Association of sexually transmitted infections and human papillomavirus co-infection with abnormal cervical cytology among women in Saudi Arabia.

Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a causative agent of cervical and other cancers. Sexually transmitted Infections (STIs) may play a crucial role in HPV persistence, leading to serious complications, including cervical cancer. This study investigated the association of HPV/STI co-infection in cervical samples with cervical dysplasia among women in Saudi Arabia. HPV-positive cervical samples (n = 142) were obtained from previous studies and newly collected samples (n = 209) were obtained from women aged 19-83 years. For HPV detection and genotyping, PCR and Genoflow HPV assay kits were used. STIs were detected using a Genoflow STD array kit. Of 351 samples, 94 (27%) were positive for STIs. Among HPV-positive samples, 36 (25%) were positive for STIs; the most common pathogens were Ureaplasma urealyticum/Ureaplasma parvu (13%) and Mycoplasma hominis (6%). A global significant correlation was detected between HPV and STIs with progression of abnormal cervical cytology (χ2 = 176, P < 0.0001). Associations between cervical cytology diagnosis and HPV status, STI types (opportunistic and pathogenic), and the presence of Ureaplasma spp., and Mycoplasma hominis were significant (P < 0.05). Our results suggest that additional study in a larger population is warranted to determine the association between HPV/STI co-infection and cervical neoplasia in Saudi women.

Human papillomavirus type 16 and 18 viral loads as predictors associated with abnormal cervical cytology among women in Saudi Arabia.

The detection of HPV viral DNA is regularly conducted with cervical screening. However, using a molecular marker such as the viral load may serve as a predictor associated with disease detection and progression. The present study aimed to screen for and genotype HPV among women in Saudi Arabia, develop and validate sensitive quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) assays to detect viral load for the two most common HPV types, namely 16 and 18, and assess whether HPV viral load could be used as a marker for cervical abnormality and disease progression. This study examined 733 specimens (both formalin-fixed paraffin embedded specimens and PAP smear samples) from women who underwent cervical screening. The specimens and samples were processed for DNA extraction and then tested for HPV DNA using nested PCR. Approximately 165 specimens (18%) were positive for HPV. Those specimens were genotyped using a reverse line blotting hybridization assay. The results indicated that the most common HPV types detected were a single infection with HPV 16 (51%) or with HPV 18 (28%) followed by infections with multiple HPV types (~7%). A qPCR TaqMan assay developed and validated in-house was used to determine viral load for HPV genotypes 16 (n = 80) and 18 (n = 45). Viral loads for both HPV types were significantly associated with cervical cytology grade (P < 0.05). The odds ratio (OR) for the HPV 16 viral load was high for specimens with cervical cancer (OR, 18.8; 95% CI, 4.3-82.9) or for those with high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (OR, 14.7; 95% Cl, 2.43-88.49). For the HPV 18 viral load, the OR was significant only for specimens with cervical cancer (OR, 11.1; 95% Cl, 2.2-54.9). Logistic regression models for HPV 16 and for HPV 18 viral load levels were significant, with higher viral load associated with cervical abnormalities. These findings indicate that viral load is a predictor significantly associated with cytology abnormality in women who are positive for high-risk HPVs and suggest that integrating a viral load test into current clinical screening practices for HPV-positive women is warranted in Saudi Arabia.

A retrospective study of malignant melanoma from a tertiary care centre in Saudi Arabia from 2004 to 2016.

