Identifying breast cancer patients at risk of relapse despite pathological complete response after neoadjuvant therapy.

Publication

Identifying breast cancer patients at risk of relapse despite pathological complete response after neoadjuvant therapy.

Journal Paper/Review - Apr 7, 2023

Huober Jens, van Mackelenbergh Marion T, Schneeweiss Andreas, Seither Fenja, Blohmer Jens-Uwe, Denkert Carsten, Tesch Hans, Hanusch Claus, Salat Christoph, Rhiem Kerstin, Solbach Christine, Fasching Peter Andreas, Jackisch Christian, Reinisch Mattea, Lederer Bianca, Mehta Keyur M, Link Theresa, Nekljudova Valentina, Loibl Sibylle, Untch Michael

Citation

Huober J, van Mackelenbergh M, Schneeweiss A, Seither F, Blohmer J, Denkert C, Tesch H, Hanusch C, Salat C, Rhiem K, Solbach C, Fasching P, Jackisch C, Reinisch M, Lederer B, Mehta K, Link T, Nekljudova V, Loibl S, Untch M. Identifying breast cancer patients at risk of relapse despite pathological complete response after neoadjuvant therapy. NPJ Breast Cancer 2023; 9:23.

Type

Journal Paper/Review (English)

Journal

NPJ Breast Cancer 2023; 9

Publication Date

Apr 7, 2023

Issn Print

2374-4677

Brief description/objective

This retrospective pooled analysis aims to identify factors predicting relapse despite a pathologic complete response (pCR) in patients with breast cancer (BC). 2066 patients with a pCR from five neoadjuvant GBG/AGO-B trials fulfill the inclusion criteria of this analysis. Primary endpoint is disease-free survival (DFS); secondary endpoints is distant DFS (DDFS) and overall survival (OS). After a median follow-up of 57.6 months, DFS is significantly worse for patients with positive lymph nodes (cN+ vs cN0 hazard ratio [HR] 1.94, 95%CI 1.48-2.54; p < 0.001). In patients with triple-negative tumors, lobular histology (lobular vs other HR 3.55, 95%CI 1.53-8.23; p = 0.003), and clinical nodal involvement (cN+ vs cN0 HR 2.45, 95%CI 1.59-3.79; p < 0.001) predict a higher risk of DFS events. Patients with HER2-positive cT3/4 tumors have a significantly higher risk of relapse (cT3/4 vs cT1 HR 2.07, 95%CI 1.06-4.03; p = 0.033). Initial tumor load and histological type predict relapse in patients with a pCR.