International Journal Of Breast Cancer[JOURNAL]
Sun
200 papers
MMTV Virus Detection, Survival Analysis, and Prognostic Relevance of Six Tumor Genes in Patients With Breast Cancer.
Alamri S, Awadalla M, Henawi RA … +8 more , Al-Hazzaa G, Alkhunaizy Z, Alzorgi S, Alqahtani N, Abdel Halim AS, Ali MAM, Almansour MI, Alosaimi B
Int J Breast Cancer · 2026 · PMID 41983230 · Full text
BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Breast cancer (BC) remains the most frequently diagnosed malignancy among women worldwide and represents a significant global health burden. The genes associated with tumor suppression (p53, BRCA1,...
BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Breast cancer (BC) remains the most frequently diagnosed malignancy among women worldwide and represents a significant global health burden. The genes associated with tumor suppression (p53, BRCA1, and BRCA2), telomere length maintenance (TERT), DNA damage response (FGFR2), and DNA repair (CHD1) are recognized for their intricate function in tumor genesis and progression. However, the prognostic significance of these genes in BC remains an area of research interest. This study aimed to examine the potential association between the presence of the MMTV and the expression patterns of these six genes with patient prognosis and survival outcomes in BC. METHODS: This study includes 125 formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissue specimens taken from BC patients, in addition to 25 tissue samples of benign breast lesions were incorporated as controls. The mRNA expression levels of six genes, namely p53, BRCA1, BRCA2, TERT, FGFR2, and CHD1, were quantified in FFPE tissue samples using quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). The correlation between gene expression and prognostic characteristics and the probability of recurrence-free survival (RFS) and overall survival (OS) were assessed. RESULTS: The results do not indicate an association between MMTV and BC, as the virus was not detected in any of the tissue samples analyzed. We observed a significant differential expression in five of the six studied genes between BC and noncancerous breast tissue, with significant downregulation of BRCA1, BRCA2, CHD1, and TERT, significant upregulation of p53, and unchanged levels of FGFR2. Among BC patients, p53 and BRCA1 expression levels emerged as significant prognostic factors for both RFS (32 vs. 24 months; 34 vs. 26 months) and OS (28.5 vs. 24 months; 31 vs. 28 months), respectively. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis of p53 expression displayed a trend favoring low expression for better survival and showing relatively stable RFS and OS survival curves of p53 until 43 and 54 months of the follow-up period, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: When comparing cancer to noncancer patients, only p53 and BRCA1 expression levels emerged as significant prognostic factors for both RFS and OS in the entire cohort, with p53 displaying a trend favoring low expression for better survival. Although gene expression data provided a prognostic value, future studies should aim at integrating multiomics data and evaluating biomarkers in a broader clinical context to improve the accuracy of prognostic models and guide personalized treatment strategies.
Enhancing Rural Breast Cancer Screening Uptake: A Three-Arm Comparative Study of Outreach Strategies.
Saluja KV, Saxena S, Gouri MS … +4 more , Sangar P, Sharma S, Khokhar H, Reja R
Int J Breast Cancer · 2026 · PMID 41970258 · Full text
BACKGROUND: Breast cancer is the most prevalent cancer among women, with a notably high mortality-to-incidence ratio, especially in rural areas. Limited awareness and inadequate access to healthcare are major contributor...
BACKGROUND: Breast cancer is the most prevalent cancer among women, with a notably high mortality-to-incidence ratio, especially in rural areas. Limited awareness and inadequate access to healthcare are major contributors to the high breast cancer mortality rate in rural women, often resulting from insufficient screening, delayed diagnosis, and treatment. OBJECTIVES: This study is aimed at evaluating the effectiveness of three distinct intervention strategies-medical personnel-led education, breast health volunteers, and mobile screening mammography van visits-in improving breast cancer awareness, increasing screening participation, and reducing associated stigmatization among rural women. METHODS: A comparative, community-based interventional study was conducted in three villages in neighboring districts. Rural communities were randomly allocated to one of the three intervention strategies. Baseline and postintervention data were collected using validated structured questionnaires assessing breast cancer knowledge, screening practices, stigma, and perceived barriers. RESULTS: A total of 944 women aged 30-70 years were enrolled in the study. Overall, 63.7% of participants underwent screening. The mobile screening mammography van group achieved the highest screening uptake (68.7%) and the greatest increase in awareness scores, whereas the breast health volunteer-led group showed the most significant reduction in stigma. The medical personnel-led group, though cost-effective in raising awareness, recorded lower screening participation and reported higher perceived barriers to screening mammography (e.g., transport, time, and financial constraints). CONCLUSION: The findings demonstrate that integrated, culturally tailored interventions, particularly those combining community engagement with accessible on-site screening services, can effectively improve breast cancer awareness and screening uptake among rural women. Scaling up such multicomponent strategies may help overcome logistical and sociocultural barriers, ultimately contributing to earlier detection and reduced mortality.
Modifiable and Nonmodifiable Risk Factors for Breast Cancer: A Comprehensive Scoping Review.
Momenimovahed Z, Shahabinia Z, Allahqoli L … +1 more , Salehiniya H
Int J Breast Cancer · 2026 · PMID 41959699 · Full text
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: This scoping review focuses on gathering and examining the literature regarding modifiable and nonmodifiable risk factors for breast cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A comprehensive search was co...
