Does CCL19 act as a double-edged sword in cancer development?

Cancer is considered a life-threatening disease, and several factors are involved in its development. Chemokines are small proteins that physiologically exert pivotal roles in lymphoid and non-lymphoid tissues. The imbalance or dysregulation of chemokines has contributed to the development of several diseases, especially cancer. CCL19 is one of the homeostatic chemokines that is abundantly expressed in the thymus and lymph nodes. This chemokine, which primarily regulates immune cell trafficking, is involved in cancer development. Through the induction of anti-tumor immune responses and inhibition of angiogenesis, CCL19 exerts tumor-suppressive functions. In contrast, CCL19 also acts as a tumor-supportive factor by inducing inflammation, cell growth, and metastasis. Moreover, CCL19 dysregulation in several cancers, including colorectal, breast, pancreatic, and lung cancers, has been considered a tumor biomarker for diagnosis and prognosis. Using CCL19-based therapeutic approaches has also been proposed to overcome cancer development. This review will shed more light on the multifarious function of CCL19 in cancer and elucidate its application in diagnosis, prognosis, and even therapy. It is expected that the study of CCL19 in cancer might be promising to broaden our knowledge of cancer development and might introduce novel approaches in cancer management.

Riddle of the Sphinx: Emerging Role of Transfer RNAs in Human Cancer

The dysregulation of transfer RNA (tRNA) expression contributes to the diversity of proteomics, heterogeneity of cell populations, and instability of the genome, which may be related to human cancer susceptibility. However, the relationship between tRNA dysregulation and cancer susceptibility remains elusive because the landscape of cancer-associated tRNAs has not been portrayed yet. Furthermore, the molecular mechanisms of tRNAs involved in tumorigenesis and cancer progression have not been systematically understood. In this review, we detail current knowledge of cancer-related tRNAs and comprehensively summarize the basic characteristics and functions of these tRNAs, with a special focus on their role and involvement in human cancer. This review bridges the gap between tRNAs and cancer and broadens our understanding of their relationship, thus providing new insights and strategies to improve the potential clinical applications of tRNAs for cancer diagnosis and therapy.

Role of NK Cells in Cancer and Immunotherapy

Increasing knowledge of cancer immunology has led to the design of therapies using immune cells directly or manipulating their activity, collectively termed immunotherapy. In the field of immuno-oncology, research on adaptive immune T cells has led to the development of CAR-T cells. Innate immune cells such as NK cells can also eliminate oncogenically transformed cells and regulate cells of the immune system. Considering NK cells as a live drug, numerous methods for the isolation and activation of NK cells have been shown to be clinically and therapeutically relevant. In such processes, various cytokines and antibodies present a source of stimulation of NK cells and enhance the efficacy of such treatments. The ex vivo expansion and activation of NK cells, along with genetic modification with CAR, enhance their antitumor activity. Recent preclinical studies have shown an antitumor effect through extracellular vesicles (EVs) derived from NK cells. Work with autologous NK cells has provided insights for clinical applications. In this review, we outline the recent advances of NK-cell-based immunotherapies, summarizing CAR-NK cells, BiKEs, and TriKEs as treatment options against cancer. This review also discusses the challenges of NK cell immunotherapy.

Metabolic reprogramming in cervical cancer and metabolomics perspectives

Cumulative studies have shown that metabolic reprogramming is a hallmark of malignant tumors. The emergence of technological advances, such as omics studies, has strongly contributed to the knowledge of cancer metabolism. Cervical cancer is among the most common cancers in women worldwide. Because cervical cancer is a virus-associated cancer and can exist in a precancerous state for years, investigations targeting the metabolic phenotypes of cervical cancer will enhance our understanding of the interference of viruses on host cells and the progression of cervical carcinogenesis. The purpose of this review was to illustrate metabolic perturbations in cervical cancer, the role that human papillomavirus (HPV) plays in remodeling cervical cell metabolism and recent approaches toward application of metabolomics in cervical disease research. Cervical cancer displays typical cancer metabolic profiles, including glycolytic switching, high lactate levels, lipid accumulation and abnormal kynurenine/tryptophan levels. HPV, at least in part, contributes to these alterations. Furthermore, emerging metabolomics data provide global information on the metabolic traits of cervical diseases and may aid in the discovery of biomarkers for diagnosis and therapy.

