Circular RNAs in breast cancer diagnosis,treatment and prognosis

Breast cancer has surpassed lung cancer to become the most common malignancy worldwide.The incidence rate and mortality rate of breast cancer continue to rise,which leads to a great burden on public health.Circular RNAs(circRNAs),a new class of noncoding RNAs(ncRNAs),have been recognized as important oncogenes or suppressors in regulating cancer initiation and progression.In breast cancer,circRNAs have significant roles in tumorigenesis,recurrence and multidrug resistance that are mediated by various mechanisms.Therefore,circRNAs may serve as promising targets of therapeutic strategies for breast cancer management.This study reviews the most recent studies about the biosynthesis and characteristics of circRNAs in diagnosis,treatment and prognosis evaluation,as well as the value of circRNAs in clinical applications as biomarkers or therapeutic targets in breast cancer.Understanding the mechanisms by which circRNAs function could help transform basic research into clinical applications and facilitate the development of novel circRNA-based therapeutic strategies for breast cancer treatment.

18F-FES PET/CT Research Progress in the Diagnosis and Treatment of Breast Cancer

Estrogen receptor(ER) is a vital biomarker in the development and development of breast cancer, and its status has great clinical value in clinical treatment strategy, endocrine therapy efficacy prediction, and breast cancer prognosis. By specifically combining 18F-FES with ER, 18F-FES PET/CT imaging uses standard uptake value(SUV) to semi-quantitatively reflect the distribution of ER and its biological activity in patients, and assesses the expression of ER in breast cancer patients about primary and metastases before or after treatment, to provide a basis for personalized treatment of breast cancer. In this review, we will review the imaging principles of a new ER detection method 18F-FES PET/CT, and the research progress in the clinical application of breast cancer, and compare its diagnostic and treatment value with non-specific tumor imaging 18F-FDG PET/CT in breast cancer.

A Hybrid Learning Algorithm for Breast Cancer Diagnosis

In many fields, particularly that of health, the diagnosis of diseases is a very difficult task to carry out. Therefore, early detection of diseases using artificial intelligence tools can be of paramount importance in the medical field. In this study, we proposed an intelligent system capable of performing diagnoses for radiologists. The support system is designed to evaluate mammographic images, thereby classifying normal and abnormal patients. The proposed method (DiagBC for Breast Cancer Diagnosis) combines two (2) intelligent unsupervised learning algorithms (the C-Means clustering algorithm and the Gaussian Mixture Model) for the segmentation of medical images and an algorithm for supervised learning (a modified DenseNet) for the diagnosis of breast images. Ultimately, a prototype of the proposed system was implemented for the Magori Polyclinic in Niamey (Niger) making it possible to diagnose (or classify) breast cancer into two (2) classes: the normal class and the abnormal class.

Research Progress of Ultrasound Radiomics in The Diagnosis and Treatment of Breast Cancer

With the advancement of medical research in recent years and the frequent occurrence of different types of cancer, breast cancer has gradually attracted the public’s attention. The incidence of breast cancer is rising, mainly affecting women with a high mortality rate. According to the clinical treatment effect, early diagnosis and early treatment can effectively control the mortality of breast cancer and improve patient’s quality of life. Ultrasound radiomics is an emerging field that can extract quantitative high-dimensional data from ultrasound images. Recently, ultrasound radiomics has been widely used in the clinical treatment of breast cancer. This paper analyzed the research progress of ultrasound radiomics in the diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer.

Analysis of the Clinical Value of Immunohistochemical Testing in the Pathological Diagnosis of Breast Cancer

Objective:To investigate the clinical value of immunohistochemistry(IHC)detection in the pathological diagnosis of breast cancer.Methods:Eighty breast cancer patients admitted to Baoding No.1 Central Hospital from June 2022 to June 2023 were selected as study subjects.The samples were divided into a positive group(40 cases)and a negative group(40 cases)according to ER and PR test results.Immunohistochemistry was performed on all patients to compare the differences between the two groups in C-erbB-2 positive expression and axillary lymph node metastasis.Results:The positive expression rate of C-erbB-2 in the positive group(35.00%)was significantly lower than that in the negative group(80.00%),with a highly significant difference(P<0.001).The axillary lymph node metastasis rate in the positive group(40.00%)was significantly lower than that in the negative group(75.00%),with a significant difference(P<0.05).Conclusion:Immunohistochemical detection in breast cancer pathology enhances diagnostic accuracy,predicts prognosis,and supports personalized treatment by identifying ER,PR,and C-erbB-2.It is worth being widely adopted in clinical practice.

