Outcomes and clinicopathologic characteristics associated with disseminated tumor cells in bone marrow after neoadjuvant chemotherapy in high-risk early stage breast cancer: the I-SPY SURMOUNT study

PURPOSE

Disseminated tumor cells (DTCs) expressing epithelial markers in the bone marrow are associated with recurrence and death, but little is known about risk factors predicting their occurrence. We detected EPCAM+/CD45- cells in bone marrow from early stage breast cancer patients after neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) in the I-SPY 2 Trial and examined clinicopathologic factors and outcomes.

METHODS

Patients who signed consent for SURMOUNT, a sub-study of the I-SPY 2 Trial (NCT01042379), had bone marrow collected after NAC at the time of surgery. EPCAM+CD45- cells in 4 mLs of bone marrow aspirate were enumerated using immunomagnetic enrichment/flow cytometry (IE/FC). Patients with > 4.16 EPCAM+CD45- cells per mL of bone marrow were classified as DTC-positive. Tumor response was assessed using the residual cancer burden (RCB), a standardized approach to quantitate the extent of residual invasive cancer present in the breast and the axillary lymph nodes after NAC. Association of DTC-positivity with clinicopathologic variables and survival was examined.

RESULTS

A total of 73 patients were enrolled, 51 of whom had successful EPCAM+CD45- cell enumeration. Twenty-four of 51 (47.1%) were DTC-positive. The DTC-positivity rate was similar across receptor subtypes, but DTC-positive patients were significantly younger (p = 0.0239) and had larger pretreatment tumors compared to DTC-negative patients (p = 0.0319). Twenty of 51 (39.2%) achieved a pathologic complete response (pCR). While DTC-positivity was not associated with achieving pCR, it was significantly associated with higher RCB class (RCB-II/III, 62.5% vs. RCB-0/I; 33.3%; Chi-squared p = 0.0373). No significant correlation was observed between DTC-positivity and distant recurrence-free survival (p = 0.38, median follow-up = 3.2 years).

CONCLUSION

DTC-positivity at surgery after NAC was higher in younger patients, those with larger tumors, and those with residual disease at surgery.

Abstract PS2-07: Outcomes associated with disseminated tumor cells at surgery after neoadjuvant chemotherapy in high-risk early stage breast cancer: The I-SPY SURMOUNT study

Background: Disseminated tumor cells (DTCs) in bone marrow detected after treatment may represent occult residual disease. We enumerated DTCs after neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT) in patients (pts) diagnosed with high-risk early stage breast cancer and examined the relationship of these cells with response and survival. Methods: I-SPY SURMOUNT is a sub-study of the I-SPY 2 TRIAL (NCT01042379). Pts enrolled on I-SPY 2, who signed consent for this sub-study, had bone marrow aspirates (BMA) collected after NACT at the time of surgery. DTCs were isolated and enumerated from BMA using immunomagnetic enrichment/flow cytometry (IE/FC). DTCs were defined as EPCAM-positive and CD45-negative nucleated cells. Samples were considered positive using a predetermined threshold of >4 DTCs per mL (Magbanua et al, unpublished data). Pathologic response was assessed using the residual cancer burden (RCB) method at local sites, and pts underwent standard adjuvant therapy if indicated and follow up for recurrence events and death. Relationship of DTCs with clinicopathologic variables was examined using Chi-squared test. Group means were compared using t tests. The log-rank test was used to compare survival curves. Results: A total of 73 patients were enrolled, 51 of whom had successful DTC assessment. The median DTC per mL was 4 (interquartile range 1.2-11.6). 24/51 (47%) were DTC-positive. Clinical characteristics by DTC status are shown in the table. DTC-positive pts were significantly younger (p=0.02) and had larger pretreatment tumors (longest diameter by magnetic resonance imaging) compared to DTC-negative pts (p=0.032). DTCs were not associated with receptor subtype. Thirty pts (41%) achieved a pathologic complete response (pCR). DTCs were not associated with pCR (p= 0.166); however, DTC-positive patients were significantly more likely to have residual cancer (RCB-II/III) after NACT compared to DTC-negative patients (OR 3.3, p=0.037). Median follow up of this cohort was 2.8 years (range: 0.9-4.8). Interim survival analysis showed that DTCs were not significantly correlated with EFS (p=0.6) or DRFS (p=0.41). Conclusions: Detection of DTCs at surgery after NACT is significantly more common in young patients, those with larger tumors, and those with residual disease at surgery. While these associations suggest higher risk for later recurrence, larger studies and longer follow up are necessary to determine if DTCs add prognostic value over pathologic evaluation alone for pts receiving NACT.

