Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention最新文献

Introduction: Leukemia is considered one of the most common childhood cancers, requiring long-term treatment that often affects adherence to the treatment. Treatment adherence is one of the most important health issues. Adolescents demonstrate the highest scores of non-adherences to treatment. Treatment adherence refers to the extent to which a patient follows medication protocols, dietary guidelines, and lifestyle adjustments as per healthcare provider recommendations. Mobile health programs utilize mobile technology to provide health services. Given the potential influence of mobile technology interventions on treatment outcomes, a study was conducted to assess the impact of mobile health on medication adherence in adolescents with leukemia.

Methods: This study, a clinical trial conducted in 2023, involved the selection of sixty adolescents meeting entry criteria, who were then randomly allocated to intervention (30 participants) and control groups (30 participants). The intervention group utilized a treatment adherence application for eight weeks. Data collection utilized the Morisky Medication Adherence Questionnaire and the Mobile Application Rating Scale (MARS).

Results: There were no significant demographic differences between the intervention and control groups. Pre-test results showed a mean adherence score of 6.000 with a standard deviation of 1.11 in the intervention group and 4.25 with a standard deviation of 1.45 in the control group, with no statistically significant variance. Post-test results indicated increased treatment adherence in the intervention group, while no change was observed in the control group.

Conclusion: The use of a mobile health application enhances treatment adherence among adolescents with leukemia.

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the synergistic effect of extract combinations from turmeric and black rice bran extract as anticancer agents on HeLa cells.

Methods: Turmeric and black rice bran extracts were obtained by maceration with 96% ethanol. To determine the IC50 and combination index values, the cytotoxic assay of the extracts on HeLa cells was evaluated using the MTT assay, individually or in combination. The LC-HRMS analysis was employed to profile each extract.

Result: Turmeric and black rice bran extracts yielded 23.29% and 7.57%, respectively, and LC-HRMS revealed that turmeric extract has the most ar-turmerone at 10.4%. In contrast, black rice bran extract contains many fatty acid derivative compounds. The MTT assay showed that turmeric extract had an IC50 value of 54 µg/mL against HeLa cells, while black rice bran extract had an IC50 value of 446 µg/mL. Combining ½ IC50 of turmeric extract and ½ IC50 of black rice bran extract has a synergistic effect, resulting in a lower viable cell population of 43.04% compared to the individual treatment of turmeric and black rice bran extract, which resulted in 96.92% and 79.30%, respectively.

Conclusion: This study showed that a combination of turmeric and black rice bran exhibits greater cytotoxic activity than the individual extracts, promising an alternative anticancer treatment, particularly for cervical cancer.

Background: Recent approaches in breast cancer treatment involve exploring natural extracts either as substitutes for traditional chemotherapeutic agents or as adjuvants to enhance their effectiveness. In this context, ethanolic extracts from Withania Somnifera (WS) and Arctium Lappa (AL) have gained attention for their potential anticancer properties across various cancer types.

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the in vitro anticancer efficacy of ethanolic extracts from both WS and AL in the MCF7 breast cancer cell line.

Methods: The study encompassed assessments of total antioxidant activity, total flavonoids, total phenolic compounds, and cytotoxicity for each extract. Unraveling the molecular mechanisms underlying the action of these extracts involved Real-time PCR and flow cytometry to analyze apoptotic markers and cell cycle dynamics, respectively.

Results: Results indicated that the WS ethanolic extract exhibited better efficacy, especially in terms of IC50. To explore its potential as an adjuvant with doxorubicin (DOX) in breast cancer therapy, 16 non-constant combination ratios were tested. The combination of 1/2 WS to 1/4 DOX, with a combination index (CI) of -0.229 was selected for further downstream molecular analysis. Gene expression analysis revealed a significant upregulation (p < 0.05) of P53, Cas3, Cas7, and Bax. Flow cytometric analysis further highlighted cell cycle arrest at the S phase. Additionally, the study explored the synergistic inhibitory effects of WS and DOX on key enzymes in the glycolytic pathway, namely, pyruvate kinase and aldolase.

Conclusion: In conclusion, the ethanolic extract of WS demonstrated a synergistic effect as an adjuvant with DOX, showing promise as a combination therapy for breast cancer.

Objective: Choriocarcinoma is characterized by aggressive growth and metastasis, and integrins and matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) play crucial roles in its progression. ATRA (All-trans retinoic acid) has been shown to have anti-tumor effects in various cancers, poses a 15-20% malignancy risk.  This study investigates the effects ATRA on MMP-9 activity and integrin expression in the choriocarcinoma cell line BeWo, and to explore the potential mechanisms underlying these effects.

Methods: This is an experimental study using choriocarcinoma cell line BeWo. Six treatment groups were established to varying concentrations of ATR and one group served as a control without ATRA exposure. The groups were labelled with fluorescence and performed with flowcytometry to determine MMP-9 and integrin expression. Data was presented as mean ± SD and analyzed using one-way ANOVA with post-hoc tests in which p-value <0.05.

