International Journal of Breast Cancer
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Acceptance rate8%
Submission to final decision122 days
Acceptance to publication25 days
CiteScore2.400
Journal Citation Indicator0.330
Impact Factor1.9

Male Breast Cancer: An Updated Review of Patient Characteristics, Genetics, and Outcome

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International Journal of Breast Cancer provides a forum for scientists, clinicians, and health care professionals working in breast cancer research and management. Research includes molecular pathology, genomics, genetic predisposition etc.

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International Journal of Breast Cancer maintains an Editorial Board of practicing researchers from around the world, to ensure manuscripts are handled by editors who are experts in the field of study.

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Research Article

Evaluation of Features in Probably Benign and Malignant Nonmass Enhancement in Breast MRI

Dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (DCE-MRI) is a highly sensitive breast imaging modality in detecting breast carcinoma. Nonmass enhancement (NME) is uniquely seen on MRI of the breast. The correlation between NME features and pathologic results has not been extensively explored. Our goal was to evaluate the characteristics of probably benign and suspicious NME lesions in MRI and determine which features are more associated with malignancy. We performed a retrospective research after approval by the hospital ethics committee on women who underwent breast MRI from March 2017 to March 2020 and identified 63 lesions of all 400 NME that were categorized as probably benign or suspicious according to the BI-RADS classification (version 2013). MRI features of NME findings including the location, size, distribution and enhancement pattern, kinetic curve, diffusion restriction, and also pathology result or 6-12-month follow-up MRI were evaluated and analyzed in each group (probably benign or suspicious NME). Vacuum-guided biopsies (VAB) were performed under mammographic or sonographic guidance and confirmed with MRI by visualization of the inserted clips. Segmental distribution and clustered ring internal enhancement were significantly associated with malignancy ( value<0.05), while linear distribution or homogeneous enhancement patterns were associated with benignity ( value <0.05). Additionally, the plateau and washout types in the dynamic curve were only seen in malignant lesions ( value <0.05). The presence of DWI restriction in NME lesions was also found to be a statistically important factor. Understanding the imaging findings of malignant NME is helpful to determine when biopsy is indicated. The correlation between NME features and pathologic results is critical in making appropriate management.

Research Article

Assessment of miRNA-10b Expression Levels as a Potential Precursor to Metastasis in Localized and Locally Advanced/Metastatic Breast Cancer among Iraqi Patients

Breast cancer (BC) stands as the most prevalent form of carcinoma among women, ranking as the second leading cause of cancer-related mortality in the female population. The objective of this study is to assess the expression of miR-10b and determine its diagnostic and prognostic significance in breast cancer patients across various disease stages. The investigation was carried out in Baghdad at the Oncology Teaching Hospital within Baghdad Medical City and the Oncology Unit at Al-Yarmouk Teaching Hospital. A total of 150 samples were included and divided into two groups: the blood group consisting of 90 samples (including control subjects, localized BC patients, and those with metastatic and locally advanced BC) and the tissue group comprising 60 samples (representing both benign and malignant BC cases). The study spanned from March 2022 to January 2023, with patients’ ages ranging from 24 to 75 years. The primary focus of this investigation was to identify the gene expression of miRNA-10b in all sample types. This was achieved by measuring gene expression levels and normalizing them to the level of a housekeeping gene (U6), and quantification was carried out considering the value and the fold change method (). The results revealed an upregulated fold expression of miRNA-10b, particularly in locally advanced and metastatic BC, where the expression was significantly higher compared to the other groups, with a fold expression of . In localized breast cancer, the fold expression was , and in malignant tissue, it measured , all relative to apparently healthy control subjects. In summary, our research provides compelling evidence supporting the classification of miRNA-10b as an oncogenic factor in BC. The central involvement of miRNA-10b in the tumorigenic processes of BC highlights its reference for developing novel targeted therapeutic interventions and detection biomarkers for BC treatment. Notably, elevated expression of miRNA-10b was observed in BC tissues, correlating with an unfavorable distant metastasis-free survival outcome.

Research Article

A Pilot Study of the Combination of Entinostat with Capecitabine in Advanced Breast Cancer

Background. Breast cancer has an unacceptably high recurrence rate when any residual disease is found following neoadjuvant treatment of high-risk disease. Based on clinical data suggesting an adjuvant role for epigenetic modifying agents in breast cancer and preclinical data suggesting synergistic activity of entinostat combined with capecitabine, we conducted a phase I, open-label study of these agents in metastatic breast cancer (MBC). Both agents have published doses for use in combination therapy, but the agents had not previously been combined with each other in a human trial. Methods. A multisite phase I dose escalation study was performed at two academic centers. Patients with pretreated, HER2-negative MBC, and measurable disease were enrolled. Dual dose escalation was performed via a Bayesian partial order continual assessment method. Dose levels ranged from entinostat 3 mg to 5 mg and capecitabine 800 mg/m2 to 1000 mg/m2. Results. Thirteen patients with MBC and a median of 4 lines of prior therapy were enrolled across four dose level combinations. The most common toxicities were neutropenia, thrombocytopenia, and palmar-plantar dysesthesia, which were expected toxicities. No new safety signals were observed. One dose-limiting toxicity was observed, which did not exceed a prespecified toxicity rate of 25%. The median treatment duration was 2.37 months. No partial nor complete responses were observed. The study was halted early prior to entering an expansion phase, due to drug supply limitations. Conclusion. The tested dosing combinations of entinostat and capecitabine are likely safe in heavily pretreated metastatic breast cancer. This study’s clinical investigation of entinostat in breast cancer was halted, but drug development of this agent continues outside the US. There remains a need for postoperative adjuvant drug therapy for the subpopulation of breast cancer patients with high-risk residual cancer after curative therapy. This trial is registered with NCT03473639.

