Progress of Breast Cancer basic research in China

Exosomal miRNA-92a derived from cancer-associated fibroblasts promote invasion and metastasis in breast cancer by regulating G3BP2

Cancer-associated Fibroblasts (CAFs) exert a tumor-promoting effect in various cancers, including breast cancer. CAFs secrete exosomes containing miRNA and proteins, influencing the tumor microenvironment. In this study, we identified CAF-derived exosomes that transport functional miR-92a from CAFs to tumor cells, thereby intensifying the aggressiveness of breast cancer. CAFs downregulate the expression of G3BP2 in breast cancer cells, and a significant elevation in miR-92a levels in CAF-derived exosomes was observed. Both in vitro and in vivo experiments demonstrate that miR-92a enhances breast cancer cell migration and invasion by directly targeting G3BP2, functioning as a tumor-promoting miRNA. We validated that the RNA-binding proteins SNRPA facilitate the transfer of CAF-derived exosomal miR-92a to breast cancer cells. The reduction of G3BP2 protein by CAF-derived exosomes releases TWIST1 into the nucleus, promoting epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and further exacerbating breast cancer progression. Moreover, CAF-derived exosomal miR-92a induces tumor invasion and metastasis in mice. Overall, our study reveals that CAF-derived exosomal miR-92a serves as a promoter in the migration and invasion of breast cancer cells by reducing G3BP2 and may represent a potential novel tumor marker for breast cancer.

Molecular, biological characterization and drug sensitivity of chidamide-resistant MCF7 cells

Background

Chidamide (CHI) is a subtype-selective histone deacetylase inhibitor (HDACI) developed in China and approved as a second-line treatment combined with the aromatase inhibitor for hormone receptor-positive (HR+)/human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-negative (HER2-) advanced breast cancer. However, drug resistance is commonly occurred after a long period of medication. This study aimed to investigate the characterization of induced resistance to CHI and explore the potential cross-resistance to chemotherapeutic agents.

Methods

CHI with gradually increasing concentrations was added to breast cancer MCF7 cells to establish a CHI-resistant MCF7 (MCF7-CHI-R) cell line. Cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) assays were performed to detect half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) of CHI. Colony formation was used to determine the proliferation inhibition rate. Western blot analysis was conducted to detect expressions of protein related with cell cycle, apoptosis, ferroptosis, and histone deacetylase (HDAC). Flow cytometry was used to analyze apoptosis and cell cycle.

Results

The IC50 value of CHI of MCF7-CHI-R cells was increased in comparison with MCF7 cells. And CHI led to cell cycle arrest and ferroptosis, which were not exhibited in MCF7-CHI-R cells. Moreover, HDAC activity decreased in MCF7-CHI-R cells in comparison with MCF7 cells, and HDAC1 and HDAC10 might be involved in the resistance to CHI. In addition, MCF7-CHI-R cells were resistant to gemcitabine (GEM), doxorubicin (ADM), docetaxel (DXT), albumin-bound paclitaxel (nab-PTX) and paclitaxel (PTX).

Conclusions

The MCF7-CHI-R was established and the anti-ferroptosis pathway activation was involved in the resistance of MCF-CHI-R cells. Also, MCF7-CHI-R cells were resistant to GEM, ADM, DXT, nab-PTX and PTX.

Association Between Polymorphisms in DNA Damage Repair Pathway Genes and Female Breast Cancer Risk

Breast cancer risk have been discussed to be associated with polymorphisms in genes as well as abnormal DNA damage repair function. This study aims to assess the relationship between genes single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) related to DNA damage repair and female breast cancer risk in Chinese population. A case-control study containing 400 patients and 400 healthy controls was conducted. Genotype was identified using the sequence MassARRAY method and expression of estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR) and human epidermal growth factor receptor-2 (HER-2) in tumor tissues was analyzed by immunohistochemistry assay. The results revealed that ATR rs13091637 decreased breast cancer risk influenced by ER, PR (CT/TT vs. CC: adjusted odds ratio [OR] = 1.54, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.04-2.27, p = 0.032; CT/TT vs. CC: adjusted OR = 1.63, 95%CI: 1.14-2.35, p = 0.008) expression. Stratified analysis revealed that PALB2 rs16940342 increased breast cancer risk in response to menstrual status (AG/GG vs. AA: adjusted OR = 1.72, 95%CI: 1.13-2.62, p = 0.011) and age of menarche (AG/GG vs. AA: adjusted OR = 1.54, 95%CI: 1.03-2.31, p = 0.037), whereas ATM rs611646 and Ku70 rs132793 were associated with reduced breast cancer risk influenced by menarche (GA/AA vs. GG: adjusted OR = 0.50, 95%CI: 0.30-0.95, p = 0.033). In a summary, PALB2 rs16940342, ATR rs13091637, ATM rs611646, and Ku70 rs132793 were associated with breast cancer risk.

CD93 regulates breast cancer growth and vasculogenic mimicry through the PI3K/AKT/SP2 signaling pathway activated by integrin β1

In women, breast cancer (BC) accounts for 7%-10% of all cancer cases and is one of the most common cancers. To identify a new method for treating BC, the role of CD93 and its underlying mechanism were explored. MDA-MB-231 cells were used in this study and transfected with si-CD93, si-MMRN2, oe-CD93, si-integrin β1, or oe-SP2 lentivirus. After MDA-MB-231 cells were transfected with si-NC or si-CD93, they were injected into nude mice by subcutaneous injection at a dose of 5 × 106/mouse to construct a BC animal model. The expression of genes and proteins and cell migration, invasion and vasculogenic mimicry were detected by RT‒qPCR, western blot, immunohistochemistry, immunofluorescence, Transwell, and angiogenesis assays. In pathological samples and BC cell lines, CD93 was highly expressed. Functionally, CD93 promoted the proliferation, migration, and vasculogenic mimicry of MDA-MB-231 cells. Moreover, CD93 interacts with MMRN2 and integrin β1. Knockdown of CD93 and MMRN2 can inhibit the activation of integrin β1, thereby inhibiting the PI3K/AKT/SP2 signaling pathway and inhibiting BC growth and vasculogenic mimicry. In conclusion, the binding of CD93 to MMRN2 can activate integrin β1, thereby activating the PI3K/AKT/SP2 signaling pathway and subsequently promoting BC growth and vasculogenic mimicry.