Result: ATRA at the doses of 100, 200, 400, and 800 μg/ml significantly decreased the MMP-9 activity compared to those in the control group. Furter, ATRA at the doses of 100, 200, 400, and 800 μg/ml significantly increased the integrin expression compared to those in the control group.

Conclusion: ATRA might decrease the MMP-9 activity as an invasive factor and increase integrin expression as an adhesive factor in the BeWo choriocarcinoma cell line that might play a role in the metastasis mechanism.

Objective: Dillenia serrata Thunb. an endemic plant from Sulawesi Island, has been used by the local community as medicine for some diseases. However, studies related to these plants are still limited to several diseases. This study intends to investigate the cytotoxic activity of Dillenia serrata Thunb. leaves extract as an anticancer.

Methods: This study was preceded by gradual maceration and then subjected to phytochemical test to evaluate the contain of secondary metabolites such as alkaloid, flavonoid, tannin, steroid, terpenoid, and saponin, toxicity assay by BSLT method, cytotoxicity test against HeLa cell lines, further compound identification using GC-MS analysis and in silico analysis.

Results: The phytochemical tests demonstrated the presence of tannins, steroids, alkaloids, flavonoids, and saponins. The toxicity test indicated that all three extracts were toxic for Artemia salina L. as the premier test before the cytotoxicity test using HeLa cell lines. The LC50 values for the n-hexane, ethyl acetate, and methanol extracts were 58.27±6.15, 11.06±1.70, and 9.30±1.13 μg/mL, respectively. After evaluating the extracts' cytotoxicity activity, the ethyl acetate extract has the strongest activity with 91.08±0.23 μg/mL, then this extract was further identified using GC-MS analysis and reveals 51 chemicals which is Phytol as the main components in the extract with %area about 25.64%. Molecular docking analysis of Phytol against Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor (EGFR) showed a good binding energy of around -5.08 kcal/mol. The molecular dynamics simulation supports this result.

Conclusion: All extracts demonstrated intense toxicity levels. Out of all the extracts, ethyl acetate extract exhibited the strongest cytotoxic properties to HeLa cell lines with IC50 value 91.08±0.23 μg/mL. Ethyl acetate extract of D. serrata T. contains Phytol compounds which have a quite good affinity to the EGFR.  According to this study, ethyl acetate extract has the potential to be used as an alternative to anticancer medication.

Background: The Hedgehog (Hh) signaling pathway is commonly exploited for intercellular communication throughout development and organogenesis. Disruption of Hh signaling contributes to benign and malignant growth including breast cancer (BC). The distinct expression pattern of genes can be used as a sign of treatment efficacy and to make a new treatment plan. The present study was designed to evaluate the expression pattern of Hh signaling pathway genes such as Sonic Hedgehog (SHH), Smoothend (SMO), Glioma-associated Oncogene Homolog 1 (GLI1), and Patched 1 (PTCH1) in TNBC before and after chemotherapeutic treatment.

Methods: A total of 18 (eighteen) TNBC patients were included in this study. Expression of the Hh signaling pathway genes was measured in the TNBC patient's tumor tissue and blood sample before and after chemotherapy by qRT-PCR. GraphPad Prism was used to analyze the experimental data.

Results: SHH and SMO expression were found to increase in tissue samples of TNBC subtypes, whereas GLI1 and PTCH1 expression were decreased compared to adjacent noncancerous tissue. After chemotherapeutic treatment, upregulation was found for GLI1 and PTCH1 expression in blood samples when compared to the expression in blood samples of untreated-stage patients or healthy control group. Moreover, SHH and SMO expression were found to decrease compared to the untreated group.

Conclusion: Upregulation of GLI1 and PTCH1 expression, with substantially decreased expression of SHH and SMO after the chemotherapeutic treatment may be associated with positive outcome of chemotherapy.

Objective: Algae contain many symbiotic bacteria, often considered pollutants in algal cultivation. Recent studies indicate that these connections enhance the longevity of both organisms. Researching the bioactive metabolites of marine bacteria has emerged as a promising strategy for drug discovery. Green algae, including Caulerpa lentillifera, have anticancer activity and possess antioxidant qualities. The research emphasizes the isolation and identification of beneficial proteins from symbiotic bacteria, particularly Caulerpa lentillifera.

Methods: The stages of the research included isolation and identification of the endophytic bacteria of the green alga symbiont C. lentillifera, isolation of protein from the bacterial symbiont, fractionation, hydrolysis, ultrafiltration of protein into peptides, and testing for activity. Screening activities used the BSLT to obtain the value of LC50, and the mitotic test of the sea urchin zygote cell Tripneustes gratilla Linn to find the value of IC50.

