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Papers by Fernanda Peria

Neuro-Oncology, 2021

INTRODUCTION In Brazil, most of the 9,196 deaths due to brain cancers in 2017 were gliomas. There... more INTRODUCTION In Brazil, most of the 9,196 deaths due to brain cancers in 2017 were gliomas. There is a dearth of epidemiological data on diffuse glioma in Brazil. METHODS LACOG 0619 is a multicentric retrospective cohort study, which included patients from nine tertiary oncology centers. Patients aged ≥18 years with histologically proven astrocytoma, oligodendroglioma, oligoastrocytoma or glioblastoma diagnosed from June 2010 to June 2019 were included. The study protocol was approved by each Institutional Review Board. RESULTS 642 patients were included in the analysis. Median age was 51.0 (19-91) years. Most patients were male (n=364, 56.8%), 175 (27.3%) had ECOG 0-1, and 480 (74.8%) had private healthcare insurance. Neurological symptoms were present in 568 (88.5%) patients at diagnosis, and 263 (41.0%) had a history of seizure before surgery. Regarding histology, 361 (56.2%) had glioblastoma, 162 (25.2%) had astrocytoma, 90 (14.0%) had oligodendroglioma, and 23 (3.6%) had glioma...

Radiologia brasileira

The Bosniak classification for renal cysts was developed in the late 1980s in an attempt to stand... more The Bosniak classification for renal cysts was developed in the late 1980s in an attempt to standardize the description and management of complex cystic renal lesions. Alterations were made to such a classification in the 1990s and, the last one, in 2005. Currently, five categories of cystic renal lesions are defined - namely, I, II, II-F, III and IV -, according to their degree of complexity and likelihood of malignancy. Despite being initially described for computed tomography, this classification has been also utilized with some advantages also for magnetic resonance imaging. The present article reviews the different phases of this classification, its diagnostic efficacy and the most controversial features of its use.

Femina: revista da Federação Brasileira das Sociedades de Ginecologia e Obstetrícia

Resumo O uso do trastuzumabe, anticorpo antimonoclonal contra o receptor do fator de crescimento ... more Resumo O uso do trastuzumabe, anticorpo antimonoclonal contra o receptor do fator de crescimento epidérmico HER-2, tem sido utilizado no tratamento do carcinoma mamário de pacientes que superexpressam esta proteína. Relatos de casos divergem quanto à presença ou ausência de efeitos adversos na gravidez. Quando presentes, os mais encontrados no feto foram: oligo ou anidrâmnio, insuficiência renal, síndrome de angústia respiratória e óbito fetal/neonatal. Esta revisão discutiu as vias etiopatológicas possíveis deste fármaco em causar tais efeitos e sugeriu uma propedêutica de seguimento dessas pacientes. Abstract The use of trastuzumab, a monoclonal antibody against human epidermal growth factor receptor type 2, has been a useful therapy in the treatment of breast cancer patients that overexpress such protein. Published case reports with different results regarding the presence or absence of adverse effects in pregnancy are shown. If present, the most reported ones were: oligo or anyd...

Case Reports in Oncology

Trastuzumab is an important biological agent in the treatment of HER2-positive breast cancer, wit... more Trastuzumab is an important biological agent in the treatment of HER2-positive breast cancer, with effects on response rates, progression-free survival, overall survival and quality of life. Although this drug is well tolerated in terms of adverse effects, trastuzumab-associated myocardiotoxicity has been described to have an incidence of 0.6-4.5% and in rare cases, the drug can trigger severe congestive heart failure with progression to death or even mimic acute coronary syndrome with complete left bundle branch blockade. In this paper is reported a case of trastuzumab-associated myocardiotoxicity manifesting as acute coronary syndrome in a 69-year-old female. The patient is currently undergoing a conservative clinical treatment that restricts overexertion.The majority of clinical studies report trastuzumab-induced cardiotoxicity as a rare event, and, when present, characterized by mild to moderate clinical signs, the ease of reversibility with pharmacological measures and the temp...