A novel long non-coding RNA LINC00524 facilitates invasion and metastasis through interaction with TDP43 in breast cancer

Breast cancer (BC) remains a significant health concern worldwide, with metastasis being a primary contributor to patient mortality. While advances in understanding the disease's progression continue, the underlying mechanisms, particularly the roles of long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs), are not fully deciphered. In this study, we examined the influence of the lncRNA LINC00524 on BC invasion and metastasis. Through meticulous analyses of TCGA and GEO data sets, we observed a conspicuous elevation of LINC00524 expression in BC tissues. This increased expression correlated strongly with a poorer prognosis for BC patients. A detailed Gene Ontology analysis suggested that LINC00524 likely exerts its effects through RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) mechanisms. Experimentally, LINC00524 was demonstrated to amplify BC cell migration, invasion and proliferation in vitro. Additionally, in vivo tests showed its potent role in promoting BC cell growth and metastasis. A pivotal discovery was LINC00524's interaction with TDP43, which leads to the stabilization of TDP43 protein expression, an element associated with unfavourable BC outcomes. In essence, our comprehensive study illuminates how LINC00524 accelerates BC invasion and metastasis by binding to TDP43, presenting potential avenues for therapeutic interventions.

Tissue Engineering Scaffolds Loaded With a Variety of Plant Extracts: Novel Model in Breast Cancer Therapy

Despite recent improvements in detecting and managing breast cancer (BC), it continues to be a major worldwide health concern that annually affects millions of people. Exploring the anti-BC potentials of natural compounds has received a lot of scientific attention due to their multi-target mode of action and good safety profiles because of these unmet needs. Drugs made from herbs are secure and have a lot fewer negative effects than those made from synthetic materials. Early stage patients benefit from breast-conserving surgery, but the risk of local recurrence remains, necessitating implanted scaffolds. These scaffolds provide residual cancer cell killing and tailored drug delivery. This review looks at plant extract-infused tissue engineering scaffolds, which provide a novel approach to treating BC. By offering patient individualized, safer treatments, these scaffolds could completely change how BC is treated.

PTX3 promotes breast cancer cell proliferation and metastasis by regulating PKCζbreast cancer, pentraxin 3, protein kinase Cζ, proliferation, metastasis

Breast cancer (BC) is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in women, providing a leading cause of death from malignancy. Pentraxin 3 (PTX3) and protein kinase C ζ (PKCζ) are both known to exert important roles in the progression of multiple types of tumors, including BC. The present study aimed to explore both their interaction and their role in promoting the proliferation and metastasis of BC. The expression level of PTX3 was found to be elevated both in patients with BC and in BC cells; furthermore, it was found to be associated with lymph node metastasis in patients with BC. Knockdown of PTX3 decreased the rate of cell proliferation and the effects of a series of metastasis-associated cellular processes, including cell chemotaxis, migration, adhesion and invasion, as well as diminishing actin polymerization of the MDA-MB-231 and MCF7 BC cells, and decreasing tumor pulmonary metastasis in vivo. Mechanistically, PTX3 and PKCζ were found to be colocalized intracellularly, and they were co-translocated to the cell membrane upon stimulation with epidermal growth factor. Following the knockdown of PTX3, both the phosphorylation and membrane translocation of PKCζ were significantly impaired, suggesting that PTX3 regulates the activation of PKCζ. Taken together, the findings of the present study have shown that PTX3 may promote the proliferation and metastasis of BC cells through regulating PKCζ activation to enhance cell migration, cell chemotaxis, cell invasion and cell adhesion.

Toxoflavin analog D43 exerts antiproliferative effects on breast cancer by inducing ROS-mediated apoptosis and DNA damage

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is regarded as the deadliest subtype of breast cancer because of its high heterogeneity, aggressiveness, and limited treatment options. Toxoflavin has been reported to possess antitumor activity. In this study, a series of toxoflavin analogs were synthesized, among which D43 displayed a significant dose-dependent inhibitory effect on the proliferation of TNBC cells (MDA-MB-231 and HCC1806). Additionally, D43 inhibited DNA synthesis in TNBC cells, leading to cell cycle arrest at the G2/M phase. Furthermore, D43 consistently promoted intracellular ROS generation, induced DNA damage, and resulted in apoptosis in TNBC cells. These effects could be reversed by N-acetylcysteine. Moreover, D43 significantly inhibited the growth of breast cancer patient-derived organoids and xenografts with a favorable biosafety profile. In conclusion, D43 is a potent anticancer agent that elicits significant antiproliferation, oxidative stress, apoptosis, and DNA damage effects in TNBC cells, and D43 holds promise as a potential candidate for the treatment of TNBC.

Long noncoding RNA SNHG1 promotes breast cancer progression by regulating the miR-641/RRS1 axis

An increasing number of studies have indicated the crucial involvement of long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) in the onset and progression of malignancies. However, a complete understanding of the molecular mechanism underlying the effect of abnormally expressed lncRNAs on breast cancer (BC) remains elusive. This study aimed to elucidate the influence of the lncRNA small nucleolar RNA host gene 1 (SNHG1) on BC progression and its underlying mechanism. Our findings revealed a conspicuous up-regulation of SNHG1 in both BC tissues and cells. The downregulation of SNHG1 was observed to inhibit BC cell proliferation, migration, invasion, and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) processes, while simultaneously promoting apoptosis. Furthermore, dual-luciferase reporter gene and RNA pull-down assays established that SNHG1 targeted miR-641 expression, while miR-641 targeted RRS1. Rescue studies demonstrated that in vitro SNHG1 silencing could be reversed by the miR-641 inhibitor, as well as by RRS1 upregulation. Moreover, in vivo downregulation of SNHG1 was found to inhibit BC growth. Through the inhibition of the miR-641 level, SNHG1 elevated the level of the downstream target RRS1, thereby fostering BC growth, migration, and invasion while inhibiting apoptosis. These findings suggest that SNHG1 may represent a potential therapeutic target for BC treatment.

Impact of evidence-based nursing on postoperative psychological state, quality of life, and function of affected limbs in breast cancer patients: An observational study

To analyze the effect of evidence-based nursing on postoperative psychological state, quality of life, and function of affected limbs in breast cancer (BC) patients. This study is a retrospective analysis. The clinical data of 122 BC patients in our hospital were selected and divided into evidence-based group and routine group according to different nursing programs. Patients in evidence-based group received evidence-based nursing, and patients in the conventional group received routine nursing intervention. The acceptance level of BC diagnosis in evidence-based group was significantly higher than that in the conventional group, showing statistical significance (P < .05). After intervention, Self-rating Anxiety Scale and Self-rating Depression Scale scores of both groups were significantly reduced, and the Self-rating Anxiety Scale and Self-rating Depression Scale scores in evidence-based group were significantly lower than those in conventional group, showing statistically significant difference (P < .05); Self-Esteem Scale scores were significantly increased in both groups after intervention, and the scores in evidence-based group were significantly higher than those in conventional group, showing statistically significant difference (P < .05). After intervention, in evidence-based group, the proportion of patients without edema was significantly increased, while the proportion of patients with mild, moderate and severe edema was significantly decreased, exhibiting statistically significant difference (P < .05). After intervention, the circumference difference of the healthy side and the affected side decreased significantly, which was much lower in evidence-based group, showing statistically significant difference (P < .05). After intervention, range of motion of the upper limbs increased significantly between the 2 groups, which was much higher in evidence-based group, exhibiting statistical significance (P < .05). The scores of quality of life (role, emotion, body, cognition and society dimension) in evidence-based group were higher than those in conventional group, exhibiting statistically significant difference (P < .05). Evidence-based nursing can develop more targeted nursing measures according to patients' problems, thus effectively promoting the recovery of upper limb function of BC patients after surgery.

