HLA class II polymorphisms as prognostic biomarkers for right and left-sided colon cancer.

Background: Colon cancer (CC) is one of the most common malignancies worldwide. Characterization of new prognostic biomarkers for right-sided CC (RCC) and left-sided CC (LCC) may contribute to improving early detection. An association of human leukocyte antigens class II (HLA-II) with the predisposition to CC was suggested.

Decreased risk of ovarian cancer associated with rs9898876 sex hormone-binding globulin gene variant.

Background: Ovarian cancer (OC) is one of the most common gynecologic cancers,with significant morbidity and mortality. The risk of OC is influenced by hormone status, of which sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG), which influences the serum availability of steroid sex hormones, is implicated in the pathogenesis and evolution of OC. The aim of this study is to evaluate the involvement of common SHBG gene variants in OC susceptibility and evolution.

Single nucleotide polymorphism of transforming growth factor-β1 and interleukin-6 as risk factors for ovarian cancer.

Introduction: We investigated the association between common variants in TGF-1, IL-6 and the risk of ovarian cancer (OC) in Tunisian patients and control women.

Material Methods And Results: Study subjects comprised 71 OC cases and 74 control women. Genotyping of TGF-1 and IL-6 SNPs was done by real-time PCR.

Western influenced lifestyle and Kv2.1 association as predicted biomarkers for Tunisian colorectal cancer.

Background: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most diagnosed malignancy worldwide. The global burden is expected to increase along with ongoing westernized behaviors and lifestyle. The etiology of CRC remains elusive and most likely combines environmental and genetic factors.

Identification of novel advanced glycation end products receptor gene variants associated with colorectal cancer in Tunisians: A case-control study.

A central role for advanced glycation end products (AGE) and their receptor (RAGE) in the pathogenesis of multiple cancer types, including colorectal cancer (CRC) was reported. We investigated the association between CRC and rs2853807, rs77170610, rs184003, rs1035798, rs2070600, rs1800684, rs1800624, and rs1800625 RAGE gene (AGER) polymorphic variants. Study subjects comprised 293 CRC patients [186 colon cancer (CC) and 107 rectal cancer (RC)] patients), and 264 age-, gender-, BMI-, and ethnicity-matched controls.

Increased risks between TLR2 (-196 to -174 ins/del) and TLR3 1377C>T variants and head and neck cancers in Tunisia.

Introduction: Previous studies have highlighted the importance of polymorphisms of toll-like receptors (TLRs) in the pathogenesis of certain cancers, including head and neck cancers (HNC).

Aim Of The Study: The aim of this study was to evaluate the association of TLR2 (-196 to -174 ins/del) and TLR3 (1377 C>T) as potential risk factors for HNC in Tunisians.

Material And Methods: A case-control study including 246 HNC patients (174 nasopharyngeal carcinoma - NPC and 72 laryngeal cancer - LC) and 250 healthy controls.

Transforming growth factor beta 1 polymorphisms and haplotypes associated with breast cancer susceptibility: A case-control study in Tunisian women.

Variable association of transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGFβ1) in breast cancer (BC) pathogenesis was documented, and the contribution of specific polymorphisms to the progression of BC and associated features remains poorly understood. We investigated the contribution of rs1800469, rs1800470, rs1800471, and rs1800472 variants and 4-locus haplotypes on BC susceptibility, and pathological presentation of BC subtypes. Study subjects comprised 430 female BC cases, and 498 cancer-free control women.

Interleukin-17A polymorphisms predict the response and development of tolerance to FOLFOX chemotherapy in colorectal cancer treatment.

Polymorphic variants in IL-17A gene were differentially associated with colorectal cancer (CRC) susceptibility but their link with response and toxicity to CRC treatment have not yet been evaluated. We investigated association between seven IL-17A variants with the response and toxicity to CRC treatment in 294 patients with CRC. IL-17A genotyping was done by real-time PCR.

Common matrix metalloproteinase-2 gene variants and altered susceptibility to breast cancer and associated features in Tunisian women.

A role for matrix metalloproteinase polymorphisms in breast cancer development and progression was proposed, but with inconclusive results. We assessed the relation of matrix metalloproteinase-2 variants with breast cancer and related phenotypes in Tunisians. This case-control retrospective study involved 430 women with breast cancer and 498 healthy controls.