Clinics, 2011

BACKGROUND: Locally advanced breast cancers are more prevalent in underdeveloped countries. Targe... more BACKGROUND: Locally advanced breast cancers are more prevalent in underdeveloped countries. Targeted therapy has been improved to identify hallmarks that are specific to these subtypes of tumors.

Case Reports in Oncology, 2012

Trastuzumab is an important biological agent in the treatment of HER2-positive breast cancer, wit... more Trastuzumab is an important biological agent in the treatment of HER2-positive breast cancer, with effects on response rates, progression-free survival, overall survival and quality of life. Although this drug is well tolerated in terms of adverse effects, trastuzumabassociated myocardiotoxicity has been described to have an incidence of 0.6-4.5% and in rare cases, the drug can trigger severe congestive heart failure with progression to death or even mimic acute coronary syndrome with complete left bundle branch blockade. In this paper is reported a case of trastuzumab-associated myocardiotoxicity manifesting as acute coronary syndrome in a 69-year-old female. The patient is currently undergoing a conservative clinical treatment that restricts overexertion. The majority of clinical studies report trastuzumab-induced cardiotoxicity as a rare event, and, when present, characterized by mild to moderate clinical signs, the ease of reversibility with pharmacological measures and the temporary discontinuation of the medication. Conversely, it is vital for the oncologist/cardiologist to consider the possibility that trastuzumab-induced cardiotoxicity may manifest itself as a severe clinical case, mimicking acute coronary syndrome, justifying careful risk stratification and adequate cardiac monitoring, especially in high-risk patients.

Jornal Brasileiro de Patologia e Medicina Laboratorial, 2012

Medical Oncology, 2011

Metastatic breast cancers (MBC) previously treated with anthracyclines (A) and taxanes (T) have a... more Metastatic breast cancers (MBC) previously treated with anthracyclines (A) and taxanes (T) have a complicated management. Gemcitabine (G)-cisplatin (C) combinations have been used as synergistic salvage therapy in MBC and are considered as another option for patients with important symptoms and aggressive visceral disease. We analyzed the safety and efficacy of GC in ATpretreated MBC, as well as overall survival (OS) and time to progression (TTP). Forty-nine subjects received IV G 750 mg/m 2 and C 30 mg/m 2 , both d1 and d8 every 3 weeks. Response evaluation was performed every second cycle and in the end of treatment. GC protocol was the first-line palliative chemotherapy in half of the cases, and median number of cycles/patient were 4(2-12). Lung (75.5%) was the most frequent site of metastasis. Most of the patients related clinical improvement with chemotherapy with minimal/mild tolerable collateral effects in 85.7% of cases. Following 34 months, mean OS/TTP was 13.12/ 6.6 months. Objective-responded patients (40.3%) were statistically associated with the improvement in symptoms after CT (P \ 0.01), and OS was directly correlated with chemotherapy response (P \ 0.01). HER-2 overexpression was a prognostic factor with reduced OS (P = 0.01). GC protocol was effective and tolerable in objective-responded patients.

Onkologie, 2008

Anaplastic astrocytomas (AA) and glioblastomas (GB) are the most common malignant gliomas, and de... more Anaplastic astrocytomas (AA) and glioblastomas (GB) are the most common malignant gliomas, and despite newly developed drugs and combined treatments, they still have an adverse prognosis. Paclitaxel is a cytotoxic agent with radiosensitizing properties and exerts objective growth inhibition in glioma tumor cells. From 1998 to 2002, 61 microneurosurgically treated patients were randomized to group I (18 GB, 14 AA) which received radiotherapy and weekly paclitaxel at dose of 100 mg/m(2), and group II (21 GB, 8 AA) which received only radiotherapy as a complementary treatment. Median overall survival was 27.96 months in group I and 23.06 months in group II with no statistical difference. The 12-month survival was 81% in group I and 76% in group II. Kaplan-Meier curves of both groups did not demonstrate any difference. Analysis of each histological subgroup (AA or GB) also showed no statistical difference in the survival curves. All 427 cycles were well tolerated with no treatment-associated deaths. Chemoradiotherapy with weekly paclitaxel is safe and tolerable although there was no increase in the overall survival and 12-month survival of malignant glioma patients. Further investigations modulating the paclitaxel entrance and delivery into the brain should be encouraged.

