Article

Key clinical point: Rituximab+cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, and prednisone (R-CHOP) compared with standard myeloablative radiochemotherapy and autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT; R-CHOP arm), an alternating R-CHOP/rituximab+dexamethasone, high-dose cytarabine, and cisplatin (R-DHAP) induction therapy with high-dose cytarabine-containing myeloablative radiochemotherapy and ASCT (R-DHAP arm) led to longer time to treatment failure (TTF) and overall survival (OS) in patients with mantle cell lymphoma (MCL).

Major finding: After a median follow-up of 10.6 years, the R-DHAP vs R-CHOP arm continued to have a significantly longer TTF (hazard ratio [HR] 0.59; P = .038) and OS (Mantle Cell Lymphoma International Prognostic Index+Ki-67-adjusted HR 0.60; P = .0066).

Study details: This long-term analysis of the phase 3 MCL Younger trial included 497 patients aged ≥18 to <66 years with previously untreated MCL who were randomly assigned to the R-CHOP (n = 249) or R-DHAP (n = 248) arm.

Disclosures: This study was supported by European Commission, Lymphoma Research Foundation, and Roche. Some authors reported ties with various organizations, including Roche.

Source: Hermine O et al. High-dose cytarabine and autologous stem-cell transplantation in mantle cell lymphoma: Long-term follow-up of the randomized mantle cell lymphoma younger trial of the European Mantle Cell Lymphoma Network. J Clin Oncol. 2022;41(3):479-484 (Dec 5). Doi: 10.1200/JCO.22.01780

Key clinical point: Rituximab+cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, and prednisone (R-CHOP) compared with standard myeloablative radiochemotherapy and autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT; R-CHOP arm), an alternating R-CHOP/rituximab+dexamethasone, high-dose cytarabine, and cisplatin (R-DHAP) induction therapy with high-dose cytarabine-containing myeloablative radiochemotherapy and ASCT (R-DHAP arm) led to longer time to treatment failure (TTF) and overall survival (OS) in patients with mantle cell lymphoma (MCL).

Major finding: After a median follow-up of 10.6 years, the R-DHAP vs R-CHOP arm continued to have a significantly longer TTF (hazard ratio [HR] 0.59; P = .038) and OS (Mantle Cell Lymphoma International Prognostic Index+Ki-67-adjusted HR 0.60; P = .0066).

Study details: This long-term analysis of the phase 3 MCL Younger trial included 497 patients aged ≥18 to <66 years with previously untreated MCL who were randomly assigned to the R-CHOP (n = 249) or R-DHAP (n = 248) arm.

Disclosures: This study was supported by European Commission, Lymphoma Research Foundation, and Roche. Some authors reported ties with various organizations, including Roche.

Source: Hermine O et al. High-dose cytarabine and autologous stem-cell transplantation in mantle cell lymphoma: Long-term follow-up of the randomized mantle cell lymphoma younger trial of the European Mantle Cell Lymphoma Network. J Clin Oncol. 2022;41(3):479-484 (Dec 5). Doi: 10.1200/JCO.22.01780

Key clinical point: Rituximab+cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, and prednisone (R-CHOP) compared with standard myeloablative radiochemotherapy and autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT; R-CHOP arm), an alternating R-CHOP/rituximab+dexamethasone, high-dose cytarabine, and cisplatin (R-DHAP) induction therapy with high-dose cytarabine-containing myeloablative radiochemotherapy and ASCT (R-DHAP arm) led to longer time to treatment failure (TTF) and overall survival (OS) in patients with mantle cell lymphoma (MCL).

Major finding: After a median follow-up of 10.6 years, the R-DHAP vs R-CHOP arm continued to have a significantly longer TTF (hazard ratio [HR] 0.59; P = .038) and OS (Mantle Cell Lymphoma International Prognostic Index+Ki-67-adjusted HR 0.60; P = .0066).

Study details: This long-term analysis of the phase 3 MCL Younger trial included 497 patients aged ≥18 to <66 years with previously untreated MCL who were randomly assigned to the R-CHOP (n = 249) or R-DHAP (n = 248) arm.

Disclosures: This study was supported by European Commission, Lymphoma Research Foundation, and Roche. Some authors reported ties with various organizations, including Roche.

