Androgen receptor markers do not differ between nonresponders and responders to resistance training-induced muscle hypertrophy.

The aim of this study was to investigate whether baseline values and acute and chronic changes in androgen receptors (AR) markers, including total AR, cytoplasmic (cAR), and nuclear (nAR) fractions, as well as DNA-binding activity (AR-DNA), are involved in muscle hypertrophy responsiveness by comparing young nonresponder and responder individuals. After 10 wk of resistance training (RT), participants were identified as nonresponders using two typical errors (TE) obtained through two muscle cross-sectional area (mCSA) ultrasound measurements (2 × TE; 4.94%), and the highest responders within our sample were numerically matched. Muscle biopsies were performed at baseline, 24 h after the first RT session (acute responses), and 96 h after the last session (chronic responses). AR, cAR, and nAR were analyzed using Western blotting, and AR-DNA was analyzed using an ELISA-oligonucleotide assay. Twelve participants were identified as nonresponders (ΔmCSA: -1.32%) and 12 as responders (ΔmCSA: 21.35%). There were no baseline differences between groups in mCSA, AR, cAR, nAR, or AR-DNA (P > 0.05). For acute responses, there was a significant difference between nonresponders (+19.5%) and responders (-14.4%) in AR-DNA [effect size (ES) = -1.39; 95% confidence interval (CI): -2.53 to -0.16; P = 0.015]. There were no acute between-group differences in any other AR markers (P > 0.05). No significant differences between groups were observed in chronic responses across any AR markers (P > 0.05). Nonresponders and responders presented similar baseline, acute, and chronic results for the majority of the AR markers. Thus, our findings do not support the influence of AR markers on muscle hypertrophy responsiveness to RT in untrained individuals.NEW & NOTEWORTHY We explored, for the first time, the influence of androgen receptor (AR) through the separation of cytoplasmic and nuclear cell fractions [i.e., cytoplasmic androgen receptor (cAR), nuclear androgen receptor (nAR), and androgen receptor DNA-binding activity (AR-DNA)] on muscle hypertrophy responsiveness to resistance training. The absence of muscle hypertrophy in naïve individuals does not seem to be explained by baseline values, and acute or chronic changes in AR markers.

Agreement between incisional and excisional biopsies for hormone receptors and her2 in breast cancer.

INTRODUCTION: Breast cancer is the leading cause of cancer mortality in Mexican women. OBJECTIVE: The objective of the study was to identify concordances among core needle biopsy (CNB) and excisional biopsies (EB) regarding diagnosis, hormonal receptors (HR), and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (Her2). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Core number, demographic data, histological type, and treatment were documented for each sample. Reported HR and Her2 score from both samples were compiled. RESULTS: 70 women with both CNB/EB were included. Median age was 58 (36-87) years; initial diagnosis in CNB were invasive ductal 56 (80%), lobular 10 (14%), and mixed 4 (6%) carcinomas. Diagnostic agreement among CNB and EB was of 97%, k = 0.65. A concordance of 92% (k = 0.75), 75% (k = 0.26), and 67% (k = 0.46) was observed for estrogen receptors, progesterone receptors, and Her2 determinations, and positive predictive values in CNB were 0.96, 0.89, and 0.44, respectively. CONCLUSION: HR and Her2 concordances using manual-immunohistochemistry (IHC) were found within the range of values obtained using automatized-IHC. When compared to tumor heterogeneity, technical/reading errors contribute more to discordances.

