Re-Evaluation of Ipsilateral Multiple-Focal Breast Cancer: Case Report and Literature Review.

Objective: Ipsilateral multiple breast cancer is a unique situation in which multiple breast cancer lesions are present in the same or different quadrant of the breast. While current research on ipsilateral multiple breast cancer primarily focuses on its existence or heterogeneity, it is important to evaluatethe risk level stratification of heterogenous lesion and determine the intensity of anti-tumor treatments for every lesion, achieving a rational and personalized anti-cancer strategy. Case Description: We present a 55-year-old woman with a lump in the lateral quadrant of her left breast, who was diagnosed invasive breast cancer with a background of ductal carcinoma in situ in two lesions of the left breast. The immunohistochemistry examination revealed that the lateral cancer lesion was Luminal B subtype while the lower cancer lesion HER2 positive subtype. Aditionally, the axillary lymph node dissection and immunohistochemistry showed 7 positive lymph nodes originating from ER-positive lesion. After systemic imaging screening, the clinical TNM stage for ER positive subtype was III A and HER2 positive subtype I A. The discovery shifted the conventional understanding that HER2 positive subtype usually had a higher TNM stage than ER positive subtype under the premise of consistent tumor volume and treatment strategy should be readjusted to reduce over-treatment and the risk of recurrence for high-risk tumor. However, little is mentioned about the risk level stratification of foci in ipsilateral multiple breast cancer and its weight in treatment strategy in clinical guidelines for breast cancer. Conclusion: This case highlights the need for more evidence-based data to support risk-level stratification of heterogenous foci and treatment decisions for ipsilateral multiple breast cancer and challenges current clinical practice.

Comparison of transoral vestibular robotic thyroidectomy with traditional low-collar incision thyroidectomy.

Transoral vestibular robotic thyroidectomy can really make the patient's body surface free of scar. This study aimed to compare the surgical and patient-related outcomes between the transoral vestibular robotic thyroidectomy and traditional low-collar incision thyroidectomy. The clinical data of 120 patients underwent transoral vestibular robotic thyroidectomy (TOVRT) or traditional low-collar incision thyroidectomy (TLCIT) were collected from May 2020 to October 2021. Propensity score matching analysis was used to minimize selection bias. All these patients were diagnosed with papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) through ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration prior to surgical intervention and surgical plan was tailored for each patient. An intraoperative recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) detection system was used in all patients, whose RLNs were identified and protected. We performed transoral vestibular robotic thyroidectomy with three intraoral incisions. Additional right axillary fold incisions were adopted occasionally to enhance fine reverse traction of tissue for radical tumor dissection. Clinical data including gender, age, tumor size, BMI, operation time, postoperative drainage volume and time, pain score, postoperative length of stay (LOS),number of lymph nodes removed, complications, and medical expense were observed and analyzed. Propensity score matching was used for 1:1 matching between the TOVRT group and the TLCIT group. All these patients accepted total thyroidectomy(or lobectomy) plus central lymph node dissection and all suffered from PTC confirmed by postoperative pathology. No conversion to open surgery happened in TOVRT group. The operative time of TOVRT group was longer than that of TLCIT group (P < 0.05). The postoperative drainage volume of TOVRT group was more than that of TLCIT group (P < 0.05). The drainage tube placement time of TOVRT group were longer than that of TLCIT group (P < 0.05). Significant differences were also found in intraoperative bleeding volume, pain score and medical expense between the two groups (P < 0.05). The incidence of perioperative common complications such as hypoparathyroidism and vocal cord paralysis in the two groups was almost identical (P > 0.05). However, there were some specific complications such as surgical area infection (one case), skin burn (one case), oral tear (two cases), and paresthesia of the lower lip and the chin (two cases) were found in TOVRT group. Obviously, the postoperative cosmetic effect of the TOVRT group was better than TLCIT group (P < 0.05). TOVRT is safe and feasible for low to moderate-risk PTC patients and is a potential alternative for patients who require no scar on their neck. Patients accepted TOVRT can get more satisfaction and have less psychologic injury caused by surgery.

