTs) using real time PCR method. Expression of VDR was significantly decreased in tumor tissues obtained from male patients compared with their matched ANCTs (ER = 0.31, P value = 0.02). However, this pattern was not detected in female subjects (ER = 0.93, P value = 0.94). Expression of LINC00346 was significantly decreased in tumoral tissues compared with ANCTs (Expression ratio (ER) = 0.38, P value = 0.03). When evaluating expression of this lncRNA based on the sex of patients, differences in its expression was only significant among males (ER = 0.3, P value = 0.04). VDR expression was significantly associated with sex of patients in a way that most male patients exhibited down-regulation of this gene in their tumor tissue samples compared with the paired ANCTs (P = 0.03). Expression levels of LINC00346 could discriminate lung cancer tissues from ANCTs with sensitivity of 83.3% and specificity of 52.4%. Correlations between expressions of SNHG6 and other genes were all significant in tumoral tissues but insignificant in ANCTs. The current investigation potentiates VDR and LINC00346 as possible participants in the pathogenesis of lung cancer.

Assessment of Association between NINJ2 Polymorphisms and Suicide Attempts in an Iranian Population.

Suicidal behavior as a psychological problem with high public health burden is associated with a number of genetically determined risk factors. In the current study, we investigated the association between two polymorphisms within the NINJ2 gene and risk of suicide in an Iranian population. The study included 295 individuals who attempted suicide with soft suicide methods, 234 suicide victims and 410 normal controls. The rs11833579 SNP was associated with death from suicide in a codominant model in that the AG genotype decreased the risk of death from suicide compared with the GG genotype (OR (95% CI) = 0.49 (0.34-0.71), adjusted P value = 4e-04). This SNP was also associated with death from suicide in dominant (AG + AA versus GG: OR (95% CI) = 0.63 (0.46-0.87), adjusted P value = 0.011) and overdominant (AG versus GG + AA: OR (95% CI) = 0.49 (0.35-0.69), adjusted P value < 0.0001) models. In addition, this SNP was associated with soft suicide attempts in a codominant model (AG versus AA + GG: OR (95% CI) = 0.7 (0.5-0.98), adjusted P value = 0.02). The rs3806263 SNP was associated with death from suicide in allelic (A versus G: OR (95% CI) = 1.48 (1.17-1.88), adjusted P value = 0.002), codominant (AA versus GG: OR (95% CI) = 3.14 (1.89-5.21), adjusted P value < 0.0001), recessive (AA versus GG + AG: OR (95% CI) = 3.47 (2.15-5.61), adjusted P value < 0.0001), overdominant (AG versus AA + GG: OR (95% CI) = 0.62 (0.45-0.87), adjusted P value = 0.0092) and log-additive models (OR (95% CI) = 1.45 (1.15-1.83), adjusted P value = 0.0034). When comparing allele/genotype frequencies of this SNP between suicide victims and soft suicide attempters, significant associations were found in allelic, codominant, recessive and log-additive models. The AG haplotype (rs11833579 and rs3806263, respectively) was significantly less prevalent among suicide victims compared with controls (OR (95% CI) = 0.37 (0.26-0.52), adjusted P value < 0.0001). This haplotype was also less prevalent among suicide victims vs. soft suicide attempters (OR (95% CI) = 0.43 (0.31-0.61), adjusted P value < 0.0001). The GA haplotype (rs11833579 and rs3806263, respectively) was less frequent among suicide victims compared with controls (OR (95% CI) = 0.63 (0.45-0.89), adjusted P value = 0.0156). Finally, the AA haplotype was more prevalent among suicide victims compared with both controls (OR (95% CI) = 2.37 (1.56-3.6), adjusted P value = 0.0002) and soft suicide attempters (OR (95% CI) = 1.92 (1.32-2.78), adjusted P value = 0.0012). Thus, these two SNPs might be regarded as genetic determinants of suicide risk in Iranian populations. Further studies in different populations are needed to verify these results.

Expression assessment of a panel of long non-coding RNAs in gastric malignancy.