Research Article

Strategies to Promote Empowerment Status of Breast Cancer Women

Background. As the second leading cause of death in women in the world, breast cancer has several physical and psychological effects. Nowadays, nonclinical approaches such as patient empowerment have been considered by physicians along with clinical care. Given the increasing number of breast cancer women worldwide, promoting the empowerment of these patients is one of the key factors affecting their survival and quality of life. Therefore, because of no comprehensive research on the empowerment needs and related improvement strategies, this study is aimed at determining the empowerment status of breast cancer patients referred to the Shahid Motahari Breast Cancer Clinic in Iran, Shiraz, and at providing strategies to improve their empowerment in 2021. Methods. This applied study was conducted in two phases. In the quantitative phase, 310 Cancer-Related Patient Empowerment Scale questionnaires (Persian format) were distributed among the studied patients selected through the random sampling method in the clinic, and the items with “unacceptable status” became the basis for determining the empowerment strategies through the scoping review and semistructured interviews with 22 medical staff and patients through the thematic analysis. The collected data were analyzed using the SPSS 20.0 and MAXQDA10 software. Results. The mean score of the participants’ empowerment strategies was 3.58. The results showed that trust in the physician, family support, and spiritual beliefs could affect the empowerment of the studied patients. Moreover, the participants needed empowerment strategies in 11 scale items with unacceptable status, for which 46 strategies were determined in the scoping review and interview phase. Conclusion. The results of this study provided useful strategies for empowering breast cancer patients, the most important of which were classified into five categories of financial support, informational support, interaction with the physician, occupational support, and complementary therapies, the use of which by the stakeholders could help to improve the patients’ quality of life while improving their empowerment.

Research Article

Exploring Anti-Breast Cancer Effects of Live Pediococcus acidilactici and Its Cell-Free Supernatant Isolated from Human Breast Milk

Current breast cancer treatment options are limited by drug resistance and adverse side effects, which calls for the need for alternatives or complementary remedies. Probiotic bacteria isolated from human breast milk have been shown to possess proapoptotic and anti-inflammatory properties against breast mastitis in breastfeeding mothers and are being studied as possible anticancer regimens. Thus, this study aimed at exploring the effect of lactic acid bacteria isolated from human breast milk on MDA-MB 231 breast cancer cells. A total of twenty-two bacteria were isolated from four human breast milk samples. The isolates were characterized and identified using biochemical tests and Sanger sequencing, respectively. For in vitro experiments, we used isolated P. acidilactici to treat MDA-MB-231 cells, and an MTT assay was used to detect proliferation. RT-qPCR and wound healing assays were performed to determine the effect of the isolated P. acidilactici on breast cancer cytokine expression and migration. Exposure of MDA-MB 231 breast cancer cells to live P. acidilactici and its cell-free supernatant (CFS) for 24 h resulted in a reduction in cancer cell viability. Also, the expression of the cytokines IL-6, IL-8, and IL-10 in the breast cancer cells increased following exposure to P. acidilactici and its CFS for 24 and 72 h. Additionally, the levels of the SLUG gene remained unchanged while the TWIST1 gene was upregulated following exposure of the cancer cells to bacteria, indicating that P. acidilactici may promote epithelial-mesenchymal transition in breast cancer. Finally, the CFS significantly inhibited cancer cell mobility. These findings serve as a foundation to further investigate the usefulness of P. acidilactici as a potential therapeutic agent in breast cancer therapy.

Research Article

Depression and Breast Cancer in Morocco: Prevalence and Associated Factors

Background. Depression is frequently associated with breast cancer. However, its prevalence and impact on patients’ quality of life are negligible. Depression is often underdiagnosed and less treated. Objectives. Our study is aimed at estimating the prevalence of depression in breast cancer patients, describing their sociodemographic and clinical profile, and determining the factors associated with this depression. Material and Methods. We carried out a cross-sectional, descriptive, and analytical study, conducted from January to March 2018 at Mohammed V Military Hospital in Rabat. The survey included 100 breast cancer patients. It was conducted using an anonymous questionnaire, the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview test (MINI test) to diagnose depression and the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) to assess its severity. Results. The major depressive episode was diagnosed in 26% of breast cancer patients. Age under 40, psychiatric history, metastatic breast cancer, refusal of treatment, heavier treatment, and spousal alteration were the factors most associated with higher depression prevalence in these patients. Discussion and Conclusion. The high prevalence of depression in breast cancer patients, as well as the influence of personal characteristics and treatment in the occurrence of this ailment, has been confirmed by several authors. It is recommended to improve the psychooncological care of patients with breast cancer, to prevent the occurrence of depression in this vulnerable population.

International Journal of Breast Cancer
 Journal metrics
See full report
Acceptance rate8%
Submission to final decision122 days
Acceptance to publication25 days
CiteScore2.400
Journal Citation Indicator0.330
Impact Factor1.9
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