Axillary surgery after neoadjuvant therapy in initially node-positive breast cancer: international EUBREAST survey

Different strategies in de-escalation of axillary surgery in node-positive breast cancer following neoadjuvant treatment: a systematic review and meta-analysis of long-term outcomes

PURPOSE

Different surgical options existed in the management of axilla among breast cancer patients who were initially node-positive and were converted node-negative after neoadjuvant systemic treatment (NST). De-escalation of axillary surgery was feasible, but previous studies focused on the false-negative rate (FNR) of respective procedures. The aim of this study is to evaluate the oncological outcomes of sentinel lymph-node biopsy (SLNB), MARI procedure, and targeted axillary dissection (TAD).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

PubMed, Embase, and the Cochrane library literature databases were searched systematically. Studies were eligible if they addressed the axillary recurrence rate of patients with nodal pathological complete response (pCR) and omission of axillary lymph-node dissection (ALND) after NST. Pooled analysis was performed using inverse variance methods for logit transformed proportions.

RESULTS

Eleven retrospective studies and three prospective studies involving 4268 patients with node-positive breast cancers were included. A total of 1650 patients achieved nodal pCR and avoided ALND, 1382 patients with SLNB only and 268 patients with MARI/TAD. The pooled estimate of axillary recurrence was 2.1% (95%CI 1.4-3.2%) for patients with negative SLNB and 1.5% (95% CI 0.5-4.1%) for patients with negative MARI/TAD. There was no significant benefit of ALND over SLNB in patients with nodal pCR after NST. Pooled estimates of 5-year DFS, DDFS, and OS of SLNB alone were 0.87 (95% CI 0.83-0.90], 0.90 (95% CI 0.88-0.92), and 0.92 (95% CI 0.88-0.94), respectively.

CONCLUSION

Breast cancer patients who are converted node-negative after NST have extremely low nodal recurrence rate, irrespective of the choice of axillary surgery. Omission of ALND is oncologically safe in patients who have nodal pCR after NST.

Axillary Surgery After Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy for Breast Cancer: Population-Based Trends Over Time

BACKGROUND

Sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) after neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) is recommended for patients initially presenting with cN1 disease and evidence of clinical/imaging response after NAC. We aimed to describe real-world population changes in management.

METHODS

We completed a population-based cohort study including adult women undergoing NAC followed by surgery for cT1-3N1 breast cancer between 1 April 2012 and 31 January 2020 in Ontario, Canada. Axillary surgeries (SLNB, axillary lymph node dissection [ALND], or SLNB followed by ALND) were studied over time using the Cochran-Armitage test, while multivariable logistic regression evaluated factors associated with surgery type.

RESULTS

Overall, 2563 patients were analyzed (37.9% were HER2-positive [HER2+ve], 42.3% were hormone receptor-positive and HER2-ve [HR+/HER2-ve], and 19.8% were triple-negative [TN]). 593 (23.1%) patients underwent SLNB and 1860 (72.6%) underwent ALND, while 110 (4.3%) patients underwent SLNB + ALND. From 2012 to 2020, SLNB increased from 5.7 to 29.9% (p < 0.01) and SLNB + ALND increased from 1.7 to 4.7% (p < 0.01), while ALND decreased from 92.6 to 65.4% (p < 0.01). Similar trends were identified across all receptor groups. After adjustment, patients who underwent SLNB had fewer comorbidities (odds ratio [OR] 1.82, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.03-3.19), smaller tumors (T2 vs. T3: OR 1.52, 95% CI 1.21-1.92; T1 vs. T3: OR 1.56, 95% CI 1.14-2.13), and had surgery later in the study period (OR 1.32, 95% CI 1.25-1.38).

CONCLUSION

In alignment with current practice guidelines, de-escalation of axillary surgery to SLNB has increased over time for patients after breast cancer NAC.

Sentinel lymph node biopsy in breast cancer: the role of ICG fluorescence after neoadjuvant chemotherapy

PURPOSE

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the feasibility and safety of indocyanine green (ICG) fluorescence as an alternative to traditional sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) techniques in breast cancer (BC) patients undergoing neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC). Specifically, the study aimed to assess sentinel node identification rates and the effectiveness of ICG in axillary staging without the use of radioactive tracers.

METHODS

This retrospective study included 71 BC patients treated with NAC, who underwent SLNB using ICG fluorescence between 2020 and 2024. ICG was injected intradermally around the nipple-areolar complex, and the lymphatic pathways were visualized with a fluorescence camera. SN identification rate (IR) and retrieval of three or more SNs were the primary and secondary endpoints, respectively. Statistical analyses were performed using the Mann-Whitney U test for continuous variables and Fisher's exact test for categorical variables.

RESULTS

ICG-guided SNs were identified in 91.5% of patients, with a median retrieval time of 25 min (range: 10-50). Three or more SNs were successfully collected among 66.2% of cases and 38% of patients achieved a complete pathological response to NAC, while 53.5% had partial responses. Metastatic SNs were found in 21.1% of patients, and no serious intraoperative or postoperative complications were observed.

CONCLUSION

ICG fluorescence-guided SLNB proved to be a feasible and promising method for SNs identification among BC patients after NAC. While ICG shows potential as an alternative to traditional techniques, further studies are required to confirm these findings and to establish ICG role in post-NAC axillary staging.

Omitting axillary lymph node dissection in breast cancer patients with extensive nodal disease and excellent response to primary systemic therapy using the MARI protocol

PURPOSE

Axillary lymph node staging techniques after primary systemic therapy (PST) show low false negative rates, stimulating the omission of axillary lymph node dissection (ALND). Breast cancer patients with extensive nodal disease are underreported in studies on response-guided axillary treatment. In this study, we present the oncologic outcome of breast cancer patients with ≥4 involved axillary lymph nodes treated according to the MARI-protocol.

