Magnetic resonance differential analysis for different hormone receptor expression status in HER-2-positive breast cancer / 中南大学学报(医学版)

OBJECTIVES@#Currently, it is difficult to assess the expression status of hormone receptor (HR) in breast malignant tumors with human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER-2)-positive in the early preoperative stage, and it is difficult to predict whether it is non-invasively. This study aims to explore the value of MRI on the different HR expression status (HR+/HR-) in HER-2 positive breast cancer.@*METHODS@#Thirty patients with HR+ HER-2-positive breast cancer (HR+ group) and 23 patients with HR-HER-2-positive breast cancer (HR- group) from the First Hospital of Hunan University of Traditional Chinese Medicine between January 7, 2015 and November 26, 2021 were selected as subjects, and all the patients were examined by MRI and all were confirmed by surgery or pathological biopsy puncture. The immunohistochemical staining results were used as the gold standard to analyze the basic clinical conditions, peri-lesion conditions and MRI sign characteristics in the 2 groups.@*RESULTS@#There were all significant differences in terms of mass margins, internal reinforcement features, and apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values between the HR+ group and the HR- group (all P<0.05). The logistic multivariate regression model showed that: when the lesion presented as a mass-type breast cancer on MRI, the internal enhancement features of the lesion were an independent predictor for differentiation in the 2 types of breast cancer [odds ratio (OR)=5.95, 95% CI: 1.223 to 28.951, P<0.05], and the mass margin (OR=0.386, 95% CI: 0.137 to 1.082, P>0.05) and ADC value (OR=0.234, 95% CI: 0.001 to 105.293, P>0.05) were not the independent predictors in distinguishing the 2 types of breast cancer.@*CONCLUSIONS@#Multiparametric MRI has good diagnostic value for HR expression status in HER-2-positive breast cancer. Combined logistic regression analysis to construct a predictive model may be helpful to the identical diagnosis.

Secretory expression of human thyroid stimulating hormone receptor A subunit in sf9 insect cell system / 西安交通大学学报(医学版)

【Objective】 To construct the secretory expression system of insect cells to express the secretory TSHR A subunit protein in the ovarian cells of Spotoma oryzae (sf9). 【Methods】 A recombinant plasmid containing the target protein was constructed, and then the positive bacmid was screened out by the blue and white spots experiment. The verified bacmid was transfected into SF9 insect cells to obtain recombinant baculovirus. The virus was amplified, and the titer level was detected by virus plaque assay. Finally, Western blotting was used to identify the expression of the recombinant protein and optimize the expression conditions. 【Results】 During the construction of the protein expression system, PCR identification and sequencing results confirmed the correctness of the sequences of the recombinant plasmid and the recombinant bacmid. After the transfection of the bacmid, the signs of virus budding were observed in sf9 cells. The virus was collected and amplified. The titer of P1 generation virus was 2×107 pfu/m according to the plaque assay. The recombinant protein was identified by Western blotting and confirmed to be exogenous into the culture medium. The optimal condition for virus infection and protein expression was 72 h after the infection when the multiplicity of infection (MOI) was 1. 【Conclusion】 We constructed an insect cell expression system secreting TSHR 22-289 (55 ku), and the protein could be successfully glycolyzed. This system provides a preliminary basis for the construction and production of its industrial platform and also provides a useful tool for studies on TSHR protein and prevention of GO in the future.

Meta-analysis of efficacy and safety of CDK4/6 inhibitor combined with endocrine in the treatment of HR+/HER2－ breast cancer / 中国药房

