Pub Date : 2015-01-01DOI: 10.4103/2349-3666.240618
S. Nigam, S. Chandra, D. Bahadur
Electrochemical biosensors are portable devices that permit rapid detection and monitoring of biological, chemical and toxic substances. In the electrochemical biosensors, the bioreceptor is incorporated into the transducer surface; and when in contact with the analyte, generates measurable signals proportional to the analyte concentration. Materials with high surface area, high reactivity, and easy dispersability, are most suited for use in biosensors. Dendrimers are nanomaterial gaining importance for fabrication of electrochemical biosensors. These are synthetic macromolecules with regularly branched tree-like and globular structure. The potential applications of dendrimers as biosensors are explored due to their geometric symmetrical structure, chemical stability, controlled shape and size, and varied surface functionalities, with adequate functional groups for chemical fixation. The current review provides multi-faceted use of dendrimers for developing effective, rapid, and versatile electrochemical sensors for biomolecules. The redox centers in the dendrimers play an important role in the electron transfer process during immobilization of biomolecules on the electrodes. This has led to an intensive use of dendrimer based materials for fabrication of electrochemical sensors with improved analytical parameters. The review emphasizes development of new methods and applications of electrochemical biosensors based on novel nanomaterials.
{"title":"Dendrimers based electrochemical biosensors","authors":"S. Nigam, S. Chandra, D. Bahadur","doi":"10.4103/2349-3666.240618","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4103/2349-3666.240618","url":null,"abstract":"Electrochemical biosensors are portable devices that permit rapid detection and monitoring of biological, chemical and toxic substances. In the electrochemical biosensors, the bioreceptor is incorporated into the transducer surface; and when in contact with the analyte, generates measurable signals proportional to the analyte concentration. Materials with high surface area, high reactivity, and easy dispersability, are most suited for use in biosensors. Dendrimers are nanomaterial gaining importance for fabrication of electrochemical biosensors. These are synthetic macromolecules with regularly branched tree-like and globular structure. The potential applications of dendrimers as biosensors are explored due to their geometric symmetrical structure, chemical stability, controlled shape and size, and varied surface functionalities, with adequate functional groups for chemical fixation. The current review provides multi-faceted use of dendrimers for developing effective, rapid, and versatile electrochemical sensors for biomolecules. The redox centers in the dendrimers play an important role in the electron transfer process during immobilization of biomolecules on the electrodes. This has led to an intensive use of dendrimer based materials for fabrication of electrochemical sensors with improved analytical parameters. The review emphasizes development of new methods and applications of electrochemical biosensors based on novel nanomaterials.","PeriodicalId":34293,"journal":{"name":"Biomedical Research Journal","volume":"2 1","pages":"21 - 36"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2015-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"90146676","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2015-01-01DOI: 10.4103/2349-3666.240653
R. Govekar
With the emergence of the field of ‘omics’ a new era of systematic global profiling of cellular molecules has been initiated in biology. Different ‘omics’ approaches have been extensively used to identify biomarkers for better diagnosis and prognosis, therapeutic strategies and monitoring response to therapy in diverse types of cancers. Proteomics is the approach of choice for identification of therapeutic targets. This is because therapeutic modulation of expression, post-translational modification and activity of a protein can directly rectify the derangement in the disease-causing cellular pathway. The current review scans literature on tumor proteomics to understand the influence of developments in proteomics technology and study approaches on identification of targets for therapy. Diversity of tumor types, molecular heterogeneity in pathologically indistinguishable tumors provides ample challenge to assess the strength of proteomics in identification of drug targets. The review highlights comparative proteomic profiling by gel-based or gel free approach, in tumor and normal tissues or chemo-resistant/sensitive tumor tissues have identified differentiator proteins, with potential as targetsas therapeutic targets. Further, along with evolution in proteomic technologies for identification and quantification of proteins, various tools for functional analysis of proteins have contributed to strategies for target identification. It also suggests that future advances in quantitative, functional and structural proteomics isare necessary to widen the search for therapeutic targets.
