Evaluation of progesterone receptor expression in low- and high-grade astrocytomas.

OBJECTIVE: Gliomas are tumors originating from glial cells. Gliomas are the most common primary neoplasms of the central nervous system, with astrocytomas being the most prevalent glioma subtype. Progesterone regulates several reproductive processes, such as ovulation and sexual behavior, and influences neuronal excitability, learning, and the neoplastic proliferation of glial cells. Progesterone functions mainly by interacting with intracellular progesterone receptors to modify the expression of the genes involved in cell proliferation, angiogenesis, and epidermal growth factor production. As not many studies on the hormone receptors in glial tumors have been reported, the objective of this study was to evaluate the expression of these proteins in astrocytomas and to determine whether their expression levels vary according to the tumor grade. METHODS: This was a retrospective study using glial tumor paraffin blocks obtained from the São Marcos Hospital Pathology Department archives. Forty cases were divided equally into two groups, based on histological types and the World Health Organization criteria (low- and high-grade tumors). Progesterone receptor expression was analyzed by immunohistochemistry. The data were statistically analyzed using the Mann-Whitney U test and Spearman's correlation coefficient; results with p<0.05 were considered statistically significant. RESULTS: There were no statistically significant differences between the mean nuclear progesterone receptor expression of low-grade (0.1495) and high-grade (0.0937) astrocytomas (p=0.2). CONCLUSION: Progesterone receptors are present in both low- and high-grade gliomas; however, there is no significant difference in the levels of progesterone receptor expression between the tumor grades.

Evaluation of progesterone receptor expression in low- and high-grade astrocytomas

SUMMARY OBJECTIVE: Gliomas are tumors originating from glial cells. Gliomas are the most common primary neoplasms of the central nervous system, with astrocytomas being the most prevalent glioma subtype. Progesterone regulates several reproductive processes, such as ovulation and sexual behavior, and influences neuronal excitability, learning, and the neoplastic proliferation of glial cells. Progesterone functions mainly by interacting with intracellular progesterone receptors to modify the expression of the genes involved in cell proliferation, angiogenesis, and epidermal growth factor production. As not many studies on the hormone receptors in glial tumors have been reported, the objective of this study was to evaluate the expression of these proteins in astrocytomas and to determine whether their expression levels vary according to the tumor grade. METHODS: This was a retrospective study using glial tumor paraffin blocks obtained from the São Marcos Hospital Pathology Department archives. Forty cases were divided equally into two groups, based on histological types and the World Health Organization criteria (low- and high-grade tumors). Progesterone receptor expression was analyzed by immunohistochemistry. The data were statistically analyzed using the Mann-Whitney U test and Spearman's correlation coefficient; results with p<0.05 were considered statistically significant. RESULTS: There were no statistically significant differences between the mean nuclear progesterone receptor expression of low-grade (0.1495) and high-grade (0.0937) astrocytomas (p=0.2). CONCLUSION: Progesterone receptors are present in both low- and high-grade gliomas; however, there is no significant difference in the levels of progesterone receptor expression between the tumor grades.

Human Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor-2 gene polymorphism and breast cancer risk in women from the Northeastern region of Brazil.

OBJECTIVES: In the Human Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor-2 (HER2) rs1136201 variant, the presence of the G allele may promote cellular alterations and increase breast cancer risk, in addition to enhanced cellular proliferation, tumor aggressiveness, and metastases. The aim of this study was to investigate the presence of the single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) variant, rs1136201, within the HER2 gene in women from the Northeastern region of Brazil and breast cancer risk. METHODS: The study included 140 women who were divided into two groups, case (breast cancer) and control (without breast cancer), with 70 women in each group. Peripheral blood of each woman was drawn for the study of genomic Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) extracted from leukocytes using the genotyping technique by real-time polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS: The GG genotype occurred in 1 woman in both groups (1.4%) (p=0.32), while the AG genotype occurred in 19 (27.2%) and 13 (18.6%) women in the case and control (p=1.00) groups, respectively. No statistically significant difference in GG and AG genotypes was observed between the case and control groups in premenopausal women (p=1.00). Furthermore, no significant difference in genotypes was observed between the groups, among postmenopausal women (p=0.14). CONCLUSION: In this study, the HER2 rs1136201 polymorphism did not show any statistically significant association with breast cancer, both in premenopausal and postmenopausal women. Nevertheless, further studies with a larger sample size should be performed to assess the association of HER2 polymorphism with breast cancer risk in women from the Northeastern region of Brazil.

