Breast conservation among older patients with early-stage breast cancer: Locoregional recurrence following adjuvant radiation or hormonal therapy

A bibliometric worldview of breast-conserving surgery for breast cancer from 2013 to 2023

Over the last decade, significant advancements have been made in breast-conserving surgery (BCS) for breast cancer. However, there is a lack of analytical and descriptive investigations on the trajectory, essential research directions, current research scenario, pivotal investigative focuses, and forthcoming perspectives. The objective of this research is to provide a thorough update on the progress made in BCS for breast cancer over the preceding decade. Retrieved from the Web of Science database, the data span from January 1, 2013, to November 30, 2023. Utilizing a set of advanced analytical instruments, we conducted comprehensive bibliometric and visual analyses. The findings underscore the predominant influence of the USA, representing 35.77% of the overall publications and playing a pivotal role in shaping research within this field. Notable productivity was evident at various institutions, including the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, and the University of Toronto. Annals of Surgical Oncology contributed the most publications in this field. An examination of keywords indicated a change in the concentration of research attention, transitioning from molecular subtype, ultrasonography, and intraoperative aspects to SEER, male breast cancer, and adjuvant measures. By offering a comprehensive bibliometric assessment, this study enhances our understanding of BCS for breast cancer. Consequently, this benefits both experienced researchers and newcomers alike, providing prompt access to essential information and fostering the extraction of innovative concepts within this specific field.

Frequency of use and characterization of frailty assessments in observational studies on older women with breast cancer: a systematic review

BACKGROUND

Breast cancer and frailty frequently co-occur in older women, and frailty status has been shown to predict negative health outcomes. However, the extent to which frailty assessments are utilized in observational research for the older breast cancer population is uncertain. Therefore, the aim of this review was to determine the frequency of use of frailty assessments in studies investigating survival or mortality, and characterize them, concentrating on literature from the past 5 years (2017-2022).

METHODS

MEDLINE, EMBASE and Cochrane Library were systematically queried to identify observational studies (case-control, cohort, cross-sectional) published from 2017-2022 that focus on older females (≥ 65 years) diagnosed with breast cancer, and which evaluate survival or mortality outcomes. Independent reviewers assessed the studies for eligibility using Covidence software. Extracted data included characteristics of each study as well as information on study design, study population, frailty assessments, and related health status assessments. Risk of bias was evaluated using the appropriate JBI tool. Information was cleaned, classified, and tabulated into review level summaries.

RESULTS

In total, 9823 studies were screened for inclusion. One-hundred and thirty studies were included in the final synthesis. Only 11 (8.5%) of these studies made use of a frailty assessment, of which 4 (3.1%) quantified frailty levels in their study population, at baseline. Characterization of frailty assessments demonstrated that there is a large variation in terms of frailty definitions and resulting patient classification (i.e., fit, pre-frail, frail). In the four studies that quantified frailty, the percentage of individuals classified as pre-frail and frail ranged from 18% to 29% and 0.7% to 21%, respectively. Identified frailty assessments included the Balducci score, the Geriatric 8 tool, the Adapted Searle Deficits Accumulation Frailty index, the Faurot Frailty index, and the Mian Deficits of Accumulation Frailty Index, among others. The Charlson Comorbidity Index was the most used alternative health status assessment, employed in 56.9% of all 130 studies. Surprisingly, 31.5% of all studies did not make use of any health status assessments.

CONCLUSION

Few observational studies examining mortality or survival outcomes in older women with breast cancer incorporate frailty assessments. Additionally, there is significant variation in definitions of frailty and classification of patients. While comorbidity assessments were more frequently included, the pivotal role of frailty for patient-centered decision-making in clinical practice, especially regarding treatment effectiveness and tolerance, necessitates more deliberate attention. Addressing this oversight more explicitly could enhance our ability to interpret observational research in older cancer patients.

Whole Breast Irradiation in Comparison to Endocrine Therapy in Early Stage Breast Cancer-A Direct and Network Meta-Analysis of Published Randomized Trials

BACKGROUND

Multiple randomized trials have established adjuvant endocrine therapy (ET) and whole breast irradiation (WBI) as the standard approach after breast-conserving surgery (BCS) in early-stage breast cancer. The omission of WBI has been studied in multiple trials and resulted in reduced local control with maintained survival rates and has therefore been adapted as a treatment option in selected patients in several guidelines. Omitting ET instead of WBI might also be a valuable option as both treatments have distinctly different side effect profiles. However, the clinical outcomes of BCS + ET vs. BCS + WBI have not been formally analyzed.

