Osteopontin, WNT3A, and ABCB5 Biomarkers Expression in Osteosarcoma Patients.

Objective This study aimed to correlate the expression, by immunohistochemistry, of the proteins OPN, ABCB5, and WNT3A from anatomopathological materials obtained from paraffin blocks, slides, or both, from patients with osteosarcoma (OS), analyzing epidemiological characteristics, as well as their presence and influence on the evolution and progression of the disease. Methods After the initial case selection, we searched for the respective paraffin blocks and took only those with sufficient tumor mass to allow additional sections with no complete loss of biological material. The sarcoma area identification in representative paraffin blocks used multisample blocks (tissue microarray [TMA]) created on a BenchMark ULTRA (Roche Diagnostics Corporation, Indianapolis, IN, USA) instrument. Then, we analyzed the association between the expression of ABCB5, WNT3A, and osteopontin (OPN) markers with the variables age, location, and tissue type (Fisher exact test/Chi-squared test). Results The average age of the patients was 23 years, and the rate of males and females was the same. We analyzed 40 slides from 28 OS patients seen from 2005 to 2017. Their follow-up time was 80.0 months, and the 5-year survival rate was 46.7%. Most metastases occurred in lung tissue (92.9%). Proteins ABCB5, OPN, and WNT3A did not present statistical significance when compared with age group, neo-adjuvant, adjuvant, or both, chemotherapy, location, survival, or death. Osteopontin was negative in all samples. WNT3A expression occurred in patients who died early. Conclusion In an immunohistochemical study, ABCB5, OPN, and WNT3A did not have statistical significance. In the parameters analyzed, they did not seem to be a predictive or aggressive factor for OS.

Lymphopenia predicts 30-day morbidity and mortality following spinal metastasis surgery.

BACKGROUND: Therapeutic decision-making regarding surgical treatment of spinal metastasis is supported by clinical characteristics that are potentially predictive of postoperative events. The predictive power of total lymphocyte count (TLC) in peripheral blood has not been elucidated for this type of surgery. Therefore, the aim of this study was to assess the capacity of TLC to predict 30-day morbidity and mortality following surgery for spinal metastases. METHODS: This is a level III prognostic study, which consists of a retrospective review of records from a cancer referral hospital. Consecutive patients who underwent open surgery for spinal metastatic disease were studied. Outcomes of interest were 30-day post-op mortality and complications. The patients were divided into three groups based on preoperative TLC: low, moderate, and high risk for surgery, according to a discriminatory power analysis. The predictive power of TLC was compared to that of other known predictors, i.e., older age, tumor aggressiveness, and presence of comorbidities. Odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals were calculated using bivariate and multivariate analyses. RESULTS: In total, 205 patients underwent surgery. Thirty-day mortality and occurrence of complications were 17% and 31%, respectively. The discriminatory power of TLC was 71% and 68% for 30-day survival and complications, respectively. In multivariate analysis, the strongest relationship between predictors and postoperative morbidity and mortality concerned TLC < 800 cells/µL, which was associated with decreased likelihood of 30-day survival (OR 3.17) and increased likelihood of complications (OR 3.93). Incidence of 30-day mortality and complications by risk group was, respectively: 4% and 13% for low risk (TLC > 1857 cells/µL); 22% and 34% for moderate risk (TLC 800-1857 cells/µL); and 35% and 56% for high risk (TLC < 800 cells/µL). CONCLUSIONS: TLC is a strong predictor of 30-day morbidity and mortality following spinal metastasis surgery. It may be useful for improving patient care and planning personalized treatments.

ASSESSING PSYCHOSOCIAL DISTRESS IN BONE METASTASES TREATED WITH ENDOPROSTHESIS.

