Intramuscular adipose tissue, muscle area, and power as predictors of performance in breast cancer survivors.

PURPOSE: The decline in physical performance, assessed by physical tests such as the timed up and go (TUG) test, is a consequence of reduced physiological reserves at higher levels of a hierarchical process. This occurs due to changes in muscle architecture, including atrophy and fat infiltration into the muscles, which in turn lead to changes in muscle function, resulting in reduced muscle strength and power and, consequently, affecting physical performance. This study investigated predictive factors for physical performance in breast cancer survivor (BCS), focusing on intramuscular adipose tissue (IMAT), quadríceps muscle area (QMA), and muscular power. METHODS: This observational, analytical, and cross-sectional study included 23 women without a history of cancer (age, 58.5 ± 8.3 years; BMI, 27.2 ± 5.1 kg/m2) and 56 BCS (age, 58.5 ± 8.3 years; BMI, 27.2 ± 5.1 kg/m2). QMA and IMAT were assessed using computed tomography images. Muscular power and physical performance were measured using the 5-repetition sit-to-stand and TUG tests, respectively. RESULTS: IMAT (r = 0.4, P < 0.01) and muscular power (r = - 0.4, P < 0.01) were associated with TUG performance in BCS, whereas QMA (r = - 0.22, P = 0.10) showed no significant association. QMA (r = 0.55, P < 0.01) was associated with muscular power, while no significant association was found between IMAT and muscular power (r = - 0.05, P = 0.73). Age explained 19% (P < 0.01) of TUG performance variability. Adding muscular power increased explanatory power by 12% (P < 0.01), and including IMAT further increased it by 7% (P = 0.02) for TUG performance. Collectively, age, muscular power, and IMAT accounted for 38% of the performance variance in the TUG test (age, B = 0.06, P = 0.043; muscular power, B = - 0.01, P = 0.002; IMAT, B = - 0.05, P = 0.020). CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that IMAT and muscular power predict the physical performance of BCS, while QMA does not have the same predictive capability.

Resistance Training-Induced Gains in Muscle Strength and Power Mediate the Improvement in Walking Speed in Middle-Aged Women Who Are Breast Cancer Survivors.

ABSTRACT: Santagnello, SB, Martins, FM, de Oliveira Junior, GN, de Sousa, JdeFR, Nomelini, RS, Murta, EFC, and Orsatti, FL. Resistance training-induced gains in muscle strength and power mediate the improvement in walking speed in middle-aged women who are breast cancer survivors. J Strength Cond Res 38(4): 773-782, 2024-(a) Ascertain whether lower muscle mass, strength (1 repetition maximum [1RM]), and power (Pmax) in middle-aged women who are breast cancer survivors (BCS), when compared with women of a similar age never diagnosed with cancer (WNC), are related with lower walking speed (WS). (b) Ascertain whether changes in WS are associated with changes in muscle mass, 1RM, and (or) Pmax after resistance training (RT) in middle-aged BCS. A cross-section study was performed. Twenty WNC and 21 BCS were evaluated for lean mass of legs (LLM), 1RM (knee extension), muscle quality index (MQI = 1RM/LLM), Pmax (maximum muscle power-knee extension), and fast WS (10 and 400-meters). Randomized clinical trial was performed. The BCS were randomly divided into the control group ( n = 9) and the RT group ( n = 11). Breast cancer survivors exhibited lower 1RM (24.2%, p ˂ 0.001), Pmax (30.6%, p ˂ 0.001), MQI (22.2%, p = 0.001), and WS (10-m = 17.0%, p ˂ 0.001 and 400-m = 10.5%, p = 0.002) than WNC. Resistance training increased 1RM (31.6%, p = 0.001), MP (29.0%, p = 0.012), MQI (28.5%, p = 0.008), and WS (10-m = 9.4%, p = 0.009 and 400-m = 6.2%, p = 0.006) in BCS. The changes in WS were positively associated with 1RM (10-m = 68%, p = 0.001 and 400-m = 37%, p = 0.036) and Pmax (10-m = 56%, p = 0.005 and 400-m = 40%, p = 0.027) and MQI (10-m = 63%, p = 0.043 and 400-m = 37%, p = 0.035). Resistance training-induced gains in muscle strength and power mediate the improvement in WS in middle-aged BCS. Resistance training is an effective strategy to improve WS in middle-aged BCS.

