Key clinical point: Human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-low vs HER2-0 expression was associated with improved breast cancer-specific survival (BCSS) outcomes in patients with early-stage triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), particularly in the high-risk subgroups.

Major finding: Patients with HER2-low vs HER2-0 BC had significantly better BCSS rates in the overall population (96.6% vs 93.7%; log-rank P = .027) and in high-risk subpopulations comprising patients without a pathological complete response despite neoadjuvant chemotherapy (log-rank P = .047) or those with stage-III BC (log-rank P = .010).

Study details: Findings are from a study including 1445 female patients with early-stage TNBC, of whom 51.7% and 48.3% showed HER2-0 and HER2-low status, respectively.

Disclosures: This study was sponsored by the Health Commission of Henan Province, China. The authors declared no conflicts of interest.

Source: Ma Y et al. HER2-low status was associated with better breast cancer-specific survival in early-stage triple-negative breast cancer. Oncologist. 2023 (Sep 28). doi: 10.1093/oncolo/oyad275

Key clinical point: Human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-low vs HER2-0 expression was associated with improved breast cancer-specific survival (BCSS) outcomes in patients with early-stage triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), particularly in the high-risk subgroups.

Major finding: Patients with HER2-low vs HER2-0 BC had significantly better BCSS rates in the overall population (96.6% vs 93.7%; log-rank P = .027) and in high-risk subpopulations comprising patients without a pathological complete response despite neoadjuvant chemotherapy (log-rank P = .047) or those with stage-III BC (log-rank P = .010).

Study details: Findings are from a study including 1445 female patients with early-stage TNBC, of whom 51.7% and 48.3% showed HER2-0 and HER2-low status, respectively.

Disclosures: This study was sponsored by the Health Commission of Henan Province, China. The authors declared no conflicts of interest.

Source: Ma Y et al. HER2-low status was associated with better breast cancer-specific survival in early-stage triple-negative breast cancer. Oncologist. 2023 (Sep 28). doi: 10.1093/oncolo/oyad275

Key clinical point: Human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-low vs HER2-0 expression was associated with improved breast cancer-specific survival (BCSS) outcomes in patients with early-stage triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), particularly in the high-risk subgroups.

Major finding: Patients with HER2-low vs HER2-0 BC had significantly better BCSS rates in the overall population (96.6% vs 93.7%; log-rank P = .027) and in high-risk subpopulations comprising patients without a pathological complete response despite neoadjuvant chemotherapy (log-rank P = .047) or those with stage-III BC (log-rank P = .010).

Study details: Findings are from a study including 1445 female patients with early-stage TNBC, of whom 51.7% and 48.3% showed HER2-0 and HER2-low status, respectively.

Disclosures: This study was sponsored by the Health Commission of Henan Province, China. The authors declared no conflicts of interest.

Source: Ma Y et al. HER2-low status was associated with better breast cancer-specific survival in early-stage triple-negative breast cancer. Oncologist. 2023 (Sep 28). doi: 10.1093/oncolo/oyad275

Key clinical point: This real-world study confirmed the effectiveness of tucatinib across all treatment lines in patients with human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-positive (HER2+) metastatic breast cancer (BC).

Major finding: Median real-world time-to-treatment discontinuation was 6.5 months (95% CI 5.4-8.8 months) for the overall population but was longer in patients who received tucatinib in combination with trastuzumab and capecitabine in a metastatic setting (8.1 months; 95% CI 5.7-9.5 months) or as second-line or third-line therapy (9.4 months; 95% CI 6.3-14.1 months). Median real-world overall survival was 26.6 months (95% CI 20.2-not reached).

Study details: Findings are from a retrospective cohort study including 216 patients with HER2+ metastatic BC who received tucatinib in any line of therapy.

Disclosures: This study was sponsored by Seagen Inc. and Merck Sharp & Dohme LLC. Seven authors declared being employees of and holding stock or stock options in Seagen Inc., and the other authors declared ties with various sources, including Seagen and Merck Sharp & Dohme.

Source: Kaufman PA et al. Real-world patient characteristics, treatment patterns, and clinical outcomes associated with tucatinib therapy in HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer. Front Oncol. 2023;13:1264861 (Oct 2). doi: 10.3389/fonc.2023.1264861

Key clinical point: This real-world study confirmed the effectiveness of tucatinib across all treatment lines in patients with human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-positive (HER2+) metastatic breast cancer (BC).

Major finding: Median real-world time-to-treatment discontinuation was 6.5 months (95% CI 5.4-8.8 months) for the overall population but was longer in patients who received tucatinib in combination with trastuzumab and capecitabine in a metastatic setting (8.1 months; 95% CI 5.7-9.5 months) or as second-line or third-line therapy (9.4 months; 95% CI 6.3-14.1 months). Median real-world overall survival was 26.6 months (95% CI 20.2-not reached).

Study details: Findings are from a retrospective cohort study including 216 patients with HER2+ metastatic BC who received tucatinib in any line of therapy.

Disclosures: This study was sponsored by Seagen Inc. and Merck Sharp & Dohme LLC. Seven authors declared being employees of and holding stock or stock options in Seagen Inc., and the other authors declared ties with various sources, including Seagen and Merck Sharp & Dohme.

