Cairo University, Faculty of Medicine, Kasr Al-Ainy Center of Clinical Oncology & Nuclear MedicineResearch in Oncology2357-068717120210601Breast Cancer Awareness among Egyptian Women and the Impact of Caring for Patients with Breast Cancer on Family Caregivers’ Knowledge and Behaviour1812486810.21608/resoncol.2020.42340.1114ENAhmed H.AbdelazizClinical Oncology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt Baheya Foundation for Breast Cancer, Giza, Egypt0000-0002-3162-1825May A.ShawkiClinical Pharmacy Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, Ain Shams University, Cairo, EgyptAmrou M.ShaabanClinical Oncology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Minia University, Minia, EgyptSali K.AlbaroukiAin Shams University Hospitals, Cairo, EgyptAhmad M.RachidAin Shams University Hospitals, Cairo, EgyptObai M.AlsalhaniAin Shams University Hospitals, Cairo, EgyptMona K.JomaaClinical Oncology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Ain Shams University, Cairo, EgyptJournal Article20200909<strong>Background:</strong> Breast cancer is the most common cancer in Egyptian females. Most patients present at a late stage with subsequent poor outcomes.<br /> <strong>Aim:</strong> To study the awareness of breast cancer, its risk factors and screening. To investigate the impact of caring for a family member with breast cancer on the awareness and future attitudes of caregivers.<br /> <strong>Methods:</strong> The study included 704 females divided into two groups. A non-caregivers group including 248 participants representing the general population and a caregivers group including 456 family caregivers of breast cancer patients. We used a questionnaire comprised of 45 questions assessing four domains: individual risk factors, awareness of risk factors, awareness of screening, and the practice of and barriers to screening. Those who answered more than 50% of the questions correctly were considered to have good knowledge.<br /> <strong>Results:</strong> Sixty-nine percent of participants showed poor knowledge of risk factors. In the screening awareness domain, only 44% of participants scored >50% indicating defective knowledge. Caregivers attained significantly higher scores in all domains (p < 0.001). Yet, the overall assessment showed poor knowledge in both groups. Only 3% of non-caregivers and 19% of caregivers performed mammography (p < 0.001); while 11% and 38%, respectively, underwent breast self-examination (p < 0.001). Higher education level was associated with significantly better knowledge (p < 0.001).<br /> <strong>Conclusions:</strong> Breast cancer knowledge among Egyptian females is deficient. The level of education and caring for a breast cancer patient significantly affect the level of knowledge and attitude towards screening. There is a need to implement a comprehensive national awareness and screening programme.<br /> <em><em><em><em> </em></em></em></em>Cairo University, Faculty of Medicine, Kasr Al-Ainy Center of Clinical Oncology & Nuclear MedicineResearch in Oncology2357-068717120210601EGFR and HER2 Expression in Primary Ovarian High-Grade Serous Carcinoma and Their Prognostic Value91612604610.21608/resoncol.2020.43021.1115ENMayada S.FarragDepartment of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Port Said University, Port Said, Egypt0000-0002-4177-5035Ziad EmarahMedical Oncology Unit, Internal Medicine Department, Faculty of Medicine, Mansoura University, Mansoura, EgyptWaleed ElrefaieDepartment of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, Port Said University, Port Said, EgyptNesrine S.FarragDepartment of Community Medicine and Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, Mansoura University, Mansoura, EgyptMohamed T.HafezDepartment of Surgical Oncology, Mansoura Oncology Center, Mansoura University, Mansoura, EgyptKhaled AbdelwahabDepartment of Surgical Oncology, Mansoura Oncology Center, Mansoura University, Mansoura, EgyptJournal Article20200915<strong>Background</strong>: Human epidermal growth factors receptors such as EGFR and HER2 play an important role in tumorigenesis and are used as therapeutic targets. Their role in aggressive primary ovarian high-grade serous carcinoma (HGSC) is controversial.