The efficacy and safety of neoadjuvant chemotherapy +/- letrozole in postmenopausal women with locally advanced breast cancer: a randomized phase III clinical trial

Exploring the effectiveness of molecular subtypes, biomarkers, and genetic variations as first-line treatment predictors in Asian breast cancer patients: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Breast cancer incidence has been on the rise significantly in the Asian population, occurring at an earlier age and a later stage. The potential predictive value of molecular subtypes, biomarkers, and genetic variations has not been deeply explored in the Asian population. This study evaluated the effect of molecular subtype classification and the presence or absence of biomarkers and genetic variations on pathological complete response (pCR) after neoadjuvant treatment in Asian breast cancer patients.

METHODS

A systematic search was conducted in MEDLINE (PubMed), Science Direct, Scopus, and Cochrane Library databases. Studies were selected if they included Asian breast cancer patients treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy and contained data for qualitative or quantitative analyses. The quality of the included studies was assessed using the Newcastle Ottawa Scale. Following the random effects model, pooled odds ratios or hazard ratios with 95% confidence intervals for pCR were analysed using Review Manager Software. Heterogeneity between studies was assessed using Cochran's Q-test and I2 test statistics.

RESULTS

In total, 19,708 Asian breast cancer patients were pooled from 101 studies. In the neoadjuvant setting, taxane-anthracycline (TA) chemotherapy showed better pCR outcomes in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) (p<0.0001) and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 enriched (HER2E) (p<0.0001) than luminal breast cancer patients. Similarly, taxane-platinum (TP) chemotherapy also showed better pCR outcomes in TNBC (p<0.0001) and HER2E (p<0.0001). Oestrogen receptor (ER)-negative, progesterone receptor (PR)-negative, HER2-positive and high Ki-67 were significantly associated with better pCR outcomes when treated with either TA or TP. Asian breast cancer patients harbouring wildtype PIK3CA were significantly associated with better pCR outcomes when treated with TA in the neoadjuvant setting (p=0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

In the neoadjuvant setting, molecular subtypes (HER2E and TNBC), biomarkers (ER, PR, HER2, HR, Ki-67, nm23-H1, CK5/6, and Tau), and gene (PIK3CA) are associated with increased pCR rates in Asian breast cancer patients. Hence, they could be further explored for their possible role in first-line treatment response, which can be utilised to treat breast cancer more efficiently in the Asian population. However, it needs to be further validated with additional powered studies.

SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION

PROSPERO CRD42021246295.

Efficacy and safety of concomitant chemo-endocrine therapy in neoadjuvant treatment of hormone-positive HER2-negative breast cancer: a systemic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

The rate of pathological complete response (pCR) with both chemotherapy alone (CT) and endocrine therapy (ET) in the neoadjuvant (Na) treatment of hormone receptor (HR)-positive/HER2-negative breast cancer (BC) is unsatisfactory. Limited data on neoadjuvant concomitant chemotherapy and endocrine therapy (NaCET) are available.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

In this meta-analysis analyzed the efficacy and safety of randomized controlled trials (RCT) comparing the use of NaCET in HR-positive/HER2-negative BC. A comprehensive search was performed on PubMed, Cochrane Library and EMBASE databases, and congress paper lists for studies published/presented until 1 December 2022.

RESULTS

Five RCTs involving a total of 630 patients were included. A pooled analysis of the five studies demonstrated that the pCR ratio was numerically higher in the NaCET arm than in the NaCT arm, but the difference was not statistically significant (6.5% vs. 3.8%; OR:1.72, 95% CI 0.82-3.62). Nonetheless, the NaCET arm exhibited a significantly higher objective response rate (ORR) (82% vs. 72.7%; OR:1.77, 95% CI 1.20-2.62). There was no difference between the arms in terms of grade 3-5 adverse events.

CONCLUSIONS

In HR-positive/HER2-negative BC, NaCET significantly increases ORR without an increase in serious adverse events. Although the pCR rate increased numerically, it was not statistically significant.