Journal of Neuro-Oncology, 2007

Background Pleiotrophin (PTN) is a secreted cytokine with several properties related with tumor d... more Background Pleiotrophin (PTN) is a secreted cytokine with several properties related with tumor development, including differentiation, angiogenesis, invasion, apoptosis and metastasis. There is evidence that PTN has also a relevant role in primary brain neoplasms and its inactivation could be important to treatment response. Astrocytic and oligodendroglial tumors are the most frequent primary brain neoplasms. Astrocytic tumors are classified as pilocytic astrocytoma (PA), diffuse astrocytoma (DA), anaplastic astrocytoma (AA) and glioblastoma (GBM). Oligodendroglial tumors are classified as oligodendroglioma (O) and anaplastic oligodendroglioma (AO). The aim of the present study was to compare PTN expression, in astrocytomas and oligodendrogliomas and its association with the histological diagnosis, microvascular density, proliferate potential and clinical outcome. Methods Seventy-eight central nervous system tumors were analyzed. The histological diagnosis in accordance with WHO classification was: 13PA, 18DA, 8AA, 15GBM, 16O and 8AO. Immunohistochemistry was realized with these specific antibodies: pleiotrophin, CD31 to microvascular density and Ki-67 to cell proliferation. Results PTN expression was significantly higher in GBM and AA when compared to PA and higher in GBM compared to DA. PTN expression did not differ between O and AO. Proliferate index and microvascular density were evaluated only in high grade tumors (AA, GBM and AO) divided in three groups according to PTN expression (low, intermediate and high). These results showed no statistical difference between PTN expression and index of cellular proliferation and neither to PTN expression and microvascular density. Overall survival (OS) analysis (months) showed similar results in high grade gliomas with different levels of PTN expression. Conclusions Our results suggest that PTN expression is associated with histopathological grade of astrocytomas. Proliferation rate, microvascular density and overall survival do not seem to be associated with PTN expression.

European Journal of Surgical Oncology (EJSO), 2008

Aim: The aim of this study was to evaluate the safety of breast conserving surgery in patients wi... more Aim: The aim of this study was to evaluate the safety of breast conserving surgery in patients with breast tumours satisfactorily downstaged after neoadjuvant therapy. Methods: A retrospective cohort study was undertaken to analyze the loco-regional recurrence (LRR) after breast conserving surgery. We enrolled 88 patients with breast cancer subjected to neoadjuvant therapy (NAT group) who achieved an objective response due to neoadjuvant treatment and compared them with 191 patients with early breast cancer (EBC group) who were submitted to primary conserving surgery. Lumpectomy or quadrantectomy with axillary lymph node dissection was performed in all patients who received adjuvant radiotherapy. Systemic adjuvant therapy was offered to all patients. The mean periods of observation were 61.3 months in the NAT group and 67.5 months in the EBC group. Results: The mean age was 53 years in the NAT group and 56 years in the EBC group ( p ¼ 0.04). There was no histological type and histological grade difference between groups. In the NAT group, the mean diameter of residual tumour was lower and the mean volume of breast tissue resection was higher than in the EBC group ( p ¼ 0.01 and p ¼ 0.002, respectively). The ipsilateral recurrence rate was 7.9% in the NAT group and 7.8% in the EBC group ( p ¼ 0.9). The most important predictive factor of recurrence in the NAT group was the age of patient. Conclusion: Breast conserving therapy is a safe procedure in satisfactorily downstaged breast cancer after neoadjuvant therapy.