<br /> <strong>Aim:</strong> To study the expression of EGFR and HER2 in ovarian HGSC, to correlate their expression with other clinicopathological parameters and to study their prognostic value.<br /> <strong>Methods:</strong> Imunohistochemical staining of EGFR, HER2 and Ki-67 was done for 54 ovarian HGSC specimens. According to the used scoring methods, the expression of EGFR and HER2 was classified as high or low.<br /> <strong>Results:</strong> High expression of EGFR and HER2 was found in a minority of specimens; 39% and 15%, respectively. None of the studied clinicopathological parameters correlated significantly with the expression of EGFR and HER2, except for the carcinoembryonic antigen level which correlated positively with HER2 expression. Disease-free survival of patients did not differ significantly according to the level of expression of EGFR and HER2 (p =0.684 and 0.186, respectively). Similarly, overall survival did not differ significantly (p =0.911 and 0.346, respectively).<br /> <strong>Conclusion:</strong> The results of this study suggest that the prognostic value of EGFR and HER2 in ovarian HGSC is questionable.<br /> <em><em> </em></em>Cairo University, Faculty of Medicine, Kasr Al-Ainy Center of Clinical Oncology & Nuclear MedicineResearch in Oncology2357-068717120210601Interleukin-10 -1082 A/G Promoter Polymorphism in Newly Diagnosed Gastro-Intestinal Malignancies and Its Relation to the Nutritional and Performance Status172216035410.21608/resoncol.2021.60421.1130ENSomaia M.MousaClinical Pathology Department, Kasr Al-Ainy School of Medicine, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt0000-0003-2690-7041Rowayda A.MahmoudNational Nutrition Institute, The General Organization For Teaching Hospitals and Institutes, Ministry of Health, Cairo, EgyptSherif N.AminClinical Pathology Department, Kasr Al-Ainy School of Medicine, Cairo University, Cairo, EgyptWessam A.El-SheriefClinical Oncology Department, Kasr Al-Ainy School of Medicine, Cairo University, Cairo, EgyptJournal Article20210129<strong>Background:</strong> Cancer is associated with a state of systemic inflammation with high levels of circulating inflammatory cytokines. Cytokine gene polymorphisms may affect the inflammatory response in cancer patients and their nutritional and performance status with subsequent effects on their prognosis.<br /> <strong>Aim:</strong> This study investigated the relationship between IL-10 -1082 A/G promoter polymorphism and anorexia, body mass index (BMI) and performance status in patients with gastrointestinal (GI) malignancies.<br /> <strong>Methods</strong> 88 newly diagnosed patients with GI malignancies were genotyped for IL-10-1082 A/G promoter polymorphism by real-time PCR allelic discrimination assay. The prevalence of anorexia, BMI and performance status was compared between patients with different genotypes.<br /> <strong>Results:</strong> In the whole group of patients, anorexia was significantly more prevalent (p < strong>< 0.001) among patients carrying the variant genotypes (AG and GG) who were also found to have significantly lower BMI (p=0.002) and poorer performance status (p=0.027) than those with the wild genotype (AA). In patients with earlier cancer (stages I and II), a variant genotype was significantly associated with more anorexia and lower BMI.