8^th World Congress on Breast Cancer & Therapies July 16-17, 2018 Melbourne, Australia

Biography:

Bettina Meiser is and a Professor and Head of the Psychosocial Research Group, Prince of Wales Clinical School, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia.  She is a an internationally recognised expert in the area of psychosocial aspects of cancer genetics.  She has published over 170 peer-reviewed articles.  Her research program focuses on the psychological impact of cancer genetic counselling and testing, and the design and evaluation of interventions in this setting.  She has undertaken research on the psychological impact of genetic testing a range of conditions including, amongst others, hereditary breast and/or ovarian cancer (HBOC), Lynch Syndrome, Familial Adenomatous Polyposis (FAP), and hereditary melanoma.  She has also conducted innovative research on the psychosocial implications of new gene testing technologies, including the impact of treatment-focused genetic testing following a diagnosis of breast and/or ovarian cancer and the impact of testing for low-risk gene variants related to breast cancer.  Bettina Meiser has been involved in the development and evaluation of a range of psycho-educational materials, including decision aids, for use in different settings in the cancer genetic counselling setting and oncology.  All of the decision aids she has developed for people at increased genetic risk for hereditary disorders are being widely disseminated to familial cancer services around Australia.  She is also undertaken extensive research on cultural aspects of cancer genetics.

Abstract:

Purpose: Increasingly, women newly diagnosed with breast cancer are being offered treatment-focused genetic testing (‘TFGT’). As the demand for TFGT increases, streamlined methods of genetic education are needed.

Patients and Methods: In this non-inferiority trial, women aged <50 with either a strong family history (FH+) or other features suggestive of a germline mutation (FH-) were randomized before definitive breast cancer surgery to receive TFGT education either: as brief written materials (intervention group, IG) or during a genetic counseling session at a familial cancer clinic (FCC, usual care group, UCG).  Women completed self-report questionnaires at four time points over 12 months.

Results: 135 women were included in the analysis, all of whom opted for TFGT. Decisional conflict about TFGT choice (primary outcome) was not inferior in the IG compared to the UCG (non-inferiority margin of -10, Mean difference=2.45, 95%CI[-2.87,7.76], p=.36).  Costs per woman counseled in the IG were significantly lower (A$89), compared to the UCG (A$173; t(115)=6.02, p<0.001).

Conclusions: A streamlined model of educating women newly diagnosed with breast cancer about TFGT appears to be a cost-effective way of delivering education, while ensuring that women feel informed and supported in their decision-making, thus freeing resources for other women to access TFGT.  

Running title: Genetic testing for women with breast cancer under 50

Key words: Rapid testing, BRCA1, BRCA2, breast cancer, family history, psychological adjustment, genetic counseling, intervention

Biography:

Ningyan Zhang was a protein biochemist and started my career in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industry working on antibody engineering and drug discovery. After a 15-year research career in the biotechnology industry, I was recruited as a Texas ETF (Emerging Technology Fund) Scholar to join the faculty of the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth) in 2010. My current research programs focus on cancer biology and translational research to bridge novel target discovery to drug discovery. I received my Ph.D. degree postdoctoral training from the University of Kentucky and the University of Wisconsin, respectively. 

Abstract:

EGFL6, a member of the EGF like superfamily, is significantly upregulated in tumor- versus wound or normal endothelial cells. Our recent study and reported by others showed that EGFL6 plays important role in regulation of stem cell division and promoting angiogenesis. Using a series of in vitro and in vivo studies using orthotopic and genetically engineered mouse models, we demonstrated the mechanisms by which EGFL6 stimulates tumor growth and angiogenesis in both ovarian and breast cancer types. Significantly, EGFL6 blockage in vivo did not affect normal wound healing as shown by the existing anti-angiogenesis cancer therapy such as avastin. We have identified a panel of EGFL6 neutralizing monoclonal antibodies and investigated anti-EGFL6 antibody function in tumor inhibition. Results showed that blocking EGFL6 expression inhibited cell migration and invasion in cell culture studies. Targeting EGFL6 using our anti-EGFL6 antibodies also reduced the tumor growth in vivo. The results suggest that EGFL6 is a potential therapeutic target for breast cancer treatment and the anti-EGFL6 antibody presents a novel therapeutic strategy for blocking development of breast cancer metastasis.

