Caracterización de enfermedad trofoblástica gestacional en el Hospital de Talca, 2013-2022 / Characterization of gestational trophoblastic disease at Hospital de Talca, 2013-2022

Introducción: La enfermedad trofoblástica gestacional (ETG) corresponde al espectro de lesiones proliferativas del tejido trofoblástico placentario. Presenta una incidencia mundial variable; en Chile no existen estudios nacionales, por lo que las cifras se deben extrapolar de estudios extranjeros. Objetivo: Caracterizar clínica y epidemiológicamente a las pacientes diagnosticadas con embarazo molar en el periodo 2013-2022 en el Hospital Regional de Talca (HRT). Método: Estudio observacional transversal, se consideró el recuento total de pacientes de la base de datos del Servicio de Onco-Ginecología (n = 100) y la cantidad de embarazos ocurridos entre 2013-2022 en el HRT. Resultados: La edad promedio de presentación fue de 32 años, obteniéndose una incidencia de ETG de 2,1 casos por cada 1.000 embarazos. El 54% de los casos corresponde a mola parcial. Los principales síntomas fueron metrorragia (67%) y dolor abdominal (40%). El principal tratamiento efectuado fue aspiración uterina (92%). En el 48% de los casos se sospechó la ETG con la clínica previo al diagnóstico por biopsia y solo en un 13% únicamente con estudio ecográfico. Conclusiones: Es necesario realizar más investigaciones nacionales que permitan recopilar información actualizada sobre ETG, sobre todo por la variabilidad clínica de la enfermedad, que hace difícil su sospecha diagnóstica.

Introduction: Gestational trophoblastic disease (GTO) corresponds to the spectrum of proliferative lesions of placental trophoblastic tissue. It has a variable global incidence; in Chile there are no national studies so it must be extrapolated from foreign studies. Objective: To clinically and epidemiologically characterize patients diagnosed with molar pregnancy in the period 2013-2022, at the Talca Regional Hospital (HRT). Method: Cross-sectional observational study, the total count of patients from the Onco-Gynecology Service database (n = 100) and the number of pregnancies that occurred between 2013-2022 in the HRT were considered. Results: The average age of presentation was 32 years, obtaining an incidence of GTO of 2.1 cases per 1000 pregnancies; 54% of cases correspond to partial mole. The main symptoms were metrorrhagia (67%) and abdominal pain (40%). The main treatment performed was uterine aspiration (92%). In 48% of the cases, GTO was suspected with clinical symptoms prior to diagnosis by biopsy, and only 13% with an ultrasound study alone. Conclusions: It is necessary to carry out more national research to collect updated information on GTO, especially due to the clinical variability of the disease that makes its diagnostic suspicion difficult.

Presentación inusual de coriocarcinoma metastásico a hígado y pulmón: un reporte de caso / Unusual presentation of metastatic choriocarcinoma to liver and lung: a case report

La enfermedad trofoblástica gestacional (ETG) es un trastorno proliferativo del trofoblasto. Incluye la mola hidatidiforme, el coriocarcinoma, la mola invasiva, el tumor trofoblástico del lecho placentario y el tumor trofoblástico epitelioide. Las últimas cuatro hacen parte de la neoplasia trofoblástica gestacional, que agrupa menos del 1% de todos los tumores ginecológicos. La incidencia de la ETG puede variar, siendo aproximadamente de 1 a 3 de cada 1.000 embarazos en América del Norte y Europa. El coriocarcinoma es la forma más agresiva por su rápida invasión vascular y compromiso metastásico. Sin embargo, es un tumor muy quimiosensible con una alta tasa de respuestas y posibilidad de curación superior al 90%. Se presenta el caso de una paciente de 40 años quien ingresó al servicio de urgencias por disnea súbita secundaria a tromboembolia pulmonar y posteriormente tras el inicio de anticoagulación presentó hemoperitoneo debido a lesiones hepáticas metastásicas de un coriocarcinoma, además de compromiso metastásico pulmonar. Se presenta este caso por ser una patología poco frecuente, agresiva y con presentaciones inusuales, con el fin de mostrar la importancia de un diagnóstico y tratamiento oportuno.