{"title":"Identification of therapeutic targets for cancer: Proteomic technologies and strategies are the key to success","authors":"R. Govekar","doi":"10.4103/2349-3666.240653","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4103/2349-3666.240653","url":null,"abstract":"With the emergence of the field of ‘omics’ a new era of systematic global profiling of cellular molecules has been initiated in biology. Different ‘omics’ approaches have been extensively used to identify biomarkers for better diagnosis and prognosis, therapeutic strategies and monitoring response to therapy in diverse types of cancers. Proteomics is the approach of choice for identification of therapeutic targets. This is because therapeutic modulation of expression, post-translational modification and activity of a protein can directly rectify the derangement in the disease-causing cellular pathway. The current review scans literature on tumor proteomics to understand the influence of developments in proteomics technology and study approaches on identification of targets for therapy. Diversity of tumor types, molecular heterogeneity in pathologically indistinguishable tumors provides ample challenge to assess the strength of proteomics in identification of drug targets. The review highlights comparative proteomic profiling by gel-based or gel free approach, in tumor and normal tissues or chemo-resistant/sensitive tumor tissues have identified differentiator proteins, with potential as targetsas therapeutic targets. Further, along with evolution in proteomic technologies for identification and quantification of proteins, various tools for functional analysis of proteins have contributed to strategies for target identification. It also suggests that future advances in quantitative, functional and structural proteomics isare necessary to widen the search for therapeutic targets.","PeriodicalId":34293,"journal":{"name":"Biomedical Research Journal","volume":"182 1","pages":"166 - 178"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2015-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"74165637","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2015-01-01DOI: 10.4103/2349-3666.240655
S. Dutta, A. De
Gene therapy is one of the promising therapeutic strategies evolved rapidly in the frontier of translational biology in cancer. To overcome the off target effect of conventional cancer therapies it is the most flourishing approach in present epoch. Various researches in this context are ongoing to eradicate devastating cancer cells with minimal or no side effects. Of the various gene therapy protocols developed, a set of genes called suicide genes, are being actively pursued as potential strategy. Briefly, this strategy involves tumor targeted delivery of a therapy/reporter gene to convert a systematically administered pro-drug into a cytotoxic drug which in turn induces tumor cell death. Additionally, advancement in small animal imaging modalities facilitates real-time monitoring of the delivered transgene by using appropriate imaging probe developed against the transgene. Non-invasive monitoring helps to realize precise transgene delivery and also aid to understand therapy response. In this background, we have reviewed potential suicide genes frequently explored for cancer treatment, which supports both diagnostic and therapeutic applications with special emphasis on sodium iodide symporter (NIS). Apart from its natural expression in thyroid, NIS protein expression has raised the possibility of using radioiodide therapy and diagnosis in few non-thyroidal cancers as well. In this review, we also covered various challenges to get NIS gene therapeutics from bench to bedside in various non-thyroidal cancers.
