Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention最新文献

Background: The aim of this literature review was to identify the critical role of molecular-genetic and epigenetic factors in predicting the course of differentiated thyroid carcinoma (DTC), to improve diagnostic and therapeutic strategies for this disease.

Methods: Analytical and comparative review methods of publications available in the databases of Scopus, Web of Science, and PubMed were employed.

Results: The results demonstrated that the presence of specific mutations and epigenetic modifications significantly influenced the likelihood of recurrence, metastatic potential, and tumour sensitivity to conservative treatment, including radioactive iodine therapy. Mutations in the  B-Raf kinase family protein, telomerase reverse transcriptase, rat sarcoma genes, and rearranged during transfection/papillary thyroid carcinoma rearrangements were shown to be associated with an increased risk of recurrence, metastatic activity, and reduced efficacy of radioiodine treatment. Epigenetic markers such as promoter methylation of tumour suppressor genes, global hypomethylation, and microRNAs (miR-146b, miR-221, miR-375) emerged as promising predictors of aggressive disease progression. The review outcomes indicate that a personalized approach based on identifying the molecular profile of the tumour allows for more accurate risk assessment of adverse outcomes and determination of prospects for targeted therapy.

Conclusion: The practical significance of this work lies in the possibility of considering the identified genomic and epigenomic features when choosing surgical intervention and adjuvant therapy, thereby increasing the chances for long-term remission. Additionally, it emphasizes the standardization of analytical methods and the development of a unified system for evaluating the combined genetic alterations, which could enhance the quality of prognostic stratification and more effectively tailor treatment strategies.

Background: Gastric cancer (GC) remains a leading cause of cancer-related mortality worldwide. In Ecuador, GC was the primary cause of cancer-related deaths until 2013. Despite a general decline in GC mortality, significant regional and sex-based disparities persist. This study aimes to analyze trends in GC mortality by sex from 2004 to 2021 using Joinpoint regression analysis.

Methods: We analyzed GC mortality data from the National Institute of Statistics and Censuses (INEC) for the period 2004-2021. Age-standardized mortality rates (ASMR) were calculated using the SEGI world standard population. Joinpoint regression was applied to estimate the annual percentage change (APC) in mortality trends. Additionally, we examined regional differences and identified provinces with the highest mortality rates based on the average from 2017-2021.

Results: GC mortality rates declined nationally, with an annual decrease of 1.9% in men and 2.2% in women. However, significant regional disparities were observed. In the Coastal region, mortality rates among men showed no significant decline, while the rates for women decreased by 2.4% annually. In the Highlands, GC mortality declined by 1.8% in men and 2.4% in women, while in the Amazon region, the decrease was 2.8% and 3.0% per year for men and women, respectively. The highest GC mortality rates in 2021 were observed in Bolívar, Santo Domingo, and Cotopaxi among men, and in Zamora Chinchipe, Cotopaxi, and Loja among women. Notably, while most provinces experienced a decline, Esmeraldas reported an increasing mortality trend of 2.8% annually from 2004 to 2021.

Conclusions: Despite an overall decline in GC mortality in Ecuador, disparities persist across regions and between sexes. The faster decline in female mortality suggests potential differences in risk factors, healthcare access, or early detection efforts.

Introduction: Breast cancer ranks among the most prevalent cancers in Saudi Arabia. Despite this, screening rates are lower compared to other countries, especially in rural regions.

Aim: To investigate the effect of the NHSTP on breast cancer screening and diagnosis among women attending healthcare clinics in Bisha, a rural area of Saudi Arabia.

Methods: This study was a retrospective analysis of 2023 data retrieved from the Bisha Health Directorate and the breast cancer screening dashboard at the Ministry of Health (MOH) for both the Bisha region and national-level data. A frequency analysis for breast cancer screening and diagnosis in women attending healthcare clinics in Bisha was performed. Historical data from 2017-2023 were analyzed to compare pre- and post-NHSTP implementation periods. Secondary data on screening facilities, infrastructure improvements, and national screening benchmarks in the Bisha region were also analyzed.

Results: In 2023, the Bisha health cluster had a monthly breast cancer screening goal of 668 women and a total of 8016 women for the calendar year. Aggregated services were provided to 7101 women, resulting in a coverage rate of 88.6% in 2023 compared to the annual goal. This is a significant increase from 2022, during which 3212 women were screened in the Bisha region. The number of diagnosed breast cancer cases increased from 45 in 2022 to 88 in 2023, though the prevalence of diagnosed cases decreased from 1.4% to 1.2% as screening expanded to include more lower-risk women. Infrastructure improvements included an increase from 3 to 6 mammography devices between 2021 and 2023.

