Background:Cyclin-dependent kinase 4/6(CDK4/6)inhibitors have transformed the management of hormone receptor–positive/HER2–negative(HR+/HER2–)advanced breast cancer,yet evidence for elderly or poor-performance pati...Background:Cyclin-dependent kinase 4/6(CDK4/6)inhibitors have transformed the management of hormone receptor–positive/HER2–negative(HR+/HER2–)advanced breast cancer,yet evidence for elderly or poor-performance patients remains limited.This study examined real-world outcomes of palbociclib plus endocrine therapy in Asian patients,with additional subgroup analyses by age and performance status.Methods:We retrospectively analyzed 46 consecutive Asian patients with recurrent or de novo HR+/HER2−breast cancer treated with first-line palbociclib plus ET between April 2021 and March 2025.The primary endpoint was progression-free survival(PFS).Secondary endpoints included overall response rate(ORR),disease control rate(DCR),and safety.Subgroup analyses were performed by age(<70 vs.≥70 years)and performance status(PS;0–1 vs.2–3).Results:The median PFS was 26.6 months(range,1.4–69.5).Stratified by age,median PFS was 26.9 months in patients<70 years and 26.2 months in those≥70 years(p=0.760).By PS,PFS was 26.9 months for PS 0–1 and 17.8 months for PS 2–3(p=0.099).ORR was 60.9%and DCR 93.5%;notably,all PS 2–3 patients achieved disease control.Hematologic toxicities were common,with neutropenia(80.4%)and leukopenia(86.7%)predominating,but grade≥3 anemia was rare(2.2%).Elderly patients experienced anemia more frequently,while overall toxicity remained manageable.Dose reductions occurred in 47.8%without loss of efficacy.Conclusions:In routine Japanese practice,palbociclib plus ET provided prolonged PFS and high disease control consistent with pivotal trials and international real-world evidence.Importantly,elderly patients tolerated treatment well,and selected PS 2–3 patients also derived clinical benefit.These findings indicate that neither age nor PS alone should preclude the use of palbociclib in carefully monitored real-world patients.展开更多
Breast cancer is one of the most prevalent malignancies among women and comprises a heterogeneous spectrum of molecular subtypes with distinct biological behaviors.Among various regulatory molecules,sphingolipids play...Breast cancer is one of the most prevalent malignancies among women and comprises a heterogeneous spectrum of molecular subtypes with distinct biological behaviors.Among various regulatory molecules,sphingolipids play pivotal roles in dynamically modulating fundamental cellular processes such as proliferation,apoptosis,and metastasis through metabolic interconversions,including phosphorylation,glycosylation,and the generation of sphingosine-1-phosphate.This review aims to elucidate the mechanisms through which sphingolipid metabolism orchestrates cancer cell fate and drives breast cancer progression.Particular emphasis is placed on the balance between proapoptotic ceramides and pro-survival metabolites,such as sphingosine-1-phosphate,which collectively influence tumor growth and the therapeutic response.Additional sphingolipid species,including glucosylceramide and gangliosides(GD2,GD3,GM1,and GM3),have also been implicated in promoting breast cancer development.Furthermore,sphingolipid-based therapeutic strategies,including immunotherapy and antibody therapy,are discussed.By providing a comprehensive overview of sphingolipid metabolism,this review aims to identify novel therapeutic targets that may help overcome treatment resistance and improve clinical outcomes in breast cancer.展开更多
Objectives:Vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF)regulates tumor vascularization in response to hypoxia and inflammatory signals.The polyphenol curcumin is supposed to interfere with inflammation-induced VEGF secret...Objectives:Vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF)regulates tumor vascularization in response to hypoxia and inflammatory signals.The polyphenol curcumin is supposed to interfere with inflammation-induced VEGF secretion and might therefore support anti-VEGF-based treatments.We aimed to investigate the interaction between curcumin and the inflammatory cytokine Interleukin-1β(IL-1β)for VEGF secretion in breast cancer cell lines representing major breast cancer subtypes.Methods:VEGF in cell cultures was detected by Western blot and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA).Kinase phosphorylation was investigated by Western blotting.Gene expressions were analyzed by correlation tests.VEGF was evaluated in a retrospective breast cancer cohort by immunohistochemistry.Survival analysis was performed by the Kaplan-Meier algorithm.Results:VEGF secretion and kinase signaling in response to IL-1βand curcumin varied significantly for the cell lines MCF-7(Luminal A),SK-BR-3(HER2/neu+),MDA-MB-231,and UACC-3199(triple negative breast cancer).All cell lines increased VEGF secretion under hypoxia,but IL-1βincreased VEGF secretion only in MCF-7 cells.Curcumin inhibited VEGF secretion in MDA-MB-231,but increased it in MCF-7 and UACC-3199 cells.Curcumin induced phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase(ERK)and p38-mitogen-activated protein kinase(p38-MAPK).However,inhibitor experiments demonstrated that ERK was more important for VEGF secretion.In gene expression data from the METABRIC study,no clear correlation of hypoxia-induced factor(HIF1A),IL-1β,and VEGF mRNA expression was observed;however,a suggested crosstalk of hypoxia and inflammatory pathways was observed.Conclusion:These dissimilar responses of breast cancer cell lines suggest that therapy efficiency with anti-VEGF,anti-IL-1β,or curcumin will also vary within breast cancers.展开更多
Breast cancer(BRCA)is characterized by high heterogeneity,with aggressive subtypes frequently showing poor prognosis and resistance to conventional therapies,making the discovery of new therapeutic targets and strateg...Breast cancer(BRCA)is characterized by high heterogeneity,with aggressive subtypes frequently showing poor prognosis and resistance to conventional therapies,making the discovery of new therapeutic targets and strategies imperative.Although elevated expression of discs large homolog 3(DLG3)has been reported in BRCA,its functional role in disease progression remains unclear.We performed bioinformatic analyses of clinical datasets to evaluate the prognostic significance of DLG3 expression in BRCA patients.In vitro gain-and loss-of-function experiments were conducted to assess the impact of DLG3 on BRCA cell proliferation,migration,and colony formation.Transcriptomic profiling,coupled with pharmacological inhibition,was employed to identify and validate downstream signaling pathways.Additionally,we extended our validation to an in vivo model to assess the role of DLG3 in tumor progression.We found that elevated DLG3 levels correlated with poor prognosis in breast cancer patients.Functionally,DLG3 overexpression significantly promoted cell proliferation and migration in estrogen receptor-positive MCF7 and triple-negative MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells,whereas its knockdown suppressed these effects.Transcriptomic analyses revealed that DLG3 activates signal transducer and activator of transcription 3(STAT3)signaling,a finding further corroborated by Western blot.Critically,treatment with the STAT3 inhibitor Stattic attenuated DLG3-driven proliferation and migration,supporting a DLG3-STAT3 oncogenic axis.Furthermore,in vivo studies validated the role of DLG3 in promoting tumor growth and its correlation with elevated STAT3 signaling,consistent with our in vitro findings.Our findings establish DLG3 as a novel driver of breast cancer progression that directly activates STAT3 signaling.DLG3 thus represents both a potential prognostic biomarker and a promising therapeutic target for aggressive breast cancer subtypes,including triple-negative breast cancer.展开更多
Male breast cancer(MBC)is rare,representing 0.5%–1%of all breast cancers,but its incidence is increasing due to improved diagnostics and awareness.MBC typically presents in older men,is human epidermal growth factor ...Male breast cancer(MBC)is rare,representing 0.5%–1%of all breast cancers,but its incidence is increasing due to improved diagnostics and awareness.MBC typically presents in older men,is human epidermal growth factor receptor 2(HER2)-negative and estrogen receptor(ER)-positive,and lacks routine screening,leading to delayed diagnosis and advanced disease.Major risk factors include hormonal imbalance,radiation exposure,obesity,alcohol use,and Breast Cancer Gene 1 and 2(BRCA1/2)mutations.Clinically,it may resemble gynecomastia but usually appears as a unilateral,painless mass or nipple discharge.Advances in imaging and liquid biopsy have enhanced early detection.Molecular mechanisms involve hormonal signaling,HER2/epidermal growth factor receptor(EGFR)pathways,tumor suppressor gene alterations,and epigenetic changes.While standard treatments mirror those for female breast cancer,emerging options such as cyclin-dependent kinase 4 and 6(CDK4/6),and poly(ADP-ribose)polymerase(PARP)inhibitors,immunotherapy,and precision medicine are reshaping management.Incorporating artificial intelligence,molecular profiling,and male-specific clinical trials is essential to improve outcomes and bridge current diagnostic and therapeutic gaps.展开更多
