Breast Cancer ICYMI

Key clinical point: Trastuzumab deruxtecan demonstrated superior survival outcomes compared with trastuzumab emtansine in the second-line setting and also had a manageable safety profile in patients with human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-positive (HER2+) metastatic breast cancer (BC).

Major finding: Trastuzumab deruxtecan vs trastuzumab emtansine resulted in a ~36% reduction in the risk for death (hazard ratio 0.64; P = .0037) and the longest reported improvement in progression-free survival (28.8 months vs 6.8 months; nominal P < .0001). The rate of grade ≥3 adverse events was similar with trastuzumab deruxtecan vs trastuzumab emtansine (56% vs 52%).

Study details: Findings are from the phase 3, DESTINY-Breast03 trial including 524 patients with HER2+ metastatic BC who had progressed during or after treatment with trastuzumab and a taxane and were randomly assigned to receive trastuzumab deruxtecan or trastuzumab emtansine.

Disclosures: This study was funded by Daiichi Sankyo and AstraZeneca. Four authors declared being employees or stockholders of Daiichi Sankyo, and the other authors reported ties with various sources, including Daiichi Sankyo and AstraZeneca.

Source: Hurvitz SA et al. Trastuzumab deruxtecan versus trastuzumab emtansine in patients with HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer: Updated results from DESTINY-Breast03, a randomised, open-label, phase 3 trial. Lancet. 2022 (Dec 7). Doi: 10.1016/S0140-6736(22)02420-5

Key clinical point: Trastuzumab deruxtecan demonstrated superior survival outcomes compared with trastuzumab emtansine in the second-line setting and also had a manageable safety profile in patients with human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-positive (HER2+) metastatic breast cancer (BC).

Major finding: Trastuzumab deruxtecan vs trastuzumab emtansine resulted in a ~36% reduction in the risk for death (hazard ratio 0.64; P = .0037) and the longest reported improvement in progression-free survival (28.8 months vs 6.8 months; nominal P < .0001). The rate of grade ≥3 adverse events was similar with trastuzumab deruxtecan vs trastuzumab emtansine (56% vs 52%).

Study details: Findings are from the phase 3, DESTINY-Breast03 trial including 524 patients with HER2+ metastatic BC who had progressed during or after treatment with trastuzumab and a taxane and were randomly assigned to receive trastuzumab deruxtecan or trastuzumab emtansine.

Disclosures: This study was funded by Daiichi Sankyo and AstraZeneca. Four authors declared being employees or stockholders of Daiichi Sankyo, and the other authors reported ties with various sources, including Daiichi Sankyo and AstraZeneca.

Source: Hurvitz SA et al. Trastuzumab deruxtecan versus trastuzumab emtansine in patients with HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer: Updated results from DESTINY-Breast03, a randomised, open-label, phase 3 trial. Lancet. 2022 (Dec 7). Doi: 10.1016/S0140-6736(22)02420-5

Key clinical point: Trastuzumab deruxtecan demonstrated superior survival outcomes compared with trastuzumab emtansine in the second-line setting and also had a manageable safety profile in patients with human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-positive (HER2+) metastatic breast cancer (BC).

Major finding: Trastuzumab deruxtecan vs trastuzumab emtansine resulted in a ~36% reduction in the risk for death (hazard ratio 0.64; P = .0037) and the longest reported improvement in progression-free survival (28.8 months vs 6.8 months; nominal P < .0001). The rate of grade ≥3 adverse events was similar with trastuzumab deruxtecan vs trastuzumab emtansine (56% vs 52%).

Study details: Findings are from the phase 3, DESTINY-Breast03 trial including 524 patients with HER2+ metastatic BC who had progressed during or after treatment with trastuzumab and a taxane and were randomly assigned to receive trastuzumab deruxtecan or trastuzumab emtansine.

Disclosures: This study was funded by Daiichi Sankyo and AstraZeneca. Four authors declared being employees or stockholders of Daiichi Sankyo, and the other authors reported ties with various sources, including Daiichi Sankyo and AstraZeneca.

