Special Issues
Table of Content

Breast Cancer Biomarkers and Drug Targets Discoveries Towards a More Personalized Treatment Setting

Submission Deadline: 30 June 2025 (closed) View: 1563 Submit to Journal

Guest Editors

Dr. Sirin A. Adham

Email: sadham@squ.edu.om

Affiliation: Department of Biology, College of Science, Sultan Qaboos University, P.C. 123, P.O. Box 36, Muscat, Oman.

Homepage:

Research Interests: breast cancer, integrin beta 3, chemoresistance, adriamycin, cyclophosphamide


Prof. Dr. Myron Szewczuk

Email: szewczuk@queensu.ca

Affiliation: Department of Biomedical and Molecular Sciences, Queen's University, Kingston, ON K7L 3N6, Canada.

Homepage: URL: https://dbms.queensu.ca/faculty/myron-r-szewczuk


Summary

Despite the advanced therapeutics and enhanced overall survival of breast cancer patients, the mortality rate due to the disease has been increasing over the past few years. Breast cancer tumor genetics and epigenetics research is growing due to advanced genomics and spatial biology technologies and tools. The tumor's genetic/epigenetic makeup cannot only reflect the subtype of breast cancer but also can be correlated to the overall status of the patient's characteristics and lifestyle and any other disease or risk factor. With bioinformatics and big data repositories, we have found specific gene mutations that can correlate with the patients' older or younger age, such as the famous p53 mutation and PIK3CA mutations. Therefore, molecular pathology is having a big impact on the way cancer is diagnosed and treated. Traditionally, hormone receptor biomarkers ER, PR, and HER-2 were the first to be used in any pathology testing; however, more biomarkers for breast cancer were validated using laboratory studies; some got into clinical use; a successful example is the drug Alpelisib small molecule inhibitor that targets the PIK3CA-mutated breast cancer. Olaparib is another drug that was developed to treat patients with metastatic HER2- and BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutated breast cancer tumors. Pembrolizumab is a type of immunotherapy, an anti-programmed death receptor ligand 1 (PD-1) monoclonal antibody; PD1/PDL1 inhibitors were used in the treatment of triple-negative breast cancer TNBC and showed better survival and response to chemotherapy. This issue will focus on all the up-to-date studies that show advanced research using the newest genetic and epigenetic biomarkers to advance the choice of breast cancer drug targets. The issue will open to original research articles and reviews involving translational and clinical cancer research around but not limited to the following topics: 

Aberrant Sialic Acid Expression and Its Role In Regulating Metastasis in Breast Cancer

Epigenetic Biomarkers Regulating Metastasis in Breast Cancer

Contemporaneous Perioperative Inflammatory and Angiogenic Cytokine Profiles of Surgical Breast Cancer Patients: Clinical Implications. 


Keywords

Breast Cancer, Biomarker, targeted therapy, chemotherapy resistance, OMICS

Published Papers


  • Open Access

    ARTICLE

    Isoliquiritigenin Inhibits Triple-Negative Breast Cancer Progression via Targeting the IRF5/SLC7A5/IDO1-Mediated Tryptophan Metabolism Pathway

    Sihai Duan, Xiaoyan Li, Cailu Song, Song Wu, Yunyun Tang, Qing Bao, Na Li, Hailin Tang
    Oncology Research, Vol.33, No.11, pp. 3543-3556, 2025, DOI:10.32604/or.2025.068292
    (This article belongs to the Special Issue: Breast Cancer Biomarkers and Drug Targets Discoveries Towards a More Personalized Treatment Setting)
    Abstract Objectives: Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is the breast cancer subtype with the poorest prognosis. This study aimed to elucidate the molecular pathways through which isoliquiritigenin (ISL), a natural chalcone compound derived from licorice and other plant roots, targets interferon regulatory factor 5 (IRF5) in TNBC. Methods: TNBC cell lines were cultured and subjected to IRF5 knockdown using short hairpin RNA. Cell proliferation was assessed by cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) assay and colony formation assays. Western blotting and quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) were employed to measure expression levels of IRF5, solute carrier family… More >

  • Open Access

    REVIEW

    Nanotechnology-Driven Treatment Strategies for Breast Cancer: Recent Advances and Innovations

