MyMedR

A case-control study of cervix cancer in Singapore

Cuzick J, De Stavola B, McCance D, Ho TH, Tan G, Cheng H, et al.

Br. J. Cancer, 1989 Aug;60(2):238-43.

Cervix cancer is about twice as common in Asia as in the Western world and its incidence varies among different Asian ethnic groups. A study based in Singapore, the population of which comprises Chinese, Indians and Malaysians, offers the opportunity to evaluate whether the same risk factors are important in this part of the world as in the West. A total of 135 cases and an equal number of controls were interviewed and details concerning reproductive and sexual history, smoking, hygiene, socio-economic status and education were collected. Seventy-three cases had invasive cancer while 62 had micro-invasive disease or CIN III. The most important risk factors were parity and number of sexual partners. Smoking was rare in cases and controls and did not appear to be an important determinant of risk. Of the socio-economic factors, education appeared most predictive and lowered the risk. Age at first intercourse was strongly correlated with education (positively) and parity (negatively), but not with number of sexual partners. Biopsies were available for HPV DNA analysis in 38 cases and 37% were positive, mostly for HPV type 16. All these factors gave similar risks in invasive and preinvasive disease.

Anti-tumour promoter activity in Malaysian ginger rhizobia used in traditional medicine

Vimala S, Norhanom AW, Yadav M

Br. J. Cancer, 1999 Apr;80(1-2):110-6.

PMID: 10389986

Zingiberaceae rhizomes commonly used in the Malaysian traditional medicine were screened for anti-tumour promoter activity using the short-term assay of inhibition of 12-O-tetradecanoyl phorbol-13-acetate (TPA)-induced Epstein-Barr virus early antigen (EBV-EA) in Raji cells. The inhibition of TPA-induced EBV-EA was detected using the indirect immunofluorescence assay (IFA) and Western blot technique. The indirect IFA detected the expression/inhibition of EBV-EA-D (diffused EA antigen), whereas the Western blot technique detected the expression/inhibition of both EBV-EA-D and EA-R (restricted EA antigen). Seven rhizomes were found to possess inhibitory activity towards EBV activation, induced by TPA; they are: Curcuma domestica, C. xanthorrhiza, Kaempferia galanga, Zingiber cassumunar, Z. officinale, Z. officinale (red variety), and Z. zerumbet. A cytotoxicity assay was carried out to determine the toxicity of the Zingiberaceae rhizome extracts. The rhizome extracts that exhibited EBV activation inhibitory activity had no cytotoxicity effect in Raji cells. Therefore, the present study shows that several Zingiberaceae species used in Malaysian traditional medicine contain naturally occurring non-toxic compounds that inhibit the EBV activation, which, if further investigated, could contribute in the development of cancer prevention methods at the tumour-promoting stage.

Fulltext Cancer in Sabah (Borneo) a prelimanry survey

Muir CS, Evans MD, Roche PJ

Br. J. Cancer, 1968 Dec;22(4):637-45.

PMID: 5705133 DOI: 10.1038/bjc.1968.75

Cancer in Sarawak (Borneo). A preliminary survey

Muir CS, Oakley WF

Br. J. Cancer, 1966 Jun;20(2):217-25.

PMID: 5944267

Cancer incidence in Asian migrants to New South Wales, Australia

Grulich AE, McCredie M, Coates M

Br. J. Cancer, 1995 Feb;71(2):400-8.

PMID: 7841061

Cancer incidence during 1972-90 in Asian migrants to New South Wales, Australia, is described. Overall cancer incidence was lower than in the Australia born in most migrant groups, and this reached significance in migrants born in China/Taiwan, the Philippines, Vietnam and India/Sri Lanka, and in male migrants born in Indonesia. For the majority of cancers, rates were more similar to those in the Australia born than to those in the countries of birth. For cancers of the breast, colorectum and prostate, rates were relatively low in the countries of birth, but migrants generally exhibited rates nearer those of the Australia born. For cancers of the liver and cervix and, in India/Sri Lanka-born migrants, of the oral cavity, incidence was relatively high in the countries of birth but tended to be lower, nearer Australia-born rates, in the migrants. For these cancers, environmental factors related to the migrant's adopted country, and migrant selection, appeared to have a major effect on the risk of cancer. For certain other cancers, incidence was more similar to that in the countries of birth. Nasopharyngeal cancer, and lung cancer in females, had high rates in both the countries of birth and in migrants to Australia. Nasopharyngeal cancer rates were highest in China/Taiwan and Hong Kong-born migrants, and were also significantly high in migrants from Malaysia/Singapore, Vietnam and the Philippines. Rates of lung cancer were significantly high in women born in China/Taiwan, and the excess was greater for adenocarcinoma than for squamous cell carcinoma. Melanoma had low rates in both the migrants and in the countries of birth. For these cancers, it was probable that genetic factors, or environmental factors acting prior to migration, were important in causation.

