Discordance in early breast cancer for tumour grade, estrogen receptor, progesteron receptors and human epidermal receptor-2 status between core needle biopsy and surgical excisional primary tumour

Concordance of HER2 status between core needle biopsy and surgical resection specimens of breast cancer: an analysis focusing on the HER2-low status

BACKGROUND

Human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-low status has recently gained attention because of the potential therapeutic benefits of antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) in breast cancer patients. We aimed to investigate the concordance of HER2 status between core needle biopsy (CNB) and subsequent surgical resection specimens focusing on the HER2-low status.

METHODS

This retrospective study was conducted in 1,387 patients with invasive breast cancer whose HER2 status was evaluated in both CNB and surgical resection specimens. The discordance rates between CNB and surgical resection specimens and the clinicopathological features associated with HER2 status discordance were analyzed.

RESULTS

The overall concordance rates of HER2 status between CNB and surgical resection specimens were 99.0% (κ = 0.925) for two-group classification (negative vs. positive) and 78.5% (κ = 0.587) for three-group classification (zero vs. low vs. positive). The largest discordance occurred in CNB-HER2-zero cases with 42.8% of them reclassified as HER2-low in surgical resection. HER2 discordance was associated with lower histologic grade, tumor multiplicity, and luminal A subtype. In multivariate analysis, tumor multiplicity and estrogen receptor (ER) positivity were independent predictive factors for HER2-zero to low conversion.

CONCLUSIONS

Incorporation of HER2-low category in HER2 status interpretation reduces the concordance rate between CNB and surgical resection specimens. Tumor multiplicity and ER positivity are predictive factors for conversion from HER2-zero to HER2-low status. Therefore, HER2 status should be re-evaluated in resection specimens when considering ADCs in tumors exhibiting multiplicity and ER positivity.

Deep learning-based risk stratification of preoperative breast biopsies using digital whole slide images

BACKGROUND

Nottingham histological grade (NHG) is a well established prognostic factor in breast cancer histopathology but has a high inter-assessor variability with many tumours being classified as intermediate grade, NHG2. Here, we evaluate if DeepGrade, a previously developed model for risk stratification of resected tumour specimens, could be applied to risk-stratify tumour biopsy specimens.

METHODS

A total of 11,955,755 tiles from 1169 whole slide images of preoperative biopsies from 896 patients diagnosed with breast cancer in Stockholm, Sweden, were included. DeepGrade, a deep convolutional neural network model, was applied for the prediction of low- and high-risk tumours. It was evaluated against clinically assigned grades NHG1 and NHG3 on the biopsy specimen but also against the grades assigned to the corresponding resection specimen using area under the operating curve (AUC). The prognostic value of the DeepGrade model in the biopsy setting was evaluated using time-to-event analysis.

RESULTS

Based on preoperative biopsy images, the DeepGrade model predicted resected tumour cases of clinical grades NHG1 and NHG3 with an AUC of 0.908 (95% CI: 0.88; 0.93). Furthermore, out of the 432 resected clinically-assigned NHG2 tumours, 281 (65%) were classified as DeepGrade-low and 151 (35%) as DeepGrade-high. Using a multivariable Cox proportional hazards model the hazard ratio between DeepGrade low- and high-risk groups was estimated as 2.01 (95% CI: 1.06; 3.79).

CONCLUSIONS

DeepGrade provided prediction of tumour grades NHG1 and NHG3 on the resection specimen using only the biopsy specimen. The results demonstrate that the DeepGrade model can provide decision support to identify high-risk tumours based on preoperative biopsies, thus improving early treatment decisions.

An MRI-based Radiomics Approach to Improve Breast Cancer Histological Grading

RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES

Nottingham histological grade (NHG) 2 breast cancer has an intermediate risk of recurrence, which is not informative for therapeutic decision-making. We sought to develop and independently validate an MRI-based radiomics signature (Rad-Grade) to improve prognostic re-stratification of NHG 2 tumors.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Nine hundred-eight subjects with invasive breast cancer and preoperative MRI scans were retrospectively obtained. The NHG 1 and 3 tumors were randomly split into training and independent test cohort, with the NHG 2 as the prognostic validation set. From MRI image features, a radiomics-based signature predictive of the histological grade was built by use of the LASSO logistic regression algorithm. The model was developed for identifying NHG 1 and 3 radiological patterns, followed with re-stratification of NHG 2 tumors into Rad-Grade (RG)2-low (NHG 1-like) and RG2-high (NHG 3-like) subtypes using the learned patterns, and the prognostic value was assessed in terms of recurrence-free survival (RFS).

RESULTS

The Rad-Grade showed independent prognostic value for re-stratification of NHG 2 tumors, where RG2-high had an increased risk for recurrence (HR 2.20, 1.10-4.40, p = 0.026) compared with RG2-low after adjusting for established risk factors. RG2-low shared similar phenotypic characteristics and RFS outcomes with NHG 1, and RG2-high with NHG 3, revealing that the model captures radiomic features in NHG 2 that are associated with different aggressiveness. The prognostic value of Rad-Grade was further validated in the NHG2 ER+ (HR 2.53, 1.13-5.56, p = 0.023) and NHG 2 ER+LN- (HR 5.72, 1.24-26.44, p = 0.025) subgroups, and in specific treatment contexts.

CONCLUSION

The radiomics-based re-stratification of NHG 2 tumors offers a cost-effective promising alternative to gene expression profiling for tumor grading and thus may improve clinical decisions.

Concordance of immunohistochemistry for predictive and prognostic factors in breast cancer between biopsy and surgical excision: a single-centre experience and review of the literature

PURPOSE

Accurate evaluation of breast cancer on bioptic samples is of fundamental importance to guide therapeutic decisions, especially in the neoadjuvant or metastatic setting. We aimed to assess concordance for oestrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR), c-erbB2/HER2 and Ki-67. We also reviewed the current literature to evaluate our results in the context of the data available at present.

METHODS

We included patients who underwent both biopsy and surgical resection for breast cancer at San Matteo Hospital, Pavia, Italy, between January 2014 and December 2020. ER, PR, c-erbB2, and Ki-67 immunohistochemistry concordance between biopsy and surgical specimen was evaluated. ER was further analysed to include the recently defined ER-low-positive in our analysis.

RESULTS

We evaluated 923 patients. Concordance between biopsy and surgical specimen for ER, ER-low-positive, PR, c-erbB2 and Ki-67 was, respectively, 97.83, 47.8, 94.26, 68 and 86.13%. Cohen's κ for interobserver agreement was very good for ER and good for PR, c-erbB2 and Ki-67. Concordance was especially low (37%) in the c-erbB2 1 + category.

CONCLUSION

Oestrogen and progesterone receptor status can be safely assessed on preoperative samples. The results of this study advise caution in interpreting biopsy results regarding ER-low-positive, c-erbB2/HER and Ki-67 results due to a still suboptimal concordance. The low concordance for c-erbB2 1 + cases underlines the importance of further training in this area, in the light of the future therapeutic perspectives.

Diagnostic value of core needle biopsy for determining HER2 status in breast cancer, especially in the HER2-low population

PURPOSE

The status of human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) is important for treatment decision-making of breast cancer and was commonly determined by core needle biopsy (CNB). The concordance of CNB with surgical excision biopsy (SEB) has been verified, but remain unclear according to the newly developed classification of HER2 status. Our study aimed to re-evaluate the diagnostic value of CNB for determining HER2 status in breast cancer, especially in the HER2-low population.

METHODS

Eligible breast cancer patients in West China Hospital between January 1, 2007 and December 31, 2021 were enrolled consecutively and data were extracted from the Hospital Information System. The agreement of HER2 status between CNB and SEB was calculated by concordance rate and κ statistics, as well as the sensitivity, specificity, positive, and negative predictive values (PPV & NPV). Logistic models were used to explore potential factors associated with the discordance between both tests.

