Prognosis in women with small (T1mic,T1a,T1b) node-negative operable breast cancer by immunohistochemically selected subtypes

Exploring Biomarkers in Breast Cancer: Hallmarks of Diagnosis, Treatment, and Follow-Up in Clinical Practice

Breast cancer is a prevalent malignancy in the present day, particularly affecting women as one of the most common forms of cancer. A significant portion of patients initially present with localized disease, for which curative treatments are pursued. Conversely, another substantial segment is diagnosed with metastatic disease, which has a worse prognosis. Recent years have witnessed a profound transformation in the prognosis for this latter group, primarily due to the discovery of various biomarkers and the emergence of targeted therapies. These biomarkers, encompassing serological, histological, and genetic indicators, have demonstrated their value across multiple aspects of breast cancer management. They play crucial roles in initial diagnosis, aiding in the detection of relapses during follow-up, guiding the application of targeted treatments, and offering valuable insights for prognostic stratification, especially for highly aggressive tumor types. Molecular markers have now become the keystone of metastatic breast cancer diagnosis, given the diverse array of chemotherapy options and treatment modalities available. These markers signify a transformative shift in the arsenal of therapeutic options against breast cancer. Their diagnostic precision enables the categorization of tumors with elevated risks of recurrence, increased aggressiveness, and heightened mortality. Furthermore, the existence of therapies tailored to target specific molecular anomalies triggers a cascade of changes in tumor behavior. Therefore, the primary objective of this article is to offer a comprehensive review of the clinical, diagnostic, prognostic, and therapeutic utility of the principal biomarkers currently in use, as well as of their clinical impact on metastatic breast cancer. In doing so, our goal is to contribute to a more profound comprehension of this complex disease and, ultimately, to enhance patient outcomes through more precise and effective treatment strategies.

Retrospective Study of Treatment Patterns and Natural History of Patients with T1a/b N0 Triple-Negative Breast Cancers: A Single-Institution Experience

INTRODUCTION

T1a/b, node-negative (node-), triple-negative breast cancers (TNBCs) are underrepresented in randomized drug-approving clinical trials. Given their low incidence, the clinicopathological features, natural history, and treatment patterns of these tumors remain insufficiently understood.

METHODS

We conducted a single-institution retrospective cohort study of patients with T1a/b, N0, M0 TNBCs. Deidentified patient- and tumor-related data were collected and summarized. Kruskal-Wallis, χ2, or Fisher exact tests were used to evaluate associations of interest. Kaplan-Meier methods, log-rank tests, and Cox's proportional hazards models were applied for survival analyses.

RESULTS

Of 108 cases of node- TNBCs measuring ≤2 cm, 34 node- T1a/b tumors were included in our analysis. All cases had an intermediate to high histological grade, and most had a Ki-67 score of ≥20%. All patients received adjuvant chemotherapy, and many underwent mastectomy (47%). Docetaxel combined with cyclophosphamide was the most common adjuvant chemotherapy regimen (75%). We did not observe significant associations between improved outcomes and treatment with anthracycline-containing regimens. Among patients with node- pT1a/b tumors, the estimated 3-year recurrence-free survival (RFS) and distant RFS rates were both 96.3% (95% CI: 76.5-99.5), and the overall survival rate was estimated to be 100% (95% CI: 100-100). There were no cases of local recurrences observed.

CONCLUSIONS

In our cohort, all patients with T1a/b node- TNBCs were treated with adjuvant chemotherapy and had favorable outcomes even when treated with anthracycline-sparing regimens.

The Association between Early-Onset Diagnosis and Clinical Outcomes in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Early-onset diagnosis, defined by age <40 years, has historically been associated with inferior outcomes in breast cancer. Recent evidence suggests that this association is modified by molecular subtype. We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of the literature to synthesize evidence on the association between early-onset diagnosis and clinical outcomes in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). Studies comparing the risk of clinical outcomes in non-metastatic TNBC between early-onset patients and later-onset patients (≥40 years) were queried in Medline and EMBASE from inception to February 2023. Separate meta-analyses were performed for breast cancer specific survival (BCSS), overall survival (OS), and disease-free survival (DFS), locoregional recurrence-free survival (LRRFS), distant recurrence-free survival (DRFS), and pathological complete response (pCR). In total, 7581 unique records were identified, and 36 studies satisfied inclusion criteria. The pooled risk of any recurrence was significantly greater in early-onset patients compared to later-onset patients. Better BCSS and OS were observed in early-onset patients relative to later-onset patients aged >60 years. The pooled odds of achieving pCR were significantly higher in early-onset patients. Future studies should evaluate the role of locoregional management of TNBC and the implementation of novel therapies such as PARP inhibitors in real-world settings, and whether they improve outcomes.

Recent Advances in Optimizing Radiation Therapy Decisions in Early Invasive Breast Cancer

Adjuvant whole breast irradiation after breast-conserving surgery is a well-established treatment standard for early invasive breast cancer. Screening, early diagnosis, refinement in surgical techniques, the knowledge of new and specific molecular prognostic factors, and now the standard use of more effective neo/adjuvant systemic therapies have proven instrumental in reducing the rates of locoregional relapses. This underscores the need for reliably identifying women with such low-risk disease burdens in whom elimination of radiation from the treatment plan would not compromise oncological safety. This review summarizes the current evidence for radiation de-intensification strategies and details ongoing prospective clinical trials investigating the omission of adjuvant whole breast irradiation in molecularly defined low-risk breast cancers and related evidence supporting the potential for radiation de-escalation in HER2+ and triple-negative clinical subtypes. Furthermore, we discuss the current evidence for the de-escalation of regional nodal irradiation after neoadjuvant chemotherapy. Finally, we also detail the current knowledge of the clinical value of stromal tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes and liquid-based biomarkers as prognostic factors for locoregional relapse.

Correlation of tumour subtype with long-term outcome in small breast carcinomas: a Swedish population-based retrospective cohort study

PURPOSE

To investigate if molecular subtype is associated with outcome in stage 1 breast cancer (BC).

METHODS

Tissue samples from 445 women with node-negative BC ≤ 15 mm, treated in 1986-2004, were classified into surrogate molecular subtypes [Luminal A-like, Luminal B-like (HER2-), HER2-positive, and triple negative breast cancer (TNBC)]. Information on treatment, recurrences, and survival were gathered from medical records.

RESULTS

Tumour subtype was not associated with overall survival (OS). Luminal B-like (HER2-) and TNBC were associated with higher incidence of distant metastasis at 20 years (Hazard ratio (HR) 2.26; 95% CI 1.08-4.75 and HR 3.24; 95% CI 1.17-9.00, respectively). Luminal B-like (HER2-) and TNBC patients also had worse breast cancer-specific survival (BCSS), although not statistically significant (HR 1.53; 95% CI 0.70-3.33 and HR 1.89; 95% CI 0.60-5.93, respectively). HER2-positive BC was not associated with poor outcome despite no patient receiving HER2-targeted therapy, with most of these tumours being ER+.

CONCLUSIONS

Stage 1 TNBC or Luminal B-like (HER2-) tumours behave more aggressively. Women with HER2+/ER+ tumours do not have an increased risk of distant metastasis or death, absent targeted treatment.

A Novel Risk-Scoring System to Identify the Potential Population Benefiting From Adjuvant Chemotherapy for Node-Negative TNBC Patients With Tumor Size Less Than 1 cm

Background and Objectives

Whether chemotherapy is needed in node-negative triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) patients with tumor size less than 1 cm is still controversial. In our research, we constructed a novel risk-scoring system to identify the potential TNBC patients benefiting from adjuvant chemotherapy in T1miN0M0, T1aN0M0, and T1bN0M0 stages.

