Comparison of plasma clearance of [51Cr]CrEDTA based on three, two and single samples to measure the glomerular filtration rate in patients with solid tumors: a prospective cross-sectional analysis.

OBJECTIVES: [51Cr]CrEDTA is used to measure the Glomerular Filtration Rate (GFR) in different clinical conditions. However, there is no consensus on the ideal number of blood samples to be taken and at what time points to measure its clearance. This study aimed to compare Slope Intercept (SI) and Single-Sample (SS) methods for measuring GFR in patients with solid tumors, stratified by age, GFR, and Body Mass Index (BMI). METHODS: 1,174 patients with cancer were enrolled in this prospective study. GFR was calculated by the SI method using blood samples drawn 2-, 4-, and 6-hours after [51Cr]CrEDTA injection (246-GFR). GFR was also measured using the SI method with samples at 2 and 4 hours (24-GFR) and at 4 and 6 hours (46-GFR), and SS methods according to Groth (4Gr-GFR) and Fleming (4Fl-GFR). Statistical analysis was performed to assess the accuracy, precision, and bias of the methods. RESULTS: Mean 246-GFR was 79.2 ± 21.9 mL/min/1.73 m2. ANOVA indicated a significant difference between 4Gr-GFR and the reference 246-GFR. Bias was lower than 5 mL/min/1.73 m2 for all methods, except for SS methods in subgroups BMI > 40 kg/m2; GFR > 105 or < 45. Precision was adequate and accuracy of 30 % was above 98% for all methods, except for SS methods in subgroup GFR < 45. CONCLUSION: 46-GFR and 246-GFR have high agreement and may be used to evaluate kidney function in patients with solid tumors. Single-sample methods can be adopted in specific situations, for non-obese patients with expected normal GFR.

Prognostic risk stratification using C-reactive protein, albumin, and associated inflammatory biomarkers in patients with advanced cancer in palliative care.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the prognostic value of C-reactive protein (CRP), albumin, CRP/albumin ratio (CAR), and modified Glasgow Prognostic Score (mGPS) at different thresholds in patients with advanced cancer in palliative care. METHODS: Prospective cohort study with patients evaluated at a palliative care unit in Brazil between July 2016 and March 2020. We included patients ≥ 20 years old, both sexes, able to provide the necessary information or accompanied by someone able to do so, and Karnofsky Performance Status ≥ 30 %. The exclusion criteria were the absence of laboratory data and previous diagnosis of autoimmune and infectious diseases. The thresholds analyzed were: CRP < 5 vs. 5-10 vs. > 10 mg/L, albumin < 2.4 vs. 2.4-2.9 vs. 3.0-3.5 vs. > 3.5 g/dL; CAR <1.2 vs. 1.2-2.0 vs. > 2.0, and mGPS equal to 0 vs. 1 vs. 2. Kaplan-Meier curves and Cox regression models (with hazard ratios [HR] and 95% confidence interval [CI]) were used to evaluate prognostic value, and the concordance statistic (C-statistic) was used to evaluate the predictive accuracy of these thresholds to predict death within 90 days. RESULTS: A total of 1,877 patients were included. Median overall survival was 51 (19;124) days and decreased in line with the deterioration of the inflammatory biomarkers. According to the Cox regression models, HR increased as the thresholds worsened (CRP: 1.74 [95% CI, 1.50-2.02] to 2.30 [95% CI, 2.00-2.64]; albumin: 1.77 [95% CI, 1.52-2.07] to 2.60 [95% CI, 2.15-3.14]; CAR: 1.47 [95% CI, 1.21-1.77] to 2.35 [95% CI, 2.05-2.69]; mGPS: 1.78 [95% CI, 1.40-2.23] to 1.89 [95% CI, 1.65-2.15]). All the inflammatory biomarkers evaluated showed discriminatory accuracy for predicting death (C-statistic >0.70), with CAR as the best parameter (C-statistic: 0.80). CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that CRP, albumin, CAR, and mGPS can be used as clinically meaningful biomarkers to stratify patients with advanced cancer in palliative care according to the severity of these indicators.

Fibrinógeno humano liofilizado para solución inyectable / Lyophilized human fibrinogen for solution for injection

