MyHVP Newsletter (Jan-July 2021)

MyHVP Newsletter Volume 06 | Issue 01 | January - July 2021

The 14th Malaysia International Genetics Congress `Translating Genes for A Better Future’

15-17 March 2021| A Virtual Conference

The MiGC14 2021 conference were organized by the Malaysian Genetic Society (PGM) in collaboration with the Malaysian Node of Human Variome Project (MyHVP). With the theme “Translating Genes for a Better Future’, it was the first conference conducted online via Cisco WebEx platform conducted entirely by the technical committee from USM. The organization of the MiGC14 2021 conference was a collaboration from 10 universities consisting USM, UKM, Perdana University, UMS, UMK, UIAM, UPM, UM, UNIMAS, UiTM as well 3 organizations, which were FRIM, IMR and MPOB. The MiGC14 2021 conference was successfully held online on 15-17 March 2021, with 201 participations consisting of 28 speakers, 97 paid participants, 39 forum participants, 3 participants from sponsoring companies and 34 committee members.

The MiGC14 2021 conference involved 28 speakers of which, 9 were speakers were international speakers (United Kingdom, Singapore, Netherlands, USA, Thailand, Germany) while another 19 were local speakers from institutions such as the Ministry of Health Malaysia, UKM, UPM, UM, IMR, MPOB, FRIM,

UIA, National Veterinary Biodiversity Institute, UNIMAS, UMT and UMP. The Scientific Program was coordinated by the Scientific Committee consisting of Mendel Lecture, Keynote, Plenary and Symposium. A total of 3 main tracks were compiled in the event for each session which were Medicine & Health Sciences, Food & Agriculture and Forestry, Conservation & Biodiversity.

A total of 10 plenary slots and 8 symposium slots were included in the Scientific Program. Each symposium slot consists of Lead Paper based on main track.

A special symposium on the topic of COVID-19 Infections consisting of 1 plenary slot, 5 Lead Paper slots and 1 oral presentation slot.

The Welcoming & Opening Ceremony, Technology Talk and Closing Ceremony were successfully hosted

by Dr Muhammad Aidil Ibrahim from UiTM Kuala Pilah.

The conference was a success with an engagement of 34 committee members who were appointed from various institutions such as USM, UKM, UPM, UM, UMK, UMS, UNIMAS, Perdana University, UIA, UiTM, MPOB, FRIM and IMR.

Contact us: | Secretariat Office: Human Variome Project Malaysian Node & South-east Asian Node School of Medical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Health Campus, 16150 Kubang Kerian, Kota Bharu, Kelantan, Malaysia | Phone :(60) 097676543 / 6531 | Fax: (60) 097676543 | Email : myhvp@usm.my | Website: hvpmalaysia.kk.usm.my

MyHVP Newsletter

Head’s Address

Board of Editors 2021

ISSN: 2550-1747 | Volume 06 | Issue 01| January - July 2021

Editor in Chief Professor Dr. Zilfalil Alwi

Managing Editor

Dr. Nik Norliza Nik Hassan

Editorial Board Members

Prof. Ida Madieha binti Azmi Assoc. Prof. Dr. Muhammad Farid Johan Assoc. Prof. Dr. Rosnah Bahar Mr. Abdul Halim Fikri Bin Hashim

English Editor Amyzar Alwi

Contents

2 Board of Editors

2021

3 Letters

4 Reports

5-9 Articles 10 Call for papers

© 2021. All rights reserved. The information in this newsletter is provided by the Malaysian Node of the Human Variome Project (MyHVP) members including South-east Asian Node (HVPSEA Node) for educational / information purpose only. It is not a substitute for professional medical care and medical advice.

The contents express the opinions of the authors who alone are responsible for their view expressed. MyHVP does not accept any legal responsibility for their contents.

Writers, Invited!

MyHVP Newsletter is issued biannually. For the coming issue, the public from various fields and specialties are invited to their lived experience in dealing with the issues of medicine or biomedicine. Writers can contribute their writing based on these following criteria: 1. Length (Max. 1page A4 size, and it may be edited for our use) 2. The committee has the right to share your writing for further issues.

