Hamidreza Mirzaei

Survival Rate of Breast Cancer Based on Geographical Variation in Iran, a National Study

Background Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women worldwide. Based on the latest Iranian national cancer department report, the total number of women registered with breast cancer was 6976 cases during 2007. Five year survival is one of the indicators used for evaluation of the quality for care to different types of malignancies including breast cancer. Objectives The aim of this study was to estimate survival rate of breast cancer in 6147 Iranian patients at a national level in different geographic regions. Materials and Methods 6147 cases of breast cancer, which had telephone number and were diagnosed between 2001-2006, were called to obtain information about their life status. Survival estimates were calculated using the Kaplan-Meier method, and the survival probability was calculated for the overall cohort and in different categories of gender, age and pathologic type of tumor. Hazard ratios (HR) according to demographic and risk variables were calculated by Coxs proportional hazard model. Results The overall 5-year survival rate was 71.0%. The mean survival time was different between men and women, which was statistically significant. The number of men involved with breast cancer was 172 (2.8%) of all cases. The 5-year survival rate for patients in age group 41-50 years was significantly higher than other age groups (P = 0.001). The likelihood of death was higher in patients with 61 years old or more years rather than those below forty years old (HR = 1.31; 95% CI: 1.12-1.55). Conclusions The findings of this study might help Iranian health managers: 1) to be more conscious about geographical and regional determinants which will affect overall survival rate. 2) To carry preventive activities such as public education particularly in Iranian men. 3) To think about screening and early detection of breast cancer.

The efficacy of Radachlorin-mediated photodynamic therapy in human hepatocellular carcinoma cells

BACKGROUND Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a relatively novel modality for the treatment of cancer and some non-malignant lesions. PDT uses a photosensitive drug and light to destroy malignant cells. The aim of this study was to determine in vitro efficacy of Radachlorin-based PDT (Radachlorin-PDT) on human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). METHODS The study used human liver cancer cells (HepG2) and normal liver cells (HFLF-PI4) to evaluate cell viability using the standard 2-(4, 5-dimethyl-2-thiazolyl)-3,5-diphenyl-2H-tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. The mechanism of cell death following Radachlorin-PDT was determined by DNA agarose gel electrophoresis and flow cytometry. RESULTS Radachlorin without light irradiation had no toxic effect on HepG2 and HFLF-PI4 cells. Cell survival of HepG2 and HFLF-PI4 cells were decreased following PDT in a concentration-dependent manner. However, HepG2 cells were much more sensitive to Radachlorin-PDT than HFLF-PI4 cells. Radachlorin LD50 on HepG2 cells was 30μg/ml and 20μg/ml, 24h after exposure to doses of 5J/cm(2) and 15, or 25J/cm(2), respectively. Optimal Radachlorin and light dose to kill HepG2 cells with minimal effects on normal HFLF-PI4 cells were 100μg/ml and 15J/cm(2), respectively. Our results also showed that apoptosis is induced in HepG2 cells following Radachlorin-PDT. CONCLUSION Our in vitro data suggest that the use of PDT with Radachlorin can be effective in the treatment of HCC.

Evaluating the Prevalence of the Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor in Transitional Cell Carcinoma of Bladder and its Relationship With Other Prognostic Factors

Background: The most common malignancy in the urinary system has been bladder cancer and the most predominant histologic subtype has been transitional cell carcinoma (TCC). There were many molecular risk factors, related with poor prognosis. One of these factors was expression of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR). Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of the epidermal growth factor receptor in transitional cell carcinoma of bladder and its relationship with other prognostic factors. Patients and Methods: This analytic descriptive study has performed with 61 patients with TCC of bladder after radical cystectomy whom have been hospitalized in Labbafinejad hospital in Tehran, Iran between 2007 and 2010. We have used Chi-square and t-test to analyze our data samples. Results: Records of 61 patients have studied. Fifty three of the total samples were positive for EGFR expression (86.9%). Fifty samples of these fifty-three belonged to men and three others were women’s samples (P = 0.46). Among the group with EGFR expression the results were as follows: 25 patients (47.2%) were 60 years old or less and 28 patients (52.8%) were older than 60 (P = 0.023), 16 patients (30.2%) had invasion to lamina properia, and the rest of them had invasion to deeper layers (P = 0.56). For most patients we could not determine the invasion of tumoral cells into the lymph nodes (Nx) (P = 0.067). Thirty four patients (64.2%) had not lymphovascular invasion (P = 0.44) and in forty three of patients (81.1%), perineural invasion have not seen (P = 0.23). Finally, 36 patients (67.9%) were grade 3 (P = 0.27). Conclusions: In this study we have concluded that most patients had EGFR positive expression. Also, except for the age, there was not any significant relation between expression of EGFR and the other prognostic factors such as, gender, invasion of the tumor into the layers, involving the lymph nodes, lymphovascular or perineural invasion, and grading.

Comparing the impact of melatonin and captopril on early effects of radiation on the heart tissue by studying glutathione, malondialdehyde, and lactate dehydrogenase enzyme activity in rats

Prevention of secondary malignancy while the patient is receiving radiotherapy for the management of primary cancer has been an enormous challenge for biological and medical safety. The aim of the study is to compare protective effects of melatonin and captopril on early effects of radiation on the heart tissue of rats. Forty-eight adult male Wistar rats weighing 180-220 g were used. The rats were divided into six groups and the rats were exposed to 8 Gy whole body dose from cobalt-60 sources. Thirty minutes prior to irradiation, six animals received melatonin (100 mg/kg body weight), and six animals received captopril (50 mg/kg body weight). All groups were sacrificed 10 days post-irradiation, and hearts were collected. Malondialdehyde (MDA), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), and glutathione (GSH) were measured to evaluate cellular oxidative stress-induced injury. The biochemical data are presented as mean ± standard error of the mean, and the difference between the groups was analyzed using a two-way variance analysis. Treatment with captopril resulted in a significant increase in LDH and MDA, although the level of GSH was decreased (P < 0.01). MDA and LDH levels were decreased after melatonin treatment while GSH level was increased (P < 0.001). Melatonin has protective effects following radiation, while treatment with captopril post-irradiation seems to be radiosensitizing and does not have protective effects against radiation exposure.