simin hemati

Radiation therapy is one of the primary treatment methods for breast cancer. Oral and pharyngeal complications are significant challenges associated with this treatment. This study aimed to compare the oral and pharyngeal complications in patients receiving radiation therapy using two techniques: conventional and hypofractionated.

In this cross-sectional analytical study, 70 breast cancer patients treated at Seyed-al-Shohada Hospital in Isfahan in 2024 were examined. The patients were divided into two groups: those receiving conventional radiation therapy (5000 cGy in 25 fractions) and those undergoing hypofractionated radiation therapy (4250 cGy in 16 fractions). Oral and pharyngeal complications were assessed and compared during treatment and up to 60 days post-treatment based on the CTCAE V5 criteria in both groups.

The findings of this study demonstrated a significantly higher incidence of acute oral and pharyngeal adverse events in the conventional radiotherapy group compared to the hypofractionated radiotherapy group (P = 0.05). Specifically, the prevalence of moderate (grade 2) and severe (grade 3) adverse events was 17.1% and 8.5% in the conventional group, respectively, compared to 14.2% and 0% in the hypofractionated group. Data analysis indicated that the clinical variables of age, body mass index (BMI), and concurrent chemotherapy also had a significant impact on the severity of oral and pharyngeal adverse events in both treatment groups (P < 0.05).

This clinical study demonstrated that patients receiving hypofractionated radiation therapy experienced fewer oral and pharyngeal complications than those treated with the conventional technique.

Colorectal cancer ranks as the third most prevalent cancer type globally. In addition to surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy, being the foremost efficacious and all-encompassing treatment modalities for cancer, pelvic chemoradiotherapy is known to precipitate adverse effects, notably intestinal inflammation. This study delves into assessing the impact of curcumin on the prophylaxis and amelioration of chemoradiotherapy-induced enterocolitis in colorectal cancer patients.
This randomized study encompassed 44 colorectal cancer patients undergoing standard pelvic chemoradiotherapy, allocated to either curcumin treatment (22 patients) or placebo (22 patients) groups. Patients were administered oral curcumin capsules at a daily dosage of 500 mg commencing one week before baseline and extending throughout the standard treatment regimen, adhering to the same schedule. Subsequently, patients were subjected to biweekly evaluations encompassing demographics, clinical characteristics, and manifestations of enterocolitis, with statistical analysis employing Mann-Whitney and chi-square tests. A significance threshold of P < 0.05 was employed in the study for statistical significance.
The incidence of complications exhibited no statistically significant disparity between the two cohorts across diverse disease stages. Furthermore, there were no discernible discrepancies in the manifestation of varying grades of intestinal complications between the curcumin-treated and placebo groups. Predominantly, both groups experienced the most pronounced side-effects during the initial two weeks of treatment. Additionally, there was no statistically significant distinction in the prevalence of adverse drug reactions between the two groups, with figures standing at 31% versus 40% (P = 0.17).
Even though 500 mg/day of curcumin over a six-week duration did not engender a statistically significant reduction in the adverse effects of chemoradiotherapy, it was well-tolerated and deemed safe in this patient cohort.

Oral mucositis is one of the main complications of radiotherapy (RT) while treating head?and?neck cancers and can affect the patients’ treatment process and life. Therefore, this study evaluated the effect of Aloe vera on the prevention and treatment of radiotherapy?induced oral mucositis (RIOM) in patients with head?and?neck cancer.

This was a double?blind clinical trial performed in 2019 on 75 patients with head?and?neck cancer. Patients were randomly assigned totwo groups receiving gargles of 5 cc Aloe vera and the same dose of placebo mouthwash three times a day, respectively. Then, the incidence and severity of RIOM were evaluated and compared between the two groups over 6 weeks of RT.

There was no significant difference between the two groups in terms of the severity of RIOM from the 1st to 3rd weeks of RT (P > 0.05). However, the severity of RIOM in the 4th, 5th, and 6th weeks of RT was significantly lower in the Aloe vera group compared with the placebo group (P < 0.05).

According to the results of the present study, the long?term use of Aloe vera mouthwash can reduce the severity of RIOM.

