Cancer Risk Research Articles

Liver Cancer Etiology: Old Issues and New Perspectives.

This review aims to synthesize the old issues and current understandings of the etiology of liver cancer, focusing on the diverse causative factors influenced by geographical, socioeconomic, and lifestyle variations across different regions. We highlight significant geographic disparities in liver cancer risk factors. While hepatitis B and C viruses, aflatoxin exposure, and alcohol consumption remain globally established contributors; metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease and metabolic syndromes are increasingly prominent in the West. Chronic HBV and aflatoxin continue to dominate as risk factors in Asia and Africa. Dietary factors, metabolic diseases like diabetes and obesity, genetic predispositions, environmental risk factors and lifestyle choices such as smoking and alcohol use play substantial roles in specific populations. Protective factors like coffee and tea consumption, along with aspirin use, vegetables and fruits have shown potential in reducing HCC risk, although findings vary by population and dietary habits. Liver cancer etiology is influenced by various factors that differ by region. Established risk factors include hepatitis B and C, aflatoxin, and alcohol. Emerging risks, such as metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease, are more prevalent in Western countries, while aflatoxin and HBV remains significant in Asia and Africa. Diet, metabolic conditions like diabetes and obesity, genetic predispositions, and lifestyle choices also play crucial roles. Coffee, tea, aspirin, vegetables, and fruits may reduce HCC risk, but effectiveness varies. Future research should integrate epidemiology, genetics, and nutrition, with global cooperation and data sharing essential for effective cancer control strategies.

Enhancing awareness of breast self-examination and pap smears for early detection of breast and cervical cancer

Reproductive health problems, especially breast cancer and cervical cancer are the most common cancers diagnosed in women in Indonesia. Currently, several testing methods to detect breast and cervical cancer early, such as breast self-examination (BSE) and pap smears, have been used to reduce cancer risk factors. However, these two methods are still not widely used. Outreach activities have been proven to increase knowledge about the importance of BSE and pap smears in women. This community service program aims to increase knowledge about the causes and symptoms of breast and cervical cancer, as well as early detection using BSE and pap smears. This service activity plan consisted of preparation, implementation, and evaluation stages. The method used consists of delivering interactive material, discussion, and practice. This activity was attended by 38 participants, consisting of women from PKK cadres in the Andir area, Ciroyom District, the majority of whom were over 35 years old. Based on the results of the post-test, this community service activity was successful in increasing participants' knowledge, attitudes, and behavior towards breast and cervical cancer as well as the early detection methods of BSE and pap smears.

Extensive investigation of seasonal and spatial fluctuations of BTEX in an industrial city with a health risk assessment

There are many pollutants in the air that can be harmful to human health. Their impact varies based on factors such as the kind of pollutant, duration of exposure, and concentration levels. Volatile organic compounds are particularly significant carcinogens among the various pollutants present in the air. Consequently, people who are exposed to these harmful airborne pollutants suffer permanent consequences. This study examines the properties of BTEX compounds—benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylene—as well as their sources and risk assessments throughout a one-year period from March 21, 2019, to March 20, 2020, in Karaj, Iran’s largest industrialized city. First, utilizing a geographical information system that covered the entire city, 17 locations within Karaj were chosen for this purpose. Then, samplings were carried out in the spring, summer, autumn, and winter months with the NIOSH 1501 method. During the research period, 68 samples of BTEX compounds were collected. The adsorption of these contaminants on the activated carbon adsorbents was performed using an environmental sampling pump with a flow rate of 0.2 L/min for 1 h. The samples were subsequently prepared using a carbon disulfide solution and injected into a GC-FID for analysis. In this research, the average annual concentration of BTEX compounds in the air of Karaj city was obtained at 33.01 µg/m3. Autumn and spring had the highest and lowest average concentrations of BTEX compounds, respectively. In addition, sites 5 and 8 had the highest average annual concentrations of these pollutants. The sourcing conducted in this study showed that transportation and fuel consumption, as well as industries, were the primary sources of pollution in the city. In addition, the excess lifetime cancer risk was higher than the guideline value in some sites and lower in others. Furthermore, the Hazard Quotients were lower than 1, but in general, the citizens of Karaj were at serious risk from exposure to this group of pollutants.

