Common Human Cancers Research Articles

The role of TGF-β and antimicrobial peptides in basal cell carcinoma: a systematic review.

Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is the most common skin cancer in humans, occurring in more than 50% of Caucasians during their lifetime, with a frequency rate that is continually increasing. We present a systematic review summarizing the role of transforming growth factor β (TGF-β), cathelicidin, and human β-defensins (HBDs) in the pathogenesis of BCC. The major online databases including PubMed, Scopus, Embase, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, and Google Scholar were searched to extract studies regarding the levels of TGF-β, HBD, and cathelicidin in BCC. A total of 14 studies met the inclusion criteria and were included in this systematic review. There were 6 studies that included initially established levels of TGF-β in BCCs. A total of 87 BCCs were analysed, and a common result was that the TGF-β levels increase in the BCCs compared to the control groups. Analogously, 2 studies contained numerical data on HBD levels but with a different in methodology. The level of cathelicidin was established in 108 BCCs and was significantly higher in the BCC group than in the control group. The presented review shows evidence that proteins like TGF-β, HBD, and cathelicidin play a role in developing BCC. Protein levels or their expression are elevated in patients with BCC. Furthermore, a critical review of the literature was presented and discussed, highlighting its shortcomings.

Morphological heterogeneity of intratumoral macrophages in prostate tumors

Background. Prostate cancer (PCa) is the most common human cancer worldwide. In the progression of prostate cancer, the total number of macrophages in the tumor tissue is associated with poor prognosis and increased risk of metastasis. However, the heterogeneity of intratumoral macrophages at various stages of PCa development, and the role of tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) have been insuffciently investigated.The aim of the study was to analyze the morphological features, size and number of TAMs in PCa tissue samples, and to reveal their correlation with clinical data of patients.Material and Methods. Immunohistochemical analysis of 36 paraffn blocks of patients with PCa (pT2a–3bN0–1M0) was performed using antibodies to the scavenger receptor CD68.Results. Foamy CD68+ macrophages were found in the tumor tissue. The indicator “number of macrophages per total number of felds of view with macrophages” was the lowest in patients with a Gleason score of 6 (5.8) (11.0 – in patients with a Gleason score ≥ 8). Macrophages formed larger clusters in patients with severe PCa. Small but not large macrophages were signifcantly more common in patients with lymph node metastases (48 vs 24 in the N0 group; p=0.14). The number of small macrophages (smaller than 100 µm2) increased in a series of patients with Gleason scores of 6, 7 and ≥ 8 (24, 47.5, 72, respectively, p=0.052).Conclusion. As the tumor process progressed and the risk of biochemical recurrence increased, there was a trend towards an increase in the total area of large, foamy TAMs, presumably rich in lipids, as well as wider distribution of small macrophages with a tendency to form clusters. We hypothesize that foamy macrophages are involved in the further recruitment of small TAMs, subsequently leading to metastasis and tumor progression.

Electrochemical Biosensors Based on Carbon Nanomaterials for Diagnosis of Human Respiratory Diseases.

In recent years, respiratory diseases have increasingly become a global concern, largely due to the outbreak of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19). This inevitably causes great attention to be given to the development of highly efficient and minimal or non-invasive methods for the diagnosis of respiratory diseases. And electrochemical biosensors based on carbon nanomaterials show great potential in fulfilling the requirement, not only because of the superior performance of electrochemical analysis, but also given the excellent properties of the carbon nanomaterials. In this paper, we review the most recent advances in research, development and applications of electrochemical biosensors based on the use of carbon nanomaterials for diagnosis of human respiratory diseases in the last 10 years. We first briefly introduce the characteristics of several common human respiratory diseases, including influenza, COVID-19, pulmonary fibrosis, tuberculosis and lung cancer. Then, we describe the working principles and fabrication of various electrochemical biosensors based on carbon nanomaterials used for diagnosis of these respiratory diseases. Finally, we summarize the advantages, challenges, and future perspectives for the currently available electrochemical biosensors based on carbon nanomaterials for detecting human respiratory diseases.