Treatment response in High-grade Glioma (HGG) patients changes based on their genetic and biological characteristics. MiRNAs, as important regulators of drug and radiation resistance, and the Apparent Diffusion Coefficients (ADC) value of tumor can be used as a prognostic predictor for glioma. This study aimed to identify some of the pre-treatment individual patient features for predicting the treatment response in HGG patients. In this prospective study, 18 HGG patients, who were candidated for chemo-radiation treatment, participated after informed consent of the patients. The investigated features were the expression level of miR-222 and miR-205 in plasma, the ADC value of tumor, Body Mass Index (BMI), and age. Treatment response was assessed, and Least Absolute Shrinkage and Selection Operator (LASSO) regression was used to obtain a model to predict the treatment response. Mann-Whitney U test was also applied to select the variables with a significant relationship with patients’ treatment response. The LASSO coefficients for miR-205, miR-222, tumor’s mean ADC value, BMI, and age were 3.611, -1.683, 2.468, -0.184, and -0.024, respectively. Mann-Whitney U test results showed miR-205 and tumor’s mean ADC significantly related to treatment response (P-value˂0.05).  The miR-205 expression level of the patient in plasma and tumor’s mean ADC value has the potential for prognostic predictors in HGG.

Cancer development is aided by the role of long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) that act as competing endogenous RNAs (ceRNAs) absorbing microRNAs (miRNAs). We aimed to discover a novel regulatory axis in colorectal cancer (CRC) and potential biomarkers based on miR‑616‑3p.

The gene expression omnibus database was mined for differentially expressed lncRNAs (DELs) and mRNAs. LncRNAs and mRNAs were predicted using the RegRNA and TargetScan databases. A combination of the ciBioPortal and Ensemble databases was used to locate the mRNAs. Cytoscape 3.7.1‑built CeRNA networks. A quantitative real‑time polymerase chain reaction (qRT‑PCR) was utilized to confirm the expression levels of these RNA molecules. Statistical analyses were implemented by GraphPad Prism 9.

qRT‑PCR showed (Linc01282, lnc‑MYADM‑1:1, and Zinc Finger Protein 347 [ZNF347]) were overexpressed whereas, (salt‑inducible kinases 1 [SIK1], and miR‑616‑3p) were down regulated.

These results identify unique, unreported lncRNAs as CRC prognostic biomarkers, as well as prospective mRNAs as new treatment targets and predictive biomarkers for CRC. In addition, our study uncovered unexplored ceRNA networks that should be studied further in CRC.

Breast cancer (BC) is the leading cause of cancer death in women. The current study is designed to evaluate the association of lipid profiles, FBS, and body mass index (BMI) with BC recurrence and metastasis.

This is a case–control study on estrogen receptor?positive BC patients in Isfahan Province, Central Iran, between 2008 and 2020. The control group was patients who had no evidence of recurrence or metastasis at least 1 year after the end of chemotherapy and hormone therapy. The case group was patients with evidence of metastasis or recurrence within 1 year after the end of chemotherapy and hormone therapy. Fasting blood sugar (FBS), total cholesterol (Chol), triglyceride (TG), high?density lipoprotein (HDL), and low?density lipoprotein (LDL) were measured before treatment, after chemotherapy, and after hormone therapy as well as BMI in the case and control groups.

There were 108 patients in the case and 119 patients in the control group with a mean age of 50.72 ± 13.26 and 51.91 ± 11.79, respectively. There were no meaningful differences between the case and control groups regarding serum FBS, Chol, TG, HDL, LDL, and BMI.

We found no association between serum FBS, lipid profile, and BMI at initial diagnosis and BC recurrence or metastasis.Key words: Breast cancer, fasting blood sugar, metabolic syndrome, recurrence, serum lipid profile

Gastric cancer (GC) ranks among the most prevalent cancers of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract and is responsible for many cancer deaths annually. The etiology of GC is believed to result from the cumulative damaging effects of genetic, epigenetic, and environmental factors during the individual’s lifetime. Dopamine receptor D1 (DRD1) represents the most abundant dopamine receptor in the central nervous system (CNS). Several dopaminergic pathways depend on the receptor to convey stimulatory dopamine signals. The current project has been designed to assess the gene expression and polymorphism of DRD1 (rs774034163 A>T) among Iranian patients suffering from GC in Isfahan.

