搜索结果：Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention : APJCP

This work addressed the fact that nano phytoformulations have emerged as promising, biocompatible alternatives to conventional cancer drugs, helping to overcome drug resistance in cancer and offering sustainable, biocompatible, and effective drug delivery. This study aimed to synthesize zinc oxide nanoparticles (SS-ZnO NPs) using an eco-friendly green synthesis method from Sida schimperiana aqueous root extract (SS-AQ), and to evaluate their selective cytotoxicity against MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells. The SS-ZnO NPs were characterized using spectroscopic (FTIR, XRD, DLS), microscopic (SEM, TEM), and chemical (EDX) analytical techniques. The selective cytotoxicity of SS-ZnO NPs against breast cancer cell lines (MDA-MB-231) and normal cell lines (L929) was evaluated using the MTT assay. XRD analysis confirmed that SS-ZnO NPs possess a crystalline, hexagonal wurtzite structure with an average size of 55.4 nm. DLS analysis indicated that the SS-ZnO NPs are monodispersed with a negative surface charge of -28.9 mV, suggesting high colloidal stability. SEM and TEM-EDX analyses revealed that the SS-ZnO NPs exhibit a pseudo-spherical, rough morphology with an average particle size of 22.65 nm. Strong absorption peaks at 1.01 keV and 0.52 keV were observed, corresponding to the characteristic signals of Zn and oxygen, respectively. The MTT assay demonstrated that SS-ZnO NPs exhibited significant, dose-dependent selective cytotoxicity against MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cell lines, with inhibition ranging from 10.14% to 62.44% at concentrations of 6.25-100 µg/mL, and an IC₅₀ value of 45.28 µg/mL (p ≤ 0.01). In comparison, SS-AQ exhibited 8.81% to 58.11% inhibition at the same concentration range, with an IC₅₀ of 50.16 µg/mL (p ≤ 0.01). The findings of the current study highlight that bio-inspired SS-ZnO NPs possess enhanced anticancer properties and can be considered a promising anticancer agent with potent, specific cytotoxic efficacy against MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells, offering a potential alternative nanotherapeutic approach with reduced toxicity.

To evaluate the efficacy of vitamin B12 (cyanocobalamin) in preventing chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) in patients with gynecological cancer who are receiving neurotoxic chemotherapy. This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study enrolled gynecological cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy at Rajavithi Hospital between January and September 2021. Patients were assigned in a 1:1 ratio to receive either vitamin B12 (500 micrograms) or a placebo, administered as two oral tablets twice daily from the start of chemotherapy until four weeks after completing six cycles. Primary endpoints included the incidence of CIPN, measured by the Patient Neurotoxicity Questionnaire (PNQ) score, and quality of life, assessed by the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy/Gynecologic Oncology Group-Neurotoxicity (FACT/GOG-Ntx) at four time points: (i) before the first chemotherapy cycle, (ii) before the third cycle, (iii) before the sixth cycle, and (iv) four weeks after completion. Safety was evaluated by monitoring vitamin B12-related adverse events. Forty patients were randomized into either the vitamin B12 group (n = 20) or the placebo group (n = 20). Chemotherapy regimens included taxane-based combinations with either carboplatin (87.5%) or cisplatin (12.5%). The incidence of CIPN (PNQ score ≥ 4) was significantly lower in the vitamin B12 group than in the placebo group (5% vs. 20%, p = 0.008; OR 0.21, 95% CI: 0.07-0.66). No significant differences in FACT/GOG-Ntx scores or adverse effects were observed (p > 0.05). This study highlights the significant effect of vitamin B12 in reducing the incidence of CIPN among gynecological cancer patients undergoing neurotoxic chemotherapy, with a favorable safety profile. Therefore, vitamin B12 may be recommended as a preventive measure for CIPN in this context.