EPCO-27. REVEALING TUMOR HETEROGENEITY AND IMMUNE MICROENVIRONMENT IN NF-1 GLIOMA BY SINGLE-CELL GENE EXPRESSION PROFILING

Abstract Germline mutations in the NF1 tumor suppressor gene cause neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF-1), the most common human genetic cancer predisposition syndrome. NF1 patients are prone to develop peripheral and central nervous system tumors, with glioma occurring in 15-20% of patients. The molecular profiles of glioma from patients with NF-1 have been previously explored by large scale DNA and RNA bulk analyses, providing the first comprehensive genetic landscape of NF-1 glioma. However, the intra-tumoral architecture and the microenvironment organization remained largely concealed within the global bulk profile. Here, to characterize the complexity of molecular states of both malignant and non-malignant cells, we profiled NF-1 glioma gene expression at individual cell resolution. We performed single-nuclei RNA sequencing (Nucseq) on frozen NF-1 glioma specimens, including high-grade and low-grade tumors. The functional classification of the transcriptional programs activated in the individual tumor cells identified three main molecular states that partially overlapped with the cellular subtypes of sporadic glioblastoma. Tumor cells of low-grade NF-1 glioma exhibited marked enrichment of neuronal functions, suggesting that the gliomagenesis process in the context of NF1 inactivation might be supported by specialized neuronal activities. Conversely, the proliferative state characterized high-grade NF-1 glioma, indicating that cell cycle-associated pathways are drivers of tumor progression. The single-cell deconvolution of immune microenvironment in NF-1 low grade glioma revealed infiltration of CD8+ T lymphocytes and the active crosstalk of these cells with pro-inflammatory macrophages and mature dendritic cells, supporting a possible anti-tumor cell-mediated response. The identification of divergent tumor cell states as well as the characterization of the immune infiltrates provide new insights for accurate stratification of NF-1 glioma patients and to inform personalized therapeutics.

Alkannin exerts antitumor properties in cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma by inducing apoptosis and shifting the M1/M2 polarization of tumor-associated macrophages by upregulating PTEN.

Cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (CSCC) is a common cancer in humans and is the second major type of skin cancer that causes death in humans. In this article, we investigated the effects of alkannin on CSCC progression. We revealed that alkannin curbed CSCC cell viability in a dose-dependent manner and accelerated CSCC cell apoptosis. In addition, alkannin expedited macrophage M1 polarization while curbing M2 polarization. Moreover, alkannin elevated phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN) abundance in CSCC cells. The results of bioinformatics analysis revealed that alkannin might modulate CSCC via PTEN. Downregulation of PTEN reversed the effects of alkannin on apoptosis of CSCC cells and M1/M2 polarization of macrophages. Alkannin reduced CSCC tumor growth in a mouse xenograft model. In conclusion, alkannin curbed the advancement of CSCC by expediting apoptosis and facilitating M1 polarization of macrophages by upregulating PTEN. These data may offer a therapeutic approach against CSCC.

Anti-proliferative Effects of Cuminum cyminum Extraction by Co-administration of Layered Double Hydroxide (LDH) Nanosheets on SW480 Colorectal Cancer Cell Line through Apoptosis Induction

Background: Colorectal cancer (CC) is common cancer in humans and one of the major causes of cancer death worldwide. Recently, several therapeutic methods of CC and other malignancies have been developed, but drug resistance is an important problem in cancer treatment. Therefore, identifying and providing novel chemotherapeutic agents is important for treating malignancies. Objective: In the present study, we investigated the anti-cancer activity of Cuminum cyminum extraction using layered double hydroxide (LDH) nanosheets on the SW480 CC cell line. Methods: The anti-cancer activity of C. cyminum extraction and LDH nanosheets were investigated on the SW480 CC cell line by MTT assay. The mRNA expression of apoptosis-related genes (BAX and BCL2) was investigated by the Real-Time PCR method. Results: Our results revealed that extraction of C. cyminum significantly decreased proliferation and viability of SW480 CC cell line in a concentration-time-dependent manner. However, the antiproliferation effects of C. cyminum extraction by co-administration of LDH nanosheets were significantly more than its monotherapy. Moreover, the expression of BAX and BCL2 genes in the treated SW480 cells was significantly upregulated and downregulated, respectively. Conclusion: The present study generally revealed significant anti-cancer effects of C. cyminum extraction and LDH nanosheets combination on SW480 CC cells, which may be due to apoptosis induction.

