Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Biology

The Relationship Between Kirsten Rat Sarcoma Mutations and Mismatch Repair Status in Colorectal Cancer Patients: A Preliminary Study

2025-07-14T04:51:52+00:00

Background: Chromosomal instability (CIN) is a key pathway in colorectal cancer (CRC) tumorigenesis, occurring in 80%-85% of cases and leading to aneuploidy. CIN tumors often harbor mutations in APC, KRAS, and TP53, which drive tumor progression. Another crucial pathway, microsatellite instability (MSI), results from DNA mismatch repair (MMR) defects, leading to a hypermutable phenotype. MSI-CRC has distinct clinicopathologic features and a better prognosis than proficient MMR (pMMR) CRC. KRAS mutations, found in approximately 40% of CRC cases, drive tumor progression via the RAS/RAF/MAPK pathway. This study investigates the relationship between KRAS mutations and MMR status in CRC patients.

Methods: A preliminary cross-sectional study was conducted on CRC patients. KRAS mutations were analyzed using PCR, while MMR status was determined via immunohistochemistry and microsatellite testing. Clinical variables, including cancer stage, tumor category, and location, were analyzed.

Results: Among 55 patients, 91.3% had pMMR and 8.7% had deficient MMR (dMMR). KRAS mutations were more frequent in pMMR patients (80% of cases). Patients with pMMR and KRAS mutations exhibited aggressive tumors but responded to conventional therapy, whereas dMMR patients with KRAS mutations showed complex molecular profiles, potentially benefiting from immunotherapy.

Conclusion: KRAS mutations are primarily associated with pMMR in CRC, indicating distinct molecular pathways. Personalized treatment strategies should consider MMR status and KRAS mutations to optimize therapeutic outcomes. Further research is needed to explore their clinical implications.

Comparative Efficacy of Prostate Tumor Induction Methods in Wistar Rats

2025-07-14T04:54:29+00:00

Objectives: This study aims to evaluate and compare the efficacy of three methods for inducing prostate tumors in male Wistar rats: hormonal induction using testosterone propionate, chemical induction with cadmium chloride, and a combination of both agents. The research seeks to enhance understanding of the interactions between environmental and hormonal factors in prostate cancer development.

Materials and Methods: Twenty-five male Wistar rats (180-220 grams) were randomly assigned to five groups: a control group (no induction), a low-dose cadmium chloride group (1 mg/kg), a high-dose cadmium chloride group (2 mg/kg), a testosterone propionate group (5 mg/kg), and a combination group (1 mg/kg cadmium chloride + 5 mg/kg testosterone). Each treatment was administered over four weeks, followed by a four-week observation period. Histopathological analyses were conducted on prostate tissues using Hematoxylin and Eosin (H&E) staining to assess tumor characteristics and progression.

Results: Histopathological examination revealed that the control group exhibited normal prostate architecture. The low-dose cadmium chloride group showed mild hyperplasia, while the high-dose group displayed significant dysplastic changes. The testosterone propionate group demonstrated hyperplastic and pleomorphic epithelium, indicative of early tumorigenesis. The combination group exhibited the most aggressive tumors, characterized by severely dysplastic epithelium and stromal invasion. Survival rates were notably lower in the combination group, indicating increased health risks associated with dual exposure.

Conclusions: The study concludes that the combination of cadmium chloride and testosterone propionate results in a more aggressive tumor phenotype compared to either agent alone, suggesting a synergistic effect in prostate carcinogenesis. These findings underscore the importance of using combined hormonal and chemical induction models to better replicate human prostate cancer for experimental research. Further studies are recommended to explore molecular mechanisms and optimize induction protocols for improved translational relevance in prostate cancer research.

Histopathological Findings with Incidental Detection of Prostatic Carcinoma in TURP Specimen: A Retrospective Study in a Tertiary Care Hospital

2025-08-06T06:40:29+00:00

Introduction: In adults prostate weighs upto 20 gms which is a pear shaped organ. Prostatic gland diseases leads to increase morbidity and moratlity in patients. Prostatic adenocarcinoma is one of the common malignancy among men in India. Transurethral resection of prostate (TURP) is one of the common procedures done by the urologist in cases of prostatomegaly.

Aims and Objective: This study was conducted to see various histopathological patterns of prostatic lesions in TURP specimens. Also to evaluate the incidence of incidental adenocarcinoma of prostste.

Materials and Methods: It was a retrospective study done for the duration of 1 year. Total 58 TURP cases were evaluated by retrieving their slides,blocks as well all the clinical informations. All the H & E slides were re examined and new slides were prepared from the paraffin blocks wherever required.

