Adipocytes and macrophages interplay in the orchestration of tumor microenvironment : new implications in cancer progression

Inflammation has been known as one of the main keys to the establishment and progression of cancers. Chronic low-grade inflammation is also a strategic condition that underlies the causes and development of metabolic syndrome and obesity. Moreover, obesity has been largely related to poor prognosis of tumors by modulating tumor microenvironment with secretion of several inflammatory mediators by tumor-associated adipocytes (TAAs), which can modulate and recruit tumor-associated macrophages. Thus, the understanding of cellular and molecular mechanisms that underlay and link inflammation, obesity, and cancer is crucial to identify potential targets that interfere with this important route. Knowledge about the exact role of each component of the tumor microenvironment is not yet fully understood, but the new insights in literature highlight the essential role of adipocytes and macrophages interplay as key factor to determine the fate of cancer progression. In this review article, we focus on the functions of adipocytes and macrophages orchestrating cellular and molecular mechanisms that lead to inflammatory modulation in tumor microenvironment, which will be crucial to cancer establishment. We also emphasized the mechanisms by which the tumor promotes itself by recruiting and polarizing macrophages, discussing the role of adipocytes in this process. In addition, we discuss here the newest possible anticancer therapeutic treatments aiming to retard the development of the tumor based on what is known about cancer, adipocyte, and macrophage polarization

Ensaios clínicos com medicamentos no Brasil: uma análise das principais características

Introduction: The results of clinical trials (CT) are used by regulatory agencies around the world for the purposes of drug product’s registering and marketing. The Brazilian Health Surveillance Agency (Anvisa, in Portuguese) is responsible for the registration of health  technologies in Brazil and for creating the rules for the analysis of technical issues in clinical trials. Anvisa has been working to update its regulatory framework regarding clinical trials with drugs in the country, to reduce analysis time and harmonize the normative frame according to international guidelines. Objective: To characterize phase III clinical trials, with drug products, conducted in Brazil from the publication of RDC n° 9, on 20 February 2015 by  Anvisa. Method: Exploratory and descriptive study, carried out in three stages: (1) quantitative analysis before and after RDC n° 9/2015; (2) analysis of the population participating in clinical trials that supported medication records; (3) characterization of the clinical trial performed  in Brazil. Results: There was a 20% reduction in clinical trials conducted in Brazil when compared before and after RDC n° 9/2015 by Anvisa; only 33% of the clinical trials that supported drug product  registrations in Brazil were performed with the Brazilian population; synthetic and biological drugs account for 96% of the intervention studied in clinical trials; placebo is still widely used as a comparator (37%); the pharmaceutical industry is mostly the sponsor of the clinical trial (86%). Conclusions: In view of this scenario, it is imperative to  strengthen pharmacovigilance actions in Brazil, in order to learn about the effectiveness and safety profiles of medicines after exposure of the Brazilian population.Introdução: Os resultados de ensaios clínicos são utilizados pelas agências regulatórias de todo o mundo para fins de registro e comercialização de medicamentos. A Agência Nacional de Vigilância Sanitária (Anvisa) é a responsável pelos registros de tecnologias em saúde no Brasil e regras para análises técnicas de ensaios clínicos. A Anvisa vem atuando para atualizar seu arcabouço regulatório a respeito de ensaios clínicos com medicamentos no país, para reduzir tempo de análise e harmonizar conforme regras internacionais. Objetivo: Caracterizar os ensaios clínicos de fase III, com medicamentos, realizados no Brasil a partir da publicação da RDC n° 9, de 20 de fevereiro de 2015, da Anvisa. Método: Estudo exploratório e descritivo realizado em três etapas: (1) análise quantitativa pré e pós RDC n° 9/2015; (2) análise da população participante de ensaio clínico que embasou registros de medicamentos; (3) caracterização dos ensaios clínicos realizados no Brasil. Resultados: Houve redução em 20% de ensaios clínicos realizados no Brasil quando se compara o período anterior e posterior à publicação da RDC n° 9/2015 da Anvisa; apenas 33% dos ensaios clínicos que embasaram registros de medicamentos no país foram realizados com população brasileira; os medicamentos sintéticos e biológicos somam 96% da intervenção estudada nos ensaios clínicos; placebo ainda é muito utilizado como comparador (37%); a indústria farmacêutica é majoritariamente o patrocinador dos ensaios clínicos (86%). Conclusões: Diante deste cenário, é imperativo que se fortaleçam as ações de farmacovigilância no Brasil, a fim de conhecer os perfis de efetividade e segurança dos medicamentos após exposição da população brasileira. 

