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Background: The analysis of liquid biopsies, e.g., circulating tumor cells (CTCs) is an appealing diagnostic concept for targeted therapy selection. In this proof‐of‐concept study, we aimed to perform multiparametric analyses of CTCs to select targeted therapies for metastatic breast cancer patients. Methods: First, CTCs of five metastatic breast cancer patients were analyzed by whole exome sequencing (WES). Based on the results, one patient was selected and monitored by longitudinal and multiparametric liquid biopsy analyses over more than three years, including WES, RNA profiling, and in vitro drug testing of CTCs. Results: Mutations addressable by targeted therapies were detected in all patients, including mutations that were not detected in biopsies of the primary tumor. For the index patient, the clonal evolution of the tumor cells was retraced and resistance mechanisms were identified. The AKT1 E17K mutation was uncovered as the driver of the metastatic process. Drug testing on the patient’s CTCs confirmed the efficacy of drugs targeting the AKT1 pathway. During a targeted therapy chosen based on the CTC characterization and including the mTOR inhibitor everolimus, CTC numbers dropped by 97.3% and the disease remained stable as determined by computer tomography/magnetic resonance imaging. Conclusion: These results illustrate the strength of a multiparametric CTC analysis to choose and validate targeted therapies to optimize cancer treatment in the future. Furthermore, from a scientific point of view, such studies promote the understanding of the biology of CTCs during different treatment regimens., Cancers, 13 (23), ISSN:2072-6694

Introduction: Obese breast cancer patients have worse prognosis than normal weight patients, but the level at which obesity is prognostically unfavorable is unclear. Methods: This retrospective analysis was performed using data from the SUCCESS A trial, in which 3754 patients with high-risk early breast cancer were randomized to anthracycline- and taxane-based chemotherapy with or without gemcitabine. Patients were classified as underweight/normal weight (body mass index (BMI)

Background. Evidence is accumulating that circulating tumor cells (CTC) out of peripheral blood can serve as prognostic marker not only in metastatic but also in early breast cancer (BC). Various methods are available to detect CTC. Comparisons between the different techniques, however, are rare.Material and Methods. We evaluate two different methods for CTC enrichment and detection in primary BC patients: the FDA-approved CellSearch System (CSS; Veridex, Warren, USA) and a manual immunocytochemistry (MICC). The cut-off value for positivity was ≥1 CTC.Results. The two different nonoverlapping patient cohorts evaluated with one or the other method were well balanced regarding common clinical parameters. Before adjuvant CHT 21.1% (416 out of 1972) and 20.6% (247 out of 1198) of the patients were CTC-positive, while after CHT 22.5% (359 out of 1598) and 16.6% (177 out of 1066) of the patients were CTC-positive using CSS or MICC, respectively. CTC positivity rate before CHT was thus similar and not significantly different (P=0.749), while CTC positivity rate immediately after CHT was significantly lower using MICC compared to CSS (P<0.001).Conclusion. Using CSS or MICC for CTC detection, we found comparable prevalence of CTC before but not after adjuvant CHT.

Background Women undergoing elective caesarean section experience anxiety. However, course, extent and duration of anxiety have not been investigated yet. This study aimed to explore anxiety levels during the course of the day of surgery by employing and comparing subjective as well as objective measures. By examining their correlation it is intended to give methodological support for interventional studies. Methods This is a monocentric, prospectively planned study in which 47 women with an indication for primary caesarean section took part. Anxiety levels were evaluated using the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI-trait and STAI-state), the visual analogue scale for anxiety (VASA) as well as saliva cortisol at three time points on the day of the caesarean section (at admission, at skin closure and 2 h post surgery). Results Peak anxiety levels for the STAI-state and VASA were highest at admission and showed significant decreases to skin closure (p