Basic & Clinical Cancer Research

Diagnostic accuracy of fine needle aspiration cytology for breast lump by yokohama system for reporting and its correlation with histomorphology

Nikita Taur, R. R. Soni, A T Deshmukh, Sonal Chaukade — Mon, 24 Feb 2025 17:27:35 +0330

Background: The International Academy of Cytology Yokohama System has created a standardized method of describing breast cytology by grouping them into 5 categories: inadequate, benign, atypical, suspicious, and malignant. To validate the likelihood of cancer in the various categories, several investigations have been undertaken at various institutions as a mandate. Aim: The main objective of the research is to identify the accuracy of fine needle aspiration cytology for breast lumps by the Yokohama system for reporting and its correlation with histopathology. Methodology: The present study was a retrospective research performs over 8 month. FANC’s for breast lumps performed by the Yokohama system. Whenever accessible, histopathological diagnoses were also retrieved. Statistical Analysis Used: Sensitivity, specificity, PPV, NPV, and diagnostic accuracy were estimated using a histological diagnosis as the gold standard concerning each of the five categories. Outcomes: Out of 200 cases 106 had histopathological concordance. Five categories - insufficient, benign, atypical, suspicious, and malignant of the IAC Yokohama system were 1.00%, 62.50%, 4.50%, 1.50%, and 30.50% ,Category1(1%), category2 (62.5%), category3 (4.5%), category4(1.5%),category5 (30.5%). When malignant, suspicious, and unusual cases were taken into account as positive test findings, the highest level of sensitivity (90.60%) was attained. The maximum specificity (100%) was seen when only malignant patients were taken into account as positive test findings, but the highest diagnostic accuracy (96.22%) was shown when the malignant and suspect categories were taken into account as positive test results.

Conclusion: FNAC using the Yokohama system for reporting is an accurate diagnostic tool for breast lumps. The system provides a standardized framework for reporting FNAC findings, and studies have reported high sensitivity and specificity rates for diagnosing breast lumps using FNAC. Therefore, FNAC can be used in conjunction with histomorphology to ensure accurate diagnosis and appropriate management of breast lumps.

Impact of Radiotherapy on Electrolyte and Hematological Parameters in Prostate Cancer: Curative vs. Palliative Groups

Aliza Mikaeel Mustafa, Fatiheea Fatihalla Hassan — Sun, 27 Apr 2025 13:09:06 +0430

Background: Prostate cancer is one of the most common cancers in men, with radiotherapy being a key treatment modality. However, radiotherapy often leads to hematological and electrolyte imbalances, adversely impacting patient outcomes. This study aims to assess the impact of radiotherapy on electrolyte levels (sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium, phosphate, and chloride) and hematological parameters (leukocyte, erythrocyte, hemoglobin, hematocrit, and platelets) in prostate cancer patients. The study also compares these effects between curative and palliative treatment groups.

Methods: Twenty prostate cancer patients were included in the study, divided into curative (n=10) and palliative (n=10) groups. Blood samples were collected before and after radiotherapy, they were analyzed using the Swelab Alpha analyzer, while electrolyte levels were measured with Jokoh Ex-DS and Roche Integra 400 Plus analyzers. Patients received 3DCRT and VMAT.

Results: Significant differences were observed in calcium (p = 0.018) and phosphate (p = 0.005) levels, with higher values in the curative group. Other electrolytes (magnesium, sodium, potassium, and chloride) showed no significant changes. Hematological analysis revealed a significant decrease in white blood cells and hemoglobin in the curative group, indicating bone marrow suppression. In contrast, the palliative group demonstrated stable white blood cell levels and increased platelet counts post-treatment.

Conclusion: Radiotherapy affects biochemical and hematological parameters differently in curative and palliative settings. Personalized monitoring of these parameters is essential to mitigate complications and improve patient outcomes.

