Eugenia Flores-Alfaro

Mortality burden of malignant neoplasms of the corpus uteri in Mexico: an analysis of trends from 2000 to 2022

ABSTRACT Objective: The aim of this study was to analyze temporal trends in malignant neoplasms of corpus uteri mortality in México from 2000 through 2022. Methods: Certificates of death were analyzed. The age-standardized mortality rate (ASMR), the number of years of life lost, according to the federal state, was estimated. The changes in temporal trends were analyzed using joint point regression. Results: The ASMR from malignant neoplasms of the corpus uteri was estimated at 2.5 (95% confidence interval [CI] 2.2–2.8), and the annual percentage change from 2000 to 2018 was 4.32. The age group of 60–65 years was most affected. Conclusion: This report indicates an increase in the ASMR from malignant neoplasms of the corpus uteri. It also suggests the need for the development of public health laws focusing on the early diagnosis and prevention of uterine cancer.

Significant decrease of a master regulator of genes (REST/NRSF) in high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion and cervical cancer

The repressor element 1-silencing transcription factor (REST) is a regulator of gene expression, and the Ras association domain family member 1 A (RASSF1A) is an important tumor suppressor gene involved in cancer development. Although extensive characterization of the roles of REST and RASSF1A in cancer development have been reported in cellular models, the link between them and their possible role in the development of squamous intraepithelial lesions (SIL) and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the cervix have not been explored. The aim of this study was to evaluate the expression of REST and RASSF1A in cervical cytological and histological samples from patients diagnosed with SIL or SCC and in CC-derived cell lines. We analyzed the expression of REST and RASSF1A by immunocyto/histochemistry in cervical samples from patients (n = 271) and in cancer cell lines. Data analyses were performed using the Kruskal-Wallis test and generalized linear models. We identified binding sites for REST in RASSF1A and observed a significant reduction in REST and RASSF1A nuclear expression in samples from patients with high-grade SIL (HSIL) and SCC. For REST, we observed an average decrease of 334 and 423 r.u.d. for HSIL (n = 21) and SCC (n = 18) compared with non-LSIL (n = 72), whereas for RASSF1A, this decrease was 126 and 217 r.u.d., respectively (p < 0.001). Our results provide evidence of the altered expression of REST and RASSF1A in SIL and SCC, with a significant decrease in HSIL, SCC, and SCC-derived cell lines; findings that can contribute to the diagnosis, prognosis, and post-treatment follow-up of patients diagnosed with SIL or SCC.