Local recurrence rates are low in high-risk neoadjuvant breast cancer in the I-SPY 1 Trial (CALGB 150007/150012; ACRIN 6657)

Breast-conserving surgery versus mastectomy for treatment of breast cancer after neoadjuvant chemotherapy

Background

To compare recurrence and survival outcomes between breast-conserving surgery (BCS) and mastectomy after neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT).

Methods

The data of 730 patients who underwent NACT between 2000 and 2014 were retrospectively reviewed. A total of 104 (14.2%) patients received BCS and 626 (85.8%) received mastectomy. Locoregional recurrence (LRR), distant metastases (DM), disease-free survival (DFS), breast cancer-specific survival (BCSS), and overall survival (OS) were analyzed using the Kaplan-Meier method. The impact of BCS versus mastectomy on outcomes was assessed by multivariate Cox models. Inverse probability of treatment weighting (IPTW) was used to balance covariates between the two groups.

Results

The median follow-up of BCS and mastectomy groups were 86.5 and 87.4 months, respectively. There were significant differences in distribution of most baseline characteristics between two groups. Compared with those who underwent mastectomy, the patients with BCS had similar 5-year LRR, DM, and DFS rates, but had significantly higher 5-year BCSS (98.9% vs. 90.4%, P = 0.005) and OS (98.9% vs. 90.1%, P = 0.003) rates. Multivariate analysis also showed that BCS significantly improved BCSS (HR = 0.27, 95% CI: 0.08-0.85, P = 0.025) and OS (HR = 0.25, 95% CI: 0.08-0.79, P = 0.018). After IPTW adjustment, the LRR, DM, DFS, BCSS and OS between two groups had no significant differences.

Conclusions

The recurrence and survival outcomes are comparable with BCS and mastectomy. Thus, BCS is a safe treatment option for selected breast cancer patients after NACT.

Factors affecting locoregional recurrence in breast cancer patients undergoing surgery following neoadjuvant treatment

BACKGROUND

Neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) has been the standard treatment for locally advanced breast cancer for the purpose of downstaging or for conversion from mastectomy to breast conservation surgery (BCS). Locoregional recurrence (LRR) rate is still high after NAC. The aim of this study was to determine predictive factors for LRR in breast cancer patients in association with the operation types after NAC.

METHODS

Between 2005 and 2017, 1047 breast cancer patients underwent BCS or mastectomy after NAC in Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Linkou. We obtained data regarding patient and tumor characteristics, chemotherapy regimens, clinical tumor response, tumor subtypes and pathological complete response (pCR), type of surgery, and recurrence.

RESULTS

The median follow-up time was 59.2 months (range 3.13-186.75 months). The mean initial tumor size was 4.89 cm (SD ± 2.95 cm). Of the 1047 NAC patients, 232 (22.2%) achieved pCR. The BCS and mastectomy rates were 41.3% and 58.7%, respectively. One hundred four patients developed LRR (9.9%). Comparing between patients who underwent BCS and those who underwent mastectomy revealed no significant difference in the overall LRR rate of the two groups, 8.8% in BCS group vs 10.7% in mastectomy group (p = 0.303). Multivariate analysis indicated that independent factors for the prediction of LRR included clinical N2 status, negative estrogen receptor (ER), and failure to achieve pCR. In subgroups of multivariate analysis, only negative ER was the independent factor to predict LRR in mastectomy group (p = 0.025) and hormone receptor negative/human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 positive (HR-/HER2 +) subtype (p = 0.006) was an independent factor to predict LRR in BCS patients. Further investigation according to the molecular subtype showed that following BCS, non-pCR group had significantly increased LRR compared with the pCR group, in HR-/HER2 + subtype (25.0% vs 8.3%, p = 0.037), and HR-/HER2- subtype (20.4% vs 0%, p = 0.002).

CONCLUSION

Clinical N2 status, negative ER, and failure to achieve pCR after NAC were independently related to the risk of developing LRR. Operation type did not impact on the LRR. In addition, the LRR rate was higher in non-pCR hormone receptor-negative patients undergoing BCS comparing with pCR patients.

