Breast density reduction as a predictor for prognosis in premenopausal women with estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer: an exploratory analysis of the updated ASTRRA study

BACKGROUND

While the relationship between mammographic breast density reduction (MDR) and endocrine therapy efficacy has been reported in estrogen receptor (ER)-positive breast cancer, it is still unclear in premenopausal women, especially in the case of adding ovarian function suppression (OFS) to antihormone therapy. The authors investigated the impact of MDR on prognosis stratified by treatment based on the updated results of the ASTRRA trial.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The ASTRRA trial, a randomized phase III study, showed that adding OFS to tamoxifen (TAM) improved survival in premenopausal women with estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer after chemotherapy. The authors updated survival outcomes and assessed mammography before treatment and the annual follow-up mammography for up to 5 years after treatment initiation. Mammographic density (MD) was classified into four categories based on the Breast Imaging-Reporting and Data System. MDR-positivity was defined as a downgrade in MD grade on follow-up mammography up to 2 years after randomization, with pretreatment MD grade as a reference.

RESULTS

The authors evaluated MDR in 944 of the 1282 patients from the trial, and 813 (86.2%) had grade III or IV MD. There was no difference in the MDR-positivity rate between the two treatment groups [TAM-only group (106/476 (22.3%)) vs. TAM+OFS group (89/468 (19.0%)); P =0.217). MDR-positivity was significantly associated with better disease-free survival (DFS) in the TAM+OFS group (estimated 8-year DFS: 93.1% in MDR-positive vs. 82.0% in MDR-negative patients; HR: 0.37; 95% CI: 0.16-0.85; P =0.019), but not in the TAM-only group ( Pinteraction =0.039). MDR-positive patients who received TAM+OFS had a favorable DFS compared to MDR-negative patients who received only TAM (HR: 0.30; 95% CI: 0.13-0.70; P =0.005).

CONCLUSION

Although the proportion of MDR-positive patients was comparable between both treatment groups, MDR-positivity was independently associated with favorable outcomes only in the TAM+OFS group.

Adding Ovarian Suppression to Tamoxifen for Premenopausal Women With Hormone Receptor-Positive Breast Cancer After Chemotherapy: An 8-Year Follow-Up of the ASTRRA Trial

PURPOSE

To determine the updated long-term outcomes of the Addition of Ovarian Suppression to Tamoxifen in Young Women With Hormone-Sensitive Breast Cancer Who Remain Premenopausal or Regain Vaginal Bleeding After Chemotherapy (ASTRRA) trial.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

This study is a post-trial follow-up of the ASTRRA trial, involving 1,483 premenopausal women younger than 45 years treated with definitive surgery after completing adjuvant or neoadjuvant chemotherapy for estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer. Patients were randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio to complete 5 years of tamoxifen (TAM) alone (TAM-only) or 5 years of TAM with ovarian function suppression (OFS) for 2 years (TAM + OFS). The primary end point was disease-free survival (DFS), and the secondary end point was overall survival (OS).

RESULTS

At 106.4 months of median follow-up, there was a continuous significant reduction in the DFS event rate in the TAM + OFS group. The 8-year DFS rate was 85.4% in the TAM + OFS group and 80.2% in the TAM-only group (hazard ratio [HR], 0.67; 95% CI, 0.51 to 0.87). There were no significant differences in OS between the two groups. The OS rate was 96.5% in the TAM + OFS group and 95.3% in the TAM-only group (HR, 0.78; 95% CI, 0.49 to 1.25).

CONCLUSION

Adding OFS for 2 years to adjuvant TAM with a longer follow-up resulted in consistent DFS benefits, suggesting that adding OFS to TAM should be considered for patients who remain in a premenopausal state or resume ovarian function after chemotherapy.

Somatic Mutations of TP53 Identified by Targeted Next-Generation Sequencing Are Poor Prognostic Factors for Primary Operable Breast Cancer: A Single-Center Study

Few studies have reported on the clinical utility of targeted next-generation sequencing (NGS) for breast cancer in Korea. We retrospectively reviewed the targeted NGS data of 219 patients with breast cancer who underwent surgical resection between August 2018 and April 2021. Here, we described the mutational profiles of breast cancer and examined their prognostic implications. The most frequently mutated gene was PIK3CA (n = 97/219, 44.3%), followed by TP53 (n = 79/219, 36.1%), AKT1 (n = 23/219, 10.5%), and GATA3 (n = 20/219, 9.1%). TP53 mutations were associated with aggressive histologic features. We followed up for 31 (range, 1-39) months and observed 11 (5.0%) recurrences: nine were TP53 mutant and two were TP53 wild-type. Multivariable analysis revealed that TP53 mutation was an independent prognostic factor for recurrence (p = 0.012). Although no drug is currently available for TP53 mutations, it is valuable to know the mutational status of TP53 for the precise management of breast cancer.

Breast density reduction as a predictor for prognosis in premenopausal women with hormone receptor–positive breast cancer: A retrospective analysis of the ASTRRA study

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Background: While the relationship between mammographic breast density (MD) decline and anti-hormone therapy efficacy has been reported in estrogen-receptor (ER)-positive breast cancer, it is still unclear in premenopausal women and in the case of adding ovarian function suppression (OFS) to anti-hormone therapy. We aimed to investigate the MD reduction (MDR) rate and impact of MDR on prognosis stratified by treatment from the updated result of the ASTRRA trial. Methods: ASTRRA trial, a randomized phase 3 study, showed that adding ovarian function suppression (OFS) to tamoxifen (TAM) improved survival in premenopausal women with ER+ breast cancer after chemotherapy. We updated survival outcomes with a median follow-up of 108 months. We assessed mammography taken before treatment and the follow-up mammography taken annually for up to five years after initiation of treatment. MD was classified into four categories based on the Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System. MDR positivity was defined as a downgrade in MD among follow-up mammography up to two years after randomization, with the pretreatment MD grade as a reference. Results: Among the 1,293 patients from ASTRRA trial, we successfully evaluated MDR in 947 patients, of which 796 (83.4%) belong to high MD (grade C or D). The patient characteristics were similar between the entire ASTRRA trial and the subgroup with available MDR. There was no difference in MDR-positive rate between two treatment groups (106 of 477 [22.2%] in TAM-only group vs. 87 of 470 [18.5%] in TAM + OFS group, P =.156). MDR-positivity was significantly associated with better disease-free survival (DFS) in TAM + OFS group (estimated 8-year DFS: 92.9% in MDR-positive vs. 82.2% in MDR-negative, P =.013), but did not in TAM-only group (estimated 8-year DFS: 80.3% in MDR-positive vs. 80.2% in MDR-negative, P =.927; Pinteraction =.025). Simialr trends were observed in terms of recurrence-free survival, distant metastasis-free survival (DMFS), locoregional-free survival, and overall survival. In addition, MDR-positivity was an independent factor for favorable DFS (adjusted hazard ratio [HR], 0.37; 95% CI, 0.16 to 0.86; P =.021) and DMFS (adjusted HR, 0.35; 95% CI, 0.13 to 0.98; P =.045) in TAM + OFS group. Conclusions: Although the proportion of patients with MDR-positive was comparable between the two treatment groups, MDR-positive was independently associated with favorable outcomes only in TAM + OFS group. Future work is warranted to verify the mechanism by which the association between MDR and clinical benefit differs according to the treatment group. Clinical trial information: NCT00912548.

