Survival differences in multiple myeloma in Latin America and Asia: a comparison involving 3664 patients from regional registries.

In previous observational studies, we have separately characterized patients with multiple myeloma (MM) both from Latin America (LA) and from Asia. Here, we analyze these two datasets jointly, in order to assess the overall survival (OS) in these two world regions. Data were available from 3664 patients (1968 from LA and 1696 from Asia); all of whom diagnosed between 1998 and 2007. Approximately, 26% of patients in both world regions underwent transplantation. OS (from diagnosis of MM) was explored with Kaplan-Meier analyses and Cox proportional hazards models. Patients from LA were significantly younger and had hypercalcemia more often than Asian patients, who in turn had higher proportions of anemia and International Staging System (ISS) stage III disease. The median OS was 56 months in LA, and 47 months in Asia (hazard ratio [HR] = 0.83; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.76 to 0.91; P < 0.001). In multivariable analysis, age, ISS stage III, anemia, hypercalcemia, and world region remained significantly associated with OS (P < 0.001 for all covariates). These results were largely driven by patients not undergoing transplantation, as no difference in OS emerged between the two world regions in univariable or multivariable analysis for transplanted patients. Despite adverse prognostic features differentially favoring each region, and adjusting for such differences, we found an OS advantage for patients from LA, in comparison with contemporaneous patients from Asia. Whether this is due to different biological features, differences in access to novel agents (especially thalidomide in earlier periods of the study), unmeasured confounders, or the play of chance, remain unknown.

Observational study of multiple myeloma in Latin America.

Relatively little is known about the outcomes of multiple myeloma in Latin America, a world region where incorporation of novel agents is generally slow. In the current retrospective-prospective study, we aimed to describe the patterns of care and treatment results in five Latin American countries. Between April 2007 and October 2009, patients who had been diagnosed from January 2005 to December 2007 were registered at 23 institutions from Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Mexico, and Peru. We divided patients into two cohorts, according to transplantation eligibility, and analyzed them with regard to first-line treatment and overall survival (OS). We analyzed a total of 852 patients, 46.9 % of whom were female. The median follow-up was 62 months. Among transplantation-ineligible patients (N = 461), the mean age was 67.4 years, approximately one third of patients received a thalidomide-based treatment in the first line, and the median OS was 43.0 months. Transplantation-eligible patients (N = 391) had a mean age of 54.7 years and a median OS of 73.6 months. Autologous transplantation was performed in 58.6 % of the patients for whom this procedure was initially planned and in only 26.9 % of the overall patients. Our long-term results reflect the contemporary literature for patients with multiple myeloma treated with autologous transplantation and thalidomide-based regimens in clinical trials and observational studies. However, further efforts are needed to approve and incorporate novel agents in Latin American countries, as well as to increase access to transplantation, in order to achieve the expected improvements in patient outcomes.

Reduced ABCG2 and increased SLC22A1 mRNA expression are associated with imatinib response in chronic myeloid leukemia.

Imatinib mesylate (IM) has become a standard of care in chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) therapy. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and altered expression in drug transporter genes may influence IM response. In order to investigate whether mRNA expression and SNPs in drug transporters are associated with IM resistance, we studied 118 chronic-phase CML patients receiving the standard dose of IM (400 mg/day). They were assigned as responders and non-responders according to European LeukemiaNet criteria (2009). mRNA expression in samples at diagnosis (without IM therapy) and outcomes after IM failure were also evaluated in subgroups of patients. Major molecular response (MMR), complete molecular response and primary and secondary resistance were all assessed. BCR-ABL1, ABCB1, ABCG2, SLC22A1 and SLCO1A2 mRNA expression and SNPs in ABCG2 and SLC22A1 genes were analyzed. ABCG2 mRNA expression in the non-responders was higher before and during IM therapy. Furthermore, ABCG2 was overexpressed in those who did not achieve MMR (P=0.027). In a subgroup of patients who switched to second-generation tyrosine kinase inhibitors, high mRNA expression of ABCG2 was associated with a risk of 24 times that of not achieving complete cytogenetic response (OR 24.00, 95% CI 1.74-330.80; P=0.018). In the responder group, patients who achieved MMR (P=0.009) presented higher mRNA levels of SLC22A1. The SNPs were not associated with mRNA expression of ABCG2 and SLC22A1. Our data suggest that elevated ABCG2 expression (an efflux transporter) could be associated with IM resistance and could impact on second-generation TKI response, whereas high SLC22A1 expression (an influx transporter) may be associated with a successful IM therapy in CML patients.