{"title":"Cancer gene therapy: Prospects of using human sodium iodide symporter gene in non-thyroidal cancer","authors":"S. Dutta, A. De","doi":"10.4103/2349-3666.240655","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4103/2349-3666.240655","url":null,"abstract":"Gene therapy is one of the promising therapeutic strategies evolved rapidly in the frontier of translational biology in cancer. To overcome the off target effect of conventional cancer therapies it is the most flourishing approach in present epoch. Various researches in this context are ongoing to eradicate devastating cancer cells with minimal or no side effects. Of the various gene therapy protocols developed, a set of genes called suicide genes, are being actively pursued as potential strategy. Briefly, this strategy involves tumor targeted delivery of a therapy/reporter gene to convert a systematically administered pro-drug into a cytotoxic drug which in turn induces tumor cell death. Additionally, advancement in small animal imaging modalities facilitates real-time monitoring of the delivered transgene by using appropriate imaging probe developed against the transgene. Non-invasive monitoring helps to realize precise transgene delivery and also aid to understand therapy response. In this background, we have reviewed potential suicide genes frequently explored for cancer treatment, which supports both diagnostic and therapeutic applications with special emphasis on sodium iodide symporter (NIS). Apart from its natural expression in thyroid, NIS protein expression has raised the possibility of using radioiodide therapy and diagnosis in few non-thyroidal cancers as well. In this review, we also covered various challenges to get NIS gene therapeutics from bench to bedside in various non-thyroidal cancers.","PeriodicalId":34293,"journal":{"name":"Biomedical Research Journal","volume":"42 1","pages":"198 - 219"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2015-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"90483110","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2015-01-01DOI: 10.4103/2349-3666.240652
Prakash C. Gupta, C. Ray
Areca nut is widely used in India and the consumption has increased over the past two decades, with availability in new dry packaged forms (pan masala, gutka, mawa). Recent reports of increasing mouth cancer incidence have suggested an association with areca nut consumption. Here we have reviewed the evidence for carcinogenicity of areca nut, including epidemiological studies, several animal studies and mechanistic evidence. Studies primarily from India, providing odds ratios (ORs) or relative risks for precancers or cancer with use of areca nut without inclusion of tobacco is the focus of the review. Six case-control studies on oral submucous fibrosis (OSF) had significantly elevated ORs for use of areca nut in various forms. Six case-control studies on head and neck cancers, primarily oral cancer reported elevated ORs for chewing of betel quid without tobacco. Eight case control studies on oral cancer have reported elevated and significant ORs for betel quid with tobacco. A significant risk in oral cancer was noted in gutka users. Animal studies confirmed correlation between development of precancers or cancers and exposure to areca nut or pan masala without tobacco. Mechanistic evidence shows a role for areca nut alkaloids, polyphenols and copper in promoting carcinogenesis. Our review emphasizes control policies on areca nut products and appropriate mass communication programs for awareness of hazards of areca nut with emphasis on areca nut per se.
{"title":"Areca nut use and cancer in India","authors":"Prakash C. Gupta, C. Ray","doi":"10.4103/2349-3666.240652","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4103/2349-3666.240652","url":null,"abstract":"Areca nut is widely used in India and the consumption has increased over the past two decades, with availability in new dry packaged forms (pan masala, gutka, mawa). Recent reports of increasing mouth cancer incidence have suggested an association with areca nut consumption. Here we have reviewed the evidence for carcinogenicity of areca nut, including epidemiological studies, several animal studies and mechanistic evidence. Studies primarily from India, providing odds ratios (ORs) or relative risks for precancers or cancer with use of areca nut without inclusion of tobacco is the focus of the review. Six case-control studies on oral submucous fibrosis (OSF) had significantly elevated ORs for use of areca nut in various forms. Six case-control studies on head and neck cancers, primarily oral cancer reported elevated ORs for chewing of betel quid without tobacco. Eight case control studies on oral cancer have reported elevated and significant ORs for betel quid with tobacco. A significant risk in oral cancer was noted in gutka users. Animal studies confirmed correlation between development of precancers or cancers and exposure to areca nut or pan masala without tobacco. Mechanistic evidence shows a role for areca nut alkaloids, polyphenols and copper in promoting carcinogenesis. Our review emphasizes control policies on areca nut products and appropriate mass communication programs for awareness of hazards of areca nut with emphasis on areca nut per se.","PeriodicalId":34293,"journal":{"name":"Biomedical Research Journal","volume":"2 1","pages":"140 - 165"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2015-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"78476957","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2014-04-01DOI: 10.4103/2349-3666.240658
Srabani Mittal, J. Biswas, P. Basu
Visual inspection with acetic acid (VIA) has been extensively investigated and accepted as potential alternative to cytology or Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) screening in limited resource settings. In developing countries, VIA may have several advantages over cytology or HPV screening. The consumables of the test are low-cost and readily available. VIA has potential of achieving large population coverage, as the test can be performed by a wide range of trained health care personnel and requires basic health infrastructure. It is a real-time test and offers logistic advantage of providing treatment for screen positive women during the same visit leading to high treatment coverage. The sensitivity and specificity estimates of VIA generally fall within the range of those reported for cytology and HPV testing. Randomized controlled trials evaluating test performance of VIA have demonstrated reduction in cervical cancer incidence and mortality in study population. The major limitation of VIA is that it is a subjective test and accuracy is dependent on the skill of trained providers. Low specificity and sub-optimal positive predictive value results in unnecessary referrals and/or treatment which can offset the perceived low cost of the test. VIA based screening programs are required to have clearly defined measurable indicators and a framework to identify the program strengths and weaknesses. Quality assurance of VIA is challenging specially because there is limited information on the test performance in multi-provider real programmatic setting. High quality training, periodic refresher courses, expertise of trained providers and close monitoring of performance indicators are required to ensure good quality VIA.
