Is Progesterone Receptor a Neglected Feature in Breast Cancer? A Retrospective Study Analysing the Clinicopathological Characteristics of Breast Cancer Based on Progesterone Receptor Status.

Purpose: The aim of this study is to analyse PR independently and its relationship with demographic and clinicopathological information.

Introduction: Steroid hormones, particularly estrogen and progesterone, play a crucial role in breast cancer (BC) etiology. Research attention has focused mainly on estrogen while the progesterone impact on breast cancer has yet to be fully uncover.

Addressing Challenges to Enhance Clinical Research in Portugal: Insights from the OncoT3 Expert Group Delphi Study.

Introduction Over the past decades, clinical research has evolved significantly, driven by advances in regulatory frameworks, technological innovations, and methodological approaches. In Portugal, while there has been progress - such as increased regulatory alignment with European standards and the adoption of digital trial management tools - various challenges remain. These may include, among others, limited access to funding, slower patient recruitment rates, and regulatory hurdles that can delay trial approvals.

Challenges of Renal Function Assessment in Breast Cancer Patients Treated With Abemaciclib: A Case Report.

Abemaciclib, a cyclin-dependent kinase 4/6 (CDK4/6) inhibitor used for hormone-receptor-positive and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER-2)-negative breast cancer, can lead to elevated serum creatinine without implications on the true renal function. Although clinical trials have shown no increase in other kidney function biomarkers, this may still represent a challenge in cancer patients. We report a case of a 74-year-old female who presented with creatinine and cystatin-C elevation during treatment with abemaciclib without an equivalent decrease in measured glomerular filtration rate (GFR) with renal scintigraphy.

Plasma microRNA Environment Linked to Tissue Factor Pathway and Cancer-Associated Thrombosis: Prognostic Significance in Ovarian Cancer.

Ovarian cancer (OC) is a leading cause of death among gynaecological malignancies. The haemostatic system, which controls blood flow and prevents clotting disorders, paradoxically drives OC progression while increasing the risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE). MicroRNAs (miRNAs) have emerged as crucial in understanding VTE pathogenesis.

Haemostatic Gene Expression in Cancer-Related Immunothrombosis: Contribution for Venous Thromboembolism and Ovarian Tumour Behaviour.

Ovarian cancer (OC) is the deadliest gynaecological malignancy. Identifying new prognostic biomarkers is an important research field. Haemostatic components together with leukocytes can drive cancer progression while increasing the susceptibility to venous thromboembolism (VTE) through immunothrombosis.

Contribution of Endothelial Dysfunction to Cancer Susceptibility and Progression: A Comprehensive Narrative Review on the Genetic Risk Component.

Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is a challenging clinical obstacle in oncological settings, marked by elevated incidence rates and resulting morbidity and mortality. In the context of cancer-associated thrombosis (CAT), endothelial dysfunction (ED) plays a crucial role in promoting a pro-thrombotic environment as endothelial cells lose their ability to regulate blood flow and coagulation. Moreover, emerging research suggests that this disorder may not only contribute to CAT but also impact tumorigenesis itself.

Haemostatic gene variations in cervical cancer-associated venous thrombosis: considerations for clinical strategies.

Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is a life-threatening haemostatic disease frequently diagnosed among the cancer population. The Khorana Score is currently the primal risk assessment model to stratify oncological patients according to their susceptibility to VTE, however, it displays a limited performance. Meanwhile, intensive research on VTE pathophysiology in the general population has uncovered a range of single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) associated with the condition.

Paradigm Shift: A Comprehensive Review of Ovarian Cancer Management in an Era of Advancements.

Ovarian cancer (OC) is the female genital malignancy with the highest lethality. Patients present a poor prognosis mainly due to the late clinical presentation allied with the common acquisition of chemoresistance and a high rate of tumour recurrence. Effective screening, accurate diagnosis, and personalised multidisciplinary treatments are crucial for improving patients' survival and quality of life.