Adding ovarian function suppression to tamoxifen in young women with hormone-sensitive breast cancer who remain premenopausal or resume menstruation after chemotherapy: 8-year follow-up of the randomized ASTRRA trial

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Background: Addition of Ovarian Suppression to Tamoxifen in Young Women With Hormone-Sensitive Breast Cancer Who Remain Premenopausal or Regain Vaginal Bleeding After Chemotherapy (ASTRRA) trial, at 63 months median follow-up, showed that the addition of 2 years of ovarian function suppression (OFS) to Tamoxifen (TAM) significantly improved disease-free survival (DFS) compared with TAM alone in patients with hormone receptor–positive breast cancer who remain in a premenopausal state or resume ovarian function after chemotherapy. We report updated long-term outcomes from ASTRRA trial with 106.4 months median follow-up. Methods: This study is a post-trial follow-up of the ASTRRA trial, which randomly assigned 1,298 patients with breast cancer in a 1:1 ratio to receive TAM only (n = 647) or TAM + OFS (n = 635). The primary endpoint was DFS and secondary endpoint was overall survival (OS). We used Kaplan-Meier estimates for time to event endpoints and hazard ratios (HR) with 95% confidence interval (CI) from Cox-regression model. Results: At 106.4 months of median follow-up, there continues to be a statistically significant reduction in DFS event rate in favor of the TAM+OFS group. The estimated 8-year DFS rate was 85.4% in the TAM + OFS group and 80.2% in the TAM-only group (HR 0.67; 95% CI, 0.51 to 0.87). There were no significant differences in OS between two groups. The estimated 8-year OS rate was 96.5% in the TAM + OFS group and 95.3% in the TAM-only group (HR, 0.78; 95% CI, 0.49 to 1.25). The results of DFS and OS between the two groups defined from the time of random assignment to the time of events were also similar. Conclusions: These data demonstrate consistent survival advantages of adding OFS 2 years to TAM treatment over time, with the long-term follow-up reported to date. This study finding suggest that adding OFS to TAM should be considered for those who remain in a premenopausal state or resume ovarian function after chemotherapy. Longer follow-up is needed to fully evaluate the OS benefit.

Axillary Lymph Node Dissection Rates and Prognosis From Phase III Neoadjuvant Systemic Trial Comparing Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy With Neoadjuvant Endocrine Therapy in Pre-Menopausal Patients With Estrogen Receptor-Positive and HER2-Negative, Lymph Node-Positive Breast Cancer

In this study, we aimed to evaluate axillary lymph node dissection (ALND) rates and prognosis in neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NCT) compare with neoadjuvant endocrine therapy (NET) in estrogen receptor-positive (ER+)/human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-negative (HER2-), lymph node (LN)-positive, premenopausal breast cancer patients (NCT01622361). The multicenter, phase 3, randomized clinical trial enrolled 187 women from July 5, 2012, to May 30, 2017. The patients were randomly assigned (1:1) to either 24 weeks of NCT including adriamycin plus cyclophosphamide followed by intravenous docetaxel, or NET involving goserelin acetate and daily tamoxifen. ALND was performed based on the surgeon’s decision. The primary endpoint was ALND rate and surgical outcome after preoperative treatment. The secondary endpoint was long-term survival. Among the 187 randomized patients, pre- and post- neoadjuvant systemic therapy (NST) assessments were available for 170 patients. After NST, 49.4% of NCT patients and 55.4% of NET patients underwent mastectomy after treatment completion. The rate of ALND was significantly lower in the NCT group than in the NET group (55.2% vs. 69.9%, P=.046). Following surgery, the NET group showed a significantly higher mean number of removed LNs (14.96 vs. 11.74, P=.003) and positive LNs (4.84 vs. 2.92, P=.000) than the NCT group. The axillary pathologic complete response (pCR) rate was significantly higher in the NCT group (13.8% vs. 4.8%, P=.045) than in the NET group. During a median follow-up of 67.3 months, 19 patients in the NCT group and 12 patients in the NET group reported recurrence. The 5-year ARFS (97.5%vs. 100%, P=.077), DFS (77.2% vs. 84.8%, P=.166), and OS (97.5% vs. 94.7%, P=.304) rates did not differ significantly between the groups. In conclusion, although survival did not differ significantly, more NCT patients might able to avoid ALND, with fewer LNs removed with lower LN positivity.

Development and Validation of a Risk Score Model for Predicting the Cardiovascular Outcomes After Breast Cancer Therapy: The CHEMO-RADIAT Score

Background Cardiovascular disease is an important cause of mortality among survivors of breast cancer (BC). We developed a prediction model for major adverse cardiovascular events after BC therapy, which is based on conventional and BC treatment-related cardiovascular risk factors. Methods and Results The cohort of the study consisted of 1256 Asian female patients with BC from 4 medical centers in Korea and was randomized in a 1:1 ratio into the derivation and validation cohorts. The outcome measures comprised cardiovascular mortality, myocardial infarction, congestive heart failure, and transient ischemic attack/stroke. To correct overfitting, a penalized Cox proportional hazards regression was performed with a cross-validation approach. Number of cardiovascular diseases (myocardial infarction, peripheral artery disease, heart failure, and transient ischemic attack/stroke), number of baseline cardiovascular risk factors (hypertension, age ≥60, body mass index ≥30 kg/m², estimated glomerular filtration rate <60 mL/min per 1.73 m², dyslipidemia, and diabetes mellitus), radiation to the left breast, and anthracycline dose per 100 mg/m² were included in the risk prediction model. The time-dependent C-indices at 3 and 7 years after BC diagnosis were 0.876 and 0.842, respectively, in the validation cohort. Conclusions A prediction score model, including BC treatment-related risk factors and conventional risk factors, was developed and validated to predict major adverse cardiovascular events in patients with BC. The CHEMO-RADIAT (congestive heart failure, hypertension, elderly, myocardial infarction/peripheral artery occlusive disease, obesity, renal failure, abnormal lipid profile, diabetes mellitus, irradiation of the left breast, anthracycline dose, and transient ischemic attack/stroke) score may provide overall cardiovascular risk stratification in survivors of BC and can assist physicians in multidisciplinary decision-making regarding the BC treatment.

Development and Validation of a Risk Score Model for Predicting the Cardiovascular Outcomes After Breast Cancer Therapy: The CHEMO-RADIAT Score

Background Cardiovascular disease is an important cause of mortality among survivors of breast cancer (BC). We developed a prediction model for major adverse cardiovascular events after BC therapy, which is based on conventional and BC treatment-related cardiovascular risk factors. Methods and Results The cohort of the study consisted of 1256 Asian female patients with BC from 4 medical centers in Korea and was randomized in a 1:1 ratio into the derivation and validation cohorts. The outcome measures comprised cardiovascular mortality, myocardial infarction, congestive heart failure, and transient ischemic attack/stroke. To correct overfitting, a penalized Cox proportional hazards regression was performed with a cross-validation approach. Number of cardiovascular diseases (myocardial infarction, peripheral artery disease, heart failure, and transient ischemic attack/stroke), number of baseline cardiovascular risk factors (hypertension, age ≥60, body mass index ≥30 kg/m2, estimated glomerular filtration rate <60 mL/min per 1.73 m2, dyslipidemia, and diabetes mellitus), radiation to the left breast, and anthracycline dose per 100 mg/m2 were included in the risk prediction model. The time-dependent C-indices at 3 and 7 years after BC diagnosis were 0.876 and 0.842, respectively, in the validation cohort. Conclusions A prediction score model, including BC treatment-related risk factors and conventional risk factors, was developed and validated to predict major adverse cardiovascular events in patients with BC. The CHEMO-RADIAT (congestive heart failure, hypertension, elderly, myocardial infarction/peripheral artery occlusive disease, obesity, renal failure, abnormal lipid profile, diabetes mellitus, irradiation of the left breast, anthracycline dose, and transient ischemic attack/stroke) score may provide overall cardiovascular risk stratification in survivors of BC and can assist physicians in multidisciplinary decision-making regarding the BC treatment.

