Publications by authors named "Constantine Dimitrakakis"

Cyclin-dependent kinase 4/6 inhibitors have transformed hormone receptor (HR)-positive, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-negative metastatic breast cancer (BC) therapeutics. Ribociclib has been associated with survival gain, yet its potential cardiovascular toxicities (CVTs) remain an area of uncertainty. Our single-center study prospectively recruited adult patients in order to assess treatment-related CVT incidence and spectrum as well as decipher proteins' differential expression in affected patients by data-independent acquisition liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (DIA LC-MS/MS).

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Autologous fat grafting (AFT) has become a widely used technique in breast reconstruction, offering natural aesthetics, tissue integration, and patient satisfaction. However, its clinical outcomes require comparison with implant-based reconstruction (IBR), the most common method in clinical practice. While AFT provides a more natural appearance and avoids foreign body-related complications, issues such as fat resorption, procedural variability, and oncological concerns necessitate further investigation.

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Background/aim: Pregnancy-associated breast cancer (PABC) is one of the most frequently diagnosed pregnancy-related malignancies, characterized by a notably rising incidence. Data remain scarce in the literature regarding the molecular nature and pathophysiology of PABC. Proteomic analyses are known to reflect cellular functions more accurately when compared to genomic or transcriptomic studies.

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Background: Autologous fat transplantation to the breast, a minimal invasive technique, has significantly expanded in aesthetic and reconstructive surgery over the past two decades. Initially used for lumpectomy defects or correcting contour deformities post-breast reconstruction, it is now also performed as a stand-alone technique for primary breast augmentation or as a complementary method to implant-based augmentation. However, this surgical technique is associated with a high absorption rate.

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Article Synopsis
  • Genetic testing for inherited breast cancer pathogenic variants (PVs) assists in making informed treatment decisions for patients.
  • The study involved 146 women tested for genetic variants through a comprehensive 94-cancer gene panel, revealing 17 PVs and 4 variants of unknown significance, highlighting an 11.6% prevalence rate.
  • Findings reinforce the importance of genetic testing in clinical management, which could improve counseling and treatment strategies for patients and their families.
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Cyclin-dependent kinase 4 and 6 (CDK4/6) inhibitors have unprecedentedly advanced hormone-dependent breast cancer treatment paradigm. In the metastatic setting, ribociclib has consistently demonstrated survival benefit in pre-, peri-, and postmenopausal patients, conjugating efficacy with health-related quality of life preservation. Accordingly, the emergence of cardiac and/or vascular adverse events related to this novel targeted agent is gaining significant interest.

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Breast cancer and cardiovascular diseases (CVD) represent significant global health challenges, with CVD being the leading cause of mortality and breast cancer, showing a complex pattern of incidence and mortality. We explore the intricate interplay between these two seemingly distinct medical conditions, shedding light on their shared risk factors and potential pathophysiological connections. A specific connection between hypertension (HTN), atrial fibrillation (AF), myocardial infarction (MI), and breast cancer was evaluated.

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Introduction: Breast cancer affects almost 1.5 million women worldwide below the age of 45 years each year. Many of these women will be advised to undergo adjuvant chemotherapy to minimize the risk of death or recurrence of the tumor.

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Higher mammographic breast density in premenopausal and postmenopausal women is related to a higher breast cancer risk. In this review, we analyze the correlation between estrogen, progesterone, and mammographic density in postmenopausal women and clarify whether these findings are consistent across different types of mammographic breast density. We extracted data concerning mammographic density increases in the populations treated with estrogen-only hormone replacement therapy and those treated with estrogen and progestin hormone replacement therapy.

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Li-Fraumeni syndrome (LFS) is an autosomal dominant hereditary cancer syndrome associated with germline pathogenic variants in the tumor protein p53 () gene and elevated risk of a broad range of early-onset malignancies. Patients with LFS are at risk of a second and third primary tumor. A 15-month-old girl consulted for clitoromegaly and pubic hair.

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Metaplastic carcinoma of the breast (MpBC) is a very rare and aggressive type of breast cancer. Data focusing on MpBC are limited. The aim of this study was to describe the clinicopathological features of MpBC and evaluate the prognosis of patients with MpBC.

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Calpains belong to a family of important calcium-dependent cysteine proteases. They are involved in intracellular processes including cytoskeleton disorganization and substrate proteolysis. They also enhance apoptosis and cell to cell adhesion.

