{"status":"ok","message-type":"work","message-version":"1.0.0","message":{"indexed":{"date-parts":[[2026,6,19]],"date-time":"2026-06-19T04:52:29Z","timestamp":1781844749219,"version":"3.54.5"},"reference-count":39,"publisher":"MDPI AG","issue":"2","license":[{"start":{"date-parts":[[2026,6,15]],"date-time":"2026-06-15T00:00:00Z","timestamp":1781481600000},"content-version":"vor","delay-in-days":0,"URL":"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/4.0\/"}],"content-domain":{"domain":[],"crossmark-restriction":false},"short-container-title":["Medical Sciences"],"abstract":"<jats:p>Background and Objectives: Breast cancer remains one of the most common malignancies worldwide, and early detection plays a crucial role in improving treatment outcomes and reducing mortality. Several experimental studies using animal models of breast cancer have explored the potential of terahertz-based technologies in this field. However, their preclinical evidence base in breast cancer remains heterogeneous and has not been systematically synthesized with a focus on experimental models, imaging protocols, and barriers to translation. Methods: We conducted a descriptive systematic review, according to PRISMA guidelines, of 10 articles selected from a total of 372 identified across four databases\u2014PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and Cochrane\u2014regarding the diagnostic performance of terahertz (THz) imaging in breast cancer animal models. We included studies that used rodent models diagnosed with breast cancer, subsequently confirmed through histological examination, and extracted relevant data. Results: The results were synthesized using a narrative approach. Most studies used C57BL\/6J mice with E0771 cell line-induced breast tumors, with histopathology as the reference standard. In the reflection mode, at frequencies between 0.1 and 4 THz, the identification of tumoral, fibrous, fat, and muscle tissues was possible. Conclusions: Overall, the available preclinical evidence supports THz imaging as a promising proof-of-concept approach for breast tissue characterization, but not yet as a standardized or clinically translatable diagnostic platform. Future studies should use harmonized animal models, standardized acquisition and specimen-handling protocols, transparent reporting of classification workflows, and consistent outcome metrics to enable comparison across studies and to clarify the biological and biophysical determinants of THz contrast in breast cancer.<\/jats:p>","DOI":"10.3390\/medsci14020323","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2026,6,15]],"date-time":"2026-06-15T15:00:48Z","timestamp":1781535648000},"page":"323","update-policy":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3390\/mdpi_crossmark_policy","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":0,"title":["Terahertz Imaging for Breast Cancer Detection in Animal Models: A Literature Review with Narrative Synthesis"],"prefix":"10.3390","volume":"14","author":[{"given":"Maria Elena","family":"Ni\u0163\u0103","sequence":"first","affiliation":[{"name":"Grigore T. Popa University of Medicine and Pharmacy Iasi, 700115 Iasi, Romania"},{"name":"Cuza Voda Clinical Hospital Obstetrics and Gynecology Iasi, 700038 Iasi, Romania"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0002-2862-2069","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Daniela Roxana","family":"Matasariu","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Grigore T. Popa University of Medicine and Pharmacy Iasi, 700115 Iasi, Romania"},{"name":"Cuza Voda Clinical Hospital Obstetrics and Gynecology Iasi, 700038 Iasi, Romania"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0002-7380-0194","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Mioara Calipsoana","family":"Matei","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Grigore T. Popa University of Medicine and Pharmacy Iasi, 700115 Iasi, Romania"},{"name":"Dr. Iacob Czihac Military Emergency Clinical Hospital Iasi, 700483 Iasi, Romania"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0003-2765-0399","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Ana","family":"Cazacu","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Exact Sciences, Ion Ionescu de la Brad Iasi University of Life Sciences, 700490 Iasi, Romania"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0001-9868-1999","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Bogdan Ionel","family":"Tamba","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Grigore T. Popa University of Medicine and Pharmacy Iasi, 700115 Iasi, Romania"},{"name":"Advanced Research and Development Centre for Experimental Medicine \u201cProf. Ostin C. Mungiu\u201d\u2014CEMEX, Grigore T. Popa University of Medicine and Pharmacy Iasi, 700490 Iasi, Romania"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0003-4761-4133","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Delia Ciobanu","family":"Apostol","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Grigore T. Popa University of Medicine and Pharmacy Iasi, 700115 Iasi, Romania"},{"name":"St. Spiridon University Hospital, 700111 Iasi, Romania"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0002-7364-0442","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"C\u0103t\u0103lin","family":"Borcia","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Faculty of Physics, Alexandru Ioan Cuza University, 700506 Iasi, Romania"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0002-7563-1267","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Cristina Mariana","family":"Uritu","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Advanced Research and Development Centre for Experimental Medicine \u201cProf. Ostin C. Mungiu\u201d\u2014CEMEX, Grigore T. Popa University of Medicine and Pharmacy Iasi, 700490 Iasi, Romania"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0001-5374-0908","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Mitica","family":"Ciorpac","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Advanced Research and Development Centre for Experimental Medicine \u201cProf. Ostin C. Mungiu\u201d\u2014CEMEX, Grigore T. Popa University of Medicine and Pharmacy Iasi, 700490 Iasi, Romania"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0002-8207-7655","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Alexandra","family":"Ursache","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Grigore T. Popa University of Medicine and Pharmacy Iasi, 700115 Iasi, Romania"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Cristina Elena","family":"Mandici","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Grigore T. Popa University of Medicine and Pharmacy Iasi, 700115 Iasi, Romania"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Cristina","family":"David","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Grigore T. Popa University of Medicine and Pharmacy Iasi, 700115 Iasi, Romania"},{"name":"Cuza Voda Clinical Hospital Obstetrics and Gynecology Iasi, 700038 Iasi, Romania"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Radu","family":"D\u0103nil\u0103","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Grigore T. Popa University of Medicine and Pharmacy Iasi, 700115 Iasi, Romania"},{"name":"St. Spiridon University Hospital, 700111 Iasi, Romania"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Mihaela","family":"Baican","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Grigore T. 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Popa University of Medicine and Pharmacy Iasi, 700115 Iasi, Romania"},{"name":"St. Spiridon University Hospital, 700111 Iasi, Romania"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0001-9697-750X","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Cipriana","family":"\u0218tef\u0103nescu","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Grigore T. Popa University of Medicine and Pharmacy Iasi, 700115 Iasi, Romania"},{"name":"St. Spiridon University Hospital, 700111 Iasi, Romania"},{"name":"IMAGO-MOL Cluster Iasi, 700115 Iasi, Romania"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]}],"member":"1968","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2026,6,15]]},"reference":[{"key":"ref_1","unstructured":"World Health Organization (2025, October 12). Cancer. 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