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Abstract Background Breast cancer has been increased in developing countries, but there are limited data for breast cancer risk factors in these countries. To clarify the risk for breast cancer among the Turkish women, an university hospital based nested case-control study was conducted. Methods Between January 2000 and December 2006, a survey was prospectively conducted among women admitted to clinics of Istanbul Medical Faculty for examination and/or treatment by using a questionnaire. Therefore, characteristics of patients diagnosed with breast cancer (n = 1492) were compared with control cases (n = 2167) admitted to hospital for non-neoplastic, non-hormone related diseases. Results Breast cancer risk was found to be increased in women with age (≥ 50) [95% confidence interval (CI) 2.42–3.18], induced abortion (95% CI 1.13–1.53), age at first birth (≥ 35) (95% CI 1.62–5.77), body mass index (BMI ≥ 25) (95% CI 1.27–1.68), and a positive family history (95% CI 1.11–1.92). However, decreased breast cancer risk was associated with the duration of education (≥ 13 years) (95% CI 0.62–0.81), presence of spontaneous abortion (95% CI 0.60–0.85), smoking (95% CI 0.61–0.85), breast feeding (95% CI 0.11–0.27), nulliparity (95% CI 0.92–0.98), hormone replacement therapy (HRT) (95% CI 0.26–0.47), and oral contraceptive use (95% CI 0.50–0.69). On multivariable logistic regression analysis, age (≥ 50) years (OR 2.61, 95% CI 2.20–3.11), induced abortion (OR 1.66, 95% CI 1.38–1.99), and oral contraceptive use (OR 0.60, 95% CI 0.48–0.74) were found to be associated with breast cancer risk as statistically significant independent factors. Conclusion These findings suggest that age and induced abortion were found to be significantly associated with increased breast cancer risk whereas oral contraceptive use was observed to be associated with decreased breast cancer risk among Turkish women in Istanbul.

Abstract Background The aim of the present study was to determine the prognostic relevance of thymidine labeling index (TLI) in patients with breast cancer. Methods TLI of the primary tumor was measured in 268 patients at the time of the surgical biopsy by an in vitro method. Results Fifty-four patients had stage I disease, and 138 patients had stage II disease, and 76 patients had stage III disease. One hundred-four patients were found to have low TLI-index ( Conclusion Our findings suggest that the prognostic significance of TLI appears to be limited to early breast cancer that might help to distinguish patients who need more aggressive adjuvant treatment.

Simple Summary: We investigated any possible associations between chemokine receptor expression and responses to chemotherapy along with survival outcomes in patients with triple-negative breast cancer with locally advanced disease. Expressions of chemokine receptors were examined after staining surgical specimens using specific antibodies for CCR5, CCR7, CXCR4, and CXCR5. Patients with high CCR5, CCR7, CXCR4, and CXCR5 expression on tumors and high CXCR4 expression on tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes were less likely to have a chemotherapy response compared to others. Patients with residual lymph node metastases after chemotherapy, CCR5, or CXCR4 expressions on tumors have shown a worse outcome compared to others. However, patients with CXCR5 expression on tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes had a better outcome compared to those without. High expression of CXCR4 or CCR5 on tumor was found to be associated with poor prognosis, and CXCR5 on tumor was associated with poor chemotherapy response in the present cohort with locally advanced triple-negative breast cancer. Our results suggest that patients with triple-negative breast cancer could benefit from a chemokine receptor inhibitor therapy. Background: We aim to investigate any possible associations between chemokine receptor expression and responses to neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) along with outcomes in patients with triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) with locally advanced disease. Method: Expressions of chemokine receptors were examined immunohistochemically after staining archival tissue of surgical specimens (n = 63) using specific antibodies for CCR5, CCR7, CXCR4, and CXCR5. Results: Patients with high CCR5, CCR7, CXCR4, and CXCR5 expression on tumors and high CXCR4 expression on tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) were less likely to have a pathological complete response (pCR) or Class 0-I RCB-Index compared to others. Patients with residual lymph node metastases (ypN-positive), high CCR5TM(tumor), and high CXCR4TM expressions had an increased hazard ratio (HR) compared to others (DFS: HR = 2.655 [1.029–6.852]; DSS: HR = 2.763 [1.008–7.574]), (DFS: HR = 2.036 [0.805–5.148]; DSS: HR = 2.689 [1.020–7.090]), and (DFS: HR = 2.908 [1.080–7.829]; DSS: HR = 2.132 (0.778–5.846)), respectively. However, patients without CXCR5TIL expression had an increased HR compared to those with CXCR5TIL (DFS: 2.838 [1.266–6.362]; DSS: 4.211 [1.770–10.016]). Conclusions: High expression of CXCR4TM and CCR5TM was found to be associated with poor prognosis, and CXCR5TM was associated with poor chemotherapy response in the present cohort with locally advanced TNBC. Our results suggest that patients with TNBC could benefit from a chemokine receptor inhibitor therapy containing neoadjuvant chemotherapy protocols. