Journal of the Egyptian National Cancer Institute最新文献

{"title":"An insilico analysis: three upregulated microRNAs as potential diagnostic biomarkers of Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma (PTC).","authors":"Maharani Putri Hermawan, Sari Eka Pratiwi, Ridha Ulfah, Eko Rustianto Suhardiman, Mahyarudin Mahyarudin","doi":"10.1186/s43046-026-00350-1","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s43046-026-00350-1","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>BACKGROUND: Papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) represents the most prevalent subtype of thyroid cancer. Accumulating evidence indicates that specific microRNAs are consistently dysregulated in PTC and may hold value as biomarker candidates. Accordingly, this study aims to prioritize consistently upregulated microRNAs associated with PTC using an integrative in silico analysis of publicly available datasets. METHODS: This study conducted a comprehensive analysis of miRNA expression patterns using datasets available through A Database of Differentially Expressed miRNAs in Human Cancers (dbDEMC). The dataset was then processed through a data mining approach with a cutoff of P-value < 0.05 and log2FC > 1.5 to identify miRNAs that were significantly and consistently upregulated in the datasets. The target genes are predicted through miRDIP, miRTarBase, miRPathDB, and GEPIA2. Gene ontology and pathway enrichment analysis were performed in ShinyGO and EnrichR. To assess the diagnostic ability of the three miRNAs, CancerMIRNome is used to identify the ROC curve analysis results of each miRNA. RESULTS: This exploratory in silico analysis identified 85 differentially expressed miRNAs in PTC, with hsa-miR-221-3p, hsa-miR-222-3p, and hsa-miR-146b-5p consistently upregulated across datasets. Functional enrichment and TCGA-based ROC analyses suggest that these miRNAs may have biological and discriminatory relevance in PTC. However, these findings are hypothesis-generating and require further experimental and clinical validation before any diagnostic application can be considered. CONCLUSION: In summary, our study identified the potential of hsa-miR-221-3p, hsa-miR-222-3p, and hsa-miR-146b-5p as potential diagnostic biomarkers of PTC. </p>","PeriodicalId":17301,"journal":{"name":"Journal of the Egyptian National Cancer Institute","volume":"38 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2026-04-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13313286/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147674477","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Bridging the gap: exploring healthcare professionals' perceptions and barriers towards cervical cancer screening services uptake amongst women in rural communities.","authors":"Azubuike Amadi, Muili Lawal, Hafiz Khan, Sharry Japhet","doi":"10.1186/s43046-026-00346-x","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s43046-026-00346-x","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>BACKGROUND: Cervical cancer remains a significant public health concern, particularly in rural communities where access to screening and diagnostic services is limited. Despite being preventable through HPV vaccination and early detection via screening, cervical cancer continues to pose substantial health challenges in resource-limited settings. Colposcopy, a crucial diagnostic procedure for women with abnormal screening results, faces various implementation challenges in rural healthcare settings. OBJECTIVE: This study explores healthcare professionals' perceptions, experiences, and identified barriers affecting cervical cancer screening services uptake among women in rural communities, with particular focus on colposcopy service delivery challenges and potential improvement strategies. METHODS: Two qualitative focus group discussions were conducted with healthcare professionals (n = 18 total; FGD1: n = 9, FGD2: n = 9) involved in cervical cancer screening services in rural areas. Participants included obstetrician-gynaecologists, general practitioners, and healthcare providers with experience in colposcopy services. Data were analysed using thematic analysis to identify key themes and patterns. RESULTS: Healthcare professionals identified multiple interconnected barriers affecting cervical cancer screening services uptake, including: (1) limited awareness and cultural beliefs among rural women, (2) infrastructural challenges including equipment shortages and power supply issues, (3) workforce limitations and inadequate training, (4) accessibility and transportation barriers, and (5) security concerns in rural areas. Despite these challenges, professionals acknowledged the critical importance of colposcopy in early cervical cancer detection and prevention. CONCLUSIONS: Based on healthcare professionals' experiences in this study