Multiple Paraneoplastic Neurological and Rheumatological Syndromes Revealing an Ovarian Cancer

Multiple paraneoplastic syndromes are a rare clinical manifestation. We describe the case of an 82-year-old woman who presented with neurological (rapidly progressive cerebellar syndrome and combined sensory-motor neuronopathy) and rheumatological (palmar fasciitis and polyarthritis syndrome) paraneoplastic syndromes associated with two onconeural antibodies (anti-Yo and Zic4), that revealed an ovarian cancer. The involvement of multiple organ systems should be a clue to take into consideration a paraneoplastic etiology that could permit early detection of cancer. However, despite the existence of treatments, the prognosis of these conditions remains poor.

How Do Self-Examination Interventions For The Early Detection of Cancer Work? An Umbrella Review Protocol.

Background: Cancer is a major contributor to mortality and morbidity globally. A key prognostic factor for many cancers is early detection. Self-examination is often promoted as a method to detect cancer early for cancers that have early physical signs and symptoms. The type(s) of interventions capable of delivering behaviour change such as self-examination are complex with their description historically lacking. This umbrella review protocol sets out the methodology for summarising the evidence surrounding self-examination for four major cancers; breast, testicular, oral and skin. The review aims to answer the following question: What are the components of self-examination programmes for early detection of cancer and are they effective in bringing about actions that could lead to early detection of cancer in post pubescent people. Methods: The methodology has been informed by the PRISMA-P checklist for systematic reviews and the JBI methodology for umbrella reviews. Narrative synthesis will include detail on effectiveness of interventions alongside coding of intervention components using Intervention Taxonomy and the Behaviour Change Technique Taxonomy Version 1. AMSTAR-2 will be used to assess quality of included studies. Discussion: The review will provide a summary of the existing evidence with descriptions of interventions whilst identifying gaps for future research in this area.Registration: Prospero: CRD42021285966

LncRNAs: Novel Biomarkers for Pancreatic Cancer

Pancreatic cancer is one of the most deadly neoplasms and the seventh major cause of cancer-related deaths among both males and females. This cancer has a poor prognosis due to the lack of appropriate methods for early detection of cancer. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) have been recently found to influence the progression and initiation of pancreatic cancer. MACC1-AS1, LINC00976, LINC00462, LINC01559, HOXA-AS2, LINC00152, TP73-AS1, XIST, SNHG12, LUCAT1, and UCA1 are among the oncogenic lncRNAs in pancreatic cancer. On the other hand, LINC01111, LINC01963, DGCR5, MEG3, GAS5, and LINC00261 are among tumor suppressor lncRNAs in this tissue. In the current review, we summarize the roles of these two classes of lncRNAs in pancreatic cancer and discuss their potential as attractive diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers for pancreatic cancer. We also identified that the low expression of MEG3, LINC01963, and LINC00261 and the high expression of MACC1-AS1, LINC00462, LINC01559, and UCA1 were significantly correlated with worse survival in pancreatic cancer patients. Further research on these lncRNAs will provide new clues that could potentially improve the early diagnosis, prognostic prediction, and personalized treatments of patients with pancreatic cancer.

Signatures Beyond Oncogenic Mutations in Cell-Free DNA Sequencing for Non-Invasive, Early Detection of Cancer

Early detection of cancer saves lives, but an effective detection strategy in public health settings requires a delicate balance - periodic screening should neither miss rapidly progressing disease nor fail to detect rare tumors at unusual locations; on the other hand, even a modest false positive rate carries risks of over-diagnosis and over-treatment of relatively indolent non-malignant disease. Genomic profiling of cell-free DNA from liquid biopsy using massively parallel sequencing is emerging as an attractive, non-invasive screening platform for sensitive detection of multiple types of cancer in a single assay. Genomic data from cell-free DNA can not only identify oncogenic mutation status, but also additional molecular signatures related to potential tissue of origin, the extent of clonal growth, and malignant disease states. Utilization of the full potential of the molecular signatures from cfDNA sequencing data can guide clinical management strategies for targeted follow-ups using imaging or molecular marker-based diagnostic platforms and treatment options.