Background: Cancer testis antigens have become the most extensively studied antigen group in the field of tumor immunology. Aims: This study aims to analyze global expression of 14 CT (cancer/testis) antigens in MM to identify possible prognostic markers and therapeutic targets. Patients and Methods: The expression of MAGEA1, MAGEA2, MAGEA3/6, MAGEA4, MAGEA10, MAGEA12, BAGE1, MAGEC1/CT7, GAGE family, LAGE-1, PRAME, NY-ESO-1, SPA17 and SSX1 was studied by RT-PCR in: 15 normal tissues, one pool of 10 normal bone marrow samples, three normal tonsils and bone marrow aspirates from six normal donors, three monoclonal gammophaties of undetermined significance (MGUS), five solitary plasmacytomas, 39 MM samples (95% advanced stage) and MM cell line U266. CodeLink Human UniSet I Bioarrays 10,000 genes was used for arrays analyses. Results: SPA17 was positive in all normal tissues and was excluded for further analyses. MAGEC1/CT7 was positive in bone marrow aspirates from one MGUS and in one plasmacytoma. U266 cell line was positive for all CT antigens, except SSX1. The frequencies of CT antigens expression in MM patients were: MAGEC1/CT7 = 30/39 (77%); LAGE-1 = 19/39 (49%); MAGEA3/6 = 16/39 (41%); MAGEA2 = 14/39 (36%); GAGE family = 13/39 (33%); NY-ESO-1 = 13/39 (33%); BAGE-1 = 12/39 (28%); MAGEA1 = 10/39 (26%); PRAME = 9/39 (23%); SSX-1 = 10/39 (26%); MAGEA12 = 8/39 (20.5%); MAGEA4 and MAGEA10 = 0%. Cox’s regression model showed that GAGE family positivity and number of positive CT antigens > 6 were independent prognostic factors when all patients were analyzed. However, MAGEC1/CT7 expression was the only independent prognostic factor when non-transplanted patients where analyzed. Three samples predominantly positive (> 6) and three samples predominantly negative (0 or 1) for the 13 analyzed CT antigens were submitted to microarrays analyses. 147 genes were overexpressed in predominantly positive CT antigens samples. Conclusions: Based on our findings, MAGEC1/CT7, MAGEA3/6 and LAGE-1 seem good candidates for immunotherapy, since together they are overexpressed in 85% of our MM cases. Besides, GAGE family expression, number of CT antigens > 6 and MAGEC1/CT7 seem to have impact on MM prognosis. Also, the results of arrays analyses corroborate the hypothesis that MM can be separate in two groups: predominantly positive and predominantly negative for CT antigens, meaning that these antigens may have important role for MM biology.

No statistically significant relation was noted between tumor weight and prognosis but there was a negative correlation between patient age and prognosis since children had a more favorable followup than adults. Mixed features in both groups resulted in the worst prognosis. A Weiss criteria grade IV or greater correlated well with a poor prognosis in adults but not children, while staging was more reliable in children.

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Atualização sobre hemoglobina glicada (HbA 1C) para avaliação do controle glicêmico e para o diagnóstico do diabetes: aspectos clínicos e laboratoriais Update on glycated hemoglobin (HbA 1C) for assessment of glycemic control and the diagnosis of diabetes: clinical and laboratory aspects

No statistically significant relation was noted between tumor weight and prognosis but there was a negative correlation between patient age and prognosis since children had a more favorable followup than adults. Mixed features in both groups resulted in the worst prognosis. A Weiss criteria grade IV or greater correlated well with a poor prognosis in adults but not children, while staging was more reliable in children.

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PurposePrimary Sjögren’s syndrome is a multisystem autoimmune disease characterized by hypofunction of salivary and lacrimal glands and possible multi-organ system manifestations. Over the past 15 years, three sets of diagnostic criteria have been proposed, but none has included salivary gland ultrasonography. However, recent studies support its role in the diagnosis and prognostic evaluation of patients with Sjögren’s syndrome. This study aimed to determine the value of salivary gland ultrasonography in the diagnosis and prognosis of Sjögren’s syndrome by relating ultrasonography severity scores to clinical and laboratory data.MethodsSeventy patients who fulfilled the 2002 American-European Consensus Group diagnostic criteria for primary Sjögren’s syndrome were selected from 84 patients receiving care in specialized outpatient clinics at our institution from November 2013 to May 2016. Their serology, European League Against Rheumatism Sjögren’s syndrome disease activity index (ESSDAI), salivary flow rate, immunoglobulin G, and salivary and serum beta-2 microglobulin levels were measured. Salivary gland ultrasonography was performed by an experienced radiologist, using scores of 1–4 to classify salivary gland impairment.ResultsSalivary gland ultrasonography scores of 1 or 2 were associated with an ESSDAI < 5. Ultrasonography scores of 3 or 4 were associated with an ESSDAI ≥5 (p = 0.064), a positive antinuclear antibody test (p = 0.006), positive anti-Ro/SSA antibodies (p = 0.003), positive anti-La/SSB antibodies (p = 0.077), positive rheumatoid factor (p = 0.034), and immunoglobulin G levels > 1600 mg/dL (p = 0.077). Salivary flow rate was lower in patients with scores 3 or 4 (p = 0.001).ConclusionThis study provides further evidence that salivary gland ultrasonography can be used not only for diagnosis but also for prognostic evaluation of primary Sjögren’s syndrome. These findings confirm what has been reported in the literature. However, further analyses involving larger matched samples are required to support this finding and include salivary gland ultrasonography as part of the diagnostic criteria for Sjögren’s syndrome.