BREAST CANCER

Disease

Brief Summary

Breast cancer is a category of cancer which is caused when cells in the breast grow out of control and become cancerous. As such, patients exhibit a wide range of symptoms based on the progression of the disease ranging from small lumps to cerebrovascular accidents (when cancer cells block blood vessels in the brain). Breast cancer is notorious for having a high mortality rate and a low survival rate. Furthermore, the genetic nature of the disease makes treatment for the disease very difficult.

Source

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Person affected by Breast Cancer

Frequency

Breast cancer is the second most commonly diagnosed cancer in women. Male breast cancer represents less than 1 percent of all breast cancer diagnoses.

In the Philippines, 53% of breast cancer cases were detected in Stages III and IV, whereas only 2%–3% of cases were discovered in Stage I.

Inheritance

Breast cancer can be sporadic or inherited. Inherited cases are often caused by mutations in the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes (HBOC) or genes associated with Lynch syndrome. Inheritance is autosomal dominant. Factors like lifestyle and environment also influence breast cancer risk.

Brief Summary

History of Disease

Pathogenesis

Achondroplasia is caused by a mutation in the FGF3 gene in chromosome 4 at 4p 16.3. This mutation causes a decreased production of fibroblast growth factor receptor 3 which is crucial in the conversion of cartilage into bone which is vital in the proper development of a person. This mutation is inherited in an autosomal dominant manner. More than 80 percent of people with achondroplasia have parents with normal characteristics and are born with achondroplasia due to a recent (de novo) gene modification (mutation).

Pathogenesis

Caused by a deleterious mutation in the Breast Cancer genes (BRCA), either the Breast cancer gene 1 located in chromosome 17 gene or the breast cancer gene 2 in chromosome 13. These mutations can be environmentally acquired or genetically inherited from parent to child. Breast Cancer can manifest at any age. However, it is more likely to occur among older women. Mutations in the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes are inherited in an autosomal dominant pattern, which means one copy of the altered gene in each cell is sufficient to cause a person to develop breast cancer.

Source

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First report of Breast Cancer

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Mutated chromosome by Breast Cancer

Breast cancer was recognized as early as 2,500 B.C in Egypt. It was recorded in detail on the Edwin Smith papyrus as well as in hieroglyphics. Egyptians have associated bulging tumors as the main symptom of the disease. Early treatments of breast cancer involved surgeries removing the tumors.

Symptoms

a lump in your breast or underarm

skin change

pain and tenderness

shape change

unusual nipple discharge

Social Concerns

Due to the high mortality rate of cancer, diagnosis of breast cancer can be devastating and can trigger several adverse reactions both physically and mentally among patients. Psychosocial symptoms patients of Breast Cancer after diagnosis include:

Uneasiness
Depression
Anxiety
Self-Blame
Lack of Focus

Clinical Trials

Treatment

Chemotherapy

Using special medicines to shrink or kill the cancer cells. These drugs however can damage healthy tissues as well. A side effect of chemotherapy is baldness.

Surgery

Doctors cut out cancer tissue. This is only effective if the progression of cancer is still at a low stage.

Hormonal therapy

Specialized drugs block cancer cells from getting the hormones they need to grow.

Biological Therapy

Works with your body’s immune system to help it fight cancer cells.

Source

Treatment for Breast Cancer

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Clinical Trials

Title:

A Phase II Study of Nivolumab in Combination With Cabozantinib for Metastatic Triple-negative Breast Cancer

Intervention:

Drug: Nivolumab

Nivolumab is an experimental antibody drug that may make the immune response more active against cancer.

Other Name: Opdivo

Drug: Cabozantinib

Cabozantinib may help to shrink or stabilize breast cancer

Other Name: Cabometyx

Phase:

Phase 2

Procedure:

Nivolumab was administered every 28 days at a dose of 480mg given intravenously over 30 minutes (+/- 10 minutes) using a volumetric pump with 0.2 to 1.2 micron pore size, low protein binding polyethersulfone membrane in-line filter.
Cabozantinib was administered orally, once daily for 28 days at a dose of 40 mg.

Goal:

This experimental research aims to study combination of drugs as a possible treatment for metastatic triple-negative breast cancer.

Further details at:

https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/study/NCT03316586?cond=Breast+Cancer&draw=2

Expert Directory

Riverside Bacolod Cancer Care Center

Location:

23rd St, Bacolod, Negros Occidental

Contact No:

(0999) 306-3434

References

[1] BRCA mutation. (2020, December 5). Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BRCA_mutation