Background: Tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) and tumor cells are important components of the tumor microenvironment. M2 polarization of TAMs, which is a major actor in breast cancer malignancy and metastasis, can be induced by breast cancer cells. However, the potential mechanisms of the interaction between breast cancer cells and TAMs remain unclear. Methods: The candidate breast cancer-associated long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) were analyzed using the GEO database. Functional assays, including MTT assay, Transwell assay, and EdU labeling detection, were performed to investigate the oncogenic role of linc00514 in breast cancer progression. The co-culture and ELISA assays were used to assess the role of linc00514 in macrophage recruitment and M2 polarization. RNA immunoprecipitation, RNA pull-down, and luciferase reporter assays were applied to determine the mechanism of linc00514 in breast cancer metastasis. Mouse xenograft models, mouse pulmonary metastatic models, and mouse primary tumor models were used to assess the role of linc00514 in M2 macrophage polarization and breast cancer tumorigenicity. Results: Linc00514 was highly expressed in clinical breast cancer tissues and breast cancer cell lines. Overexpression of linc00514 promoted the proliferation and invasion of breast cancer cells and increased xenograft tumor volumes and pulmonary metastatic nodules. Overexpression of linc00514 also increased the percentage of macrophages expressing M2 markers CD206 and CD163. Mechanistically, linc00514 promoted Jagged1 expression in a transcriptional manner by increasing the phosphorylation of a transcription factor STAT3. Subsequently, Jagged1-mediated Notch signaling pathway promoted IL-4 and IL-6 secretions in breast cancer cells and ultimately inducing M2 polarization of macrophages. Conclusion: Linc00514 plays an important role in regulating breast cancer tumorigenicity and M2 macrophage polarization via Jagged1-mediated Notch signaling pathway.

Nanobiotechnology plays an important role in drug delivery, and various kinds of nanoparticles have demonstrated new properties, which may provide opportunities in clinical treatment. Nanoparticle-mediated drug delivery systems have been used in anti-inflammatory therapies. Diseases, such as inflammatory bowel disease, rheumatoid arthritis, and osteoarthritis have been widely impacted by the pathogenesis of inflammation. Efficient delivery of anti-inflammatory drugs can reduce medical dosage and improve therapeutic effect. In this review, we discuss nanoparticles with potential anti-inflammatory activity, and we present a future perspective regarding the application of nanomedicine in inflammatory diseases.

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is a highly immunogenic breast cancer subtype, rendering it particularly amenable to immunotherapy. Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs), primarily targeting the PD-1/PD-L1 axis, have transformed the therapeutic landscape of early-stage TNBC, with KEYNOTE-522 trial establishing neoadjuvant pembrolizumab (continued as adjuvant) plus chemotherapy as the current standard of care. However, the substantial toxicity associated with the KEYNOTE-522 regimen, together with residual uncertainty regarding the relative contributions of neoadjuvant versus adjuvant pembrolizumab administration, underscores the need to optimize treatment intensity and refine ICI strategies. Herein, we provide an overview of immunotherapy and its clinical applications in TNBC. We integrate evidence from neoadjuvant and adjuvant ICI trials with mechanistic insights into the biologically optimal timing of immunotherapy. We further highlight emerging strategies aimed at optimizing the current standard-of-care regimen, with the potential to refine treatment timing, duration, dose, combination strategies, and patient selection for ICI therapy, thereby providing insights into future therapeutic approaches for early-stage TNBC.

This case report presents a premenopausal patient with high-risk hormone receptor (HR)-positive, HER2-low breast cancer who underwent breast-conserving surgery and axillary lymph node dissection after neoadjuvant chemotherapy. Despite postoperative radiotherapy, the patient did not adhere to endocrine therapy recommendations. Approximately five years later, metastases were identified in the liver, retroperitoneal lymph nodes, bones, and bladder. Notably, bladder metastasis, an exceptionally rare occurrence in breast cancer, was confirmed. Treatment with trastuzumab deruxtecan (T-DXd) demonstrated partial efficacy, though progression-free survival (PFS) was limited to six months. This case underscores the importance of vigilant follow-up and consideration of rare metastatic sites as breast cancer treatments evolve and improve. Bone-targeted therapies played a critical role, but the patient’s short PFS suggests significant tumor heterogeneity. This report discusses a rare case of bladder metastasis originating from HR-positive, HER2-low breast cancer, emphasizing innovative treatments such as T-DXd.