Anoikis is known as a special type of programmed cell death which occurs in response to loss of correct cell-extracellular matrix (ECM) connections. This process could be as pivotal event in normal development and tissue homeostasis and found as important mechanism in cancer invasiveness and metastasis. The persistent infection with oncoviruses including EBV (Epstein Bar virus), HPV (Human Papillomaviruses), HBV (Hepatitis B virus), KSHV (Human herpesvirus 8), HTLV-1 (Human T-lymphotropic virus-1), and HCV (Hepatitis C virus) accounted as one of main risk factor for cancer progression. Some of them play critical roles in metastasis, especially in anoikis resistance which could contribute to metastasis of tumor cells. The better understanding of effects of oncoviruses on anoikis could contribute to finding of effective therapeutic platforms for treatment of virus-associated cancers. This paper highlighted effects of these oncoviruses on anoikis protection in cancer.

Background: Molecular profiling techniques are the rapid detection of biomarkers in the human papillomavirus (HPV) infected cells. We aimed to measure the expression level of three cell factors including Snail1, ZEB-1, and E-cadherin in cervical cancer (CC), precancerous and healthy samples, simultaneously, to find potential biomarkers. Methods: The expression level of the mentioned cell factors were investigated in 72 CC patients, precancerous patients, and healthy controls by using Real-Time PCR. Results: The results demonstrated a significant reduction in the expression level of E-cadherin in cancer and precancerous cases than that in healthy cases; whereas the expression level of ZEB-1 and Snail1 were upregulated in cancer and precancerous samples. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analyses shows the highest AUC value emerged for Snail1: 1(95% CI: 1-1) in comparing CC and healthy groups with a sensitivity of 100.0 % and specificity of 100.0%. Conclusion: The molecular biomarker Snail1 may be helpful to early diagnosis and prognosis of CC in the HPV-infected human populations. Considering the increased expression level of Snail1 in cancer and precancerous tissue compared to healthy tissue as well as the area under the ROC curve, Snail1 can be used for early detection of CC.

Background and Aims: Different hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotypes have characteristic geographical distribution. Identification of HCV genotype is an important factor in the progression, clinical outcome and therapy of HCV infection. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of HCV genotypes among HCV-RNA positive patients in Yazd, Iran. Materials and Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 150 HCV-infected individuals with detectable plasma HCV RNA levels were enrolled from January to August 2015. HCV-RNA was extracted from plasma samples and retro-transcribed to c-DNA. Then HCV genotypes 1, 2, 3a, 4 were determined using a PCR based genotyping kit. Results: A total of 150 HCV-positive patients with mean age 40.45±11.83 were enrolled in the study. 89.3% of participant were males and 10.7% were females. The most common genotype was 3a (52%), followed by 1a (28%). Mixed-genotype infection was 20% and the most prevalent mixed genotype was 3a/1a (83% of mixed genotypes). The other genotypes were 1a/1b/3a in 10%, 3a/2 and 1a/2/3a both in 3% of patients with mixed HCV genotypes. Conclusions: Unlike other regions of Iran, Genotypes 3a was predominant in HCV-RNA positive patients in Yazd province. Also, HCV mixed-genotype infections were more common than previously estimated in other studies from different parts of the country.

Background: High-risk (HR) Human papillomaviruses (HPVs) are known as the main factors implicated in the pathogenesis of cervical preinvasive and invasive lesions. Therefore, the presence or absence of HR-HPV can be followed for the prognosis of low-grade and high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions. Since the overexpression of p16INK4a protein depends on the presence of transcriptionally-active HPV, and due to its availability and simple interpretation, it may be considered as a proper marker to diagnose cervical cancer. Methods: An immunohistochemical analysis of p16INK4a was performed in 72 cervical tissue specimens at Imam Khomeini Complex Hospital (Tehran, Iran) from 2016 to 2018. The performance parameters were calculated and compared using receiving operating characteristics curve (ROC) details. Results: p16INK4a is significantly up-regulated in the cervical cancer samples in comparison with that in normal samples. Moreover, the ROC data showed the potential ability of p16INK4a under determined conditions as a diagnostic marker for CIN 2-3 staging and invasive cervical cancer. The molecular typing disclosed the attendance of HPV DNA in 44.4% of cases (32/72) with a predominance of HPV type 16. Conclusion: The molecular biomarker p16INK4a can be a good candidate for the early diagnosis and prognosis of cervical cancer in HPV-infected patients. Considering the increase in the expression level of p16INK4a in cancer and precancer tissues, p16INK4a may be used for early detection of cervical cancer.

Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF) has been recognized as a tick-borne infection caused by a member of the Nairoviridae family within the Bunyavirales order, named CCHF virus. CCHF virus is a zoonotic virus, so transferred between vertebrates and humans. Therefore, vaccination in humans and animals might reduce the risk of infection. Currently, there are no globally licensed vaccines or therapeutics for CCHF. Although several studies have been performed on the production of the CCHF vaccine, any of these vaccines were not fully protective. Hence, the development of a new generation of vaccines could contribute to better management of CCHF. In this review, we will discuss on features of these vaccine candidates.