• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.17
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• pp.7389-7394
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• 2014

Background: Chemotherapy is one of the major means for control of malignancies, with cisplatin (CDDP) as one of the main agents, widely used for the treatment of various malignant solid tumors. However, prevention of hepatotoxicity from cisplatin is one of the urgent issues in cancer chemotherapy. In this study, we aimed to investigate the effects of pu-erh tea on hepatotoxicity through body weight and tissue antioxidant parameters like, liver coefficient, serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT), serum aspartate aminotransferase (AST), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-PX), malondialdehyde(MDA) and glutathione (GSH) levels, and light microscopic evaluation by histological findings. Materials and Methods: The rats were randomly divided into five groups: Control (n=10), cisplatin (3 mg/kg p.i., n=10), cisplatin+pu-erh (0.32 g/kg/day i.g., n=10), cisplatin+pu-erh (0.8 g/kg/day i.g., n=10) and cisplatin+pu-erh (1.6 g/kg/day i.g., n=10). Pu-erh tea powder was administrated for 31 consecutive days. The rats were sacrificed at the end on the second day after a single dose of cisplatin treatment for measuring indices. Results: Pu-erh tea powder exhibited a protective effect by decreasing MDA and GSH and increasing the SOD and GSH-PX levels and GSH-PX/MDA ratio in camparison with the control group. Besides, pu-erh tea was also able to alleviate the pathological damage to some extent. Conclusion: Pu-erh tea powder is protective against cisplatin-induced liver oxidative damages, especially at the medium dosage (0.8 g/kg/d).

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.17
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• pp.7351-7355
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• 2014

Background: Laryngeal carcinogenesis is a multifactorial process that has not been fully elucidated. Despite extensive research, reliable markers with diagnostic and prognostic value are still lacking. It was recently reported that an elevated preoperative neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) may correlate with an increased risk of recurrence, tumor aggressiveness and poorer prognosis in various malignancies. The aim of this study was to examine whether NLR could be used as an inflammatory marker to differentiate laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC) patients from benign laryngeal lesion (BLL) and precancerous laryngeal lesion (PLL) patients. Materials and Methods: This retrospective study was performed on 209 patients admitted to a tertiary referral center with laryngeal lesions and undergoing biopsies to establish their histopathological diagnosis. We reviewed the patient files for their clinical, histopathological and laboratory data. The patients were divided into three groups according to their histopathological findings, as BLL, PLL and LSCC groups. The patients in the PLL group were also divided into three subgroups as mild, moderate and severe dysplasia/carcinoma in situ (CIS) subgroups. The groups were compared for NLR and the other laboratory data. Results: The mean NLRs of the BLL, PLL and the LSCC groups were $2.12{\pm}0.86$, $2.32{\pm}0.68$ and $3.46{\pm}1.51$, respectively, and the difference was statistically significant (p=0.001). The mean NLRs of the patients with PLL and LSCC were significantly higher than the patients with BLL (p=0.031 and p=0.001, respectively). The mean NLRs were similar among mild dysplasia, moderate dysplasia and severe dysplasia / CIS groups (p>0.05). Conclusions: To our knowledge, this is the first study investigating NLR in BLL, PLL and LSCC. NLR is an inexpensive, reproducible and widely available blood test, and could be a useful inflammatory marker to differentiate LSCC from BLL and PLL.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.17 no.9
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• pp.4259-4265
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• 2016