Prognosis stratification and response to treatment in breast cancer based on one-carbon metabolism-related signature

Introduction

Breast cancer (BC) is the most common malignant tumor in the female population. Despite staging and treatment consensus guidelines, significant heterogeneity exists in BC patients' prognosis and treatment efficacy. Alterations in one-carbon (1C) metabolism are critical for tumor growth, but the value of the role of 1C metabolism in BC has not been fully investigated.

Methods

To investigate the prognostic value of 1C metabolism-related genes in BC, 72 1C metabolism-related genes from GSE20685 dataset were used to construct a risk-score model via univariate Cox regression analysis and the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) regression algorithm, which was validated on three external datasets. Based on the risk score, all BC patients were categorized into high-risk and low-risk groups. The predictive ability of the model in the four datasets was verified by plotting Kaplan-Meier curve and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve. The candidate genes were then analyzed in relation to gene mutations, gene enrichment pathways, immune infiltration, immunotherapy, and drug sensitivity.

Results

We identified a 7-gene 1C metabolism-related signature for prognosis and structured a prognostic model. ROC analysis demonstrated that the model accurately predicted the 2-, 3-, and 5-year overall survival rate of BC patients in the four cohorts. Kaplan-Meier analysis revealed that survival time of high-risk patients was markedly shorter than that of low-risk patients (p < 0.05). Meanwhile, high-risk patients had a higher tumor mutational burden (TMB), enrichment of tumor-associated pathways such as the IL-17 signaling pathway, lower levels of T follicular helper (Tfh) and B cells naive infiltration, and poorer response to immunotherapy. Furthermore, a strong correlation was found between MAT2B and CHKB and immune checkpoints.

Discussion

These findings offer new insights into the effect of 1C metabolism in the onset, progression, and therapy of BC and can be used to assess BC patients' prognosis, study immune infiltration, and develop potentially more effective clinical treatment options.

Relationship between kinesiophobia and quality of life among patients with breast cancer-related lymphedema: Chain-mediating effect of self-care and functional exercise compliance

Objective

Breast cancer-related lymphedema (BCRL) significantly impacts the quality of life (QoL) of breast cancer survivors following treatment. This study explores the association between kinesiophobia (fear of pain caused by movement) and QoL in postsurgical BCRL survivors and examines whether self-care and compliance with functional exercise act as mediators between these variables.

Methods

This cross-sectional study surveyed 274 BCRL patients at three tertiary hospitals in Shenyang City, China, from May 2020 to October 2022. The participants completed self-reported questionnaires on self-care, functional exercise compliance, kinesiophobia, and QoL. Medication analysis was conducted using the PROCESS macro (Model 6).

Results

Kinesiophobia was found to have negative association with self-care (P < 0.001), functional exercise compliance (P < 0.001), and QoL (P < 0.001). Kinesiophobia indirectly affected QoL through three mediating pathways: self-care (effect = -0.132), functional exercise compliance (effect = -0.390), and a combination of self-care and functional exercise compliance (effect = -0.220), collectively accounting for 7.9%, 23.3%, and 13.1% of the total effect, respectively.

Conclusions

This study highlights the substantial chain-mediating role of self-care and functional exercise compliance in the relationship between kinesiophobia and QoL. It provides valuable evidence supporting the protective effects of self-care and functional exercise compliance in mitigating kinesiophobia and enhancing the QoL of BCRL survivors.

Rare HER2 L796P missense mutation promotes the growth and oncogenic signaling in breast cancer cells

PURPOSE

This research aimed to find potential HER2 mutations that would have an impact on breast cancer and investigate the underlying mechanism.

EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN

This study first investigated 238 pairs of breast cancer and para-cancerous tissue samples from patients on the targeted next-generation sequencing (tNGS) platform. CCK-8 and clone formation assay were used to investigate whether the mutation exerts proliferative effects on breast cancer cells. In addition, mass spectrometry-based comparative proteomic and phosphoproteomic analyses of the mutation types and wild types of MCF-7 cell lines were carried out.

RESULTS

Among the identified mutations, a new mutation HER2 L796P promoted the proliferation of breast cancer cells and had resistance to lapatinib using CCK-8 cell proliferation assay and clone formation assay. The bioinformatic analysis showed that RAS family proteins and ERK phosphorylated proteins significantly increased in the L796P mutant cells. The Gene Ontology (GO) analysis revealed that L796P mutation affected the function of breast cancer at the level of upstream genes in the MAPK and PI3K-AKT-TOR pathways.

CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE

This study demonstrated that a rare mutation HER2 L796P could be a potential therapeutic target for the clinical management of breast cancer.

Treatment strategies and drug resistance mechanisms in adenocarcinoma of different organs

Adenocarcinoma is a common type of malignant tumor, originating from glandular epithelial cells in various organs, such as pancreas, breast, lung, stomach, colon, rectus, and prostate. For patients who lose the opportunity for radical surgery, medication is available to provide potential clinical benefits. However, drug resistance is a big obstacle to obtain desired clinical prognosis. In this review, we provide a summary of treatment strategies and drug resistance mechanisms in adenocarcinoma of different organs, including pancreatic cancer, gastric adenocarcinoma, colorectal adenocarcinoma, lung adenocarcinoma, and prostate cancer. Although the underlying molecular mechanisms involved in drug resistance of adenocarcinoma vary from one organ to the other, there are several targets that are universal for drug resistance in adenocarcinoma, and targeting these molecules could potentially reverse drug resistance in the treatment of adenocarcinomas.

Emerging roles of interactions between ncRNAs and other epigenetic modifications in breast cancer

Up till the present moment, breast cancer is still the leading cause of cancer-related death in women worldwide. Although the treatment methods and protocols for breast cancer are constantly improving, the long-term prognosis of patients is still not optimistic due to the complex heterogeneity of the disease, multi-organ metastasis, chemotherapy and radiotherapy resistance. As a newly discovered class of non-coding RNAs, ncRNAs play an important role in various cancers. Especially in breast cancer, lncRNAs have received extensive attention and have been confirmed to regulate cancer progression through a variety of pathways. Meanwhile, the study of epigenetic modification, including DNA methylation, RNA methylation and histone modification, has developed rapidly in recent years, which has greatly promoted the attention to the important role of non-coding RNAs in breast cancer. In this review, we carefully and comprehensively describe the interactions between several major classes of epigenetic modifications and ncRNAs, as well as their different subsequent biological effects, and discuss their potential for practical clinical applications.

