Problem
Studies have shown a relationship between endometriosis and ovarian cancer. Our aims were to evaluate and compare the dosages of cytokines IL‐2, IL‐5, IL‐6, IL‐8, IL‐10, and TNF‐α in serum, ...intracystic fluid, and peritoneal fluid of patients with ovarian endometrioma, malignant and benign ovarian neoplasms, and non‐neoplastic ovarian tumors; to verify if there is a correlation between the values of these cytokines between ovarian endometrioma and ovarian malignancy; and to determine the best cut‐off point for serum cytokines that can be used to differentiate patients with ovarian malignancy and endometrioma.
Method of study
The concentrations of cytokines were quantified by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), analyzed by Kruskal‐Wallis test with the Dunn post‐test. Receiver operating feature (ROC) curve was used to obtain the area under the curve (AUC) and to determine the best cut‐off values that could be used in the diagnosis of ovarian malignancy. Correlations of cytokine concentrations were performed by the Spearman test.
Results
IL‐6, IL‐8, and IL‐10 concentrations were higher in patients with malignant neoplasia. When evaluating the area under the curve (AUC) of serum cytokine levels comparing patients with malignant neoplasia and endometriomas, there was statistical significance for IL‐6, IL‐8, and IL‐10.
Conclusion
Our results showed utility in serum concentrations of IL‐6, IL‐10, and IL‐8 as parameters that differentiate endometriomas from ovarian malignancies.
Santagnello, SB, Martins, FM, de Oliveira Junior, GN, de Sousa, JdeFR, Nomelini, RS, Murta, EFC, and Orsatti, FL. Resistance training-induced gains in muscle strength and power mediate the ...improvement in walking speed in middle-aged women who are breast cancer survivors. J Strength Cond Res 38(4): 773-782, 2024-(a) Ascertain whether lower muscle mass, strength (1 repetition maximum 1RM), and power (Pmax) in middle-aged women who are breast cancer survivors (BCS), when compared with women of a similar age never diagnosed with cancer (WNC), are related with lower walking speed (WS). (b) Ascertain whether changes in WS are associated with changes in muscle mass, 1RM, and (or) Pmax after resistance training (RT) in middle-aged BCS. A cross-section study was performed. Twenty WNC and 21 BCS were evaluated for lean mass of legs (LLM), 1RM (knee extension), muscle quality index (MQI = 1RM/LLM), Pmax (maximum muscle power-knee extension), and fast WS (10 and 400-meters). Randomized clinical trial was performed. The BCS were randomly divided into the control group ( n = 9) and the RT group ( n = 11). Breast cancer survivors exhibited lower 1RM (24.2%, p ˂ 0.001), Pmax (30.6%, p ˂ 0.001), MQI (22.2%, p = 0.001), and WS (10-m = 17.0%, p ˂ 0.001 and 400-m = 10.5%, p = 0.002) than WNC. Resistance training increased 1RM (31.6%, p = 0.001), MP (29.0%, p = 0.012), MQI (28.5%, p = 0.008), and WS (10-m = 9.4%, p = 0.009 and 400-m = 6.2%, p = 0.006) in BCS. The changes in WS were positively associated with 1RM (10-m = 68%, p = 0.001 and 400-m = 37%, p = 0.036) and Pmax (10-m = 56%, p = 0.005 and 400-m = 40%, p = 0.027) and MQI (10-m = 63%, p = 0.043 and 400-m = 37%, p = 0.035). Resistance training-induced gains in muscle strength and power mediate the improvement in WS in middle-aged BCS. Resistance training is an effective strategy to improve WS in middle-aged BCS.
The aims of the study were to compare the levels of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) and its soluble type I (sTNF-R1) and type II (sTNF-R2) receptors detected in intracystic liquid and serum from ...benign and malignant ovarian neoplasms and to relate them to prognostic factors in epithelial ovarian cancer. The patients were divided into benign ovarian neoplasms (
n
= 46) and malignant ovarian neoplasms (
n
= 17). The serum and intracystic samples were collected before and during surgery for ovarian cyst, respectively. The levels of TNF-α, sTNF-R1, and sTNF-R2 were measured using ELISA. Results were compared with the Mann–Whitney test. Concentration of sTNF-R2 in the intracystic samples collected from the malignant neoplasia was significantly higher than that of the benign neoplasias (
p
= 0.02). Higher intracystic levels of sTNF-R2 exhibited a significant association with tumor differentiation grades 2 and 3 (
p
= 0.0087). There was no statistical significance in relation to serum levels. Tumor microenvironment levels of sTNF-R2 may represent a factor of poor prognosis in epithelial ovarian cancer.