Comparison of endoscopic bilateral areolar and robotic-assisted bilateral axillo-breast approach thyroidectomy in differentiated thyroid carcinoma: a propensity-matched retrospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Robot-assisted and endoscopic thyroidectomy are superior to conventional open thyroidectomy in improving cosmetic outcomes and postoperative quality of life. The procedure of these thyroidectomies was similar in terms of surgical view, feasibility, and invasiveness. However, it remains uncertain whether the robotic-assisted bilateral axilla-breast approach (BABA) was superior to the endoscopic bilateral areolar approach (BAA) thyroidectomy. This study aimed to investigate the clinical benefit of these two surgical procedures to evaluate the difference between these two surgical procedures by comparing the pathological and surgical outcomes of endoscopic BAA and robotic-assisted BABA thyroidectomy in differentiated thyroid carcinoma. METHODS: From November 2018 to September 2021, 278 patients with differentiated thyroid carcinoma underwent BABA robot-assisted, and 49 underwent BAA approach endoscopic thyroidectomy. Of these patients, we analyzed 42 and 135 patients of endoscopic and robotic matched pairs using 1:4 propensity score matching and retrospective cohort study methods. These two groups were retrospectively compared by surgical outcomes, clinicopathological characteristics, and postoperative complications. RESULTS: The mean operation time was significantly longer in the EG than in the RG (p < 0.001), The number of retrieved lymph nodes was significantly lower in the ET group than in the RT group (p < 0.001). The mean maximum diameter of the thyroid was more expansive in the EG than in the RG (p = 0.04). There were no significant differences in the total drainage amount and drain insertion days between the two groups (p = 0.241, p = 0.316, respectively). Both groups showed that cosmetic satisfaction (p = 0.837) and pain score (p = 0.077) were similar. There were no significant differences in complication frequencies. CONCLUSION: Robotic and endoscopic thyroidectomy are similar minimally invasive thyroid surgeries, each with its advantages, both of which can achieve the expected surgical outcomes. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Retrospectively registered.

[Clinical study of bilateral axillo-breast approach robot in obese women with thyroid cancer].

Objective:To explore the safety and feasibility of bilateral axillo-breast approach （BABA） robot in the operation of thyroid cancer in obese women. Methods:The clinical data of 81 obese female patients who underwent da Vinci robotic thyroid cancer surgery（robotic group） at the Department of Thyroid and Breast Surgery, PLA 960 Hospital from May 2018 to December 2021 were retrospectively analyzed and compared with the clinical data of 106 obese female thyroid cancer patients who underwent open surgery（open group） during the same period. The age, body mass index（BMI）, mean time of surgery, mean postoperative drainage, tumor diameter, postoperative tumor stage, number of lymph node dissection in the central and lateral cervical regions, number of positive lymph nodes in the central and lateral cervical regions, postoperative cosmetic outcome satisfaction score, mean postoperative hospital stay and postoperative complications of all patients were counted. The results were analyzed using SPSS 26.0 statistical software, and the count data were compared using the χ² test, and the measurement data were compared using the t test. Results:All patients completed the operation successfully, and there was no conversion in the robot group, postoperative pathological results were all composed of papillary thyroid carcinoma. The operation time in the robot group was（144.62±36.38） min, which was longer than that in the open group（117.06±18.72） min（P<0.05）. The average age of the robot group was（40.25±9.27） years, which was lower than that of the open group（49.59±8.70） years（P<0.05）. The satisfactory score of cosmetic effect in the robot group（9.44±0.65） was higher than that in the open group（5.23±1.07）（P<0.05）. There was no significant difference in tumor diameter, BMI, average postoperative drainage, temporary hypoparathyroidism and recurrent laryngeal nerve injury, number of central and lateral cervical lymph node dissection, number of positive lymph nodes in the central and lateral cervical regions, and average postoperative hospital stay between the two groups. There was no permanent hypoparathyroidism and recurrent laryngeal nerve injury in both groups. Conclusion:The application of BABA pathway robot in thyroid cancer surgery in obese women is safe and feasible, and the cosmetic effect is better after operation.

Prospective application of a prediction model for lateral lymph node metastasis in papillary thyroid cancer patients with central lymph node metastasis.

