Interaction of High- and Low-Risk Human Papillomavirus Genotypes is Associated with a Reduced Risk of Developing Cervical Cancer.

Introduction: Cervical cancer is among the most common types of cancer in women and is associated with human papillomavirus (HPV) infection. The association between cervical cancer and high-risk HPV infection has been well documented. However, the effect of simultaneous infection with high- and low-risk HPV or low-risk HPV alone on the risk of developing cervical malignancy remains unanswered in guidelines.

Targeting HER2-positive breast cancer cells by a combination of dasatinib and BMS-202: Insight into the molecular pathways.

Background: Recent investigations have reported the benefits of using a tyrosine kinase inhibitor, dasatinib (DA), as well as programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) inhibitors in the management of several solid tumors, including breast cancer. Nevertheless, the outcome of the combination of these inhibitors on HER2-positive breast cancer is not explored yet.

Methods: Herein, we investigated the impact of DA and PD-L1 inhibitor (BMS-202) combination on HER2-positive breast cancer cell lines, SKBR3 and ZR75.

Effects of neratinib on angiogenesis and the early stage of the embryo using chicken embryo as a model.

Angiogenesis is the process of forming new blood capillaries from pre-existing vessels. Even though it is essential during normal development, it plays a major role in cancer progression. Neratinib is a pan-human epidermal growth factor receptor (HER) inhibitor that has recently been approved for the treatment of HER2-positive breast cancer.

and epithelial mesenchymal transition in human gastric cancers: An update of the literature.

Gastric cancer, a multifactorial disease, is considered one of the most common malignancies worldwide. In addition to genetic and environmental risk factors, infectious agents, such as Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) and () contribute to the onset and development of gastric cancer. is a type I carcinogen that colonizes the gastric epithelium of approximately 50% of the world's population, thus increasing the risk of gastric cancer development.

Incidence and association of high-risk HPVs and EBV in patients with advanced stages of colorectal cancer from Qatar.

High-risk Human Papillomaviruses (HPVs) and Epstein - Barr virus (EBV) are present and involved in several types of human carcinomas, including cervical and, head and neck cancers. Nevertheless, their presence and association in the pathogenesis of colorectal cancer is still nascent. The current study explored the association between the high-risk HPVs and EBV and tumor phenotype in colorectal cancers (CRCs) in the Qatari population.

Metformin and HER2-positive breast cancer: Mechanisms and therapeutic implications.

Due to the strong association between diabetes and cancer incidents, several anti-diabetic drugs, including metformin, have been examined for their anticancer activity. Metformin is a biguanide antihyperglycemic agent used as a first-line drug for type II diabetes mellitus. It exhibits anticancer activity by impacting different molecular pathways, such as AMP-inducible protein kinase (AMPK)-dependent and AMPK-independent pathways.

Coinfection of HPVs Is Associated with Advanced Stage in Colorectal Cancer Patients from Qatar.

High-risk human papillomaviruses (HPVs) are considered risk factors in the origin of several human malignancies, such as breast, cervical, head and neck, as well as colorectal cancers. However, there are no data reported on the HPV status in colorectal cancer in the State of Qatar. Therefore, we herein examined the presence of high-risk HPVs (16, 18, 31, 33, 35, 45, 51, 52, and 59), using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in a cohort of 100 Qatari colorectal cancer patients, and their association with tumor phenotype.

Role of E2F transcription factor in oral cancer: Recent insight and advancements.

The family of mammalian E2F transcription factors (E2Fs) comprise of 8 members (E2F1-E2F8) classified as activators (E2F1-E2F3) and repressors (E2F4-E2F8) primarily regulating the expression of several genes related to cell proliferation, apoptosis and differentiation, mainly in a cell cycle-dependent manner. E2F activity is frequently controlled via the retinoblastoma protein (pRb), cyclins, p53 and the ubiquitin-proteasome pathway. Additionally, genetic or epigenetic changes result in the deregulation of E2F family genes expression altering S phase entry and apoptosis, an important hallmark for the onset and development of cancer.

Quantification of the growth suppression of HER2+ breast cancer colonies under the effect of trastuzumab and PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitor.

Introduction: Immune checkpoint blockade (ICB)-based therapy is revolutionizing cancer treatment by fostering successful immune surveillance and effector cell responses against various types of cancers. However, patients with HER2+ cancers are yet to benefit from this therapeutic strategy. Precisely, several questions regarding the right combination of drugs, drug modality, and effective dose recommendations pertaining to the use of ICB-based therapy for HER2+ patients remain unanswered.

Human Papillomaviruses-Related Cancers: An Update on the Presence and Prevention Strategies in the Middle East and North African Regions.

The human papillomavirus (HPV) is a non-enveloped double-stranded DNA virus capable of infecting skin and mucosa epithelial cells. Commonly, HPV infection is associated with sexually transmitted diseases and is considered the leading cause of cervical cancer and other carcinomas of the anogenital tract. However, several studies reported their involvement in cancers of non-sexual regions, including colorectal, head and neck, and breast cancers.

Developmental Toxicity of Surface-Modified Gold Nanorods in the Zebrafish Model.

