Background A large number of studies have suggested a correlation between the status of telomeres and disease risk. High-throughput quantitative fluorescence in situ hybridization (HT Q-FISH) is a highly accurate telomere measurement technique that can be applied to the study of large cell populations. Here we describe the analytical performance testing and validation of Telomere Analysis Technology (TAT®), a laboratory-developed HT Q-FISH-based methodology that includes HT imaging and software workflows that provide a highly detailed view of telomere populations. Methods TAT was developed for the analysis of telomeres in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). TAT was compared with Terminal Restriction Fragment (TRF) length analysis, and tested for accuracy, precision, limits of detection (LOD) and specificity, reportable range and reference range. Results Using 6 different lymphocyte cell lines, we found a high correlation between TAT and TRF for telomere length (R2 ≥ 0.99). The standard variation (assay error) of TAT was 454 base pairs, and the limit of detection of 800 base pairs. A standard curve was constructed to cover human median reportable range values and defined its lower limit at 4700 bp and upper limits at 14,400 bp. Using TAT, up to 223 telomere associated variables (TAVs) can be obtained from a single sample. A pilot, population study, of telomere analysis using TAT revealed high accuracy and reliability of the methodology. Conclusions Analytical validation of TAT shows that is a robust and reliable technique for the characterization of a detailed telomere profile in large cell populations. The combination of high-throughput imaging and software workflows allows for the collection of a large number of telomere-associated variables from each sample, which can then be used in epidemiological and clinical studies.

Background The objective of this study was to explore telomere-associated variables (TAV) as complementary biomarkers in the early diagnosis of prostate cancer (PCa), analyzing their application in risk models for significant PCa (Gleason score > 6). Methods As part of a larger prospective longitudinal study of patients with suspicion of PCa undergoing prostate biopsy according to clinical practice, a subgroup of patients (n = 401) with PSA 3–10 ng/ml and no prior biopsies was used to evaluate the contribution of TAV to discern non-significant PCa from significant PCa. The cohort was randomly split for training (2/3) and validation (1/3) of the models. High-throughput quantitative fluorescence in-situ hybridization was used to evaluate TAV in peripheral blood mononucleated cells. Models were generated following principal component analysis and random forest and their utility as risk predictors was evaluated by analyzing their predictive capacity and accuracy, summarized by ROC curves, and their clinical benefit with decision curves analysis. Results The median age of the patients was 63 years, with a median PSA of 5 ng/ml and a percentage of PCa diagnosis of 40.6% and significant PCa of 19.2%. Two TAV-based risk models were selected (TAV models 1 and 2) with an AUC ≥ 0.83 in the full study cohort, and AUC > 0.76 in the internal validation cohort. Both models showed an improvement in decision capacity when compared to the application of the PCPT-RC in the low-risk probabilities range. In the validation cohort, with TAV models 1 and 2, 33% /48% of biopsies would have been avoided losing 0/10.3% of significant PCa, respectively. The models were also tested and validated on an independent, retrospective, non contemporary cohort. Conclusions Telomere analysis through TAV should be considered as a new risk-score biomarker with potential to increase the prediction capacity of significant PCa in patients with PSA between 3–10 ng/ml.

A 43-year-old woman with an associated history of gynecological pathology and breast cancer with only one cryopreserved embryo wished to be a mother. Several factors that influenced the success of the pregnancy in this case were analyzed. Favorable factors included: triple positive breast cancer [positive hormone receptors and positive human epidermal growth factor receptor 2], which is more hormosensitive and chemosensitive; absence of metastasis; correct endometrium preparation; and the patient’s optimistic attitude and strict health habits. In contrast, the factors against success were: breast cancer; adjuvant breast cancer therapy gonadotoxicity; the age of the patient (> 40-year-old); endometriosis; ovarian cyst; hydrosalpinx; submucosal fibroids and the respective associated surgery done for the above-mentioned pathology (all resolved prior to the embryo transfer); and a low quantity of ovules (low ovarian reserve) after ovarian stimulation. This is a very special clinical case of a patient with theoretically low pregnancy success probability due to the consecutive accumulation of gynecological and oncological pathologies, who nonetheless became pregnant and delivered a full-term infant and was able to provide adequate breastfeeding.

Breast cancer patients treated with adjuvant radiotherapy after radical surgery have not experienced significant changes in their mean age at treatment. The subgroups of patients that remain out of the mammographic screening programmes were unchanged as well. The observed differences can be explained by demographical disparities and by a probable increase in the indications for adjuvant radiotherapy.

Background: Intravenous oncological treatments often require permanent central venous access. We have opted for the PICC as the device of first choice for the administration of treatments in which the maintenance of venous access is not required beyond 1 year. The placement and care of these catheters is carried out in the onco-hematology day hospital by the Oncology Nursing.Objective: Consecutive registration of all PICCs inserted in our center since their implementation and evaluation of all events related to placement, complications, and reasons for removal.Methods: All PICCs have been inserted in the Day Hospital for the administration of onco-hematological treatments. We have used a 3rd generation polyurethane PICC of Teleflex MedicalÒ, 4Fr 1 Light, inserted by ultrasound-guided puncture using the modified Seldinger technique. We have a database for the prospective collection of variables concerning diagnosis, treatment, date of insertion and removal, reason for removal, vein of insertion chosen, its diameter and complications.abstracts Annals of OncologyVolume 32 -Issue S5 -2021 S1263