Source: Hermine O et al. High-dose cytarabine and autologous stem-cell transplantation in mantle cell lymphoma: Long-term follow-up of the randomized mantle cell lymphoma younger trial of the European Mantle Cell Lymphoma Network. J Clin Oncol. 2022;41(3):479-484 (Dec 5). Doi: 10.1200/JCO.22.01780

Key clinical point: Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) proved to be the best supplemental breast cancer (BC) screening modality in women with dense breasts and who had a negative mammogram who were at an average or intermediate risk for the disease.

Major finding: Among the screened patients with dense breasts and a negative mammogram, 541 cases of BC were detected using supplemental modalities. The incremental cancer detection rate was highest with MRI (1.54 per 1,000 screenings) compared with other supplemental modalities (P < .001).

Study details: Findings are from a meta-analysis of 22 randomized clinical trials and prospective observational studies including 261,233 patients, of which 120,081 patients had dense breasts and a negative mammogram.

Disclosures: This study did not report the source of funding. The authors declared no conflicts of interest.

Source: Hussein H et al. Supplemental breast cancer screening in women with dense breasts and negative mammography: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Radiology. 2023;221785 (Jan 31). Doi: 10.1148/radiol.221785

Key clinical point: Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) proved to be the best supplemental breast cancer (BC) screening modality in women with dense breasts and who had a negative mammogram who were at an average or intermediate risk for the disease.

Major finding: Among the screened patients with dense breasts and a negative mammogram, 541 cases of BC were detected using supplemental modalities. The incremental cancer detection rate was highest with MRI (1.54 per 1,000 screenings) compared with other supplemental modalities (P < .001).

Study details: Findings are from a meta-analysis of 22 randomized clinical trials and prospective observational studies including 261,233 patients, of which 120,081 patients had dense breasts and a negative mammogram.

Disclosures: This study did not report the source of funding. The authors declared no conflicts of interest.

Source: Hussein H et al. Supplemental breast cancer screening in women with dense breasts and negative mammography: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Radiology. 2023;221785 (Jan 31). Doi: 10.1148/radiol.221785

Key clinical point: Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) proved to be the best supplemental breast cancer (BC) screening modality in women with dense breasts and who had a negative mammogram who were at an average or intermediate risk for the disease.

Major finding: Among the screened patients with dense breasts and a negative mammogram, 541 cases of BC were detected using supplemental modalities. The incremental cancer detection rate was highest with MRI (1.54 per 1,000 screenings) compared with other supplemental modalities (P < .001).

Study details: Findings are from a meta-analysis of 22 randomized clinical trials and prospective observational studies including 261,233 patients, of which 120,081 patients had dense breasts and a negative mammogram.

Disclosures: This study did not report the source of funding. The authors declared no conflicts of interest.

Source: Hussein H et al. Supplemental breast cancer screening in women with dense breasts and negative mammography: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Radiology. 2023;221785 (Jan 31). Doi: 10.1148/radiol.221785

Key clinical point: Duration of endocrine therapy (ET) is an important risk factor for cognitive function impairment in patients with breast cancer (BC).

Major finding: Duration of ET was a significant risk factor for overall cognitive decline (odds ratio 1.296; 95% CI 1.008-1.665), with the prolongation of ET further increasing the risk for cognitive decline (linear-by-linear association test statistic 5.872; P < .05).

Study details: Findings are from a prospective, interventional single-center study including 127 women with BC, of which 49 patients were classified into the cognitive decline group.

Disclosures: This study was supported by Shanghai Science and Technology Innovation Action Plan and other sources. The authors declared no conflicts of interest.

Source: Yin Y et al. Association between endocrine therapy and cognitive decline in breast cancer based on propensity score matching. Front Med. 2023;10:1132287 (Jan 26). Doi: 10.3389/fmed.2023.1132287

Key clinical point: Duration of endocrine therapy (ET) is an important risk factor for cognitive function impairment in patients with breast cancer (BC).

Major finding: Duration of ET was a significant risk factor for overall cognitive decline (odds ratio 1.296; 95% CI 1.008-1.665), with the prolongation of ET further increasing the risk for cognitive decline (linear-by-linear association test statistic 5.872; P < .05).

Study details: Findings are from a prospective, interventional single-center study including 127 women with BC, of which 49 patients were classified into the cognitive decline group.

Disclosures: This study was supported by Shanghai Science and Technology Innovation Action Plan and other sources. The authors declared no conflicts of interest.

Source: Yin Y et al. Association between endocrine therapy and cognitive decline in breast cancer based on propensity score matching. Front Med. 2023;10:1132287 (Jan 26). Doi: 10.3389/fmed.2023.1132287

Key clinical point: Duration of endocrine therapy (ET) is an important risk factor for cognitive function impairment in patients with breast cancer (BC).

