• Journal of Breast Cancer
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• 제21권4호
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• pp.363-370
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• 2018

Purpose: Breast cancer is the most commonly occurring cancer among women worldwide, and therefore, improved approaches for its early detection are urgently needed. As microRNAs (miRNAs) are increasingly recognized as critical regulators in tumorigenesis and possess excellent stability in plasma, this study focused on using miRNAs to develop a method for identifying noninvasive biomarkers. Methods: To discover critical candidates, differential expression analysis was performed on tissue-originated miRNA profiles of 409 early breast cancer patients and 87 healthy controls from The Cancer Genome Atlas database. We selected candidates from the differentially expressed miRNAs and then evaluated every possible molecular signature formed by the candidates. The best signature was validated in independent serum samples from 113 early breast cancer patients and 47 healthy controls using reverse transcription quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. Results: The miRNA candidates in our method were revealed to be associated with breast cancer according to previous studies and showed potential as useful biomarkers. When validated in independent serum samples, the area under curve of the final miRNA signature (miR-21-3p, miR-21-5p, and miR-99a-5p) was 0.895. Diagnostic sensitivity and specificity were 97.9% and 73.5%, respectively. Conclusion: The present study established a novel and effective method to identify biomarkers for early breast cancer. And the method, is also suitable for other cancer types. Furthermore, a combination of three miRNAs was identified as a prospective biomarker for breast cancer early detection.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• 제15권9호
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• pp.4049-4054
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• 2014

Background: Race and ethnicity are significant factors in predicting survival time of breast cancer patients. In this study, we applied advanced statistical methods to predict the survival of White non-Hispanic female breast cancer patients, who were diagnosed between the years 1973 and 2009 in the United States (U.S.). Materials and Methods: Demographic data from the Surveillance Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) database were used for the purpose of this study. Nine states were randomly selected from 12 U.S. cancer registries. A stratified random sampling method was used to select 2,000 female breast cancer patients from these nine states. We compared four types of advanced statistical probability models to identify the best-fit model for the White non-Hispanic female breast cancer survival data. Three model building criterion were used to measure and compare goodness of fit of the models. These include Akaike Information Criteria (AIC), Bayesian Information Criteria (BIC), and Deviance Information Criteria (DIC). In addition, we used a novel Bayesian method and the Markov Chain Monte Carlo technique to determine the posterior density function of the parameters. After evaluating the model parameters, we selected the model having the lowest DIC value. Using this Bayesian method, we derived the predictive survival density for future survival time and its related inferences. Results: The analytical sample of White non-Hispanic women included 2,000 breast cancer cases from the SEER database (1973-2009). The majority of cases were married (55.2%), the mean age of diagnosis was 63.61 years (SD = 14.24) and the mean survival time was 84 months (SD = 35.01). After comparing the four statistical models, results suggested that the exponentiated Weibull model (DIC= 19818.220) was a better fit for White non-Hispanic females' breast cancer survival data. This model predicted the survival times (in months) for White non-Hispanic women after implementation of precise estimates of the model parameters. Conclusions: By using modern model building criteria, we determined that the data best fit the exponentiated Weibull model. We incorporated precise estimates of the parameter into the predictive model and evaluated the survival inference for the White non-Hispanic female population. This method of analysis will assist researchers in making scientific and clinical conclusions when assessing survival time of breast cancer patients.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• 제13권9호
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• pp.4373-4378
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• 2012

