Should breast surgery be considered for patients with de novo metastatic inflammatory breast cancer?

INTRODUCTION

We aimed to identify factors predicting surgery for de novo stage IV inflammatory breast cancer (IBC) and determine the association of surgery with overall survival (OS).

METHODS

Female patients with unilateral AJCC clinical stage IV IBC treated 2010-2018 in the NCDB were identified. Logistic regression and multivariable proportional Cox hazards regressions determined factors associated with treatment and OS.

RESULTS

Of 1049 patients, 29.1% underwent breast surgery (BS) and 70.9% had no surgery (NS). Increasing age and more recent treatment year were significantly associated with NS. 2-Year OS was superior in BS patients (71% vs 38% NS). Single-site and bone-only metastasis had no association with treatment type or OS.

CONCLUSION

Contrary to guidelines, 1/3 of de novo stage IV IBC patients underwent BS, and had an independent OS benefit irrespective of extent or site of metastasis. Further research is needed to determine which patients with stage IV IBC should undergo BS.

Using MammaPrint on core needle biopsy to guide the need for axillary staging during breast surgery

BACKGROUND

At present, the only opportunity to omit axillary staging is with Choosing Wisely criteria for women ages >70 y with cT1 2N0 estrogen receptor-positive/human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-negative breast cancer. However, many women are diagnosed when pathologic node status-negative, raising the question of additional opportunities to omit sentinel lymph node biopsy. We sought to investigate the association between MammaPrint, a genomic test that estimates estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer recurrence risk, and pathologic node status, with the aim that low-risk MammaPrint could be considered for omission of sentinel lymph node biopsy if associated with pathologic node status-negative.

METHODS

A single-institution database was queried for all women with cT1 2N0 estrogen receptor-positive/human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-negative invasive breast cancer with breast surgery as their first treatment and MammaPrint performed from 2020 to 2021. Patient and tumor factors, including MammaPrint score, were compared with axillary node status for correlation.

RESULTS

A total of 668 women met inclusion criteria, with a median age of 66 y. MammaPrint was low-risk luminal A in 481 (72%) and high-risk luminal B in 187 (28%). At the time of breast surgery, 588 (88%) had sentinel lymph node biopsy, 27 (4%) had axillary lymph node dissection, and 53 (7.9%) had no axillary staging. Most women in both the pathologic node status-negative and pathologic node status-positive cohorts had low-risk MammaPrint (355 [73.3%] pathologic node status-negative vs 91 [69.5%] pathologic node status-positive), and women with low-risk MammaPrint did not have a significantly lower risk of pathologic node status-positive (P = .377).

CONCLUSION

Low-risk MammaPrint does not predict lower risk of pathologic node status-positive breast cancer. Based on our results, genomic testing does not appear to provide additional personalization for the ability to omit sentinel lymph node biopsy for patients outside of the Choosing Wisely guidelines.

Adjuvant Therapy in Breast Cancer Patients With Microscopic Residual Disease

INTRODUCTION

Surgical resection is the gold standard for early-stage breast cancer. Positive surgical margins are associated with poor outcome. Endocrine therapy (ET) is recommended as primary systemic treatment for hormone receptor positive (HR+) breast cancer after surgery. We hypothesized that chemoenocrine therapy (CET) would not be associated with improved survival relative to ET for patients with positive margins.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The National Cancer Database was queried for pathologic stage I HR + HER2-breast cancer patients treated with partial mastectomy and adjuvant whole-breast irradiation between 2004 and 2017. The adjuvant treatment approaches to positive surgical margins were investigated and compared. Overall survival was compared between systemic treatment groups using multivariable cox proportional hazards regression.

RESULTS

Among 228,453 patients, a positive surgical margin (microscopic residual disease, R1) was identified in 3561 (1.6%) patients. Compared with complete resections, positive margin was associated with inferior overall survival (hazard ratio [HR] = 1.276, P = 0.003). Among the R1 patients, 78.7% received ET only, 11.7% received CET, 1.2% received chemotherapy only, and 8.5% received no systemic therapy. After controlling for patient, facility, and tumor characteristics, ET provided greatest survival benefit (relative to no therapy, HR = 0.378, P < 0.001) followed by CET (HR = 0.446, P = 0.020). Compared with ET alone, CET is not associated with additional overall survival benefit (HR = 1.179, P = 0.595).

CONCLUSIONS

CET appeared not to be associated with an improved overall survival in early stage HR + HER2-breast cancer with microscopic residual disease relative to ET. Positive surgical margins therefore are probably not a relevant clinical factor for adjuvant chemotherapy decision-making.

Abstract P2-14-05: Patient rather than tumor factors predict contralateral prophylactic mastectomy for inflammatory breast cancer

Introduction: Inflammatory breast cancer (IBC) is an aggressive form of breast cancer with best outcomes result-ing from trimodality therapy: neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC), modified radical mastectomy (MRM), and radiation (PMRT). Contralateral prophylactic mastectomy (CPM) is generally discour-aged at the time of MRM due to poor prognosis. Our aim was to identify factors associated with CPM for IBC and determine its relationship with overall survival (OS). Methods: The National Cancer Database was used to identify female patients with AJCC stage IIIC unilateral IBC (cT4d and inflammatory histology code) treated 2004-2018. Patients were stratified by mastec-tomy type: unilateral mastectomy (UM) was defined as MRM or simple mastectomy, and CPM was defined as UM + CPM. Logistic regression identified factors associated with mastectomy type, and multivariable proportional Cox hazards regression identified factors associated with OS. A subset analysis of patients receiving NAC compared complete pathologic response (pCR) between mastec-tomy groups. Results: Of the 2,837 patients with non-metastatic IBC, 2,013 (70.2%) underwent UM and 855 (29.8%) had CPM. The CPM group was significantly younger than the UM group (mean age 52 vs. 56.6 years, p=0.028), more frequently identified as Non-Hispanic White (79.7% vs. 70.1%, p&lt; 0.001), and had private insurance (66.9% vs. 55.6%, p&lt; 0.001). Nearly all patients received chemotherapy and over 80% were treated with NAC. Receipt of PMRT did not differ by mastectomy type (80% for UM and CPM). On multivariable logistic regression, patients age &lt; 40 were more likely to undergo CPM than UM (OR 3.7, 95% CI 1.61-8.5, p&lt; 0.002). Patients with age &gt;70, Hispanic ethnicity, and public insur-ance were significantly less likely to receive CPM (all p≤0.002). On multivariable Cox regression ad-justed for patient, tumor, and treatment factors, CPM was not associated with OS benefit (HR 0.86, 95% CI 0.73-1.02, p=0.08). Higher histologic grade, node-positive disease, and greater co-morbidity were associated with poorer OS, while receipt of chemotherapy and PMRT improved OS. In the subset of NAC patients, overall pCR did not differ significantly by mastectomy type (CPM 22.3%, UM 19.4%, p=0.26). When included in multivariable models, pCR rates were not predictive of CPM de-spite being associated with improved OS. Conclusion: Nearly 30% of IBC patients undergo CPM despite discouragement by guidelines. Demographic char-acteristics – particularly age &lt; 40 – predicted CPM, suggesting patient preferences and access to care affect surgical decisions. As expected, trimodality therapy and favorable NAC response im-proved oncologic outcomes, but CPM had no association with OS. While CPM may be chosen for risk reduction and symmetry, patients should be counseled that it does not improve survival for IBC.

Citation Format: Lauren M. Drapalik, Amanda L. Amin, Ashley Simpson, Lisa Rock, Mary Freyvogel, Robert Shenk, Megan E. Miller. Patient rather than tumor factors predict contralateral prophylactic mastectomy for inflammatory breast cancer [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2022 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; 2022 Dec 6-10; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2023;83(5 Suppl):Abstract nr P2-14-05.

Modeling the COVID Pandemic: Do Delays in Surgery Justify Using Stereotactic Radiation to Treat Low-Risk Early Stage Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer?

INTRODUCTION

It was suggested that stereotactic radiation (SBRT) is an "alternative if no surgical capacity is available" for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) care during the COVID-19 pandemic. The purpose of this study was to compare the oncologic outcomes of delayed surgical resection and early SBRT among operable patients with early stage lung cancer.

