Key clinical point: Therapy with atezolizumab plus bevacizumab (Atez/Bev) vs. lenvatinib in the first-line setting may confer a survival benefit in patients with unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (uHCC).

Major finding: Patients receiving Atez/Bev vs. lenvatinib showed better overall survival (1 year: 67.2% vs. 66.2%; 1.5 years: 58.1% vs. 52.7%; P = .002) and progression-free survival (1 year: 31.6% vs. 20.4%; 1.5 years: non-estimable vs. 11.2%; P < .0001) rates.

Study details: This retrospective study included 251 systemic treatment-naive patients with uHCC who received standard-dose Atez/Bev (n = 194) or lenvatinib (n = 57).

Disclosures: The study did not receive any funding. Some authors declared serving as advisors or receiving lecture fees or research funding from various sources.

Source: Hiraoka A et al. Does first-line treatment have prognostic impact for unresectable HCC?—Atezolizumab plus bevacizumab versus lenvatinib .Cancer Med. 2022 (Jun 3). Doi: 10.1002/cam4.4854

Key clinical point: Therapy with atezolizumab plus bevacizumab (Atez/Bev) vs. lenvatinib in the first-line setting may confer a survival benefit in patients with unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (uHCC).

Major finding: Patients receiving Atez/Bev vs. lenvatinib showed better overall survival (1 year: 67.2% vs. 66.2%; 1.5 years: 58.1% vs. 52.7%; P = .002) and progression-free survival (1 year: 31.6% vs. 20.4%; 1.5 years: non-estimable vs. 11.2%; P < .0001) rates.

Study details: This retrospective study included 251 systemic treatment-naive patients with uHCC who received standard-dose Atez/Bev (n = 194) or lenvatinib (n = 57).

Disclosures: The study did not receive any funding. Some authors declared serving as advisors or receiving lecture fees or research funding from various sources.

Source: Hiraoka A et al. Does first-line treatment have prognostic impact for unresectable HCC?—Atezolizumab plus bevacizumab versus lenvatinib .Cancer Med. 2022 (Jun 3). Doi: 10.1002/cam4.4854

Key clinical point: Therapy with atezolizumab plus bevacizumab (Atez/Bev) vs. lenvatinib in the first-line setting may confer a survival benefit in patients with unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (uHCC).

Major finding: Patients receiving Atez/Bev vs. lenvatinib showed better overall survival (1 year: 67.2% vs. 66.2%; 1.5 years: 58.1% vs. 52.7%; P = .002) and progression-free survival (1 year: 31.6% vs. 20.4%; 1.5 years: non-estimable vs. 11.2%; P < .0001) rates.

Study details: This retrospective study included 251 systemic treatment-naive patients with uHCC who received standard-dose Atez/Bev (n = 194) or lenvatinib (n = 57).

Disclosures: The study did not receive any funding. Some authors declared serving as advisors or receiving lecture fees or research funding from various sources.

Source: Hiraoka A et al. Does first-line treatment have prognostic impact for unresectable HCC?—Atezolizumab plus bevacizumab versus lenvatinib .Cancer Med. 2022 (Jun 3). Doi: 10.1002/cam4.4854

Key clinical point: Nivolumab may serve as a first-line systemic treatment option in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and Child-Pugh B (CP-B) cirrhosis.

Major finding: Patients receiving nivolumab vs. sorafenib had a 31% reduced hazard of death (adjusted hazard ratio 0.69; P = .008) and were less likely to discontinue treatment due to toxicity (12% vs. 36%; P = .001).

Study details: The data come from a retrospective real-world cohort study that included patients with HCC and CP-B cirrhosis who received nivolumab (n = 79) or sorafenib (n = 431) as the first-line systemic treatment.

Disclosures: The study was funded by the US National Institutes of Health. Some authors declared serving on the advisory boards of or receiving honoraria or research grants from various sources.

Source: Chapin WJ et al. Comparison of nivolumab and sorafenib for first systemic therapy in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma and Child-Pugh B cirrhosis. Cancer Med. 2022 (Jun 2). Doi:   10.1002/cam4.4906

Key clinical point: Nivolumab may serve as a first-line systemic treatment option in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and Child-Pugh B (CP-B) cirrhosis.

Major finding: Patients receiving nivolumab vs. sorafenib had a 31% reduced hazard of death (adjusted hazard ratio 0.69; P = .008) and were less likely to discontinue treatment due to toxicity (12% vs. 36%; P = .001).

