The role of the polymorphic glutathione S-transferase genes GSTM1 and GSTT1 in the development and in the clinicopathological outcome of bladder cancer was investigated in 37 Egyptian bladder cancer patients and 34 matched controls. Of the 37 patients studied, 26 had transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) and 11 had squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). Fourteen out of twenty-six TCC and four out of eleven SCC patients were infected with schistosoma. We observed an increased relative risk for bladder cancer associated with the GSTM1 null genotype (OR = 2.99; 95% CL = 1.01-9.00; p = 0.02). The relative risk was more pronounced in squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) (OR = 5.70; 95% CL = 0.91-36.70; p = 0.03) than in transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) (OR = 2.39; 95% CL = 0.73-7.90; p = 0.08). Our results also indicate that the GSTT1 polymorphism is individually associated with increased risk for bladder cancer (OR = 4.93; 95% CL = 1.39-18.42; p = 0.004) with no preferential increase in risk with respect to the type of the carcinoma. Individuals with the null genotype for both GSTM1 and GSTT1 were at a significantly higher risk for developing bladder cancer than individuals with both genes present (OR = 9.92; 95% CL = 1.84-46.90; p = 0.001). These individuals were more susceptible to developing SCC than TCC (OR = 14.16; 95% CL = 1.35-131.35; p = 0.01; and OR = 8.5; 95% CL = 1.38-60.10; p = 0.007, respectively). In conclusion, our results indicate that the null genotypes for GSTM1 and GSTT1, either individually or in combination, are important host risk factors for bladder cancer. In addition, the null GSTM1 genotype may also affect the clinicopathological tumor outcome. Since the deleted genotypes for GSTM1 and GSTT1 are prevalent in the general population, the identification of these individuals may provide a useful public health approach for early detection and prevention of environmental cancers.
BackgroundS100B protein was reported to be elevated in psoriatic patients' serum, with
no previous evaluation of its skin expression, in contrast to the
extensively studied S100 protein.ObjectiveTo evaluate the serum level and skin expression of S100B in psoriasis to
assess its possible involvement in its pathogenesis.MethodsSerum level of S100B protein was estimated in 40 psoriatic patients of
different clinical varieties and 10 healthy controls. S100B protein
expression was assessed immunohistochemically in lesional and non-lesional
skin of patients and in normal skin of controls. Relation to disease
severity was also evaluated.ResultsSerum level of S100B protein was significantly higher in psoriatic patients
(0.15±0.03 µg/l) than in controls (0.03±0.007
µg/l) (P-value <0.001) with no significant correlation with PASI
score. On comparing grades of S100B protein skin expression in lesional and
non-lesional skin biopsies, a statistically significant difference was found
(P=0.046) with higher percentage of strong S100B skin expression (60%) in
non-lesional than in lesional (42%) skin. All the control biopsies showed
negative expression.Study limitationsRelatively small sample size with a limited range of low PASI scores.ConclusionThis study points to a potential link between psoriasis and S100B protein
with higher serum and skin expression in patients than in controls.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.