Effect of body mass index on response to neo-adjuvant therapy in HER2-positive breast cancer: an exploratory analysis of the NeoALTTO trial

Reporting on patient's body mass index (BMI) in recent clinical trials for patients with breast cancer: a systematic review

BACKGROUND

The proportion of patients with breast cancer and obesity is increasing. While the therapeutic landscape of breast cancer has been expanding, we lack knowledge about the potential differential efficacy of most drugs according to the body mass index (BMI). Here, we conducted a systematic review on recent clinical drug trials to document the dosing regimen of recent drugs, the reporting of BMI and the possible exclusion of patients according to BMI, other adiposity measurements and/or diabetes (leading comorbidity of obesity). We further explored whether treatment efficacy was evaluated according to BMI.

METHODS

A search of Pubmed and ClinicalTrials.gov was performed to identify phase I-IV trials investigating novel systemic breast cancer treatments. Dosing regimens and exclusion based on BMI, adiposity measurements or diabetes, documentation of BMI and subgroup analyses according to BMI were assessed.

RESULTS

495 trials evaluating 26 different drugs were included. Most of the drugs (21/26, 81%) were given in a fixed dose independent of patient weight. BMI was an exclusion criterion in 3 out of 495 trials. Patients with diabetes, the leading comorbidity of obesity, were excluded in 67/495 trials (13.5%). Distribution of patients according to BMI was mentioned in 8% of the manuscripts, subgroup analysis was performed in 2 trials. No other measures of adiposity/body composition were mentioned in any of the trials. Retrospective analyses on the impact of BMI were performed in 6 trials.

CONCLUSIONS

Patient adiposity is hardly considered as most novel drug treatments are given in a fixed dose. BMI is generally not reported in recent trials and few secondary analyses are performed. Given the prevalence of patients with obesity and the impact obesity can have on pharmacokinetics and cancer biology, more attention should be given by investigators and study sponsors to reporting patient's BMI and evaluating its impact on treatment efficacy and toxicity.

Association of Body Mass Index With Outcomes Among Patients With Head and Neck Cancer Treated With Chemoradiotherapy

Importance

Combined modality therapy, such as chemoradiotherapy, often results in significant morbidity among patients with head and neck cancer. Although the role of body mass index (BMI) varies based on cancer subtypes, its association with treatment response, tumor recurrence, and survival outcomes among patients with head and neck cancer remains unclear.

Objective

To evaluate the role of BMI in treatment response, tumor recurrence, and survival outcomes among patients with head and neck cancer undergoing chemoradiotherapy.

Design, Setting, and Participants

This retrospective, observational, single-institution cohort study conducted at a comprehensive cancer center included 445 patients with nonmetastatic head and neck cancer who underwent chemoradiotherapy from January 1, 2005, to January 31, 2021.

Exposure

Normal vs overweight or obese BMI.

Main Outcomes and Measures

Metabolic response after chemoradiotherapy, locoregional failure (LRF), distant failure (DF), overall survival (OS), and progression-free survival (PFS), with Bonferroni correction used to adjust for multiple comparisons and P < .025 being considered statistically significant.

Results

A total of 445 patients (373 men [83.8%]; median age, 61 years [IQR, 55-66 years]; 107 [24.0%] with normal BMI, 179 [40.2%] with overweight BMI, and 159 [35.7%] with obese BMI) were included for analysis. Median follow-up was 48.1 months (IQR, 24.7-74.9 months). On Cox proportional hazards regression multivariable analysis, only overweight BMI was associated with improved OS (5-year OS, 71.5% vs 58.4%; adjusted hazard ratio [AHR], 0.59 [95% CI, 0.39-0.91]; P = .02) and PFS (5-year PFS, 68.3% vs 50.8%; AHR, 0.51 [95% CI, 0.34-0.75]; P < .001). On logistic multivariable analysis, overweight BMI (91.6% vs 73.8%; adjusted odds ratio [AOR], 0.86 [95% CI, 0.80-0.93]; P < .001) and obese BMI (90.6% vs 73.8%; AOR, 0.89 [95% CI, 0.81-0.96]; P = .005) were associated with complete metabolic response on follow-up positron emission tomography-computed tomography after treatments. On Fine-Gray multivariable analysis, overweight BMI was associated with reduction in LRF (5-year LRF, 7.0% vs 25.9%; AHR, 0.30 [95% CI, 0.12-0.71]; P = .01), but not DF (5-year DF, 17.4% vs 21.5%; AHR, 0.92 [95% CI, 0.47-1.77]; P = .79). Obese BMI was not associated with LRF (5-year LRF, 10.4% vs 25.9%; AHR, 0.63 [95% CI, 0.29-1.37]; P = .24) or DF (5-year DF, 15.0% vs 21.5%; AHR, 0.70 [95% CI, 0.35-1.38]; P = .30).