Pre-treatment circulating reproductive hormones levels predict pathological and survival outcomes in breast cancer submitted to neoadjuvant chemotherapy

PURPOSE

This study aimed to evaluate the correlation of pre-treatment circulating reproductive hormones levels with pathological and survival outcomes in breast cancer patients received neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC).

METHODS

Information from 196 premenopausal and 137 postmenopausal breast cancer patients who received NAC were retrospectively analyzed. Treatment response to NAC, with odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) was estimated using logistic regression adjusted for key confounders. Survival outcomes with hazard ratios (HR) and 95% CI were estimated using Cox regression adjusted for key confounders. The Kaplan-Meier method was applied in the survival analysis.

RESULTS

Premenopausal patients with lower testosterone levels (OR = 0.996, 95% CI 0.992-0.999, P = 0.026), and postmenopausal patients with higher follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) levels (OR = 1.045, 95% CI 1.014-1.077, P = 0.005) were likely to achieve pathological complete response (pCR). In multivariate survival analysis, the lowest tertile (T) progesterone was associated with worse overall survival (OS) in premenopausal patients (T2 vs T1, HR = 0.113, 95% CI 0.013-0.953, P = 0.045; T3 vs T1, HR = 0.109, 95% CI 0.013-0.916, P = 0.041). Premenopausal patients with the lowest tertile progesterone exhibited worse 3-year OS compared with those with higher tertiles (72.9% vs 97.4%, log-rank, P = 0.007).

CONCLUSION

Pre-treatment testosterone and FSH are significant independent predictors for pCR to NAC in premenopausal and postmenopausal patients, respectively. Low progesterone levels are correlated with worse OS in premenopausal patients. These findings may provide a theoretical basis for pre-operative endocrine therapy combined with NAC in breast cancer.

Concurrent chemo-endocrine treatment for early hormone-positive breast cancer: a no-go???

PURPOSE

Endocrine therapy is one of the cornerstones of early breast cancer treatment. While this medication could be initiated on the day of diagnosis, it is often postponed until after completion of surgery, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy. This practice is based on preclinical data suggesting an antagonistic effect between endocrine therapy and cytostatic agents, and on the interpretation of clinical trials comparing concurrent versus sequential use of tamoxifen and chemotherapy. These clinical trials, however, have never shown a statistically significant difference in overall survival or disease-free survival and focused on tamoxifen rather than aromatase inhibitors. Nevertheless, sequentially administered endocrine and chemotherapy have become standard of care worldwide.

RESULTS

We performed a literature review and conclude that concurrent endocrine chemotherapy is at least as effective as sequential treatment. In fact, higher response rates have been observed in trials with aromatase inhibitors rather than tamoxifen in a neoadjuvant setting.

CONCLUSION

We encourage breast cancer oncologists to re-consider concurrent endocrine chemotherapy as a possible treatment strategy enabling early start of potentially curative endocrine treatment.

Pharmacoeconomic evaluations of CDK4/6 inhibitors plus endocrine therapy for advanced hormone receptor-positive (HR+) and human epidermal growth factor receptor-2 negative (HER2-) breast cancer: a systematic review

Background

Hormone receptor-positive (HR+) and human epidermal growth factor receptor-2 negative (HER2−) breast cancer is the most common molecular subtype of breast cancer in many countries, and endocrine therapy remains a mainstay in its treatment. Cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK) 4/6 inhibitors are a new class of targeted agents administered orally that are recommended being used in combination with endocrine therapy as first and second line treatments for advanced HR+/HER2− breast cancer. However, their high prices largely hinder using these drugs in real world settings. To offer a new basis for future research, we investigated the cost-effectiveness of combinations of CDK4/6 inhibitors with endocrine therapy in the treatment of advanced HR+/HER2− breast cancer.

Methods

We systematically searched several frequently used databases and identified economic evaluations published from February 2015 to April 2021. The systematic review was performed after retrieving the literatures and extracting data based on inclusion and exclusion criteria. The quality of each selected economic evaluation was assessed by the Consolidated Health Economic Evaluation Reporting Standards (CHEERS).

