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Xu C. CRISPR/Cas9-mediated knockout strategies for enhancing immunotherapy in breast cancer. NAUNYN-SCHMIEDEBERG'S ARCHIVES OF PHARMACOLOGY 2024:10.1007/s00210-024-03208-2. [PMID: 38907847 DOI: 10.1007/s00210-024-03208-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2023] [Accepted: 05/31/2024] [Indexed: 06/24/2024]
Abstract
Breast cancer, a prevalent disease with significant mortality rates, often presents treatment challenges due to its complex genetic makeup. This review explores the potential of combining Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats (CRISPR)/CRISPR-associated protein 9 (Cas9) gene knockout strategies with immunotherapeutic approaches to enhance breast cancer treatment. The CRISPR/Cas9 system, renowned for its precision in inducing genetic alterations, can target and eliminate specific cancer cells, thereby minimizing off-target effects. Concurrently, immunotherapy, which leverages the immune system's power to combat cancer, has shown promise in treating breast cancer. By integrating these two strategies, we can potentially augment the effectiveness of immunotherapies by knocking out genes that enable cancer cells to evade the immune system. However, safety considerations, such as off-target effects and immune responses, necessitate careful evaluation. Current research endeavors aim to optimize these strategies and ascertain the most effective methods to stimulate the immune response. This review provides novel insights into the integration of CRISPR/Cas9-mediated knockout strategies and immunotherapy, a promising avenue that could revolutionize breast cancer treatment as our understanding of the immune system's interplay with cancer deepens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chenchen Xu
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Changzhou Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital, Changzhou Medical Center, Nanjing Medical University, Changzhou, 213000, China.
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Vincent SC, Al Yaquobi S, Al Hashmi A. A Systematic Review of Knowledge, Attitudes, and Factors Influencing HPV Vaccine Acceptance Among Adolescents, Parents, Teachers, and Healthcare Professionals in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) Region. Cureus 2024; 16:e60293. [PMID: 38872638 PMCID: PMC11175019 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.60293] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/11/2024] [Indexed: 06/15/2024] Open
Abstract
Human Papillomavirus (HPV) infection is the most common sexually transmitted infection, affecting both men and women globally. Men and women are at risk of type HPV16 and HPV18 viruses leading to cervical, anal, vulvar, and oropharyngeal cancers. The HPV vaccines are highly effective in preventing various strains of HPV infection, and effective vaccines are available only in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. Hence, this systematic review explored knowledge and attitudes toward HPV infection and HPV vaccination and factors influencing HPV vaccination uptake among the MENA populations. Various databases, such as Medline, Science Direct, CINHAL, EBSCO, PsycINFO, and PubMed, were systematically searched to include English studies assessing knowledge, attitudes toward HPV infection, and factors influencing HPV vaccination acceptance in the MENA region. Twenty-two papers met the inclusion criteria. The number of participants ranged from 99 to 7223. While knowledge, attitude, and vaccine hesitancy association factors were generally reported in cross-sectional studies, the HPV vaccine acceptancy over time from longitudinal studies was mixed and inconclusive due to inadequate information on HPV infection and vaccination, the cost of the vaccine, cultural beliefs, and safety concerns. Results demonstrated that low HPV vaccine acceptance is due to a lack of HPV understanding among the MENA population, coupled with access issues. Factors such as awareness, confidence in vaccination, and involvement in decision-making positively influence vaccine uptake. Therefore, tailored programs addressing vaccine hesitancy in the MENA communities are necessary.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Aysha Al Hashmi
- Nursing, Oman College of Health Sciences - North Sharqiya, Sharqiya, OMN
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Aldawood E, Dabbagh D, Alharbi S, Alzamil L, Faqih L, Alshurafa HH, Dabbagh R. HPV Vaccine Knowledge and Hesitancy Among Health Colleges' Students at a Saudi University. J Multidiscip Healthc 2023; 16:3465-3476. [PMID: 38024130 PMCID: PMC10656864 DOI: 10.2147/jmdh.s438633] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2023] [Accepted: 11/09/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection is a widespread sexually transmitted infection linked to various types of cancer. Although vaccination against HPV is available, global HPV vaccination rates remain low. Aim This study aimed to evaluate the awareness and knowledge of the HPV vaccine and to identify predictors associated with vaccine hesitancy among health college students at King Saud University, Saudi Arabia. Methods A cross-sectional survey was distributed during December 2022 to students enrolled in health colleges. The survey link was randomly distributed via social media platforms and in-person interactions. The number of participants was 405 including both males and females. The data was analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). The correct response rate for all knowledge items was calculated, and they were stratified by gender and college. The association of vaccine hesitancy with sociodemographic characteristics was examined using logistic regression analysis. Results The study found that approximately half of the students (49.9%) were aware of the HPV vaccine. However, only a small percentage of students answered all to all HPV knowledge items correctly. Additionally, only a small proportion (5.2%) reported receiving the vaccine. The overall HPV vaccine hesitancy was 59.1% (43.9% for female and 75.9% for male). The most common reasons for vaccine hesitancy was not knowing enough about it. Males were two times more likely than females to believe that they did not need the HPV vaccine. The odds for HPV vaccine hesitancy were greater among males and younger age groups compared to females and older age groups. Conclusion This study underscores the importance of implementing university-wide interventions and educational campaigns to enhance awareness and knowledge of the HPV vaccine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Esraa Aldawood
- Department of Clinical Laboratory Science, College of Applied Medical Science, King Saud University, Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
| | - Deemah Dabbagh
- Department of Clinical Laboratory Science, College of Applied Medical Science, King Saud University, Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
| | - Sarah Alharbi
- Department of Clinical Laboratory Science, College of Applied Medical Science, King Saud University, Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
| | - Lama Alzamil
- Department of Clinical Laboratory Science, College of Applied Medical Science, King Saud University, Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
| | - Layla Faqih
- Department of Clinical Laboratory Science, College of Applied Medical Science, King Saud University, Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
| | | | - Rufaidah Dabbagh
- Department of Family and Community Medicine, College of Medicine, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
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Alsanafi M, Salim NA, Sallam M. Willingness to get HPV vaccination among female university students in Kuwait and its relation to vaccine conspiracy beliefs. Hum Vaccin Immunother 2023; 19:2194772. [PMID: 37005342 PMCID: PMC10088927 DOI: 10.1080/21645515.2023.2194772] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/04/2023] Open
Abstract
A substantial burden of high-risk human papillomavirus (HPV) infections and HPV-related cancers can be mitigated by vaccination. The current study aimed to investigate the willingness of female students at the University of Kuwait to get HPV vaccination and its possible association with general vaccine conspiracy beliefs (VCBs). This cross-sectional survey study was conducted during September-November 2022 using a validated VCB scale as the survey instrument. The final sample comprised 611 respondents with a median age of 22 y and a majority of Arab ethnicity (n = 600, 98.2%). Only 360 respondents (56.9%) heard of HPV before participation and these students showed an above-average level of HPV knowledge (mean knowledge score of 12.7 ± 2.6 out of 16 as the maximum score), of whom only 33 self-reported HPV vaccine uptake (9.2%). The willingness to accept free-of-charge HPV vaccination was seen among 69.8% of the participants, with 20.1% who were hesitant and 10.1% who were resistant. The acceptance of HPV vaccination if payment is required was 23.1%. Reasons for HPV vaccine hesitancy/resistance included complacency to the HPV disease risks, lack of confidence in HPV vaccination, and inconvenience. The embrace of VCBs was associated with significantly higher odds of HPV vaccine hesitancy/resistance. The current study showed the detrimental impact of endorsing vaccine conspiracy beliefs manifested in lower intention to get HPV vaccination among female university students in Kuwait. This should be considered in vaccine promotion efforts aiming to reduce the burden of HPV cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariam Alsanafi
- Department of Pharmacy Practice, Faculty of Pharmacy, Kuwait University, Kuwait City, Kuwait
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Public Authority for Applied Education and Training, College of Health Sciences, Safat, Kuwait
| | - Nesreen A Salim
- Prosthodontic Department, School of Dentistry, The University of Jordan, Amman, Jordan
- Prosthodontic Department, Jordan University Hospital, Amman, Jordan
| | - Malik Sallam
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology and Forensic Medicine, School of Medicine, The University of Jordan, Amman, Jordan
- Department of Clinical Laboratories and Forensic Medicine, Jordan University Hospital, Amman, Jordan
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Arghittu A, Dettori M, Castiglia P. First Year of Special Issue "New Insights in Vaccination and Public Health": Opinions and Considerations. Vaccines (Basel) 2023; 11:600. [PMID: 36992184 PMCID: PMC10058197 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines11030600] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2023] [Revised: 02/21/2023] [Accepted: 02/26/2023] [Indexed: 03/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Disease prevention and control is the foundation of public health [...].