METHODS

The National Cancer Database was queried for patients with cT1aN0M0 NSCLC who underwent surgery or SBRT (2010-2016) with no comorbidity. Patients with any comorbidities or age >80 were excluded. The outcome of interest was overall survival. Delays in surgical care were modeled using different times from diagnosis to surgery. A 1:1 propensity match was performed and survival was analyzed using multivariable Cox regression.

RESULTS

Of 6720 healthy cT1aN0M0 NSCLC patients, 6008 (89.4%) received surgery and 712 (10.6%) received SBRT. Among surgery patients, time to surgery >30 d was associated with inferior survival (HR > 1.4, P ≤ 0.013) compared with patients receiving surgery ≤14 d. Relative to SBRT, surgery demonstrated superior survival at all time points evaluated: 0-30 d, 31-60 d, 61-90 d, and >90 d (all P < 0.001). Among a propensity-matched cohort of 256 pairs of patients, delayed surgery (>90 d) remained association with better overall survival relative to early SBRT (5-year survival 76.9% versus 32.3%, HR = 0.266, P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Although longer time to surgery is associated with inferior survival among surgery patients, delayed surgery is superior to early SBRT. Surgical resection should remain the standard of care to treat operable early stage lung cancer despite delays imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Abstract P6-01-02: Using MammaPrint on Core Needle Biopsy to Guide Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy for Invasive Breast Carcinoma

Introduction: MammaPrint, a 70-gene assay used to predict breast cancer recurrence, is typically obtained on the surgical specimen to guide the use of adjuvant chemotherapy. However, MammaPrint results obtained at the time of diagnosis on core biopsy specimen could allow consideration of neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC), particularly for tumors that may not traditionally be considered for NAC such as invasive lobular carcinoma (ILC). We hypothesized that MammaPrint scores correlate with pathologic complete response (pCR) and can predict NAC response independent of histology type.

Methods: The National Cancer Database was used to identify patients with AJCC Stage I-III unilateral HR+/HER2- breast cancer with MammaPrint scores treated 2010-2018. Patients were stratified by histology: invasive ductal carcinoma (IDC) and ILC; and by MammaPrint score for 5-year breast cancer recurrence: Low Risk (1%) and High Risk (12%). Descriptive statistics identified clinical and treatment differences between groups. Logistic regression was used to identify factors associated with chemotherapy receipt and sequence. A subset analysis of patients receiving NAC compared pCR rates by MammaPrint score and histology type.

Results: Of 10,999 patients, 9,351 (85%) were diagnosed with IDC and 1,648 (15%) with ILC. ILC were larger at presentation: 40% of ILC were cT2 or greater vs. 29% of IDC (p&lt; 0.001). However, 90% of patients in both groups had cN0 disease. The majority of ILC were grade II (67% ILC vs. 52% IDC, p&lt; 0.001). High Risk MammaPrint scores were significantly more common in IDC tumors: 44% IDC vs 25% ILC (p&lt; 0.001). Mastectomy and axillary lymph node dissection (ALND) were performed more often for ILC than IDC (unilateral mastectomy 32% vs. 21%, bilateral mastectomy 17% vs. 12%, ALND 29% vs. 24%; all p&lt; 0.001). Conversely, chemotherapy (38% vs. 30%, p&lt; 0.001) and radiation (69% vs. 64%, p&lt; 0.001) were more frequently used to treat IDC than ILC. In the subset analysis of patients who received NAC (n = 715), tumors with High Risk MammaPrint scores had more favorable in-breast and axillary responses than those with Low Risk scores for both ILC and IDC (Table 1). Furthermore, only tumors with High Risk Mammaprint scores achieved an overall pCR: 7% IDC and 5% ILC. There were no significant differences in pCR rates by histology type. On multivariable logistic regression, High Risk MammaPrint score was positively associated with the receipt of NAC (OR 4.3, p&lt; 0.001) and adjuvant chemotherapy (OR 24.8, p&lt; 0.001). NAC, adjuvant chemotherapy, and any chemotherapy were also strongly associated with node-positive disease and tumor size &gt;2cm, but not IDC vs. ILC histology.

Conclusions: Superior response to NAC was observed in tumors with High Risk MammaPrint score regardless of histology type, indicating a correlation between pCR rates and genomic assay results. Greater use of NAC guided by High Risk Mammaprint score obtained on core needle biopsy may allow patients with invasive breast cancer to undergo less extensive breast and axillary surgery. Further prospective studies using MammaPrint testing on core biopsy specimens could validate these findings in clinical practice.

Table 1. Response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy by MammaPrint score for patients with Invasive breast carcinoma, NCDB 2010–2018

Citation Format: Lauren M. Drapalik, Rashi Singh, Ashley Simpson, Lisa Rock, Robert Shenk, Amanda L. Amin, Megan E. Miller. Using MammaPrint on Core Needle Biopsy to Guide Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy for Invasive Breast Carcinoma [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2022 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; 2022 Dec 6-10; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2023;83(5 Suppl):Abstract nr P6-01-02.

Trends in surgery and survival for T1-T2 male breast cancer: A study from the National Cancer Database

BACKGROUND

Despite evidence that early-stage male breast cancer (MBC) can be treated the same as in females, we hypothesized that men undergo more extensive surgery.

METHODS

Patients with clinical T1-2 breast cancer were identified in the National Cancer Database 2004-2016. Trends in surgery type and overall survival were compared between sexes.

RESULTS

Of 9,782 males and 1,078,105 females, most were cN0 with AJCC stage I/II disease. Unilateral mastectomy was most common in men (67.1% vs. 24.1%, p < 0.001) and partial mastectomy in women (64.7% vs. 26.4%, p < 0.001), with no significant change over time. Over 1/3 of men received ALND in 2016. While overall survival was superior in females (HR 0.83, 95% CI 0.73-0.94, p = 0.003), partial mastectomy was associated with a 42% reduction in mortality risk for males (HR 0.58, 95% CI 0.4-0.8, p = 0.003).

CONCLUSIONS

De-escalation of surgery could be considered for MBC to improve survival and align with current standards of care.

Partial Breast Re-Irradiation for Patients with Ipsilateral Breast Tumor Recurrence After Initial Treatment with Breast Conservation for Early Stage Breast Cancer

PURPOSE

Accelerated partial breast irradiation (APBI), including intraoperative radiation therapy (IORT), is an evidence based treatment option in patients undergoing breast conserving surgery (BCS) for early-stage breast cancer. However, literature regarding re-irradiation for patients with ipsilateral breast tumor recurrences (IBTR) is limited. This prospective study assessed the feasibility and efficacy of using APBI in patients who had prior whole breast irradiation.

METHODS AND MATERIALS

This is a single institution, prospective study of patients who were previously treated with BCS and adjuvant whole breast radiation. At the time of enrollment, all had unifocal IBTR, histologically confirmed invasive ductal carcinoma with negative margins after repeat BCS. Patients received either IORT in a single fraction at time of BCS or MammoSite® brachytherapy twice daily over 5 days. Follow-up data and patient surveys were collected at 1, 3, 6, 9 and 12 months, then annually for at least a 5-year period.

RESULTS

From 2008 to 2014, 13 patients were enrolled. Median time to recurrence after initial course of radiation was 12.5 years. Median follow-up after re-treatment was 7.8 years. One patient in the IORT group had a subsequent tumor bed recurrence, yielding a local control of 92%. One patient had distant recurrence. At baseline, 69% reported excellent-good cosmesis compared to 39% at 5-years. All patients indicated total satisfaction with overall treatment experience.

CONCLUSIONS

APBI using IORT was well tolerated with excellent local control and may be a reasonable alternative to mastectomy for IBTR. Further study is needed to determine the most suitable candidates for this approach.

A comparison of local therapy alone with local plus systemic therapy for stage I pT1aN0M0 HER2+ breast cancer: A National Cancer Database analysis

BACKGROUND

Small invasive breast cancers (BCs) with tumor sizes ≤5 mm (T1a) are associated with an excellent prognosis without systemic therapy. Although HER2 overexpression (HER2+) is associated with a higher risk of recurrence and poorer clinical outcomes, in the absence of HER2 directed therapy, it remains unclear whether adjuvant systemic therapy is necessary in node-negative patients diagnosed with HER2+ invasive BCs ≤5 mm (pT1aN0M0).

