Aim: This study examined the characteristics of HER2-low breast cancer patients in our center. Methods: Data of HER2-negative breast cancer patients were collected, and the patients were divided into HER2-low and HER2-0 groups. The differences in clinicopathological features, prognosis and treatment were compared. Results: The proportion of patients in the HER2-low group who were over 50 years old, had invasive breast cancer of no special type, histological grade 1/2, ER-positive, PR-positive and Ki67 ≤30% was higher. Patients with HER2-low status had better breast cancer-specific survival and overall survival. Additionally, HER2-low status was not associated with the effectiveness of adjuvant chemotherapy and endocrine therapy. Conclusion: HER2-low breast cancer is less aggressive than HER2-0 and may represent a distinct subtype.

Aim: We report a case of a young woman who presented with HER2+ metastatic breast cancer and visceral crisis to asses safety and effectiveness of dual anti-HER2 plus chemotherapy. Patients & methods/materials & methods: At the time of advanced breast cancer diagnosis, the patient presented in scanty clinical condition with severe liver function tests elevation. First-line chemotherapy based on pertuzumab-trastuzumab plus weekly paclitaxel at 50% reduced dose due to liver dysfunction was administered. Results: Improvement and normalization of liver function tests and patient’s clinical condition was recorded in less than 2 months. Computed tomography revealed a partial remission of liver metastasis. Conclusions: Early initiation of standard HER2 target therapies outweigh the risks of toxicities and can be successfully used also in patients with life-threatening liver breast cancer metastasis.

Enhancing our ability to treat breast cancer with improved patient outcomes will require the development of novel combination strategies that simultaneously target both tumor

Aim: The aim of this study was the evaluation of S100B prognostic role in nonmetastatic breast cancer patients, excluding confounding factors. Patients & method: 79 breast cancer patients, who fulfilled inclusion and exclusion criteria, were enrolled in the study. Before any adjuvant chemotherapy or surgery, the serum level of S100B was determined. All patients were followed up for 5 years, particularly regarding cancer recurrence and patients’ survival. Results: 42% of the patients experienced no recurrence after 5 years and cumulative risk of recurrence was 0.86. There was no significant correlation between serum level of protein S100B and recurrence rate in 5 years (p = 0.59). Conclusion: According to the results, the serum levels of S100B protein may have no prognostic role in nonmetastatic breast cancer.

Aim: The study aimed to evaluate a modified SYBR Green qPCR method to study the inter-relations of ESR1 amplification to other parameters including ER expression status, clinicopathological features and responsiveness to tamoxifen. Materials & methods: 35 breast cancer tissues were assessed for ESR1 amplification by a modified qPCR. Results: Amplification of ESR1 was observed in 31.4% out of 35 samples. ESR1 amplification and overexpression were significantly correlated (Spearman's Rho = 0.658; p < 0.001). ESR1 amplification was also statistically associated with positive response to tamoxifen (p = 0.0005), lower tumor grade (p = 0.027) and lower tumor stage (p = 0.005). Conclusion: Findings showed a positive correlation between ER amplification and ER-α expression and highlighted the potential clinical value of using SYBR Green qPCR to quantify amplification of ESR1. ESR1 amplification could be used as an indicator of positive response to tamoxifen and might have a clinicopathological significance. However, the qPCR data should be confirmed by fluorescence in situ hybridization.

It is expected that the results of this research will lead to the creation of a test predictive of susceptibility for the development of toxicities resulting from treatment of breast cancer with radiation that could be used in routine breast cancer care. "

In an outpatient setting, some challenges of cancer treatment include continuous patient–physician communication, lack of adherence, potential side effects and their impact on quality of life and other patient-reported outcomes. These challenges in the support of disease management can be overcome by the introduction of eHealth applications. Though the market of eHealth applications is fast growing, many applications lack evidence regarding their effectiveness, safety and utility. Only few prospective randomized trials have been conducted, so far. Results of these studies univocally show a gain in health-related quality of life, in the examined eHealth applications. It remains unclear if procedural and cost efficacy are affected by eHealth applications. The upcoming PreCycle study will be the largest randomized eHealth study in oncology.

There is a need to harmonize

Aim: 8-OxodG protein has been introduced recently as a new biomarker for breast cancer, according to its role in tumor progression and invasion. In this study, we investigated prognostic value of 8-Oxo-2′-deoxyguanosine (8-OxodG) protein in nonmetastatic breast cancer patients excluding confounding factor. Materials & methods: Before any adjuvant chemotherapy or surgery, serum level of 8-OxodG protein was determined in 79 patients with nonmetastatic breast cancer. All patients follow up for 5 years regarding cancer recurrence and survival. Results: Cumulative risk of recurrence 5 years after the beginning of the study was 0.86 and there was no significant correlation between 8-OxodG and the recurrence rate (p = 0.78). Conclusion: The serum levels of 8-OxodG protein may not be an appropriate prognostic factor in breast cancer.