Citation Format: Mark Jesus M Magbanua, Laura van 't Veer, Amy Clark, A. Jo Chien, Judy Boughey, Heather Han, Anne Wallace, Heather Beckwith, Minetta Liu, Christina Yau, E. Paul Wileyto, Lamorna Brown Swigart, Jane Perlmutter, Lauren Bayne, Shannon Deluca, Stephanie Yee, Erica Carpenter, Laura Esserman, John Park, Lewis Chodosh, Angela DeMichele. Outcomes associated with disseminated tumor cells at surgery after neoadjuvant chemotherapy in high-risk early stage breast cancer: The I-SPY SURMOUNT study [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2020 San Antonio Breast Cancer Virtual Symposium; 2020 Dec 8-11; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2021;81(4 Suppl):Abstract nr PS2-07.

Abstract PD9-11: Identifying breast cancer survivors with dormant disseminated tumor cells: The PENN-SURMOUNT screening study

Background: Patients (pts) treated for early stage breast cancer have a 30% lifetime risk of developing incurable, distant metastatic disease. Current models suggest that this occurs through escape of cells from the primary tumor into the circulation and subsequent sequestration of “disseminated tumor cells” (DTCs), in the bone marrow and other sequestration sites, where they enter dormancy. DTCs identified by immunohistochemistry (IHC) are associated with poor prognosis in longitudinal studies and meta-analyses, increasing odds of recurrence by approximately 2 to 5-fold. However, little is known about the test characteristics of the DTC-IHC assay, clinical DTC detection rates over time, and patient and disease risk factors that can identify pts harboring these cells.

Methods: The PENN-SURMOUNT Screening Study (NCT 02732171) is a prospective, longitudinal study examining bone marrow and blood biomarkers of recurrence among pts within 5 years of diagnosis who have completed therapy for primary breast cancer (with the exception of endocrine therapy). Pts with positive lymph nodes, triple negative receptors, ER-positivity with RS ≥ 25 and/or high-risk MammaPrint (MP), or residual disease after neoadjuvant chemotherapy were screened with bone marrow aspirate (BMA) for presence of DTCs. A positive DTC-IHC result is defined by the presence of at least one pancytokeratin-DAB positive cell utilizing the methods of Naume et al. Cytospin slides prepared from the BMA are independently reviewed by two pathologists with adjudication for the presence of DTCs; Pts who screen negative for DTCs are offered repeat screening annually. Pts who screen positive are referred to an interventional clinical trial (CLEVER, NCT 03032406).

Results: A total of 194 pts screened eligible for enrollment on PENN-SURMOUNT between 6/2016 and 3/2020. Of these, 158 consented and 151 underwent BMA with successful IHC analysis on 100%. Pts came from 22 U.S. states; ≥ 1/3 traveled over 50 miles to the study center. At baseline BMA, 36/151 (24%) had at least 1 measurable DTC by IHC. Patient characteristics and DTC distribution among subpopulations are shown in Table 1. Of the 78/115 who were initially DTC negative and continued to be eligible for repeat screening, as of 3/2020, 46 (59%) returned for at least one repeat BMA. 13/46 (28%) had at least 1 detectable DTC on 1 of up to 3 subsequent follow up assessments for a total DTC positivity rate of 32.5% (49/151). 48 (98%) DTC+ pts have subsequently enrolled on the CLEVER trial.