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the efficacy and safety of four cyclin-dependent kinase 4/6 （CDK4/6） inhibitors （dalpicilib， abemacilib， ribocilib， palbocilib） combined with endocrine drugs in the treatment of hormone receptor-positive/human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-negative （HR+/HER2－） breast cancer. METHODS Computer searches were conducted on PubMed， the Cochrane Library， Web of Science， Embase， CNKI， Wanfang data and VIP to collect randomized controlled trials （RCTs） about CDK4/6 inhibitors combined with endocrine drugs （trial group） versus endocrine drugs alone or combined with placebo （control group）. The search period was from the establishment of the database to April 2023. After literature screening， data extraction and quality evaluation， a meta-analysis was conducted by using RevMan 5.4.1 software. RESULTS A total of 22 articles were included， involving 15 RCTs with a total of 18 574 patients. The meta-analysis results showed that the progression free survival [HR＝0.77， 95%CI （0.74， 0.79）， P＜0.000 1]， overall survival [HR＝0.91， 95%CI （0.87， 0.94）， P＜0.000 01]， objective response rate [OR＝1.71， 95%CI （1.51， 1.93）， P＜0.000 01] and clinical benefit rate [OR＝1.73， 95%CI （1.52， 1.95）， P＜0.000 01] of the trial group were significantly better than control group. The incidence of adverse drug reactions≥3 levels [OR＝10.28，95%CI （6.97，15.17），P＜0.000 01]， neutropenia [OR＝65.09， 95%CI （36.43， 116.31）， P＜0.000 01]， leukopenia [OR＝22.90， 95%CI （15.40， 34.04）， P＜0.000 01]， anemia [OR＝5.71， 95%CI （4.51， 7.22）， P＜0.000 01]， diarrhea [OR＝ 3.00， 95%CI （1.19， 7.51）， P＜0.05] and nausea [OR＝1.99， 95%CI （1.52， 2.60）， P＜0.000 01] in the trial group was significantly higher than control group. CONCLUSIONS The combination of CDK4/6 inhibitors and endocrine drugs has a significant effect on HR+/HER2－ breast cancer， with a high incidence of adverse reactions， especially hematotoxicity.

Research on THRβ gene mutation in a patient with thyroid hormone resistance syndrome using whole-exome sequencing / 中华内分泌代谢杂志

Objective:To assess clinical and genetic features in a patient with thyroid hormone resistance syndrome(RTH) and explore the pathogenic mechanism.Methods:The clinical data of the proband was collected. The genomic DNA was extracted from peripheral blood samples of the patients. The pathogenic variant was identified using whole-exome sequencing and confirmed by Sanger sequencing. Then the function of the mutation sites was detected by bioinformatics.Results:The patient presented with chest distress, palpitation, and persistent atrial fibrillation, along with elevated levels of serum free triiodothyronine(FT 3), free thyroxine(FT 4), and thyroid stimulating hormone(TSH), which suggested RTH clinically. The genetic analysis identified a heterozygous mutant of THRβ(c.1313G>A) gene at exon 8, which was a missense mutation causing the substitution of arginine to histidine at 438 position of the protein(p.R438H). Its inheritance pattern was unknown. This mutation was considered as a new one that had not been reported. Conclusion:A novel pathogenic THRβ gene mutation was found in the patient with RTH, which might be the cause of this disease. This variant c. 1313G>A is located in the ligand binding domain of THRβ, which might result in low protein activity.

Effect of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease on survival and risk factors in patients with hormone receptor-positive breast cancer / 中华内分泌外科杂志

Objective:To investigate the risk factors of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in patients with hormone receptor positive (HR+), human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 negative (HER2-) breast cancer (HR+/HER2-BC) and the impact of NAFLD on the survival of patients.Methods:54 HR+BC patients were enrolled in this study. The liver fat accumulation was examined by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The patients were divided into two groups: non-NAFLD and NAFLD. Student's t test or Fisher's test was used to analyze the clinical indicators of the two groups. Logistic univariate and multivariate tests were used to analyze the clinical risk factors related to NAFLD. Receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC curve) was used to further analyze the sensitivity of clinical risk factors to predict the diagnosis of NAFLD. The Disease-free survival (DFS) and Overall survival (OS) of the two groups were analyzed by Log-rank (Mantel-Cox) test. Results:There were 22 NAFLD patients and 32 non-NAFLD patients diagnosed by MRI. Student's t test or Fisher's test showed that BMI, waist circumference, AST, ALT, GGT, TG, LDL and HDL were statistically different between the two groups (all P<0.05). Logistic univariate and multivariate analysis showed that AST ( OR=1.05, 95% CI: 1.02-1.10, P=0.007), GGT ( OR=1.04, 95% CI: 1.01-1.09, P=0.038), TG ( OR=1.03, 95% CI: 1.01-1.06, P=0.011) and HDL ( OR=1.06, 95% CI: 1.01-1.12, P=0.037) were the risk factors associated with NAFLD. ROC curve analysis showed that the combination of AST, GGT, TG and HDL had high sensitivity in predicting NAFLD (AUC=0.869, P<0.05). There was no difference in DFS ( HR=1.830, 95% CI: 0.983-3.409, P=0.057) or OS ( HR=2.482, 95% CI: 0.761-8.093, P=0.132) between the two groups. Conclusion:AST, GGT, TG and HDL are the independent risk factors for NAFLD in HR+BC patients during treatment, but concurrent NAFLD has no significant effect on DFS or OS.

