Hepatectomy, RFA, and Other Liver Directed Therapies for Treatment of Breast Cancer Liver Metastasis: A Systematic Review

Reshaping the Landscape of Locoregional Treatments for Breast Cancer Liver Metastases: A novel, intratumoral, p21-targeted percutaneous therapy increases survival in BALB/c mice inoculated with 4T1 triple negative breast cancer cells in the liver

Patients with disseminated metastatic disease from breast cancer are likely to have liver involvement in >50% of cases at some point during disease progression. These patients have a poor prognosis; and, when treated with the standard of care systemic therapy they have a median survival of <9-months. Increasing survival in breast cancer patients will likely require the administration of better therapies that are specifically targeted to treat distant metastases. One approach to increasing treatment efficacy for breast cancer liver metastases is through the application locoregional therapies. Locoregional therapies are an appealing interventional approach for breast cancer patients with liver metastases since these tumor lesions are accessible via minimally invasive procedures that can be administered using either ultrasound or CT imaging. Current locoregional therapies to treat breast cancer liver metastases are non-specific and have not produced significant increases in survival. The goal of this study was to design and test a targeted locoregional therapeutic intervention for breast cancer liver metastases. The lead candidate, a fixed-dose small-molecule drug called MBC-005, was tested in vitro and then the efficacy was evaluated in a BALB/c mouse liver metastases model. A novel formulation of N-allyl noroxymorphone hydrochloride incorporated into an alginate-based gel overcomes many of the limitations associated with the administration of small-molecule drugs, which include solubility, off-target toxicity, and enzymatic degradation. In vitro results demonstrated that MBC-005 mediated its anti-tumorigenic effect through a p21-dependent mechanism via a novel molecular pathway, in which N-allyl noroxymorphone component of MBC-005 stimulated the opioid growth factor receptor to increase p21 expression. Intratumoral administration of MBC-005 increased survival 3.9-fold in mice and significantly decreased tumor volume 4-fold. While many cytotoxic therapies increase p21 expression as a response to DNA damage, MBC-005 increased p21 expression independent cytotoxic DNA damage. MBC-005 did not induce off-target toxicity; and, as such, would be amenable to multiple rounds of administration. Nevertheless, it is notable that the positive effects of MBC-005 treatment on increasing survival and decreasing tumor volume in mice was achieved using a single dose.

Long-term outcomes after breast cancer liver metastasis surgery: A European, retrospective, snapshot study (LIBREAST STUDY)

INTRODUCTION

Breast cancer (BC) is the most common malignant tumor in women. Between 20 % and 30 % of patients develop metastases from BC, 50 % of them in the liver. The mean survival rate reported in patients with liver metastases from BC (LMBC) ranges from 3 to 29 months. The role of surgery in LMBC is not clearly defined. The objective of the present study was to determine the long-term survival and disease-free survival of patients undergoing surgery for LMBC and to identify the patients who most likely benefit from surgery.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

This retrospective multicenter cohort study included all consecutive patients undergoing LMBC surgery at the participating European centers from January 1, 2010, to December 31, 2015. The ClinicalTrials.gov ID is NCT04817813.

RESULTS

A hundred women (mean age 52.6 years) undergoing LMBC surgery were included. Five-year disease-free survival was 29 %, and 5-year overall survival was 60 %. Median survival after BC surgery was 12.4 years, and after LMBC surgery, 7 years. Patients with ECOG 1, ASA score I-II, metachronous LMBC, positive hormone receptors, and who had received neoadjuvant and adjuvant hormone treatment obtained the best overall and disease-free survival results.

CONCLUSIONS

In cases of correct patient selection and as part of a comprehensive onco-surgical strategy, surgery for LMBC improves overall long-term survival. In our series, certain factors were linked to better disease-free and overall survival; consideration of these factors could improve the selection of the best candidates for LMBC surgery.

CLINICALTRIALS

GOV ID

NCT04817813.