RESULTS

Of 1829 eligible patients, 1097 (60.0%) and 1358 (74.2%) were consistent between CNB and SEB by pathological and clinical classifications, respectively, with κ value being 0.46 (0.43-0.49) and 0.57 (0.53-0.60). The sensitivity (50.9%-52.7%) and PPV (50.5%-55.2%) of CNB were especially low among IHC 1+ and 2+/ISH - subgroups by pathological classifications; however, it showed the highest sensitivity (77.5%) and the lowest specificity (73.9%) in HER2-low population by clinical classifications. Advanced N stages might be a stable indicator for the discordance between both tests.

CONCLUSION

The diagnostic value of CNB was limited for determining HER2 status in breast cancer, especially in HER2-low population.

Association of Ki-67 Change Pattern After Core Needle Biopsy and Prognosis in HR+/HER2− Early Breast Cancer Patients

Background

To investigate the association of Ki-67 change pattern after core needle biopsy (CNB) and prognosis in HR+/HER2− early breast cancer patients.

Method

Eligible patients were categorized into three groups: Low group, Elevation group, and High group. Chi-square test and logistic regression analysis were used to compare the clinic-pathological characteristics. Kaplan–Meier method was used to estimate the rates of recurrence-free interval (RFI) and breast cancer-specific survival (BCSS), which were compared via the Log-rank test. Cox proportional hazard analysis was performed to investigate independent prognostic factors.

Results

A total of 2,858 patients were included: 1,179 (41.3%), 482 (16.9%), and 1,197 (41.8%) patients were classified into the low, elevation, and high groups, respectively. Age, tumor size, histological grade, lymph-vascular invasion (LVI), and ER level status were associated with Ki-67 change pattern after CNB. With a median follow-up of 53.6 months, the estimated 5-year RFI rates for the low group, elevation, and high groups were 96.4%, 95.3% and 90.9%, respectively (P < 0.001). And 5-year BCSS rates were 99.3%, 98.3% and 96.8%, respectively (P = 0.001). Compared with patients in the low group, patients in the high group had significantly worse RFI (hazard ratio [HR] 1.71, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.16–2.54) in multivariate analysis.

Conclusions

Ki-67 change after CNB was associated with prognosis in HR+/HER2− early breast cancer. Patients with Ki-67 high or elevation after CNB had an inferior disease outcome, indicating the necessity of re-evaluating Ki-67 on surgical specimens after CNB.

Concordance of breast cancer biomarker testing in core needle biopsy and surgical specimens: A single institution experience

BACKGROUND

Accurate diagnostic biomarker testing is crucial to treatment decisions in breast cancer. Biomarker testing is performed on core needle biopsies (CNB) and is often repeated in the surgical specimen (SS) after resection. As differences between CNB and SS testing may alter treatment decisions, we evaluated concordance between CNB and SS as well as associated changes in treatment and clinical outcomes.

METHODS

We performed a retrospective analysis of breast cancer patients at our institution between January 2010 and May 2020. Concordance between CNB and SS was assessed for estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR), and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) by immunohistochemistry (IHC) and fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH). Survival in patients, including recurrence, metastatic recurrence, and death, were assessed using chi-squared likelihood ratio.

RESULTS

In total, 961 patients met eligibility criteria. Concordance, minor discordance, total concordance (concordance plus minor discordance), and major discordance between CNB and SS were reported for ER (87.7%, 9.2%, 90.8%, and 2.9%), PR (58.1%, 29.1%, 87.2%, and 12.8%), and HER2 IHC (52.5%, 20.9%, 73.4%, 26.6%), respectively. HER2 FISH concordance and major discordance were 58.5% and 1.2%, respectively. Of major discordance, ER (48.2%, p < 0.001) and HER2 FISH (50.0%) led to more management changes than HER2 IHC (2.4%, p = 0.04) and PR (1.6%, p = 0.10). Patients with ER major discordance had increased risk of death (6.7% concordance vs. 22.2% major discordance, p = 0.004).

CONCLUSION

Overall, retesting ER and HER2 was more clinically beneficial than retesting PR. To aid decision-making and minimize healthcare costs, we propose patient-centered guidelines on retesting biomarker profiles.

Pathological underestimation and biomarkers concordance rates in breast cancer patients diagnosed with ductal carcinoma in situ at preoperative biopsy

Ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) often upgrade to invasive breast cancer at surgery. The current study aimed to identify factors associated with pathological underestimation and evaluate concordance rates of biomarkers between biopsy and surgery. Patients diagnosed with DCIS at needle biopsy from 2009 to 2020 were retrospectively reviewed. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to identify factors associated with pathological underestimation. Concordance rates between paired biopsy samples and surgical specimens were evaluated. A total of 735 patients with pure DCIS at biopsy were included, and 392 patients (53.3%) underwent pathological underestimation at surgery. Multivariate analysis demonstrated that tumor size > 5.0 cm [odds ratio (OR) 1.79], MRI BI-RADS ≥ 5 categories (OR 2.03), and high nuclear grade (OR 2.01) were significantly associated with pathological underestimation. Concordance rates of ER, PR, HER2 status and Ki-67 between biopsy and surgery were 89.6%, 91.9%, 94.8%, and 76.4% in lesions without pathological underestimation, and were 86.4%, 93.2%, 98.2% and 76.3% for in situ components in lesions with pathological underestimation. Meanwhile, in situ components and invasive components at surgery had concordance rates of 92.9%, 93.8%, 97.4%, and 86.5% for those biomarkers, respectively. In conclusion, lesions diagnosed as DCIS at biopsy have a high rate of pathological underestimation, which was associated with larger tumor size, higher MRI BI-RADS category, and higher nuclear grade. High concordances were found in terms of ER, PR, and HER2 status evaluation between biopsy and surgery, regardless of the pathological underestimation.

High concordance of 70-gene recurrence risk signature and 80-gene molecular subtyping signature between core needle biopsy and surgical resection specimens in early-stage breast cancer

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

With increased neoadjuvant therapy recommendations for early-stage breast cancer patients due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it is imperative that molecular diagnostic assays provide reliable results from preoperative core needle biopsies (CNB). The study objective was to determine the concordance of MammaPrint and BluePrint results between matched CNB and surgical resection (SR) specimens.

METHODS

Matched tumor specimens (n = 121) were prospectively collected from women enrolled in the FLEX trial (NCT03053193). Concordance is reported using overall percentage agreement and Cohen's kappa coefficient. Correlation is reported using Pearson correlation coefficient.

RESULTS

We found good concordance for MammaPrint results between matched tumor samples (90.9%, κ = 0.817), and a very strong correlation of MammaPrint indices (r = 0.94). The concordance of BluePrint subtyping in matched samples was also excellent (98.3%).

CONCLUSIONS

CNB samples demonstrated high concordance with paired SR samples for MammaPrint risk classification and BluePrint molecular subtyping, suggesting that physicians are provided with accurate prognostic information that can be used to guide therapy decisions.

Shear-Wave Elastography-Guided Core Needle Biopsy for the Determination of Breast Cancer Molecular Subtype

OBJECTIVE

To investigate whether shear-wave elastography (SWE) guidance during core-needle biopsy can improve diagnostic accuracy and accurate determination of the molecular subtypes of breast cancer.

METHODS

This controlled, randomized prospective cohort study included 58 patients (mean age: 56.9 ± 16.2) who were referred for image-guided core-needle biopsy between May 2018 and April 2019 for lesions larger than 1 cm. In Group 1, 30 lesions were biopsied without SWE guidance and recorded as Biopsy A. In Group 2, 30 lesions were examined with SWE before biopsy, and then two different parts of the lesions were biopsied; biopsies from the relatively rigid areas of the lesions were recorded as Biopsy B, and biopsies from the less rigid areas of the lesions were recorded as Biopsy C. The histopathological and immunohistochemical results of biopsies were compared with the surgical results.

