West Asia Organization for Cancer Prevention (WAOCP), APOCP's West Asia Chapter. Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 1513-7368 27 5 2026 05 01 Comment on: Introduction of the HPV Vaccine among Young Girls to Reduce the Long-Term Risk of Cervical Cancer in Eswatini 1551 1552 92182 10.31557/APJCP.2026.27.5.1551 EN Schawanya Kaewpitoon Rattanapitoon Parasitic Disease Research Center, FMC Medical Center, Nakhonratchasima, Thailand. Chutharat Thanchonnang Parasitic Disease Research Center, FMC Medical Center, Nakhonratchasima, Thailand. Nathkapach Kaewpitoon Rattanapitoon Parasitic Disease Research Center, FMC Medical Center, Nakhonratchasima, Thailand. Journal Article 2025 06 24 HPV vaccination cervical cancer prevention School-based immunization Low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) Implementation strategies https://journal.waocp.org/article_92182_36c65dcb29afd57f2f2f3f03930308b8.pdf
West Asia Organization for Cancer Prevention (WAOCP), APOCP's West Asia Chapter. Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 1513-7368 27 5 2026 05 01 Histopathological and Molecular Insights into Viral Oncogenesis in Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma 1553 1557 92179 10.31557/APJCP.2026.27.5.1553 EN Archana Buch Department of Pathology, Dr. D.Y. Patil Medical College, Hospital and Research Centre, Dr. D.Y. Patil Vidyapeeth (Deemed to be University), Pimpri, Pune-411018 (Maharashtra) India. Manasi Chavan Interdisciplinary Research, Central Research Facility, Dr. D.Y. Patil Medical College, Hospital and Research Centre, Dr. D.Y. Patil Vidyapeeth (Deemed to be University), Pimpri, Pune-411018 (Maharashtra) India. Prachi Prasad Interdisciplinary Research, Central Research Facility, Dr. D.Y. Patil Medical College, Hospital and Research Centre, Dr. D.Y. Patil Vidyapeeth (Deemed to be University), Pimpri, Pune-411018 (Maharashtra) India. Mangesh Londhe Department of Pathology, Dr. D.Y. Patil Medical College, Hospital and Research Centre, Dr. D.Y. Patil Vidyapeeth (Deemed to be University), Pimpri, Pune-411018 (Maharashtra) India. Chandrashekhar Raut Interdisciplinary Research, Central Research Facility, Dr. D.Y. Patil Medical College, Hospital and Research Centre, Dr. D.Y. Patil Vidyapeeth (Deemed to be University), Pimpri, Pune-411018 (Maharashtra) India. Journal Article 2025 06 10 Background: Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is a prevalent malignancy of the oral cavity, commonly associated with the consumption of tobacco and alcohol. However, emerging evidence also implicates oncogenic viruses in its pathogenesis. Understanding the relationship between histopathological features and viral presence is critical for improving diagnostic and treatment approaches. Objectives: To explore the histopathological features of OSCC and their correlation with oncogenic viruses. Methods: Eleven excision specimens of biopsy-proven OSCC were subjected to histopathological examination. Fresh tumor tissues, sampled intraoperatively, were sent for RTPCR-based qualitative detection of oncogenic viruses. Results: Nine of the eleven cases (81.8%) showed an association with oncogenic viruses. The mean age of patients was 51.4 years, with a male predominance. HPV was detected in one case; herpesviruses were found in six cases, with EBV being the most prevalent (n = 5); and non-herpes viruses were identified in four cases, with B19V being the most prevalent (n = 3). Viral co-infections were noted in three cases. All tumors were unifocal SCC, classified as Grade 1 (n = 5) or Grade 2 (n = 4). Pathologic staging revealed pT4 and pT2 in three cases each. Nodal metastasis was observed in two co-infected cases. Conclusion: The detection of viruses in OSCC samples emphasizes the possible role of oncogenic viruses in tumorigenesis. It also suggests that advanced stages of the disease may be associated with co-infection, highlighting the importance of viral screening. The histo-molecular correlations indicate a complex interaction between viral presence and tumor pathology, underscoring the need for studies with larger sample sizes to better interpret the mechanisms of viral oncogenesis and inform targeted interventions. Squamous Cell Carcinoma oral Viruses histopathology https://journal.waocp.org/article_92179_742ec2f4674b85bd2fa57a411cd5dcd2.pdf
West Asia Organization for Cancer Prevention (WAOCP), APOCP's West Asia Chapter. Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 1513-7368 27 5 2026 05 01 Functional analysis of a splicing variant of the DOCK8 gene in a patient with breast cancer (Buryat ethnicity) 1559 1565 92198 10.31557/APJCP.2026.27.5.1559 EN Polina Gervas Department of Cancer Research, Cancer Research Institute, Tomsk National Research Medical Center, Russian Academy of Science, Tomsk, Russia. Department of Physical and Colloid Chemistry, Tomsk State University, Tomsk, Russia. 0000-0003-0051-8814 Ramil Salakhov Department of genomic medicine, Endocrinology Research Centre, Moscow, Russia. Aleksey Molokov Department of Cancer Research, Cancer Research Institute, Tomsk National Research Medical Center, Russian Academy of Science, Tomsk, Russia. Yuliya Karpova Department of genomic medicine, Endocrinology Research Centre, Moscow, Russia. Natalya Babyshkina Department of Cancer Research, Cancer Research Institute, Tomsk National Research Medical Center, Russian Academy of Science, Tomsk, Russia. 0000-0002-0562-3878 Michail Buldakov Department of Cancer Research, Cancer Research Institute, Tomsk National Research Medical Center, Russian Academy of Science, Tomsk, Russia. Matvei Tsyganov Department of Cancer Research, Cancer Research Institute, Tomsk National Research Medical Center, Russian Academy of Science, Tomsk, Russia. 0000-0001-7419-4512 Lilya Molonova Department of Surgery, Buratya Republic Cancer Center, Ulan -Ude, Russia. Alexey Zarubin Department of population genetics, Research Institute of Medical Genetics, Tomsk National Research Medical Center, Tomsk, Russian Federation. Lianhui Wang Institute of Advanced Materials, Nanjing University of Posts and Telecommunications, Nanjing, China. Eugene Choynzonov Department of Cancer Research, Cancer Research Institute, Tomsk National Research Medical Center, Russian Academy of Science, Tomsk, Russia. Nadezda Cherdyntseva Department of Cancer Research, Cancer Research Institute, Tomsk National Research Medical Center, Russian Academy of Science, Tomsk, Russia. 0000-0003-1526-9013 Journal Article 2025 09 29 BRCA1/2 founder mutation have been detected in various populations and ethnicities. Molecular diagnosis of HBOC remains challenging for populations where founder mutations have not yet been identified. There are limited data on hereditary BC mutations in ethnic groups of Siberia. The purpose of this study was to find new hereditary breast cancer (BC) variants in the understudied Buryat ethnic group by using WES data and DNA construct for their subsequent validation.<br /><br />Methods: Our study included a 52-year-old Buryat BC patient with a family history of BC (sister with BC). To identify novel as well as previously described variants, obtained by WES, we used the OpenCRAVAT mutation impact scoring algorithm (comprehensive knowledge base). For variants requiring further study, the DNA construct method was used. <br /><br />Result: According to WES data, no pathogenic variants were found in a 52-year-old Buryat BC patient with a family history of BC. The patient was found to have rare variants of unknown significance (MLH1 c.C550T:p.R184C and FANCI c.A1111G:p.S371G) and c.986C>T DOCK8 gene variant (as secondary findings). In silico analysis indicated that only c.986C>T variant of DOCK8 gene may affect splicing (a key immunity gene could act as a tumor suppressor). Electrophoresis of PCR fragments obtained using cDNA as a template showed that in the presence of the c.986C>T variant, the length of the PCR product was 60 bp less than in the case of the reference sequence of this region. <br /><br />Conclusion: We suggest that the combined carriage of the c.A1111G mutation of the FANCI gene and c.986C>T DOCK8 gene identified in this patient may likely increase the risk of developing BC. Our functional data indicate a potential impact c.986C>T variant of the DOCK8 gene on splicing. The role of the c.986C>T variant in BC pathogenesis and its prevalence in Buryats ethnic group remain to be elucidated. DOCK8 breast cancer DNA construct Buryat https://journal.waocp.org/article_92198_9645f9daed1bcf6f841c819de78b9942.pdf
West Asia Organization for Cancer Prevention (WAOCP), APOCP's West Asia Chapter. Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 1513-7368 27 5 2026 05 01 Corticoids Reduce Incidence of Oral Mucositis during Antineoplastic Treatment? A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized and Nonrandomized Clinical Trials 1567 1577 92183 10.31557/APJCP.2026.27.5.1567 EN Ana Beatriz Silva Marques Araújo Hospital Haroldo Juaçaba, Ceará Cancer Institute, Fortaleza, Ceará, Brazil. Dental Sciences School, Unichristus, Fortaleza, Brazil. 0009-0000-8509-5050 Jennifer Vianna Barbosa Hospital Haroldo Juaçaba, Ceará Cancer Institute, Fortaleza, Ceará, Brazil. Giulianna Aparecida Vieira Barreto Hospital Haroldo Juaçaba, Ceará Cancer Institute, Fortaleza, Ceará, Brazil. Gabriella Alves Julião Costa Hospital Haroldo Juaçaba, Ceará Cancer Institute, Fortaleza, Ceará, Brazil. Marcela Maria Fontes Borges Franco Hospital Haroldo Juaçaba, Ceará Cancer Institute, Fortaleza, Ceará, Brazil. Paulo Goberlanio De Barros Silva Hospital Haroldo Juaçaba, Ceará Cancer Institute, Fortaleza, Ceará, Brazil. Dental Sciences School, Unichristus, Fortaleza, Brazil. 0000-0002-1513-9027 Cássia Emanuella Nóbrega Malta Hospital Haroldo Juaçaba, Ceará Cancer Institute, Fortaleza, Ceará, Brazil. Dental Sciences School, Unichristus, Fortaleza, Brazil. Journal Article 2025 07 14 Background: Oral mucositis (OM) is a serious complication of antineoplastic therapy and its clinical presentation can range from small erythematous lesions to large, debilitating ulcerative areas. This adverse effect results from the non-specificity of chemotherapeutic agents. This study aims to determine whether corticosteroid protocols reduce the incidence or severity of OM during antineoplastic treatment. Materials and Methods: This PROSPERO registered systematic review (CRD42023442448) searched PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, LILACS, EBSCOhost, LIVIVO, Embase, and the gray literature. RoB-2 and ROBINS-I were used to assess the risk of bias (RoB), and a meta-analysis was performed evaluating the incidence or severity of OM. GRADE-pro analyzed the certainty of the evidence. Results: Of the 1795 articles, 5 RCTs and three n-RCTs were included, involving 718 patients, 255 men and 463 women distributed among 379 patients in the intervention groups and 339 patients in the control groups. High heterogeneity and low publication RoB were identified. The topical application of corticosteroids did not impair OM incidence (p=0.860). However, the systemic application of corticosteroids resulted in a reduction of 0.44 (CI95% = 0.29 to 0.66) times (p<0.001). There is no significant risk of publication bias (p=0.881). In the meta-analysis of OM severity, topical (p=0.280) or systemic (p=0.270) application did not show a significant reduction in the MO scores; there was no significant heterogeneity (p=0.940, I²=0%), and leave-one-out analysis demonstrated that removing individual study results did not alter this outcome. GRADE showed moderate certainty for both OM incidence and severity. Inconsistency and imprecision were low to moderate, and the risk of publication bias was low. Conclusion: High doses of systemic corticosteroids demonstrate clinical benefits in controlling OM, while the topical use requires further investigation, particularly with high-potency formulations. Antineoplastic Protocols Glucocorticoid Oral Mucositis Neoplasms https://journal.waocp.org/article_92183_d9526061a0341881f5cc990bb9061175.pdf
West Asia Organization for Cancer Prevention (WAOCP), APOCP's West Asia Chapter. Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 1513-7368 27 5 2026 05 01 Long-Term Quality-of-Life Outcomes After Endoscopic Resection of Sinonasal and Skull Base Tumours: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis 1579 1587 92184 10.31557/APJCP.2026.27.5.1579 EN Bhupesh Gupta Department of Community Medicine, Maharishi Markandeshwar Institute of Medical Sciences and Research, Mullana (Ambala), Haryana, India. 0009-0005-1306-5465 Rajdeep Singh Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Maharishi Markandeshwar Institute of Medical Sciences and Research, Mullana (Ambala), Haryana, India. 0009-0005-3553-9385 Priyanka Verma Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Atal Bihari Vajpayee Government Medical College, Vidisha, Madhya Pradesh, India. 0000-0001-9707-9525 Kirtika Gupta Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Maharishi Markandeshwar Institute of Medical Sciences and Research, Mullana (Ambala), Haryana, India. 0000-0002-0799-9430 Ginni Datta Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Maharishi Markandeshwar Institute of Medical Sciences and Research, Mullana (Ambala), Haryana, India. 0000-0002-8298-9339 Anshu Mittal Department of Community Medicine, Maharishi Markandeshwar Institute of Medical Sciences and Research, Mullana (Ambala), Haryana, India. 0000-0002-3482-7773 Journal Article 2025 07 18 Introduction: The present meta-analysis and systematic review aims to address the gap by examining long-term quality-of-life outcomes following endoscopic resection of sinonasal and skull base tumours. Materials and procedures: We searched databases such as PubMed, Scopus, Embase, and Google Scholar for research publications published between 2005 and 2024, following the PRISMA guidelines. R software was used to perform the meta-analysis, and Cochrane’s ROB 2.0 tool was employed to assess the risk of bias in the included studies. The I² statistic was used to evaluate heterogeneity. A funnel plot, along with Egger’s regression test, was used to assess publication bias. Results: The meta-analysis showed that quality of life (QOL) typically declined shortly after surgery, with a statistically significant worsening indicated by the SNOT-22 score (standardized mean difference [SMD] 0.49; 95% CI: 0.01 to 0.96) and a non-significant change on the ASBQ score (SMD -2.72; 95% CI: -10.93 to 5.49). However, results from the SNOT-20 score suggested a non-significant immediate improvement (SMD -4.70; 95% CI: -23.95 to 14.55). In the long term, patients experienced a clear and statistically significant overall improvement in QOL (p < 0.01), reflected by reductions in SNOT-22 (SMD -0.23; 95% CI: -0.61 to 0.14) and SNOT-20 scores (SMD -5.46; 95% CI: -26.93 to 16.02), alongside an increase in ASBQ scores (SMD 0.77; 95% CI: -2.18 to 3.71). Conclusion: Endoscopic resection of sinonasal and skull base tumours significantly improves postoperative sinonasal quality-of-life (QOL) symptoms. Although symptoms may temporarily worsen during the perioperative period, most patients generally return to baseline QOL in the long term. Sinonasal Anterior Skull base surgery HRQOL minimally invasive https://journal.waocp.org/article_92184_85abb89e3a6a747309e75e32cf1a0d9c.pdf
West Asia Organization for Cancer Prevention (WAOCP), APOCP's West Asia Chapter. Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 1513-7368 27 5 2026 05 01 Optimizing Care Trajectories with Artificial Intelligence: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis 1589 1601 92214 10.31557/APJCP.2026.27.5.1589 EN Nouhaila Ben Khizzou National School of Business and Management, Sidi Mohamed Ben Abdellah University, Fez, Morocco. 0009-0002-3355-5224 Mourad Aarabe National School of Business and Management, Sidi Mohamed Ben Abdellah University, Fez, Morocco. Lhoussaine Alla National School of Applied Sciences, Sidi Mohamed Ben Abdellah University, Fez 31000, Morocco. Ahmed Benjelloun National School of Business and Management, Sidi Mohamed Ben Abdellah University, Fez, Morocco. Journal Article 2025 09 19 Objective: This study aims to provide a critical and comprehensive summary of existing research on the effectiveness of AI-assisted care pathways by analyzing their impact on hospital stays and readmissions. Method: This review was conducted in accordance with the PRISMA 2020 guidelines, which specify the selection and analysis steps from the outset. The search strategy targeted three international databases: Scopus, Web of Science (WoS), and PubMed (Medline). The inclusion criteria focused on randomized controlled trials (RCTs), before-and-after studies, quasi-experimental studies, longitudinal studies, and literature reviews involving hospitalized patients without age or pathology restrictions, provided that their care was based on the “clinical pathway” method. Studies that did not meet these criteria were excluded. A PRISMA diagram illustrates the systematic selection process, which resulted in the selection of 31 studies. Data extraction was performed using a structured methodology to ensure the validity and comparability of the results. The description of random sequence generation processes was adequate in 24 studies, partially addressed in five studies, and insufficient in two studies. This limits the ability to assess the risk of bias. Results: With regard to economic outcomes, such as length of stay and readmission, most studies [reported] positive effects associated with AI-assisted pathways. The Covidence tool (version 101) was used for the selection and extraction of data on the 18 studies analyzing pathways, AI, length of stay, and readmission. Group analyses indicated that the implementation of clinical protocols incorporating AI optimized care without increasing readmission rates or length of stay. Conclusion: However, the limited number and heterogeneity of studies on the application of artificial intelligence currently prevent the establishment of a universal framework for the implementation of AI-assisted clinical protocols. " Critical Path" Artificial Intelligence" " Systematic Reviews " https://journal.waocp.org/article_92214_75e7a0b11e748ca586a18c9f66f326e8.pdf
