Perfil clínico-epidemiológico de pacientes pediátricos de um centro de oncohematologia de pernambuco / Clinical-epidemiological profile of pediatric patients at a center of oncohematology in Pernambuco / Perfil clínico-epidemiológico de pacientes pediátricos en un centro de oncohematología de Pernambuco

ntrodução:O câncer infantojuvenil corresponde a um grupo de várias doenças que têm em comum a proliferação descontrolada de células anormais e que pode ocorrer em qualquer local do organismo. Objetivo:Identificar os tipos de neoplasias mais frequentes na infância e adolescência e analisar o perfil clínico-epidemiológicodos pacientes. Metodologia:Estudo de transversal exploratório, de natureza aplicada com análise documental, realizado no Centro de Oncohematologia Pediátrica do Hospital Universitário Oswaldo Cruz, Recife, Pernambuco.Foram incluídos crianças e adolescentes diagnosticados com neoplasia e tratados por terapia antineoplásica.Os critérios de exclusão foram crianças e adolescentes normorreativas e/ou com doenças sistêmicas; prontuários ilegíveis ou com falta de informações clínicas.Resultados:Identificou-se que 54,21% dos pacientes eram dosexo feminino, seguido por 44,86% do sexo masculino.A faixa etária prevalente no estudo foi o de crianças de 5 a 14 anos (54,21%), ainda sobre o perfil dos pacientes, identificou-se que população autodeclarada como negra foi a mais prevalente representando 44,86% do total, seguido dos brancos com 43,93%. O diagnóstico que prevaleceu foi o de Leucemia Linfoide Aguda(23,36%), seguido pela Retinoblastoma (7,48%) e pela Rabdomiossarcoma embrionário (6,54%), e consequentemente o local da neoplasia primária que prevaleceu foi a Medula óssea (27,10%) seguido do olho (10,28%), deste total nota-se que o tratamento antineoplásico mais utilizado foi a quimioterapia (40,19%) seguido da quimioterapia associada à radioterapia(12,15%) e pela quimioterapia associada a cirurgia (10,28%). Conclusões:A leucemia linfoide aguda foi a neoplasia mais frequente na infância e adolescência, com prevalência na idade entre 5 e 14 anos, no sexo feminino e na etnia negra. A terapia antineoplásica mais utilizada foi a quimioterapia, seguida da associação entre quimioterapia e radioterapia (AU).

Introduction:Childhood cancer correspondsto a group of several diseases that have in common the uncontrolled proliferation of abnormal cells and that can occur anywhere in the body. Objective:Identify the most frequent types of neoplasms in childhood and adolescence and analyze the clinical-epidemiological profile of patients. Methodology:Exploratory cross-sectional study, applied in nature with document analysis, carried out at the Pediatric Oncohematology Center of Oswaldo Cruz University, Recife, Pernambuco. Children and adolescents diagnosed with neoplasia and treated with antineoplastic therapy were included. Exclusion criteria were normoreactive children and adolescents and/or with systemic diseases; illegible medical records or lacking clinical information. Results:It was identified that54.21% of the patients were female, followed by 44.86% male. The prevalent age group in the study was children from 5 to 14 years old (54.21%), still regarding the patients'profile , it was identified that the population self-declared as black was the most prevalent, representing 44.86% of the total, followed by of whites with 43.93%. The diagnosis that prevailed was Acute Lymphoid Leukemia (23.36%), followed by Retinoblastoma (7.48%) and Embryonic Rhabdomyosarcoma (6.54%), and consequently,the site of the primary neoplasm that prevailed was Bone marrow (27.10%) followed by the eye (10.28%), of this total it is noted that the most used anticancer treatment was chemotherapy (40.19%) followed by chemotherapy associated with radiotherapy (12.15% ) and chemotherapy associated with surgery (10.28%). Conclusions:Acute lymphoblastic leukemia was the most frequent neoplasm in childhood and adolescence, with a prevalence between 5 and 14 years of age, in females,and black ethnicity. The most used antineoplastic therapy was chemotherapy, followed by the association between chemotherapy and radiotherapy (AU).