BRCA1/2 founder mutation have been detected in various populations and ethnicities. Molecular diagnosis of HBOC remains challenging for populations where founder mutations have not yet been identified. There are limited data on hereditary BC mutations in ethnic groups of Siberia. The purpose of this study was to find new hereditary breast cancer (BC) variants in the understudied Buryat ethnic group by using WES data and DNA construct for their subsequent validation.<br /><br />Methods: Our study included a 52-year-old Buryat BC patient with a family history of BC (sister with BC). To identify novel as well as previously described variants, obtained by WES, we used the OpenCRAVAT mutation impact scoring algorithm (comprehensive knowledge base). For variants requiring further study, the DNA construct method was used. <br /><br />Result: According to WES data, no pathogenic variants were found in a 52-year-old Buryat BC patient with a family history of BC. The patient was found to have rare variants of unknown significance (MLH1 c.C550T:p.R184C and FANCI c.A1111G:p.S371G) and c.986C>T DOCK8 gene variant (as secondary findings). In silico analysis indicated that only c.986C>T variant of DOCK8 gene may affect splicing (a key immunity gene could act as a tumor suppressor). Electrophoresis of PCR fragments obtained using cDNA as a template showed that in the presence of the c.986C>T variant, the length of the PCR product was 60 bp less than in the case of the reference sequence of this region. <br /><br />Conclusion: We suggest that the combined carriage of the c.A1111G mutation of the FANCI gene and c.986C>T DOCK8 gene identified in this patient may likely increase the risk of developing BC. Our functional data indicate a potential impact c.986C>T variant of the DOCK8 gene on splicing. The role of the c.986C>T variant in BC pathogenesis and its prevalence in Buryats ethnic group remain to be elucidated.

HPV types 16 and 18 are associated with 70% of invasive cervical cancers. Between these two types of HPV, HPV type 16 is more commonly found in cervical cancer patients, whereas HPV type 18 is less frequently reported. Currently, the molecular mechanism underlying the increased cancer risk in HPV type 16, compared to HPV type 18, has not yet been fully elucidated. This paper aims to identify the factors that make HPV type 16 the primary contributor to cervical cancer by comparing gene expression profiles with those of HPV type 18. The examination began after obtaining the RNA sequencing dataset (GSE192897). The dataset's genes were then analyzed to identify differentially expressed genes (DEGs) using the GEO2R tool. With the help of Enrichr and SRplot tools, the DEGs were first enriched and analyzed through Gene Ontology (GO), GeDiPNet, and the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG). Finally, a protein-protein interaction (PPI) network was constructed using Cytoscape, and the top ten hub genes were ranked with the help of CytoHubba. DEG analysis revealed 128 differentially expressed genes (DEGs), including 14 upregulated and 114 downregulated genes. The upregulated genes were associated with positive regulation of interferon-beta production, vesicle-related processes, endopeptidase inhibitor activity, and interferon-gamma signaling. The downregulated genes were linked to positive regulation of cell motility, the endoplasmic reticulum lumen, cytokine activity, and signal transduction. There are several differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in HPV type 16 compared to type 18; these upregulated genes may potentially play a role in promoting cervical cancer development more significantly than HPV type 18. These DEGs underscore the urgency of implementing HPV genotyping tests to identify HPV types with higher cervical cancer prevalence. This analysis identified BUB1, DLGAP5, and ASPM as key genes specifically expressed in HPV-16/18-related cervical cancer, suggesting their potential as biomarkers for prognosis and disease progression.

Despite the availability of colorectal cancer (CRC) screening, participation rates in Japan remain low. Although knowledge about CRC has been identified as a predictor of screening uptake, data specific to the Japanese population remain limited. We aimed to examine the associations between knowledge of CRC risk factors and knowledge of cancer screening, with CRC screening attendance in Japan. A nationwide cross-sectional survey was conducted among 1,966 Japanese adults aged 40-69 years. Associations between correct answers on CRC risk factors and cancer screening, and CRC screening attendance were analyzed using multiple logistic regression, adjusting for relevant covariates. Seventy percent of participants had undergone CRC screening. A significant positive linear association was observed between knowledge of CRC risk factors and CRC screening attendance (P for trend < 0.01). Similarly, greater knowledge of cancer screening was significantly associated with higher attendance (P for trend < 0.01). Accurate knowledge of CRC risk factors and cancer screening was positively associated with CRC screening attendance. These findings show the importance of disseminating accurate information to the Japanese population; however, further prospective studies are needed to examine this association more thoroughly.

