Search Our Scientific Publications & Authors

Blood Adv 2020 Jul;4(13):3154-3168

Department of Molecular, Cell and Cancer Biology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA; and.

Synthetic glucocorticoids (GCs), such as dexamethasone and prednisone, remain key components of therapy for patients with lymphoid malignancies. For pediatric patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), response to GCs remains the most reliable prognostic indicator; failure to respond to GC correlates with poor event-free survival. To uncover GC resistance mechanisms, we performed a genome-wide, survival-based short hairpin RNA screen and identified the orphan nuclear receptor estrogen-related receptor-β (ESRRB) as a critical transcription factor that cooperates with the GC receptor (GR) to mediate the GC gene expression signature in mouse and human ALL cells. Read More

Daru 2020 Jul 12. Epub 2020 Jul 12.

Department of Biology, Science and Research branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran.

Background: treatment of breast cancer as one of the most common cancers in the world remains an important area of drug development based on nanoparticulate systems. Effective targeted therapy of affected cells based on ligand conjugate biocompatible polymeric nanoparticles is an attractive perspective in this context.

Objective: In this study, a novel double effect nanoparticle based on Chitosan-Raloxifene conjugate was prepared for adjuvant therapy (hormone and chemo therapy) and drug targeting to breast cancer cells via estrogen receptor (ER). Read More

Eur J Breast Health 2020 Jul 1;16(3):213-218. Epub 2020 Jul 1.

Breast Disease Research Center (BDRC), Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.

Objective: The pathologic complete response (pCR) in the breast and axillary lymph node after neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) would improve outcomes and it is used as a surrogate marker for survival. Our objective was to evaluate the breast and nodal pCR in breast cancer patients with estrogen receptor-positive (ER) and HER2 negative subtypes. Meanwhile, we sought to examine the impact of predicting factors on the rate of pCR. Read More

Cancer Cell Int 2020 6;20:291. Epub 2020 Jul 6.

Henan Key Laboratory of Immunology and Targeted Therapy, School of Laboratory Medicine, Henan Collaborative Innovation Center of Molecular Diagnosis and Laboratory Medicine, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, 453003 Henan People's Republic of China.

Background: Breast cancer ranks No. 1 in women cancer incidence, while triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) is the most aggressive and the worst prognostic subtype in all breast cancer subtypes. Compared with estrogen receptor alpha positive breast cancer, which could be well controlled by endocrine therapy, TNBC is lack of mature molecular targets for medical therapy. Read More

Breast Cancer (Auckl) 2020 1;14:1178223420913330. Epub 2020 Jul 1.

Department of Comparative Biomedical Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA, USA.

In this work, we report the synthesis of a new 1,3-thiazolium-5-thiolate derivative of a mesoionic compound (MIH 2.4Bl) and the characterization of its selective cytotoxicity on a panel of breast cancer cells lines. The cytotoxic effect of MIH 2. Read More

J Control Release 2020 Jul 9. Epub 2020 Jul 9.

Roseman University of Health Sciences, College of Pharmacy, South Jordan, UT, USA. Electronic address:

Breast cancer (BC) is one of the most prevalent cancers in women. Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) in which the three major receptors i.e. Read More

Clin Breast Cancer 2020 May 27. Epub 2020 May 27.

Department of Medical Oncology, Zhejiang University Jinhua Hospital, Jinhua, Zhejiang Province, China. Electronic address:

Background: We conducted this study to evaluate whether patients with T1a/b, node-negative (N), human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-positive (HER2) breast cancers benefited from adjuvant therapy, and explored better treatment strategies for these patients.

Patients And Methods: Patients with T1a/b, N, HER2 breast cancers during 2000 through 2004 were identified from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database. The Gray test was used to evaluate breast cancer-specific death (BCSD) and non-BCSD. Read More

J Gynecol Obstet Hum Reprod 2020 Jul 8:101861. Epub 2020 Jul 8.

Department of Integrated Surgical and Diagnostic Sciences (DISC), University of Genova, Genova, Italy; Academic Unit of Pathology, IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genova, Italy.

Background: A better characterization of steroid intracrine pathways in endometriosis lesions may lead to a better understanding of the pathogenesis of the disease and insights on the mechanism of resistance to medical therapy. The study aims to evaluate the expression of steroid receptors in endometriosis lesions, including for the first-time androgen receptors, both in glandular and stromal tissue, and to describe the differences, in any, in receptor expression in the different subtypes.

