PIK3CA gene mutations have been identified in various malignancies, but the prevalence of specific mutations and their role in breast cancer development remain uncertain. This study aimed to investigate the clinicopathological significance and prognostic impact of PIK3CA mutations in breast cancer. Five common PIK3CA mutations (H1047R and H1047L in exon 20, and E542K, E545K, and E545D in exon 9) were identified in breast cancer patients using amplification refractory mutation system (ARMS) allele-specific PCR. The study examined the relationships between these mutations and clinicopathologic factors, such as age, HR status, Her2 status, lymph node involvement, distant metastasis, clinicopathologic stage, and progression-free survival (PFS). A total of 40 female breast cancer patients were included in this study. Twenty mutations were detected, with 12 located in exon 20 and 8 in exon 9. The most frequent mutation was H1047R in exon 20, present in 11 patients (14.8%). PIK3CA mutations were more commonly observed in patients with HR + breast cancer (P < 0.05). No significant correlation was found between PIK3CA mutations and age, Her2 status, lymph node involvement, distant metastasis, clinicopathologic stage, or Ki-67 expression. Database analysis from the cBioPortal online database showed that the median PFS (95%CI) of the PIK3CA unaltered group [22.93 (17.25–48.30) months] was higher than that of the altered group [12.98 (8.18–18.14) months]. In this study, PIK3CA mutant-type group [13.00 (10.56–15.45) months] had lower median PFS than that of the wild-type group [25.00 (13.46–36.55) months] in all breast cancer patients, the difference was significant (P = 0.004). Further, compared with PIK3CA wild-type, mutant-type was associated with poor PFS in HR + and Her2 + breast cancer patients (P < 0.05). In addition, positive H1047R mutation in PIK3CA was associated with poor PFS of breast cancer (P < 0.05). Our data and public database research show that the PIK3CA mutation is a significant gene change in breast cancer, and the PIK3CA mutation was associated with a shorter PFS in all, HR + and Her2 + breast cancer patients. This research confirmed the important role of PIK3CA in breast cancer.

Background: Single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) is becoming increasingly popular in oncology. This study endeavors to scrutinize the radiation protection knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) exhibited by healthcare professionals involved in this imaging modality.Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted between September 23, 2023, and October 23, 2023, at the Second Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, and the People’s Hospital of Liuan. Demographic data and KAP scores were acquired through the administration of questionnaires.Results: A total of 450 healthcare professionals participated in the study. Correlation analyses revealed significant positive correlations between knowledge and attitude, knowledge and practice, as well as attitude and practice. Multivariate analysis indicated that being over 40 years old was independently associated with good knowledge, as well as positive attitudes. Occupations as nurses and having no contact with SPECT patients were independently associated with a lower level of knowledge, as well as negative attitudes. Furthermore, being female, having an occupation as a nurse, and not having received relevant training were independently associated with negative practice.Conclusion: Oncology healthcare professionals had suboptimal knowledge, negative attitude and inactive practice towards radiation protection in SPECT.

Efficacy and Risk Factors of Pyrrotinib in Second- and Third-Line Treatments for HER2-Positive Advanced Breast Cancer: A study to examine the efficacy and risk factors associated with pyrrotinib in the second- and third-line treatment of advanced breast cancer with Human epidermal growth factor receptor 2- (HER2-) positive cells was conducted. Progression-free survival (PFS) was assessed as the primary endpoint, and the objective response rate (ORR), overall survival (OS), and safety were secondary endpoints. Across all the patients, the ORR was 48.57%, and the disease control rate (DCR) was 94.29%. In the follow-up period, the median PFS was 15 months, and second-line treatment had significantly longer PFS than third-line treatment ( ). The OS among all the patients was up to 28 months, but the median OS has not yet been reached. Diarrhea (69.57%) was the most important AE, mainly in grades 1 and 2. According to the COX regression analysis, brain metastasis was a risk factor for PFS, while second-line treatment and capecitabine chemotherapy were relevant to a longer PFS correlation among patients. In the second- and third-line treatment, pyrrotinib is still highly effective and safe. Pyrrotinib is a potential ideal salvage treatment plan for patients who failed in first-line treatments.