Breast cancer in Colombia: a growing challenge for the healthcare system

AIM

To provide a comprehensive overview of breast cancer in Colombia.

METHODS

Data on breast cancer in Colombia are scarce. We present incidence data from population-based cancer registries that represent 4 distinct regions of the country. Other data originate from non-governmental institutions and healthcare providers within Colombia, official sources, expert opinion, Colombian legislation, and the Cancer Mortality Atlas publishes by Colombian National Cancer Institute.

RESULTS

In Colombia, the age-standardized incidence rate remained relatively stable between 2012 and 2020 (43.1 to 47.8 cases per 100,000 women-years); Additionally, survival since 1995 has presented a substantial improvement from 65.7 to 72.1. In 33% of cases, the diagnosis of breast cancer was made in advanced stages, stage III or higher. The health demography survey conducted in 2015 showed that the participation in mammography screening in women aged 40 to 69 remains low 48.1%. Some limitations regarding access to early detection and diagnosis include economic strata, health insurance coverage, origin, and accessibility. On average, a 90-day period was reported from onset of symptoms to diagnosis of breast cancer.

CONCLUSION

The first action towards improving outcomes in breast cancer should be to improve stage at diagnosis and timely access to care.

Patient Navigation to Improve Early Access to Supportive Care for Patients with Advanced Cancer in Resource-Limited Settings: A Randomized Controlled Trial

BACKGROUND

The early integration of supportive care in oncology improves patient-centered outcomes. However, data are lacking regarding how to achieve this in resource-limited settings. We studied whether patient navigation increased access to multidisciplinary supportive care among Mexican patients with advanced cancer.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This randomized controlled trial was conducted between August 2017 and April 2018 at a public hospital in Mexico City. Patients aged ≥18 years with metastatic tumors ≤6 weeks from diagnosis were randomized (1:1) to a patient navigation intervention or usual care. Patients randomized to patient navigation received personalized supportive care from a navigator and a multidisciplinary team. Patients randomized to usual care obtained supportive care referrals from treating oncologists. The primary outcome was the implementation of supportive care interventions at 12 weeks. Secondary outcomes included advance directive completion, supportive care needs, and quality of life.

RESULTS

One hundred thirty-four patients were randomized: 67 to patient navigation and 67 to usual care. Supportive care interventions were provided to 74% of patients in the patient navigation arm versus 24% in usual care (difference 0.50, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.34-0.62; p < .0001). In the patient navigation arm, 48% of eligible patients completed advance directives, compared with 0% in usual care (p < .0001). At 12 weeks, patients randomized to patient navigation had less moderate/severe pain (10% vs. 33%; difference 0.23, 95% CI 0.07-0.38; p = .006), without differences in quality of life between arms.

CONCLUSION

Patient navigation improves access to early supportive care, advance care planning, and pain for patients with advanced cancer in resource-limited settings.

IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE

The early implementation of supportive care in oncology is recommended by international guidelines, but this might be difficult to achieve in resource-limited settings. This randomized clinical trial including 134 Mexican patients with advanced cancer demonstrates that a multidisciplinary patient navigation intervention can improve the early access to supportive and palliative care interventions, increase advance care planning, and reduce symptoms compared with usual oncologist-guided care alone. These results demonstrate that patient navigation represents a potentially useful solution to achieve the adequate implementation of supportive and palliative care in resource-limited settings globally.

Role of patient navigation in improving access to radiotherapy treatment in a limited resource setting