METHODS

The National Cancer Database was searched to identify patients diagnosed with HER2+ pT1aN0M0 BCs from 2004 to 2017. The cohort was stratified by treatment status: local therapy alone or local plus adjuvant systemic therapy. A 1:1 propensity match was performed. Overall survival (OS) was analyzed using stratified multivariable Cox proportional hazards regression analyses.

RESULTS

Of the 8948 patients found, 4026 (45.0%) underwent surgery alone, and 4922 (55.0%) received surgery plus systemic therapy. Patients with either moderately differentiated (odds ratio [OR], 2.053; P < .001) or poorly/undifferentiated tumors (OR, 3.780; P < .001) or with the presence of lymphovascular invasion (OR, 3.351; P < .001) were more likely to have received systemic therapy. Propensity matching generated 1162 pairs of patients who were hormone receptor positive (HR+) and 748 pairs who were hormone receptor negative (HR-). Propensity matching effectively reduced selection bias between study groups. In the matched cohort, the addition of systemic therapy was not associated with superior OS (hazard ratio for HR+, 1.613; P = .107, and hazard ratio for HR- 1.319; P = .369) compared with patients who received local therapy alone.

CONCLUSIONS

In pT1aN0M0 HER2+ BC, the addition of adjuvant systemic therapy after surgical excision was not associated with improved OS compared with local therapy alone.

Abstract P3-18-02: Breast conservation plus radiotherapy provides superior survival benefit than mastectomy in triple negative breast cancer: A propensity matched national cancer database analysis

Background: Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is an aggressive breast cancer subtype with a higher risk of locoregional and distance recurrence. Consequently, this population was considered poor candidate for breast conservation (BCT). Our study aim was to determine whether BCT plus radiotherapy (RT) was equivalent to mastectomy for TNBC after adjustment of selection bias of demographic and clinical characteristics. Methods: The National Cancer Database was queried for women diagnosed as primary unilateral invasive clinical T1-2N0-2 TNBC from 2004-2016. Patients who underwent mastectomy or breast conservation (partial mastectomy plus radiation) were included. A 1:1 propensity match with replacement was performed to compare breast conservation vs. mastectomy. Overall survival was analyzed using stratified multivariable Cox proportional hazard regression analysis.Results: Of 59,599 clinical T1-2N0-2 TNBC patients, 26,325 (44.2%) underwent mastectomy and 33,274 (55.8%) were treated with BCT. BCT patients were older (median age 59 vs. 54, p&lt;0.001), had smaller tumors (cT1 61.7% vs. 42.9%, p&lt;0.001) and node negative (cN0 85.8% vs. 73.7%, p&lt;0.001). Propensity matching reduced the bias between mastectomy and breast conservation groups and generated 30,980 pairs for analysis. Median follow-up times were 41 months (range 6.97-95.8) and 39 months (range, 0.62 -94.06) for BCT and mastectomy groups, respectively. After matching, BCT+RT was associated with significantly higher OS compared to mastectomy ( 86.8% vs. 79.7%, p&lt;0.001). The survival advantage was also present in multivariate cox regression after controlling age, race, insurance, facility type, clinical T and clinical N stage.Conclusions: Using both propensity matching and multivariate cox regression controlling for potential confounders, BCT+RT survival was superior to mastectomy in a retrospective analysis of a large cancer database.

Citation Format: Lifen Cao, Christopher W Towe, Megan E Miller, Alberto J Montero, Robert Shenk. Breast conservation plus radiotherapy provides superior survival benefit than mastectomy in triple negative breast cancer: A propensity matched national cancer database analysis [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2021 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; 2021 Dec 7-10; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2022;82(4 Suppl):Abstract nr P3-18-02.

Abstract PD7-08: Less is not necessarily more: A propensity matched national analysis on effect and outcome of sentinel lymph node biopsy omission

Background: Routine sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) has been recommended against by Choosing Wisely© Foundation due to its low value in clinical node negative, hormone receptor positive breast cancer patients age≥70 years old. We used the National Cancer Database (NCDB) to examine the effect of SLNB omission and outcomes in this population. We hypothesized that SLNB would be beneficial in this population.Methods: The National Cancer Database was queried for women diagnosed with primary unilateral invasive clinical stage T1N0M0 hormone receptor positive, HER-2 negative breast cancer from 2012-2017. Patients age ≥ 70 years old with Charlson Score ≥1 who underwent partial mastectomy and received hormonal therapy were included in the study cohort. Patients received neoadjuvant therapy or underwent upfront axillary lymph node dissection (ALND) were excluded. A 1:3 propensity match with replacement was performed to compare SLNB omission vs. SLNB group controlling age, race, comorbidities, insurance and facility. Overall survival was analyzed using stratified multivariable Cox proportional hazard regression analysis.Results: Of 14,150 patients, 1,928 (13.6%) omitted SLNB and 12,222 (86.4%) underwent SLNB, including 1,545/12,222 (12.6%) who proceeded to ALND. Central portion tumor location (OR=1.77, P=0.001), clinical T1c (OR= 2.49, P&lt;0.001) and lymph-vascular invasion (OR=7.46, P&lt;0.001) were significant associated with positive pathological lymph node involvement in SLNB group. Among the 1,397 patients of positive nodal status with SLNB, 87.7% received radiation therapy and 19.3% received chemotherapy. Propensity matching reduced bias between the groups, generating 1,903 SLNB omission and 5,703 SLNB patients for analysis. After match, the SLNB omission group was less likely to receive chemotherapy (1.1% vs. 3.0%, p&lt;0.001) or radiation therapy (28.9% vs. 60.8%, p&lt;0.001). Omitting SLNB was associated with inferior overall survival (3-year 83.7% vs. 90.6%, 5-year 66.4% vs. 76.1%, p&lt;0.001). Omitting SLNB was also associated with inferior survival in multivariate cox regression (HR=1.64, p&lt;0.001). Chemotherapy (OR=0.51, p=0.020) and radiation therapy (OR=0.85, P=0.007) were associated with superior overall survival.Conclusions: SLNB remains to be of importance in cT1N0M0 HR+HER2- patients of age 70 years. Pathologic staging affects decisions on adjuvant treatment and SLNB omission is associated with inferior survival. In this population, SLNB might need to be re-implemented, especially in patients with high likelihood of nodal involvement.

Citation Format: Lifen Cao, Megan E Miller, Luke D Rothermel, Alberto J Montero, Christopher W Towe, Robert Shenk. Less is not necessarily more: A propensity matched national analysis on effect and outcome of sentinel lymph node biopsy omission [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2021 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; 2021 Dec 7-10; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2022;82(4 Suppl):Abstract nr PD7-08.

Adjuvant trastuzumab with or without chemotherapy in stage 1 pT1N0 HER2+ breast cancer: a National Cancer Database analysis

PURPOSE

Approximately 20% of all breast cancers (BC) are HER2 amplified. In the APT trial, weekly paclitaxel/trastuzumab in node negative HER2+ BC with tumors < 3 cm was associated with a 7-year invasive disease-free survival of 93%. However, this was in the context of a non-randomized trial, and for pT1N0 HER2+ BC it remains unclear whether HER2 monotherapy would provide similar clinical outcomes to chemo-HER2 therapy. We hypothesized that adjuvant chemo-HER2 therapy would be associated with a modestly improved overall survival compared to HER2 monotherapy in patients with tumors < 2 cm.

METHODS

In the National Cancer Database (2004-2017), patients with a primary diagnosis of pT1N0M0 HER2+ BC, were separated into two groups: (i) HER2 monotherapy, i.e., trastuzumab, and (ii) chemo-HER2 therapy. A 3:1 propensity match was performed to balance patient selection bias between the two different cohorts. Long-term overall survival (OS) was compared between both groups.

RESULTS

A total of 23,281 patients met the criteria. 22,268 (96.7%) received chemo-HER2 therapy and 1013 (4.4%) received HER2 monotherapy. Propensity match identified 1995 patients who received chemo-HER2 therapy, and 666 who received HER2 monotherapy. After matching, adjuvant chemo-HER2 therapy was associated with a modest survival advantage over HER2 monotherapy (5-year OS 94.1% vs. 90.6%, P = 0.041).

CONCLUSIONS

Even though there is a modest OS advantage favoring adjuvant chemo-HER2 therapy in patients with pT1N0 HER2+ BC, HER2 monotherapy was associated with 5-year OS > 90%. Therefore, in select patients who have contraindications for cytotoxic chemotherapy, or decline adjuvant chemotherapy altogether, adjuvant trastuzumab monotherapy appears to be a reasonable alternative.