Dysphagia, 2005

The complete manifestation of esophageal Chagas&a... more The complete manifestation of esophageal Chagas' disease includes nonperistaltic contractions in the esophageal body, absent lower esophageal sphincter (LES) relaxation, and dilatation of the organ. However, some patients have a minor degree of esophageal denervation and esophageal motility that does not imply a diagnosis of achalasia. Our objective was to evaluate the evolution of esophageal involvement by Chagas' disease in 28 patients with dysphagia for solids and liquids and a positive serologic test for the disease, 14 with complete LES relaxation, 4 with partial (incomplete) LES relaxation, and 10 with absent LES relaxation; only 2 of them had mild dilatation. The patients (21 women), aged 43-74 years (median 60 years), were evaluated by clinical, radiographic, and manometric methods that were repeated 3-14 years (median 7 years) later. Dysphagia improved in 13 (46.4%) patients, was worse in 5 (17.9%), and did not change in 10 (35.7%). The radiographic examination did not change in 24 (85.7%) and was worse in 3 (10.7%). Esophageal manometry revealed a change from peristaltic to simultaneous contractions in 2 patients (7.1%), LES relaxation changed from complete to partial in 5 (17.9%), and from partial to absent in 2 (7.1%). There was no further clinical, radiographic, or manometric impairment in 15 (53.6%) patients. The symptom duration was longer and the age when they were evaluated was older in patients with no progression of the disease. We conclude that a conspicuous part of this group of patients with esophageal Chagas' disease and dysphagia had no progression of esophageal disease after 3-14 years. This possibility should be considered when making therapeutic decisions.

Clinical and Experimental Medicine, 2009

Cell adhesion molecules such as intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) and platelet-endotheli... more Cell adhesion molecules such as intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) and platelet-endothelial cell adhesion molecule-1 (PECAM-1) play an important role in glioma invasion and angiogenesis. The aim of this study was to investigate whether specific genetic polymorphisms of ICAM-1 and PECAM-1 could be associated with glioma development and progression. Single-nucleotide polymorphism in codon 469 of ICAM-1 and codon 125 of PECAM-1 were examined in 158 patients with astrocytomas and 162 controls using polymerase chain reaction and restriction enzyme analysis. The distribution of PECAM-1 polymorphic genotypes in astrocytomas did not show any significant difference. However, a specific ICAM-1 genotype (G/G, corresponding to Lys469Glu) exhibited higher frequency in grade II astrocytomas compared to controls, grade III, and grade IV astrocytomas; suggesting that this polymorphism could be involved in the development of grade II astrocytomas.

ABSTRACT Background: A few previous studies demonstrated that neoadjuvant chemotherapy, followed ... more ABSTRACT Background: A few previous studies demonstrated that neoadjuvant chemotherapy, followed by preoperative radiotherapy in diagnosed IIB cervical cancer patients, had similar therapeutic results as the standard protocol with concurrent chemoradiotherapy, considering complete response; overall survival; disease free survival and toxicity; requiring its evaluation as an alternative approach. Methods: One hundred sixteen women with IIB stage cervical cancer stages were submitted to a platinum combined based neoadjuvant chemotherapy followed by chemoradiotherapy with cisplatin. Those who had a good response, allowing a surgical approach, underwent the Wertheim-Meigs procedure. Those that could not be submitted to surgery remained in clinical follow-up. Results: The age of the patients were 22 to 75 years old (48.7±11.4 years). The average follow-up was about 48 months (1–120). The good response to the neoadjuvant treatment was found in 76 patients (65.5%), and surgery was possible in 86 (74%). The pathological complete response was found in 39 (33%), and the partial response in 40%. The global recurrence was diagnosed in 37 (32%) patients. In the operated group (n = 86), the overall-five years survival was 76%, and in the non-operated group (n = 30) was 17,5%. The five years-global survival was 79,2% in "good response" (GR) patients, and 27.4% in that with "no-good response" (NGR) to combined neoadjuvant treatment ( p < 0.01). The free-relapse survival was 79.4% in GR, and 32.5% in NGR group (p < 0.01). Conclusions: Amongst the studied prognostic factors, the most important one for interval of relapse and survival (global and free-relapse) was a good response to the neoadjuvant treatment, and that this treatment had an acceptable toxicity and could be considered in other trials as an option to standard treatment.