ntroducción: El cáncer infantil corresponde a un grupo de varias enfermedades que tienen en común la proliferación descontrolada de células anormales y que pueden presentarse en cualquier parte del cuerpo. Objetivo: Identificar los tipos de neoplasias más frecuentes en la infancia y la adolescencia y analizar el perfil clínico-epidemiológico de los pacientes. Metodología: Estudio transversal exploratorio, aplicado en la naturaleza con análisis de documentos, realizado en el Centro de Oncohematología Pediátrica del Hospital Universitario Oswaldo Cruz, Recife, Pernambuco. Se incluyeron niños y adolescentes con diagnóstico de neoplasia y tratados con terapia antineoplásica. Los criterios de exclusión fueron niños y adolescentes normorreactivos y/o con enfermedades sistémicas; registros médicos ilegibles o carentes de información clínica. Resultados: Se identificó que el 54,21% de los pacientes eran del sexo femenino, seguido del 44,86% del masculino. El grupo etario prevalente en el estudio fueron los niños de 5 a 14 años (54,21%), en cuanto al perfil de los pacientes, se identificó que la población autodeclarada afrodescendiente fue la más prevalente, representando el 44,86% del total, seguido de los blancos con un 43,93%. El diagnóstico que predominó fue Leucemia Linfoide Aguda (23,36%), seguido de Retinoblastoma (7,48%) yRabdomiosarcoma Embrionario (6,54%), y en consecuencia el local de la neoplasia primaria que predominó fue Médula Ósea (27,10%) seguido de ocular (10,28%), de este total se destaca que el tratamiento anticancerígeno más utilizado fue la quimioterapia (40,19%) seguida de la quimioterapia asociada a radioterapia (12,15%) y la quimioterapia asociada a cirugía (10,28%). Conclusiones: La leucemia linfoblástica aguda fue la neoplasia más frecuente en la infancia y la adolescencia, con prevalencia entre los 5 y los 14 años, en el sexo femenino y en la etnia negra. La terapia antineoplásica más utilizada fue la quimioterapia, seguida de la asociación entre quimioterapia y radioterapia (AU).

Importancia del odontólogo dentro del plantel multidisciplinario de oncología / Importance of the dentist within the multidisciplinary team of oncology

Se revisó en la literatura científica la importancia del odontólogo dentro del plantel multidisciplinario de oncología en artículos científicos extraídos de bases de datos tales como: PubMed, SciELO, CrossRef, Revistas USC, Revista Científica Odontológica, Elsevier, Researchgate, Google Académico, Wiley Online Library y Springer. En base a 32 artículos seleccionados se concluye que el odontólogo como parte del plantel multidisciplinario de oncología tiene un papel sumamente importante, ya que su integración permite contrarrestar las distintas complicaciones orales que se presentan a consecuencia de las diferentes terapias antineoplásicas a las cuales son sometidos los pacientes con cáncer. Estas complicaciones orales deben ser indefectiblemente tratadas, pues, su presencia en la cavidad oral constituye un riesgo aún mayor en cuanto a infección sistémica se refiere. He aquí la importancia del odontólogo dentro del plantel multidisciplinario de oncología evitando y previniendo la propagación de focos infecciosos y mejorando así la calidad de vida de los pacientes oncológicos.

The importance of the dentist within the oncology multidisciplinary staff in scientific articles extracted from databases such as PubMed, SciELO, CrossRef, USC Journals, Dental Scientific Journal, Elsevier, Researchgate, Google Scholar, Wiley Online Library and Springer was reviewed. Based on 32 selected articles, it is concluded that the dentist as part of the oncology multidisciplinary team plays an extremely important role, since its integration allows counteracting the different oral complications that arise as a consequence of the different antineoplastic therapies to which the cancer patients are subjected. These oral complications must be treated unfailingly, since their presence in the oral cavity constitutes an even greater risk as far as systemic infection is concerned. Here is the importance of the dentist within the oncology multidisciplinary staff, avoiding and preventing the spread of infectious foci and thus improving the quality of life of cancer patients.

