Chan Ho Yee. / Thesis (M.Phil.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2002. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 121-138). / Abstracts in English and Chinese. / ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS --- p.II / ABSTRACT --- p.III / 摘要 --- p.V / ABBREVIATIONS --- p.VI / "TABLE OF CONTENTS, " --- p.VII / LIST OF FIGURES AND TABLES --- p.XI / Chapter CHAPTER 1 --- GENERAL INTRODUCTION --- p.1 / Xenobiotic-metabolizing enzymes --- p.1 / Cytochrome P450 1 family --- p.4 / CYP1A1 --- p.5 / CYP1A2 --- p.5 / CYP1B1 --- p.5 / Transactivation of CYP1 enzymes by Aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) --- p.8 / Implication of PAHs and CYP1 family in breast cancer --- p.10 / Potential role of phytochemicals on cancer prevention --- p.11 / Significance of this project --- p.13 / Chapter CHAPTER 2 --- MATERIALS AND METHODS --- p.14 / Chemicals --- p.14 / Maintenance of cells --- p.14 / Preparation of cell stock --- p.14 / Cell recovery from liquid nitrogen stock --- p.15 / Measurement of cell viability --- p.15 / Preparation of cell lysates (NP-40 cell lysis buffer) --- p.15 / XRE-luciferase gene reporter assay --- p.16 / Manipulation of DNA and RNA --- p.17 / Separation and purification of DNA from agarose gel --- p.17 / Separation of DNA from acrylamide gel --- p.17 / Restriction digestion --- p.18 / Ligation of DNA fragments --- p.18 / Transformation of DH5 a --- p.19 / Small scale plasmid purification from DH5a (mini prep) --- p.19 / Large scale plasmid isolation from DH5a (maxi-prep) --- p.20 / Construction of XRE activated luciferase reporter gene --- p.21 / Measurement of DMBA-DNA adduct formation --- p.21 / Semi-quantitative RT-PCR Assay --- p.22 / ENZYME ACTIVITIES --- p.23 / Isolation of microsomes --- p.23 / EROD activities in intact cells --- p.23 / EROD inhibition assay --- p.24 / Stattstical Analysis --- p.24 / Chapter CHAPTER 3 --- BAICALEIN INHIBITS DMBA-DNA ADDUCT FORMATION BY MODULATING CYP1A1 AND 1B1 ACTIVITIES --- p.26 / Introduction --- p.26 / Results --- p.28 / EROD activities in MCF-7 cells and inhibition assay --- p.28 / Baicalein suppressed DMBA-induced XRE-driven luciferase activities --- p.31 / Baicalein inhibited DMBA-induced CYP1A1 and CYP1B1 mRNA expression --- p.31 / The cytotoxic effect of DMBA was reduced by baicalein --- p.35 / Inhibition of DMBA-DNA adduct formation after baicalein treatment --- p.35 / Discussion --- p.39 / Chapter CHAPTER 4 --- INHIBITION OF DMBA-DNA ADDUCT FORMATION BY (-)-EPIGALLOCATECHIN GALLATE AND THEAFLAVINS --- p.41 / Introduction --- p.41 / Results --- p.45 / Persistence of DMBA-induced DNA adducts --- p.45 / Inhibition of theaflavins and EGCG on human recombinant CYP1A1 and CYP1B1 enzyme activities --- p.48 / EGCG suppressed DMBA-induced EROD activity while thealfavin had no significant effect on this --- p.48 / Kinetic analysis of EGCG on CYP1A1 and CYP1B1 activities --- p.53 / Modulation of DMBA-induced XRE-driven luciferase activities by theaflavins and EGCG --- p.56 / The influence of theaflavins and EGCG on CYP1A1 and CYP1B1 abundance --- p.56 / Discussion --- p.65 / Chapter CHAPTER 5 --- ISOFLAVONES PREVENT DMBA-INDUCED CARCINOGENESIS BY INHIBITING CYP1A1 AND CYP1B1 ACTIVITIES --- p.67 / Introduction --- p.67 / Results --- p.70 / Isoflavones inhibited DMBA-induced EROD activity in MCF-7 cells --- p.70 / Inhibition of MCF-7 microsomal EROD activities by isoflavones --- p.70 / Kinetic analysis of the inhibition of human recombinant CYP1 enzymes by isoflavones --- p.74 / XRE-driven Luciferase activities --- p.83 / Both biochanin A and genistein suppressed DMBA-induced CYP1 mRNA expression --- p.83 / Cytotoxicity of DMBA and isoflavones co-treatment --- p.88 / Isoflavones reduced the binding of activated DMBA to DNA --- p.89 / Discussion --- p.93 / Chapter CHAPTER 6 --- IN VITRO EFFECTS OF BAICALEIN AND THEAFLAVINS ON RAT HEPATIC P450 ACTIVITIES --- p.96 / Introduction --- p.96 / Results --- p.98 / Inhibition of EROD and MROD activities in rat liver microsomes by baicalein --- p.98 / Effects of theaflavins on EROD and MROD activities in rat liver microsomes --- p.102 / Kinetic studies for EROD and MROD activities of theaflavins --- p.104 / DISCUSSION --- p.114 / Chapter CHAPTER 7 --- CONCLUSION --- p.116 / APPENDIX 1 PRIMER LISTS --- p.118 / APPENDIX 2 REAGENTS --- p.119 / BIBLIOGRAPHY --- p.121

Cheung Sao Fong. / Thesis (M.Phil.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2006. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves xxiv-xxxvii). / Abstracts in English and Chinese. / Examination Committee List --- p.i / Declaration --- p.ii / Acknowledgements --- p.iii / Abstract --- p.v / Abstract in Chinese --- p.viii / List of Figures and Tables --- p.x / List of Abbreviations --- p.xix / Table of Content --- p.xxiii / Chapter Chapter 1 --- INTRODUCTION --- p.1 / Chapter 1.1 --- Human Liver Cancer --- p.1 / Chapter 1.1.1 --- Incidence of Hepatocellular Carcinoma --- p.1 / Chapter 1.1.2 --- Causes and Symptoms of Hepatocellular Carcinoma --- p.4 / Chapter 1.1.3 --- Treatment Options for Hepatocellular Carcinoma --- p.4 / Chapter 1.1.4 --- Multi-drug Resistance --- p.5 / Chapter 1.1.4.1 --- Mechanisms of Multi-drug Resistance --- p.5 / Chapter 1.2 --- Traditional Chinese Medicine --- p.10 / Chapter 1.2.1 --- Sophora flavescens and Radix Sophorae --- p.10 / Chapter 1.2.2 --- Flavonoid and its Sub-classification --- p.13 / Chapter 1.2.3 --- Flavonoid and Human Health --- p.15 / Chapter 1.3 --- Cell Death --- p.17 / Chapter 1.3.1 --- Necrosis --- p.17 / Chapter 1.3.2 --- Apoptosis --- p.17 / Chapter 1.3.3 --- Signaling Pathways in Apoptosis --- p.18 / Chapter 1.3.3.1 --- Extrinsic (Death Receptor-mediated) Pathway --- p.20 / Chapter 1.3.3.2 --- Intrinsic (Mitochondrial) Pathway --- p.21 / Chapter 1.3.3.3 --- Cysteine Aspartatic Acid Proteases --- p.21 / Chapter 1.4 --- Research Objective (s) --- p.22 / Chapter Chapter 2 --- MATERIALS AND METHODS --- p.23 / Chapter 2.1 --- Materials --- p.23 / Chapter 2.1.1 --- Cell Lines --- p.23 / Chapter 2.1.1.1 --- HepG2 --- p.24 / Chapter 2.1.1.2 --- RHepG2 --- p.24 / Chapter 2.1.1.3 --- WRL-68 --- p.25 / Chapter 2.1.2 --- Culture Media --- p.26 / Chapter 2.1.2.1 --- Rosewell Park Memorial Institute( RPMl) 1640 Medium --- p.26 / Chapter 2.1.2.2 --- Dulbecco's Modified Eagle's Medium (DMEM) --- p.26 / Chapter 2.1.3 --- Animals --- p.27 / Chapter 2.2 --- Traditional Chinese Medicines and Conventional Anti-cancer Drugs --- p.27 / Chapter 2.3 --- Antibodies --- p.29 / Chapter 2.4 --- Chemicals --- p.30 / Chapter 2.5 --- Reagents and Buffers --- p.34 / Chapter 2.5.1 --- Reagents for Silica Gel Column Chromatography --- p.34 / Chapter 2.5.2 --- Buffers for Common Use --- p.34 / Chapter 2.5.3 --- Reagents for Cell Viability Assay --- p.35 / Chapter 2.5.4 --- Reagents and Buffers for Typical Apoptosis Experiments --- p.35 / Chapter 2.5.4.1 --- Cell Cycle Analysis --- p.35 / Chapter 2.5.4.2 --- Terminal Deoxynucleotidyl Transferase-mediated dUTP Nick End Labeling (TUNEL) Assay --- p.35 / Chapter 2.5.4.3 --- DNA Fragmentation Detection --- p.35 / Chapter 2.5.5 --- Reagents and Buffers for Western Blot Study --- p.36 / Chapter 2.5.5.1 --- Whole-cell Protein Extraction --- p.38 / Chapter 2.5.5.2 --- Mitochondrial and Cytosolic Fraction Protein Extraction --- p.38 / Chapter 2.5.6 --- Reagents and Buffers for Mitochondrial Transmembrane Potential Depolarization Measurement --- p.39 / Chapter 2.5.7 --- Reagents and Buffers for in vivo Animal Study --- p.39 / Chapter 2.5.8 --- Reagents and Buffers for Two-Dimensional Gel Electrophoresis --- p.40 / Chapter 2.5.8.1 --- Sample Preparation --- p.40 / Chapter 2.5.8.2 --- First Dimension Gel Electrophoresis - Isoelectric Focusing (IEF) --- p.40 / Chapter 2.5.8.3 --- Second Dimension Gel 日ectrophoresis - SDS-Polyacrylamide Gel Electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) --- p.40 / Chapter 2.5.8.4 --- Silver Staining --- p.41 / Chapter 2.5.9 --- Reagents for Mass Spectrometry Preparation --- p.42 / Chapter 2.5.9.1 --- Destaining --- p.42 / Chapter 2.5.9.2 --- Trypsin Digestion --- p.42 / Chapter 2.5.9.3 --- Desalting of Peptide Mixture --- p.43 / Chapter 2.5.10 --- Reagents and Buffers for Real-Time PCR --- p.43 / Chapter 2.6 --- Methods --- p.44 / Chapter 2.6.1 --- Isolation of Bioactive Constituents by Silica Gel Column Chromatography --- p.44 / Chapter 2.6.2 --- Cell Viability Assay --- p.45 / Chapter 2.6.3 --- Typical Apoptosis Experiments --- p.45 / Chapter 2.6.3.1 --- Cell Cycle Analysis --- p.46 / Chapter 2.6.3.2 --- Annexin V-FITC/ PI Staining Experiment --- p.47 / Chapter 2.6.3.3 --- Terminal Deoxynucleotidyl Transferase-mediated dUTP Nick End Labeling (TUNEL) Assay --- p.48 / Chapter 2.6.3.4 --- DNA Fragmentation Reaction --- p.48 / Chapter 2.6.4 --- Western Blot Study --- p.49 / Chapter 2.6.4.1 --- Whole-cell Protein Extraction --- p.49 / Chapter 2.6.4.2 --- Mitochondrial and Cytosolic Fraction Protein Extraction --- p.50 / Chapter 2.6.5 --- Caspase Activity Determination --- p.54 / Chapter 2.6.6 --- Mitochondrial Transmembrane Potential Depolarization Measurement --- p.55 / Chapter 2.6.7 --- in vivo Animal Study --- p.56 / Chapter 2.6.8 --- Two-Dimensional Gel Electrophoresis --- p.58 / Chapter 2.6.8.1 --- Sample Preparation --- p.58 / Chapter 2.6.8.2 --- First Dimension Electrophoresis - Isoelectric Focusing (IEF) --- p.59 / Chapter 2.6.8.3 --- Second Dimension Electrophoresis - SDS-Polyacrylamide Gel Electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) --- p.60 / Chapter 2.6.8.4 --- Silver Staining --- p.61 / Chapter 2.6.9 --- Mass Spectrometry Preparation --- p.63 / Chapter 2.6.9.1 --- Destaining and Trypsin Digestion --- p.63 / Chapter 2.6.9.2 --- Peptide Extraction --- p.63 / Chapter 2.6.9.3 --- Desalting of Peptide Mixture --- p.64 / Chapter 2.6.10 --- Real-Time PCR --- p.65 / Chapter 2.6.11 --- Cellular Glutathione Level Detection --- p.69 / Chapter 2.7 --- Statistical Analysis --- p.70 / Chapter Chapter 3 --- RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS - CYTOTOXICITY OF FLAVONOIDS ISOLATED FROM RADIX SOPHORAE --- p.72 / Chapter 3.1 --- Screening of Cytotoxic Flavonoids from Radix Sophorae --- p.72 / Chapter 3.2 --- Cytotoxicity of Leachianone A on Human Hepatoma Cell Lines --- p.74 / Chapter 3.3 --- Cytotoxicity of Leachianone A on Human Normal Liver Cell Line --- p.77 / Chapter 3.4 --- Cytotoxicity of Sophoraflavone J on Human Hepatoma Cell Line --- p.79 / Chapter 3.5 --- Cytotoxicity of Sophoraflavone J on Human Normal Liver Cell Line --- p.79 / Chapter 3.6 --- Cytotoxicities of Cisplatin and Taxol on Human Hepatoma as well as Normal Liver Cell Lines --- p.81 / Chapter 3.7 --- Conclusion --- p.86 / Chapter Chapter 4 --- "RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS - MECHANISTIC STUDY OF LEACHIANONE A-INDUCED CELL DEATH IN HEPATOMA CELLS, HepG2 and RHepG2" --- p.88 / Chapter 4.1 --- Promotion of Cell Cycle Arrest --- p.88 / Chapter 4.2 --- Induction of Apoptosis as Evidenced by Phosphatidylserine Externalization and DNA Fragmentation --- p.93 / Chapter 4.2.1 --- Occurrence of Phosphatidylserine Externalization --- p.94 / Chapter 4.2.2 --- DNA Fragmentation Detection --- p.99 / Chapter 4.2.2.1 --- Terminal Deoxynucleotidyl Transferase(TdT)-mediated dUTP Nick End Labeling (TUNEL) Assay --- p.99 / Chapter 4.2.2.2 --- DNA Laddering Pattern in Agarose Gel Electrophoresis --- p.103 / Chapter 4.3 --- Recruitment of