INTRODUCCIÓN: Algunas consideraciones quirúrgicas en pacientes con enfermedades oncológicas se asocian con hemorragias graves. Aunque la causa suele ser multifactorial, la hipofibrinogenemia (nivel de fibrinógeno plasmático <150 a 200 mg/dl) es común. El fibrinógeno es el principal componente estructural en la formación de coágulos y es esencial para una hemostasia eficaz, pero el fibrinógeno es el primer factor que cae a y sangrado quirúrgico2 . Las causas de hipofibrinogenemia incluyen el consumo de factores de coagulación, exacerbado por niveles críticamente bajos en situaciones como hemorragia importante durante cirugías, así como la hemodilución y la hiperfibrinólisis3, 4 Existe una estrecha asociación entre los niveles bajos de fibrinógeno y el sangrado posoperatorio grave5 . Además, la transfusión de componentes sanguíneos después de una cirugía cardíaca se asocia fuertemente con una mayor morbilidad, mortalidad y costos hospitalarios6 . El manejo eficaz de la coagulación es esencial para ayudar a lograr resultados exitosos. La principal coagulopatía observada durante esta cirugía abdominal extensa es la rápida caída de la concentración de fibrinógeno plasmático y, en consecuencia, la disminución de la calidad del coágulo7 . Las directrices recientes de la Asociación Europea de Cirugía Cardiotorácica y la Asociación Europea de Anestesiología Cardiotorácica recomiendan el uso de crioprecipitado o concentrado de fibrinógeno (FC) para el tratamiento de la hipofibrinogenemia adquirida durante la cirugía cardíaca. ACERCA DE LA TECNOLOGÍA SANITARIA: Hay varias fuentes de fibrinógeno disponibles, siendo el crioprecipitado y el concentrado de fibrinógeno humano (HFC) las opciones preferidas en términos de concentración de fibrinógeno. Ambos tipos de productos han demostrado capacidad para aumentar los niveles de fibrinógeno plasmático en pacientes hemorrágicos10,11. El crioprecipitado tiene un contenido variable de fibrinógeno, requiere compatibilidad con el tipo de sangre, tiempo para descongelarse y conlleva riesgos de lesión pulmonar aguda relacionada con transfusiones y transmisión de patógenos, y se ha retirado en algunos países europeos12,13 . El HFC es una preparación altamente purificada que contiene una concentración definida de fibrinógeno, no requiere coincidencia del tipo de sangre y ofrece una mayor seguridad contra patógenos debido a los pasos de inactivación del virus utilizados en la producción. El crioprecipitado se precipita descongelando plasma fresco congelado de donantes, desprovisto de leucocitos, que se centrifuga y se re-suspende en plasma; mientras que FC es una preparación inactivada por virus, altamente purificada y derivada de plasma. Existe un alto grado de variabilidad en la concentración de fibrinógeno en el crioprecipitado, que según se informa contiene entre 3 y 30 g/l de unidades de fibrinógeno. Un estudio encontró que 2 unidades de crioprecipitado por cada 10 kg de peso corporal aumentaban la concentración de fibrinógeno plasmático en 1 g/l18; sin embargo, el contenido de fibrinógeno del crioprecipitado no está estandarizado. Por el contrario, el FC reconstituido contiene un contenido estandarizado de 200 mg/dL de fibrinógeno. METODOLOGÍA: Primero se realizó una revisión de los documentos que fueron enviados a la unidad y se conversó con la Unidad funcional de Banco de Sangre y Medicina Transfusional (Unidad solicitante) del Instituto Nacional de Enfermedades Neoplásicas (INEN). La segunda parte estuvo enfocada en un análisis de la revisión de la literatura para respaldar la decisión basada en evidencia científica. Se priorizaron estudios por ensayos clínicos aleatorizados (ECA) o revisiones sistemáticas (RS), en caso de haber nuevos estudios observacionales que no fueron incluidos en RS se evaluaron su inclusión. ANALISIS DE EVIDENCIA: En Astana, Kazajstán24 se realizó un estudio prospectivo y aleatorizado realizado en pacientes que se sometieron a cirugía cardíaca y desarrollaron hemorragia e hipofibrinogenemia clínicamente significativas después de la cirugía cardiaca con circulación extracorpórea; el crioprecipitado y el fibrinógeno concentrado (FC) eran el estándar de atención en la institución. El estudio incluyó a todos los pacientes adultos de ≥18 años sometidos a cirugía cardíaca con hemorragia significativa e hipofibrinogenemia, definida como un nivel plasmático de fibrinógeno <200 mg/dL confirmado por el método Clauss. Después de la inscripción se aleatorizó en dos grupos, FC calculado como: [nivel de fibrinógeno objetivo (mg/dL) ­ nivel de fibrinógeno medido (mg/dL)] / 1,8 (mg/dL por mg/kg de peso corporal); y crioprecipitado 1 unidad/5-10kg. Además, estimaron costos directos. Ochenta y ocho pacientes adultos con hipofibrinogenemia adquirida (<2,0 g/l) distribuido en crioprecipitado (N = 40) o FC (N = 48), con datos demográficos y laboratoriales similares entre los grupos. En general, se administró una media 9,33±0,94 unidades (rango, 8-10) de crioprecipitado y 1,40±0,49 g (rango 1-2) de FC. Cabe mencionar que antes de la cirugía, los niveles de fibrinógeno plasmático eran ligeramente más bajos en el grupo FC. Después de la administración de crioprecipitado o FC, los niveles medios de fibrinógeno aumentaron en ambos grupos. Desde antes de la administración hasta 24 horas después de la administración, el nivel medio de fibrinógeno plasmático aumentó en una media de 125 ± 65 mg/dL en el grupo de crioprecipitado y 96 ± 65 mg/dL en el grupo de FC (entre grupos, p = 0,4409 para varianzas iguales. 48 horas después de la administración del fármaco del estudio, los niveles de fibrinógeno habían aumentado aún más en ambos grupos y no hubo diferencias significativas en los niveles de fibrinógeno entre los pacientes de los grupos de crioprecipitado y FC. Los autores concluyen que en el estudio mostraron que tanto el FC como el crioprecipitado fueron eficaces para aumentar los niveles de fibrinógeno plasmático en pacientes que requirieron cirugía cardíaca, que sufrieron hemorragia significativa e hipofibrinogenemia. No se informaron problemas de seguridad para ninguno de los medicamentos. Se describió que el concentrado de fibrinógeno era significativamente más barato que el crioprecipitado y ventajoso debido a la velocidad y facilidad de preparación. Debido a la necesidad de cumplir con los protocolos establecidos en el centro hospitalario, las dosis no fueron equivalentes de fibrinógeno. CONCLUSIONES: INFORME N° 000098-2024-UFBSMT- DP-DISAD/INEN remitido por la Dra. Evelyn Norabuena Mautino, Coordinador de la Unidad Funcional de Banco de Sangre y Medicina Transfusional(e) del INEN al Jefe de la Unidad Funcional de Evaluación de Tecnologías Sanitarias del INEN. Existe una estrecha asociación entre los niveles bajos de fibrinógeno y el sangrado posoperatorio grave5. Además, la transfusión de componentes sanguíneos después de una cirugía cardíaca se asocia fuertemente con una mayor morbilidad, mortalidad y costos hospitalarios6. El fibrinógeno se puede complementar mediante la administración de plasma fresco congelado (PFC), crioprecipitado o concentrado de fibrinógeno. El PFC y el crioprecipitado son productos sanguíneos alogénicos que requieren pruebas cruzadas y descongelación antes de su administración y también están relacionados con un mayor riesgo de transmisión de patógenos y reacciones inmunológicas17,18. Alternativamente, el concentrado de fibrinógeno es un derivado del plasma sometido a pasteurización que minimiza el riesgo de reacciones inmunológicas y alérgicas18,19. Se realizó una estrategia de búsqueda en PubMed encontrando un total, de 102 artículos, donde finalmente se seleccionaron 4 estudios. La evidencia científica indica que el análisis de la concentración de fibrinógeno plasmático mostró que el crioprecipitado y el FC tenían una eficacia comparable. Sin embargo, el FC tiene ventajas sobre el crioprecipitado debido a su facilidad de manipulación, menor reacción cruzada y alta pureza. Se puede considerar el uso de concentrado de fibrinógeno para el tratamiento de hemorragias en pacientes con hipofibrinogenemia adquirida en cirugías. El beneficio económico del FC es incierto, teniendo evidencias contradictorias, pero un estudio indica que puede ser competitivo con la crioterapia, si el costo del FC disminuye en un 44% o demostrar que ahorra entre 025 y 066 días de UCI, mientras que otro estudio indica el beneficio neto incremental del concentrado de fibrinógeno frente al crioprecipitado fue positivo (probabilidad de ser rentable 86% y 97% a $0 y USD $1489 disposición a pagar, respectivamente. El beneficio neto fue muy incierto para los pacientes no selectivos y con enfermedades críticas del estudio FIBERS.

