Prognostic factors for cancer-specific survival in 220 patients with breast cancer: A single center experience.

OBJECTIVES: Hospital-based breast cancer survival studies are scarce in western Iran. Furthermore, the relationship between breast cancer survival and clinical parameters has been extensively studied, but many of the findings come from developing countries. This paper aims to estimate the survival of hospital-based breast cancer patients and its predictor factors. METHOD: This retrospective analysis was conducted on 578 patients with primary breast cancer who underwent surgery between 2004 and 2020. Information was collected from medical reports by the Hospital information system in Imam Reza Hospital, Kermanshah, Iran. One-, 2-, 5-, and 10-year breast cancer-specific survival has been calculated using the Kaplan-Meier process. Crude and adjusted Hazard Ratios (HR) were calculated using the Cox proportional regression model. RESULT: One-, 2-, and 5-year overall breast cancer survival were 219 (99.54%), 196 (89.09%), 159 (72.27%), and 70 (31.81%), respectively. Univariate analysis of breast cancer patients with tumor-related variables revealed that factors such as age, menopause status, lymph node metastasis, number of lymph nodes, organ metastasis, and stage of disease were significantly associated with disease-specific survival (p < .05). Multivariate analysis demonstrated that metastasis (HR = 41.77, 95% CI: 15.3-114.15) and lymph node metastasis (HR = 5.26, 95% CI: 1.9-14.6) were significantly related to survival. CONCLUSION: The findings demonstrate that survival is relatively low and is consistent with late-stage disease diagnosis. It is believed that this is due to a poor level of awareness, lack of screening programs, and subsequent late access to treatment.

Notch signaling-induced cyclin d1 in diabetes ameliorating effects of the isolated polysaccharide from Rosa canina: In vitro and in vivo studies.

Notch signaling has a role in the expansion of the pancreas and the pathogenesis of diabetes. Modulation of Notch signaling by natural products seems to pave the way for treating diabetes. This research aimed to scrutinize the involvement of the Notch cascade in the diabetes-ameliorating effects of an isolated polysaccharide from Rosa canina. The isolated polysaccharide was characterized using Fourier transform infrared, nuclear magnetic resonance, high-performance gel-permeation chromatography, and liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry techniques. Rat pancreatic ß cells and STZ-induced diabetic rats were treated with the isolated polysaccharide. MTT assay, cell cycle analysis, quantative realtime-polymerase chain reaction, immunohistochemistry, and immunoblotting were used to reveal the growth and the expression levels of Notch1, DLL4, Jagged-1, hes1, Ins-1, Pdx-1, and cyclin d1 in treated and untreated pancreatic cells and tissues. The ameliorating effect of the polysaccharide in STZ-treated cells was accomplished by upregulation of cyclin d1 and hes1 as well as cell cycle progression. Notch inhibition by LY-411575 was associated with the downregulation of cyclin d1 which upregulates with polysaccharide treatment. The significant expression of cyclin d1 (90%) and nuclear expression of hes1 in the pancreas of the polysaccharide group were accompanied by improvement of hyperglycemia and associated biochemical factors as well as regeneration of islet cells as compared to untreated diabetic rats. Based on these findings, upregulation of Notch signaling-induced cyclin d1 could be proposed as the underlying diabetes-reducing effects of the isolated polysaccharide derivative implying that cyclin d1 actuation through activation of the Notch-DLL4 circuit may play the causal role in the treatment of diabetes.

Modulation of Notch signaling and angiogenesis via an isolated polysaccharide from Momordica charantia in diabetic rats.