The integration of machine learning(ML)technology with Internet of Things(IoT)systems produces essential changes in healthcare operations.Healthcare personnel can track patients around the clock thanks to healthcare I...The integration of machine learning(ML)technology with Internet of Things(IoT)systems produces essential changes in healthcare operations.Healthcare personnel can track patients around the clock thanks to healthcare IoT(H-IoT)technology,which also provides proactive statistical findings and precise medical diagnoses that enhance healthcare performance.This study examines how ML might support IoT-based health care systems,namely in the areas of prognostic systems,disease detection,patient tracking,and healthcare operations control.The study looks at the benefits and drawbacks of several machine learning techniques for H-IoT applications.It also examines the fundamental problems,such as data security and cyberthreats,as well as the high processing demands that these systems face.Alongside this,the essay discusses the advantages of all the technologies,including machine learning,deep learning,and the Internet of Things,as well as the significant difficulties and problems that arise when integrating the technology into healthcare forecasts.展开更多
Oncology Research Editorial Office Published:19 January 2026 The published article titled“ABCB5-ZEB1 Axis Promotes Invasion and Metastasis in Breast Cancer Cells”has been retracted from Oncology Research,Vol.25,No.3...Oncology Research Editorial Office Published:19 January 2026 The published article titled“ABCB5-ZEB1 Axis Promotes Invasion and Metastasis in Breast Cancer Cells”has been retracted from Oncology Research,Vol.25,No.3,2017,pp.305-316.DOI:10.3727/096504016X14734149559061 URL:https://www.techscience.com/or/v25n3/56810.展开更多
Accurate segmentation of breast cancer in mammogram images plays a critical role in early diagnosis and treatment planning.As research in this domain continues to expand,various segmentation techniques have been propo...Accurate segmentation of breast cancer in mammogram images plays a critical role in early diagnosis and treatment planning.As research in this domain continues to expand,various segmentation techniques have been proposed across classical image processing,machine learning(ML),deep learning(DL),and hybrid/ensemble models.This study conducts a systematic literature review using the PRISMA methodology,analyzing 57 selected articles to explore how these methods have evolved and been applied.The review highlights the strengths and limitations of each approach,identifies commonly used public datasets,and observes emerging trends in model integration and clinical relevance.By synthesizing current findings,this work provides a structured overview of segmentation strategies and outlines key considerations for developing more adaptable and explainable tools for breast cancer detection.Overall,our synthesis suggests that classical and ML methods are suitable for limited labels and computing resources,while DL models are preferable when pixel-level annotations and resources are available,and hybrid pipelines are most appropriate when fine-grained clinical precision is required.展开更多
critical for guiding treatment and improving patient outcomes.Traditional molecular subtyping via immuno-histochemistry(IHC)test is invasive,time-consuming,and may not fully represent tumor heterogeneity.This study pr...critical for guiding treatment and improving patient outcomes.Traditional molecular subtyping via immuno-histochemistry(IHC)test is invasive,time-consuming,and may not fully represent tumor heterogeneity.This study proposes a non-invasive approach using digital mammography images and deep learning algorithm for classifying breast cancer molecular subtypes.Four pretrained models,including two Convolutional Neural Networks(MobileNet_V3_Large and VGG-16)and two Vision Transformers(ViT_B_16 and ViT_Base_Patch16_Clip_224)were fine-tuned to classify images into HER2-enriched,Luminal,Normal-like,and Triple Negative subtypes.Hyperparameter tuning,including learning rate adjustment and layer freezing strategies,was applied to optimize performance.Among the evaluated models,ViT_Base_Patch16_Clip_224 achieved the highest test accuracy(94.44%),with equally high precision,recall,and F1-score of 0.94,demonstrating excellent generalization.MobileNet_V3_Large achieved the same accuracy but showed less training stability.In contrast,VGG-16 recorded the lowest performance,indicating a limitation in its generalizability for this classification task.The study also highlighted the superior performance of the Vision Transformer models over CNNs,particularly due to their ability to capture global contextual features and the benefit of CLIP-based pretraining in ViT_Base_Patch16_Clip_224.To enhance clinical applicability,a graphical user interface(GUI)named“BCMS Dx”was developed for streamlined subtype prediction.Deep learning applied to mammography has proven effective for accurate and non-invasive molecular subtyping.The proposed Vision Transformer-based model and supporting GUI offer a promising direction for augmenting diagnostic workflows,minimizing the need for invasive procedures,and advancing personalized breast cancer management.展开更多
Objectives:Breast cancer(BC)is the leading cause of cancer-related mortality in women,largely due to metastasis.This study aims to explore the role of purine nucleoside phosphorylase(PNP),a key enzyme in purine metabo...Objectives:Breast cancer(BC)is the leading cause of cancer-related mortality in women,largely due to metastasis.This study aims to explore the role of purine nucleoside phosphorylase(PNP),a key enzyme in purine metabolism,in the aggressiveness and metastatic behavior of BC.Methods:A comprehensive analysis was performed using in silico transcriptomic data(n=2509 patients),immunohistochemical profiling of BC tissues(n=103),and validation through western blotting in multiple BC cell lines.Gene expression and survival analyses were conducted using Tumor Immune Estimation Resource(TIMER),Gene Expression Profiling Interactive Analysis 2(GEPIA2),and the cBioPortal for cancer genomics(cBioPortal)platforms.Correlations between PNP and key epithelial–mesenchymal transition(EMT)markers,molecular subtypes,tumor grades,and stages were examined.Results:PNP was significantly overexpressed in human epidermal growth factor receptor 2(HER-2)-positive and triple-negative BCs compared to luminal subtypes.High PNP levels were strongly associated with advanced BC stages,high-grade tumors,EMT phenotypes,and poor overall survival.Notably,HER-2 inhibition suppressed PNP expression,while PNP gene silencing induced HER-2 upregulation,revealing a reciprocal regulatory loop.Dual inhibition of PNP and HER-2 resulted in a significant reduction in cell viability compared to HER-2 inhibition alone.Conclusion:Collectively,PNP emerges as a promising biomarker of BC aggressiveness and progression.Its reciprocal interaction with HER-2 underscores its potential as a therapeutic target.Dual targeting of PNP and HER-2 may offer a novel strategy for improving outcomes in aggressive BC subtypes.展开更多
Objective Tumor-associated macrophages(TAMs)contribute to chemoresistance in triple-negative breast cancer(TNBC),yet strategies to reprogram TAMs while enhancing chemotherapy efficacy remain limited.This study investi...Objective Tumor-associated macrophages(TAMs)contribute to chemoresistance in triple-negative breast cancer(TNBC),yet strategies to reprogram TAMs while enhancing chemotherapy efficacy remain limited.This study investigated whether Viscum album L.var.coloratum agglutinin(VCA)could sensitize TNBC cells to doxorubicin(DOX)and modulate TAM-mediated chemoresistance in three-dimensional(3D)co-culture models.Methods MDA-MB-231 TNBC cells were co-cultured with RAW264.7 macrophages in collagen-embedded 3D spheroids.Spheroid viability was assessed using an ATP-based luminescent assay.Cytokine secretion and epithelial-mesenchymal transition(EMT)markers were measured using ELISA and Western blotting.Drug synergy was evaluated using combination index(CI)calculations.Results VCA-DOX combination demonstrated synergistic cytotoxicity exclusively in co-culture spheroids(CI=0.72),reducing viability to 25.9%(p<0.001),while showing no synergy in monoculture(CI=1.52).Combination treatment decreased VEGF secretion by 49%and IL-6 by 74%,while elevating TNF-α2.7-fold,suggesting macrophage reprogramming.VCA enhanced E-cadherin expression while suppressing mesenchymal markers in co-culture spheroids and reduced Matrigel invasion by 60%(p<0.001).Conclusion VCA-DOX combination demonstrates synergistic anticancer effects through TAM reprogramming and enhanced chemosensitization specifically in 3D co-culture models,warranting further investigation for overcoming macrophage-mediated chemoresistance in TNBC.展开更多