Conclusions: BMA assessment for DTCs is feasible in pts with high risk, early stage breast cancer. DTCs are detected in up to a third of breast cancer survivors with repeat assessment during the surveilance period. DTC positivity rates are relatively similar across all receptor subtypes, and after both neoadjuvant and adjuvant chemotherapy. Pts harboring DTCs are highly likely to enroll on interventional trials designed to reduce recurrence risk.

Table 1. Patient characteristics and distribution of % DTC positivity among subpopulationsDTC+ (N=49)DTC- (N=102)Total (N=151)DTC+ Rate (Overall: 32.5%)DEMOGRAPHICSMedian Age at BMA (yrs)51.9 (43.9-60.6*)50.5 (42.9-58.1)50.5 (43.8-58.8)N/ARaceCaucasian44 (89.8%)91 (89.2%)135 (89.4%)32.6%African American5 (10.2%)9 (8.8%)14 (9.3%)35.7%Other0 (0%)2 (2.0%)2 (1.3%)0%Menopausal StatusPre-15 (30.6%)34 (33.3%)49 (32.5%)30.6%Post-34 (69.4%)68 (66.7%)102 (67.5%)33.3%BMI at BMA (kg/m2)24.2 (21.9-28.9*)26.9 (23.4-31.4)26.1 (22.8-30.4)N/ARECEPTOR STATUSER/PR+ HER2neg (by ASCO/CAP)24 (49.0%)51 (50.0%)75 (49.7%)32.0%HER2+ (any ER/PR)9 (18.4%)12 (11.8%)21 (13.9%)42.9%ER/PRneg HER2neg23 (46.9%)48 (47.1%)71 (47.0%)32.4%RISK CRITERIALymph Node Positive24 (49.0%)65 (63.7%)89 (58.9%)27.0%Triple Negative (ER/PR<10%)27 (55.1%)50 (49.0%)77 (51.0%)35.0%Non-pCR11 (22.4%)25 (24.5%)36 (23.8%)30.6%RS ≥ 25 and/or High Risk MP6 (12.2%)8 (7.8%)14 (9.3%)42.9%Median T size (cm) -excluding NACT2.1 (1.5-2.9*)1.8 (1.3-2.8)1.8 (1.3-2.9)N/APRIOR THERAPYAdjuvant Chemo25 (51.0%)60 (58.8%)85 (56.3%)29.4%Neoadjuvant Chemo22 (44.9%)41 (40.2%)63 (41.7%)34.9%Endocrine Therapy19 (38.8%)47 (46.1%)66 (43.7%)28.8%XRT29 (59.2%)75 (73.5%)104 (69.3%^)27.9%*Ranges represent interquartile range^ XRT data not available on 1 patient; n=150 was used to figure percentage

Citation Format: Lauren Bayne, Isoris Nivar, Brooke Goodspeed, Shannon Deluca, E. Paul Wileyto, Natalie Shih, Anupma Nayak, Michael D Feldman, Joshua Edwards, Kevin Fox, Jennifer M. Matro, Susan Domchek, Hayley Knollman, Rachel Jankowitz, Angela Bradbury, Payal D. Shah, Jewell Graves, George Woodfield, Elizabeth Chislock, Jianping Wang, George Belka, Lewis A. Chodosh, Amy S. Clark, Angela DeMichele. Identifying breast cancer survivors with dormant disseminated tumor cells: The PENN-SURMOUNT screening study [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2020 San Antonio Breast Cancer Virtual Symposium; 2020 Dec 8-11; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2021;81(4 Suppl):Abstract nr PD9-11.