This study aimed to determine whether the hypofractionated regimen offers dosimetric and radiobiological benefits compared to a conventional regimen delivered with deep inspiration breath-hold (DIBH) for left breast cancer patients following breast-conserving surgery using the VMAT technique. The primary objective was to assess whether the hypofractionated regimen provides equivalent target coverage and improved sparing of organs at risk (OARs). Twenty-four patients with histologically confirmed left-sided breast cancer, aged between 42 and 68 years, were included and divided into two fractionation protocols: 12 received a conventional regimen (50 Gy in 25 fractions), and 12 received a hypofractionated regimen (40 Gy in 15 fractions). Dosimetric parameters including clinical target volume (CTV) coverage, homogeneity index (HI), conformity index (CI), number of monitor units (MUs), and dose to critical structures were compared between the two regimens. The biological impact of the different fractionation schemes was assessed by calculating the biological effective dose (BED) and the equivalent dose in 2 Gy fractions (EQD2). For statistical analysis, an independent-sample t-test was used (P < 0.05). Both treatment approaches provided excellent target coverage, with no significant differences observed in CI. The conventional VMAT plan demonstrated better dose homogeneity (HI = 0.165 &#xb1; 0.038) compared to the hypofractionated plan (HI = 0.304 &#xb1; 0.090; p < 0.001). The hypofractionated approach showed a tendency for increased sparing of organs at risk, notably a 28.7% reduction in mean heart dose (6.24 Gy vs. 8.91 Gy), a lower EQD&#x2082; (4.27 Gy vs. 5.99 Gy), and a significantly reduced dose to the contralateral lung (5.62 Gy vs. 7.32 Gy; p = 0.029). For the contralateral breast, no statistically significant difference was observed (p > 0.05). Research indicates that hypofractionated VMAT with DIBH offers potential dosimetric advantages over the conventional regimen, most notably by reducing radiation exposure to the heart and contralateral lung.

Breast cancer, the most common cancer among women in India, poses a significant public health challenge. However, data on pathways to care and out-of-pocket expenditure (OOPE) among breast cancer patients are limited in India. Kerala, despite its high literacy rates and excellent healthcare access, continues to experience significant delays in cancer care, making it an important setting for this study. Therefore, we aimed to study the pathways to care, estimate OOPE, and identify factors associated with OOPE among breast cancer patients in the Indian state of Kerala. We conducted a hospital-based cross-sectional study among 216 breast cancer patients (mean age: 57 years) from one private and one public tertiary cancer care centre (TCCC) in Kerala. A structured interview schedule was used to collect socio-demographic, clinical, and expenditure-related data. Descriptive statistics, Mann-Whitney U tests, and median regression analysis were performed. The duration of the study was from October 2024 to May 2025. Most participants were diagnosed at early stages (n=152, 70.4%), and 42.5% (n=92) had health insurance coverage. In the study, 168 (77.8%: 95% CI: 71.6-83.1%) participants followed indirect pathways, initially consulting traditional healers (25, 11.57%) or other healthcare providers (143, 66.20%) before reaching TCCCs. OOPE was significantly higher among patients treated in private TCCCs compared to those in public TCCCs (median INR 2,26,395 vs 1,93,290; p = 0.015). Residence &#x2265;82 km from the centre (coefficient:28470; p=0.044), treatment at private TCCC (coefficient:50010; p=0.001) and indirect pathway to TCCC (coefficient:46180; p=0.015) were significantly associated with higher OOPE. The majority of breast cancer patients in Kerala accessed tertiary care through indirect pathways, with substantially higher out-of-pocket expenditure (OOPE) among those treated in private centres. Targeted policy interventions, such as strengthening primary care linkages and improving referral coordination, are essential to reduce delays in care pathways and alleviate the financial burden on breast cancer patients.