Purpose
To gain more knowledge about the mechanism (i.e., mediators) of resistance exercise (RE)-induced improvements in physical performance (PP), we seek to investigate whether improvements in ...muscle strength (MS), muscle power (MP), and lean body mass (LBM) and (or) self-reported fatigue (SRF) are mediators of the effect of RE on PP in breast cancer survivor women (BCSW).
Methods
The volunteers were randomly divided into two groups: control group (CT;
n
= 9) and resistance exercise (RE;
n
= 11). The RE protocol consisted of three sets in each exercise (leg extension, leg curl, 45° leg press, and calf raise), between 8 and 12 repetitions per set, with an estimated load of 80% of one-repetition maximum (1RM), and three times a week on non-consecutive days for 12 weeks. The CT group performed only stretching exercises twice a week. SRF, maximal muscle power (Pmax), MP, LBM, and PP were assessed using the Brief Fatigue Inventory Questionnaire; 1RM test; isoinertial dynamometer; DXA; and walking speed, sit-to-stand (STS), and timed up and go (TUG) test, respectively.
Results
Following 12 weeks, the RE group reduced SRF and increased MP, Pmax, LBM, and performance in all tests (walking speed, STS, and TUG) when compared with the CT group. There were significant associations of the changes in LBM, MS, Pmax, and SRF with changes in physical performance tests only in the RE group.
Conclusion
Our findings suggest that improvements in LBM, MS, MP, and self-reported fatigue mediate the effect of resistance exercise on physical performance in BCSW.
Objective
The aim of this study was to evaluate the immunohistochemical expressions of PD1, CD4
+
, and CD8
+
in premalignant lesions (OPML) that were transformed into oral squamous cell carcinoma ...OSCC (OPML-OSCC), in OSCC and also in premalignant lesions that were not transformed into OSCC (OPML-NOSSC).
Materials and methods
Retrospective analyses were performed in order to verify the demographic characteristics of the patients. CD4, CD8, and PD1 IMH studies were carried out on OPML and OSCC samples from 11 patients with OPML-OSCC and OPML, together with samples from 14 patients with OPML-NOSCC. The differences between OPML-OSCC and OPML-NOSCC were analyzed.
Results
Non-homogenous leukoplakia, together with the related oral subsite, and the lack of an exposure to tobacco, were all associated with malignant transformations. There were no statistical differences in the PD1 expression and the CD4
+
cells in OPML-OSCC and OPML-NOSCC. A significant increment in the CD8
+
cells was noted in the OPML that evolved into carcinomas when compared with OPML-NOSCC (
p
= 0.05), whereas there were higher CD8
+
cells levels in the carcinomas when compared with the OPML that evolved into carcinomas (
p
= 0.027).
Conclusions
CD8
+
cells infiltrate more in OPML-NOSCC than in OPML-OSCC. Carcinoma is more infiltrated by CD8
+
cells than its associated OPML.
Clinical relevance
Understanding immunological factors associated with malignant transformation of oral premalignant lesions can open a new way to treat this disease.
Martins, FM, Santagnello, SB, de Oliveira Junior, GN, de Sousa, JdFR, Michelin, MA, Nomelini, RS, Murta, EFC, and Orsatti, FL. Lower-body resistance training reduces interleukin-1β and transforming ...growth factor-β1 levels and fatigue and increases physical performance in breast cancer survivors. J Strength Cond Res 37(2): 439-451, 2023-This article ascertains whether resistance training (RT) improves inflammatory markers, fatigue (sensations and fatigability), and physical performance in breast cancer survivors (BCS) and investigates whether the changes in the inflammatory markers, fatigue, and physical performance are associated with each other. Volunteers were randomly divided into 2 groups: control group (n = 11) and RT group (n = 11). Resistance training (3 sets of 8-12 repetitions with 80% 1 repetition maximum (1RM) on 4 exercises-leg extension, leg curl, 45° leg press, and calf raise) was performed 3 times a week for 12 weeks. Self-reported fatigue (SRF), fatigability (critical torque CT and W prime W'), muscle strength, and circulating inflammatory markers were assessed using the Brief Fatigue Inventory, iDXA, 1RM test, protocol of 60 maximal voluntary isometric contractions, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, respectively. Resistance training reduced interleukin (IL)-1β, transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1, and SRF score and increased muscle strength, 6-minute walk test (6MWT), CT, and W'. In the RT group, the changes in SRF were positively associated with the changes in IL-1β. The changes in muscle strength were associated with the changes in CT and W', and the changes in the 6MWT were associated with the changes in CT, W', muscle strength, and SRF. Resistance training improved fatigue and physical performance and reduced IL-1β, and TGF-β1 in BCS. Although improvement in fatigability seems to be dependent on the increase in muscle strength, improvement in the sensation of fatigue seems to be dependent on the reduction in IL-1β after RT. Increase in physical performance seems to be dependent on improvement in muscle strength and fatigue.