Study details: The data come from a retrospective real-world cohort study that included patients with HCC and CP-B cirrhosis who received nivolumab (n = 79) or sorafenib (n = 431) as the first-line systemic treatment.

Disclosures: The study was funded by the US National Institutes of Health. Some authors declared serving on the advisory boards of or receiving honoraria or research grants from various sources.

Source: Chapin WJ et al. Comparison of nivolumab and sorafenib for first systemic therapy in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma and Child-Pugh B cirrhosis. Cancer Med. 2022 (Jun 2). Doi:   10.1002/cam4.4906

Key clinical point: Nivolumab may serve as a first-line systemic treatment option in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and Child-Pugh B (CP-B) cirrhosis.

Major finding: Patients receiving nivolumab vs. sorafenib had a 31% reduced hazard of death (adjusted hazard ratio 0.69; P = .008) and were less likely to discontinue treatment due to toxicity (12% vs. 36%; P = .001).

Study details: The data come from a retrospective real-world cohort study that included patients with HCC and CP-B cirrhosis who received nivolumab (n = 79) or sorafenib (n = 431) as the first-line systemic treatment.

Disclosures: The study was funded by the US National Institutes of Health. Some authors declared serving on the advisory boards of or receiving honoraria or research grants from various sources.

Source: Chapin WJ et al. Comparison of nivolumab and sorafenib for first systemic therapy in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma and Child-Pugh B cirrhosis. Cancer Med. 2022 (Jun 2). Doi:   10.1002/cam4.4906

Key clinical point: The preoperative ratio of creatinine and cystatin C estimated glomerular filtration rates (eGFRcre/eGFRcys) can predict overall survival (OS) and recurrence-free survival (RFS) in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) undergoing hepatic resection.

Major finding: High eGFRcre/eGFRcys (>1.0025) was significantly associated with worse OS (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR] 4.07; P = .03) and RFS (aHR 2.12; P = .04).

Study details: The data come from a retrospective study that included 157 patients with HCC who underwent curative hepatic resection.

Disclosures: The study was sponsored by Grants-in-Aid for Scientific Research, Japan Society for the Promotion of Science. The authors reported no conflicts of interest.

Source: Harimoto N et al. The ratio of creatinine and cystatin C estimated glomerular filtration rates as a surrogate marker in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma undergoing hepatic resection. J Hepatobiliary Pancreat Sci. 2022 (May 11). Doi: 10.1002/jhbp.1164

Key clinical point: The preoperative ratio of creatinine and cystatin C estimated glomerular filtration rates (eGFRcre/eGFRcys) can predict overall survival (OS) and recurrence-free survival (RFS) in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) undergoing hepatic resection.

Major finding: High eGFRcre/eGFRcys (>1.0025) was significantly associated with worse OS (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR] 4.07; P = .03) and RFS (aHR 2.12; P = .04).

Study details: The data come from a retrospective study that included 157 patients with HCC who underwent curative hepatic resection.

Disclosures: The study was sponsored by Grants-in-Aid for Scientific Research, Japan Society for the Promotion of Science. The authors reported no conflicts of interest.

Source: Harimoto N et al. The ratio of creatinine and cystatin C estimated glomerular filtration rates as a surrogate marker in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma undergoing hepatic resection. J Hepatobiliary Pancreat Sci. 2022 (May 11). Doi: 10.1002/jhbp.1164

Key clinical point: The preoperative ratio of creatinine and cystatin C estimated glomerular filtration rates (eGFRcre/eGFRcys) can predict overall survival (OS) and recurrence-free survival (RFS) in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) undergoing hepatic resection.

Major finding: High eGFRcre/eGFRcys (>1.0025) was significantly associated with worse OS (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR] 4.07; P = .03) and RFS (aHR 2.12; P = .04).

Study details: The data come from a retrospective study that included 157 patients with HCC who underwent curative hepatic resection.

Disclosures: The study was sponsored by Grants-in-Aid for Scientific Research, Japan Society for the Promotion of Science. The authors reported no conflicts of interest.

Source: Harimoto N et al. The ratio of creatinine and cystatin C estimated glomerular filtration rates as a surrogate marker in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma undergoing hepatic resection. J Hepatobiliary Pancreat Sci. 2022 (May 11). Doi: 10.1002/jhbp.1164

Key clinical point: C-reactive protein to albumin ratio (CAR) can predict overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) in patients treated with lenvatinib for unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (uHCC).