Source: Kaufman PA et al. Real-world patient characteristics, treatment patterns, and clinical outcomes associated with tucatinib therapy in HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer. Front Oncol. 2023;13:1264861 (Oct 2). doi: 10.3389/fonc.2023.1264861

Key clinical point: This real-world study confirmed the effectiveness of tucatinib across all treatment lines in patients with human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-positive (HER2+) metastatic breast cancer (BC).

Major finding: Median real-world time-to-treatment discontinuation was 6.5 months (95% CI 5.4-8.8 months) for the overall population but was longer in patients who received tucatinib in combination with trastuzumab and capecitabine in a metastatic setting (8.1 months; 95% CI 5.7-9.5 months) or as second-line or third-line therapy (9.4 months; 95% CI 6.3-14.1 months). Median real-world overall survival was 26.6 months (95% CI 20.2-not reached).

Study details: Findings are from a retrospective cohort study including 216 patients with HER2+ metastatic BC who received tucatinib in any line of therapy.

Disclosures: This study was sponsored by Seagen Inc. and Merck Sharp & Dohme LLC. Seven authors declared being employees of and holding stock or stock options in Seagen Inc., and the other authors declared ties with various sources, including Seagen and Merck Sharp & Dohme.

Source: Kaufman PA et al. Real-world patient characteristics, treatment patterns, and clinical outcomes associated with tucatinib therapy in HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer. Front Oncol. 2023;13:1264861 (Oct 2). doi: 10.3389/fonc.2023.1264861

Key clinical point: Unlike partial breast irradiation (PBI), intraoperative radiation therapy (IORT) was associated with higher ipsilateral breast tumor recurrence (IBTR) rates than whole breast irradiation (WBI) in patients with early-stage breast cancer (BC) who underwent breast-conserving surgery (BCS).

Major finding: The risk for IBTR was comparable in patients treated with PBI and WBI (hazard ratio [HR] 1.20; P = .12) but was significantly higher in patients treated with IORT vs WBI (HR 1.46; P < .01).

Study details: Findings are from a meta-analysis of 11 randomized controlled trials including 15,460 patients with early-stage BC who underwent BCS, of whom 7190 patients, 4931 patients, and 2372 patients received WBI, PBI, and IORT, respectively.

Disclosures: This study did not receive any specific funding. Some authors declared serving as consultants for or receiving grants from various sources.

Source: Ravani LV et al. Comparison of partial-breast irradiation and intraoperative radiation to whole-breast irradiation in early-stage breast cancer patients: A Kaplan-Meier-derived patient data meta-analysis. Breast Cancer Res Treat. 2023 (Sep 22). doi: 10.1007/s10549-023-07112-w

Key clinical point: Unlike partial breast irradiation (PBI), intraoperative radiation therapy (IORT) was associated with higher ipsilateral breast tumor recurrence (IBTR) rates than whole breast irradiation (WBI) in patients with early-stage breast cancer (BC) who underwent breast-conserving surgery (BCS).

Major finding: The risk for IBTR was comparable in patients treated with PBI and WBI (hazard ratio [HR] 1.20; P = .12) but was significantly higher in patients treated with IORT vs WBI (HR 1.46; P < .01).

Study details: Findings are from a meta-analysis of 11 randomized controlled trials including 15,460 patients with early-stage BC who underwent BCS, of whom 7190 patients, 4931 patients, and 2372 patients received WBI, PBI, and IORT, respectively.

Disclosures: This study did not receive any specific funding. Some authors declared serving as consultants for or receiving grants from various sources.

Source: Ravani LV et al. Comparison of partial-breast irradiation and intraoperative radiation to whole-breast irradiation in early-stage breast cancer patients: A Kaplan-Meier-derived patient data meta-analysis. Breast Cancer Res Treat. 2023 (Sep 22). doi: 10.1007/s10549-023-07112-w

Key clinical point: Unlike partial breast irradiation (PBI), intraoperative radiation therapy (IORT) was associated with higher ipsilateral breast tumor recurrence (IBTR) rates than whole breast irradiation (WBI) in patients with early-stage breast cancer (BC) who underwent breast-conserving surgery (BCS).

Major finding: The risk for IBTR was comparable in patients treated with PBI and WBI (hazard ratio [HR] 1.20; P = .12) but was significantly higher in patients treated with IORT vs WBI (HR 1.46; P < .01).

Study details: Findings are from a meta-analysis of 11 randomized controlled trials including 15,460 patients with early-stage BC who underwent BCS, of whom 7190 patients, 4931 patients, and 2372 patients received WBI, PBI, and IORT, respectively.

Disclosures: This study did not receive any specific funding. Some authors declared serving as consultants for or receiving grants from various sources.

Source: Ravani LV et al. Comparison of partial-breast irradiation and intraoperative radiation to whole-breast irradiation in early-stage breast cancer patients: A Kaplan-Meier-derived patient data meta-analysis. Breast Cancer Res Treat. 2023 (Sep 22). doi: 10.1007/s10549-023-07112-w

Key clinical point: Compared with good or low adherence to adjuvant hormone therapy (HT), excellent adherence was associated with a significantly reduced risk for subsequent breast tumors (SBT) in older women with ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) of the breast.

