The 1G/1G+1G/2G Genotypes of MMP1 rs1799750 Are Associated with Higher Levels of MMP-1 and Are Both Associated with Lipodystrophy in People Living with HIV on Antiretroviral Therapy.

In HIV-infected patients, antiretroviral therapy (ART) is associated to adipose tissue redistribution known as lipodystrophy (LD). This study aimed at verifying the association between the polymorphism of the MMP1 gene (rs1799750) (1G/2G) and the serum levels of matrix metalloproteinase 1 (MMP-1) with LD and its subtypes in people living with HIV on ART. This is a cross-secional study. LD was self-reported. The determination of the MMP1 rs1799750 gene polymorphism was performed by real-time PCR, and the serum concentrations of MMP-1 were quantified by the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) method. Of 404 participants, 204 (51%) were diagnosed with LD, of whom 89 (43%) had mixed lipodystrophy (ML), 72 (35%) had lipohypertrophy (LH), and 43 (22%) had lipoatrophy (LA). There was an association between the genotypes 1G/1G+1G/2G and higher serum levels of MMP-1 (p = .025). There was no association of MMP1 (1G/2G) with LD. Other factors associated with LD were current CD4 ≤ 350 [odds ratio (OR) = 4.85, confidence interval (CI) = 1.78-47.99, p = .0033] and serum MMP-1 levels >6.81 (OR = 2.67, CI = 1.21-6.08, p = .0165). Factors associated with ML: current CD4 ≤ 350 (OR = 5.59, CI = 1.69-20.39, p = .006); with LH: number of antiretroviral regimens used: 2 (OR = 2.06, CI = 1.01-4.20, p = .0460) and 3+ (OR = 2.09, CI = 1.00-4.35, p = .0477), and current CD4 ≤ 350 (OR = 2.08, CI = 1.00-4.24, p = .0461); and with LA: current viral load >40 (OR = 2.52, CI = 1.03-5.91, p = .0372) and current use of zidovudine (OR = 2.97, CI = 1.32-6.54, p = .0074). Higher levels of MMP-1 were associated with genotypes 1G/2G+1G/1G and with LD. Other individual risk factors were independently associated with LD, and its subtypes, suggesting that the pathogenesis itself is differently manifested for each type of LD.

Association of the polymorphisms of the genes APOC3 (rs2854116), ESR2 (rs3020450), HFE (rs1799945), MMP1 (rs1799750) and PPARG (rs1801282) with lipodystrophy in people living with HIV on antiretroviral therapy: a systematic review.

The aim of this study was to perform a systematic review to identify data reported in the literature concerning the association of APOC3 (rs2854116), ESR2 (rs3020450), HFE (rs1799945), MMP1 (rs1799750) and PPARG (rs1801282) polymorphisms with lipodystrophy in people living with HIV (PLWHIV) on antirretroviral therapy. The research was conducted in six databases and the studies were selected in two steps. First, a search was undertaken in the following electronic databases: PubMed, Science Direct, Medline, World Wide Science, Directory of Open Access Journals, Scielo, Lilacs and Medcarib. The titles and abstracts of 24,859 articles were read to select those that match the elegibilty criteria. Five papers that addressed the association of HAART, lipodystrophy and polymorphisms were selected for the review. There was no association between the polymorphisms of the genes APOC3 and PPARG and lipodystrophy. Another study described an association between the variant allele (G) of HFE and protection concerning the development of lipoatrophy (0.02) when compared with the reference allele (C). On the other hand, the variant allele (T) of the ESR2 gene was associated with the development of lipoatrophy (p = 0.007) when compared with the reference allele (C). In addition, the genotype and the variant allele of the gene MMP1 (2G) were associated with lipodystrophy in PLWHIV on HAART (p = 0.0002 and p = 0.0008, respectively). Therefore, further studies with other populations, involving PLWHIV on HAART are necessary to better understand the role of genetic markers, which may be involved in a predisposition to lipodystrophy.