Major finding: Duration of ET was a significant risk factor for overall cognitive decline (odds ratio 1.296; 95% CI 1.008-1.665), with the prolongation of ET further increasing the risk for cognitive decline (linear-by-linear association test statistic 5.872; P < .05).

Study details: Findings are from a prospective, interventional single-center study including 127 women with BC, of which 49 patients were classified into the cognitive decline group.

Disclosures: This study was supported by Shanghai Science and Technology Innovation Action Plan and other sources. The authors declared no conflicts of interest.

Source: Yin Y et al. Association between endocrine therapy and cognitive decline in breast cancer based on propensity score matching. Front Med. 2023;10:1132287 (Jan 26). Doi: 10.3389/fmed.2023.1132287

Key clinical point: Low expression of human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) protein was associated with improved survival outcomes in patients with early breast cancer (BC).

Major finding: HER2-low expression vs HER2-zero BC was associated with a significant overall survival benefit in the entire population (hazard ratio [HR] 0.83; 95% CI 0.78-0.88) and in the subpopulations of patients with hormone receptor-positive BC (HR 0.83; 95% CI 0.77-0.89) and triple-negative BC (HR 0.78; 95% CI 0.70-0.87).

Study details: Findings are from a meta-analysis of 14 studies including 52,106 patients with early BC.

Disclosures: This study was funded by the National Natural Science Foundation of China and other sources. The authors declared no conflicts of interest.

Source: Wei T et al. Clinicopathologic characteristics and prognostic significance of HER2-low expression in patients with early breast cancer: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Front Oncol. 2023;13:1100332 (Feb 2). Doi: 10.3389/fonc.2023.1100332

Key clinical point: Low expression of human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) protein was associated with improved survival outcomes in patients with early breast cancer (BC).

Major finding: HER2-low expression vs HER2-zero BC was associated with a significant overall survival benefit in the entire population (hazard ratio [HR] 0.83; 95% CI 0.78-0.88) and in the subpopulations of patients with hormone receptor-positive BC (HR 0.83; 95% CI 0.77-0.89) and triple-negative BC (HR 0.78; 95% CI 0.70-0.87).

Study details: Findings are from a meta-analysis of 14 studies including 52,106 patients with early BC.

Disclosures: This study was funded by the National Natural Science Foundation of China and other sources. The authors declared no conflicts of interest.

Source: Wei T et al. Clinicopathologic characteristics and prognostic significance of HER2-low expression in patients with early breast cancer: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Front Oncol. 2023;13:1100332 (Feb 2). Doi: 10.3389/fonc.2023.1100332

Key clinical point: Low expression of human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) protein was associated with improved survival outcomes in patients with early breast cancer (BC).

Major finding: HER2-low expression vs HER2-zero BC was associated with a significant overall survival benefit in the entire population (hazard ratio [HR] 0.83; 95% CI 0.78-0.88) and in the subpopulations of patients with hormone receptor-positive BC (HR 0.83; 95% CI 0.77-0.89) and triple-negative BC (HR 0.78; 95% CI 0.70-0.87).

Study details: Findings are from a meta-analysis of 14 studies including 52,106 patients with early BC.

Disclosures: This study was funded by the National Natural Science Foundation of China and other sources. The authors declared no conflicts of interest.

Source: Wei T et al. Clinicopathologic characteristics and prognostic significance of HER2-low expression in patients with early breast cancer: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Front Oncol. 2023;13:1100332 (Feb 2). Doi: 10.3389/fonc.2023.1100332

Key clinical point: According to the PERTAIN trial’s final analysis, the progression-free survival (PFS) benefit associated with the addition of pertuzumab to trastuzumab+aromatase inhibitor (AI) persisted even after >6 years of follow-up in patients with human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-positive (HER2+)/hormone receptor-positive (HR+) metastatic breast cancer (BC).

Major finding: After a median follow-up of >70 months, a >2-year PFS benefit was observed in the pertuzumab+trastuzumab+AI vs trastuzumab+AI treatment group (20.6 vs 15.8 months; stratified hazard ratio 0.67; P = .006). No new safety signals were identified.

Study details: Findings are from the phase 2 PERTAIN study including 258 postmenopausal patients with previously untreated HER2+/HR+ metastatic or locally advanced BC who were randomly assigned to receive pertuzumab+trastuzumab+AI or trastuzumab+AI.

