Breast Cancer ICYMI

The risk for disease recurrence, and specifically distant relapse, for women with high-risk early breast cancer highlights the need for novel therapies in this population.^2,3 The phase 3 randomized monarchE trial investigated the role of the CDK4/6 inhibitor abemaciclib combined with endocrine therapy vs standard endocrine therapy alone in 5637 patients with high-risk (≥ 4 positive axillary nodes or 1-3 positive nodes and either grade 3 tumor, tumor size ≥ 5 cm or Ki-67 ≥ 20%) hormone receptor–positive/HER2-negative early breast cancer. At a median follow-up of 42 months, the median invasive disease-free survival (iDFS) benefit was sustained with abemaciclib + endocrine therapy vs endocrine therapy alone (HR 0.664; nominal P < .0001); the absolute 4-year iDFS benefit was 6.4% (85.8% in the abemaciclib + endocrine therapy group vs 79.4% in the endocrine therapy–alone group). Furthermore, this effect appeared to deepen over time, as the previous absolute iDFS differences were 2.8% (2 years) and 4.8% (3 years). Abemaciclib was associated with a higher rate of grade 3 or higher adverse events (49.9% vs 16.9%), the most common being neutropenia, leukopenia, and diarrhea (Johnston et al). Although adjuvant palbociclib trials (PALLAS⁴ and PENELOPE-B⁵) did not meet their primary endpoint, longer follow-up of monarchE and results from NATALEE with ribociclib are anxiously awaited to further define the role of CDK4/6 inhibitors in this space.

Aromatase inhibitors (AI) are an integral component of treatment for hormone receptor–positive breast cancer for many women. However, joint pain and stiffness associated with these agents can affect compliance. Various management strategies, including trials of alternative AI or endocrine therapies and pharmacologic (duloxetine) and non-pharmacologic (acupuncture,⁶ exercise) modalities, have been investigated. A randomized trial including 226 women with early-stage breast cancer receiving AI therapy with baseline joint pain (Brief Pain Inventory Worst Pain [BPI-WP] item score of ≥ 3) evaluated whether true acupuncture (TA) provided a sustained reduction in pain symptoms compared with sham acupuncture (SA) or waiting-list control (WC). Acupuncture protocols consisted of 6 weeks of intervention (2 sessions per week) followed by 1 session per week for another 6 weeks. At 52 weeks, mean BPI-WP scores were 1.08 points lower in the TA group compared with the SA group (P = .01) and were 0.99 points lower in the TA group compared with the WC group (P = .03) (Hershman et al). These data support consideration of acupuncture as a mechanism to help maintain patients on aromatase inhibitors, particularly for patients who wish to avoid or have not received benefit from pharmacologic therapy.

Additional References

1. Puglisi F, Gerratana L, Lambertini M, et al. Composite risk and benefit from adjuvant dose-dense chemotherapy in hormone receptor-positive breast cancer. NPJ Breast Cancer. 2021;7:82. Doi: 10.1038/s41523-021-00286-w
2. Salvo EM, Ramirez AO, Cueto J, et al. Risk of recurrence among patients with HR-positive, HER2-negative, early breast cancer receiving adjuvant endocrine therapy: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Breast. 2021;57:5-17. Doi: 10.1016/j.breast.2021.02.009
3. Sheffield KM, Peachey JR, Method M, et al. A real-world US study of recurrence risks using combined clinicopathological features in HR-positive, HER2-negative early breast cancer. Future Oncol.2022;18:2667-2682. Doi: 10.2217/fon-2022-0310
4. Mayer EL, Dueck AC, Martin M, et al. Palbociclib with adjuvant endocrine therapy in early breast cancer (PALLAS): Interim analysis of a multicentre, open-label, randomised, phase 3 study. Lancet Oncol. 2021;22(2):212-222. Doi: Loibl S, Marmé F, Martin M, et al. Palbociclib for residual high-risk invasive HR-positive and HER2-negative early breast cancer-The Penelope-B trial. J Clin Oncol. 2021;39(14):1518-1530. Doi: Liu X, Lu J, Wang G, et al. Acupuncture for arthralgia induced by aromatase inhibitors in patients with breast cancer: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Integr Cancer Ther. 2021;20:1534735420980811. Doi: 10.1177/1534735420980811

The risk for disease recurrence, and specifically distant relapse, for women with high-risk early breast cancer highlights the need for novel therapies in this population.^2,3 The phase 3 randomized monarchE trial investigated the role of the CDK4/6 inhibitor abemaciclib combined with endocrine therapy vs standard endocrine therapy alone in 5637 patients with high-risk (≥ 4 positive axillary nodes or 1-3 positive nodes and either grade 3 tumor, tumor size ≥ 5 cm or Ki-67 ≥ 20%) hormone receptor–positive/HER2-negative early breast cancer. At a median follow-up of 42 months, the median invasive disease-free survival (iDFS) benefit was sustained with abemaciclib + endocrine therapy vs endocrine therapy alone (HR 0.664; nominal P < .0001); the absolute 4-year iDFS benefit was 6.4% (85.8% in the abemaciclib + endocrine therapy group vs 79.4% in the endocrine therapy–alone group). Furthermore, this effect appeared to deepen over time, as the previous absolute iDFS differences were 2.8% (2 years) and 4.8% (3 years). Abemaciclib was associated with a higher rate of grade 3 or higher adverse events (49.9% vs 16.9%), the most common being neutropenia, leukopenia, and diarrhea (Johnston et al). Although adjuvant palbociclib trials (PALLAS⁴ and PENELOPE-B⁵) did not meet their primary endpoint, longer follow-up of monarchE and results from NATALEE with ribociclib are anxiously awaited to further define the role of CDK4/6 inhibitors in this space.