3. To suit the needs of the publication, and your writing won’t be returned 4. Emailed the article to myhvp@usm.my

In this issue, we highlight the programmes and activities conducted by our team in collaboration with other institutions during the COVID-19 pandemic. One of the main programmes was the virtual 14th Malaysia International Genetics Congress (MiGC14). This virtual conference was jointly organised by MyHVP and the Genetics Society of Malaysia (PGM), Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM), Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM), Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM), Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM), International Islamic University (IIUM), Perdana University, Universiti Malaya (UM), Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS), Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS), Universiti Malaysia Kelantan (UMK), Forest Research Institute (FRIM) and Malaysian Palm Oil Board (MPOB). The theme for the congress was “Translating Genes for a Better Future,” which is a cause of global concern. The conference comprised a Mendel lecture, a keynote lecture, and six symposia encompassing medicine and health sciences, food and agriculture, forestry, conservation and biodiversity, genetics of COVID-19 infection, and oral/poster presentation sessions. A total of 260 participants attended the conference. The conference was a successful interchange and sharing of ideas, and forging international professional connections and networking, and friendship.

MyHVP also organized other webinars such as World Down Syndrome Day 2021, World DNA Day 2021, and World Thalassaemia Day 2021 in collaboration with USM, Persatuan Sindrom Down Negeri Kelantan (PSDNK), Genetics Society of Malaysia (MSHG), Institute for Medical Research (IMR), and Sabah Thalassaemia Society. These virtual programs attracted a large number of participants from around the country. These webinars were aimed to spread awareness and basic knowledge on genetics among the patients, educators, medical professionals and public community.

We hope that other institutions and organizations will follow our lead and conduct and participate in these activities to improve healthcare and raise awareness on genetics in our country.

If you have articles of interest, please contact us with any news, announcements or views in your field of study by email it to me at zilfalil@ gmail.com or to any members of the editorial board.

Thank you.

Prof. Dr. Zilfalil Alwi Head, Malaysian Node of the Human Variome Project (MyHVP)

Published by

Malaysian Node of the Human Variome Project (MyHVP) School of Medical Sciences Universiti Sains Malaysia Health Campus 16150, Kubang Kerian, Kelantan, Malaysia Tel: +6097676531 /6543 | Email: myhvp@usm.my

MyHVP Newsletter | Jan-July 2021 | page 2

Letters Raising public awareness of thalassaemia We refer to the article “Malaysian earns medical physics scholarship” (The Star, May 2 2021).

Congratulations to Umi Nabilah Ismail for securing the prestigious “Early Career Medical Physicists Scholarship Award”, which earned her a scholarship and mentoring opportunities.

As researchers in the field of thalassaemia, we are delighted for her choice in this field. As part of her PhD thesis, she will develop a biomarker that can be used to assess the efficacy of treatment in beta thalassaemia patients.

International Thalassaemia Day (ITD), which is celebrated annually on May 8, provides an opportunity to remember patients who lost their lives to the disease, and their parents and family who fought selflessly for a better life for them despite the burden of their disease.

ITD is also an opportunity to unite the forces fighting for the rights of surviving patients for a better future, and to honour the dedicated scientists who are striving to ensure an improved quality of life for people with thalassaemia, too.

ITD also acknowledges the countless blood donors who have given these patients the “gift” of life. It is therefore apt that the theme for this year’s International Thalassaemia Day is “Addressing Health Inequalities Across the Global Thalassaemia Community”.

Even though thalassaemia is one of the commonest forms of inherited blood disorders in Malaysia, it is significantly underrated in our country.

Promoting greater awareness of the burden of this disease is imperative. This can be made possible through concerted involvement of health professionals, the community, the government as well as the media.

In an article by Ngim et al., published in the journal Prenatal Diagnosis (2015), it was reported that 6.8% of Malaysians were carriers of thalassaemia. In other words, one out of every 15 people in Malaysia is a thalassaemia carrier. These carriers are mostly asymptomatic and are unaware of their condition.

We would like to thank The Star for highlighting Umi Nabilah’s success story, as it has helped to increase awareness of the disease and also highlighted the need to provide a better future for patients and their families.

In other words, many of us could be carriers but are unaware of our condition. Therefore, it is important for the general public to undergo a thalassaemia screening test to determine their status and to prevent the risk of having children with the illness.

If parents are both carriers of thalassaemia, there is a 25% probability of their children having thalassemia major and 50% to be carriers like their parents.

Happy International Thalassaemia Day! ASSYUHADA MAT GANI and PROFESSOR ZILFALIL ALWI Global Globin Network (GGN) and Malaysian node of the Human Variome Project (MyHVP) *This letter was published in TheStar (7 May 2021)

https://www.thestar.com.my/opinion/letters/2021/05/07/ raising-public-awareness-of-thalassaemia

Children with thalassaemia major will require lifelong regular blood transfusion to treat the illness.

