Properties of 125 GeV Higgs boson in non-decoupling MSSM scenarios

Tantalizing hints of the Higgs boson of mass around 125 GeV have been reported at the LHC. We explore the MSSM parameter space in which the 125 GeV state is identified as the heavier of the CP even Higgs bosons, and study two scenarios where the two photon production rate can be significantly larger than the standard model (SM). In one scenario, $\Gamma(H\to \gamma\gamma)$ is enhanced by a light stau contribution, while the $WW^{\ast}$ ($ZZ^{\ast}$) rate stays around the SM rate. In the other scenario, $\Gamma(H\to b\bar{b})$ is suppressed and not only the $\gamma\gamma$ but also the $WW^{\ast}$ ($ZZ^{\ast}$) rates should be enhanced. The $\tau\bar{\tau}$ rate can be significantly larger or smaller than the SM rate in both scenarios. Other common features of the scenarios include top quark decays into charged Higgs boson, single and pair production of all Higgs bosons in $e^+e^-$ collisions at $\sqrt{s}\lesssim 300$ GeV.Comment: 20 pages, 5 figures, accepted version for publication in JHE

Testing supersymmetry at the LHC through gluon-fusion production of a slepton pair

Renormalizable quartic couplings among new particles are typical of supersymmetric models. Their detection could provide a test for supersymmetry, discriminating it from other extensions of the Standard Model. Quartic couplings among squarks and sleptons, together with the SU(3) gauge couplings for squarks, allow a new realization of the gluon-fusion mechanism for pair-production of sleptons at the one-loop level. The corresponding production cross section, however, is at most of ${\cal O}(1)$fb for slepton and squark masses of ${\cal O}(100)$GeV. We then extend our investigation to the gluon-fusion production of sleptons through the exchange of Higgs bosons. The cross section is even smaller, of ${\cal O}(0.1)$fb, if the exchanged Higgs boson is considerably below the slepton-pair threshold, but it is enhanced when it is resonant. It can reach ${\cal O}(10)$fb for the production of sleptons of same-chirality, exceeding these values for $\widetilde{\tau}$'s of opposite-chirality, even when chirality-mixing terms in the squark sector are vanishing. The cross section can be further enhanced if these mixing terms are nonnegligible, providing a potentially interesting probe of the Higgs sector, in particular of parameters such as $A$, $\mu$, and $\tan\beta$.Comment: 28 pages, 11 figure

Abstract P1-01-14: Intraoperative Injection of Technetium-99m- Dextran 500 for the Identification of Sentinel Lymph Nodes in Breast Cancer

Abstract Background: The intraoperative injection of radiocolloid before a sentinel node biopsy (SLN) in breast cancer has been recently described.The advantages of this approach would be precluding the performance of a scintigram, cost reduction and elimination of pain and anxiety related to the preoperative procedure. Objectives: To evaluate the efficacy of intraoperative injection of Dextran 500-99m-Tc and to analyze whether different radiocolloid doses, breast volume and Body Mass Index (BMI) influence the migration time to the axilla. Material and Methods: This is a prospective study of 74 SLN biopsies of breast cancer patients, stages T1N0 and T2N0. After anesthesia induction, patients underwent subareolar dermal injection of 0.5 to 1.5 mCi (18 to 55 MBq) of filtered Dextran 500-99m-Tc (0.22µl) in a volume of 5 ml along with 2 ml of blue dye. Results: The probe identification rate was 98% (73/74 cases) and the medium radiocolloid dose used was 0.97 mCi ± 0.22. The radiocolloid migration time to the axila was 10 min and 43 s (± 5:43 s). An average of 1.66 lymphnodes were identified through the use of radiocolloid and 1.53 through the use of bue dye. Different radiocolloid doses did not modify migration time to SLN (p=0.73). However, larger breast volumes were associated with longer migration time to the axilla (Pearson Correlation 0.393 p&amp;lt; 0.01). The same correlation was observed with BMI (Pearson Correlation 0.469 p&amp;lt; 0.01). Discussion: The intraoperative injection of Dextran 500-99m-Tc is efficient in the identification of SLN in breast patients. Higher BMI and larger breasts determine longer migration time, however injection of larger doses of radiocolloid do not reduce transit time to the axilla. Citation Information: Cancer Res 2010;70(24 Suppl):Abstract nr P1-01-14.</jats:p

Abstract P3-12-13: Breast Cancer Genomic Profile in a Consecutive Series of a Breast Healthcare Service in South Brazil

