Breast cancer (BC) affects millions of women worldwide, causing over 500,000 deaths annually. It is the leading cause of cancer mortality in women, with 70% of deaths occurring in developing countries. Elastography, which evaluates tissue stiffness, is a promising real-time minimally invasive technique for BC diagnosis. This study assessed strain elastography (SE) and the fat-to-lesion (F/L) index for BC diagnosis. This prospective study included 216 women who underwent SE, ultrasound, mammography, and breast biopsy (108 malignant, 108 benign). Three expert radiologists performed imaging and biopsies. Mean F/L index was 3.70 ± 2.57 for benign biopsies and 18.10 ± 17.01 for malignant. We developed two predictive models: a logistic regression model with AUC 0.893, 79.63% sensitivity, 87.62% specificity, 86.9% positive predictive value (+PV), and 80.7% negative predictive value (−PV); and a neural network with AUC 0.902, 80.56% sensitivity, 88.57% specificity, 87.9% +PV, and 81.6% −PV. The optimal Youden F/L index cutoff was >5.76, with 84.26% sensitivity and specificity. The F/L index positively correlated with BI-RADS (Spearman’s r = 0.073, p < 0.001) and differed among molecular subtypes (Kruskal-Wallis, p = 0.002). SE complements mammography for BC diagnosis. With adequate predictive capacity, SE is fast, minimally invasive, and useful when mammography is contraindicated.

The intricate molecular interactions between mitochondria and telomeres, establish networks where different RNA species (miRNA or microRNAs) act as a key regulators in the carcinogenesis and tumor progression cascade. Recent evidence has illuminated a sophisticated molecular dialogue between mitochondria and telomeres that regulate cellular metabolism, growth, and apoptosis. This review focuses on the specific functions of diverse RNA species in cancer development and their potential application as biomarkers or therapeutic agents.

The mitochondria–telomere axis is recognized as an important factor in the processes of metabolism, aging and oncogenesis. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) play an essential function in this complex interaction, having an impact on aspects such as cellular homeostasis, oxidative responses and apoptosis. In recent years, miRNAs have been found to be crucial for telomeric stability, as well as for mitochondrial behavior, factors that influence cell proliferation and viability. Furthermore, mitochondrial miRNAs (mitomiRs) are associated with gene expression and the activity of the cGAS/STING pathway activity, linking mitochondrial DNA recognition to immune system responses. Hence, miRNAs maintain a link to mitochondrial biogenesis, metabolic changes in cancer and cellular organelles. This review focuses on the roles of a variety of miRNAs in cancer progression and their potential application as biomarkers or therapeutic agents.

Breast cancer (BC) affects millions of women; it is the leading cause of death by neoplasia in wom-en worldwide, with at least 500 thousand deaths each year, 70% of which occur in developing countries. Elastography evaluates tissue stiffness, making this a promising non-invasive real-time technique. BI-RADS is recognized as a standard and helpful technique for establishing BC risk. This study aimed to determine, by strain elastography (SE), the fat-to-lesion index (F/L index), sen-sitivity, specificity, and optimal cut-off to diagnose BC. This prospective study included 216 wom-en who underwent SE, ultrasound, mammography, and breast biopsy; according to mammogra-phy, we recruited BI-RADS category 2 (n= 5), category 3 (n=29), category 4 (n= 94), category 5 (n= 71) and category 6 (n=17); after biopsy, 108 women were classified as negative, and 108 were pos-itive for BC. Three expert BC radiologists performed all imaging interpretations and biopsies. Our results show mean values of the F/L index for negative biopsies of 3.70±2.57 and positive biopsies of 18.10±17.01; we developed two models for the prediction of BC, a logistic regression model with an AUC of 0.893 and a neural network with an AUC of 0.902. The Youden index yielded a F/L index cut-off >5.76, with a sensitivity and specificity of 84.26%. Positive Spearman's Rho cor-relation coefficient was observed between the F/L index and BI-RADS, r=.073 (p< 0.001). ANOVA test showed a difference between F/L index vs. molecular subtypes (p=0.002). SE is helpful as a di-agnostic complement to mammography, or in cases where the latter is contraindicated, elas-tography has an adequate predictive capacity and is a fast and minimally invasive procedure.

Chemotherapy is a treatment designed to contain or eradicate neoplastic cells; however, patients may experience various treatment-related adverse effects. Chemotherapy-related cognitive impairment (CRCI), clinically referred to as “chemobrain,” is a frequent complication with a duration ranging from months to years, affecting between 17% and 70% of cancer patients. These cognitive deficits not only impair social, educational, and occupational functioning but may also impact survival outcomes, possibly by interfering with medication adherence and health-related behaviors. Emerging evidence has converged on an integrative cascade in which chemotherapy-induced systemic inflammation, intestinal dysbiosis, blood–brain barrier disruption, microglial/astroglial activation, and impaired hippocampal neurogenesis act in sequence rather than as independent pathways. Underlying pathophysiological mechanisms include neuroinflammation, reduced neurogenesis, loss of dendritic spines, oxidative stress, hormonal changes, epigenetic modifications, and mitochondrial dysfunction. In contrast, repair mechanisms involve complex glial responses, particularly those of astrocytes and microglia. Emerging studies suggest a link between changes in the microbiome and cognitive decline, demonstrating the importance of bidirectional communication in the gut–brain axis. Current research seeks to determine appropriate tests to identify chemobrain. Therefore, several biomarkers, such as GFAP, S100β, and isoprostanes, have been proposed to assess chemobrain, alongside screening tools such as MoCA, MMSE, and CAB-CF, to evaluate cognitive impairment and enable early detection. Pharmacological candidates—including lithium, fluoxetine, methylphenidate, modafinil, metformin, agomelatine, and melatonin—as well as nutritional and lifestyle interventions such as physical exercise, omega-3 fatty acids, curcumin, probiotics, and traditional Chinese medicine formulations—have been investigated, predominantly in animal models. These remain candidate, not validated, therapies; clinical evidence in CRCI populations is limited, heterogeneous, or absent, and well-powered randomized controlled trials are required before any recommendation can be issued. However, optimal strategies for symptom improvement remain unclear, as various approaches have yielded mixed outcomes. This review provides a comprehensive overview of chemobrain, focusing on its molecular mechanisms, interactions with the gut–brain axis, and potential therapeutic targets to improve the quality of life for cancer survivors.