International Journal of Breast Cancer最新文献

Introduction: Cancer is a genetic disease that affects people worldwide, and breast cancer is the most common cancer in women. Studies have been conducted on molecular parameters to predict tumor behavior and develop therapeutic strategies. Telomeres, which are at the end of chromosomes, have been studied for their relationship with breast cancer, but more research is needed to understand their role in the disease. Circulating-free DNA (cfDNA) is DNA that is free in the bloodstream and is considered a promising target for early cancer detection, treatment response monitoring, and prognosis assessment. This study is aimed at comparing cfDNA telomere length of breast cancer patients and healthy individuals and analyzing the impact of neoadjuvant chemotherapy on telomere length in cfDNA. Materials and Methods: Blood samples were collected from 33 breast cancer patients undergoing neoadjuvant chemotherapy before and after treatment. The quantitative PCR method is used to measure the average telomere lengths. Results: This study found that the telomere length of cfDNA in breast cancer patients before and after treatment is significantly shorter than in the control group. Neoadjuvant chemotherapy is found to shorten the cfDNA telomere length, especially in the treatment-responsive group. Conclusion: Our study suggests that telomere length in cfDNA may be a useful biomarker for predicting therapy response and possible reoccurrence of the disease in breast cancer patients.

Purpose: This study is aimed at investigating the 10-year outcomes of intraoperative radiotherapy (IORT) in Mexican women with early breast cancer (EBC) treated at the Centro Medico ABC, Mexico City. Methods: A cohort study included women with early-stage invasive ductal carcinoma aged ≥ 45 years without prior oncologic treatment, tumor size ≤ 3.5 cm, cN0M0, positive hormone receptors, margins ≥ 2 mm, negative sentinel lymph nodes, and no extensive lymphovascular invasion. IORT was administered at 20 Gy for 20-30 min after a lumpectomy. Follow-up extended over 10 years and included clinical examinations every 6 months for the first 18 months, followed by annual mammograms and conventional examinations. Patients out of the criteria were excluded from this study because they were referred for additional surgery and/or whole-breast radiation therapy. Results: The study involved 238 patients with an average age of 61.1 years. The mean tumor size was 12 mm, and the percentages of lymphatic invasion, positive hormone receptors, and HER2/neu overexpression were 12.6%, 90.8%, and 2.1%, respectively. The median follow-up was 66.6 months (range: 1-126 months), and the overall survival and mastectomy-free rate reached 95.7% and 90%, respectively. Thirteen patients showed side effects; four recurrences were recorded, of which 50% were out-field relapses. The 5-year Kaplan-Meier probability of local relapses, mastectomy-free, and overall survival reached 97.5%, 100%, and 98%, respectively. Conclusions: This is the first 10-year report about the effect of IORT on Mexican women with EBC in the early stages. Strict adherence to the selection criteria in this study resulted in low rates of side effects, mortality, and local recurrences, demonstrating that IORT is an effective treatment alternative for patients with EBC. Studies with a longer follow-up period should be performed, as recurrences can occur in the long term.

Objective: Early detection through screening could improve breast cancer (BC) outcomes in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). We explored women's preferences for BC-related mobile health text messaging, described the development of a mobile-health text messaging platform, and examined the enablers and barriers to BC screening. Methods: A concurrent mixed-method study of women aged 40-59 years was conducted. Four essential actions were carried out: (i) a baseline survey of 130 women, (ii) five focus group discussions (FGDs), (iii) a stakeholder meeting with BC research and clinical treatment specialists, and (iv) text message pretesting. The survey and FGD findings were used to create a culturally appropriate SMS platform for BC screening. Results: Thirty-five text messages were developed and evaluated with the following communication goals in mind: 15 addressed BC awareness, six emphasized the importance of early detection, five alleviated anxieties as a barrier to BC screening, seven encouraged women to prioritize their health, and three indicated screening locations and costs. The majority (92.6%) of survey respondents who had heard of mammography (54/130) said screening was necessary. Fear of the screening procedure, receiving a positive diagnosis, and other testing-related worries (40.7%) were identified as potential barriers to BC screening, along with low income (18.5%), a lack of BC-related indicators (9.3%), insufficient breast awareness education (9.3%), and time restrictions (7.4%). The presence of BC-related symptoms (27.8%), breast awareness education (24.1%), and doctor's advice (16.7%) were all potential facilitators of BC screening uptake. The majority of FGD participants favored brief texts, with 42.3% preferring one text message per day. Conclusion: Several factors limit women from accessing BC screening services; nevertheless, specific barriers such as a lack of BC education, time constraints, and disease fears can be successfully targeted through SMS messaging interventions to encourage women to use BC screening programs.