Objective: This study aimed to develop and apply a prediction model to estimate the probability of lateral lymph node metastasis (LLNM) in patients with cN0 unilateral papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) with central lymph node metastasis (CLNM). Setting: All study data were collected from a single tertiary hospital. Methods: Univariable and multivariable logistic regression analyses were used to explore independent predictors of LLNM in the derivation and internal validation cohorts, which were used to construct and validate a nomogram. Another 96 patients were included prospectively to evaluate the efficacy of this nomogram. Results: Maximum tumor diameter greater than 1.0 cm (OR, 2.712; 95% CI, 1.412-5.210), multifocality (OR, 2.758; 95% CI, 1.120-6.789), the number of CLNM ≥3 (OR, 2.579; 95% CI, 1.315-5.789), CLNM ratio ≥0.297 (OR, 2.905; 95% CI, 1.396-6.043), and tumors located in the upper portion (OR 2.846, 95% CI 1.151-7.039) were independent predictors associated with LLNM. The prediction model showed excellent discrimination with an AUC of 0.731 (95% CI, 0.635-0.827). Novel risk stratification for LLNM was constructed based on this nomogram. In the prospective cohort, we stratified these patients into three risk subgroups: low-, moderate-, and high-risk subgroups and we found that the probability of LLNM was positively correlated with the total points from the nomogram. Conclusion: This nomogram was applied in prospective clinical practice and distinguished PTC patients with a genuinely high risk of LLNM. Surgeons can use our nomogram to tailor the surgical plan and to credibly determine further postoperative therapy.

Conflict Adaptation Effect on Numerical Inductive Reasoning: An ERP Study.

Conflict adaptation is of particular importance to human information processing, as it assists in efficient responding when confronted with inconsistent information. Past investigators have focused on the role and mechanisms of conflict adaptation effects in cognitive control tasks, but there have been few studies of conflict adaptation effects in numerical inductive reasoning. In this study we adopted identical, perceptual mismatch and rule violation conditions to investigate conflict adaptation in numerical inductive reasoning. Behaviorally, we found shorter response times on trials following our experimental condition, as compared to pre-trials. In our event-related potential (ERP) electroencephalogram (EEG) results, N2 reflected the improvement in processing efficiency of rule violations in numerical inductive reasoning. Thus, these data suggest the presence of a conflict adaptation effect in high-level processing.

A classical [V10O28]6- anion templated high-nuclearity silver thiolate cluster.

Polyoxovanadates (POVs) as templates are still scarcely observed in silver clusters. Herein, the largest known POV-based silver cluster (Ag50) was synthesized, which is a core-shell conformation composed of the in situ generated classical [V10O28]6- core and Ag50 shell, constrained by the S- and O-donor ligands with a specific distribution. Such {V10O28@Ag50} structure displays geometric inheritance from the D2h symmetric decavanadate to the silver skeleton. The solution behavior, solid-state stability and photoelectric properties are discussed in detail. This work provides enlightenment for the further construction of POV-templated high-nuclearity silver clusters.

A comparative study of two robotic thyroidectomy procedures: transoral vestibular versus bilateral axillary-breast approach.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the surgical outcomes between the transoral-vestibular robotic thyroidectomy (TOVRT) and bilateral axillo-breast approach robotic thyroidectomy (BABART). METHODS: A total of 99 patients with papillary thyroid carcinoma but no distant metastasis were enrolled in this study from May 2020 to April 2021. Lobectomy or total thyroidectomy with central lymph node dissection were performed in all cases. All 99 patients were received an ultrasound guided fine needle aspiration biopsy prior to surgical intervention, out of which 49 patients underwent TOVRT, while rest 50 patients underwent BABART. During the procedure, intraoperative neuromonitoring system was used and all recurrent laryngeal nerves (RLNs) were preserved, additionally for TOVRT procedure, three intraoral ports or right axillary fold incision was used to allow for fine countertraction of tissue for radical oncological dissection. The clinical data including age, gender, height, weight, BMI, primary tumor size, number of central lymph node removed, central lymph node metastasis, operating time, total hospital stays, postoperative hospital stays, total postoperative drainage volume, postoperative pain score, cosmetic effect and complications were recorded and analyzed. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in gender, height, weight, BMI and removed central lymph nodes between the two groups (P > 0.05). Patients accepted TOVRT were younger and had smaller primary tumor size than those who accepted BABART. The TOVRT group had a longer surgical time than the BABART group, but with smaller postoperative drainage volume and superior cosmetic effect (under visual analogue scale, VAS) (P < 0.05). There was no significant difference in lymph node metastasis, hospital stay and postoperative pain score (under numerical rating scale, NRS) between the two groups (P > 0.05). Last but not least, certain peculiar complications were observed in TOVRT group: paresthesia of the lower lip and the chin (one case), surgical site infection (one case) and skin burn (one case). CONCLUSION: Transoral-vestibular robotic thyroidectomy is safe and feasible for certain patients, which could be considered an alternative approach for patients who require no scarring on their neck.