Conclusion: Substantial growth in breast cancer screening and early diagnosis has been observed in Bisha, Saudi Arabia. A rising trend in the proportion of women utilizing breast cancer screening services, following the establishment of new facilities, was observed in the Bisha region after the implementation of the NHSTP.

Introduction: Cancer is a major health concern worldwide. Common cancer treatments such as surgery, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy have not been able to completely reduce the rate of cancer-related death. Monoclonal antibodies (MAb) have been widely used for cancer treatment in the form of immunotherapy or targeted therapy. Immunotoxins are a form of targeted therapy based on monoclonal antibody-toxin conjugates. Antibodies deliver toxins to specific cancer cells and induce cell death.

Objective: This study aimed to synthesize a conjugate of bongkrekic acid (BKA), a potent mitochondrial toxin, with anti-CD3 MAb and evaluate its specificity in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC).

Methods: In silico assays were performed to predict conjugation sites and interactions between BKA and MAb. The synthesis of the conjugate was carried out chemically using EDC-HCl/Sulfo-NHS zero-length crosslinker and confirmed using a UV-Vis spectrophotometer. PBMC were used as a specificity test model. The conjugate exhibited selective cytotoxic toward CD3+ T cells without affecting other cells in PBMCs.

Results: In silico assays using molecular docking showed conjugation sites in the cavity of the CH2-CH3 Fc IgG2a domain and covalent interactions with lysine, asparagine, and glutamine amino acids. Measurements of absorption at wavelengths of 280 and 260 nm indicated the presence of protein and BKA in the synthesized conjugate. Incubation of PBMC with BKA and anti-CD3 MAb resulted in a significantly lower average number of cells (p< 0.05) than that observed in the group treated with the conjugate.

Conclusion: In silico assays revealed an interaction between the carboxylic groups of BKA and the primary amine group of antibodies. The Conjugates exhibited lower cytotoxicity compared to BKA and anti-CD3 Mab individually. In vitro assays have not been able to show the specificity of the conjugate due to the anti-CD3 MAb alone exhibiting cytotoxic properties in PBMCs.

Objective: Micronuclei (MN) genotoxicity, linked to chromosomal anomalies, is a key biomarker for carcinogen exposure and cancer susceptibility, with higher frequencies observed in cancer patients. The micronuclei assay, using exfoliated buccal cells, offers a non-invasive method for diagnosing oral lesions caused by tobacco, betel nut, and alcohol. This review aims to systematically review micronuclei frequencies in buccal mucosal cells and assess their potential as genotoxicity markers in oral potentially malignant disorders (OPMD).

Methods: A systematic search updated to 2024 was conducted using PubMed, Scopus, ProQuest, Cochrane, and Google Scholar for original studies analyzing micronuclei frequencies in buccal cells as genotoxicity markers for OPMD. Studies including leukoplakia, lichen planus, and OSMF, were selected. The assessment of risk bias was done using modified Newcastle-Ottawa Scale followed by meta- analysis. The review was registered in PROSPERO (Registration No. CRD42024536661).  Results: Twenty-six articles encompassing a pooled sample of 1,078 healthy controls and 1,489 OPMD cases (417 leukoplakia, 180 oral lichen planus, 401 OSMF, and 491 unsegregated OPMDs) were included. A significant increase in micronuclei frequency was observed in OPMD patients compared to controls (meta-Cohen's d = 3.08, 95% CI: 1.80-4.35). Subgroup analysis revealed a gradual rise in MN frequency from healthy controls to leukoplakia (d = 2.75), oral lichen planus (d = 1.47), and the highest in oral submucous fibrosis (d = 5.55). Considerable heterogeneity was detected among studies (overall I² = 99.23%, OSMF I² = 99.85%, lichen planus I² = 49.59%). This variability highlights methodological and population differences across studies.

Conclusion: Micronuclei genotoxicity is emerging as a valuable biomarker for the early detection of OPMD's. Due to its non-invasive and cost-efficient characteristics, examining micronuclei in exfoliated buccal cells could be incorporated into regular screenings for groups at high risk of OPMD and oral cancer. However, the considerable variability among studies necessitates careful interpretation and highlights the importance of establishing standardized protocols in future research.

