Dissertação (mestrado)—Universidade de Brasília, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Pós-Graduação em Nanociência e Nanobiotecnologia, 2018. / Submitted by Raquel Viana (raquelviana@bce.unb.br) on 2018-07-10T21:20:03Z No. of bitstreams: 1 2018_DanyelleAssisFerreira.pdf: 10013197 bytes, checksum: 9398e0d5ef0edbbdb1045979e47ff374 (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Raquel Viana (raquelviana@bce.unb.br) on 2018-07-14T19:12:22Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 2018_DanyelleAssisFerreira.pdf: 10013197 bytes, checksum: 9398e0d5ef0edbbdb1045979e47ff374 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2018-07-14T19:12:23Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 2018_DanyelleAssisFerreira.pdf: 10013197 bytes, checksum: 9398e0d5ef0edbbdb1045979e47ff374 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2018-07-10 / Fundação de Apoio a Pesquisa do Distrito Federal (FAPDF) e Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq). / O câncer é definido como um conjunto de doenças caracterizadas por desordens celulares decorrentes de múltiplas alterações genéticas que acarretam desequilíbrio na proliferação e morte celular. O câncer de mama é a causa mais comum de morte por câncer entre as mulheres, representando cerca de 25% do total de neoplasias no mundo. Em geral, as terapias convencionais apresentam pouca seletividade para o tecido tumoral, o que diminui sua eficácia e aumenta os efeitos adversos. Em acordo com a necessidade de novas terapias que superem essas limitações, a nanobiotecnologia vem fornecendo novas formas de diagnóstico e de terapia, entre as quais as que usam nanopartículas magnéticas. O objetivo deste trabalho foi desenvolver um tratamento para o câncer de mama utilizando a magnetohipertermia mediada por uma nova amostra de nanopartículas magnéticas à base de magnetita recobertas com ferritina (NPM-HFn). Testes de toxicidade de NPM-HFn em camundongos Swiss. Testes cometa e do micronúcleo mostraram ausência de citotoxicidade e de genotoxicidade. Análises hematológicas e bioquímicas não apresentaram alterações severas, enquanto a avaliação histopatológica não evidenciou alterações relevantes nos órgãos. Avaliação da biodistribuição da NPM-HFn por ICP-OES e coloração de Perls de tecidos mostraram tendência das NPM a se acumularem principalmente no fígado e baço, às vezes no pulmão e, quando pertinente, no tumor. Testes preliminares da eficácia por meio da análise ex vivo do tumor mostraram que os grupos tratados com a administração endovenosa e intratumoral da NPM-HFn seguida pela exposição ao campo magnético alternado foram eficazes na redução de 89% e 88% do tumor, respectivamente. Entretanto, enquanto o tratamento intratumoral facilitou a ocorrência de metástase, o tratamento endovenoso evitou sua ocorrência. Portanto, com este trabalho, foi possível desenvolver um método bastante eficaz para o tratamento do tumor de mama, utilizando a magnetohipertermia mediada por amostra biocompatível de nanopartículas magnéticas à base de magnetita recobertas com ferritina. / Cancer is defined as a set of diseases characterized by cellular disorders due to genetic multiplicity that lead to an imbalance in cell proliferation and death. Breast cancer is the most common cause of cancer death among women and represents about 25% of the total number of neoplasms worldwide. Conventional therapies are not completely selective for tumor tissue, which decreases its efficacy and increases adverse effects. New therapies that overcome these limitations are demanded. Accordingly, nanobiotechnology has been providing new diagnosis and therapy platforms, including those using magnetic nanoparticles. The aim of this work was to develop a treatment for breast cancer using magnetohyperthermia mediated by a new sample of magnetic nanoparticles based on ferritin-coated magnetite (NPM-HFn). Toxicity tests using NPM-HFn were performed in Swiss mice. Comet and micronuclei assays showed absence of cytotoxicity and genotoxicity; Hematological and biochemical evaluation did not present severe alterations while the histopathological evaluation indicated no significant changes. Biodistribution studies of NPM-HFn accessed through ICP-OES and Perls staining of tissues showed a tendency to NPMs accumulation in the liver and spleen, sometimes in the lung and in the tumor. To evaluate the efficacy of the treatments preliminary histopathological evaluations of the tumor showed that the group treated with intravenous and intratumoral administration of NPM-HFn followed by exposure to the alternating magnetic field were effective in reducing 89% and 88% of the tumor, respectively. However, while the intratumoral treatment facilitated the occurrence of metastasis, the intravenous treatment prevented its occurrence. Therefore, with this work, it was possible to develop a quite efficacious method for the treatment of breast cancer, using magnetohyperthermia mediated by a biocompatible magnetic sample composed by nanoparticles based on ferritin-coated magnetite.