Cancer prevention policy (CPP) plays a vital role in reducing the cancer burden, but it poses considerable challenges in health systems with limited resources and disparities in service access. Understanding the drivers, processes, and barriers influencing CPP governance is critical to designing equitable and effective interventions, particularly in low- and middle-income countries, such as Iran. This qualitative study employed a case study approach to investigate the complex social and systemic factors shaping cancer prevention policy (CPP) governance in Iran. Data were collected through 25 semi-structured interviews with key stakeholders and an extensive review of 47 relevant documents. Participants were purposively selected from government agencies, academic institutions, NGOs, and cancer specialty centers. Data analysis combined deductive and inductive content analysis, facilitated by ATLAS.ti, to identify themes related to actors, processes, and contextual influences. Findings revealed that CPP governance is influenced by a network of domestically and internationally trained specialists, institutional leadership from the Ministry of Health, academic bodies, and civil society. Political, economic, and socio-cultural contexts significantly affected policy priorities and resource allocation. Challenges included insufficient needs assessments, fragmented stakeholder collaboration, and tensions between the growth of specialization and equitable access. Public demand for cancer prevention services remained low due to limited awareness and accessibility. Workforce shortages and cost constraints further complicated program implementation. Successful CPP governance requires inclusive participation, evidence-informed decision-making, and the adaptive integration of international expertise with local realities.

Women with hemoglobinopathies represent a chronically ill population with frequent healthcare contact, yet limited integration into preventive health programs. Despite the proven effectiveness of HPV vaccination and screening, cervical cancer remains a preventable cause of both morbidity and mortality. To assess the levels of knowledge, awareness, and adherence to cervical cancer prevention and screening practices among women with hemoglobinopathies in Greece. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 202 women with thalassemia or sickle cell disease, attending a tertiary hospital's Hemoglobinopathy Unit in Athens between December 2023 and March 2024. Data were collected using the validated Cervical Cancer Knowledge and Prevention Questionnaire (CCKP-64) and analyzed with SPSS 25, using descriptive and inferential statistics. Nearly all participants were aware of cervical cancer (98.5%), the Pap test (99.0%), and the HPV vaccine (96.5%). However, only 6.5% were vaccinated against HPV, while 75.2% underwent annual Pap screening. Higher adherence to screening was associated with younger age (p = 0.009), employment status (p = 0.032), and higher income (p = 0.049). Knowledge regarding risk factors was moderate, with 58.4% recognizing HPV infection as the main cause. The most frequent reason for non-compliance was negligence (14.8%). Despite adequate awareness of cervical cancer and good adherence to Pap testing, HPV vaccination rates remain strikingly low among women with hemoglobinopathies. This highlights missed opportunities to integrate HPV vaccination and education into chronic disease management. Tailored preventive strategies and continuous awareness campaigns are essential to achieving the WHO's 2030 cervical cancer elimination goals.

This study focused on organisms that produce natural bioactive compounds that are environmentally friendly alternatives to chemical treatments. These compounds include flavonoids derived from marine algae, including anthocyanins. Cyanidin-3-glucoside (C3G) is a natural pigment-protein complex capable of inhibiting or eradicating the proliferation of malignant cells, both in vivo and in vitro. This includes the AY-27 rat (BC) bladder cancer cell line. Its potential effects on inhibiting the production of isolated rat bladder tumor cells and activating cellular pathways were studied, including cytotoxicity, apoptosis, the p53 pathway, mitochondrial wall loss pathway, and partial fusion. &#xa0;Result: The present study documented a peak mortality rate of 84.43% in the toxicity pathway on the maximum dose of 100 &#xb5;g/ml of C3G. The minimum mortality rate of 9.45% was recorded at the maximum C3G concentration of 6.25 &#xb5;g/ml. In the apoptotic process, dead cells were evaluated for DNA damage. C3G promotes mitochondrial failure in AY-27 cells via the mitochondrial pathway, leading to a reduction in mitochondrial membrane potential compared to untreated AY-27 cells. The study's findings showed that C3G increased p53 gene expression in AY-27 cells during the p53 pathway. The data in the tables and figures reveal that increasing the dose or concentration of C3G over time has a lethal effect on bladder cancer cells. The results indicate that C3G promotes localized apoptosis, thereby inhibiting and slowing down the progression of bladder cancer. These findings suggest that C3G could be an active natural treatment for BC in rats, with potential for further development by international pharmaceutical companies.

