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Topical Collection "Frontiers in Breast Cancer Diagnosis and Treatment"

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Keywords
Published Papers

A topical collection in Medicina (ISSN 1648-9144). This collection belongs to the section "Oncology".

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Editors

Prof. Dr. Jimmy T. Efird

E-Mail Website
Collection Editor

1. VA Cooperative Studies Program Coordinating Center, Boston, MA 02130, USA
2. Department of Radiation Oncology, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA
Interests: statistical methods; epidemiological study design; risk modeling; cardiovascular disease; cancer
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Dr. Tithi Biswas
E-Mail Website
Collection Editor

1. Department of Radiation Oncology, School of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, USA
2. University Hospitals Seidman Cancer Center, 11100 Euclid Avenue Cleveland, OH, USA
Interests: breast, esophageal and colorectal cancer; gastrointestinal cancers, general, and thoracic
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Topical Collection Information

Dear Colleagues,

Reducing breast cancer risk through targeted screening, treatment advances, and novel research efforts is the key focus of this Topical Collection on “Progress in Breast Cancer Diagnosis and Treatment”. We are also interested in manuscripts aimed at improving the quality of life of breast cancer patients and survivors. In this regard, research topics include, but are not limited to, lifestyle factors and habits such as nutrition, exercise, and weight control, as well as supportive care.

Of particular interest to this Topical Collection is research pertaining to circulating tumor cells (CTCs) and circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA). Such research may offer a less-expensive and non-invasive means for predicting disease severity and survival potential in breast cancer patients. Submissions focusing on evolving therapies (e.g., atezolizumab, nab-paclitaxel, ipatasertib, capivasertib, and bicalutamide) also are welcome.

Prof. Dr. Jimmy T. Efird
Dr. Tithi Biswas
Collection Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the collection website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Medicina is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 1800 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

breast cancer
TNBC
ER-positive tumors
HER2-positive tumors
inflammatory breast cancer
novel therapies
breast cancer survival
health promotion
lifestyle behaviors and habits
epidemiology of breast cancer

Published Papers (6 papers)

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2023

Jump to: 2022

Open AccessSystematic Review

Prognostic Tools for Older Women with Breast Cancer: A Systematic Review

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Medicina 2023, 59(9), 1576; https://doi.org/10.3390/medicina59091576 - 30 Aug 2023

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Abstract

Background: Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women, and older patients comprise an increasing proportion of patients with this disease. The older breast cancer population is heterogenous with unique factors affecting clinical decision making. While many models have been developed and tested for breast cancer patients of all ages, tools specifically developed for older patients with breast cancer have not been recently reviewed. We systematically reviewed prognostic models developed and/or validated for older patients with breast cancer. Methods: We conducted a systematic search in 3 electronic databases. We identified original studies that were published prior to 8 November 2022 and presented the development and/or validation of models based mainly on clinico-pathological factors to predict response to treatment, recurrence, and/or mortality in older patients with breast cancer. The PROBAST was used to assess the ROB and applicability of each included tool. Results: We screened titles and abstracts of 7316 records. This generated 126 studies for a full text review. We identified 17 eligible articles, all of which presented tool development. The models were developed between 1996 and 2022, mostly using national registry data. The prognostic models were mainly developed in the United States (n = 7; 41%). For the derivation cohorts, the median sample size was 213 (interquartile range, 81–845). For the 17 included modes, the median number of predictive factors was 7 (4.5–10). Conclusions: There have been several studies focused on developing prognostic tools specifically for older patients with breast cancer, and the predictions made by these tools vary widely to include response to treatment, recurrence, and mortality. While external validation was rare, we found that it was typically concordant with interval validation results. Studies that were not validated or only internally validated still require external validation. However, most of the models presented in this review represent promising tools for clinical application in the care of older patients with breast cancer. Full article

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Open AccessArticle

Comparison of Fused Diffusion-Weighted Imaging Using Unenhanced MRI and Abbreviated Post-Contrast-Enhanced MRI in Patients with Breast Cancer

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Medicina 2023, 59(9), 1563; https://doi.org/10.3390/medicina59091563 - 28 Aug 2023