Immunostaining of stromal CD56 cells in ovarian malignancies.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to evaluate CD56 immunostaining in the stroma of benign and malignant ovarian epithelial neoplasms and associate the CD56 immunostaining with prognostic factors and survival in ovarian cancer. METHODS: Patients with ovarian epithelial neoplasia (n=77) were studied with a prospective cohort. The CD56 immunostaining was evaluated in the peritumoral stroma. Two groups were evaluated: benign ovarian neoplasms (n=40) and malignant ovarian neoplasms (n=37). Data were recorded for histological type and grade, International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics staging, molecular subtype, and lymph node metastases. Fisher's exact test and Kaplan-Meier survival curves were used, with a significance level of ≤0.05. RESULTS: We found greater CD56 stromal immunostaining in malignant neoplasms when compared to the group of benign neoplasms (p=0.00001). There was no significant difference in relation to the prognostic factors and survival. CONCLUSION: Malignant ovarian neoplasms showed higher stromal CD56 immunostaining. As the prognostic value of natural killer in ovarian cancer is controversial, knowing the specific function of each cell present both in the tumor tissue and systemically may help guide successful immunotherapies in the near future.

Lower-Body Resistance Training Reduces Interleukin-1ß and Transforming Growth Factor-ß1 Levels and Fatigue and Increases Physical Performance in Breast Cancer Survivors.

ABSTRACT: Martins, FM, Santagnello, SB, de Oliveira Junior, GN, de Sousa, JdFR, Michelin, MA, Nomelini, RS, Murta, EFC, and Orsatti, FL. Lower-body resistance training reduces interleukin-1ß and transforming growth factor-ß1 levels and fatigue and increases physical performance in breast cancer survivors. J Strength Cond Res 37(2): 439-451, 2023-This article ascertains whether resistance training (RT) improves inflammatory markers, fatigue (sensations and fatigability), and physical performance in breast cancer survivors (BCS) and investigates whether the changes in the inflammatory markers, fatigue, and physical performance are associated with each other. Volunteers were randomly divided into 2 groups: control group (n = 11) and RT group (n = 11). Resistance training (3 sets of 8-12 repetitions with 80% 1 repetition maximum (1RM) on 4 exercises-leg extension, leg curl, 45° leg press, and calf raise) was performed 3 times a week for 12 weeks. Self-reported fatigue (SRF), fatigability (critical torque [CT] and W prime [W']), muscle strength, and circulating inflammatory markers were assessed using the Brief Fatigue Inventory, iDXA, 1RM test, protocol of 60 maximal voluntary isometric contractions, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, respectively. Resistance training reduced interleukin (IL)-1ß, transforming growth factor (TGF)-ß1, and SRF score and increased muscle strength, 6-minute walk test (6MWT), CT, and W'. In the RT group, the changes in SRF were positively associated with the changes in IL-1ß. The changes in muscle strength were associated with the changes in CT and W', and the changes in the 6MWT were associated with the changes in CT, W', muscle strength, and SRF. Resistance training improved fatigue and physical performance and reduced IL-1ß, and TGF-ß1 in BCS. Although improvement in fatigability seems to be dependent on the increase in muscle strength, improvement in the sensation of fatigue seems to be dependent on the reduction in IL-1ß after RT. Increase in physical performance seems to be dependent on improvement in muscle strength and fatigue.