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Background: Approximately 60% of cancer patients in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) require radiotherapy (RT), with RT contributing 40% of curative treatment for cancers. Timely RT impacts prognosis. There are several difficulties in accessing RT in the Brazilian public health system: deficit of devices, obsolete machines, heterogeneous distribution of services, lack of investment in human resources and socioeconomic obstacles. Thus, it becomes necessary to optimize available resources. Although there are examples of successful patient navigation (PN) programs in vulnerable populations in high-income countries (HICs), data is scarce for LMICs. Considering the high incidence of cancer, complex difficulties in accessing treatment, and the positive results of PN in HICs, it was decided to evaluate this tool to improve RT access in the public system in Brazil. Methods: This pilot study was carried out in in a public school hospital in Belo Horizonte, Brazil, in partnership with the Global Cancer Institute, with a historical cohort as the control arm. The primary objective was to evaluate the changes in the time from definitive diagnosis to the start of treatment with the implementation of PN. Secondary objectives included: evaluating changes in the time between the beginning and end of RT, identification of the obstacles to access care, and quality of life data. Candidates for the program would be those considered for neoadjuvant or definitive RT, without previous cancer treatment. Results: 124 patients were included in the retrospective arm (12 excluded) and 73 in the navigation arm (1 excluded). Most had loco-regionally advanced disease, the most prevalent sites being esophagus, head, neck, and rectum. PN decreased the median time from biopsy result to the beginning of RT from 108 to 74 days (p < 0.001). PN also decreased the time between biopsy results and referral to RT (53 to 40.5 days, p = 0.011); between the referral and the first consultation in the RT (25 to 13 days, p < 0.001) and between the referral and the end of the RT (98 to 78 days, p < 0.003). There was an increase in the proportion of patients who started RT within 60 days (maximum period established by law to start cancer treatment), from 20.5% in the retrospective arm to 38.5% in the prospective arm (p = 0.026). PN in this context showed no impeditive costs ( < $140 USD per patient) with a satisfaction rate greater than 90% from patients. Conclusions: In an oncological context of socioeconomic vulnerability, PN is a financially viable and efficient tool to optimize access to timely radiotherapy.

Barriers identified in a patient navigation program for starting and completing definitive radiotherapy treatment in a limited resource setting

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Background: In addition to limited radiotherapy (RT) resources, there is enormous complexity involved in the registration process for attending RT services in Brazil. The process involves so many steps that, in combination with the lack of information and guidance, makes the patients often get lost within the system. Hospital das Clínicas da UFMG (HC UFMG) is a teaching hospital that belongs to the 3rd largest university in Brazil and, despite its important cancer center, it does not have its own radiotherapy center. That makes the RT process even more complex, since the patient ends up receiving chemotherapy in one center and RT in another, a common scenario in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs).Thus, it is necessary to optimize the scarce resources available, taking also into account the social difficulties involved. Patient barriers to accessing care were evaluated throughout a patient navigation (PN) study in Brazil, in order to better help the navigator identify areas of possible intervention. Methods: In a pilot study (non-randomized) carried out in partnership with the Global Cancer Institute, patients with cancer of the cervix, rectum, esophagus, anal canal, head and neck, lung, and prostate who were considered candidates for neoadjuvant or definitive RT were evaluated and questionnaires were applied to identify obstacles for RT, in order to guide a PN program and help to orient health policies. Results: Seventy-three patients were interviewed (1 excluded). The majority had locally advanced disease, the most prevalent sites being esophagus, head and neck and rectum. The most common barriers are shown in the table. 100% of the patients reported at least one obstacle, 93% between 2 and 7 obstacles and 1 patient quoted 13 of them. Conclusions: Proper identification of barriers involved in treatment, especially in a low resource setting is mandatory in order to guide PN program`s goals and establish public health demands. Many barriers identified may be overcome with PN programs in LMICs. [Table: see text]

Overall survival (OS) and healthcare utilization results of a randomized controlled trial (RCT) assessing a patient navigation (PN) intervention to increase early access to supportive care (SC) for patients with metastatic cancer in a resource-limited setting