3' untranslated region A>C (rs3212227) polymorphism of Interleukin 12B gene as a potential risk factor for Hodgkin's lymphoma in Brazilian children and adolescents.

Interleukin 12 plays an important role in immunoregulation between the T helper 1/T helper 2 lymphocytes and in the antiviral and antitumor immune response. The aim of this study was to investigate the possible association between the interleukin 12B polymorphism rs3212227 and the risk to develop Hodgkin's lymphoma in childhood and adolescents. A total of 100 patients with Hodgkin's lymphoma and a group of 181 healthy controls were selected at random from a forensic laboratory of the University of Pernambuco. The AA genotype was detected in the controls (53.04%) and the AC genotype was found in the patients (54%). The AC genotype showed an association with the development of Hodgkin's lymphoma (odds ratio = 2.091, 95% confidence interval = 1.240-3.523, p = 0.007). When AC + CC genotypes were analyzed together, an increase in risk of 1.9 times more chances for HL development could be observed (odds ratio = 1.923, 95% confidence interval = 1.166-3.170, p = 0.014). However, there was no association between the AC and CC genotypes of the interleukin 12B polymorphism with the clinical risk group (p = 0.992, p = 0.648, respectively). Our results suggest that the presence of the C allele may be contributing to the development of Hodgkin's lymphoma in children and adolescents.

CTLA-4 gene polymorphisms are associated with obesity in Turner Syndrome.

Turner syndrome (TS) is characterized by a set of clinical conditions, including autoimmune/inflammatory diseases and infectious conditions, that can compromise a patient's quality of life. Here we assessed polymorphisms in CTLA-4 +49A/G (rs231775), PTPN22 +1858G/A (rs2476601), and MBL2 -550 (H/L) (rs11003125), -221(X/Y) (rs7096206) and exon 1 (A/O) in women from northeastern Brazil to determine whether polymorphisms within these key immune response genes confer differential susceptibility to clinical conditions in TS. A case-control genetic association study was performed, including 86 female TS patients and 179 healthy women. An association was observed for the A/G genotype of CTLA-4 +49A/G in TS patients (p=0.043, odds ratio [OR]=0.54). In addition, an association between the CTLA-4 G/G genotype and obesity was detected in TS patients (p=0.02, OR=6.04). Regarding, the -550(H/L) polymorphism in the MBL2 promoter, the frequency of the H/L genotype was significantly higher in the TS group than healthy controls (p=0.01, OR=1.96). The H/H genotype indicated a protective effect in TS patients (p=0.01, OR=0.23). No differences were observed in the distribution of -221(X/Y), MBL2 exon 1 variants, and PTPN22 +1858G/A in any assessed groups. CTLA-4 variants are potentially involved in obesity in this cohort of TS patients from northeastern Brazil.

Association of the SOD2 Polymorphism (Val16Ala) and SOD Activity with Vaso-occlusive Crisis and Acute Splenic Sequestration in Children with Sickle Cell Anemia.

The SOD2 polymorphism Val16Ala T→C influences the antioxidative response. This study investigated the association of the SOD2 polymorphism and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity with the vaso-occlusive crisis (VOC) and acute splenic sequestration (ASS) in children with sickle cell anemia (SCA). One hundred ninety-five children with SCA aged 1-9 years old were analyzed. The TC and CC genotypes were associated with lower SOD activity compared with the TT genotype (p=0.0321; p=0.0253, respectively). Furthermore, TC and CC were more frequent in patients with VOC or ASS (p=0.0285; p=0.0090, respectively). These results suggest that the SOD2 polymorphism associated with low SOD activity could be a susceptibility factor for the occurrence of VOC and ASS.