Circulating exosomal miRNAs and cancer early diagnosis.

Microribonucleic acids (miRNAs) are small non-coding ribonucleic acids (ncRNAs), which can affect recognition of homologous sequences and interfere with transcription. It plays key roles in the initiation, development, resistance, metastasis or recurrence of cancers. Identifying circulatory indicators will positively improve the prognosis and quality of life of patients with early cancer. Previous studies have shown that miRNA is highly involved in cancer. In addition, miRNA derived from cancers can be encapsulated as exosomes and further extracted into circulatory systems to realize malignant functions. It indicates that circulating exosome-derived miRNAs have the potential to replace conventional biomarkers as cancer derived exosomes carrying miRNAs can be identified by specific markers and might be more stable and accurate for early diagnosis.

Mitochondrial Heteroplasmy Shifting as a Potential Biomarker of Cancer Progression.

Cancer is a serious health problem with a high mortality rate worldwide. Given the relevance of mitochondria in numerous physiological and pathological mechanisms, such as adenosine triphosphate (ATP) synthesis, apoptosis, metabolism, cancer progression and drug resistance, mitochondrial genome (mtDNA) analysis has become of great interest in the study of human diseases, including cancer. To date, a high number of variants and mutations have been identified in different types of tumors, which coexist with normal alleles, a phenomenon named heteroplasmy. This mechanism is considered an intermediate state between the fixation or elimination of the acquired mutations. It is suggested that mutations, which confer adaptive advantages to tumor growth and invasion, are enriched in malignant cells. Notably, many recent studies have reported a heteroplasmy-shifting phenomenon as a potential shaper in tumor progression and treatment response, and we suggest that each cancer type also has a unique mitochondrial heteroplasmy-shifting profile. So far, a plethora of data evidencing correlations among heteroplasmy and cancer-related phenotypes are available, but still, not authentic demonstrations, and whether the heteroplasmy or the variation in mtDNA copy number (mtCNV) in cancer are cause or consequence remained unknown. Further studies are needed to support these findings and decipher their clinical implications and impact in the field of drug discovery aimed at treating human cancer.

PILE: a candidate prognostic score in cancer patients treated with immunotherapy.