Gestational trophoblastic disease (GTD) is a condition in which the trophoblast, a layer of cells surrounding the embryo, develops abnormally. GTD includes both pre-malignant and malignant pathologies, such as hydatidiform mole, choriocarcinoma, invasive mole, placental site trophoblastic tumor, and epithelioid trophoblastic tumor. Although GTD is rare, it affects about 1 to 3 out of every 1,000 pregnancies in North America and Europe. Choriocarcinoma is the most aggressive form of GTD, as it can quickly invade blood vessels and metastasize to other parts of the body. However, it is highly responsive to chemotherapy, with a cure rate of over 90%. In this case, a 40-year-old patient presented to the emergency department with sudden dyspnea due to pulmonary embolism. After starting anticoagulation therapy, she developed hemoperitoneum due to the spread of choriocarcinoma to her liver, as well as pulmonary metastases. This case is noteworthy because of its unusual presentation and aggressive nature, underscoring the importance of early diagnosis and treatment.

HIF-1α contributes to metastasis in choriocarcinoma by regulating DEC1 expression.

PURPOSE: To elucidate the underlying mechanism of HIF-1α in migration and invasion of choriocarcinoma. METHODS: Cell proliferation was determined by CCK-8 assay when cell invasion was detected by transwell assay. The protein expression was detected by western blotting, immunohistochemistry, and qPCR assay. RESULT: HIF-1α was shown to be strongly expressed in both clinical tumour tissues and cell lines in choriocarcinoma. When HIF-1α was efficiently knocked down in JEG3 cells, the proliferation rate was reduced by approximately 50% and the number of cells that migrated through the transwell insert was greatly decreased. The cell invasion rate was also significantly reduced. Moreover, typical markers of epithelial-mesenchymal transition such as E-cadherin, were increased, while vimentin and α-SMA were decreased after HIF-1α knockdown. In contrast, overexpression of DEC1 reversed the effects of HIF-1α knockdown. Cell proliferation, migration, and invasion were partially recovered. The level of E-cadherin was decreased, while the level of vimentin and α-SMA was increased. In addition, the level of ß-catenin and LEF1 was downregulated after HIF-1α knockdown. The expression of MMP2 and MMP9 also declined. However, overexpression of DEC1 after HIF-1α knockdown partially reversed the expression pattern of these molecules. CONCLUSION: HIF-1α contributed to EMT and metastasis through activation of canonical ß-catenin signalling in choriocarcinoma and this process was dependent on DEC1. This study provides a new mechanism of HIF-1α in choriocarcinoma and suggests that intervention with DEC1 might be a promising therapeutic choice for choriocarcinoma.

O papel da ultrassonografia na doença trofoblástica gestacional / The role of ultrasonography in gestational trophoblastic disease

A doença trofoblástica gestacional (DTG) agrupa um conjunto de anomalias do desenvolvimento trofoblástico, que incluem formas clínicas benignas como a mola hidatiforme completa e parcial, o nódulo do sítio placentário atípico e o sítio trofoblástico exagerado, e malignas, caracterizando a neoplasia trofoblástica gestacional (NTG). De modo geral, seu diagnóstico precoce antecipa complicações clínicas que podem estar associadas a near miss obstétrico. Diante da suspeição clínica, é a ultrassonografia (US) precoce o exame de escolha pa ra o diagnóstico, associado à dosagem sérica de gonadotrofina coriônica humana, capaz de minimizar a ocorrência de complicações clínicas associadas à gravidez molar. Nos casos de NTG, é a US também de grande valia para estadiamento, avaliação de prognóstico e acompanhamento da mulher tratada para DTG. Este estudo faz uma revisão sobre o papel da US na DTG, sendo importante para familiarizar os tocoginecologistas com essa doença e salientar o papel da US consoante as melhores práticas clínicas.(AU)