A novel self-assembled nanoplatform based on retrofitting poloxamer 188 for triple-negative breast cancer targeting treatment

Poloxamer 188 is a widely used pharmaceutical excipient, which can be found in a variety of drug formulations. In this study, a novel self-assembled nanoplatform was developed for active targeting of folate receptor-overexpressing triple-negative breast cancer. This platform, FPP NPs, was prepared by the retrofitted poloxamer 188 derivatives, resulting in nanoparticles with an appropriate size (< 100 nm), good stability, and satisfactory biocompatibility. Cellular uptake and in vivo distribution studies showed that the FPP NPs had strong tumor cell uptake and active targeting capabilities. Furthermore, docetaxel (DTX) was loaded into FPP NPs in this research. The resulting DTX/FPP NPs exhibited high drug encapsulation efficiency and drug loading capacity, and could rapidly release DTX under slightly acidic conditions, significantly increasing the antitumor activity of the encapsulated drug both in vitro and in vivo. In addition, DTX/FPP NPs could significantly decrease the hepatotoxicity and nephrotoxicity of DTX. Therefore, this drug delivery nanoplatform, based on retrofitted poloxamer 188 with self-assembly properties in aqueous solution and active targeting capabilities to tumors, may provide a promising approach for targeted treatment of triple-negative breast cancer.

Betulinic acid in the treatment of breast cancer: Application and mechanism progress

Betulinic acid (BA) is a pentacyclic triterpene compound, which can be obtained by separation, chemical synthesis and biotransformation. BA has excellent biological activities, especially its role in the treatment of breast cancer deserves attention. Its mechanisms mainly include inducing mitochondrial oxidative stress, regulating specific protein (Sp) transcription factors, inhibiting breast cancer metastasis, inhibiting glucose metabolism and NF-κB pathway. In addition, BA can also increase the sensitivity of breast cancer cells to other chemotherapy drugs such as paclitaxel and reduce its toxic side effects. This article reviews the application and possible mechanism of BA in the treatment of breast cancer.

MIR31HG, a potential lncRNA in human cancers and non-cancers

Long non-coding RNAs have recently attracted considerable attention due to their aberrant expression in human diseases. LncMIR31HG is a novel lncRNA that is abnormally expressed in multiple diseases and implicated in various stages of disease progression. A large proportion of recent studies have indicated that MIR31HG has biological functions by triggering various signalling pathways in the pathogenesis of human diseases, especially cancers. More importantly, the abnormal expression of MIR31HG makes it a potential biomarker in diagnosis and prognosis, as well as a promising target for treatments. This review aims to systematically summarize the gene polymorphism, expression profiles, biological roles, underlying mechanisms, and clinical applications of MIR31HG in human diseases.

Circ_ATAD3B inhibits cell proliferation of breast cancer via mediating the miR-570-3p/MX2 axis

It has been discovered that some circular RNAs can serve as excellent therapeutic targets for breast cancer (BC). However, the biological role that circ ATAD3B plays in BC is not yet completely understood. As a result, the purpose of this work was to evaluate the function of circ_ATAD3B in the development of BC. Three different GEO datasets were used to compile the expression profiles of circRNAs related to BC (GSE101124, GSE165884, and GSE182471). CCK-8 and the production of clones, in addition to RT-PCR and western blot assays, were utilized in this study to evaluate the regulation of these three biological molecules in the process of BC carcinogenesis.circ_ATAD3B was the only potential BC-related circRNA that was significantly reduced in BC tumor tissues, and it functioned as a miR-570-3p sponge to suppress cell survival and proliferation, as stated by the aforementioned two algorithms. The expression of MX2 was boosted when circ_ATAD3B was used to sponge miR-570-3p. The inhibitory effect that circ_ATAD3B has on the malignant phenotype of BC cells was overcome by the expression of miR-570-3p through up-regulation and MX2 through down-regulation. The tumor suppressor circ_ATAD3B prevents cancer progression by regulating the miR-570-3p/MX2 pathway. Circ_ATAD3B may be a candidate for targeted therapy of breast cancer.

Downregulation of the long noncoding RNA DSCR9 (Down syndrome critical region 9) delays breast cancer progression by modulating microRNA-504-5p-dependent G protein-coupled receptor 65

Possible roles of long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) in cancer stem cells (CSCs) have often been reported. Here, we focused on the regulatory function of the lncRNA Down syndrome critical region 9 (DSCR9) in breast cancer stem cells (BCSCs). Through bioinformatics analysis, DSCR9, microRNA-504-5p (miR-504-5p), and G protein-coupled receptor 65 (GPR65) were identified as targets implicated in breast cancer development. Then, clinical tissue samples, breast cancer cells, and isolated BCSCs were used to determine the expression of DSCR9, miR-504-5p, and GPR65. The results confirmed the overexpression of DSCR9 and GPR65 but low expression of miR-504-5p in breast cancer tissues and cells as well as in BCSCs. Following mechanistic investigation, it was found that DSCR9 targeted miR-504-5p, and that silencing DSCR9 inhibited the proliferation of BCSCs by elevating the expression of miR-504-5p. Additionally, miR-504-5p targeted GPR65 and inhibited its expression. Moreover, GPR65 activated the MEK/ERK signaling pathway to regulate BCSC proliferation. Finally, animal study verified that depletion of DSCR9 inhibited the proliferation of BCSCs in vivo and that BCSC proliferation was restored by overexpression of GPR65. Altogether, our findings revealed that DSCR9 elevated GPR65 expression by targeting miR-504-5p to exacerbate breast cancer, highlighting a new treatment modality for breast cancer.