Despite significant advancements in oncology, early diagnosis of pulmonary cancer poses a clinical challenge, thus making it a leading cause of cancer-related mortality and a focal point for the development of data-driven prediction models. The objective of the study was to predict pulmonary cancer using hybrid machine learning models. This study presents a comprehensive review of machine learning (ML) algorithms to facilitate early prediction of pulmonary carcinoma using electronic medical records (EMRs) data. The dataset comprising 1000 patient records and 25 predictor variables, was subjected to rigorous pre-processing, including label correction, multicollinearity assessment, and dimensionality reduction. Eighteen statistically significant features, encompassing symptoms, lifestyle factors, and environmental exposures were identified through variance inflation factor (VIF) analysis and chi-square testing. Multiple ML models, including Support Vector Machine (SVM), Random Forest (RF), Logistic Regression (LR), and Deep Learning (DL) classifiers, were trained and evaluated using precision, recall, F1 score, specificity, and AUC metrics. The chi-square test revealed that age (&#x3c7;&#xb2;=44.187, p<0.001), passive smoking (&#x3c7;&#xb2;=752.960, p<0.001), obesity (&#x3c7;&#xb2;=712.088, p<0.001), smoking (&#x3c7;&#xb2;=671.006, p<0.001), and symptoms like coughing blood (&#x3c7;&#xb2;=818.669, p<0.001) were significantly associated with pulmonary Carcinoma. The performance metrics indicate that most basic and ensemble models, including DT, SVM, LR, KNN, AdaBoost, and RF, achieved perfect scores (accuracy, precision, recall, F1, AUC = 1.000), demonstrating optimal classification. DL and SVM Bagging showed 97% accuracy, while NN and MLP performed well with accuracy above 96%, though slightly less than the ensemble models. These findings accentuate the potential of ML, especially SVM, for early prediction of pulmonary carcinoma using structured EMR data. These findings support the integration of ML-based tools into clinical workflows, supporting data-driven, personalized cancer screening and decision-making in health care.

Gastric cancer (GC) is a multifactorial malignancy in which both Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) and Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) have been implicated. Given the high prevalence of both pathogens, we performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to estimate the prevalence of H. pylori-EBV co-infection (HECo) in GC and to evaluate its association with GC. A systematic literature search was performed using a search strategy consisting of appropriate keywords in online databases including MEDLINE, Embase, and Web of Science from inception to July 2024. Eligible case-control and cross-sectional studies in English reported H. pylori and EBV status assessed using validated assays (e.g., PCR, serology, immunohistochemistry/in situ hybridization, rapid urease test), enabling ascertainment of HECo within the same participant. Study quality was assessed using the "Newcastle-Ottawa Quality Assessment Scale" (NOS) and the Appraisal Tool for Cross-Sectional Studies (AXIS tool). Random-effects meta-analyses were used to pool prevalence estimates and odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs), and heterogeneity was quantified using I&#xb2;. Eighteen studies (n = 4364; 1999-2023) were included. HECo prevalence among GC patients was 21.44% (95% CI: 9.46-33.42). HECo was associated with increased odds of GC (pooled OR = 3.09, 95% CI: 1.66-5.73; I&#xb2; = 69.1%). Subgroup estimates by age (high vs low) were based on two studies per stratum and showed wide CIs (high age: OR = 9.61, 95% CI: 1.90-48.64; low age: OR = 9.52, 95% CI: 1.83-49.54) and should be interpreted cautiously. There was a significant association between the presence of metastasis, the high stage of GC, and HECo. Our results showed no significant association between moderately or poorly differentiated GC, diffuse-type GC, the presence of vessel invasion, and HECo. HECo is associated with a higher risk of GC. Future primary studies should report mutually exclusive infection categories (HP only, EBV only, both, neither) and clarify the temporal relationship between infection and GC, to better disentangle independent versus joint effects and to inform prevention strategies.

