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Background:The majority of lung cancer cases are non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small non-coding molecules that control target gene(s) expression. Aims: Identification of circulating levels of miRNA-21, 126, 513a, and 98 in NSCLC and assessment of their diagnostic and predictive values. Material and Methods: In this study, the levels of miRNA-21, 126, 513a, and 98 were evaluated in 19 NSCLC patients and 11 healthy individuals. miRNAs were extracted from patients and healthy control whole blood samples and cDNA was synthesized with the specific primers for each miRNA, real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) was used to assay the expression pattern of miRNAs. Results:The circulating levels of miRNA-21, 126, and 513a were significantly up-regulated in NSCLC patients as compared to the healthy subjects. Of interest, the circulating levels of these miRNAs were about twice higher in stage IV patients than stage III patients. miRNA-513a showed the highest diagnostic accuracy (AUC = 0.942, specificity = 100, and sensitivity = 85.7) and sensitivity was improved when in combination with miRNA-21 (AUC = 0.929, specificity = 90.91, and sensitivity = 92.8). All studied miRNAs showed clear changes during the treatment of NSCLC patients with the platinum regimen. Conclusions: miRNA-21, 126, and 513a may be considered as candidate diagnostic circulating biomarkers in NSCLC as well as a potential predictive biomarkers for the response to the platinum regimen. miRNA-513a showed the highest diagnostic accuracy for distinguishing NSCLC patients from healthy controls.

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Background:The thyroid gland constantly regulates many body functions that help in the growth and metabolism, so any thyroid hormone disorder will affect these functions. However, treating cancer in the head and neck (HAN) region with radiotherapy may potentially harm the healthy cells of the thyroid gland. Aim: Hence, the current study aimed to evaluate radiation-induced thyroid disorder of head-and-neck cancer in children (≤18 years old, with normal TSH). Methods: The radiation-induced thyroid disorders were monitored by measuring the changes in TSH, FT3, FT4, Anti-TPO Ab and IGF-1 serum levels using ELISA kits in children. These biomarkers were measured at the baseline, after ten RT sessions (15-18 Grays) and after the radiotherapy (21-60 Grays). Three patient groups represent before, during and after the radiotherapy were compared with the control (healthy). Results: The results showed that TSH, IGF-1, and Anti-TPO Ab levels significantly decreased in the treated groups compared with the controls. However, FT4 increased significantly, and these changes weren't in a dosedependent pattern. There was no significant difference in FT3 between the treated groups and the control. The TSH level in the patients after therapy (dose from 21 to 60 Grays) showed a significant negative correlation with the D mean and D50% of the thyroid, while the FT4 level showed a positive correlation. Conclusion: Radiotherapy of the head and neck region in children (≤ 18 years) may result in changing euthyroid to hyperthyroidism, which could be mainly attributable to the thyroid gland rather than the pituitary gland.