BACKGROUND: Although the immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) became a vital part of cancer care, many patients do not respond to treatment, indicating need for biomarkers. The Pan-Immune-Inflammation Value (PIV) is a recently developed peripheral blood count-based biomarker. Herein, we evaluated a PIV-based candidate scoring system as a prognostic biomarker in ICI-treated patients. METHODS: A total of 120 advanced cancer patients treated with anti-PD-1 or anti-PD-L1 inhibitors for any cancer type were included in this study. The PILE scoring system incorporating the PIV (< median vs. ≥ median), lactate dehydrogenase levels (normal vs. > normal) and Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status (0 vs. ≥ 1) was constructed from the multivariate analyses and used for stratification. The association between overall survival (OS), progression-free survival and PILE risk category was evaluated with multivariate analysis. RESULTS: The median follow-up was 9.62 months and the median OS of all cohort were 12.42 ± 2.75 months. Patients with higher PIV had significantly decreased OS (7.75 ± 1.64 vs. 18.63 ± 4.26 months, p = 0.037). The patients in the PILE high-risk group (PILE score 2-3) had decreased OS (18.63 ± 4.02 vs. 5.09 ± 1.23 months, HR: 2.317, 95% CI: 1.450-3.700, p < 0.001) and PFS (7.69 ± 1.30 vs. 2.69 ± 0.65 months, HR: 1.931, 95% CI: 1.263-2.954, p = 0.002) compared to PILE low-risk group (PILE score 0-1). The Harrell C-Index values were 0.65 and 0.61 for OS and PFS prediction, respectively. CONCLUSION: In this study, we demonstrated a decreased overall survival in ICI-treated patients with a higher PILE score. If prospective studies validate our results, PILE score could be a biomarker for immunotherapy.

High neutrophil to lymphocytes ratio is associated with sarcopenia risk in hospitalized cancer patients.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Systemic inflammation has been reported as a new predictor for cancer outcomes. This study aimed i) to identify the neutrophil to lymphocytes ratio (NLR) cut-off point that best predicts sarcopenia and ii) to verify the association between NLR and sarcopenia risk in hospitalized cancer patients. METHODS: A cross-sectional study enrolled a total of 123 hospitalized cancer patients receiving chemotherapy and/or undergoing surgery. Systemic inflammation was assessed as revealed by circulating levels of C-reactive protein, neutrophils, platelet, and by calculating platelet-lymphocytes ratio (PLR) and NLR. Sarcopenia risk was assessed using the Strength, Assistance for walking, Rise from a chair, Climb stairs, and Falls (SARC-F; score≥4 identifies sarcopenia risk). ROC curve were used to identify the best NLR cut-off value which predicts sarcopenia risk. Differences between groups were tested using the T Student, Mann-Whitney, or Chi-Square tests. Logistic regression analyses were done to assess the association between NLR and sarcopenia risk. RESULTS: ROC curve revealed that the best cut-off point to predict sarcopenia risk was NLR ≥6.5 (sensitivity of 45% and specificity of 81%). Those with NLR ≥6.5 presented higher C-reactive protein, neutrophils, platelet-lymphocytes ratio (PLR), and SARC-F than NLR <6.5 group. A negative correlation was found between NLR and gait speed (r = -0.48, p = 0.0001), handgrip strength (r = -0.29, p = 0.002), arm circumference (r = -0.29, p = 0.002) and calf circumference (r = -0.28, p = 0.003). Those with increased NLR values were associated with high sarcopenia risk in crude model, as well as if adjusted by smoking, alcohol intake, and sex (OR:1.19 [95%CI:1.03-1.37], p = 0.013) or by BMI (OR:1.20 [95%CI:1.05-1.38], p = 0.006). CONCLUSION: In hospitalized cancer patients, systemic inflammation measured by NLR was associated with increased sarcopenia risk.

Efficacy and Safety of Regional Anticoagulation with 4% Trisodium Citrate Versus Heparin in Extended Hemodialysis among Critical Patients with Cancer and Acute Kidney Injury.

INTRODUCTION: Patients with cancer admitted to critical care units are at increased risk of being affected with acute kidney injury (AKI) and mortality. Sustained low-efficiency dialysis (SLED) combines the cardiovascular stability of continuous therapy with the operational facility of conventional hemodialysis (HD). Citrate has become an alternative to heparin in anticoagulation because it favors the maintenance of filter patency and reduces bleeding. We analyzed the efficacy and safety of citrate versus heparin use in extended HD for patients with cancer and AKI. METHODS: This retrospective cohort study evaluated patients with cancer and dialytic AKI who received SLED with anticoagulation using citrate versus heparin from January 2014 to June 2017. After stratifying patients by the type of anticoagulation received, we evaluated demographic and clinical data, plus SLED session characteristics. We also analyzed dialysis outcomes, including insufficient session time, hypotension, poor catheter flow, line inversion, and dialysis system coagulation. RESULTS: We identified 423 SLED sessions among 124 patients (41 patients in the heparin group and 83 patients in the citrate group). More sessions with citrate (26.6 vs. 40.9%, p < 0.001) had serum platelet concentrations <50,000/mm3 or <100,000/m3 and ionic calcium (Ca++) values <1.16 mmol/L (33.2 vs. 18.5%, p < 0.001). Dialysis intercurrence occurred in 27% of sessions. The highest odds were associated with heparin sessions (OR 2.88). Compared with the citrate group, the heparin group was subject to more dialysis system coagulation (12.3%), the need for line reversal (9.8%), and insufficient session time (23.9%). CONCLUSION: Citrate represents a safe and effective anticoagulant for SLED for cancer patients with AKI undergoing treatment in the intensive care unit.

Circulating exosomal MicroRNAs: New non-invasive biomarkers of non-communicable disease.