Assessment of IGF-1 expression in the peripheral blood of women with recurrent breast cancer.

Breast cancer is the most common malignancy affecting women worldwide. The insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) gene encodes a protein responsible for a wide variety of physiological processes, including differentiation and cell proliferation. Despite several studies on tumor tissues, no study has evaluated IGF-1 expression in the peripheral blood of women with recurrent breast cancer.In this cross-sectional study, IGF-1 expression in the peripheral blood of 146 women with breast cancer treated approximately 5 years ago was quantified by quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain. The women were divided into 2 groups: non-recurrence (n = 85) and recurrence (n = 61). Statistical analysis of the data was performed using ANOVA, Mann-Whitney, and Chi-squared tests (P < .05).The results showed no significant difference in IGF-1 expression between the non-recurrence and recurrence groups (P = .988). In the subgroups of patients with lymph node involvement, no statistically significant difference was observed in IGF-1 expression between women with recurrence and those non-recurrence (P = .113). In patients without lymph node metastases, IGF-1 messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) expression levels were significantly higher in the non-recurrence group than in the recurrence group (P = .019). Furthermore, using the median IGF-1 mRNA expression as the cutoff point, it was obtained a statistically significant difference in tumor histological grade among women with recurrent breast cancer (P = .042).These data showed significantly higher IGF-1 expression in women without lymph node metastases in the non-recurrence group compared with the recurrence group. In addition, a significant difference was observed in median IGF-1 mRNA expression in relation to tumor histological grade in women with recurrent breast cancer.

Expression of Nrf2 and NF-κB transcription factors in breast cancer and breast fibroadenoma: Insights for a new therapeutic approach.

Background: Cancer and fibroadenoma are the most common breast tumors in women of reproductive age. Nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) and the nuclear factor kappaB (NF-κB) transcription factor play an important role in the inflammatory process and in cell proliferation. However, few studies have analyzed these markers in breast cancer and fibroadenoma in women of reproductive age. Results: Light microscopy showed a higher concentration of anti-Nrf2 and anti-NF-κB-stained nuclei in breast cancer than in fibroadenoma. The mean percentage of stained nuclei for Nrf2 was 7.12 ± 5.2 and 43.21 ± 19.83 in the control and study groups, respectively (p < 0.0001). The mean percentage of anti-NF-κB was 10.75 ± 7.09 and 56.14 ± 21.19 (mean ± standard deviation) in the control and study groups, respectively (p < 0.0001). Histological grade 3 tumors showed a significantly higher expression of Nrf2 and NF-κB than grade 1 tumors (p < 0.05). Material and methods: This study was approved by the Institutional Review Board of Federal University of Piaui and all patients assigned an inform consent term prior to the study initiation. Nrf2 and NF-κB expression was evaluated by immunohistochemistry in 66 patients, divided into two groups, control (fibroadenoma, n = 36) and study (cancer, n = 30). The data were analyzed using ANOVA test and the statistical significance was established at p < 0.05. Conclusion: Nrf2 and NF-κB expression was significantly higher in breast cancer than in fibroadenoma, in addition to having a greater association with more aggressive tumors.

Association between Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms and Glioma Risk: A Systematic Literature Review.