Background: Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is an aggressive subtype with limited treatment options. This study is aimed at identifying potential therapeutic targets in TNBC using gene regulatory network analysis and a system biology approach. Methods: The GSE38959 dataset was reanalyzed to identify differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in TNBC tissues compared to normal breast samples. Protein-protein interaction networks were constructed, and hub genes were identified. Survival analysis was performed using GEPIA2. Gene regulatory networks were built to identify upstream regulators. Cross-platform verification was conducted using an independent RNA-seq dataset (GSE58135). Expression analysis of prognostic markers in TNBC versus non-TNBC samples was performed using bc-GenExMiner. Results: A total of 943 DEGs were identified in TNBC tissues. CHEK1 and PLK1 were identified as central hub genes, with overexpression correlating with poor prognosis. GABPB1 was identified as the most influential upstream regulator of CHEK1 and PLK1 through gene regulatory network analysis, while JUN exhibited the most interactions among regulators. A total of 302 consistently modulated genes were confirmed through cross-platform verification. The overexpression of CHEK1 and PLK1 in TNBC compared to non-TNBC samples was validated by expression analysis. Conclusion: This study provides insights into the molecular mechanisms of TNBC and suggests CHEK1, PLK1, and their upstream regulators as potential therapeutic targets for TNBC treatment.

Background: Trastuzumab resistance is associated with overexpressing the human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER-2), which results from the altered phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) pathway in breast cancer patients. Objective: We quantified the frequency of PI3K enzyme single and double-point mutations in Mexican patients with HER-2 overexpressing breast cancer and its association with clinical-pathological variables. Methods: We embedded HER-2 breast samples in paraffin from 60 patients, extracted their DNA, and evaluated PI3K mutations in 49 HER-2-positive breast tumors. We focused on mutations for one exon 20 (H1047R) and two exon 9 PI3K (E545K, E542K) hotspots and characterized them as single and double-point mutations. The mean patient follow-up was 86 months. Results: Of 49 patients who tested positive for HER-2 breast cancer, 14.28% showed mutations in PI3K, 71.42% single-point, and 28.56% double-point mutations. We found single-point mutations in H1047R (42.85%) and E545K (28.57%). Only two patients exhibited double-point mutations: one in E542K/E545K and another in H1047R/E545K (14.28% each). Although we observed lower survival in patients with mutations in PI3K, we did not find a significant association between these factors (p = 0.191). However, single and double-point mutations in PI3K were significantly associated with the clinical stages of diagnosis and tumor size (p = 0.027 and p = 0.04, respectively). Conclusion: Single and double-point mutations in PI3K are related to tumor size and advanced clinical-pathological traits in Mexican patients with HER-2 overexpression, and future molecular studies are necessary to understand these findings.

Background: Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women worldwide. Breast cancer screening programs are widely promoted because of their effectiveness in the early detection of cancer. However, a significant proportion of eligible Catholic nuns in the Lake Zone of Tanzania remain underscreened. This study is aimed at investigating the factors associated with breast cancer screening uptake among Catholic nuns in Lake Zone, Tanzania. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study design among 385 catholic nuns. Simple random sampling was deployed to enrolled catholic nuns, the ODK collect v2023.2.4 was electronically used to collect data. Binary logistic regression was used to assess the factors associated with the uptake of breast cancer screening. Statistical analysis was performed using STATA 18.0, with a significance level set at a p value less than 0.05. Result: The prevalence uptake of breast cancer screening (i.e., breast self-examination, clinical examination, or mammography examination) was 64% (n = 247, 95% CI, 59.3%-68.9%). A total of 57.4% had inadequate knowledge on the uptake of breast cancer screening (n = 221, 95% CI, 52.4%-62.4%). Also, the study found that 61.3% (95% CI, 56.4%-66.2%) of Catholic Nuns have negative attitudes towards the uptake of self-breast examination among Catholic nuns. The findings revealed that 55.6% (n = 133, 95% CI, 50.6%-60.6%) and 52.7% (n = 52.7%, 95% CI, 47.7%-57.7%) of Catholic nuns negatively accept breast cancer screening and self-breast examination, respectively. Nuns aged above 60 years were less likely to not perform BCS with a COR of 0.62 (95% CI, 0.39-0.97). Also, Catholic nuns who are in the nonhealth field are more likely to not perform BCS with a COR of 1.71 (95%, 1.07-2.74). Likewise, Catholic nuns who had negative acceptability of the Self-breast examination were more likely to not perform BCS with an AOR of 1.65 (95% CI, 1.07-2.55). Conclusion: A study found a low uptake of breast cancer screening among Catholic nuns. This highlights the need for breast health intervention programs within religious congregations to address misconceptions and promote early detection.

