Evaluation of Micro-RNA Levels, Apoptosis and Oxidative Stress Markers in Patients Recieving Chemotherapy

OBJECTIVE

The primary objective of this study was to compare oxidative DNA damage markers, apoptosis markers and changes in miRNA levels in patients diagnosed with cancer and treated through chemotherapy. Our secondary objective was also to evaluate tumor responses that can be determined after post-chemotherapy clinical evaluations by physical examinations, laboratory results and radiological imagings, and to compare the clinical results to oxidative stress and apoptosis markers and micro RNA levels.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

To do that we designed a prospective observational cross-sectional study. A total of 34 cancer patients and 27 healthy controls were included in the study from the Harran University School of Medicine Department of Oncology. Newly diagnosed chemotherapy or radiotherapy naive patients without any chronic diseases were included into the study. Patients with a poor performance status (ECOG 2 and 3) and patients who did not meet the inclusion criteria were excluded. The cancer patients received chemotherapy according to their scheduled periods. Blood samples were taken from the patients before the first chemotherapy course and before the second chemotherapy round. Patients were called for toxicity control on the 10th day after the chemotherapy. Pre-chemotherapy, post-chemotherapy and control group miR-29a expression levels, change in apoptosis markers and oxidative DNA damage markers were obtained and compared. We studied 8-hydroxy 2-deoxyguanosine, total oxidant status, total anti-oxidant status, and oxidative status index for oxidative stress markers. We studied M30 and M65 as apoptosis markers. Clinical results of efficiency of the chemotherapy was acquired and compared to biochemical markers based on chemotherapy results. Chemotherapy toxicities were recorded.

RESULTS

As a result, we found oxidative DNA damage markers and apoptosis markers were high in the cancer group, demonstrating that oxidative DNA damage and apoptosis might play a direct or indirect role in cancer etiology. However, there were subtle differences between pre-chemotherapy and post-chemotherapy levels. Mir-29a expressions were lower in cancer patients as compared to controls. However, the expression levels were not significantly change in pre- and postchemotherapy status. Moreover, we found no relationship between clinical status of patients (progression and regression) and studied biochemical markers.

CONCLUSION

Thus, checking for DNA damage markers and taking precautions to lower the levels of these markers in individuals with cancer risk may be helpful in preventing cancer.

Dermatoglyphic analyses in children with cerebral palsy

This study was intended to elucidate the diagnostic values of dermatoglyphic features on the 45 cerebral palsy (CP) patients (28 boys and 17 girls). There were 50 healthy children in the control group. Dermatoglyphic samples were obtained from the both groups by using the paper and ink method and than analysed. The types of dermal patterns of fingertips, the counts of total ridges, the counts of a-b ridges, the values of atd angles, presence or absence of dermal patterns in the hypothenar, thenar/I, II, III, IV interdigital areas, presence of absence of the palmar flexion lines, were compared between the children with CP and control group. It was found that arch, radial loop, whorl prints have increased and ulnar print has decreased in boys investigated which was significant statistically (p < 0.001). No difference was found between investigation and control groups of girls (p > 0.05). The total ridge counts in boys and girls of the investigation group were found significantly decreasing according to the control group (p < 0.001). There was an important decrease in the counts of a-b ridges of investigation group as compared to controls. It was significant in boys (p < 0.01) but not in girls (p > 0.05). The values of atd angles of the investigation group have increased in the control group (p < 0.001 in girls and p < 0.01 in boys). The dermal prints in the hypothenar, thenar/I, II, III and IV interdigital areas showed important differences in the investigation group when compared with the control group (p < 0.01). No clear distinction occurred between the two groups from the viewpoint of palmar flexion lines (p > 0.05). In conclusion, remarkable differences in comparison to controls were found in the dermatoglyphic features of CP cases. In our opinion, by undertaking more studies on the subject and examining a higher number of cases it will be possible to obtain useful data in CP cases indicative of etiologically.