Breast Cancer Research Articles

Noninvasive real-time monitoring of cellular spatiotemporal dynamics via machine learning-enhanced electrical impedance spectroscopy.

Monitoring cellular spatiotemporal dynamics is essential for understanding complex biological processes such as organ development and cancer progression. Using live-cell fluorescence microscopy to track cellular dynamics is often limited by dye-induced cytotoxicity and cellular photodamage. Here, we demonstrate an alternative methodology combining microelectrode arrays, electrical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), and machine learning (ML) that enables real-time monitoring of cellular spatiotemporal dynamics in a noninvasive and label-free manner. The platform is applied to normal and cancerous breast epithelial cells in either mono- or coculture, correlating EIS measurements with cell growth parameters obtained from automated microscopy image analysis. An ML model is implemented to accurately predict the spatiotemporal evolution of cell density and size and to classify the different cell types based solely on EIS recordings. The technology is also shown to be capable of tracking pertinent biological processes including spatial heterogeneities in cell proliferation patterns and cell competition in coculture.

UNC93B1: a novel immune-related prognostic biomarker in breast cancer.

Breast cancer (BRCA) is a prevalent and deadly disease among women. This study investigated the role of UNC93B1, a gene associated with immune function, in BRCA prognosis and immune infiltration. Differentially expressed mRNA (DEmRNA) data related to the prognosis and immunity of BRCA patients were obtained from TCGA, GTE, GEO, and ImmPort databases. The Kruskal-Wallis test was used to identify clinicopathological parameters associated with UNC93B1 expression. Univariate and multivariate COX regression analyses were performed to assess the impact of UNC93B1 expression and clinicopathological parameters on patient survival. We analyzed the target genes' relevant functions and signaling pathways through enrichment analysis. Furthermore, the relationship between UNC93B1 expression and tumor immune infiltration was examined using ssGSEA and Spearman correlation analysis. The findings demonstrated that high expression of UNC93B1 was associated with poorer prognosis in BRCA patients. UNC93B1 was also linked to race, N stage, pathological stage, and overall survival in BRCA patients and emerged as an independent prognostic factor. Functional enrichment analysis indicated significant enrichment of UNC93B1 in oncogenic and immune-related pathways. Moreover, UNC93B1 expression displayed significant associations with tumor immune cells and immune checkpoints according to ssGSEA and Spearman correlation analysis. Knockdown of UNC93B1 expression in BRCA cell lines (MDA-MB-231, SK-BR-3) suppresses their proliferation, invasion, and other phenotypes. These results suggest that UNC93B1 may be an immunologically relevant diagnostic and prognostic biomarker for BRCA.

Cost-Effectiveness of Text Messaging to Reengage Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Communities to Breast Cancer Screening: A Modeling Study.

Cost-Effectiveness of Text Messaging to Reengage Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Communities to Breast Cancer Screening: A Modeling Study.

Phospholipid-based nanolipid carriers for dual kinase inhibitors in triple-negative breast cancer.

Current research is focused on developing phospholipid-based nanolipidic carrier (NLC) to deliver lapatinib (LNB) and imatinib (INB) to MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells and an in vivo mammary tumor model. Breast cancer (BC) was induced in female rats via the chemical carcinogen 7, 12-dimethylbenz(a)anthracene (DMBA). The dual drug-loaded phospholipid-based NLC were made via a hot microemulsion process. The developed NLC were also characterized, and tested in vitro, in vivo, and in a preclinical setting in a DMBA-induced rat model. The dual drug-loaded phospholipid NLC exhibited favorable nanometric size (279.7 nm, PDI 0.323), high entrapment efficiency (94.21%), and robust loading capacity (13.11%). It achieved biphasic drug release (52.67% at 4 h; 92.12% cumulative), potent cytotoxicity with maximal IC₅₀ reduction at 48 h, and maintained stability under accelerated conditions. In vivo, it significantly reduced tumor burden, normalized hematological and biochemical markers, and demonstrated therapeutic efficacy in DMBA-induced breast cancer, highlighting its translational potential. The dual drug-loaded NLC not only achieved high entrapment efficiency but also enhanced cytotoxicity against MDA-MB-231 cells and significantly reduced tumor progression. The developed lipid-based nanocarrier system demonstrates strong potential as a targeted platform for the co-delivery of kinase inhibitors, addressing the therapeutic limitations associated with monotherapy and conventional drug formulations.