Thalidomide plus dexamethasone as a maintenance therapy after autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation improves progression-free survival in multiple myeloma.

Despite the good response of stem cell transplant (SCT) in the treatment of multiple myeloma (MM), most patients relapse or do not achieve complete remission, suggesting that additional treatment is needed. We assessed the impact of thalidomide in maintenance after SCT in untreated patients with MM. A hundred and eight patients (<70 years old) were randomized to receive maintenance with dexamethasone (arm A; n = 52) or dexamethasone with thalidomide (arm B; n = 56; 200 mg daily) for 12 months or until disease progression. After a median follow-up of 27 months, an intention to treat analysis showed a 2-year progression-free survival (PFS) of 30% in arm A (95% CI 22-38) and 64% in arm B (95% CI 57-71; P = 0.002), with median PFS of 19 months and 36 months, respectively. In patients who did not achieve at least a very good partial response, the PFS at 2 years was significantly higher when in use of thalidomide (19 vs. 59%; P = 0.002). Overall survival at 2 years was not significantly improved (70 vs. 85% in arm A and arm B, respectively; P = 0.27). The addition of thalidomide to dexamethasone as maintenance improved the PFS mainly in patients who did not respond to treatment after SCT.

Autologous stem cell transplantation improves quality of life in economically challenged, Brazilian multiple myeloma patients.

OBJECTIVES: 1) To characterize the impact of multiple myeloma on the quality of life of patients treated in two public institutions in São Paulo State, Brazil, using a generic Short Form 36 Health Survey and a questionnaire specific for oncologic patients (QLQ-C30) upon diagnosis, after the clinical treatment, and at day +100 after autologous stem cell transplantation; 2) to evaluate whether autologous stem cell transplantation can improve the quality of life of our economically challenged population aside from providing a clinical benefit and disease control. METHODS: We evaluated 49 patients with multiple myeloma (a total of 70 interviews) using the two questionnaires. The scores upon diagnosis, post-treatment/pre-autologous stem cell transplantation, and at D+100 were compared using ANOVA (a comparison of the three groups), post hoc tests (two-by-two comparisons of the three groups), and paired t-tests (the same case at two different times). RESULTS: Of the included patients, 87.8% had a family budget under US $600 (economic class C, D, or E) per month. The generic Short Form 36 Health Survey questionnaire demonstrated that physical function, role-physical, and bodily pain indices were statistically different across all three groups, favoring the D+100 autologous stem cell transplantation group (ANOVA). The questionnaire specific for oncologic patients, the QLQ-C30 questionnaire, confirmed what had been demonstrated by the Short Form 36 Health Survey with respect to physical function and bodily pain, with improvements in role functioning, fatigue, and lack of appetite and constipation, favoring the D+100 autologous stem cell transplant group (ANOVA). The post hoc tests and paired t-tests confirmed a better outcome after autologous stem cell transplantation CONCLUSION: The questionnaire specific for cancer patients seems to be more informative than the generic Short Form 36 Health Survey questionnaire and reflects the real benefit of autologous stem cell transplantation in the quality of life of multiple myeloma patients in two public Brazilian institutions that provide assistance for economically challenged patients.

Autologous stem cell transplantation improves quality of life in economically challenged, brazilian multiple myeloma patients