West Asia Organization for Cancer Prevention (WAOCP), APOCP's West Asia Chapter. Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 1513-7368 27 5 2026 05 01 AOGIN India Policy Statement on the Use of HPV Vaccination for Cervical Cancer Elimination 1603 1607 92201 10.31557/APJCP.2026.27.5.1603 EN Latha Balasubramani Department of Oncology, V N Cancer Centre, GKNM Hospital, Coimbatore, India. Bhagyalaxmi Nayak Department of Gynaecologic Oncology, Acharya Harihar Post Graduate Institution of Cancer, Cuttack, India. Nisha Singh Department of Gynaecologic Oncology, KGMU, Lucknow, India. Seema Singhal Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, AIIMS, New Delhi, India. 0000-0002-8644-7684 Vinotha Thomas Department of Gynaecologic Oncology, CMC, Vellore, India. Neerja Bhatla Professor Emeritus, National Cancer Institute Jhajjar, AIIMS, New Delhi, India. 0000-0002-3894-2795 Journal Article 2025 10 06 Objective: Nearly one-fifth of the worldwide burden of cancer-related deaths among Indian women is attributable to cervical cancer. The World Health Organization (WHO) mandates that 90% of adolescent girls receive the HPV vaccine by age 15 to achieve cervical cancer elimination. Integrating the HPV vaccine into the Universal Immunization Program is necessary to accomplish this in India. Method: To provide clarity on HPV vaccination dosage, schedules, and delivery methods, AOGIN India has developed this policy statement based on the most recent evidence from both India and around the world, including data from single-dose efficacy trials. Result: To facilitate the rapid and efficient expansion of vaccination, this document offers evidence-based recommendations for health care professionals, policymakers, and program managers. Conclusion: AOGIN India is the national chapter of the Asia Oceania Research Organization in Genital Infection & Neoplasia, working to promote education, training, community-based interventions, and research for cervical cancer prevention. This policy statement aims to reduce disparities in access to HPV vaccination and accelerate India’s progress toward the WHO’s 90-70-90 elimination targets by translating scientific evidence into context-specific guidelines. HPV vaccination policy statement AOGIN India https://journal.waocp.org/article_92201_8eeb8dd2ce6e8649a8e271187a890a6b.pdf
West Asia Organization for Cancer Prevention (WAOCP), APOCP's West Asia Chapter. Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 1513-7368 27 5 2026 05 01 Comparative Analysis of Quality of Cell Collected from the Cervix: Conventional versus Liquid-Based Cytology 1609 1614 92174 10.31557/APJCP.2026.27.5.1609 EN Flavia Salomão D’ Avila Curi Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Santa Casa de Sao Paulo School of Medical Sciences, São Paulo, SP, Brazil. 0000-0001-5775-5867 Adriana Bittencourt Campaner Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Santa Casa de Sao Paulo School of Medical Sciences, São Paulo, SP, Brazil. 0000-0002-3044-3019 Ana Carolina Alves Rosario De Sica Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Santa Casa de Sao Paulo School of Medical Sciences, São Paulo, SP, Brazil. 0000-0002-3379-2281 Journal Article 2024 12 04 Objectives: To compare the qualitative and quantitative differences in several cell types between conventional cytology and liquid-based cytology samples in patients diagnosed with high-grade cervical intraepithelial neoplasia. Methods: A prospective, observational, cross-sectional study was conducted with 84 female patients at Santa Casa de Misericórdia de São Paulo Hospital (São Paulo, Brazil) between May 2019 and November 2020. Patients who underwent colposcopy-guided biopsy and were subsequently diagnosed with high-grade cervical intraepithelial neoplasia were included in this study. After the patients’ selection, relevant information, conventional cytology, and liquid-based cytology samples were collected in the same session. Results: Liquid-based cytology presented less neutrophilic infiltrate and a clean background, when compared to conventional cytology. We observed a larger amount of cell types (mature, basal, metaplastic, endocervical cells) in conventional cytology when compared to liquid-based cytology, with statistically significant results in all four cell types. We also observed a concordance rate of 90.6% in the cytological diagnosis between conventional and liquid-based cytologies. Conclusion: Even though we found a greater amount of cells in conventional cytology, the diagnostic accuracy of both cytologies is similar. Therefore, in places in where conventional cytology is employed as the main screening method, a proper diagnosis is achieved. Human Papillomavirus Viruses Uterine Cervical Neoplasms Vaginal smears Cytological Techniques colposcopy https://journal.waocp.org/article_92174_c54e66abf0b3e8d2af959e162a30ff11.pdf
West Asia Organization for Cancer Prevention (WAOCP), APOCP's West Asia Chapter. Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 1513-7368 27 5 2026 05 01 A Cost-Effectiveness Analysis of Tobacco Generational Endgame Scenarios in Malaysia: A Comparison of a Total Ban versus Smokeless-Only Policies 1615 1622 92175 10.31557/APJCP.2026.27.5.1615 EN Sharifa Ezat Wan Puteh Department of Public Health Medicine, Medical Faculty, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Selangor, Malaysia. 0000-0001-6251-2528 Nur Farihin Binti Ruslan Department of Public Health Medicine, Medical Faculty, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Selangor, Malaysia. Ministry of Health, Malaysia. 0009-0000-0023-741X Journal Article 2025 03 25 Introduction: The use of tobacco products is associated with the treatment costs of lung-related diseases. The Tobacco Generational Endgame (GEG) strategy can improve efficiency in managing medical costs. Methods: Three GEG scenarios were identified. In Scenario 1, the GEG policy was not implemented. Scenario 2 prohibited the use of all tobacco products. Scenario 3 allowed only smokeless tobacco products. Secondary data obtained from the Ministry of Health (MOH) Malaysia were analysed using the Incremental Cost-Effectiveness Ratio (ICER) and sensitivity analysis. Results: In 2019, the Ministry of Health (MOH) spent MYR 71,527,032.50 on the treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and MYR 38,112,229.30 on lung cancer. The estimated annual cost for the Tobacco Control Programme was MYR 142,389,194.40. Analysis shows that Scenario 3 is the most cost-effective. Conclusions: The results of this study can serve as a guide for the government in formulating policies that maximise the benefits of GEG implementation. COPD Cost-Effectiveness generational end game Lung cancer Tobacco https://journal.waocp.org/article_92175_fb2065db096da8c5b2ec65c9a8f714a8.pdf
West Asia Organization for Cancer Prevention (WAOCP), APOCP's West Asia Chapter. Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 1513-7368 27 5 2026 05 01 Oral Cancer Diagnosis Using an Optimized InceptionV3 Model Powered by the Aquila Metaheuristic Algorithm 1623 1632 92176 10.31557/APJCP.2026.27.5.1623 EN Sabura Banu Urundai Meeran Department of Electrical and Electronics Engineering, Saveetha Engineering College, Saveetha Nagar, Thandalam, Chennai : 602105, Tamilnadu, India. 0000-0001-5335-5866 Kavitha S. Department of Electrical and Electronics Engineering, Saveetha Engineering College, Saveetha Nagar, Thandalam, Chennai : 602105, Tamilnadu, India. 0000-0002-0043-9035 Chinthamani B. Department of Electronics and Communciation Engineering, Easwari Engineering College, Rama-puram, Chennai, Tamilnadu, India. Journal Article 2025 05 26 Objective: Early and accurate detection of oral cancer plays a pivotal role in improving patient prognosis and survival rates. Deep learning (DL) models have shown promise in automating medical image classification; however, performance optimization remains a challenge due to complex network configurations and hyperparameter dependencies. This study introduces an enhanced diagnostic framework combining the InceptionV3 convolutional neural network with the Aquila Optimizer (AO), a nature-inspired metaheuristic algorithm, to achieve superior classification accuracy in identifying oral cancer lesions. Methods: A standardized dataset of labeled oral lesion images, including both benign and malignant cases captured via mobile and intraoral cameras, was used for training. The InceptionV3 model, initially pre-trained, was fine-tuned for binary classification tasks. AO was employed to optimize the hyperparameters by defining a search space and iteratively improving model performance through accuracy maximization and loss minimization strategies. The optimized model was compared against leading architectures such as AlexNet, MobileNet, Xception, ResNet-50, and the original InceptionV3, using comprehensive performance indicators like accuracy, precision, recall, F1-score, AUC-ROC, specificity, log loss, and Matthews Correlation Coefficient (MCC). Result: The proposed AO-InceptionV3 model consistently outperformed the other DL architectures across all metrics. It achieved a classification accuracy of 97.80%, precision of 97.81%, recall of 97.79%, and an MCC of 0.956, while maintaining a low log loss of 0.0735 and an AUC-ROC of 99.81%. Visual analyses, including ROC curves and 3D plots, reinforced the robustness and reliability of the model in distinguishing between benign and malignant lesions with minimal inference time. Conclusion: The integration of the Aquila Optimizer into the InceptionV3 architecture significantly improves the diagnostic performance of DL models for oral cancer detection. The proposed framework demonstrates excellent potential for real-time clinical deployment, offering high accuracy, efficiency, and reliability, and sets a benchmark for future AI-driven cancer diagnostic systems. Oral Cancer Detection Deep Learning Inception V3 Aquila Optimizer https://journal.waocp.org/article_92176_356f981ba4016da7da9f255aac0be917.pdf
West Asia Organization for Cancer Prevention (WAOCP), APOCP's West Asia Chapter. Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 1513-7368 27 5 2026 05 01 The Dual Role of ABCG2 Copy Number Variation: A Protective Factor in Cancer Risk, and a Prognostic Marker for Survival in Thai Breast Cancer 1633 1640 92177 10.31557/APJCP.2026.27.5.1633 EN Thanet Sophonnithiprasert Biochemistry Unit, Department of Medical Science, Faculty of Science, Rangsit University, Pathum Thani, Thailand. 0000-0002-8352-6213 Tanett Pongtheerat Biochemistry Unit, Department of Medical Science, Faculty of Science, Rangsit University, Pathum Thani, Thailand. Pensri Saelee Department of Medical Research and Technology Assessment, National Cancer Institute, Bangkok, Thailand. 0000-0003-3163-2310 Journal Article 2025 05 30 Objective: This study aimed to investigate CNVs of MDR1 and ABCG2 and their associations with clinicopathological characteristics and survival outcomes in Thai breast cancer patients. Methods: Genomic DNA from 126 breast cancer patients and 162 healthy controls was analyzed. CNVs were determined using real-time PCR and the ∆Ct method. Associations with clinicopathological parameters were assessed using the Chi-square test. Kaplan–Meier survival analysis and the log-rank test, were used to evaluate overall survival. Result: The ABCG2 >1/1 genotype was significantly more common in controls than in patients (OR = 0.32, 95% CI: 0.19–0.525, P < 0.001), suggesting a protective role. MDR1 CNVs showed no significant difference between groups. Among breast cancer patients, the MDR1 >1/1 genotype was associated with larger tumor size (>3 cm) and distant metastasis (P = 0.037, 0.008), while the ABCG2 >1/1 genotype was correlated with progesterone receptor positivity and distant metastasis (P = 0.005, 0.046). Survival analysis revealed that ABCG2 >1/1 was associated with shorter overall survival (P = 0.013), whereas MDR1 CNVs showed no significant association with survival (P = 0.127). Conclusion: These findings suggest that copy number variations (CNVs) in ABCG2 may serve as both protective and prognostic markers in breast cancer, while MDR1 CNVs may be associated with tumor aggressiveness. Both genes hold potential as biomarkers for breast cancer pathogenesis, clinicopathological characteristics, and survival outcomes in Thai breast cancer patients. MDR1 ABCG2 Copy number variation breast cancer Real-Time PCR https://journal.waocp.org/article_92177_cfa1d232cb28413d1734907d927ad80a.pdf
West Asia Organization for Cancer Prevention (WAOCP), APOCP's West Asia Chapter. Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 1513-7368 27 5 2026 05 01 Hybrid Modelling of Pulmonary Cancer Risk Prediction Using Classical Algorithms to Modern Machine Learning Techniques 1641 1654 92178 10.31557/APJCP.2026.27.5.1641 EN Seeta Devi Symbiosis College of Nursing (SCON), Symbiosis International (Deemed University), Maharashtra, India. 0000-0002-6220-7264 Roshan Yadav B. Tech. in Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning; Symbiosis Institute of Technology, Symbiosis International (Deemed University), Pune, Maharashtra, India. Joyce Robert Mathivanan Tutor, Symbiosis College of Nursing (SCON), Symbiosis International (Deemed University), Maharashtra, India. Sonopant Joshi Symbiosis College of Nursing (SCON), Symbiosis International (Deemed University), Maharashtra, India. 0000-0003-1560-4352 Bhagyashree Jogdeo Department of Child Health Nursing, Bharati Vidyapeeth (Deemed to be University), Pune. Journal Article 2025 06 01 Background: Despite significant advancements in oncology, early diagnosis of pulmonary cancer poses a clinical challenge, thus making it a leading cause of cancer-related mortality and a focal point for the development of data-driven prediction models. The objective of the study was to predict pulmonary cancer using hybrid machine learning models. Methods: This study presents a comprehensive review of machine learning (ML) algorithms to facilitate early prediction of pulmonary carcinoma using electronic medical records (EMRs) data. The dataset comprising 1000 patient records and 25 predictor variables, was subjected to rigorous pre-processing, including label correction, multicollinearity assessment, and dimensionality reduction. Eighteen statistically significant features, encompassing symptoms, lifestyle factors, and environmental exposures were identified through variance inflation factor (VIF) analysis and chi-square testing. Multiple ML models, including Support Vector Machine (SVM), Random Forest (RF), Logistic Regression (LR), and Deep Learning (DL) classifiers, were trained and evaluated using precision, recall, F1 score, specificity, and AUC metrics. Results: The chi-square test revealed that age (χ²=44.187, p<0.001), passive smoking (χ²=752.960, p<0.001), obesity (χ²=712.088, p<0.001), smoking (χ²=671.006, p<0.001), and symptoms like coughing blood (χ²=818.669, p<0.001) were significantly associated with pulmonary Carcinoma. The performance metrics indicate that most basic and ensemble models, including DT, SVM, LR, KNN, AdaBoost, and RF, achieved perfect scores (accuracy, precision, recall, F1, AUC = 1.000), demonstrating optimal classification. DL and SVM Bagging showed 97% accuracy, while NN and MLP performed well with accuracy above 96%, though slightly less than the ensemble models. Conclusion: These findings accentuate the potential of ML, especially SVM, for early prediction of pulmonary carcinoma using structured EMR data. These findings support the integration of ML-based tools into clinical workflows, supporting data-driven, personalized cancer screening and decision-making in health care. Pulmonary carcinoma Machine Learning Deep Learning Ensemble prediction https://journal.waocp.org/article_92178_8ac828926da9c908729ecd573aa426c0.pdf