{"title":"Visual inspection with acetic acid as a screening test for cervical cancer","authors":"Srabani Mittal, J. Biswas, P. Basu","doi":"10.4103/2349-3666.240658","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4103/2349-3666.240658","url":null,"abstract":"Visual inspection with acetic acid (VIA) has been extensively investigated and accepted as potential alternative to cytology or Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) screening in limited resource settings. In developing countries, VIA may have several advantages over cytology or HPV screening. The consumables of the test are low-cost and readily available. VIA has potential of achieving large population coverage, as the test can be performed by a wide range of trained health care personnel and requires basic health infrastructure. It is a real-time test and offers logistic advantage of providing treatment for screen positive women during the same visit leading to high treatment coverage. The sensitivity and specificity estimates of VIA generally fall within the range of those reported for cytology and HPV testing. Randomized controlled trials evaluating test performance of VIA have demonstrated reduction in cervical cancer incidence and mortality in study population. The major limitation of VIA is that it is a subjective test and accuracy is dependent on the skill of trained providers. Low specificity and sub-optimal positive predictive value results in unnecessary referrals and/or treatment which can offset the perceived low cost of the test. VIA based screening programs are required to have clearly defined measurable indicators and a framework to identify the program strengths and weaknesses. Quality assurance of VIA is challenging specially because there is limited information on the test performance in multi-provider real programmatic setting. High quality training, periodic refresher courses, expertise of trained providers and close monitoring of performance indicators are required to ensure good quality VIA.","PeriodicalId":34293,"journal":{"name":"Biomedical Research Journal","volume":"83 1","pages":"23 - 33"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2014-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"82370841","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2014-01-01DOI: 10.4103/2349-3666.240998
Akshata Raut, Aparna P Khanna
Induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) have opened up a new avenue for customized regenerative medicine. iPSCs can be generated by forced expression of transcription factors, Oct4, Sox2, c-Myc and KIf4. Although reprogramming techniques are well documented, one of the major concerns has been the poor efficiency of reprogramming. The reprogramming efficiency can be enhanced using various chemical compounds and vector systems. However, low reprogramming efficiencies and use of viral based vector systems limit clinical application of iPSCs. microRNAs (miRNAs) are extensively studied due to their critical role in numerous biological activities like cell cycle regulation, growth control and apoptosis. Discovery of embryonic stem cell (ESC) specific unique miRNAs, encouraged researchers to study contribution of miRNAs towards embryonic stem cell development, differentiation and somatic cell reprogramming (SCR). Depletion of mouse embryonic fibroblast (MEF) enriched miRNAs like miR-29a, miR-21 and let-7, are necessary to enhance reprogramming. Furthermore, up regulation of miR-200, miR-106a/b miR-120, miR-93 miR-301, miR-17, miR-721, miR-29b is required for mesenchymal-to-epithelial transition (MET), a critical initial event during the generation of iPSCs from fibroblasts. The expression of embryonic stem cell specific miRNAs like miR-290/miR-302 cluster, miR-367/miR372 is crucial to maintain pluripotent status of iPSCs. In this review, we discuss contribution of miRNAs to generation of iPSCs, their defined role in maintenance of pluripotent state, transcriptional regulatory networks and epigenetic factors to modulate reprogramming.