Validation of the Mirai model for predicting breast cancer risk in Mexican women

ObjectivesTo validate the performance of Mirai, a mammography-based deep learning model, in predicting breast cancer risk over a 1–5-year period in Mexican women.MethodsThis retrospective single-center study included mammograms in Mexican women who underwent screening mammography between January 2014 and December 2016. For women with consecutive mammograms during the study period, only the initial mammogram was included. Pathology and imaging follow-up served as the reference standard. Model performance in the entire dataset was evaluated, including the concordance index (C-Index) and area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC). Mirai’s performance in terms of AUC was also evaluated between mammography systems (Hologic versus IMS). Clinical utility was evaluated by determining a cutoff point for Mirai’s continuous risk index based on identifying the top 10% of patients in the high-risk category.ResultsOf 3110 patients (median age 52.6 years ± 8.9), throughout the 5-year follow-up period, 3034 patients remained cancer-free, while 76 patients developed breast cancer. Mirai achieved a C-index of 0.63 (95% CI: 0.6–0.7) for the entire dataset. Mirai achieved a higher mean C-index in the Hologic subgroup (0.63 [95% CI: 0.5–0.7]) versus the IMS subgroup (0.55 [95% CI: 0.4–0.7]). With a Mirai index score > 0.029 (10% threshold) to identify high-risk individuals, the study revealed that individuals in the high-risk group had nearly three times the risk of developing breast cancer compared to those in the low-risk group.ConclusionsMirai has a moderate performance in predicting future breast cancer among Mexican women.Critical relevance statementProspective efforts should refine and apply the Mirai model, especially to minority populations and women aged between 30 and 40 years who are currently not targeted for routine screening.Key PointsThe applicability of AI models to non-White, minority populations remains understudied.The Mirai model is linked to future cancer events in Mexican women.Further research is needed to enhance model performance and establish usage guidelines.Graphical

Human health risk assessment of potentially toxic and essential elements in medicinal plants consumed in Zabol, Iran, using the Monte Carlo simulation method

Medicinal plants (MPs) have long been used for their therapeutic properties in traditional forms of medicine. However, the presence of potentially toxic elements (PTEs) in MPs raises concerns about their safety, efficacy, and potential adverse effects on human health. The current study aimed to determine the level of potentially toxic and essential elements (PTEEs) in commonly consumed MPs in Zabol, Iran, along with their health risk assessments. To conduct the present study, 10 types of MPs widely used in Zabol, Iran, were selected, and 15 samples of each type (150 samples in total) were taken. Each sample was analyzed for the presence of various PTEEs using Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectroscopy (ICP-OES) for Lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), chrome (Cr), nickel (Ni), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), iron (Fe), aluminum (Al) and manganese (Mn); and Atomic Absorption Spectrometry (AAS) for arsenic (As) and mercury (Hg). Finally, to better comprehend the scope of exposure and its possible effects, the Monte Carlo simulation method is successfully applied to assess human health risks related to PTEs in MPs. Statistical analysis revealed statistically significant (P < 0.001) variations in PTE averages among MP types. Furthermore, all samples’ overall PTE mean concentration (range: 0.18 to 215.5 µg/kg) was below the World Health Organization’s (WHO) regulatory standards. Probabilistic health risks, including non-carcinogenic-target hazard quotient (THQ) for each element, total target hazard quotient (TTHQ) for all elements, and carcinogenic-incremental lifetime cancer risk (ILCR) for each element, and total carcinogenic risk (TCR) for all elements, were significantly lower than the acceptable limit for children and adults. Accordingly, it can be said that consuming MPs sold in Zabol is safe for children and adults regarding carcinogenic (ILCR/TCR = 10− 4) and non-carcinogenic (THQ/TTHQ = 1) effects. In light of the findings presented here, and to our understanding, the primary factor contributing to lower levels of PTEs in MPs in Zabol City markets is the cultivation of plants in nonindustrialized areas, separate from urban and industrial zones. This practice keeps them from environmental contaminations, including soil quality and water sources. It is recommended that it is essential to regulate the sources that enhance the transfer of PTEs and other harmful pollutants from surroundings to the soil and, consequently, MPs. It is also suggested that, like chemical drugs, MPs should undergo rigorous testing by quality control agencies before being made available to the market.

