Changes in breast cancer treatment during the COVID-19 pandemic: a Dutch population-based study

Trends in the Management of Small HER2-Positive Breast Cancers

BACKGROUND

The treatment approach for small HER2-positive (+) breast cancers seeks to optimize efficacy while minimizing potential overtreatment and associated toxicities. This study aims to evaluate recent trends in treatment patterns for small HER2+ tumors.

METHODS

Patients diagnosed with HER2+, cT1, cN0/pN0 breast cancer treated at a single institution from January 2018 to December 2022 were included. Clinicopathological, treatment, and follow-up data were collected and analyzed.

PATIENTS AND RESULTS

A total of 207 patients were included. Mean age was 63 (± 12.0) years. T category included cT1a in 12.1% (n = 25), cT1b in 28.0% (n = 58), and cT1c in 57.5% (n = 119), while 2.4% (n = 5) had clinical T1 category without further specification. Moreover, 74.4% (n = 154) were hormone receptor positive. Also, 66.7% (n = 138) received adjuvant therapy, 12.6% (n = 26) received neoadjuvant systemic therapy (NAT), and 12.1% (n = 25) received no systemic therapy. Administered regimens included: trastuzumab monotherapy in 6.1% (n = 10), taxane/trastuzumab in 55.5% (n = 91), taxane/carboplatin/trastuzumab in 18.9% (n = 31), and taxane/carboplatin/trastuzumab/pertuzumab in 15.2% (n = 25). In the 26 patients who received NAT, pathological complete response (pCR) was noted in 69.2% (n = 18). Overall, use of NAT increased from 2018 (7.1%) to 2021 (30.2%) and then decreased in 2022 (9.1%). The overall mastectomy rate was 35.3% (n = 73). Young age and multiple tumors were associated with a higher rate of mastectomy (age p < 0.001; multiple tumors p = 0.006). Upstaging of clinically node-negative patients occurred in 14.1% of patients at surgery.

CONCLUSION

The treatment for cT1N0 HER2+ breast cancers includes primary surgery with adjuvant HER2-targeted therapy in combination with chemotherapy. Primary surgery may allow for an opportunity to deescalate adjuvant therapy with no impact on surgical plan.

Deintensification of Radiotherapy Use in Treatment of Ductal Carcinoma In Situ in the Netherlands-A Nationwide Overview From 2008 Until 2022

AIMS

Ductal Carcinoma In Situ (DCIS) treated by breast-conserving surgery followed by radiotherapy aims to decrease the probability of locally recurrent disease. The role of whole breast irradiation, specifically in DCIS having low recurrence risk and low risk of becoming invasive, is increasingly debated. Also, the added value of applying boost irradiation in DCIS has been questioned. Hence, we evaluated the nationwide radiotherapy use in DCIS treatment in the Netherlands.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Women diagnosed with DCIS in 2008-2022 were identified in the Netherlands Cancer Registry. Their primary treatment was presented over time and for age groups, stratified for DCIS grade I-II and III. Factors associated with radiotherapy use after breast-conserving surgery and boost irradiation use in whole breast irradiation after breast-conserving surgery were identified.

RESULTS

In women with DCIS grade I-II (N = 16,653), the use of breast-conserving surgery without radiotherapy increased from ∼11% in 2008-2013 to ∼26% in 2017-2022. Furthermore, post-breast-conserving surgery radiotherapy increasingly concerned whole breast irradiation without a boost or partial breast irradiation. Moreover, surgery was omitted more often in recent years (30% in 2022). In DCIS grade III (N = 13,534), the use of breast-conserving surgery without radiotherapy only slightly increased in the most recent years in older patients, while boost irradiation was increasingly omitted. Whole breast irradiation and boost irradiation following breast-conserving surgery were more often applied in case of a higher risk of recurrences: young age, larger lesions, or irradical resection. Variation was observed for hospital-characteristics but not for regions.

CONCLUSION

In DCIS, the process of omitting breast irradiation after breast-conserving surgery is clearly ongoing. Boost irradiation was administered less frequently. Furthermore, the use of partial breast irradiation was introduced in recent years. These effects are more prominent in older women and those with grade I-II DCIS.

