STING agonists as promising vaccine adjuvants to boost immunogenicity against SARS-related coronavirus derived infection: possible role of autophagy.

As a major component of innate immunity and a positive regulator of interferons, the Stimulator of interferon gene (STING) has an immunotherapy potential to govern a variety of infectious diseases. Despite the recent advances regarding vaccines against COVID-19, nontoxic novel adjuvants with the potential to enhance vaccine efficacy are urgently desired. In this connection, it has been well-documented that STING agonists are applied to combat COVID-19. This approach is of major significance for boosting immune responses most likely through an autophagy-dependent manner in susceptible individuals against infection induced by severe acute respiratory syndrome Coronavirus (SARS­CoV­2). Given that STING agonists exert substantial immunomodulatory impacts under a wide array of pathologic conditions, these agents could be considered novel adjuvants for enhancing immunogenicity against the SARS-related coronavirus. Here, we intend to discuss the recent advances in STING agonists' recruitment to boost innate immune responses upon vaccination against SARS-related coronavirus infections. In light of the primordial role of autophagy modulation, the potential of being an antiviral vaccine adjuvant was also explored.

The role of piRNAs in predicting and prognosing in cancer: a focus on piRNA-823 (a systematic review and meta-analysis).

INTRODUCTION: This article examines the potential of using liquid biopsy with piRNAs to study cancer survival outcomes. While previous studies have explored the relationship between piRNA expression and cancer patient outcomes, a comprehensive investigation is still lacking. To address this gap, we conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of existing literature. METHODS: We searched major online databases up to February 2024 to identify articles reporting on the role of piRNA in cancer patient survival outcomes. Our meta-analysis used a random-effects model to pool hazard ratios with 95% confidence intervals (CI) and assess the prognostic value of deregulated piRNA-823. For survival analysis, the Kaplan-Meier method and COX analysis were used. RESULTS: Out of 6104 articles screened, 20 met our inclusion criteria. Our analysis revealed that dysregulated piRNA expression is associated with cancer patient survival outcomes. Specifically, our meta-analysis found that overexpression of piR-823 is significantly linked with poorer overall survival in patients with colorectal cancer and renal cell cancer (HR: 3.82, 95% CI = [1.81, 8.04], I2 = 70%). CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest that various piRNAs may play a role in cancer survival outcomes and that piRNA-823 in particular holds promise as a prognostic biomarker for multiple human cancers. IMPLICATIONS FOR CANCER SURVIVORS: Our systematic review and meta-analysis of piRNA-823 has important implications for cancer survivors. Our findings suggest that piRNA-823 can be used as a prognostic biomarker for predicting cancer recurrence and survival rates. This information can help clinicians develop personalized treatment plans for cancer survivors, which can improve their quality of life and reduce the risk of recurrence.

Development of doxorubicin-encapsulated magnetic liposome@PEG for treatment of breast cancer in BALB/c mice.

The magnetic doxorubicin-encapsulated liposome/PEG/Fe3O4 (called as DOX@m-Lip/PEG) was synthesized and studied as a novel nanocarrier for the treatment of breast cancer in BALB/c mice. Nanocarrier was characterized by FT-IR, zeta-potential sizer, EDX elemental analysis, EDX mapping, TEM, and DLS techniques. The results showed that the size of the nanocarrier was determined around 128 nm by TEM. EDX study confirmed PEG-conjugation in the magnetic liposomes and was homogenously distributed in the nanosize range (100-200 nm) with a negative surface charge (-61.7 mV). The kinetic studies indicated that the release of doxorubicin from DOX@m-Lip/PEG follows the Korsmeyer-Peppas model. The n-value of the model was 0.315, indicating that doxorubicin release from the nanocarrier had a slow releasing rate and followed Fick's law. The DOX release from the nanocarrier lasted a long time (more than 300 h). In in vivo part, a mouse 4T1 breast tumor model was used. The in vivo results indicated that DOX@m-Lip/PEG caused much stronger tumor cell necrosis and less cardiotoxic effects than the other groups. In conclusion, we show that m-Lip/PEG is a promising nanocarrier for low dosage and slow release of doxorubicin in treating breast cancer, and treatment with encapsulated DOX (DOX@m-Lip/PEG) demonstrated higher efficacy with low cardiac toxicity. Besides, the magnetic property of m-Lip@PEG nanocarrier allows it to be a potent mater for hyperthermia and MRI studies.

