Despite advances in cancer treatment, breast cancer (BC) remains one of the most common cancers affecting women worldwide. This study aimed to determine serum circFBXW7, circABCB10, and circ0103552 levels and compare BC patients and healthy controls to investigate their roles in the molecular mechanism of BC and the significance of these circRNAs in BC diagnosis. The study group consisted of 92 patients with BC and 31 healthy controls. Total RNA was isolated from serum samples. Following total RNA, complementary DNA was synthesized from this material. Following complementary DNA analysis, the circRNA levels were analyzed by the qRT-PCR method. Expression levels were evaluated in ΔCt values. High ΔCt values of circFBXW7 and circ0103552 and low ΔCt values of circABCB10 were correlated with BC diagnosis (circFBXW7, p = 0.043, r = 0.183, circ0103552, p < 0.001, r = 0.321, circABCB10, p = 0.001, r = −0.291). According to Fold Change (FC) values, circFBXW7 (FC = 0.30) and circ0103552 (FC = 0.26) showed low expression in the patient group compared to the control group, while circABCB10 (FC = 11.09) showed high expression (p < 0.05, for all comparisons). We think that our study is one of the rare studies investigating the relationship between BC and serum circRNA levels. This study concludes that the significant downregulation of circFBXW7 and circ0103552 and the upregulation of circABCB10 are directly related to the diagnosis of BC and can be used for diagnosis, but further studies are needed to elucidate the molecular mechanism of the relationship between circRNAs and BC.

Early detection of breast cancer (BC) remains a challenge despite advances in screening, leading to poor prognosis in late-stage disease. Circulating microRNAs (miRNAs) have emerged as promising non-invasive biomarkers for early diagnosis. The study aimed to evaluate the diagnostic utility of serum miR-197-3p, miR-1236, and miR-1271 levels in distinguishing BC patients from healthy individuals. Serum samples from 92 BC patients and 31 healthy controls were analyzed. Total RNA was extracted, and miRNA expression levels were quantified using quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR). Expression differences were assessed using the ΔCt method. Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curve analysis evaluated diagnostic performance. Serum miR-197-3p levels were significantly upregulated (fold change = 8.939, p = 0.0048), while miR-1236 was downregulated (fold change = 0.112, p = 0.0029) in BC patients. miR-1271 showed no significant association. miR-1236 demonstrated superior diagnostic performance (AUC = 0.731, sensitivity = 80.7%, specificity = 51.3%) compared to miR-197-3p (AUC = 0.667, sensitivity = 67.0%, specificity = 45.6%). The combination of miR-197-3p and miR-1236 improved diagnostic accuracy (AUC = 0.842, CI: 0.764–0.936). Serum miR-197-3p and miR-1236 hold promise as complementary biomarkers for early BC detection. Larger multicenter studies are warranted to validate their clinical utility.

Background/Objectives: Accurately identifying residual disease in the breast following neoadjuvant systemic therapy (NST) is a critical aspect of treatment planning. While surgery remains the standard treatment, its omission may be considered in exceptional responders. However, this strategy is still under investigation and carries local and distant recurrence risks. No definitive method currently exists to confirm pathologic complete response (pCR) after NST. This study evaluates the reliability of ultrasound-guided 14G Tru-Cut biopsy in assessing post-NST disease status. Methods: Data from 204 breast cancer patients who underwent ultrasound-guided 14G Tru-Cut biopsy before surgery at Istanbul University Oncology Institute (March 2015–May 2024) were analyzed. Concordance between Tru-Cut biopsy and final pathology was assessed, along with diagnostic accuracy parameters, including false-negative rate (FNR), accuracy, negative predictive value (NPV), and positive predictive value (PPV). Results: The median patient age was 45 years (range: 26–86). The median initial tumor size was 32 mm, reducing to 10 mm post-treatment. Pathologic complete response (pCR) was 33.8% in surgical specimens and 40.7% in biopsy samples. Biopsy misdiagnosed 15 patients, with an overall FNR of 11.1% and accuracy of 92.2% (95% CI, 7.1–18.1%; 95% CI, 87.6–95.5%). Among patients with radiologic complete response (rCR) (n = 99), FNR was 25.8%, and accuracy was 92.1%. The best outcomes were in the rCR and Tru-Cut pCR subgroup, with an FNR of 5.9% and accuracy of 95.6%. In triple-negative breast cancer patients, FNR was 5%, and an accuracy was 97.4%. Conclusions: Although obtaining eight or more samples with a 14G Tru-Cut biopsy after NST is insufficient to alter clinical practice for detecting residual disease, the promising results observed in the rCR and Tru-Cut pCR subgroups suggest its potential role in guiding treatment strategies.

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In addition to the tumor suppressor role of Cullin 7 (Cul7), one of the proteins belonging to the Cullin (Cul) family, studies have also suggested that Cul7 may act as an oncogene under certain conditions. The role of the Cul7 molecule in breast cancer is still unclear, and understanding its function could have significant implications for identifying novel therapeutic targets or improving diagnostic strategies in breast cancer management. In this study, the levels of the Cul7 molecule in plasma and noninvasive material saliva were investigated, and its possibility as a marker for breast cancer was discussed. Protein levels of blood and saliva samples taken from breast cancer patients and a healthy control group were measured by the ELISA (Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay) method. Gene expression levels between the two groups were analyzed by the qPCR (quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction) method. In our study, Cul7 mRNA and protein expression levels were examined in 60 breast cancer patients and 20 healthy female controls, and a statistically insignificant difference was found between the patient and control groups in both plasma and saliva samples (p > 0.05). No correlation was found between the clinical characteristics of the patients and plasma and saliva Cul7 gene expression and protein levels (p > 0.05). Considering the possibility of Cul7 being a biomarker at the protein and mRNA levels, plasma is thought to be a better study material for Cul7. Our findings suggest that in the context of a study on salivary material, the expression of Cul7 at the mRNA level may have better potential utility as a biomarker.

Background/Objectives: Accurately detecting residual disease and potentially omitting surgery is crucial in breast cancer treatment. However, no reliable method confirms pathologic complete response (pCR) after neoadjuvant systemic therapy (NST). This study evaluates the reliability of ultrasound-guided 14G trucut biopsy in assessing post-NST disease status. Methods: Data from 204 breast cancer patients who underwent ultrasound-guided 14G trucut biopsy before surgery at Istanbul University Oncology Institute (March 2015–May 2024) were analyzed. Concordance between trucut biopsy and final pathology was assessed, along with diagnostic accuracy parameters, including false-negative rate (FNR), accuracy, negative predictive value (NPV), and positive predictive value (PPV). Results: The median patient age was 45 years (range: 26–86). The median initial tumor size was 32 mm, reducing to 10 mm post-treatment. Pathologic complete response (pCR) was 33.8% in surgical specimens and 40.7% in biopsy samples. Biopsy misdiagnosed 15 patients, with an overall FNR of 11.1% and accuracy of 92.2% (95% CI, 7.1–18.1%; 95% CI, 87.6–95.5%). Among patients with radiologic complete response (rCR) (n = 99), FNR was 25.8%, and accuracy was 92.1%. The best outcomes were in the rCR and trucut pCR subgroup, with an FNR of 5.9% and accuracy of 95.6%. In triple-negative breast cancer patients, FNR was 5%, and accuracy was 97.4%. Conclusions: Although obtaining eight or more samples with a 14G tru-cut biopsy after NST is insufficient to alter clinical practice for detecting residual disease, the promising results observed in the rCR and tru-cut pCR subgroups suggest its potential role in guiding treatment strategies.