BACKGROUND: Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) have several important functions in the regulation of cell homeostasis and cell fate. Consequently, abnormal transcription of lncRNAs has been correlated with malignant transformation of cells. These human transcripts have been shown to participate in the progression of gastric cancer. METHODS: In the current project, we evaluated expression of a panel of lncRNAs including HULC, MALAT1, FAS-AS1, GAS5, PVT1, OIP5-AS1 and THRIL in 30 gastric cancer tissues and paired adjacent non-cancerous tissues (ANCTs) using quantitative real-time PCR. RESULTS: HULC, OIP5-AS1 and THRIL transcription quantities were significantly lower in gastric tumors compared to ANCTs (P values = .02, 0.02 and 0.007, respectively). Relative transcription quantities of HULC, MALAT1, OIP5-AS1, PVT1, FAS-AS1 and THRIL were associated with the site of the primary tumor (P values = .002, 0.003, 0.002, 0.002, 0.002, and 0.001, respectively). Moreover, relative expression levels of PVT1 were associated with history of smoking (P value = .04). Correlations were identified between transcript quantities of these lncRNAs in both tumor samples and ANCTs. Receiver operating characteristic curve assessment demonstrated that THRIL had the highest diagnostic power among the mentioned lncRNAs (area under curve (AUC) = 0.72, P value = .001). HULC and OIP5-AS1 ranked afterwards (AUC values of 0.69 and 0.68; P values = .005 and 0.007, respectively). CONCLUSION: The current investigation underscores the dysregulation of these transcripts in gastric cancer specimens and suggests a number of these transcripts for further assessments of their suitability as cancer biomarkers.

Expression analysis of a panel of long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) revealed their potential as diagnostic biomarkers in bladder cancer.

INTRODUCTION: Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) have fundamental roles in cell migration, proliferation, invasion and metastasis. METHODS: In the current study, we evaluated expression of a panel of lncRNAs in bladder cancer tissues, adjacent non-cancerous tissues (ANCTs) and normal bladder tissues to evaluate their diagnostic power. RESULTS: PV1 was down-regulated in tumor tissues compared with both ANCTs and normal controls (Expression ratios of 0.48 and 0.14; P values of 0.4 and <0.001 respectively). HOTAIR, NEAT1, TUG1 and FAS-AS1 were significantly down-regulated in tumor tissues compared with normal controls (Expression ratios of 0.4, 0.68, 0.54 and 0.11; P values of 0.04, 0.02, 0.02 and <0.001 respectively). CONCLUSION: Combination of transcript levels of seven lncRNAs improved both sensitivity and specificity values to 100%. The current study shows dysregulation of lncRNAs in bladder cancer and implies their role as diagnostic markers in this malignancy.

Expression analysis of NF-κB interacting long noncoding RNAs in breast cancer.

The nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) has a prominent role in development of breast cancer and response of patients to conventional therapies. Several factors regulate the activity of this transcription factor. In the current investigation, we compared expression levels of five long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) with putative interactions with NF-κB namely CHAST, ADINR, DICER1-AS1, HNF1A-AS1 and NKILA between 78 breast cancer tissues and their paired adjacent non-cancerous tissues (ANCTs). We also assessed expression levels of ATG5 and CEBPA mRNA coding genes that are functionally linked with NF-κB signaling in these two sets of samples. All assessed genes except for NKILA were significantly down-regulated in tumoral tissues compared with ANCTs. Expression of NKILA was not significantly different between tumoral tissues and ANCTs. Expression levels of CEBPA and HNF1A-AS were significantly associated with cancer stage (P values of 0.03 and 0.02 respectively). Expression levels of ATG5 tended to be associated with mitotic rate (P = .05). The association between expression levels of ATG5 and tumor size was also significant (P = .02). Expression of CHAST was significantly associated with PR status (P = .04) and tended to be associated with ER status (P = .05). Finally, expression of NKILA was significantly associated with first pregnancy age (P = .01). No other significant association was detected between expression levels of assessed genes and clinical parameters. Expression levels of mentioned genes were significantly correlated with each other. The most significant correlations were found between CHAST and ADINR (correlation coefficients of 0.78 and 0.69 in tumoral tissues and ANCTs respectively). Based on the area under curve (AUC) values, DICER1-AS and CEBPA had the best performance in differentiation of tumoral tissues from ANCTs (AUC values of 0.92 and 0.90 respectively. Combination of transcript quantities of six genes could differentiate these two sets of samples with 92.3% sensitivity, 91% specificity and diagnostic power of 95%. The current project highlights dysregulation of NF-κB-associated genes in breast cancer tissues and suggests them as potential diagnostic markers in breast cancer.