Gestational trophoblastic disease (GTD) includes a set of trophoblastic developmental anomalies, which include benign forms such as complete and partial hydatidiform mole, atypical placental site nodule and exaggerated trophoblastic site, and malignant forms, characterizing gestational trophoblastic neoplasia (GTN). In general, its early diagnosis anticipates clinical complications that could be associated with obstetric near miss. In view of clinical suspicion, early ultrasonography (US) and serum levels of human chorionic gonadotropin are the best diagnostic screening techniques, able to minimizing the occurrence of medical complications associated with molar pregnancy. In cases of GTN, US is also of great value for staging, assessment of prognosis and follow-up of women treated for GTN. This study reviews the role of US in GTD, being important to familiarize tocogynecologists with this disease and highlight the role of US according to best clinical practices to minimize the morbidity of these patients and maximize the remission rates of this disease.(AU)

[Primary choriocarcinoma of the stomach. A case report]. / Coriocarcinoma primario de estómago. Reporte de un caso.

Primary gastric chorioadenocarcinoma (PGC) constitutes less than 1% of all gastric cancers; it is more common in men. Approximately one third of patients already have metastatic disease at the time of diagnosis. We present the case of a 70-yearold male patient, diagnosed as gastric adenocarcinoma in anthropylorus, who underwent radical distal gastrectomy. The pathological diagnosis shows an adenocarcinoma, with 85% choriocarcinomatous differentiation, 10% with areas of tubular adenocarcinoma and the remaining 5% per component suggestive of yolk sac tumor. Our patient achieved a survival of 5 months after surgery, during this time he was followed up by oncology medicine with chemotherapy. This disease continues to have a gloomy prognosis; less than 6 months.

Severe thyrotoxicosis as initial presentation of gastric choriocarcinoma: a case report.

BACKGROUND: Extragonadal choriocarcinoma is rare and can be associated with hyperthyroidism when producing very high levels of human chorionic gonadotropin. CASE PRESENTATION: A 62-year-old Hispanic female presented with a 3-week history of shortness of breath, palpitations, extreme weakness, new-onset hot flashes, and right flank pain. Her physical examination was remarkable for tachycardia, hepatomegaly, hyperreflexia, and tremor; goiter was absent. Laboratory studies revealed increased lactate dehydrogenase, alkaline phosphatase, suppressed thyroid stimulating hormone, very elevated T4, and absent thyroid stimulating immunoglobulin. 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography-computed tomography exhibited hepatomegaly with multiple large fluorodeoxyglucose-avid liver masses and a focus of fluorodeoxyglucose avidity in the stomach with no structural correlate. A thyroid scan (99mTcO 4 - ) showed diffusely increased tracer uptake. She was started on propranolol and methimazole. Upon stabilization of severe thyrotoxicosis, upper endoscopy was performed, showing a ~ 5 cm bleeding lesion in the greater stomach curvature body; biopsy was consistent with choriocarcinoma; beta-human chorionic gonadotropin hormone was 2,408,171 mIU/mL. The patient received methotrexate followed by etoposide and cisplatin. Methimazole was titrated down, and upon liver failure the medication was stopped. The thyrotoxicosis was effectively controlled with antithyroid drug and concurrent chemotherapy. At ~ 1.5 months after initial diagnosis, the patient died due to bleeding/acute liver failure with coagulation defects followed by multiple organ failure. CONCLUSIONS: Severe thyrotoxicosis can represent an unusual initial presentation of metastatic choriocarcinoma in the setting of extreme elevation of beta-human chorionic gonadotropin. Primary gastric choriocarcinoma is an aggressive malignancy with very poor outcomes. The co-occurrence of severe thyrotoxicosis with advanced primary gastric choriocarcinoma and imminent liver failure complicates management options.

