Search

The author pays tribute to Professor Karen Rothenberg, a health law scholar and founder of the Law & Health Care Program at the University of Maryland Francis King Carey School of Law in Baltimore, Maryland. Topics discussed include characteristics of Rothenberg which were recognized at a National Institutes of Health conference on reproductive genetic testing in November 1991, her involvement in the National Action Plan for Breast Cancer, and her advocacy works for women.

The tumour landscapes are varied, and depending on the orchestration of specific molecular pathways, signaling of its early manifestation could be understood. The conventional ways to signal the metabolic expression of cancers are notably via recognizing the altered glycolytic pathways in the cells whereby the transport of glucose is unchecked by the high demand of the ATP production by the cancer cells. It is notwithstanding that by relying on the glucose analogue (flurodeoxyglucose, FDG) signaling in cells, there are other cellular mechanism deemed to be explored, that is, the cell membrane or lipid metabolism. Molecular imaging-based nanoparticles are proving useful for cell trafficking studies, whereas radionuclide- and optical-based molecular-genetic reporters are yet to be determined. On the other hand, for receptor- or enzyme-based imaging or for studying the pharmacokinetic disposition of chemotherapeutic agents, the radionuclide-based techniques predominate. This review highlights the utility of the molecular imaging techniques in expressing the altered lipid metabolism, that is, choline transport in cells as an index of tumour aggressiveness in breast cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article lists programs under meetings of Clinical Oncology Society of Australia (COSA) to be held from November 15-17, 2016 including discussion on global advances in breast cancer, role of immunotherapy and topics in senior oncology.

Objective: The aim of this study was to assess the efficacy (response rate centered on 80%) of a somatostatin analog with high affinity for 4 somatostatin receptors in reducing the postoperative incidence of symptomatic lymphocele formation following total mastectomy with axillary lymph node dissection. Setting: This prospective, double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled, phase 2 trial was conducted in two secondary care centres. Participants: All female patients for whom mastectomy and axillary lymph node dissection were indicated were eligible for the study, including patients who had received neo-adjuvant chemotherapy. Main exclusion criteria were related to diabetes, cardiac insufficiency, disorder of cardiac conduction or hepatic failure. Interventions: Patients were randomised to receive one injection of either prolonged-release pasireotide 60 mg or placebo (physiological serum), which were administered intramuscularly 7 to 10 days before the scheduled surgery. The study was conducted in a double-blind manner. Primary and Secondary Outcome Measures: The primary outcome measure was the percentage of patients who did not develop post-operative axillary symptomatic lymphoceles during the 2 postoperative months. Secondary endpoints were the total quantity of lymph drained, duration and daily volume of drainage and aspirated volumes of lymph. Results: Ninety-one patients were randomised. Ninety patients were evaluable: 42 patients received pasireotide, and 48 patients received placebo. The mean estimated response rate were 62.4% (95% Credibility Interval [CrI]: 48.6%-75.3%) in the treatment group and 50.2% (95% CrI: 37.6%-62.8%) in the placebo group. Overall safety was comparable across groups, and one serious adverse event occurred. In the treatment group, one patient with known insulin-depe*ndent diabetes required hospitalization for hyperglycaemia. Conclusions: With this phase 2 preliminary study, even if our results indicate a trend towards a reduction in symptomatic lymphocele, pre-operative injection of pasireotide failed to achieve a response rate centered on 80%. Pharmacokinetics analysis suggests that effect of pasireotide could be optimised. Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The 2nd International Consensus Conference for Breast Cancer in Young Women (BCY2) took place in November 2014, in Dublin, Ireland organized by the European School of Oncology (ESO). Consensus recommendations for the management of breast cancer in young women (BCYW) were updated from BCY1 with incorporation of new evidence to inform the guidelines, and areas of research priorities were identified. This manuscript summarizes these international consensus recommendations, which are also endorsed by the European Society of Breast Specialists (EUSOMA). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Breast cancer is a global health issue, and as the tumor burden increases, we need to come up with newer, better technologies which are convenient, cheap, rapid, sensitive with a high specificity. Technological advancements in the field of cancer biomarker has led to the development of techniques such as mass spectrometric analysis and microarray analysis in which genes, proteins and hundreds and thousands of metabolites can be identified with the emergence of genomics, proteomics and metabolomics. This research is focused on finding biomarkers for diagnosis, prognosis, staging, treatment response and targets for chemotherapy, generating a panel of markers which provide better clinical information compared to a single marker in the panel. This review briefly summarizes application of genomics and proteomics followed by key concepts and applications of metabolomics in breast cancer, with the conclusion that an integration of the three "OMIC" technologies may hold the key to future biomarker discovery. Sources of Data/Study Selection: The information for this review was collected by searching the Google Scholar and PubMed database for English articles published in the period from 2002 to 2015. The search terms included "biomarkers in breast cancer" along with the following search terms: "genomics", "proteomics", "metabolomics", "breast cancer", "mass spectrometry", "molecular markers" and "cancer biomarker". We have endeavored to quote only the primary sources. Titles and abstracts of retrieved studies were assessed first followed by selection and retrieval of selected full text articles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The breast section of these Guidelines and Recommendations for Elastography produced under the auspices of the World Federation of Ultrasound in Medicine and Biology (WFUMB) assesses the clinically used applications of all forms of elastography used in breast imaging. The literature on various breast elastography techniques is reviewed, and recommendations are made on evidence-based results. Practical advice is given on how to perform and interpret breast elastography for optimal results, with emphasis placed on avoiding pitfalls. Artifacts are reviewed, and the clinical utility of some artifacts is discussed. Both strain and shear wave techniques have been shown to be highly accurate in characterizing breast lesions as benign or malignant. The relationship between the various techniques is discussed, and recommended interpretation based on a BI-RADS-like malignancy probability scale is provided. This document is intended to be used as a reference and to guide clinical users in a practical way. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The 1st International Consensus Conference for Breast Cancer in Young Women (BCY1) took place in November 2012, in Dublin, Ireland organized by the European School of Oncology (ESO). Consensus recommendations for management of breast cancer in young women were developed and areas of research priorities were identified. This manuscript summarizes these international consensus recommendations, which are also endorsed by the European Society of Breast Specialists (EUSOMA). [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