Contralateral prophylactic mastectomy: A narrative review of the evidence and acceptability

The uptake of contralateral prophylactic mastectomy (CPM) has increased steadily over the last twenty years in women of all age groups and breast cancer stages. Since contralateral breast cancer is relatively rare and the breast cancer guidelines only recommend CPM in a small subset of patients with breast cancer, the drivers of this trend are unknown. This review aims to evaluate the evidence for and acceptability of CPM, data on patient rationales for choosing CPM, and some of the factors that might impact patient preferences. Based on the evidence, future recommendations will be provided. First, data on contralateral breast cancer risk and CPM rates and trends are addressed. After that, the evidence is structured around four main patient rationales for CPM formulated as questions that patients might ask their surgeon: Will CPM reduce mortality risk? Will CPM reduce the risk of contralateral breast cancer? Can I avoid future screening with CPM? Will I have better breast symmetry after CPM? Also, three different guidelines regarding CPM will be reviewed. Studies indicate a large gap between patient preferences for radical risk reduction with CPM and the current approaches recommended by important guidelines. We suggest a strategy including shared decision-making to enhance surgeons’ communication with patients about contralateral breast cancer and treatment options, to empower patients in order to optimize the use of CPM incorporating accurate risk assessment and individual patient preferences.

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Contralateral prophylactic mastectomy rates have increased over the last 20 years.

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Patients may want CPM to reduce risk of contralateral breast cancer and mortality.

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Patients do not always have the tools available to make a well-informed decision.

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Patient and surgeon’s shared decision-making could optimize the use of CPM.

Molecular Subtyping and Precision Medicine for Pancreatic Cancer

Substantial progress in recent years has dramatically increased our knowledge of the molecular basis of cancer, revealing new potential therapeutic targets and paving the way for effective personalised medicine for the treatment of many tumour types. However, pancreatic cancer has been lagging behind in this success and continues to be one of the most lethal solid malignancies. Its molecular heterogeneity and the unselected design of the majority of clinical trials to date can in part explain the reason for our failure to make a significant change in the survival outcomes for patients with pancreatic cancer. A changing paradigm in drug development is required to validate the new molecular taxonomy and to rapidly translate preclinical discovery into clinical trials. Here, we review the molecular subtyping of pancreatic cancer, the challenges in identifying effective treatment regimens according to defined low-prevalence molecular subgroups and we illustrate a new model of translational therapeutic development that was established in the U.K. (Precision-Panc) as a potentially effective solution to improve outcomes for patients with pancreatic cancer.

Prognostic value of the Residual Cancer Burden index according to breast cancer subtype: Validation on a cohort of BC patients treated by neoadjuvant chemotherapy

Introduction

The Residual Cancer Burden (RCB) quantifies residual disease after neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC). Its predictive value has not been validated on large cohorts with long-term follow up. The objective of this work is to independently evaluate the prognostic value of the RCB index depending on BC subtypes (Luminal, HER2-positive and triple negative (TNBCs)).

Methods

We retrospectively evaluated the RCB index on surgical specimens from a cohort of T1-T3NxM0 BC patients treated with NAC between 2002 and 2012. We analyzed the association between RCB index and relapse-free survival (RFS), overall survival (OS) among the global population, after stratification by BC subtypes.

Results

717 patients were included (luminal BC (n = 222, 31%), TNBC (n = 319, 44.5%), HER2-positive (n = 176, 24.5%)). After a median follow-up of 99.9 months, RCB index was significantly associated with RFS. The RCB-0 patients displayed similar prognosis when compared to the RCB-I group, while patients from the RCB-II and RCB-III classes were at increased risk of relapse (RCB-II versus RCB-0: HR = 3.25 CI [2.1–5.1] p<0.001; RCB-III versus RCB-0: HR = 5.6 CI [3.5–8.9] p<0.001). The prognostic impact of RCB index was significant for TNBC and HER2-positive cancers; but not for luminal cancers (P_interaction = 0.07). The prognosis of RCB-III patients was poor (8-years RFS: 52.7%, 95% CI [44.8–62.0]) particularly in the TNBC subgroup, where the median RFS was 12.7 months.

Conclusion

RCB index is a reliable prognostic score. RCB accurately identifies patients at a high risk of recurrence (RCB-III) with TNBC or HER2-positive BC who must be offered second-line adjuvant therapies.

Post-Mastectomy Radiotherapy After Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy in Breast Cancer: A Pooled Retrospective Analysis of Three Prospective Randomized Trials

BACKGROUND

The impact of locoregional radiotherapy (RT) after neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT) and mastectomy in breast cancer patients is currently unclear. Several publications have suggested that patients with a favorable response to NACT might not benefit from RT after mastectomy.

METHODS

A retrospective analysis of three prospective randomized NACT trials was performed. Information on the use of RT was available for 817 breast cancer patients with non-inflammatory breast cancer who underwent mastectomy after NACT within the GeparTrio, GeparQuattro, and GeparQuinto-trials. RT was administered to 676 of these patients (82.7%).