OBJECTIVES: 1) To characterize the impact of multiple myeloma on the quality of life of patients treated in two public institutions in São Paulo State, Brazil, using a generic Short Form 36 Health Survey and a questionnaire specific for oncologic patients (QLQ-C30) upon diagnosis, after the clinical treatment, and at day +100 after autologous stem cell transplantation; 2) to evaluate whether autologous stem cell transplantation can improve the quality of life of our economically challenged population aside from providing a clinical benefit and disease control. METHODS: We evaluated 49 patients with multiple myeloma (a total of 70 interviews) using the two questionnaires. The scores upon diagnosis, post-treatment/pre-autologous stem cell transplantation, and at D+100 were compared using ANOVA (a comparison of the three groups), post hoc tests (two-by-two comparisons of the three groups), and paired t-tests (the same case at two different times). RESULTS: Of the included patients, 87.8 percent had a family budget under US $600 (economic class C, D, or E) per month. The generic Short Form 36 Health Survey questionnaire demonstrated that physical function, role-physical, and bodily pain indices were statistically different across all three groups, favoring the D+100 autologous stem cell transplantation group (ANOVA). The questionnaire specific for oncologic patients, the QLQ-C30 questionnaire, confirmed what had been demonstrated by the Short Form 36 Health Survey with respect to physical function and bodily pain, with improvements in role functioning, fatigue, and lack of appetite and constipation, favoring the D+100 autologous stem cell transplant group (ANOVA). The post hoc tests and paired t-tests confirmed a better outcome after autologous stem cell transplantation CONCLUSION: The questionnaire specific for cancer patients seems to be more informative than the generic Short Form 36 Health Survey questionnaire and reflects the real benefit of autologous stem cell transplantation in the quality of life of multiple myeloma patients in two public Brazilian institutions that provide assistance for economically challenged patients.

Tratamento do Mieloma Múltiplo recidivado / Relapsed Multiple Myeloma treatment

O mieloma múltiplo ainda é uma doença incurável. Apesar das novas estratégias de tratamento, a maioria dos pacientes recidiva. O padrão da recidiva é muito heterogêneo, podendo se apresentar com comportamento indolente ou agressivo. O tratamento da doença recidivada depende de vários fatores: do tratamento realizado como primeira linha, se transplante autólogo de medula óssea ou não, da resposta e sua duração, se a recidiva ocorreu com ou sem tratamento de manutenção, do performance status do paciente e da reserva medular. Se a recidiva ocorrer após seis meses do término do tratamento, o mesmo esquema quimioterápico inicial pode ser instituído. O transplante autólogo de medula óssea pode ser proposto como consolidação em recidivas quimiossensíveis ou como tratamento de resgate, se as células-tronco periféricas tiverem sido coletadas anteriormente. A talidomida tem sido utilizada em pacientes com mieloma múltiplo recidivado após quimioterapia convencional ou após o transplante autólogo da medula óssea. A talidomida sozinha pode induzir respostas objetivas em pelo menos 1/3 dos pacientes que já receberam muitos tratamentos; e quando combinada com quimioterapia, as respostas objetivas ocorrem em aproximadamente 2/3 dos pacientes. O bortezomibe está indicado em pacientes recidivados, sozinho ou associado a dexametasona e a outras drogas, com taxas de resposta de 43 por cento a 76 por cento. O melhor tratamento do paciente com mieloma múltiplo recidivado deve ser individualizado, dependendo da idade, da função da medula óssea, da terapia inicial, do padrão e tempo para a recidiva.

Multiple myeloma still remains an incurable disease. Despite the new treatment approaches, almost all patients face the risk of an eventual relapse. The pattern of relapse is very heterogeneous and can be indolent or more aggressive. The treatment of relapsed disease depends on a number of factors: duration of response, relapse on or off maintenance therapy, prior therapy and specially prior autologous stem cell transplantation, performance status, hematopoietic reserve. If relapse occurs more than 6 months after therapy ended, the initial chemotherapy regimen should be reinstituted. Autologous stem cell transplantation can be proposed as consolidation therapy in chemosensitive relapses or as salvage therapy if stem cells have been collected earlier. Thalidomide has been tested in relapsed multiple myeloma and is now considered as standard treatment for patients relapsing after conventional chemotherapy or after autologous stem cell transplantation. Thalidomide alone can induce objective responses in at least one-third of heavily pretreated patients and, combined with chemotherapy, objective responses can be achieved by two-thirds of the patients. Bortezomib is indicated, alone or in combination with other agents, for relapsed patients and can produce an overall response rate of 43 percent to 76 percent. The most appropriate management must be individualized depending on the age, bone marrow function, prior therapy and the timing of the relapse.

