Tag: pubmed

Asian Pac J Cancer Prev. 2026 Jun 1;27(6):2189-2201. doi: 10.31557/APJCP.2026.27.6.2189.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the anticancer mechanisms of Chamuangone against cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) cells.

METHODS: Chamuangone was tested for cytotoxicity against KKU-100 and KKU-452 cells for 24 and 48 h. Apoptosis, cell proliferation, mitochondrial membrane potential, and intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels were assessed using Annexin V, Ki-67, JC-1 assays, and DCFH-DA fluorescence probe, respectively. Oncology proteins expression was measured.

RESULTS: Chamuangone inhibited CCA cell growth in a dose- and time- dependent manner, with IC50 values in KKU- 100 cells of 1.175 and 0.331 μg/mL at 24 and 48 hours, respectively; in KKU- 452 cells, the IC50 values were 1.208 and 0.428 μg/mL. Consequently, Chamuangone at 1.5 and 3.0 μg/mL effectively induced both early and late apoptosis in a statistically significant manner, which correlated with a marked reduction in cell proliferation, as evidenced by the decrease in Ki-67 positive populations to 49.04% and 17.02%, respectively. Chamuangone at concentrations of 0.75, 1.5, and 3.0 μg/mL significantly induced mitochondrial dysfunction by reducing the Red/Green fluorescence ratio across all time points (3-24 h), indicating a loss of mitochondrial membrane potential that triggers apoptosis. The induction of intracellular oxidative stress was indicated by a significant increase in the high-dose group of Chamuangone. Moreover, it also suppressed the expression of key ROS- and oxidative stress-associated oncogenic proteins, including Carbonic Anhydrase IX, Enolase2, CXCL8/IL-8, Galectin-3, EGFR/ErbB1, Progranulin, FGF basic, Dkk-1, p27/kip1, Mesothelin, Survivin, leading to redox imbalance and apoptosis in KKU-100 cells.

CONCLUSION: Chamuangone inhibits CCA cell proliferation by inducing apoptosis through mechanisms involving the suppression of the Ki67, loss of mitochondrial membrane potential, intracellular ROS accumulation, and downregulation of oncogenic-related proteins involved in proliferation, survival, angiogenesis, and oxidative stress. Thus, Chamuangone has significant potential as a lead compound for the development of novel CCA therapeutics.

PMID:42345167 | DOI:10.31557/APJCP.2026.27.6.2189

Asian Pac J Cancer Prev. 2026 Jun 1;27(6):2157-2162. doi: 10.31557/APJCP.2026.27.6.2157.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Mucinous ovarian carcinoma (MOC) is a distinct and lethal histological subtype of ovarian cancer, frequently characterized by late-stage diagnosis and chemoresistance. The role of MUC5AC a gel-forming mucin associated with aggressive behavior in various epithelial malignancies remains under-investigated in the context of MOC metastasis, particularly within Indonesian populations. This study aimed to evaluate the correlation between MUC5AC expression and metastatic occurrence in MOC to determine its utility as a predictive biomarker.

METHODS: A retrospective analysis was conducted on 63 MOC tissue samples, collected between 2021 and 2024. MUC5AC expression was evaluated via immunohistochemistry (IHC) using a semi-quantitative scoring system. Statistical associations were determined using the Chi-square test, with an emphasis on calculating the odds ratio (OR) for metastatic risk.

RESULTS: Among the 63 cases, metastatic involvement (omental or extra-ovarian) was identified in 37 samples (58.7%). A significant correlation was noted between high MUC5AC expression and the occurrence of metastasis in MOC (p=0.002). Furthermore, tumors exhibiting high MUC5AC expression demonstrated a 6.4-fold increased probability of metastasis compared to those with low expression (OR = 6.40; 95% CI: 1.89-21.5).

CONCLUSION: Elevated MUC5AC expression is significantly correlated with metastatic involvement in primary MOC. These findings suggest that MUC5AC has the potential to serve as a predictive biomarker for metastasis in this rare cancer subtype, potentially assisting in the identification of patients who require more intensive staging and surveillance.

PMID:42345163 | DOI:10.31557/APJCP.2026.27.6.2157

Asian Pac J Cancer Prev. 2026 Jun 1;27(6):2143-2148. doi: 10.31557/APJCP.2026.27.6.2143.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: Refrigeration of food has been shown to mitigate environmental and dietary risk factors important in the pathogenesis of gastric cancer. Globally, the incidence of gastric cancer has decreased. This study aims to determine the relationship between refrigerator ownership and gastric cancer.

METHODS: Gastric cancer data were obtained from the Global Burden of Disease study, and refrigerator ownership data were sourced from GlobalDataLab. Countries were excluded from the analysis if they lacked refrigerator ownership data for more than 10 years or had over 80% ownership at the start of data collection. The relationship between the two variables was assessed using Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient.