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Aromatase inhibitors have positive impacts on the disease-free life of patients with breast cancer. However, their side effects, especially arthralgia, may be experienced by many patients. This study sought to assess the efficacy of Progressive Relaxation Exercises on the prevalent side effects of Aromatase Inhibitors in patients with breast cancer. Materials and methods: This clinical trial was conducted with single-blind randomization at a physiotherapy department in a local hospital. Patients who received Aromatase Inhibitor were assigned at random to either the study or control group. The study group (n = 22) performed a Progressive Relaxation Exercises program four days a week for six weeks, while the control group (n = 22) received advice on relaxation for daily life. Data was collected before the intervention and after six weeks. The study's primary endpoint was the Brief Pain Inventory, which was used to measure pain severity. Secondary endpoints included assessments of quality of life and emotional status, which were measured using the Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy and Hospital Anxiety and Depression scales, respectively. Results: The study group exhibited a significant reduction in Pain Severity (p = 0.001) and Pain Interference (p = 0.012) sub-scores. Reduction in Pain Severity (p<0.001) and Patient Pain Experience (p = 0.003) sub-scores was also noted between the groups. Quality of Life and Emotional Status showed no significant variation both within and between the groups (p>0.05). Conclusion: The study demonstrated that Progressive Relaxation Exercises caused a significant reduction in pain scores among Breast Cancer patients receiving Aromatase Inhibitors. While a decrease in pain during the 6-week period is valuable data, it is necessary to monitor the long-term effects of relaxation techniques. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Published reports on the prognosis of pregnancy-associated breast cancer are controversial. This study aims to determine the histopathological features of pregnancy-associated breast carcinoma (PABC) and the outcomes of patients with breast cancer during pregnancy and lactation among Turkish women. The study retrospectively analyzed 29 patients diagnosed with pregnancy-associated breast malignancies who underwent surgery between January 1989 and March 2021. Demographic and pathological data were obtained to evaluate the clinicopathological and prognostic characteristics of the patients. The median age was 36 years (range: 26--42 years). Of the 29 patients with breast cancer, 13 (44.8%) were diagnosed during pregnancy, and the remaining 16 (55.2%) were diagnosed during lactation. Most patients had clinical tumor stage (cT) cT2--3 (n = 20, 69%) disease, and 15 patients had clinically node (cN)-positive disease (N1 and N2, 51.7%). The majority (n = 19, 65.5%) had invasive ductal carcinoma with high Ki-67 scores (>20%). Patients with lactation-associated breast cancer were more likely to have a family history of breast cancer (44% vs. 8%, p = 0.04) than those with pregnancy-associated breast cancer. Notably, symptom duration ≥6 months and presenting with cT3--4 or cN(+) disease were associated with poor disease-free and disease-specific survival. However, no difference could be found in outcome among patients with pregnancy- and lactation-associated breast cancer. PABC mostly presents with aggressive tumor molecular subtypes with high Ki-67 scores and more advanced stages associated with poor outcome, possibly due to delayed diagnosis. Therefore, prompt early diagnosis and awareness of this disease might improve survival. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Immunological dysfunction has been suggested to play a major role in the pathogenesis of idiopathic granulomatous mastitis (IGM). We recently showed that ozone therapy was effective in patients with steroid‐resistant IGM. This study assessed alterations in intracellular cytokine expression patterns in different T‐lymphocyte subsets after ozone therapy in refractory IGM. Peripheral blood T lymphocyte subsets (CD8+, CD4+, CD4+CD25+CD127−) were analyzed via flow‐cytometry for intracellular cytokine expressions IFN‐γ, TNF‐α, IL‐10, and TGF‐β before and after completion of 4‐month systemic ozone therapy. Ozone therapy significantly increased the CD4+IFN‐γ+ (p = 0.032), CD4+TNF‐α+ (p = 0.028), and the CD8+TNF‐α+ (p = 0.012) T cells. In contrast, significant decreases in CD4+ IL‐10+ (p = 0.047) and CD8+IL‐10+ T cells (p = 0.022) and CD4+CD25+CD127−//low Treg cells secreting TGF‐β (p = 0.005) were found after ozone therapy. When patients were analyzed according to the response to ozone therapy, patients with a complete remission were more likely to have increased CD3−CD16+CD56+ natural killer cells (p = 0.0027) and decreased CD19+ B lymphocytes (p = 0.046) following ozone therapy. Our results suggest that ozone therapy stimulated a T‐helper‐1 response associated with IFN‐γ production and downregulation of TGF‐β expression in CD4+CD25+CD127− Treg cells. These alterations in the immune system following ozone therapy can improve wound healing and restore immune dysfunction in patients with refractory IGM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]