Enhancing Patient Outcomes Through Integrated Education and Navigation Programs at the Breast Cancer Comprehensive Center, National Cancer Institute, Cairo University.

Breast cancer remains a significant global health challenge, particularly in low- and middle-income countries where disparities in healthcare exacerbate the disease burden. The Breast Cancer Comprehensive Center at the National Cancer Institute, Cairo University, has implemented integrated patient navigation and education programs aimed at enhancing patient outcomes and healthcare quality. This study evaluated the effectiveness of these programs involving 2202 participants over 12 months. The methodology included systematic data collection, material preparation, and the application of tailored educational strategies to facilitate the patient's journey from diagnosis to treatment. The study utilized three-phased patient navigation assistance to provide comprehensive support. The programs significantly improved patient satisfaction, with over 90% of participants reporting high levels of contentment with the services received. Key improvements included enhanced understanding of breast cancer (including risk factors, symptoms, importance of seeking early care, and treatment options), reduction in patient anxiety, improved treatment adherence, and streamlined diagnostic and treatment processes. Notably, the use of audio-visual educational tools effectively bridged the literacy gap among patients. The integration of patient navigation and education systems at BCCC-NCI has proven to be a highly effective model for improving breast cancer care. This model not only enhances patient understanding and treatment compliance but also facilitates a more efficient healthcare process. The study underscores the potential for replicating this approach in similar healthcare settings globally, suggesting that such integrations can significantly improve cancer care outcomes.

Immunization with the ferric iron-binding periplasmic protein HitA provides protection against Pseudomonas aeruginosa in the murine infection model.

Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a notorious pathogen with increasing multi-drug resistance. This situation makes it urgent to develop a prophylactic vaccine against this pathogen. Different virulence factors play a crucial role in P. aeruginosa infection. This study focused on evaluation of the iron acquisition protein HitA as a potential vaccine candidate against P. aeruginosa in a murine infection model. The recombinant ferric iron-binding periplasmic protein HitA was overexpressed in Escherichia coli and was purified using metal affinity chromatography. The purified antigen was administered to mice in combination with Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) as an adjuvant using different vaccination regimens. Serum samples were tested for IgG1, IgG2a and total IgG antibody responses which were extremely significant. Following challenge of mice with P. aeruginosa, there was a significant reduction in bacterial load in lungs of immunized mice compared to negative control mice. Opsonophagocytic assay supported the previous results. In addition, histopathological examination of livers of challenged mice showed a significant improvement difference between immunized mice and negative control mice in various histopathological parameters. Up to our knowledge, this is the first report that investigates HitA as a potential vaccine antigen. Overall, the results of this study demonstrate the protective effect of HitA recombinant protein and highlight its importance as a promising vaccine candidate against P. aeruginosa infection.