METHODS

This prospective single arm registration study included breast cancer patients with extensive nodal disease defined as ≥4 involved axillary lymph nodes on FDG-PET/CT pre-PST between July 2014 and December 2021. After PST, the marked (MARI) lymph node was excised. Patients with a pathologic complete response (pCR) of the MARI node (ypN0) received locoregional radiation treatment (RT). In patients with residual disease of the MARI node (ypN+), ALND was performed followed by RT. Primary endpoint was axillary recurrence rate. Secondary endpoints were invasive disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS).

RESULTS

In total, 218 patients were registered of which 39 % of patients also had extra-axillary nodal disease. Median (IQR) age was 50 (42-57) years. After PST 47 % of patients (103/218) had ypN0, whereas 53 % of patients (115/218) had ypN+. After a median follow up of 44 (26-62) months, axillary recurrence rate was 2.9 % (n = 3) in the ypN0 group and 3.5 % (n = 4) in the ypN + group. Five-year invasive DFS and OS were respectively 89 % (95 % CI 83 %-96 %) and 95 % (95 % CI 91 %-99 %) in ypN0 patients.

CONCLUSION

Omission of ALND after PST in breast cancer patients with extensive nodal involvement who achieve pCR of the MARI node is associated with excellent five-year oncologic outcome.

Omission of axillary lymph node dissection in patients with breast cancer with axillary pathological complete response confirmed by stained region lymph node biopsy after neoadjuvant systemic therapy (SrLNB study): study protocol for a single-arm, single-centre, phase-II trial

INTRODUCTION

Given that axillary lymph node dissection (ALND) may not contribute to local control or survival and could lead to increased arm morbidity, axillary de-escalation procedures have replaced ALND in patients achieving axillary pathologic complete response (apCR) after neoadjuvant systemic therapy (NST). However, the application of targeted lymph node biopsy, one of the de-escalation procedures, remains limited due to a lack of long-term follow-up studies.

METHODS AND ANALYSIS

This prospective, single-arm, open-label, non-inferiority, single-centre phase II trial targets breast cancer patients initially diagnosed with axillary metastasis who achieved apCR after NST. The study aims to validate the oncological safety of stained region lymph node biopsy (SrLNB) procedure. SrLNB is a novel de-escalation axillary surgery, which was developed and tested in our preliminary study. The primary endpoint of this trial is the 3-year invasive disease-free survival (iDFS). Secondary endpoints include local-regional recurrence, incidence of breast cancer-related lymphoedema and patient-reported outcomes. The 3-year iDFS in patients undergoing ALND is expected to be approximately 90%, with a non-inferiority margin of 10%, a significance level of 0.05, power of 0.8 and a loss-to-follow-up rate of 10%. The planned enrolment is 92 patients. The trial was initiated on 11 September 2023, with the first patient enrolled on 25 September 2023, and is scheduled to end in 2026.

ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION

The trial protocol received approval from the Human Research Ethics Committee of The First Affiliated Hospital with Nanjing Medical University in May 2023 (No. 2023-SR-169). All participants will provide informed consent. The study results will be disseminated through international peer-reviewed scientific journals, presentations at international scientific conferences and public lectures.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER

NCT05939830.

Long-term outcome for neoadjuvant versus adjuvant chemotherapy in early breast cancer and the prognostic impact of nodal therapy response: A population-based study

INTRODUCTION

Although neoadjuvant systemic treatment for non-metastatic breast cancer has gained ground during the past decade, there is no compelling evidence that it improves overall survival compared to primary tumor resection and adjuvant treatment. At the same time, the approach to responders to neoadjuvant treatment in the axilla is evolving.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This is a retrospective analysis of a prospectively collected population-based registry. Patients that received neoadjuvant (n = 2126) or adjuvant chemotherapy (n = 4754) for non-metastatic breast cancer during 2007-2020 in the Stockholm-Gotland region, which comprises 25 % of the entire Swedish population, were included. Overall survival of patients treated preoperatively and postoperatively was compared using inverse probability treatment weighting and landmark analysis. The prognostic impact of change between prechemotherapy clinical to postchemotherapy pathologic nodal stage (cN/pN) in women receiving neoadjuvant treatment was investigated.

RESULTS

Median follow-up was 4.93 years. There was no difference in adjusted overall survival between adjuvant (reference) and neoadjuvant treatment in the entire population (HR = 1.38, 95 % CI 0.98-1.93, p = 0.062) or in breast cancer subtypes. Patients converting from positive clinical to negative pathologic nodal stage (cN+/pN0) had improved outcomes compared to cN0/pN0 or patients with pN0 following primary surgery. These patients had a particular disease trajectory, with early peak in risk of death followed by quick and sustained decrease.

CONCLUSION

There was no difference in survival of patients treated with neoadjuvant versus adjuvant systemic therapy for non-metastatic breast cancer. Patients with cN+/pN0 have excellent prognosis and represent potential candidates for de-escalation of local and systemic treatment.

Identifying subgroups of ypN1 breast cancer patients who may exempt from axillary lymph node dissection after neoadjuvant chemotherapy: insights from a large cohort study

BACKGROUND

In patients with breast cancer staged ypN1 after neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC), there is limited evidence-based guidance regarding exemption from axillary lymph node dissection (ALND).

METHODS

This study analyzed ypN1 breast cancer patients post-NAC from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results databases. Patients were categorized into the breast-conserving surgery (BCS) group and the total mastectomy (TM) group, and further divided by the number of positive lymph nodes (LNs). The effects of three axillary management strategies, ALND, sentinel lymph node biopsy combined with radiotherapy (SLNB + RT), and ALND + RT were compared. The overall survival (OS) and breast cancer-specific survival (BCSS) of all subgroups and their independent risk factors were analyzed. Independent prognostic factors selected from multivariate Cox analysis were utilized to create nomograms for predicting OS and BCSS.

