Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Biology

Carcinogenesis Inhibition of Phenolic Derivatives in Duhat (Syzygium cumini); An in Silico Analysis

Keven Beñanil — 2025-10-26

Background: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most prevalent types of cancer that is commonly treated with traditional chemotherapy; this approach, however, can be toxic, nonspecific, and occasionally ineffective thus necessitating alternative therapeutic strategies. Epidemiological studies suggest that phytochemicals, particularly phenolic compounds, possess antioxidant and antitumor properties, potentially reducing cancer risk. Given that Syzygium cumini is abundant in tropical and subtropical regions and is rich in phenolic compounds, this study explores its therapeutic potential against CRC, addressing the limitations in conventional cancer treatment methods.

Materials and Methods: Molecular docking, dynamics simulation techniques, and ADMET analysis were employed to analyze the binding potential between phenolic compounds from Syzygium cumini to key proteins involved in colorectal cancer pathways, and evaluate the potential drug-likeness and systemic bioavailability of the representative phenolic compounds.

Results: The findings revealed that Myricetin-3-Ogalactoside (-10.1), rutin (-8.8), and gallocatechin (-10.0) showed high binding affinities for essential oncogenic and tumor-suppressor proteins, such as MLH1, p53, and BRAF, with rutin showing the highest affinity across proteins targets belonging in different pathways suggesting that this compound could reduce tumor growth, suppress metastasis, and promote apoptosis. These phenolic compounds not only bind effectively to their CRC-related proteins but also have enhanced structural integrity upon ligand binding, increasing its potential as therapeutic agents against colorectal carcinogenesis.

Conclusion: The study suggests that further formulation of S. cumini phenolic compounds may be necessary due to bioavailability challenges identified in their ADMET analysis. Myricetin-3-O-rhamnoside and rutin showed limited intestinal permeability, while ellagic acid and gallocatechin showed higher absorption rates and non-toxic characteristics.

Knowledge, Attitude and Practice of Cancer Screening Among Women in Tamil Nadu, Southern India - A Qualitative Study

Jasmine S Sundar — 2025-10-26

Background: Breast and cervical cancers represents major public health challenges globally, with considerable impact on women’s health in India. Early detection through screening plays a critical role in improving survival rates and treatment outcomes. Understanding the knowledge, attitudes, and practices surrounding cancer screening is essential to develop effective, targeted interventions that can improve uptake and reduce the burden of these diseases. This study aims to explore these factors among women in Chennai, including both those diagnosed with cancer and non-cancer participants.

Methods: This qualitative KAP study, conducted between October 2021 and May 2022, involved 189 purposively sampled women (with and without breast/cervical cancer) across five tertiary care institutions in Chennai. Thirteen Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) were conducted to assess participants’ knowledge of cancer and screening, explore their attitudes toward prevention and early detection, and document their screening practices. Audio recordings were transcribed and analyzed using descriptive content analysis.

Results: The findings revealed a generally low level of awareness, widespread misconceptions, and a diminished perception of personal risk, contributing to negative attitudes toward screening. However, screening behaviors were positively influenced by strong social support from peers and family, as well as by trusted media sources indicating these factors may help overcome some attitudinal barriers.

Conclusion: Despite limited awareness and prevailing misconceptions, leveraging social support networks and accessible media presents a key opportunity for improving screening uptake. Public health initiatives should focus on strengthening knowledge, correcting misconceptions, and utilizing existing social and communication networks to enhance women’s participation in cancer screening programs.

Association between LGR5 Expression and Overall Survival in Patients with Colorectal Cancer: A Retrospective Study from Indonesia

Edward Julio Suhendra — 2025-10-26

Background: Leucine-rich repeat-containing G-protein-coupled receptor 5 (LGR5), also known as GPR49, is a Wnt signaling target that plays an important role in colorectal carcinogenesis and is often associated with poor prognosis in patients with colorectal cancer. Aim of this study was to assess the influence of LGR5 expression and its relationship with overall survival (OS) in colorectal cancer.

Material and methods: This retrospective study assessed LGR5 expression via immunohistochemistry (IHC) in 30 archival colorectal cancer tissue samples from patients resected between 2019-2020 in Makassar, Indonesia. The association between LGR5 expression levels (high vs. low) and overall survival (OS) was analyzed.

Result: Research results were obtained from 30 samples. Overall, 8 patients with high LGR5 expression and 22 patients with low LGR5 were reported. Among the total number of patients enrolled, 22 patients had an OS of 3 years and 8 patients had an OS of 5 years. Statistical analysis showed that there was no association between LGR5 expression and the clinical profile of colorectal cancer patients (p-value > 0.05). A statistically significant association between OS and both tumor stage and histopathological grading (p-value <0.001 and 0.016, respectively) was found. However, no statistically significant association between OS and LGR5 expression was observed (p-value 0.418).

Conclusion: LGR5 expression was not associate with either OS and or clinical characteristics of CRC patients in Makassar, Indonesia. However, there was a tendency for low LGR5 expression to be associated with improved OS, although this finding was not statistically significant. Both tumor stage and histopathological grading were associated with OS.