Conclusion

In this cohort study of patients with head and neck cancer, when compared with normal BMI, overweight BMI was an independent factor favorably associated with complete response after treatments, OS, PFS, and LRF. Further investigations are warranted to improve understanding on the role of BMI among patients with head and neck cancer.

Impact of body mass index in therapeutic response for HER2 positive breast cancer treated with neoadjuvant targeted therapy: a multi-center study and meta-analysis

While overweight/obesity has become a major public health issue worldwide, any association between body mass index (BMI) and therapeutic response in neoadjuvant targeted therapy treated HER2 positive breast cancer patients remain unclear. The information from a total of four-hundred and ninety-one neoadjuvant targeted therapy treated HER2 positive breast cancer patients from four institutions were retrospectively collected. Univariate and multivariate logistic analysis was developed to determine the association between BMI and therapeutic response. A meta-analysis of published literature was then conducted to confirm the effect of overweight/obesity on pCR for patients treated with neoadjuvant targeted therapy. Restricted cubic spline (RCS) adjusted for confounding factors demonstrated a decrease pCR with increasing BMI (OR = 0.937, P = 0.045). Patients were then categorized into under/normal weight (n = 299) and overweight/obesity (n = 192). Overweight/obese patients were independently associated with a poor therapeutic response. In the subgroup analysis, a significant negative impact of overweight/obesity on pCR can be observed both in single-targeted (OR = 0.556; P = 0.02) and dual-targeted (OR = 0.392; P = 0.021) populations. Six eligible studies involving 984 neoadjuvant targeted therapy treated HER2 positive breast cancer patients were included in the meta-analysis. The meta-analysis also demonstrated that overweight/obesity was significantly associated with a poor response to neoadjuvant anti-HER2 therapy (OR = 0.68; P = 0.007). Our result show that overweight and obese HER2 positive breast cancer patients are less likely to achieve pCR after neoadjuvant targeted therapy.

The Challenges of Treating Patients with Breast Cancer and Obesity

Obesity is defined as a body mass index (BMI) of 30 kg/m2 or more and is associated with worse outcomes in patients with breast cancer, resulting in an increased incidence of breast cancer, recurrence, and death. The incidence of obesity is increasing, with almost half of all individuals in the United States classified as obese. Patients with obesity present with unique pharmacokinetics and physiology and are at increased risk of developing diabetes mellitus and cardiovascular disease, which leads to specific challenges when treating these patients. The aim of this review is to summarize the impact of obesity on the efficacy and toxicity of systemic therapies used for breast cancer patients, describe the molecular mechanisms through which obesity can affect systemic therapies, outline the existing American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) guidelines for treating patients with cancer and obesity, and highlight additional clinical considerations for treating patients with obesity and breast cancer. We conclude that further research on the biological mechanisms underlying the obesity-breast cancer link may offer new treatment strategies, and clinicals trials that focus on the treatment and outcomes of patients with obesity and all stages of breast cancer are needed to inform future treatment guidelines.