Sex-specific up-regulation of lncRNAs in peripheral blood of patients with schizophrenia.

Schizophrenia as a common disabling psychiatric disorder has been associated with dysregulation of several genes and pathways among them are those being regulated by long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs). Based on the acknowledged roles of lncRNAs in neurodevelopment, in the current study, we assessed expression of six lncRNAs namely HOXA-AS2, Linc-ROR, MALAT1, MEG3, SPRY4-IT1 and UCA1 in peripheral blood of 60 patients with schizophrenia and 60 healthy subjects. HOXA-AS2, Linc-ROR, MEG3, SPRY4-IT1 and UCA1 levels were significantly higher in total patients compared with total controls. However, when evaluating expression of genes in sex-based subgroups, the differences in the expression of these lncRNAs were significant only among females. Assessment of partial correlation between expression of lncRNAs and age of study participants after controlling the effect of sex, revealed significant correlations for HOXA-AS2, MALAT1 and UCA1 in both patients and controls. Besides, expressions of Linc-ROR and SPRY4-IT1 were correlated with age only in patients. Significant pairwise correlations were recognized between expression levels of lncRNAs in both patients with schizophrenia and controls. Based on the area under curve (AUC) values, SPRY4-IT1 had the best performance in differentiation of female patients with schizophrenia from female controls (AUC = 0.85, P < 0.0001). Combination of Linc-ROR, MEG3, SPRY4-IT1 and UCA1 expression levels could differentiate female patients with 95.2% sensitivity, 76.9% specificity and diagnostic power of 0.88 (P < 0.0001). The current study suggests the presence of a sex-based dysregulation of lncRNAs in patients with schizophrenia and their possible application as diagnostic biomarkers.

Dysregulation of cytokine coding genes in peripheral blood of bipolar patients.

BACKGROUND: The role of immune response dysregulation has been previously noticed in the pathogenesis of bipolar disorder (BD). METHODS: In the current investigation, we compared expression levels of eight cytokines and a chemokine (CXCL8) in the peripheral blood of BD patients and healthy subjects. All BD patients were in euthymic phase. RESULTS: We found higher expression of IL-1B, IL-10, IFN-G, TNF-a, TGF-B and IL-2 in male patients compared with male controls (ExR=3.44, P<0.0001, ExR=2.54, P<0.0001; ExR=2.39, P<0.0001; ExR=2.74, P<0.0001; ExR=2.32, P<0.0001; ExR=1.87, P = 0.04 respectively). For these cytokines, no significant differences were found between female patients and female controls. While expression of IL-6 was higher in male patients compared with male controls (ExR=2.07, P = 0.006), in female subjects the opposite trend was detected (ExR=0.44, P = 0.02). However, no significant difference was detected between female subjects. Expression levels of IL-17 were not different between patients and controls or between any subgroups of them. We found significant correlations between expression of IFN-G and age at disease onset (R = 0.25, P = 0.04) as well as expression of CXCL8 and both age of patients and age at disease onset (R = 0.26, P = 0.03; R = 0.25, P = 0.04). Moreover, inverse correlation was detected between expression of TNF-a and age in control group (R=-0.34, P = 0.008). CONCLUSION: Combination of transcript levels of six genes could differentiate BD patients from healthy subjects with diagnostic power of 0.85 (Sensitivity=78%, Specificity=80% and P<0.0001). The current investigation highlights the role of cytokine coding genes in the pathogenesis of BD and potentiates them as diagnostic biomarkers.

Assessment of SGO1 and SGO1-AS1 contribution in breast cancer.

