Clinical impact of melatonin on breast cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy; effects on cognition, sleep and depressive symptoms : a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial

This randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial tested the hypothesis that 20mg of melatonin before and during the first cycle of adjuvant chemotherapy for breast cancer (ACBC) reduced the side effects associated with cognitive impairment. We evaluated the effects of melatonin on cognition, depressive symptoms and sleep quality, and whether these effects were related to serum levels of Brain Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF) and its receptor, tropomyosin kinase B (TrkB). Thirty-six women were randomly assigned to receive melatonin or placebo for 10 days. To evaluate cognitive performance, we used the Trail-Making-Test Parts A and B (A-B), Rey Auditory-Verbal Learning Test (RAVLT), Controlled Oral Word Association Test (COWAT) and an inhibitory task type Go / No-Go. Our results revealed that melatonin improved executive function on TMT scores, enhanced episodic memory (immediate and delayed) and recognition on RAVLT, and increased verbal fluency in the orthographic COWAT. The TMT-A-B(A-B) were negatively correlated with baseline levels of TrkB and BDNF, respectively. At the end of treatment, changes in TrkB and BDNF were inversely associated with depressive symptoms and sleep quality, but not with the TMT scores. These results suggest a neuroprotective effect of melatonin to counteract the adverse effects of ACBC on cognitive function, sleep quality and depressive symptoms

Mastectomia profilática: o sentimento e a razão

We carried out a review based on the study by Hartmann et al. (1), which showed new aspects on the controversial matter of Prophylactic Mastectomy for breast cancer prevention. The results of the study indicated a dramatic 90% reduction on the relative risk for developing breast cancer. We reviewed the subject observing the matters of exposure and risk for developing breast cancer. We also assessed the results published in the literature in order to understand the magnitude of the risk and the potential benefits related to the procedure.É realizada uma revisão, baseada no artigo pioneiro de Hartmann et al. (1), que lançou um novo enfoque sobre o controverso tema da mastectomia profilática na prevenção do câncer de mama, mostrando uma dramática redução de 90% no risco relativo de desenvolver a doença. 0 assunto é revisado, observando aspectos da exposição e determinação do risco de desenvolver câncer de mama, bem como a forma de interpretar os resultados publicados de modo a compreender a magnitude risco e o potencial de benefício associado à intervenção proposta para sua redução

Câncer de mama e fator de Von Willebrand

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The effects of melatonin on the descending pain inhibitory system and neural plasticity markers in breast cancer patients receiving chemotherapy : randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial

Background: Adjuvant chemotherapy for breast cancer (ACBC) has been associated with fatigue, pain, depressive symptoms, and disturbed sleep. And, previous studies in non-cancer patients showed that melatonin could improve the descending pain modulatory system (DPMS). We tested the hypothesis that melatonin use before and during the first cycle of ACBC is better than placebo at improving the DPMS function assessed by changes in the 0–10 Numerical Pain Scale (NPS) during the conditioned pain modulating task (CPM-task) (primary outcome). The effects of melatonin were evaluated in the following secondary endpoints: heat pain threshold (HPT), heat pain tolerance (HPTo), and neuroplasticity state assessed by serum brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), tropomyosin kinase receptor B, and S100B-protein and whether melatonin’s effects on pain and neuroplasticity state are due more so to its impact on sleep quality. Methods: Thirty-six women, ages 18 to 75 years old, scheduled for their first cycle of ACBC were randomized to receive 20mg of oral melatonin (n = 18) or placebo (n = 18). The effect of treatment on the outcomes was analyzed by delta (Δ)-values (from pre to treatment end). Results: Multivariate analyses of covariance revealed that melatonin improved the function of the DPMS. The Δ-mean (SD) on the NPS (0–10) during the CPM-task in the placebo group was −1.91 [−1.81 (1.67) vs. −0.1 (1.61)], and in the melatonin group was −3.5 [−0.94 (1.61) vs. −2.29 (1.61)], and the mean difference (md) between treatment groups was 1.59 [(95% CI, 0.50 to 2.68). Melatonin’s effect increased the HPTo and HPT while reducing the (Δ)-means of the serum neuroplasticity marker in placebo vs.melatonin. The Δ-BDNF is 1.87 (7.17) vs. −20.44 (17.17), respectively, and the md = 22.31 [(95% CI = 13.40 to 31.22)]; TrKB md = 0.61 [0.46 (0.17) vs. −0.15 (0.18); 95% CI = 0.49 to 0.73)] and S00B-protein md = −8.27[(2.89 (11.18) vs. −11.16 (9.75); 95% CI = −15.38 to −1.16)]. However, melatonin’s effect on pain and the neuroplastic state are not due to its effect on sleep quality. Conclusions: These results suggest that oral melatonin, together with the first ACBC counteracts the dysfunction in the inhibitory DPMS and improves pain perception measures. Also, it shows that changes in the neuroplasticity state mediate the impact of melatonin on pain