During the launching ceremony of the “NowyouSEEme” thalassaemia awareness campaign on January 27, 2021, the Health Minister revealed that as of November 28, 2020, a total of 8,681 patients survived the condition and had received treatment while 130 patients who received stem cell therapy had recovered.

The government is spending a huge amount on each patient’s medical cost, which could amount to at least RM3mil throughout a life span of 30 years.

The number of new cases is also on the increase. The Malaysia Thalassaemia registry between 150 and 300 babies are born every year with severe thalassaemia.

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Reports REPORT ON WORLD DNA DAY 2021 World DNA Day is observed every year on 25th April to honour the achievement of the Human Genome Project (HGP) which was completed in 2003, and the ground-breaking elucidation of the model structure of DNA double helix published in Nature magazine on 25 April 1953. After the United States Congress passed simultaneous resolutions designating April 25th as DNA Day, the National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI) began commemorating the day annually on April 25th.

The main aim of World DNA Day is to provide scholars, educators, and the general public with a chance to study about and be informed of the most current developments in genetic scientific research as well as to increase awareness on how DNA affect our lives.

From January to May of each year, the NHGRI also invites communities to organize DNA Day celebrations.

The other importance of the World DNA Day is recognition of advances in science research. On World DNA Day, we honour contributions to increase awareness of the latest progress in the field of gentics and genomics, as well as the ongoing studies that would contribute to tomorrow’s achievements. It is also aimed at inspiring people to discover more about their genetic heritage. The science that had led to the celebration of World DNA Day was the science that connected us to our roots.

This day contributed to our sense of identity by inspiring us to explore further into discovering who we are and where we came from. In addition, it was the day on which the general population could learn more about genetics and genomics. There was a lot to understand about the structure and work of genetics, from human origins to gene editing. On World DNA Day, the public is urged to seek out any and all possible facts in order to understand further about their genetic structure and the molecular biology of all living organisms.

In Malaysia, we observed World DNA Day 2021 virtually on 25 April 2021.This programme was organised by the Malaysian Society of Human Genetic (MSHG) in collaboration with the Malaysian Human Variome Project (MyHVP), Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (UniMAS), Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, as well as several departments at Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) Health Campus including the Human Genome Center, School of Medical Sciences, USM, Department of Psychiatry, School of Medical Sciences, USM, School of Health Sciences, USM which successfully organized this program.

There were 130 participants involved including students and teachers from different schools, parents and guardians of patients, professionals, medical students and the general public. The programme was held from 9.30 am to 12.45 pm. A number of interesting topics were discussed in this programme aimed at raising awareness among people in Malaysia about the importance of our DNA in health and how it can transform our future. Topics included The Beauty of Genetic Science: Get to Know your DNA by Assoc.

Prof. Dr Sarina Sulong from USM, secondly, talk on Work in Areas of Human Genetics by Dr Muhammad Hamdi Mahmood from UNIMAS, thirdly, Fetal Genetic Disorders and Abortion in Islam by Dr Mujahid Bakar from USM and lastly, Genetic Diseases and Psychological Effects by Dr Norzila Zakaria from USM. The virtual programme succeeded in achieving the objectives namely, increasing knowledge of the importance of DNA as the basic unit of human inheritance, providing exposure to careers in allied health sciences, increasing knowledge on the importance of mental health in dealing with diseases of a congenital nature, and assisting the population, especially parents, in managing genetic patients and also introducing the MSHG as an organization concerned with the health and welfare of genetic patients. This seminar, which was successful with the collaboration and support of all parties, can benefit all levels of society through the sharing of knowledge and information. This in turn can help raise awareness of DNA and genetic diseases as well as mental health management not only in the family but by the patient himself.

Reported by: Ms. Amira Nabilah Binti Mohd Rapi Professor Zilfalil Bin Alwi Universiti Sains Malaysia *This report was published in APSHG Newsletter (June 2021)

MyHVP Newsletter | Jan-July 2021 | page 4

Articles Myelodysplastic Syndrome (MDS)

Ahzad Hadi, Emmanuel Jairaj Moses, Narazah Mohd Yusoff

Ten (10) things you need to know about Myelodysplastic Syndrome (MDS) 1. MDS is a clonal bone marrow disease characterised by ineffective haematopoiesis, dysplasia and peripheral cytopaenias 2. The three (3) pillars diagnosis: persistent and clinically unexplained cytopenia (an absolute requirement), significant morphologic dysplasia of haematopoietic elements and cytogenetic and/or molecular genetic evidence of clonal hematopoiesis.

