---

Background and Objective: There are some reports about probable association between acute leukemia and special blood groups. Frequency of ABO and RH blood group is different in each population. This study was done to determine frequency of ABO and Rh blood groups in patient with acute leukemia and healthy population.

Materials and Methods: This case - control study was done on 214 patients (132 males, 82 females) that suffering from acute leukemia as case group and 117026 individuals healthy population who were voluntary blood donors as controls in Mashhad, Iran during 2001-07. Age, sex, ABO blood group and RH blood group were collected from hospital files for each cases. Furthermore the results of ABO and RH blood groups of controls were collected. Data were analyzed with Chi-Square, fisher test and Odd’s ratio.

Results: The frequency of A, B, AB, O and RH blood groups in cases were 23.8%, 32.8%, 7.0%, 36.4% and 90.7%, respectively. The frequency of A, B, AB, O and RH blood groups in controls were 29.8%, 27.4%, 8.9%, 33.9% and 88.3%, respectively. Odds Ratio test didn’t show association of ABO and RH blood groups with acute leukemia. Odds Ratio test showed association of B blood group with acute leukemia in females (OR=0.571, 95%CI: 0.358-.0908, P=0.021).

Conclusion: This study showed although there was not any association between ABO and RH blood groups and acute leukemia but probably females with B blood group are more susciptible toward acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

---

Background and Objective: The acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a malignant disease with an accumulation of the abnormal and undifferentiated blastic myeloid cell in the bone marrow, leading to abnormal hematopoiesis. This study was done to determine the NPM1 and FLT3-(ITD) mutations and laboratory findings in patients with acute myeloid leukemia. Methods: This descriptive-analytic study was carried out on 40 (24 males, 16 females) patients with newly acute myeloid leukemia in Northwest of Iran. The mutation of NPM1 and FLT3-ITD were evaluated using PCR method in 25 patients. In all patients, the flowcytometry findings in the bone marrow, leucocytosis and the LDH levels were evaluated prior to the chemotherapy. Results: The mutation of FLT3-ITD and NPM1 genes was detected in 15 (60%) and 9 (36%) of patients, respectively. FLT3-NPM1+ mutation was seen in 4 (16%) patients. Leukocytosis, LDH level and AML in different classes did no show any significant difference between FLT3-NPM1+ and other gene mutations. Conclusion: The mutation of FLT3-ITD gene was nearly twice than NPM1 in acute myeloid leukemia.

---

Background and Objective: Ovarian cancer is the second most common gynecological malignancy. One of the most important genes in Wnt signaling pathway is E-cadherin (CDH1), which is involved in epithelial cell-cell interaction and plays an important role in the establishment and maintenance of intercellular adhesion, cell polarity and tissue architecture. E-cadherin codes a group of connector proteins which caused to intercellular adhesion. It has an important role in adhesion of blastomere and ability to bind fetal tissues. Nucleotide change in the coding region of this gene may lead to develop ovarian cancer. This study was conducted to evaluate the association of +54C/T (Rs1801026) 3΄UTR of E-cadherin gene polymorphism with ovarian cancer risk. Methods: This case-control study was done on 100 tissue samples of patients with ovarian cancer as cases and 100 age-matched healthy women as control in Imam Khomeini Hospital, Tehran, Iran. The E-cadherin gene polymorphism was determined by using the PCR-RFLP method. Results: There was no association between CT (95% CI: 0.81-4.31; OR=1.87; P<0.14) and TT (95% CI: 0.73-2.38; OR=1.44; P<0.29) genotypes and ovarian cancer. No association was found between genotypes with grade and stage of cancer. Conclusion: There is no correlation between +54C/T (Rs1801026) 3΄UTR of E-cadherin gene polymorphism with ovarian cancer.

---

Background and Objective: Squamous carcinoma accounts for the majority of esophageal carcinoma worldwide. This study was done to evaluate the survival rate of patients with esophageal cancer in Iran.