INTRODUCTION: El cáncer de mama es la principal causa de mortalidad por cáncer en mujeres mexicanas. OBJETIVO: Identificar la concordancia entre la biopsia con aguja de corte (BAC) y la biopsia escisional (BE) con respecto al diagnóstico, receptores hormonales (RH) y Her2. MATERIAL Y MÉTODOS: Se registró el número de fragmentos cilíndricos, datos demográficos, tipo histológico y tratamiento. Se recopilaron resultados de RH y Her2. RESULTADOS: Se incluyeron 70 mujeres con mediana de edad de 58 años. El diagnóstico inicial en BAC fue carcinoma ductal invasivo 56 (80%), lobular 10 (14%) y mixtos 4 (6%). El acuerdo de diagnóstico entre BAC y BE fue del 97%, k = 0.65. Se observó una concordancia de 92% (k = 0.75), 75% (k = 0.26) y 67% (k = 0.46) para las determinaciones de receptor de estrógenos (RE), receptor de progesterona (RP) y Her2, y los valores predictivos positivos en BAC fueron 0.96, 0.89 y 0.44, respectivamente. CONCLUSIÓN: Los RH y la concordancia de Her2 mediante inmunohistoquímica (IHC) manual se encuentran dentro del rango de valores obtenidos mediante el uso de IHC automatizada. Los errores técnicos/de lectura contribuyeron más a discordancia que la heterogeneidad tumoral.

Analysis of Increased EGFR and IGF-1R Signaling and Its Correlation with Socio-Epidemiological Features and Biological Profile in Breast Cancer Patients: A Study in Northern Brazil.

INTRODUCTION: Breast cancer (BC) is the second most frequent cancer worldwide. It is known that a subset of BC has amplification, and overexpression of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and high expression of the insulin-like growth factor receptor-1 (IGF-1R) are correlated with a favorable prognosis. This study aimed to evaluate the prognostic and predictive values of the EGFR and IGF-1R in tumor samples from patients with BC and their correlation with socio-epidemiological features. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We analyzed socio-epidemiological, clinical-pathological data and tumor tissues from 124 patients with BC undergoing treatment, to assess levels of EGFR and IGF-1R mRNA and protein. The predictive performance included the calculation of area-under-the-curve (AUC) to discriminate groups of patients with high and low mRNA expression associated with survival analysis within each molecular group of BC. RESULTS: We found a significant expression increase (p <0.001) in EGFR associated with body mass index, angiolymphatic invasion, compromised lymph nodes and follow-up in 58.1% of the triple-negative and HER overexpression tumors. The increase in IGF-IR was significant (p <0.001) in 41.9% of luminal tumors A and B. ROC analysis showed that EGFR had a higher predictive performance (AUC = 0.891) than IGF-1R (AUC = 0.60). The Kaplan-Meier analysis indicated that only the high expression of EGFR was associated with a decreased probability of survival for patients, what did not happen with IGF-1R. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that EGFR and IGF-1R expression patterns associated with the clinical characteristics of patients and biological profile influenced the evolution of BC.

Impact of immunohistochemical profile changes following neoadjuvant therapy in the treatment of breast cancer.

INTRODUCTION: Currently, the indication for neoadjuvant chemotherapy is increasing in the treatment of breast cancer. Variability in the expression of biomarkers following neoadjuvant treatment has been observed, which could be accompanied by changes in the adjuvant treatment. OBJECTIVES: The primary objective was to evaluate the variability of biomarkers prior to and following neoadjuvant therapy. Secondary objectives were to determine which tumour subtype (as determined by immunohistochemical markers) most frequently achieved pathological complete response (pCR); whether the biomarker variation resulted in a change in immunophenotype and subsequently modification to the adjuvant treatment. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective observational analysis was carried out on patients with a diagnosis of breast cancer who had neoadjuvant therapy prior to surgery in the Breast Care Service of the Buenos Aires British Hospital between January 2009 and June 2020. RESULTS: One hundred and seventy-two patients were included. The pCR rate was 28.5%. The tumour immunophenotype that achieved pCR most frequently was the hormone receptor negative /HER2+ group with a value of 85.2%. The analysis was carried out on the 123 patients with residual disease. The observed variability for oestrogen receptors (ER) was 8.9%, for progesterone receptors (PR), 29.9% and for HER2, 13.8%. These changes were statistically significant. There were changes to the tumour immunophenotype in 26 cases (21.1%) with modifications to the adjuvant treatment in nine of these (34.6%; 7.3% of all tumours with residual disease). CONCLUSIONS: In this study, we observed statistically significant variability in the expression of ER, PR and HER2 prior to and following neoadjuvant treatment, which identified modifications in the tumour immunophenotype in 21.1%, and changes to the adjuvant treatment in 7.3% of all tumours with residual disease, justifying the re-assay of biomarkers in the surgical specimen.