Primary non-gestational mediastinal choriocarcinoma metastatic to the brainstem.

Choriocarcinoma is a highly malignant tumour emerging from the syncytiotrophoblast divided into gestational and non-gestational presentations. Primary choriocarcinoma of the mediastinum is rare. Metastases to the brain often occur; however, brainstem involvement has not been reported for non-gestational choriocarcinoma. We described a middle-aged man who developed a complete left oculomotor nerve paralysis secondary to a brainstem tumour at the midbrain. The workup for the primary source of the brainstem tumour included a chest CT scan, which revealed a mediastinal mass. A mediastinal mass needle biopsy confirmed the diagnosis of primary mediastinal choriocarcinoma. Despite aggressive chemotherapy, the patient died 6 months after the initial presentation from neurological complications and multiorgan failure.

Gastrointestinal hemorrhage as the first manifestation of metastatic choriocarcinoma in a male patient.

INTRODUCTION: Choriocarcinoma is a malignant tumor, it is more frequent in the female sex, rarely reported in the male sex. CLINICAL CASE: A 19-year-old male patient who was admitted with hematochezia and melenic evacuations, panendoscopy and colonoscopy were performed without documenting the bleeding site, exploratory laparotomy was performed finding tumor lesion in the jejunum, the histopathological examination reported Choriocarcinoma. CONCLUSIONS: Gastrointestinal bleeding as a presentation of choriocarcinoma is sometimes the only symptom that the patient presents. Metastatic choriocarcinoma to the gastrointestinal tract is rare, which makes the suspected diagnosis poor.

INTRODUCCIÓN: El coriocarcinoma es un tumor maligno, más frecuente en el sexo femenino, raramente reportado en el sexo masculino. CASO CLÍNICO: Varón de 19 años que ingresa con hematoquecia y evacuaciones melénicas. Se realiza panendoscopia y colonoscopia, sin documentar el sitio de sangrado. Se realiza laparotomía exploradora y se encuentra una lesión tumoral en el yeyuno, cuyo examen histopatológico reportó coriocarcinoma. CONCLUSIONES: La hemorragia de tubo digestivo como presentación de un coriocarcinoma es en ocasiones el único síntoma que muestra un paciente. El coriocarcinoma metastásico al tracto gastrointestinal es raro, lo que hace que la sospecha diagnóstica sea pobre.

Crosstalk between estradiol and NFκB signaling pathways on placental leptin expression.

Pregnancy success requires a proper fetal maternal interaction at the establishment of implantation. Leptin has been described as a multitasking cytokine in pregnancy, particularly in the placenta, where it acts as an autocrine hormone. The expression of leptin in normal trophoblastic cells is regulated by different endogenous signals. We have previously reported that 17ß-estradiol upregulates placental leptin expression through genomic and non-genomic mechanisms. To improve the knowledge of estrogen receptor mechanisms in regulating leptin gene expression, we examined transcription nuclear factor kappa B (NFκB) effect on estradiol leptin induction in human BeWo cell line and human term placental explants. We demonstrated that estradiol induction effect on leptin expression is blocked by the inhibition of NFκB signaling. We also found that the overexpression of p65 subunit, the active form of NFκB, induces leptin expression. Moreover, downregulation of estrogen receptor alpha (ERα), through a specific siRNA, abolished NFκB effect on leptin expression. We also demonstrated that ERα enhanced NFκB signaling pathway activation in trophoblastic cells. Estradiol treatment significantly increased p65 expression and phosphorylation of the inhibitory protein κB alpha (IκBα). A reporter plasmid containing NFκB elements was also induced in response to estradiol stimulation. Localization experiments revealed that estradiol treatment induced nuclear localization of overexpressed p65. Moreover, the overexpression of ERα produced a complete displacement of p65 protein to the nucleus. Finally, immunoprecipitation experiments showed the presence of a complex containing ERα and NFκB. All these evidences suggest a cooperative behavior between ERα and NFκB transcription factors to induce leptin transcription.

