Predominance of CD4+ T cells in metastatic cervical lymph nodes in papillary thyroid carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: Papillary thyroid carcinoma has become increasingly prevalent over the years. Avoiding unnecessary treatments and the risk of complications is fundamental, as well as understanding the mechanisms of tumor progression and conditions that indicate a worse prognosis. The evaluation of the tumor microenvironment can allow the understanding of how the immune system organizes itself to contain the neoplastic advance. METHODS: We compared characteristics related to the lymphocytic subpopulations in the thyroid tumor microenvironment and in the lymph nodes in two groups, with and without lymph node involvement. RESULTS: From four hundred cases followed up at a reference service in thyroid cancer, we selected thirty-two, of which thirteen cases did not present lymph node metastasis (N0 group) and nineteen had lymph node involvement (N1 group). Clinical data were collected, and immunohistochemical reactions were performed for CD4, CD8, FoxP3, CD25 and CD20 markers in lymph nodes and peritumoral infiltrate. We found that the N1 group had a larger tumor size, higher risk staging, higher frequency of extrathyroidal extension, shorter disease-free time and higher expression of CD4+ T lymphocytes in the lymph nodes; however, there was no difference in the expression of other markers or in the pattern of lymphocytic distribution in the lymph node. CONCLUSION: In cervical lymph nodes, the higher frequency of T CD4+ lymphocytes, would be related to the presence of metastasis, while there were no differences in lymphocytic subpopulations in thyroid tumor microenvironment. The absence of changes in unaffected lymph nodes could not predict any tumor behavior.

PD-L1 and MCL-1 markers and the relationship with prognostic characteristics of differentiated thyroid carcinoma.

OBJECTIVES: MCL-1 and PD-L1 proteins are related to carcinogenesis mechanisms in differentiated thyroid carcinoma(DTC). Tumor antigens stimulate the expression of PD-1 in immune cells, which binds to PD-L1 of tumor cells, inducing immune escape from the tumor. MCL-1, an anti-apoptotic member of the BCL-2 family, is necessary for the survival of T and B lymphocytes and has a high oncogenic potential. We aim to evaluate the clinical utility and relevance of MCL-1 and PD-L1 in the long-term prognosis of DTC. METHODS: 120 DTC patients after total thyroidectomy and radioiodine therapy followed for a minimum of 2 years were included. Demographic features, tumor histopathology, persistence/recurrence risk, factors associated with outcome, initial response to therapy, persistence or disease-free at the follow-up were related to MCL-1 and PD-L1 immunohistochemical expression and BRAFV600E mutation. RESULTS: 100(83.3%) were women, 46.64 ± 16.73 years old at diagnosis; 37(30.8%) patients were at high, 45(37.5%) of intermediate and 38(31.7%) of low disease recurrence/persistence risk. At the end of follow-up of 124.86 ± 65.36 months, 48(42.5%) had persistent disease. 103(85.8%) patients had papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC), 17(14.2%) follicular thyroid carcinoma (FTC). In PTC, moderate/strong PD-L1 and MCL-1 expressions were associated to BRAFV600E (p=0.0467; p=0.0044). PD-L1 was also associated with tall cell subtype (p=0.0274). In FTC, weak PD-L1 expression was associated to the largest nodule diameter (p=0.0100). Strong/moderate PD-L1 expression was associated to T2 and the weak expression with T3 in TNM classification (p=0.0490). Moderate MCL-1 expression was associated to smoking (p=0.0350). CONCLUSIONS: PDL-1, marker of progression of tumor cells and MCL-1, anti-apoptotic marker, were associated with PTC carrying BRAFV600E mutation, while PDL-1 was associated with more aggressive PTC subtype. MCL-1 and PD-L1 could be useful in composing a panel to assess the prognosis of PTC patients. On the other hand, both markers seemed to have lower relevance to FTC patients.

Intervenção na adesão ao tratamento de doenças crônicas tendo como modelo um paciente adolescente HIV positivo / Adherence to chronic disease treatment using an HIV positive adolescent as a model: a case study

A clínica ampliada visa à abordagem integral do paciente, baseando-se na intersetorialidade, no acompanhamento longitudinal e no apoio matricial. No caso de doenças crônicas, é fundamental a formação de vínculo e construção do projeto terapêutico singular, possibilitando maior adesão ao tratamento. O objetivo do presente estudo é, por meio da discussão do caso clínico de um adolescente HIV positivo não-aderente ao tratamento, propor intervenções que possam ser usadas como exemplo na condução de casos semelhantes. A equipe da UBS selecionou um caso complexo em que mãe e filho adolescente, HIV positivos, não aderiram de forma adequada ao tratamento. A fim de entender seu contexto familiar e social, e iniciar possíveis intervenções, foram realizadas visitas domiciliares e comunicação entre os diversos níveis de atendimento, o que propiciou a articulação entre os serviços e melhor identificação das demandas familiares. Na abordagem do paciente, deve-se considerar tanto seu aspecto biológico quanto seu contexto sociocultural, a fim de possibilitar um atendimento individualizado, de forma a oferecer melhor qualidade de vida e maior adesão ao tratamento.

Comprehensive care approaches the patient in an integrated way, on the three health care levels, through long-term care and counting with specialized support. In the case of chronic diseases, the establishment of a dialogue and individualized treatment plans are fundamental for a better adherence to treatment. The objective of the present study discussing the case of a HIV positive adolescent, who did not adhere to treatment, is to propose interventions that can serve as examples in the conduct of similar case. The primary care team selected a complex case, in which the mother and her adolescent son, both HIV infected, had not adhered adequately to treatment. Household visits were made in order to understand their familiar and social context and to initiate possible interven-tions, and contact was established between the different care levels. This resulted in a better articulation between the different services and helped identifying the needs of this family. A patient must be addressed not only considering the biological aspect but also his social and cultural environment to be able to offer individualized care and a better quality of life.