Introduction: Hypercalcemia is mainly caused by bone resorption due to either secretion of cytokines including parathyroid hormone-related protein (PTHrP) or bone metastases. However, hypercalcemia may occur in patients with or without bone metastases. The present study aimed to describe the effect of chemotherapy treatment, regimens and doses on calcium levels among breast and lung cancer patients with hypercalcemia. Methods: We carried a review of medical records of breast and lung cancer patients hospitalized in years 2003 and 2009 at Penang General Hospital, a public tertiary care center in Penang Island, north of Malaysia. Patients with hypercalcemia (defined as a calcium level above 10.5 mg/dl) at the time of cancer diagnosis or during cancer treatment had their medical history abstracted, including presence of metastasis, chemotherapy types and doses, calcium levels throughout cancer treatment, and other co-morbidity. The mean calcium levels at first hospitalization before chemotherapy were compared with calcium levels at the end of or at the latest chemotherapy treatment. Statistical analysis was conducted using the Chi-square test for categorical data, logistic regression test for categorical variables, and Spearman correlation test, linear regression and the paired sample t tests for continuous data. Results: Of a total 1,023 of breast cancer and 814 lung cancer patients identified, 292 had hypercalcemia at first hospitalization or during cancer treatment (174 breast and 118 lung cancer patients). About a quarter of these patients had advanced stage cancers: 26.4% had mild hypercalcemia (10.5-11.9 mg/dl), 55.5% had moderate (12-12.9 mg/dl), and 18.2% severe hypercalcemia (13-13.9; 14-16 mg/dl). Chemotherapy lowered calcium levels significantly both in breast and lung cancer patients with hypercalcemia; in particular with chemotherapy type 5-flurouracil+epirubicin+cyclophosphamide (FEC) for breast cancer, and gemcitabine+cisplatin in lung cancer. Conclusion: Chemotherapy decreases calcium levels in breast and lung cancer cases with hypercalcemia at cancer diagnosis, probably by reducing PTHrP levels.

• 한국생활과학회지
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• 제21권2호
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• pp.285-298
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• 2012

Considerable number of women are enjoying swimming, however, the chest-region of swimsuits including cup inserts are not stable during swimming. The purpose of this study was to explore alternate designs and methods of stabilizing the breast cup to the swimmer's body by using 3D technology to design and position the pad and cup pattern of the swimming suit. To position the pad optimally, a 3D pattern of a nude woman was divided into blocks and different reduction rates were applied to blocks around the outlines of the breast. Two types of 3D patterns were developed. The first, referred to as the 'basic 3D pattern' provided for the curved surface of the breast point to be maintained with the remaining slack distributed evenly along the neckline, armhole and side seam. The second, referred to as the '1/3 shoulder moved 3D pattern' ignored the curved nature of the breast point by overlapping, with the resulting position of the shoulder strip moved toward the center. Three women of corresponding size and body shape evaluated the two 3D pattern designs as well as the conventional 2D pattern style of swimsuit. Respondents rated the'the basic 3D pattern' design highest in terms of stability and easy of movement in the chest region.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• 제14권4호
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• pp.2361-2366
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• 2013

Diverse studies have shown that miR-155 is overexpressed in different tumor types. However, the precise molecular mechanism of the ectopic expression of miR-155 in breast cancer is still poorly understood. To further explore the role of miR-155 in breast tumorigenesis, we here assessed the influence of miR-155 antisense oligonucleotide (miR-155 ASO) on MDA-MB-157 cell viability and apoptosis in vitro. Furthermore, the effects of inhibitory effects of miR-155 on the growth of xenograft tumors in vivo were determined with performance of immunohistochemistry to detect expression of caspase-3, a pivotal apoptosis regulatory factor, in xenografts. Transfection efficiency detected by laser confocal microscope was higher than 80%. The level of miR-155 expression was significantly decreased (P<0.05) in the cells transfected with miR-155 ASO, compared with that in cells transfected with a negative control. After being transfected with miR-155 ASO, the viability of MDA-MB-157 cells was reduced greatly (P<0.05) and the number of apoptotic cells was increased significantly. Additionally, miR-155 ASO inhibited the growth of transplanted tumor in vivo and significantly increased the expression of caspase-3. Taken together, our study revealed that miR-155 ASO can induce cell apoptosis and inhibit cell proliferation in vitro. Moreover, miR-155 ASO could significantly repress tumor growth in vivo, presumably by inducing apoptosis via caspase-3 up-regulation. These findings provide experimental evidence for using miR-155 as a therapeutic target of breast carcinoma.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• 제16권16호
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• pp.7359-7363
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• 2015

