Neo-Adjuvant Chemotherapy in Luminal, Node Positive Breast Cancer: Characteristics, Treatment and Oncological Outcomes: A Single Center's Experience

Predictors of High-Burden Residual Axillary Disease After Neoadjuvant Therapy in Breast Cancer

BACKGROUND

Neoadjuvant therapy (NAT) plays a crucial role in breast cancer (BC) management by enabling tumor and nodal downstaging. While axillary lymph node dissection (ALND) remains the standard for patients with residual nodal disease after NAT, its prognostic benefit is debated. Identifying predictors of high-burden residual axillary disease may guide treatment intensification and surgical de-escalation strategies.

METHODS

We retrospectively analyzed 262 BC patients treated with NAT followed by ALND between 2006 and 2023. Patients were stratified into low- (ypN0-mi-1) and high-burden (ypN2-3) residual axillary disease groups. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to identify independent predictors of high-burden residual disease.

RESULTS

High-burden residual axillary disease was observed in 35.9% of patients. Baseline cN+ status (OR = 7.697, p = 0.013), HR+/HER2- subtype (OR = 3.945, p = 0.003), and larger post-NAT tumor size (OR = 1.043, p < 0.001) were independent predictors.

CONCLUSIONS

Identifying patients at risk of high-burden residual axillary disease is essential to optimize neoadjuvant strategies. Increasing axillary pathological complete response may reduce the need for ALND, minimizing surgical morbidity without compromising oncological outcomes.

Superior Survival and Lower Recurrence Outcomes with Breast-Conserving Surgery Compared to Mastectomy Following Neoadjuvant Therapy in 607 Breast Cancer Patients

BACKGROUNDS

Neoadjuvant therapy (NAT) is a cornerstone in the management of breast cancer (BC), enabling tumor downstaging and improved surgical options.

METHODS

This study retrospectively analyzed 607 BC patients treated with NAT and surgery at IRCCS Humanitas Research Hospital, Milan, Italy, to compare long-term oncologic outcomes of breast-conserving surgery (BCS) versus mastectomy. Patient demographics, tumor characteristics, and treatment details were analyzed using descriptive statistics, logistic regression, and Cox proportional hazards models.

RESULTS

Of the 607 patients, 54.7% underwent BCS, and 45.3% had mastectomy. BCS was associated with significantly superior 10-year outcomes compared to mastectomy, including disease-free survival (DFS, 75.2% vs. 71.1%, p = 0.001), distant DFS (75.2% vs. 71.1%, p = 0.001), overall survival (OS, 82.9% vs. 78.1%, p = 0.002), and BC-specific survival (BCSS, 87.7% vs. 83.1%, p = 0.001). Pathologic complete response (pCR) emerged as a protective factor across all endpoints, while mastectomy was independently associated with worse BCSS (HR: 2.068, 95% CI: 1.016-4.210, p = 0.045).

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings demonstrate the oncologic safety and potential superiority of BCS over mastectomy in NAT-treated BC patients, highlighting the importance of individualized surgical decision-making to optimize survival outcomes.

Predicting Additional Metastases in Axillary Lymph Node Dissection After Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy: Ratio of Positive/Total Sentinel Nodes

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES

The aim of the study was to determine the clinical value of the sentinel lymph node ratio (SLN-R) in predicting additional positive lymph nodes during axillary lymph node dissection (ALND) in breast cancer patients following neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC).

METHODS

A cross-sectional study was performed at a single institution evaluating data from 1521 BC patients. Inclusion criteria comprised cT1/cT4, cN0/cN1 status with positive post-NAC axillary staging by SLN/TAD, respectively, and subsequent ALND.

RESULTS

The study included 118 patients, divided into two groups based on the presence or absence of additional node metastasis at ALND: 39 in the residual disease group (RD) and 79 in the non-residual disease group (nRD). Univariate logistic regression analysis of SLN-R was conducted to assess its predictive value, yielding an odds ratio (OR) of 7.79 (CI 1.92-29.5, p = 0.003). An SLN-R cut-off point of <0.35 was identified using ROC curve analysis, with a false-negative rate of 10.2%, as a predictor for no additional metastasis at ALND following post-NAC SLN/TAD positivity.

