Potencial da comunidade lusófona de Toronto para a criação de uma rede de apoio social para o câncer de mama* / Toronto's Portuguese-speaking community potential for creating a social support -networks for breast cancer

Estudo etnográfico que explorou ideias sobre a possibilidade de criação de redes sociais de apoio para o câncer de mama na comunidade lusófona em Toronto, (Canadá). Dezenove homens e mulheres das comunidades angolana, brasileira e portuguesa discutiram sobre a criação de uma rede de apoio social com foco em condições facilitadoras e dificultadoras para seu estabelecimento. Os componentes fundamentais para essa criação foram: a desmistificação do câncer de mama e sua prevenção, ênfase na educação em saúde, mobilização de voluntários e apoio social direto às mulheres que vivem com câncer de mama. Os fatores facilitadores potenciais foram a participação de mulheres mais idosas como líderes sociais e a mobilização de escolas e instituições religiosas. As barreiras percebidas foram: a crença de que câncer de mama é uma doença feminina, falta de conhecimento sobre sua cura/reabilitação, como também uma sensibilidade limitada ao câncer. As redes de apoio social devem considerar as diversas necessidades culturais e tangíveis das comunidades, assim como serviços de apoio social mais informais.

An ethnographic study explored ideas about the possibility of creating social support networks for breast cancer within the Portuguese- speaking community in Toronto (Canada). Nineteen men and women from Angolan, Brazilian and Portuguese communities informed about a social support network with a focus on enabling versus challenging conditions for its construction. The fundamental components in creating social support networks were: the demystification of breast cancer and its prevention, emphasis on health education, mobilizing volunteers and direct social support to women living with breast cancer. The potential enabling factors were the participation of older women as social leaders, and the utilization of schools and religious institutions. Perceived barriers were: breast cancer believed to be women's disease, lack of knowledge about its cure/ rehabilitation, as well as a limited sensitivity to cancer. Social support networks should consider the communities' diverse cultural and tangible needs, as well as more informal social support services.

Salinosporamides D-J from the marine actinomycete Salinispora tropica, bromosalinosporamide, and thioester derivatives are potent inhibitors of the 20S proteasome.

Salinosporamide A (NPI-0052; 3), a highly potent inhibitor of the 20S proteasome, is currently in phase I clinical trials for the treatment of cancer. During the course of purifying multigram quantities of 3 from Salinispora tropica fermentation extracts, several new salinosporamides were isolated and characterized, most of which represent modifications to the chloroethyl substituent at C-2. Specifically, 3 was isolated along with the known compound salinosporamide B (4), the previously undescribed methyl congener salinosporamide D (7), and C-2 epimers of 3 and 7 (salinosporamides F (9) and G (10), respectively). Salinosporamide I (13), in which the methyl group at the ring junction is replaced with an ethyl group, and the C-5 deshydroxyl analogue salinosporamide J (14), were also identified. Replacement of synthetic sea salt with sodium bromide in the fermentation media produced bromosalinosporamide (12), 4, and its C-2 epimer (11, salinosporamide H). In addition to these eight new salinosporamides, several thioester derivatives were generated semisynthetically. IC50 values for cytotoxicity against human multiple myeloma cell line RPMI 8226 and inhibition of the chymotrypsin-like (CT-L) activity of purified rabbit 20S proteasomes were determined for all compounds. The results indicate that thioesters may directly inhibit the proteasome, albeit with reduced potency compared to their beta-lactone counterparts.