Breast cancer diagnosis: Imaging techniques and biochemical markers

Abstract

Breast cancer is a complex disease which is found as the second cause of cancer-associated death among women. Accumulating of evidence indicated that various factors (i.e., gentical and envirmental factors) could be associated with initiation and progression of breast cancer. Diagnosis of breast cancer patients in early stages is one of important aspects of breast cancer treatment. Among of various diagnosis platforms, imaging techniques are main diagnosis approaches which could provide valuable data on patients with breast cancer. It has been showed that various imaging techniques such as mammography, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), positron-emission tomography (PET), Computed tomography (CT), and single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) could be used for diagnosis and monitoring patients with breast cancer in various stages. Beside, imaging techniques, utilization of biochemical biomarkers such as proteins, DNAs, mRNAs, and microRNAs could be employed as new diagnosis and therapeutic tools for patients with breast cancer. Here, we summarized various imaging techniques and biochemical biomarkers could be utilized as diagnosis of patients with breast cancer. Moreover, we highlighted microRNAs and exosomes as new diagnosis and therapeutic biomarkers for monitoring patients with breast cancer.

Evaluation of the two polymorphisms rs1801133 in MTHFR and rs10811661 in CDKN2A/B in breast cancer

“…Breast cancer is known as the common cause of cancer‐related mortality and invasive malignancy affecting females worldwide. It was published that the rate of breast cancer incidence and mortality were varied, which might be due to the ethical and geographical reasons . Accordingly, these rates demonstrated at least four‐fold increase in Asian females with highest rates in Americans .…”

Exosomes and cancer: From oncogenic roles to therapeutic applications

“…miRNA‐9 is involved in GBM cells' resistance to temozolomide (TMZ) through regulation of drug efflux transporter, P‐glycoprotein. Therefore, delivery of functional anti‐miRNA‐9 reversed the expression of the multidrug transporter, conferred chemosensitivity, and sensitized the GBM cells to TMZ, as confirmed by increased cell death and caspase activity …”

“…Cancer is one of the important diseases that are associated with various public health problems in the world . Hence, fast and suitable diagnosis platforms are needed . Several studies reported that a variety of approaches such as cell therapy, immunotherapy, gene therapy, and nanotechnology‐based methods could be applied in the treatment of cancer.…”

Cancer stem cells as therapeutic targets of pancreatic cancer

“…Dysregulation of miRNAs is associated with initiation and progression of a wide range of diseases such as diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, cancer, neurodegenerative diseases, infection diseases, and depression . Hence, it seems that these molecules could be introduced as diagnostic, prognostic, and therapeutic biomarkers in different diseases . In this regard, several studies revealed that different miRNAs were related to pancreatic CSCs progression and could be employed as new targets in PC treatment .…”