CONCLUSIONS

The study concludes that SLN-R is a valuable predictor for determining the omission of ALND in cases where SLN/TAD is positive after NAC. This metric, in combination with other clinical variables, could help develop a nomogram to spare patients from ALND.

Intraoperative diagnosis of breast cancer metastasis in axillary lymph nodes: Cytological Smear vs. Frozen Section

BACKGROUND

Intraoperative evaluation of axillary lymph nodes is sometimes required to determine the extent of surgery. In this study, we wished to assess the reliability of cytologic smear (CS) in determining lymph node involvement with tumor. Theoretically, CS provides more substance for examination than touch-imprint cytology and is faster to perform than frozen section (FS). We hypothesized that CS sensitivity for tumor cell detection in the lymph nodes would be similar to FS, at least 0.90.

METHODS

This was a retrospective observational study at the Rambam Health Care Campus (January, 2013-June, 2020). Lymph nodes underwent intraoperative evaluation using either CS or FS, based on the availability of a cytologist at the time of the examination. Both intraoperative evaluations were compared to the final pathology following fixation with formalin.

RESULTS

Eighty-eight patients undergoing intraoperative analysis were analyzed (51 CS, 37 FS). False-negative tests were recorded in only 1 patient evaluated by each of the 2 methods. This resulted in sensitivity 0.91 (95%CI 0.59, 1.00) for CS and 0.88 (95%CI 0.47, 1.00) for FS, specificity 1.00 (95%CI 0.91, 1.00) for CS and 1.00 (95%CI 0.88, 1.00) for FS, positive predictive value 1.00 (95%CI 0.69, 1.00) for CS and 1.00 (95%CI 0.59, 1.00) for FS, and negative predictive value 0.98 (95%CI 0.87, 1.00) for CS and 0.97 (95%CI 0.83, 1.00) for FS.

CONCLUSIONS

The sensitivity of the CS in this study is comparable to that of FS and due to shorter analysis time required is the preferred method at our institution.

Comprehensive Axillary Management of Clinically Node-Positive (cN+) Breast Cancer Patients: A Narrative Review on Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy

BACKGROUND

In breast cancer (BC) patients, axillary management has undergone major improvements over the last few years, and efforts to identify the optimal strategy for the management of axillary surgery are still ongoing.

METHODS

In current clinical practice, women with clinically node-positive (cN+) BC usually receive neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT) with the aim of reducing the extent of primary disease and, thus, allowing for axillary-conservative surgery. Remarkably, after NACT, up to one out of three patients achieves an axillary pathologic complete response, which, in turn, is associated with a more favorable prognosis than residual axillary disease. However, NACT is not without drawbacks, as NACT-associated inflammation can damage lymphatic vessels. Furthermore, varying degrees of response may occur in the axillary lymph nodes, increasing the false negative rate for sentinel biopsy.

RESULTS

At present, there is no consensus on the optimal approach in patients with cN+ BC undergoing NACT, although multidisciplinary management seems to be recommended.

CONCLUSIONS

This narrative review provides a comprehensive overview of axillary management in cN+ BC patients undergoing NACT. It uses a multidisciplinary approach that encompasses the oncological management perspectives, as well as surgical and chemotherapeutic viewpoints.

Pathologic Complete Response After Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy in Breast Cancer Patients Treated With Mastectomy: Indications for Treatment and Oncological Outcomes

Objective

The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical outcomes of breast cancer (BC) patients treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) followed by mastectomy, focusing on cases achieving pathologic complete response (pCR). The implications of residual ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) on prognosis and survival were examined.

Materials and Methods

A retrospective cohort study included BC patients treated with NAC followed by mastectomy at the breast unit of IRCCS Humanitas Research Hospital between March 2010 and October 2021. Patients were sub-grouped into two: Those with residual DCIS (ypTis) and those with complete response without residual tumor (ypT0). Key variables such as demographics, tumor characteristics, treatment regimens, and survival outcomes were analyzed.

Results

Of 681 patients treated with NAC, 175 achieved pCR, with 60 undergoing mastectomy. Among these 60 patients, 24 had residual DCIS (ypTis) while 36 had no residual invasive or in situ disease (ypT0). Patients with ypTis had higher rates of multifocal disease (62.5% vs. 27.8%, p = 0.006) and stage III disease (37.5% vs. 11.1%, p = 0.046). Triple-negative breast cancer was more prevalent in the ypT0 group (55.6% vs. 20.8%, p = 0.005). During a mean follow-up of 47 months, 11 patients experienced recurrence, with no significant differences in disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS) between the groups (p = 0.781, p = 0.963, respectively).