of three local government areas in Rivers State, successful implementation of cervical cancer screening services in rural communities requires a multi-faceted approach addressing infrastructure development, continuous professional training, community education programmes, and policy support. Healthcare professionals emphasise the need for sustained commitment from government and non-governmental organisations to bridge existing gaps in cervical cancer prevention services. </p>","PeriodicalId":17301,"journal":{"name":"Journal of the Egyptian National Cancer Institute","volume":"38 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2026-04-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13313289/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147623358","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Oncological safety and short-term aesthetic outcome of extreme oncoplasty for breast cancer.","authors":"Mohamed Ibrahim Abdel Aziz, Abdullah Ali Ahmed Mohammed, Sameh Mohamed Samir, Mohamed Moustafa Farag","doi":"10.1186/s43046-026-00348-9","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s43046-026-00348-9","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>BACKGROUND: For individuals with breast cancer, oncoplastic breast surgery (OBS), is considered an innovative technique of breast conservative surgery (BCS), has emerged as the recommended substitute for mastectomy. BCS and mastectomy have been shown to have comparable locoregional control and overall survival in randomized trials. In order to ensure oncological safety and improved aesthetic results, Extreme Oncoplasty, a development in the field of oncoplasty, has given hope for patient to achieve ultimate conservation before mastectomy. PATIENTS AND METHODS: From October 2021 to May 2023, fifty patients fulfilling our eligibility criteria underwent extreme oncoplasty for breast cancer have been included in the current study. Reduction mammoplasty (superomedial, superiolateral and inferior pedicle), upper matrix rotational flap, and Passot’s technique were our adopted surgical techniques. One year following surgery, short-term aesthetic results were objectively assessed using Breast Cancer Conservative Treatment (BCCT) core program. RESULTS: Our study has included 50 cases with age range from 35 to 61 years (mean 52.28 ± 6.3). 38 patients presented with tumor size more than 5 cm not responding to the neoadjuvant therapy for downsizing and 12 patients presented with multifocal lesions. The total aesthetic results according to the BCCT core software were good in 52% (26 cases), fair in 34% (17 cases) and poor in 14% (7 cases). Our study has reported two cases of recurrence (4%) one year after surgery which were managed via mastectomy. CONCLUSION: According to short-term follow-up, extreme oncoplasty is oncologically safe. To provide patients with advanced or multifocal breast cancer with extreme oncoplasty as a viable alternative, large-scale research are needed to validate these first findings. </p>","PeriodicalId":17301,"journal":{"name":"Journal of the Egyptian National Cancer Institute","volume":"38 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2026-03-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13313295/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147499387","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Impact of bladder volume precision control on setup errors and dosimetry in intensity-modulated radiation therapy for cervical cancer.","authors":"Zhijiang Lu, Yajun Li, Dehong Luo, Che Chen, Changjiang Zhang, Hailun Wang","doi":"10.1186/s43046-026-00343-0","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s43046-026-00343-0","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>BACKGROUND: Cervical cancer is the most common gynecologic malignancy and a leading threat to women’s health. Intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) is a cornerstone treatment, but its success depends on precise patient positioning and consistent bladder distension to minimize setup errors and organ motion. This study evaluated the impact of bladder volume variation on setup errors during IMRT and the accuracy and clinical utility of a bladder volume scanner (BVS) for bladder volume management. METHODS: We conducted a prospective, allocated comparative study of 62 cervical cancer patients treated with IMRT between April 2021 and August 2022. Patients were allocated to a BVS group (n = 31) that used a bladder scanner to maintain a target bladder volume of 250–350 mL (± 30 mL) or to a control group (n = 31) that relied on a strong urge to urinate for bladder filling. We compared bladder volume consistency, setup errors in left-right (X), anterior-posterior (Y), and superior-inferior (Z) directions, homogeneity and conformity indices, and the volumes of bladder, rectum, and small