Results

The literature search yielded 161 articles, among which fourteen studies (15 articles) with CHEER scores ranging from 58.33% to 87.50% entered the final analysis. Markov models were used in most studies. Based on the currently available data, CDK4/6 inhibitors plus endocrine therapy were less cost-effective in first- or second-line treatment of patients with HR+/HER2− advanced breast cancer. However, ribociclib plus letrozole was more cost-effective than palbociclib plus letrozole in the first-line treatment of postmenopausal women. The economic impacts of CDK4/6 inhibitors plus endocrine therapy in non-postmenopausal patients or second-line therapy cannot be fully evaluated due to the limited number of studies. The three most common factors affecting economic outcomes were the prices of CDK4/6 inhibitors, hazard ratios for progression-free survival and overall survival, and health status utility values.

Discussion

CDK4/6 inhibitors plus endocrine therapy have shown significantly improved efficacy outcomes in HR+/HER2− metastatic breast cancer (mBC)/advancer breast cancer (ABC) first-line and second-line treatment for endocrine-sensitive and endocrine-resistant populations, while more potential fields including neoadjuvant and adjuvant settings are being identified to benefit a wider range of breast cancer patients. Meanwhile, risk of severe adverse events that more likely to happen in patients treated with CDK4/6 inhibitors can lead to reduced life quality and higher medical costs patients need to afford. The adverse drug reaction related cost in several economic burden studies were explored to be primarily driven by hospitalizations and outpatient, and assessment of cost associated with CDK4/6 inhibitors adverse events is worth further developing. Drug wastage costs were found higher in palbociclib regimen than ribociclib regimen due to different dosing patterns. Moreover, current economic evaluations showed that ribociclib plus letrozole had better economic benefits than palbociclib plus letrozole for first-line treatment of postmenopausal women with HR+/HER2− ABC.

Preoperative concurrent endocrine therapy with chemotherapy in luminal B-like breast cancer

PURPOSE

Luminal B-like breast cancer is sensitive to both chemotherapy and endocrine therapy. We aimed to assess the safety and efficacy of concomitant chemotherapy and endocrine therapy compared with chemotherapy alone in the preoperative setting in luminal B-like breast cancer.

METHODS

This two-arm randomized clinical trial enrolled patients with luminal B-like human epithelial growth factor 2-negative breast cancer, who were randomly assigned at a 1:1 ratio to receive preoperative chemotherapy alone or preoperative endocrine therapy concurrent with chemotherapy for 24 weeks before surgery. The primary endpoint was the pathological complete response (pCR) rate. The secondary endpoints included the clinical response rate, toxicity, and health-related quality of life (HRQOL).

RESULTS

Overall, 70 patients were randomly assigned to the chemotherapy and chemo-endocrine therapy groups. The pCR rates were 9.7% and 3.0% (P = 0.319), and the clinical complete response rates were 5.9% and 5.6% (P = 0.745) in the chemotherapy and chemo-endocrine therapy groups, respectively. There were no clear differences in treatment-related adverse events or HRQOL between the two groups.

CONCLUSIONS

In patients with luminal B-like breast cancer, the pCR, clinical response rate, toxicity, and HRQOL with the concomitant administration of endocrine therapy and chemotherapy were not superior to chemotherapy alone in the preoperative setting.

The tumour response of postmenopausal hormone receptor-positive breast cancers undergoing different types of neoadjuvant therapy: a meta-analysis

Background

To investigate the efficacy of neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NCT), neoadjuvant endocrine therapy (NET) and neoadjuvant chemoendocrine therapy (NCET) on the tumour response, including pathological complete response (pCR) rate and overall response rate (ORR), in postmenopausal women with hormone receptor (HR)-positive breast cancer.

Methods

Based on a PRISMA-IPD statement, the PubMed, Embase and Cochrane Library databases were used to identify eligible trials published from inception to 7 May 2019. Pooled odds ratio (OR) with 95% confidential interval (CI) was calculated to assess the pCR rate and ORR of tumours among those three treatments via fixed- or random-effect Mantel-Haenszel models in terms of a Heterogeneity Chi² test with a significant level of p < 0.1. All statistical tests were performed by the software of StataSE, version 12.0.