Assessment of the activity concentration of radon and its health hazard in surface water around the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant (RNPP) site, Bangladesh

ABSTRACT Radon is a colourless, unscented, radioactive inert gas. As a gaseous element, Rn-222 can be effectively breathed in, leading to a health hazard. The main objective of this study is to measure the amount of Rn-222 concentration in surface water and its associated health hazards around the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant (RNPP) construction site area in Bangladesh. Twenty water samples were collected each year (2022 and 2023) from different specific locations of the Padma River and investigated for radon concentration through a Durridge RAD7 detector with RAD H2O accessories. The range of radon activity in surface water measured from 0.070 ± 0.035 to 0.385 ± 0.211 BqL−1 with a mean activity of 0.194 ± 0.114 BqL−1 in the year 2022 and in the year 2023, the range of radon activity in surface water measured from 0.035 ± 0.070 to 0.455 ± 0.239 BqL−1 with an average activity of 0.228 ± 0.140 BqL−1. All the radon concentration results were below the recommended limits of WHO (100 BqL−1) and USEPA (11.1 BqL−1). The ranges of annual effective dose (AED) were from 0.1911 to 1.051 µSvy−1 and from 0.095 to 1.242 µSvy−1 in the years 2022 and 2023, respectively, which were lower than the AED recommended by WHO (0.1 mSvy−1). The mean values of excess lifetime cancer risk are 0.0021 × 10−3 and 0.0025 × 10−3 in the years 2022 and 2023, respectively, which were lower than the average standard value recommended by UNSCEAR (0.29 × 10−3). The result of this investigation can be applied as baseline data for radon concentration measurement in the under-construction nuclear power plant site area vicinity of Bangladesh.

Serum glycosylated hemoglobin and prostate cancer risk: Results from a systematic review and dose-response meta-analysis

ObjectivesTo evaluate the correlation between serum glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) levels and the risk of prostate cancer incidence and mortality, providing a comprehensive analysis to inform preventative and clinical strategies. MethodsA systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted including studies based on their documentation of prostate cancer incidence and mortality related to HbA1c levels, with a minimum of 3 risk-related data levels. The Newcastle-Ottawa Quality Assessment Scale (NOQAS) was used for quality assessment and risk of bias evaluation. We employed generalized least squares (GLS) to assess the linear trend within individual studies and combined these estimates using a random effects model. Additionally, we utilized a restricted cubic spline (RCS) model to investigate potential nonlinear trends. ResultsA total of 13 studies were included in the quantitative synthesis ultimately. The quantitative analysis did not find a significant association between HbA1c levels and prostate cancer incidence. However, a significant positive correlation was revealed between HbA1c levels and both cancer-specific mortality (CSM) and all-cause mortality (ACM), with a 1% increase in HbA1c levels associated with a 26% increase in CSM and a 21% increase in ACM. ConclusionThe HbA1c level is significantly associated with increased prostate cancer mortality. The results highlight the importance of considering blood sugar control in the comprehensive risk assessment for prostate cancer, particularly among the nondiabetic population.

Vitamin B12 Intake and Cancer Risk: Findings from a Case-Control Study in Vietnam