{"title":"Molecular basis of reprogramming: Modulation by microRNAs","authors":"Akshata Raut, Aparna P Khanna","doi":"10.4103/2349-3666.240998","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4103/2349-3666.240998","url":null,"abstract":"Induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) have opened up a new avenue for customized regenerative medicine. iPSCs can be generated by forced expression of transcription factors, Oct4, Sox2, c-Myc and KIf4. Although reprogramming techniques are well documented, one of the major concerns has been the poor efficiency of reprogramming. The reprogramming efficiency can be enhanced using various chemical compounds and vector systems. However, low reprogramming efficiencies and use of viral based vector systems limit clinical application of iPSCs. microRNAs (miRNAs) are extensively studied due to their critical role in numerous biological activities like cell cycle regulation, growth control and apoptosis. Discovery of embryonic stem cell (ESC) specific unique miRNAs, encouraged researchers to study contribution of miRNAs towards embryonic stem cell development, differentiation and somatic cell reprogramming (SCR). Depletion of mouse embryonic fibroblast (MEF) enriched miRNAs like miR-29a, miR-21 and let-7, are necessary to enhance reprogramming. Furthermore, up regulation of miR-200, miR-106a/b miR-120, miR-93 miR-301, miR-17, miR-721, miR-29b is required for mesenchymal-to-epithelial transition (MET), a critical initial event during the generation of iPSCs from fibroblasts. The expression of embryonic stem cell specific miRNAs like miR-290/miR-302 cluster, miR-367/miR372 is crucial to maintain pluripotent status of iPSCs. In this review, we discuss contribution of miRNAs to generation of iPSCs, their defined role in maintenance of pluripotent state, transcriptional regulatory networks and epigenetic factors to modulate reprogramming.","PeriodicalId":34293,"journal":{"name":"Biomedical Research Journal","volume":"28 1","pages":"108 - 125"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2014-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"85722390","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2014-01-01DOI: 10.4103/2349-3666.240996
D. Saranath, A. Khanna
{"title":"Current Status of Cancer Burden: Global and Indian Scenario","authors":"D. Saranath, A. Khanna","doi":"10.4103/2349-3666.240996","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4103/2349-3666.240996","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":34293,"journal":{"name":"Biomedical Research Journal","volume":"25 1","pages":"1 - 5"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2014-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"81652077","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2014-01-01DOI: 10.4103/2349-3666.241001
G. Maru
Majority of human cancers are caused, mediated and modified by environmental and lifestyle factors; and the multi-factorial, multi-step and multi-path process of carcinogenesis involves a series of genetic and epigenetic events. In spite of tremendous advancement in understanding of the molecular basis of cancer and identification of several environmental carcinogens, avoidance of exposure to carcinogens and early detection and/or successful treatment for most cancers have met with limited success. Based on the susceptibility to modulations of the multi-step process of carcinogenesis by a multitude of environmental compounds, lifestyle changes and host factors, and the demonstrated success of prevention of certain infectious diseases and cardiovascular events, cancer preventive interventions are receiving increasing attention. Several cancer preventive interventions such as vaccination, chemoprevention, weight control and lifestyle changes have been implemented. The current review focuses on several approaches and agents that have been scrutinized by way of randomized clinical trials in humans for their cancer prevention potential. Successful chemopreventive agents include selective oestrogen receptor modulators and aromatase inhibitors for breast cancer, the 5-α-reductase inhibitors for prostate cancer, non-steroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) for colorectal lesions and vaccines for viruses that are associated with cervical and liver cancers. Several experimentally proven chemopreventive agents have been observed to lack efficacy with and without toxicity. In spite of numerous chemoprevention trials, the number of successful agents is rather small. Identifying novel approaches and chemopreventives holds tremendous potential for reducing the burden of cancer.
