Diss. (sammanfattning) Stockholm : Karol. inst., 2003. / Härtill 5 uppsatser.

The entire dissertation/thesis text is included in the research.pdf file; the official abstract appears in the short.pdf file (which also appears in the research.pdf); a non-technical general description, or public abstract, appears in the public.pdf file. Title from PDF of title page (University of Missouri--Columbia, viewed on March 25, 2010). Vita. Thesis advisor: Charles J. Smith. "December 2009" Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Virginia, 2008. / Title from title page. Includes bibliographical references. Also available online through Digital Dissertations.

INTRODUÇÃO: Carcinomas mamários triplo-negativos correspondem ao grupo heterogêneo de neoplasias mamárias caracterizadas pela ausência de expressão dos receptores de estrogênio e progesterona e sem amplificação ou superexpressão do HER2. São mais prevalentes em mulheres jovens e em afrodescendentes. Eles se associam frequentemente ao fenótipo basal-símile determinado geneticamente, entretanto, incluem também outros tipos moleculares intrínsecos. Metodologias de análise genética de novas gerações têm permitido sua estratificação em subgrupos distintos, o que justifica a heterogeneidade clínica deste grupo de neoplasias. A identificação desses subgrupos através de marcadores imunoistoquímicos de aplicação prática ainda é pouco explorada, embora seja uma ferramenta promissora na sua estratificação e determinação de alvos terapêuticos. OBJETIVOS: Nosso objetivo é explorar os perfis imunoistoquímicos dos carcinomas mamários triplo-negativos em mulheres com idade até 45 anos e investigar possíveis diferenças entre as cinco regiões geográficas brasileiras. MÉTODOS: Selecionamos 118 amostras de tumores de pacientes com idade até 45 anos, com carcinoma invasivo, blocos de parafina disponíveis e perfil imunoistoquímico triplo-negativo, procedentes das cinco regiões geográficas. Estes casos foram revisados quanto à determinação de tipo e grau histológico e as seguintes características anatomopatológicas: contorno do tumor, presença e fração do componente \"in situ\", embolização vascular peritumoral, tipo e grau da reação estromal, presença de necrose tumoral e formação de túbulos pela neoplasia. Foram selecionadas áreas representativas do tumor para construção de blocos de microarranjos de tecido para estudo imunoistoquímico. Foram pesquisados os seguintes marcadores: citoqueratinas basais 5/6 e 14, citoqueratinas luminais 8 e 18, receptor do fator de crescimento epidérmico (EGFR ou HER1), receptor de androgênio, e-caderina, catenina-beta, claudinas 3, 4 e 7, vimentina, actina de músculo liso, p63, ALDH1 e Ki-67. De acordo com a expressão dos marcadores, os tumores foram classificados nos subgrupos basal-símile (expressão de citoqueratina basal 5/6 e/ou EGFR-positivo), claudina-baixo (claudinas e e-caderina-negativos), mesenquimal (vimentina-positivo), apócrino (receptor de androgênio-positivo), mioepitelial (p63 ou actina de músculo liso positivos), com perfil de células tronco (ALDH1 positivo), ou indefinido (padrões negativo para todos os marcadores). Nestes subtipos, a atividade proliferativa foi analisada através da expressão de Ki-67. As neoplasias provenientes das cinco regiões geográficas foram comparadas quanto às características histológicas e perfis imunoistoquímicos. RESULTADOS: A idade das pacientes variou de 26 anos a 45 anos ( média 38,3 +/-4,9 e mediana de 39 anos ). O tipo histológico mais frequente foi o carcinoma de tipo histológico não especial (107/118 casos; 90,7%). Observamos maior proporção de carcinomas de alto grau nas regiões nordeste, sul e sudeste. Os marcadores imunoistoquímicos não mostraram diferenças nas frequências entre as diferentes regiões geográficas. Observamos baixa atividade proliferativa determinada pela expressão do Ki-67 nos subgrupos com expressão do receptor de androgênio (apócrino) e sem expressão de vimentina (padrão não mesenquimal). Os tumores da região Nordeste, Sul e Sudeste apresentaram maior atividade proliferativa. Tumores ricos em linfócitos intratumorais apresentaram menor expressão de marcadores basais e do perfil basal-símile. CONCLUSÕES: Os subtipos moleculares determinados através da expressão imunoistoquímica não mostraram diferenças nas frequências entre as diferentes regiões