Personalizing the treatment of women with early breast cancer: highlights of the St Gallen International Expert Consensus on the Primary Therapy of Early Breast Cancer 2013

Distinct outcomes in patients with different molecular subtypes of inflammatory breast cancer

OBJECTIVES

To determine the outcome of patients with luminal A, luminal B, human epidermal growth factor receptor-2 (HER-2) positive, and triple negative molecular subtypes of inflammatory breast cancer (IBC) using a retrospective analysis.

METHODS

This study was conducted between February 2004 and February 2010 in 3 different hospitals in China. The clinical outcomes, pathological features, and treatment strategies were analyzed in 67 cases of IBC without distant metastases. A chi-square test and one-way ANOVA were used to assess outcomes between different subtypes. Overall survival (OS) was analyzed using the Kaplan-Meier method and multivariate analysis was conducted using the Cox regression model.

RESULTS

The 2-year OS rate was 55% for the entire cohort. Median OS time among patients with luminal A was 35 months, luminal B was 30 months, HER-2 positive was 24 months, and triple negative subtypes was 20 months, and were significantly different from each other (p=0.001). Using multivariate analysis, luminal A had 76% (p=0.037), luminal B had 54% (p=0.048), and HER-2 positive subtypes had 47% (p=0.032) decreased risk of death compared with the triple negative subtype.  Furthermore, elevated Ki-67 labeling was associated with increased risk of death, while the surgical treatment significantly improved patient survival.

CONCLUSION

Breast cancer subtypes are associated with distinct outcomes in IBC patients. Patients that presented with triple negative IBC had poorer outcome than luminal A, luminal B, and HER-2 subtypes. These results indicate that IBC is a heterogeneous disease similar to the conventional breast cancer. 

Cinical Significance of Androgen Receptor, CK-5/6, KI-67 and Molecular Subtypes in Breast Cancer

OBJECTIVE

To detect the relationship between molecular subtypes of breast cancer with expressions of androgen receptor, cytokeratin 5/6 (CK5/6)and Ki-67.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Expressions of androgen receptor, CK-5/6 and Ki-67 were determined by immunohistochemistry in paraffin-embedded sections obtained from 86 invasive breast cancer cases of stages I/IIa/IIb in 4 molecular subtypes. Patients treated for recurrent disease and locally advanced disease were excluded.

RESULTS

Forty one luminal A cases, ie. positive estrogen receptor(ER) and/or progesteron receptor (PR) with negative epidermal growth factor receptor (HER2), 14 luminal B, ie. positive ER and/or PR and positive HER2, 14 HER2-enriched (HER2+), ie. negative ER and PR with positive HER2, and 17 triple negative (negative ER and PR and HER2) invasive breast cancers were included. Mean follow-up was 17.46±11.70 mo. Androgen receptor-negativity and CK5/6-positivity were significantly more common in HER2+ and triple negative groups. Ki-67 and histological grade were higher in HER2+ group, significantly. Two deaths were triple negative (P=0.04). Androgen receptor-negativity, CK5/6 and Ki-67 status did not affect survival or systemic metastases, significantly. All groups had local recurrences. Local recurrence was significantly associated with androgen receptor-negativity in luminal A and high Ki-67 value in HER2+ groups. Systemic metastases were significantly more common in triple negative and HER2+ groups.

CONCLUSION

Molecular subtypes of breast cancer are prognostic and predictive. Androgen receptor is expressed more commonly in luminal subtypes with better prognosis and androgen receptor negativity is associated with development of local recurrence in luminal A cancers.

Metabolic syndrome-breast cancer link varies by intrinsic molecular subtype

BACKGROUND

Metabolic syndrome (MS) has been shown to increase the risk of breast cancer. Existing data suggest that the strength of metabolic syndrome-breast cancer link varies by intrinsic molecular subtype, but results from worldwide literature are controversial. Primary endpoint of the study was to assess whether MS is a predictor of specific breast cancer (BC) subtype. Secondary endpoint was to determine whether components of MS can individually increase the risk of specific breast cancer subtype.

METHODS

Anthropometric and metabolic variables were correlated to breast cancer specific subgroups, retrospectively. Statistical significance was considered when p ≤ 0.05 and 95% CI.