Gestational trophoblastic neoplasia lethality among Brazilian women: A retrospective national cohort study.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate GTN lethality among Brazilian women comparing cases of death by GTN with those who survived, thereby identifying factors associated with GTN lethality. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed medical records of women with GTN treated at ten Brazilian GTN Reference Centers, from January 1960 to December 2017. We evaluated factors associated with death from GTN and used Cox proportional hazards regression models to identify independent variables with significant influence on the risk of death. RESULTS: From 2186 patients with GTN included in this study, 2092 (95.7%) survived and 89 (4%) died due to GTN. When analyzing the relative risk (RR), adjusted for WHO/FIGO score, patients with low risk disease had a significantly higher risk of death if they had choriocarcinoma (RR: 12.40), metastatic disease (RR: 12.57), chemoresistance (RR: 3.18) or initial treatment outside the Reference Center (RR: 12.22). In relation to patients with high-risk GTN, these factors were significantly associated with death due to GTN: the time between the end of antecedent pregnancy and the initiation of chemotherapy (RR: 4.10), metastatic disease (RR: 14.66), especially in brain (RR: 8.73) and liver (RR: 5.76); absence of chemotherapy or initial treatment with single agent chemotherapy (RR: 10.58 and RR: 1.81, respectively), chemoresistance (RR: 3.20) and the initial treatment outside the Reference Center (RR: 28.30). CONCLUSION: The risk of mortality from low and high-risk GTN can be reduced by referral of these patients to a Reference Center or, if not possible, to involve clinicians in a Reference Center with consultation regarding management.

Abdomen agudo por coriocarcinoma accidentado. Reporte de un caso clínico / Acute abdomen by accidented coriocarcinoma. Report of a clinical case

Introducción: El coriocarcinoma es una neoplasia gestacional trofoblástica maligna que puede ocurrir después de una mola hidatiforme, embarazo ectópico, aborto e incluso de un embarazo normal. Se trata de una patología poco frecuente que en ocasiones puede pasar desapercibida. Entre las complicaciones clínicas se destaca la metástasis, pero es excepcional la ruptura uterina, siendo esta la que se presenta en el presente caso denotando la importancia del seguimiento. Presentación de caso: Paciente femenina de 49 años que presenta dolor en hipogastrio y vómito, tiene antecedente de mola hidatiforme no controlada. Examen complementario muestra beta-gonadotropina coriónica humana (B-HCG) cualitativa positiva y culdoscentesis positiva. Se realiza tratamiento quirúrgico por laparotomía exploratoria evidenciándose hemoperitoneo más tumor que perfora útero. Se realiza histerectomía abdominal total. Se confirma diagnóstico presuntivo a través de estudio histopatológico que determina coriocarcinoma. Paciente no continua con tratamiento conociéndose posteriormente su deceso. Conclusiones: Se presenta este caso por ser una patología infrecuente con una complicación poco habitual como es la ruptura uterina por coriocarcinoma, al ser considerada una rareza su importancia radica en el diagnóstico oportuno y adecuado seguimiento del caso.

Adenocarcinoma gástrico con componente de coricarcinoma / Gastric adenocarcinoma with choriocarcinoma component

Paciente de 48 años que cursa con dolor abdominal asociado a perdida ponderal. En la endoscopía se evidencia una lesión una lesión infiltrativa ulcerada, friable y circunferencial que compromete el canal pilórico y bulbo duodenal Al estudio histopatológico se revela un adenocarcinoma tipo intestinal con área de diferenciación en coriocarcinoma. Se realizó una gastrectomía parcial distal y posteriormente quimioterapia dirigida a la estirpe del coriocarcinoma, con buena respuesta clínica al primer curso. (AU)