Shugoshin-like protein 1 (SGO1) participated in the proper progression of mitosis. This fundamental role has indicated the importance of this gene in the pathogenesis of cancer as a disorder of mitotic cell division. A previous high throughput study of long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) expression in lung cancer has identified aberrant expression of SGO1-antisense 1 (SGO1-AS1) in these specimens. In the current study, we quantified expression of SGO1 and SGO1-AS1 in 39 breast cancer tissues and their paired adjacent non-cancerous tissues (ANCTs). Expression of SGO1-AS1 was considerably decreased in tumoral tissues compared with ANCTs (expression ratio = 0.49, P value = 0.03). However, we could not identify significant difference in expression of SGO1 between these two sets of specimens (expression ratio = 2.9, P value = 0.2). Transcript quantities of SGO1-AS1 were associated with age at disease onset (P= 0.01). Expression of either gene was associated with hormone receptors status or clinical features such as grade and stage. There was an inverse correlation between expressions of genes in both sets of samples. Finally, transcript amounts of SGO1-AS1 could distinguish these two sets of samples with accuracy of 63% (P value = 0.03). Our results imply significance of SGO1-AS1 in breast cancer and necessitate conduction of mechanistic studies to find the molecular pathways in this regard.

AFAP1 and its naturally occurring antisense RNA are downregulated in gastric cancer samples.

Actin filament-associated protein 1 (AFAP1) encodes a protein which is an SRC proto-oncogene, non-receptor tyrosine kinase binding partner. This protein alters actin filament integrity in reaction to cellular signals. A long non-coding RNA, namely AFAP1-antisense RNA 1 (AS1), is transcribed from the antisense strand of this gene and potentially regulates its expression. In the present study, the expression levels of these two genes were evaluated in 30 gastric cancer samples and adjacent non-cancerous tissues (ANCTs) to identify their importance in this type of human malignancy. These two genes were significantly downregulated in gastric tumor samples compared with ANCTs (expression ratio 0.26 and 0.36, P=0.001 and P=0.04 for AFAP1 and AFAP1-AS1, respectively). Relative expressions of these two genes were associated with the location of primary tumor, in that AFAP1 and AFAP1-AS1 were significantly downregulated in all cardia tumor types compared with their paired ANCTs (P=0.04 and P=0.001, respectively). There were indications of a significant association between the expression levels of AFAP1 and peritoneal invasion and smoking history (P=0.05). Additionally, a lower expression level of AFAP1 was detected in younger patients and in high grade tumor types compared with olders and low grade tumors respectively (P=0.01 and P=0.04, respectively) and significantly higher expression levels of AFAP1-AS1 in patients with lymphatic/vascular invasion compared with those without lymphatic/vascular invasion (P=0.01). Furthermore, significant pairwise correlations were identified between the transcript levels of these genes in tumoral tissues and ANCTs (P values<0.05). The diagnostic power of AFAP1 and AFAP1-AS1 in gastric cancer was calculated as area under the curve (AUC) 0.75 and 0.67, respectively. The combination of the transcript levels of these two genes significantly enhanced the diagnostic power compared with diagnostic power of each gene (AUC, 0.76; P<0.001). The present study demonstrates the dysregulation of AFAP1 and AFAP1-AS1 in gastric cancer tissues in association with the clinicopathological data of patients and demonstrates the potential of these genes as diagnostic biomarkers.

Circulating free DNA concentration as a marker of disease recurrence and metastatic potential in lung cancer.

BACKGROUND: Plasma circulating cell-free (cf) DNA is regarded as a source of tumor DNA. Based on availability of blood tissue for the purposes of early detection of cancer and patients' follow-up, several studies have evaluated concentration of cf DNA in cancer patients in association with tumor features. In the present study, we assessed concentration of cf DNA in lung cancer patients with two commercial kits (MN and QIAGEN) to find whether it can be used as a prognostic biomarker. RESULTS: Primary cf DNA concentrations as measured by QIAGEN kit was significantly higher in patients who died in the follow-up period compared with alive patients (P = 0.007). Moreover, the concentrations as measured by both methods were higher in patients who experienced recurrence in the follow-up period compared with patients without recurrence (P = 0.008 and 0.007 for MN and QIAGEN kits respectively). Significant associations were also found between cf DNA concentrations and tumor stage (P = 0.005 and 0.02 for MN and QIAGEN kits respectively). Notably, cf DNA concentration was higher in metastatic tumors compared with non-metastatic tumors in association with number of involved organs. Based on the AUC values, both kits could differentiate metastatic cancers from non-metastatic ones with accuracy of 98%. CONCLUSIONS: The current study highlights the accuracy of cf DNA concentrations for prediction of disease course in lung cancer patients.

