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ObjectiveTriple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is a heterogeneous disease with poor prognosis. Circulating tumor cells (CTCs) are a promising predictor for breast cancer prognoses but their reliability regarding progression-free survival (PFS) is controversial. We aim to verify their predictive value in TNBC.MethodsIn present prospective cohort study, we used the Pep@MNPs method to enumerate CTCs in baseline blood samples from 75 patients with TNBC (taken at inclusion in this study) and analyzed correlations between CTC numbers and outcomes and other clinical parameters.ResultsMedian PFS was 6.0 (range: 1.0-25.0) months for the entire cohort, in whom we found no correlations between baseline CTC status and initial tumor stage (P=0.167), tumor grade (P=0.783) or histological type (P=0.084). However, among those getting first-line treatment, baseline CTC status was positively correlated with ratio of peripheral natural killer (NK) cells (P=0.032), presence of lung metastasis (P=0.034) and number of visceral metastatic site (P=0.037). Baseline CTC status was predictive for PFS in first-line TNBC (P=0.033), but not for the cohort as a whole (P=0.118). This prognostic limitation of CTC could be ameliorated by combining CTC and NK cell enumeration (P=0.049).ConclusionsBaseline CTC status was predictive of lung metastasis, peripheral NK cell ratio and PFS in TNBC patients undergoing first-line treatment. We have developed a combined CTC-NK enumeration strategy that allows us to predict PFS in TNBC without any preconditions.

Through next generation sequencing, this study evaluated the circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) of advanced breast cancer patients to prospectively explore the relationship between specific DNA mutations and prognosis as well as therapeutic decision making. The target region covered 1021 gene totally. Clinical characteristics, treatment and outcome data were collected. We analyzed progression-free survival (PFS) from first-line therapy and overall survival (OS), and found that their endpoints were correlated with observed gene mutations. We enrolled 54 patients, with a median follow-up time of 8 years. Mutations were found in TP53, PIK3CA, and ERBB family, at 40.7%, 35.2%, and 25.9%, respectively. PIK3CA more frequently occurred in the site of 3140 A>G (p.H1047R) for 20.4% and HER2+ diseases, and it was associated with shorter median PFS and worse OS among HER2+ patients [mutant vs. wild type: 4 (range 2-9) vs. 8 (range 2-22) months, P=0.006], and [mutant vs. wild type: 29 (range 12-74) vs. 64 (range 20-96) months, P=0.043], respectively. The patients with mutations in TP53 had shorter OS (median 64 vs. 121 months, P=0.006). Multivariate analysis for HER2+ disease demonstrated that the PIK3CA p.H1047R mutation was the only factor associated with shorter PFS (P=0.025); while the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis produces an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.789. The ctDNA analysis, found PIK3CA p.H1047R mutation was more frequent in HER2+ disease and associated with worse OS. It was also the only mutation associated with shorter PFS through a multivariate analysis of HER2+ patients who were treated with trastuzumab, suggesting trastuzumab had lower activity in these patients. The presence of a TP53 mutation was associated with worse OS.

Introduction: Mucinous cystadenocarcinoma (MCA) of the breast is an extremely rare type of breast carcinoma. Since its biological characteristics, treatment options, and clinical outcomes are unclear, there is a lack of consensus regarding the optimal management of this disease. Thus, our single case report will aid our understanding of its natural history, prognostic factors, and treatment strategies. Case Presentation: We presented a 54-year-old woman with a case of advanced MCA of the breast accompanied by a huge breast mass, lymph node involvement, and distant bone metastases. We diagnosed primary breast MCA through clinical examination, imaging, and immunohistochemical assessments. Subsequently, the patient was treated with a regimen of nab-paclitaxel and bevacizumab, resulting in a significant clinical response. Progression-free survival was maintained during the 6-month follow-up period. Conclusion: We present the first report worldwide of a rare case of MCA of the breast with a large local mass and bone metastases. Our report adds to the limited literature on this rare breast cancer subtype and highlights the importance of accurate diagnosis and appropriate management of aggressive breast tumors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The structural stability and electrochemical performance of intrinsic and B doped T-graphene nanotubes with different tube lengths are systematically studied by using first-principles calculations within the framework of density functional theory (DFT). The results show that with the increase of tube length, the adsorption energy of both intrinsic and B doped T-graphene nanotubes exhibits regular oscillations, and B doping is beneficial for elevating the adsorption ability of T-graphene nanotubes. The density of states show that intrinsic T-graphene nanotubes are zero band gap semiconductors, and the orbitals' electronic states cross the Fermi level to form a p-type semiconductor, indicating that B doping greatly improves the conductivity of the system. The results of migration behavior demonstrate that B doping can effectively reduce the diffusion barrier of lithium ions on their surface, especially in B doped T-graphene nanotubes with a tube length of N = 1, resulting in more effective migration behavior and excellent rate performance. These findings provide a theoretical basis for the development and application of negative electrode materials for lithium-ion batteries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: This head-to-head study compared a 3-week versus 4-week schedule of nab-paclitaxel in patients with metastatic breast cancer (mBC). Methods: Patients with HER2-negative mBC were enrolled and randomly assigned (1:1) to receive nab-paclitaxel for a 3-week schedule (125 mg/m2 on days 1 and 8) or a 4-week schedule (same dose on days 1, 8, and 15) until disease progression or treatment intolerance. Patients with intolerable toxicities were allowed to receive a maintenance regimen after benefiting from nab-paclitaxel. The primary endpoint was progression-free survival (PFS). Results: Ninety-four patients were included in the analysis (n = 47 in each arm). A longer median PFS (mPFS) was observed in the 3-week versus the 4-week schedule in the overall population (not reached vs. 6.8 months; hazard ratio [HR] = 0.44; P = .029). Patients in the 2 arms had a similar overall survival (28.0 vs. 25.8 months), objective response rate (51.1% vs. 48.9%), and disease control rate (93.6% vs. 80.9%). The 3-week schedule was associated with a lower rate of toxicity-related treatment discontinuation (8.5% vs. 29.8%) and dose delays (6.4% vs. 23.4%). Conclusion: This study demonstrated the better antitumor activity and safety profile of a 3-week over 4-week nab-paclitaxel schedule in HER2-negative mBC, suggesting that a 3-week schedule may be a better treatment regimen in clinical practice (ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT04192331). This study compared a 3-week versus 4-week schedule of nab -paclitaxel in patients with metastatic breast cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]