Major finding: High CAR (≥0.108) was independently associated with OS (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR] 1.915; P < .001) and PFS (aHR 1.644; P < .001). Patients with low vs. high CAR showed significantly better cumulative OS and PFS (both P < .001).

Study details: This retrospective, multicenter study included 522 patients with uHCC who were treated with lenvatinib for >2 weeks, followed-up for >4 weeks, and had CAR data available at the beginning of follow-up.

Disclosures: This study did not receive any funding. Some authors reported serving as advisors for or receiving research funds or lecture fees from various sources.

Source: Tada T et al. C-reactive protein to albumin ratio predicts survival in patients with unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma treated with Lenvatinib. Sci Rep. 2022;12:8421 (May 19). Doi: 10.1038/s41598-022-12058-y

Key clinical point: C-reactive protein to albumin ratio (CAR) can predict overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) in patients treated with lenvatinib for unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (uHCC).

Major finding: High CAR (≥0.108) was independently associated with OS (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR] 1.915; P < .001) and PFS (aHR 1.644; P < .001). Patients with low vs. high CAR showed significantly better cumulative OS and PFS (both P < .001).

Study details: This retrospective, multicenter study included 522 patients with uHCC who were treated with lenvatinib for >2 weeks, followed-up for >4 weeks, and had CAR data available at the beginning of follow-up.

Disclosures: This study did not receive any funding. Some authors reported serving as advisors for or receiving research funds or lecture fees from various sources.

Source: Tada T et al. C-reactive protein to albumin ratio predicts survival in patients with unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma treated with Lenvatinib. Sci Rep. 2022;12:8421 (May 19). Doi: 10.1038/s41598-022-12058-y

Key clinical point: C-reactive protein to albumin ratio (CAR) can predict overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) in patients treated with lenvatinib for unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (uHCC).

Major finding: High CAR (≥0.108) was independently associated with OS (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR] 1.915; P < .001) and PFS (aHR 1.644; P < .001). Patients with low vs. high CAR showed significantly better cumulative OS and PFS (both P < .001).

Study details: This retrospective, multicenter study included 522 patients with uHCC who were treated with lenvatinib for >2 weeks, followed-up for >4 weeks, and had CAR data available at the beginning of follow-up.

Disclosures: This study did not receive any funding. Some authors reported serving as advisors for or receiving research funds or lecture fees from various sources.

Source: Tada T et al. C-reactive protein to albumin ratio predicts survival in patients with unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma treated with Lenvatinib. Sci Rep. 2022;12:8421 (May 19). Doi: 10.1038/s41598-022-12058-y

Key clinical point: Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is independently associated with an increased risk for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

Major finding: NAFLD significantly increased the risk for HCC (hazard ratio [HR] 1.88; P < .01) but not for recurrence (HR 0.97; P = .73), cancer mortality (HR 2.16; P = .1), or all-cause mortality (HR 1.02; P = .84).

Study details: Findings are from a meta-analysis of 103 observational studies that evaluated HCC risk and outcomes in 948,217 patients with NAFLD.

Disclosures: This study received no funding. The authors declared no conflicts of interest.

Source: Petrelli F et al. Hepatocellular carcinoma in patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease: A systematic review and meta-analysis: HCC and steatosis or steatohepatitis. Neoplasia. 2022;30:100809 (May 27). Doi: 10.1016/j.neo.2022.100809

Key clinical point: Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is independently associated with an increased risk for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

Major finding: NAFLD significantly increased the risk for HCC (hazard ratio [HR] 1.88; P < .01) but not for recurrence (HR 0.97; P = .73), cancer mortality (HR 2.16; P = .1), or all-cause mortality (HR 1.02; P = .84).

Study details: Findings are from a meta-analysis of 103 observational studies that evaluated HCC risk and outcomes in 948,217 patients with NAFLD.

Disclosures: This study received no funding. The authors declared no conflicts of interest.

Source: Petrelli F et al. Hepatocellular carcinoma in patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease: A systematic review and meta-analysis: HCC and steatosis or steatohepatitis. Neoplasia. 2022;30:100809 (May 27). Doi: 10.1016/j.neo.2022.100809

Key clinical point: Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is independently associated with an increased risk for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

Major finding: NAFLD significantly increased the risk for HCC (hazard ratio [HR] 1.88; P < .01) but not for recurrence (HR 0.97; P = .73), cancer mortality (HR 2.16; P = .1), or all-cause mortality (HR 1.02; P = .84).