Patient-Reported Outcomes From Phase III Neoadjuvant Systemic Trial Comparing Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy With Neoadjuvant Endocrine Therapy in Pre-Menopausal Patients With Estrogen Receptor-Positive and HER2-Negative, Lymph Node-Positive Breast Cancer

We aimed to evaluate the patient-reported outcomes (PROs) in a prospective phase III clinical trial, comparing neoadjuvant endocrine therapy (NET) with conventional neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NCT) in patients with hormone status positive, lymph node-positive premenopausal breast cancer (NCT01622361). The patients were randomized prospectively to either 24 weeks of NCT with adriamycin plus cyclophosphamide followed by taxane or NET with gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist and tamoxifen. The patients were examined at the surgery unit of a large tertiary care hospital with a comprehensive cancer center. PROs were assessed on the first day of the trial (day 1, baseline) and at the end of treatment, using the breast cancer module of the European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire Core 23 (EORTC QLQ BR23). One hundred and eighty-seven patients were randomly assigned to chemotherapy (n=95) or endocrine therapy (n=92), and 174 patients completed 24 weeks of the neoadjuvant treatment period (n=87, in each group). Baseline scores were similar between the groups. After treatment, there were no statistically significant differences in the function scales, including body image, sexual functioning, and sexual enjoyment between the groups, although the endocrine treatment group showed a significant improvement in the future perspective (hazard ratio, 8.3; 95% confidence interval, 1.72-18.38; P = 0.021). Similarly, there were no statistically significant differences in the symptom scales between the groups, including adverse effects of systemic therapy, breast symptoms, arm symptoms, and upset about hair loss. In conclusion, overall PROs were similar in both treatment groups, except for "future perspective," which was significantly better in the NET group than in the NCT group.

CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION

ClinicalTrials.Gov, identifier NCT01622361.

Clinical Outcomes Following Letrozole Treatment according to Estrogen Receptor Expression in Postmenopausal Women: LETTER Study (KBCSG-006)

Purpose

In this trial, we investigated the efficacy and safety of adjuvant letrozole for hormone receptor (HR)-positive breast cancer. Here, we report the clinical outcome in postmenopausal women with HR-positive breast cancer treated with adjuvant letrozole according to estrogen receptor (ER) expression levels.

Methods

In this multi-institutional, open-label, observational study, postmenopausal patients with HR-positive breast cancer received adjuvant letrozole (2.5 mg/daily) for 5 years unless they experienced disease progression or unacceptable toxicity or withdrew their consent. The patients were stratified into the following 3 groups according to ER expression levels using a modified Allred score (AS): low, intermediate, and high (AS 3–4, 5–6, and 7–8, respectively). ER expression was centrally reviewed. The primary objective was the 5-year disease-free survival (DFS) rate.

Results

Between April 25, 2010, and February 5, 2014, 440 patients were enrolled. With a median follow-up of 62.0 months, the 5-year DFS rate in all patients was 94.2% (95% confidence interval [CI], 91.8–96.6). The 5-year DFS and recurrence-free survival (RFS) rates did not differ according to ER expression; the 5-year DFS rates were 94.3% and 94.1%in the low-to-intermediate and high expression groups, respectively (p = 0.6), and the corresponding 5-year RFS rates were 95.7% and 95.4%, respectively (p = 0.7). Furthermore, 25 patients discontinued letrozole because of drug toxicity.

Conclusion

Treatment with adjuvant letrozole showed very favorable treatment outcomes and good tolerability among Korean postmenopausal women with ER-positive breast cancer, independent of ER expression.

Trial Registration

ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT01069211

Efficacy of neoadjuvant endocrine therapy compared with neoadjuvant chemotherapy in pre-menopausal patients with oestrogen receptor-positive and HER2-negative, lymph node-positive breast cancer

Introduction

Neoadjuvant endocrine therapy (NET) has demonstrated efficacy in post-menopausal patients with hormone-responsive breast cancer. This trial was designed to compare the efficacy of neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NCT) with NET in pre-menopausal breast cancer.

Patients and methods

In this prospective, randomised, phase III study, oestrogen receptor (ER)-positive, HER2-negative, and lymph node-positive pre-menopausal breast cancer patients were recruited from 7 hospitals in South Korea. Enrolled patients were randomly assigned (1:1) to receive 24 weeks of either NCT or NET with goserelin and tamoxifen. The primary purpose was to evaluate the non-inferiority of NET compared to NCT using clinical response, assessed by MRI. Besides, pathological complete response rate (pCR), changes in Ki-67 expression, breast conservation surgery (BCS) rate, and quality of life were included as secondary endpoints.

Results

A total of 187 patients were assigned to receive NCT (n = 95) or NET (n = 92), and 87 patients in each group completed treatments. More NCT patients had complete response or partial response than NET patients using MRI (NCT 83.7% vs. NET 52.9%, 95% CI 17.6–44.0, p < 0.001) and callipers (NCT 83.9% vs. NET 71.3%, 95% CI 0.4–24.9, p = 0.046). Three NCT patients (3.4%) and one NET patient (1.2%) showed pCR (p < 0.005). No difference existed in the conversion rate of BCS (13.8% for NCT vs. 11.5% for NET, p = 0.531) and Ki-67 change (p = 0.114) between the two groups. Nineteen NCT patients had treatment-related grade 3 or worse events compared with none in the NET group.

Conclusions

Better clinical responses were observed in pre-menopausal patients after 24 weeks of NCT compared to those observed after NET.

Trial registration

Clinicaltrials.gov, NCT01622361. Registration June 19, 2012.

Similar negative emotional impact on hair loss in neoadjuvant endocrine therapy compared to neoadjuvant chemotherapy in young women with breast cancer from patient reported outcomes

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Background: We aimed to evaluate patient-reported outcomes (PROs) in the NEST phase III trial, in which neoadjuvant endocrine therapy (NET) compared to conventional neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NCT) for hormone-responsive lymph node-positive premenopausal breast cancer. Methods: Premenopausal women with estrogen receptor (ER)-positive, HER2-negative, and lymph node-positive premenopausal breast cancer patients were enrolled. Patients were randomized to either 24 weeks of neoadjuvant chemotherapy with doxorubicin plus cyclophosphamide followed by taxane (T) or neoadjuvant endocrine therapy with goserelin and tamoxifen. PROs were assessed at day 1 (baseline) and at the end of treatment, using the breast cancer module of European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire Core 23 (EORTC QLQ BR23). ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT01622361. Results: 187 patients were randomly assigned to chemotherapy (n=95) or endocrine therapy (n=92), and 174 patients completed the 24 weeks of neoadjuvant treatment period (n=87, both). Baseline scores were similar between arms. No statistically significant between-treatment differences were observed for the function scales including body image, sexual functioning, and sexual enjoyment although endocrine treatment showed significant improvement in future perspective (HR=8.3, 95% CI:1.72-18.38; P=0.021). Even though no alopecia was reported in NET group, no statistically significant difference between both arms in the “upset by hair loss” was observed, in which NET group showed even worse score. Conclusions: Patients who received NET had significant improvement in a future perspective, however, a similar emotional negative impact on hair loss was observed compared with NCT despite no reported alopecia. Key words: breast cancer, patient-reported outcomes, quality of life, hair loss, EORTC QLQ-BR 23. Clinical trial information: NCT01622361 .

