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Dive into the research topics where Monica Castro is active.

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Featured researches published by Monica Castro.


Journal of Translational Medicine | 2010

Multiplexed methylation profiles of tumor suppressor genes and clinical outcome in lung cancer.

Monica Castro; Laura Grau; Patricia Puerta; Liliana Giménez; Julio Venditti; Silvia Quadrelli; Marta Sanchez-Carbayo

BackgroundChanges in DNA methylation of crucial cancer genes including tumor suppressors can occur early in carcinogenesis, being potentially important early indicators of cancer. The objective of this study was to examine a multiplexed approach to assess the methylation of tumor suppressor genes as tumor stratification and clinical outcome prognostic biomarkers for lung cancer.MethodsA multicandidate probe panel interrogated DNA for aberrant methylation status in 18 tumor suppressor genes in lung cancer using a methylation-specific multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification assay (MS-MLPA). Lung cancer cell lines (n = 7), and primary lung tumors (n = 54) were examined using MS-MLPA.ResultsGenes frequently methylated in lung cancer cell lines including SCGB3A1, ID4, CCND2 were found among the most commonly methylated in the lung tumors analyzed. HLTF, BNIP3, H2AFX, CACNA1G, TGIF, ID4 and CACNA1A were identified as novel tumor suppressor candidates methylated in lung tumors. The most frequently methylated genes in lung tumors were SCGB3A1 and DLC1 (both 50.0%). Methylation rates for ID4, DCL1, BNIP3, H2AFX, CACNA1G and TIMP3 were significantly different between squamous and adenocarcinomas. Methylation of RUNX3, SCGB3A1, SFRP4, and DLC1 was significantly associated with the extent of the disease when comparing localized versus metastatic tumors. Moreover, methylation of HTLF, SFRP5 and TIMP3 were significantly associated with overall survival.ConclusionsMS-MLPA can be used for classification of certain types of lung tumors and clinical outcome prediction. This latter is clinically relevant by offering an adjunct strategy for the clinical management of lung cancer patients.


Nutrition and Cancer | 2007

Effects of Eicosapentaenoic and Docosahexaenoic n-3 Fatty Acids From Fish Oil and Preferential Cox-2 Inhibition on Systemic Syndromes in Patients With Advanced Lung Cancer

Leandro Cerchietti; Alfredo Navigante; Monica Castro

Abstract Under the common denomination of Systemic Immune-Metabolic Syndrome (SIMS), we grouped many symptoms that share a similar pathophysiologic background. SIMS is the result of the dysfunctional interaction of tumor cells, stroma cells, and the immune system, leading to the release of cytokines and other systemic mediators such as eicosanoids. SIMS includes systemic syndromes such as paraneoplastic hemopathies, hypercalcemia, coagulopathies, fatigue, weakness, cachexia, chronic nausea, anorexia, and early satiety among others. Eicosapentaenoic and docosahexaenoic n-3 fatty acids from fish oil can help in the management of persistent chronic inflammatory states, but treatments compliance is generally poor. Preferentially, Cox-2 inhibition can create a favorable pattern of cytokines by decreasing the production of certain eicosanoids, although their role in SIMS is unknown. The aim of this study was to test the hypothesis that by modulating systemic inflammation through an eicosanoid-targeted approach, some of the symptoms of the SIMS could be controlled. We exclusively evaluated 12 patients for compliance. Patients were assigned 1 of the 4 treatment groups (15-, 12-, 9-, or 6-g dose, fractionated every 8 h). For patients assigned to 15 and 12 doses, the overall compliance was very poor and unsatisfactory for patients receiving the 9-g dose. The maximum tolerable dose was calculated to be around 2 capsules tid (6 g of fish oil per day). A second cohort of 22 patients with advanced lung cancer and SIMS were randomly assigned to receive either fish oil, 2 g tid, plus placebo capsules bid (n = 12) or fish oil, 2 g tid, plus celecoxib 200 mg bid (n = 10). All patients in both groups received oral food supplementation. After 6 wk of treatment, patients receiving fish oil + placebo or fish oil + celecoxib showed significantly more appetite, less fatigue, and lower C-reactive protein (C-RP) values than their respective baselines values (P < 0.02 for all the comparisons). Additionally, patients in the fish oil + celecoxib group also improved their body weight and muscle strength compared to baseline values (P < 0.02 for all the comparisons). Comparing both groups, patients receiving fish oil + celecoxib showed significantly lower C-RP levels (P = 0.005, t-test), higher muscle strength (P = 0.002, t-test) and body weight (P = 0.05, t-test) than patients receiving fish oil + placebo. The addition of celecoxib improved the control of the acute phase protein response, total body weight, and muscle strength. Additionally, the consistent nutritional support used in our patients could have helped to maximize the pharmacological effects of fish oil and/or celecoxib. This study shows that by modulating the eicosanoid metabolism using a combination of n-3 fatty acids and cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitor, some of the signs and symptoms associated with a SIMS could be ameliorated.