Expression of CD123 in B-Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia as a Predictor of BCR/ABL rearrangement and Disease Relapse

Birva Nimit Raiya — Sat, 03 May 2025 10:59:38 +0430

Introduction: CD123 is the alpha chain of the interleukin 3 receptor (IL-3R) and normally expressed on hematopoietic progenitor cells, monocytes, B lymphocytes and endothelial cells. Leukemic stem cells can be detected using CD123, and its usefulness for measuring residual disease and potential involvement in disease relapse is being evaluated. It also regulates the growth, proliferation, survival, and differentiation of hematopoietic cells, along with immunity and inflammatory response.

Materials and Methods: Bone marrow or peripheral blood from 50 B-Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (B-ALL) patients were enrolled in the study. CD123 expression was studied by flow cytometry technique and correlated with clinical and hematological parameters as well as BCR-ABL status, MRD status and disease status.

Results: CD123 expression was found positive in 38% patients. No significant correlation of CD123 expression with clinical and hematological parameters was observed. A significant higher incidence of CD123 expression was noted in patients with BCR-ABL fusion (70%), relapse patients (67%) and MRD patients (67%).

Conclusion: CD123 can be used to predict BCR-ABL status in B-ALL patients and it has potential role to recognize high risk of relapse and helps to scrutinize high risk B-ALL patients who benefited with aggressive chemotherapy. Further, higher expression of CD123 in MRD patients can be used to evaluate minimal residual disease in follow-up B-ALL patients.

Bioinformatics screening of therapeutic targets in chemoresistance human colon cancer HCT8 cell line

Zohreh Jahanafrooz — Sat, 03 May 2025 11:08:15 +0430

Background: Chemoresistance is still one of the main challenges in treatment of cancers, including colon adenocarcinoma (COAD). COAD is a common cancer with a high mortality. The goal of this study was to identify and evaluate the differentially expressed mRNAs (DEmRNAs) associated with both 5-fluorouracil (5-Fu) and cisplatin (DDP) resistance in human COAD cell line.

Methods: Common DEmRNAs, DEmiRNAs, and DElncRNAs were obtained from the gene expression profile GSE173606 between acquired two chemoresistance (5-Fu and DDP) and sensitive HCT8 cells. PPI network of overlapped DEmRNAs was obtained based on STRING database and Cytoscape software. miRTarBase database was used to find DEmiRNAs which target the DEmRNAs. Then DElncRNAs which have interaction with the selected DEmiRNAs were obtained from RNAInter database. LncRNA-miRNA-mRNA competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) network visualized using Cytoscape software.

Results: A high number of common DEmRNAs (about 1780) in chemoresistance HCT8 cells were identified. TIMER2.0 database showed that the expression of upregulated hub genes, including EGFR, TGFB1, ESR1, ICAM1, PECAM1, CAV1, and CCL5 has significant positive correlations with tumor infiltration of cancer-associated fibroblasts in COAD. CeRNA networks included the low expressed mRNAs (as targets of upregulated miR-675-3p, miR-6084, and miR-1182) whose expression is also downregulated in COAD tissues based on GEPIA database. MDM2 (as a target of downregulated miR-4635 and miR-4306) was an upregulated gene in both chemoresistance cells and COAD tumor tissues. RNAactDrug database confirmed the association of the high expression of four mRNAs of the ceRNA network (i.e., EFNB2, F2RL2, FLT1, and ADGRF1) with decreased drug sensitivity of DDP.

Conclusion: The results of this study can offer therapeutic targets. For example, inhibition of CCL5, oncogenic miR-675-3p, and MDM2 might be a good choice for gene targeted therapy to overcome the multi-drug resistance in COAD. Moreover, it can provide multiple mRNAs and miRNAs for predicting chemoresistance COAD.

