Submitted by VÍTOR BONETTI VALENTE null (vitorbvalente89@hotmail.com) on 2016-10-14T20:59:55Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Dissertação - Vitor B. Valente_Versão Definitiva.pdf: 1948563 bytes, checksum: 03b2d1c12fa8b8b2c7b0c39faf9bb490 (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Juliano Benedito Ferreira (julianoferreira@reitoria.unesp.br) on 2016-10-19T19:14:01Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 valente_vb_me_arafo_par.pdf: 678709 bytes, checksum: 264cdeca2ea5cfd220b36a541cd5ae2c (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2016-10-19T19:14:01Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 valente_vb_me_arafo_par.pdf: 678709 bytes, checksum: 264cdeca2ea5cfd220b36a541cd5ae2c (MD5) Previous issue date: 2016-09-02 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES) / Evidências mostram que os hormônios relacionados ao estresse podem influenciar a progressão do câncer, mas o papel destes mediadores sobre o processo de carcinogênese no microambiente tecidual, em condições naturais, é pouco compreendido. Neste estudo, nós utilizamos um modelo de carcinogênese bucal em ratos para testar a hipótese de que os níveis de hormônios relacionados ao estresse no microambiente tecidual em condições naturais (sem estresse) pré-indução carcinogênica influenciam a ocorrência e progressão do carcinoma espinocelular (CEC) de língua. Quarenta e oito ratos machos Wistar foram submetidos a uma biópsia de tecido lingual normal previamente à indução carcinogênica e os níveis teciduais de norepinefrina, corticosterona, ACTH e BDNF foram mensurados. Três semanas depois os animais foram tratados com o carcinógeno químico 4-nitroquinolina-1-óxido (4NQO) por 20 semanas e a ocorrência de CEC ou Leucoplasia (lesão precursora do CEC) na língua foi analisada microscopicamente. Níveis basais aumentados pré-carcinogênese de norepinefrina e BDNF e níveis reduzidos de corticosterona foram preditivos para ocorrência de CEC. Níveis basais elevados de norepinefrina foram associados à uma expressão reduzida de RNAm para CDKN2a-p16 nos CECs. Níveis teciduais de corticosterona e BDNF nas leucoplasias e corticosterona no CEC foram significativamente mais elevados em relação a mucosa normal pré-carcinogênese. Níveis elevados de norepinefrina no microambiente dos CECs foram associados a um maior volume e espessura do tumor. Da mesma forma, níveis elevados de norepinefrina, ACTH e BDNF no CEC foram associados a uma menor intensidade do infiltrado linfoplasmocitário subjacente ao tumor. Além disso, maior expressão de RNAm para IL-6 no CEC foi correlacionada à níveis elevados de corticosterona pós-carcinogênese. Este estudo mostra as primeiras evidências in vivo de que os níveis basais de hormônios do estresse no microambiente do tecido normal podem ser preditivos para a incidência do câncer quimicamente induzido. Além disso, a ação do carcinógeno pode modular os níveis hormonais no microambiente tecidual e estes podem estar associados à progressão do tumor. Em suma, estes dados sugerem que a susceptibilidade ao início e progressão do carcinoma quimicamente induzido pode ser diretamente influenciada por diferenças individuais endócrinas no microambiente pré-carcinogênese.

We present the case of a 7-month-old baby with Cushing’s disease due to an adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH)-secreting pituitary adenoma combined with cells producing thyreotropin-secreting hormone (TSH). In MRI scans, a contrast-enhancing lesion was seen inside the pituitary fossa, and it extended into the suprasellar region. On the assumption of a pituitary adenoma, surgery was performed. Corresponding with biochemical findings, histopathological evaluation revealed an ACTH- and TSH-producing tumor. Genetic analysis did not demonstrate an alteration at codon 201 (Arg) and 227 (Glu). To our knowledge, this is the first case described in a child of this age. / Dieser Beitrag ist mit Zustimmung des Rechteinhabers aufgrund einer (DFG-geförderten) Allianz- bzw. Nationallizenz frei zugänglich.