Response to immunotherapy in a patient with anaplastic thyroid cancer: A case report.

RATIONALE: Anaplastic thyroid carcinoma (ATC) is an aggressive malignancy that is almost always fatal and lacks effective systemic treatment options. Current treatments of ATC include surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy, used in combination when possible. In the aspect of immunotherapy, the biomarker of TMB-H and MSI-H may suggest that patients benefit from pembrolizumab. Programmed cell death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) is highly expressed in ATC but has not been written into the guidelines or approved by the FDA as a biomarker for thyroid cancer immunotherapy. PATIENT CONCERNS: A 55-year-old woman was admitted to our hospital because of a slight right-sided neck enlargement in November 2019. DIAGNOSES: The clinical diagnosis was ATC, pT3bN0M0, and stage IVB. INTERVENTIONS: Oral administration of apatinib (250 mg 3 times daily) was initiated after surgery, but some unpleasant side effects emerged after 1 month of treatment. Next-generation sequencing revealed that the tumor harbored 2 mutations, HRAS p.Q61R and TP53 p.P278S, and PD-L1 staining was positive with a high expression. Thus, camrelizumab (programmed cell death protein 1 inhibitor) was combined with apatinib, and apatinib was changed to 250 mg once a day from March 2020. OUTCOMES: No adverse reactions were observed after the treatment immunotherapy combined with antiangiogenic drugs. Currently, the survival time of patients is more than 11 months, and the quality of life is not affected. CONCLUSION: This case suggests that immunotherapy in patients with ATC based upon PD-L1 evaluation provides a therapeutic option. Targeting programmed cell death protein 1/PD-L1 may provide a much-needed treatment option for patients with advanced ATC.

A Polyoxochromate Templated 56-Nuclei Silver Nanocluster.

Most of polyoxometallates (POMs) templated silver nanoclusters recorded so far are polyoxomolybdates and polyoxotungstates; however, as congeneric polyoxochromates, they are rarely observed in silver nanoclusters. Herein, a high-nuclearity polyoxochromate, (CrIII4CrVI8O36)12-, is uncovered in a novel silver nanocluster (SD/Ag56a) as an anion template. The mixed-valent (CrIII4CrVI8O36)12- consists of four edge-sharing CrIIIO6 octahedra and eight CrVIO4 tetrahedra, which are fused together by sharing one or two vertexes. The (CrIII4CrVI8O36)12- is the by far highest nuclearity polyoxochromate and is trapped by outer Ag56 bracelet-like shell coprotected by quaternary ligands including iPrS-, NapCOO- (2-naphthalenecarboxylate), CF3COO-, and CH3CN. The antiferromagnetic property and solution behavior of SD/Ag56a are discussed in detail.

Robotic lateral cervical lymph node dissection via bilateral axillo-breast approach for papillary thyroid carcinoma: a single-center experience of 260 cases.

To evaluate the feasibility and safety of robotic lateral cervical lymph node dissection via BABA, 260 thyroid cancer patients with suspected level II, III, IV, and Vb lymph node metastasis were selected. The lateral cervical compartment was exposed by splitting the sternocleidomastoid muscle longitudinally, and separating between the strap muscles and the anterior margin of the sternocleidomastoid muscle. The procedure was completed in 260 patients. Mean time for robotic lateral node dissection took 80 ± 21 min. The wound catheter was removed 6.3 days. Postoperative transient symptomatic hypocalcemia was observed in 51 patients, transient hoarseness in three, seroma in three, chyle leakage in two, and tracheal injury in one. 124 patients were confirmed to have lymph node metastasis on final pathological report. Average postoperative hospital stay was 6.5 days. Robotic lateral neck dissection by BABA is the acceptable operative alternative for thyroid cancer patients who wished to keep their surgical history private.

Targeted eradication of gastric cancer stem cells by CD44 targeting USP22 small interfering RNA-loaded nanoliposomes.