intestine receiving 45 Gy between groups. We also analyzed the correlation between bladder volume measured by BVS and by computed tomography (CT). RESULTS: The BVS group had significantly more consistent bladder volumes and significantly smaller setup errors in all directions than the control group. The median (interquartile range, IQR) setup errors in the BVS vs. control group were 1.0 (0.8–1.5) vs. 1.7 (1.2–2.5) mm in the X-axis, 0.4 (0.2–1.1) vs. 1.9 (1.5-3.0) mm in the Y-axis, and 1.1 (0.9–1.3) vs. 2.8 (2.0-3.5) mm in the Z-axis, respectively (all P < 0.01). The BVS group also showed improved dosimetry, with a better homogeneity index (1.01 vs. 1.11) and conformity index (0.98 vs. 0.94), and significantly lower bladder, rectum, and small intestine volumes receiving 45 Gy (24.6% vs. 29.1%, 19.7% vs. 25.3%, and 17.4% vs. 18.1%, respectively; all P < 0.01). Bladder volumes measured by the scanner were strongly correlated with CT-derived volumes (R = 0.977). CONCLUSIONS: Precise bladder volume control using a BVS leads to more reproducible patient positioning, as evidenced by significantly reduced bony anatomy-based setup errors, and resulted in significantly reduced radiation exposure to adjacent organs. The strong correlation between BVS and CT measurements confirms the device’s reliability. By ensuring a reproducible daily anatomical setup, BVS-guided bladder management improves the precision of IMRT delivery. This approach mitigates a key source of treatment uncertainty and establishes a foundation for potentially safer margin reduction or dose escalation strategies in the future. The bladder scanner was highly accurate and reproducible, improving target delineation and potentially allowing safer dose escalation. </p>","PeriodicalId":17301,"journal":{"name":"Journal of the Egyptian National Cancer Institute","volume":"38 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2026-03-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13313281/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147463365","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Serum biomarkers as personalised medicine for diagnostic and therapeutic approaches of hepatocellular carcinoma.","authors":"Muhammad Taher, Muhamad Aqil Ikram Muhamad Asri, Nur Damia Abdul Rahman, Nur Eleisha Zamzuri, Nur Syazwani Mohammad Farizal, Junaidi Khotib, Deny Susanti, Nurul Athirah Hasdan, Muhammad Salahuddin Haris, Rita Rakhmawati","doi":"10.1186/s43046-026-00342-1","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s43046-026-00342-1","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a critical public health concern due to its rising incidence and mortality. Early diagnosis is challenging due to nonspecific symptoms and limitations of traditional methods. This study explores the potential of three key biomarkers, serum alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), des-γ-carboxyprothrombin (DCP), and glypican-3 (GPC3), in advancing personalized medicine for HCC, focusing on their roles in diagnostics and therapeutics. We conducted a literature review using specific keywords to narrow our search. Our findings indicate that AFP and DCP are primarily used for diagnostics, while GPC3 serves both diagnostic and therapeutic purposes. AFP is commonly used in late-stage detection due to its limited sensitivity and specificity in early stages, which can lead to false diagnoses. DCP plays a significant role as both a diagnostic tool and therapeutic target, while GPC3 is used to differentiate malignant from non-cancerous liver tissues. The review highlights the mechanisms, roles, and personalised treatments associated with these biomarkers, while also addressing challenges such as biopsy issues and funding limitations. In conclusion, the development and improvement of AFP, DCP, and GPC3 as biomarkers for the diagnostics and treatment of HCC are important. Thus, their limitations should be addressed as these biomarkers play a crucial role in modern cancer therapy and are critical for increasing the survival rates of HCC patients.</p>","PeriodicalId":17301,"journal":{"name":"Journal of the Egyptian National Cancer Institute","volume":"38 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2026-03-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13262378/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147377962","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Efficacy of scrambler therapy in chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy: a systematic review of randomized controlled trials.","authors":"Adnan Aldawahreh, Mohammad Etoom, Jafar Alshraideh, Muna Salahat","doi":"10.1186/s43046-026-00347-w","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s43046-026-00347-w","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>BACKGROUND: Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) treatment