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Epigenomics is the study of the gene expression changes due to epigenetic processes and not due to the deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) base sequence alterations. The key mechanisms of epigenetic regulation include DNA methylation, histone modifications, and noncoding RNAs. Epigenetic alterations in cancer are predominantly linked with hypermethylation of promoters of the tumor suppressor genes, global DNA hypomethylation, and increased expression of histone deacetylases (HDAC). There is a growing need to investigate epigenetic patterns and to provide safe and effective, innovative therapeutic strategies for oncology patients, who did not improve on traditional anticancer regimens. The epi-drugs (e.g., DNA methyltransferase inhibitors, e.g., azacitidine and decitabine and HDAC inhibitors, e.g., vorinostat and romidepsin) have been approved for the clinical use. In this paper, we provide a brief overview of the mechanisms of action and targets for novel epi-drugs, focusing on their potential clinical applications in patients with solid tumors, resistant to standard oncology treatments.

Obesity is widely regarded as a shared, modifiable risk factor of both breast cancer (BC) and cardiovascular disease (CVD). Human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-positive BC displays very aggressive behavior, and can be effectively treated with targeted therapies and chemotherapy regimens, though such treatments can induce cardiotoxicity. While the main research efforts are appropriately focused on the management of BC and heart failure (HF), obesity and its metabolic consequences, which are often linked with both these conditions, often remain unaddressed.This book combines a very practical approach, grounded in medical research, to these interconnected medical problems, in order to bridge the gap between current guidelines and clinical practice. It will serve to educate medical team members, such as oncologists, cardiologists, primary care physicians, and nurses, on cardioprotection, and moderate weight reduction. It highlights a need for the balanced integration of modern treatments of BC and HF, with healthy nutrition, regular physical activity, and helpful strategies to cope with chronic stress. In addition, the book represents a supportive resource for BC patients or survivors, who wish to be actively engaged in their long-term therapy journey.

This comprehensive reference is a timely exploration of two vital aspects of triple-negative breast cancer. The volume offers a holistic perspective and empowering patients to navigate the challenges of triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) with knowledge and confidence. Understanding Ethnic Disparities and Targeted Therapies: This section provides a critical overview of the ethnic disparities and the latest targeted therapies available for patients facing advanced or metastatic triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). Empowering Patients and Enhancing Communication: This section dives into the essential role of patient education, empowerment, effective communication with medical teams, and psychological or supportive approaches, providing invaluable insights into managing advanced or metastatic breast cancer (BC). Key Features: Introduces a groundbreaking perspective on the TNBC journey, encouraging patients to view their battle with the disease as an opportunity to leverage modern pharmacological advancements and psychological support for improved outcomes. Bridges the gap between clinical or research-related aspects of BC management and the personal needs and expectations of patients, promoting a more holistic approach. Invites perspectives from a wide range of medical professionals, from oncologists and cardiologists to psychologists and nurses, to engage in open dialogues with patients, offering practical education and crucial support. Provides a wealth of helpful resources (including an appendix) for both patients and their medical caregivers, fostering a comprehensive and supportive approach to managing TNBC. This book is an informative resource for medical professionals, researchers, and patients, who want to understand the complexities of triple-negative breast cancer and apply current knowledge in their clinical and caregiving practice.

Cardiotoxicity of various anticancer therapies, including radiotherapy (RT), can lead to cardiovascular (CV) complications, and their severity depends on many factors, including the site of action, the applied dose, the method of administration, the presence of pre-existing CV diseases, or CV risk factors, the individual patient characteristics, and the current or previous use of antineoplastic therapies. Cardiotoxicity can occur immediately upon administration of the anticancer therapy or it may have a delayed onset (months or years after the treatment). For an oncology treatment team, it is essential that the patients with cancer are in their best cardiac condition before they initiate anticancer therapy, during remission, and after its termination, and thus, a collaboration with cardiologists is of utmost importance. This article reviews cardiotoxicity associated with RT, focusing on patients with breast cancer. In addition, it outlines the main management strategies to assess, monitor, reduce, or possibly prevent RT-induced cardiotoxicity, based on the current research evidence. Medline literature review relating to this subject was performed, using the electronic search for the keywords \"radiotherapy\" and \"cardiotoxicity\" on PubMed for inclusion of the previous publications, and further search of reference articles on the detection and management of radiation-related heart disease in patients with breast cancer was conducted.

