-
Geburtshilfe Und Frauenheilkunde Jun 2021Women with a pathogenic mutation have a markedly increased lifetime risk of developing breast and/or ovarian cancer. The current preventive treatment alternatives that...
Women with a pathogenic mutation have a markedly increased lifetime risk of developing breast and/or ovarian cancer. The current preventive treatment alternatives that are offered are an intensified breast cancer screening programme and risk-reducing operations. Before deciding on one option, medical and personal factors such as life situation and individual preferences must be weighed carefully. Decision aids are used internationally to support mutation carriers during their decision-making process. In this study these are analysed structurally for the first time and their applicability to the German context is examined. A systematic literature search in five electronic databases and a manual search were performed. The identified decision aids were evaluated with regard to formal criteria, medical content and quality. The qualitative assessment used the criteria of the International Patient Decision Aid Standards Collaboration (IPDASi v4.0), which examined various dimensions (e.g., information, probabilities, values). Twenty decision aids, which were published between 2003 and 2019 in Australia (n = 4), the United Kingdom (n = 3), Canada (n = 2), the Netherlands (n = 2) and the USA (n = 9), were included. Nine focus on mutation carriers and eleven include other risk groups. Eighteen include risk-reducing operations as decision options, 14 list screening methods for breast and/or ovarian cancer, and 13 describe the possibility of pharmacological prevention by means of selective oestrogen receptor modulators or aromatase inhibitors. Nine of the 20 decision aids meet fundamental quality criteria (IPDASi v4.0 qualification criteria). International decision aids can serve formally as a basis for a German decision aid for mutation carriers. Some of them differ markedly in content from the recommendations of German guidelines. Only a few achieve a high quality.
PubMed: 34168381
DOI: 10.1055/a-1326-1792 -
Clinics (Sao Paulo, Brazil) 2021Breast cancer is the most frequently diagnosed malignant neoplasm in women and is considered a multifactorial disease of unknown etiology. One of the major risk factors...
Breast cancer is the most frequently diagnosed malignant neoplasm in women and is considered a multifactorial disease of unknown etiology. One of the major risk factors is genetic alteration. Changes in CYP19A1 gene expression levels have been associated with increased risk and increased aggressiveness of breast cancer. Increased CYP19A1 gene expression and/or aromatase activity are among the major regulatory events for intratumoral production of estrogens in breast malignant tissues. This systematic review aimed to investigate the influence of CYP19A1 gene expression levels in women with breast cancer. The research was carried out using the PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science databases. Searches were conducted between February 2 and May 15, 2019. Inclusion criteria were studies published between 2009 and 2019, English language publications, and human studies addressing the gene expression of CYP19A1 in breast cancer. A total of 6.068 studies were identified through PubMed (n=773), Scopus (n=2,927), and the Web of Science (n=2,368). After selecting and applying the inclusion and exclusion criteria, six articles were included in this systematic review. This systematic review provides evidence that increased or decreased levels of CYP19A1 gene expression may be related to pathological clinical factors of disease, MFS, OS, DFS, WATi, markers of metabolic function, concentrations of E1, FSH, and in the use of multiple exons 1 of the CYP19A1 gene in breast cancer.
Topics: Aromatase; Breast Neoplasms; Estrogens; Female; Gene Expression; Humans; RNA, Messenger
PubMed: 34133482
DOI: 10.6061/clinics/2021/e2846 -
Breast (Edinburgh, Scotland) Aug 2021Hormone Therapy (HT) reduces the risk of breast cancer recurrence and mortality in women with breast cancer. Despite these clinical benefits, rates of HT non-adherence... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Hormone Therapy (HT) reduces the risk of breast cancer recurrence and mortality in women with breast cancer. Despite these clinical benefits, rates of HT non-adherence and non-persistence are high. Research suggests this may be due to the impact of HT side effects. However, little research has explored the individual contribution of side effects to non-adherence and non-persistence behaviours, thereby hindering the implementation of targeted intervention strategies. Our aim is to review the published literature on breast cancer survivors' lived experiences of HT side effects and explore how these may be related to non-adherence and non-persistence behaviour.