RESULTS

The sensitivity of Biopsy A, B and C were 96.7%, 100% and 100%, respectively. The benign-malignant concordance rates were 94.7%, 100%, and 90% and the diagnostic concordance rates were 89.5%, 100%, and 90% in Biopsies A, B, and C, respectively. When the 10% differences in the estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR), and Ki67 rates were considered significant, the concordance rate of ER was highest in Biopsy B (77.8%; p = 0.040). The concordance rate of immunohistochemical subtyping was 100% in Biopsy B and 71.4% in Biopsies A and C (p = 0.086).

CONCLUSION

SWE-guided core-needle biopsy of breast lesions increased the sensitivity, diagnostic accuracy, and accuracy of immunohistochemical subtyping to 100%.

Concomitant use of 18F-FDG PET-CT SUVmax is useful in the assessment of Ki67 labeling index in core-needle biopsy specimens of breast cancer

Background

Ki67 is a recognized proliferative and predictive marker in invasive breast cancer. However, results of Ki67 evaluation are affected by the method employed for sample fixation or biopsy, as well as by intratumor heterogeneity. Here, we aimed to compare the Ki67 labeling index (Ki67LI) between core-needle biopsy specimens (CNBSs) and surgically resected specimens (SRSs) of invasive breast cancer, and verify whether the discordance in Ki67LI can be reduced by analyzing the maximum standardized uptake value (SUVmax) obtained from pretreatment whole-body positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) in combination with Ki67LI.

Methods

Tumor tissues were obtained from 118 patients with invasive breast cancer. Ki67LI was evaluated in CNBSs and SRSs by immunohistochemistry. First, we directly compared Ki67LI between CNBS and SRS, "allowing a tolerance margin of 5%." We divided the Ki67LI values into three groups (Low: 0≤ Ki67LI ≤10, Intermediate: 10< Ki67LI <30, and High: 30≤ Ki67LI) and the SUVmax into three groups (SUVmax ≤4, 4< SUVmax <8, and 8≤ SUVmax). We then verified the concordance rate between CNBS and SRS in each group in combination with the SUVmax obtained by PET/CT.

Results

The median Ki67LI was 17.8% (0.5-75.9%) and 17.0% (1.0-75.7%) in CNBS and SRS, respectively. The overall Ki67LI concordance rate between CNBS and SRS was 37.3% (44/118). The concordance was improved in the Low and High Ki67LI groups by applying SUVmax thresholds of 4 [82.6% (19/23), P=0.033 and 8 (92.3% (12/13), P=0.009], respectively.

Conclusions

Our results indicated that CNBS Ki67LI alone was not able to reflect SRS Ki67LI with sufficient accuracy. By dividing CNBS Ki67LI into three classes in combination with SUVmax, tumor proliferation could be predicted with higher accuracy in patients with invasive breast carcinoma.

Identifying breast cancer patients who require a double-check of preoperative core needle biopsy and postoperative surgical specimens to determine the molecular subtype of their tumor

Purpose

Core needle biopsy (CNB) is a widely used procedure for breast cancer diagnosis and analyzing results of immunohistochemistry (IHC). Several studies have shown concordance or discordance in IHC results between CNB and surgical specimens (SS). A double-check (CNB and SS) is inefficient and costly to perform a double-check on all patients. Therefore, it is important to determine which patients would benefit from a double-check.

Methods

We collected the medical records of patients who underwent breast cancer surgery at Pusan National University Yangsan Hospital between April 2009 and June 2018 (n = 620). Molecular subtypes were classified as follows by hormone receptors (HR) and human epidermal growth factor receptor-2 (HER2): HR+/HER2+, HR+/HER2−, HR−/HER2+, HR−/HER2−. Clinicopathological factors including age, obesity, histological grade, preoperative CEA, CA15-3, T stage, N stage, and menopausal status were assessed to determine whether they were associated with subtype change.

Results

Increasing histological grade (P < 0.001; odds ratio [OR], 3.693; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.941–7.025), preoperative CEA ≥ 5 ng/mL (P =0.042; OR, 2.399; 95% CI, 1.009–5.707) and higher T stage (P = 0.015; OR, 2.241; 95% CI, 1.152–4.357) were significantly associated with subtype change. On multivariable analyses, subtype changes were more common in high-grade breast cancer (P < 0.001; OR, 1.077; 95% CI, 1.031–1.113) and CEA ≥ 5 (P = 0.032; OR, 2.658; 95% CI, 1.088–6.490).

Conclusion

Patients with moderate- to high-grade tumors or CEA ≥ 5 ng/mL are required a double-check to determine the molecular subtype of breast cancer.

Analysis of the molecular subtypes of preoperative core needle biopsy and surgical specimens in invasive breast cancer

Background

Accurate molecular classification of breast core needle biopsy (CNB) tissue is important for determining neoadjuvant systemic therapies for invasive breast cancer. The researchers aimed to evaluate the concordance rate (CR) of molecular subtypes between CNBs and surgical specimens.

Methods

This study was conducted with invasive breast cancer patients who underwent surgery after CNB at Seoul St. Mary’s Hospital between December 2014 and December 2017. Estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR), human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2), and Ki67 were analyzed using immunohistochemistry. ER and PR were evaluated by Allred score (0–8). HER2 was graded from 0 to +3, and all 2+ cases were reflex tested with silver in situ hybridization. The labeling index of Ki67 was counted by either manual scoring or digital image analysis. Molecular subtypes were classified using the above surrogate markers.

Results

In total, 629 patients were evaluated. The CRs of ER, PR, HER2, and Ki67 were 96.5% (kappa, 0.883; p<.001), 93.0% (kappa, 0.824; p<.001), 99.7% (kappa, 0.988; p<.001), and 78.7% (kappa, 0.577; p<.001), respectively. Digital image analysis of Ki67 in CNB showed better concordance with Ki67 in surgical specimens (CR, 82.3%; kappa, 0.639 for digital image analysis vs. CR, 76.2%; kappa, 0.534 for manual counting). The CRs of luminal A, luminal B, HER2, and triple negative types were 89.0%, 70.0%, 82.9%, and 77.2%, respectively.

Conclusions

CNB was reasonably accurate for determining ER, PR, HER2, Ki67, and molecular subtypes. Using digital image analysis for Ki67 in CNB produced more accurate molecular classifications.

Surrogate Molecular Classification of Invasive Breast Carcinoma: A Comparison Between Core Needle Biopsy and Surgical Excision, With and Without Neoadjuvant Therapy

Surrogate molecular classification identifies different subtypes of invasive breast carcinoma on the basis of their immunohistochemical markers. The purpose of the study is to verify whether the immunohistochemical markers and surrogate molecular subtypes can be correctly assessed on the core needle biopsy (CNB) when compared with the corresponding surgical excision (SE), with or without neoadjuvant treatment (NAT). Cases with invasive carcinomas identified on both CNB and SE were retrospectively selected. With immunohistochemistry for estrogen receptors (ER), progesterone receptors (PgR), Ki67, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (Her2), and molecular analysis for Her2, surrogate molecular classification was determined in 4 and 5 groups, according to the 2013 St Gallen consensus. A total of 1067 cases was considered and complete data for surrogate molecular classification were available for 988 cases (655 without NAT, 333 with NAT). Without NAT, concordance was strong for ER and Her2, moderate for PgR, and weak for Ki67; concordance for surrogate molecular classification was moderate. After NAT, lower concordance rates were recorded, with significant reduction of PgR (P<0.001) and Ki67 (P<0.001). Without NAT, the surrogate molecular subtypes of breast carcinoma can be reliably assessed on CNB; Ki67 and/or PgR may be repeated on SE when values are close to cutoffs to avoid tumor subtype misclassification. After NAT, it seems advisable to repeat at least Ki67 and PgR.

Clinicopathological Features and Disease Outcome in Breast Cancer Patients with Hormonal Receptor Discordance between Core Needle Biopsy and Following Surgical Sample

Background

There are limited data about how to manage patients with discordant hormonal receptor (HR) status between core needle biopsy (CNB) and following surgical sample (FSS). This study aimed to evaluate clinicopathological features and disease outcome for these HR discordance patients.