Exosomes are vesicles, ranging of 30-150 nm in diameter, which are released by different cell types into the extracellular space. Exosomes are capable of transporting several biomolecules such as proteins, lipids, DNA, mRNA, and non-coding RNA, including microRNAs (miRs). miRs signatures have been linked to the development of non-communicable diseases and their classification into various subtypes and/or stages. Interestingly, the miRs contained in exosomes (exomiRs) are suitable candidates as non-invasive biomarkers due to their stability in body fluids and harsh conditions, as well as they are considered critical players involved in intercellular communication; so that they can be a promising diagnostic tool for several diseases. Besides, exomiRs allow discrimination between different stages of the disease and could be a valuable strategy for the early detection of several pathologies in a non-invasive approach. This review aims to describe exomiRs present in biologic fluids that can be used as a tool for the diagnosis and prognosis of non-communicable diseases such as cancer, cardiovascular, kidney, and neurodegenerative disease.

Prognostic value of neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio in advanced cancer patients receiving immunotherapy.

BACKGROUND: The prognostic value of neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) has been extensively studied in cancer patients. However, the performance of NLR as an early marker of efficacy of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) is still understudied. We studied the utility of NLR at baseline (bNLR), before the second dose of immunotherapy (NLR2) and the NLR trend for predicting efficacy outcomes. METHODS: We included all patients with advanced cancer treated with ICI from June 2013 to April 2019 at La Paz University Hospital, Madrid (Spain). We examined bNLR, NLR2 and NLR trend and explored the association with progression-free survival (PFS) at 6 months, median PFS and overall survival (OS). RESULTS: We included 211 patients. PFS and OS were significantly longer in the low bNLR group than in the high bNLR group [HR 0.71 (95% CI 0.60-0.84) and HR: 0.66 (95% CI 0.55-0.79), respectively]. Regarding NLR2, patients with low NLR2 had significantly longer PFS and OS than patients with high NLR2 [HR 0.67 (95% CI 0.57-0.79) and HR: 0.60 (95% CI 0.50-0.72), respectively]. Finally, for NLR trend, PFS and OS for patients with NLR trend < 1 were significantly longer than those patients with NLR trend ≥ 1 [HR 0.59 (95% CI 0.43-0.82) and HR 0.63 (95% CI 0.44-0.90), respectively]. At the multivariate analysis for PFS and OS, bNLR, NLR2 and NLR trend were all independent prognostic factors for PFS and OS. CONCLUSIONS: bNLR, NLR2 and NLR trends are independent prognostic factors for survival in patients on immunotherapy. The dynamics of NLR in patients on immunotherapy is a promising marker that needs further investigation.

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.

Association between C reactive protein and all-cause mortality in the ELSA-Brasil cohort.

BACKGROUND: High-sensitivity C reactive protein (hsCRP) has been proposed as a marker of incident cardiovascular disease and vascular mortality, and may also be a marker of non-vascular mortality. However, most evidence comes from either North American or European cohorts. The present proposal aims to investigate the association of hsCRP with the risk of all-cause mortality in a multiethnic Brazilian population. METHODS: Baseline data (2008-2010) of a cohort of 14 238 subjects participating in the Brazilian Longitudinal Study of Adult Health were used. hsCRP was assayed with immunochemistry. The association of baseline covariates with all-cause mortality was calculated by Cox regression for univariate model and adjusted for different confounders after a mean follow-up of 8.0±1.1 years. The final model was adjusted for age, sex, self-rated race/ethnicity, schooling, health behaviours and prevalent chronic disease. RESULTS: The risk of death increased steadily by quartiles of hsCRP, from 1.45 (95% CI 1.05 to 2.01) in quartile 2 to 1.95 (95% CI 1.42 to 2.69) in quartile 4, compared with quartile 1. Furthermore, the persistence of a significant graded association after the exclusion of deaths in the first year of follow-up suggests that these results are unlikely to be due to reverse causality. Finally, the HR was unaffected by the exclusion of participants who had self-reported medical history of diabetes, cancer and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. CONCLUSIONS: Our study shows that hsCRP level is associated with mortality in a highly admixed population, independent of a large set of lifestyle and clinical variables.

Severe obstructive sleep apnea is associated with circulating microRNAs related to heart failure, myocardial ischemia, and cancer proliferation.

PURPOSE: Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is associated with multiple comorbid conditions including cardiovascular diseases and cancer. There is a growing interest in exploring biomarkers to understand the related mechanisms and improve the risk stratification of OSA. Circulating microRNAs (miRNAs) are single noncoding strands of nearly 22 nucleotides that posttranscriptionally regulate target gene expression. Our aim was to identify miRNA profiles associated with OSA. METHODS: We studied 48 male subjects, mostly Caucasian (63%) and overweight, divided by polysomnography into the no OSA control group (n = 6), mild OSA group (n = 12), moderate OSA group (n = 15), and severe OSA group (n = 15). The study groups were matched for age, body mass index (BMI), and body fat composition. miRNA profiles were measured from peripheral whole blood using two steps: (1) microarray analysis comprising more than 2500 miRNAs in a subsample of 12 subjects (three from each group); and (2) validation phase using real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RTqPCR). RESULTS: The microarray assessment identified 21 differentially expressed miRNAs among the groups. The RT-qPCR assessment showed that miR-1254 and miR-320e presented a gradual increase in expression parallel to OSA severity. Linear regression analysis showed that severe OSA was independently associated with miR-1254 (ß = 68.4; EP = 29.8; p = 0.02) and miR-320e (ß = 76.1; EP = 31.3; p = 0.02). CONCLUSION: Severe OSA is independently associated with miRNAs that are involved in heart failure (miR-1254), myocardial ischemia/reperfusion (miR-320e), and cell proliferation in some cancer types (miR-1254 and miR-320e). Future investigations addressing whether these miRs may provide prognostic information in OSA are needed.