is challenging due to limited and often unsatisfactory therapy options. Scrambler therapy (ST) is gaining interest as treatment option with promising initial results. However, further evaluation is needed to confirm its effectiveness. PURPOSE: The purpose of this review was to evaluate the efficacy of scrambler therapy in the management of chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy. METHODS: This systematic review followed the PRISMA guidelines and the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) methodology; however, the protocol was not prospectively registered in the PROSPERO database. Electronic databases (CINAHL, Scopus, Web of Science, ScienceDirect, and PubMed) were searched from January 2014 to August 2024. Only English-language randomized controlled trials were eligible. Two reviewers independently screened studies, extracted data, and appraised methodological quality using JBI critical appraisal tools. RESULTS: Two independent randomized controlled trials, reported across three publications, met the inclusion criteria. The sample size ranged between 35 and 50 participants, and the mean age ranged between 59 and 61 years. The overall quality assessment ranged between low to moderate risk of bias. The reviewed studies demonstrated varying results regarding the efficacy of ST in managing CIPN. Two studies suggest that ST may reduce CIPN symptoms and improve quality of life, although these effects did not reach statistical significance (p > 0.05). However, one study’s lack of significant benefit highlights treatment variability and limitations. CONCLUSION: Scrambler therapy does not yet meet statistical criteria for a successful treatment CIPN. Further RCTs with large samples, blinding, and extended follow-up is needed to validate ST effectiveness. </p>","PeriodicalId":17301,"journal":{"name":"Journal of the Egyptian National Cancer Institute","volume":"38 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2026-03-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13313282/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147326501","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Experimental models of chemical carcinogenesis: bridging toxicology and preclinical pharmacology.","authors":"Tejaswi, Rahul Singh, Poonam Yadav, Mohit Kumar, Anshu Sharma","doi":"10.1186/s43046-026-00345-y","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s43046-026-00345-y","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Those experimental animals that tend to develop primary malignancies as a result of direct exposures to synthetic cancer agents can very well represent early stages of human cancers as compared to transplanted as well as genetically engineered tumor models. Generally, malignant growth resulting due to cancer agents tends to undergo three phases: initiation, promotion, as well as progression. On the basis of genetic alteration, agents can be divided into genotoxgents as well as non-genotoxgents. Carcinogens that tend to be complete, incomplete, as well as specified towards a target organ are classified into the other categories. These agents can be found through environmental pollutants, meat products, food additives, as well as anticancer agents. The advantages associated with the primary models created in animals by using chemicals include relevance to human clinical models, ease of production, and efficiency. However, it is difficult to track these tumors in small animals without damaging their bodies. As in human models, they grow randomly concerning site, timing, and number in animal models too. Non-invasive application of magnetic resonance imaging techniques has however shown promise in the diagnosis and follow-up of these models of cancer. This is because there are a number of advantages associated with the use of the MRI technology, among them being that this technology does not carry the hazards of ionizing radiation. This review evaluates the unique translational utility of chemically induced primary cancer models, which, unlike traditional xenografts, allow for the study of the entire carcinogenic spectrum—from initiation to progression. The aim of this work is to highlight the novelty of these models in bridging the gap between toxicology and clinical pharmacology, specifically their role in validating non-invasive imaging biomarkers and screening chemopreventive agents—such as Rapamycin and Resveratrol—currently under clinical investigation. By integrating these models with advanced MRI techniques, researchers can achieve more accurate preclinical staging and treatment monitoring. Ultimately, we argue that these models are essential for the development of targeted therapies and diagnostic agents that more faithfully replicate the sporadic nature of human clinical oncology.