Bernardo Alves Pereira

Dr. Bernardo Alves Pereira

orcid

Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

1Year (2026-Present)

(Calculated once Scilit publication data is synced: current year − year of first publication + 1)

Representative Publications

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10 July 2026 in Breast Cancer Research and Treatment
Verified
Journal Article
Closed access
DMDiogo Martins-Branco
Diogo Martins-Branco
SMSoraia Lobo Martins
Soraia Lobo Martins
PAPhilippe Aftimos
Philippe Aftimos
BPBernardo Alves Pereira
Bernardo Alves Pereira
Leonor Vasconcelos de MatosLeonor Vasconcelos de Matos
Leonor Vasconcelos de Matos
EAEvandro de Azambuja
Evandro de Azambuja

10 March 2026 in Cancers
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
MMMadalena Silveira Machado
Madalena Silveira Machado
MSMadalena P. Santos
Madalena P. Santos
CRCatarina Relvas
Catarina Relvas
MPMargarida Quinto Pereira
Margarida Quinto Pereira
MSMafalda Sousa
Mafalda Sousa
HNHUGO SEABRA MARTINS NUNES
HUGO SEABRA MARTINS NUNES
Background: Obesity is increasingly prevalent and has been associated with poorer outcomes and higher toxicity in breast cancer treatment. Its impact on tolerance to neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) remains understudied. Objectives: This study aimed to determine the prevalence of overweight and obesity among patients with high-risk early-stage breast cancer (BC) treated with NAC. It evaluated the association between obesity and clinically significant chemotherapy-related toxicities. Pathological complete response (pCR), progression-free survival (PFS), and overall survival (OS) were explored. Methods: This is a retrospective cohort study on stage I–III BC assigned for NAC between January 2020 and December 2022. Patients were categorized by body mass index. Patients with obesity were compared with an age-matched non-obese cohort (1:1). The toxicities evaluated were hospitalization, dose reduction, treatment delay, or treatment discontinuation. Multivariable logistic regression models were performed, adjusting for age, comorbidity burden, and carboplatin use. Results: Of 487 eligible patients, 31.2% were overweight and 27.7% were obese. Peripheral neuropathy was more frequent and severe in obese patients (63.7% vs. 36.3%, p < 0.001). In multivariable analysis, obesity was independently associated with increased odds of global toxicity (OR = 1.83; 95% CI: 1.08–3.15; p = 0.027) and treatment discontinuation (OR = 2.30; 95% CI: 1.18–4.59; p = 0.016). Conclusions: Obesity is highly prevalent among high-risk early BC patients. It is independently associated with increased treatment-related toxicity, particularly discontinuation. These findings highlight the need for closer toxicity monitoring in patients with obesity. Reliance on BMI alone may be insufficient, underscoring the potential value of incorporating body composition assessment into clinical practice.