Patients and Methods

Invasive breast cancer patients with paired HR between CNB and FSS were retrospectively analyzed, being classified into three groups: HR positive, HR negative, and HR discordance. Patient characteristics, treatment decisions, and disease outcome were compared among above groups.

Results

A total of 1710 patients (1233 HR positive, 417 HR negative, and 60 HR discordance patients) were enrolled. Compared with the HR positive group, HR discordance patients were associated with more human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 positivity (P < 0.001) and higher Ki67 level (P = 0.001) tumors. The fraction of patients receiving adjuvant chemotherapy was 95.0% and 93.8% in the HR discordance or HR negative groups, much higher than in the HR positive group (66.7%, P < 0.001). Of 60 HR discordance patients, 34 (56.7%) received adjuvant endocrine therapy. The 5-year disease-free survival (DFS) rate was 90.4% for HR discordant patients, showing no statistical difference compared with HR positive (87.0%, P = 0.653) or HR negative (83.2%, P = 0.522) groups. For HR discordance patients, there was no difference in DFS between patients who received adjuvant endocrine therapy or not (P = 0.259).

Conclusions

HR discordance patients had similar tumor characteristics, adjuvant chemotherapy treatment, and DFS compared with HR negative patients. The benefit of endocrine therapy in these HR discordance patients is uncertain and deserves further clinical evaluation.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (10.1245/s10434-019-07480-y) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Re-testing of predictive biomarkers on surgical breast cancer specimens is clinically relevant

PURPOSE

The accuracy of predictive and prognostic biomarker assessment in breast cancer is paramount since these guide therapy decisions. The aim was to investigate the concordance of biomarkers and immunohistochemical (IHC)-based surrogate tumor subtypes between core needle biopsies (CNB) and consecutive paired breast cancer surgical resections.

METHODS

This retrospective study comprised two cohorts of patients with primary breast cancer diagnosed between 2016 and 2017: one treated with primary surgery (n = 526) and one with neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) (n = 216). The agreement between preoperative CNB and paired tumor specimens regarding the assessment of biomarkers and surrogate tumor subtypes was evaluated in both cohorts.

RESULTS

In the primary surgery cohort, the concordance rates and kappa values for estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR) and Ki67 were 98.6% (κ = 0.917), 89.3% (κ = 0.725) and 78.8% (κ = 0.529), respectively. Importantly, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) IHC assessment showed only moderate agreement (κ = 0.462). HER2 status combining IHC and in situ hybridization was discordant in 3.6% of cases, potentially impacting on indications for HER2-targeted therapy. The concordance rate for IHC-based surrogate tumor subtypes was only 73.2-78.3%. Generally lower concordance rates for ER, PR and HER2 were observed in the NAC cohort. Here, HER2 status was discordant in 7.4%.

CONCLUSIONS

The agreement of HER2 and Ki67 between CNB and paired surgical specimen in primary breast cancer is insufficient. Limited agreement of surrogate tumor subtypes indicates a significant clinical value of biomarker re-testing on surgical specimens.

Core needle biopsy as an alternative to whole section in IHC4 score assessment for breast cancer prognostication

AIMS

IHC4 score, based on expression of four routine markers (oestrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR), human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) and proliferation marker, Ki67), is a recently developed, cost-effective prognostic tool in breast cancer. Possibly, the score may be useful also in advanced diseases where only core needle biopsy (CNB) is available and neoadjuvant therapy. However, its studies on CNB are scant. This study examined whether IHC4 score assessment on CNB is comparable to that from whole section (WS).

METHODS

Immunohistochemical (IHC) analysis was performed for ER, PR, HER2 and Ki67 on 108 paired CNB and WS to evaluate IHC4 score (with follow-up range 1-230 months and 5 relapse/death). Concordance between the two was examined. Factors that affected the concordance were analysed. Additionally, IHC4 score was compared with Nottingham Prognostic Index (NPI).

RESULTS

There was moderate concordance between IHC4 score on CNB and WS (all cases: κ=0.699, p<0.001; ER+ cases: κ=0.595, p<0.001). Among the IHC4 components, concordance for HER2 was the poorest (κ=0.178, p<0.001 in all cases; ER+ cases: κ=0.082, p<0.097). Significant factors affecting concordance between CNB and WS included number of cores, total core length and percentage of tumour cells in cores (p≤0.030), indicating the importance of sufficient sampling. Interestingly, the concordance was also affected by patients' age (p=0.039). There was poor agreement between IHC4 score and NPI (κ≤0.160).

CONCLUSION

Our results suggested that IHC4 score can be used on adequately sampled CNB. Its poor agreement with NPI highlights the independence of the two factors.

Concordance of immunohistochemistry between core needle biopsy and surgical resection of breast cancer

Background/aim: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the concordance of immunohistochemical (IHC) parameters of breast lesions between the core needle biopsy (CNB) and the surgical resection specimen. Materials and methods: CNB and resection specimens of female patients were retrospectively analyzed. ER, PR, HER-2, and Ki-67 parameters were compared for each patient. A total of 284 cases were assessed. Forty-one and 48 cases were excluded from the HER-2 and Ki-67 examinations, respectively, because the CNBs did not allow for IHC. Results: Concordance rates were 93.3% for ER, 89.4% for PR, 90.1% for HER-2, and 80.9% for Ki-67.Conclusion: CNB is accurate for the evaluation of the surrogate molecular profile of invasive breast cancer despite the heterogeneity of tumors.

Negative genic switch of HER-2 in the primary tumor instead of the synchronous metastatic nodal lesions after neoadjuvant chemotherapy in a patient with primary HER2-positive breast cancer

Background

A few retrospective studies have indicated that neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) in breast cancer may change biomarker profiles of the primary tumor. Little is known about the status of HER-2 gene of the synchronous nodal metastases when that of the residual tumor undergoes negative conversion in a neoadjuvant setting.

Case presentation

We describe a female patient with left breast cancer (T2N2M0) who underwent negative conversion of HER-2 in the primary tumor instead of the synchronous nodal lesions after NAC. Core needle biopsy showed invasive ductal carcinoma with HER2 immunohistochemistry (IHC) (2+) and amplified HER-2 gene determined by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH). Then, the patient underwent 4 cycles of anthracycline- and taxane-based NAC and subsequent left modified radical mastectomy. Postoperative pathology showed invasive ductal carcinoma involving 4 of 12 surgically excised axillary lymph nodes with HER2 IHC (1+) and FISH negative (HER2 gene not amplified) in the residual tumor of the breast specimen. Due to the negative genic switch of HER2 after NAC, the patient rejected to accept trastuzumab. Under the patient’s consent, the synchronous nodal lesions were further investigated and showed HER2 IHC(−) but FISH positive (HER-2 gene amplified). Therefore, the patient agreed to accept adjuvant trastuzumab treatment every 3 weeks for 1 year.

Conclusions

We propose further assessment of HER2 gene in the synchronous nodal metastases, especially when negative genic switch of HER-2 occurs in the primary tumor after NAC in order to tailor the systemic regimens for breast cancer patients.

Three-dimensional versus two-dimensional shear-wave elastography: Associations of mean elasticity values with prognostic factors and tumor subtypes of breast cancer

PURPOSE

To explore associations between prognostic factors and subtypes of invasive breast cancer (IBC) and elasticity values using three-dimensional (3D) and two-dimensional (2D) shear-wave elastography (SWE).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Mean elasticity values (kPa) of 121 IBCs were measured using both 3D and 2D SWE. Associations between these values and prognostic factors and subtypes were analyzed using linear regression model.

RESULTS

In both 3D and 2D SWE, larger size and presence of lymphovascular invasion were independent factors influencing higher mean elasticity on multivariate analyses (all p values<0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Using either 3D or 2D SWE, higher mean elasticity values are associated with poor prognostic factors of IBC.