Objective:To evaluate the clinical efficacy of blood-letting cupping combined with manual lymphatic drainage in treating breast cancer-related lymphedema(BCRL)and explore its mechanism of action from both traditional ...Objective:To evaluate the clinical efficacy of blood-letting cupping combined with manual lymphatic drainage in treating breast cancer-related lymphedema(BCRL)and explore its mechanism of action from both traditional Chinese medicine and modern medical perspectives,providing a scientific basis and novel therapeutic approaches for clinical management of BCRL.Methods:Patients with BCRL admitted to the outpatient and inpatient departments of Hebei University Affiliated Hospital were enrolled.A prospective randomized controlled trial design was adopted,with eligible patients randomly assigned to a treatment group and a control group.The control group received manual lymphatic drainage alone,while the treatment group received manual lymphtic drainage combined with blood-letting cupping therapy.Posttreatment comparisons evaluated upper limb circumference reduction,edema severity grading,and upper limb functional scores.Vital signs and adverse reactions during treatment were recorded for both groups.Statistical software analyzed the data.Results:The treatment group demonstrated significantly greater reduction in upper limb circumference,improvement in edema severity,and higher upper limb function scores compared to the control group(P<0.05).Vital signs remained stable throughout treatment in both groups.No severe adverse reactions occurred in the treatment group;only isolated cases of mild skin itching were reported,which resolved after symptomatic management.Conclusion:The combination of bloodletting cupping and manual lymphatic drainage demonstrates reliable efficacy in treating BCRL,effectively alleviating edema symptoms and improving upper limb function with high safety.Its mechanism may relate to traditional Chinese medicine principles of“unblocking meridians,promoting blood circulation,and resolving stasis”and modern medical concepts of“enhancing local blood circulation,facilitating lymphatic drainage,and reducing inflammatory responses”.展开更多
Objective:To investigate the long-term prognosis and postoperative cosmetic outcomes of breast-conserving surgery combined with sentinel lymph node biopsy in patients with early-stage breast cancer,providing a referen...Objective:To investigate the long-term prognosis and postoperative cosmetic outcomes of breast-conserving surgery combined with sentinel lymph node biopsy in patients with early-stage breast cancer,providing a reference for the selection of clinical treatment plans.Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted on the clinical data of 68 patients with early-stage breast cancer admitted from January 2022 to December 2025.Based on the surgical approach,patients were divided into an observation group(breast-conserving surgery+sentinel lymph node biopsy)and a control group(other surgical methods such as modified radical mastectomy/total mastectomy).Clinical and pathological characteristics,incidence of postoperative complications,follow-up prognosis,and satisfaction with cosmetic outcomes were compared between the two groups.Results:Among the 68 patients,41 were in the observation group and 27 in the control group.The average age of patients in the observation group was(54.32±8.15)years,while that in the control group was(62.45±9.76)years.The average tumor size in the observation group was(1.86±0.72)cm,compared to(3.21±1.45)cm in the control group.The incidence of postoperative complications in the observation group was 9.76%,significantly lower than that in the control group at 33.33%(P<0.05).The 6-month disease-free survival rate was 95.12%in the observation group and 88.89%in the control group,with no statistically significant difference between the two groups(P>0.05).The excellent and good rate of cosmetic outcomes in the observation group was 87.80%,significantly higher than that in the control group at 29.63%(P<0.05).Conclusion:Breast-conserving surgery combined with sentinel lymph node biopsy for early-stage breast cancer can achieve long-term prognostic outcomes comparable to those of traditional radical surgery,with the advantages of fewer postoperative complications and superior cosmetic results.This approach is worthy of clinical promotion and application,particularly for early-stage breast cancer patients who have a demand for preserving breast morphology.展开更多
Realistic models for cancer research representing disease progression that commensurately respond to therapeutics consistent with clinical observation are the holy grail for pre-clinical research and screening.Althoug...Realistic models for cancer research representing disease progression that commensurately respond to therapeutics consistent with clinical observation are the holy grail for pre-clinical research and screening.Although such an ideal is elusive,well-characterized in vivo models facilitate our understanding of disease,progression,and therapeutic opportunities.Here,we characterize a commonly used syngeneic BALB/c mouse model of triple negative breast cancer(4T1)after establishing tumors in their flanks.Tumors developed at the subcutaneous injection site for all experimental mice and their volumes were monitored.We quantified a rare subset of breast cancer stemlike cells(CSCs),classified as CD44^(+)/CD24^(−)phenotypes in in vitro and ex vivo cell populations.Chromosome numbers in ex vivo metaphase cells were greater than cells cultured in vitro(89.4±3.4,range of 70-132 and 82.6±1.1,range of 70-128;respectively).Further,we observed different types of chromosome aberrations,including gap,deletion,exchange,interstitial deletion,terminal deletion,ring,dicentric,and Robertsonian translocations.For both sources of cells,the number of aberrations was dominated by deletions,terminal deletions,and Robertsonian translocations.Ex vivo cells exhibited greater prevalence of deletions and terminal deletions,whereas in vitro cells displayed more ring aberrations and Robertsonian translocations.In conclusion,we successfully characterized cancer cells from a syngeneic mouse model of breast cancer in terms of rare CSC proportion and a variety of chromosomal aberrations,which is useful for understanding tumor traits associated with cancer development and therapeutic action.The data act as a valuable resource for other studies using the 4T1 BALB/c model.展开更多
Background:Therapeutic responses of breast cancer vary among patients and lead to drug resistance and recurrence due to the heterogeneity.Current preclinical models,however,are inadequate for predicting individual pat...Background:Therapeutic responses of breast cancer vary among patients and lead to drug resistance and recurrence due to the heterogeneity.Current preclinical models,however,are inadequate for predicting individual patient responses towards different drugs.This study aimed to investigate the patient-derived breast cancer culture models for drug sensitivity evaluations.Methods:Tumor and adjacent tissues from female breast cancer patients were collected during surgery.Patient-derived breast cancer cells were cultured using the conditional reprogramming technique to establish 2D models.The obtained patient-derived conditional reprogramming breast cancer(CRBC)cells were subsequently embedded in alginate-gelatin methacryloyl hydrogel microspheres to form 3D culture models.Comparisons between 2D and 3D models were made using immunohistochemistry(tumor markers),MTS assays(cell viability),flow cytometry(apoptosis),transwell assays(migration),and Western blotting(protein expression).Drug sensitivity tests were conducted to evaluate patient-specific responses to anti-cancer agents.Results:2D and 3D culture models were successfully established using samples from eight patients.The 3D models retained histological and marker characteristics of the original tumors.Compared to 2D cultures,3D models exhibited increased apoptosis,enhanced drug resistance,elevated stem cell marker expression,and greater migration ability—features more reflective of in vivo tumor behavior.Conclusion:Patient-derived 3D CRBC models effectively mimic the in vivo tumor microenvironment and demonstrate stronger resistance to anti-cancer drugs than 2D models.These hydrogel-based models offer a cost-effective and clinically relevant platform for drug screening and personalized breast cancer treatment.展开更多
BACKGROUNDCancer stem cells(CSCs)drive recurrence and therapeutic resistance in triplenegativebreast cancer(TNBC),a highly aggressive breast cancer subtype.Intratumoralhypoxia,a common feature of solid tumors,promotes...BACKGROUNDCancer stem cells(CSCs)drive recurrence and therapeutic resistance in triplenegativebreast cancer(TNBC),a highly aggressive breast cancer subtype.Intratumoralhypoxia,a common feature of solid tumors,promotes CSCs enrichment,yet the mechanisms sustaining CSCs stemness remain poorly understood.Hypoxia-induced reactive oxygen species can oxidatively activate ataxia telangiectasiamutated(ATM)kinase(oxidized ATM,p-ATM)independently of DNA breaks.AIMTo investigate the role of hypoxia-induced oxidized ATM in sustaining TNBCCSCstemness through c-Myc-mediated regulation of one-carbon metabolism.METHODSHs578T and MDA-MB-231 TNBC cells were cultured under normoxia or hypoxia.CSC stemness was assessed by mammosphere assays and flow cytometry.ATMactivity was assessed by pharmacological inhibition(Ku60019)and short hairpinRNA knockdown.c-Myc binding to serine hydroxymethyltransferase 2(SHMT2)and methylenetetrahydrofolate dehydrogenase 2(MTHFD2)promoters was analyzedby dual-luciferase reporter assays and chromatin immunoprecipitation.NADPH/NADP+ratios were quantified,and metabolic reprogramming was profiledby liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry metabolomics.RESULTSHypoxia significantly increased mammosphere formation in both Hs578T and MDA-MB-231 cells,as reflected byhigher numbers of mammospheres(Hs578T:214±18;MDA-MB-231:198±16;both P<0.01)and larger meandiameters(P<0.01).Hypoxia also elevated CD44+/CD24-cell proportions and stemness gene expression(P<0.01).Oxidized ATM was activated under hypoxia withoutγH2AX induction,confirming DNA damage independence.ATM inhibition reduced mammosphere growth and suppressed c-Myc,SHMT2,and MTHFD2.Luciferase and chromatin immunoprecipitation assays confirmed direct c-Myc binding to SHMT2 and MTHFD2promoters,while mutation of the binding sites abolished promoter activity.NADPH/NADP+ratios were significantlyelevated under hypoxia but reduced following ATM inhibition(P<0.05).Metabolomics revealed enrichmentof serine/glycine one-carbon pathways.CONCLUSIONHypoxia-induced oxidized ATM maintains TNBC-CSC stemness by promoting c-Myc-dependent upregulation ofMTHFD2 and SHMT2,linking hypoxia,redox signaling,and one-carbon metabolism.These findings suggest apotential therapeutic axis that could be exploited for TNBC treatment.展开更多