Doença óssea em Mieloma Múltiplo / Bone disease in Multiple Myeloma

As principais manifestações clínicas do mieloma múltiplo estão relacionadas à destruição óssea. Esta doença óssea pode levar a fraturas patológicas, compressão da medula espinhal, hipercalcemia e dor, sendo uma das principais causas de morbidade e mortalidade. Estas complicações resultam do desequilíbrio da reabsorção e formação óssea, decorrente do aumento da atividade osteoclástica. Este aumento é mediado pela liberação de fatores ativadores dos osteoclastos, que são produzidos no microambiente da medula óssea por células tumorais e não tumorais. Os bisfosfonatos são inibidores específicos da atividade osteoclástica e são eficazes no tratamento da hipercalcemia associada às neoplasias malignas e podem reduzir o aparecimento de complicações esqueléticas. Estudos recentes identificaram novas moléculas como o receptor de ativação nuclear kappa B (RANK), seu ligante (RANKL), osteoprotegerina (OPG), e a proteína inflamatória dos macrófagos-1alfa, que estão envolvidas na ativação e diferenciação dos osteoclastos, enquanto que a proteína dikkopf-1 inibe a formação óssea osteoblástica. Estas novas moléculas parecem não só interferir na biologia da destruição óssea do mieloma, mas também com a sobrevida e crescimento tumoral, sendo novos alvos para o desenvolvimento de drogas antimieloma. Estudos recentes com anticorpo monoclonal anti-RANKL são promissores. O tratamento da doença óssea do mieloma múltiplo inclui principalmente o uso de bisfosfonatos, radioterapia e procedimentos cirúrgicos.

The major clinical manifestation of multiple myeloma is related to osteolytic bone destruction. Bone disease can lead to pathologic fractures, spinal cord compression, hypercalcemia, and pain, and is a major cause of morbidity and mortality. These complications result from asynchronous bone turnover wherein increased osteoclastic bone resorption is not accompanied by a comparable increase in bone formation. The increase in osteoclast activity in myeloma is mediated by the release of osteoclast-stimulating factors. These factors are produced locally in the bone marrow microenvironment by cells of tumor and non-tumor origin. Bisphosphonates are specific inhibitors of osteoclastic activity and are effective in the treatment of hypercalcemia associated with malignancies and may reduce the development of skeletal complications. Recent studies have revealed that new molecules such as the receptor activator of nuclear factor-kappa B (RANK), its ligand (RANKL), osteoprotegerin (OPG), and macrophage inflammatory protein-1a are implicated in osteoclast activation and differentiation, while proteins such as dikkopf-1 inhibit osteoblastic bone formation. These new molecules seem to interfere not only with the biology of myeloma bone destruction but also with tumour growth and survival, creating novel targets for the development of new antimyeloma treatment. Recent studies with monoclonal antibodies to RANKL appear promising. The management of the bone disease in multiple myeloma include the bisphosphonates, radiotherapy and surgery.

Plasma kinetics of a cholesterol-rich microemulsion (LDE) in patients with Hodgkin's and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and a preliminary study on the toxicity of etoposide associated with LDE.

BACKGROUND: Neoplastic diseases are often associated with low plasma low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol and diminished LDL clearance due to upregulation in cancer cells of the receptors that internalize the lipoprotein. Thus, it is possible to use LDL or cholesterol-rich microemulsions (LDE) that bind to LDL receptors as carriers of antineoplastic agents to concentrate those drugs into cancer tissues. Our aim was to determine whether LDL cholesterol concentration plus LDE increased clearance occur in lymphomas. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The LDE labeled with [(3) H]-cholesteryl oleate was injected into four Hodgkin's and 12 non-Hodgkin's lymphoma patients and into 16 healthy control subjects and the LDE plasma residence time (RT) was determined from sequential plasma samples. Two volunteers with relapsed/refractory lymphoma were treated with 300 mg/m(2) body surface etoposide associated with LDE in six cycles at 3-week intervals. RESULTS: The LDL cholesterol was lower in lymphoma patients than in controls (94+/-52 and 115+/-16 mg/dL, p=0.0362, respectively). The LDE RT was 49% smaller in lymphoma patients than in controls (RT=21.9 and 45.7 h; p=0.0134), with positive correlation between RT and LDL cholesterol. LDE-etoposide showed no considerable toxicity in all cycles in the two treated patients and the disease remained stable during the treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that lymphomas overexpress LDL receptors that make room for using LDE as drug-targeting vehicle and that the LDE-etoposide preparation is suitable for patient use.

