ABSTRACT
Management of the central nervous system malignancies are among the evolving areas of research and clinical practice requiring a well-coordinated interdisciplinary approach. The neuro-oncology scientific club (NOSC) has tried to cross the links between various disciplines’ experts involved in brain tumor care in Iran since 2011. The NOSC’s structured collaborative brain tumor registry (BTCR) and the support received from its steering committee and provincial boards have been the key elements for its success and growth so far. This scientific community not only has helped to optimize brain tumor care but provided interdisciplinary research opportunities to its members across Iran. Mashhad’s NOSC has been the pioneer in the above. During the 3rd Mashhad’s NOSC meeting held in November 21st 2013, the interim results from some important local neuro-oncology studies were presented. Some potential opportunities to improve the coordinated interdisciplinary brain tumor care within the province were discussed by neurosurgery, neuroradiology and radiation oncology faculty at this provincial NOSC meeting. Clinical outcome, survival data and prognostic factors in adult and pediatric gliomas over the past several years in Mashhad, the association between methyl guanine methyl transferase (MGMT) methylation status (determined by MSQP or methylation specific quantitative polymerase chain reaction) where among the main studies outlined during this event. We realize that optimized brain tumor management and productive research in neuro-oncology can only be achieved through an integrated approach and strong team work. This is what the NOSC pursues.
ABSTRACT
Background: The allele frequency of the multidrug resistance 1 (MDR1) gene C3435T polymorphism differs with different ethnic populations, such as Asian, African, and Caucasian. This polymorphism has been reported to be associated with the increase of gastric cancer. Objectives: The objective of this study was to find out the association of gastric cancer incidence with MDR1 gene polymorphism in an ethnic Iranian population. Materials and Methods: In this study, 48 gastric cancer patients were diagnosed. Genomic DNA was extracted by a salting-out method. The MDR1 polymorphism was studied by a polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-restriction fragment length polymorphism method, using a standard method. Results: The polymorphic homozygote (T/T) genotype showed significantly an association with the incidence of gastric cancer compared with controls (P < 0.05). Conclusions: This study suggests that C3435T polymorphism of the MDR1 gene may be associated with gastric cancer in an ethnic Iranian population.