Assessment of Relationship between Wilms' Tumor Gene (WT1) Expression in Peripheral Blood of Acute Leukemia Patients and Serum IL-12 and C3 Levels

Bacillus Calmette-Guérin Immunotherapy for Cancer

Bacillus Calmette–Guérin (BCG), an attenuated vaccine from Mycobacterium bovis, was initially developed as an agent for vaccination against tuberculosis. BCG proved to be the first successful immunotherapy against established human bladder cancer and other neoplasms. The use of BCG has been shown to induce a long-lasting antitumor response over all other forms of treatment against intermediate, non-invasive muscle bladder cancer Several types of tumors may now be treated by releasing the immune response through the blockade of checkpoint inhibitory molecules, such as CTLA-4 and PD-1. In addition, Toll-Like Receptor (TLR) agonists and BCG are used to potentiate the immune response against tumors. Studies concerning TLR-ligands combined with BCG to treat melanoma have demonstrated efficacy in treating mice and patients This review addresses several interventions using BCG on neoplasms, such as Leukemia, Bladder Cancer, Lung Cancer, and Melanoma, describing treatments and antitumor responses promoted by this attenuated bacillus. Of essential importance, BCG is described recently to participate in an adequate microbiome, establishing an effective response during cell-target therapy when combined with anti-PD-1 antibody, which stimulates T cell responses against the melanoma. Finally, trained immunity is discussed, and reprogramming events to shape innate immune responses are addressed.

Effect of 5-aminolevulinic acid on gene expression and presence of NKG2D receptor on NK cells

Natural killer (NK) cells are involved in innate and acquired immunity, stimulating and enhancing immune responses via secretion of IFN-γ and TNF-α. NKG2D is among the most important NK's stimulant receptors, the ligands of which are elevated on cancerous and virus-infected cells. We analyzed effect of 5-ALA on gene expression and receptor presentation of NKG2D, which is present on peripheral blood NK cells. Mononuclear cells were isolated from the venous blood samples of healthy individuals. RNA extraction and cDNA synthesis were performed after exposure of samples to 5-ALA, and gene expression was evaluated using Real-Time PCR, and the receptor presence rate on the cell surface was evaluated by flow-cytometry analysis. The results showed the gene expression of NKG2D and the presence of its receptor on NK cells were increased.5-ALA can be used to activate NK cells in their killing activity, preventing the growth and metastasis of cancerous cells.

Correlation of miR-600 with WT1 expression and its potential clinical significance in breast cancer

Aim: The study aimed to explore miR-600 and WT1 expression and its potential clinical significance in breast cancer. Materials & methods: The expression of miR-600 and WT1 in tumor and non-tumor adjacent tissues in 45 breast cancer patients as well as serum level of miR-600 in these patients and 45 healthy group were analyzed. Results: The expression level of miR-600 in tumor tissue and serum of patients was significantly lower than non-tumor adjacent tissues and serum of controls, respectively, while WT1 mRNA and protein levels were higher in tumor tissues compared with non-tumor adjacent tissues. The miR-600 expression was correlated with lymph node metastasis and clinical stage. Conclusion: The miR-600 acts as tumor suppressor and a diagnostic and prognostic biomarker in breast cancer patients.

Genetics of blood malignancies among Iranian population: an overview

BACKGROUND

Blood malignancies are among the leading causes of cancer related deaths in the world. Different environmental and genetic risk factors are involved in progression of blood malignancies. It has been shown that the lifestyle changes have affected the epidemiological patterns of these malignancies. Hematologic cancers are the 5th common cancer among Iranian population. It has been observed that there is a rising trend of blood malignancies incidences during the recent decades. Therefore, it is required to design novel diagnostic methods for the early detection of such malignancies in this population.

MAIN BODY

In present review we have summarized all of the significant genes which have been reported among Iranian patients with blood malignancies. The reported genes were categorized based on their cell and molecular functions to clarify the molecular biology and genetics of blood malignancies among Iranian patients.

CONCLUSION

It was observed that the epigenetic and immune response factors were the most frequent molecular processes associated with progression of blood malignancies among Iranian population. This review paves the way of introducing a population based panel of genetic markers for the early detection of blood malignancies in this population.

Combined usage of Wilms' tumor gene quantitative analysis and multiparameter flow cytometry for minimal residual disease monitoring of acute myeloid leukemia patients after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cells transplantation

High expression of the Wilms' tumor gene (WT1) in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) has been considered as a sensitive marker of minimal residual disease (MRD). The present study investigated the significance of quantitative analysis of WT1 mRNA, combined with multiparameter flow cytometry (MFC) regarding its efficacy and prognostic as well as relapse prediction value for leukemia patients with hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. Reverse-transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction analysis demonstrated that the expression of WT1 in the initial and relapse group was significant higher than that in the complete remission (CR) group (P<0.01). WT1 and the donor chimerism were negatively correlated (r=-0.73, P<0.05). In all AML patients, WT1 was the highest in the M3 subtype and the lowest in the M1 subtype. Follow-up of 12 AML patients demonstrated that WT1 gene expression levels markedly decreased after CR, but obviously increased after relapse, as did the rate of the leukemia cells detected by MFC. The combined usage of MFC and WT1 monitoring contributed to an improved detection rate of relapse (91.7%), and may be used to monitor MRD, assess the treatment efficacy and prognosis, and predict the risk of recurrence in leukemia patients without specific molecular markers after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.

Evaluation of serum levels of C3 and C4 complement factors in patients with beta thalassemia major in Khuzestan Province, Southwest Iran

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

Thalassemia syndrome is the most common genetic disorder in the world and infection is the second cause of death in these patients. Measurement of serum C3 and C4 complement factors in serum was done in 60 patients with beta thalassemia major in comparison with 30 healthy subjects as control group.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The serum level of C3 and C4 complement factors in 60 patients with beta thalassemia major who were randomly selected from among the patients referred to Shafa Hospital of Ahvaz was evaluated and compared with 30 samples from healthy individuals with no history of recent infectious or autoimmune diseases. It should be noted that single-radial-immunodiffusion assay was used in this study.

RESULTS

This study has shown a significant reduction in serum levels of C3 and C4 in patients compared to controls (P value < 0.05).

DISCUSSION

Decreased synthesis or increased consumption of complement factors in patients receiving multiple blood transfusions might lead to continuous contact between the immune system and various antigens, causing nonstop use of complement factors, recurrent infections, changes in parameters of the immune system due to iron overload as well as exposure to infectious factors such as HBV, HCV, HIV, and HTLV through blood transfusion.