A 48 year-old patient with abdominal pain associated and weight loss is shown. Endoscopy shows an ulcerated, friable, circumferential infiltratory lesion that compromises the pyloric canal and duodenal bulb The histopathological study reveals intestinal type adenocarcinoma with area of differentiation in coriocarcinoma. A partial distal gastrectomy and subsequent chemotherapy were performed aimed at the lineage of the coriocarcinoma, with good clinical response to the first course. (AU)

Unusual abscess masquerading as poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma of the colon showing characteristics of choriocarcinoma

Extragonadal non-gestational choriocarcinoma (ENC) is an uncommon malignant tumor occasionally found in the gastrointestinal tract. ENC is characterized by a biphasic tumor growth with distinct areas of adenocarcinoma and choriocarcinoma differentiation. Primary choriocarcinoma of the colon is extremely rare, with only 21 cases reported in the literature. Most of the perforation of colorectal cancers occurs in the abdominal cavity, while abdominal wall abscess is rare; the psoas abscess associated with colon carcinoma is even less observed. Herein, we report the case of a 61-year-old female with poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma of the ascending colon and sigmoid, with choriocarcinomatous differentiation, masquerading a psoas abscess formation. Unfortunately, despite the aggressive therapy, the patient's disease rapidly progressed, and she died within 2 months after the diagnosis. The typical morphological pattern, immunohistochemistry, and its correlation with serum β-human chorionic gonadotropin enabled a correct diagnosis.

Doença trofoblástica gestacional: correlação ßhCG sérico quantitativo, ultrassonografia e anatomopatologia em serviço de obstetrícia do Ceará / Gestational trophoblastic disease: ßhCG quantitative serum correlation, ultrasonography and pathology in obstetrics service in Ceará

Doença trofoblástica gestacional (DTG) é uma anomalia que engloba formas clínicas benignas (mola hidatiforme completa e parcial) e malignas (mola invasora, coriocarcinoma, tumor trofoblástico do sítio placentário e tumor trofoblástico epitelioide). O objetivo deste estudo é realizar levantamento epidemiológico retrospectivo de prontuários de 40 pacientes internadas entre abril de 2014 e fevereiro de 2016 com hipótese diagnóstica de DTG atendidas no Hospital Regional Norte/ Centro de Apoio à Saúde Reprodutiva da Mulher em Sobral, no Ceará, traçando o perfil de cada paciente (idade, paridade), além de fazer correlação dos parâmetros clínicos, laboratoriais e anatomopatológico. Entre as pacientes que obtiveram o diagnóstico de DTG, observou-se que em torno de 93,33% possuíam exame ultrassonográfico evidenciando possível mola hidatiforme; o anatomopatológico confirmou doença trofoblástica em aproximadamente 52,5% da população estudada. Este estudo é inédito, por ser o primeiro a realizar um levantamento de dados em pacientes com DTG na cidade de Sobral.(AU)

Gestational trophoblastic disease (GTD) is an anomaly that encompasses benign clinical forms (complete and partial hydatidiform mole) and malignant (invasive mole, choriocarcinoma, placental site trophoblastic tumor and epithelioid trophoblastic tumor). The objective of this study was to carry out a retrospective epidemiological survey of medical records of 40 hospitalized patients between April 2014 and February 2016 with diagnostic hypothesis of GTD attended at the Regional Hospital Norte/Center for Support to Women's Reproductive Health in Sobral, Ceará, drawing the profile of each patient (age, parity), in addition to correlating the clinical, laboratory and anatomopathological parameters. Among the patients who had the diagnosis of GTD, it was observed that about 93.33% had ultrasonographic examination evidencing a possible hydatidiform mole; the anatomopathological confirmed trophoblastic disease in about 52.5% of the study population. This study is unprecedented because it is the first to perform a data collection in patients with GTD in the city of Sobral.(AU)