Disclosures: This study was supported by F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd. Some authors declared serving as advisors or on speaker’s bureau for or receiving research grants, travel, or accommodation expenses from several sources. Four authors declared being employees of or owning stocks in F. Hoffmann-La Roche.

Source: Arpino G et al. Pertuzumab, trastuzumab, and an aromatase inhibitor for HER2-positive and hormone receptor-positive metastatic/locally advanced breast cancer: PERTAIN final analysis. Clin Cancer Res. 2023 (Jan 30). Doi: 10.1158/1078-0432.CCR-22-1092

Key clinical point: According to the PERTAIN trial’s final analysis, the progression-free survival (PFS) benefit associated with the addition of pertuzumab to trastuzumab+aromatase inhibitor (AI) persisted even after >6 years of follow-up in patients with human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-positive (HER2+)/hormone receptor-positive (HR+) metastatic breast cancer (BC).

Major finding: After a median follow-up of >70 months, a >2-year PFS benefit was observed in the pertuzumab+trastuzumab+AI vs trastuzumab+AI treatment group (20.6 vs 15.8 months; stratified hazard ratio 0.67; P = .006). No new safety signals were identified.

Study details: Findings are from the phase 2 PERTAIN study including 258 postmenopausal patients with previously untreated HER2+/HR+ metastatic or locally advanced BC who were randomly assigned to receive pertuzumab+trastuzumab+AI or trastuzumab+AI.

Disclosures: This study was supported by F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd. Some authors declared serving as advisors or on speaker’s bureau for or receiving research grants, travel, or accommodation expenses from several sources. Four authors declared being employees of or owning stocks in F. Hoffmann-La Roche.

Source: Arpino G et al. Pertuzumab, trastuzumab, and an aromatase inhibitor for HER2-positive and hormone receptor-positive metastatic/locally advanced breast cancer: PERTAIN final analysis. Clin Cancer Res. 2023 (Jan 30). Doi: 10.1158/1078-0432.CCR-22-1092

Key clinical point: According to the PERTAIN trial’s final analysis, the progression-free survival (PFS) benefit associated with the addition of pertuzumab to trastuzumab+aromatase inhibitor (AI) persisted even after >6 years of follow-up in patients with human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-positive (HER2+)/hormone receptor-positive (HR+) metastatic breast cancer (BC).

Major finding: After a median follow-up of >70 months, a >2-year PFS benefit was observed in the pertuzumab+trastuzumab+AI vs trastuzumab+AI treatment group (20.6 vs 15.8 months; stratified hazard ratio 0.67; P = .006). No new safety signals were identified.

Study details: Findings are from the phase 2 PERTAIN study including 258 postmenopausal patients with previously untreated HER2+/HR+ metastatic or locally advanced BC who were randomly assigned to receive pertuzumab+trastuzumab+AI or trastuzumab+AI.

Disclosures: This study was supported by F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd. Some authors declared serving as advisors or on speaker’s bureau for or receiving research grants, travel, or accommodation expenses from several sources. Four authors declared being employees of or owning stocks in F. Hoffmann-La Roche.

Source: Arpino G et al. Pertuzumab, trastuzumab, and an aromatase inhibitor for HER2-positive and hormone receptor-positive metastatic/locally advanced breast cancer: PERTAIN final analysis. Clin Cancer Res. 2023 (Jan 30). Doi: 10.1158/1078-0432.CCR-22-1092

Key clinical point: Survival outcomes in human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-positive (HER2+) invasive lobular carcinoma (ILC), a rare and poorly characterized subtype of breast cancer (BC), were similar to those in HER2+ invasive ductal carcinoma (IDC) or HER2-negative (HER2−) ILC and did not improve with anti-HER2 treatment.

Major finding: Compared with patients with HER2+ ILC, patients with HER2+ IDC and HER2− ILC had similar overall survival (OS; P = .6 and P = .29, respectively) and disease-free survival (DFS; P = .69 and P = .18, respectively) outcomes. Anti-HER2 therapy did not improve OS or DFS in patients with HER2+/HER2−ILC (both P = .2), although it improved survival outcomes in patients with HER2+ IDC (P < .001).

Study details: Findings are from a population-based study including 833 patients with HER2+ IDC, 62 patients with HER2+ ILC, and 685 patients with HER2− ILC.

Disclosures: This study did not receive any funding. The authors declared no conflicts of interest.