RESULTS

Data analysis suggests that MS per se represents a modifiable risk factor for BC in postmenopausal [OR 6.28 (95% CI 2.79-14.11) p < 0.00001]. MS per se prevalence is higher among Luminal breast cancers in postmenopausal [OR 1.37 (95% CI 1.07-2.80) p = 0.03]. Body Mass Index (BMI) alone is associated to Luminal A subtype breast cancer risk [OR 1.12 (95% CI 0.96-2.196 p = 0.2]. Waist Circumference > 88 cm has been shown to be specifically and statistically significant associated to HER-2+ breast cancer subtypes in postmenopausal [OR 2.72 (95% CI 1.69- 10.72) p = 0.01], whilst in Luminal B it was only marginally statistical associated [OR 2.21 (95% CI 0.77-2.60) p = 0.1]. Insulin resistance showed statistical significant association to HER-2+ and Luminal B tumors [OR 2.11 (95% CI 1.66-6.69) p = 0.05] and [OR 2.33 (95% CI 1.2-4.2) p = 0.006], respectively. Hence, it has emerged that BMI is weakly associated to Luminal A breast cancers in this case series, whereas visceral obesity and insulin resistance are likely to be linked to more aggressive breast cancer subtypes.

CONCLUSIONS

New molecular biomarkers unveiling metabolic syndrome related breast carcinogenesis need to be detected to further stratify breast cancer risk by subtypes.

Collective invasion in breast cancer requires a conserved basal epithelial program

Carcinomas typically invade as a cohesive multicellular unit, a process termed collective invasion. It remains unclear how different subpopulations of cancer cells contribute to this process. We developed three-dimensional (3D) organoid assays to identify the most invasive cancer cells in primary breast tumors. Collective invasion was led by specialized cancer cells that were defined by their expression of basal epithelial genes, such as cytokeratin-14 (K14) and p63. Furthermore, K14+ cells led collective invasion in the major human breast cancer subtypes. Importantly, luminal cancer cells were observed to convert phenotypically to invasive leaders following induction of basal epithelial genes. Although only a minority of cells within luminal tumors expressed basal epithelial genes, knockdown of either K14 or p63 was sufficient to block collective invasion. Our data reveal that heterotypic interactions between epithelial subpopulations are critical to collective invasion. We suggest that targeting the basal invasive program could limit metastatic progression.

[Evolution of sentinel lymph node biopsy in breast cancer--axillary staging in the past 15 years at the Uzsoki Street Hospital]

INTRODUCTION

Sentinel biopsy technique was performed in Europe in 1996.It was a great improvement in the surgical treatment of breast cancer, it decreased the number of patients suffering from early and late morbidity following axillary lymph node dissection (ALND). In our paper we demonstrate the evolution of sentinel biopsy technique (SLNB), as well as the changes in our policy on axillary treatment in line with the European trends.

METHODS

The authors of this article give an overview and analyse the relevant literature concerning sentinel lymph node biopsy and data of patients on whom sentinel lymph node biopsy was performed from 01/01/2001 to 31/12/2012.

RESULTS

Between 2001 and 2013 we performed 3756 breast operations, 2742 of those were done for malignant disease. Altogether we performed 744 sentinel lymph node biopsies in the Uzsoki teaching Hospital. The proportion of SLNB patients is increasing, it was 24.6% between 2001-2006 and 29.2% between 2007-2012, respectively. The indication of SLNB is widening, there might be justification of the technique even by multifocal or multilocular disease, in male patients, after former breats surgery or even in pregnant patients.

CONCLUSION

Histological examination of sentinel lymph node and its effect on complex treatment of breats cancer may place the role of surgical axillary staging in a brand new aspect in the near future perhaps.

Collective invasion in breast cancer requires a conserved basal epithelial program

Carcinomas typically invade as a cohesive multicellular unit, a process termed collective invasion. It remains unclear how different subpopulations of cancer cells contribute to this process. We developed three-dimensional (3D) organoid assays to identify the most invasive cancer cells in primary breast tumors. Collective invasion was led by specialized cancer cells that were defined by their expression of basal epithelial genes, such as cytokeratin-14 (K14) and p63. Furthermore, K14+ cells led collective invasion in the major human breast cancer subtypes. Importantly, luminal cancer cells were observed to convert phenotypically to invasive leaders following induction of basal epithelial genes. Although only a minority of cells within luminal tumors expressed basal epithelial genes, knockdown of either K14 or p63 was sufficient to block collective invasion. Our data reveal that heterotypic interactions between epithelial subpopulations are critical to collective invasion. We suggest that targeting the basal invasive program could limit metastatic progression.

Genomic profiling in luminal breast cancer

The developments in gene expression analysis have made it possible to sub-classify hormone receptor-positive (luminal) breast cancer in different prognostic subgroups. This sub-classification is currently used in clinical routine as prognostic signature (e.g. 21-gene Onoctype DX®, 70-gene Mammaprint®). As yet, the optimal method for sub-classification has not been defined. Moreover, there is no evidence from prospective trials. This review explores widely used genomic signatures in luminal breast cancer, making a critical appraisal of evidence from retrospective/prospective trials. It is based on systematic literature search performed using Medline (accessed September 2013) and abstracts presented at the Annual Meeting of American Society of Clinical Oncology and San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium.