Neoadjuvant Endocrine Therapy as an Alternative to Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy Among Hormone Receptor-Positive Breast Cancer Patients: Pathologic and Surgical Outcomes

Background

Neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NCT) is considered more effective in downstaging hormone receptor-positive (HR+) breast cancer than neoadjuvant endocrine therapy (NET), particularly in node-positive disease. This study compared breast and axillary response and survival after NCT and NET in HR+ breast cancer.

Methods

Based on American College of Surgeons Oncology Group (ACOSOG) Z1031 criteria, women age 50 years or older with cT2-4 HR+ breast cancer who underwent NET or NCT and surgery were identified in the National Cancer Database 2010–2016. Chi-square and logistic regression analysis determined differences between the NCT and NET groups and therapy response, including downstaging and pathologic complete response (pCR, ypT0/is and ypN0).

Results

Of 19,829 patients, 14,025 (70.7%) received NCT and 5804 (29.3%) received NET. The NET patients were older (mean age, 68.9 vs. 60.3; P < 0.001) and had greater comorbidity (1+ Charlson–Deyo score, 21% vs. 16%; P < 0.001). Therapy achieved T downstaging (any) for 58% of the patients with NCT versus 40.5% of the patients with NET, and in-breast pCR was achieved for 9.3% of the NCT versus 1.3% of the NET patients (P < 0.001). Approximately half of the mastectomy procedures could have been potentially avoided for the patients with in-breast pCR (53.6% of the NCT and 43.8% of the NET patients). For the cN+ patients, N downstaging (any) was 29% for the NCT patients versus 18.3% for the NET patients (P < 0.001), and nodal pCR was achieved for 20.3% of the NCT versus 13.5% of the NET patients (P < 0.001). Among those with nodal pCR, axillary lymph node dissection (ALND) still was performed for 56% of the patients after NCT and 45% of the patients after NET.

Conclusions

Although the response rates after NCT were higher, NET achieved both T and N downstaging and pCR. Neoadjuvant endocrine therapy can be used to de-escalate surgery for patients who cannot tolerate NCT or when chemotherapy may not be effective based on genomic testing.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1245/s10434-021-10459-3.

Surgery provides survival benefit over systemic therapy alone for stage IV triple negative breast cancer: A propensity matched analysis of the National Cancer Database

e13054

Background: Conflicting data exist regarding benefit of surgery of the primary site for stage IV breast cancer, in which systemic therapy is standard of care and patient characteristics may bias treatment decisions. Metastatic triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) is an aggressive subtype with limited therapy options and poor prognosis. Our aim was to assess whether surgery for the primary tumor in stage IV TNBC provides a survival advantage over systemic therapy alone. Methods: The National Cancer Database was queried for patients with de-novo stage IV TNBC who received systemic therapy alone or systemic therapy and surgery of the primary breast site 2004-2016. Patients receiving surgery for metastatic tumor sites or with incomplete follow up data were excluded. 1:1 propensity matching was performed for demographics, comorbidities, clinical T and N stage, and metastatic sites to minimize confounding factors. Survival outcomes were analyzed using a stratified log-rank test and Cox proportional hazard regression analysis. Results: Of 2989 patients, 782 (26.21%) underwent surgery plus systemic therapy and 2207 (73.84%) were treated with systemic therapy alone. The majority of all patients were aged 51-70 with low co-morbidity, and treated in metropolitan areas. Patients treated at academic facilities (OR = 0.67, p = 0.025), with multiple metastatic sites (OR = 0.59, p < 0.001), or advanced clinical N stage (OR = 0.55, p < 0.001) were less likely to undergo surgery. Of those who completed surgery, 58% had unilateral mastectomy, and 63% had axillary lymph node dissection. Propensity matching identified 507 ‘paired’ patients with similar characteristics in the surgery and systemic therapy alone groups. After multivariable adjustment, surgery was associated with superior overall survival compared with systemic therapy alone (HR 0.73, P < 0.001). Older age (HR = 1.47, p < 0.001), greater comorbidity (HR = 1.28, p < 0.001) and multiple metastatic sites (HR = 1.53, p < 0.001) significantly decreased overall survival in the matched cohort. Median survival was shortest in the systemic therapy alone group (12.8 months, 95% CI 11.3-14.5) and longest in those undergoing systemic therapy plus simple mastectomy (18 months, 95% CI 14.3-21.2), though approximately 4 months of median survival was added for all patients undergoing any surgery vs. systemic therapy alone (p = 0.0001). Conclusions: In stage IV TNBC, surgical resection of the primary tumor site in addition to systemic therapy may provide a survival benefit in selected patients. Though in this retrospective study the sequence of treatment was unknown, surgery could be considered for low disease burden as in other malignancies with oligometastatic disease. Additional research is needed to determine if these findings persist in prospective studies and for other hormone-receptor subtypes.

Improved survival supports primary endocrine therapy in patients with hormone receptor positive/ HER-2 negative metastatic breast cancer

e13034

Background: Current ASCO guidelines recommend endocrine therapy as preferred primary treatment for hormone receptor positive (HR+) metastatic breast cancer (MBC). We assessed survival outcomes of HR+/HER2- MBC patients undergoing endocrine therapy with and without chemotherapy. Methods: The National Cancer Database was queried 2004-2016 for patients with de novo HR+/HER2- MBC. Exclusion criteria were treatment with surgery or radiation at the primary site and missing oncologic and follow up data. Overall survival was compared between systemic treatment groups using multivariable cox proportional hazards regression modes. Results: 19,317 patients met inclusion criteria, among whom 2,360 (12%) received no systemic therapy, 2,617 (14%) received chemotherapy only, 10,078 (52%) received endocrine therapy only and 4,262 (22%) received both chemotherapy and endocrine therapy. Patients treated with chemotherapy only more frequently had lung (38%, p<0.001) or liver (36%, p<0.001) metastasis while those undergoing endocrine therapy only presented primarily with bone metastasis (82%, p<0.001). Patients with multiple metastatic sites more often received endocrine therapy alone than combined therapy (44 vs. 25%, p<0.001). Median overall survival was similar after combination therapy and endocrine therapy, and poorest after chemotherapy alone (33.1 vs 31.4 vs 19.8 months, p<0.001). After controlling for patient, facility, and tumor characteristics, endocrine therapy alone provided superior survival benefit to chemotherapy only, though combination systemic therapy resulted in the greatest overall survival (p<0.001). Conclusions: Primary endocrine therapy provided significant survival benefit over chemotherapy alone for HR+/HER2- MBC. Though combination systemic therapy may be warranted in progressive disease, our results align with recommendations for endocrine therapy as first line treatment for HR+/HER2- MBC. [Table: see text]

Minimally Invasive Mastectomy Could Achieve Non-inferior Oncological Outcome in Appropriately Selected Patients: Propensity Matched Analysis of the National Cancer Database

BACKGROUND

Minimally invasive mastectomy (MIM) was emerged as an approach to decrease morbidity and increase patient satisfaction through improved cosmetic results; however, there is a paucity of data regarding the long-term oncologic outcomes of these minimally invasive approaches.

METHODS

Patients who underwent mastectomy procedures were identified in the National Cancer Database (2010-2016). Patients were categorized as MIM or open mastectomy. A 1:1 propensity match was performed to balance the bias on reconstruction, nipple sparing, lymph node procedures, and other confounding factors between the cohorts. Short- and long-term outcomes were compared.

RESULTS

A total of 328 811 patients met the criteria: 327 643 (99.6%) received open mastectomy and 1168 (.4%) received MIM. Propensity match identified 384 "pairs" of MIM and open mastectomy patients. Among them, MIM was associated with shorter length of stay (LOS) (mean 1.3 vs. 1.06 days, P = .003). No differences were observed in the rates of positive margins, unplanned readmissions, or 90-day mortality between the 2 operative approaches. Overall survival (OS) was equivalent between MIM and open mastectomy patients. Cox proportional hazard regression showed no effect of the procedure performed on OS.

DISCUSSION

MIM is associated with shorter LOS, and it is non-inferior to open mastectomy in terms of other short-term outcomes and long-term oncologic survival outcomes. These data suggest that MIM may be considered in appropriately selected breast cancer patients as an additional approach to the community.