Orientador: Laurival Antonio De Luca / Resumo: O objetivo do presente estudo foi o de trazer contribuição científica através de um Modelo de Assistência Contínuo, Paliativo e Domiciliar a pacientes com câncer mamário e ginecológico fora de possibilidade de cura e em progressão, observando e respeitando as características sócio-culturais desta população atendida, criando uma metodologia de abordagem para o atendimento das mesmas, dentro de um hospital geral de atendimento à saúde da mulher. Foram avaliadas 300 pacientes, portadoras de câncer mamário ou ginecológico fora de possibilidade de cura, em primeira fase, no período compreendido de janeiro de 1993 a julho de 1996, antes da implantação do modelo completo (Fase I), comparando-as em estudo descritivo, prospectivo e aplicação de teste de significância dos parâmetros para avaliação de qualidade de vida, com 300 pacientes, em segunda fase, compreendida no período de julho de 1996 a agosto de 1998 (Fase II). Os resultados no que se refere ao controle da dor e do diagnóstico dos sinais e sintomas clínicos de infecção das vias urinárias, caquexia, fadiga e anemia demonstraram ser estatisticamente significantes (p< 0,0001, p= 0,0022, p< 0,0001, p= 0,0078), respectivamente... (Resumo completo, clicar acesso eletrônico abaixo) / Abstract: The object of this study was to present a Continuous, Palliative, Home Treatment Assistance Model for patients with incurable and progressive breast and gynaecological cancer, observing and respecting their socio-cultural needs, creating a support methodology to treat these patients within a general women's hospital. We evaluated quality of life parameters of 600 incurable breast and gynaecological cancer patients in a prospective descriptive study; 300 in the first phase (Phase I) from January 1993 to July 1996 before implementing the complete model , and 300 in the second phase from July 1996 to August 1998 (Phase II). The results of pain relief and diagnosis of signs and clinical symptoms of urinary tract infections, cachexia, fatigue, and anaemia were statistically significant (p< 0.0001, p= 0.0022, p< 0.0001, p= 0.0078), respectively. As for the Karnofsky performance scale (KPS) we could see that there was significant difference, of double the frequency, of improvement of functional states KPS 80, 70, and 50, and four times the number of patients in functional state KPS 60, when the patients were under Phase II. For home-administered oxygen therapy for breast cancer and lung metastases patients there was significant difference by the Chi squared test between the 2L/min and the continuous use condition. There was significant statistical difference between patient place of death Phase I and Phase II Support Model implantation; this was also true for manner of... (Complete abstract, click electronic address below) / Doutor

Made available in DSpace on 2014-06-11T19:32:50Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2003Bitstream added on 2014-06-13T19:43:36Z : No. of bitstreams: 1 motollajunior_j_dr_botfm.pdf: 5916014 bytes, checksum: 9b762f02b0266f21bb06d9c4e229c65e (MD5) / Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP) / O objetivo do presente estudo foi o de trazer contribuição científica através de um Modelo de Assistência Contínuo, Paliativo e Domiciliar a pacientes com câncer mamário e ginecológico fora de possibilidade de cura e em progressão, observando e respeitando as características sócio-culturais desta população atendida, criando uma metodologia de abordagem para o atendimento das mesmas, dentro de um hospital geral de atendimento à saúde da mulher. Foram avaliadas 300 pacientes, portadoras de câncer mamário ou ginecológico fora de possibilidade de cura, em primeira fase, no período compreendido de janeiro de 1993 a julho de 1996, antes da implantação do modelo completo (Fase I), comparando-as em estudo descritivo, prospectivo e aplicação de teste de significância dos parâmetros para avaliação de qualidade de vida, com 300 pacientes, em segunda fase, compreendida no período de julho de 1996 a agosto de 1998 (Fase II). Os resultados no que se refere ao controle da dor e do diagnóstico dos sinais e sintomas clínicos de infecção das vias urinárias, caquexia, fadiga e anemia demonstraram ser estatisticamente significantes (p< 0,0001, p= 0,0022, p< 0,0001, p= 0,0078), respectivamente... / The object of this study was to present a Continuous, Palliative, Home Treatment Assistance Model for