Background: Colorectal malignancies with high microsatellite instability (MSI-H), either hereditary (Lynch syndrome) or sporadic, demonstrate better prognosis and altered response to 5FU chemotherapy. It is now recommended to perform MSI testing for all new cases of colorectal cancer regardless of being categorized as hereditary or sporadic. For MSI detection, immunohistochemistry or PCR-based protocols using a cohort of various sets of STR markers are recommended. Here we aimed to evaluate a simplified protocol using just a single STR marker, MT1XT20 mononucleotide repeat, for detection of MSI in Lynch syndrome patients. A Promega five-marker MSI testing panel and immunohistochemistry (IHC) were used as the gold standard in conjunction with MT1XT20. Materials and Methods: Colorectal patients with a positive history of familial cancers were selected by evaluating medical records. Based on Amsterdam II criteria for Lynch syndrome 20 families were short listed. DNA was extracted from formalin fixed paraffin embedded tumour and adjacent normal tissues resected from the index case in each family. Extracted DNA was subjected to MT1XT20 mononucleotide marker analysis and assessment with a commercially available five marker MSI testing kit (Promega, USA). IHC also was performed on tissue sections and the results were compared with PCR based data. Results: Eight (40%), seven (35%) and five (25%) cases were MSI positive using with the Promega kit, IHC and MT1XT20, respectively. Among the markers included in Promega kit, BAT26 marker showed instability in all 8 samples. NR24 and NR21 markers showed instability in 7 (87.5%), and BAT25 and MONO 27 in 6 (75%) and 5 (62.5%). Conclusions: Although MT1XT20 was earlier reported as a valid standalone marker for MSI testing in CRC patients, we could not verify this in our Iranian patients. Instead BAT26 among the markers included in Promega MSI testing kit showed instability in all 8 MSI-H CRC samples. Therefore, it seems BAT26 could act well as a single marker for MSI testing in Iranian CRC patients.

• Korean Journal of Head & Neck Oncology
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.112-118
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• 1992

Neck mass as a primary presenting sign is a common problem that physicians and surgeons alike have to face but conclusive diagnosis cna be made only by histopathological examination. During the period of four years from January 1988 to December 1991, three hundred sixteen diagnostic incisional or excisional biopsies of the neck masses were performed at the outpatient department of Surgery, Seoul National University Hospital and tissue diagnoses were confirmed by histopatholotical examination. On which a clinical analysis was performed and its results were compared with the results of one hundred fifteen Fine Needle Aspiration Cytologic examinations on neck masses during the same period. The results were as follows: In the histologic types of neck masses. inflammatory disease was the most common (58.2%), metastatic malignant tumor(22.5%), benign tumor(15.2%). primary malignant tumor(0.4%) in decreasing order. Among the individual lesions. tuberculous lymphadenitis was the most common(29.4%) and nonspecific lymphadenitis was the next. Of overall sexual distribution, female preponderated by a ratio of 1.15:1, but in the primary and metastatic malignancies, male did by a ratio of 1.60:1 and 1.53:1, respectively. The most common age group was third decade(26.8%), and fourth decade was the next(20.9%) but in malignant tumors. sixth decade was the most commom. The duration of symptom between one and three months(33.8%), was the most common and between three and six month was the next but the difference between the individual diseases was not significant. Of the metastatic tumor of seventy one cases, primary site was found in fifty cases(84.2%) and stomach cancer was the most comon primary site. In the result of the Fine Needle Aspiration Cytologic(FNAC) examinations, positive for mlignant cells was the most common(33.1%), following the frequencies with tuberculosis(22.6%), and nonspecific lymphadenitis(16.5%) in decreasing order. Eleven cases of FNAC underwent diagnostic biopsies and the diagnostic accuracy of FNAC was 83.3%. Conclusively, in our study, tuberculous lymphadenitis was the most common histologic type, female was predominant third decade was the most common age group. the duration of symptom between one and three month was the most common and in the metastatic tumors, stomach cancer was the most common primary site.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.66 no.4
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• pp.324-328
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• 2009

The syndrome of inappropriate secretion of the antidiuretic hormone (SIADH) is a well recognized paraneoplastic phenomenon related to impaired water excretion, and can result in dilutional hyponatremia as well as central nervous system symptoms. It is characterized by a decrease in plasma osmolarity with inappropriately concentrated urine. The causes of SIADH are associated with pulmonary and endocrine disorders, central nervous system diseases, and malignancies, including lung cancer. The other causes of SIADH include some drugs, particularly chemotherapy agents. Anticancer drugs, such as cisplatin, vincristine, and cyclophosphamide are well known causes of SIADH but the mechanisms are unclear. Recently, we encountered a patient with advanced non-small cell lung cancer who suffered from general weakness and altered mentality after an intravenous carboplatin and gemcitabine combination.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.307-314
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• 2015

