In this study we investigated the prognostic significance of serum matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-1 levels in early-stage breast cancer patients and correlated these levels with various clinicopathologic parameters. MMP-1 levels were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. MMP-1 serum levels in patients (n = 60) were significantly lower than in healthy subjects (n = 20, p < 0.0001). We found significant negative correlation between serum levels of MMP-1 and several negative prognostic factors of breast cancer. Kaplan–Meier analysis showed significantly shorter 5-year survival in patients with lower values of MMP-1 compared to those with high levels of MMP-1 (p = 0.0147). Our results suggest a negative prognostic role of low serum MMP-1.
Management of Ras wild-type colorectal cancer (CRC) patients upon disease progression after the successful use of targeted treatment with anti-EGFR monoclonal antibodies and backbone chemotherapy remains a clinical challenge.Development of treatment resistance with prevalence of preexisting RAS mutated clones, RAS mutation conversion, truncation of extracellular receptor domains as well as HER2 and MET amplification are molecular events that can be difficult to follow without the use of sophisticated laboratory techniques. The clinical hurdle of re-biopsy and tumor heterogeneity can be overcome by the implementation of next-generation sequencing (NGS) to analyze circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) and identify druggable mutations or recovery of RAS-wildness. In this opinion paper, we summarize with critical thinking the clinical approach to be followed after the failure of first-line treatment in Ras wild-type CRC tumors with the use of NGS. Rechallenge with anti-EGFR inhibitors, in case of persistent or recovery of RAS-wildness, and targeted approach of specific mutations (BRAF inhibitors), amplifications (anti-Her2 treatment), or fusion proteins (NTRK inhibitors) can by guided by the use of NGS. The use of NGS platforms for serial analysis of ctDNA is an important step to better understand the molecular landscape of metastatic CRC and guide clinical decisions.NGS should be considered a mainstay in clinical practice for the management of CRC patients and health authorities should consider reimbursing its use in the appropriate clinical settings.
Disease recurrence in patients with the early hormone receptor-positive (HR+), human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-negative (HER2-) breast tumor subtype is particularly challenging to manage due to its complex and very heterogeneous biological nature. Namely, due to primary and secondary resistance, one-quarter of patients with early-stage disease will experience disease recurrence. This variability in the timing of recurrence highlights the need to better identify key biomarkers that could predict therapeutic outcomes and guide personalized treatment strategies for these patients. Mutations in the phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate 3-kinase catalytic subunit alpha (PIK3CA) gene are highly prevalent (30-40%) in HR+/HER2- advanced breast cancer. They lead to activation of the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway, promoting cell growth, and proliferation, and are associated with poor prognosis in advanced breast cancer. Our aim was to examine the association between and impact of PIK3CA mutation status on disease-free survival (DFS) in HR+/HER2- early breast cancer patients.