European Journal of Cancer | 2009

The European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire for patients with bone metastases: the EORTC QLQ-BM22

Edward Chow; Amanda Hird; Galina Velikova; C. D. Johnson; Linda Dewolf; A. Bezjak; Jackson Wu; Jesmin Shafiq; Orhan Sezer; Dimitrios Kardamakis; Yvette M. van der Linden; Brigette Ma; Monica Castro; Palmira Foro Arnalot; Sam H. Ahmedzai; Mark Clemons; Peter Hoskin; Albert Yee; Michael Brundage; Andrew Bottomley

AIM The aim of this study was to develop a bone metastases module to supplement the European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer Core Questionnaire (EORTC QLQ-C30) or the EORTC QLQ-C15-PAL for patients with bone metastases. METHODS Phases 1-2 of module development were conducted in Canada, Australia and Germany according to EORTC QOL group guidelines. Phase 3 was conducted in nine countries in seven languages. RESULTS Sixty-one health-related quality of life (HRQOL) issues were generated from health care professionals (n=152) and patients (n=413). This resulted in a 22-item provisional module. Further testing in 170 patients from nine countries resulted in the EORTC QLQ-BM22 module, containing 22 items, conceptualised into both symptom scales, with five painful sites and three pain characteristics, and also functional scales, with eight functional interference and six psychosocial aspects. CONCLUSION This study provides a provisional comprehensive HRQOL measurement tool for future trials, which will continue to undergo further validation.


Journal of Pain and Symptom Management | 2010

Morphine Versus Midazolam as Upfront Therapy to Control Dyspnea Perception in Cancer Patients While Its Underlying Cause Is Sought or Treated

Alfredo Navigante; Monica Castro; Leandro Cerchietti

CONTEXT Cancer patients with dyspnea may be able to have the symptom pharmacologically controlled while its underlying cause is sought or treated. OBJECTIVES This study was done to determine whether symptom control can be achieved while the cause is evaluated or treated and whether morphine or midazolam would be more suitable in this setting. METHODS Sixty-three ambulatory patients with advanced cancer and dyspnea were clinically characterized and then randomized to receive either oral morphine or oral midazolam. A fast in-clinic drug titration scheme was implemented followed by an ambulatory five-day period in which the patients received the effective dose that relieved their dyspnea. During this period, the patients were followed daily while the underlying causes of dyspnea were sought out or treated. RESULTS Thirty-one patients with dyspnea entered the morphine arm and 32 patients entered the midazolam one. During the initial in-clinic phase, dyspnea was alleviated by at least 50% in all patients, whether they received morphine or midazolam. During the ambulatory phase, midazolam was superior to morphine in controlling baseline and breakthrough dyspnea. Both treatments were well tolerated, with mild somnolence being the most common adverse event. Neither morphine nor midazolam affected the outcome and/or implementation of additional diagnostic and/or therapeutic interventions. CONCLUSION Our results suggest that cancer-related dyspnea in ambulatory patients can be pharmacologically treated while its most probable specific cause is sought and/or while an etiology-oriented intervention is implemented. In this setting, midazolam appeared to be a better option than morphine for the immediate and long-term relief of the symptom.