13P Hypermethylation of microRNA gene: Potential in the diagnosis of lung cancer

Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is one of the most common human cancers. In this regard, the search for new biomarkers for detecting NSCLC at early stages is relevant, and one of these markers may be the methylation of CpG-islands of miRNA genes. The aim of this work was to study the level of methylation of promoter CpG-islands of miRNA genes as promising NSCLC markers.

Advances of long non-coding RNA encoded micro-peptides

Long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) refers to non-coding RNA longer than 200 nt, with one or more short open reading frames (sORF), which encode functional micro-peptides. These functional micro-peptides often play key roles in various biological processes, such as Ca2+ transport, mitochondrial metabolism, myocyte fusion, cellular senescence and others. At the same time, these biological processes play a key role in the regulation of body homeostasis, diseases and cancers development and progression, embryonic development and other important physiological processes. Therefore, studying the potential regulatory mechanisms of micro-peptides encoded by lncRNA in organisms will help to further elucidate the potential regulatory processes in organisms. Furthermore, it will provide a new theoretical basis for the subsequent targeted treatment of diseases and improvement of animal growth performance. This review summarizes the latest research progress in the field of lncRNA-encoded micro-peptides, as well as the progress in the fields of muscle physiological regulation, inflammation and immunity, common human cancers, and embryonic development. Finally, the challenges of lncRNA-encoded micro-peptides are briefly described, with the aim to facilitate subsequent in-depth research on micro-peptides.

Retraction: Coagulation factor 2 thrombin receptor promotes malignancy in glioma under SOX2 regulation.

Glioma is the most common human primary brain cancer with high mortality and unfavorable clinical outcome. Coagulation factor 2 thrombin receptor (F2R), is a key component in the thrombosis process and has been demonstrated upregulated in various cancers. However, the effect and molecular mechanisms of F2R in glioma remains unclear. In our study, we confirmed that the expression of F2R was upregulated in glioma and predicted poor prognosis. Gene Set Enrichment Analysis (GSEA) and function assays demonstrated that F2R overexpression promoted glioma cell proliferation, metastasis and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in vitro and tumor growth in vivo. Then, we identified and validated F2R was the target gene of SRY-box 2 (SOX2) by dual luciferase reporter assay and chromatin immunoprecipitation assay. Besides, High expression of F2R in malignant glioma was associated with β-catenint signaling pathway activation. Our findings conclude that F2R promotes glioma cell proliferation and metastasis under SOX2 and actives WNT/β-catenin Signaling pathway, which provides novel insight to the therapeutic regimen in glioma.

MICAL2 contributes to gastric cancer cell migration via Cdc42-dependent activation of E-cadherin/β-catenin signaling pathway

BackgroundGastric cancer is a common and lethal human malignancy worldwide and cancer cell metastasis is the leading cause of cancer-related mortality. MICAL2, a flavoprotein monooxygenase, is an important regulator of epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition. The aim of this study was to explore the effects of MICAL2 on gastric cancer cell migration and determine the underlying molecular mechanisms.MethodsCell migration was examined by wound healing and transwell assays. Changes in E-cadherin/β-catenin signaling were determined by qPCR and analysis of cytoplasmic and nuclear protein fractions. E-cadherin/β-catenin binding was determined by co-immunoprecipitation assays. Cdc42 activity was examined by pulldown assay.ResultsMICAL2 was highly expressed in gastric cancer tissues. The knockdown of MICAL2 significantly attenuated migratory ability and β-catenin nuclear translocation in gastric cancer cells while LiCl treatment, an inhibitor of GSK3β, reversed these MICAL2 knockdown-induced effects. Meanwhile, E-cadherin expression was markedly enhanced in MICAL2-depleted cells. MICAL2 knockdown led to a significant attenuation of E-cadherin ubiquitination and degradation in a Cdc42-dependent manner, then enhanced E-cadherin/β-catenin binding, and reduced β-catenin nuclear translocation.ConclusionsTogether, our results indicated that MICAL2 promotes E-cadherin ubiquitination and degradation, leading to enhanced β-catenin signaling via the disruption of the E-cadherin/β-catenin complex and, consequently, the promotion of gastric cell migration.Dc64RryusdU76Z1k9R6nBLVideo

Decoding cancer and herbal renaissance.

