Despite the great progress made in the understanding of the biological behavior of certain types of invasive breast cancer, there is still no single histological or molecular classification that ...encompasses such diversity and accurately predicts the clinical course of distinct breast cancer subtypes. The long-lasting classification of breast cancer as HER2-positive vs. HER2-negative has recently come into question with the discovery of new antibody drug conjugates (ADC), which are proven to be remarkably efficient in treating HER2-low breast cancer. The HER2-low paradigm has challenged the traditional understanding of HER2 overexpression and emphasized the need for more robust HER2 testing in order to encompass HER2 intratumoral heterogeneity and spatial distribution more accurately. It is yet to be seen if low HER2 will remain merely a marker of HER2-equipped tumors targetable with ADCs or if distinctive molecular and phenotypic groups within HER2-low tumors will eventually be discerned.
This observational, cross-sectional study conducted at the University Hospital Centre Zagreb (UHC Zagreb) aimed to explore patients’ beliefs about adjuvant endocrine therapy (AET) as well as their ...association with non-adherence and sociodemographic and clinical factors. Out of 420 early breast cancer (BC) patients included in the study, 79.5 % perceived AET necessary and important for their health, as measured by the Belief About Medicines Questionnaire (BMQ), with the mean necessity score (20.4 ± 3.68) significantly higher than the mean concerns score (13 ± 4.81) (
< 0.001). Based on the Medication Adherence Report Scale (MARS-5), 44.4 % (
= 182) of the participants were non-adherers, out of which 63.2 % (
= 115) were unintentional and 36.8 % (
= 67) intentional non-adherers. Significantly higher concern beliefs were found among patients that were younger (
< 0.001), employed (
< 0.001), intentionally non-adherent to AET (
= 0.006), had a lower body-mass index (
= 0.005) and a higher level of education (
< 0.001), were premenopausal at the time of diagnosis (
< 0.001), taking tamoxifen treatment (
= 0.05) and receiving ovarian suppression (
< 0.001). Younger patients should be recognized as being at risk of non-adherence as they hold greater concern beliefs about medicines.
Background Li-Fraumeni is a rare autosomal dominant cancer predisposition syndrome. The basis is a germline mutation of TP53 gene which encodes tumor suppressor protein resulting in early onset of ...tumors, most often breast cancer, soft tissue sarcomas, brain tumors, adrenocortical carcinomas, and leukemia. Case report We present a case of a young woman with a positive family history for cancer diagnosed with malignant solitary fibrous tumor and luminal B-like invasive breast cancer. Breast cancer and sarcomas account for the majority of tumors associated with Li-Fraumeni syndrome, yet solitary fibrous tumor is a rare clinical entity with no established guidelines for treatment. Even though both primary tumors were successfully resected, the sarcoma relapsed in the form of lung metastases. The NGS analysis revealed single nucleotide variant (c.1101-1G>A) in TP53 gene, affecting the acceptor splice site at intron 10. Until now, only one case of this genetic variant has been documented with conflicting interpretations of pathogenicity. Conclusions The knowledge of TP53 mutation status is essential since the management of these patients requires different approach to avoid excessive toxicity due to the risk of developing secondary malignancy. Using the clinical criteria to screen for affected individuals facilitates appropriate early genetic counseling of patients and their families. Following the American College of Medical Genetics criteria, we believe that the reported single nucleotide variant (c.1101-1G>A) in TP53 gene should be considered pathogenic. Keywords: TP53, Li-Fraumeni syndrome, Invasive breast cancer, Malignant solitary fibrous tumor, Splice-site mutation
Treatment adherence is crucial for optimal outcomes in advanced breast cancer, but can be challenging due to various factors,
. patients’ attitudes and behavior upon diagnosis, and complex therapies ...with high adverse effect rates. Our aim was to explore the adherence to oral anticancer medications (OAM) in women with advanced breast cancer, focusing on cyclin-dependent kinase 4 and 6 inhibitors (CDKI), and identify factors associated with the adherence. We conducted a cross-sectional study at the University Hospital Centre Zagreb, Croatia, involving women with stage IV advanced breast cancer receiving OAM. Data collection included a questionnaire assessing socio-demographic and clinical information, Beck Depression Inventory-II for depressive symptoms, Medication Adherence Report Scale (MARS-5) for adherence to OAM, and Beliefs about Medicines Questionnaire. Plasma concentrations of CDKI were confirmed by LC-MS/MS in three randomly selected participants. A total of 89 women were included. The most prescribed OAMs were anti-estrogen (71.3 %) and CDKI (60.9 %). MARS-5 scores (mean: 24.1 ± 1.6) correlated with CDKI plasma concentrations. Forgetfulness was the primary reason for non-adherence (25.9 %). Women receiving CDKI (
= 0.018), without depressive symptomatology (
= 0.043), and with more positive beliefs about medicines were more adherent (
< 0.05). This study enhances understanding of medication adherence in advanced breast cancer and identifies influential factors.