Pathological complete response as a surrogate for relapse-free survival in patients with triple negative breast cancer after neoadjuvant chemotherapy

We retrospective analyzed triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) patients who received either taxane-based or anthracycline-based neoadjuvant chemotherapy, evaluated whether pathological complete response (pCR) is a surrogate endpoint for relapse free survival (RFS) in TNBC and explored which subgroup of patients benefits more from superior treatment regimen. 186 patients received taxane-based (Group A) or anthracycline-based (Group B) neoadjuvant chemotherapy, median follow-up was 48.1 months. 42 patients received total pCR (ypT0/is ypN0), 34 in Group A and 8 in Group B, p < 0.001. Patients who achieved pCR had an increased RFS when compared with non-pCR patients, p = 0.043. Patients in Group A had a better RFS, p = 0.025, after adjusting for tumor size and clinical lymph node status before neoadjuvant therapy. Only patients sensitive to neoadjuvant chemotherapy exhibited RFS benefit from taxane-based treatment, and those who were treatment insensitive had similar RFS between both groups. Our analysis showed Taxane-based regimen had higher pCR rate and could predict improved RFS in TNBC, and the prognostic value was greater in treatment sensitive patients. This retrospective analysis supports the use of pCR as a surrogate endpoint for RFS in TNBC.

Comparison of Core Needle Biopsy and Surgical Specimens in Determining Intrinsic Biological Subtypes of Breast Cancer with Immunohistochemistry

PURPOSE

We evaluated the concordance between core needle biopsy (CNB) and surgical specimens on examining intrinsic biological subtypes and receptor status, and determined the accuracy of CNB as a basic diagnostic method.

METHODS

We analyzed breast cancer patients with paired CNB and surgical specimen samples during 2014. We used monoclonal antibodies for nuclear staining, and estrogen receptor (ER) and progesterone receptor (PR) status evaluation. A positive test was defined as staining greater than or equal to 1% of tumor cells. Human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) was graded by immunohistochemistry and scored as 0 to 3+ according to the recommendations of the American Society of Clinical Oncology/College of American Pathologists. Ki-67 immunostaining was performed using the monoclonal antibody Ki-67, and the results were divided at 10% intervals. The cutoff value for high Ki-67 was defined as 20%. Concordance analysis of ER, PR, HER2, Ki-67, and five intrinsic biological subtypes was performed on CNB and surgical specimens. Statistical analysis for concordance was calculated using κ-tests.

RESULTS

We found very good agreement for ER and PR with a concordance of 96.7% for ER (κ=0.903), and 94.3% for PR (κ=0.870). HER2 and Ki-67 showed concordance rates of 84.8% (κ=0.684) and 83.5% (κ=0.647), respectively, which were interpreted as good agreement. Five subgroups analysis showed 85.8% agreement and κ-value of 0.786, also indicating good agreement.

CONCLUSION

CNB showed high diagnostic accuracy compared with surgical specimens, and good agreement for ER, PR, HER2, and Ki-67. Our findings reaffirmed the recommendation of CNB as an initial procedure for breast cancer diagnosis, and the assessment of receptor status and intrinsic biological subtypes to determine further treatment plans.

Comparison of Core Needle Biopsy and Excision Specimens for the Accurate Evaluation of Breast Cancer Molecular Markers: a Report of 1003 Cases

In this study, we compared the accuracy of marker evaluation in core needle biopsy (CNB) specimens versus excision specimens (ESs) from breast cancer patients. This retrospective study used data collected from the breast cancer database at the West China Hospital, China. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) results from CNB specimens and ESs were compared, using estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR), human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2), and Ki-67 as markers. Molecular subtyping and endocrine therapy usage correlations based on CNB samples and ESs were evaluated. The results obtained from CNB samples and ESs exhibited substantial agreement for the detection of ER (κ = 0.522), PR (κ = 0.441), and HER2 (κ = 0.451), and also influenced endocrine therapy usage. Fair and poor correlations were observed for Ki-67 staining and molecular subtyping (κ = 0.195), respectively. This disagreement might be attributable to a combination of heterogeneity and large tumor size. This study indicates that the discordance rate in molecular marker staining between CNB specimens and ESs is significant enough that results obtained with CNB specimens should be used cautiously or verified using ESs.

A novel semi-robotized device for high-precision 18F-FDG-guided breast cancer biopsy

PURPOSE

To assess the 3D geometric sampling accuracy of a new PET-guided system for breast cancer biopsy (BCB) from areas within the tumour with high ¹⁸F-FDG uptake.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In the context of the European Union project MammoCare, a prototype semi-robotic stereotactic prototype BCB-device was incorporated into a dedicated high resolution PET-detector for breast imaging. The system consists of 2 stacked rings, each containing 12 plane detectors, forming a dodecagon with a 186mm aperture for 3D reconstruction (1mm³ voxel). A vacuum-assisted biopsy needle attached to a robot-controlled arm was used. To test the accuracy of needle placement, the needle tip was labelled with ¹⁸F-FDG and positioned at 78 target coordinates distributed over a 35mm×24mm×28mm volume within the PET-detector field-of-view. At each position images were acquired from which the needle positioning accuracy was calculated. Additionally, phantom-based biopsy proofs, as well as MammoCare images of 5 breast cancer patients, were evaluated for the 3D automated locating of ¹⁸F-FDG uptake areas within the tumour.

RESULTS

Needle positioning tests revealed an average accuracy of 0.5mm (range 0-1mm), 0.6mm (range 0-2mm), and 0.4mm (range 0-2mm) for the x/y/z-axes, respectively. Furthermore, the MammoCare system was able to visualize and locate small (<10mm) regions with high ¹⁸F-FDG uptake within the tumour suitable for PET-guided biopsy after being located by the 3D automated application.

CONCLUSIONS

Accuracy testing demonstrated high-precision of this semi-automatic 3D PET-guided system for breast cancer core needle biopsy. Its clinical feasibility evaluation in breast cancer patients scheduled for neo-adjuvant chemotherapy will follow.

Impact of molecular subtypes classification concordance between preoperative core needle biopsy and surgical specimen on early breast cancer management: Single-institution experience and review of published literature

BACKGROUND

Core needle biopsy (CNB) plays a crucial role as diagnostic tool for breast cancer (BC). The characterization of biomarkers status before surgical treatment is crucial when primary systemic therapy is a therapeutic option. The aim of this analysis was to report concordance between preoperative CNB and surgical specimen (SS) in evaluating biomarkers and molecular subtypes.

METHODS

Data have been collected from a cohort of 101 patients affected by early BC treated at Careggi Florence University Hospital, between January 2014 and March 2015. The conformity between molecular subtype classification was tested using kappa (κ) test.

RESULTS

Mean age was 57.5 years (range 29-86). There was concordance between the estrogen receptor (ER) assessment on CNB and SS in 95 cases (94.1%). Concordance of the progesterone receptor (PgR) assessment was observed in 89 cases (88.1%). Concordance for detecting immunohistochemistry-assessed BC molecular subtypes was 87.1% (κ = 0.78). Concerning Ki-67 evaluation, we report a concordance rate of 88.1% (κ = 0.68). The evaluation of luminal A plus luminal B/HER negative subgroup showed a κ-value of 0.65.

CONCLUSIONS

CNB showed good accuracy in evaluating hormonal receptors status, HER2, and BC molecular subtypes. Evaluation of Ki67 status was less accurate than other biomarkers; therefore, we recommend that it should be detected both on CNB and SS samples, especially in hormonal positive HER2 negative tumors, in order to avoid a misclassification of tumor subtypes that could lead to an omission of potential effective systemic therapy.

A prospective comparison of ER, PR, Ki67 and gene expression in paired sequential core biopsies of primary, untreated breast cancer

BACKGROUND

Sequential biopsy of breast cancer is used to assess biomarker effects and drug efficacy. The preoperative "window of opportunity" setting is advantageous to test biomarker changes in response to therapeutic agents in previously untreated primary cancers. This study tested the consistency over time of paired, sequential biomarker measurements on primary, operable breast cancer in the absence of drug therapy.