Multiple Signaling Pathways in Leachianone A-induced Apoptosis --- p.105 / Chapter 4.3.1 --- "Activation of Caspases-3, -8, and -9" --- p.105 / Chapter 4.3.2 --- Altered Expressions of Bcl-2 Family Proteins --- p.112 / Chapter 4.3.3 --- Loss of Mitochondrial Membrane Potential --- p.115 / Chapter 4.4 --- in vivo Tumor Growth Inhibition in HepG2-bearing Nude Mice --- p.121 / Chapter 4.5 --- Conclusion --- p.127 / Chapter Chapter 5 --- RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS - MECHANISTIC STUDY OF SOPHORAFLAVONE J-INDUCED CELL DEATH IN HEPATOMA CELLS HepG2 --- p.132 / Chapter 5.1 --- Execution of Cellular Apoptosis --- p.133 / Chapter 5.2 --- Involvement of Multiple Signaling Pathways in Sophoraflavone J-induced Apoptosis --- p.138 / Chapter 5.3 --- Differential Proteomes of Control and Sophoraflavone J-treated HepG2 Cells --- p.148 / Chapter 5.4 --- Conclusion --- p.167 / Chapter Chapter 6 --- OVERALL CONCLUSION AND FUTURE PERSPECTIVES --- p.169 / References --- p.xxiv

Yau Mei-sze. / Thesis (M.Phil.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2006. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 96-112). / Abstracts in English and Chinese. / Abstract / Abstract (Chinese Version) / Acknowledgements / List of Abbreviations / Table of Contents / List of Tables / List of Figures / Chapter Chapter 1 --- Introduction / Chapter Chapter 2 --- Literature Review / Chapter 2.1 --- Hepatocellular Carcinoma / Chapter 2.2 --- Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor / Chapter 2.2.1 --- Activation of Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor / Chapter 2.2.2 --- Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor Signaling Pathways / Chapter 2.2.3 --- Expression Level and Patient Survival / Chapter 2.2.4 --- Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor Activity and Tumor Cell Growth / Chapter 2.2.5 --- Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor Activity and Radiation / Chapter 2.3 --- "Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitor, ZD1839" / Chapter 2.3.1 --- Tumor Cell Growth Control Activities of ZD1839 / Chapter 2.3.2 --- Factors Affecting the Tumor Cell Growth Control Activities of ZD1839 / Chapter 2.3.3 --- Radiosensitization Activities of ZD1839 / Chapter 2.3.4 --- Factors Affecting the Radiosensitization Activities of ZD1839 / Chapter 2.4 --- Study Objectives / Chapter Chapter 3 --- Materials and Methods / Chapter 3.1 --- ZD1839 / Chapter 3.2 --- Cell lines and Cell Culture / Chapter 3.3 --- Immunoblot Analysis / Chapter 3.3.1 --- Total Protein Extraction / Chapter 3.3.2 --- Protein Amount Determination / Chapter 3.3.3 --- Protein Separation / Chapter 3.3.4 --- Blotting / Chapter 3.3.5 --- Antibody Labeling / Chapter 3.3.6 --- Detection of Antibody Binding / Chapter 3.4 --- Cytotoxicity Assay / Chapter 3.5 --- Nucleotide sequence analysis / Chapter 3.5.1 --- Total RNA Extraction / Chapter 3.5.2 --- RNA Amount Determination / Chapter 3.5.3 --- Reverse Transcription - Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) / Chapter 3.5.3.1 --- Reverse Transcription / Chapter 3.5.3.2 --- High Fidelity Polymerase Chain Reaction / Chapter 3.5.4 --- Purification of PCR Product / Chapter 3.5.5 --- Cycle Sequencing Reaction / Chapter 3.5.6 --- DNA Precipitation and Sequencing / Chapter 3.6 --- Clonogenic Assay / Chapter 3.7 --- Immunohistochemical Analysis / Chapter Chapter 4 --- Results / Chapter 4.1 --- Immunoblot Analysis / Chapter 4.2 --- Cytotoxicity Assay / Chapter 4.2.1 --- Effect of ZD 1839 on cell morphology / Chapter 4.2.2 --- Effect of ZD 1839 on cell growth / Chapter 4.3 --- Nucleotide sequence analysis / Chapter 4.3.1 --- RNA Concentration of HCC cells / Chapter 4.3.2 --- Sequencing of TK domain within EGFR / Chapter 4.3.3 --- Sequencing of TK domain within HER2 / Chapter 4.4 --- Clonogenic assay / Chapter 4.4.1 --- Effects of ZD 1839 pre-treatment on radiation response / Chapter 4.4.2 --- Effects of ZD 1839 continuous treatment on radiation response / Chapter 4.5 --- Immunohistochemical Analysis / Chapter Chapter 5 --- Discussion / Chapter 5.1 --- Important Findings / Chapter 5.2 --- EGFR Expression of HCC Cells / Chapter 5.3 --- Cytotoxicity of ZD1839 on HCC Cell Lines / Chapter 5.4 --- Factors Affecting the Cytotoxicity of ZD1839 / Chapter 5.4.1 --- Effect of EGFR Expression on ZD1839 Cytotoxicity / Chapter 5.4.2 --- Effect of EGFR Mutations on ZD 1839 Cytotoxicity / Chapter 5.4.3 --- Effect of HER2 Expression on ZD1839 Cytotoxicity / Chapter 5.4.4 --- Effect of HER2 Mutations on ZD 1839 Cytotoxicity / Chapter 5.5 --- Radiation Response ofHCC Cell Lines upon ZD1839 Treatment / Chapter 5.6 --- Factors Affecting Radiation Response of ZD1839-treated HCC Cell Lines / Chapter 5.6.1 --- Effect of Growth Arrest on Radiation Response of HCC Cell Lines / Chapter 5.6.2 --- Other Factors Affecting Radiation Response of HCC Cell Lines / Chapter Chapter 6 --- Conclusion / References