Le syndrome de West (SW), communément appelé spasmes infantiles (SI), est un trouble épileptique généralement caractérisé par la triade de spasmes infantiles, un modèle d'électroencéphalogramme (EEG) pathognomonique appelé hypsarythmie, et la régression du développement. Alors que des études précédentes ont été en mesure d'obtenir une réponse relativement adéquate par rapport au contrôle des spasmes et la résolution d’hypsarythmie, elles n’ont pas réussi à fournir des options thérapeutiques décisives à l’égard des séquelles neurodéveloppementales souvent associées aux SI. Notre étude, sur laquelle est basée cette thèse, est la première à utiliser un traitement complémentaire aux médicaments antiépileptiques conventionnels, avec l'intention d'améliorer les résultats neurodéveloppementaux de cette population. Les patients recrutés dans notre essai clinique randomisé (ECR) original ont suivi un protocole de traitement standardisé composé de vigabatrin (VGB) comme traitement de première intention pendant deux semaines, suivi de l'hormone corticotrope (ACTH) chez les non-répondeurs pour une période de deux autres semaines, et le topiramate dans les cas réfractaires. En plus, les patients ont été randomisés pour recevoir soit le traitement expérimental, flunarizine, soit un placebo, pendant six mois. Notre ECR multicentrique consistait à recruter et évaluer 68 patients, la plupart suivis à 8 différentes visites sur une période de cinq ans afin de précisément évaluer leurs progrès neurodéveloppementaux. Notre essai clinique a généré trois études principales qui forment le coeur de cette thèse. Dans une première étude, les données cliniques et cognitives des deux premières années d’évaluation ont été analysées. Les résultats cliniques à court terme indiquent un taux élevé de cessation de spasmes et de l’hypsarythmie. De plus, cette étude rapporte les premiers résultats cognitifs mesurés par le Bayley Scales of Infant Development (BSID) et le Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scale (VABS). Notre deuxième étude a essentiellement fourni des données cognitives à plus long terme, 5 ans après le début de son initiation. Les réponses cognitives ont été mesurées par le BSID, le VABS, et aussi par le Stanford-Binet Intelligence Scale (SB5) chez les patients ayant un fonctionnement cognitif plus élevé. Une amélioration significative et progressive des fonctions cognitives a été observée, indépendamment de la thérapie adjuvante. Des facteurs de risque cognitifs à long terme ont également été révélés dans cette étude. Notre dernière étude a essayé d’élucider la relation entre les SI et les troubles du spectre autistique (TSA). Un test de dépistage avec le Checklist for Autism in Toddlers (CHAT) a été effectué à 24 mois, et un diagnostic a été obtenu par moyen du Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS) à 30 et 60 mois. L’ADOS a évalué 44 patients, dont 10 ont été diagnostiqués avec TSA. Une description des facteurs de risque associés aux TSA ont été présentés dans cet article. Enfin, basé sur nos résultats et les informations à ce sujet dans la littérature, nous avons tenté d'élucider les caractéristiques physiopathologiques de la maladie. Une description des mécanismes biologiques sous-jacents impliqués dans le syndrome de West et des traitements cibles associés ont été présentés. Bien que le traitement complémentaire, le flunarizine ne se soit pas avéré être avantageux pour notre cohorte, notre protocole de traitement a tout de même été en mesure de démontrer des résultats cliniques et cognitifs supérieurs dans le sous-groupe de patients avec SI dont l’étiologie est inconnue. Ces résultats, ainsi que l’identification de nouveaux facteurs de risque neurodéveloppementaux potentiels, pourraient être utilisés cliniquement afin d’améliorer le diagnostic et le suivi médical des patients atteints du syndrome de West. / West syndrome (WS), commonly referred to as infantile spasms (IS), is an epileptic disorder usually characterized by the triad of infantile spasms, a pathognomonic electroencephalogram (EEG) pattern called hypsarrhythmia, and developmental regression. While previous treatment studies were able to achieve relatively adequate spasm control and hypsarrhythmia resolution in this population of patients, they have failed to provide conclusive and definite therapeutic options aimed at improving the poor cognitive outcome often associated to IS. Our study, on which this thesis is based, was the first to use an add-on treatment to conventional antiepileptic drugs, with the intent to improve long-term cognitive outcome in this population. Patients recruited in our original randomized clinical trial (RCT) followed a standardized treatment protocol consisting of vigabatrin (VGB) as first-line treatment for two weeks, followed by adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) in non-responders for another two-week period, and topiramate in refractory cases. In addition, patients were randomized to either receive placebo or flunarizine adjunct therapy for six months. Our multi-centric RCT recruited and evaluated 68 patients, most of which were followed at 8 different time points over a five-year period, to precisely evaluate their neurodevelopmental progress. Our clinical trial generated three main studies which comprise the core of this thesis. In a first study, clinical and cognitive data from the first two years were analyzed. Spasm arrest and hypsarrhythmia resolution were the short-term clinical endpoint measures, while the Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scale (VABS) and Bayley Scales of Infant Development (BSID) were used as cognitive outcome measures at 2 years. This first study most importantly reports on the superior short-term clinical response rate achieved in our study population. Preliminary cognitive results were also presented in this work. Our second study essentially presented long-term cognitive data 5 years after the start of the study. Cognitive outcome measures were similar to those used at two years with the addition of the Stanford-Binet Intelligence Scale, Fifth Edition (SB5) for higher functioning patients. Most IS patients, particularly those with no known etiology, displayed a significant and progressive improvement of cognitive functions, irrespective of adjunctive therapy. Risk factors of long term poor cognitive outcome were also revealed in this study. Our last study tried to understand the relationship between IS and autism spectrum disorders (ASD). Autism was initially screened by means of the Checklist for Autism in Toddlers (CHAT) at 24 months, and formally assessed at the 30-and 60-month follow-up visits using the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS). ADOS was performed in 44 patients, 10 of which were diagnosed with ASD. A description of risk factors associated with an ASD outcome in the IS population were presented in this article. Finally, based on our study results and in conjunction with literature information on the topic, we attempted to elucidate the pathophysiological characteristics of the disorder. A conceivable description of the underlying biological mechanisms implicated in West syndrome and associated target treatments were presented. Although our complementary treatment, flunarizine, did not prove to be beneficial in our cohort, our treatment protocol was nonetheless able to demonstrate superior clinical and cognitive outcomes in patients with unknown etiologies. These findings, as well as the identification of new potential neurodevelopmental risk factors, could be used clinically to improve the diagnosis and medical follow-up of patients with West syndrome.