Neurotrophin-3 (NT-3) as a Potential Biomarker of the Peripheral Nervous System Damage Following Breast Cancer Treatment
, Maria Pospelova 1, Varvara Krasnikova 1, Olga Fionik 1, Tatyana Alekseeva 1, Konstantin Samochernykh 1, Nataliya Ivanova 1, Tatyana Vavilova 1, Elena Vasilieva 1, Albina Makhanova 1, Aleksandra Nikolaeva 1, Tatyana Bukkieva 1, Stephanie Combs 2 and Maxim Shevtsov 1,2,*
Round 1
Reviewer 1 Report
In this manuscript, Tonyan et al. analyzed NT-3 as a potential biomarker of peripheral neuropathy following breast cancer treatment in women. They also analyzed BDNF and Galectin-3, but they could not find a significant difference in their levels between breast cancer survivors with PN and healthy controls. They performed all required patient examinations to include or exclude them. They also performed proper neurological examinations to make different groups for different peripheral neuropathy symptoms. Then they performed ELISA analysis for three biomarkers using patients’ venous blood samples.
Their experimental design is simple and clear, mostly preliminary. There are further studies needed to be designed and conducted. However, it is still promising, because there is not any other study conducted on these biomarkers with patient samples.
The grammar needs to be revised in a more professional way, maybe with the help of a native speaker.
Author Response
We would like to thank the reviewer for the provided comments and provide the revised version of the manuscript.
COMMENT: In this manuscript, Tonyan et al. analyzed NT-3 as a potential biomarker of peripheral neuropathy following breast cancer treatment in women. They also analyzed BDNF and Galectin-3, but they could not find a significant difference in their levels between breast cancer survivors with PN and healthy controls. They performed all required patient examinations to include or exclude them. They also performed proper neurological examinations to make different groups for different peripheral neuropathy symptoms. Then they performed ELISA analysis for three biomarkers using patients’ venous blood samples.
Their experimental design is simple and clear, mostly preliminary. There are further studies needed to be designed and conducted. However, it is still promising, because there is not any other study conducted on these biomarkers with patient samples.
The grammar needs to be revised in a more professional way, maybe with the help of a native speaker.
ANSWER: We have revised the manuscript, removed an information that is not critical from the introduction, added information about studies with the identification of biomarkers in breast cancer survivors. Additionally, abbreviations have been corrected in accordance with the position in the text.
Also limitations of the study are listed at the end of the discussion.
Reviewer 2 Report
Neurotrophin-3 (NT-3) as a potential biomarker of the peripheral nervous system damage following breast cancer treatment
The study examines the levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), galectin-3, and neurotrophin-3 in the serum of breast cancer patients to indicate the PNS damage. The approach and the overall design of the study are good. However, the authors should address some minor concerns.
1. Introduction is too lengthy. Consolidate the key background information in brief paragraphs. Especially the details about each biomarkers.
2. A small description about the previous studies exploring PNS biomarkers in patients following breast cancer treatment should be included in the introduction and justify the novelty of the present study.
3. Abbreviations should be expanded first. ( eg; BC in abstract, TNM, etc.)
4. Include the limitations of the study.
Author Response
We would like to thank the reviewer for the provided comments. We have carefully revised the manuscript accordingly.
COMMENT 1: Introduction is too lengthy. Consolidate the key background information in brief paragraphs. Especially the details about each biomarkers.
ANSWER 1: Information that is not critical has been removed from the introduction.
COMMENT 2: A small description about the previous studies exploring PNS biomarkers in patients following breast cancer treatment should be included in the introduction and justify the novelty of the present study.
ANSWER 2: Information about studies with the identification of biomarkers in breast cancer survivors is added in the introduction.
COMMENT 3: Abbreviations should be expanded first. ( eg; BC in abstract, TNM, etc.).
ANSWER 3: Abbreviations have been corrected in accordance with the position in the text.
COMMENT 4: Include the limitations of the study.
ANSWER 4: Limitations of the study are listed at the end of the discussion.