There is inconclusive evidence on the role of dietary intake of vitamin B12 in cancer. We evaluated the association between vitamin B12 intake and cancer risk in a hospital-based case-control study, comprising 3,758 cancer cases and 2,995 controls in Vietnam. Vitamin B12 intake was derived from the validated food frequency questionnaire. Unconditional logistic regression model was used to calculate the odds ratios (ORs), and respective 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for the association between vitamin B12 and cancer risk. There was a U-shaped association between vitamin B12 intake and overall risk of cancer. Individuals with intakes lower than the median intake had a 6% (OR = 1.06, 95% CI: 0.86–1.31)-107% (OR = 2.07, 95% CI: 1.58–2.71), increased risk of cancer (Ptrend <0.001), whereas those with higher intakes than the median intake had a 20% (OR = 1.20, 95% CI: 0.97–1.48)-52% (OR = 1.52, 95% CI: 1.22–1.89) increased risk of cancer (Ptrend <0.04). The excess risk of cancer associated with low intakes of vitamin B12 was observed among esophageal, lung, and breast cancer patients, whereas with high intakes of vitamin B12 among gastric cancer patients. In summary, a U-shaped association between vitamin B12 intake and increased cancer risk was observed in the Vietnamese population.

Polygenic risk and rare variant gene clustering enhance cancer risk stratification for breast and prostate cancers

Polygenic risk score (PRS) and rare monogenic variant screening are valuable tools for predicting cancer risk and identifying individuals at high risk. Integrating both common and rare genetic variants is crucial for accurate risk assessment. However, estimating the impacts of rare variants on cancer and combining them with PRS remains challenging. Here, we analyze 454,711 exome sequencing and 487,409 array UK Biobank samples, focusing on breast and prostate cancers. We introduce an expanded PRS (EPRS) approach, yielding a systematic model for more effective risk stratification. By prioritizing and clustering genes with cancer-specific rare variants based on odds ratios and population-attributable fraction, we refine risk stratification by combining both monogenic and polygenic effects. Individuals in high-PRS groups with rare high-impact gene variants show up to 15- and 22-fold higher risk for breast and prostate cancers, respectively, compared to those in the intermediate-PRS groups without rare variants. Combined risk profiles vary across distinct rare variant clusters within the same PRS group for both cancers. Our EPRS approach enhances risk stratification for breast and prostate cancers, offering important insights for future research and potential applications to other cancer types.

Effectiveness of constructed wetland technology-treated industrial wastewater on the spinach (Spinacia oleracea) health risks and biochar efficiency.

In peri-urban areas, use of industrial wastewater for irrigation is a common practice. Industrial wastewater contains cadmium, chromium, lead, nickel, and other elements that deteriorate food quality and affect human health. Biochar has been proven to remediate heavy metal contaminated soil by reducing their mobility and bioavailability. A pot experiment was conducted to evaluate the efficiency of different levels of biochar on spinach growth with low heavy metal concentration and to minimize associated health issues. The experiment lasted two months and the treatments: Control (tap water), untreated and treated industrial wastewater and both in combination with biochar (0.5% and 1%) were applied in completely randomized design. Findings suggested that treated industrial wastewater with 1% biochar resulted in maximum plant height, shoot weight, chlorophyll contents (SPAD value), photosynthetic and transpiration rate. Biochar significantly reduced heavy metal mobility in soil due to its porous structure, high pH, higher CEC, and variety of surface functional groups. The cumulative hazard index (HI), hazard quotient, cancer risk, and total cancer risk (TCR) were calculated using method provided by US-EPA for each metal. All treatments had HI values of < 1, however applying 1% biochar significantly reduced the HI values to 2.00E-01 and 2.88E-01 in adults and children, respectively. TCR for all treatments was < 1, while treated industrial wastewater and biochar (1%) has significantly reduced to 1.55E-02 and 1.91E-03 for adults and children, respectively. Thus, it was determined that irrigation with industrial effluents caused toxicity in vegetables, which had a negative impact on human health. Biochar effectively mitigated metal toxicity in both soil and spinach plants that resulted in reduced health/cancer risk.

