Ultrasound-guided photoacoustic (US-PA) tomography of the breast: Biochemical differentiation using intrinsic tissue markers-lipids, collagen and hemoglobin with histopathologic correlation.

In this pilot study, we investigated the utility of handheld ultrasound-guided photoacoustic (US-PA) imaging probe for analyzing ex-vivo breast specimens obtained from female patients who underwent breast-conserving surgery (BCS). We aimed to assess the potential of US-PA in detecting biochemical markers such as collagen, lipids, and hemoglobin, and compare these findings with routine imaging modalities (mammography, ultrasound) and histopathology results, particularly across various breast densities. Twelve ex-vivo breast specimens were obtained from female patients with a mean age of 59.

Dynamic altruistic cooperation within breast tumors.

Background: Social behaviors such as altruism, where one self-sacrifices for collective benefits, critically influence an organism's survival and responses to the environment. Such behaviors are widely exemplified in nature but have been underexplored in cancer cells which are conventionally seen as selfish competitive players. This multidisciplinary study explores altruism and its mechanism in breast cancer cells and its contribution to chemoresistance.

CXCR4 expression is elevated in TNBC patient derived samples and Z-guggulsterone abrogates tumor progression by targeting CXCL12/CXCR4 signaling axis in preclinical breast cancer model.

Environmental factors such as exposure to ionizing radiations, certain environmental pollutants, and toxic chemicals are considered as risk factors in the development of breast cancer. Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is a molecular variant of breast cancer that lacks therapeutic targets such as progesterone receptor, estrogen receptor, and human epidermal growth factor receptor-2 which makes the targeted therapy ineffective in TNBC patients. Therefore, identification of new therapeutic targets for the treatment of TNBC and the discovery of new therapeutic agents is the need of the hour.

Profiling Microbial Communities in Idiopathic Granulomatous Mastitis.

Idiopathic granulomatous mastitis (IGM) is a rare and benign inflammatory breast disease with ambiguous aetiology. Contrastingly, lactational mastitis (LM) is commonly diagnosed in breastfeeding women. To investigate IGM aetiology, we profiled the microbial flora of pus and skin in patients with IGM and LM.

Photoacoustic Tomography Appearance of Fat Necrosis: A First-in-Human Demonstration of Biochemical Signatures along with Histological Correlation.

A 50-year-old woman with no past medical history presented with a left anterior chest wall mass that was clinically soft, mobile, and non-tender. A targeted ultrasound (US) showed findings suggestive of a lipoma. However, focal "mass-like" nodules seen within the inferior portion suggested malignant transformation of a lipomatous lesion called for cross sectional imaging, such as MRI or invasive biopsy or excision for histological confirmation.

αvβ1 integrin is enriched in extracellular vesicles of metastatic breast cancer cells: A mechanism mediated by galectin-3.

Breast cancer cells release a large quantity of biocargo-bearing extracellular vesicles (EVs), which mediate intercellular communication within the tumour microenvironment and promote metastasis. To identify EV-bound proteins related to metastasis, we used mass spectrometry to profile EVs from highly and poorly metastatic breast cancer lines of human and mouse origins. Comparative mass spectrometry indicated that integrins, including αv and β1 subunits, are preferentially enriched in EVs of highly metastatic origin over those of poorly metastatic origin.

Biochemical "decoding" of breast ultrasound images with optoacoustic tomography fusion: First-in-human display of lipid and collagen signals on breast ultrasound.

To date, studies which utilized ultrasound (US) and optoacoustic tomography (OT) fusion (US-OT) in biochemical differentiation of malignant and benign breast conditions have relied on limited biochemical data such as oxyhaemoglobin (OH) and deoxyhaemoglobin (DH) only. There has been no data of the largest biochemical components of breast fibroglandular tissue: lipid and collagen. Here, the authors believe the ability to image collagen and lipids within the breast tissue could serve as an important milestone in breast US-OT imaging with many potential downstream clinical applications.

Infiltrative pattern of metastatic invasive lobular breast carcinoma in the abdomen: a pictorial review.

Invasive lobular carcinoma (ILC) has a greater tendency to metastasize to the peritoneum, retroperitoneum, and gastrointestinal (GI) tract as compared to invasive carcinoma of no special type (NST). Like primary ILC in the breast, ILC metastases are frequently infiltrative and hypometabolic, rather than mass forming and hypermetabolic in nature. This renders them difficult to detect on conventional and metabolic imaging studies.

The tumor suppressor Zinc finger protein 471 suppresses breast cancer growth and metastasis through inhibiting AKT and Wnt/β-catenin signaling.

