Breast cancer stands as the prevailing malignancy across all six Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) nations. In this literature review, we highlighted the incidence and trend of breast cancer in the GCC. Most of the studies reported a consistent increase in breast cancer incidence over the past decades, which was particularly attributed to the adoption of a Westernized lifestyle in the region and the implications of emerging risk factors and other environmental and societal factors, the increase in screening uptake, as well as the improvement in data collection and reporting in the GCC. The data on breast cancer risk factors in the GCC were limited. In this geographic region, breast cancer frequently manifests with distinctive characteristics, including an early onset, typically occurring before the age of 50; an advanced stage at presentation; and a higher pathological grade. Additionally, it often exhibits more aggressive features such as human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) positivity or the presence of triple-negative (TN) attributes, particularly among younger patients. Despite the growing body of literature on breast cancer in the GCC, data pertaining to survival rates are, regrettably, meager. Reports on breast cancer survival rates emanating from the GCC region are largely confined to Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). In the UAE, predictive modeling reveals 2-year and 5-year survival rates of 97% and 89%, respectively, for the same period under scrutiny. These rates, when compared to Western counterparts such as Australia (89.5%) and Canada (88.2%), fall within the expected range. Conversely, Saudi Arabia reports a notably lower 5-year survival rate, standing at 72%. This disparity in survival rates underscores the need for further research directed toward elucidating risk factors and barriers that hinder early detection and screening. Additionally, there is a pressing need for expanded data reporting on survival outcomes within the GCC. In sum, a more comprehensive and nuanced understanding of breast cancer dynamics in this region is imperative to inform effective strategies for prevention, early detection, and improved patient outcomes.

Breast Cancer in the Arabian Gulf Countries

The role of neutrophils in breast cancer shows that the N1 proinflammatory subtype can suppress and attack the tumor. In contrast, the N2 pro-tumor subtype aids the tumor in its survival, progression, and metastasis. Recently, more focus has been directed to the role of innate myeloid cells, specifically neutrophils, in regulating the responses of lymphoid populations both in the progression of cancer and in response to therapy. However, the exact crosstalk between breast cancer cells and neutrophils is poorly understood. In this work, we used in-silico assays to investigate the role of the bidirectional effect of neutrophils on metastatic TNBC. Our reanalysis of publicly available data reveals that most TNBC's classified within the CE2 subtype are leukocyte-poor and have four major cell types in their ecotypes: dendritic cells, macrophages, fibroblasts, and epithelial cells. Further immune deconvolution of these patients revealed that a few cells significantly differed between groups, including macrophages, neutrophils, and T cells. All BC showed lower infiltrating neutrophils compared to healthy surrounding tissue. Treated TNBCs improved the count of infiltrating neutrophils in TNBC. Most TNBC patients have a unique CE2 ecotype, characterized by more basal-like epithelial cells, more neutrophils, and fewer mononuclear lymphocytes (B cells, macrophages M1, T cell CD4+ (non-regulatory), and T cell CD8+ and T regs). This can be related to our finding that CE2 TNBCs are characterized by a lower LCK and higher ERBB2, and their top DEGs are related to leukocyte activation and NFKB pathway.

Identification of Breast Cancer LCK Proto-Oncogene as a Master Regulator of TNBC Neutrophil Enrichment and Polarization.

BReast CAncer (BRCA)1 and BRCA2 gene pathogenic variants account for most hereditary breast cancers (BC). Identification of BRCA mutations can significantly influence both prognosis and treatment outcomes. Furthermore, it enables the identification of individuals who are at heightened risk of developing BC due to inherited genetic mutations. Many developing countries rely on western guidelines for BRCA testing and BC management; however, there exist wide disparities in the prevalence of risk factors, availability of medical resources, and practice patterns. Guidelines tailored to specific regions can help mitigate healthcare variations, promote consistency in treatment, and aid healthcare providers in identifying effective therapies for improving patient outcomes. Hence, oncologists from the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) congregated virtually in March 2023 and reviewed existing data on the epidemiology of BC, BRCA mutations, practices and challenges associated with BRCA testing and management of BRCA mutated early-stage BC in the GCC region. They also provided insights on the real-world diagnostic and treatment practices and challenges in the GCC region in the BRCA-mutated early-stage BC domain and suggested some variations to international guidelines to aid their uptake in this region.