AIM: USP22, a member of ubiquitin-specific proteases (USPs), is a well-defined protein that promotes poor prognosis, invasion and metastasis, and also participates in the maintenance of cancer stem cells. USP22 siRNA-loaded nanoliposomes conjugated with CD44 antibodies (USP22-NLs-CD44) were constructed to enhance the therapeutic effect of USP22 siRNA against gastric cancer stem cells. MATERIALS & METHODS: The targeting and therapeutic efficacies of USP22-NLs-CD44 against gastric cancer stem cells were evaluated. RESULTS & CONCLUSION: USP22-NLs-CD44 was demonstrated to be able to effectively deliver USP22 siRNA to CD44+ gastric cancer stem cells, achieving superior therapeutic effects against CD44+ gastric cancer stem cells than nontargeted nanoliposomes. USP22-NLs-CD44 may provide a novel approach to eradicate gastric cancer stem cells in the near future.

SATB1 siRNA-encapsulated immunoliposomes conjugated with CD44 antibodies target and eliminate gastric cancer-initiating cells.

Purpose: Gastric cancer, the cancer initiated from the stomach, is ranked as the third most frequent reason of cancer death worldwide. Gastric cancer-initiating cells (CICs) are one of the crucial causes for the metastasis and recurrence of gastric cancer, and CD44 is considered to be one marker for gastric CICs. Special AT-rich sequence binding protein 1 (SATB1) is a protein that promotes cancer progression, metastasis, and invasion and also participates in the maintenance of CICs. In this study, we investigated the therapeutic effect of SATB1 siRNA against gastric CICs and we constructed SATB1 siRNA-encapsulated immunoliposomes conjugated with CD44 antibodies (CD44-SATB1-ILs) to enhance the therapeutic effect of SATB1 siRNA against gastric CICs. Methods: We investigated the therapeutic effect of the SATB1 suppression by SATB1 siRNA on CD44+ gastric CICs. CD44-SATB1-ILs were developed by the lyophilization/hydration approach. The targeting and cytotoxic effect of CD44-SATB1-ILs toward gastric CICs were evaluated in vitro. Results: In this study, for the first time, we confirmed that SATB1 suppression by SATB1 siRNA preferentially eliminated CD44+ gastric CICs. The results showed that CD44-SATB1-ILs could efficiently and specifically promote the SATB1 siRNA delivery to CD44+ gastric CICs, achieving superior therapeutic effects against CD44+ gastric CICs than non-targeted liposomes. Conclusion: As far as we know, our report is the first research that indicated the promotion of siRNA delivery via nanoparticles to gastric CICs and achievement of superior therapeutic effect against gastric CICs by utilization of CD44 antibody. Therefore, CD44-SATB1-ILs represent an up-and-coming approach for eliminating gastric CICs and also a promising treatment for therapy of gastric cancer.

Comparative Study between Robotic Total Thyroidectomy with Central Lymph Node Dissection via Bilateral Axillo-breast Approach and Conventional Open Procedure for Papillary Thyroid Microcarcinoma.

BACKGROUND: A large proportion of the patients with papillary thyroid microcarcinoma are young women. Therefore, minimally invasive endoscopic thyroidectomy with central neck dissection (CND) emerged and showed well-accepted results with improved cosmetic outcome, accelerated healing, and comforting the patients. This study aimed to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of robotic total thyroidectomy with CND via bilateral axillo-breast approach (BABA), compared with conventional open procedure in papillary thyroid microcarcinoma. METHODS: One-hundred patients with papillary thyroid microcarcinoma from March 2014 to January 2015 in Jinan Military General Hospital of People's Liberation Army (PLA) were randomly assigned to robotic group or conventional open approach group (n = 50 in each group). The total operative time, estimated intraoperative blood loss, numbers of lymph node removed, visual analog scale (VAS), postoperative hospital stay time, complications, and numerical scoring system (NSS, used to assess cosmetic effect) were analyzed. RESULTS: The robotic total thyroidectomy with CND via BABA was successfully performed in robotic group. There were no conversion from the robotic surgeries to open or endoscopic surgery. The subclinical central lymph node metastasis rate was 35%. The mean operative time of the robotic group was longer than that of the conventional open approach group (118.8 ± 16.5 min vs. 90.7 ± 10.3 min, P < 0.05). The study showed significant differences between the two groups in terms of the VASs (2.1 ± 1.0 vs. 3.8 ± 1.2, P < 0.05) and NSS (8.9 ± 0.8 vs. 4.8 ± 1.7, P < 0.05). The differences between the two groups in the estimated intraoperative blood loss, postoperative hospital stay time, numbers of lymph node removed, postoperative thyroglobulin levels, and complications were not statistically significant (all P > 0.05). Neither iatrogenic implantation nor metastasis occurred in punctured porous channel or chest wall in both groups. Postoperative cosmetic results were very satisfactory in the robotic group. CONCLUSIONS: Robotic total thyroidectomy with CND via BABA is safe and effective for Chinese patients with papillary thyroid microcarcinoma who worry about the neck scars.