Immunostaining of stromal CD56 cells in ovarian malignancies

SUMMARY OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to evaluate CD56 immunostaining in the stroma of benign and malignant ovarian epithelial neoplasms and associate the CD56 immunostaining with prognostic factors and survival in ovarian cancer. METHODS: Patients with ovarian epithelial neoplasia (n=77) were studied with a prospective cohort. The CD56 immunostaining was evaluated in the peritumoral stroma. Two groups were evaluated: benign ovarian neoplasms (n=40) and malignant ovarian neoplasms (n=37). Data were recorded for histological type and grade, International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics staging, molecular subtype, and lymph node metastases. Fisher's exact test and Kaplan-Meier survival curves were used, with a significance level of ≤0.05. RESULTS: We found greater CD56 stromal immunostaining in malignant neoplasms when compared to the group of benign neoplasms (p=0.00001). There was no significant difference in relation to the prognostic factors and survival. CONCLUSION: Malignant ovarian neoplasms showed higher stromal CD56 immunostaining. As the prognostic value of natural killer in ovarian cancer is controversial, knowing the specific function of each cell present both in the tumor tissue and systemically may help guide successful immunotherapies in the near future.

Mast cells and M2 macrophages in ovarian cancer.

The objectives of this study were to investigate the immunohistochemical expression of markers of mast cells and M2 macrophages in benign and malignant ovarian neoplasms and to examine the prognostic value of this expression in ovarian cancer. The study was performed with samples from 32 patients, divided into benign (n = 16) and malignant (n = 16) neoplasm groups. Samples obtained by surgical resection were submitted to immunohistochemical analysis. Higher proportions of M2 macrophages (p = .041) and mast cells (p = .0054) were present in malignant than benign ovarian neoplasms. Histological grade 2/3 was related to higher proportions of M2 macrophages compared with grade 1 (p = .0102). Stages II-IV were also related to higher proportions of M2 macrophages (p = .0102). Logistic regression revealed that M2 macrophages predicted malignancy [odds ratio (OR) = 1.017; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.003-1.037; p = .017], but that mastocytes had greater predictive value for this outcome (OR = 1.127; 95% CI, 1.018-1.105; p = .013). M2 macrophages predicted more advanced histological grades (OR = 1.060; 95% CI, 1.010-1.218; p = .003). The proportions of M2 macrophages and mast cells were greater in malignant than in benign ovarian neoplasms. Larger proportions of cells expressing M2 macrophages were related to more advanced histological grades and disease stages, and thus to worse prognoses for ovarian cancer.Impact StatementWhat is already known on this subject? Concentrations of mast cells and M2 macrophages have been observed in several tumour types, but their significance remains uncertain.What do the results of this study add? The proportions of M2 macrophages and mast cells were greater in malignant than in benign ovarian neoplasms. Larger proportions of cells expressing M2 macrophages were related to higher histological grades and more advanced stages of the disease.What are the implications of these findings for clinical practice and/or further research? Larger proportions of cells expressing M2 macrophages were related to worse prognoses for malignant ovarian neoplasia. The discovery of new prognostic factors in ovarian cancer may be the target of studies on new treatments and immunotherapies for this disease. In addition, it can help guide the oncologist towards more aggressive treatments for patients with worse prognostic factors.

Absolute band neutrophils count is a predictor of overall survival in advanced uterine cervical cancer.

PURPOSE: Neutrophils play a role during the oncogenic process, and their count can be a prognostic marker. The objective was to evaluate the association of band and segmented neutrophils with prognostic factors, overall survival, and disease-free survival in advanced uterine cervical cancer (IIB to IVB staging). METHODS: This study evaluated 88 patients diagnosed with uterine cervical cancer staging IIB to IVB. The recorded data from medical records were age, parity, staging, histological type, absolute count of total neutrophils, band neutrophils and segmented neutrophils, disease-free survival, and overall survival. Receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used to obtain the area under the curve (AUC) and determine the best cut-off values for each parameter. Survival was verified by the Kaplan-Meier method, and multivariate analysis was performed by Cox regression. The level of significance was ≤ 0.05. RESULTS: Regarding the total neutrophils, band, and segmented neutrophils count, a cut-off value of 6187/mm3, 273 mm3 and 6062/mm3 were found, respectively. Overall survival was shorter in patients with total neutrophils greater than 6187/mm3 (p = 0.012), band neutrophils greater than 273/mm3 (p = 0.001), and segmented neutrophils greater than 6062/mm3 (p = 0.013). After multivariate analysis considering the two types of neutrophils, only band neutrophils greater than 273/mm3 remained as an independent factor for shorter overall survival. CONCLUSION: The absolute count of band neutrophils greater than 273/mm3 was a potential predictor of shorter overall survival in women with invasive cervical cancer. This count can be of great clinical use, in addition to being inexpensive, less invasive, and easy to perform.