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: This scoping review focuses on gathering and examining the literature regarding modifiable and nonmodifiable risk factors for breast cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A comprehensive search was conducted in the PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus, and Web of Science Core Collection databases with the keywords "breast cancer", "risk", and "risk factor" and a combination of these words to find quality articles published from 2010 to January 2025. RESULTS: In total, 169 articles published in English were included in the study. The findings of this study revealed that family history, genetics, blood group, race, previous history of breast cancer, sex hormones, and breast density are nonmodifiable risk factors for this cancer. Smoking, alcohol, coffee and tea consumption, a low level of physical activity, dietary regimens, hormone replacement therapy, contraceptive pills, reproductive factors, no breastfeeding, metabolic syndrome, obesity, diabetes, some medications, work status, and other diseases are modifiable risk factors that play a role in the occurrence of breast cancer. DISCUSSION: Lifestyle modifications such as improving one's diet, engaging in regular physical activity, avoiding smoking/passive smoking, limiting alcohol consumption, maintaining a healthy weight after menopause, optimizing long-term nonhormonal fertility choices, avoiding medically unnecessary hormone increases, and performing genetic screening when necessary can help in the prevention of breast cancer.
Impact of Adjuvant Chemotherapy on Survival Outcomes in Intermediate- and High-Risk ER+/HER2- Breast Cancer Stratified by Genomic Profiling: A Meta-Analysis.
Seabrook M, Navas ASM, Francis HM … +2 more , Aladili Z, Rao A
Int J Breast Cancer · 2026 · PMID 41953376 · Full text
BACKGROUND: Genomic recurrence score (RS) testing guides adjuvant treatment decisions in oestrogen receptor-positive, HER2-negative early breast cancer. Evidence remains mixed regarding the survival benefit of adding che...
BACKGROUND: Genomic recurrence score (RS) testing guides adjuvant treatment decisions in oestrogen receptor-positive, HER2-negative early breast cancer. Evidence remains mixed regarding the survival benefit of adding chemotherapy to endocrine therapy (CET) in intermediate- and high-risk RS groups. This meta-analysis assessed overall mortality, breast cancer-specific mortality (BCSM) and recurrence outcomes according to RS category. METHODS: Medline, Embase, PubMed and Google Scholar were searched from 1 January to 20 June 2024 for studies reporting outcomes in ER+/HER2- patients treated with CET versus endocrine therapy (ET) alone, stratified by RS. Random-effects modelling generated pooled risk ratios (RRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Heterogeneity was evaluated using , and risk of bias was assessed with ROBINS-I. RESULTS: Fifteen studies comprising 630,741 patients were included. In the high-risk group (RS > 25), CET significantly reduced 5-year overall mortality compared with ET (5.9% vs. 7.9%; RR 0.57, 95% CI 0.45-0.72; = 91). Node-negative high-risk patients also showed improved survival (RR 0.48, 95% CI 0.37-0.64; = 77). BCSM was lower with CET in high-risk patients (RR 0.81, 95% CI 0.67-0.97; = 0). In the intermediate-risk group (RS 11-25), CET did not significantly reduce overall mortality (RR 0.72, 95% CI 0.49-1.06; = 94) or BCSM (RR 1.28, 95% CI 0.91-1.79; = 45). Subgroup analysis of RS 16-25 showed lower overall mortality with CET (RR 0.48, 95% CI 0.42-0.55; = 0), although BCSM was similar. Data for 5-year recurrence outcomes were insufficient for pooled analysis. CONCLUSION: Chemotherapy provides a clear survival benefit in high-risk RS groups, including node-negative patients, whereas intermediate-risk groups show limited benefit. These findings support selective use of CET guided by genomic risk stratification.
Thymoquinone Enhances Tamoxifen Efficacy Against Triple-Negative Breast Cancer by Targeting EMT Signaling.
Haque M, Shyanti RK, Sharma S … +2 more , Wu H, Mishra MK
Int J Breast Cancer · 2026 · PMID 41953375 · Full text
The variety of available therapies for treating TNBC is constrained by the minimal or no expression of receptors such as estrogen (ER), progesterone (PR), and human epidermal growth factor 2 (HER2). However, estrogen rec...
The variety of available therapies for treating TNBC is constrained by the minimal or no expression of receptors such as estrogen (ER), progesterone (PR), and human epidermal growth factor 2 (HER2). However, estrogen receptor (ER) has emerged as a potential therapeutic target for TNBCs. Tamoxifen (TAM) is used as an endocrine therapy against ER-positive cancer but has minimal impact on ER-negative cancers like TNBC. Thymoquinone (TQ) is an active natural compound with anticancer properties, as evidenced by a cumulative number of reports. A combinatorial approach to targeting EMT in TNBC is one strategy that may improve TAM activity. In this study, we evaluated the binding affinity and stability of TQ and TAM with ER in silico and assessed their cytotoxic potential individually and in combination in vitro. Docking and molecular dynamics (MD) studies confirmed interactions between ER and TQ, TAM, and GEN. The IC values for TQ and TAM were approximately 18.44 and 11.76 M, respectively, for MDA-MB-468, and 22.06 and 15.73 M, respectively, for MDA-MB-231. An in vitro study demonstrated enhanced cytotoxic effects when TQ (20 M) and TAM (13 M) were combined. Further analysis revealed downregulation of the mesenchymal markers CDH2 (N-cadherin) and vinculin, which are responsible for cell migration. Additionally, low vimentin and enhanced E-cadherin expression lead to downregulation of core EMT regulators, including SNAIL1 and ZEB1. In conclusion, TQ showed potential chemomodulatory effects on TAM against TNBC by reducing the expression of EMT-associated markers.
