ObjectiveTo summarize the research progress of Hippo signaling pathway in triple negative breast cancer (TNBC). MethodLiteratures about studies the role of Hippo signaling pathway in cancer stem cells, epithelial-mesenchymal transformation, tumorigenesis and development, distant metastasis, treatment resistance, and treatment strategies were retrieved. ResultsIn TNBC, overexpression of Yes-associated protein and PDZ-binding motif could promote the development of tumor stem cells, induce epithelial-mesenchymal transformation of TNBC cells, and promote tumor development, distant metastasis, and chemotherapy resistance. ConclusionHippo/Yes-associated protein axis plays an important role in carcinogenesis and progression of TNBC, and targeting Hippo signaling pathway might be a potential therapeutic target for TNBC.
ObjectiveTo investigate the expression of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) and its relation with clinicopathologic features. MethodsA computer search of PubMed, Web of Science, CNKI, Wanfang Data, and VIP databases were conducted to select clinical studies on EGFR expression in the TNBC according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria, and the search period was from database establishment to January 2022. Two researchers independently screened the literature, extracted the data, and evaluated the quality of the literature before conducting meta-analysis using RevMan 5.4 software. ResultsA total of 28 studies including 7 956 patients were included. The results of meta-analysis showed that the positive rate of EGFR expression in the TNBC patients was higher than that in the non-TNBC patients [OR=5.16, 95%CI (4.04, 6.58), P<0.000 01], and the proportions of patients with axillary lymph node metastasis [OR=3.11, 95%CI (1.56, 6.19), P=0.001] and with tumor diameter >2 cm [OR=2.09, 95%CI (1.18, 3.72), P=0.01] in the patients with EGFR positive were higher than those the patients with EGFR negative, no correlation was found that the proportion of patients with histological WHO classification 3 between the patients with EGFR positive expression and EGFR negative expression (P=0.07). ConclusionFrom the results of this meta-analysis, EGFR expression might be associated with the occurrence, development, and metastasis of patients with TNBC.
Objective To systematically review the efficacy and safety of immune checkpoint inhibitors combined with chemotherapy in the treatment of triple-negative breast cancer. Methods The PubMed, Cochrane Library, Embase, Web of Science, CNKI, WanFang Data and VIP databases were searched for randomised controlled trials (RCTs) of immune checkpoint inhibitors combined with chemotherapy versus chemotherapy alone for triple-negative breast cancer from inception to April 1, 2024. Two reviewers independently screened the literature, extracted data, and assessed the risk of bias of the included studies. Meta-analysis was then performed by using RevMan 5.4 software. Results A total of 13 RCTs involving 5 416 patients were included. The results of meta-analysis showed that the pathologic complete response rate (pCR) (OR=2.09, 95%CI 1.37 to 3.19, P<0.01), progression-free survival (PFS) (HR=0.75, 95%CI 0.67 to 0.83, P<0.01) and overall survival (OS) (HR=0.87, 95%CI 0.79 to 0.96, P<0.01) were significantly better than those in the control group. The results of subgroup analysis showed that there were statistically significant differences in PFS (P<0.01) and OS (P=0.02) between PD-L1-positive and PD-L1-negative patients, but there was no statistically significant difference in pCR between PD-L1-positive patients and PD-L1-negative patients (P=0.36). There was a statistically significant difference in pCR between node-positive patients and node-negative patients (P=0.03). There was no statistically significant difference in pCR between patients treated with PD-1 inhibitors and PD-L1 inhibitors (P=0.32); and there was no significant difference in PFS (P=0.19) or OS (P=0.99) between patients treated with PD-1 inhibitors and PD-L1 inhibitors. Compared with those in the control group, the incidences of serious adverse events (RR=1.36, 95%CI 1.09 to 1.70, P<0.01) and immune-related adverse events (RR=2.98, 95%CI 1.66 to 5.35, P<0.01) were higher in the experimental group, and the common immune-related adverse events were hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism.Conclusion The existing evidence shows that immune checkpoint inhibitors combined with chemotherapy are more effective than chemotherapy alone in the treatment of triple-negative breast cancer, and the combination therapy has a higher incidence of adverse reactions. Due to the limited quantity and quality of the included studies, more high-quality studies are needed to verify the above conclusion.
