The status of retinoblastoma gene expression in brain tumors

Objective: Malignant brain tumors, including Glioblastoma Multiforme (GBM), are among the deadliest brain tumors. Given the fact that the expression of the retinoblastoma (RB) gene in malignant tumors can change the tumor behavior, we seek to investigate the alterations of RB expression in brain tumors. Materials and Methods: The archives of the Pathology Department of Yazd Hospitals were examined, and all the brain tumors diagnosed between 2013 and 2017 were extracted. All paraffin embedded blocks underwent immunohistochemical staining for RB gene expression. Based on a pre-set checklist, demographics data, tumor type, location, and survival status were entered into and analyzed by SPSS version 25. p-value less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: Out of 90 blocks studied, 64.4% belonged to male patients and 35.5% to female patients. The frequencies of brain tumors subtypes were non-glioma (45.6%), low grade astrocytoma (14.4%), anaplastic astrocytoma (18.9%) and GBM (21.1%), respectively. The intensity of RB expression was significantly different between men and women (p-value=0.008), and in different subtypes of the tumors (p=0.04). Multivariate analysis revealed that GBM (HR: 9.933, 95% CI 1.888-52.254, p-value=0.007), age >50 (HR: 8.648, 95% CI 5.116-16.406, p-value= 0.0001), female sex (HR:2.139, 95% CI 1.212-3. 775, p-value= 0.09), RB negative tumors (HR:2.502, 95% CI 1.061-5.896, p-value= 0.036) significantly affect patient survival. Conclusions: There was a significant difference between men and women, and among different subtypes of the brain tumors in terms of RB gene expression. RB expression had a significant effect on patient survival independent from patient’s age, sex, and tumor subtypes

Can the prophylactic quadrivalent HPV vaccine be used as a therapeutic agent in women with CIN? A randomized trial

Background: Human papillomavirus (HPV) is one of the most significant risk factors for cervical cancer. The HPV vaccine has a very significant impact on the incidence of cervical cancer. The present study aimed to investigate the impact of prophylactic quadrivalent HPV vaccine in the treatment of women with cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN 1-3). Methods: This randomized controlled trial was conducted in the Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences (SSUMS), Yazd, Iran, from October 2011 to November 2015 in women with histologically confirmed residual/recurrent CIN 1 or high-grade CIN (CIN 2-3). Eligible women were assigned randomly to an intervention and a control group. Women in the intervention group were given HPV vaccinations while those in the control group were not. Participants were followed up for 24 months. Primary and secondary outcomes, and adverse effects of the treatment in the two groups were compared using Student's t test, the chi-square test, or Fisher's exact test. P values < 0.05 or less were considered statistically significant. Results: Three-hundred and twelve women were randomized to the two groups; the data of 138 in the intervention group and 104 in the control group were analyzed. The mean age of the women was 32.59 ± 4.85 years. Differences in age, marital status, and grades of CIN weren't significant between the two groups. At the end of the two-year follow-up period, the number of women with CIN 2-3 in the intervention and control groups was reduced by 75 (from 93 to 23) versus 40 (from 69 to 41). The efficacy of the HPV vaccine in women with CIN 1-3 was 58.7 (p = 0.018). No serious adverse effects related to the vaccines were reported. Conclusions: The prophylactic quadrivalent HPV vaccine after treatment may have a therapeutic effect in women with residual/recurrent CIN 1 or high-grade CIN (CIN 2-3). Trial registration: Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials, IRCT20190603043801N1. Registered 24 July 2019 - Retrospectively registered, http://www.irct.ir/user/trial/40017/view © 2020 The Author(s)

HUMORAL AND CELLULAR IMMUNITY PARAMETERS IN CHILDREN BEFORE AND AFTER ADENOTONSILLECTOMY

Adenoids and tonsils are active lymphoid organs and play an important role &amp;lrm;against invading antigens of upper aerodigestive tract in children. &amp;lrm;The present study analyzes the changes in cellular and humoral immunity of children six &amp;lrm;months after adenotonsillectomy. The study population consisted of 30 children whit chronic adenotonsillar hypertrophy and 30 age-matched healthy children. &amp;lrm;In all children serum level of IgM and IgG, percentage of T lymphocytes (CD3), T &amp;lrm;helper cells (CD4), T cytotoxic &amp;lrm;cells (CD8) and B lymphocytes (CD20) were measured before surgery. These parameters were &amp;lrm;remeasured in patients 6 months after adenotonsillectomy. &amp;lrm;Before the operation, a reduction in percentage of T lymphocytes (CD3),TCD4,TC8 &amp;lrm;and B CD20 was seen compared to control group. This reduction was only significant in T &amp;lrm;lymphocytes (CD3).The serum IgM and IgG levels were not different in two groups. Six months after &amp;lrm;operation, the percentage of lymphocytes T CD3, T CD8 and BCD20 was increased and &amp;lrm;reached the control group. The IgM level was also significantly decreased in patients after &amp;lrm;operation. &amp;lrm;Our results indicate that cellular and humoral immunity decreases in children &amp;lrm;with chronic adenotonsiller hypertrophy preoperatively and increases to healthy children &amp;lrm;level, six months postoperatively. It means that chronic adenotosillar hypertrophy affect &amp;lrm;some parameters of cellular and humoral immunity and adenotonsillectomy by removing &amp;lrm;chronic stimulations and reverses these changes without any negative effect on immune &amp;lrm;function of patients