The original notion in quest of cancer targets to end cancer still stands, yet the secret of common human cancer was concealed by a chicken-egg paradox. Solid tumors initiate in the tumor microenvironment from rare stem cells, which express a mutant target protein as their specific marker. For decades, the stem cell and target protein cannot paradoxically be found one without first finding the other. With combined evidence from genetics, pathology, stem cell biology, clinical oncology, and herbal medicine in particular, this paradox is resolved. Historical successful anticancer herbs, together with clinical oncology drugs, paved the way to decode cancer. In solid tumors, the liable stem cells are pericyte stem cells on blood vessels in the tumor microenvironment inducing angiogenesis. One identified target protein in pericytes is a DNA repair factor and transcriptional regulator named GT198 (gene symbol PSMC3IP, alias name Hop2). Since GT198 is found as a direct drug target of many chemotherapy drugs and clinically successful anticancer herbs, more herbal medicines worldwide can now be screened against this target. In the near future, safer and more effective natural herbal medicines could systematically treat common solid tumors. This review discusses a unified theory of cancer and diseases in which pericyte stem cells are fundamental to both. It also reveals a new approach to identifying multi-functional herbs. Unlocking herbal targets in stem cells enables effective herbal identification and, in turn, awakens the herbal renaissance.

Elevated expression of LIF predicts a poor prognosis and promotes cell migration and invasion of clear cell renal cell carcinoma.

BackgroundRenal cell carcinoma (RCC) is the seventh most common cancer in humans, of which clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) accounts for the majority. Recently, although there have been significant breakthroughs in the treatment of ccRCC, the prognosis of targeted therapy is still poor. Leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF) is a pleiotropic protein, which is overexpressed in many cancers and plays a carcinogenic role. In this study, we explored the expression and potential role of LIF in ccRCC.MethodsThe expression levels and prognostic effects of the LIF gene in ccRCC were detected using TCGA, GEO, ICGC, and ArrayExpress databases. The function of LIF in ccRCC was investigated using a series of cell function approaches. LIF-related genes were identified by weighted gene correlation network analysis (WGCNA). GO and KEGG analyses were performed subsequently. Cox univariate and LASSO analyses were used to develop risk signatures based on LIF-related genes, and the prognostic model was validated in the ICGC and E-MTAB-1980 databases. Then, a nomogram model was constructed for survival prediction and validation of ccRCC patients. To further explore the drug sensitivity between LIF-related genes, we also conducted a drug sensitivity analysis based on the GDSC database.ResultsThe mRNA and protein expression levels of LIF were significantly increased in ccRCC patients. In addition, a high expression of LIF has a poor prognostic effect in ccRCC patients. LIF knockdown can inhibit the migration and invasion of ccRCC cells. By using WGCNA, 97 LIF-related genes in ccRCC were identified. Next, a prognostic risk prediction model including eight LIF-related genes (TOB2, MEPCE, LIF, RGS2, RND3, KLF6, RRP12, and SOCS3) was developed and validated. Survival analysis and ROC curve analysis indicated that the eight LIF-related-gene predictive model had good performance in evaluating patients’ prognosis in different subgroups of ccRCC.ConclusionOur study revealed that LIF plays a carcinogenic role in ccRCC. In addition, we firstly integrated multiple LIF-related genes to set up a risk-predictive model. The model could accurately predict the prognosis of ccRCC, which offers clinical implications for risk stratification, drug screening, and therapeutic decision.

Advances in Management and Therapeutics of Cutaneous Basal Cell Carcinoma.