Nearly one-fifth of the worldwide burden of cancer-related deaths among Indian women is attributable to cervical cancer. The World Health Organization (WHO) mandates that 90% of adolescent girls receive the HPV vaccine by age 15 to achieve cervical cancer elimination. Integrating the HPV vaccine into the Universal Immunization Program is necessary to accomplish this in India. To provide clarity on HPV vaccination dosage, schedules, and delivery methods, AOGIN India has developed this policy statement based on the most recent evidence from both India and around the world, including data from single-dose efficacy trials. To facilitate the rapid and efficient expansion of vaccination, this document offers evidence-based recommendations for health care professionals, policymakers, and program managers. AOGIN India is the national chapter of the Asia Oceania Research Organization in Genital Infection & Neoplasia, working to promote education, training, community-based interventions, and research for cervical cancer prevention. This policy statement aims to reduce disparities in access to HPV vaccination and accelerate India's progress toward the WHO's 90-70-90 elimination targets by translating scientific evidence into context-specific guidelines.

Colorectal cancer (CRC) in Egypt has a high incidence of early-onset cases compared to Western countries. However, screening rates remain low, which may be attributed to a lack of physician awareness, as well as structural and logistical limitations. This study evaluated medical residents' knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding CRC screening, their perceptions of patient barriers, and their awareness of the "100 Million Healthy Lives" national screening initiative. A self-administered, cross-sectional survey was conducted between September 10, 2023, and January 3, 2024, at Alexandria Main University Hospital (AMUH), Egypt. The survey was administered either face-to-face or online. We assessed the face, content, and structural validity of the questionnaire used. Descriptive statistics and bivariate analyses were performed, with associations evaluated using correlation and effect sizes. A significance level of p < 0.10 was adopted, given the exploratory nature of the study. The study included 70 medical residents at AMUH. The majority were female (78.6%), with a mean age of 27.97 &#xb1; 1.3 years and an average of 2.6 &#xb1; 1.2 years of clinical experience. Only 55.7% were aware of the "100 Million Healthy Lives" CRC screening program. Overall, 72.9% of participants demonstrated adequate knowledge, 66.7% showed a positive attitude, and 51.4% exhibited good practice. A total of 15.7% recommended screening for asymptomatic patients "often/always," compared to 61.4% for symptomatic patients. Financial constraints (64.3%) and low patient awareness (60%) were the most frequently cited barriers. Adequate knowledge was significantly associated with a positive attitude (80.8% vs. 19.2%; p = 0.078; Phi = 0.282). Despite generally adequate knowledge, attitudes and practices regarding CRC screening among residents remain suboptimal, hindered by limited awareness of national resources and persistent structural barriers. Strengthening provider education, improving access to screening tools, and expanding awareness of national initiatives are essential to enhance early CRC detection in Egypt.