Combined genotypes of the MBL2 gene related to low mannose-binding lectin levels are associated with vaso-occlusive events in children with sickle cell anemia

Abstract Sickle cell anemia (SCA) presents heterogenous clinical manifestations that cannot be explained solely by alterations to hemoglobin (Hb); other components such as endothelial adhesion, thrombosis and inflammation may be involved. The mannose-binding lectin (MBL) has an important role in innate immunity and inflammatory diseases. In this report, we describe an association between MBL2 polymorphism related to low production of serum MBL and the frequency of vasoocclusive events (FVOE) in children ≤ 5 years old with SCA (p = 0.0229; OR 5.55; CI 1.11-27.66). Further studies are needed to explore the role of low MBL2 in the pathophysiology of vasoocclusive events in SCA.

Combined genotypes of the MBL2 gene related to low mannose-binding lectin levels are associated with vaso-occlusive events in children with sickle cell anemia.

Sickle cell anemia (SCA) presents heterogenous clinical manifestations that cannot be explained solely by alterations to hemoglobin (Hb); other components such as endothelial adhesion, thrombosis and inflammation may be involved. The mannose-binding lectin (MBL) has an important role in innate immunity and inflammatory diseases. In this report, we describe an association between MBL2 polymorphism related to low production of serum MBL and the frequency of vasoocclusive events (FVOE) in children ≤ 5 years old with SCA (p = 0.0229; OR 5.55; CI 1.11-27.66). Further studies are needed to explore the role of low MBL2 in the pathophysiology of vasoocclusive events in SCA.

Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms at +191 and +292 of Galectin-3 Gene (LGALS3) Related to Lower GAL-3 Serum Levels Are Associated with Frequent Respiratory Tract Infection and Vaso-Occlusive Crisis in Children with Sickle Cell Anemia.

INTRODUCTION: Patients with sickle cell anemia (SCA) may present chronic hemolytic anemia, vaso-occlusion and respiratory tract infection (RTI) episodes. Galectin-3 (GAL-3) is a multifunctional protein involved in inflammation, apoptosis, adhesion and resistance to reactive oxygen species. Studies point to a dual role for GAL-3 as both a circulation damage-associated molecular pattern and a cell membrane associated pattern recognition receptor. OBJECTIVE: To investigate associations between the SNPs of GAL-3 gene (LGALS3) and serum levels with RTI and vaso-occlusive crisis (VOC) in children with SCA. MATERIALS AND METHODS: SNPs +191 and +292 in LGALS3 were studied using the TaqMan real-time PCR system; GAL-3 serum levels were measured by ELISA. The study included 79 children with SCA ranging from 2 to 12 years old. RESULTS: GAL-3 serum levels were associated with LGALS3 +191 and +292 genotypes (p <0.0001; p = 0.0169, respectively). LGALS3 +191, AA genotype was associated with low and CC with higher levels of GAL-3. For LGALS3 +292, the CC genotype was associated with lower GAL-3 and AA with higher levels. Patients with Frequency of RTI (FRTI) ≥1 presented higher frequency of +191AA (p = 0.0263) and +292AC/CC genotypes (p = 0.0320). SNP +292 was associated with Frequency of VOC (FVOC) (p = 0.0347), whereas no association was shown with SNP +191 and FVOC. However, CA/AC and AA/CC genotypes with lower GAL-3 levels showed a higher frequency in patients with FRTI ≥1 (p = 0.0170; p = 0.0138, respectively). Also, patients with FVOC ≥1 presented association with CA/AC (p = 0.0228). LGALS3 +191 and +292 combined genotypes related to low (p = 0.0263) and intermediate expression (p = 0.0245) were associated with FRTI ≥1. Lower GAL-3 serum levels were associated with FRTI ≥1 (p = 0.0426) and FVOC ≥1 (p = 0.0012). CONCLUSION: Variation of GAL-3 serum levels related to SNPs at +191 and +292 may constitute a susceptibility factor for RTI and VOC frequency.

TNF-α and IL-10 polymorphisms increase the risk to hepatocellular carcinoma in HCV infected individuals.

