Metal concentrations in hair of patients with various head and neck cancers as a diagnostic aid

Head and neck cancers are one of the most frequent cancers worldwide. This paper attempts to evaluate disturbances of homeostasis of the necessary elements (calcium, magnesium, zinc, copper, iron, manganese) and changes in the levels of toxic metals (lead, cadmium, cobalt, chromium VI) in hair of patients with head and neck cancers, as well as people without a diagnosed neoplastic disease. In order to quantify the necessary elements and toxic metals, a method using ICP-MS and ICP-OES techniques had been developed and validated. The studies have shown that patients with head and neck cancer used to drink alcohol and smoked much more frequently than healthy individuals, both in the past and presently. Statistically significant differences in concentrations of average metal content in the group of patients with head and neck cancers compared to the control group were confirmed. Significant differences in metal content between the group of patients with head and neck cancers and healthy individuals were found which enabled distinguishing between the study groups. To this end, a more advanced statistical tool, i.e. chemometrics, was used. The conducted research analyses and the use of advanced statistical techniques confirm the benefits of using alternative material to distinguish the patients with head and neck cancers from the healthy individuals

Vitamin D in Head and Neck Cancer : a Systematic Review

Purpose of review Observational studies have shown that serum 25-OH vitamin D [25(OH)D] is inversely associated with overall cancer risk in many malignancies. We performed a systematic literature review to determine whether vitamin D deficiency is related to head and neck cancer (HNC) etiology and outcome. Recent findings The search yielded five prospective studies reporting 25(OH)D levels prior to cancer diagnosis and their effect on the risk of HNC. Eight studies were cross-sectional or case-control studies, in which 25(OH)D levels were only measured after cancer diagnosis. Two studies found an inverse association between 25(OH)D level and HNC risk, while two other prospective cohort studies demonstrated no connection between 25(OH)D and HNC risk. Several studies reported cancer patients to have significantly lower 25(OH)D levels than controls. Associations between 25(OH)D and prognosis and mortality were variable. The link between vitamin D and HNC has so far only been investigated in a few observational, prospective, and case-control studies. Vitamin D deficiency may be more common in HNC patients than in the healthy population. There is no evidence for a causal relationship. Further studies are needed to evaluate whether low 25(OH)D concentrations play a role in the development or outcome of HNCs.Peer reviewe

The importance of polymorphic variants of collagen 1A2 gene (COL1A2) in the development of osteopenia and osteoporosis in postmenopausal women

Objectives: Collagen type I plays an important role in the bone matrix and is encoded by COL1A2 (collagen type I alpha 2) gene that may be a potential candidate for osteoporotic fracture. The aim of this study is to determine whether EcoRI, Del38 and PvuII polymorphisms of COL1A2 are associated with the development of osteoporosis and osteopenia in post­menopausal Polish women. Moreover, analysis of relationship between frequency of COL1A2 gene polymorphic variants and clinical parameters of bone turnover and degree of osteoporosis was performed. Material and methods: The study group comprised of women with osteoporosis (n = 90), osteopenia (n = 56) and healthy individuals (n = 56). The EcoRI, Del38 and PvuII polymorphisms in COL1A2 gene were detected by PCR-RFLP method. Results: In women with osteoporosis the TT genotype of EcoRI polymorphism had the lowest Z-score value compared to other genotypes (p = 0.034). In case of Del28 polymorphism, there was a statistically significant correlation between lower BMI values and the DD genotype in women with osteopenia (p = 0.041). There was no statistically significant correlation between polymorphic variants of Del28 polymorphism and clinical parameters of women with osteoporosis. The analysis of PvuII polymorphism showed that in women with osteopenia the CC genotype had the lowest body weight compared to other genotypes (p = 0.039). PvuII polymorphism and clinical parameters in the group of women with osteoporosis had no statistically significant correlations. Conclusions: The analyzed COL1A2 polymorphisms seem to be related to osteoporosis development and their particular clinical parameters. Hence, the COL1A2 polymorphism may be a genetic risk factor related to the development of osteoporosis

Loss of the MAF Transcription Factor in Laryngeal Squamous Cell Carcinoma

MAF is a transcription factor that may act either as a tumor suppressor or as an oncogene, depending on cell type. We have shown previously that the overexpressed miR-1290 influences MAF protein levels in LSCC (laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma) cell lines. In this study, we shed further light on the interaction between miR-1290 and MAF, as well as on cellular MAF protein localization in LSCC. We confirmed the direct interaction between miR-1290 and MAF 3'UTR by a dual-luciferase reporter assay. In addition, we used immunohistochemistry staining to analyze MAF protein distribution and observed loss of MAF nuclear expression in 58% LSCC samples, of which 10% showed complete absence of MAF, compared to nuclear and cytoplasmatic expression in 100% normal mucosa. Using TCGA data, bisulfite pyrosequencing and CNV analysis, we excluded the possibility that loss-of-function mutations, promoter region DNA methylation or CNV are responsible for MAF loss in LSCC. Finally, we identified genes involved in the regulation of apoptosis harboring the MAF binding motif in their promoter region by applied FIMO and DAVID GO analysis. Our results highlight the role of miR-1290 in suppressing MAF expression in LSCC. Furthermore, MAF loss or mislocalization in FFPE LSCC tumor samples might suggest that MAF acts as a LSCC tumor suppressor by regulating apoptosis.</p

Genetics and Molecular Biology of Head and Neck Cancer

Head and neck cancer (HNC) is a multistep process proceeding from single gene mutations generated by carcinogens to the substantial dysregulation of metabolic processes [...