Cáncer de mama triple negativo: otra enfermedad y nuevo reto / Triple negative breast cancer: another disease and a new challenge

El cáncer de mama Triple Negativo es un subtipo molecular que se caracteriza por ausencia de expresión de receptores de estrógeno, progesterona y proteína HER2. Representa el 10 % a 15 % de todos los subtipos de cáncer de mama con impacto en el pronóstico y en las líneas de tratamiento; siendo negativo para receptores hormonales y HER2, la terapéutica hormonal y anti-HER2 no cuentan para su manejo. Aún no se dispone de productos dirigidos a blancos específicos para esta categoría.(AU)

The Triple Negative breast cancer is a molecular subtype characterized by no expression of the estrogen, the progesterone and the HER2 protein receptors. They represents 10 % to 15 % of all the breast cancer subtypes with an impact on the prognosis and in the treatment lines; is negative for the hormone receptors and for the HER2, hormonal and the anti-HER2 therapeutics do not count for the management of them. The products targeting specific to this category are not yet available(AU)

Cambios en el perfil inmunohistoquímico pre y post neoadyuvancia en cáncer de mama. Experiencia del Hospital Británico de Buenos Aires / Changes in biomarkers in pre and post neoadjuvant breast carcinoma

Introducción: actualmente la quimioterapia neoadyuvante ha ampliado sus indicaciones en el tratamiento del cáncer de mama. Se observó variabilidad en la expresión de biomarcadores postneoadyuvancia que pueden acompañarse de cambios en el tratamiento adyuvane. Objetivos: el objetivo principal fue evaluar la variabilidad de biomarcadores pre y post neoadyuvancia. Los objetivos secundarios fueron determinar qué subtipo inmunohistoquímico tumoral alcanzó más frecuentemente la respuesta patológica completa (PCR), si la variación en los biomarcadores derivó en un cambio de inmunofenotipo y posteriormente en una modificación del tratamiento adyuvante. Material y método: se realizó un estudio retrospectivo observacional de las pacientes con diagnóstico de cáncer de mama que realizaron neoadyuvancia en el servicio de mastología del Hospital Británico de Buenos Aires entre enero 2009 y junio 2019. Resultados: se incluyeron 127 pacientes. La variabilidad observada para receptores de estrógeno (RE) fue de 7,6%, resultando no estadísticamente significativo. Para receptores de progesterona (RP) fue de 28,3% y para HER2 fue de 13,1%, estos cambios fueron estadísticamente significativos. El inmunofenotipo tumoral que alcanzó más frecuentemente la PCR fue el grup RH-/HER2+. Hubo cambios en el inmunofenotipo tumoral en 17 casos y modificaciones al tratamiento adyuvante en 5 de estos. Conclusiones: en este estudio observamos una variabilidad estadísticamente significativa en la expresión de RP y HER2 posteriormente al tratamiento neoadyuvante. En cambio la variabilidad de RE no es estadísticamente significativa. Estos cambios determinan modificaciones en el inmunofenotipo tumoral y en el tratamiento adyuvante en el 29,4% de estos casos (5,4% del total de la serie), justificando la reevaluación de biomarcadores en la pieza quirúrgica. La tasa de PCR fue del 27,6%. Se observó con mayor frecuencia en el grupo RH-/HER2+ alcanzando un valor de 83,3%.

