Cancer cervix is one of the leading causes of cancer-related mortality among women worldwide. It is believed that the host genetic factors such as inflammation-induced cytokines may play a role in cervical carcinogenesis. The interleukin-1β (IL-1β) gene contains several single nucleotide polymorphisms. One of them, C-511T, which in the promoter region has been associated with increased IL-1β production and with increased risk of developing cancers. We assessed the association between the IL-1β C-511T polymorphism and cervical cancer risk in a case-control study among 100 histopathologically confirmed Egyptian women with cervical cancer and 50 age-matched, cervical cytology negative, healthy controls by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism. Plasma levels of IL-1β were assayed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. There was significant increase in the mean plasma IL-1β level in cervical cancer cases (43.40 ± 25.95 pg/ml) when compared with controls (30.51 ± 18.28 pg/ml, P = 0.002). The plasma levels above the 75th percentile of controls (IL-1β ≥ 45.74 pg/ml) were significantly associated with a 2.49-fold increased risk of cervical cancer. The significant increase in IL-1β concentration in cervical cancer cases was observed only among cervical cancer cases carrying C-511T variant genotypes. T/T genotype of IL-1β polymorphism was significantly higher in cervical cancer cases compared with controls (57 vs. 38%; OR = 2.16; P = 0.028) and the T allele carriage was significantly associated with cervical cancer risk (OR = 2.00, 95% CI = 1.19-3.38, and P = 0.008). In conclusion, plasma IL-1β level and IL-1β C-511T polymorphism may be considered as candidate biomarkers for cervical cancer in Egyptian women.

Background: Anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH) is a member of the transforming growth factor-β superfamily. It may play an important role in the ovarian folliculogenesis. Objective: To study the relationship of AMH and some clinical, endocrinal and ultrasound parameters in anovulatory infertile women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and in women with normal menstrual cycles. Methods: Sera were collected from 30 PCOS anovulatory women and from 15 normal women during the early follicular phase "day 3" of the menstrual cycle, stored frozen until assayed. Results: Serum AMH concentrations were significantly (P<0.001) elevated in PCOS women (9.55±3.39 μg/liter) compared with controls (2.33±1.8 μg/liter). In PCOS patients, serum levels of AMH were correlated with features characteristics of PCOS such as LH concentrations (r=0.76, P<0.001), testosterone level (r=0.67, P<0.001), mean number of follicles (r=0.68, P<0.001) and ovarian volume (r=0.54, P<0.001). Also, AMH levels were correlated with age (r=-0.51, P<0.001) and with cycle duration (r=0.46, P<0.001). The correlation between AMH levels and FSH, estradiol or BMI were found statistically non significant. Conclusion: The present study provides evidence that serum levels of AMH is elevated in PCOS patients. This may have a role in the disordered folliculogenesis characteristics of that disease.

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The association of estrogen receptor-α (ER-α) genetic polymorphisms with the risk of breast cancer attracts much attention because ER functions as a hormone-dependent transcriptional regulator, which in turn, plays a significant role in the development of breast cancer. This study was conducted to find if there is an association between genetic polymorphisms in the ER-α gene and breast cancer in Egyptian females and its relation to the age of menarche and menopause. A total of 50 breast cancer Egyptian women and 25 age-matched healthy controls were involved in the study. PvuII and XbaI polymorphisms of ER-α gene were genotyped by polymerase chain reaction restriction fragment length polymorphism. Pp/pp genotypes were found in 84% of patients and in 56% of controls; and the homozygous wild PP genotype was found in 16% of patients, and 44% of controls. There was highly significant increase in the risk of breast cancer with the presence of PvuII restriction site (Pp/pp genotypes) compared with absence of restriction site (PP genotype) (P = 0.008). There was statistically significant decrease in the age of menarche (P = 0.021) and insignificant differences in the age of menopause of all participant women with presence of PvuII restriction site. Xx/xx genotypes were found in 84% of patients and in 76% of controls; and XX genotype was found in 16% of patients and in 24% of controls. There was insignificant difference in genotype frequency of the ER-α XbaI polymorphism between patients and controls (P = 0.157). There was statistically very highly significant decrease in the age of menarche (P<0.001) and insignificant differences in the age of menopause of all participant women with presence of XbaI restriction site. From the present study, it could be concluded that genetic polymorphisms in the ER-α gene may play a role in the etiology of breast cancer in Egyptian women and may be a genetic determinants of the age of menarche.