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Selected Personal Factors as Predictors of Quality of Life of Cancer Patients in Southwestern Nigeria
Alice Obianiberi Ntekim,
Chioma Christiana Asuzu,
Jonathan Ohiorenuan Osiki,
Atara Isaiah Ntekim
Issue:
Volume 8, Issue 2, June 2020
Pages:
29-33
Received:
29 February 2020
Accepted:
13 March 2020
Published:
31 March 2020
Abstract: The incidence of cancer across the globe has shown that the disease is a leading cause of death worldwide; and it accounted for 7.6 million deaths, which is about 13% of all deaths in 2018. Also, deaths from cancer worldwide are projected to be rising, with an estimated 12 million deaths in 2030. In spite of the efforts of stakeholders to control the prevalence and incidence of cancer, there still increase in reported cases of cancer incidence in Nigeria. Previous studies mainly focused on psychological and social variables as they affect cancer and cancer patients; while little concentration was made on personal factors of age, gender, marital and employment status in relation to quality of life of cancer patients, particularly in Nigeria. This study, therefore, examined personal factors as predictors of quality of life of cancer patients in Southwestern Nigeria. The study adopted descriptive survey design of correlational type. The population for this study consisted of all the diagnosed cancer patients who are attending clinics in the South West of Nigeria. Purposive sampling technique was employed to select 312 patients who were willing and able to participate in the study. A validated questionnaire was used for data collection; which yielded a reliability value of 0.88. Data were analyzed using frequency counts and percentages for demographic characteristics, while multiple linear regression was used to test the hypotheses at 0.05 alpha level. There was a significant joint prediction of personal factors on quality of life of cancer patients in Southwestern Nigeria (F(4,307)=101.078; p<0.05). Age (β=0.275, p>0.05), gender (β=0.537, p>0.05), employment status (β=0.236, p>0.05) and marital status (β=0.242, p>0.05) independently had no significant prediction on quality of life of cancer patients in Southwestern Nigeria. There was a significant joint prediction of personal factors on quality of life of cancer patients in Southwestern Nigeria. It was also concluded that age, gender, employment and marital status independently had no significant prediction on quality of life of cancer patients in the study area.
Abstract: The incidence of cancer across the globe has shown that the disease is a leading cause of death worldwide; and it accounted for 7.6 million deaths, which is about 13% of all deaths in 2018. Also, deaths from cancer worldwide are projected to be rising, with an estimated 12 million deaths in 2030. In spite of the efforts of stakeholders to control t...
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An Exploration of the Active Ingredients of Salvia miltiorrhiza in the Treatment of Gastric Cancer and Its Mechanism Based on Network Pharmacology
Issue:
Volume 8, Issue 2, June 2020
Pages:
34-44
Received:
10 April 2020
Accepted:
6 May 2020
Published:
19 May 2020
Abstract: BACKGROUND: Danshen, also known as Salvia miltiorrhiza or radix salvia in Latin, is an important drug whose main pharmacological effects are vasodilation, promotion of blood circulation, and elimination of stasis. In recent years, it has been reported that danshen also has anti-tumor activity. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to explore the feasibility and potential mechanism of S. miltiorrhiza in the treatment of gastric cancer. STUDY DESIGN: We analyzed effective components and target genes of S. miltiorrhiza in the Traditional Chinese Medicine System Pharmacology (TCMSP) database and analysis platform. We then searched the GeneCards database for target genes related to gastric cancer and the intersection of these genes with the active components of S. miltiorrhiza. Target genes related to gastric cancer were taken as common potential target genes of S. miltiorrhiza, which could act on gastric cancer. Using the R programming language, we drew a Venn map of these common potential target genes. The “component–target gene–disease” network of S. miltiorrhiza in the treatment of gastric cancer was established using Cytoscape software version 3.7.1; the protein–protein interaction (PPI) network was constructed in the Search Tool for the Retrieval of Interacting Genes/Proteins (STRING) database. With the help of R and Perl languages, we performed gene ontology (GO) function and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment analyses of potential target genes of S. miltiorrhiza in the treatment of gastric cancer. RESULTS: We extracted a total of 65 active components from S. miltiorrhiza, including dihydrotanshinone I and miltionones I and II, as well as 102 potential target genes for gastric cancer. According to the Degree ranking in Cytoscape3.7.1 software, the top 10 potential target genes were protein kinase B1 (AKT1), interleukin-6 (IL-6), vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGFA), epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), Fos, mitogen-activated protein kinase 1 (MAPK1), Myc, JUN, Caspase-3 (CASP3), and signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3). Pathway enrichment mainly involved signaling pathways such as phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)–Akt, hypoxia-inducible factor 1 (HIF-1), and IL-17. CONCLUSION: Based on network pharmacology, S. miltiorrhiza is expected to be mined as a candidate Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) for the treatment of gastric cancer. Its mechanism for treating this cancer operates via multiple components and pathways. This study provides the basic theory and the basis for further research.
Abstract: BACKGROUND: Danshen, also known as Salvia miltiorrhiza or radix salvia in Latin, is an important drug whose main pharmacological effects are vasodilation, promotion of blood circulation, and elimination of stasis. In recent years, it has been reported that danshen also has anti-tumor activity. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to explore the fea...
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Immunotherapy Related Adverse Events Predict Treatment Response
Diana Maslov,
Katharine Thomas,
Victoria Simenson,
Caitlin Sullivan,
Alaa Mohammed,
Jessica Boyce,
Marc Matrana
Issue:
Volume 8, Issue 2, June 2020
Pages:
45-50
Received:
17 May 2020
Accepted:
28 May 2020
Published:
9 June 2020
Abstract: Immunotherapy blocks immunoinhibitory pathways and allows for reversal of immunosuppression caused by malignant tumors. Immunotherapy can cause immune-related adverse events (IrAE) including rash, pneumonitis, colitis endocrinopathy, nephritis, adrenal insufficiency, hepatitis, and uveitis. Limited data exist to predict which patients will have the greatest response to therapy and if there is a correlation between IrAE and immunotherapy effectiveness. The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between IrAE and immunotherapy efficacy. A retrospective medical records review was collected of patients with metastatic cancer who received immunotherapy. Data included demographics, Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group Performance Status, imaging, time on treatment, best response, disease progression, and presence or absence of IrAE while on treatment. Treatment response was analyzed using the Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors guideline, version 1.1. Overall survival probabilities were calculated by the Kaplan-Meier survival method. 456 patients were included for analysis, 175 (38.4%) had an IrAE while on immunotherapy. The development of IrAE correlated with response rate for complete response, partial response, and overall response rate. A significant increase in overall survival was also seen. The presence of IrAE may be a potential predictive indicator for treatment response to immune checkpoint inhibitors.
Abstract: Immunotherapy blocks immunoinhibitory pathways and allows for reversal of immunosuppression caused by malignant tumors. Immunotherapy can cause immune-related adverse events (IrAE) including rash, pneumonitis, colitis endocrinopathy, nephritis, adrenal insufficiency, hepatitis, and uveitis. Limited data exist to predict which patients will have the...
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