Background: As a result of significant progress made in treatment of many types of cancers during the last few decades, there have been an increased number of patients who do not experience mortality. We refer to these observations as cure or immune and models for survival data which include cure fraction are known as cure rate models or long-term survival models. Materials and Methods: In this study we used the data collected from 438 female patients with breast cancer registered in the Cancer Research Center in Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. The patients had been diagnosed from 1992 to 2012 and were followed up until October 2014. We had to exclude some because of incomplete information. Phone calls were made to confirm whether the patients were still alive or not. Deaths due to breast cancer were regarded as failure. To identify clinical, pathological, and biological characteristics of patients that might have had an effect on survival of the patients we used a non-mixture cure rate model; in addition, a Weibull distribution was proposed for the survival time. Analyses were performed using STATA version 14. The significance level was set at $P{\leq}0.05$. Results: A total of 75 patients (17.1%) died due to breast cancer during the study, up to the last follow-up. Numbers of metastatic lymph nodes and histologic grade were significant factors. The cure fraction was estimated to be 58%. Conclusions: When a cure fraction is not available, the analysis will be changed to standard approaches of survival analysis; however when the data indicate that the cure fraction is available, we suggest analysis of survival data via cure models.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• 제16권6호
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• pp.2385-2390
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• 2015

Background: Invasive ductal (IDC) and lobular (ILC) carcinomas are the common histological types of breast carcinoma which are difficult to distinguish when poorly differentiated. Discoidin domain receptor (DDR1) and Drosophila dishevelled protein (DVL1) were recently suggested to differentiate IDC from ILC. Objectives: To assess the expression of DDR1 and DVL1 and their association with histological type, grading and hormonal status of IDC and ILC. Materials and Methods: This cross sectional study was conducted on IDC and ILC breast tumours. Tumours were immunohistochemically stained for (DDR1) and (DVL1) as well as estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR) and C-erbB2 receptor. Demographic data including age and ethnicity were obtained from patient records. Results: A total of 51 cases (30 IDCs and 21 ILCs) were assessed. DDR1 and DVL1 expression was not significantly associated with histological type (p=0.57 and p=0.66 respectively). There was no association between DDR1 and DVL1 expression and tumour grade (p=0.32 and p=1.00 respectively), ER (p=0.62 and 0.50 respectively), PR (p=0.38 and p=0.63 respectively) and C-erbB2 expression (p=0.19 and p=0.33 respectively) in IDC. There was no association between DDR1 and DVL1 expression and tumour grade (p=0.52 and p=0.33 respectively), ER (p=0.06 and p=0.76 respectively), PR (p=0.61 and p=0.43 respectively) and C-erbB2 expression (p=0.58 and p=0.76 respectively) in ILC. Conclusions: This study revealed that DDR1 and DVL1 are present in both IDC and ILC regardless of the tumour differentiation. More studies are needed to assess the potential of these two proteins in distinguishing IDC from ILC in breast tumours.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• 제15권3호
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• pp.1187-1192
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• 2014