RESULTS

A total of 3641 patients were involved, with 1331 in the BCS group and 2310 in the TM group. In the TM group, patients with 3 residual positive LNs exhibited significant improvements in OS and BCSS when treated with ALND + RT. For patients with 1 or 2 residual positive LNs in the TM group and all BCS patients, no significant survival differences in survival outcomes were observed among the three axillary management methods. The accuracy of the nomograms was validated via calibration curves, receiver operating characteristic curves, and decision curve analysis curves.

CONCLUSION

For TM group patients with 3 residual positive LNs after NAC, ALND + RT is recommended. For other subgroups of ypN1 patients, SLNB + RT can be considered an alternative to ALND. The nomogram developed to predict OS and BCSS in ypN1 breast cancer patients demonstrated excellent predictive ability.

Axillary Surgery for Patients With Residual Isolated Tumor Cells (ypN0i+) After Neoadjuvant Systemic Therapy for Early Breast Cancer

The Oncology Grand Rounds series is designed to place original reports published in the Journal into clinical context. A case presentation is followed by a description of diagnostic and management challenges, a review of the relevant literature, and a summary of the authors' suggested management approaches. The goal of this series is to help readers better understand how to apply the results of key studies, including those published in Journal of Clinical Oncology, to patients seen in their own clinical practice.

Evaluating the effect of neoadjuvant chemotherapy on surgical outcomes in breast cancer patients: a systematic review study

As a systematic review, this study addresses a gap in the literature by evaluating both the short-term and long-term outcomes of breast cancer patients undergoing neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC). The purpose of the current study was to evaluate NAC's impact on breast cancer patients' surgical outcomes. We performed a comprehensive search of international databases, including PubMed, Scopus, Embase, and Science Direct, covering studies from 2000 to 2023, using carefully selected keywords. Our search strategy aimed to capture a wide variety of relevant studies. To ensure a structured and unbiased selection, we followed PRISMA guidelines throughout the process. We concentrated on identifying studies that reported on short-term outcomes, like surgical complications (e.g., operation time, blood loss), as well as long-term outcomes, including overall survival, tumor size reduction, metastasis rates, breast conservation surgery, and recurrence rates. The findings highlighted the benefits of NAC in terms of lower recurrence and metastasis rates. The results also emphasized the significance of considering tumor characteristics and nodal involvement for prognostication in this patient population. The findings of this study will contribute to a better understanding of the impact of NAC on surgical outcomes in breast cancer patients, providing valuable insights for treatment planning and optimizing patient care.

Delta dual‑region DCE-MRI radiomics from breast masses predicts axillary lymph node response after neoadjuvant therapy for breast cancer

OBJECTIVES

This study was designed to develop and validate models based on delta intratumoral and peritumoral radiomics features from breast masses on dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (DCE-MRI) for the prediction of axillary lymph node (ALN) pathological complete response (pCR) after neoadjuvant therapy (NAT) in patients with breast cancer (BC).

METHODS

We retrospectively collected data from 187 BC patients with ALN metastases. Radiomics features were extracted from the intratumoral and 3 mm-peritumoral regions on DCE-MRI at baseline and after the 2nd course of NAT to calculate delta intratumoral and peritumoral radiomics features, respectively. After feature selection, the delta intratumoral radiomics (DIR) model and delta peritumoral radiomics (DPR) model were built using the retained features. An ultrasound model was constructed on the basis of preoperative axillary ultrasound results. All variables were screened by univariate and multivariate logistic regression to construct the combined model. The above models were evaluated and compared.

RESULTS

In the validation set, the ultrasound model had the lowest AUC, which was lower than those of the DIR, DPR and combined models (0.627 vs 0.825, 0.687, 0.846, respectively). The combined model constructed by delta dual-region radiomics and ultrasound dianogsis was significantly better than the ultrasound model in terms of the Delong test and integrated discrimination improvement (all p < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Delta intratumoral and peritumoral radiomics based on DCE-MRI have the potential to predict ALN status after NAT. The combined model based on delta dual-region radiomics of breast mass can accurately diagnose ALN-pCR and provide assistance in the selection of axillary surgical approaches for patients.

Trends in Surgical Axillary Staging and Clinical Outcomes Among Breast Cancer Patients With Neoadjuvant Therapy: A Population-Based Cohort Study

OBJECTIVES

Surgical management of the axilla with neoadjuvant treatment has been a significant research focus over the past decade, resulting in numerous publications. The trends in surgical choices based on lymph node status and survival outcomes in large populations were previously unclear.

METHODS

Breast cancer patients who underwent neoadjuvant therapy were identified from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database from 2010 to 2021 and categorized into 2 cohorts: LN- (no lymph node metastasis) and LNm (1-2 sentinel node metastases). We analyzed the trends in surgical axillary staging and compared the 10-year overall survival between sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) and axillary lymph node dissection (ALND).

RESULTS

Among 26,320 patients, 18,548 were in the LN- cohort (16,607 with SLNB and 1,941 with ALND) and 7,772 were in the LNm cohort (3,601 with SLNB and 4,171 with ALND). The proportion of patients undergoing SLNB increased from 76.4% in 2010 to 93.8% in 2021 in the LN- cohort and doubled from 25.2% in 2010 to 55.0% in 2021 in the LNm cohort. ALND was identified as a favorable factor over SLNB in the LNm cohort (hazard ratio [HR] 0.84; 95% CI, 0.73-0.96; P = .014).

CONCLUSION

Omission of ALND for patients with 1 to 2 node metastases after neoadjuvant therapy has doubled since 2010. SLNB is an efficient and safe approach of surgical axillary staging for the LN- cohort but not for patients with residual axillary cancer, even with low-volume disease.

Breast Cancer Recurrence in Initially Clinically Node-Positive Patients Undergoing Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy After Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy in the NEOSENTITURK-Trials MF18-02/18-03

BACKGROUND

This study aims to identify factors predicting recurrence and unfavorable prognosis in cN+ patients who have undergone sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) following neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC).