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is the major cause of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The risk to develop HCC increases with the severity of liver inflammation and hepatic fibrosis. It is believed that a balance between the releases of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines will determine the clinical course of HCV and the risk to develop HCC. The inteleukin-10 (IL-10) and the tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) play key roles in the Th1 and Th2 balance during the inflammatory response against HCV. The aim of the present study was to investigate the association between polymorphisms in TNF-α -308 G>A (rs1800629), IL-10 -1082 G>A (rs1800896) and -819/-592 (rs1800871/rs1800872) with HCC risk in individuals with HCV. The present study evaluated 388 chronic HCV patients. Polymorphisms were determined by real-time PCR. Diplotypes associated with low IL-10 production and the TNF-α GG genotype were significantly associated with HCC occurrence after multivariate logistic regression analysis (P = 0.027 and P = 0.029, respectively). Additionally, the IL-10 -819 (-592) TT (AA) genotype was significantly associated with multiple nodules and HCC severity according to BCLC staging (P = 0.044 and P = 0.025, respectively). Patients carrying low production haplotypes of IL-10 and the TNF-α GG genotype have higher risk to develop HCC. J. Med. Virol. 88:1587-1595, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Low IL10 serum levels as key factor for predicting the sustained virological response to IFNα/ribavirin in Brazilian patients with HCV carrying IL28B CT/TT genotype.

PROPOSE: IL28B polymorphisms rs12979860 CC genotype was associated to protection of HCV infection and sustained virological response (SVR) in HCV infected patients treated with pegIFNα/ribavirin (IFNα/RIB), however, this polymorphism frequency varies depending on genetic components. Studies with larger number of Brazilian individuals, determining IL28B polymorphisms is lacking. Regarding to treatment response, the levels of IL10 seem to influence response to IFNα/RIB therapy. Thus, the IL28B polymorphism frequency was investigated in health controls and infected HCV patients, as well as, in patients who reach SVR vs Non-SVR. Also, to gain insight into the interplay between IL28B genotypes, IL10 levels and therapy response, a subgroup of genotyped HCV patients SVR and Non-SVR were analyzed regarding the IL10 production. METHODS: It was enrolled 487 HCV infected patients and 234 healthy individuals. Patients with response to IFNα/RIB were classified as SVR (n = 81) and Non-SVR (n = 123). TAQMAN probes were used for genotyping the SNP rs12979860, resulting in CC, CT or TT genotypes. In one hundred one patients, the levels IL10 were measured at week 4 of IFNα/RIB. RESULTS: CC genotype was associated to SVR (p = 0.029) and its frequency was higher in healthy individuals vs patients (p = 0.02). Patients carrying CT/TT with IL10<10 pg/mL, had a chance of 2.72 to achieve SVR in multivariate model (p = 0.043). CONCLUSION: CC genotype was associated to SVR and protection to HCV infection. Moreover, IL28B genotyping and IL10 serum levels could be further explored as a useful algorithm for identify the CT/TT SVR patients.

Myeloperoxidase gene polymorphism predicts fibrosis severity in women with hepatitis C.

Oxidative stress plays an important role on liver fibrosis progression in the course of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. Myeloperoxidase (MPO) is an enzyme released by neutrophils and macrophages, responsible for generating hypochlorous acid and reactive oxygen species (ROS) that may lead to liver injury in HCV infection. On the other hand, antioxidant enzymes such as manganese superoxide dismutase (SOD) controls ROS-mediated damage. The aim of the present study was to investigate the influence of MPO G-463A and SOD2 Ala16Val polymorphisms in the severity of liver fibrosis in individuals with chronic HCV infection. The present study included 270 patients with chronic HCV recruited from the Gastrohepatology Service of the Oswaldo Cruz University Hospital/Liver Institute of Pernambuco (Recife, Northeastern Brazil). All patients underwent liver biopsy, which was classified according METAVIR score. The SNPs were determined by real-time PCR. After multivariate analysis adjustment, the GG genotype of MPO and the presence of metabolic syndrome were independently associated with fibrosis severity in women (P = 0.025 OR 2.25 CI 1.10-4.59 and P = 0.032 OR 2.32 CI 1.07-5.01, respectively). The presence of the GG genotype seems to be a risk factor for fibrosis severity in women with HCV.