New Approaches to the Prognosis and Diagnosis of Breast Cancer Using Fuzzy Expert Systems

Breast cancer remains a significant global health challenge, necessitating effective early detection and prognosis to enhance patient outcomes. Current diagnostic methods, including mammography and MRI, suffer from limitations such as uncertainty and imprecise data, leading to late-stage diagnoses. To address this, various expert systems have been developed, but many rely on type-1 fuzzy logic and lack mobile-based applications for data collection and feedback to healthcare practitioners. This research investigates the development of an Enhanced Mobile-based Fuzzy Expert system (EMFES) for breast cancer pre-growth prognosis. The study explores the use of type-2 fuzzy logic to enhance accuracy and model uncertainty effectively. Additionally, it evaluates the advantages of employing the python programming language over java for implementation and considers specific risk factors for data collection. The research aims to dynamically generate fuzzy rules, adapting to evolving breast cancer research and patient data. Key research questions focus on the comparative effectiveness of type-2 fuzzy logic, the handling of uncertainty and imprecise data, the integration of mobile-based features, the choice of programming language, and the creation of dynamic fuzzy rules. Furthermore, the study examines the differences between the Mamdani Inference System and the Sugeno Fuzzy Inference method and explores challenges and opportunities in deploying the EMFES on mobile devices. The research identifies a critical gap in existing breast cancer diagnostic systems, emphasizing the need for a comprehensive, mobile-enabled, and adaptable solution by developing an EMFES that leverages Type-2 fuzzy logic, the Sugeno Inference Algorithm, Python Programming, and dynamic fuzzy rule generation. This study seeks to enhance early breast cancer detection and ultimately reduce breast cancer-related mortality.

Guidelines for diagnosis and treatment of advanced breast cancer in China(2022 edition)

Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women worldwide.It has been estimated that about 416000 new cases and over 117000 deaths of breast cancer occurred in China in 2020.Among the new cases of breast cancer diagnosed each year,3-10%have distant metastasis at the time of initial diagnosis.In addition,approxi-mately 30%of patients with early-stage breast cancer may eventually experience recurrence or metastases.The 5-year survival rate of patients with advanced breast cancer is only 20%with a median overall survival of 2-3 years.Although advanced breast cancer remains incurable at present,new therapeutic options and multidisci-plinary treatment could be utilized to alleviate symptoms,improve quality of life,and prolong patients’survival.The choice of treatment regimens for patients with advanced breast cancer is very important,and the optimal treatment strategy beyond the first-and second-line therapy is often lacking.Herein,the China Advanced Breast Cancer Guideline Panel discussed and summarized recent clinical evidence,updated the guidelines for the diag-nosis and treatment of advanced breast cancer based on the 2020 edition,and formulated the“Guidelines for diagnosis and treatment of advanced breast cancer in China(2022 edition)”for clinicians’reference.

Stage at diagnosis of colorectal cancer through diagnostic route:Who should be screened?

