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Association between the variations in metabolic pathways and oral cancer risk: results from a Pakistani case-control study

  • 0Department of Zoology, GC University, Lahore, Pakistan.
Molecular Biology Reports +

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November 19, 2024

|

November 19, 2024

View abstract on PubMed

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Genetic variations in key metabolic genes were not linked to oral cancer (OC) risk in Pakistan. However, altered protein levels of COX2, HIF1α, and SOD2 in OC patients suggest other regulatory factors are involved in oral cancer development.

Area Of Science

  • Genetics
  • Molecular Biology
  • Cancer Research

Background

  • Oral cancer (OC) poses a significant global health challenge, with Pakistan having the 5th highest incidence worldwide.
  • Early detection is critical due to the poor prognosis of OC.
  • Genetic factors, including single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in metabolic genes, are potential contributors to OC susceptibility.

Purpose Of The Study

  • To investigate the association between SNPs in CYP1A1, COX2, SOD2, and HIF1a genes and the risk of oral cancer in the Pakistani population.
  • To analyze protein expression levels of these genes in oral cancer patients and controls.

Main Methods

  • A prospective study involving 215 newly diagnosed oral cancer patients and 410 controls.
  • Genetic variations analyzed using High-Resolution Melting (HRM) analysis and Sanger sequencing.
  • Protein expression evaluated using Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA).

Main Results

  • No significant associations were found between the studied SNPs and oral cancer risk.
  • A non-significant trend suggested the SOD2 variant (rs4880) G allele might increase OC risk.
  • Elevated COX2 and HIF1α protein levels and reduced SOD2 levels were observed in oral cancer patients compared to controls.

Conclusions

  • While specific SNPs were not significantly associated with OC risk, altered protein expression of COX2, HIF1α, and SOD2 indicates other regulatory mechanisms are involved.
  • Further research into post-transcriptional modifications and epigenetic factors may reveal novel biomarkers and therapeutic targets for oral cancer in Pakistan.

Keywords:

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