Locoregional Therapies for Primary and Metastatic Breast Cancer: AJR Expert Panel Narrative Review

Minimally invasive locoregional therapies have a growing role in the multidisciplinary treatment of primary and metastatic breast cancer. Factors contributing to the expanding role of ablation for primary breast cancer include earlier diagnosis, when tumors are small, and increased longevity of patients whose condition precludes surgery. Cryoablation has emerged as the leading ablative modality for primary breast cancer owing to its wide availability, the lack of need for sedation, and the ability to monitor the ablation zone. Emerging evidence suggests that in patients with oligometastatic breast cancer, use of locoregional therapies to eradicate all disease sites may confer a survival advantage. Evidence also suggests that transarterial therapies-including chemoembolization, chemoperfusion, and radioembolization-may be helpful to some patients with advanced liver metastases from breast cancer, such as those with hepatic oligoprogression or those who cannot tolerate systemic therapy. However, the optimal modalities for treatment of oligometastatic and advanced metastatic disease remain unknown. Finally, locoregional therapies may produce tumor antigens that in combination with immunotherapy drive anti-tumor immunity. Although key trials are ongoing, additional prospective studies are needed to establish the inclusion of interventional oncology in societal breast cancer guidelines to support further clinical adoption and improved patient outcomes.

Radioembolisation of liver metastases

This review aims to present contemporary data for SIRT in the treatment of secondary hepatic malignancies including colorectal, neuroendocrine, breast and uveal melanoma.

Metastasis-directed therapy for oligometastases in breast cancer

The concept of oligometastases was first proposed to describe a disease state between localized cancer and extensive metastasis. After the emergence of variations in the definition of oligometastasis, in April 2020 the European Society for Radiotherapy and Oncology and the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer defined oligometastases as the presence of one to five metastatic lesions that can be safely treated. However, the pathogenesis of oligometastases remains unknown, and it is uncertain which patients will benefit from metastasis-directed therapy. Breast cancer with oligometastases is generally managed with systemic therapy. Retrospective studies have suggested that the addition of metastasis-directed therapy, such as surgery, radiofrequency ablation and stereotactic body radiation therapy, may increase overall survival in breast cancer patients with oligometastases, but as yet there have been no prospective studies. Phase II trials of stereotactic body radiation therapy or fractionated irradiation for oligometastases of breast cancer have demonstrated impressive rates of local control and overall survival. Although the efficacy of stereotactic body radiation therapy in the SABR-COMET was largely anticipated, it is noteworthy that only 18% of the patient population had breast cancer. For this reason, various trials were planned or are being conducted globally to investigate the efficacy of metastasis-directed therapy for oligometastases of breast cancer. Metastasis-directed therapy for oligometastases has been shown to be effective, and stereotactic body radiation therapy and other therapies are commonly used internationally and are considered to be safe. However, the efficacy of metastasis-directed therapy for oligometastases has not yet been proven. The results of future clinical trials are thus eagerly awaited.

New Frontiers in the Role of Locoregional Therapies in Breast Cancer: Proceedings from the Society of Interventional Radiology Foundation Research Consensus Panel

Emerging evidence regarding the effectiveness of locoregional therapies (LRTs) for breast cancer has prompted investigation of the potential role of interventional radiology (IR) in the care continuum of patients with breast cancer. The Society of Interventional Radiology Foundation invited 7 key opinion leaders to develop research priorities to delineate the role of LRTs in both primary and metastatic breast cancer. The objectives of the research consensus panel were to identify knowledge gaps and opportunities pertaining to the treatment of primary and metastatic breast cancer, establish priorities for future breast cancer LRT clinical trials, and highlight lead technologies that will improve breast cancer outcomes either alone or in combination with other therapies. Potential research focus areas were proposed by individual panel members and ranked by all participants according to each focus area's overall impact. The results of this research consensus panel present the current priorities for the IR research community related to the treatment of breast cancer to investigate the clinical impact of minimally invasive therapies in the current breast cancer treatment paradigm.