BACKGROUND Colorectal cancer(CRC)is a global health concern,with advanced-stage diagnoses contributing to poor prognoses.The efficacy of CRC screening has been well-established;nevertheless,a significant proportion of patients remain unscreened,with>70%of cases diagnosed outside screening.Although identifying specific subgroups for whom CRC screening should be particularly recommended is crucial owing to limited resources,the association between the diagnostic routes and identification of these subgroups has been less appreciated.In the Japanese cancer registry,the diagnostic routes for groups discovered outside of screening are primarily categorized into those with comorbidities found during hospital visits and those with CRC-related symptoms.AIM To clarify the stage at CRC diagnosis based on diagnostic routes.METHODS We conducted a retrospective observational study using a cancer registry of patients with CRC between January 2016 and December 2019 at two hospitals.The diagnostic routes were primarily classified into three groups:Cancer screening,follow-up,and symptomatic.The early-stage was defined as Stages 0 or I.Multivariate and univariate logistic regressions were exploited to determine the odds of early-stage diagnosis in the symptomatic and cancer screening groups,referencing the follow-up group.The adjusted covariates were age,sex,and tumor location.RESULTS Of the 2083 patients,715(34.4%),1064(51.1%),and 304(14.6%)belonged to the follow-up,symptomatic,and cancer screening groups,respectively.Among the 2083 patients,CRCs diagnosed at an early stage were 57.3%(410 of 715),23.9%(254 of 1064),and 59.5%(181 of 304)in the follow-up,symptomatic,and cancer screening groups,respectively.The symptomatic group exhibited a lower likelihood of early-stage diagnosis than the follow-up group[P<0.001,adjusted odds ratio(aOR),0.23;95%confidence interval(95%CI):0.19-0.29].The likelihood of diagnosis at an early stage was similar between the follow-up and cancer screening groups(P=0.493,aOR for early-stage diagnosis in the cancer screening group vs follow-up group=1.11;95%CI=0.82-1.49).CONCLUSION CRCs detected during hospital visits for comorbidities were diagnosed earlier,similar to cancer screening.CRC screening should be recommended,particularly for patients without periodical hospital visits for comorbidities.

Measurement of Serum Total and Free Prostate-Specific Antigen for Breast Cancer Diagnosis in Women

Objective: To investigate the diagnostic value and the relationship between the clinicopathological features and the levels of total and free prostate-specific antigen (PSA) in women with breast cancer.Methods: Using the microparticle enzyme immunoassay system, we measured the concentrations of these markers in the sera of 85 women with breast cancer and in 30 healthy women.Rseults: The lowest detection level for both markers was 0.01 ng/ml. Free PSA levels were significantly higher in women with breast cancer than that in healthy women (P<0.05). The percentage of free PSA predominant subjects was 37.6% in breast cancer patients and 3.3% in healthy women. Cut-off values were 0.36 ng/ml for total PSA and 0.02 ng/ml for free PSA. In women with breast cancer, total PSA positivity was 23.5% and free PSA positivity was 27.1%. Compared to negatives, total PSA positive patients had a higher percentage of lymph node involvement tumours (P>0.05). However, patients with predominant free PSA had a higher percentage of early stage than patients with predominant PSA-ACT.Conclusion: Although the sensitivity of free PSA predominance is low (37.6%) in distinguishing women with breast cancer from healthy women, its specificity is high (97.0%).Free PSA predominance tends to be present in early stage tumours. These findings may indicate clinical significance of preoperative measurement of serum total and free PSA in women with breast cancer.

Marker Ki-67 is a potential biomarker for the diagnosis and prognosis of prostate cancer based on two cohorts

BACKGROUND Prostate cancer(PCa)is a widespread malignancy,predominantly affecting elderly males,and current methods for diagnosis and treatment of this disease continue to fall short.The marker Ki-67(MKI67)has been previously demonstrated to correlate with the proliferation and metastasis of various cancer cells,including those of PCa.Hence,verifying the association between MKI67 and the diagnosis and prognosis of PCa,using bioinformatics databases and clinical data analysis,carries significant clinical implications.AIM To explore the diagnostic and prognostic efficacy of antigens identified by MKI67 expression in PCa.METHODS For cohort 1,the efficacy of MKI67 diagnosis was evaluated using data from The Cancer Genome Atlas(TCGA)and Genotype-Tissue Expression(GTEx)databases.For cohort 2,the diagnostic and prognostic power of MKI67 expression was further validated using data from 271 patients with clinical PCa.RESULTS In cohort 1,MKI67 expression was correlated with prostate-specific antigen(PSA),Gleason Score,T stage,and N stage.The receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve showed a strong diagnostic ability,and the Kaplan-Meier method demonstrated that MKI67 expression was negatively associated with the progression-free interval(PFI).The time-ROC curve displayed a weak prognostic capability for MKI67 expression in PCa.In cohort 2,MKI67 expression was significantly related to the Gleason Score,T stage,and N stage;however,it was negatively associated with the PFI.The time-ROC curve revealed the stronger prognostic capability of MKI67 in patients with PCa.Multivariate COX regression analysis was performed to select risk factors,including PSA level,N stage,and MKI67 expression.A nomogram was established to predict the 3-year PFI.CONCLUSION MKI67 expression was positively associated with the Gleason Score,T stage,and N stage and showed a strong diagnostic and prognostic ability in PCa.