Introduction: nowadays neoadjuvant chemotherapy has extended its indications in breast cáncer treatment. A variantion in tumoral biomark expression has been observed after neoadjuvant treatment, this can be accompanied by a modification in adjuvant treatment. Objetives: to evaluate the variability in biomarkers before and after neoajuvant chemotherapy. To observe which inmunehistochemical subtype reache most frequently pathologic complete response, to determine if changes in biomarkers derived in a change in adjuvant treatment. Material and method: this is an observational retrospective study on patients with breast cáncer diagnosis who underwent neoadjuvant chemotherapy in Buenos Aires British Hospital between 2009 and june 2019. Results: the variability observed for estrogen receptor was 7,6%, not statistically significant; for progesterone receptor was 28,3%, for HER2 13,1%, these modifications were statistically significant. Pathologic complete response was achieved most frequently by RH-/HER2+ carcinomas. We observed changes in subtype in 17 cases ant modifications to adjuvant treatment in 5 cases. Conclusions: in this study we observed modifications in progesterone receptors and HER2 expression before and after neoadjuvant treatment, these were statistically significan. The modifications in estrogen receptors expression were not statistically significant. They led to changes in tumoral subtype and in the adjuvant treatment in 29,4% of the cases. This justifies retesting tumoral biomarkers after the neadjuvant setting. The rate of pathologic complete response was of 27,6%, mainly given by RH-/HER2 + tumors.

Recurrence/Regrowth in Grade I Meningioma: How to Predict?

The HLA-G and HLA-E molecules, Ki67, progesterone (PR), estrogen (ER) and androgen receptors (AR), p53, COX-2, and HER2 were studied to assess whether the biological behavior of grade I meningiomas is related to their expression. Tissue samples from 96 patients with grade I intracranial meningiomas were analyzed by immunohistochemistry on tissue microarray blocks (TMA) using antibodies specific for HLA-G, HLA-E, Ki67, PR, ER, AR, p53, COX-2, and HER2. Meningiomas were classified as small (≤2 cm, 1.0%), medium (>2 and ≤4 cm, 32.3%), and large (>4 cm, 66.7%). Tumor size was not related to recurrence/regrowth (p = 0.486), but was significantly correlated with peritumoral edema (p = 0.031) and intratumoral calcifications (p = 0.018). Recurrent meningiomas were observed in 14.6% of cases. Immunostaining for each marker was: HLA-G 100%; HLA-E 95.6%; PR 62%; ER 2.1%; AR 6.5%; p53 92.6%; COX-2 100%; HER2 0%; Ki67, mean 2.61 ± 2.29%, median 2.1%. Primary and recurrent meningiomas showed no significant relation with HLA-E and hormone receptors (p > 0.05), except for Ki67, where a higher median was observed in recurrent tumors than in primary (p = 0.014). The larger the tumor, the more severe the peritumoral edema, and the greater the presence of calcifications. Ki67 appears to be a good biomarker of recurrence/regrowth in grade I meningiomas.

A cumulative index of exposure to endogenous estrogens and breast cancer by molecular subtypes in northern Mexican women.

PURPOSE: To evaluate breast cancer (BC) molecular subtypes association with reproductive characteristics and an index of cumulative exposure to endogenous estrogens (EEI) in Mexican women. METHODS: We performed a study of incident cases and population controls in northern Mexico. We included BC cases with tumor molecular classification in their medical records (n = 509), and classified them as HR+/HER2- (ER+ and/or PR+ and HER2-) (n = 289), HER2+ (HR+ or HR-) (n = 117) or triple negative (TN) (n = 103). We matched controls (n = 1030) by age and place of residence with index cases. Women were interviewed about their reproductive history, from which the EEI was developed. We used logistic regression models to estimate BC molecular subtypes associations with reproductive characteristics and EEI. RESULTS: The EEI was higher in all subtypes compared to controls (Median HR+/HER2- 27.25, HER2+ 26.8, TN 24.2 vs. controls 22.8 years, p < 0.05), and was associated with HR+/HER2- (ORT3 vs. T1 = 2.58, 95% CI 1.77-3.55, p-trend < 0.001) and HER2+ (ORT3 vs. T1 = 4.17, 95% CI 2.15-8.08, p-trend < 0.001) BC. Additionally, HR+/HER2- tumors were positively associated with age at first pregnancy and age at menopause, and negatively with age at menarche, parity and breastfeeding. The HER2+ subtype was associated in the same direction as HR+/HER2- tumors with all the reproductive characteristics except for age at menarche. TN tumors were negatively associated with parity and breastfeeding. CONCLUSION: Endogenous estrogens exposure throughout Mexican women reproductive life may contribute to the development of all but TN BC, however, these findings should be confirmed in other Hispanic populations.