Introduction:Chemotherapy-induced gastrointestinal symptom clusters in breast cancer impair quality of life and treatment adherence,yet lack effective interventions.While acupuncture mitigates isolated chemotherapy-in...Introduction:Chemotherapy-induced gastrointestinal symptom clusters in breast cancer impair quality of life and treatment adherence,yet lack effective interventions.While acupuncture mitigates isolated chemotherapy-induced symptoms,its mechanisms for multi-symptom clusters remain unclear.This study evaluates electroacupuncture's efficacy and explores its biological mechanisms in managing these clusters.Methods:This prospective,multicenter,block-randomized,double-blind,sham-controlled trial will enroll 388 patients with breast cancer undergoing neoadjuvant/adjuvant chemotherapy,to be randomly assigned(1:1)to electroacupuncture or sham electro-acupuncture groups.Both groups will receive the standard quadruple antiemetic regimen combined with electroacupuncture or sham intervention.The primary endpoint is the incidence of chemotherapy-induced gastrointestinal symptom clusters within 120 h after chemotherapy.Secondary endpoints include improvement in gastrointestinal symptom clusters post-first chemotherapy cycle,nausea-free rates during acute and delayed phases,vomiting-free rates during overall,acute,and delayed phases,complete response rate,complete protection rate,and quality of life.Adverse events will be documented throughout the study.Discussion:This study will assess the efficacy and safety of electroacupuncture in alleviating chemotherapy-induced gastro-intestinal symptom clusters in patients with breast cancer.By integrating multi-omics analyses,we aim to elucidate the biological mechanisms underlying its therapeutic effects.The findings may offer a robust clinical foundation for optimizing symptom cluster management in cancer care.Trial Registration:Clinical Trials ID:NCT06952920.Date of registration:April 16,2025.Prospectively registered.URL of Trial Registry Record:https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT06952920cond=NCT06952920&rank=1.展开更多
BACKGROUND Breast cancer is one of the most prevalent malignancies affecting women worldwide,with approximately 2.3 million new cases diagnosed annually.Breast cancer stem cells(BCSCs)play pivotal roles in tumor initi...BACKGROUND Breast cancer is one of the most prevalent malignancies affecting women worldwide,with approximately 2.3 million new cases diagnosed annually.Breast cancer stem cells(BCSCs)play pivotal roles in tumor initiation,progression,metastasis,therapeutic resistance,and disease recurrence.Cancer stem cells possess selfrenewal capacity,multipotent differentiation potential,and enhanced tumorigenic activity,but their molecular characteristics and regulatory mechanisms require further investigation.AIM To comprehensively characterize the molecular features of BCSCs through multiomics approaches,construct a prognostic prediction model based on stem cellrelated genes,reveal cell-cell communication networks within the tumor microenvironment,and provide theoretical foundation for personalized treatment strategies.METHODS Flow cytometry was employed to detect the expression of BCSC surface markers(CD34,CD45,CD29,CD90,CD105).Transcriptomic analysis was performed to identify differentially expressed genes.Least absolute shrinkage and selection operator regression analysis was utilized to screen key prognostic genes and construct a risk scoring model.Single-cell RNA sequencing and spatial transcriptomics were applied to analyze tumor heterogeneity and spatial gene expression patterns.Cell-cell communication network analysis was conducted to reveal interactions between stem cells and the microenvironment.RESULTS Flow cytometric analysis revealed the highest expression of CD105(96.30%),followed by CD90(68.43%)and CD34(62.64%),while CD29 showed lower expression(7.16%)and CD45 exhibited the lowest expression(1.19%).Transcriptomic analysis identified 3837 significantly differentially expressed genes(1478 upregulated and 2359 downregulated).Least absolute shrinkage and selection operator regression analysis selected 10 key prognostic genes,and the constructed risk scoring model effectively distinguished between high-risk and low-risk patient groups(P<0.001).Single-cell analysis revealed tumor cellular heterogeneity,and spatial transcriptomics demonstrated distinct spatial expression gradients of stem cell-related genes.MED18 gene showed significantly higher expression in malignant tissues(P<0.001)and occupied a central position in cell-cell communication networks,exhibiting significant correlations with tumor cells,macrophages,fibroblasts,and endothelial cells.CONCLUSION This study comprehensively characterized the molecular features of BCSCs through multi-omics approaches,identified reliable surface markers and key regulatory genes,and constructed a prognostic prediction model with clinical application value.展开更多
Objectives:Tamoxifen is a key drug that provides endocrine therapy for estrogen receptor(ER)α-positive breast cancer;however,resistance remains a significant clinical challenge.This study aims to investigate the mole...Objectives:Tamoxifen is a key drug that provides endocrine therapy for estrogen receptor(ER)α-positive breast cancer;however,resistance remains a significant clinical challenge.This study aims to investigate the molecular mechanisms of tamoxifen resistance in ERα-positive breast cancer,with particular focus on the role of SET Domain Containing 1A(SETD1A)-driven forkhead box A2(FOXA2)as a key regulator of this resistance.Methods:FOXA2 expression and its regulation by SETD1A were assessed via(quantitative polymerase chain reaction),western blotting,transcriptome profiling,and chromatin immunoprecipitation analyses.The effects of FOXA2 on cell proliferation,migration,invasion,and cancer stem cell traits were evaluated using small interfering RNA(siRNA)-mediated silencing.Clinical relevance was examined by analyzing patient datasets and tumor tissue microarrays.Results:FOXA2 expression was significantly elevated in tamoxifen-resistant(TamR)and ERα-negative breast cancer cells compared to that in ERα-positive MCF-7 cells,regardless of tamoxifen treatment or ERαdepletion.Transcriptome and chromatin immunoprecipitation analyses revealed that SETD1A,a histone methyltransferase,directly regulated FOXA2 expression.Functionally,FOXA2 knockdown inhibited the proliferation,migration,invasion,and cancer stem cell properties of TamR cells while restoring tamoxifen sensitivity.High FOXA2 expression was correlated with poor survival and reduced responsiveness to tamoxifen in patients with ER-positive breast cancer.Conclusion:Our findings identified FOXA2 as a key mediator of tamoxifen resistance regulated by SETD1A and suggested that targeting the SETD1A-FOXA2 axis may offer a novel strategy for overcoming endocrine resistance in breast cancer.展开更多
Background:Tertiary lymphoid structures(TLSs)promote antitumor immunity and predict favorable immunotherapy outcomes in breast cancer.The study aimed to investigate how Tryptophan 2,3-dioxygenase(TDO2)-associated tryp...Background:Tertiary lymphoid structures(TLSs)promote antitumor immunity and predict favorable immunotherapy outcomes in breast cancer.The study aimed to investigate how Tryptophan 2,3-dioxygenase(TDO2)-associated tryptophan metabolism influences TLS maturation and B cell class switching in breast cancer.Methods:Bulk transcriptomic data from The Cancer Genome Atlas-Breast Invasive Carcinoma(TCGA-BRCA,n=1055)were analyzed using Gene Set Variation Analysis(GSVA)-based metabolic scoring,immune deconvolution,and TLS quantification.Single-cell RNA sequencing(scRNA-seq,n=26)and spatial transcriptomics(n=1)were applied to map TDO2 expression and TLS spatial organization.Validation was performed by immunohistochemistry(n=38)and multiplex immunofluorescence(n=12).Results:We identified that elevated tryptophan metabolism was predominantly enriched in the Luminal A subtype and delineates an immune-cold phenotype with less immunogenicity,associated with a distinct immune-dominant cellular microenvironment,particularly enriched in T and plasma cells.High expression of the tryptophan-metabolizing enzyme TDO2 was significantly enriched in TLS-low tumors and negatively correlated with TLS maturation signatures.Functional enrichment revealed suppressed B cell class switching and attenuated C-X-C motif chemokine ligand 9(CXCL9)expression in TLS-deficient tumors.Spatial transcriptomics and hotspot analysis demonstrated an inverse spatial correlation between TDO2 expression and TLS core components.Tumors with high tryptophan metabolism showed decreased cluster of differentiation 20(CD20)^(+)and CXCL9^(+)cell infiltration within TLS zones.Tumors with strong TDO2-kynurenine activity displayed impaired TLS organization and attenuated humoral immunity.Conditional spatial co-occurrence modeling confirmed reduced proximity between tryptophan metabolism hotspots and TLS-related immune features.Conclusion:In conclusion,our findings suggest that TDO2-associated tryptophan metabolism is linked to impaired TLS maturation and suppressed B cell class switching in breast cancer.Targeting the TDO2-kynurenine axis may represent a promising strategy to restore TLS formation and enhance immunotherapy responsiveness in breast cancer.展开更多