3. Clinically – infection, anaemia, bleeding, it’s a disease of the elderly, occurs in about 36.2 per 100,000 in patients more than 80 years old 4. Transformation to acute myeloblastic leukemia (AML) in approximately 30% of cases 5. Although not pathognomonic, dysplastic morphology is a critical feature, the 2016 WHO classification recommends at least 10% of cells in a lineage demonstrate dysplastic features to be considered significant, possible underlying secondary causes of cytopenia and hematopoietic dysplasia must be carefully excluded prior to rendering a diagnosis of MDS 6. The blast threshold for separating MDS from acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is now always 20%, exception of cases bearing the AML-defining cytogenetic abnormalities PML-RARA, inv (16)/t (16; 16); CBFBMYH11, or t (8; 21); RUNX1-RUNXT1). MDS as diagnosis if with milder cytopenia (clear-cut dysplasia and/or a defining cytogenetic abnormality) 7. The highly specific dysplastic changes are hypoagranularity, nuclear abnormality of neutrophils; dysplastic changes which are sideroblastic rings and megaloblastoid changes in the red blood cells and dysmegakaryopoiesis are micromegakaryocytes in the megakaryocytes (Figure 1) 8. The most important mutated genes for MDS: ASXL1, EZH2, DNMT3A, TET2, IDH1/2, pre-mRNA splicing factors (SF3B1, SRSF2, U2AF1) transcription (RUNX1, TP53) and signaling transduction. The analysis of the SF3B1 considered the only important diagnostic method for diagnosis of MDS-RS, which confer good prognosis. Mutations such ASXL1, TP53, ETV6, RUNX1 and EZH2 is associated with decreased overall survival (independently) 9. Cytogenetic analysis (karyotyping, FISH) plays major roles in diagnosis: monosomy 5, 7, or 13; 5q, 7q and 13q deletions; i(17p) and t(17p); 11q deletion; 9q or 12p deletion or t(12p), idic (X) (q13) 10. MDS WHO classification 2008, revised in 2016, relates to new molecular genetic information and reorganization of the MDS disease categories; the revised categories in the new classification is to ensure that MDS patients receive risk adapted therapies.

Diagnosis and prognosis of MDS: What Information does the Pathologist Need to Provide to the treating physicians?

• Classify MDS into one of the defined WHO categories • Provide any relevant morphologic and genetic information for additional prognostic guidance • The blast percentage in MDS remains a critical variable that should be assessed carefully in both blood and bone marrow in every case thus should provide the precise bone marrow blast percentage Mutational profiles - TP53 mutation: associated with complex karyotype, therapy-related disease, adverse prognosis, TP53 predicts a worse prognosis in MDS with isolated del(5q)

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Articles Figure1: Morphological abnormalities of MDS

In the erythroid lineage there is features of dyserythropoiesis such as cytoplasmic blebbing and intercytoplasmic bridging. Megaloblastoid changes are also evident.

In the granulocytic lineage features of dysplasia such as hypoagranularity, double nucleated nucleus and ring nucleus of neutrophils are observed.

In the megakaryocytic lineage there is evidence of abnormal and bizarre megakaryocytes and micromegakaryocytes.

References 1. Myelodysplastic Syndrome Updated Robert P. Hasserjian Pathobiology 2019;86:7–13. DOI: 10.1159/000489702 2. Diagnosis and Classification of Myelodysplastic SyndromeGamal Abdul Hamid, Abdul Wahab Al-Nehmi and Safa Shukry Recent Developments in Myelodysplastic Syndromes DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.82532

MyHVP Newsletter | Jan-July 2021 | page 6

Articles The Number Fourth Common Cancer in Malaysia: Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Written by Dr. Rabiatul Basria S. M. N. Mydin Oncological and Radiological Sciences Cluster, Advanced Medical and Dental Institute, Universiti Sains Malaysia, 13200 Penang, Malaysia.

Email: rabiatulbasria@usm.my

Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) incidence rate is rising annually worldwide especially in Asian countries.