Epigenetic mechanisms associated with progression, prognosis, and new treatment strategies for metastatic cervical squamous cell carcinoma

Sat, 03 May 2025 11:20:38 +0430

Background: In the 21^st century, the main cause of death in both sexes worldwide are cardiovascular diseases, in second place are neoplasms. In the case of women, the fourth cause of mortality is breast cancer despite the screening. Objective: Understanding the epigenetic mechanisms associated with cervical cancer progression and metastasis, considering its correlation with poor prognosis. Methods: To prepare the present article, the search was done on platforms PubMed and Google Scholar, the search was carried out using the following medical subject headings (MeSH) in the search engine: “metastatic cervical cancer”, “cervical cancer epigenetics”, “cervical cancer genetics”, “cervical cancer mirnas”, “cervical cancer lncrnas”, “cervical cancer clinical trials” and “metastatic cervical cancer hpv”, in combination with boolean connectors ‘AND’ and ‘OR’. A total of 114 articles were reviewed, published between 1989 and 2022. Results and conclusions: It is essential to understand and know the epigenetic mechanisms associated with the cervical cancer pathogenesis and progression, to create new targeted treatment schemes for metastatic cervical cancer to reduce the mortality rate and increase disease-free survival.

The Role of microRNA-31 in the Initiation and Progression of Colorectal Cancer

Mohammad Kordkatouli, Mehr Ali Mahmood Janlou, Audrius Dulskas, Aryan Sateei — Mon, 24 Feb 2025 17:23:12 +0330

miR-31 is critically involved in the initiation and progression of CRC by regulating multiple pathways essential for tumorigenesis and influencing various cellular functions, such as proliferation, apoptosis, epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), metastasis, and chemoresistance. miR-31 also impacts EMT-related transcription factors such as ZEB1, SNAIL, and TWIST, which further facilitate the shift to a mesenchymal state, leading to increased invasiveness and metastatic spread of CRC cells, commonly to organs like the liver, which worsens patient prognosis in the context of apoptosis, miR-31 inhibits pro-apoptotic factors such as BAX and Caspase-3, reducing programmed cell death and allowing cancer cells to survive longer this anti-apoptotic influence is essential for miR-31’s role in chemoresistance, as it enables cancer cells to evade the cytotoxic effects of chemotherapy. Interestingly, despite its primarily oncogenic role, miR-31 has shown context-dependent tumor-suppressive properties in specific genetic or environmental conditions under certain conditions, miR-31 may target oncogenes or reduce the activity of tumor-promoting pathways, although these instances are relatively rare and context-specific, influenced by factors like genetic mutations clinically, miR-31’s expression level is correlated with CRC stage, metastatic capacity, and patient prognosis, indicating its potential utility as a biomarker for risk assessment and prognosis. Elevated miR-31 levels are associated with advanced CRC stages, increased tumor aggressiveness, and poor overall survival, underscoring its relevance in patient management ongoing research is investigating miR-31 inhibitors as a therapeutic option to counteract its oncogenic effects and improve treatment responses by sensitizing CRC cells to chemotherapeutic-induced apoptosis.

A Case Series of Immigrant Cancer Patients in Iran

Sat, 03 May 2025 11:14:21 +0430

Background

Iran has recently experienced a recent influx of immigrants, mainly from neighboring countries such as Afghanistan and Iraq. We report a case series of immigrant cancer patients who were admitted at Imam Khomeini Hospital Complex in Tehran.

Methods

We conducted a retrospective cross-series using the medical records of immigrant patients diagnosed with cancer from March 2013 to March 2023. We performed descriptive analyses of the immigrant patients, including gender, age, country of birth, type of cancer, treatment courses, and metastasis status.

Results

The total number of immigrant cancer patients was 349, with 51.86% being female and 48.14% male. Among these patients, 8 (2.30%) were children (under 14 years old), 42 (12.07%) were young adults (aged 15-24), and 297 (85.59%) were older than 25 years. Most immigrants in the study were from Afghanistan (95.13%), followed by Iraq (4.58%). Additionally, 8.88% of the immigrants were second-generation, born in Iran. The most common cancer types were breast (32.04%), hematological (12.15%), ovarian (11.05%), and colorectal (7.18%) cancers in women and hematological (17.86%), colorectal (10.71%), musculoskeletal (10.12%), and skin (10.12%) cancers in men.

Conclusion

This study is the first description of cancer disparity among immigrants in Iran. The results of this study can be used for cancer surveillance and promoting care among immigrant populations in Iran.