Biomarkers in breast cancer

Breast cancer is one of the most frequently diagnosed cancers among women in the western world. Due to the aggressive behaviour of some specific types and the possibility of an early diagnosis, breast cancer has been constantly studied. Tumour size, histological type, cellular and nuclear characteristics, mitotic index, vascular invasion, hormonal receptors and axillary lymph node status are biomarkers routinely used. However, these parameters are not enough to predict the course of this disease. Molecular biology advances have made it possible to find new markers, which have already been incorporated to the clinical practice. Their ultimate goal is to reduce mortality by identifying women at risk for the development of this disease, help diagnosis, determine prognosis, detect recurrences, monitor and guide treatment, and in particular cancers they are suited for general screening. Tumour markers in breast cancer were ranked in categories reflecting their clinical utility, according to the American College of Pathologists. This article focuses on traditional and new molecular markers stratifying them into categories and emphasizing their relevance in the routine evaluation of patients with breast cancer.Facultad de Ciencias Médica

Biomarkers in breast cancer

Breast cancer is one of the most frequently diagnosed cancers among women in the western world. Due to the aggressive behaviour of some specific types and the possibility of an early diagnosis, breast cancer has been constantly studied. Tumour size, histological type, cellular and nuclear characteristics, mitotic index, vascular invasion, hormonal receptors and axillary lymph node status are biomarkers routinely used. However, these parameters are not enough to predict the course of this disease. Molecular biology advances have made it possible to find new markers, which have already been incorporated to the clinical practice. Their ultimate goal is to reduce mortality by identifying women at risk for the development of this disease, help diagnosis, determine prognosis, detect recurrences, monitor and guide treatment, and in particular cancers they are suited for general screening. Tumour markers in breast cancer were ranked in categories reflecting their clinical utility, according to the American College of Pathologists. This article focuses on traditional and new molecular markers stratifying them into categories and emphasizing their relevance in the routine evaluation of patients with breast cancer.Facultad de Ciencias Médica

Stromal CD4+ and CD8+ T Cells in Human Breast Carcinomas: Its Correlation with Chemokine MIG/CXCL9

The interaction between some chemokines with tumoral and stromal cells can influence tumor progression. CXCL9, a monokine induced by interferon gamma (MIG), targets lymphocytes. The aim of our study was to identify and quantify CD4+ and CD8+ T cells in the stroma of human breast cancer and correlate them with the presence of MIG/CXCL9. In 58 specimens of human breast carcinoma and 10 normal breast tissue from mammoplasty surgery, immunohistochemis- try and ELISA methods were performed. The number of CD4+ and CD8+ T cells in breast cancer tissue was signifi-cantly increased compared with normal breast tissue with a clear predominance of CD8+ T cells. MIG/CXCL9 levels were significantly elevated respect normal breast tissue. This chemokine correlated with the number of CD8+ T cells only in non-metastatic tumors. These data suggest that MIG targets cytotoxic T cells. Their recruitment into breast car-cinoma can play a critical role in malignant progression, inhibiting the production of metastasis.Facultad de Ciencias Médicas (FCM

Stromal CD4+ and CD8+ T Cells in Human Breast Carcinomas: Its Correlation with Chemokine MIG/CXCL9

The interaction between some chemokines with tumoral and stromal cells can influence tumor progression. CXCL9, a monokine induced by interferon gamma (MIG), targets lymphocytes. The aim of our study was to identify and quantify CD4+ and CD8+ T cells in the stroma of human breast cancer and correlate them with the presence of MIG/CXCL9. In 58 specimens of human breast carcinoma and 10 normal breast tissue from mammoplasty surgery, immunohistochemis- try and ELISA methods were performed. The number of CD4+ and CD8+ T cells in breast cancer tissue was signifi-cantly increased compared with normal breast tissue with a clear predominance of CD8+ T cells. MIG/CXCL9 levels were significantly elevated respect normal breast tissue. This chemokine correlated with the number of CD8+ T cells only in non-metastatic tumors. These data suggest that MIG targets cytotoxic T cells. Their recruitment into breast car-cinoma can play a critical role in malignant progression, inhibiting the production of metastasis.Facultad de Ciencias Médicas (FCM

Disminución del número de células tumorales murinas por acción del medio condicionado de placenta

El objetivo de este trabajo fue investigar si el medio de cultivo primario de placenta de ratón nonato ejerce una función moduladora en el crecimiento de células tumorales derivadas de un tumor murino mantenido en nuestro laboratorio durante pasajes repetidos.Facultad de Ciencias Médica

Disminución del número de células tumorales murinas por acción del medio condicionado de placenta

El objetivo de este trabajo fue investigar si el medio de cultivo primario de placenta de ratón nonato ejerce una función moduladora en el crecimiento de células tumorales derivadas de un tumor murino mantenido en nuestro laboratorio durante pasajes repetidos.Facultad de Ciencias Médica