BACKGROUND: Malignant melanoma is a well-known and commonly lethal tumour yet there exists scarce published information available from Saudi Arabia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study examined the demographic, clinical, and histopathological profile of melanoma in a sample of Saudi patients over a period of 13 years. Medical records of 98 patients from 2004 to 2016 were retrieved from the Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine at King Faisal Specialist Hospital (KFSH), Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. RESULTS: Forty two males and fifty six females (median age of 58 years) were analysed. Most cases were diagnosed in patients aged 50 years or above. The most common sites of occurrence were the extremities, especially the feet, followed by the head and neck, and then mucosal regions. Most mucosal melanomas were located in the mouth. The most common histopathological form was nodular melanoma (38 cases) followed by acral lentiginous melanoma (27 cases). Most of the cases were diagnosed in late diagnostic stages III and IV (59 cases) and most had higher Clark's level and stage V Breslow thickness. The cases with preceding history of xeroderma pigmentosum and dysplastic nevi tended to be diagnosed earlier. The most common mode of treatment was surgical resection. Patients on palliative treatment were older. Only 27/40 patients were confirmed to be alive and the rest were lost to follow-up. CONCLUSION: Our data contrast with previously published studies from other parts of the world. Further work is needed to confirm our findings of female preponderance, common histological subtypes of nodular and acral melanomas, and the high involvement of oral mucosa in our Saudi patients.

Sociodemographic characteristics and sexual behavior as risk factors for human papillomavirus infection in Saudi Arabia.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the prevalence and the sociodemographic characteristics and sexual behavior risk factors for human papillomavirus (HPV) infection in a hospital-based cohort of women in Saudi Arabia. METHODS: Cervical specimens and questionnaire data were collected from women attending clinics in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Cervical specimens were examined for abnormal cytology using a standard Pap test and for the presence of HPV-DNA using PCR and reverse line blot hybridization tests. RESULTS: Approximately 73% of the 400 women tested were Saudi nationals. Nearly 50% were under 40 years old (range 22-80 years, mean±standard deviation 41.20±10.43 years). Approximately 17% of the women were HPV-positive. The most commonly detected HPV types were HPV-18 (34%) and HPV-16 (19%), with multiple infections detected in 10% of positive specimens. Multivariate analyses revealed that smoking and multiple partners were significant risk factors for HPV infection (p<0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Because of societal challenges and an unsubstantiated assumption of low HPV prevalence, few studies have examined sociodemographic characteristics or sexual behaviors associated with HPV in Saudi women. However, a high prevalence of HPV infection was found, with smoking and multiple partners as significant risk factors, in this hospital-based cohort of predominantly Saudi women.

Phase II study of neoadjuvant paclitaxel and cisplatin for operable and locally advanced breast cancer: analysis of 126 patients.

In an earlier study, we have demonstrated a high clinical and pathologic response rate of neoadjuvant paclitaxel (P) and cisplatin (C) for patients with locally advanced breast cancer (LABC). The current phase II study includes larger number of patients who had longer follow-up. A total of 126 consecutive patients with noninflammatory LABC (T2 >4 cm, T3 or T4, N0-N3, M0) were included in the study. Patients were scheduled to receive three to four cycles of the neoadjuvant PC (paclitaxel 135 mg m(-2) and cisplatin 75 mg m(-2) on day 1) every 21 days. Patients were then subjected to surgery and subsequently received six cycles of FAC (5-fluorouracil 500 mg m(-2), doxorubicin 50 mg m(-2), and cyclophosphamide 500 mg m(-2)) or four cycles of AC (doxorubicin 60 mg m(-2) and cyclophosphamide 600 mg m(-2)); all drugs were administered intravenously on day 1 with cycles repeated every 21 days. Patients then received radiation therapy, and those with hormone receptor-positive tumours were given adjuvant tamoxifen intended for 5 years. The median age was 41 years. Clinically, 12, 52, and 37% of patients had T2 >4 cm, T3, and T4, respectively. The mean tumour size was 7 cm (95% CI, 7.3-8.5). The clinical nodal status was N0, N1, and N2-N3 in 32, 52, and 17% of patients, respectively. Disease stage at diagnosis was IIA (2%), IIB (32%), IIIA (28%), and IIIB (39%). Clinical assessment of the primary tumour and the axillary nodal status after primary chemotherapy showed that 35 patients (28%) achieved complete response (cCR), while 80 (63%) demonstrated partial response to PC. Of patients with evaluable pathologic data of the primary tumour (123 patients), complete pathologic response (pCR) was achieved in 29 patients (24%), and an additional nine (7%) only had a microinvasive disease. Moreover, 20 of the 122 patients (16%) had no residual disease in the primary tumour or in the axillary nodes. Failure to attain cCR predicted failure to achieve pCR. At a median follow-up of 37.5 months (95% CI, 31.5-43.3), 71% were alive with no recurrence, 16% were alive with evidence of disease, and 13% were dead. Of the 122 patients who had surgery, 36 (29%) developed recurrence including one of the patients who attained pCR. The median overall or disease-free survival has not been reached with a projected 5-year overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) of 85% (+/-4%) and 63% (+/-5%), respectively. On multivariate analysis, clinical response of the primary tumour, pathological response of the primary tumour, and the pathological nodal status were identified as independent prognostic variables for DFS. No variable, however, was identified to prognosticate OS. PC was acceptably safe. Neoadjuvant PC as used in this phase II study in a multidisciplinary strategy was highly effective. Clinical and pathologic responses remain the most important variables that predict outcome.

