Significant association between IL-18 and OCT4 gene polymorphisms in susceptibility and clinical characteristics of prostate cancer

Objective Recent studies have shown abnormal expression of octamer-binding transcription factor 4(OCT4) and interleukin-18(IL-18) to be related to cancer. However, the molecular mechanisms by which the IL-18 and OCT4 gene polymorphisms are associated with prostate cancer remain unclear. In this study, we aimed to determine whether the presence of IL-18 and OCT4 polymorphisms were associated with size, grade, tumor, nodes and metastasis(TNM) stage, or survival in patients with prostate cancer.Methods Polymorphisms in OCT4 and IL-18 genes were evaluated to determine susceptibility to prostate cancer in 120 patients. A control group consisted of 125 Chinese participants. Genotyping was performed using TaqMan allelic discrimination assays, and statistical analysis was performed using SPSS. Results No association was found between OCT4 and IL-18 gene polymorphisms and prostate cancer susceptibility. For OCT4 AA and IL-18-607 CC genotypes, there was a significant association with higher tumor grade(P = 0.03 and P = 0.025) and stage(P = 0.04 and P = 0.001). The OCT4 and IL-18-137 GG genotype was correlated with higher tumor grade(P = 0.028) and stage(P = 0.008). Furthermore, OCT4 AA was significantly more frequent in patients with lymph node metastasis(P = 0.02) and distant metastasis(P = 0.01). The Cox proportional hazard model showed that tumor grade and stage grouping were independent prognostic factors but IL-18 and OCT4 polymorphisms were not. Conclusion The OCT4 gene may have a profound effect on prostate cancer risk. Polymorphism variants in the IL-18(IL-18-607 and IL-18-137) and OCT4 genes may be associated with poor prognoses for individuals with prostate cancer.

Clinical study of IL-18 and NANOG gene polymorphisms in prostate cancer patients

Objective Recent studies have shown abnormal expression of NANOG and IL-18 to be related to cancer. However, the molecular mechanism by which IL-18 and NANOG gene polymorphisms are associated with prostate cancer is unclear. In this study, we examined whether IL-18 and NANOG gene polymorphisms and their interaction with prostate cancer-related risk factor are associated with the susceptibility to and clinicopathological development of prostate cancer among Chinese men.Methods Polymorphisms in the NANOG and IL-18 genes were evaluated for susceptibility in 120 patients with prostate cancer. The control group consisted of 125 samples from Chinese men. Genotyping was conducted using Taq Man allelic discrimination assays. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS software. Results No association of NANOG and IL-18 gene polymorphisms and overall prostate cancer susceptibility was detected. The IL-18-607 CC genotype was significantly associated with a higher tumor grade(P = 0.025) and stage(P =0.001). The IL-18-137 GG genotype correlated with a higher tumor grade(P = 0.028) and stage(P = 0.008). The IL-18-137 G allele was significantly more frequent in patients with lymph node metastasis(P = 0.035). The IL-18-607 CC genotype was associated with distant metastasis(P = 0.025). However, no significant association was observed between NANOG polymorphisms and any clinicopathological feature. The Cox proportional hazard model showed that tumor grade and stage grouping were independent prognostic factors in IL-18, while IL-18 polymorphism was not. Polymorphism variants in the IL-18(IL-18-607 and IL-18-137) and NANOG(genotypes AC) genes might be associated with a worse prognosis of patients with prostate cancer.Conclusion NANOG may be associated with the early stages of prostate cancer carcinogenesis. IL-18 and NANOG gene polymorphisms may play a major role in the growth, invasion, and metastasis of prostate cancer.

Impact of IL-18 gene promoter polymorphisms on renal cell carcinoma occurrence and prognosis in Chinese Han population

Objective Genetic polymorphisms in various inflammatory cytokines have been associated with the risk and growth or invasiveness of renal cell carcinoma(RCC).However,the molecular basis of RCC pathogenesis is unclear.The aim of this study was to explore a possible association between two IL-18 gene promoter polymorphisms,-137G/C and -607 C/A,and RCC occurrence and prognosis in a Chinese Han population.Methods Chinese Han patients with RCC(n=175) and age-matched healthy controls(n=200) were analyzed by single nucleotide polymorphism genotyping during follow-up.Results IL-18-137G allele frequency was significantly higher in patients with lymph node metastasis(Odds ratio [OR],3.52;95% confidence interval [CI],0.97-16.17;P=0.045).The IL-18-607 CC genotype was associated with distant metastasis(OR,2.81;95% CI,1.35-6.24;P=0.025).The IL-18-137G allele was correlated with more advanced tumor stage(OR,1.83;95% CI,1.05-3.72;P=0.026) and higher tumor grade(OR,2.23;95% CI,0.78-4.12;P=0.041).The IL-18-607 CC genotype frequency was significantly higher in patients with more advanced cancer stage(OR,2.92;95% CI,1.80-6.87;P=0.001) and higher tumor grade(OR,2.21;95% CI,1.25-12.25;P=0.035).The IL-18-607 allele was associated with more advanced cancer stage(OR,2.47;95% CI,1.38-3.83;P=0.002).Carriers of the GG genotype with the -137G/C polymorphism had a 2.165-times higher risk of RCC progression than carriers of the GC genotype(Hazard ratio=2.15,95% CI,1.270-3.687).Conclusion The IL-18-137G allele was correlated with more advanced stage,higher tumor grade,and lymph node metastasis.IL-18 gene promoter polymorphism -137G/C may thus influence the prognosis of RCC patients.

A multicenter uroflowmetry study of healthy women in China

Uroflowmetry is an uroflow measurement technique used to record the voided volume(VV)and flow rate,which can help clinicians objectively evaluate lower urinary tract function.Currently,few uroflowmetry studies have focused on the female population,[1]especially on the uroflow curve standard analysis.Hence,we sought to establish dependable uroflow reference values and nomograms for Chinese women and to evaluate the relationship between uroflow patterns and demographic data.