Arquivos de Neuro-Psiquiatria, 2010

Neuro-Oncology, 2021

INTRODUCTION In Brazil, most of the 9,196 deaths due to brain cancers in 2017 were gliomas. There... more INTRODUCTION In Brazil, most of the 9,196 deaths due to brain cancers in 2017 were gliomas. There is a dearth of epidemiological data on diffuse glioma in Brazil. METHODS LACOG 0619 is a multicentric retrospective cohort study, which included patients from nine tertiary oncology centers. Patients aged ≥18 years with histologically proven astrocytoma, oligodendroglioma, oligoastrocytoma or glioblastoma diagnosed from June 2010 to June 2019 were included. The study protocol was approved by each Institutional Review Board. RESULTS 642 patients were included in the analysis. Median age was 51.0 (19-91) years. Most patients were male (n=364, 56.8%), 175 (27.3%) had ECOG 0-1, and 480 (74.8%) had private healthcare insurance. Neurological symptoms were present in 568 (88.5%) patients at diagnosis, and 263 (41.0%) had a history of seizure before surgery. Regarding histology, 361 (56.2%) had glioblastoma, 162 (25.2%) had astrocytoma, 90 (14.0%) had oligodendroglioma, and 23 (3.6%) had glioma...

Radiologia brasileira

The Bosniak classification for renal cysts was developed in the late 1980s in an attempt to stand... more The Bosniak classification for renal cysts was developed in the late 1980s in an attempt to standardize the description and management of complex cystic renal lesions. Alterations were made to such a classification in the 1990s and, the last one, in 2005. Currently, five categories of cystic renal lesions are defined - namely, I, II, II-F, III and IV -, according to their degree of complexity and likelihood of malignancy. Despite being initially described for computed tomography, this classification has been also utilized with some advantages also for magnetic resonance imaging. The present article reviews the different phases of this classification, its diagnostic efficacy and the most controversial features of its use.

Femina: revista da Federação Brasileira das Sociedades de Ginecologia e Obstetrícia

Resumo O uso do trastuzumabe, anticorpo antimonoclonal contra o receptor do fator de crescimento ... more Resumo O uso do trastuzumabe, anticorpo antimonoclonal contra o receptor do fator de crescimento epidérmico HER-2, tem sido utilizado no tratamento do carcinoma mamário de pacientes que superexpressam esta proteína. Relatos de casos divergem quanto à presença ou ausência de efeitos adversos na gravidez. Quando presentes, os mais encontrados no feto foram: oligo ou anidrâmnio, insuficiência renal, síndrome de angústia respiratória e óbito fetal/neonatal. Esta revisão discutiu as vias etiopatológicas possíveis deste fármaco em causar tais efeitos e sugeriu uma propedêutica de seguimento dessas pacientes. Abstract The use of trastuzumab, a monoclonal antibody against human epidermal growth factor receptor type 2, has been a useful therapy in the treatment of breast cancer patients that overexpress such protein. Published case reports with different results regarding the presence or absence of adverse effects in pregnancy are shown. If present, the most reported ones were: oligo or anyd...

Case Reports in Oncology

Trastuzumab is an important biological agent in the treatment of HER2-positive breast cancer, wit... more Trastuzumab is an important biological agent in the treatment of HER2-positive breast cancer, with effects on response rates, progression-free survival, overall survival and quality of life. Although this drug is well tolerated in terms of adverse effects, trastuzumab-associated myocardiotoxicity has been described to have an incidence of 0.6-4.5% and in rare cases, the drug can trigger severe congestive heart failure with progression to death or even mimic acute coronary syndrome with complete left bundle branch blockade. In this paper is reported a case of trastuzumab-associated myocardiotoxicity manifesting as acute coronary syndrome in a 69-year-old female. The patient is currently undergoing a conservative clinical treatment that restricts overexertion.The majority of clinical studies report trastuzumab-induced cardiotoxicity as a rare event, and, when present, characterized by mild to moderate clinical signs, the ease of reversibility with pharmacological measures and the temp...