    Neha Raina, Radha Rani, Mahika Kanojia, Avril Mathias, Keshav Raj Paudel, Ashish Garg, Hardeep Singh Tuli, A. T. M. Mijanur Rahman, Vetriselvan Subramaniyan, Madhu Gupta
    Oncology Research, Vol.33, No.10, pp. 2787-2831, 2025, DOI:10.32604/or.2025.066624
    (This article belongs to the Special Issue: Breast Cancer Biomarkers and Drug Targets Discoveries Towards a More Personalized Treatment Setting)
    Abstract Breast cancer is among the most prevalent cancers in females globally and has the highest mortality rate. The emergence of pharmacologic resistance in breast cancer is a significant challenge for researchers in the pursuit of effective treatment. Investigations in cancer nanotechnology have been transformed by the advancement of smart polymers, lipids, and inorganic materials. Research is now being conducted in the field of innovative nano-pharmaceutical formulations aimed at enhancing the efficacy and durability of chemotherapy. Nanotechnology-based delivery systems are beneficial for combating breast cancer due to theranostic applications, augmented drug encapsulation, decreased degradation, and minimal… More >

  • Open Access

    ARTICLE

    Disitamab Vedotin in HER2-Positive and HER2-Low Breast Cancer: A Multicenter Retrospective Analysis

    Xizhou Zhang, Zetao Zhang, Jianguang Lin, Jiarong Yi, Xuxiazi Zou, Jikun Feng, Guangsheng Huang, Bingfeng Chen, Junxi Long, Fengjia Wu, Feng Ye, Haoming Wu
    Oncology Research, Vol.33, No.9, pp. 2529-2547, 2025, DOI:10.32604/or.2025.065029
    (This article belongs to the Special Issue: Breast Cancer Biomarkers and Drug Targets Discoveries Towards a More Personalized Treatment Setting)
    Abstract Background: Breast cancer remains a leading cause of morbidity and mortality among women worldwide, with significant geographic disparities in its impact. While human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-targeted therapies, such as trastuzumab, have improved outcomes for HER2-positive breast cancer, challenges like therapy resistance persist, highlighting the need for novel treatments. Recent developments in antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs), particularly disitamab vedotin (RC48), show promising efficacy in targeting both HER2-positive and HER2-low expression tumors, warranting further investigation through real-world studies to assess its broader clinical applicability. Method: This retrospective, multicenter observational study evaluated the real-world efficacy and… More >

  • Open Access

    ARTICLE

    MRPL18 Promotes Breast Cancer Progression: Connecting Mitochondrial Ribosomal Protein to Immune Response

    Hailong Li, Wen Ouyang, Yiyin Long, Yun Peng, Ziyi Liu, Qi Zhou, Rong Xu, Wei Du
    Oncology Research, Vol.33, No.9, pp. 2549-2571, 2025, DOI:10.32604/or.2025.065050
    (This article belongs to the Special Issue: Breast Cancer Biomarkers and Drug Targets Discoveries Towards a More Personalized Treatment Setting)
    Abstract Background: The study aimed to explore the clinical value of mitochondrial ribosomal protein L18 (MRPL18) in breast cancer. Methods: Multiple databases were used to validate the expression of MRPL18. The prognostic impact and predictive value of MRPL18 were evaluated by using predictive models. Protein-protein interaction (PPI) networks were constructed by using GeneMANIA. Enrichment analysis is used to explore the signaling pathway regulated by MRPL18. Cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) assays, colony formation, migration assays, flow cytometry, and xenograft models were employed to evaluate the role of MRPL18 in tumor progression. The immune response of MRPL18 was More >

  • Open Access

    ARTICLE

    Identification of Molecular Subtypes and Prognostic Features for Triple-Negative Breast Cancer Based on Golgi Apparatus-Related Gene Signature

    Zhun Yu, Jie Wang, Guoping Xu
    Oncology Research, Vol.33, No.8, pp. 2013-2035, 2025, DOI:10.32604/or.2025.061757
    (This article belongs to the Special Issue: Breast Cancer Biomarkers and Drug Targets Discoveries Towards a More Personalized Treatment Setting)
    Abstract Objectives: Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) presents a major treatment challenge due to its aggressive behavior. The dysfunction of the Golgi apparatus (GA) contributes to the development of various cancers. This study aimed to utilize GA-related genes (GARGs) to forecast the prognosis and immune profile of TNBC. Methods: The data were downloaded from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database, including 175 TNBC and 99 healthy samples. The differentially expressed GARGs (DEGARGs) were analyzed using the TCGA biolinks package. The patients with TNBC were classified into two clusters utilizing the ConsensusClusterPlus package according to prognosis-related DEGARGs, followed by… More >