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Background: We previously reported improvements in access to SC, advance directive completion, and pain control in a RCT comparing a patient navigator-led early SC intervention vs. usual care among patients with newly-diagnosed metastatic cancer in Mexico (NCT03293849). We now present results on healthcare utilization and OS. Methods: Patients were randomized to PN or usual oncology care. Patients in the PN arm received SC interventions by a navigator-led multidisciplinary team (palliative care, physical therapy, geriatrics, psychology) in the first 12 weeks after diagnosis. At 12-weeks, patients allocated to usual care were able to cross-over to PN and receive multidisciplinary SC. We analyzed the number (no.) of emergency room (ER) visits, their cause, and whether they were potentially avoidable (as determined by expert consensus), using descriptive statistics and X2 tests. OS was estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method and the log-rank test. Results: 133 patients (median age 60, range 23-93; 52% male) were randomized (66 PN, 67 control) from 08/17 to 04/18. Median follow-up was 22.8 months. 61% had gastrointestinal tumors, and 45% had a calculated life expectancy ≤6 months. 69% of patients randomized to usual care crossed-over to PN and received SC interventions. 80% of patients attended the ER ≥once (median no. of visits = 2). No difference was found between patients randomized to early SC or usual care in ER visits (2.4 vs. 2.3, p = 0.58). Out of a total 316 ER visits, the most common reason was infections (n = 69, 22%), followed by pain (n = 40, 13%), and indwelling catheter-related complications (n = 23, 7%). 41% of ER visits were considered as potentially avoidable, with no difference in avoidable visits found between arms (1.7 vs. 1.7, p = 0.49). No differences between arms were found in no. of hospitalizations (0.8 vs. 0.6 p = 0.82). Survival results were assessed after 64% of patients had died (n = 85), finding no statistically significant OS difference between the early SC intervention and the usual care arms (11.0 vs 13.0 months, p = 0.77) Conclusions: In the context of a limited-resource healthcare system, the early delivery of SC did not improve healthcare utilization, reduce avoidable ER visits, or prolong OS compared to the implementation of SC at a later time, which might be partially explained by the unavailability of hospice or home care, and by high rates of cross-over between arms. Clinical trial information: NCT03293849 .

Randomized controlled trial (RCT) of a patient navigation (PN) intervention to increase early access to supportive care (SC) for patients with metastatic cancer in a resource-limited setting

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Background: Early integration of SC to the treatment of advanced cancer can improve outcomes, but this may be challenging in developing countries due to a lack of resources and knowledge. In this RCT, we examined whether PN could improve early access to SC among Mexican patients with metastatic solid tumors as recommended by ASCO guidelines. Methods: Adult patients with newly-diagnosed metastatic cancer were randomly assigned to PN or standard oncologic care. At baseline, a navigator assessed the patients’ SC needs (depression, anxiety, fatigue, pain, caregiver burden) using validated questionnaires administered with an electronic tablet. For those in the PN arm, a personalized SC plan was created and implemented by a multidisciplinary team (palliative care, physical therapy, geriatrics, psychology, psychiatry). The primary outcome was access to SC, defined as receipt of SC interventions in the first 3 months (mo) after diagnosis. Secondary outcomes included advanced directive (AD) completion (for patients with expected survival ≤6 mo in accordance to Mexican law), changes in SC needs, and changes in quality of life (assessed using FACT-G). Results: 133 patients (median age 60, range 23-93; 52% male) were randomized (66 PN, 67 control). 61% of patients had gastrointestinal tumors. 94% of patients in the PN arm completed baseline assessments and received recommendations from the navigator. At 3 mo, 37 patients died or were lost to follow-up (16 PN, 21 control; p = 0.45), and 96 completed assessments. SC interventions were provided to 73% of patients in the PN arm and 24% of controls (p < 0.01). In the PN arm, 48% of 29 eligible patients completed AD, compared to 0% of eligible controls (p < 0.01). At 3 mo, patients in the PN arm were significantly less likely to report moderate/severe pain than controls (10 vs 33%, p = 0.006). There were no significant differences in other symptoms or in FACT-G scores (76 vs 76.3, p = 0.46) between PN and control arms at 3 mo. Conclusions: PN can lead to significant improvements in early access to SC, AD completion, and pain control among patients with metastatic cancer treated in a resource-limited setting. Clinical trial information: NCT03293849.