Methods

Relevant data were extracted from the SEER database. We applied Kaplan-Meier curves and the Cox hazards model for survival analysis and developed a nomogram of overall survival. The X-tile software was used for risk stratification. The information of TNBC patients treated in the First Affiliated Hospital of Xi’an Jiaotong University was used for the application of the model.

Results

A total of 4266 patients who met the criteria of our study were included. T stage, age, race, surgery, and radiotherapy state were used to create the nomogram of overall survival. According to the total risk score, the patients were divided into high-risk (score g 73), median-risk (38 ≤ score &lt; 73), and low-risk (score &lt;38) groups. Chemotherapy can prolong the overall survival of patients in the median-risk and high-risk groups, while patients in the low-risk group can be exempted from chemotherapy. In addition, we also used the risk-scoring system in real-world patients as application and verification.

Conclusion

We constructed a novel risk-scoring system that can be used as a chemotherapy decision-making tool for node-negative TNBC patients with tumor size less than 1 cm. Tumor size should not be the only criterion for chemotherapy treatment decision-making.

Practice-Changing Perspectives regarding Systemic Therapy in Early Breast Cancer: Opinions of German Experts regarding the 17th St. Gallen International Consensus Conference

The general topic of this year's 17th St. Gallen (SG) International Consensus Conference on the treatment of patients with early breast cancer (SG-BCC) was "Customizing local and systemic therapies for women with early breast cancer." This topic considers that each treatment decision must also consider the cancer-specific situation of the individual patient. This year, the votes of the SG-BCC were again discussed taking into account the multidisciplinary German S3 Guidelines and the recommendations of the Breast Cancer Working Group of the AGO (Arbeitsgemeinschaft Gynäkologische Onkologie; AGO Mamma). As the international panel of the SG-BCC consists of experts from different countries, the votes do represent an international cross-section of opinions. Therefore, it is useful to discuss the voting results with respect to the German evidence-based treatment guidelines. This publication focuses mainly on systemic treatment.

Benefit of adjuvant chemotherapy in node-negative T1a versus T1b and T1c triple-negative breast cancer

PURPOSE

National comprehensive cancer network guidelines recommend delivery of adjuvant chemotherapy in node-negative triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) if the tumor is > 1 cm and consideration of adjuvant chemotherapy for T1b but not T1a disease. These recommendations are based upon sparse data on the role of adjuvant chemotherapy in T1a and T1b node-negative TNBC. Our objective was to clarify the benefits of chemotherapy for patients with T1N0 TNBC, stratified by tumor size.

METHODS

We performed a retrospective analysis of survival outcomes of TNBC patients at two academic institutions in the United States from 1999 to 2018. Primary tumor size, histology, and nodal status were based upon surgical pathology. The Kaplan-Meier plot and 5-year unadjusted survival probability were evaluated.

RESULTS

Among 282 T1N0 TNBC cases, the status of adjuvant chemotherapy was known for 258. Mean follow-up was 5.3 years. Adjuvant chemotherapy was delivered to 30.5% of T1a, 64.7% T1b, and 83.9% T1c (p < 0.0001). On multivariable analysis, factors associated with delivery of adjuvant chemotherapy were tumor size and grade 3 disease. Improved overall survival was associated with use of chemotherapy in patients with T1c disease (93.2% vs. 75.2% p = 0.008) but not T1a (100% vs. 100% p = 0.3778) or T1b (100% vs. 95.8% p = 0.2362) disease.

CONCLUSION

Our data support current guidelines indicating benefit from adjuvant chemotherapy in node-negative TNBC associated with T1c tumors but excellent outcomes were observed in the cases of T1a and T1b disease, regardless of whether adjuvant chemotherapy was delivered.

The Role of Trastuzumab in Patients with HER2 Positive Small (pT1mi/a) Breast Cancers, a Multicenter Retrospective Study

Simple Summary

Treatment of small HER2+ breast cancers with adjuvant Trastuzumab is still controversial. This study aims to measure the effect of Trastuzumab in early stages of breast cancer (pT1mic/a pN0/1mi) in terms of disease recurrence and to identify which factors most affect the prognosis of small HER2+ tumors. We retrospectively selected and reviewed 100 HER2+ pT1mic-pT1a breast cancer patients with a median follow-up of 86 months. In our study the primary outcome was the disease recurrence rate, which appeared to be significantly lower among patients who received adjuvant Trastuzumab. Among the patients who did not receive adjuvant Trastuzumab, HR− HER2+ tumors showed a risk seven times higher of relapse. The results of our study indicate that adjuvant Trastuzumab reduces the risk of developing a disease recurrence even in small HER2+ tumors. Adjuvant targeted therapy should be considered in patients with HR− HER2+ tumors, the category with the highest risk of recurrence.

Abstract

The treatment with adjuvant Trastuzumab in patients diagnosed with HER2+ small breast cancers is controversial: limited prospective data from randomized trials is available. This study aims to measure the effect of Trastuzumab in the early stages of breast cancer (pT1mic/a pN0/1mi) in terms of disease recurrence and to identify which are the factors that most affect the prognosis of small HER2+ tumors. One hundred HER2+ pT1mic-pT1a breast cancer patients who were treated in three Turin Breast Units between January 1998 and December 2018 were retrospectively selected and reviewed. Trastuzumab was administered to 23 patients. Clinicopathological features and disease-free survival (DFS) were compared between different subgroups. The primary outcome was the disease recurrence rate. Median follow-up time was 86 months. Compared to pT1a tumors, pT1mic lesions had a higher tumor grade (84% of pT1mic vs. 55% of pT1a; p = 0.003), a higher Ki-67 index (81% vs. 46%; p = 0.007) and were more frequently hormone receptor (HR) negative (69% vs. 36%, p = 0.001). Disease recurrence rate was significantly lower among patients who received adjuvant Trastuzumab (p = 0.02), with this therapy conferring an 85% reduction in the risk of relapse (HR 0.15; p = 0.02). Among the patients who did not receive adjuvant Trastuzumab, the only factor significantly associated with an increased risk of developing a recurrence was the immunohistochemical (IHC) subtype: in fact, HR− HER2+ tumors showed a risk seven times higher of relapsing (HR 7.29; p = 0.003). Adjuvant Trastuzumab appears to reduce the risk of disease recurrence even in small HER2+ tumors. The adjuvant targeted therapy should be considered in patients with HR− HER2+ tumors since they have the highest risk of recurrence, independently from size and grade.

De-escalation of Systemic Therapy for Early-Stage, Node-Negative Her2+ and Triple-Negative Breast Cancer

Purpose of Review

This review summarizes the most recent data on the management of small, node-negative Her2+ and triple-negative breast cancer.

Recent Findings

Both Her2+ and triple-negative breast cancers are characterized by high rates of recurrence and worse survival outcomes compared to hormone-positive cancers. De-escalation of systemic therapy in early-stage breast cancer is a recent national trend in clinical research. Recent prospective trials support the scaling back of cytotoxic agents and maximization of targeted therapy regimens. Similarly, large retrospective studies on small, node-negative triple-negative breast cancer report the omission of chemotherapy in women with T1a,N0 triple-negative cancers with favorable short term outcomes.

Summary

De-escalation of systemic therapy for Her2+ breast cancer is effective in the management of early-stage, node-negative disease. Future prospective studies on the omission of systemic therapy for triple-negative breast cancer are required to safely adopt into consensus guidelines.