Given the impact of notch signaling in the modulation of metabolic diseases and normal tissue homeostasis, this study aimed to evaluate whether notch signaling has a role in anti-diabetic and islet regenerative effects of the isolated polysaccharide from Momordica charantia in diabetic rats. The polysaccharide was isolated from M. charantia (MCP) and was characterized by using FTIR and LC-MS/MS. The diabetic model was established by intraperitoneal administration of streptozotocin in male Wistar rats and grouped into control, diabetic, metformin (500 mg kg-1  day-1 ), and treatment (10 mg kg-1  day-1 ) groups. The levels of Hes1, Notch 1, DLL4, Jagged1, Pdx1, CD34, CD31, and VEGF were analyzed by using immunohistochemistry and real-time PCR. Structural analyses have revealed the polysaccharide structure of the isolated fraction. High blood glucose was normalized by MCP treatment in diabetic rats. MCP scaled up the mRNA levels of Ins1, jagged1, Pdx1, and Hes1 while it scaled down the levels of Notch1, Dll4, and the ratio of Bax/Bcl2 in diabetic rats. Furthermore, the immunohistochemistry staining levels of hes1, cyclin d1, and VEGF proteins were increased in the pancreas of MCP-treated diabetic rats compared to the diabetic group. These findings provide insights into the anti-diabetic potential of MCP through modulation of islets' regeneration and suggest that modulation of notch and angiogenesis pathways may play a pivotal role in the restoration of the islets to relieve diabetes. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: Polysaccharides extracted from Momordica charantia could normalize the level of blood glucose in STZ-induced type 2 diabetic rats through modulation of notch and angiogenesis singling pathways. Given that this effect was associated with the increased expression of Pdx-1 and Insulin in the pancreas, the isolated polysaccharide is expected to be introduced as a convenient medicine in the treatment of diabetes through modulation of ß-cell regeneration.

Comparison of Immunohistochemical Methods (IHC) and Fluorescent in Situ Hybridization (FISH) in the Detection of HER 2 /Neu Gene in Kurdish Patients with Breast Cancer in Western Iran.

Background: Amplification of HER2 is an important factor in the diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer. Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) is the gold standard for the detection of HER2-positive tumors. However, the Immunohistochemistry (IHC) assay for the detection of HER2 is more popular in the preclinical laboratory since it is faster and more economical compared to the FISH test. Materials and Methods: In this study, the status of HER2 amplification is determined by the FISH test using 44 formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissue samples and comparing the results with the IHC test to determine the reliability of the IHC test. Also, the relationship between HER2 amplification and estrogen, progesterone receptors, P53, age, menopausal status, family history of breast cancer, tumor size, and histological grade were determined. Results: Examination of HER2 in 44 samples by IHC showed 3 (6.8%) and 5 (11.4%) samples were positive (IHC 3+) and negative (IHC 0, 1+), respectively, and 36 (81.8%) samples were ambiguous (IHC 2 +), but examination by FISH showed 21 samples (47, 7%) were positive and 23 samples (52, 3%) were negative. There was a significant difference between IHC and FISH in the detection of HER2 amplification (P=0.019). Also, there was a significant difference between HER2 amplification and menopause in patients (P=0.035). Conclusion: This result demonstrated that the IHC test is not a reliable test to determine HER2 amplification. This study represented that FISH analysis is more reliable than IHC and must be preferentially performed for all cases, especially for HER2 +2 cases for whom the IHC result is 2+.

Cancerous Tissue Diagnosis by LIF Spectroscopy Derived From Body-Compatible Fluorophores.

Introduction: The laser-induced fluorescence (LIF) method as molecular emission spectroscopy is used to diagnose cancerous tissues. According to the previous reports, the red-shift in the fluorescence spectrum from Rhodamine 6G (Rd6G)-stained cancerous tissues compared to healthy ones impregnated with the same dye provides the feasibility for diagnosis. In this paper, we have employed the LIF emissions as a diagnostic method to distinguish between cancerous and healthy tissues infiltrated by a body-compatible fluorophore to avoid the toxicity and hazard of Rd6G dye. Methods: Biological tissue specimens are stained with sodium fluorescein (NaFl) dye and then irradiated by the blue CW diode laser (405 nm) to examine the spectral properties that are effective in detecting cancerous tissues. Results: The spectral shift and the intensity difference of fluorescence are keys to diagnosing in vitro cancerous breast, colon, and thyroid tissues for clinical applications. The notable tubular densities in the breast and colon tissues and the space between the papillae in the thyroid ones cause the cancerous tissues to be prominently heterogeneous, providing numerous micro-cavities and thus more room for dye molecules. Conclusion: Here, we have assessed the spectral shift and intensity difference of fluorescence as a diagnostic method to distinguish between cancerous and healthy tissues for clinical applications.

Investigating the Relationship between of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor and HER-2neu in IHC Staining with Metastasis and Mortality in Patients with Osteosarcoma.