Journal of Thoracic Oncology | 2018

P20 Molecular Characterization of Non–Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC) Patients by Next Generation Sequencing: Preliminary Data

V. Wainsztein; Gonzalo Recondo; V. Denninghoff; M.T. Cuello; Martín Greco; M. De La Vega; Fernando Galanternik; E. Rojas Bilbao; A. Avagnina; Monica Castro

and its value as a prognostic biomarker in patients with metastatic nonesmall cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Method: The clinical chart of consecutive metastatic NSCLC patients treated in Edgardo Rebagliati Martins National Hospital, Lima-Perú, between July 2014 and December 2015, were retrospectively evaluated. Epidemiological, disease and extension data were collected, as well as white cell differential before either, definitive treatment or best supportive care. Survival analysis was performed using log-rank test, Kaplan-Meier method and Cox regression analysis using NLR cut-off point of 5 as previously reported. R language was used for statistical analysis. Results: Ninety clinical charts of advanced NSCLC patients were evaluated, of which 36 cases were considered for final analysis. The mean age was 69 years (SD 11.9). Twenty-three patients were female (63.9%), 28 were nonsmokers (77.8%) and 32 had adenocarcinoma (88.9%), median NLR was 3.4. The median overall survival (OS) was 7.95 months. Median OS for patients with NLR 3 5 was 3.97 months vs. 12.07 months for NLR < 5 (p 1⁄4 0.0041). Cox analysis for NLR < 5 was performed, adjusting with variables such as age (HR: 0.27, p 1⁄4 0.008), gender (HR: 0.30, p 1⁄4 0.012) and systemic treatment (HR: 0.34, p 1⁄4 0.038). Finally, we performed multivariate analysis adjusting for all variables that potentially can influence in mortality such as age, gender, systemic treatment and metastatic sites and we found HR 0.27 for NLR < 5 (95%CI 0.09 0.84, p 1⁄4 0.024). Conclusion: NLR < 5 was statistically associated with better overall survival. Multivariate analysis adjusted by age, gender, systemic treatment and metastatic compromise, was able to predict better overall survival, with a hazard ratio of 0.27 for NLR < 5. The retrospective design and limitations of our study only allow us to generate the hypothesis that NLR < 5 could be an easy and inexpensive marker of better survival in metastatic lung cancer patients and support design of larger and prospective trials.


Journal of Pain and Symptom Management | 2006

Midazolam as Adjunct Therapy to Morphine in the Alleviation of Severe Dyspnea Perception in Patients with Advanced Cancer

Alfredo Navigante; Leandro Cerchietti; Monica Castro; Maribel A. Lutteral; Maria E. Cabalar


International Journal of Radiation Oncology Biology Physics | 2006

Double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial on intravenous l-alanyl-l-glutamine in the incidence of oral mucositis following chemoradiotherapy in patients with head-and-neck cancer

Leandro Cerchietti; Alfredo Navigante; Maribel A. Lutteral; Monica Castro; Ricardo Kirchuk; Maria E. Cabalar; Berta Roth; Graciela Negretti; Beatriz Sheinker; Patricia Uchima


Journal of Neuro-oncology | 2005

Phase I/II study of selective cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitor celecoxib as a radiation sensitizer in patients with unresectable brain metastases

Leandro Cerchietti; Alfredo Navigante; Monica Castro; Maria E. Cabalar; Berta Roth


64 | 2003

Spatial prioritisation of environmental service payments for biodiversity protection

D. Barton; D. Faith; G. Rusch; J.O. Gjershaug; Monica Castro; Mauricio Vega; Edwin Vega


Lung Cancer | 2008

Continuous hyperfractionated accelerated radiation therapy week-end less in combination with neoadjuvant chemotherapy for the treatment of stage III non-small-cell lung cancer

Alejandro Blanco-Savorio; Leandro Cerchietti; Alfredo Navigante; Monica Castro; Berta Roth; Juan P. Wisnivesky

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Alfredo Navigante

University of Buenos Aires

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C. Gabay

University of Buenos Aires

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Berta Roth

University of Buenos Aires

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Luis Thompson

University of Buenos Aires

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Liliana Giménez

University of Buenos Aires

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Maria E. Cabalar

University of Buenos Aires

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I. Boyeras

University of Buenos Aires

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M. Bonet

University of Buenos Aires

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