Preface

Breast cancer is the most frequent invasive cancer among women worldwide, impacting more than two million women each year. It is also the number one cause of cancer-related deaths among women. The incidence of breast cancer varies greatly around the world. While breast cancer rates are higher among women in more developed regions, rates are increasing in nearly every region globally. Researchers and clinicians around the world are working to find better ways to prevent, detect, and treat breast cancer, and to improve the quality of life of patients and survivors.

In recent years, there has been substantial development in breast cancer research and its clinical applications, for example, breast cancer biology and genomics; epidemiology and prevention; early detection and screening; as well as diagnosis and treatment. In addition, the advent of various emerging technologies, such as stem cell technology, genome editing technology, and bionanotechnology, as well as tissue engineering and regenerative medicine, have enhanced our understanding of breast cancer and produced novel insights that could lead to the development and deployment of newer clinical and/or therapeutic interventions.

Against this backdrop, this book examines recent advances in breast cancer biology and therapeutics. Chapters cover a broad spectrum of interrelated topics, presenting information in a comprehensible way to a greater scientific and clinical audience as well as patients, caregivers, and drug and device manufacturers to support breast cancer product development.

Written by leading experts in basic science and clinical care, this book consists of nine chapters over six sections. The first section introduces the pathobiology of breast cancer, emphasizing the current challenges and future perspectives of multifocal, multicentric, and bilateral synchronous aspects of breast cancer. The second section deals with selected biomarkers of breast cancer, such as non-coding RNAs, and highlights the potential significance of diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers as well as novel therapeutic targets. A chapter in this section examines the potential role of various molecular prognostic and predictive markers, such as p53, EGFR, Fas, miRNA, PD-1, androgen receptors, and more, in the case of triple-negative breast cancer.

The third section discusses in vitro breast tumor models focusing on their biomimetic capabilities, advantages, disadvantages, and specific applications. The fourth section explores recent developments in pharmacotherapy of breast cancer, particularly plant-based natural compounds that can be potentially harnessed as novel anticancer drugs. A chapter in this section delves into the structural insights of the anticancer properties of doxazosin, a selective alpha-1 adrenergic receptor antagonist, on overexpressing EGFR/HER2 cell lines.

The fifth section reflects on advances in breast cancer screening and management, for example, the pathophysiology of persistent pain after breast cancer surgery,

including a review of pertinent risk factors, clinical features, and various treatment options. A chapter in this section synthesizes the knowledge and current perspectives of breast cancer screening. The final section of the book explores various aspects of diagnostic imaging, centering around microwave imaging for breast cancer detection.

This book is a valuable resource not only for medical and allied health students but also for researchers and clinicians in cancer biology, pathology, oncology, stem cell biology, tissue engineering, regenerative medicine, and precision medicine. This quick reference will benefit anyone desiring a thorough knowledge pertaining to recent advances in breast cancer and current and evolving diagnostic and therapeutic challenges.

I would like to thank the team at IntechOpen, including Commissioning Editors Sandra Bakic and Iva Simcic, and Author Service Manager Mia Vulovic, for excellent support throughout the preparation of this book; they were remarkably patient and persistent. Finally, I dedicate this to my beloved niece and nephew, Vidhya and Vignesh, the future.

> **Mani T. Valarmathi, MD, Ph.D.** Clinical Molecular Diagnostic Laboratory, Religen Inc. | A Life Science Company, Plymouth Meeting, Pennsylvania, USA

Section 1