{"title":"An update on cancer prevention approaches","authors":"G. Maru","doi":"10.4103/2349-3666.241001","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4103/2349-3666.241001","url":null,"abstract":"Majority of human cancers are caused, mediated and modified by environmental and lifestyle factors; and the multi-factorial, multi-step and multi-path process of carcinogenesis involves a series of genetic and epigenetic events. In spite of tremendous advancement in understanding of the molecular basis of cancer and identification of several environmental carcinogens, avoidance of exposure to carcinogens and early detection and/or successful treatment for most cancers have met with limited success. Based on the susceptibility to modulations of the multi-step process of carcinogenesis by a multitude of environmental compounds, lifestyle changes and host factors, and the demonstrated success of prevention of certain infectious diseases and cardiovascular events, cancer preventive interventions are receiving increasing attention. Several cancer preventive interventions such as vaccination, chemoprevention, weight control and lifestyle changes have been implemented. The current review focuses on several approaches and agents that have been scrutinized by way of randomized clinical trials in humans for their cancer prevention potential. Successful chemopreventive agents include selective oestrogen receptor modulators and aromatase inhibitors for breast cancer, the 5-α-reductase inhibitors for prostate cancer, non-steroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) for colorectal lesions and vaccines for viruses that are associated with cervical and liver cancers. Several experimentally proven chemopreventive agents have been observed to lack efficacy with and without toxicity. In spite of numerous chemoprevention trials, the number of successful agents is rather small. Identifying novel approaches and chemopreventives holds tremendous potential for reducing the burden of cancer.","PeriodicalId":34293,"journal":{"name":"Biomedical Research Journal","volume":"49 1","pages":"146 - 172"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2014-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"76443828","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2014-01-01DOI: 10.4103/2349-3666.240660
Narendra Joshi
Single nucleotide polymorphisms, also referred to as Single nucleotide variants remain single most dominant feature of variations in the human genome. The large numbers, stability and presence at easily detectable frequencies make them the most suitable potential markers for association studies in human health and disease. The study of these common genetic variants has now evolved and given rise to the understanding of less frequently encountered ‘rare’ variants of varying minor allele frequencies. The acceptance of role of rare single nucleotide variants in human diseases appears to coincide with the phasing out of the term ‘mutation’ in the dbSNP. The contribution of rare variants helps resolve the enigma of heritability of complex traits to a great extent. Integration of analysis of rare and common variants with the support of technological innovations and improved strategies for data analyses is expected to yield better and reliable association data. By virtue of their relatively stronger impact on the phenotype compared to that of the common variants, rare variants are likely to be better candidates as markers of association as well as targets for intervention strategies while providing mechanistic insights into the underlying biological processes. Starting with discussion of the basics of single nucleotide variants, this review summarizes concepts and principles of approaches used to study their association with parameters in health and diseases including cancer. Implications for studies in Indian population are discussed.
