Various histopathological, clinical and imaging parameters have been evaluated to identify a subset of women diagnosed with lesions with uncertain malignant potential (B3 or BIRADS 3/4A lesions) who could safely be observed rather than being treated with surgical excision, with little impact on clinical practice. The primary reason for surgery is to rule out an upgrade to either ductal carcinoma in situ or invasive breast cancer, which occurs in up to 30% of patients. We hypothesised that the stromal immune microenvironment could indicate the presence of carcinoma associated with a ductal B3 lesion and that this could be detected in biopsies by counting lymphocytes as a predictive biomarker for upgrade.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFObjective: To determine the feasibility of universal genetic testing of women with newly diagnosed breast cancer, to estimate the incidence of pathogenic gene variants and their impact on patient management, and to evaluate patient and clinician acceptance of universal testing.
Design, Setting, Participants: Prospective study of women with invasive or high grade in situ breast cancer and unknown germline status discussed at the Parkville Breast Service (Melbourne) multidisciplinary team meeting. Women were recruited to the pilot (12 June 2020 - 22 March 2021) and expansion phases (17 October 2021 - 8 November 2022) of the Mutational Assessment of newly diagnosed breast cancer using Germline and tumour genomICs (MAGIC) study.
Hormone receptor expression is a characteristic of low-grade serous ovarian carcinoma (LGSOC). Studies investigating estrogen receptor (ER) and progesterone receptor (PR) expression levels suggest its prognostic and predictive significance, although their associations with key molecular aberrations are not well understood. As such, we sought to describe the specific genomic profiles associated with different ER/PR expression patterns and survival outcomes in a cohort of patients with advanced disease.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFCell Mol Gastroenterol Hepatol
January 2022
Background & Aims: Esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC) develops from its precursor Barrett's esophagus through intermediate stages of low- and high-grade dysplasia. However, knowledge of genetic drivers and molecular mechanisms implicated in disease progression is limited. Herein, we investigated the effect of Mothers against decapentaplegic homolog 4 (SMAD4) loss on transforming growth factor β (TGF-β) signaling functionality and in vivo tumorigenicity in high-grade dysplastic Barrett's cells.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFIntern Med J
January 2021
Background: Studies have reported significant differences in baseline characteristics and outcomes of metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) patients when managed in private versus public hospitals.
Aims: To compare disease, treatment and survival outcomes of patients with mCRC in public versus private hospitals in South Australia (SA).
Methods: Analysis of prospectively collected data from the SA mCRC Registry.
Lack of insulin or insulin resistance (IR) plays a central role in diabetes mellitus and makes diabetics prone to acute ischemic heart disease (AIHD). It has likewise been found that many cancer patients, including prostate cancer patients die of AIHD. Previously it has been delineated from our laboratory that dermcidin could induce anomalous platelet aggregation in AIHD and also impaired nitric oxide and insulin activity and furthermore dermcidin was also found in a few types of cancer patients.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: Despite holding great potential for addressing concerns regarding public health, recent systematic reviews have found effect sizes for interventions targeting physical activity to be small. Before interventions can be improved, the factors influencing outcomes must be identified. This systematic review aimed to identify predictors of success, measured in terms of engagement (eg, involvement duration) and health behavior change (eg, increased step counts), of workplace interventions targeting physical activity.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: Physical activity reduces the risk of noncommunicable diseases and is therefore an essential component of a healthy lifestyle. Regular engagement in physical activity can produce immediate and long term health benefits. However, physical activity levels are not as high as might be expected.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: Workplace programs designed to improve the health and psychological well-being of employees are becoming increasingly popular. However, there are mixed reports regarding the effectiveness of such programs and little analysis of what helps people to engage with such programs.
Objective: This evaluation of a particularly broad, team-based, digital health and well-being program uses mixed methods to identify the elements of the program that reduce work stress and promote psychological well-being, sleep quality, and productivity of employees.