Long Non-Coding RNAs: Bridging Cancer-Associated Thrombosis and Clinical Outcome of Ovarian Cancer Patients.

Ovarian cancer (OC) and venous thromboembolism (VTE) have a close relationship, in which tumour cells surpass the haemostatic system to drive cancer progression. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) have been implicated in VTE pathogenesis, yet their roles in cancer-associated thrombosis (CAT) and their prognostic value are unexplored. Understanding how these lncRNAs influence venous thrombogenesis and ovarian tumorigenesis may lead to the identification of valuable biomarkers for VTE and OC management.

Bilateral breast cancer and the influence of body mass index in clinicopathological features and overall survival.

Background: Breast cancer (BC) and obesity are two closely associated pathologies with increasing incidence and mortality rates. Bilateral Breast Cancer (BBC) displays a low incidence rate within BC and obesity represents a major risk factor.

Objective: The aim of this study is to analyzed BBC clinicopathological features distribution and determine the potential influence of obesity in BBC in these same features and overall survival.

Cancer-associated thrombosis: What about microRNAs targeting the tissue factor coagulation pathway?

Cancer patients are often diagnosed with venous thromboembolism (VTE), a cardiovascular disease that substantially decreases their quality of life and survival rate. Haemostasis in these patients is deregulated, which is reflected in the common presentation of a blood hypercoagulation state. Despite the inconsistent results, existing evidence suggests that the expression of microRNAs (miRNAs) is deregulated in the context of venous thrombogenesis in the general population.

Long Non-Coding RNAs in Venous Thromboembolism: Where Do We Stand?

Venous thromboembolism (VTE), a common condition in Western countries, is a cardiovascular disorder that arises due to haemostatic irregularities, which lead to thrombus generation inside veins. Even with successful treatment, the resulting disease spectrum of complications considerably affects the patient's quality of life, potentially leading to death. Cumulative data indicate that long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) may have a role in VTE pathogenesis.

Practical lessons learned from real-world implementation of the molecular classification for endometrial carcinoma.

Objectives: This study aimed to explore the practical organisational aspects and difficulties in the implementation of the molecular classification of endometrial carcinoma (EC), and to demonstrate its potential impact in prognostic risk group classification.

Methods: We conducted a multicentre, retrospective cohort study of 230 patients with EC diagnosed between 2019 and 2022. Sample processing, clinicopathological, treatment and follow-up data were collected.

Thrombogenesis-associated genetic determinants as predictors of thromboembolism and prognosis in cervical cancer.

Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is a leading cause of death among cancer patients. Khorana score (KS) is the most studied tool to predict cancer-related VTE, however, it exerts poor sensitivity. Several single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) have been associated with VTE risk in the general population, but whether they are predictors of cancer-related VTE is a matter of discussion.

Does body mass index influence surgical options and overall survival in breast cancer patients?

Obesity is a relevant risk factor in breast cancer (BC), but little is known about the effects of overweight and obesity in surgical outcomes of BC patients. The aim of this study is to analyse surgical options and associated overall survival (OS) in overweight and obese women with BC. In this study, 2143 women diagnosed between 2012 and 2016 at the Portuguese Oncology Institute of Porto (IPO-Porto) were included, and the clinicopathological information was retrieved from the institutional database.

Map of thrombogenesis in viral infections and viral-driven tumours.

Viruses are pathogenic agents responsible for approximately 10% of all human cancers and significantly contribute to the global cancer burden. Until now, eight viruses have been associated with the development of a broad range of malignancies, including solid and haematological tumours. Besides triggering and promoting oncogenesis, viral infections often go hand-in-hand with haemostatic changes, representing a potential risk factor for venous thromboembolism (VTE).

A retrospective study in tumour characteristics and clinical outcomes of overweight and obese women with breast cancer.

Introduction: Obesity and breast cancer are two major pathologies closely associated with increasing incidence and mortality rates, especially amongst women. The association between both diseases have been thoroughly discussed but much is still to uncover.