文摘Background:Cyclin-dependent kinase 4/6(CDK4/6)inhibitors have transformed the management of hormone receptor–positive/HER2–negative(HR+/HER2–)advanced breast cancer,yet evidence for elderly or poor-performance patients remains limited.This study examined real-world outcomes of palbociclib plus endocrine therapy in Asian patients,with additional subgroup analyses by age and performance status.Methods:We retrospectively analyzed 46 consecutive Asian patients with recurrent or de novo HR+/HER2−breast cancer treated with first-line palbociclib plus ET between April 2021 and March 2025.The primary endpoint was progression-free survival(PFS).Secondary endpoints included overall response rate(ORR),disease control rate(DCR),and safety.Subgroup analyses were performed by age(<70 vs.≥70 years)and performance status(PS;0–1 vs.2–3).Results:The median PFS was 26.6 months(range,1.4–69.5).Stratified by age,median PFS was 26.9 months in patients<70 years and 26.2 months in those≥70 years(p=0.760).By PS,PFS was 26.9 months for PS 0–1 and 17.8 months for PS 2–3(p=0.099).ORR was 60.9%and DCR 93.5%;notably,all PS 2–3 patients achieved disease control.Hematologic toxicities were common,with neutropenia(80.4%)and leukopenia(86.7%)predominating,but grade≥3 anemia was rare(2.2%).Elderly patients experienced anemia more frequently,while overall toxicity remained manageable.Dose reductions occurred in 47.8%without loss of efficacy.Conclusions:In routine Japanese practice,palbociclib plus ET provided prolonged PFS and high disease control consistent with pivotal trials and international real-world evidence.Importantly,elderly patients tolerated treatment well,and selected PS 2–3 patients also derived clinical benefit.These findings indicate that neither age nor PS alone should preclude the use of palbociclib in carefully monitored real-world patients.
基金supported by National Research Foundation(NRF)of Korea grants funded by the Korean government,the Ministry of Science and ICT[NRF-2022R1A2C1006737 to Joo-Won Park,NRF-2022R1I1A1A0106408112 to Min Hee Kim].
文摘Breast cancer is one of the most prevalent malignancies among women and comprises a heterogeneous spectrum of molecular subtypes with distinct biological behaviors.Among various regulatory molecules,sphingolipids play pivotal roles in dynamically modulating fundamental cellular processes such as proliferation,apoptosis,and metastasis through metabolic interconversions,including phosphorylation,glycosylation,and the generation of sphingosine-1-phosphate.This review aims to elucidate the mechanisms through which sphingolipid metabolism orchestrates cancer cell fate and drives breast cancer progression.Particular emphasis is placed on the balance between proapoptotic ceramides and pro-survival metabolites,such as sphingosine-1-phosphate,which collectively influence tumor growth and the therapeutic response.Additional sphingolipid species,including glucosylceramide and gangliosides(GD2,GD3,GM1,and GM3),have also been implicated in promoting breast cancer development.Furthermore,sphingolipid-based therapeutic strategies,including immunotherapy and antibody therapy,are discussed.By providing a comprehensive overview of sphingolipid metabolism,this review aims to identify novel therapeutic targets that may help overcome treatment resistance and improve clinical outcomes in breast cancer.
基金funded by the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft(DFG)grant number(KA2663/3-1)supported by the Ministry of Science,Research and Cultural Affairs of the State of Brandenburg.
文摘Objectives:Vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF)regulates tumor vascularization in response to hypoxia and inflammatory signals.The polyphenol curcumin is supposed to interfere with inflammation-induced VEGF secretion and might therefore support anti-VEGF-based treatments.We aimed to investigate the interaction between curcumin and the inflammatory cytokine Interleukin-1β(IL-1β)for VEGF secretion in breast cancer cell lines representing major breast cancer subtypes.Methods:VEGF in cell cultures was detected by Western blot and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA).Kinase phosphorylation was investigated by Western blotting.Gene expressions were analyzed by correlation tests.VEGF was evaluated in a retrospective breast cancer cohort by immunohistochemistry.Survival analysis was performed by the Kaplan-Meier algorithm.Results:VEGF secretion and kinase signaling in response to IL-1βand curcumin varied significantly for the cell lines MCF-7(Luminal A),SK-BR-3(HER2/neu+),MDA-MB-231,and UACC-3199(triple negative breast cancer).All cell lines increased VEGF secretion under hypoxia,but IL-1βincreased VEGF secretion only in MCF-7 cells.Curcumin inhibited VEGF secretion in MDA-MB-231,but increased it in MCF-7 and UACC-3199 cells.Curcumin induced phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase(ERK)and p38-mitogen-activated protein kinase(p38-MAPK).However,inhibitor experiments demonstrated that ERK was more important for VEGF secretion.In gene expression data from the METABRIC study,no clear correlation of hypoxia-induced factor(HIF1A),IL-1β,and VEGF mRNA expression was observed;however,a suggested crosstalk of hypoxia and inflammatory pathways was observed.Conclusion:These dissimilar responses of breast cancer cell lines suggest that therapy efficiency with anti-VEGF,anti-IL-1β,or curcumin will also vary within breast cancers.
文摘Breast cancer(BRCA)is characterized by high heterogeneity,with aggressive subtypes frequently showing poor prognosis and resistance to conventional therapies,making the discovery of new therapeutic targets and strategies imperative.Although elevated expression of discs large homolog 3(DLG3)has been reported in BRCA,its functional role in disease progression remains unclear.We performed bioinformatic analyses of clinical datasets to evaluate the prognostic significance of DLG3 expression in BRCA patients.In vitro gain-and loss-of-function experiments were conducted to assess the impact of DLG3 on BRCA cell proliferation,migration,and colony formation.Transcriptomic profiling,coupled with pharmacological inhibition,was employed to identify and validate downstream signaling pathways.Additionally,we extended our validation to an in vivo model to assess the role of DLG3 in tumor progression.We found that elevated DLG3 levels correlated with poor prognosis in breast cancer patients.Functionally,DLG3 overexpression significantly promoted cell proliferation and migration in estrogen receptor-positive MCF7 and triple-negative MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells,whereas its knockdown suppressed these effects.Transcriptomic analyses revealed that DLG3 activates signal transducer and activator of transcription 3(STAT3)signaling,a finding further corroborated by Western blot.Critically,treatment with the STAT3 inhibitor Stattic attenuated DLG3-driven proliferation and migration,supporting a DLG3-STAT3 oncogenic axis.Furthermore,in vivo studies validated the role of DLG3 in promoting tumor growth and its correlation with elevated STAT3 signaling,consistent with our in vitro findings.Our findings establish DLG3 as a novel driver of breast cancer progression that directly activates STAT3 signaling.DLG3 thus represents both a potential prognostic biomarker and a promising therapeutic target for aggressive breast cancer subtypes,including triple-negative breast cancer.
文摘Male breast cancer(MBC)is rare,representing 0.5%–1%of all breast cancers,but its incidence is increasing due to improved diagnostics and awareness.MBC typically presents in older men,is human epidermal growth factor receptor 2(HER2)-negative and estrogen receptor(ER)-positive,and lacks routine screening,leading to delayed diagnosis and advanced disease.Major risk factors include hormonal imbalance,radiation exposure,obesity,alcohol use,and Breast Cancer Gene 1 and 2(BRCA1/2)mutations.Clinically,it may resemble gynecomastia but usually appears as a unilateral,painless mass or nipple discharge.Advances in imaging and liquid biopsy have enhanced early detection.Molecular mechanisms involve hormonal signaling,HER2/epidermal growth factor receptor(EGFR)pathways,tumor suppressor gene alterations,and epigenetic changes.While standard treatments mirror those for female breast cancer,emerging options such as cyclin-dependent kinase 4 and 6(CDK4/6),and poly(ADP-ribose)polymerase(PARP)inhibitors,immunotherapy,and precision medicine are reshaping management.Incorporating artificial intelligence,molecular profiling,and male-specific clinical trials is essential to improve outcomes and bridge current diagnostic and therapeutic gaps.