BRCA testing and management of BRCA-mutated early-stage breast cancer: a comprehensive statement by expert group from GCC region

Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women worldwide, and its incidence rate is still increasing, especially among younger women. Nationally, it constitutes one-fifth of all cancer cases and almost 40% of all female cancers. With a median age of 51 years, breast cancer is diagnosed at least a decade earlier, and at more advanced stages compared to Western societies. Hereditary cancers account for 10% or more of all cancer burden worldwide. With expanded indications, increased number of genes tested, and significant decline in cost of testing, such proportion will probably increase. Individuals with pathogenic variants of BRCA1 and BRCA2 are at higher risk of breast, ovarian, pancreatic and many other cancers. Over the past two decades, several highly penetrant cancer-susceptibility genes were identified across almost all tumor sites, thus increasing the need for comprehensive cancer genetic programs that address the testing process, counselling patients and at-risk family members, and then deal with all testing results and its consequences. In addition to its important role in preventing more cancers in index patients themselves and among their close relatives, identification of pathogenic or likely pathogenic variants, mostly in BRCA1 or BRCA2 , may inform therapeutic decisions in common cancers including breast, ovarian, prostate and pancreatic cancers. In this manuscript, we describe the experience of a comprehensive cancer center, in a resource-limited country in establishing a comprehensive clinical cancer genetics program that can serve as an example for others who share similar demographic and financial restrains. 

Establishment of a clinical cancer genetics program for breast cancer in a resource-limited country; challenges and opportunities

We herein report a case involving a woman with metastatic human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER-2)-positive breast cancer (BC) who became pregnant while undergoing active anticancer therapy with Trastuzumab-Pertuzumab for her advanced BC disease at our institution. To our knowledge, this is the first reported case of pregnancy and successful delivery in a stage IV BC patient during anticancer therapy. A multidisciplinary approach for such a complex case is a must to evaluate the mother’s medical condition by an experienced oncology team along with a maternal-fetal team, with support from a psychiatric and psychological evaluation for the mother. The use of effective contraception during anticancer therapy is essential to avoid such a scenario.

First Reported Case of Successful Conception and Delivery During Stage IV Breast Cancer Treatment: A Case Report and Literature Review

Humaid O. Al-Shamsi, MD; Nadia Abdelwahed, MD; Aydah Al-Awadhi, MD; Mohamed Albashir, MD; Amin M. Abyad, MD; Saeed Rafii, MD; Mehdi Afrit, MD; Bilal Al Lababidi, MD; Ibrahim Abu-Gheida, MD; Yoginee Pundlik Sonawane, MD; Neil A. Nijhawan, MD; Urfan Ul Haq, MD; Norbert Dreier, MD; Thanda Lucy Ann Joshua, MD; Faryal Iqbal, MS; Tamer Yacoub, MD; Faisal A. Nawaz, MD; Dima Abdul Jabbar, MD; Syed Hammad Tirmazy, MD; Dalia M. El-shourbagy, MD; Dina Hamza, MD; Mohamed Omara, MD; Sawsan Abdul Salam Al Madhi, MD; Hassan Ghazal, MD; Humaa Darr, MD; Muharrem Oner, MD; Zoi Vlamaki, MD; Abdul Rahman El Kinge, MD; Dorai Ramanathan, MD; Mohammed Judah, MD; Taghreed Almahmeed, MD; Mudhasir Ahmad, MD; Sai Babu Jonnada, MD; Nahla Almansoori, MD; Aly A. Razek, MD; Annett Al-Hamadi, MD; Nahed Balalaa, MD; Faek Jamali, MD; Ramanujam Anugonda Singarachari, MD; Abdelrahman Labban, MD; Kaltar Das, MD; Ernest J.T. Luiten, MD, PhD; Tamer Abdelgawad, MD; Falah Al-Khatib, MD; Sadir Alrawi, MD; and Hassan Jaafar, MD

https://ascopubs.org/doi/pdfdirect/10.1200/GO.22.00247?role=tab

Breast Cancer in the United Arab Emirates

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Breast Cancer in the United Arab Emirates

Breast Cancer in the Arabian Gulf Countries