Source: Kada Mohammed S et al. HER2-positive invasive lobular carcinoma: A rare breast cancer which may not necessarily require anti-HER2 therapy. A population-based study. Breast Cancer. 2023 (Jan 30). Doi: 10.1007/s12282-022-01432-3

Key clinical point: Survival outcomes in human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-positive (HER2+) invasive lobular carcinoma (ILC), a rare and poorly characterized subtype of breast cancer (BC), were similar to those in HER2+ invasive ductal carcinoma (IDC) or HER2-negative (HER2−) ILC and did not improve with anti-HER2 treatment.

Major finding: Compared with patients with HER2+ ILC, patients with HER2+ IDC and HER2− ILC had similar overall survival (OS; P = .6 and P = .29, respectively) and disease-free survival (DFS; P = .69 and P = .18, respectively) outcomes. Anti-HER2 therapy did not improve OS or DFS in patients with HER2+/HER2−ILC (both P = .2), although it improved survival outcomes in patients with HER2+ IDC (P < .001).

Study details: Findings are from a population-based study including 833 patients with HER2+ IDC, 62 patients with HER2+ ILC, and 685 patients with HER2− ILC.

Disclosures: This study did not receive any funding. The authors declared no conflicts of interest.

Source: Kada Mohammed S et al. HER2-positive invasive lobular carcinoma: A rare breast cancer which may not necessarily require anti-HER2 therapy. A population-based study. Breast Cancer. 2023 (Jan 30). Doi: 10.1007/s12282-022-01432-3

Key clinical point: Survival outcomes in human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-positive (HER2+) invasive lobular carcinoma (ILC), a rare and poorly characterized subtype of breast cancer (BC), were similar to those in HER2+ invasive ductal carcinoma (IDC) or HER2-negative (HER2−) ILC and did not improve with anti-HER2 treatment.

Major finding: Compared with patients with HER2+ ILC, patients with HER2+ IDC and HER2− ILC had similar overall survival (OS; P = .6 and P = .29, respectively) and disease-free survival (DFS; P = .69 and P = .18, respectively) outcomes. Anti-HER2 therapy did not improve OS or DFS in patients with HER2+/HER2−ILC (both P = .2), although it improved survival outcomes in patients with HER2+ IDC (P < .001).

Study details: Findings are from a population-based study including 833 patients with HER2+ IDC, 62 patients with HER2+ ILC, and 685 patients with HER2− ILC.

Disclosures: This study did not receive any funding. The authors declared no conflicts of interest.

Source: Kada Mohammed S et al. HER2-positive invasive lobular carcinoma: A rare breast cancer which may not necessarily require anti-HER2 therapy. A population-based study. Breast Cancer. 2023 (Jan 30). Doi: 10.1007/s12282-022-01432-3

Key clinical point: Trastuzumab emtansine (T-DM1) led to superior survival outcomes compared with lapatinib plus capecitabine (LC) in patients with breast cancer brain metastases (BCBM).

Major finding: After a median follow-up of 30.7 months, overall survival was significantly improved with T-DM1 vs LC (hazard ratio 0.55; P = .013), with significant improvements observed in other endpoints, such as time to next relevant treatment or death (P = .005) and real-world progression-free survival (P < .001).

Study details: Findings are from a real-world study including 214 patients with HER2+ BCBM who initiated treatment with T-DM1 (n = 161) or LC (n = 53).

Disclosures: This study was funded by F. Hoffmann-La Roche. Three authors declared being employees of and owning stocks in Roche. The other authors declared receiving honoraria, consulting, or advisory fees from, being employees of, or owning stocks in other sources.

Source: Sanglier T et al. Trastuzumab emtansine vs lapatinib and capecitabine in HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer brain metastases: A real-world study. Breast. 2023 (Jan 15). Doi: 10.1016/j.breast.2023.01.007

Key clinical point: Trastuzumab emtansine (T-DM1) led to superior survival outcomes compared with lapatinib plus capecitabine (LC) in patients with breast cancer brain metastases (BCBM).

Major finding: After a median follow-up of 30.7 months, overall survival was significantly improved with T-DM1 vs LC (hazard ratio 0.55; P = .013), with significant improvements observed in other endpoints, such as time to next relevant treatment or death (P = .005) and real-world progression-free survival (P < .001).

Study details: Findings are from a real-world study including 214 patients with HER2+ BCBM who initiated treatment with T-DM1 (n = 161) or LC (n = 53).