Treatment of Patients with Early Breast Cancer: Evidence, Controversies, Consensus: German Expert Opinions on the 17th International St. Gallen Consensus Conference

This year's 17th St. Gallen (SG) Consensus Conference on the Treatment of Patients with Early Breast Cancer (SG-BCC) with the title "Customizing local and systemic therapies for women with early breast cancer" focused on the challenge of targeting the treatment of early breast cancer more specifically to the individual disease situation of each patient. As in previous years, a German working group of leading breast cancer experts discussed the results of the international SG-BCC 2021 in the context of the German guideline. It is helpful to compare the SG recommendations with the recently updated treatment recommendations of the Breast Commission of the German Working Group on Gynaecological Oncology (Arbeitsgemeinschaft Gynäkologische Onkologie e. V., AGO) and the S3 guideline because the SG-BCC panel comprised experts from different countries, which is why country-specific aspects can be incorporated into the SG recommendations. The German treatment recommendations of the AGO and the S3 guideline are based on current evidence. Nevertheless, any therapeutic decision must always undergo a risk-benefit analysis for the specific situation and to be discussed with the patient.

Adjuvant chemotherapy for small, lymph node-negative, triple-negative breast cancer: A single-center study and a meta-analysis of the published literature

BACKGROUND

Current guidelines recommend adjuvant chemotherapy for patients with small, lymph node-negative, triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) measuring >5 mm (T1b disease), but clinical evidence to support this recommendation is lacking. Thus, the current study aimed to evaluate the survival benefit of adjuvant chemotherapy in patients with T1N0M0 (measuring ≤2 cm) TNBC with different tumor sizes.

METHODS

The authors retrospectively evaluated consecutive patients with pT1N0M0 TNBC who were diagnosed between 2000 and 2016 at Sun Yat-Sen University Cancer Center. For the meta-analysis, electronic medical databases were searched for all relevant studies regarding the effect of adjuvant chemotherapy on the target population.

RESULTS

Of the 351 enrolled patients, 309 (88%) received adjuvant chemotherapy and 42 patients (12%) did not. The distribution by T classification was T1a in 19 patients (5.4%), T1b in 67 patients (19.1%), and T1c in 265 patients (75.5%). Adjuvant chemotherapy significantly improved recurrence-free survival (RFS) in the patients with T1c disease, but not those with T1b and T1a disease. Meanwhile, there was no difference in RFS noted according to the chemotherapy regimen among patients with T1c disease. Seven eligible studies comprising 1525 patients with T1N0M0 (941 with T1a/bN0M0) were included in the meta-analysis. The meta-analysis demonstrated that adjuvant chemotherapy significantly reduced the rate of disease recurrence for patients with T1a/b disease as a group, but the population driving that was only patients with T1b disease, not those with T1a disease.

CONCLUSIONS

Although the retrospective analysis demonstrated a survival benefit of adjuvant chemotherapy only for patients with T1cN0 TNBC, the meta-analysis showed it also is beneficial for individuals with T1bN0 TNBC. For patients with T1cN0M0 TNBC, less intensive chemotherapy regimens achieve an excellent survival outcome similar to that of intensive anthracycline and taxane combination chemotherapy.

Characteristics and clinical outcome of pT1a-b node-negative breast cancer

OBJECTIVE:

Tumor size, along with other clinicopathological characteristics, has a prognostic role in breast cancer. Recurrence risk tends to rise as tumor size increases. Early T-stage portends a good prognosis. We aimed to investigate the recurrence-free interval rates of T1abN0 group of early breast cancer.

METHODS:

Patients diagnosed with pT1a and T1b, lymph node metastasis-negative breast cancer were included in the study. Clinicopathologic characteristics including recurrence, distant metastasis, and final status of the patients were obtained retrospectively from the patient files.

RESULTS:

A total of 84 patients included. Twenty-six patients (31%) had T1a and 58 patients (69%) had T1b tumors. The 5-year distant relapse-free survival (DRFS) rate of T1ab tumors was 95.2%. The DRFS rate of T1a tumors was 96.2%, while the rate of T1b tumors was 94.8% (p=0.555). The 5-year RFS rate of T1ab tumors was 90.5%. The RFS rate of T1a tumors was 84.6%, whereas the rate of T1b tumors was 93.1% (p=0.359). The 5-year DRFS rate of hormone receptor positive group was 97%, Her-2 positive group was 81.8%, and triple negative group was 100% (p=0.041). The 5-year RFS rate of the hormone receptor positive group was 97%, Her-2 positive group was 72.7%, and triple negative group was 57.1% (p=0.001).

CONCLUSION:

The results of the study provided that both T1a and T1b tumors have a good and similar prognosis.

T1a triple negative breast cancer has the worst prognosis among all the small tumor (<1 cm) of TNBC and HER2-rich subtypes

Background

Triple negative breast cancer (TNBC), accounting for 15% of all breast cancer cases, was usually considered as the most aggressive subtype. The present study evaluated the prognosis of T1a TNBC and the impact of tumor size on T1 TNBC survival in large-scale population.

Methods

This retrospective study enrolled T1a/T1b/T1c TNBC and HER2⁺/hormone receptor (HoR)^- patients diagnosed between 2010 to 2012 from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results database. The following information was extracted for further analyses: demographic variables including age at diagnosis, race, marital status, laterality, histological grade, T/N stage, American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) stage, radiation therapy, survival and cause of death. Kaplan-Meier method and Cox regression were engaged for breast cancer specific survival (BCSS) and overall survival (OS) analyses.

Results

In all, the present study enrolled 6,953 TNBC and 2,648 HER2⁺/HoR^- patients. T1a TNBC which generally omitted adjuvant chemotherapy had worse prognosis than T1a HER2⁺/HoR^- [BCSS: hazard ratio (HR) 3.23, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.05-9.09, P=0.03; OS: HR 2.63, 95% CI: 1.25-5.56, P=0.01] and T1b HER2⁺/HoR^- (BCSS: HR 5.26, 95% CI: 1.61-16.7, P=0.006; OS: HR 3.03, 95% CI: 1.27-7.14, P=0.013) tumors which both were recommended by the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) guideline to have chemotherapy. T1a TNBC also showed a trend with poorer prognosis than T1b TNBC, but did not reach statistical significance.

Conclusions

T1a TNBC had the worst prognosis among all small tumors (<1 cm) of TNBC and HER2⁺/HoR^- subtypes, indicating the necessity of more intensive adjuvant treatment.

Diagnostic Accuracy of Cross-Polarization OCT and OCT-Elastography for Differentiation of Breast Cancer Subtypes: Comparative Study

The possibility to assess molecular-biological and morphological features of particular breast cancer types can improve the precision of resection margin detection and enable accurate determining of the tumor aggressiveness, which is important for treatment selection. To enable reliable differentiation of breast-cancer subtypes and evaluation of resection margin, without performing conventional histological procedures, here we apply cross-polarization optical coherence tomography (CP-OCT) and compare it with a novel variant of compressional optical coherence elastography (C-OCE) in terms of the diagnostic accuracy (Ac) with histological verification. The study used 70 excised breast cancer specimens with different morphological structure and molecular status (Luminal A, Luminal B, Her2/Neo+, non-luminal and triple-negative cancer). Our first aim was to formulate convenient criteria of visual assessment of CP-OCT and C-OCE images intended (i) to differentiate tumorous and non-tumorous tissues and (ii) to enable more precise differentiation among different malignant states. We identified such criteria based on the presence of heterogeneities and characteristics of signal attenuation in CP-OCT images, as well as the presence of inclusions/mosaic structures combined with visually feasible assessment of several stiffness grades in C-OCE images. Secondly, we performed a blinded reader study of the Ac of C-OCE versus CP-OCT, for delineation of tumorous versus non-tumorous tissues followed by identification of breast cancer subtypes. For tumor detection, C-OCE showed higher specificity than CP-OCT (97.5% versus 93.3%) and higher Ac (96.0 versus 92.4%). For the first time, the Ac of C-OCE and CP-OCT were evaluated for differentiation between non-invasive and invasive breast cancer (90.4% and 82.5%, respectively). Furthermore, for invasive cancers, the difference between invasive but low-aggressive and highly-aggressive subtypes can be detected. For differentiation between non-tumorous tissue and low-aggressive breast-cancer subtypes, Ac was 95.7% for C-OCE and 88.1% for CP-OCT. For differentiation between non-tumorous tissue and highly-aggressive breast cancers, Ac was found to be 98.3% for C-OCE and 97.2% for CP-OCT. In all cases C-OCE showed better diagnostic parameters independently of the tumor type. These findings confirm the high potential of OCT-based examinations for rapid and accurate diagnostics during breast conservation surgery.