Giant luteinized follicular cyst of pregnancy / Cisto folicular luteinizado gigante da gestação

Functional cysts usually do not cause symptoms or require surgical intervention. We reported a 17-year-old primi-gravida, gestational age of 10 weeks and 2 days, and ultrasound showing anechoic cyst in the right parauterine re-gion without septa, with a larger diameter of 13.5cm, 632ml, and Doppler color without peripheral vascularization. The patient was oligosymptomatic during gestation. At 37 weeks and 6 days, gestation was interrupted, when the cyst had 2600 ml by ultrasonography. Fetal extraction was performed by cesarean delivery, and a large adnexal cyst visualized on the right was removed. The histopathological analysis of the surgical specimen revealed a cystic le-sion coated by luteinized cells with discrete hyperchromatic and slightly pleomorphic nuclei, with underlying fibrous stroma with sparse luteinized cells, characterizing a giant luteinized follicular cyst of pregnancy. The prevalence of ovarian masses in pregnancy is rare, usually not exceeding 5 cm in diameter, and disappearing spontaneously in the second trimester. The patient in the case report had a cyst of 632 ml, increasing in volume to 2600 ml at the time of delivery. Definitive preoperative diagnosis of ovarian masses is still difficult, and predictive criteria for malignancy include the use of tumor markers, ultrasound, and Doppler. The association of these tests should guide the clinician to define the best time for surgical intervention. The association of these tests should guide the clinician to define the best time for surgical intervention (AU)

Os cistos funcionais geralmente não causam sintomas ou requerem intervenção cirúrgica. Relatamos o caso de uma primigesta de 17 anos, idade gestacional de 10 semanas e 2 dias, e ultrassonografia mostrando cisto anecoico em região parauterina direita sem septos, com maior diâmetro de 13,5cm, volume 632ml e Doppler sem vascularização periférica. A paciente permaneceu oligossintomática durante a gestação. Com 37 semanas e 6 dias, a gestação foi interrompida, quando o cisto apresentava 2.600 ml pela ultrassonografia. A extração fetal foi realizada por cesaria-na, e um grande cisto anexial visualizado à direita foi removido. A análise histopatológica da peça cirúrgica revelou lesão cística revestida por células luteinizadas com núcleos discretamente hipercromáticos e levemente pleomór-ficos, com estroma fibroso subjacente com células luteinizadas esparsas, caracterizando cisto folicular luteinizado gigante da gravidez. A prevalência de massas ovarianas na gravidez é rara, geralmente não ultrapassam o diâmetro de 5 cm, e desaparecem espontaneamente no segundo trimestre. A paciente do relato de caso apresentou cisto de 632 ml, aumentando de volume para 2600 ml no momento do parto. O diagnóstico pré-operatório definitivo de massas ovarianas ainda é difícil, e os critérios preditivos de malignidade incluem o uso de marcadores tumorais, ultrassonografia e Doppler. A associação desses testes deve orientar o clínico para definir o melhor momento para a intervenção cirúrgica (AU)

CIN Extension at Colposcopy: Relation to Treatment and Blood Parameters.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the colposcopic lesion size that predicts the presence of residual lesion in patients with cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) 2/3, to aid gynaecologists in selecting conservative management. METHODS: Data from 51 patients with low- and high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions were evaluated. Colposcopic images were captured and lesion areas were calculated. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for human papillomavirus was performed. Laboratory parameters were evaluated. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were used to obtain cut-off values for lesion area. The performance of PCR in the detection of high-grade CIN was assessed. A flowchart was created to compare the costs of related procedures in the Brazilian health system. RESULTS: For CIN 2/3 treated with excisional surgery, the best cut-off value for lesion area below which no residual lesion was present was 21 019 pixels2 (58.87 mm2). The cut-off value that predicted compromised surgical margins was 155 577.65 pixels2 (435.75 mm2). Among all patients with CIN, lesion area correlated inversely with neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio (NLR; r = -0.446, P = 0.001), platelet/lymphocyte ratio (PLR; r = -0.438, P = 0.001), and absolute number of leukocytes (r = -0.351, P = 0.011). Conservative clinical management with semi-annual clinical follow-up was found to reduce direct costs to the Brazilian Health System by R $909.82 (US $169.42). CONCLUSION: CIN reflects systemic alteration, leading to altered NLRs, PLRs, and absolute numbers of leukocytes. Patients with high-grade CIN and colposcopic lesion areas <21 019 pixels2 could benefit from conservative management, which would result in cost savings for the Brazilian health system.