Major finding: In patients with excellent vs low adherence to adjuvant HT, both breast-conserving surgery (BCS) and BCS + radiation therapy (RT) significantly reduced the risks for SBT (−10.54 and −6.24 percentage points, respectively; both P < .00001) or subsequent invasive breast cancer (−8.85 and −4.28 percentage points, respectively; both P < .00001). Similar results were obtained in patients with excellent vs good adherence to adjuvant HT.

Study details: Findings are from an analysis of a population-based study including 3075 women with DCIS who were age ≥ 65 years and underwent BCS either with (75%) or without RT (25%).

Disclosures: This study was supported by the US National Cancer Institute. Two authors declared serving as consultants for various sources.

Source: Mitchell JM et al. Adherence to hormonal therapy after surgery among older women with ductal carcinoma in situ: Implications for breast cancer-related adverse health events. Cancer. 2023 (Sep 26). Doi: 10.1002/cncr.35009

Key clinical point: Compared with good or low adherence to adjuvant hormone therapy (HT), excellent adherence was associated with a significantly reduced risk for subsequent breast tumors (SBT) in older women with ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) of the breast.

Major finding: In patients with excellent vs low adherence to adjuvant HT, both breast-conserving surgery (BCS) and BCS + radiation therapy (RT) significantly reduced the risks for SBT (−10.54 and −6.24 percentage points, respectively; both P < .00001) or subsequent invasive breast cancer (−8.85 and −4.28 percentage points, respectively; both P < .00001). Similar results were obtained in patients with excellent vs good adherence to adjuvant HT.

Study details: Findings are from an analysis of a population-based study including 3075 women with DCIS who were age ≥ 65 years and underwent BCS either with (75%) or without RT (25%).

Disclosures: This study was supported by the US National Cancer Institute. Two authors declared serving as consultants for various sources.

Source: Mitchell JM et al. Adherence to hormonal therapy after surgery among older women with ductal carcinoma in situ: Implications for breast cancer-related adverse health events. Cancer. 2023 (Sep 26). Doi: 10.1002/cncr.35009

Key clinical point: Compared with good or low adherence to adjuvant hormone therapy (HT), excellent adherence was associated with a significantly reduced risk for subsequent breast tumors (SBT) in older women with ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) of the breast.

Major finding: In patients with excellent vs low adherence to adjuvant HT, both breast-conserving surgery (BCS) and BCS + radiation therapy (RT) significantly reduced the risks for SBT (−10.54 and −6.24 percentage points, respectively; both P < .00001) or subsequent invasive breast cancer (−8.85 and −4.28 percentage points, respectively; both P < .00001). Similar results were obtained in patients with excellent vs good adherence to adjuvant HT.

Study details: Findings are from an analysis of a population-based study including 3075 women with DCIS who were age ≥ 65 years and underwent BCS either with (75%) or without RT (25%).

Disclosures: This study was supported by the US National Cancer Institute. Two authors declared serving as consultants for various sources.

Source: Mitchell JM et al. Adherence to hormonal therapy after surgery among older women with ductal carcinoma in situ: Implications for breast cancer-related adverse health events. Cancer. 2023 (Sep 26). Doi: 10.1002/cncr.35009

Key clinical point: Prophylactic salpingo-oophorectomy (PSO) after breast surgery leads to significantly improved overall survival (OS) outcomes and can be considered in patients with BRCA1/2 breast cancer (BC), particularly in those with the BRCA1 variant.

Major finding: Patients who did vs did not undergo PSO had significantly improved OS outcomes in the overall population (hazard ratio [HR] 0.40; P < .001) and in subgroups of patients with BRCA1 BC (HR 0.35;  95% CI 0.20-0.63), triple-negative BC (HR 0.21;  95% CI 0.09-0.46), and invasive ductal carcinoma (HR 0.51;  95% CI 0.31-0.84).

Study details: Findings are from a retrospective cohort study including 480 patients with BRCA1 (n = 290) or BRCA2 (n = 190) BC who underwent surgical resection, of whom 300 and 163 patients underwent PSO and prophylactic mastectomy, respectively.

Disclosures: This study did not disclose any funding source. Two authors declared being advisory board members of or receiving grants or personal fees from various sources unrelated to this study.

Source: Martelli G et al. Prophylactic salpingo-oophorectomy and survival after BRCA1/2 breast cancer resection. JAMA Surg. 2023 (Oct 4). doi: 10.1001/jamasurg.2023.4770

Key clinical point: Prophylactic salpingo-oophorectomy (PSO) after breast surgery leads to significantly improved overall survival (OS) outcomes and can be considered in patients with BRCA1/2 breast cancer (BC), particularly in those with the BRCA1 variant.

Major finding: Patients who did vs did not undergo PSO had significantly improved OS outcomes in the overall population (hazard ratio [HR] 0.40; P < .001) and in subgroups of patients with BRCA1 BC (HR 0.35;  95% CI 0.20-0.63), triple-negative BC (HR 0.21;  95% CI 0.09-0.46), and invasive ductal carcinoma (HR 0.51;  95% CI 0.31-0.84).

