Genetic variation in NFκB signaling pathway genes in colorectal cancer susceptibility and survival

• PURPOSE: Variations in genes orchestrating inflammatory responses,  such as those being connected with NFκB and NLRP3 inflammasome signaling, are associated with chronic inflammatory bowel diseases, which are well-known risk factors for colorectal cancer (CRC). The purpose of this study was to investigate the association between genetic variation and alterations in genes involved in NFκB and NLRP3 inflammasome signaling and their possible influence on susceptibility and clinical outcome of colorectal cancer. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: 344 CRC cases and 793 randomly selected healthy individuals from southeastern Sweden were examined with regard to seven polymorphisms in NFκB, TNFAIP3, NLRP3, CARD8 and TLR4 genes. Chi-square tests and multiple logistic regression analysis were used to test for associations between the SNPs and CRC susceptibility, while log-rank tests and Cox proportional hazard regression analysis were used to examine the association between the SNPs and CRC-specific survival. Gene expression assay and loss of heterozygosity analyzes of TNFAIP3 were carried out in a subset of tumors to assess its role as a potential tumor suppressor in CRC. RESULTS: Adjusted for age, gender and polypoid/ulcerative CRC phenotype, a panel of heterozygous and mutant TNFAIP3 (rs6920220), mutant NFκB -94 ATTG ins/del and heterozygous NLRP3 (Q705K) genotypes were found to be associated with poorer survival in patients diagnosed with invasive CRC (aHR = 5.2 95% CI 2.5-10.9, P < 0.001). TNFAIP3 mRNA levels were significantly decreased in tumors compared to adjacent non-neoplastic mucosa (P < 0.0001) and LOH of 6q23.3, (TNFAIP3), was detected in 17% of cases, while only 2.5% of the investigated specimens displayed TNFAIP3 gene mutations. CONCLUSIONS: A panel of the TNFAIP3 (rs6920220), NFκB -94 ATTG ins/del and NLRP3 (Q705K) polymorphisms are associated with poor survival in patients with advanced CRC and may be used as a prognostic marker. Experimental results indicate that TNFAIP3 may act as a tumor suppressor in CRC.

Nyckelord

Colorectal cancer

inflammation

inflammasome

polymorphism

TNFAIP3

Publikations- och innehållstyp

vet (ämneskategori)

ovr (ämneskategori)