Background: To correlate breast cancer subtypes with prognostic factors, microvessel density (MVD), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression and clinical features. Materials and Methods: One hundred cases of primary breast carcinoma were classified using biomarkers on tissue microarray as: luminal A [estrogen receptor (ER)+, HER2-, $Ki-67{\leq}14%$], luminal B [ER+, HER2+ or ER+, HER2-, Ki-67>14%], HER2, triple negative basal-like (TNB) [any basal cytokeratins (CKs, 5, 14, 17) and/or endothelial growth factor receptor (EGFR) expression], and TN without such markers [TNN, null], and assessed for p53, vimentin, VEGF and CD31 immunoperoxidase. Results: Of the 100 cases (mean age, 51 years; mean tumor size, 3.2cm; 56% with nodal metastasis; 89 invasive ductal carcinomas, not otherwise specified, 4 invasive lobular carcinomas, 3 metaplastic carcinomas, and 4 other types) there were 39 luminal A, 18 luminal B, 18 HER2, 15 TNB and 10 TNN. The positivities of basal-like markers in the basal-like subtype were 78.3% for CK5, 40% for CK14, 20% for CK17, 46.7% for EGFR. There was no significant difference in age distribution, tumor size, degree of tubular formation, pleomorphism, lymphovascular invasion, nodal metastasis, MVD, VEGF expression and survival among subgroups. TNs demonstrated significantly higher tumor grade, mitotic count, Ki-67 index, p53 and vimentin and decreased overall survival compared with nonTN. Conclusions: The distribution of breast cancer subtypes in this study was similar to other Asian countries with a high prevalence of TN. The high grade character of TN was confirmed and CK5 expression was found to be common in our basal-like subtype. No significant elevation of MVD or VEGF expression was apparent.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• 제17권8호
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• pp.3835-3838
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• 2016

Background: Breast cancer is one of the most frequent cancer types within female populations. Silibinin is a chemotherapeutic agent ative against cancer. Niosomes are biodegradable, biocompatible, safe and effective carriers for drug delivery. Objective:To prepare nanoniosomal silibinin and evaluate its cytotoxicity inthe T-47D breast cancer cell line. Materials and Methods: Niosomes were prepared by reverse phase evaporation of a mixture of span 20, silibinin, PEG-2000 and cholesterol in chloroform and methanol solvent (1:2 v/v). The solvent phase was evaporated using a rotary evaporator and the remaining gel phase was hydrated in phosphate buffer saline. Mean size, size distribution and zeta potential of niosomes were measured with a Zetasizer instrument and then nanoparticles underwent scanning electron microscopy. The drug releasing pattern was evaluated by dialysis and the cytotoxicity of nanoniosomes in T-47D cells was assessed by MTT assay. Results: Particle size, size variation and zeta potential of the niosomal nanoparticles were measured as $178.4{\pm}5.4nm$, $0.38{\pm}0.09$ and $-15.3{\pm}1.3mV$, respectively. The amount of encapsulated drug and the level of drug loading were determined $98.6{\pm}2.7%$ and $22.3{\pm}1.8%$, respectively; released drug was estimated about $18.6{\pm}2.5%$ after 37 hours. The cytotoxic effects of nanoniosome were significantly increased when compared with the free drug. Conclusions: This study finding suggests that silibinin nanoniosomes could serve as a new drug formulation for breast cancer therapy.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• 제16권17호
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• pp.7721-7725
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• 2015

Background: The aim of this study was to assess the predictive role of religious coping in quality of life of breast cancer patients. Materials and Methods: This multi-center cross-sectional study was conducted in Tehran, Iran, from October 2014 to May 2015. A total of 224 women with breast cancer completed measures of socio-demographic information, religious coping (brief RCOPE), and quality of life (FACT-B). Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and the t-test, ANOVA, and linear regression analysis. Results: The mean age was 47.1 (SD=9.07) years and the majority were married (81.3%). The mean score for positive religious coping was 22.98 (SD=4.09) while it was 10.13 (SD=3.90) for negative religious coping. Multiple linear regression showed positive and negative religious coping as predictor variables explained a significant amount of variance in overall QOL score ($R^2=.22$, P=.001) after controlling for socio-demographic, and clinical variables. Positive religious coping was associated with improved QOL (${\beta}=0.29$; p=0.001). In contrast, negative religious coping was significantly associated with worse QOL (${\beta}=-0.26$; p=0.005). Conclusions: The results indicated the used types of religious coping strategies are related to better or poorer QOL and highlight the importance of religious support in breast cancer care.