Basic Procedures: This is a retrospective analysis of 76 specimens from 51 women, that underwent laparoscopic surgery for endometriosis at a tertiary hospital between 2015 and 2019. Read More

J Inorg Biochem 2020 Jun 24;210:111159. Epub 2020 Jun 24.

School of Biomedical Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, People's Republic of China; Med-X Research Institute, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, People's Republic of China.

Iron overload can act as catalyst for the formation of free radicals, which may promote oxidant-mediated breast carcinogenesis. However, the association between iron and breast cancer has not been comprehensively elucidated. In this study, we found that iron overload upregulated the inflammatory cytokine interleukin-6 (IL-6) expression to activate Janus Kinases 2/Signal Transducer and Activator of Transcription 3 (JAK2/STAT3) signaling in triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) MDA-MB-231 cell lines, resulting in epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and cancer cell migration, but it had no effects on the estrogen receptor (ER)-positive breast cancer MCF-7 cells. Read More

Ann Oncol 2020 Jul 8. Epub 2020 Jul 8.

Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. Electronic address:

Background: In postmenopausal, estrogen receptor-positive, HER2-negative (ER+/HER2-) early breast cancer, the risk for distant recurrence can extend beyond 5 years of adjuvant endocrine therapy. This study aims to identify genomic driver alterations associated with late distant recurrence.

Patients And Methods: Next generation sequencing was used to characterise driver alterations in primary tumors from a subset of 764 postmenopausal ER+/HER2- patients from the BIG 1-98 randomized trial. Read More

Breast Cancer Res Treat 2020 Jul 10. Epub 2020 Jul 10.

Analytical Epidemiology and Health Impact Unit, Research Department, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Via Venezian 1, 20133, Milan, Italy.

Purpose: Endocrine therapy (ET) is the mainstream adjuvant treatment for ER-positive breast cancer (BC). We analysed 9293 ER-positive BC patients diagnosed in nine European countries in 2009-2013 to investigate how comorbidities at diagnosis, age, stage and subtype affected ET use over time, and relapse.

Methods: Adjusted odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (95%CIs) of receiving ET were estimated according to Charlson comorbidity, age, stage and subtype using logistic regression. Read More

Cells 2020 Jul 8;9(7). Epub 2020 Jul 8.

Department of Surgical Oncology, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, NY 14263, USA.

E2F transcription factors play critical roles in the cell cycle. Therefore, their activity is expected to reflect tumor aggressiveness and responsiveness to therapy. We scored 3905 tumors of nine breast cancer cohorts for this activity based on their gene expression for the Hallmark E2F targets gene set. Read More

Pharmacogenet Genomics 2020 Jul 8. Epub 2020 Jul 8.

Division of Biomedical Statistics and Informatics, Department of Health Sciences Research, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota.

Objective: Based on our previous findings that postmenopausal women with estrone (E1) and estradiol (E2) concentrations at or above 1.3 pg/ml and 0.5 pg/ml, respectively, after 6 months of adjuvant anastrozole therapy had a three-fold risk of recurrence, we aimed to identify a single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP)-based model that would predict elevated E1 and E2 and then validate it in an independent dataset. Read More

Expert Opin Drug Saf 2020 Jul 10:1-6. Epub 2020 Jul 10.

Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences for Mother, Child and Adult, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Policlinico , Modena, Italy.

Introduction: Risk-reducing-salpingo-oophorectomy (RRSO) inevitably leads BRCA mutation carriers to premature menopause.

Areas Covered: To evaluate the existing evidence for use of postmenopausal hormone therapy (HT) in BRCAmc, after RRSO or menopause occurring naturally, for both breast cancer (BC) survivors and those without BC.

Expert Opinion: All BC survivors are excluded from any HT treatment: in other BRCAmc, before 51 years of age the benefits of HT overcome the risks after RRSO and/or premature ovarian insufficiency (POF). Read More

J Cancer Prev 2020 Jun;25(2):111-118

College of Health Science, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

Currently, breast cancer is becoming a major public health problem for developing countries. In Ethiopia, breast cancer is the most prevalent cancer among women, and constitutes a major public health concern. Hence, this study was aimed to determine the incidence and predictor of recurrence among breast cancer clients at Black Lion Specialized Hospital, Ethiopia, in 2018. Read More

Oncol Res Treat 2020 Jul 9:1-7. Epub 2020 Jul 9.

Department of Breast Surgical Oncology, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China.