Aromatase inhibitors (AI) are an integral component of treatment for hormone receptor–positive breast cancer for many women. However, joint pain and stiffness associated with these agents can affect compliance. Various management strategies, including trials of alternative AI or endocrine therapies and pharmacologic (duloxetine) and non-pharmacologic (acupuncture,⁶ exercise) modalities, have been investigated. A randomized trial including 226 women with early-stage breast cancer receiving AI therapy with baseline joint pain (Brief Pain Inventory Worst Pain [BPI-WP] item score of ≥ 3) evaluated whether true acupuncture (TA) provided a sustained reduction in pain symptoms compared with sham acupuncture (SA) or waiting-list control (WC). Acupuncture protocols consisted of 6 weeks of intervention (2 sessions per week) followed by 1 session per week for another 6 weeks. At 52 weeks, mean BPI-WP scores were 1.08 points lower in the TA group compared with the SA group (P = .01) and were 0.99 points lower in the TA group compared with the WC group (P = .03) (Hershman et al). These data support consideration of acupuncture as a mechanism to help maintain patients on aromatase inhibitors, particularly for patients who wish to avoid or have not received benefit from pharmacologic therapy.

Additional References

1. Puglisi F, Gerratana L, Lambertini M, et al. Composite risk and benefit from adjuvant dose-dense chemotherapy in hormone receptor-positive breast cancer. NPJ Breast Cancer. 2021;7:82. Doi: 10.1038/s41523-021-00286-w
2. Salvo EM, Ramirez AO, Cueto J, et al. Risk of recurrence among patients with HR-positive, HER2-negative, early breast cancer receiving adjuvant endocrine therapy: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Breast. 2021;57:5-17. Doi: 10.1016/j.breast.2021.02.009
3. Sheffield KM, Peachey JR, Method M, et al. A real-world US study of recurrence risks using combined clinicopathological features in HR-positive, HER2-negative early breast cancer. Future Oncol.2022;18:2667-2682. Doi: 10.2217/fon-2022-0310
4. Mayer EL, Dueck AC, Martin M, et al. Palbociclib with adjuvant endocrine therapy in early breast cancer (PALLAS): Interim analysis of a multicentre, open-label, randomised, phase 3 study. Lancet Oncol. 2021;22(2):212-222. Doi: Loibl S, Marmé F, Martin M, et al. Palbociclib for residual high-risk invasive HR-positive and HER2-negative early breast cancer-The Penelope-B trial. J Clin Oncol. 2021;39(14):1518-1530. Doi: Liu X, Lu J, Wang G, et al. Acupuncture for arthralgia induced by aromatase inhibitors in patients with breast cancer: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Integr Cancer Ther. 2021;20:1534735420980811. Doi: 10.1177/1534735420980811

The risk for disease recurrence, and specifically distant relapse, for women with high-risk early breast cancer highlights the need for novel therapies in this population.^2,3 The phase 3 randomized monarchE trial investigated the role of the CDK4/6 inhibitor abemaciclib combined with endocrine therapy vs standard endocrine therapy alone in 5637 patients with high-risk (≥ 4 positive axillary nodes or 1-3 positive nodes and either grade 3 tumor, tumor size ≥ 5 cm or Ki-67 ≥ 20%) hormone receptor–positive/HER2-negative early breast cancer. At a median follow-up of 42 months, the median invasive disease-free survival (iDFS) benefit was sustained with abemaciclib + endocrine therapy vs endocrine therapy alone (HR 0.664; nominal P < .0001); the absolute 4-year iDFS benefit was 6.4% (85.8% in the abemaciclib + endocrine therapy group vs 79.4% in the endocrine therapy–alone group). Furthermore, this effect appeared to deepen over time, as the previous absolute iDFS differences were 2.8% (2 years) and 4.8% (3 years). Abemaciclib was associated with a higher rate of grade 3 or higher adverse events (49.9% vs 16.9%), the most common being neutropenia, leukopenia, and diarrhea (Johnston et al). Although adjuvant palbociclib trials (PALLAS⁴ and PENELOPE-B⁵) did not meet their primary endpoint, longer follow-up of monarchE and results from NATALEE with ribociclib are anxiously awaited to further define the role of CDK4/6 inhibitors in this space.