Adesão de pacientes ao tratamento com antineoplásicos orais: fatores influentes / Adhesión de pacientes al tratamiento con antineoplásicos orales: factores influyentes / Adherence of patients to oral antineoplastic therapy: influential factors

Objetivo avaliar a adesão de pacientes aos tratamentos antineoplásicos orais e identificar os fatores que a influenciam. Método estudo quantitativo, prospectivo, de delineamento não experimental, realizado entre julho de 2013 e janeiro de 2014, em um hospital oncológico no interior do estado de Minas Gerais, Brasil. Os instrumentos utilizados foram: questionário sociodemográfico e clínico, escala Medida de Adesão ao Tratamento e Questionário dos Fatores que podem Influenciar a Adesão ao Tratamento. Os dados foram submetidos a estatística descritiva e testes de correlação entre variáveis. Resultados a média de adesão foi de 6,02 ± 0,8 pontos, e seis (4,9%) pacientes se mostraram não aderentes ao tratamento. Os fatores que mais dificultaram a adesão foram: dificuldade para a aquisição do antineoplásico (36,1%) e utilização de muitos medicamentos (14,8%). Conclusão a taxa de adesão ao uso de antineoplásicos orais é alta, entretanto ainda há muitos fatores que dificultam a adesão e a continuidade do tratamento.

Objetivo evaluar la adhesión de pacientes a los tratamientos antineoplásicos orales e identificar los factores que la influyen. Método estudio cuantitativo, prospectivo, de delineado no experimental, realizado entre julio de 2013 y enero de 2014 en hospital oncológico del interior de Minas Gerais, Brasil. Se utilizaron cuestionario sociodemográfico y clínico, escala Medida de Adhesión al Tratamiento y Cuestionario de Factores que pueden influir en la Adhesión al tratamiento. Los datos fueron sometidos a estadística descriptiva y tests de correlación entre variables. Resultados la media de adhesión fue de 6,02 ± 0,8 puntos, y seis (4,9%) pacientes no adhirieron al tratamiento. Los factores que más dificultaron la adhesión fueron: dificultado para adquirir el antineoplásico (36,1%) y utilización de muchos medicamentos (14,8%). Conclusión la tasa de adhesión al uso de antineoplásicos orales es alta, aunque aún existen numerosos factores que dificultan la adhesión y la continuidad del tratamiento.

Objective to evaluate the adherence of patients to oral antineoplastic therapy and identify the factors influencing it. Method quantitative and prospective study with non-experimental design carried out between July 2013 and January 2014 in an oncology hospital in the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil. The instruments used were: questionnaire for socio-demographic and clinical variables, the Therapy Adherence Measurement scale and the Questionnaire on Factors Influencing Medication Adherence. Data were submitted to descriptive statistics and to correlation tests. Results the mean adherence was 6.02 ± 0.8 points and six (4.9%) patients showed to be non-adherent to treatment. The most frequent factors hindering adherence were: difficulty in acquiring the antineoplastic drug (36.1%) and use of many drugs (14.8%). Conclusion the rate of adherence to oral antineoplastic therapy is high, but there are still many factors that hinder adherence and the continuity of care.

Arginine enzymatic deprivation and diet restriction for cancer treatment

ABSTRACT Recent findings in amino acid metabolism and the differences between normal, healthy cells and neoplastic cells have revealed that targeting single amino acid metabolic enzymes in cancer therapy is a promising strategy for the development of novel therapeutic agents. Arginine is derived from dietary protein intake, body protein breakdown, or endogenous de novo arginine production and several studies have revealed disturbances in its synthesis and metabolism which could enhance or inhibit tumor cell growth. Consequently, there has been an increased interest in the arginine-depleting enzymes and dietary deprivation of arginine and its precursors as a potential antineoplastic therapy. This review outlines the most recent advances in targeting arginine metabolic pathways in cancer therapy and the different chemo- and radio-therapeutic approaches to be co-applied.

