Serum Trace Element Levels in Cancer Patients Undergoing Chemotherapy: a Before-After Analysis.

Trace elements (TEs) play a crucial role in metabolism through their biochemical and catalytic effects, and alterations in their levels have been observed in various malignancies. Given that chemotherapy is a common treatment for cancer, it is important to understand how it may affect the levels of TEs in the body. By investigating changes in TEs levels before and after chemotherapy, this study aims to provide insights into the potential impact of chemotherapy on TEs levels in cancer patients. In the present study, analyses were performed on the serum level of some elements including Zn, Cu, Cd, and Se in 69 patients with leukemia, lymphoma, prostate and breast cancers before and after three courses of chemotherapy. The serum TEs were measured by atomic absorption spectroscopy. The serum Zn levels in patients with leukemia, lymphoma, and breast cancer significantly decreased after chemotherapy (P < 0.05). Significant reductions were also observed in the post-chemotherapy serum level of Cd in patients with prostate (P = 0.020) and breast cancer (P = 0.013). Moreover, the Se serum level significantly decreased after chemotherapy compared to before it in the breast cancer patients (P < 0.001). In contrast, the serum level of Cu was higher before than after chemotherapy in all the patients, but no significant difference was found (P > 0.05). The results show that chemotherapy can alter the level of TEs. The assessment of TEs in cancer patients may provide information about the side effects of chemotherapy as well as the use of appropriate strategies to better manage the clinical conditions of patients.

CD markers polymorphisms as prognostic biomarkers in hematological malignancies.

The clusters of differentiation (CD) are surface molecules used for immunophenotyping of cells. The expression of CD markers is widely used to classify hematological malignancies, including leukemia and lymphoma. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) are crucial genetic changes that can be associated with abnormal expression and function of CD markers. In this paper, we assess the prognostic effect of CD markers' SNPs in hematological malignancies. Materials and methods and relevant literature was identified by a PubMed search (2001-2019) of English language papers using the following terms: 'polymorphism', 'CD marker', 'leukemia', 'lymphoma', 'prognosis', 'CD marker', and 'polymorphism'. Many studies have demonstrated the effects of CD markers' polymorphisms on risk of hematological malignancies. Also, SNPs of CD markers can be related with clinicopathological features, invasiveness, and response to therapy of these disorders. Considering the importance of SNPs in the expressions of CD markers, these genetic changes could be used as potential prognostic biomarkers in hematological malignancies. It is hoped that the evaluation of SNPs in CD markers will enable early diagnosis, prognosis, and detection of response to treatment. However, better understanding of SNPs in CD markers that are involved in hematological malignancies requires further studies on different populations of the worldwide.

Thrombocytopenia in solid tumors: Prognostic significance.

Solid tumors are a heterogeneous group of malignancies that result from out-of-control proliferation of cells. Thrombocytopenia is a common complication among patients with solid tumors that predispose them to bleeding disorders. The aim of this review article is to investigate the underlying mechanisms of the risk and incidence of thrombocytopenia in solid tumors. It can be argued that thrombocytopenia is a poor prognostic factor in solid tumors that can result from several factors such as polymorphism and mutation in some transcription factors and cytokines involved in megakaryocytic maturation or from the adverse effects of treatment. Therefore, an understanding of the exact mechanism of thrombocytopenia pathogenesis in each stage of solid tumors can help in developing therapeutic strategies to decrease bleeding complications in these malignancies.

Human leukocyte antigens in cancer metastasis: Prognostic approach and therapeutic susceptibility.