Effects of stereotactic body radiotherapy for clinical outcomes of patients with liver metastasis and hepatocellular carcinoma: A retrospective study

This retrospective clinical study described the treatment efficacy and safety of stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) for patients of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and liver metastasis tumors. The therapeutic effect and prognosis of patients with liver cancer treated with stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) at the Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center (Shanghai, China) between July 2011 and December 2020 were retrospectively analyzed. Overall survival (OS), local control (LC) rates and progression-free survival (PFS) were evaluated using Kaplan-Meier analysis and the log-rank test. Local progression was defined as tumor growth after SBRT on dynamic computed tomography follow-up. Treatment-related toxicities were assessed according to the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events version 4. A total of 36 patients with liver cancer were enrolled in the present study. The prescribed dosages (14 Gy in 3 fractions or 16 Gy in 3 fractions) were applied for SBRT treatments. The median follow-up time was 21.4 months. The median OS time was 20.4 [95% confidence interval (CI): 6.6-34.2] months, and the 2-year OS rates for the total population, HCC group and liver metastasis group were 47.5, 73.3 and 34.2%, respectively. The median PFS time was 17.3 (95% CI: 11.8-22.8) months and the 2-year PFS rates for the total population, HCC group and liver metastasis group were 36.3, 44.0 and 31.4%, respectively. The 2-year LC rates for the total population, HCC group and liver metastasis group were 83.4, 85.7 and 81.6%, respectively. The most common grade IV toxicity for the HCC group was liver function impairment (15.4%), followed by thrombocytopenia (7.7%). There were no grade III/IV radiation pneumonia or digestive discomfort. The present study aimed to explore a safe, effective and non-invasive treatment method for liver tumors. At the same time, the innovation of the present study is to find a safe and effective prescription dose of SBRT in the absence of consensus on guidelines.

Analysis of the metastatic mechanism and progress in the treatment of breast cancer liver metastasis: a narrative review

Background and Objective

Breast cancer is the most common malignancy in women, and metastasis to other target organs is one of the main causes of death. Breast cancer liver metastasis (BCLM) has long been a research focus. Enhancing therapeutic effects, optimizing treatment plans and improving the prognosis of patients are major clinical challenges at present.

Methods

We performed a comprehensive, nonsystematic review of the latest literature to define the current metastatic mechanism and related treatment advances of BCLM.

Key Content and Findings

Due to the lack of research on the mechanism of BCLM, present treatment programs still have limited benefits, and the prognosis of patients is generally poor. New research directions and treatment ideas for BCLM are urgently needed. In this article, we indicated the specific procedures of the BCLM mechanism from the microenvironment to metastasis formation and progress in treatment, including drug therapies such as targeted therapy, surgery, intervention therapy and radiotherapy. Research on the molecular mechanism plays a crucial role in the development of BCLM-related therapies. Based on the metastasis process, we are able to propel new findings and further progression of antineoplastic drugs.

Conclusions

The process of BCLM is multistep, and various factors are involved in it, which provides a powerful theoretical basis for the development of therapeutic methods for treatment of this disease. Further understanding of the mechanism of BCLM is essential to guide clinical management.

Interventional oncological treatment of breast cancer liver metastasis (BCLM): single center long-term evaluation over 26 years using thermoablation techniques like LITT, MWA and TACE in a multimodal application

The purpose of the study is to retrospectively evaluate the development and technological progress in local oncological treatments of patients with breast cancer liver metastasis (BCLM) using LITT (laser interstitial thermotherapy), MWA (microwave ablation) and TACE (transarterial chemoembolization) ablation techniques in a multimodal application. The study uses data generated between 1993 and 2020. Therapy results were evaluated using the Kaplan-Meier survival estimate, Cox proportional hazard regression and log-rank test. Cox regression analysis showed that the different treatment methods are statistically significant predictors of survival of patients. Median survival times for groups treated with LITT (212 patients) and LITT + TACE (215 patients) were 2.2 years and 2.1 years respectively; median survival times for groups treated with MWA (17 patients) and MWA + TACE (143 patients) were 5.6 and 2.4 years respectively. For LITT only treatments, the 1-, 3- and 5-year survival probability scored 80%, 37%, 22%. Results for combined LITT + TACE treatments were 76%, 34% and 15%. In group MWA, the 1-/3-/5-year survival probability rates were calculated as 89%, 89%, 89% (however, they should be interpreted carefully due to a relatively small sample size of n = 17 patients). Group MWA + TACE offered values of 77%, 38% and 22%. A separate group of 549 patients was analyzed with TACE monotherapy treatment. The estimated median survival time in this group was 0.8 years. The 1-/3-/5-year survival probability rates were 37%, 8% and 4%. Treatments with combined MWA and MWA + TACE resulted in the best median survival time estimations in this study.