Results: In these study commonest lesion that we encountered in TURP specimen were benign prostatic hyperplasia (89.65%). BPH was associated with prostatitis in 20.69% of cases. Highest BPH cases were seen in the age group of 60-69 years. We also found one case of atypical adenomatoid hyperplasia (AAH) and one case of High grade PIN in our study. We detect 4 cases of incidental adenocarcioma in our study, incidence of which were 6.89 %. Most common age group of adenocarcinoma was 60-69 years. Out of 4 malignant cases 1 case showed perineural invasion in our study.

Conclusion: In TURP specimens, most common lesion are the benign prostatic hyperplasia. However TURP can detect incidental adenocarcinoma also. So it is very important to do routine histopathological examinations of all the TURP specimens to rule out malignancy.

The Therapeutic Potential of Curcuma longa (Turmeric) in the Management of Breast Cancer in Female Rats: Mechanisms and Molecular Targets

2025-08-06T06:52:52+00:00

Background: Curcuma longa (turmeric), a traditional medicinal plant, has demonstrated significant antitumor properties in various cancer models. This study investigates the therapeutic efficacy of turmeric extract in the treatment of breast cancer in female rats, focusing on its mechanisms of action and molecular targets.

Methods: Female Wistar rats were induced with mammary tumors using 7,12-dimethylbenz [a] anthracene (DMBA). The treated group received standardized doses of turmeric extract orally for six weeks. Tumor volume, histopathological changes, apoptosis markers (e.g., caspase-3), and oxidative stress biomarkers (e.g., MDA, SOD) were evaluated.

Results: Rats treated with Curcuma longa showed a significant reduction in tumor size compared to the untreated group (p < 0.05). Histological analysis revealed increased apoptosis and reduced angiogenesis. Molecular assays indicated downregulation of NF-κB and upregulation of p53 expression.

Conclusion: Turmeric demonstrated potent antitumor effects in breast cancer–induced rats through modulation of oxidative stress, inflammation, and apoptosis pathways. These findings support further investigation into Curcuma longa as a complementary therapeutic agent in breast cancer management.

The Ratio of MicroRNA-21 to MicroRNA-195 as a Predictive and Prognostic Biomarker of Colorectal Carcinoma

2025-08-06T07:04:46+00:00

Introduction: Colorectal carcinoma (CRC) is the fourth leading cause of cancer-related death worldwide and the third most common cancer in Indonesia. Due to its asymptomatic nature, CRC is often diagnosed at an advanced stage, making early detection critical. MicroRNAs (miRNAs), small non-coding single-stranded RNA molecules, have emerged as potential biomarkers for cancer.

Objective: This study aimed to determine the ratio profile of miR-21 and miR-195 as predictive and prognostic factors in colorectal carcinoma patients in Margono Soekarjo Hospital, Purwokerto, Indonesia.

Methods: This study was conducted with a cross-sectional study design on 31 colorectal carcinoma patients during the 2018-2020 period who still had remaining paraffin-embedded tissue blocks at the Anatomical Pathology Laboratory of Margono Soekarjo Hospital, Purwokerto, Indonesia. The expression levels of miR-21 and miR-195 were analyzed using quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). The Pearson correlation test assessed the association between miRNA expression and clinicopathological parameters.

Result: This study revealed that high miR-21 expression levels were significantly associated with poor prognosis in colorectal carcinoma patients, with p values of 0.027 and r = 0.398. Low miR-195 expression levels were significantly associated with poor colorectal carcinoma prognosis, with p values of 0.002 and r=0.533. A high miR-21/miR-195 expression levels ratio is significantly associated with the advanced colorectal carcinoma stage, with p values of 0.016 and r = 0.429.

Conclusion: A High ratio of miR-21/ miR-195 correlates with the advanced stage of colorectal carcinoma. The expression ratio of miR-21 to miR-195 may be a potential predictive and prognostic biomarker in colorectal carcinoma.

Exploring the Synergistic Anticancer Potential of Linagliptin and Esomeprazole in Cervical Cancer Cell Line: Mechanistic Insights into Targeting HSPB1, Hsp60

2025-08-06T07:10:43+00:00

Objective: This study assessed the anticancer properties of the linagliptin-esomeprazole combination and investigated its molecular mechanism by analyzing its ability to target heat shock proteins.

Methods: Over 24 and 72 hours, a HeLa cell line was used to assess the cytotoxicity of linagliptin, esomeprazole, the linagliptin-esomeprazole mixture, and cisplatin. The safety and selective toxicity of the mixture were evaluated using the human-derived adipose tissue cell line NHF. The concentrations of linagliptin, esomeprazole, cisplatin, and the mixture ranged from 0.1 to 1000 µg/ml. The study involved an estimated combination index value to assess the potential synergistic effect of linagliptin and esomeprazole. The dose reduction index was used to evaluate decreases in the cytotoxic concentrations of the mixture components, indicating the mixture’s safety and potency. The study uses computational molecular docking simulations to evaluate the binding affinity of linagliptin and esomeprazole to different cancer-related heat shock proteins.