Application of single-cell RNA sequencing analysis of novel breast cancer phenotypes based on the activation of ferroptosis-related genes

Ferroptosis is distinct from classic apoptotic cell death characterized by the accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and lipid peroxides on the cell membrane. Increasing findings have demonstrated that ferroptosis plays an important role in cancer development, but the exploration of ferroptosis in breast cancer is limited. In our study, we aimed to establish a ferroptosis activation-related model based on the differentially expressed genes between a group exhibiting high ferroptosis activation and a group exhibiting low ferroptosis activation. By using machine learning to establish the model, we verified the accuracy and efficiency of our model in The Cancer Genome Atlas Breast Invasive Carcinoma (TCGA-BRCA) set and gene expression omnibus (GEO) dataset. Additionally, our research innovatively utilized single-cell RNA sequencing data to systematically reveal the microenvironment in the high and low FeAS groups, which demonstrated differences between the two groups from comprehensive aspects, including the activation condition of transcription factors, cell pseudotime features, cell communication, immune infiltration, chemotherapy efficiency, and potential drug resistance. In conclusion, different ferroptosis activation levels play a vital role in influencing the outcome of breast cancer patients and altering the tumor microenvironment in different molecular aspects. By analyzing differences in ferroptosis activation levels, our risk model is characterized by a good prognostic capacity in assessing the outcome of breast cancer patients, and the risk score can be used to prompt clinical treatment to prevent potential drug resistance. By identifying the different tumor microenvironment landscapes between the high- and low-risk groups, our risk model provides molecular insight into ferroptosis in breast cancer patients.

Global longitudinal strain at 3 months after therapy can predict late cardiotoxicity in breast cancer

BACKGROUND

Cancer therapy-related cardiovascular toxicity (CTR-CVT) is a major contributor to poor prognosis in breast cancer (BC) patients undergoing chemotherapy. Left ventricular global longitudinal strain (LV GLS) has predictive value for CTR-CVT, while few researchers take into account late-onset CTR-CVT. This study sought to provide a guide for the prediction of late-onset CTR-CVT in primary BC over the 2 years follow-up via strain and contrast-enhanced echocardiography.

METHODS

Anthracycline and anthracycline + targeted medication groups were created from 111 patients with stage I-III primary BC who were prospectively included. The left ventricular diastolic function, LV global long-axis strain (GLS); left ventricular ejection fraction by contrast-enhanced echocardiography (c-LVEF), and electrocardiograms were collected at baseline, 3, 6, 12, and 24 months after the start of cancer treatment. The high-sensitivity troponin-T and NT-pro BNP at baseline and 3 months after chemotherapy were measured.

RESULTS

(1) LV GLS decreased in BC patients over time. (2) After 12 months' follow-up, the LV GLS in the anthracycline+ targeted group was lower than in the anthracycline group. After 24 months' follow-up, the GLS and c-LVEF in the anthracycline + targeted group declined while the E/e' increased. (3) Decreased LVEF (56%) and arrhythmia (38%) are the common causes of CTR-CVT. Lower LVEF was a major factor in late-onset CTR-CVT. (4) Combination of LV GLS and c-LVEF at 3 months were used as predictors for CTR-CVT and exhibited a higher AUC than either one alone (AUC = 0.929, 95% CI: 0.863-0.970). LV GLS at 3 months can predict the late-onset CTR-CVT (AUC = 0.745, p < 0.001), and the cut-off is 20.32%.

CONCLUSIONS

As time went on, the systolic and diastolic dysfunction of BC patients get worsened. The combination of LV GLS and c-LVEF is better in the prediction of CTR-CVT. Only the LV GLS at 3 months can predict the late-onset CTR-CVT.

Role of Escin in breast cancer therapy: potential mechanism for inducing ferroptosis and synergistic antitumor activity with cisplatin

Breast cancer (BC) has threatened women worldwide for a long time, and novel treatments are needed. Ferroptosis is a new form of regulated cell death that is a potential therapeutic target for BC. In this study, we identified Escin, a traditional Chinese medicine, as a possible supplement for existing chemotherapy strategies. Escin inhibited BC cell growth in vitro and in vivo, and ferroptosis is probable to be the main cause for Escin-induced cell death. Mechanistically, Escin significantly downregulated the protein level of GPX4, while overexpression of GPX4 could reverse the ferroptosis triggered by Escin. Further study revealed that Escin could promote G6PD ubiquitination and degradation, thus inhibiting the expression of GPX4 and contributing to the ferroptosis. Moreover, proteasome inhibitor MG132 or G6PD overexpression could partially reverse Escin-induced ferroptosis, when G6PD knockdown aggravated that. In vivo study also supported that downregulation of G6PD exacerbated tumor growth inhibition by Escin. Finally, our data showed that cell apoptosis was dramatically elevated by Escin combined with cisplatin in BC cells. Taken together, these results suggest that Escin inhibits tumor growth in vivo and in vitro via regulating the ferroptosis mediated by G6PD/GPX4 axis. Our findings provide a promising therapeutic strategy for BC.

Breast cancer prognosis and immunological characteristics are predicted using the m6A/m5C/m1A/m7G-related long noncoding RNA signature

According to statistics, breast cancer (BC) has replaced lung cancer as the most common cancer in the world. Therefore, specific detection markers and therapeutic targets need to be explored as a way to improve the survival rate of BC patients. We first identified m6A/m5C/m1A/m7G-related long noncoding RNAs (MRlncRNAs) and developed a model of 16 MRlncRNAs. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis was applied to assess the prognostic power of the model, while univariate Cox analysis and multivariate Cox analysis were used to assess the prognostic value of the constructed model. Then, we constructed a nomogram to illustrate whether the predicted results were in good agreement with the actual outcomes. We tried to use the model to distinguish the difference in sensitivity to immunotherapy between the two groups and performed some analyses such as immune infiltration analysis, ssGSEA and IC50 prediction. To explore the novel anti-tumor drug response, we reclassified the patients into two clusters. Next, we assessed their response to clinical treatment by the R package pRRophetic, which is determined by the IC50 of each BC patient. We finally identified 11 MRlncRNAs and based on them, a risk model was constructed. In this model, we found good agreement between calibration plots and prognosis prediction. The AUC of ROC curves was 0.751, 0.734, and 0.769 for 1-year, 2-year, and 3-year overall survival (OS), respectively. The results showed that the IC50 was significantly different between the risk groups, suggesting that the risk groups can be used as a guide for systemic treatment. We regrouped patients into two clusters based on 11 MRlncRNAs expression. Next, we conducted immune scores for 2 clusters, which showed that cluster 1 had higher stromal scores, immune scores and higher estimated (microenvironment) scores, demonstrating that TME of cluster 1 was different from cluster 2. The results of this study support that MRlncRNAs can predict tumor prognosis and help differentiate patients with different sensitivities to immunotherapy as a basis for individualized treatment for BC patients.

Jiawei Yanghe Decoction suppresses breast cancer by regulating immune responses via JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathway

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Jiawei Yanghe Decoction (JWYHD) is a widely used traditional Chinese medicine prescription in the clinical setting for the treatment of autoimmune diseases. Many studies showed that JWYHD has anti-tumor activities in cell and animal models. However, the anti-breast cancer effects of JWYHD and the underlying mechanisms of action remain unknown.