Despite Equivalent Outcomes, Men Receive Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy Less Often Than Women for Lymph Node-Positive Breast Cancer

BACKGROUND

Neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) downstages breast cancer and provides prognostic information. Males with breast cancer are known to receive less treatment overall and have poorer outcomes relative to females. We hypothesized that males would be less likely to receive NAC.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Patients with a primary diagnosis of cN1-3 breast cancer were identified in the National Cancer Database (2004-2016). Multivariable logistic regression determined the association between NAC utilization and sex, and the relationship between sex and NAC response, controlling for demographic and tumor factors. Overall survival was analyzed using a multivariable Cox model.

RESULTS

In total, 196,027 patients (194,010 females, 2017 males) met inclusion criteria. A significantly greater proportion of males underwent mastectomy (80% vs. 60%, P < 0.001), and axillary lymph node dissection (76% vs. 74%, P = 0.022). Overall fewer men received chemotherapy than women (73% vs. 84%, P < 0.001); men also received NAC at a significantly lower rate (26% men vs. 45% women, P < 0.001). After accounting for demographic and oncologic factors including hormone receptor (HR) subtype, females remained more likely to undergo NAC (OR 1.84, P < 0.001). On multivariable analysis, sex was not associated with pathologic response or overall survival after NAC.

CONCLUSIONS

Although oncologic outcomes after NAC were similar, males with node-positive breast cancer received less NAC and more aggressive surgery than females. These data suggest men achieve outcomes comparable to women with cN1-3 disease, and NAC should be used in appropriate male patients to downstage the breast and axilla.

Abstract PS14-12: Trends in breast and axillary surgery for T1-T2 male breast cancer: A study from the national cancer database

Introduction: Due to the low incidence of male breast cancer, large scale prospective trials to guide therapy are lacking. Historically males with breast cancer present at more advanced stages than females and have been surgically treated with modified radical mastectomy. Recent studies suggest that breast-conserving therapy for early-stage male breast cancer yields similar outcomes as for female patients, and that sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) can be used in place of axillary lymph node dissection (ALND) for appropriate clinically node-negative patients. Our study investigates trends in breast and axillary surgery for male breast cancer patients, focusing specifically on the treatment of early-stage disease. Methods: The National Cancer Database (NCDB) was utilized to identify male and female patients diagnosed with clinical T1-2 breast cancer from 2004-2016. Patient, tumor, facility, and surgical treatment factors were examined. Patients were stratified by surgery type: partial, unilateral, and bilateral mastectomy; simple versus modified radical mastectomy; SLNB (removal of ≤ 5 lymph nodes) and ALND (&gt;5 lymph nodes). Trends in surgery type were compared between male and female patients and over the study period for each gender. Results: 9,782 males and 1,078,105 females with T1-2 breast cancer were identified. Men were significantly older at diagnosis than women (31.4% vs. 23.6% age &gt;70, p&lt;0.0001), were more often insured by Medicare (44.5% vs. 35.3%, p&lt;0.0001), and had greater co-morbidity (21.9% vs. 15.6% Charlson Deyo Score &gt;0). ER/PR+ disease (94.2% vs. 84.1%, p&lt;.0001), moderate/high grade histology (85.4% vs. 77.8%, p&lt;.0001) and lymphovascular invasion (24% vs. 15.3%, p&lt;.0001) were also more common in males vs. females. The majority of all patients were clinically node negative (80.4% of males, 85% of females) and had AJCC clinical stage I or II disease (92.3% men, 95.2% women). Unilateral mastectomy was performed most commonly for men (67.1% men vs. 24.1% women, p&lt;0.001), while women more frequently underwent partial mastectomy (64.7% women vs. 26.4% men, p&lt;0.001). The rates of each surgery type remained disparate by gender and stable over the study period: male unilateral mastectomy rate 59.8% in 2004 and 66.1% in 2016; female partial mastectomy rate 65.9% in 2004, 68.4% in 2016. Modified radical mastectomy rates decreased in favor of simple mastectomy for both genders, 61.8% to 24.1% in males and 58.7% to 20.2% in females, 2004 to 2016. There was a similar overall increase in SLNB vs. ALND for all patients, though SLNB was not adopted as the more common procedure in male patients until 2009. In 2016, 78.2% of females and 65.3% of males underwent SLNB vs. 51.1% and 39.8% in 2004, respectively. Conclusions: Although breast-conserving therapy is the treatment of choice for female patients with early-stage breast cancer and could be similarly used to treat men with T1-T2 disease, the majority of male breast cancer patients continue to undergo unilateral mastectomy for early-stage disease. In more recent years, SLNB has surpassed ALND for men, mirroring the trend for women, though in a more delayed and gradual fashion. Partial mastectomy and SLNB warrant consideration for men with T1 and T2 breast cancer, in particular since male breast cancer patients present at older ages and with more co-morbidity than their female counterparts, and may benefit from de-escalation of surgical treatment.

Citation Format: Rashi Singh, Lifen Cao, Anuja L Sarode, Michael Kharouta, Robert Shenk, Megan E Miller. Trends in breast and axillary surgery for T1-T2 male breast cancer: A study from the national cancer database [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2020 San Antonio Breast Cancer Virtual Symposium; 2020 Dec 8-11; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2021;81(4 Suppl):Abstract nr PS14-12.

Abstract PS14-10: Trends in incidence and stage of male breast cancer, 2004-2016: An analysis from the national cancer database

Background: Male breast cancer has been less well studied due to the rarity of this condition compared with female breast cancer. Men have traditionally presented at later stages than women, leading to disparities in outcomes. Our aim was to identify the incidence of male breast cancer in recent years and determine trends in clinical and pathologic stage that could be utilized to improve breast cancer care. Methods: Patients diagnosed with primary breast cancer between 2004 and 2016 were identified using the National Cancer Database (NCDB), which collects hospital registry data from over 1,500 Commission on Cancer (CoC)-accredited facilities and represents more than 70% of newly diagnosed cancer cases in the United States. Patient, tumor, treatment, and facility data was compared between male and female patients. Incidence of male and female breast cancer was stratified by both AJCC clinical stage and pathologic stage (I-IV) and evaluated over the study period. Results: 17,814 male breast cancer patients and 2,001,551 female patients with breast cancer were identified. The incidence of male breast cancer increased by 1.5-fold from 1044 cases per year in 2004 to 1565 cases per year in 2016. The number of female breast cancer cases was 123,799 in 2004 and reached the highest annual volume of 184,718 in 2015. In 2010 incident male breast cancer cases rose by nearly 100% compared with the prior year, the majority of which represented early stage disease. In that year alone, for males there was a 99.6% increase (276 vs. 556 cases) in pathologic stage I disease, 89% increase (200 vs. 378 cases) in pathologic stage II disease and 94.7% increase (68 vs. 132 cases) in patients diagnosed with in situ disease. After 2010, incidence patterns for male breast cancer stabilized with ratio changes for Stage I or II at the level of only 1% to 7.3% per year. Interestingly, the proportion of male to female breast cancer incident cases remained constant over the study period, with males representing 0.8-0.9% of the total cases. Overall, a minority of patients presented with Stage III (6.6%) and Stage IV (4.6%) disease, though a greater proportion of males than females had advanced stage disease at diagnosis (16.88% of males vs. 11.14% females, p&lt; 0.001). The incidence of clinical Stage I and II disease increased over time for both genders, though a greater proportion of female breast cancer was Stage I (43.2% female vs. 35.93% male, p&lt;0.001), and Stage II disease was more common in men (33.83% male vs 24.22% female, p&lt;0.001). When pathologic stage was considered, Stage I and II represented the majority of male breast cancer cases, 74.7% to 80% per year, and was slightly higher than the combination of Stage I and II at clinical diagnosis, 65.7% to 78.7% per year. Conclusions: Over past 15 years, the incidence of male breast cancer has increased substantially, yet remains a stable proportion of total breast cancer cases. The greater frequency of Stage II, III and IV disease in men likely reflects the difference in diagnosis by clinical exam or symptoms in men vs. screening programs in women. Education to increase awareness of male breast cancer, promote symptom recognition, and encourage appropriate use of genetic testing should be emphasized to improve early diagnosis of breast cancer in men.