Introduction: Ovarian cancer has a high mortality and delayed diagnosis. Inflammation is a risk factor for ovarian cancer, and the inflammatory response is involved in almost all stages of tumor ...development. Immunohistochemical staining in stroma and epithelium of a panel of cytokines in benign and malignant ovarian neoplasm was evaluated. In addition, immunostaining was related to prognostic factors in malignant tumors. Method: The study group comprised 28 ovarian benign neoplasias and 28 ovarian malignant neoplasms. A panel of cytokines was evaluated by immunohistochemistry (Th1: IL-2 and IL-8; Th2: IL-5, IL-6, and IL-10; and TNFR1). Chi-square test with Yates' correction was used, which was considered significant if less than 0.05. Results: TNFR1, IL-5, and IL-10 had more frequent immunostaining 2/3 in benign neoplasms compared with malignant tumors. Malignant tumors had more frequent immunostaining 2/3 for IL-2 in relation to benign tumors. The immunostaining 0/1 of IL 8 was more frequent in the stroma of benign neoplasms compared with malignant neoplasms. Evaluation of the ovarian cancer stroma showed that histological grade 3 was significantly correlated with staining 2/3 for IL-2 (P = 0.004). Women whose disease-free survival was less than 2.5 years had TNFR1 stromal staining 2/3 (P = 0.03) more frequently. Conclusion: IL-2 and TNFR1 stromal immunostaining are related prognostic factors in ovarian cancer and can be the target of new therapeutic strategies.
Introduction: Ovarian cancer has an unknown pathogenesis, and cytokines may play an important role in the aetiology and prognosis. Tumour Necrosis Factor-alpha (TNF-α) and its receptors (TNFR1 and ...TNFR2) are involved in the biology of ovarian cancer, tumour pathogenesis, and their relationship with prognostic factors. They are involved in biological processes such as immunoregulation, growth modulation, and cell differentiation. Aim: To evaluate stromal immunostaining of TNF-α and its receptors (TNFR1 and TNFR2) in malignant ovarian neoplasms, comparing it with benign ovarian neoplasms and non neoplastic ovarian lesions. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out at the Department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, Federal University of Triângulo Mineiro, Uberaba, Minas Gerais, Brazil, from January 1997 to December 2020. Patients with ovarian lesions who underwent surgical treatment according to preestablished criteria (n=95) were included in the study. Patients with benign (n=37) and malignant (n=43) ovarian epithelial neoplasms, and non neoplastic ovarian lesions (n=15) were included. Data evaluated included age, parity, hormonal status (menarche or menopause), histological grade, and staging. Immunohistochemical study was performed to evaluate stromal TNF-α, TNFR1, and TNFR2. Data were analysed by GraphPad Prism 6 and IBM Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) Statistics 20.0 software. The comparison between non neoplastic tumours, benign and malignant neoplasms was performed by the Fisher’s exact test with a significance level below 0.05. Results: Considering staining intensity 0 and 1 as “weak immunostaining” and 2 and 3 as “strong immunostaining,” TNF-α stromal immunostaining was stronger (2/3) in benign ovarian neoplasms compared to non neoplastic tumours (p-value=0.0016) and in malignant neoplasms compared to non neoplastic tumours (p-value<0.0001). TNFR1 immunostaining was stronger (2/3) in the stroma of malignant neoplasms compared to benign neoplasms (p-value<0.0001) and stronger (2/3) when comparing benign neoplasms with non neoplastic ovarian lesions (p-value=0.0002). For TNFR2, stromal immunostaining was stronger (2/3) in malignant neoplasms compared to benign neoplasms (p-value =0.0091) and stronger in malignant neoplasms compared to non neoplastic lesions (p-value=0.0004). Conclusion: A stronger immunostaining for TNF-α and its receptors was found in ovarian cancer, suggesting that they may be targets for further studies to verify their role in carcinogenesis and the progression of ovarian neoplasms. A better understanding of the role of TNF-α and its receptors in the tumour stroma of ovarian tumours may lead to future studies that may clarify the mechanisms of carcinogenesis and tumour progression.