Immunological mechanism of action and clinical profile of disease-modifying treatments in multiple sclerosis.

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a life-long, potentially debilitating disease of the central nervous system (CNS). MS is considered to be an immune-mediated disease, and the presence of autoreactive peripheral lymphocytes in CNS compartments is believed to be critical in the process of demyelination and tissue damage in MS. Although MS is not currently a curable disease, several disease-modifying therapies (DMTs) are now available, or are in development. These DMTs are all thought to primarily suppress autoimmune activity within the CNS. Each therapy has its own mechanism of action (MoA) and, as a consequence, each has a different efficacy and safety profile. Neurologists can now select therapies on a more individual, patient-tailored basis, with the aim of maximizing potential for long-term efficacy without interruptions in treatment. The MoA and clinical profile of MS therapies are important considerations when making that choice or when switching therapies due to suboptimal disease response. This article therefore reviews the known and putative immunological MoAs alongside a summary of the clinical profile of therapies approved for relapsing forms of MS, and those in late-stage development, based on published data from pivotal randomized, controlled trials

Prion protein expression and the M129V polymorphism of the PRNP gene in patients with colorectal cancer

The prion protein, PrPC, is known mostly for its involvement in neurodegenerative spongiform encephalopathies. However, a role for this molecule in cancer is becoming increasingly recognized partly because it promotes cell proliferation and inhibits apoptosis. Moreover, the codon 129 polymorphism (M129V) of the PRNP gene (the PrPC-encoding gene) has been associated with neurodegenerative disease development and severity, while no information is available regarding its role in colorectal cancer (CRC) incidence and disease progression. We have previously reported that expression levels of PRNP may have a prognostic value in CRC, suggesting a role for the prion protein in CRC. The aim of this study was to investigate retrospectively the possible role of M129V and PrPC expression in patients with CRC. The M129V single nucleotide polymorphism was genotyped by real time polymerase chain reactions in 110 patients with CRC and 124 healthy donors. Moreover, protein expression was assessed by immunohistochemistry in 68 patients with CRC. Allele frequencies were similar in patients and healthy controls indicating that the M129V polymorphism is not a risk factor for CRC. Furthermore, it did not correlate with any clinicopathological parameters. By contrast, PrPC expression was highly elevated in neoplastic compared to normal tissue and differed depending on the primary site. Interestingly, protein levels were correlated with disease recurrence (P = 0.007). Conclusively, PrPC overexpression may constitute a prognostic marker for disease recurrence and potentially a new target for anticancer therapy. However, further studies are needed to evaluate prospectively the role of PrPC expression in patients with CRC. © 2010 Wiley-Liss, Inc

Variant of BCL3 gene is strongly associated with five-year survival of non-small-cell lung cancer patients

Objectives: BCL3, a known atypical IκB family member, has been documented to be upregulated in hematological malignancies and in some solid tumors, functioning as a crucial player in tumor development. Recently, rs8100239, a tag-Single Nucleotide Polymorphism (SNP) in BCL3 (T > A) has been identified, but there are no data regarding its involvement in non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) initiation and progression. Materials and methods: To study the possible association of BCL3 with NSCLC, 268 patients and 279 healthy controls were genotyped for rs8100239. Moreover, BCL3 protein expression was also investigated in 112 NSCLC cases through an immunohistochemical analysis. Results: NSCLC patients with AA genotype displayed significantly worse prognosis compared to T allele carriers (P < 0.001), who had less frequent intermediate nuclear BCL3 expression (P = 0.042). In addition, overexpression of BCL3 was detected in tumor specimens, compared to normal tissue (P < 0.001). Furthermore, BCL3 protein levels were associated with five-year survival (P=0.039), maximum diameter of lesion (P = 0.012), grade (P = 0.002) and relapse frequency (P = 0.041). Conclusions: The present study is the first to show a relationship between the genetic variation rs8100239 of BCL3 and cancer patients' survival. It also represents the first quantitative evaluation of BCL3 expression in NSCLC. Our findings indicate that rs8100239 may be considered as a novel prognostic indicator, demonstrating also the overexpression of BCL3 protein in NSCLC and implicating this pivotal molecule in the pathogenesis of NSCLC. © 2015 Elsevier Ireland Ltd

Association of IL‐10

Abstract Background Previous studies have generated controversial results about the association of interleukin 10 (IL‐10) gene polymorphisms (−1082G/A) in the progression of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Therefore, this study processed a systemic meta‐analysis to verify this association. Methods The publication studies on the IL‐10 (−1082G/A) polymorphism and CVDs risk were obtained by searching PubMed and Embase databases. We analyzed the genotype data for meta‐analysis. The results were evaluated by odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Meanwhile, our meta‐analysis was also performed sensitivity analyses, heterogeneity test, and identification of publication bias. Results The present meta‐analysis suggested that the risk with allele G is lower than with allele A for CVD. The G allele of IL‐10 (−1082) could increase the risk of CVDs in the 31 case–control studies for all genetic models. (OR = 1.10, 95% CI: 1.04–1.15 for the allele model A vs. G; OR = 0.87, 95% CI: 0.72–1.04 for the dominant model GG+AG vs. AA; OR = 1.03, 95% CI: 1.02–1.05 for the recessive model GG vs. AG + AA; OR = 1.06, 95% CI = 1.03–1.10 for the homozygote comparison model GG vs. AA; and OR = 0.88, 95% CI = 0.73–1.06 for the heterozygote comparison model AG vs. AA). Conclusions In genetic models, the association between the IL‐10 (−1082G/A) polymorphism and CVDs risk was significant. This meta‐analysis proposes that the IL‐10 (−1082G/A) polymorphism may serve as a risk factor for CVDs