ARMS PCR technique was used to assess rs774034163 A>T polymorphism in 91 paraffin blocks of stomach tissues (42 GC patients and 49 healthy subjects). Additionally, 41 samples (20 GC patients and 21 healthy subjects) were selected randomly to assess DRD1 gene expression using the qRT-PCR technique.

The ‘AT’ genotype of rs774034163 was not significantly associated with GC (OR = 0.65, 95% CI = 0.214-1.970, and p-value = 0.446); the ‘TT’ genotype was also not observed in our population. Regarding allele frequency, the ‘T’ allele is not correlated with GC (OR = 0.677, 95% CI = 0.235-1.948, and p-value = 0.469). Furthermore, the expression of the DRD1 gene in patients and healthy individuals demonstrated no noticeable difference (p-value = 0.835).

According to the results, rs774034163 A>T polymorphism is not associated with GC genotypically or allelically. Also, there is no correlation between increased gene expression levels of DRD1 and the pathogenesis of GC.

Cognitive impairment is one of the common problems in patients undergoing radiotherapy, but there is no way to prevent it until this time. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of memantine on the prevention of cognitive impairment in patients with brain tumour undergoing radiotherapy. In this clinical trial study, 70 patients under radiotherapy were selected and randomly divided into two groups. The first group received 10 mg of memantine tablets daily for six months and the second group received placebo at the same dose and time. Cognitive impairment was evaluated through Mini-Mental Status Examination questionnaire and compared between the two groups. The mean score of cognitive impairment before and after radiotherapy in the control and intervention groups were 27.97 ± 1.52 and 27.66 ± 1.35 (P = 0.26), in the following month were 27.74 ± 1.74 and 27.63 ± 1.35 (P = 0.73), in the following three months were 23.17 ± 1.81 and 24.77 ± 1.44 (P < 0.001), and in the following six months were 20.66 ± 1.8 and 23.17 ± 1.42 (P < 0.001). In addition, changes in cognitive impairment score were significantly different between the two groups (P < 0.001). It seems that memantine is effective in preventing the cognitive impairment in patients undergoing radiotherapy following brain tumour surgery and the implementation of this referee can be associated with improved cognitive function over time.

Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) have been recognized as the main modulatory molecules in various cancers and perform as competing endogenous RNAs (ceRNAs). The nuclear hormone receptor superfamily of ligand?activated transcription factors (NR3C1) regulates numerous proliferative and metabolic processes such as tumorigenesis and metabolic diseases. Furthermore, X?linked inhibitor of apoptosis protein (XIAP) belongs to a family of the inhibitors of apoptosis proteins, is located downstream of the glucocorticoid receptor (GR or NR3C1) pathway, and cooperates with GR to suppress apoptosis. However, the underlying mechanisms of NR3C1 and XIAP in colorectal cancer (CRC) remain mainly unclear. This research aims to clarify the potential RNAbiomarkers and to construct a novel ceRNA network in CRC.

Multistep bioinformatics methods such as Lnc2cancer and miRDB databases were applied to identify candidate lncRNAs and miRNAs. The interaction energy between lncRNAs, NR3C1, and XIAP genes was analyzed by the LncRRIsearch database. Plus, microRNAs and lncRNA were evaluated via the Diana tools database to select microRNAs with the most binding scores. Quantitative reverse transcription– olymerase chain reaction (QRT?PCR) was applied to verify RNA molecules’ expression levels and their association with the clinicopathological factors in 30 CRC tissues compared to 30 adjacent tissues.

QRT?PCR showed upregulation of KCNQ1OT1, NR3C1, and XIAP and downregulation of miR?421. The ceRNA network was constructed with 17 lncRNAs, 2 mRNAs, and 42 miRNAs. Thus, we explained the potential interactions between KCNQ1OT1 and miR?421 with NR3C1 and XIAP genes.