Subtype distribution of lymphomas in northwestern Iran: a retrospective analysis of 659 cases according to World Health Organization classification.

BACKGROUND: The distribution of lymphoma subtypes differs strikingly by geographic variations. However, there is limited information on this research in northern Iran. This study aims to evaluate the incidence, subtype, age, sex, and extranodal distribution of lymphomas diagnosed according to the latest WHO classification in a large referral center in northwest Iran. METHODS: In a retrospective study, the medical records of all patients with a diagnosis of lymphoma made between 2018 and 2021 were retrieved from the pathology archive of Imam Reza Medical Center, Tabriz. Lymphoma diagnosis was also made based on the appreciation of morphologic and immunophenotypic features and genetic characteristics in the context of clinical presentation. RESULTS: This study includes a total of 659 patients with lymphoma diagnosed from 2018 to 2021. The number of lymphoma patients were increased each year, with 51 (7.7%), 96 (14.6%), 244 (40.7%), and 268 (40.7%) reported from 2018 to 2021, respectively. 59% of the patients were men. The participants' mean age was 50.5 ± 19.8 years, while the mean age at diagnosis was 49.3 ± 19.6 years. 2.1% were precursor lymphoid neoplasm, 61.6% were mature B cell neoplasm, 8.8% were mature T cell neoplasm, and 27.5% were Hodgkin lymphoma. The most prevalent subtype of mature B-cell lymphoma was DLBCL (55.1%), followed by SLL (18.7%). Extranodal involvement was seen in 40.5% of all cases. CONCLUSION: The subtype distribution of lymphomas in northwest Iran is reported and compared with studies all over the world and inside Iran.

Investigation and confirmation of differentially expressed miRNAs, as well as target gene prediction in papillary thyroid cancer, with a special emphasis on the autophagy signaling pathway.

Papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) is the most common endocrine cancer. However, the role of biomechanics in the development and progression of PTC is obscure. The microarray dataset GSE104005 was examined to identify important microRNAs (miRNAs or miRs) and their probable roles in the carcinogenesis of PTC. The gene expression omnibus (GEO) database was used to obtain the data. R was used to access the differentially expressed miRNAs (DEMs) and genes (DEGs). The multiMiR software was used to predict DEM targets. To validate the top DEMs and DEGs, thirty tissue samples were obtained from PTC patients who had their thyroids removed and compared with 30 normal samples. The total RNA content of the tumor and corresponding non-tumoral adjacent samples were purified and converted to cDNA. Expression levels of top dysregulated miRNAs and their target and predicted DEG were evaluated using the RT-qPCR method. miR-182 and miR-183 were top upregulated miRs and miR-30d was the most downregulated miR among DEMs. Furthermore, FOXO1 which was shown to be targeted by aforementioned miRNAs, was the most downregulated genes among other DEGs. 10 hub nodes were detected by PPI construction. PTEN was the hub node with highest score. The in vitro gene expression analysis was also showed the same expression pattern in tissues. Significant increase in miR-182-5p and miR-183-5p expressions, as well as a significant decrease in FOXO1 and miR-30d-5p expressions, suggest that PTC cells may tend to preserve their autophagy capability.

Primary bilateral ovarian involvement in Burkitt's lymphoma with an adnexal Torsion-like manifestation: A case report.

Burkitt's lymphoma (BL) is defined as a highly invasive B-cell lymphoma with a poor prognosis. Primary bilateral ovarian mass without involvement of other organs is a rare manifestation of BL. Our report was a case of an EBV positive Burkitt's lymphoma, which initially presented with ovarian mass and adnexal torsion.

Rosai-Dorfman disease presenting with solitary liver mass without lymphadenopathy: A case report.

Rosai-Dorfman disease (RDD), as a lymphoproliferative disorder with unknown etiology, is commonly identified with systemic clinical manifestations in various organs. In this case study, RDD occurrence was reported with an exceedingly liver mass.

Concurrent chronic lymphocytic leukemia and COVID-19: A comprehensive review of epidemiological, diagnostic, and therapeutic challenges.