Aromatase inhibitors (AI) are an integral component of treatment for hormone receptor–positive breast cancer for many women. However, joint pain and stiffness associated with these agents can affect compliance. Various management strategies, including trials of alternative AI or endocrine therapies and pharmacologic (duloxetine) and non-pharmacologic (acupuncture,⁶ exercise) modalities, have been investigated. A randomized trial including 226 women with early-stage breast cancer receiving AI therapy with baseline joint pain (Brief Pain Inventory Worst Pain [BPI-WP] item score of ≥ 3) evaluated whether true acupuncture (TA) provided a sustained reduction in pain symptoms compared with sham acupuncture (SA) or waiting-list control (WC). Acupuncture protocols consisted of 6 weeks of intervention (2 sessions per week) followed by 1 session per week for another 6 weeks. At 52 weeks, mean BPI-WP scores were 1.08 points lower in the TA group compared with the SA group (P = .01) and were 0.99 points lower in the TA group compared with the WC group (P = .03) (Hershman et al). These data support consideration of acupuncture as a mechanism to help maintain patients on aromatase inhibitors, particularly for patients who wish to avoid or have not received benefit from pharmacologic therapy.

Additional References

1. Puglisi F, Gerratana L, Lambertini M, et al. Composite risk and benefit from adjuvant dose-dense chemotherapy in hormone receptor-positive breast cancer. NPJ Breast Cancer. 2021;7:82. Doi: 10.1038/s41523-021-00286-w
2. Salvo EM, Ramirez AO, Cueto J, et al. Risk of recurrence among patients with HR-positive, HER2-negative, early breast cancer receiving adjuvant endocrine therapy: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Breast. 2021;57:5-17. Doi: 10.1016/j.breast.2021.02.009
3. Sheffield KM, Peachey JR, Method M, et al. A real-world US study of recurrence risks using combined clinicopathological features in HR-positive, HER2-negative early breast cancer. Future Oncol.2022;18:2667-2682. Doi: 10.2217/fon-2022-0310
4. Mayer EL, Dueck AC, Martin M, et al. Palbociclib with adjuvant endocrine therapy in early breast cancer (PALLAS): Interim analysis of a multicentre, open-label, randomised, phase 3 study. Lancet Oncol. 2021;22(2):212-222. Doi: Loibl S, Marmé F, Martin M, et al. Palbociclib for residual high-risk invasive HR-positive and HER2-negative early breast cancer-The Penelope-B trial. J Clin Oncol. 2021;39(14):1518-1530. Doi: Liu X, Lu J, Wang G, et al. Acupuncture for arthralgia induced by aromatase inhibitors in patients with breast cancer: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Integr Cancer Ther. 2021;20:1534735420980811. Doi: 10.1177/1534735420980811

Key clinical point: Chronic exposure to heavy metals was not associated with an increased risk for breast cancer (BC) among never smokers in the general population.

Major finding: Serum levels of cobalt were inversely associated with the risk for BC (odds ratio 0.33; P = .033), with no association being observed between the risk for BC and exposure to other heavy metals.

Study details: Findings are from a prospective cohort study including 150 women with BC and without a smoking history and 150 matched control women without BC and smoking history.

Disclosures: This study was supported by the Tuscany Region, “Bando Ricerca Salute 2018.” The authors declared no conflicts of interest.

Source: Caini S et al. Serum heavy metals and breast cancer risk: A case-control study nested in the Florence cohort of the EPIC (European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and nutrition) study. Sci Total Environ. 2022;160568 (Dec 1). Doi: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.160568

Key clinical point: Chronic exposure to heavy metals was not associated with an increased risk for breast cancer (BC) among never smokers in the general population.

Major finding: Serum levels of cobalt were inversely associated with the risk for BC (odds ratio 0.33; P = .033), with no association being observed between the risk for BC and exposure to other heavy metals.

Study details: Findings are from a prospective cohort study including 150 women with BC and without a smoking history and 150 matched control women without BC and smoking history.

Disclosures: This study was supported by the Tuscany Region, “Bando Ricerca Salute 2018.” The authors declared no conflicts of interest.

Source: Caini S et al. Serum heavy metals and breast cancer risk: A case-control study nested in the Florence cohort of the EPIC (European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and nutrition) study. Sci Total Environ. 2022;160568 (Dec 1). Doi: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.160568

Key clinical point: Chronic exposure to heavy metals was not associated with an increased risk for breast cancer (BC) among never smokers in the general population.

Major finding: Serum levels of cobalt were inversely associated with the risk for BC (odds ratio 0.33; P = .033), with no association being observed between the risk for BC and exposure to other heavy metals.

Study details: Findings are from a prospective cohort study including 150 women with BC and without a smoking history and 150 matched control women without BC and smoking history.

Disclosures: This study was supported by the Tuscany Region, “Bando Ricerca Salute 2018.” The authors declared no conflicts of interest.

Source: Caini S et al. Serum heavy metals and breast cancer risk: A case-control study nested in the Florence cohort of the EPIC (European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and nutrition) study. Sci Total Environ. 2022;160568 (Dec 1). Doi: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.160568

Key clinical point: Patients with human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-positive (HER2+) metastatic breast cancer (BC) who had an isolated brain metastasis as their first metastatic event reported worse survival outcomes than those with concurrent progressive or stable/responding extracranial disease (ECD).

Major finding: Patients with isolated brain relapse or no evidence of ECD (28.4 months; P = .0028) reported worse overall survival from metastatic diagnosis to death than patients with concurrent progressive ECD (48.8 months) or stable/responding disease (71.5 months).

