Our findings suggest that the frequency of EGFR mutations in Latin America lies between that of Asian and Caucasian populations and therefore support the genetic heterogeneity of NSCLC around the world.

BackgroundTyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) are the recommended treatment for patients with chronic myeloid leukemia (CML). The MDR1/ABCB1 gene plays a role in resistance to a wide spectrum of drugs, including TKIs. However, the association of MDR1/ABCB1 gene polymorphisms (SNPs) such as C1236T, G2677T/A, and C3435T with the clinical therapeutic evolution of CML has been poorly studied. We investigated these gene polymorphisms in CML-patients treated with imatinib, nilotinib and/or dasatinib.MethodsABCB1-SNPs were studied in 22 CML-patients in the chronic phase (CP) and 2 CML-patients in blast crisis (BC), all of whom were treated with TKIs, and compared with 25 healthy controls using nested-PCR and sequencing techniques.ResultsSeventeen different haplotypes were identified: 7 only in controls, 6 only in CML-patients, and the remaining 4 in both groups. The distribution ratios of homozygous TT-variants present on each exon between controls and CML-patients were 2.9 for exon 12, and 0.32 for the other 2 exons. Heterozygous T-variants were observed in all controls (100%) and 75% of CML-patients. Wt-haplotype (CC-GG-CC) was observed in 6 CML-patients (25%). In this wt-group, two were treated with nilotinib and reached a major molecular response. The remaining 4 cases had either a minimal or null molecular response, or developed bone marrow aplasia.ConclusionOur results suggest that SNPs of the MDR1/ABCB1 gene could help to characterize the prognosis and the clinical-therapeutic evolution of CML-patients treated with TKIs. Wt-haplotype could be associated with a higher risk of developing CML, and a worse clinical-therapeutic evolution.

Iron overload (IO) has been associated with glucose metabolism alterations and increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Primary IO is associated with mutations in the HFE gene. To which extent HFE gene mutations and metabolic alterations contribute to the presence of atherogenic lipoprotein modifications in primary IO remains undetermined. The present study aimed to assess small, dense low-density lipoprotein (LDL) levels, chemical composition of LDL and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) particles, and HDL functionality in IO patients. Eighteen male patients with primary IO and 16 sex- and age-matched controls were recruited. HFE mutations (C282Y, H63D and S65C), measures of insulin sensitivity and secretion (calculated from the oral glucose tolerance test), chemical composition and distribution profile of LDL and HDL subfractions (isolated by gradient density ultracentrifugation) and HDL functionality (as cholesterol efflux and antioxidative activity) were studied. IO patients compared with controls exhibited insulin resistance (HOMA-IR (homoeostasis model assessment-estimated insulin resistance): +93%, P< 0.001). Metabolic profiles differed across HFE genotypes. C282Y homozygotes (n=7) presented a reduced β-cell function and insulin secretion compared with non-C282Y patients (n=11) (-58% and -73%, respectively, P< 0.05). In addition, C282Y homozygotes featured a predominance of large, buoyant LDL particles (C282Y: 43±5; non-C282Y: 25±8; controls: 32±7%; P< 0.001), whereas non-C282Y patients presented higher amounts of small, dense LDL (C282Y: 23±5; non-C282Y: 39±10; controls: 26±4%; P< 0.01). HDL particles were altered in C282Y homozygotes. However, HDL functionality was conserved. In conclusion, metabolic alterations and HFE gene mutations are involved in the presence of atherogenic lipoprotein modifications in primary IO. To what extent such alterations could account for an increase in CVD risk remains to be determined.

Polymorphisms in the TP53 gene codon 72 (Arg72Pro) influence apoptosis induction and DNA damage repair. We evaluated how variants of protein p53 (p53Arg and p53Pro) affect cell death and DNA damage repair by analyzing the frequencies of karyorrhexis and micronuclei. There were significant differences in the frequency of karyorrhexis between the three p53 genotypes (Arg/Arg, Arg/Pro, and Pro/Pro), between samples taken before and after radiotherapy, and between patients and controls. The frequency of micronucleated cells increased significantly after radiotherapy. There were no significant differences in the micronucleus frequency in healthy tissues of these patients compared to controls, or in the comparisons between the three genotypes. We conclude that Arg72Pro polymorphism influences cell apoptotic capacity. This is the first study investigating karyorrhexis and micronuclei, as indicators of apoptosis after radiotherapy, and how these indicators are influenced by the TP53 polymorphism Arg72Pro.