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Introduction: Prostate cancer is one of the most prevalent malignancies affecting men globally, with a significant impact on health-related quality of life (HRQOL). With the recent therapeutic advancements and improvements in survival, there is a need to understand the determinants of HRQOL in metastatic prostate cancer patients to optimize treatment strategies for quality of life as the number of survivors increases. The aim of this study was to identify clinical variables that affect HRQOL and its domains in patients with metastatic prostate cancer. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional questionnaire-based study in patients diagnosed with metastatic prostate cancer at a tertiary cancer center in India. Baseline clinical features, treatment details, and completed Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy—Prostate (FACT-P), composed of FACT-general (FACT-G) and prostate cancer-specific concerns subscale (PCS) and FACT-P Trial Outcome Index (FACT-P TOI) questionnaires, were collected. The mean total, as well as individual domain scores, were calculated. Additionally, these were stratified by the current treatment being received by patients. Linear regression was used to identify independent factors affecting HRQOL in these patients. Results: Of the 106 enrolled patients, 84 completed the FACT-P questionnaire and were included in the analysis. The median age was 66 years, and at the time of assessment, 3 patients (3.6%) were receiving androgen deprivation therapy only, 53 patients (63.1%) were on ADT + androgen receptor-targeted agents (ARTAs), and 18 patients (21.4%) patients received ADT + chemotherapy. The mean (±standard deviation) of the FACT-P TOI score was 70.33 (±15.16); the PCS subscale was the most affected, followed by functional well-being. Patients on chemotherapy scored significantly higher on PCS, but the composite scores were not significantly different. Univariable regression identified obesity (body mass index > 25 kg/m2) and duration of first-line treatment as significant predictors of better HRQOL; however, obesity was the only independent predictor in multivariable analysis (β = 8.2; 95% confidence interval, 1.2 to 15.0; p = 0.022). Obesity also independently predicted a better FACT-P and its physical well-being domain score and PCS. Conclusion: Prostate cancer patients experience impaired QoL, especially in the prostate cancer-specific and functional well-being domains. Lower BMI is an independent predictor of poor QoL, and this requires efforts to assess the impact of strategies to manage the nutritional status of patients with metastatic disease on QoL outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Breast cancer (BC) has emerged as the most common malignancy among females. The genomic profile of BC is diverse in nature and complex due to heterogeneity among various geographically different ethnic groups. The primary objective of this study was to carry out a comprehensive mutational analysis of Indian BC cases by performing whole exome sequencing. The cohort included patients with a median age of 48 years. TTN, TP53, MUC16, SYNE1, and OBSCN were the frequently altered genes found in our cohort. The PIK3CA and KLC3 genes are driver genes implicated in various cellular functions and cargo transportation through microtubules, respectively. Except for CCDC168 and PIK3CA, several gene pairings were found to be significantly linked with co-occurrence. Irrespective of their hormonal receptor status, RTK/RAS was observed with frequently altered signaling pathways. Further analysis of the mutational signature revealed that SBS13, SBS6, and SBS29 were mainly observed in our cohort. This study supplements the discovery of diagnostic biomarkers and provides new therapeutic options for the improved management of BC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction Hereditary breast and ovarian cancer (HBOC) syndrome affects a significant proportion of our breast and ovarian cancer patients. Mutations in genes, for example, BRCA1 and 2, confer a high risk of acquiring certain malignancies, including breast cancer in both men and women, and ovarian cancer in women. Mutation carriers provide a unique opportunity for healthcare professionals to intensively screen and detect malignancy at an early and curable stage. But, patient awareness and acceptance are the keys to the success of these strategies. Objective There is a need to assess the awareness of the patients in this field as the patients come from varied backgrounds, and differ in their socioeconomic profiles, educational backdrop, and cultures. In this study, done prior to establishing our cancer genetics clinic, we evaluated the knowledge and attitude toward HBOC in patients with breast cancer and ovarian cancer. Materials and Methods This cross-sectional observational study was conducted on patients registered in IRCH-AIIMS, who has a diagnosis of breast cancer or ovarian cancer using a self-administered questionnaire based on knowledge and attitude. The sample population included 84 women aged between 25 and 80 years. A binary response was given to knowledge questions, whereas a categorical response was given to attitude questions. The overall data was computed using STATA v13 software. Results According to the findings of the study, 39.3% (5.11/13) of the patients were aware of hereditary cancer. Knowledge among the targeted population was poor, but 72.1% (37.5/52) of the population had a neutral attitude toward learning more about hereditary cancer tests. Only 23/84 (27%) people had heard of genetic counseling. Seventy of eighty-four (83%) patients agreed that they would opt for a genetic test if indicated. While 60/84 (72%) of the population wanted to interact with a counselor over a telephonic call, only 41/84 (49%) wanted to interact in person. Conclusion We concluded from the study that breast and ovarian cancer patients in our clinic have little understanding of HBOC syndrome but have a neutral attitude toward learning more about it. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]