Citation Format: Lifen Cao, Rashi Singh, Anuja L Sarode, Michael Kharouta, Robert Shenk, Megan E Miller. Trends in incidence and stage of male breast cancer, 2004-2016: An analysis from the national cancer database [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2020 San Antonio Breast Cancer Virtual Symposium; 2020 Dec 8-11; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2021;81(4 Suppl):Abstract nr PS14-10.

Clinical Study of Using Biometrics to Identify Patient and Procedure

PURPOSE

To reduce patient and procedure identification errors by human interactions in radiotherapy delivery and surgery, a Biometric Automated Patient and Procedure Identification System (BAPPIS) was developed. BAPPIS is a patient identification and treatment procedure verification system using fingerprints.

METHODS

The system was developed using C++, the Microsoft Foundation Class Library, the Oracle database system, and a fingerprint scanner. To register a patient, the BAPPIS system requires three steps: capturing a photograph using a web camera for photo identification, taking at least two fingerprints, and recording other specific patient information including name, date of birth, allergies, etc. To identify a patient, the BAPPIS reads a fingerprint, identifies the patient, verifies with a second fingerprint to confirm when multiple patients have same fingerprint features, and connects to the patient's record in electronic medical record (EMR) systems. To validate the system, 143 and 21 patients ranging from 36 to 98 years of ages were recruited from radiotherapy and breast surgery, respectively. The registration process for surgery patients includes an additional module, which has a 3D patient model. A surgeon could mark 'O' on the model and save a snap shot of patient in the preparation room. In the surgery room, a webcam displayed the patient's real-time image next to the 3D model. This may prevent a possible surgical mistake.

RESULTS

1,271 (96.9%) of 1,311 fingerprints were verified by BAPPIS using patients' 2nd fingerprints from 143 patients as the system designed. A false positive recognition was not reported. The 96.9% completion ratio is because the operator did not verify with another fingerprint after identifying the first fingerprint. The reason may be due to lack of training at the beginning of the study.

CONCLUSION

We successfully demonstrated the use of BAPPIS to correctly identify and recall patient's record in EMR. BAPPIS may significantly reduce errors by limiting the number of non-automated steps.

Hospital System Adoption of Magnetic Seeds for Wireless Breast and Lymph Node Localization

BACKGROUND

As an alternative to traditional wire localization, an inducible magnetic seed system can be used to identify and remove nonpalpable breast lesions and axillary lymph nodes intraoperatively. We report the largest single-institution experience of magnetic seed placement for operative localization to date, including feasibility and short-term outcomes.

METHODS

Patients who underwent placement of a magnetic seed in the breast or lymph node were identified from July 2017 to March 2019. Imaging findings, core needle biopsy, surgical pathology results, and type of surgery were collected. Outcomes included procedural complications, magnetic seed and biopsy clip retrieval rates, and need for additional surgery.

RESULTS

A total of 842 magnetic seeds were placed by nine radiologists in 673 patients and retrieved by six surgeons at six operative locations. The majority of breast lesions were malignant (395/659, 59.9%); 136 seeds were placed for lymph node localization. The overall magnetic seed retrieval rate was 98.6%, whereas the biopsy clip retrieval rate was 90.9%. Only six patients (0.7%) experienced a complication from magnetic seed placement. Reexcision was performed in 15.2% of patients with breast cancer; 9.6% of benign/high risk lesions were upgraded to malignancy at surgical excision.

CONCLUSIONS

The magnetic seed technique is safe, effective, and accurate for localization of breast lesions and lymph nodes, and importantly uncouples surgery from the localization procedure. The high magnetic seed retrieval rate and low reexcision rate may reflect the accuracy of magnetic marker placement as a "second chance" localization procedure, especially in cases with biopsy clip migration.

Understanding age and race disparities in the application of sentinel lymph node biopsy in breast cancer

Sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) is the standard of care for surgical evaluation of early-stage breast cancer and is being employed as a quality metric for accreditation of breast centers. Previous studies report disparities in SLNB receipt. The goal of this study is to determine SLNB rates and explore rationale for non-receipt of SLNB. Patients with early-stage breast cancer diagnosed between 2010 and 2011 were identified from the University Hospitals Case Medical Center tumor registry. Multivariable logistic models were used to identify clinical and demographic risk factors for patients who did not receive SLNB. We performed chart reviews to elucidate reasons for the lack of SLNB. Our total sample was 479 patients; of them 432 (90.2%) received SLNB. On average, patients who received SLNB were younger than those who did not receive SLNB (61 compared to 79 years, respectively). Patients ≥80 years were 96% less likely to receive SLNB compared to patients <65 years (OR 0.04; 95% CI 0.00 to 0.14). There were no differences in SLNB by race, between patients undergoing Medicare or Medicaid and managed care, by surgeon specialty, or across medical centers. Chart review determined that 45/47 patients did not have SLNB, because it was a clinical decision-making; advanced age (>80 years) was cited in 27/47 women. Older women had much lower odds of receiving SLNB; however, non-receipt of SLNB was often due to a clinical reasoning. Our study highlights the importance of clinical reasoning in receiving SLNB, whereas other studies solely employing administrative databases do not.

Improving the Accuracy of Axillary Lymph Node Surgery in Breast Cancer with Ultrasound-Guided Wire Localization of Biopsy Proven Metastatic Lymph Nodes

BACKGROUND

This study aimed to evaluate whether the use of preoperative ultrasound (US)-guided wire localization of metastatic axillary lymph nodes (LN) assessed previously by core needle biopsy (CNB) and clip placement in breast cancer patients improves successful surgical removal.

METHODS

A retrospective review examined breast cancer patients who underwent US-guided CNB of an axillary LN and biopsy clip placement as well as axillary lymph node dissection (ALND) or sentinel node lymph node biopsy (SLNB) from 1 January 2010 to 30 September 2013. Preoperative needle localization status, neoadjuvant chemotherapy, and type of axillary LN surgery were reviewed. Confirmation that the metastatic LN had been surgically removed was determined on the specimen image, by pathologic report confirmation, or by pre-radiation therapy computed tomography (CT) scan.

RESULTS

Preoperative US-guided needle localization was performed for 68.2 % (73/107) of the patients, with 97.3 % (n = 71) demonstrating confirmation of biopsy clip and LN removal versus 79.4 % (n = 27) of the 34 patients showing no performance of needle localization (p = 0.0043). Subgroup analysis showed a significant difference in removal of metastatic LN between the patients who received neoadjuvant chemotherapy [97 % of LNs removed with wire localization (n = 65/67) vs. 83.3 % of LNs removed without wire localization (n = 20/24; p = 0.04)] and the patients who had ALND, [96.3 % of LNs removed with wire localization (n = 52/54) vs. 77.8 % of LNs removed without wire localization (n = 21/27; p = 0.015)].

CONCLUSION

US-guided wire localization of metastatic axillary LNs that have had biopsy with clip placement significantly improves the success rate of surgical removal, allowing more accurate staging and decreasing the false-negative rates of SLNB after neoadjuvant therapy.

A phase II study of radiotherapy and concurrent paclitaxel chemotherapy in breast-conserving treatment for node-positive breast cancer

PURPOSE

Administering adjuvant chemotherapy before breast radiotherapy decreases the risk of systemic recurrence, but delays in radiotherapy could yield higher local failure. We assessed the feasibility and efficacy of placing radiotherapy earlier in the breast-conserving treatment course for lymph node-positive breast cancer.

METHODS AND MATERIALS

Between June 2000 and December 2004, 44 women with node-positive Stage II and III breast cancer were entered into this trial. Breast-conserving surgery and 4 cycles of doxorubicin (60 mg/m(2))/cyclophosphamide (600 mg/m(2)) were followed by 4 cycles of paclitaxel (175 mg/m(2)) delivered every 3 weeks. Radiotherapy was concurrent with the first 2 cycles of paclitaxel. The breast received 39.6 Gy in 22 fractions with a tumor bed boost of 14 Gy in 7 fractions. Regional lymphatics were included when indicated. Functional lung volume was assessed by use of the diffusing capacity for carbon monoxide as a proxy. Breast cosmesis was evaluated with the Harvard criteria.

RESULTS

The 5-year actuarial rate of disease-free survival is 88%, and overall survival is 93%. There have been no local failures. Median follow-up is 75 months. No cases of radiation pneumonitis developed. There was no significant change in the diffusing capacity for carbon monoxide either immediately after radiotherapy (p = 0.51) or with extended follow-up (p = 0.63). Volume of irradiated breast tissue correlated with acute cosmesis, and acute Grade 3 skin toxicity developed in 2 patients. Late cosmesis was not adversely affected.

