The role of estrogen receptor beta (ER-β) in breast cancer (BC) remains unclear. Some studies have suggested that ER-β may oppose the actions of estrogen receptor alpha (ER-α), and clinical evidence has indicated that the loss of ER-β expression is associated with a poor prognosis and resistance to endocrine therapy. The objective of the present study was to determine the role of ER-β and the ER-α/ER-β ratio in predicting the response to endocrine therapy and whether different regimens have any effect on ER-β expression levels. Ninety postmenopausal patients with primary BC were recruited for a short-term double-blinded randomized prospective controlled study. To determine tumor cell proliferation, we measured the expression of Ki67 in tumor biopsy samples taken before and after 26 days of treatment with anastrozole 1 mg/day (N = 25), tamoxifen 20 mg/day (N = 24) or placebo (N = 29) of 78 participants. The pre- and post-samples were placed in tissue microarray blocks and submitted for immunohistochemical assay. Biomarker statuses (ER-β, ER-α and Ki67) were obtained by comparing each immunohistochemical evaluation of the pre- and post-surgery samples using the semi-quantitative Allred’s method. Statistical analyses were performed using an ANOVA and Spearman’s correlation coefficient tests, with significance at p ≤ 0.05. The frequency of ER-β expression did not change after treatment (p = 0.33). There were no significant changes in Ki67 levels in ER-β-negative cases (p = 0.45), but in the ER-β-positive cases, the anastrozole (p = 0.01) and tamoxifen groups (p = 0.04) presented a significant reduction in post-treatment Ki67 scores. There was a weak but positive correlation between the ER-α and ER-β expression levels. Only patients with an ER-α/ER-β expression ratio between 1 and 1.5 demonstrated significant differences in Ki67 levels after treatment with anastrozole (p = 0.005) and tamoxifen (p = 0.026). Our results provide additional data that indicate that the measurement of ER-β in BC patients may help predict tamoxifen and anastrozole responsiveness in the neoadjuvant setting. These effects of hormonal treatment appear to be dependent on the ratio of ER-α/ER-β expression. Current Controlled Trials ISRCTN89801719

We aimed to evaluate the pCR rate in patients receiving NAC for the treatment of breast cancer (BC) in a multicenter cohort in Brazil. Additionally, we aimed to use RWD to assess the impact of pCR on OS and DFS. This was a retrospective, multicenter cohort study that included female patients over 18 years of age who were diagnosed with nonmetastatic breast cancer and received NAC. OS and DFS at five years were estimated by the Kaplan‒Meier method. Additionally, we conducted a multivariate analysis to identify factors that were significantly associated with pCR and OS. From 2011 to 2020, 1891 patients were included in the study, and 421 (22,3%) achieved pCR (ypT0 ypN0). Considering the presence of residual DCIS, pCR was achieved in 467 patients (23,5%). The pCR rate varied between the subtypes: HER-2+ (p = 0,016) and clinical stage IIIA and IIIB (p < 0,001). Among HER-2+ patients, those who received trastuzumab had a significantly higher pCR rate than those who did not receive trastuzumab (p < 0.0001). Similarly, patients with TNBC who received treatment with platinum-based regimens also showed higher pCR rates (p < 0.0001). OS was grouped according to pCR status, and the OS rate was 88,3% in the pCR group and 58.1% in the non-pCR group (p < 0.0001). The five-year DFS was 92.2% in the pCR group and 64.3% in the non-pCR group (p < 0.0001). The pCR rate and its prognostic value varied across BC subtypes. In our study, pCR could be used as a surrogate of favorable clinical outcome, as it was associated with higher OS and DFS rates.

Dermatomyositis and polymyositis are both types of idiopathic inflammatory myositis characterized by inflammation and weakness of proximal skeletal muscles and skin rash. A 49-year-old Caucasian woman recently diagnosed with breast cancer classified as T1N2M0, stage IIIA, presenting skin rash associated with heliotrope and Gottron’s papules. In addition, there was a progression to a severe reduction in proximal muscle strength with severe dysphagia. The initial treatment was conducted, and the patient recovered from all symptoms and followed adjuvant cancer management. At first, high dose of corticosteroid was administered as pulse therapy, and a radical mastectomy was indicated due to the severe symptoms of the paraneoplastic syndrome. Then chemotherapy and radiotherapy were applied, and oral corticoid associated with immunosupressive drug was administered for dermatomyositis control. The association between myositis and an increased risk of cancer has been demonstrated over the years. This patient has a high probability of dermatomyositis diagnosis. The initial treatment with high dose of glucocorticoids may result in an improvement of muscle lesions. Second-line treatment with azathioprine, methotrexate, or cyclophosphamide may be required for aggressive disease. Removal of the cancer induces improvement of paraneoplastic syndrome. Dermatomyositis can be a clinical manifestation of a paraneoplastic syndrome in patients with breast cancer. It is a rare diagnosis, and there is little evidence to guide treatment until now. It is possible to control the evolution of dermatomyositis with high doses of glucocorticoids in almost all cases; however, in severe cases of paraneoplastic syndrome, cancer treatment should start immediately.

Sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) is the gold standard for the axillary evaluation of clinically node-negative early breast cancer. The ACOSOG Z0011 study demonstrated the safety of omitting axillary dissection for limited SLNB disease, with other trials confirming SLNB alone or with axillary radiotherapy (AR) as non-inferior. We followed PRISMA guidelines and registered at PROSPERO. Using Medline, Embase, and Cochrane, we reviewed randomized controlled trials (2010-2024). Outcomes, including 5-, 8-, and 10-year OS, DFS, recurrence rates, and lymphedema, were analyzed with R software and assessed for bias (Cochrane RoB) and evidence quality (GRADE). The focus was ALND vs. SLNB, alone or with AR, in cT1-T3 BC with 1-2 metastatic SLNs. Thirteen articles from seven randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were included, covering 7338 women with a follow-up period of 2.8-10 years. SLNB was associated with a 65 % lower risk of lymphedema than ALND, with no significant differences in the 5-, 8-, or 10-year OS, DFS, or recurrence rates. A meta-analysis comparing micrometastasis and macrometastasis showed no impact on outcomes, indicating that ALND may be unnecessary in either case. Recurrence rates also did not differ between SLNB and ALND, reinforcing SLNB's significantly lower lymphedema risk of SLNB. This systematic review and meta-analysis support SLNB as a safe and effective alternative to ALND in early-stage BC with 1-2 positive SLNs, providing comparable survival and recurrence outcomes, with fewer complications.

PURPOSEWe evaluated the impact of 21-gene test results on treatment decisions for patients with early-stage breast cancer treated under the public health care system in Brazil, Sistema Único de Saú...