RESUMO

BACKGROUND: Chagasic megaesophagus (CM) as well as the presence of human papillomavirus (HPV) has been reported as etiological factors for esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). OBJECTIVE: We assessed the prevalence of HPV DNA in a series of ESCCs associated or not with CM. Data obtained were further correlated to the pathological and clinical data of affected individuals. METHODS: A retrospective study was performed on 92 formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded tissues collected from patients referred to 3 different hospitals in São Paulo, Brazil: Barretos Cancer Hospital, Barretos, São Paulo; Federal University of Triângulo Mineiro, Uberaba, Minas Gerais; and São Paulo State University, Botucatu, São Paulo. Cases were divided into 3 groups: (i) 24 patients with CM associated with ESCC (CM/ESCC); (ii) 37 patients with ESCC without CM (ESCC); and (iii) 31 patients with CM without ESCC (CM). Detection of HPV DNA was assessed in all samples by a genotyping assay combining multiplex polymerase chain reaction and bead-based Luminex technology. RESULTS: We identified a high prevalence of high-risk HPV in patients in the CM group (12/31, 38.8%) and CM/ESCC (8/24, 33.3%), compared to individuals in the ESCC group (6/37, 16.3%). The individuals in the groups with cancer (ESCC and CM/ESCC) had a higher frequency of HPV-16 (4/9, 44.5% and 2/8, 25.0%). The other types of high-risk HPVs detected were HPV-31, 45, 51, 53, 56, 66, and 73. We also observed in some samples HPV coinfection by more than one viral type. Despite the high incidence of HPV, it did not show any association with the patient's clinical-pathological and molecular (TP53 mutation status) characteristics. CONCLUSION: This is the first report of the presence of HPV DNA in CM associated with ESCC. HPV infection was more presence in megaesophagus lesions. Further studies are needed to confirm and better understand the role of persistent HPV infection in patients with CM.

Assuntos

RESUMO

AIM: The molecular pathogenesis of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) has been increasingly studied, but there is no report on the role of MSI in ESCC development associated with chagasic megaesophagus (CM).Results/methodology: In four ESCC/CM (4/19) we found microsatellite instability (MSI) alterations (21.1%), being three MSI-L (15.8%) and one MSI-H (5.3%). Four out of 35 ESCC cases showed MSI-L (11.4%) and only one out of 26 CM cases presented MSI-L (3.9%). The MSI-H was observed in an ESCC/CM patient that presents lack of MSH6 immunostaining corroborating deficiency in MMR pathway. Interestingly, the MSI-H ESCC/CM case also presented a deletion the HSP110 poly(T)17 gene. DISCUSSION/CONCLUSION: Taking together, we concluded that MSI is a rare event in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma, but can be associated with CM.

Assuntos

RESUMO

BACKGROUND: The esophagus cancer-host has a two way close relationship as seen in its sulphur-amino acid metabolism. Taurine one of these compounds has ubiquous role in host defense and other physiological mechanisms related to survival. AIM: To study the plasma levels of taurine and its precursors in patients with esophagus cancer. METHODS: In a sectional design both groups, patients (n = 16, 43-73 yrs old) and healthy controls (n = 20, 27-65 yrs old) were assessed for anthropometry, body-weight lost, hematology (Hb, Ht, total leukocytes and lymphocyte counts), general biochemistry (albumin, glucose, lipids and aminotransferases) and chromatographic analysis for taurine, cysteine, and homocysteine. The survival time was registered there since from the clinical-histopathological diagnosis. All participants had a written ethical consent for the research. RESULTS: The cancer patients were predominantly, white males of low social economic class, with spinocellular carcinoma stage IV located at upper 3rd half of them presented hypoalbuminemia and 16% referred significant body-weight loss. The patients showed statistically lower values of Hb, Ht, total and HDL cholesterol and cysteine and significantly higher values of taurine, homocysteine and aminotransferases than healthy controls. A positive relationship was found between taurine and either TLC (r = 0.50) and survival (r = 0.81). CONCLUSIONS: Lower plasma cysteine along with higher levels of taurine and homocysteine and the positive direct association of taurine with indications of survival suggest an effective role of this compound and therefore a prospective special nutritional care in its precursors (cysteine, methionine and B vitamins) of these patients.