Source: Hurvitz SA et al. Trastuzumab deruxtecan versus trastuzumab emtansine in patients with HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer: Updated results from DESTINY-Breast03, a randomised, open-label, phase 3 trial. Lancet. 2022 (Dec 7). Doi: 10.1016/S0140-6736(22)02420-5

Key clinical point: A dose-escalation schema of everolimus plus exemestane was more effective than conventionally administered everolimus (10 mg) plus exemestane in reducing grade ≥2 stomatitis in patients with hormone receptor-positive (HR+)/human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-negative (HER2−) metastatic breast cancer (mBC).

Major finding: Within 12 weeks, the incidence of grade ≥2 stomatitis episodes was significantly lower in the everolimus dose escalation vs the 10 mg everolimus arm (odds ratio 0.47; P = .026). Except for stomatitis, toxicity was not significantly different between both treatment arms.

Study details: Findings are from the phase 2, DESIREE trial including 160 postmenopausal women with HR+/HER2− mBC who were randomly assigned to receive exemestane with an escalating dose of everolimus (2.5, 5, 7.5, and 10 mg/day at weeks 1, 2, 3, and 4-24, respectively) or 10 mg/day everolimus.

Disclosures: This study was funded by Novartis, Germany. The authors declared receiving personal fees, grants, consulting fees, honoraria, or support for attending meetings or travel from several sources, including Novartis.

Source: Schmidt M et al. A multicentre, randomised, double-blind, phase II study to evaluate the tolerability of an induction dose escalation of everolimus in patients with metastatic breast cancer (DESIREE). ESMO Open. 2022;7(6):100601 (Nov 7). Doi: 10.1016/j.esmoop.2022.100601

Key clinical point: A dose-escalation schema of everolimus plus exemestane was more effective than conventionally administered everolimus (10 mg) plus exemestane in reducing grade ≥2 stomatitis in patients with hormone receptor-positive (HR+)/human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-negative (HER2−) metastatic breast cancer (mBC).

Major finding: Within 12 weeks, the incidence of grade ≥2 stomatitis episodes was significantly lower in the everolimus dose escalation vs the 10 mg everolimus arm (odds ratio 0.47; P = .026). Except for stomatitis, toxicity was not significantly different between both treatment arms.

Study details: Findings are from the phase 2, DESIREE trial including 160 postmenopausal women with HR+/HER2− mBC who were randomly assigned to receive exemestane with an escalating dose of everolimus (2.5, 5, 7.5, and 10 mg/day at weeks 1, 2, 3, and 4-24, respectively) or 10 mg/day everolimus.

Disclosures: This study was funded by Novartis, Germany. The authors declared receiving personal fees, grants, consulting fees, honoraria, or support for attending meetings or travel from several sources, including Novartis.

Source: Schmidt M et al. A multicentre, randomised, double-blind, phase II study to evaluate the tolerability of an induction dose escalation of everolimus in patients with metastatic breast cancer (DESIREE). ESMO Open. 2022;7(6):100601 (Nov 7). Doi: 10.1016/j.esmoop.2022.100601

Key clinical point: A dose-escalation schema of everolimus plus exemestane was more effective than conventionally administered everolimus (10 mg) plus exemestane in reducing grade ≥2 stomatitis in patients with hormone receptor-positive (HR+)/human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-negative (HER2−) metastatic breast cancer (mBC).

Major finding: Within 12 weeks, the incidence of grade ≥2 stomatitis episodes was significantly lower in the everolimus dose escalation vs the 10 mg everolimus arm (odds ratio 0.47; P = .026). Except for stomatitis, toxicity was not significantly different between both treatment arms.

Study details: Findings are from the phase 2, DESIREE trial including 160 postmenopausal women with HR+/HER2− mBC who were randomly assigned to receive exemestane with an escalating dose of everolimus (2.5, 5, 7.5, and 10 mg/day at weeks 1, 2, 3, and 4-24, respectively) or 10 mg/day everolimus.

Disclosures: This study was funded by Novartis, Germany. The authors declared receiving personal fees, grants, consulting fees, honoraria, or support for attending meetings or travel from several sources, including Novartis.