Evaluation of WGA and Concanavalin A (Con A) lectin as biomarkers of hepatosplenic schistosomiasis in human biopsies with no evidence of egg-granuloma system.

INTRODUCTION: Colonic lesions are predominant in patients with schistosomiasis. However, carbohydrate alterations in colonic schistosomiasis remain unclear. Lectin-ligands allow us to identify changes in the saccharide patterns of cells. METHODS: Biopsies of descending and rectosigmoid colon of patients were submitted to WGA and Con A lectin histochemistry. RESULTS: WGA stained stroma and gland cells of descending colon and rectosigmoid tissues in a granular strong cytoplasmatic pattern in schistosomiasis specimens differing from normal control and Con A failing to recognize all samples analyzed. CONCLUSIONS: WGA ligands are expressed differently in patients with hepatosplenic schistosomiasis and no evidence of egg-granuloma system.

Ultrastructural characterization of the hemocytes of Lasiodora sp. (Koch, 1850) (Araneae: Theraphosidae).

This paper is the first descriptive review of hemolymph cell types in the circulation of the tarantula spider Lasiodora sp. These animals are more long-lived than other arthropods, and may live for approximately twenty years. Such remarkable longevity may result from a highly successful immune system, which in turn is directly correlated with hemocyte function. Since the literature on the genus Lasiodora sp. is limited, the main goal of the present study was to identify the different cell types by optical and transmission microscope. Six hemocyte types were characterized and called prohemocyte, granulocyte type I, granulocyte type II, spherulocyte, oenocytoid and plasmatocyte. Prohemocytes presented a large nucleus, elongated granulocytes type I showed the nucleus with the same cell format, elliptical granulocytes type II showed the central nucleus of identical shape, spherulocytes exhibited the nucleus filling almost the whole cell, oval oenocytoids showed eccentric nucleus and less dense cytoplasm, and irregular plasmatocytes showed a nucleus and no granules in cytoplasm. These polymorphic granulocytes presented a round, elongated, elliptical, oval or irregular profile with large and varied numbers of granules, except for plasmatocytes, that were agranular. Different densities and different concentrations of these granules were found at the periphery of the cell. The possible reasons and implications of differences and similarities between arthropods hemocytes are discussed. It can be concluded that there are six cell types in Lasiodora sp. This study is of the first step in the elucidation of the role these cells play in the circulatory and immune system in spiders.

Plasma myeloperoxidase levels correlate with hepatocellular carcinoma in chronic hepatitis C.

Myeloperoxidase (MPO) is an enzyme responsible for generating hypochlorous acid and reactive oxidants that may lead to liver injury and cancer in hepatitis C (HCV) infection. MPO expression level is regulated by a polymorphism in the promoter region -463 of MPO gene. In the current study, MPO plasma levels and the G-463A MPO polymorphism were determined in 158 chronically HCV infected patients with and without hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). MPO plasma levels were determined using a commercially ELISA kit. The G-463A MPO polymorphism was accessed by real time PCR using TaqMan probes. The MPO plasma levels of patients with HCV-HCC were higher in comparison to patients with chronic hepatitis or with those patients with severe fibrosis (p=0.01 and p=0.04, respectively). The MPO G-463A polymorphism was not associated with HCV outcome. These findings suggest MPO levels monitoring may be a potential biological marker to HCC screening in patients with HCV.

Anacardium occidentale bark lectin: purification, immobilization as an affinity model and influence in the uptake of technetium-99M by rat adipocytes.

