Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Biology

Clinicopathological Study of Gastroduodenal Biopsies and to Correlate with Endoscopic Findings in North East India- A 1 Year Cross-sectional Study in a Tertiary Care Centre

Usha Sarma — 2024-07-21

Background: The gastrointestinal tract (GIT) is a hollow muscular tube which starts from the oral cavity continuing through the pharynx, esophagus, stomach and intestines to the rectum and anus. The most frequently encountered disorder of this region is the Acid peptic disease which is a very common health problem all over the world. The pathogenesis of these disorders involves an imbalance between acid secretion and gastric mucosal defenses. Patients with these disorders are usually investigated by endoscopy. The ability to assess endoscopically the gastrointestinal tract has enabled increased accuracy and earlier histologic diagnosis of mucosal lesions. This is a cross-sectional study done in 100 cases of gastroduodenal biopsies in a 1 year period.

Aims and Objectives: To categorise the histopathological findings of gastro-duodenal biopsies collected by endoscopy and to study the association of gastro-duodenal pathology with the result of endoscopic findings.

Result: The prevalence of gastroduodenal lesion is more common among males around the fifth decade of life. There were 12 cases of normal endoscopic findings, 31 cases of ulcer, 15 cases of erosion, 4 cases of polyp and 38 cases of malignancy respectively. Out of the 38 cases of growth on endoscopy, 10 cases were diagnosed as premalignant, 23 cases were diagnosed as Carcinoma Stomach and 4 cases were diagnosed as Carcinoma Duodenum. Thus, it showed a good correlation between endoscopic and histopathologic findings.

Conclusion: Endoscopic gastroduodenal biopsies helps in detecting benign as well as malignant lesions. A variety of non-neoplastic and neoplastic lesions were reported in the present study across a wide range of age and site distribution. The combination of endoscopy and histopathological study of gastroduodenal biopsy provide a powerful diagnostic tool for better management of patients.

Decursin Inhibits Expression and Nuclear Localization of DNMT and HDAC, and Suppresses the Growth and Survival of Prostate Cancer Cells

Lalita Dwivedi — 2024-07-21

Background: DNA methyltransferases (DNMT) and histone deacetylases (HDAC) inhibitors have utility in cancer therapeutics, however, they are associated with toxicity which limits their efficacy against carcinomas. Earlier, we reported that decursin has anticancer activity against prostate cancer (PCa), and herein, we studied its epigenetic role in inhibiting the survival of PCa cells.

Methods and Results: PCa cell viability was evaluated by MTT and trypan blue assay. The effect of decursin on the global methylation and gene-specific methylation was assessed by dot blot assay and MS-PCR, respectively. Semi-quantitative RT-PCR and western blotting were used for the analysis of differential expression of DNMTs and HDACs, and activity of these enzymes was measured by commercial kits. The nuclear localization of DNMTs and HDAC3 was assessed by immunoblotting. Decursin decreased the cell viability and global methylation in PCa cells. The expression of DNMT1, DNMT3A, DNMT3B, and pan-DNMT activities was diminished after decursin treatment. Decursin decreased the nuclear levels and increased the corresponding cytosolic levels of DNMT1 and DNMT3A. Decursin also inhibited the expression and activity of HDACs and increased total acetylation and H3K9/14 acetylation of histone H3. Further, reduced nuclear localization of HDAC3 was observed in decursin treated PCa cells. Decursin reduced the expression as well as enhanced the nuclear export of DNMT1, DNMT3A, and HDAC3 leading to reduced activities of pan-DNMT and HDAC.

Conclusion: Overall, our study demonstrates the potent anti-cancer effects of decursin in prostate cancer cells through modulation of epigenetic mechanisms. Decursin decreased the overall and nuclear levels of DNMTs and HDACs. This decrease in the expression could be attributed to the inhibitory action of decursin on DNMTs and HDACs as evidenced by the decrease in their activities after decursin treatment. Decreased global methylation and increased acetylation of histone H3 after decursin treatment further support the inhibitory role of decursin on these enzymes. These findings highlight the multi-faceted epigenetic modulatory properties of decursin, suggesting its potential as a promising therapeutic agent for prostate cancer prevention.

Fine Needle Aspiration Cytology (FNAC): An Effective, Less Invasive Preoperative Diagnostic Technique for Breast Lesions

Samuel Ifedioranma Ogenyi — 2024-07-21

Background /Introduction: With the increasing incidence of breast cancer, the need for minimally invasive, prompt, cost effective and definitive preoperative assessment of breast lesions using fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) may be explored, especially in a developing country. The study was out to classify a broad spectrum of breast lesions diagnosed using FNAC, to determine the prevalence and highlight the efficacy of FNAC in breast lesion diagnosis.

Materials and Methods: One hundred and thirty one (131) patients who presented to the Histopathology department of Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University Teaching Hospital, Awka, from 2014 to December 2019 were utilized for this study. Patients’ data and investigation reports were retrieved from the hospital records and laboratory report register. Ethical approval for the study was obtained from the ethics committee of COOUTH, Awka (Ref number: COOUTH/CMAC/ETH.C/VOL 1/FN: 04/0063).

Results: The study revealed that seven males (5.4%) and 124 (94.7%) females, with a mean age of 45years presented within the time frame. Benign and malignant lesions accounted for 41.2% (54) and 38.9% (51) respectively, of the total population while inflammatory lesions, ductal carcinoma, Lymphadenitis, chronic abscess and fibro-adenoma accounted for 16.72% (22). Four cases (3.1%) fell into the category of insufficient cells for cytological analysis (C1). Seventy four patients (56.5%) presented with right breast lumps, 48(36.6%) left breast, while 9 (6.9%) presented with lumps on both breasts. Patient with age range of 51-60 years had most frequent malignant cases. Besides, varying clinical presentation of the lumps was observed.

Conclusions and Recommendations: Definite diagnosis of malignant breast lesions using FNAC could suggest efficacy, reliability and acceptability of the technique for definitive and early breast lesions diagnosis. Therefore, to enhance early and definitive diagnosis of breast lesions, which is a key factor in management and event free survival rate, FNAC; a less invasive, patients’ acceptable diagnosis technique is advocated.