Objective: Locally advanced breast cancer (LABC) is an inoperable breast adenocarcinoma that is commonly treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy. Neoadjuvant chemotherapy is given to patients as the first step in treatment to reduce tumor size before surgery. However, no biomarkers are currently available to predict early response to chemotherapy.

Methods: The differential expression of miRNAs between malignant and normal cells from patients with breast cancer reflects tumor dynamics and may reflect an individual's resistance or sensitivity to drugs used in chemotherapy. Ten patients with LABC who responded to chemotherapy, five patients with LABC who did not respond, and three healthy controls were included in this study.

Results: This study found that miRNAs miR-214-3p, miR-222-3p, and let-7e-5p indicated a patient's sensitivity to neoadjuvant chemotherapy. Whereas miR-20a-5p, miR-27a-3p, miR-424-5p, miR-152-3p, and miR-195-5p suggested a patient's resistance to it.

Conclusion: Therefore, these findings suggest that miRNAs may serve as predictive biomarkers and potential therapeutic targets in the management of breast cancer.

Background: Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is a highly aggressive brain cancer with a poor median survival rate. There is an urgent need for effective and affordable anti-cancer agents for GBM treatment. In this context, arsenic-based homeopathic preparations may serve as promising therapeutic candidates.

Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of Arsenicum iodatum and Arsenicum album-induced cytotoxicity in GBM cells and to investigate the underlying mechanisms of action in the U-87-MG and LN-229 cell lines.

Results: Treatment with varying concentrations of Arsenicum iodatum and Arsenicum album resulted in dose- and time-dependent inhibition of GBM cells growth in U87-MG and LN-229. These preparations induced distinct morphological changes and cell death in both GBM cell lines. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS)-based metabolomics revealed significant alterations in the key metabolic pathways. A total of 107 metabolites were quantified. Univariate analysis identified 73 and 30 significantly altered metabolites in Arsenicum album-treated U-87-MG and LN-229 cells, respectively. Meanwhile, U-87 showed 69 and LN-229 showed 50 significantly affected metabolites in the Arsenicum iodatum-treated groups. In GBM cells treated with Arsenicum album and Arsenicum iodatum, glycine and serine, which are involved in redox balance, were altered, while branched-chain amino acids (valine, leucine, isoleucine)- essential for protein synthesis and mTOR signaling- were downregulated. Changes were also observed in nucleotide sugar, purine, and nicotinate/nicotinamide metabolism. The findings suggest that both agents cause strong metabolic disruptions, potentially contributing to their anti-cancer effects. Biochemical assays confirmed increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels and decreased mitochondrial membrane potential following treatment with these arsenic based homeopathic preparation.

Conclusion: Arsenicum iodatum and Arsenicum album exhibit growth-inhibitory effects on GBM cells, likely through metabolic disruption and ROS-mediated cell death. Further studies are warranted to elucidate the precise mechanisms of cell death and to evaluate their efficacy and safety in vivo.

Objective: This study aims to analyze smoking cessation and its associated factors among adolescents aged 13-15 years in Vietnam.

Methods: The present study used data from the Vietnamese Global Youth Tobacco Survey in 2022 and consisted of 454 adolescents aged 13-15 years old. Smoking cessation was defined as having not smoked in the past 30 days. A multivariable logistic regression model was conducted to identify the factors associated with smoking cessation among those adolescents.

Results: Among the participants, 76.9% had achieved smoking cessation, and the main type of tobacco smoked was cigarettes (84.5%). Factors significantly associated with smoking cessation included peer smoking, parental smoking status, tobacco-related knowledge, and exposure to anti-smoking information. Adolescents with only one smoking parent were more likely to quit than those whose parents did not smoke (OR = 2.48, 95% CI: 1.39-4.43). Similarly, greater tobacco knowledge (OR = 2.23, 95% CI: 1.30-3.83) and exposure to anti-smoking messages from two or more sources (OR = 2.49, 95% CI: 1.05-5.92) were positively associated with cessation. In contrast, adolescents with smoking friends had a significantly lower likelihood of cessation (OR = 0.31, 95% CI: 0.14-0.69).

Conclusion: Economic status, peer influence, parental smoking, and cognitive factors namely tobacco-related knowledge and exposure to anti-smoking information were key determinants of smoking cessation among Vietnamese adolescents, with notable gender differences. These findings suggest the need for comprehensive tobacco control programs that address these factors to more effectively reduce smoking rates among this population.