Study details: Findings are from a retrospective cohort study including 480 patients with BRCA1 (n = 290) or BRCA2 (n = 190) BC who underwent surgical resection, of whom 300 and 163 patients underwent PSO and prophylactic mastectomy, respectively.

Disclosures: This study did not disclose any funding source. Two authors declared being advisory board members of or receiving grants or personal fees from various sources unrelated to this study.

Source: Martelli G et al. Prophylactic salpingo-oophorectomy and survival after BRCA1/2 breast cancer resection. JAMA Surg. 2023 (Oct 4). doi: 10.1001/jamasurg.2023.4770

Key clinical point: Prophylactic salpingo-oophorectomy (PSO) after breast surgery leads to significantly improved overall survival (OS) outcomes and can be considered in patients with BRCA1/2 breast cancer (BC), particularly in those with the BRCA1 variant.

Major finding: Patients who did vs did not undergo PSO had significantly improved OS outcomes in the overall population (hazard ratio [HR] 0.40; P < .001) and in subgroups of patients with BRCA1 BC (HR 0.35;  95% CI 0.20-0.63), triple-negative BC (HR 0.21;  95% CI 0.09-0.46), and invasive ductal carcinoma (HR 0.51;  95% CI 0.31-0.84).

Study details: Findings are from a retrospective cohort study including 480 patients with BRCA1 (n = 290) or BRCA2 (n = 190) BC who underwent surgical resection, of whom 300 and 163 patients underwent PSO and prophylactic mastectomy, respectively.

Disclosures: This study did not disclose any funding source. Two authors declared being advisory board members of or receiving grants or personal fees from various sources unrelated to this study.

Source: Martelli G et al. Prophylactic salpingo-oophorectomy and survival after BRCA1/2 breast cancer resection. JAMA Surg. 2023 (Oct 4). doi: 10.1001/jamasurg.2023.4770

Key clinical point: The development of contralateral breast cancer (CBC) was associated with worsened survival outcomes if the primary breast cancer (PBC) subtype was hormone receptor-positive (HR+)/human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-negative (ERBB2−) or if the patients had CBC onset within 1.5 years after PBC surgery.

Major finding: Compared with patients who did not develop CBC, the risk for death was higher in patients who developed CBC within 1.5 years after PBC surgery (hazard ratio 2.014; P = .04) and in those with HR+/ERBB2− PBC (hazard ratio 1.882; P = .01).

Study details: Findings are from a cohort study including 16,251 patients with stages 0-III PBC, of whom 418 patients developed CBC.

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

Source: Kim H et al. Survival after development of contralateral breast cancer in Korean patients with breast cancer. JAMA Netw Open. 2023;6(9):e2333557 (Sep 14). doi: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2023.33557

Key clinical point: The development of contralateral breast cancer (CBC) was associated with worsened survival outcomes if the primary breast cancer (PBC) subtype was hormone receptor-positive (HR+)/human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-negative (ERBB2−) or if the patients had CBC onset within 1.5 years after PBC surgery.

Major finding: Compared with patients who did not develop CBC, the risk for death was higher in patients who developed CBC within 1.5 years after PBC surgery (hazard ratio 2.014; P = .04) and in those with HR+/ERBB2− PBC (hazard ratio 1.882; P = .01).

Study details: Findings are from a cohort study including 16,251 patients with stages 0-III PBC, of whom 418 patients developed CBC.

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

Source: Kim H et al. Survival after development of contralateral breast cancer in Korean patients with breast cancer. JAMA Netw Open. 2023;6(9):e2333557 (Sep 14). doi: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2023.33557

Key clinical point: The development of contralateral breast cancer (CBC) was associated with worsened survival outcomes if the primary breast cancer (PBC) subtype was hormone receptor-positive (HR+)/human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-negative (ERBB2−) or if the patients had CBC onset within 1.5 years after PBC surgery.

Major finding: Compared with patients who did not develop CBC, the risk for death was higher in patients who developed CBC within 1.5 years after PBC surgery (hazard ratio 2.014; P = .04) and in those with HR+/ERBB2− PBC (hazard ratio 1.882; P = .01).

Study details: Findings are from a cohort study including 16,251 patients with stages 0-III PBC, of whom 418 patients developed CBC.

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

Source: Kim H et al. Survival after development of contralateral breast cancer in Korean patients with breast cancer. JAMA Netw Open. 2023;6(9):e2333557 (Sep 14). doi: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2023.33557

Key clinical point: Women who were exposed to fine particulate matter, ie, airborne particles with an aerodynamic diameter ≤ 2.5 μm (PM_2.5), showed an increased risk of developing breast cancer (BC), particularly estrogen receptor-positive (ER+) BC.

Major finding: As little as a 10 µg/m³ increase in PM_2.5 concentration during 1980-1984 increased the incident risk for BC by 8% (hazard ratio [HR] 1.08;  95% CI 1.02-1.13), with the risk being even higher in case of ER+ BC (HR 1.10;  95% CI 1.04-1.17).

Study details: Findings are from an analysis of a prospective, US-based cohort including 196,905 women with no prior history of cancer, of whom 15,870 developed incident BC.

Disclosures: This study was funded by the US National Institutes of Environmental Health Sciences and the US National Cancer Institute Intramural Program. The authors declared no conflicts of interest.