patients with incurable and progressive breast and gynaecological cancer, observing and respecting their socio-cultural needs, creating a support methodology to treat these patients within a general women’s hospital. We evaluated quality of life parameters of 600 incurable breast and gynaecological cancer patients in a prospective descriptive study; 300 in the first phase (Phase I) from January 1993 to July 1996 before implementing the complete model , and 300 in the second phase from July 1996 to August 1998 (Phase II). The results of pain relief and diagnosis of signs and clinical symptoms of urinary tract infections, cachexia, fatigue, and anaemia were statistically significant (p< 0.0001, p= 0.0022, p< 0.0001, p= 0.0078), respectively. As for the Karnofsky performance scale (KPS) we could see that there was significant difference, of double the frequency, of improvement of functional states KPS 80, 70, and 50, and four times the number of patients in functional state KPS 60, when the patients were under Phase II. For home-administered oxygen therapy for breast cancer and lung metastases patients there was significant difference by the Chi squared test between the 2L/min and the continuous use condition. There was significant statistical difference between patient place of death Phase I and Phase II Support Model implantation; this was also true for manner of... (Complete abstract, click electronic address below)

Tese (doutorado)Universidade de Brasília, Instituto de Física, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Física, 2015. / Submitted by Fernanda Percia França (fernandafranca@bce.unb.br) on 2016-04-06T13:09:04Z No. of bitstreams: 1 2015_AlineBessaVeloso.pdf: 3011069 bytes, checksum: 61d077f74db5584bd1edd367dc8122cb (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Raquel Viana(raquelviana@bce.unb.br) on 2016-04-07T20:33:18Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 2015_AlineBessaVeloso.pdf: 3011069 bytes, checksum: 61d077f74db5584bd1edd367dc8122cb (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2016-04-07T20:33:18Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 2015_AlineBessaVeloso.pdf: 3011069 bytes, checksum: 61d077f74db5584bd1edd367dc8122cb (MD5) / O câncer de mama é o tipo de câncer mais comum entre as mulheres e a causa de mais de meio milhão de mortes no mundo a cada ano. Como alternativa aos tratamentos convencionais, a terapia fotodinâmica (TFD) tem se mostrado uma modalidade terapêutica promissora para tratamento de vários tumores malignos, pois é pouco invasiva e de baixo custo. Contudo, sua aplicação clínica tem sido limitada devido a baixa solubilidade dos fotossensibilizadores em meio aquoso, o que tem motivado a busca por novas formulações como nanoemulsões a base Alumínio-Cloro-Ftalocianina (NP/AlClPc). Assim, neste trabalho foi estudada, pela técnica Espectroscopia Raman intensificada por superfície (SERS), a solubilidade de AlClPc em meios aquoso e oleoso. Os dados SERS mostraram que, mesmo no meio oleoso, o aumento da concentração da AlClPc induz a formação de agregados moleculares devido à interação entre os macrociclos centrais das moléculas de AlClPc. Em complemento, a técnica SERS foi utilizada no estudo de células de câncer de mama tradadas por terapia fotodinâmica, mediadas por NP/AlClPc. A partir dos espectros SERS e da análise multivariacional, foi possível distinguir os diferentes grupos celulares obtidos após tratamento por TFD (grupos controle, viáveis e mortas) com diferentes concentrações de NP/AlClPc. Os resultados evidenciaram que o tratamento por TFD levou a significantes mudanças relacionadas aos teores de proteínas, lipídios e DNA. A partir destas mudanças foi constatado que a necrose é o principal mecanismo de morte celular após tratamento por TFD, nas condições aqui empregadas. Os resultados ainda sugeriram que os mecanismos de defesa celular, induzidos pelo estresse oxidativo advindo da TDF, levaram à produção de proteínas nas células viáveis as quais podem estar associadas com proliferação e controle do processo de divisão celular. / Breast cancer is the most common type of cancer among women and it is the cause of over half million deaths worldwide every year. As an alternative to conventional therapies, photodynamic therapy (PDT) has been shown to be a promising therapeutic modality for several malignant tumor treatments, as it is less invasive and has low cost. However, its clinical application has been limited