Effects of arsenic exposure on E2 and TRH and their receptor mRNA expressions in rats / 环境与职业医学

Background Arsenic can enter the hypothalamus to induce estrogen effect and interfere with the function of the neuroendocrine system. The thyroid endocrine system (hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid axis) is one of the main endocrine systems, and the mechanism of arsenic-induced thyroid endocrine toxicity is still unclear. Objective To investigate the effects of different arsenic exposure levels on estradiol (E2), hypothalamic thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH), and their receptor (ERα, ERβ, and TRHR) mRNAs in rats and the possible hypothalamic toxic pathway and mechanism. Methods Seventy Wister rats were randomly divided a control group (sterile water); low-, medium-, and high-dose arsenic exposure groups [0.8, 4.0, and 20.0 mg·kg−1 sodium arsenite (NaAsO2)]; estrogen receptor inhibitor (ICI182780) intervention + low-, medium-, and high-dose arsenic exposure groups; with 10 animals in each group, half male and half female. Rats in the arsenic exposure groups were exposed to NaAsO2 by drinking water for 19 weeks, and rats in the intervention groups were injected with 0.5 mg·kg−1 ICI182780 via tail vein at week 9, 3 times a week. The levels of E2 and TRH in serum of rats were detected by ELISA. The expression levels of estrogen receptor α (ERα), estrogen receptor β (ERβ), and TRH receptor (TRHR) mRNAs in hypothalamus of rats were detected by real-time PCR (RT-PCR). Results (1) E2 and its receptor mRNA: Compared with the control group, the serum E2 level of female rats was increased in the low-dose and the medium-dose arsenic exposure groups (P<0.05), and the serum E2 level of male rats was increased in the low-dose, the medium-dose, and the high-dose arsenic exposure groups (P<0.05), and the change of female E2 was greater than that of male rats. Compared with the control group, the relative expression levels of ERα mRNA and ERβ mRNA in female rats were increased in the low-dose, the medium-dose, and the high-dose arsenic exposure groups (P<0.05), so were the relative expression levels of ERα mRNA in male rats (P<0.05). (2) TRH and its receptor mRNA: Compared with the control group, the serum TRH level of female rats was increased in the high-dose arsenic group (P<0.05), the relative expression level of TRHR mRNA was increased in the low-dose, the medium-dose, and the high-dose arsenic exposure groups (P<0.05). Results (1) and results (2) suggested that females were more likely than males to have abnormal changes in E2, TRH, and related receptor genes after arsenic exposure. (3) Compared with female rats in the medium-high dose arsenic exposure group, the expressions of TRH and TRHR induced by arsenic exposure were inhibited after the intervention of ICI182780 (P<0.05), suggesting that arsenic in the hypothalamus may have toxic effects on TRH and TRHR by inducing estrogen-like effects. Conclusion Arsenic exposure can induce estrogen-like effects in the hypothalamus, interfere with thyroid function, and show dose-dependent and sex differences. E2 and TRH and their receptors may be the toxic pathway of arsenic-related estrogen-like effect.

Entinostat, a class I selective histone deacetylase inhibitor, plus exemestane for Chinese patients with hormone receptor-positive advanced breast cancer: A multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, phase 3 trial

Entinostat plus exemestane in hormone receptor-positive (HR+) advanced breast cancer (ABC) previously showed encouraging outcomes. This multicenter phase 3 trial evaluated the efficacy and safety of entinostat plus exemestane in Chinese patients with HR + ABC that relapsed/progressed after ≥1 endocrine therapy. Patients were randomized (2:1) to oral exemestane 25 mg/day plus entinostat (n = 235) or placebo (n = 119) 5 mg/week in 28-day cycles. The primary endpoint was the independent radiographic committee (IRC)-assessed progression-free survival (PFS). The median age was 52 (range, 28-75) years and 222 (62.7%) patients were postmenopausal. CDK4/6 inhibitors and fulvestrant were previously used in 23 (6.5%) and 92 (26.0%) patients, respectively. The baseline characteristics were comparable between the entinostat and placebo groups. The median PFS was 6.32 (95% CI, 5.30-9.11) and 3.72 (95% CI, 1.91-5.49) months in the entinostat and placebo groups (HR, 0.76; 95% CI, 0.58-0.98; P = 0.046), respectively. Grade ≥3 adverse events (AEs) occurred in 154 (65.5%) patients in the entinostat group versus 23 (19.3%) in the placebo group, and the most common grade ≥3 treatment-related AEs were neutropenia [103 (43.8%)], thrombocytopenia [20 (8.5%)], and leucopenia [15 (6.4%)]. Entinostat plus exemestane significantly improved PFS compared with exemestane, with generally manageable toxicities in HR + ABC (ClinicalTrials.gov #NCT03538171).