First Line Platinum Based Chemotherapy in Malignant Testicular Germ Cell Tumours – A Single Institutional Observational Study

Praloy Basu — 2025-10-26

Background: Testicular germ cell tumours (TGCTs) are the most common solid malignancy in young men, with excellent prognosis due to the efficacy of platinum-based chemotherapy. However, prospective data from low- and middle-income countries like India are limited.

Materials and methods: This prospective observational study was conducted over two years at a tertiary care hospital in western India. Eligible patients with newly diagnosed malignant testicular GCTs received platinum-based chemotherapy per NCCN 2024 guidelines. Baseline and treatment-related parameters were documented. Treatment response was assessed via RECIST 1.1, and toxicities were graded using CTCAE v5.0. Progression-free survival (PFS) was estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method.

Results: Among 51 registered patients, 34 were eligible. Median age was 34.5 years. Seminoma and non-seminomatous GCT (NSGCT) were equally represented. Most patients (59%) presented with Stage III disease. All patients underwent radical orchiectomy followed by chemotherapy. BEP was the most common regimen. Grade 3 toxicity was rare; pulmonary toxicity occurred in three patients. Overall radiological response rate was 94% (CR 53%, PR 41%), with higher CR in seminoma (76%) than NSGCT (35%). Median follow-up was 11.25 months, with a PFS rate of 91.2%. PFS was 100%, 85%, and 85% in good, intermediate, and poor risk groups, respectively.

Conclusions: Platinum-based chemotherapy remains highly effective and well tolerated in TGCTs, even in resource-constrained settings. Despite delays in diagnosis and treatment, outcomes in this Indian cohort were comparable to global standards, supporting continued adherence to established treatment protocols.

Dual Drug Repurposing in Cervical Cancer: The Synergistic Cytotoxic Effect of Dapagliflozin-Etoricoxib and Its Predicted Modulation of PI3K/Akt/mTOR Signaling via Molecular Docking

Solafa Rabi Salih — 2025-10-26

Objective: This study assesses the effectiveness of combining Dapagliflozin and etoricoxib in inhibiting cancer cell growth and investigates its effects on the mutant PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway to understand the underlying mechanisms.

Methods: After incubation periods of 24 and 72 hours, HeLa cells and normal human fibroblasts (NHF) were utilized to assess the anticancer efficacy and safety profile of Dapagliflozin, Etoricoxib, their combination, and 5-fluorouracil (5FU). The tested concentrations ranged from 0.1 to 1000 µg/ml. To determine potential synergy and selectivity, the combination index (CI) and the selective toxicity index (SI) were estimated. Additionally, molecular docking simulations were performed to evaluate the binding affinities of Dapagliflozin and Etoricoxib to mutant proteins within the PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway.

Results: The MTT assays showed that a combination of Dapagliflozin and etoricoxib has significant anticancer activity. The mixture effectively inhibits the growth of cervical cancer cells, achieving results similar to 5-fluorouracil (5FU) and outperforming Dapagliflozin or etoricoxib alone. Additionally, the cytotoxic effects of the mixture on normal human fibroblast (NHF) cells were much lower than those seen with 5FU, indicating decreased toxicity. The combined use of Dapagliflozin and etoricoxib exhibited synergistic cytotoxic effects, as indicated by the combination index (CI) score. This drug pair also showed selectivity in targeting cancer cells, as reflected by the selectivity index (SI). The molecular docking results showed that Dapagliflozin and Etoricoxib have affinities for interacting with the mutant PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling protein. Docking scores for Dapagliflozin binding to these proteins were -8, -6.7, and -7.3 kcal/mol, while those for Etoricoxib were -8, -6.6, and -6.8 kcal/mol, respectively.

Conclusion: The findings, supported by established pharmacokinetic and safety data, suggest that combining Dapagliflozin and Etoricoxib may provide a safer and more effective treatment option for cervical conditions, with a possible mechanism involving the PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway, as predicted by molecular docking.

The Impact of Chemotherapy on the Chronic Inflammation Caused by Escherichia coli Infection and Insulin Resistance in Type 2 Diabetes-Associated Prostate Cancer Patients

Anwer Jaber Faisal — 2025-10-26

Background: The most common malignancy in men is prostate cancer. Chronic inflammation and bacterial infections exacerbate insulin resistance in type 2 diabetes (T2D) patients, potentially worsened by chemotherapy in those with prostate cancer. This study investigates the effects of Docetaxel chemotherapy on systemic inflammation, Insulin Resistance, and bacterial resistance in T2D patients with prostate cancer.