Metastasizing leiomyoma during pregnancy

Uterine leiomyoma is a benign tumor of myometrial tissue which affects women of reproductive age. Its prevalence increases with age and has a peak incidence at the age of forty. The term "metastasizing leiomyoma" refers to a tumor of dense connective tissue and smooth myometrial muscle cells located outside the uterus. This group of tumors can metastasize to different organs, the lung being its main focus. We present the case report of a 33-year-old female gravida 3, para 1, abortus 1, at 11 weeks of pregnancy, with pelvic masses. The diagnosis was metastasizing leiomyoma during pregnancy.

Association of laboratorial parameters and prognostic factors in uterine corpus cancer.

OBJECTIVE: The aims were to compare the red blood cells, platelet count, neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio, platelet-lymphocyte ratio, red cell distribution width, and fasting glucose in peripheral blood of patients with benign and malignant uterine neoplasms and to relate these laboratory parameters with prognostic factors and overall survival in cancer. METHODS: The results of the laboratory parameters were analyzed using the Mann-Whitney U test. Receiver operating characteristic curves were used to find the cutoff values. Overall survival was estimated using the Kaplan-Meyer method. RESULTS: Higher values of neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio and fasting glucose were found in cancer patients. Higher platelet-lymphocyte ratio values were associated with other subtypes when compared with endometrioid subtype; higher values of red cell distribution width were found in stage II/IV when compared with stage I; lower hemoglobin values were related to stage II/IV and nonendometrioid histological type. Platelet-lymphocyte ratio <145.56 was associated with longer overall survival. CONCLUSION: Hemoglobin and platelet-lymphocyte ratio values are prognostic factors in uterine corpus cancer.

Role of biomarkers CA-125, CA-15.3 and CA-19.9 in the distinction between endometriomas and ovarian neoplasms.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the utilisation of CA-125, CA-15.3 and CA-19.9 in differentiating between ovarian neoplasms and endometriomas, and the best cut-off value for these tumour markers in this differentiation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Preoperative serum values of CA-125, CA-15.3 and CA-19.9 were evaluated in 265 patients undergoing surgery for adnexal masses, being 32 non-neoplastic lesions, 134 benign neoplasms, 19 borderline tumours, 36 malignant neoplasms, and 44 endometriomas. ROC curves and Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed. RESULTS: Only CA-19.9 was useful in differentiating between endometriomas and ovarian neoplasms (benign and malignant tumours), being this marker found at higher levels in endometriomas. In multivariate analyses, CA-19.9 greater than 22.3 U/mL was considered an independent factor for the diagnosis of endometrioma, comparing endometrioma and ovarian cancer. Comparing endometrioma and all other groups, the clustering analysis using the combination CA-125 > 34.28 U/mL and CA-19.9 > 19.12 U/mL demonstrated that this association was considered an independent factor for the diagnosis of endometrioma. CONCLUSION: CA-9.9 is useful in distinguishing between endometriomas and ovarian cancer, and its combination with CA-125 is useful in differentiating endometrioma from other ovarian lesions.

Endometriosis: What is the Influence of Immune Cells?