Biography:

Ebenezer Chitra completed her Ph.D. from National Institute of Immunology, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, India. She did her post-doctoral fellowship in National Health Research Institutes, Taiwan working on cell signaling in cancer. Currently, she is a faculty in the School of Health Sciences in International Medical University. Her research interest is in cancer biology.

Abstract:

Breast cancer is the most common cancer affecting women; survival depends on early diagnosis and treatment. The common choices of treatment are surgery, radiotherapy, hormonal therapy and chemotherapy. Lactoferricin B (Lfcin B) is a 25-mer natural peptide obtained from milk protein lactoferrin and has demonstrated anti-cancer properties. Tumour was induced in the mammary pad of immunocompromised mice by injecting human breast cancer cells, MDA-MB-231 in the breast pad and allowing to develop into tumors. The establishment of tumor was confirmed by IVIS in vivo imaging system, which detects the GFP fluorescence from the implanted cells. Once the tumors were palpable, they were injected with lactoferricin B peptide intratumorally (3-5 mg/mouse/day) for 3 subsequent days. The mice were sacrificed 15 days post treatment. The harvested tumors injected with peptide showed a remarkable decrease in size and weight compared to tumors injected with vehicle control PBS. Our studies suggest that Lfcin B can be developed as a potential therapy for breast cancer, especially against drug resistant tumour cells.

Biography:

Manal Humaid Al Khanbashi has completed her PhD as join collaboration between Sultan Qaboos University (Oman) and Karolinska Institute (Sweden) and currently working as a “Lecturer” in Higher College of Technology. She developed some interests in the fields of methylation and miRNA expression changes in response to external factors like treatment, diet and physical activities as epigenetics elements in breast cancer. She has some publications in miRNA expression in locally advanced breast cancer in response to chemotherapy treatment. She initiated the “amaware” initiative for public awareness on healthy lifestyle, breast cancer, fitness and healthy diet (through workshops and social media).

Abstract:

Worldwide, breast cancer is the second leading cause of death in females exhibiting a significant global health burden. Piling evidences based on the reversibility nature of the epigenetics effects like physical activity and dietary habits may play a pivotal role in disease manifestation.

Among the most effective intervention that has an effect on cancer is the physical activity in which at moderate levels showed to reduce the risk of death from breast cancer and many other chronic diseases. Studies have showed high and low intensity supervised multimodal intervention exercises reduced cancer patients fatigues, muscular strength and improved patients’ wellbeing. Based on gene methylation expression data of breast cancer patients undergoing randomized clinical trial exercise revealed reduction in gene methylation of tumour suppressor genes in association with overall survival.

Herein, this study will give an overview on the predisposition of such exogenous epigenetic effects of physical activities on the potential reversibility and preventive possibilities of breast cancer.

Biography:

Will be updated soon..

Abstract:

Introduction

Following the release of the ACOSOG Z0011 trial debate exists as to which patients with a positive sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) should proceed to axillary lymph node dissection (ALND). We aim to identify predictors of positive non-sentinel lymph nodes in these patients.

Methods

All patients undergoing a Level I-III ALND for breast cancer between January 2008-December 2016 at the Royal Brisbane & Women’s Hospital were identified through an established database maintained by the Breast & Endocrine Surgery Unit. Ethics approval was obtained to conduct this retrospective review.

Results

A total of 887 patients underwent SLNB for breast cancer during the study period. Of these, 179 (20.2%) progressed to a level I-III ALND. 67 patients had positive non-sentinel axillary nodes representing 37.4% of patients undergoing ALND. Level III nodes were positive in 18% of patients. Lymphovascular invasion was present in 59% of patients with a positive non-sentinel lymph node as opposed to 39% of patients with a negative ALND (p = 0.01). Additionally, Grade 3 tumours accounted for 40% of patients with positive non-sentinel lymph nodes in comparison to 25% of patients who were negative (P = 0.03). T stage, ER status, PR status and HER-2 status did not affect risk of non-sentinel disease

Conclusion

Axillary clearance remains an important therapeutic approach for management of axillary disease in breast cancer. Following a positive sentinel lymph node biopsy patients with lymphovascular invasion and grade 3 tumours should proceed to a Level I-III ALND given their increased risk of non-sentinel lymph node disease.

Biography:

Will be updated soon..