RESULT: Countries were screened using the inclusion criteria, and 85 countries from five continents were included in the study. Seventy-three countries demonstrated a negative correlation between refrigerator ownership and gastric cancer among their male populations, and 55 countries showed comparable results among their female populations. Thirteen countries exhibited a positive correlation between the two variables.

CONCLUSION: Increasing refrigerator ownership appears to be associated with decreasing gastric cancer rates. Further research is needed to identify the specific risk factors involved in gastric cancer pathogenesis in the 13 countries where this association was not observed.

PMID:42345161 | DOI:10.31557/APJCP.2026.27.6.2143

Asian Pac J Cancer Prev. 2026 Jun 1;27(6):2107-2116. doi: 10.31557/APJCP.2026.27.6.2107.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: A substantial proportion of cancers are preventable, yet awareness of risk factors and screening remains limited. This study assessed disparities in knowledge of cancer epidemiology, screening, and environmental risk factors between healthcare workers(HCWs) and the general public(GP) in two urban districts of Istanbul, and identified associated sociodemographic and behavioral determinants.

METHODS: A cross-sectional survey was conducted with 309 participants using a structured 42-item questionnaire covering cancer epidemiology (15 items), screening (9), and environmental risk factors(18). Each correct response scored one point. Internal consistency was high (Cronbach’s alpha = 0.944). Knowledge levels were analyzed across subgroups.

RESULTS: HCWs scored significantly higher than the GP in all domains: epidemiology (7.7 ± 3.6; 6.4 ± 2.8), screening (5.2 ± 2.7; 2.6 ± 2.1), and environmental risks (12.5 ± 5.0; 10.7 ± 5.7). Higher education, better income, and health-promoting behaviors were associated with increased knowledge. Despite this, notable gaps persisted. Breast cancer was widely recognized (86.1% HCWs; 81.9% GP), whereas awareness of lethal cancers like liver cancer was low (12.2% HCWs; 4.6% GP). Screening knowledge varied: HCWs were more aware of breast cancer screening; prostate and lung cancer screening were poorly recognized, particularly by the GP. While radiation risks were commonly known, links between smoking and non-lung cancers were largely unknown.

CONCLUSION: Despite national programs, critical gaps in knowledge persist across all domains, including among HCWs. These disparities, shaped by education, income, and behavior, undermine prevention efforts. Tailored education strategies are needed to improve knowledge, especially environmental cancer literacy, and promote early detection in both groups.

PMID:42345157 | DOI:10.31557/APJCP.2026.27.6.2107

Asian Pac J Cancer Prev. 2026 Jun 1;27(6):2097-2105. doi: 10.31557/APJCP.2026.27.6.2097.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Timely diagnosis and treatment are critical for improving cancer survival; however, significant delays persist across the cancer care continuum, particularly in resource-constrained settings like India. This study aimed to analyze the extent and patterns of delays among patients with breast, cervical, and head and neck cancers in northwestern India.

METHODS: This exploratory cross-sectional study included all histopathologically confirmed cases of the three cancer types who initiated radiotherapy at the Radiotherapy Department of Government Medical College, Amritsar, during December 1, 2023, to November 30, 2024. Data on sociodemographic profiles, clinical details, and treatment timelines were collected through interviews and medical records. Delays were categorized as appraisal, help-seeking, diagnostic, pre-treatment, system, and total delays. Analysis was conducted at the descriptive, bivariate, and multivariable levels. Median delays and interquartile ranges were calculated for each cancer type. Differences in delay intervals between cancer groups were assessed using the Kruskal-Wallis H test, and differences between two-category variables were assessed using the Mann-Whitney U test. Associations between categorical variables and the presence of prolonged total delay (≥120 days) were examined using the chi-square test or Fisher’s exact test, as appropriate. Correlation between total delay and number of medical contacts was evaluated using Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient. Finally, multivariable binary logistic regression was performed to identify independent predictors of prolonged total delay, and adjusted odds ratios with 95% confidence intervals were reported. A p-value of <0.05 was considered statistically significant.

RESULTS: Among the 119 patients included in the study (45 breast, 28 cervical, and 46 head and neck cancers), breast cancer patients experienced the longest total delay (median: 282 days), followed by cervical (median: 199 days) and head and neck cancers (median: 190 days). System delay was the primary contributor across all three cancer types, driven largely by diagnostic delays. Appraisal delay was longest for breast cancer (median 155.5 days), help-seeking delay was longest for head and neck cancer (median 65 days), and pre-treatment delay was also longest for breast cancer (median 51.5 days). Variations in delays were observed across sociodemographic factors, but none reached statistical significance.