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DNA mismatch repair system (MMR) is considered a leading genetic mechanism in stabilizing DNA structure and maintaining its function. DNA MMR is a highly conserved system in bacteria, prokaryotic, and eukaryotic cells, and provides the highest protection to DNA by repairing micro-structural alterations. DNA MMR proteins are involved in the detection and repair of intra-nucleotide base-to-base errors inside the complementary DNA strand recognizing the recently synthesized strand from the parental template.

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Leiomyomas are the most common benign smooth muscle tumors of the female genital tract. Among the recognized histologic variants, one of the least common is plexiform leiomyoma. When they are small, even microscopic findings, they are referred to as plexiform tumorlets.

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Background/aim: Utilizing an experimental animal model, we investigated the correlation between aromatase inhibitors (AIs) (anastrozole and letrozole) and Calprotectin levels. AIs have demonstrated superior efficacy when used as adjuvant endocrine therapy or monotherapy for postmenopausal patients with hormone receptor (HR)-positive early-stage breast cancer, although various side effects have been recorded.

Materials And Methods: Fifty-five adult female Wistar rats were randomized and assigned into four groups.

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Breast adenocarcinoma is a leading cause of death in females worldwide. A broad spectrum of genetic and epigenetic alterations has been already identified and reported in millions of examined cancerous substrates, evidence of a high-level genomic heterogeneity that characterizes these malignancies. Concerning epigenetic changes and imbalances that critically affect progression and prognosis in the corresponding patients, DNA methylation, histone modifications (acetylation), micro-RNAs (miRs) alterations and chromatin re-organization represent the main mechanisms.

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Papillomatosis and recurrent duct ectasia could be treated with terminal lactiferous ducts excision. In this study we describe a modified miniinvasive procedure of terminal lactiferous ducts excision with a perinipple approach to the lower or upper half of the nipple. This technique avoids the much more extensive periareolar incision and has excellent aesthetic results.

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The objective of the present systematic review was the determination of methodologies preferable for treating phyllodes tumors (PTs) of the breast and whether the malignancy of the tumor is of significance to the selected treatment. In addition, to investigate if local recurrence (LR) within patients is different based on the therapeutic approach followed by the physician. All studies were gathered by utilization of the biggest online medical databases in the world including PubMed, Cochrane, Embase, Web of Science and Google Scholar.

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Background: Breast cancer remains the most common cancer in women and a leading cause of death. Elderly people have a higher incidence of breast cancer since it increases with age. Furthermore, the extended life expectancy and advances in imaging techniques have led to an increased number of cases.

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Background/aim: Soy contains genistein and daidzein isoflavones. Isoflavones are phytoestrogens, with a similarity in structure to human 17-β estradiol hormone. They imitate the action of estrogen on organs by binding and activating estrogen receptors.

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Background: Galectin-3 is part of a protein group called lectins and acts as a multifunctional glycoprotein due to its expression location. Galectin-3 is expressed by different human tissues. It plays a significant role in carcinogenesis and the selection of tumor-related physiological and pathological activities.

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Background: Pregnancy-associated breast cancer (PABC) defined as breast cancer diagnosed during gestation, lactation or within 1 year after delivery, represents a truly challenging situation with significantly increasing incidence rate. The genomic background of PABC has only recently been addressed while the underlying mechanisms of the disease still remain unknown. This analysis aims to further elucidate the frequency of PABC cases attributable to genetic predisposition and identify specific cancer susceptibility genes characterizing PABC.

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Breast cancer is the most commonly occurring cancer in women, with invasive lobular carcinoma being the second most common histologic form. A 78-year-old female patient presented complaining of an enlarged palpable lymph node in the left axilla. Breast ultrasound, digital mammography, and contrast-enhanced spectral mammography (CESM) revealed no abnormal findings.

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Background: Testosterone implants have been used for over eighty years to treat symptoms of hormone deficiency in pre and postmenopausal women. Evidence supports that androgens are breast protective. However, there is a lack of data on the long-term effect of testosterone therapy on the incidence of invasive breast cancer (IBC).

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Purpose: Multiple lines of evidence have suggested a likely causative role in breast/ovarian cancer (BrCa/OvCa) predisposition for the BRCA1 p.(Val1833Met) variant, predominantly found among Greek patients. Our aim was to study the variant's prevalence and founder effect on the Greek population, while providing additional data for its pathogenicity.

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