Fructose consumption induces molecular adaptations involving thyroid function and thyroid-related genes in brown adipose tissue in rats

The increasing incidence of metabolic diseases is in part due to the high fructose consumption, a carbohydrate vastly used in industry, with a potent lipogenic capacity. Thyroid hormones (TH) are essential for metabolism regulation and are associated with changes in body weight, energy expenditure, insulin sensitivity, and dyslipidemia. This study aimed to investigate the influence of fructose intake on thyroid function and thyroid-related genes. Male Wistar rats were divided into Control (CT, n=8) and Fructose (FT - 10% in drinking water, n=8) groups for three weeks. The FT group showed higher glycemia and serum triacylglycerol, indicating metabolic disturbances, and increased thyroid mass, accompanied by higher expression of Srebf1c and Lpl, suggesting increased lipid synthesis. The FT group also presented higher expression of Tpo and Dio1 in the thyroid, suggesting activation of the thyroid gland, but with no alterations in serum TH concentrations. Brown adipose tissue (BAT) of the FT group exhibited higher expression of Dio2, Thra, and Thrb, indicating increased T3 intra-tissue bioavailability and signaling. These responses were accompanied by increased BAT mass and higher expression of Adrb3, Pparg, Srebf1c, Fasn, Ppara, and Ucp1, suggesting increased BAT adrenergic sensitivity, lipid synthesis, oxidation, and thermogenesis. Therefore, short-term fructose consumption induced thyroid molecular alterations and increased BAT expression of thyroid hormone-related signaling genes that potentially contributed to higher BAT activity.

Difficulties and prospects in the treatment of Graves′ disease / 中华内分泌代谢杂志

Although traditional treatment for Graves′ disease(GD) displays some effects, it is imperative to explore new treatment methods. Based on the pathogenesis of GD, biologic agents developed by consumption of B lymphocytes and acting on thyroid stimulating hormone receptor(TSHR), such as monoclonal antibodies, TSHR antagonists and epitopes, can provide more options for patients with GD, and some new drugs are expected to be put into clinical practice. By restoring the damaged immune system and maintaining normal thyroid function continuously, it can avoid the disadvantages of conventional therapies such as long-term treatment, induction or aggravation of Graves ophthalmopathy, permanent hypothyroidism, and other complications. Preliminary experience suggests that thermotherapy is effective and safe for patients with refractory GD. In addition, the traditional Chinese medicine improves the symptoms and thyroid function of GD patients.The emergence of new therapeutic modalities and techniques will provide new approaches for the future treatment of GD and help clinicians to make the best decision.

Remembering your A, B, C's: Alzheimer's disease and ABCA1

The function of ATP binding cassette protein A1 (ABCA1) is central to cholesterol mobilization. Reduced ABCA1 expression or activity is implicated in Alzheimer's disease (AD) and other disorders. Therapeutic approaches to boost ABCA1 activity have yet to be translated successfully to the clinic. The risk factors for AD development and progression, including comorbid disorders such as type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease, highlight the intersection of cholesterol transport and inflammation. Upregulation of ABCA1 can positively impact APOE lipidation, insulin sensitivity, peripheral vascular and blood-brain barrier integrity, and anti-inflammatory signaling. Various strategies towards ABCA1-boosting compounds have been described, with a bias toward nuclear hormone receptor (NHR) agonists. These agonists display beneficial preclinical effects; however, important side effects have limited development. In particular, ligands that bind liver X receptor (LXR), the primary NHR that controls ABCA1 expression, have shown positive effects in AD mouse models; however, lipogenesis and unwanted increases in triglyceride production are often observed. The longstanding approach, focusing on LXRβ vs. LXRα selectivity, is over-simplistic and has failed. Novel approaches such as phenotypic screening may lead to small molecule NHR modulators that elevate ABCA1 function without inducing lipogenesis and are clinically translatable.