Methods: This historical cohort study was carried outon 105 patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma whom admitted to Firoozgar hospital in Tehran, Iran during 2009-14. Patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma were treated with chemoradiation either with or without surgery.

Results: The mean age of patients was 63 years. Frequency of esophageal cancer in both sexes in the age group 51-60 years was higher than other groups. 5-year survival in patients with esophageal cancer treated with chemoradiation without surgery was 9.5% and in patients treated with chemoradiation with surgery was 31.7 % (P<0.05). One-year, three-year and five-year survival rate in patients were treated with chemoradiation with or without surgery was 68.5%, 38% and 22.8%, respectively.

Conclusion: The survival rate of patients with esophageal cancer is very low, but the treatment with chemoradiation with surgery can increase life expectancy of patients.

---

Background and Objective: Lovastatin is a HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor and used for the treatment of hypercholesterolemia. Inhibition of HMG-CoA reductase results in inhibiting the activity of the Ras proto-oncogene that has mutations in most cancers. This study was done to determine the Anti-proliferative and apoptotic effects of Lovastatin on K562 Erthromyloidy cancer cell line.
Methods: The K562 Erthromyloidy cancer cell line were cultured and treated with different concentrations of lovastatin. Their antitumor effect on K562 cells were assessed via MTT assay after 72 hours. Hoechst (33342) staining and DNA electrophoresis were used for study of apoptosis.
Results: Lovastatin had antitumor effect on K562 Erthromyloidy cancer cell line and this effect increased by incease of time and concentration.The maximum inhibitory effect was 59% in higher concentration (100 µM) and 72 hours after the treatment. Reduced cell growth at 24 and 48 hours after treatment was 24% and 43%, respectively. Lovastatin significantly inhibited K562 cell growth (P<0.05).
Conclusion: This study showed that lovastatin has antitumor effect on K562 Erthromyloidy cancer cell line.

---

Background and Objective: Ovarian cancer is the fifth common cancer among women and the number of new cases is increasing. Valproic acid is a histone deacetylase inhibitor effectively used to treat epilepsy and bipolar disease. Recently, this compound has attracted attention as an anti-cancer agent. Bim is one of the most important genes of mitochondrial pathway of apoptosis, and it plays an important role in the biology of cancer. Expression of this gene is greatly reduced in ovarian cancer. This study was done to evaluate the effect of valproic acid on the viability of ovarian cancer cells, apoptosis and Bim gene expression in A2780 line.
Methods: In this experimental study, the human ovarian cancer cells (A2780) were grown in RPMI-1640 medium in appropriate culture conditions. The cells were treated by various concentrations valproic acid (1-30 mM) and were incubated for 24, 48 and 72 hours. After the incubation of period, cell viability was investigated using MTT. Apoptosis was analyzed by flow-cytometry method in the cells were treated by valproic acid. The Real time PCR test was used to assess the effect of this drug on the expression of Bim gene.
Results: The results of MTT assay showed that valproic acid reduced the viability of A2780 cells, and this effect was time and dose-dependent. The reduction of cell viability at 30 mM concentration and 72 hours after treatment, was maximum and statistically significant (P<0.05). Exposure to valproic acid significantly increased the percentage of apoptotic cells (P<0.05). Also, Valproic acid significantly increased the expression of Bim (P<0.05).
Conclusion: Valproic acid reduced viability in ovarian cancer cell line A2780. Valproic acid increased cell death by altering the expression of genes involved in apoptosis in ovarian cancer cell line A2780.

