Trace elements as tumor biomarkers and prognostic factors in breast cancer: a study through energy dispersive x-ray fluorescence

Background The application and better understanding of traditional and new breast tumor biomarkers and prognostic factors are increasing due to the fact that they are able to identify individuals at high risk of breast cancer, who may benefit from preventive interventions. Also, biomarkers can make possible for physicians to design an individualized treatment for each patient. Previous studies showed that trace elements (TEs) determined by X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF) techniques are found in significantly higher concentrations in neoplastic breast tissues (malignant and benign) when compared with normal tissues. The aim of this work was to evaluate the potential of TEs, determined by the use of the Energy Dispersive X-Ray Fluorescence (EDXRF) technique, as biomarkers and prognostic factors in breast cancer. Methods By using EDXRF, we determined Ca, Fe, Cu, and Zn trace elements concentrations in 106 samples of normal and breast cancer tissues. Cut-off values for each TE were determined through Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) analysis from the TEs distributions. These values were used to set the positive or negative expression. This expression was subsequently correlated with clinical prognostic factors through Fisher’s exact test and chi-square test. Kaplan Meier survival curves were also evaluated to assess the effect of the expression of TEs in the overall patient survival. Results Concentrations of TEs are higher in neoplastic tissues (malignant and benign) when compared with normal tissues. Results from ROC analysis showed that TEs can be considered a tumor biomarker because, after establishing a cut-off value, it was possible to classify different tissues as normal or neoplastic, as well as different types of cancer. The expression of TEs was found statistically correlated with age and menstrual status. The survival curves estimated by the Kaplan-Meier method showed that patients with positive expression for Cu presented a poor overall survival (p < 0.001). Conclusions This study suggests that TEs expression has a great potential of application as a tumor biomarker, once it was revealed to be an effective tool to distinguish different types of breast tissues and to identify the difference between malignant and benign tumors. The expressions of all TEs were found statistically correlated with well-known prognostic factors for breast cancer. The element copper also showed statistical correlation with overall survival.

A prelude to the fractional calculus applied to tumor dynamic

In order to refine the solution given by the classical logistic equation and extend its range of applications in the study of tumor dynamics, we propose and solve a generalization of this equation, using the so-called Fractional Calculus, i.e., we replace the ordinary derivative of order 1, in one version of the usual equation, by a non-integer derivative of order 0 < α < 1, and recover the classical solution as a particular case. Finally, we analyze the applicability of this model to describe the growth of cancer tumors.

Perfil fenotípico de potenciais células iniciadoras tumorais no tumor venéreo transmissível canino ex vivo

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Tumor venéreo transmissível canino - I. Expressão gênica e proteica e caracterização genotípica de DLADQA-1 (MHC-II); II. Estudo imuno-histoquímico da resposta imune local

Pós-graduação em Medicina Veterinária - FCAV

Tumor triquilemal proliferante

Contexto: O tumor triquilemal proliferativo é enfermidade pouco comum que se desenvolve a partir de lesões císticas foliculares, com alguns relatos de metástases, porém raras. Relato de caso: Descrevemos o caso de uma paciente de 93 anos, que apresentava tumoração de três centímetros há seis anos em couro cabeludo, que procurou o serviço por complicação associada (infecção). Foi realizada excisão cirúrgica completa, com realização de enxerto cutâneo para fechamento. Conclusões: Essa neoplasia de células escamosas aparentemente tem comportamento intermediário, em relação à malignidade, e necessita acompanhamento a longo prazo. Ainda há necessidade de mais estudos para identificar o porquê de alguns tumores terem comportamento indolente e outros, mais agressivo.

Tumor venéreo transmissível canino: expressão dos genes MDR-1, TP53 e da família Bcl-2 e suas implicações no comportamento biológico e terapêutico

Transmissible venereal tumor (TVT) is a neoplasm of round cells with plasmocytoid or lymphocytoid appearance. The tumor presents several particularities, which have been the subject of numerous studies; however there still have investigations that need to be done. For example, a progressive increase of highly aggressive tumors with varying response to chemotherapy -including resistance- has been evidenced in recent years. There is scientific interest to understand these differences, allowing predicting possible clinical outcomes in affected dogs and increasingly searching adequate and individualized therapy. This review focuses on presenting possible implications of the expression of MDR-1 (P-glycoprotein), TP53, BCL-2, and BAX genes, regarding resistance to chemotherapy and/or the biologic behavior of TVT

Histopathological and cytological analysis of transmissible venereal tumor in dogs after two treatment protocols