METHODS
Electronic searches were conducted from inception to May 2020, utilising Cochrane CENTRAL, Medline, Embase, Web of Science and PsycINFO databases. Searches included a combination of terms related to breast cancer, adherence, hormone therapy and side effects.
RESULTS
Sixteen eligible papers were identified, and study quality was high. Data were thematically synthesised into four analytical themes, which encompassed 13 descriptive sub-themes: 'Daily impact of side-effects', 'Role of Health Care Professionals', 'Managing HT side-effects', and 'Weighing up the pros and cons'.
CONCLUSIONS
HT side effects significantly impact breast cancer survivor's quality of life. A lack of support from healthcare providers leads to self-management strategies, which negatively affects adherence and persistence behaviour.
Topics: Breast Neoplasms; Cancer Survivors; Female; Hormones; Humans; Medication Adherence; Neoplasm Recurrence, Local; Quality of Life
PubMed: 34049260
DOI: 10.1016/j.breast.2021.05.005 -
International Journal of Environmental... Apr 2021Endometriosis is a common chronic gynecological disorder that undoubtedly impacts on quality of life, and is one of the more complex and mysterious illnesses of our... (Review)
Review
Endometriosis is a common chronic gynecological disorder that undoubtedly impacts on quality of life, and is one of the more complex and mysterious illnesses of our century, which is associated with the improper growth of endometrial tissue outside of the uterine cavity. This pathologically implanted tissue can be found most frequently in the minor pelvis, but also in the peritoneal cavity, and can affect many organs, leading to chronic pelvic pain syndrome, infertility, and dysmenorrhea. Endometrial tissue is a particularly dynamic tissue that has a direct impact on the progression of the disease, with altered immunity, as well as cytokine storms within the metaplastic endometriotic site, as possible key factors. Currently, diagnosis of this mysterious chronic illness relies on performing a laparoscopic procedure with tissue sampling. One of the most troublesome outcomes of this unintended progression is that we lack any specific, sensitive, non-invasive diagnostic tools. Currently, the vast majority of regime stewardship options rely on anti-contraceptive drugs, or other remedies that suppress the release of estrogen through the gonads-although in most clinical trials, endometriosis is a chronic progressive disorder that depends mostly on the high concentration of estrogen. Moreover, many specific trials have demonstrated that the eutopic endometrial cells in individuals with endometriosis remain much more resistant to the immunological annihilation process caused by certain elements of the immune system. Nevertheless, eutopic endometrial cells have the potential to similarly escalate the expression of aromatase receptors on the surface of the pathological cells, which in the final cascade cause an increase in the concentration of estrogen, as well as other inflammatory proteins that contribute to pathological outgrowth. Data reveal occurrence among first-degree relatives, suggesting that the specific cascade could be related to inherited as well as epigenetic (acquired) mechanisms. In women with the disease, confirmed by laparoscopic procedures, diagnosis of endometriosis can be established also via detection by gene polymorphism in the genes which are responsible for responsible for the detoxification phase of estrogen receptors and other immunomodulator components. A recent publication aims to reveal a new prospect for the non-invasive diagnosis, detection, and estimation of certain biomarkers for much more specific investigation of the disease's progression.
Topics: Adolescent; Cytokines; Endometriosis; Endometrium; Female; Humans; Pelvic Pain; Quality of Life
PubMed: 33946650
DOI: 10.3390/ijerph18094726 -
Journal of Assisted Reproduction and... Aug 2021To compare the effects of different endometrial preparation protocols for frozen-thawed embryo transfer (FET) cycles and present treatment hierarchy. (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
PURPOSE
To compare the effects of different endometrial preparation protocols for frozen-thawed embryo transfer (FET) cycles and present treatment hierarchy.
METHODS
Systematic review with meta-analysis was performed by electronic searching of MEDLINE, the Cochrane Library, Embase, ClinicalTrials.gov and Google Scholar up to Dec 26, 2020. Randomised controlled trials (RCTs) or observational studies comparing 7 treatment options (natural cycle with or without human chorionic gonadotrophin trigger (mNC or tNC), artificial cycle with or without gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist suppression (AC+GnRH or AC), aromatase inhibitor, clomiphene citrate, gonadotropin or follicle stimulating hormone) in FET cycles were included. Meta-analyses were performed within random effects models. Primary outcome was live birth presented as odds ratio (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs).
