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Frontiers in Oncology 2024In the contemporary epoch, cancer stands as the predominant cause of premature global mortality, necessitating a focused exploration of molecular markers and advanced... (Review)
Review
In the contemporary epoch, cancer stands as the predominant cause of premature global mortality, necessitating a focused exploration of molecular markers and advanced therapeutic strategies. N6-methyladenosine (mA), the most prevalent mRNA modification, undergoes dynamic regulation by enzymes referred to as methyltransferases (writers), demethylases (erasers), and effective proteins (readers). Despite lacking methylation activity, RNA-binding motif protein 15 (RBM15), a member of the mA writer family, assumes a crucial role in recruiting the methyltransferase complex (MTC) and binding to mRNA. Although the impact of mA modifications on cancer has garnered widespread attention, RBM15 has been relatively overlooked. This review briefly outlines the structure and operational mechanism, and delineates the unique role of RBM15 in various cancers, shedding light on its molecular basis and providing a groundwork for potential tumor-targeted therapies.
PubMed: 38915367
DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2024.1375942 -
Translational Psychiatry Jun 2024Excessive and persistent aggressiveness is the most common behavioral problem that leads to psychiatric referrals among children. While half of the variance in childhood...
Excessive and persistent aggressiveness is the most common behavioral problem that leads to psychiatric referrals among children. While half of the variance in childhood aggression is attributed to genetic factors, the biological mechanism and the interplay between genes and environment that results in aggression remains elusive. The purpose of this systematic review is to provide an overview of studies examining the genetics of childhood aggression irrespective of psychiatric diagnosis. PubMed, PsycINFO, and MEDLINE databases were searched using predefined search terms for aggression, genes and the specific age group. From the 652 initially yielded studies, eighty-seven studies were systematically extracted for full-text review and for further quality assessment analyses. Findings show that (i) investigation of candidate genes, especially of MAOA (17 studies), DRD4 (13 studies), and COMT (12 studies) continue to dominate the field, although studies using other research designs and methods including genome-wide association and epigenetic studies are increasing, (ii) the published articles tend to be moderate in sizes, with variable methods of assessing aggressive behavior and inconsistent categorizations of tandem repeat variants, resulting in inconclusive findings of genetic main effects, gene-gene, and gene-environment interactions, (iii) the majority of studies are conducted on European, male-only or male-female mixed, participants. To our knowledge, this is the first study to systematically review the effects of genes on youth aggression. To understand the genetic underpinnings of childhood aggression, more research is required with larger, more diverse sample sets, consistent and reliable assessments and standardized definition of the aggression phenotypes. The search for the biological mechanisms underlying child aggression will also benefit from more varied research methods, including epigenetic studies, transcriptomic studies, gene system and genome-wide studies, longitudinal studies that track changes in risk/ameliorating factors and aggression-related outcomes, and studies examining causal mechanisms.
Topics: Child; Female; Humans; Male; Aggression; Catechol O-Methyltransferase; Gene-Environment Interaction; Genome-Wide Association Study; Monoamine Oxidase; Receptors, Dopamine D4
PubMed: 38862490
DOI: 10.1038/s41398-024-02870-7 -
BMC Neurology Mar 2024MGMT (O 6 -methylguanine-DNA methyltransferase) promoter methylation is a commonly assessed prognostic marker in glioblastoma (GBM). Epigenetic silencing of the MGMT...
BACKGROUND
MGMT (O 6 -methylguanine-DNA methyltransferase) promoter methylation is a commonly assessed prognostic marker in glioblastoma (GBM). Epigenetic silencing of the MGMT gene by promoter methylation is associated with greater overall and progression free survival with alkylating agent regimens. To date, there is marked heterogeneity in how MGMT promoter methylation is tested and which CpG sites are interrogated.
METHODS
To further elucidate which MGMT promoter CpG sites are of greatest interest, we performed comprehensive searches in PubMed, Web of Science, and Embase and reviewed 2,925 article abstracts. We followed the GRADE scoring system to assess risk of bias and the quality of the studies we included.