Simple SummaryBasal cell carcinoma (BCC) is the most common malignancy in humans with a range of treatment options available. Tumor and patient characteristics aid in risk-stratification, which influences treatment considerations. Here, we review the advancements in surgical, topical, field, immunotherapeutic, molecular-targeted, and experimental treatment modalities that can be employed in the correct clinical setting for the treatment of BCC.Basal cell carcinoma (BCC), the most common cancer in humans, is a malignant neoplasm of cells derived from the basal layer of the epidermis. Tumor characteristics such as histologic subtype, primary versus recurrent tumor, anatomic location, size, and patient attributes determine the risk level and acceptable treatment options. Surgical options offer histologic confirmation of tumor clearance. Standard excision provides post-treatment histologic assessment, while Mohs micrographic surgery (MMS) provides complete margin assessment intraoperatively. Additional treatment options may be employed in the correct clinical context. Small and low-risk BCCs, broad field cancerization, locally-advanced disease, metastatic disease, cosmetic concerns, or morbidity with surgical approaches raise consideration of other treatment modalities. We review herein a range of treatment approaches and advances in treatments for BCC, including standard excision, MMS, electrodesiccation and curettage, ablative laser treatment, radiation therapy, targeted molecular therapies, topical therapies, field therapies, immunotherapy, and experimental therapies.

Pyroptosis-Related lncRNA Prognostic Model for Renal Cancer Contributes to Immunodiagnosis and Immunotherapy.

BackgroundRenal clear cell cancer (ccRCC) is one of the most common cancers in humans. Thus, we aimed to construct a risk model to predict the prognosis of ccRCC effectively.MethodsWe downloaded RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) data and clinical information of 539 kidney renal clear cell carcinoma (KIRC) patients and 72 normal humans from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database and divided the data into training and testing groups randomly. Pyroptosis-related lncRNAs (PRLs) were obtained through Pearson correlation between pyroptosis genes and all lncRNAs (p < 0.05, coeff > 0.3). Univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses were then performed to select suitable lncRNAs. Next, a novel signature was constructed and evaluated by survival analysis and ROC analysis. The same observation applies to the testing group to validate the value of the signature. By gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA), we predicted the underlying signaling pathway. Furthermore, we calculated immune cell infiltration, immune checkpoint, the T-cell receptor/B-cell receptor (TCR/BCR), SNV, and Tumor Immune Dysfunction and Exclusion (TIDE) scores in TCGA database. We also validated our model with an immunotherapy cohort. Finally, the expression of PRLs was validated by quantitative PCR (qPCR).ResultsWe constructed a prognostic signature composed of six key lncRNAs (U62317.1, MIR193BHG, LINC02027, AC121338.2, AC005785.1, AC156455.1), which significantly predict different overall survival (OS) rates. The efficiency was demonstrated using the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve. The signature was observed to be an independent prognostic factor in cohorts. In addition, we found the PRLs promote the tumor progression via immune-related pathways revealed in GSEA. Furthermore, the TCR, BCR, and SNV data were retrieved to screen immune features, and immune cell scores were calculated to measure the effect of the immune microenvironment on the risk model, indicating that high- and low-risk scores have different immune statuses. The TIDE algorithm was then used to predict the immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) response of our model, and subclass mapping was used to verify our model in another immunotherapy cohort data. Finally, qPCR validates the PRLs in cell lines.ConclusionThis study provided a new risk model to evaluate ccRCC and may be pyroptosis-related therapeutic targets in the clinic.

Prognostic factors for patients with mass-forming intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma: A case series of 68 patients.

BACKGROUNDIntrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC) is the second most common primary liver cancer in humans after hepatocellular carcinoma and a rare epithelial malignancy that results in a poor prognosis. According to the Liver Cancer Study Group of Japan classification, ICC can be divided into three types: Mass-forming (MF) type, periductal-infiltrating (PI) type, and intraductal-growth type. The MF type is the most common, accounting for 57.1-83.6% of ICCs. Nevertheless, little is known about the epidemiology and treatment of MF ICC.AIMTo examine the prognostic factors for patients with MF ICC.METHODSWe carried out a retrospective analysis of consecutive patients with MF ICC treated at the Faculty of Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Surgery of Chinese PLA General Hospital between January 2008 and December 2018. According to the treatment received, the patients were divided into either a resection group or an exploration group.RESULTSThe pooled 1-, 3-, and 5-year survival rates in the 68 patients with MF ICC were 66.5%, 36.3%, and 9.3%, respectively. Univariate analysis revealed that surgical resection (P < 0.001), nodal metastasis (P < 0.001), tumor location (P = 0.039), vascular invasion (P < 0.001), ascites (P < 0.001), and differentiation (P = 0.009) were significantly associated with the prognosis and survival of MF ICC. Multivariate analysis revealed that ascites (hazard ratio [HR] = 5.6, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.6-18.9, P = 0.006) and vascular invasion (HR = 2.5, 95%CI: 1.0-6.1, P = 0.045) were independent risk factors for MF ICC. The pooled 1-, 3-, and 5-year survival rates in the 19 patients of the exploration group were 5.3%, 5.3%, and 0, respectively. Among the 49 patients who underwent surgical resection, the pooled 1-, 3-, and 5-year survival rates were 93.5%, 49.7%, and 14.4%, respectively. Univariate and multivariate analyses revealed that vascular invasion (HR = 3.1, 95%CI: 1.2-8.5, P = 0.024) and nodal metastasis (HR = 3.2, 95%CI: 1.4-7.6, P = 0.008) were independent prognostic risk factors for surgical resection patients.CONCLUSIONThe prognosis of MF ICC patients is dismal, especially those with ascites or vascular invasion. Surgical resection is a key factor in improving overall survival in patients with MF ICC, and vascular invasion and lymph node metastasis affect the efficacy of surgical resection.