Conclusion

Residual DCIS after NAC did not significantly impact DFS or OS compared to complete pathologic response without residual DCIS. This study underscores the need for further research to refine pCR definitions and improve NAC's prognostic and therapeutic roles in BC management.

De-Escalation of Axillary Surgery in Clinically Node-Positive Breast Cancer Patients Treated with Neoadjuvant Therapy: Comparative Long-Term Outcomes of Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy versus Axillary Lymph Node Dissection

BACKGROUNDS

This study compares the long-term outcomes of axillary lymph node dissection (ALND) versus sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) in clinically node-positive (cN+) breast cancer (BC) patients treated with neoadjuvant therapy (NAT).

METHODS

We conducted a retrospective analysis of 322 cN+ BC patients who became clinically node-negative (ycN0) post-NAT. Patients were categorized based on the final type of axillary surgery performed: ALND or SLNB. Recurrence-free survival (RFS), distant disease-free survival (DDFS), overall survival (OS), and breast cancer-specific survival (BCSS) were evaluated and compared between the two groups.

RESULTS

Patients in the SLNB group had significantly better 3-, 5-, and 10-year RFS, DDFS, OS, and BCSS compared to those in the ALND group. The SLNB group also had a higher proportion of patients achieving pathologic complete response (pCR). Multivariate analysis identified pCR, ypN0 status, and SLNB as favorable prognostic factors for all survival metrics. Axillary recurrence rates were low for both groups (0.6-2.1%).

CONCLUSIONS

SLNB may be a safe and effective alternative to ALND for selected cN+ BC patients who convert to ycN0 after NAT. These findings suggest that careful patient selection is crucial, and further research is needed to validate these results in more comparable populations.

Sydney Reporting System for Lymph Node Fine-Needle Aspiration and Malignancy Risk Stratification: Is It of Clinical Value?

Lymphadenopathy is a common presentation of both reactive and malignant diseases, and lymph node fine-needle aspiration cytology (LN-FNAC) is an effective and inexpensive screening method. It can prevent unnecessary invasive surgery and excisional biopsy, especially in benign cases. Unfortunately, the lack of universally accepted terminology for reporting results has hindered its widespread support. The Sydney system proposal for lymph node cytopathology categorization and reporting introduced five diagnostic categories to address the lack of universally accepted terminology for reporting results in lymphadenopathy. Our study analyzed 188 lymph node fine-needle cytology (FNC) samples from King Abdulaziz University Hospital, Saudi Arabia, examining clinical follow-up data, pathology records, patient information, and final diagnosis from January 2019 to December 2022. Most specimens were from axillary lymph nodes, with 99.5% tissue correlation. The Sydney system category classification identified 56.9% of cases as malignant, while 26.1% were benign. The final surgical specimen diagnosis revealed a higher percentage of malignant diagnoses, with the highest risk of malignancy (ROM) in malignant/category V. In conclusion, our study demonstrates that LN-FNAC offers high diagnostic accuracy for lymph node (LN) aspirates, with the Sydney approach potentially aiding risk stratification and achieving consistency in cytologic diagnosis, but further multi-centric research is needed.

Wire-Free Targeted Axillary Dissection: A Pooled Analysis of 1300+ Cases Post-Neoadjuvant Systemic Therapy in Node-Positive Early Breast Cancer

Recent advances in neoadjuvant systemic therapy (NST) have significantly improved pathologic complete response rates in early breast cancer, challenging the role of axillary lymph node dissection in nose-positive patients. Targeted axillary dissection (TAD) integrates marked lymph node biopsy (MLNB) and tracer-guided sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB). The introduction of new wire-free localisation markers (LMs) has streamlined TAD and increased its adoption. The primary endpoints include the successful localisation and retrieval rates of LMs. The secondary endpoints include the pathological complete response (pCR), SLNB, and MLNB concordance, as well as false-negative rates. Seventeen studies encompassing 1358 TAD procedures in 1355 met the inclusion criteria. The localisation and retrieval rate of LMs were 97% and 99%. A concordance rate of 67% (95% CI: 64-70) between SLNB and MLNB was demonstrated. Notably, 49 days (range: 0-272) was the average LM deployment time to surgery. pCR was observed in 46% (95% CI: 43-49) of cases, with no significant procedure-related complications. Omitting MLNB or SLNB would have under-staged the axilla in 15.2% or 5.4% (p = 0.0001) of cases, respectively. MLNB inclusion in axillary staging post-NST for initially node-positive patients is crucial. The radiation-free Savi Scout, with its minimal MRI artefacts, is the preferred technology for TAD.