due to the low solubility of photosensitizers in aqueous solution, which has motivated the search for new formulations, such as nanoemulsion bases in aluminum-chloro-phthalocyanine (NP/AlClPc). In this work the solubility of AlClPc in aqueous and oily medium was studied by SERS technique (Surface Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy). Even in oily medium, SERS data showed the concentration of AlClPc induces the formation of molecular aggregates due to the interaction between the central macrocycles of AlClPc molecules. In addition, SERS technique was used in the study of breast cancer cells treaded by photodynamic therapy mediated by NP/AlClPc. SERS spectra and multivariate analysis allowed the distinction of different cellular groups after they have been treated by PDT (control, viable and dead groups) with different concentrations of NP/AlClPc. The results showed treatment by PDT yielded significant changes related to proteins, lipids and DNA in the cells. From these changes, it was found that necrosis is the main cell death mechanism after treatment with PDT, under the conditions of this study. Moreover, the results suggested that cellular defense mechanisms, induced by oxidative stress of PDT, caused some protein production in viable cells that may be associated with proliferation and the control of cell division process.

Orientador: Luis Fernando Barbisan / Banca: Maria Aparecida Marchesan Rodrigues / Banca: Thomas Prates Ong / Banca: Luciana Azevedo / Banca: Rui Manuel Vieira Reis / Resumo: Estudos prévios mostraram que uma dieta rica em óleo de peixe aumentou a eficácia quimioprotetora do tamoxifeno contra a carcinogênese mamária induzida pela N-metil-Nnitrosuréia (MNU) em ratas Sprague-Dawley. O presente trabalho evidenciou que o tratamento com tamoxifeno modifica a expressão gênica de tumores mamários dependendo to tipo de gordura administrado na dieta dos animais. Ratas Sprague-Dawley iniciadas com MNU e tratadas com tamoxifeno receberam uma dieta rica em óleo de milho ou óleo de peixe. Após oito semanas, tumores do mesmo tipo histológico (cribriformes) foram coletados, e análise do RNA mensageiro (mRNA) foi executada através de microarray de expressão gênica e seguinte validação dos resultados por PCR em tempo real. A maior expressão do mRNA dos genes SerpinB10, Wisp2 e Apod em tumores de animais tratados com óleo de peixe é indicativo de que esses tumores eram altamente diferenciados. A redução da expressão de mRNA dos genes H19 e Igf2 nos grupos tratados com tamoxifeno, e de Thrsp e Wnt5b no grupo tratado com óleo de peixe e tamoxifeno pode estar relacionado à redução do crescimento tumoral e baixa capacidade metastática. A expressão aumentada do nível de transcrito Irf7 nos animais tratados com óleo de peixe sugere melhora na resposta imune antitumoral (padrão Th1), enquanto o aumento nos transcritos dos genes Fcer1a, Hdc, Ms4a2, Slp1, Mcpt1 and Mcpt2 nos animais tratados com óleo de peixe e tamoxifeno podem indicar uma mudança no padrão de resposta imune para Th2. O padrão Th2 representa um potencial mecanismo de escape da resposta imune adquirido pelas células tumorais dos animais tratados com óleo de peixe e tamoxifeno. Esses resultados sugerem que, apesar do tamoxifeno modular a expressão gênica levando à redução do crescimento tumoral, modulações de genes adicionais são influenciadas pela dieta rica em óleo de peixe... (Resumo completo, clicar acesso eletrônico abaixo) / Abstract: Studies have shown that a fish oil-rich diet increased the chemopreventive efficacy of tamoxifen (Tam) against N-methyl-N-nitrosourea (MNU)-induced rat mammary carcinogenesis. Herein, we evidence that tamoxifen treatment modifies gene expression of mammary tumors depending upon the type of dietary fat fed to the animals. Rats initiated with MNU and treated with Tam were fed a diet rich in corn oil (CO) or fish oil (FO). After 8 weeks, tumors of the same histological type (cribriform) were collected and comprehensive analysis of messenger RNA expression was performed. The mRNA expression of genes such as SerpinB10, Wisp2 and Apod in tumors from FO-treated rats is indicative of highly differentiated tumors. Decreased expression of H19 and Igf2 mRNA in Tam-treated groups, and Thrsp and Wnt5b mRNA in FO+Tam group may be related to tumor growth impairment and lower metastatic capacity. Increased Irf7 transcript levels in FO-treated animals suggests an improved immune response against tumors (Th1 pattern) whereas decreased mRNA of Fcer1a, Hdc, Ms4a2, Slp1, Mcpt1 and Mcpt2 may indicate a shift of the immune response towards Th2 pattern. The Th2 pattern of gene expression represents a potential mechanism of escape from the immune response caused by FO+Tam treatment. These data show that, although tamoxifen modulates the expression of genes leading to tumor growth impairment, further modulations of genes are influenced by FO altering Tam-modulated expression of genes in a manner that may, in part, account for its enhancing chemopreventive effect against MNU-induced mammary carcinogenesis / Doutor