Source: Schmidt M et al. A multicentre, randomised, double-blind, phase II study to evaluate the tolerability of an induction dose escalation of everolimus in patients with metastatic breast cancer (DESIREE). ESMO Open. 2022;7(6):100601 (Nov 7). Doi: 10.1016/j.esmoop.2022.100601

Key clinical point: Obesity and advanced stage (stage III) at diagnosis of breast cancer (BC) were associated with a higher rate of recurrence and worse prognosis in patients with BC who achieved pathological complete response (pCR) after receiving neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NCT).

Major finding: Obesity vs  no obesity (P = .019) and stage III vs  stage I-II BC at diagnosis (P = .0018) were significantly associated with worse invasive disease-free survival, with obesity demonstrating worse survival outcomes in stage III BC (hazard ratio 4.31; P = .006).

Study details: Findings are from a retrospective real-world analysis including 241 patients with stage I-III BC who had achieved pCR after receiving NCT.

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

Source: Acevedo F et al. Obesity is associated with early recurrence on breast cancer patients that achieved pathological complete response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy. Sci Rep. 2022;12:21145 (Dec 7). Doi: 10.1038/s41598-022-25043-2

Key clinical point: Obesity and advanced stage (stage III) at diagnosis of breast cancer (BC) were associated with a higher rate of recurrence and worse prognosis in patients with BC who achieved pathological complete response (pCR) after receiving neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NCT).

Major finding: Obesity vs  no obesity (P = .019) and stage III vs  stage I-II BC at diagnosis (P = .0018) were significantly associated with worse invasive disease-free survival, with obesity demonstrating worse survival outcomes in stage III BC (hazard ratio 4.31; P = .006).

Study details: Findings are from a retrospective real-world analysis including 241 patients with stage I-III BC who had achieved pCR after receiving NCT.

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

Source: Acevedo F et al. Obesity is associated with early recurrence on breast cancer patients that achieved pathological complete response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy. Sci Rep. 2022;12:21145 (Dec 7). Doi: 10.1038/s41598-022-25043-2

Key clinical point: Obesity and advanced stage (stage III) at diagnosis of breast cancer (BC) were associated with a higher rate of recurrence and worse prognosis in patients with BC who achieved pathological complete response (pCR) after receiving neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NCT).

Major finding: Obesity vs  no obesity (P = .019) and stage III vs  stage I-II BC at diagnosis (P = .0018) were significantly associated with worse invasive disease-free survival, with obesity demonstrating worse survival outcomes in stage III BC (hazard ratio 4.31; P = .006).

Study details: Findings are from a retrospective real-world analysis including 241 patients with stage I-III BC who had achieved pCR after receiving NCT.

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

Source: Acevedo F et al. Obesity is associated with early recurrence on breast cancer patients that achieved pathological complete response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy. Sci Rep. 2022;12:21145 (Dec 7). Doi: 10.1038/s41598-022-25043-2

Key clinical point: A substantial proportion of patients showed receptor conversion between primary breast cancer (BC) and bone metastases, which significantly impacted prognosis.

Major finding: The discordance rates between primary BC and bone metastases were 14.0%, 32.3%, and 9.7% for estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PgR), and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2), respectively. The loss vs  maintenance of hormone receptor expression was associated with worse first-line progression-free survival (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR] 3.27; P = .039) and overall survival (aHR 6.09; P = .011).

Study details: Findings are from a retrospective analysis including 93 patients with BC, pathologically confirmed bone metastasis, and ER, PgR, and HER2 status available on both primary tumor and bone metastases.

Disclosures: This study was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China and other sources. The authors declared no conflicts of interest.

Source: Lin M et al. Incidence and prognostic significance of receptor discordance between primary breast cancer and paired bone metastases. Int J Cancer. 2022 (Nov 21). Doi: 10.1002/ijc.34365

Key clinical point: A substantial proportion of patients showed receptor conversion between primary breast cancer (BC) and bone metastases, which significantly impacted prognosis.

Major finding: The discordance rates between primary BC and bone metastases were 14.0%, 32.3%, and 9.7% for estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PgR), and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2), respectively. The loss vs  maintenance of hormone receptor expression was associated with worse first-line progression-free survival (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR] 3.27; P = .039) and overall survival (aHR 6.09; P = .011).