Health care factors associated with survival among women with breast cancer on hormone therapy in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, 2004 – 2010 / Factores de la atención de salud asociados con la supervivencia de las mujeres con cáncer de mama que siguen hormonoterapia en Río de Janeiro, Brasil, 2004-2010

ABSTRACT Objectives To better understand the role that health care plays in breast cancer survival by investigating the effects that hormone therapy adherence and other select health care variables, adjusted for clinical and sociodemographic factors, had among a population of women in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Methods This was a longitudinal study based on secondary data of 5 861 women treated with hormone therapy (tamoxifen or aromatase inhibitors) at the National Cancer Institute of Brazil (INCA), from 1 January 2004 – 29 October 2010. Four different sources of data were integrated for analysis: INCA Pharmacy Sector Dispensation System; Hospital-based Cancer Registry; Integrated Hospital System and INCA Absolute System; and Mortality Information System. Analyses explored the effects of adherence to hormone therapy, disease care aspects, and sociodemographic, behavioral, and clinical variables, on the time of survival, using Kaplan-Meier and Cox proportional hazards models. Results The general survival rate was 94% in the first year after initiation of hormone therapy, and 71% in the fifth year. The Cox model indicated a higher hazard of death among women smokers, with more hospitalizations, more exams, and, among those who used, who used only aromatase inhibitors, as hormone therapy modality. The hazard was lower among women with a partner (stable relationship), a high school or college education a family history of cancer, and those who were treated by a mastologist, oncologist, and/or psychotherapist, who underwent surgery, and who adhered to hormone therapy. Conclusions The study indicated more vulnerable sub-groups and the aspects of care that provide best results, bringing new knowledge to improve assistance to this group of women.

RESUMEN Objetivo Conocer mejor la función que desempeña la atención de salud en la supervivencia del cáncer de mama, investigando los efectos que tienen el cumplimiento de la hormonoterapia y otras variables relativas a la atención de salud, ajustados según los factores clínicos y sociodemográficos, en una población de mujeres de la ciudad brasileña de Río de Janeiro. Métodos Estudio longitudinal realizado a partir de los datos secundarios de 5 861 mujeres tratadas con hormonoterapia (tamoxifeno o inhibidores de la aromatasa) en el Instituto Nacional del Cáncer del Brasil (INCA), desde el 1 de enero del 2004 hasta el 29 de octubre del 2010. Se combinaron para el análisis cuatro fuentes de datos: el sistema de dispensación al sector farmacéutico del INCA; el registro oncológico hospitalario; el sistema integrado hospitalario y el sistema absoluto del INCA; y el sistema de información sobre mortalidad. Los análisis exploraron los efectos del cumplimiento terapéutico de la hormonoterapia, de determinados aspectos de la atención a la enfermedad y de las variables sociodemográficas, conductuales y clínicas sobre el tiempo de supervivencia, con la metodología de Kaplan-Meier y los modelos de riesgos instantáneos proporcionales de Cox. Resultados La tasa de supervivencia general fue del 94% al año de iniciar la hormonoterapia y del 71% a los cinco años. El modelo de Cox indica que el riesgo de muerte es mayor para las mujeres fumadoras, para las que fueron hospitalizadas más veces, para las que se sometieron a más exploraciones y para las que solo toman un inhibidor de la aromatasa como hormonoterapia. El riesgo es menor para las mujeres con pareja (relación estable), con estudios secundarios o universitarios y con antecedentes familiares de cáncer, así como para las atendidas por un mastólogo, oncólogo o psicoterapeuta, para las intervenidas quirúrgicamente y para las que cumplieron la hormonoterapia. Conclusiones El estudio señala los subgrupos más vulnerables y los aspectos de la atención de salud que se corresponden con resultados más favorables, aportando datos nuevos para mejorar la asistencia dispensada a este grupo de mujeres.