RESULTS
We included articles on adult glioblastoma that examined significant sites or regions within MGMT promoter for the outcomes: overall survival, progression free survival, and/or MGMT expression. We excluded systemic reviews and articles on lower grade glioma. fifteen articles met inclusion criteria with variable overlap in laboratory and statistical methods employed, as well as CpG sites interrogated. Pyrosequencing or BeadChip arrays were the most popular methods utilized, and CpG sites between CpG's 70-90 were most frequently investigated. Overall, there was moderate concordance between the CpG sites that the studies reported to be highly predictive of prognosis. Combinations or means of sites between CpG's 73-89 were associated with improved OS and PFS. Six studies identified CpG sites associated with prognosis that were closer to the transcription start site: CpG's 8, 19, 22, 25, 27, 32,38, and CpG sites 21-37, as well as low methylation level of the enhancer regions.
CONCLUSION
The following systematic review details a comprehensive investigation of the current literature and highlights several potential key CpG sites that demonstrate significant association with OS, PFS, and MGMT expression. However, the relationship between extent of MGMT promoter methylation and survival may be non-linear and could be influenced by potential CpG hotspots, the extent of methylation at each CpG site, and MGMT enhancer methylation status. There were several limitations within the studies such as smaller sample sizes, variance between methylation testing methods, and differences in the various statistical methods to test for association to outcome. Further studies of high impact CpG sites in MGMT methylation is warranted.
Topics: Humans; Brain Neoplasms; DNA Methylation; DNA Modification Methylases; DNA Repair Enzymes; Glioblastoma; Glioma; Prognosis; Tumor Suppressor Proteins
PubMed: 38521933
DOI: 10.1186/s12883-024-03605-3 -
BMJ Neurology Open 2024The aim of this manuscript is to review the evidence and compare the efficacy and safety of catechol-O-methyltransferase inhibitors (COMT-Is), dopamine receptor agonists...
BACKGROUND
The aim of this manuscript is to review the evidence and compare the efficacy and safety of catechol-O-methyltransferase inhibitors (COMT-Is), dopamine receptor agonists (DRAs) and monoamine-oxidase B inhibitors (MAOB-Is) as adjunctive treatment to levodopa in patients with Parkinson's disease (PD) experiencing motor complications.
METHODS
In this systematic review and network meta-analysis, literature searches were performed in MEDLINE and Embase to identify eligible randomised controlled trials (RCTs) with a minimal follow-up of at least 4 weeks published in English between 1980 and 2021. RCTs were included if either a COMT-I, DRA or MAOB-I was evaluated as an adjunctive therapy to levodopa in patients with PD experiencing motor complications and dyskinesia. The main outcomes included daily off-medication time, motor and non-motor examination scales, and adverse events including dyskinesia.
RESULTS
74 RCTs reporting on 18 693 patients were included. All three studied drug classes decreased daily off-medication time compared with placebo (COMT-Is mean -0.8 hours (95% CI -1.0 to -0.6), DRAs -1.1 hours (95% CI -1.4 to -0.8), MAOB-Is -0.9 hours (95% CI -1.2 to -0.6)). Safety analysis showed an increased risk of dyskinesia for all three drug classes (COMT-Is OR 3.3 (95% CI 2.7 to 4.0), DRAs 3.0 (95% CI 2.5 to 3.5), MAOB-Is 1.6 (95% CI 1.2 to 2.2)). According to surface under the cumulative ranking curve scores, pramipexole IR was associated with the most favourable benefit-risk profile.
CONCLUSIONS
COMT-Is, DRAs and MAOB-Is effectively reduce motor complications and increase incidence of dyskinesia. In the network meta-analysis, adjunctive use of DRAs appeared most effective.
PubMed: 38352047
DOI: 10.1136/bmjno-2023-000573 -
European Radiology Feb 2024To evaluate the methodological quality and diagnostic accuracy of MRI-based radiomic studies predicting O6-methylguanine-DNA methyltransferase (MGMT) promoter...
OBJECTIVES
To evaluate the methodological quality and diagnostic accuracy of MRI-based radiomic studies predicting O6-methylguanine-DNA methyltransferase (MGMT) promoter methylation status in gliomas.
METHODS
PubMed Medline, EMBASE, and Web of Science were searched to identify MRI-based radiomic studies on MGMT methylation in gliomas published until December 31, 2022. Three raters evaluated the study methodological quality with Radiomics Quality Score (RQS, 16 components) and Transparent Reporting of a Multivariable Prediction Model for Individual Prognosis Or Diagnosis (TRIPOD, 22 items) scales. Risk of bias and applicability concerns were assessed with QUADAS-2 tool. A meta-analysis was performed to estimate the pooled area under the curve (AUC) and to assess inter-study heterogeneity.