Association of Chewing Tobacco and the Risk of Breast Cancer in Indian Women: A Multicentre Case-Control Study.
Moirangthem R, Manjrekar A, Pullat GB … +13 more , Golapkar SV, Margale RS, Sagare S, Talukdar D, Chakraborty N, Pathak R, Pradhan S, Krishnatreya M, Panse N, Dikshit R, Soerjomataram I, Gupta S, Mhatre S
Int J Breast Cancer · 2026 · PMID 41810332 · Full text
BACKGROUND: Even though breast cancer (BC) is the most common female cancer worldwide, the role of tobacco, specifically chewing tobacco in the development of BC has not been widely studied. This study is aimed at assess...
BACKGROUND: Even though breast cancer (BC) is the most common female cancer worldwide, the role of tobacco, specifically chewing tobacco in the development of BC has not been widely studied. This study is aimed at assessing this association. METHODS: A multicentre hospital-based case-control study was utilised. Two thousand five hundred fifty-three histopathologically confirmed BC cases, and 2239 visitor controls were included. Self-reported information was collected regarding tobacco consumption and other potential confounders. A logistic regression model was used to calculate odds ratio (OR) and its 95% confidence interval (CI), after adjusting for age, current residential region, education, various reproductive factors, BMI and history of benign breast lump. Attributable fraction (AF) and population attributable fraction (PAF) of BC due to chewing tobacco were also calculated. RESULTS: An increased risk of BC was observed in women who ever used chewing tobacco (OR:1.19, 95% CI:1.00-1.41) as compared to those who never consumed tobacco (smoking and chewing), consistent across all subtypes of BC. A dose-response relation was observed for duration of tobacco chewing (OR: 1.38, 95% CI: 1.04-1.83). Women who initiated chewing tobacco at < 20 years, before their first full-term pregnancy (FFTP), had more risk. Observed association was consistent even after stratification on menopausal status. The AF of BC due to tobacco chewing in our study was calculated to be approximately 3%, whereas the PAF for India was about 2%. CONCLUSION: Our study suggests that chewing tobacco is associated with an increased risk of BC for all subtypes. This is particularly true when the duration of exposure is higher and exposure begins before FFTP. This highlights the need to target tobacco control policies to smokeless tobacco along with smoking, thus reducing the burden of BC to some extent.
Elevated Serum Vitamin B12 Levels as a Potential Biomarker for Solid Tumors in Jordanian Patients: A Retrospective Case-Control Study.
Otoom SK, Gharaibeh L, Abed A … +1 more , Aldeeb I
Int J Breast Cancer · 2026 · PMID 41799317 · Full text
BACKGROUND: Vitamin B12 deficiency is classically associated with anemia and neurological dysfunction. However, recent studies suggest that elevated plasma vitamin B12 may indicate increased short-term cancer risk. This...
BACKGROUND: Vitamin B12 deficiency is classically associated with anemia and neurological dysfunction. However, recent studies suggest that elevated plasma vitamin B12 may indicate increased short-term cancer risk. This association remains largely unexplored in Middle Eastern populations, including Jordan, where cancer rates are rising and diagnosis often occurs at advanced stages due to limited screening. OBJECTIVE: This study is aimed at investigating the association between serum vitamin B12 levels and the risk of colorectal, breast, and lung cancers in a Jordanian population, evaluating differences by cancer type and stage. METHODS: A retrospective case-control study was conducted at King Abdullah University Hospital, Jordan, from January 2018 to December 2022. The study enrolled 260 patients diagnosed with colorectal, breast, or lung cancer and 260 matched healthy controls. Data collected included sociodemographic factors, clinical characteristics, and serum vitamin B12 levels. RESULTS: Serum vitamin B12 levels were significantly higher in cancer patients compared with controls (579.23 ± 468.72 vs. 492.70 ± 174.36 pg/mL; = 0.005). High vitamin B12 levels (> 800 pg/mL) occurred in 15.8% of cancer patients versus 1.5% of controls ( < 0.001). Vitamin B12 levels varied significantly by cancer type, being highest in lung cancer patients (669.53 ± 566.59 pg/mL) compared with breast (594.86 ± 468.9 pg/mL) and colorectal cancer patients (439.62 ± 291.89 pg/mL; = 0.024). There was a strong positive correlation between vitamin B12 levels and cancer stage, peaking in Stage IV cancers, = 0.629, = 0.001. CONCLUSION: Elevated serum vitamin B12 levels are significantly associated with solid cancers in Jordanian patients, particularly pronounced in lung cancer and advanced stages. These findings do not imply a causal relationship, but rather suggest that serum vitamin B12 may function as a potential biomarker for cancer detection and disease monitoring in resource-limited settings.
Factors Influencing Pathological Complete Response After Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy in Breast Cancer: A Single-Center Retrospective Study Focusing on ER and HER-2 Status.
Zhang Y, Qiu S, Wang X
Int J Breast Cancer · 2026 · PMID 41788672 · Full text
OBJECTIVE: To identify predictive factors of pathological complete response (pCR) in breast cancer patients receiving neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC), and to establish a "clinical-imaging-molecular" three-dimensional eval...