Safety and efficacy of PD-1/PD-L1 blockade in patients with preexisting antinuclear antibodies.

PURPOSE: Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) show promising clinical activity in advanced cancers. However, the safety and efficacy of PD-1/PD-L1 blockade in patients with preexisting antinuclear antibodies (ANA) are unclear. METHODS: 191 patients treated with nivolumab, pembrolizumab, atezolizumab, or durvalumab for unresectable advanced cancers between September 2014 and December 2018 were identified retrospectively. Patients were divided into positive (ANA titers ≥ 1:160) and negative ANA groups (ANA titers < 1:160). Development of immune-related adverse events (irAEs), the overall response rate (ORR), and disease control rate (DCR) were monitored. RESULTS: Positive ANA titers were seen in 9 out of 191 patients. Four patients in the positive ANA group and 69 patients in the negative group developed irAEs of any grade without a significant difference between the groups. The development of endocrine, pulmonary, and cutaneous irAEs was not significant, whereas positive ANA was significantly higher in patients who developed colitis (2/9) than in patients who did not (3/182, P = 0.0002). DCR in the positive and negative ANA group was 37.5% and 67.5%, respectively, and was not statistically significant, but had better efficacy in patients without ANA (P = 0.08). ANA-related autoimmune diseases such as SLE, Sjögren's syndrome, MCTD, scleroderma, dermatomyositis, and polymyositis was not induced in either group. However, one patient with preexisting dermatomyositis had a flare up after initiation of atezolizumab. CONCLUSION: Further studies to identify predictive factors for the development of irAEs are required to provide relevant patient care and maximize the therapeutic benefits of ICIs.

Monitoring anti-Xa levels in patients with cancer-associated venous thromboembolism treated with bemiparin.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the relationship between therapeutic (weight-adjusted) dose of bemiparin and anti-Xa activity in patients with venous thromboembolism (VTE) and cancer in comparison with a cohort of patients with VTE without cancer, and its relationship with outcomes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This is a prospective cohort study that comprised a cohort of patients with cancer-associated VTE and a cohort of non-cancer patients with VTE, all of them treated with bemiparin. The ethics committee approved the study and informed consent was obtained from the patients. RESULTS: One hundred patients were included (52 with cancer and 48 without cancer), with a median follow-up of 9.8 months. Mean anti-Xa activity was 0.89 (± 0.33) UI/mL in oncological patients and 0.83 (± 0.30) UI/mL in non-cancer patients (mean difference - 0.05 95% CI - 0.18; 0.06). A multiple linear regression model showed that anti-Xa peak was associated with the dose/kg independently of possible confounding variables (presence of cancer, age, sex and eGFR-estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate), in a way that for every 1 UI of dose/kg increase, the anti-Xa peak activity increased 0.006 UI/mL (95% CI 0.003; 0.009) (p < 0.001). The predictive capacity of anti-Xa peak in the oncology cohort showed an area under the ROC curve of 0.46 (95% CI 0.24-0.68), 0.70 (95% CI 0.49-0.91) and 0.74 (95% CI 0.44-0.94) for death, first bleeding and recurrence of VTE, respectively, and none was statistically significant. CONCLUSION: In patients with venous thromboembolism treated with bemiparin, anti-Xa levels were not influenced by the presence of cancer.

Does Chronic Low-grade Systemic Inflammation Change Tumor Markers Levels in Patients on Hemodialysis?

INTRODUCTION: End-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients are known to have a high risk of developing cancer-related inflammation. Elevated serum levels of tumor markers in ESRD/hemodialysis patients makes analysis and interpretation difficult. Aim: To verify the possible relationship between chronic low-grade systemic inflammation serum levels determined by C-reactive protein (CRP) and the tumor biomarkers in patients on hemodialysis. Materials and methods: A prospective study of prevalence was conducted in the Hemodialysis Sector of the University Hospital of the University of Brasília between July 2016 and December 2016 in men aged 18 to 60 years without clinically detectable cancer. We assessed inflammation by serum high-sensitivity CRP test (hs-CRP) and serum tumor in the case groups and controls. The hemodialysis group was split into two subgroups: group 1: patients with inflammation (CRP > 5 mg/L, n=27), and group 2: patients without inflam-mation (CRP ≤5 mg/L, n=33). RESULTS: There was no significant difference in age mean levels between case groups and controls (44.00±08.00 vs. 41.00±07.00, p=0.08). There was no difference or correlation (p>0.05) between tumor markers levels and patients with and without inflammation. Conclusions: The results of this study suggest that chronic low-grade systemic inflammation defined by C-reactive protein serum levels does not promote elevated serum PSA levels in chronic hemodialysis patients.