Abstract P2-12-01: Patient attitudes, experience and results of screening for minimal residual disease (MRD) for therapeutic intervention

Background: Patients (pts) treated for early stage breast cancer (BC) have a 30% lifetime risk of developing incurable, distant metastatic disease. Yet, standard monitoring after definitive therapy for primary disease is passive observation. Numerous studies have demonstrated that dormant bone marrow (BM) disseminated tumor cells (DTCs) are independently associated with recurrence, but assessment of DTCs is not performed in clinical practice, largely because of concerns about the acceptability and logistics of bone marrow aspiration (BMA) and lack of established therapies that target DTCs. As part of a large scale screening study for a clinical trial targeting DTCs, we examined pt attitudes about DTC screening and subsequently assessed feasibility and tolerability of BM DTC assessment.

Methods: The PENN-SURMOUNT (Surveillance Markers of Utility for Recurrence after (Neo)adjuvant Therapy) Screening Study is a single center prospective, longitudinal cohort study examining BM and blood biomarkers of minimal residual disease (MRD) among pts within 5 years of BC diagnosis, who meet one of the following high risk criteria: positive axillary nodes, triple negative biology, ER+ with Oncotype Dx ≥ 25 and/or high risk Mammaprint, or residual disease (RD) after neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT). Consented pts undergo a baseline outpatient BMA; if negative, pts can repeat screening annually. During trial design, we surveyed 25 women with stage 2-3 BC at random from the breast clinic at the University of Pennsylvania to assess feasibility. On the SURMOUNT Study, we collected demographic and clinical characteristics of pts, and patient-centered survey data regarding feasibility and acceptability of the BMA that is administered within 48 hours of the procedure.

Results: In the pre-trial feasibility survey, 21/25 (84%) pts indicated they were very/definitely interested in knowing if they harbored DTCs. Of those, 18 (86%) indicated moderate/definite interest in testing for DTCs with BMA after the BMA was described to them in detail. 20 (95%) of pts indicated moderate/definite interest in taking oral therapy to eradicate DTCs. 14 (67%) pts stated undergoing up to 3 additional BMA would not change their likelihood of undergoing the clinical trial; only 1 stated much less likely. In the subsequent SURMOUNT study, 361 pts have been referred to date; 167 were eligible, and 136 (81%) subsequently enrolled. 21 (13%) are still in screening. 130 pts have had at least 1 BMA with annual re-screens in 37 (year 1) and 8 (year 2). 39% traveled >50 miles to participate. Post-BMA symptoms were rare (bleeding 2%; redness 12%) though 59%/70% reported mild-moderate pain/tenderness. After BMA, 47%/29%/25% reported it was better/same/worse than expected. 30%/32%/22% reported minimal/moderate/high anxiety prior to the BMA. Afterward, only 20%/5%/4% reported minimal/moderate/high residual anxiety. In 128 pts with results, 38 (30%) have ≥ 1 DTC (30 initial, 8 on follow-up); by risk group: 20/77 (26%) node positive, 20/64 (31%) triple negative, 3/8 (38%) ER+/RS≥25, 7/29 (24%) with RD post-NACT. DTC+ pts were similar to DTC- in median age (50.4), race, distance traveled, menopausal status and BMI. 94% of DTC+ pts have entered the CLEVER clinical trial.

Conclusion: A majority of BC survivors want to know DTC status; a majority of these are willing to have BMA and enroll on a clinical therapeutic trial, many are willing to travel to participate and are willing to undergo annual BMA assessment. The SURMOUNT study shows that screening for DTCs is feasible and effective in identifying pts for therapeutic intervention targeting MRD to reduce recurrence.

Citation Format: Isoris Nivar, Tara Kauffman, Lauren Bayne, Paul Wiley, Brooke Goodspeed, Michael Feldman, Lewis Chodosh, Amy Clark, Angela DeMichele. Patient attitudes, experience and results of screening for minimal residual disease (MRD) for therapeutic intervention [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2019 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; 2019 Dec 10-14; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2020;80(4 Suppl):Abstract nr P2-12-01.

Biocatalytic self-assembly of nanostructured peptide microparticles using droplet microfluidics

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Neurosyphilis during the AIDS epidemic, San Francisco, 1985-1992

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