Abstract Background: Prognostic factors, such as breast cancer (BC) genomic profile, are cornerstone for the understanding of the disease, especially in the orientation of its treatment. The majority of studies reporting BC genomic profile were conducted in developed countries. Research in the developing world is needed, in order to investigate if BC profile in these countries is similar to the one seen in the developed world. Moreover, it is important to evaluate possible differences in the genomic profile between pre-and post-menopausal women. Finally, it is also important to appraise if there was any temporal trend in BC genomic profile in the last decade. Methods: A consecutive sample of patients who were diagnosed with BC between 2000 and 2010 were analyzed. All patients were diagnosed and treated at Núcleo Mama Moinhos, a specialized BC service in South Brazil. Comparisons were made between women below and above the age of 50, and between the period of 2000-2005 and 2006-2010. The Fisher exact test was used for comparisons. Ki-67 was considered as positive when &amp;gt; 5%. Results: 439 patients were included. Mean age was 55 ± 13 years, 37% of the sample was younger than 50 years old and 10% than 40 years old. 57% were diagnosed between 2000-2005 and 43% between 2006-2010. Tumor staging was as follows: 61% stage 0/I, 22% stage IIA, 9% stage IIB, 7% stage III and 1% stage IV. Median tumor size was 1.6 cm (IQR 1.0 — 2.5), 26% of patients had positive lymph nodes. 75% were invasive ductal carcinomas and 10% were in situ ductal carcinomas. Tumor histologic grades were as follows: 15% grade I, 42% grade 2 and 22% grade 3. Surgery type was mastectomy in 43.5% and setorectomy in the remainder. 56% of patients were submitted to chemotherapy, of which 25% were neoadjuvant. Regarding the genomic profile, 82% of the sample had positive estrogen receptor (ER) or progesterone receptor (PR), 18% were HER2 positive, and 11% were triple negative. Ki 67 was positive in 68% of the sample, median value was 10% (IQR 5% — 20%); p53 mutation was seen in 26%. When compared to patients diagnosed between 2000-2005, the sample from 2006-2010 had a lower prevalence of hormone receptors (76% vs 86%, p = 0.01) and a higher proportion of triple negative cases (16% vs 8%, p=0.01). This difference was more marked in women below the age of 50 (6% until 2005 and 18% afterwards, p = 0.02). There were no other temporal trends in the other evaluated variables (staging, histologic grade and type, age, HER2, type of surgery). In the comparison of women diagnosed after versus before 50 years of age, the former had a more favorable staging: 86% were in stages 0/I/IIA, as compared to 78% in the latter (p=0.03). Conclusions: The profile seen in this population has some similarities with other series from developed countries. The increase in triple negative and hormone negative tumors in women older than 50 is worrisome and does not reflect the common sense that the large majority of cases in this age group are hormone sensible. Citation Information: Cancer Res 2010;70(24 Suppl):Abstract nr P3-12-13.</jats:p

Abstract P3-06-02: Prevalence of <i>TP53</i> p.R337H Mutation in Cases of Breast Phyllodes Tumours in Southern Brazil

Abstract Background: Previous studies in Brazilian patients diagnosed with the core-cancers of Li-Fraumeni syndrome (LFS) and its variants (LFL) indicate that a particular germline mutation, TP53 p.R337H, may be highly prevalent and strongly associated with pediatric adrenocortical tumors in Southern Brazil. However, other tumours types, including breast cancer, have been observed in carriers, raising the possibility that the TP53 p.R337H mutation may also contribute to breast tumorigenesis. Breast phyllodes tumour, a very rare and aggressive breast neoplasia that accounts for less than 1% of all breast cancer cases, may be associated with LFS, and has suggested by some to be particularly frequent in TP53 mutation carriers. Methods: Formalin fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissue from disease-free lymph nodes of an unselected consecutive series of women diagnosed with benign and malignant phyllodes tumours between 2000 and 2010, was obtained from 7 Pathology Laboratories in Southern Brazil. Genomic DNA was isolated from FFPE with the QIAamp DNA Tissue Kit. Genotyping was performed by qPCR using TaqMan technology and direct bi-directional sequencing for confirmation in mutation-positive cases. Results: Analysis of the first 48 cases included in the study (9 malignant, 3 borderline and 36 benign phyllodes tumors) resulted in identification of the TP53 p.R337H mutation in the germline of a 61 year-old patient with malignant phyllodes and a 38 year-old patient with a benign phyllodes tumor of the breast. Conclusion: Preliminary analysis of a case series of breast phyllodes tumors indicates that germline the founder mutation TP53 p.R337H may be particularly common in women with these tumors in Southern Brazil. Further analysis of the entire TP53 coding region and evaluation of the founder haplotype in the mutation-positive cases is ongoing. The identification of germline TP53 mutations in patients diagnosed with phyllodes tumors of the breast has important implications for disease management and in cancer risk counseling for these patients and families. Citation Information: Cancer Res 2010;70(24 Suppl):Abstract nr P3-06-02.</jats:p

Accuracy of breast ultrasound BI-RADS classification and final pathological assessment of breast lesions submitted to core biopsy or fine needle aspiration of a breast diagnostic referral center in South Brazil.

