Identifying biomarkers of differential chemotherapy response in TNBC patient-derived xenografts with a CTD/WGCNA approach.

Although systemic chemotherapy remains the standard of care for TNBC, even combination chemotherapy is often ineffective. The identification of biomarkers for differential chemotherapy response would allow for the selection of responsive patients, thus maximizing efficacy and minimizing toxicities. Here, we leverage TNBC PDXs to identify biomarkers of response.

Breast cancer diagnosis and treatment during the COVID-19 pandemic in a nationwide, insured population.

Purpose: The early months of the COVID-19 pandemic led to reduced cancer screenings and delayed cancer surgeries. We used insurance claims data to understand how breast cancer incidence and treatment after diagnosis changed nationwide over the course of the pandemic.

Methods: Using the Optum Research Database from January 2017 to March 2021, including approximately 19 million US adults with commercial health insurance, we identified new breast cancer diagnoses and first treatment after diagnosis.

Breast Cancer Treatment Delay in SafetyNet Health Systems, Houston Versus Southeast Brazil.

Background: Breast cancer outcomes among patients who use safety-net hospitals in the highly populated Harris County, Texas and Southeast Brazil are poor. It is unknown whether treatment delay contributes to these outcomes.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort analysis of patients with non-metastatic breast cancer diagnosed between January 1, 2009 and December 31, 2011 at Harris Health Texas and Unicamp's Women's Hospital, Barretos Hospital, and Brazilian National Institute of Cancer, Brazil.

Dose-reduced trastuzumab deruxtecan can be safely used in liver failure and active leptomeningeal metastases.

Trastuzumab deruxtecan has been shown to have responses in heavily pretreated patients with human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-positive metastatic breast cancer. However, the safety of this medication in patients with severe liver dysfunction and untreated or symptomatic central nervous system metastases is unknown. We describe a patient with metastatic HER2-positive breast cancer with liver failure and leptomeningeal metastases who was treated with dose-reduced trastuzumab deruxtecan.

Neurofibromin Is an Estrogen Receptor-α Transcriptional Co-repressor in Breast Cancer.

We report that neurofibromin, a tumor suppressor and Ras-GAP (GTPase-activating protein), is also an estrogen receptor-α (ER) transcriptional co-repressor through leucine/isoleucine-rich motifs that are functionally independent of GAP activity. GAP activity, in turn, does not affect ER binding. Consequently, neurofibromin depletion causes estradiol hypersensitivity and tamoxifen agonism, explaining the poor prognosis associated with neurofibromin loss in endocrine therapy-treated ER breast cancer.

Endocrine therapy for ER-positive/HER2-negative metastatic breast cancer.

The estrogen receptor (ER) has been targeted for breast cancer treatment for over a century, but many challenges persist. ER-positivity identifies the largest breast cancer subgroup, and ER-directed therapies prolong survival and improve symptoms in the advanced setting with a very favorable side effect profile. Treatment strategies have included decreasing estrogen synthesis and modulating or degrading the ER.

Fulvestrant in management of hormone receptor-positive metastatic breast cancer.

Fulvestrant is a steroidal selective estrogen receptor degrader that was approved by the US FDA in 2002 for treatment of ER-positive metastatic breast cancer (ER + MBC) post-progression on aromatase inhibitors. In 2017, the label was updated to include endocrine therapy naive ER + MBC. While initially fulvestrant was thought to be equivalent to aromatase inhibitors with monthly dose of 250 mg intramuscular injection, several postmarketing trials challenged this understanding.

Genetic Counseling Referral Rates in Long-Term Survivors of Triple-Negative Breast Cancer.

Inherited gene mutations (pathogenic variants) cause 10% of breast cancers. pathogenic variants predispose carriers to triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC); around 30% of patients with TNBC carry pathogenic variants. The 2018 NCCN Guidelines for Genetic/Familial High-Risk Assessment: Breast and Ovarian recommend genetic counseling referrals for patients with TNBC diagnosed at age ≤60 years.

Surgery for CNS Tumors in the Brazilian National Health Care System.

Purpose: Resource limitations in low- and middle-income countries make the management of CNS tumors challenging, particularly in Brazil, a country with major disparities in socioeconomic status and access to health care. We aimed to evaluate cancer-related neurosurgical procedures in the public health care system.

Methods: On the basis of Brazil's public health system database, we collected data for neurosurgical procedures related to CNS tumors performed between January 2008 and November 2013.

Role of students in global health delivery.

What role do students have in global health activities? On one hand, students have much to offer, including innovative ideas, fresh knowledge and perspective, and inspiring energy. At the same time, students lack technical credentials and may drain resources from host communities. Here, we examine the dynamic, contemporary roles of students in global health activities, including health delivery.