Hou, Lifang

PURPOSE Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the third leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide. The higher incidence and earlier onset of HCC in sub-Saharan Africa suggest a potential role for a genetic predisposition. This study evaluated the association of TERT -rs2242652-(A), a variant linked to lower HCC risk, with HCC in populations from Ghana, Nigeria, and Cameroon, compared with a population from the United States. METHODS The study included 537 patients with HCC: United States (n = 348), Ghana (n = 79), Nigeria (n = 43), and Cameroon (n = 67). The control group had 2,872 cancer-free individuals: United States (n = 2,399), Ghana (n = 323), Nigeria (n = 85), and Cameroon (n = 65). Whole-exome sequencing was conducted using germline DNA, and data for TERT -rs2242652 were analyzed. Odds ratios (ORs) and 95% CIs were calculated using unconditional logistic regression. Chi-square tests assessed protective allele frequencies. RESULTS In the US cohort, TERT -rs2242652 was significantly associated with lower HCC risk (OR, 0.75 [95% CI, 0.58 to 0.96]; P = .02), with an allele frequency of 18.8% (15.4% in HCC cases v 19.3% in controls). In the combined sub-Saharan African population, no significant association was observed, but there was a trend toward decreased HCC risk (OR, 0.80 [95% CI, 0.53 to 1.22]; P = .29), with an allele frequency of 12.2% (10.6% in HCC cases v 12.9% in controls). Separate analyses of Ghanaian, Nigerian, and Cameroonian populations showed similar nonsignificant trends. The protective allele frequency in the combined African populations was significantly lower than in the US cohort ( P < .0001). CONCLUSION In sub-Saharan African populations, there was a lower frequency of the HCC protective allele TERT -rs2242652 compared with European Americans. These findings underscore the importance of multiethnic genetic studies in understanding population differences in HCC risk and developing prevention strategies.

Abstract Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a leading cause of cancer mortality globally, with particularly high burdens among people living with HIV (PLWH) in low‐resource settings like Nigeria. Effective early detection remains a major challenge due to limited access to imaging‐based surveillance and the low sensitivity of current biomarkers such as alpha‐fetoprotein (AFP). We conducted an epigenome‐wide association study (EWAS) of circulating cell‐free DNA (ccfDNA) methylation in a Nigerian cohort of HIV‐positive individuals ( n = 245), spanning HCC, cirrhosis (FibroScan ≥12.3 kPa), fibrosis (FibroScan ≥7.6 and <12.3 kPa), and HCC‐free without fibrosis (FibroScan <7.6 kPa) groups. Using random forest modeling, we developed and evaluated a ccfDNA methylation classifier (ccfDNAmRF) for HCC risk prediction. We identified 73 CpG sites significantly associated with HCC (false discovery rate <0.01). The ccfDNAmRF model demonstrated strong discriminatory power, achieving 100% sensitivity and 80%–91% specificity for distinguishing HCC from cirrhosis, fibrosis, and HCC‐free groups (area under the curve [AUC]: 92%–97%). Combining ccfDNA methylation risk scores with AFP further improved classification accuracy (AUC up to 98.5%). Notably, ccfDNA methylation patterns displayed clear dose–response relationships across the disease spectrum, supporting their utility for early‐stage detection and risk stratification. Our findings highlight the promise of ccfDNA methylation biomarkers as a non‐invasive, blood‐based screening tool for improving early identification of HCC cases among PLWH.

The NCCN Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology (NCCN Guidelines) for Lung Cancer Screening provide criteria for selecting individuals for screening and offer recommendations for evaluating and managing lung nodules detected during initial and subsequent annual screening. These NCCN Guidelines Insights focus on recent updates to the NCCN Guidelines for Lung Cancer Screening.