Flexible Microneedle Platform for Synergistic Chemo/Photothermal Ferroptosis Therapy via P-Glycoprotein Inhibition in Breast Cancer.

Combining photothermal therapy (PTT) with chemotherapy shows promise for cancer treatment, but its efficacy is limited by heat shock protein (HSP)-induced thermoresistance and P-glycoprotein (P-gp)-mediated drug efflux. To overcome these challenges, we developed a tumor microenvironment-responsive microneedle platform for synergistic chemotherapy, PTT, and ferroptosis in breast cancer. The system employs Fe3+-coordinated dihydromyricetin (DMY) nanocarriers encapsulating doxorubicin (DMFD NPs) integrated into a flexible polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) microneedle patch. The patch adheres tightly to tumors, enabling the rapid delivery and targeted release of DMFD NPs under laser irradiation and acidic conditions. Released Fe3+/Fe2+ ions generate reactive oxygen species (ROS) via Fenton reactions, synergizing with PTT to induce ferroptosis. DMY concurrently inhibits HSP and P-gp, enhancing photothermal-chemotherapy efficacy. In vivo, this approach achieved 92% tumor inhibition, demonstrating its potential to address the limitations of conventional PTT and chemotherapy through localized multifunctional action.

Discovery of natural scaffolds as HER2 inhibitors for breast cancer: virtual screening, molecular dynamics, and biological characterization with selectivity profiling.

Nature offers potential therapeutic candidates for breast cancer (BC), and targeting HER2 signaling presents a promising approach, leveraging the successful history of anticancer drug discovery. Using a structure-based virtual screening workflow, a comprehensive library of natural products (NPs) was screened for potential HER2 binding. Five of these NPs were selected for in-depth biological validation against BC. Biochemically, oroxin B, liquiritin, ligustroflavone, and mulberroside A suppressed HER2 catalysis with nanomolar potency. Binding mode studies of NPs revealed their binding patterns, providing valuable SAR insights for effective HER2 inhibition. Further cellular assays revealed that the top NPs have preferential anti-proliferative effects towards HER2 over-expressing BC cells, with notable selectivity indices. Liquiritin exhibited promising anti-migratory activity in two cellular motility models, while other tested hits primarily inhibited cancer cell growth with minimal effects on metastasis. Liquiritin and oroxin B stood out as validated hits, revealing the most promising profiles. ADME predictions and MD simulations positioned liquiritin as a more promising HER2 inhibitor than oroxin B, despite oroxin B's higher ranking in rigid docking studies. On the molecular level, liquiritin significantly inhibited HER2 phosphorylation and expression in BC cells. Liquiritin demonstrated notable selectivity for HER family proteins when tested against various kinases, highlighting its potential as a pan-HER inhibitor hit for future development. Further in vivo assessment is necessary to support the hit-to-lead promotion of liquiritin.

Pharmacists at the frontline: A cross-sectional study of knowledge, attitudes, and barriers to breast cancer screening promotion in Saudi Arabia.

BackgroundBreast cancer remains a major public health concern in Saudi Arabia, with low screening rates and late-stage diagnoses. Community pharmacists are accessible healthcare providers who could play a key role in promoting breast cancer screening. However, little is known about their knowledge, attitudes, and perceived barriers related to screening promotion. This study aimed to assess Saudi community pharmacists' knowledge, attitudes, and barriers related to breast cancer screening promotion and to identify predictors of higher knowledge levels.MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted among 382 community pharmacists in Saudi Arabia using a validated, structured questionnaire. The survey assessed demographic information, knowledge of breast cancer, attitudes toward screening promotion, and perceived barriers. Data were analyzed using Chi-square tests, Spearman's correlation, and logistic regression.ResultsAlthough 73.6% of pharmacists achieved knowledge scores ≥ 50% (answering more than 11 out of 23 questions correctly), A considerable proportion (41.3%) incorrectly believed that breast size is associated with cancer risk. While pharmacists generally exhibited positive attitudes, about 30% did not view breast cancer screening promotion as part of their role. Significant barriers included the availability of enough personnel, having sufficient time for counseling, and access to educational materials. Logistic regression identified seeing fewer female patients and not attending cancer awareness events as predictors of lower knowledge.ConclusionsDespite moderate knowledge and positive attitudes, structural and educational barriers hinder pharmacists' active involvement in breast cancer screening promotion. Targeted educational initiatives, better resource access, and integration into national screening strategies are essential to optimize pharmacists' contributions to early detection efforts.