Human leukocyte antigens (HLA), which are a group of antigen-presenting proteins, are classified into two main groups: classic (including HLA-I, HLA-II, HLA-III) and non-classic. These molecules are expressed on the surface of several immune cells, which contribute to the defense of body against foreign antigens. Changing expressions of these molecules on tumor cells can be related to reduced ability of the immune system in killing tumor cells, as well as metastasis induction of many solid tumors. The purpose of this review article is to assess the possible relationship between changing expressions of HLA molecules with cancer metastasis and relapse. It can be stated that the changes in the expressions of HLA molecules on tumor cells are an important mechanism for tumor cell escape from immune cells. Therefore, these changes can be associated with tumor development, metastasis, or relapse. Given the essential role of HLA molecule expression in cancer metastasis and relapse, identification of prognostic value of these alterations as well as targeting HLA molecules with new therapeutic approaches may lead to the prevention of these complications.

Singe nucleotide polymorphisms in osteosarcoma: Pathogenic effect and prognostic significance.

PURPOSE: Osteosarcoma (OS) is a common malignant bone tumor in children and adolescents. Pathogenesis and prognosis of OS can be associated with several environmental and genetic factors. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) are crucial genetic changes that can be involved in clinical and therapeutic outcomes of OS. The aim of this review is to present a synopsis of the role of SNPs in pathogenesis and prognosis of OS tumor cells as well as their potential as therapeutic targets to improve the outcomes of patients. METHOD: The content used in this paper has been obtained by an electronic databases search of English language (1998-2018) articles using the terms "Single nucleotide polymorphisms", "Osteosarcoma", "Pathogenesis", "Prognosis", and "Clinical Outcomes". DISCUSSION: SNPs can affect a number of biological processes such as proliferation, apoptosis, adhesion, invasion, and drug resistance of OS tumor cells, playing a key role in pathogenesis, prognosis, and clinical outcomes after chemotherapy in this disease. CONCLUSION: Considering the importance of SNPs in OS pathophysiology, these genetic changes may be used as potential pathogenic and prognostic biomarkers for OS. It is hoped that targeting these changes using new therapeutic approaches leads to the effective treatment of this debilitating tumor. However, better understanding of OS biology and further clinical trials are needed to achieve this goal.

Retrospective study of the incidence of portal vein thrombosis after splenectomy in hematological disorders: Risk factors and clinical presentation.

OBJECTIVE: Portal vein thrombosis (PVT) has been described as a rare complication after splenectomy. PVT associated risk factors after splenectomy in hematological disorders are poorly recognized. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence and risk factors of PVT incidence in splenectomized patients. METHODS: One hundred twelve splenectomized patients with various hematologic diseases between 2008 and 2018 were enrolled in this study. Diagnosis was confirmed by Doppler ultrasonography (DUSG) and risk factors for PVT were sought based on the comparison of clinical and laboratory features between patients without and with PVT. RESULT: PVT was diagnosed in 4 (3.57%) patients in spite of receiving antiplatelet therapy. Patients with PVT were ß-thalassemia major (n = 2) and ß-thalassemia intermedia (n = 2). ß-thalassemia patients had a 3.5 times higher odds for PVT (95% CI: 2.41-5.33). No significant differences between patients with and without PVT in terms of age, gender and laboratory features were found. CONCLUSION: According to our data, ß-thalassemia, especially intermediate form, may be a risk factor for PVT and it can occur in spite of receiving antiplatelet therapy. Given that ß-thalassemia patients are at risk, early PVT detection may be useful for reduction of fatal PVT complication in splenectomized patients.

Expression of CD markers in JAK2V617F positive myeloproliferative neoplasms: Prognostic significance.

Myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs) are clonal stem cell disorders characterized by the presence of JAK2V617F mutation. Thrombohemorrhagic as well as autoimmune or inflammatory phenomena are common clinical outcomes of these disorders. Recent studies have shown that abnormality in frequency and function of blood cells manifested by an alteration in CD markers' expression patterns play a key role in these complications. So, there may be a relationship between CD markers' expressions and prognosis of JAK2V617F positive MPNs. Therefore, in this review, we have focused on these abnormalities from the perspective of changing expressions of CD markers and assessment of the relationship between these changes with prognosis of JAK2V617F positive MPNs. It can be stated that the abnormal expression of a large number of CD markers can be used as a prognostic biomarker for clinical outcomes including thrombohememorrhagic events, as well as autoimmune and leukemic transformation in JAK2V617F positive MPNs. Considering the possible role of CD markers' expressions in JAK2V617F MPNs prognosis, further studies are needed to confirm the relationship between the expression of CD markers with prognosis to be able to find an appropriate therapeutic approach via targeting CD markers.