CONCLUSION: This study highlights the need for a targeted, cancer-specific approach to address delays, with a focus on strengthening diagnostic services and improving system efficiency within the healthcare infrastructure. Implementing multi-pronged strategies for early detection, timely care, and prevention is crucial in reducing the cancer burden in this high-risk region.

PMID:42345156 | DOI:10.31557/APJCP.2026.27.6.2097

Asian Pac J Cancer Prev. 2026 Jun 1;27(6):2053-2060. doi: 10.31557/APJCP.2026.27.6.2053.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: This study aims to investigate rural women’s knowledge and attitudes towards cervical cancer, their willingness to participate in cervical cancer screening, and the perceived obstacles to screening.

METHODOLOGY: A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted in Madurai district, Tamil Nadu, India, from February to July 2024, involving 350 women aged 25 to 65 years. Utilizing multistage random sampling, the study employed face-to-face interviews with a semi-structured questionnaire focused on knowledge and attitudes towards cervical cancer, as well as barriers to screening services. Data were analyzed using R programming (version 4.4.3).

RESULTS: Participants had a mean age of 33.83 ± 7.56 years, with 29.1% being illiterate. Only 15.7% had undergone cervical cancer screening. Approximately 68.3% and 66.8% expressed willingness to undergo cervical cancer screening if it were free or recommended by a doctor, respectively. Major barriers to screening included fear of falling sick after screening (65.1%), lack of awareness (64.3%), and the belief that screening is unnecessary at their age (64%). Women aged 35-44 years (3.21 ± 0.49, p = 0.05, β = -0.542), those who were non-working (3.14 ± 0.50, p = 0.02, β = -0.739), illiterate (3.21 ± 0.57, p = 0.04, β = -1.093), of lower socioeconomic class (3.09 ± 0.52, p = 0.05, β = -0.883), and those who had never undergone cervical cancer screening (3.07 ± 0.52, p = 0.02, β = -0.677) had significantly lower mean knowledge scores.

CONCLUSION: The research highlights significant gaps in awareness and screening among rural women in Madurai, despite a positive attitude towards screening. Low participation rates stem from educational and socioeconomic barriers. The study’s regional focus may limit broader applicability, and social desirability bias may be a concern due to the use of interviewer-administered questionnaires. Enhancing the Makkalai Thedi Maruthuvam program in Tamil Nadu with targeted education and community involvement could boost awareness and screening rates.

PMID:42345151 | DOI:10.31557/APJCP.2026.27.6.2053

Asian Pac J Cancer Prev. 2026 Jun 1;27(6):2023-2033. doi: 10.31557/APJCP.2026.27.6.2023.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: This study examines the public health and cancer prevention implications of the rapid proliferation of electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS) in South Korea, and discusses regulatory strategies grounded in empirical evidence.

METHOD: Drawing on domestic and international literature, and national statistical data, the analysis synthesizes evidence on ENDS product characteristics, patterns of use, associated health risks, potential effectiveness for smoking cessation, and indicators of nicotine dependence. A comparative policy analysis further situates Korea’s tobacco control framework within the broader landscape of regulatory approaches adopted in other high-income countries.

RESULTS: Although ENDS eliminate combustion and may reduce exposure to certain carcinogens, their expanding use raises substantial public health concerns particularly with respect to youth nicotine initiation, dual use with combustible cigarettes, and uncertain long-term health effects. While some evidence suggests a possible role for ENDS in smoking cessation, the overall scientific evidence remains mixed, and robust longitudinal data are limited. Regulatory responses to ENDS vary widely across countries, with South Korea maintaining a relatively cautious regulatory stance.

CONCLUSION: In light of the evolving evidence base and emerging population-level risks, a comprehensive and precautionary regulatory approach is warranted with particular emphasis on protecting adolescents, ensuring product safety, and reinforcing norms that support tobacco cessation.

PMID:42345148 | DOI:10.31557/APJCP.2026.27.6.2023

Asian Pac J Cancer Prev. 2026 Jun 1;27(6):2015-2021. doi: 10.31557/APJCP.2026.27.6.2015.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Postmenopausal women with breast cancer and coexisting metabolic syndrome are at increased risk of breast cancer-related lymphedema (BCRL) and chronic systemic inflammation. Medically supervised exercise (MSE) has emerged as a promising non-pharmacological intervention to mitigate these complications. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the effects of MSE on BCRL severity, inflammatory biomarkers, and quality of life (QoL) in this high-risk population.

METHODS: A systematic search was conducted across PubMed, Cochrane Library, and Scopus up to May 2024 for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) involving postmenopausal breast cancer survivors with metabolic syndrome who participated in MSE programs. Outcomes of interest included BCRL severity, inflammatory markers (hs-CRP, IL-6, TNF-α), and QoL. Data extraction and risk of bias assessment were performed independently by two reviewers following PRISMA 2020 guidelines. Pooled effect sizes were calculated using a random-effects model. Heterogeneity was assessed with the I2 statistic, and evidence quality was evaluated using GRADE.