Adding Ovarian Suppression to Tamoxifen for Premenopausal Breast Cancer: A Randomized Phase III Trial

PURPOSE

The addition of ovarian function suppression (OFS) for 5 years to tamoxifen (TAM) for treatment of premenopausal patients with breast cancer after completion of chemotherapy has beneficial effects on disease-free survival (DFS). This study evaluated the efficacy of adding 2 years of OFS to TAM in patients with hormone receptor-positive breast cancer who remain in a premenopausal state or resume ovarian function after chemotherapy.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We enrolled 1,483 premenopausal women (age ≤ 45 years) with estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer treated with definitive surgery after completing adjuvant or neoadjuvant chemotherapy. Ovarian function was assessed every 6 months for 2 years since enrollment on the basis of follicular-stimulating hormone levels and vaginal bleeding history. If ovarian function was confirmed to be premenopausal at each visit, the patient was randomly assigned to complete 5 years of TAM alone (TAM-only) group or 5 years of TAM with OFS for 2 years that involved monthly goserelin administration (TAM + OFS) group. DFS was defined from the time of enrollment to the time of the first event.

RESULTS

A total of 1,293 patients were randomly assigned, and 1,282 patients were eligible for analysis. The estimated 5-year DFS rate was 91.1% in the TAM + OFS group and 87.5% in the TAM-only group (hazard ratio, 0.69; 95% CI, 0.48 to 0.97; P = .033). The estimated 5-year overall survival rate was 99.4% in the TAM + OFS group and 97.8% in the TAM-only group (hazard ratio, 0.31; 95% CI, 0.10 to 0.94; P = .029).

CONCLUSION

The addition of 2 years of OFS to TAM significantly improved DFS compared with TAM alone in patients who remained premenopausal or resumed ovarian function after chemotherapy.

Phase II randomized study of neoadjuvant metformin plus letrozole versus placebo plus letrozole for ER-positive postmenopausal breast cancer [METEOR Study]

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Background: Neoadjuvant endocrine therapy with an aromatase inhibitor has shown efficacy comparable to that of neoadjuvant chemotherapy in postmenopausal breast cancer. Pre-/Clinical data have shown that metformin, a widely used anti-diabetic drug also one of mTOR inhibitor have shown anti-tumor activity. We report the result of prospective, multicenter, phase II randomized, placebo controlled trial aiming to evaluate the direct anti-tumor effect of metformin in non-diabetic postmenopausal women with hormone-receptor (HR) positive breast cancer. Methods: 203 postmenopausal women diagnosed with hormone receptor positive, T1-3/N0-2 invasive breast cancer were randomized to 24 weeks of neoadjuvant letrozole (2.5 mg/day) and either metformin (2000 mg/day) or placebo. Women with history of diabetes were excluded. Primary endpoint was clinical response rate (complete, partial response by caliper). Secondary endpoint was pathologic complete response rate, breast conservation rate, percent mammographic density change. PEPI score and toxicity profile were compared between two groups. Results: 153 intention-to treat population were analyzed (72 metformin, 75 placebo group). Overall clinical response rate was 61.4% (94/153) by caliper and did not reach statistical significance between metformin versus placebo groups (66.7% versus 56.4%, p = 0.193). Breast conservation rate was 68.0% (100/147) (66.7% versus 69.3%). Overall, 87.3% (103/118) displayed Ki67 < 10% at surgical specimen and 16.7% (21/126) had zero PEPI score. Neither Ki67% nor PEPI score was different between two groups. However, among the 20 patients with core-needle biopsy after 4 weeks of medication, greater number of patients displayed Ki67 < 10% in metformin group than in placebo group (87.5% versus 33.3%, p = 0.017). Patients with 4week Ki67 < 10% had higher clinical response rate (100% versus 57.1%, p = 0.038). Grade 3 side effects were reported in three patients (vomiting, high blood pressure, weight loss) and no hypoglycemia event was observed. Conclusions: 61.7% overall clinical response was achieved with 24-weeks of neoadjuvant letrozole, with numerically > 10% higher response rate in letrozole+metformin group (66.7% versus 56.4%). 4-weeks Ki67 < 10% level was predictive of clinical response. With < 2% grade 3 side effects, preoperative letrozole (with/without metformin) followed by 4-week Ki67 evaluation may indeed serve as primary choice to postmenopausal hormone receptor positive breast cancers. Clinical trial information: NCT01589367.

Abstract 3843: The potential of heat shock proteins 70/90 as molecular therapeutic targets in breast cancer

Purpose: Heat shock proteins (hsps) are molecular chaperones that are synthesized by cells in response to various stress conditions. The expression of hsps have been shown to be associated with carcinogenesis and the expression of hsps have been implicated in the biological behavior of tumors. Recently, hsps have emerged as novel molecular targets in anticancer protocols. The objectives of this study were to investigate the significance of hsp 70/90 in breast carcinogenesis and effect of geldanamycin (a blocker of hsp 90) and quercetin (a blocker of hsp 70) on growth inhibition in different breast cancer cell lines. Methods: Breast tissues from 82 patients were obtained between January 2010 and December 2010 at the Division of Breast & Endocrine Surgery, Hallym University Sacred Heart Hospital. Expression of hsp 70/90 was studied by immunohistochemistry (IHC) on tissue sections from 63 breast carcinomas and 19 benign breast tissues. Both cytoplasmic and nuclear expression was measured. Expression of hsp 70/90 was also analyzed by use of a Western blot with the breast cancer cell lines. We next investigated the effects of blockers of hsp 70/90 on cell growth of the human breast cancer cell lines. Results: More prominent hsp 90 expression was observed in malignant tissue than in benign tissue by both cytoplasmic and nuclear IHC staining (p&lt;0.001, p&lt;0.001). Nuclear hsp 90 expression was associated with a positive lymph node status (p=0.003) and the presence of poorly differentiated tumors (p=0.028). Expression of hsp 70 was not different in malignant and benign tissues as determined by both cytoplasmic and nuclear IHC staining. The breast cancer cell lines all expressed hsp 70/90. Geldanamycin markedly inhibited the cell growth of these breast cancer cell lines in a dose dependent manner and induced apoptosis in the cell lines. Quercetin inhibited cell growth of the cell lines less efficiently. Conclusion: The expression of hsp 90 was associated with breast carcinogenesis and the presence of more aggressive tumors. Geldanamycin inhibited cell growth of hsp 90 expressing breast cancer cell lines. We suggest that Hsp 90 may be a possible molecular target against breast cancer.

Citation Format: Ho Young Kim, Sanghwa Kim, Lee Su Kim. The potential of heat shock proteins 70/90 as molecular therapeutic targets in breast cancer [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2018; 2018 Apr 14-18; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2018;78(13 Suppl):Abstract nr 3843.

Assessment of Quality of Life and Safety in Postmenopausal Breast Cancer Patients Receiving Letrozole as an Early Adjuvant Treatment

Purpose

There are few reports from Asian countries about the long-term results of aromatase inhibitor adjuvant treatment for breast cancer. This observational study aimed to evaluate the long-term effects of letrozole in postmenopausal Korean women with operable breast cancer.

Methods

Self-reported quality of life (QoL) scores were serially assessed for 3 years during adjuvant letrozole treatment using the Korean version of the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Breast questionnaires (version 3). Changes in bone mineral density (BMD) and serum cholesterol levels were also examined.