文摘The integration of machine learning(ML)technology with Internet of Things(IoT)systems produces essential changes in healthcare operations.Healthcare personnel can track patients around the clock thanks to healthcare IoT(H-IoT)technology,which also provides proactive statistical findings and precise medical diagnoses that enhance healthcare performance.This study examines how ML might support IoT-based health care systems,namely in the areas of prognostic systems,disease detection,patient tracking,and healthcare operations control.The study looks at the benefits and drawbacks of several machine learning techniques for H-IoT applications.It also examines the fundamental problems,such as data security and cyberthreats,as well as the high processing demands that these systems face.Alongside this,the essay discusses the advantages of all the technologies,including machine learning,deep learning,and the Internet of Things,as well as the significant difficulties and problems that arise when integrating the technology into healthcare forecasts.
文摘Oncology Research Editorial Office Published:19 January 2026 The published article titled“ABCB5-ZEB1 Axis Promotes Invasion and Metastasis in Breast Cancer Cells”has been retracted from Oncology Research,Vol.25,No.3,2017,pp.305-316.DOI:10.3727/096504016X14734149559061 URL:https://www.techscience.com/or/v25n3/56810.
基金funded by BK21 FOUR(Fostering Outstanding Universities for Research)(No.:5199990914048).
文摘Accurate segmentation of breast cancer in mammogram images plays a critical role in early diagnosis and treatment planning.As research in this domain continues to expand,various segmentation techniques have been proposed across classical image processing,machine learning(ML),deep learning(DL),and hybrid/ensemble models.This study conducts a systematic literature review using the PRISMA methodology,analyzing 57 selected articles to explore how these methods have evolved and been applied.The review highlights the strengths and limitations of each approach,identifies commonly used public datasets,and observes emerging trends in model integration and clinical relevance.By synthesizing current findings,this work provides a structured overview of segmentation strategies and outlines key considerations for developing more adaptable and explainable tools for breast cancer detection.Overall,our synthesis suggests that classical and ML methods are suitable for limited labels and computing resources,while DL models are preferable when pixel-level annotations and resources are available,and hybrid pipelines are most appropriate when fine-grained clinical precision is required.
基金funded by the Ministry of Higher Education(MoHE)Malaysia through the Fundamental Research Grant Scheme—Early Career Researcher(FRGS-EC),grant number FRGSEC/1/2024/ICT02/UNIMAP/02/8.
文摘critical for guiding treatment and improving patient outcomes.Traditional molecular subtyping via immuno-histochemistry(IHC)test is invasive,time-consuming,and may not fully represent tumor heterogeneity.This study proposes a non-invasive approach using digital mammography images and deep learning algorithm for classifying breast cancer molecular subtypes.Four pretrained models,including two Convolutional Neural Networks(MobileNet_V3_Large and VGG-16)and two Vision Transformers(ViT_B_16 and ViT_Base_Patch16_Clip_224)were fine-tuned to classify images into HER2-enriched,Luminal,Normal-like,and Triple Negative subtypes.Hyperparameter tuning,including learning rate adjustment and layer freezing strategies,was applied to optimize performance.Among the evaluated models,ViT_Base_Patch16_Clip_224 achieved the highest test accuracy(94.44%),with equally high precision,recall,and F1-score of 0.94,demonstrating excellent generalization.MobileNet_V3_Large achieved the same accuracy but showed less training stability.In contrast,VGG-16 recorded the lowest performance,indicating a limitation in its generalizability for this classification task.The study also highlighted the superior performance of the Vision Transformer models over CNNs,particularly due to their ability to capture global contextual features and the benefit of CLIP-based pretraining in ViT_Base_Patch16_Clip_224.To enhance clinical applicability,a graphical user interface(GUI)named“BCMS Dx”was developed for streamlined subtype prediction.Deep learning applied to mammography has proven effective for accurate and non-invasive molecular subtyping.The proposed Vision Transformer-based model and supporting GUI offer a promising direction for augmenting diagnostic workflows,minimizing the need for invasive procedures,and advancing personalized breast cancer management.
基金funded by Al Jalila Foundation-Research Grant(AJF2023-078)to SSMS.
文摘Objectives:Breast cancer(BC)is the leading cause of cancer-related mortality in women,largely due to metastasis.This study aims to explore the role of purine nucleoside phosphorylase(PNP),a key enzyme in purine metabolism,in the aggressiveness and metastatic behavior of BC.Methods:A comprehensive analysis was performed using in silico transcriptomic data(n=2509 patients),immunohistochemical profiling of BC tissues(n=103),and validation through western blotting in multiple BC cell lines.Gene expression and survival analyses were conducted using Tumor Immune Estimation Resource(TIMER),Gene Expression Profiling Interactive Analysis 2(GEPIA2),and the cBioPortal for cancer genomics(cBioPortal)platforms.Correlations between PNP and key epithelial–mesenchymal transition(EMT)markers,molecular subtypes,tumor grades,and stages were examined.Results:PNP was significantly overexpressed in human epidermal growth factor receptor 2(HER-2)-positive and triple-negative BCs compared to luminal subtypes.High PNP levels were strongly associated with advanced BC stages,high-grade tumors,EMT phenotypes,and poor overall survival.Notably,HER-2 inhibition suppressed PNP expression,while PNP gene silencing induced HER-2 upregulation,revealing a reciprocal regulatory loop.Dual inhibition of PNP and HER-2 resulted in a significant reduction in cell viability compared to HER-2 inhibition alone.Conclusion:Collectively,PNP emerges as a promising biomarker of BC aggressiveness and progression.Its reciprocal interaction with HER-2 underscores its potential as a therapeutic target.Dual targeting of PNP and HER-2 may offer a novel strategy for improving outcomes in aggressive BC subtypes.
基金supported by the Regional Innovation System&Education(RISE)program through the Jeollanamdo RISE center,funded by the Ministry of Education(MOE)and the Jeollanamdo,Republic of Korea(2025-RISE-14-003).
文摘Objective Tumor-associated macrophages(TAMs)contribute to chemoresistance in triple-negative breast cancer(TNBC),yet strategies to reprogram TAMs while enhancing chemotherapy efficacy remain limited.This study investigated whether Viscum album L.var.coloratum agglutinin(VCA)could sensitize TNBC cells to doxorubicin(DOX)and modulate TAM-mediated chemoresistance in three-dimensional(3D)co-culture models.Methods MDA-MB-231 TNBC cells were co-cultured with RAW264.7 macrophages in collagen-embedded 3D spheroids.Spheroid viability was assessed using an ATP-based luminescent assay.Cytokine secretion and epithelial-mesenchymal transition(EMT)markers were measured using ELISA and Western blotting.Drug synergy was evaluated using combination index(CI)calculations.Results VCA-DOX combination demonstrated synergistic cytotoxicity exclusively in co-culture spheroids(CI=0.72),reducing viability to 25.9%(p<0.001),while showing no synergy in monoculture(CI=1.52).Combination treatment decreased VEGF secretion by 49%and IL-6 by 74%,while elevating TNF-α2.7-fold,suggesting macrophage reprogramming.VCA enhanced E-cadherin expression while suppressing mesenchymal markers in co-culture spheroids and reduced Matrigel invasion by 60%(p<0.001).Conclusion VCA-DOX combination demonstrates synergistic anticancer effects through TAM reprogramming and enhanced chemosensitization specifically in 3D co-culture models,warranting further investigation for overcoming macrophage-mediated chemoresistance in TNBC.
文摘Objective:To evaluate the clinical efficacy of blood-letting cupping combined with manual lymphatic drainage in treating breast cancer-related lymphedema(BCRL)and explore its mechanism of action from both traditional Chinese medicine and modern medical perspectives,providing a scientific basis and novel therapeutic approaches for clinical management of BCRL.Methods:Patients with BCRL admitted to the outpatient and inpatient departments of Hebei University Affiliated Hospital were enrolled.A prospective randomized controlled trial design was adopted,with eligible patients randomly assigned to a treatment group and a control group.The control group received manual lymphatic drainage alone,while the treatment group received manual lymphtic drainage combined with blood-letting cupping therapy.Posttreatment comparisons evaluated upper limb circumference reduction,edema severity grading,and upper limb functional scores.Vital signs and adverse reactions during treatment were recorded for both groups.Statistical software analyzed the data.Results:The treatment group demonstrated significantly greater reduction in upper limb circumference,improvement in edema severity,and higher upper limb function scores compared to the control group(P<0.05).Vital signs remained stable throughout treatment in both groups.No severe adverse reactions occurred in the treatment group;only isolated cases of mild skin itching were reported,which resolved after symptomatic management.Conclusion:The combination of bloodletting cupping and manual lymphatic drainage demonstrates reliable efficacy in treating BCRL,effectively alleviating edema symptoms and improving upper limb function with high safety.Its mechanism may relate to traditional Chinese medicine principles of“unblocking meridians,promoting blood circulation,and resolving stasis”and modern medical concepts of“enhancing local blood circulation,facilitating lymphatic drainage,and reducing inflammatory responses”.