Study details: Findings are from a retrospective analysis including 126 patients with HER2+ BC, brain metastasis, and known ECD status.

Disclosures: This study was funded by the Duke University Department of Medicine and other sources. Some authors declared receiving royalties or serving as consultants at various sources.

Source: Noteware L et al. Brain metastasis as the first and only metastatic relapse site portends worse survival in patients with advanced HER2 + breast cancer. Breast Cancer Res Treat. 2022 (Nov 20). Doi: 10.1007/s10549-022-06799-7

Key clinical point: Patients with human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-positive (HER2+) metastatic breast cancer (BC) who had an isolated brain metastasis as their first metastatic event reported worse survival outcomes than those with concurrent progressive or stable/responding extracranial disease (ECD).

Major finding: Patients with isolated brain relapse or no evidence of ECD (28.4 months; P = .0028) reported worse overall survival from metastatic diagnosis to death than patients with concurrent progressive ECD (48.8 months) or stable/responding disease (71.5 months).

Study details: Findings are from a retrospective analysis including 126 patients with HER2+ BC, brain metastasis, and known ECD status.

Disclosures: This study was funded by the Duke University Department of Medicine and other sources. Some authors declared receiving royalties or serving as consultants at various sources.

Source: Noteware L et al. Brain metastasis as the first and only metastatic relapse site portends worse survival in patients with advanced HER2 + breast cancer. Breast Cancer Res Treat. 2022 (Nov 20). Doi: 10.1007/s10549-022-06799-7

Key clinical point: Patients with human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-positive (HER2+) metastatic breast cancer (BC) who had an isolated brain metastasis as their first metastatic event reported worse survival outcomes than those with concurrent progressive or stable/responding extracranial disease (ECD).

Major finding: Patients with isolated brain relapse or no evidence of ECD (28.4 months; P = .0028) reported worse overall survival from metastatic diagnosis to death than patients with concurrent progressive ECD (48.8 months) or stable/responding disease (71.5 months).

Study details: Findings are from a retrospective analysis including 126 patients with HER2+ BC, brain metastasis, and known ECD status.

Disclosures: This study was funded by the Duke University Department of Medicine and other sources. Some authors declared receiving royalties or serving as consultants at various sources.

Source: Noteware L et al. Brain metastasis as the first and only metastatic relapse site portends worse survival in patients with advanced HER2 + breast cancer. Breast Cancer Res Treat. 2022 (Nov 20). Doi: 10.1007/s10549-022-06799-7

Key clinical point: Breast conserving surgery (BCS) plus radiotherapy (RT) demonstrated superior survival outcomes compared to mastectomy in patients with ductal carcinoma in situ with microinvasion (DCIS-MI).

Major finding: Overall survival (hazard ratio [HR] 0.676; P < .001) and breast cancer-specific survival (HR 0.565; P = .017) were significantly improved in the BCS+RT vs mastectomy group.

Study details: This study analyzed the data of 5432 patients with DCIS-MI from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database, of which 52.17% of patients had received BCS+RT.

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

Source: Xia LY et al. Survival outcomes after breast-conserving surgery plus radiotherapy compared with mastectomy in breast ductal carcinoma in situ with microinvasion. Sci Rep. 2022;12:20132 (Nov 22). Doi: 10.1038/s41598-022-24630-7

Key clinical point: Breast conserving surgery (BCS) plus radiotherapy (RT) demonstrated superior survival outcomes compared to mastectomy in patients with ductal carcinoma in situ with microinvasion (DCIS-MI).

Major finding: Overall survival (hazard ratio [HR] 0.676; P < .001) and breast cancer-specific survival (HR 0.565; P = .017) were significantly improved in the BCS+RT vs mastectomy group.

Study details: This study analyzed the data of 5432 patients with DCIS-MI from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database, of which 52.17% of patients had received BCS+RT.

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

Source: Xia LY et al. Survival outcomes after breast-conserving surgery plus radiotherapy compared with mastectomy in breast ductal carcinoma in situ with microinvasion. Sci Rep. 2022;12:20132 (Nov 22). Doi: 10.1038/s41598-022-24630-7

Key clinical point: Breast conserving surgery (BCS) plus radiotherapy (RT) demonstrated superior survival outcomes compared to mastectomy in patients with ductal carcinoma in situ with microinvasion (DCIS-MI).

Major finding: Overall survival (hazard ratio [HR] 0.676; P < .001) and breast cancer-specific survival (HR 0.565; P = .017) were significantly improved in the BCS+RT vs mastectomy group.

Study details: This study analyzed the data of 5432 patients with DCIS-MI from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database, of which 52.17% of patients had received BCS+RT.

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

Source: Xia LY et al. Survival outcomes after breast-conserving surgery plus radiotherapy compared with mastectomy in breast ductal carcinoma in situ with microinvasion. Sci Rep. 2022;12:20132 (Nov 22). Doi: 10.1038/s41598-022-24630-7

Key clinical point: Palbociclib plus endocrine therapy (ET) improved progression-free survival (PFS) across all subgroups of patients with hormone receptor-positive/human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-negative (HR+/HER2−) advanced breast cancer (BC).