Abstract:

Epigenetic alterations mainly including methylation are post-transcriptional changes that are important in the way of triggering cell tumor genesis. The methylation is progressively documented as a suitable target for the advance cancer therapies because contrary to genetic changes there are reversible. In breast cancer some   DNA methyltransferase inhibitors (DNMTi) has been checked through clinical trials. The present research provides a systematic review over the clinical trial studies in which the DNMTi were recruited for BC therapy alone or in combination with other chemotherapeutics or ionizing radiation. This systematic review run according to the latest version of PRISMA checklist guideline with Prospero code: CRD42017072567.

 A total of thirteen studies recruited in which azacytidine, decitabin and green tea extract has been evaluated. A total of 7312 studies were retrieved which 4399 were duplicated ones. The 2913 remaining ones were earned from; Embase (441), ProQuest (137), Pubmed (1288), Scopus (694), and web of Science (352) central (1). Finally thirteen studies were included in the final analysis and there was high grade of concordance among reviewers (κ=0.9) in selecting the related studies which three of them were retrieved from other paper references. DNMTi can be used as a single agent therapy or in combination with other anticancer agents or treatment plans with high safety and efficacy.

Biography:

Nikhil Garg has completed his MS in the year 2015. He is Gold medalist in his masters degree. He is now persuing super specialization degree, MCh in surgical oncology. He is working in Gujarat Cancer and Research Institute, Ahmedabad, India. It is a premier cancer institute in the country.

Abstract:

Background

Post mastectomy radiotherapy (PMRT) reduces loco-regional recurrence (LRR) and improves overall survival.There is international consensus to recommend PMRT for patients with tumour size more than 5 cm, tumour invasion of the skin, pectoral muscle or chest wall and patients with > 4 positive lymph nodes. However, the role of PMRT for patients with T1 , T2 disease with 1–3 positive LN is still controversial. The side effects of radiotherapy and its associated morbidity have to be considered in the risk benefit ratio, thus difficult to arrive at consensus in early breast cancer.

Methods

101 patients treated between 2012 to 2015 were studied retrospectively, The inclusion criteria for this analysis were:(1) Female patients with unilateral breast cancer and no distant metastasis at initial diagnosis who underwent mastectomy and axillary lymph node dissection; (2) postoperative pathology indicated T1–2 and 1–3 positive axillary lymph nodes (T1–2N1M0) disease, at least 10 lymph nodes removed by axillary dissection; (3) complete surgical resection of the tumor and negative margins; (4) complete estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR) and human epithelial growth factor receptor family 2 (Her2) status; (5) No neoadjuvant chemotherapy was administered before surgery and endocrine therapy was performed based on the hormone receptor status. In order to study the research questions, we formulated hypotheses as follows,1. Radiotherapy does not have any impact on recurrence post mastectomy.2. There is no influence of Peri nodal extension on recurrence. The above hypotheses were tested using chi- square test.

Results

Recurrences were obtained in 9 amongst radiotherapy and without radiotherapy in 16.When chi square was applied ,the value was highly significant.Hence our hypothesis was rejected.

Also in case of PNE with recurrence and radiotherapy,8 had PNE with radiotherapy and recurrence and 27 had no recurrence, p value was 0.013% hence highly significant.

Conclusions

Radiotherapy should be strongly considered in patients with 1-3 nodes post mastectomy as it decreases the chances of recurrence

Biography:

Mufeed J. Ewadh has his expertise in many fields of biochemistry research in his institute dealing with health problem, herbal extraction, alternative medicine .He participated in many international and local conferences and workshops which deal with improvement of biochemical research to increase people awareness about its role .He participated in post doctorate course in Marburg University (Germany) on 2005 ,and he participated in electrophoresis workshop in japan for two weeks as well as in biochemical workshop in Leipzig (Germany) / 2016.His postgraduate supervision deals with many graduate students (M.Sc. and Ph.D.) which focus on publishing more than 140 papers in different local and international journals. His interest in publishing research paper made his institute to nominate him as the best professor for two years (2003),(2009) .He is chief in editor of most famous journal in Iraq (Medical Journal of Babylon ) and he got many rewards during his scientific life.

