The nature of triple-negative breast cancer classification and antitumoral strategies

Identifying the patterns of gene expression in breast cancers is essential to understanding their pathophysiology and developing anticancer drugs. Breast cancer is a heterogeneous disease with different subtypes determined by distinct biological features. Luminal breast cancer is characterized by a relatively high expression of estrogen receptor (ER) and progesterone receptor (PR) genes, which are expressed in breast luminal cells. In ~25% of invasive breast cancers, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) is overexpressed; these cancers are categorized as the HER2 type. Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), in which the cancer cells do not express ER/PR or HER2, shows highly aggressive clinical outcomes. TNBC can be further classified into specific subtypes according to genomic mutations and cancer immunogenicity. Herein, we discuss the brief history of TNBC classification and its implications for promising treatments.

The nature of triple-negative breast cancer classification and antitumoral strategies

Identifying the patterns of gene expression in breast cancers is essential to understanding their pathophysiology and developing anticancer drugs. Breast cancer is a heterogeneous disease with different subtypes determined by distinct biological features. Luminal breast cancer is characterized by a relatively high expression of estrogen receptor (ER) and progesterone receptor (PR) genes, which are expressed in breast luminal cells. In ~25% of invasive breast cancers, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) is overexpressed; these cancers are categorized as the HER2 type. Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), in which the cancer cells do not express ER/PR or HER2, shows highly aggressive clinical outcomes. TNBC can be further classified into specific subtypes according to genomic mutations and cancer immunogenicity. Herein, we discuss the brief history of TNBC classification and its implications for promising treatments.

Prevalence of Osteoporosis and Osteopenia in Women in Gumi Gyeongbuk Province / 대한폐경학회지

OBJECTIVES: The aim of the present study was to determine the prevalence of osteopenia and osteoporosis in women aged 20 years and older in Gumi province. METHODS: We recruited a total of 2,347 women aged 20 years and older in Gumi province who visited the health care center in Soonchunhyang University Gumi hospital from January 2010 to December 2011. The bone mineral densities in the calcaneus were measured by an ultrasound bone densitometry. Osteoporosis and osteopenia were defined by World Health Organization criteria. Age-specific prevalence of osteoporosis and osteopenia in Gumi province were determined and compared with the prevalence of osteoporosis and osteopenia from other provinces within Korea. The prevalence of each was described by %. RESULTS: Age-specific prevalence of osteoporosis was less than 2% in women younger than 50 years but it rapidly increased in those older than 55 years and up to about 50% in women older than 70 years. The prevalence of osteoporosis in women in Gumi province was lower than that of Kangwon province. However, its results were higher than Jung-up province. In addition, the prevalence of osteoporosis in women in Gumi province was lower than other provinces including: Gang-hwa, Chun-cheon, Chung-ju, Jungnang and Gangseo in Seoul, Korea Health Statistics 2009. CONCLUSION: The age-specific prevalence of osteoporosis in women in Gumi province increased with ages, especially in those older than 55 years. Also, the prevalence of osteoporosis in women in Gumi province was lower than Kangwon and other provinces within Korea as stated by Korea Health Statistics 2009. However, its results were higher than Jung-up province.

Ovarian Rete Cyst in a Post-menopausal Woman: A Case Report / 대한폐경학회지

The term rete ovarian cyst has been used mostly in animal pathology. Cysts of the ovarian hilus have been reported in experimental animals, but have not received attention in human beings. In the literature review, most women with these cysts were postmenopausal and the cysts were not malignancy. But, there have been some reports of hormonal imbalance associated with these cysts. This article reports the clinicopatholgical findings of a case of ovarian rete cyst in postmenopausal woman with some literature review.

Lichen Sclerosus in a Post-Menopausal Woman: A Case Report / 대한폐경학회지

Lichen sclerosus (LS) refers to a benign, chronic, progressive dermatologic condition that primarily causes anogenital lesions in middle aged women. But LS has been identifi ed in patients of all ages including those in the fi rst years of life. The risk of squamous cell carcinoma of the vulva is 4% to 5% in women with LS, and has been reported to be as high as 7% in some reviews. We recently encountered a case of LS in a post-menopausal woman without hormone therapy. To remind clinicians of the neglected issue of LS, we report a case of LS with literature review.

Expression of Ca2+ -activated K+ Channels and Their Role in Proliferation of Rat Cardiac Fibroblasts

Cardiac fibroblasts constitute one of the largest cell populations in the heart, and contribute to structural, biochemical, mechanical and electrical properties of the myocardium. Nonetheless, their cardiac functions, especially electrophysiological properties, have often been disregarded in studies. Ca2+-activated K+(KCa) channels can control Ca2+influx as well as a number of Ca2+-dependent physiological processes. We, therefore, attempted to identify and characterize KCa channels in rat Cardiac fibroblasts. First, we showed that the cells cultured from the rat ventricle were cardiac fibroblasts by immunostaining for discoidin domain receptor 2 (DDR-2), a specific fibroblast marker. Secondly, we detected the expression of various KCa channels by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), and found all three family members of KCa channels, including large conductance KCa (BK-alpha 1- and -beta 1~4 subunits), intermediate conductance KCa (IK), and small conductance KCa (SK1~4 subunits) channels. Thirdly, we recorded BK, IK, and SK channels by whole cell mode patch clamp technique using their specific blockers. Finally, we performed cell proliferation assay to evaluate the effects of the channels on cell proliferation, and found that the inhibition of IK channel increased the cell proliferation. These results showed the existence of BK, IK, and SK channels in rat ventricular fibroblasts and involvement of IK channel in cell proliferation.