Introduction: Mammary Paget's disease (MPD) is a rare cutaneous manifestation. Epidemiologically, more than half of the MPD patients concurrently have underlying invasive ductal carcinoma (MPD-IDC), and their prognosis remains poor despite multimodal treatments of breast cancer have markedly improved patients' survival. Accordingly, it is crucial to seek out novel therapeutic targets of MPD-IDC. Read More

JAMA Netw Open 2020 Jul 1;3(7):e207213. Epub 2020 Jul 1.

National Clinical Target Validation Laboratory, Division of Cancer Treatment and Diagnosis, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, Maryland.

Importance: It is not well understood whether prognostic factors in breast cancer are affected by specific treatment and vary by clinical outcome type compared with untreated patients.

Objective: To identify independent clinical and molecular measurements associated with overall survival (OS) and recurrence-free survival (RFS) by homogeneous treatment in women with breast cancer.

Design, Setting, And Participants: This prognostic study included 956 patients diagnosed with invasive breast cancer from hospital centers across 4 geographical regions of the United States who participated in the accreditation program of the Commission on Cancer of the American College of Surgeons from 1985 to 1997. Read More

Osteoporos Int 2020 Jul 8. Epub 2020 Jul 8.

MRC Lifecourse Epidemiology Unit, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK.

We provide an evidence base and guidance for the use of menopausal hormone therapy (MHT) for the maintenance of skeletal health and prevention of future fractures in recently menopausal women. Despite controversy over associated side effects, which has limited its use in recent decades, the potential role for MHT soon after menopause in the management of postmenopausal osteoporosis is increasingly recognized. We present a narrative review of the benefits versus risks of using MHT in the management of postmenopausal osteoporosis. Read More

Gynecol Oncol 2020 Jul 5. Epub 2020 Jul 5.

Department of Epidemiology, University of Michigan School of Public Health, Ann Arbor, MI, USA. Electronic address:

Purpose: Prior studies of menopausal hormone therapy (MHT) and ovarian cancer survival have been limited by lack of hormone regimen detail and insufficient sample sizes. To address these limitations, a comprehensive analysis of 6419 post-menopausal women with pathologically confirmed ovarian carcinoma was conducted to examine the association between MHT use prior to diagnosis and survival.

Methods: Data from 15 studies in the Ovarian Cancer Association Consortium were included. Read More

Front Neuroendocrinol 2020 Jul 5:100853. Epub 2020 Jul 5.

Department of Neuroscience and Experimental Therapeutics, Texas A&M Health Science Center College of Medicine, Bryan, Texas 77807. Electronic address:

It is well known that stroke incidence and outcome is sex-dependent and influenced by age and gonadal hormones. In post-menopausal and/or aged females, declining estrogen levels increases stroke risk. However, women who experience early menopause also have an increase in stroke risk. Read More

Am J Obstet Gynecol 2020 Jul 5. Epub 2020 Jul 5.

Introduction: Proliferative endometrium has been reported in 15% of endometrial biopsies of women 50 and older. In contrary to endometrial hyperplasia, proliferative endometrium has not been associated with risk of endometrial cancer. We sought to report on the long-term outcome of postmenopausal women diagnosed with proliferative endometrium. Read More

Aging (Albany NY) 2020 Jul 8;12. Epub 2020 Jul 8.

Department of Nuclear Medicine, Ren Ji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China.

Background: Progestogens have been widely used for the treatment of inoperable endometrial cancer or younger patients with endometrial cancer. Identifying markers that are predictive of a response to progestogens is critical for successful therapy. Molecular imaging with Ffluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (F-FDG PET) can provide metabolic phenotypic information of many malignancies. Read More

JAAD Case Rep 2020 Jul 11;6(7):675-678. Epub 2020 May 11.

Department of Dermatology, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

Front Pharmacol 2020 19;11:924. Epub 2020 Jun 19.

Cancer Research Center, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China.

Nearly 70% of breast cancers express the estrogen receptor (ER) and are hormone-dependent for cell proliferation and survival. Anti-estrogen therapies with aromatase inhibitors (AIs), selective estrogen receptor modulators (SERMs) or selective estrogen receptor down regulators (SERDs) are the standard endocrine therapy approach for ER positive breast cancer patients. However, about 30% of patients receiving endocrine therapy will progress during the therapy or become endocrine resistance eventually. Read More

Breast Cancer (Auckl) 2020 24;14:1178223420924634. Epub 2020 Jun 24.