Impact of brief educational intervention on knowledge of cancer among community pharmacists

Introduction Community pharmacists may play a vital role in early detection and prevention of cancer. Findings from our pre-assessment studies showed that the Ghanaian community have inadequate knowledge of cancer. We assessed the impact of a brief educational intervention on knowledge level of cancer among Ghanaian community pharmacists. Method The study was a descriptive interventional study. Knowledge of cancer, signs and symptoms, risk factors and cancer screening tests were assessed before in a pre-assessment study and after a brief online education in our current study. A total of 435 community pharmacists were recruited in both studies. Results The mean ± SD total knowledge score of cancer increased from 9.03 ± 2.65 to 12.97 ± 1.43 out of a maximum score of 15 points. The mean ± SD total knowledge score of signs and symptoms of cancer increased from 4.15 ± 2.14 to 6.86 ± 0.76 out of a maximum score of 7 points. For the total knowledge score of causes and risk factors of cancer, the mean ± SD score increased from 8.13 ± 3.31 to 11.59 ± 0.87 out of a maximum score of 12 points. Lastly, the mean ± SD total knowledge score of cancer screening tests increased from 9.04 ± 5.01 to 16.39 ± 0.86 out of a maximum score of 18 points. Conclusion There were overall statistically significant improvements of participants knowledge in all aspects of cancer in this study compared to the pre-assessment study. Our study presents evidence of the effectiveness of a brief educational intervention tailor-made for Ghanaian community pharmacists.

Implementing Patient-Directed Cancer Education Materials Across Nigeria

PURPOSE As access to cancer care expands in low-income countries, developing tools to educate patients is paramount. We took a picture booklet, which was initially developed by the nonprofit Global Oncology for Malawi and Rwanda, and adapted it for use in Nigeria. The primary goal was to assess acceptability and provide education. The secondary goals were (1) to describe the collaboration, (2) to assess knowledge gained from the intervention, (3) to assess patient understanding of their therapy intent, and (4) to explore patient's experiences via qualitative analysis. METHODS We piloted the original English booklet at a single site and requested feedback from patients and providers. The booklet was updated; translated into Hausa, Yoruba, Igbo, and Pidgin English; and used at three additional sites. For the three-site cohort, we collected basic demographics, pretest and post-test assessing content in the booklet, and performed a qualitative analysis. RESULTS The original booklet was widely acceptable and recommended by patients at site one (n = 31) and by providers (N = 26) representing all four sites. In the three-site cohort (n = 103), 94% of patients recommended the booklet. An immediate post-test focusing on when patients should present to care showed a statistically significant improvement in one of the seven questions. Fifty-one percent of the patients (n = 103) knew their treatment intent (curative v palliative). Qualitative analysis highlighted that the patient's thoughts on cancer are dominated by negative associations, although curability and modern therapy are also frequently cited. CONCLUSION We adapted an educational booklet to a novel context and had it delivered by local partners. The booklet was widely recommended to future patients. The booklet had an impact on patient's knowledge of cancer treatment, potentially allowing for decreased abandonment.

Recent Progresses in Conjugation with Bioactive Ligands to Improve the Anticancer Activity of Platinum Compounds

: Platinum (Pt) drugs, including cisplatin, are widely used for the treatment of solid tumors. Despite the clinical success, side effects and occurrence of resistance represent major limitations to the use of clinically available Pt drugs. To overcome these problems, a variety of derivatives have been designed and synthetized. Here, we summarize the recent progress in the development of Pt(II) and Pt(IV) complexes with bioactive ligands. The development of Pt(II) and Pt(IV) complexes with targeting molecules, clinically available agents, and other bioactive molecules is an active field of research. Even if none of the reported Pt derivatives has been yet approved for clinical use, many of these compounds exhibit promising anticancer activities with an improved pharmacological profile. Thus, planning hybrid compounds can be considered as a promising approach to improve the available Pt-based anticancer agents and to obtain new molecular tools to deepen the knowledge of cancer progression and drug resistance mechanisms.

