Key clinical point: According to the PERTAIN trial’s final analysis, the progression-free survival (PFS) benefit associated with the addition of pertuzumab to trastuzumab+aromatase inhibitor (AI) persisted even after >6 years of follow-up in patients with human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-positive (HER2+)/hormone receptor-positive (HR+) metastatic breast cancer (BC).

Major finding: After a median follow-up of >70 months, a >2-year PFS benefit was observed in the pertuzumab+trastuzumab+AI vs trastuzumab+AI treatment group (20.6 vs 15.8 months; stratified hazard ratio 0.67; P = .006). No new safety signals were identified.

Study details: Findings are from the phase 2 PERTAIN study including 258 postmenopausal patients with previously untreated HER2+/HR+ metastatic or locally advanced BC who were randomly assigned to receive pertuzumab+trastuzumab+AI or trastuzumab+AI.

Disclosures: This study was supported by F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd. Some authors declared serving as advisors or on speaker’s bureau for or receiving research grants, travel, or accommodation expenses from several sources. Four authors declared being employees of or owning stocks in F. Hoffmann-La Roche.

Source: Arpino G et al. Pertuzumab, trastuzumab, and an aromatase inhibitor for HER2-positive and hormone receptor-positive metastatic/locally advanced breast cancer: PERTAIN final analysis. Clin Cancer Res. 2023 (Jan 30). Doi: 10.1158/1078-0432.CCR-22-1092

Key clinical point: According to the PERTAIN trial’s final analysis, the progression-free survival (PFS) benefit associated with the addition of pertuzumab to trastuzumab+aromatase inhibitor (AI) persisted even after >6 years of follow-up in patients with human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-positive (HER2+)/hormone receptor-positive (HR+) metastatic breast cancer (BC).

Major finding: After a median follow-up of >70 months, a >2-year PFS benefit was observed in the pertuzumab+trastuzumab+AI vs trastuzumab+AI treatment group (20.6 vs 15.8 months; stratified hazard ratio 0.67; P = .006). No new safety signals were identified.

Study details: Findings are from the phase 2 PERTAIN study including 258 postmenopausal patients with previously untreated HER2+/HR+ metastatic or locally advanced BC who were randomly assigned to receive pertuzumab+trastuzumab+AI or trastuzumab+AI.

Disclosures: This study was supported by F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd. Some authors declared serving as advisors or on speaker’s bureau for or receiving research grants, travel, or accommodation expenses from several sources. Four authors declared being employees of or owning stocks in F. Hoffmann-La Roche.

Source: Arpino G et al. Pertuzumab, trastuzumab, and an aromatase inhibitor for HER2-positive and hormone receptor-positive metastatic/locally advanced breast cancer: PERTAIN final analysis. Clin Cancer Res. 2023 (Jan 30). Doi: 10.1158/1078-0432.CCR-22-1092

Key clinical point: According to the PERTAIN trial’s final analysis, the progression-free survival (PFS) benefit associated with the addition of pertuzumab to trastuzumab+aromatase inhibitor (AI) persisted even after >6 years of follow-up in patients with human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-positive (HER2+)/hormone receptor-positive (HR+) metastatic breast cancer (BC).

Major finding: After a median follow-up of >70 months, a >2-year PFS benefit was observed in the pertuzumab+trastuzumab+AI vs trastuzumab+AI treatment group (20.6 vs 15.8 months; stratified hazard ratio 0.67; P = .006). No new safety signals were identified.

Study details: Findings are from the phase 2 PERTAIN study including 258 postmenopausal patients with previously untreated HER2+/HR+ metastatic or locally advanced BC who were randomly assigned to receive pertuzumab+trastuzumab+AI or trastuzumab+AI.

Disclosures: This study was supported by F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd. Some authors declared serving as advisors or on speaker’s bureau for or receiving research grants, travel, or accommodation expenses from several sources. Four authors declared being employees of or owning stocks in F. Hoffmann-La Roche.

Source: Arpino G et al. Pertuzumab, trastuzumab, and an aromatase inhibitor for HER2-positive and hormone receptor-positive metastatic/locally advanced breast cancer: PERTAIN final analysis. Clin Cancer Res. 2023 (Jan 30). Doi: 10.1158/1078-0432.CCR-22-1092

Key clinical point: Survival outcomes in human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-positive (HER2+) invasive lobular carcinoma (ILC), a rare and poorly characterized subtype of breast cancer (BC), were similar to those in HER2+ invasive ductal carcinoma (IDC) or HER2-negative (HER2−) ILC and did not improve with anti-HER2 treatment.

