Usefulness of circulating tumor DNA by targeting human papilloma virus-derived sequences as a biomarker in p16-positive oropharyngeal cancer

In head and neck cancer, early detection of recurrence after treatment is important. The contemporary development of therapeutic agents have improved the prognosis after recurrence; however, no biomarker has been established for evaluating therapeutic effects or detecting recurrence. Recently, circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA), which comprises DNA derived from tumor cells and exists in the form of cell-free DNA in the blood, has attracted attention as a minimally invasive and repeatable biomarker for detecting cancer. We validated the usefulness of ctDNA of human papilloma virus (HPV)-derived sequences as a biomarker in HPV-related p16-positive oropharyngeal cancer by assessing 25 patients with p16-positive oropharyngeal cancer. Blood samples were collected from each patient at multiple time points during the treatment, and the plasma was preserved. The ctDNA was extracted from the plasma and analyzed using digital polymerase chain reaction. HPV-derived ctDNA was detected in 14 (56%) of the 25 patients. In all the patients, the samples were found to be ctDNA-negative after initial treatment. Cancer recurrence was observed in 2 of the 14 patients; HPV-derived ctDNA was detected at the time of recurrence. Our results indicate that HPV-derived ctDNA can be a prospective biomarker for predicting the recurrence of p16-positive oropharyngeal cancer.

Delivering on the promise of early detection with liquid biopsies

Liquid biopsy approaches are relatively well developed for cancer therapy monitoring and disease relapse, but they also have incredible potential in the cancer early detection and screening field. There are, however, several challenges to overcome before this potential can be met. Research in this area needs to be cohesive and, as a driver of research, Cancer Research UK is in an ideal position to enable this.

A miRNAs Based Exploration of promising Biomarkers in Cervical Cancer using Bioinformatic Methods

Cervical Cancer (CC) is a gynecologic cancer. In this cancer early detection is incredibly tough because most of the patients are not have any specific symptoms that results in suspending the proper identification. In this work, we selected TCGA CESC datasets and miRNA Seq analysis was done. The expression profiles of miRNAs in cervical cancer datasets were investigated using bioinformatics tools. The expression profiles of miRNA in Normal tissue, primary tumor and metastatic samples were analyzed. Based on p-value, principal component analysis and comparative literature survey, we reported 6 over-expressed (5X) miRNA at metastatic stage namely, hsa-mir-363, hsa-mir-429, hsa-mir-141, hsa-mir-93, hsa-mir-203b and hsa-mir-18a. Expression profiles were compared in heatmap. The target genes for the selected miRNAs were investigated for interaction and pathway details. The identification of two hub proteins (PTEN and MYC) in Protein-Protein Interaction Network was followed by pathway analysis. Our results indicate that hsa-mir-363, hsa-mir-429, hsa-mir-141, hsa-mir-93, hsa-mir-203b and hsa-mir-18a could be a potential diagnostic biomarkers for early-stage CESC and serve as prognostic predictors for patients with CESC.

Machine Learning and Its Application in Skin Cancer

Artificial intelligence (AI) has wide applications in healthcare, including dermatology. Machine learning (ML) is a subfield of AI involving statistical models and algorithms that can progressively learn from data to predict the characteristics of new samples and perform a desired task. Although it has a significant role in the detection of skin cancer, dermatology skill lags behind radiology in terms of AI acceptance. With continuous spread, use, and emerging technologies, AI is becoming more widely available even to the general population. AI can be of use for the early detection of skin cancer. For example, the use of deep convolutional neural networks can help to develop a system to evaluate images of the skin to diagnose skin cancer. Early detection is key for the effective treatment and better outcomes of skin cancer. Specialists can accurately diagnose the cancer, however, considering their limited numbers, there is a need to develop automated systems that can diagnose the disease efficiently to save lives and reduce health and financial burdens on the patients. ML can be of significant use in this regard. In this article, we discuss the fundamentals of ML and its potential in assisting the diagnosis of skin cancer.

Thymidine Kinase 1: Making Its Mark In Immunotherapy

Cancer is one of the leading causes of death worldwide. In the U.S. alone, almost 2 million people will be diagnosed with cancer each year and just over a quarter of those diagnosed will pass away from the disease. Skin cancers are the most common forms of cancer. Early detection of cancer and cancer biomarkers enables clearer understanding of cancer progression in a patient and more effective treatments in response to the disease. Clinically relevant biomarkers are not only tools for early diagnosis of cancer but may also prove useful as immune targets for various immunotherapies, such as monoclonal antibody-based therapy and chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy. This review provides a brief overview of the rescue pathway enzyme thymidine kinase 1 (TK1) and its history and biology, as well as discusses its role as a biomarker and potential immune target.

Influence of Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices on Breast Cancer Early Detection

Breast cancer has been diagnosed in majority of women worldwide over the years. It is a universal disease affecting people regardless of race, socio-economic status or culture. Delayed screening, examination and diagnosis can affect the impact of treatment and diagnosis. The objective of the study was to determine the influence of knowledge, attitudes and practices on adoption of early screening of breast cancer among women. The study employed cross-sectional and descriptive research design. A sample size of 384 households was used to obtain data from the households. The study targeted women aged 18-65 years. Sampling technique comprised of multistage sampling for the household, Quota sampling for the Focus Group Discussions and purposive sampling for the Key Informants. Primary data was gathered by use of questionnaires, Key Informant Interview guides, observation and Focus Group Discussions while secondary data was acquired through publications, journals, and internet access. All quantitative data were analysed using Microsoft excel, and Statistical package for Social Scientist (SPSS) version 20.0. The results from a Pearson chi square analysis with P>0.05 showed that knowledge on various risks to breast cancer significantly influenced the need for early adoption of screening; attitudes like curability of BCA, willingness to undertake BCA and if early detection of BCA is helpful were statistically insignificant in influencing BCA screening uptake with P>0.05, While findings indicate that there was no statistical significance between various practices and adoption of early detection of BCA in Homa Bay County. This indicated that most of the decisions to undertake early screening of breast cancer among women was less informed by their attitudes; while Practices among women indicated no statistical significance to adoption of early detection of BCA at a p>0.05. There is need for concerted public health awareness campaign on breast cancer early detection advantages in the community and by the Community Health Volunteers to encourage majority into the practice.

Fertility Age Couples Motivation On Cervical Cancer Early Detection

Cervical cancer is most often attacking women. After breast cancer, cervical cancer becomes second cancer infecting women. (WHO, 2014). This research aims to get the results from the fertility age couples' motivation on cervical cancer early detection.The preparation of a scoping review adapted the Arksey O'Malley framework consisted of 5 stages: research questions with the PEOs framework (Population, Exposure, and Outcomes), searching literature using relevant databases. The 12 articles used to consist of 3 themes, namely sexual and reproductive health problems, sexual health problems, and sexual and reproductive health.

Peningkatan Pengetahuan tentang Kanker Serviks pada Kader sebagai Upaya Peningkatan Cakupan Deteksi Dini Kanker Serviks

Cervical cancer is still a scourge for women in the world. The low coverage of early detection of cervical cancer is one of the causes of high mortality due to late treatment. One factor influencing women's participation of childbearing age in cervical cancer early detection is access to information and cadres' role. This community service aims to increase the knowledge of health cadres about early detection of cervical cancer as a requirement for health promotion to women. The methods used in this activity were lectures, question and answer, and discussion. The participants were 13 health cadres in Sumberrahayu Village, Limbangan District. The result is an increase in good category knowledge (15.5 to 76.9%). Increasing cadres' knowledge can be used as a model for community empowerment in upgrading the childbearing age women's knowledge about early detection of cervical cancer.