OBJECTIVE: To identify predictive factors of pathological complete response (pCR) in breast cancer patients receiving neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC), and to establish a "clinical-imaging-molecular" three-dimensional evaluation model to guide clinical decision-making. METHODS: A retrospective study was conducted on 55 breast cancer patients who underwent NAC at Nanyang Second People's Hospital from January 2023 to August 2024. Collected data included demographic variables (age, BMI, and menstrual status), tumor characteristics (tumor size, axillary lymph node [N] stage, histological grade, color Doppler ultrasound features including blood flow signal [CDFI], morphology, and aspect ratio), molecular markers (estrogen receptor [ER], progesterone receptor [PR], human epidermal growth factor receptor-2 [HER-2], and Ki-67), and treatment-related factors (chemotherapy regimen). Univariate analyses (Pearson's chi-square test or Fisher's exact test) were initially conducted to screen variables potentially associated with pCR ( < 0.05). To address potential multicollinearity among clinically relevant factors, binomial LASSO regression with 10-fold cross-validation was applied to select parsimonious predictors (variables with nonzero coefficients were retained), which were then incorporated into multivariate logistic regression to determine independent predictors of pCR. The discriminative power of key factors was evaluated using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves, with the area under the curve (AUC) as the primary metric. RESULTS: The overall pCR rate was 36.4% (20/55). Among molecular subtypes, HER-2-positive patients (40.0% of the cohort) had the highest pCR rate (73.0%, 16/22), followed by triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) patients (15.0% of the cohort, 50.0%, 4/8). Univariate analysis showed that N stage, chemotherapy regimen, Ki-67 index, ER status, PR status, and HER-2 status were significantly correlated with pCR (all < 0.05). ROC analysis demonstrated excellent discriminative performance for ER (AUC = 0.84), HER-2 (AUC = 0.81), PR (AUC = 0.79), chemotherapy regimen (AUC = 0.71), and Ki-67 (AUC = 0.68). After LASSO-based dimension reduction, multivariate logistic regression confirmed that ER negativity ( = 0.039, OR = 15.079, 95% CI: 1.151-197.543) and HER-2 positivity ( = 0.044, OR = 0.014, 95% CI: 0.000-0.896) were independent predictors of higher pCR rates. CONCLUSION: pCR rates in breast cancer patients post-NAC vary significantly by molecular subtype. ER negativity and HER-2 positivity emerge as independent predictive factors for pCR, with ER and HER-2 exhibiting the strongest discriminative ability (AUC > 0.8). Clinicians should integrate patients' baseline clinical data, ultrasound features, and molecular markers to screen optimal NAC candidates and develop individualized strategies, thereby maximizing therapeutic benefits.
A Systematic Review of Methods to Measure Adherence to Oral Anticancer Medications in African Women With Breast Cancer at Initiation, Implementation, and Discontinuation of Therapy.
Onwusah DO, Mindu T, Chimbari MJ … +1 more , Ojewole EB
Int J Breast Cancer · 2026 · PMID 41767103 · Full text
BACKGROUND: This systematic review was aimed at assessing methods used to measure oral anticancer medication (OAM) adherence at its three phases (initiation, implementation, and discontinuation) in women with breast canc...
BACKGROUND: This systematic review was aimed at assessing methods used to measure oral anticancer medication (OAM) adherence at its three phases (initiation, implementation, and discontinuation) in women with breast cancer (BC) in Africa. METHODS: This review followed the Joanna Briggs Institute guidelines. Four databases were searched from 1990 to 2025 using keywords representing medication adherence, oral anticancer agents, breast cancer, measures, women, and Africa. The reporting followed the updated PRISMA guidelines. RESULTS: All 13 studies (100%) reviewed assessed OAM adherence at the implementation phase, four studies (30.8%) at the discontinuation phase, and one study (7.7%) at the initiation phase. Persistence was also assessed in four studies (30.8%). Prescription refill records were used to measure adherence at the initiation phase. Drug assays in blood, prescription refills, pill counts, medical records reviews, and self-report measures were used during the implementation phase. Prescription refills, medical records, and self-report measures were used at the discontinuation phase. Overall, self-report measures (46.2%; = 6) were the most frequently used during the implementation phase. However, most studies that employed these measures did not report the psychometric properties, including reliability and validity. CONCLUSIONS: The implementation phase was the most commonly assessed. Initiation and discontinuation phases were relatively less assessed. Self-report measures were the most frequently used, but the reliability and validity of these measures are lacking, hence limiting the evidence to guide practice. Thus, measures with sound psychometric properties, including reliability and validity, that can assess OAM adherence across its three phases are needed to improve adherence measurement and patient outcomes, particularly in Africa.
Automated Segmentation and Analysis of Histopathological Breast Cancer Images for Enhanced IDC Diagnosis and Assessment Using MobileNetV2+U-Net With Label Propagation.
Inamdar V, Shaila SG
Int J Breast Cancer · 2026 · PMID 41624813 · Full text
Breast cancer remains the most common cancer type among women, with invasive ductal carcinoma (IDC) responsible for almost 80% of cases. The exact histopathological segmentation of IDC is the premise of diagnosis, but ma...