METHODS

Immunohistochemistry was performed for ER, PR and Ki67 on paired preoperative/operative tumor samples taken from untreated patients within 2 weeks of each other. Microarray analysis on mRNA extracted from formalin fixed paraffin embedded cores was performed using Affymetrix based arrays on paired core biopsies analysed using Ingenuity Pathway Analysis (IPA) and Gene Set Analysis (GSA).

RESULTS

In 41 core/resection pairs, the recognised trend to lower ER, PR and Ki67 score on resected material was confirmed. Concordance for ER, PR and Ki67 without changing biomarker status (e.g. ER+ to ER-) was 90, 74 and 80 % respectively. However, in 23 paired core samples (diagnostic core v on table core), Ki67 using a cut off of 13.25 % was concordant in 22/23 (96 %) and differences in ER and PR immunohistochemistry by Allred or Quickscore between the pairs did not impact hormone receptor status. IPA and GSA demonstrated substantial gene expression changes between paired cores at the mRNA level, including reduced expression of ER pathway analysis on the second core, despite the absence of drug intervention.

CONCLUSIONS

Sequential core biopsies of primary breast cancer (but not core versus resection) was consistent and is appropriate to assess the effects of drug therapy in vivo on ER, PR and Ki67 using immunohistochemistry. Conversely, studies utilising mRNA expression may require non-treatment controls to distinguish therapeutic from biopsy differences.

The importance of tissue confirmation of metastatic disease in patients with breast cancer: lesson from a brain metastasis case

Background

The discrepancy of estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR), and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) statuses in breast cancers has been reported. Available systemic therapy for patients with breast cancer is based on the molecular subtypes as identified by IHC and/or FISH. However, these biomarkers may change throughout tumor progression.

Case presentation

We report a relatively uncommon case of a 39-year-old Chinese woman with local advanced breast cancer (LABC) treated with 6 cycles of docetaxel, doxorubicin and cyclophosphamide (TAC) regimen neoadjuvant chemotherapy, and subsequently mastectomy, intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) and tamoxifen followed as regularly. Brain metastatic event appeared in 6 months after mastectomy. Treatment for brain metastasis was surgical resection and followed by whole brain radiotherapy (WBRT) approved by multidisciplinary team (MDT). Initial pathological diagnosis was IDC, cT4N1M0, luminal B (ER+ 90%, PR+90%, HER2 0, Ki67+ 70%) based on ultrasound-guided core needle biopsy. Surgical pathology revealed IDC, pT2N3M0 luminal B (ER+ 20%, PR+20%, HER2 0, Ki67+ 20%). Histological response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy is grade 3 according to the Miller/Payne grading system. Final pathology of brain metastasis showed a HER2 overexpression metastatic breast cancer luminal B (ER+ 70%, PR+ 70%, HER2 2+, Ki67+ 30%), FISH confirmed HER2 overexpression. Weekly paclitaxel plus trastuzumab was given for 12 weeks, then trastuzumab every 3 weeks for a whole year. Patient follow-up is still ongoing, no new events appear yet.

Conclusions

The determination of hormone receptors and HER2 status should be routinely performed in all involved tissues, if possible, and systemic therapy should be tailored following the latest finding.

Meta-analysis of the concordance of histological grade of breast cancer between core needle biopsy and surgical excision specimen

BACKGROUND

With the increasing use of neoadjuvant chemotherapy and minimally invasive ablative therapy in breast cancer, pretreatment assessment of tumour grade on core needle biopsy (CNB) is increasingly needed. However, grading on CNB is possibly less accurate than grading based on the surgical excision specimen. A systematic review and meta-analysis of the literature was conducted to derive a reliable estimate of the agreement in tumour grading between CNB and subsequent surgical excision.

METHODS

Following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) criteria, Embase, PubMed and the Cochrane Library were searched. Pooled proportions of agreement in grading between CNB and the excision specimen, Cohen's κ and percentages of overestimation and underestimation were calculated. Random-effects models were applied because of substantial heterogeneity, assessed by I² test. Determinants of the level of agreement in grading were explored with meta-regression.

RESULTS

Thirty-four articles were included in the systematic review (6029 patients) and 33 in the meta-analysis (4980 patients). Pooled agreement and κ were 71·1 (95 per cent c.i. 68·8 to 73·3) per cent and 0·54 (0·50 to 0·58) respectively. Underestimation and overestimation occurred in 19·1 (17·1 to 21·3) and 9·3 (7·7 to 11·4) per cent respectively. Meta-regression showed associations between agreement of histological type (positive association) and proportion of patients with oestrogen receptor-positive disease (negative association) and grade agreement.

CONCLUSION

Grading on CNB corresponds moderately with grading based on excision specimens, with underestimation in about one in five patients. Incorrect CNB tumour grading has limited clinical implications, as multiple factors influence decision-making for adjuvant systemic therapy.

Spindle cell carcinoma of the breast: a comprehensive analysis

BACKGROUND

Breast spindle cell malignancies are rare. No standard treatment exists.

METHODS

The Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results database was used to identify patients with breast spindle cell malignancies, 1992 to 2011. Descriptive statistical analysis and survival analysis were performed.

RESULTS

A total of 286 patients were identified (98.6% female). Approximately, 15% had estrogen receptor-positive tumors and 12.5% had progesterone receptor-positive tumors. Nearly 38% underwent partial mastectomy, whereas 55.5% underwent mastectomy. The frequency of partial mastectomy has increased in more recent years. One-third received radiation. Lymph node metastases were infrequent (9.3%) and distant metastases were uncommon (6.1%). Ten-year survival rates for patients with early-stage (I and II) disease were 83.9% after partial mastectomy, 86.7% after partial mastectomy plus radiation, and 71.6% after complete mastectomy. Three-year survival rates for patients with late-stage (III and IV) disease were low with 40.0% after complete mastectomy and 0% after complete mastectomy plus radiation.

CONCLUSIONS

This nationally representative analysis demonstrates that early-stage spindle cell carcinoma of the breast is adequately treated by partial mastectomy. Radiation may be considered for small, potentially early survival benefit. For late stage disease, complete mastectomy is appropriate; however, survival is poor, and radiation contributes no significant additional benefit.

Correlation of clinicopathological outcomes with changes in IHC4 status after NACT in locally advanced breast cancers: do pre-NACT ER/PR status act as better prognosticators?

Background

Following neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT) for breast cancer, changes in estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR), HER2 status, and Ki-67 index (IHC4 status) and its correlation with pathological complete response (pCR) or relapse-free survival (RFS) rates could lead to better understanding of tumor management.

Patients and methods

Pre- and post-NACT IHC4 status and its changes were analyzed in 156 patients with breast cancer. Associations between pCR, RFS rates to IHC4 status pre- and post-NACT were investigated.

Results

pCR was found in 25.3% patients. Both ER and PR positive tumors had the lowest (14.3%) pCR compared to ER and PR negative (29%) or either ER-/PR-positive (38.6%) tumors. PR positivity was significantly associated with less likelihood of pCR (15% versus 34%). The pCR rate was low for luminal A subtype (13.68%) compared to 24.36%, 26.31%, and 33.33% for luminal B, HER2-enriched, and triple-negative subtypes, respectively. There was significant reduction in ER expression and Ki-67 index post-NACT. RFS of patients in whom the hormonal status changed from positive to negative was better compared to those of patients in whom the hormonal status changed from negative to positive.

Conclusion

Although changes in IHC4 occurred post-NACT, pre-NACT hazard ratio status prognosticated RFS better. pCR and RFS rates were lower in PR-positive tumors.

Reliability of Prognostic and Predictive Factors Evaluated by Needle Core Biopsies of Large Breast Invasive Tumors

OBJECTIVES

Preoperative biopsy of breast cancer allows for prognostic/predictive marker assessment. However, large tumors, which are the main candidates for preoperative chemotherapy, are potentially more heterogeneous than smaller ones, which questions the reliability of histologic analyses of needle core biopsy (NCB) specimens compared with whole surgical specimens (WSS). We studied the histologic concordance between NCB specimens and WSS in tumors larger than 2 cm.