The Evolving Complexity of Treating Hormone Receptor-Positive, Human Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor-2 (HER2)-Negative Breast Cancer: Special Considerations in Older Breast Cancer Patients-Part I: Early-Stage Disease

The median age for breast cancer diagnosis is 62 years, but a disproportionate number of patients are over the age of 75 years and the majority of those have hormone receptor-positive, human epidermal growth factor receptor-2 (HER2)-negative cancers. This review provides a logical algorithm to guide providers through the many complicated issues involved in adjuvant systemic therapy decisions in older patients with hormone receptor-positive, HER2-negative breast cancer. For this subtype of breast cancer, the mainstay of treatment is surgery and adjuvant endocrine therapy with tamoxifen or an aromatase inhibitor (AI). Adjuvant chemotherapy is added to the treatment regimen when the benefits of treatment are deemed to outweigh the risks, making the risk-benefit discussion particularly important in older women. Traditional tools for cancer risk assessment and genomic expression profiles (GEPs) are under-utilized in older patients, but yield equally useful information about cancer prognosis as they do in younger patients. Additionally, there are tools that estimate life-limiting toxicity risk from chemotherapy and life expectancy, which are both important issues in the risk-benefit discussion. For very low-risk cancers, such as non-invasive and small lymph node (LN)-negative cancers, the benefits of any adjuvant therapy is likely outweighed by the risks, but endocrine therapy might be considered to prevent future new breast cancers. For invasive tumors that are > 5 mm (T1b or larger) or involve LNs, adjuvant endocrine therapy is recommended. Generally, AIs should be included, though tamoxifen is effective and should be offered when AIs are not tolerated. Bone-preserving agents and high-dose vitamin D are options to preserve bone density or treat osteoporosis, especially in older women who are taking AIs. Where the risk-reducing benefit from adjuvant chemotherapy outweighs the toxicity risk, adjuvant chemotherapy should be considered. Adjuvant chemotherapy has similar benefits in older and younger patients and standard regimens are preferred. Several exciting clinic trials are underway and have included older patients, including those adding molecularly targeted agents, cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK) 4/6 inhibitors and everolimus, to endocrine therapy in the adjuvant setting. The high incidence of breast cancer in older women should drive us to design clinical trials for this population and emphasize their inclusion in ongoing trials as much as possible.

The Survival Outcomes of T1aN0M0 Triple-Negative Breast Cancer With Adjuvant Chemotherapy

Purpose: Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is a subtype with distinct heterogeneity, high invasiveness, and poorer prognosis. There is a controversy about adjuvant chemotherapy (ACT) at the T1aN0M0 stage. This study was carried out to assess the survival benefit of ACT for these patients.

Methods: We identified 1,099 patients with T1aN0M0 TNBC who were diagnosed between 2010 and 2016 from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database. Univariate and multivariable analyses were conducted to determine factors related to survival. One-to-one (1:1) propensity score matching (PSM) was applied to construct a matched sample consisting of pairs of ACT and non-ACT subjects. Breast cancer–specific survival (BCSS) and overall survival (OS) of the two groups were evaluated by Kaplan–Meier plots and Cox proportional hazard regression models. Stratified analysis according to different variables was also performed.

Results: No obvious differences in demographic or clinical characteristics were found between patients who had ACT and those without ACT therapy in terms of race, marital status, laterality, or radiation therapy. A higher proportion of patients who were older, had a higher histological grade tumor, and who received breast-conserving surgery had adjuvant chemotherapy. The ACT group did not exhibit better survival in BCSS or OS before PSM. After PSM, the ACT and non-ACT groups consisted of 255 patients, respectively, and Kaplan–Meier curves and multivariate analysis both indicate that adjuvant chemotherapy was not associated with better survival in terms of BCSS or OS. Furthermore, we did not observe any survival advantage in any subgroup irrespective of age, race, marital status, histological grade, surgery type, or radiotherapy status.

Conclusions: The study results indicate that there is no strong association between ACT and better survival in T1aN0M0 TNBC. It implies that the chemotherapy decision should be made cautiously and further research into therapeutic strategies are needed in T1aN0M0 TNBC patients.

Modern surgical treatment of breast cancer

Breast cancer is the most frequent cancer in women all over the world. The prognosis is generally good, with a five-year overall survival rate above 90% for all stages. It is still the second leading cause of cancer-related death among women. Surgical treatment of breast cancer has changed dramatically over the years. Initially, treatment involved major surgery with long hospitalization, but it is now mostly accomplished as an outpatient procedure with a quick recovery. Thanks to well-designed retrospective and randomly controlled prospective studies, guidelines are continually changing. We are presently in an era where safely de-escalating surgery is increasingly emphasized. Breast cancer is a heterogenous disease, where a "one-size-fits-all" treatment approach is not appropriate. There is often more than one surgical solution carrying equal oncological safety for an individual patient. In these situations, it is important to include the patient in the treatment decision-making process through well informed consent. For this to be optimal, the physician must be fully updated on the surgical options. A consequence of an improved prognosis is more breast cancer survivors, and therefore physical appearance and quality of life is more in focus. Modern breast cancer treatment is increasingly personalized from a surgical point of view but is dependent on a multidisciplinary approach. Detailed algorithms for surgery of the breast and the axilla are required for optimal treatment and quality control. This review illustrates how breast cancer treatment has changed over the years and how the current standard is based on high quality scientific research.

Amplification of Stem Genes: New Potential Metastatic Makers in Patients with an Early Form of Breast Cancer

BACKGROUND

According to our previous studies, the presence of amplifications of stem genes can lead to their ectopic expression and this is associated with an increased activity of tumor stem cells in these patients. This leads to a high aggressiveness of the tumor and the development of metastatic disease. The aim was to evaluate the prognostic significance of the presence of amplifications of stem genes and their expression in patients with early breast cancer (BC).

METHODS

The study included 28 patients with T₁NxM₀ BC. We used surgical specimens, including formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded archive materials, for 8 patients. A microarray analysis was performed on high-density DNA chips from CytoScanHDArray to assess the status of copy number aberration (CNA) of stem genes locus. Gene expression was assessed using RT-qPCR.

RESULTS

CNA analysis of the studied tumors of patients without chemotherapy showed that 17/18 patients without metastases did not have two or more amplifications of chromosomal regions. Ten patients had visceral metastases. In 9/10 of these patients in the primary tumor there were two or more amplifications of the stem genes locus. Two or more amplifications of stem genes locus were found in 12 patients with stage I. Hematogenous metastases did not develop in all patients. Comparison of metastasis-free survival rates in groups of patients with 1 or without amplifications and with two or more amplifications showed statistically significant differences (P = 0.01).

CONCLUSION

Our studies have shown that the presence of clones with two or more amplifications of stem gene in patients with BC T₁NxM₀ has a significant prognostic value and determines an unfavorable prognosis for distant metastasis.

Targeted therapeutic options and future perspectives for HER2-positive breast cancer

Over the past 2 decades, there has been an extraordinary progress in the regimens developed for the treatment of human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-positive breast cancer. Trastuzumab, pertuzumab, lapatinib, and ado-trastuzumab emtansine (T-DM1) are commonly recommended anti-HER2 target agents by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. This review summarizes the most significant and updated research on clinical scenarios related to HER2-positive breast cancer management in order to revise the guidelines of everyday clinical practices. In this article, we present the data on anti-HER2 clinical research of neoadjuvant, adjuvant, and metastatic studies from the past 2 decades. We also highlight some of the promising strategies that should be critically considered. Lastly, this review lists some of the ongoing clinical trials, findings of which may soon be available.