Association between decreased expression of estrogen receptor alpha, androgen receptor and phosphatase and tensin homolog immunoexpression in the canine prostate / Associação entre diminuição da expressão dos receptores de estrógeno alfa e andrógeno, e imunoexpressão de fosfatase e tensina homóloga na próstata canina

Canine prostate gland is a hormonal dependent organ and its imbalance of estrogen and androgen receptor expressions are directly associated with the development of different diseases. Due to the lack of information regarding the behavior of the aforementioned receptors in canine prostate cancer (PC), this study aimed to identify estrogen receptor alpha (ERα), androgen receptor (AR), Ki67 and phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN) protein expressions in canine PC by immunohistochemistry. We found nuclear expression of ERα and AR in the epithelial cells of normal canine samples and a loss of protein expression in PC samples. Normal samples showed Ki67 expression in a few basal cells and the PC samples showed the highest mean of positive cells (253.1). Canine prostate cancer showed a high proliferative index, which was associated with independence of hormonal actuation. PTEN showed positive nuclear and cytoplasmic expression in normal canine samples and a loss in PC. Loss of ERα, AR and PTEN indicated that canine PC exhibits the same immunohistochemical phenotype as in human patients with PC resistant to hormonal therapy. Therefore, canine PC should be considered as a model to study human PC resistant to hormonal therapy.(AU)

A glândula prostática canina é um órgão dependente de hormônio, e o desequilíbrio na expressão dos receptores de estrógeno e andrógeno estão diretamente associados com o desenvolvimento de diferentes doenças. Devido à falta de informação sobre o comportamento desses receptores no câncer prostático canino (PC), este estudo tem por objetivo identificar a expressão proteica através da técnica de imuno-histoquímica do receptor de estrógeno alfa (REα), receptor de andrógeno (RA), Ki67 e fosfatase e tensina homóloga (PTEN). Foi encontrado nas células epiteliais prostáticas normais caninas a expressão nuclear de REα e RA, e perda de expressão proteica nas amostras de PC. As amostras normais apresentaram expressão de Ki67 em poucas células basais e as amostras de PC apresentaram a maior média de células positivas (253,1). O câncer de próstata canino apresentou uma taxa alta de proliferação, o qual foi associado com a atuação independente de hormônio. As amostras de próstatas caninas normais revelaram marcação nuclear e citoplasmática da proteína PTEN e perda nas amostras de PC. A perda de REα, RA e PTEN indicam que as amostras de PC exibem o mesmo fenótipo imuno-histoquímico de pacientes humanos com câncer prostático resistente a terapia hormonal. Sendo assim, o PC canino deve ser considerado um modelo para estudos de câncer prostático humano resistente a terapia hormonal.(AU)

Association between decreased expression of estrogen receptor alpha, androgen receptor and phosphatase and tensin homolog immunoexpression in the canine prostate / Associação entre diminuição da expressão dos receptores de estrógeno alfa e andrógeno, e imunoexpressão de fosfatase e tensina homóloga na próstata canina