Source: White AJ et al. Ambient fine particulate matter and breast cancer incidence in a large prospective US cohort. J Natl Cancer Inst. 2023 (Sep 11). doi: 10.1093/jnci/djad170

Key clinical point: Women who were exposed to fine particulate matter, ie, airborne particles with an aerodynamic diameter ≤ 2.5 μm (PM_2.5), showed an increased risk of developing breast cancer (BC), particularly estrogen receptor-positive (ER+) BC.

Major finding: As little as a 10 µg/m³ increase in PM_2.5 concentration during 1980-1984 increased the incident risk for BC by 8% (hazard ratio [HR] 1.08;  95% CI 1.02-1.13), with the risk being even higher in case of ER+ BC (HR 1.10;  95% CI 1.04-1.17).

Study details: Findings are from an analysis of a prospective, US-based cohort including 196,905 women with no prior history of cancer, of whom 15,870 developed incident BC.

Disclosures: This study was funded by the US National Institutes of Environmental Health Sciences and the US National Cancer Institute Intramural Program. The authors declared no conflicts of interest.

Source: White AJ et al. Ambient fine particulate matter and breast cancer incidence in a large prospective US cohort. J Natl Cancer Inst. 2023 (Sep 11). doi: 10.1093/jnci/djad170

Key clinical point: Women who were exposed to fine particulate matter, ie, airborne particles with an aerodynamic diameter ≤ 2.5 μm (PM_2.5), showed an increased risk of developing breast cancer (BC), particularly estrogen receptor-positive (ER+) BC.

Major finding: As little as a 10 µg/m³ increase in PM_2.5 concentration during 1980-1984 increased the incident risk for BC by 8% (hazard ratio [HR] 1.08;  95% CI 1.02-1.13), with the risk being even higher in case of ER+ BC (HR 1.10;  95% CI 1.04-1.17).

Study details: Findings are from an analysis of a prospective, US-based cohort including 196,905 women with no prior history of cancer, of whom 15,870 developed incident BC.

Disclosures: This study was funded by the US National Institutes of Environmental Health Sciences and the US National Cancer Institute Intramural Program. The authors declared no conflicts of interest.

Source: White AJ et al. Ambient fine particulate matter and breast cancer incidence in a large prospective US cohort. J Natl Cancer Inst. 2023 (Sep 11). doi: 10.1093/jnci/djad170

Key clinical point: Women who survived cancer during childhood and received ≥ 200 mg/m² cumulative doxorubicin dose as a part of the treatment may have an increased risk of developing subsequent breast cancer (SBC).

Major finding: A ≥200 mg/m² cumulative doxorubicin dose vs no doxorubicin treatment led to > 2-fold increase in the risk for SBC (hazard ratio [HR] for 200-299  mg/m²: 2.50, 95% CI 1.85-3.40; HR for 300-399  mg/m²: 2.33, 95% CI 1.68-3.23; and HR for ≥ 400  mg/m²: 2.78, 95% CI 1.99-3.88). Every 100 mg/m² increase in the cumulative doxorubicin dose increased SBC risk in patients who survived cancer and either received (HR 1.11;  95% CI 1.02-1.21) or did not receive chest radiotherapy (HR 1.26;  95% CI 1.17-1.36).

<Study details: Findings are from an analysis of a pooled cohort including 17,903 females who survived cancer for ≥ 5 years, of whom 782 survivors developed SBC.

Disclosures: This study was supported by the Children Cancer Free Foundation (aka Foundation KiKa, Stichting Kinderen Kankervrij), Amsterdam. The authors declared no conflicts of interest.

Source: Wang Y et al for The International Consortium for Pooled Studies on Subsequent Malignancies after Childhood and Adolescent Cancer. Subsequent female breast cancer risk associated with anthracycline chemotherapy for childhood cancer. Nat Med. 2023;29(9):2268-2277 (Sep 11). doi: 10.1038/s41591-023-02514-1

Key clinical point: Women who survived cancer during childhood and received ≥ 200 mg/m² cumulative doxorubicin dose as a part of the treatment may have an increased risk of developing subsequent breast cancer (SBC).

Major finding: A ≥200 mg/m² cumulative doxorubicin dose vs no doxorubicin treatment led to > 2-fold increase in the risk for SBC (hazard ratio [HR] for 200-299  mg/m²: 2.50, 95% CI 1.85-3.40; HR for 300-399  mg/m²: 2.33, 95% CI 1.68-3.23; and HR for ≥ 400  mg/m²: 2.78, 95% CI 1.99-3.88). Every 100 mg/m² increase in the cumulative doxorubicin dose increased SBC risk in patients who survived cancer and either received (HR 1.11;  95% CI 1.02-1.21) or did not receive chest radiotherapy (HR 1.26;  95% CI 1.17-1.36).

<Study details: Findings are from an analysis of a pooled cohort including 17,903 females who survived cancer for ≥ 5 years, of whom 782 survivors developed SBC.

Disclosures: This study was supported by the Children Cancer Free Foundation (aka Foundation KiKa, Stichting Kinderen Kankervrij), Amsterdam. The authors declared no conflicts of interest.