West Asia Organization for Cancer Prevention (WAOCP), APOCP's West Asia Chapter. Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 1513-7368 27 5 2026 05 01 Investigating the Impact of Curcumin on the Methylation of DNMT1, CDH1, SMG1, and WT1 Genes in the MIAPaCa2 Cell Line Using High-Resolution Melting Analysis Compared to Methylation-Specific PCR 1655 1661 92211 10.31557/APJCP.2026.27.5.1655 EN Shaghayegh Mousavi Faculty of Medical Sciences, Qazvin University of Medical Sciences, Qazvin, Iran. Mehdi Azad Department of Clinical Biochemistry and Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, Qazvin University of Medical Sciences, Qazvin, Iran. 0000-0002-5818-213X Neda Karami Chermahini Department of Clinical Biochemistry and Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, Qazvin University of Medical Sciences, Qazvin, Iran. Babak Pakbin Medical Microbiology Research Center, Qazvin University of Medical Sciences, Qazvin, Iran. Abdolmabood Momeni Department of Science and Biology, Arak, Iran. Journal Article 2025 06 03 Background: Curcumin, a natural compound extracted from turmeric, has shown potential in modulating epigenetic mechanisms, including DNA methylation, which is critical in gene regulation and cancer progression. This study investigates the impact of curcumin on the methylation of DNMT1, CDH1, SMG1, and WT1 genes in the MIAPaCa2 pancreatic cancer cell line. Methods: MIAPaCa-2 pancreatic cancer cells were cultured and treated with varying concentrations of curcumin (2.5, 10, 20, 40, and 80 μM) for 24, 48, and 72 hours. DNA was extracted and subjected to bisulfite conversion to analyze methylation. The methylation status of DNMT1, CDH1, SMG1, and WT1 promoters was assessed using methylation-specific PCR (MSP) and methylation-sensitive high-resolution melting (MS-HRM) analysis. MSP involved amplifying methylated and unmethylated alleles, while MS-HRM provided quantitative methylation analysis. Standard curves and controls were used to ensure accuracy and validate the results. Results: MSP analysis revealed that DNMT1, initially hemi-methylated in control cells, exhibited decreased methylation levels across all concentrations of curcumin (2.5 to 80 μM), whereas CDH1 remained consistently unmethylated before and after treatment. MS-HRM employed a standard curve method to quantify methylation, showing that DNMT1 methylation decreased from approximately 50% in control cells to about 20% after exposure to 80 μM curcumin. Meanwhile, CDH1 maintained its unmethylated state throughout. The methylation status of SMG1 was inconclusive in this study, while WT1 initially showed 70% unmethylation, reducing after curcumin treatment. Conclusion: These findings underscore the differential effects of curcumin on DNA methylation patterns in pancreatic cancer-related genes, highlighting its potential as a modulator of epigenetic mechanisms in cancer therapy. curcumin DNMT1 CDH1 SMG1 WT1 genes https://journal.waocp.org/article_92211_e9d075efb34b072b12c3af1c29db49e0.pdf
West Asia Organization for Cancer Prevention (WAOCP), APOCP's West Asia Chapter. Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 1513-7368 27 5 2026 05 01 Time to Treatment Initiation Analysis in Patients with Localized Extremity Non-Small Round Cell Sarcoma 1663 1670 92180 10.31557/APJCP.2026.27.5.1663 EN Sakurako Takahashi Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Faculty of Medicine and Graduate School of Medicine, Hokkaido University, North 15 West 7, Kita-Ku, Sapporo, Hokkaido, Japan. Masatake Matsuoka Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Faculty of Medicine and Graduate School of Medicine, Hokkaido University, North 15 West 7, Kita-Ku, Sapporo, Hokkaido, Japan. Tomohiro Onodera Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Faculty of Medicine and Graduate School of Medicine, Hokkaido University, North 15 West 7, Kita-Ku, Sapporo, Hokkaido, Japan. Koji Iwasaki Department of Functional Reconstruction for the Knee Joint, Hokkaido University, Kita-15, Nish-7, Kita-ku, Sapporo, Hokkaido, Japan. Dai Sato Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Faculty of Medicine and Graduate School of Medicine, Hokkaido University, North 15 West 7, Kita-Ku, Sapporo, Hokkaido, Japan. Taku Ebata Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Faculty of Medicine and Graduate School of Medicine, Hokkaido University, North 15 West 7, Kita-Ku, Sapporo, Hokkaido, Japan. Yoshiaki Hosokawa Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Faculty of Medicine and Graduate School of Medicine, Hokkaido University, North 15 West 7, Kita-Ku, Sapporo, Hokkaido, Japan. Eiji Kondo Centre for Sports Medicine, Hokkaido University Hospital, North 14 West 5, Kita-Ku, Sapporo, Hokkaido, Japan. Norimasa Iwasaki Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Faculty of Medicine and Graduate School of Medicine, Hokkaido University, North 15 West 7, Kita-Ku, Sapporo, Hokkaido, Japan. Journal Article 2025 06 12 Introduction: Time-to-treatment initiation (TTI) is an increasingly recognized factor influencing survival in cancer care. Although prolonged TTI has been associated with worse survival in various malignancies, its impact on patients with localized extremity non-small-round-cell sarcoma (NSRCS) remains unclear. Methods: Data were extracted from the SEER database, encompassing 11,380 patients diagnosed with localized extremity NSRCS from 2000 to 2019. Patients were categorized into three cohorts based on TTI: less than 1 month, less than 2 months, and less than 4 months. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis and Cox proportional hazards models were used to evaluate the association between TTI and overall survival (OS), adjusting for variables including age, sex, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, tumor location, AJCC stage, and treatment modalities. Results: Multivariate analysis revealed that overall survival (OS) in the TTI delay group was nearly equivalent to that of patients with a TTI of less than 1 month (HR = 1.01; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.97–1.10). In contrast, in cohorts 2 and 3, the TTI delay group demonstrated worse OS (cohort 2: HR = 1.10; 95% CI, 1.02–1.20; cohort 3: HR = 1.30; 95% CI, 1.10–1.70). Subgroup analysis indicated that adjuvant therapy, including chemotherapy and radiation therapy, may potentially mitigate the decreased survival associated with TTI delay. Discussion: This study highlights the detrimental impact of delayed TTI on survival in patients with localized extremity NSRCS. Furthermore, it suggests that adjuvant therapy may help mitigate the adverse effects associated with TTI delay. Soft tissue sarcoma SEER program neoplasm grading retrospective study Treatment outcome https://journal.waocp.org/article_92180_e77fbe18c170966cf4dcff335f83d2b6.pdf
West Asia Organization for Cancer Prevention (WAOCP), APOCP's West Asia Chapter. Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 1513-7368 27 5 2026 05 01 Indonesian Midwives’ Readiness to Upscale the Secondary Prevention of Cervical Cancer within Primary Health Clinics: A Qualitative Study of Midwives Across Three Provinces 1671 1677 92181 10.31557/APJCP.2026.27.5.1671 EN Siswanto Agus Wilopo Department of Biostatistics, Epidemiology, and Population Health, Faculty of Medicine, Public Health, and Nursing, Universitas Gadjah Mada, Yogyakarta, Indonesia. 0000-0003-1284-7228 Rosalia Kurniawati Harisaputra Department of Biostatistics, Epidemiology, and Population Health, Faculty of Medicine, Public Health, and Nursing, Universitas Gadjah Mada, Yogyakarta, Indonesia. Center for Reproductive Health, Faculty of Medicine, Public Health and Nursing, Universitas Gadjah Mada, Yogyakarta, Indonesia. Rahmah S Hadati Department of Biostatistics, Epidemiology, and Population Health, Faculty of Medicine, Public Health, and Nursing, Universitas Gadjah Mada, Yogyakarta, Indonesia. 0009-0005-8245-2207 Mustikaningtyas Mustikaningtyas Department of Biostatistics, Epidemiology, and Population Health, Faculty of Medicine, Public Health, and Nursing, Universitas Gadjah Mada, Yogyakarta, Indonesia. Ministry of Population and Family Development / Representative Office of National Population and Family Planning Board in the Special Region of Yogyakarta, Yogyakarta, Indonesia. Althaf Setyawan Department of Biostatistics, Epidemiology, and Population Health, Faculty of Medicine, Public Health, and Nursing, Universitas Gadjah Mada, Yogyakarta, Indonesia. 0000-0002-8527-139X I. Gusti Agung Paramitha Eka Putri Nossal Institute for Global Health, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia. 0000-0002-5405-7606 Sandra Olivia Frans Nossal Institute for Global Health, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia. 0000-0001-9808-5281 Linda Rae Bennett Nossal Institute for Global Health, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia. 0000-0002-6472-4185 Journal Article 2025 06 13 Objective: This article analyzes the readiness of Indonesian midwives for the rapid scale-up of secondary prevention of cervical cancer, in line with Indonesia’s National Plan for Cervical Cancer Elimination (2023–2030). Methods: Data were collected via a mixed-methods study conducted in 2024. We analyzed a subset of qualitative data from semi-structured interviews with 24 midwives, sampled from 13 primary health clinics (PHCs) in Kupang City, Purworejo Regency, and Palu City. Thematic analysis revealed four key themes relevant to determining midwives’ readiness: knowledge; technical training and confidence in performing visual inspection with acetic acid (VIA); communication skills; and motivation. Result: Midwives’ knowledge of causation and risk factors was high, underpinning their high perception of cervical cancer risk and subsequent strong motivation to provide screening. However, inconsistent knowledge existed regarding screening targets, intervals, and clinical indications for screening. Training coverage was low, with only half of the midwives having received training. Multiple midwives viewed their training as inadequate for establishing competency in the interpretation of VIA results, negatively impacting their motivation. Midwives reported high confidence in communication skills but noted a lack of health communication materials for patient education and raised concerns over the suitability of PHC information systems for enabling follow-up. Conclusion: The proportion of Indonesian midwives receiving training in cervical screening and provider-administered HPV DNA testing needs to increase significantly. Training in cervical cancer prevention should receive greater attention in the core curriculum for midwifery accreditation. The content should be more comprehensive, addressing knowledge gaps, low confidence in interpreting VIA results, and the transition to HPV DNA testing. A train-the-trainer program for senior midwives to enable high-quality peer education would be a strategic investment. Critical system-level changes such as adequate budgets, provision of health communication materials, and improvements to the design and use of health information systems are also required. human resources Primary Care pre-cancer human papillomavirus visual inspection with acetic acid https://journal.waocp.org/article_92181_7cd6ad8168b52eb5e0afd895bb289823.pdf
West Asia Organization for Cancer Prevention (WAOCP), APOCP's West Asia Chapter. Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 1513-7368 27 5 2026 05 01 Evaluating Cancer Patients’ Knowledge of Chemotherapy: Identifying Communication Gaps and Medication Errors in General Hospital of Thamar City 1679 1688 92212 10.31557/APJCP.2026.27.5.1679 EN Adel H. Khalil Department of Clinical Pharmacy. School of Medical Science and Pharmacy, Lebanese International University, Sana’a, Yemen. Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Thamar University, Thamar, Yemen. Khaled Al-Akhali Department of Clinical Pharmacy. School of Medical Science and Pharmacy, Lebanese International University, Sana’a, Yemen. Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Thamar University, Thamar, Yemen. Faiz Sakran Department of Clinical Pharmacy. School of Medical Science and Pharmacy, Lebanese International University, Sana’a, Yemen. Sayida Al-Jamei Department of Clinical Pharmacy. School of Medical Science and Pharmacy, Lebanese International University, Sana’a, Yemen. Journal Article 2025 06 14 Objective: In Yemen, there is a notable lack of data regarding cancer patients’ knowledge of chemotherapy and the communication gaps that may contribute to medication errors. To our knowledge, this is the first study to assess cancer patients’ understanding of chemotherapy in Thamar City, aiming to evaluate their knowledge, communication practices, and the impact of these factors on treatment-related errors. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted between December 2024 and March 2025 at the General Hospital in Thamar City. Adult cancer patients who were either undergoing chemotherapy or receiving follow-up care were included. Data were collected through structured, face-to-face interviews conducted by trained clinical pharmacists using a validated, culturally adapted questionnaire. The survey covered socio-demographic characteristics, chemotherapy knowledge, adherence practices, communication behaviors, preferred information sources, and experiences with medication errors. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 28. Results: Of the 209 cancer patients surveyed, the majority were female (65.1%), aged over 50 (58.4%), and unemployed (90.0%). While 87.1% demonstrated good knowledge about chemotherapy, only 9.1% could name their medications, and misunderstandings about managing side effects remained. Despite high treatment adherence, communication challenges were prevalent-71.8% found medical terminology difficult to understand, and 24.4% experienced medication errors. Knowledge levels were significantly associated with gender, education, and employment status (p < 0.05). Conclusion: While most cancer patients demonstrated good overall knowledge about chemotherapy, significant challenges persist particularly in medication-specific awareness and side effect management. Communication gaps, including unclear explanations and limited patient engagement, were associated with medication errors. Enhancing communication practices and delivering patient-centered education can play a crucial role in reducing errors and supporting optimal treatment outcomes. Chemotherapy Knowledge communication gaps medical errors Yemen https://journal.waocp.org/article_92212_90ac53bc569cb839d58aa4cbdab96eac.pdf
West Asia Organization for Cancer Prevention (WAOCP), APOCP's West Asia Chapter. Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 1513-7368 27 5 2026 05 01 Characteristics of Lymph Node Metastasis in Esophageal Squamous-Cell Carcinoma Undergoing Upfront Minimally Invasive Esophagectomy: A Prospective Surgical Cohort Study 1689 1693 92185 10.31557/APJCP.2026.27.5.1689 EN Binh Van Pham Department of Digestive Surgery 1, Vietnam National Cancer Hospital, Vietnam. 0000-0001-6656-0279 Duy Duc Nguyen Department of Digestive Surgery 1, Vietnam National Cancer Hospital, Vietnam. 0000-0001-6656-0279 An Duc Thai Department of Digestive Surgery 1, Vietnam National Cancer Hospital, Vietnam. Journal Article 2025 07 22 Introduction: This study aims to evaluate the characteristics of lymph node metastasis (LNM) in patients with early esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) undergoing upfront minimally invasive esophagectomy and extended two-field lymph node dissection. Patients and methods: This prospective study was conducted from October 2022 to May 2024. All patients with early esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) who underwent minimally invasive esophagectomy and extended two-field lymph node dissection were selected for this study. Postoperative lymph nodes were divided into the upper thoracic, middle thoracic, lower thoracic, and abdominal lymph node groups. Univariate and multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed to identify risk factors associated with lymph node metastasis (LNM). Disease-free survival (DFS) was assessed using the Kaplan–Meier method. Results: The overall rate of LNM was 30%, with increasing incidence by pathological T stage: 14.3% in pT1a, 32.1% in pT1b, and 50% in pT2. LNM was most frequently observed in upper thoracic and abdominal lymph node groups. Univariate analysis identified poor differentiation, lymphovascular/perineural invasion (LVI/PNI), tumor size >2 cm, and increased esophageal wall thickness on endoscopic ultrasound as significant risk factors. However, in multivariable analysis, only tumor size >2 cm remained independently associated with LNM (OR 5.47; 95% CI: 1.05–32.65; p = 0.04). Patients without LNM had significantly longer DFS compared to those with LNM (22.4 vs. 14.5 months; p = 0.003). Conclusion: Lymph node metastasis can occur even in early-stage esophageal squamous cell carcinoma. Poor differentiation, lymphovascular/perineural invasion, tumor size >2 cm, and esophageal wall thickness on endoscopic ultrasound were identified as independent prognostic factors for lymph node metastasis. Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma Lymph node metastasis Minimally invasive esophagectomy https://journal.waocp.org/article_92185_1043525bb7aa7c3273879c00290c4f23.pdf
