The contribution of BRCA1 and BRCA2 to breast cancer incidence in Cuba has not yet been explored. In order to estimate the proportion of breast cancers due to BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutations in Cuba, and to identify possible Cuban founder mutations, we conducted a study of unselected breast cancer patients from Havana, Cuba. We enrolled 336 women with breast cancer from a large public hospital in the city. A family history of cancer was obtained from each patient and a blood sample was processed for DNA analysis. Mutations in BRCA1 and BRCA2 were sought using a combination of techniques, but all mutations were confirmed by direct sequencing. We were able to successfully complete testing on samples from 307 women. Among these, eight mutations were identified (seven in BRCA2 and one in BRCA1) representing 2.6% of the total, including 10% of familial cases and 10% of cases under age forty. One BRCA2 mutation (c.3394C > T) was found in two women, but no clear example of a founder mutation was identified. In summary, BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutations are not uncommon in Cuban women with breast cancer, but the absence of founder mutations precludes the development of a rapid and inexpensive clinical screening test.
Background: Brainstem gliomas have a short survival time; chemotherapy has not improved outcome. We report the result obtained with the combination of Radiotherapy and the monoclonal antibody Nimotuzumab in a series of these tumors. Material and methods: 40 children and adolescents treated with irradiation and Nimotuzumab were included between Jan 2009 and December 2015, all with the diagnosis of diffuse infiltrative pontine gliomas (DIPG), irradiated at the Instituto Nacional de Oncologia y Radiobiologia, in Havana, Cuba. Nimotuzumab was applied during the period receiving Radiotherapy and them monthly for one year or more. Results: Median age at diagnosis was 7,9 years (range 3-18 years old); median survival was 18,4 months and Kaplan Meier survival was 42,5% at 2 years and 34,5% at 5 years, established till 9 years. Addition of Nimotuzumab was safe and well tolerated. Conclusion: Combination of Nimotuzumab and Radiotherapy is safe and could increase survival
I n Cuba, tumors of the Central Nervous System (CNS) for children and adolescents account between 18 and 20% of all tumors in this group of age. 1-3 The main methods of treatment are surgery, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy. 4 Radiation therapy is a major treatment avenue in medulloblastomas, primitive neuroectodermal tumor (PNET) in some cases of germinomas consist of craneospinal irradiation (CS), and a supplementary boost to the post-operative tumor bed, followed by chemotherapy. In
Background: Brainstem gliomas have a short survival time; chemotherapy has not improved outcome. We report the result obtained with the combination of Radiotherapy and the monoclonal antibody Nimotuzumab in a series of these tumors. Material and methods: 40 children and adolescents treated with irradiation and Nimotuzumab were included between Jan 2009 and December 2015, all with the diagnosis of diffuse infiltrative pontine gliomas (DIPG), irradiated at the Instituto Nacional de Oncologia y Radiobiologia, in Havana, Cuba. Nimotuzumab was applied during the period receiving Radiotherapy and them monthly for one year or more. Results: Median age at diagnosis was 7,9 years (range 3-18 years old); median survival was 18,4 months and Kaplan Meier survival was 42,5% at 2 years and 34,5% at 5 years, established till 9 years. Addition of Nimotuzumab was safe and well tolerated. Conclusion: Combination of Nimotuzumab and Radiotherapy is safe and could increase survival
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