Division of Pharmaceutical, Administrative and Social Sciences, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, Duquesne University, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.

A novel melatonin, estrogen, and progesterone hormone therapy was developed as a safe bio-identical alternative hormone therapy for menopausal women based on the Women's Health Initiative findings that PremPro™ increased breast cancer risk and mortality of all types of breast cancer in postmenopausal women. For HER2 breast cancer, melatonin, estrogen, and progesterone delayed tumor onset and reduced tumor incidence in female mice. For other breast cancers, its actions are unknown. Read More

J Sex Med 2020 Jul 4. Epub 2020 Jul 4.

Departamento de Psicología, Centro de Investigaciones Científicas Avanzadas (CICA), Universidade da Coruña (UDC), Campus de Elviña, A Coruña, Spain; Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de A Coruña (INIBIC), CHUAC, SERGAS, A Coruña, Spain.

Background: Brain sexual differentiation is a process that results from the effects of sex steroids on the developing brain. Evidence shows that epigenetics plays a main role in the formation of enduring brain sex differences and that the estrogen receptor α (ESR1) is one of the implicated genes.

Aim: To analyze whether the methylation of region III (RIII) of the ESR1 promoter is involved in the biological basis of gender dysphoria. Read More

JAMA Netw Open 2020 Jul 1;3(7):e209486. Epub 2020 Jul 1.

Department of Clinical Oncology, Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust, Nottingham, United Kingdom.

Importance: There is no proven test that can guide the optimal treatment, either endocrine therapy or chemotherapy, for estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer.

Objective: To investigate the associations of sperm-associated antigen 5 (SPAG5) transcript and SPAG5 protein expressions with treatment response in systemic therapy for estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer.

Design, Settings, And Participants: This retrospective cohort study included patients with estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer who received 5 years of adjuvant endocrine therapy with or without neoadjuvant anthracycline-based combination chemotherapy (NACT) derived from 11 cohorts from December 1, 1986, to November 28, 2019. Read More

Aging (Albany NY) 2020 Jul 6;12. Epub 2020 Jul 6.

Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Philadelphia College of Pharmacy, University of the Sciences, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA.

Ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) is one of the earliest stages of breast cancer (BCa). The mechanisms by which DCIS lesions progress to an invasive state while others remain indolent are yet to be fully characterized and both diagnosis and treatment of this pre-invasive disease could benefit from better understanding the pathways involved. While a decreased expression of Caveolin-1 (Cav-1) in the tumor microenvironment of patients with DCIS breast cancer was linked to progression to invasive breast cancer (IBC), the downstream effector(s) contributing to this process remain elusive. Read More

Horm Cancer 2020 Jul 6. Epub 2020 Jul 6.

Laboratory of Molecular Mechanisms of Carcinogenesis and Molecular Endocrinology, Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental (IBYME), CONICET, Vuelta de Obligado 2490, C1428ADN, Buenos Aires, Argentina.

The hormone receptor-positive (estrogen and/or progesterone receptor (PR)-positive) and HER2-negative breast cancer (BC) subtype is a biologically heterogeneous entity that includes luminal A-like (LumA-like) and luminal B-like (LumB-like) subtypes. Decreased PR levels is a distinctive biological feature of LumB-like tumors. These tumors also show reduced sensitivity to endocrine therapies and poorer prognosis than LumA-like tumors. Read More

Reprod Sci 2020 Jul 6. Epub 2020 Jul 6.

Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA.

Uterine leiomyomas represent a challenging problem with limited medical treatment options. The anti-tumor agent 2-methoxyestradiol (2-ME) shows promising results but its efficacy is limited by inadequate pharmacokinetics. We previously demonstrated that 2-ME nanoparticles can be successfully formulated and that they show improved in vitro anti-leiomyoma cell activity. Read More

Breast Cancer Res Treat 2020 Jul 6. Epub 2020 Jul 6.

Department of Medicine, Division of Clinical Pharmacology, Western University, London, ON, Canada.

Purpose: Female patients with breast cancer frequently develop arthralgia when treated with aromatase inhibitors (AI). Although the mechanism of AI-induced arthralgia is unknown, potential biomarkers have been identified. The purpose of this study was to investigate the clinical and genetic predictors of AI-induced arthralgia in a prospective cohort of patients with estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer. Read More

Cancers (Basel) 2020 Jul 2;12(7). Epub 2020 Jul 2.

Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, University Medical Center Regensburg, Landshuter Str. 65, 93053 Regensburg, Germany.

