Breast cancer is the second most common cause of cancer-related deaths among women worldwide. It is a heterogeneous disease with four major molecular subtypes. One of the subtypes, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-enriched (HER2-positive) is characterized by the absence of estrogen and progesterone receptors and overexpression of HER2 receptor, and accounts for 15–20% of all breast cancers. Despite the anti-HER2 and cytotoxic chemotherapy, HER2 subtype is an aggressive disease with significant mortality. Recent advances in molecular biology techniques, including gene expression profiling, proteomics, and microRNA analysis, have been extensively used to explore the underlying mechanisms behind human breast carcinogenesis and metastasis including HER2-positive breast cancer, paving the way for developing new targeted therapies. This review focuses on recent advances on gene expression and miRNA status in HER2-positive breast cancer.

Breast cancer is the most frequent cause of cancer-related deaths among women worldwide. It is classified into four major molecular subtypes. Triple-negative breast cancers (TNBCs), a subgroup of breast cancer, are defined by the absence of estrogen and progesterone receptors and the lack of HER-2 expression; this subgroup accounts for ~15% of all breast cancers and exhibits the most aggressive metastatic behavior. Currently, very limited targeted therapies exist for the treatment of patients with TNBCs. On the other hand, it is important to highlight that knowledge of the molecular biology of breast cancer has recently changed the decision-making process regarding the course of cancer therapies. Thus, a number of new techniques, such as gene profiling and sequencing, proteomics, and microRNA analysis have been used to explore human breast carcinogenesis and metastasis including TNBC, which consequently could lead to new therapies. Nevertheless, based on evidence thus far, genomics profiles (gene and miRNA) can differ from one geographic location to another as well as in different ethnic groups. This review provides a comprehensive and updated information on the genomics profile alterations associated with TNBC pathogenesis associated with different ethnic backgrounds.

Brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) offers intricate soft tissue contrasts that are essential for diagnosing diseases and conducting neuroscience research. At 7 Tesla (7T) magnetic field intensity, MRI enables increased resolution, enhanced tissue contrast, and improved SNR, compared to MRI collected from the commonly employed 3 Tesla (3T) MRI scanners. However, the exorbitant expenses associated with 7T MRI scanners hinder their broad use in research and clinical facilities. Efforts are underway to develop algorithms that can generate 7T MRI from 3T MRI to achieve better image quality without the need for 7T MRI machines. In this study, we have adopted a cycle consistent generative adversarial network (CycleGAN)-based approach for 3T MRI to 7T MRI translation, and vice versa, using a recently published dataset of paired T1-weighted MR images collected at 3T and 7T from a total of ten subjects. Various CycleGAN architectures were experimented with and compared on this dataset. The best performing CycleGAN architecture successfully produced the reconstructed images with a high level of accuracy based on different quantitative and qualitative evaluation criteria. Utilizing a post-processing technique, the best performing model generated 7T MRI from 3T MRI with a structural similarity index measure (SSIM) of 83.80%, peak SNR (PSNR) of 26.25, normalized mean squared error (NMSE) of 0.0088 and normalized mean absolute error (NMAE) of 0.0630. Utilizing CycleGAN to convert images from 3T to 7T MRI has shown a substantial improvement in MRI resolution, setting the stage for advancements in more informative and precise diagnostic imaging.

Introduction This sy stematic review and meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of TACE combined with I-125 brachytherapy versus TACE alone in Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients. Methods Following the PRISMA guidelines, we searched databases, including PubMed, EMBASE, the Cochrane Library, Scopus, Web of Science, and grey literature, for articles published between January 1, 2010 and November 30, 2023. Eligible studies compared TACE with and without I-125 brachytherapy, from randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and non-randomized comparative studies. Primary outcomes were overall survival (OS) at 1, 2, and 3 years. Secondary outcomes comprised progression-free survival (PFS), overall response rate (ORR), disease control rate (DCR), and adverse events. Data extraction and quality assessment were conducted using Covidence software and validated risk-of-bias tools. Meta-analyses were performed using Stata. Results Eighteen studies (n=1,872 patients) were included. TACE + I-125 brachytherapy significantly improved OS at 1 year (OR: 1.30, 95%; CI: 1.05–1.56), 2 years (OR: 1.02, 95%; CI: 0.65–1.39), and 3 years (OR: 1.28, 95%; CI: 0.85–1.71) compared to TACE alone. Tumor response rates, including overall response rate (ORR: 1.74, 95%; CI: 0.65–2.83) and disease control rate (DCR: 1.04, 95%; CI: 0.07–2.01), were also significantly higher in the combination group. Subgroup analyses showed consistent OS outcomes between higher and lower doses of I-125. Adverse event rates were insignificant and comparable between groups. Conclusion TACE combined with I-125 brachytherapy enhances survival and tumor response without increasing adverse events, offering a promising strategy for managing advanced HCC. Further RCTs are warranted to confirm these findings.