Abstract:

Breast cancer (BC) is a type of malignancy appeared in breast tissue, occurs in both premenopausal and also in postmenopausal women’s. Glutathione (GSH) is a tripeptide that is found intracellularly in high concentration, being the most abundant low molecular mass thiol  .A total of 80 patient with (BC) divided in two groups, first group (n=40) women with breast cancer without chemotherapy, second group (n= 40 ) women with breast cancer with chemotherapy. The control group (n= 40) apparently healthy women’s matched with patient group. Women with (BC) have a significant lower serum level of (GSH) than those who are not diseased and even than those who received chemotherapy (pË‚ 0.05) So, this lead to a conclusion that; breast cancer women have low level of GSH and increased upon administration of chemotherapy. The objective of this study is to assess GSH status in women’s BC receiving chemotherapy treatment.

Biography:

Jun Luo has devoted himself in the work and research of Ultrasonic Contrast and Interventional Ultrasound after the graduation from The West China College of Medicine of Sichuan University. At present, he is holding the position of Secretary of Ultrasound Department, Standardized training base for Ultrasonic Medical residents, Secretary of Imaging and Nuclear Medicine Teaching and Research section (Ultrasonic Medicine Section) in Medical School Attached UESTC

Abstract:

Sentinel lymph node(SLN) location and biopsy was designed to minimize side effects of axillary dissection with equivalent outcomes. This prospective study is to evaluate the feasibility of periareolar injection of contrast agent SonoVue^TM followed by ultrasound(US) for identification and localization of SLN in breast cancer patients with clinically negative node. From July, 2017 through January, 2018, 130 women were enrolled in the study。SonoVue^TM was injected periareolarly and followed by US to detect enhanced sentinel lymphatic channels(SLCs) and SLNs 1minute later after massage. The patients were randomly divided into two groups to locate the first enhanced SLN: 1) US-guided marker placing; 2) US-guided nano-carbon(N) injection into SLN. Compare the number of SLNs detect by CEUS with blue dye(B) or N mapping, and the coincidence rate of the first SLN located by CEUS with those traced by the B and N. Lymph nodes that were dark, blue, with marker or clinically positive were considered sentinel nodes and to be biopsied。121 of 130 patients with breast cancer patients injected with ultrasound contrast agents had detected a total of 254 enhanced SLNs (range 1-5, 2.1 + 1.05) compared with total of 342 SLNs (range 1-5, 2.83 + 1.10) mapping with B or N. 42 of 45 first SLNs located with marker matched with first SLNs stained with N (42/45,93.33%); 70 of 76 first SLNs using N injecting directly guided by CEUS matched with first SLNs stained with B (70/76,92.1%). In another 9 cases without enhanced SLN, 4 of them didn’t stained with N or B, and 5 were stained. The sensitivity of SLNs detection by CEUS was 96.03% (121/126), and the accuracy of locating the first SLN was 92.56% (112/121).

Biography:

Sourav Taru Saha is a PhD. student working on Breast cancer at the University of the Witwatersrand. The research group’s main focus is the link between Cholesterol and Breast cancer. Till now, his research has shown promising results and in 2018 the concept would be tested in vivo.

Abstract:

Cancer cells have an increased need for cholesterol, which is required for cell membrane integrity. Cholesterol accumulation has been described in various malignancies including breast cancer. Cholesterol has also been known to be the precursor of estrogen and vitamin D, both of which play a key role in the histology of breast cancer. Thus, depleting the cholesterol levels in cancer cells is a proposed innovative strategy to treat cancer. Therefore, novel cholesterol-depleting compounds are currently being investigated. KS-01 is a cyclic amylose oligomer composed of glucose units. It solubilizes the cholesterol and is proven to be toxicologically benign in humans. This led us to hypothesize that it might deplete cholesterol from cancer cells and may prove to be a clinically useful compound. Our work provides preliminary experimental evidences to support this hypothesis.  We identified the potency of KS-01 in vitro against two breast cancer cell lines: MCF-7 (Estrogen positive, ER+), MDA-MB-231(Estrogen negative, ER-) and compared the results against two normal cell lines: MRC-5 (Normal Human Lung Fibroblasts) and HEK-293 (Normal human embryonic kidney cells) using cytotoxic, apoptosis and cholesterol based assays. KS-01 treatment reduced intracellular cholesterol resulting in significant breast cancer cell growth inhibition through apoptosis. The results hold true for both ER+ and ER-. These data suggest that KS-01 can prevent cholesterol accumulation in breast cancer cells and is a promising new anticancer agent.