<br /> <strong>Conclusion:</strong> These results suggest that IL-10-1082 A/G promoter polymorphism may have an effect on the nutritional and performance status of patients with GI malignancies.Cairo University, Faculty of Medicine, Kasr Al-Ainy Center of Clinical Oncology & Nuclear MedicineResearch in Oncology2357-068717120210601High CRLF2 Expression Could Identify Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia Patients with Poor Outcome but Not IKZF1233012416110.21608/resoncol.2020.39678.1111ENLayla M.SalehHematology Section, Clinical Pathology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Mansoura University, Mansoura, Egypt0000-0002-4753-7257Nour DarwishHematology Section, Clinical Pathology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Mansoura University, Mansoura, EgyptSherin Abdel-AzizHematology Section, Clinical Pathology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Mansoura University, Mansoura, EgyptDalia SalemHematology Section, Clinical Pathology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Mansoura University, Mansoura, EgyptNoha EisaClinical Hematology Unit, Internal Medicine Department, Faculty of Medicine, Mansoura University, Mansoura, EgyptSuzy Abd El MaboodPediatric Hematology, Oncology and Bone Marrow Transplantation Unit, Faculty of Medicine, Mansoura University, Mansoura, EgyptMaryan W.FahmiMedical Oncology Unit, Internal Medicine Department, Faculty of Medicine, Mansoura University, Mansoura, EgyptZiad EmarahMedical Oncology Unit, Internal Medicine Department, Faculty of Medicine, Mansoura University, Mansoura, Egypt0000-0003-0622-2598Journal Article20200818<strong>Background:</strong> Overexpression of cytokine receptor-like factor 2 (CRLF2) caused by different genetic aberrations has been observed in acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) and correlated with poor outcome. Most patients with high CRLF2 expression are clustered in the Philadelphia-like (Ph-like) ALL subgroup. Ph-like ALL is reported to be associated with alterations in IKZF1 gene, encoding the transcription factor Ikaros.<br /> <strong>Aim:</strong> To identify CRLF2 and IKZF1 alterations in Egyptian patients with ALL and to determine their prognostic significance.<br /> <strong>Methods:</strong> Peripheral blood samples from 34 newly diagnosed ALL patients treated at an Egyptian tertiary oncology center and 14 controls were assessed for CRLF2 and IKZF1 mRNA expression using real-time polymerase chain reaction.<br /> <strong>Results:</strong> CRLF2 was significantly overexpressed in ALL patients compared to controls (p = 0.038). The response to treatment was significantly better in patients with low CRLF2 expression (p = 0.029). The rate of remission, relapse and induction death was 82%, 12% and 6% in the low CRLF2 expression group and 41%, 18% and 41% in the high expression one. Overall survival was significantly shorter among ALL with high CRLF2 (p = 0.034). IKZF1 expression level did not differ significantly between patients and controls. Patients with low IKZF1 exhibited significantly higher leucocytic count and lower platelet count (p = 0.038 and 0.044, respectively). IKZF1 overexpression did not correlate significantly with response to treatment or survival.<br /> <strong>Conclusion</strong>: High CRLF2 expression was associated with poor outcome among ALL patients. Further research is needed to improve the diagnostic and therapeutic approaches in ALL patients with poor prognosis.<br /> <em><em><em><em><em><em><em><em><em><em><em><em><em><em><em><em> </em></em></em></em></em></em></em></em></em></em></em></em></em></em></em></em>Cairo University, Faculty of Medicine, Kasr Al-Ainy Center of Clinical Oncology & Nuclear MedicineResearch in Oncology2357-068717120210601Impact of Steroid-Induced Diabetes on Prognosis of Patients with Aggressive Lymphoid Malignancies: A Prospective Study313715875610.21608/resoncol.2021.48233.1123ENAsmaa S.OthmanDepartment of Medical Oncology, Faculty of Medicine, Mansoura University, Mansoura, EgyptManal A.Salah-EldinDepartment of Medical Oncology, Faculty of Medicine, Mansoura University, Mansoura, EgyptMohamed A.EbrahimDepartment of Medical Oncology, Faculty of Medicine, Mansoura University, Mansoura, EgyptSherin M.Abd EL-AzizDepartment of Clinical Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Mansoura University, Mansoura, EgyptAhmed M.RamezDepartment of Medical Oncology, Faculty of Medicine, Mansoura University, Mansoura, Egypt0000-0002-0318-1543Journal Article20201031<strong>Background:</strong> Hyperglycemia is frequent during steroid therapy and thus it is not uncommon during treatment of lymphoid malignancies. Steroid-induced diabetes (SID) can be complicated by an increased risk of infections, lower chemotherapy efficacy, and even increased mortality.