METHODS

Early pT2 or higher breast cancers diagnosed between 2008 and 2011 in our center, with no preoperative treatments, were retrospectively screened. We assessed the main prognostic and predictive validated parameters. Comparisons were performed using the κ test.

RESULTS

In total, 163 matched NCB specimens and WSS were analyzed. The correlation was excellent for ER and HER2 (κ = 0.94 and 0.91, respectively), moderate for PR (κ = 0.79) and histologic type (κ = 0.74), weak for Ki-67 (κ = 0.55), and minimal for SBR grade (κ = 0.29). Three of the 21 HER2-positive cases (14% of HER2-positive patients or 1.8% of all patients), by WSS analysis, were initially negative on NCB specimens even after chromogenic in situ hybridization.

CONCLUSIONS

NCB for large breast tumors allowed reliable determination of ER/PR expression. However, the SBR grade may be deeply underestimated, and false-negative evaluation of the HER2 status would have led to a detrimental lack of trastuzumab administration.

In the era of genomics, should tumor size be reconsidered as a criterion for neoadjuvant chemotherapy?

BACKGROUND

The Oncotype DX recurrence score (RS) assay has been validated for prediction of 10-year risk of distant recurrence and likelihood of benefit from chemotherapy in patients with estrogen receptor (ER)-positive, HER2-negative early breast cancer. Patients with high RS tumors have substantial benefit, and patients with low RS tumors have minimal if any benefit from chemotherapy. Tumor size is used as a key parameter when selecting patients for neoadjuvant chemotherapy. The aim of this study was to assess the distribution of RS in patients selected for neoadjuvant chemotherapy primarily according to tumor size.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Patients with ER-positive and HER2-negative tumors that were node-negative or had no more than 1 positive node from three trials were included in this study. Oncotype DX was performed at Genomic Health, Inc., blinded to the clinical data. Descriptive statistics were calculated for distribution of RS for all cases.

RESULTS

Of 277 patients, 96 met eligibility criteria, and 81 had sufficient material for analysis. Median tumor size was 40 mm (interquartile range [IQR], 30-50 mm). Grade I, II, and III were observed in 13, 49, and 17 cases, respectively. There was a wide distribution of RS with a median of 21.4 (IQR, 16.05-26.75). In total, 23 (28.3%) had high, 28 (34.6%) intermediate, and 30 (37%) low RS results.

CONCLUSION

The RS may provide relevant information for neoadjuvant treatment decisions in select patients both in clinical practice and in studies. Inclusion of low RS disease patients in neoadjuvant trials will likely only dilute the ability to look at treatment effects.

Pragmatic issues in biomarker evaluation for targeted therapies in cancer

Predictive biomarkers are becoming increasingly important tools in drug development and clinical research. The importance of using both guidelines for specimen acquisition and analytical methods for biomarker measurements that are standardized has become recognized widely as an important issue, which must be addressed in order to provide high-quality, validated assays. Herein, we review the major challenges in biomarker validation processes, including pre-analytical (sample-related), analytical, and post-analytical (data-related) aspects of assay development. Recommendations for improving biomarker assay development and method validation are proposed to facilitate the use of predictive biomarkers in clinical trials and the practice of oncology.

Accuracy of prognostic and predictive markers in core needle breast biopsies compared with excisional specimens

BACKGROUND

Core needle biopsy (CNB) is widely accepted for preoperative diagnosis of breast cancer and sometimes can be the only way of providing a suitable specimen for prognostic and predictive marker studies prior to neoadjuvant treatment. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the accuracy of CNB by comparing histological tumor type and grade as well as estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR), p53, and HER2/ neu status by immunohistochemistry in CNB and excisional surgical specimens.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

During a 2.5-year study period, we identified 30 patients with breast cancer, who underwent CNB and definitive surgery. To evaluate the accuracy of CNB, tumor grade, ER, PR, HER2, and p53 status were immunohistochemically determined in both the CNB and the surgical specimens, and concordance of results between the 2 specimens was assessed.

RESULTS

The concordance rate was 100% for histological type, 66.6% for histological grade, and 96.7, 90, 76.7 and 93.3% for ER, PR, p53 and HER2/neu, respectively.

CONCLUSION

Our study showed that CNB has an excellent accuracy for tumor type, ER, and HER2/ neu; however, it should be used cautiously for tumor grade, PR, and p53 status. Thus, excisional biopsy is recommended for the determination of these factors.

Low concordance of biomarkers in histopathological and cytological material from breast cancer

AIMS

The aim of this study was to investigate in primary breast cancer the congruency of routine clinical predictive biomarker evaluations, including ER, PR and Ki67, obtained using immunocytochemistry (ICC) and immunohistochemistry (IHC).

METHODS AND RESULTS

Clinicopathological data were collected on all women diagnosed with primary breast cancer at Karolinska University Hospital in 2011. A total of 346 patients were included in a retrospective paired comparison of predictive biomarker evaluations on direct smear ICC and IHC. This showed a low congruency between findings with the two methods, especially evident for Ki67 (κ = 0.35-0.42). By suggested adjustments to ICC cut-offs, we managed to improve the inter-rater agreement of Ki67 classification slightly to κ = 0.46.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings suggest that routine clinical ICC and IHC evaluations of predictive biomarkers produce discordant results. Consequently, basing therapeutic decisions on cytology with cut-offs defined for IHC induces a risk that patients will receive suboptimal therapy. However, our analysis shows that local adjustments to biomarker cut-off levels may improve congruency and increase the probability of correct classifications.

Accuracy of estrogen and progesterone receptor assessment in core needle biopsy specimens of breast cancer

Background

Diagnosis of breast cancer is completed through core needle biopsy (CNB) of the tumors but there is controversy on the accuracy of hormone receptor results on CNB specimens.

Objectives

We undertook this study to compare the results of hormone receptor assessment in CNB and surgical samples on our patients.

Patients and Methods

Hormone receptor status was determined in CNB and surgical samples in breast cancer patients whose CNB and operation had been performed in this institute from 2009 to 2011 and had not undergone neoadjuvant chemotherapy.

Results

About 350 patients, 60 cases met all the criteria for entering the study. The mean age was 49.8 years. Considering a confidence interval (CI) of 95%, the sensitivity of ER and PR assessment in CNB was 92.9% and 81%, respectively and the specificity of both was 100%. The Accuracy of CNB was 98% for ER and 93% for PR.

Conclusions

Our results confirm the acceptable accuracy of ER assessment on CNB. The subject needs further investigation in developing countries where omission of the test in surgical samples can be cost and time-saving.

Preoperative core needle biopsy is accurate in determining molecular subtypes in invasive breast cancer

Background

Estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PgR), HER2, and Ki67 have been increasingly evaluated by core needle biopsy (CNB) and are recommended for classifying breast cancer into molecular subtypes. However, the concordance rate between CNB and open excision biopsy (OEB) has not been well documented.

Methods

Patients with paired CNB and OEB samples from Oct. 2009 to Feb. 2012 in Ruijin Hospital were included. ER, PgR, HER2, and Ki67 were determined by immunohistochemistry (IHC). Patients with HER2 IHC 2+ were further examined by FISH. Cutoff value for Ki67 high expression was 14%. Molecular subtypes were constructed as follows: Luminal A, Luminal B, Triple Negative, and HER2 positive.

Results

There were 298 invasive breast cancer patients analyzed. Concordance rates for ER, PgR, and HER2 were 93.6%, 85.9%, and 96.3%, respectively. Ki67 expression was slightly higher in OEB than in CNB samples (29.3% vs. 26.8%, P = 0.046). Good agreement (κ = 0.658) was demonstrated in evaluating molecular subtypes between CNB and OEB, with a concordance rate of 77.2%. We also used a different Ki67 cutoff value (20%) for determining Luminal A and B subtypes in HR (hormone receptor) +/HER2- diseases and the overall concordance rate was 79.2%. However, using a cut-point of Ki67 either 14% or 20% for both specimens, there will be about 14% of HR+/HER2- specimens that are called Luminal A on CNB and Luminal B on OEB.