Bringing patient navigation to primary health care in Rio de Janeiro: Pilot project in the Andaraí community

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Background: This research project aims to study the increase of mammographic coverage rate with Patient Navigation Program (PNP) in a community of Rio de Janeiro. The general objective is to measure adherence to Ministry of Health’s recommendations for breast cancer screening with mammography, with the help of a patient navigator. Other objectives include: (1) establish the viability of the PNP in this context; 2) identify the barriers to mammography screening and; 3) ensure that at least 70% of women recruited between 50 and 69 years of age and asymptomatic update the biennial mammographic examination and annual clinical examination, increasing the mammographic coverage from 14% to at least 70% considered acceptable by the World Health Organization. Methods: From March to September 2018, women from the Andaraí Community were recruited in the Municipality of Rio de Janeiro. The follow-up was carried out by telephone, e-mail, and text messages. Of the 678 women (average age = 58), 12% of women refused to participate in the PNP for cultural reasons. Results: All 599 women participants reported barriers to obtaining breast health care with the number of barriers reported ranging from 1 to 6 barriers, (average = 3). The main barriers were system problems with health care programming (100%), financial problems (64%), communication concerns with the medical staff (58%), fear (44%), and social support (14%). We obtained 100% satisfaction with the PNP and exceeded our goal with 88% mammographic coverage rate. Conclusions: The PNP for breast cancer in the Andaraí Community has proven to be feasible in the context of local public health. The PNP promoted an increase in the mammographic coverage rate to 88%, assisted in the transmission of quality information, reduced the fear of mammography, and facilitated access to breast health care. Clinical trial information: 70832117.8.0000.5279.

Prediction of attendance to the "60 days law" within the patient navigation program to breast cancer in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

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Background: An applied study was conducted on how the use of machine learning techniques can help in the process of identifying compliance with the "60 Day Law", which states that all patients with cancer within the public system must initiate the treatment within 60 days after the diagnosis of cancer. Within the Patient Navigation Program (PNP) for breast cancer in Rio de Janeiro, the study aims to: 1) identify barriers to compliance with the Law; 2) ensure that at least 70% of patients recruited with breast cancer initiate treatment within the mandatory 60-day period; and 3) to construct a model that accurately predicts whether or not a patient meets the period established in the Law. Methods: From August 2017 to May 2018, 105 patients aged 33-80 years (mean 59 years) were recruited for navigation. For the development of the statistical analysis, three learning models were used AdaBoost, Decision Tree and GaussianNB. Results: Patients presented 0-I (17%), II-III (78%) and IV (5%) staging. The main barriers to compliance with the Law were fear and fatalistic thoughts (99%), financial problems (79%), and uncoordinated health care (76%).The PNP had 100% patient satisfaction and in 52% of the cases it helped at the beginning of the treatment within the period established by law. The AdaBoost learning model had superior results in relation to accuracy and f-score (0.8889 and 0.8333, respectively). Conclusions: The PNP generated a positive experience in the public health system, because it is an intentional and proactive process of individual assistance through the health system, accessing services, and actively overcoming the barriers to quality care. The study did not reach the success rate of 70% compliance with the Law as intended (having reached 52%). However, the barriers that NP cannot overcome, such as the lack of human resources and medical supplies, have been reported to health authorities and hospital administrators. We identified 38 important attributes for compliance with the Law, which simplifies the information required for model learning. In the Brazilian context, the PNP may represent an opportunity to adequately implement existing legislation and, as such, would have great potential for integration into federal, state, and local health systems. Clinical trial information: 62728616.5.0000.5274.

Abstract P5-13-18: Barriers to adjuvant radiotherapy treatment for breast cancer in a teaching hospital in Brazil

BACKGROUND: Adjuvant treatment of non-metastatic breast cancer (BC) represents an important paradigm of multimodality approach in oncology practice, with an established role for radiotherapy (RT). A delay of adjuvant radiotherapy can lead to poorer results. When chemotherapy (CT) is not indicated, RT should be initiated within 8 weeks after surgery. If CT is administered first, RT should be started within 7 months from surgery, since there is a continuous relation between time to radiotherapy and local recurrence. Brazil's public healthcare system, SUS, faces many challenges caring for cancer patients: inadequate funding, inequitable distribution of resources and services, among others. According to research done by Lins et al, around 458 linear accelerators would be necessary to supply the Brazilian public health demand and end the waiting line for radiation therapy. Currently, our healthcare system has 283 machines, which are responsible for more than 70% of our population. Furthermore, patients lack understanding of treatment windows, which is an additional hurdle.