Use of fly larva (Maggots) in Cancer Treatment: A systematic review

Introduction: Superficial cancers are one of the most common cancers in humans and animals. The use of maggot therapy as an alternative treatment is expanding and has achieved great success in treating superficial. Maggot extracts and secretions have been also demonstrated to have beneficial biological effects. The present study aimed to perform the first systematic review of the use of maggot, as well as its secretions and extracts, in neoplasms. Methods: In the current review study, online databases, such as Pub Med, Web of Science, Scopus, and Embase, were searched to retrieve the published studies from 1985-2021. The used keywords were Maggot therapy, Larval therapy, Larval extract, Larval secretions, Cancer, Neoplasm, and Tumor. Only research on the larvae of the order Diptera was included in the present study. Results: Out of 387 screened papers, 9 articles met the proposed inclusion criteria. There were three articles on the use of maggot debridement therapy in tumor lesions and six articles on the effect of maggot secretions and extract on neoplastic cells. Maggot debridement therapy has been able to control the complications of skin tumors and breast cancer. Several studies have also reported anti-tumor effects on larval extracts and secretions. Conclusions: Maggots were able to improve the appearance of lesions and prevent further tumor growth that was progressing before larval therapy. It seems that maggot therapy can be used to treat necrotic tumors; moreover, its extract and secretions can be used to treat a wider range of cancers in humans and animals. Nonetheless, more studies are needed in non-progressive cancers to determine the true effects of this method.

Role of Ultrasound in the Diagnosis of Hepatocellular Carcinoma in Patients with Chronic Liver Disease

Background: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a common cancer in humans. Its mortality ranks third among human malignancies. Cirrhosis of liver is a major contributor to hepatocellular carcinoma, about in 80% of the affected individuals. Fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) of the liver which is a minimal invasive procedure is essential to sort out primary and secondary neoplasm of the liver. Objective: The aim of this cross-sectional study was to determine the accuracy of ultrasound for diagnosis of HCC in comparison with FNAC findings. Materials and Methods: This study was done in the Radiology &amp; Imaging Department in Enam Medical College &amp; Hospital, Savar, Dhaka in collaboration with the Department of Pathology of the same institution for FNAC correlation during October 2017 to November 2019. A total number of 50 patients with CLD with known hepatic mass, referred to the department were included in the study. Ultrasound was done with TOSHIBA using low frequency curvilinear probe of 3.5 MHz. USGguided aspirations was performed using 18G needle under full aseptic measure. USG findings were validated by histopathology reports. Analysis was done by SPSS 19.0. Results: Mean age of the study population was 58.6 ± 10.9 years, of whom 37(74%) were male and 13 (26%) were female. Mean size of the hepatic lesions was 4.7 ± 1.08 cm. The lesions were characterized as iso-, hypo- and hyperechoic as compared with hepatic parenchyma. Doppler study shows both central and peripheral vascularity. Compared with FNAC findings, accuracy of USG findings was determined. Sensitivity of USG in detection of HCC was 97.7%, specificity was 66.7%, and positive prediction value 95.6% and negative prediction value 80%. Conclusion: Conventional USG can be used as a screening method in patients with CLD having hepatic masses. However, further workup is required for definite diagnosis. J Enam Med Col 2020; 10(3): 153-158