Impact of the Coronavirus disease pandemic on early breast cancer

Objective

To assess the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the presentation, treatment, and survival of patients with early breast cancer (Stage I-III).

Methods

This study utilized data from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results database from January 1, 2018, to December 31, 2020. Patients diagnosed with primary breast cancer in 2020 were compared to those diagnosed in 2018 or 2019. The primary outcomes were stage distribution and changes in the treatment modalities for early breast cancer. The secondary outcomes were overall survival (OS) and breast cancer-specific survival (BCSS).

Results

We analyzed 142,038 patients. There has been a decrease in breast cancer diagnoses in 2020, as well as the smaller number of surgeries. The distribution of breast cancer stages among patients exhibited a notable shift in 2020, with a decrease in the proportion of Stage 0-I and an increase in advanced-stage. Additionally, there was a significant decrease in the proportion of breast-conserving surgery (BCS) performed in 2020. The proportion of patients undergoing radiation decreased, while that of chemotherapy cases increased significantly in 2020. Patients showed a shorter treatment delay in 2020 than in 2018 or 2019 (2018: hazard ratio [HR] = 0.969, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.956-0.982, p < 0.001; 2019: HR=0.959, 95% CI = 0.946-0.972, p < 0.001). Diagnosis in 2020 showed a significant correlation with worse OS than diagnosis in 2018 (HR = 0.861, 95% CI = 0.743-0.996, p = 0.045).

Conclusion

We observed a shift to advanced-stage and a change of treatment modalities of early breast cancer in 2020. The OS of patients with breast cancer was worse during the pandemic than before the pandemic. The findings could provide empirical basis for optimizing cancer prevention and control strategies in future public health emergencies.

Changes in breast cancer incidence and surgical treatment in Baden-Württemberg (Germany) during the COVID-19 pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic affected the diagnostics and treatment of breast cancer. Numerous studies reported an early decline in breast cancer (BC) incidence during the COVID-19 pandemic. Less evidence is available on changes in medical care. Reports from individual patients have provided anecdotal evidence for a shift from breast-conserving surgery to mastectomy to reduce the number of visits to radiation units during the pandemic. This study aimed to explore changes in BC incidence and surgical treatment in the south of Germany. Using data from the Baden-Württemberg Cancer Registry, the age-standardized incidence of BC (ICD-10 C50 and D05) (women) in 2018-2021 was investigated overall and by age and stage using standardized incidence ratios. Among pre-operative stage I/IIA BC patients, differences in the time to surgery and type of surgery were investigated using negative binomial and logistic regression models. The incidence of invasive BC decreased significantly from 170.9 per 100,000 women in 2018/2019 to 159.7 in 2020 and increased to 169.2 in 2021. This decrease resulted from a lower incidence around April 2020 and was also observed for non-invasive BC. In 2021, incidence of invasive BC was still decreased by 8% in women aged 80 + years. Surgical treatment was analyzed in 22,708 BC patients with a pre-operative stage ≤ IIA. The median time to surgery was 33 days in 2018/2019, 32 days in 2020 and 36 days in 2021. The proportion of mastectomies increased from 16.1% in 2018/2019 to 17.1% in 2020 and 17.3% in 2021 (adjusted odds ratio and 95% confidence interval (2021 vs. 2018/2019): 1.13 (1.03-1.24)). The adjusted increase was strongest for patients aged 50-59 years (1.34 (1.09-1.64)) and those with high-grade tumors (1.27 (1.07-1.51)). While the early return to pre-pandemic age-standardized BC incidence rates is promising, missed cases have not been caught up until 2021. Furthermore, the decreased incidence in elderly women in 2021 warrants further attention. In early-stage BC, a slightly greater rate of mastectomies was observed, although such a change was not recommended. This result underlines the importance of good communication of adapted treatment guidelines in such exceptional circumstances.

Retrospective Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on Primary Breast Cancer Care

Background

The COVID-19 pandemic has transformed breast cancer care for patients and healthcare providers. Circumstances varied greatly by region and hospital, depending on COVID-19 prevalence, case mix, hospital type, and available resources. These challenges have disrupted screening programs and have been particularly distressing for both women with a breast cancer diagnosis and their providers.