Results: Our study’s findings show that linagliptin, esomeprazole, and their combination inhibit the growth of cervical cancer cells, with the mixture being more cytotoxic than either individual drug and cisplatin. The interaction between linagliptin and esomeprazole demonstrated synergistic cytotoxicity, as the combination index score indicated. The mixture displayed selective toxicity toward cancer cells, suggesting a lower risk of adverse effects, supported by the selective toxicity and dose reduction indexes. The pilot study of computational molecular docking simulations involving various Heat shock proteins showed optimal interactions of linagliptin and esomeprazole with HSPB1 and Hsp60, respectively, with docking scores of -8.8 kcal/mol and -7.6 kcal/mol.

Conclusion: The findings from our study, including the MTT assay, combination index, dose reduction index, selective toxicity index, and computational docking simulations, indicate that the linagliptin–esomeprazole mixture is a promising, effective, safer, and cost-efficient alternative to traditional chemotherapy for cervical cancer.

Association of Estrogen Receptor TA Repeats with Endometrial and Ovarian Cancers in Basrah Province

2025-08-06T07:23:04+00:00

Background: Ovarian and endometrial malignancies are complex diseases, since a defect in hormone balance can be the most important cause of tumor formation.

Aim of study: Examine and identify the association between ER TA repeats with endometrial and ovarian cancers in Basrah women.

Patients: Groups include 50 healthy controls and 50 cancer patients, divided into 20 endometrial cancer patients and 30 ovarian cancer patients.

Results and Discussion: The result shows TA 11–12 repeats are the most common in endometrial cancer in 68% of cancer patients, followed by TA≥10 in 8% and 4% for both 13–14 repeats and ≤15, whereas TA repeats 11–12 and ≤15 repeats are the most common in ovarian cancer in 22% for each one, followed by ≥10 TA in 10% and 13–14 in 6%. The control groups have four groups of repeat numbers: 11–12 TA repeat in 68%, 13–14 in 20%, ≤15in 10%, and ≥10 in 2%. Simultaneously, a substantial association exists between the two types of cancers and the TA repeat length variation of the estrogen receptor type alpha.

Conclusion: The length of the TA repeat in estrogen receptor alpha has a significant risk for ovarian and endometrial cancer.

Advances in Uveal Melanoma: From Molecular Pathogenesis to Precision Diagnostics and Personalized Therapies: Narrative Overview

2025-07-14T05:01:43+00:00

Objective: This review aims to summarize recent progress in the molecular understanding, diagnostic strategies, and treatment innovations in uveal melanoma (UM), the most common primary intraocular malignancy in adults. Emphasis is placed on the integration of precision diagnostics and emerging therapies that may improve clinical outcomes in high-risk cases.

Materials and Methods: A narrative literature review was conducted using databases including PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar, covering the years 2020 to 2024. Keywords used included “uveal melanoma,” “liquid biopsy,” “circulating tumor cells,” “gene mutations,” “immunotherapy,” and “precision oncology.” Relevant peer-reviewed articles, clinical trials, and reviews were selected based on methodological quality and relevance to the scope of the review.

Results: Uveal melanoma most frequently arises in the choroid and is genetically distinct from cutaneous melanoma. It is primarily driven by mutations in guanine nucleotide-binding protein G(q) subunit alpha (GNAQ), guanine nucleotide-binding protein G(q) subunit alpha-11 (GNA11), BRCA1 associated protein-1 (BAP1), eukaryotic translation initiation factor 1A X-linked (EIF1AX), and splicing factor 3B subunit 1 (SF3B1). These mutations activate key signaling pathways such as mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and phosphoinositide 3-kinase/protein kinase B (PI3K/AKT), influencing prognosis and therapeutic response. Diagnostic advancements include high-resolution imaging and liquid biopsy techniques, which enable detection of circulating tumor cells, circulating tumor DNA, and microRNAs. Standard treatments include radiation therapy (plaque brachytherapy) and surgical interventions. Novel therapeutic approaches such as tebentafusp (a T-cell receptor therapy), oncolytic viruses, chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy, suicide gene constructs, and RNA interference show promise in clinical and preclinical settings.

Conclusion: A precision medicine approach that integrates molecular diagnostics, artificial intelligence-enhanced liquid biopsy, and novel systemic therapies is transforming the management of uveal melanoma. These innovations may enable earlier detection, more accurate risk stratification, and targeted treatment, potentially improving survival and preserving vision in affected patients.