Assuntos

RESUMO

RACIONAL: O câncer de esôfago tem impacto relevante no metabolismo protéico do hospedeiro, mas pouco se conhece sobre as implicações no metabolismo protéico sulfurado. Deste, destaca-se a taurina, composto participante de várias funções fisiológicas importantes como a manutenção do sistema de defesa celular e possível sobrevida do paciente. OBJETIVO: Estudar as variações plasmáticas da taurina e de seus precursores em pacientes com câncer de esôfago. MÉTODO: Em estudo transversal foram triados 16 pacientes (43-73 anos) com câncer de esôfago e 20 voluntários (27-65 anos) controles sadios que preencheram os critérios clínicos e éticos da pesquisa. Para caracterização do estado geral de saúde efetuou-se avaliação antropométrica, hematimétrica (Hb, Ht, glóbulos brancos, linfócitos) e bioquímica (albumina, glicose, lipídios, aminotransferases). Adicionalmente, foram realizadas, no plasma, análises cromatográficas de taurina e seus precursores cisteína e homocisteína. Foi registrado o tempo de sobrevivência dos pacientes, a partir do diagnóstico histopatológico. RESULTADOS: Os pacientes com câncer de esôfago foram predominantemente do sexo masculino, raça branca, classe socioeconômica baixa, tipo carcinoma espinocelular de localização no terço superior, em estádio IV, sobrevida de 7,8 ± 5,5 anos, referindo perda de peso em 16,4 por cento e apresentando hipoalbuminemia em 50 por cento, com massa muscular e adiposa semelhante ao controle. Os pacientes apresentaram valores estatisticamente menores do que os controles para Hb, Ht, colesterol total, HDL-colesterol e cisteína e maiores de AST, ALT, taurina e homocisteína. Dentre os pacientes houve correlação positiva da taurina tanto com a contagem total de linfócitos, como com a sobrevida dos pacientes. CONCLUSÃO: Os níveis reduzidos de cisteína e elevados de homocisteína, taurina e as associações positivas da taurina com os indicadores da imunocompetência celular e da mortalidade sugerem participação ...

BACKGROUND: The esophagus cancer-host has a two way close relationship as seen in its sulphur-amino acid metabolism. Taurine one of these compounds has ubiquous role in host defense and other physiological mechanisms related to survival. AIM: To study the plasma levels of taurine and its precursors in patients with esophagus cancer. METHODS: In a sectional design both groups, patients (n = 16, 43-73 yrs old) and healthy controls (n = 20, 27-65 yrs old) were assessed for anthropometry, body-weight lost, hematology (Hb, Ht, total leukocytes and lymphocyte counts), general biochemistry (albumin, glucose, lipids and aminotransferases) and chromatographic analysis for taurine, cysteine, and homocysteine. The survival time was registered there since from the clinical-histopathological diagnosis. All participants had a written ethical consent for the research. RESULTS: The cancer patients were predominantly, white males of low social economic class, with spinocellular carcinoma stage IV located at upper 3rd half of them presented hypoalbuminemia and 16 percent referred significant body-weight loss. The patients showed statistically lower values of Hb, Ht, total and HDL cholesterol and cysteine and significantly higher values of taurine, homocysteine and aminotransferases than healthy controls. A positive relationship was found between taurine and either TLC (r = 0.50) and survival (r = 0.81). CONCLUSIONS: Lower plasma cysteine along with higher levels of taurine and homocysteine and the positive direct association of taurine with indications of survival suggest an effective role of this compound and therefore a prospective special nutritional care in its precursors (cysteine, methionine and B vitamins) of these patients.

Assuntos

RESUMO

Clinical and experimental studies on esophageal sphincters are easily found in the literature. However, the correlation between sphincters is seldom focused. The purpose of this work is to verify whether changes in the upper esophageal sphincter (UES) affects the resting pressure of the lower esophageal sphincters (LES). Electromanometric measurements of the esophageal esphincters of 8 mongrel dogs were taken by using the technique of station pull-through and continous infusion of catheters. Then, the animals were submitted to miotomy of the cricopharyngeus muscle. Sphincteric pressure was measured before and after surgery. Results revealed the following pressure values for UES: 27 + 12 mmHg (prior to surgery) and 12 + 5 mmHg (after surgery); (p<0.01). Nonetheless, LES resting pressure did not change (22 + 11 mmHg prior to and after surgery; p>0.80).

Assuntos