Tese (doutorado)—Universidade de Brasília, Faculdade de Medicina, 2014. / Submitted by Victor Alves Girotto Borges (victorgirotto2@gmail.com) on 2014-07-31T15:30:38Z No. of bitstreams: 1 2014_JuarezIorioCastellar.pdf: 1054873 bytes, checksum: d56ca7c3e404b4fa7ad87e5bf1e59ad2 (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Guimaraes Jacqueline(jacqueline.guimaraes@bce.unb.br) on 2014-07-31T15:48:29Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 2014_JuarezIorioCastellar.pdf: 1054873 bytes, checksum: d56ca7c3e404b4fa7ad87e5bf1e59ad2 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2014-07-31T15:48:29Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 2014_JuarezIorioCastellar.pdf: 1054873 bytes, checksum: d56ca7c3e404b4fa7ad87e5bf1e59ad2 (MD5) / Introdução. O câncer, caracteristicamente, afeta todas as dimensões da saúde humana. O crescimento tumoral compromete a saúde física pela dor e pelas diversas disfunções celulares e orgânicas associadas à condição da sobrevivente do câncer de mama, inclusive a alteração do sistema imunitário. Também afeta a saúde mental-emocional, o que se expressa pela ansiedade, depressão e pelas manifestações de tristeza, cansaço, raiva, desesperança, medo, ressentimento, amargura e culpa, que podem também comprometer a saúde interpessoal dos pacientes de câncer, assim como a saúde espiritual de todos envolvidos. Esse comprometimento multidimensional da saúde justifica a adoção de terapias complementares multidimensionais. A meditação desempenha esse papel com excelência. Objetivos. O propósito do presente estudo foi avaliar o efeito da meditação prânica, uma nova modalidade de meditação secular baseada nos antigos ensinamentos védicos sobre a qualidade de vida, a saúde mental e as concentrações de melatonina de sobreviventes de câncer de mama. Metodologia. O delineamento experimental foi o de um estudo prospectivo observacional do tipo antes e depois, que consiste na aplicação de determinados testes em um grupo, em seguida submetê-lo a uma intervenção e, no período pós-intervenção, avaliar as possíveis mudanças ocorridas. Foram incluídas 75 mulheres, que estavam recebendo tratamento convencional para câncer de mama ou sob controle pós-terapia, e que, concordaram em praticar meditação prânica por 20 minutos, de manhã e à noite, após receberem um treinamento formal. A qualidade de vida das participantes foi avaliada pelos questionários EORTC QLQ-C30 e EORTC QLQ-BR23, e os parâmetros de saúde mental investigados pelo Questionário geral de saúde de Goldberg e pelo Inventário de sintomas de stress para adultos de Lipp. As concentrações de melatonina salivar foram determinadas por radioimunoensaio. Resultados. Após oito semanas de prática de meditação prânica, as praticantes apresentaram melhora significativa dos escores de qualidade de vida que incluíam as funções física (p=0,0007), emocional (p=0,002), social (p=0,004) e de melhora das atividades de vida diária (p=0,01), além de melhora do estado global de saúde (p=0,005), fadiga (p<0,0001), dor (p=0,007), constipação (p=0,03), distúrbios do sono (p=0,01), imagem corporal (p=0,01) e dos sintomas associados ao braço xiii (p=0,007) e à mama (p=0,002). Apresentaram também redução dos efeitos colaterais da terapia sistêmica (p=0,02) e do desconforto associado à queda do cabelo (p=0,02). Algumas praticantes apresentaram melhora cognitiva, entretanto esta condição não pode ser comprovada na análise do grupo como um todo. Não foram observadas melhoras nos resultados da função sexual (p=0,83) e perspectivas (p=0,09). A meditação foi associada à melhora dos parâmetros de saúde mental que incluíam o estresse psíquico (p=0,001), ideação de morte (p=0,02), falta de confiança na capacidade de autodesempenho (p=0,001), distúrbios psicossomáticos (p=0,02) e gravidade dos distúrbios mentais (p=0,0003). As praticantes de