فهرست مطالب nasrin dehghan-nayeri

Pediatric cancer biobanks play an important role in advancing cancer research efforts and developing effective treatments. However, the majority of these biobanks are located in developed countries, leaving a large portion of the world's population without access to these critical resources. This article focuses on the current dispersion of pediatric cancer biobanks in the Middle East.

PubMed and Google Scholar databases were searched using the terms ‘pediatric cancer biobank’ or ‘childhood cancer biobank’ or ‘children’s cancer biobank’, or ‘pediatric cancer biorepository’ or ‘childhood cancer biorepository’ or ‘children’s cancer biorepository’, along with ‘Jordan’, ‘the United Arab Emirates’, ‘Iran’, ‘Bahrain’, ‘Turkey’, ‘Syria’, ‘Iraq’, ‘Saudi Arabia’, ‘Oman’, ‘Qatar’, ‘Kuwait’, ‘Lebanon’, ‘Egypt’, ‘Yemen’, ‘Palestine’ with English language restriction.

Despite being a relatively recent development, some notable pediatric cancer biobanks have been established in the region, including the King Hussein Cancer Center Biobank in Jordan, the Children's Cancer Hospital Egypt Biorepository and Biospecimen Research Facility in Egypt, the Iranian Childhood Cancer Biobank in Iran, and national pediatric cancer biorepository in Qatar.

However, several challenges still hinder the establishment and maintenance of biobanks in the region, including insufficient funding, lack of infrastructure and resources, limited awareness, and regulatory hurdles. Overcoming these challenges will require targeted investments, building infrastructure and awareness, and efficient regulatory frameworks. Developing and maintaining high-quality pediatric cancer biobanks within the Middle East could lead to a better understanding of pediatric cancer patterns in the region, ultimately improving treatment outcomes and quality of life for pediatric cancer patients globally.

Biological resources, along with patient-related clinical data, are basically required for personalized medicine and translational research. In this regard, pediatric cancer biobanks have considerable significance due to their special challenges, which include the need for long-term sample collection (due to high diversity and rare tumors), the difficulty of working with children, as well as the limited volume of samples available in children.

After obtaining all necessary approvals (from the ethics committee, scientific board, and financial support), standard operating procedures (SOPs) were defined for all aspects of the biobank procedures, including equipping the lab, sample collection, processing, storage, as well as clinical data recording.

Until July 2022, approximately 8,000 samples from 720 patients have been collected in the biobank. In summary, the samples in the biobank are classified into three categories: leukemia (40.7%), solid tumors (39.44%), and central nervous system tumors (15.56%). The unique activities of the biobank include the collection of various biological samples from patients and their parents, inter-university cooperation, the use of a vacuum system to preserve tissue, the launching of an online database for recording patients' medical data, and the setting up of a bilingual website for announcements at the national and international levels.

 Iranian Childhood Cancer Biobank (ICCBB) is the first pediatric biobank center in Iran that collects various samples and associated clinical data from patients with a wide range of childhood cancers. The ICCBB aims to advance clinical research in the field of pediatric cancer by providing both the required quantity and quality of biological samples.

The natural products and conventional chemotherapeutic drug combinations are believed to increase cure rates of anticancer treatment while reducing its toxicity. The current study investigates cytotoxic and apoptogenic effects of methanolic extract of Beryonia aspera, and also synergistic effects of this extract and Prednisolone on acute lymphoblastic leukemia cell lines.
The under study populations were NALM-6 and REH cell lines. Cells were treated by Prednisolone and B. aspera extract alone and in combination. The effect of the drugs on survival and apoptosis were examined using MTT and flow cytometry, respectively. Moreover, the effects of the drugs on the mRNA expression levels of Bax and Bcl-2 were studied using RQ-PCR. Finally, both the transcriptional and enzymatic activity of caspase-3 were investigated by caspase-3 assay kit.
The B. aspera extract induced cell growth inhibition and triggered apoptosis in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Real-time PCR analysis of apoptotic target genes revealed that this agent shifted the ratio of the death promoter to death repressor genes via alteration of Bax and Bcl-2 expression levels. These changes resulted in caspase-3 activation, which led to DNA fragmentation and subsequent apoptosis. Our study has also demonstrated that the combined treatment of B. aspera extract with Prednisolone did not induce greater cytotoxic effect as compared to treatment series using either Prednisolone alone.
Our study demonstrated that the B. aspera extract has anti-leukemic properties on BCP-ALL cell lines and could be regarded as a promising agent for the treatment of ALL.