Summary

This review explores the retrospective impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on primary breast cancer care. It analyzes changes in screening participation, diagnosis rates, treatment modalities, and the delivery of psycho-oncological support during the pandemic. The study found a significant reduction in breast cancer screenings and a subsequent stage shift in diagnoses, with fewer early-stage and more advanced-stage cancers being detected. Additionally, the review discusses the psychosocial challenges faced by patients and the adaptations made in care delivery, such as the increased use of telemedicine. Despite these challenges, the healthcare systems showed resilience, with core treatment services largely maintained and rapid adaptations to new care models.

Key Messages

There was a marked decrease in breast cancer screenings and early diagnoses during the pandemic, with a shift toward more advanced-stage detections. While there was an increased use of neoadjuvant therapies and telemedicine, essential breast cancer treatments were mostly sustained, reflecting the resilience of healthcare systems. The pandemic significantly impacted the mental health of breast cancer patients, exacerbating anxiety and depression and highlighting the need for improved psycho-oncological support. The full impact of these disruptions on long-term breast cancer outcomes remains uncertain, necessitating ongoing monitoring and adaptation of care strategies to mitigate adverse effects.

Collateral effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on endocrine treatments for breast and prostate cancer in the UK: a cohort study

Background

The COVID-19 pandemic affected cancer screening, diagnosis and treatments. Many surgeries were substituted with bridging therapies during the initial lockdown, yet consideration of treatment side effects and their management was not a priority.

Objectives

To examine how the changing social restrictions imposed by the pandemic affected incidence and trends of endocrine treatment prescriptions in newly diagnosed (incident) breast and prostate cancer patients and, secondarily, endocrine treatment-related outcomes (including bisphosphonate prescriptions, osteopenia and osteoporosis), in UK clinical practice from March 2020 to June 2022.

Design

Population-based cohort study using UK primary care Clinical Practice Research Datalink GOLD database.

Methods

There were 13,701 newly diagnosed breast cancer patients and 12,221 prostate cancer patients with ⩾1-year data availability since diagnosis between January 2017 and June 2022. Incidence rates (IR) and incidence rate ratios (IRR) were calculated across multiple time periods before and after lockdown to examine the impact of changing social restrictions on endocrine treatments and treatment-related outcomes, including osteopenia, osteoporosis and bisphosphonate prescriptions.

Results

In breast cancer patients, aromatase inhibitor (AI) prescriptions increased during lockdown versus pre-pandemic [IRR: 1.22 (95% confidence interval (CI): 1.11-1.34)], followed by a decrease post-first lockdown [IRR: 0.79 (95% CI: 0.69-0.89)]. In prostate cancer patients, first-generation antiandrogen prescriptions increased versus pre-pandemic [IRR: 1.23 (95% CI: 1.08-1.4)]. For breast cancer patients on AIs, diagnoses of osteopenia, osteoporosis and bisphosphonate prescriptions were reduced across all lockdown periods versus pre-pandemic (IRR range: 0.31-0.62).

Conclusion

During the first 2 years of the pandemic, newly diagnosed breast and prostate cancer patients were prescribed more endocrine treatments compared to pre-pandemic due to restrictions on hospital procedures replacing surgeries with bridging therapies. But breast cancer patients had fewer diagnoses of osteopenia and osteoporosis and bisphosphonate prescriptions. These patients should be followed up in the coming years for signs of bone thinning. Evidence of poorer management of treatment-related side effects will help assess resource allocation for patients at high risk for bone-related complications.

The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Time to Treatment in Surgical Oncology: A National Registry Study in The Netherlands

To avoid delay in oncological treatment, a 6-weeks norm for time to treatment has been agreed on in The Netherlands. However, the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on health systems resulted in reduced capacity for regular surgical care. In this study, we investigated the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on time to treatment in surgical oncology in The Netherlands.