Neoadjuvant radiochemotherapy is safe and feasible for breast conserving surgery or immediate reconstruction

This study aimed to evaluate the survival outcomes of neoadjuvant radiochemotherapy (NARCT) for early breast cancer. Female patients ≤ 80 years old with unilateral T1-T4 invasive ductal breast cancer treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) and radiation therapy (RT) between 2006 and 2015 were enrolled from SEER database. Baseline differences in clinical and pathological characteristics were evaluated using chi-square test. The survival outcomes were estimated by Kaplan-Meier analysis and compared using Cox hazards models. The effects of baseline differences on survival outcome in patients treated with neoadjuvant radiation therapy (NART) and post-operation radiation therapy (PORT) were circumvented by propensity score matching (PSM). Altogether 14,151 patients receiving NAC and RT were enrolled, among whom 386 underwent NART. Based on a 1:4 PSM cohort, NART was an independent unfavorable prognostic factor for breast cancer-specific survival (BCSS) and overall survival (OS) for the whole cohort. However, among patients receiving breast conserving surgery (BCS) (HR 1.029, P = 0.915 for BCSS; HR 1.003, P = 0.990 for OS) or implant-based immediate breast reconstruction (IBR) (HR 1.039, P = 0.921 for BCSS; HR 1.153, P = 0.697 for OS), those treated with NART had similar survival outcomes compared with patients treated with PORT. In conclusion, NARCT was a safe and feasible approach for patients undergoing BCS and IBR.

Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy and Pathologic Complete Response in HR+/HER2- Breast Cancer: Impact of Tumor Ki67 and ER Status

INTRODUCTION

Neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) is extensively employed in breast cancer (BC), primarily for aggressive subtypes like triple-negative and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-positive BC and in estrogen receptor-positive (ER+)/HER2- BC with high-risk features. In ER+/HER2- BC, pathological complete rates are much lower (<10%), while axillary dissection rates are higher. This study focuses on hormone receptor-positive (HR+)/HER2- BC patients undergoing NAC, examining its impact on pathological complete response (pCR) rates, with specific attention to tumor Ki67 and ER status.

METHODS

Retrospective data analysis from Kartal Dr. Lütfi Kırdar City Hospital included HR+/HER2- BC patients who received NAC. Clinicopathological factors, NAC response, and surgical outcomes were assessed. Statistical analyses evaluated the association between Ki67, ER status, and pCR.

RESULTS

Of 203 patients, 11.8% achieved pCR. Ki67 (p < 0.001) and ER percentage (p < 0.001) significantly correlated with pCR. Higher Ki67 was associated with increased pCR likelihood (HR: 1.03, 95% CI: 1.01-1.05). A Ki67-pCR probability curve revealed a cutoff of 23.5%. ER%-pCR analysis showed decreasing pCR rates with higher ER percentages. Multivariate analysis confirmed Ki67 (p = 0.003, HR: 1.02) and ER percentage (p = 0.019, HR: 0.97) as independent predictors of pCR probability.

CONCLUSION

Consideration of Ki67 and ER percentage aids in NAC decisions for HR+/HER2- BC, identifying patients with high NAC response rates, facilitating axillary preservation, and potentially avoiding axillary dissection. The pCR rates in patients with Ki67 ≤24 are particularly low, especially in patients with a high ER percentage. In these cases, upfront surgery and adjuvant treatment should be considered instead of NAC.