Abstract
Background
The important role that the immune system plays in malignant diseases is well known. The action of interleukin-7 (IL-7) as a cytokine has been observed in many cellular processes, ...both in normal cells of the immune system and in some cancer cells. The aim of this study has been to explore whether there is any elevation of interleukin-7 serum levels in early invasive breast cancer (EIBC) patients in comparison with healthy controls. In addition, the correlation between the IL-7 serum level and the histopathological characteristics of the tumor has been evaluated.
Methods
This cross-sectional, observational, and analytical study included 213 consecutive patients with EIBC (113 from Croatia and 100 from Kosovo) and 62 healthy participants as the control group (30 from Croatia and 32 from Kosovo). Blood samples have been taken from patients confirmed with breast cancer (BC) by biopsy, prior to surgical intervention and other oncological treatments, as well as from healthy participants. A serum IL-7 level has been measured, using the “Sandwich” ELISA Immunoenzyme test. In addition, after the surgical intervention, histopathological specimen examinations and immunohistochemistry have been performed and analyzed. The differences in the distribution of the numerical variables have been analyzed with the Mann–Whitney
U
test and Kruskal–Wallis ANOVA test. Correlations have been tested with Pearson coefficients. A
P
-value < 0.05 has been accepted as statistically significant.
Results
The serum level of IL-7 in EIBC patients was significantly higher than in control cases (
P
0.001). Patients with invasive lobular carcinoma (ILC) seem to have a lower IL-7 serum level compared to other histological subtypes, and the difference has been significant (
P
= 0.043). There has been no correlation between IL-7 serum level and histopathological characteristics of the tumor, with neither age nor menopausal status of the patients.
Conclusions
Noting the significant increase in the IL-7 serum level in the EIBC patients as compared to the healthy control group, the use of IL-7 as a potential diagnostic indicator for BC, as well as in the follow-up of the patients after treatment, can be assumed. The lack of correlation with tumor size, lymph node metastasis, and all other histopathological characteristics of the tumor questions its use as a prognostic indicator.
Interleukin 17 (IL-17) has a key role in inflammatory responses. Increased serum concentrations of IL-17 have been reported in patients with different types of cancer. Some studies suggest antitumor ...activity of IL-17 while others speak in favor of its association with poorer prognosis. The lack of data on IL-17 behavior
hinders the efforts to clarify the exact role of IL-17 in breast cancer patients and precludes the usage of IL-17 as potential therapeutic target.
The study included 118 patients with early invasive breast cancer. The serum concentration of IL-17A was measured before surgery and during adjuvant treatment and compared with healthy controls. The correlation of serum IL-17A concentration and different clinical and pathological parameters, including IL-17A expression in the corresponding tumor tissue samples, was analyzed.
Significantly higher serum concentrations of IL-17A were found in women with early breast cancer before surgery, but also during adjuvant treatment in comparison to healthy controls. No significant correlation to tumor tissue IL-17A expression was observed. There was a significant postoperative decrease of serum IL-17A concentrations even in patients with relatively lower preoperative values. A significant negative correlation was found between serum IL-17A concentrations and the tumor estrogen receptor expression.
The results suggest that the immune response in early breast cancer is mediated by IL-17A, particularly in triple-negative breast cancer. IL-17A-mediated inflammatory response subsides postoperatively, but IL-17A concentrations remain elevated compared to the values in healthy controls, even after the removal of the tumor.