RESULTS
Twenty-six RCTs and 113 cohort studies were included in the meta-analyses. In a network meta-analysis, AC ranked last in effectiveness, with lower live birth rates when compared with other endometrial preparation protocols. In pairwise meta-analyses of observational studies, AC was associated with significant lower live birth rates compared with tNC (OR 0.81, 0.70 to 0.93) and mNC (OR 0.85, 0.77 to 0.93). Women who achieved pregnancy after AC were at an increased risk of pregnancy-induced hypertension (OR 1.82, 1.37 to 2.38), postpartum haemorrhage (OR 2.08, 1.61 to 2.78) and very preterm birth (OR 2.08, 1.45 to 2.94) compared with those after tNC.
CONCLUSION
Natural cycle treatment has a higher chance of live birth and lower risks of PIH, PPH and VPTB than AC for endometrial preparation in women receiving FET cycles.
Topics: Birth Rate; Cryopreservation; Embryo Transfer; Endometrium; Female; Fertilization in Vitro; Humans; Live Birth; Network Meta-Analysis; Pregnancy; Pregnancy Rate; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
PubMed: 33829375
DOI: 10.1007/s10815-021-02125-0 -
ESMO Open Apr 2021Approximately 50% of human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-positive breast cancer lesions express hormone receptors. These tumors present a unique therapeutic... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
BACKGROUND
Approximately 50% of human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-positive breast cancer lesions express hormone receptors. These tumors present a unique therapeutic challenge, and the optimal endocrine therapeutic approach remains controversial. We aimed to study the optimal adjuvant endocrine therapy in this setting, to better establish the basis for clinical recommendations in HER2-positive disease.
METHODS
We conducted a literature search up to May 2020, in which we identified randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that investigated the efficacy of various adjuvant hormonal therapies among premenopausal and postmenopausal patients with hormone receptor (HR)-positive, HER2-positive early breast cancer. Disease-free survival (DFS) was calculated with the random effect model and hazard ratios (HRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CI).
RESULTS
Six RCTs (N = 5390 patients) were included in the final analysis. There was no significant difference in DFS between adjuvant treatment with aromatase inhibitors and tamoxifen (HR 0.99, 95% CI 0.68-1.44, P = 0.96). Furthermore, after omitting the ALTTO trial, as it did not randomize patients to hormonal therapy, no significant difference was observed between the two protocols (HR 1.06, 95% CI 0.65-1.73, P = 0.81).
CONCLUSION
Our study demonstrates similar DFS with tamoxifen and aromatase inhibitors as adjuvant endocrine treatment in HER2-positive HR-positive early-stage breast cancer patients. Future larger prospective studies focusing on the various contemporary endocrine regimens are warranted to validate our findings.
Topics: Aromatase Inhibitors; Breast Neoplasms; Chemotherapy, Adjuvant; Disease-Free Survival; Female; Humans; Tamoxifen
PubMed: 33735801
DOI: 10.1016/j.esmoop.2021.100088 -
Integrative Cancer Therapies 2021Aromatase inhibitor-induced arthralgia (AIA) is the most common side effect of aromatase inhibitors (AIs) used in breast cancer patients and is related to the rate of... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
BACKGROUND
Aromatase inhibitor-induced arthralgia (AIA) is the most common side effect of aromatase inhibitors (AIs) used in breast cancer patients and is related to the rate of adherence to AIs. The clinical effects of acupuncture on AIA have been assessed by some randomized controlled trials (RCTs). However, some studies reported that acupuncture was effective, while others claimed that it was ineffective. To clarify the clinical and placebo effects of acupuncture in treating AIA, we conducted this meta-analysis.