This study aimed to determine the main single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) that are associated with an increased or decreased risk of glioma development in healthy individuals. We conducted a systematic review of the articles published in English on the PUBMED database between January 2008 and December 2017. Our search resulted in a total of 743 articles; however, only 56 were included in this review. A total of 148 polymorphisms were found, which involved 64 different genes. The polymorphisms that were most associated with an increased risk of glioma development were polymorphic variants rs179782, rs13181, and rs3791679 of the genes XRCC1, ERCC2, and EFEMP1, respectively.

Human Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor-2 gene polymorphism and breast cancer risk in women from the Northeastern region of Brazil

OBJECTIVES: In the Human Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor-2 (HER2) rs1136201 variant, the presence of the G allele may promote cellular alterations and increase breast cancer risk, in addition to enhanced cellular proliferation, tumor aggressiveness, and metastases. The aim of this study was to investigate the presence of the single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) variant, rs1136201, within the HER2 gene in women from the Northeastern region of Brazil and breast cancer risk. METHODS: The study included 140 women who were divided into two groups, case (breast cancer) and control (without breast cancer), with 70 women in each group. Peripheral blood of each woman was drawn for the study of genomic Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) extracted from leukocytes using the genotyping technique by real-time polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS: The GG genotype occurred in 1 woman in both groups (1.4%) (p=0.32), while the AG genotype occurred in 19 (27.2%) and 13 (18.6%) women in the case and control (p=1.00) groups, respectively. No statistically significant difference in GG and AG genotypes was observed between the case and control groups in premenopausal women (p=1.00). Furthermore, no significant difference in genotypes was observed between the groups, among postmenopausal women (p=0.14). CONCLUSION: In this study, the HER2 rs1136201 polymorphism did not show any statistically significant association with breast cancer, both in premenopausal and postmenopausal women. Nevertheless, further studies with a larger sample size should be performed to assess the association of HER2 polymorphism with breast cancer risk in women from the Northeastern region of Brazil.

Basilar invagination associated with chiari malformation type I: A literature review.

Basilar invagination (BI) and Chiari malformation type I (CM-I) are very important anomalies that introduce instability and compression in the occipitocervical transition region and have complex clinical characteristics. These anomalies vary according to the affected structures. The present study revises current knowledge regarding the anatomy, anatomo-physiology, clinical manifestations, and radiological findings of these entities and the associated surgical treatment approaches. A bibliographic survey was performed through a search in the Medline, PubMed, SciELO, Science and LILACS databases. When associated, these craniovertebral malformations result in neurological deficits due to neural parenchyma compression; however, the presence of microtraumas due to repetitive lesions caused by the bulb and cervical marrow instability has been highlighted as a determinant dysfunction. Surgical treatment is controversial and has many technical variations. Surgery is also challenging due to the complex anatomical characteristics and biomechanics of this region. Nevertheless, advances have been achieved in our understanding of related mechanisms, and compression and atlantoaxial instability are considered key elements when selecting the surgical approach.

Importance of the First Coil in the Embolization of Intracranial Aneurysms : A Case Control Study.

PURPOSE: Endovascular therapy for the treatment of cerebral aneurysms has a higher incidence of rebleeding and a lower occlusion rate than microsurgical clipping. This study investigated whether first coil volume packing density (1st VPD) and first loop diameter of the first coil (1st LD) are associated with recanalization after endovascular coiling. METHODS: The study included 174 initial saccular aneurysm cases from 2010 to 2015. Between the recanalization and non-recanalization groups, we compared age, sex, aneurysm location, rupture occurrence, shape, maximum aneurysm size, neck width, dome-to-neck ratio, aneurysm volume, coil volume, VPD, 1st VPD, 1st LD, relation of the first loop diameter of the first coil and the maximum aneurysm size (RLAS), types of assistance techniques, and the Raymond scale score at initial and follow-up angiography. RESULTS: Recanalization occurred in 41 cases (23.6%). The factors associated with recanalization were irregular shape, maximum aneurysm size, neck width, dome-to-neck ratio, aneurysm volume, VPD, 1st VPD and 1st LD smaller than the maximum aneurysm size. The cut-off values for aneurysmal recanalization were 92%, 11% and 37% for RLAS, 1st VPD and VPD, respectively. CONCLUSION: The 1st VPD and 1st LD were associated with aneurysmal recanalization after embolization. These factors provide a helpful index for coil programming.