Breast cancer remains the most common cancer type among women, with invasive ductal carcinoma (IDC) responsible for almost 80% of cases. The exact histopathological segmentation of IDC is the premise of diagnosis, but manual observation of hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) stained slides is very time-consuming and results in interobserver variability. This work presents an automated IDC segmentation method with a lightweight hybrid deep learning framework by integrating U-Net with a MobileNetV2 encoder and a label propagation refinement module. This hybrid model leverages MobileNetV2's efficient depth-wise-separable convolutions for feature extraction, U-Net's encoder-decoder precision for boundary localization, and the label propagation step enhances spatial smoothness and anatomical consistency. Experiments are conducted on the BACH 2018 and BreakHis datasets at multiple magnification levels (40×, 100×, and 200×). The model reaches a precision of 94.85%, Dice coefficient of 94.63%, F1-score of 94.56%, and AUC of 94.65% on the BACH dataset and a precision of 93.87%, Dice of 94.24%, F1-score of 94.18%, and AUC of 93.93% on the BreakHis dataset. The proposed model surpasses several state-of-the-art techniques such as CNN and transformer-based models, including DeepLabV3, Mask R-CNN, Swin-UNet, and ViT-Histo. Cross-dataset validation yields a Dice of 92.10% and AUC of 93.70% from BACH → BreakHis, confirming robustness under domain shifts. Explainable AI analyses using Grad-CAM and SHAP confirmed accurate localization of diagnostically relevant regions. The proposed hybrid model of MobileNetV2 + U-Net with label propagation presents a computationally efficient and clinically reliable solution toward real-time, AI-assisted breast cancer histopathology.
Agreement Among Breast Cancer Screening Modalities in Breast Density Assessment and Cancer Risk Prediction.
Aloufi AS, Albeshan SM, Alshabibi AS … +4 more , Almusined MM, Aldibas LA, Alotaibi MG, Hosawi S
Int J Breast Cancer · 2026 · PMID 41572981 · Full text
BACKGROUND: Breast density is increasingly recognized as a vital risk factor that affects early breast cancer detection. Therefore, this study was aimed at evaluating the agreement between different breast density measur...
BACKGROUND: Breast density is increasingly recognized as a vital risk factor that affects early breast cancer detection. Therefore, this study was aimed at evaluating the agreement between different breast density measurements across multiple imaging modalities and identifying the best breast cancer predictor among these methods. METHODS: Data for women over 30 years old who underwent mammography, synthetic mammography of digital breast tomosynthesis (SM-DBT), ultrasound (US), and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) were collected. Breast density was assessed by two breast radiologists using the American College of Radiology (ACR) categories and the visual analog scale (VAS) for percentage density (%PD). The agreement was calculated using the kappa coefficient () and Spearman correlation coefficient (). Logistic regression odds ratios (ORs) were used to assess the best predictor of breast cancer based on breast density. RESULTS: Among 77 women (mean age 47.34 years), 25 had breast cancer. Categorical breast density assessments showed the highest agreement between mammography and SM-DBT ( = 0.535) and moderate agreement between mammography and MRI ( = 0.452). VAS analysis revealed moderate positive correlations between mammography and SM-DBT ( = 0.49), mammography and MRI ( = 0.56), and SM-DBT and MRI ( = 0.56), < 0.05. Ultrasound showed the lowest correlation with all breast imaging modalities. Breast cancer risk prediction based on breast density showed significant associations for mammography (OR = 3.09) and MRI (OR = 4.16), < 0.05. CONCLUSION: The results suggest notable variability in radiologists' breast density assessment across different imaging modalities. MRI showed a greater ability to identify dense breast tissue and demonstrated potential value in breast cancer risk prediction, although these findings should be interpreted cautiously given the limited sample size. Establishing standardized approaches to breast density assessment remains important to improve the accuracy of breast cancer screening and risk prediction, and further research with larger cohorts is warranted.
Guestimating Molecular Subtyping of Breast Cancer by Ki67 in the Era of Artificial Intelligence.
Connolly CE, Sgier BP, Masser R … +5 more , Friemel J, Simon Q, Fasler A, Karamitopoulou E, Tinguely M
Int J Breast Cancer · 2026 · PMID 41488588 · Full text
AIMS: This study aimed to compare the performance of immunohistochemistry (IHC)-based luminal subtyping of breast cancer against gene expression panels at our institute and to evaluate a CE-certified artificial intellige...
AIMS: This study aimed to compare the performance of immunohistochemistry (IHC)-based luminal subtyping of breast cancer against gene expression panels at our institute and to evaluate a CE-certified artificial intelligence (AI) Ki67 image analysis program for improving subtyping accuracy. METHODS AND RESULTS: We retrospectively analysed IHC-based luminal subtyping in breast cancer biopsies diagnosed at our institute from 2019 to 2022 ( = 1736), and identified = 104 (Oncotype DX) and = 64 (EndoPredict) cases with gene expression tests requested by clinicians. Of the eligible ER-positive HER2-negative cases, 11.9% ( = 168) underwent multigene testing. After excluding incomplete data ( = 22), gene tests revealed 48 patients (32.9%) would benefit from chemotherapy, 86 (58.9%) could avoid it and 12 (8.2%) had inconclusive results. A moderate correlation was observed between Ki67 and EndoPredict EPClin scores ( = 0.47-0.58) and a weak correlation between Ki67 and Oncotype DX recurrence scores ( = 0.31-0.38). Ki67 scores were significantly higher in luminal B compared with luminal A tumours (difference of 9.1-15.2, < 0.01). No significant difference was found between mean Ki67 scores reported by pathologists and AI (pathologists' mean Ki67 17.36 vs. AI mean Ki67 18.36, = 146, = 0.456) and the accuracy of luminal subtyping was similar between pathologists and AI (accuracy pathologists 66.4% vs. AI 62.7%, = 0.538). CONCLUSIONS: Our data provides a snapshot of the real-world allocation of multigene testing in early breast cancer, and supports other studies in highlighting the discrepancy between IHC-based and gene-based luminal subtyping. Ki67 evaluation remained consistent over time, and the use of AI for Ki67 scoring did not enhance the accuracy of IHC-based luminal subtyping.