Relationships Between Ion Channels, Mitochondrial Functions and Inflammation in Human Aging.

Aging is often associated with a loss of function. We believe aging to be more an adaptation to the various, and often continuous, stressors encountered during life in order to maintain overall functionality of the systems. The maladaptation of a system during aging may increase the susceptibility to diseases.

Association of common IL-10 promoter gene variants with the susceptibility to head and neck cancer in Tunisia.

Background/aim: We investigated the association of three IL-10 promoter single-nucleotide polymorphisms and altered IL-10 plasma levels with the risk of head and neck cancer (HNC).

Materials And Methods: Study subjects comprised 194 HNC patients [137 nasopharyngeal cancer (NPC) and 57 laryngeal cancer (LC)], and 263 healthy controls. Genotyping of rs1800896 (-1082A>G), rs1800871 (-819C>T), and rs1800872 (-592A>C) IL-10 variants was performed by real-time PCR; IL-10 levels were measured by enzyme amplified immuno sensitivity assay (EAISA).

Association of interleukin-17A polymorphisms with the risk of colorectal cancer: A case-control study.

Background: Interleukin (IL)-17A is proinflammatory cytokine produced by Th17 cells, which play key, but sometimes inconsistent role in autoimmunity and cancer. Polymorphic variants in IL-17A gene were differentially associated with susceptibility to cancer, including colorectal cancer (CRC).

Aim: We investigated the association between six IL-17A gene variants (rs3819024, rs2275913, rs3819025, rs10484879, rs7747909, and rs3748067) with CRC susceptibility in Tunisians.

TLR2 (-196 to -174 Ins/Del) and TLR3 (1377C>T) as biomarkers for nasopharyngeal cancer in Tunisia.

Background/aim: We evaluated the association of TLR2 (-196 to -174 Ins/Del) and TLR3 (1377 C>T) as potential risk factors for nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) in Tunisians. Material and methods: The study subjects comprised 137 NPC patients and 164 cancer-free control subjects. TLR2 genotyping was done by PCR and TLR3 genotyping was performed by PCR-RFLP.

Common variants in IL-1RN, IL-1β and TNF-α and the risk of ovarian cancer: a case control study.

Aim Of The Study: Several studies implicated altered inflammatory response in the susceptibility to ovarian cancer, and polymorphisms in inflammatory cytokines were shown to play an important role in the development of malignancies, including ovarian cancer (OC). Here we investigated the relationship between polymorphisms in IL-1 (-511C>T), IL-1RN VNTR, TNF- (-308G>A), and TNF RII (-322 VNTR) and OC risk in Tunisian women.

Methods And Results: Study subjects comprised 62 OC patients and 126 healthy women.

Role of TLRs and IL-6 in the outcome of chronic hepatitis C treatment in Tunisian population.

Objectives: TLRs are one of the most studied families of pathogen recognition receptors (PRRs) and play a pivotal role during HCV infection. The binding of ligands to TLRs on antigen presenting cells (APCs) leads to secretion of inflammatory cytokines, such as IL6, and induction of the acquired immunity response. Therefore, it has become necessarily to harness the TLRs properties' on therapeutically tools to enhance the HCV treatment response.

IL-10 and IL-28B gene variants as predictors of sustained response to peginterferon and ribavirin therapy in chronic HCV infection.

Objectives: Interleukin-10 (IL-10) plays an important role in the immunity to hepatitis C virus (HCV). Insofar as IL-10 variants are associated with altered levels of IL-10, previous studies that examined the association of IL-10 polymorphisms with the susceptibility to and progression of chronic HCV, and response to anti-viral treatment were inconsistent. We investigated the association between common IL-10 variants in the intron and the promotor region with HCV and associated features.

Genetic variants in IL-6 and IL-10 genes and susceptibility to hepatocellular carcinoma in HCV infected patients.

Background: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is the major cause of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), a common primary liver malignancy, and the third leading cause of cancer-related death. The HCC risk increases with the severity of liver inflammation, and the clinical course of HCV infection depends on a balance between pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines. The former includes interleukin (IL)-6, while the latter includes IL-10.

Effect of Follicle Stimulating Hormone Receptor Gene Polymorphisms in Cervical Cancer Risk.