meditação prânica também apresentaram redução dos sintomas de estresse psíquico nas últimas 24 horas (p=0,02), na última semana (p=0,009) e no último mês (p=0,03), o mesmo acontecendo com o estresse físico, que apresentou redução nas últimas 24 horas (p=0,002), na última semana (p=0,0009) e no último mês (p=0,009). Esses ganhos foram mantidos, observando-se poucas melhoras quando as práticas de meditação foram estendidas de oito para 15 semanas, sugerindo que os efeitos benéficos das práticas já estavam próximos ao máximo na oitava semana. Houve ampla variação nas concentrações de melatonina salivar das praticantes, detectando-se aumento em 27,7% dos casos, ausência de alteração em 63,9% e redução em 13,8%. Conclusões. Nossos resultados mostraram que as sobreviventes de câncer de mama apresentaram benefícios significativos relacionados à sua saúde mental e qualidade de vida, após um curto período de oito semanas de prática de meditação prânica, consistindo de exercícios simples e de fácil aprendizagem. Embora pesquisas adicionais para esclarecer os possíveis efeitos da meditação prânica em pacientes com câncer sejam desejáveis, os benefícios já demonstrados autorizariam sua adoção como uma terapia complementar para pacientes com câncer, já que nenhum efeito colateral indesejável foi constatado. _______________________________________________________________________________________ ABSTRACT / Background. Cancer characteristically affects all dimensions of human health. The tumor growth compromises the physical health by causing pain, and several cellular and organic dysfunctions, including impairment of the immune system. Cancer also affects the mental-emotional health, as manifested by anxiety and depression, and several distressing feelings as sadness, fatigue, anger, hopelessness, fear, resentment, bitterness, and guilt. These feelings, by their turn, may compromise the interpersonal health of cancer patients, as well as their spiritual health. This multidimensional impairment of the health of cancer patients supports the adoption of complementary multidimensional therapies. Meditation plays this role with excellence. Objectives. The purpose of the present investigation was to assess the effect of pranic meditation, a novel method of secular meditation based on the ancient Vedic teachings, on the quality of life, mental health, and melatonin concentrations of breast cancer survivors. Methodology. The experimental design was of a prospective single-arm observational study using before and after measurements. The subjects were 75 women, submitted either to breast cancer therapy or to post-therapy control, who agreed to practice pranic meditation for 20 minutes, twice a day, during eight weeks, after receiving a formal training. The quality of life of the practitioners was assessed by the EORTC QLQ-C30 and EORTC QLQ-BR23 questionnaires, and the mental health status by the Goldberg’s General Health Questionnaire and by the Lipp’s Stress Symptoms Inventory. Salivary melatonin concentrations were quantified by radioimmunoassay. Results. After eight weeks of pranic meditation practice, the subjects showed a significant improvement of their quality of life scores that included physical (p=0.0007), role (p=0.01), emotional (p=0.002), and social functioning (p=0.004), as well as global health status (p=0.005), fatigue (p<0.0001), pain (p=0.007), sleep disturbances (p=0.01),constipation (p=0.03 body image (p=0.001), arm symptoms (p=0.007) and breast symptoms (p=0.002). They also showed a reduction of the side effects of systemic therapy (p=0.02), and upset by hair loss (p=0.02). Some practitioners showed improvement of their cognitive xv functioning, but this condition could not be demonstrated in the group as a whole. Meditation was associated with improvement of the mental health parameters of the practitioners that included psychic stress (p=0.001), death ideation (p=0.02), performance diffidence (p=0.001), psychosomatic disorders (p=0.02), and severity of mental disorders (p=0.0003). The practitioners of pranic meditation also showed reduction of the symptoms of psychological stress over the last 24 hours (p=0.02), over the last week (p=0.009), and over the last month (p=0.03), as well as of physical stress that was reduced over the last 24 hours (p=0.002), over the last week (p=0.0009), and over the last month (0.009).These gains were maintained, with a little improvement, when meditation practices