[Robotic thyroidectomy with central neck dissection using axillo-bilateral-breast approach: a comparison to open conventional approach].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate surgical outcomes and the feasibility of robotic thyroidectomy and central neck dissection (CND). METHODS: The clinical data of 40 patients of papillary thyroid microcarcinoma underwent total thyroidectomy (or lobectomy and isthmusectomy) and CND using the Da Vinci system through axillo-bilateral-breast approach in Jinan Military General Hospital of People's Liberation Army from February to December 2014 were analyzed retrospectively (robotic group). Other forty patients of papillary thyroid microcarcinoma underwent total thyroidectomy (or lobectomy and isthmusectomy) and CND by open approach were selected as the control (open group). Cosmetic satisfaction was assessed after a month postoperation by the numerical score system. t-test and χ(2) test were used to compare the clinical characters, total operative time, intraoperative estimated blood loss, postoperative hospital stay, number of lymph nodes removed, visual analogue scale for pain, postoperative complications, and cosmetic effect between the 2 groups. RESULTS: All 80 patients were diagnosed of papillary thyroid microcarcinoma. The total thyroidectomy (or lobectomy/isthmusectomy) with CND of 40 patients were successfully performed by da Vinci Si surgical system. The numbers of total thyroidectomy of robotic group and the open group were 36 and 37, respectively. The numbers of metastatic lymph nodes of robotic group and open group were 14 and 15, respectively. The operation time of the robotic group was (130±12) minutes, which was longer than that of open group (98±11) minutes (t=12.432, P<0.05). The study showed statistical significant difference between the two groups regarding the visual analog scale pain assessment (1.9±0.9 vs.3.9±1.1, t=8.900, P<0.05). There were no statistical significant difference of intraoperative estimated blood loss, postoperative hospital stay, number of lymph nodes removed, and the complication rate between the 2 groups.Postoperative cosmetic result was more satisfying on the robotic group (9.1±0.5) than open group (4.8±1.5) (t=17.200, P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The robotic total thyroidectomy (or lobectomy and isthmusectomy) and CND has similar surgery safety and feasibility as open procedures. The robotic thyroidectomy is a good alternative surgical modality for patients with papillary thyroid microcarcinoma who wish to avoid neck scars.

Clinicopathological significance of ß -tubulin isotype III gene expression in breast cancer patients.

BACKGROUND: The molecular classification of breast cancer mainly focuses on estrogen receptor (ER), Progesterone receptor (PgR), and Human Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor 2(HER2/Neu) status detected by immunohistochemistry (IHC) analysis. The ß -tubulin isotype III (TUBB3) gene was thought to be a marker of taxane resistance or cancer aggressiveness. METHODS: To evaluate the clinicopathological significance of TUBB3 expression in breast cancer patients, we measured TUBB3 mRNA levels in 92 breast cancer patients by Quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR), and examined their correlation with ER, PgR, and HER2 status detected by IHC. RESULTS: We observed a significant positive correlation between the TUBB3 mRNA expression and the immunohistochemical positivity of both PgR (p= 0.000) and HER2 (p= 0.001). In addition, TUBB3 mRNA expression was associated with lymph nodes status (P= 0.008) and tumor stages (0.029), but no correlation was found with other clinicopathological features, such as age, pathohistological grades and tumor size. CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, TUBB3 expression correlated significantly with molecular markers of breast cancer, such as PgR and HER2, suggesting that TUBB3 mRNA level facilitate the identification of a subset of patients who respond to Taxane treatment in addition to hormonal therapy and trastuzumab.