METHODS

The retrospective multi-centre "MF18-02" and the prospective multi-centre cohort registry trial "MF18-03" (NCT04250129) included patients with cT1-4N1-3M0 with SLNB+/- axillary lymph node dissection (ALND) post-NAC.

RESULTS

A total of 2407 cN+ patients, who later achieved cN0 status after NAC and subsequently underwent SLNB, were studied. The majority had cT1-2 (79.1%) and N1 (80.7%). After a median follow-up time of 41 months, the rates of locoregional recurrence and axillary recurrence (AR) were 1.83% and 0.37%, respectively. No significant difference in locoregional recurrence or AR rates was observed between the SLNB/targeted axillary dissection-only (n = 1470) and ALND (n = 937) groups. Factors significantly linked with AR included age younger than 45 years, nonpathological complete response (non-pCR) in the breast, and nonluminal pathology. Locoregional recurrences were associated with nonluminal or HER2(+) pathology, non-pCR in the breast, and ALND. Poor prognostic factors for disease-free survival (DFS) included having cT3-T4, no breast pCR (non-pCR), ypN(+), and nonluminal pathology. No significant difference was found in DFS or disease-specific survival (DSS) rates among ypN0, ypN-isolated tumour cells, ypNmic, and ypN1. However, significant decreases in DFS and DSS rates were observed when comparing ypN2 or ypN3 disease with ypN0.

CONCLUSIONS

The present large registry data indicate that younger patients (<45), those with nonluminal pathology, and those who only partially respond in the breast are more susceptible to axillary and locoregional recurrences.

Elastography-based AI model can predict axillary status after neoadjuvant chemotherapy in breast cancer with nodal involvement: a prospective, multicenter, diagnostic study

OBJECTIVE

To develop a model for accurate prediction of axillary lymph node (LN) status after neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) in breast cancer patients with nodal involvement.

METHODS

Between October 2018 and February 2024, 671 breast cancer patients with biopsy-proven LN metastasis who received NAC followed by axillary LN dissection were enrolled in this prospective, multicenter study. Preoperative ultrasound (US) images, including B-mode ultrasound (BUS) and shear wave elastography (SWE), were obtained. The included patients were randomly divided at a ratio of 8:2 into a training set and an independent test set, with five-fold cross-validation applied to the training set. The authors first identified clinicopathological characteristics and conventional US features significantly associated with the axillary LN response and developed corresponding prediction models. The authors then constructed deep learning radiomics (DLR) models based on BUS and SWE data. Models performances were compared, and a combination model was developed using significant clinicopathological data and interpreted US features with the SWE-based DLR model. Discrimination, calibration and clinical utility of this model were analyzed using the receiver operating characteristic curve, calibration curve, and decision curve, respectively.

RESULTS

Axillary pathologic complete response (pCR) was achieved in 52.41% of patients. In the test cohort, the clinicopathologic model had an accuracy of 71.30%, while radiologists' diagnoses ranged from 64.26 to 71.11%, indicating limited to moderate predictive ability for the axillary response to NAC. The SWE-based DLR model, with an accuracy of 80.81%, significantly outperformed the BUS-based DLR model, which scored 59.57%. The combination DLR model boasted an accuracy of 88.70% and a false-negative rate of 8.82%. It demonstrated strong discriminatory ability (AUC, 0.95), precise calibration ( P -value obtained by Hosmer-Lemeshow goodness-of-fit test, 0.68), and practical clinical utility (probability threshold, 2.5-97.5%).

CONCLUSIONS

The combination SWE-based DLR model can predict the axillary status after NAC in patients with node-positive breast cancer, and thus, may inform clinical decision-making to help avoid unnecessary axillary LN dissection.

Axillary lymph node management strategies in cN + breast cancer patients after neoadjuvant chemotherapy

With the widespread use of neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC), the optimal management strategy for axillary lymph nodes following chemotherapy has become a hot topic of discussion. For patients with clinically positive axillary lymph nodes (cN +) (defined as axillary lymph nodes confirmed positive by pathology before NAC), axillary lymph node dissection (ALND) remains the current standard treatment. However, there is still no consensus on whether sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) and other local axillary treatments following NAC can safely replace ALND to reduce injury and complications. This article provides a narrative review of strategies for managing axillary lymph nodes in this patient population.

Radiation therapy volumes after primary systemic therapy in breast cancer patients: an international EUBREAST survey

PURPOSE

After primary systemic therapy (PST), agreement on the extent of locoregional therapy is lacking in breast cancer patients who convert from a node-positive to a node-negative status. The aim of this survey was to investigate radiation therapy approaches after PST according to different axillary surgical strategies and disease responses.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The European Breast Cancer Research Association of Surgical Trialists developed a web-based survey containing 39 questions on locoregional management based on clinical scenarios in initially node positive breast cancer patients undergoing PST. Twelve international breast cancer societies distributed the link to breast surgeons and radiation oncologists.

RESULTS

Responses from 349 breast specialists were recorded, 72 of whom (20.6%) were radiation oncologists from 17 countries. Nodal status at diagnosis informed the decision for postoperative regional nodal irradiation (RNI) for 44/72 (61.1%) responders. RNI in node positive patients having undergone axillary lymph node dissection (ALND) is delivered in selected cases by 30/72 (41.7%) responders and systemically recommended by 26/72 (36.1%) responders. In case of macrometastases found on ALND, 43/72 (59.7%) responders always deliver RNI. In case of micrometastases in the sentinel lymph node(s) or targeted lymph node(s), 45/72 (62.5%) responders prefer RNI to completion ALND. A majority of responders (59.7%) determine the target volume for RNI according to European Society for Radiotherapy and Oncology guidelines. Significant heterogeneity was observed regarding nodal basins and volumes of interest for dose coverage by RNI.