AIM OF STUDY

This study aimed to determine the anti-breast cancer effect and reveal the underlying mechanisms of action in vivo, in vitro and in silico.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Orthotopic xenograft breast cancer mouse model and inflammatory zebrafish model were used to observe the anti-tumor effect and immune cell regulation of JWYHD. Moreover, the anti-inflammatory effect of JWYHD were evaluated by the expression of RAW 264.7 cells. JWYHD active ingredients were obtained by UPLC-MS/MS and potential targets were screened by network pharmacology. The therapeutic targets and signaling pathways predicted by computer were assessed by Western blot, real-time PCR (RT-PCR), immunohistochemistry (IHC) staining, and Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA) to explore the therapeutic mechanism of JWYHD against breast cancer. At last, Colivelin and Stattic were used to explore the effect of JWYHD on JAK2/STAT3 pathway.

RESULTS

JWYHD significantly decreased the tumor growth in a dose-dependent manner in the orthotopic xenograft breast cancer mouse model. Flow cytometry and IHC results indicated that JWYHD decreased the expressions of M2 macrophages and Treg while increasing M1 macrophages. Meanwhile, ELISA and Western blot results showed a decrease in IL-1β, IL-6, TNFα, PTGS2 and VEGFα in tumor tissue of JWYHD groups. The results were also verified in LPS-induced RAW264.7 cells and zebrafish inflammatory models. TUNEL assay and IHC results showed that JWYHD significantly induced apoptosis. Seventy-two major compounds in JWYHD were identified by UPLC-MS/MS and Network pharmacology. It was found that the significant binding affinity of JWYHD to TNFα, PTGS2, EGFR, STAT3, VEGFα and their expressions were inhibited by JWYHD. IHC and Western blot analysis showed that JWYHD could decrease the expression of JAK2/STAT3 pathway. Furthermore, Colivelin could reverse the decrease effect of JWYHD in vitro.

CONCLUSION

JWYHD exerts a significant anti-tumor effect mainly by inhibiting inflammation, activating immune responses and inducing apoptosis via the JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathway. Our findings provide strong pharmacological evidence for the clinical application of JWYHD in the management of breast cancer.

The Role of Nomogram Based on the Combination of Ultrasound Parameters and Clinical Indicators in the Degree of Pathological Remission of Breast Cancer

Background

The mortality rate of breast cancer (BC) ranks first among female tumors worldwide and presents a trend of younger age, which poses a great threat to women's health and life. Neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) for breast cancer is defined as the first step of treatment for breast cancer patients without distant metastasis before planned surgical treatment or local treatment with surgery and radiotherapy. According to the current NCCN guidelines, patients with different molecular types of BC should receive neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC), which can not only achieve tumor downstaging, increase the chance of surgery, and improve the breast-conserving rate. In addition, it can identify new genetic pathways and drugs related to cancer, improve patient survival rate, and make new progress in breast cancer management.

Objective

To explore the role of the nomogram established by the combination of ultrasound parameters and clinical indicators in the degree of pathological remission of breast cancer.

Methods

A total of 147 breast cancer patients who received neoadjuvant chemotherapy and elective surgery in the Department of Ultrasound, Nantong Cancer Hospital, from May 2014 to August 2021 were retrospectively included. Postoperative pathological remission was divided into two groups according to Miller-Payne classification: no significant remission group (NMHR group, n = 93) and significant remission group (MHR group, n = 54). Clinical characteristics of patients were recorded and collected. The multivariate logistic regression model was used to screen the information features related to the MHR group, and then, a nomogram model was constructed; ROC curve area, consistency index (C-index, CI), calibration curve, and H-L test were used to evaluate the model. And the decision curve is used to compare the net income of the single model and composite model.

Results

Among 147 breast cancer patients, 54 (36.7%) had pathological remission. Multivariate logistic regression showed that ER, reduction/disappearance of strong echo halo, Adler classification after NAC, PR + CR, and morphological changes were independent risk factors for pathological remission (P < 0.05). Based on these factors, the nomogram was constructed and verified. The area under the curve (AUC) and CI were 0.966, the sensitivity and specificity were 96.15% and 92.31%, and the positive predictive value (PPV) and negative predictive value (NPV) were 87.72% and 97.15%, respectively. The mean absolute error of the agreement between the predicted value and the real value is 0.026, and the predicted risk is close to the actual risk. In the range of HRT of about 0.0∼0.9, the net benefit of the composite evaluation model is higher than that of the single model. H-L test results showed that χ ² = 8.430, P=0.393 > 0.05.

Conclusion

The nomogram model established by combining the changes of ultrasound parameters and clinical indicators is a practical and convenient prediction model, which has a certain value in predicting the degree of pathological remission after neoadjuvant chemotherapy.

MiR-598-5p inhibits breast cancer tumor growth and lung metastasis by targeting PPAPDC1A

This study aimed to explore the effects of PPAPDC1A on the malignant phenotype of breast cancer (BC) in vivo and in vitro. PPAPDC1A expression was examined in BC tissues and cell lines by real-time polymerase chain reaction and Western blot. In this article, cell proliferation was evaluated by Cell Counting Kit-8 assay and colony formation assay, and cell migration and invasion were evaluated by wound healing assay and transwell assays. Furthermore, in vivo cell growth and pulmonary metastasis experiments were also performed using nude mice. The results showed that compared with normal tissues and cells, the PPAPDC1A expression in BC tissues and cell lines were both significantly increased. The PPAPDC1A targeting sequence significantly inhibited the PPAPDC1A expression and cell proliferation, migration, and invasion. The results of xenograft showed that knockdown of PPAPDC1A inhibited tumor growth and lung metastasis of BC. Then, the Dual-Luciferase Reporter Assay confirmed that miR-598-5p targeted the regulation of PPAPDC1A expression. In addition, the miR-598-5p expression in BC tissues was lower than that in the normal tissues. The rescue experiment showed that PPAPDC1A overexpression reversed the inhibitory effect of miR-598-5p mimic on cell proliferation, migration, and invasion. In conclusion, PPAPDC1A was highly expressed in BC tissues and cell lines, and miR-598-5p inhibited the malignant phenotype of BC by targeting PPAPDC1A.

High incidence combination of multiple primary malignant tumors of the digestive system

BACKGROUND

Clinical reports of multiple primary malignant tumors (MPMTs) in the digestive system are increasing. In China, although the survival rate of patients with MPMTs is increasing, the quality of life is very low. Many patients have reached the advanced stage when the second primary tumor is found, resulting in no early intervention and treatment. This is due to the misunderstanding of MPMTs by clinicians, who treat such tumors as metastases. Therefore, before a patient has a second primary tumor, doctors should understand some common combinations of digestive system MPMTs to provide clinical guidance to the patient.

