Introduction: Medulloblastomas are the most common solid tumors of childhood and many studies seek to develop new chemotherapy drugs by identifying genes whose expression is new molecular targets for drugs, such as membrane receptors associated with cell replication. Objective: To review existing knowledge about the association of CD114 expression with mortality in medulloblastoma. Method: Narrative review collecting information with material for reading and analysis selected from research on virtual platforms (SciELO, Pubmed and Scopus). Initially, a search was carried out for descriptors related to the topic, which were identified through MESH using the following terms: “neurosurgery, surgical oncology, molecular targeted therapy, medulloblastoma” with AND or OR search, considering the title and/or abstract. After, the search was carried out, the title and abstract were analyzed and those that could be included were read in full. Results: 23 articles were included. Conclusion: There is no direct relationship between the expression of the CD114 membrane receptor and mortality in patients with medulloblastoma, and additional studies should be carried out on the intracellular signaling pathways associated with this receptor and its gene, CSF3R

Introdução: Meduloblastomas são os tumores sólidos mais comuns da infância e muitos estudos buscam desenvolvimento de novos quimioterápicos com a identificação de genes cuja expressão sejam novos alvos moleculares para drogas, como receptores de membrana associados à replicação celular. Objetivo: Revisar o cohecimento existente sobre a associação da expressão de CD114 com a mortalidade no meduloblastoma. Método: Revisão narrativa colhendo informações com o material para leitura e análise selecionado a partir de pesquisa em plataformas virtuais (SciELO, Pubmed e Scopus). Inicialmente foi realizada busca por descritores relacionados ao tema, os quais foram identificados por meio do DeCS utilizando os seguintes termos: “neurocirurgia, oncologia cirúrgica, terapia de alvo molecular, meduloblastoma” ” e seus equivalentes em inglês  “neurosurgery, surgical oncology, molecular targeted therapy, medulloblastoma” com busca AND ou OR, considerando o título e/ou resumo. Feita a busca, foi realizada análise do título, resumo e lidos na íntegra aqueles que poderiam ser incluídos.  Resultados: Foram incluídos 23 artigos. Conclusão: Não há relação direta entre a expressão do receptor de membrana CD114 e a mortalidade em pacientes portadores de meduloblastoma e estudos adicionais devem ser feitos sobre as vias de sinalização intracelulares associadas a esse receptor e ao seu gene, o CSF3R.

Abstract Objective Most deaths in Pediatric Intensive Care Units involve forgoing life-sustaining treatment. Such deaths required carefully planned end-of-life care built on compassion and focused on palliative care measures. This study aims to assess topics related to the end of life care in Brazilian pediatric intensive care units from the perspective of a multidisciplinary team. Method The authors used a tested questionnaire, utilizing Likert-style and open-ended questions. After ethics committee approval, it was sent by email from September to November/2019 to three Pediatric Intensive Care Units in the South and Southeast of Brazil. One unit was exclusively dedicated to oncology patients; the others were mixed units. Results From 144 surveys collected (23% response rate) 136 were analyzed, with 35% physicians, 30% nurses, 21% nurse technicians, and 14% physiotherapists responding. Overall, only 12% reported enough end-of-life care training and 40% reported never having had any, albeit this was not associated with the physician's confidence in forgoing life-sustaining treatment. Furthermore, 60% of physicians and 46% of other professionals were more comfortable with non-escalation than withdrawing therapies, even if this could prolong suffering. All physicians were uncomfortable with palliative extubation; 15% of all professionals have witnessed it. The oncologic team uniquely felt that “resistance from the teams of specialists” was the main barrier to end-of-life care implementation. Conclusion Most professionals felt unprepared to forego life-sustaining treatment. Even for terminally ill patients, withholding is preferred over the withdrawal of treatment. Socio-cultural barriers and the lack of adequate training may be contributing to insecurity in the care of terminally ill patients, diverging from practices in other countries.

Abstract Objective: To investigate the role of Complex Chronic Conditions (CCCs) on the outcomes of pediatric patients with refractory septic shock, as well as the accuracy of PELOD-2 and Vasoactive Inotropic Score (VIS) to predict mortality in this specific population. Methods: This is a single-center, retrospective cohort study. All patients diagnosed with septic shock requiring vasoactive drugs admitted to a 13-bed PICU in southern Brazil, between January 2016 and July 2018, were included. Clinical and demographic characteristics, presence of CCCs and VIS, and PELOD-2 scores were accessed by reviewing electronic medical records. The main outcome was considered PICU mortality. Results: 218 patients with septic shock requiring vasoactive drugs were identified in the 30-month period and 72% of them had at least one CCC. Overall mortality was 22%. Comparing to patients without previous comorbidities, those with CCCs had a higher mortality (26.7% vs 9.8%; OR = 3.4 [1.3–8.4]) and longer hospital length of stay (29.3 vs 14.8; OR 2.39 [1.1–5.3]). Among the subgroups of CCCs, “Malignancy” was particularly associated with mortality (OR = 2.3 [1.0–5.1]). VIS and PELOD-2 scores in 24 and 48 hours were associated with mortality and a PELOD-2 in 48 hours > 8 had the best performance in predicting mortality in patients with CCC (AUROC = 0.89). Conclusion: Patients with CCCs accounted for the majority of those admitted to the PICU with septic shock and related to poor outcomes. The high prevalence of hospitalizations, use of resources, and significant mortality determine that patients with CCCs should be considered a priority in the healthcare system.