Background: Bladder cancer is among the five most common malignancies worldwide. Altered expression of suppressor of cytokine signaling -3 (SOCS-3) has been implicated in various types of human cancers; however, its role in bladder cancer is not well established. Aim: The present study was undertaken to investigate the mRNA expression of SOCS-3 in normal and cancerous bladder tissue and to explore its correlation with urinary levels of some proinflammatory cytokines, cytokeratin-18 (CK -18) and with tumor histopathological grading, in order to evaluate their role as potential diagnostic markers. Materials and Methods: SOCS3 mRNA expression levels were evaluated using quantitative real time PCR. Urinary levels of interleukins 6 and 8 were estimated by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Cytokeratin-18 expression was analyzed by immuunohistochemistry then validated by ELISA. Results: SOC3 m RNA expression levels were significantly lower in high grade urothelial carcinoma ($0.36{\pm}0.12$) compared to low grade carcinoma ($1.22{\pm}0.38$) and controls ($4.08{\pm}0.88$), (p<0.001). However, in high grade urothelial carcinoma the urinary levels of IL-6, IL-8, total CK-18($221.33{\pm}22.84pg/ml$, $325.2{\pm}53.6pg/ml$, $466.7{\pm}57.40U/L$ respectively) were significantly higher than their levels in low grade carcinoma ($58.6{\pm}18.6pg/ml$, $58.3{\pm}50.2pg/ml$, $185.5{\pm}60.3U/L$ respectively) and controls ($50.9{\pm}23.0pg/ml$, $7.12{\pm}2.74pg/ml$, $106.7{\pm}47.3U/L$ respectively), (p<0.001). Conclusions: Advanced grade of urothelial bladder carcinoma is significantly associated with lowered mRNA expression of SOC3 as well as elevated urinary levels of proinflammatory cytokines and CK-18. Furthermore, our results suggested that urinary IL-8, IL-6 and CK-18 may benefit as noninvasive biomarkers for early detection as well as histopathological subtyping of urothelial carcinoma.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.20
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• pp.8699-8703
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• 2014

18-fluoro-2-deoxyglucose positron emission tomography-computed tomography ($^{18}F$-FDG PET/CT) scans are commonly used for the staging and restaging of various malignancies, such as head and neck, breast, colorectal and gynecological cancers. However, the value of FDG PET/CT for detecting prostate cancer is unknown. The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical value of incidental prostate $^{18}F$-FDG uptake on PET/CT scans. We reviewed $^{18}F$-FDG PET/CT scan reports from September 2009 to September 2013, and selected cases that reported focal/diffuse FDG uptake in the prostate. We analyzed the correlation between $^{18}F$-FDG PET/CT scan findings and data collected during evaluations such as serum prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels, digital rectal examination (DRE), transrectal ultrasound (TRUS), and/or biopsy to confirm prostate cancer. Of a total of 18,393 cases, 106 (0.6%) exhibited abnormal hypermetabolism in the prostate. Additional evaluations were performed in 66 patients. Serum PSA levels were not significantly correlated with maximum standardized uptake values (SUVmax) in all patients (rho 0.483, p=0.132). Prostate biopsies were performed in 15 patients, and prostate cancer was confirmed in 11. The median serum PSA level was 4.8 (0.55-7.06) ng/mL and 127.4 (1.06-495) ng/mL in the benign and prostate cancer groups, respectively. The median SUVmax was higher in the prostate cancer group (mean 10.1, range 3.8-24.5) than in the benign group (mean 4.3, range 3.1-8.8), but the difference was not statistically significant (p=0.078). There was no significant correlation between SUVmax and serum PSA, prostatic volume, or Gleason score. $^{18}F$-FDG PET/CT scans did not reliably differentiate malignant or benign from abnormal uptake lesions in the prostate, and routine prostate biopsy was not usually recommended in patients with abnormal FDG uptake. Nevertheless, patients with incidental prostate uptake on $^{18}F$-FDG PET/CT scans should not be ignored and should be undergo further clinical evaluations, such as PSA and DRE.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.20
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• pp.8779-8782
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• 2014

