Abstract Hotspot mutations (c.-124bp G > A and c.-146bp G > A) in the promoter region of the TERT gene have been recently described in several types of solid tumors, including glioma, bladder, thyroid, liver and skin neoplasms. However, knowledge with respect to colorectal precursor lesions and cancer is scarce. In the present study we aimed to determine the frequency of hotspot TERT promoter mutations in 145 Brazilian patients, including 103 subjects with precursor lesions and 42 with colorectal carcinomas, and we associated the presence of such mutations with the patients clinical-pathological features. The mutation analysis was conclusive in 123 cases, and none of the precursor and colorectal carcinoma cases showed TERT promoter mutations. We conclude that TERT mutations are not a driving factor in colorectal carcinogenesis.

OBJECTIVE: MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small non-coding RNAs that regulate gene expression at the posttranscriptional level. Some miRNAs, including let-7a and miR-195, have been described as tumor suppressors. However, the roles of these microRNAs in breast cancer progression remain controversial. The aim of this study is to evaluate miR-195 and let-7a expression as potential biomarkers of invasive breast cancer. METHODS: In the present study, 200 individuals were separated into three groups: (i) 72 women constituting the control group who were selected according to rigorous and well-established criteria; (ii) 56 patients with benign breast tumors; and (iii) 72 patients with malignant breast cancers of different clinical stages. The miR-195 and let-7a expression levels in serum were evaluated by real-time PCR. The results were assessed alone and in combination, and the analysis included an estimation of sensitivity and specificity in ROC curves. RESULTS: Compared with the benign and control groups, both microRNAs were downregulated in the malignant breast cancer patient group. Compared with the malignant group, the combination of both biomarkers in the control and benign groups showed good sensitivity and specificity in the serum with AUCs of 0.75 and 0.72, respectively. The biomarker combination for the control group versus the malignant group exhibited a better sensitivity and specificity than for the benign group versus the malignant group. CONCLUSION: These findings support the evidence that the analysis of miR-195 and let-7a can be used as a non-invasive biomarker for breast cancer detection.

RESUMO OBJETIVO: Estudar as características clínicas dos pacientes com diagnóstico de tumores da família Ewing (TFEs) e analisar a sobrevida baseada em critérios de risco e expressão da proteína de superfície conhecida como fator de crescimento semelhante à insulina (IGFR). MÉTODOS: Estudo de coorte retrospectivo, com base em dados clínicos de 77 pacientes com diagnóstico de TFEs tratados pelo Departamento de Oncologia Pediátrica do Hospital de Câncer de Barretos entre 2003 e 2012. Amostras biológicas de pacientes foram examinadas quanto à presença do receptor de superfície IGFR. RESULTADOS: Em cinco anos, a taxa de sobrevida global (SG) dos pacientes incluídos no estudo foi de 45% e a taxa de sobrevida livre de eventos (SLE) foi de 30%. Metástases no momento do diagnóstico foram observadas em 44,2% da amostra, sendo que desses, 88,2% eram do sexo masculino (p < 0,001). A avaliação da expressão de IGFR nas amostras biológicas dos pacientes apresentou associação com a variável metástase ao diagnóstico (p < 0,001). Pacientes com metástase extrapulmonar apresentaram pior prognóstico (p = 0,009). A modalidade de tratamento local da neoplasia apresentou melhor prognóstico em pacientes submetidos ao tratamento cirúrgico local (p < 0,001). CONCLUSÃO: Os resultados evidenciaram uma maior incidência de metástase ao diagnóstico nos pacientes com diagnóstico de TFEs tratados no Hospital de Câncer de Barretos. A metástase de localização extrapulmonar foi fator de pior prognóstico no estudo. O tratamento cirúrgico do tumor primário foi fator de melhor prognóstico. A expressão forte de IGFR esteve mais presente nos pacientes com metástase ao diagnóstico, porém não se mostrou como fator prognóstico nos TFEs.