Our study represents potential prognostic biomarkers and a new ceRNA network for further study in CRC.

Gastric cancer (GC) is an exceedingly prevalent cancer worldwide and one of the main reasons for death from cancer. The individuals’ susceptibility to GC depends upon several genetic and epigenetic alterations that occur over their lifetime. The C-FOS is an oncoprotein that engages in tumorigenesis through its oncogenic roles. It modulates many cellular functions, and its aberrant expression can lead to several types of cancers.

The Amplification Refractory Mutation System (ARMS) PCR technique was conducted to detect genotypic types of rs997415225 in 50 healthy controls and 45 patients with GC. Furthermore, the quantitative Real-Time PCR (qRT-PCR) technique was applied to determine C-FOS relative gene expression in 20 healthy controls and 20 cancer patients.

Genotypic types of rs997415225 did not seem to be correlated with GC (P > 0.05), but allele “A” frequency was correlated (P = 0.048). Also, there was a significant difference between the two groups regarding the C-FOS gene expression level (P = 0.044).

It has been found that genotypic types of rs997415225 have no impact on GC; however, the presence of allele “A” is associated with a potential risk of GC development. In addition, the increased C-FOS gene expression was linked to the progression of this cancer; hence, preventing GC through C-FOS down-regulation might be a promising approach.

Gastric cancer (GC) is the fourth most common cancer worldwide, occurring in approximately two-thirds of developing countries, and is one of the leading causes of cancer deaths. The mitogen-activated protein kinase 14 (MAPK14) plays an important role in the conversion of extracellular stimuli to a wide range of cellular responses. The 5-hydroxytryptamine receptor 2B (HTR2B) increases the level of 5-HT; and as a result, platelet-derived 5-HT promotes tumor angiogenesis, tumor growth, and metastatic potential of cancer cells.

Expression analysis was performed on 20 healthy cases and 20 cancerous cases for MAPK14 and 20 healthy cases and 19 cancerous cases for HTR2B using real-time quantitative PCR (qRT-PCR) assay. Polymorphisms were evaluated in 38 healthy cases and 30 cancerous cases for rs550352538, and 35 healthy cases and 35 cancerous cases for rs28763973 via tetra-primer amplification refractory mutation system PCR (T-ARMS PCR) technique.

No significant difference was observed in MAPK14 and HTR2B gene expression levels (P>0.05). In addition, there is no statistically significant association of different genotypes in rs28763973 from MAPK14 gene and rs550352538 from HTR2B gene with gastric cancer (P>0.05).

No significant difference was noted between patient and healthy individuals in expression levels and gene polymorphisms; nevertheless, results may vary by significantly changing the gene pool or population size.

The use of chemotherapy drugs in combination with ultrasound exposure increases their synergic effect at lower doses. It can play an important role in the treatment of drug-resistant cancers, such as melanoma. Also, in this method, reducing the dose of the drug minimizes side effects on healthy cells. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of ultrasound-mediated chemotherapy with dacarbazine on malignant cell death and apoptosis induction in melanoma. 

After culturing B16F10 melanoma cells in-vitro, the optimal concentration of dacarbazine was determined by MTT assay. The effect of ultrasound on cell survival was also investigated separately by the same method. In the next step, the cells were treated with the optimal concentration of dacarbazine at intensities of 0.5, 1, 1.5 and 2 w/cm2 and were observed for 3 minutes. After 24 hours MTT assay was used to measure cell viability. The level of apoptosis induction by treatments was also measured using flow cytometry.

The survival rate of melanoma cells treated in combination with dacarbazine and ultrasound at 2 w/cm2showed the greatest decline. Also, the rate of apoptosis at 1.5 w/cm2in combination with dacarbazine increased significantly.

The use of ultrasound in combination with dacarbazine can be effective in improving the response of melanoma to treatment and reduce the overall toxicity to non-cancerous cells.