  • Open Access

    REVIEW

    Clinically proven natural products against breast cancer, with mechanistic insights

    MD. MAHMUDUL HASAN, SHAH MD. WASIN, MISHU RAHMAN, EVA AZME, MD. SAQLINE MOSTAQ, MD. MAHEDI HASAN NAHID, NOR MOHAMMAD, FARJANA AFRIN TANJUM, MD. ANAMUL HAQUE, MD ASHIQ MAHMUD, MOHAMMAD NURUL AMIN
    Oncology Research, Vol.33, No.7, pp. 1611-1632, 2025, DOI:10.32604/or.2025.062778
    (This article belongs to the Special Issue: Breast Cancer Biomarkers and Drug Targets Discoveries Towards a More Personalized Treatment Setting)
    Abstract Background: Breast cancer still stands to be the foremost contributor to cancer-related incidence and mortality in women globally accounting for about 14% of all female cancer-related deaths worldwide. This research seeks to illustrate the mechanisms and clinical findings of natural products against breast cancer treatment. Methodology: Required data for this review article was retrieved employing several readily obtainable search databases, including Web of Science® (Thomson Reuters, USA), PubMed® (U.S. National Library of Medicine, USA), and SciVerse Scopus® (Elsevier Properties S.A., USA), taking into consideration certain search terms like “breast cancer,” “natural products against breast cancer,” and “Clinically… More >

    Graphic Abstract

    Clinically proven natural products against breast cancer, with mechanistic insights

  • Open Access

    ARTICLE

    Tumor-expressing PD-L1 regulates NT5E expression through MAPK/ERK pathway in triple-negative breast cancer

    CHENG CHENG, CHAO SHI, SHANG WU, WEIXING WU, JINGPING LI, SINUO GAO, MENG HAN, YIMIN WANG, XIANGMEI ZHANG, YUNJIANG LIU
    Oncology Research, Vol.33, No.7, pp. 1633-1648, 2025, DOI:10.32604/or.2025.061637
    (This article belongs to the Special Issue: Breast Cancer Biomarkers and Drug Targets Discoveries Towards a More Personalized Treatment Setting)
    Abstract Objectives: While programmed cell death 1 (PD-1) inhibitors have improved cancer treatment, the function and mechanisms of programmed cell death ligand 1 (PD-L1), particularly when expressed by cancer cells, remain unclear. This study aims to explore the role of PD-L1 within breast cancer cells and identify key targets for future immunotherapy. Methods: RNA-seq was performed on breast cancer cells with silenced PD-L1 to screen for differentially expressed genes, followed by bioinformatics analysis. Clinical specimens from breast cancer patients undergoing primary surgery without preoperative treatment were collected, along with in vitro analysis to validate the potential mechanism. Results:More >

  • Open Access

    ARTICLE

    OTUB2 promotes proliferation and metastasis of triple-negative breast cancer by deubiquitinating TRAF6

    YU QIU, RUIHAN LIU, SHANSHAN HUANG, QIAOTING CAI, YI XIE, ZHITING HE, WEIGE TAN, XINHUA XIE
    Oncology Research, Vol.33, No.5, pp. 1135-1147, 2025, DOI:10.32604/or.2025.062767
    (This article belongs to the Special Issue: Breast Cancer Biomarkers and Drug Targets Discoveries Towards a More Personalized Treatment Setting)
    Abstract Objectives: Deubiquitinase OTUB2 plays a critical role in the progression of various tumors. However, its specific role in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) remains unclear. This study aims to elucidate the biological function of OTUB2 in TNBC and uncover the underlying mechanisms. Methods: First, we found that the expression of OTUB2 was upregulated in TNBC by bioinformatics analysis, we then validated its expression in TNBC tissues and cells using immunohistochemistry (IHC) and qPCR and plotted the survival curves by Kaplan-Meier method. Gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) suggested that OTUB2 may be involved in tumor proliferation and metastasis.… More >

    Graphic Abstract

    OTUB2 promotes proliferation and metastasis of triple-negative breast cancer by deubiquitinating TRAF6

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