Changes in the status of DNA methylation are one of the most common molecular alterations in human neoplasia. We aimed to identify epigenetic molecular markers in serum for early detection of breast cancer. Authors analyzed retrospectively the methylation status of RARb 2 and APC genes in serum samples from 121 breast cancer patients, 79 patients with benign breast diseases, and 66 healthy volunteers using methylationspecific PCR. The methylated APC and RARb 2 were significantly higher in breast cancer patients (93.4%, 95.6%) than benign (7.8%, 14.5%) but not detected in healthy volunteers (0%) at (P < 0.0001). Both methylated genes showed no significant difference among clinicopathological factors apart from triple negative breast cancer patients as all of them (v 2 5 7.4, P 5 0.007) reported to be methylated RARb 2 genes. Both methylated genes were detected in all grades and stages. Both sensitivities and specificities of the methylated genes for breast cancer detection were superior to traditional tumor markers in detection of breast cancer, early stage, low grade tumors, and triple negative breast cancer patients. Thus methylated APC and RARb 2 genes might be valuable serum-based molecular markers for early detection of breast cancer. V C 2015 IUBMB Life, 67(1): [61][62][63][64][65][66][67][68] 2015

Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is a heterogeneous cancer commonly affecting children due to dysregulation of miRNA expression. In the current study, authors investigated the expression profile for miRNA-125b-1 and miRNA-203 among childhood ALL. Blood samples were collected from newly diagnosed childhood ALL and healthy control children. The expression profile for candidate miRNAs was detected using quantitative RT-PCR analysis. Statistical analysis were performed using receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) to examine the diagnostic efficacy of the two miRNA and their levels among ALL clinicopathological factors and phenotypes. The median expression level for miRNA-125b-1 was significantly high in childhood ALL; while miRNA-203 level was significantly low in childhood ALL as compared to control ones. MiRNA-125-1 reported significant increase in T-ALL as compared to other ALL phenotypes. Median miRNA-203 level was high in T-ALL followed by pre-B-ALL although no significant difference was reported. Clinicopathological factors did not emphasize significance with either detected miRNAs. Using ROC curve the diagnostic efficacy was significant with an area under the curve 0.858 for miRNA-125b-1 (83.72, 100%) and 0.878 for miRNA-203 (97.67, 86.96%). The combination of the two key miRNAs revealed absolute sensitivity (100%). MiRNA-125b-1 and miRNA-203 can be useful molecular markers for diagnosis of ALL. Further studies with large cohort are warranted to validate these results.

SummaryHepatitis C virus is one of the main causes of chronic hepatitis in developing countries. The current study was to evaluate the efficacy of the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay third generation (ELISA-3) for detection of antibodies to hepatitis C virus (anti-HCV) in comparison with reverse transcriptasenested polymerase chain reaction (RT-nested PCR) to detect HCV RNA for the diagnosis of hepatitis C virus. Serum samples were collected from 151 chronic hepatitis C patients and 50 healthy individuals. All samples were tested for anti-HCV antibodies using ELISA-3 and HCV RNA by RT-nested PCR. Of the 151,120 (78.9%) were found to be seropositive by ELISA-3, and 148 (98%) patients were HCV RNA positive, 118 (78.1%) were positives for both, 30 (19.9%) were positive for ELISA-3 and negative for RT-PCR, and 2 cases (1.3%) were positive for RT-nested PCR and negative for ELISA-3. The sensitivity and the specificity for the detection of HCV were absolute when the two techniques were combined. In conclusion, ELISA-3 is a suitable assay for routine screening for anti-HCV. RT-nested PCR for HCV is a value for the early detection of viremic, anti-HCV negative cases; this may be of importance in treatment of hepatitis C.

Background Breast cancer (BC) is the common primary tumor among females. Hence, there is an urgent need to improve the early prediction and diagnosis of BC. For that reason, the object of the current study is to analyze the expression levels of miRNA-373 and its target genes including vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and cyclin D1 in women with BC. Results Upregulation of miRNA-373 and its target genes was observed in BC patients followed by patients with benign breast lesions compared to downregulation in controls. There was a significant association between the expression level of miRNA-373 and all clinical features. The same associations were observed between its target genes and all clinico-pathological features except hormonal status. The correlation between miRNA-373 and both genes was significant. Conclusions Our results prove that miRNA-373, as an oncomir, would be a vital biomarker for BC diagnosis and prognosis by targeting both VEGF and cyclin D1.

Abstract. Objectives:To study the interrelationships of adiponectin, C-reactive protein (CRP) and fibrinogen with each other in T2DM patients with (T2DM-C) and without complications (T2DM-NC) among healthy individuals. Design and methods: The study comprised of 120 T2DM-C, 59 T2DM-NC patients and 40 healthy volunteers. Biochemical markers were determined in the serum. Results: Positivity rates of CRP and fibrinogen were significantly increased in T2DM-C as compared to T2DM-NC or controls, whereas adiponectin showed highest level in healthy individuals. Inflammatory biomarkers were inversely correlated with adiponectin (P < 0.01). Lipid profiles, kidney functions and BMI, showed positive significant correlation with CRP and fibrinogen but negative correlation with adiponectin. For better detection of T2DM, the combined sensitivity (98.9%) and specificity (92.5%) of fibrinogen and adiponectin was higher than the combined sensitivity and specificity of fibrinogen and CRP or adiponectin and CRP or than that of the biomarkers alone. Conclusion: Elevated levels of CRP and fibrinogen and reduced level of adiponectin can be used for early diagnosis of T2DM and can predict diabetic complications.