Breast

In medical imaging, X-ray-based methods are widely used, which means that patients are exposed to ionizing radiation. In addition, invasive tissue samples often need to be taken with biopsy needles to, for example, safely determine or rule out a cancer diagnosis. With this project, the investigators evaluate a light-based (optical) method combined with ultrasound that is completely harmless to humans, ultrasound-optical-tomography (UOT). UOT is predicted to be able to penetrate deeper into the body to measure functions and image tissues than was previously possible with other optical imaging methods. The aim of this project is to explore the capabilities and safety of UOT regarding imaging depth and tissue property information in healthy participants, as a first step to understand the technology's capabilities and limitations. The long-term goal, in future steps, is to develop the technology for clinical assessment of cancer-suspected lesions with a particular focus on breast cancer and for assessment of circulatory disorders in tissue.

The World Health Organization and UNICEF define the protection and support of breastfeeding as one of the key determinants of maternal and newborn health. Nipple cracks are common in the postpartum period and cause breastfeeding problems. If not addressed early, they can lead to interrupted or complete cessation of breastfeeding. It is important to develop methods for effective, safe, and mother-friendly care of nipple cracks. Various care approaches, such as lanolin, natural products, and hydrogels, have been described in the literature. However, evidence for non-invasive agents that support wound healing at the cellular level is limited. Evidence for LED light application is limited, and there is no evidence regarding the effect of topical oxygen application on nipple cracks. This project is designed as a randomized controlled trial to investigate the effect of topical oxygen and LED light therapy applied to nipple cracks on wound healing, pain, and breastfeeding success. The study will be conducted at the Lactation Unit of Istanbul Haseki Training and Research Hospital, Ministry of Health, between March and December 2026. The sample size was calculated using the G\*Power program; with an effect size of 0.20, a significance level of 5%, and a power of 80%, a total of 51 mothers will be included in the study. Participants will be divided into three groups using the block randomization method: Topical Oxygen (n=17), LED Light Therapy (n=17), and Control (n=17). Standard breastfeeding counseling will be provided to all groups. In addition to the intervention groups, topical oxygen will be applied at a flow rate of 10 liters per minute for 20 minutes; LED light therapy will be applied at 630 nm red and 850 nm infrared wavelengths, at an energy dose of 15.3 J/cm², for 5 minutes. Interventions will be performed on days 0, 3, and 7. Data will be collected using a personal information form, wound size measurement, Nipple Trauma Score, Visual Analog Scale, and LATCH score. The validity and reliability of the Nipple Trauma Score in Turkish will be assessed within the scope of the project. To reduce measurement and analysis bias, support will be obtained from an independent observer and a statistician.

This trial seeks to establish whether or not touch sensation can be restored to the breast via neural stimulation. Data will also be obtained to inform future feasibility (including safety), efficacy, and acceptability trials.

Various studies show an increase in the number of cases of early puberty in girls with breast development with a variable clinical presentation and evolution. This increasing phenomenon concerns girls between 6 and 8 years old. In a large number of cases, from 70 to 95% depending on the series, no medical cause is found and environmental factors are suspected to be involved. Descriptive studies of these patients are scarce and not always provide an overview of all the parameters in line with the concept of the exposome. The PENELOPE clinical trial will allow to analyze a large number of parameters, including the adipose tissue, its metabolism, the endocrine disruptors, and the epigenetic modifications, and to study the impact of environmental health measures in the evolution of these parameters. The data from the analyses of the endocrine disruptors of the patients will be explored in parallel in experimental models (amphibians, murine, cellular) in order to test potential mechanistic hypotheses.

This study looks to advance a novel and potent strategy to eliminate minimal residual disease (MRD) in triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) present even after multimodal treatment, thereby improving survival and increasing cure rate in this aggressive cancer. Patients with locally advanced TNBC are at high risk of developing lethal metastatic disease within 2 years of diagnosis, especially for those without a pathologic complete response (pCR) after neoadjuvant chemotherapy. The high risk occurs despite surgical excision of the primary tumor and axillary lymph nodes to eliminate residual disease.

Breast cancer is one of the most common malignancies in women worldwide, and distant metastasis is the main cause of poor prognosis and death. This project aims to construct a precision prediction system based on multi-omics (digital pathology, immunohistochemistry, proteomics, gene sequencing) and artificial intelligence to predict distant and organ-specific metastasis (bone, lung, liver, brain) in breast cancer, analyze its mechanisms, and provide new solutions for precision medicine.