---

Background and Objective: Oxaliplatin is the main agent used in the treatment of colorectal cancers. Oxaliplatin inhibits DNA replication and transcription and to induce apoptosis or necrosis in cancer cells and rapidly dividing cell lines. This study was designed to determine the effect of Oxaliplatin on sperm parameters of 60 days old offspring during pre-pregnancy, pregnancy and lactation period in mice.
Methods: In this experimental study, 32 female NMRI mature mice were randomly allocated into 4 groups. Animals in control group were received 0.2 ml saline intraperitoneally (IP) during 21 days of pre-pregnany, pregnancy and lactation periods. Animals in experimental groups including pre-pregnant, pregnant and lactation groups were received 3 mg/kg oxaliplatin trice a week IP during 21 days before mating, during pregnancy and lactation periods, respectively. At the 60th postnatal day, all the male offspring were euthanized and sperm samples were obtained. Analysis of sperm parameters including count, motility, vitality, maturation and DNA integrity was done.
Results: Sperm count, motility and DNA integrity were significantly reduced in all three groups of Pre-pregnancy, pregnancy and lactation in comparison with control group (P<0.05). Moreover, the percentage of immature and dead sperms were significantly increased in oxaliplatin groups (P<0.05).
Conclusion: Admistration of oxaliplatin induces adverse effect on sperm quality in perinatal period. The greatest effect of this drug is on lactation period. Also, by increasing the time interval for oxaliplatin administration in mice to puberty of offspring, the adverse effects of this drug on the quality of sperm parameters are reduced.

---

Background and Objective: Ovarian cancer, also known as “The Silent Killer,” is one of the most dangerous cancers for women, which often diagnosed late and incurable. On the other hand, conventional therapies currently have limitations, failures and various side effects. This study was performed to determine the effect of pomegranate peel extract on the expression of angiogenesis stimulating gene (Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor: VEGF) by culturing A2780 cell line of ovarian cancer.
Methods: In this descriptive-analytical study, pomegranate peel extract was prepared and then ovarian cancer cells (A2780 cell line) were exposed to different concentrations of pomegranate peel extract (500, 250, 100, 75, 50, 25 and 10 µg/ml) for 48, 24 and 72 hours. Also, the survival rate of the cells was tested by MTT assay and VEGF gene expression was evaluated using RT-PCR.
Results: Pomegranate peel extract concentration of 500 µg/ml reduced the survival rate to 18% in 72 hours (P<0.05). At concentrations of 200, 100 and 50 µg/ml of pomegranate peel extract, the expression of VEGF reduced by 7%, 16% and 19%, respectively, which was significant compared to the control group (P<0.05).
Conclusion: Pomegranate peel extract, due to its numerous compounds and significant antioxidant properties, is likely to reduce metastasis and malignant manifestations by reducing the expression of the angiogenesis agent.

---

Background and Objective: Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women and ranks second in terms of mortality rate. This study was conducted in order to determine the personal, clinical, and laboratory characteristics of women with breast lesions referred to the Dr. Beski Hospital in Gonbad-e Kavus, Iran.
Methods: This descriptive-analytical study was conducted on 130 women with breast lesions (benign and malignant) who were operated on in the Dr. Beski Hospital from March 2019 to March 2020. Demographic data (age, family history, and ethnicity) and pathology results (grade, lesion type, surgery type, location, and tumor size) were recorded.
Results: Breast lesions were malignant in 51.53% of the patients. The most common malignant tumor was invasive ductal carcinoma (71.64%), and the most common benign tumor was fibroadenoma (69.84%). Most malignant cases were observed in patients aged 41-50 years (43.28%). Almost half of the studied population (49.15%) had no positive family history, and about a quarter of the patients had at least one first or second-degree relative with breast cancer. Most patients (44.78%) had grade II malignant tumors. In addition, 78.51% of the subjects had not undergone chemotherapy before breast surgery. About half of the patients (49.57%) did not undergo any adjuvant treatment after surgery; however, chemotherapy was the most common type of adjuvant treatment (13.68%) after surgery. Simultaneous chemotherapy and radiotherapy were performed for 24.78% of the patients after surgery. There were statistically significant relationships between age and type of lesion and adjuvant treatments after the operation, and involvement of lymph nodes was observed (P<0.05). There was a statistically significant relationship between age, tumor size, family history, and tumor malignancy (P<0.05). There was a significant correlation between age and tumor malignancy (P=0.02, F (2.48) = 4.19) so the degree of malignancy was higher in younger individuals.
Conclusion: The results of this study showed the young age of developing malignant breast lesions in the study area. Most malignant lesions are invasive ductal carcinoma and grade II. There is a positive relationship between a family history of cancer and the classification of breast tumors.
 