West Asia Organization for Cancer Prevention (WAOCP), APOCP's West Asia Chapter. Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 1513-7368 27 5 2026 05 01 Inhibitory Effect of Melatonin on the Proliferation of Breast Cancer Cells MDA-MB-468 by Antioxidants Superoxide Dismutase and Glutathione Peroxidase 1695 1702 92209 10.31557/APJCP.2026.27.5.1695 EN Bevita Bevita Department of Pathology Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas YARSI, Indonesia. Nunung Ainur Rahmah Department of Pathology Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas YARSI, Indonesia. Insan Sosiawan Tunru Department of Pathology Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas YARSI, Indonesia. Harliansyah Harliansyah Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas YARSI, Indonesia. Fatimah Eliana Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas YARSI, Indonesia. Journal Article 2025 07 30 Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine the inhibitory effect of melatonin on breast cancer cells MDA-MB-468 by the antioxidant superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase. Methods: This research was an in-vitro experimental study using MDA-MB-468 breast cancer cells from ATCC, treated with melatonin at concentrations of 1.5 mM, 2 mM, and 2.5 mM, with a 24-hour incubation. Cytotoxicity was examined using WST-8. SOD and GPx levels were measured using ELISA. Data analysis was performed using SPSS 27.0 with a one-way ANOVA parametric test, followed by post-hoc LSD analysis. Result: The IC₅₀ of melatonin in MDA-MB-468 breast cancer cells was 1.9 mM. There was a significant increase in SOD antioxidant levels (p = 0.000) in the melatonin concentration groups of 1.5 mM, 2 mM, and 2.5 mM. An increase in GPx antioxidant levels was also observed at the same concentrations (1.5 mM, 2 mM, and 2.5 mM), but it was not statistically significant (p > 0.05). Conclusion: Melatonin at concentrations of 1.5 mM, 2 mM, and 2.5 mM acts as an antiproliferative agent in MDA-MB-468 cells by significantly increasing the antioxidant activity of SOD and increasing GPx activity, although not significantly. Glutathione peroxidase Malondialdehyde MDA-MB-468 Melatonin Superoxide dismutase https://journal.waocp.org/article_92209_941c4ea571434801fc2c50907a103342.pdf
West Asia Organization for Cancer Prevention (WAOCP), APOCP's West Asia Chapter. Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 1513-7368 27 5 2026 05 01 Diagnostic Accuracy and Reproducibility of ChatGPT-4o for HER2 Immunohistochemistry Scoring in Equivocal Breast Cancer Cases 1703 1708 92186 10.31557/APJCP.2026.27.5.1703 EN Cheep Charoenlap Department of Anatomical Pathology, Hatyai Hospital, Songkhla, Thailand. Pakorn Arunsawat Department of Anatomical Pathology, Hatyai Hospital, Songkhla, Thailand. Kittiphan Chienwichai Division of Nephrology, Department of Internal Medicine, Hatyai Hospital, Songkhla, Thailand. Tanaporn Prateepchaiboon Division of Medical Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, Hatyai Hospital, Songkhla, Thailand. Arunchai Chang Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Internal Medicine, Hatyai Hospital, Songkhla, Thailand. 0000-0002-0158-2685 Journal Article 2025 08 02 Background: HER2 immunohistochemistry (IHC) plays a central role in therapeutic decision-making for breast cancer. However, interpretation of equivocal (2+) IHC results remains challenging and is subject to interobserver variability, necessitating reflex in situ hybridization testing. This study evaluated the diagnostic performance and reproducibility of ChatGPT-4o, a general-purpose large language model, in scoring HER2 IHC in breast cancer cases initially classified as IHC 2+. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 81 formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded invasive carcinoma of no special type (NST) cases with prior HER2 IHC 2+ scores and corresponding dual in situ hybridization (DISH) results. Five high-power field images per case were independently analyzed by ChatGPT-4o across three sessions, using a standardized prompt aligned with the ASCO/CAP 2023 guidelines. Cases remaining equivocal after AI-assisted interpretation were excluded from diagnostic performance calculations. HER2 DISH served as the reference standard. Results: Fourteen cases (17.3%) remained equivocal following AI interpretation. Among the 67 reclassified cases, ChatGPT-4o demonstrated an overall diagnostic accuracy of 79% (95% CI: 67–88%), a sensitivity of 30%, specificity of 100%, positive predictive value of 100%, and negative predictive value of 77%. Intra-model reproducibility was good (intraclass correlation coefficient = 0.78), whereas agreement with HER2 DISH was fair (Cohen’s κ = 0.375). Misclassification predominantly involved false-negative interpretations among HER2-positive cases. Conclusion: ChatGPT-4o demonstrated high specificity and reproducibility for identifying HER2 IHC 3+ cases but showed limited sensitivity and only fair concordance with HER2 DISH. These findings indicate that, in its current general-purpose form, ChatGPT-4o is not suitable for independent HER2 assessment and may serve, at best, as an exploratory adjunct to pathologist interpretation. HER2 immunohistochemistry breast cancer Artificial intelligence ChatGPT-4o diagnostic reproducibility https://journal.waocp.org/article_92186_f0f6db1a55968c711a992d72b054c615.pdf
West Asia Organization for Cancer Prevention (WAOCP), APOCP's West Asia Chapter. Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 1513-7368 27 5 2026 05 01 Optimizing Radiotherapy for Left Breast Cancer: A Dosimetric Evaluation of Hypofractionated vs. Conventional VMAT with DIBH 1709 1716 92187 10.31557/APJCP.2026.27.5.1709 EN Nourhane Moussawi Department of Physics, Faculty of Science, Beirut Arab University, Beirut, Lebanon. Radiation Oncology Department, Ain Wazein Medical Village Hospital, Mount Lebanon. Hanna El Balaa National Council for Scientific Research (CNRS), Lebanese University, Beirut, Lebanon. Wassila El Kanawati Department of Physics, Faculty of Science, Beirut Arab University, Beirut, Lebanon. Journal Article 2025 08 06 Purpose: This study aimed to determine whether the hypofractionated regimen offers dosimetric and radiobiological benefits compared to a conventional regimen delivered with deep inspiration breath-hold (DIBH) for left breast cancer patients following breast-conserving surgery using the VMAT technique. The primary objective was to assess whether the hypofractionated regimen provides equivalent target coverage and improved sparing of organs at risk (OARs). Methods: Twenty-four patients with histologically confirmed left-sided breast cancer, aged between 42 and 68 years, were included and divided into two fractionation protocols: 12 received a conventional regimen (50 Gy in 25 fractions), and 12 received a hypofractionated regimen (40 Gy in 15 fractions). Dosimetric parameters including clinical target volume (CTV) coverage, homogeneity index (HI), conformity index (CI), number of monitor units (MUs), and dose to critical structures were compared between the two regimens. The biological impact of the different fractionation schemes was assessed by calculating the biological effective dose (BED) and the equivalent dose in 2 Gy fractions (EQD2). For statistical analysis, an independent-sample t-test was used (P < 0.05). Results: Both treatment approaches provided excellent target coverage, with no significant differences observed in CI. The conventional VMAT plan demonstrated better dose homogeneity (HI = 0.165 ± 0.038) compared to the hypofractionated plan (HI = 0.304 ± 0.090; p < 0.001). The hypofractionated approach showed a tendency for increased sparing of organs at risk, notably a 28.7% reduction in mean heart dose (6.24 Gy vs. 8.91 Gy), a lower EQD₂ (4.27 Gy vs. 5.99 Gy), and a significantly reduced dose to the contralateral lung (5.62 Gy vs. 7.32 Gy; p = 0.029). For the contralateral breast, no statistically significant difference was observed (p > 0.05). Conclusion: Research indicates that hypofractionated VMAT with DIBH offers potential dosimetric advantages over the conventional regimen, most notably by reducing radiation exposure to the heart and contralateral lung. Hypofractionated regimen left breast cancer DIBH conventional regimen biological effective dose (BED) https://journal.waocp.org/article_92187_cbda1edbead0a2505302dedbb571d7e2.pdf
West Asia Organization for Cancer Prevention (WAOCP), APOCP's West Asia Chapter. Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 1513-7368 27 5 2026 05 01 Breast Cancer Screening Patterns Following National Crises: Experience from a Lebanese Tertiary Center 1717 1723 92188 10.31557/APJCP.2026.27.5.1717 EN Diana Abou Ltaif Department of Diagnostic Imaging and Interventional Therapeutics, Lebanese Hospital Geitaoui, 1100 Achrafieh, Beirut, Lebanon. 0000-0002-7331-9966 Rim Hamideh Faculty of Medical Sciences, Lebanese University, Hadat, Lebanon. Fatima Zeineddine Department of Diagnostic Imaging and Interventional Therapeutics, Lebanese Hospital Geitaoui, 1100 Achrafieh, Beirut, Lebanon. Faten Khalil Department of Diagnostic Imaging, Doctors Center Polyclinic LLC, Jumeirah 3, Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Charbel J. Mourad Department of Diagnostic Imaging and Interventional Therapeutics, Lebanese Hospital Geitaoui, 1100 Achrafieh, Beirut, Lebanon. 0000-0002-6600-5678 Journal Article 2025 08 11 Background: Lebanon’s recent compounded crises-including economic collapse, the COVID-19 pandemic, and the Beirut Port explosion-have disrupted healthcare access, including breast cancer (BC) screening. This study assesses adherence to BC screening after the onset of these crises and evaluates associated imaging outcomes. Methods: This retrospective, single-center study included women aged ≥40 who underwent screening mammography (± ultrasound) at Lebanese Hospital Geitaoui (LHG) between October 2018 and October 2019, during the year that preceded the crisis. Exclusions included known BC, symptomatic imaging, and age <40. Data were extracted from the Picture Archiving and Communication System (PACS) and pathology records, including demographic, clinical, and imaging variables. Participants were stratified into two groups: Group Loyal (prior LHG screening) and Group New (no prior LHG screening). Imaging, histopathologic, and follow-up data (2019–2022) were analyzed. Non-adherent Group Loyal subjects were contacted via survey to explore screening barriers. Results: Among 642 women screened, 461 met inclusion criteria (Group Loyal: 247; Group New: 214). Group Loyal had a higher family history of BC (31.6% vs. 21.5%, p = 0.005) and lower baseline BI-RADS scores. Overall, 191/461 (41.4%) underwent follow-up screening, with significantly higher adherence in Group Loyal (54.6%) than Group New (26.2%, p < 0.001). Among 44 Group Loyal non-adherent respondents, 47% cited crisis-related barriers. Nine women had increased BI-RADS over time; one was diagnosed with infiltrative ductal carcinoma. Baseline biopsies confirmed four malignancies, yielding a cancer detection rate of 8.6 per 1,000. Conclusion: Post-crisis BC screening adherence declined significantly, particularly among women without prior institutional screening. Continued follow-up was associated with more stable BI-RADS outcomes and earlier-stage cancer detection. Sustained public health strategies are needed to mitigate the impact of national emergencies on cancer prevention. Breast Cancer Screening BI-RADS COVID-19 Lebanese economic crisis Beirut Port explosion https://journal.waocp.org/article_92188_c65d0c0fd2226eac1e3d5d8f47b11de0.pdf
West Asia Organization for Cancer Prevention (WAOCP), APOCP's West Asia Chapter. Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 1513-7368 27 5 2026 05 01 Effectiveness of a Nurse-Led, WhatsApp-Based, Interactive Educational Intervention on Skin Cancer Knowledge and Sun Protection Behaviors: A Randomized, Controlled, Solomon Four-Group Study 1725 1734 92213 10.31557/APJCP.2026.27.5.1725 EN Hatice Bebiş Eastern Mediterranean University, 99628 Famagusta, North Cyprus, Turkiye. 0000-0001-6217-9753 Züleyha Gül Eastern Mediterranean University, 99628 Famagusta, North Cyprus, Turkiye. 0009-0005-4375-6611 Journal Article 2025 08 19 Objective: This study aimed to examine the effectiveness of an interactive educational intervention delivered via WhatsApp on improving community-dwelling women ‘s knowledge of skin cancer and sun protection behaviors. The study was conducted using a randomized, controlled experimental design based on the Solomon four-group model. Methods: A randomized, controlled trial was conducted with 152 female participants assigned to four groups based on the Solomon design (two experimental, two control). One experimental and one control group were pre-tested, while the others were not. The experimental groups received structured, interactive education via WhatsApp for twelve weeks. Outcomes were measured using validated tools to assess skin cancer knowledge and sun protection behaviors. Data were analyzed with SPSS using descriptive and non-parametric tests. The Kolmogorov–Smirnov test indicated a non-normal distribution; therefore, Wilcoxon and Mann–Whitney U tests were applied. Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05. Results: Post-test scores showed significant improvements in knowledge and sun protection behaviors in the intervention groups compared to controls (p<0.05). No significant pre-test effect was detected, supporting the intervention’s internal validity. The findings indicate that WhatsApp-based interactive education effectively enhances health literacy and sun protection behaviors. Conclusion: The results demonstrate the efficacy of a randomized, controlled educational intervention using mobile technology to enhance knowledge and health-related behavior. This approach provides a low-cost, scalable method for community-based health promotion. Skin Cancer Sun protection behaviors WhatsApp-based intervention Randomized controlled trial Solomon four-group design Nurse-led mobile health education https://journal.waocp.org/article_92213_50d4670782e029e1385563935f06c106.pdf
West Asia Organization for Cancer Prevention (WAOCP), APOCP's West Asia Chapter. Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 1513-7368 27 5 2026 05 01 A Novel Circulating microRNA Signature Panel as a Prognostic Biomarker for in Patients with Colorectal Cancer 1735 1745 92189 10.31557/APJCP.2026.27.5.1735 EN Noha G Bader El Din Microbial Biotechnology Department, Biotechnology Research Institute, National Research Centre, Dokki, Cairo, Egypt. Sally Farouk Microbial Biotechnology Department, Biotechnology Research Institute, National Research Centre, Dokki, Cairo, Egypt. Reem M El-Shenawy Microbial Biotechnology Department, Biotechnology Research Institute, National Research Centre, Dokki, Cairo, Egypt. 0000-0001-7861-238X Rehab I Moustafa Microbial Biotechnology Department, Biotechnology Research Institute, National Research Centre, Dokki, Cairo, Egypt. Maha M Elbrashy Biochemistry Department, Biotechnology Research Institute, National Research Centre, Dokki, Cairo, Egypt. Ahmed M Khairy Endemic Medicine Department, Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University, Giza, Egypt. Marwa K Ibrahim Microbial Biotechnology Department, Biotechnology Research Institute, National Research Centre, Dokki, Cairo, Egypt. Journal Article 2025 08 22 Background: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a leading cause of cancer-related mortality worldwide, necessitating the development of reliable prognostic biomarkers. Circulating microRNAs (miRs) have emerged as promising, non-invasive biomarkers. This study was designed as a comprehensive evaluation, conducted in two independent stages, to identify circulating miRs capable of providing an accurate prognosis of CRC. Subjects: The study included 225 subjects (150 Egyptian CRC patients and 75 healthy controls). We selected 25 miRs based on recent studies and our previous work and evaluated their expression in the Evaluation Group (65 subjects). The miRs showing significant differential expression were further confirmed in the Validation Group (160 subjects: 110 CRC patients and 50 controls). For all samples, miRNAs were extracted, and their concentration, integrity, and purity were measured using a NanoDrop, followed by cDNA synthesis and qRT-PCR analysis. Results: The serum levels of eight miRNAs (Let-7c, miR-21, miR-26a, miR-26b, miR-126, miR-146a, miR-223, and miR-374) were significantly higher in CRC patients and were able to discriminate between CRC patients and healthy controls. The combined analysis of all eight miRNAs showed higher specificity, with an AUC of 0.92 and a specificity of 99.73% for CRC patients. The combination of five miRNAs, which exhibited a greater fold change in CRC patients, achieved an AUC of 0.97 and a specificity of 99.6%. In contrast, the combination of miR-21, miR-26a, and miR-26b demonstrated the highest AUC value of 0.974, with a specificity of 99.27%. Computational analysis revealed that CCND1 and TP53 function dually as efficacy and prognostic biomarkers for CRC, and that these roles are regulated by let-7a-5p. Collectively, the data indicate that this novel miRNA signature panel improves prognostic accuracy compared to individual miRNA analysis and may support enhanced patient screening and personalized treatment strategies in CRC. Conclusion: We established a circulating miRs signature panel for the first time to accurately predict the prognosis of Egyptian CRC patients. miRNAs Signature Expression Prognosis colorectal cancer https://journal.waocp.org/article_92189_9b90611b5bacf55533522a756ab6e7d0.pdf