The role of TSH-THSR-cAMP-PKA signal pathway in the process of iodine uptake in lactating rat mammary gland / 中华地方病学杂志

Objective:To observe the mRNA and protein expression levels of thyroid stimulating hormone receptor (TSHR), protein kinase A (PKA) and sodium iodine transporter (NIS) in mammary gland tissue of lactating rats with different iodine nutrition levels, and to explore the role of thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH)-THSR-cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP)-PKA signal pathway in the process of mammary iodine uptake during lactation.Methods:Using a group design, according to body weight (80 - 100 g), 110 Wistar female rats were randomly divided into normal iodine (NI) group, severe iodine deficiency (SID) group, moderately iodine deficiency (MID) group, moderately iodine excess (MIE) group and severe iodine excess (SIE) group, with 22 rats in each group. Another 22 Wistar male rats were selected, and the feeding situation was consistent with that of NI group. After 3 months of feeding, 24-hour urine samples of female rats were collected, and the female rats were caged with the male rats (5 ∶ 1). After mating, each female rat was fed separately. At 10 days of childbirth, the lactating rats were sacrificed and thyroid and mammary gland tissues were taken. The urinary iodine was determined by arsenic cerium catalytic spectrophotometry. The morphological changes of thyroid and mammary gland tissues were observed by HE staining. The mRNA expression levels of TSHR, PKA and NIS in thyroid and mammary gland tissues were measured by real-time PCR; the protein expression levels of TSHR, PKA, phosphorylated PKA (p-PKA), and NIS in mammary gland tissue were measured by Western blotting.Results:Compared with NI group (162.59 μg/L), the median urinary iodine of female rats in SID and MID groups (3.16, 6.36 μg/L) was lower, and the median urinary iodine of female rats in MIE and SIE groups (2 356.27, 11 507.29 μg/L) was higher ( P < 0.01). HE staining showed that different levels of iodine uptake had different effects on thyroid follicles: most of the follicles in NI group were uniform round or oval; in MID group, the number of small follicles increased, the epithelial cells were monolayer columnar or cubic, the follicular cavity became smaller, and the glia decreased; the follicles in SID group became smaller, and the epithelial cells were columnar or high columnar, with reduced or absent glia in the follicular cavity; pleomorphic changes were found in thyroid follicles in SIE and MIE groups, with some follicles significantly enlarged and some small follicles hyperplasia. Different levels of iodine intake had different effects on mammary duct: compared with NI group, the connective tissue around the mammary duct in SID and MID groups showed obvious fibrosis, while the fibrosis in MIE and SIE groups was significantly reduced. The results of real-time PCR showed that there were significant differences in the mRNA expression levels of TSHR, PKA and NIS in thyroid tissues of lactating rats with different levels of iodine nutrition ( F = 10.73, 92.37, 115.75, P < 0.01). There were statistically differences in the mRNA expression levels of TSHR, PKA and NIS in mammary gland tissues of lactating rats with different levels of iodine nutrition ( F = 40.25, 39.63, 14.92, P < 0.05). Western blotting results showed that there were significant differences in the protein expression levels of TSHR, PKA, p-PKA and NIS in mammary gland tissues of lactating rats with different levels of iodine nutrition ( F = 4.14, 6.73, 8.48, 4.51, P < 0.05). Among them, the protein expression level of TSHR in MIE and SIE groups was lower than that in NI group ( P < 0.05); the protein expression level of PKA in SID and MID groups was higher than that in NI group ( P < 0.05); the protein expression level of p-PKA in SID group was higher than that in NI group, but that in SIE group was lower than that in NI group ( P < 0.05), the protein expression level of NIS in SID group was higher than that in NI group ( P < 0.05). Conclusions:The mRNA and protein expression levels of TSHR are decreased in mammary gland tissues of lactating rats with high iodine intake, while the mRNA and protein expression levels of PKA and NIS are increased in low iodine intake. TSH-TSHR-cAMP-PKA signal pathway may be involved in the regulation of iodine intake in mammary gland tissue of lactating rats, which may protect itself and its offspring.

Research progress in endocrine clinical treatment of HR +/HER2 - metastatic breast cancer / 国际生物医学工程杂志

Breast cancer, as a heterogeneous disease, has different molecular subtypes. The most common molecular subtype is hormone receptor positive (HR +). Endocrine therapy is the predominant treatment for this subtype. The main treatment modality for HR +/human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-negative (HER2 -) metastatic breast cancer (MBC) is novel targeted agents combined with endocrine therapy. In this review, researches in endocrine clinical treatment of HR +/HER2 - MBC was reviewed to provide a new targeted therapy, including CDK4/6 inhibitors combined with endocrine therapy, the debate between CDK4/6 inhibitors combined with endocrine therapy and chemotherapy, new directions of CDK4/6 inhibitor combination, exploration of multiple treatment strategies after CDK4/6 inhibitor therapy progresses, histone deacetylase inhibitor combined with endocrine therapy, PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway targeting drugs in combination with endocrine therapy, polyadenosine diphosphate ribose polymerase (PARP) inhibitors for gBRCA1/2 mutated breast cancer, novel targeted drugs, and multi-target/multi-combination therapy model.