Cancer of the lung, trachea and larynx in singapore

Muir CS

Br. J. Cancer, 1960;14:1-7.

DOI: 10.1038/bjc.1960.1

The main morbid anatomical features of the 176 lung, the 2 tracheal, and the 13 laryngeal cancers seen in the 22,997 post-mortems performed by the University and Government Departments of Pathology, Singapore, from 1948-58 inclusive, are described, and are seen to be as elsewhere. About one-tenth of all cancers admitted to hospital, and of all cancers registered by the Registrar-General (Singapore) from 1954-58 inclusive were in the lung. In 15 per cent of all post-mortems on persons with malignant disease, the primary tumour was of pulmonary origin. The crude death rate for cancer of the lung in Singapore for 1954-58 inclusive was 0-065 per 1000 living per annum. More cases of lung cancer are seen before the age of 40 than in the West. The consumption of tobacco in Singapore is noted to be 3-7 lb. (1.7 kg) per person per annum. A portion of the literature on cancer of the lung in South-East Asia and in China is discussed. I wish to thank Professor R. Kirk for kind help and encouragement, my colleagues of the Government and University Departments of Pathology for access to their post-mortem notes and records, Mr. E. J. Phillips and Mr. S. C. Chua of the Department of Statistics, Singapore, and Mr. Lee of the Customs Department, Singapore, for various data, Mr. Ti Teow See for Fig. 1, and Mr. P. A. Samuel who typed the script. This communication forms part of a thesis for the degree of Ph.D. (Malaya). © 1960, The British Empire Cancer Campaign for Research. All rights reserved.

Fulltext Circulating cytokines and small molecules follow distinct expression patterns in acute myeloid leukaemia

Islam M, Mohamed EH, Esa E, Kamaluddin NR, Zain SM, Yusoff YM, et al.

Br. J. Cancer, 2017 Nov 07;117(10):1551-1556.

PMID: 28898234 DOI: 10.1038/bjc.2017.316

BACKGROUND: Although aberrant expression of cytokines and small molecules (analytes) is well documented in acute myeloid leukaemia (AML), their co-expression patterns are not yet identified. In addition, plasma baselines for some analytes that are biomarkers for other cancers have not been previously reported in AML.

METHODS: We used multiplex array technology to simultaneously detect and quantify 32 plasma analyte (22 reported analytes and 10 novel analytes) levels in 38 patients.

RESULTS: In our study, 16 analytes are found to be significantly deregulated (13 higher, 3 lower, Mann-Whitney U-test, P-value <0.005), where 5 of them have never been reported before in AML. We predicted a seven-analyte-containing multiplex panel for diagnosis of AML and, among them, MIF could be a possible therapeutic target. In addition, we observed that circulating analytes show five co-expression signatures.

CONCLUSIONS: Circulating analyte expression in AML significantly differs from normal, and follow distinct expression patterns.

Fulltext Differential p16/INK4A cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor expression correlates with chemotherapy efficacy in a cohort of 88 malignant pleural mesothelioma patients

Jennings CJ, Murer B, O'Grady A, Hearn LM, Harvey BJ, Kay EW, et al.

Br. J. Cancer, 2015 Jun 30;113(1):69-75.

PMID: 26057448 DOI: 10.1038/bjc.2015.187

Malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) is a rare and essentially incurable malignancy most often linked with occupational exposure to asbestos fibres. In common with other malignancies, the development and progression of MPM is associated with extensive dysregulation of cell cycle checkpoint proteins that modulate cell proliferation, apoptosis, DNA repair and senescence.

Expression of c-erbB3 protein in primary breast carcinomas

Naidu R, Yadav M, Nair S, Kutty MK

Br. J. Cancer, 1998 Nov;78(10):1385-90.

