Browsing by Author "Hespanhol, V"
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- Overall Survival Analysis and Characterization of an EGFR Mutated Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC) PopulationPublication . Aguiar, F; Fernandes, G; Queiroga, H; Machado, JC; Cirnes, L; Souto Moura, C; Hespanhol, VBACKGROUND: Patients with activating somatic mutations in the Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor (EGFR) have better clinical outcomes when treated with Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors (TKI) over chemotherapy. However, the impact of the use of TKIs on overall survival outside clinical trials is not well established. OBJECTIVE: To characterize and analyze the overall survival of a Caucasian population with NSCLC and EGFR mutations. METHODS: A retrospective cohort analysis of patients with NSCLC screened for EGFR mutations (exons 18-21) between October 2009 and July 2013 was conducted. Clinical and pathological characteristics, mutational EGFR status, treatment and overall survival were evaluated. RESULTS: From the 285 patients which performed screening for EGFR mutations, 54 (18.9%) had mutations, 25 (46.3%) of which in exon 19 and 20 of which (37.0%) in exon 21. The occurrence of mutations was associated with female sex and non-smoking habits (both, P<.001). The median survival of the global population was 12.0 months, with a better overall survival in mutated than non-mutated patients (20.0 vs 11.0 months, respectively; P=.007). CONCLUSION: These data contribute for a better knowledge of our lung cancer population concerning the mutational status and clinical outcomes, confirming a better overall survival for the patients with EGFR TKI sensible mutations.
- Sedation with midazolam in flexible bronchoscopy - a prospective studyPublication . Rolo, R; Mota, PC; Coelho, F; Alves, D; Fernandes, G; Cunha, J; Hespanhol, V; Magalhães, AINTRODUCTION: Sedatives have been increasingly used to improve patient comfort during flexible bronchoscopy (FOB). Due to its rapid-onset, anxiolytic and amnestic properties, midazolam is one of the most commonly used sedatives. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the effect of sedation with midazolam, including patient tolerance, complications and its potential use on a daily routine basis. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A multi-centre, prospective, randomized, placebo-controlled study was made on 100 patients submitted to FOB in two Pulmonology Departments. Midazolam (0.05mg/kg) was administered to patients in Group 1 and saline solution (0,9% NaCl) to patients in Group 2, five minutes before the procedure. The Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS-A) was used to determine patient anxiety level. Subjective questionnaires concerning main fears and complaints were answered before and after FOB. RESULTS: Mean age was 56.0 ± 14.1 years; 66% male. Most (65%) patients had low score (<7) in HADS-A scale with no difference between groups. No significant differences were seen between groups concerning FOB duration, procedures, lidocaine dosage and complications. Systolic blood pressure during and after FOB was significantly higher (p<0.003) in Group 2. Patients in Group 1 experienced less cough (32% vs 56%; p=0.03) and dyspnea (2% vs 34%; p<0.001) than in Group 2, while nausea (6% vs 18%; p>0.05) and pain (4% vs 12%; p>0.05) were not statistically different. Willingness to repeat the exam was reported in all patients in Group 1 and in 82% in Group 2 (p=0.003). CONCLUSION: Sedation with midazolam in FOB improved patient's comfort and decreased complaints, without significant haemodynamic changes. It should be offered to the patient on a routine basis.
- The Impact of Polymorphic Variations in the 5p15, 6p12, 6p21 and 15q25 Loci on the Risk and Prognosis of Portuguese Patients with Non-Small Cell Lung CancerPublication . de Mello, RA; Ferreira, M; Soares-Pires, F; Costa, S; Cunha, J; Oliveira, P; Hespanhol, V; Reis, RMINTRODUCTION: Polymorphic variants in the 5p15, 6p12, 6p21, and 15q25 loci were demonstrated to potentially contribute to lung cancer carcinogenesis. Therefore, this study was performed to assess the role of those variants in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) risk and prognosis in a Portuguese population. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Blood from patients with NSCLC was prospectively collected. To perform an association study, DNA from these patients and healthy controls were genotyped for a panel of 19 SNPs using a Sequenom® MassARRAY platform. Kaplan-Meier curves were used to assess the overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS). RESULTS: One hundred and forty-four patients with NSCLC were successfully consecutively genotyped for the 19 SNPs. One SNP was associated with NSCLC risk: rs9295740 G/A. Two SNPs were associated with non-squamous histology: rs3024994 (VEGF intron 2) T/C and rs401681 C/T. Three SNPs were associated with response rate: rs3025035 (VEGF intron 7) C/T, rs833061 (VEGF -460) C/T and rs9295740 G/A. One SNP demonstrated an influence on PFS: rs401681 C/T at 5p15, p = 0.021. Four SNPs demonstrated an influence on OS: rs2010963 (VEGF +405 G/C), p = 0.042; rs3025010 (VEGF intron 5 C/T), p = 0.047; rs401681 C/T at 5p15, p = 0.046; and rs31489 C/A at 5p15, p = 0.029. CONCLUSIONS: Our study suggests that SNPs in the 6p12, 6p21, and 5p15 loci may serve as risk, predictive and prognostic NSCLC biomarkers. In the future, SNPs identified in the genomes of patients may improve NSCLC screening strategies and therapeutic management as well.