Abstract Although social determinants of health (SDoH) investigations have shown limited analyses of socioeconomic and race-ethnic status on certain hematologic malignancies, the impact of factors beyond those across a fuller scope of hematologic cancers remains unknown. The Social Vulnerability Index (SVI), a tool for assessing varied US census–derived sociodemographic factors, allows for the specific quantification of SDoH in dynamic, regional contexts for their associations with hematologic malignancy inequities. To assess the summative influence of varied SDoH factors on hematologic malignancy outcomes and discern which SDoH factors contributed the largest associations toward disparities, 796 005 adults with hematologic malignancies between 1975 to 2017 were identified for this retrospective cohort study. Vulnerability in 15 SDoH factors was measured using composite and subcategory SVI scores geographically matched to patients. Regressions between SVI factors and follow-up time after diagnosis and survival period were performed. Increasing overall SVI correlated with significantly decreased surveillance period in 11 of 14 hematologic malignancies, with decreases upward of 33.4% (39.0-26.0 months for acute lymphocytic leukemia). Increasing SVI significantly associated with decreased survival period across 11 of 14 hematologic malignancies, with decreases upward of 47.2% (89.5-47.3 months for Hodgkin lymphoma). Socioeconomic status and housing and transportation vulnerabilities showed the largest magnitude of contributions, followed by minority language and household composition. Significant decreases in hematologic malignancy prognosis associate with increasing overall SDoH vulnerability in varied sociodemographic contexts in the United States. Furthermore, there are quantifiable differences in which types of SDoH contribute more to trends per malignancy type. These findings demonstrate specific SDoH targets for further research and policy initiatives to combat hematologic malignancy disparity more effectively.

Background The relationship between mitochondrial DNA copy number (mtDNA CN) and cardiovascular disease remains elusive. Methods and Results We performed cross‐sectional and prospective association analyses of blood‐derived mtDNA CN and cardiovascular disease outcomes in 27 316 participants in 8 cohorts of multiple racial and ethnic groups with whole‐genome sequencing. We also performed Mendelian randomization to explore causal relationships of mtDNA CN with coronary heart disease (CHD) and cardiometabolic risk factors (obesity, diabetes, hypertension, and hyperlipidemia). P <0.01 was used for significance. We validated most of the previously reported associations between mtDNA CN and cardiovascular disease outcomes. For example, 1‐SD unit lower level of mtDNA CN was associated with 1.08 (95% CI, 1.04–1.12; P <0.001) times the hazard for developing incident CHD, adjusting for covariates. Mendelian randomization analyses showed no causal effect from a lower level of mtDNA CN to a higher CHD risk (β=0.091; P =0.11) or in the reverse direction (β=−0.012; P =0.076). Additional bidirectional Mendelian randomization analyses revealed that low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol had a causal effect on mtDNA CN (β=−0.084; P <0.001), but the reverse direction was not significant ( P =0.059). No causal associations were observed between mtDNA CN and obesity, diabetes, and hypertension, in either direction. Multivariable Mendelian randomization analyses showed no causal effect of CHD on mtDNA CN, controlling for low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol level ( P =0.52), whereas there was a strong direct causal effect of higher low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol on lower mtDNA CN, adjusting for CHD status (β=−0.092; P <0.001). Conclusions Our findings indicate that high low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol may underlie the complex relationships between mtDNA CN and vascular atherosclerosis.