Mieloma múltiplo com plasmocitomas cutâneos / Multiple myeloma with cutaneous plasmocytomas

O mieloma múltiplo é neoplasia de células plasmáticas que infiltram a medula óssea; as lesões cutâneas no mieloma múltiplo são raras, inespecíficas ou específicas, sendo estas últimas primárias ou secundárias. Lesões específicas secundárias de pele em pacientes com mieloma ocorrem por extensão direta para a pele, a partir de lesões ósseas subjacentes, ou como plasmocitomas extramedulares metastáticos. Os autores relatam caso de paciente de 59 anos, que apresentou diagnóstico de mieloma múltiplo e, após sete meses de evolução, desenvolveu plasmocitomas cutâneos, caracterizados por nódulos eritêmato-violáceos nas extremidades.

Metabolism of a cholesterol-rich microemulsion (LDE) in patients with multiple myeloma and a preliminary clinical study of LDE as a drug vehicle for the treatment of the disease.

PURPOSE: Previously we have shown that cholesterol-rich microemulsions that bind to LDL receptors have the ability to concentrate in acute myeloid leukemia cells and in ovarian and breast carcinomas. Thus, LDE may be used as a vehicle for drugs directed against neoplastic cells. Indeed, we subsequently showed that when carmustine is associated with LDE the toxicity of the drug is significantly reduced in patients with advanced cancers. The aim of the present study was to verify whether LDE may be taken up by multiple myeloma cells and whether patients with multiple myeloma respond to treatment with LDE associated with carmustine. METHODS: A total of 131 consecutive volunteer patients with recently diagnosed multiple myeloma classified as clinical stage IIIA had their plasma lipid profile determined. LDE plasma kinetics were performed in 14 of them. Cell uptake of LDE and the cytotoxicity of carmustine associated with the emulsion were evaluated in a multiple myeloma cell line. A pharmacokinetic study of LDE-carmustine was performed in three patients. Finally, an exploratory clinical study of LDE-carmustine (carmustine dose 180 mg/m(2) body surface every 4 weeks) was performed in seven untreated multiple myeloma patients. RESULTS: LDL cholesterol was lower in the 131 multiple myeloma patients than in healthy controls and the fractional clearance rate (FCR, in units per minute) in the 14 multiple myeloma patients was twice that in 14 paired healthy control subjects. Moreover, entry of LDE into multiple myeloma cells was shown to be mediated by LDL receptors. Taken together, these findings indicate that LDE may target multiple myeloma. The exploratory clinical study showed that gammaglobulin decreased by 10-70% (mean 36%) after three cycles and by 25-75% (mean 44%) after six cycles. Furthermore, there was amelioration of symptoms in all patients. Cholesterol concentrations increased after treatment, suggesting that the treatment resulted in at least partial destruction of neoplastic cells with receptor upregulation. Side effects of the treatment were negligible. CONCLUSIONS: Because it targets multiple myeloma and, when associated with an antineoplastic agent, produces therapeutic responses in patients with fewer side effects, LDE has the potential for use as a drug vehicle in the treatment of the disease.

Metabolism of chylomicron-like emulsions in patients with Hodgkin's and with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.

BACKGROUND: Chylomicrons carry in the bloodstream dietary fats absorbed the intestine for storage in the body tissues such as adipose and muscle. The two-step chylomicron metabolism consists in lipolysis by lipoprotein lipase on vessel walls and hepatic uptake of triglyceride-depleted remnants. Chylomicron metabolism is understudied in cancer, despite its direct involvement in the patient nutritional status. We investigated this metabolism in Hodgkin and non-Hodgkin lymphoma patients, using the method of triglyceride-rich emulsions that mimic chylomicrons. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The chylomicron-like emulsion, labeled with [9,10-3H]glycerol-trioleate and [1-14C] cholesteryl-oleate was intravenously injected into 11 Hodgkin's, 19 non-Hodgkin's patients and 12 healthy subjects. Triglyceride kinetics evaluate lipolysis whereas cholesteryl ester kinetics evaluate remnant removal. RESULTS: Plasma total, LDL, HDL cholesterol, apo B, apo A1 and Lp(a) values were similar between the three groups, but VLDL cholesterol and triglycerides were higher in the lymphoma groups. The fractional catabolic rate (FCR, in min(-1)) of the emulsion triglycerides was roughly three-fold smaller in non-Hodgkin's (0.043+/-0.007, mean+/-S.E.M., P<0.001) and Hodgkin's (0.045+/-0.009, P<0.0001) lymphoma patients compared with the control values (0.151+/-0.032). FCR of the emulsion cholesteryl esters, was four-fold smaller in non-Hodgkin's (0.016+/-0.002, P<0.0001), and three-fold in Hodgkin's lymphoma patients (0.024+/-0.006, P<0.001) compared with the control group (0.069+/-0.013). The lipolysis index, calculated from the decay curves of both isotopes was also markedly smaller in both groups of lymphoma patients compared with the controls. CONCLUSIONS: In both lymphoma groups, marked alterations in chylomicron lipolysis and remnant removal occurs.