ß-Secretase 1 and its Naturally Occurring Anti-Sense RNA are Down-Regulated in Gastric Cancer.

ß-secretase (BACE1) and its naturally occurring anti-sense RNA (BACE1-AS) have established role in the pathologic process leading to Alzheimer's disease. Their possible implication in the neoangiogenesis suggests that they might be involved in the tumorigenesis events as well. In the present study, we compared transcript levels of these genes in 30 gastric cancer samples and their adjacent non-cancerous tissues (ANCTs) to find whether their altered expression might facilitate discrimination of these two sets of samples. Expressions of both genes were associated with site of primary tumor. Both genes were significantly down-regulated in tumoral tissues compared with ANCTs. Significant correlations were detected between transcript levels of these genes in both sets of samples. Transcript levels of BACE1 and BACE1-AS had the diagnostic power of 75% based on Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis. The current study provides evidences for contribution of BACE1 and BACE1-AS in gastric cancer evolution and suggests their potential as diagnostic markers.

DSCAM-AS1 up-regulation in invasive ductal carcinoma of breast and assessment of its potential as a diagnostic biomarker.

BACKGROUND: The long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) DSCAM-AS1 has been demonstrated to participate in the pathogenesis of breast cancer and tamoxifen resistance. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate expression profile of DSCAM-AS1 in invasive ductal carcinoma of breast and its suitability as a biomarker for diagnosis of breast cancer. METHODS: We evaluated expression of DSCAM-AS1 in 108 breast tissues including tumoral and adjacent non-cancerous tissues (ANCTs) by means of quantitative real time PCR. RESULTS: DSCAM-AS1 was up-regulated in tumoral tissues compared with ANCTs (Fold change = 2.86, P = 0.011). Its expression was significantly higher in patients aged less than 55 compared with older patients (P = 0.02). However, its expression levels had not a good performance as a diagnostic biomarker for breast cancer. CONCLUSIONS: The significant up-regulation of DSCAM-AS1 in tumoral tissues compared with ANCTs provides further evidences for participation of this lncRNA in the pathogenesis of breast cancer.

Urinary exosomal expression of long non-coding RNAs as diagnostic marker in bladder cancer.

BACKGROUND: Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) and exosomes have been regarded as components of cell signal transmission that modulate indigenous cellular microenvironments. Exosomes also participate in relocation of functional lncRNAs between cells. METHODS: In the present study, we evaluated expression of LINC00355, LINC00958, UCA1-201, UCA1-203, and MALAT1 lncRNAs in urinary exosomes isolated from transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) of bladder, non-malignant urinary disorders, and normal subjects. RESULTS: LINC00355, UCA1-203, and MALAT1 expression was significantly higher in TCC patients compared to controls (non-malignant or normal samples). However, UCA1-201 expression was significantly decreased in TCC patients compared with controls. LINC00355 and MALAT1 expression was significantly lower in cigarette smokers and opium-addicted TCC patients, respectively. On the other hand, LINC00355 expression tended to be higher in opium-addicted TCC patients. The proposed panel of lncRNAs (composed of UCA1-201, UCA1-203, MALAT1, and LINC00355) had 92% sensitivity and 91.7% specificity for diagnosis of bladder cancer from normal samples. CONCLUSION: Transcript levels of lncRNAs in urinary exosomes are potential diagnostic bio-markers in bladder cancer.

Expression profile of miRNAs in urine samples of bladder cancer patients.

AIM: miRNAs have been suggested as biomarkers for bladder cancer. We aimed to find a diagnostic panel of miRNAs based on differential expression of miRNAs in urine specimens of patient with bladder cancer compared with control group. METHODS: miR-141, miR-10b, miR-34b and miR-103 were selected to assess their expression in urine samples of 66 bladder cancer patients and 53 matched controls using quantitative real time PCR. RESULTS: miR-10b and miR-34b were upregulated in cases compared with controls. The combination of four miRNAs showed a sensitivity of 75% and specificity of 63.5% with a diagnostic power of 72%. CONCLUSION: Certain miRNAs can be used as biomarkers for early diagnosis of bladder cancer.

