Project description:Chewing betel nut is an important risk factor for the carcinogenesis of tongue squamous cell carcinoma (TSCC), but the mechanism is still unknown.To screen the lncRNAs associated with betel nut chewing-induced TSCC and identify potential biomarkers for the TSCC, we collected 5 pairs of TSCC and paracancerous tissues and monitored the resultant lncRNA and mRNA expression profiles using an lncRNA microarray. All 5 patients have a history of areca nut chewing.
Project description:Of the multiple anatomical sites represented in oral cancer, squamous cell carcinoma of the tongue (TSCC) shows the highest incidence among younger age group. Chewing betel leaf, areca nut & slaked lime and smoking tobacco are common practises in India which have direct clinical implication in TSCC carcinogenesis. Here, for the first time we define the landscape of genomic alterations in TSCC from the Indian diaspora which would help to identify novel therapeutic targets for clinical intervention and define the genetic basis for TSCC. We performed high throughput sequencing of fifty four tongue samples using whole exome sequencing (n=47, 23 paired normal tumor and 1 unpaired) and transcriptome sequencing (n=17, 10 tumor and 5 normal). Mutation, copy number analysis were carried out using exome sequencing data and transcriptome analysis provided expressed genes and transcript fusions in tongue cancer patients. Further, integrated analysis were performed to identify biologically relevant alterations. Our preliminary analysis revealed presence of most frequently altered mutations in TSCC which includes mutations in TP53, NOTCH1, CDKN2A, USP6, KMT2D etc, consistent with literature. We observed high frequency of CG/T(GC/A) transversions in non-CpG islands, a signature associated with tobacco exposure. Somatic copy number analysis revealed copy number gain in known hallmarks such as CCND1, MYC, ORAOV1 genes along with copy number alteration in novel genes. Significant positive correlation was observed in the genes harbouring copy number gains and showing increased expression.
Project description:Of the multiple anatomical sites represented in oral cancer, squamous cell carcinoma of the tongue (TSCC) shows the highest incidence among younger age group. Chewing betel leaf, areca nut & slaked lime and smoking tobacco are common practises in India which have direct clinical implication in TSCC carcinogenesis. Here, for the first time we define the landscape of genomic alterations in TSCC from the Indian diaspora which would help to identify novel therapeutic targets for clinical intervention and define the genetic basis for TSCC. We performed high throughput sequencing of fifty four tongue samples using whole exome sequencing (n=47, 23 paired normal tumor and 1 unpaired) and transcriptome sequencing (n=17, 10 tumor and 5 normal). Mutation, copy number analysis were carried out using exome sequencing data and transcriptome analysis provided expressed genes and transcript fusions in tongue cancer patients. Further, integrated analysis were performed to identify biologically relevant alterations. Our preliminary analysis revealed presence of most frequently altered mutations in TSCC which includes mutations in TP53, NOTCH1, CDKN2A, USP6, KMT2D etc, consistent with literature. We observed high frequency of CG/T(GC/A) transversions in non-CpG islands, a signature associated with tobacco exposure. Somatic copy number analysis revealed copy number gain in known hallmarks such as CCND1, MYC, ORAOV1 genes along with copy number alteration in novel genes. Significant positive correlation was observed in the genes harbouring copy number gains and showing increased expression.
Project description:Esophageal cancer is among the 10 most common malignancies and ranks as the 6th leading cause of death from cancer. It constitutes 7% of all gastrointestinal cancers and is one of the most lethal of all cancers. The large variation in the incidence of esophageal cancer in different geographic regions has often been thought to be due to variation in exposure to environmental factors; however, hereditary factors may also contribute to the variation in rates. A positive family history was found to be associated with an increased risk of esophageal cancer in several case-control and cohort studies in China. Familial aggregation also has been observed in Iran and Japan. The cancer data generated from six hospital based cancer registries in India under National Cancer Registry Programme (NCRP, Annual Report, 2003-2004) has revealed that the occurrence of esophageal cancer in Assam is highest in India. The aggregation of esophageal cancer in families is a long-observed and well-documented phenomenon in Assam of North-east part of India (AAR=32.6). In Assam high incidence of esophageal cancer with familial aggregation need investigation for etiology. The etiology of esophageal cancer in Northeast Indian population is different from other population at India due to wide variations in dietary habits or nutritional factors, tobacco chewing and alcohol habits. With in these high-risk regions, studies have shown a strong tendency toward familial aggregation, suggesting that genetic susceptibility, in conjunction with potential environmental exposures, may be involved in the etiology of esophageal cancer. Familial clustering of cancer has been one of the main avenues to the understanding of cancer etiology and the signal to the involvement of heritable genes. Familial clustering of cancer may be due to environmental factors shared by family members or due to shared genes. However, the familial aggregation of esophageal cancer among the population in northeast India may reflect the influence of environmental factors operating on individuals who are already genetically susceptible. Epidemiological studies indicate that tobacco smoking and alcohol consumption are the major factors for esophageal cancer, the role of genetic factors for familial aggregation has not been elucidated. In this study, tumor and matched normal tissue from esophageal squamous cell carcinoma patients with a family history of upper gastrointestinal cancer were analyzed using cDNA microarray containing 10,000genes to evaluate gene expression differences in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma patients with a family history of upper gastrointestinal cancer from a high- risk area in India. To identify alteration in genes and molecular functional pathways in esophageal cancer in a high incidence region of India where there is wide spread use of tobacco and betel quid with fermented areca nuts and familial aggregation cancer. Keywords: Gene Expression
Project description:The practice of using chewing tobacco is common in certain socio-economic sections of southern Asia particularly in the Indian subcontinent. The molecular mechanism of smokeless tobacco which leads to malignancy is unclear. Chewing tobacco demonstrates a carcinogenic effect through chronic and not acute exposures. Using a cell line model, we studied the chronic effects of chewing tobacco on the proteome in normal oral keratinocytes (OKF6/TERT1). We carried out iTRAQ-based quantitative proteomic analysis of the untreated and chewing tobacco treated oral keratinocytes. LC-MS/MS analysis of this cell line pair resulted in the identification of 3,638 proteins of which 408 were found to be differentially expressed.