Hoi, Chu Peng. / Thesis (M.Phil.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2007. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 81-103). / Abstracts in English and Chinese. / Acknowledgements --- p.II / Abstract --- p.III / Abstract (in Chinese) --- p.V / List of Abbreviations --- p.VI / List of Figures --- p.VIII / List of Tables --- p.X / Table of Contents --- p.XI / Chapter Chapter One --- General introduction --- p.1 / Chapter 1.1 --- Alzheimer's disease --- p.1 / Chapter 1.1.1 --- Epidemiology and risk factors --- p.2 / Chapter 1.1.2 --- Clinical manifestation and course --- p.4 / Chapter 1.1.3 --- Clinical diagnosis --- p.5 / Chapter 1.1.4 --- Neuropathology and pathogenesis of AD --- p.8 / Chapter 1.1.5 --- Drug therapy of AD --- p.11 / Chapter 1.1.5.1 --- Drugs for symptomatic treatment --- p.11 / Chapter 1.1.5.2 --- Drugs based on epidemiology --- p.12 / Chapter 1.1.5.3 --- Drugs with potential disease-modifying effects --- p.14 / Chapter 1.1.5.4 --- Herbal supplements --- p.15 / Chapter 1.2 --- Models for drug discovery in Alzheimer Disease --- p.15 / Chapter 1.2.1 --- In vivo (animal) models --- p.16 / Chapter 1.2.2 --- In vitro (cellular) models --- p.18 / Chapter 1.3 --- Chinese herbs for the treatment of AD --- p.20 / Chapter 1.3.1 --- Ginkgo biloba L --- p.21 / Chapter 1.3.2 --- Magnolia officinalis --- p.24 / Chapter 1.3.3 --- Acori graminei Rhizoma (AGR) --- p.26 / Chapter 1.3.4 --- Gastrodia elata (G. elata) --- p.27 / Chapter 1.3.5 --- Rhodiola rosea L.( R. rosea) --- p.29 / Chapter 1.3.6 --- Scutellariae baicalensis --- p.30 / Chapter 1.3.7 --- Curcuma longa L.(Zingiberaceae) --- p.31 / Chapter 1.4 --- Aims of the study --- p.33 / Chapter Chapter Two --- Materials and Methods --- p.34 / Chapter 2.1 --- Materials --- p.34 / Chapter 2.1.1 --- Chemicals and reagents --- p.34 / Chapter 2.1.2 --- Materials for cell culture --- p.35 / Chapter 2.1.3 --- Instruments --- p.35 / Chapter 2.2 --- Methods --- p.36 / Chapter 2.2.1 --- Cell culture --- p.36 / Chapter 2.2.2 --- MTT cell viability assay --- p.38 / Chapter 2.2.3 --- Characterization of the cytotoxicity of Aβ peptide in NGF-differentiated PC 12 cells --- p.38 / Chapter 2.2.4 --- Screening of the neuroprotective effect of major principles from selected herbs on PC 12 cells against Aβ-induced cytotoxicity --- p.39 / Chapter 2.2.5 --- Measurement of reactive oxygen species (ROS) --- p.40 / Chapter 2.2.6 --- Measurement of intracellular calcium levels --- p.41 / Chapter 2.2.7 --- Measurement of caspase-3 activity --- p.42 / Chapter 2.2.8 --- Propidium iodide (PI) staining to evaluate apoptosis and necrosis --- p.43 / Chapter 2.3 --- Statistics --- p.45 / Chapter Chapter Three --- Results --- p.46 / Chapter 3.1 --- NGF-differentiated PC 12 cells --- p.46 / Chapter 3.1.1 --- Determination of an appropriate cell density for the screening experiments --- p.46 / Chapter 3.1.2 --- Characterization of Aβ-induced cytotoxicity in NGF-differentiated PC 12 cells --- p.47 / Chapter 3.1.2.1 --- Cytotoxicity of Aβ-related fragments in NGF-differentiated PC 12 cells --- p.48 / Chapter 3.1.2.2 --- Dose-dependent cytotoxic effect of Aβ on PC 12 cells --- p.48 / Chapter 3.1.2.3 --- Time-dependent effect of Aβ-induced toxicity on PC12 cells --- p.50 / Chapter 3.1.3 --- Protective effect of selected active principles against Aβ1-4-induced toxicity in PC 12 cells --- p.51 / Chapter 3.2 --- Measurement of reactive oxygen species (ROS) --- p.54 / Chapter 3.2.1 --- Measurement of ROS induced by H202 --- p.54 / Chapter 3.2.2 --- Measurement of ROS induced by Aβ --- p.56 / Chapter 3.3 --- Measurement of Intracellular calcium levels --- p.57 / Chapter 3.4 --- Measurement of caspase-3 activity --- p.58 / Chapter 3.4.1 --- AMC reference standard curve --- p.59 / Chapter 3.4.2 --- Measurement of caspase-3 activity --- p.59 / Chapter 3.5 --- PI staining for evaluate apoptosis and necrosis --- p.60 / Chapter Chapter Four --- Discussion --- p.64 / Chapter 4.1 --- Aβ-induced cytotoxicity in NGF-differentiated PC 12 cells as an in vitro model of Alzheimer's disease --- p.64 / Chapter 4.1.1 --- Cell line selection --- p.65 / Chapter 4.1.2 --- Characterization of Aβ-induced cytotoxicity in NGF-differentiated PC 12 cells --- p.66 / Chapter 4.2 --- Screening of the neuroprotective effects of selected active principles against Aβ-induced cytotoxicity in NGF-differentiated PC 12 cells --- p.67 / Chapter 4.3 --- Neuroprotection via inhibition of the ROS generation --- p.71 / Chapter 4.4 --- Neuroprotection via suppression of calcium homeostasis --- p.73 / Chapter 4.5 --- Neuroprotective via inhibition of Aβ-induced apoptosis --- p.75 / Chapter 4.5.1 --- Inhibition of caspase-3 activation --- p.75 / Chapter 4.5.2 --- PI staining for evaluation of apoptosis and necrosis --- p.76 / Chapter Chapter Five --- Conclusion and future work --- p.79 / Chapter 5.1 --- Conclusion --- p.79 / Chapter 5.2 --- Future work --- p.80 / References --- p.81

Chan Yiu Leung. / Thesis (M.Phil.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2006. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 123-149). / Abstracts in English and Chinese. / Abstracts --- p.I / Acknowledgements --- p.VIII / List of Figures --- p.IX / Lists of Abbreviations --- p.X / Contents --- p.XII / Chapter Chapter One: --- Introduction and Literature Review --- p.1 / Chapter 1.1 --- Cancer in General --- p.1 / Chapter 1.2 --- Glioma --- p.3 / Chapter 1.2.1 --- Types of Glioma --- p.6 / Chapter 1.2.1.1 --- Astrocytomas --- p.6 / Chapter 1.2.1.2 --- Oligodendrogliomas --- p.8 / Chapter 1.2.1.3 --- Ependymomas --- p.9 / Chapter 1.2.2 --- Glioblastoma Multiforme (GBM) --- p.10 / Chapter 1.2.3 --- Molecular Biology of GBM --- p.11 / Chapter 1.2.4 --- Current Treatment for GBM --- p.15 / Chapter 1.3 --- HMG-Co A reductase inhibitors --- p.17 / Chapter 1.3.1 --- Pharmacology of HMG-Co A reductase inhibitor --- p.18 / Chapter 1.3.2 --- Epidemiological link between HMG-Co A Reductase Inhibitors and Cancer --- p.20 / Chapter 1.3.3 --- Current HMG-Co A reductase inhibitors research in cancer --- p.21 / Chapter 1.3.3.1 --- Inhibition of tumor cell growth --- p.21 / Chapter 1.3.3.2 --- Inhibition of Angiogenesis --- p.22 / Chapter 1.3.3.3 --- Anti-invasive effects of HMG-Co A reductase inhibitors.