The case-only test for gene-environment interaction is not uniformly powerful: an empirical example.

The case-only test has been proposed as a more powerful approach to detect gene-environment (G × E) interactions. This approach assumes that the genetic and environmental factors are independent. Although it is well known that Type I error rate will increase if this assumption is violated, it is less widely appreciated that G × E correlation can also lead to power loss.

Risk prediction of esophageal squamous-cell carcinoma with common genetic variants and lifestyle factors in Chinese population.

Genome-wide association studies have identified multiple genetic variants associated with risk of esophageal squamous-cell carcinoma (ESCC) in Chinese populations. We examined whether these genetic factors, along with non-genetic factors, can contribute to ESCC risk prediction. We examined 25 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and 4 non-genetic factors (sex, age, smoking and drinking) associated with ESCC risk in 9805 cases and 10 493 controls from Chinese populations.

Low expression of tyrosine-protein phosphatase nonreceptor type 12 is associated with lymph node metastasis and poor prognosis in operable triple-negative breast cancer.

Background: Low tyrosine-protein phosphatase nonreceptor type 12 (PTPN12) expression may be associated with breast cancer growth, proliferation, and metastasis. However, the prognostic value of PTPN12 in breast cancer has not been clearly identified.

Patients And Methods: 51 triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) patients and 83 non-TNBC patients with a histopathology diagnosis from October 2001 to September 2006 were included in this study.

MicroRNA-195 suppresses angiogenesis and metastasis of hepatocellular carcinoma by inhibiting the expression of VEGF, VAV2, and CDC42.

Unlabelled: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is characterized by active angiogenesis and metastasis, which account for rapid recurrence and poor survival. There is frequent down-regulation of miR-195 expression in HCC tissues. In this study, the role of miR-195 in HCC angiogenesis and metastasis was investigated with in vitro capillary tube formation and transwell assays, in vivo orthotopic xenograft mouse models, and human HCC specimens.

Developing genetic epidemiological models to predict risk for nasopharyngeal carcinoma in high-risk population of China.

To date, the only established model for assessing risk for nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) relies on the sero-status of the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV). By contrast, the risk assessment models proposed here include environmental risk factors, family history of NPC, and information on genetic variants. The models were developed using epidemiological and genetic data from a large case-control study, which included 1,387 subjects with NPC and 1,459 controls of Cantonese origin.

Identification of Genetic Susceptibility Loci for Colorectal Tumors in a Genome-Wide Meta-analysis.

Background & Aims: Heritable factors contribute to the development of colorectal cancer. Identifying the genetic loci associated with colorectal tumor formation could elucidate the mechanisms of pathogenesis.

Methods: We conducted a genome-wide association study that included 14 studies, 12,696 cases of colorectal tumors (11,870 cancer, 826 adenoma), and 15,113 controls of European descent.

Genome-wide association analyses in East Asians identify new susceptibility loci for colorectal cancer.

To identify new genetic factors for colorectal cancer (CRC), we conducted a genome-wide association study in east Asians. By analyzing genome-wide data in 2,098 cases and 5,749 controls, we selected 64 promising SNPs for replication in an independent set of samples, including up to 5,358 cases and 5,922 controls. We identified four SNPs with association P values of 8.

Two Epstein-Barr virus-related serologic antibody tests in nasopharyngeal carcinoma screening: results from the initial phase of a cluster randomized controlled trial in Southern China.

A nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) mass screening trial using a combination of immunoglobulin A antibodies to Epstein-Barr virus capsid antigen and nuclear antigen-1 by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in addition to indirect mirror examination in the nasopharynx and/or lymphatic palpation (IMLP) was conducted in southern China. Cantonese aged 30-59 years residing in 2 cities randomly selected by cluster sampling, Sihui and Zhongshan, were invited to participate in this screening from May 2008 through May 2010. Participants were offered fiberoptic endoscopy examination and/or pathologic biopsy if their serologic tests reached our predefined level of high risk or if results from the physical examination indicated possible cancer (i.