Risk Factors for COVID-19-Related Hospitalization and Death in Patients With Cancer: The National Cancer Institute COVID-19 in Cancer Patients Study (NCCAPS).

Retrospective case series have identified having cancer and receiving treatment for cancer as risk factors for inferior COVID-19 outcomes. To determine risk factors for hospitalization and death in patients with cancer with COVID-19 infection. The National Cancer Institute COVID-19 in Cancer Patients Study (NCCAPS) is a prospective longitudinal natural history cohort study examining the impact of COVID-19 on patients with cancer. Adults were eligible within 14 days of an initial positive SARS-CoV-2 test result if they were receiving active treatment for cancer or had prior stem cell/bone marrow transplant or CAR T-cell treatment. The statistical analysis took place between September 2024 and April 2025. The primary objective of the study was to determine patient factors, therapy types, and cancer types associated with COVID-19 severity, defined as hospitalization for or death from COVID-19 within 30 and 90 days after the first positive SARS-CoV-2 test result. Multivariable regressions were performed for COVID-19-specific hospitalization and mortality (proportional hazard and cause-specific hazard models). Of 1572 eligible adult patients (median [range] age, 60 [18-93] years; 840 female [53.4%]), 1066 (67.8%) had a solid tumor, with 683 (64.0%) having metastatic disease; breast (252 [23.6%]) and lung cancer (148 [13.9%]) were most common. At enrollment, 1013 patients (64.4%) were unvaccinated for SARS-CoV-2. COVID-19-related mortality at 90 days was 3.0% and did not increase at subsequent time points. The cumulative incidence of COVID-19-specific death in the first 90 days was highest in patients with lymphoma, intermediate in patients with acute leukemia and lung cancer, and lowest in patients with other solid tumors and other hematologic cancers. In multivariable analysis, receipt of chemotherapy (hazard ratio [HR], 1.97; 95% CI, 1.52-2.54) and baseline history of stroke, atrial fibrillation, or pulmonary embolism (HR, 1.78; 95% CI, 1.33-2.38) were associated with a higher risk of hospitalization. Vaccination prior to SARS-CoV-2 infection was associated with a lower risk of hospitalization (HR, 0.52; 95% CI, 0.38-0.70). Over 2 years of follow-up, there were 1739 cancer treatment disruptions, of which 881 (50.7%) were attributed to COVID-19, with most disruptions occurring within the first 30 days. The results of this prospective cohort study showed that COVID-19 had a significant impact on patients with cancer, including hospitalization, treatment disruptions, and death.

Nostoc commune-derived scytonemin induced mitochondrial cell death in leukemia models.