AGO Recommendations for the Diagnosis and Treatment of Patients with Locally Advanced and Metastatic Breast Cancer: Update 2019

Every year the Breast Committee of the Arbeitsgemeinschaft Gynäkologische Onkologie (German Gynecological Oncology Group, AGO), a group of gynecological oncologists specialized in breast cancer and interdisciplinary members specialized in pathology, radiologic diagnostics, medical oncology, and radiation oncology, prepares and updates evidence-based recommendations for the diagnosis and treatment of patients with early and metastatic breast cancer. Every update is performed according to a documented rule-fixed algorithm, by thoroughly reviewing and scoring the recent publications for their scientific validity and clinical relevance. This current publication presents the 2019 update on the recommendations for metastatic breast cancer.

Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy and Surgery for Breast Cancer: Preoperative MRI Features Associated with Local Recurrence

Purpose To investigate the MRI and clinical-pathologic features associated with local-regional recurrence (LRR) in patients who had undergone breast-conserving surgery (BCS) following neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC). Materials and Methods In this retrospective, single-institution study between October 2003 and September 2015, 548 consecutive women, consisting of 468 down-staged and 80 preplanned BCS patients (mean age, 45.7 years; range, 22-75 years), underwent preoperative MRI and BCS following NAC. The rate and site of LRR, preoperative MRI features including Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System lexicon, and clinical-pathologic features (age, stage, tumor subtype, histologic grade, lymphovascular invasion, adjuvant chemotherapy, and endocrine therapy) were analyzed with the Cox proportional hazards model to identify independent factors associated with LRR-free survival (LRFS). Results Of the 548 women, 23 (4.2%) had LRR at a median follow-up of 23.1 months. In Cox regression analysis, younger age (ie, ≤ 40 years) (hazard ratio = 2.932; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.233, 6.969; P = .015) or the presence of nonmass enhancement on preoperative MR images (hazard ratio = 3.220; 95% CI: 1.274, 8.140; P = .014) was associated with worse LRFS. LRR was more frequently observed in the same quadrant as the original tumor in the down-staged BCS group than in the preplanned BCS group (80.0% [16 of 20] vs 33.3% [one of three]; P = .021). Conclusion Age of 40 years or younger or the presence of nonmass enhancement on preoperative MR images tends to be associated with worse local-regional recurrence-free survival, and local-regional recurrence frequently occurs in the same quadrant as the original tumor in breast cancer patients who undergo breast-conserving surgery following neoadjuvant chemotherapy. © RSNA, 2018.

The effect of adjuvant chemotherapy on survival in Korean patients with node negative T1c, triple negative breast cancer

Background

The present study investigated the prognostic role of adjuvant systemic chemotherapy in patients with node negative, T1c triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) from a nationwide cohort. In addition, the prognostic effect between 3 different chemotherapy regimens were compared in node-negative T1c TNBC patients by subgroup analysis.

Methods

From the Korean breast cancer registry database, 1,151 T1c node negative TNBC patients were included in this study. Patients were categorized into four treatment groups according to chemotherapy regimen: (1) no chemotherapy, (2) adriamycin plus cyclophosphamide (AC), (3) adriamycin/epirubicin plus cyclophosphamide plus 5-FU (FAC/FEC), and (4) cyclophosphamide plus 5-FU plus methotrexate (CMF). Overall survival (OS) was evaluated between each patient group.

Results

Of the 1,151 T1c node negative TNBC patients, 1,006 received adjuvant chemotherapy, while 145 received no chemotherapy. Among the patients receiving adjuvant chemotherapy the distribution of regimens was: 586 AC, 168 FAC/FEC (126 FAC, 42 FEC), and 252 CMF. The mean follow-up time of the full study cohort was 87.98 ± 33.56 months (range = 6–192 months). Patients in the no chemotherapy group showed significantly worse OS compared to each chemotherapy regimen group. However, when OS was compared between each chemotherapy regimen, no significant difference was found.

Conclusions

This study showed that adjuvant systemic chemotherapy improved OS in T1c node negative TNBC patients, regardless of chemotherapy between AC, FAC/FEC, and CMF regimens.

Margins in breast cancer: How much is enough?

The appropriate negative margin width for women undergoing breast-conserving surgery for both ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) and invasive carcinoma is controversial. This review examines the available data on the margin status for invasive breast cancer and DCIS, and highlights the similarities and differences in tumor biology and standard treatments that affect the local recurrence (LR) risk and, therefore, the optimal surgical margin. Consensus guidelines support a negative margin, defined as no ink on tumor, for invasive carcinoma treated with breast-conserving therapy. Because of differences in the growth pattern and utilization of systemic therapy, a margin of 2 mm has been found to minimize the LR risk for women with DCIS undergoing lumpectomy and radiation therapy (RT). Wider negative margins do not improve local control for DCIS or invasive carcinoma when they are treated with lumpectomy and RT. Re-excision for negative margins should be individualized, and the routine practice of performing additional surgery to obtain a wider negative margin is not supported by the literature. Cancer 2018;124:1335-41. © 2018 American Cancer Society.

Prognostic role of elevated mir-24-3p in breast cancer and its association with the metastatic process

MicroRNAs have been shown to play important roles in breast cancer progression and can serve as biomarkers. To assess the prognostic role of a panel of miRNAs in breast cancer, we collected plasma prospectively at the time of initial diagnosis from 1,780 patients with stage I-III breast cancer prior to definitive treatment. We identified plasma from 115 patients who subsequently developed distant metastases and 115 patients without metastatic disease. Both groups were matched by: age at blood collection, year of blood collection, breast cancer subtype, and stage. The median follow up was 3.4 years (range, 1-9 years). We extracted RNA from plasma and analyzed the expression of 800 miRNAs using Nanostring technology. We then assessed the expression of miRNAs in primary and metastatic breast cancer samples from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA). We found that, miR-24-3p was upregulated in patients with metastases, both in plasma and in breast cancer tissues. Patients whose primary tumors expressed high levels of miR-24-3p had a significantly lower survival rate compared to patients with low mir-24-3p levels in the TCGA cohort (n=1,024). RNA-Seq data of the samples with the highest miR-24-3p expression versus those with the lowest miR-24-3p in the TCGA cohort identified a specific gene expression signature for those tumors with high miR-24-3p. Possible target genes for miR-24-3p were predicted based on gene expression and binding site, and their effects on cancer pathways were evaluated. Cancer, breast cancer and proteoglycans were the top three pathways affected by miR-24-3p overexpression.

Breast Cancer Biology: Clinical Implications for Breast Radiation Therapy

Historically, prognosis and treatment decision making for breast cancer patients have been dictated by the anatomic extent of tumor spread. However, in recent years, "breast cancer" has proven to be a collection of unique phenotypes with distinct prognoses, patterns of failure, and treatment responses. Recent advances in biologically based assays and targeted therapies designed to exploit these unique phenotypes have profoundly altered systemic therapy practice patterns and treatment outcomes. Data associating locoregional outcomes with tumor biology are emerging. However, the likelihood of obtaining level I evidence for fundamental radiation therapy questions within each of the specific subtypes in the immediate future is low. As such, this review aims to summarize the existing data and provide practical context for the incorporation of breast tumor biology into clinical practice.