Candidiasis bucal en pacientes con tratamiento antineoplásico / Oral candidiasis in patients with antineoplastic treatment

Se efectuó un estudio descriptivo y transversal de 40 pacientes con cáncer, quienes presentaron candidiasis bucal por la aplicación de terapias antineoplásicas, atendidos en la consulta estomatológica del Policlínico de Especialidades del Hospital Provincial Clinicoquirúrgico Docente "Saturnino Lora Torres" de Santiago de Cuba, desde febrero de 2013 hasta igual mes de 2015, a fin de evaluar los resultados del diagnóstico clínico e histopatológico de esta afección. En la casuística predominaron el sexo masculino, el grupo etario de 60 años y más; el dolor, la ardentía, así como la resequedad bucal, simultáneamente, como los síntomas clínicos más significativos y los afectados que recibieron radioterapia combinada con quimioterapia. El paladar duro y el dorso de la lengua fueron los sitios de mayor prevalencia. La candidiasis eritematosa resultó la forma clínica más usual y las seudohifas patógenas, así como las células levaduriformes, los hallazgos histopatológicos más exclusivos.

A descriptive and cross-sectional study of 40 patients with cancer who presented oral candidiasis due to the treatment with antineoplastic therapies, assisted in the estomatological department of the Specialties Polyclinic from "Saturnine Lora Torres" Teaching Provincial Clinical-Surgical Hospital in Santiago de Cuba was carried out from February, 2013 to the same month of 2015, in order to evaluate the results of the clinical and histopatological diagnosis of this disorder. The male sex, the age group 60 years and more; pain, ardour, as well as the oral dryness, simultaneously prevailed in the case material, as the most significant clinical symptoms and the affected ones who had received radiotherapy combined with chemotherapy. The hard palate and the back of the tongue were the places of higher prevalence. The erythematous candidiasis was the most usual clinical form and the pathogen pseudohifas, as well as the levaduriform cells, the most exclusive histopatological findings.

Efeito do tratamento antineoplásico adjuvante na mudança de peso corporal em mulheres com câncer de mama / Effect of adjuvant antineoplastic treatment on body weight change in women with breast cancer

Aims: To identify the effect of adjuvant antineoplastic treatment on body weight change of women with breast cancer.METHODS: A non-randomized clinical study included women with a recent surgical diagnosis of breast cancer, admitted tothe Maternidade Carmela Dutra hospital in Florianópolis, Santa Catarina, southern Brazil, between October 2006 and July2008. Food intake, weight, body mass index, hip circumference, waist circumference and other variables were measuredbefore (baseline) and after the adjuvant antineoplastic treatment (pos-treatment). A mixed effects linear regression modelwas used to estimate the longitudinal changes occurring in weight.Results: The sample comprised 53 patients. A significant increase (P<0.05) was observed in body weight (2.81 kg), bodymass index (1.08 kg/m2), hip circumference (3.62 cm) and waist circumference (1.93 cm). In relation to diet, there was asignificant increase (P<0.05) in the intake of energy (272.7 kcal), total fat (11.2 g) and polyunsaturated fatty acids (5.4 g).The final regression model for the change in body weight demonstrated that the women who were exposed to chemotherapytreatment, and to chemotherapy associated with radiotherapy, had the largest mean increase in body weight (2.47 kg and 5.21kg, respectively). Socio-economic, demographic and nutritional factors were not associated with the increase in body weight.Conclusions: Weight gain was associated with chemotherapy treatment either alone or in combination with radiotherapy.