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonella Arghittu
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Pharmacy, University of Sassari, 07100 Sassari, Italy
| | - Marco Dettori
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Pharmacy, University of Sassari, 07100 Sassari, Italy
- University Hospital of Sassari, 07100 Sassari, Italy
| | - Paolo Castiglia
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Pharmacy, University of Sassari, 07100 Sassari, Italy
- University Hospital of Sassari, 07100 Sassari, Italy
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Aldawood E, Alzamil L, Faqih L, Dabbagh D, Alharbi S, Hafiz TA, Alshurafa HH, Altukhais WF, Dabbagh R. Awareness of Human Papillomavirus among Male and Female University Students in Saudi Arabia. Healthcare (Basel) 2023; 11:healthcare11050649. [PMID: 36900652 PMCID: PMC10000570 DOI: 10.3390/healthcare11050649] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2023] [Revised: 02/18/2023] [Accepted: 02/21/2023] [Indexed: 02/25/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a common sexually transmitted infection globally. Investigating HPV awareness can reduce the burden of HPV-related cancers. AIMS (1) Assessing HPV awareness and knowledge among health college students at King Saud University, (2) comparing these outcomes across sociodemographic characteristics. METHODS A cross-sectional survey study was conducted from November to December 2022 and included 403 health college students. Associations of HPV awareness and knowledge with sociodemographic characteristics were assessed using logistic regression analysis and linear regression analysis, respectively. RESULTS Only 60% of students were aware of HPV, with awareness higher among females, although their knowledge scores were comparable to males. The odds of awareness of HPV were greater among medical students compared to other colleges and among students belonging to older age groups compared to the younger age group (18-20). The odds of HPV awareness among hepatitis B vaccinated students were 2.10 times that among unvaccinated students (AOR = 2.10; 95% CI = 1.21, 3.64). CONCLUSIONS The low level of HPV awareness among college students warrants the need for HPV educational campaigns to improve HPV awareness and to promote HPV vaccination in the community.