Cyanobacteria have long attracted scientific interest through their potential application in the development of new therapeutic approaches, particularly those related to the treatment of cancer. In this study, the antiproliferative effects of Nostoc commune extract (NOS) and the cyanobacterial compound scytonemin (SCY) were evaluated against a variety of in vitro cancer models, including cervix, colon, breast, lung, and leukemia cell lines, using resazurin assays. Both of the studied compounds were found to have inhibited metabolic activity in a dose-dependent manner, with IC50 values ranging from 60.5 to 462.0µM for SCY and 157.0 to 740.3µM for NOS. SCY displayed higher levels of inhibitory activity than NOS against all of the tested cancer models, but was particularly effective against HL-60 and Jurkat leukemia cells, with IC50 values recorded as 60.5µM and 88.2µM, respectively. However in contrast, the two compounds exhibited significantly lower levels of inhibition against non-cancerous MCF-10A and BJ-5ta cells. Flow cytometry studies of leukemia cells treated with SCY revealed that the compound had effectively inhibited cell proliferation over prolonged periods; HL-60 cells displayed G1 phase arrest which lasted for 48h, while an accumulated G0/G1 sub-population was detected in Jurkat cells, as indicator of apoptosis. Further analysis of cells treated with SCY observed reduced levels of Rb protein and an increase in p21 expression in both HL-60 and Jurkat cell lines. Apoptotic markers such as phosphatidylserine externalization were observed, and mitochondrial dysfunction characterized by the dissipation of mitochondrial membrane potential was also detected. SCY activated the mitochondrial apoptotic pathway, inducing cytochrome c release and subsequent caspase-9, -3, and -7 activation. Finally, PARP cleavage, a typical marker of apoptosis, was identified in both leukemia cell lines following treatment with SCY. The findings suggest that SCY induces apoptosis in leukemia cells through the activation of the mitochondrial pathway, highlighting its potential for development as a future anti-cancer agent.

COVID-19 Pandemic and Posttreatment Breast Cancer Surveillance and Outcomes.

COVID-19 Pandemic and Posttreatment Breast Cancer Surveillance and Outcomes.

Preventing Secondary Lymphedema: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis on the Efficacy of Immediate Lymphovenous Anastomosis.

Secondary lymphedema is a debilitating condition following oncologic lymphadenectomy. Despite advancements in rehabilitation and microsurgical interventions, there is no cure for lymphedema. Performing a lymphovenous anastomosis (LVA) at the time of a regional node dissection has been purported to reduce the risks of secondary lymphedema; however, there are conflicting studies and no clear consensus about the routine use of LVA for preventing lymphedema after lymphadenectomy. The present study aims to perform a comprehensive review and meta-analysis on immediate LVA for the prevention of secondary lymphedema. A systematic review and literature search were performed using PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and Cochrane databases. Studies evaluating primary or immediate LVA in oncologic surgery were included. Studies with a control group were included in the meta-analysis. Overall, 39 studies, including 3697 patients (1,722 LVA; 1975 control), met inclusion criteria. Seventeen of the studies were included in the meta-analysis. Pooled analysis across all studies revealed a secondary lymphedema incidence of 7.1% in the LVA cohort versus 35.0% in controls. Meta-analysis demonstrated a significant reduction in lymphedema risk with immediate LVA (RR: 0.31). Subgroup analysis confirmed strong protective effects in breast cancer patients (RR: 0.28) and a significant but lesser benefit in dermatologic malignancies (RR: 0.35). Based on the current literature, immediate LVA at time of lymphadenectomy significantly reduces the risk of secondary lymphedema in patients undergoing oncologic treatment. Given these findings, patients undergoing multimodal oncologic treatment including radiation and surgical lymphadenectomy should be considered candidates for immediate LVA.

Structural racism as a leading cause of racial disparities in breast cancer quality of care outcomes: a systematic review

BackgroundNon-Hispanic Black women have a disproportionately higher breast cancer mortality rate compared to non-Hispanic white women. Structural racism embedded within societal systems plays a fundamental role in perpetuating these persistent disparities. This systematic review aims to examine the relationship between structural racism and breast cancer quality of care outcomes across various racial and ethnic groups.MethodsFollowing the PRISMA guidelines, we conducted a systematic review of PubMed, Embase, and CINAHL for studies published until October 30, 2024, that examined the relationship between structural racism and breast cancer quality of care outcomes. We employed the Healthy People’s Social Determinants of Health (SDOH) framework to identify structural racism measures within these five themes: economic stability, education access, healthcare access, neighborhood and built environment, and social and community welfare. Breast cancer quality of care outcomes were assessed using the Donabedian quality of care model which encompasses three components of quality: process measures, structural measures, and outcome measures.ResultsWe conducted a systematic review of 262 studies that included at least one measure of structural racism linked to a breast cancer quality of care outcome. Of these, 29 studies met the eligibility criteria for inclusion. The most frequently examined measures of structural racism were those related to residential segregation and redlining, which pertain to neighborhood and built environment SDOH domains. The predominant finding across the studies was that both residential segregation and redlining were significantly associated with adverse breast cancer outcomes. Theses outcomes included higher mortality rates, later-stage diagnoses, and suboptimal treatment. These effects exhibited variability based on race, comorbidity, and neighborhood characteristics, highlighting the complex role of structural racism in perpetuating disparities in breast cancer outcomes.ConclusionThe complex relationship between measures of structural racism and breast cancer quality of care outcomes underscores the necessity for ongoing research to understand the pathways through which structural racism impacts health outcomes. Understanding these pathways is essential for developing targeted interventions and promoting health equity in breast cancer care.