RESULTS
We included 26 studies, published from 2016. The median RQS total score was 8 out of 36 (22%, range 8-44%). Thirteen studies performed external validation. All studies reported AUC or accuracy, but only 4 (15%) performed calibration and decision curve analysis. No studies performed phantom analysis, cost-effectiveness analysis, and prospective validation. The overall TRIPOD adherence score was between 50% and 70% in 16 studies and below 50% in 10 studies. The pooled AUC was 0.78 (95% CI, 0.73-0.83, I = 94.1%) with a high inter-study heterogeneity. Studies with external validation and including only WHO-grade IV gliomas had significantly lower AUC values (0.65; 95% CI, 0.57-0.73, p < 0.01).
CONCLUSIONS
Study RQS and adherence to TRIPOD guidelines was generally low. Radiomic prediction of MGMT methylation status showed great heterogeneity of results and lower performances in grade IV gliomas, which hinders its current implementation in clinical practice.
CLINICAL RELEVANCE STATEMENT
MGMT promoter methylation status appears to be variably correlated with MRI radiomic features; radiomic models are not sufficiently robust to be integrated into clinical practice to accurately predict MGMT promoter methylation status in patients with glioma before surgery.
KEY POINTS
• Adherence to the indications of TRIPOD guidelines was generally low, as was RQS total score. • MGMT promoter methylation status prediction with MRI radiomic features provided heterogeneous diagnostic accuracy results across studies. • Studies that included grade IV glioma only and performed external validation had significantly lower diagnostic accuracy than others.
PubMed: 38308012
DOI: 10.1007/s00330-024-10594-x -
Journal of Cancer Research and Clinical... Jan 2024Accurate and non-invasive estimation of MGMT promoter methylation status in glioblastoma (GBM) patients is of paramount clinical importance, as it is a predictive... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Accurate and non-invasive estimation of MGMT promoter methylation status in glioblastoma (GBM) patients is of paramount clinical importance, as it is a predictive biomarker associated with improved overall survival (OS). In response to the clinical need, recent studies have focused on the development of non-invasive artificial intelligence (AI)-based methods for MGMT estimation. In this systematic review, we not only delve into the technical aspects of these AI-driven MGMT estimation methods but also emphasize their profound clinical implications. Specifically, we explore the potential impact of accurate non-invasive MGMT estimation on GBM patient care and treatment decisions.
METHODS
Employing a PRISMA search strategy, we identified 33 relevant studies from reputable databases, including PubMed, ScienceDirect, Google Scholar, and IEEE Explore. These studies were comprehensively assessed using 21 diverse attributes, encompassing factors such as types of imaging modalities, machine learning (ML) methods, and cohort sizes, with clear rationales for attribute scoring. Subsequently, we ranked these studies and established a cutoff value to categorize them into low-bias and high-bias groups.
RESULTS
By analyzing the 'cumulative plot of mean score' and the 'frequency plot curve' of the studies, we determined a cutoff value of 6.00. A higher mean score indicated a lower risk of bias, with studies scoring above the cutoff mark categorized as low-bias (73%), while 27% fell into the high-bias category.
CONCLUSION
Our findings underscore the immense potential of AI-based machine learning (ML) and deep learning (DL) methods in non-invasively determining MGMT promoter methylation status. Importantly, the clinical significance of these AI-driven advancements lies in their capacity to transform GBM patient care by providing accurate and timely information for treatment decisions. However, the translation of these technical advancements into clinical practice presents challenges, including the need for large multi-institutional cohorts and the integration of diverse data types. Addressing these challenges will be critical in realizing the full potential of AI in improving the reliability and accessibility of MGMT estimation while lowering the risk of bias in clinical decision-making.