Results

The analysed data consisted of 10 eligible clinical trials with 971 unique HR-positive breast cancer patients. The pooled results indicated that the pCR rate of those patients undergoing NET was significantly lower than those undergoing NCT (pooled OR, 0.48; 95% CI, 0.26–0.90), whereas the difference of ORR between both therapies was not statistically significant (pooled OR, 1.05; 95% CI, 0.73–1.52). The combined paradigm of NCET compared with the monotherapy of NET or NCT did not present a significantly improved pCR rate or ORR (pooled OR, 2.61; 95% CI, 0.94–7.25; and 2.25; 95% CI, 0.39–13.05; respectively).

Conclusion

Postmenopausal HR-positive breast cancer patients after NCT may have better tumour response than those after NET, while those undergoing NCET may not manifest the apparently improved clinical efficacies compared to those receiving monotherapy.

Neoadjuvant endocrine therapy: A potential strategy for ER-positive breast cancer

A potential strategy for patients with estrogen receptor (ER)-positive breast cancer is necessary to replace neoadjuvant chemotherapy which has limited benefit. Neoadjuvant endocrine therapy (NAE) has been indicated to be a favorable alternate approach to downstage large or locally advanced breast cancer in ER-positive, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-negative (ER+/HER2-) patients, especially postmenopausal women. Previous studies have demonstrated the efficacy of various endocrine agents in NAE. Aromatase inhibitors (AIs) have proven superiority over tamoxifen as a suitable choice to optimize treatment efficacy. Fulvestrant was recently reported as an effective agent, similar to AIs. Furthermore, the addition of targeted agents exerts synergistic antiproliferative effects with endocrine agents and rapidly improves response rates in both endocrine sensitive and resistant tumors. The neoadjuvant platform provides a unique opportunity to define the appropriate strategy and address the mechanisms of endocrine resistance. In addition, the predictive value of biomarkers and genomic assays in NAE is under investigation to evaluate individual effects and validate biomarker-based strategies. In this review, we discuss the most relevant evidence on the potential of NAE for ER+ breast cancer. The current understanding also offers new insights into the identification of the optimal settings and valuable predictive tools of NAE to guide clinical treatment decisions and achieve beneficial therapeutic effects.

Concurrent neoadjuvant chemotherapy and estrogen deprivation in patients with estrogen receptor-positive, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-negative breast cancer (CBCSG-036): A randomized, controlled, multicenter trial

BACKGROUND

The current randomized, controlled, multicenter clinical trial was conducted to investigate the efficacy of concurrent neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NCT) and estrogen deprivation in patients with estrogen receptor (ER)-positive, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-negative breast cancer.

METHODS

Eligible patients with AJCC stage IIB to stage IIIC, ER-positive, HER2-negative breast cancer were enrolled and randomly assigned to receive NCT with or without estrogen deprivation. The primary endpoint was the objective response rate (ORR).

RESULTS

A total of 249 patients were assigned to either neoadjuvant chemoendocrine therapy (NCET) (125 patients) or the NCT group (124 patients). In the intention-to-treat analysis, the ORR was found to be significantly higher in the NCET group compared with the NCT group (84.8% vs 72.6%; odds ratio, 2.11 [95% CI, 1.13-3.95; P = .02). The efficacy of NCET was more prominent in tumors with a higher Ki-67 index (>20%), with an ORR of 91.2% reported in the NCET group versus 68.7% in the NCT group (P = .001). The pathologic complete response and pathological response rates did not differ significantly between the 2 groups. Although there was no significant difference with regard to progression-free survival (PFS) between the 2 groups (P = .188), patients with a higher baseline Ki-67 index appeared to derive a greater PFS benefit from NCET (2-year PFS rate of 91.5% in the NCET group vs 76.5% in the NCT group; P = .058). Adding endocrine agents to NCT did not result in significant differences in adverse events (grade 3 or 4; graded according to National Cancer Institute Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events [version 3.0]) between the 2 groups.