With the development and increasing accessibility of new genomic tools such as next-generation sequencing, genome-wide association studies, and genomic stratification models, the debate on genetic discrimination in the context of life insurance became even more complex, requiring a review of current practices and the exploration of new scenarios. In this perspective, a multidisciplinary group of international experts representing different interests revisited the genetics and life insurance debate during a 2-day symposium 'Life insurance: breast cancer research and genetic risk prediction seminar' held in Quebec City, Canada on 24 and 25 September 2012. Having reviewed the current legal, social, and ethical issues on the use of genomic information in the context of life insurance, the Expert Group identified four main questions: (1) Have recent developments in genomics and related sciences changed the contours of the genetics and life insurance debate? (2) Are genomic results obtained in a research context relevant for life insurance underwriting? (3) Should predictive risk assessment and risk stratification models based on genomic data also be used for life insurance underwriting? (4) What positive actions could stakeholders in the debate take to alleviate concerns over the use of genomic information by life insurance underwriters? This paper presents a summary of the discussions and the specific action items recommended by the Expert Group. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights: [•] Bombesin was conjugated covalently with PEG-coated gold nanorods. [•] Cell binding assay showed selective binding of new contrast agent to cancer cells. [•] Biodistribution study showed accumulation of GNR–PEG–BBN in breast tumor. [•] The conjugate showed potential as a targeted contrast agent for PIA of breast cancer. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Purpose: The 2012 Conference on Radiation and Health in Kennebunkport, Maine, USA, brought together epidemiologists, statisticians, basic scientists, and clinical scientists interested in the health effects of radiation exposure due to medical, diagnostic, occupational, and non-medical sources, to review the current status of epidemiologic and clinical research on radiation exposure in relation to risk of breast, thyroid cancer, and leukemia, cardiopulmonary events, and other late effects. Topics discussed included synergy between radiation exposure and genetic background; late effects of radiation therapy in childhood cancer survivors and several other medically exposed cohorts; leukemia risk seen in Russian and Chernobyl studies, and leukemia risk from computed tomography scans in childhood. Results and conclusions: This report summarizes the presentations at the meeting and discusses their significance in light of earlier studies and of other ongoing research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background We critically evaluated the available evidence on genomic tests in breast cancer to define their prognostic ability and likelihood to determine treatment benefit. Design Independent evaluation of six genomic tests [Oncotype Dx™, MammaPrint®, Genomic Grade Index, PAM50 (ROR-S), Breast Cancer Index, and EndoPredict] was carried out by a panel of experts in three parameters: analytical validity, clinical validity, and clinical utility based on the principles of the EGAPP criteria. Panel statements The majority of the working group members found the available evidence on the analytical and clinical validity of Oncotype Dx™ and MammaPrint® to be convincing. None of the genomic tests demonstrated robust evidence of clinical utility: it was not clear from the current evidence that modifying treatment decisions based on the results of a given genomic test could result in improving clinical outcome. Conclusions The IMPAKT 2012 Working Group proposed the following recommendations: (i) a need to develop models that integrate clinicopathologic factors along with genomic tests; (ii) demonstration of clinical utility should be made in the context of a prospective randomized trial; and (iii) the creation of registries for patients who are subjected to genomic testing in the daily practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Information on several issues discussed in the San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium 2009 are presented. The topics included risk adapted, individualized therapy for breast cancer, therapy decisions in postmenopausal patients with hormone receptor-positive breast cancer and imaging procedures for diagnosis of breast cancer. The symposium featured several medical specialists including Ingo Bauerfeind, Christian Jackisch and Thorsten Kühn.