Basilar invagination associated with chiari malformation type I: A literature review

Basilar invagination (BI) and Chiari malformation type I (CM-I) are very important anomalies that introduce instability and compression in the occipitocervical transition region and have complex clinical characteristics. These anomalies vary according to the affected structures. The present study revises current knowledge regarding the anatomy, anatomo-physiology, clinical manifestations, and radiological findings of these entities and the associated surgical treatment approaches. A bibliographic survey was performed through a search in the Medline, PubMed, SciELO, Science and LILACS databases. When associated, these craniovertebral malformations result in neurological deficits due to neural parenchyma compression; however, the presence of microtraumas due to repetitive lesions caused by the bulb and cervical marrow instability has been highlighted as a determinant dysfunction. Surgical treatment is controversial and has many technical variations. Surgery is also challenging due to the complex anatomical characteristics and biomechanics of this region. Nevertheless, advances have been achieved in our understanding of related mechanisms, and compression and atlantoaxial instability are considered key elements when selecting the surgical approach.

Evaluation of estrogen receptor expression in low-grade and high-grade astrocytomas.

OBJECTIVE: This study aims to compare estrogen receptor expression between low and high-grade astrocytomas. METHOD: A study using paraffin blocks of glial tumors from the Anatomy Pathology archives of São Marcos Hospital was carried out and began after approval by the Review Board of the Federal University of Piaui. Specimens were histochemically marked with an anti-ER alpha antibody. Brown-stained nuclei were considered positive, regardless of reaction intensity. Data were statistically analyzed using the Mann-Whitney test and Spearman's correlation. Statistical significance was established at p<0.05. RESULTS: The mean percentage of nuclei stained with anti-ER alpha in low-and high-grade astrocytomas was 0.04 and zero, respectively, while Spearman's correlation showed a strong negative association between low and high-grade tumors (p<0.001) and (r= -0.67), respectively. CONCLUSION: In the current study, estrogen receptor expression was positive only in low-grade astrocytomas and nil in high-grade astrocytomas, showing that ER expression declines with the grade of tumor malignancy.

Evaluation of estrogen receptor expression in low-grade and high-grade astrocytomas

SUMMARY OBJECTIVE: This study aims to compare estrogen receptor expression between low and high-grade astrocytomas. METHOD: A study using paraffin blocks of glial tumors from the Anatomy Pathology archives of São Marcos Hospital was carried out and began after approval by the Review Board of the Federal University of Piaui. Specimens were histochemically marked with an anti-ER alpha antibody. Brown-stained nuclei were considered positive, regardless of reaction intensity. Data were statistically analyzed using the Mann-Whitney test and Spearman's correlation. Statistical significance was established at p<0.05. RESULTS: The mean percentage of nuclei stained with anti-ER alpha in low-and high-grade astrocytomas was 0.04 and zero, respectively, while Spearman's correlation showed a strong negative association between low and high-grade tumors (p<0.001) and (r= −0.67), respectively. CONCLUSION: In the current study, estrogen receptor expression was positive only in low-grade astrocytomas and nil in high-grade astrocytomas, showing that ER expression declines with the grade of tumor malignancy.