West Asia Organization for Cancer Prevention (WAOCP), APOCP's West Asia Chapter. Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 1513-7368 27 5 2026 05 01 Oral Vitamin B12 versus Placebo for the Prevention of Chemotherapy-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy in Gynecological Cancer Patients: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial 1747 1756 92190 10.31557/APJCP.2026.27.5.1747 EN Putsarat Insin Gynecologic Oncology Unit, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Rajavithi Hospital, Bangkok, Thailand. College of Medicine, Rangsit University, Bangkok, Thailand. 0000-0003-1894-4125 Trinya Chaiwongsa Gynecologic Oncology Unit, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Rajavithi Hospital, Bangkok, Thailand. Nisa Prueksaritanond Gynecologic Oncology Unit, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Rajavithi Hospital, Bangkok, Thailand. College of Medicine, Rangsit University, Bangkok, Thailand. Journal Article 2025 08 29 Objective: To evaluate the efficacy of vitamin B12 (cyanocobalamin) in preventing chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) in patients with gynecological cancer who are receiving neurotoxic chemotherapy. Materials and Methods: This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study enrolled gynecological cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy at Rajavithi Hospital between January and September 2021. Patients were assigned in a 1:1 ratio to receive either vitamin B12 (500 micrograms) or a placebo, administered as two oral tablets twice daily from the start of chemotherapy until four weeks after completing six cycles. Primary endpoints included the incidence of CIPN, measured by the Patient Neurotoxicity Questionnaire (PNQ) score, and quality of life, assessed by the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy/Gynecologic Oncology Group–Neurotoxicity (FACT/GOG-Ntx) at four time points: (i) before the first chemotherapy cycle, (ii) before the third cycle, (iii) before the sixth cycle, and (iv) four weeks after completion. Safety was evaluated by monitoring vitamin B12-related adverse events. Results: Forty patients were randomized into either the vitamin B12 group (n = 20) or the placebo group (n = 20). Chemotherapy regimens included taxane-based combinations with either carboplatin (87.5%) or cisplatin (12.5%). The incidence of CIPN (PNQ score ≥ 4) was significantly lower in the vitamin B12 group than in the placebo group (5% vs. 20%, p = 0.008; OR 0.21, 95% CI: 0.07–0.66). No significant differences in FACT/GOG-Ntx scores or adverse effects were observed (p > 0.05). Conclusion: This study highlights the significant effect of vitamin B12 in reducing the incidence of CIPN among gynecological cancer patients undergoing neurotoxic chemotherapy, with a favorable safety profile. Therefore, vitamin B12 may be recommended as a preventive measure for CIPN in this context. vitamin B12 chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy neurotoxicity Chemotherapy gynecological cancer https://journal.waocp.org/article_92190_aaee86ef40e5757acfd56efe3662c9ff.pdf
West Asia Organization for Cancer Prevention (WAOCP), APOCP's West Asia Chapter. Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 1513-7368 27 5 2026 05 01 Detection of Stages of Oral Cavity Lesions Using a Fluorescence Portable Device and Their Classification by Artificial Intelligence Tools 1757 1763 92191 10.31557/APJCP.2026.27.5.1757 EN Pavan Kumar Faculty of Engineering and Technology (FEAT), Datta Meghe Institute of Higher Education and Research (DMIHER), Wardha 442001, India. 0000-0001-6845-9959 Amar Nath Sah Centre for Quantum Science and Technology, Sikha ‘O’ Anusandhan (SOA), Jagamara, Bhubaneswar, India. Vikrant Yashwant Ganvir Department of Applied Physics, Yeshwantrao Chavan College of Engineering (YCCE), Nagpur, India. Asima Pradhan Sikha ‘O’ Anusandhan (SOA), Jagamara, Bhubaneswar, India. Roshni Rathour Department of CSE, Yeshwantrao Chavan College of Engineering (YCCE), Nagpur, India. Journal Article 2025 09 01 Objective: In the present study, we utilized a fluorescence-based portable device for the detection of oral lesions, as well as AI tools for the classification of the spectroscopic data. The portable device comprises optical components (lens, filters, and beam splitter), a laser, a spectrometer, and other accessories (laptop, fibers, etc.). Laser light (λexc= 405 nm), irradiated onto the lateral border of the tongue (LBT) of the oral cavity tissue, excites the fluorophores FAD (λemi ≈ 500 nm) and Porphyrin (λemi ≈ 634 nm) more significantly than the others.Methods: Fluorescence spectra were recorded from three groups, i.e., OSCC, Dysplastic, and Normal, in the range of 450 to 750 nm. Among these groups, OSCC and Dysplastic patients exhibited a significant rise in porphyrin fluorescence.Result: Data analysis was accomplished using AI tools, namely Principal Component Analysis (PCA), K-Nearest Neighbors (KNN), Naïve Bayes, Linear and Quadratic Discriminant Analysis (LDA & QDA), and ROC analysis. Among these AI tools, the PCA-based QDA classifier was capable of discerning among the groups with slightly higher accuracy values (≈ 98%) than the other AI tools. Conclusion: Results reveal that the in-house-built fluorescence device, along with QDA, would be an elegant tool for the identification of oral lesions at the preliminary stage. oral lesions Fluorescence porphyrin Artificial intelligence https://journal.waocp.org/article_92191_420bc812bba9ee350f42088e58eabfae.pdf
West Asia Organization for Cancer Prevention (WAOCP), APOCP's West Asia Chapter. Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 1513-7368 27 5 2026 05 01 Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices Regarding Colorectal Cancer Screening Among Medical Residents: An Exploratory, Single-Center, Cross-Sectional Study from Egypt 1765 1774 92192 10.31557/APJCP.2026.27.5.1765 EN Karim Abdeltawab Faculty of Medicine, Alexandria University, Alexandria, Egypt. Assem Gebreal Faculty of Medicine, Alexandria University, Alexandria, Egypt. Basma Akram Mohamed Faculty of Medicine, Alexandria University, Alexandria, Egypt. Islam Abukandil Faculty of Medicine, Alexandria University, Alexandria, Egypt. Abdelrahman M. Tawfik Faculty of Medicine, Alexandria University, Alexandria, Egypt. Amal Ali Assy Faculty of Medicine, Alexandria University, Alexandria, Egypt. Hamed Gaber Faculty of Medicine, Alexandria University, Alexandria, Egypt. Barbara Hansen Heersink School of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, U.S.A. 0000-0002-9046-3476 Shrouk F Mohamed Faculty of Medicine, Alexandria University, Alexandria, Egypt. Rawan Ashraf Kassem Faculty of Medicine, Alexandria University, Alexandria, Egypt. Fawzy Naga Faculty of Medicine, Alexandria University, Alexandria, Egypt. Lujaina Ahmed Faculty of Medicine, Alexandria University, Alexandria, Egypt. Waleed Arafat Faculty of Medicine, Alexandria University, Alexandria, Egypt. Mona Foaud Heersink School of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, U.S.A. 0000-0002-3522-4835 Elabrar Ebrahim Faculty of Medicine, Alexandria University, Alexandria, Egypt. 0000-0002-6617-5992 Lori Brand Bateman Heersink School of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, U.S.A. 0000-0003-4705-165X Journal Article 2025 09 04 Objective: Colorectal cancer (CRC) in Egypt has a high incidence of early-onset cases compared to Western countries. However, screening rates remain low, which may be attributed to a lack of physician awareness, as well as structural and logistical limitations. This study evaluated medical residents’ knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding CRC screening, their perceptions of patient barriers, and their awareness of the “100 Million Healthy Lives” national screening initiative. Methods: A self-administered, cross-sectional survey was conducted between September 10, 2023, and January 3, 2024, at Alexandria Main University Hospital (AMUH), Egypt. The survey was administered either face-to-face or online. We assessed the face, content, and structural validity of the questionnaire used. Descriptive statistics and bivariate analyses were performed, with associations evaluated using correlation and effect sizes. A significance level of p < 0.10 was adopted, given the exploratory nature of the study. Results: The study included 70 medical residents at AMUH. The majority were female (78.6%), with a mean age of 27.97 ± 1.3 years and an average of 2.6 ± 1.2 years of clinical experience. Only 55.7% were aware of the “100 Million Healthy Lives” CRC screening program. Overall, 72.9% of participants demonstrated adequate knowledge, 66.7% showed a positive attitude, and 51.4% exhibited good practice. A total of 15.7% recommended screening for asymptomatic patients “often/always,” compared to 61.4% for symptomatic patients. Financial constraints (64.3%) and low patient awareness (60%) were the most frequently cited barriers. Adequate knowledge was significantly associated with a positive attitude (80.8% vs. 19.2%; p = 0.078; Phi = 0.282). Conclusion: Despite generally adequate knowledge, attitudes and practices regarding CRC screening among residents remain suboptimal, hindered by limited awareness of national resources and persistent structural barriers. Strengthening provider education, improving access to screening tools, and expanding awareness of national initiatives are essential to enhance early CRC detection in Egypt. physicians Knowledge Attitudes Practice Colorectal cancer screening patient barriers Egypt https://journal.waocp.org/article_92192_1cebf478667a3931d0e092b3fe9da004.pdf
West Asia Organization for Cancer Prevention (WAOCP), APOCP's West Asia Chapter. Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 1513-7368 27 5 2026 05 01 Sociodemographic and Clinical Predictors of Colonoscopy Utilization in Oman: A Call to Action within a Population-Based Cross-Sectional Study 1775 1785 92193 10.31557/APJCP.2026.27.5.1775 EN Adhari Al Zaabi Department of Human and Clinical Anatomy, Sultan Qaboos University, Muscat 123, Oman, Sultan Qaboos University, Sultanate of Oman. 0000-0003-4290-1272 Thamra Al Ghafri Directorate General of Health Care Services, Muscat, Ministry of Health, Oman. 0000-0002-4818-9565 Ahmed Al Habsi Oman Medical Specialty Board, Sultanate of Oman. Mundher Al Ziedi Oman Medical Specialty Board, Sultanate of Oman. Abdulmalik Al Sarmi Army Forced Hospital, Sultanate of Oman. Journal Article 2025 09 08 Objective: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the second leading cause of cancer mortality in Oman, yet structured screening remains absent. Most cases are diagnosed at advanced stages, highlighting the need to understand predictors of colonoscopy uptake to inform national screening strategies. This study aimed to identify sociodemographic, perceptual, and healthcare-related factors associated with colonoscopy utilization—whether for screening or diagnostic purposes among Omani adults. Methods: A nationwide, cross-sectional online survey was conducted using a structured questionnaire adapted from the Health Information National Trends Survey (HINTS) between March and August 2023. Recruitment was carried out using non-probability convenience sampling through digital platforms (Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, WhatsApp) and health networks. Data collected included sociodemographic factors, CRC risk perceptions, awareness, and healthcare interactions. Chi-square tests and multivariate regression analysis were used to identify predictors of colonoscopy uptake. Results: Of the 1,060 respondents, only 137 participants (12.9%) reported ever undergoing colonoscopy; the majority (67.2%) did so due to symptoms rather than for screening. Uptake was significantly higher among men, participants aged >40 years, those who were married, and those who were employed (P < 0.05). Colonoscopy recipients were more likely to perceive themselves at higher risk for CRC and report frequent worry about the disease (P < 0.001). Multivariable analysis identified three strong predictors of colonoscopy uptake: 1. Clinical indication (presence of symptoms; OR 63.9, 95% CI: 45.6–89.1); 2. Physician recommendation (OR 9.5, 95% CI: 2.9–30.0); 3. Perception of test effectiveness [trend-level association (P = 0.054)]. Conclusion: Colonoscopy utilization in Oman remains low and is largely symptom-driven. Uptake was higher among men aged over 40 years, those who were married, and those who were employed, indicating that socioeconomic and life-stage factors influence engagement with colorectal health services. Physician recommendation emerged as the strongest determinant of colonoscopy uptake. These findings highlight the urgent need for a national CRC screening program that integrates the Fecal Immunochemical Test (FIT) within physician-led pathways to promote early detection and prevention. colorectal cancer Screening colonoscopy Predictors Oman https://journal.waocp.org/article_92193_57c0e5f56d06091f4ed36edcdc330700.pdf
West Asia Organization for Cancer Prevention (WAOCP), APOCP's West Asia Chapter. Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 1513-7368 27 5 2026 05 01 Prevalence of Cancer Cachexia Among Breast Cancer Patients in Pakistan, Assessed Using the Mini-CASCO Scoring System 1787 1793 92194 10.31557/APJCP.2026.27.5.1787 EN Rida Maria Department of Medical Oncology, Fauji Foundation Hospital Rawalpindi, Pakistan. 0009-0002-8685-6848 Fauzia Abdus Samad Department of Medical Oncology, Fauji Foundation Hospital Rawalpindi, Pakistan. 0000-0002-2802-9150 Ammara Khalid Department of Medical Oncology, Fauji Foundation Hospital Rawalpindi, Pakistan. Shazaf Masood Sidhu Department of Medical Oncology, Fauji Foundation Hospital Rawalpindi, Pakistan. Journal Article 2025 09 12 Objective: This study aimed to estimate the prevalence, severity, and multidomain impact of cancer cachexia among Pakistani breast cancer patients, using the validated Mini-CASCO scoring system. Methods: We conducted an observational, cross-sectional study from February to December 2024 at Fauji Foundation Hospital (FFH), Rawalpindi. Eligible participants were female patients aged 18 years or older, with stage I–III breast cancer, receiving chemotherapy. Cachexia was assessed using the Mini-CASCO, which encompasses body composition, inflammation, anorexia, physical performance, and quality of life. Demographic, anthropometric, biochemical, and validated patient-reported outcomes were collected. Group differences between cachectic and non-cachectic patients were analyzed using the chi-square (χ²) test, with statistical significance set at p < 0.05. Results: Of 134 participants (mean age: 45.2 ± 8.3 years), the prevalence of cachexia was 61.9% (95% CI: 53.4–70.0). The mean Mini-CASCO score was 45.7 ± 9.3 (95% CI: 43.7–47.8), indicating moderate cachexia. The severity distribution was 16.9% mild, 49.4% moderate, and 33.7% severe; no terminal cases were detected. Body weight and composition (12.7 ± 4.3) and anorexia (9.2 ± 2.6) were the most impaired domains. Compared with non-cachectic patients, those with cachexia had significantly greater inflammation (11.2 vs. 7.4, p < 0.001), anorexia (10.9 vs. 6.8, p < 0.001), and poorer quality of life (6.2 vs. 4.7, p < 0.001). Conclusion: More than six in ten patients exhibited cachexia a rate substantially higher than global estimates highlighting its neglected burden in low- and middle-income country (LMIC) oncology settings. Early, structured assessment using the Mini-CASCO, along with the integration of multimodal nutritional and supportive interventions, is urgently needed to reduce preventable morbidity and mortality. Future multicenter, longitudinal studies are essential to guide evidence-based cachexia management in LMICs. breast cancer cachexia Mini-CASCO Pakistan https://journal.waocp.org/article_92194_d4878c19bd12f14b3c19266e1f646e3d.pdf