Major finding: Compared with patients with HER2+ ILC, patients with HER2+ IDC and HER2− ILC had similar overall survival (OS; P = .6 and P = .29, respectively) and disease-free survival (DFS; P = .69 and P = .18, respectively) outcomes. Anti-HER2 therapy did not improve OS or DFS in patients with HER2+/HER2−ILC (both P = .2), although it improved survival outcomes in patients with HER2+ IDC (P < .001).

Study details: Findings are from a population-based study including 833 patients with HER2+ IDC, 62 patients with HER2+ ILC, and 685 patients with HER2− ILC.

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

Source: Kada Mohammed S et al. HER2-positive invasive lobular carcinoma: A rare breast cancer which may not necessarily require anti-HER2 therapy. A population-based study. Breast Cancer. 2023 (Jan 30). Doi: 10.1007/s12282-022-01432-3

Key clinical point: Survival outcomes in human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-positive (HER2+) invasive lobular carcinoma (ILC), a rare and poorly characterized subtype of breast cancer (BC), were similar to those in HER2+ invasive ductal carcinoma (IDC) or HER2-negative (HER2−) ILC and did not improve with anti-HER2 treatment.

Major finding: Compared with patients with HER2+ ILC, patients with HER2+ IDC and HER2− ILC had similar overall survival (OS; P = .6 and P = .29, respectively) and disease-free survival (DFS; P = .69 and P = .18, respectively) outcomes. Anti-HER2 therapy did not improve OS or DFS in patients with HER2+/HER2−ILC (both P = .2), although it improved survival outcomes in patients with HER2+ IDC (P < .001).

Study details: Findings are from a population-based study including 833 patients with HER2+ IDC, 62 patients with HER2+ ILC, and 685 patients with HER2− ILC.

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

Source: Kada Mohammed S et al. HER2-positive invasive lobular carcinoma: A rare breast cancer which may not necessarily require anti-HER2 therapy. A population-based study. Breast Cancer. 2023 (Jan 30). Doi: 10.1007/s12282-022-01432-3

Key clinical point: Survival outcomes in human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-positive (HER2+) invasive lobular carcinoma (ILC), a rare and poorly characterized subtype of breast cancer (BC), were similar to those in HER2+ invasive ductal carcinoma (IDC) or HER2-negative (HER2−) ILC and did not improve with anti-HER2 treatment.

Major finding: Compared with patients with HER2+ ILC, patients with HER2+ IDC and HER2− ILC had similar overall survival (OS; P = .6 and P = .29, respectively) and disease-free survival (DFS; P = .69 and P = .18, respectively) outcomes. Anti-HER2 therapy did not improve OS or DFS in patients with HER2+/HER2−ILC (both P = .2), although it improved survival outcomes in patients with HER2+ IDC (P < .001).

Study details: Findings are from a population-based study including 833 patients with HER2+ IDC, 62 patients with HER2+ ILC, and 685 patients with HER2− ILC.

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

Source: Kada Mohammed S et al. HER2-positive invasive lobular carcinoma: A rare breast cancer which may not necessarily require anti-HER2 therapy. A population-based study. Breast Cancer. 2023 (Jan 30). Doi: 10.1007/s12282-022-01432-3

Key clinical point: Trastuzumab emtansine (T-DM1) led to superior survival outcomes compared with lapatinib plus capecitabine (LC) in patients with breast cancer brain metastases (BCBM).

Major finding: After a median follow-up of 30.7 months, overall survival was significantly improved with T-DM1 vs LC (hazard ratio 0.55; P = .013), with significant improvements observed in other endpoints, such as time to next relevant treatment or death (P = .005) and real-world progression-free survival (P < .001).

Study details: Findings are from a real-world study including 214 patients with HER2+ BCBM who initiated treatment with T-DM1 (n = 161) or LC (n = 53).

Disclosures: This study was funded by F. Hoffmann-La Roche. Three authors declared being employees of and owning stocks in Roche. The other authors declared receiving honoraria, consulting, or advisory fees from, being employees of, or owning stocks in other sources.

Source: Sanglier T et al. Trastuzumab emtansine vs lapatinib and capecitabine in HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer brain metastases: A real-world study. Breast. 2023 (Jan 15). Doi: 10.1016/j.breast.2023.01.007

Key clinical point: Trastuzumab emtansine (T-DM1) led to superior survival outcomes compared with lapatinib plus capecitabine (LC) in patients with breast cancer brain metastases (BCBM).