geográficas. Os tumores das regiões Nordeste, Sul e Sudeste apresentaram maior atividade proliferativa. Os carcinomas ricos em linfócitos intratumorais apresentaram frequência menor do perfil basal / BACKGROUND: Triple-negative breast carcinomas (TNBC) correspond to a heterogeneous group of neoplasia characterized by the lack of expression of estrogen and progesterone receptors, and by the absence of amplification or overexpression of HER2. They are more prevalent among African descendants and younger women. They are often associated with the basal-like genetic phenotype; however, other intrinsic molecular types are included. Genomic analyses of next-generation methods have allowed stratification of TN breast carcinomas into distinct subgroups, explaining the clinical heterogeneity of this group of neoplasias. The identification of these subgroups by immunohistochemical markers is not well explored, although it represents a potential useful tool for the stratification and determination of therapeutic targets. OBJECTIVES: Our aim is to explore the TNBC immunohistochemical profile in patients of 45 year-old or younger, and to investigate possible differences among the five Brazilian geographic regions. METHODS: We\'ve selected 118 samples of tumors from patients up to 45 years-old from five Brazilian geographic regions, with invasive carcinoma, available paraffin blocks, and triple-negative immunohistochemical profile. All the cases were reviewed as for determination of histologic type and grading, and the following pathological features: tumor contour, presence and percentage of in situ component, peritumoral vascular embolization, type and grade of stromal reaction, presence of tumoral necrosis, and tubule formation by neoplasia. Representative tumor areas were selected for tissue microarray construction for immunohistochemical study. The following markers were studied: Basal cytokeratins 5/6 and 14; luminal cytokeratins 8 and 18; Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR or HER1); androgen receptor; e-cadherin; catenin-beta; claudins (3,4 and 7); vimentin; smooth-muscle actin; p63, ALDH1, and Ki-67. According to the expression of the markers, the tumors were grouped in the basal-like subgroups (basal cytokeratins 5/6 and/or EGFR positive), claudin-low (claudins and/or e-cadherin negative), mesenchymal (vimentin-positive), apocrine (androgen receptor positive), myoepithelial (p63 and/or smooth muscle actin positive), stem-cell (ALDH1-positive), or undefined (negative for all markers). In these subtypes the proliferative activity through the Ki-67 expression was analyzed. Neoplasias from the five regions were compared as for histological characteristics and immunohistochemical profiles. RESULTS: The age of patients ranged from 26 years to 45 years (mean 38.3 +/- 4.9 and median of 39 years). The most common histological type was no special histological type (NST) of carcinoma (107/118 cases, 90.7%). We observed a higher proportion of high-grade carcinomas in the regions Northeast, South and Southeast. Compared to the Midwestern and Northern regions there was no statistically significant difference (p = 0.03). The immunohistochemical markers showed no differences in the frequencies between the different geographical regions. We observed low proliferative activity determined by Ki-67 expression in the subgroups with androgen receptor expression (apocrine) and no expression of vimentin (no mesenchymal pattern). Tumors of the Northeast, South and Southeast have higher proliferative activity. There was a lower frequency of immunohistochemical markers associated with basal molecular type between tumors rich in lymphocytes. CONCLUSIONS: The molecular subtypes determined by immunohistochemical expression have shown no differences in the frequencies among the different geographical regions. Tumors in the Northeast, South and Southeast had higher proliferative activity. Carcinomas rich in intratumoral lymphocytes had lower frequency of basal profile