METHODS

A population-based analysis of data derived from five surgical audits, including patients who underwent surgery for lung cancer, colorectal cancer, upper gastro-intestinal, and hepato-pancreato-biliary (HPB) malignancies, was performed. The COVID-19 cohort of 2020 was compared to the historic cohorts of 2018 and 2019. Primary endpoints were time to treatment initiation and the proportion of patients whose treatment started within 6 weeks. The secondary objective was to evaluate the differences in characteristics and tumour stage distribution between patients treated before and during the COVID-19 pandemic.

RESULTS

A total of 14,567 surgical cancer patients were included in this study, of these 3292 treatments were started during the COVID-19 pandemic. The median time to treatment decreased during the pandemic (26 vs. 27 days, p < 0.001) and the proportion of patients whose treatment started within 6 weeks increased (76% vs. 73%, p < 0.001). In a multivariate logistic regression analysis, adjusting for patient characteristics, no significant difference in post-operative outcomes between patients who started treatment before or after 6 weeks was found. Overall, the number of procedures performed per week decreased by 8.1% during the pandemic. This reduction was most profound for patients with stage I lung carcinoma and colorectal carcinoma. There were fewer patients with pulmonary comorbidities in the pandemic cohort (11% vs. 13%, p = 0.003).

CONCLUSIONS

Despite pressure on the capacity of the healthcare system during the COVID-19 pandemic, a larger proportion of surgical oncological patients started treatment within six weeks, possibly due to prioritisation of cancer care and reductions in elective procedures. However, during the pandemic, a decrease in the number of surgical oncological procedures performed in The Netherlands was observed, especially for patients with stage I disease.

Real-world data on neoadjuvant chemotherapy with dual-anti HER2 therapy in HER2 positive breast cancer

BACKGROUND

Neoadjuvant chemotherapy with dual-targeted therapy is the standard treatment for human epidermal growth factor 2 (HER2)-positive breast cancer. Although the dual-targeted therapy has significantly improved the pathological complete response (pCR) rate, further investigation is needed to identify biomarkers that predict the response to neoadjuvant therapy.

METHODS

This retrospective study analyzed 353 patients with HER2-positive breast invasive ductal carcinoma. The correlation between clinicopathological factors and pCR rate was evaluated. A nomogram was constructed based on the results of the multivariate logistic regression analysis to predict the probability of pCR.

RESULTS

The breast pCR (b-pCR) rate was 56.1% (198/353) and the total pCR (t-pCR) rate was 52.7% (186/353). Multivariate analysis identified ER status, PR status, HER2 status, Ki-67 index, and neoadjuvant chemotherapy regimens as independent indicators for both b-pCR and t-pCR. The nomogram had an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) of 0.73 (95% CI: 0.68-0.78). According to the nomogram, the t- pCR rate was highest in the ER-PR- HER2-positive patients (131/208) and lowest in the ER + PR + HER2-positive patients (19/73). The subgroup analyses showed that there was no significant difference in pCR rate among the neoadjuvant chemotherapy regimens in ER positive, PR positive, HER2 IHC 2 + , Ki67 index < 30% population. However, for ER-PR-HER2-positive patients, the neoadjuvant chemotherapy regimen has a great influence on the pCR rates.

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with ER-negative, PR-negative, HER2 3 + and high KI-67 index were more likely to achieve pCR. THP may be used as an alternative to AC-THP or TCbHP in selected HER2-positive patients.

Resumption of Intravenous Anti-Cancer Therapy in Breast Cancer: A Real-World Experience During the SARS-CoV-2 Pandemic

Purpose

The coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection, has delayed medical consultations, especially for patients receiving intravenous anti-cancer therapy. We aim to investigate alterations in immune function among breast cancer patients who experience delayed intravenous therapy due to SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Patients and Methods

We performed an observational investigation of breast cancer patients in Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital from December 27, 2022, to January 20, 2023. Patients who recovered from SARS-CoV-2 infection were eligible for enrollment. Peripheral blood samples were taken prior to the restart of intravenous anti-cancer therapy to examine hematologic parameters.