Breast cancer in young women is uncommon, but when it does occur it has been reported to have aggressive biological characteristics. The incidence of breast cancer peaks at age 40 in Hong Kong Chinese women, earlier than in Caucasians. This study is the first to report the tumor characteristics and management of breast cancer in Chinese women younger than age 40 and a comparison with their older counterparts. Demographic and clinicopathologic findings of 1,485 Chinese women with breast cancer seen during the period September 2003 to November 2006 were prospectively recorded, and comparisons were made between those who were under the age of 40 and those 40 years of age and older. These results were then compared with a reference population obtained from the Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) database between 2003 and 2004. 17.6% of the women were younger than 40 years old, and age distribution was significantly different from women in the SEER database. The mean age at menarche was lower in women under age 40 ( p < 0.0005), and age at first live birth was also higher ( p = 0.017). The rate of first detection by screening mammography was significantly higher among women who were 40 of age and older ( p = 0.002). Breast conservation surgery was more commonly performed in the younger age group of Chinese women, particularly when tumor size was less than 2 cm ( p = 0.001). A significantly higher proportion of women under age 40 had breast reconstruction ( p < 0.001). The majority of women presented with stage 0-II disease, but in the Chinese groups the younger patients presented at a later stage ( p = 0.04). Younger women had higher pathological grade and poorly differentiated tumors ( p = 0.02), more nodal involvement ( p = 0.024), and lymphovascular permeation involvement ( p < 0.001). The majority of tumors were ER and PR positive in both groups, but younger women had a higher proportion of cerbB2-positive tumors. Chinese women present with breast cancer at an earlier age. Younger women present with more advanced disease and more aggressive tumor characteristics. More ethnic-specific screening protocols and treatment decisions may benefit this group of patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Information about several papers discussed at the 29th Annual San Antonio, Texas Breast Cancer symposium is presented. Topics include on the dose-dense chemotherapy as a new treatment option in breast cancer. It also presents the neoadjuvant chemotheraphy as an established treatment in breast cancer.

The article discusses the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2016 which was held in in New Orleans, Louisiana from April 16 to 20, 2016 regarding the increased use of genetic test called MammaPrint for early-stage breast cancer and is a received adjuvant chemotherapy. It mentions that Microarray In Node-negative and 1-3 positive lymph node Disease may Avoid ChemoTherapy (MINDACT) at the conference. It also presents the views of Martine Piccart reagrding the same.

The article discusses a study presented at the 2015 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium held in San Antonio, Texas on December 8-12, showing that many patients who test negative for the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes choose to undergo comprehensive testing for genetic mutations that increase their cancer risk, majority of which experiencing less anxiety after receiving genetic counseling. It details the positive benefits of counseling both before and after testing to patients undergoing genetic testing.

Background: Online health forums provide peer support for a range of medical conditions including life-threatening and terminal illnesses. Trust is an important component of peer-to-peer support, although relatively little is known about how trust forms within online health forums.Objective: The aim of this paper is to examine how trust develops and influences sharing among users of an online breast cancer forum.Methods: An interpretive qualitative approach was adopted. Data were collected from forum posts from 135 threads on 9 boards on the UK charity, Breast Cancer Care (BCC). Semistructured interviews were conducted with 14 BCC forum users. Both datasets were analyzed thematically using Braun and Clarke's approach and combined to triangulate analysis.Results: Trust operates in 3 dimensions, structural, relational, and temporal, and these intersect with each other and do not operate in isolation. The structural dimension relates to how the affordances and formal rules of the site affected trust. The relational dimension refers to how trust was necessarily experienced in interactions with other forum users: it emerged within relationships and was a social phenomenon. The temporal dimension relates to how trust changed over time and was influenced by the length of time users spent on the forum.Conclusions: Trust is a process that changes over time and which is influenced by structural features of the forum, as well as informal but collectively understood relational interactions among forum users. The study provides a better understanding of how the intersecting structural, relational, and temporal aspects that support the development of trust facilitate sharing in online environments. These findings will help organizations developing online health forums. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A calendar of events for the medical community in North America in January to May 2014 is presented, which includes the meetings of the Society of Laparoendoscopic Surgeons, 31st Annual Miami Breast Cancer Conference and the World Federation of Hemophilia.