… --- p.23 / Chapter 1.3.3.4 --- Apoptosis induction by HMG-Co A reductase inhibitors --- p.24 / Chapter 1.3.4 --- In vivo efficacy and synergistic effects --- p.25 / Chapter 1.4 --- Tumor Necrosis Factor (TNF) related apoptosis-inducing Ligand (TRAIL) --- p.28 / Chapter 1.4.1 --- Molecular mechanisms of TRAIL-induced apoptosis --- p.29 / Chapter 1.4.2 --- Role for TRAIL in cancer therapy --- p.30 / Chapter 1.5 --- Objectives --- p.34 / Chapter Chapter 2 --- Methods and Materials --- p.35 / Chapter 2.1 --- Cell culture --- p.35 / Chapter 2.2 --- Cell proliferation detection (MTT) methods --- p.36 / Chapter 2.3 --- "Caspase 3,9 activities induced by lovastatin" --- p.37 / Chapter 2.4 --- Detection of apoptosis by Annexin V and PI staining --- p.39 / Chapter 2.5 --- Cell cycle analysis protocols --- p.41 / Chapter 2.6 --- DNA fragmentation ELISA detection kit protocols --- p.42 / Chapter 2.7 --- Reverse Transcription (RT) Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) --- p.44 / Chapter 2.8 --- Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) --- p.46 / Chapter 2.9 --- Bio-molecules extraction/purification protocols --- p.48 / Chapter 2.10 --- "Microarray analysis on lovastatin treated glioblastoma cells A172, M059J and M059K" --- p.51 / Chapter 2.10.1 --- Cells treatment and RNA extraction --- p.51 / Chapter 2.10.2 --- Synthesis of first strand cDNA --- p.53 / Chapter 2.10.3 --- Synthesis of second strand cDNA --- p.54 / Chapter 2.10.4 --- Purification of double stranded cDNA --- p.54 / Chapter 2.10.5 --- Synthesis of cRNA by in vitro transcription (IVT) --- p.55 / Chapter 2.10.6 --- Recovery of biotin-labelled cDNA --- p.56 / Chapter 2.10.7 --- Fragmentation of cRNA --- p.56 / Chapter 2.10.8 --- Preparation of hybridization reaction mixtures --- p.57 / Chapter 2.10.9 --- Loading of reaction mixtures into bioarray chambers --- p.58 / Chapter 2.10.10 --- Hybridization --- p.58 / Chapter 2.10.11 --- Post-hybridization wash --- p.59 / Chapter 2.10.12 --- 2.11.12Detection with streptavidin-dye conjugate --- p.59 / Chapter 2.10.13 --- Bioarray scanning and analysis --- p.61 / Chapter Chapter 3: --- Results --- p.62 / Chapter 3.1 --- Morphological effects of Lovastatin on human glioblastoma cells --- p.62 / Chapter 3.2 --- Anti-proliferation effects on glioblastoma cell lines --- p.64 / Chapter 3.3 --- Lovastatin-induced caspase3 and 9 activation in human glioblastoma cell lines --- p.69 / Chapter 3.4 --- Cell cycle determination by PI staining --- p.77 / Chapter 3.5 --- Quantification of apoptotic cell death by annexin V and propidium iodide staining --- p.79 / Chapter 3.6 --- Microarray analysis of lovastatin-modulated gene expression profiles --- p.82 / Chapter 3.7 --- Synergistic effects induced by lovastatin and Tumor Necrosis Factor related apoptosis-inducing Ligand (TRAIL) --- p.87 / Chapter 3.7.1 --- M059J and M059K glioblastoma cells was resistant to TRAIL attack --- p.87 / Chapter 3.7.2 --- Synergistic cell death was induced by lovastatin and TRAIL --- p.87 / Chapter 3.7.3 --- A combination of TRAIL and lovastatin induces synergistic apoptosis in glioblastoma cells --- p.93 / Chapter 3.7.4 --- DNA fragmentation on glioblastoma cells --- p.98 / Chapter 3.7.5 --- Four TRAIL receptors mRNA expression profiles on glioblastoma cells --- p.102 / Chapter Chapter 4 --- Discussion --- p.105 / Chapter 4.1 --- Lovastatin exhibited anti-proliferation effects in human glioblastoma cells --- p.107 / Chapter 4.2 --- Lovastatin activated caspase 3 and caspase 9 in human glioblastoma cells --- p.108 / Chapter 4.3 --- Gene expression profile modulated by Lovastatin in human glioblastoma cells --- p.110 / Chapter 4.4 --- Lovastatin-sensitized TRAIL-induced apoptosis in human glioblastoma cells --- p.117 / Chapter Chapter Five: --- Conclusion and Future perspective --- p.121 / References --- p.122 / Appendix --- p.150

Made available in DSpace on 2016-01-26T12:51:21Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 tamaraveigafaria_diseert.pdf: 284212 bytes, checksum: 883fa3baa2cf059a3f82f421937e30ac (MD5) Previous issue date: 2009-06-09 / Historicamente, o câncer é associado a experiências malditas, de infortúnios fisicos, mentais e sociais, sendo visto como uma doença cruel, intratável e misteriosa. A apresentação do diagnóstico é a mais delicada no processo de tratamento oncológico, pois envolve a apresentação de um diagnóstico que traz consigo uma grande carga de preconceito pela maioria dos pacientes, agregado ao medo, incertezas sobre o futuro e imagens pré-concebidas do tratamento oncológico. Sabe-se que o envolvimento do paciente no tratamento é fundamental e que, portanto para que ele decida sobre sua terapêutica será necessário que ele conheça seu diagnóstico. A quimioterapia, uma opção terapêutica para o câncer, também évista como sendo muito assustadora, pois muitas pessoas têm idéias preconcebidas sobre ela e principalmente quanto seus efeitos colaterais. Com isso, defmimos como objetivo geral deste estudo "Correlacionar o conhecer o diagnóstico de doença oncológica e as experiências durante o tratamento" Trata-se de uma pesquisa qualitativa na qual a amostra constou 6 pacientes sendo que 3 tinham conhecimento do diagnóstico e 3 o desconheciam. Os dados foram coletados por meio de entrevistas semi-estruturadas e de observações dos participantes no contexto sociocultural hospitalar e domiciliar. A análise dos dados foi realizada segundo a análise de conteúdo de Bardin. As unidades de significados foram: A descoberta da doença, a indicação e início do tratamento, os efeitos colaterais e a importância das informações de enfermagem e os sonhos. Com as experiências relatadas pelos informantes foi possível compreender que a principal influência no tratamento quimioterápico depende das características pessoais, culturais e sociais que cada paciente traz consigo. O conhecimento do diagnóstico oncológico faz com que o paciente tenha mais esperança e mais força para enfrentar a doença. Nota de Resumo No entanto o paradoxo da pesquisa foi que aqueles que não conhecem o diagnóstico seguem melhor as orientações dadas durante a consulta de enfermagem, porém apresentam-se fragilizados muitas das vezes e com dúvidas constantes sobre o tratamento. A pesquisa realça a necessidade de o profissional mudar sua linguagem no momento da revelação do diagnóstico, pois a utilização de alguns termos pode contribuir para atribuição de significados diferentes da realidade.

