RESUMEN
Accumulating evidence shows an association between deregulation of miRNAs and exposure to environmental chemicals; miRNAs play a unique regulatory role in gene expression. Among environmental pollutants, dioxins are a family of compounds that are known to have multiple hazardous effects. Also, in utero exposure of the fetus to dioxins has been shown to cause impaired psychomotor development, decreased immune function and skin disease. miR-191 is a microRNA that has been found to be up-regulated by dioxin in hepatocellular carcinoma cells in vitro. Our study provides the first molecular evidence in vivo of a positive relationship between levels of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and miR-191 expression in human peripheral blood mononuclear cells. miR-191 expression was significantly correlated with blood concentrations of total PCB and, in particular, of 3,3',4,4',5,5'-hexachlorobiphenyl (PCB 169, a coplanar congener). Blood concentrations of PCB 169 correlated significantly with miR-191 expression in pregnant women living in a PCB-polluted area, who underwent therapeutic abortion due to fetal malformations. These data suggest that miRNAs could be potential biomarkers to clarify the mechanisms of environmental disease.
Asunto(s)
Contaminantes Ambientales/toxicidad , Leucocitos Mononucleares/efectos de los fármacos , MicroARNs/sangre , Bifenilos Policlorados/toxicidad , Anomalías Inducidas por Medicamentos/embriología , Anomalías Inducidas por Medicamentos/etiología , Aborto Terapéutico , Adulto , Biomarcadores , Estudios de Casos y Controles , Contaminantes Ambientales/sangre , Femenino , Regulación de la Expresión Génica/efectos de los fármacos , Redes Reguladoras de Genes/efectos de los fármacos , Humanos , Residuos Industriales , Italia , Leucocitos Mononucleares/metabolismo , Bifenilos Policlorados/sangre , Embarazo , Segundo Trimestre del Embarazo/sangre , Reacción en Cadena en Tiempo Real de la PolimerasaRESUMEN
OBJECTIVE: Since there are no approved reliable biomarkers for detecting preoperatively uterine sarcoma, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) isoenzymes are usually required. We first evaluated the role of LDH isoenzymes in detecting uterine sarcoma risk, and then we tried to introduce a model to easily interpret the biochemical results. METHODS: We retrospectively retrieved records of patients who underwent surgical treatment for uterine masses from 2004 to 2016, and we compared data of 2211 patients with a definitive surgical diagnosis of uterine fibroids and 43 with uterine sarcomas. Quantitative relationships between serum LDH isoenzymes levels, as different single markers or in multiple assays, and the final diagnosis were investigated. RESULTS: LDH isoenzymes levels significantly differed between patients with benign uterine masses or sarcomas. LDH3 isoenzyme exhibited better predictive performances than the other four isoforms. Combining LDH3 with LDH1 isoenzymes into an inverse algebraic relationship, named Uterine mass Magna Graecia (U.M.G.) risk index, the accuracy of markers in discriminating between benign and suspicious malignant uterine masses was significantly enhanced, sensitivity at 100% and specificity at 99.6%, with nine false positive over 2211 benignant cases and no false negative over 43 sarcomas. CONCLUSIONS: This retrospective analysis suggests to consider U.M.G. risk index as an inexpensive and accurate prognostic index that, once validated in a prospective study, may help clinicians in discriminating between benignant and suspicious malignant uterine masses.
Asunto(s)
Biomarcadores de Tumor/sangre , Isoenzimas/sangre , L-Lactato Deshidrogenasa/sangre , Leiomioma/diagnóstico , Sarcoma/diagnóstico , Neoplasias Uterinas/diagnóstico , Adulto , Femenino , Humanos , Leiomioma/sangre , Persona de Mediana Edad , Pronóstico , Estudios Retrospectivos , Sarcoma/sangre , Neoplasias Uterinas/sangreRESUMEN
We report the case of a yolk sac tumor of the ovary in a 26 years old woman. The laparoscopic approach and the BEP chemotherapy were fundamental to have a minimally invasive treatment and to preserve fertility.