Long-term chinese herbs decoction administration for management of hot flashes associated with endocrine therapy in breast cancer patients

Screening and identification of hub-gene associated with brain metastasis in breast cancer

BACKGROUND

The presence of breast cancer in the brain, also known as brain metastasis (BMS), is the primary reason for a bad prognosis in cases of breast cancer. Breast cancer is the most prevalent malignant tumor seen in women in developing nations. At present, there is no effective method to inhibit brain metastasis of breast cancer. Therefore, it is necessary to conduct a systematic study on BMS of breast cancer, which will not provide ideas and sites for follow-up studies on the treatment and inhibition of BMS.

METHODS

In this study, data set GSE43837 was screened from gene expression omnibus database, and then R language tool was used for differential analysis of its expression spectrum, The gene ontology functional enrichment and Kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes signal pathway enrichment analyses, as well as the interactive gene retrieval tool for hub-gene analysis, were performed.

RESULTS

According to the findings, the primary genes linked to breast cancer brain metastases are those that involve interactions between cytokines and their respective receptors and between neuroactive ligands and their respective receptors. The majority of the gene ontology enrichment took place in the extracellular structural tissues, the extracellular matrix tissues, and the second message-mediated signaling. We were able to identify 8 genes that are linked to breast cancer spreading to the brain. The gene score for matrix metallopeptidase1 (MMP-1) was the highest among them, and the genes MMP10, tumor necrosis factor alpha-inducible protein 8, collagen type I alpha 2 chain, vascular cell adhesion molecule 1, and TNF superfamily member 11 were all connected to 1 another in an interaction way.

CONCLUSIONS

There is a possibility that the 8 key genes that were identified in this research are connected to the progression of BMS in breast cancer. Among them, MMP1 is 1 that has the potential to have a role in the diagnosis and treatment of BMS in breast cancer.

Acupuncture as an adjuvant therapy for management of treatment-related symptoms in breast cancer patients: Systematic review and meta-analysis (PRISMA-compliant)

BACKGROUND

Although randomized controlled trials have revealed the considerable effectiveness of acupuncture in breast cancer patients, there have been no studies exploring current acupuncture research trends for treatment induced various symptoms in breast cancer patients. This review evaluated the effectiveness of acupuncture for treatment-induced symptoms in breast cancer patients.

METHODS

We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of the literature regarding acupuncture to treat symptoms associated with breast cancer therapies. The following databases were searched for relevant RCTs published before June 2018: MEDLINE, EMBASE, the Cochrane Library, AMED, CINAHL, OASIS, CNKI, and CiNii.

RESULTS

Among the 19,483 records identified, 835 articles remained after screening titles and abstracts. A total of 19 RCTs were included in this qualitative synthesis. Among the studies, 8 explored climacteric symptoms, 4 explored pain, 2 explored lymphedemas, 2 explored nausea and vomiting and 3 investigated miscellaneous symptoms.explored miscellaneous symptoms due to cancer treatments. Most of the studies reported that acupuncture can alleviate various symptoms of breast cancer treatment. However, there is a lack of evidence as to whether accupuncture can alleviate chemotherapy associated side effects CONCLUSIONS:: Acupuncture may alleviate the treatment-related symptoms of breast cancer; however, further studies are necessary to obtain conclusive evidence of the effectiveness of acupuncture in treating breast cancer.

REGISTRATION NUMBER

CRD42018087813.

Chinese Medicines Improve Perimenopausal Symptoms Induced by Surgery, Chemoradiotherapy, or Endocrine Treatment for Breast Cancer

The application of surgery, chemoradiotherapy, and endocrine treatment successfully increases survival rates of breast cancer patients. However, perimenopausal symptoms, the main side effects of these treatments, often afflict patients and reduce their quality of life. Perimenopausal symptoms include vasomotor symptoms, sleep problems, arthromuscular symptoms, and osteoporosis. Currently, there are no satisfactory treatments for perimenopausal symptoms that result from these treatments. Therefore, alternative and complementary therapies including herbal medicines represented by Chinese medicines (CMs), acupuncture, massage, and psychotherapy are increasingly being expected and explored. In this paper, we review the effects and potentials of several CM formulae, along with some active ingredients or fractions from CMs, Chinese herbal extracts, and other herbal medicines, which have drawn attention for improving perimenopausal symptoms in breast cancer patients. We also elaborate their possible mechanisms. Moreover, further studies for evaluation of standardized clinical efficacy should be scientifically well-designed and continuously performed to investigate the efficacy and mechanisms of CMs for perimenopausal symptoms due to breast cancer therapy. The safety and value of estrogen-containing CMs for breast cancer should also be clarified.