A toxicidade vestibular pode ser definida como danos que uma substância química causa sobre a estrutura e a função vestibular. Entre as drogas que podem causar a vestibulotoxicidade estão os agentes antineoplásicos como os derivados da platina. OBJETIVO: Identificar a frequência de ocorrência de alteração vestibular em pacientes oncológicos tratados com derivados da platina, os sinais e sintomas vestibulares nestes pacientes, e se a alteração vestibular pré-existente exacerba os sintomas eméticos durante a quimioterapia com derivados da platina. METODOLOGIA: Amostra foi composta por pacientes adultos com câncer que realizaram tratamento com drogas derivadas da platina. O protocolo para o monitoramento vestibular foi composto pelo questionário Dizziness Handicap Inventory (DHI) Brasileiro, Testes da Função Vestibular (manobra de Dix-Hallpike e vecto-eletronistagmografia) e pela descrição de sintomas eméticos e tontura durante a quimioterapia e avaliação vestibular. RESULTADOS: Quarenta e oito pacientes realizaram a avaliação vestibular pré-quimioterapia, sendo que 23 (48%) apresentaram avaliação vestibular dentro da normalidade. Dezesseis pacientes submeteram-se ao monitoramento vestibular com avaliação antes e após tratamento, sendo que após o tratamento dois pacientes (12,5%) apresentaram avaliação vestibular dentro da normalidade e 14 (87,5%) apresentaram algum tipo de alteração vestibular, evidenciada somente pela prova calórica. Nenhum paciente referiu queixas vestibulares ao DHI na avaliação pré-tratamento, assim como quase todos os pacientes, exceto um, na avaliação pós tratamento. Apenas um (6,3%) com avaliação vestibular alterada pós-tratamento apresentou grau leve no DHI. A dose de cisplatina entre os pacientes que mostraram piora do quadro vestibular variou entre 160 e 400 mg/m² e dois pacientes foram tratados com carboplatina com dose de 2306 mg/m² e 1801 mg/m². Não houve diferença de manifestação dos sintomas eméticos/tontura durante a avaliação vestibular ou após quimioterapia entre os pacientes com e sem alteração vestibular prévia. Entretanto, os pacientes que referiram sintomas eméticos durante os ciclos de quimioterapia foram aqueles que manifestaram maior desconforto na PC, independente da dose de quimioterapia ou da alteração vestibular. CONCLUSÃO: Alteração vestibular ou a modificação do quadro vestibular ocorreu em 50% dos pacientes com câncer tratados com derivados da platina. O sinal mais frequente de alteração nos testes vestibulares foi a hiporreflexia à prova calórica, sem sintomas vestibulares relatados na vida diária destes pacientes. As alterações vestibulares pré-existentes não exacerbaram os sintomas eméticos durante a quimioterapia / Vestibular toxicity may be defined as a damage that chemical substances cause on the structure and the function of the vestibular system. Among the drugs that may cause vestibulotoxicity there are antineoplastic agents, such as those derived from platinum. OBJECTIVE: To identify the frequency of occurrence of vestibular alterations in cancer patients treated with platinum-based chemotherapy; the vestibular signs and symptoms in these patients, and whether the pre-existing vestibular alterations exacerbate emetic symptoms during chemotherapy with platinum-based drugs. METHODS: The sample was composed of adults who were treated of the cancer with platinum-based chemotherapy. The vestibular monitoring protocol involved the Brazilian Dizziness Handicap Inventory (DHI), Vestibular Function Tests (positioning nystagmus with Dix-Hallpike maneuver and vectoelectronystagmography) and the description of emetic symptoms and dizziness during chemotherapy and vestibular evaluation. RESULTS: Forty-eight subjects performed the pre-treatment vestibular evaluation, and 23 of them (48%) presented vestibular assessment within the normal range. Sixteen patients underwent the vestibular monitoring evaluation before and after treatment: after the treatment two patients (12.5%) showed normal vestibular assessment while 14 (87.5%) showed a vestibular disorder, basically in the caloric tests, but the alteration was considered a modification in their baseline stage in eight patients (50%). None of the patients reported complaints in the pre-treatment assessment, with a DHI scores within the normal range, as well as all the patients, except one, in the post treatment assessment (81,3%). Only one patient (6.3%) had a score above normal (mild complaint) with altered vestibular evaluation in the post treatment assessment. The dose of cisplatin among these patients who had a modification in the vestibular function varied from 160 to 400 mg/m² and two patients were treated with carboplatin with do of 2306 mg/m² and 1801 mg/m². There was no difference of emetic symptoms/dizziness during the chemotherapy or the vestibular evaluation among patients with or without previous vestibular alterations. However, patients who reported more emetic symptoms during chemotherapy cycles were those who showed greater discomfort in the caloric test, regardless of the dosage of chemotherapy or vestibular alteration. CONCLUSION: Vestibular alterations or modification of the baseline alteration were found in 50% of cancer patients treated with platinum-based chemotherapy. The most common sign of vestibular alteration in the vestibular tests was the hiporeflexia at the caloric test with no reported symptoms in their daily life. The preexisting vestibular alterations did not exacerbate emetic symptoms during chemotherapy