Clinics, 2011

BACKGROUND: Locally advanced breast cancers are more prevalent in underdeveloped countries. Targe... more BACKGROUND: Locally advanced breast cancers are more prevalent in underdeveloped countries. Targeted therapy has been improved to identify hallmarks that are specific to these subtypes of tumors.

Case Reports in Oncology, 2012

Trastuzumab is an important biological agent in the treatment of HER2-positive breast cancer, wit... more Trastuzumab is an important biological agent in the treatment of HER2-positive breast cancer, with effects on response rates, progression-free survival, overall survival and quality of life. Although this drug is well tolerated in terms of adverse effects, trastuzumabassociated myocardiotoxicity has been described to have an incidence of 0.6-4.5% and in rare cases, the drug can trigger severe congestive heart failure with progression to death or even mimic acute coronary syndrome with complete left bundle branch blockade. In this paper is reported a case of trastuzumab-associated myocardiotoxicity manifesting as acute coronary syndrome in a 69-year-old female. The patient is currently undergoing a conservative clinical treatment that restricts overexertion. The majority of clinical studies report trastuzumab-induced cardiotoxicity as a rare event, and, when present, characterized by mild to moderate clinical signs, the ease of reversibility with pharmacological measures and the temporary discontinuation of the medication. Conversely, it is vital for the oncologist/cardiologist to consider the possibility that trastuzumab-induced cardiotoxicity may manifest itself as a severe clinical case, mimicking acute coronary syndrome, justifying careful risk stratification and adequate cardiac monitoring, especially in high-risk patients.

Jornal Brasileiro de Patologia e Medicina Laboratorial, 2012

Medical Oncology, 2011

Metastatic breast cancers (MBC) previously treated with anthracyclines (A) and taxanes (T) have a... more Metastatic breast cancers (MBC) previously treated with anthracyclines (A) and taxanes (T) have a complicated management. Gemcitabine (G)-cisplatin (C) combinations have been used as synergistic salvage therapy in MBC and are considered as another option for patients with important symptoms and aggressive visceral disease. We analyzed the safety and efficacy of GC in ATpretreated MBC, as well as overall survival (OS) and time to progression (TTP). Forty-nine subjects received IV G 750 mg/m 2 and C 30 mg/m 2 , both d1 and d8 every 3 weeks. Response evaluation was performed every second cycle and in the end of treatment. GC protocol was the first-line palliative chemotherapy in half of the cases, and median number of cycles/patient were 4(2-12). Lung (75.5%) was the most frequent site of metastasis. Most of the patients related clinical improvement with chemotherapy with minimal/mild tolerable collateral effects in 85.7% of cases. Following 34 months, mean OS/TTP was 13.12/ 6.6 months. Objective-responded patients (40.3%) were statistically associated with the improvement in symptoms after CT (P \ 0.01), and OS was directly correlated with chemotherapy response (P \ 0.01). HER-2 overexpression was a prognostic factor with reduced OS (P = 0.01). GC protocol was effective and tolerable in objective-responded patients.

Onkologie, 2008

Anaplastic astrocytomas (AA) and glioblastomas (GB) are the most common malignant gliomas, and de... more Anaplastic astrocytomas (AA) and glioblastomas (GB) are the most common malignant gliomas, and despite newly developed drugs and combined treatments, they still have an adverse prognosis. Paclitaxel is a cytotoxic agent with radiosensitizing properties and exerts objective growth inhibition in glioma tumor cells. From 1998 to 2002, 61 microneurosurgically treated patients were randomized to group I (18 GB, 14 AA) which received radiotherapy and weekly paclitaxel at dose of 100 mg/m(2), and group II (21 GB, 8 AA) which received only radiotherapy as a complementary treatment. Median overall survival was 27.96 months in group I and 23.06 months in group II with no statistical difference. The 12-month survival was 81% in group I and 76% in group II. Kaplan-Meier curves of both groups did not demonstrate any difference. Analysis of each histological subgroup (AA or GB) also showed no statistical difference in the survival curves. All 427 cycles were well tolerated with no treatment-associated deaths. Chemoradiotherapy with weekly paclitaxel is safe and tolerable although there was no increase in the overall survival and 12-month survival of malignant glioma patients. Further investigations modulating the paclitaxel entrance and delivery into the brain should be encouraged.