Study details: Findings are from a meta-analysis of 103 observational studies that evaluated HCC risk and outcomes in 948,217 patients with NAFLD.

Disclosures: This study received no funding. The authors declared no conflicts of interest.

Source: Petrelli F et al. Hepatocellular carcinoma in patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease: A systematic review and meta-analysis: HCC and steatosis or steatohepatitis. Neoplasia. 2022;30:100809 (May 27). Doi: 10.1016/j.neo.2022.100809

Key clinical point: Microwave ablation may be a safe and effective first-line locoregional therapy (LRT) for bridging patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) to liver transplant (LT), with no cases of waitlist removal due to tumor seeding, procedural adverse events, or local tumor progression.

Major finding: In total, 71 (80.7%) of 88 patients eventually received LT. None of the patients died while on the waitlist, and only 4.5% of patients dropped out due to tumor growth outside of the Milan Criteria. The 5-year post-transplant overall survival rate was 76.7%, with the overall and major adverse event rates being 5.1% and 3.0%, respectively.

Study details: Findings are from a single-center, retrospective study including 88 patients with HCC on the waitlist for LT who received percutaneous microwave ablation as the first-line LRT.

Disclosures: The study did not receive any funding. Some authors declared consulting for, being on the board of directors or a shareholder of, or receiving research support from various sources.

Source: Couillard AB et al. Microwave ablation as bridging to liver transplant for patients with hepatocellular carcinoma: A single-center retrospective analysis. J Vasc Interv Radiol. 2022 (Jun 3). Doi: 10.1016/j.jvir.2022.05.019

Key clinical point: Microwave ablation may be a safe and effective first-line locoregional therapy (LRT) for bridging patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) to liver transplant (LT), with no cases of waitlist removal due to tumor seeding, procedural adverse events, or local tumor progression.

Major finding: In total, 71 (80.7%) of 88 patients eventually received LT. None of the patients died while on the waitlist, and only 4.5% of patients dropped out due to tumor growth outside of the Milan Criteria. The 5-year post-transplant overall survival rate was 76.7%, with the overall and major adverse event rates being 5.1% and 3.0%, respectively.

Study details: Findings are from a single-center, retrospective study including 88 patients with HCC on the waitlist for LT who received percutaneous microwave ablation as the first-line LRT.

Disclosures: The study did not receive any funding. Some authors declared consulting for, being on the board of directors or a shareholder of, or receiving research support from various sources.

Source: Couillard AB et al. Microwave ablation as bridging to liver transplant for patients with hepatocellular carcinoma: A single-center retrospective analysis. J Vasc Interv Radiol. 2022 (Jun 3). Doi: 10.1016/j.jvir.2022.05.019

Key clinical point: Microwave ablation may be a safe and effective first-line locoregional therapy (LRT) for bridging patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) to liver transplant (LT), with no cases of waitlist removal due to tumor seeding, procedural adverse events, or local tumor progression.

Major finding: In total, 71 (80.7%) of 88 patients eventually received LT. None of the patients died while on the waitlist, and only 4.5% of patients dropped out due to tumor growth outside of the Milan Criteria. The 5-year post-transplant overall survival rate was 76.7%, with the overall and major adverse event rates being 5.1% and 3.0%, respectively.

Study details: Findings are from a single-center, retrospective study including 88 patients with HCC on the waitlist for LT who received percutaneous microwave ablation as the first-line LRT.

Disclosures: The study did not receive any funding. Some authors declared consulting for, being on the board of directors or a shareholder of, or receiving research support from various sources.

Source: Couillard AB et al. Microwave ablation as bridging to liver transplant for patients with hepatocellular carcinoma: A single-center retrospective analysis. J Vasc Interv Radiol. 2022 (Jun 3). Doi: 10.1016/j.jvir.2022.05.019

Key clinical point: The pediatric hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) subtypes fibrolamellar carcinoma (FLC) and conventional HCC (cHCC) can be considered nonequivalent entities because they show different anatomic patterns and outcomes together with their known molecular differences.

Major finding: HCC subtypes were significantly different in presentation and behavior, with increased lymph node involvement in FLC and higher stage in cHCC. Multivariate analysis revealed increased mortality in cHCC compared with that in FLC (adjusted hazard ratio 2.2; P = .004).