BACKGROUND: The expression of HER-2neu and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in patients with osteosarcoma may determine the response to treatment. These two factors are likely to be effective in cancer progression. This study aimed at investigating the prevalence of these two factors in the pathological samples. METHODS: Pathological samples of patients with osteosarcoma collected at a cancer surgery center between 2017 and 2018 were evaluated, of which 37 samples were included. The samples were evaluated using the IHC technique by two pathologists. RESULTS: 12 women and 25 men with an average age of 26.7 years were studied. 21 patients (56.8%) developed metastases from the beginning or during follow-up, whereas 16 patients (43.2%) have not yet developed metastases. Regarding HER-2neu, 21 patients (56.8%) scored 0, 9 patients (24.3%) scored 1, 3 patients (8.1%) scored +2, and 4 patients (10.8%) scored +3. The VEGF intensity scores of 0, 1+, 2+, +3, +4 and were found in 7 (18.9%),  2 (5.4%), 18 (48.6%), 8 (21.6%), and 2 (5.4%) patients, respectively.  The results of the study did not show a significant relationship between age, gender, metastasis, and positive expression rates of HER-2neu and VEGF. CONCLUSION: The high expression of VEGF (75.7%) in the studied samples should be considered and further studies on this biomarker in cases with osteosarcoma are recommended from different aspects. To achieve validated results and prove the results of this study, similar studies with a larger sample size should be performed, and using targeted therapy for angiogenesis in large scale trials should be considered.

Outcome of staged excision with pathologic margin control in high-risk basal cell carcinoma of the head region

Abstract Background: High-risk basal cell carcinoma involves a significant rate of basal cell carcinoma that requires Mohs micrographic surgery for definitive treatment. Staged excision with pathologic margin control is a simple, accessible, and curative procedure suggested for the treatment of high-risk basal cell carcinoma. Objective: To evaluate the results of staged excision of high-risk basal cell carcinoma in the head region. Methods: This interventional study was performed on patients with high-risk basal cell carcinoma, who underwent staged excision until the margins were free of tumor. Results: A total of 122 patients (47 females and 75 males) with mean age of 57.66 ± 9.13 years were recruited in this study. Nasal and nodular types were the most common of both clinical and pathologic forms, respectively. Further, 89.3 % of cases were cured by staged excision after four years of follow-up. There was a significant relationship between treatment outcomes and recurrent lesions, multiplicity of risk factors, long-standing disease, and pathologic type. There was also a significant association between the number of surgical excisions and multiplicity of risk factors, as well as recurrence, location, and size of basal cell carcinoma. Study limitations: Lack of magnetic resonance imaging assessment in cases of suspected perineural invasion. Conclusions: High-risk basal cell carcinoma had a high cure rate by staged excision. Patients with more risk factors and those with nasal and recurrent basal cell carcinoma required more staged excisions. Failure of treatment is more probable in patients with more risk factors, long-standing lesions, and high-risk pathologic and recurrent basal cell carcinomas.

Anti-diabetic effect of a novel oligosaccharide isolated from Rosa canina via modulation of DNA methylation in Streptozotocin-diabetic rats.

BACKGROUND: Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a well-known clinical entity with various late complications. There is a surge of research aiming to use the medical herb in the management of DM. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to investigate whether the alleviation of DM by an isolated compound from Rosa canina is mediated by DNA methylation in STZ-diabetic rats. METHODS: Sixty adult Wistar male rats were classified into control, diabetic and treatment groups. Rats were treated with STZ (40 mg/kg), metformin (500 mg/kg), and oligosaccharide fraction (OF; 10, 20 and 30 mg/kg) isolated from Rosa canina. DNA was extracted from the blood and pancreas to determine DNA methylation using the Global DNA Methylation kit. The expressions of DNA methyltransferases (Dnmts), PDX1, Ins1, GCK and PTP1B2 were determined by using qRT-PCR. RESULTS: The significant blood glucose-lowering potential of OF was associated with a reduced level of global DNA methylation (p < 0.05). The expression levels of Dnmts 1 and 3α increased in the pancreas and blood from diabetic rats compared to control group which declined by OF treatment (p < 0.05). Paradoxically, the expression of Dnmt 3ß augmented in the pancreas and blood of OF group compared to diabetic ones (p < 0.05). Besides, the expressions of Pdx1, PTP1B2, Ins1 and GCK increased in OF-treated rats compared to diabetic groups. CONCLUSION: Results revealed that DNA methylation plays a causal role in the effectiveness of the isolated OF. Furthermore, the possible regenerative potential of oligosaccharide in diabetic rats may have contributed to the modulation of DNA methylation.