</p>","PeriodicalId":17301,"journal":{"name":"Journal of the Egyptian National Cancer Institute","volume":"38 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2026-02-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13313287/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147271335","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Positive rates of endometrial and cervical cytology in ovarian cancer patients with BRCA1/2 germline pathogenic variants.","authors":"Eitaro Funada, Hidetaka Nomura, Tsubasa Kon, Yuri Kuratomi, Toshiaki Watanabe, Mayumi Kamata, Atsushi Fusegi, Akiko Abe, Shogo Nishino, Motoko Kanno, Sachiho Netsu, Makiko Omi, Yoichi Aoki, Terumi Tanigawa, Sanshiro Okamoto, Mayu Yunokawa, Naoko Yamazaki, Tomohiro Chiba, Yui Kojima, Akiko Tonooka, Hiroyuki Kanao","doi":"10.1186/s43046-026-00344-z","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s43046-026-00344-z","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>BACKGROUND: The optimal approach for early-stage ovarian cancer detection remains unclear, particularly in patients with hereditary breast and ovarian cancer (HBOC). As ovarian cancer in HBOC is often thought to originate from the fallopian tube fimbriae, endometrial cytology may play a role in detecting early-stage disease. This retrospective study aimed to assess the positive rate of endometrial cytology and compare to cervical cytology in ovarian cancer patients with patients with BRCA1/2 germline pathogenic variants (gPV). METHODS: Patients with genetically confirmed BRCA1/2 gPV diagnosed with ovarian, fallopian tube, or primary peritoneal cancer from May 1998 to April 2024 at our institution were included. Those who underwent endometrial and cervical cytology prior to initial treatment were eligible for this analysis. The positive rates for each cytology type were evaluated. RESULTS: A total of 154 patients with BRCA1/2 gPV were enrolled, 118 underwent both endometrial and cervical cytology. The positive rate for endometrial cytology was significantly higher than that for cervical cytology (36.4% vs. 15.3%; p < 0.001). Additionally, a correlation was observed between the positive rate of endometrial cytology and cancer stage (Stage I 16.6%, Stage II 25%, Stage III 41.5%, Stage IV 58.6%; r = 0.9895). CONCLUSION: In this retrospective study, the positive rate of endometrial cytology surpassed that of cervical cytology. Endometrial cytology may play a role as a potential surveillance tool for women with BRCA1/2 gPV, even at early stages of ovarian cancer. </p>","PeriodicalId":17301,"journal":{"name":"Journal of the Egyptian National Cancer Institute","volume":"38 1","pages":"4"},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2026-02-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13313297/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146202080","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Significance of MALAT1 long non-coding RNA and miR-20a-5p in regulating epithelial mesenchymal transition in luminal breast cancer patients.","authors":"Gehad Tarek, Manar Fouda, Mohamed Omran, Gehan Safwat, Mahmoud Kamel, Abdel Hady Abdel Wahab","doi":"10.1186/s43046-026-00339-w","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s43046-026-00339-w","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Luminal breast cancer (LBC) is the most common subtype of breast cancer affecting women worldwide. Although luminal breast cancer typically has a better prognosis, it mostly responds poorly to neoadjuvant chemotherapy. Non-coding RNAs, especially long non-coding RNAs and microRNAs are crucial in regulating biological processes that contribute to breast cancer development. MALAT1, a long non-coding RNA, is pivotal in the progression of breast cancer. Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is critical for cell movement during embryonic development. Clarifying this role could pave various avenues for developing innovative strategies for combating this subtype of malignancy. The present study aimed to investigate the expression profiles and clinical relevance of MALAT1 level and EMT-related miRNAs (miR-17-5p, miR-20a-5p, miR-93-5p, miR-135b-5p, and miR-146a-5p) alongside EMT markers (E-cadherin, N-cadherin, vimentin, fibronectin, twist, SNAI1, Slug, ZEB1, and ZEB2) in LBC patients.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Fresh tissues were collected from fifty patients and twenty noncancerous controls. Differential expression of the markers was evaluated using qRT-PCR assay. Spearman Rho test assessed the relationship between the expression levels. Linear regression test evaluated the correlation between the parameters and various clinico-pathological features.