Canine prostate gland is a hormonal dependent organ and its imbalance of estrogen and androgen receptor expressions are directly associated with the development of different diseases. Due to the lack of information regarding the behavior of the aforementioned receptors in canine prostate cancer (PC), this study aimed to identify estrogen receptor alpha (ERα), androgen receptor (AR), Ki67 and phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN) protein expressions in canine PC by immunohistochemistry. We found nuclear expression of ERα and AR in the epithelial cells of normal canine samples and a loss of protein expression in PC samples. Normal samples showed Ki67 expression in a few basal cells and the PC samples showed the highest mean of positive cells (253.1). Canine prostate cancer showed a high proliferative index, which was associated with independence of hormonal actuation. PTEN showed positive nuclear and cytoplasmic expression in normal canine samples and a loss in PC. Loss of ERα, AR and PTEN indicated that canine PC exhibits the same immunohistochemical phenotype as in human patients with PC resistant to hormonal therapy. Therefore, canine PC should be considered as a model to study human PC resistant to hormonal therapy.(AU)

A glândula prostática canina é um órgão dependente de hormônio, e o desequilíbrio na expressão dos receptores de estrógeno e andrógeno estão diretamente associados com o desenvolvimento de diferentes doenças. Devido à falta de informação sobre o comportamento desses receptores no câncer prostático canino (PC), este estudo tem por objetivo identificar a expressão proteica através da técnica de imuno-histoquímica do receptor de estrógeno alfa (REα), receptor de andrógeno (RA), Ki67 e fosfatase e tensina homóloga (PTEN). Foi encontrado nas células epiteliais prostáticas normais caninas a expressão nuclear de REα e RA, e perda de expressão proteica nas amostras de PC. As amostras normais apresentaram expressão de Ki67 em poucas células basais e as amostras de PC apresentaram a maior média de células positivas (253,1). O câncer de próstata canino apresentou uma taxa alta de proliferação, o qual foi associado com a atuação independente de hormônio. As amostras de próstatas caninas normais revelaram marcação nuclear e citoplasmática da proteína PTEN e perda nas amostras de PC. A perda de REα, RA e PTEN indicam que as amostras de PC exibem o mesmo fenótipo imuno-histoquímico de pacientes humanos com câncer prostático resistente a terapia hormonal. Sendo assim, o PC canino deve ser considerado um modelo para estudos de câncer prostático humano resistente a terapia hormonal.(AU)

Estrogen Receptor ß as a Prognostic Marker of Tumor Progression in Colorectal Cancer with Familial Adenomatous Polyposis and Sporadic Polyps.

The incidence of colorectal cancer (CRC) is lower in women than in men, and sex steroids can be considered contributing factors because oral contraception usage and estrogen replacement therapy are associated with decreased risk. Conversely, colorectal polyp development in familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) begins during puberty. The objectives were to evaluate the relationship between the expression of these hormone receptors and adenoma-carcinoma progression, CRC stage and overall survival. We studied 120 A.C. Camargo Cancer Center patients diagnosed with either FAP-associated or spontaneous adenomatous polyps or CRC to determine the immunohistochemical expression levels of estrogen receptor (ER)-α, ER-ß and the progesterone and androgen receptors (480 analyses). The ER-ß expression levels differed between the groups: the group with FAP polyps had lower ER-ß expression than that of the sporadic polyp group. With transformation of the sporadic polyps to cancer, there was a considerable decrease in ER-ß expression (from 90% with strong expression to 80% with absent or weak expression) (p < 0.001). The ER-ß expression was lower in T3/T4 tumors than in T1/T2 tumors (p = 0.015). The 5-year overall survival of CRC patients positively expressing ER-ß exceeded that of patients without detectable expression levels (74.8% vs. 44.3%, respectively; p = 0.035). There was no significant expression of the androgen or progesterone receptor or ER-α among the groups. Differences in ER-ß expression represent a potential mechanism through which estrogen might alter the susceptibility to colon cancer, thereby confirming the possibility of a protective role of estrogen against colorectal carcinogenesis.