NPC is an epithelial cancer that starts at the nasopharynx with predominant incidence in Southeast Asia. The top five Asian countries with the highest age-standardized NPC incidence rate are Malaysia (7.2 per 100,000), Singapore (6.4 per 100,000), Indonesia (5.6 per 100,000), Vietnam (5.5 per 100,000), and Brunei (4.6 per 100,000) [1, 2]. In Malaysia, NPC is recorded among the top five cancer with dominance in males compared to females based on GLOBOCAN 2020 (WHO). Furthermore, NPC is often diagnosed at a late stage with poor prognosis and is challenging in treatment. The three subtypes of NPC by WHO: Type 1 (I) is squamous cell carcinoma; Type 2a (II) is keratinizing undifferentiated carcinoma; Type 2b (III) is nonkeratinizing undifferentiated carcinoma [3].

Source Global Cancer Observatory: Globocan 2020, Malaysia

Epidemiologic Evidence In Asian countries, NPC is frequently linked to Epstein Barr Virus (EBV) infection, habitual dietary and lifestyle.

Our previous work on systematic review and meta-analysis for NPC risk factors have found that salted food intake, smoking and alcohol consumption have strong correlation with NPC risk in Asians [1]. On the other hand, based on further systematic review and meta-analysis on the association between tea consumption suggests that habitual tea consumption could be associated with prevention of NPC development [4].

EBV Infection EBV is a form of γ-herpesvirus linked to the NPC endemic in the southern Chinese population. The reported relationship between NPC and EBV infection have reported since 1966 has been associated with increased IgA and IgG antibodies response due to high titre of EBV antigens. EBV is presents in early stages of life and is primarily infected through the oral route mainly via saliva. EBV can replicate in lymphocytes and epithelial cells at oropharyngeal region. EBV infection is often associated with non-keratinising and undifferentiated MyHVP Newsletter | Jan-July 2021 | page 7

Articles type of NPC. Furthermore, the medicinal use of traditional herbs could induce the lytic EBV antigens and NPC development. The molecular mechanisms of pathogenicity of aberrant latent infection in the nasopharynx epithelium could cause pre-malignant changes, such as the deletion of p16 and the up-regulated expression of cyclin D1. However, it is reported that the latent EBV genes have been reported could regulate immune system and suppress apoptosis in NPC development [5, 6].

Habitual Dietary Heated debates have been on-going about habitual dietary and the incidence of NPC. Previously, the high incidence of NPC found was among the Chinese population in China who migrated to other regions of the world suggests that the dietary habit of this population contributes to NPC development [7].

Salted food intake. Increased risk of NPC is associated to intake of salted preserved food such as salted fish, salted meat, salted vegetables, salted eggs, salted shrimp paste and others. Studies among the Chinese population showed the relative risk associated with NPC and the consumption of salted fish as opposed to those with rare or no consumption. Consumption of salted meat at least once every month were at 2 times more at risk of developing NPC as compared to those who seldom or never ate salted meat. Furthermore, apart from salted meat, the consumption of salted vegetables with a frequency of at least once weekly was found to have significant increased risk in developing NPC compared to those who do not consume preserved vegetables.

Hence, an increased NPC risk trend was observed with increased frequency of salted food intake possibly due to exposure of potential cancer-promoting compound present in preserved salted food. Studies have shown that salted food may contains high concentration of compound such as acetaldehyde, nitrates and nitrosamines that could cause mutations or act as a precursor for EBV activation. These cancer-promoting compounds present the ability to damage the genome and disrupt cellular metabolic processes which contribute to cancer development [1, 4, 8, 9] Habitual Tea Consumption. On the other hand, interestingly some dietary habits in southeast Asia such as habitual tea consumption contributed to NPC prevention. Our previous systematic review and meta-analysis work have found an inverse association between tea consumption frequencies and NPC risk. Tea consumption has dose–response relationships with frequency, duration, and concentration. Habitual tea consumption patterns might have protective effects against the development of NPC compared to inconsistent habit of tea drinking. Majority type of tea consumption such as green, black, oolong, herbal, red also contributes significantly to NPC prevention. Cancer-preventive effect of tea consumption could be contributed by the present of antioxidant and polyphenols bioactive contents such as catechins, the aflavins, EGCG, ECG and thearubigins.