Outcome of staged excision with pathologic margin control in high-risk basal cell carcinoma of the head region.

BACKGROUND: High-risk basal cell carcinoma involves a significant rate of basal cell carcinoma that requires Mohs micrographic surgery for definitive treatment. Staged excision with pathologic margin control is a simple, accessible, and curative procedure suggested for the treatment of high-risk basal cell carcinoma. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the results of staged excision of high-risk basal cell carcinoma in the head region. METHODS: This interventional study was performed on patients with high-risk basal cell carcinoma, who underwent staged excision until the margins were free of tumor. RESULTS: A total of 122 patients (47 females and 75 males) with mean age of 57.66 ±â€¯9.13 years were recruited in this study. Nasal and nodular types were the most common of both clinical and pathologic forms, respectively. Further, 89.3 % of cases were cured by staged excision after four years of follow-up. There was a significant relationship between treatment outcomes and recurrent lesions, multiplicity of risk factors, long-standing disease, and pathologic type. There was also a significant association between the number of surgical excisions and multiplicity of risk factors, as well as recurrence, location, and size of basal cell carcinoma. STUDY LIMITATIONS: Lack of magnetic resonance imaging assessment in cases of suspected perineural invasion. CONCLUSIONS: High-risk basal cell carcinoma had a high cure rate by staged excision. Patients with more risk factors and those with nasal and recurrent basal cell carcinoma required more staged excisions. Failure of treatment is more probable in patients with more risk factors, long-standing lesions, and high-risk pathologic and recurrent basal cell carcinomas.

Survey of low ER-positive expression and its correlation with other clinical and pathological factors in breast cancer.

INTRODUCTION: Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women. Owning to the prominent role of biomarkers in molecular classification of breast cancer in recent years, evaluation of estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR), and Her2/neu seems to be required for prognosis and treatment of patients. MATERIAL AND METHODS: One-hundred twenty two patients with primary breast carcinoma were selected and immunohistochemistry staining for ER, PR, and Her2/neu were performed on representative paraffin blocks. ER level can be semi-quantified by immunohistochemistry using the H-score. The score, given as the sum of the percent of tumor cells staining multiplied by the intensity level, ranges from 0 to 300 as low, intermediate, and high grades. The statistical association of ER expression with the level of PR and Her2/neu, tumor size, necrosis, microscopic grade, vascular invasion, and lymph node involvement were analyzed using SPSS16 software. RESULTS: Results showed that among 122 studied patients, 44.3% were in the low ER-positive group where most of these cases (22.1%) were Her2/neu negative. Although there was a reciprocal interplay between the expression of ER and Her2/neu, increased expression of ER had a direct relation with PR level. However, there was no statistical relation between ER level with age, tumor size, necrosis, microscopic grade, vascular invasion, and lymph node involvement. DISCUSSION: The study clearly indicated that low ER group encompasses the high frequency of breast cancer patients. Furthermore, the most cases of low ER patients were in Her2/neu negative group.

Amelioration of renal and hepatic function, oxidative stress, inflammation and histopathologic damages by Malva sylvestris extract in gentamicin induced renal toxicity.

BACKGROUND: Gentamycin, contrary to its wide range of antimicrobial effects, has a high potential for nephrotoxicity, and renal injury can have effects on other organs such as the liver. OBJECTIVES: The aim of the present study was to assess the effects of hydro alcoholic Malva sylvestris(MS) extract on nephrotoxicity induced by gentamicin, and also its remote organ injury in the liver. METHODS: Renal and hepatic functions were evaluated through measurement of creatinine, urea-nitrogen, aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) in plasma. Oxidative stress was assessed through measuring malondialdehyde (MDA) and ferric reducing/antioxidant power (FRAP) levels, and histopathologic injuries were evaluated using H & E stained sections. For evaluation of inflammation, TNF-α and ICAM-1 mRNA expression levels were measured in the renal tissue using Real-time PCR method. RESULTS: Gentamicin resulted in an increase in the levels of creatinine, urea-nitrogen, AST, ALT, and ALP in the plasma, as well as an increase in TNF-α and ICAM-1 mRNA expression levels in the renal tissue, renal and hepatic histopathologic injuries and MDA level, and a decrease in FRAP. Administration of MS led to improvement in the function of kidney and liver, a decrease in the expression levels of proinflammatory factors, reduction of oxidative stress, and also a decrease in tissue injuries. CONCLUSION: MS extract can protect the kidney against toxic effects of gentamicin, and thus, the degree of harmful effects of nephrotoxicity on remote organs including the liver will be decreased.