CONCLUSIONS

There is significant heterogeneity in radiation-therapy delivered to the axilla after PST. A more standardized approach engaging both radiation oncologists and breast surgeons will help to optimize the harm-benefit equilibrium of axillary surgery and RNI.

Albumin-To-Alkaline Phosphatase Ratio as a New Early Predictive Marker of Axillary Response in Breast Cancer Patients Undergoing Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy: A Pilot Study

Background and Objectives: The Albumin-to-Alkaline Phosphatase ratio (AAPR) is an easily applicable and cost-effective marker investigated as an outcome predictor in solid cancers. Preliminary evidence in breast cancer suggests that a low AAPR correlates with a poor response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) in primary tumors. However, data regarding the axillary response are lacking. This study aims to evaluate whether the AAPR can predict the axillary response in initially nodal-positive (cN+) breast cancer patients undergoing NAC. Materials and Methods: Clinical and biochemical variables of cN+ breast cancer patients undergoing NAC were collected. Pre-NAC albumin and alkaline phosphatase serum values were utilized in the AAPR calculation. Fisher's exact test was performed to identify differences between the two groups of patients (high and low AAPR according to the cut-off reported in the literature). The primary outcome was the nodal pathologic complete response (pCR) rate in the two groups of patients. Results: Nodal pCR was achieved in 20/45 (44.4%) patients. A total of 36/45 (80%) patients had an AAPR > 0.583. Among patient and tumor characteristics, the only statistically significant difference between the two groups was the axillary pCR between the low and high AAPR groups (p-value = 0.03, OR = 0.129, 95% CI = 0.00-0.835). Conclusions: This pilot study suggests that the pre-treatment AAPR might be an early predictor of axillary response in cN+ breast cancer patients undergoing NAC. This result justifies further investigation in larger prospective trials to validate this finding.

Surgery paradigm for locally advanced breast cancer following neoadjuvant systemic therapy

Locally advanced breast cancer (LABC) remains a significant clinical challenge, particularly in developing countries. While neoadjuvant systemic therapy (NST) has improved the pathological complete response (pCR) rates, particularly in HER2-positive and triple-negative breast cancer patients, surgical management post-NST continues to evolve. The feasibility of omitting surgery and the increasing consideration of breast-conserving surgery, immediate reconstruction in LABC patients are important areas of exploration. Accurate assessment of tumor response to NST through advanced imaging and minimally invasive biopsies remains pivotal, though challenges persist in reliably predicting pCR. Additionally, axillary lymph node management continues to evolve, with emerging strategies aiming to minimize the extent of surgery in patients who achieve nodal downstaging post-NST. Minimizing axillary lymph node dissection in favor of less invasive approaches is gaining attention, though further evidence is needed to establish its oncological safety. The potential for personalized treatment approaches, reducing surgical morbidity, and improving quality of life are key goals in managing LABC, while maintaining the priority of achieving favorable long-term outcomes.

Disease extent according to baseline [18F]fluorodeoxyglucose PET/CT and molecular subtype: prediction of axillary treatment response after neoadjuvant systemic therapy for breast cancer

BACKGROUND

Axillary disease extent according to baseline [18F]fluorodeoxyglucose PET/CT combined with pathological axillary treatment response has been proposed to guide de-escalation of axillary treatment for clinically node-positive breast cancer patients treated with neoadjuvant systemic therapy. The aim of this study was to assess whether axillary disease extent according to baseline [18F]fluorodeoxyglucose PET/CT and breast cancer molecular subtype are predictors of axillary pCR.

METHODS

This study included clinically node-positive patients treated with neoadjuvant systemic therapy in the prospective Radioactive Iodine Seed placement in the Axilla with Sentinel lymph node biopsy ('RISAS') trial (NCT02800317) with baseline [18F]fluorodeoxyglucose PET/CT imaging available. The predictive value of axillary disease extent according to baseline [18F]fluorodeoxyglucose PET/CT and breast cancer molecular subtype to estimate axillary pCR was evaluated using logistic regression analysis. Discriminative ability is expressed using ORs with 95% confidence intervals.

RESULTS

Overall, 185 patients were included, with an axillary pCR rate of 29.7%. The axillary pCR rate for patients with limited versus advanced baseline axillary disease according to [18F]fluorodeoxyglucose PET/CT was 31.9% versus 26.1% respectively. Axillary disease extent was not a significant predictor of axillary pCR (OR 0.75 (95% c.i. 0.38 to 1.46) (P = 0.404)). There were significant differences in axillary pCR rates between breast cancer molecular subtypes. The lowest probability (7%) was found for hormone receptor+/human epidermal growth factor receptor 2- tumours. Using this category as a reference group, significantly increased ORs of 14.82 for hormone receptor+/human epidermal growth factor receptor 2+ tumours, 40 for hormone receptor-/human epidermal growth factor receptor 2+ tumours, and 6.91 for triple-negative tumours were found (P < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

Molecular subtype is a significant predictor of axillary pCR after neoadjuvant systemic therapy, whereas axillary disease extent according to baseline [18F]fluorodeoxyglucose PET/CT is not.

Nomogram Based on US and Clinicopathologic Characteristics: Axillary Nodal Evaluation Following Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy in Patients With Node-Positive Breast Cancer

BACKGROUND

To develop a convenient modality to predict axillary response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) in breast cancer patients.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In this multi-center study, a total of 1019 breast cancer patients with biopsy-proven positive lymph node (LN) receiving NAC were randomly assigned to the training and validation groups at a ratio of 7:3. Clinicopathologic and ultrasound (US) characteristics of both primary tumors and LNs were used to develop corresponding prediction models, and a nomogram integrating clinicopathologic and US predictors was generated to predict the axillary response to NAC.