O tratamento sistêmico é extremamente importante na abordagem clínica do câncer de mama. O presente estudo teve a finalidade de avaliar se a quimioterapia sistêmica é capaz de produzir instabilidade genética representada por instabilidade de microssatélites (MSI) e perda de heterozigosidade (LOH) na fração mononuclear do sangue periférico de pacientes portadoras de câncer de mama. Foram estudadas 119 amostras de sangue, obtidas seqüencialmente antes, durante e após a quimioterapia. Das 30 pacientes avaliadas, 27 apresentaram MSI em pelo menos uma das amostras estudadas e 6 desenvolveram LOH. Uma importante correlação foi obtida entre o número de eventos de MSI por amostra e quimioterápicos com agentes alquilantes (p < 0,0001). Entretanto, quando as amostras foram de pacientes em radioterapia, observou-se um menor número de eventos de MSI por amostra (p=0,038). Concluímos que o tratamento sistêmico pode induzir MSI e LOH em células mononucleares do sangue periférico de pacientes em tratamento quimioterápico com agentes alquilantes / Systemic chemotherapy is an important part of treatment for breast cancer. We conduced the present study to evaluate whether systemic chemotherapy could produce microsatellite instability (MSI) in the peripheral blood mononuclear cell fraction of breast cancer patients. We studied 119 sequential blood samples from 30 previously untreated breast cancer patients before, during and after chemotherapy. In 27 out of 30 patients we observed MSI in at least one sample, and six patients had loss of heterozygosity (LOH). We found a significant correlation between the number of MSI events per sample and chemotherapy with alkylating agents (p < 0.0001). However, when the samples were obtained in patients with radiotherapy we observed low MSI events per samples (p = 0.038). We concluded that systemic chemotherapy may induce MSI and LOH in peripheral blood mononuclear cells from breast cancer patients receiving alkylating agents

INTRODUÇÃO: Carcinomas mamários triplo-negativos correspondem ao grupo heterogêneo de neoplasias mamárias caracterizadas pela ausência de expressão dos receptores de estrogênio e progesterona e sem amplificação ou superexpressão do HER2. São mais prevalentes em mulheres jovens e em afrodescendentes. Eles se associam frequentemente ao fenótipo basal-símile determinado geneticamente, entretanto, incluem também outros tipos moleculares intrínsecos. Metodologias de análise genética de novas gerações têm permitido sua estratificação em subgrupos distintos, o que justifica a heterogeneidade clínica deste grupo de neoplasias. A identificação desses subgrupos através de marcadores imunoistoquímicos de aplicação prática ainda é pouco explorada, embora seja uma ferramenta promissora na sua estratificação e determinação de alvos terapêuticos. OBJETIVOS: Nosso objetivo é explorar os perfis imunoistoquímicos dos carcinomas mamários triplo-negativos em mulheres com idade até 45 anos e investigar possíveis diferenças entre as cinco regiões geográficas brasileiras. MÉTODOS: Selecionamos 118 amostras de tumores de pacientes com idade até 45 anos, com carcinoma invasivo, blocos de parafina disponíveis e perfil imunoistoquímico triplo-negativo, procedentes das cinco regiões geográficas. Estes casos foram revisados quanto à determinação de tipo e grau histológico e as seguintes características anatomopatológicas: contorno do tumor, presença e fração do componente \"in situ\", embolização vascular peritumoral, tipo e grau da reação estromal, presença de necrose tumoral e formação de túbulos pela neoplasia. Foram selecionadas áreas representativas do tumor para construção de blocos de microarranjos de tecido para estudo imunoistoquímico. Foram pesquisados os seguintes marcadores: citoqueratinas basais 5/6 e 14, citoqueratinas luminais 8 e 18, receptor do fator de crescimento epidérmico (EGFR ou HER1), receptor de androgênio, e-caderina, catenina-beta, claudinas 3, 4 e 7, vimentina, actina de músculo liso, p63, ALDH1 e Ki-67. De acordo com a expressão dos marcadores, os tumores foram classificados nos subgrupos basal-símile (expressão de citoqueratina basal 5/6 e/ou EGFR-positivo), claudina-baixo (claudinas e e-caderina-negativos), mesenquimal (vimentina-positivo), apócrino (receptor de androgênio-positivo), mioepitelial (p63 ou actina de músculo liso positivos), com perfil de células tronco (ALDH1 positivo), ou indefinido (padrões negativo para todos os marcadores). Nestes subtipos, a atividade proliferativa foi analisada através da expressão de Ki-67. As neoplasias provenientes das cinco regiões geográficas foram comparadas quanto às características histológicas e perfis imunoistoquímicos. RESULTADOS: A idade das