Improving Adherence to Adjuvant Endocrine Therapy in Breast Cancer Through a Therapeutic Educational Approach: A Feasibility Study

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVES

To develop and test the feasibility of a tailored therapeutic educational program, with the aim of improving adherence to oral endocrine adjuvant chemotherapy in women with breast cancer. 
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DESIGN

A qualitative study to identify educational needs and a feasibility study assessing the efficacy of the program.
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SETTING

A comprehensive cancer center, the Lucien Neuwirth Cancer Institute in Saint-Priest-en-Jarez, France.
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SAMPLE

Two consecutive samples (N = 11, N = 6) of women taking adjuvant oral endocrine chemotherapy for breast cancer. 
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METHODS

A mixed qualitative and quantitative method was used. The participants' representations of disease and treatment were explored through one-on-one interviews and then translated into educational needs, which were used to develop a tailored therapeutic education program. The pilot study evaluated the reach and efficacy using before-and-after comparisons. 
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MAIN RESEARCH VARIABLES

Educational objectives, knowledge, trust in the treatment, and anxiety.
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FINDINGS

Five educational objectives (acquiring knowledge, improving communication skills, managing anxiety, managing side effects, and improving adherence) were identified through 11 interviews. A three-session program was developed. Eight of the 23 patients invited to participate in a pilot study accepted, and six completed the intervention. Knowledge improved from 38.9 of 100 preintervention to 69.4 of 100 postintervention (p = 0.045). Trust in treatment showed a trend to improvement from 5.5 of 10 to 8 of 10 (p = 0.14), but anxiety did not change significantly; anxiety went from 6 to 7 (p = 0.88).
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CONCLUSIONS

Results from the feasibility study showed promising efficacy for the educational objectives and provided information about how the program could be improved. 
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IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING

Tailored educational programs conducted by trained nurses may help patients to adhere to and live with the effects of endocrine therapy.

PotentIn VitroProtection Against PM2.5-Caused ROS Generation and Vascular Permeability by Long-Term Pretreatment withGanoderma tsugae

Epidemiological studies show increased particulate matter (PM[Formula: see text]) particles in ambient air are correlated with increased myocardial infarctions. Given the close association of capillaries and alveoli, the dysfunction is caused when inhaled PM[Formula: see text] particles come in close proximity to capillary endothelial cells. We previously suggested that the inhalation of PM[Formula: see text] diesel exhaust particles (DEP) induces oxidative stress and upregulates the Nrf2/HO-1 pathway, inducing vascular permeability factor VEGFA secretion, which results in cell-cell adherens junction disruption and PM[Formula: see text] transmigratation into circulation. Here, we minimized the level that PM[Formula: see text] traveled in the bloodstream by pre-supplementing with a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) Ganoderma tsugae DMSO extract (GTDE) prior to PM[Formula: see text] exposure. Our results show that PM[Formula: see text] caused alterations in enzyme activities and cellular anti-oxidant balance. We found decreased glutathione levels, a reduced cellular redox ratio, increased ROS generation and cytotoxicity in the cellular fractions. The oxidative stress caused DNA damage and apoptosis, likely causing downstream molecular events that trigger vasculature permeabilization and, eventually, cardiovascular disorders. Our results show long-term GTDE treatment increased endogenous glutathione level, while PM[Formula: see text]-reduced glutathione levels and the cellular redox ratio. GTDE was protective against the genotoxic and apoptotic effects initiated by PM[Formula: see text] oxidative stress. Vascular permeability revealed that PM[Formula: see text] only accumulated on the surface of cells after GTDE treatment; no penetration was detected. After two weeks of GTDE treatment, VEGFA secretion was significantly reduced in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) and endothelial cell migration was blocked. Our results suggest GTDE prevents PM[Formula: see text] transmigration into the bloodstream, and the resultant dysfunction, by inhibiting oxidative stress production and endothelial permeability.

Effects of modified Shu-Gan-Liang-Xue decoction combined with anastrozole on osteoblastic proliferation and differentiation of MC3T3-E1 cells

Aromatase inhibitors (AIs) are widely used in the treatment of hormone-dependent breast cancer and as a result, aromatase inhibitor-associated bone loss (AIBL) has become a major concern amongst patients receiving AI treatment. Modified Shu-Gan-Liang-Xue decoction (mSGLXD), a clinical prescription, has been used for ameliorating AIBL in patients with breast cancer for decades and has achieved good clinical efficacy. However, the mechanism underlying how mSGLXD influences bone homeostasis and alleviates AIBL has remained elusive. In the present study, mSGLXD was supplemented with Rhizoma Drynariae containing phytoestrogens, and the safety of mSGLXD was evaluated. mSGLXD did not possess estrogenic activity and significantly inhibited the proliferation of estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer cell line MCF-7, which suggested that mSGLXD was safe for postmenopausal patients with breast cancer. Subsequently, the effects of mSGLXD alone or in combination with anastrozole on osteoblastic MC3T3-E1 cell proliferation and differentiation were investigated. Cell counting kit-8, reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and biochemical methods, such as ELISA and alizarin red S staining, were used in the present study. It was revealed that mSGLXD not only stimulated MC3T3-E1 cell proliferation, but also upregulated alkaline phosphatase and osteocalcin gene and protein expression levels. High concentrations of anastrozole (10 or 100 μmol/l) markedly inhibited MC3T3-E1 cell proliferation, but this inhibitory effect was attenuated by mSGLXD. Furthermore, mSGLXD increased MC3T3-E1 cell mineralization following β-glycerophosphate and ascorbic acid induction. Therefore, the results of the present study suggested that mSGLXD may be a promising adjuvant therapy, with high safety and efficacy, for the prevention and treatment of AIBL in patients with breast cancer who receive AI treatment.