Hormone receptors status: a strong determinant of the kinetics of brain metastases occurrence compared with HER2 status in breast cancer.

Breast cancer (BC) metastatic behavior varies according to the hormone receptors (HR) and HER2 statuses. Indeed, patients with triple-negative (TN) and HER2+ tumors are at higher risk of brain metastases (BM). The objective of this multinational cohort was to evaluate BM kinetics depending on the BC subtype.

External validation of Modified Breast Graded Prognostic Assessment for breast cancer patients with brain metastases: A multicentric European experience.

Background: Several prognostic scores have been developed to estimate survival of breast cancer (BC) patients with brain metastases (BM). Modified Breast Graded Prognostic Assessment (GPA), based on a single-institution cohort of 1552 patients, has been proposed as refinement of Breast-GPA. In addition to age, tumour subtype and KPS, Modified Breast-GPA comprises number of BM.

Serum NSE, MMP-9 and HER2 extracellular domain are associated with brain metastases in metastatic breast cancer patients: predictive biomarkers for brain metastases?

Breast cancer (BC) is the second most common cause of brain metastases (BM). Predictive factors for BM have been widely studied in metastatic BC; however, there is no known serum tumor marker to accurately predict BM. Elevated serum S100ß protein and neuron-specific enolase (NSE) could reflect the brain damages induced by BM.

Serum HER2 extra-cellular domain, S100ß and CA 15-3 levels are independent prognostic factors in metastatic breast cancer patients.

Background: Metastatic breast cancer (MBC) prognosis is highly variable, depending on various factors such as the biological subtype, the performance status, disease extension…. A better evaluation of a patient's prognostic factors could allow for a more accurate choice of treatments. The role of serum tumor markers remains, however, unclear in this population.

Angiogenesis and tumor microenvironment: bevacizumab in the breast cancer model.

Solid tumors require blood vessels for growth, and many new cancer therapies are directed against the tumor vasculature. Antiangiogenic therapies should destroy the tumor vasculature, thereby depriving the tumor of oxygen and nutrients. According to Jain et al.

Prognostic factors of brain metastases from breast cancer: impact of targeted therapies.

Introduction: Brain metastases (BM) from breast cancer are associated with poor prognosis. This study was made to determine the prognostic influence of breast cancer biological subtypes, and to define the best therapeutic options in this setting, with a special focus on the HER2-positive population.

Patients And Methods: Breast cancer patients with known hormone receptors (HR) and HER2 status presenting with BM treated between 1995 and 2010 in our two institutions were considered for this retrospective study.

Comparative performances of prognostic indexes for breast cancer patients presenting with brain metastases.

Background: Several prognostic indexes (PI) have been developed in the brain metastases (BM) setting to help physicians tailor treatment options and stratify patients enrolled in clinical studies. The aim of our study was to compare the clinical relevance of the major PI for breast cancer BM.

Methods: Clinical and biological data of 250 breast cancer patients diagnosed with BM at two institutions between 1995 and 2010 were retrospectively reviewed.