Gastrointestinal Cancer Incidence in East Azerbaijan, Iran: Update on 5 Year Incidence and Trends

Somi, Mohammad Hossein,Golzari, Mehrad,Farhang, Sara,Naghashi, Shahnaz,Abdollahi, Leila Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2014 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.15 No.9

Background: A cancer registry program has been established in East Azerbaijan and this has emphasized the importance of cancers of gastrointestinal tract in this region. The aim of the present pathology-based cancer registry report is to renew epidemiologic aspects of gastrointestinal tract cancers and estimate recent trends. Materials and Methods: A survey team reviewed and collected all records of cancer cases from all referral and valid pathology laboratories of East Azerbaijan province during September 2007-2011. Crude rates, age-specific rates of cancer incidence and annual percent change were calculated. Results: The total newly diagnosed cancer cases (n=6,889)comprised 4,341 males (63.0%) and 2,540 females (36.9%). Gastric cancer was the most common GI tract cancer with an ASR (per $10^5$) of 23.1 for males and 7.69 for females. The ASRs for esophageal and colorectal cancers were 9.69 and 11.2 in males and 7.35 and 8.93 in females. Trend analysis showed a significant decline for esophageal cancer and increasing incidence for colorectal cancer in females. Conclusions: The prevalence of gastric cancer is high in East Azerbaijan province of Iran. This pathology based cancer registry showed an ascending trend for colorectal cancer and decreasing trend for esophageal cancer in females during 2007-2011.

Clinicopathological Factors and Gastric Cancer Prognosis in the Iranian Population: a Meta-analysis

Somi, Mohammad Hossein,Ghojazadeh, Morteza,Bagheri, Masood,Tahamtani, Taraneh Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2015 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.16 No.3

Background: Gastric cancer is the most common cancer in the Iranian population. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of clinicopathological factors on prognosis by meta-analysis. Materials and Methods: A literature search was conducted using MEDLINE, EMBASE and Cochrane library and extensive literature search using the Persian databases until February 2011. Prospective follow up studies with multivariate analysis of overall survival of the patients with gastric cancer were included in this review. The data were analyzed by CMA.2. Publication bias are checked by funnel plot and data are shown as Forest plots. Results: From a total of 63 articles, 14 retrospective studies which examined 5 prognostic factors and involving 10,500 patients were included. Tumor size (>35mm) was the main significant factor predicting an unfavorable prognosis for the patients with gastric cancer (RR=1.829, p<0.001) followed by presence of distant metastases (RR=1.607, p<0.001), poor differentiation (RR=1.408, p<0.001) and male sex (RR=1.194, p<0.001). Lymph node metastases (RR=1.058, p=0.698) and moderate differentiation (RR=0.836, p=0.043) were not statistically significant as prognostic factors. Conclusions: This meta-analysis suggests that tumor size>35mm, poor differentiation, presence of distant metastasis and male gender are strongly associated with a poor prognosis in Iranian patients with gastric cancer.

Is there any Relationship between Food Habits in the Last Two Decades and Gastric Cancer in North-western Iran?

Somi, Mohammad Hossein,Mousavi, Seyed Mohsen,Naghashi, Shahnaz,Faramarzi, Elnaz,Jafarabadi, Mohammad Asghari,Ghojazade, Morteza,Majidi, Alireza,Alavi, Seyed Ahmad Naseri Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2015 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.16 No.1

Purpose: The aims of this case-control study were to assess the correlation between some food habits in the last two decades and gastric cancer in East Azerbaijan of Iran. Materials and Methods: In this hospital based case control study, 616 patients (212 gastric cancer patients, 404 cancer free patients) were recruited. Food habits of patients over the past two decades were assessed with a structured questionnaire. We used conditional logistic regression analysis for estimating crude and adjusted odds ratios (OR) and their respective 95% confidence intervals (95%CI). Results: In this study, over-eating, consumption of high fat milk and yogurt and especial types of cheese increased the risk of gastric cancer (All<0.05). Consumption of such especial cheeses such as Koze and Khiki increased the risk of gastric cancer by 12.6 fold (95% CI:1.99-79.36) and 7.36 fold (95% CI:1.33-40.54), respectively. In addition, high fat food, moldy food, and pickled vegetables consumption as well as reuse of cooking oil for frying were significantly associated with gastric cancer risk. Furthermore, intake of Ghorme (deep fried meat) was positively correlated with gastric cancer risk (OR:1.31;95%CI: 0.91-1.87). Conclusions: It can be confirmed that particular food habits which have been very common in East-Azerbaijan in the last two past decades increase risk of gastric cancer. According to our results and taking into account the long latency period of gastric cancer it can be concluded that nutrition education for a healthy diet should be performed from early childhood. However, further well designed cohort studies are needed to achieve more clear results.