pacientes variou de 26 anos a 45 anos ( média 38,3 +/-4,9 e mediana de 39 anos ). O tipo histológico mais frequente foi o carcinoma de tipo histológico não especial (107/118 casos; 90,7%). Observamos maior proporção de carcinomas de alto grau nas regiões nordeste, sul e sudeste. Os marcadores imunoistoquímicos não mostraram diferenças nas frequências entre as diferentes regiões geográficas. Observamos baixa atividade proliferativa determinada pela expressão do Ki-67 nos subgrupos com expressão do receptor de androgênio (apócrino) e sem expressão de vimentina (padrão não mesenquimal). Os tumores da região Nordeste, Sul e Sudeste apresentaram maior atividade proliferativa. Tumores ricos em linfócitos intratumorais apresentaram menor expressão de marcadores basais e do perfil basal-símile. CONCLUSÕES: Os subtipos moleculares determinados através da expressão imunoistoquímica não mostraram diferenças nas frequências entre as diferentes regiões geográficas. Os tumores das regiões Nordeste, Sul e Sudeste apresentaram maior atividade proliferativa. Os carcinomas ricos em linfócitos intratumorais apresentaram frequência menor do perfil basal / BACKGROUND: Triple-negative breast carcinomas (TNBC) correspond to a heterogeneous group of neoplasia characterized by the lack of expression of estrogen and progesterone receptors, and by the absence of amplification or overexpression of HER2. They are more prevalent among African descendants and younger women. They are often associated with the basal-like genetic phenotype; however, other intrinsic molecular types are included. Genomic analyses of next-generation methods have allowed stratification of TN breast carcinomas into distinct subgroups, explaining the clinical heterogeneity of this group of neoplasias. The identification of these subgroups by immunohistochemical markers is not well explored, although it represents a potential useful tool for the stratification and determination of therapeutic targets. OBJECTIVES: Our aim is to explore the TNBC immunohistochemical profile in patients of 45 year-old or younger, and to investigate possible differences among the five Brazilian geographic regions. METHODS: We\'ve selected 118 samples of tumors from patients up to 45 years-old from five Brazilian geographic regions, with invasive carcinoma, available paraffin blocks, and triple-negative immunohistochemical profile. All the cases were reviewed as for determination of histologic type and grading, and the following pathological features: tumor contour, presence and percentage of in situ component, peritumoral vascular embolization, type and grade of stromal reaction, presence of tumoral necrosis, and tubule formation by neoplasia. Representative tumor areas were selected for tissue microarray construction for immunohistochemical study. The following markers were studied: Basal cytokeratins 5/6 and 14; luminal cytokeratins 8 and 18; Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR or HER1); androgen receptor; e-cadherin; catenin-beta; claudins (3,4 and 7); vimentin; smooth-muscle actin; p63, ALDH1, and Ki-67. According to the expression of the markers, the tumors were grouped in the basal-like subgroups (basal cytokeratins 5/6 and/or EGFR positive), claudin-low (claudins and/or e-cadherin negative), mesenchymal (vimentin-positive), apocrine (androgen receptor positive), myoepithelial (p63 and/or smooth muscle actin positive), stem-cell (ALDH1-positive), or undefined (negative for all markers). In these subtypes the proliferative activity through the Ki-67 expression was analyzed. Neoplasias from the five regions were compared as for histological characteristics and immunohistochemical profiles. RESULTS: The age of patients ranged from 26 years to 45 years (mean 38.3 +/- 4.9 and median of 39 years). The most common histological type was no special histological type (NST) of carcinoma (107/118 cases, 90.7%). We observed a higher proportion of high-grade carcinomas in the regions Northeast, South and Southeast. Compared to the Midwestern and Northern regions there was no statistically significant difference (p = 0.03). The immunohistochemical markers showed no differences in the frequencies between the different geographical regions. We observed low proliferative activity determined by Ki-67 expression in the subgroups with androgen receptor expression (apocrine) and no expression of vimentin (no mesenchymal pattern). Tumors of the Northeast, South and Southeast have higher proliferative activity. There was a lower frequency of immunohistochemical markers associated with basal molecular type between tumors rich in lymphocytes. CONCLUSIONS: The molecular subtypes determined by immunohistochemical expression have shown no differences in the frequencies among the different geographical regions. Tumors in the Northeast, South and Southeast had higher proliferative activity. Carcinomas rich in intratumoral lymphocytes had lower frequency of basal profile