AIM

To explore the high incidence combination of digestive system MPMTs under heterochronism and synchronization.

METHODS

A total of 1902 patients with MPMTs at Peking Union Medical College Hospital were analyzed retrospectively. They were divided into metachronous MPMT and synchronous MPMT groups, and then the high incidence combinations of the first primary cancer and the second primary cancer in metachronous cancer and synchronous cancer were sorted. Sex and age differences between metachronous and synchronous tumors were tested by the chi square test and t test, respectively. A P value < 0.05 was considered as statistically significant, and SPSS version 26.0 (SPSS Inc., Chicago, Illinois, United States) was used for statistical analysis.

RESULTS

Among the 1902 patients with MPMTs confirmed by pathology, 1811 (95.2%) cases were secondary primary cancers, 89 (4.7%) cases were tertiary primary cancers, and 2 (0.1%) cases were quaternary primary cancers. Most (88.2%) of the secondary primary cancers were identified as metachronous multiple primary cancers six months after diagnosis of the first primary cancer. The top ten most common MPMTs in the first primary cancer group ranged from high to low as follows: Breast cancer, thyroid cancer, nonuterine cancer, lung cancer, colon cancer, kidney cancer, uterine cancer, bladder cancer, rectal cancer, and gastric cancer. The highest incidence rate of the first primary cancer in male metachronous cancer was lung cancer (11.6%), the highest incidence rate of the second primary cancer was still lung cancer (24.9%), the highest incidence rate of the first primary cancer in female metachronous cancer was breast cancer (32.7%), and the highest incidence rate of the second primary cancer was lung cancer (20.8%). Among them, breast cancer, nonuterine cancer and uterine cancer were female-specific malignant tumor types, and thyroid cancer also accounted for 79.6% of female patients. The top five metachronous cancer combinations, independent of female-specific malignant tumor types and thyroid cancer, were colon cancer and lung cancer (26 cases), kidney cancer and lung cancer (25 cases), rectal cancer and lung cancer (20 cases), gastric cancer and lung cancer (17 cases), and bladder cancer and lung cancer (17 cases). The most common synchronous cancer combination was colon cancer and rectal cancer (15 cases).

CONCLUSION

Screening for lung cancer should be performed six months after the detection of colon cancer while rectal cancer screening should be performed within six months.

SIPA1 Regulates LINC01615 to Promote Metastasis in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer

Simple Summary

Breast cancer is a malignant tumor that often endangers women. After undergoing surgery and supplementary chemotherapy, however, tumor recurrence has not been well researched. The primary cause is high metastatic rates. Hence, bioinformatic and functional analyses were performed to indicate the effect of LINC01615 on breast cancer. We revealed that LINC01615 is regulated by the transcription factor SIPA1 in promoting breast cancer cell malignancy.

Abstract

Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are reported to play an important regulatory effect in carcinogenesis and malignancy. We found by high-throughput sequencing that LINC01615 is upregulated in breast cancer patients and reduces patients’ overall survival. In vivo and in vitro experiments, we clarified that overexpression of LINC01615 can promote breast cancer cell metastasis ability. The expression of LINC01615 is regulated by the transcriptional activator SIPA1, thereby promoting carcinogenesis in breast cancer cells. Our research clarified that LINC01615 can act as an oncogenic factor in promoting the development of breast cancer.

Overexpression of MCAM induced by SMYD2-H3K36me2 in breast cancer stem cell properties

BACKGROUND

Melanoma cell adhesion molecule (MCAM) is highly expressed in various malignancies. However, studies on the effects of MCAM on stemness of cancer stem cells are limited. Here, we aimed to explore the relationship between MCAM and stem cell phenotype in breast cancer (BC).

METHODS

We analyzed the genes differentially expressed in BC from the oncomine database, followed by TCGA-BRCA database validation. We then used gene set enrichment analysis to analyze the signaling pathways enriched to the relevant genes, followed by loss-of-function experiments to analyze the role of MCAM in the growth of BC cells and the maintenance of stem cell properties. We analyzed the cause for the MCAM overexpression using ChIP-seq and clarified the upstream mechanism by constructing SE-Deleted cells. Finally, the role of SMYD2 in the growth of BC cells and the maintenance of stem cell properties were verified by rescue experiments.

RESULTS

MCAM was significantly overexpressed in BC, which predicted somber prognosis in patients. Knockdown of MCAM drastically hindered the growth and metastasis of BC cells in vitro and in vivo. Subsequently, the MCAM promoter was observed to have significant H3K36me2 modification and that SMYD2 could significantly promote the expression of MCAM. In addition, further overexpression of SMYD2 in cells with MCAM knockdown increased MCAM expression and promoted the growth as well as stemness of BC cells.

CONCLUSION

SMYD2 can elevate the expression of MCAM by promoting its H3K36me2 modification, which in turn expedites the growth and stem cell properties of BC cells.

The COMT Genetic Factor Regulates Chemotherapy-Related Prospective Memory Impairment in Survivors With HER2-/+ Breast Cancer

Background

Previous findings indicated that polymorphism in gene catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) had been linked to chemotherapy-related cognitive impairment (CRCI). Nevertheless, the motivation of COMT polymorphisms in regulating cognitive impairment in breast cancer survivors with disparate status of human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) was still vague.

Objective

The current research aimed to evaluate the regulation of the risk by COMT genotype on CRCI in breast cancer survivors with disparate status of HER2.

Methods

Breast cancer survivors (103 with HER2− and 118 with HER2+) underwent neuropsychological tests before and after chemotherapy, containing event- and time-based prospective memory (EBPM and TBPM). Three single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were estimated by providing peripheral blood, containing COMT (rs165599, rs737865, and rs4680).

Results

The EBPM and TBPM performances was lower as compared with these before chemotherapy (z = −7.712, z = −2.403, respectively, p < 0.01). Furthermore, the EBPM and TBPM performances of HER2− group survivors were lower than those of HER2+ group survivors after chemotherapy (z = −7.181, p < 0.01; z = −2.205 p < 0.05, respectively). The survivors with COMT (rs165599) A/A genotype carriers had a meaningfully poorer chance of memory descend [dominant model: adjusted, OR = 2.21, CI (95%) = 1.156–4.225, p = 0.016] and showed better on TBPM test, relative to G/G genotype. Patients with the COMT (rs737865) A/G and G/G genotype showed protective function than the patients with the A/A and performed better on MMSE and TBPM tests.

Conclusion

The types of HER2 may be correlated to chemotherapy-related prospective memory impairments in breast cancer survivors. Furthermore, the COMT (rs165599, rs737865) polymorphisms were correlated to the risk of TBPM decline scores and possibly be a potential genetic identifying for increasing risk of CRCI in breast cancer patients with disparate status of HER2.