Study details: Findings are from a retrospective analysis including 93 patients with BC, pathologically confirmed bone metastasis, and ER, PgR, and HER2 status available on both primary tumor and bone metastases.

Disclosures: This study was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China and other sources. The authors declared no conflicts of interest.

Source: Lin M et al. Incidence and prognostic significance of receptor discordance between primary breast cancer and paired bone metastases. Int J Cancer. 2022 (Nov 21). Doi: 10.1002/ijc.34365

Key clinical point: A substantial proportion of patients showed receptor conversion between primary breast cancer (BC) and bone metastases, which significantly impacted prognosis.

Major finding: The discordance rates between primary BC and bone metastases were 14.0%, 32.3%, and 9.7% for estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PgR), and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2), respectively. The loss vs  maintenance of hormone receptor expression was associated with worse first-line progression-free survival (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR] 3.27; P = .039) and overall survival (aHR 6.09; P = .011).

Study details: Findings are from a retrospective analysis including 93 patients with BC, pathologically confirmed bone metastasis, and ER, PgR, and HER2 status available on both primary tumor and bone metastases.

Disclosures: This study was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China and other sources. The authors declared no conflicts of interest.

Source: Lin M et al. Incidence and prognostic significance of receptor discordance between primary breast cancer and paired bone metastases. Int J Cancer. 2022 (Nov 21). Doi: 10.1002/ijc.34365

Key clinical point: A substantial proportion of patients showed receptor conversion between primary breast cancer (BC) and bone metastases, which significantly impacted prognosis.

Major finding: The discordance rates between primary BC and bone metastases were 14.0%, 32.3%, and 9.7% for estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PgR), and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2), respectively. The loss vs  maintenance of hormone receptor expression was associated with worse first-line progression-free survival (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR] 3.27; P = .039) and overall survival (aHR 6.09; P = .011).

Study details: Findings are from a retrospective analysis including 93 patients with BC, pathologically confirmed bone metastasis, and ER, PgR, and HER2 status available on both primary tumor and bone metastases.

Disclosures: This study was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China and other sources. The authors declared no conflicts of interest.

Source: Lin M et al. Incidence and prognostic significance of receptor discordance between primary breast cancer and paired bone metastases. Int J Cancer. 2022 (Nov 21). Doi: 10.1002/ijc.34365

Key clinical point: A substantial proportion of patients showed receptor conversion between primary breast cancer (BC) and bone metastases, which significantly impacted prognosis.

Major finding: The discordance rates between primary BC and bone metastases were 14.0%, 32.3%, and 9.7% for estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PgR), and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2), respectively. The loss vs  maintenance of hormone receptor expression was associated with worse first-line progression-free survival (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR] 3.27; P = .039) and overall survival (aHR 6.09; P = .011).

Study details: Findings are from a retrospective analysis including 93 patients with BC, pathologically confirmed bone metastasis, and ER, PgR, and HER2 status available on both primary tumor and bone metastases.

Disclosures: This study was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China and other sources. The authors declared no conflicts of interest.

Source: Lin M et al. Incidence and prognostic significance of receptor discordance between primary breast cancer and paired bone metastases. Int J Cancer. 2022 (Nov 21). Doi: 10.1002/ijc.34365

Key clinical point: A substantial proportion of patients showed receptor conversion between primary breast cancer (BC) and bone metastases, which significantly impacted prognosis.

Major finding: The discordance rates between primary BC and bone metastases were 14.0%, 32.3%, and 9.7% for estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PgR), and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2), respectively. The loss vs  maintenance of hormone receptor expression was associated with worse first-line progression-free survival (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR] 3.27; P = .039) and overall survival (aHR 6.09; P = .011).

Study details: Findings are from a retrospective analysis including 93 patients with BC, pathologically confirmed bone metastasis, and ER, PgR, and HER2 status available on both primary tumor and bone metastases.

Disclosures: This study was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China and other sources. The authors declared no conflicts of interest.