Non-participation of asymptomatic candidates in screening protocols reduces early diagnosis and worsens prognosis of colorectal cancer

The Agatsuma et al’s study shows that despite the evidence of the benefits of an early colorectal cancer(CRC)diagnosis,through screening in asymptomatic subjects,up to 50%of candidates reject this option and many of those affected are diagnosed later,in advanced stages.The efficacy of screening programs has been well-established for several years,which reduces the risk of CRC morbidity and mortality,without taking into account the test used for screening,or other tools.Nevertheless,a significant proportion of patients remain unscreened,so understanding the factors involved,as well as the barriers of the population to adherence is the first step to possibly modify the participation rate.These barriers could include a full range of social and political aspects,especially the type of financial provision of each health service.In Japan,health services are universal,and this advantageous situation makes it easier for citizens to access to these services,contributing to the detection of various diseases,including CRC.Interestingly,the symptomatic CRC group had a lower early-stage diagnosis rate than the patients detected during follow-up for other comorbidities,and symptomatic and cancer screening groups showed similar early-stage diagnosis.

Roles and application of exosomes in the development,diagnosis and treatment of gastric cancer

As important messengers of intercellular communication,exosomes can regulate local and distant cellular communication by transporting specific exosomal con-tents and can also promote or suppress the development and progression of gas-tric cancer(GC)by regulating the growth and proliferation of tumor cells,the tumor-related immune response and tumor angiogenesis.Exosomes transport bioactive molecules including DNA,proteins,and RNA(coding and noncoding)from donor cells to recipient cells,causing reprogramming of the target cells.In this review,we will describe how exosomes regulate the cellular immune respon-se,tumor angiogenesis,proliferation and metastasis of GC cells,and the role and mechanism of exosome-based therapy in human cancer.We will also discuss the potential application value of exosomes as biomarkers in the diagnosis and treat-ment of GC and their relationship with drug resistance.

Recent advances in living cell nucleic acid probes based on nanomaterials for early cancer diagnosis

The early diagnosis of cancer is vital for effective treatment and improved prognosis. Tumor biomarkers, which can be used for the early diagnosis, treatment, and prognostic evaluation of cancer, have emerged as a topic of intense research interest in recent years. Nucleic acid, as a type of tumor biomarker, contains vital genetic information, which is of great significance for the occurrence and development of cancer. Currently, living cell nucleic acid probes, which enable the in situ imaging and dynamic monitoring of nucleic acids, have become a rapidly developing field. This review focuses on living cell nucleic acid probes that can be used for the early diagnosis of tumors. We describe the fundamental design of the probe in terms of three units and focus on the roles of different nanomaterials in probe delivery.

Clinical significance of peripheral blood UL16 and DR-70 for the early diagnosis and prognostic evaluation of colorectal cancer

BACKGROUND Early diagnosis of colorectal cancer(CRC)is of great significance to improve the survival rate and quality of life of patients,but early diagnosis of CRC requires more sensitive techniques.Peripheral blood UL16-binding protein 2(ULBP2)and human fibrinogen degradation products(DR-70)are the main indicators for the diagnosis of malignant tumors.AIM To assess ULBP2 and DR-70 potential for the early diagnosis and prognostic evaluation of CRC to provide a reference.METHODS This study involved 60 patients with early-stage CRC(CRC group),50 patients with benign colorectal tumors(benign group),and 50 healthy patients(control group)enrolled at the Affiliated Hospital of Jiangnan University and Jiangsu Province Official Hospital between January,2020 and January,2022.ULBP2 and DR-70 levels in the blood were determined and differences among the three groups and early diagnostic values for CRC were determined.Patients with CRC were divided into the good prognosis and poor prognosis groups,and ULBP2 and DR-70 levels in the blood and diagnostic values were compared.RESULTS ULBP2 and DR-70 serum levels were significantly higher in the CRC group than in the control and benign groups(P<0.05);however,no significant differences were observed between the benign and control groups(P>0.05).Among the 60 patients with CRC followed up for two years,two died(3.33%)and 15 exhibited tumor metastasis,progression,or recurrence(25.00%).ULBP2 and DR-70 serum levels were significantly higher in the poor prognosis group than in the good prognosis group(P<0.05).A receiver operating characteristic curve was plotted.Area under the curve,sensitivity,and specificity of serum ULBP2 with DR-70 for the early diagnosis of CRC were higher than those of the single serum indices(P<0.05)in both the good and poor prognosis groups.CONCLUSION ULBP2 and DR-70 serum levels were significantly high in patients with early-stage CRC.They improved the diagnostic rate of early-stage CRC and predicted patient prognosis,thereby showing clinical application potential.