Major finding: Median PFS was longer in patients receiving palbociclib+letrozole vs placebo+letrozole (hazard ratio [HR] 0.56; 95% CI 0.46-0.69) or palbociclib+fulvestrant vs placebo+fulvestrant (HR 0.50; 95% CI 0.40-0.62), with similar outcomes observed in subgroups of patients reporting a disease-free interval of ≤12 months, visceral disease, or ET resistance.

Study details: Findings are from a post hoc analysis of two phase 3 trials including women with HR+/HER2− advanced BC who were randomly assigned to receive letrozole with palbociclib or placebo (n = 666; PALOMA-2) or fulvestrant with palbociclib or placebo (n = 521; PALOMA-3).

Disclosures: This study was funded by Pfizer Inc. Four authors declared being employees and stockholders of Pfizer, and the other authors reported ties with several sources, including Pfizer.

Source: Rugo HS et al. Effect of palbociclib plus endocrine therapy on time to chemotherapy across subgroups of patients with hormone receptor‒positive/human epidermal growth factor receptor 2‒negative advanced breast cancer: Post hoc analyses from PALOMA-2 and PALOMA-3. Breast. 2022;66:324-331 (Nov 15). Doi: 10.1016/j.breast.2022.11.005

Key clinical point: Palbociclib plus endocrine therapy (ET) improved progression-free survival (PFS) across all subgroups of patients with hormone receptor-positive/human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-negative (HR+/HER2−) advanced breast cancer (BC).

Major finding: Median PFS was longer in patients receiving palbociclib+letrozole vs placebo+letrozole (hazard ratio [HR] 0.56; 95% CI 0.46-0.69) or palbociclib+fulvestrant vs placebo+fulvestrant (HR 0.50; 95% CI 0.40-0.62), with similar outcomes observed in subgroups of patients reporting a disease-free interval of ≤12 months, visceral disease, or ET resistance.

Study details: Findings are from a post hoc analysis of two phase 3 trials including women with HR+/HER2− advanced BC who were randomly assigned to receive letrozole with palbociclib or placebo (n = 666; PALOMA-2) or fulvestrant with palbociclib or placebo (n = 521; PALOMA-3).

Disclosures: This study was funded by Pfizer Inc. Four authors declared being employees and stockholders of Pfizer, and the other authors reported ties with several sources, including Pfizer.

Source: Rugo HS et al. Effect of palbociclib plus endocrine therapy on time to chemotherapy across subgroups of patients with hormone receptor‒positive/human epidermal growth factor receptor 2‒negative advanced breast cancer: Post hoc analyses from PALOMA-2 and PALOMA-3. Breast. 2022;66:324-331 (Nov 15). Doi: 10.1016/j.breast.2022.11.005

Key clinical point: Palbociclib plus endocrine therapy (ET) improved progression-free survival (PFS) across all subgroups of patients with hormone receptor-positive/human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-negative (HR+/HER2−) advanced breast cancer (BC).

Major finding: Median PFS was longer in patients receiving palbociclib+letrozole vs placebo+letrozole (hazard ratio [HR] 0.56; 95% CI 0.46-0.69) or palbociclib+fulvestrant vs placebo+fulvestrant (HR 0.50; 95% CI 0.40-0.62), with similar outcomes observed in subgroups of patients reporting a disease-free interval of ≤12 months, visceral disease, or ET resistance.

Study details: Findings are from a post hoc analysis of two phase 3 trials including women with HR+/HER2− advanced BC who were randomly assigned to receive letrozole with palbociclib or placebo (n = 666; PALOMA-2) or fulvestrant with palbociclib or placebo (n = 521; PALOMA-3).

Disclosures: This study was funded by Pfizer Inc. Four authors declared being employees and stockholders of Pfizer, and the other authors reported ties with several sources, including Pfizer.

Source: Rugo HS et al. Effect of palbociclib plus endocrine therapy on time to chemotherapy across subgroups of patients with hormone receptor‒positive/human epidermal growth factor receptor 2‒negative advanced breast cancer: Post hoc analyses from PALOMA-2 and PALOMA-3. Breast. 2022;66:324-331 (Nov 15). Doi: 10.1016/j.breast.2022.11.005

Key clinical point: Q-122, a novel nonhormonal oral treatment, significantly improved vasomotor symptoms and was well-tolerated in women with breast cancer (BC) who received oral adjuvant endocrine therapy (ET).

Major finding: After 28 days, Q-122 led to a significantly higher improvement in the mean Vasomotor Symptom Severity Score of moderate and severe hot flushes and night sweats than placebo (−39% vs −26%; P = .018). Q-122 was well tolerated, and most adverse events were mild-to-moderate in severity.

Study details: Findings are from a multicenter, phase 2 study including 131 women with BC who were receiving oral adjuvant ET and were randomly assigned to receive 100 mg oral Q-122 or identical placebo, twice daily for 28 days.

Disclosures: This study was funded by QUE Oncology. The authors declared delivering lectures or receiving honoraria, grant funding, or personal fees from several sources. Two authors declared being current or former employees of QUE Oncology.