Radiomic features robustness analysis is a critical issue before clinical decision making. In this study, the reproducibility and robustness of radiomic features in computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance (MR) images of glioblastoma cancer patients were analyzed regarding inter-scanner and inter-modality variations.
CT and MR Images of eighteen glioblastoma cancer patients were used to extract the radiomic features following image segmentation. Coefficient of variation (COV), intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC), and concordance correlation coefficient (CCC) analysis were done to select the most robust features in all paired combinations of CT and MR images include T1-T2, T1-FLAIR, T1-ADC, T1-CT, T2-FLAIR, T2-ADC, T2-CT, FLAIR-ADC, FLAIR-CT, and ADC-CT.
The features with COV ≤ 5% or ICC ≥ 90% or CCC ≥ 90%, considered as the most robust features, include the shape features, Minimum (belong to first-order Features), IMC1, IDN, IDMN (belong to GLCM), and Run Length Non-Uniformity (belongs to Gray Level Run Length Matrix).
In this study we presented a large image feature variation among different imaging modalities including CT and MRI. Our results identified several robust features that could be used for further clinical analysis.

Despite the high prevalence of acute radiation dermatitis (ARD) in breast radiation treatment, data about its prevention is inconsistent. We conducted the present research to investigate whether the use of topical corticosteroids with different potencies or moisturizing cream could prevent ARD.
In this double-blind randomized trial, 120 patients, who had undergone breast conserving surgery for breast cancer, were randomly assigned to use Mometasone 0.1% cream or hydrocortisone 1% cream or moisturizing base cream from the first day of radiotherapy throughout the entire course. CTCAE v. 4 scale was utilized to score the grade of ARD. The outcomes were analysed with relevant statistical methods.
105 subjects were analysed. Mometasone delayed the incidence of grade 1 ARD in a week. However, no differences were observed among the groups concerning the incidence of the maximum ARD grade (χ2 (6, N= 104)=8.12, P=0.2). Moreover, the timing of the maximum ARD was not significantly different among the groups (χ2 (4, N =84) = 2.87, P=0.58).
This study demonstrated that the application of corticosteroid creams (hydrocortisone 1% or Mometasone 0.1%) does not result into a significant difference concerning the timing and incidence of ARD occurrence when compared with daily skin care and use of emollient.

 Prostate cancer is the second most common malignancy among Iranian men after stomach cancer. To understand the nature of the disease and plan and develop a population-based cancer registry, it is essential to recognize the clinical and pathological characteristics of the tumors, as well as treatment results.

 The present study aimed to evaluate the clinical and pathological characteristics of prostate cancer and evaluate the routine practice, including treatment outline and results of treatment in six referral centers in Iran.

 This prospective observational pilot study recruited patients with prostate cancer between April 2015 and October 2015 at six referral centers in Iran. The participating physicians included consecutive patients according to inclusion criteria. Demographic, clinicopathologic, and treatment data were collected by the physicians using an electronic case report form (eCRF). The patients were followed for 18 months, and during this period, four visits were scheduled for each patient to collect the data.

 A total number of 102 patients from six centers in five different cities of Iran were included in the study. Sixty-seven (65.7%) patients were diagnosed by needle biopsy as the first diagnostic method, 23 (22.5%) by radical prostatectomy, and 12 (11.8%) by open prostatectomy. Total at-risk times of patients for overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) were 1480.9 and 1437 months, respectively. Median (IQR) values of OS and PFS were 18.2 (9.2 - 20.5) and 18.2 (6.8 - 20.4) months, respectively. Forty (39.2%) patients underwent surgery, 58 (56.8%) underwent radiotherapy, and 13 (12.7%) received chemotherapy. Twenty-nine (28.4%) patients experienced adverse events over the follow-up period. Eight deaths were reported that were unrelated to treatment adverse effects.

 This pilot registry could serve as a valuable tool for the development of a comprehensive nationwide registry for patients with prostate cancer in Iran.

Oral squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is the most common oral malignancy. Some evidence indicated that there is a correlation between microRNA single nucleotide polymorphisms and the risk of oral cancer. The aim of the current study was to investigate the association between mir‑499 polymorphism with the risk of oral cavity and oropharyngeal SCC in a subset of Iranian Population.