Pathologic Response to Neoadjuvant Sequential Chemoradiation Therapy in Locally Advanced Breast Cancer: Preliminary, Translational Results from the French Neo-APBI-01 Trial

Background: Radiation therapy (RT), a novel approach to boost the anticancer immune response, has been progressively evaluated in the neoadjuvant setting in breast cancer (BC). Purpose: We aimed to evaluate immunity-related indicators of response to neoadjuvant chemoradiation therapy (NACRT) in BC for better treatment personalization. Patients and Methods: We analyzed data of the first 42 patients included in the randomized phase 2 Neo-APBI-01 trial comparing standard neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT) and NACRT regimen in locally advanced triple-negative (TN) and luminal B (LB) subtype BC. Clinicopathological parameters, blood counts and the derived parameters, total tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) and their subpopulation, as well as TP53 mutation status, were assessed as predictors of response. Results: Twenty-one patients were equally assigned to each group. The pathologic complete response (pCR) was 33% and 38% in the NACT and NACRT groups, respectively, with a dose-response effect. Only one LB tumor reached pCR after NACRT. Numerous parameters associated with response were identified, which differed according to the assigned treatment. In the NACRT group, baseline hemoglobin of ≥13 g/dL and body mass index of <26 were strongly associated with pCR. Higher baseline neutrophils-to-lymphocytes ratio, total TILs, and T-effector cell counts were favorable for pCR. Conclusion: This preliminary analysis identified LB and low-TIL tumors as poor responders to the NACRT protocol, which delivered RT after several cycles of chemotherapy. These findings will allow for amending the selection of patients for the trial and help better design future trials of NACRT in BC.

Risk of Recurrence in Patients with HER2+ Early-Stage Breast Cancer: Literature Analysis of Patient and Disease Characteristics

Human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) overexpression occurs in 15% to 20% of patients with early-stage breast cancers (EBCs). Without HER2-targeted therapy, 30% to 50% of patients relapse within 10 years, many developing incurable metastatic disease. This literature review was designed to identify and validate patient- and disease-related factors associated with recurrence in patients with HER2+ EBC. Peer-reviewed primary research articles and congress abstracts were identified by searching MEDLINE. Articles published in English from 2019 to 2022 were included to identify contemporary treatment options. Results were analyzed for the relationship between risk factors and surrogates of HER2+ EBC recurrence to determine how identified risk factors affected HER2+ EBC recurrence. Sixty-one articles and 65 abstracts that assessed age at diagnosis, body mass index (BMI), tumor size at diagnosis, hormone receptor (HR) status, pathologic complete response (pCR) status, and biomarkers were analyzed. We confirmed the results of previously published reviews reporting residual cancer burden >0, non-pCR, and fewer tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) as risk factors of recurrence. HR status remained an important risk factor for recurrence, with HER2+/HR+ disease more likely to recur. Two or more positive lymph nodes, higher BMI, larger primary tumor size, and low Ki67 were more commonly associated with HER2+ EBC recurrence. The identification of patient and disease factors frequently associated with HER2+ EBC recurrence in the literature provides insight into potential recurrence risk factors. Further investigation into the risk factors identified in this review could lead to improved treatments for patients at high risk for HER2+ EBC recurrence.

Postdiagnosis body fatness, weight change and breast cancer prognosis: Global Cancer Update Program (CUP global) systematic literature review and meta-analysis

Previous evidence on postdiagnosis body fatness and mortality after breast cancer was graded as limited-suggestive. To evaluate the evidence on body mass index (BMI), waist circumference, waist-hip-ratio and weight change in relation to breast cancer prognosis, an updated systematic review was conducted. PubMed and Embase were searched for relevant studies published up to 31 October, 2021. Random-effects meta-analyses were conducted to estimate summary relative risks (RRs). The evidence was judged by an independent Expert Panel using pre-defined grading criteria. One randomized controlled trial and 225 observational studies were reviewed (220 publications). There was strong evidence (likelihood of causality: probable) that higher postdiagnosis BMI was associated with increased all-cause mortality (64 studies, 32 507 deaths), breast cancer-specific mortality (39 studies, 14 106 deaths) and second primary breast cancer (11 studies, 5248 events). The respective summary RRs and 95% confidence intervals per 5 kg/m2 BMI were 1.07 (1.05-1.10), 1.10 (1.06-1.14) and 1.14 (1.04-1.26), with high between-study heterogeneity (I2  = 56%, 60%, 66%), but generally consistent positive associations. Positive associations were also observed for waist circumference, waist-hip-ratio and all-cause and breast cancer-specific mortality. There was limited-suggestive evidence that postdiagnosis BMI was associated with higher risk of recurrence, nonbreast cancer deaths and cardiovascular deaths. The evidence for postdiagnosis (unexplained) weight or BMI change and all outcomes was graded as limited-no conclusion. The RCT showed potential beneficial effect of intentional weight loss on disease-free-survival, but more intervention trials and well-designed observational studies in diverse populations are needed to elucidate the impact of body composition and their changes on breast cancer outcomes.