Topics: Humans; Glioblastoma; Artificial Intelligence; Reproducibility of Results; DNA Methylation; Brain Neoplasms; DNA Modification Methylases; DNA Repair Enzymes; DNA; Tumor Suppressor Proteins
PubMed: 38291266
DOI: 10.1007/s00432-023-05566-5 -
Journal of Clinical Medicine Oct 2023This study focuses on the use of thiopurines for treating inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD). These drugs undergo enzymatic changes within the body, resulting in active... (Review)
Review
This study focuses on the use of thiopurines for treating inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD). These drugs undergo enzymatic changes within the body, resulting in active and inactive metabolites that influence their therapeutic effects. The research examines the role of genetic polymorphisms in the enzyme thiopurine S-methyltransferase (TPMT) in predicting the therapeutic response and adverse effects of thiopurine treatment. The TPMT genotype variations impact the individual responses to thiopurines. Patients with reduced TPMT activity are more susceptible to adverse reactions (AEs), such leukopenia, hepatotoxicity, pancreatitis, and nausea, which are common adverse effects of thiopurine therapy. The therapeutic monitoring of the metabolites 6-thioguanine nucleotides (6-TGN) and 6-methyl mercaptopurine (6-MMP) is proposed to optimize treatment and minimize AEs. Patients with higher 6-TGN levels tend to have better clinical responses, while elevated 6-MMP levels are linked to hepatotoxicity. Genotyping for TPMT before or during treatment initiation is suggested to tailor dosing strategies and enhance treatment efficacy while reducing the risk of myelosuppression. In conclusion, this study highlights the importance of considering genetic variations and metabolite levels in optimizing thiopurine therapy for IBD patients, focusing on balance therapeutic efficacy with the prevention of adverse effects and contributing to personalized treatment and better patient outcomes.
PubMed: 37959208
DOI: 10.3390/jcm12216742 -
Progress in Neuro-psychopharmacology &... Feb 2024SETD1A encodes a histone methyltransferase involved in various cell cycle regulatory processes. Loss-of-function SETD1A variants have been associated with numerous... (Review)
Review
OBJECTIVE
SETD1A encodes a histone methyltransferase involved in various cell cycle regulatory processes. Loss-of-function SETD1A variants have been associated with numerous neurodevelopmental phenotypes, including intellectual disability and schizophrenia. While the association between rare coding variants in SETD1A and schizophrenia has achieved genome-wide significance by rare variant burden testing, only a few studies have described the psychiatric phenomenology of such individuals in detail. This systematic review and case report aims to characterize the neurodevelopmental and psychiatric phenotypes of SETD1A variant-associated schizophrenia.
METHODS
A PubMed search was completed in July 2022 and updated in May 2023. Only studies that reported individuals with a SETD1A variant as well as a primary psychotic disorder were ultimately included. Additionally, another two previously unpublished cases of SETD1A variant-associated psychosis from our own sequencing cohort are described.
RESULTS
The search yielded 32 articles. While 15 articles met inclusion criteria, only five provided case descriptions. In total, phenotypic information was available for 11 individuals, in addition to our own two unpublished cases. Our findings suggest that although individuals with SETD1A variant-associated schizophrenia may share a number of common features, phenotypic variability nonetheless exists. Moreover, although such individuals may exhibit numerous other neurodevelopmental features suggestive of the syndrome, their psychiatric presentations appear to be similar to those of general schizophrenia populations.
CONCLUSIONS
Loss-of-function SETD1A variants may underlie the development of psychosis in a small percentage of individuals with schizophrenia. Identifying such individuals may become increasingly important, given the potential for advances in precision medicine treatment approaches.
Topics: Humans; Genetic Predisposition to Disease; Intellectual Disability; Phenotype; Psychotic Disorders; Schizophrenia
PubMed: 37918557
DOI: 10.1016/j.pnpbp.2023.110888 -
Neuro-oncology Advances 2023Glioblastoma is the most aggressive primary brain cancer with a poor prognosis. Despite numerous studies in the past 17 years, effective treatment options for... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Glioblastoma is the most aggressive primary brain cancer with a poor prognosis. Despite numerous studies in the past 17 years, effective treatment options for glioblastoma remain limited. In this study, we aimed to identify and compare phase III clinical trials for glioblastoma in terms of efficacy and baseline characteristics.
METHODS
A systematic literature search was conducted using PubMed and ClinicalTrials.gov to identify phase III clinical trials for glioblastoma in adult patients. The target population included adult patients aged 18 years and above (younger cohort) and patients ≥60 years of age (elderly cohort). The search results were screened based on predefined inclusion criteria, and the included trials were analyzed for their study design, baseline characteristics, and survival results.