Women's lived experiences of intimate partner violence progress after breast cancer: a hermeneutic phenomenological study.

Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a social health problem and most common type of violence against women. The present study aimed to identify women's lived experiences of intimate partner violence progress after breast cancer. This is a qualitative study conducted using the hermeneutic phenomenological method. A semi-structured in-depth interview was conducted. 11 women diagnosed with breast cancer who experienced partner violence and were referred to Tabriz Oncology Clinic in Iran for treatment and fallow up were selected using purposeful sampling method. The mean age of women was 44.3 years. Data were analyzed using Van Manen's holistic and selective thematic analysis approach. According to the data analysis, one main theme "persistent sinusoidal violence" was identified with three sub-themes: "violence wave of treatment phase", "violence intensification wave of recovery phase", and "periodicity of violence waves". IPV continuously fluctuates in different stages of breast cancer treatment. It is necessary to screen for IPV in different phases of the disease in breast cancer women.

Lactate and lactylation in breast cancer: current understanding and therapeutic opportunities.

Breast cancer (BC) has the highest prevalence among cancers specific to women, and its incidence rates are increasing in many countries. Subtypes of BC, including HER2-positive or triple-negative BC, exhibit differing treatment responses; consequently, demand for personalized therapy is increasing, and relevant precision medicine strategies are under development. Aerobic glycolysis in cancer cells can lead to excessive lactate production, which in turn promotes lactylation and influences tumor cell behavior. Epigenetic alterations and metabolic reprogramming are prominent characteristics of tumors. Because lactate and lactylation are important in cancer, further investigation of the mechanisms underlying lactate metabolism and lactylation, and the development of therapeutic strategies targeting these processes, are topics of increasing interest. This review describes current research on lactate metabolism and lactylation in BC, thus offering new perspectives for advancing treatment and management toward more precise and personalized approaches that will ultimately increase BC survival rates and patient quality of life.

ZMIZ1 lactylation induces tamoxifen resistance in breast cancer through increasing transcriptional activity of Nanog to impact cell stemness and cholesterol uptake.

Tamoxifen is a critical drug for the treatment of oestrogen receptor (ER)-positive breast cancer (BC), which represents the majority of BC subtypes. However, many BC tumours that initially respond eventually develop acquired Tamoxifen resistance. Bioinformatics analysis was conducted on genes affected by Tamoxifen and upregulated in Tamoxifen-resistant cells to identify the biological processes associated with Tamoxifen resistance. Metabolomics analysis was conducted to identify the metabolites that were altered in BC with tamoxifen resistance. Resistance to Tamoxifen was evaluated by cell viability, proliferation, invasion, and colony formation in vitro, and by tumour growth in vivo. Metabolomic profiling and the detection of relevant enzymes and metabolites corroborated the metabolic reprogramming towards glycolysis in tamoxifen - resistant BC. The produced lactic acid induced the lactylation of ZMIZ1. This post-translational modification at K843 (but not K537) increased protein stability by suppressing SUMOylation and ubiquitination. The elevated total level of ZMIZ1 increased the enrichment of ZMIZ1 binding to Nanog, resulting in increased transcriptional activity of Nanog, including in OCT4 and NPC2 genes. Therefore, it leads to increased stemness and cholesterol accumulation in Tamoxifen-resistant BC. Knockdown of ZMIZ1 impaired Tamoxifen resistance, but this effect was reversed by Nanog overexpression. In summary, this study identified an important mechanism underlying Tamoxifen resistance and revealed a potential association of glucose glycolysis with cholesterol metabolism through the ZMIZ1/Nanog/NPC2 axis.