CONCLUSIONS

Concurrent paclitaxel chemotherapy and radiotherapy after breast-conserving surgery shortened total treatment time, provided excellent local control, and was well tolerated.

Diagnosing breast cancer using Raman spectroscopy: prospective analysis

We present the first prospective test of Raman spectroscopy in diagnosing normal, benign, and malignant human breast tissues. Prospective testing of spectral diagnostic algorithms allows clinicians to accurately assess the diagnostic information contained in, and any bias of, the spectroscopic measurement. In previous work, we developed an accurate, internally validated algorithm for breast cancer diagnosis based on analysis of Raman spectra acquired from fresh-frozen in vitro tissue samples. We currently evaluate the performance of this algorithm prospectively on a large ex vivo clinical data set that closely mimics the in vivo environment. Spectroscopic data were collected from freshly excised surgical specimens, and 129 tissue sites from 21 patients were examined. Prospective application of the algorithm to the clinical data set resulted in a sensitivity of 83%, a specificity of 93%, a positive predictive value of 36%, and a negative predictive value of 99% for distinguishing cancerous from normal and benign tissues. The performance of the algorithm in different patient populations is discussed. Sources of bias in the in vitro calibration and ex vivo prospective data sets, including disease prevalence and disease spectrum, are examined and analytical methods for comparison provided.

A vasculature-targeting regimen of preoperative docetaxel with or without bevacizumab for locally advanced breast cancer: impact on angiogenic biomarkers

PURPOSE

Taxanes have effects on angiogenesis causing difficulties in separating biological effects of chemotherapy from those due to angiogenesis inhibitors. This randomized phase II trial was designed to evaluate the additional biomarker effect on angiogenesis when bevacizumab is added to docetaxel.

EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN

Patients with inoperable breast cancer were randomized to either 2 cycles of preoperative docetaxel (D) 35 mg/m(2) i.v. weekly for 6 weeks, followed by a 2-week break; or docetaxel with bevacizumab 10 mg/kg i.v. every other week for a total of 16 weeks (DB). Plasma and serum markers of endothelial damage, dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (DCE-MRI), and tumor microvessel density were assessed before treatment and at the end of each preoperative cycle.

RESULTS

Forty-nine patients were randomized (DB, 24; D, 25). There was no difference in overall clinical response, progression-free survival, or overall survival. Vascular endothelial growth factor increased during treatment; more so with DB (P < 0.0001). Vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) also increased (P < 0.0001); more so with DB (P = 0.069). Intercellular adhesion molecule increased (P = 0.018) and E-selectin decreased (P = 0.006) overall. Baseline levels of VCAM-1 and E-selectin correlated with clinical response by univariate analysis. DCE-MRI showed a greater decrease in tumor perfusion calculated by initial area under the curve for the first 90 seconds in DB (P = 0.024). DCE-MRI also showed an overall decrease in tumor volume (P = 0.012).

CONCLUSION

Bevacizumab plus docetaxel caused a greater increase in vascular endothelial growth factor and VCAM-1, and a greater reduction in tumor perfusion by DCE-MRI compared with docetaxel. Clinical outcomes of inoperable breast cancer were predicted by changes in VCAM-1 and E-selectin.

Diagnosing breast cancer using diffuse reflectance spectroscopy and intrinsic fluorescence spectroscopy

Using diffuse reflectance spectroscopy and intrinsic fluorescence spectroscopy, we have developed an algorithm that successfully classifies normal breast tissue, fibrocystic change, fibroadenoma, and infiltrating ductal carcinoma in terms of physically meaningful parameters. We acquire 202 spectra from 104 sites in freshly excised breast biopsies from 17 patients within 30 min of surgical excision. The broadband diffuse reflectance and fluorescence spectra are collected via a portable clinical spectrometer and specially designed optical fiber probe. The diffuse reflectance spectra are fit using modified diffusion theory to extract absorption and scattering tissue parameters. Intrinsic fluorescence spectra are extracted from the combined fluorescence and diffuse reflectance spectra and analyzed using multivariate curve resolution. Spectroscopy results are compared to pathology diagnoses, and diagnostic algorithms are developed based on parameters obtained via logistic regression with cross-validation. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, and overall diagnostic accuracy (total efficiency) of the algorithm are 100, 96, 69, 100, and 91%, respectively. All invasive breast cancer specimens are correctly diagnosed. The combination of diffuse reflectance spectroscopy and intrinsic fluorescence spectroscopy yields promising results for discrimination of breast cancer from benign breast lesions and warrants a prospective clinical study.

Inflammatory Breast Cancer as a Model Disease to Study Tumor Angiogenesis: Results of a Phase IB Trial of Combination SU5416 and Doxorubicin

PURPOSE

We used inflammatory breast cancer (IBC) as a model disease to investigate biological changes associated with an antiangiogenesis agent, SU5416, combined with doxorubicin.

EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN

Patients with stage IIIB or IV IBC were treated neoadjuvantly with the combination of SU5416 and doxorubicin for induction therapy. The dose of SU5416 (administered on days 1 and 4, every 3 weeks) and doxorubicin (administered on day 1 every 3 weeks) were escalated in cohorts of three patients starting at 110 and 60 mg/m2, respectively, for a total of five cycles leading up to mastectomy. Patients underwent serial assessment (pharmacokinetic sampling, biopsy of breast, tumor blood flow dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging, plasma angiogenesis, and endothelial cell damage markers) prior to treatment, at the end of cycles no. 2 and no. 5, and after mastectomy.

RESULTS

Eighteen patients were enrolled; neutropenia was dose-limiting, and overall median survival was not reached (50 months of study follow-up). Four patients (22%) experienced congestive heart failure, which resolved and were likely attributable to a smaller volume of distribution and higher Cmax of doxorubicin in combination with SU5416. We did observe a significant decline in tumor blood flow using Kep calculated by Brix (pretreatment versus post-cycle no. 5; P = 0.033), trend for a decline in tumor microvessel density after treatment, and low baseline levels of soluble intracellular adhesion molecule were associated with improved event-free survival.

CONCLUSIONS

This study showed evidence of an unfavorable cardiac interaction between SU5416 and doxorubicin, which prohibits further investigation of this combination. However, this study supports the importance of using IBC as a model for investigating angiogenesis inhibitors.

Toxicity results and early outcome data on a randomized phase II study of docetaxel ± bevacizumab for locally advanced, unresectable breast cancer

3049

Background: Preclinical models of combination angiogenesis inhibitor bevacizumab (rhuMAbVEGF) and docetaxel demonstrate synergistic suppression of capillary vessel formation. Based upon these data, we developed a randomized phase II trial in order to evaluate the vascular effects on tumor regression with combination bevacizumab/docetaxel vs. docetaxel in the treatment of locally advanced breast cancer. Methods: 49 patients (pts) were randomized to receive neoadjuvant therapy with bevacizumab (10 mg/kg qowk) and docetaxel (two 8-week cycles of 35 mg/m2 weekly x 6 with a 2 wk break) (BD=24) or docetaxel (D=25) alone. Eligible pts had locally unresectable breast cancer with (n=6) or without distant metastasis (n=43); 16 patients presented with inflammatory breast cancer. Pts whose disease responded, sequentially underwent definitive surgery (4 weeks after BD or D), radiation, 4 cycles of conventional Adriamycin/cyclophosphamide, and tamoxifen or anastrazole (if ER/PR+). Results: Among the 49 pts: 7 clinical CRs, 32 PRs, 5 NR, and 5 PD. Of the 37 pts who underwent surgery: the median number of pathologically positive lymph nodes (LN) was 1 (BD=6, D=1; p=0.228); range 0–20; 43% were LN negative. Neoadjuvant treatment toxicity for both arms was acceptable with no significant differences between the two arms. Grade 4 toxicity included BD - new papillary thyroid cancer (1), neutropenia (1), hyperuricemia (1) and colon perforation (1); and D: - hyperglycemia (1) and hyperuricemia (1). 21 patients in each arm experienced a grade 3 toxicity. There were no episodes of uncontrolled hypertension, proteinuria, or thrombosis. Delayed wound healing (unable to start radiation w/in 6 weeks of surgery) occurred in 8 pts: BD=5; D=3 (p=0.691). Only 1 pt (D) experienced a change in LVEF by > 15% or below the institution’s lower limit of normal. Conclusions: Neoadjuvant therapy for locally advanced breast cancer using docetaxel with bevacizumab is well tolerated. Further studies are required to determine the added efficacy from bevacizumab. Correlative studies on impact of treatment on angiogenesis will be reported separately. (Sponsored by grants: K23CA 87725–01, M01 RR 00080, UO1 CA 62502, 5P30 CA43703-NCI/AVON, Aventis)

No significant financial relationships to disclose.