Background: Endometriosis does not have a well-established physiopathology. It has been addressed that endometriosis is an inflammatory disease, where endocrine-immunological interactions are probably involved in the pathogenesis of the disease. The role of the immune system in endometriosis has been suggested to play an important role in both initiation and progression of the disease.Methods: A search for the following keywords was performed in the PubMed database: "endometriosis", "endometriosis and ovarian cancer", "endometriosis and immunology", and "endometriosis and cytokines".Results: The articles identified were published in English between 1921 and 2020. We selected 100 articles for further analysis.Conclusion: The recognition of the direct involvement of these two important physiological mechanisms causes a change in the pathophysiological focus of the disease. Researching the activities of numerous cells involved in immune reactions may offer new therapeutic targets.

Laboratory parameters as predictors of prognosis in uterine cervical neoplasia.

OBJECTIVES: The aims of study were to assess platelet counts, neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), platelet-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), RWD (red cells distribution width) and fasting glucose in patients with cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) and invasive cervical cancer; and to relate these parameters to prognostic factors and survival in cervical cancer. STUDY DESIGN: We evaluated the patients with confirmed diagnosis of invasive cervical cancer (n = 102), and CIN (n = 102). Histological type, NLR, PLR, RDW, platelets count, fasting glucose, staging, overall survival (OS), and disease-free survival (DFS) were evaluated. The results of laboratory parameters were assessed by Mann-Whitney test. A receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used to determine the best cut-off values. Survival was verified by the Kaplan-Meyer method followed by the Gehan-Breslow test. Multivariate analysis was performed using Cox regression. The level of significance was less than 0.05. RESULTS: Comparing CIN and invasive malignancies, higher values of NLR, PLR, RDW and fasting glucose were found in cancer patients (p < 0.0001, p = 0.011, p = 0.0153 and p = 0.0096, respectively). In cervical cancer, higher NLR and PLR values were found at stage II to IV when compared to stage I (p = 0.0066 and p = 0.005, respectively). ROC curves were performed. In invasive neoplasms, the cut-off values for NLR and PLR in the comparison between stage I and greater than I were 4 and 165.45, respectively. For survival curves, there was lower OS and DFS in patients with NLR greater than 4 (p = 0.0004 and p = 0.0153, respectively) and PLR greater than 165.45 (p = 0.0319 and p = 0.0362, respectively). After multivariate analysis, only NLR remained as an independent factor in DFS (HR = 6.095, 95 % CI = 1.120-33.177, p = 0.037) and OS (HR = 4.522, 95 % CI = 1.241-16.479, p = 0.022) CONCLUSION: Higher NLR is associated to lower OS and DFS in invasive uterine cervical neoplasia, and can be considered an independent factor of worse prognosis.

IL6, IL8, and IL10 in the distinction of malignant ovarian neoplasms and endometriomas.

PROBLEM: Studies have shown a relationship between endometriosis and ovarian cancer. Our aims were to evaluate and compare the dosages of cytokines IL-2, IL-5, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, and TNF-α in serum, intracystic fluid, and peritoneal fluid of patients with ovarian endometrioma, malignant and benign ovarian neoplasms, and non-neoplastic ovarian tumors; to verify if there is a correlation between the values of these cytokines between ovarian endometrioma and ovarian malignancy; and to determine the best cut-off point for serum cytokines that can be used to differentiate patients with ovarian malignancy and endometrioma. METHOD OF STUDY: The concentrations of cytokines were quantified by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), analyzed by Kruskal-Wallis test with the Dunn post-test. Receiver operating feature (ROC) curve was used to obtain the area under the curve (AUC) and to determine the best cut-off values that could be used in the diagnosis of ovarian malignancy. Correlations of cytokine concentrations were performed by the Spearman test. RESULTS: IL-6, IL-8, and IL-10 concentrations were higher in patients with malignant neoplasia. When evaluating the area under the curve (AUC) of serum cytokine levels comparing patients with malignant neoplasia and endometriomas, there was statistical significance for IL-6, IL-8, and IL-10. CONCLUSION: Our results showed utility in serum concentrations of IL-6, IL-10, and IL-8 as parameters that differentiate endometriomas from ovarian malignancies.

Serum cytokines and CXCR2: potential tumour markers in ovarian neoplasms.