Fatty acid synthase (FASN) is a key enzyme in de novo lipogenesis pathway. FASN overexpression is a common feature of many human cancers like breast cancer. Furthermore, FASN expression in HER2 - positive cell lines like SKBR3 is more than other cell lines, such as MCF - 7, which are not HER2 - positive. Cichorium intybus is a medicinal herb and methanolic extract of this plant significantly suppressed cell viability and growth in some cancer cells.
In this study, we aimed at investigating the effect of methanolic extract of Cichorium intybus on the FASN expression and, therefore, lipogenesis pathway in human breast cancer SKBR3 cell line.
We assessed the cytotoxicity effect of Chicorium intybus on the cell viability of SKBR3 cells, using MTT assay. In addition, apoptosis rate was assessed by annexinV/PI flow cytometry. Finally, Real time q - PCR was used for the analysis of FASN gene expression.
The results showed that the methanolic extract of Cichorium intybus caused a dose - dependent decrease in the cell viability of SKBR3 cells. Additionally, the treatment of confluent SKBR3 cells with extract led to reduced FASN expression at mRNA level.
These results suggest that Chicorium intybus not only inhibits cell viability in a dose - dependent manner, but also presumably inhibits lipogenesis by markedly decreased FASN expression as a key lipogenic enzyme.

Risk-based therapy protocols have dramatically improved survival rates in more than 80% of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (chALL). Prognostic biomarkers could be valuable for predicting the relapsed ALL patients and may therefore contribute to improving ALL outcome. Presently, there are little data on the role of prognostic biomarkers in the risk stratification of ALL. The aim of the present systematic review is to survey the identified prognostic biomarkers of chALL. In this study, protein-protein interaction of identified biomarkers was evaluated to reveal the biological pathways related to high risk chALL. To pursue this goal, firstly all relevant studies were collected through the PubMed and Google Scholar databases with no restrictions. Then, the biomarkers of high risk patients were recorded and finally protein-protein interaction of biomarkers was analyzed through using the STRING database. After screening 82 abstracts, three studies were included with 36 high risk and 33 low risk B-ALL participants. Totally, 142 biomarkers were investigated in this study. Protein interaction network analysis of biomarkers revealed two main pathways, namely ribosome and spliceosome. Dysregulation of two key pathways, ribosome and spliceosome can be associated with the high risk phenotype of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

Curcuma Longa (CL) extract is a natural compound derived from the roots of Curcuma Longa. Prednisolone is a synthetic glucocorticoid and one of the most important pharmaceutical agents used for treatment of acute lymphoblastic leukemia.
We investigated the cytotoxic effect of Curcuma Longa extract and the synergistic effect of Curcuma Longa extract in combination with Prednisolone on acute lymphoblastic leukemia Nalm-6 and REH cell lines.
The obtained results of this research revealed that CL extract led to the death of Nalm-6 and REH cells, while Prednisolone demonstrated cytotoxic effects solely on the Nalm-6 cells. In addition, after combining CL extract and Prednisolone, the synergistic effect was observed only on Nalm-6 cells. The outcome of treatment on normal MDBK cells was the viability of most of the cells. CL extract induced apoptosis and increased expression of the Bax gene and caspase-3 activity. It also reduced Bcl-2 gene expression in Nalm-6 cells, and the aforementioned effects were amplified in the presence of prednisolone. In REH cells, CL extract induced apoptosis and increased Bax gene expression and caspase-3 activity. It also reduced expression of the Bcl-2 gene.
In general, our findings suggest that CL extract has cytotoxic effects on acute lymphoblastic leukemia cells and it also amplifies the cytotoxic effect of prednisolone on Nalm-6 cells.

