Perineural invasion as a predictor of local recurrence in cats with squamous cell carcinoma treated with electrochemotherapy.

Introduction: Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is a malignant neoplasm that accounts for approximately 15-25% and 70-80% of all feline cutaneous and oral tumors, respectively. Similar to that in humans, feline SCC can be highly invasive locally; however, its metastasis rate is low. Thus, effective local treatment may be curative for most patients, and includes surgery, electrochemotherapy (ECT), cryosurgery, or a combination of these. However, this neoplasia can manifest more aggressively in some patients, leading to higher recurrence rates. In humans, perineural invasion (PNI) has been described as a relevant tumor dissemination pathway associated with high-risk SCC, resulting in higher recurrence rates, resistance to local treatments, and short survival. However, PNI and its prognostic value have not been described in feline SCC. This study aimed to evaluate the PNI in a feline population with SCC treated with ECT and correlate its presence with the occurrence of local recurrence and other clinical variables. Methods: Twenty-four cats histopathologically diagnosed with SCC between 2013 and 2021 were retrospectively selected from the medical records of the Oncological Center Vet Cancer (São Paulo, SP, Brazil). The inclusion criteria were ECT as the sole therapy, histopathological evaluation of PNI, and absence of distant metastatic disease. Results: The complete response rate was 96% (23/24), and PNI was identified in 33% of the cats (8/24, PNI-positive group), whereas 67% were free of this invasion (16/24, PNI-negative group). All PNI-positive cats developed local recurrence, whereas only five PNI-negative cats experienced recurrence. Local recurrence was significantly associated with PNI (p = 0.03). Discussion: The results of this study are preliminary but promising. The data obtained are the first regarding PNI occurrence in feline SCC and pave the way for further studies, mainly to correlate the PNI with survival data and better define its prognostic value.

Skin graft associated with platelet-rich plasma in correcting extensive injuries resulting from the resection of skin cancer chemically induced in rats.

PURPOSE: To evaluate whether using platelet-rich plasma (PRP) in the graft recipient bed after the resection of a neoplasia can influence its recurrence because this product stimulates angiogenesis, mitogenesis and chemotaxis. METHODS: A study with 30 rats Wistar (Rattus norvegicus albinus), which were separated into group A (induction of carcinogenesis, PRP in the postoperative period) and group B (induction of carcinogenesis, absence of PRP in the postoperative period), with 15 animals in each. Carcinogenesis was induced on the skin of the animals' chest by the topical application of 0.5% dimethylbenzantracene (DMBA) diluted in acetone. After surgical resection of the induced neoplasia, PRP was used to stimulate angiogenesis before surgical wound synthesis. Data on the control and experimental groups and macroscopic and microscopic variables were evaluated using analysis of variance and the Tukey's test (5%). RESULTS: It was possible to determine that the use of PRP is good in reconstructive surgeries, but it is contraindicated in patients during tumor resection, as it can cause changes in the surgical bed, in addition to stimulating recurrences and metastases. CONCLUSIONS: PRP may interact with tumour cells that were in the recipient site of the surgical wound during the resection of a neoplasia, and a local recurrence process can be triggered by applying this product.

Closure of defects in a geometric figure pattern associated with tumescent anesthesia with lidocaine in rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) / Fechamento de defeitos em padrão de figura geométrica associado ao emprego de anestesia por tumescência com lidocaína em coelhos (Oryctolagus cuniculus)

The use of tumescent anesthesia with lidocaine can provide better intra- and postoperative analgesia that would benefit extensive reconstructive surgery. However, lidocaine can interfere with the healing process. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the local interference of the healing of induced and closed skin defects in a geometric pattern associated with the use of tumescent anesthesia with lidocaine in rabbits. Furthermore, we assessed its influence on cardiorespiratory parameters and postoperative analgesia. This study included 27 rabbits divided into three groups: GC (without the use of tumescence), GS (use of tumescence with 0.9% NaCl solution), and GL (use of tumescent anesthesia with lidocaine). There was no statistically significant intergroup difference in any stage of the wound healing process on macroscopic evaluations, in the angiogenesis process, or in the process of collagenization and fibroblast deposition. There were significant differences in heart rate (lower in GL), respiratory rate (higher in GC), mean arterial pressure (higher in GL), and expired concentration of isoflurane (lower in GL). There was no significant intergroup difference in the von Frey filament test or the visual analog scale score used to evaluate postoperative analgesia. We concluded that tumescent anesthesia with lidocaine does not impair postoperative tissue repair. Its use features benefits such as reducing the volume of inhaled anesthetic, maintaining the anesthesia plan, stable heart and respiratory rates, and lower hypotension during the surgical procedure.

O uso da anestesia por tumescência com lidocaína pode proporcionar melhor analgesia transoperatória e pós-operatória, o que seria um benefício em cirurgias reconstrutivas extensas. Entretanto, a lidocaína pode interferir na cicatrização. Diante disso, delineou-se um estudo a fim de avaliar a interferência local da cicatrização de defeitos cutâneos induzidos e fechados em padrão de figura geométrica, associado ao emprego de anestesia por tumescência com lidocaína em coelhos. Ademais, avaliar sua influência em parâmetros cardiorrespiratórios e na analgesia pós-operatória. Foi realizado um estudo com 27 coelhos, separados em três grupos, compreendidos em GC (sem o emprego de tumescência), GS (emprego de tumescência com solução NaCl 0.9%) e GL (emprego de anestesia por tumescência com lidocaína). Não houve diferença estatística em nenhuma etapa do processo cicatricial da ferida entre os grupos, tampouco nas avaliações macroscópicas, e no processo de angiogênese, ou ainda no processo de colagenização e deposição de fibroblastos. Houve diferença significativa na frequência cardíaca (menor no GL) e na respiratória (maior no GC), na pressão arterial média (maior no GL) e na concentração expirada de isoflurano (menor no GL). Não houve diferença significativa entre os grupos no teste de filamentos de von Frey e na Escala Visual Analógica, utilizados para avaliar a analgesia pós-operatória. Conclui-se que anestesia por tumescência com lidocaína não prejudica a regeneração tecidual após a cirurgia. O seu uso oferece benefícios como a diminuição do volume de anestésico inalatório, manutenção do plano anestésico, estabilidade das frequências cardíaca e respiratória, além de menor hipotensão durante o procedimento cirúrgico.