Cancer Prevention Behaviors and Knowledge of Cancer Screening Among Food Insecure College Students

Objectives The objective of the current study were to examine cancer prevention knowledge and risky behaviors by diet and food insecurity. Methods A cross-sectional examination of college students examined FI status and cancer prevention behavior (fruit and vegetable intake (FVI), alcohol intake frequency (AIF), and tobacco use (TU)) and screening knowledge (age to receive breast, cervical, lung, prostate, and colon screening for “normal risk”). Results Students were 34.13% food insecure. Body mass index was significant by food insecurity status (P < .01; FI = 26.41 kg/m2, Food Secure (FS) = 23.42 kg/m2). FVI was not significant by group however average intake of the whole population was 3.04 + 1.84 servings. Likewise, AIF by group was not significant (P > .05). A higher percentage of FI used tobacco (P = .01). Lung and pap smear screening age knowledge by FI status was significantly different (P = .027 and .047, respectively). Conclusions As FI is correlated with negative health outcomes, upstream interventions should be proposed to target long term impacts such as risky behaviors and cancer prevention knowledge. Funding Sources University of Kentucky Start-up funds.

Polish High School Students’ Knowledge about Cancer

Background: Cancer, as the second most common cause of death after cardiovascular diseases, is a global health problem. There is still an increasing number of cancer incidences and deaths. Methods: The study was conducted as a part of the health promotion educational project concerning oncological education to develop the knowledge of cancer risk factors among high school students in Poland. A special questionnaire was filled out by students before the educational lesson on cancer conducted by medical students and young doctors. Results: The study was carried out on 227 high school students (aged 17–18 years). Most students (67.5%) indicated that genetic predisposition is the most important cancer risk factor. Only about a quarter of students pointed to the relationship between lifestyle and cancer. Moreover, 41% of students admitted to smoking cigarettes. Most of them (80.6%) claimed that they can modify their own cancer risk. Almost all responders believed that early detected cancer is curable. Conclusions: High school students do not know about cancer risk factors and they do not relate cancer with lifestyle. Some students indicated bad lifestyle habits such as tobacco smoking. It is necessary to emphasize cancer prevention in early education, especially focusing on modification of lifestyle.

Psychosocial-spiritual interventions among Muslims undergoing treatment for cancer: an integrative review

Background Cancer is a global disease that affects all populations, including Muslims. Psychological and spiritual care of Muslim patients with cancer includes psychosocial and spiritual techniques that help to improve their mental health and spiritual well-being. Although these techniques are available to cancer patients worldwide, they are poorly studied among Muslim patients. This review aims to integrate the literature on the psychosocial-spiritual outcomes and perspectives of Muslim patients with cancer who have undergone psychotherapy. Method We used the Whittemore and Knafl five-step methodology. We conducted a comprehensive search of PubMed, CINAHL, and PsycINFO using relevant keywords. Studies that focused on adult patients with cancer and on published evidence of using psychosocial and spiritual interventions among Muslim patients were included. Each study was reviewed, evaluated, and integrated. Results A systematic search produced 18 studies that were thematically analyzed. Results showed different psychosocial and spiritual approaches currently used to care for Muslim patients with cancer that target mainly patients’ mental health, quality of life, and spiritual well-being. Four major themes emerged: (1) Treating Psychological Distress Without Psychopharmacologic Agents, (2) Improving Knowledge of Cancer for Improving QOL, (3) Depending on Faith for Spiritual Well-being, and (4) Relying on Religious and Spiritual Sources: Letting Go, Letting God. Conclusions The rigor of psychosocial and spiritual studies that target psychosocial-spiritual outcomes of Muslim cancer patients needs to be improved to reach conclusive evidence about their efficacy in this population.