by Chan Pui, Barbara. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 1998. / Includes bibliographical references (p. 137-151). / Electronic reproduction. Hong Kong : Chinese University of Hong Kong, [2012] System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader. Available via World Wide Web. / Mode of access: World Wide Web. / Abstracts in English and Chinese.

INTRODUÇÃO: O câncer colorretal metastático (CCRm) é uma doença clinicamente e molecularmente heterogênea. Os pacientes apresentam diferentes prognósticos e respostas variáveis às terapias direcionadas contra o tumor. Alterações na função do sistema de reparo do DNA (deficiency mismatch repair - dMMR) estão associadas com o fenótipo de instabilidade de microssatélites e bom prognóstico em tumores de estádio inicial. No entanto, dMMR é raro no CCRm e pouco se sabe sobre sua influência na taxa de resposta (TR) ao tratamento. Nosso objetivo primário foi comparar a TR, de acordo com o status dMMR, nos pacientes com CCRm. Os desfechos secundários foram TR, conforme RAS e BRAF mutados, e a sobrevida global (SG), de acordo com dMMR. MÉTODOS: Estudo retrospectivo com grupo controle que comparou a TR por RECIST 1.1 em pacientes com CCRm, tratados com quimioterapia (QT) sistêmica, de acordo com o status dMMR. Os dados clínicos foram coletados, retrospectivamente, dos prontuários médicos. Todas as imagens foram digitais e recuperadas para avaliação de resposta por um único radiologista, cego quanto ao status dMMR. dMMR foi definido como a perda de expressão imuno-histoquímica em pelo menos um dos genes MMR (MLH1, MSH2, MSH6 e PMS2). Mutações em RAS e BRAF foram investigadas por meio de sequenciamento gênico. Os casos foram os pacientes com dMMR, e os controles, com MMR proficiente (pMMR), selecionados de forma consecutiva, em proporção de 1:2. Com base em características clínicas e moleculares, os indivíduos dMMR foram classificados como provável Lynch ou dMMR esporádico. Estatística descritiva foi usada para resumir os resultados. A associação entre dMMR e os resultados específicos de cada grupo foram analisados pelo teste do qui-quadrado, e para a avaliação de SG mediana, curvas de Kaplan-Meier e teste log-rank foram utilizados. Valores bicaudados de p < 0.05 foram considerados significativos. RESULTADOS: Entre janeiro de 2009 e janeiro de 2013, de 1270 pacientes, 762 foram elegíveis e rastreados para dMMR: N = 27 (3,5%) tiveram dMMR e N = 735 (96,5%) tiveram pMMR. Dada a raridade, foram incluídos 14 indivíduos com dMMR fora do período de inclusão, totalizando 41 casos (pacientes dMMR) e 84 controles (pacientes pMMR). Em análise por intenção de tratamento, considerando os pacientes que receberam pelo menos uma dose de QT baseada em oxaliplatina (N dMMR = 34), aqueles com dMMR apresentaram TR numericamente menor, comparados aos pMMR (11.7% vs 28.6%, OR: 0.33, IC 95%: 0.08-1.40, p = 0.088). Em análise por protocolo, incluindo apenas os pacientes que preencheram os critérios de inclusão (N dMMR = 33), aqueles com dMMR mantiveram TR menor à QT baseada em oxaliplatina em primeira linha, em comparação aos doentes pMMR, embora estatisticamente não significante (12.1% vs 28.6 %, OR: 0.34, IC 95%: 0.09-1.18, p = 0.102). Ainda neste contexto, os pacientes com possível Lynch apresentaram maior TR do que os indivíduos com provável dMMR esporádico (16% vs 0). Mutações em RAS ou BRAF não influenciaram na TR ou sobrevida. O status \"provável dMMR esporádico\" foi fator de pior prognóstico, quando todos os pacientes da amostra (N dMMR = 41) foram considerados. CONCLUSÃO: Este estudo sugere que dMMR é preditivo de resistência à quimioterapia baseada em oxaliplatina, como mostrado por outros estudos. Aparentemente, essa resistência é mais acentuada nos pacientes dMMR esporádicos, sugerindo heterogeneidade biológica nos doentes com CCRm e dMMR / BACKGROUND: Metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) is a clinically and molecularly heterogeneous disease, where patients present different prognosis and variable responses to cancer-directed therapies. Alterations in the function of DNA deficiency mismatch repair (dMMR) genes are associated with microsatellite instability and good prognosis in early stage tumors. However dMMR dysfunction is rare in mCRC and little is known about its influence on treatment response rate (RR). Our primary endpoint was to compare the RR of mCRC patients according to dMMR status and to explore differences between patients with likely sporadic versus likely Lynch-related tumors. Secondary endpoints were RR according to RAS and BRAF mutation status, and survival times as per dMMR status. METHODS: Retrospective study with control group that compared the RR by RECIST 1.1 in patients with mCRC treated with systemic chemotherapy according to dMMR status. Clinical data were collected retrospectively from medical charts. All images were digital and were retrieved for response evaluation by a single radiologist blinded to dMMR results. dMMR status was defined as loss of immunohistochemistry expression in at least one of the MMR genes (MLH1, MSH2, MSH6 e PMS2). RAS and BRAF mutations were investigated through next generation sequencing. Cases were defined as dMMR and controls, as proficient MMR (pMMR) patients, in a 1:2 fashion. Based on clinical and molecular features, dMMR patients were classified as likely Lynch or sporadic. Descriptive statistics was used to