Pesquisa do linfonodo sentinela usando uma técnica com base no uso do 99mtecnéssio em dextran 500 e, ou corante azul vital, em pacientes com axila clinicamente negativa

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O serviço de mastologia : perseguindo ideais e idéias

Resumo não disponíve

Valor prognóstico e preditivo dos marcadores imunoistoquímicos no carcinoma invasor de mama

Base teórica: Nas últimas décadas, o prognóstico do câncer inicial da mama tem sido baseado nas características clínicas das pacientes e em aspectos histológicos dos tumores. Nos últimos anos, subtipos moleculares de carcinoma de mama foram identificados através de estudos de perfil genético por “DNA microarray”. Esta nova classificação pode melhorar a avaliação prognóstica, porém ainda não está disponível e é de alto custo. A possibilidade de identificar subtipos moleculares através de métodos mais simples e de menor custo é particularmente importante em países com recursos limitados. A identificação de subtipos do câncer de mama é particularmente importante pelas implicações clínicas e pelas opções de tratamento. Métodos: Uma coorte retrospectiva de 71 pacientes consecutivas com carcinoma primário de mama de estágio clínico I e II, tratadas no Serviço de Mastologia do HCPA entre os anos de 1993 e 1997 com um seguimento mínimo de 5 anos.Foram revisados dados sobre características clínicas, histopatológicas, evolução clínica e desfechos apresentados no período. Foi realizada uma análise imunoistoquímica de blocos representativos dos tumores, avaliando-se o Receptor Estrogênico (RE), o Receptor de Progesterona (RP), o HER2, o Ki-67, o Bcl-2, o p53, o p63 e o CK8. Os objetivos foram determinar a prevalência do perfil molecular nesta população e em seus desfechos clínicos. Resultados: 39 tumores (54,9 %) foram luminal A; 15 tumores (21,1%) foram luminal B; 15 tumores (21,1) foram basais ou triplo negativos e somente 2 tumores (2,8%) foram HER2. Não houve diferença no prognóstico entre os subtipos de câncer de mama: luminal A (RH positivo e HER2 negativo); luminal B (RH positivo e HER2 positivo); HER2 (HER2 positivo) e basal (RH negativo, HER2 negativo) em relação à sobrevida livre de doença e à sobrevida global, embora apresentassem uma forte correlação com a diferenciação e com o grau tumoral. Provavelmente, isto se deve ao pequeno número de pacientes e ao prognóstico de pacientes com estágios iniciais da doença. Conclusões: Nossos resultados sugerem que é possível identificar os subtipos do câncer de mama pela análise imunoistoquímica de RE, RP e HER2, e que a adição de outros marcadores não melhora a estimativa de prognóstico. O perfil molecular pode ser um instrumento valioso para o manejo do câncer de mama em países com recursos limitados.Background: In the last decades, prognostic evaluation of initial breast cancer is mostly based on patients’ clinical and tumoral histological features. Recently, molecular subtypes of invasive breast cancer were recognized through DNA microarray profiling studies. This new classification can potentially improve the prognostic evaluation but this technology is still not widely available and it’s too expensive. The possibility of identifying the molecular subtypes through simpler and cheaper methods is promising especially in countries with limited resorts. The identification of breast cancer subtypes is particularly important because it has clinical implications and for treatment options. Methods: A retrospective cohort of 71 consecutive patients with pathologic stage I or II primary breast carcinomas, treated in the HCPA Breast Unit, between 1993 and 1997 with a minimum follow up of 5 years , was studied. Histological and clinical features as well as clinical outcome and survival were reviewed. Immunohistochemical analysis was carried out in representative blocks of tumors with antibodies against Estrogen Receptor (ER),Progesterone Receptor (PR), Human Epidermal Growth Receptor – type 2 (HER2), Ki-67, Bcl-2, p53, p63 and CK8. The endpoints were to determine the prevalence the molecular portrait in this population and its clinical outcomes. Results: 39 tumors (54,9 %) were Luminal A, 15 tumors (21,1%) were Luminal B, 15 tumors (21,1) were Basal or triple negative and only 2 tumors (2,8%) were HER2. There was no prognostic difference among the breast cancer subtypes: luminal A (HR-positive and HER2 negative); luminal B (HR positive and HER2 positive); HER2 overexpressing (HER2 positive) and basal (HR negative, HER2 negative) relating to disease-free and overall survival, although there was a robust correlation with tumor grade and differentiation. This is probably related to limited number of patients in this study and prognosis of initial-stage patients. Conclusions: Our results suggest that it is possible to identify breast cancer subtypes by immunohistochemical analysis of ER, EP, HER2, and that the addition of other markers didn’t improve the prognosis estimates. The molecular profile may be a very useful instrument for breast cancer managing in countries with limited resorts