Recent Progress of Palbociclib in Treatment of HR+/HER2- Breast Cancer / 肿瘤防治研究

As the first cyclin-dependent kinases 4 and 6 inhibitors, palbociclib significantly improved the survival of the patients with the hormone receptor-positive and human epidermal growth factor receptor-2 negative breast cancer. Palbociclib is a crucial landmark in the development history of antineoplastic drugs. This article reviews the mechanism of palbociclib, and summarizes the clinical trials, side effects, and the application of palbociclib.

Estrogen and progesterone hormone receptor status in pre-menopausal and postmenopausal women with invasive ductal carcinoma in a private tertiary hospital in Cebu City, Philippines: A retrospective study

OBJECTIVE@#This study was conducted to determine the difference of hormone receptor status between pre-menopausal and postmenopausal women diagnosed with invasive ductal carcinoma in the local setting. @*METHODS@#This retrospective descriptive study used data gathered from chart review of premenopausal and postmenopausal female patients diagnosed with invasive ductal carcinoma by tissue biopsy and underwent determination of hormone receptor status (estrogen and progesterone receptor) by immunohistochemical staining (ICA) using biopsy samples taken from June 2016 to December 2019 at Cebu Velez General Hospital, Cebu City. The significance of the difference in the hormone receptor status with menopausal status was analyzed using Fisher’s exact test.@*RESULTS@#Comparing the two groups, 25 (60%) of the pre-menopausal women and 37 (73%) of the post-menopausal women were determined as hormone sensitive, while 17 (40%) pre-menopausal women and 14 (27%) post-menopausal women were hormone resistant. The Fisher’s exact test did not detect a statistically significant difference in the hormone receptor status of pre-menopausal and post-menopausal breast cancer patients.@*CONCLUSION@#There is no significant difference on the hormonal receptor status among pre-menopausal and post-menopausal women diagnosed with invasive ductal carcinoma. Thus, the need for hormone receptor status determination in these patients should be emphasized to aid in proper diagnosis, prognostication, and treatment planning.

Expert consensus on the clinical application of PI3K/AKT/mTOR inhibitors in the treatment of advanced breast cancer / 中华肿瘤杂志

Phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (AKT)/mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling pathway (PAM pathway) plays an important role in the development of breast cancer and are closely associated with the resistance to endocrine therapy in advanced breast cancer. Therefore, anti-cancer treatment targeting key molecules in this signaling pathway has become research hot-spot in recent years. Randomized clinical trials have demonstrated that PI3K/AKT/mTOR inhibitors bring significant clinical benefit to patients with advanced breast cancer, especially to those with hormone receptor (HR)-positive, human epidermal growth factor receptor (HER) 2-negative advanced breast cancer. Alpelisib, a PI3K inhibitor, and everolimus, an mTOR inhibitor, have been approved by Food and Drug Administration. Based on their high efficacy and relatively good safety profile, expanded indication of everolimus in breast cancer have been approved by National Medical Products Administration. Alpelisib is expected to be approved in China in the near future. The members of the consensus expert panel reached this consensus to comprehensively define the role of PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway in breast cancer, efficacy and clinical applications of PI3K/AKT/mTOR inhibitors, management of adverse reactions, and PIK3CA mutation detection, in order to promote the understanding of PI3K/AKT/mTOR inhibitors for Chinese oncologists, improve clinical decision-making, and prolong the survival of target patient population.

Expert consensus on the management of adverse events of CDK4/6 inhibitors in breast cancer / 中华肿瘤杂志

Cyclin-dependent kinases 4/6 (CDK4/6) inhibitors are anti-tumor agents for the treatment of hormone receptor-positive breast cancer. Palbociclib, abemaciclib and dalpiciclib have been approved for the treatment of breast cancer in China. Common adverse effects of CDK4/6 inhibitors include bone marrow suppression, gastrointestinal toxicities, liver dysfunction, and skin or subcutaneous tissue adverse reactions (AEs). The Breast Cancer Expert Group of Chinese Society of Clinical Oncology (CSCO) summarized the incidence, clinical manifestations, and grading of the AEs. This expert consensus reports measures of AE management on the basis of experience of clinical practice and the latest advances worldwide, aiming to guide clinical practice by the way of managing AE and help to choose the best treatment regimen.