Lectins, proteins that recognize carbohydrates, have been immobilized on inert supports and used in the screening or purification of glycoproteins. Anacardium occidentale bark infusion has been used as a hypoglycemic agent in Brazil. The toxicity of natural products may be evaluated determining their capability to alter the biodistribution of technetium-99M ((99m)Tc). This work reports the isolation and characterization of a lectin from A. occidentale bark (AnocBL), its evaluation as an affinity support for glycoprotein isolation and lectin effect on the uptake of (99m)Tc by rat adipocytes. AnocBL was isolated from 80 % ammonium sulphate supernatant by affinity chromatography on fetuin-agarose. SDS-PAGE showed a single protein band of 47 kDa. The monossacharide L-arabinose and the glycoproteins fetuin, asialofetuin, ovomucoid, casein, thyroglobulin, peroxidase, fetal bovine serum and IgG inhibited the activity. The lectin activity was stable until 70 °C and at a pH range of 3.0-7.5. AnocBL-Sepharose column bound fetuin indicating that the lectin matrix may be used to obtain glycoconjugates of biotechnological interest. In vitro assay revealed that glucose and insulin increase (99m)Tc uptake by rat adipocytes. AnocBL decreases (99m)Tc uptake, and this effect was not detected in the presence of glucose. Fetuin inhibited AnocBL effect in all insulin concentrations.

Mannose-binding lectin serum levels in patients with leprosy are influenced by age and MBL2 genotypes.

BACKGROUND: Mannose-binding lectin (MBL) activates the complement system promoting opsonophagocytosis, which could represent an advantage for Mycobacterium leprae, an intracellular pathogen. Therefore, a single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) in the MBL2 gene associated with low levels of MBL could confer protection against the development of leprosy disease. METHODS: In this study, we investigated SNPs of the MBL2 gene and MBL levels in 228 Brazilian leprosy patients and 232 controls. RESULTS: There were no differences in the frequencies of variant genotypes and haplotypes of MBL2 between patients and controls, or between the different clinical forms of leprosy. In the group of patients with a genotype for high expression of MBL2, those aged>40 years had decreased MBL levels compared to patients aged ≤ 40 years (p = 0.037). CONCLUSION: Our results demonstrate that age could influence the phenotype of MBL2, but no evidence was found for an association of MBL2 polymorphism with susceptibility to leprosy or its clinical forms.

High frequency of variant alleles of the mannose-binding lectin 2 (MBL2) gene are associated with patients infected by hepatitis B virus.

Patients with hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection may develop severe chronic liver disease. Carriers of HBV have an increased risk of developing cirrhosis, hepatic decompensation, and hepatocellular carcinoma. Worldwide an estimated 350 million people are infected with HBV, and 15-40% will develop serious sequelae in their lifetime. In our study we investigated the association of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the first exon and promoter region of the mannose-binding lectin gene 2 (MBL2) situated on chromosome 10, with susceptibility to HBV infection. One-hundred and two patients infected with HBV were included in this study, and 232 uninfected individuals were used as healthy controls. Genotyping of the first exon (alleles A/O) was performed using a melting temperature assay. Genotyping of the promoter region (-550 H/L; -221 Y/X) was performed using the Taqman PCR technique. In the HBV-infected group we found a significantly increased frequency of haplotypes associated with low serum MBL. Our findings may indicate that MBL has a protective role against HBV infection in the studied population.

Association of hepatitis C virus infection and liver fibrosis severity with the variants alleles of MBL2 gene in a Brazilian population.

