Breakthrough Clinical Results
A multinational study published in the journal *Cancers* reveals that the MeCo Score, a novel biomarker, quantifies mechanical conditioning in breast cancer. High MeCo scores predict poor survival unless antifibrotic therapy is administered. The study, led by Cleveland Clinic, analyzed patient-matched tumor samples, demonstrating that MeCo scores increase throughout cancer progression. This finding supports the use of antifibrotic therapies and suggests a significant opportunity to improve long-term survival for patients with high-risk breast cancer. The drug-agnostic nature of the MeCo Score makes it a valuable companion diagnostic for various antifibrotic therapies.
Key Highlights
- MeCo Score, a novel biomarker, quantifies mechanical conditioning in breast cancer.
- High MeCo scores predict poor survival unless antifibrotic therapy is used.
- MeCo scores increase throughout cancer progression.
- The study supports the use of antifibrotic therapies for breast cancer.
Incidence and Prevalence
Global Breast Cancer Incidence and Prevalence
Breast cancer stands as the most commonly diagnosed cancer worldwide and represents one of the leading causes of cancer death. According to current data, breast cancer is specifically the most commonly diagnosed cancer and the leading cause of death in women worldwide.
The incidence, pathological features, and clinical outcomes in breast cancer differ by geographical distribution and across racial and ethnic populations, creating a complex global landscape of this disease.
Incidence Rates by Race/Ethnicity
Research analyzing data from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database revealed that the annual incidence rate of all breast cancers was 31.3 per 100,000 people in non-Hispanic White women. This rate serves as a reference point for comparing incidence across different populations.
When comparing racial and ethnic groups: - The incidence rate was higher in non-Hispanic White women compared with Black women (IRR, 1.04; 95% CI, 1.02-1.05; P < .001) - Lower rates were observed in several groups:
-
Asian/Pacific Islander (IRR, 0.90; 95% CI, 0.89-0.92; P < .001)
-
American Indian/Alaskan native (IRR, 0.82; 95% CI, 0.81-0.83; P < .001)
-
Hispanic White women (IRR, 0.79; 95% CI, 0.75-0.83; P < .001)
Molecular Subtypes and Racial Disparities
Significant disparities exist in the incidence of different breast cancer subtypes across racial groups. In Black patients, the incidences of several subtypes were higher than those in non-Hispanic White patients: - HR-positive and ERBB2-positive (IRR, 1.12) - HR-negative and ERBB2-positive (IRR, 1.46) - Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) (IRR, 2.07)
However, the incidence of the HR-positive and ERBB2-negative subtype in Black women was lower (IRR, 0.86) compared to non-Hispanic White women.
Geographic Distribution of Mortality
Geographic clustering of breast cancer mortality has been observed across different regions: - A primary cluster in the Northeast US for both younger (RR = 1.349) and older (RR = 1.283) women in the all-race category - Similar cluster patterns in the North for younger (RR = 1.390) and older (RR = 1.292) white women - The cluster for both younger (RR = 1.337) and older (RR = 1.251) black women was found in the Midwest - Clusters for all other racial groups combined were in the West for both younger (RR = 1.682) and older (RR = 1.542) groups
Clinical Trial Representation
It's worth noting that racial and ethnic diversity in breast cancer clinical trials is lacking, with both Blacks and Hispanics underrepresented. This underrepresentation may impact our understanding of treatment efficacy across different populations.
The data indicates notable disparities in incidences and proportions of different molecular subtypes, histological grades, pathological patterns, T stages, TNM stages, and tumor sites associated with race/ethnicity, highlighting the complex interplay between genetic, environmental, and socioeconomic factors in breast cancer epidemiology.
Emerging Mechanism of Action
Emerging Mechanisms of Action for Breast Cancer Treatment
Based on the provided context, there is insufficient information available about emerging Mechanisms of Action (MoA) for breast cancer treatment over the past 3 years. The context indicates that while there is information about various aspects of breast cancer including diagnosis delays, screening methods, treatment outcomes, and specific studies, it does not contain specific data about emerging mechanisms of action for breast cancer treatments in recent publications.
Drug used in other indications
Antifibrotic Therapy Clinical Trials
Based on the available information, there is no data regarding antifibrotic therapy being trialed for breast cancer or any other indications. The provided context does not contain any information about:
- Clinical trials for antifibrotic therapy in pulmonary fibrosis, hepatic fibrosis, renal fibrosis, or other fibrotic pathologies
- Intervention models, dosing regimens, or treatment protocols for antifibrotic therapy trials
- Any connection between antifibrotic treatments and breast cancer or other conditions
The context indicates that the available information primarily discusses breast cancer, ovarian cancer, and other reproductive cancers, along with hormone replacement therapy, genetic polymorphisms, and growth factor receptors related to these cancers, but contains no specific information about antifibrotic therapy or its applications.