Conclusion

CNB was accurate in determining ER, PgR, and HER2 status as well as non-Luminal molecular subtypes in invasive breast cancer. Ki67 should be retested on OEB samples in HR+/HER2- patients to accurately distinguish Luminal A from B tumors.

Digital quantification of gene expression in sequential breast cancer biopsies reveals activation of an immune response

Advancements in molecular biology have unveiled multiple breast cancer promoting pathways and potential therapeutic targets. Large randomized clinical trials remain the ultimate means of validating therapeutic efficacy, but they require large cohorts of patients and are lengthy and costly. A useful approach is to conduct a window of opportunity study in which patients are exposed to a drug pre-surgically during the interval between the core needle biopsy and the definitive surgery. These are non-therapeutic studies and the end point is not clinical or pathological response but rather evaluation of molecular changes in the tumor specimens that can predict response. However, since the end points of the non-therapeutic studies are biologic, it is critical to first define the biologic changes that occur in the absence of treatment. In this study, we compared the molecular profiles of breast cancer tumors at the time of the diagnostic biopsy versus the definitive surgery in the absence of any intervention using the Nanostring nCounter platform. We found that while the majority of the transcripts did not vary between the two biopsies, there was evidence of activation of immune related genes in response to the first biopsy and further investigations of the immune changes after a biopsy in early breast cancer seem warranted.

Personalized medicine - where do we stand? Pouring some water into wine: a realistic perspective

Abstract

Reviewing the past and the present status of personalized medicine, the hope and promise from several years ago was critically compared to what is really achieved to tailor the drug treatment according to the patient’s individuality. The basis for consideration is what we know about the variant of the disease the patient is suffering from, and about the mechanisms influencing the plasma concentration-time profile, such as activity of metabolizing enzymes and transporters. In cancer treatment, drugs are currently selected regarding molecular properties of the cancer tissue, eg, expressing receptors such as HER2 receptor. Currently diagnostic tests are available allowing to detect somatic cell mutations that can be used to guide drug selection. Unfortunately, tumor heterogeneity and developing resistance by further mutations may limit the success of the therapy determined by molecular diagnostics. The present status can be described that in drug kinetics we know the influencing factors and we understand the mechanisms. However, only in a few cases the genetic background is the main determinant of kinetic variability, and environmental and other factors have an additional important role. Therefore, much more has to be done before we can translate the accumulating knowledge into a benefit for the patient. Only then, we can speak about personalized medicine.

Mitotic figure counts are significantly overestimated in resection specimens of invasive breast carcinomas

Several authors have demonstrated an increased number of mitotic figures in breast cancer resection specimen when compared with biopsy material. This has been ascribed to a sampling artifact where biopsies are (i) either too small to allow formal mitotic figure counting or (ii) not necessarily taken form the proliferating tumor periphery. Herein, we propose a different explanation for this phenomenon. Biopsy and resection material of 52 invasive ductal carcinomas was studied. We counted mitotic figures in 10 representative high power fields and quantified MIB-1 immunohistochemistry by visual estimation, counting and image analysis. We found that mitotic figures were elevated by more than three-fold on average in resection specimen over biopsy material from the same tumors (20±6 vs 6±2 mitoses per 10 high power fields, P=0.008), and that this resulted in a relative diminution of post-metaphase figures (anaphase/telophase), which made up 7% of all mitotic figures in biopsies but only 3% in resection specimen (P<0.005). At the same time, the percentages of MIB-1 immunostained tumor cells among total tumor cells were comparable in biopsy and resection material, irrespective of the mode of MIB-1 quantification. Finally, we found no association between the size of the biopsy material and the relative increase of mitotic figures in resection specimen. We propose that the increase in mitotic figures in resection specimen and the significant shift towards metaphase figures is not due to a sampling artifact, but reflects ongoing cell cycle activity in the resected tumor tissue due to fixation delay. The dwindling energy supply will eventually arrest tumor cells in metaphase, where they are readily identified by the diagnostic pathologist. Taken together, we suggest that the rapidly fixed biopsy material better represents true tumor biology and should be privileged as predictive marker of putative response to cytotoxic chemotherapy.

Assessment accuracy of core needle biopsy for hormone receptors in breast cancer: a meta-analysis

The concordance of hormone receptors (HR) status identified by core needle biopsy (CNB) compared with excisional biopsy (EB) has been widely reported, but results were extremely variable and underpowered. To derive a more precise estimation of assessment accuracy of CNB for HR in breast cancer, we conducted a meta-analysis of all eligible studies comparing concordance or disconcordance between CNB and EB for HR status. Eligible articles were identified by search of databases including PubMed, Web of Science, EMBASE, and Chinese Biomedical Literature database for the period up to November 2011, and the reference lists of identified studies, relevant reviews, meta-analyses, and abstracts from recent conference proceedings were reviewed as a augmented searching. Finally, a total of 21 articles involving 2,450 patients for estrogen receptor (ER) and 2,448 patients for progesterone receptor (PR) were included and analyzed in this analysis. Study quality was assessed using the Quality Assessment of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies checklist. The overall aggrement between CNB and EB were 92.8 % for ER (κ = 0.78) and 85.2 % for PR (κ = 0.66), indicating a good agreement in PR and a better result in ER. The pooled sensitivity and specificity were 97.3 % (95 % CI 96.0-98.2) and 82.0 % (95 % CI 68.2-90.6) for ER, and the corresponding values for PR were 92.3 % (95 % CI 88.2-95.1) and 76.5 % (95 % CI 64.6-85.3), respectively. The pooled positive likelihood ratios was 5.39 % (95 % CI 2.92-9.97) and the negative likelihood ratios was 0.03 % (95 % CI 0.02-0.05) for ER, the corresponding values for PR were 3.93 % (95 % CI 2.53-6.11) and 0.10 % (95 % CI 0.07-0.16), respectively. In summary, although a good agreement was observed between CNB and EB for both ER and PR, we still suggest that negative HR testing results should be interpreted with caution or repeated on EB.

Triple-negative invasive breast cancer on dynamic contrast-enhanced and diffusion-weighted MR imaging: comparison with other breast cancer subtypes

OBJECTIVES

To determine the MRI features of triple-negative invasive breast cancer (TNBC) on dynamic contrast-enhanced MR imaging (DCE-MRI) and diffusion-weighted MR imaging (DWI) in comparison with ER-positive/HER2-negative (ER+) and HER2-positive cancer (HER2+).

METHODS

A total of 271 invasive cancers in 269 patients undergoing preoperative MRI and surgery were included. Two radiologists retrospectively assessed morphological and kinetic characteristics on DCE-MRI and tumour detectability on DWI. Apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values of lesions were measured. Clinical and MRI features of the three subtypes were compared.

RESULTS

Compared with ER+ (n = 119) and HER2+ (n = 94), larger size, round/oval mass shape, smooth mass margin, and rim enhancement on DCE-MRI were significantly associated with TNBC (n = 58; P < 0.0001). On DWI, mean ADC value (× 10(-3) mm(2)/s) of TNBC (1.03) was higher than the mean ADC values for ER+ and HER2+ (0.89 and 0.84; P < 0.0001). There was no difference in tumour detectability (P = 0.099). Tumour size (P = 0.009), mass margin (smooth, P < 0.0001; irregular, P = 0.020), and ADC values (P = 0.002) on DCE-MRI and DWI were independent features of TNBC.

CONCLUSIONS

In addition to the morphological features, higher ADC values on DWI were independently associated with TNBC and could be useful in differentiating TNBC from ER+ and HER2+.

KEY POINTS

• Triple-negative breast cancers (TNBC) lack oestrogen/progesterone receptors and HER2 expression/amplification. • TNBCs are larger, better defined and more necrotic than conventional cancers. • On MRI, necrosis yields high T2-weighted signal intensity and ADCs. • High ADC values can be useful in diagnosing TNBC.