RESUMO OBJETIVO: O objetivo deste estudo é comparar a expressão do receptor de estrogênio entre astrocitomas de baixo e alto grau. MÉTODO: Foi realizado um estudo usando blocos de parafina de tumores gliais dos arquivos de Anatomia Patológica do Hospital São Marcos e iniciado após aprovação pelo Comitê de Ética da Universidade Federal do Piauí. Os espécimes foram marcados histoquimicamente com anticorpo anti-ER alpha. Os núcleos corados em marrom foram considerados positivos, independentemente da intensidade da reação. Os dados foram analisados estatisticamente utilizando o teste de Mann-Whitney e a correlação de Spearman. A significância estatística foi estabelecida em p<0,05. RESULTADOS: A porcentagem média de núcleos corados com anti-ER alfa em astrocitomas de baixo e alto grau foi de 0,04 e zero, respectivamente, enquanto a correlação de Spearman mostrou uma forte correlação negativa entre tumores de baixa e alta qualidade (p<0,001) e (r=-0,67), respectivamente. CONCLUSÕES: No presente estudo, a expressão do receptor de estrogênio foi positiva apenas em astrocitomas de baixo grau e nula em astrocitomas de alto grau, mostrando que a expressão de ER diminui com o grau de malignidade tumoral.

A rare case of primary breast angiosarcoma in a male: a case report.

BACKGROUND: Sarcomas account for less than 1% of primary breast cancers, and breast angiosarcomas are responsible for only 0.05% of all breast malignancies. The male breast has the same potential for malignant transformation as the female breast. However, due to anatomical differences in the breast and the low incidence of angiosarcoma, it is difficult to determine how male breasts can be affected by this type of tumor. CASE PRESENTATION: A 36-year-old male patient was admitted to the hospital with a palpable lump in his right breast. Lymphadenopathy was negative. Ultrasonography showed a hypoechoic mass with partially defined contours, measuring 4.0 × 3.0 cm, with muscle infiltration. Histological examination revealed a malignant tumor. Radical mastectomy was then performed with clear surgical margins. The patient began chemotherapy with paclitaxel. Following the second cycle of chemotherapy, he presented with headache and seizures due to a frontal lobe metastasis. Twenty days after the onset of neurological symptoms, the patient died. CONCLUSIONS: Primary angiosarcomas of the male breast are extremely rare. This is the sixth case published in the literature. It is in agreement with other studies in the literature concerning clinical presentation and poor prognosis. Treatment consists in surgical removal of the tumor with clear margins and without axillary lymphadenectomy.

Embryonic Tumor with Abundant Neuroepithelium and True Rosettes (ETANTR): Case Report and Literature Review

The embryonal tumor with abundant neuropil and true rosettes (ETANTR) is an extremely rare variant of the primitive neuroectodermal tumor (PNET). About 80 cases have been reported since its first description in the literature, in 2000. The ETANTR occurs in very young patients, especially children under 6 years of age. It is found mainly in the cerebral cortex. Headache, focal neurological signs, seizures, increased head circumference and psychomotor developmental delay are the most frequent symptoms of ETANTR. Histologically, it displays the features of an ependymoblastoma and a neuroblastoma, showing areas of neuroepithelium fibrillar rosettes with ependymoblastic zones and interposed undifferentiated neuroepithelial cells. The ETANTR is distinguishable from other embryonal tumors due to the abundance of neuroepithelium. Genetic studies have demonstrated the presence of polysomy of chromosome 2 and chromosome 19q13.42 amplification. This is an extremely aggressive tumor with a mean survival ranging from 9 to 48 months. We present the first report in Brazil, published in indexed literature, of an ETANTR case involving a young child.

O tumor embrionário com neurópilo abundante e rosetas verdadeiras (TENARV) é uma variante muito rara do tumor neuroectodérmico primitivo (TNEP), com cerca de 80 casos publicados desde a sua primeira descrição na literatura, em 2000. O TENARV ocorre em pacientes muito jovens, especialmente crianças abaixo de 6 anos de idade, atingindo principalmente o córtex cerebral. Cefaleia, sinais focais, crise convulsiva, aumento do perímetro cefálico e atraso do desenvolvimento psicomotor são os sintomas mais frequentes da TENARV. Histologicamente, este tipo de tumor apresenta as características combinadas de um ependimoblastoma e um neuroblastoma, demonstrando áreas de neuroepitélio fibrilar com rosetas ependimoblásticas de permeio e zonas de células neuroepiteliais indiferenciadas. O TENARV é distinguível de outros tumores embrionários pela abundância de neuroepitélio. Estudos genéticos demonstram a presença de polissomia do cromossomo 2 e amplificação do cromossomo 19q13.42. Trata-se de um tumor extremamente agressivo, com sobrevida média entre 9 e 48 meses. Apresentamos o primeiro relato brasileiro, publicado em literatura indexada, de um caso de TENARV acometendo uma criança jovem.