文摘Objective:To investigate the long-term prognosis and postoperative cosmetic outcomes of breast-conserving surgery combined with sentinel lymph node biopsy in patients with early-stage breast cancer,providing a reference for the selection of clinical treatment plans.Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted on the clinical data of 68 patients with early-stage breast cancer admitted from January 2022 to December 2025.Based on the surgical approach,patients were divided into an observation group(breast-conserving surgery+sentinel lymph node biopsy)and a control group(other surgical methods such as modified radical mastectomy/total mastectomy).Clinical and pathological characteristics,incidence of postoperative complications,follow-up prognosis,and satisfaction with cosmetic outcomes were compared between the two groups.Results:Among the 68 patients,41 were in the observation group and 27 in the control group.The average age of patients in the observation group was(54.32±8.15)years,while that in the control group was(62.45±9.76)years.The average tumor size in the observation group was(1.86±0.72)cm,compared to(3.21±1.45)cm in the control group.The incidence of postoperative complications in the observation group was 9.76%,significantly lower than that in the control group at 33.33%(P<0.05).The 6-month disease-free survival rate was 95.12%in the observation group and 88.89%in the control group,with no statistically significant difference between the two groups(P>0.05).The excellent and good rate of cosmetic outcomes in the observation group was 87.80%,significantly higher than that in the control group at 29.63%(P<0.05).Conclusion:Breast-conserving surgery combined with sentinel lymph node biopsy for early-stage breast cancer can achieve long-term prognostic outcomes comparable to those of traditional radical surgery,with the advantages of fewer postoperative complications and superior cosmetic results.This approach is worthy of clinical promotion and application,particularly for early-stage breast cancer patients who have a demand for preserving breast morphology.
基金National Research,Development and Innovation Fund of the Ministry of Culture and Innovation under the National Laboratories Program(National Tumor Biology Laboratory,Grant/Award Number:2022-2.1.1-NL-2022-00010)Senior Research Fellowship from National Health and Medical Research Council of Australia,Grant/Award Number:1156693+1 种基金Hungarian Thematic Excellence Program,Grant/Award Number:TKP2021-EGA-44Tour de Cure,Pioneering Grant,Grant/Award Number:RSP-253-18/19。
文摘Realistic models for cancer research representing disease progression that commensurately respond to therapeutics consistent with clinical observation are the holy grail for pre-clinical research and screening.Although such an ideal is elusive,well-characterized in vivo models facilitate our understanding of disease,progression,and therapeutic opportunities.Here,we characterize a commonly used syngeneic BALB/c mouse model of triple negative breast cancer(4T1)after establishing tumors in their flanks.Tumors developed at the subcutaneous injection site for all experimental mice and their volumes were monitored.We quantified a rare subset of breast cancer stemlike cells(CSCs),classified as CD44^(+)/CD24^(−)phenotypes in in vitro and ex vivo cell populations.Chromosome numbers in ex vivo metaphase cells were greater than cells cultured in vitro(89.4±3.4,range of 70-132 and 82.6±1.1,range of 70-128;respectively).Further,we observed different types of chromosome aberrations,including gap,deletion,exchange,interstitial deletion,terminal deletion,ring,dicentric,and Robertsonian translocations.For both sources of cells,the number of aberrations was dominated by deletions,terminal deletions,and Robertsonian translocations.Ex vivo cells exhibited greater prevalence of deletions and terminal deletions,whereas in vitro cells displayed more ring aberrations and Robertsonian translocations.In conclusion,we successfully characterized cancer cells from a syngeneic mouse model of breast cancer in terms of rare CSC proportion and a variety of chromosomal aberrations,which is useful for understanding tumor traits associated with cancer development and therapeutic action.The data act as a valuable resource for other studies using the 4T1 BALB/c model.
基金supported by the Natural Science Foundation of Guangdong Province(No.2021B1515120053)Guangdong Basic and Applied Basic Research Foundation(Grant No.2024A1515140166).
文摘Background:Therapeutic responses of breast cancer vary among patients and lead to drug resistance and recurrence due to the heterogeneity.Current preclinical models,however,are inadequate for predicting individual patient responses towards different drugs.This study aimed to investigate the patient-derived breast cancer culture models for drug sensitivity evaluations.Methods:Tumor and adjacent tissues from female breast cancer patients were collected during surgery.Patient-derived breast cancer cells were cultured using the conditional reprogramming technique to establish 2D models.The obtained patient-derived conditional reprogramming breast cancer(CRBC)cells were subsequently embedded in alginate-gelatin methacryloyl hydrogel microspheres to form 3D culture models.Comparisons between 2D and 3D models were made using immunohistochemistry(tumor markers),MTS assays(cell viability),flow cytometry(apoptosis),transwell assays(migration),and Western blotting(protein expression).Drug sensitivity tests were conducted to evaluate patient-specific responses to anti-cancer agents.Results:2D and 3D culture models were successfully established using samples from eight patients.The 3D models retained histological and marker characteristics of the original tumors.Compared to 2D cultures,3D models exhibited increased apoptosis,enhanced drug resistance,elevated stem cell marker expression,and greater migration ability—features more reflective of in vivo tumor behavior.Conclusion:Patient-derived 3D CRBC models effectively mimic the in vivo tumor microenvironment and demonstrate stronger resistance to anti-cancer drugs than 2D models.These hydrogel-based models offer a cost-effective and clinically relevant platform for drug screening and personalized breast cancer treatment.
文摘BACKGROUNDCancer stem cells(CSCs)drive recurrence and therapeutic resistance in triplenegativebreast cancer(TNBC),a highly aggressive breast cancer subtype.Intratumoralhypoxia,a common feature of solid tumors,promotes CSCs enrichment,yet the mechanisms sustaining CSCs stemness remain poorly understood.Hypoxia-induced reactive oxygen species can oxidatively activate ataxia telangiectasiamutated(ATM)kinase(oxidized ATM,p-ATM)independently of DNA breaks.AIMTo investigate the role of hypoxia-induced oxidized ATM in sustaining TNBCCSCstemness through c-Myc-mediated regulation of one-carbon metabolism.METHODSHs578T and MDA-MB-231 TNBC cells were cultured under normoxia or hypoxia.CSC stemness was assessed by mammosphere assays and flow cytometry.ATMactivity was assessed by pharmacological inhibition(Ku60019)and short hairpinRNA knockdown.c-Myc binding to serine hydroxymethyltransferase 2(SHMT2)and methylenetetrahydrofolate dehydrogenase 2(MTHFD2)promoters was analyzedby dual-luciferase reporter assays and chromatin immunoprecipitation.NADPH/NADP+ratios were quantified,and metabolic reprogramming was profiledby liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry metabolomics.RESULTSHypoxia significantly increased mammosphere formation in both Hs578T and MDA-MB-231 cells,as reflected byhigher numbers of mammospheres(Hs578T:214±18;MDA-MB-231:198±16;both P<0.01)and larger meandiameters(P<0.01).Hypoxia also elevated CD44+/CD24-cell proportions and stemness gene expression(P<0.01).Oxidized ATM was activated under hypoxia withoutγH2AX induction,confirming DNA damage independence.ATM inhibition reduced mammosphere growth and suppressed c-Myc,SHMT2,and MTHFD2.Luciferase and chromatin immunoprecipitation assays confirmed direct c-Myc binding to SHMT2 and MTHFD2promoters,while mutation of the binding sites abolished promoter activity.NADPH/NADP+ratios were significantlyelevated under hypoxia but reduced following ATM inhibition(P<0.05).Metabolomics revealed enrichmentof serine/glycine one-carbon pathways.CONCLUSIONHypoxia-induced oxidized ATM maintains TNBC-CSC stemness by promoting c-Myc-dependent upregulation ofMTHFD2 and SHMT2,linking hypoxia,redox signaling,and one-carbon metabolism.These findings suggest apotential therapeutic axis that could be exploited for TNBC treatment.