Background: Malignancies of the female reproductive tract are estimated to be the third most common group of cancers in women. Objectives: We here aimed to present their epidemiological features in Golestan province located in Northeast of Iran. Materials and Methods: Data on primary female reproductive cancers diagnosed between 2004-2010 were obtained from Golestan Population-based Cancer Registry (GPCR). CanReg-4 and SPSS software were used for data entry and analysis. Age standardized incidence rates (ASR) (per 100,000 person-years) were calculated using the world standard population. Poisson regression analysis was used to compare incidence rates. P-values of less than 0.05 were considered as significant. Results: A total of 6,064 cancer cases were registered in Golestan females in the GPCR during 2004-2010, of which 652 cases (11%) were female reproductive cancers. Cancers of the ovary (ASR=6.03) and cervix (ASR=4.97) were the most common. We found significant higher rates in females living in cities than in villages. Our results showed a rapid increase in age specific incidence rates of female reproductive cancers at the age of 30 years. Conclusions: We found significant higher rates of female reproductive cancers among residents of cities than villages. Differences in the prevalence of risk factors including reproductive behavior between the two populations may partly explain such diversity. Our results also showed a rapid increase in incidence rates of these cancers in young age females. Further studies are warranted to determine risk factors of female reproductive cancers in our population.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.15
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• pp.6041-6046
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• 2014

Objective: Liposarcoma (LPS) is the most common soft tissue sarcoma and accounts for approximately 20% of all mesenchymal malignancies, often occurring in deep soft tissue of retroperitoneal space. Accurate preoperative diagnosis is therefore necessary. We explored whether computed tomography (CT) could be used to differentiate between the various types of retroperitoneal liposarcoma (RPLS). Method: Forty-seven cases of RPLS, diagnosed surgically and histologically, were analyzed retrospectively. CT features were correlated with postoperative pathological appearance. Results: The study radiologist identified 29, 11, 2, 2 and 3 RPLS as atypical lipomatous tumor/well-differentiated liposarcoma (ALT/WDL), dedifferentiated liposarcoma (DDL), myxoid/round cell liposarcoma (ML/RCL), pleomorphic liposarcoma (PL) and mixed-type liposarcoma. Analysis of CT scans revealed the following typical findings of the different subtypes of RPLS: ALT/WDL was mainly visible as a well-delineated fatty hypodense tumor with uniform density and integrity margin; DDL was marked by the combination of focal nodular density and hypervascularity. ML/RCL, PL and mixed liposarcoma showed malignant biological behaviour and CT findings need further studies. Conclusions: CT scanning can reveal important details including internal components, margins and surrounding tissues. Based on CT findings, tumor type can be roughly evaluated and biopsy location and therapeutic scheme guided.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.15
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• pp.6227-6232
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• 2014

Background: Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) remains as one of the most difficult malignancies to control because of its high propensity for local invasion and cervical lymph node dissemination. The aim of present study was to evaluate the efficacy of novel pH and temperature sensitive doxorubicin-methotrexate-loaded nanoparticles (DOX-MTX NP) in terms of their potential to change the VEGF-C expression profile in a rat OSCC model. Materials and Methods: 120 male rats were divided into 8 groups of 15 animals administrated with 4-nitroquinoline-1-oxide to induce OSCCs. Newly formulated doxorubicin-methotrexate-loaded nanoparticles (DOX-MTX NP) and free doxorubicin were IV and orally administered. Results: Results indicated that both oral and IV forms of DOX-MTX-nanoparticle complexes caused significant decrease in the mRNA level of VEGF-C compared to untreated cancerous rats (p<0.05). Surprisingly, the VEGF-C mRNA was not affected by free DOX in both IV and oral modalities (p>0.05). Furthermore, in DOX-MTX NP treated group, less tumors characterized with advanced stage and VEGF-C mRNA level paralleled with improved clinical outcome (p<0.05). In addition, compared to untreated healthy rats, the VEGF-C expression was not affected in healthy groups that were treated with IV and oral dosages of nanodrug (p>0.05). Conclusions: VEGF-C is one of the main prognosticators for lymph node metastasis in OSCC. Down-regulation of this lymph-angiogenesis promoting factor is a new feature acquired in group treated with dual action DOX-MTX-NPs. Beside the synergic apoptotic properties of concomitant use of DOX and MTX on OSCC, DOX-MTX NPs possessed anti-angiogenesis properties which was related to the improved clinical outcome in treated rats. Taking together, we conclude that our multifunctional doxorubicin-methotrexate complex exerts specific potent apoptotic and anti-angiogenesis properties that could ameliorate the clinical outcome presumably via down-regulating dissemination factor-VEGF-C expression in a rat OSCC model.