Biography:

Sumeyya Azam is a Clinical Research Officer in Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital & Research Centre, Pakistan. She received her MBBS and MS (Obstetrics and Gynecology) degrees from Xinjiang Medical University, China in 2012 and 2015, respectively, and awarded with ‘Honorary Credential. She has done ICH GCP trainings by ROCHE/GENENTECH, Singapore and LONDON SCHOOL OF HYGIENE AND TROPICAL MEDICINE and got certified. She is also GDP certified. Currently, she is a part of three international Clinical trials and basic science research studies. She has published various articles and chapters in International reputed journals and eBooks, respectively, and has been serving as an editorial board member of repute. She got her research abstracts published in national and international conferences’ journals. She has been recognized as “Certified Sentinel of Science Award Recipient” by the Publons Board in 2016.

Abstract:

An epidemic outbreak of breast cancer is the most threatening health issue amongst women globally. Various risk factors are known that lead to the development of breast cancer including emerging obesity trends as one of the most established risk factors for breast cancer that has become a global epidemic. Obesity or high BMI is at the crux of the development of breast cancer. Though a leading public health issue, valuable link between obesity and breast cancer has become the subject of expound research. This brief review overviews this critical issue and sheds light on the obesity’s worst impact on the development and progression of breast cancer, which can provide awareness and cognizance regarding the maintenance of healthy body weight. The relevant literature was collected by searching PubMed and Google Scholar. Over the last decade, various epidemiological studies investigated a close association between excess adiposity and development of breast cancer. Obesity, itself is a disorder involving accumulation of excess body fat and thence, increasing the risk of developing neoplastic lesions. The exponential rise in the number of obese women is markedly playing a major role in the increased incidence of breast cancer worldwide especially among post-menopausal women and is an early warning risk for pre-neoplastic lesions. By changing the modifiable lifestyle factors including physical activity and healthy eating with minimal animal fat consumption we can compete with the huge burden of obesity and its impact on incidence and prognosis of breast cancer.

Biography:

Will be updated soon...

Abstract:

The aim of this study was to assessment the effectiveness of cognitive-behavioral therapy with a spiritual approach to women's resilience suffering from breast cancer. This research is a semi-experimental design with pretest-post-test design. The statistical population included all women with breast cancer referring to the Imam Reza clinic in Mashhad in 2017.

Experimental group (n=12) control group (n=12) were chosen by Convenience sampling method, and the experimental group was educated by cognitive-behavioral therapy with a spiritual approach for 10 session which takes 70-minute. The Conver and Davidson resilience Questionnaire was used (2003).

The results showed that cognitive-behavioral therapy with spiritual approach is effective on resilience and its components in women with breast cancer.  

It seems that cognitive-behavioral therapy with a spiritual approach can improve resilience and its components in women with breast cancer.
 

Biography:

Will be updated soon..

Abstract:

   Background:

Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women both in the developed and less developed world. Breast cancer survival rates vary greatly worldwide, ranging from 80% or over in North America, Sweden and Japan to around 60% in middle-income countries and below 40% in low-income countries. The low survival rates in less developed countries can be explained mainly by the lack of early detection programs, resulting in a high proportion of women presenting with late-stage disease, as well as by the lack of adequate diagnosis and treatment facilities. The menace of breast cancer has not spared Pakistan with its incidence reaching up to almost 35,000/100,000. 30.8% of all cancer deaths in Pakistan are due to breast cancer. Given that Pakistan is a low resource setting, we designed a screening program based on examination for the detection of breast cancer.

Methods:

The study was piloted in the rural area of Rehri-goth. Pre-medical volunteer students were trained on breast self-examination. The volunteers went door to door creating awareness in the community regarding the danger signs of breast cancer and the importance of self-examination. All participants who identified any danger sign were called to the outreach centre of AKU for clinical breast examination followed by diagnostic mammography.

Results:

In a 7 days period, 526 houses were reached and 93 women were educated. 18 women were examined by a surgeon in the outreach centre. 2 women were filtered for a diagnostic mammography. The potential participants were taken to Karachi for mammography. One of them had Paget’s disease. The other woman was diagnosed with stage II breast cancer.

Conclusion:

Although mammography has been established as the gold standard for screening breast cancer in the community, yet, in a low resource setting like Pakistan, breast self examination followed by clinical breast examination can serve as a useful tool.