Growth hormone receptor gene polymorphism. Spontaneous catch up growth in small for gestational age patients / Polimorfismo del gen del receptor de la hormona de crecimiento. Crecimiento postnatal espontáneo en niños pequeños para la edad gestacional

Abstract The growth hormone receptor (GHR) mediates the effect of growth hormone (GH) on linear growth and metabolism. In humans, it exists as two isoforms differing by the retention or exclusion of exon 3; a full-length GHR isoform (GHRfl) and the exon 3-deleted isoform (GHRd3). The genotypic frequency of this polymorphism was analyzed in several studies and in different human populations. However scarce information in Argentinean population is available. Associations between GHRd3 and growth have been reported previously. Some studies have shown that the presence of GHRd3 polymorphism might be a potential variant that improves growth response to recombinant human GH (rhGH) therapy in patients born small for gestational age (SGA), among others. However, over the years the results have been controversial and inconclusive. Based on this, it would be proposed that variants at the genomic level are not completely reflected at the mRNA level. Our aim was to evaluate the genotypic frequencies (%) of the GHR gene polymorphism (GHRfl/GHRfl; GHRfl/GHRd3; GHRd3/GHRd3) in normal Argentinean population (n = 94) and SGA patients (n = 65), and the expression of these polymorphisms at mRNA level in the fetal side of placenta tissues was analyzed. In addition, their asso ciation with spontaneous postnatal catch-up growth in SGA patients was also evaluated. In this study, we show a significant increment of compensatory growth in small for gestational age children (SGA) associated to the presence of the GHRd3 allele polymorphism. In addition, the expression of GHR in healthy placentas revealed that no alternative splicing mechanism occurs.

Resumen El receptor de la hormona de creci miento (GHR) media la acción de la hormona de crecimiento (GH) en el crecimiento lineal y el metabolismo. En los seres humanos, existen dos isoformas que difieren en la retención (GHRfl) o exclusión del exón 3 (GHRd3). La frecuencia genotípica de este polimorfismo fue analizada en varios estudios y en diferentes poblaciones. Sin embargo, la información disponible en la población argentina es escasa. Se ha reportado anteriormente asociación entre el polimorfismo GHRd3 y el crecimiento. Varios estudios ha n demostrado que la presencia del polimorfismo GHRd3 podría mejorar, en pacientes nacidos pequeños para la edad gestacional, entre otros, la respuesta a la terapia con GH humana recombinante (rhGH). Sin embargo, a lo largo de los años los resultados han sido con trovertidos y no concluyentes. En base a esto, se propondría que las variantes a nivel genómico no se reflejan completamente a nivel del ARNm. Nuestro objetivo fue evaluar la frecuencia genotípica de los polimorfismos del gen del GHR (GHRfl/GHRfl; GHRfl/GHRd3; GHRd3/GHRd3) en la población argentina normal (n = 94) y en niños pequeños para la edad gestacional (n = 65), y se analizó la expresión de estos polimorfismos a nivel de ARNm en la porción fetal de placentas sanas. Además, se evaluó la asociación de este polimorfismo con el cre cimiento postnatal espontáneo en pacientes pequeños para la edad gestacional. En este estudio, mostramos un incremento significativo del crecimiento compensatorio en niños pequeños para la edad gestacional asociado a la presencia del polimorfismo del alelo GHRd3. Además, los ensayos de expresión de GHR en placentas sanas revelaron que no se produciría ningún mecanismo de splicing alternativo.

Effect of residual sex hormones in sex-differentiated human IgG samples on DC secretion of inflammation-related factors / 中国输血杂志

【Objective】 Tostudy the effect of sex-differentiated human IgG samples on Dendritic cells (DC) secretion of inflammation-related factors and explore the effect of residual sex hormones in IgG products (such as IVIg) on the secretion of IL-6 by DC. 【Methods】 According to the standard IVIg production process, the company was entrustedto prepare sex-differentiated plasma purified IgG samples, and two sex-differentiated IgG samples with different sex ratios (male to female ratio1: 0, 0: 1) were obtained. The samples and referenceswere treated with human DC (induced by THP-1 cells) respectively. After 24 h of culture, the chemokines (CCL2, CCL3, CCL4), adhesion molecule (ICAM-1) and inflammatory cytokines (IL-1, IL-6, IL-10, IL-12p70, IFN-) in the cell supernatant were detected, The effects of different samples on the secretion of inflammation-related factors by DC were compared. The effect of sex hormone residues on the anti-inflammatory ability of IgG products was preliminarily explored uing sex hormones and sex hormone receptor blockers. 【Results】 The samples in each group significantly inhibitedthe secretion of chemokines (CCL2, CCL3, CCL4) and the adhesion molecule (ICAM-1) by mature DC (compared with the PBS group, P<0.05), but significantly promoted the secretion of inflammatory cytokines (IL-1a/b, IL-6, IL-10, IL-12p70), compared with the PBS group(P<0.05). The results of sex hormone residues showed that therewere residues of estradiol (E2) and testosterone (TSTO) in sex-differentiated IgG samples and IVIg products. The experimental results of IVIg and sex hormone/sex hormone receptor blockers showed that residual E2 may promote the secretion of IL-6 by DC, which may be achieved through the E2 receptor ERb. 【Conclusion】 There are differences in the effect of IgG samples prepared from combined plasma with different sex ratios on the secretion of cytokines by DC, which may be related to the residual E2 in the products. The residual sex hormones in IVIg may promote the production and secretion of IL-6 through the sex hormone receptor ERb expressed in DC, and TSTO may have a collaboration effect to enhance the secretion-promoting effect of IL-6 by E2. This study provides a theoretical basis for whether sex hormone residues need to be considered in the quality control indicators of IVIg products.

