Obesity, defined as a body mass index (BMI) ≥ 30, is an established risk factor for breast cancer among women in the general population after menopause. Whether elevated BMI is a risk factor for women with a germline mutation in BRCA1 or BRCA2 is less clear because of inconsistent findings from epidemiological studies and a lack of mechanistic studies in this population. Here, we show that DNA damage in normal breast epithelia of women carrying a BRCA mutation is positively correlated with BMI and with biomarkers of metabolic dysfunction. In addition, RNA sequencing showed obesity-associated alterations to the breast adipose microenvironment of BRCA mutation carriers, including activation of estrogen biosynthesis, which affected neighboring breast epithelial cells. In breast tissue explants cultured from women carrying a BRCA mutation, we found that blockade of estrogen biosynthesis or estrogen receptor activity decreased DNA damage. Additional obesity-associated factors, including leptin and insulin, increased DNA damage in human BRCA heterozygous epithelial cells, and inhibiting the signaling of these factors with a leptin-neutralizing antibody or PI3K inhibitor, respectively, decreased DNA damage. Furthermore, we show that increased adiposity was associated with mammary gland DNA damage and increased penetrance of mammary tumors in Brca1 ^+/− mice. Overall, our results provide mechanistic evidence in support of a link between elevated BMI and breast cancer development in BRCA mutation carriers. This suggests that maintaining a lower body weight or pharmacologically targeting estrogen or metabolic dysfunction may reduce the risk of breast cancer in this population.

Human papilloma virus (HPV) is the most common risk factor for cervical cancer. Cervical cancer can be prevented with vaccination and early screening methods using pap smears. However, the acceptance of these approaches can be affected by the awareness level of the population. This cross-sectional study aimed to assess knowledge and practices related to cervical cancer among women in the Al Madinah Province in Saudi Arabia. A total of 1489 responses were included in the analysis. The median awareness score related to cervical cancer was eight out of 20 points. Vaginal bleeding, dyspareunia, and leg pain were correctly identified by 79.8%, 43.7%, and 19.3% of the women, respectively. Thirty-four percent of the study sample knew that the sexually transmitted virus is a risk factor for cervical cancer. Only 44.6% were able to correctly identify pap smear as a screening tool, and 12.6% knew that there was a HPV vaccine. This study revealed a low to moderate awareness level toward cervical cancer, pap smear, and HPV vaccine. Thus, awareness campaigns are urgently needed to increase the awareness level for early detection and prevention of the disease.

COVID-19 was declared a pandemic by the WHO in March 2020. The most promising strategy to control the pandemic was to develop a vaccine. However, vaccination hesitancy is a major threat to world public health. Understanding the reasons behind this hesitancy might help in developing encouragement strategies. This cross-sectional study aimed to assess the knowledge and attitude toward the COVID-19 vaccine in Saudi Arabia. A total of 1599 responses were received; the overall vaccine acceptancy was 79.2%. Age, sex, and nationality of participants significantly predicted the vaccination status. A significantly higher proportion of participants, who reported being vaccinated, or intended to receive the vaccine, stated that the COVID-19 infection is dangerous, or varies from person to person; the vaccine is safe, and think there is a definite need for the vaccine (p < 0.001). The major encouragement factors to receive the vaccine were either confidence in the government decisions (54.8%), or the feeling of responsibility to stop the pandemic (48.7%), whereas the main discouraging factors were concerns about the insufficient clinical trials (11.4%), or the undiscovered side effects (11%). The results of this study indicate good acceptance toward the COVID-19 vaccine among residents of Saudi Arabia.

Introduction: A desmoplastic small round blue cell tumor (DSRCT) is a very rare soft tissue sarcoma. The first case was reported in 1989 by Gerald and Rosai. Diagnosis can be challenging, and a differential diagnosis should be considered when a young patient presents with wide-spread abdominal disease without definitive organ involvement as shown in imaging studies. A typical radiological finding in DSRCT is a dominant solid mass in a retrovesical or rectouterine pouch with widespread peritoneal nodules. Case Report: In this case report, we present a case of a very rare sarcoma in a young Saudi male patient who presented with abdominal distension and widespread intra-abdominal disease with liver metastases. The dominant mass had a cystic component and was not in a typical site. Conclusion: Diagnosis of such sarcoma is challenging and it needs the correlation of clinical, radiological, morphological, immunohistochemical, and even genetic data.

Background/Objectives: SARS-CoV-2 continues to generate antigenically divergent variants that reduce the breadth of existing vaccine-induced antibody responses. Fc-fusion subunit vaccines offer advantages in stability, antigen display, and Fc-mediated immune engagement. This study aimed to design and evaluate a tetravalent RBD–Fc fusion construct incorporating RBDs from Wuhan-Hu-1 and Omicron BA.4/BA.5 and to determine whether this configuration can induce broad antibody recognition across SARS-CoV-2 variants. The objective was to assess its feasibility, biochemical properties, and initial immunogenicity. Methods: Immune responses to the construct were first assessed using the C-ImmSim simulation platform. The full-length fusion was synthesized, subcloned into pcDNA3.1(+), expressed in HEK293 cells, and purified by Protein G affinity chromatography. Protein integrity was evaluated by reducing SDS–PAGE. BALB/c mice (female, 8 weeks) were immunized with a prime–boost–boost schedule, and sera were analyzed by ELISA, considering binding to Wuhan-Hu-1, Omicron BA.4/BA.5, and a panel of RBD variants. Results: In silico analysis predicted coordinated antigen clearance, class switching, memory B- and CD4⁺ T-cell formation, and transient cytokine induction. The recombinant protein was expressed efficiently, yielding a major ~56 kDa band and a ~23 kDa RBD fragment. Vaccinated mice generated strong IgG responses to Wuhan-Hu-1 and BA.4/BA.5 RBDs and showed broad binding to major variant RBDs. Conclusions: The tetravalent RBD–Fc fusion vaccine was successfully produced and elicited broad antibody binding across SARS-CoV-2 variants, supporting its potential as a versatile protein-based vaccine platform.

Background and Objectives: Breast cancer patients are at high risk of malnourishment. However, data concerning the nutritional status of breast cancer patients are very limited. We aimed to assess the nutritional status and diet of women diagnosed with breast cancer. Methods: A total of 32 women diagnosed with breast cancer were included in this cross‐sectional study. Patients were recruited via an online survey that was distributed in multiple social media applications as well as shared in oncology clinics. Demographic data were collected via the online survey, while dietary data were collected during a phone interview. Results: Prevalence of overweight and obesity among study samples was 18.8% and 56.3%, respectively. Only 18.8% of the patients reported visiting a dietitian, while 59.4% of the patients met the recommendation of free sugar intake of < 5%. Most of the patients (81%) did not meet their energy requirements, whereas none of the patients met their protein requirement. Diet quality score and dietary intake were not associated with dietitian visit or stages of breast cancer. Stepwise regression analysis indicated significant association between iron intake and weight status ( B = −1.56, SE = 0.69, and [95% confidence interval (CI): −2.97–−0.15]). Results also indicated that age and percentage of free sugar from total energy predicted BMI of patients (age: B = 0.20, SE = 0.08, and [95% CI: 0.06–035]; percent of free sugar: B = 0.66, SE = 0.24, and [95% CI: 0.18–1.15]). Weight status was significantly associated with adequacy of energy intake. Conclusions: High prevalence of overweight and obesity, high intake of free sugar, and limited intake of protein were observed among women diagnosed with breast cancer. There is an urgent need to provide nutritional care for breast cancer patients in Saudi Arabia that is delivered by experienced dietitian to improve the nutritional status of these patients.