RESULTS

The 5-year cumulative incidence of locoregional recurrence (LRR) was 15.2% (95% confidence interval [CI] 9.0-22.8%) in patients treated without RT and 11.3% in patients treated with RT (95% CI 8.7-14.3%). In the multivariate analysis, RT was associated with a lower risk of LRR (hazard ratio 0.51, 95% CI 0.27-1.0; p = 0.05). This effect was shown especially in patients with cT3/4 tumors, as well as in patients who were cN+ before neoadjuvant therapy, including those who converted to ypN0 after neoadjuvant therapy. In the bivariate analysis, disease-free survival was significantly worse in patients who received RT, however this was not confirmed in the multivariate analysis.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results suggest that RT reduces the LRR rates in breast cancer patients who receive a mastectomy after NACT without an improvement in DFS. Prospective randomized controlled trials such as the National Surgical Adjuvant Breast and Bowel Project B-51/RTOG 1304 trial will analyze whether RT has any benefit in patients who have a favorable response after NACT.

Impact of age on pathological complete response and locoregional recurrence in locally advanced breast cancer after neoadjuvant chemotherapy

Background

Neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) is the standard approach for downstaging of locally advanced breast cancer and can improve breast conservation rates. A pathological complete response (pCR) after NAC associated with favorable long-term outcomes has been described. There is still a high locoregional recurrence (LRR) rate after NAC and the influence of age on LRR after NAC is unclear. This study analyzed the relationship between age and LRR after NAC.

Methods

Two hundred and sixty-three patients with invasive breast cancer who received NAC followed by mastectomy or breast conserving surgery (BCS) were enrolled. Concurrent weekly epirubicin and docetaxel was the NAC regimen.

Results

Twenty-nine patients (11%) achieved a pCR after NAC. In univariate analysis, age <50 years, luminal B (HER2 positive) subtype, HER2 overexpression subtype, and triple-negative subtype were factors to predict a pCR. In multivariate analysis, age <50 years, luminal B (HER2 positive) type, HER2 overexpression, and triple-negative subtype were the independent factors to predict a pCR. No patients in the pCR group developed LRR compared with 31 patients in the non-pCR group. Eleven patients (6.9%) in the younger group (age <50 years) developed LRR compared with 20 patients (19.4%) in the older group (age ≥50 years). In multivariate analysis, younger age (<50 years) was the only independent prognostic factor for a LRR-free survival.

Conclusion

Younger age can predict a pCR and is an independent prognostic factor for LRR in locally advanced breast cancer patients after NAC as concurrent epirubicin and docetaxel.

Neoadjuvant chemotherapy for breast cancer-background for the indication of locoregional treatment

Neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT) has been widely adopted into the multidisciplinary management of breast cancer. The prognostic impact of treatment response has been clearly demonstrated. However, the impact of treatment response on the indication for adjuvant radiotherapy is unclear. This review summarizes important implications of NACT and treatment response on the risk of recurrence and locoregional multidisciplinary management from the standpoint of radiation oncology.

Comparison of breast-conserving surgery with mastectomy in locally advanced breast cancer after good response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy: A PRISMA-compliant systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

The application of breast-conserving surgery (BCS) on patients with locally advanced breast cancer (LABC) with good response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT) still remains controversial. The objective in this study is to analyze the safety of BCS in the management of LABC in patients with good response to NACT.

METHODS

We searched the electronic databases of Medline (Pubmed) and Cochrane Library for reports on local recurrence (LR), regional recurrence (RR), distant recurrence (DR), 5-year disease-free survival (DFS) or 5-year overall survival (OS) in patients with LABC receiving BCS or mastectomy (MT) and with good response to NACT. Based on the research results, we conducted a meta-analysis using Review Manager 5.3.

RESULTS

Our study showed that 16 studies with a combined total of 3531 patients, of whom 1465 patients underwent BCS, whereas 2066 patients underwent MT. There was no significant heterogeneity among these studies (Q statistic: P = .88; I = 0%). Patients with good response to NACT showed no significant difference in LR and RR [odd ratio (OR) = 0.83; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.60-1.15; P = .26; OR = 0.56; 95% CI: 0.33-0.93; P = .03], while we figured out a lower DR (OR = 0.51; 95% CI: 0.42-0.63; P < .01), a higher DFS (OR = 2.35; 95% CI: 1.84 to 3.01, P < .01) and a higher OS (OR = 2.12; 95% CI: 1.51 to 2.98, P < .01) in BCS compared with MT.

CONCLUSION

This meta-analysis concluded that BCS was a safe surgery for patients with LABC and had good response to NACT.