{"title":"Single nucleotide polymorphisms in human health and disease: Towards resolution of a conundrum","authors":"Narendra Joshi","doi":"10.4103/2349-3666.240660","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4103/2349-3666.240660","url":null,"abstract":"Single nucleotide polymorphisms, also referred to as Single nucleotide variants remain single most dominant feature of variations in the human genome. The large numbers, stability and presence at easily detectable frequencies make them the most suitable potential markers for association studies in human health and disease. The study of these common genetic variants has now evolved and given rise to the understanding of less frequently encountered ‘rare’ variants of varying minor allele frequencies. The acceptance of role of rare single nucleotide variants in human diseases appears to coincide with the phasing out of the term ‘mutation’ in the dbSNP. The contribution of rare variants helps resolve the enigma of heritability of complex traits to a great extent. Integration of analysis of rare and common variants with the support of technological innovations and improved strategies for data analyses is expected to yield better and reliable association data. By virtue of their relatively stronger impact on the phenotype compared to that of the common variants, rare variants are likely to be better candidates as markers of association as well as targets for intervention strategies while providing mechanistic insights into the underlying biological processes. Starting with discussion of the basics of single nucleotide variants, this review summarizes concepts and principles of approaches used to study their association with parameters in health and diseases including cancer. Implications for studies in Indian population are discussed.","PeriodicalId":34293,"journal":{"name":"Biomedical Research Journal","volume":"56 1","pages":"56 - 70"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2014-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"80485715","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2014-01-01DOI: 10.4103/2349-3666.240659
Smrita Chaudhury, A. Maheshwari, P. Ray
Ovarian cancer is the fifth leading cause of cancer related deaths in women with a five year survival rate of only 30–40%. Amongst the three broad subgroups of ovarian cancer, epithelial ovarian cancer is the most common and is divided in mainly five subtypes based histology and clinical behaviour. In patients when the disease is still confined to ovaries, surgery alone is curative for more than 90% patients. Unfortunately, most women are diagnosed with advanced stage disease and recurs in majority despite of debulking surgery and initial response to chemotherapy. Thus ovarian cancer is still a challenge to clinicians which gets more complicated due to asymptomatic nature of the early stage disease and frequent development of resistance to standard therapies. Therefore, researchers worldwide are engaged in identifying markers for early detection of ovarian cancer, investigating molecular mechanisms of chemoresistance, improving detection methods and developing novel therapeutic measures. In this review, we attempt to discuss the contemporary research and challenges associated with epithelial ovarian cancer along with the future improvements in various areas such as early detection of ovarian cancer through Multiplex-Methylation specific PCR (MSP) assay and Serial Analysis of Gene expression (SAGE) assay and identifying new biomarkers, facilitating personalised chemotherapy regime by various chemo-response assays, novel drugs and targeted therapies which will aid in enhancing the overall survival rate in future and overcome this deadly gynaecologic disease.
{"title":"Ovarian cancer: An ever challenging malady","authors":"Smrita Chaudhury, A. Maheshwari, P. Ray","doi":"10.4103/2349-3666.240659","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4103/2349-3666.240659","url":null,"abstract":"Ovarian cancer is the fifth leading cause of cancer related deaths in women with a five year survival rate of only 30–40%. Amongst the three broad subgroups of ovarian cancer, epithelial ovarian cancer is the most common and is divided in mainly five subtypes based histology and clinical behaviour. In patients when the disease is still confined to ovaries, surgery alone is curative for more than 90% patients. Unfortunately, most women are diagnosed with advanced stage disease and recurs in majority despite of debulking surgery and initial response to chemotherapy. Thus ovarian cancer is still a challenge to clinicians which gets more complicated due to asymptomatic nature of the early stage disease and frequent development of resistance to standard therapies. Therefore, researchers worldwide are engaged in identifying markers for early detection of ovarian cancer, investigating molecular mechanisms of chemoresistance, improving detection methods and developing novel therapeutic measures. In this review, we attempt to discuss the contemporary research and challenges associated with epithelial ovarian cancer along with the future improvements in various areas such as early detection of ovarian cancer through Multiplex-Methylation specific PCR (MSP) assay and Serial Analysis of Gene expression (SAGE) assay and identifying new biomarkers, facilitating personalised chemotherapy regime by various chemo-response assays, novel drugs and targeted therapies which will aid in enhancing the overall survival rate in future and overcome this deadly gynaecologic disease.","PeriodicalId":34293,"journal":{"name":"Biomedical Research Journal","volume":"6 1","pages":"34 - 55"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2014-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"82500175","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
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