Breast cancer research and treatment
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Breast Cancer Res. Treat. · Feb 2021
Observational StudyCan we avoid axillary lymph node dissection in N2 breast cancer patients with chemo-sensitive tumours such as HER2 and TNBC?
To find a group of cN2 patients or patients with high axillary burden who become ypN0 after neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT) and who may benefit from avoiding a lymphadenectomy. ⋯ In HER2-positive and triple-negative breast cancer patients staged as cN2 or with high axillary burden before NACT, a sentinel lymph node biopsy after NACT could be recommended if there is a clinical and radiological response.
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Breast Cancer Res. Treat. · Dec 2020
Clinical performance of contrast-enhanced spectral mammography in pre-surgical evaluation of breast malignant lesions in dense breasts: a single center study.
To compare the efficacy of contrast-enhanced spectral mammography, with ultrasound, full field digital mammography and magnetic resonance imaging in detection and size estimation of histologically proven breast tumors. ⋯ Our data suggest that contrast-enhanced spectral mammography improves on full field digital mammography and is comparable to ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging in terms of detection sensitivity and size estimation of malignant lesions in dense breasts.
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Breast Cancer Res. Treat. · Nov 2020
Patient-reported treatment delays in breast cancer care during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic has had a profound impact on cancer care in the US Guidelines focused on the management of COVID-19, rather than healthcare needs of breast cancer patients requiring access to crucial services. This US survey of breast cancer survivors characterizes treatment delays early period in the pandemic. ⋯ Our findings reveal a pervasive impact of COVID-19 on breast cancer care and a gap in disaster preparedness that leaves cancer survivors at risk for poor outcomes. Delays are critical to capture and characterize to help cancer providers and healthcare systems develop effective and patient-tailored processes and strategies to manage cases during the current pandemic wave, subsequent waves, and future disasters.
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Breast Cancer Res. Treat. · Nov 2020
Management of early breast cancer during the COVID-19 pandemic in Brazil.
The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted early breast cancer (EBC) treatment worldwide. This study analyzed how Brazilian breast specialists are managing EBC. ⋯ Important changes occurred in EBC treatment, particularly for hormone receptor-positive tumors, as the outbreak progressed in each region. Systematic monitoring could assure appropriate breast cancer treatment, mitigating the impact of the pandemic.
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Breast Cancer Res. Treat. · Oct 2020
Evaluation of PD-L1, tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes, and CD8+ and FOXP3+ immune cells in HER2-positive breast cancer treated with neoadjuvant therapies.
The tumor immune microenvironment plays a critical role in the prognosis and outcome of breast cancers. This study examined the role of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs), CD8+, FOXP3+ lymphocytes, PD-L1 expression, and other clinicopathological parameters in HER2+ breast cancer and correlate with tumor response to neoadjuvant therapy. ⋯ High Ki-67 is a strong predictor for pCR in HER2+ breast cancer. TIL and FOXP3 T cells may play a role in tumor response in HER2+ cancer. PD-L1 is expressed in a subset of HER2+ breast cancer, supporting a role of immunotherapy in treating a subset of HER2+ breast cancers. The role of PD-L1, TIL, and other markers of immunogenicity as predictors of response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy in HER2+ breast cancer should be further evaluated.