Results

All 897 patients received the documented informed consent form and completed a baseline questionnaire before treatment. Adjuvant chemotherapy was administered to 684 (76.3%) subjects, and 410 (45.7%) and 396 (44.1%) patients had stage I and II breast cancer, respectively. Each patient completed questionnaires at 3, 6, 12, 18, 24, 30, and 36 months after enrollment. Of 897 patients, 749 (83.5%) completed the study. The dropout rate was 16.5%. The serial trial outcome index, the sum of the physical and functional well-being subscales, increased gradually and significantly from baseline during letrozole treatment (p<0.001). The mean serum cholesterol level increased significantly from 199 to 205 after 36 months (p=0.042). The mean BMD significantly decreased from −0.39 at baseline to −0.87 after 36 months (p<0.001).

Conclusion

QoL gradually improved during letrozole treatment. BMD and serum cholesterol level changes were similar to those in Western countries, indicating that adjuvant letrozole treatment is well tolerated in Korean women, with minimal ethnic variation.

The role of the addition of ovarian suppression to tamoxifen in young women with hormone-sensitive breast cancer who remain premenopausal or regain menstruation after chemotherapy (ASTRRA): study protocol for a randomized controlled trial and progress

Background

Ovarian function suppression (OFS) has been shown to be effective as adjuvant endocrine therapy in premenopausal women with hormone receptor-positive breast cancer. However, it is currently unclear if addition of OFS to standard tamoxifen therapy after completion of adjuvant chemotherapy results in a survival benefit. In 2008, the Korean Breast Cancer Society Study Group initiated the ASTRRA randomized phase III trial to evaluate the efficacy of OFS in addition to standard tamoxifen treatment in hormone receptor-positive breast cancer patients who remain or regain premenopausal status after chemotherapy.

Methods

Premenopausal women with estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer treated with definitive surgery were enrolled after completion of neoadjuvant or adjuvant chemotherapy. Ovarian function was assessed at the time of enrollment and every 6 months for 2 years by follicular-stimulating hormone levels and bleeding history. If ovarian function was confirmed as premenopausal status, the patient was randomized to receive 2 years of goserelin plus 5 years of tamoxifen treatment or 5 years of tamoxifen alone. The primary end point will be the comparison of the 5-year disease-free survival rates between the OFS and tamoxifen alone groups. Patient recruitment was finished on March 2014 with the inclusion of a total of 1483 patients. The interim analysis will be performed at the time of the observation of the 187th event.

Discussion

This study will provide evidence of the benefit of OFS plus tamoxifen compared with tamoxifen only in premenopausal patients with estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer treated with chemotherapy.

Trial registration

ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier NCT00912548. Registered May 31 2009. Korean Breast Cancer Society Study Group Register KBCSG005. Registered October 26 2009.

Expression of Histone Deacetylases HDAC1, HDAC2, HDAC3, and HDAC6 in Invasive Ductal Carcinomas of the Breast

Purpose

DNA deacetylation by histone deacetylase (HDAC) is an important mechanism involved in the oncogenic tumorigenesis of breast cancer. Previous studies have reported an association of the estrogen receptor (ER) with HDACs and demonstrated the efficacy of HDAC inhibitors for the treatment of breast cancers via in vitro experiments. In this study, we examined the association of HDAC expression with clinicopathological parameters and disease-specific survival.

Methods

Immunohistochemical (IHC) analysis of HDAC1, HDAC2, HDAC3, and HDAC6 was performed using tissue microarrays in 300 invasive ductal carcinomas. IHC scoring was determined by multiplication of the intensity (0 to 3) and the proportion (0 to 4) of staining, and we classified tumors into low- and high-HDAC expression groups.

Results

High expression of HDAC1 was correlated with the molecular subtype (p=0.001) and human epidermal growth factor 2 (HER2) amplification (p=0.012). High expression of HDAC6 was correlated with a younger age (p<0.001), ER expression (p=0.025), progesterone receptor expression (p=0.034), molecular subtype (p=0.023), and HER2 amplification (p=0.011). High HDAC1 expression was correlated with luminal A tumors (p=0.001), while high HDAC6 expression was more common in luminal B tumors (p=0.023). Although the expression of HDACs did not exhibit prognostic significance in the entire cohort, high expression of HDAC1 and HDAC6 was associated with improved overall survival (OS) in patients with ER-positive tumors (p=0.017 and p=0.029, respectively), and high expression of HDAC2 was correlated with improved OS in ER-negative tumors (p=0.048) on univariate analysis. Furthermore, high HDAC6 expression was associated with improved disease-free survival (p=0.048) on multivariate analysis.

Conclusion

HDAC1 expression is significantly correlated with the molecular subtypes of tumors, with the highest expression being observed in luminal A tumors. HDAC6 is a significantly correlated with ER expression and the molecular subtype, thereby supporting the estrogen regulatory property of HDAC6. HDAC1 and HDAC6 expression are good prognostic factors for ER-positive tumors.

Comparison of the Effectiveness of Nonablative Fractional Laser versus Pulsed-Dye Laser in Thyroidectomy Scar Prevention

Background

The anterior neck is the site of open thyroidectomy and where postoperative scarring can cause distress to patients. Both fractional and pulsed-dye lasers are effective and safe methods for preventing and improving surgical scars.

Objective

This study evaluated the improvement in scar appearance with laser intervention during the wound healing process. We evaluated the effect of nonablative fractional and pulsed-dye lasers on fresh thyroidectomy scars.

Methods

Patients were treated 3 times at 4-week interval with a follow-up visit at the 6^th month. Scars were divided into 2 halves for each optional treatment. At every visit, a questionnaire evaluating the scar and patient satisfaction was completed.

Results

Thirty patients completed the 6-month process. The mean Vancouver Scar Scale scores improved significantly from 8.0 to 4.6 and 8.2 to 4.7 with nonablative fractional and pulsed-dye lasers, respectively (p<0.001). However, there was no significant difference between the 2 methods (p=0.840).

Conclusion

There remains no consensus on the optimal treatment of scars. The present study indicates nonablative fractional and pulsed-dye lasers significantly improve scars. Nonablative fractional lasers are non-inferior to pulsed-dye lasers. Further studies are required to corroborate this finding.

Characteristics of BRCA1/2 Mutation-Positive Breast Cancers in Korea: A Comparison Study Based on Multicenter Data and the Korean Breast Cancer Registry

Purpose

Mutations in BRCA genes are the main cause of hereditary breast cancer in Korea. The aim of this study was to investigate the characteristics of breast cancers involving BRCA1 (BRCA1 group) and BRCA2 (BRCA2 group) mutations.

Methods

We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of patients with BRCA1 (BRCA1 group) or BRCA2 (BRCA2 group) mutation positive breast cancer from multiple centers and compared the data to that of the Korean Breast Cancer Society registry (registry group).

Results

The patients of the BRCA1 group were diagnosed at a younger age (median age, 37 years) and had tumors of higher histological (61.3% with histological grade 3) and nuclear (37.5% with nuclear grade 3) grade than those of the registry group. In addition, the frequency of ductal carcinoma in situ in the BRCA1 group was lower (3.7%) than in the registry group, and the BRCA1 group were more likely to be triple-negative breast cancer (61.3%). Patients in the BRCA2 group were also younger at diagnosis (mean age, 41 years) and were more likely to have involvement of the axillary node than the registry group (45.5% vs. 33.5%, p=0.002). The BRCA1 and BRCA2 groups did not show a correlation between tumor size and axillary node involvement.