PMID: 9823984

Expression of c-erbB3 protein was investigated in 104 primary breast carcinomas comprising nine comedo ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS), 91 invasive ductal carcinomas and four invasive lobular carcinomas using two monoclonal antibodies, RTJ1 and RTJ2. Of the 91 invasive ductal carcinomas, seven contained the comedo DCIS component adjacent to the invasive component. An immunohistochemical technique was used to evaluate the association between expression of c-erbB3 and clinical parameters and tumour markers such as epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), c-erbB2, cathepsin-D and p53 in archival formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tumour tissues. Our results indicated that RTJ1 and RTJ2 gave identical staining patterns and concordant results. It was found that the overexpression of c-erbB3 protein was observed in 67% (6/9) of comedo DCIS, 52% (44/84) of invasive ductal carcinomas, 71% (5/7) of carcinomas containing both the in situ and invasive lesions and 25% (1/4) of invasive lobular carcinomas. A significant relationship (P < 0.05) was observed between strong immunoreactivity of c-erbB3 protein and histological grade, EGFR and cathepsin-D, but not with expression of c-erbB2, p53, oestrogen receptor status, lymph node metastases or age of patient. However, we noted that a high percentage of oestrogen receptor-negative tumours (59%), lymph node-positive tumours (63%) and c-erbB2 (63%) were strongly positive for c-erbB3 protein. We have also documented that a high percentage of EGFR (67%), c-erbB2 (67%), p53 (75%) and cathepsin-D-positive DCIS (60%) were strongly positive for c-erbB3. These observations suggest that overexpression of c-erbB3 protein could play an important role in tumour progression from non-invasive to invasive and, also, that it may have the potential to be used as a marker for poor prognosis of breast cancer.

Fulltext Fruit and vegetable consumption in relation to hepatocellular carcinoma in a multi-centre, European cohort study

Bamia C, Lagiou P, Jenab M, Aleksandrova K, Fedirko V, Trichopoulos D, et al.

Br. J. Cancer, 2015 Mar 31;112(7):1273-82.

PMID: 25742480 DOI: 10.1038/bjc.2014.654

BACKGROUND: Vegetable and/or fruit intakes in association with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) risk have been investigated in case-control studies conducted in specific European countries and cohort studies conducted in Asia, with inconclusive results. No multi-centre European cohort has investigated the indicated associations.

METHODS: In 486,799 men/women from the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and nutrition, we identified 201 HCC cases after 11 years median follow-up. We calculated adjusted hazard ratios (HRs) for HCC incidence for sex-specific quintiles and per 100 g d(-1) increments of vegetable/fruit intakes.

RESULTS: Higher vegetable intake was associated with a statistically significant, monotonic reduction of HCC risk: HR (100 g d(-1) increment): 0.83; 95% CI: 0.71-0.98. This association was consistent in sensitivity analyses with no apparent heterogeneity across strata of HCC risk factors. Fruit intake was not associated with HCC incidence: HR (100 g d(-1) increment): 1.01; 95% CI: 0.92-1.11.

CONCLUSIONS: Vegetable, but not fruit, intake is associated with lower HCC risk with no evidence for heterogeneity of this association in strata of important HCC risk factors. Mechanistic studies should clarify pathways underlying this association. Given that HCC prognosis is poor and that vegetables are practically universally accessible, our results may be important, especially for those at high risk for the disease.

HLA and nasopharyngeal carcinoma in Malays

Chan SH, Chew CT, Prasad U, Wee GB, Srinivasan N, Kunaratnam N

Br. J. Cancer, 1985 Mar;51(3):389-92.

PMID: 3855643

HLA associations were observed in unrelated Malay patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). HLA-B18 was observed in 18/45 (40%) Malay NPC patients compared to 22/167 (13%) Malay normals (P = 0.0001; Pc = 0.0027, RR = 4.4). The frequency of HLA-B17, one of the antigens associated with Chinese NPC, was also increased among Malay NPC (13/45 29%) compared to controls (18/167 11%; P = 0.003, Pc = 0.07 RR = 3.4). Similar to the findings among Chinese NPC, the frequency of B17 was higher in early onset (less than or equal to 30 years) Malay NPC resulting in a higher relative risk (RR = 5.0).

Fulltext Host genetic variants of ABCB1 and IL15 influence treatment outcome in paediatric acute lymphoblastic leukaemia

Lu Y, Kham SK, Ariffin H, Oei AM, Lin HP, Tan AM, et al.

Br. J. Cancer, 2014 Mar 18;110(6):1673-80.

PMID: 24434428 DOI: 10.1038/bjc.2014.7

Host germline variations and their potential prognostic importance is an emerging area of interest in paediatric ALL.