Tumor neuroepitelial disembrioplásico durante el embarazo. Reporte de un caso / Dysembryoplastic neuroepithelial tumor during pregnancy. A case report

Resumen ANTECEDENTES: el tumor neuroepitelial disembrioplásico es una neoplasia poco frecuente del sistema nervioso central que causa crisis convulsivas focales resistentes al tratamiento farmacológico en pacientes jóvenes; su manifestación durante el embarazo es excepcional. CASO CLÍNICO: paciente femenina de 33 años de edad, con antecedente de tres embarazos y que, durante el cuarto, en la semana 12, inició con crisis convulsivas. El diagnóstico, por resonancia magnética nuclear, fue de tumor en el lóbulo frontal izquierdo, razón por la que se vigiló estrechamente hasta el final del embarazo, que concluyó por parto, sin ninguna complicación. Debido a que en la segunda resonancia magnética se evidenció el crecimiento de la lesión, se decidió la resección quirúrgica. El diagnóstico histopatológico informó que se trató de un tumor neuroepitelial disembrioplásico. Aunque hubo una influencia del embarazo en el comportamiento y crecimiento de este tipo de tumor, no fue posible observar la expresión de receptores hormonales en las células del tumor y el tratamiento no se modificó por la gestación. CONCLUSIONES: la repercusión del embarazo en el tumor neuroepitelial disembrioplásico no se explica por la influencia de las hormonas; este tipo de tumor sigue siendo una neoplasia benigna en el contexto de una gestación, porque no ha mostrado complicaciones que pongan en riesgo la vida de la madre y su feto.

Abstract BACKGROUND: Dysembryoplastic neuroepithelial tumor is a less frequently primary central nervous system neoplasm that causes focal seizures resistant to pharmacological treatment in young patients and its presentation during pregnancy is very rare. CASE REPORT: We report here the case of a 33 years old woman who started with seizures at 12th week of her fourth gestation. She was diagnosed by cerebral magnetic resonance imaging with a left frontal lobe tumor and was observed carefully until the end of pregnancy solved by delivery without any complication. Second magnetic resonance was performed that evidenced enlargement of the injury, therefore resection was carried out and histopathological diagnosis was for dysembryoplastic neuroepithelial tumor. Although it was observed an influence of pregnancy on clinical behavior and growth of this kind of tumor we did not find expression of hormonal receptors in the cells of the lesion and treatment was not modified by gestation. CONCLUSIONS: So impact of pregnancy on dysembryoplastic neuroepithelial tumor is not explained by a hormonal influence and this kind of tumor stills being a benign neoplasm in the context of gestation, since it has shown no risk of maternal and fetal life threatening complications.

Androgen therapy reverses injuries caused by ethanol consumption in the prostate: testosterone as a possible target to ethanol-related disorders.

AIMS: Chronic ethanol consumption leads to reproductive damages, since it can act directly in the tissues or indirectly, causing a hormonal imbalance. Prostate is a hormone-dependent gland and, consequently, susceptible to ethanol. The potential of testosterone therapy in the ethanol-related disorders was investigated in the prostate microenvironment. MAIN METHODS: UChB rats aged 90 days were divided into 2 experimental groups (n=20): C: drinking water only and EtOH: drinking 10% (v/v) ethanol at >2 g/kg body weight/day+water. At 150 days old, 10 rats from each group received subcutaneous injections of testosterone cypionate (5 mg/kg body weight) diluted in corn oil every other day for 4 weeks, constituting T and EtOH+T, while the remaining animals received corn oil as vehicle. Animals were euthanized at 180 days old, by decapitation. Blood was collected to obtain hormone concentrations and ventral prostate was dissected and processed for light microscope and molecular analyses. KEY FINDINGS: Ventral prostate weight, plasma testosterone and DHT and intraprostatic testosterone concentrations were increased after testosterone treatment. Plasma estradiol level was reduced in the EtOH+T. Inflammatory foci, metaplasia and epithelial atrophy were constantly found in the prostate of EtOH and were not observed after hormonal therapy. No differences were found in the expression of AR, ERß and DACH-1. Additionally, testosterone treatment down-regulated ERα and increased the e-cadherin and α-actinin immunoreactivities. SIGNIFICANCE: Testosterone was able to reverse damages caused by ethanol consumption in the prostate microenvironment and becomes a possible target to be investigated to ethanol-related disorders.