RESULTS

Axillary pathological complete response (pCR) was achieved in 47.79% of the patients. The expression of estrogen receptor, human epidermal growth factor receptor -2, Ki-67 score, and clinical nodal stage were independent predictors for nodal response to NAC. Location and radiological response of primary tumors, cortical thickness and shape of LNs on US were also significantly associated with nodal pCR. In the validation cohort, the discrimination of US model (area under the curve [AUC], 0.76) was superior to clinicopathologic model (AUC, 0.68); the combined model (AUC, 0.85) demonstrates strong discriminatory power in predicting nodal pCR. Calibration curves of the nomogram based on the combined model demonstrated that substantial agreement can be observed between the predictions and observations. This nomogram showed a false-negative rates of 16.67% in all patients and 10.53% in patients with triple negative breast cancer.

CONCLUSION

Nomogram incorporating routine clinicopathologic and US characteristics can predict nodal pCR and represents a tool to aid in treatment decisions for the axilla after NAC in breast cancer patients.

Modern management of the axilla

Surgical management of the axilla has evolved considerably in recent years, with a strong focus on de-escalation to minimise morbidity whilst maintaining oncological outcomes. Current trials will focus on the omission of Sentinel node biopsy in select groups of patients, while axillary lymph node dissection will be reserved for those with more aggressive disease.

The Role of Level III Dissection in Locally Advanced Breast Cancer following Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy-A Prospective Study

Nisha Prasannan Breast cancer is the most common female cancer in India, with a significant number presenting as locally advanced breast cancer (LABC). Level III clearance is routinely performed in our institute in LABC following neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT). In our previous retrospective study, level III positivity rate was 15.5%. We aim to prospectively assess level III positivity rate in LABC patients post-NACT. This is a prospective study of female patients with LABC (defined as cT3N1-3M0 or cT4N0-3M0 or cT any N2,3M0) who received NACT and underwent surgery including level III dissection from November 2019 to October 2021. Data collected included age, menopausal status, TNM stage at presentation, grade, hormone receptor and HER2 status, treatment response, ycT and ycN stage, and final histopathology. Univariate and multivariate analysis was undertaken. p -Value less than or equal to 0.05 was considered significant. Study recruited 598 patients. Level III node positivity rate was 8.4%. The clinical complete response rate (cCR) was 36% (215/598). On univariate analysis, significant association was present between level III node and cCR ( p  < 0.01), ycT0 stage ( p  = 0.001), ycN0 stage ( p  = 0.028), level II node positivity ( p  = 0.001), ypT stage ( p  = 0.001), and ypN stage ( p  = 0.001). On multivariate analysis, significant association was present between level III node and ycT stage ( p  < 0.001), ypT stage ( p  = 0.001), and ypN stage ( p  = 0.001). Level III positivity rate in LABC post-NACT is high. In patients with advanced ycT stage, it would be advisable to offer complete axillary dissection including level III. Level III dissection may be avoided in patients with ycT0 or ycN0 or with cCR.

Third national surgical consensus conference of the Italian Association of Breast Surgeons (ANISC) on management after neoadjuvant chemotherapy: The difficulty in reaching a consensus

INTRODUCTION

Neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) has a profound impact on surgical management of breast cancer. For this reason, the Italian Association of Breast Surgeons (ANISC) promoted the third national Consensus Conference on this subject, open to multidisciplinary specialists.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The Consensus Conference was held on-line in November 2022, and after an introductory session with five core-team experts, participants were asked to vote on eleven controversial issues, while results were collected in real-time with a polling system.

RESULTS

A total of 164 dedicated specialists from 74 Breast Centers participated. Consensus was reached for only three of the eleven issues, including: 1) the indication to assess the response with Magnetic Resonance Imaging (79 %); 2) the need to re-assess the biological factors of the residual tumor if present (96 %); 3) the possibility of omitting a formal axillary node dissection for cN1 patients if a pathologic Complete Response (pCR) was confirmed with analysis of one or more sentinel lymph nodes (82 %). The majority voted in favor of mapping both the breast and nodal lesions pre-NAC (59 %), and against the omission of sentinel lymph node biopsy in cN0 patients in the case of pathologic or clinical Complete Response (69 %). In cases of cT3/cN1+ tumors with pCR, only 8 % of participants considered appropriate the omission of Post-Mastectomy Radiation Therapy.

CONCLUSION

There is still a wide variability in surgical approaches after NAC in the "real world". As NAC is increasingly used, multidisciplinary teams should be attuned to conforming their procedures to the rapid advances in this field.

Clipping a Positive Lymph Node Improves Accuracy of Nodal Staging After Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy for Breast Cancer Patients, but Does It Drive Management Changes?

BACKGROUND

Sentinel lymph node (SLN) biopsy for cN+ breast cancer patients after neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) is controversial because the false-negative rate (FNR) is high. Identification of three or more SLNs with a dual tracer improves these results, and inclusion of a clipped lymph node (CLN) (targeted axillary dissection [TAD]) may be even more effective.

METHODS

A retrospective, single-institution analysis of consecutive cN+ patients undergoing NAC from 2019 to 2021 was performed. Patients routinely underwent placement of a clip in the positive lymph node before NAC, and TAD was performed after completion of therapy.

RESULTS

The study analyzed 73 patients, and the identification rate for CLN was 98.6% (72/73). A complete response in the lymph nodes was achieved for 43 (59%) of the 73 patients. Overall, the CLN was not a SLN in 18 (25%) of 73 cases, and for women who had one or two and those who had three or more SLNs identified, this occurred in 11 (32%) and 7 (21%) of 34 cases, respectively. Failure of SLN or TAD to identify a positive residual lymph node status after NAC occurred in 10 (15%) of 69 and 2 (3%) of 73 cases, respectively (p = 0.01). In four cases, a SLN was not retrieved (5.5%), and two of these cases had a positive CLN. In three cases, the CLN was the only positive node and did not match with a SLN, directing lymphadenectomy and oncologic management change in two cases. Therefore, 7 (10%) of 73 cases had a change in surgical or oncologic management with TAD.