Source: Wang Y et al for The International Consortium for Pooled Studies on Subsequent Malignancies after Childhood and Adolescent Cancer. Subsequent female breast cancer risk associated with anthracycline chemotherapy for childhood cancer. Nat Med. 2023;29(9):2268-2277 (Sep 11). doi: 10.1038/s41591-023-02514-1

Key clinical point: Women who survived cancer during childhood and received ≥ 200 mg/m² cumulative doxorubicin dose as a part of the treatment may have an increased risk of developing subsequent breast cancer (SBC).

Major finding: A ≥200 mg/m² cumulative doxorubicin dose vs no doxorubicin treatment led to > 2-fold increase in the risk for SBC (hazard ratio [HR] for 200-299  mg/m²: 2.50, 95% CI 1.85-3.40; HR for 300-399  mg/m²: 2.33, 95% CI 1.68-3.23; and HR for ≥ 400  mg/m²: 2.78, 95% CI 1.99-3.88). Every 100 mg/m² increase in the cumulative doxorubicin dose increased SBC risk in patients who survived cancer and either received (HR 1.11;  95% CI 1.02-1.21) or did not receive chest radiotherapy (HR 1.26;  95% CI 1.17-1.36).

<Study details: Findings are from an analysis of a pooled cohort including 17,903 females who survived cancer for ≥ 5 years, of whom 782 survivors developed SBC.

Disclosures: This study was supported by the Children Cancer Free Foundation (aka Foundation KiKa, Stichting Kinderen Kankervrij), Amsterdam. The authors declared no conflicts of interest.

Source: Wang Y et al for The International Consortium for Pooled Studies on Subsequent Malignancies after Childhood and Adolescent Cancer. Subsequent female breast cancer risk associated with anthracycline chemotherapy for childhood cancer. Nat Med. 2023;29(9):2268-2277 (Sep 11). doi: 10.1038/s41591-023-02514-1

Key clinical point: The omission of axillary surgery leads to non-inferior outcomes compared to sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) and may not be necessary in patients with early breast cancer (BC) having a tumor diameter ≤ 2 cm and negative results for preoperative axillary lymph node ultrasonography.

Major finding: The rates of 5-year distant disease-free survival were comparable in patients who underwent SLNB and those who did not undergo axillary surgery (97.7% vs 98.0%; hazard ratio 0.84; noninferiority P = .02).

Study details: Findings are from the phase 3 SOUND trial including 1405 women with BC having a tumor diameter ≤ 2 cm and negative preoperative axillary ultrasonography results who were randomly assigned to undergo either SLNB or no axillary surgery.

Disclosures: This study did not disclose any funding source. Some authors declared receiving personal fees from various sources.

Source: Gentilini OD et al for the SOUND Trial Group. Sentinel lymph node biopsy vs no axillary surgery in patients with small breast cancer and negative results on ultrasonography of axillary lymph nodes: The SOUND randomized clinical trial. JAMA Oncol. 2023 (Sep 21). doi: 10.1001/jamaoncol.2023.3759

Key clinical point: The omission of axillary surgery leads to non-inferior outcomes compared to sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) and may not be necessary in patients with early breast cancer (BC) having a tumor diameter ≤ 2 cm and negative results for preoperative axillary lymph node ultrasonography.

Major finding: The rates of 5-year distant disease-free survival were comparable in patients who underwent SLNB and those who did not undergo axillary surgery (97.7% vs 98.0%; hazard ratio 0.84; noninferiority P = .02).

Study details: Findings are from the phase 3 SOUND trial including 1405 women with BC having a tumor diameter ≤ 2 cm and negative preoperative axillary ultrasonography results who were randomly assigned to undergo either SLNB or no axillary surgery.

Disclosures: This study did not disclose any funding source. Some authors declared receiving personal fees from various sources.

Source: Gentilini OD et al for the SOUND Trial Group. Sentinel lymph node biopsy vs no axillary surgery in patients with small breast cancer and negative results on ultrasonography of axillary lymph nodes: The SOUND randomized clinical trial. JAMA Oncol. 2023 (Sep 21). doi: 10.1001/jamaoncol.2023.3759

Key clinical point: The omission of axillary surgery leads to non-inferior outcomes compared to sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) and may not be necessary in patients with early breast cancer (BC) having a tumor diameter ≤ 2 cm and negative results for preoperative axillary lymph node ultrasonography.

Major finding: The rates of 5-year distant disease-free survival were comparable in patients who underwent SLNB and those who did not undergo axillary surgery (97.7% vs 98.0%; hazard ratio 0.84; noninferiority P = .02).

Study details: Findings are from the phase 3 SOUND trial including 1405 women with BC having a tumor diameter ≤ 2 cm and negative preoperative axillary ultrasonography results who were randomly assigned to undergo either SLNB or no axillary surgery.

Disclosures: This study did not disclose any funding source. Some authors declared receiving personal fees from various sources.

Source: Gentilini OD et al for the SOUND Trial Group. Sentinel lymph node biopsy vs no axillary surgery in patients with small breast cancer and negative results on ultrasonography of axillary lymph nodes: The SOUND randomized clinical trial. JAMA Oncol. 2023 (Sep 21). doi: 10.1001/jamaoncol.2023.3759

MILAN – Studies are exploring hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) as a rescue therapy in early-stage multiple sclerosis (MS), researchers told colleagues at the 9th Joint ECTRIMS-ACTRIMS meeting. But there’s no consensus over best practices.