Neoadjuvant therapy in hormone Receptor-Positive/HER2-Negative breast cancer

Neoadjuvant therapy is commonly used in patients with locally advanced or inoperable breast cancer (BC). Neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT) represents an established treatment modality able to downstage tumours, facilitate breast-conserving surgery, yet also achieve considerable pathologic complete response (pCR) rates in HER2-positive and triple-negative BC. For patients with HR+/HER2- BC, the choice between NACT and neoadjuvant endocrine therapy (NET) is still based on clinical and pathological features and not guided by biomarkers of defined clinical utility, differently from the adjuvant setting where gene-expression signatures have been widely adopted to drive decision-making. In this review, we summarize the evidence supporting the choice of NACT vs NET in HR+/HER2- BC, discussing the issues surrounding clinical trial design and proper selection of patients for every treatment. It is time to question the binary paradigm of responder vs non-responders as well as the "one size fits all" approach in luminal BC, supporting the utilization of continuous endpoints and the adoption of tissue and plasma-based biomarkers at multiple timepoints. This will eventually unleash the full potential of neoadjuvant therapy which is to modulate patient treatment based on treatment sensitivity and surgical outcomes. We also reviewed the current landscape of neoadjuvant studies for HR+/HER2- BC, focusing on antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) and immunotherapy combinations. Finally, we proposed a roadmap for future neoadjuvant approaches in HR+/HER2- BC, which should be based on a staggered biomarker-driven treatment selection aiming at impacting long-term relevant endpoints.

Association of SLC12A1 and GLUR4 Ion Transporters with Neoadjuvant Chemoresistance in Luminal Locally Advanced Breast Cancer

Chemoresistance to standard neoadjuvant treatment commonly occurs in locally advanced breast cancer, particularly in the luminal subtype, which is hormone receptor-positive and represents the most common subtype of breast cancer associated with the worst outcomes. Identifying the genes associated with chemoresistance is crucial for understanding the underlying mechanisms and discovering effective treatments. In this study, we aimed to identify genes linked to neoadjuvant chemotherapy resistance in 62 retrospectively included patients with luminal breast cancer. Whole RNA sequencing of 12 patient biopsies revealed 269 differentially expressed genes in chemoresistant patients. We further validated eight highly correlated genes associated with resistance. Among these, solute carrier family 12 member 1 (SLC12A1) and glutamate ionotropic AMPA type subunit 4 (GRIA4), both implicated in ion transport, showed the strongest association with chemoresistance. Notably, SLC12A1 expression was downregulated, while protein levels of glutamate receptor 4 (GLUR4), encoded by GRIA4, were elevated in patients with a worse prognosis. Our results suggest a potential link between SLC12A1 gene expression and GLUR4 protein levels with chemoresistance in luminal breast cancer. In particular, GLUR4 protein could serve as a potential target for drug intervention to overcome chemoresistance.

Early Assessment of Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy Response Using Multiparametric Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Luminal B-like Subtype of Breast Cancer Patients: A Single-Center Prospective Study

This study aimed to evaluate the performance of multiparametric breast magnetic resonance imaging (mpMRI) for predicting response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) in patients with luminal B subtype breast cancer. The prospective study included thirty-five patients treated with NAC for both early and locally advanced breast cancer of the luminal B subtype at the University Hospital Centre Zagreb between January 2015 and December 2018. All patients underwent breast mpMRI before and after two cycles of NAC. Evaluation of mpMRI examinations included analysis of both morphological (shape, margins, and pattern of enhancement) and kinetic characteristics (initial signal increase and post-initial behavior of the time-signal intensity curve), which were additionally interpreted with a Göttingen score (GS). Histopathological analysis of surgical specimens included grading the tumor response based on the residual cancer burden (RCB) grading system and revealed 29 NAC responders (RCB-0 (pCR), I, II) and 6 NAC non-responders (RCB-III). Changes in GS were compared with RCB classes. A lack of GS decrease after the second cycle of NAC is associated with RCB class and non-responders to NAC.

Anti-Hormonal Therapy in Breast Cancer and Its Effect on the Blood-Brain Barrier

The molecular receptor status of breast cancer has implications for prognosis and long-term metastasis. Although metastatic luminal B-like, hormone-receptor-positive, HER2−negative, breast cancer causes brain metastases less frequently than other subtypes, though tumor metastases in the brain are increasingly being detected of this patient group. Despite the many years of tried and tested use of a wide variety of anti-hormonal therapeutic agents, there is insufficient data on their intracerebral effectiveness and their ability to cross the blood-brain barrier. In this review, we therefore summarize the current state of knowledge on anti-hormonal therapy and its intracerebral impact and effects on the blood-brain barrier in breast cancer.