Digital Health for Breast Care: Patient Satisfaction and Reducing Disparities through Telemedicine.
Soleimani Jobaneh Y, Alvand S, Raei N … +3 more , Khalaj F, Haghighat S, Kaviani A
Int J Breast Cancer · 2025 · PMID 41476665 · Full text
BACKGROUND: Virtual teleconsultation plays a pivotal role in managing diseases requiring long-term communication between patients and treatment teams, such as breast diseases. The Ruban Virtual Breast Clinic in Iran offe...
BACKGROUND: Virtual teleconsultation plays a pivotal role in managing diseases requiring long-term communication between patients and treatment teams, such as breast diseases. The Ruban Virtual Breast Clinic in Iran offers teleconsultation services focusing on nonurgent chronic complaints through offline messaging. This study aimed to evaluate patient satisfaction with these teleconsultation services. METHODS: A comprehensive questionnaire was designed with three sections: identifying the individual interacting with the clinic and prior teleconsultation use; collecting demographic data and reasons for consultation; and assessing satisfaction using 16 items rated on a Likert scale from 1 () to 10 (). The study included patients who received at least one consultation by a breast surgeon through the Ruban platform. RESULTS: Of 583 eligible cases, 367 (62.9%) consented to participate. The average satisfaction score was 91.6 out of 100, indicating a high level of patient satisfaction. CONCLUSIONS: The high satisfaction rates suggest that telehealth services, particularly virtual consultations, are feasible and highly acceptable in meeting patients' healthcare needs. These findings underscore telehealth's potential to improve access to care, though further research is required to establish its clinical effectiveness.
Awareness, Attitudes, and Barriers to Breast Cancer Screening Among Breast Screening Health Education Week Attendees at King Saud Medical City, Riyadh.
Alturki A, Elnasieh AM, Alhadlaq R … +6 more , Al Saluly F, Hawidi FB, Alzuwaidi AS, Alaidarous TM, Ajarim KM, Alharabi MK
Int J Breast Cancer · 2025 · PMID 41476664 · Full text
BACKGROUND: Breast cancer is among the leading causes of mortality in women globally, with a rising incidence in developing countries, including Saudi Arabia. Early detection through screening is essential for reducing t...
BACKGROUND: Breast cancer is among the leading causes of mortality in women globally, with a rising incidence in developing countries, including Saudi Arabia. Early detection through screening is essential for reducing the mortality rate among women. However, factors such as awareness, attitudes, and barriers significantly influence women's participation in screening programs, especially in resource-limited settings. THE AIM OF THE STUDY: The aim of this study is to assess the awareness, attitudes, and barriers to breast cancer screening among breast cancer screening health education week attendees at King Saud Medical City, Riyadh. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study was conducted during breast cancer screening health education week at King Saud Medical City in Riyadh, from October 13 to 17, 2024. A convenience sample of 277 women, aged 18-60, completed a structured, self-administered questionnaire. Data on awareness, attitudes, and barriers related to breast cancer screening were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics in SPSS Version 23.0. RESULTS: Among the women surveyed, 63.5% showed a good level of awareness about breast cancer screening, with an average awareness score of 12.6 ± 5.5 out of 23. Positive attitudes toward screening were common, with 97.8% expressing supportive views ( = 0.045). Higher awareness levels were significantly associated with age ( = 0.003) and occupation ( = 0.001), while attitudes toward screening were significantly linked to education. The main barriers reported were lack of time (30.3%), difficulty accessing services (15.2%), and fear of the procedure (15.2%). In the multiple logistic regression analysis, any significant predictors of awareness and attitude toward breast cancer screening were not identified. CONCLUSION: The study indicates a relatively high level of awareness and a positive attitude toward breast cancer screening among participants. However, significant barriers, including time constraints, accessibility challenges, and fear of the procedure, limit regular participation. To increase screening rates and reduce breast cancer mortality in Saudi Arabia, it is recommended to implement targeted awareness campaigns, enhance service accessibility, and provide continuous education through healthcare providers.
Extensive Intraductal Component (EIC) as the Most Predictive Factor for Residual Disease Post-Breast-Conserving Surgery With Close DCIS Margins: A Single Institutional Experience.
Elsharawi I, Bethune G
Int J Breast Cancer · 2025 · PMID 41476663 · Full text
PURPOSE: We set out to assess whether the extensive intraductal component (EIC) status in invasive breast cancers serves as an independent predictor of residual disease (RD) in re-excisions performed at our institution....
