Antitumor effectiveness of a combined therapy with a new cucurbitacin B derivative and paclitaxel on a human lung cancer xenograft model.

Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is one of the most common malignant tumors, with a high mortality rate due to the elevated risk of resistance. Natural cucurbitacins and their derivatives are recognized as promising antitumor compounds for several types of cancer, including NSCLC. In a recent study published by our research group, DACE (2-deoxy-2-amine-cucurbitacin E), which is a semisynthetic derivative of cucurbitacin B, showed potential in vitro synergistic antiproliferative effects combined with paclitaxel (PTX) in A549 cells. In sequence, the purpose of this study was to evaluate the in vivo antitumor efficacy of this combined therapy as well as with these drugs individually, using a human NSCLC xenograft model. Some indicators of sub chronic toxicity that could be affected by treatments were also assessed. The results obtained in vivo with the combined treatment (1mg/kg+PTX 10mg/kg) showed the most effective reduction of the relative tumor volume and the highest inhibition of tumor growth and proliferation, when compared with those of the single treatments. Furthermore, scintigraphic images, obtained before and after the treatments, showed that the most effective protocol able to reduce the residual viable tumor mass was the combined treatment. All treatment regimens were well tolerated without significant changes in body weight and no histological and functional damage to liver and kidney tissues. These results corroborate our previous in vitro synergistic effects published. Taken together, these insights are novel and highlight the therapeutic potential of DACE and PTX combination scheme for NSCLC.

Clinical significance and prognostic role of tumor-associated macrophages infiltration according to histologic location in canine mammary carcinomas.

Tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) have been involved in growth and metastases of human and canine mammary tumors. However, the prognostic importance of TAM specific location in canine mammary tumors (CMT) was not evaluated. In this study, we evaluated the potential role of TAMs in specific histologic locations - intratumoral (iTAM) and stromal (sTAM), as well as total macrophage (tTAM) counts - as prognostic indicators in CMT. Clinicopathologic data from 66 animals with mammary carcinoma and their tumors were used in this study. Samples were stained with anti-macrophage antibody for subsequent TAM count. High levels of iTAM, sTAM, and tTAM were related with advanced clinical stage and vascular invasion. Additionally, tTAM revealed a relation with larger tumor size, while high levels of sTAM and tTAM were also correlated with node metastasis and a poor prognosis based on survival analysis. CMT with aggressive features can reveal higher TAM counts. TAMs are associated with vascular invasion and nodal metastasis, and sTAM and tTAM counts are correlated with overall survival, suggesting they could be used as prognostic indicators in canine mammary carcinomas.

Cytologic analysis of the mammary papillar discharge in a canine micropapillary carcinoma.

This is a report on the cytologic analysis of the mammary papillar discharge in a 7-year-old female Doberman dog with an invasive micropapillary carcinoma. Cytologic evaluation of nipple discharge is a well-known method for the rapid diagnosis of breast cancer in women. However, there is no previous report regarding the use of this technique for assessing mammary tumors in dogs. The aim of this study was to describe the use of mammary papillar discharge cytology for diagnosing a micropapillary carcinoma in a dog. Cytologically, evaluation of the papillar discharge revealed cells arranged in clusters in a papillary pattern or in a morula-like arrangement, suggesting the diagnosis of a micropapillary carcinoma, which was subsequently confirmed by histopathology. Thus, mammary papillar discharge cytology should be considered as an ancillary method for evaluating mammary diseases in dogs.

Consensus for the diagnosis, prognosis and treatment of feline mammary tumors / Consenso para o diagnóstico, prognóstico e tratamento de tumores mamários em felinos

Mammary neoplasms are described as the third most common type of feline tumor, after haematopoietic and skin tumors, and present a challenge for clinicians because the prognosis for feline mammary tumors ranges from guarded to poor. Thus, it is necessary to define new therapeutic approaches and establish more in-depth knowledge about this disease in felines. The main aspects of the diagnosis, prognosis and treatment of feline mammary neoplasia were discussed, aiming to standardize the criteria and to serve as a guide for pathologists and veterinary clinicians.(AU)

As neoplasias mamárias são descritas como o terceiro tipo mais frequente de tumor em felinos (após as neoplasias hematopoiéticas e cutâneas) e apresentam um desafio para os clínicos devido ao prognóstico, que varia de reservado a ruim. Assim, é necessário conhecer melhor essa doença em felinos e definir novas abordagens terapêuticas. Discutiu-se os principais aspectos de diagnóstico, prognóstico e tratamento da neoplasia mamária felina, com o objetivo de padronizar os critérios e servir de guia para patologistas e clínicos veterinários.(AU)