Male Breast Carcinoma Metastatic to the Choroid: A Case Report and Opinions of Management

Male breast carcinoma metastatic to the choroid is very rare and often related to poor prognosis. Herein, we report the findings in a Chinese male breast cancer patient who developed choroidal metastasis, and give opinions on systemic treatments. A 45-year-old Chinese male represented with difficulty breathing and visual impairment in the left eye 6 years after his breast cancer surgery and postoperative adjuvant treatment. PET/CT revealed multi-organs metastasis of the patient. The IHC indicated the lung lesion to be originated from the breast (ER+/PR+/HER2-). Eye examination provided evidence for breast cancer choroidal metastasis. Two cycles of TX (docetaxel + capecitabine) followed by two courses of GP (gemcitabine + cis-platinum) were applied as salvage chemotherapy. Metastases in his lung and bone remained stable. As for choroidal metastasis, a regimen of CDK4/6 inhibitor (Palbociclib) plus fulvestrant was recommended to the patient, which led to a good response. Notably, CDK4/6 inhibitor combined with endocrine therapy may be considered as an effective treatment for hormonal receptor-positive breast cancer patients with choroidal metastasis. We recommend that eye examination should not be neglected in breast cancer patients.

Chemically synthesized cinobufagin suppresses nasopharyngeal carcinoma metastasis by inducing ENKUR to stabilize p53 expression

Clinically, the metastasis of tumor cells is the key factor of death in patients with cancer. In this study, we used a model of metastatic nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) to explore the effects of a new chemical, cinobufagin (CB), combined with cisplatin (DDP). We observed that chemically synthesized CB strongly decreased the metastasis of NPC. Furthermore, a better therapeutic effect was shown when CB was combined with DDP. Molecular analysis revealed that CB induced ENKUR expression by deregulating the PI3K/AKT pathway and suppressing c-Jun, an oncogenic transcriptional factor that binds to the ENKUR promoter and negatively modulated its expression in NPC. ENKUR as a tumor suppressor binds to MYH9 and decreases its expression by recruiting β-catenin via its enkurin domain to prevent its nuclear accumulation, which therefore suppresses c-Jun-induced MYH9 expression. Subsequently, downregulated MYH9 reduces the enlistment of E3 ligase UBE3A and thus decreases the UBE3A-mediated ubiquitination degradation of p53, a key tumor suppressor that decreases epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). Clinical sample analysis demonstrated that the ENKUR expression level was significantly reduced in NPC tissues. Its decreased expression substantially promoted clinical progression and reflected poor prognosis for patients with NPC. This study demonstrated that CB induced ENKUR to repress the β-catenin/c-Jun/MYH9 signal and thus decreased UBE3A-mediated p53 ubiquitination degradation. As a result, the EMT signal was inactivated to suppress NPC metastasis.

Association Between SNPs in the One-Carbon Metabolism Pathway and the Risk of Female Breast Cancer in a Chinese Population

Objective

The aim of this study is to assess the relationship between the single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) in the one-carbon metabolism pathway (MTR rs1805087; MTHFR rs1801133; ALDH1L1 rs2002287, rs2276731; DNMT1 rs16999593, rs2228611; DNMT3B rs2424908) and the risk of female breast cancer (BC) in a Chinese population.

Methods

A population-based case-control study was conducted, involving a total of 439 BC patients and 439 age-matched healthy controls. We adopted Sequence MASSarray to identify genotyping, and used immunohistochemistry (IHC) to test the expression of estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR) and human epidermal growth factor receptor-2 (HER-2) in tumor tissue.

Results

We found that rs16999593 (TC/CC vs TT: adjusted OR=1.38, 95% CI: 1.03-1.84, p=0.030) was associated with an increased risk of BC, while rs2228611 was related to a decreased BC risk (GA/AA vs GG: adjusted OR=0.74, 95% CI: 0.56-0.97, p=0.030). In addition, stratified analysis revealed that DNMT1 rs16999593, rs2228611 and ALDH1L1 rs2002287 contributed to the risk of BC, with associations with ER, PR and HER-2 expression.

Conclusion

In summary, this study revealed that DNMT1 rs16999593 and rs2228611 were associated with BC risk.

Design and synthesis of chromone-nitrogen mustard derivatives and evaluation of anti-breast cancer activity

Chromone has emerged as one of the most important synthetic scaffolds for antitumor activity, which promotes the development of candidate drugs with better activity. In this study, a series of nitrogen mustard derivatives of chromone were designed and synthesised, in order to discover promising anti-breast tumour candidates. Almost all target derivatives showed antiproliferative activity against MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 cell lines. In particular, methyl (S)-3-(4-(bis(2-chloroethyl)amino)phenyl)-2-(5-(((6-methoxy-4-oxo-4H-chromen-3-yl)methyl)amino)-5-oxopentanamido)propanoate showed the most potent antiproliferative activity with IC₅₀ values of 1.83 and 1.90 μM, respectively, and it also exhibited certain selectivity between tumour cells and normal cells. Further mechanism exploration against MDA-MB-231 cells showed that it possibly induced G2/M phase arrest and apoptosis by generating intracellular ROS and activating DNA damage. In addition, it also inhibited MDA-MB-231 cells metastasis, invasion and adhesion. Overall, methyl (S)-3-(4-(bis(2-chloroethyl)amino)phenyl)-2-(5-(((6-methoxy-4-oxo-4H-chromen-3-yl)methyl)amino)-5-oxopentanamido)propanoate showed potent antitumor activities and relatively low side effects, and deserved further investigation.

Tetraspanin 1 (TSPAN1) promotes growth and transferation of breast cancer cells via mediating PI3K/Akt pathway

The incidence and mortality of breast cancer rank first among all types of female tumors. To improve patients’ prognosis with advanced breast cancer, new and more effective targets still need to be explored and identified. Tetraspanin 1 (TSPAN1) is highly expressed in several cancers and affects the progression of these tumors. However, there are few studies focused on its role in breast cancer. Previous study showed that TSPAN1 promoted epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and metastasis, and whether TSPAN1 could promote breast cancer via regulating EMT needs further study. In this study, we found high TSPAN1 expression in breast cancer tumor samples and cell lines which was confirmed by bioinformation analysis. The ablation of TSPAN1 suppressed the growth, and motility of breast cancer cells. We further found that TSPAN1 affected the EMT and mediated the PI3K/Akt pathway in breast cancer cells. In addition, TSPAN1 depletion suppressed tumor growth of breast cancer in mice. In summary, we thought TSPAN1 suppressed growth and motility of breast cancer via mediating EMT and PI3K/AKT pathway, and could serve as a potential target for treatment of breast cancer.