Adipocytes and Macrophages Interplay in the Orchestration of Tumor Microenvironment: New Implications in Cancer Progression

Inflammation has been known as one of the main keys to the establishment and progression of cancers. Chronic low-grade inflammation is also a strategic condition that underlies the causes and development of metabolic syndrome and obesity. Moreover, obesity has been largely related to poor prognosis of tumors by modulating tumor microenvironment with secretion of several inflammatory mediators by tumor-associated adipocytes (TAAs), which can modulate and recruit tumor-associated macrophages. Thus, the understanding of cellular and molecular mechanisms that underlay and link inflammation, obesity, and cancer is crucial to identify potential targets that interfere with this important route. Knowledge about the exact role of each component of the tumor microenvironment is not yet fully understood, but the new insights in literature highlight the essential role of adipocytes and macrophages interplay as key factor to determine the fate of cancer progression. In this review article, we focus on the functions of adipocytes and macrophages orchestrating cellular and molecular mechanisms that lead to inflammatory modulation in tumor microenvironment, which will be crucial to cancer establishment. We also emphasized the mechanisms by which the tumor promotes itself by recruiting and polarizing macrophages, discussing the role of adipocytes in this process. In addition, we discuss here the newest possible anticancer therapeutic treatments aiming to retard the development of the tumor based on what is known about cancer, adipocyte, and macrophage polarization

Pharmacological therapies for patients with human coronavirus infections : a rapid systematic review

O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar efeitos de tratamentos medicamentosos para infecções por coronavírus. Revisão sistemática rápida com buscas nas bases MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane, BVS, Global Index Medicus, Medrix, bioRxiv, Clinicaltrials.gov e International Clinical Trials Registry Platform. Foram incluídos 36 estudos avaliando alternativas medicamentosas contra SARS, SARS-CoV-2 e MERS. A maioria dos estudos incluídos foi conduzida na China com delineamento observacional para tratamento da COVID-19. Os tratamentos mais estudados foram antimaláricos e antivirais. Nos antimaláricos, a metanálise de dois estudos com 180 participantes não identificou benefício da hidroxicloroquina em relação à negativação da carga viral via reação em cadeia de polimerase em tempo real e o uso de antivirais comparado ao cuidado padrão foi similar em relação aos desfechos. As evidências científicas disponíveis são preliminares e de baixa qualidade metodológica, o que sugere cautela na interpretação dos dados. Pesquisas que avaliem a eficácia comparativa em ensaios clínicos randomizados, controlados, com tempo de acompanhamento adequado e com os métodos devidamente divulgados e sujeitos à revisão científica por pares são necessárias. Recomenda-se atualização periódica da presente revisão.This work aimed to evaluate the effects of drug therapies for coronavirus infections. Rapid systematic review with search in the MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane, BVS, Global Index Medicus, Medrix, bioRxiv, Clinicaltrials.gov and International Clinical Trials Registry Platform databases. Thirty-six studies evaluating alternative drugs against SARS, SARS-CoV-2 and MERS were included. Most of the included studies were conducted in China with an observational design for the treatment of COVID-19. The most studied treatments were with antimalarials and antivirals. In antimalarial, the meta-analysis of two studies with 180 participants did not identify the benefit of hydroxychloroquine concerning the negative viral load via real-time polymerase chain reaction, and the use of antivirals compared to standard care was similar regarding outcomes. The available scientific evidence is preliminary and of low methodological quality, which suggests caution when interpreting its results. Research that evaluates comparative efficacy in randomized, controlled clinical trials, with adequate follow-up time and with the methods properly disclosed and subject to scientific peer review is required. A periodic update of this review is recommended

Incidence of Guillain-Barré syndrome in the world between 1985 and 2020: A systematic review

Introduction: Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) is an acute inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy that affects the peripheral nervous system. The study aimed to describe the incidence of GBS in the world up to the year 2020. Methods: A systematic review was conducted. Searches were done in four databases, PUBMED, EMBASE, EBSCO and Biblioteca virtual em Saude (BVS), and in grey literature and manual search in the reference lists of eligible studies. Results: A total of 72 studies were included. The incidence of GBS among the cohort studies varied from 0.30 to 6.08 cases per 100.000 habitants and 0.42 to 6.58 cases per 100.000 person-years. Among the self-controlled studies, the risk incidence ranged from 0.072 to 1 case per 100.000 habitants and 1.73 to 4.30 cases per 100.000 person-years. Conclusions: The reported incidence of GBS in the world among the studies included in the review is slightly higher than that reported in previous studies. The highest incidence rates were associated with public health events of international concern