ABSTRACT OBJECTIVES: Study the clinical characteristics of patients diagnosed with Ewing family tumors (EFTs) and survival analysis based on risk criteria and expression of the surface protein known as insulin-like growth factor (IGFR). METHODS: This was a retrospective cohort study based on clinical data from 77 patients diagnosed with EFTs treated by the Department of Pediatric Oncology at the Barretos Cancer Hospital in a period between 2003 and 2012. Biological samples of patients were examined for the presence of the surface receptor IGFR. RESULTS: The overall survival rate (OSR) of patients included in the study was 45% at five years, and EFS was 30% at five years. Metastasis at diagnosis was present in 44.2% of the sample; 88.2% of the sample was male (p < 0.001). The evaluation of the expression of IGFR in biological samples of patients was associated with the variable metastasis at diagnosis (p < 0.001). Worse prognosis was observed in patients with extrapulmonary metastasis (p = 0.009). The local treatment of neoplasia presented better prognosis in patients undergoing local surgical treatment (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: These results showed a higher incidence of metastasis at diagnosis in patients with EFTs treated at the Barretos Cancer Hospital (BCH). Extrapulmonary metastases were a negative prognostic factor in this study. Surgical treatment of the primary tumor was a factor for better prognosis. Strong expression of IGFR was more frequent in patients with metastases at diagnosis, but did not represent a prognostic factor for EFTs.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate ipsilateral breast tumor recurrence after breast-conserving surgery for locally advanced breast cancer. METHODS: A retrospective observational cohort study was performed in patients with locally advanced breast cancer submitted to breast-conserving surgery after neoadjuvant chemotherapy based on an adriamycin-cyclophosphamide-paclitaxel regimen. We evaluated the clinical, pathologic, immunohistochemistry, and surgical factors that contribute to ipsilateral breast tumor recurrence and locoregional recurrence. A Kaplan-Meier analysis and Cox model were used to evaluate the main factors related to disease-free survival. RESULTS: Of the 449 patients who received neoadjuvant chemotherapy, 98 underwent breast-conserving surgery. The average diameter of the tumors was 5.3 cm, and 87.2% reached a size of up to 3 cm. Moreover, 86.7% were classified as clinical stage III, 74.5% had T3-T4 tumors, 80.5% had N1-N2 axilla, and 89.8% had invasive ductal carcinoma. A pathologic complete response was observed in 27.6% of the tumors, and 100.0% of samples had free margins. The 5-year actuarial overall survival rate was 81.2%, and the mean follow-up was 72.8 months. The rates of ipsilateral breast tumor recurrence and locoregional recurrence were 11.2% and 15.3%, respectively. Multifocal morphology response was the only factor related to ipsilateral breast tumor recurrence disease-free survival (p=0.04). A multivariate analysis showed that the pathologic response evaluation criteria in solid tumors (RECIST)-breast cutoff was the only factor related to locoregional recurrence disease-free survival (p=0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Breast-conserving surgery is a safe and effective therapy for selected locally advanced breast tumors.

Objetivo: avaliar a evolução natural do ferimento diafragmático à direita após a retirada cirúrgica de uma porção do hemidiafragma. Métodos: os animais foram submetidos à ressecção de uma porção do hemidiafragma à direita através da laparotomia mediana. Foram operados 40 ratos. As variáveis analisadas foram: herniação, proteção hepática, cicatrização, lesão persistente do diafragma, avaliação da tomografia computadorizada, frequência cardíaca e peso. Resultados: foram analisados 40 ratos. Houve duas mortes no pós-operatório. Dezessete animais tiveram herniação (42,5%) e 23 (57,5%), não. Analisando emprego da tomografia computadorizada na avaliação da hérnia diafragmática, tivemos um método com boa sensibilidade (78,6%), boa especificidade (90,9%) e boa acurácia (86,1%) quando comparados com a necrópsia. Conclusão: houve predomínio de cicatrização do hemidiafragma à direita e o tamanho da lesão inicial não influenciou na ocorrência de proteção hepática ou hérnia em ratos.

Objective: to evaluate natural evolution of right diaphragmatic injury after the surgical removal of a portion from hemi diaphragm. Methods: the animals were submitted to a surgical removal of portion from right hemi diaphragm by median laparotomy. The sample consists of 42 animals being 2 animals from pilot project and 40 operated animals. And the variables of the study were herniation, liver protection, healing, persistent diaphragm injury, evaluation of 16 channels tomography and the variables "heart rate" and "weight". Results: we analyzed 40 mice, we had two post-operative deaths; we had 17 animals in this group suffered from herniation (42.5%) and 23 animals didn't suffer from herniation (57.5%). Analyzing the tomography as image method in the evaluation of diaphragmatic hernia, we had as a method with good sensitivity (78.6%), good specificity (90.9%), and good accuracy (86.1%) when compared to necropsy. Conclusion: there was a predominance of healing of right hemi diaphragm, the size of initial injury didn't have influence on occurrence of the liver protection or hernia in mice.