were extended from eight to fifteen weeks, suggesting that the beneficial effects of the practices had nearly reached their maximum by the 8th week. A wide variation of salivary melatonin concentrations was detected. This pineal hormone was increased in 27.7% of the practitioners, unchanged in 63.9%, and decreased in 13.8%. Conclusions. Our results showed that breast cancer survivors presented significant benefits related to their mental health and quality of life scores, after a short period of practice of pranic meditation, consisting of simple and easy-to-learn exercises. Background. Cancer characteristically affects all dimensions of human health. The tumor growth compromises the physical health by causing pain, and several cellular and organic dysfunctions, including impairment of the immune system. Cancer also affects the mental-emotional health, as manifested by anxiety and depression, and several distressing feelings as sadness, fatigue, anger, hopelessness, fear, resentment, bitterness, and guilt. These feelings, by their turn, may compromise the interpersonal health of cancer patients, as well as their spiritual health. This multidimensional impairment of the health of cancer patients supports the adoption of complementary multidimensional therapies. Meditation plays this role with excellence. Objectives. The purpose of the present investigation was to assess the effect of pranic meditation, a novel method of secular meditation based on the ancient Vedic teachings, on the quality of life, mental health, and melatonin concentrations of breast cancer survivors. Methodology. The experimental design was of a prospective single-arm observational study using before and after measurements. The subjects were 75 women, submitted either to breast cancer therapy or to post-therapy control, who agreed to practice pranic meditation for 20 minutes, twice a day, during eight weeks, after receiving a formal training. The quality of life of the practitioners was assessed by the EORTC QLQ-C30 and EORTC QLQ-BR23 questionnaires, and the mental health status by the Goldberg’s General Health Questionnaire and by the Lipp’s Stress Symptoms Inventory. Salivary melatonin concentrations were quantified by radioimmunoassay. Results. After eight weeks of pranic meditation practice, the subjects showed a significant improvement of their quality of life scores that included physical (p=0.0007), role (p=0.01), emotional (p=0.002), and social functioning (p=0.004), as well as global health status (p=0.005), fatigue (p<0.0001), pain (p=0.007), sleep disturbances (p=0.01),constipation (p=0.03 body image (p=0.001), arm symptoms (p=0.007) and breast symptoms (p=0.002). They also showed a reduction of the side effects of systemic therapy (p=0.02), and upset by hair loss (p=0.02). Some practitioners showed improvement of their cognitive xv functioning, but this condition could not be demonstrated in the group as a whole. Meditation was associated with improvement of the mental health parameters of the practitioners that included psychic stress (p=0.001), death ideation (p=0.02), performance diffidence (p=0.001), psychosomatic disorders (p=0.02), and severity of mental disorders (p=0.0003). The practitioners of pranic meditation also showed reduction of the symptoms of psychological stress over the last 24 hours (p=0.02), over the last week (p=0.009), and over the last month (p=0.03), as well as of physical stress that was reduced over the last 24 hours (p=0.002), over the last week (p=0.0009), and over the last month (0.009).These gains were maintained, with a little improvement, when meditation practices were extended from eight to fifteen weeks, suggesting that the beneficial effects of the practices had nearly reached their maximum by the 8th week. A wide variation of salivary melatonin concentrations was detected. This pineal hormone was increased in 27.7% of the practitioners, unchanged in 63.9%, and decreased in 13.8%. Conclusions. Our results showed that breast cancer survivors presented significant benefits related to their mental health and quality of life scores, after a short period of practice of pranic meditation, consisting of simple and easy-to-learn exercises. Although a further research to clarify the possible mechanisms of pranic meditation on cancer patients is desirable, the benefits already showed warrant its adoption as an adjunct therapy for cancer patients, since no undesirable side effect was detected.