“Is this a good alternative regarding treatment efficacy and risk? When should we switch from standard treatment? Should we switch from a low-efficacy treatment, from a previous high-efficacy treatment, or from two or more? There is no agreement on this at the moment,” said neurologist Lars Bø, MD, PhD, a professor at the University of Bergen (Norway).

However, rapid conversion to efficient treatment in the early stages of disease is turning out to be crucial, Dr. Bø said. “Early inflammatory activity has lasting effects. A delay from less than 2 years to 4-6 years has implications for disability.”

Where does HSCT fit in? According to Dr. Bø, a 2017 study found that newer treatments bring up to 50% of patients to no evidence of disease activity at 2 years compared with 70%-90% for HSCT. That study reported that “optimal candidates ... are young, ambulatory, and have inflammatory-active relapsing remitting MS.”

But other research is presenting a different picture with “data that doesn’t show such a clear-cut difference.” Dr. Bø highlighted a study published earlier this year that found that HSCT was “considerably superior” to fingolimod and “marginally superior” to natalizumab, but was not superior to ocrelizumab over shorter periods of time. As a result, “there is a need for further randomized trials comparing [HSCT] with these newer medications.”

Would it make sense to treat all younger patients with highly active MS? Research does suggest that “there’s a significant benefit in what we describe as aggressive [disease], high-disability, young age, very short disease lengths,” said neurologist Richard Nicholas, MBBS, of Imperial College London, in a separate presentation.

However, he cautioned that not everyone with highly active MS may be appropriate for HSCT. “That number could be as high as 15%, and “that’s a rather large group of people who would be treated with this therapy.” He suggested focusing on “the most important features”: “two or more relapses and also rapid accrual of disabilities.”

Dr. Nicholas also noted the findings of a study that he coauthored into HSCT versus alemtuzumab and ocrelizumab. The findings of that study were released at ECTRIMS and presented by neurologist Antonio Scalfari, MD, PhD, of Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust.

The researchers tracked 103 patients after stem cell transplants (median, 45 months), 204 patients on alemtuzumab (median, 45 months), and 314 patients on ocrelizumab (median, 35 months). Those who received transplants had a 74% lower risk of relapse versus alemtuzumab, and a 66% lower risk of new MS activity detected via MRI. Compared with ocrelizumab, patients who received stem cell transplants had a 60% lower risk of relapse but the same risk of MS activity detected via MRI.

The researchers noted that the patients who underwent stem cell transplantation had numerous adverse effects.

What happens now? “HSCT should be available for our MS patients when standard treatment is no longer effective,” Dr. Bø said. “When treatment options are limited, it is likely to have a good effect in younger patients with a shorter disease duration and a low disability.”

He added that “there is an increasing use of high-efficacy treatment early in RRMS [relapsing-remitting MS], and this may make the subgroup with indication for HSCT as a rescue therapy smaller.”

Meanwhile, he said, “demonstrating a higher efficacy may require larger studies and a combined analysis of data from the ongoing randomized trials. Also, there is a need for follow-up longer than 2 or 3 years for the estimation of cost versus benefit for this treatment.”

Dr. Bø disclosed receiving speaker fees from Novartis and consulting fees from Viatris. Dr. Nicholas disclosed speaker advisory board relationships with Roche and Novartis.

MILAN – Studies are exploring hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) as a rescue therapy in early-stage multiple sclerosis (MS), researchers told colleagues at the 9th Joint ECTRIMS-ACTRIMS meeting. But there’s no consensus over best practices.

“Is this a good alternative regarding treatment efficacy and risk? When should we switch from standard treatment? Should we switch from a low-efficacy treatment, from a previous high-efficacy treatment, or from two or more? There is no agreement on this at the moment,” said neurologist Lars Bø, MD, PhD, a professor at the University of Bergen (Norway).

However, rapid conversion to efficient treatment in the early stages of disease is turning out to be crucial, Dr. Bø said. “Early inflammatory activity has lasting effects. A delay from less than 2 years to 4-6 years has implications for disability.”

Where does HSCT fit in? According to Dr. Bø, a 2017 study found that newer treatments bring up to 50% of patients to no evidence of disease activity at 2 years compared with 70%-90% for HSCT. That study reported that “optimal candidates ... are young, ambulatory, and have inflammatory-active relapsing remitting MS.”

But other research is presenting a different picture with “data that doesn’t show such a clear-cut difference.” Dr. Bø highlighted a study published earlier this year that found that HSCT was “considerably superior” to fingolimod and “marginally superior” to natalizumab, but was not superior to ocrelizumab over shorter periods of time. As a result, “there is a need for further randomized trials comparing [HSCT] with these newer medications.”

Would it make sense to treat all younger patients with highly active MS? Research does suggest that “there’s a significant benefit in what we describe as aggressive [disease], high-disability, young age, very short disease lengths,” said neurologist Richard Nicholas, MBBS, of Imperial College London, in a separate presentation.