Conclusion

We report the characteristics of BRCA mutation positive breast cancer patients in the Korean population through multicenter data and nation-wide breast cancer registry study. However, BRCA-mutated breast cancers appear highly complex, and further research on their molecular basis is needed in Korea.

Analysis of predictive factors for lung injury after forward-planned intensity-modulated radiotherapy in whole breast irradiation

Purpose

This study was performed to assess frequency, timings of occurrence, and predictors of radiologic lung damage (RLD) after forward-planned intensity-modulated radiotherapy (FIMRT) for whole breast irradiation.

Methods

We retrospectively reviewed medical records of 157 breast cancer patients and each of their serial chest computed tomography (CT) taken 4, 10, 16, and 22 months after completion of breast radiotherapy (RT). FIMRT was administered to whole breast only (n=152), or whole breast and supraclavicular regions (n=5). Dosimetric parameters, such as mean lung dose and lung volume receiving more than 10 to 50 Gy (V₁₀-V₅₀), and clinical parameters were analyzed in relation to radiologic lung damage.

Results

In total, 104 patients (66.2%) developed RLD after whole breast FIMRT. Among the cases of RLD, 84.7% were detected at 4 months, and 15.3% at 10 months after completion of RT. More patients of 47 or younger were found to have RLD at 10 months after RT than patients older than the age (11.7% vs. 2.9%, p=0.01). In univariate and multivariate analyses, age >47 and V₄₀ >7.2% were significant predictors for higher risk of RLD.

Conclusion

RLD were not infrequently detected in follow-up CT after whole breast FIMRT. More detected cases of RLD among younger patients are believed to have developed at later points after RT than those of older patients. Age and V₄₀ were significant predictors for RLD after whole breast intensity-modulated radiotherapy.

Phase II randomized trial of neoadjuvant metformin plus letrozole versus placebo plus letrozole for estrogen receptor positive postmenopausal breast cancer (METEOR)

Background

Neoadjuvant endocrine therapy with an aromatase inhibitor has shown efficacy comparable to that of neoadjuvant chemotherapy in patients with postmenopausal breast cancer. Preclinical and clinical studies have shown that the antidiabetic drug metformin has anti-tumor activity. This prospective, multicenter, phase II randomized, placebo controlled trial was designed to evaluate the direct anti-tumor effect of metformin in non-diabetic postmenopausal women with estrogen-receptor (ER) positive breast cancer.

Methods/Design

Patients meeting the inclusion criteria and providing written informed consent will be randomized to 24 weeks of neoadjuvant treatment with letrozole (2.5 mg/day) and either metformin (2000 mg/day) or placebo. Target accrual number is 104 patients per arm. The primary endpoint will be clinical response rate, as measured by calipers. Secondary endpoints include pathologic complete response rate, breast conserving rate, change in Ki67 expression, breast density change, and toxicity profile. Molecular assays will be performed using samples obtained before treatment, at week 4, and postoperatively.

Discussion

This study will provide direct evidence of the anti-tumor effect of metformin in non-diabetic, postmenopausal patients with ER-positive breast cancer.

Trial registration

ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier NCT01589367

Dietary intake and breast cancer among carriers and noncarriers of BRCA mutations in the Korean Hereditary Breast Cancer Study

BACKGROUND

Soy intake is associated with a lower risk of breast cancer. However, it is unclear whether the same reduction in risk associated with high soy intake is also applicable to familial or genetic breast cancer.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to assess the dietary factors among carriers and noncarriers of BRCA mutations in the Korean Hereditary Breast Cancer Study (KOHBRA).

DESIGN

The KOHBRA Study is an ongoing project composed of affected breast cancer patients and familial members of breast cancer cases with BRCA mutations. To assess the association between dietary diversity and breast cancer risk, an HR was estimated by comparing affected subjects with their familial nonaffected members. To assess the interaction between the combination of BRCA mutation and diet diversity, the case-only OR (COR) was estimated by comparing BRCA mutation carriers and noncarriers only in affected subjects.

RESULTS

Soy product intake was associated with a lower risk of breast cancer in carriers (HR: 0.39; 95% CI: 0.19, 0.79 for the highest quartile). The highest quartile of meat intake was associated with a higher risk of breast cancer regardless of BRCA mutation in carriers (HR: 1.97; 95% CI: 1.13, 3.44) and noncarriers (95% CI: 1.41; 1.12, 1.78). The associations of meat intake and soybean intake for breast cancer were more prominent in BRCA2 mutation carriers. In the analysis with only cases, the highest quartile of soy intake, but not meat intake, was associated with BRCA-related breast cancer (COR: 0.57; 95% CI: 0.36, 0.91).

CONCLUSION

Our study suggests that soy product consumption is associated with lower breast cancer risk and it had an interaction with BRCA mutation.

Evaluation of Short-Term Use of N-Acetylcysteine as a Strategy for Prevention of Anthracycline-Induced Cardiomyopathy: EPOCH Trial - A Prospective Randomized Study

Background and Objectives

We investigate to determine whether N-acetylcysteine (NAC) can prevent anthracycline-induced cardiotoxicity.

Subjects and Methods

A total of 103 patients were enrolled in this prospective randomized open label controlled trial. They are patients first diagnosed with breast cancer or lymphoma, who require chemotherapy, including anthracycline like adriamycine or epirubicine. Patients were randomized to the NAC group {n=50; 1200 mg orally every 8 hours starting before and ending after the intravenous infusion of anthracycline in all chemotherapy cycles (3-6)} or the control group (n=53). Primary outcome was the decrease in left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) absolutely ≥10% from the baseline and concomitantly <50% at 6-month. Composite of all-cause death, heart failure and readmission were compared.

Results

The primary outcome was not significantly different in the NAC and control groups {3/47 (6.4%) vs. 1/52 (1.9%), p=0.343}. The mean LVEF significantly decreased in both the NAC (from 64.5 to 60.8%, p=0.001) and control groups (from 64.1 to 61.3%, p<0.001) after the completion of whole chemotherapy. The mean LVEF change did not differ between the two groups (-3.64% in NAC vs. -2.78% in control group, p=0.502). Left ventricular (LV) end systolic dimension increased with higher trend in NAC by 3.08±4.56 mm as compared with 1.47±1.83 mm in the control group (p=0.064). LV end diastolic dimension did not change in each group and change does not differ in both. Peak E, A and E/A ratio change and cardiac enzymes were comparable in two groups. Cumulative 12-month event rate was 6% and 3.8% in the NAC group and the control group, respectively, with no difference (p=0.672).

Conclusion

We cannot prove that NAC prevents anthracycline-induced cardiomyopathy.

Prevalence of BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutations in non-familial breast cancer patients with high risks in Korea: the Korean Hereditary Breast Cancer (KOHBRA) Study

Prevalence and phenotype of BRCA mutation can vary by race. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the prevalence of BRCA1/2 mutations in non-familial breast cancer patients with high risks in Korea. A subset of 758 patients was selected for this study from the KOHBRA nationwide multicenter prospective cohort study. Mutations in BRCA1/2 genes were tested using fluorescent-conformation sensitive gel electrophoresis, denaturing high performance liquid chromatography or direct sequencing. Mutation of BRCA1/2 genes were identified in 65 (8.6%) patients among total 758 patients [BRCA1 mutation: 25 (3.3%), BRCA2 mutation: 40 (5.3%)]. According to risk groups, mutation of BRCA1/2 genes were identified in 53 (8.5%) of 625 early onset patients (age ≤ 40), in 22 (17.7%) of 124 bilateral breast cancer patients, in 3 (50.0%) of 6 breast and ovarian cancer patients, in one (5.9%) of 17 male breast cancer patients, in 5 cases (7.6%) of 66 multiple organ cancer patients. The most common mutation was 509C>A for BRCA1 and 7708C>T for BRCA2. The prevalence of BRCA1/2 mutations by age in early onset patients was significantly different (age <35 vs age ≥35; 10.0 vs 2.9%, p = 0.0007). BRCA1/2 mutations for non-familial Korean breast cancer patients were detected at a high rate, particularly, in patients with early onset of less than 35 years of age, bilateral breast cancer, and breast and ovarian cancer. Individualized genetic counseling should be offered for non-familial breast cancer patients with these risk factors.