Evidence-Based Interventions for Reducing Breast Cancer Disparities: What Works and Where the Gaps Are?

The National Cancer Institute (NCI) has established an online repository of evidence-based cancer control programs (EBCCP) and increasingly calls for the usage of these EBCCPs to reduce the cancer burden. To inventory existing EBCCPs and identify remaining gaps, we summarized NCI's EBCCPs relevant to reducing breast cancer risk with an eye towards interventions that address multiple levels of influence in populations facing breast cancer disparities. For each program, the NCI EBCCP repository provides the following expert panel determined summary metrics: (a) program ratings (1-5 scale, 5 best) of research integrity, intervention impact, and dissemination capability, and (b) RE-AIM framework assessment (0-100%) of program reach, effectiveness, adoption, and implementation. We quantified the number of EBCCPs that met the quality criteria of receiving a score of ≥3 for research integrity, intervention impact, and dissemination capability, and receiving a score of ≥50% for available RE-AIM reach, effectiveness, adoption, and implementation. For breast cancer risk reduction, we assessed the presence and quality of EBCCPs related to physical activity (PA), obesity, alcohol, tobacco control in early life, breastfeeding, and environmental chemical exposures. Our review revealed several major gaps in EBCCPs for reducing the breast cancer burden: (1) there are no EBCCPs for key breast cancer risk factors including alcohol, breastfeeding, and environmental chemical exposures; (2) among the EBCPPs that exist for PA, obesity, and tobacco control in early life, only a small fraction (24%, 17% and 31%, respectively) met all the quality criteria (≥3 EBCCP scores and ≥50% RE-AIM scores) and; (3) of those that met the quality criteria, only two PA interventions, one obesity, and no tobacco control interventions addressed multiple levels of influence and were developed in populations facing breast cancer disparities. Thus, developing, evaluating, and disseminating interventions to address important risk factors and reduce breast cancer disparities are needed.

The influence of body mass index on the tolerability and effectiveness of full-weight-based paclitaxel chemotherapy in women with early-stage breast cancer

PURPOSE

To investigate the influence of body mass index (BMI) on the tolerability and effectiveness of full-weight-based paclitaxel chemotherapy in early breast cancer patients.

METHODS

Early-stage breast cancer patients who received (neo)adjuvant weekly paclitaxel 80 mg/m² chemotherapy were included in this retrospective study. Patients were divided into three groups based on their BMI: lean, overweight, and obese. Logistic regression was used to assess for association between BMI with administered relative dose intensity (RDI) < 85%. The occurrence of treatment modifications and the pathological response on neoadjuvant chemotherapy were compared between BMI categories.

RESULTS

Four hundred (400) patients were included in this study; 200 (50%) lean, 125 (31%) overweight, and 75 (19%) obese patients. The adjusted odds ratio to receive RDI < 85% for BMI was 1.02 (p value, .263). Treatment modifications occurred in 115 (58%), 82 (66%), and 52 (69%) patients in the respective BMI categories (p value = .132). Peripheral neuropathy was observed in 79 (40%), 58 (46%), and 41 (55%) patients in the lean, overweight, and obese group (p value = .069), whereas hematologic toxicity was observed in 31 (16%), 10 (8%), and 4 (5%) patients (p value = .025). Pathological complete response was observed in 22 (17%), 11 (14%), and 6 (13%) patients in the respective BMI categories (p value = .799).

CONCLUSION

BMI did not significantly influence the tolerability and effectiveness of full-weight-based paclitaxel chemotherapy. Therefore, the results of this study align with current guideline recommendations of using full-weight-based paclitaxel chemotherapy in obese patients.

The association between body mass index and pathological complete response in neoadjuvant-treated breast cancer patients

BACKGROUND

Obesity seems to be associated with a poorer response to adjuvant chemotherapy in breast cancer (BC); however, associations in the neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT) setting and according to menopausal status are less studied. This study aims to investigate the association between pretreatment body mass index (BMI) and pathological complete response (pCR) following NACT in BC according to menopausal and estrogen receptor (ER) status.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The study cohort consisted of 491 patients receiving NACT in 2005-2019. Based on pre-NACT patient and tumor characteristics, the association between BMI and achieving pCR was analyzed using logistic regression models (crude and adjusted models (age, tumor size, and node status)) with stratification by menopausal and ER status.