Major finding: After a median follow-up of 30.7 months, overall survival was significantly improved with T-DM1 vs LC (hazard ratio 0.55; P = .013), with significant improvements observed in other endpoints, such as time to next relevant treatment or death (P = .005) and real-world progression-free survival (P < .001).

Study details: Findings are from a real-world study including 214 patients with HER2+ BCBM who initiated treatment with T-DM1 (n = 161) or LC (n = 53).

Disclosures: This study was funded by F. Hoffmann-La Roche. Three authors declared being employees of and owning stocks in Roche. The other authors declared receiving honoraria, consulting, or advisory fees from, being employees of, or owning stocks in other sources.

Source: Sanglier T et al. Trastuzumab emtansine vs lapatinib and capecitabine in HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer brain metastases: A real-world study. Breast. 2023 (Jan 15). Doi: 10.1016/j.breast.2023.01.007

Key clinical point: Trastuzumab emtansine (T-DM1) led to superior survival outcomes compared with lapatinib plus capecitabine (LC) in patients with breast cancer brain metastases (BCBM).

Major finding: After a median follow-up of 30.7 months, overall survival was significantly improved with T-DM1 vs LC (hazard ratio 0.55; P = .013), with significant improvements observed in other endpoints, such as time to next relevant treatment or death (P = .005) and real-world progression-free survival (P < .001).

Study details: Findings are from a real-world study including 214 patients with HER2+ BCBM who initiated treatment with T-DM1 (n = 161) or LC (n = 53).

Disclosures: This study was funded by F. Hoffmann-La Roche. Three authors declared being employees of and owning stocks in Roche. The other authors declared receiving honoraria, consulting, or advisory fees from, being employees of, or owning stocks in other sources.

Source: Sanglier T et al. Trastuzumab emtansine vs lapatinib and capecitabine in HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer brain metastases: A real-world study. Breast. 2023 (Jan 15). Doi: 10.1016/j.breast.2023.01.007

Key clinical point: Neoadjuvant treatment with trastuzumab improved the rate of pathological complete response (pCR) achievement and thereby survival outcomes in patients with lymph node-positive, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-positive (HER2+) early breast cancer (BC).

Major finding: Trastuzumab therapy significantly improved the odds of achieving pCR (adjusted odds ratio 4.87; 95% CI 3.34-7.10) in patients with HER2+ early BC, with overall survival outcomes being better with vs without trastuzumab treatment in patients who achieved pCR (adjusted hazard ratio 0.30; 95% CI 0.11-0.84).

Study details: Findings are from a real-world study including 1178 patients with HER2+ early BC and 354 patients with early triple-negative BC who received trastuzumab-based and platinum-based neoadjuvant treatments, respectively.

Disclosures: This study was supported by the Ministry of Science and Technology in Taiwan and Roche Products Ltd. Three authors declared being employees of Roche Products Ltd.

Source: Chung WP et al. Real-life analysis of neoadjuvant-therapy-associated benefits for pathological complete response and survival in early breast cancer patients - role of trastuzumab in HER2+ BC and platinum in TNBC. Front Oncol. 2023;12:1022994 (Jan 24). Doi: 10.3389/fonc.2022.1022994

Key clinical point: Neoadjuvant treatment with trastuzumab improved the rate of pathological complete response (pCR) achievement and thereby survival outcomes in patients with lymph node-positive, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-positive (HER2+) early breast cancer (BC).

Major finding: Trastuzumab therapy significantly improved the odds of achieving pCR (adjusted odds ratio 4.87; 95% CI 3.34-7.10) in patients with HER2+ early BC, with overall survival outcomes being better with vs without trastuzumab treatment in patients who achieved pCR (adjusted hazard ratio 0.30; 95% CI 0.11-0.84).

Study details: Findings are from a real-world study including 1178 patients with HER2+ early BC and 354 patients with early triple-negative BC who received trastuzumab-based and platinum-based neoadjuvant treatments, respectively.

Disclosures: This study was supported by the Ministry of Science and Technology in Taiwan and Roche Products Ltd. Three authors declared being employees of Roche Products Ltd.