Impact of cancer diagnosis on life expectancy by area-level socioeconomic groups in New South Wales, Australia: a population-based study

Objective: Improvement in cancer survival over recent decades has not been accompanied by a narrowing of socioeconomic disparities. This study aimed to quantify the loss of life expectancy(LOLE) resulting from a cancer diagnosis and examine disparities in LOLE based on area-level socioeconomic status(SES).Methods: Data were collected for all people between 50 and 89 years of age who were diagnosed with cancer, registered in the NSW Cancer Registry between 2001 and 2019, and underwent mortality follow-up evaluations until December 2020. Flexible parametric survival models were fitted to estimate the LOLE by gender and area-level SES for 12 common cancers.Results: Of 422,680 people with cancer, 24% and 18% lived in the most and least disadvantaged areas, respectively. Patients from the most disadvantaged areas had a significantly greater average LOLE than patients from the least disadvantaged areas for cancers with high survival rates, including prostate [2.9 years(95% CI: 2.5±3.2 years) vs. 1.6 years(95% CI: 1.3±1.9 years)] and breast cancer [1.6 years(95% CI: 1.4±1.8 years) vs. 1.2 years(95% CI: 1.0±1.4 years)]. The highest average LOLE occurred in males residing in the most disadvantaged areas with pancreatic [16.5 years(95% CI: 16.1±16.8 years) vs. 16.2 years(95% CI: 15.7±16.7 years)] and liver cancer [15.5 years(95% CI: 15.0±16.0 years) vs. 14.7 years(95% CI: 14.0±15.5 years)]. Females residing in the least disadvantaged areas with thyroid cancer [0.9 years(95% CI: 0.4±1.4 years) vs. 0.6 years(95% CI: 0.2±1.0 years)] or melanoma [0.9 years(95% CI: 0.8±1.1 years) vs. 0.7 years(95% CI: 0.5±0.8 years)] had the lowest average LOLE.Conclusions: Patients from the most disadvantaged areas had the highest LOLE with SES-based differences greatest for patients diagnosed with cancer at an early stage or cancers with higher survival rates, suggesting the need to prioritise early detection and reduce treatment-related barriers and survivorship challenges to improve life expectancy.

Early diagnosis of pancreatic cancer: Shedding light on an unresolved challenge

Diagnosing early-stage pancreatic cancer(PC)remains a clinical challenge.Hence,studying novel imaging aspects that could enhance the diagnostic accuracy of malignant pancreatic precursor lesions is imperative.This article aims to un-derscore the promising role of emerging imaging aspects that may facilitate the earlier diagnosis of PC,thereby improving its management and prognosis.

Advances in endoscopic diagnosis and management of colorectal cancer

Colorectal cancer(CRC)is a leading global health concern,and early identification and precise prognosis play a vital role in enhancing patient results.Endoscopy is a minimally invasive imaging technique that is crucial for the screening,diagnosis,and treatment of CRC.This editorial discusses the importance of advances in endoscopic techniques,the integration of artificial intelligence,and the potential of novel technologies in enhancing the diagnosis and management of CRC.

Early diagnosis of esophageal cancer:How to put“early detection”into effect?