Megakaryocytic blast crisis as a first presentation of chronic myeloid leukemia.

UNLABELLED: Acute megakaryocytic leukemia (AmegL) corresponds to 5.0-10.0% of all acute myeloid leukemias (AML). Blast crisis as the first presentation of chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) accounts for 10.0% of all cases. OBJECTIVE: We report a case of megakaryocytic blast crisis as the first presentation of CML. CASE REPORT: A 25-yr-old-female with a 2-month history of dry cough and a large, non-tender splenomegaly was found to have a hemoglobin concentration of 10.5 g/dL, a hematocritof 33.0%, a white blood cell count (WBC) of 11.4 x 106 L with 38% small blasts, eosinophilia of 5%, basophilia of 8%, and a platelet count of 580 x 109 L. Bone marrow aspiration revealed 24% of blast cells with cytoplasmatic blebs and hyperplastic megakaryocytic lineage with dysplasia. Cytochemical stains were all negative, immunophenotyping studies showed CD41 and CD61 positivity in blast cells. Bone marrow biopsy showed grade II fibrosis. Karyotype revealed 46, XX, t(9,22) (q34.1;q11.2)[20] and the reverse-transcriptase-PCR (RT-PCR) gave rise a product with a size corresponding to the 210 kDa protein (p210). No matched donor was found. After induction therapy 5.9% of blast cells persisted. The patient received Imatinib Mesylate and is doing well after a 12-month follow-up. DISCUSSION: AmegL as the first presentation of CML is a rare and often fatal event. Some characteristics point towards the diagnosis of a blast crisis instead of AmegL de novo with t(9,22).

Cinética de remoção plasmática de quilomícrons artificiais em pacientes portadores de doença de Hodgkin e linfoma não Hodgkin / Clearance of a chylomicron-like emulsion from plasma in patients with Hodgkin's disease and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma

Os quilomícrons são lipoproteínas ricas em triglicérides. Na circulação sistêmica os triglicérides são hidrolisados pela LPL e os ácidos graxos liberados são utilizados para geração de energia. A partícula resultante, o QMrem é enriquecida com apoE no espaço de Disse e captada pelos receptores de LDL e pela LRP presentes no hepatócito. O presente trabalho objetivou verificar se o metabolismo dos quilomícrons estaria alterado nos linfomas não-Hodgkin e doença de Hodgkin. Emulsões artificiais semelhantes aos quilomícrons naturais foram injetadas, via endovenosa, em 19 pacientes com linfoma não-Hodgkin, 11 com doença de Hodgkin e em 12 indivíduos sadios. As emulsões foram marcadas com colesterol esterificado e triacilglicérides radioativos, e as curvas de decaimento plasmático desses isótopos foram determinadas no plasma, a partir de amostras colhidas em intervalos regulares durante 60 minutos. Os resultados mostraram que não houve diferença na remoção plasmática, tanto dos triglicérides quanto do colesterol esterificado, entre os dois grupos de linfomas. No entanto, quando comparados com o grupo controle, os dois grupos de linfomas demonstraram diminuição na remoção tanto de 3H-TG quanto 14C-CE. Permitindo concluir que o processo de lipólise e de remoção dos QMrem está alterado nos LNH e LH, com possíveis implicações no manuseio clínico e nutricional desses pacientes.