In this case–control pilot study total of 112 participants including 56 histopathlogically confirmed oral and oropharyngeal SCC patients and 56 age‑ and sex‑matched controls were included The mir‑499 rs3746444 T/C polymorphism was detected using polymerase chain reaction‑restriction fragment length polymorphism method. The comparisons of the distribution of the allele and genotype frequencies were performed using Chi‑square test, and P < 0.05 was considered as statistically significant.

The result of the present study indicated that the frequency distribution of mir‑499 was not significantly different between cases and controls (P > 0.05). We also did not find any significant association between the risk of the cancer and mir‑499 polymorphisms in the recessive (Odds ratio [OR]: 6.60; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.77–56.74; P = 0.11) and dominant (OR: 1; 95% CI: 0.37–2.74; P = 1) inheritance models even after adjustment for smoking.

The results of the present study indicated that the polymorphisms of mir‑499 are not associated with the risk of oral and oropharyngeal SCC in Iranian population. However, further large scale studies are needed to validate our findings.

Improvement of the quality ofcancer-related fatigue clinical practice guidelines (CPGs) is an important issue in oncology. This study aimed to determine the methodological quality of CPGs about cancer-related fatigue management using the AGREE II instrument. This study involved a systematic search, followed by a descriptive study, to evaluate the methodological quality of CPGs about CRF using the AGREE II instrument in 2018. A comprehensive search was conducted on different websites and databases to find the eligible published guidelines from the observation time to Jan 2018. After screening the guidelines based on eligibility criteria, the selected CPGs were assessed by five independent appraisers by means of the updated AGREE II instrument developed in 2013. According to the results, applicability and editorial independence domains had obtained low quality scores. However, the scores of the rest of the domains were indicative of a favorable quality level. Implications for Practice: It is essential to improve the quality of CRF CPGs and design high-quality CPGs especially in terms of applicability and editorial independence domains.

Breast cancer is one of the most common cancers among Iranian women whose relationship with mutation status in BRCA1 is previously approved. Therefore, screening of the most mutated exons in BRCA1 in hereditary breast cancer patients provides beneficial information about the main disease-causing reason. A total of 14 Iranian hereditary breast cancer patients participated in this case series study. DNA was extracted from patients’ blood samples for PCR assay. The quality of PCR products was determined using horizontal electrophoresis. Then, sequencing and analysis of the sequencing results were performed to investigate variation status in the sequences. Five variants in 4 patients were found, including 1 pathogenic variant in exon 16 (H1686Q, NM_007294.3:c.5058T>A) and 4 novel intronic variants of uncertain significance (NC_000017.11:41228314G>T, NC_000017.11:41228309C>T, NC_000017.11:41228317G>T, and NC_000017.11:41203042G>A) in BRCA1. This study was the first to report 1 rare pathogenic variant in BRCA1 (H1686Q, NM_007294.3: c.5058T>A) in an Iranian family as the main disease-causing reason. Another interesting finding was non-existence of variations in almost all globally-reported and mutated exons in BRCA1. Investigation of these exons in BRCA1 showed the uniqueness of mutation pattern in Iranian breast cancer patients compared to other world regions. Due to the existence of other BRCA1 exons and also other predisposing genes in breast cancer, the main cause of cancer development in other participants might have been put in those exons and genes. We concluded that the most mutated exons in BRCA1 in Iranian population may not be the same as those found in other parts of the world.

Prostate cancer is increasing among Iranian men and gene polymorphisms may play a role in the development of prostate cancer. Insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF1) gene polymorphisms have been deeply explored in different malignancies. In this study, we aimed to explore the association of IGF1 CA repeat length polymorphism with the risk of prostate cancer development in Isfahan province of Iran. The total blood of 100 prostate cancer patients and the equivalent matched control individuals were collected. DNA extraction was followed by IGF1 promoter polymorphism amplification. Genotyping was performed using polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and sequencing was performed. According to the results, IGF1 promoter polymorphic site showed six different alleles ranging from 17-22 CA repeats among our studied population. Comparing SL heterozygotes with both homozygotes, a significant increase in RR value (RR=4.5, p=0.031) was observed. Although age adjustment and family history did not elevate the RR value, but a significantly elevated risk of prostate cancer (RR= 3.143, p=0.002) was shown when we compared SS patients with LL ones according to their BPH history. In conclusion, carriers of (CA)17 allele could be at a higher risk of prostate cancer development and being SL heterozygotes could increase the risk of BPH development in our studied population

