Phenotyping of basophils before and after desensitization with chemotherapy

• Grant number: 12/13855-1
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships abroad - Research
• Start date: November 19, 2012
• End date: November 18, 2013
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Medicine - Medical Clinics
• Principal Investigator: Pedro Francisco Giavina-Bianchi Junior
• Grantee: Pedro Francisco Giavina-Bianchi Junior
• Host Investigator: Mariana Concepcion Castells
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Medicina (FM). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil
• Institution abroad: Harvard University, Boston, United States

Abstract

In Brazil, it is estimated to occur about 500,000 new cases of cancer annually. Adverse reactions to chemotherapy in cancer patients has increased dramatically worldwide, stopping often the use of first-line therapies in the treatment of relapsed or primary tumor. The evidence shows that, in medical practice, most patients with hypersensitivity reactions to drugs is labeled as allergic and is private to receive the most appropriate treatment for their illnesses. Alternative approach is the desensitization procedure, whereby the patient tolerate the medication that triggered reactions before. The mechanisms of desensitization are not fully understood, but range from the induction of a hypo-responsive state of mast cells and basophils, to the induction of immunological tolerance. The aim of this study is to identify phenotypic changes in basophils triggered by the process of desensitization. Cancer patients who have experienced anaphylaxis to chemotherapy of the platinum and taxanes groups will undergo desensitization. The study is a clinical trial whose intervention is desensitization and the main outcome will be the basophil activation test (BAT). The serum tryptase and expression of high affinity receptors for IgE (Fc£RI) on basophils, measured by flow cytometry, are secondary endpoints. (AU)