CONCLUSIONS

The addition of estrogen deprivation to NCT appears to improve the clinical response in patients with ER-positive, HER2-negative breast cancer, especially for those individuals with a higher Ki-67 index. Patients with a higher Ki-67 index might derive more PFS benefit from concurrent neoadjuvant treatment.

Application of Different methods for Reducing Radiation Dose to Breast during MDCT

The increased use of computed tomography (CT) and its high radiation dose have led to great concerns about its potential for radiation induced cancer risks. Breast is a radiosensitive tissue based on tissue weighting factors assigned by the International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP). Moreover, the dose is maximal on the surface of the patient. Therefore, strategies should be taken to reduce radiation dose to the breast. The aim of this review is to introduce methods used for reducing radiation dose to breast in thoracic CT and review related performed studies. The literature indicates that bismuth shielding increases image noise and CT numbers as well as introducing streak artifacts. Tube current modulation (TCM) technique and iterative reconstruction algorithms can provide some levels of dose reduction to radiosensitive organs and superior image quality without the disadvantages of bismuth shielding. However, they are not available on all CT scanners, especially in low-income countries. Such centers may have to continue using bismuth shields to reduce the dose until these superior techniques become available at lower costs in all CT scanners. Furthermore, design and manufacture of new shields with the lower impact on image quality are desirable.

Neoadjuvant Endocrine Therapy for Estrogen Receptor-Positive Breast Cancer: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

Importance

Estrogen receptor-positive (ER+) tumors of the breast are generally highly responsive to endocrine treatment. Although endocrine therapy is the mainstay of adjuvant treatment for ER+ breast cancer, the role of endocrine therapy in the neoadjuvant setting is unclear.

Objective

To evaluate the effect of neoadjuvant endocrine therapy (NET) on the response rate and the rate of breast conservation surgery (BCS) for ER+ breast cancer.

Data Sources

Based on PRISMA guidelines, a librarian-led search of PubMed and Ovid MEDLINE was performed to identify eligible trials published from inception to May 15, 2015. The search was performed in May 2015.

Study Selection

Inclusion criteria were prospective, randomized, neoadjuvant clinical trials that reported response rates with at least 1 arm incorporating NET (n = 20). Two authors independently analyzed the studies for inclusion.

Data Extraction and Synthesis

Pooled odds ratios (ORs), 95% CIs, and P values were estimated for end points using the fixed- and random-effects statistical model.

Results

The analysis included 20 studies with 3490 unique patients. Compared with combination chemotherapy, NET as monotherapy with aromatase inhibitors had a similar clinical response rate (OR, 1.08; 95% CI, 0.50-2.35; P = .85; n = 378), radiological response rate (OR, 1.38; 95% CI, 0.92-2.07; P = .12; n = 378), and BCS rate (OR, 0.65; 95% CI, 0.41-1.03; P = .07; n = 334) but with lower toxicity. Aromatase inhibitors were associated with a significantly higher clinical response rate (OR, 1.69; 95% CI, 1.36-2.10; P < .001; n = 1352), radiological response rate (OR, 1.49; 95% CI, 1.18-1.89; P < .001; n = 1418), and BCS rate (OR, 1.62; 95% CI, 1.24-2.12; P < .001; n = 918) compared with tamoxifen. Dual combination therapy with growth factor pathway inhibitors was associated with a higher radiological response rate (OR, 1.59; 95% CI, 1.04-2.43; P = .03; n = 355), but not clinical response rate (OR, 0.76; 95% CI, 0.54-1.07; P = .11; n = 537), compared with endocrine monotherapy. The incidence of pathologic complete response was low (<10%).

Conclusions and Relevance

Neoadjuvant endocrine therapy, even as monotherapy, is associated with similar response rates as neoadjuvant combination chemotherapy but with significantly lower toxicity, suggesting that NET needs to be reconsidered as a potential option in the appropriate setting. Additional research is needed to develop rational NET combinations and predictive biomarkers to personalize the optimal neoadjuvant strategy for ER+ breast cancer.