A case of IV degree on acute radiation dermatitis in China

This report investigates the nursing procedure of a case of adjuvant therapy of rectal cancer on IV degree of acute radiation dermatitis patients in the penis and scrotum junction. The lesion degree gradually increased. Fixation of the dressing was difficult in the penis and scrotum junction. The concept of wet healing with new dressings was used in patient. The silver ion dressings were used in inhibiting infection, and the wound was covered by the rimmed foam dressings. When it comes to the shaping period, water gel transparent paste was applied instead to cover the wound. The patient was just into the surgical treatment in the wound healed after six days.

Impact of neoadjuvant therapy on eligibility for and frequency of breast conservation in stage II-III HER2-positive breast cancer: surgical results of CALGB 40601 (Alliance)

OBJECTIVE

It had been previously shown that patients who receive neoadjuvant systemic therapy (NST) are more likely to undergo breast-conserving therapy (BCT) than those who have primary surgery. However, the frequency with which patients who are not BCT-eligible prior to NST convert to BCT-eligible with treatment is unknown. To document this conversion rate in a subset of patients expected to have a high clinical response rate to NST, we studied surgical assessment and management of patients enrolled on a randomized neoadjuvant trial for stage II-III HER2-positive breast cancer (HER2 + BC)(CALGB 40601).

METHODS

The treating surgeon assessed BCT candidacy based on clinico-radiographic criteria both before and after NST. Definitive breast surgical management was at surgeon and patient discretion. We sought to determine (1) the conversion rate from BCT-ineligible to BCT-eligible (2) the percentage of BCT-eligible patients who chose breast conservation, and (3) the rate of successful BCT. We also evaluated surgeon-determined factors for BCT-ineligibility and the correlation between BCT eligibility and pathologic complete response (pCR).

RESULTS

Of 292 patients with pre- and post-NST surgical assessments, 59 % were non-BCT candidates at baseline. Of the 43 % of these patients who converted with NST, 67 % opted for BCT, with an 80 % success rate. NST increased the BCT-eligible rate from 41 to 64 %. Common factors cited for BCT-ineligibility prior to NST including tumor size (56 %) and probable poor cosmetic outcome (26 %) were reduced by 67 and 75 %, respectively, with treatment, while multicentricity, the second most common factor (33 %), fell by only 16 %. Since 23 % of the BCT-eligible patients chose mastectomy, BCT was the final surgical procedure in just 40 % of the patients. Patients considered BCT-eligible both at baseline and after NST had a pCR rate of 55 %, while patients who were BCT-ineligible prior to NST had the same pCR rate (44 %) whether they converted to BCT-eligible or not.

CONCLUSIONS

Many patients with HER2 + BC deemed ineligible for BCT at baseline can be converted to BCT-eligible with NST; excluding patients with multicentric disease substantially increases that percentage. In converted patients who opt for BCT, the success rate is similar to that of patients considered BCT-eligible at baseline. Whether a BCT-ineligible patient converts to BCT eligibility or not does not appear to affect the likelihood of achieving a pCR. Despite the efficacy of NST in this patient cohort, only 40 % of patients had successful BCT; further research into why BCT-eligible patients often opt for mastectomy is needed.

Expanding the Indications for Total Skin-Sparing Mastectomy: Is It Safe for Patients with Locally Advanced Disease?

BACKGROUND

Indications for total skin-sparing mastectomy (TSSM) continue to expand. Although initially used only for early-stage breast cancer, TSSM currently is offered in many centers to patients with locally advanced disease. However, despite this practice change, limited data on oncologic outcomes in this population have been reported.

METHODS

A retrospective review of a prospectively collected database of all patients undergoing TSSM and immediate reconstruction from 2005 to 2013 was performed. The outcomes for patients with stage 2b and stage 3 cancer were included in the analysis. The primary outcomes included the development of locoregional or distant recurrences.

RESULTS

Of 753 patients undergoing TSSM, 139 (18 %) presented with locally advanced disease. Of these 139 patients, 25 (18 %) had stage 2b disease, and 114 (82 %) had stage 3 disease. Most of the patients (97 %) received chemotherapy (77 % neoadjuvant, 20 % adjuvant), whereas 3 % received adjuvant hormonal therapy alone. Of the neoadjuvant patients, 13 (12 %) had a pathologic complete response (pCR) to treatment. During a mean follow-up period of 41 months (range 4-111 months), seven patients (5 %) had a local recurrence, 21 patients (15.1 %) had a distant recurrence, and three patients (2.2 %) had simultaneous local and distant recurrences. None of the local recurrences occurred in the preserved nipple-areolar complex skin.

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with locally advanced breast cancer are most at risk for distant rather than local recurrence, even after TSSM. When used in conjunction with appropriate multimodal therapy, TSSM is not associated with an increased risk for local recurrence in this population, even in the setting of low pCR rates.