For the first time in the word, we investigated the association between five FSHR polymorphisms with the risk of cervical cancer among Tunisians. Study subjects comprised 112 Cervical Cancer (CC) patients and 164 control women. Genotyping of FSHR rs6166, rs1007541, rs11692782, rs2055571 and rs1394205 variants was done by realtime PCR, with defined clusters.

Relationships between Common and Novel Interleukin-6 Gene Polymorphisms and Risk of Cervical Cancer: a Case-Control Study.

We investigated the association between six common and novel interleukin-6 (IL-6) polymorphisms with the risk of cervical cancer (CC) among Tunisians. Study subjects comprised 112 CC cases and 164 control women. Genotyping of IL-6 rs2069845, rs2069840, rs1474348, rs1800795, rs1800797, rs2069827 variants was done by real-time PCR, with defined clusters.

Evaluation of Toll-Like Receptors 2/3/4/9 Gene Polymorphisms in Cervical Cancer Evolution.

Accumulative epidemiological evidence suggests that polymorphisms of Toll-like receptors signaling pathway elucidated the cellular and molecular mechanisms of human diseases whose gaining a primordial importance. The aim of our study is to identify the role of TLR 2 (-196 to -174 del), TLR 3 (1377 C>T), TLR 4 (Asp299Gly) and TLR 9 (G2848A) gene polymorphisms with the evolution of cervical cancer in Tunisian women. Blood samples were collected from histopathologically confirmed patients with cervical cancer and unrelated healthy female controls of similar ethnicity.

Roles of ITPA and IL28B genotypes in chronic Hepatitis C patients treated with peginterferon plus ribavirin in Tunisian population.

Background: Despite considerable progress in the treatment of chronic hepatitis C, many countries do not have access to these new treatments.

Objectives: Predictive markers of response to treatment are therefore necessary before initiating with historical combination therapy (PEG-IFN+ribavirin) for these populations.

Study Design: We therefore evaluated the influence of IL28B polymorphisms on treatment response and Inosine Triphosphate (ITPA) polymorphisms on the incidence of anaemia in a population of 120 Tunisian patients infected with HCV genotype 1b and treated.

IL-10 gene promoter and intron polymorphisms as genetic biomarkers of cervical cancer susceptibility among Tunisians.

Objective: We investigated the association between polymorphisms in the promoter and intron regions of the interleukin-10 (IL-10) gene with the risk of cervical cancer (CC) in Tunisian patients and control women.

Methods: Study subjects comprised 86 CC cases and 126 control women. Genotyping of IL-10 intron (rs3024491, rs3024490) and promoter (rs1800872, rs1800871, rs1800896) variants was done by real-time PCR, with defined clusters.

The relationship between TNF alpha gene polymorphisms (-238/-308), TNF RII VNTR (p75) and outcomes of hepatitis B virus infection in Tunisian population.

The present study was undertaken to investigate the association between Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) infection and polymorphisms of tumour necrosis factor alpha TNF-α -308 G>A, TNF-α -238 G>A and TNF RII VNTR (p75) gene promoter in a Tunisian population. Blood samples were collected from 100 Tunisian patients with HBV infection, 45 with Chronic Hepatitis (CH), 36 with Liver Cirrhosis (LC), 15 with Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC) and 200 healthy individuals of similar ethnicity. Genomic DNA was extracted from peripheral blood leukocytes.

Interleukin-1 Gene Cluster Polymorphisms and its Haplotypes may Predict the Risk to Develop Cervical Cancer in Tunisia.

Our study aimed to evaluate the association between IL-1α (4845 G/T), IL-1β (-511C/T) and IL-1RN (VNTR) polymorphisms and risk of cervical cancer. This case-control study investigates three polymorphisms in 130 patients and 260 controls by PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP). The IL-1RN (VNTR) A1/A3 genotype appear as a cervical cancer risk factor (p = 0.

Relationship of common vascular endothelial growth factor polymorphisms and haplotypes with the risk of cervical cancer in Tunisians.

Objective: We investigated the association between common vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and the risk of cervical cancer (CC) in Tunisian patients and control women.

Methods: Study subjects comprised 86 CC cases and 124 control women. Genotyping of VEGF rs699947, rs833061, rs1570360, rs2010963, rs25648, rs833068, rs833070, rs3025039 SNPs was done by real-time PCR.