Modifiable Risk Factors for Breast Cancer: Insights From Systematic Reviews

Unlocking the Potential of Bioactive Compounds in Pancreatic Cancer Therapy: A Promising Frontier

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDA) is a highly challenging malignancy to treat, with a high mortality rate and limited therapeutic options. Despite advances in cancer research, the prognosis for patients diagnosed with PDA is often poor due to late-stage detection and resistance to conventional therapies. Consequently, there is growing interest in the potential of bioactive compounds as alternative or adjuvant treatments, given their ability to target multiple aspects of cancer biology, offering a more holistic approach to treatment. In the context of PDA, certain bioactive compounds, such as polyphenols (found in fruits, vegetables, and tea), flavonoids, carotenoids and compounds in cruciferous vegetables, have shown potential in inhibiting cancer cell growth, reducing inflammation, and promoting cancer cell apoptosis. This review aims to elucidate the mechanisms, by which these bioactive compounds exert their effects, modulating the oxidative stress, influencing inflammatory pathways and regulating cell survival and death. It also highlights current clinical trials that are paving the way toward incorporating these natural agents into mainstream treatment strategies, with the goal of boosting the efficacy of conventional therapies for PDA.

Breast Cancer Risk Modification in Women with Pathogenic Variants in BRCA1, BRCA2, ATM, CHEK2, and PALB2

SIGNIFICANCE

There is limited information on whether established risk factors increase breast cancer risk from PVs. In the WHI, PV carriers had no substantial (≥2-fold) increase with most risk factors, except potentially MHT in ATM or CHEK2 carriers. The results may inform counseling and research on MHT.

Significant Association of Matrix Metalloproteinase-9 Polymorphisms With Triple Negative Breast Cancer Risk

BACKGROUND/AIM

Matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) has been associated with the development and progression of breast cancer (BCa). However, the relationship between MMP-9 genetic variants and BCa susceptibility remains contentious and inconclusive. This study aimed to evaluate the association of MMP-9 rs3918242 promoter polymorphisms with BCa, with a particular focus on the risk of triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A case-control study was conducted involving 1,232 BCa patients and 1,232 healthy controls. The MMP-9 rs3918242 genotypes were determined using polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) analysis.

RESULTS

The genotype distribution of MMP-9 rs3918242 among the control group adhered to Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium (p=0.3265). No statistically significant differences were observed in the genotype frequencies between BCa cases and controls (p for trend=0.2555). Although the homozygous variant genotype (TT) showed a potential risk-increasing effect, this was not statistically significant [odds ratio (OR)=1.43, 95% confidence interval (CI)=0.88-2.36, p=0.1869]. Similarly, allele frequency analysis indicated no significant association between the variant T allele and overall BCa risk (OR=1.13, 95%CI=0.97-1.33, p=0.1265). Additionally, no interaction was detected between MMP-9 rs3918242 genotypes and the age of BCa onset (both p>0.05). Notably, the TT genotype of MMP-9 rs3918242 was significantly associated with an increased risk of TNBC (OR=2.49, 95%CI=1.32-4.72, p=0.0072).

CONCLUSION

The MMP-9 rs3918242 TT genotype may serve as a potential predictive biomarker for TNBC in the Taiwanese population.