SUMMARY OBJECTIVE: The intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) has been established as the standard external-beam radiation technique to treat prostate cancer in several countries. In Brazil, the public health system and the National Health Agency do not reimburse its utilization. This study compared the cost-effectiveness of IMRT and tridimensional radiotherapy (3D-RT) from a payer’s perspective. METHODS: We built a Markov model to delineate the health states after treatment with IMRT and 3D-RT. The treatment-related toxicity data were extracted from the literature. The sensitivity analyses were performed over potential parameters. RESULTS: The incremental cost of IMRT was R$ 5,553.78. At a time horizon of 5 years, the quality-adjusted life expectancy after IMRT was higher than 3D-RT. The incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) of IMRT over 3D-RT was R$-296,74/quality-adjusted life year (QALY). Therefore, IMRT was the dominant strategy, which depended on the value of interventional procedures for severe toxicity and the difference between IMRT and 3D-RT reimbursement. The IMRT was still most likely to be cost-effective at a willingness-to-pay R$ 100,000/QALY, with a net monetary benefit (NMB) superior to 3D-RT after R$ 50,000.00, resulting in a difference of R$220.000,00 after 5 years. CONCLUSIONS: IMRT generated more values than 3D-RT for external-beam treatment. Given its potential to reduce late toxicity with hypofractionation, these data reinforce its incorporation to treat prostate cancer in the Brazilian health system from a payer’s perspective.

The aim of this study was to evaluate whether there is a relationship between bleeding response and radiotherapy dose to palliate patients with local recurrence or progression of gastric cancer (GC). To this end, we conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies that evaluated the bleeding response in patients with GC with local recurrence or progression. A meta-regression analysis between biological effective dose (BED) and bleeding response was performed, as was subgroup analysis to evaluate the outcome by BED level and radiotherapy (RT) technique. A p-value <0.05 was considered significant. Ten non-comparative retrospective studies and one prospective study were included. In general, RT was effective at controlling tumor bleeding, and the bleeding response rate was 0.77 (95% confidence interval (CI), 0.73-0.81). Meta-regression analysis demonstrated a linear correlation between BED Gy 10 and bleeding response (p=0<0001). Studies using conformational RT had a significant bleeding response rate compared to those using 2D (0.79; 95%CI, 0.74-0.84 vs 0.65; 95%CI, 0.56-0.75; p=0.021). In terms of the BED level, a significant difference in BR was identified on comparing BED Gy10 ≥40 (0.79; 95%CI, 0.7-0.8), BED Gy10 30-39 (0.79, 95%CI, 0.71-0.86), and BED Gy10 <30 (0.64; 95%CI, 0.5-0.7; p=0.0001). The mean survival time was 3.31 months (95%CI, 2.73-3.9) months, and the responders had a significantly longer survival (longer by 2.5 months) compared to the non-responders (95%CI, 1.7-3.3; p<0.0001). Palliative RT is effective at controlling bleeding due to local recurrence/progression from GC. Our findings reveal a relationship between BR and BED. BED <30 Gy 10 should not be recommended, and 3DRT should be indicated instead in order to improve the result.

RESUMO Objetivo Explorar publicações cientificas acerca do uso da terapia gênica na Odontologia. Métodos Foi realizado um levantamento bibliográfico com artigos dos últimos dez anos disponíveis em plataformas online que continham maior correlação com o temaproposto. Resultados Desde os anos 60 pesquisadores tentam estabelecer diretrizes para tratamentos com a terapia gênica, no entanto, somente em meados dos anos 90 o seu uso na ciência foi autorizado. A terapia gênica em odontologia tem a capacidade de alterar e melhorar geneticamente, através de células-tronco em tecidos dentais e sua associação a vetores viras recombinados, protocolos terapêuticos contra enfermidades que não tem resposta aos tratamentos convencionais. Conclusão A perspectiva da odontologia diante deste recurso tem sido positiva, principalmente no reestabelecimento e regeneração de tecidos em patologias pulpares, periodopatias, distúrbios ósseos, dores orofaciais entre outros. Sabe-se que esta terapia ainda requer muitas pesquisas, entretanto em um futuro próximo poderá ser um tratamento de primeira escolha e de forma segura nos ambientes hospitalares e ambulatoriais.

ABSTRACT Objective Explore scientific publications on the use of gene therapy in dentistry. Methods A bibliographic survey was carried out with articles published in the last eleven years, available on online platforms that had the highest correlation to the proposed theme. Results Since the 1960s, researchers have attempted to establish guidelines for treatments using gene therapy; however, it was only in the mid-1990s that their use in science was authorized. Gene therapy in dentistry has the ability to alter and improve genetically, through stem cells in dental tissues associated with recombinant viral vectors, therapeutic protocols against diseases that do notrespond to conventional treatments. Conclusion The perspectives of dentistry concerning this resource have been positive, mainly in the reestablishment and regeneration of tissues in pulp pathologies, periodontopathies, bone disorders, orofacial pain among others. It is known that this form of therapy still requires more research, however, in the near future, it may be a safe first option treatment in hospital and outpatient settings.