Source: Lin M et al. Incidence and prognostic significance of receptor discordance between primary breast cancer and paired bone metastases. Int J Cancer. 2022 (Nov 21). Doi: 10.1002/ijc.34365

Key clinical point: Selective internal radiation therapy (SIRT) with ⁹⁰Y demonstrated favorable survival benefits in patients with breast cancer (BC) and hepatic metastasis, particularly in those with low liver tumor burden and without extrahepatic metastasis.

Major finding: Postembolization median survival time (MST) was 9.8 months, with MST being significantly higher in patients with <25% vs  >25% hepatic metastatic burden (10.5 vs  6.8 months; P < .0001) and localized vs  additional hepatic metastasis (15.0 vs  5.3 months; P < .0001). None of the adverse events were life-threatening.

Study details: Findings are from a meta-analysis of 24 studies including 412 patients with metastatic BC and hepatic metastasis who had received SIRT.

Disclosures: This study was funded by the Natural Science Foundation of Shandong Province, China. The authors declared no conflicts of interest.

Source: Liu C et al. Selective internal radiation therapy of metastatic breast cancer to the liver: A meta-analysis. Front Oncol. 2022;12:887653 (Nov 24). Doi: 10.3389/fonc.2022.887653

Key clinical point: Selective internal radiation therapy (SIRT) with ⁹⁰Y demonstrated favorable survival benefits in patients with breast cancer (BC) and hepatic metastasis, particularly in those with low liver tumor burden and without extrahepatic metastasis.

Major finding: Postembolization median survival time (MST) was 9.8 months, with MST being significantly higher in patients with <25% vs  >25% hepatic metastatic burden (10.5 vs  6.8 months; P < .0001) and localized vs  additional hepatic metastasis (15.0 vs  5.3 months; P < .0001). None of the adverse events were life-threatening.

Study details: Findings are from a meta-analysis of 24 studies including 412 patients with metastatic BC and hepatic metastasis who had received SIRT.

Disclosures: This study was funded by the Natural Science Foundation of Shandong Province, China. The authors declared no conflicts of interest.

Source: Liu C et al. Selective internal radiation therapy of metastatic breast cancer to the liver: A meta-analysis. Front Oncol. 2022;12:887653 (Nov 24). Doi: 10.3389/fonc.2022.887653

Key clinical point: Selective internal radiation therapy (SIRT) with ⁹⁰Y demonstrated favorable survival benefits in patients with breast cancer (BC) and hepatic metastasis, particularly in those with low liver tumor burden and without extrahepatic metastasis.

Major finding: Postembolization median survival time (MST) was 9.8 months, with MST being significantly higher in patients with <25% vs  >25% hepatic metastatic burden (10.5 vs  6.8 months; P < .0001) and localized vs  additional hepatic metastasis (15.0 vs  5.3 months; P < .0001). None of the adverse events were life-threatening.

Study details: Findings are from a meta-analysis of 24 studies including 412 patients with metastatic BC and hepatic metastasis who had received SIRT.

Disclosures: This study was funded by the Natural Science Foundation of Shandong Province, China. The authors declared no conflicts of interest.

Source: Liu C et al. Selective internal radiation therapy of metastatic breast cancer to the liver: A meta-analysis. Front Oncol. 2022;12:887653 (Nov 24). Doi: 10.3389/fonc.2022.887653

Key clinical point: A chemotherapy-free combination of pyrotinib, letrozole, and dalpiciclib demonstrated promising antitumor activity and an acceptable safety profile in the neoadjuvant setting in patients with triple-positive breast cancer (TPBC).

Major finding: After 5 cycles of the 4-week treatment, a substantial proportion (30.4%) of patients achieved pathological complete response in both the breast and lymph nodes. The most common adverse events were neutropenia (93%), leukopenia (90%), diarrhea (86%), anemia (68%), and oral mucositis (63%).

Study details: Findings are from the phase 2, MUKDEN 01 trial including 81 patients with stage II-III TPBC who were assigned to receive neoadjuvant treatment with pyrotinib+letrozole+dalpiciclib.

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

Source: Niu N et al. A multicentre single arm phase 2 trial of neoadjuvant pyrotinib and letrozole plus dalpiciclib for triple-positive breast cancer. Nat Commun. 2022;13:7043 (Nov 17). Doi: 10.1038/s41467-022-34838-w

Key clinical point: A chemotherapy-free combination of pyrotinib, letrozole, and dalpiciclib demonstrated promising antitumor activity and an acceptable safety profile in the neoadjuvant setting in patients with triple-positive breast cancer (TPBC).

