Breast cancer research and treatment
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Breast Cancer Res. Treat. · Aug 2017
ReviewBreast cancer risk and clinical implications for germline PTEN mutation carriers.
PTEN Hamartoma Tumor syndrome (PHTS) encompasses a clinical spectrum of heritable disorders including Cowden syndrome (CS), Bannayan-Riley-Ruvalcaba syndrome, and Proteus and Proteus-like syndrome that are associated with germline mutations in the PTEN tumor suppressor gene. Breast cancer risk estimates (67-85 %) for women with germline PTEN mutations are similar to those quoted for patients with germline mutations in the BRCA1/2 genes. With PTEN on several germline gene testing panels, finding PTEN mutations and variants have increased exponentially. ⋯ Increased screening for the various component cancers as well as predictive testing in first-degree relatives is recommended. Prophylactic mastectomy may be considered especially if breast tissue is dense or if repeated breast biopsies have been necessary. Management of women with breast cancer suspected of CS who test negative for germline PTEN mutations should be managed as per a mutation carrier if she meets CS diagnostic criteria, and should be offered enrollment in research to identify other predisposition genes.
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Breast Cancer Res. Treat. · Aug 2017
Contribution of germline mutations in cancer predisposition genes to tumor etiology in young women diagnosed with invasive breast cancer.
Although breast cancer in young women accounts for <10% of diagnoses annually, tumors in young patients exhibit more aggressive characteristics and higher mortality rates. Determination of the frequency of germline mutations in cancer predisposition genes is needed to improve the understanding of breast cancer etiology in young women. ⋯ Pathogenic mutations in high- and moderate-risk breast cancer genes were detected in 23% of young women with an additional 3% having pathogenic mutations in colon cancer predisposition genes. VUS were observed in 14% of women in genes such as ATM, BRCA2, CDH1, CHEK2, and PALB2. Identification of those non-genetic factors is critical to reduce the burden of breast cancer in this population.
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Breast Cancer Res. Treat. · Jul 2017
Gait, balance, and patient-reported outcomes during taxane-based chemotherapy in early-stage breast cancer patients.
Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) is a dose-limiting toxicity of several commonly used chemotherapy drugs including taxanes, vinca alkaloids, and platinum compounds. Development of CIPN is highly variable, both in self-reported symptoms and functional consequences, and can be severe enough to alter dose intensity. ⋯ This study longitudinally assessed patient-reported outcomes concurrently with balance and gait testing in patients undergoing taxane therapy. Taxane treatment was associated with the development of clinically relevant problems in both CIPN symptoms and patient function.
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Breast Cancer Res. Treat. · Jul 2017
The Utrecht cohort for Multiple BREast cancer intervention studies and Long-term evaLuAtion (UMBRELLA): objectives, design, and baseline results.
In oncology, RCTs are often beset by slow recruitment, limited generalizability, and strong preferences for interventions by patients and physicians. The cohort multiple randomized controlled trial (cmRCT) is an innovative design with the potential to overcome those challenges. In cmRCT, a prospective cohort serves as an infrastructure for multiple RCTs. We implemented cmRCT in a clinical breast cancer setting by creating UMBRELLA-a large prospective cohort of breast cancer and DCIS patients/survivors. ⋯ Results from UMBRELLA show that this novel study design is feasible and acceptable to patients in a clinical breast cancer setting. We invite researchers who are interested in conducting randomized or observational studies within the UMBRELLA cohort to contact the UMBRELLA scientific advisory board.
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Breast Cancer Res. Treat. · Jul 2017
Estrogen and progesterone receptor expression levels do not differ between lobular and ductal carcinoma in patients with hormone receptor-positive tumors.
Differences in estrogen (ER) and progesterone (PR) expression between invasive lobular carcinoma (ILC) and invasive ductal carcinoma (IDC) could be an underlying reason for the difference in chemo-sensitivity and response to hormonal therapy between ILC and IDC. The aim of this study was to investigate the differences in ER and PR expression levels between postmenopausal patients with hormonal receptor-positive ILC and IDC. ⋯ Patients with ER and PR-positive ILC and IDC have similar quantitative ER and PR expression profiles, implicating that ER/PR expression is unlikely to be a confounding factor in studies concerning chemo-sensitivity of ILC and IDC.