---

Background and Objective: Esophageal cancer is one of the most prevalent cancers worldwide, and due to the placement of Iran in the Asian belt of esophageal cancer, the use of modern therapeutic approaches is necessary. Betanin is a natural compound extracted from the red beetroot of Beta vulgaris species whose antioxidant properties and role in removing free radicals have been proven. The present study was conducted to determine the cytotoxic effect of red beetroot aqueous extract on esophageal cancer cell line KYSE30.
Methods: In this descriptive-analytical study, esophageal cancer cell line KYSE30 was cultured and then underwent treatment with different concentrations of red beetroot aqueous extract (3, 30, 300, 1000, and 3000 µg/mL) in the three time intervals of 24, 48, and 72 hours. The anticancer effect of treated cells was evaluated by the tetrazolium (MTT) colorimetric assay and the effect of viability was evaluated by the trypan blue assay.
Results: The viability of esophageal cancer cell line at concentrations of 30, 300, 1000, and 3000 μg/mL of red beetroot aqueous extract within 24 hours was statistically significantly reduced compared to the control cells (P<0.05). The viability of esophageal cancer cell line in concentrations of 1000 and 3000 μg/mL of red beetroot aqueous extract within 48 hours showed a statistically significant reduction compared to the control cells (P<0.05). The viability of esophageal cancer cell line at concentrations of 3, 30, 300, 1000, and 3000 μg/mL of red beetroot aqueous extract within 72 hours showed a statistically significant reduction compared to the control cells (P<0.05). The MTT assay results approved the trypan blue assay results. Also, the trypan blue assay indicated that the concentration of 3000 μg/mL significantly led to reduced viability of cells within 72 hours (64.14±3.29) compared to 24 hours (77.22±3.34) and 48 hours (66.93±5.57) (P<0.05).
Conclusion: Red beetroot aqueous extract has a cytotoxic effect on esophageal cancer cell line KYSE30.

---

Background and Objective: Breast cancer has a high prevalence and mortality rate in the world and also in Iran. Neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) is one of the treatment methods to improve patient survival. This study aimed to determine the response rate to NAC in patients with locally advanced breast cancer based on common molecular receptors.
Methods: This descriptive-analytical study was conducted on 100 patients with breast cancer (mean age= 41.14±10.06 years) referring to the surgical clinic of the Fifth Azar Educational and Therapeutic Center in Gorgan, Iran during 2013-18. Patients without distant metastasis underwent NAC treatment regimen followed by surgery. Demographic characteristics, types of drugs, and molecular receptor characteristics, and their response to treatment were recorded in a checklist. Treatment response and overall patient survival were evaluated.
Results: The mean tumor size before NAC was 3.01±2.47 cm (range= 0-8, median= 2) and 16% were determined to be grade one, 52% were determined to be grade 2, and 32% were determined to be grade 3. Thirty-six percent of patients had a positive family history. Forty-six percent were estrogen receptor (ER) positive, 40% were PR positive, 22% were human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (Her-2) positive, and 78% were Her-2 negative. Thirty-six percent had a Ki-67 index greater than 30%. Eighteen percent of patients had a complete pathological response, and 82% had a partial or negative response. In terms of family history of breast cancer, Her2, ER, progestrone receptor (PR), Ki-67 receptor status, histological grade, tumor size, and axillary lymph nodes, there was a significant statistical difference between the two groups with and without complete pathological response (P<0.05).
Conclusion: The rate of complete pathological response to NAC in patients with locally advanced breast cancer was 18%.