Disclosures: This study was funded by F. Hoffmann-La Roche. Three authors declared being employees of and owning stocks in Roche. The other authors declared receiving honoraria, consulting, or advisory fees from, being employees of, or owning stocks in other sources.

Source: Sanglier T et al. Trastuzumab emtansine vs lapatinib and capecitabine in HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer brain metastases: A real-world study. Breast. 2023 (Jan 15). Doi: 10.1016/j.breast.2023.01.007

Key clinical point: Trastuzumab emtansine (T-DM1) led to superior survival outcomes compared with lapatinib plus capecitabine (LC) in patients with breast cancer brain metastases (BCBM).

Major finding: After a median follow-up of 30.7 months, overall survival was significantly improved with T-DM1 vs LC (hazard ratio 0.55; P = .013), with significant improvements observed in other endpoints, such as time to next relevant treatment or death (P = .005) and real-world progression-free survival (P < .001).

Study details: Findings are from a real-world study including 214 patients with HER2+ BCBM who initiated treatment with T-DM1 (n = 161) or LC (n = 53).

Disclosures: This study was funded by F. Hoffmann-La Roche. Three authors declared being employees of and owning stocks in Roche. The other authors declared receiving honoraria, consulting, or advisory fees from, being employees of, or owning stocks in other sources.

Source: Sanglier T et al. Trastuzumab emtansine vs lapatinib and capecitabine in HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer brain metastases: A real-world study. Breast. 2023 (Jan 15). Doi: 10.1016/j.breast.2023.01.007

Key clinical point: Neoadjuvant treatment with trastuzumab improved the rate of pathological complete response (pCR) achievement and thereby survival outcomes in patients with lymph node-positive, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-positive (HER2+) early breast cancer (BC).

Major finding: Trastuzumab therapy significantly improved the odds of achieving pCR (adjusted odds ratio 4.87; 95% CI 3.34-7.10) in patients with HER2+ early BC, with overall survival outcomes being better with vs without trastuzumab treatment in patients who achieved pCR (adjusted hazard ratio 0.30; 95% CI 0.11-0.84).

Study details: Findings are from a real-world study including 1178 patients with HER2+ early BC and 354 patients with early triple-negative BC who received trastuzumab-based and platinum-based neoadjuvant treatments, respectively.

Disclosures: This study was supported by the Ministry of Science and Technology in Taiwan and Roche Products Ltd. Three authors declared being employees of Roche Products Ltd.

Source: Chung WP et al. Real-life analysis of neoadjuvant-therapy-associated benefits for pathological complete response and survival in early breast cancer patients - role of trastuzumab in HER2+ BC and platinum in TNBC. Front Oncol. 2023;12:1022994 (Jan 24). Doi: 10.3389/fonc.2022.1022994

Key clinical point: Neoadjuvant treatment with trastuzumab improved the rate of pathological complete response (pCR) achievement and thereby survival outcomes in patients with lymph node-positive, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-positive (HER2+) early breast cancer (BC).

Major finding: Trastuzumab therapy significantly improved the odds of achieving pCR (adjusted odds ratio 4.87; 95% CI 3.34-7.10) in patients with HER2+ early BC, with overall survival outcomes being better with vs without trastuzumab treatment in patients who achieved pCR (adjusted hazard ratio 0.30; 95% CI 0.11-0.84).

Study details: Findings are from a real-world study including 1178 patients with HER2+ early BC and 354 patients with early triple-negative BC who received trastuzumab-based and platinum-based neoadjuvant treatments, respectively.

Disclosures: This study was supported by the Ministry of Science and Technology in Taiwan and Roche Products Ltd. Three authors declared being employees of Roche Products Ltd.

Source: Chung WP et al. Real-life analysis of neoadjuvant-therapy-associated benefits for pathological complete response and survival in early breast cancer patients - role of trastuzumab in HER2+ BC and platinum in TNBC. Front Oncol. 2023;12:1022994 (Jan 24). Doi: 10.3389/fonc.2022.1022994

Key clinical point: Neoadjuvant treatment with trastuzumab improved the rate of pathological complete response (pCR) achievement and thereby survival outcomes in patients with lymph node-positive, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-positive (HER2+) early breast cancer (BC).

Major finding: Trastuzumab therapy significantly improved the odds of achieving pCR (adjusted odds ratio 4.87; 95% CI 3.34-7.10) in patients with HER2+ early BC, with overall survival outcomes being better with vs without trastuzumab treatment in patients who achieved pCR (adjusted hazard ratio 0.30; 95% CI 0.11-0.84).