RESULTS: Fifteen RCTs (n = 1,197) were included. MSE significantly reduced systemic inflammatory markers (mean difference = 0.31; 95% CI: 0.05 to 0.57; P = 0.02) with moderate heterogeneity (I² = 50.4%). Subgroup analyses showed moderate-quality evidence for reductions in IL-6 and TNF-α, though results varied across studies. Evidence for CRP reduction was very low due to high heterogeneity and risk of bias. Improvements in QoL and reductions in lymphedema volume were also reported in several studies.

CONCLUSIONS: MSE appears effective in reducing systemic inflammation and improving QoL among postmenopausal breast cancer survivors with metabolic syndrome. However, evidence for specific biomarkers remains limited. Further high-quality, standardized RCTs are needed, especially in underrepresented regions such as sub-Saharan Africa, to guide global implementation of MSE in cancer rehabilitation.

PMID:42345147 | DOI:10.31557/APJCP.2026.27.6.2015

Asian Pac J Cancer Prev. 2026 Jun 1;27(6):1997-2003. doi: 10.31557/APJCP.2026.27.6.1997.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Brain tumors are among the most complex and life-threatening malignancies, with limited understanding of their genetic etiology. Poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase 1 (PARP1) plays a critical role in DNA repair. The single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) rs1136410 (A>G) in PARP1, which results in a Val762Ala substitution, has been suggested to alter PARP1 enzymatic activity and potentially influence tumor development. However, its association with brain tumors remains underexplored particularly in the population of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), Pakistan.

METHODS: In this study, we enrolled 200 patients with brain tumors, along with an additional 200 individuals as controls. DNA was extracted using the phenol-chloroform method, followed by genotyping through the Amplification Refractory Mutation System-Polymerase Chain Reaction (ARMS-PCR). Statistical analysis was conducted using GraphPad Prism.

RESULTS: The genotypic distribution of rs1136410 in brain tumor patients and healthy individuals indicates that this SNP is significantly associated with brain tumors (Chi-square = 13.24, df = 2, p = 0.0013). The AA genotype was associated with a 77% increased risk of overall brain tumors (OR = 1.77, p = 0.0065), an 88% increased risk of glioma (OR = 1.88, p = 0.0159), and a 2.9-fold increased risk of meningioma (OR = 2.91, p = 0.0073). In contrast, the GG genotype was associated with a 63% decreased risk of overall brain tumors (OR = 0.37, p = 0.0011), an 84% decreased risk of glioma (OR = 0.26, p = 0.0019), and an 80% decreased risk of meningioma (OR = 0.21, p = 0.0217). Similarly, the A allele was associated with an increased risk of brain tumors (OR = 1.88, p = 0.0065), whereas the G allele was associated with a decreased risk (OR = 0.53, p = 0.0001).

CONCLUSION: In conclusion, this study demonstrates that rs1136410 is significantly associated with brain tumor risk particularly with the glioma and meningioma subtypes underscoring the role of PARP1 in brain tumor genetics and its potential as a therapeutic target.

PMID:42345145 | DOI:10.31557/APJCP.2026.27.6.1997

Asian Pac J Cancer Prev. 2026 Jun 1;27(6):1957-1965. doi: 10.31557/APJCP.2026.27.6.1957.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: Patients undergoing hematopoietic stem cell transfer experience various infectious and non-infectious complications, and pulmonary problems continue to be a leading cause of death and morbidity. This systematic review and meta-analysis aims to evaluate the effectiveness of pulmonary rehabilitation interventions on various pulmonary function parameters.

METHODS: We systematically searched for studies in PubMed, CINAHL, Embase, Cochrane, Scopus, Web of Science, ClinicalKey, and ProQuest for articles published in English from 2000 to 2024. Two reviewers independently identified the articles using key thesaurus terms and free-text terms based on the inclusion criteria. The review was guided by the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) 2020 Statement. Meta-analysis was performed using RevMan 5.3 software.

RESULTS: The systematic review included 18 trials, with a total of 1,052 participants, of whom 621 were from randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and the remaining 431 were from quasi-experimental studies. Pooled data from randomized controlled trials showed that pulmonary rehabilitation programs were effective in improving forced vital capacity (P < 0.001), FEV1/FVC (P = 0.004), maximal inspiratory pressure (P < 0.001), and dyspnoea (P = 0.03) at a statistically significant level.

CONCLUSION: The evidence from the review suggests that pulmonary rehabilitation programmes are effective in improving certain parameters of pulmonary function. This systematic review and meta-analysis protocol was registered in PROSPERO with the registration number (CRD42024522354).

PMID:42345142 | DOI:10.31557/APJCP.2026.27.6.1957