Tangeretin enhances radiosensitivity and inhibits the radiation-induced epithelial-mesenchymal transition of gastric cancer cells.

Irradiation has been reported to increase radioresistance and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in gastric cancer (GC) cells. The Notch pathway is critically implicated in cancer EMT and radioresistance. In the present study, we investigated the use of a Notch-1 inhibiting compound as a novel therapeutic candidate to regulate radiation-induced EMT in GC cells. According to previous screening, tangeretin, a polymethoxylated flavonoid from citrus fruits was selected as a Notch-1 inhibitor. Tangeretin enhanced the radiosensitivity of GC cells as demonstrated by MTT and colony formation assays. Tangeretin also attenuated radiation-induced EMT, invasion and migration in GC cells, accompanied by a decrease in Notch-1, Jagged1/2, Hey-1 and Hes-1 expressions. Tangeretin triggered the upregulation of miR-410, a tumor-suppressive microRNA. Furthermore, re-expression of miR-410 prevented radiation-induced EMT and cell invasion. An in vivo tumor xenograft model confirmed the antimetastasis effect of tangeretin as we observed in vitro. In nude mice, tumor size was considerably diminished by radiation plus tangeretin co-treatment. Tangeretin almost completely inhibited lung metastasis induced by irradiation. Tangeretin may be a novel antimetastatic agent for radiotherapy.

A Prospective Study to Assess the Feasibility of Axillary Reverse Mapping and Evaluate Its Effect on Preventing Lymphedema in Breast Cancer Patients.

BACKGROUND: The axillary reverse mapping (ARM) procedure can distinguish lymphatics draining the arm from those draining the breast. It has been proposed to preserve lymphatic drainage of the upper limbs and reduce the incidence of upper limb lymphedema during breast cancer surgery. The aim of our study was to assess the feasibility of ARM in modified radical mastectomy and to evaluate its effect on prevention of lymphedema. PATIENTS AND METHODS: From January 2012 to March 2014, a prospective study was performed in 265 breast cancer patients who underwent modified radical mastectomy. Patients were divided into 2 groups, 127 patients (47.93%, control group) received a traditional axillary lymph node dissection (ALND), and 138 patients (52.07%, experimental group) received ARM preservation of the nodes and lymphatics during ALND. Radioactive tracer and methylene blue were used for ARM of the nodes and lymphatics. All of the identified ARM nodes were diagnosed using fine needle aspiration cytology for assessment of metastatic status. All resected axillary lymph nodes were conducted in a pathology examination to evaluate tumor metastasis. Data were collected on variations in identification of the ARM nodes and lymphatics, the metastasis of ARM nodes, and the occurrence of lymphedema. RESULTS: In the experimental group, the ARM procedure was successfully conducted in 129 cases (93.48%). ARM nodes metastasis occurred in 11 patients (8.53%). The median follow-up time was 20 months, at the last evaluation there were 42 patients who developed upper limb lymphedema in the control group (33.07%), and in the experimental group the incidence of lymphedema was 5.93% (7/118; P < .001). None of the patients had nodal relapses during the follow-up time. CONCLUSION: ARM appears to be a feasible technique with which to identify upper arm nodes and lymphatics during the modified radical mastectomy procedure. The incidence of lymphedema can be decreased in patients with use of the ARM procedure.

Regulation of the P2X7R by microRNA-216b in human breast cancer.

Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women around the world. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying breast cancer pathogenesis are only partially understood. Here, in this study, we found that P2X7R was up-regulated and miR-216b was down-regulated in breast cancer cell lines and tissues. Using bioinformatic analysis and 3'UTR luciferase reporter assay, we determined P2X7R can be directly targeted by miR-216b, which can down-regulate endogenous P2X7R mRNA and protein levels. Ectopic expression of miR-216b mimics leads to inhibited cell growth and apoptosis, while blocking expression of the miR-216b results in increased cell proliferation. Furthermore, our findings demonstrate that knockdown of P2X7R promotes apoptosis in breast cancer cells through down-regulating Bcl-2 and increasing the cleavage caspase-3 protein level. Finally, we confirmed that down-regulation of miR-216b in breast cancer is inversely associated with P2X7R expression level. Together, these findings establish miR-216b as a novel regulator of P2X7R and a potential therapeutic target for breast cancer.