In a nutshell This article looked at the influence of calpain-9 on breast cancer survival following endocrine therapy. Some background Calpain-9 is a protein that is important in the processes of cell signalling (communication between cells). Irregular expression of these proteins can be seen in breast cancer and some of these proteins can even...
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In a nutshell This paper studied the outcomes of a skin-sparing mastectomy procedure. Some background More and more people are undergoing skin-sparing mastectomies. This is a treatment for breast cancer where breast tissue is removed, but the overlying skin is preserved as much as possible. It also allows for immediate breast...
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The article reviews drugs that were approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of Metastatic Breast Cancer (MBC) in the last 20 years. The authors summarize the clinical studies which lead to FDA approval. ‘First-line therapy’ is the initial treatment used to reduce cancer burden. It is usually the standard...
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In a nutshell This paper analyzes the effect of age and type of cancer on brain metastasis in breast cancer patients. Some background Brain metastasis(cancer that spreads to brain) occurs in 3-6% of breast cancer patients. Age and receptor status (absence or presence of particular receptors, proteins on the surface of the cell) are risk...
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In a nutshell This trial investigated the significance of circulating tumor DNA as a biomarker for monitoring response to treatment among metastatic breast cancer patients. Some background The management of metastatic breast cancer requires frequent monitoring of response to treatment in order to avoid ineffective therapies and prevent...
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In a nutshell This study examined whether the timing of adjuvant chemotherapy affects survival among women with breast cancer. Some background Surgical resection to remove all cancerous tissue is the standard of care for the treatment of breast cancer. After surgery, many patients also undergo adjuvant treatments (additional therapy following...
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In a nutshell This study examined whether a combination of hormonal therapy and therapeutic cancer vaccination is an effective treatment for patients with estrogen positive (ER+) metastatic breast cancer (cancer that has spread beyond the breast, to distant organs and tissues of the body). Some background Vaccines are used to prevent many diseases...
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In a nutshell This phase II clinical trial examined the safety and efficacy of adding a drug called rh-endostatin (Endostar) to chemotherapy in breast cancer patients. Some background Cancer cells need blood supply in order to grow. As cancer grows, it forms its own blood vessels, a process called angiogenesis. Therefore, anti-angiogenesis...
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In a nutshell This analysis of several case studies evaluated whether removal of primary tumor in stage IV breast cancer helps improve overall survival. Some background In stage IV (metastatic) breast cancer, the cancer spreads beyond the breast and nearby lymph nodes, to other organs and tissues of the body, such as the lungs, liver, bones or...
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In a nutshell This study compared the benefits of radiotherapy and tamoxifen in reducing the risk of local recurrence (return of the cancer close to initial place of origin) in patients with early breast cancer who underwent breast conserving surgery (BCS). Some background Women with early breast cancer usually have tumors that are confined...
Read MoreIn a nutshell This study looked at whether patients who receive statins and develop primary inflammatory breast cancer enjoy a better outcome. Some background Inflammatory breast cancer (IBC) is a disease in which breast cells grow in an uncontrolled manner, and inflammation develops in part of the breast. Recently, researchers investigated the...
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In a nutshell In this study, researchers examined the effect of epoetin alfa (Epogen; Procrit) on anemia (low count of red blood cells) caused by chemotherapy in breast cancer patients. Some background Breast cancer is caused by a defect that makes some breast cancer cells grow and multiply rapidly. One of the treatment options for patients with...
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