RESULTS

In the overall cohort, being overweight (BMI ≥25) compared by being normal-weight (BMI <25), increased the odds of accomplishing pCR by 15%. However, based on the 95% confidence interval (CI) the data were compatible with associations within the range of a decrease of 30% to an increase of 89%. Stratification according to menopausal status also showed no strong association: the odds ratio (OR) of accomplishing pCR in overweight premenopausal patients compared with normal-weight premenopausal patients was 1.76 (95% CI 0.88-3.55), whereas for postmenopausal patients the corresponding OR was 0.71 (95% CI 0.35-1.46).

DISCUSSION

In a NACT BC cohort of 491 patients, we found no evidence of high BMI as a predictive factor of accomplishing pCR, neither in the whole cohort nor stratified by menopausal status. Given the limited precision in our results, larger studies are needed before considering BMI in clinical decision-making regarding NACT or not.

Prognostic significance of crown-like structures to trastuzumab response in patients with primary invasive HER2 + breast carcinoma

Obesity can initiate, promote, and maintain systemic inflammation via metabolic reprogramming of macrophages that encircle adipocytes, termed crown-like structures (CLS). In breast cancer the presence of CLS has been correlated to high body mass index (BMI), larger mammary adipocyte size and postmenopausal status. However, the prognostic significance of CLS in HER2 + breast cancer is still unknown. We investigated the prognostic significance of CLS in a cohort of 69 trastuzumab-naïve and 117 adjuvant trastuzumab-treated patients with primary HER2 + breast cancer. Immunohistochemistry of tumour blocks was performed for CLS and correlated to clinical outcomes. CLS were more commonly found at the adipose-tumour border (B-CLS) (64.8% of patients). The presence of multiple B-CLS was associated with reduced time to metastatic disease (TMD) in trastuzumab treated patients with BMI ≥ 25 kg/m2 but not those with BMI < 25 kg/m2. Phenotypic analysis showed the presence of CD32B + B-CLS was strongly correlated to BMI ≥ 25 kg/m2 and reduced TMD in trastuzumab treated patients. Multivariable analysis suggested that CD32B + B-CLS positive tumours are associated with shorter TMD in trastuzumab-treated patients (HR 4.2 [95%CI, (1.01-17.4). This study indicates adipose-tumour border crown-like structures that are CD32B + potentially represent a biomarker for improved personalisation of treatment in HER2-overexpressed breast cancer patients.

Prognostic impact of body mass index (BMI) in HER2+ breast cancer treated with anti-HER2 therapies: from preclinical rationale to clinical implications

Human Epidermal growth factor Receptor 2 (HER2) overexpression or HER2 gene amplification defines a subset of breast cancers (BCs) characterized by higher biological and clinical aggressiveness. The introduction of anti-HER2 drugs has remarkably improved clinical outcomes in patients with both early-stage and advanced HER2+ BC. However, some HER2+ BC patients still have unfavorable outcomes despite optimal anti-HER2 therapies. Retrospective clinical analyses indicate that overweight and obesity can negatively affect the prognosis of patients with early-stage HER2+ BC. This association could be mediated by the interplay between overweight/obesity, alterations in systemic glucose and lipid metabolism, increased systemic inflammatory status, and the stimulation of proliferation pathways resulting in the stimulation of HER2+ BC cell growth and resistance to anti-HER2 therapies. By contrast, in the context of advanced disease, a few high-quality studies, which were included in a meta-analysis, showed an association between high body mass index (BMI) and better clinical outcomes, possibly reflecting the negative prognostic role of malnourishment and cachexia in this setting. Of note, overweight and obesity are modifiable factors. Therefore, uncovering their prognostic role in patients with early-stage or advanced HER2+ BC could have clinical relevance in terms of defining subsets of patients requiring more or less aggressive pharmacological treatments, as well as of designing clinical trials to investigate the therapeutic impact of lifestyle interventions aimed at modifying body weight and composition. In this review, we summarize and discuss the available preclinical evidence supporting the role of adiposity in modulating HER2+ BC aggressiveness and resistance to therapies, as well as clinical studies reporting on the prognostic role of BMI in patients with early-stage or advanced HER2+ BC.

