Cancer-associated cachexia (CC) is characterized by involuntary weight loss and poor prognosis. Central nervous system (CNS) inflammation has been linked to CC symptoms. This study evaluated inflammatory mediators in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of patients with CC.

Volunteers were recruited in Santarém, PA, Brazil, and divided into three groups: patients undergoing herniorrhaphy or cholecystectomy (n = 43)-control; cancer without cachexia (CWC, n = 13); and CC (n = 49). Blood and CSF were collected before anesthetic injection.

CSF vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) levels were reduced in CC (p < 0.0001; p 0.00017) and CWC (p = 0.0269; p = 0.0421) compared to control. CSF IP-10 was lower in CC (p = 0.0048). In CWC, CSF MCP-1 correlated with serum C reactive protein (rs = 0.78, p = 0.0098), leukocytes (rs = 0.72, p = 0.0235), lymphocytes (rs = -0.67, p = 0.0390) and monocytes (rs = -0.82, p = 0.0058). In CC, CSF interleukin (IL)-8 correlated with leukocytes (rs = 0.48, p = 0.0032) and MCP-1 with neutrophils (rs = 0.36, p = 0.0265) and eosinophils (rs = -0.37, p = 0.0218). CC patients showed lower quality of life than CWC (functional scale p = 0.0087; symptoms scale p = 0.0386).

Cancer was related to changes in CSF cytokine levels, indicating that both tumor presence and cachexia modulate central inflammatory signaling. Correlations between CSF chemokines and blood immune cells suggest systemic interaction between peripheral immunity and the CNS.

To map the experimental models of induced and spontaneous uterine leiomyomas (UL) in animals, describing induction techniques, evaluation methods, advantages, limitations, and research gaps.

We conducted a systematic review of studies published between 2004 and 2024 with in-vivo animal experiments reporting UL induction or spontaneous occurrence. Data were extracted on animal species, sample size, induction methods, confirmation techniques, and reported advantages or disadvantages.

A total of 56 studies were included. Rats and mice were the most frequently used species. Induction methods comprised hormonal administration, genetic predisposition, chemical exposure (monosodium glutamate), ischemic injury, external stimulation, cell transplantation, xenotransplantation, and spontaneous development. A critical finding that emerged was that 60.7% of the studies failed to report confirmation of UL induction. Among the 22 studies that reported confirmation, caliper measurement was the most frequently used technique. This widespread lack of methodological rigor significantly undermines the credibility and reproducibility of many published models.

This scoping review highlights not only the heterogeneity of UL animal models and the lack of standardized induction and evaluation protocols, but also identifies a critical gap in induction validation reporting that compromises the foundation of preclinical research in this field.

Remote examinations have become increasingly common in Dentistry, especially with the use of applications. This preliminary cross-sectional study evaluated the accuracy of remote examination of oral mucositis (OM) and severe oral mucositis (SOM) using photos obtained through the Telepediatric Dentistry in Oncology (TON) application, comparing its results with the in-person clinical examination (gold standard). A total of 21 pediatric patients (13 boys, 8 girls; mean age 9.05 ± 3.46 years) undergoing chemotherapy were examined, totaling 28 in-person examinations and 224 photographic images assessed remotely by four calibrated dentists (Kappa > 0.7). The photos covered eight oral cavity sites (lips, right and left buccal mucosa, tongue dorsum, lateral tongue, palate, and floor of the mouth) and were analyzed for the presence or absence of OM and SOM. Among the 28 examinations, 11 presented OM and 3 presented SOM. The remote examination identified all positive cases (sensitivity 100%; 95%CI: 0.741-1), while specificity was 59% for OM, reflecting the occurrence of false positives, especially in the lips and buccal mucosa. Agreement between remote examiners and the gold standard ranged from 0.17 to 1.0, depending on the region and evaluator, being higher in the tongue dorsum, lateral tongue, and floor of the mouth. The results indicate that remote examination via TON may be feasible and has the ability to detect OM and SOM, potentially serving as a complementary tool in dental monitoring of children and adolescents undergoing oncology treatment, particularly when in-person examination is not possible.

To Describe the prevalence of adenomatous and serrated polyps in ulcerative colitis and investigate risk factors associated with the development and recurrence of preneoplastic polyps.

In this cross-sectional study, colonoscopy findings and clinical data from patients diagnosed with ulcerative colitis who were treated at a tertiary care center were analyzed.

