Abstract
Objective
To describe the immunological and hematological reference intervals of low-risk pregnant women.
Methods
A cross-sectional retrospective database analysis of a basic and ...translational study analyzing the hematological evaluation blood counts and immunophenotyping of TCD3 + , TCD4 + , TCD8 + , B, and natural killer (NK) cells of the peripheral blood in 79 low-risk pregnant women and of 30 control women from the state of Pernambuco, Brazil, was performed.
Results
No significant differences were detected between the hematological profiles of the 2
nd
and 3
rd
trimesters. Nevertheless, the median level of B cells decreased significantly in the 2
nd
(174 × 10
3
µL;
p
< 0.002) and 3
rd
trimesters (160 × 10
3
µL;
p
< 0.001), compared with the control group (296 × 10
3
µL). Similarly, the median level of NK cells was lower in the 2
nd
(134 × 10
3
µL;
p
< 0.0004) and 3
rd
trimesters (100 × 10
3
µL,
p
< 0.0004), compared with the control group (183 × 10
3
µL). In contrast, relative TCD4+ and TCD8+ levels increased in the 2
nd
and 3
rd
trimesters compared with the controls (TCD4 + : 2
nd
trimester = 59%;
p
< 0.001; 3
rd
trimester = 57%;
p
< 0.01; control = 50%; and TCD8 + : 2
nd
trimester = 31%;
p
< 0.001; 3
rd
trimester = 36%;
p
< 0.01; control = 24%).
Conclusion
Low-risk pregnant women have ∼ 40% less B and NK cells in the peripheral blood, compared with non-pregnant women. These parameters may improve health assistance for mothers and contribute to define reference values for normal pregnancies.
Abstract Background Cancer immunotherapy has had an important role in oncologic therapeutics for patients with non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) using checkpoint inhibitors. We will explore the ...possible prognosis biomarker candidates such as: soluble OX40 (sOX40), OX40L (sOX40L), Glucocorticoid‐induced tumor necrosis factor receptor family‐related receptor (GITR), and their ligand (GITRL), 4‐1BB or tumor necrosis factor receptor superfamily 9 (TNFRS9) and inducible T cell co‐stimulator (ICOS) in peripheral blood of NSCLC patients. Methods Fifty‐eight patients were diagnosed with advanced NSCLC between January 2019 and March 2020. Results High sOX40 and low s4‐1BB levels in smokers compared non‐smoker NSCLC patients. Lower sOX40L levels were found in the male than female ( p < 0.05). High sOX40 and sGITRL in stage III compared to the stage IV ( p < 0.05). With follow‐up at 21.4 months, 44.1% and 91.1% were alive in the sGITR high and sGITR low groups, respectively ( p = 0.02), and 73.3% and 27.7% were alive in the sGITRL high and sGITRL low groups, respectively ( p = 0.02). At 22 months, 38.7% and 92.3% were alive in the sOX40L high and sOX40L low groups, respectively ( p = 0.01). Conclusion sGITR, sGITRL, and sOX40L levels were potential prognostic biomarkers and could have an important role as new targets of immunotherapy in NSCLC patients. sGITR, sGITRL, sOX40L, and sOX40 levels were associated with smoking, sex, stage, and age in NSCLC.
Among the lysosomal storage disorders, Gaucher disease (GD) features some of the most striking alterations in the immune system, including increased levels of cytokines and chemokines. Although ...studies have demonstrated the efficacy of enzyme replacement therapy (ERT) for GD, the ideal dosage remains controversial. In this study, we report differences in levels of cytokines (IL-6, TNF-a, and IFN-y) and chemokines (IL-8, IP-10, and MCP-1) in patients with GD type 1 treated with different ERT dosages and treatment durations. Patients were recruited from two ERT centers in Brazil and divided into two groups according to treatment facility. Comparison between groups showed that patients in group 1 had received ERT for longer (p=0.0078) and at higher doses (p=0.0002) than those in group 2. Patients in group 1 exhibited decreased levels of IL-6 (p=0.0006), TNF-α (p<0.0001), IFN-γ (p<0.0001), IL-8 (p=0.0083), IP-10 (p<0.0001), and MCP-1 (p<0.0001) when compared to patients in group 2. Otherwise, patients in both groups were clinically similar, with no differences in hemoglobin, platelet, or leukocyte counts. Our data suggest that in GD type 1 the dosage and duration of therapy may be associated with establishment of peripheral tolerance and, consequently, decreased serum levels of inflammatory cytokines and chemokines.
Purpose
Penile cancer has a high incidence in developing countries. The standard treatment is removal of the primary tumor and, when necessary, inguinal lymphadenectomy. Currently, the most important ...prognostic factor is lymph node disease, however, the available staging methods are inaccurate, and the high morbidity rate of lymphadenectomy has stimulated the study of predictive biomarkers of lymph node metastasis for selecting the patients who need lymphadenectomy. SOX2, STAT3 and CD44
high
/CD24
low
were chosen because they have provided good predictive results in other squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), although there are no studies for penile cancer. Thus, the expression of SOX2, STAT3, CD24+, and CD44+ in the penile cancer tumor microenvironment was investigated for correlation with tumor behavior in SCC.