Tricofoliculoma em felino: relato de caso / Trichofolliculoma in feline: case report / Tricofoliculoma en felino: reporte de un caso

Os tricofoliculomas são nódulos dérmicos bem circunscritos, desencapsulados, compostos por um ou vários folículos primários, grandes e dilatados, que queratinizam sobre a camada granular, sendo um achado raro na espécie felina. Este relato aborda o caso de um felino macho, castrado, sem raça definida, de pelagem preta, com 11 anos e 5 meses, o qual foi atendido em uma clínica veterinária particular apresentando múltiplos nódulos cutâneos. Foram identificados seis nódulos distribuídos em algumas áreas do corpo, onde cinco destes apresentavam tamanhos semelhantes com aproximadamente 1,5 cm, enquanto o nódulo do membro anterior media cerca de 4 cm de diâmetro e encontrava-se pedunculado. O paciente foi submetido a exames pré-operatórios e encaminhado à exérese dos nódulos onde foram seguidas as recomendações padrões de margem segura durante a cirurgia. O material obtido foi formolizado à 10% e encaminhado ao laboratório de Patologia na Clínica escola de Medicina Veterinária do Centro Universitário Cesmac em marechal Deodoro, Alagoas, onde foi processado. Na análise, foi constatado que se tratava de um tricofoliculoma em virtude da descrição morfológica, revelando múltiplos lóbulos foliculares, com proliferação de células da bainha epitelial e centralmente apresentando lâminas concêntricas de queratina e revestidos por uma espessa e proeminente membrana basal, O paciente apresentou uma excelente recuperação cirúrgica e permaneceu sendo acompanhado semestralmente sem recidivas e com estado geral satisfatório.

Trichofolliculomas are well circumscribed, decapsulated dermal nodules composed of one or several large, dilated primary follicles that keratinize on the granular layer, being a rare finding in the feline species. This report addresses the case of a male, castrated, undefined, black coat, 11 years and 5 months old, which was attended at a private veterinary clinic with multiple cutaneous nodules. Six nodules distributed in some areas of the body were identified, where five of these had similar sizes of approximately 1.5 cm, while the anterior limb was about 4 cm in diameter and pedunculated. The patient underwent preoperative exams and was submitted to nodule excision where standard recommendations for safe margin were followed during surgery. The material obtained was 10% formolized and sent to the pathology laboratory at the Clinic School of Veterinary Medicine ofthe Centro Universitário Cesmac in Marechal Deodoro, Alagoas, where it was processed. In the analysis, it was verified that it was a trichofolliculoma because of the morphological description, revealing multiple follicular lobes, with proliferation of epithelial sheath cells and centrally presenting concentric sheets of keratin and coated by a thick and prominent basement membrane. The patient presented an excellent surgical recovery and remained accompanied half-yearly without relapses and with satisfactory general condition.

Los tricofoliculomas son nódulos dérmicos decapsulados bien circunscritos, compuestos de unoo varios folículos primarios grandes y dilatados que se queratinizan en Ia capa granular, siendo un hallazgo raro en las especies felinas. Este informe aborda el caso de un varón felino castrado, indefinido, pelaje negro, de 11anos y 5 meses de edad, que fue atendido en una clínica veterinaria privada con múltiples nódulos cutáneos. Se identificaron seis nódulos distribuidos en algunas áreas del cuerpo, donde cinco de estos tenían tamaños similares de aproximadamente 1.5 cm, mientras que la extremidad anterior tenía unos 4 cm de diámetro y pedunculada. EI paciente se sometió a exámenes preoperatorios y fue sometido a una extirpación de nódulo donde se siguieron las recomendaciones estándar para un margen seguro durante la cirugía. El material obtenidose formolizó ai 1.0% y se envió ai laboratorio de patología de la Escuela Clínica de Medicina Veterinaria del Centro Universitario Cesmac en Marechal Deodoro, Alagoas, donde se procesó. En el análisis, se verificó que se trataba de un tricofoliculoma debido a la descripción morfológica, que revela múltiples lóbulos foliculares, con proliferación de células epiteliales de la vaina y láminas concéntricas de queratina que se presentan centralmente y recubiertas por una membrana basal gruesa y prominente. El paciente presentó una excelente recuperación quirúrgica y permaneció acompariado semestralmente sin recaídas y con un estado general satisfactorio.

Tricofoliculoma em felino: relato de caso / Trichofolliculoma in feline: case report / Tricofoliculoma en felino: reporte de un caso

Os tricofoliculomas são nódulos dérmicos bem circunscritos, desencapsulados, compostos por um ou vários folículos primários, grandes e dilatados, que queratinizam sobre a camada granular, sendo um achado raro na espécie felina. Este relato aborda o caso de um felino macho, castrado, sem raça definida, de pelagem preta, com 11 anos e 5 meses, o qual foi atendido em uma clínica veterinária particular apresentando múltiplos nódulos cutâneos. Foram identificados seis nódulos distribuídos em algumas áreas do corpo, onde cinco destes apresentavam tamanhos semelhantes com aproximadamente 1,5 cm, enquanto o nódulo do membro anterior media cerca de 4 cm de diâmetro e encontrava-se pedunculado. O paciente foi submetido a exames pré-operatórios e encaminhado à exérese dos nódulos onde foram seguidas as recomendações padrões de margem segura durante a cirurgia. O material obtido foi formolizado à 10% e encaminhado ao laboratório de Patologia na Clínica escola de Medicina Veterinária do Centro Universitário Cesmac em marechal Deodoro, Alagoas, onde foi processado. Na análise, foi constatado que se tratava de um tricofoliculoma em virtude da descrição morfológica, revelando múltiplos lóbulos foliculares, com proliferação de células da bainha epitelial e centralmente apresentando lâminas concêntricas de queratina e revestidos por uma espessa e proeminente membrana basal, O paciente apresentou uma excelente recuperação cirúrgica e permaneceu sendo acompanhado semestralmente sem recidivas e com estado geral satisfatório.(AU)