Major finding: After 5 cycles of the 4-week treatment, a substantial proportion (30.4%) of patients achieved pathological complete response in both the breast and lymph nodes. The most common adverse events were neutropenia (93%), leukopenia (90%), diarrhea (86%), anemia (68%), and oral mucositis (63%).

Study details: Findings are from the phase 2, MUKDEN 01 trial including 81 patients with stage II-III TPBC who were assigned to receive neoadjuvant treatment with pyrotinib+letrozole+dalpiciclib.

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

Source: Niu N et al. A multicentre single arm phase 2 trial of neoadjuvant pyrotinib and letrozole plus dalpiciclib for triple-positive breast cancer. Nat Commun. 2022;13:7043 (Nov 17). Doi: 10.1038/s41467-022-34838-w

Key clinical point: A chemotherapy-free combination of pyrotinib, letrozole, and dalpiciclib demonstrated promising antitumor activity and an acceptable safety profile in the neoadjuvant setting in patients with triple-positive breast cancer (TPBC).

Major finding: After 5 cycles of the 4-week treatment, a substantial proportion (30.4%) of patients achieved pathological complete response in both the breast and lymph nodes. The most common adverse events were neutropenia (93%), leukopenia (90%), diarrhea (86%), anemia (68%), and oral mucositis (63%).

Study details: Findings are from the phase 2, MUKDEN 01 trial including 81 patients with stage II-III TPBC who were assigned to receive neoadjuvant treatment with pyrotinib+letrozole+dalpiciclib.

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

Source: Niu N et al. A multicentre single arm phase 2 trial of neoadjuvant pyrotinib and letrozole plus dalpiciclib for triple-positive breast cancer. Nat Commun. 2022;13:7043 (Nov 17). Doi: 10.1038/s41467-022-34838-w

Key clinical point: In patients with early-stage breast cancer (BC), a 12-week true acupuncture (TA) treatment was more effective than sham acupuncture (SA) or no acupuncture (waiting list control; WC) treatment in reducing aromatase inhibitor (AI)-related joint pain through 52 weeks.

Major finding: At week 52, the TA group reported a significantly higher improvement in the mean Brief Pain Inventory Worst Pain (BPI-WP) item score than the SA group (difference 1.08 points; P = .01) or the WC group (difference 0.99 points; P = .03).

Study details: Findings are from a multicenter trial including 226 postmenopausal women with stage I-III BC receiving a third-generation AI who had a BPI-WP item score of ≥3 and were randomly assigned to receive TA, SA, or WC.

Disclosures: This study was supported by the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health of the National Institutes of Health and other sources. Some authors declared being employees of or receiving payments and personal fees from several sources.

Source: Hershman DL et al. Comparison of acupuncture vs sham acupuncture or waiting list control in the treatment of aromatase inhibitor-related joint pain: A randomized clinical trial. JAMA Netw Open. 2022;5(11):e2241720 (Nov 11). Doi: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2022.41720

Key clinical point: In patients with early-stage breast cancer (BC), a 12-week true acupuncture (TA) treatment was more effective than sham acupuncture (SA) or no acupuncture (waiting list control; WC) treatment in reducing aromatase inhibitor (AI)-related joint pain through 52 weeks.

Major finding: At week 52, the TA group reported a significantly higher improvement in the mean Brief Pain Inventory Worst Pain (BPI-WP) item score than the SA group (difference 1.08 points; P = .01) or the WC group (difference 0.99 points; P = .03).

Study details: Findings are from a multicenter trial including 226 postmenopausal women with stage I-III BC receiving a third-generation AI who had a BPI-WP item score of ≥3 and were randomly assigned to receive TA, SA, or WC.

Disclosures: This study was supported by the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health of the National Institutes of Health and other sources. Some authors declared being employees of or receiving payments and personal fees from several sources.

