Calcification-associated molecular traits and therapeutic strategies in hormone receptor-positive HER2-negative breast cancer

Objective:Mammographic calcifications are a common feature of breast cancer,but their molecular characteristics and treatment implications in hormone receptor-positive(HR+)/human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-negative(HER2−)breast cancer remain unclear.Methods:We retrospectively collected mammography records of an HR+/HER2−breast cancer cohort(n=316)with matched clinicopathological,genomic,transcriptomic,and metabolomic data.On the basis of mammographic images,we grouped tumors by calcification status into calcification-negative tumors,tumors with probably benign calcifications,tumors with calcification of lowmoderate suspicion for maligancy and tumors with calcification of high suspicion for maligancy.We then explored the molecular characteristics associated with each calcification status across multiple dimensions.Results:Among the different statuses,tumors with probably benign calcifications exhibited elevated hormone receptor immunohistochemical staining scores,estrogen receptor(ER)pathway activation,lipid metabolism,and sensitivity to endocrine therapy.Tumors with calcifications of high suspicion for malignancy had relatively larger tumor sizes,elevated lymph node metastasis incidence,Ki-67 staining scores,genomic instability,cell cycle pathway activation,and may benefit from cyclin-dependent kinase 4 and 6(CDK4/6)inhibitors.Conclusions:Our research established links between tumor calcifications and molecular features,thus proposing potential precision treatment strategies for HR+/HER2−breast cancer.

Studies of cocoa tea, a wild tea tree containing theobromine

Camellia ptilophylla Chang is a wild tea tree containing theobromine and is caffeine-free.Lots of researches have been conducted for its domestication since it was discovered to contain theobromine in its shoots.First,its pharmacological and physiological effects have been studied,demonstrating that it can be used as a new resource of tea as daily and healthy beverage.Cocoa tea differs from traditional tea in that it does not excite the nervous system.Second,various ways of propagation have been investigated,and sexless cutting has been the method adopted currently.Third,through selection and breeding,plantation of cocoa tea can be set up to cultivate new varieties,and cocoa tea of different flavors such as green cocoa tea,oolong cocoa tea,and black cocoa tea can be processed.Thus,cocoa tea will become a choice in the tea market.