The transmissible venereal tumor (TVT) is a contagious neoplasm of round cells that frequently affect dogs. The treatment consists of chemotherapy being more effective the vincristine alone, however the resistance emergence to this agent due multidrug resistance of the P-glycoprotein (P-gp), a transporter protein encoded by the MDR1 gene, has been taking the association with other drugs. Recent studies demonstrated the antitumoral effect of the avermectins when associated to the vincristine in the treatment of some neoplasms. Therefore, the objective of the present study was to compare the effectiveness of standard treatment of TVT with vincristine only as compared to combined treatment with vincristine and ivermectin, evaluated through number of applications of the two protocols, histopathological and cytological analysis from 50 dogs diagnosed with TVT during the period of 2007 to 2010. The combined protocol significant reduces the number of applications and cytological and histopathological findings collaborate with the hypothesis that the combination of vincristine and ivermectin promotes faster healing than the use of vincristine alone. Combination treatment with vincristine and ivermectin could be in the future an excellent therapeutic alternative for the treatment of TVT for probably reducing the resistance to vincristine, simultaneously reducing the cost of TVT treatment and a faster recovery of the dog.

Modulação da imunidade adaptativa por produtos solúveis de células de carcinoma espinoceular de cabeça e pescoço (HNSCC): um papel da galanina derivada do tumor?

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Bessie Harper Radio Talk Records - Accession 26 - M8 (18)

The Bessie Harper Radio Talk records consist of a draft of a radio talk on "Family Finance" that was broadcast over WIS, Columbia, South Carolina on Monday, January 25th, 1932. Bessie Harper served as chairman of the American Home Department of the South Carolina Federation of Women's Club (SCFWC). The aim of the talk is to educate families how to budget their finances and to plan their expenses which was particularly important when this talk was given in 1932 during the Great Depression. This talk offers a glimpse into families' attempts to cope with the new economic reality of life during the Great Depression.

Modulação da imunidade adaptativa por produtos solúveis de células de carcinoma espinoceular de cabeça e pescoço (HNSCC): um papel da galanina derivada do tumor?

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Clinico-genetic aspects of a pediatric non-neurofibromatosis type 1 malignant triton tumor with loss of chromosome X

Malignant triton tumor (MTT) is an aggressive peripheral nerve sheath tumor with rhabdomyoblastic differentiation. Less than 100 cases have been described, being mostly male children with type 1 neurofibromatosis. We report a 6-year-old female with MTT and no diagnostic criteria for neurofibromatosis type 1. Cytogenetic analysis showed a 46,X,-X[4]/46,XX[16] karyotype. She underwent a transfemoral amputation and chemotherapy and is free of disease 15 months after diagnosis. The few cytogenetic studies of MTT described in the literature have been inconclusive. Further cytogenetic analyses are needed to understand the role of chromosome X monosomy in the pathogenesis of this rare tumor. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2012; 59: 13201323. (C) 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Using the Condylar Prosthesis After Resection of a Large Odontogenic Myxoma Tumor in the Mandible

Odontogenic myxomas are considered to be a benign odontogenic tumor with locally aggressive behavior. Because these neoplasms are rare in the oral cavity, the possible surgical management can be quite variable. Literature recommendation can vary from simple curettage and peripheral ostectomy to segmental resection. The authors report a case of a 20-year-old patient with an odontogenic myxoma tumor located in the left mandibular angle, ascending ramus, and mandibular symphysis. It was treated by radical resection followed by titanium reconstruction with condylar prosthesis, which allowed rapid return of function with improvement in quality of life and restoration of cosmetic and functional deficits. The lesion did not recur after surgical procedure.

The neuroimmune changes induced by cohabitation with an Ehrlich tumor-bearing cage mate rely on olfactory information

Cohabitation for 14 days with Ehrlich tumor-bearing mice was shown to increase locomotor activity, to decrease hypothalamic noradrenaline (NA) levels, to increase NA turnover and to decrease innate immune responses and decrease the animals' resistance to tumor growth. Cage mates of a B16F10 melanoma-bearer mice were also reported to show neuroimmune changes. Chemosignals released by Ehrlich tumor-bearing mice have been reported to be relevant for the neutrophil activity changes induced by cohabitation. The present experiment was designed to further analyze the effects of odor cues on neuroimmune changes induced by cohabitation with a sick cage mate. Specifically, the relevance of chemosignals released by an Ehrlich tumor-bearing mouse was assessed on the following: behavior (open-field and plus maze); hypothalamic NA levels and turnover; adrenaline (A) and NA plasmatic levels; and host resistance induced by tumor growth. To comply with such objectives, devices specifically constructed to analyze the influence of chemosignals released from tumor-bearing mice were employed. The results show that deprivation of odor cues released by Ehrlich tumor-bearing mice reversed the behavioral, neurochemical and immune changes induced by cohabitation. Mice use scents for intraspecies communication in many social contexts. Tumors produce volatile organic compounds released into the atmosphere through breath, sweat, and urine. Our results strongly suggest that volatile compounds released by Ehrlich tumor-injected mice are perceived by their conspecifics, inducing the neuroimmune changes reported for cohabitation with a sick companion. (C) 2011 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.