Pathological complete response, long-term outcomes, and recurrence patterns in HER2-low versus HER2-zero breast cancer after neoadjuvant chemotherapy.

BACKGROUND: The interest in HER2-low breast cancer (BC) has increased in recent years with the development of novel anti-HER2 antibody-drug conjugates. Here, we investigated the clinical outcomes and relapse patterns of patients with HER2-low or -zero BCs in an Asian population. METHODS: We retrospectively identified HER2-low or -zero BC patients with stage I-III tumours who were treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy and underwent curative surgery, between 2014 and 2018 at Asan Medical Center, Seoul, Korea. RESULTS: A total of 818 and 754 HER2-zero and HER2-low BC patients, respectively, were consecutively included in this analysis. The HER2-low group had more hormone receptor [HR]-positive patients (81% versus 56%, P < 0.001). The HER2-zero group had a higher proportion of patients who achieved pathological complete response (pCR) (14.7% versus 9.8%, P = 0.003); however, no significant differences of pCR rate by HER2 status were identified in the HR-positive (P = 0.4) and HR-negative groups (P = 0.3) when analysed separately. The HER2-low BC cases had higher 5-year overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) rates (P < 0.001 for OS; P = 0.002 for DFS); however, no differences were observed in terms of OS and DFS by HER2 status in the HR-positive group (P = 0.21 for OS and P = 0.66 for DFS). CONCLUSIONS: Our current findings do not support that HER2-low BC had different biology and clinical features compared to HER2-zero BC in patients who treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy. However, the prognostic impact of HER2-low status in BC remains controversial; thus warranting further research.

A scoping review of longitudinal airway microbiota studies.

INTRODUCTION: The role of the microbiota in inflammatory airway diseases is unclear. Antimicrobial therapies have predominantly been guided by culture results. However, molecular sequencing has shown that the airway microbiota is much more complex and accurate modeling requires longitudinal analysis. AREAS COVERED: A Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses scoping review was performed by searching Medline, Scopus, and Web of Science databases for all longitudinal airway microbiota studies that utilized molecular techniques. 38 studies with 1,993 participants were included in this review. Healthy microbial communities were more diverse, individualized and stable over time. Acute infections resulted in changes in the microbiota that were detected earlier and more sensitively by molecular sequencing than culture. Distinct microbiota profiles have been demonstrated in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients associated with exacerbation frequency and severity. EXPERT OPINION: Longitudinal studies provide essential data on the stability of the microbiota over time and valuable information about the dynamic interactions between host, disease and microbes. We believe that molecular sequencing will be increasingly incorporated into research and clinical practice in the future. These advances can lead to improved diagnosis, enhanced prescribing guidance and reduce unnecessary antibiotic usage.

Treatment of axillary osmidrosis using a laser with a 1,444-nm wavelength.

BACKGROUND: Lasers have been proposed as an alternative treatment for axillary osmidrosis. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to investigate the use of a neodymium:yttrium-aluminum-garnet laser with a wavelength of 1,444 nm for treating axillary osmidrosis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Eighteen patients with axillary osmidrosis who underwent an operation with a 1,444-nm wavelength laser were included in this study. Operative parameters were as follows: pulse = 40 Hz and energy = 170 mJ. Total energy was approximately 2,000 to 3,400 J, and the operation time was 45 minutes. RESULTS: Statistically significant differences in the degree of malodor evaluated by both the patients (p = .001) and doctors (p = .012) were detected between preoperative and 6-month postoperative assessments. Sweat area was significantly reduced 6 months after the operation compared with preoperative values. Postoperative pain had subsided at day 7 in all but 1 patient. Two patients (11.1%) experienced superficial second-degree burns on the unilateral axilla; these burns were resolved fully. CONCLUSION: The laser with a wavelength of 1,444 nm was found to be a reliable method for the treatment of axillary osmidrosis, with advantages such as small wound size, rapidity of the procedure, inconspicuous scars, and speedy recovery and return to normal daily activities.

Microfabrication of proangiogenic cell-laden alginate-g-pyrrole hydrogels.

Cells have been extensively studied for their uses in various therapies because of their capacities to produce therapeutic proteins and recreate new tissues. It has often been suggested that the efficacy of cell therapies can greatly be improved through the ability to localize and regulate cellular activities at a transplantation site; however, the technologies for this control are lacking. Therefore, this study reports a cell-Laden hydrogel patch engineered to support the proliferation and angiogenic growth factor expression of cells adhered to their surfaces, and to further promote neovascularization. Hydrogels consisting of alginate chemically linked with pyrrole units, termed alginate-g-pyrrole, were prepared through an oxidative cross-linking reaction between pyrrole units. Fibroblasts adhered to the alginate-g-pyrrole hydrogels, and exhibited increased proliferation and overall vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression, compared to those on pyrrole-free hydrogels. Furthermore, the alginate-g-pyrrole hydrogel surfaces were modified to present microposts, subsequently increasing the amount of pyrrole units on their surfaces. Cells adhered to the microfabricated gel surfaces exhibited increased proliferation and overall VEGF expression proportional to the density of the microposts. The resulting micropatterned alginate-g-pyrrole hydrogels exhibited increases in the size and density of mature blood vessels when implanted on chick chorioallantoic membranes (CAMs). The hydrogel system developed in this study will be broadly useful for improving the efficacy of a wide array of cell-based wound healing and tissue regenerative therapies.