PURPOSE: We set out to assess whether the extensive intraductal component (EIC) status in invasive breast cancers serves as an independent predictor of residual disease (RD) in re-excisions performed at our institution. This laboratory-based study provides insights into the thresholds for additional surgical intervention in cases with close ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) margins following initial breast-conserving surgery (BCS). We also examined the unique characteristics specific to EIC-positive cases. METHODS: BCS cases with invasive breast cancer and DCIS with close margins that had re-excisions following initial surgery (Dec 2019-Dec 2024) were selected and classified into EIC positive or EIC negative. Data collected on the initial excision included the EIC status and other clinicopathological information such as margin status, DCIS extent, cancer type and focality, TNM stage, biomarker status, and OncotypeDX Recurrence Score (RS). The RD status was collected on re-excision specimens. RESULTS: Ninety-one cases were included (57 EIC positive and 34 EIC negative), with most being invasive ductal carcinoma. The rate of RD on re-excision was 70.2% and 32.4% in EIC-positive and EIC-negative cases, respectively ( < 0.001). EIC-positive cases showed a higher tendency to involve multiple margins, had a lower T stage and greater DCIS extent, and they were more commonly associated with multifocal cancer. Finally, when assessing predictors of RD, EIC status emerged as the most significant factor among other variables (adjusted odds ratio = 3.39). Secondary findings included a relatively increased proportion of EIC-positive cases (19%) exhibiting mucinous morphology ( = 0.0063) and HER2-positive tumor status ( = 0.035). CONCLUSION: Findings show that EIC status is the most significant predictor of RD following BCSs with close DCIS margins. This emphasizes the importance of identifying EIC-positive cases in pathology reports and prioritizing them for additional re-excision when DCIS margins are close.
HCCS Serves as Potential Prognostic Biomarker and Therapeutic Target in Human Breast Cancer.
Bellah SF, Hossen MA, Billah SMS … +1 more , Islam MN
Int J Breast Cancer · 2025 · PMID 41476662 · Full text
BACKGROUND: Breast cancer is a leading cause of cancer-related morbidity and mortality in women worldwide. Among its subtypes, triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) poses the greatest therapeutic challenge due to its aggr...
BACKGROUND: Breast cancer is a leading cause of cancer-related morbidity and mortality in women worldwide. Among its subtypes, triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) poses the greatest therapeutic challenge due to its aggressive nature and lack of targeted treatments. Holocytochrome c synthase (HCCS), a mitochondrial enzyme essential for cytochrome c maturation, may play a pivotal role in cancer pathogenesis. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to investigate the expression profile, epigenetic regulation, immune interactions, prognostic significance, and molecular networks of HCCS across cancers, with a particular focus on breast cancer and its subtypes. METHODS: Publicly available datasets and bioinformatics tools were employed to analyze HCCS expression, methylation, survival outcomes, immune infiltration, and interaction networks. Expression and clinical outcomes were examined using TCGA, while methylation and expression patterns were assessed via UALCAN and TNMplot. Survival analyses were performed using Kaplan-Meier Plotter, and immune infiltration was evaluated with TIMER2.0. Protein-protein interaction networks were generated with STRING, and functional enrichment was conducted through g:Profiler. Key findings were validated in independent breast cancer cohorts from GEO and the GOBO platform. RESULTS: HCCS was significantly overexpressed in multiple cancers, with the highest upregulation observed in breast cancer, particularly TNBC. Hypomethylation of the HCCS promoter was associated with increased expression. High HCCS expression correlated with poorer relapse-free survival and greater immune infiltration, including CD4 T cells, CD8 T cells, macrophages (M1/M2), mast cells, and regulatory T cells. Protein-protein interaction analysis revealed HCCS-associated genes enriched in mitochondrial and apoptotic pathways. Validation across independent datasets consistently supported the association of elevated HCCS expression with poor prognosis in breast cancer. CONCLUSION: This integrated bioinformatics analysis highlights HCCS as a potential prognostic biomarker and therapeutic target in breast cancer, particularly in TNBC, although further experimental validation is required before clinical application.
Clinical Outcomes of HER2-Low Versus HER2-Zero in HR-Positive Metastatic Breast Cancer Treated With Endocrine Therapy With or Without CDK4/6 Inhibitors: A Multicenter Retrospective Study.
Susiriwatananont T, Wongkraisri C, Dajsakdipon T … +8 more , Supavavej A, Dechaphunkul A, Sunpaweravong P, Neesanun S, Ithimakin S, Dejthevaporn T, Parinyanitikul N, TSCO Breast Oncology Group
Int J Breast Cancer · 2025 · PMID 41234320 · Full text
PURPOSE: HER2-low status is a predictive factor for novel anti-HER2 therapies in metastatic hormone receptor-positive breast cancer (HR+ MBC). However, its impact on endocrine therapy outcomes remains uncertain. We aimed...
PURPOSE: HER2-low status is a predictive factor for novel anti-HER2 therapies in metastatic hormone receptor-positive breast cancer (HR+ MBC). However, its impact on endocrine therapy outcomes remains uncertain. We aimed to explore the effect of HER2-low and HER2-zero status in HR+ MBC patients treated with first-line aromatase inhibitors (AIs) with or without CDK4/6 inhibitors (CDK4/6i). METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed postmenopausal women with HR+ MBC treated with first-line AI ± CDK4/6i between January 1, 2017, and December 31, 2022, from six tertiary hospitals in Thailand. HER2-low was defined as HER2 IHC 1+ or IHC 2+ with ISH-negative. Progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were compared in unadjusted and adjusted cohorts using stabilized inverse probability of treatment weighting (sIPTW), adjusting for age, ECOG performance status, de novo metastasis, endocrine sensitivity, visceral metastasis, number of metastatic sites, and treatment year. Interaction analyses were performed to assess effect modification by HER2 status and other clinical subgroups. RESULTS: Among 504 patients, 219 (43.5%) were HER2-low, and 285 (56.5%) were HER2-zero. Median follow-up was 31 months (IQR 19-47). CDK4/6i + AI was administered to 52.5% of HER2-low and 43.9% of HER2-zero patients. After sIPTW adjustment, CDK4/6i + AI prolonged median PFS to 22.1 months compared with 21.5 months for AI alone in the HER2-low cohort (HR = 0.80, 95% CI 0.54-1.18; = 0.26) and to 20.1 months compared with 13.5 months in the HER2-zero cohort (HR = 0.65, 95% CI 0.45-0.93; = 0.02). Median OS was 49.3 months with CDK4/6i + AI versus 48.4 months with AI alone in HER2-low (HR = 0.81, 95% CI 0.48-1.36; = 0.43) and 45.8 versus 42.3 months in HER2-zero (HR = 0.85, 95% CI 0.43-1.05; = 0.52). Subgroup analyses showed consistent benefit of CDK4/6i + AI across most clinical categories. The interaction test for treatment × HER2 status was not significant (HR = 1.21, 95% CI 0.74-1.98; = 0.44), indicating no effect modification by HER2-low status. CONCLUSIONS: HER2-low status was not associated with prognosis or predictive value for CDK4/6i efficacy, supporting CDK4/6i + AI as the standard first-line therapy irrespective of HER2 expression level.