Source: Hershman DL et al. Comparison of acupuncture vs sham acupuncture or waiting list control in the treatment of aromatase inhibitor-related joint pain: A randomized clinical trial. JAMA Netw Open. 2022;5(11):e2241720 (Nov 11). Doi: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2022.41720

Key clinical point: In patients with early-stage breast cancer (BC), a 12-week true acupuncture (TA) treatment was more effective than sham acupuncture (SA) or no acupuncture (waiting list control; WC) treatment in reducing aromatase inhibitor (AI)-related joint pain through 52 weeks.

Major finding: At week 52, the TA group reported a significantly higher improvement in the mean Brief Pain Inventory Worst Pain (BPI-WP) item score than the SA group (difference 1.08 points; P = .01) or the WC group (difference 0.99 points; P = .03).

Study details: Findings are from a multicenter trial including 226 postmenopausal women with stage I-III BC receiving a third-generation AI who had a BPI-WP item score of ≥3 and were randomly assigned to receive TA, SA, or WC.

Disclosures: This study was supported by the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health of the National Institutes of Health and other sources. Some authors declared being employees of or receiving payments and personal fees from several sources.

Source: Hershman DL et al. Comparison of acupuncture vs sham acupuncture or waiting list control in the treatment of aromatase inhibitor-related joint pain: A randomized clinical trial. JAMA Netw Open. 2022;5(11):e2241720 (Nov 11). Doi: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2022.41720

Key clinical point: In patients with sentinel node (SN)-positive cT1-2 primary breast cancer (BC), both axillary radiotherapy (ART) and axillary lymph node dissection (ALND) led to similar recurrence rates, but the rate of lymphedema was lower with ART.

Major finding: The 10-year axillary recurrence rates were similar between the ALND and ART treatment groups (hazard ratio 1.71; 95% CI 0.67-4.39), with a lower proportion of patients reporting lymphedema in the ART vs  ALND group (28.6% vs  44.2%).

Study details: Findings are from the phase 3, AMAROS trial including 1425 patients with clinically node-negative cT1-2 primary BC and a positive SN who were randomly assigned to receive ALND or ART.

Disclosures: This trial was sponsored by the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer. The authors declared serving in leadership, consulting, or advisory roles or receiving honoraria or travel, accommodation, and expenses from several sources.

Source: Bartels SAL, Donker M et al. Radiotherapy or surgery of the axilla after a positive sentinel node in breast cancer: 10-year results of the randomized controlled EORTC 10981-22023 AMAROS trial. J Clin Oncol. 2022 (Nov 16). Doi: 10.1200/JCO.22.01565

Key clinical point: In patients with sentinel node (SN)-positive cT1-2 primary breast cancer (BC), both axillary radiotherapy (ART) and axillary lymph node dissection (ALND) led to similar recurrence rates, but the rate of lymphedema was lower with ART.

Major finding: The 10-year axillary recurrence rates were similar between the ALND and ART treatment groups (hazard ratio 1.71; 95% CI 0.67-4.39), with a lower proportion of patients reporting lymphedema in the ART vs  ALND group (28.6% vs  44.2%).

Study details: Findings are from the phase 3, AMAROS trial including 1425 patients with clinically node-negative cT1-2 primary BC and a positive SN who were randomly assigned to receive ALND or ART.

Disclosures: This trial was sponsored by the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer. The authors declared serving in leadership, consulting, or advisory roles or receiving honoraria or travel, accommodation, and expenses from several sources.

Source: Bartels SAL, Donker M et al. Radiotherapy or surgery of the axilla after a positive sentinel node in breast cancer: 10-year results of the randomized controlled EORTC 10981-22023 AMAROS trial. J Clin Oncol. 2022 (Nov 16). Doi: 10.1200/JCO.22.01565

Key clinical point: In patients with sentinel node (SN)-positive cT1-2 primary breast cancer (BC), both axillary radiotherapy (ART) and axillary lymph node dissection (ALND) led to similar recurrence rates, but the rate of lymphedema was lower with ART.

Major finding: The 10-year axillary recurrence rates were similar between the ALND and ART treatment groups (hazard ratio 1.71; 95% CI 0.67-4.39), with a lower proportion of patients reporting lymphedema in the ART vs  ALND group (28.6% vs  44.2%).