Reduction of cisplatin-induced renal and hepatic side effects in rat through antioxidative and anti-inflammatory properties of Malva sylvestris L. extract.

BACKGROUND: Cisplatin is widely used in the chemotherapy of solid organ cancers. However, its application is associated with serious side effects in various organs including the kidneys and liver. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of mallow extract on the side effects of cisplatin in the kidneys and liver. METHODS: Hydroalcoholic extract of mallow, at doses of 200, 400, and 600 mg/kg BW, was administered to the animals for seven days intraperitoneally (ip). Animals in the Cis + Mallow group received a dose of cisplatin (8 mg/kg, ip) on the third day. Renal and hepatic functional disturbances were evaluated by measuring concentrations of creatinine, urea-nitrogen, aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) in the plasma. In order to assess oxidative stress, malondialdehyde (MDA) and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) levels were measured in the kidney tissue. Then, degree of mRNA expressions of TNF-α and ICAM-1 were measured to examine renal inflammation. Hematoxylin and Eosin (H & E) staining of kidney and liver tissues was performed to study tissue damage and leukocyte infiltration. RESULTS: Cisplatin increased levels of plasma creatinine, urea-nitrogen, AST, and ALT; levels of tissue damage and leukocytes infiltration in the kidneys and liver; and MDA level and expression of pro-inflammatory factors in the kidney tissue. Meanwhile, it decreased FRAP level in the kidney tissue. Pretreatment by mallow extract resulted in significant improvement in all measured variables although 200-mg and 400-mg doses yielded better results. CONCLUSION: Results showed that mallow supplement protects the kidneys and liver against side effects of cisplatin, and reduces the resultant oxidative stress and inflammation.

Association Between Human Papillomavirus and Transitional Cell Carcinoma of the Bladder.

PURPOSE: Bladder carcinoma is one of the most common malignancies in worldwide. Among several risk factors, Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) have been presumed to play a causative role in the etiology of bladder cell carcinoma. The aim of this study was to evaluate the involvement of HPV infection in biopsy specimens of patients with transitional cell carcinoma at the west of Iran. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this study, 97 biopsy specimens including 67 patients with transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) of bladder and 30 cases of control group with the mean age of 63 years were studied using immunohistochemistry to identify HPV. RESULTS: 22.4% of patients with TCC of bladder and 3.3% of control group were positive for HPV with a meaningful relation (P=.019). The prevalence of HPV was 4.3 fold higher in men than women. Most TCC patients werebelonged to grades II and III. CONCLUSION: Considering the higher incidence of HPV positivity in patients with TCC of bladder compared to control group, it seems to be a meaningful association between HPV infection and TCC of bladder, at least in the west of Iran.

Protective effect of Malva sylvestris L. extract in ischemia-reperfusion induced acute kidney and remote liver injury.

Mallow (Malva sylvestris L.) has had medicinal and therapeutic uses in addition to its oral consumption. The present study was conducted to examine the protective effect of Malva sylvestris L. extract on ischemia-reperfusion-induced kidney injury and remote organ injuries in the liver. Before ischemia-reperfusion, rats in the different groups received intraperitoneal normal saline or mallow extract at the doses of 200, 400 or 600 mg/kg of body weight. After 30-minutes of bilateral renal ischemia followed by 24-hours of reperfusion, tissue damage in the kidney and liver samples were determined through studying H&E-stained slides under a light microscope. The degree of leukocyte infiltration and tissue mRNA expressions of TNF- and ICAM-1 were then measured to examine the degree of renal inflammation. The renal tissue MDA and FRAP levels were measured for determining the amount of oxidative stress. Plasma concentrations of creatinine, urea, ALT and ALP were also measured. Ischemia-reperfusion led to a significant increase in plasma concentrations of creatinine, urea, ALT and ALP, and renal tissue MDA, and a significant decrease in renal tissue FRAP. The expression of pro-inflammatory factors in the kidney tissue, the level of leukocyte infiltration and the amount of tissue damage in the kidney and liver also increased. Pretreatment by mallow extract led to a significant improvement in all the variables measured. The 200- and 400-mg doses yielded better results in most parameters compared to the 600-mg dose. The findings showed that mallow extract protects the kidney against ischemia-reperfusion and reduces remote organ injury in the liver.