Coriocarcinoma gástrico primario: reporte de caso / Primary gastric choriocarcinoma: a case report

El coriocarcinoma gástrico primario (CGP) es un tumor infrecuente. Debido a su rareza, su patogenia aún no es clara. El diagnóstico se basa en la inmunohistopatología, la cual es positiva para gonadotropina coriónica humana (hCG). Es una neoplasia altamente invasiva y de rápida diseminación hematógena, lo que conlleva a un pobre pronóstico. Se presenta el caso de una paciente mujer de 57 años con hemorragia digestiva alta asociada a baja de peso. La gastroscopia reporta, a nivel de cardias y región paracardial, lesión polipoidea ulcerada de 5x4 cm, con bordes circunscritos y sin presencia de infiltración de pared adyacente, con estigmas de sangrado reciente y anatomía patológica que informa neoplasia maligna pleomórfica ulcerada con inmunohistoquímica positiva para panqueratina. Ante la sospecha de carcinoma poco diferenciado y sin evidencia de metástasis, la paciente fue sometida a gastrectomía total y la patología fue compatible con coriocarcinoma. Por ello, posterior a la cirugía, se realiza estudio de hCG sérico con resultado de 714 mIU/ml, lo que confirmó aún más el diagnóstico. Se decide tratamiento adyuvante con quimioterapia y se realiza seguimiento tomográfico y serológico de hCG sin presencia de enfermedad activa.

Primary gastric choriocarcinoma (PGC) is an uncommon tumor. Due to its rarity, its pathogenesis is still unclear. The diagnosis is based on immunohistopathology, which is positive for human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG). It is a highly invasive and rapidly-disseminated hematogenous neoplasm, which leads to a poor prognosis. We present the case of a 57-year-old woman with upper gastrointestinal bleeding associated with weight loss. The gastroscopy showed, on the cardia and paracardial region, a 5x4-cm ulcerated polypoid lesion with circumscribed edges and without adjacent wall infiltration, with stigmas of recent bleeding and a pathological anatomy that demonstrates ulcerated pleomorphic malignancy with positive immunohistochemistry for pankeratin. Given the suspicion of poorly differentiated carcinoma and without evidence of metastasis, the patient underwent a total gastrectomy and the pathology was compatible with choriocarcinoma. Therefore, after the surgery, a serum hCG test was performed with a result of 714 mIU/ml, which further confirmed the diagnosis. Treatment with adjuvant chemotherapy was decided, and a tomographic and serological hCG follow-up was conducted, without the presence of active disease.

Lapatinib Inhibits Amphiregulin-induced BeWo Choriocarcinoma Cell Proliferation by Reducing ERK1/2 and AKT Signaling Pathways.

BACKGROUND: Human choriocarcinoma is the most aggressive type of gestational trophoblastic neoplasia. The expression of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) in choriocarcinomas is significantly higher than those of trophoblastic cells in healthy placentas. Lapatinib is a potent EGFR and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) inhibitor that inhibits cell proliferation and induces apoptosis in various human cancer cells. Amphiregulin (AREG) is the most abundant EGFR ligand in amniotic fluid during human pregnancy. AIM: To explore the role of AREG in human choriocarcinoma cell proliferation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The effect of lapatinib and AREG on cell proliferation was examined by the MTT assay. Western blots were used to investigate EGFR and HER2 expression, and the activation of caspase-3, extracellular signal-regulated kinases 1/2 (ERK1/2) and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase /protein kinase B (PI3K/AKT) signaling pathways. RESULTS: Treatment with lapatinib reduced BeWo cell proliferation by inducing apoptosis. Moreover, AREG treatment stimulated BeWo cell proliferation by activating ERK1/2 and PI3K/AKT signaling pathways, which was blocked by lapatinib. CONCLUSION: Targeting EGFR/HER2 might be a useful therapeutic strategy for human choriocarcinoma.