METHODS
Two reviewers (XL and GW) independently searched for RCTs in 5 English databases (PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, Springer, Cochrane Library) and 4 Chinese databases (China National Knowledge Infrastructure Database (CNKI), SinoMed, VIP and Wanfang Database) from their inception to 30 November 2019. Following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines, this meta-analysis was performed by fixed or random-effects models, and data were pooled with mean differences (MDs).
RESULTS
Seven trials involving 603 patients were reviewed. The primary outcome, the Brief Pain Inventory (BPI) score, significantly differed between the acupuncture and control groups [pain-related interference: MD = -1.89, 95% confidence interval (CI) [-2.99, -0.79], = 3.36 ( = .008 < .05), pain severity: MD = -1.57, 95% CI [-2.46, -0.68], = 3.45 ( = .0006 < .05), worst pain: MD = -2.31, 95% CI [-3.15, -1.48], = 5.47 ( < .0001 < .05)]. No severe adverse events were reported in any study.
CONCLUSION
This meta-analysis showed that acupuncture is a safe and effective treatment for breast cancer patients with AIA. Additional research with improved blinding methods is warranted to further explore the nature of non-specific and placebo effects in true and sham acupuncture.
Topics: Acupuncture Therapy; Aromatase Inhibitors; Arthralgia; Breast Neoplasms; Female; Humans; Treatment Outcome
PubMed: 33586504
DOI: 10.1177/1534735420980811 -
Cancers Jan 2021Treatment with aromatase inhibitors (AIs) is fundamental in women with hormone receptor-positive breast cancer in the adjuvant as well as the metastatic setting. Even... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Treatment with aromatase inhibitors (AIs) is fundamental in women with hormone receptor-positive breast cancer in the adjuvant as well as the metastatic setting. Even though it is considered to be a well-tolerated therapy, aromatase inhibitor-associated musculoskeletal syndrome (AIMSS) is the most common adverse event encountered by breast cancer patients. CDK4/6 inhibitors have emerged as a new treatment strategy in metastatic hormone receptor-positive breast cancer. However, the impact of CDK4/6 inhibitors on musculoskeletal symptoms caused by AIs is not well-defined.
OBJECTIVES
This systematic review aims to identify the frequency of joint symptoms induced by treatment with AIs and CDK4/6 inhibitors in the metastatic setting.
SEARCH STRATEGY
Eligible articles were identified by a search of existing literature for the period 2005/01/01-2021/01/01; The algorithm consisted of a predefined combination of the following keywords "breast", "cancer", "aromatase inhibitors", "CDK4/6", "phase III".
SELECTION CRITERIA
This study was performed in accordance with PRISMA guidelines. All randomized controlled Phase III trials (RCTs) evaluating the administration of third-generation aromatase inhibitors (AIs) and CDK4/6 inhibitors in postmenopausal women in the metastatic setting were considered eligible for this review.
DATA COLLECTION
Overall, 16 randomized control trials (RCTs) were retrieved, of which nine studies explored the administration of AIs in the metastatic setting and seven studies investigated the combination of CDK4/6 inhibitors and AIs. Arthralgia was reported in 1-47% of patients treated with AIs and 5.8-33.3% of patients treated with CDK4/6 inhibitors. Myalgias occurred in 2-23.7% of patients receiving AIs compared with 4.8-11.9% of patients treated with CDK4/6 inhibitors. The incidence of back pain was 7-32.9% vs. 2.9-8.5% in postmenopausal women with metastatic disease treated with AIs and CDK4/6 inhibitors, respectively. Bone pain was reported in 7-32.9% of postmenopausal women treated with AIs and 2.9-8.5% of women treated with CDK4/6 inhibitors.
CONCLUSIONS
AI treatment-induced musculoskeletal syndrome is an adverse event affecting over one-third (20-47%) of postmenopausal patients treated with AIs that often leads to treatment discontinuation. Data from RCTs provide evidence that the incidence of musculoskeletal symptoms is relatively decreased upon CDK4/6 inhibitor administration. CDK4/6 inhibitors may provide a protective role against AIMSS development.