Abstract Background: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide. In countries with high human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) prevalence, such as Nigeria, HIV-associated HCC causes a great health burden due to its early onset, late diagnosis, and poorer prognosis. HIV infection is involved in inflammation of the liver, which may determine an increased risk of hepatocyte neoplastic transformation. Inflammation-related DNA methylation signatures obtained in liquid biopsy, such as circulating cell-free DNA (ccfDNA) extracted from serum/plasma are promising minimally-invasive biomarkers that may inform HCC among people living with HIV. Methods: A total of 289 Nigerian participants with information on ccfDNA and other covariates were included. Participants were classified into three groups by their HCC/HIV status: 1) HCC+/HIV+ (n=28); 2) HCC-/HIV+ (n=185); and 3) HCC+/HIV- (n=76). We constructed ccfDNA methylation inflammation scores using 49 CpGs previously linked to circulating C-reactive protein (CRP) concentrations, and higher scores represented elevated CRP concentrations with lower methylation levels. To compare the ccfDNA methylation inflammation score across the groups, we performed multivariable logistic regression analyses adjusting for age, sex, alcohol consumption, smoking status, body mass index, study sites, and technical variables. Results: Participants with HCC+/HIV+ presented the highest ccfDNA methylation inflammation scores (mean=-0.03, standard deviation [SD] =0.01). Participants with HCC-/HIV+ presented the lowest scores (mean=-0.05, SD=0.01). In the multivariable logistic regressions, one SD increase of inflammation score was associated with 2.5 times higher odds of having HCC among HIV-infected participants (HCC+/HIV+ vs. HCC+/HIV-; OR=2.56, 95% CI=1.39-4.73, P=0.002). No evidence was found for the association between the inflammation score and HIV status among HCC patients (HCC+/HIV+ vs. HCC+/HIV-; OR=1.00, 95% CI=0.59-1.70, P=0.991). In the secondary analysis comparing HCC+ vs. HCC- adjusting for HIV status, one SD increase of inflammation score was associated with 3.2 times higher odds of having HCC (OR=3.22, 95% CI=1.39-7.46, P=0.006). Conclusions: We observed that ccfDNA methylation inflammation score is associated with HCC status among people with HIV. Our findings suggest that ccfDNA methylation-based inflammatory profiles may serve as a potential biomarker for early detection and risk stratification of HCC in resource-constrained countries with a high prevalence of HIV. Citation Format: Kyeezu Kim, Yinan Zheng, Claudia Hawkins, Edith Okeke, Olufunmilayo Lesi, Yishu Qu, Lewis R. Roberts, Demirkan Gursel, Fatimah B. Abdulkareem, Alani Akanmu, Godwin Imade, Jian-Jun Wei, Masha Kocherginsky, Kwang-Youn Kim, Wasiu L. Adeyemo, Firas Wehbe, Chad J. Achenbach, Atiene Sagay, Folasade T. Ogunsola, Robert L. Murphy, Lifang Hou. DNA methylation-based inflammation score is associated with hepatocellular carcinoma among people living with HIV. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2023; Part 1 (Regular and Invited Abstracts); 2023 Apr 14-19; Orlando, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2023;83(7_Suppl):Abstract nr 6013.

The NCCN Guidelines for Lung Cancer Screening recommend criteria for selecting individuals for screening and provide recommendations for evaluation and follow-up of lung nodules found during initial and subsequent screening. These NCCN Guidelines Insights focus on recent updates to the NCCN Guidelines for Lung Cancer Screening.

Abstract Background Advanced age is a major risk factor for the development of many diseases including those affecting the central nervous system. Wild-type isocitrate dehydrogenase glioblastoma (IDHwt GBM) is the most common primary malignant brain cancer and accounts for ≥90% of all adult GBM diagnoses. Patients with IDHwt GBM have a median age of diagnosis at 68–70 years of age, and increasing age is associated with an increasingly worse prognosis for patients with this type of GBM. Methods The Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results, The Cancer Genome Atlas, and the Chinese Glioma Genome Atlas databases were analyzed for mortality indices. Meta-analysis of 80 clinical trials was evaluated for log hazard ratio for aging to tumor survivorship. Results Despite significant advances in the understanding of intratumoral genetic alterations, molecular characteristics of tumor microenvironments, and relationships between tumor molecular characteristics and the use of targeted therapeutics, life expectancy for older adults with GBM has yet to improve. Conclusions Based upon the results of our analysis, we propose that age-dependent factors that are yet to be fully elucidated, contribute to IDHwt GBM patient outcomes.