Role of human papillomavirus (HPV) in the development of skin cancer

The incidence of nonmelanoma skin cancer, the most common cancer in humans, continues to rise. The development of precancerous actinic keratoses and cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC) is associated with infection with human papillomavirus (HPV) of genus beta (betaHPV). Persistent betaHPV infections in immunocompetent individuals are generally very well controlled by the immune system and largely asymptomatic. However, immunosuppression results in high levels of betaHPV in the skin and consequently increased viral oncoprotein activity, which in turn leads to asignificantly increased risk for skin cancer. However, even in immunocompetent individuals, the risk of cSCC increases with age as aresult of accumulated UV-induced DNA damage in the skin. In these patients, the mechanism of betaHPV-dependent carcinogenesis seems to be different from that observed in immunocompromised patients. The underlying mechanism of oncogenesis in immunocompetent patients is currently less well understood. This review summarizes the current research data, which provide compelling evidence that cutaneous papillomaviruses, particularly in interaction with UV light, promote skin carcinogenesis via a"hit-and-run" mechanism by enhancing the genotoxic effects of UV light in the initial phases of this multistep process. Furthermore, an overview of novel vaccination strategies against papillomaviruses that are currently tested in clinical trials is provided, which could significantly improve the treatment options for high-risk patients in the future.

Pigmented Basal Cell Carcinoma on Permanent Tattoo of the Face: Complication that all Dermatologists need to be Vigilant

Basal cell carcinoma is the most common human cancer worldwide. It‘s an epithelial cancer developed from epidermal tissue, happening most frequently from novo, localized only to the skin, with local malignancy. His prognosis is relatively good but premature management, in effect surgical excision is necessary, given its significant potential tissue destruction leading to high morbidity. Numerous clinical and histological types are reported, specifically tattooed or pigmented basal cell carcinoma which poses the differential diagnosis problem with melanoma. Here we report a case of Basal cell carcinoma of the face, inadequately treated for long time, noticed at an advanced stage.

Geospatiotemporal and causal inference study of cannabis and other drugs as risk factors for female breast cancer USA 2003-2017.

Breast cancer (BC) is the commonest human cancer and its incidence (BC incidence, BCI) is rising worldwide. Whilst both tobacco and alcohol have been linked to BCI genotoxic cannabinoids have not been investigated. Age-adjusted state-based BCI 2003–2017 was taken from the Surveillance Epidemiology and End Results database of the Centers for Disease Control. Drug use from the National Survey of Drug Use and Health, response rate 74.1%. Median age, median household income and ethnicity were from US census. Inverse probability weighted (ipw) multivariable regression conducted in R. In bivariate analysis BCI was shown to be significantly linked with rising cannabis exposure {β-est. = 3.93 [95% confidence interval 2.99, 4.87], P = 1.10 × 10−15}. At 8 years lag cigarettes:cannabis [β-est. = 2660 (2150.4, 3169.3), P = 4.60 × 10−22] and cannabis:alcoholism [β-est. = 7010 (5461.6, 8558.4), P = 1.80 × 10−17] were significant in ipw-panel regression. Terms including cannabidiol [CBD; β-est. = 16.16 (0.39, 31.93), P = 0.446] and cannabigerol [CBG; β-est. = 6.23 (2.06, 10.39), P = 0.0034] were significant in spatiotemporal models lagged 1:2 years, respectively. Cannabis-liberal paradigms had higher BCI [67.50 ± 0.26 v. 65.19 ± 0.21/100 000 (mean ± SEM), P = 1.87 × 10−11; β-est. = 2.31 (1.65, 2.96), P = 9.09 × 10−12]. 55/58 expected values >1.25 and 13/58 >100. Abortion was independently and causally significant in space–time models. Data show that exposure to cannabis and the cannabinoids Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol, CBD, CBG and alcoholism fulfil quantitative causal criteria for BCI across space and time. Findings are robust to adjustment for age and several known sociodemographic, socio-economic and hormonal risk factors and establish cannabinoids as an additional risk factor class for breast carcinogenesis. BCI is higher under cannabis-liberal legal paradigms.