Source: Vrselja A et al. Q-122 as a novel, non-hormonal, oral treatment for vasomotor symptoms in women taking tamoxifen or an aromatase inhibitor after breast cancer: A phase 2, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Lancet. 2022;400(10364):1704-1711 (Nov 12). Doi: 10.1016/S0140-6736(22)01977-8

Key clinical point: Q-122, a novel nonhormonal oral treatment, significantly improved vasomotor symptoms and was well-tolerated in women with breast cancer (BC) who received oral adjuvant endocrine therapy (ET).

Major finding: After 28 days, Q-122 led to a significantly higher improvement in the mean Vasomotor Symptom Severity Score of moderate and severe hot flushes and night sweats than placebo (−39% vs −26%; P = .018). Q-122 was well tolerated, and most adverse events were mild-to-moderate in severity.

Study details: Findings are from a multicenter, phase 2 study including 131 women with BC who were receiving oral adjuvant ET and were randomly assigned to receive 100 mg oral Q-122 or identical placebo, twice daily for 28 days.

Disclosures: This study was funded by QUE Oncology. The authors declared delivering lectures or receiving honoraria, grant funding, or personal fees from several sources. Two authors declared being current or former employees of QUE Oncology.

Source: Vrselja A et al. Q-122 as a novel, non-hormonal, oral treatment for vasomotor symptoms in women taking tamoxifen or an aromatase inhibitor after breast cancer: A phase 2, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Lancet. 2022;400(10364):1704-1711 (Nov 12). Doi: 10.1016/S0140-6736(22)01977-8

Key clinical point: Q-122, a novel nonhormonal oral treatment, significantly improved vasomotor symptoms and was well-tolerated in women with breast cancer (BC) who received oral adjuvant endocrine therapy (ET).

Major finding: After 28 days, Q-122 led to a significantly higher improvement in the mean Vasomotor Symptom Severity Score of moderate and severe hot flushes and night sweats than placebo (−39% vs −26%; P = .018). Q-122 was well tolerated, and most adverse events were mild-to-moderate in severity.

Study details: Findings are from a multicenter, phase 2 study including 131 women with BC who were receiving oral adjuvant ET and were randomly assigned to receive 100 mg oral Q-122 or identical placebo, twice daily for 28 days.

Disclosures: This study was funded by QUE Oncology. The authors declared delivering lectures or receiving honoraria, grant funding, or personal fees from several sources. Two authors declared being current or former employees of QUE Oncology.

Source: Vrselja A et al. Q-122 as a novel, non-hormonal, oral treatment for vasomotor symptoms in women taking tamoxifen or an aromatase inhibitor after breast cancer: A phase 2, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Lancet. 2022;400(10364):1704-1711 (Nov 12). Doi: 10.1016/S0140-6736(22)01977-8

Key clinical point: Margetuximab failed to demonstrate a survival advantage over trastuzumab in patients with previously treated human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-positive (HER2+) advanced breast cancer (BC).

Major finding: After a median follow-up of 20.2 months, no benefit in overall survival (OS) was observed with margetuximab vs trastuzumab (hazard ratio [HR] 0.95; P = .620). The safety profile of margetuximab was acceptable and comparable to that of trastuzumab.

Study details: Findings are from the phase 3 SOPHIA study including 536 patients with HER2+ advanced BC who received ≥2 prior anti-HER2 regimens and were randomly assigned to receive chemotherapy with margetuximab or trastuzumab.

Disclosures: This study was supported by MacroGenics, Inc. The authors declared serving as employees, consultants, or on speaker’s bureaus, holding stock options, or receiving honoraria, research funding, or travel or accommodation expenses from several sources, including MacroGenics.

Source: Rugo HS et al  on behalf of the SOPHIA Study Group. Margetuximab versus trastuzumab in patients with previously treated her2-positive advanced breast cancer (SOPHIA): Final overall survival results from a randomized phase 3 trial. J Clin Oncol. 2022 (Nov 4). Doi: 10.1200/JCO.21.02937

Key clinical point: Margetuximab failed to demonstrate a survival advantage over trastuzumab in patients with previously treated human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-positive (HER2+) advanced breast cancer (BC).

Major finding: After a median follow-up of 20.2 months, no benefit in overall survival (OS) was observed with margetuximab vs trastuzumab (hazard ratio [HR] 0.95; P = .620). The safety profile of margetuximab was acceptable and comparable to that of trastuzumab.

Study details: Findings are from the phase 3 SOPHIA study including 536 patients with HER2+ advanced BC who received ≥2 prior anti-HER2 regimens and were randomly assigned to receive chemotherapy with margetuximab or trastuzumab.

Disclosures: This study was supported by MacroGenics, Inc. The authors declared serving as employees, consultants, or on speaker’s bureaus, holding stock options, or receiving honoraria, research funding, or travel or accommodation expenses from several sources, including MacroGenics.

Source: Rugo HS et al  on behalf of the SOPHIA Study Group. Margetuximab versus trastuzumab in patients with previously treated her2-positive advanced breast cancer (SOPHIA): Final overall survival results from a randomized phase 3 trial. J Clin Oncol. 2022 (Nov 4). Doi: 10.1200/JCO.21.02937

Key clinical point: Margetuximab failed to demonstrate a survival advantage over trastuzumab in patients with previously treated human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-positive (HER2+) advanced breast cancer (BC).

