KEY TAKEAWAYS
- The study aimed to explore genetic factors influencing individual temperature sensitivity through GWASs in precision medicine.
- Higher SEMA4D expression in NSCLC patients with elevated heat scores suggested a significant association with temperature sensitivity.
In precision medicine, individual temperature sensitivity emerges as a key focus. Traditionally used for cold-heat pattern identification, this trait helps elucidate the genetic influences on inherent physical characteristics, including those relevant to non-small cell lung cancer. Despite its importance, genome-wide association studies (GWASs) on this trait still need to be made available.
Jung-Hyang Park and the team conducted a study using GWAS to examine genetic factors influencing temperature sensitivity in advanced NSCLC patients, correlating SNPs with cold-heat scores.
Genotype data from 90 advanced NSCLC patients with EGFR mutations were used for a GWAS to analyze SNP associations with temperature sensitivity (cold and heat scores). Participant scores were determined via self-administered questionnaires and a 15-item symptom-based cold-heat pattern identification questionnaire.
After adjusting for age and sex, the GWAS revealed significant associations between cold and heat scores and specific SNPs. SNP rs145814326, situated in the intron of SORCS2 on chromosome 4p16.1, exhibited a P-value of 1.86 × 10-7. Additionally, SNP rs79297667, located upstream from SEMA4D on chromosome 9q22.2, showed a P-value of 8.97 × 10-8. The genetic variant was found to regulate SEMA4D expression levels in key tissues, including the lungs and white blood cells, in NSCLC.
The study concluded that SEMA4D exhibits a significant association with temperature sensitivity in NSCLC patients, indicating elevated SEMA4D expression in those with higher heat scores. Further investigation is warranted to explore the potential of temperature sensitivity as a prognostic or predictive marker for immune response in NSCLC.
This research received support from the Korea Health Industry Development Institute (KHIDI), Republic of Korea, under grant number HF23C0040, and from the Ministry of Health & Welfare, Republic of Korea.
Source: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38469817/
Park JH, Kwag E, Jeong MK, et al. (2024) ‘’Genome-wide Analysis Identified SEMA4D, Novel Candidate Gene for Temperature Sensitivity in Patients With Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer.’’ Integr Cancer Ther. 2024 Jan-Dec;23:15347354241233544. doi: 10.1177/15347354241233544. PMID: 38469817.