Implementing neoadjuvant endocrine strategies in ER-positive, HER2-negative breast cancer

INTRODUCTION

Although neoadjuvant chemotherapy has been widely adopted as it increases breast conservation rates, permits the in vivo testing of the activity of chemotherapeutics and offers the opportunity to conduct translational research based on longitudinal assessments of tumor tissue, neoadjuvant endocrine therapy has been met with skepticism owing to slow regression rates and a low chance for pathologic remission. Areas covered: Herein, the results of clinical trials comparing different endocrine agents as neoadjuvant treatment, endocrine therapy with chemotherapy, treatment duration, novel combinations and putative biomarkers are reviewed, with the aim to better understand the current and future role of this modality in clinical practice. Expert commentary: Available evidence clearly indicates that, in properly selected patients, short-term outcomes do not differ compared to chemotherapy. In addition, the realization that its effects at the cellular level occur shortly after its initiation and have important prognostic implications, could serve as a tool for the early identification of non-responders. Ongoing trials which integrate novel agents in addition to endocrine therapies will help guide treatment decisions and may establish neoadjuvant endocrine therapy as a standard of care for well-defined patient subgroups.

Use of maintenance endocrine therapy after chemotherapy in metastatic breast cancer

BACKGROUND

For women with oestrogen receptor+ metastatic breast cancer (MBC), the options for systemic treatment include endocrine therapy (ET) and chemotherapy. For women whose disease is also HER2+, anti-HER2 therapies are also routinely used either with chemotherapy or less commonly with ET. Where chemotherapy is used as initial therapy, treatment is often discontinued due to cumulative toxicity in the absence of disease progression. In this setting, there is the option of introducing ET with the aim of prolonging response and delaying relapse.

METHODS

Literature review revealed four trials addressing the question of whether there is a benefit from introducing ET following chemotherapy for MBC. We also sought evidence for alternative approaches, including concurrent chemotherapy and ET and continuing chemotherapy until disease progression.

RESULTS

The evidence for the use of ET after chemotherapy in MBC is limited, and the trials done were small. Furthermore, they were performed at a time when both the chemotherapy regimens and ET were different from those used currently. Despite these limitations, there is probably a modest improvement in time to progression for the sequential use of ET after chemotherapy but with no overall survival benefit. An alternative approach, particularly considering agents with relatively low toxicity, such as orally bioavailable fluoropyrimidines, is to continue chemotherapy until disease progression.

CONCLUSION

Where chemotherapy for MBC is discontinued due to toxicity, in the absence of progression, the use of ET, with its relatively low toxicity, is a reasonable approach with the aim of delaying relapse.

Cost-Utility of "Doxorubicin and Cyclophosphamide" versus "Gemcitabine and Paclitaxel" for Treatment of Patients with Breast Cancer in Iran

PURPOSE

A cost-utility analysis was performed to assess the cost-utility of neoadjuvant chemotherapy regimens containing doxorubicin and cyclophosphamide (AC) versus paclitaxel and gemcitabine (PG) for locally advanced breast cancer patients in Iran.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This cross-sectional study in Namazi hospital in Shiraz, in the south of Iran covered 64 breast cancer patients. According to the random numbers, the patients were divided into two groups, 32 receiving AC and 32 PG. Costs were identified and measured from a community perspective. These items included medical and non-medical direct and indirect costs. In this study, a data collection form was used. To assess the utility of the two regimens, the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire-Core30 (EORTC QLQ-C30) was applied. Using a decision tree, we calculated the expected costs and quality adjusted life years (QALYs) for both methods; also, the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio was assessed.

RESULTS

The results of the decision tree showed that in the AC arm, the expected cost was 39,170 US$ and the expected QALY was 3.39 and in the PG arm, the expected cost was 43,336 dollars and the expected QALY was 2.64. Sensitivity analysis showed the cost effectiveness of the AC and ICER=-5535 US$.