Gastric cancer (GC) is a leading cause of cancer-related death worldwide, frequently associated with dysregulated PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling and defective apoptosis. Sesamin, a lignan from sesame seeds, is rich in antioxidant and anticancer activities, yet it has not been well investigated for its therapeutic potential in GC. This study aims to investigate the anticancer potential of sesamin against gastric cancer by targeting the PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway in AGS cells and MNNG-induced rats, evaluating its effects on apoptosis, oxidative stress, and tumor biomarkers to elucidate its molecular mechanism of action. In vitro, molecular changes in AGS gastric cancer (GC) cells were determined by RT-PCR (p53, caspase-3, MDM2, PTEN, AKT, mTOR, NF-&#x3ba;B). In vivo, N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine (MNNG) was used to induce gastric cancer in Wistar rats. The intervention of sesamin was studied by histopathological analysis, and ELISA was used for the measurement of tumor markers (CEA and CA 19-9) and oxidative stress markers. Gene expression was analyzed by RT-PCR (p53, caspase-3, AKT, NF-&#x3ba;B, mTOR). Sesamin treatment in AGS cells upregulated PTEN, p53, and caspase-3, while downregulating MDM2, AKT, mTOR, and NF-&#x3ba;B at the mRNA level in the in vitro study. In the in vivo mRNA expression analysis, sesamin treatment confirmed enhanced p53 and caspase-3 with reduced AKT expression and slightly increased mTOR expression. In MNNG-induced rats, sesamin improved gastric histology, decreased tumor markers (CEA, CA 19-9), suppressed IL-1&#x3b2;, and elevated GSH. RT-PCR analysis further validated the induction of pro-apoptotic genes and suppression of oncogenic PI3K/AKT/mTOR/NF-&#x3ba;B signaling, consistent with in vitro findings. Sesamin has demonstrated effective anti-gastric cancer activity by inducing p53/caspase-3-mediated apoptosis and inhibiting the PI3K/AKT/mTOR/NF-&#x3ba;B signaling pathway. These findings illustrate the therapeutic potential of sesamin against gastric cancer and reveal molecular clues for its use as a natural chemopreventive agent.

Delays in diagnosis and treatment are common among Vietnamese breast cancer (BC) patients. This study analyzed women's preferences regarding breast cancer screening (BCS) programs and mammography screening to support the government in implementing population-based BCS. We conducted literature reviews, focus group discussions, and qualitative interviews to develop the attributes and levels of a discrete choice experiment (DCE) involving [breast cancer screening (BCS) programs and mammography screening. The BCS program included] seven attributes (screening test staff's gender, method of invitation, free breast self-exam course, waiting time, combined screening test, screening location, and cost), and mammography screening included five attributes (comfort level, screening test staff's gender, false positives, overdiagnosis, and cost). The choice data were analyzed using a latent class model. Uptake was predicted, and policy scenarios were formulated. A total of 1,023 women, with an average age of 33.4 years, completed the DCE survey. In the BCS scenario, respondents in all classes preferred a combination of screening tests and lower costs, except for the smallest class of participants. Screening location and waiting time were influential components in decision-making for all women. Most participants were sensitive to organizational characteristics and costs. In the mammography screening scenario, respondents' preferences were strongly influenced by the gender of screening test personnel, false positives, and costs across all classes. Women in Vietnam exhibit heterogeneous preferences for breast cancer screening (BCS) programs and mammography screening. This study provides supporting evidence related to Vietnamese women's preferences for BCS, which may be valuable for public health authorities.

This study aimed to evaluate the predictive value of serum levels of methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) and carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) for tumor size reduction following neoadjuvant CAPEOX chemotherapy in patients with advanced colorectal cancer. A prospective observational study was conducted involving 36 patients with histologically confirmed stage III-IV colorectal cancer who underwent neoadjuvant CAPEOX therapy. Serum MTHFR and CEA levels were measured before chemotherapy. Tumor response was assessed by comparing pre- and post-treatment imaging, based on RECIST criteria. Correlations between the biomarkers and the percentage of tumor reduction were analyzed using Spearman's test, followed by multivariate linear regression to develop a predictive model. The mean age of participants was 45.6 &#xb1; 8.0 years, with a predominance of male patients (66.7%). Both serum MTHFR and CEA levels showed significant correlations with tumor size reduction (MTHFR: &#x3c1; = 0.764, p < 0.001; CEA: &#x3c1; = 0.654, p < 0.001). The final regression model demonstrated strong predictive performance: Tumor size reduction (%) = -165.68 + (1.10 &#xd7; CEA) + (15.38 &#xd7; MTHFR), with an adjusted R&#xb2; of 0.714 (p < 0.001). A nomogram derived from this model yielded a Harrell's C-index of 0.836, indicating high discriminative ability in predicting therapeutic response. Serum MTHFR and CEA levels serve as complementary biomarkers for predicting tumor size reduction following neoadjuvant CAPEOX chemotherapy in advanced colorectal cancer. Their combined use provides a simple, cost-effective tool for individualized treatment planning and advances biomarker-based precision oncology in resource-limited clinical settings.