West Asia Organization for Cancer Prevention (WAOCP), APOCP's West Asia Chapter. Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 1513-7368 27 5 2026 05 01 Role of Cyanidin 3-glucoside Extract in the Induction of Cytotoxicity and Apoptosis in a Rat Bladder Cancer Cell Line 1795 1804 92195 10.31557/APJCP.2026.27.5.1795 EN Haider Ammar Alubaidy College of Science, Al Qadisiyah University, Iraq. 0009-0001-1150-2677 Ali Hamid Al-Bdeery College of Science, Al Qadisiyah University, Iraq. Esraa Abdul-Adel College of Environmental Sciences, Al-Qasim Green University, Iraq. Sarab A. Juda College of Science, University of Babylon, Iraq. Taghreed Hamed Abd_alameer Al-Qadisiyah Education Directorate, Ministry of Education, Iraq. Majid Sakhi Jabir College of Applied Sciences, University of Technology, Iraq. 0000-0003-0759-8298 Journal Article 2025 09 18 Objective: This study focused on organisms that produce natural bioactive compounds that are environmentally friendly alternatives to chemical treatments. These compounds include flavonoids derived from marine algae, including anthocyanins. Cyanidin-3-glucoside (C3G) is a natural pigment-protein complex capable of inhibiting or eradicating the proliferation of malignant cells, both in vivo and in vitro. Methods: This includes the AY-27 rat (BC) bladder cancer cell line. Its potential effects on inhibiting the production of isolated rat bladder tumor cells and activating cellular pathways were studied, including cytotoxicity, apoptosis, the p53 pathway, mitochondrial wall loss pathway, and partial fusion.  Result: The present study documented a peak mortality rate of 84.43% in the toxicity pathway on the maximum dose of 100 µg/ml of C3G. The minimum mortality rate of 9.45% was recorded at the maximum C3G concentration of 6.25 µg/ml. In the apoptotic process, dead cells were evaluated for DNA damage. C3G promotes mitochondrial failure in AY-27 cells via the mitochondrial pathway, leading to a reduction in mitochondrial membrane potential compared to untreated AY-27 cells. Conclusion: The study’s findings showed that C3G increased p53 gene expression in AY-27 cells during the p53 pathway. The data in the tables and figures reveal that increasing the dose or concentration of C3G over time has a lethal effect on bladder cancer cells. The results indicate that C3G promotes localized apoptosis, thereby inhibiting and slowing down the progression of bladder cancer. These findings suggest that C3G could be an active natural treatment for BC in rats, with potential for further development by international pharmaceutical companies. cyanidin-3-glucoside algal compounds Cytotoxicity Rat Bladder Cancer Apoptosis https://journal.waocp.org/article_92195_27c6e78b960f892aa0942ccac579cc0a.pdf
West Asia Organization for Cancer Prevention (WAOCP), APOCP's West Asia Chapter. Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 1513-7368 27 5 2026 05 01 Clinical Significance of Atypical Squamous Cells of Undetermined Significance (ASC-US) and Atypical Squamous Cells-Cannot Exclude High-Grade Squamous Intraepithelial Lesion (ASC-H) in a Low-Income Clinical Setting: A Retrospective Analysis 1805 1810 92196 10.31557/APJCP.2026.27.5.1805 EN Akbar Ibrahimov Department of Oncology, Azerbaijan Medical University, Baku, Azerbaijan. 0009-0007-8780-6400 Fidan Novruzova Department of Oncology, Azerbaijan Medical University, Baku, Azerbaijan. 0009-0005-3970-451x Journal Article 2025 09 20 Background: Atypical squamous cells represent a significant category in cervical cytology screening, with a varying degree of malignant potential between ASC-US and ASC-H. In low-resource settings, challenges in follow-up and testing necessitate a clear understanding of the risk associated with these diagnoses. Objective: To determine the Positive Predictive Value (PPV) for premalignant and malignant cervical lesions (CIN2+) in patients with ASC cytology results, and to evaluate management challenges, particularly the high loss to follow-up, in a low-resource clinical setting. Methods: This retrospective study analyzed 276 patients with ASC cytology results from February 2019 to December 2024 at a tertiary care center. Patients were categorized into ASC-US (n=210) and ASC-H (n=66) groups. Demographics, histological outcomes, HPV testing results, and management patterns were analyzed. Statistical analysis was performed using Pearson’s Chi-Square and Fisher’s Exact Tests. The primary outcome was the PPV for CIN2+ among the 85 (30.8%) patients who underwent histological verification. Results: Among 1,360 cervical cytology specimens, ASC prevalence was 20.3% (ASC-US: 15.4%, ASC-H: 4.8%). Biopsy was performed in 30.8% of patients (n=85). The Positive Predictive Value (PPV) for CIN2+ was significantly higher for ASC-H compared to ASC-US (ASC-H: 40% [16/40] vs. ASC-US: 4.4% [2/45]; p<0.001). One case of endometrial carcinoma was identified in the ASC-H group but was excluded from the PPV calculation for cervical CIN2+ lesions. HPV testing was performed in only 13.8% of cases, with a 68.4% positivity rate, reflecting significant selection bias. Loss to follow-up (LTFU), defined as no follow-up within 12 months, occurred in 75.7% of all cases. Conclusions: ASC-H carries a substantially higher risk for significant cervical pathology compared to ASC-US, supporting differential management approaches. The extremely high rate of loss to follow-up (75.7%), strictly defined as no record of colposcopy, biopsy, or repeat cytology within 12 months of the index ASC finding,  is a critical programmatic failure that severely limits the generalizability of these findings and underscores the urgent need for systematic patient tracking, enhanced patient education, and the integration of costeffective screening technologies like self-collection HPV testing to improve patient outcomes in low-resource settings.  Atypical squamous cells ASC-US ASC-H cervical cancer screening https://journal.waocp.org/article_92196_21b2c28104912fc8d66b76f29c30538b.pdf
West Asia Organization for Cancer Prevention (WAOCP), APOCP's West Asia Chapter. Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 1513-7368 27 5 2026 05 01 Hybrid I-ResNeT-ViT and Cost-Sensitive InceptionV3 Models for Tumour Severity and Malignancy Classification Using Medical Imaging 1811 1825 92197 10.31557/APJCP.2026.27.5.1811 EN Jagadish N Department of Computer Science and Engineering, Atria Institute of Technology, Bengaluru, Visvesvaraya Technological University (VTU), Belagavi, Karnataka, 590018, India. Department of Information Science and Engineering, Acharya Institute of Technology, Bengaluru, Karnataka, 560107, India. Ravi Kumar J Department of Computer Science and Engineering, Atria Institute of Technology, Bengaluru, Visvesvaraya Technological University (VTU), Belagavi, Karnataka, 590018, India. Prasad A Y Department of Computer Science and Engineering, SJB Institute of Technology, Bengaluru, Visvesvaraya Technological University (VTU), Belagavi, Karnataka, 590018, India. Basavaraju G N Department of Information Science and Engineering, BMS Institute of Technology and Management, Bengaluru, Visvesvaraya Technological University (VTU), Belagavi, Karnataka, 590018, India. Ramakanth Kumar P Department of Computer Science and Engineering, R.V. College of Engineering, Bengaluru, Karnataka, 560059, India. Journal Article 2025 09 24 Background: Early tumour severity and malignancy classification are critical for timely clinical intervention, improving patient outcomes through accurate risk assessment. However, conventional diagnostic methods often struggle to accurately differentiate tumour severity and malignancy at early stages, frequently leading to misdiagnosis or delayed intervention. Objective: The aim is to develop a robust deep learning framework for accurate, automated, and interpretable classification of tumour severity and malignancy across multiple medical imaging modalities. Methods: High-resolution mammography, MRI, and CT images were collected from publicly available repositories, ensuring representation of diverse tumour types, stages, and malignancy levels. Data pre-processing involved resizing, noise reduction, and Histogram Equalization with Region-Based Segmentation (HE-RBS) to enhance image contrast and isolate regions of interest. Feature extraction utilized a hybrid iResNet with ViT Feature Fusion (iRViT-HFF) to capture both local and global tumour characteristics. Tumour severity and malignancy were classified using an Explainable Cost-Sensitive InceptionV3 (CS-InceptionV3) model to minimize critical misclassifications and provide clinically interpretable outputs. Results: The proposed framework achieved 97.6% accuracy, 96.9% sensitivity, 98.3% specificity, and a 97.2% F1-score, significantly outperforming conventional machine learning and other deep learning methods. The model reliably classified early-stage tumours across all imaging modalities and provided interpretable heatmaps to support clinical decision-making. Conclusion: The hybrid deep learning framework accurately and effectively classifies tumour severity and malignancy at early stages, providing a reliable and interpretable tool to support clinical oncology workflows. Tumour Severity Deep Learning Malignancy Histogram Equalization with Region-Based Segmentation https://journal.waocp.org/article_92197_4a38cf6568fbacc4c7c048f74d1d1493.pdf
West Asia Organization for Cancer Prevention (WAOCP), APOCP's West Asia Chapter. Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 1513-7368 27 5 2026 05 01 Developing and Validating an Integrated Sinara Application as a Database for Cervical Cancer Risk in Indonesia 1827 1834 92215 10.31557/APJCP.2026.27.5.1827 EN Devita Madiuw Department of Nursing, Health Faculty, Universitas Kristen Indonesia Maluku, Ambon, Indonesia. 0000-0001-8690-9212 Goldy Valendria Nivaan Faculty of Computer Science, Universitas Kristen Indonesia Maluku, Ambon, Indonesia. 0009-0000-1089-7278 Sinthia Rosanti Maelissa Department of Nursing, Health Faculty, Universitas Kristen Indonesia Maluku, Ambon, Indonesia. Juan Patty Department of Nursing, Health Faculty, Universitas Kristen Indonesia Maluku, Ambon, Indonesia. Journal Article 2025 09 29 Objective: The high incidence of cervical cancer, despite still-low screening coverage, presents a significant challenge especially for developing countries like Indonesia. Detecting cervical cancer risk can be one approach to increasing screening coverage. This study aims to develop and test the validity, reliability, and usability of the Integrated Sinara application as a database for identifying women at risk of cervical cancer. Methods: This study employed a Research and Development (R&D) design, utilizing the PDCA (Plan, Do, Check, Act) model. A total of 100 respondents in Maluku, Indonesia, participated in the application testing, selected through a purposive sampling technique. The Integrated Sinara application was developed as a mobile application connected to a web-based system for database storage. Results: The Integrated Sinara application demonstrated validity, with an r-count value exceeding the r-table value (r > 0.195), and a reliability coefficient of 0.891. The usability test result of 87.6% indicates that the Integrated Sinara application is highly feasible for use. Conclusion: The Integrated Sinara application can be used as a database for identifying women at risk of cervical cancer, making it easier for health workers to reach this at-risk group. Further research is needed to develop an iOS version of the application, evaluate the impact of the system, and assess its scalability in more diverse settings. Cancer Prevention Early Detection of Cancer Mobile Application Risk Assessment https://journal.waocp.org/article_92215_9e9423e1e50003ac2b7641199a81a8ba.pdf
West Asia Organization for Cancer Prevention (WAOCP), APOCP's West Asia Chapter. Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 1513-7368 27 5 2026 05 01 Knowledge of Colorectal Cancer Risk and Cancer Screening, with Colorectal Cancer Screening Attendance: A Nationwide Study in Japan (INFORM Study, 2020) 1835 1843 92202 10.31557/APJCP.2026.27.5.1835 EN Otome Watanabe Division of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, 2-1 Seiryo-machi, Aoba-ku, Sendai, Miyagi 980-8573 Japan. 0009-0002-7892-3617 Naoki Nakaya Department of Preventive Medicine and Epidemiology, Tohoku Medical Megabank Organization, Tohoku University, 2-1 Seiryo-machi, Aoba-ku, Sendai, Miyagi 980-8573 Japan. Kumi Nakaya Division of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, 2-1 Seiryo-machi, Aoba-ku, Sendai, Miyagi 980-8573 Japan. Department of Preventive Medicine and Epidemiology, Tohoku Medical Megabank Organization, Tohoku University, 2-1 Seiryo-machi, Aoba-ku, Sendai, Miyagi 980-8573 Japan. Yuki Kaji Division of Behavioral Sciences, National Cancer Center Institute for Cancer Control, National Cancer Center, Japan. Aki Otsuki Division of Prevention, National Cancer Center Institute for Cancer Control, National Cancer Center, Japan. Junko Saito Teikyo University Graduate School of Public Health, Japan. Akiko Yaguchi-Saito Division of Behavioral Sciences, National Cancer Center Institute for Cancer Control, National Cancer Center, Japan. Faculty of Human Sciences, Tokiwa University, Japan. Aya Kuchiba Teikyo University Graduate School of Public Health, Japan. Division of Biostatistical Research, National Cancer Center Institute for Cancer Control, National Cancer Center, Japan. Maiko Fujimori Division of Survivorship Research, National Cancer Center Institute for Cancer Control, National Cancer Center, Japan. 0000-0003-1639-3390 Taichi Shimazu Division of Behavioral Sciences, National Cancer Center Institute for Cancer Control, National Cancer Center, Japan. 0000-0001-6000-9830 Atsushi Hozawa Division of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, 2-1 Seiryo-machi, Aoba-ku, Sendai, Miyagi 980-8573 Japan. Department of Preventive Medicine and Epidemiology, Tohoku Medical Megabank Organization, Tohoku University, 2-1 Seiryo-machi, Aoba-ku, Sendai, Miyagi 980-8573 Japan. Journal Article 2025 10 01 Background: Despite the availability of colorectal cancer (CRC) screening, participation rates in Japan remain low. Although knowledge about CRC has been identified as a predictor of screening uptake, data specific to the Japanese population remain limited. We aimed to examine the associations between knowledge of CRC risk factors and knowledge of cancer screening, with CRC screening attendance in Japan. Methods: A nationwide cross-sectional survey was conducted among 1,966 Japanese adults aged 40–69 years. Associations between correct answers on CRC risk factors and cancer screening, and CRC screening attendance were analyzed using multiple logistic regression, adjusting for relevant covariates. Results: Seventy percent of participants had undergone CRC screening. A significant positive linear association was observed between knowledge of CRC risk factors and CRC screening attendance (P for trend < 0.01). Similarly, greater knowledge of cancer screening was significantly associated with higher attendance (P for trend < 0.01). Conclusion: Accurate knowledge of CRC risk factors and cancer screening was positively associated with CRC screening attendance. These findings show the importance of disseminating accurate information to the Japanese population; however, further prospective studies are needed to examine this association more thoroughly. Cancer screening attendance colorectal cancer Cross-sectional survey Knowledge nationwide https://journal.waocp.org/article_92202_b125b4f0be76688267a0ab02bca0b5f7.pdf