summarize the results. The association between dMMR and outcomes of each group were analyzed by chi-square test; estimates of median overall survival were done by the Kaplan-Meier method and comparisons, by the log-rank test. Two-tailed p values < 0.05 were considered significant. RESULTS: From January 2009 to January 2013, out of 1270 patients, 762 were eligible and screened for dMMR: N = 27 (3.5%) had dMMR and N = 735 (96.5%) had pMMR. Given the rarity, 14 dMMR cases outside the inclusion period were included, with a total of 41 cases (dMMR patients) and 84 controls (pMMR patients). By intention-to-treat analysis, considering all patients who received at least one dose of oxaliplatin-based chemotherapy (N dMMR = 34), those with dMMR had numerically lower RR, compared with pMMR (RR = 11.7% vs 28.6%, OR: 0.33, 95% CI: 0.08-1.40, p = 0.088). As per protocol analysis, considering only the patients who met inclusion criteria (N dMMR = 33), those with dMMR status persisted with numerically, but non-significant, lower RR to first-line oxaliplatin-based chemotherapy compared with pMMR (12.1% vs 28.6%, OR: 0.34, 95% CI: 0.09-1.18, p = 0.102); also, patients with likely Lynch-related mCRC presented higher RR than subjects with probable sporadic dMMR (16% vs 0). Either survival or RR was influenced by RAS or BRAF mutations. Probable sporadic dMMR status was a poor prognostic factor when all patients in the sample (N dMMR = 41) were analyzed. CONCLUSION: This study suggests that the dMMR phenotype is predictive of resistance to oxaliplatin-based chemotherapy, as shown by other studies. Apparently, such resistance is more pronounced in the sporadic dMMR patients, suggesting biological heterogeinity within the dMMR mCRC patients

Introdução: Estima-se que a infecção pelo vírus da hepatite C (VHC) acometa 3% da população global constituindo a maior causa de cirrose hepática e hepatocarcinoma. Nos pacientes infectados pelo genótipo 1 do VHC, a terapia em vida real com interferon peguilado (PEG-IFN) e ribavirina (RBV) resulta em 30% a 50% de resposta virológica sustentada (RVS). Este desfecho é determinado por fatores de associados ao VHC (carga viral, genótipo, quasispécies), características do hospedeiro (etnia, gênero, fatores genéticos, comorbidades, adesão) e fatores ligados aos medicamentos. Estudos de associação genética ampla (GWAS) têm demonstrado que a presença dos polimorfismos (SNP) no gene da interleucina 28B (IL-28B) associam-se a resposta à terapia baseada em interferon. Os SNPs rs12979860, rs8099917 e rs12980275 têm sido amplamente estudados e pacientes com o perfil favorável têm maiores chances de alcançar a RVS ou a eliminação espontânea do VHC. Objetivos: Avaliar a frequência relativa e a influência dos polimorfismos rs12979860 (C > T), rs8099917 (T > G) e rs12980275 (A > G) no gene IL-28B em brasileiros portadores de infecção crônica pelo VHC tratados com PEGIFN/ RBV em uma casuística de pacientes atendidos pelos médicos do Ambulatório de Hepatites DMIP/LIM-47 e avaliar retrospectivamente a possibilidade de predição de resposta à partir do perfil IL-28B na população estudada. Materiais e Métodos: Após aprovação ética, foram selecionados 171 pacientes com coleta retrospectiva e sistematizada das informações de interesse. O DNA destes pacientes foi purificado e foram desenhados primers e sondas específicas para a genotipagem dos SNPs através da técnica de reação em cadeia de polimerase em tempo real. Resultados: entre os SNPs selecionados na análise univariada rs12979860 e rs12980275 associaram-se com RVS (p < 0,05). rs8099917 não teve associação com RVS. Na análise multivariada apenas rs12980275 manteve associação com RVS (p < 0,05). Conclusão: Ao contrário do descrito na Literatura Internacional nos pacientes brasileiros apenas o pouco estudado SNP rs12980275 associou-se à RVS / Introduction: Currently, infection with hepatitis C virus (HCV) affects 3% of people worldwide, and is the major cause of chronic hepatitis C, liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. In patients infected by genotype 1 of HCV, 30%- 50% of patients achieve sustained virological response, when they are treated with pegylated interferon (PEG-IFN) and ribavirin (RBV). This outcome is determined by VHC factors (mutations, genotype, quasispecies), host factors (gender, ethnic, genetic factors, comorbidities, adherence to treatment) and factors related to drugs. Genome wide association studies (GWAS) demonstrated that the presence of polymorphisms in interleukin 28B gene (IL- 28B) are associated with response to interferon based therapy. SNPs rs12979860, rs8099917 and rs12980275 have been widely studied and patients with the favorable profile are more likely to achieve SVR. Objectives: To evaluate the relative frequency and influence of the polymorphisms rs12979860 (C > T), rs8099917 (T > G) and rs12980275 (A > G) in Brazilian patients treated for chronic hepatitis C with PEG-IFN/RBV, and to evaluate, retrospectively, the prediction of the response possibility from IL-28B profile in the selected patients. Material and Methods: It was selected 171 patients. Medical history was evaluated retrospectively. A real time polymerase chain reaction assay was realized in order to analyze the polymorphisms. Results: In univariate analysis the polymorphisms rs12979860 and rs12980275 were associated with SVR (p < 0,05). The SNP rs8099917 was not associated with SVR. Multivariate analysis revealed that only rs12980275 maintained an association with SVR (p < 0,05). Conclusion: It is described on international literature that rs12979860 is strongly associated with SVR, however in Brazilian patients only the less studied SNP rs12980275 was associated with SVR