Major finding: After a median follow-up of 20.2 months, no benefit in overall survival (OS) was observed with margetuximab vs trastuzumab (hazard ratio [HR] 0.95; P = .620). The safety profile of margetuximab was acceptable and comparable to that of trastuzumab.

Study details: Findings are from the phase 3 SOPHIA study including 536 patients with HER2+ advanced BC who received ≥2 prior anti-HER2 regimens and were randomly assigned to receive chemotherapy with margetuximab or trastuzumab.

Disclosures: This study was supported by MacroGenics, Inc. The authors declared serving as employees, consultants, or on speaker’s bureaus, holding stock options, or receiving honoraria, research funding, or travel or accommodation expenses from several sources, including MacroGenics.

Source: Rugo HS et al  on behalf of the SOPHIA Study Group. Margetuximab versus trastuzumab in patients with previously treated her2-positive advanced breast cancer (SOPHIA): Final overall survival results from a randomized phase 3 trial. J Clin Oncol. 2022 (Nov 4). Doi: 10.1200/JCO.21.02937

Key clinical point: The risk for uterine diseases was significantly increased in premenopausal women with breast cancer (BC) who received tamoxifen as an adjuvant hormone therapy.

Major finding: Compared with patients who did not receive adjuvant hormone therapy, those who received tamoxifen had a significantly higher risk for endometrial cancer (hazard ratio [HR] 3.77; 95% CI 3.04-4.66), endometrial polyps (HR 3.90; 95% CI 3.65-4.16), hyperplasia (HR 5.56; 95% CI 5.06-6.12), and other uterine cancers (HR 2.27; 95% CI 1.54-3.33).

Study details: Findings are from a nationwide, retrospective, longitudinal cohort study including 78,320 premenopausal women with BC who received (tamoxifen only; n = 34,637) or did not receive (n = 43,683) an adjuvant hormone treatment.

Disclosures: This study was supported by a National Research Foundation of Korea grant. The authors declared no conflicts of interest.

Source: Ryu KJ et al. Risk of endometrial polyps, hyperplasia, carcinoma, and uterine cancer after tamoxifen treatment in premenopausal women with breast cancer. JAMA Netw Open. 2022 5(11):e2243951 (Nov 28). Doi: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2022.43951

Key clinical point: The risk for uterine diseases was significantly increased in premenopausal women with breast cancer (BC) who received tamoxifen as an adjuvant hormone therapy.

Major finding: Compared with patients who did not receive adjuvant hormone therapy, those who received tamoxifen had a significantly higher risk for endometrial cancer (hazard ratio [HR] 3.77; 95% CI 3.04-4.66), endometrial polyps (HR 3.90; 95% CI 3.65-4.16), hyperplasia (HR 5.56; 95% CI 5.06-6.12), and other uterine cancers (HR 2.27; 95% CI 1.54-3.33).

Study details: Findings are from a nationwide, retrospective, longitudinal cohort study including 78,320 premenopausal women with BC who received (tamoxifen only; n = 34,637) or did not receive (n = 43,683) an adjuvant hormone treatment.

Disclosures: This study was supported by a National Research Foundation of Korea grant. The authors declared no conflicts of interest.

Source: Ryu KJ et al. Risk of endometrial polyps, hyperplasia, carcinoma, and uterine cancer after tamoxifen treatment in premenopausal women with breast cancer. JAMA Netw Open. 2022 5(11):e2243951 (Nov 28). Doi: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2022.43951

Key clinical point: The risk for uterine diseases was significantly increased in premenopausal women with breast cancer (BC) who received tamoxifen as an adjuvant hormone therapy.

Major finding: Compared with patients who did not receive adjuvant hormone therapy, those who received tamoxifen had a significantly higher risk for endometrial cancer (hazard ratio [HR] 3.77; 95% CI 3.04-4.66), endometrial polyps (HR 3.90; 95% CI 3.65-4.16), hyperplasia (HR 5.56; 95% CI 5.06-6.12), and other uterine cancers (HR 2.27; 95% CI 1.54-3.33).

Study details: Findings are from a nationwide, retrospective, longitudinal cohort study including 78,320 premenopausal women with BC who received (tamoxifen only; n = 34,637) or did not receive (n = 43,683) an adjuvant hormone treatment.

Disclosures: This study was supported by a National Research Foundation of Korea grant. The authors declared no conflicts of interest.

Source: Ryu KJ et al. Risk of endometrial polyps, hyperplasia, carcinoma, and uterine cancer after tamoxifen treatment in premenopausal women with breast cancer. JAMA Netw Open. 2022 5(11):e2243951 (Nov 28). Doi: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2022.43951

Key clinical point: The addition of weekly carboplatin to standard anthracycline-weekly paclitaxel-based neoadjuvant chemotherapy improved pathological complete response (pCR) rates in patients with triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC).

Major finding: The rate of pCR was significantly higher in the anthracycline-paclitaxel+carboplatin vs anthracycline-paclitaxel treatment group (51.9% vs 34.2%; odds ratio 2.40; P = .01); however, no significant differences were observed in grade ≥3 hematological toxicities between both groups.