Using siRNA-based spherical nucleic acid nanoparticle conjugates for gene regulation in psoriasis.

Psoriasis is a T-cell-mediated skin disease with autoimmune nature that is generally not observed in animals, this lack of a relevant experimental animal model of psoriasis has hindered the investigation of pathogenesis of disease. Application and systemic delivery of small interfering RNAs offer many effective therapeutic advantages for gene regulation in the skin. In this study, we present an IMQ animal model of psoriasis and designed a safe fusion peptide carrier, spherical nucleic acid gold nanoparticles conjugate, to improve penetration of the siRNA into the cells and skin and their targeting ability to gene regulation. We evaluated the model of psoriasis and EGFR siRNA treatment (as spherical nucleic acid nanoparticles), phenotypically (signs of erythema, scaling, inflammation and thickening), microscopic evaluation of cell proliferation and immunohistochemically evaluation of CD3, CD4, and CD8 markers. Also, we monitored suppression of EGF&EGFR genes after treatment of A431 cells by SNA-NCs. The expression of genes was validated by qRT-PCR in human skin cells. The results showed that the SNA-NCs were stable and non-toxic. In vitro experiments indicated that EGF&EGFR siRNAs conjugated with spherical nucleic acid gold nanoparticles can significantly reduce gene expression in cells. In vivo experiments showed that the topical application of siRNAs delivered by SNA-NCs through the skin can significantly inhibit the proliferation of cells. Microscopic evaluation of mice back skin and immunohistochemistry process approved Inhibitory effect of SNA-NCs siRNA in the mouse model of psoriasis. Since the proliferation of T cells was crucial for the development of a psoriatic phenotype. These results demonstrate that topical application of SNA-NCs siRNA may improve psoriatic-like skin lesions by suppressing gene expression and functional activity of T cell production.

The correlation between Ki-67 with other prognostic factors in breast cancer: A study in Iranian patients.

CONTEXT: Despite the fact that breast cancer (BC) is a major health issue, very few studies describe its characteristics in the Middle East. AIM: The aim of this study was to evaluate the use and value of Ki-67 as a prognostic marker in BC and associations between Ki-67, clinical, and histopathological parameters were evaluated. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: In a retrospective study, 260 BC women and invasive ductal carcinoma were included to our study in Kermanshah city, Iran. Age, tumor size, lymph node involvement, histological grade, nuclear grade, and vascular invasion were other factors that determined in a lot of patients. RESULTS: The mean age at diagnosis was 47.6 years (range, 24-84 years) with 100% female. Of 243 patients that tumor size was determined for them, 207 patients (85.2%) had tumor size ≥2 cm, and 36 patients (14.8%) had size <2 cm and also of 237 patients, 47 patients (19.8%), 140 (59.1%), and 50 (21.1%) had histological grades I, II, and III, respectively. There is significant correlation between Ki-67 with nuclear grade, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2), and p53 (P < 0.05). Based on this result, more patients with Ki-67 ≥20% have higher nuclear grade, p53-positive, and HER2-positive. There was correlation between Ki-67 with type of tumor (P = 0.009). CONCLUSIONS: The higher Ki-67 has a direct significant correlation with higher nuclear grade, p53-positive, and HER2-positive. Furthermore, triple negative patients have higher Ki-67 compared to other subtypes.

Expression of p53 Breast Cancer in Kurdish Women in the West of Iran: a Reverse Correlation with Lymph Node Metastasis.

