The introduction of generic medications attenuated the decline in adherence to AIs over three years of treatment among breast cancer survivors not receiving low-income subsidies for Medicare D coverage.

In MCF-7L cells, insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) stimulates activation of insulin receptor substrate-1 (IRS-1) and enhances cell proliferation. While others have shown that IGF-I enhances cell motility in MCF-7 cells, we have not been able to demonstrate this. To determine if the source of MCF-7 cells account for these reported differences, we examined the MCF-7 cells available from the American Type Culture Collection (MCF-7/ATCC) and compared them to the MCF-7L cells maintained in our laboratory. Both MCF-7L and MCF-7/ATCC grew in response to 5 nM IGF-I and 1 nM estradiol. However, only MCF-7/ATCC demonstrated IGF-I stimulated motility. Immunoprecipitation of IRS substrates followed by anti-phosphotyrosine blotting demonstrated that both IRS-1 and IRS-2 were activated by IGF-I in these cells. However, MCF-7/ATCC cells had greater phosphorylation of IRS-2 compared to MCF-7L. Immunoblots showed that levels of IRS-1 and IRS-2 were comparable between cell lines. We have previously shown that fibronectin-binding integrins are necessary for IGF-stimulated motility. Similar levels of beta1 integrin were detected in both strains of MCF-7. However, low levels of alpha5 and alpha3 were detected in MCF-7L cells whereas high levels of alpha3 and alpha5 integrin were expressed in MCF-7/ATCC cells. Inhibition of integrin function by a blocking antibody or inhibitory peptide diminished IGF-mediated motility in MCF-7/ATCC. In MCF-7/ATCC cells, IGF-I stimulation was associated with a movement of IRS-2 to the leading edge of filopodia. Thus, patterns of integrin expression among breast cancer cell lines may partially explain the different motility behavior of cells in response to IGF-I. IRS-2 activation and integrin occupancy are both required for IGF-stimulated motility.

Purpose: Theoretically, the estrogen deprivation induced by aromatase inhibitors (AIs) might cause ischemic heart disease, but empiric studies have shown mixed results. We aimed to compare AIs and tamoxifen with regard to cardiovascular events among older breast cancer patients outside of clinical trials. Patients and Methods: We identified women age ≥ 67 years diagnosed with breast cancer from 6/30/2006 to 6/01/2008 in the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER)-Medicare database, treated with either tamoxifen or an AI, and followed through 12/31/2012. To compare myocardial infarction (MI) risk for the treatment groups of AIs vs. tamoxifen, we developed and assigned stabilized probability of treatment weights and used the Fine and Gray model for time to MI with death not related to MI as a competing risk. Results: Of the cohort of 5,648 women, 4,690 were treated with AIs and 958 with tamoxifen; a total of 251 patients developed MI, and 22 patients died of MI during the study period while 476 died of other causes. The hazard for MI was not significantly different between AI vs. Tamoxifen groups (HR=1.01, 95% C.I. 0.72–1.42), after adjusting for the following known MI risk factors at the start of adjuvant therapy: diabetes, ischemic heart disease, congestive heart failure, MI, and peripheral vascular disease. Conclusions: In this SEER-Medicare based population study, there were no significant differences in the risk of MI between AI and tamoxifen users after adjustment for known risk factors.

Rising trends in the incidence of cancer in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) add to the existing challenges with communicable and noncommunicable diseases. While breast and colorectal cancer incidence rates are increasing in LMICs, the incidence of cervical cancer shows a mixed trend, with rising incidence rates in China and sub-Saharan Africa and declining trends in the Indian subcontinent and South America. The increasing frequencies of unhealthy lifestyles, notably less physical activity, obesity, tobacco use, and alcohol consumption are causing a threat to health care in LMICs. Also, poorly developed health systems tend to have inadequate resources to implement early detection and adequate basic treatment. Inequalities in social determinants of health, lack of awareness of cancer and preventive care, lack of efficient referral pathways and patient navigation, and nonexistent or inadequate health care funding can lead to advanced disease presentation at diagnosis. This article provides an overview of opportunities to address cancer control in LMICs, with a focus on tobacco control, vaccination for cervical cancer, novel tools to assist with early detection, and screening for breast and other cancers.

We describe a case of Staphylococcus lugdunensis pulmonary valve endocarditis in a 65-year-old woman on chronic hemodialysis and provide a review of previously reported cases. The patient presented with fever and altered mental status, but had no other localizing symptoms or signs; coagulase-negative staphylococcus (subsequently identified as S. lugdunensis) was isolated from two sets of blood cultures. Transthoracic and transesophageal echocardiograms showed a large (2.3 × 3.1 cm) vegetation on the pulmonary valve with moderate valvular insufficiency. The patient was treated with 6 weeks of antibiotic therapy and is stable 4 months following the completion of therapy; no surgical intervention was performed. Of the 28 previously reported cases of S. lugdunensis endocarditis, only 1 had previously survived with medical therapy alone. This is the 3rd case report of S. lugdunensis endocarditis in a patient on hemodialysis; the presumed portal of entry in this and previously reported cases was the vascular access device. Endocarditis due to this organism is characterized by a high mortality, rapid tissue destruction, and a predilection for native valves. Because the clinical outcome is much more favorable with valvular replacement, speciation of the organism assumes great importance in defining the therapeutic approach.

Use of aromatase inhibitors by older women is associated with high risk for nonvertebral fracture that is increased compared with use of tamoxifen. Fracture risk should be assessed among patients taking these medications.

Background: Breast cancer is the most common solid tumor to cause cutaneous metastases. These are incurable and the treatment goal is geared toward local control with surgical excision, radiation, and chemotherapy. However, treatment can be challenging in subjects with end-stage liver disease and a multidisciplinary approach is warranted. Case Report: In this case report, we present a 61-year-old female with primary biliary cirrhosis and human epidermal growth factor-2 (HER-2)-positive breast cancer, who subsequently developed cutaneous metastases. We briefly describe the treatment challenges due to underlying end-stage liver disease, and an exceptional response to trastuzumab and nab-paclitaxel. Conclusion: A multidisciplinary approach to local control and attenuated doses of nab-paclitaxel and trastuzumab suggest a durable response to HER-2-positive breast cancer with cutaneous metastasis. Subjects with end-stage liver disease pose unique challenges and toxicities, warranting additional research and drug development for less hepatotoxic antineoplastic agents.

Community-academic partnerships are vital to address cancer disparities in geographic areas with diverse socioeconomic, language, and cultural barriers. Regarding breast health, immigrant and refugee women are a particularly vulnerable population, with considerably lower mammography rates than most communities, including racial and ethnic minorities. To promote health care equity in this high-risk population, we developed a community-academic partnership (CAP) model to promote breast health education at community faith-based centers in the city of Milwaukee, WI. In this paper, we describe the success of our partnerships, our lessons learned, and future directions.