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a leading cause of cancer-related mortality worldwide, necessitating the development of reliable prognostic biomarkers. Circulating microRNAs (miRs) have emerged as promising, non-invasive biomarkers. This study was designed as a comprehensive evaluation, conducted in two independent stages, to identify circulating miRs capable of providing an accurate prognosis of CRC. The study included 225 subjects (150 Egyptian CRC patients and 75 healthy controls). We selected 25 miRs based on recent studies and our previous work and evaluated their expression in the Evaluation Group (65 subjects). The miRs showing significant differential expression were further confirmed in the Validation Group (160 subjects: 110 CRC patients and 50 controls). For all samples, miRNAs were extracted, and their concentration, integrity, and purity were measured using a NanoDrop, followed by cDNA synthesis and qRT-PCR analysis. The serum levels of eight miRNAs (Let-7c, miR-21, miR-26a, miR-26b, miR-126, miR-146a, miR-223, and miR-374) were significantly higher in CRC patients and were able to discriminate between CRC patients and healthy controls. The combined analysis of all eight miRNAs showed higher specificity, with an AUC of 0.92 and a specificity of 99.73% for CRC patients. The combination of five miRNAs, which exhibited a greater fold change in CRC patients, achieved an AUC of 0.97 and a specificity of 99.6%. In contrast, the combination of miR-21, miR-26a, and miR-26b demonstrated the highest AUC value of 0.974, with a specificity of 99.27%. Computational analysis revealed that CCND1 and TP53 function dually as efficacy and prognostic biomarkers for CRC, and that these roles are regulated by let-7a-5p. Collectively, the data indicate that this novel miRNA signature panel improves prognostic accuracy compared to individual miRNA analysis and may support enhanced patient screening and personalized treatment strategies in CRC. We established a circulating miRs signature panel for the first time to accurately predict the prognosis of Egyptian CRC patients.

The aim of this study was to identify and quantify the risk factors with the greatest impact on the development of CIN2+ in patients with low-grade cytology and either HPV-negative or high-risk HPV-positive (non-16/18) results. The secondary aim was to develop and validate a multiparameter, risk-based prediction system. This retrospective cohort study was conducted in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Thammasat University Hospital between January 2021 and December 2024. Women who underwent cervical cancer screening and had a report of low-grade cytological abnormalities (ASC-US or LSIL), with either non-16/18 high-risk HPV infection or a negative HPV test, were included. A total of 480 participants were included. The mean age of participants was 40.7 years. The prevalence of CIN2+ was 15.6% (75/480). The predictive model was developed by incorporating six factors: having three or more deliveries, six or more lifetime sexual partners, smoking, no cervical screening within five years, lack of HPV vaccination, and high-risk HPV positivity (non-16/18). Subjects with a score of 5 or more out of 14 points were classified as high-risk and recommended to undergo colposcopy within four weeks. The model demonstrated a sensitivity of 97.3% and a negative predictive value (NPV) of 98.6%. The risk factors for CIN2+ included having three or more deliveries, six or more lifetime sexual partners, smoking, no cervical screening within the past five years, lack of HPV vaccination, and high-risk HPV positivity (non-16/18). The predictive model demonstrated a sensitivity of 97.3% and a negative predictive value (NPV) of 98.6%.