West Asia Organization for Cancer Prevention (WAOCP), APOCP's West Asia Chapter. Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 1513-7368 27 5 2026 05 01 In Vitro Anticancer Activity of Green-Synthesized Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles from Root Extract of Sida schimperiana against MDA-MB-231 Breast Cancer Cell Lines 1845 1854 92199 10.31557/APJCP.2026.27.5.1845 EN Asmelash Hagos Department of Chemistry, College of Natural and Computational Sciences, Aksum University, Axum, Ethiopia. 0009-0004-8809-6082 Zenebe Hagos Department of Chemistry, College of Natural and Computational Sciences, Aksum University, Axum, Ethiopia. 0009-0003-0264-8150 Berihu Tekluu Department of Chemistry, College of Natural and Computational Sciences, Aksum University, Axum, Ethiopia. 0009-0000-4987-0013 Tesfay Welderfael Department of Chemistry, College of Natural and Computational Sciences, Aksum University, Axum, Ethiopia. 0009-0002-6373-5074 Naveen Kumar A.D Department of Biochemistry, University College of Science and Technology, Adikavi Nannaya University, Rajamahendravaram, Andhra Pradesh, India. 0000-0001-8576-8761 Kamalakararao Konuku School of Medicine, Texila American University, Lusaka, Zambia, Central Africa. 0009-0009-1883-6037 Krishna Chaithanya K Department of Chemistry, College of Natural and Computational Sciences, Aksum University, Axum, Ethiopia. 0000-0002-4650-1973 Journal Article 2025 10 03 Objective: This work addressed the fact that nano phytoformulations have emerged as promising, biocompatible alternatives to conventional cancer drugs, helping to overcome drug resistance in cancer and offering sustainable, biocompatible, and effective drug delivery. This study aimed to synthesize zinc oxide nanoparticles (SS-ZnO NPs) using an eco-friendly green synthesis method from Sida schimperiana aqueous root extract (SS-AQ), and to evaluate their selective cytotoxicity against MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells. Methods: The SS-ZnO NPs were characterized using spectroscopic (FTIR, XRD, DLS), microscopic (SEM, TEM), and chemical (EDX) analytical techniques. The selective cytotoxicity of SS-ZnO NPs against breast cancer cell lines (MDA-MB-231) and normal cell lines (L929) was evaluated using the MTT assay. Results: XRD analysis confirmed that SS-ZnO NPs possess a crystalline, hexagonal wurtzite structure with an average size of 55.4 nm. DLS analysis indicated that the SS-ZnO NPs are monodispersed with a negative surface charge of –28.9 mV, suggesting high colloidal stability. SEM and TEM-EDX analyses revealed that the SS-ZnO NPs exhibit a pseudo-spherical, rough morphology with an average particle size of 22.65 nm. Strong absorption peaks at 1.01 keV and 0.52 keV were observed, corresponding to the characteristic signals of Zn and oxygen, respectively. The MTT assay demonstrated that SS-ZnO NPs exhibited significant, dose-dependent selective cytotoxicity against MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cell lines, with inhibition ranging from 10.14% to 62.44% at concentrations of 6.25–100 µg/mL, and an IC₅₀ value of 45.28 µg/mL (p ≤ 0.01). In comparison, SS-AQ exhibited 8.81% to 58.11% inhibition at the same concentration range, with an IC₅₀ of 50.16 µg/mL (p ≤ 0.01). Conclusion: The findings of the current study highlight that bio-inspired SS-ZnO NPs possess enhanced anticancer properties and can be considered a promising anticancer agent with potent, specific cytotoxic efficacy against MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells, offering a potential alternative nanotherapeutic approach with reduced toxicity. breast cancer ZnO nanoparticles Sida schimperiana MDA-MB-231 Cell Line https://journal.waocp.org/article_92199_852e104dafe3189cb74bdcac7f595fb5.pdf
West Asia Organization for Cancer Prevention (WAOCP), APOCP's West Asia Chapter. Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 1513-7368 27 5 2026 05 01 HMGA2 Overexpression Is Associated with Poor Prognosis and EGFR Signaling Activation in Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma 1855 1863 92210 10.31557/APJCP.2026.27.5.1855 EN Jun Wu Department of Otolaryngology, The Fourth Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Yiwu, Zhejiang, China. 0009-0006-9566-0870 Yatian Liu Department of Otolaryngology, The Fourth Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Yiwu, Zhejiang, China. Jiao Xiao Department of Otolaryngology, The Fourth Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Yiwu, Zhejiang, China. Journal Article 2025 10 04 Objective: To evaluate the clinical significance of HMGA2 expression and its association with oncogenic signaling pathways in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). Methods: RNA-seq data and clinical information of OSCC patients (n=253) and normal oral tissues (n=27) were obtained from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA). HMGA2 expression was compared between normal oral tissues and OSCC tissues, and patients were stratified into HMGA2-high and HMGA2-low groups based on median expression. Differentially expressed genes were identified using DESeq2, followed by pathway enrichment analyses using Reactome and WikiPathways. Functional validation was independently performed in two OSCC cell lines using siRNA-mediated HMGA2 knockdown. Cell proliferation, colony formation, and migration were assessed, and EGFR signaling and EMT-related proteins were analyzed by Western blotting. Results: HMGA2 expression was significantly higher in OSCC tissues than in normal oral tissues (adjusted p < 0.001) and was associated with advanced AJCC stage and poorer overall survival (p < 0.05). Pathway analyses revealed significant enrichment of EGFR-related signaling and epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT)-associated processes in the HMGA2-high group. HMGA2 knockdown significantly reduced proliferation, clonogenicity, and migration of OSCC cells, accompanied by decreased expression of mesenchymal markers and reduced activation of EGFR and its downstream effectors, including AKT, ERK, and STAT3. EGFR pathway activity was partially restored by exogenous EGF treatment. Conclusion: HMGA2 overexpression is associated with poor prognosis in OSCC and functions as both a prognostic biomarker and a functional contributor to aggressive tumor behavior through EGFR-associated signaling and EMT-related phenotypes. oral squamous cell carcinoma EGFR signaling EMT Biomarker therapeutic target https://journal.waocp.org/article_92210_39fef25d817b4cc6c7254d71c9c3b2c0.pdf
West Asia Organization for Cancer Prevention (WAOCP), APOCP's West Asia Chapter. Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 1513-7368 27 5 2026 05 01 Adherence to Helicobacter pylori Management Consensus in Clinical Practice at Two Tertiary Hospitals: A Large Cohort Study 1865 1872 92200 10.31557/APJCP.2026.27.5.1865 EN Pudit Chinniyomwanich Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand. 0009-0003-6937-8327 Puth Muangpaisarn Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Internal Medicine, Phrapokklao Hospital, Chanthaburi, Thailand. Rapat Pittayanon Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand. Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand. 0000-0001-6407-5245 Journal Article 2025 10 05 Background: Many countries have launched Helicobacter pylori (HP) management guidelines to assist physicians, based on regional data. However, adherence is often assessed using questionnaires, which may not accurately reflect real-world practice. This study aimed to assess adherence to the Thailand Consensus on HP management through a retrospective chart review conducted at two tertiary hospitals in Thailand. Materials And Methods: This retrospective study was conducted at King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital (KCMH), located in the capital, and Phrapokklao Hospital (PPK), located in a province. Medical records of patients diagnosed with Helicobacter pylori (HP) infection via esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) with a rapid urease test (RUT) between 2019 and 2021 were reviewed. Collected data included demographics, indications for HP testing, pre-EGD preparation, treatment regimens, and follow-up practices. Results: 2,136 medical records were reviewed: 1,987 KCMH and 149 PPK. Most patients were Thai under universal health coverage. Pre-diagnostic preparation at KCMH showed 98.5% discontinued proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) ≥2 weeks, compared to 83.9% at PPK (p < 0.001). Antibiotic discontinuation ≥4 weeks was higher at KCMH (98.6% vs 95.3%, p = 0.009). For first-line, KCMH (74.6%) received PPI-based triple therapy for 14 days, while 77.5% at PPK received concomitant therapy. 78% at KCMH confirmed HP eradicate vs 44.1% at PPK (p < 0.001). Eradication rates were comparable (95.9% at PPK vs 89.4% at KCMH: p = 0.139). Conclusion: This study highlights suboptimal adherence to the Helicobacter pylori (HP) consensus in provincial hospitals in Thailand, suggesting that future guidelines should address healthcare limitations outside the capital to enhance the overall quality of national healthcare. Helicobacter pylori Clinical Guidelines Real-world practice Adherence https://journal.waocp.org/article_92200_3bfa2897556e32540c7bea2c6f1346ff.pdf
West Asia Organization for Cancer Prevention (WAOCP), APOCP's West Asia Chapter. Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 1513-7368 27 5 2026 05 01 Sesamin Mitigates Gastric Carcinogenesis via Modulation of the PI3K/AKT/mTOR Signaling Pathway in AGS Cells and MNNG-Induced Rats 1873 1882 92203 10.31557/APJCP.2026.27.5.1873 EN Manju Parthiban Central Research Laboratory, Meenakshi Ammal Dental College, Meenakshi Academy of Higher Education and Research, deemed to be University, Chennai, India. 0009-0003-6809-7195 Ponnulakshmi Rajagopal Central Research Laboratory, Meenakshi Ammal Dental College, Meenakshi Academy of Higher Education and Research, deemed to be University, Chennai, India. 0000-0003-1361-3386 Heera Maheswari Jayaveeran Central Research Laboratory, Meenakshi Ammal Dental College, Meenakshi Academy of Higher Education and Research, deemed to be University, Chennai, India. 0009-0007-6751-9885 Selvaraj Jayaraman Centre of Molecular Medicine and Diagnostics (COMManD), Department of Biochemistry, Saveetha Dental College & Hospitals, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences, Saveetha University, Chennai, India. 0009-0008-2557-1471 Krithika C Oral Medicine and Radiology, Meenakshi Academy of Higher Education and Research, West K.K. Nagar, Chennai, India. Sureka Varalakshmi V Meenakshi Academy of Higher Education and Research, West K.K. Nagar, Chennai, India. Journal Article 2025 10 17 Background: Gastric cancer (GC) is a leading cause of cancer-related death worldwide, frequently associated with dysregulated PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling and defective apoptosis. Sesamin, a lignan from sesame seeds, is rich in antioxidant and anticancer activities, yet it has not been well investigated for its therapeutic potential in GC. Objective: This study aims to investigate the anticancer potential of sesamin against gastric cancer by targeting the PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway in AGS cells and MNNG-induced rats, evaluating its effects on apoptosis, oxidative stress, and tumor biomarkers to elucidate its molecular mechanism of action. Methods: In vitro, molecular changes in AGS gastric cancer (GC) cells were determined by RT-PCR (p53, caspase-3, MDM2, PTEN, AKT, mTOR, NF-κB). In vivo, N-methyl-N′-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine (MNNG) was used to induce gastric cancer in Wistar rats. The intervention of sesamin was studied by histopathological analysis, and ELISA was used for the measurement of tumor markers (CEA and CA 19-9) and oxidative stress markers. Gene expression was analyzed by RT-PCR (p53, caspase-3, AKT, NF-κB, mTOR). Results: Sesamin treatment in AGS cells upregulated PTEN, p53, and caspase-3, while downregulating MDM2, AKT, mTOR, and NF-κB at the mRNA level in the in vitro study. In the in vivo mRNA expression analysis, sesamin treatment confirmed enhanced p53 and caspase-3 with reduced AKT expression and slightly increased mTOR expression. In MNNG-induced rats, sesamin improved gastric histology, decreased tumor markers (CEA, CA 19-9), suppressed IL-1β, and elevated GSH. RT-PCR analysis further validated the induction of pro-apoptotic genes and suppression of oncogenic PI3K/AKT/mTOR/NF-κB signaling, consistent with in vitro findings. Conclusion: Sesamin has demonstrated effective anti-gastric cancer activity by inducing p53/caspase-3-mediated apoptosis and inhibiting the PI3K/AKT/mTOR/NF-κB signaling pathway. These findings illustrate the therapeutic potential of sesamin against gastric cancer and reveal molecular clues for its use as a natural chemopreventive agent. Sesamin Gastric cancer AGS cell line MNNG- induced rat model https://journal.waocp.org/article_92203_f0e962effd5a1dd8d80526a525dddde0.pdf
West Asia Organization for Cancer Prevention (WAOCP), APOCP's West Asia Chapter. Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 1513-7368 27 5 2026 05 01 Diagnostic Performance of Serum VEGF and M-CSF in Cervical Cancer and, Their Association with Stage 1883 1891 92216 10.31557/APJCP.2026.27.5.1883 EN Ahmed Jasim Mohammed Department of Nursing Technology, Polytechnic College, Al-Qadisiyah, Al-Furat Al-Awsat Technical University, Iraq. Suhad Abdulhussein Salman Department of Radiology and Sonography Technologies, Polytechnic College, Al-Qadisiyah, Al-Furat Al-Awsat Technical University, Iraq. Abbas Chyad General Directorate of Education, Qadisiyah, Iraq. Redha Dawud Abd Alredha Department of Prosthetics and Orthotics Technologies, Al-Furat Al-Awsat Technical University, Iraq. Hussein Sattar Rebat Alzerfi Al-Furat Al-Awsat Technical University, Kufa, Iraq. Journal Article 2025 10 17 Background: Cervical cancer continues to be one of the most prevalent malignancies affecting women globally. Circulating biomarkers may provide added value by complementing HPV-based screening and enhancing risk stratification. The aim of this study was to investigate vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and macrophage colony-stimulating factor (M-CSF) as candidate serum biomarkers for the diagnosis and disease monitoring of cervical cancer. Methods: In a single-center case–control study, 45 women with cervical cancer and 45 healthy controls were enrolled. Clinical variables included FIGO 2018 stage, symptoms, smoking status, and HPV vaccination status. Serum VEGF and M-CSF levels were measured using ELISA. Group and stage differences were assessed, and diagnostic performance was evaluated using ROC analysis, Youden’s index, and logistic regression. Results: Both biomarkers were significantly elevated in cancer patients compared with controls (M-CSF: 1457 ± 582 vs. 504 ± 250 pg/mL; VEGF: 399.7 ± 136 vs. 106.7 ± 53.2 pg/mL; both p < 0.001). Concentrations increased with advancing stage (M-CSF: p = 0.0006; VEGF: p = 0.0073). Vaccinated patients exhibited lower VEGF levels (p = 0.047). Diagnostic performance was excellent (AUC: M-CSF, 0.95; VEGF, 0.97). At optimal cut-offs, VEGF achieved 95% sensitivity (95% CI: 83.1%–99.4%) and 93% specificity (95% CI: 81.3%–98.5%). The combined model (AUC: 0.974) outperformed M-CSF alone (p = 0.038). Multivariate analysis confirmed that both VEGF and M-CSF remained significant independent predictors after adjusting for age, smoking status, and HPV vaccination status. Conclusions: Serum VEGF and M-CSF demonstrate diagnostic utility and stage association in cervical cancer. Their combined use enhances discriminatory power. These findings support their potential as adjunct biomarkers; however, external validation and longitudinal studies are needed. Cervical cancer Human papillomavirus (HPV) Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) Macrophage colony-stimulating factor (M-CSF) serum biomarkers https://journal.waocp.org/article_92216_6f3957ae988ce1162b842dd69bbddce6.pdf
West Asia Organization for Cancer Prevention (WAOCP), APOCP's West Asia Chapter. Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 1513-7368 27 5 2026 05 01 Selective Inhibition of VEGFR2 in Preference to Other Receptor Tyrosine Kinases by Diosgenin, a Natural Steroidal Sapogenin 1893 1904 92204 10.31557/APJCP.2026.27.5.1893 EN Charmi Jyotishi Parul Institute of Applied Sciences, Parul University, Post Limda, Waghodia Road, Vadodara, Gujarat, India. Mansi Patel Research and Development Cell, Parul University, Post Limda, Waghodia Road, Vadodara, Gujarat, India. Suresh Prajapati Parul Institute of Applied Sciences, Parul University, Post Limda, Waghodia Road, Vadodara, Gujarat, India. Reeshu Gupta Parul Institute of Applied Sciences, Parul University, Post Limda, Waghodia Road, Vadodara, Gujarat, India. Research and Development Cell, Parul University, Post Limda, Waghodia Road, Vadodara, Gujarat, India. 0000-0002-1743-4388 Journal Article 2025 10 20 Objective: This study aimed to assess the ability of diosgenin and its derivatives to suppress three angiogenic receptor tyrosine kinases-VEGFR2, FGFR1, and PDGFRA-through comprehensive in silico screening, molecular docking, and molecular dynamics simulations. Methods: We screened 1,525 plant-derived compounds, 20 sapogenins, and three diosgenin derivatives for drug-likeness and bioavailability using SwissADME. The top candidates were docked against the three receptor tyrosine kinases using PyRx. Diosgenin and 14 of its derivatives were then further analyzed. Molecular dynamics simulations were performed using NAMD3 with CHARMM force fields to assess the stability of the protein–ligand complexes. Parameters such as RMSD, RMSF, Rg, and ΔG were evaluated. Results: Diosgenin was among the top 10 hits for all three receptor tyrosine kinases. It showed the strongest binding and stable interactions with VEGFR2 (ΔG:  –11.03 kcal/mol) compared to lenvatinib (ΔG: -7.52 kcal/mol) and sorafenib (ΔG: -4.01 kcal/mol). The FGFR1–diosgenin and PDGFRA-Diosgenin complexes displayed positive ΔG values, indicating less favorable thermodynamic binding. Three diosgenin derivatives (Formosanin C, Dioscin, and 2-Amin-5-(4-pyridyl)-1,3,4-thiadiazole DG-8d moiety) were also evaluated for their anticancer potential. While Formosanin C showed the highest binding affinities among all three derivatives, diosgenin uniquely interacted with the key catalytic residues of VEGFR2, suggesting functionally more relevant inhibition despite slightly lower docking scores. Similarly, Yamogenin, another sapogenin evaluated, exhibited a high binding affinity across all three angiogenic receptors. Although Yamogenin showed high affinity across all three receptors, molecular dynamics confirmed the superior stability of diosgenin with VEGFR2 (ΔG = –11.03 vs. –9.85 kcal/mol). Conclusion: Diosgenin represents a promising and selective VEGFR2 inhibitor with  potential to have anti-angiogenic therapeutic activity. diosgenin Receptor tyrosine kinases Lenvatinib sorafenib Molecular Dynamics https://journal.waocp.org/article_92204_91421fd31648b32999fa139b4b308f41.pdf