Potential molecular mechanisms and clinical progress in liver metastasis of breast cancer

Breast cancer is the most common malignant tumor in women and the leading cause of cancer death in women. About 30% of breast cancer patients have metastasis every year, which greatly increases the mortality rate of breast cancer. The main target organs for metastasis are bone, brain, liver and lung. The breast cancer liver metastasis (BCLM) mechanism is not fully clarified. This is a complex process involving multiple factors, which is not only related to the microenvironment of the primary tumor and liver, but also regulated by a variety of signaling pathways. Clarifying these mechanisms is of great help to guide clinical treatment. With the in-depth study of BCLM, a variety of new treatment schemes such as targeted therapy and endocrine therapy provide new ideas for the cure of BCLM. In this review, we will summarize the molecular mechanism and treatment of BCLM.

Does hepatectomy improve outcomes of breast cancer with liver metastasis? A nationwide analysis of real-world data in Taiwan

Background

Liver metastases from breast cancer are associated with poor prognosis, and treatment options are usually restricted to palliative systemic therapy. The impact of liver resection on metastasis remains controversial. The aim of this study is to investigate whether liver resection can offer better survival outcomes in cases of isolated liver metastases from breast cancer.

Methods

We conducted a nationwide cohort study using a claims dataset from Taiwan’s National Health Insurance Research Database (NHIRD). We identified all patients with breast cancer (diagnostic code ICD-9: 174.x) from the Registry for Catastrophic Illness Patient Database (RCIPD) of the NHIRD who underwent mastectomy between January 1, 2000, and December 31, 2008. Patients with other malignancies (history, initially, or during follow-up), those with a history of metastasis prior to or at initial admission for mastectomy, and those without liver metastases were excluded. Patients with other metastases between mastectomy and liver metastasis and those who died at first admission for liver resection were also excluded. All patients were followed up until December 31, 2013, or withdraw from the database because of death.

Results

Data were analyzed for 1,116 patients who fulfilled the inclusion criteria (resection group: 89; non-resection group: 1,027). There were no differences in age, Charlson Comorbidity Index, or major coexisting diseases except renal disease between two groups. Kaplan–Meier analysis demonstrated that the liver resection group had significantly better overall survival (OS) than the non-resection group. (1-year: 96.6% vs. 52.3%, 2-year: 86.8% vs. 35.4%, 3-year: 72.3% vs. 25.2%, 5-year: 51.6% vs. 16.9%, respectively, p<0.001). Cox analysis revealed that the liver resection group exhibited a significant improvement in patient survival (hazard ratio [HR] = 0.321, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.234–0.440, p<0.001).

Conclusion

These findings indicate that liver resection may offer better survival benefit in patients with breast cancer who develop new liver metastases post mastectomy.

Prognostic Factors in Patients with Breast Cancer Liver Metastases Undergoing Liver Resection: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Simple Summary

Robust predictive and prognostic tools are needed in the management of breast cancer liver metastases (BCLMs). Until now, surgery has not been the gold standard of treatment of patients with BCLMs. The present manuscript highlights several predictive factors related to the primary tumor and the BCLM that may help to identify candidates for surgery with favorable outcomes in a large cohort of patients.