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is a breast malignancy with a poor prognosis and limited therapeutic options. Many studies show that TNBC exhibits heterogeneity across clinical, histopathological, and molecular levels. In this review, we discuss the immunogenic features of TNBC with a focus on immunotherapy and the current standard of care in the neoadjuvant, adjuvant, and metastatic setting. In addition, we address the ongoing research on immunotherapy, antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs), poly ADP-ribose polymerase (PARP) inhibitors, and future challenges in the treatment of this entity.

Introduction: Breast cancer is a global health challenge with significant mortality, affecting millions worldwide. The current study is aimed at evaluating awareness and practices related to breast cancer screening, prevention, and treatment among the general public and physicians in Lahore, Pakistan, which has a significant incidence of breast cancer. Methodology: The current study adopted a cross-sectional study design conducted in Lahore, Pakistan, between March and August 2023, among 404 participants from the general public and 240 physicians. Data collection and evaluation involved the use of validated questionnaires, and both descriptive and inferential statistics were performed using SPSS Version 25. Result: In Lahore, Pakistan, breast cancer awareness among the public was low, with 80.2% unaware of its global prevalence, 65.3% believing not everyone is at risk, and only 42.1% recognizing symptoms. Females showed greater awareness (OR: 1.020, CI: 0.617-1.686, p = 0.002) and positive attitudes (OR: 2.711, CI: 1.478-6.478, p = 0.045), while the 18-29 age group had higher odds of positive practices (OR: 4.317, CI: 2.678-5.956, p = 0.004). Educational attainment significantly influences knowledge and attitudes. Only 13.9% practiced self-examination. Among physicians, 88.8% were confident in screenings, but patient fear (42.9%) and financial barriers (79.2%) hindered action. Physicians with FCPS qualifications had higher odds of awareness (OR: 1.550, CI: 1.130-2.117, p = 0.007), attitudes (OR: 1.500, CI: 1.050-2.150, p = 0.025), and practices (OR: 1.470, CI: 1.070-2.017, p = 0.020). Those with 11-20 years of experience also showed better awareness (OR: 1.400, CI: 1.050-1.868, p = 0.022) and attitudes (OR: 1.450, CI: 1.045-2.018, p = 0.029). Conclusion: In conclusion, breast cancer awareness among the general public is limited, highlighting the need for tailored education programs. Although most physicians show high awareness, challenges in patient communication and barriers, such as fear and financial constraints, must be addressed to improve screening uptake. These findings emphasize the importance of targeted interventions to enhance public awareness, screening practices, and physician-patient communication.

Background: Stromal inflammatory cells in malignant tissue have recently gained increasing interest. Unlike the extensive research on tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes, published data about tumor-infiltrating eosinophils in breast cancer are scarce. Furthermore, similar studies have yet to be conducted in Iraq. Aims: The objective of this study is to examine the presence of eosinophilic infiltration by direct visualization using light microscopy and to analyze its relationship with other histological parameters in a group of Iraqi women diagnosed with invasive mammary cancer. Methods and material: A retrospective study enrolled 90 histological samples of invasive mammary carcinoma provided by core needle biopsy from a single center, together with their immunohistochemical results for ER and HER2-NEU. Data reviewing, direct morphological visualizations, and counting eosinophilic infiltration in tissue sections were done by two independent pathologists using light microscopy. The results were statistically correlated with the grade, ER, HER2-NEU, calcification, and axillary lymph node status at presentation. Results: Out of the entire sample size (90), 40 (44%) showed the presence of eosinophilic infiltration in the tissue, both intratumoral and stromal. Further analysis revealed that most eosinophilic infiltrates had an intermediate score (4-19) per 10 consecutive high-power fields. A strong and meaningful statistical relationship was seen between tissue eosinophilic infiltration and HER2/NEU status. A statistically insignificant correlation was seen between tissue eosinophilic infiltration and histological grade, ER receptor status, calcification, and axillary lymph node status at presentation. Conclusions: Eosinophils are tumor-infiltrating cells in breast cancer, both intratumoral and stromal. The presence of tissue eosinophilic infiltration can predict HER2/NEU negativity in breast cancer.

Metformin (MET) is the commonly prescribed hypoglycemic agent used in the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM). Pleiotropic effects of MET are emerging as a medication for other diseases including breast cancer (BC). Therefore, a literature review was conducted to investigate whether the anticancer effects of MET are mediated through adenosine monophosphate kinase (AMPK). This review assessed published data focusing on studies where BC cell lines were treated with MET to explore its potential anticancer effects via AMPK on BC cells. The published data reveals that activated AMPK induces anticancer effects primarily by suppressing cell proliferation, induction of apoptosis, and cell cycle arrest, inhibition of metastasis and invasion, alteration of tumor microenvironment, and downregulation of tumorigenesis. In addition, MET was observed to induce AMPK-mediated effects when combined with other drugs. Further studies on assessing the potential use of MET alone or in combination with other drugs would pave the way to design new treatment strategies for BC.