PURPOSE: The aim was to investigate the systemic levels of cytokines and the expression of the chemokine receptor CXCR2 in circulating neutrophils in patients with non-neoplastic ovarian lesions, benign neoplasia or malignant neoplasia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Controls and patients with ovarian tumours were pre-operatively compared for the production of cytokines (IL-2, IL-5, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10 and TNF-α) by ELISA, and for the expression of the chemokine receptor, CXCR2, in neutrophils, by flow cytometry. Randomly selected patients within the malignant group were re-evaluated for the inflammatory parameters at 30 days after surgery. RESULTS: The serum concentrations of IL-6, IL-8 and IL-10 were significantly higher in the benign and malignant neoplasia than in the control group, and their levels were significantly higher in ovarian cancer patients than in patients with non-neoplastic tumours or benign neoplasia. Treatment reduced IL-8 serum levels but did not affect CXCR2 expression in neutrophils. Cut-off values for IL-6, IL-8, and IL-10 comparing malignant vs. benign neoplasia were 11.3, 71.7, 14.8, and comparing malignant neoplasm vs. non-neoplastic lesions were 7.2, 43.5, 12.3, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Serum IL-6, IL-8, and IL-10 levels, and expression of CXCR2 in circulating neutrophils seem promising for distinguishing ovarian cancer patients from patients with benign tumours.

The Role of Stroma in Ovarian Cancer.

Background: Ovarian cancer is one of the gynecological malignancies responsible for thousands of deaths in women worldwide. Malignant solid tumors are formed by malignant cells and stroma that influence each other, where different types of cells in the stromal environment can be recruited by malignant cells to promote tumor growth and facilitate metastasis. The chronic inflammatory response is increasingly accepted in its relation to the pathophysiology of the onset and development of tumors, sustained cell proliferation in an environment rich in inflammatory cells, growth factors, activated stroma and DNA damage agents may increase the risk to develop a neoplasm.Methods: A search for the following keywords was performed in the PubMed database; "Ovarian cancer", "stroma", "tumor-associated macrophages", "cancer-associated fibroblasts", "cytokines", "angiogenesis", "epithelial-mesenchymal transition", and "extracellular matrix".Results: The articles identified were published in English between 1971 and 2018. A total of 154 articles were selected for further analysis. Conclusion: We consider ovarian cancer as a heterogeneous disease, not only in the sense that different histological or molecular subtypes may be behind the same clinical result, but also that multiple cell types besides cancer cells, like other non-cellular components, need to be mobilized and coordinated to support tumor survival, growth, invasion and progression.

Improvements in muscle strength, power, and size and self-reported fatigue as mediators of the effect of resistance exercise on physical performance breast cancer survivor women: a randomized controlled trial.

PURPOSE: To gain more knowledge about the mechanism (i.e., mediators) of resistance exercise (RE)-induced improvements in physical performance (PP), we seek to investigate whether improvements in muscle strength (MS), muscle power (MP), and lean body mass (LBM) and (or) self-reported fatigue (SRF) are mediators of the effect of RE on PP in breast cancer survivor women (BCSW). METHODS: The volunteers were randomly divided into two groups: control group (CT; n = 9) and resistance exercise (RE; n = 11). The RE protocol consisted of three sets in each exercise (leg extension, leg curl, 45° leg press, and calf raise), between 8 and 12 repetitions per set, with an estimated load of 80% of one-repetition maximum (1RM), and three times a week on non-consecutive days for 12 weeks. The CT group performed only stretching exercises twice a week. SRF, maximal muscle power (Pmax), MP, LBM, and PP were assessed using the Brief Fatigue Inventory Questionnaire; 1RM test; isoinertial dynamometer; DXA; and walking speed, sit-to-stand (STS), and timed up and go (TUG) test, respectively. RESULTS: Following 12 weeks, the RE group reduced SRF and increased MP, Pmax, LBM, and performance in all tests (walking speed, STS, and TUG) when compared with the CT group. There were significant associations of the changes in LBM, MS, Pmax, and SRF with changes in physical performance tests only in the RE group. CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest that improvements in LBM, MS, MP, and self-reported fatigue mediate the effect of resistance exercise on physical performance in BCSW.