Study details: These findings are from a multicenter, retrospective review study including 262 patients <20 years of age with hepatocellular neoplasms, including cHCC (n = 110), FLC (n = 119), and tumors with mixed features of HCC and hepatoblastoma (n = 33).

Disclosures: The study was supported by the University of Utah Population Health Research Foundation and National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences of the US National Institutes of Health. Some authors reported receiving research grants or travel support from various sources.

Source: Short SS et al. Histologic type predicts disparate outcomes in pediatric hepatocellular neoplasms: A Pediatric Surgical Oncology Research Collaborative study. Cancer. 2022 (May 13). Doi: 10.1002/cncr.34256

Key clinical point: The pediatric hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) subtypes fibrolamellar carcinoma (FLC) and conventional HCC (cHCC) can be considered nonequivalent entities because they show different anatomic patterns and outcomes together with their known molecular differences.

Major finding: HCC subtypes were significantly different in presentation and behavior, with increased lymph node involvement in FLC and higher stage in cHCC. Multivariate analysis revealed increased mortality in cHCC compared with that in FLC (adjusted hazard ratio 2.2; P = .004).

Study details: These findings are from a multicenter, retrospective review study including 262 patients <20 years of age with hepatocellular neoplasms, including cHCC (n = 110), FLC (n = 119), and tumors with mixed features of HCC and hepatoblastoma (n = 33).

Disclosures: The study was supported by the University of Utah Population Health Research Foundation and National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences of the US National Institutes of Health. Some authors reported receiving research grants or travel support from various sources.

Source: Short SS et al. Histologic type predicts disparate outcomes in pediatric hepatocellular neoplasms: A Pediatric Surgical Oncology Research Collaborative study. Cancer. 2022 (May 13). Doi: 10.1002/cncr.34256

Key clinical point: The pediatric hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) subtypes fibrolamellar carcinoma (FLC) and conventional HCC (cHCC) can be considered nonequivalent entities because they show different anatomic patterns and outcomes together with their known molecular differences.

Major finding: HCC subtypes were significantly different in presentation and behavior, with increased lymph node involvement in FLC and higher stage in cHCC. Multivariate analysis revealed increased mortality in cHCC compared with that in FLC (adjusted hazard ratio 2.2; P = .004).

Study details: These findings are from a multicenter, retrospective review study including 262 patients <20 years of age with hepatocellular neoplasms, including cHCC (n = 110), FLC (n = 119), and tumors with mixed features of HCC and hepatoblastoma (n = 33).

Disclosures: The study was supported by the University of Utah Population Health Research Foundation and National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences of the US National Institutes of Health. Some authors reported receiving research grants or travel support from various sources.

Source: Short SS et al. Histologic type predicts disparate outcomes in pediatric hepatocellular neoplasms: A Pediatric Surgical Oncology Research Collaborative study. Cancer. 2022 (May 13). Doi: 10.1002/cncr.34256

Key clinical point: Radiation segmentectomy shows high efficacy with a low high-grade adverse event rate in patients with unresectable very early- to early-stage hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) at unfavorable locations for ablation.

Major finding: Initial target lesion complete and partial response rates were 83% and 17%, respectively, whereas the initial objective and sustained complete response rates were 100% and 90%, respectively. Grade 3 leukopenia and thrombocytopenia were observed in 14% and 7% of patients, respectively, whereas no grade 4 events were observed.

Study details: Findings are from a prospective, single-center study, RASER, that included 29 adult patients with unresectable, solitary, very early- to early-stage HCC (diameter ≤ 3 cm) at a location unsuitable for ablation and no metastasis or macrovascular invasion.

Disclosures: The study was sponsored by Boston Scientific. Some authors declared being on the medical advisory board of or receiving grant support or consulting fees from various sources, including Boston Scientific.

Source: Kim E et al. Radiation segmentectomy for curative intent of unresectable very early to early stage hepatocellular carcinoma (RASER): a single-centre, single-arm study. Lancet Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2022 (May 23). Doi: 10.1016/S2468-1253(22)00091-7

Key clinical point: Radiation segmentectomy shows high efficacy with a low high-grade adverse event rate in patients with unresectable very early- to early-stage hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) at unfavorable locations for ablation.

Major finding: Initial target lesion complete and partial response rates were 83% and 17%, respectively, whereas the initial objective and sustained complete response rates were 100% and 90%, respectively. Grade 3 leukopenia and thrombocytopenia were observed in 14% and 7% of patients, respectively, whereas no grade 4 events were observed.