CONCLUSIONS

For a conservative axillary treatment in this setting, TAD is an effective method. It is more accurate than SLN alone and allows management changes. Further studies are warranted.

Targeted axillary dissection: worldwide variations in clinical practice

PURPOSE

Targeted axillary dissection (TAD) for the axillary staging of clinically node-positive (cN +) breast cancer patients converting to clinically node negative post neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC), has gained popularity due to its minimal false negative rate and low arm morbidity. The aim of this study is to shed more light on the variation in the clinical practice globally in terms of indications and perceived limitations of TAD.

METHODS

A panel of expert breast surgeons constructed a structured questionnaire comprising of 18 questions and asked surgeons worldwide for their opinions and routine practice on TAD. The questionnaire was electronically distributed and answers were collected between May 1st and August 1st 2022.

RESULTS

Responses included 137 entries from 36 countries. Of them, 73.7% consider TAD for cN + patients planned to receive NAC. Among them, the greatest number of respondents (45%) perform the procedure for tumours up to T3, whereas 27% regardless of T-stage. The majority (42%) perform TAD on patients with 1-3 positive nodes and only 30% consider TAD when matted nodes are present. HER2 positive and Triple Negative subtypes are more likely to undergo TAD than Luminal A and B (86%, 79.1%, 39.5%, and 62.8%, respectively). Maximum acceptable lymph node burden is median 3 nodes for any subtype with a tendency to accept more positive nodes for Triple Negative.

CONCLUSION

This study demonstrates the differences in current practice regarding TAD as well as the fact that the biology of the tumour heavily affects the method of axillary staging.

Locoregional Therapy: From Mastectomy to Reconstruction, Targeted Surgery, and Ultra-Hypofractionated Radiotherapy

Background

The past 3 decades have seen an unprecedented shift toward treatment de-escalation in surgical therapy of breast cancer.

Summary

Radical mastectomy has been replaced by breast-conserving and oncoplastic approaches in most patients, and full axillary lymph node dissection by less radical staging procedures, such as sentinel lymph node biopsy and targeted axillary dissection. Further, attempts have been made to spare healthy tissue while increasing the probability of removing the tumor with clear margins, thus improving cosmetic results and minimizing the risk of local recurrence. In this context, modern probe-guided localization techniques have been introduced to guide surgical excision. This progress was accompanied by the development of targeted systemic therapies. At the same time, radiotherapy for breast cancer has undergone significant changes. The use of hypofractionation has decreased the typical length of a treatment course from 5-6 weeks to 1-3 weeks. Partial breast irradiation is now a valid option for de-escalation in patients with low-risk features. Axillary radiotherapy achieves similar recurrence rates and decreases the risk of lymphedema in patients with limited sentinel node involvement.

Key Messages

Taken together, these advances are important steps toward individualization of locoregional management strategies. This highlights the importance of interdisciplinary approaches for de-escalation of locoregional therapies.

Applicability of magnetic seeds for target lymph node biopsy after neoadjuvant chemotherapy in initially node-positive breast cancer patients: data from the AXSANA study

PURPOSE

Currently, various techniques are available to mark and selectively remove initially suspicious axillary lymph nodes (target lymph nodes, TLNs) in breast cancer patients receiving neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT). To date, limited data are available on whether the use of magnetic seeds (MS) is suitable for localizing TLNs. This study aimed to investigate the feasibility of MS in patients undergoing target lymph node biopsy (TLNB) or targeted axillary dissection (TAD) after NACT.

METHODS

Prospective data from the ongoing multicentric AXSANA study were extracted from selected patients in whom the TLN had been marked with an MS before NACT and who were enrolled from June 2020 to June 2023. The endpoints of the analysis were the detection rate, the rate of lost markers, and the potential impairment on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) assessment.

RESULTS

In 187 patients from 27 study sites in seven countries, MS were placed into the TLN before NACT. In 151 of these, post-NACT surgery had been completed at the time of analysis. In 146 patients (96.0%), a TLN could successfully be detected. In three patients, the seed was removed but no lymphoid tissue was detected on histopathology. The rate of lost markers was 1.2% (2 out of 164 MS). In 15 out of 151 patients (9.9%), MRI assessment was reported to be compromised by MS placement.

CONCLUSION

MS show excellent applicability for TLNB/TAD when inserted before NACT with a high DR and a low rate of lost markers. Axillary MS can impair MRI assessment of the breast.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER

NCT04373655 (date of registration May 4, 2020).

Combined conventional ultrasonography with clinicopathological features to predict axillary status after neoadjuvant therapy for breast cancer: A case-control study

OBJECTIVES

This study aimed to evaluate the value of a model combining conventional ultrasonography and clinicopathologic features for predicting axillary status after neoadjuvant therapy in breast cancer.

METHODS

This retrospective study included 329 patients with lymph node-positive who underwent neoadjuvant systemic treatment (NST) from June 2019 to March 2022. Ultrasound and clinicopathological characteristics of breast lesions and axillary lymph nodes were analyzed before and after NST. The diagnostic efficacy of ultrasound, clinicopathological characteristics, and combined model were evaluated using multivariate logistic regression and receiver operator characteristic curve (ROC) analyses.

RESULTS

The area under ROC (AUC) for the ability of the combined model to predict the axillary pathological complete response (pCR) after NST was 0.882, that diagnostic effectiveness was significantly better than that of the clinicopathological model (AUC of 0.807) and the ultrasound feature model (AUC of 0.795). In addition, eight features were screened as independent predictors of axillary pCR, including clinical N stage, ERBB2 status, Ki-67, and after NST the maximum diameter reduction rate and margins of breast lesions, the short diameter, cortical thickness, and fatty hilum of lymph nodes.

CONCLUSIONS

The combined model constructed from ultrasound and clinicopathological features for predicting axillary pCR has favorable diagnostic results, which allowed more accurate identification of BC patients who had received axillary pCR after NST.