PubMed: 33530456
DOI: 10.3390/cancers13030465 -
Journal of Korean Medical Science Nov 2020Aromatase inhibitors (AIs) play an important role in the endocrine therapy of postmenopausal breast cancer patients, with a recent tendency to extend the duration of... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
BACKGROUND
Aromatase inhibitors (AIs) play an important role in the endocrine therapy of postmenopausal breast cancer patients, with a recent tendency to extend the duration of their use. However, AIs may increase the risk of osteoporotic bone fractures. This meta-analysis evaluated the risk of osteoporotic fractures of the hip, spine, and other locations in breast cancer patients using AIs.
METHODS
We performed a systematic search to identify randomized controlled clinical trials that investigated osteoporotic fractures in breast cancer patients on AI therapy. The main outcomes were the incidence and risk of osteoporotic fractures in general and of hip, vertebral, and non-vertebral fractures in AI users and controls.
RESULTS
The systematic review found a total of 30 randomized controlled trials including 117,974 participants. The meta-analysis showed a higher incidence of osteoporotic fracture in AI users: The crude risk ratio for all osteoporotic fractures was 1.35 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.29-1.42; < 0.001), for hip fractures 1.18 (95% CI, 1.02-1.35; < 0.001), for vertebral fractures 1.84 (95% CI, 1.36-2.49; < 0.001), and for non-vertebral fractures 1.18 (95% CI, 1.02-1.35; < 0.001), respectively, compared to the controls.
CONCLUSION
Our meta-analysis suggested an increased risk of osteoporotic fractures for AI therapy in patients with breast cancer that was most expressed for vertebral fractures. Breast cancer patients on AIs need to be monitored for osteoporosis and osteoporotic fractures, and active prevention measures should be implemented.
Topics: Aromatase Inhibitors; Breast Neoplasms; Chemotherapy, Adjuvant; Female; Fractures, Bone; Hip Fractures; Humans; Republic of Korea; Risk; Spinal Fractures
PubMed: 33258332
DOI: 10.3346/jkms.2020.35.e403 -
Reproductive Health Nov 2020Letrozole can significantly decrease the estrogen level, and has been administrated to prevent the incidence of early ovary hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS). However,... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
BACKGROUND
Letrozole can significantly decrease the estrogen level, and has been administrated to prevent the incidence of early ovary hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS). However, the effect of Letrozole on prevention of OHSS reached to controversial conclusions. The present meta-analysis aim to examine whether Letrozole could reduce the incidence of early OHSS after assisted reproductive technology (ART).
METHODS
An exhaustive electronic literature search was conducted on MEDLINE, Google Scholar, CNKI and WANFANG MED ONLINE, from inception until May 2018. We include clinical trials that examined the effect of Letrozole on the prevention of early OHSS. The main outcome measures were the incidence of total early OHSS, mild early OHSS, moderate early OHSS, and severe early OHSS.
RESULTS
Eight studies included in the review. Of these, five publications evaluated the effect of Letrozolel on the prevention of total, mild, moderate, and severe OHSS, respectively. The results indicated that there was a significantly decreased incidence of total OHSS with Letrozole compared with control group, and there were no significantly differences in the incidence of mild, moderate, and severe OHSS between study group with Letrozole and control group. Eight studies reported the incidence of moderate + severe OHSS. We found a significant decrease in incidence of moderate + severe OHSS in high-risk women with Letrozole.
CONCLUSIONS
Letrozole has no beneficial effect on the prevention of mild, moderate, and severe OHSS, individually; Letrozole should not be considered as the first-line treatment for prevention of OHSS. Further cohort studies are required to explore the effect of Letrozole on the prevention of OHSS. This study aimed to examine whether Letrozole could reduce the incidence of early OHSS after assisted reproductive technology (ART). A meta-analysis including 8 studies was conducted. There were no significantly differences in the incidence of mild, moderate, and severe OHSS between study group with Letrozole and control group. Letrozole has no beneficial effect on the prevention of mild, moderate, and severe OHSS, individually.
Topics: Aromatase Inhibitors; Female; Humans; Incidence; Infertility, Female; Letrozole; Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome; Ovulation Induction; Pregnancy; Pregnancy Rate; Reproductive Techniques, Assisted
PubMed: 33218353
DOI: 10.1186/s12978-020-01042-2