A comprehensive review of the literature on chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) patients and recommendations regarding the evaluation and treatment of these patients was conducted. The overall prevalence of CLL and COVID-19 concurrence was found to be 0.6% (95%CI: 0.5% to 0.7%). Diagnostic interaction between CLL and COVID-19 remains a major challenge. Also, CLL patients have a lower rate of anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG development. Evidences show the unacceptable therapeutic outcome in these patients. Although the CLL-COVID-19 occurrence is associated with adverse clinical consequences, no general and standard agreement has yet been presented for the management and treatment of this disease.

Predictive Value of CD44 for Prognosis in Patients with Breast Cancer.

BACKGROUND: Breast Cancer (BC), is one of the most common malignancies around the world. CD44 expression correlates with cell proliferation, infiltration, angiogenesis, metastasis and prognosis in breast cancer but the exact mechanism of CD44 function is still not clear. The present study evaluates the expression of CD44 in primary HER2-positive breast cancer. The results can be used to determine the disease-free and overall survival of patients with breast cancer. METHODS: We studied specimens from 100 patients with HER2-positive invasive breast cancer between March 2011 and June 2019. Immunohistochemical staining for CD44 was performed in all the specimens. Their CD44 association with clinicopathologic parameters and prognosis was evaluated. RESULTS: The high CD44 was expression in 68(68%) of the patients and Low expression in 32(32%). CD44 expression was significantly associated with stage (p=0.007). There were no significant associations between the DFS, OS and other clinicopathologic parameters except for the stage, respectively (HR= 3.67, 95% CI =1.16-11.56, P = 0.03) (HR= 0.8.56, 95% CI =2.22-32.90, P = 0.002).20% of patients had died by the end of the follow-up. There were no significant association between DFS, OS and CD44 expression, respectively. (Log-rank p=0.13). (Log-rank p=0.10). CONCLUSION: The results from this study suggest that CD44 is clinically associated with stage of breast cancers. From the survival analysis, there was no statistical difference in overall survival and disease free survival with respect to CD44 expression. Further studies larger sample sizes are recommended for further investigation.

Role of CD135/CD117 on Prognosis and Overall Survival of Acute Myeloid Leukemia.

Background: The key proliferative RTKs for AML include c-KIT receptor (CD117) and FLT-3 receptor (CD135). The aim of this study was to evaluate the CD135 and CD117 expression, co-expression of CD135 and CD117 (CD135+CD117), and the association of that co-expression with Event Free Survival (DFS) and Overall Survival (OS) rates. Material and Methods: We analyzed CD117 and CD135 expression on AML blasts by flow cytometry and its association with Event Free Survival (DFS) and Overall Survival (OS) in 66 AML treated on Hematology-Oncology Research Center, Iran, Tabriz. Results: The overall OS and EFS were 50% and 80.3% respectively during our study. Cox-regression analysis revealed that a poor EFS was significantly associated a low CD135 (HR 0.34, 95% CI 0.13­0.88, P = 0.02). Conclusion: This is the first study from Iran to show that the expressions of CD135, CD117 is easily measurable by routine diagnostic flow-cytometry, and CD135+117 were not significantly associated with CR, EFS, or OS .

Estimation of survival rates in patients with lung cancer in west Azerbaijan, the northwest of Iran.

BACKGROUND: Lung cancer is a fatal malignancy with high mortality and short survival time. The aim of this study was to estimate survival rates of Iranian patients with lung cancer and its associate predictive factors. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study was conducted on 355 patients admitted to hospitals of West Azerbaijan in the year 2007. The patients were followed up by phone calls until the end of June 2014. The survival rate was estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method and log-rank test for comparison. The Cox's proportional hazard model was used to investigate the effect of various variables on patient survival time, including age, sex, Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance, smoking status, tumor type, tumor stage, treatment, metastasis, and blood hemoglobin concentration. RESULTS: Of the 355 patients under study, 240 died and 115 were censored. The mean and median survival time of patients was 13 and 4.8 months, respectively. According to the results of Kaplan-Meier method, 1, 2, and 3 years survival rates were 39%, 18%, and 0.07%, respectively. Based on Cox regression analysis, the risk of death was associated with ECOG group V (1.83, 95% CI: 1 CONCLUSIONS: The survival time of the patients with lung cancer is very short. While early diagnosis may improve the life expectancy effective treatment is not available.