Study details: Findings are from a real-world study including 1178 patients with HER2+ early BC and 354 patients with early triple-negative BC who received trastuzumab-based and platinum-based neoadjuvant treatments, respectively.

Disclosures: This study was supported by the Ministry of Science and Technology in Taiwan and Roche Products Ltd. Three authors declared being employees of Roche Products Ltd.

Source: Chung WP et al. Real-life analysis of neoadjuvant-therapy-associated benefits for pathological complete response and survival in early breast cancer patients - role of trastuzumab in HER2+ BC and platinum in TNBC. Front Oncol. 2023;12:1022994 (Jan 24). Doi: 10.3389/fonc.2022.1022994

Key clinical point: In patients with stage II/III estrogen receptor-positive (ER+) breast cancer (BC), neoadjuvant endocrine therapy (ET) with aromatase inhibitors downstaged a fair proportion of tumors to allow breast-conserving surgery (BCS) and resulted in low local-regional recurrence rates.

Major finding: After receiving neoadjuvant ET, local-regional recurrence rates were low (1.53%) and 50.4% of the 226 patients who were thought to require a mastectomy or have an inoperable BC underwent BCS.

Study details: Findings are from an analysis of the phase 2, American College of Surgeons Oncology Group Z1031 trial including 509 postmenopausal women with invasive, stage II/III, ER+ BC who received exemestane, anastrozole, or letrozole for 16-18 weeks.

Disclosures: This study was supported by the National Cancer Institute of the US National Institutes of Health. The authors declared serving as employees, consultants, or advisors or receiving research funding from various sources.

Source: Hunt KK et al. Local-regional recurrence after neoadjuvant endocrine therapy: Data from ACOSOG Z1031 (Alliance), a randomized phase 2 neoadjuvant comparison between letrozole, anastrozole, and exemestane for postmenopausal women with estrogen receptor-positive clinical stage 2 or 3 breast cancer. Ann Surg Oncol. 2023 (Jan 18). Doi: 10.1245/s10434-022-12972-5

Key clinical point: In patients with stage II/III estrogen receptor-positive (ER+) breast cancer (BC), neoadjuvant endocrine therapy (ET) with aromatase inhibitors downstaged a fair proportion of tumors to allow breast-conserving surgery (BCS) and resulted in low local-regional recurrence rates.

Major finding: After receiving neoadjuvant ET, local-regional recurrence rates were low (1.53%) and 50.4% of the 226 patients who were thought to require a mastectomy or have an inoperable BC underwent BCS.

Study details: Findings are from an analysis of the phase 2, American College of Surgeons Oncology Group Z1031 trial including 509 postmenopausal women with invasive, stage II/III, ER+ BC who received exemestane, anastrozole, or letrozole for 16-18 weeks.

Disclosures: This study was supported by the National Cancer Institute of the US National Institutes of Health. The authors declared serving as employees, consultants, or advisors or receiving research funding from various sources.

Source: Hunt KK et al. Local-regional recurrence after neoadjuvant endocrine therapy: Data from ACOSOG Z1031 (Alliance), a randomized phase 2 neoadjuvant comparison between letrozole, anastrozole, and exemestane for postmenopausal women with estrogen receptor-positive clinical stage 2 or 3 breast cancer. Ann Surg Oncol. 2023 (Jan 18). Doi: 10.1245/s10434-022-12972-5

Key clinical point: In patients with stage II/III estrogen receptor-positive (ER+) breast cancer (BC), neoadjuvant endocrine therapy (ET) with aromatase inhibitors downstaged a fair proportion of tumors to allow breast-conserving surgery (BCS) and resulted in low local-regional recurrence rates.

Major finding: After receiving neoadjuvant ET, local-regional recurrence rates were low (1.53%) and 50.4% of the 226 patients who were thought to require a mastectomy or have an inoperable BC underwent BCS.

Study details: Findings are from an analysis of the phase 2, American College of Surgeons Oncology Group Z1031 trial including 509 postmenopausal women with invasive, stage II/III, ER+ BC who received exemestane, anastrozole, or letrozole for 16-18 weeks.

Disclosures: This study was supported by the National Cancer Institute of the US National Institutes of Health. The authors declared serving as employees, consultants, or advisors or receiving research funding from various sources.

