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Sarcoma is a rare and complex disease comprising over 80 malignant subtypes that is frequently characterized by poor prognosis. Challenges in clinical management include uncertainties in diagnosis and disease classification, limited prognostic and predictive biomarkers, incompletely understood disease heterogeneity among and within subtypes, lack of effective treatment options, and limited progress in identifying new drug targets and novel therapeutics. Proteomics refers to the study of the entire complement of proteins expressed in specific cells or tissues. Advances in proteomics have included the development of quantitative mass spectrometry (MS)-based technologies which enable analysis of large numbers of proteins with relatively high throughput, enabling proteomics to be studied on a scale that has not previously been possible. Cellular function is determined by the levels of various proteins and their interactions, so proteomics offers the possibility of new insights into cancer biology. Sarcoma proteomics therefore has the potential to address some of the key current challenges described above, but it is still in its infancy. This review covers key quantitative proteomic sarcoma studies with findings that pertain to clinical utility. Proteomic methodologies that have been applied to human sarcoma research are briefly described, including recent advances in MS-based proteomic technology. We highlight studies that illustrate how proteomics may aid diagnosis and improve disease classification by distinguishing sarcoma histologies and identify distinct profiles within histological subtypes which may aid understanding of disease heterogeneity. We also review studies where proteomics has been applied to identify prognostic, predictive and therapeutic biomarkers. These studies traverse a range of histological subtypes including chordoma, Ewing sarcoma, gastrointestinal stromal tumors, leiomyosarcoma, liposarcoma, malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors, myxofibrosarcoma, rhabdomyosarcoma, synovial sarcoma, osteosarcoma, and undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcoma. Critical questions and unmet needs in sarcoma which can potentially be addressed with proteomics are outlined. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Breast cancer is the most common female cancer worldwide. The lifetime risk of a woman being diagnosed with breast cancer is approximately 12.5%. For women who carry the deleterious mutation in either of the BRCA genes, BRCA1 or BRCA2, the risk of developing breast or ovarian cancer is significantly increased. In recent years there has been increased penetrance of BRCA1 and BRCA2 associated breast cancer, prompting investigation into the role of modifiable risk factors in this group. Previous investigations into this topic have relied on participants recalling lifetime weight changes and subjective methods of recording physical activity. The influence of obesity-related biomarkers, which may explain the link between obesity, physical activity and breast cancer risk, has not been investigated prospectively in this group. This paper describes the design of a prospective cohort study investigating the role of predictive and modifiable risk factors for breast cancer in unaffected BRCA1 and BRCA2 gene mutation carriers. Methods/design: Participants will be recruited from breast cancer family risk clinics and genetics clinics. Lifestyle risk factors that will be investigated will include body composition, metabolic syndrome and its components, physical activity and dietary intake. PBMC telomere length will be measured as a potential predictor of breast cancer occurrence. Measurements will be completed on entry to the study and repeated at two years and five years. Participants will also be followed annually by questionnaire to track changes in risk factor status and to record cancer occurrence. Data will be analysed using multiple regression models. The study has an accrual target of 352 participants. Discussion: The results from this study will provide valuable information regarding the role of modifiable lifestyle risk factors for breast cancer in women with a deleterious mutation in the BRCA gene. Additionally, the study will attempt to identify potential blood biomarkers which may be predictive of breast cancer occurrence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Substantial observational evidence exists which supports a role for physical activity in improving breast cancer prognosis. Biological pathways linking physical activity to prognosis include alterations in obesity-related biomarkers involving chronic low-grade inflammation, adipokines, and markers of insulin resistance. Exercise interventions, with these biomarkers as end-points, may be beneficial for improving breast cancer outcomes. Objective: To conduct a systematic literature review, investigating the effect of exercise interventions on anthropometric variables and related biomarkers of cancer risk in breast cancer survivors. Methods: The preferred reporting for systematic review and meta-analysis (PRISMA) guidelines were followed. A comprehensive literatures search was conducted using the databases PubMed, Embase, SciVerse, the Cochrane Library, AMED, and PEDro, for articles published in English up to June 2012. Exercise interventions, both randomized and non-randomized, examining a range of biomarkers of cancer risk were included. Results: Thirteen articles, representing nine exercise interventions were included - seven randomized controlled trials (RCT) and two non-randomized trials. A number of trials reported improvements in anthropometrics (percentage body fat, body mass index, and waist / hip circumference). Three trials reported changes in insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-I and IGF-II, and insulin-like growth factor binding protein (IGFBP)-3. There were no reported changes in insulin, glucose, insulin resistance, adipokines or inflammatory markers. Conclusions: More robust RCTs are required to fully elucidate the effect of exercise training on biomarkers of breast cancer risk and determine the role of physical activity as an adjunct to breast cancer treatment as a means of reducing breast cancer recurrence and improving mortality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]