However, he cautioned that not everyone with highly active MS may be appropriate for HSCT. “That number could be as high as 15%, and “that’s a rather large group of people who would be treated with this therapy.” He suggested focusing on “the most important features”: “two or more relapses and also rapid accrual of disabilities.”

Dr. Nicholas also noted the findings of a study that he coauthored into HSCT versus alemtuzumab and ocrelizumab. The findings of that study were released at ECTRIMS and presented by neurologist Antonio Scalfari, MD, PhD, of Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust.

The researchers tracked 103 patients after stem cell transplants (median, 45 months), 204 patients on alemtuzumab (median, 45 months), and 314 patients on ocrelizumab (median, 35 months). Those who received transplants had a 74% lower risk of relapse versus alemtuzumab, and a 66% lower risk of new MS activity detected via MRI. Compared with ocrelizumab, patients who received stem cell transplants had a 60% lower risk of relapse but the same risk of MS activity detected via MRI.

The researchers noted that the patients who underwent stem cell transplantation had numerous adverse effects.

What happens now? “HSCT should be available for our MS patients when standard treatment is no longer effective,” Dr. Bø said. “When treatment options are limited, it is likely to have a good effect in younger patients with a shorter disease duration and a low disability.”

He added that “there is an increasing use of high-efficacy treatment early in RRMS [relapsing-remitting MS], and this may make the subgroup with indication for HSCT as a rescue therapy smaller.”

Meanwhile, he said, “demonstrating a higher efficacy may require larger studies and a combined analysis of data from the ongoing randomized trials. Also, there is a need for follow-up longer than 2 or 3 years for the estimation of cost versus benefit for this treatment.”

Dr. Bø disclosed receiving speaker fees from Novartis and consulting fees from Viatris. Dr. Nicholas disclosed speaker advisory board relationships with Roche and Novartis.

MILAN – Studies are exploring hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) as a rescue therapy in early-stage multiple sclerosis (MS), researchers told colleagues at the 9th Joint ECTRIMS-ACTRIMS meeting. But there’s no consensus over best practices.

“Is this a good alternative regarding treatment efficacy and risk? When should we switch from standard treatment? Should we switch from a low-efficacy treatment, from a previous high-efficacy treatment, or from two or more? There is no agreement on this at the moment,” said neurologist Lars Bø, MD, PhD, a professor at the University of Bergen (Norway).

However, rapid conversion to efficient treatment in the early stages of disease is turning out to be crucial, Dr. Bø said. “Early inflammatory activity has lasting effects. A delay from less than 2 years to 4-6 years has implications for disability.”

Where does HSCT fit in? According to Dr. Bø, a 2017 study found that newer treatments bring up to 50% of patients to no evidence of disease activity at 2 years compared with 70%-90% for HSCT. That study reported that “optimal candidates ... are young, ambulatory, and have inflammatory-active relapsing remitting MS.”

But other research is presenting a different picture with “data that doesn’t show such a clear-cut difference.” Dr. Bø highlighted a study published earlier this year that found that HSCT was “considerably superior” to fingolimod and “marginally superior” to natalizumab, but was not superior to ocrelizumab over shorter periods of time. As a result, “there is a need for further randomized trials comparing [HSCT] with these newer medications.”

Would it make sense to treat all younger patients with highly active MS? Research does suggest that “there’s a significant benefit in what we describe as aggressive [disease], high-disability, young age, very short disease lengths,” said neurologist Richard Nicholas, MBBS, of Imperial College London, in a separate presentation.

However, he cautioned that not everyone with highly active MS may be appropriate for HSCT. “That number could be as high as 15%, and “that’s a rather large group of people who would be treated with this therapy.” He suggested focusing on “the most important features”: “two or more relapses and also rapid accrual of disabilities.”

Dr. Nicholas also noted the findings of a study that he coauthored into HSCT versus alemtuzumab and ocrelizumab. The findings of that study were released at ECTRIMS and presented by neurologist Antonio Scalfari, MD, PhD, of Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust.

The researchers tracked 103 patients after stem cell transplants (median, 45 months), 204 patients on alemtuzumab (median, 45 months), and 314 patients on ocrelizumab (median, 35 months). Those who received transplants had a 74% lower risk of relapse versus alemtuzumab, and a 66% lower risk of new MS activity detected via MRI. Compared with ocrelizumab, patients who received stem cell transplants had a 60% lower risk of relapse but the same risk of MS activity detected via MRI.

The researchers noted that the patients who underwent stem cell transplantation had numerous adverse effects.

What happens now? “HSCT should be available for our MS patients when standard treatment is no longer effective,” Dr. Bø said. “When treatment options are limited, it is likely to have a good effect in younger patients with a shorter disease duration and a low disability.”

He added that “there is an increasing use of high-efficacy treatment early in RRMS [relapsing-remitting MS], and this may make the subgroup with indication for HSCT as a rescue therapy smaller.”

Meanwhile, he said, “demonstrating a higher efficacy may require larger studies and a combined analysis of data from the ongoing randomized trials. Also, there is a need for follow-up longer than 2 or 3 years for the estimation of cost versus benefit for this treatment.”

Dr. Bø disclosed receiving speaker fees from Novartis and consulting fees from Viatris. Dr. Nicholas disclosed speaker advisory board relationships with Roche and Novartis.