P2-15-11: Outcomes of Corrective Procedure with Vicryl Mesh as an Oncoplastic Surgery of the Breast

Background: Both cosmetic and oncologic outcomes are becoming more important for breast cancer patients. Breast-conserving surgery (BCS) has an acceptable cosmetic result compared with mastectomy, but BCS is also associated with cosmetic failure. In this study, we evaluated the cosmetic outcome of reconstructive surgery with the absorbable implant vicryl mesh after BCS compared with the outcome of BCS alone.

Methods: From May 2007 to December 2009, 101 patients were involved in this study at Hallym University Sacred Heart Hospital. We used absorbable implants made of folding vicryl mesh and wrapped them with Interceed. In 79 cases, BCS with vicryl mesh implantation was performed; in the other 56 cases, only BCS was performed. Patient satisfaction with cosmetic outcomes was evaluated. We also analyzed other factors that affected cosmetic outcomes, including patient ages, body mass indices, tumor locations, and removed breast tissue.

Results: In the vicryl mesh implantation group, 65 of 79 patients (82.3%) were satisfied; in the BCS-only group, 24 of 56 patients (43%) were satisfied (P &lt; 0.05). In the vicryl mesh implantation group, patient ages, body mass indices, and removed breast tissue did not affect cosmetic outcomes. When the tumor was located in the upper outer quadrant, the patients were more satisfied (P &lt; 0.05). Conclusions: Reconstructive procedures with vicryl mesh are simple, safe, and less expensive than other plastic reconstruction techniques. This study suggests that the procedure was superior to BCS alone in cosmetic outcomes. We believe that the procedure could become a favorable technique in oncoplastic surgery.

Citation Information: Cancer Res 2011;71(24 Suppl):Abstract nr P2-15-11.

Heat shock protein as molecular targets for breast cancer therapeutics

Recent advances in the understanding of the molecular mechanisms involved in the breast cancer development and progression have led to the identification of numerous novel molecular targets. Among these, heat shock proteins (HSPs) are being emerging molecular target due to its diverse function in cancer cells. HSPs are highly conserved molecular chaperone that are synthesized by cell in response to various stress conditions. Mammalian HSPs have been classified into several families according to their molecular weight: HSP100, HSP90, HSP72, and small molecular HSPs (including HSP27). They are essential proteins that play a key role in cell survival through the cytoprotective mechanisms. In addition, HSPs are often overexpressed in a rage of cancers including breast cancer, and its overexpression seems to be associated with poor clinical outcomes. Also, HSP90 play a role in facilitating transformation by stabilizing the mutated and overexpressed oncoproteins found in breast cancer cell. Pharmacological targeting of HSP is therefore indicated and in the case of HSP90, numerous inhibitory drugs are undergoing clinical trial for treatment of breast cancer and other cancers. In this review, we describe the roles of HSPs in cancer cell and introduce the HSPs inhibitor as molecular target in cancer therapy and its recent clinical trials in breast cancer.

Antiproliferation and redifferentiation in thyroid cancer cell lines by polyphenol phytochemicals

Thyroid carcinogenesis is accompanied by loss of thyroid-specific functions and refractory to radioiodine and thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) suppression therapy. Redifferentiating agents have been shown to inhibit tumor growth and improve the response to conventional therapy. Polyphenol phytochemicals (PPs) in fruits and vegetables have been reported to inhibit cancer initiation, promotion, progression and induce redifferentiation in selected types. In this study we examined PPs induce redifferentiation in thyroid cancer cell lines. We investigated the effects of genistein, resveratrol, quercetin, kaempferol, and resorcinol on the F9 embryonal carcinoma cell differentiation model. The thyroid cancer cell lines, TPC-1, FTC-133, NPA, FRO, and ARO, displayed growth inhibition in response to genistein, resveratrol, quercetin. We further demonstrated that genistein decreased the dedifferention marker CD97 in NPA cells and resveratrol decreased CD97 in FTC-133, NPA, FRO cells and quercetin decreased CD97 in all cell lines. We observed increased expression of differentiation marker NIS in FTC-133 cells in response to genistein, and resveratrol but no change in NPA, FRO, ARO cells. Quercetin increased or induced NIS in FTC-133, NPA, FRO cells. These findings suggest that PPs may provide a useful therapeutic intervention in thyroid cancer redifferentiation therapy.

The current role of vacuum assisted breast biopsy system in breast disease

The gold standard for breast biopsy procedures is currently an open excision of the suspected lesion. However, an excisional biopsy inevitably makes a scar. The cost and morbidity associated with this procedure has prompted many physicians to evaluate less invasive, alternative procedures. More recently, image-guided percutaneous core-needle biopsy has become a frequently used method for diagnosing palpable and non-palpable breast lesions. Although sensitivity rates for core-needle biopsy are high, it has the disadvantage of histological underestimation, which renders the management of atypical ductal hyperplasia, papillary lesions, and fibroepithelial lesions somewhat difficult. Vacuum assisted breast biopsy (VABB) was developed to overcome some of these negative aspects of core-needle biopsy. VABB allows for a sufficient specimen to be obtained with a single insertion and can provide a more accurate diagnosis and completely remove the lesion under real-time ultrasonic guidance. The advantage of complete lesion removal with VABB is to reduce or eliminate sampling error, to decrease the likelihood of a histological underestimation, to decrease imaging-histological discordance, to decrease the re-biopsy rate, and to diminish the likelihood of subsequent growth on follow-up. In recent years, with the advancement of VABB instruments and techniques, many outcome studies have reported on the use of VABB for resecting benign breast lesions with a curative intent. VABB is highly accurate for diagnosing suspicious breast lesions and is highly successful at treating presumed benign breast lesions. Thus, in the near future, VABB will be routinely offered to all appropriately selected patients.

αB-Crystallin is a Novel Oncoprotein Associated with Poor Prognosis in Breast Cancer

Purpose

αB-crystallin, a small heat shock protein, is an anti-apoptotic protein associated with aggressive tumor behavior. A recent study revealed that αB-crystallin is overexpressed in a metastatic variant of the GI101A human breast carcinoma cell line. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether αB-crystallin is related to other breast tumor markers and can predict a breast cancer prognosis.

Methods

Eighty-two patients who underwent breast cancer surgery at Hallym Sacred Heart Hospital were enrolled. αB-crystallin expression was determined by immunohistochemical staining. Estrogen receptor, progesterone receptor (PR), human epidermal growth factor receptor, lymphovascular invasion, histological grade, other tumor markers and time to recurrence were compared with αB-crystallin expression.

Results

αB-crystallin expression in breast cancer tissues was associated with PR (p=0.030), the number of metastatic lymph nodes (pN) (p=0.020), lymphovascular invasion (p=0.022), histological grade (p=0.004) and triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) (p=0.004). αB-crystallin expression significantly decreased time to recurrence (p=0.039).