Source: Chung WP et al. Real-life analysis of neoadjuvant-therapy-associated benefits for pathological complete response and survival in early breast cancer patients - role of trastuzumab in HER2+ BC and platinum in TNBC. Front Oncol. 2023;12:1022994 (Jan 24). Doi: 10.3389/fonc.2022.1022994

Key clinical point: Neoadjuvant treatment with trastuzumab improved the rate of pathological complete response (pCR) achievement and thereby survival outcomes in patients with lymph node-positive, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-positive (HER2+) early breast cancer (BC).

Major finding: Trastuzumab therapy significantly improved the odds of achieving pCR (adjusted odds ratio 4.87; 95% CI 3.34-7.10) in patients with HER2+ early BC, with overall survival outcomes being better with vs without trastuzumab treatment in patients who achieved pCR (adjusted hazard ratio 0.30; 95% CI 0.11-0.84).

Study details: Findings are from a real-world study including 1178 patients with HER2+ early BC and 354 patients with early triple-negative BC who received trastuzumab-based and platinum-based neoadjuvant treatments, respectively.

Disclosures: This study was supported by the Ministry of Science and Technology in Taiwan and Roche Products Ltd. Three authors declared being employees of Roche Products Ltd.

Source: Chung WP et al. Real-life analysis of neoadjuvant-therapy-associated benefits for pathological complete response and survival in early breast cancer patients - role of trastuzumab in HER2+ BC and platinum in TNBC. Front Oncol. 2023;12:1022994 (Jan 24). Doi: 10.3389/fonc.2022.1022994

Key clinical point: In patients with stage II/III estrogen receptor-positive (ER+) breast cancer (BC), neoadjuvant endocrine therapy (ET) with aromatase inhibitors downstaged a fair proportion of tumors to allow breast-conserving surgery (BCS) and resulted in low local-regional recurrence rates.

Major finding: After receiving neoadjuvant ET, local-regional recurrence rates were low (1.53%) and 50.4% of the 226 patients who were thought to require a mastectomy or have an inoperable BC underwent BCS.

Study details: Findings are from an analysis of the phase 2, American College of Surgeons Oncology Group Z1031 trial including 509 postmenopausal women with invasive, stage II/III, ER+ BC who received exemestane, anastrozole, or letrozole for 16-18 weeks.

Disclosures: This study was supported by the National Cancer Institute of the US National Institutes of Health. The authors declared serving as employees, consultants, or advisors or receiving research funding from various sources.

Source: Hunt KK et al. Local-regional recurrence after neoadjuvant endocrine therapy: Data from ACOSOG Z1031 (Alliance), a randomized phase 2 neoadjuvant comparison between letrozole, anastrozole, and exemestane for postmenopausal women with estrogen receptor-positive clinical stage 2 or 3 breast cancer. Ann Surg Oncol. 2023 (Jan 18). Doi: 10.1245/s10434-022-12972-5

Key clinical point: In patients with stage II/III estrogen receptor-positive (ER+) breast cancer (BC), neoadjuvant endocrine therapy (ET) with aromatase inhibitors downstaged a fair proportion of tumors to allow breast-conserving surgery (BCS) and resulted in low local-regional recurrence rates.

Major finding: After receiving neoadjuvant ET, local-regional recurrence rates were low (1.53%) and 50.4% of the 226 patients who were thought to require a mastectomy or have an inoperable BC underwent BCS.

Study details: Findings are from an analysis of the phase 2, American College of Surgeons Oncology Group Z1031 trial including 509 postmenopausal women with invasive, stage II/III, ER+ BC who received exemestane, anastrozole, or letrozole for 16-18 weeks.

Disclosures: This study was supported by the National Cancer Institute of the US National Institutes of Health. The authors declared serving as employees, consultants, or advisors or receiving research funding from various sources.

Source: Hunt KK et al. Local-regional recurrence after neoadjuvant endocrine therapy: Data from ACOSOG Z1031 (Alliance), a randomized phase 2 neoadjuvant comparison between letrozole, anastrozole, and exemestane for postmenopausal women with estrogen receptor-positive clinical stage 2 or 3 breast cancer. Ann Surg Oncol. 2023 (Jan 18). Doi: 10.1245/s10434-022-12972-5

Key clinical point: In patients with stage II/III estrogen receptor-positive (ER+) breast cancer (BC), neoadjuvant endocrine therapy (ET) with aromatase inhibitors downstaged a fair proportion of tumors to allow breast-conserving surgery (BCS) and resulted in low local-regional recurrence rates.