Bcl-2 antigen expression in luminal A and triple-negative breast cancer.

Biomarkers for the prognosis of breast cancer have been routinely used in clinical practice, including the expression of hormone receptors, Ki-67 and HER-2. More recently, Bcl-2 has been recognized as an important prognostic factor in breast cancer, although controversies persist with respect to the significance of its expression. The aim of the present study was to evaluate Bcl-2 antigen expression in luminal A and triple-negative breast cancer. Sixty women with invasive ductal carcinoma were included in the study and divided into two groups: Group A (luminal A) and Group B (triple-negative), with 30 cases in each group. Immunohistochemistry was performed on tissue sections to evaluate Bcl-2 antigen expression. Fisher's exact test was used to compare the proportions of cases with cells expressing Bcl-2 between the two subtype cancer groups, with statistical significance being established at p < 0.05. The number of cases with cells expressing Bcl-2 in Groups A and B was 26 (86.7%) and 12 (40.0%), respectively (p < 0.0003). In the present study, the expression of the anti-apoptotic protein Bcl-2 was greater in luminal A breast cancer tissue samples compared to triple-negative breast cancer.

Use of anastrozole in the chemoprevention and treatment of breast cancer: A literature review.

Aromatase inhibitors have emerged as an alternative endocrine therapy for the treatment of hormone sensitive breast cancer in postmenopausal women. The use of third-generation inhibitors represented by exemestane, letrozol and anastrozole is currently indicated. Anastrozole is a nonsteroidal compound and a potent selective inhibitor of the aromatase enzyme. Although a few studies have shown that its pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic properties may be affected by interindividual variability, this drug has been recently used in all configurations of breast cancer treatment. In metastatic disease, it is currently considered the first-line treatment for postmenopausal women with estrogen receptor-positive breast tumors. Anastrozole has shown promising results in the adjuvant treatment of early-stage breast cancer in postmenopausal women. It has also achieved interesting results in the chemoprevention of the disease. Therefore, due to the importance of anastrozole both for endocrine treatment and chemoprevention of hormone-sensitive breast cancer in postmenopausal women, we proposed the current literature review in the SciELO and PubMed database of articles published in the last 10 years.

Use of anastrozole in the chemoprevention and treatment of breast cancer: A literature review / Uso do anastrozol na quimioprevenção e no tratamento do câncer de mama: uma revisão da literatura

Summary Aromatase inhibitors have emerged as an alternative endocrine therapy for the treatment of hormone sensitive breast cancer in postmenopausal women. The use of third-generation inhibitors represented by exemestane, letrozol and anastrozole is currently indicated. Anastrozole is a nonsteroidal compound and a potent selective inhibitor of the aromatase enzyme. Although a few studies have shown that its pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic properties may be affected by interindividual variability, this drug has been recently used in all configurations of breast cancer treatment. In metastatic disease, it is currently considered the first-line treatment for postmenopausal women with estrogen receptor-positive breast tumors. Anastrozole has shown promising results in the adjuvant treatment of early-stage breast cancer in postmenopausal women. It has also achieved interesting results in the chemoprevention of the disease. Therefore, due to the importance of anastrozole both for endocrine treatment and chemoprevention of hormone-sensitive breast cancer in postmenopausal women, we proposed the current literature review in the SciELO and PubMed database of articles published in the last 10 years.

