Tumor-Infiltrating Lymphocytes and Tumor-Stroma Ratio on Early-Stage Cervix Carcinoma: Prognostic Value of Two Distinct Morphological Patterns of Microenvironment.

Background Tumor progression is influenced by the complex network of different cellular elements that make up its microenvironment. Tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) and stroma characteristics reflect two faces of the intricate mechanisms involved in the tumor-host interaction and can be easily evaluated by routine histological examination. Their prognostic value could be demonstrated in different tumor tumor types, but they are poorly explored in cervical cancer. Methodology In this retrospective study, we analyzed the association of TILs, tumor-stroma ratio (TSR), and pattern of stromal fibroblasts with prognosis and classical clinicopathological variables. We studied 61 patients with early-stage cervical cancer. We reviewed histological type, tumor grade, Silva pattern of invasion for adenocarcinomas, tumor thickness, depth of stromal invasion, lymph vascular space invasion, and lymph node status. The median follow-up was 37.77 months (range 4.77 to 112.37 months). Results The TSR did not correlate with any clinicopathological features or disease-free and overall survival. On the other hand, the reactive pattern of stroma composed of larger fibroblasts and less collagenization was associated with the FIGO IB2 stage (p=0.04), larger tumor (p=0.03), and deeper infiltration (p=0.005). There were more recurrences in the group of reactive stroma (33.13% vs. 11.5%), although the difference did not reach statistical significance. Reactive stroma was associated with lower survival free of recurrence (p=0.05) and overall survival (p=0.009). High TILs were associated with squamous cell type (p=0.003), higher tumor grade (p=0.02), and more LVSI (p=0.02). Tumors with higher TILs presented higher free recurrence interval (p=0.06) and overall survival (p=0.03). No association was observed between stroma characteristics and TILs. Conclusions Our study suggested that although immune activation and stromal changes are important features of microenvironment remodeling during tumoral progression, they are independent, following distinct carcinogenetic pathways. Pathological assessment of stroma characteristics and TILs adds significant prognostic information and demonstrates how a simple routine laboratory assessment can generate a better understanding of biological phenomena.

Lymph node micrometastases in initial stage cervical cancer and tumoral recurrence.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the prevalence of micrometastases in lymph node tissue of patients with stage Ib1-IIA cervical cancer, the correlation of micrometastases with tumor recurrence and survival, and the expression of D2-40 in the primary tumor of patients with recurrence and/or micrometastases and its correlation with histopathologic findings. METHODS: In a retrospective study, the medical records of all patients with cervical cancer treated at a hospital in São Paulo, Brazil, between 2001 and 2007 were reviewed. Patients with no lymph node metastases and treated with radical hysterectomy without adjuvant treatment were included. Tumor sections were reviewed and lymph nodes were analyzed with AE1/AE3. Patients with and without recurrence were compared. The presence of lymph node micrometastasis or isolated tumor cells was also evaluated. RESULTS: Of the 83 patients evaluated, 15 (18%) had recurrence. Significant differences between patients with and without recurrence were observed with regard to tumor greatest axis, clinical stage, number of micrometastases, and negative lymph nodes (P≤0.04). Lymph node micrometastases and isolated tumor cells were significantly different for a stromal invasion depth greater than 2/3 (P=0.046). CONCLUSION: The presence of lymph node micrometastases is an important risk factor for tumor recurrence. These patients should be considered eligible for adjuvant radiochemotherapy treatment.

Coordinated expression of ER, PR and HER2 define different prognostic subtypes among poorly differentiated breast carcinomas.

AIMS: Histological grade is one of the most important prognostic factors in breast carcinomas, but poorly differentiated neoplasms still have quite heterogeneous biological behaviour, since they can be genetically classified as basal-like, HER2+ or even luminal. The aim was to analyse the frequency of oestrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR) and HER2 expression profiles among breast carcinomas with <10% tubular formation, and their correlation with classic prognostic factors. METHODS AND RESULTS: One hundred and thirty-four samples of paraffin-embedded tumours were studied retrospectively. The tumours were classified in to four groups by their ER/PR/HER2 profile: (i) ER+ and/or PR+ but HER2-; (ii) ER+ and/or PR+ and HER2+; (iii) ER- and/or PR- but HER2+; and (iv) ER-, PR- and HER2- (triple-negative). The histological features of triple-negative and HER2+ carcinomas overlap. The only difference was the expression of basal cytokeratins (basal CK), which was more frequent among triple-negative carcinomas. Basal-CK expression defined a more aggressive group of tumours, according to the pathological features, regardless of the immunohistochemical profile. CONCLUSIONS: Group 1 and 2 tumours (ER+ and/or PR+ tumours with or without HER2 expression) were not statistically different, suggesting that poorly differentiated carcinomas with hormone receptors correspond to the luminal B type of tumour. Among poorly differentiated breast carcinomas, the classic profile associated with basal-CK identifies distinct subtypes equivalent to those seen by genetic classification.

Imunodeficiência combinada grave (IDCG) - Relato de seis casos / Severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID) - Report of six cases

Objetivo: Descrever seis casos de imunodeficiência combinada grave, alertando para o diagnóstico e terapêutica precoces. Metodologia: Säo descritos seis pacientes com imunodeficiência combinada grave (IDCG) admitidos na Unidade de Alergia e Imunologia do Instituto da Criança do Departamento de Pediatria da FMUSP, cujos principais dados que levaram a esta hipótese diagnóstica foram história familiar, manifestaçöes clínicas, hemograma e dosagem de imunoglobulinas. Todos os pacientes foram submetidos a um protocolo clínico e laboratorial de avaliaçäo para imunodeficiência. Resultados: A idade de ínicio do quadro clínico variou do nascimento a oito meses e a idade do diagnóstico de um a onze meses. Quatro pacientes eram do sexo masculino e dois do sexo feminino. História familiar de óbito de irmäos, por quadro infeccioso, no primeiro ano de vida esteve presente em três casos. As manifestaçöes clínicas mais comuns foram: septicemia, pneumonia grave, diarréia crônica e desnutriçäo protéico-calórica. Os principais achados laboratoriais foram linfopenia e diminuiçäo das imunoglobulinas. Todos os pacientes receberam reposiçäo de gamaglobulina endovenosa, antibioticoterapia de amplo espectro e cuidados nutricionais. O óbito ocorreu em cinco casos, sendo quatro antes da realiazaçäo do transplante de medula óssea (TMO). Conclusäo: A imunodeficiência combinada grave é uma emergência pediátrica, sendo que o diagnóstico precoce e a instituiçäo de medidas específicas, incluindo a realizaçäo do TMO, permitem melhor evoluçäo desta doença.