Study details: Findings are from a prospective, single-center study, RASER, that included 29 adult patients with unresectable, solitary, very early- to early-stage HCC (diameter ≤ 3 cm) at a location unsuitable for ablation and no metastasis or macrovascular invasion.

Disclosures: The study was sponsored by Boston Scientific. Some authors declared being on the medical advisory board of or receiving grant support or consulting fees from various sources, including Boston Scientific.

Source: Kim E et al. Radiation segmentectomy for curative intent of unresectable very early to early stage hepatocellular carcinoma (RASER): a single-centre, single-arm study. Lancet Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2022 (May 23). Doi: 10.1016/S2468-1253(22)00091-7

Key clinical point: Radiation segmentectomy shows high efficacy with a low high-grade adverse event rate in patients with unresectable very early- to early-stage hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) at unfavorable locations for ablation.

Major finding: Initial target lesion complete and partial response rates were 83% and 17%, respectively, whereas the initial objective and sustained complete response rates were 100% and 90%, respectively. Grade 3 leukopenia and thrombocytopenia were observed in 14% and 7% of patients, respectively, whereas no grade 4 events were observed.

Study details: Findings are from a prospective, single-center study, RASER, that included 29 adult patients with unresectable, solitary, very early- to early-stage HCC (diameter ≤ 3 cm) at a location unsuitable for ablation and no metastasis or macrovascular invasion.

Disclosures: The study was sponsored by Boston Scientific. Some authors declared being on the medical advisory board of or receiving grant support or consulting fees from various sources, including Boston Scientific.

Source: Kim E et al. Radiation segmentectomy for curative intent of unresectable very early to early stage hepatocellular carcinoma (RASER): a single-centre, single-arm study. Lancet Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2022 (May 23). Doi: 10.1016/S2468-1253(22)00091-7

Key clinical point: In estrogen receptor-positive (ER+)/human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-negative (HER2−) breast cancer (BC) neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) should be considered to enable axillary conservation in patients aged <50 years with Ki67 ≥20%.

Major finding: Both Ki67 ≥20% (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 2.60; P = .04) and age <50 years (aOR 2.44; P = .01) were significant independent predictors of nodal pathological complete response (pCR). Younger patients (<50 years) had a higher nodal pCR when Ki67 index was ≥20% vs. <20% (35.8% vs. 14.3%; P = .02), whereas older patients (≥50 years) had an extremely low nodal pCR when Ki67 was <20% vs. ≥20% (2.6% vs. 21%; P = .008).

Study details: This study included 315 patients with node-positive, stage I-III, ER+/HER2− BC who were treated with NAC followed by surgery.

Disclosures: This work was partly supported by the National Institutes of Health Mayo Clinic Breast SPORE grant. Dr. Goetz and Dr. Boughey declared having research collaboration and receiving grants, funding, personal fees, or consulting fees from several sources.

Source: Boughey JC et al. Neoadjuvant chemotherapy and nodal response rates in luminal breast cancer: effects of age and tumor Ki67. Ann Surg Oncol. 2022 (May 15). Doi: 10.1245/s10434-022-11871-z

Key clinical point: In estrogen receptor-positive (ER+)/human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-negative (HER2−) breast cancer (BC) neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) should be considered to enable axillary conservation in patients aged <50 years with Ki67 ≥20%.

Major finding: Both Ki67 ≥20% (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 2.60; P = .04) and age <50 years (aOR 2.44; P = .01) were significant independent predictors of nodal pathological complete response (pCR). Younger patients (<50 years) had a higher nodal pCR when Ki67 index was ≥20% vs. <20% (35.8% vs. 14.3%; P = .02), whereas older patients (≥50 years) had an extremely low nodal pCR when Ki67 was <20% vs. ≥20% (2.6% vs. 21%; P = .008).

Study details: This study included 315 patients with node-positive, stage I-III, ER+/HER2− BC who were treated with NAC followed by surgery.

Disclosures: This work was partly supported by the National Institutes of Health Mayo Clinic Breast SPORE grant. Dr. Goetz and Dr. Boughey declared having research collaboration and receiving grants, funding, personal fees, or consulting fees from several sources.

