Breast cancer research and treatment
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Breast Cancer Res. Treat. · Jun 2013
Multicenter Study Meta Analysis Clinical TrialMolecular subtyping of early-stage breast cancer identifies a group of patients who do not benefit from neoadjuvant chemotherapy.
The aim of this study was to analyze the correlation between the pathologic complete response (pCR) rate after neoadjuvant chemotherapy and long-term outcome (distant metastases-free survival [DMFS]) in patients with early-stage breast cancer using BluePrint and MammaPrint molecular subtyping versus clinical subtyping using immunohistochemistry/fluorescence in situ hybridization (IHC/FISH) for the determination of estrogen receptor, progesterone receptor, and human epidermal growth factor receptor-2 (HER2). Data were analyzed from 437 patients in four neoadjuvant chemotherapy trials. BluePrint and MammaPrint outcomes were determined from 44K Agilent arrays, the I-SPY 1 data portal, or Affymetrix U133A arrays. ⋯ Molecular subtyping can improve the stratification of patients in the neoadjuvant setting: Luminal A-type (MammaPrint Low Risk) patients have a good prognosis with excellent survival and do not seem to benefit from chemotherapy. We observed marked benefit in response and DMFS to neoadjuvant treatment in patients subtyped as HER2-type and Basal-type. BluePrint with MammaPrint molecular subtyping helps to improve prognostic estimation and the choice of therapy versus IHC/FISH.
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Breast Cancer Res. Treat. · Jun 2013
Unjustified prescribing of CYP2D6 inhibiting SSRIs in women treated with tamoxifen.
Tamoxifen is a largely inactive pro-drug, requiring metabolism into its most important metabolite endoxifen. Since the cytochrome P450 (CYP) 2D6 enzyme is primarily involved in this metabolism, genetic polymorphisms of this enzyme, but also drug-induced CYP2D6 inhibition can result in considerably reduced endoxifen formation and as a consequence may affect the efficacy of tamoxifen treatment. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and selective serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) have been effectively used for the treatment of depression and hot flashes, both of which occur frequently in tamoxifen-treated women. ⋯ Contrary to CYP2D6 polymorphisms, drug-induced CYP2D6 inhibition can easily be avoided, since alternative drugs are available. In clinical practice, one should strive to avoid potent CYP2D6 inhibitors as much as possible in tamoxifen-treated patients to reduce the risk of compromising the efficacy of the hormonal therapy. Co-medication should be reviewed by both physicians and pharmacists and potent CYP2D6 inhibitors ought to be switched to weaker alternatives.
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Breast Cancer Res. Treat. · Jun 2013
Black race as a prognostic factor in triple-negative breast cancer patients treated with breast-conserving therapy: a large, single-institution retrospective analysis.
Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) disproportionately affects black women. However, black race as a prognostic factor in TNBC has not been well studied. We evaluated the effect of race, among other variables, on outcomes in women with TNBC. ⋯ RT was an independent predictor for decreased LRR and increased OS on multivariate analyses (P = 0.0006 and P = 0.0003, respectively). Black women with TNBC had equivalent local control, but higher risk of regional nodal failure, compared with non-black counterparts. The routine use of comprehensive nodal irradiation may be beneficial for black women with TNBC.