An epidemiological and molecular study of the relationship between smoking, risk of nasopharyngeal carcinoma, and Epstein-Barr virus activation.

Background: Elevated levels of antibodies against antigens in the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) lytic phase are important predictive markers for nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) risk. Several lifestyle factors, including smoking, have also been associated with NPC risk. We hypothesized that some specific lifestyle factors induce transformation of EBV from the latent to the lytic stage and contribute to NPC occurrence.

Overexpression of karyopherin 2 in human ovarian malignant germ cell tumor correlates with poor prognosis.

Background: The aim of this study was to identify a biomarker useful in the diagnosis and therapy of ovarian malignant germ cell tumor (OMGCT).

Methods: The karyopherin 2 (KPNA2) expression in OMGCT and normal ovarian tissue was determined by standard gene microarray assays, and further validated by a quantitative RT-PCR and immunohistochemistry. The correlation between KPNA2 expression in OMGCT and certain clinicopathological features were analyzed.

Genome-wide association analyses of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma in Chinese identify multiple susceptibility loci and gene-environment interactions.

We conducted a genome-wide association study (GWAS) and a genome-wide gene-environment interaction analysis of esophageal squamous-cell carcinoma (ESCC) in 2,031 affected individuals (cases) and 2,044 controls with independent validation in 8,092 cases and 8,620 controls. We identified nine new ESCC susceptibility loci, of which seven, at chromosomes 4q23, 16q12.1, 17q21, 22q12, 3q27, 17p13 and 18p11, had a significant marginal effect (P=1.

GWAS identifies novel susceptibility loci on 6p21.32 and 21q21.3 for hepatocellular carcinoma in chronic hepatitis B virus carriers.

Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have recently identified KIF1B as susceptibility locus for hepatitis B virus (HBV)-related hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). To further identify novel susceptibility loci associated with HBV-related HCC and replicate the previously reported association, we performed a large three-stage GWAS in the Han Chinese population. 523,663 autosomal SNPs in 1,538 HBV-positive HCC patients and 1,465 chronic HBV carriers were genotyped for the discovery stage.

Expression of SIRT1 is associated with lymph node metastasis and poor prognosis in both operable triple-negative and non-triple-negative breast cancer.

Several researches reported that overexpression of SIRT1 was associated with poor survival in several human cancers. However, some researches reported that SIRT1 had an antitumor potential. The definite role of SIRT1 is not clear now, and few studies have documented the value of SIRT1 in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC).

Pretreatment lifestyle behaviors as survival predictors for patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma.

Background: Lifestyle behaviors have been widely reported to influence the survival of patients with head and neck cancer. However, the relationship between pretreatment lifestyle behaviors and survival among patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is unclear.

Methods: A prospective cohort study was designed to determine the relationship between lifestyle behaviors and survival in 1,533 NPC patients recruited from October 2005 to October 2007.

RETRACTED: MicroRNA-19a and -19b regulate cervical carcinoma cell proliferation and invasion by targeting CUL5.

This article has been retracted: please see Elsevier Policy on Article Withdrawal (https://www.elsevier.com/about/our-business/policies/article-withdrawal).

An in situ molecular signature to predict early recurrence in hepatitis B virus-related hepatocellular carcinoma.

Background & Aims: To develop an in situ molecular signature to predict postsurgical recurrence in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients.

Methods: Immunohistochemistry was performed using tissue microarrays containing both tumoral and peri-tumoral regions of the advancing tumor edge from 336 HCC patients (289 were positive for hepatitis B virus) who underwent curative resection. Forty-nine variables were analyzed in the training set (n=151) using support vector machine and stepwise algorithms to develop a classifier to predict recurrence within 1 year, which was mainly caused by invasion or metastasis from the primary tumors.

Pretreatment levels of peripheral neutrophils and lymphocytes as independent prognostic factors in patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma.