Aim: The aim of this study is to analyse tumour characteristics and clinical outcomes of overweight and obese women to disclosure potential associations and better understand the impact of obesity in breast cancer.

Prognostic Factors and Survival According to Tumor Subtype in Women With Breast Cancer Brain Metastases.

Breast cancer (BC) is the second most cause of central nervous system (CNS) metastases. Studies report that almost one third of patients (pts) with triple-negative, one-third with human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-positive and 15% of those with hormone receptor-positive, HER2-negative metastatic breast cancer will develop brain metastases. It is known that the development of symptomatic brain metastases in women with advanced breast cancer is associated with poor prognosis, irrespective of local and systemic treatments.

Impact of hereditary thrombophilia on cancer-associated thrombosis, tumour susceptibility and progression: A review of existing evidence.

Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is a cardiovascular disorder frequently diagnosed among cancer patients. Aside from being common, VTE severely deteriorates the prognosis of these patients as they face a higher risk of morbidity and mortality, which makes clinical tools able to identify the patients more prompt to thrombogenesis very attractive. Over the years, several genetic polymorphisms have been linked with VTE susceptibility in the general population.

Impressive and durable clinical responses obtained with dabrafenib and trametinib in low-grade serous ovarian cancer harbouring a BRAF V600E mutation.

Low-grade serous ovarian cancer (LGSOC) is now considered a different entity from high-grade serous ovarian cancer. The chemoresistance inherent to this type of ovarian cancer narrows the therapeutic options, especially in the recurrent setting. It is thought that the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway plays a significant role in the pathogenesis of these tumours, and about 2 to 20% of LGSOC harbour a BRAF mutation.

Genetic Polymorphisms as Predictors of Survival in Breast Cancer: Future Lessons in Historical Data.

Introduction Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women worldwide and one of the main causes of death in the female sex. Genetic polymorphisms in the mu-opioid receptor (OPRM1) and catechol-o-methyltransferase (COMT) genes have been shown to increase breast cancer risk. Variants in these genes may carry a prognostic impact in breast cancer.

The addition of neoadjuvant pertuzumab for the treatment of HER2+ breast cancer: a cost estimate with real-world data.

Background: Breast cancer (BC) is largely prevalent worldwide. HER2-positive BC account for roughly 20-25% of all BC cases and has an overall survival lower than other BC. Innovation on BC therapeutics is a constant, but novel therapies have higher costs.

Healthcare use and costs in early breast cancer: a patient-level data analysis according to stage and breast cancer subtype.

Background: The cost of breast cancer care rises with higher stage at diagnosis; however, there are no real-world data regarding the cost of care according to breast cancer subtypes. This study aimed to estimate direct medical costs for early breast cancer care in the first 3 years after diagnosis according to subtype and stage, using patient-level data.

Methods: Women with newly diagnosed stage I-III breast cancer, admitted in 2012 to a Portuguese cancer centre were prospectively followed within the NEON-BC cohort.

Implications of venous thromboembolism GWAS reported genetic makeup in the clinical outcome of ovarian cancer patients.

Ovarian cancer (OC) represents the most lethal gynaecological neoplasia. Conversely, venous thromboembolism (VTE) and OC are intricately connected, with many haemostatic components favouring OC progression. In light of this bilateral relationship, genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have reported several single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) associated with VTE risk that could be used as predictors of OC clinical outcome for better therapeutic management strategies.

Tumor Testing for Somatic and Germline / Variants in Ovarian Cancer Patients in the Context of Strong Founder Effects.

Deleterious variants in the genes and homologous recombination deficiency (HRD) status are considered strong predictors of response to poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) inhibitors (PARPi). The introduction of PARPi in clinical practice for the treatment of patients with advanced ovarian cancer imposed changes in the molecular diagnosis of / variants. / tumor testing by next-generation sequencing (NGS) can detect simultaneously both somatic and germline variants, allowing the identification of more patients with higher likelihood of benefiting from PARPi.