Association of dietary inflammatory index and dietary oxidative balance score with gastrointestinal cancers in NHANES 2005–2018

Background&AimsGastrointestinal (GI) cancers, including gastric, liver, esophageal, pancreatic, and colorectal cancers, represent significant global health burdens. Emerging evidence suggests that dietary patterns, particularly their inflammatory and oxidative properties, may influence cancer risk. The Dietary Inflammatory Index (DII) and Dietary Oxidative Balance Score (DOBS) assess the inflammatory and oxidative effects of diets, respectively. This study aims to explore the association between DII, DOBS, and the combined risk of GI cancers, and investigates the potential mediating roles of serum albumin and red cell distribution width (RDW).MethodsData from 26,320 participants in the NHANES 2005–2018 cycles were analyzed. DII was calculated based on 28 dietary components, and DOBS included 17 nutrients (3 pro-oxidants and 14 antioxidants). Logistic regression models assessed the associations between DII, DOBS, and GI cancers. Restricted cubic spline (RCS) models examined dose-response relationships. Mediation analysis evaluated the roles of serum albumin and RDW. Subgroup analyses explored interactions with demographic and health-related factors.ResultsHigher DII was associated with increased GI cancer risk (OR: 1.26, 95% CI: 1.07–1.49 per unit increase), while higher DOBS was associated with reduced risk (OR: 0.90, 95% CI: 0.76–0.99 per unit increase). RCS analysis indicated a significant nonlinear relationship between DII and GI cancer risk. Serum albumin and RDW partially mediated the associations between DII, DOBS, and GI cancers. Subgroup analyses showed stronger associations for DII among certain demographics, and significant interactions were found between DII and BMI. For DOBS, significant interactions were observed with age and BMI.ConclusionThis study reveals significant associations between dietary inflammatory and oxidative balance scores and GI cancer risk. Higher DII is linked to increased risk, while higher DOBS is protective. The mediating roles of serum albumin and RDW provide insights into underlying mechanisms. These findings underscore the potential of dietary modifications in GI cancer prevention and management, emphasizing the importance of anti-inflammatory and antioxidant-rich diets.

Health risk assessment of lead and cadmium exposure from food and snuff in Pakistani population

BackgroundSmokeless tobacco (SLT) is a tobacco-based product consumed without burning or smoking. Snuff, commonly known as naswar, is a widely used SLT product in Pakistan. This study is designed to investigate the concentrations of lead (Pb) and cadmium (Cd) in snuff and their associated health risks to consumers. MethodsBlood samples from snuff consumers and non-consumers were analyzed for Pb and Cd concentrations. Additionally, samples of drinking water and wheat flour were also analyzed for Pb and Cd. Health risk assessments were calculated using hazard quotient (HQ) and incremental lifetime cancer risk (ILCR) for Pb and Cd. ResultsSnuff consumers had significantly higher blood-Pb and blood-Cd levels compared to non-consumers. Approximately 38.5 % of snuff consumers were found to exceed blood-Pb levels from the safe limits (10 µg dL⁻¹) of the World Health Organization (WHO), while 48.9 % of snuff consumers were found to exceed blood-Cd levels from the WHO safe range of 0.03–0.12 µg dL⁻¹. Snuff samples contained Pb and Cd concentrations ranging from 5.3 to 22.4 µg g⁻¹ and 0.5–2.2 µg g⁻¹, respectively. Drinking water and wheat flour samples were found within the safe limits for Pb and Cd concentration, suggesting snuff as the primary source of exposure. Health risk assessments indicated elevated HQ values, for Pb (38.9 %) and Cd (14.3 %) detected in snuff, surpassing the safe HQ threshold of 1. Concerning ILCR from snuff, values for Pb were within the acceptable range, but alarmingly 100 % of samples for Cd exceeded the safe limits of USEPA (1.0×10⁻⁴), indicating a significant cancer risk in snuff users. ConclusionThis study highlights the exceeded Pb and Cd concentrations in snuff as well as also reporting significant carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic health risks to consumers. These findings emphasized the urgent need for regulatory bodies to ensure the safety of snuff before selling in the market. Public Health Professionals should also initiate educational campaigns to raise awareness among consumers and manufacturers about various health risks associated with the snuff.