Mannose binding lectin (MBL) is a molecule of the innate immunity, which activates the complement system and modulates inflammation. We investigated the association of the polymorphisms in the exon 1 and promoter region of the MBL gene (MBL2) with the susceptibility to hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection and the degree of liver fibrosis in Brazilian patients chronically infected with HCV. The study was performed in 232 healthy control subjects and 186 patients, 157 of whom underwent liver biopsy after histopathology analysis and classification of fibrosis according to Metavir score. Exon 1 was genotyped by melting temperature assay and the promoter region by Taqman real-time polymerase chain reacation. The frequency of genotypes related to low production of MBL was higher in patients with HCV than in controls (p(c) = 0.0001, odds ratio = 3.52; confidence interval = 1.86-6.71). In addition, the frequency of variant haplotype, HYO was higher in patients with the severe fibrosis stage F4 (10.7%) than in patients with the mild/moderate fibrosis stage F1/F2 (3.4%), when compared with the HYA haplotype (p(c) = 0.04, odds ratio = 5.25, confidence interval = 1.11-23.62). We conclude that MBL variant alleles expressing low levels of MBL are associated with the susceptibility to HCV infection and that the inheritance of HYO haplotype could be associated with fibrosis severity.

Weekly monitoring of the effects of conventional external beam radiation therapy on patients with head and neck, chest, and pelvis cancer by means of blood cells count / Avaliação semanal dos efeitos da radioterapia externa convencional pela contagem dos leucócitos e plaquetas de pacientes portadores de câncer nas áreas de cabeça e pescoço, tórax e pelve

OBJETIVO: Avaliar a necessidade de monitoração semanal, pela contagem de leucócitos e plaquetas, dos pacientes portadores de câncer das áreas de cabeça e pescoço, tórax e pelve submetidos a radioterapia externa convencional. MATERIAIS E MÉTODOS: Cento e um adultos, portadores de câncer das áreas de cabeça e pescoço (11 pacientes), tórax (35 pacientes) e pelve (55 pacientes), submetidos a radioterapia, avaliados semanalmente com leucograma e contagem de plaquetas, comparando-se as contagens das células antes do início do tratamento com as obtidas nas semanas ao longo do tratamento, área tratada, sexo e faixa etária. RESULTADOS: A maior queda dos leucócitos e plaquetas ocorreu na quarta semana, quando linfócitos, leucócitos totais, neutrófilos, monócitos e plaquetas apresentaram diminuição de 53,5 por cento, 26,8 por cento, 19,4 por cento, 22,2 por cento e 14,6 por cento, respectivamente, ao serem comparados aos valores do início do tratamento. Durante o tratamento, as médias geométricas da pelve foram estatisticamente menores do que as de tórax e cabeça e pescoço. Os linfócitos foram os mais sensíveis à irradiação. Não houve alteração da contagem de leucócitos e plaquetas relacionadas ao sexo ou à faixa etária. CONCLUSÃO: A partir dos resultados obtidos não parece ser necessária a contagem semanal de leucócitos e plaquetas para pacientes submetidos a radioterapia externa convencional em campos localizados.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the necessity of weekly monitoring by means of leukocyte and platelet counts of patients with head and neck, chest, and pelvis cancer submitted to conventional radiotherapy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A hundred and one adult patients with cancer of head and neck (n = 11), chest (n = 35) and pelvis (n = 55), submitted to radiotherapy were assessed by means of leukocyte and platelet counts on a weekly basis, with a comparison between the results before and during the treatment and in correlation with the area treated, patient's sex and age group. RESULTS: The most significant decrease in leukocytes was observed in the fourth week, when lymphocytes, total leukocytes, neutrophils, monocytes and platelets presented a decrease of 53.5 percent, 26.8 percent, 19.4 percent, 22.2 percent and 14.6 percent, respectively, in comparison with the values found before the beginning of the therapy. Geometric means for pelvis during the treatment were lower than those for chest, and head and neck. Lymphocytes demonstrated to be more sensitive to radiation therapy. No alteration was found in leukocyte or platelet counts in correlation with patients' sex or age. CONCLUSION: Based on the results of the present study, weekly leukocyte and platelet counts do not seem to be useful in the assessment patients submitted to conventional radiotherapy for localized cancer.