A total of 240 patients were included (56.3% female, 79% with left-sided or extensive colitis, and 7.5% diagnosed with primary sclerosing cholangitis). The prevalence of adenomatous and serrated polyps was 16.2% (39/240). Age >41 (OR=2.85, 95%CI=1.4 - 5.8; p=0.0125), older age at the first colonoscopy (OR=1.04, 95%CI=1.01 - 1.06; p=0.0015), and higher body mass index (OR=1.12, 95% CI=1.0 - 1.1; p=0.0042) were identified as risk factors for polyps development (p<0.05). Regarding recurrence, 11 out of 39 patients presented with polyps on subsequent colonoscopies, with a mean time to recurrence of 47.5 months. No factors were found to be associated with polyp recurrence.

The prevalence of adenomatous and serrated polyps in patients with ulcerative colitis appeared to be lower than that reported in the general population.

to describe the care strategies used by people with cancer in the face of uncertainty in illness.

a qualitative study was conducted at an oncology unit in southern Brazil, using semi-structured interviews with 14 people undergoing cancer treatment in July 2024, which were subsequently subjected to categorical content analysis.

it was identified that people undergoing cancer treatment use different care strategies to cope with uncertainty in illness, including artistic activities, psychological support, use of technology, maintenance of daily activities, attention to appearance, leisure time and celebration with family, connection with the environment, and complementary therapies.

the strategies mentioned positively impacted coping with uncertainty and strengthening the autonomy of people undergoing cancer treatment.

Endometrial cancer is the most common gynecologic malignancy in developed countries. Currently, there are no reliable screening methods available for the early diagnosis or prognostic evaluation of the disease. MicroRNAs are small non-coding ribonucleic acid molecules primarily involved in the regulation of gene expression. The aim of this study was to evaluate and compare serum levels of microRNA-204 and microRNA-652-3p between patients diagnosed with endometrial cancer and healthy controls in order to determine their potential diagnostic and prognostic value as candidate biomarkers.

Serum samples were collected from a total of 226 participants, comprising 150 patients diagnosed with endometrial cancer and 76 healthy controls. Relative expression levels of microRNA-204 and microRNA-652-3p were measured using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction.

The present study demonstrated that serum levels of microRNA-204 and microRNA-652-3p were significantly elevated in patients with endometrial cancer compared with healthy controls. Overexpression of these microRNAs was significantly associated with disease stage and adverse prognosis. Moreover, patients with high microRNA-204 and microRNA-652-3p expression exhibited significantly shorter survival than those with low expression. Elevated expression of both microRNAs was also significantly associated with an increased risk of disease recurrence.

Serum levels of microRNA-204 and microRNA-652-3p distinguished patients with endometrial cancer from healthy controls. In addition, both microRNAs were associated with prognosis, including an increased risk of disease recurrence. These findings require confirmation in larger, independently validated cohorts.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between oxidative stress and cervical human papillomavirus infection and cervical intraepithelial neoplasia by measuring total oxidant status, total antioxidant status, and ischemia-modified albumin levels.

In total, 50 human papillomavirus+ women, 50 cervical intraepithelial neoplasia2/3+ women, and 50 healthy women as a control group were enrolled in the prospective case-control study. The total oxidant status, total antioxidant status, and ischemia-modified albumin levels were measured with colorimetric systems. The clinical characteristics, total oxidant status, total antioxidant status, and ischemia-modified albumin levels of three groups were compared.

The mean total antioxidant status level was higher in the control group (1.044±0.0959 mmol/L) than in the human papillomavirus+ group (0.931±0.1034 mmol/L) and the cervical intraepithelial neoplasia2/3+ group (0.927±0.0928 mmol/L) (p<0.001). The median total oxidant status level was lower in the control group than the cervical intraepithelial neoplasia2/3+ group (4.570 [4.390-4.783] μmol/L vs. 4.780 [4.443-5.035] μmol/L, p<0.05). The ischemia-modified albumin levels were similar in three groups (p=0.220).

The total antioxidant status level was lower, and the total oxidant status level was higher in women with cervical intraepithelial neoplasia2/3+ compared to the control group. These findings suggest that oxidative stress is effective in the progression of human papillomavirus infection to the preinvasive lesions of the cervix. The ischemia-modified albumin was not found to be a useful biomarker to indicate oxidative stress in women with human papillomavirus infection or cervical intraepithelial neoplasia2/3 lesions.