RESULTS
Eleven trials met the inclusion criteria in the younger cohort. Of these, three reported a statistically significant improvement in overall survival (OS), including the EORTC/NCIC study (NCT00006353), EF-14 (NCT00916409), and CeTeG (NCT01149109). Of the 11 trials, eight were open-label randomized trials, including all of the positive ones, while three negative trials employed treatment blinding and a placebo control. The baseline characteristics of the trials [such as extent of resection, age, gender, and (6)-methylguanine-DNA-methyltransferase (MGMT) promoter methylation status] did not significantly differ between positive and negative trials. Isocitrate dehydrogenase (IDH) mutation status was analyzed in only two trials, with a small percentage of IDH-mutated tumors in each. Additionally, three more trials in the elderly cohort showed a statistically significant improvement of OS, the NOA-08 trial, the ISRCTN81470623-trial by Malmström et al. and NCT00482677-trial by Perry et al. Their baseline characteristics and implications are also analyzed.
CONCLUSION
This analysis of phase III clinical trials for glioblastoma conducted since 2005 showed that the majority of trials did not result in a significant improvement in OS. Among the trials included in this analysis, only the EORTC/NCIC, EF-14, and CeTeG studies demonstrated a positive OS outcome in the younger cohort.
PubMed: 37811538
DOI: 10.1093/noajnl/vdad105 -
Pain Physician Sep 2023Responsiveness to opioid analgesics differs among patients with acute postoperative pain. (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
BACKGROUND
Responsiveness to opioid analgesics differs among patients with acute postoperative pain.
OBJECTIVE
Our study presents the most recent evidence on the effect of genetic variations on postoperative pain, opioid consumption, nausea, and vomiting in patients treated with opioids.
STUDY DESIGN
An updated systematic review and meta-analysis on the association between single-nucleotide polymorphisms and opioids administered to patients with acute postoperative pain.
METHODS
PubMed, Embase, ISI Web of Science, and the Cochrane Library databases were searched for articles published from February 1, 2014, through December 31, 2021.
RESULTS
Added to the previous meta-analysis, 39 studies (a total of 7,455 patients) were included in the final meta-analysis. Highlights of the findings include: 1) human μ-opioid receptor gene 118G allele carriers required more opioids during the first postoperative 24 hours (standard mean difference [SMD] = -0.27; 95% CI,-0.40 to -0.14; P < 0.0001) and 48 hours (SMD = -0.52; 95% CI, -0.83 to -0.20; P = 0.001), and reported higher pain scores during the first 24 hours but not at the 48-hour postoperative period (SMD = -0.09, 95% CI, -0.15 to -0.03; P = 0.002) compared to homozygous 118AA patients. 2) patients with the CYP3A4 *1G allele required fewer opioids during the first 24-hour postoperative period (SMD = 0.59; 95% CI, 0.05 to 1.14; P = 0.03) compared to patients with the homozygous CYP3A4*1/*1 allele. 3) Adenosine triphosphate-binding cassette subfamily B member-1 (ABCB1) 3435T allele carriers required more opioids during the 48-hour postoperative period (SMD = -0.21; 95% CI, -0.38 to -0.04; P = 0.02) compared to homozygous CC carriers. 4) Catechol-O-methyl transferase 158A allele carriers required fewer opioids during the first 24-hour postoperative period (SMD = 0.33; 95% CI, 0.15 to 0.51; P = 0.0004) compared to homozygous GG carriers. No significant differences were observed in patients with CYP2D6*10 and ABCB1 G2677A/T genetic polymorphisms.
LIMITATIONS
Several loci were not analyzed in detail due to insufficient clinical data. Furthermore, nongenetic factors that affected analgesic efficacy and the clinical outcome of postoperative pain were not discussed and were not the aim of this meta-analysis.
CONCLUSIONS
In combination with previous systematic reviews and meta-analyses, our results indicate that the A118G allele variant of OPRM1 and the *1*1G allele variant of CYP3A4 have a profound influence on individual differences in opioid reactivity in patients with postoperative pain. Our results, together with the identification of additional single nucleotide polymorphisms in future studies, may provide a theoretical basis for precise clinical analgesia.
KEY WORDS
Single nucleotide polymorphism, postoperative pain, opioid, meta-analysis.
Topics: Humans; Analgesics, Opioid; Catechol O-Methyltransferase; Cytochrome P-450 CYP3A; Pain, Postoperative; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide
PubMed: 37774182
DOI: No ID Found