Progesterone Receptors, Pathological Complete Response and Early Outcome for Locally Advanced Breast Cancer - a Single Centre Study. (PPLB - 01)

Breast Cancer in India: Screening, Detection, and Management

Breast cancer is the most common cancer in urban Indian women and the second most common cancer in all Indian women. The epidemiology as well as biology of this cancer seems to be different in the Indian subcontinent when compared with the West. The lack of population-based breast cancer screening programs and delay in seeking a medical consult due to financial and social reasons, including lack of awareness and fear related to a cancer diagnosis, results in delayed diagnosis.

Stem cell markers: A guide to neoadjuvant therapy in breast carcinomas

Aim

This study aims to investigate potential associations between the stem cell population and the degree of tumor regression in breast carcinomas treated with neoadjuvant therapy.

Settings and Design

The study included 92 patients with breast carcinoma who received neoadjuvant therapy. Tumor regression was defined based on Miller and Payne grading system. Patients with grade 1 or 2 regression on a 5-point scale were included in group 1 (n = 37), grade 3 regression in group 2 (n = 32), and grade 4 or 5 regression in group 3 (n = 23).

Materials and Methods

Immunohistochemical staining was performed on paraffin block sections of every case using CD44, CD24, CD29, CD133, ID4, and ALDH1 antibodies to detect stem cells.

Statistical Analysis Used

IBM Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS), version 23.0 (IBM Corp., Armonk, NY, USA) software was used for statistical analyses, and a P value less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant.

Results

Histologically high-grade tumors are more common in the near-complete/complete response group (P = 0.004). HER2-positive tumors were more common in the complete/near-complete response group (P = 0.054). Tumor cells positive for stem cell markers CD44 and CD24 were more common in the poor response group (P = 0.027 and P = 0.001, respectively). CD29 expression was reduced in the posttreatment residual tumor tissue in the near-complete/complete response group.

Conclusion

High CD44 and CD24 expression may be a predictor of poor response/nonresponse to neoadjuvant therapy in breast carcinomas.

Background

In recent years, stem cells have been defined as the main cell population responsible for resistance to anticancer therapies.

Estrogen/progesterone receptor and HER2 discordance between primary tumor and brain metastases in breast cancer and its effect on treatment and survival

BACKGROUND

Breast cancer treatment is based on estrogen receptors (ERs), progesterone receptors (PRs), and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2). At the time of metastasis, receptor status can be discordant from that at initial diagnosis. The purpose of this study was to determine the incidence of discordance and its effect on survival and subsequent treatment in patients with breast cancer brain metastases (BCBM).

METHODS

A retrospective database of 316 patients who underwent craniotomy for BCBM between 2006 and 2017 was created. Discordance was considered present if the ER, PR, or HER2 status differed between the primary tumor and the BCBM.

RESULTS

The overall receptor discordance rate was 132/316 (42%), and the subtype discordance rate was 100/316 (32%). Hormone receptors (HR, either ER or PR) were gained in 40/160 (25%) patients with HR-negative primary tumors. HER2 was gained in 22/173 (13%) patients with HER2-negative primary tumors. Subsequent treatment was not adjusted for most patients who gained receptors-nonetheless, median survival (MS) improved but did not reach statistical significance (HR, 17-28 mo, P = 0.12; HER2, 15-19 mo, P = 0.39). MS for patients who lost receptors was worse (HR, 27-18 mo, P = 0.02; HER2, 30-18 mo, P = 0.08).

CONCLUSIONS

Receptor discordance between primary tumor and BCBM is common, adversely affects survival if receptors are lost, and represents a missed opportunity for use of effective treatments if receptors are gained. Receptor analysis of BCBM is indicated when clinically appropriate. Treatment should be adjusted accordingly.

KEY POINTS

1. Receptor discordance alters subtype in 32% of BCBM patients.2. The frequency of receptor gain for HR and HER2 was 25% and 13%, respectively.3. If receptors are lost, survival suffers. If receptors are gained, consider targeted treatment.

Current Treatment Options for Human Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor 2-Directed Therapy in Metastatic Breast Cancer: An Indian Perspective

Human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-positive is an aggressive subtype of breast cancer and has historically been associated with poor outcomes. The availability of various anti-HER2 therapies, including trastuzumab, lapatinib, pertuzumab, and trastuzumab emtansine (TDM-1), has remarkably improved the clinical outcomes in patients with HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer (mBC). However, there is a need to optimize treatment within this population, given the wide variability in clinical presentation. Additionally, geographical and socio-economic considerations too need to be taken into account. To clarify and collate evidence pertaining to HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer, a panel of medical and clinical oncologists from across India developed representative clinical scenarios commonly encountered in clinical practice in the country. This was followed by two meetings wherein each clinical scenario was discussed in detail and relevant evidence appraised. The result of this process is presented in this manuscript as evidence followed by therapeutic recommendations of this panel for management of HER2-positive mBC in the Indian population.

Acute Inflammatory Response During Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy for Locally Advanced Breast Cancer: A Case Report

We report on a 56-year-old Caucasian female, diagnosed with locally advanced, hormone-receptor-positive, and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-positive cancer of the left breast. The patient received neoadjuvant chemotherapy with adriamycin/cyclophosphamide (AC) followed by docetaxel/trastuzumab. A partial clinical and radiographical response was documented after four cycles of AC. Approximately one week after the first cycle of docetaxel and trastuzumab, the patient presented with diffuse edema, erythema, and induration involving the entire left breast. The differential diagnoses included infection, inflammatory response/reaction to docetaxel, or cancer progression. After a multidisciplinary review, the decision was made to stop the docetaxel and deliver neoadjuvant radiation treatment concurrent with trastuzumab. Approximately four weeks after radiation therapy completion, the patient underwent a left total mastectomy and axillary dissection, with pathologic complete response (pCR) in the breast and axillary nodal disease. After surgery, systemic therapy was resumed with paclitaxel and trastuzumab, with a plan to start adjuvant endocrine therapy after completion of chemotherapy. We will discuss clinical considerations in the management of the unexpected findings of acute inflammatory response in the breast and nodal regions during neoadjuvant chemotherapy. Associations between intrinsic breast cancer subtype and pCR in locally advanced breast cancer will also be reviewed.