Abstract Purpose: Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC) is the leading cause of cancer-related mortality in Nigeria. HIV and viral hepatitis B (HBV) and C (HCV) co-infection are common in Nigeria that significantly accelerates liver disease progression including HCC. Aging-related DNA methylation signatures obtained in liquid biopsy, such as circulating cell-free DNA (ccfDNA) extracted from serum/plasma are promising minimally-invasive biomarkers that may inform HIV-associated HCC. We examined the epigenetic age acceleration (EpiAgeAccel) in ccfDNA in HCC patients with HIV. Methods: The study included three groups of participants: a) HIV positive with HCC (n=7); b) HIV positive and cancer-free (n=45); and c) HIV negative with HCC (n=33). Epigenetic age was estimated by Horvath's calculator using genome-wide ccfDNA methylation data profiled by Illumina EPIC array. EpiAgeAccel was computed as the residuals of a linear model of epigenetic age on chronological age, namely the unexplained portion of epigenetic age by chronological age. We used multiple linear regression to compare EpiAgeAccel between HIV/HCC groups, adjusting for sex, age, education, alcohol intake, and HBV/HCV infection. Results: Among HIV positive participants, there was a higher percentage of men (57% vs. 22%, p&lt;0.001), HBV infection (29% vs. 11%, p=0.004), and HCV infection (57% vs. 2%, p&lt;0.001) in the HCC group compared to the cancer-free group. EpiAgeAccel was 4.8 years higher in HIV positive patients with HCC compared to cancer-free HIV positives (p=0.02). Among HCC patients, EpiAgeAccel was 2.1 years higher in HIV positives compared to HIV negative but not statistically significant. Conclusion: Epigenetic age in ccfDNA is accelerated in HIV-positive HCC patients. EpiAgeAccel measured in ccfDNA may be developed into a surrogate biomarker for minimally invasive HCC detection among HIV-infected patients in low- and middle-income countries. Citation Format: Yinan Zheng, Claudia Hawkins, Edith Okeke, Mary Duguru, Emuobor Odeghe, Olufunmilayo Lesi, Yishu Qu, Kyeezu Kim, Brian Joyce, Jun Wang, Lewis Roberts, Demirkan Gursel, Abdulkareem Fatimah, Alani Akanmu, Godwin Imade, Jian-Jun Wei, Masha Kocherginsky, Kwang-Youn Kim, Oluwakemi Odukoya, Wasiu Adeyemo, Firas Wehbe, Chad Achenbach, Atiene Sagay, Folasade Ogunsola, Robert Murphy, Lifang Hou. Blood-Based Circulating Cell-Free DNA Epigenetic Age Is Accelerated Among HIV-Infected Patients with Hepatocellular Carcinoma in Nigeria [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 9th Annual Symposium on Global Cancer Research; Global Cancer Research and Control: Looking Back and Charting a Path Forward; 2021 Mar 10-11. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2021;30(7 Suppl):Abstract nr 83.

e16137 Background: Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC) is the leading cause of cancer-related mortality in Nigeria. HIV and viral hepatitis B (HBV) and C (HCV) co-infection are common in Nigeria that significantly accelerates liver disease progression including HCC. Aging-related DNA methylation signatures obtained in liquid biopsy, such as circulating cell-free DNA (ccfDNA) extracted from serum/plasma are promising minimally-invasive biomarkers that may inform HIV-associated HCC. We examined the epigenetic age acceleration (EpiAgeAccel) in ccfDNA in HCC patients with HIV. Methods: The study included three groups of participants: a) HIV positive with HCC (n=7); b) HIV positive and cancer-free (n=45); and c) HIV negative with HCC (n=33). Epigenetic age was estimated by Horvath’s calculator using genome-wide ccfDNA methylation data profiled by Illumina EPIC array. EpiAgeAccel was computed as the residuals of a linear model of epigenetic age on chronological age, namely the unexplained portion of epigenetic age by chronological age. We used multiple linear regression to compare EpiAgeAccel between HIV/HCC groups, adjusting for sex, age, education, alcohol intake, and HBV/HCV infection. Results: Among HIV positive participants, there was a higher percentage of men (57% vs. 22%, p<0.001), HBV infection (29% vs. 11%, p=0.004), and HCV infection (57% vs. 2%, p<0.001) in the HCC group compared to the cancer-free group. EpiAgeAccel was 4.8 years higher in HIV positive patients with HCC compared to cancer-free HIV positives (p=0.02). Among HCC patients, EpiAgeAccel was 2.1 years higher in HIV positives compared to HIV negative but not statistically significant. Conclusions: Epigenetic age in ccfDNA is accelerated in HIV-positive HCC patients. EpiAgeAccel measured in ccfDNA may be developed into a surrogate biomarker for minimally invasive HCC detection among HIV-infected patients in low- and middle-income countries.