Breast conservation surgery achieving>or=2 mm tumor-free margins results in decreased local-regional recurrence rates

Whether cosmetically acceptable tumor-free (>/=2 mm) surgical margins reduce the local-regional recurrence risk for patients treated with fractionated radiation therapy, chemotherapy, and hormonal therapy is unknown. The benefit of a minimum cosmetically acceptable tumor-free margin remains speculative because no contemporary studies have investigated the extent of invasive disease infiltration within the breast beyond the primary tumor. To address these clinical issues, we conducted a retrospective study of 341 women diagnosed with stage I or II invasive breast cancer to determine the rate of local in-breast, elsewhere in-breast, and ipsilateral regional lymph node recurrences of breast cancer after conservation surgery achieving either tumor-free (>or=2 mm) or close (>0 mm to <2 mm) surgical margins followed by whole breast radiation therapy over a 6-year period from January 1996 to December 2002. Women may have received adjuvant chemotherapy or hormonal therapy as clinically indicated. After a median follow-up of 56 months from the completion of breast conservation surgery, 14 of the 341 women (4.1%) developed breast cancer recurrences. Crude ipsilateral recurrence rates were 1.8% (4 of 222) for tumor-free (>or=2 mm) versus 8.4% (10 of 119) for close (>0 mm to <2 mm) surgical margins (p=0.007). The estimated 5-year cumulative local recurrence rate was significantly less for women with tumor-free margins (2.1%) as compared to close surgical margins (8.9%) (p=0.004). Multivariate analyses identified negative estrogen receptor expression (p=0.004), close surgical margins (p=0.012), and the presence of angiolymphatic invasion (p=0.040) as prognostic factors for local-regional recurrences. Microscopically the extent of invasive disease infiltration beyond the primary tumor was on average 1 mm, with all measured invasive disease less than 1 cm. Based on our findings, cosmetically acceptable tumor-free (>or=2 mm) surgical margins significantly reduce local in-breast and regional lymph node recurrences with fractionated radiation therapy, chemotherapy, and hormonal therapy.

Not all nonpalpable breast cancers are alike

Clinical and mammographic data of 1009 consecutive patients were correlated with histopathologic data of 1144 biopsy specimens of nonpalpable breast lesions to better define the presentation and biologic behavior of early breast cancer. Patients with malignant neoplasms (269 [24%] of 1144 specimens) were older (mean age, 62.1 years) than patients with benign lesions (mean age, 54.9 years). Furthermore, patients with invasive disease were older (mean age, 63.3 years) than patients with noninvasive disease (mean age, 58.5 years) with an overall increased risk of invasive cancer per year of 1.035. A 58% incidence of invasive cancer was detected for lesions characterized by calcifications, while the incidence of invasive cancer was 84% for isolated mass lesions (relative risk, 4.31 for masses). Isolated mammographic calcifications associated with cancer appeared in a younger population and were significantly associated with noninvasive ductal cancer. Breast cancer presenting as a mammographic mass appeared in an older group and was highly associated with the presence of invasive disease.

Biopsy of the breast for mammographically detected lesions

We prospectively studied 718 women who underwent biopsy of the breast for suspicious, mammographically detected mammary lesions in an attempt to identify key clinical risk factors, as well as roentgenographic characteristics associated with the appearance of early carcinoma of the breast. Patients with a benign outcome had an average age of 55 years versus 63 years for patients with carcinoma of the breast. Seventy-six per cent of these patients had no previous history of mammary problems, 20 per cent had a positive family history for carcinoma of the breast, 58 per cent were premenopausal and 21 per cent had used birth control pills. Except for age (p less than 0.001), the distribution of clinical risk factors was equal among patients with benign or malignant outcomes. Suspicious mammographic findings included mass lesions (53 per cent), calcifications (36 per cent) and the association of both (11 per cent). The predominant Wolfe pattern on mammography was P1 (36 per cent). No relationship was observed between Wolfe pattern and malignant conditions. In this group of patients, mammography was poorly specific; however, the positive predictive value increased with age and is related to the age-specific prevalence of carcinoma of the breast. Eight hundred and twenty-five lesions were removed. Twenty-five per cent (n = 203) of the specimens taken at biopsy contained carcinoma. Stellate mass lesions were highly suggestive of a malignant growth (p less than 0.0001). No relationship between the size of the suspicious mammographic mass and the malignant lesion was observed. A marked correlation (chi-square test with Yate's correction) was observed between malignant tumor and lesions with a linear or branching pattern, more than 15 calcifications, or small sized calcifications. The presence of a mass with calcifications was associated with carcinoma in 34 per cent. The incidence of invasive carcinoma was much higher for mass lesions (81 per cent) than for suspicious calcifications (56 per cent) (p less than 0.0001).

Percutaneous placement of femoral central venous catheter in patients undergoing transplantation of bone marrow

Five patients undergoing transplantation of autologous bone marrow underwent percutaneous placement of a double lumen central venous catheter into the inferior vena cava by way of the femoral vein. All had conditions that precluded access to the superior vena cava or other sites in the upper part of the torso. Patients ranged in age from 18 to 59 years. The double lumen central venous catheter was inserted using aseptic technique in the operating room, and the catheter exit site was dressed using sterile technique every 48 hours afterward. Patients received all irradiated blood product transfusions, intravenous fluids, intravenous antibiotics, parenteral alimentation and autologous bone marrow reinfusion through the catheter. The duration of severe neutropenia (less than 500 neutrophils per microliter) and severe thrombocytopenia (less than 20,000 platelets per microliter) ranged from zero to 24 days (median of 22 days) and five to 20 days (median of 15 days), respectively. Catheters remained in the groin area 23 to 45 days (median of 35 days). Complications included one catheter-related Streptococcus species infection and one Escherichi coli bacteremia. These infections resolved with the catheter in place after appropriate institution of antibiotics. No episodes of thrombosis, kinking, migration, extravasation of drugs or local infection were noted. Central venous catheters can be safely inserted and maintained in the groin area even in severely immunocompromised patients receiving bone marrow transplants.

Breast biopsy for calcifications in nonpalpable breast lesions. A prospective study

We prospectively studied 239 consecutive patients who underwent breast biopsy for 277 nonpalpable lesions characterized by mammographic microcalcifications. Clinical and mammographic characteristics were correlated with histologic findings in an attempt to identify patients more likely to have early breast cancer. The distribution of clinical risk factors was equal between patients with benign or malignant outcomes. The predominant Wolfe pattern on mammography was P2 (38%); however, no relationship was observed between the Wolfe pattern and malignancy. A marked correlation was observed between malignancy and small lesions, more than 15 calcifications, and calcifications in a linear or branching pattern. Twenty-four percent (n = 67) of the biopsy specimens contained either ductal or lobular breast cancer. This study highlights the necessity of an aggressive approach toward suspicious calcifications found by mammography.

Comparison of porous titanium-surfaced and standard smooth-surfaced bone plates and screws in an unstable fracture model in dogs

Bilateral midshaft femoral osteotomies were fixed with a 3-mm fracture gap in 6 dogs. In each dog, one femur was fixed with a porous titanium-surfaced bone plate and screws, whereas the opposite femur was fixed with a standard smooth-surfaced bone plate and screws. The mean removal torque for porous titanium-surfaced screws (32.3 kg X cm) was significantly (P less than 0.01) greater than the mean removal torque for standard screws (4.4 kg X cm). Osseous tissue ingrowth into the surface of porous titanium-surfaced screws was verified by histologic examination of the bone-screw interface. Radiographic and histologic examinations of the osteotomy gaps showed accelerated primary gap healing in osteotomies fixed with porous titanium-coated implants, compared with slower callus healing seen in osteotomies fixed with standard smooth-surfaced implants.