West Asia Organization for Cancer Prevention (WAOCP), APOCP's West Asia Chapter. Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 1513-7368 27 5 2026 05 01 Predictive Value of Serum MTHFR and CEA Levels for Tumor Size Reduction Following Neoadjuvant CAPEOX Therapy in Advanced Colorectal Cancer Patients in Makassar 1905 1911 92205 10.31557/APJCP.2026.27.5.1905 EN Albert Julyson Wishnu Cahyopoetro Department of Digestive Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Hasanuddin University, Makassar, Indonesia. 0009-0002-3529-8436 Ronald Erasio Lusikooy Department of Digestive Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Hasanuddin University, Makassar, Indonesia. Department of Digestive Surgery, Wahidin Sudirohusodo Hospital, Makassar, Indonesia. 0000-0001-5015-4583 Ilham Jaya Patellongi Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Hasanuddin University, Makassar, Indonesia. 0000-0002-1100-4360 Ibrahim Labeda Department of Digestive Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Hasanuddin University, Makassar, Indonesia. Department of Digestive Surgery, Wahidin Sudirohusodo Hospital, Makassar, Indonesia. 0000-0002-5471-7109 Samuel Sampetoding Department of Digestive Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Hasanuddin University, Makassar, Indonesia. Department of Digestive Surgery, Wahidin Sudirohusodo Hospital, Makassar, Indonesia. 0000-0003-2690-0843 Arham Arsyad Department of Digestive Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Hasanuddin University, Makassar, Indonesia. 0000-0002-5822-2154 Amirullah Abdi Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Hasanuddin University, Makassar, Indonesia. 0009-0004-7238-3984 Journal Article 2025 10 24 Background: This study aimed to evaluate the predictive value of serum levels of methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) and carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) for tumor size reduction following neoadjuvant CAPEOX chemotherapy in patients with advanced colorectal cancer. Methods: A prospective observational study was conducted involving 36 patients with histologically confirmed stage III–IV colorectal cancer who underwent neoadjuvant CAPEOX therapy. Serum MTHFR and CEA levels were measured before chemotherapy. Tumor response was assessed by comparing pre- and post-treatment imaging, based on RECIST criteria. Correlations between the biomarkers and the percentage of tumor reduction were analyzed using Spearman’s test, followed by multivariate linear regression to develop a predictive model. Results: The mean age of participants was 45.6 ± 8.0 years, with a predominance of male patients (66.7%). Both serum MTHFR and CEA levels showed significant correlations with tumor size reduction (MTHFR: ρ = 0.764, p < 0.001; CEA: ρ = 0.654, p < 0.001). The final regression model demonstrated strong predictive performance: Tumor size reduction (%) = −165.68 + (1.10 × CEA) + (15.38 × MTHFR), with an adjusted R² of 0.714 (p < 0.001). A nomogram derived from this model yielded a Harrell’s C-index of 0.836, indicating high discriminative ability in predicting therapeutic response. Conclusion: Serum MTHFR and CEA levels serve as complementary biomarkers for predicting tumor size reduction following neoadjuvant CAPEOX chemotherapy in advanced colorectal cancer. Their combined use provides a simple, cost-effective tool for individualized treatment planning and advances biomarker-based precision oncology in resource-limited clinical settings. Keywords: Colorectal cancer CAPEOX regimen MTHFR enzyme CEA marker Tumor prediction https://journal.waocp.org/article_92205_069e7f29eb59b41e11d27cfcca21859c.pdf
West Asia Organization for Cancer Prevention (WAOCP), APOCP's West Asia Chapter. Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 1513-7368 27 5 2026 05 01 Novel Score Based on miRNA-106 b.5p Expression Signature and Routine Biomarkers for Early Detection of Hepatocellular Carcinoma among High-Risk Hepatitis C Virus Patients 1913 1920 92206 10.31557/APJCP.2026.27.5.1913 EN Nema Farag Cancer Biology Research Unit, Capital University, Cairo, Egypt. Chemistry Department, Capital University, Cairo, Egypt. Hani Saleh Cancer Biology Research Unit, Capital University, Cairo, Egypt. Chemistry Department, Capital University, Cairo, Egypt. Hatem A. El-mezayen Cancer Biology Research Unit, Capital University, Cairo, Egypt. Chemistry Department, Capital University, Cairo, Egypt. Mohamed El-Kassas Endemic Medicine Department, Faculty of Medicine, Capital University, Cairo, Egypt. Aml El-sharkawy Damietta Cancer Institute, Damietta, Egypt. Michael Mounir Cancer Biology Research Unit, Capital University, Cairo, Egypt. Chemistry Department, Capital University, Cairo, Egypt. Journal Article 2025 10 25 Background and Aim: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remains a leading cause of cancer-related mortality, particularly among patients with chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. The limited sensitivity of current diagnostic tools, including imaging and serum alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), underscores the need for novel biomarkers to enable early detection. This study aimed to assess the diagnostic value of circulating miRNA-106 b.5p and to develop an integrated predictive model combining this marker with routine biochemical parameters for early HCC detection in HCV-infected patients. Methods: A total of 42 HCC patients, 83 liver cirrhosis (LC) patients, and 20 healthy controls were enrolled. Serum miRNA-106 b.5p levels were quantified using qRT-PCR, and biochemical markers, including AFP, albumin, platelets, ALT, and bilirubin, were measured. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) and multivariate discriminant analyses were performed to evaluate diagnostic performance and to construct a combined predictive score. Results: Serum miRNA-106 b.5p expression was significantly higher in HCC patients compared with LC patients and controls (p < 0.001), showing a progressive increase along the disease spectrum. ROC analysis revealed miRNA-106 b.5p (AUC = 0.679) outperformed AFP (AUC = 0.731) in discriminating HCC from cirrhosis. The newly developed miRNA-106 b.5p HCC score, integrating miRNA-106 b.5p, AFP, albumin, platelet count, total bilirubin, and ALT, achieved 94% sensitivity and 91% specificity (AUC = 0.744) at a cut-off value of 0.42. The model demonstrated superior performance in detecting early-stage and low-grade tumors compared with AFP alone. Conclusion: Integration of miRNA-106 b.5p with routine biochemical markers markedly enhances non-invasive diagnosis of HCV-related HCC. The proposed miRNA-106 b.5p HCC score represents a cost-effective, accurate, and clinically applicable tool for early tumor detection and improved management of high-risk patients. miRNA-106 b.5p non-invasive diagnosis ROC curve Multivariate discriminant analysis https://journal.waocp.org/article_92206_2ab6a7b658faaa19de4da02a99c117f4.pdf
West Asia Organization for Cancer Prevention (WAOCP), APOCP's West Asia Chapter. Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 1513-7368 27 5 2026 05 01 The Prognostic and Predictive Value of METTL3 in Metastatic Colorectal Cancer 1921 1930 92207 10.31557/APJCP.2026.27.5.1921 EN Hanan Ahmed El-tayb Department of Medical Oncology Department, South Egypt Cancer Institute, Assiut University, Assiut, Egypt. Ashraf Zedan Abd-allah Department of Medical Oncology Department, South Egypt Cancer Institute, Assiut University, Assiut, Egypt. Marwa Saber Saeed Department of Medical Oncology Department, South Egypt Cancer Institute, Assiut University, Assiut, Egypt. Sally Salah Abdel-Hakeem Department of Oncologic Pathology, South Egypt Cancer Institute, Assiut University, Assiut, Egypt. Fatma Zakaria Abdel-rahman Department of Medical Oncology Department, South Egypt Cancer Institute, Assiut University, Assiut, Egypt. Journal Article 2025 10 29 Background: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide, and its incidence continues to rise. The prognosis remains poor, especially for patients with metastatic disease. Methyltransferase-like 3 (METTL3) is the primary catalytic enzyme in the N6-methyladenosine (m6A) methyltransferase system. METTL3 plays a dual role, acting as either an oncogene or a tumor suppressor depending on the cancer type. It also plays a significant role in the response to treatment. However, its specific function in CRC remains unclear. Methods: A prospective cohort of sixty patients with metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) was enrolled at the South Egypt Cancer Institute (SECI). METTL3 expression was evaluated using immunohistochemistry (IHC). This study aimed to investigate METTL3 expression in CRC and its association with clinicopathological features and clinical outcomes in patients treated with oxaliplatin (OX)- and 5-fluorouracil (5-FU)-containing regimens. Results: Our findings revealed that elevated METTL3 expression correlated with increased synchronous metastasis and a greater number of metastatic sites. In addition, elevated METTL3 was associated with increased lymphovascular invasion, perineural invasion, a non-brisk immune response, and greater tumor depth. Notably, right-sided tumors exhibited significantly higher METTL3 expression compared to those on the left side and in the rectum. Finally, METTL3 overexpression was associated with a lower response rate to OXA-based therapy, as well as shorter progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS), all with p < 0.05. Conclusion: METTL3 may serve as both a prognostic and predictive biomarker in colorectal cancer (CRC). Methyltransferase-like 3 prognostic biomarker IHC Metastasis Oxaliplatin https://journal.waocp.org/article_92207_252b8afa8bc50aab2fccfc6c45ea29c5.pdf
West Asia Organization for Cancer Prevention (WAOCP), APOCP's West Asia Chapter. Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 1513-7368 27 5 2026 05 01 A Viral–Host Immunogenetic Interaction Model in Hodgkin Lymphoma: Co-Association of HHV-6B Infection and IL-18 rs1946518 Polymorphism 1931 1936 92208 10.31557/APJCP.2026.27.5.1931 EN Aya Raed Abdulwahhab Alheany Department of Microbiology, College of Medicine, Ibn Sina University of Medical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Baghdad, Iraq. 0000-0002-7511-5895 Aws Zamil Abdulkareem Department of Science, College of Basic Education, Diyala University, Diyala, Iraq. 0000-0001-9967-6569 Zahraa Ali Abdullah Department of Biology, College of Science, Babylon University, Babylon, Iraq. 0009-0006-2903-7466 Shakir H. Mohammed Al-Alwany Department of Biology, College of Science, Babylon University, Babylon, Iraq. 0000-0002-5586-9323 Journal Article 2025 11 03 Background: Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) arises from germinal center B cells through complex viral, genetic, and environmental factors. This study examines HHV-6B infection and the IL-18 rs1946518 polymorphism as potential contributors to inflammation-driven HL susceptibility and risk of disease progression. Methods: A case-control study of 180 venous blood samples was conducted, including 90 HL patients and 90 healthy controls. Viral and genomic DNA were isolated using the standard phenol-chloroform protocol, and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification of HHV-6B genomes and the IL-18 rs1946518 single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) was performed. Variants of IL-18 rs1946518 were confirmed using Sanger sequencing. To compare genotype and allele frequencies between patient and control groups, statistical tests were conducted, including chi-square tests and logistic regression, as appropriate. Results: No significant difference in age was observed between HL patients (28.5 ± 9.7 years) and controls (30.6 ± 10.8 years; P > 0.05). Males represented 57.8% of HL patients compared to 42.2% females. The presence of HHV-6B DNA was detected in 25.6% (23/90) of HL patients, with 74.4% (67/90) testing negative. Analysis of IL-18 rs1946518 revealed a significant difference in the frequency of the TT genotype between HL patients and controls (P = 0.04, OR = 0.28, 95% CI: 0.09–0.87). The frequency of T and C alleles was observed to be higher in HL patients (T: 70, C: 40) and in controls (T: 60, C: 60), respectively, suggesting a potential increased risk of HL associated with the T allele and a possible protective effect of the C allele. Conclusions: Current evidence links HHV-6B infection and IL-18 rs1946518 variants to the pathogenesis of Hodgkin lymphoma, potentially influencing disease susceptibility and clinical outcomes. Further studies with larger cohorts are needed to clarify the underlying mechanisms. Hodgkin lymphoma HHV-6B IL-18 polymorphism Immunogenetics Viral–host interaction https://journal.waocp.org/article_92208_3e71b37fd5873688bc20338fb54408eb.pdf
West Asia Organization for Cancer Prevention (WAOCP), APOCP's West Asia Chapter. Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 1513-7368 27 5 2026 05 01 Epstein-Barr Virus and Helicobacter pylori Co-Infection in Gastric Cancer: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Case-Control and Cross-Sectional Studies 1937 1948 92217 10.31557/APJCP.2026.27.5.1937 EN Ghazal Mohseni Student Research Committee, Faculty of Medicine, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran. Keyvan Heydari Student Research Committee, Faculty of Medicine, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran. Gastrointestinal Cancer Research Center, Non-communicable Diseases Institute, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran. Aref Hoseini Student Research Committee, Faculty of Medicine, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran. Younes Zeytounli Student Research Committee, Faculty of Medicine, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran. Kimia Rasouli Student Research Committee, Faculty of Medicine, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran. Sina Neshat Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, United States. Reza Alizadeh-Navaei Gastrointestinal Cancer Research Center, Non-communicable Diseases Institute, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran. 0000-0003-0580-000X Journal Article 2025 10 06 Background: Gastric cancer (GC) is a multifactorial malignancy in which both Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) and Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) have been implicated. Given the high prevalence of both pathogens, we performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to estimate the prevalence of H. pylori–EBV co-infection (HECo) in GC and to evaluate its association with GC. Materials and methods: A systematic literature search was performed using a search strategy consisting of appropriate keywords in online databases including MEDLINE, Embase, and Web of Science from inception to July 2024. Eligible case-control and cross-sectional studies in English reported H. pylori and EBV status assessed using validated assays (e.g., PCR, serology, immunohistochemistry/in situ hybridization, rapid urease test), enabling ascertainment of HECo within the same participant. Study quality was assessed using the “Newcastle–Ottawa Quality Assessment Scale” (NOS) and the Appraisal Tool for Cross-Sectional Studies (AXIS tool). Random-effects meta-analyses were used to pool prevalence estimates and odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs), and heterogeneity was quantified using I². Results: Eighteen studies (n = 4364; 1999–2023) were included. HECo prevalence among GC patients was 21.44% (95% CI: 9.46–33.42). HECo was associated with increased odds of GC (pooled OR = 3.09, 95% CI: 1.66–5.73; I² = 69.1%). Subgroup estimates by age (high vs low) were based on two studies per stratum and showed wide CIs (high age: OR = 9.61, 95% CI: 1.90–48.64; low age: OR = 9.52, 95% CI: 1.83–49.54) and should be interpreted cautiously. There was a significant association between the presence of metastasis, the high stage of GC, and HECo. Our results showed no significant association between moderately or poorly differentiated GC, diffuse-type GC, the presence of vessel invasion, and HECo. Conclusion: HECo is associated with a higher risk of GC. Future primary studies should report mutually exclusive infection categories (HP only, EBV only, both, neither) and clarify the temporal relationship between infection and GC, to better disentangle independent versus joint effects and to inform prevention strategies. Stomach neoplasms Helicobacter pylori Epstein-Barr Virus Co-infection https://journal.waocp.org/article_92217_e2c70e21b48749734f2aafb9dfa1e87d.pdf