CYP24A1, AHR, CPEB4, TRIP13, and PIK3CA genes expression in colorectal cancer patients: novel diagnostic biomarkers.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to investigate the CYP24A1, AHR, CPEB4, TRIP13, and PIK3CA mRNA expression in the blood of colorectal cancer patients in Egypt. This was performed to elucidate if there's a link between this gene expression and other clinicopathological characteristics of the tumor. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A case-control study including 50 colorectal cancer patients and 50 healthy controls was conducted. Real-time polymerase chain reaction (rt-PCR) was utilized to assess the expression of CYP24A1, AHR, CPEB4, TRIP13, and PIK3CA mRNA in blood samples. RESULTS: Patients with colorectal cancer had significantly higher levels of mRNA for the genes CYP24A1, AHR, CPEB4, TRIP13, and PIK3CA (p<0.001, p=0.021, p<0.001, and p<0.001, respectively) compared to controls. Remarkedly, the gene expression of AHR, TRIP13, and PIK3CA genes did not exhibit a significant correlation with the tumor stages (p=0.379, p=0.095, and p=0.526, respectively). However, there was a strong correlation between CYP24A1 and CPEB4 gene expression and tumor stages (p<0.001 and p=0.002, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Therefore, we can conclude that increased mRNA levels of CYP24A1, AHR, CPEB4, TRIP13, and PIK3CA in blood samples withdrawn from colorectal cancer patients could be a biomarker for the disease.

The level of public awareness of cancer in Hail, Saudi Arabia.

OBJECTIVE: Cancer is a group of diseases characterized by uncontrolled cell division of abnormal cells that can result in death if not treated well. Cancer is considered to be a leading cause of mortalities throughout the globe and an important barrier to increase life span. This study was conducted to assess awareness among graduates studying in university of Hail related to cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This is an online survey-based study conducted using online tool "Google Forms". The inclusion criteria were that the participants should understand Arabic, must have 18 years or above age and currently living or a permanent resident of Hail city. RESULTS: Total 108 valid responses were included in this analysis, 56 were male and 52 were female participants. Around 106 of the participants were Saudi nationals among which 62 were the permanent resident of the Hail city and 46 were migrants which were not the permanent resident but moved into the city for the purpose of education or business. There was significant association between awareness level of individuals regarding cancer associated symptoms including weight loss, fatigue, inflammation and hair loss and common causes of cancers, including family history, radiation exposure, smoking, obesity, aging and fast-food exposure. However, there was no significance between awareness of cancer and other factors, including age, gender, marital status, education, nationality, residence and monthly income. CONCLUSIONS: Overall our study reveals that there is significant knowledge among Hail population but still there is a need to increase  awareness level of general population to manage the disease more efficiently.