Methods: Eighty participants (aged 50–75 years) were enrolled in a cross-sectional study and divided into four groups: Group 1 (T2D without cancer, n=40), Group 2 (T2D with prostate cancer, pre-chemotherapy, n=40), Group 3 (Group 2 subset post-two Docetaxel cycles), and Group 4 (Group 2 subset post-five Docetaxel cycles). Serum levels of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6), procalcitonin (PCT), fasting glucose, fasting insulin, and prostate-specific antigen (PSA) were measured via immunoassays. Insulin resistance was assessed using the Homeostatic Model Assessment (HOMA-IR). Urine samples were analyzed for Escherichia coli isolation and antibiotic resistance via the Kirby-Bauer method. Statistical significance was determined using t-tests (P≤0.05).

Results: Group 4 exhibited notably elevated inflammatory markers (PCT, IL-6, TNF-α), fasting glucose, fasting insulin, PSA, and the value of HOMA-IR compared to Groups 1–3 (P≤0.01). E. coli isolation rates increased from 67.5% (Group 2) to 80% (Group 4, P=0.20), with antibiotic resistance rising, notably for Amikacin (17.5% to 35%, P=0.08) and Nitrofurantoin (25% to 30%, P=0.61), though these differences were not statistically significant. Multidrug-resistant (MDR) and extensively drug-resistant (XDR) isolates also increased slightly post-chemotherapy.

Conclusion: Docetaxel chemotherapy in T2D prostate cancer patients is associated with heightened systemic inflammation, insulin resistance, and bacterial resistance, underscoring the need for integrated therapeutic strategies to mitigate these effects.

Development of a Calophyllum inophyllum-Loaded Biodegradable Chitosan-PVA Hydrogel: A Multifunctional Platform for HT-29 Colon Cancer Cell, and Antidiabetic Applications

Akshaya Viswanathan — 2025-10-26

Objective: Multifunctional hydrogels represent a promising strategy for localized and sustained drug delivery in cancer and chronic disease management. C. inophyllum, a medicinal plant with known bioactive properties, was explored in this study for its potential integration into a chitosan-polyvinyl alcohol (Cs-PVA) hydrogel system to enhance therapeutic efficacy.

Methods: The Cs-PVA hydrogel was synthesized using a freeze-thaw technique and loaded with C. inophyllum extract. Structural and chemical characterizations were performed using Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM), confirming the incorporation and uniform dispersion of phytochemicals. In vitro cytotoxicity was assessed against HT-29 colon cells using the MTT assay. Antioxidant activity was evaluated using the DPPH assay, while anti-inflammatory potential was determined through protein denaturation inhibition. Drug release kinetics were analyzed over a 24-hour period, and α-amylase inhibition assays were performed to determine antidiabetic potential.

Results: FTIR and SEM analyses confirmed successful integration of the extract within the hydrogel matrix. The hydrogel exhibited concentration-dependent cytotoxicity, with an IC₅₀ of 17 µg/mL, alongside visible apoptotic morphology in HT-29 cells. Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities showed 72.4% and 67.8% inhibition at 75 µg/mL, comparable to ascorbic acid and diclofenac, respectively. The hydrogel achieved nearly 100% drug release within 24 hours. Antidiabetic activity was demonstrated by 67.1% α-amylase inhibition at 50 µg/mL, close to metformin’s 79.3%.

Conclusion: The C. inophyllum-loaded Cs-PVA hydrogel shows strong potential as a biodegradable, multifunctional therapeutic platform, offering cytotoxic, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antidiabetic effects for future cancer and chronic disease treatments.

Emerging Roles of lncRNA MSC-AS1 in Cancer: Molecular Mechanisms, Clinical Implications, and Therapeutic Potential

Mohsen Mir — 2025-10-26

Overview: Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are key regulators of tumor biology, affecting proliferation, apoptosis, metastasis, and treatment resistance. Among them, Musculin Antisense RNA 1 (MSC-AS1) has attracted increasing attention for its oncogenic roles across multiple cancers. This review summarizes current knowledge on MSC-AS1, emphasizing molecular mechanisms, clinical relevance, and therapeutic potential.

Methods: A comprehensive literature search of PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science identified studies published 2015–2024 that investigated MSC-AS1 in cancer. Eligible articles examined its functional roles, implicated signaling pathways, regulatory interactions (e.g., lncRNA–miRNA–mRNA axes), and diagnostic, prognostic, or therapeutic implications.

Results: Evidence consistently shows that MSC-AS1 is frequently upregulated in gastric, hepatic, pancreatic, and colorectal cancers. Mechanistically, MSC-AS1 contributes to tumor progression mainly through lncRNA–miRNA–mRNA regulatory networks, promoting malignant phenotypes and therapeutic resistance. Clinically, elevated MSC-AS1 expression correlates with poor prognosis, supporting its utility as a biomarker for diagnosis and prognosis and as a candidate target for precision oncology.

Conclusion: MSC-AS1 functions as an oncogenic lncRNA across multiple gastrointestinal and hepatobiliary malignancies, driving disease through competitive regulatory networks and associating with adverse outcomes and resistance. Current evidence positions MSC-AS1 as a promising biomarker and a potential therapeutic target; future work should validate its clinical performance and evaluate targeted interventions against MSC-AS1-mediated pathways.