METHODS

We performed a systematic literature review searching for randomized trials comparing BCS + ET vs. BCS + WBI in low-risk breast cancer patients with publication dates after 2000. We excluded trials using any form of chemotherapy, regional nodal radiation and mastectomy. The meta-analysis was performed using a two-step process. First, we extracted all available published event rates and the effect sizes for overall and breast-cancer-specific survival (OS, BCSS), local (LR) and regional recurrence, disease-free survival, distant metastases-free interval, contralateral breast cancer, second cancer other than breast cancer and mastectomy-free interval as investigated endpoints and compared them in a network meta-analysis. Second, the published individual patient data from the Early Breast Cancer Trialists' Collaborative Group (EBCTCG) publications were used to allow a comparison of OS and BCSS.

RESULTS

We identified three studies, including a direct comparison of BCS + ET vs. BCS + WBI (n = 1059) and nine studies randomizing overall 7207 patients additionally to BCS only and BCS + WBI + ET resulting in a four-arm comparison. In the network analysis, LR was significantly lower in the BCS + WBI group in comparison with the BCS + ET group (HR = 0.62; CI-95%: 0.42-0.92; p = 0.019). We did not find any differences in OS (HR = 0.93; CI-95%: 0.53-1.62; p = 0.785) and BCSS (OR = 1.04; CI-95%: 0.45-2.41; p = 0.928). Further, we found a lower distant metastasis-free interval, a higher rate of contralateral breast cancer and a reduced mastectomy-free interval in the BCS + WBI-arm. Using the EBCTCG data, OS and BCSS were not significantly different between BCS + ET and BCS + WBI after 10 years (OS: OR = 0.85; CI-95%: 0.59-1.22; p = 0.369) (BCSS: OR = 0.72; CI-95%: 0.38-1.36; p = 0.305).

CONCLUSION

Evidence from direct and indirect comparison suggests that BCS + WBI might be an equivalent de-escalation strategy to BCS + ET in low-risk breast cancer. Adverse events and quality of life measures have to be further compared between these approaches.

Afterglow/Photothermal Bifunctional Polymeric Nanoparticles for Precise Postbreast-Conserving Surgery Adjuvant Therapy and Early Recurrence Theranostic

Adjuvant whole-breast radiotherapy is essential for breast cancer patients who adopted breast-conserving surgery (BCS) to reduce the risk of local recurrences, which however suffer from large-area and highly destructive ionizing radiation-induced adverse events. To tackle this issue, an afterglow/photothermal bifunctional polymeric nanoparticle (APPN) is developed that utilizes nonionizing light for precise afterglow imaging-guided post-BCS adjuvant second near-infrared (NIR-II) photothermal therapy. APPN consists of a tumor cell targeting afterglow agent, which is doped with a NIR dye as an afterglow initiator and a NIR-II light-absorbing semiconducting polymer as a photothermal transducer. Such a design realizes precise afterglow imaging-guided NIR-II photothermal ablation of minimal residual breast tumor foci after BCS, thus achieving complete inhibition of local recurrences. Moreover, APPN enables early diagnosis and treatment of local recurrence after BCS. This study thus provides a nonionizing modality for precision post-BCS adjuvant therapy and early recurrence theranostic.

Adjuvant treatment decisions among adults aged 65 years and older with early-stage hormone receptor positive breast cancer seen in a simple multidisciplinary clinic versus standard consultation

INTRODUCTION

Randomized studies support de-escalation of adjuvant therapy for a target population of older adults ≥65 years with stage I, estrogen-receptor (ER) positive breast cancer after breast conserving surgery. We sought to evaluate the impact of a simplified multidisciplinary clinic (s-MDC) in this population by comparing treatment patterns and patient perceptions of adjuvant radiation therapy (RT) and hormone therapy (HT) between patients seen in s-MDC vs. standard consultations.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Medical records were retrospectively reviewed for patients in the above target population who underwent surgery between August 2020 and May 2022 at our institution. Two cohorts were included: (1) patients seen in s-MDC, and (2) patients seen in standard clinic separately by medical and radiation oncology (non-s-MDC cohort). The non-s-MDC patients declined, could not attend, and/or were not referred to the s-MDC. Patients in the s-MDC cohort were prospectively administered validated questionnaires to evaluate patient reported data including the Decision Autonomy Preference Scale (DAPS), e-Prognosis, and Medical Maximizing-Minimizing Scale (MMS). Chi square, t-tests, and non-parametric equivalents compared demographics, and logistic regression evaluated RT and HT use and survey score outcomes between cohorts.