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Our results revealed an overall upregulation of MALAT1 in breast cancer tissues although this increase did not reach statistical significance. Overexpression of miR-20a-5p, miR-135b, and ZEB2 was reported, whereas miR146a-5p, ZEB1 and Vimentin levels were suppressed. Correlation analysis demonstrated that miR-20a-5p was positively correlated with SNAI1, E-cadherin, N-cadherin and Slug also it was significantly associated with family history and tumor laterality.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Our findings suggest that miR-20a-5p plays an oncogenic role in luminal breast cancer by promoting EMT, while MALAT1 may contribute to disease progression through indirect regulatory mechanisms. Finally, MALAT1 and miR-20a-5p might serve as potential therapeutic and prognostic targets in LBC.</p>","PeriodicalId":17301,"journal":{"name":"Journal of the Egyptian National Cancer Institute","volume":"38 1","pages":"3"},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2026-02-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13262381/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146100269","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Comprehensive Evaluation of Bacillus Calmette-Guérin therapy in Non-muscle invasive bladder cancer Egyptian patients: a retrospective cohort study.","authors":"Riham M Karkeet, Mohamed M Sayed-Ahmed, Shahenda Ghaly, Mayar Farouk, Nourhan Yasser, Nada Hany, Malak Atta, Ahmed M Amer, Ahmed Abdelbary","doi":"10.1186/s43046-026-00340-3","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s43046-026-00340-3","url":null,"abstract":"&lt;p&gt;&lt;p&gt;BACKGROUND: Bladder cancer ranks among the most prevalent genitourinary malignancies globally, demanding comprehensive management strategies. Bacille Calmette-Guerin (BCG) therapy, a standard for Non-Muscle Invasive Bladder Cancer (NMIBC), is integral to treatment, yet debates persist regarding its optimal application. AIM: This research aims to elucidate potential correlations and implications for BCG immunotherapy. Moreover, explores the impact of BCG-induced localized and systemic side effects on NMIBC outcome, addressing the need for a nuanced understanding of its therapeutic and adverse effects. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients’ data was sourced from NMIBC patient files at The National Cancer Institute—Cairo University, comprising a total of 150 patients’ files. Demographic and pathological data, BCG side effects, performance status (PS), recurrences and progression were recorded. The European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) score guided risk assessment was employed. ALP, urea and creatinine levels were also assessed at baseline and after the 1st, 3rd, and 6th dose of BCG to establish correlations with the number of BCG doses administered. RESULTS: An association emerges, indicating that the dosage of BCG therapy significantly influences recurrence-free survival. Remarkably, patients receiving more than 10 doses showed significantly lower recurrence-free survival (RFS) compared to those administered fewer than 10 doses (p = 0.001). Univariate analysis showed that patients who received ≥ 10 BCG doses had worse RFS compared to those who received &lt; 10 BCG doses (Hazard Ratio (HR): 4 [95% confidence interval (CI): 2.4–6.7]), p &lt; 0.001. The study reveals a remarkable correlation between the elevation of ALP, urea, and creatinine levels and the number of BCG doses administered. On multivariate analysis, the only independent factor that significantly affects the RFS was number of doses of BCG. Patients who received ≥ 10 doses had worse RFS compared to those who received &lt; 10 doses (HR: 3.8 [95%CI: 1.8–8.1]), p = 0.001. Cardiac comorbidity negatively impacted the PFS with P-value (0.016). The only significant pathological parameter impacting OS was grade of tumor, P-value (0.025). Moreover, size of tumor influenced RFS, P-value (0.001). Clear relation between diabetes mellitus and tumor size was observed; where larger tumor size was more prevalent in diabetic patients and reflected as shorter RFS. Significant localized adverse effects included increased frequency of urination, pus in urine, and urgency. Pus in urine doubled the risk of recurrence-free survival (RFS). 6.1% reported vomiting and 23.5% experienced fever. Performance status tended to decline post BCG doses. Patients who had vomiting episodes had worse outcome (p = 0.01). CONCLUSION: The current findings suggest that cardiac comorbidity, high tumor grade and large size might be evaluated as independent poor prognostic factors for Egyptian NMIBC patients. Per","PeriodicalId":17301,"journal":{"name":"Journal of the Egyptian National Cancer Institute","volume":"38 1","pages":"2"},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2026-01-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13262385/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146046725","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}