Consistent tea drinking habit may provide crucial health benefits that could regulate positive molecular action in inhibiting the growth of cancer cells and protect against cancers. Furthermore, compound such as EGCG and ECG could suppress the tumor development and metastasis of cancer. Whereas compound such as catechins was reported could inhibit cell growth and induce apoptosis in parental NPC cells [1, 4, 10, 11] Lifestyle Studies have reported that NPC development have strong correlation on tobacco smoking (smoker versus non-smoker) and alcohol consumption (alcohol drinker versus non-drinker). Tobacco smoking. NPC incidence among tobacco smoker were 60% higher compared to non-smokers. NPC type 1 known as squamous carcinoma have been frequently associated with smoking habits. NPC risk increases with the duration and frequency of smoking. Smokers who have exposure at ≥30 pack/year are two times more risk compared to those with exposure of ≤ 30 pack/year. Nevertheless, some studies also reported that the low and high dose dependent smoker also have risk in developing NPC where the risk is increase by 1-2% with every pack/ year of smoking, Tobacco smoke is known to have carcinogen agent such as nitrosamines, which could initiate direct contact to nasopharynx epithelium cells. Besides, tobacco have been reported could contaminated with Epstein-Barr-virus-activating substances, which are significantly associated with undifferentiated NPC. Alcohol consumption. Many studies reported that frequency of alcohol consumption also increase the NPC risk. Alcohol consumption is linked with NPC risk because the metabolite of alcohol called acetaldehyde could directly interact with DNAs and proteins which could leads to carcinogenic adducts [1, 4, 12].

Summary To date, the resources available in the literature are limited and most data do not explicate in detail especially explaining the incidence in Malaysia. An adequate knowledge in understanding NPC association with Epstein Barr Virus (EBV) infection, habitual dietary and lifestyle is vital in reducing the NPC incidence burden. Transdisciplinary research involving an epidemiological and biomarkers studies are needed to further understand on link between those factors and NPC risk.

References: 1. Okekpa, Simon I., et al. “Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) risk factors: A systematic review and meta-analysis of the MyHVP Newsletter | Jan-July 2021 | page 8

Articles association with lifestyle, diets, socioeconomic and sociodemographic in asian region.” Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention: APJCP 20.11 (2019): 3505.

2. Mahdavifar, Neda, et al. “Epidemiology and inequality in the incidence and mortality of nasopharynx cancer in Asia.”

Osong public health and research perspectives 7.6 (2016): 360-372.

3. Brody‐Camp, Sabrina, et al. “Socioeconomic Status and Survival in Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma: A Population‐Based Study.” The Laryngoscope (2021).

4. Okekpa, Simon I., et al. “The Association between Tea Consumption and Nasopharyngeal Cancer: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.” Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention: APJCP 21.8 (2020): 2183.

5. Zhou, Ting, et al. “Associations between environmental factors and serological Epstein‐Barr virus antibodies in patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma in South China.” Cancer medicine 8.10 (2019): 4852-4866.

6. Hau, Pok Man, et al. “Targeting Epstein-Barr virus in nasopharyngeal carcinoma.” Frontiers in Oncology 10 (2020): 600.

7. Lazim, Norhafiza Mat, and Baharudin Abdullah. “Risk factors and etiopathogenesis of nasopharyngeal carcinoma.” An Evidence-Based Approach to the Management of Nasopharyngeal Cancer. Academic Press, 2020. 11-30.

8. Huang, Tingting, et al. “Dietary patterns and risk of nasopharyngeal carcinoma: a population-based case-control study in southern China.” The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition (2021).

9. Linton, Reagan Entigu, et al. “Nasopharyngeal carcinoma among the Bidayuh of Sarawak, Malaysia: History and risk factors.” Oncology Letters 22.1 (2021): 1-8.

10. Feng, Ruimei, et al. “Intake of Alcohol and Tea and Risk of Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma: A Population-Based Case– Control Study in Southern China.” Cancer Epidemiology and Prevention Biomarkers 30.3 (2021): 545-553.

11. Almatroodi, Saleh A., et al. “Potential therapeutic targets of epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), the most abundant catechin in green tea, and its role in the therapy of various types of cancer.” Molecules 25.14 (2020): 3146.

12. Feng, Ruimei, et al. “Intake of Alcohol and Tea and Risk of Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma: A Population-Based Case– Control Study in Southern China.” Cancer Epidemiology and Prevention Biomarkers 30.3 (2021): 545-553.

MyHVP Newsletter | Jan-July 2021 | page 9

Journal | Call for papers Malaysian Journal of Human Genetics The Malaysian Journal of Human Genetics (MJHG) (eISSN: 2716-649X) is the official journal of Malaysian Node of the Human Variome Project and Malaysian Society of Human Genetics. The MJHG publishes high quality peer reviewed original research, case report, short report and review articles that covers all aspect of human genetics including molecular, clinical, pharmacogenetics, population genetics and functional genomics. MJHG is now indexed in MyJurnal and Google Scholar.

MyHVP Newsletter | Jan-July 2021 | page 10