<br /> <strong>Aim: </strong>To determine the prevalence of SID in patients with aggressive lymphoid malignancies during induction therapy and to analyze its impact on treatment outcomes.<br /> <strong>Methods: </strong>The study included 52 patients with lymphoid malignancies; 28 with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) and 24 with aggressive non-Hodgkin’s lymphomas (NHL). We studied the relation between the development of SID during induction therapy and the rates of complete remission (CR), complication and relapse and survival.<br /> <strong>Results: </strong>Steroid-induced diabetes occurred during induction therapy in 18/28 (64%) and 8/24 (33%) of patients with ALL and NHL, respectively. Older age, and elevated bilirubin level were significantly associated with the development of SID during induction therapy in ALL patients (p = 0.02 and 0.005, respectively), while only older age showed a significant association in NHL patients (p = 0.002). Compared with patients who did not develop SID, those with SID had significantly higher prevalence of febrile neutropenia in the ALL group (p = 0.001) and pneumonia in the NHL group (p = 0.009). Both ALL and NHL patients with SID were significantly less likely to achieve CR and had a significantly worse overall survival.<br /> <strong>Conclusion: </strong>The results of this study suggest that SID is frequent during induction therapy in patients with lymphoid malignancies and associated with more complications and worse treatment outcomes.<br /> <em><em><em><em> </em></em></em></em>Cairo University, Faculty of Medicine, Kasr Al-Ainy Center of Clinical Oncology & Nuclear MedicineResearch in Oncology2357-068717120210601Interleukin-10: A Potential Prognostic Marker in Patients with Newly Diagnosed Multiple Myeloma384115969010.21608/resoncol.2021.51503.1127ENDoaa A.MohammedClinical Pathology Department, South Egypt Cancer Institute, Assiut University, Assiut, EgyptSalah M.KhallafMedical Oncology Department, South Egypt Cancer Institute, Assiut University, Assiut, Egypt0000-0002-5189-9525Mohamed G.M.El-NaggarClinical Pathology Department, South Egypt Cancer Institute, Assiut University, Assiut, EgyptMuhamad R.Abdel-HameedClinical Hematology Unit, Internal Medicine Department Faculty of Medicine, Assiut University, Assiut, EgyptRania BakryClinical Pathology Department, South Egypt Cancer Institute, Assiut University, Assiut, EgyptJournal Article20201129<strong>Background:</strong> Identification of high-risk patients with multiple myeloma (MM) is important for improving treatment outcomes. Efforts to identify significant prognostic markers are unremitting. Angiogenesis plays an important mechanism in the progression of MM. One of the mediators of this angiogenic process is interleukin-10 (IL-10).<br /> <strong>Aim</strong>: To assess the role of IL-10 as a prognostic marker in MM.<br /> <strong>Methods:</strong> This was a cross-sectional study that included 39 newly diagnosed patients with MM. Serum IL-10 level was measured using Magnetic Luminex® Assay multiplex. The relationship between IL-10 and tumor stage and other known prognostic markers in MM was studied.<br /> <strong>Results:</strong> The median (interquartile range) value of IL-10 was 3 (2.9 – 3.2) pg/mL. Interleukin-10 level differed significantly according to the revised International Staging System stage of MM, being higher in higher stages. The median (interquartile range) IL-10 level was 2.89 (2.79 – 2.95) pg/mL in stage I, 3 (2.9 – 3.1) in stage II and 3.2 (3.1 – 3.66) in stage III (p = 0.0009). In addition, higher IL-10 correlated significantly with lower hemoglobin (p = 0.002), lower albumin (p = 0.045), higher creatinine (p = 0.009), higher β2-microglobulin (p = 0.002), higher lactate dehydrogenase (p = 0.0007) and higher bone marrow plasma cell percentage (p = 0.015).<br /> <strong>Conclusion:</strong> The results support a prognostic role of IL-10 in MM and its pathogenesis.