METHODS: We randomly selected 122 charts of female BC patients submitted to treatment with curative intent from 2003-2017 in Hospital das Clínicas da UFMG, the biggest teaching hospital of the 3rd largest city in Brazil. Primary endpoint was to determine median time from surgery to adjuvant radiotherapy, and second point was to determine median radiotherapy time.

RESULTS: Twenty eight patients were not included in the analysis, 26 due to lack of information in the charts and two for not having received the proposed radiotherapy. Ninety four patients were included: median age was 49 years old (21-90), 21.5% were stage I, 41.9% stage II and 34.4% stage III at diagnosis. Patients received chemotherapy (neo or adjuvant), hormonotherapy, or both, according to oncologists discretion. All patients were submitted to surgery and radiotherapy. Long median times from referral to RT initiation and to radiotherapy completion were identified: 54 days and 97 days, respectively, as well as 7 months from surgery to beginning of RT (1-16) and 9 months from diagnosis to its completion (2-29).Biopsies were performed in 27 different sites and RT in 12.

IntervalMedian Time (days)Biopsy to results13 (1-77)Referral to RT initiation54 (1-238)Referral to RT completion97 (43-238)RT initiation to RT completion42 (20-80)

IntervalMedian Time (months)Surgery to RT initiation7 (1-16)Diagnosis to RT completion9 (2-29)

CONCLUSIONS: This study shows that intervals for completion of adjuvant radiotherapy are well above recommended, mostly due to long delays in initiating radiotherapy. Although in our study all patients were conducted by the same oncology team, the system is fragmented, making it even more difficult for patients to receive multidisciplinary care and improve prognosis. There is undeniable need for more radiotherapy machines, but since their acquisition depends on costly governmental actions, we need to think about strategies that may allow us to better use the resources already available. We believe that Patient Navigation plays an important role here and were are establishing this program in our institution with Global Cancer Institute support.

Citation Format: Vieira CM, Nogueira-Rodrigues A, Sousa CF, Krush L, Goss PE. Barriers to adjuvant radiotherapy treatment for breast cancer in a teaching hospital in Brazil [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2018 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; 2018 Dec 4-8; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2019;79(4 Suppl):Abstract nr P5-13-18.

Abstract P5-13-12: Breast cancer in Colombia: A growing challenge for the health care system

INTRODUCTION

Colombia has a population of roughly 49 million people of predominantly Mestizo ethnicity. Cancer has become a growing public health problem in Colombia with nearly 71,000 newly diagnosed malignant tumors per year. It is expected that by 2035, 150,000 new cases of cancer will be diagnosed, making Colombia an intermediate country with regards to global cancer incidence according to IARC.

METHODS

Epidemiological data on breast cancer is scarce and varied due to multiple sources of information. These numbers are obtained thru population-based cancer registries that represent 4 distinct regions of the country. Other data originate from non-governmental institutions and healthcare providers within Colombia. The Colombian National Cancer Institute publishes a Cancer Mortality Atlas annually.

RESULTS

Local cancer registries have shown increases in breast cancer incidence in Colombia. In 2007, age-standardized incidence rate was 27.8 per 100,000 persons increasing to 49.7 cases per 100,000 persons in 2012. Approximately, 2200 women die every year in Colombia due to breast cancer with rates increasing historically, but now are stabilizing. Advanced breast cancers are most frequently found among women without health insurance, while early breast cancers are usually found among working women and those covered by private health insurance. Early breast cancer screening was made mandatory as public policy in the year 2000. However, only 30% of health care coverage was reported, translating to very low coverage by opportunistic screening programs with only 33% of women having had a mammography. In 2012, a National Cancer Control Plan was planned and implemented. It aims to increase early stage cancer diagnosis, increase biannual screening coverage, and guarantee timely access to diagnosis and treatment. A national health survey in 2015 showed only 48% of women had an annual mammographic screening. Multiple disparities have been found with regards to screening and early diagnosis such as economic strata, health insurance coverage, origin, and accessibility. Specifically, data shows that 23% needed to travel in order to obtain access to mammography. Often it is necessary for some patients to sue healthcare insurance systems to obtain specific health care, causing an increase in time to diagnosis and treatment. In 2016, on average a 90-day period was reported from time of onset of symptoms to suspected diagnosis of breast cancer, while the time to the initiation of treatment was 100 days for chemotherapy and close to 120 days for surgery.