Resumo Os inibidores de aromatase têm emergido como uma endocrinoterapia alternativa para o tratamento de câncer de mama sensível a hormônios em mulheres pós-menopáusicas. A utilização de inibidores de terceira geração, representados por exemestano, letrozol e anastrozol, é atualmente indicada. Anastrozol é um composto não esteroide e um inibidor potente e seletivo da enzima aromatase. Embora alguns estudos tenham demonstrado que as suas propriedades farmacodinâmicas e farmacocinéticas podem ser afetadas pela variabilidade interindividual, esse fármaco tem sido recentemente utilizado em todas as configurações de tratamento do câncer de mama. Na doença metastática, é atualmente considerado o tratamento de primeira linha em mulheres pós-menopáusicas com tumores de mama e receptor de estrogênio positivo. O anastrozol tem mostrado resultados promissores no tratamento adjuvante do câncer de mama em estágio inicial em mulheres na pós-menopausa. Ele também conseguiu resultados interessantes na quimioprevenção da doença. Portanto, em virtude da importância do anastrozol tanto no tratamento endócrino quanto na quimioprevenção do câncer de mama hormoniossensível em mulheres na pós-menopausa, propusemos a atual revisão da literatura na base de dados SciELO e PubMed de artigos publicados nos últimos 10 anos.

Expression of estrogen and progesterone receptors in astrocytomas: a literature review.

Gliomas are the most common type of primary central nervous system neoplasm. Astrocytomas are the most prevalent type of glioma and these tumors may be influenced by sex steroid hormones. A literature review for the presence of estrogen and progesterone receptors in astrocytomas was conducted in the PubMed database using the following MeSH terms: "estrogen receptor beta" OR "estrogen receptor alpha" OR "estrogen receptor antagonists" OR "progesterone receptors" OR "astrocytoma" OR "glioma" OR "glioblastoma". Among the 111 articles identified, 13 studies met our inclusion criteria. The majority of reports showed the presence of estrogen and progesterone receptors in astrocytomas. Overall, higher tumor grades were associated with decreased estrogen receptor expression and increased progesterone receptor expression.

Expression of estrogen and progesterone receptors in astrocytomas: a literature review

Gliomas are the most common type of primary central nervous system neoplasm. Astrocytomas are the most prevalent type of glioma and these tumors may be influenced by sex steroid hormones. A literature review for the presence of estrogen and progesterone receptors in astrocytomas was conducted in the PubMed database using the following MeSH terms: “estrogen receptor beta” OR “estrogen receptor alpha” OR “estrogen receptor antagonists” OR “progesterone receptors” OR “astrocytoma” OR “glioma” OR “glioblastoma”. Among the 111 articles identified, 13 studies met our inclusion criteria. The majority of reports showed the presence of estrogen and progesterone receptors in astrocytomas. Overall, higher tumor grades were associated with decreased estrogen receptor expression and increased progesterone receptor expression.

Analysis of the Ki-67 index in the vaginal epithelium of castrated rats treated with tamoxifen.

OBJECTIVES: Vaginal atrophy and breast cancer are common conditions in postmenopausal women and tamoxifen is the standard endocrine treatment for hormone-sensitive tumors. The present study aimed to assess the effect of tamoxifen on Ki-67 protein expression in the vaginal epithelium of castrated rats. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Forty Wistar-Hannover adult, virgin, castrated rats were randomly divided into two groups, group I (control, n=20) and group II (tamoxifen, n=20), receiving 0.5 ml of propylene glycol and 250 µg of tamoxifen diluted in 0.5 ml of propylene glycol, respectively, daily by gavage for 30 days. On the 31st day, the rats were euthanized and their vaginas were removed and fixed in 10% buffered formalin for the immunohistochemical study of Ki-67 protein expression. Data were analyzed by the Levene and Student's t tests (p<0.05). RESULTS: The mean index of Ki-67 expression in the rat vagina of groups I and II was 4.04±0.96 and 26.86±2.19, respectively (p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: According to the results of the present study, tamoxifen, at the dose and treatment length used, induced a significant increase in the cell proliferation of the vaginal mucosa in castrated rats, as evaluated by Ki-67 protein expression.