A calendar of events related to breast cancer to be held in 2010-2011 in the U.S. is presented, including the 2010 Breast Cancer Symposium from October 1 to 3, 2010 in Washington, D.C., the American College of Surgeons 95th Annual Clinical Congress from October 3 to 7, 2010 in Washington, D.C., and the 33rd Annual San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium from December 8 to 12, 2010 in San Antonio, Texas.

A calendar of meetings for the Oncology Nursing Society's (ONS) 35th Annual Congress from May 13-16, 2010 in San Diego, California is presented which includes the Breast Care special interest group (SIG) meeting, the Cancer Genetics SIG meeting, and a session entitled "Radiation Oncology: A Fusion of Advance Technologies and Nursing Care."

A calendar of events for the American Society for Nutrition including the Probiotics Congress USA in San Diego, California from October 3-4, 2016, the 4th Microbiome Research & Development and Business Collaboration Forum in San Diego, California from October 3-4, 2016, and the 6th International Breast Cancer Prevention Symposium in Duarte, California from October 12-13, 2016.

A calendar of events in the U.S. for 2009 is presented which includes the 11th Annual Lynn Sage Breast Cancer Symposium, the 51st Annual Meeting of the American Society for Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology, and the American College of Surgeons 95th Annual Clinical Congress.

The article offers information on the conference titled "Hereditary Breast and Ovarian Cancer: Risks and Challenges" that was held from September 10-12, 2009 in Bari, Italy. The topics discussed included susceptibility factors in breast cancer, clinical management of breast cancer patients and diagnostic methods for risk analysis and social and psychological aspects. The speakers included Paolo Radice, Brunella Pilato and Angelo Paradiso.

The article presents information on the proceedings of the Laboratory Research Division (LDR) Meeting, organized by the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC), in March 2009. Ann Jackman from the Institute of Cancer Research, Great Britain, reportedly opened the meeting with a keynote address on rational drug discovery program. Seven investigators from five institutions reportedly presented the results of prognosis and treatment on breast cancer.

A calendar of events relating to palliative care during the period November 2006 till September 2008 is presented. A conference titled "Recent Developments in Managing Breathlessness" will be held on 24 November, 2006. The "13th Congress of the European Society of Surgical Oncology" will be held from 30 November to 2 December 2006. The "29th Annual San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium" will be held from 14 December to 17 December, 2006.

The article discusses a study presented by Doctor Elizabeth Mittendorf at the American Society of Clinical Oncology Breast Cancer Symposium in 2014 on human epidermal growth factor receptor (HER)2-derived peptide vaccine called GP2 which reduces risk of breast cancer recurrence in patients whose tumors have HER2 expression. Topics include the administration of GP2 vaccine in patients, the response of HER2+ patients to the GP2 vaccine, and other agents being tested for breast cancer recurrence.

The article discusses peer-reviewed papers taken from the 2014 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium held in San Antonio, Texas including lectures on pharmacogenomics, reviews of the genomic complexity and heterogeneity of triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) and papers on neoadjuvant therapy for estrogen receptor (ER)-positive breast cancer.

Provides information on the 1998 European Breast Cancer Conference held in Florence, Italy. Consensus reached during the conference; Estimated number of participants in the conference; Issues resolved during the conference.

Reports that 26 regional summits on the importance of early detection of breast cancer has been conducted by medical research centers in the United States since 1993. Includes University of Nebraska's Eppley Institute for Research in Cancer and Allied Diseases in Omaha, Nebraska; Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science in Los Angeles, California.

A calendar of events for the medical community is presented including the 6th Annual Royal Marsden Breast Cancer Meeting, in London, England on September 13, 2013, the NIHR Health Technology Assessment (HTA) Programme Conference in London, England from October 9-10, 2013, and the 6th Annual Pain and Opioid Conference in London, England on November 1, 2013.

A calendar of events related to oncology from September to December 2013 which includes a congress of the European CanCer Organization (ECCO) in Montreal, Quebec, a conference the care for cancer patients by the Canadian Association of GPS in Oncology (CAGPO) in Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario, and the San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium in San Antonio, Texas.

A calendar of nutrition-related events in 2013 is presented including the 7th World Congress on Polyphenols Applications in Bonn, Germany from June 6 to 7, the International Scientific Conference on Probiotics and Prebiotics (IPC2013) in Kosice, Slovakia from June 11 to 13, and the 4th International Breast Cancer Prevention Symposium in Beirut, Lebanon from October 11 to 13.

The article discusses the breast cancer findings presented at the 2012 Cancer Therapy & Research Center-American Association for Cancer Research (CTRC-AACR) San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium in December 2012. It says that black women with breast cancer were 12% less likely to undergo invasive procedure for staging than white women. Moreover, women with estrogen receptor (ER)-positive breast cancer who received tamoxifen for 10 years have greater protection against late recurrence and death.