Diabesity Associates with Poor COVID-19 Outcomes among Hospitalized Patients

Zeinab Nikniaz,Mohammad Hossein Somi,Masood Faghih Dinevari,Ali Taghizadieh,Leila Mokhtari 대한비만학회 2021 The Korean journal of obesity Vol.30 No.2

Background: Although numerous studies have investigated obesity’s negative effect on coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outcomes, only a limited number focused on this association in diabetic patients. In this study, we analyzed the association between obesity and COVID-19 outcome (death, intensive care unit [ICU] admission, mechanical ventilation needs, quick Sequential Organ Failure Assessment [qSOFA] score, and confusion, urea, respiratory rate, blood pressure [CURB-65] scores) for hospitalized diabetic patients. Methods: In this prospective hospital-based registry of patients with COVID-19 in East Azerbaijan, Iran, 368 consecutive diabetic patients with COVID-19 were followed from admission until discharge or death. Self-reported weight and height were used to calculate body mass index (kg/m2) upon admission. Our primary endpoint was analyzing obesity and COVID-19 mortality association. Assessing the associations among obesity and disease severity, ICU admission, and mechanical ventilation was our secondary endpoint. Results: We analyzed data from 317 patients and found no significant difference between obese and non-obese patients regarding frequency of death, invasive mechanical ventilation, ICU admission, CURB-65, or qSOFA scores (P>0.05). After adjusting for confounding factors, obese diabetic COVID-19 patients were 2.72 times more likely to die than non-obese patients. Moreover, ventilator dependence (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 1.87; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.03–4.76) and ICU admission (aOR, 2.41; 95% CI, 1.11–5.68) odds were significantly higher for obese patients than non-obese patients. Conclusion: The results of the present study indicated that obesity worsens health outcomes for diabetic COVID-19 patients.

Survival Rate and Prognostic Factors of Esophageal Cancer in East Azerbaijan Province, North-west of Iran

Mirinezhad, Seyed Kazem,Somi, Mohammad Hossein,Jangjoo, Amir Ghasemi,Seyednezhad, Farshad,Dastgiri, Saeed,Mohammadzadeh, Mohammad,Naseri, Ali Reza,Nasiri, Behnam Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2012 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.13 No.7

Background: Esophageal cancer in Iran is the sixth most common cancer and is particularly important in east Azerbaijan. The aim of this study was to calculate survival rates and define prognostic factors in esophageal cancer patients. Methods: In this study, all patients with esophageal cancer registered in the Radiation Therapy Center, during March 2006 to March 2011, were analyzed and followed up for vital status. Data were analyzed using the Kaplan-Meier method and the Cox proportional hazard models. Results: Out of 532 patients, survival information was available for 460, including 205 (44/ 5%) females and 255 (55/4%) males. The mean age was $65.8{\pm}12.2$, ranging from 29 to 90 years at the time of diagnosis. 1-, 3- and 5-year survival rates after diagnosis were 55%, 18% and 12%, respectively, with a median survival time of $13.2{\pm}.7$ (CI 95% =11.8-14.6) months. In the univariate analysis, age (P=0/001), education (P=0/001), smoking status (P= 0/001), surgery (P= 0/001), tumor differentiation (P= 0/003) and tumor stage (P= 0/001) were significant prognostic factors. Tumor morphology, sex, place of residence, tumor histology and tumor location did not show any significant effects on the survival rate. In multivariate analysis, age (P = 0/003), smoking (P= 0/01) and tumor stage (P= 0/001) were significant independent predictors of survival. Conclusion: In summary, prognosis of esophageal cancer in North West of Iran is poor. Therefore, reduction in exposure to risk factors and early detection should be emphasized to improve survival.