Extracellular vesicles in obesity and its associated inflammation

Obesity is characterized by low-grade, chronic inflammation, which promotes insulin resistance and diabetes. Obesity can lead to the development and progression of many autoimmune diseases, including inflammatory bowel disease, psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, thyroid autoimmunity, and type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM). These diseases result from an alteration of self-tolerance by promoting pro-inflammatory immune response by lowering numbers of regulatory T cells (T_regs), increasing Th1 and Th17 immune responses, and inflammatory cytokine production. Therefore, understanding the immunological changes that lead to this low-grade inflammatory milieu becomes crucial for the development of therapies that suppress the risk of autoimmune diseases and other immunological conditions. Cells generate extracellular vesicles (EVs) to eliminate cellular waste as well as communicating the adjacent and distant cells through exchanging the components (genetic material [DNA or RNA], lipids, and proteins) between them. Immune cells and adipocytes from individuals with obesity and a high basal metabolic index (BMI) produce also release exosomes (EXOs) and microvesicles (MVs), which are collectively called EVs. These EVs play a crucial role in the development of autoimmune diseases. The current review discusses the immunological dysregulation that leads to inflammation, inflammatory diseases associated with obesity, and the role played by EXOs and MVs in the induction and progression of this devastating conditi8on.

Safety and Feasibility of Fasting-Mimicking Diet and Effects on Nutritional Status and Circulating Metabolic and Inflammatory Factors in Cancer Patients Undergoing Active Treatment

In preclinical studies, fasting was found to potentiate the effects of several anticancer treatments, and early clinical studies indicated that patients may benefit from regimes of modified fasting. However, concerns remain over possible negative impact on the patients' nutritional status. We assessed the feasibility and safety of a 5-day "Fasting-Mimicking Diet" (FMD) as well as its effects on body composition and circulating growth factors, adipokines and cyto/chemokines in cancer patients. In this single-arm, phase I/II clinical trial, patients with solid or hematologic malignancy, low nutritional risk and undergoing active medical treatment received periodic FMD cycles. The body weight, handgrip strength and body composition were monitored throughout the study. Growth factors, adipokines and cyto/chemokines were assessed by ELISA. Ninety patients were enrolled, and FMD was administered every three weeks/once a month with an average of 6.3 FMD cycles/patient. FMD was largely safe with only mild side effects. The patients' weight and handgrip remained stable, the phase angle and fat-free mass increased, while the fat mass decreased. FMD reduced the serum c-peptide, IGF1, IGFBP3 and leptin levels, while increasing IGFBP1, and these modifications persisted for weeks beyond the FMD period. Thus, periodic FMD cycles are feasible and can be safely combined with standard antineoplastic treatments in cancer patients at low nutritional risk. The FMD resulted in reduced fat mass, insulin production and circulating IGF1 and leptin. This trial was registered on Clinicaltrials.gov in July 2018 with the identifier NCT03595540.

Current Landscape: The Mechanism and Therapeutic Impact of Obesity for Breast Cancer

Obesity is defined as a chronic disease induced by an imbalance of energy homeostasis. Obesity is a widespread health problem with increasing prevalence worldwide. Breast cancer (BC) has already been the most common cancer and one of the leading causes of cancer death in women worldwide. Nowadays, the impact of the rising prevalence of obesity has been recognized as a nonnegligible issue for BC development, outcome, and management. Adipokines, insulin and insulin-like growth factor, sex hormone and the chronic inflammation state play critical roles in the vicious crosstalk between obesity and BC. Furthermore, obesity can affect the efficacy and side effects of multiple therapies such as surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, endocrine therapy, immunotherapy and weight management of BC. In this review, we focus on the current landscape of the mechanisms of obesity in fueling BC and the impact of obesity on diverse therapeutic interventions. An in-depth exploration of the underlying mechanisms linking obesity and BC will improve the efficiency of the existing treatments and even provide novel treatment strategies for BC treatment.