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Affiliation(s)
- Esraa Aldawood
- Department of Clinical Laboratories Sciences, College of Applied Medical Sciences, King Saud University, Riyadh 12372, Saudi Arabia
- Correspondence:
| | - Lama Alzamil
- Department of Clinical Laboratories Sciences, College of Applied Medical Sciences, King Saud University, Riyadh 12372, Saudi Arabia
| | - Layla Faqih
- Department of Clinical Laboratories Sciences, College of Applied Medical Sciences, King Saud University, Riyadh 12372, Saudi Arabia
| | - Deemah Dabbagh
- Department of Clinical Laboratories Sciences, College of Applied Medical Sciences, King Saud University, Riyadh 12372, Saudi Arabia
| | - Sarah Alharbi
- Department of Clinical Laboratories Sciences, College of Applied Medical Sciences, King Saud University, Riyadh 12372, Saudi Arabia
| | - Taghreed A. Hafiz
- Department of Clinical Laboratories Sciences, College of Applied Medical Sciences, King Saud University, Riyadh 12372, Saudi Arabia
| | | | - Wajd F. Altukhais
- Department of Clinical Laboratories Sciences, College of Applied Medical Sciences, King Saud University, Riyadh 12372, Saudi Arabia
| | - Rufaidah Dabbagh
- Department of Family and Community Medicine, College of Medicine, King Saud University, Riyadh 11461, Saudi Arabia
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Manolescu LSC, Zugravu C, Zaharia CN, Dumitrescu AI, Prasacu I, Radu MC, Letiția GD, Nita I, Cristache CM, Gales LN. Barriers and Facilitators of Romanian HPV (Human Papillomavirus) Vaccination. Vaccines (Basel) 2022; 10:vaccines10101722. [PMID: 36298587 PMCID: PMC9611461 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines10101722] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2022] [Revised: 10/06/2022] [Accepted: 10/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Many countries had initial success with HPV vaccination campaigns worldwide. The HPV vaccine coverage during the COVID-19 pandemic dropped consistently. The aim of our research is to assess the barriers and facilitators of the current Romanian HPV vaccination campaign. METHODS An analytical cross-sectional observational survey was conducted in the Romanian general population; a self-administered questionnaire was used. RESULTS 1122 responders were interviewed; 666 (59.36%) were parents, and 67 (5.97%) HPV vaccinated themselves. A multinominal logistic regression carried out in the parents' category showed that women with university studies and informed from medical sources have greater chances to HPV vaccinate. Reticence regarding vaccination comes from the high cost of the vaccine and a lack of information. Only 118 (10.51%) vaccinated against HPV. From the logistic regression analysis, gender (ORa 0.461 = 95% CI: (0.196; 1.083)), geographic area of residence (ORa = 0.517; 95% CI: (0.331; 0.807)), and the inclusion of the HPV vaccine in the National Vaccination Program (ORa = 2.4; 95% CI: (1.361; 4.235)) were the factors found most associated with HPV vaccination. CONCLUSIONS In the general population, the inclusion of HPV vaccination in the National Vaccination Program would be the most important facilitator of HPV vaccination in Romania. In parents that did not vaccinate their children, one important barrier to HPV vaccination was the high cost of the HPV vaccine and the lack of proper information. The acceptability of HPV vaccination in Romania is low; therefore, public health educational programs are needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Loredana Sabina Cornelia Manolescu
- Department of Microbiology, Parasitology and Virology, Faculty of Midwifery and Nursing, “Carol Davila” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 050474 Bucharest, Romania
- Department of Virology, Institute of Virology “Stefan S. Nicolau”, 030304 Bucharest, Romania
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +40-723-699-253
| | - Corina Zugravu
- Department of Fundamental Sciences, Faculty of Midwifery and Nursing, University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Carol Davila, 37 Dionisie Lupu St., 020021 Bucharest, Romania
- National Center for Monitoring the Community Risks, Institute of Public Health, 1-3 Doctor Leonte Anastasievici St., 050463 Bucharest, Romania
| | | | - Anca Irina Dumitrescu
- Department of Fundamental Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, “Carol Davila” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 050474 Bucharest, Romania
| | - Irina Prasacu
- Department of Fundamental Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, “Carol Davila” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 050474 Bucharest, Romania
| | - Mihaela Corina Radu
- Department of Microbiology, Parasitology and Virology, Faculty of Midwifery and Nursing, “Carol Davila” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 050474 Bucharest, Romania
- Department of Birth, Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, 100409 Ploiesti, Romania
| | | | - Irina Nita
- Medical Oncology Department, Monza Oncology Hospital, 011461 Bucharest, Romania
| | - Corina Marilena Cristache
- Department of Dental Techniques, Faculty of Midwifery and Nursing (FMAM), “Carol Davila” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 8 Eroilor Sanitari Blvd., 050474 Bucharest, Romania
| | - Laurentia Nicoleta Gales
- Department of Oncology, Institute of Oncology “Prof. Dr. Al. Trestioreanu” Bucharest, Faculty of Medicine, “Carol Davila” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 050474 Bucharest, Romania
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