Impact of Postoperative Chemoradiotherapy and Chemoradiotherapy Alone for Esophageal Cancer in North-West Iran

Mirinezhad, Seyed Kazem,Somi, Mohammad Hossein,Shirmohamadi, Masoud,Seyednejad, Farshad,Jangjoo, Amir Ghasemi,Ghojazadeh, Morteza,Mohammadzadeh, Mohammad,Naseri, Ali Reza,Nasiri, Behnam Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2013 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.14 No.6

Background: To investigate the role of surgical treatment for locally advanced esophageal cancer, we compared the outcomes of chemoradiotheroy alone (CRT) to postoperative chemoradiotherapy (S/CRT), using, Regional Radiotherapy Center, database. Materials and Methods: This retrospective study was conducted in North-West of Iran, included of 255 consecutive patients with esophageal cancer. Eligible operable and non-operable, were treated with S/CRT and CRT respectively. Radiotherapy (RT) was delivered at 1.8-2 Gy/day for five consecutive days in a given week. Chemotherapy (CT) consisted of cisplatin and 5-fluorouracil. Results: From March 2006 to March 2011 255 patients: male/female 129/96, median age 68 (35-90), squamous/adeno 213/12, received CRT/S+CRT 166/59, median radiation dose $45{\pm}13.6Gy$, Median survival 13.5 (11-15), overall survival (OS) One/Two/Three 57/21/16%, Died/alive 158/97, Univariate analysis prognostic factors: age/stag/differentiation/dose of RT/fraction/treatment, Multivariate analysis predictor factor: dose of RT/fraction. Conclusions: Although this treatment offers some possibility for improvement of patients with esophageal cancer, there remains a significant need for development of new drug and new therapeutic approaches that can substantially impact survival.

Survival in Patients Treated with Definitive Chemo-Radiotherapy for Non-Metastatic Esophageal Cancer in North-West Iran

Mirinezhad, Seyed Kazem,Somi, Mohammad Hossein,Seyednezhad, Farshad,Jangjoo, Amir Ghasemi,Ghojazadeh, Morteza,Mohammadzadeh, Mohammad,Naseri, Ali Reza,Nasiri, Behnam Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2013 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.14 No.3

Background: Areas of Iran have among the highest incidences of esophageal cancer in the world. Definitive chemo-radiotherapy (DCRT) is used for locally advanced esophageal cancer and for inoperable tumors asan alternative to surgical treatment. Materials and Methods: This retrospective study was conducted in North-West Iran 2006-2011, including 267 consecutive patients with non-metastatic esophageal cancer. Eligible inoperable patients were treated with DCRT or definitive radiotherapy (DRT) alone. Radiotherapy (RT) was delivered at 1.8-2 Gy/day for five consecutive days in a given week. Chemotherapy (CT) consisted of cisplatin and 5-fluorouracil. Results: The median survival was 12.7 months with 1, 3 and 5 year survival rates of 55%, 18% and 11%, respectively. On univariate analysis, relations with age at diagnosis (p=0.015), N-stage (p=0.04), total dose of RT (p=0.001), fraction (p<0.001), Gap status (p=0.025), chemotherapeutic regimens (P=0.027), and 5-Fu $Mg/m^2$ (P=0.004) were apparent. Comparing DCRT to DRT, there was a significant difference in survival. Multivariate analysis was performed for comparison between DCRT and DRT showed significant association with age group ${\geq}65$ to <65 (P=0.02; OR: 1.46), the total RT dose (Gy) ${\geq}50$ to <50 (P=0.01; OR: 0.65) and the fraction group ${\geq}25$ to <25 (P=<0.001; OR: 0.54). Conclusions: The survival rates of esophageal cancer treated with DCRT in North West of Iran is poor; therefore, early detection and improved treatment methods, with clinical trials are a high priority.