Trichofolliculomas are well circumscribed, decapsulated dermal nodules composed of one or several large, dilated primary follicles that keratinize on the granular layer, being a rare finding in the feline species. This report addresses the case of a male, castrated, undefined, black coat, 11 years and 5 months old, which was attended at a private veterinary clinic with multiple cutaneous nodules. Six nodules distributed in some areas of the body were identified, where five of these had similar sizes of approximately 1.5 cm, while the anterior limb was about 4 cm in diameter and pedunculated. The patient underwent preoperative exams and was submitted to nodule excision where standard recommendations for safe margin were followed during surgery. The material obtained was 10% formolized and sent to the pathology laboratory at the Clinic School of Veterinary Medicine ofthe Centro Universitário Cesmac in Marechal Deodoro, Alagoas, where it was processed. In the analysis, it was verified that it was a trichofolliculoma because of the morphological description, revealing multiple follicular lobes, with proliferation of epithelial sheath cells and centrally presenting concentric sheets of keratin and coated by a thick and prominent basement membrane. The patient presented an excellent surgical recovery and remained accompanied half-yearly without relapses and with satisfactory general condition.(AU)

Los tricofoliculomas son nódulos dérmicos decapsulados bien circunscritos, compuestos de unoo varios folículos primarios grandes y dilatados que se queratinizan en Ia capa granular, siendo un hallazgo raro en las especies felinas. Este informe aborda el caso de un varón felino castrado, indefinido, pelaje negro, de 11anos y 5 meses de edad, que fue atendido en una clínica veterinaria privada con múltiples nódulos cutáneos. Se identificaron seis nódulos distribuidos en algunas áreas del cuerpo, donde cinco de estos tenían tamaños similares de aproximadamente 1.5 cm, mientras que la extremidad anterior tenía unos 4 cm de diámetro y pedunculada. EI paciente se sometió a exámenes preoperatorios y fue sometido a una extirpación de nódulo donde se siguieron las recomendaciones estándar para un margen seguro durante la cirugía. El material obtenidose formolizó ai 1.0% y se envió ai laboratorio de patología de la Escuela Clínica de Medicina Veterinaria del Centro Universitario Cesmac en Marechal Deodoro, Alagoas, donde se procesó. En el análisis, se verificó que se trataba de un tricofoliculoma debido a la descripción morfológica, que revela múltiples lóbulos foliculares, con proliferación de células epiteliales de la vaina y láminas concéntricas de queratina que se presentan centralmente y recubiertas por una membrana basal gruesa y prominente. El paciente presentó una excelente recuperación quirúrgica y permaneció acompariado semestralmente sin recaídas y con un estado general satisfactorio.(AU)

[Hypervitaminosis B12. Our experience and a review]. / Hipervitaminosis B12. Nuestra experiencia y una revisión.

High serum levels of vitamin B12 or cobalamin, also called hypervitaminemia B12, is a frequently underestimated biological abnormality. According to the literature, some of the entities related to this finding are solid neoplasia (primary or metastatic) and acute or chronic hematological diseases. Other causes include liver disorders, monoclonal gammapathy of undetermined significance, renal failure and, less frequently, excess of vitamin B12 intake, inflammatory or autoimmune diseases, and transient hematological disorders (neutrophilia and secondary eosinophilia). This article reports on causes of hypervitaminosis B12, our experience and a review of the literature.

Los altos niveles de vitamina B12 o cobalamina, también denominado hipervitaminosis B12 es una anormalidad analítica frecuentemente subestimada. De acuerdo con la literatura algunas de las entidades relacionadas con este hallazgo son las neoplasias sólidas (primarias o metastásicas) y las enfermedades hematológicas agudas o crónicas. Otras causas incluyen la afección hepática, la gammapatía monoclonal de significación indeterminada, la insuficiencia renal y, con menor frecuencia, un exceso de consumo de vitamina B12, enfermedades inflamatorias o autoinmunes y los trastornos hematológicos transitorios (neutrofilia y eosinofilia secundaria). Este artículo informa sobre causas de hipervitaminosis B12, nuestra experiencia y hace una revisión de la literatura.

Level of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes and density of infiltrating immune cells in different malignancies.

Aim: To correlate levels of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TIL) evaluated using the International Immuno-Oncology Biomarker Working Group methodology, and both density of tumor-infiltrating immune cell and clinicopathological features in different malignancies. Methods: 209 pathological samples from gastric cancer, cervical cancer (CC), non-small-lung cancer, cutaneous melanoma (CM) and glioblastoma were tested for TIL in hematoxylin eosin, and density of CD3+, CD4+, CD8+, CD20+, CD68+ and CD163+ cells by digital analysis. Results: TIL levels were higher in invasive margin compartments (IMC). TIL in IMC, intratumoral and stromal compartments predicted survival. CC and gastric cancer had higher TIL in intratumoral; CC and CM had higher TIL in stromal compartment and IMC. CM had the highest density of lymphocyte and macrophage populations. CD20 density was associated with survival in the whole series. Conclusion: Standardized evaluation of TIL levels may provide valuable prognostic information in a spectrum of different malignancies.