Background: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the counts and percentages of differential leukocytes as prognostic indicators in patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC).

Methods: This study consisted of 1410 cases identified from an established prospective cohort of 1533 patients with NPC between October 2005 and October 2007 in the Sun Yat-Sen University Cancer Center. Multivariate Cox proportional hazards analyses were applied.

Familial and large-scale case-control studies identify genes associated with nasopharyngeal carcinoma.

Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is an epithelial malignancy and has a remarkable geographic distribution, which is highly prevalent in southern China, Southeast Asia, and North Africa. Although most of the NPC are sporadic cases, the familial clustering of NPC has been demonstrated worldwide. Accumulating studies have proposed that the etiology of NPC is multi-stage and multi-factorial, involving genetic lesions, Epstein-Barr virus infection, and environmental exposure.

Non-viral environmental risk factors for nasopharyngeal carcinoma: a systematic review.

This review aims to systematically summarize the epidemiological studies on nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) conducted over the past half century, covering descriptive epidemiological studies and reports on non-viral risk factors. Multiple lines of epidemiologic evidence for established risk factors are systematically presented in comprehensive tables. The potential interactions among environmental factors and genetic components, and also the impacts of parallel sequencing technology on the aetiology of NPC are discussed.

Complement receptor 1 expression in peripheral blood mononuclear cells and the association with clinicopathological features and prognosis of nasopharyngeal carcinoma.

Purpose: Complement receptor 1 (CR1) is induced by Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) and may be a potential biomarker of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). We conducted the present study to evaluate the association of CR1 expression with clinicopathological features and prognosis of NPC.

Methods: We enrolled 145 NPC patients and 110 controls.

High serum HER2 extracellular domain levels: correlation with a worse disease-free survival and overall survival in primary operable breast cancer patients.

Purpose: High serum human epidermal growth factors receptor-2 (HER2) extracellular domain (ECD) has been identified as an independent prognostic indicator of poor prognosis in metastatic breast cancer. However, its prognostic value in primary operable breast cancer was still controversial. We aim to investigate the correlation between serum HER2 ECD levels and tissue HER2 status, the association between serum HER2 ECD levels and clinicopathological characteristics, and their impacts on disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS) in primary operable breast cancer.

Use of antiplatelets. A survey of secondary prevention of ischemic stroke with intracranial hemorrhage history in Chinese patients.

Objective: To explore whether antiplatelet (AP) agent therapy increased intracranial hemorrhage (ICH) incidence and reduced ischemic stroke recurrence.

Methods: A single-center retrospective cohort study involving 256 cases from 336 Chinese in-patients who had ischemic stroke with ICH history in Beijing Chaoyang Hospital, Beijing, China between May 2005 and October 2009 was conducted. Subjects were divided into 2 groups (with AP and without AP), followed by stroke events for 12-38 months.

Establishment of VCA and EBNA1 IgA-based combination by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay as preferred screening method for nasopharyngeal carcinoma: a two-stage design with a preliminary performance study and a mass screening in southern China.

A two-stage study was conducted in southern China to determine and validate an optimal combination of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-related seromarkers for nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) screening. In the first stage, six seromarkers [VCA-IgA, EA-IgA, Epstein-Barr virus nuclear antigen 1 (EBNA1-IgA), EBNA1-IgG, Zta-IgA and Rta-IgG] were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and two traditional NPC screening seromarkers (VCA-IgA and EA-IgA) were detected by immunofluorescence assay (IFA) in serum samples from 191 NPC patients and 337 controls. An optimal combination of seromarkers for NPC diagnosis was selected using logistic regression models.

Elevated Epstein-Barr virus seroreactivity among unaffected members of families with nasopharyngeal carcinoma.

Serum antibodies to Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) antigens can be used to predict the risk of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). To investigate whether EBV seropositivity rates were higher among healthy family members from multiplex and sporadic families with NPC (i.e.