BACKGROUND: In breast cancer (BC), it has been suggested that nuclear overexpression of p53 protein might be an indicator of poor prognosis. The aim of the current study was to evaluate the expression of p53 BC in Kurdish women from the West of Iran and its correlation with other clinicopathology figures. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In the present retrospective study, 231 patients were investigated for estrogen receptor (ER) and progesterone receptor (PR) positivity, defined as ≥10% positive tumor cells with nuclear staining. A binary logistic regression model was selected using Akaike Information Criteria (AIC) in stepwise selection for determination of important factors. RESULTS: ER, PR, the human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) and p53 were positive in 58.4%, 55.4%, 59.7% and 45% of cases, respectively. Ki67 index was divided into two groups: 54.5% had Ki67<20% and 45.5% had Ki67 ≥20%. Of 214 patients, 137(64%) had lymph node metastasis and of 186 patients, 122(65.6%) had vascular invasion. Binary logistic regression analysis showed that there was inverse significant correlation between lymph node metastasis (P=0.008, OR 0.120 and 95%CI 0.025-0.574), ER status (P=0.006, OR 0.080, 95%CI 0.014-0.477) and a direct correlation between HER2 (P=005, OR 3.047, 95%CI 1.407-6.599) with the expression of p53. CONCLUSIONS: As in a number of studies, expression of p53 had a inverse correlation with lymph node metastasis and ER status and also a direct correlation with HER2 status. Also, p53-positivity is more likely in triple negative BC compared to other subtypes.

Comparison Between Two Detection Methods for HPV16, HPV18 and P16Ink4a Biomarkers in Diagnosis of Abnormal Cervical Cytology

Background: Cervical cancer is the second most common cancer among women in many populations. While the Pap smear is a well established screening test it suffers from both false-positive and false-negative results in diagnosis of cancers and precancerous states. In this study, immunocytochemistry of the P16 biomarker and HPV-PCR were compared for their diagnostic potential. Materials and methods: In the study, we obtained pairs of specimens from 45 women with cervical dysplasia. One sample was placed in a liquid-based solution, and processed for staining of sections with antibodies to P16. HPV-PCR was performed on the other and the results obtained were analyzed by T-test using SPSS v. 15. Results: Using HPV-PCR 71% of the samples were found to be infected with either HPV 16 or HPV 18, and the rate of infection did not have a statistically significant relationship with higher grades of dysplasia (p= 0.253). In contrast, with immunocytochemistry evaluation of P16, 64% of the specimens were positive, but the percentage of positive results significantly increased with higher grades of dysplasia (p= 0.0001). Conclusion: Employment of the P16 marker as an optional test might be preferable over HPV-PCR for cervical dysplasia in our geographical region.

Survey of HER2-neu Expression in Colonic Adenocarcinoma in the West of Iran.

BACKGROUND: Overexpression of HER2-neu has been reported in many epithelial malignancies, including cancers of the breast, ovaries, lungs, prostate, bladder, pancreas, colorectum and stomach as well as osteosarcomas. The aim of this study was evaluation of expression of HER2-neu immunohistochemistry (IHC) status and clinicopathologic features in a series of colonic adenocarcinomas. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this descriptive and analytical study, we surveyed 211 samples of colon adenocarcinoma from 182 patients (86.3%) undergoing total or partial colectomy and 29 (7.13%) with biopsies by colonoscopy. A sufficient sample size was obtained from all cases and the slides were stained with hematoxylin and eosin and also by IHC (HER2) staining. RESULTS: The mean age for the patients at diagnosis was 57.9 years (range, 15-88 years). One hundred and twenty one patients (57.3%) were male. Of all patients, 201 samples (95.3%) were conventional adenocarcinomas (159, 29 and 13 cases were well, moderately and poorly differentiated, respectively) and 10 (4.7%) were mucinous type. Out of 211 cases, 171 were checked for lymph nodes metastasis and 64 were positive. There is a correlation between HER2 scores and differentiation, most score 3 cases being well differentiated (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: In patients with advanced colon cancer, surgery alone is not curative and other forms of therapy may be required to prolong patient survival. HER2 overexpression was found in some cases and this could be a guideline to new adjuvant therapy for these patients.

Survey of Her2-neu Expression and its Correlation with Histology of Gastric Carcinoma and Gastroesophageal Junction Adenocarcinoma.

BACKGROUND: There is increasing evidence that HER2-neu is an important biomarker in gastric carcinomas (GC) and gastroesophageal junction (GEJ) adenocarcinomas. The aim of this study was to evaluate HER2-neu expression and also some clinicopathological features of these neoplasms. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We selected 211 paraffin-embedded blocks, 193 GC and 18 GEJ. Then 4 micron sections were prepared for staining with hematoxylin and eosin and also for IHC (Her2-neu). The Chi-square test was used for significance between expression of HER2-neu and clinicopathological parameters. RESULTS: In patients with advanced cancer of GC and GEJ, HER2-neu overexpression was more associated with the intestinal cancer subtype. CONCLUSIONS: This could be a guide to new complementary therapy for affected patients.