Fulltext Incidence of nasopharyngeal carcinoma in Malaysia, 1968--1977

Armstrong RW, Kannan Kutty M, Dharmalingam SK, Ponnudurai JR

Br. J. Cancer, 1979 Oct;40(4):557-67.

PMID: 497106

A record of all known cases of nasopharyngeal carcinoma in Malaysia is complete for 10 years from 1968 to 1977. Special efforts in case-finding were made in the State of Selangor where conditions are optimal. Age-adjusted incidence rates among Chinese males and females were 16.5 and 7.2 per 100,000, among Malay males and females 2.3 and 0.7 and among Indian males, 1.0. There were no significant changes in incidence rates over the 10-year period for sex and ethnic groups, or for Chinese subethnic groups. In Chinese subethnic groups, rates were highest among Cantonese, moderate among Khek and lowest among Hokkien and Teochiu. Standardized incidence ratios using Selangor as the standard population indicate considerable under-reporting in the less urban states of Malaysia, particularly among females. In Selangor, incidence rates were similar for urban and rural residents, but the frequency of cases was higher among Chinese working in industry and living in poor neighbourhoods.

Fulltext Incidence of nasopharyngeal carcinoma in Malaysia, with special reference to the state of Selangor

Armstrong RW, Kutty MK, Dharmalingam SK

Br. J. Cancer, 1974 Jul;30(1):86-94.

PMID: 4413823

A "registry" of all known cases of nasopharyngeal carcinoma in Malaysia, 1968-72, was established. Attention was focused on the State of Selangor where conditions are best for case finding. Age-adjusted incidence rates among Chinese males and females were 17·3 and 7·3 per 100,000; among Malay males and females, the rates were 2·5 and 0·3 and among Indian males, 1·1. The detailed ethnicity of 192 cases in Selangor was established. Estimated incidence rates for the Chinese sub-groups agreed with the pattern observed elsewhere: highest among the Cantonese, lowest among the Hokkien/Teochiu, with the Khek in between. There was no correlation between histological type and sub-ethnic group among the Chinese cases.

Fulltext Lymphoepitheliomas of the cervical lymph nodes

Loke YW

Br. J. Cancer, 1965 Sep;19(3):482-5.

PMID: 5833066 DOI: 10.1038/bjc.1965.56

Malignant tumours in Malaya

Ahluwalia HS, Duguid JB

Br. J. Cancer, 1966 Mar;20(1):12-5.

PMID: 5949191

Fulltext Mutant p53 mediates survival of breast cancer cells

Lim LY, Vidnovic N, Ellisen LW, Leong CO

Br. J. Cancer, 2009 Nov 3;101(9):1606-12.

PMID: 19773755 DOI: 10.1038/sj.bjc.6605335

p53 is the most commonly mutated tumour-suppressor gene in human cancers. Unlike other tumour-suppressor genes, most p53 cancer mutations are missense mutations within the core domain, leading to the expression of a full-length mutant p53 protein. Accumulating evidence has indicated that p53 cancer mutants not only lose tumour suppression activity but also gain new oncogenic activities to promote tumourigenesis.

Nasopharyngeal cancer in the Malays

Loke YW

Br. J. Cancer, 1966 Jun;20(2):226-30.

PMID: 5944268

Quantitative studies with mh2 reticulo endothelioma virus

Dhaliwal SS

Br. J. Cancer, 1959;13:685-692.

DOI: 10.1038/bjc.1959.76

When MH2 virus is assayed on the chorioallantoic membrane the result depends very largely on the age of the embryo, the pock count on membranes of embryos aged 10 days being 2½ times that on those 8 days old. This was always much less than that determined in the same strain of day old chicks by the limiting dilution method. Slight adaptation of the virus to egg passage was found but this was lost when the virus was transmitted through chicks. Non reactor eggs were few, and the number decreased markedly with the increasing embryo age, to vanish at age 11 days and over. This work was done while on a grant from the Government of the Federation of Malaya. I am grateful to Professor C. H. Waddington for laboratory facilities and to Dr. J. G. Carr for valuable advice. I am also grateful for the material and facilities provided by the British Empire Cancer Campaign Unit at the A.R.C. Poultry Research Centre. © 1959, The British Empire Cancer Campaign for Research. All rights reserved.

Salivary gland tumours in Malaya

Loke YW

Br. J. Cancer, 1967 Dec;21(4):665-74.

PMID: 6074690

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