Breast cancer is a heterogeneous disease comprised of distinct biological entities that correlate with diverse clinical outcomes. Gene expression profiling has divided this heterogeneity into luminal, ERBB2+ and basal molecular subtypes. Basal breast cancers are difficult to treat as they lack expression of candidates suitable for targeted therapies and are associated with poor outcome. / Elevated protein level of the hepatocyte growth factor receptor, MET, is observed in 20% of human breast cancers and correlates with poor prognosis. However, the role of MET in mammary tumorigenesis is poorly understood. To address this, we generated a murine model that expresses weakly oncogenic mutants of Met (Metmt) in the mammary epithelium under the transcriptional control of the mouse mammary tumor virus promoter. We demonstrate that Metmt induces mammary carcinomas with diverse phenotypes and used gene expression microarrays to elucidate gene expression changes induced by Met. Since mammary tumors contained variable contents of epithelium and stroma, we used laser capture microdissection to procure epithelial cells for microarray analysis. Based on immunohistochemistry and expression profiling, we show that Metmt produces tumors with luminal or basal characteristics. From hierarchical clustering, Metmt-induced basal tumors clustered with murine models that share features of epithelial to mesenchymal transition and human basal breast cancers. Moreover, Metmt basal tumors clustered with human basal breast cancer. The status of MET among the human breast cancer subtypes has not previously been addressed. We demonstrate that MET levels are variable across molecular subtypes but show elevation in the basal subtype and correlates with poor outcome. We used a candidate gene approach derived from microarray data to gain an understanding of signals required for Met-dependent tumorigenesis. We investigated Nck adaptor proteins and demonstrate a role for Nck in cell motility and actin dynamics of Met-dependent breast carcinoma cells and show elevated expression in human basal breast cancers. By generating a unique mouse model in which Met is expressed in mammary epithelia, with the examination of MET levels in human breast cancer, we have established a novel link between MET and basal breast cancer. This work identifies poor outcome basal breast cancers that may benefit from anti-MET therapies.

Background. Both basal-like subtype and BRCA1-related breast cancers tend to have a poor overall prognosis and lack of effective treatments. Given that the lung cancer drug gefitinib and the leukemia drug dasatinib inhibit proteins also belonging to the molecular signature of this subtype, we and others hypothesized that they might be useful therapies for those two breast cancer subgroups. / Methods. Eight breast cancer cell lines were characterized by immunohistochemistry and western blotting and were treated with both drugs. Response was measured by using the sulphorhodamine B (SRB) assay. / Results. Two out of six basal-like cell lines were sensitive to gefitinib and five of six to dasatinib. BRCA1-related breast cancers were also responsive to dasatinib (three out of four). Moreover, EGFR and caveolin-1 act as markers for dasatinib sensitivity, but do not appear to be the primary targets of this drug. The presence of SRC but not ABL is necessary to achieve a response to dasatinib. / Conclusion. Dasatinib is more effective in the treatment of basal-like breast cancers than gefitinib and acts by inhibiting SRC and other molecules that are yet to be determined.

Diss. (sammanfattning) Stockholm : Karol. inst., 2003. / Härtill 5 uppsatser.

Diss. (sammanfattning) Linköping : Linköpings universitet, 2007. / Härtill 5 uppsatser.