ObjectiveTo compare clinicopathologic characteristics and prognosis between HER2-low and HER2-negative patients with stage T1 and T2 triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). MethodsThe patients with stage T1 and T2 TNBC treated at the Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University from June 2019 to June 2021 were retrospectively collected. The clinicopathologic features were analyzed using two-sided Chi-square test. Multivariate binary logistic regression identified risk factors for 3-year postoperative recurrence/metastasis. Kaplan-Meier survival curves was used to compare 3-year disease-free survival (DFS) between the TNBC patients with HER2-low and HER2-negative. The statistical significance was defined as α=0.05. ResultsA total of 126 patients with stage T1 and T2 TNBC were enrolled, 63 were HER2-negative and 63 HER2-low. Compared with HER2-negative patients, HER2-low patients demonstrated significantly higher proportions of: Age ≥50 years old, postmenopausal status, lymphovascular invasion (P<0.05). HER2 expression level and axillary lymph node metastasis were the independent risk factors for 3-year postoperative recurrence/metastasis in the patients with stage T1 and T2 TNBC (P<0.05). The patients with HER2-low expressing demonstrated significantly inferior 3-year DFS compared to patients with HER2-negative (χ2=7.741, P=0.005). ConclusionsFindings of this study suggest that among patients with stage T1 and T2 TNBC, HER2-low expression is associated with advanced age (≥50 years), menopausal status, and lymphovascular invasion. It may serve as an indicator of a distinct biologic subgroup or unfavorable pathologic characteristics. Patients with stage T1 and T2 TNBC who have HER2-low expression and positive axillary lymph node metastasis require close monitoring for recurrence/metastasis within 3 years postoperatively.
ObjectiveTo investigate the correlation between the expressions of matrix metalloproteinase-3 (MMP-3) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in the three negative breast cancer (TNBC) and analyze their clinicopathologic significances. MethodsOne hundred and twelve patients confirmed TNBC from January 2008 to January 2013 in this hospital were collected. The cases of luminal type with the similar pathological type and pathological staging were chosen as control. The expressions of MMP-3 and VEGF were detected by immunohistochemistry. Results①The positive expression rates of MMP-3 and VEGF in the TNBC tissues were significantly higher than those in the luminal tissues[MMP-3:90.18%(101/112) versus 49.11%(55/112), P < 0.05;VEGF:84.82%(95/112) versus 48.21%(54/112), P < 0.05]. 2 The positive expressions of MMP-3 and VEGF in the TNBC tissues were correlated with age, menopausal status, tumor size, axillary lymph node metastasis, and TNM stage(P < 0.05).③The expression of MMP-3 was positively correlated with VEGF in the TNBC tissues(rs=0.711, P < 0.01).④The results of follow-up showed that the recurrence and metastasis rate within 3 years was 73.21%, the survival rate within 5 years was 36.61% in the patients with TNBC. ConclusionsThere is a close relation between MMP-3 and VEGF in TNBC, the expressions of MMP-3 and VEGF may serve as important biomarkers for evaluating invasion and metastasis in TNBC. There is a higher metastasis rate within 3 years and a lower survival rate within 5 years in TNBC. According to intervening the expressions of MMP-3 and VEGF, and inhibiting cancer cells matrix degradation and vascular formation, then cancer cells metastasis could be blocked, it may be important to reduce the 3-year recurrence rate and improve 5-year survival rate.
ObjectiveTo summarize the research progress of microRNA-200 (miR-200) family in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC).MethodsRelevant literatures at home and abroad were systematically retrieved and read to review the research progress of miR-200 family in TNBC in recent years.ResultsThe miR-200 family played an important role in the proliferation, invasion, and metastasis of TNBC, as well as the resistance to treatment. It could also be used as potential therapeutic targets and biological predictors. Different miR-200 family members and differential expression mediated various targeting effects, which may be related to differences in signaling pathways and cellular environment.ConclusionsmiR-200 family plays a key regulatory role in the occurrence and development of TNBC, and it is expected to provide new ideas for the treatment and prognosis evaluation of TNBC. However, its mechanism of action still needs further study.
Objective To summarize the research progress of immunotherapy for metastatic breast cancer. Method Literatures about immunotherapy for metastatic breast cancer were reviewed by searching the literatures in domestic and foreign database. Results In recent years, immunotherapy had been initially attempted in patients with metastatic breast cancer and showed its unique value. It provided a new way to improve the therapeutic effect and prolong the survival time of patients with metastatic breast cancer. ConclusionsImmunotherapy is the most effective in triple-negative metastatic breast cancers. The immuno-oncology needs to be developed to improve the clinical benefits of immunotherapy for breast cancer.
ObjectiveTo understand current research progress of microRNA (miRNA) in pathogenesis of triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), and to provide reference for understanding pathogenesis and treatment of TNBC.MethodTheresearch progress of relationship of TNBC and miRNA was reviewed by reading relevant literatures at home and abroad in recent years.ResultsThe miRNAs were involved in a variety of biological processes, including the cell proliferation, apoptosis, autophagy, differentiation, metastasis, etc., and played an important role in the cancer initiation and metastasis. Therefore, researchers had attempted to treat and prevent the TNBC by targeting miRNAs. At present, there had been a large number of reports that the miRNAs played a key role in TNBC, which were classified as the anti-oncogene and oncogene, and was associated with metastasis and prognosis of TNBC.ConclusionmiRNA is very important in pathogenesis of TNBC. Mechanism of studying miRNA is necessary for treatment and prevention of TNBC.