Luminal-like HER2-negative stage IA breast cancer: a multicenter retrospective study on long-term outcome with propensity score analysis

The benefit of adding chemotherapy (CT) to adjuvant hormone therapy (HT) in stage IA luminal-like HER2-negative breast cancer (BC) is unclear. We retrospectively evaluated predictive factors and clinical outcome of 1,222 patients from 4 oncologic centers. Three hundred and eighty patients received CT and HT (CT-cohort) and 842 received HT alone (HT-cohort). Disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS) were evaluated with univariate and multivariate analyses. We also applied the propensity score methodology. Compared with the HT-cohort, patients in the CT-cohort were more likely to be younger, have larger tumors of a higher histological grade that were Ki67-positive, and lower estrogen and progesterone receptor expression. At univariate analysis, a higher histological grade and Ki67 were significantly associated to a lower DFS. At multivariable analysis, only histological grade was predictive of DFS. The CT-cohort had a worse outcome than the HT-cohort in terms of DFS and OS, but differences disappeared when matched according to propensity score. In summary, patients with stage IA luminal-like BC had an excellent prognosis, however relapse and mortality were higher in the CT-cohort than in the HT-cohort. Longer use of adjuvant HT or other therapeutic strategies may be needed to improve outcome.

Outcomes by molecular subtype after accelerated partial breast irradiation using single-entry catheters

PURPOSE

Tumor biology is being recognized as an important indicator of prognosis and risk of locoregional recurrence. Here, we determine actuarial recurrence rates by approximated molecular subtype for women treated with single-entry catheter accelerated partial breast irradiation (sAPBI).

METHODS AND MATERIALS

One thousand four hundred eighty-six women with invasive cancer having known ER, PR, and Her2 status and at least 1-year of followup were treated using MammoSite, Contura, or SAVI sAPBI from 2002 to 2014 at our institution. Actuarial recurrence rates were determined for the following four approximated molecular subtypes using the Kaplan-Meier method: luminal A (n = 1081), luminal B (n = 164), Her2 (n = 123), and triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC; n = 118).

RESULTS

With a median followup time of 3.3 years (range 1-13.6 years), the 5-year in-breast tumor recurrence rate was 2.6% overall, 2.1% for luminal A, 1.5% for luminal B, 4.9% for Her2, and 5.4% for TNBC. Luminal A and B subtypes, as compared with the more aggressive Her2 and TNBC subtypes combined, demonstrated lower 5-year in-breast tumor recurrence (2.1% vs. 5.1%, p = 0.021). The 5-year regional nodal recurrence rate was 1.4% overall, 1.4% for luminal A, 0% for luminal B, 1% for Her2, and 4.2% for TNBC. The 5-year locoregional control is 97.3% for luminal breast cancers and 93.8% for the more aggressive Her2 and TNBC subtypes collectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Luminal cancers demonstrated excellent 5-year locoregional control with sAPBI. Although caution should be used when treating patients with the more aggressive Her2 and TNBC subtypes, these subtypes have demonstrated higher LRR with mastectomy and whole-breast irradiation. Further randomized comparisons are needed to determine the optimal treatment for these higher risk patients.

Adjuvant chemotherapy in pT1ab node-negative triple-negative breast carcinomas: Results of a national multi-institutional retrospective study

BACKGROUND

Triple-negative breast cancers (TNBCs) are considered as associated with poor outcome, but prognosis of subcentimetric, node-negative disease remains controversial and evidence that adjuvant chemotherapy (CT) is effective in these small tumours remains limited.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Our objective was to investigate the impact of CT on survival in pT1abN0M0 TNBC. Patients were retrospectively identified from a cohort of 22,475 patients who underwent primary surgery in 15 French centres between 1987 and 2013. As rare pathological types may display very particular prognoses in these tumours, we retained only the invasive ductal carcinomas of no special type according to the last World Health Organisation (WHO) classification which is the most common TNBC histological type. End-points were disease-free survival (DFS) and metastasis-free survival (MFS). A propensity score for receiving CT was estimated using a logistic regression including age, tumour size, Scarff Bloom and Richardson (SBR) grade and lymphovascular invasion.

RESULTS

Of a total of 284 patients with pT1abN0M0 ductal TNBC, 144 (51%) received CT and 140 (49%) did not. Patients receiving CT had more adverse prognostic features, such as tumour size, high grade, young age, and lymphovascular invasion. CT was not associated with a significant benefit for DFS (Hazard ratio, HR = 0.77 [0.40-1.46]; p = 0.419, log-rank test) or MFS (HR = 1.00 [0.46-2.19]; p = 0.997), with 5-year DFS and MFS in the group with CT versus without of 90% [81-94%] versus 84% [74-90%], and 90% [81-95%] versus 90% [83%-95%], respectively. Results were consistent in all supportive analyses including multivariate Cox model and the use of the propensity score for adjustment and as a matching factor for case-control analyses.

CONCLUSIONS

This study did not identify a significant DFS or MFS advantage for CT in subcentimetric, node-negative ductal TNBC. Although current consensus guidelines recommend consideration of CT in all TNBC larger than 5 mm, clinicians should carefully discuss benefit/risk ratio with patients, given the unproven benefits.

Oncological safety and cosmetic outcomes in oncoplastic breast conservation surgery, a review of the best level of evidence literature

Oncoplastic breast conservation surgery (OBCS) is increasingly becoming part of routine breast cancer surgical management. OBCS may be viewed as an extension of standard breast conservation surgery for resecting tumors of larger sizes without compromising on cosmetic outcome, or as an alternative to mastectomy. High quality evidence to support the oncological safety and benefits of OBCS is lacking. This review will focus on the best available level of evidence and address key issues regarding oncological safety in OBCS, such as tumor resection margins and re-excision rates, local recurrence and patient outcome, postoperative complications and adjuvant therapy delivery, and briefly discuss cosmetic outcome in OBCS. Comparative observational studies and systematic review report no poorer outcomes compared with standard breast conservation surgery. More evidence needs to be generated to support the oncological safety and improved aesthetic outcome. Prospective data collection will significantly contribute to the generation of stronger evidence.

Establishment of a risk scoring system for predicting locoregional recurrence in T1 to T2 node-negative breast cancer patients treated with mastectomy: Implications for postoperative radiotherapy

To establish a risk scoring system for predicting locoregional recurrence (LRR) and explore the potential value of radiotherapy in T1 to T2 node-negative breast cancer patients treated with mastectomy. From January 2001 to February 2008, a total of 353 node-negative T1 to T2 breast cancer cases treated with mastectomy without adjuvant radiotherapy were retrospectively analyzed. Preliminary screening of the prognostic factors was accomplished by Kaplan-Meier univariate analysis, and survival curves between different groups were compared by log-rank test. Risk factors were determined using Cox proportional hazards model. A categorical risk scoring system was generated according to the Cox model, weighing the relative importance of each risk variable. Median follow-up was 115.7 months (range, 1.2-238.4 months). The overall 5-year locoregional recurrence-free survival (LRFS) was 89.8% (95% confidence interval [CI] = 86.7%-92.9%). Chest wall (53.8%) was found to be the most common site of LRR, followed by supraclavicular nodes (48.7%). Age ≤40 years, primary tumor size ≥4.5 cm and number of nodes resected ≤10 were found to be independent factors for poor prognosis of LRR. Two risk stratifications based on the scoring system were subsequently obtained. The 5-year LRFS was 91.6% (95% CI = 88.5%-94.7%) with low risk (score <2) and 75.7% (95% CI = 61.8%-89.6%) with high risk (score ≥2), respectively (χ = 7.544, P = .006). In addition, significant differences in overall survival (P = .045) and disease-free survival (P = .019) were presented between them. Patients with T1-2N0M0 breast cancer achieved favorable prognosis in general. Those with risk factors, including age ≤40 years, primary tumor size ≥4.5 cm and number of nodes resected ≤10, were at higher risk of LRR. The established scoring system could help to distinguish the subgroups that might potentially benefit from postoperative radiotherapy.