Endometrial cancer is the most common gynecologic cancer and is predominantly endocrine-related. The role of unopposed estrogen in the development of endometrial cancer has been investigated in numerous studies. Different reproductive factors such as younger age at menarche, late age at menopause, infertility, nulliparity, age of birth of the first child, and long-term use of unopposed estrogens during hormone replacement therapy have been associated with an increased risk of endometrial cancer. Read More

Int J Mol Sci 2020 Jul 1;21(13). Epub 2020 Jul 1.

Department of Physiology and Heart Otago, School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Otago, Dunedin 9054, New Zealand.

Differences in size or composition of existing plaques at the initiation of estrogen (E2) therapy may underpin evidence of increased risk of atherosclerosis-associated clinical sequelae. We investigated whether E2 had divergent effects on actively-growing versus established-advanced atherosclerotic lesions. Eight weeks of subcutaneous bi-weekly injections of 3 µg/g 17β-estradiol ( = 18) or vehicle control ( = 22) were administered to female Apolipoprotein null-mice aged 25- or 45 weeks old. Read More

J Cell Mol Med 2020 Jul 6. Epub 2020 Jul 6.

Cardiac Electrophysiology Research and Training Center, Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand.

Post-menopausal women have a higher risk of developing cardiometabolic dysfunction. Atorvastatin attenuates dyslipidaemia and cardiac dysfunction but it can have undesirable effects including increased risk of diabetes and myalgia. Currently, the proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) inhibitor efficiently reduces low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels more effectively than atorvastatin. Read More

Front Aging Neurosci 2020 17;12:153. Epub 2020 Jun 17.

Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, Xijing Hospital, The Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China.

Postmenopausal women have a higher incidence of stroke compared to the age-matched males, and the estrogen was thought to be the main cause of such difference. However, estrogen replacement therapy for the prevention of postmenopausal stroke shows controversial results and is widely disputed because of its serious side effects after chronic administration. Genistein (Gen), a natural phytestrogen with fewer side effects, has a protective effect against cerebral ischemia damage. Read More

Neurochirurgie 2020 Jul 2. Epub 2020 Jul 2.

General surgeon, Deparment of Neurosurgery, National Oncologic Institute "Dr. Juan Tanca Marengo" ION-SOLCA, Guayaquil, 090505, Ecuador.

Objective: To report two rare cases of medulloblastoma in pregnant patients and a review of the literature.

Material And Methods: Report of patients diagnosed with medulloblastoma during their pregnancies, who were treated with surgery and adjuvant therapy. We also reviewed other cases reported in the literature and the association made with hormonal receptors. Read More

Anticancer Res 2020 Jul;40(7):3669-3683

Division of Biochemical Toxicology, FDA/NCTR, Jefferson, AR, U.S.A.

Background/aim: Triple negative cancer (TNBC) is a subtype of breast cancer that is highly aggressive, with poor prognosis and responds differently to treatments. This study investigated the role of vorinostat and indole-3-carbinol (I3C) on regulating critical receptors that are not normally expressed in TNBC.

Materials And Methods: Using real-time PCR, immunostaining, and western blots, the re-expression of estrogen receptor α (ER), progesterone receptor (PR) and human epidermal growth factor receptor-2 (HER2) receptors was examined in four different TNBC cell types. Read More

BMC Med Genomics 2020 Jul 3;13(1):92. Epub 2020 Jul 3.

Data Science Centre, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Dublin, Ireland.

Background: The role of histone modifications is poorly characterized in breast cancer, especially within the major subtypes. While epigenetic modifications may enhance the adaptability of a cell to both therapy and the surrounding environment, the mechanisms by which this is accomplished remains unclear. In this study we focus on the HER2 subtype and investigate two histone trimethylations that occur on the histone 3; the trimethylation located at lysine 4 (H3K4me3) found in active promoters and the trimethylation located at lysine 27 (H3K27me3) that correlates with gene repression. Read More

J Clin Endocrinol Metab 2020 Jul 2. Epub 2020 Jul 2.

Women's Health Research Program, School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.

Importance: After menopause estradiol (E2) is predominately an intracrine hormone circulating in very low serum concentrations.

Objective: To examine determinants of E2 concentrations in women beyond 70 years.

Design And Setting: A cross-sectional, community based, study. Read More

Neoplasma 2020 Jul 2. Epub 2020 Jul 2.

Institute of Biostatistics and Analyses, Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic.

