Publication
Post-Mastectomy Radiotherapy After Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy in Breast Cancer: A Pooled Retrospective Analysis of Three Prospective Randomized Trials
Journal Paper/Review - Jul 26, 2019
Krug David, Huober Jens, Jackisch Christian, Kümmel Sherko, Paepke Stefan, Schem Christian, Schneeweiss Andreas, Untch Michael, Debus Jürgen, von Minckwitz Gunter, Kühn Thorsten, Hilfrich Jörn, Heil Joerg, Lederer Bianca, Seither Fenja, Nekljudova Valentina, Ataseven Beyhan, Blohmer Jens-Uwe, Costa Serban Dan, Denkert Carsten, Ditsch Nina, Gerber Bernd, Hanusch Claus, Loibl Sibylle
Units
PubMed
Doi
Citation
Type
Journal
Publication Date
Issn Electronic
Pages
Brief description/objective
BACKGROUND
The impact of locoregional radiotherapy (RT) after neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT) and mastectomy in breast cancer patients is currently unclear. Several publications have suggested that patients with a favorable response to NACT might not benefit from RT after mastectomy.
METHODS
A retrospective analysis of three prospective randomized NACT trials was performed. Information on the use of RT was available for 817 breast cancer patients with non-inflammatory breast cancer who underwent mastectomy after NACT within the GeparTrio, GeparQuattro, and GeparQuinto-trials. RT was administered to 676 of these patients (82.7%).
RESULTS
The 5-year cumulative incidence of locoregional recurrence (LRR) was 15.2% (95% confidence interval [CI] 9.0-22.8%) in patients treated without RT and 11.3% in patients treated with RT (95% CI 8.7-14.3%). In the multivariate analysis, RT was associated with a lower risk of LRR (hazard ratio 0.51, 95% CI 0.27-1.0; p = 0.05). This effect was shown especially in patients with cT3/4 tumors, as well as in patients who were cN+ before neoadjuvant therapy, including those who converted to ypN0 after neoadjuvant therapy. In the bivariate analysis, disease-free survival was significantly worse in patients who received RT, however this was not confirmed in the multivariate analysis.
CONCLUSIONS
Our results suggest that RT reduces the LRR rates in breast cancer patients who receive a mastectomy after NACT without an improvement in DFS. Prospective randomized controlled trials such as the National Surgical Adjuvant Breast and Bowel Project B-51/RTOG 1304 trial will analyze whether RT has any benefit in patients who have a favorable response after NACT.