A Comprehensive Molecular Analysis of in Vivo Isolated EpCAM-Positive Circulating Tumor Cells in Breast Cancer.

Background: Circulating tumor cell (CTC) analysis is highly promising for liquid biopsy-based molecular diagnostics. We undertook a comprehensive molecular analysis of in vivo isolated CTCs in breast cancer (BrCa).

Methods: In vivo isolated CTCs from 42 patients with early and 23 patients with metastatic breast cancer (MBC) were prospectively collected and analyzed for gene expression, DNA mutations, and DNA methylation before and after treatment.

Ki-67 Expression as a Factor Predicting Recurrence of Ductal Carcinoma In Situ of the Breast: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Background: Ki-67 is a marker of proliferating cells; in this meta-analysis we aimed to examine whether Ki-67 expression can predict recurrence rates of breast ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS).

Materials And Methods: This systematic review and meta-analysis was performed according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. Eligible articles were sought in MEDLINE up to April 30, 2017.

Endocervical Carcinogenesis and HPV Vaccination: An Occasional Circumstance or a Gap in the Chain?

As a result of the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination program, the prevalence of precancerous dysplasia and invasive cervical cancer has substantially decreased. In this brief report, we present a case of a young patient who was diagnosed with in situ adenocarcinoma of the cervix. This 30-year-old female had completed the HPV vaccination after she became sexually active and has been undergoing annual gynecological assessments, including clinical examination and Pap test, all of which had been negative.

Vulvar, Perianal and Perineal Cancer After Hidradenitis Suppurativa: A Systematic Review and Pooled Analysis.

Background: Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a chronic inflammatory disease that frequently involves the perineal and perianal regions. The association between HS and malignant transformation is a rare but under recognized phenomenon.

Objective: This systematic review aims to summarize all available cases of vulvar and perianal/perineal cancer emerging in patients with HS, describing clinical and therapeutic particularities of these coexisting conditions in female patients.

Hormonal receptor status, Ki-67 and HER2 expression: Prognostic value in the recurrence of ductal carcinoma in situ of the breast?

Purpose: Local recurrence is considered a major concern in patients diagnosed with ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS), as its invasive occurrence is associated with high rates of distant disease and mortality. This study aims to assess the possible correlation of hormonal receptor status, Ki-67 and HER2 expression with recurrence rates in women with DCIS, taking also into account the potential prognostic effects of grade and age at diagnosis.

Methods: 230 consecutive patients with DCIS were included in this study.

The effect of metronomic versus standard chemotherapy on the regulatory to effector T-cell equilibrium in cancer patients.

Background: The host's immune system is crucially involved in cancer development and progression. The ratio of regulatory to effector T-cells, as well as the interplay of T-cells with therapeutic agents, impact on cancer prognosis. The current study aimed to comparatively investigate the effect of metronomic and standard chemotherapy on the number and functionality of peripheral regulatory and effector T-cells in cancer patients.

Gemcitabine in combination with vinorelbine for heavily pretreated advanced breast cancer.

Purpose: To evaluate the activity and toxicity of gemcitabine and vinorelbine in patients with metastatic breast cancer (MBC), previously treated with anthracyclines alone or with taxanes.

Patients And Methods: A total of 86 pretreated patients with MBC (median age 62 years), entered the study. Thirty-six patients had been pretreated with anthracyclines and 8 were resistant.

Third-line hormonal treatment with exemestane in postmenopausal patients with advanced breast cancer progressing on letrozole or anastrozole. A phase II trial conducted by the Hellenic Group of Oncology (HELGO).

Aims And Background: The understanding of hormonal therapies in postmenopausal women with metastatic breast cancer has advanced greatly in the past several decades. With the introduction of orally active, potent and selective third-generation aromatase inhibitors (anastrozole, letrozole and exemestane), approaches to the treatment of hormone-sensitive advanced breast cancer are undergoing reevaluation. For treatment of advanced or metastatic disease that has progressed on tamoxifen, all three agents are active.

Tamoxifen improves endothelial function and reduces carotid intima-media thickness in postmenopausal women.

Background: Tamoxifen is a selective estrogen-receptor modulator shown to improve several cardiovascular risk factors in postmenopausal women with breast cancer. In animal studies tamoxifen inhibits the progression of atherosclerosis. Although the presence of a history with tamoxifen treatment is related to a lower intima-media thickness (IMT) of the common carotid artery, data from controlled follow-up studies are lacking to support this observation.