Results: The results of this study indicated that the bacterial symbiont of the algae C. lentillifera was a species of Cobetia marina strain CL2-2. The peptide with molecular weight < 3 kDa from Cobetia marina strain CL2-2 was active. The peptide was from protein deposited with 40-60% saturated ammonium sulfate and hydrolyzed using pepsin enzyme. BSLT toxicity tests indicate that peptides with a molecular weight of less than 3 kDa showed significant toxicity, indicated by an LC50 value of 4.061 ppm. In a mitotic cytotoxicity test involving sea urchin zygote cells, peptides with a molecular weight of less than 3 kDa indicated significant cytotoxic activity, resulting in an IC50 value of 7.236 μg/mL.

Conclusion: The bioactive peptide with molecular weight of less than 3 kDa resulting from protein hydrolysis isolated from the green algae symbiont C. lentillifera has the potential as an anticancer agent.

Objective: To investigate the immunohistochemical expression of Lyn in colorectal adenocarcinoma with its corresponding lymph node metastasis and correlation with clinicopathological characteristics.

Methods: Immunohistochemical analysis of Lyn expression was performed on 70 colorectal cancer (CRC) tissue specimens of hemicolectomy and their corresponding lymph node metastases. Clinicopathological data, including age, gender, tumor size, location, TNM stage, modified Dukes stage, tumor grade, tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs), poorly differentiated clusters (PDCs), vascular invasion, and perineural invasion (PNI), were collected and analyzed to assess correlations with Lyn expression.

Results: High Lyn expression was observed in 34.3% of CRC cases. Significant associations were found between high Lyn expression and positive nodal metastasis (p < 0.001), higher TNM stage (p = 0.003), and advanced modified Dukes stage (p = 0.001). No significant associations were found between Lyn expression and age, gender, tumor size, primary tumor location, tumor grade, TILs, PDCs, vascular invasion, or PNI (p > 0.05 for all). A significant correlation was observed between Lyn expression in primary tumors and their corresponding lymph node metastases (p = 0.033).

Conclusion: Lyn expression is significantly associated with unfavorable clinicopathological parameters, which are lymph node metastasis and advanced tumor stage, suggesting its potential role as a prognostic marker in colorectal cancer.

Background: The significant strides in cancer treatment is primarily directed towards achieving a cure. However, the well-being and quality of life of cancer patients during and after treatment are often overshadowed. Hence, this study assessed cancer patients' Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQOL) and found the association between HRQOL and sociodemographic factors.

Materials and methods: A community-based cross-sectional study was done among cancer patients in the Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) area enrolled in the Hospital Based Cancer Registry (HBCR) of an Institute of National Importance (INI) from July 2021 to December 2022. Patients aged ≥ 18 years diagnosed with malignant solid tumors were included in the study. The list of cancer patients obtained from the Radiation Oncology department was sorted as per the inclusion criteria. The participants were selected using convenient sampling. 187 cancer patients were interviewed using the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire (EORTC QLQ C30).

Results: The cancer patients' global health status score was 58.1 ± 17.2. Cognitive functioning achieved the highest score, while social functioning obtained the lowest score.  Among the cancer-affected individuals, breast cancer patients had the highest global health status score, while gastrointestinal cancers received the lowest score. The global health status of the study participants was significantly associated with their caste, education, socioeconomic status, stage of cancer, and health insurance availability. Physical functioning was associated with age, marital status, education, and family type. The individual's overall health status, physical well-being, emotional state, and social functioning were also significantly associated with financial difficulties.

Conclusion: The quality of life of cancer patients was satisfactory, except in social functioning, where it was less satisfactory. Therefore, in clinical practice, the interventions should be need-based and patient-centric, which may provide complete care for cancer patients and enhance their Quality of Life.

Background: Sarawak hospitals report high rates of advanced cancer among women in remote rural areas. Cultural beliefs, low awareness, socio-economic challenges, geographical barriers, and the lack of specialist cancer care contribute to late diagnoses, particularly in breast cancer, exacerbating disparities in access to timely treatment.

Objective: This study aimed to explore cultural beliefs, barriers, and healthcare access challenges influencing breast cancer awareness and screening among Sarawak's indigenous and rural communities.

Methods: This qualitative study explores how rural Sarawakian women perceive breast cancer and their access to healthcare. Twenty women from three main geographical terrains in Borneo-coastal, riverine, and highland areas participated in the study. After informed consent was obtained, semi-structured interviews were conducted. Data was coded and thematically analyzed to identify cultural nuances affecting their knowledge.

Results: The study found a strong link between cancer and negative beliefs rooted in sociocultural backgrounds. Myths varied, but most associated cancer with death, a fatalistic culture relying on spiritual faith for healing. Participants delayed seeking medical help until "the pain is unbearable," often using oils and herbs first. Lack of knowledge and lack of access to information about cancer are two main findings from the study. Although the majority of the respondents were not equipped with adequate information, they expressed interest in learning about breast screening programs and attending breast cancer awareness campaigns.

Conclusion: The findings will be used to design behavioral intervention modules to educate rural Sarawak populations about the importance of breast self-examination (BSE) practices, early detection, and screening.