Tumor angiogenesis is an important procedure for the tumor development as it confirms oxygen and nutrients source to increase cells through the expansion of new blood vessels, potentially causing cancer development and metastasis. Emodin, a tyrosine kinase inhibitor, is an innate anthraquinone derivative found in the roots and rhizomes of several plants. Pharmacological studies have revealed that emodin displays various biological roles, such as anti-inflammatory, antibacterial and anticancer action. Studies have confirmed that emodin prevents cell growth in some types of cancer cells. Therefore, inhibition of angiogenesis is a new strategy for cancer treatment.
In this study, we aimed to determine the effect of emodin on expression of VEGF-A and VEGFR-2 genes in MCF-7 cell line.
Comparative cell viability was measured by MTT assay after treatment with different concentrations of emodin (0, 10, 20, 30, 40 and 50μM) for 24, 48, 72 hours. To investigate apoptosis in cells treated with emodin (0, 10, 20, 30, 40 and 50 µM), flow cytometry was used. Finally, alterations in expression of VEGF-A and VEGFR-2genes were analyzed by real time PCR.
Emodin showed an anti-cancer effect with concentration of 20 μM as IC50 in MCF-7 cells. Emodin induced apoptosis and significantly reduced mRNA level of VEGF-A and VEGFR-2 gene in MCF-7 cell line in a dose dependent manner.
Based on results obtained, emodin significantly reduced mRNA level of VEGF-A and VEGFR-2 gene in MCF-7 cell line in a dose dependent manner.

Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is the most common cancer in the children. Despite recent treatment advances, about 80 percent of patients indicate resistance to treatment and the relapse remains a significant clinical problem. Apoptotic-resistant leukemia cells exhibit an unusual response to the NF-κB pathway, therefore inhibiting this pathway can sensitize resistant cells to treatment. IKK-NF-kappaB signaling is an important factor in carciogenesis and a potential target for cancer treatment. Therefore, in this study, we analyzed the mRNA expression of targets of NF-κB signaling including IKKalpha, IKKbeta and also NF-κB using the real time-PCR in the face of the combined effect of Curcuma longa and prednisolone in the ALL cell line of NALM-6. Our results showed significant downregulation of three genes after combination Curcuma longa (5 µg/ml) and prednisolone (1 μM) in comparison with the single agents alone. These findings unveiled the synergistic effect of Curcuma longa and prednisolone on IKKα and IKKβ downregulation and NF-κB inhibition that can be considered as a new approach in the ALL treatment of resistant to chemotherapy.

The most important problem with radiotherapy is the limitation of whole body irradiation of a metastatic patient. There are evidence showing that similar effect will occur in non-irradiated tumors similar to the irradiated ones. This effect is called abscopal effect. In the present study, the abscopal effect on local induced mice breast cancers has been investigated. One million of 4T1 mice breast cancer cell line was injected to balb/c mice subcutaneously while being under anesthesia. After the growth of tumors till becoming palpable, one of two induced tumors were exposed to total 28 Gy, with gamma rays emitted from a cobalt -60 tele-therapy machine in 14 fractions with 2 Gy daily doses. Tumor volumes were measured, using the caliper. The data was analyzed by the use of non-parametrical and ANOVA tests. Similar growth in non-irradiated control tumors was seen. After 10 or 11 fractions of one- side irradiation and total dose of 20 to 22 Gy, however, non-irradiated tumors, similar to irradiated ones, showed similar effect, reduction of size and volume different from control groups (P

The poor prognosis of breast cancer is due to its resistance to the conventional treatments. Therefore, researchers are studying about herbs which have anticancer effects. Emodin is a hydroxy-anthraquinone that is found in many medicinal plants and has biological and anticancer effects. According to previous studies, it inhibited the growth of cancer cells by apoptosis.
In this study, we aimed to determine the effect(s) of emodin on growth and proliferation of SKBR3 cancer cells.
SKBR3 cells were cultivated for 24 hours. Then different concentrations of emodin (0, 10, 25 and 50 µM) were added to the test wells and incubated for 24, 48 and 72 hours. Cell viability was examined by MTT assay after 24, 48 and 72 hours. Apoptosis was determined in cells treated with emodin (0, 10, 25 and 50 µM) using flow cytometric assay. Alterations in expression of apoptotic-related genes (Caspase 3, 8, 9, Bcl2 and Bax) were determined by real time PCR. Caspase 3 activity was measured using a colorimetric assay.
Emodin had inhibitory effects on the proliferation of SKBR3 cells with IC50 value of 25 µM. Emodin induced apoptosis and increased the mRNA expression of Caspase 3, 8, 9 and Bax and decreased the mRNA expression of Bcl2 in SKBR3 cells. It also increased the activity of Caspase 3.
Emodin had an inhibitory effect on the growth of SKBR3 cell line in a dose and time dependent manner. This study indicated that emodin induces apoptosis in SKBR3 cells through the alterations of the expression of apoptosis-related genes and increases the activity of Caspase 3.