DISCUSSION

These data serve to impact the landscape of breast cancer and improve patient outcomes in Colombia. While the National Cancer Plan has led to major changes, a big challenge remains related to the delays between suspicion of breast cancer and diagnosis and treatment. Quality of care provided by private and public insurance administrators is also of concern. General practitioners should receive more detailed training in breast cancer detection and management. The healthcare system should provide quality cancer care with urgent improvement in mammography, especially in more rural areas. Widely, more timely and appropriate follow-up is needed.

Citation Format: Duarte C, Salazar A, Strasser-Weippl K, de Vries E, Wiesner C, Krush L, Goss PE. Breast cancer in Colombia: A growing challenge for the health care system [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2018 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; 2018 Dec 4-8; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2019;79(4 Suppl):Abstract nr P5-13-12.

Abstract P5-13-15: The value of patient navigation in breast cancer being tested in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

OBJECTIVES: The main objective of this Patient Navigation Program in Rio de Janeiro (PNP Rio), Brazil, is to promote adherence to the "60 Day Law", which states that all patients with cancer within the public system should start treatment within 60 days after diagnosis of cancer. Thus, the objectives are: 1.) to establish feasibility of PNP in this setting; 2.) to identify barriers to compliance the Law of 60 days and 3.) to ensure that at least 70% of recruited breast cancer patients begin treatment within the mandated 60-day period. One report by FEMAMA states that only 30% of breast cancer patients in Rio de Janeiro to initiate treatment within the 60-day mandate.

METHODS: From August 2017 to May 2018, one hundred patients aged 33-81 years (mean age 59 years) were recruited for navigation at Rio Image - an advanced breast cancer diagnosis center administered by the state health secretary and located in the capital city of Rio de Janeiro, attending patients from the public system from all 92 municipalities in the state. Patient Navigator (PN), a trained social worker, starts navigation from diagnosis, administering questionnaires to collect: patient population data, dates and information of historical milestones, and patient satisfaction. Patients were followed up by phone, e-mail or text message to identify barriers to initiation of treatment.

RESULTS: Patients presented staging 0-I (17%), II-III (78%) and IV (5%). There were two deaths related to breast cancer in this group. All patients reported at least one barrier, ranging from 2 to 12 barriers (M=5). The barriers to compliance with the "Law of 60 days" were: Fear and fatalistic thoughts (99%), Financial problems (79%), Uncoordinated health care (76%), Health professionals ignore the Law of the 60 days (75%), Need to do staging exams again (52%), Concern about communicating with medical staff (52%), Transport (42%), Difficult in obtain surgical risk consultation (12%), Line of surgeries in hospitals (12%), Difficult of insertion in the regulation system in Primary Care(11%), Patient cannot express herself (5%), Social support(4%), Absent of the immunohistochemistry panel (4%), Cognitive problems (3%), Comorbidities (2%). The PNP had 100% patient satisfaction and in 60% of the cases it helped the patients to start treatment within the period established by law.

CONCLUSIONS: In summary, PNP Rio generated a positive experience for patients in the public health system because it is an intentional and proactive process of assisting the individual through the cancer system, accessing services and actively overcoming barriers to quality care. The PNP Rio did not achieve the success rate of 70% of compliance with the Law as intended (achieved 60%). However, the barriers that the PN can not overcome such as lack of human resources and medical supplies, were informed to health authorities and hospital administrators. This is an opportunity for discussion of reallocation of funds, focusing on the use of scarce resources in prevention and early treatment rather than late-stage disease. In the Brazilian context, PNP may represent an opportunity to implement existing legislation adequately, and as such, would have great potential for integration at the federal, state, and local health systems.

Citation Format: Gioia S, Torres C, Cavalcanti J, Brigagao L, Proencio T, Krush L, Goss P. The value of patient navigation in breast cancer being tested in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2018 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; 2018 Dec 4-8; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2019;79(4 Suppl):Abstract nr P5-13-15.