Breast cancer is one of the most common types of cancer among women, and its treatment remains a major focus of medical research worldwide. Neoadjuvant chemotherapy, administered before surgery, has become a primary treatment option for breast cancer, particularly in more advanced cases. One of the indicators used to evaluate the effectiveness of this chemotherapy is Ki67 expression, a protein involved in cell proliferation. Recent research conducted by Universitas Airlangga explores how changes in Ki67 expression can reflect the clinical response of patients to neoadjuvant chemotherapy.
Ki67: A Key Indicator in Cell Proliferation
Ki67 is a biological marker used to measure the rate of cell proliferation, which is the ability of cells to multiply and grow. In the context of cancer, high Ki67 expression often indicates aggressive tumor growth. Therefore, a reduction in Ki67 expression after therapy may suggest that the treatment successfully reduced the proliferative activity of cancer cells, often associated with better clinical outcomes.
Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy: Why Is It Important?
Neoadjuvant chemotherapy is administered before surgery to shrink the tumor size, making surgery easier and allowing for more conservative surgical options. Additionally, this therapy allows doctors to evaluate the tumor’s response to treatment before surgery is performed. The response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy depends not only on the reduction of tumor size but also on molecular changes within cancer cells, such as the decrease in Ki67 expression.
Research Findings: The Relationship between Ki67 and Clinical Response
The research conducted by the team at Universitas Airlangga reveals several important findings related to changes in Ki67 expression and clinical response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy:
- Significant Decrease in Ki67 Expression: The study found that the majority of patients who showed a positive clinical response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy also experienced a significant decrease in Ki67 expression. This suggests that reducing the proliferative activity of cancer cells is aligned with the clinical effectiveness of the therapy.
- Relationship with Tumor Types: The study also noted that changes in Ki67 expression were more pronounced in certain breast cancer subtypes, such as HER2-positive and triple-negative breast cancer, which are known to be more aggressive. In these cases, a decrease in Ki67 can be an important indicator of chemotherapy success.
- Prediction of Long-Term Outcomes: A decrease in Ki67 expression after neoadjuvant chemotherapy was also associated with better prognosis, including reduced risk of recurrence and increased patient survival. This underscores the importance of monitoring molecular changes as part of treatment response evaluation.
Implications for Breast Cancer Treatment
The findings from this research have important implications for breast cancer treatment. By using Ki67 as a biomarker, doctors can more accurately evaluate the effectiveness of neoadjuvant chemotherapy and predict long-term outcomes for patients. This can assist in clinical decision-making, such as adjusting chemotherapy regimens or considering additional treatment options if the reduction in Ki67 is insufficient.
Future Research Directions
Further research is needed to expand the understanding of how changes in Ki67 expression can be used to guide breast cancer therapy. For instance, deeper research could explore how the combination of Ki67 reduction and changes in other biomarkers could provide a more comprehensive picture of treatment response.
Additionally, there is potential to develop new therapies that specifically target pathways affecting Ki67 expression, providing a more personalized and effective approach to breast cancer treatment.
Conclusion: The Critical Role of Ki67 in Breast Cancer Treatment
Changes in Ki67 expression are an important indicator in evaluating the response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy in breast cancer patients. The findings from Universitas Airlangga reinforce the significance of Ki67 as a biomarker in the management of breast cancer, providing new insights that can improve treatment outcomes and patient prognosis.
With a better understanding of the role of Ki67 and further research focused on this biomarker, breast cancer treatment can become more effective and personalized, offering new hope to patients around the world.
Link Journal : https://scholar.unair.ac.id/en/publications/changes-in-ki67-expression-and-clinical-response-to-neoadjuvant-c