Human health risk assessment of potentially toxic metals in fish (Cynoglossus sp.) commonly consumed in Nigeria

In order to determine the concentrations of certain metals that may be hazardous in widely consumed fish species (Cynoglossus sp.) in Nigeria, atomic absorption spectrophotometry was used. The main objectives were to determine the most likely sources of these metals and assess the potential health concerns connected with consuming fish. Fish samples were collected from Sabo market, Ile-Ife, Osun state. They were digested using HNO3 and H2O2 and subjected to elemental analysis (Fe, Zn, Mn, Pb, Cu, Cd, Co, and Cr) using atomic absorption spectrophotometer. The results showed that Lead (Pb) had the lowest mean concentration of 0.56 ± 0.01 mg/kg, while Zinc (Zn) had the highest average concentration of 12.88 ± 0.18 mg/kg. Strong and substantial correlations between the studied metals were shown by the analysis of the correlation matrix and cluster patterns. The study also evaluated a number of health risk parameters, including target hazard quotient, estimated daily intake, and cancer risk, which together suggested that consuming these fish samples posed health concerns for both adults and children. According to relative risk, seafood consumption raises the most alarm about Cd levels. The study came to the conclusion that due to the propensity for these potentially hazardous metals to bioaccumulate, only a moderate amount of these fish samples should be consumed. Additionally, it is strongly advised to discourage the disposal of domestic and industrial wastes into water bodies.

Prevalence of cancer survivors diagnosed during adolescence and young adulthood in the United States.

Adolescent and young adult (AYA) cancer incidence rates are rising, and survivors are at risk for numerous cancer- and treatment-related consequences. Despite growing attention to this population, prevalence estimates are lacking. To estimate the number of individuals living in the United States with a history of cancer diagnosed during the AYA period. Prevalence of cancer survivors diagnosed between the ages of 15 and 39 years was estimated using data from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) program as of January 1, 2020. Limited duration prevalence data were also used to generate complete prevalence by sex, years since diagnosis (0-<1, 1-<5, 5-<10, 10-<15, 15-<20, 20+), and attained age (15-19, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, 70+) for the 15 most common AYA cancer sites. There were an estimated 2,111,838 survivors of AYA cancers in the United States as of January 1, 2020. More survivors were female (66%) and long-term (>5 years from diagnosis, 83%) or very long-term survivors (>10 years from diagnosis, 68.8%). A large percentage (44%) were more than 20 years from diagnosis. The most common cancer sites among females were breast (24%) and thyroid cancers (23%) and, among males, testicular cancer (31%). Across the population, the highest percentage of survivors of AYA cancers were 40- to 49-years of age (25.3%). There are over 2.1 million cancer survivors diagnosed in the AYA period who are living in the United States; most are more than 10 years from diagnosis.

Single-cell analysis reveals alternations between the aged and young mice prostates

BackgroundAging of the male prostate is an inevitable process in which the prostate undergoes hyperplasia, and this growth may lead to compression of the urethra, resulting in voiding dysfunction and associated symptoms, and an increased risk of prostate cancer. Despite the significance of prostate aging, the molecular mechanisms involved are still not fully understood.MethodsProstate split by lobes from young (2 months) and aged (24 months) mice were collected for single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) analysis. Tissues from both anterior prostate (AP) and ventral/dorsal/lateral prostate (VDLP) were included in the study. Data analysis included unsupervised clustering using the uniform manifold approximation and projection (UMAP) algorithm to identify distinct cell types based on marker gene expression. Differential gene expression analysis was performed to identify age-related changes in gene expression across different cell types. Functional enrichment analysis was conducted to elucidate biological pathways associated with differentially expressed genes. Additionally, cellular interactions and developmental trajectories were analyzed to characterize cellular dynamics during prostate aging.ResultsThe single-cell transcriptome analysis of the mouse prostate during aging revealed heterogeneity across various cell types and their changes during the aging process. We found a significant increase in the proportion of mesenchymal and immune cells in aged mice. Our study unveiled alterations in genes and pathways associated with cellular senescence, oxidative stress, and regeneration in epithelial cells. Furthermore, we observed that basal cells may undergo epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) to become mesenchymal cells, particularly prominent in aged mice. Additionally, immune cells, notably macrophages and T cells, exhibited a heightened inflammatory response in aged mice.ConclusionIn summary, our study provides a comparative analysis of the single-cell transcriptome of the aged and young mice prostates, elucidating cellular and molecular changes between the aged and young mice prostates.

