Christina Teresa Seifert

Introduction: The number of young breast cancer (BC) patients is increasing in both high- and low-income countries. It is known that this population is at risk for more aggressive tumor phenotypes, larger tumor size at diagnosis and poorer prognosis. It is the aim of this population-based analysis to identify trends of therapy, tumor biology and prognosis during a period of 11 years in young patients under the age of 40. Methods: In this analysis, data of young BC patients (< 40 years) from two breast centers were collected and analysed. The focus was a summary of data regarding tumor phenotypes, treatment, and survival in young BC patients. Results: Out of 11,954 patients with invasive BC who were eligible to the analysis, 781 (6.5%) were younger than 40 years at diagnosis and met the inclusion criteria. The predominant biological subtypes were Luminal B-like (HER2−) and Luminal-A-like, 62.3% were diagnosed with pN0. Noticeably low rates for endocrine therapy and higher rates for chemotherapy could be observed. 10-year overall survival was 87% for the whole cohort. Luminal-B-like (HER2−) and Triple negative tumors had worse outcomes as opposed to the other subtypes. Conclusion: As a conclusion, this 11-year analysis provides valuable insights into the clinical characteristics and treatment outcomes of young breast cancer patients under 40 years of age. The analysis highlights clear outcome differences according to the tumor subtype. These findings underscore the need for personalized treatment approaches and continued follow-up to optimize outcomes for young BC patients.

Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is a common condition during pregnancy. The prevalence of GDM is continuously increasing worldwide. Due to accessible diagnostic methods and a clear understanding of risk factors, GDM can be effectively diagnosed and managed. Galectins may influence immunomodulatory and inflammatory processes. This study examines the expression of galectin-7 in the placentas of women with gestational diabetes (GDM), compares it to its expression in healthy pregnancies, and evaluates the associated clinical outcomes. The placentas of 40 healthy women and 40 GDM placentas were included in the cohort. The expression level of galecin-7 was measured in the syncytiotrophoblast (SCT) and in the decidua of the placenta by immunohistochemistry and double immunofluorescence staining. The evaluation was performed by an immunoreactivity score (IRS). The study results show an increased expression of galectin-7 in the SCT and the decidua of GDM placentas as compared to the placentas of the control group. Elevated levels of galectin-7 were observed in both the nucleus and the cytoplasm. This study investigated the hypothesis that galectins are involved in pathophysiological processes of gestational diabetes. Statistical analysis of gene expression patterns confirmed that galectin-7 is indeed upregulated in GDM placentas. Further studies are needed to show the correlation of galectin-7 and the development and maintenance of gestational diabetes mellitus.