Antioxidant defense and aerobic fitness of patients with breast cancer are not favorable in the disease, treatment and post-treatment phases. Considering the likely role of exercise training on the antioxidant status, the present study aimed to investigate the effect of 6 weeks of low-volume high-intensity interval training (LVHIIT) on antioxidant defense and aerobic power in female survivors of breast cancer.
Subjects & In this clinical trial study, 20 breast cancer survivors (mean age 44.90±2.82 years old) randomly divided into experimental (n=10) and control (n=10) groups. The experimental group participated in a six weeks of LVHIIT (three session per week). Total antioxidant capacity and Malondialdehyde levels were measured by ELISA kits and aerobic power by Balke Protocol. Data were analyzed using paired and independent t-test.
Total antioxidant capacity significantly improved (P=0.007) and Malondialdehyde levels significantly decreased (P=0.009). Also, aerobic power significantly improved (P=0.001).
Six weeks of low-volume high-intensity interval training can improve the body's antioxidant status and aerobic power in patients with breast cancer and as a result, play an important role in prevention of breast cancer recurrence.

Context: Oral mucositis is a common complication in patients with cancer therapy. Oral and dental care should be considered as a vital component of caring before, during and after chemotherapy. This study aimed to assess the methodological quality of existing CPGs about cancer therapy-induced mucositis.
Evidence Acquisition: We conducted a review of extant CPGs for the management of mucositis. After screening the guidelines based on inclusion and exclusion criteria, three CPGs were selected and assessed by 5 appraisers by using AGREE II instrument.
Assessed CPGs gained the highest scores in the clarity of the presentation domain. Scope, purpose (median score, 63.3%), and stakeholder involvement (median score, 54.4%) were found respectively and the lowest scores were in editorial independence domain. The scores in applicability (median score, 30%), rigor of development (median score, 28.8%), and editorial independence (median score, 26.7%) domains were unfavorable. Also, every appraiser scored the overall quality of CPGs.
Quality of mucositis CPGs needs to be improved. In other words, designing high-quality CPGs in this area is necessary.

CD8-positive T lymphocytes are important part of cell-mediated immunity and play a central role in induction of immune response against tumor progression. So, these cells might have potential to be used in clinic along with other prognostic biomarkers; however no definite comparison on validation of this maker has been conducted. The purpose of this study was to assess the role of CD8-positive cells in breast cancer outcome and to compare the correlation of tumor-infiltrating CD8-positive cytotoxic lymphocyte density and clinicopathologic parameters with mortality and survival rates in breast cancer.
CD8-positive T cells were detected via immunohistochemistry using the paraffin-embedded tumor samples of 52 patients with breast cancer. Clinicopathologic data including tumor type and grade, lymph node involvement, stage, lymphovascular invasion, metastasis, relapse, patient's family history, and estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR), human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2), and Ki67 markers were reviewed. Mortality and survival rates were obtained.
Findings: There were no statically significant correlations between presence of CD8 and mortality (P = 0.05) or survival (P = 0.09). Increased mortality rate was significantly associated with increased Ki67 (P = 0.045), lymph node metastasis (P = 0.020), higher stage (P = 0.020), metastasis (P > 0.001), and relapse (P = 0.008). In addition, overall survival was significantly associated with lymph node involvement (P = 0.003), higher stage (P = 0.009), metastasis (P = 0.020), negative PR (P = 0.020), and negative Ki67 (P = 0.010).
Although some previous studies reported CD8 as a prognostic marker to be complementary of tumor, node, and metastasis (TNM) staging, but our data did not show any correlation between the presence of CD8 with mortality or survival. The role of immunologic reaction in tumor microenvironment should be further validated using larger patient population with analysis of multiple immune cell lines together.