In T4 colorectal cancer, the risk of peritoneal carcinomatosis is high, and the prognosis is poor. The aim of this study was to assess recurrence risk factors, peritoneal recurrence rates, and survival outcomes in patients radiologically diagnosed with T4 tumors who underwent curative surgery with prophylactic hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy.

Between January 2018 and December 2022, 38 radiologically diagnosed T4 colorectal cancer patients who underwent prophylactic hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy were retrospectively analyzed. All patients had R0 resection; those with intraoperative macroscopic peritoneal or distant metastases were excluded. Demographic data, tumor location, histopathology, and pathological T/N stages were recorded. During follow-up, local/distant recurrence, peritoneal carcinomatosis, metastatic sites, and mortality were assessed.

The median age was 57 years, and 57.9% were male. The primary tumor originated mainly from the colon (81.6%), with moderately differentiated adenocarcinoma being the most common histology (57.8%). Recurrence occurred in four patients (10.5%): 2 hepatic, 1 pulmonary, and 1 peritoneal, with no local recurrence. One patient (2.6%) died within 90 days; no additional mortality was observed. Median overall survival was 55 months (95%CI 49.82-60.90). Univariate analysis showed no significant association between recurrence and tumor location, differentiation, pT or pN stage, or histologic subtype.

In cT4 colorectal cancer patients treated with prophylactic hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy, recurrence was infrequent, peritoneal recurrence was rare, and radiological staging frequently overestimated tumor depth, supporting a potential benefit of prophylactic hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy in this setting.

Breast cancer is one of the most distressing cancers affecting women, and early detection is considered the most effective way to reduce breast cancer mortality. However, the benefits of early detection vary among different risk groups. Therefore, using a combination of genetic information, family history, and other factors to stratify populations by risk can help more people benefit from early detection. Traditional polygenic risk score (PRS) is essentially a weighted sum calculation method that has achieved some success, but it neglects the interactions between genes-genes, genes-environment, and their potential impact on breast cancer risk. In this context, we developed a new deep learning-based method called wide, deep, and cross network (WDCN). Experimental results show that our algorithm outperforms PRS and other machine learning baseline methods and achieves an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROC) of 0.6439 when using 286 single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) features and 0.8865 when incorporating environmental features with genetic data. Increasing the SNP set to 317 further raised the performance to 0.6464 and 0.8872, both with and without non-genetic factors. Risk stratification shows that individuals in the top 30% have a relative risk of 7.85 (95% CI: 6.98-8.83) compared with those in the bottom 30%. We also identified an interaction between rs2588809 and age. This novel approach has shown promise for initial risk stratification of populations, potentially providing better decision-making support for individuals and clinicians.

ObjectiveAnthracycline-related cardiotoxicity may involve systemic inflammatory responses, and the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio may change during chemotherapy as a marker for inflammatory and immune status. Considering this, we designed the present study to assess the predictive value of neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio combined with left atrial reservoir longitudinal strain for subclinical cancer therapy-related cardiac dysfunction during anthracycline chemotherapy in patients with breast cancer.MethodsThis prospective observational study enrolled 85 patients with breast cancer undergoing anthracycline chemotherapy. Neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio and left atrial reservoir longitudinal strain were measured before chemotherapy (T0), after the second cycle (T2), and after the fourth cycle (T4). Subclinical cancer therapy-related cardiac dysfunction was defined as a normal left ventricular ejection fraction with a ≥15% decrease in left ventricular global longitudinal strain compared with that at baseline. The predictive efficacy of the relative decrease in left atrial reservoir longitudinal strain, T2 neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio, and their combined model for subclinical cancer therapy-related cardiac dysfunction at T4 was evaluated using receiver operating characteristic curves.ResultsWe found that 29.41% of the patients developed subclinical cancer therapy-related cardiac dysfunction. Multivariate analysis showed that both T2 neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (odds ratio = 1.611, p = 0.002) and relative decrease in left atrial reservoir longitudinal strain (odds ratio = 1.426, p < 0.001) were independent predictors. Receiver operating characteristic analysis revealed an area under the curve of 0.896 for the combined model.ConclusionsThis study provides preliminary evidence for an association of T2 neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio and relative decrease in left atrial reservoir longitudinal strain with subclinical cancer therapy-related cardiac dysfunction during anthracycline chemotherapy in patients with breast cancer. In this cohort, their combined use suggested good predictive value.