Interplay of Cardiometabolic Syndrome and Biliary Tract Cancer: A Comprehensive Analysis with Gender-Specific Insights.

BTC overall incidence is globally increasing. CCA, including its subtypes, is a form of BTC. MetS, obesity, MASLD, and diabetes are all linked to CCA in interconnected ways. The link between obesity and CCA is less well-defined in Eastern countries as compared to Western. Although more research is needed to determine the relationship between MASLD and extrahepatic CCA (eCCA), MASLD may be a concurrent risk factor for intrahepatic CCA, particularly in populations with established or unidentified underlying liver disease. Interestingly, the risk of biliary tract cancer (BTC) seemed to be higher in patients with shorter diabetes durations who were not treated with insulin. Therefore, early detection and prevention of chronic liver disease, as well as additional intervention studies, will undoubtedly be required to determine whether improvements to MetS, weight loss, and diabetes therapy can reduce the risk and progression of BTC. However, further studies are needed to understand how reproductive hormones are involved in causing BTC and to develop consistent treatment for patients. Finally, it is critical to carefully assess the cardiological risk in BTC patients due to their increased intrinsic cardiovascular risk, putting them at risk for thrombotic complications, cardiovascular death, cardiac metastasis, and nonbacterial thrombotic endocarditis. This review aimed to provide an updated summary of the relation between the abovementioned cardio-metabolic conditions and BTC.

Adjuvant endocrine therapy and risk of contralateral breast cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies.

Randomized clinical trials support reductions in contralateral breast cancer (CBC) risk with use of adjuvant endocrine therapy, however, real-world treatment effects, particularly for subgroups of breast cancer survivors, remain inconclusive. To address this, population-based observational studies of adjuvant endocrine therapy and CBC were synthesized and meta-analyzed. PubMed and Embase databases were systematically searched for observational studies of endocrine therapy use and CBC risk. Random effects meta-analyses estimated summary relative risks (RRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for associations between endocrine therapy (ever use of tamoxifen and/or aromatase inhibitors (AIs)) and CBC risk. Heterogeneity across studies was assessed using the I2 test. Subgroup analyses were conducted by study design, menopausal status, and CBC estrogen receptor (ER)-status. Seventeen eligible observational studies (n = 287,576 breast cancer survivors) published between 1995 and 2019 were included. Endocrine therapy use was associated with reduced CBC risk (RR:0.62, 95% CI:0.53, 0.73, I2 = 84.8%, p < 0.0001). No heterogeneity was observed by study design (phet = 0.9). Similar reductions were observed in analyses restricted to tamoxifen use. As only two studies assessed AI use, estimates could not be meta-analyzed. In subgroup analyses, there were no differences in CBC risk reduction by menopausal status (phet = 0.22). Endocrine therapy reduced risk of ER-positive (RR:0.55, 95% CI:0.43, 0.70) but not ER-negative CBC (RR:1.26, 95% CI:0.95, 1.66) (phet < 0.001). This meta-analysis of observational studies supports a reduction in CBC risk with endocrine therapy among breast cancer survivors, in concert with evidence synthesized from randomized clinical trials, and highlights differences in endocrine therapy effectiveness by ER-status of CBC.

Validation of gene polymorphisms (rs2682818 and rs2043556) in has-miR-618 and has-miR-605 with the breast cancer susceptibility