Abstract

Background: The role of surgical resection of liver metastases in patients with breast cancer liver metastasis (BCLM) remains controversial. A systematic review and meta-analysis of prognostic factors related to survival after BCLM resection was performed. Methods: An electronic search of relevant publications was performed. Pooled outcome measures were expressed as hazard ratios (HRs), including 95% confidence interval values (95% CIs), and calculated through a random-effects model. Heterogeneity was tested through the I² index. Results: Thirty-five publications reported analyses on prognostic factors and survival. A total of 2782 patients who underwent liver resection for BCLM were included. Positive axillary lymph nodes at breast cancer diagnosis were an unfavorable survival factor (HR 1.74, 95% CI 1.25 to 2.41, I² = 0%). Cumulative predictive factor HRs (multiple liver metastases, size of the metastases, short interval between primary tumor and onset of liver disease) related to the BCLM pattern were 1.32 (95% CI 1.17 to 1.48, I² = 71%) and 1.51 (95% CI 1.15 to 1.98, I² = 76%) for surgical and pathological features (resection margin and presence of extrahepatic disease), respectively. Conclusion: Resection of BCLM may provide a survival benefit for selected patients. For better long-term results, surgical selection should consider both primary tumor and BCLM features such as negative axillary lymph nodes at breast resection, a single hepatic lesion, a time longer than 24 months between breast and hepatic diagnosis, and a realizable R0 liver resection. However, the high heterogeneity among studies suggests the need for an RCT to validate the present findings.

Hepatic resection for breast cancer related liver metastases: A single institution experience

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVE

Liver resection for breast cancer liver metastases is becoming a more widely accepted therapeutic option for selected groups of patients. The aim of this study was to describe the outcomes of patients undergoing liver resection for breast cancer-related liver metastases and identify any variables associated with recurrence or survival.

METHODS

A retrospective review of a prospectively maintained database was undertaken for the 12 year period between 2009 and 2021. Clinicopathological, treatment, intraoperative, recurrence, survival and follow-up data were collected on all patients. Kaplan-Meier methods, the log-rank test and Cox proportional hazards regression analysis were used to identify variables that were associated with recurrence and survival.

RESULTS

A total of 20 patients underwent 21 liver resections over the 12-year period. There were no deaths within 30 days of surgery and an operative morbidity occurred in 23.8% of cases. The median local recurrence free survival and disease free survival times were both 50 months, while the 5 year overall survival rate was 65%. The presence of extrahepatic metastases were associated with a decreased time to local recurrence (p < 0.01) and worse overall survival (p = 0.02).

CONCLUSIONS

This study has demonstrated that liver resection for breast cancer-related liver metastases is feasible, safe and associated with prolonged disease free and overall survival in selected patients. It is likely that this option will be offered to more patients going forward, however, the difficulty lies in selecting out those who will benefit from liver resection particularly given the increasing number of systemic treatments and local ablative methods available that offer good long-term results.

Chemoembolization Plus Microwave Ablation vs Chemoembolization Alone in Unresectable Hepatocellular Carcinoma Beyond the Milan Criteria: A Propensity Scoring Matching Study

Purpose

Transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) is recommended in patients with unresectable HCC beyond the Milan criteria (MC). However, the long-term efficacy of TACE remains unsatisfactory. Percutaneous microwave ablation (MWA) is a curative therapy for early-stage HCC that provides better local tumor control than TACE; however, MWA is limited for large or multifocal lesions. We aimed to compare treatment efficacy and downstaging rate following combined TACE-MWA and TACE alone in patients with unresectable HCC beyond the MC.

Patients and Methods

Patients with unresectable HCC beyond the MC who underwent either TACE-MWA (n=91) or TACE alone (n=140) at four medical institutions were included. Potential influencing factors on overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) were included in the Cox regression analysis. Propensity-score matching of patients treated with TACE-MWA and TACE alone was performed. Differences in OS and PFS were compared with the Log rank test. Patients who met the University of California, San Francisco criteria were eligible for assessment of the probability of downstaging within the MC. Downstaging rate was compared between the two groups.

Results

In multivariate analysis, treatment with TACE alone was an independent predictor of poor PFS (P=0.011) and OS (P<0.001). Both PFS (P=0.043) and OS (P=0.002) were significantly higher in patients treated with TACE-MWA than those treated with TACE alone. The downstaging rate was higher in patients treated with TACE-MWA than those treated with TACE alone (P=0.039).

Conclusion

Compared with TACE alone, TACE-MWA may offer a survival benefit in terms of OS and PFS in HCC patients beyond the MC. Additionally, TACE-MWA may provide higher probability of downstaging within the MC than TACE alone, thereby increasing the possibility of liver transplantation.