Diagnostic Relevance of Overexpressed Serine Threonine Tyrosine Kinase/Novel Oncogene with Kinase Domain (STYK1/NOK) mRNA in Colorectal Cancer

Orang, Ayla Valinezhad,Safaralizadeh, Reza,Hosseinpour Feizi, Mohammad Ali,Somi, Mohammad Hossein Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2014 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.15 No.16

Background: Alterations in gene expression levels or mutations of tyrosine kinases are detected in some human cancers. In this study, we examined whether serine threonine tyrosine kinase 1 (STYK1)/novel oncogene with kinase domain (NOK) is overexpressed in patients with colorectal cancer. We also examined the clinical relevance of STYK1/NOK expression in cancer tissues. Materials and Methods: In tumor samples of patients with colorectal cancer and their matched non-cancerous samples, STYK1/NOK messenger RNA (mRNA) expression was analyzed by quantitative reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction. Associations between the expression levels of STYK1/NOK and clinicopathological characteristics of colorectal cancer were also assessed using Mann-Whitney U and Kruskal-Wallis tests. Results: Upregulation of STYK1/NOK was found in cancer tissues even at early stage of colorectal cancer compared to normal adjacent tissues. The optimal cutoff point of 0.198 the STYK1/NOK expression showed 0.78 sensitivity and 0.75 specificity for diagnosis. Overexpressed STYK1/NOK was correlated with tumor size but had no association with other clinicopathological characteristics of colorectal cancer. Conclusions: These results indicate that STYK1/NOK mRNA is widely expressed in the patients with colorectal cancer and suggest that inhibition of this molecule could potentially serve as a novel therapeutic target.

Diagnostic and Prognostic Value of miR-205 in Colorectal Cancer

Orang, Ayla Valinezhad,Safaralizadeh, Reza,Feizi, Mohammad Ali Hosseinpour,Somi, Mohammad Hossein Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2014 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.15 No.9

Emerging evidence has shown associations of microRNA-205 (miR-205) with crucial cell processes such as the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and aberrant expression with tumorigenesis in many types of human malignancy. This prospective study characterized the contribution of miR-205 to the colorectal cancer (CRC) tumorigenesis. The real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction was used to examine miR-205 levels prospectively in 36 pairs of samples of CRC tissue and adjacent noncancerous tissue (>2 cm from cancer tissue). In addition, the relationship between miR-205 levels and clinicopathological features was explored. The capability of miR-205 to function as a tumor marker was also examined. miR-205 expression levels did not show significant changes overall. However, miR-205 was significantly downregulated in a group of CRC samples compared with matched noncancerous tissue samples. Moreover, decreased miR-205 correlated significantly with lymphatic metastasis. A receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve also showed an optimum cut off point of $1.4{\times}10^{-3}$ to distinguish lymphatic metastatic CRCs from non-metastatic CRCs. Interestingly we found lymphatic metastasis in almost 80% of the depressed samples. This study suggested that miR-205 could be reduced in the majority of metastatic CRCs and the risk of CRC metastasis may be predicted by monitoring miR-205 in patient samples collected at the time of the initial diagnosis. Therefore, targeting miR-205 and its potential environmental activators might be a promising therapeutic option to prevent malignant progression toward metastasis.

Helicobacter pylori vacA d1 Genotype Predicts Risk of Gastric Adenocarcinoma and Peptic Ulcers in Northwestern Iran

Basiri, Zeinab,Safaralizadeh, Reza,Bonyadi, Morteza Jabbarpour,Somi, Mohammad Hossein,Mahdavi, Majid,Latifi-Navid, Saeid Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2014 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.15 No.4

Background: There is a close relationship between Helicobacter pylori (H pylori)-specific factors and different gastroduodenal diseases. The present study aimed to investigate the prevalence of vacA d1, d2 genotypes in the H pylori isolates from patients with gastric adenocarcinoma, peptic ulcer disease (PUD) and gastritis in East Azerbaijan region, where the incidence of gastric cancer (GC) is high. Strains isolated from this area are likely to be of European ancestry. Materials and Methods: In this study, genotyping of the vacA d region of 115 isolates obtained from patients with different gastrodoudenal diseases was accomplished by PCR methods. In addition to PCR amplification of H pylori 16S rDNA, rapid urease tests or histological examination were used to confirm the presence of H pylori in biopsy specimens. Data were collected and analyzed using SPSS version 19. Results: Of the total of 83 H pylori isolates, 36 (43.4%) contained the d1 allele and 47 (56.6%) were subtype d2. The results of the multiple linear/logistic regression analysis showed high correlation between allele d1 and gastric adenocarcinoma or PUD. Conclusions: This study suggests that the H pylori vacA d1 genotype helps predict risk for gastric adenocarcinoma and PUD in East Azerbaijan, Iran.