The molecular tumor burden index as a response evaluation criterion in breast cancer.

Circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) is a potential biomarker of prognosis and therapeutic response. We conducted this study to explore the role of the molecular tumor burden index (mTBI) in ctDNA as a therapeutic response and prognostic biomarker in a larger cohort prospective phase III randomized multicenter study. We collected 291 plasma samples from 125 metastatic breast cancer patients from the CAMELLIA study (NCT01917279).

DNA damage response as a prognostic indicator in metastatic breast cancer via mutational analysis.

Background: High tumor heterogeneity contributes to breast cancer recurrence and metastasis. However, the lack of indicators to serve as precise and reliable means of predicting breast cancer prognosis has yet to be addressed. This study aims to reveal the prognostic relevance of mutations in metastatic breast cancer (MBC) by large-scale circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) analysis in China.

Molecular landscape and efficacy of HER2-targeted therapy in patients with HER2-mutated metastatic breast cancer.

Human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) protein overexpression or gene amplification is an important predictive biomarker for identifying patients with breast cancer, who may benefit from HER2-targeted therapy. However, little is known about the molecular landscape and efficacy of HER2-targeted therapy in patients with HER2-mutated metastatic breast cancer. We analysed the HER2 mutation features of 1184 patients with invasive breast cancer.

Clinical spectrum and prognostic value of TP53 mutations in circulating tumor DNA from breast cancer patients in China.

Background: TP53 mutations are common in breast cancer. There is currently no large-scale cohort study to investigate the TP53 landscape in breast cancer patients from China. The predictive value of TP53 mutations for the efficacy of human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-targeted therapy in breast cancer remains controversial.

Taxotere-induced WNT16 Expression in Carcinoma-Associated Fibroblasts Might Associate with Progression and Chemoresistance of Breast Cancer.

Objective: The objective of this study is to investigate the relationship between WNT16 expression in carcinoma-associated fibroblasts and Taxotere treatments in breast cancer.

Procedures: WNT16 expression in primarily cultured carcinoma-associated fibroblasts was detected via Real-Time PCR and Western blot. A total of 106 breast cancer cases were prepared for immunohistochemistry.

Safety and efficacy of sirolimus combined with endocrine therapy in patients with advanced hormone receptor-positive breast cancer and the exploration of biomarkers.

Background: We performed a retrospective study on the efficacy and safety of sirolimus (an mTOR inhibitor) in hormone receptor (HR)-positive advanced breast cancer and searched for biomarkers to predict its efficacy.

Methods: All patients with HR-positive metastatic breast cancer treated with sirolimus plus endocrine therapy between December 2017 and July 2018 at the Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences were consecutively and retrospectively reviewed. Mutations in circulating tumour DNA (ctDNA) were assayed for 1021 tumour-related genes via gene panel target capture-based next-generation sequencing.

Identification of candidate genes associated with tubal origin of high-grade serous ovarian cancer.

Evidence indicates that high-grade serous ovarian carcinoma arises from the fallopian tube, rather than ovarian surface epithelium. This is termed the 'tubal origin' theory. The aim of the present study was to compare the immunophenotype and gene expression profiling among high-grade serous ovarian carcinoma (HGSOC), fallopian tube epithelium (FTE) and ovarian surface epithelium (OSE) based on tubal origin theory, and identify the differential genes associated with ovarian carcinogenesis.

Study on the influential biochemical indices of Cd(II) on Eisenia fetida in oxidative stress by principal component analysis in the natural soil.

With the aggravation of heavy metal pollution in soil, the individual heavy metal content monitoring cannot predict the true effects of harmful substances on the ecosystems. Thus, the effective biological evaluation system should be established to assess the pollution risk caused by heavy metal. Earthworms are widely distributed in the soil, and at the bottom of the food chain, the changes of biochemical indices play an important role in the early warning for heavy metal pollution.

Taxotere-induced elevated expression of IL8 in carcinoma-associated fibroblasts of breast invasive ductal cancer.

Breast cancer is the most common malignant tumor in women worldwide, and accounts for an estimated 29% of new cases and 15% of cancer-associated mortalities each year. Invasive ductal carcinoma represents 70-80% of all breast cancer cases, which are responsible for the majority of breast cancer fatalities. Though great progress has been made in understanding the tumorigenesis and development of breast cancer, problems surrounding treatment persist.

Effects of oxidative stress reaction for the Eisenia fetida with exposure in Cd.

Earthworms are widely used in all kinds of pollutants as sensitive bio-indicator organisms because of their immediately oxidative stress response under the stress of heavy metal. However, there are a large number of indexes associated with the oxidative stress response. Finding out the key monitoring indexes in the stress process becomes a practical demand of the pollution monitoring and warning process.

Letrozole-induced functional changes in carcinoma-associated fibroblasts and their influence on breast cancer cell biology.

Accumulating evidence suggests that carcinoma-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) influence the efficacy of endocrine therapy. Aromatase inhibitors inhibit the growth of breast tumors by inhibiting the synthesis of estrogen. However, it remains unknown whether the aromatase inhibitor letrozole has an additional impact on CAFs, which further influence the efficacy of endocrine therapy.

Dual inhibition of EGFR at protein and activity level via combinatorial blocking of PI4KIIα as anti-tumor strategy.

Our previous studies indicate that phosphatidylinositol 4-kinase IIα can promote the growth of multi-malignant tumors via HER-2/PI3K and MAPK pathways. However, the molecular mechanisms of this pathway and its potential for clinical application remain unknown. In this study, we found that PI4KIIα could be an ideal combinatorial target for EGFR treatment via regulating EGFR degradation.

Candidate markers that associate with chemotherapy resistance in breast cancer through the study on Taxotere-induced damage to tumor microenvironment and gene expression profiling of carcinoma-associated fibroblasts (CAFs).

Recently, emerging evidence has suggested that carcinoma-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) could contribute to chemotherapy resistances in breast cancer treatment. The aim of this study is to compare the gene expression profiling of CAFs before and after chemotherapy and pick up candidate genes that might associate with chemotherapy resistance and could be used as predictors of treatment response. CAFs were cultured from surgically resected primary breast cancers and identified with immunohistochemistry (IHC) and Flow cytometry (FCM).

Local recurrence involving the sternum and ribs following mastectomy and titanium mesh implants for chest wall reconstruction: A case report.

Approximately 30% of breast carcinoma patients experience local recurrence, which is commonly considered the first sign of treatment failure. Local recurrence involving the deep chest wall may result in thoracic defects and influence normal cardiopulmonary function. Many studies have reported various techniques using different materials for chest wall reconstruction, and titanium mesh has recently received attention as a novel bone substitute.

Down-regulation of GRIM-19 is associated with STAT3 overexpression in breast carcinomas.

To evaluate the association of gene associated with retinoic-interferon-induced mortality 19 (GRIM-19) with clinicopathologic features as well as its target gene signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) in patients with breast cancer, GRIM-19 and STAT3 expression was measured immunohistochemically in 108 breast samples and by Western blotting in 20 breast cancer tissues and corresponding nontumorous tissues. Expression of GRIM-19 was severely depressed in the carcinomas relative to matched nontumorous tissues (P < .001), and STAT3 was overexpressed in breast cancer tissues (P < .