基金Noncommunicable Chronic Diseases-National Science and Technology Major Project,Grant/Award Numbers:2024ZD0521400,2024ZD0521404Affiliated Hospital of Qinghai University。
文摘Introduction:Chemotherapy-induced gastrointestinal symptom clusters in breast cancer impair quality of life and treatment adherence,yet lack effective interventions.While acupuncture mitigates isolated chemotherapy-induced symptoms,its mechanisms for multi-symptom clusters remain unclear.This study evaluates electroacupuncture's efficacy and explores its biological mechanisms in managing these clusters.Methods:This prospective,multicenter,block-randomized,double-blind,sham-controlled trial will enroll 388 patients with breast cancer undergoing neoadjuvant/adjuvant chemotherapy,to be randomly assigned(1:1)to electroacupuncture or sham electro-acupuncture groups.Both groups will receive the standard quadruple antiemetic regimen combined with electroacupuncture or sham intervention.The primary endpoint is the incidence of chemotherapy-induced gastrointestinal symptom clusters within 120 h after chemotherapy.Secondary endpoints include improvement in gastrointestinal symptom clusters post-first chemotherapy cycle,nausea-free rates during acute and delayed phases,vomiting-free rates during overall,acute,and delayed phases,complete response rate,complete protection rate,and quality of life.Adverse events will be documented throughout the study.Discussion:This study will assess the efficacy and safety of electroacupuncture in alleviating chemotherapy-induced gastro-intestinal symptom clusters in patients with breast cancer.By integrating multi-omics analyses,we aim to elucidate the biological mechanisms underlying its therapeutic effects.The findings may offer a robust clinical foundation for optimizing symptom cluster management in cancer care.Trial Registration:Clinical Trials ID:NCT06952920.Date of registration:April 16,2025.Prospectively registered.URL of Trial Registry Record:https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT06952920cond=NCT06952920&rank=1.
基金the Natural Science Foundation of Yongchuan District,No.2023yc-jckx20021.
文摘BACKGROUND Breast cancer is one of the most prevalent malignancies affecting women worldwide,with approximately 2.3 million new cases diagnosed annually.Breast cancer stem cells(BCSCs)play pivotal roles in tumor initiation,progression,metastasis,therapeutic resistance,and disease recurrence.Cancer stem cells possess selfrenewal capacity,multipotent differentiation potential,and enhanced tumorigenic activity,but their molecular characteristics and regulatory mechanisms require further investigation.AIM To comprehensively characterize the molecular features of BCSCs through multiomics approaches,construct a prognostic prediction model based on stem cellrelated genes,reveal cell-cell communication networks within the tumor microenvironment,and provide theoretical foundation for personalized treatment strategies.METHODS Flow cytometry was employed to detect the expression of BCSC surface markers(CD34,CD45,CD29,CD90,CD105).Transcriptomic analysis was performed to identify differentially expressed genes.Least absolute shrinkage and selection operator regression analysis was utilized to screen key prognostic genes and construct a risk scoring model.Single-cell RNA sequencing and spatial transcriptomics were applied to analyze tumor heterogeneity and spatial gene expression patterns.Cell-cell communication network analysis was conducted to reveal interactions between stem cells and the microenvironment.RESULTS Flow cytometric analysis revealed the highest expression of CD105(96.30%),followed by CD90(68.43%)and CD34(62.64%),while CD29 showed lower expression(7.16%)and CD45 exhibited the lowest expression(1.19%).Transcriptomic analysis identified 3837 significantly differentially expressed genes(1478 upregulated and 2359 downregulated).Least absolute shrinkage and selection operator regression analysis selected 10 key prognostic genes,and the constructed risk scoring model effectively distinguished between high-risk and low-risk patient groups(P<0.001).Single-cell analysis revealed tumor cellular heterogeneity,and spatial transcriptomics demonstrated distinct spatial expression gradients of stem cell-related genes.MED18 gene showed significantly higher expression in malignant tissues(P<0.001)and occupied a central position in cell-cell communication networks,exhibiting significant correlations with tumor cells,macrophages,fibroblasts,and endothelial cells.CONCLUSION This study comprehensively characterized the molecular features of BCSCs through multi-omics approaches,identified reliable surface markers and key regulatory genes,and constructed a prognostic prediction model with clinical application value.
基金supported by the Basic Science Research Program through the National Research Foundation of Korea(NRF),funded by the Ministry of Education(RS-2023-00248378 and NRF-2020R1A6A1A03043708).
文摘Objectives:Tamoxifen is a key drug that provides endocrine therapy for estrogen receptor(ER)α-positive breast cancer;however,resistance remains a significant clinical challenge.This study aims to investigate the molecular mechanisms of tamoxifen resistance in ERα-positive breast cancer,with particular focus on the role of SET Domain Containing 1A(SETD1A)-driven forkhead box A2(FOXA2)as a key regulator of this resistance.Methods:FOXA2 expression and its regulation by SETD1A were assessed via(quantitative polymerase chain reaction),western blotting,transcriptome profiling,and chromatin immunoprecipitation analyses.The effects of FOXA2 on cell proliferation,migration,invasion,and cancer stem cell traits were evaluated using small interfering RNA(siRNA)-mediated silencing.Clinical relevance was examined by analyzing patient datasets and tumor tissue microarrays.Results:FOXA2 expression was significantly elevated in tamoxifen-resistant(TamR)and ERα-negative breast cancer cells compared to that in ERα-positive MCF-7 cells,regardless of tamoxifen treatment or ERαdepletion.Transcriptome and chromatin immunoprecipitation analyses revealed that SETD1A,a histone methyltransferase,directly regulated FOXA2 expression.Functionally,FOXA2 knockdown inhibited the proliferation,migration,invasion,and cancer stem cell properties of TamR cells while restoring tamoxifen sensitivity.High FOXA2 expression was correlated with poor survival and reduced responsiveness to tamoxifen in patients with ER-positive breast cancer.Conclusion:Our findings identified FOXA2 as a key mediator of tamoxifen resistance regulated by SETD1A and suggested that targeting the SETD1A-FOXA2 axis may offer a novel strategy for overcoming endocrine resistance in breast cancer.
基金supported by grants from the Beijing Xisike Clinical Oncology Research Foundation(No.Y-Young2024-0138)China Postdoctoral Science Foundation(No.2024M750538)Qingdao Chengyang People’s Hospital Fund Project(No.202510300).
文摘Background:Tertiary lymphoid structures(TLSs)promote antitumor immunity and predict favorable immunotherapy outcomes in breast cancer.The study aimed to investigate how Tryptophan 2,3-dioxygenase(TDO2)-associated tryptophan metabolism influences TLS maturation and B cell class switching in breast cancer.Methods:Bulk transcriptomic data from The Cancer Genome Atlas-Breast Invasive Carcinoma(TCGA-BRCA,n=1055)were analyzed using Gene Set Variation Analysis(GSVA)-based metabolic scoring,immune deconvolution,and TLS quantification.Single-cell RNA sequencing(scRNA-seq,n=26)and spatial transcriptomics(n=1)were applied to map TDO2 expression and TLS spatial organization.Validation was performed by immunohistochemistry(n=38)and multiplex immunofluorescence(n=12).Results:We identified that elevated tryptophan metabolism was predominantly enriched in the Luminal A subtype and delineates an immune-cold phenotype with less immunogenicity,associated with a distinct immune-dominant cellular microenvironment,particularly enriched in T and plasma cells.High expression of the tryptophan-metabolizing enzyme TDO2 was significantly enriched in TLS-low tumors and negatively correlated with TLS maturation signatures.Functional enrichment revealed suppressed B cell class switching and attenuated C-X-C motif chemokine ligand 9(CXCL9)expression in TLS-deficient tumors.Spatial transcriptomics and hotspot analysis demonstrated an inverse spatial correlation between TDO2 expression and TLS core components.Tumors with high tryptophan metabolism showed decreased cluster of differentiation 20(CD20)^(+)and CXCL9^(+)cell infiltration within TLS zones.Tumors with strong TDO2-kynurenine activity displayed impaired TLS organization and attenuated humoral immunity.Conditional spatial co-occurrence modeling confirmed reduced proximity between tryptophan metabolism hotspots and TLS-related immune features.Conclusion:In conclusion,our findings suggest that TDO2-associated tryptophan metabolism is linked to impaired TLS maturation and suppressed B cell class switching in breast cancer.Targeting the TDO2-kynurenine axis may represent a promising strategy to restore TLS formation and enhance immunotherapy responsiveness in breast cancer.