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection and its complications are major public health problems. As it is hard to treat and control the chronic state, control of disease depends on the prevention especially by vaccination. There is an impaired immune response to vaccinations including HBV in patients with some malignancies. The aim of this study is to assess the response rate of patients undergoing chemotherapy to HBV vaccination.

All patients from two hematology/oncology clinics in Isfahan, Iran with the history of at least 1 month chemotherapy who had the inclusion criteria were enrolled in a case control study. Also a sex‑ and age‑matched control group from healthy population was selected. They were vaccinated in a schedule of 0, 1, and 6 months and were examined for antibody titers 1 month after the last dose. The titers more than 10 mIU/ml were determined as positive response to vaccination.

In this study, 50 patients and 50 healthy subjects were enrolled. The two groups were age and sex matched (P > 0.05). Frequency of negative responses to HBV vaccination in case and control groups were 9 (18%) and 1 (2%), respectively (OR = 10.75, CI = 1.30–88.47, P = 0.027). Of 50 patients, 54%, 12%, 22%, and 12% had breast cancer, lymphoma, gastrointestinal, and genitourinary cancers, respectively, and frequency of negative responses were 3 (11%), 1 (16%), 4 (36.4%), and 1 (16%), respectively (P = 0.167).

According to our results, malignancy and chemotherapy will have an important effect on the immune system and cause negative response to HBV vaccination. Our results revealed the importance of passive immunity and screening for HBV infection in patients undergoing chemotherapy. Also more studies for better vaccination schedules in this group of patients are recommended.

Cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy have unmet needs. Oncologists play a central role in their supportive treatment. This study aims to describe Iranian oncologist's perceptions in terms of priorities in supportive care needs for nonmetastatic cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy.
We conducted this study using a descriptive, exploratory qualitative approach with a purposive sampling method. Interviews were conducted from July to October 2016 with medical oncologists (mean age: 47.5 years) who had a mean work experience of 15.8 years. Data saturation was achieved with 15 participants. Interviews were semi-structured. Graneheim and Lundman’s qualitative content analysis approach and MAXQDA software were used to analyze the data.
There were two main categories obtained from data analysis: 1. continued comprehensive support in the disease continuum from diagnosis to rehabilitation (education and consultation, social and treatment support for patients, consideration of family support, addressing cultural conditions, psychological support, and financial support) and 2. Prerequisites in the preparation of the care system (the need for creating multidisciplinary teams, development and improvement of health care settings to provide services, and empowering the healthcare team to provide quality care).
Comprehensive care for these patients and integration of these supports are essential in routine care. Major needs which must be addressed more seriously in the Iranian care system include the need for continued comprehensive support in the disease continuum from diagnosis to rehabilitation and prerequisites in the preparation of the care system.

 Sleep disturbances are common, but widely underdiagnosed in cancer patients. Thus, the aim of the present study was to evaluate sleep quality and its associated factors among women with breast cancer.

 This cross-sectional study was conducted on women with breast cancer referring to 2 outpatient clinics in Isfahan, Iran. Sleep quality [Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI)], severity of anxiety and depression [Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS)], cancer symptoms [M.D. Anderson Symptom Inventory (MDASI)], and quality of life (QOL) [European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire-Core 30 (EORTC QLQ-C30)] were assessed in the present study.

 The study population consisted of 101 patients with mean age of 49.7 years and mean cancer duration of 2.3 years. The mean global PSQI score of patients was 8.5 and 80.2% had poor sleep quality. Factors associated with global PSQI score in univariate analyses were body mass index (BMI) (r = 0.445), severity of cancer symptoms (r = 0.580), anxiety (r = 0.363), and depression (r = 0.332). BMI and symptom severity were independently associated with poor sleep quality (standardized coefficient = 0.388 and 0.480, respectively). With regards to QOL, patients with poor sleep quality had lower physical and psychosocial functioning than good sleepers.

 Sleep disturbances are highly common in women with breast cancer in our society and significantly affect their QOL. Obesity, cancer symptoms, and psychological symptoms are important factors associated with and contributing to sleep problems in these patients. Cancer care programs must have a comprehensive approach, including sleep assessment and management, toward the treatment of these patients.