Background: Zinc-finger protein 471 (ZNF471) is a member of the Krüppel-associated box domain zinc finger protein (KRAB-ZFP) family. ZNF471 is methylated in squamous cell carcinomas of tongue, stomach and esophageal. However, its role in breast carcinogenesis remains elusive.

Optoacoustic characterization of breast conserving surgery specimens - A pilot study.

In this pilot study, we tested an ultrasound-guided optoacoustic tomography (US-OT) two-dimensional (2D) array scanner to understand the optoacoustic patterns of excised breastconserving surgery (BCS) specimens. We imaged 14 BCS specimens containing malignant tumors at eight wavelengths spanning 700-1100 nm. Spectral unmixing across multiple wavelengths allowed for visualizing major intrinsic chromophores in the breast tissue including hemoglobin and lipid up to a depth of 7 mm.

Ultrasound Guided Optoacoustic Tomography in Assessment of Tumor Margins for Lumpectomies.

Purpose: To determine the accuracy of a handheld ultrasound-guided optoacoustic tomography (US-OT) probe developed for human deep-tissue imaging in ex vivo assessment of tumor margins postlumpectomy.

Methods: A custom-built two-dimensional (2D) US-OT-handheld probe was used to scan 15 lumpectomy breast specimens. Optoacoustic signals acquired at multiple wavelengths between 700 and 1100 nm were reconstructed using model linear algorithm, followed by spectral unmixing for lipid and deoxyhemoglobin (Hb).

ZMYND10, an epigenetically regulated tumor suppressor, exerts tumor-suppressive functions via miR145-5p/NEDD9 axis in breast cancer.

Background: Recent studies suggested that ZMYND10 is a potential tumor suppressor gene in multiple tumor types. However, the mechanism by which ZMYND10 inhibits breast cancer remains unclear. Here, we investigated the role and mechanism of ZMYND10 in breast cancer inhibition.

Using next-generation sequencing (NGS) platform to diagnose pathogenic germline BRCA1/2 mutations from archival tumor specimens.

Objective: Clinical genetic testing to diagnose germline mutations often requires blood sample or saliva smear from a cancer-affected individual. This rules out testing in families when cancer-affected individuals are deceased. We explored the use of a next-generation sequencing (NGS) platform to diagnose germline pathogenic mutations from tumors.

Primary Pleomorphic Lipoma of the Parotid Gland with Prominent Myxoid Change: Report of a Rare Case Mimicking Carcinoma Ex Pleomorphic Adenoma on Fine Needle Aspiration Cytology.

We present a case of a primary 2.5 cm pleomorphic lipoma of the right parotid gland with prominent myxoid change which on FNA displayed features that mimicked a carcinoma or sarcoma ex pleomorphic adenoma. The patient was a 79 year old man with no oncological history or tumor elsewhere.

Elevated WBP2 Expression in HER2-positive Breast Cancers Correlates with Sensitivity to Trastuzumab-based Neoadjuvant Therapy: A Retrospective and Multicentric Study.

Purpose: Trastuzumab-based chemotherapy has shown remarkable clinical benefits for patients with HER2-positive breast cancer. However, treatment regimens involving trastuzumab had little or no effect for a subset of patients. Preliminary studies revealed WW-binding protein 2 (WBP2), an oncogenic transcription coactivator, to be coamplified with HER2 in 36% of HER2-positive breast cancers.

Phosphorylation of E-box binding USF-1 by PI3K/AKT enhances its transcriptional activation of the WBP2 oncogene in breast cancer cells.

WW domain binding protein 2 (WBP2), a transcriptional coactivator, plays a vital role in breast tumorigenesis. It positively regulates estrogen receptor, Hippo, and Wnt pathways, which subsequently enhance the transcription of downstream target genes contributing to cancer. Understanding the regulation of the expression and activity of WBP2 oncoprotein has implication in cancer therapy.

High Densities of Tumor-Associated Plasma Cells Predict Improved Prognosis in Triple Negative Breast Cancer.

Breast cancer is the most common malignancy affecting women, but the heterogeneity of the condition is a significant obstacle to effective treatment. Triple negative breast cancers (TNBCs) do not express HER2 or the receptors for estrogen or progesterone, and so often have a poor prognosis. Tumor-infiltrating T cells have been well-characterized in TNBC, and increased numbers are associated with better outcomes; however, the potential roles of B cells and plasma cells have been large.

rs2735383, located at a microRNA binding site in the 3'UTR of NBS1, is not associated with breast cancer risk.

NBS1, also known as NBN, plays an important role in maintaining genomic stability. Interestingly, rs2735383 G > C, located in a microRNA binding site in the 3'-untranslated region (UTR) of NBS1, was shown to be associated with increased susceptibility to lung and colorectal cancer. However, the relation between rs2735383 and susceptibility to breast cancer is not yet clear.