Project description:Tobacco is mainly consumed in two different forms (smoking and chewing) that vary in their composition and methods of intake. Despite being the leading cause of oral cancer, the molecular mechanisms resulting in malignancy upon tobacco exposure are yet to be fully elucidated. We therefore sought to compare the molecular alterations in oral keratinocytes exposed to smoke and chewing tobacco. OKF6/TERT1 cells were exposed to cigarette smoke condensate or chewing tobacco for progressively increasing durations (2, 4, 6 and 8 months). We employed a TMT-based quantitative proteomics approach to investigate the adverse effects of chronic cigarette smoke or chewing tobacco exposure in oral keratinocytes. LC/MS3 analysis resulted in the quantification of 5,342 proteins and 2,821 proteins in cigarette smoke and chewing tobacco exposed cells, respectively. Upstream regulator analysis indicates the involvement of distinct regulators in CSC exposed cells compared to STE exposed cells. In addition, exome sequencing revealed discrete genetic alterations in cells exposed to each insult. Current analysis defines a clear distinction in the molecular dysregulation in oral cells in response to different tobacco-based insults. Some of the proteins dysregulated in cigarette smoke or chewing tobacco exposed cells may serve as potential early detection biomarkers which could aid in stratification of patients based on tobacco usage history.
Project description:Tobacco in its smoke and smokeless form are major risk factors for ESCC (esophageal squamous cell carcinoma). However, molecular alterations associated with smokeless tobacco exposure are poorly understood. In the Indian subcontinent, tobacco is predominantly consumed in chewing form. An understanding of molecular alterations associated with chewing tobacco exposure is vital for identifying molecular markers and potential targets. We developed an in-vitro cellular model by exposing non-transformed esophageal epithelial cells to chewing tobacco over eight month period. Chronic exposure to chewing tobacco led to increase in cell proliferation, invasive ability and anchorage independent growth indicating cell transformation. Molecular alterations associated with chewing tobacco exposure were characterized by carrying out exome sequencing and quantitative proteomic profiling of parental cells and chewing tobacco exposed cells. Quantitative proteomic analysis revealed that established cancer stem cell markers are elevated in tobacco treated cells. Decreased expression of enzymes associated with the glycolytic pathway and increased expression of a large number of mitochondrially localized proteins involved in the electron transport chain as well as enzymes of TCA cycle were also identified. Electron micrographs revealed increase in number and size of mitochondria. Based on these observations, we hypothesise that chronic treatment of esophageal epithelial cells with tobacco leads to a cancer stem cell-like phenotype. These cells also show characteristic OXPHOS phenotype which can be potentially targeted as a therapeutic strategy.
Project description:In Asia, oral cancer (OC) and oral submucous fibrosis (OSF) constitute major health problems linked to use of betel quid. This work performed CGH genome-wide analysis of OC (12 from India, 12 from Sri Lanka) and OSF (6 from India) cases with normal controls.
Project description:Due to betel nut chewing habit, oral cancer is the fourth leading cause of cancer death among Taiwanese men. In addition, oral cancer is the most common malignancy observed in men with 25-44 years old, alerting an urgent need to curb this disease. It is hypothesized that betel nut ingredients exhibit carcinogenic effects on the oral epithelium and alter local immune system. As a step to identify potential oncogenic gene fusions in Taiwanese oral cancer cells, total RNAs of two immortalized oral keratinocytes (CGHNK2, -K6) and five oral squamous cell carcinoma cell lines (C9, OC3, OEC-M1, TW2.6) were subjected to RNA-sequencing analysis, followed by an in-house bioinformatic pipeline for fusion gene detection.