Objetivos: Identificar o efeito do tratamento antineoplásico adjuvante sobre a mudança de peso corporal em mulheres com câncer de mama. Métodos: Um estudo clínico não randomizado incluiu mulheres com diagnóstico cirúrgico recente de câncer de mama, admitidas no hospital Maternidade Carmela Dutra em Florianópolis, Santa Catarina, entre outubro de 2006 e julho de 2008. Os dados de consumo alimentar, peso corporal, índice de massa corporal, circunferência do quadril, circunferência da cintura e outras variáveis, foram avaliados antes (basal) e depois do tratamento antineoplásico adjuvante (pós-tratamento). Um modelo de regressão linear de efeitos mistos foi utilizado para estimar as mudanças longitudinais que ocorreram no peso corporal. Resultados: A amostra foi composta por 53 pacientes. Foi observado um aumento significativo (P<0,05) no peso corporal (2,81 kg), índice de massa corporal (1,08 kg/m2), circunferência do quadril (3,62 cm) e circunferência da cintura (1,93 cm). Em relação aos aspectos dietéticos, houve um significativo aumento (P<0,05) na ingestão de energia (272,7 kcal), gorduras totais (11,2 g) e ácidos graxos poliinsaturados (5,4 g). O modelo final para a mudança no peso corporal demonstrou que as mulheres as quais foram expostas ao tratamento quimioterápico, e quimioterápico associado ao radioterápico, tiveram um maior aumento médio no peso corporal (2,47 kg e 5,21 kg, respectivamente). Os fatores socioeconômicos, demográficos e nutricionais não foram associados com o aumento no peso corporal. Conclusões: O aumento de peso esteve associado com o tratamento quimioterápico sozinho ou em combinação com o tratamento radioterápico.

Liposomal photosensitizers: potential platforms for anticancer photodynamic therapy

Photodynamic therapy is a well-established and clinically approved treatment for several types of cancer. Antineoplastic photodynamic therapy is based on photosensitizers, i.e., drugs that absorb photons translating light energy into a chemical potential that damages tumor tissues. Despite the encouraging clinical results with the approved photosensitizers available today, the prolonged skin phototoxicity, poor selectivity for diseased tissues, hydrophobic nature, and extended retention in the host organism shown by these drugs have stimulated researchers to develop new formulations for photodynamic therapy. In this context, due to their amphiphilic characteristic (compatibility with both hydrophobic and hydrophilic substances), liposomes have proven to be suitable carriers for photosensitizers, improving the photophysical properties of the photosensitizers. Moreover, as nanostructured drug delivery systems, liposomes improve the efficiency and safety of antineoplastic photodynamic therapy, mainly by the classical phenomenon of extended permeation and retention. Therefore, the association of photosensitizers with liposomes has been extensively studied. In this review, both current knowledge and future perspectives on liposomal carriers for antineoplastic photodynamic therapy are critically discussed.

Aumento da virulência de Candida albicans após tratamento de quimioterapia / Increased virulence of Candida albicans after antineoplastic chemotherapy

Although yeasts of the genus Candida are part of the normal human oral microbiota, in cancer patients they may be associated with invasive fungal infections. Antineoplastic therapy, with its adverse side effects, increases the likelihood of such infection. One of the important virulence factors is the capacity of yeast cells to adhere to the surface of medical devices inserted into patients. In this study, we tested the in vitro adhesive and film-growing capacity of four Candida albicans samples, isolated before and during chemotherapy from the oral cavity of a patient with adenocarcinoma. Adherence to the orotracheal tube (OTT) and biofilm production were assessed spectrophotometrically and the amount of film growth was estimated by measuring fungal metabolism. Also, the frequency and size of germ tubes were evaluated. The results showed a significant increase in the germ tube size of C. albicans and also an increase in yeast adherence to the OTT after the start of chemotherapy with mitoxantrone.

Embora as leveduras do gênero Candida pertençam a microbiota humana oral normal, em pacientes com câncer a sua presença pode estar associada a infecções fúngicas invasivas. O tratamento quimioterápico, com seus efeitos colaterais, aumenta as chances desta possibilidade. Um dos principais fatores de virulência consiste na capacidade das leveduras de se aderirem a superfície de instrumentos médicos inseridos nos pacientes. O presente estudo avaliou a capacidade in vitro de quatro isolados de Candida albicans, obtidos antes e após o início da quimioterapia de um paciente com adenocarcinoma. Estudos de adesão a tubo endotraqueal; produção de biofilme e quantificação por meio do metabolismo fúngico pelo XTT; frequência e tamanho de tubos germinativos foram realizados. Os resultados demonstraram aumento significante no tamanho do tubo germinativo, assim como o aumento da aderência dessas leveduras ao tubo endotraqueal após o início da quimioterapia com mitoxantrone.