Abstract Squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity and oropharynx is the sixth most common type of cancer in the world. During tumorigenesis, gene promoter hypermethylation is considered an important mechanism of transcription silencing of tumor suppressor genes, such as DAPK, MGMT and RUNX3. These genes participate in signaling pathways related to apoptosis, DNA repair and proliferation whose loss of expression is possibly associated with cancer development and progression. In order to investigate associations between hypermethylation and clinicopathological and prognostic parameters, promoter methylation was evaluated in 72 HPV negative oral and oropharyngeal tumors using methylation-specific PCR. Hypermethylation frequencies found for DAPK, MGMT and RUNX3 were 38.88%, 19.44% and 1.38% respectively. Patients with MGMT hypermethylation had a better 2-year overall survival compared to patients without methylation. Being MGMT a repair gene for alkylating agents, it could be a biomarker of treatment response for patients who are candidates for cisplatin chemotherapy, predicting drug resistance. In view of the considerable levels of hypermethylation in cancer cells and, for MGMT, its prognostic relevance, DAPK and MGMT show potential as epigenetic markers, in a way that additional studies may test its viability and efficacy in clinical management.

Resumo Introdução: O carcinoma espinocelular oral (CECO) trata-se de um importante problema de saúde pública, devido à elevada taxa de mortalidade e incidência crescente em todo o mundo. A susceptibilidade ao CECO é mediada por interações entre fatores genéticos e ambientais. Estudos sugerem que as variantes genéticas que codificam as enzimas envolvidas no metabolismo do folato podem modular o risco de CECO, alterando a síntese/reparação do DNA e o processo de metilação. Objetivo: Os objetivos deste estudo foram avaliar a associação de três polimorfismos genotípicos (MTHFR C677T, MTHFR A1298C e CBS 844ins68) e o risco de câncer oral em brasileiros da região Sudeste, e avaliar as interações entre polimorfismos e parâmetros clínico-histopatológicos. Método: Este estudo de caso-controle incluiu 101 casos e 102 controles no estado do Espírito Santo, Brasil. A genotipagem do polimorfismo MTHFR foi realizada por PCR-RFLP (Reação de Polimerase em Cadeia - Polimorfismo no Comprimento de Fragmento de Restrição) e a do CBS por análise da PCR (Reação de Polimerase em Cadeia). Resultados: O polimorfismo MTHFR C677T foi associado ao envolvimento de gânglios linfáticos. O genótipo CT + TT atuou como um fator protetor. O genótipo MTHFR A1298C AC + CC foi associado à diferenciação do tumor e, possivelmente, a um prognóstico melhor. Na análise de risco, a correlação entre os genótipos e o CECO não foi observada. Conclusão: Concluímos que os polimorfismos MTHFR C677T, MTHFR A1298C e CBS 844ins68 não estão associados ao risco de CECO nos brasileiros da região Sudeste; no entanto, sugerimos um efeito prognóstico associado aos polimorfismos MTHFR C677T e A1298C em CECO.

ABSTRACT INTRODUCTION: Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is a serious public health problem, due to its high mortality rate and worldwide rising incidence. OSCC susceptibility is mediated by interactions between genetic and environmental factors. Studies suggest that genetic variants encoding enzymes involved in folate metabolism may modulate OSCC risk by altering DNA synthesis/repair and methylation process. OBJECTIVE: The goals of this study were to evaluate the association of three genotypic polymorphism (MTHFR C677T, MTHFR A1298C and CBS 844ins68) and oral cancer risk in southeastern Brazilians and evaluate the interactions between polymorphisms and clinical histopathological parameters. METHODS: This case-control study included 101 cases and 102 controls in the state of Espírito Santo, Brazil. MTHFR genotyping was done by PCR-RFLP (polymerase chain reaction - restriction fragment length polymorphism) and CBS genotyping by PCR (polymerase chain reaction) analysis. RESULTS: MTHFR C677T polymorphism was associated with lymph node involvement. Genotype CT + TT acted as a protective factor. MTHFR A1298C AC + CC genotype was associated with tumor differentiation, and possibly with a better prognosis. In risk analysis, no correlation was observed between genotypes and OSCC. CONCLUSION: We concluded that MTHFR C677T, MTHFR A1298C and CBS 844ins68 polymorphisms were not associated with OSCC risk in southeastern Brazilians; however, we suggest a prognosis effect associated with MTHFR C677T and A1298C polymorphisms in OSCC.

Mutações no gene GJB2 constituem a principal causa de surdez genética de herança autossômica recessiva, sendo a mutação 35delG a mais comum em muitos grupos étnicos. Além da mutação 35delG em homozigose, a mutação também é encontrada em heterozigose composta, associada com outras mutações nos genes GJB2 ou GJB6. OBJETIVOS: Determinar a prevalência das mutações 35delG/GJB2 e del (GJB6-D13S1830) em portadores de deficiência auditiva neurossensorial, residentes no estado do Espírito Santo (Brasil). MATERIAL E MÉTODOS: Foram avaliados 77 indivíduos não relacionados, com perda auditiva neurossensorial de moderada a profunda. A mutação 35delG foi estudada através da técnica de PCR/RFLP e a mutação del (GJB6-D13S1830) foi rastreada por meio da técnica de PCR multiplex. RESULTADOS: 88,3% apresentaram genótipo normal para as mutações estudadas, 1,3% foram heterozigotos compostos, 3,9% homozigotos para a mutação 35delG, 6,5% heterozigotos para 35delG/GJB2. A frequência do alelo 35delG/GJB2 e do alelo del (D13S1830/GJB6) na amostra foi de 7,8% e 0,65%, respectivamente. CONCLUSÃO: Os dados obtidos confirmaram a existência das mutações estudadas em casos de perda auditiva neurossensorial na população do Espírito Santo/Brasil. Esses achados reforçam a importância do diagnóstico genético, que pode propiciar um tratamento precoce para crianças e aconselhamento genético para as famílias dos afetados.

Mutations in GJB2 gene are the leading cause of deafness in autosomal recessive inheritance, and the 35delG mutation is the most common in many ethnic groups. Besides the 35delG mutation in homozygosis, the mutation is also found in compound heterozygosis, coupled with other mutations in genes GJB2 and GJB6. AIM: To determine the prevalence of 35delG/GJB2 and del (GJB6-D13S1830) mutations in patients with sensorineural hearing impairment in residents from the Espirito Santo state, Brazil. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 77 unrelated individuals with moderate to profound sensorineural hearing loss were evaluated. The 35delG mutation was studied by PCR / RFLP; and the del (GJB6-D13S1830) mutation was screened by the technique of multiplex PCR. RESULTS: 88.3% had normal genotype for the studied mutations, 1.3% were compound heterozygotes, 3.9% homozygotic for the 35delG mutation, 6.5% heterozygotic for 35delG/GJB2. The frequency of 35delG/GJB2 and del (D13S1830/GJB6) alleles in the sample was 7.8% and 0.65%, respectively. CONCLUSION: The data confirmed the existence of the mutations studied in cases of sensorineural hearing loss in a population from Espírito Santo / Brazil. These findings reinforce the importance of genetic diagnosis, which can provide early treatment for children and genetic counseling for the affected families.