OBJECTIVE: To compare preoperative and early postoperative levels of psychosocial distress in patients undergoing bone metastasis treatment with endoprosthesis, evaluating its impact on quality of life. METHODS: Thirteen patients undergoing endoprosthetic treatment of bone metastasis were assessed at two time points: preoperatively and 30 days postoperatively. The tool used was the Distress Thermometer, a questionnaire for psychosocial screening developed by the National Comprehensive Cancer Network. Distress is considered moderate or severe if the patient scores 4 or higher. RESULTS: The most frequent problems in the preoperative period were "bathing and dressing". At 30 days, "fatigue" and "nervousness" prevailed. There was a significant improvement in distress when preoperative and 30-day assessments were compared. CONCLUSION: The surgical treatment of bone metastasis with endoprosthesis results in an early improvement of psychosocial distress as measured by the Distress Thermometer. Level of evidence II, Prospective and comparative therapeutic study.

OBJETIVO: Confrontar o nível de angústia psicossocial (distress) entre o pré-operatório e o pós-operatório precoce de pacientes submetidos ao tratamento de metástase óssea com endoprótese, avaliando seu impacto na qualidade de vida. MÉTODOS: Foram avaliados 13 pacientes submetidos ao tratamento de metástase óssea com endoprótese em dois momentos: pré-operatório e pós-operatório de 30 dias. A ferramenta utilizada foi o termômetro de Distress, questionário de triagem psicossocial desenvolvido pela National Comprehensive Cancer Network. É considerado distress moderado ou grave se o paciente somar 4 ou mais pontos. RESULTADOS: No pré-operatório, os problemas mais frequentes foram "tomar banho e vestir-se". Com 30 dias, os itens mais prevalentes foram "cansaço" e "nervosismo". Houve melhora significativa do distress quando foram comparadas as avaliações pré-operatória e após 30 dias. CONCLUSÃO: O tratamento cirúrgico com endoprótese para metástase óssea reduz precocemente o nível de angústia psicossocial aferido pelo termômetro de Distress. Nível de evidência II, Estudo terapêutico, prospectivo e comparativo.

Assessing psychosocial distress in bone metastases treated with endoprosthesis / Avaliação da angústia psicossocial na metástase óssea tratada com endoprótese

ABSTRACT Objective: To compare preoperative and early postoperative levels of psychosocial distress in patients undergoing bone metastasis treatment with endoprosthesis, evaluating its impact on quality of life. Methods: Thirteen patients undergoing endoprosthetic treatment of bone metastasis were assessed at two time points: preoperatively and 30 days postoperatively. The tool used was the Distress Thermometer, a questionnaire for psychosocial screening developed by the National Comprehensive Cancer Network. Distress is considered moderate or severe if the patient scores 4 or higher. Results: The most frequent problems in the preoperative period were "bathing and dressing". At 30 days, "fatigue" and "nervousness" prevailed. There was a significant improvement in distress when preoperative and 30-day assessments were compared. Conclusion: The surgical treatment of bone metastasis with endoprosthesis results in an early improvement of psychosocial distress as measured by the Distress Thermometer. Level of evidence II, Prospective and comparative therapeutic study.

RESUMO Objetivo: Confrontar o nível de angústia psicossocial (distress) entre o pré-operatório e o pós-operatório precoce de pacientes submetidos ao tratamento de metástase óssea com endoprótese, avaliando seu impacto na qualidade de vida. Métodos: Foram avaliados 13 pacientes submetidos ao tratamento de metástase óssea com endoprótese em dois momentos: pré-operatório e pós-operatório de 30 dias. A ferramenta utilizada foi o termômetro de Distress, questionário de triagem psicossocial desenvolvido pela National Comprehensive Cancer Network. É considerado distress moderado ou grave se o paciente somar 4 ou mais pontos. Resultados: No pré-operatório, os problemas mais frequentes foram "tomar banho e vestir-se". Com 30 dias, os itens mais prevalentes foram "cansaço" e "nervosismo". Houve melhora significativa do distress quando foram comparadas as avaliações pré-operatória e após 30 dias. Conclusão: O tratamento cirúrgico com endoprótese para metástase óssea reduz precocemente o nível de angústia psicossocial aferido pelo termômetro de Distress. Nível de evidência II, Estudo terapêutico, prospectivo e comparativo.