Background: nanotechnology is one of the fastest-growing areas, and it is expected to have a substantial economic and social impact in the upcoming years. Gold particles (AuNPs) offer an opportunity for wide-ranging applications in diverse fields such as biomedicine, catalysis, and electronics, making them the focus of great attention and in parallel necessitating a thorough evaluation of their risk for humans and ecosystems. Accordingly, this study aims to evaluate the acute and developmental toxicity of surface-modified gold nanorods (AuNRs), on zebrafish () early life stages.

Implications of Gut Microbiota in Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition and Cancer Progression: A Concise Review.

Advancement in the development of molecular sequencing platforms has identified infectious bacteria or viruses that trigger the dysregulation of a set of genes inducing the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) event. EMT is essential for embryogenesis, wound repair, and organ development; meanwhile, during carcinogenesis, initiation of the EMT can promote cancer progression and metastasis. Recent studies have reported that interactions between the host and dysbiotic microbiota in different tissues and organs, such as the oral and nasal cavities, esophagus, stomach, gut, skin, and the reproductive tract, may provoke EMT.

Incidence of HPVs, EBV, and MMTV-Like Virus in Breast Cancer in Qatar.

Introduction: Human papillomaviruses (HPVs), Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), and mouse mammary tumor virus-like virus (MMTV-like virus) can be present and contribute to breast cancer development and progression. However, the role of these oncoviruses and their crosstalk in breast cancer is still unclear.

Methods: We explored the co-presence of high-risk HPVs, EBV, and MMTV-like virus in 74 breast cancer samples from Qatar using PCR.

Microalgae Extract Inhibits Proliferation, Invasion, and Induces Apoptosis in Breast Cancer Cells.

Breast cancer (BC) is the most common malignant cancer in females worldwide. Drug resistance, toxicity, and the failure of current therapies to completely cure BC has challenged conventional medicine. Consequently, complementary alternative medicine has become popular due to its safety and efficacy.

Plant Extract Induces Apoptosis P53 and Signal Transducer and Activator of Transcription 3 Signaling Pathways in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer Cells.

() is used as an alternative medicine in the Middle East to manage numerous human diseases. We recently reported that flower extract inhibits cell proliferation and invasion of human oral and HER2-positive breast cancer cells. Nevertheless, the outcome of extract on triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) cells has not been explored yet.

Impact of Smoking on COVID-19 Symptoms in Non-Vaccinated Patients: A Matched Observational Study from Qatar.

Purpose: Predisposition to acute illness from COVID-19 is suggested to correlate with cigarette smoking as it augments the risk of developing cardiovascular and respiratory illnesses, including infections. However, the effects of smoking on COVID-19 symptoms are not well described and controversial. In this study, we aim to explore the associations between smoking and COVID-19 symptoms.

HPV and Recurrent Respiratory Papillomatosis: A Brief Review.

Recurrent Respiratory Papillomatosis (RRP) is a rare but severe manifestation of human papillomavirus (HPV). As our knowledge about HPV infections has expanded, it has become possible to understand the course of RRP disease and unravel plausible efficient methods to manage the disease. However, the surge in reports on HPV has not been accompanied by a similar increase in research about RRP specifically.

Fascin in Gynecological Cancers: An Update of the Literature.

Fascin is an actin-binding protein that is encoded by the gene (located on chromosome 7). It triggers membrane projections and stimulates cell motility in cancer cells. Fascin overexpression has been described in different types of human cancers in which its expression correlated with tumor growth, migration, invasion, and metastasis.

Effect of Water-Pipe Smoking on the Normal Development of Zebrafish.

Background: Among all types of tobacco consumption, Water-Pipe Smoking (WPS) is the most widely used in the Middle East and second-most in several other countries. The effect of WPS on normal development is not yet fully understood, thus the aim of this study is to explore the acute toxicity effects of WPS extract on zebrafish larvae.

Methods: In this study, we compared the effects of WPS smoke condensates at concentrations varying from 50 to 200 µg/mL on developmental, cardiac, and behavioural (neurotoxicity) functions.

SnoRNAs and miRNAs Networks Underlying COVID-19 Disease Severity.

There is a lack of predictive markers for early and rapid identification of disease progression in COVID-19 patients. Our study aims at identifying microRNAs (miRNAs)/small nucleolar RNAs (snoRNAs) as potential biomarkers of COVID-19 severity. Using differential expression analysis of microarray data (n = 29), we identified hsa-miR-1246, ACA40, hsa-miR-4532, hsa-miR-145-5p, and ACA18 as the top five differentially expressed transcripts in severe versus asymptomatic, and ACA40, hsa-miR-3609, ENSG00000212378 (SNORD78), hsa-miR-1231, hsa-miR-885-3p as the most significant five in severe versus mild cases.

The Effect of Surface-Modified Gold Nanorods on the Early Stage of Embryonic Development and Angiogenesis: Insight into the Molecular Pathways.

Gold nanorods have been implicated in several biomedical applications. Herein, the effect of two surface-modified gold nanorods on the early stages of embryogenesis and angiogenesis was investigated using avian embryos at three days and their chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) at five days of incubation. We found that gold nanorods (GNR) modified with PEGylated phospholipid moiety show a high mortality rate in embryos after four days of exposure compared to GNR modified with PEGylated cholesterol moiety.