Triple-positive breast cancer (TPBC), i.e. HER2-positive (HER2+) and hormone receptors-positive breast cancer, is a specific subgroup of breast cancers. Read More

Breast Cancer Res Treat 2020 Jul 1. Epub 2020 Jul 1.

Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Hospital Heidelberg, Im Neuenheimer Feld 440, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany.

Background: The estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR), and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) statuses are frequently discordant between the primary tumor and metastatic lesions in metastatic breast cancer. This can have important therapeutic implications.

Patients And Methods: In all, 541 patients with available receptor statuses from both primary tumor and metastatic lesion treated at Heidelberg and Tuebingen University Hospitals between 1982 and 2018 were included. Read More

Ann Surg Oncol 2020 Jul 1. Epub 2020 Jul 1.

Department of Breast Oncology, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, FL, USA.

Background: The Society of Surgical Oncology's Choosing Wisely guidelines recommend against routine sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) in clinically node-negative (cN0), hormone receptor (HR)-positive breast cancer patients aged ≥ 70 years. We examined the effect of SLNB on treatment and outcomes in this population.

Materials And Methods: A single-institution retrospective review of consecutive cN0 women ≥ 70 years of age who received SLNB was performed. Read More

Sci Rep 2020 Jul 1;10(1):10799. Epub 2020 Jul 1.

Cancer Research UK Cancer Therapeutics Unit, The Institute of Cancer Research, London, SM2 5NG, UK.

Ovarian cancer remains a significant challenge in women worldwide. Tumors of the high-grade serous carcinoma (HGSC) type represent the most common form of the disease. Development of new therapies for HGSC has been hampered by a paucity of preclinical models in which new drugs could be tested for target engagement and anti-tumor efficacy. Read More

Onco Targets Ther 2020 10;13:5363-5373. Epub 2020 Jun 10.

State Key Laboratory of Chinese Medicine and Molecular Pharmacology (Incubation), Shenzhen Research Institute, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518057, People's Republic of China.

Purpose: Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is a a breast cancer subtype characterized by a lack of estrogen receptor, progesterone receptor and human epidermal growth receptor 2 and is associated with poorer prognoses when compared to other breast cancers. Thus, novel anti-cancer agents with high efficacy are urgently needed. Brevilin A (BA), a natural sesquiterpene lactone, has been reported to exhibit anti-cancer effects. Read More

J Low Genit Tract Dis 2020 Jun 29. Epub 2020 Jun 29.

Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR.

Objective: The aim of the study was to describe a debilitating postmenopausal condition of continuous burning genital pain that remitted with prolonged estrogen focused on the vulvar vestibule.

Materials And Methods: Postmenopausal patients with constant genital pain seen by the author in a specialty vulvar health clinic comprised an institutional review board-approved descriptive case series. Examinations to localize pain used 4% lidocaine topical solution. Read More

Int Immunopharmacol 2020 Jun 27;86:106734. Epub 2020 Jun 27.

Institute of Clinical Pharmacy and Pharmacology, Jining First People's Hospital, Jining Medical University, Jining, China. Electronic address:

Estrogen replacement therapy (ERT) has been proven to relieve menopausal-related mental disorders including depression in postmenopausal women. However, the unsafety of ERT hinders its clinical use. In this study, we would evaluate whether vitamin D (VD), a hormone with optimal safety profile, could relieve the depressive-like symptom in ovariectomized (OVX) rats. Read More

Adv Biosyst 2020 Jun 30:e2000119. Epub 2020 Jun 30.

Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Delaware, Newark, DE, 19716, USA.

Late recurrences of breast cancer are hypothesized to originate from disseminated tumor cells that re-activate after a long period of dormancy, ≥5 years for estrogen-receptor positive (ER+) tumors. An outstanding question remains as to what the key microenvironment interactions are that regulate this complex process, and well-defined human model systems are needed for probing this. Here, a robust, bioinspired 3D ER+ dormancy culture model is established and utilized to probe the effects of matrix properties for common sites of late recurrence on breast cancer cell dormancy. Read More

Br J Surg 2020 Jun 30. Epub 2020 Jun 30.

Department of Oncology and Metabolism, Medical School, University of Sheffield, Sheffield.

Background: A prognostic model was developed and validated using cancer registry data. This underpins an online decision support tool, informing primary treatment choice for women aged 70 years or older with hormone receptor-positive early breast cancer.

Methods: Data from women diagnosed between 2002 and 2010 in the English Northern and Yorkshire and West Midlands regions were used to develop the model. Read More