Cellular expression of CD markers in immune thrombocytopenic purpura: implications for prognosis.

Immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) is an autoimmune bleeding disorder associated with platelet destruction. Abnormalities in frequency and function of different immune cells can play a crucial role in this disease. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prognostic value of CD markers' expressions by immune cells in ITP. Peripheral blood samples were collected from 25 ITP patients before and after treatment. The expression of CD markers was evaluated by flow cytometry technique. The expression of CD38 and CD56 was significantly lower before treatment than after it (p = 0.025 and p = 0.036, respectively). Furthermore, a positive correlation was found between CD38 expression with platelet count before (r = 0.496, p = 0.012) and after treatment (r = 0.404, p = 0.045). No significant relationship was found between this marker and platelet count while CD4 expression was higher before treatment than after it (p = 0.002). In conclusion, CD38 may have independent prognostic value in ITP and we suggest that it can be a prognostic marker for this disease.

Aberrant DNA Methylation in Chronic Myeloid Leukemia: Cell Fate Control, Prognosis, and Therapeutic Response.

Chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) is a hematopoietic stem cell malignancy characterized by the expression of the BCR-ABL1 fusion gene with different chimeric transcripts. Despite the crucial impact of constitutively active tyrosine kinase in CML pathogenesis, aberrant DNA methylation of certain genes plays an important role in disease progression and the development of drug resistance. This article reviews recent findings relevant to the effect of DNA methylation pattern of regulatory genes on various cellular activities such as cell proliferation and survival, as well as cell-signaling molecules in CML. These data might contribute to defining the role of aberrant DNA methylation in disease initiation and progression. However, further studies are needed on the validation of specific aberrant methylation markers regarding the prognosis and prediction of response among the CML patients.

Thrombocytopenia in leukemia: Pathogenesis and prognosis.

Leukemias, a heterogeneous group of hematological disorders, are characterized by ineffective hematopoiesis and morphologic abnormalities of hematopoietic cells. Thrombocytopenia is a common problem among leukemia types that can lead to hemorrhagic complications in patients. The purpose of this review article is to identify the conditions associated with the incidence of thrombocytopenia in leukemias. It can be stated that although translocations have been considered responsible for this complication in many studies, other factors such as bone marrow failure, genes polymorphism, a mutation in some transcription factors, and the adverse effects of treatment could be associated with pathogenesis and poor prognosis of thrombocytopenia in leukemias. Considering the importance of thrombocytopenia in leukemias, it is hoped that the recognition of risk factors increasing the incidence of this complication in leukemic patients would be useful for prevention and treatment of this disorder.

Expression of CD markers' in immune thrombocytopenic purpura: prognostic approaches.

Immune Thrombocytopenic Purpura (ITP) is a common autoimmune bleeding disorder characterized by a reduction in peripheral blood platelet counts. In this disease, autoantibodies (Auto-Abs) are produced against platelet GPIIb/GPIIIa by B cells, which require interaction with T cells. In this review, the importance of B and T lymphocytes in ITP prognosis has been studied. Relevant literature was identified by a PubMed search (1990-2016) of English-language papers using the terms B and T lymphocyte, platelet, CD markers and immune thrombocytopenic purpura. T and B lymphocytes are the main immune cells in the body. Defective function causes disrupted balance of different subgroups of lymphocytes, and abnormal expression of surface markers of these cells results in self-tolerance dysfunction, as well as induction of Auto-Abs against platelet glycoproteins (PG). Given the role of B and T cells in production of autoantibodies against PG, it can be stated that the detection of changes in CD markers' expression in these cells can be a good approach for assessing prognosis in ITP patients.