Abstract Abstract #2002 Background: Breast cancer (BC) is the leading cancer related mortality in women from 40-69 years old in Brazil. In the current year, about 49,400 women are expected to be diagnosed with BC, 4,880 of these in the state of Rio Grande do Sul. Until preventive strategies can be implemented, or better therapies developed, BC mortality reduction can only come from improvement in detection. Radiologists involved in breast imaging should ensure that they have the necessary skills to carry out core biopsy (CB) and/or fine-needle aspiration (FNA) under all forms of image guidance. This quality control is crucial in countries of limited resources, where the costs generated by benign breast biopsies affect the whole public health system. This paper aims to provide a quality parameter on best practice for diagnostic interventional breast procedures and standards.&amp;#x2028; Methods: 1,071 consecutive women with breast imaging (BI) abnormalities referred to the BI Center of the Moinhos de Vento Hospital for ultrasound (Us) guided breast CB or FNA between Oct/2003 and Oct/2007 were eligible. All patients in the study population underwent clinical and radiological examination. CB was performed by Us-guided automated gun method. The pathology reports were performed by 2 independent pathologists. All breast findings were classified according to the Us BIRADS system and were correlated to pathology results. An Us BIRADS 4 or 5 was considered a positive test. Sensitivity (Sen), specificity (Spe), predictive positive value (PPV), predictive negative value (PNV) and accuracy (Acc) were calculated.&amp;#x2028; Results: Patient medium age was 45.5y (13-92y). Correlation results are summarized on table 1. In this sample, 88.7% of BC were ductal invasive carcinoma, 4.6% lobular invasive carcinoma, 1.2% ductal carcinoma in situ, 1.2% undifferentiated neoplasia, and 4.3% were other types of neoplasia. Sen of 93.3% (CI 87.7%-96.5%), Spe of 95% (93.3%-96.2%), PPV of 75.2% (68.3%Â81.1%), PNV of 98.8% (97.8%-99.4%) and an Acc of 94.7% were observed. &amp;#x2028; Discussion: Us BIRADS classification allows an adjusted standardization of radiologists images interpretation, reproducing the correlation between this and the pathology. Periodic performance audit is the most meaningful way to demonstrate the success or failure in detecting otherwise occult BC, the ultimate indicator of BI performance. Radiologists involved in BI in our center have the requirements to carry out CB and/or FNA under Us image guidance, once the observed results are in accordance with the ACR Practice Guideline, published in 2005.&amp;#x2028; &amp;#x2028; Citation Information: Cancer Res 2009;69(2 Suppl):Abstract nr 2002.</jats:p

P1-09-07: Contribution of TP53 p.R337H Mutation to Breast Cancer Incidence in Brazil.

Abstract Background: The exact contribution of TP53 germline mutations, associated with Li Fraumeni Syndrome — LFS, to the overall burden of cancer is still only partially known. Studies in Southern and Southeastern Brazil have shown that a particular mutant, TP53 p.R337H, has incomplete penetrance and may be present in a significant number of subjects (estimated frequency at the populational level of 1:300 individuals). In an exploratory approach, the aim of this study is to assess the prevalence of the TP53 p.R337H mutation in women with breast cancer diagnosed before 46 and after 55 years of age, unselected for family history of cancer and resident in Southern and Southeastern Brazil. Methods: Formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) non-tumoral tissue of 521 women diagnosed with breast cancer between 2000 and 2010 in two pathology laboratories were obtained retrospectively and consecutively, and analyzed after anonimization. Genomic DNA was isolated with the QIAamp DNA Tissue Kit and genotyping performed by allelic discrimination using a TaqMan assay. Confirmation of all mutation-positive and a sample of mutation-negative cases was done by TP53 exon 10 sequencing. Results: Analysis of the first 299 cases identified the TP53 p.R337H mutation in the germline of 15 (5,0%) cases: 13/142 (9,2%) before 46 years and 2/157 (1,3%) diagnosed after 55 years. The p53 expression pattern assessed by immunohistochemistry in the breast tumors was not different between p.R337H mutation carriers and non-carriers. Conclusion: Preliminary analysis in a sample of women with breast cancer in Southern Brazil indicates that the germline TP53 p.R337H founder mutation is present in a high proportion of cases, especially those diagnosed at a young age. Germline TP53 mutations are considered rare, occurring in about 1:5000 individuals of the general population. The occurrence of this founder mutation at such a high frequency in a particular geographic region has important implications for disease management and cancer risk counseling for these patients and families. This mutation likely contributes to a significant proportion of the health burden associated with breast cancer in Southern Brazil. Citation Information: Cancer Res 2011;71(24 Suppl):Abstract nr P1-09-07.</jats:p