BackgroundBreast cancer (BC) is one of the most frequent types of cancer and the second leading cause of cancer-affiliate death among ladies. BC is a heterogeneous sickness that is impacted by environment and genetic elements. Diagnosis in the early stages impacts treatment and patient survival rate. miRNA can play a vital role in BC's early stages of tumorigenesis. Single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) can cause changes in miRNA expression and function, which are related to the risk of several cancers. AimThe goal of this examination is to assess the affiliation among two has-miR-605 (rs2043556A > G) and has-miR-618 (rs2682818 C > A) gene polymorphisms with the risk of BC in the Iranian ladies. MethodsOur case-control examination assessed two hundred whole blood samples of one hundred ladies with BC and one hundred healthy ladies. Hence, to assess the connection between the presence of SNP miRNA genes and the risk of BC, genotyping was done by the usage of the polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) method, then the usage of the Chi-square test of SPSS software statistically analyzed the acquired result. ResultsOur findings confirmed a statistically substantial distinction within the genotype frequency of the has-miR-618 gene polymorphism among the groups (P = 0.043), whereas no statistically substantial distinction inside the genotype frequency of the has-miR-605 gene polymorphism among the control and case (P = 0.183). In addition, the allelic frequency of two polymorphisms, (rs2043556 A > G) G allele (OR = 2.163, CI 95 % = 1.56–2.988, P = 0.022) and (rs2682818 C > A) A allele (OR = 3.997, CI 95 % = 1.584–10.081, P = 0.002) substantially enhance the risk of BC. ConclusionThe results show that the G allele of rs2043556 and the A allele of rs2682818 increase the risk of BC in the women population of East Azerbaijan province.

Prevalence and genotype distribution of high-risk Human Papillomavirus infection among Vietnamese women in Ho Chi Minh City, Viet Nam: A population-based cross-sectional study

IntroductionPersistent infection with high-risk Human Papillomavirus (HR-HPV) genotypes are wellknown to increase the risk of cervical cancer significantly. This study aims to determine the prevalence and distribution of high-risk HR-HPV genotypes among women in Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC), Viet Nam. MethodsA population-based cross-sectional study was conducted between June 2020 and September 2020 in all 24 districts of HCMC, Viet Nam. Socio-demographic and behavioral data were collected from 2478 women aged 25 to 65 who had sexual intercourse using a self-administered questionnaire. Vaginal swab specimens from all participants were collected to identify HR-HPV genotypes using Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) protocols. ResultsThe prevalence of HR-HPV infection was 3.5 % (87 women, including 20 cases infected with multi-genotypes), 3.1 % in urban and 0.4 % in rural areas. The most detected HR-HPV genotypes among positive cases were 58 (25.3 %), 52 (21.8 %), 16 (21.8 %), 68 (10.3 %), 51 (10.34 %) and 18 (9.2 %). The prevalence of multi-type HR-HPV genotypes was 0.81 %, of which the most common co-infection genotypes were 52 and 58 (20.0 %), 16 and 56 (10.0 %), and 16 and 39 (10.0 %). The percentages of one-, two-, three-, and four-genotypes of HPV among positive cases were 77.0 %, 16.1 %, 4.6 % and 2.3 %, respectively. ConclusionsOur findings explore a low prevalence of HR-HPV infection in Vietnamese women, of which genotypes 52 and 58 are more popular than 16 and 18. Continuously updated data on the genotype distribution of HPV are helpful for vaccine development and planning preventive activities to prevent HPV-related cancers.

HPV Vaccination Status in HIV-Negative MSM and Its Association with High-Risk HPV Detection Using HPV Serology and Anorectal Swabs

Background/Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of high-risk (HR) human papillomavirus (HPV) types by HPV vaccination status and the feasibility of using HPV L1 serology to identify HIV-negative men who have sex with men (MSM) who may be at risk for anal cancer. Methods: This cross-sectional study recruited HIV-negative MSM from a US metropolitan area. The prevalence of HR, quadrivalent, and nonavalent anorectal HPV DNA and HPV L1 serum antibodies was estimated. McNemar’s chi-square and kappa statistics were used to determine significant differences in HPV detection between anorectal DNA swabs and HPV L1 serology. Results: Eighty-two men had adequate anorectal swabs and serology samples for analysis. Men who self-reported receipt of the HPV vaccine (35.6%) had detectable L1 HPV antibodies (93.1%) and a lower prevalence of active anal HPV infections (20.7%) compared to those who reported none. Conclusions: If confirmed in larger prospective studies, a combination of HPV vaccination status or HPV L1 serology and anorectal swabs for HR HPV types could identify HIV-negative MSM who do not need to undergo follow-up anal testing.