Clonal alteration of breast cancer receptors between primary ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) and corresponding local events

BACKGROUND

Emerging data propose biomarker alteration due to clonal selection between the primary invasive breast cancer and corresponding metastases. In addition, impact on survival has been demonstrated. The present study investigates the relationship between the oestrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR) and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) between primary ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) and intra-individually matched ipsilateral event.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The cohort includes 1504 patients, diagnosed with a primary DCIS between 1986 and 2004. Of the 274 patients who developed a local relapse, 135 developed a new in situ carcinoma and 139 an invasive cancer up to 31st December 2011. ER and PR were identified by immunohistochemistry (IHC) and HER2 by silver-enhanced in situ hybridisation (SISH) as well as IHC.

RESULTS

ER (n=112), PR (n=113) and HER2 (n=114) status from both the primary DCIS and the corresponding relapse were assessed and were demonstrated to be discordant in 15.1%, 29.2% and 10.5% respectively. The receptor conversion was both from negative to positive and from positive to negative with no general pattern being seen in spite of sub-dividing into in situ relapse and invasive relapse. However, primary DCIS was HER2 positive in 40.3% whereas in situ and invasive relapses were HER2 positive in 42.9% and 34.5% respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Receptor conversion for ER, PR and HER2 status occurred between primary DCIS and corresponding local relapse in 10-30%. This study could not confirm that HER2 overexpression in primary DCIS had any impact on tumour progression to invasive cancer which has been proposed.

Molecular subtypes in ductal carcinoma in situ of the breast and their relation to prognosis: a population-based cohort study

Background

Different molecular subtypes of breast cancer have been identified based on gene expression profiling. Treatment suggestions based on an approximation of these subtypes by immunohistochemical criteria have been published by the St Gallen international expert consensus panel. Ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) can be classified into the same molecular subtypes. Our aim was to study the relation between these newly defined subtypes and prognosis in DCIS.

Methods

TMA including 458 women from a population-based cohort with DCIS diagnosed 1986–2004 was used. Stainings for ER, PR, HER2 and Ki67 were used to classify the surrogate molecular subtypes according to the St Gallen criteria from 2011. The associations with prognosis were examined using Kaplan-Meier analyses and Cox proportional hazards regression models.

Results

Surrogate molecular subtyping could be done in 381 cases. Mean follow up was 164 months. Of the classified DCIS 186 were Luminal A (48.8%), 33 Luminal B/HER2- (8.7%), 74 Luminal B/HER2+ (17.4%), 61 HER2+/ER- (16.0%) and 27 Triple Negative (7.1%). One hundred and two women had a local recurrence of which 58 were invasive. Twenty-two women had generalised disease, 8 without a prior local recurrence. We could not find a prognostic significance of the molecular subtypes other than a higher risk of developing breast cancer after more than 10 years of follow-up among women with a Triple Negative DCIS (OR 3.2; 95% CI 1.1-9.8).

Conclusions

The results from this large population-based cohort, with long-term follow up failed to demonstrate a prognostic value for the surrogate molecular subtyping of DCIS using the St Gallen criteria up to ten years after diagnosis. More than ten years after diagnosis Triple Negative DCIS had an elevated risk of recurrence.

The value of progesterone receptor expression in predicting the Recurrence Score for hormone-receptor positive invasive breast cancer patients

BACKGROUND

OncotypeDX(®) (ODX) is a well-validated assay for breast cancer treatment planning. We explored whether the conventional pathological factors could pick up high risk patients without the help of the ODX.

METHODS

The ODX was performed on 139 hormone receptor-positive invasive breast cancers in a single Japanese institution. The recurrence risk was compared between the ODX and the St. Gallen Consensuses. The correlations were analyzed between the Recurrence Score (RS) measured by ODX and the pathological factors. In addition, we performed a follow-up survey and examined the association of the RS with the confirmed recurrence or death.

RESULTS

The ODX classified 68 (49 %) as low RS, 52 (37 %) as intermediate RS, and 19 (14 %) as high RS cases. Correlations were noted between RS and progesterone receptor (PR) (r = -0.53), Ki-67 (r = 0.42), and nuclear grade (NG) (r = 0.41). None had a high RS with PR(3+) or NG1. Only one high RS patient had a Ki-67 (<20 %). The combinations of high RS with PR(0)/Ki-67 (≥20 %) and PR(1+)/Ki-67 (≥20 %) were 70 and 58 %, respectively. The combinations with high RS and PR(0)/NG3, PR(0)/NG2, and PR(1+)/NG3 were 83, 75, and 75 %, respectively. The median follow-up was 39.1 months (range 24.0-67.8). There were one low RS (1 %), four intermediate RS (8 %), and three high RS patients (16 %) who developed local or distant recurrence.

CONCLUSION

Hormone receptor-positive invasive breast cancers are stratified with the combinations of PR/Ki-67 or PR/NG. Some of the high recurrence risk cases might be identified without the ODX.