Structural insights and biological activity of (E)-4-(1-(2-(4-(4-chlorophenyl)thiazol-2-yl)hydrazono)ethyl)phenol: a potential therapeutic for breast cancer

Breast cancer remains a major worldwide health concern, with current targeted therapies often showing limited effectiveness. Treatment options vary from invasive procedures like surgery to less intrusive methods such as radiotherapy and chemotherapy. To address these constraints, researchers are engaged in the creation of innovative anti-cancer drugs. One promising compound is (E)-4-(1-(2-(4-(4-chlorophenyl)thiazol-2-yl)hydrazono)ethyl)phenol (CTP), which has demonstrated efficacy as an anti-breast cancer agent. The synthesized compound CTP underwent optimization utilizing the Density Functional Theory (DFT) computation applying 6-311 + G(d,p) basis set. The optimized geometry closely matched experimental data, affirming the accuracy of the computational model. Natural Bond Orbital (NBO) analysis provided through comprehension of both intra- and intermolecular interactions. The vibrational properties of CTP were extensively analyzed using FT-IR and Raman spectroscopy. Through the use of Hirshfeld surface analysis, intermolecular interactions within crystal structures were revealed. The electronic structure and non-covalent interactions within CTP were further examined using Localized Orbital Locator (LOL) analyses and Electron Localization Function (ELF). ADMET profiling evaluated the drug-like properties of CTP, while molecular docking with protein 4ZVM predicted key ligand-protein binding sites. The compound CTP was further evaluated in vitro for its potential anticancer properties, specifically targeting the MCF7 breast cancer cell line. The observed red shift in C-S stretching and the broad, weak C-H band provided compelling evidence for both intra- and intermolecular interactions. Negative binding energies from docking studies indicated potential inhibition of human breast cancer by CTP. This comprehensive analysis systematically elucidated the molecular characteristics and interactions of CTP, highlighting its potential as a therapeutic agent for breast cancer.

Blocking or knockdown of P2X7 receptor inhibits invasion and migration of mouse breast cancer cells via PI3K/Akt/GSK-3β pathways and EMT.

P2X7 receptor (P2X7R), an ATP-activated ion channel, is essential for the invasion, migration, and proliferation of tumor cells. Elevated P2X7R expression has been observed in breast cancer cells and adjacent tissues, yet its precise role in breast cancer progression remains incompletely understood. This study investigates the impact of P2X7R activation, inhibition, and knockdown (via P2X7R-shRNA) on breast cancer cell (E0771 and 4T1) migration, invasion, epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), and underlying molecular mechanisms through comprehensive cellular and animal experiments. Our results demonstrate functional P2X7R expression in breast cancer cells, with BzATP enhancing and P2X7R-shRNA reducing its expression. P2X7R activation promotes EMT-mediated invasion and migration in breast cancer cells, whereas P2X7R antagonists or P2X7R-shRNA counteract these effects. Furthermore, P2X7R activation stimulates the PI3K/Akt/GSK-3β signaling pathway, thereby facilitating breast cancer progression. Consistent with in vitro findings, in vivo models with P2X7R-knockdown breast cancer cells showed suppressed tumor growth and metastasis, correlating with EMT and PI3K/Akt/GSK-3β pathway modulation. Additionally, host P2X7R-/- mouse models revealed that host P2X7R deficiency inhibits tumor growth and metastasis, potentially through similar pathways. These findings suggest that targeting P2X7R may offer novel therapeutic strategies and experimental foundations for breast cancer treatment.

New hybrid features extracted from US images for breast cancer classification.