Metastatic cancer, especially in the growing population of geriatric patients, presents a big challenge to these patients, as well as to treatment teams and the entire health care system. This article describes some common medical problems faced by patients with metastases to liver and bone, and presents a diagnostic approach, and therapeutic management of various symptoms, relevant to advanced stages of the malignant disease. The article highlights the importance of patient education on various aspects of metastatic cancer, and underscores the unique position of pharmacists practicing pharmaceutical care, which is particularly beneficial in this group of patients with advanced malignancy. Also, this paper emphasizes that achieving a proper balance between managing the malignant disease and maintaining the patients' quality of life, especially in the elderly population, should involve coordinated efforts of the oncology treatment team, primary care physicians, pharmacists, therapists and nurses, as well as patients, their families and caregivers.

Back pain represents one of the most common diseases across various populations of workers worldwide. This study analyzes the prevalence and severity of back pain, based on selected demographic variables, and the relationship with physical activity among school teachers. The study included 998 professionally active teachers (840 females and 158 males) from the southern part of Poland. Validated psychometric tools, namely: 1) for evaluation of disability due to back pain - a Polish version of the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) and Neck Disability Index (NDI), 2) for physical activity assessment - the Subjective Experience of Work Load (SEWL) as well as the authors' supplementary questionnaire, addressing demographic and anthropometric variables were used. There was no correlation between age and the NDI scores in females (r = 0.027), in contrast to males (r = 0.202; p ≤ 0.05). Statistically significant correlations (p ≤ 0.05) were reported between: age and the ODI, in both females (r = 0.219) and males (r = 0.180). No associations between the body mass index (BMI)-ODI, and BMI-NDI were found. In the case of women, disability related to low back pain (LBP) had a negative impact on the indicators of their activity during work, sports, and leisure time. In the case of men, the NDI and ODI scores did not differ, based on activity indicators. Our findings confirm that back pain represents a serious concern among teachers. Age appears to be a prognostic factor, while no association between the BMI and LBP has been revealed. The limitation of physical activity leads to more frequent back pain.

Advances in oncologic therapies have allowed many patients with breast cancer to achieve better outcomes and longer survival. However, this progress has been tempered by cardiotoxicity, associated with anticancer therapies, ranging from subclinical abnormalities to irreversible life-threatening complications, such as congestive heart failure or cardiomyopathy. In particular, exposure to chemotherapy (CHT), including anthracyclines and trastuzumab, can lead to cardiac dysfunction with short- or long-term consequences, among patients with breast cancer. The aim of this study is to highlight the potential role of commonly used cardiac medications in the prevention of anthracycline- and trastuzumab-mediated cardiotoxicity, in women with breast cancer, based on evidence from recent clinical trials. This overview is focused on the use of antihypertensive medications, such as angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors and angiotensin receptor blockers, outlining their cardioprotective effects in this patient population. In addition, the importance of biomarkers and modern imaging tests, as potential tools for detection and monitoring of cardiac dysfunction, induced by CHT, as well as some practical preventive and therapeutic strategies for cardio-oncology treatment teams, involved in the management of a growing number of women with breast cancer have been outlined. The content of this overview is based on a literature search of PubMed, within the last 5 years, mostly in relevance to the human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-positive patients with breast cancer, treated with anthracycline or trastuzumab therapy (in addition to surgery and/or radiation therapy [RT] regimen).

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a multifactorial, progressive neurodegenerative disorder with a poor prognosis, and thus, novel therapies for AD are certainly needed in a growing population of elderly patients or asymptomatic individuals, who are at risk for AD, worldwide. It has been established that some AD biomarkers such as amyloid-beta load in the brain, precede the onset of the disease, by approximately 20 years. Therefore, the therapy to prevent or effectively treat AD has to be initiated before the emergence of symptoms. A goal of this review is to present the results of recent clinical trials on monoclonal antibodies against amyloid beta, used for the treatment of AD and also to address some of the current challenges and emerging strategies to prevent AD. In recent trials, a monoclonal antibody, i.e. solanezumab has shown some beneficial cognitive effects among mild AD patients. Ongoing studies with gantenerumab and crenezumab will examine when exactly the AD treatment, aimed at modifying the disease course has to be started. This review was based on Medline database search for trials on passive anti-AD immunotherapy, for which the main timeframe was set from 2012 to 2015.