RESULTS

A total of 127 patients met inclusion criteria, with 33 s-MDC and 94 non-s-MDC patients. There was no difference between the cohorts in age, margin status, histology, grade, or focality. In the s-MDC cohort there were significantly more patients without sentinel lymph node biopsy (71.3% vs 42.4%, p = 0.003) and mean tumor size was smaller (0.69 vs. 0.96 cm, p < 0.003), and Charlson comborbidity index (CCI) was higher (5.21 vs 4.96, p = 0.038). There was no significant difference in receipt of RT (65% s-MDC vs 77% standard; odds ratio [OR] = 0.55, p = 0.189), HT (78% ss-MDC vs 72% standard; OR = 1.36, p = 0.513), or both (50% s-MDC vs 59% standard; OR = 0.7, p = 0.429). The s-MDC cohort was significantly more likely to undergo accelerated (vs. standard hypofractionated) RT (70% vs 39%; OR = 3.59, p = 0.020). In s-MDC patients with completed questionnaires (n = 33), all whose selected "mostly patient (n=6)" based decision making by DAPS chose RT while all "mostly doctor (n=1)" chose no RT. Based on e-Prognosis, there were lower odds of RT for increasing Schonberg score/ higher 10 yr mortality risk (OR 0.600, p = 0.048). MMS score ≥ 40 ("maximizer") was strongly linked with the use of RT (OR 18.57, p = 0.011).

DISCUSSION

For adults ≥65 years with early stage, ER positive breast cancer, s-MDC participation was not significantly associated with lower use of adjuvant RT or HT versus standard consultation but was significantly associated with shorter RT courses. DAPS and MMS results indicate that patient treatment preference may be predictable, highlighting an opportunity to tailor consultation discussions and recommendations based on intrinsic patient preferences and individual goals.

Optimizing Adjuvant Treatment Recommendations for Older Women with Biologically Favorable Breast Cancer: Short-Course Radiation or Long-Course Endocrine Therapy?

Omission of radiotherapy among older women taking 5 years of adjuvant endocrine therapy following breast conserving surgery for early-stage, hormone sensitive breast cancers is well-studied. However, endocrine therapy toxicities are significant, and many women have difficulty tolerating endocrine therapy, particularly elderly patients with comorbidities. Omission of endocrine therapy among women receiving adjuvant radiation is less well-studied, but available randomized and non-randomized data suggest that this approach may confer equivalent local control and survival for select patients. Herein we review available randomized and non-randomized outcome data for women treated with radiation monotherapy and emphasize the need for future prospective, randomized studies of endocrine therapy omission.

Impact of Endocrine Therapy Adherence on Outcomes in Elderly Women with Early-Stage Breast Cancer Undergoing Lumpectomy Without Radiotherapy

BACKGROUND

National Comprehensive Center Network guidelines recommend radiotherapy (RT) omission in women age ≥ 70 years with estrogen receptor-positive (ER+), cN0, T1 tumors post-lumpectomy if they receive endocrine therapy (ET). However, little is known about the impact of poor adherence on locoregional recurrence (LRR) in elderly women forgoing RT.

METHODS

Women age ≥ 70 years with pT1-2 ER+ breast cancer undergoing lumpectomy without RT from 2004 to 2019 were identified from a prospectively maintained database. ET adherence, calculated as treatment duration over follow-up time up to 5 years, was determined by chart review. We compared clinicopathologic characteristics and rates of LRR between women with high adherence (≥ 80%), low adherence (< 80%), and no ET.

RESULTS

Of 968 women (27 bilateral cancers), adherence was high in 676 (70%) and low in 162 (17%); 130 (13%) took no ET. Younger age and use of aromatase inhibitor were associated with high adherence. On multivariable analysis, tumor size (hazard ratio [HR] 1.67, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.03-2.68, p = 0.04) and high adherence (HR 0.13, 95% CI 0.07-0.26, p < 0.001) were significantly associated with LRR. At 53 months median follow-up, the 5-year rate of LRR was 3.1% (95% CI 2.4-3.9%) with high adherence, 14.7% (95% CI 11.7-17.7%) with low adherence, and 17.9% (95% CI 13.9-21.8%) with no ET (p < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONS

Although adherence to ET was high overall, in the 30% of women with low adherence or no ET, LRR rates were significantly increased. Counseling regarding the distinct toxicities of ET and RT can help patients choose the therapy to which they will likely adhere to.