Artificial intelligence (AI), and image processing fields play a vital role in classifying benign and malignant breast cancer (BC). The novelty of this paper lies in computing original hybrid features (HF) from textural and shape features of BC integrated into a polynomial regression, and their classification with two different Automated Machine Learning (AutoML). The obtained data are original; therefore, a previous analysis of them with violin graphs was needed. For computing of the hybrid features, the Haralick textural features and Hu moments were integrated in a polynomial regression way. In this context, two different AutoML, PyCaret and TPOT (Tree-based Pipeline Optimization Tool) were proposed, and the optimal model for hybrid features included in the classification process was identified during the tuning process. The experimental results indicated that the HF, composed of entropy and Hu moments, was selected by PyCaret using the AdaBoost Classifier (ADB) as the optimal classifier, achieving an accuracy of 91.4%. Additionally, TPOT employed a Multilayer Perceptron Classifier, which provided an accuracy of 90.6%. These findings identified the most effective features for classifying benign and malignant breast cancer (BC). Enhancing computational efficiency reduces the risk of overfitting; hence, the bagging,boosting, and stacking Ensemble Machine Learning (EML) techniques were proposed to validate the obtained results. The study's originality lies in the HF's capacity to accurately represent and capture the lesion's texture and shape, just like a physician makes a BC diagnosis.

From heterogeneity to hope: emerging markers in triple-negative breast cancer research.

Purpose of review Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is a molecular subtype of breast cancer characterized by the absence of estrogen, progesterone, and HER2 receptor expression. It accounts for approximately 10-20% of all breast cancer cases and is associated with an aggressive clinical course, a high risk of early recurrence, and limited therapeutic options. Although about 40-50% of patients achieve a complete pathological response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy, the remainder develop chemoresistant tumors with an unfavorable prognosis. This underscores the need to identify novel molecular markers with prognostic and predictive value for individualized therapy. Recent findings This review provides an analysis of the available literature to identify promising molecular markers in TNBC-IDO1 (indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase 1), DCLK1 (doublecortin-like kinase 1), and FOXC1 (forkhead box C1). These markers were selected based on their proven roles in tumor pathogenesis: IDO1 regulates tryptophan metabolism and suppresses the immune response, DCLK1 supports tumor plasticity and invasive potential, and FOXC1 promotes the aggressive basal-like phenotype and epithelial-mesenchymal transition. The review is based on a search of original research articles and systematic reviews in National Library of Medicine, PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science from 2010 to 2024 using systematic search strategies and strict inclusion criteria. It discusses the molecular structure, mechanisms of action and expression of these markers, their interactions with the tumor microenvironment, prognostic value, and potential as predictive markers of therapy response. Special attention is paid to their roles in drug resistance, immune microenvironment formation, and potential as targets for novel therapies (e.g., DCLK1 inhibitors). Summary This systematic analysis of the literature indicates that IDO1, DCLK1, and FOXC1 are promising molecular markers for prognosis, risk stratification of recurrence, individualized treatment strategies, and identification of new therapeutic targets in TNBC. However, further research, including standardized evaluation methods, larger cohort studies, and additional clinical trials, is essential for their successful clinical implementation.

Breast Cancer in the Middle East and North Africa: Economic Burden, Market Trends, and Care Challenges.

Breast cancer remains a critical global health challenge, with a high incidence rate and significant mortality. In 2022, it was the second most diagnosed cancer worldwide and ranked as the fourth leading cause of cancer-related deaths. The Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region faces considerable challenges in managing this burden. Among all WHO regions, MENA is projected to experience the highest increase in cancer cases over the coming decades, primarily because of population growth, aging, and lifestyle changes. Extensive analyses of the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019 have revealed a near doubling of breast cancer incidence and prevalence across MENA countries between 1990 and 2019, accompanied by a threefold increase in related mortality. The region also faces unique challenges, including late-stage diagnosis, limited access to advanced diagnostic and therapeutic options, disparities in health care infrastructure, and financial constraints affecting treatment accessibility. This review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the economic burden of breast cancer in MENA, exploring key market trends and growth drivers in both the diagnostics and therapeutics sectors. It also highlights various national initiatives implemented to address the growing burden of breast cancer and outlines recommendations to bridge existing gaps, enhance early detection, improve treatment outcomes, and strengthen health care systems to better manage the disease in the region.