Source: Hunt KK et al. Local-regional recurrence after neoadjuvant endocrine therapy: Data from ACOSOG Z1031 (Alliance), a randomized phase 2 neoadjuvant comparison between letrozole, anastrozole, and exemestane for postmenopausal women with estrogen receptor-positive clinical stage 2 or 3 breast cancer. Ann Surg Oncol. 2023 (Jan 18). Doi: 10.1245/s10434-022-12972-5

Key clinical point: Neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT) with nab-paclitaxel plus pembrolizumab followed by epirubicin/cyclophosphamide demonstrated encouraging pathological complete response (pCR) rates and an acceptable safety profile in patients with early triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC).

Major finding: The pCR rate was 66.0% in patients who received nab-paclitaxel containing NACT+ pembrolizumab, and high pCR rates were observed in both groups of patients who did (59.6%) and did not (73.9%) receive prechemotherapy single dose of pembrolizumab. Neutropenia (26.4%), fever (11.3%), and other blood and lymphatic system disorders (9.4%) were the most common grade 3/4 adverse events.

Study details: Findings are from the phase 2, NeoImmunoboost trial including 50 patients with primary nonmetastatic TNBC who received nab-paclitaxel+pembrolizumab followed by epirubicin/cyclophosphamide+pembrolizumab.

Disclosures: This study was partially funded by Merck Sharp & Dohme and other sources. Some authors declared participating on advisory boards for or receiving honoraria, research grants, or travel support from several sources.

Source: Fasching PA, Hein A, et al. Pembrolizumab in combination with nab-paclitaxel for the treatment of patients with early-stage triple-negative breast cancer – A single-arm phase II trial (NeoImmunoboost, AGO-B-041). Eur J Cancer. 2023 (Jan 24). Doi: 10.1016/j.ejca.2023.01.001

Key clinical point: Neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT) with nab-paclitaxel plus pembrolizumab followed by epirubicin/cyclophosphamide demonstrated encouraging pathological complete response (pCR) rates and an acceptable safety profile in patients with early triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC).

Major finding: The pCR rate was 66.0% in patients who received nab-paclitaxel containing NACT+ pembrolizumab, and high pCR rates were observed in both groups of patients who did (59.6%) and did not (73.9%) receive prechemotherapy single dose of pembrolizumab. Neutropenia (26.4%), fever (11.3%), and other blood and lymphatic system disorders (9.4%) were the most common grade 3/4 adverse events.

Study details: Findings are from the phase 2, NeoImmunoboost trial including 50 patients with primary nonmetastatic TNBC who received nab-paclitaxel+pembrolizumab followed by epirubicin/cyclophosphamide+pembrolizumab.

Disclosures: This study was partially funded by Merck Sharp & Dohme and other sources. Some authors declared participating on advisory boards for or receiving honoraria, research grants, or travel support from several sources.

Source: Fasching PA, Hein A, et al. Pembrolizumab in combination with nab-paclitaxel for the treatment of patients with early-stage triple-negative breast cancer – A single-arm phase II trial (NeoImmunoboost, AGO-B-041). Eur J Cancer. 2023 (Jan 24). Doi: 10.1016/j.ejca.2023.01.001

Key clinical point: Neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT) with nab-paclitaxel plus pembrolizumab followed by epirubicin/cyclophosphamide demonstrated encouraging pathological complete response (pCR) rates and an acceptable safety profile in patients with early triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC).

Major finding: The pCR rate was 66.0% in patients who received nab-paclitaxel containing NACT+ pembrolizumab, and high pCR rates were observed in both groups of patients who did (59.6%) and did not (73.9%) receive prechemotherapy single dose of pembrolizumab. Neutropenia (26.4%), fever (11.3%), and other blood and lymphatic system disorders (9.4%) were the most common grade 3/4 adverse events.

Study details: Findings are from the phase 2, NeoImmunoboost trial including 50 patients with primary nonmetastatic TNBC who received nab-paclitaxel+pembrolizumab followed by epirubicin/cyclophosphamide+pembrolizumab.

Disclosures: This study was partially funded by Merck Sharp & Dohme and other sources. Some authors declared participating on advisory boards for or receiving honoraria, research grants, or travel support from several sources.

Source: Fasching PA, Hein A, et al. Pembrolizumab in combination with nab-paclitaxel for the treatment of patients with early-stage triple-negative breast cancer – A single-arm phase II trial (NeoImmunoboost, AGO-B-041). Eur J Cancer. 2023 (Jan 24). Doi: 10.1016/j.ejca.2023.01.001