Characterization and prognostic impact of ACTBL2-positive tumor-infiltrating leukocytes in epithelial ovarian cancer.

Actin beta-like 2 (ACTBL2) was recently identified as a new mediator of migration in ovarian cancer cells. Yet, its impact on tumor-infiltrating and thus migrating leukocytes (TILs) remains to date unknown. This study characterizes the subset of ACTBL2-expressing TILs in epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) and elucidates their prognostic influence on the overall survival of EOC patients with special regard to different histological subtypes. Comprehensive immunohistochemical analyses of Tissue-Microarrays of 156 ovarian cancer patients revealed, that a tumor infiltration by ACTBL2-positive leukocytes was significantly associated with an improved overall survival (OS) (61.2 vs. 34.4 months; p = 0.006) and was identified as an independent prognostic factor (HR = 0.556; p = 0.038). This significant survival benefit was particularly evident in patients with low-grade serous carcinoma (OS: median not reached vs. 15.6 months, p < 0.001; HR = 0.058, p = 0.018). In the present cohort, ACTBL2-positive TILs were mainly composed of CD44-positive cytotoxic T-cells (CD8+) and macrophages (CD68+), as depicted by double-immunofluorescence and various immunohistochemical serial staining. Our results provide significant evidence of the prognostic impact and cellular composition of ACTBL2-expressing TILs in EOC. Complementary studies are required to analyze the underlying molecular mechanisms of ACTBL2 as a marker for activated migrating leukocytes and to further characterize its immunological impact on ovarian carcinogenesis.

Casa de apoio: suporte às mulheres com câncer de mama / Support house: support for women with breast cancer

Objetivo: conhecer o suporte oferecido às mulheres com câncer de mama em uma casa de apoio.Métodos: estudo qualitativo, descritivo e exploratório, realizado em uma casa de apoio às pessoascom câncer. Participaram do estudo seis mulheres em tratamento para câncer de mama. Os dadosforam coletados pelo grupo focal e analisados pela análise de conteúdo. Resultados: o enfrentamentodo câncer de mama após o diagnóstico é marcado pelo medo e insegurança, sendo a casa de apoiocomo suporte social e psicológico, representando confiança e fortalecimento para o tratamento.Considerações finais: a casa e grupos de apoio, a equipe de enfermagem, amigos e familiares sãoimportantes suportes para contribuir com um bom prognóstico da mulher que vive com câncer demama.

bjective: to know the support offered to women with breast cancer in a support house. Methods:qualitative, descriptive and exploratory study, performed in a house support for people with cancer.Participated in the study six women undergoing treatment for breast cancer. The data were collectedby focus group and analyzed by the content analysis. Results: the confrontation of breast cancerafter diagnosis is marked by fear and insecurity, and the house support, as social and psychologicalsupport, representing trust and strengthening for the treatment. Finals considerations: the supporthouse and support groups, nursing staff, friends and family are important supports to contributewith a good prognosis of women living with breast cancer.