Interleukin (IL) 17A is an inflammatory cytokine expressed by Th 17 cells and plays a role in tissue inflammation by inducing release of proinflammatory and neutrophil-mobilizing cytokines. We have investigated the association between colorectal cancer and polymorphisms of IL17A (rs2275913. G197A). The study was performed in 241 subjects (102 with colorectal cancer and 139 healthy controls). Genotypes were determined by fluorescent-based restriction fragment length polymorphism method. The association between the molecular features at the gene in relation to tumor and patient clinical characteristics was analyzed. There was a significant difference between the genotype frequencies of IL17A G197A of control subjects (GG 68.34 % and GA + AA 31.65 %) and patients with colorectal cancer (GG 47.05 % and GA + AA 52.94 %) (p = 0.001 with odds ratio (OR) 2.45 (1.43-4.11)). IL17A G197A polymorphism is particularly associated with colon cancer. Indeed, the IL17A GG genotype could be considered as a protective factor against colon cancer (p = 0.00001) with OR 3.77 (2.04-6.99). We have noted a significant association of IL17A G197A polymorphism not only with tumor localization (p = 0.003) but also with tumor differentiation (p = 0.0005) in CRC patients. We have also showed a significant association of G197A variant with an increased risk of advanced stage (p = 0.005). Our result suggests that the A allele of IL17A gene is involved in susceptibility to colorectal cancer and is associated with clinical features as tumor location, tumor differentiation, and TNM stage. IL17A polymorphism may serve as biomarker of disease location and progression.

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Toll-like receptors (TLRs) are considered as major endotoxin-signaling receptor and as crucial sensors of innate immunity. TLRs recognize pathogen-associated molecular patterns; induce effectors genes involving inflammatory cytokines and therefore initiation of adaptative immune responses against pathogens. Recently, it has been shown that TLRs are involved in tumor progression. In fact, increased level of TLR4 is associated with progression of colon malignancies. Even, TLR4 polymorphism has been shown associated with susceptibility to have colorectal cancer. Our study aimed to investigate an association between TLR4 Asp299Gly (D299G) and Thr399Ile (T399I) polymorphisms in Tunisian patients with colorectal cancer. Using a primer extension method (SNaPshot), we genotyped two variants of TLR4 D299G and T399I in 100 patients with colorectal cancer and 140 healthy controls in Tunisian population. Interesting, we noted a significant association between T399I polymorphism and tumor differentiation (p = 0.027) and tumor architecture (p = 0.02) in colorectal cancer (CRC) patients. We also showed a significant association of D299G with an increased risk of advanced stage (p = 0.03). Finally, we observed a positive link between D299G and T399I polymorphisms and CRC patients with lymph node (p = 0.00024; p = 0.0005, respectively) and metastasis (p = 0.001; p = 0.002, respectively). However, we found no evidence to support a significant association between TLR4 D299G and T399I polymorphisms and colorectal cancer susceptibility. Our findings suggest that TLR4 D299G and T399I polymorphisms are significantly associated with clinical features variables. TLR4 polymorphisms may serve as biomarker of disease progression. Therefore, our results need confirmation in even larger studies.

IntroductionMicroRNAs are small, non coding regulatory molecules containing approximately 21 to 25 nucleotides. They function as controllers of expression at post transcriptional levels of most human protein-coding genes and play an essential role in cell signaling pathways. The objective of the present study is to evaluate the expression profile of the following micro-RNAs: miR-10b, miR-17, miR-21, miR-34a, miR-146a, miR-148a and miR-182, and to determine their possible interaction in triple-negative and non triple-negative primary breast cancers based on clinical outcome.Methods60 triple-negative and non triple-negative breast cancer cases, along with their corresponding normal samples were investigated in relation to the expression of the seven studied miRNAs using qPCR Syber Green.ResultsWe observed that miR-21, miR-146a and miR-182 were significantly over expressed in triple negative breast cancer. Moreover, miR-10b, miR-21 and miR-182 were significantly associated to lymph node metastases occurrence in triple negative breast carcinoma while only miR-10b was associated with grade III in non triple negative breast cancer cases. Almost all the analyzed microRNAs were strongly associated with patients’ genico-obstetric history in non triple negative breast cancer cases except for miR-34a. All the studied microRNAs were strongly correlated with the use of the contraceptive pills in non triple negative breast cancer groups. The additive effect of hormonal factors in triple negative breast cancer cases showed an association with all the studied miRs except for miR-34 and miR-146a.ConclusionThe studied microRNAs are strongly influenced by environmental factors especially with hormonal patients’ history. Moreover, miR-10b, miR-21 and miR-182 could be defined as biomarkers in breast cancer to predict both lymph node metastases and grade III occurrence.