Long-Term Management of Breast Cancer Bone Metastases: Two Case Reports.
Lin X, Zeng R
Int J Breast Cancer · 2025 · PMID 41211470 · Full text
Patients with advanced HR+/HER2- breast cancer often experience prolonged disease courses, with bone being a dominant site of metastasis. Bone-targeted agents (BTAs) are recommended to reduce the risk of skeletal-related...
Patients with advanced HR+/HER2- breast cancer often experience prolonged disease courses, with bone being a dominant site of metastasis. Bone-targeted agents (BTAs) are recommended to reduce the risk of skeletal-related events (SREs), yet most clinical trials report follow-up durations of less than 2 years. Here, we present two cases of patients with breast cancer and bone metastases who received continuous BTA therapy for 8 and 10 years, respectively, in the context of ongoing antitumor treatment. Neither patient developed SREs during follow-up. The two cases demonstrated good tolerabilit during long-term treatment, though broader conclusions regarding safety require further investigation.
Recurrent Hormone Receptor-Positive Breast Cancer With Multiple Sites of Distant Metastasis: A Case Report and Review of the Literature.
Li L, Liu H, Huang X … +1 more , Luo H
Int J Breast Cancer · 2025 · PMID 41059142 · Full text
Breast cancer is one of the most common malignancies and the leading cause of cancer-related mortality among women worldwide, with hormone receptor-positive (HR+) breast cancer being the most common subtype. Current guid...
Breast cancer is one of the most common malignancies and the leading cause of cancer-related mortality among women worldwide, with hormone receptor-positive (HR+) breast cancer being the most common subtype. Current guidelines recommend endocrine therapy as the first-line treatment for HR+, human epidermal growth factor Receptor 2-negative breast cancer. In this case report, we describe a patient with HR+ breast cancer who developed bone and liver metastases after breast cancer surgery. We document the disease progression from initial treatment to managing local recurrence and treating distant metastasis using salvage chemotherapy combined with endocrine therapy. Importantly, following denosumab treatment, the patient experienced a bone flare; this presented as increased radionuclide uptake on bone scans, but was later confirmed as pseudoprogression. Furthermore, we note changes in the patient's pathology as the disease progresses.
Preoperative Magnetic Seed Versus Wire-Guided Localization in the Treatment of Nonpalpable Breast Cancer: A Retrospective Observational Study at a Tertiary Care Center.
Villanucci A, Ferranti FR, Cappelli S … +8 more , Cavicchi F, Graziano F, Lauria F, Pelle F, Puccica I, Sperduti I, Vidiri A, Botti C
Int J Breast Cancer · 2025 · PMID 40978679 · Full text
Breast cancer screening and effective neoadjuvant treatments have increased surgeries for nonpalpable tumors, often requiring preoperative localization. The wire-guided method, performed on the same day as surgery, has l...
Breast cancer screening and effective neoadjuvant treatments have increased surgeries for nonpalpable tumors, often requiring preoperative localization. The wire-guided method, performed on the same day as surgery, has limitations, prompting interest in wire-free alternatives like magnetic seed devices. A retrospective single-center study (November 2020-March 2024) compared magnetic seed and wire-guided localization in 558 patients. The primary aim was to assess localization and retrieval success, resection margins, and reoperation rates. Secondary endpoints included the interval between localization and surgery, operative time, incision site selection, and volume excised. Among 558 patients, 188 underwent magnetic seed and 370 wire-guided localizations. Both groups were similar in BMI, breast size, and lesion characteristics. Complications in the wire-guided group included device migration (0.5%) and hematoma (1.3%). Success rates were comparable (98.9% vs. 99.7%), as were positive margins (5.3% vs. 6.7%) and reoperation rates (6.9% vs. 7.8%). Excised volume was significantly lower in the magnetic seed group (24.2 [range 6.5-48.0 cm] vs. 41.5 cm [range 16.0-68.0 cm], < 0.001). The magnetic seed group had an average localization-to-surgery interval of 1 day (range 0-160 days). Magnetic seed localization is as safe and effective as wire-guided localization, with comparable success rates and resection margins adequacy. Its primary advantage is scheduling flexibility, offering a longer interval between localization and surgery.
About
- Frequency
- Sun
- Papers found
- 200
- RSS feed
- Subscribe