Results

A total of 131 patients were included in the final analysis. Cough (74.0%), fever (62.6%), and expectoration (46.6%) were identified as the most presenting symptoms of SARS-CoV-2 infection in breast cancer. The average nucleic acid conversion time and delayed treatment time was 13.4 days and 13.9 days, respectively. The patients >60 years old experienced prolonged nucleic acid conversion time (P = 0.017) and delayed treatment time (P = 0.028) compared to those <= 60 years old. Dysregulated lymphocyte subsets and cytokines were found post-SARS-CoV-2 infection. Treatment-related adverse events of grade 3 or 4 occurred in 7.6% after resuming intravenous anti-cancer therapy.

Conclusion

Our findings reveal that the SARS-CoV-2 infection led to imbalanced immune responses and postponed intravenous anti-cancer therapy in breast cancer. The safety report encourages timely resumption of intravenous anti-cancer therapy after adequately weighing the risks and benefits.

Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on management of surgically treated laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has significantly impacted the treatment of cancer patients, particularly in terms of treatment choices. This study aimed to assess the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the management of surgically treated laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC) patients, focusing specifically on changes in treatment modalities. We retrospectively analyzed the data from 102 patients who underwent surgical treatment for LSCC between January 1, 2019, and December 31, 2021, at our tertiary medical center. Patient demographics, histological characteristics, and treatment modalities were extracted from electronic medical records and compared between two time periods: pre-COVID-19 and during COVID-19, marked by the introduction of the hospital entry triage. Of the total patients, 53 (52%) were in the pre-COVID-19 group, and 49 (48%) were in the COVID-19 group. No significant differences in patient characteristics at the initial work-up were observed between the two groups. However, a significant shift in treatment modalities was noted. Fewer patients received postoperative adjuvant therapy in the COVID-19 group (70.5%) compared to the pre-COVID-19 group (95.5%). Importantly, this change did not significantly impact the one-year overall survival (OS) rates. The reduction in the use of postoperative adjuvant therapy during the COVID-19 pandemic may be attributed to efforts to minimize hospital visits due to the risk of COVID-19 infection. Further research is warranted to validate these findings and to investigate the potential effects of such changes in treatment modalities on the long-term survival.

Comparison of adverse effects of anti-tumor therapy for breast cancer shortly after COVID-19 diagnosis vs. the control period

Background

COVID-19 is an acute infectious disease caused by SARS-CoV-2. The best time to restart antitumor therapy in breast cancer patients after SARS-CoV-2 infection is unknown. This study aimed to evaluate treatment-related adverse events in breast cancer patients who received antitumor therapies within a short time after SARS-CoV-2 infection (observation) as well as before (control) and to provide safety data.

Methods

We conducted a self-controlled cohort study using the data from the Breast Disease Center of Peking University First Hospital. We identified patients who received antitumor therapy within 28 days after COVID-19 infection between December 20, 2022, and January 20, 2023. The primary outcome was treatment-related adverse events. McNemar's test was used to compare the incidence rate of adverse reactions between periods.

Results

We identified 183 patients with breast cancer, of whom 109 were infected with SARS-CoV-2 within 28 days before antitumor treatment and were included. In total, 28 patients (25.7%) received neoadjuvant therapy, 60 (55.0%) received adjuvant therapy, and 21 (19.3%) received advanced rescue therapy. None of patients required hospitalization for severe or critical COVID-19, but 15 patients (13.8%) still had sequelae of COVID-19 while receiving antitumor treatment. The most common adverse events were peripheral neuropathy (n = 32 [29.4%]), pain (n = 29 [26.6%]), fatigue (n = 28 [25.7%]), nausea (n = 23 [21.1%]), and neutropenia (n = 19 [17.4%]). There was no increased risk of overall treatment-related adverse events (n = 87 [79.8%] vs. n = 91 [83.5%]; p = 0.42) or serious adverse events (n = 13 [11.9%] vs. n = 12 [11.0%]; p = 1.00) from receiving antitumor therapy shortly after the diagnosis of COVID-19. We also found no increased risk in subgroup analyses, and no patients discontinued antitumor therapy due to adverse events.

Conclusion

Restarting antitumor therapy 2-4 weeks after having mild or moderate COVID-19 is a relatively safe strategy for breast cancer patients that does not increase the risk of treatment-related adverse events.