Study details: Findings are from a multicenter study including 247 patients with TNBC who received sequential treatment with anthracycline and weekly paclitaxel with or without weekly carboplatin.

Disclosures: This study was supported by the Italian Ministry of Health. The authors declared receiving personal fees, grants, or non-financial support from several sources.

Source: Dieci MV et al. Incorporating weekly carboplatin in anthracycline and paclitaxel-containing neoadjuvant chemotherapy for triple-negative breast cancer: Propensity-score matching analysis and TIL evaluation. Br J Cancer. 2022 (Nov 17). Doi: 10.1038/s41416-022-02050-8

Key clinical point: The addition of weekly carboplatin to standard anthracycline-weekly paclitaxel-based neoadjuvant chemotherapy improved pathological complete response (pCR) rates in patients with triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC).

Major finding: The rate of pCR was significantly higher in the anthracycline-paclitaxel+carboplatin vs anthracycline-paclitaxel treatment group (51.9% vs 34.2%; odds ratio 2.40; P = .01); however, no significant differences were observed in grade ≥3 hematological toxicities between both groups.

Study details: Findings are from a multicenter study including 247 patients with TNBC who received sequential treatment with anthracycline and weekly paclitaxel with or without weekly carboplatin.

Disclosures: This study was supported by the Italian Ministry of Health. The authors declared receiving personal fees, grants, or non-financial support from several sources.

Source: Dieci MV et al. Incorporating weekly carboplatin in anthracycline and paclitaxel-containing neoadjuvant chemotherapy for triple-negative breast cancer: Propensity-score matching analysis and TIL evaluation. Br J Cancer. 2022 (Nov 17). Doi: 10.1038/s41416-022-02050-8

Key clinical point: The addition of weekly carboplatin to standard anthracycline-weekly paclitaxel-based neoadjuvant chemotherapy improved pathological complete response (pCR) rates in patients with triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC).

Major finding: The rate of pCR was significantly higher in the anthracycline-paclitaxel+carboplatin vs anthracycline-paclitaxel treatment group (51.9% vs 34.2%; odds ratio 2.40; P = .01); however, no significant differences were observed in grade ≥3 hematological toxicities between both groups.

Study details: Findings are from a multicenter study including 247 patients with TNBC who received sequential treatment with anthracycline and weekly paclitaxel with or without weekly carboplatin.

Disclosures: This study was supported by the Italian Ministry of Health. The authors declared receiving personal fees, grants, or non-financial support from several sources.

Source: Dieci MV et al. Incorporating weekly carboplatin in anthracycline and paclitaxel-containing neoadjuvant chemotherapy for triple-negative breast cancer: Propensity-score matching analysis and TIL evaluation. Br J Cancer. 2022 (Nov 17). Doi: 10.1038/s41416-022-02050-8

Key clinical point: Breast cancer (BC) survivors who were active or moderately active had an ~60% lower risk for mortality compared with those who were insufficiently active.

Major finding: Compared with insufficiently active participants, the risk for mortality was ~60% lower in active (hazard ratio [HR] 0.42; 95% CI 0.21-0.85) and moderately active (HR 0.40; 95% CI 0.17-0.95) participants.

Study details: Findings are from a cohort study including 315 postmenopausal BC survivors who were followed for a minimum of 2 years post-diagnosis.

Disclosures: This study was supported by the US National Cancer Institute. The authors declared no conflicts of interest.

Source: Chen LH et al. Association of physical activity with risk of mortality among breast cancer survivors. JAMA Netw Open. 2022;5(11):e2242660 (Nov 17). Doi: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2022.42660

Key clinical point: Breast cancer (BC) survivors who were active or moderately active had an ~60% lower risk for mortality compared with those who were insufficiently active.

Major finding: Compared with insufficiently active participants, the risk for mortality was ~60% lower in active (hazard ratio [HR] 0.42; 95% CI 0.21-0.85) and moderately active (HR 0.40; 95% CI 0.17-0.95) participants.

Study details: Findings are from a cohort study including 315 postmenopausal BC survivors who were followed for a minimum of 2 years post-diagnosis.

Disclosures: This study was supported by the US National Cancer Institute. The authors declared no conflicts of interest.

Source: Chen LH et al. Association of physical activity with risk of mortality among breast cancer survivors. JAMA Netw Open. 2022;5(11):e2242660 (Nov 17). Doi: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2022.42660

Key clinical point: Breast cancer (BC) survivors who were active or moderately active had an ~60% lower risk for mortality compared with those who were insufficiently active.

Major finding: Compared with insufficiently active participants, the risk for mortality was ~60% lower in active (hazard ratio [HR] 0.42; 95% CI 0.21-0.85) and moderately active (HR 0.40; 95% CI 0.17-0.95) participants.

Study details: Findings are from a cohort study including 315 postmenopausal BC survivors who were followed for a minimum of 2 years post-diagnosis.

Disclosures: This study was supported by the US National Cancer Institute. The authors declared no conflicts of interest.

Source: Chen LH et al. Association of physical activity with risk of mortality among breast cancer survivors. JAMA Netw Open. 2022;5(11):e2242660 (Nov 17). Doi: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2022.42660