Comparison of hormonal receptor expression and HER2 status between circulating tumor cells and breast cancer metastases

OBJECTIVES: Breast cancer (BC) is the most common neoplasm in women. Biopsy of metastatic lesions is recommended to confirm estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR), and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) status as there are discrepancies in these patterns between primary tumors and metastases in up to 40% of the cases. Circulating tumor cells (CTCs) are related to BC outcomes and could potentially be an alternative to the invasive procedures of metastasis rebiopsy. ISET® technology is not currently employed to detect CTCs in patients with BC. Emerging data support that the characterization of CTC protein expression can refine its prognostic value. Transforming growth factor (TGF)-β plays a role in BC progression and invasiveness. Thus, in this study, we aimed to compare ER, PR, and HER2 expression in primary tumors, CTCs, and metastases and evaluate TGF-β type 1 receptor (TGF-β RI) expression in CTCs as prognostic factor for progression free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS). METHODS: This prospective study was conducted at the A.C. Camargo Cancer Center, Brazil. Blood samples were processed in ISET® (Isolation by SizE of Tumors, Rarecells, France) before computed tomography-guided biopsy of suspected metastatic lesions. Protein expression levels in CTCs were compared to those in primary tumors/metastases (medical records). RESULTS: Of the 39 patients initially included, 27 underwent both biopsies of metastases and blood collection and were considered for analysis. The concordance rates for ER, PR, and HER2 expression between primary tumors and metastases were high. No loss of HER2 expression at any metastasis site and retention of the same pattern of protein expression in all triple-negative (TN) tumors (92.5%, 81.5% and 96.2% respectively) (p<0.0001) was observed. When metastases/CTCs were classified as TN/non-TN, CTCs showed high specificity (93%), accuracy (84.2%), and negative predictive value (88%). The median OS of patients without TGF-β RI expression in CTCs was 42.6 versus 20.8 months for TGF-β RI expression-positive ones (p>0.05). CONCLUSION: The role of CTCs detected by ISET has not yet been established in BC. Here, we suggest that this methodology may be useful to evaluate metastasis in non-TN cases as well as TGF-β RI expression in CTCs, which may impact patient survival. Due to sample limitations, future studies must focus on specific BC subtypes and an expansion of the cohort.

Parameters affecting the period for being euthyroid in newly-diagnosed Graves’ disease treated with antithyroid agent

Background: There are limited data about the factors affecting the response time to medical treatment in Graves’ disease (GD) although many studies examined the predictors of the relapse after drug withdrawal. The aim of the current study was to evaluate the time for becoming euthyroid under antithyroid drug (ATD) therapy and the parameters influencing this period in patients diagnosed as GD.Methods: Patients with newly-diagnosed GD and decided to treat with ATD initially between March 2017 and September 2018 were retrieved retrospectively. Sociodemographic features as well as laboratory parameters like thyroid function tests and thyroid-stimulating hormone-receptor antibody (TRab) at the time of diagnosis were recorded.Results: Out of 41 patients, 63.4% (n=26) were female. The mean age was 36.1±11.7 years and 43.9% (n=18) of them were smoking. The time between the initiation of treatment and the duration of becoming euthyroid was 2.4±1.8 months. No significant difference was noted between age, gender, and smoking status and the time to become euthyroid under ATD treatment. This period was significantly positively correlated with levels of free triiodothyronine, free thyroxine, and negatively correlated with thyroid-stimulating hormone. Response to ATD therapy was higher in patients with pre-treatment TRab levels <10 IU/l than TRab ≥10 IU/l (p=0.011).Conclusions: Pretreatment thyroid function tests and TRab levels may be taken into consideration before deciding treatment in patients with newly diagnosed GD. It would be useful to design more comprehensive studies so that this proposal can find a response in clinical practice.