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Abstract

Background and Objectives: To determine the percentage of breast cancers detectable by fused diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) using unenhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and abbreviated post-contrast-enhanced MRI. Materials and Methods: Between October 2016 and October 2017, 194 consecutive women (mean age, 54.2 years; age range, 28–82 years) with newly diagnosed unilateral breast cancer, who underwent preoperative 3.0 T breast MRI with DWI, were evaluated. Both fused DWI and abbreviated MRI were independently reviewed by two radiologists for the detection of index cancer (which showed the most suspicious findings in both breasts), location, lesion conspicuity, lesion type, and lesion size. Moreover, the relationship between cancer detection and histopathological results of surgical specimens was evaluated. Results: Index cancer detection rates were comparable between fused DWI and abbreviated MRI (radiologist 1: 174/194 [89.7%] vs. 184/194 [94.8%], respectively, p = 0.057; radiologist 2: 174/194 [89.7%] vs. 183/194 [94.3%], respectively, p = 0.092). In both radiologists, abbreviated MRI showed a significantly higher lesion conspicuity than fused DWI (radiologist 1: 9.37 ± 2.24 vs. 8.78 ± 3.03, respectively, p < 0.001; radiologist 2: 9.16 ± 2.32 vs. 8.39 ± 2.93, respectively, p < 0.001). The κ value for the interobserver agreement of index cancer detection was 0.67 on fused DWI and 0.85 on abbreviated MRI. For lesion conspicuity, the intraclass correlation coefficients were 0.72 on fused DWI and 0.82 on abbreviated MRI. Among the histopathological factors, tumor invasiveness was associated with cancer detection on both fused DWI (p = 0.011) and abbreviated MRI (p = 0.004, radiologist 1), lymphovascular invasion on abbreviated MRI (p = 0.032, radiologist 1), and necrosis on fused DWI (p = 0.031, radiologist 2). Conclusions: Index cancer detection was comparable between fused DWI and abbreviated MRI, although abbreviated MRI showed a significantly better lesion conspicuity. Full article

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Open AccessReview

The Molecular and Genetic Interactions between Obesity and Breast Cancer Risk

Ghada M. A. Ajabnoor

Medicina 2023, 59(7), 1338; https://doi.org/10.3390/medicina59071338 - 21 Jul 2023

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Abstract

Breast cancer (BC) is considered the leading cause of death among females worldwide. Various risk factors contribute to BC development, such as age, genetics, reproductive factors, obesity, alcohol intake, and lifestyle. Obesity is considered to be a pandemic health problem globally, affecting millions of people worldwide. Obesity has been associated with a high risk of BC development. Determining the impact of obesity on BC development risk in women by demonstrating the molecular and genetic association in pre- and post-menopause females and risk to BC initiation is crucial in order to improve the diagnosis and prognosis of BC disease. In epidemiological studies, BC in premenopausal women was shown to be protective in a certain pattern. These altered effects between the two phases could be due to various physiological changes, such as estrogen/progesterone fluctuating levels. In addition, the relationship between BC risk and obesity is indicated by different molecular alterations as metabolic pathways and genetic mutation or epigenetic DNA changes supporting a strong connection between obesity and BC risk. However, these molecular and genetic alteration remain incompletely understood. The aim of this review is to highlight and elucidate the different molecular mechanisms and genetic changes occurring in obese women and their association with BC risk and development. Full article

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Open AccessArticle

A Hypofractionated Radiotherapy Schedule with a Simultaneous Integrated Boost for Breast Cancer: Outcomes including Late Toxicity and Health Quality

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Medicina 2023, 59(4), 675; https://doi.org/10.3390/medicina59040675 - 29 Mar 2023

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Abstract

Introduction: This study aimed to evaluate the long-term adverse effects on the physical appearance and overall well-being of breast cancer patients who receive hypofractionated radiotherapy as whole breast and simultaneous integrated boost (SIB) treatment, utilizing intensive modulated radiotherapy (IMRT), volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT), or a hybrid therapy approach. Material/Methods: This investigation involved administering hypofractionated SIB-VMAT therapy to individuals diagnosed with early-stage breast cancer. Treatment was carried out over a three-week period in which a total dose of 48.06 Gy was given to the entire breast and 54 Gy was given to the tumor bed. Data on skin toxicity and cosmetic outcomes were analyzed both during the acute phase and during the three-month and five-year follow-up periods after treatment. Results: A total of 125 patients treated between December 2014 and December 2016 were included in the study. The data of these patients with at least 5 years of follow-up were analyzed. Conclusions: Considering these long-term results, hypofractionated SIB-VMAT can be considered a viable treatment choice, even for patients with unfavorable conditions. Full article

2022

Jump to: 2023

Open AccessReview

Molecular Pathways Related to Sulforaphane as Adjuvant Treatment: A Nanomedicine Perspective in Breast Cancer

María Zenaida Saavedra-Leos

Euclides Jordan-Alejandre

Jonathan Puente-Rivera

and

Macrina Beatriz Silva-Cázares

Medicina 2022, 58(10), 1377; https://doi.org/10.3390/medicina58101377 - 01 Oct 2022

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 1819

Abstract

Because cancer is a multifactorial disease, it is difficult to identify the specific agents responsible for the disease’s progression and development, but lifestyle and diet have been shown to play a significant role. Diverse natural compounds are demonstrating efficacy in the development of novel cancer therapies, including sulforaphane (1-isothiocyanate-4-(methylsulfinyl)butane), a compound found in broccoli and other cruciferous vegetables that promotes key biological processes such as apoptosis, cell cycle arrest, autophagy, and suppression of key signalling pathways such as the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway in breast cancer cells. However, one of the primary challenges with sulforaphane treatment is its low solubility in water and oral bioavailability. As a consequence, several investigations were conducted using this component complexed in nanoparticles, which resulted in superior outcomes when combined with chemotherapy drugs. In this study, we discuss the properties and benefits of sulforaphane in cancer therapy, as well as its ability to form complexes with nanomolecules and chemotherapeutic agents that synergize the antitumour response in breast cancer cells. Full article

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