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González-Viguera J, Martínez-Pérez E, Pérez-Montero H, Arangüena M, Guedea F, Gutiérrez-Miguélez C. Hype or hope? A review of challenges in balancing tumor control and treatment toxicity in breast cancer from the perspective of the radiation oncologist. Clin Transl Oncol 2024; 26:561-573. [PMID: 37505372 DOI: 10.1007/s12094-023-03287-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2023] [Accepted: 07/17/2023] [Indexed: 07/29/2023]
Abstract
The aim of this article is to discuss the challenges and new strategies in managing breast cancer patients, with a specific focus on radiation oncology and the importance of balancing oncologic outcomes with quality of life and post-treatment morbidity. A comprehensive literature review was conducted to identify advances in the management of breast cancer, exploring de-escalation strategies, hypofractionation schemes, predictors and tools for reducing toxicity (radiation-induced lymphocyte apoptosis, deep inspiration breath-hold, adaptive radiotherapy), enhancer treatments (hyperthermia, immunotherapy) and innovative diagnostic modalities (PET-MRI, omics). Balancing oncologic outcomes with quality of life and post-treatment morbidity is crucial in the era of personalized medicine. Radiotherapy plays a critical role in the management of breast cancer patients. Large randomized trials are necessary to generalize some practices and cost remains the main obstacle for many innovations that are already applicable.
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Affiliation(s)
- Javier González-Viguera
- Radiation Oncology Department, Catalan Institute of Oncology, L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain.
| | - Evelyn Martínez-Pérez
- Radiation Oncology Department, Catalan Institute of Oncology, L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Héctor Pérez-Montero
- Radiation Oncology Department, Catalan Institute of Oncology, L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Marina Arangüena
- Radiation Oncology Department, Catalan Institute of Oncology, L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Ferran Guedea
- Radiation Oncology Department, Catalan Institute of Oncology, L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain
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Recent Advances in Optimizing Radiation Therapy Decisions in Early Invasive Breast Cancer. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:cancers15041260. [PMID: 36831598 PMCID: PMC9954587 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15041260] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2022] [Revised: 02/07/2023] [Accepted: 02/10/2023] [Indexed: 02/18/2023] Open
Abstract
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.
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Beyer SJ, Tallman M, Jhawar SR, White JR, Bazan JG. The Prognostic and Predictive Value of Genomic Assays in Guiding Adjuvant Breast Radiation Therapy. Biomedicines 2022; 11:biomedicines11010098. [PMID: 36672606 PMCID: PMC9855532 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines11010098] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2022] [Revised: 12/16/2022] [Accepted: 12/21/2022] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Many patients with non-metastatic breast cancer benefit from adjuvant radiation therapy after lumpectomy or mastectomy on the basis of many randomized trials. However, there are many patients that have such low risks of recurrence after surgery that de-intensification of therapy by either reducing the treatment volume or omitting radiation altogether may be appropriate options. On the other hand, dose intensification may be necessary for more aggressive breast cancers. Until recently, these treatment decisions were based solely on clinicopathologic factors. Here, we review the current literature on the role of genomic assays as prognostic and/or predictive biomarkers to help guide adjuvant radiation therapy decision-making.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sasha J. Beyer
- Department of Radiation Oncology, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
| | - Miranda Tallman
- Department of Radiation Oncology, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
| | - Sachin R. Jhawar
- Department of Radiation Oncology, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
| | - Julia R. White
- Department of Radiation Oncology, The University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS 66160, USA
| | - Jose G. Bazan
- Department of Radiation Oncology, City of Hope Comprehensive Cancer Center, Duarte, CA 91010, USA
- Correspondence:
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Bloom MJ, Song PN, Virostko J, Yankeelov TE, Sorace AG. Quantifying the Effects of Combination Trastuzumab and Radiation Therapy in Human Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor 2-Positive Breast Cancer. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14174234. [PMID: 36077773 PMCID: PMC9454606 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14174234] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2022] [Revised: 08/16/2022] [Accepted: 08/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Trastuzumab induces cell cycle arrest in HER2-overexpressing cells and demonstrates potential in radiosensitizing cancer cells. The purpose of this study is to quantify combination trastuzumab and radiotherapy to determine their synergy. Methods: In vitro, HER2+ cancer cells were treated with trastuzumab, radiation, or their combination, and imaged to evaluate treatment kinetics. In vivo, HER2+ tumor-bearing mice were treated with trastuzumab and radiation, and assessed longitudinally. An additional cohort was treated and sacrificed to quantify CD45, CD31, α-SMA, and hypoxia. Results: The interaction index revealed the additive effects of trastuzumab and radiation in vitro in HER2+ cell lines. Furthermore, the results revealed significant differences in tumor response when treated with radiation (p < 0.001); however, no difference was seen in the combination groups when trastuzumab was added to radiotherapy (p = 0.56). Histology revealed increases in CD45 staining in tumors receiving trastuzumab (p < 0.05), indicating potential increases in immune infiltration. Conclusions: The in vitro results showed the additive effect of combination trastuzumab and radiotherapy. The in vivo results showed the potential to achieve similar efficacy of radiotherapy with a reduced dose when combined with trastuzumab. If trastuzumab and low-dose radiotherapy induce greater tumor kill than a higher dose of radiotherapy, combination therapy can achieve a similar reduction in tumor burden.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meghan J. Bloom
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, The University of Texas, Austin, TX 78712, USA
| | - Patrick N. Song
- Department of Radiology, The University of Alabama, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA
| | - John Virostko
- LiveSTRONG Cancer Institutes, The University of Texas, Austin, TX 78713, USA
- Department of Oncology, The University of Texas Dell Medical School, Austin, TX 78701, USA
- Department of Diagnostic Medicine, The University of Texas, Austin, TX 78712, USA
| | - Thomas E. Yankeelov
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, The University of Texas, Austin, TX 78712, USA
- LiveSTRONG Cancer Institutes, The University of Texas, Austin, TX 78713, USA
- Department of Oncology, The University of Texas Dell Medical School, Austin, TX 78701, USA
- Department of Diagnostic Medicine, The University of Texas, Austin, TX 78712, USA
- Oden Institute for Computational and Engineering Sciences, The University of Texas, Austin, TX 78712, USA
- Department of Imaging Physics, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Anna G. Sorace
- Department of Radiology, The University of Alabama, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, The University of Alabama, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA
- O’Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center, The University of Alabama, Birmingham, AL 35233, USA
- Correspondence:
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