Study details: Findings are from the phase 3, AMAROS trial including 1425 patients with clinically node-negative cT1-2 primary BC and a positive SN who were randomly assigned to receive ALND or ART.

Disclosures: This trial was sponsored by the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer. The authors declared serving in leadership, consulting, or advisory roles or receiving honoraria or travel, accommodation, and expenses from several sources.

Source: Bartels SAL, Donker M et al. Radiotherapy or surgery of the axilla after a positive sentinel node in breast cancer: 10-year results of the randomized controlled EORTC 10981-22023 AMAROS trial. J Clin Oncol. 2022 (Nov 16). Doi: 10.1200/JCO.22.01565

Key clinical point: In patients with sentinel node (SN)-positive cT1-2 primary breast cancer (BC), both axillary radiotherapy (ART) and axillary lymph node dissection (ALND) led to similar recurrence rates, but the rate of lymphedema was lower with ART.

Major finding: The 10-year axillary recurrence rates were similar between the ALND and ART treatment groups (hazard ratio 1.71; 95% CI 0.67-4.39), with a lower proportion of patients reporting lymphedema in the ART vs  ALND group (28.6% vs  44.2%).

Study details: Findings are from the phase 3, AMAROS trial including 1425 patients with clinically node-negative cT1-2 primary BC and a positive SN who were randomly assigned to receive ALND or ART.

Disclosures: This trial was sponsored by the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer. The authors declared serving in leadership, consulting, or advisory roles or receiving honoraria or travel, accommodation, and expenses from several sources.

Source: Bartels SAL, Donker M et al. Radiotherapy or surgery of the axilla after a positive sentinel node in breast cancer: 10-year results of the randomized controlled EORTC 10981-22023 AMAROS trial. J Clin Oncol. 2022 (Nov 16). Doi: 10.1200/JCO.22.01565

Key clinical point: In patients with sentinel node (SN)-positive cT1-2 primary breast cancer (BC), both axillary radiotherapy (ART) and axillary lymph node dissection (ALND) led to similar recurrence rates, but the rate of lymphedema was lower with ART.

Major finding: The 10-year axillary recurrence rates were similar between the ALND and ART treatment groups (hazard ratio 1.71; 95% CI 0.67-4.39), with a lower proportion of patients reporting lymphedema in the ART vs  ALND group (28.6% vs  44.2%).

Study details: Findings are from the phase 3, AMAROS trial including 1425 patients with clinically node-negative cT1-2 primary BC and a positive SN who were randomly assigned to receive ALND or ART.

Disclosures: This trial was sponsored by the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer. The authors declared serving in leadership, consulting, or advisory roles or receiving honoraria or travel, accommodation, and expenses from several sources.

Source: Bartels SAL, Donker M et al. Radiotherapy or surgery of the axilla after a positive sentinel node in breast cancer: 10-year results of the randomized controlled EORTC 10981-22023 AMAROS trial. J Clin Oncol. 2022 (Nov 16). Doi: 10.1200/JCO.22.01565

Key clinical point: In patients with sentinel node (SN)-positive cT1-2 primary breast cancer (BC), both axillary radiotherapy (ART) and axillary lymph node dissection (ALND) led to similar recurrence rates, but the rate of lymphedema was lower with ART.

Major finding: The 10-year axillary recurrence rates were similar between the ALND and ART treatment groups (hazard ratio 1.71; 95% CI 0.67-4.39), with a lower proportion of patients reporting lymphedema in the ART vs  ALND group (28.6% vs  44.2%).

Study details: Findings are from the phase 3, AMAROS trial including 1425 patients with clinically node-negative cT1-2 primary BC and a positive SN who were randomly assigned to receive ALND or ART.

Disclosures: This trial was sponsored by the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer. The authors declared serving in leadership, consulting, or advisory roles or receiving honoraria or travel, accommodation, and expenses from several sources.

Source: Bartels SAL, Donker M et al. Radiotherapy or surgery of the axilla after a positive sentinel node in breast cancer: 10-year results of the randomized controlled EORTC 10981-22023 AMAROS trial. J Clin Oncol. 2022 (Nov 16). Doi: 10.1200/JCO.22.01565