Methods
This observational, prospective, translational study included 34 men and investigated the expression of SOX2, STAT3, CD24+, and CD44+ in tumor tissue by flow cytometry.
Results
The median age of the 38 evaluated patients with penile cancer was 61 (37–80) years. Most patients presented a tumor located on the glans penis (82.3%), with the usual histological type (79.4%) and 61.7% of patients presented stage pT2. No metastasis was found in 85.3% of patients. The expression of SOX2, STAT3 and CD44
high
/CD24
low
in the microenvironment of penile SCC treated with lymphadenectomy was significantly associated with aggressive tumor behavior (
p
< 0.05). STAT3 expression shows discrepant points when evaluated in context of angiolymphatic vascular invasion.
Conclusion
SOX2, STAT3 and CD44
high
/CD24
low
in penile SCC can be indicators of prognosis, allowing for selection of more aggressive treatment when necessary.
Abstract Background Co‐inhibitor and co‐stimulator mediators trigger actions that result in immunological homeostasis and are being evaluated as potential therapeutic targets in gastric cancer (GC). ...Objective To evaluate the soluble levels of sPD‐1, sPD‐L1, sPD‐L2, sTIM‐3, sGal9, sGITR, and sGITRL in GC patients. Methods The cross‐sectional study was carried out at the Hospital de Cancer de Pernambuco, Brazil between 2017 and 2018. A total of 74 GC patients and 30 healthy controls were included. Results Low levels of sPD1 ( p = 0.0179), sPDL2 ( p = 0.0003), and sGal9 ( p < 0.0001), and higher levels of sPDL1 ( p = 0.004), sTIM‐3 ( p = 0.0072), sGITR ( p = 0.0179), and sGITRL ( p = 0.0055) compared to the control group. High sPD‐1, sTIM‐3, and sGal9 levels in stage IV compared I/II and III ( p < 0.05). High sPDL1, sGal9, and sGITRL levels in esophagogastric junction compared to body and Pylorus/Antrum groups ( p < 0.05). No significant differences were observed in sPD1, sPDL1, sPDL2, sTIM3, sGal9, sGITR, and sGITRL levels between the intestinal, diffuse, and mixed GC groups. Low sGITR levels in GC patients who died within the first 24 months compared to the who survived ( p = 0.0332). Conclusions There is an association of sPD1, sTIM‐3, and sGal9 with disease progression and sGITR with death, these mediators may be potential prognostic biomarkers in GC.
Abstract Background and Objectives Previous studies have demonstrated that soluble forms of T‐cell costimulatory molecules 4‐1BB (s4‐1BB) and OX40 (sOX40) interact with immune cells and may ...constitute a mechanism of immune evasion by tumors in various cancers. The role of the soluble forms of 4‐1BB and OX40 in GC remains unclear. We aimed to examine the association between serum levels of s4‐1BB and sOX40 and tumor progression in patients with GC. Methods Between 2017 and 2018, a cross‐sectional study was performed with serum samples of 83 GC patients and 20 healthy controls. Results Patients with stage IV metastatic gastric cancer had significantly higher levels of soluble OX40 in comparison with stage III patients with lymph nodes metastasis ( p = 0.0003) and stages I and II patients ( p = 0.005), whereas the opposite was found for soluble 4‐1BB levels, with lower levels being found in advanced stage III ( p = 0.003) compared with initial stages I/II. Conclusions The sOX40 and s4‐1BB‐mediated T cell interactions may be involved in antitumor immune responses in GC, possibly favoring tumor escape and progression. Serum levels of sOX40 and s4‐1BB are associated with staging in GC and may constitute biomarkers for prognosis, as well as potential targets for immunotherapy.
Regular physical activity prevents and treats cancer patients by assisting and improving the immune system. Co-stimulatory molecules that activate the immune system have been studied in cancer, such ...as immune checkpoint molecules of the CD40/CD40L pathway. This study aimed to characterize plasma levels of soluble CD40 (sCD40) and CD40 ligand (sCD40L) in older people with gastrointestinal tract (GIT) cancer and associate results with physical activity. This prospective and exploratory cohort study was performed with 24 older people with GIT cancer and 23 healthy elderly individuals as controls. Physical activity level was classified as active or sedentary according to the International Physical Activity Questionnaire-Short Form (IPAQ-SF). Plasma levels of sCD40 and sCD40L were determined using Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay. Plasma levels of sCD40 were higher, while sCD40L were lower (p = 0.0171) in older people with GIT cancer than controls (p = 0.0038). Regarding physical activity, active older people with GIT cancer presented lower plasma levels of sCD40 and sCD40L than those sedentary with GIT cancer (p = 0.0228 and p = 0.0236), respectively. Our findings suggest that GIT cancer stimulates the immune system in older people, elevates levels of sCD40, and reduces levels of sCD40L. Physical activity may be a protective factor for the immune system of these patients since it acts on sCD40/sCD40L pathway.
•Older people with gastrointestinal tract cancer present greater immune response suppression and inflammation profile than healthy older individuals;•Soluble levels of CD40 (sCD40) and CD40 ligand (sCD40L) are altered in gastrointestinal tract cancer;•Physical activity may act as protective factor for the immune system of these patients, acting in the sCD40/sCD40L pathway.
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