Biomarkers in breast cancer

Breast cancer is one of the most frequently diagnosed cancers among women in the western world. Due to the aggressive behaviour of some specific types and the possibility of an early diagnosis, breast cancer has been constantly studied. Tumour size, histological type, cellular and nuclear characteristics, mitotic index, vascular invasion, hormonal receptors and axillary lymph node status are biomarkers routinely used. However, these parameters are not enough to predict the course of this disease. Molecular biology advances have made it possible to find new markers, which have already been incorporated to the clinical practice. Their ultimate goal is to reduce mortality by identifying women at risk for the development of this disease, help diagnosis, determine prognosis, detect recurrences, monitor and guide treatment, and in particular cancers they are suited for general screening. Tumour markers in breast cancer were ranked in categories reflecting their clinical utility, according to the American College of Pathologists. This article focuses on traditional and new molecular markers stratifying them into categories and emphasizing their relevance in the routine evaluation of patients with breast cancer.Facultad de Ciencias Médica

La infección con HPV en mujeres HIV+

La incidencia en mujeres HIV+ de cáncer de cuello uterino y sus lesiones precursoras asociadas a la infección del HPV, ha llevado desde el año 1993, a considerar a esta patologia como otro indicador para el diagnóstico de SIDA. No se conocen los mecanismos por los cuales interactúan ambos virus. Los dos comparten la misma vía de transmisión e iguales factores de riesgo. Estaria involucrada el transtorno de la inmunidad presente en pacientes con HIV, pero no se descarta la interacción molecular entre ambos virus, a través de genes activadores presentes en el HIV que aumentan la expresión de las proteínas oncogénicas E6 y E7, involucradas en la carcinogénesis de las lesiones cervicales.An increased incidence of uterine cervical cancer and their Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) related precursor lesions in Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infected women has recently recognized. In 1993, cervical cancer was designated as a diagnostic criteria for acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) in HIV positive women. Molecular interactions between those viruses is still uncertain and is under evaluation. Nevertheless, the two infections share a common sexual behavioral risk factors and both can affect the immune system. The quantitative and qualitative immunosupression in HIV+ women appears to influence and to accelerate the oncogenic capacity of HPV interacting with E6 and E7 oncoproteins.Facultad de Ciencias Médica

Relación entre la expresión de factores angiogénicos y el reclutamiento de linfocitos en carcinomas mamarios humanos

La presencia de un infiltrado inflamatorio mononuclear en los tumores malignos es un hecho frecuente que fue relacionado durante años con buen pronóstico. Sin embargo, aún no está del todo aclarado el mecanismo de reclutamiento de las células inmunes hacia el tumor ni por qué las células efectoras de la respuesta inmune no ejercen su acción antitumoral. Una variedad de cáncer de mama denominada carcinoma medular caracterizada por crecimiento celular sólido y un denso infiltrado linfocitario, presenta una pronóstico mejor comparado con los tipos histológicos más comunes. Está bien establecido que el aflujo de leucocitos a los tumores está asociado a la angiogénesis. Es este estudio demostramos por inmunohistoquímica en carcinomas mamarios, que la presencia de linfocitos T CD4+ (helper) está fuertemente correlacionada con la expresión de VEGF (Vascular Endotelial Growth Factor ) y de ALCAM (Activated Leukocyte Cell Adhesión Molecule ).Sin embargo el número de linfocitos T CD8+ en el infiltrado intratumoral supera ampliamente al de CD4+ pero no se correlaciona con dichas moléculas, hecho que sugiere la existencia de otros mecanismos de reclutamiento. También se detectaron pocos casos que presentaban células NK CD57+ intratumorales y en aquellos que eran positivos su número era escaso. Resulta paradójico que pese a la presencia de células efectoras de una respuesta inmune celular en el microambiente tumoral, las células tumorales no sean rechazadas o eliminadas. Son necesarias más investigaciones para determinar el grado de funcionalidad de los linfocitos T helper y T citotóxicos intratumorales, ya que los hallazgos de este trabajo son absolutamente preliminares.Facultad de Ciencias Médica

Stromal CD4+ and CD8+ T Cells in Human Breast Carcinomas: Its Correlation with Chemokine MIG/CXCL9

The interaction between some chemokines with tumoral and stromal cells can influence tumor progression. CXCL9, a monokine induced by interferon gamma (MIG), targets lymphocytes. The aim of our study was to identify and quantify CD4+ and CD8+ T cells in the stroma of human breast cancer and correlate them with the presence of MIG/CXCL9. In 58 specimens of human breast carcinoma and 10 normal breast tissue from mammoplasty surgery, immunohistochemis- try and ELISA methods were performed. The number of CD4+ and CD8+ T cells in breast cancer tissue was signifi-cantly increased compared with normal breast tissue with a clear predominance of CD8+ T cells. MIG/CXCL9 levels were significantly elevated respect normal breast tissue. This chemokine correlated with the number of CD8+ T cells only in non-metastatic tumors. These data suggest that MIG targets cytotoxic T cells. Their recruitment into breast car-cinoma can play a critical role in malignant progression, inhibiting the production of metastasis.Facultad de Ciencias Médicas (FCM