Transcriptomic and genomic features of invasive lobular breast cancer

Accounting for 10-15% of all breast neoplasms, invasive lobular breast cancer (ILC) is the second most common histological subtype of breast cancer after invasive ductal breast cancer (IDC). Understanding ILC biology, which differs from IDC in terms of clinical presentation, treatment response, relapse timing and patterns, is essential in order to adopt novel, disease-specific management strategies. While the contribution of the histological subtypes to tumour biology has been poorly investigated and acknowledged in the past, recently several major, independent efforts have led to the assembly and molecular characterization of well-annotated ILC case sets. In this review, we provide a critical overview of the literature exploring ILC, through comprehensive and multiomic methods. The first part specifically focuses on ILC transcriptomic features by reviewing the intrinsic molecular subtypes, the application of gene expression scores for the prediction of recurrence, and the identification of gene expression subtypes. The second part describes the main research efforts that lead to the identification of the genomic landscape of ILC, with a special focus to findings that differentiate ILC from IDC and carry potential clinical relevance.

Impact of age, intrinsic subtype and local treatment on long-term local-regional recurrence and breast cancer mortality among low-risk breast cancer patients

AIM

To evaluate the long-term prognostic impact of age, local treatment and intrinsic subtypes on the risk of local-regional recurrence (LRR) and breast cancer mortality among low-risk patients.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Cohort study with prospectively collected data, balanced five-year age groups, including 514 Danish lymph node negative breast cancer patients diagnosed between 1989 and 1998, treated with mastectomy (N = 320) or breast-conserving therapy (BCT) (N = 194) and without systemic treatment. Intrinsic subtype approximation was performed by combining information on estrogen-, progesterone-, HER2 receptor and Ki67.

RESULTS

The majority of the tumors had a luminal subtype: 70% Luminal-A (LumA), 16% Luminal-B (LumB), and 10% Luminal-HER2 + (Lum-HER2+). The distribution of intrinsic subtypes between younger (≤45 years) and older (>45 years) patients was similar. Intrinsic subtypes had no prognostic impact on the 20-year LRR risk, regardless of age. A distinct 20-year mortality pattern was observed among the younger patients: 11% of patients with LumB tumor died of breast cancer within the first five years after primary surgery, 23% of patients with Lum-HER2+ tumor died within a 5-10-year period, whereas patients with LumA tumor died with a constant low rate throughout the 20-year period. After 20 years of follow-up, patients with LumA tumor had breast cancer mortality comparable to that of patients with LumB tumor (20%) and lower than Lum-HER2+ tumor (39%). Among the older patients, no distinct mortality pattern was observed, and the 20-year breast cancer mortality was not associated with intrinsic subtypes.

CONCLUSION

Among low-risk patients, 96% of the tumors were Luminal and the distribution of intrinsic subtypes between younger (≤45 years) and older (>45 years) patients was similar. The observed higher frequency of LRR among younger low-risk BCT patients was not associated intrinsic subtype. The 20-year breast cancer mortality was non-significant for LumA tumors among the older patients, whereas among the younger patients, LumA tumors had a comparable mortality with LumB, but lower than for Lum-HER2 + tumors.

Glioma FMISO PET/MR Imaging Concurrent with Antiangiogenic Therapy: Molecular Imaging as a Clinical Tool in the Burgeoning Era of Personalized Medicine

The purpose of this article is to provide a focused overview of the current use of positron emission tomography (PET) molecular imaging in the burgeoning era of personalized medicine in the treatment of patients with glioma. Specifically, we demonstrate the utility of PET imaging as a tool for personalized diagnosis and therapy by highlighting a case series of four patients with recurrent high grade glioma who underwent 18F-fluoromisonidazole (FMISO) PET/MR (magnetic resonance) imaging through the course of antiangiogenic therapy. Three distinct features were observed from this small cohort of patients. First, the presence of pseudoprogression was retrospectively associated with the absence of hypoxia. Second, a subgroup of patients with recurrent high grade glioma undergoing bevacizumab therapy demonstrated disease progression characterized by an enlarging nonenhancing mass with newly developed reduced diffusion, lack of hypoxia, and preserved cerebral blood volume. Finally, a reduction in hypoxic volume was observed concurrent with therapy in all patients with recurrent tumor, and markedly so in two patients that developed a nonenhancing reduced diffusion mass. This case series demonstrates how medical imaging has the potential to influence personalized medicine in several key aspects, especially involving molecular PET imaging for personalized diagnosis, patient specific disease prognosis, and therapeutic monitoring.

Evaluation of Local and Distant Recurrence Patterns in Patients with Triple-Negative Breast Cancer According to Age

BACKGROUND

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) subtype and young patient age are both associated with an increased risk of local recurrence (LR) and distant recurrence (DR). In young women with TNBC, it is unclear whether subtype or patient age is driving prognosis.

METHODS

Patients treated for primary TNBC from 1998 to 2011 were identified from the breast surgery database. Clinicopathologic characteristics, treatment, and outcomes were compared between patients <40 and ≥40 years of age at diagnosis. Multivariate models were used to identify factors independently associated with LR and DR.

RESULTS

Among 1930 patients with TNBC, 289 (15 %) were <40 and 1641 (85 %) were ≥40 years of age at diagnosis. Younger patients were more likely to present with higher stage disease and more likely to receive mastectomy (p < 0.01), axillary node dissection (p < 0.01), and chemotherapy (p < 0.01). At a median follow-up of 74 (0-201.1) months, there was no difference in LR or disease-free survival (DFS) by age group [5-year LR = 3.9 % (95 % confidence interval (CI) 1.5-6.2) vs. 4.5 % (95 % CI 3.5-5.6) and 5-year DFS = 75.3 % (95 % CI 70.2-80.7) vs. 77.7 % (95 % CI 75.6-79.8), p = 0.94] in patients aged <40 and ≥40 years, respectively. On multivariate analysis, larger tumor size, lymphovascular invasion, and nodal positivity were associated with increased risk of DR. Age and type of surgery were not significantly associated with either outcome.

CONCLUSIONS

Young age at diagnosis is not an independent risk factor for LR or DR in patients with TNBC.

Locoregional recurrence by molecular subtype after multicatheter interstitial accelerated partial breast irradiation: Results from the Pooled Registry Of Multicatheter Interstitial Sites research group

PURPOSE

To determine in breast tumor recurrence (IBTR) and regional nodal recurrence (RNR) rates for women treated with multicatheter interstitial accelerated partial breast irradiation.

METHODS AND MATERIALS

Data from five institutions were collected for patients treated from 1992 to 2013. We report outcomes of 582 breast cancers with ≥1 year of followup. Molecular subtype approximation was performed using estrogen receptor, progesterone receptor, Her2, and grade. The Kaplan-Meier method was used to calculate overall survival, IBTR, RNR, and distant recurrence rates. Univariate and multivariate Cox proportional hazard models were performed to estimate risks of IBTR and RNR.

RESULTS

With a median followup time of 5.4 years, the 5-year IBTR rate was 4.7% overall, 3.5% for Luminal A, 4.1% for Luminal B, 5.2% for Luminal Her2, 13.3% for Her2, and 11.3% for triple-negative breast cancer. Positive surgical margins and high grade were associated with increased risk for IBTR, as was Her2 subtype in comparison with Luminal A subtype. Other individual subtypes comparisons did not show a significant difference. Analysis of Luminal A vs. all other subtypes demonstrated lower IBTR risk for Luminal A (5-year IBTR 3.5% vs. 7.3%, p = 0.02). The 5-year RNR rate was 2.1% overall, 0.3% for Luminal A, 4.6% for Luminal B, 2.6% for Luminal Her2, 34.5% for Her2, and 2.3% for triple-negative breast cancer. RNR risk was higher for women with Her2 compared to the other four subtypes and for Luminal B compared to Luminal A subtype.

