Virological Response to Conventional Interferon Therapy Combined with Ribavirin against Various HCV Genotypes in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan.

BACKGROUND: Response to antiviral therapy has been linked to different genotypes and this impacts on clinical management. Data on general responses to standard interferon (IFN) against HCV infection exists but little is known regarding HCV genotype specific responses. PURPOSE: Therefore, we attempted to determine genotype specific responses of chronic HCV patients, having different HCV genotypes, to standard IFN and ribavirin combination therapy administered for a period of six months in Kybher Pakhtunkhwa province of Pakistan. MATERIALS AND METHODS: HCV genotype was determined for all serum samples. Each patient received standard IFN combination therapy with ribavirin administered at dose of 3 MIU three times a week and 800-1200 mg/ day, respectively, for a period of six months. After completion of this therapy, PCR was performed for all course completed subjects. RESULTS: Out of total 51 selected patients the most abundant genotypes were 3a (49.0%) and 1a (21.6%) followed by 3b (9.8%), 1b (7.84%), 2a (7.84%) and untypable (3.94%). Moast responsive genotypes were 2a followed by 3a, with end of treatment responses of 77.7%, and 72.2%. Responses for 3b, 1b and untypable were 66.7%, 33.3% and 0%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: IFN response is efficient in case of 2a and 3a genotypes while in case of untypable genotypes, further categorization is required to know about genomic sequences and to adopt some new regimes against these genotypes.

Comparative Study of Carcinoembryonic Antigen Tumor Marker in Stomach and Colon Cancer Patients in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

BACKGROUND: Due to the increase in morbidity and mortality rate, cancer has become an alarming threat to the human population worldwide. Since cancer is a progressive disorder, timely diagnosis would be helpful to prevent/stop cancer from progressing to severe stage. In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan, most of the time, tumors are diagnosed with endoscopy and biopsy; therefore rare studies exist regarding the diagnosis of gastrointestinal (GIT) carcinomas based on tumor markers, especially CEA. OBJECTIVES: This study made a comparative analysis of CEA in admitted hospitalized stomach and colon cancer patients diagnosed as GIT with biopsy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this study, a total of 66 cases were included. The level of CEA was determined in the blood of these patients using ELISA technique. RESULTS: Out of 66 patients, the level of CEA was high in 59.1% of the total, 60.7% in colon cancer patients and 57.9 % in stomach cancer patients. Moreover, the incidence of colorectal and stomach cancer was greater in males as compared to females. Patients were more of the age group of 40- 60 and the level of CEA was comparatively higher in patients (51.5%) with histology which was moderately differentiated, than patients with well differentiated and poorly differentiated tumor histology. CONCLUSIONS: CEA level was high in more than 50% of the total patients. Moreover, CEA exhibited higher sensitivity for colon than stomach cancer.

Level and evaluation of tumor marker CA-125 in ovarian cancer patients in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan.

BACKGROUND: Due to the increase in morbidity and mortality rate, cancer has become an alarming threat to the human population worldwide. Since cancer is a progressive disorder, timely diagnosis is necessary to prevent/stop cancer from progressing to a severe stage. In Khyber Paktunkhwa, Pakistan, many tumors are diagnosed with endoscopy and biopsy; rare studies exist regarding the diagnosis and evaluation of ovarian cancer, based on tumor markers like CA-125. OBJECTIVES: The objectives of this study were to investigate and evaluate levels of CA-125 in hospitalized ovarian cancer patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this study, a total of 63 admitted patients having ovarian cancer by biopsy were included. The level of CA-125 was determined in the blood of these patients using ELISA technique. RESULTS: Out of 63 patients, the level of CA-125 was high in 52% . The affected individuals were more in the group of 40-60 and the level of CA-125 was comparatively higher in patients having moderately differentiated histology than those having well differentiated and poorly differentiated tumor histology. Moreover, the highest level of CA-125 was present among the patients having serous subtype of carcinoma and the common stage of carcinoma was stage II followed by stage III, I and IV. CONCLUSIONS: CA-125 level was high in more than 50% of the total patients. Moreover, CA-125 elevation was more common in serous subtype and stage II cancer patients.