MicroRNA-21 as an indicator of aggressive phenotype in breast cancer.

OBJECTIVE: The recently discovered microRNAs (miRNAs) are non-protein-coding, endogenous small RNAs. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between microRNA-21 (miR-21) and the clinicopathological features of breast cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissue samples were collected from 15 patients who had undergone surgery for primary breast cancer. The miR-21 expression levels in normal and cancer tissues were analyzed using real-time quantitative reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (real-time qRT-PCR). The correlations between the miR-21 expression level and the stage of disease, the tumor size, lymph node involvement, hormone receptor status, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) status, and disease-free survival (DFS) were investigated. RESULTS: The miR-21 expression levels were significantly higher in patients with stage III disease, patients with more than 3 axillary lymph node metastases and HER2-positive patients than in patients with stage I-II disease, patients with 1-3 axillary lymph node metastases and HER2-negative patients (p = 0.005, p = 0.037, and p = 0.014, respectively). Patients with high miR-21 expression level had a significantly shorter DFS than patients with low miR-21 expression level (median DFS: 18 and 56 months, respectively; p = 0.004). CONCLUSION: These results show that miR-21 is an indicator of an aggressive breast cancer phenotype and that it may be a new therapeutic target in the treatment of breast cancer in the future.

Hemicentral retinal artery occlusion in a breast cancer patient using anastrozole.

BACKGROUND: Anastrozole, an aromatase inhibitor, is commonly used in the adjuvant treatment of breast cancer. Anastrozole treatment is associated with a risk of thromboembolic events and retinal vascular side effects. Herein, we present a case of hemi-central retinal artery occlusion diagnosed in a breast cancer patient using anastrozole. CASE REPORT: A 53-year-old woman with a hypertensive and diabetic background was admitted to our hospital with breast cancer. Anastrozole treatment was started after surgery, adjuvant chemotherapy, and radiotherapy. Sudden painless loss of vision in the patient's right eye occurred within 13 months of Anastrozole treatment. A fluorescein angiogram revealed hemi-central retinal artery occlusion. CONCLUSION: To the best knowledge of the authors, this is the first report of hemi-central retinal artery occlusion in an anastrozole user.