The BeWo cell line derived from a human placental choriocarcinoma is permissive for respiratory syncytial virus infection.

The respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is the main pathogen associated with upper respiratory tract infections during early childhood. Vertical transmission of this virus has been suggested in humans, based on observations recorded during animal studies that revealed an association of RSV with persistent structural and functional changes in the developing lungs of the offspring. However, human placentas have not yet been evaluated for susceptibility to RSV infection. In this study, we examined the capacity of RSV to infect a human trophoblast model, the BeWo cell line. Our results suggest that BeWo cells are susceptible to RSV infection since they allow RNA viral replication, viral protein translation, leading to the production of infectious RSV particles. In this report, we demonstrate that a human placenta model system, consisting of BeWo cells, is permissive to RSV infection. Thus, the BeWo cell line may represent a useful model for studies that aim to characterize the events of a possible RSV infection at the human maternal-fetal interface.

Embolia pulmonar tumoral: un reto diagnóstico / Pulmonary tumour embolism: a diagnostic challenge

Resumen Se publica el caso de una paciente de 27 años, quien consultó al Servicio de Urgencias del Hospital Hernando Moncaleano Perdomo, por cuadro clínico de tos seca persistente que posteriormente se acompañó de disnea, dolor pleurítico y hemoptisis, de aproximadamente cuatro meses de evolución. Tenía antecedentes quirúrgicos de lipoescultura y abdominoplastia cuatro meses previos al ingreso e histerectomía hace un año (por hemorragia uterina). Mediante correlación clínico-patológica se llegó al diagnóstico de embolia pulmonar de origen tumoral, entidad aún de diagnóstico difícil dada la presentación clínica inespecífica. Para la diferenciación diagnóstica los estudios radiológicos no son precisos, a menos que se lleven a cabo procedimientos invasivos para llegar a un diagnóstico certero, como ocurrió con la paciente. Se presenta el caso y se hace una revisión sobre embolia pulmonar y sus otras causas como coriocarcinoma; adicionalmente se abarcan aspectos relevantes sobre incidencia, cuadro clínico, tratamiento y pronóstico, de una patología cuyo diagnóstico sigue siendo en su mayoría tardío.

Abstract The case is presented of a 27 year-old patient who was seen in the Emergency Department of the Hospital Hernando Moncaleano Perdomo, due to a clinical picture of a persistent dry cough that was later accompanied by dyspnoea, pleural pain, and haemoptysis, of approximately four months onset. She had a surgical history of liposculpture and abdominoplasty four months prior to the admission, and a hysterectomy a year ago (uterine haemorrhage). Using clinical-pathological correlation, the diagnosis was made of a pulmonary embolism of tumour origin, a condition still difficult to diagnose given the unspecific clinical picture. Radiological studies are not accurate for the differential diagnosis, unless invasive procedures are used to reach an accurate diagnosis, as in the case of this patient. As well as the case, a review is presented on pulmonary embolism and its other causes such as choriocarcinoma. Furthermore, relevant aspects are included on its incidence, clinical symptoms, treatment and prognosis, in a disease for which the majority of diagnoses continue to be delayed.

[Primary gastric choriocarcinoma: case report]. / Coriocarcinoma gástrico primario: reporte de caso.

Primary gastric choriocarcinoma (PGC) is an extremely rare and highly invasive tumor with rapid hematogenous spread. We present the case of a 57-year-old female patient who started with hematemesis and progressive episodes of melena, weight loss and epigastralgia. It is derived from the National Institute of Neoplastic Diseases where gastroscopy and biopsy are performed. Histological analysis reported pattern suggestive of PGC; that was confirmed by immunohistochemical analysis for human chorionic gonadotrophin and fetal alpha protein. Subsequently, the patient underwent a radical D2 gastrectomy with splenic preservation and tail of the pancreas preservation. Unfortunately, her evolution was not favorable and died due to the progression of the disease.