Publications by authors named "Nathalia Sousa-Pereira"

Mouse mammary tumor virus (MMTV) is a retrovirus that has been associated with the development of breast cancer (BC) in mice. The identification of a 95% homologous gene sequence to MMTV in human BC samples has increased interest in this hypothesis. This virus in humans received the name of mouse mammary tumor virus-like (MMTV-like).

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Migration of metastatic tumor cells is similar to the traffic of leukocytes and has been reported that can be guided by chemokines and their receptors, through the circulation to distant organs. The chemokine CXCL12 and its receptor CXCR4 play an essential role in hematopoietic stem cell homing and the activation of this axis supports malignant events. Binding of CXCL12 to CXCR4 activates signal transduction pathways, with broad effects on chemotaxis, cell proliferation, migration and gene expression.

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The association between mouse mammary tumor virus (MMTV)-like sequences and human breast cancer (BC) is largely documented in the literature, but further research is needed to determine how they influence carcinogenesis. APOBEC3 cytidine deaminases are viral restriction factors that have been implicated in cancer mutagenesis, and a germline deletion that results in the fusion of the APOBEC3A coding region with the APOBEC3B 3'-UTR has been linked to increased mutagenic potential, enhanced risk of BC development, and poor prognosis. However, little is known about factors influencing APOBEC3 family activation in cancer.

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Article Synopsis
  • The study investigates the impact of chronic life stressors on breast cancer (BC) patients, analyzing emotional changes prior to diagnosis using the Holmes and Rahe's Stress Scale.
  • Out of 100 participants, 55.2% were found to be at medium risk and 13.8% at high risk for disease development related to stress, particularly among separated or divorced individuals.
  • The research revealed that the high-risk group had lower estrogen receptor positivity compared to lower risk groups, highlighting the potential link between chronic stress and breast cancer characteristics.
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Acute lymphoid leukemia (ALL) is a type of hematological neoplasm that affects the precursor cells of strains B, T  and NK, with a higher incidence in the pediatric range. The pathophysiology of ALL is characterized by chromosomal abnormalities and genetic alterations involved in the differentiation and proliferation of lymphoid precursor cells. Despite the lack of information in the literature, it is believed that leukemogenesis originates from a complex interaction between environmental and genetic factors, which combined lead to cellular modifications.

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Article Synopsis
  • - The study explores the presence of a mouse mammary tumor virus (MMTV)-like sequence in breast cancer (BC) tissues from 217 Brazilian patients, using nested-PCR and PCR-sequencing to identify its clinical implications.
  • - MMTV-like sequences were found in both tumor and adjacent tissues of several patients, showing correlations with various clinicopathological parameters, including better prognostic indicators in specific BC subtypes.
  • - The presence of MMTV-like positivity appears linked to positive outcomes in BC, suggesting potential anti-metastatic effects and possible contributions to activating the immune response against tumors.
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  • The study investigates the aggressive nature of breast cancer (BC) in young women (under 44 years old) and the need for better early diagnosis and prognostic strategies.
  • It evaluated 236 tumor samples, focusing on various markers like estrogen and progesterone receptors, HER2, Ki67, and p53, finding that young patients often have tumors with higher Ki67 levels and p53 mutations.
  • Ki67 and p53 were associated with poor prognosis factors, suggesting that these markers could help identify risk and improve outcomes for young BC patients.
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Purpose: APOBEC3A and APOBEC3B cytidine deaminases have been implicated in the pathogenesis of multiple cancers, including breast cancer (BC). A germline deletion linking APOBEC3A and APOBEC3B loci (A3A/B) has been associated with higher APOBEC-mediated mutational burden, but its association with BC risk have been controversial. Therefore, this study investigated the association between A3A/B and BC susceptibility and clinical presentation in a Brazilian cohort.

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Breast cancer (BC) is a complex and heterogeneous disease whose evolution depends on the tumor-host interaction. This type of cancer occurs when the mammary cells begin to grow wildly and become able to invade nearby tissues and/or promote metastases. Mouse mammary tumor virus (MMTV) is the accepted etiological agent of mammary tumors in mice.

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The WT1 gene encodes a transcription factor involved in regulation of many cellular processes, including proliferation, differentiation, mRNA processing and apoptosis, besides acting as a transcription repressor of growth factors and their receptors' genes. This gene is expressed at high levels in several types of cancers, including acute leukemias. In this regard, many studies have identified WT1 protein as a tumor antigen, considered a target molecule for clinical application in human acute leukemias.

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