Breast cancer is the most common malignancy in females. Despite its well-established prognostic factors, our prognostic ability at an individual patient level remains limited. In this study, the ...immunohistochemical expression of B-Myb and DNA topoisomerase 2-alpha (Topo2a) was analyzed in primary tumors to identify patients with a higher risk of disease recurrence after adjuvant chemotherapy for early invasive breast cancer. We analyzed a cohort of 215 early invasive breast cancer patients having undergone surgery from 2002 to 2003 at the Zagreb University Hospital Centre, including 153 patients treated with adjuvant chemotherapy. All of them were followed-up prospectively for at least ten years according to routine institutional practice. Statistically significant correlations were found between B-Myb and Topo2a expression levels and particular well-established prognostic factors. B-Myb expression was lower in estrogen receptor (ER)-positive tumors (p=0.0773), whereas larger tumors and those with positive lymphovascular invasion displayed a statistically significantly higher B-Myb expression (p=0.0409 and p=0.0196). Higher tumor grade indicated higher Topo2a values (p=0.0102 and p=0.0069). The subgroup with the expression of both proteins above the median value had an almost statistically significantly (p=0.0613) inferior prognosis compared to the rest of the cohort. Study results showed the B-Myb and Topo2a expression to have a prognostic value in breast cancer patients after adjuvant chemotherapy, which should be additionally explored in future studies in a larger patient cohort.
Background
Trastuzumab and trastuzumab emtansine are specific antibody and antibody–drug conjugates used in the treatment of human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) positive metastatic breast ...cancer. The aim of this study was to test their effect on the QTc interval duration and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) in our patients, two parameters used in evaluation of cardiotoxicity. From May 2015 to October 2017, 26 patients with preserved LVEF were included in the study. All of them were previously treated with standard paclitaxel and cisplatin-based chemotherapy regimens. Electrocardiogram (ECG) was recorded just before each trastuzumab dose application and six months after the last dose. Echocardiography with LVEF measurement was performed several days before the application of the initial dose, and six months after the last cycle. Later, 24 patients with metastatic disease received additional treatment with trastuzumab emtansine after six months and the same ECG and echocardiography protocol was performed again. Due to reduction in LVEF, two patients were discontinued from additional treatment.
Results
A statistically significant QTc prolongation was found after each drug dose application, with an increase in mean QTc duration with every successive application, reaching the peak QTc values just before the fifth cycle of treatment. The QTc interval returned to its initial value six months after the last cycle (
p
< 0.001). These results were similar for both drugs. Mean LVEF before both treatment protocols was significantly higher compared to LVEF value after the treatment. LVEF before trastuzumab emtansine treatment was non-significantly higher than LVEF after trastuzumab treatment.
Conclusion
Trastuzumab and trastuzumab emtansine cardiotoxicity manifested as a significant and progressive QTc prolongation after successive drug applications, reaching the peak value just before the fifth cycle of both drugs. Both medications also caused statistically significant but asymptomatic LVEF reduction. Complete reversibility of cardiotoxic effects of both drugs was confirmed by QTc interval and LVEF normalisation after the treatment discontinuation.
Pandemic COVID-19 is an unexpected challenge for the oncological community, indicating potential detrimental effects on cancer patients. Our aim was to summarize the converging key points providing a ...general guidance in order to support decision making, pertaining to the oncologic care in the middle of a global outbreak.
We did an international online search in twenty five countries that have managed a surge in cancer patient numbers. We collected the recommendations from thirty one medical oncology societies.
By synthesizing guidelines for a) oncology service delivery adjustments, b) general and specific treatment adaptations, and c) discrepancies from guidelines comparison, we present a clinical synopsis with the forty more crucial statements. A Covid-19 risk stratification base was also created in order to obtain a quick, objective patient assessment and a risk-benefit evaluation on a case-by-case basis.
In an attempt to face these complex needs and due to limited understanding of COVID-19, a variability of recommendations based on general epidemiological and infectious disease principles rather than definite cancer-related evidence has evolved. Additionally, the absence of an effective treatment or vaccine requires the development of cancer management guidance, capitalizing on comprehensive COVID-19 oncology experience globally.
Breast cancer that overexpresses the human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) is considered to be HER2-positive. The novel HER2-
directed antibody drug conjugate, trastuzumab deruxtecan ...(T-DXd), is formed by covalently joining the monoclonal antibody trastuzumab with the topoisomerase I inhibitor deruxtecan. It exhibits significant anti-tumor activity in previously overtreated patients.
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