This editorial comments on the article by Qu et al in a recent edition of World Journal of Gastrointestinal Oncology,focusing on the importance of early diagnosis in managing esophageal cancer and strategies for achieving“early detection”.The five-year age-standardized net survival for esophageal cancer patients falls short of expectations.Early detection and accurate diagnosis are critical strategies for improving the treatment outcomes of esophageal cancer.While advancements in endoscopic technology have been significant,there seems to be an excessive emphasis on the latest high-end endoscopic devices and various endoscopic resection techniques.Therefore,it is imperative to redirect focus towards proactive early detection strategies for esophageal cancer,investigate the most cost-effective screening methods suitable for different regions,and persistently explore practical solutions to improve the five-year survival rate of patients with esophageal cancer.

Advancements in nutritional diagnosis and support strategies during the perioperative period for patients with liver cancer

Liver cancer represents a grave hepatic condition and constitutes a significant global health concern.Surgical resection remains the principal therapeutic modality for liver cancer.Nevertheless,perioperative malnutrition exerts a notable impact on patients with liver cancer,emerging as an independent risk factor for disease mortality and adverse outcomes.Hence,precise nutritional diagnosis and timely nutritional support hold the potential to enhance therapeutic efficacy and quality of life for liver cancer patients.This study represents a meticulous foray into the literature,extracting data from PubMed,Web of Science,and EMBASE databases,with a focus on the past 5 years.It scrutinizes the impact of malnutrition on patients undergoing liver cancer surgery,the etiological underpinnings of malnutrition within this patient cohort,the critical assessment of perioperative nutritional status,and the strategic approaches to nutritional support.Utilizing rigorous inclusion and exclusion criteria,the amassed scholarly works are meticulously synthesized,methodically organized,and categorically elaborated upon.Ultimately,the authors propose the incorporation of a multidisciplinary nutrition management team during the perioperative period,comprising nutritionists,pharmacists,physicians,nurses,psychologists,and rehabilitation therapists,among other specialized professionals.Together,they collaborate to devise and implement personalized nutritional support plans,monitor patients’nutritional status,and make necessary adjustments as required.Through comprehensive management and intervention,improvements in the nutritional status of liver cancer patients can be achieved,thereby enhancing surgical success rates and facilitating postoperative recovery.It is believed that this manuscript will offer valuable insights to advance the nutritional management during the perioperative phase of liver cancer,aiding in ameliorating patients'nutritional status and treatment outcomes.

Cost analysis of radical resection of malignant breast tumors under the China Healthcare Security Diagnosis Related Groups payment system

BACKGROUND Breast cancer is one of the most common malignant tumors in women worldwide and poses a severe threat to their health.Therefore,this study examined patients who underwent breast cancer surgery,analyzed hospitalization costs and structure,and explored the impact of China Healthcare Security Diagnosis Related Groups(CHS-DRG)management on patient costs.It aimed to provide medical institutions with ways to reduce costs,optimize cost structures,reduce patient burden,and improve service efficiency.AIM To study the CHS-DRG payment system’s impact on breast cancer surgery costs.METHODS Using the CHS-DRG(version 1.1)grouping criteria,4073 patients,who underwent the radical resection of breast malignant tumors from January to December 2023,were included in the JA29 group;1028 patients were part of the CHS-DRG payment system,unlike the rest.Through an independent sample t-test,the length of hospital stay as well as total hospitalization,medicine and consumables,medical,nursing,medical technology,and management expenses were compared.Pearson’s correlation coefficient was used to test the cost correlation.RESULTS In terms of hospitalization expenses,patients in the CHS-DRG payment group had lower medical,nursing,and management expenses than those in the diagnosis-related group(DRG)non-payment group.For patients in the DRG payment group,the factors affecting the total hospitalization cost,in descending order of relevance,were medicine and consumable costs,consumable costs,medicine costs,medical costs,medical technology costs,management costs,nursing costs,and length of hospital stay.For patients in the DRG nonpayment group,the factors affecting the total hospitalization expenses in descending order of relevance were medicines and consumable expenses,consumable expenses,medical technology expenses,the cost of medicines,medical expenses,nursing expenses,length of hospital stay,and management expenses.CONCLUSION The CHS-DRG system can help control and reduce unnecessary medical expenses by controlling medicine costs,medical consumable costs,and the length of hospital stay while ensuring medical safety.