CONCLUSIONS

Molecular subtype influences IBTR and RNR rates in women treated with multicatheter interstitial accelerated partial breast irradiation.

Benefit of adjuvant radiotherapy after breast-conserving therapy among elderly women with T1-T2N0 estrogen receptor-negative breast cancer

BACKGROUND

The purpose of the current study was to evaluate the impact of radiotherapy (RT) among women aged ≥ 70 years with T1-2N0 estrogen receptor (ER)-negative breast cancer using Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER)-Medicare-linked data.

METHODS

The study included 3432 women, 2850 of whom received and 582 of whom did not receive RT after breast-conserving surgery. Outcomes were estimated by the cumulative incidence method and compared with the Gray test. The Fine and Gray subdistribution hazard regression models were used to assess the impact of RT and other variables.

RESULTS

Women who received RT were more commonly aged <75 years (42% vs 16%), had T1 tumors (78% vs 65%), ductal carcinoma histology (91% vs 88%), a Charlson-Deyo Comorbidity Index of 0 (41% vs 25%), and had received chemotherapy (29% vs 12%). The 5-year cumulative incidence of mastectomy and breast cancer-specific death for patients who received versus those did not receive adjuvant RT was 4.9% and 8.3% versus 10.8% and 24.1%, respectively (P<.001). On multivariable analysis, the omission of RT was found to be an independent predictor of an increased risk of mastectomy (hazard ratio, 2.33; 95% confidence interval, 1.56-3.49). Among women aged ≥ 80 years or with T1N0 tumors, the mastectomy incidence with or without receipt of RT was 3.4% vs. 6.9%, and 5.3% vs 7.7%, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

The use of adjuvant RT after breast-conserving surgery in older women with T1-2N0 estrogen receptor-negative breast cancer is associated with a reduced incidence of future mastectomy and breast cancer death. The magnitude of benefit may be small for women aged ≥80 years or those with T1 tumors. Cancer 2016;122:3059-3068. © 2016 American Cancer Society.

Daily Practice Management of pT1a-b pN0 Breast Carcinoma: A Prospective French ODISSEE Cohort Study

BACKGROUND

Most breast cancer (BC) tumors ≤10 mm have an excellent prognosis. The subgroups with a higher risk for distant recurrence requiring adjuvant systemic therapy are not precisely defined in current international guidelines.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

The OBSERVATOIRE DES PETITS CANCERS DU SEIN HER2 +/- (ODISSEE) study was a prospective, multicenter, cohort study that aimed to describe the daily adjuvant management and outcome of 616 patients with unifocal, invasive pT1a-b pN0 nonmetastatic BC who underwent surgery.

RESULTS

At the time of diagnosis, the median age of patients was 61 years. Tumor was detected on imaging or during a screening program in 397 patients (64.6%). Most patients (96%) underwent conservative surgery with sentinel node biopsy (89%), completed with axillary lymph node dissection in 15%. At inclusion, 82% of tumors were pT1b, 73% were pN0 (i-), 53% were Scarff-Bloom-Richardson Grade I, 91% were estrogen receptor (ER)-positive, 5% overexpressed/amplified HER2, and 5% were triple negative (TNBC). Adjuvant treatments were radiotherapy (95%), hormone therapy (82%), chemotherapy (7%), and trastuzumab (3.5%). In patients with TNBC and HER2-positive BC, chemotherapy and trastuzumab (if needed) were administered in 45% and 68%, respectively. After 5 years of follow-up, 7 patients had contralateral BC, 7 had locoregional recurrence, and 1 had distant metastasis. At 5 years, overall survival, disease-free survival, and recurrence-free survival were: 98.4% (96.9%-99.1%), 94.7% (92.4%-96.3%), and 97.1% (95.2%-98.2%), respectively.

CONCLUSION

This prospective cohort study showed that in France, the routine practice in pT1a-b pN0 breast cancers follows international standard guidelines for practice including conservative surgery followed by radiotherapy and endocrine therapy for ER-positive patients. Adjuvant chemotherapy with or without trastuzumab was used but their benefit in breast cancer of ≤10 mm remains controversial.

Features of triple-negative breast cancer: Analysis of 38,813 cases from the national cancer database

The aim of this study was to determine the features of triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) using a large national database. TNBC is known to be an aggressive subtype, but national epidemiologic data are sparse. All patients with invasive breast cancer and known molecular subtype diagnosed in 2010 to 2011 were identified from the National Cancer Data Base (NCDB). Patients with and without TNBC were compared with respect to their sociodemographic and clinicopathologic features. TNBC was present in 38,628 of 295,801 (13%) female patients compared to 185 of 3136 (6%) male patients (P < 0.001). The incidence of TNBC varied by region from 10.8% in New England to 15.8% in the east south central US (P < 0.001), as well as by race with the highest rates in African-Americans (23.7%), and lowest in Filipino patients (8.9%). The incidence of TNBC also varied by histology, accounting for 76% of metaplastic cancers, but only 2% of infiltrating lobular carcinomas. TNBCs were significantly larger than non-TNBC (mean 2.8 cm vs 2.1 cm, P < 0.001), and more TNBC were poorly differentiated compared to other subtypes (79.7% vs 25.8%, P < 0.001). On univariate analysis, TNBC was no more likely than non-TNBC to have node-positive disease (32.0% vs 31.7%, respectively, P = 0.218) but in a multivariable analysis controlling for tumor size and grade, TNBC was associated with significantly less node-positivity (OR = 0.59; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.57-0.60). TNBC has distinct features regarding age, gender, geographic, and racial distribution. Compared to non-TNBC, TNBC is larger and higher grade, but less likely to have lymph node metastases.

Outcome of pN0 Triple-Negative Breast Cancer with or without Lymph Node Irradiation: A Single Institution Experience

The optimal management of patients with pathologically node-negative triple-negative breast cancer (pN0 TNBC) remains unclear. We hypothesized that lymph node irradiation (LNI; internal mammary chain/periclavicular irradiation) had an impact on outcomes of pN0 TNBC. A cohort of 126 consecutive patients with pN0 TNBC treated between 2007 and 2010 at a single institute were included. All radiotherapy (breast/chest wall, ±LNI) was delivered adjuvantly, following completion of surgery ± chemotherapy. Tumors were reviewed and histologic features were described. Tissue microarrays were constructed and tumors were assessed by immunohistochemistry using antibodies against ER, PR, HER2, Ki-67, cytokeratins 5/6, 14, epidermal growth factor receptor and androgen receptor. Patients were divided into two groups for statistical analysis: LNI (LNI+) or no LNI (LNI-). We focused on disease-free survival (DFS), metastasis-free survival (MFS), and overall survival (OS). Fifty-seven and 69 patients received or not LNI, respectively. Median age was 52 (range [25-76]) and 55 (range [29-79]) in LNI+ and LNI- group (p = 0.23). LNI was associated with larger tumors (p = 0.033), central/internal tumors (33 versus 4, p < 0.01) and more chemotherapy (86% versus 59.4% p < 0.01). The median follow-up was 53.5 months. The rate of first regional relapse (associated or not with distant relapse) was low in both groups. There was no difference in 4-year DFS (82.2% versus 89.9%; p = 0.266), MFS (87.0% versus 91.1%; p = 0.286) and OS (85.8% versus 89.9%; p = 0.322) between LNI+ and LNI- group, respectively. In univariate analysis, only clinical size (T >10 mm versus ≤10 mm), histologic size (pT >10 mm versus ≤10 mm) and grade 3 (versus grade 2) were found to be significantly associated with shorter DFS. Omission of LNI in patients with pN0 TNBC does not seem to result in poorer outcome. Further studies are needed to specifically evaluate LNI in pN0 TNBC with histologic grade 3 and/or (p)T >10 mm.