Journal of Neuro-Oncology, 2007

Background Pleiotrophin (PTN) is a secreted cytokine with several properties related with tumor d... more Background Pleiotrophin (PTN) is a secreted cytokine with several properties related with tumor development, including differentiation, angiogenesis, invasion, apoptosis and metastasis. There is evidence that PTN has also a relevant role in primary brain neoplasms and its inactivation could be important to treatment response. Astrocytic and oligodendroglial tumors are the most frequent primary brain neoplasms. Astrocytic tumors are classified as pilocytic astrocytoma (PA), diffuse astrocytoma (DA), anaplastic astrocytoma (AA) and glioblastoma (GBM). Oligodendroglial tumors are classified as oligodendroglioma (O) and anaplastic oligodendroglioma (AO). The aim of the present study was to compare PTN expression, in astrocytomas and oligodendrogliomas and its association with the histological diagnosis, microvascular density, proliferate potential and clinical outcome. Methods Seventy-eight central nervous system tumors were analyzed. The histological diagnosis in accordance with WHO classification was: 13PA, 18DA, 8AA, 15GBM, 16O and 8AO. Immunohistochemistry was realized with these specific antibodies: pleiotrophin, CD31 to microvascular density and Ki-67 to cell proliferation. Results PTN expression was significantly higher in GBM and AA when compared to PA and higher in GBM compared to DA. PTN expression did not differ between O and AO. Proliferate index and microvascular density were evaluated only in high grade tumors (AA, GBM and AO) divided in three groups according to PTN expression (low, intermediate and high). These results showed no statistical difference between PTN expression and index of cellular proliferation and neither to PTN expression and microvascular density. Overall survival (OS) analysis (months) showed similar results in high grade gliomas with different levels of PTN expression. Conclusions Our results suggest that PTN expression is associated with histopathological grade of astrocytomas. Proliferation rate, microvascular density and overall survival do not seem to be associated with PTN expression.

European Journal of Surgical Oncology (EJSO), 2008

Aim: The aim of this study was to evaluate the safety of breast conserving surgery in patients wi... more Aim: The aim of this study was to evaluate the safety of breast conserving surgery in patients with breast tumours satisfactorily downstaged after neoadjuvant therapy. Methods: A retrospective cohort study was undertaken to analyze the loco-regional recurrence (LRR) after breast conserving surgery. We enrolled 88 patients with breast cancer subjected to neoadjuvant therapy (NAT group) who achieved an objective response due to neoadjuvant treatment and compared them with 191 patients with early breast cancer (EBC group) who were submitted to primary conserving surgery. Lumpectomy or quadrantectomy with axillary lymph node dissection was performed in all patients who received adjuvant radiotherapy. Systemic adjuvant therapy was offered to all patients. The mean periods of observation were 61.3 months in the NAT group and 67.5 months in the EBC group. Results: The mean age was 53 years in the NAT group and 56 years in the EBC group ( p ¼ 0.04). There was no histological type and histological grade difference between groups. In the NAT group, the mean diameter of residual tumour was lower and the mean volume of breast tissue resection was higher than in the EBC group ( p ¼ 0.01 and p ¼ 0.002, respectively). The ipsilateral recurrence rate was 7.9% in the NAT group and 7.8% in the EBC group ( p ¼ 0.9). The most important predictive factor of recurrence in the NAT group was the age of patient. Conclusion: Breast conserving therapy is a safe procedure in satisfactorily downstaged breast cancer after neoadjuvant therapy.

