ABSTRACT
Given their tumor-specific and stage-specific gene expression, long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) have demonstrated to be potential molecular biomarkers for diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment response. Particularly, the lncRNAs DSCAM-AS1 and GATA3-AS1 serve as examples of this because of their high subtype-specific expression profile in luminal B-like breast cancer. This makes them candidates to use as molecular biomarkers in clinical practice. However, lncRNA studies in breast cancer are limited in sample size and are restricted to the determination of their biological function, which represents an obstacle for its inclusion as molecular biomarkers of clinical utility. Nevertheless, due to their expression specificity among diseases, such as cancer, and their stability in body fluids, lncRNAs are promising molecular biomarkers that could improve the reliability, sensitivity, and specificity of molecular techniques used in clinical diagnosis. The development of lncRNA-based diagnostics and lncRNA-based therapeutics will be useful in routine medical practice to improve patient clinical management and quality of life.
Subject(s)
Breast Neoplasms , RNA, Long Noncoding , Humans , Female , Breast Neoplasms/diagnosis , Breast Neoplasms/genetics , Breast Neoplasms/metabolism , RNA, Long Noncoding/genetics , RNA, Long Noncoding/metabolism , Quality of Life , Reproducibility of Results , Biomarkers , Biomarkers, Tumor/genetics , Gene Expression Regulation, NeoplasticABSTRACT
Although breast conserving surgery is the standard of care for patients with localized breast cancer in high-income countries, little is known about its use in developing countries, where disparities in access to treatment may lead to an increased use of mastectomy. We examined the use of breast conserving surgery at a Mexican cancer center after the implementation of a public insurance program aimed at providing coverage for previously uninsured patients. Between 2006 and 2016, 4519 women received surgical treatment for breast cancer, of which 39% had early-stage disease. The proportion of patients treated with breast conserving surgery increased from 10% in the 2006-2009 period to 33% in the 2013-2016 period, with most of this increase occurring among women with early-stage disease (17-52%). Improving access to care and reducing the financial burden of breast cancer in developing countries may lead to an increased use of breast conserving surgery.