ADVANCES IN KNOWLEDGE

A combined model incorporated ultrasound and clinicopathological characteristics of breast lesions and axillary lymph nodes demonstrated favorable performance in evaluating axillary pCR preoperatively and non-invasively.

Comparing Methods for Targeted Axillary Dissection in Breast Cancer Patients: A Nationwide, Retrospective Study

BACKGROUND

Several techniques exist for performing targeted axillary dissection (TAD) after neoadjuvant chemotherapy with the removal of the sentinel node and a marked metastatic lymph node (LN). Two-step methods include coil-marking of the metastatic LN at diagnosis and re-marking with an intraoperatively identifiable marker before surgery. Because nondetection of the marked lymph node (MLN) warrants axillary clearance and many patients achieve axillary pathological complete response (ax-pCR), the success of TAD is crucial. We compare various two-step TAD methods in a Danish national cohort.

METHODS

We included patients who received two-step TAD between January 1, 2016 and August 31, 2021. Patients were identified from the Danish Breast Cancer Group database and cross-checked with locally accessible lists. Data were extracted from the patient's medical files.

RESULTS

We included 543 patients. In 79.4%, preoperative, ultrasound-guided re-marking was possible. Nonidentification of the coil-marked LN was more likely in patients with ax-pCR. The second markers used were hook-wire, iodine seeds, or ink marking on the axillary skin. Of patients with successful secondary marking, the MLN identification rate (IR) was 91%, and the sentinel node (SN) IR was 95%. Marking with iodine seeds was significantly more successful than ink marking with an odds ratio of 5.34 (95% confidence interval 1.62-17.60). The success rate of the complete TAD with the removal of MLN and SN was 82.3%.

CONCLUSIONS

With two-step TAD, nonidentification of the coiled LN before surgery is frequent, especially in patients with ax-pCR. Despite successful remarking, the IR of the MLN at surgery is inferior to one-step TAD.

Explaining risks and benefits of loco-regional treatments to patients

Treatment for early-stage breast cancer is complex, requiring multidisciplinary care with a multitude of treatment options available for each patient. Coupled with the rising importance of shared decision-making, patient-physician conversations are progressively more complicated. These conversations require frank disclosure of risks and benefits of the different treatment modalities in a way that is individualized for each patient and simple to understand. In most patients, breast conserving therapy with radiation should be presented as the gold-standard local treatment given similar long-term and improved quality of life outcomes. De-escalation is currently at the forefront of research in loco-regional treatments, and further investigations are required to best determine the optimal patient populations for reduced sentinel lymph node sampling, omission of sentinel lymph node biopsy altogether and omission of radiation treatment. For future trials, better endpoints need to be established considering patient-centered outcomes as well as recurrence.

This house believes that: MARI/TAD is better than sentinel node biopsy after PST for cN+ patients

The increasing use and effectiveness of primary systemic treatment (PST) enables tailored locoregional treatment. About one third of clinically node positive (cN+) breast cancer patients achieve pathologic complete response (pCR) of the axilla, with higher rates observed in Human Epidermal growth factor Receptor (HER)2-positive or triple negative (TN) breast cancer subtypes. Tailoring axillary treatment for patients with axillary pCR is necessary, as they are unlikely to benefit from axillary lymph node dissection (ALND), but may suffer complications and long-term morbidity such as lymphedema and impaired shoulder motion. By combining pre-PST and post-PST axillary staging techniques, ALND can be omitted in most cN + patients with pCR. Different post-PST staging techniques (MARI/TAD/SN) show low or ultra-low false negative rates for detection of residual disease. More importantly, trials using the MARI (Marking Axillary lymph nodes with Radioactive Iodine seeds) procedure or sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) as axillary staging technique post-PST have already shown the safety of tailoring axillary treatment in patients with an excellent response. Tailored axillary treatment using the MARI procedure in stage I-III breast cancer resulted in 80% reduction of ALND and excellent five-year axillary recurrence free interval (aRFI) of 97%. Similar oncologic outcomes were seen for post-SLNB in stage I-II patients. The MARI technique requires only one invasive procedure pre-NST and a median of one node is removed post-PST, whereas for the SLNB and TAD techniques two to four nodes are removed. A disadvantage of the MARI technique is its use of radioactive iodine, which is subject to extensive regulations.

Low neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio and pan-immune-inflammation-value predict nodal pathologic complete response in 1274 breast cancer patients treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy: a multicenter analysis

Background

Systemic inflammatory markers draw great interest as potential blood-based prognostic factors in several oncological settings.

Objectives

The aim of this study is to evaluate whether neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and pan-immune-inflammation value (PIV) predict nodal pathologic complete response (pCR) after neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) in node-positive (cN+) breast cancer (BC) patients.

Design

Clinically, cN+ BC patients undergoing NAC followed by breast and axillary surgery were enrolled in a multicentric study from 11 Breast Units.

Methods

Pretreatment blood counts were collected for the analysis and used to calculate NLR and PIV. Logistic regression analyses were performed to evaluate independent predictors of nodal pCR.

Results

A total of 1274 cN+ BC patients were included. Nodal pCR was achieved in 586 (46%) patients. At multivariate analysis, low NLR [odds ratio (OR) = 0.71; 95% CI, 0.51-0.98; p = 0.04] and low PIV (OR = 0.63; 95% CI, 0.44-0.90; p = 0.01) were independently predictive of increased likelihood of nodal pCR. A sub-analysis on cN1 patients (n = 1075) confirmed the statistical significance of these variables. PIV was significantly associated with axillary pCR in estrogen receptor (ER)-/human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)+ (OR = 0.31; 95% CI, 0.12-0.83; p = 0.02) and ER-/HER2- (OR = 0.41; 95% CI, 0.17-0.97; p = 0.04) BC patients.

Conclusion

This study found that low NLR and PIV levels predict axillary pCR in patients with BC undergoing NAC.

Registration

Eudract number NCT05798806.