Conclusion

The results revealed a strong relationship between αB-crystallin and poor prognostic factors such as the number of metastatic lymph nodes (especially pN2), TNBC, and rapid time to recurrence. We believe that αB-crystallin could be a novel oncoprotein biomarker of a poor prognosis in breast cancer.

Psychological and neuroendocrinological characteristics associated with depressive symptoms in breast cancer patients at the initial cancer diagnosis

OBJECTIVE

Breast cancer patients can have biopsychosocial changes induced by distress related to the cancer diagnosis. This study investigated psychological characteristics and hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis function associated with depressive symptoms in breast cancer patients at the initial diagnosis.

METHOD

Seventy-eight breast cancer patients were enrolled, and 61 patients were included in the final analysis. Patients were evaluated concerning psychological adjustment to cancer diagnosis, self-concept and depressive symptoms and given a dexamethasone suppression test before the main surgical treatment.

RESULTS

Self-concept scale scores and fighting spirit factor scores of the Korean version of the Mental Adjustment to Cancer (KMAC) scale showed inverse correlations. Anxious preoccupation (AP) factor scores of the KMAC scale positively correlated with depressive symptom scores. Depressive symptom scores were significantly correlated with postdexamethasone serum cortisol levels. In multiple regression analysis, postdexamethasone serum cortisol and the KMAC-AP factor score had significant partial effects in the final model.

CONCLUSION

Hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis dysfunction and anxious coping to cancer diagnosis may be associated with depressive symptoms in breast cancer patients before treatment. Based on this analysis, we recommend psychotherapeutic interventions to increase adaptive mental coping strategy and to ameliorate psychological distress. Screening for HPA axis dysfunction and provision of depression treatment may prevent breast cancer patients from developing depressive symptoms.

Curcumin suppresses the paclitaxel-induced nuclear factor-kappaB in breast cancer cells and potentiates the growth inhibitory effect of paclitaxel in a breast cancer nude mice model

Most anticancer agents activate nuclear factor kappa B (NF-kappaB), which can mediate cell survival, proliferation, and metastasis. Curcumin has been shown to inhibit the growth of various cancer cells, without toxicity to normal cells. The antitumor effects of curcumin could be due in part to the inactivation of NF-kappaB. We hypothesize that blocking NF-kappaB activity may augment paclitaxel cancer chemotherapy. In this study, we investigated whether the inactivation of NF-kappaB by curcumin would enhance the efficacy of paclitaxel for inhibiting breast cancer growth in vitro and in vivo. We confirmed that curcumin inhibited paclitaxel-induced activation of NF-kappaB and potentiated the growth inhibitory effect of paclitaxel in MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells. The combination of curcumin with paclitaxel elicited significantly greater inhibition of cell growth and more apoptosis, compared with either agent alone. In an experimental breast cancer murine model using MDA-MB-231 cells, combination therapy with paclitaxel and curcumin significantly reduced tumor size and decreased tumor cell proliferation, increased apoptosis, and decreased the expression of matrix metalloprotease 9 compared with either agent alone. These results clearly suggest that a curcumin-paclitaxel combination could be a novel strategy for the treatment of breast cancer.

Factors affecting the efficacy of ultrasound-guided vacuum-assisted percutaneous excision for removal of benign breast lesions

OBJECTIVE

This study was designed to evaluate the effectiveness of complete removal and factors affecting the presence of a residual mass and complications after ultrasound-guided vacuum-assisted percutaneous removal of benign breast lesions.

METHODS

We retrospectively evaluated ultrasound images and medical records of 263 breast masses from 199 patients that were removed with an ultrasound-guided vacuum-assisted device. All lesions were assumed as benign on ultrasound imaging or had been confirmed as benign by a previous core needle biopsy. The influence of the size, distance from the nipple, number of lesions removed at a time, and pathologic diagnosis of all of the removed masses on the completeness of the removal and the presence of complications was analyzed. The Mann-Whitney U test was used in the statistical analysis.

RESULTS

The complete removal rate for ultrasound imaging immediately after the procedure was 95.8%, and the rate at more than 6 months for follow-up ultrasound imaging was 92.3%. Larger lesions, lesions closer to the nipple, and cases in which multiple lesions were removed at a time showed the presence of more residual lesions. Lesions closer to the nipple and cases in which multiple lesions were removed simultaneously developed more hematomas (P < .05).

CONCLUSIONS

Ultrasound-guided vacuum-assisted percutaneous excision showed high effectiveness for the removal of benign breast masses. However, more attention should be given to certain lesions to increase the efficacy.

Laparoscopic assisted distal rectal cancer resection with preoperative concurrent chemoradiotherapy

PURPOSE

Anatomy of deep pelvis, narrow distal margin and tumor invasion into neighbor organ are obstacles for curative radical resection for advanced cancer of distal rectum. Technically, laparoscopic application after downstaging the tumor with preoperative concurrent chemotherapy (CCRT) may give a solution to overcome the anatomical difficulties. We compared the results of laparoscopic surgery in the patients who received CCRT with those of patients who had conventional surgery.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A continuous infusion of 5FU plus leucovorin and radiotherapy (50.4 Gy) in 28 fractions was given each patient as CCRT. They underwent D2 radical resection with TME and ANP for the rectal cancer in 4 weeks.

RESULTS

Thirty three patients had laparoscopic resection such as LAR, colo-anal anastomosis and APR. The results were compared with 12 cases of the conventional resections. As a result of preoperative CCRT, the cancer was down-staged in 71%. Two year disease free survival was 75% and 74% in the group of conventional and laparoscopic resection, respectively (p=0.427). Ileus, voiding difficulty and leakage after surgery were not different between two groups. Weakness of ejaculation was noted in 9 approximately 11% of both groups. The DFS of the preoperative CCRT followed by radical resection in the groups with a response was more favorable than that in the group with progressive or stable disease.

CONCLUSION

Radical resection of advanced distal rectal cancer could be done with performing a laparoscopic assisted operation after CCRT induced down-staging. We may suggest that laparoscopic assisted resection is a good treatment option as it doesn't increase the complications and it has a compatible survival rate to conventional surgery.

Some dissociating factors in the analysis of structural and functional progressive damage in open-angle glaucoma

AIM

To identify the presence, and origin, of any "dissociating factors" inherent to the techniques for evaluating progression that mask the relationship between structural and functional progression in open-angle glaucoma (OAG).

METHODS

23 patients (14 with OAG and 9 with ocular hypertension (OHT)) who had received serial Heidelberg Retina Tomograph (HRT II) and Humphrey Field Analyser (HFA) examinations for >or=5 years (mean 78.4 months (SD 9.5), range 60-101 months) were identified. Evidence of progressive disease was retrospectively evaluated in one eye of each patient using the Topographic Change Analysis (TCA) and Glaucoma Progression Analysis (GPA) for the HRT II and HFA, respectively.

RESULTS

Six patients were stable by both techniques; four exhibited both structural and functional progression; seven exhibited structural progression, only, and six showed functional progression, only. Three types of dissociating factors were identified. TCA failed to identify progressive structural damage in the presence of advanced optic nerve head damage. GPA failed to identify progressive functional damage at stimulus locations, with sensitivities exhibiting test-retest variability beyond the maximum stimulus luminance of the perimeter, and where a perimetric learning effect was apparent.

CONCLUSION

The three dissociating factors accounted for nine of the 13 patients who exhibited a lack of concordance between structural and functional progressive damage.