Dysphagia, 2005

The complete manifestation of esophageal Chagas&a... more The complete manifestation of esophageal Chagas' disease includes nonperistaltic contractions in the esophageal body, absent lower esophageal sphincter (LES) relaxation, and dilatation of the organ. However, some patients have a minor degree of esophageal denervation and esophageal motility that does not imply a diagnosis of achalasia. Our objective was to evaluate the evolution of esophageal involvement by Chagas' disease in 28 patients with dysphagia for solids and liquids and a positive serologic test for the disease, 14 with complete LES relaxation, 4 with partial (incomplete) LES relaxation, and 10 with absent LES relaxation; only 2 of them had mild dilatation. The patients (21 women), aged 43-74 years (median 60 years), were evaluated by clinical, radiographic, and manometric methods that were repeated 3-14 years (median 7 years) later. Dysphagia improved in 13 (46.4%) patients, was worse in 5 (17.9%), and did not change in 10 (35.7%). The radiographic examination did not change in 24 (85.7%) and was worse in 3 (10.7%). Esophageal manometry revealed a change from peristaltic to simultaneous contractions in 2 patients (7.1%), LES relaxation changed from complete to partial in 5 (17.9%), and from partial to absent in 2 (7.1%). There was no further clinical, radiographic, or manometric impairment in 15 (53.6%) patients. The symptom duration was longer and the age when they were evaluated was older in patients with no progression of the disease. We conclude that a conspicuous part of this group of patients with esophageal Chagas' disease and dysphagia had no progression of esophageal disease after 3-14 years. This possibility should be considered when making therapeutic decisions.

Clinical and Experimental Medicine, 2009

Cell adhesion molecules such as intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) and platelet-endotheli... more Cell adhesion molecules such as intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) and platelet-endothelial cell adhesion molecule-1 (PECAM-1) play an important role in glioma invasion and angiogenesis. The aim of this study was to investigate whether specific genetic polymorphisms of ICAM-1 and PECAM-1 could be associated with glioma development and progression. Single-nucleotide polymorphism in codon 469 of ICAM-1 and codon 125 of PECAM-1 were examined in 158 patients with astrocytomas and 162 controls using polymerase chain reaction and restriction enzyme analysis. The distribution of PECAM-1 polymorphic genotypes in astrocytomas did not show any significant difference. However, a specific ICAM-1 genotype (G/G, corresponding to Lys469Glu) exhibited higher frequency in grade II astrocytomas compared to controls, grade III, and grade IV astrocytomas; suggesting that this polymorphism could be involved in the development of grade II astrocytomas.

ABSTRACT Background: A few previous studies demonstrated that neoadjuvant chemotherapy, followed ... more ABSTRACT Background: A few previous studies demonstrated that neoadjuvant chemotherapy, followed by preoperative radiotherapy in diagnosed IIB cervical cancer patients, had similar therapeutic results as the standard protocol with concurrent chemoradiotherapy, considering complete response; overall survival; disease free survival and toxicity; requiring its evaluation as an alternative approach. Methods: One hundred sixteen women with IIB stage cervical cancer stages were submitted to a platinum combined based neoadjuvant chemotherapy followed by chemoradiotherapy with cisplatin. Those who had a good response, allowing a surgical approach, underwent the Wertheim-Meigs procedure. Those that could not be submitted to surgery remained in clinical follow-up. Results: The age of the patients were 22 to 75 years old (48.7±11.4 years). The average follow-up was about 48 months (1–120). The good response to the neoadjuvant treatment was found in 76 patients (65.5%), and surgery was possible in 86 (74%). The pathological complete response was found in 39 (33%), and the partial response in 40%. The global recurrence was diagnosed in 37 (32%) patients. In the operated group (n = 86), the overall-five years survival was 76%, and in the non-operated group (n = 30) was 17,5%. The five years-global survival was 79,2% in "good response" (GR) patients, and 27.4% in that with "no-good response" (NGR) to combined neoadjuvant treatment ( p < 0.01). The free-relapse survival was 79.4% in GR, and 32.5% in NGR group (p < 0.01). Conclusions: Amongst the studied prognostic factors, the most important one for interval of relapse and survival (global and free-relapse) was a good response to the neoadjuvant treatment, and that this treatment had an acceptable toxicity and could be considered in other trials as an option to standard treatment.

Arquivos de Neuro-Psiquiatria, 2010