Basic & Clinical Cancer Research

A Life-Course Lens for Etiology and Prevention of Gastric Cancer

Kazem Zendehdel — 2025-08-28

The Article Abstract is not Available.

Unaltered mRNA Levels of EGFR and PIK3CA in Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Neda Bafandeh — 2025-08-30

Background: Since its identification, the Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor(EGFR) signaling pathway through PIK3CA has been known to be involved in thepathogenesis of several solid tumors, especially Head and Neck Squamous Cell Car-cinoma (HNSCC). Impaired signal transduction through EGFR-PIK3CA may giverise to oncogenic processes because of its key role in the regulation of major cellularfunctions. Several oncogenic mechanisms mediated by unregulated EGFR signalingpathways have been suggested by previous studies including mutations in genes en-coding EGFR and PIK3CA and increased ligands of EGFR. Here, we aimed to com-pare the total gene expression of EGFR and PIK3CA at the mRNA level betweenHNSCC tissues and normal squamous cell tissues.

Methods: In this pilot study, we examined 31 samples of tumor-infected squamouscell tissues as well as 31 samples of healthy tissues around the tumor as controls forthe expression of EGFR and PIK3CA genes using quantitative polymerase chain re-actions (Q-PCR).Results: both EGFR and PIK3CA mRNA levels were slightly altered in HNSCC tis-sues compared with the control group (3% decrease and 9% increase, respectively),but these differences were not statistically significant.

Conclusion: our results indicate that total EGRF and PIK3CA expression at themRNA level is not altered in Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinomas comparedwith that of normal squamous cell tissues.

Molecular Evaluation of TNF-α-308 and TNF-α-238 Polymorphisms and Their Association with HPV Genotypes in Cervical Lesions

Azar Gharoonpour — 2025-08-30

Background: Cervical cancer is a multi-stage disease caused by a DNA virus and is involved in one or more stages of the pathogenesis process. In addition to human papillomaviruses (HPV), the tumor necrosis factor-α gene (TNF-α) is considered a major intermediate mediator of the acute inflammatory response to viruses and gram-negative bacteria. The pro-region polymorphisms of the TNF-α gene, such as -308 and -238 polymorphisms, affect the expression of this gene. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the polymorphisms of the TNF-α gene and their relationship with various genotypes of HPV in cervical lesions.

Methods: In this study, 58 female patients with cervical cancer symptoms were selected. Following histopathologic studies, DNA was extracted from all specimens, and the PCR method was used to determine the types of HPV genotypes and TNF-α gene polymorphisms. An ARMS-PCR reaction was also performed to amplify TNF-α -308 and TNF-α -238 polymorphisms. Statistical analysis of the data was carried out using Epi Info software version 7.2 and the Chi-Square (χ²) test with SPSS ver. 7.3.1.10. These lesions were categorized into metaplasia groups (93.37%), cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) I and II (20.68%), CIN III (15.51%), and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) (25.86%).

Results: A total of 58 lesions were collected, of which 26 were HPV positive. They were categorized as follows: 1 sample (4.53%) metaplasia, 7 samples (33.58%) CIN I and II, 6 samples (66.66%) CIN III, and 12 samples (80%) SCC. Statistical analysis showed a significant difference between different types of HPV genotypes in different stages. On the other hand, unlike the -238 polymorphism of the TNF-α gene, a significant difference was observed between the various types of -308 polymorphism of the TNF-α gene in the three groups of metaplasia, CIN, and SCC. In general, it can be concluded that GG genotype testing of the -308 polymorphism of the TNF-α gene, combined with HPV types and para-clinical parameters, can be effective as risk factors and molecular markers for prognosis and early treatment of cervical cancer.

Discussion: Consistent with other studies, this study demonstrated that about 80% of cervical cancer lesions had HPV presence. HPV subtypes 18 and 31 were more frequently associated with malignancy progression, while HPV-33 and HPV-35 subtypes did not show a significant association with malignancy progression. However, in other female populations in Iran, diverse results were reported. In the current study, it was shown that in TNF-α -308 polymorphism, the A allele accounted for the highest frequency (63.63%) in the metaplasia (control) group, while the GG allele was more frequent in the CC group. In general, the frequency of the A allele varies across different countries.

Five-year Survival and Prognostic Factors Among Oral cavity Squamous cell Carcinoma Patients: Analyses of Data from the Cancer Institute of Iran

Mahtab Molashahi — 2025-08-30

Background: We conducted a historical cohort study and studied the survival rate and prognostic factors of oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma among patients admitted at the Cancer Institute of Iran.