Urine exosome gene expression of cancer-testis antigens for prediction of bladder carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: Exosomes have been regarded as emerging tools for cancer diagnosis. Tumor-derived exosomes contain molecules that enhance cancer progression and affect immune responses. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In the present study, we evaluated expression of seven cancer-testis antigens (CTAs) that are regarded as putative biomarkers and immunotherapeutic targets along with NMP22 in urinary exosomes of bladder cancer patients, healthy subjects and patients affected with nonmalignant urinary disorders. RESULTS: Exosomal expression of MAGE-B4 was significantly higher in bladder cancer patients compared with normal samples (expression ratio=2.68, P=0.01). However, its expression was lower in bladder cancer patients compared with benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH) patients (expression ratio=0.17, P=0.01). Exosomal expression of NMP22 was significantly higher in bladder cancer patients compared with BPH patients (expression ratio=9.22, P=0.02). Expressions of other genes were not significantly different between bladder cancer patients and normal/nonmalignant samples. We found significant correlation between MAGE-A3 and MAGE-B4 expressions in exosomes obtained from controls. In addition, TSGA10 expression was correlated with expression of NMP22 in both cancer patients and controls. CONCLUSION: The present study provides evidences for differential expression of CTAs in urinary exosomes of bladder cancer patients and urogenital disorders and warrants further studies for assessment of their significance in cancer diagnosis and immunotherapeutic approaches.

Suppressor of cytokine signaling (SOCS) genes are downregulated in breast cancer.

BACKGROUND: The suppressor of cytokine signaling (SOCS) family of proteins are inhibitors of the cytokine-activated Janus kinase/signal transducers and activators of transcription (JAK/STAT) signaling pathway. We aimed at evaluation of expression of SOCS genes in breast cancer. METHODS: We evaluated expression of SOCS1-3 and SOCS5 genes in breast cancer samples compared with the corresponding adjacent non-cancerous tissues (ANCTs). RESULTS: All assessed SOCS genes were significantly downregulated in tumoral tissues compared with ANCTs. SOCS1 and SOCS2 genes were significantly overexpressed in higher grade samples, but SOCS3 had the opposite trend. Significant correlations were found between expression levels of SOCS genes. The SOCS1 and SOCS2 expression levels had the best specificity and sensitivity values respectively for breast cancer diagnosis. CONCLUSION: The current study provides further evidence for contribution of SOCS genes in breast cancer.

Assessment of expression of interferon γ (IFN-G) gene and its antisense (IFNG-AS1) in breast cancer.

BACKGROUND: The role of long non-coding RNAs has been extensively appreciated in the contexts of cancer. Interferon γ-antisense RNA1 (IFNG-AS1) is an lncRNA located near to IFN-γ-encoding (IFNG) gene and regulates expression of IFNG in Th1 cells. METHODS: In the present study, we evaluated expression of IFNG and IFNG-AS1 in 108 breast samples including tumoral tissues and their adjacent non-cancerous tissues (ANCTs) using real-time PCR. IFNG-AS1 was significantly upregulated in tumoral tissues compared with ANCTs (expression ratio = 2.23, P = 0.03). RESULTS: Although the expression of IFNG was higher in tumoral tissues compared with ANCTs (relative expression = 1.89), it did not reach the level of significance (P = 0.07). IFNG expression was significantly higher in HER2-negative tumoral tissues compared with HER2-positive ones (P = 0.01) and in grade 1 samples compared with grade 2 ones (P = 0.03). No other significant difference was found in expressions of genes between other groups. CONCLUSION: Significant strong correlations were detected between expression of IFNG and IFNG-AS1 in both tumoral tissues and ANCTs. The present study provides evidences for participation of IFNG and IFNG-AS1 in the pathogenesis of breast cancer and warrants future studies to elaborate the underlying mechanism.