Acute phase protein and vitamin D concentration in dogs with multicentric lymphoma / Concentração de proteínas de fase aguda e vitamina D em cães com linfoma multicêntrico

This study aimed to evaluate the serum concentration of vitamin D (25-Hydroxyvitamin D) and acute phase proteins (APPs; alpha-1 acid glycoprotein, haptoglobin, transferrin, ceruloplasmin, albumin, IgA, IgG and alpha-1 - antitrypsin) as potential biomarkers for prognostic and therapy response in dogs with multicentric lymphoma submitted to the CHOP (Cyclophosphamide, Doxorubicin, Vincristine and Prednisone) chemotherapy protocol. Thirteen dogs with multicentric lymphoma classified as high grade by cytology were included in the treatment group (GL), while ten healthy dogs were included in the control group (GC). Serum was collected in the weeks T0, T5 and T10 of CHOP chemotherapy protocol, for the GL group, and in a single collection, for the GC group. All the collected samples were evaluated for the APPs and vitamin D concentrations through electrophoresis and chemiluminescence methods, respectively. Diagnostic and staging tests were performed for all the dogs in the GL group, and included cytopathology, histopathology and immunohistochemistry of the affected lymph node. Of these dogs, 9 achieved a complete response and 4 a partial response to the treatment. Data analysis was performed with the R software. The results demonstrated that serum concentrations of IgA, haptoglobin and α1-acid glycoprotein were significantly different between the groups and also between the different chemotherapy times analyzed (p<0.05), indicating that these proteins can be considered as sensitive biomarkers for lymphoma in dogs. Furthermore, the α1-acid glycoprotein showed prognostic value for the disease, with 63% specificity. However, vitamin D concentration was not correlated with prognosis of the dogs with lymphoma.

Objetivou-se caracterizar a concentração sérica da vitamina D e das PFAs (Proteínas de Fase Aguda) (alfa-1 glicoproteína ácida, haptoglobina, transferrina, ceruloplasmina, albumina, IgA, IgG e alfa-1 ­ antitripsina) em cães com linfoma multicêntrico, submetidos ao tratamento quimioterápico com protocolo CHOP (Ciclofosfamida, Doxorrubicina, Vincristina e Prednisona), determinando o valor prognóstico desses marcadores para a doença. Foram avaliadas as concentrações séricas das PFAs, através do método da eletroforese e as concentrações da vitamina D, através da quimioluminescência em dois grupos experimentais, um grupo de 13 cães com linfoma multicêntrico classificados como alto grau pela citologia (GL) durante as semanas T0, T5 e T10 do tratamento com protocolo quimioterápico antineoplásico e em um grupo de 10 animais saudáveis para compor o grupo controle (GC), em coleta única. Para isso, foi realizado o diagnóstico, estadiamento e avaliação de resposta terapêutica dos 13 pacientes com linfoma multicêntrico através de técnicas de citopatologia, histopatologia, imuno-histoquímica do linfonodo periférico acometido. Foi observado que 9 pacientes tiveram resposta completa e 4 pacientes tiveram resposta parcial ao tratamento. Os dados foram analisados através do software R. Os resultados indicam que as diferenças entre as variáveis IgA, haptoglobina e α1-glicoproteína ácida foram significativas entre os grupos, e entre os diferentes momentos da quimioterapia (p< 0,05), indicando que podem ser marcadores sensíveis ao linfoma em cães. A α1-glicoproteína ácida apresentou valor prognóstico para o linfoma, com 63% de especificidade. Porém a vitamina D não apresentou valor prognóstico para o linfoma multicêntrico em cães.

Skin graft associated with platelet-rich plasma in correcting extensive injuries resulting from the resection of skin cancer chemically induced in rats

ABSTRACT Purpose: To evaluate whether using platelet-rich plasma (PRP) in the graft recipient bed after the resection of a neoplasia can influence its recurrence because this product stimulates angiogenesis, mitogenesis and chemotaxis. Methods: A study with 30 rats Wistar (Rattus norvegicus albinus), which were separated into group A (induction of carcinogenesis, PRP in the postoperative period) and group B (induction of carcinogenesis, absence of PRP in the postoperative period), with 15 animals in each. Carcinogenesis was induced on the skin of the animals' chest by the topical application of 0.5% dimethylbenzantracene (DMBA) diluted in acetone. After surgical resection of the induced neoplasia, PRP was used to stimulate angiogenesis before surgical wound synthesis. Data on the control and experimental groups and macroscopic and microscopic variables were evaluated using analysis of variance and the Tukey's test (5%). Results: It was possible to determine that the use of PRP is good in reconstructive surgeries, but it is contraindicated in patients during tumor resection, as it can cause changes in the surgical bed, in addition to stimulating recurrences and metastases. Conclusions: PRP may interact with tumour cells that were in the recipient site of the surgical wound during the resection of a neoplasia, and a local recurrence process can be triggered by applying this product.