Source: Boughey JC et al. Neoadjuvant chemotherapy and nodal response rates in luminal breast cancer: effects of age and tumor Ki67. Ann Surg Oncol. 2022 (May 15). Doi: 10.1245/s10434-022-11871-z

Key clinical point: In estrogen receptor-positive (ER+)/human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-negative (HER2−) breast cancer (BC) neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) should be considered to enable axillary conservation in patients aged <50 years with Ki67 ≥20%.

Major finding: Both Ki67 ≥20% (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 2.60; P = .04) and age <50 years (aOR 2.44; P = .01) were significant independent predictors of nodal pathological complete response (pCR). Younger patients (<50 years) had a higher nodal pCR when Ki67 index was ≥20% vs. <20% (35.8% vs. 14.3%; P = .02), whereas older patients (≥50 years) had an extremely low nodal pCR when Ki67 was <20% vs. ≥20% (2.6% vs. 21%; P = .008).

Study details: This study included 315 patients with node-positive, stage I-III, ER+/HER2− BC who were treated with NAC followed by surgery.

Disclosures: This work was partly supported by the National Institutes of Health Mayo Clinic Breast SPORE grant. Dr. Goetz and Dr. Boughey declared having research collaboration and receiving grants, funding, personal fees, or consulting fees from several sources.

Source: Boughey JC et al. Neoadjuvant chemotherapy and nodal response rates in luminal breast cancer: effects of age and tumor Ki67. Ann Surg Oncol. 2022 (May 15). Doi: 10.1245/s10434-022-11871-z

Key clinical point: Patients with breast cancer (BC) treated with standard chemotherapy during pregnancy show comparable prognosis to young nonpregnant patients with BC, supporting chemotherapy initiation in pregnant women with BC as indicated.

Major finding: Median follow-up was 66.3 months. Disease-free survival (hazard ratio [HR] 1.024; P = .830) and overall survival (HR 1.082; P = .592) were not significantly different between pregnant and nonpregnant patients receiving chemotherapy.

Study details: Findings are from a large cohort study including 2081 nonpregnant women aged <45 years and 662 pregnant women, all of whom were diagnosed with stage I-III BC and received standard chemotherapy.

Disclosures: This study was funded by German Breast Group and other sources. Some authors declared receiving grants, honoraria, personal fees, or speaking fees from several sources.

Source: Amant F et al. Outcome of breast cancer patients treated with chemotherapy during pregnancy compared with non-pregnant controls. Eur J Cancer. 2022;170:54-63 (May 17). Doi: 10.1016/j.ejca.2022.04.014

Key clinical point: Patients with breast cancer (BC) treated with standard chemotherapy during pregnancy show comparable prognosis to young nonpregnant patients with BC, supporting chemotherapy initiation in pregnant women with BC as indicated.

Major finding: Median follow-up was 66.3 months. Disease-free survival (hazard ratio [HR] 1.024; P = .830) and overall survival (HR 1.082; P = .592) were not significantly different between pregnant and nonpregnant patients receiving chemotherapy.

Study details: Findings are from a large cohort study including 2081 nonpregnant women aged <45 years and 662 pregnant women, all of whom were diagnosed with stage I-III BC and received standard chemotherapy.

Disclosures: This study was funded by German Breast Group and other sources. Some authors declared receiving grants, honoraria, personal fees, or speaking fees from several sources.

Source: Amant F et al. Outcome of breast cancer patients treated with chemotherapy during pregnancy compared with non-pregnant controls. Eur J Cancer. 2022;170:54-63 (May 17). Doi: 10.1016/j.ejca.2022.04.014

Key clinical point: Patients with breast cancer (BC) treated with standard chemotherapy during pregnancy show comparable prognosis to young nonpregnant patients with BC, supporting chemotherapy initiation in pregnant women with BC as indicated.

Major finding: Median follow-up was 66.3 months. Disease-free survival (hazard ratio [HR] 1.024; P = .830) and overall survival (HR 1.082; P = .592) were not significantly different between pregnant and nonpregnant patients receiving chemotherapy.

Study details: Findings are from a large cohort study including 2081 nonpregnant women aged <45 years and 662 pregnant women, all of whom were diagnosed with stage I-III BC and received standard chemotherapy.

Disclosures: This study was funded by German Breast Group and other sources. Some authors declared receiving grants, honoraria, personal fees, or speaking fees from several sources.

Source: Amant F et al. Outcome of breast cancer patients treated with chemotherapy during pregnancy compared with non-pregnant controls. Eur J Cancer. 2022;170:54-63 (May 17). Doi: 10.1016/j.ejca.2022.04.014