Fatty acid synthase is a multifunctional protein that catalyzes de novo synthesis of long-chain fatty acids. FASN expression is higher in HER2-positive cells, such as SKBR3 and MCF-7/HER2 cells, than in MCF-7 cells, which express lower HER2 levels. Curcumin, a yellow-colored hydrophobic polyphenol derived from the rhizome turmeric, significantly suppressed growth of human breast cancer cells. In this study, we assessed the effect of curcumin on expression and activity of fatty acid synthase in SK-BR-3 breast cancer cells.
In this study, we decided to determine the effects of Curcumin on Fatty Acid Synthase expression and enzyme activity in breast cancer cell line SKBR3.
We assessed the cytotoxicity effect of curcumin in SK-BR-3 cells by MTT. Apoptosis was performed by flow cytometry. FAS activity was measured by a spectrophotometer at 340 nm of NADPH absorption. Fatty acid synthase gene expression was analyzed by real-time PCR.
Curcumin could decrease cell viability and induce apoptosis in SK-BR-3 cells. Curcumin also reduces the enzyme activity and expression of fatty acid synthase.
It is possible that inhibitory effects of curcumin on FAS may induce apoptosis in SK-BR-3 breast cancer cells.

Breast cancer is themost prevalent cancer and the second cause of death among women around the world. Inmany cancers, including breast cancer, Fatty acid synthase (FASN) gene expression is increased significantly. In breast cancer cell lines, expression of FASN is higher in HER2 positive cell line like SKBR3 than the others. FASN is the key enzyme for fatty acid synthesis de novo pathway and it is producing palmitate which is necessary for cellmembrane formation. Cichoriumintybus is amedicinal plant that effectively leads to inhibition of fatty acid synthase and thus reduces the percentage of survival of cancer cell lines.

The aimof this studywas to evaluate the effect ofmethanol extract of Chicoriumintybus root on percentage of survival in SKBR3 cell line.

Human breast cancer SKBR3 cell line was cultured in DMEM medium. Methanol extract of Cichorium intybus root was extracted and different dilutions (200, 300, 400, 500 and 600g/mL) were added to cell culture. Cell viability was quantitated by MTT assay after 24, 48 and 72 hours.

Cichorium intybus could decrease cell viability. The effects of extract on cell viability were observed after 24, 48 and 72 hours on SKBR3 cell line and IC50 was 800, 400 and 300 after 24, 48 and 72 hours of treatment, respectively.

Our study shows thatmethanol extract of Cichoriumintybus has cytotoxic effects on tumor cells. This is a pilotwork for further evaluation in the future.

Gene-set analysis of microarray data determines biological pathways or gene setswith differential expression in a phenotype of interest. In contrast to the analysis of individual genes، gene-set analysis utilizes existing biological knowledge of genes in assessing differential expression. This paper compared the biological performance of two gene-set analysis methods.

To determinegene sets، which are differentially expressed between acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) with BCR/ABL and those with no observed cytogenetic abnormalities، the real microarray data come from a clinical trial in acute lymphoblastic leukaemia were used in this study. For this reason، we used two GSA methods; GSEA-category and Global test and then the data were analyzedusing by R software.

Globaltest identified 114 out of 200 gene sets introduced in KEGG with differentially expressed on comparing the group with BCR/ABL to those with no observed cytogenetic abnormalities. While Category could identify just 30 gene sets of this set.

Both of used methods include number of gene sets affecting ALL. So the more thorough study is needed to identify the more metric method. Evaluation of common gene sets among the two methods could identify the latest findings of biologists only by the used statistical methods

Prostate cancer is the second most common cancer in men. In spite of on-going researches in this filed, the specific causes of prostate cancer are so far unknown. In this study, we used two methods of Gene Set Analysis to improve the biological interpretation of the observed expression patterns in prostate cancer. The Gene Set Analysis is a computational method to discover gene sets whose expression is associated with a phenotype of interest. In addition, we used these methods to search gene sets defined by KEGG and BioCarta. Although, our results showed that most of the gene sets were associated with prostate cancer in the Category and Hotelling’s T2 methods, the power of the Hotelling’s T2 was more than Category method in either KEGG or BioCarta gene sets. The concordance between the results of Pubmed articles and KEGG gene sets was more than the results of Pubmed articles and BioCarta gene sets.