Methods: We recruited 352 patients who were referred to the Cancer Institute hospital in 2004-2011. Patients were newly diagnosed and pathologically confirmed as oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma. We abstracted data from the archived medical records and followed up with the patients until their death or end of follow-up in January 2015.

Results: A total number of 347 patients (212 males and 135 females) were analyzed in this study. Surgery, alone or in combination with other modalities, was performed in 308 (88.8%) patients. The median time of follow-up was 18.7 months. The 1, 3, and 5-year survival were 84%, 53%, and 41%, respectively. The risk of death was significantly higher in patients older than 70 years of age (HR: 2.0, 95% CI: 1.1-3.7), moderately differentiated tumors (HR: 3.6, 95% CI: 1.3-9.7), “surgery with adjuvant treatment” group (HR: 2.6, 95% CI: 1.6-4.2), and the “surgery with neoadjuvant treatment” group (HR: 3.1, 95% CI: 1.4-7.0). Patients diagnosed with a higher TNM staging also experienced a higher probability of death. An increase in the number of involved lymph nodes was another independent indicator of outcome.

Conclusion: The 5-year survival rate of oral cancer was 41% among patients admitted to the Cancer Institute of Iran. A higher survival rate in early-stage oral cancer patients indicates the importance of early detection among these patients.

Her-2neu Expression in Endometrial Carcinoma Patients- A Preliminary Study from Western India

Dhruvi S. Dixit — 2025-08-31

Background: Her-2neu is a gene from the epidermal growth factor receptor family.
It regulates cell growth. HER-2neu overexpression or amplification is more common in type 2 endometrial cancer than in type 1. Overexpression of HerR-2neu has been associated with poor prognosis. This study aimed to evaluate Her-2neu expression in endometrial carcinoma patients.

Method: 50 endometrial carcinoma patients were enrolled in this study. Her-2neu expression was studied using the immunohistochemistry method on formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissue and correlated with clinical and pathological parameters as well as disease status.

Result: Her-2neu positivity was observed in 10% (5/50) of the cases. Her-2neu expression was more frequent in postmenopausal women (10%). Her-2neu expression was more common in patients with lymphovascular invasion (18%) and lymph node positivity (20%). A higher frequency of Her-2neu expression was observed in tumors of the following types: ER-negative (22%), p53 mutant (17%), WT1-positive (25%), and Vimentin-positive (12%). To disease-free survival, Her-2neu-positive tumors had a higher rate of relapse.

Conclusion: In the present study, higher expression of Her-2neu was observed in patients with lymphovascular invasion, lymph node positivity, ER-negative tumors, p53-mutant tumors, WT1-positive tumors, and those with reduced disease-free survival (DFS). These findings suggest that Her-2neu is associated with disease spread, aggressiveness, proliferation in a hormone-independent manner, its role in the EMT (Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition) process, and negative prognostic implications.

Identification of Lung Cancer Metabolomics Profile and Molecular Interactions Using Bioinformatic Methods

Haniyeh Rafiepoor — 2025-08-31

Lung cancer remains a major public health concern and a leading cause of cancer-re-lated deaths worldwide. Despite its prevalence, existing diagnostic approaches for earlydetection face significant challenges, including limited clinical resources and insuffi-cient screening techniques. As a result, many cases are diagnosed at advanced stages,delaying critical treatment. Advances in omics technologies—such as metabolomics,proteomics, and genomics—have shown promise in improving early lung cancer de-tection. Metabolomics, in particular, provides a detailed analysis of cellular and tissuemetabolism, offering valuable insights into disease mechanisms. By examining endog-enous metabolites in biological systems, metabolomics has demonstrated strong poten-tial for early cancer detection and personalized therapy. In this study, we conducted anextensive review of online metabolomic databases, including the Metabolomics Work-bench, to identify critical metabolites associated with various forms of lung cancer. Ad-ditionally, using network analysis tools like Metagenes, we established links betweenmetabolomic genes and 43 genes involved in lung cancer progression. Our integratedanalysis reveals a comprehensive metabolic and molecular profile of lung cancer, high-lighting 10 key metabolic pathways—particularly amino acid metabolism—that playa role in disease development. These findings contribute to a deeper understanding oflung cancer biology and may guide future research and clinical strategies for improveddiagnosis and treatment.