Using a cultural dance program to increase sustainable physical activity for breast cancer survivors-A pilot study.

Background: Studies have shown that physical activity can reduce the risk of mortality for female breast cancer patients and improve quality of life, reduce weight, and alter circulating biomarker levels. We conducted a pilot trial to determine the feasibility of increasing physical activity through a cultural dance intervention to achieve similar benefits.

Methods: Conducted a pilot trial implementing a cultural dance intervention to increase and sustain physical activity for breast cancer survivors, which consisted of a six-month group-based intervention of Hula Dance.

Genetic deletion of sphingosine kinase 1 suppresses mouse breast tumor development in an HER2 transgenic model.

Aberrant sphingolipid metabolism has been reported to promote breast cancer progression. Sphingosine kinase 1 (SphK1) is a key metabolic enzyme for the formation of pro-survival S1P from pro-apoptotic ceramide. The role of SphK1 in breast cancer has been well studied in estrogen receptor (ER)-positive breast cancer; however, its role in human epidermal growth factor 2 (HER2)-positive breast cancer remains unclear.

Prognostic and predictive values of long non-coding RNA LINC00472 in breast cancer.

LINC00472 is a novel long intergenic non-coding RNA. We evaluated LINC00472 expression in breast tumor samples using RT-qPCR, performed a meta-analysis of over 20 microarray datasets from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database, and investigated the effect of LINC00472 expression on cell proliferation and migration in breast cancer cells transfected with a LINC00472-expressing vector. Our qPCR results showed that high LINC00472 expression was associated with less aggressive breast tumors and more favorable disease outcomes.

Differences in IGF-axis protein expression and survival among multiethnic breast cancer patients.

There is limited knowledge about the biological basis of racial/ethnic disparities in breast cancer outcomes. Aberrations in IGF signaling induced by obesity and other factors may contribute to these disparities. This study examines the expression profiles of the insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-axis proteins and the association with breast cancer survival across a multiethnic population.

Building Native Hawaiian capacity in cancer research and programming. A legacy of 'Imi Hale.

In 2000, cancer health indicators for Native Hawaiians were worse than those of other ethnic groups in Hawai'i, and Native Hawaiians were under-represented in research endeavors. To build capacity to reduce cancer health disparities, 'Imi Hale applied principles of community-based participatory research (CBPR) and empowerment theory. Strategies included: 1) engaging Native Hawaiians in defining cancer priorities; 2) developing culturally appropriate processes and products; 3) supplementing primary and secondary cancer prevention activities; 4) offering skills training and technical assistance; and 5) providing an infrastructure to support culturally appropriate research.

Ethnic differences in breast cancer in Hawai'i: age, stage, hormone receptor status, and survival.

Previous examinations of breast cancer and survival in Hawai'i's 5 major ethnic groups have found that Native Hawaiian women have the highest breast cancer mortality rates. Although ethnic disparities in survival are reduced when age and stage at diagnosis are controlled for statistically, prior studies could not explain ethnic variation in survival among women who were diagnosed at the same stage. We examined variations in breast tumor characteristics for a multiethnic sample of 4,583 women diagnosed in 1990-1997 by stage and age group and extended previous multivariate analyses by adding a new prognostic variable: estrogen receptor (ER) and progesterone receptor (PR) status.

Ethnicity and breast cancer in Hawaii: increased survival but continued disparity.

Objectives: To examine ethnic variation in survival among 7722 women diagnosed with invasive breast cancer in Hawaii between 1990 and 2002 and to extend previous multivariate analyses by adding a new prognostic variable: estrogen receptor/progesterone receptor (ER/PR) status.

Design: Cox regression analysis of retrospective data.

Setting: Population-based data from the Hawaii Tumor Registry, which is part of the National Cancer Institute's Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results Program.