CONCLUSIONS

Overall, the results showed that AC to be superior to PG in treatment of patients with breast cancer, being less costly and more effective.

A Canadian national expert consensus on neoadjuvant therapy for breast cancer: linking practice to evidence and beyond

BACKGROUND

Use of the neoadjuvant approach to treat breast cancer patients has increased since the early 2000s, but the overall pathway of care for such patients can be highly variable. The aim of our project was to establish a multidisciplinary consensus among clinicians with expertise in neoadjuvant therapy (nat) for breast cancer and to determine if that consensus reflects published methods used in randomized controlled trials (rcts) in this area.

METHODS

A modified Delphi protocol, which used iterative surveys administered to 85 experts across Canada, was established to obtain expert consensus concerning all aspects of the care pathway for patients undergoing nat for breast cancer. All rcts published between January 1, 1967, and December 1, 2012, were systematically reviewed. Data extracted from the rcts were analyzed to determine if the methods used matched the expert consensus for specific areas of nat management. A scoring system determined the strength of the agreement between the literature and the expert consensus.

RESULTS

Consensus was achieved for all areas of the pathway of care for patients undergoing nat for breast cancer, with the exception of the role of magnetic resonance imaging in the pre-treatment or preoperative setting. The levels of agreement between the consensus statements and the published rcts varied, primarily because specific aspects of the pathway of care were not well described in the reviewed literature.

CONCLUSIONS

A true consensus of expert opinion concerning the pathway of care appropriate for patients receiving nat for breast cancer has been achieved. A review of the literature illuminated gaps in the evidence about some elements of nat management. Where evidence is available, agreement with expert opinion is strong overall. Our study is unique in its approach to establishing consensus among medical experts in this field and has established a pathway of care that can be applied in practice for patients receiving nat.

Neoadjuvant chemotherapy with sequential anthracycline-docetaxel with gemcitabine for large operable or locally advanced breast cancer: ANZ 0502 (NeoGem)

BACKGROUND

Neoadjuvant chemotherapy has a sound rationale for use in women with large operable breast cancer, and achievement of pathological complete response (pCR) is prognostic. Epirubicin and cyclophosphamide followed by docetaxel is a standard chemotherapy regimen for early breast cancer. In metastatic breast cancer the combination of gemcitabine and a taxane has shown promising results. This phase II study investigated the efficacy and safety of incorporating gemcitabine into neoadjuvant therapy.

METHODS

Female patients with operable breast cancer that was clinically T2 (≥3 cm) or T3-4, N0-1, M0 were enrolled to receive 24 weeks of neoadjuvant chemotherapy using epirubicin and cyclophosphamide followed by docetaxel and gemcitabine, plus trastuzumab if HER2-positive. The primary endpoint was the pathological complete response (pCR) rate in the breast in separate HER2-negative and HER2-positive cohorts. Secondary endpoints included pCR in both the breast and axillary lymph nodes, clinical and radiological response rates, disease free survival and safety.

RESULTS

81 patients were enrolled: 63 HER2-negative and 18 HER2-positive. 67 (84%) completed all cycles of chemotherapy, and 78 (96%) proceeded to surgery. pCR was achieved by 12 (20%) patients with HER2-negative, and 9 (53%) with HER2-positive disease. At the first interim analysis, addition of prophylactic G-CSF was recommended due to excess neutropenia. The HER2-negative cohort was closed to accrual because it did not meet the pre-specified target for pCR, and the HER2-positive cohort was closed due to slow accrual. At a median follow-up of 24 months, 12 of 81 (15%) patients had experienced a relapse of their breast cancer.

CONCLUSION

Neoadjuvant gemcitabine, when added to docetaxel, after epirubicin and cyclophosphamide, did not reach the pre-specified expectations for pCR rate in HER2-negative tumours. Excess neutropenia was observed, requiring growth factor support. Addition of gemcitabine to docetaxel in this schedule cannot be recommended. Australia and New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (www.anzctr.org.au) registration number ACTRN12606000191594.