High complete pathological response in locally advanced breast cancer using paclitaxel and cisplatin.

BACKGROUND: In an earlier study, we have demonstrated a high response rate in metastatic breast cancer using paclitaxel (P) and cisplatin (C). A phase II study using the same regimen (PC) has been conducted in locally advanced breast cancer (LABC). METHODS: A total of 72 consecutive patients with non-inflammatory LABC (T2 > or = 4 cm, T3 or T4, N0-N2, M0). Patients were scheduled to receive 3-4 cycles of the neoadjuvant PC (paclitaxel 135 mg/m2 and cisplatin 75 mg/m2 on day 1) every 21 days. Patients were then subjected to surgery and subsequently received 6 cycles of FAC (5-fluorouracil 500 mg/m2, doxorubicin 50 mg/m2, and cyclophosphamide 500 mg/m2) or 4 cycles of AC (doxorubicin 60 mg/m2, and cyclophosphamide 600 mg/m2). Patients then received radiation therapy, and those with hormone receptor positive tumors were given adjuvant tamoxifen intended for 5 years. RESULTS: The median age was 39 years (range, 24-78). Clinically, 7%, 58%, and 35% of patients had T2 > or = 4 cm, T3, and T4, respectively. Disease stage at diagnosis was IIB (33%), IIIA (27%), and IIIB (40%). Complete and partial clinical response to PC was demonstrated in 13 (18%), and 52 (72%) patients, respectively. Of those patients with evaluable pathologic response (68 patients), complete pathologic response (pCR) was achieved in 15 (22%) patients. At a median follow-up of 22 (+/- 3.5) months, 58 (81%) were alive with no recurrence, nine (12%) were alive with evidence of disease, and five (7%) were dead. None of the patients achieving pCR has developed any relapse. The median overall survival has not been reached for all 72 patients with a projected 3-year survival (+/- SE) of 90% (+/- 4%). The median progression-free survival (PFS) was 42.1 (+/- 4.8) months with a projected PFS of 74% +/- 7% at 3-years (for 68 patients). CONCLUSIONS: PC regimen in LABC produced a high pCR. The contribution of the other added modalities to survival could not be assessed.

Metastatic transitional cell carcinoma of the ovary from superficial bladder tumour.

A 60-year-old female underwent transurethral resection of superficial grade 2 transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) of the urinary bladder. Six months later, intravesical Mitomycin C instillation was given following two superficial recurrences. A further recurrence of TCC grade I was resected transurethrally 39 months later. Forty-eight months after the original diagnosis the patient developed an abdominal mass, which turned out to be TCC grade 3 involving the left ovary. She underwent laparotomy which showed a left ovarian mass. Total abdominal hysterectomy, bilateral oophorectomy and partial omentectomy were carried out. She developed pelvic metastases 3 months later and died.