Major finding: After receiving neoadjuvant ET, local-regional recurrence rates were low (1.53%) and 50.4% of the 226 patients who were thought to require a mastectomy or have an inoperable BC underwent BCS.

Study details: Findings are from an analysis of the phase 2, American College of Surgeons Oncology Group Z1031 trial including 509 postmenopausal women with invasive, stage II/III, ER+ BC who received exemestane, anastrozole, or letrozole for 16-18 weeks.

Disclosures: This study was supported by the National Cancer Institute of the US National Institutes of Health. The authors declared serving as employees, consultants, or advisors or receiving research funding from various sources.

Source: Hunt KK et al. Local-regional recurrence after neoadjuvant endocrine therapy: Data from ACOSOG Z1031 (Alliance), a randomized phase 2 neoadjuvant comparison between letrozole, anastrozole, and exemestane for postmenopausal women with estrogen receptor-positive clinical stage 2 or 3 breast cancer. Ann Surg Oncol. 2023 (Jan 18). Doi: 10.1245/s10434-022-12972-5

Key clinical point: Neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT) with nab-paclitaxel plus pembrolizumab followed by epirubicin/cyclophosphamide demonstrated encouraging pathological complete response (pCR) rates and an acceptable safety profile in patients with early triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC).

Major finding: The pCR rate was 66.0% in patients who received nab-paclitaxel containing NACT+ pembrolizumab, and high pCR rates were observed in both groups of patients who did (59.6%) and did not (73.9%) receive prechemotherapy single dose of pembrolizumab. Neutropenia (26.4%), fever (11.3%), and other blood and lymphatic system disorders (9.4%) were the most common grade 3/4 adverse events.

Study details: Findings are from the phase 2, NeoImmunoboost trial including 50 patients with primary nonmetastatic TNBC who received nab-paclitaxel+pembrolizumab followed by epirubicin/cyclophosphamide+pembrolizumab.

Disclosures: This study was partially funded by Merck Sharp & Dohme and other sources. Some authors declared participating on advisory boards for or receiving honoraria, research grants, or travel support from several sources.

Source: Fasching PA, Hein A, et al. Pembrolizumab in combination with nab-paclitaxel for the treatment of patients with early-stage triple-negative breast cancer – A single-arm phase II trial (NeoImmunoboost, AGO-B-041). Eur J Cancer. 2023 (Jan 24). Doi: 10.1016/j.ejca.2023.01.001

Key clinical point: Neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT) with nab-paclitaxel plus pembrolizumab followed by epirubicin/cyclophosphamide demonstrated encouraging pathological complete response (pCR) rates and an acceptable safety profile in patients with early triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC).

Major finding: The pCR rate was 66.0% in patients who received nab-paclitaxel containing NACT+ pembrolizumab, and high pCR rates were observed in both groups of patients who did (59.6%) and did not (73.9%) receive prechemotherapy single dose of pembrolizumab. Neutropenia (26.4%), fever (11.3%), and other blood and lymphatic system disorders (9.4%) were the most common grade 3/4 adverse events.

Study details: Findings are from the phase 2, NeoImmunoboost trial including 50 patients with primary nonmetastatic TNBC who received nab-paclitaxel+pembrolizumab followed by epirubicin/cyclophosphamide+pembrolizumab.

Disclosures: This study was partially funded by Merck Sharp & Dohme and other sources. Some authors declared participating on advisory boards for or receiving honoraria, research grants, or travel support from several sources.

Source: Fasching PA, Hein A, et al. Pembrolizumab in combination with nab-paclitaxel for the treatment of patients with early-stage triple-negative breast cancer – A single-arm phase II trial (NeoImmunoboost, AGO-B-041). Eur J Cancer. 2023 (Jan 24). Doi: 10.1016/j.ejca.2023.01.001

Key clinical point: Neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT) with nab-paclitaxel plus pembrolizumab followed by epirubicin/cyclophosphamide demonstrated encouraging pathological complete response (pCR) rates and an acceptable safety profile in patients with early triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC).

Major finding: The pCR rate was 66.0% in patients who received nab-paclitaxel containing NACT+ pembrolizumab, and high pCR rates were observed in both groups of patients who did (59.6%) and did not (73.9%) receive prechemotherapy single dose of pembrolizumab. Neutropenia (26.4%), fever (11.3%), and other blood and lymphatic system disorders (9.4%) were the most common grade 3/4 adverse events.

Study details: Findings are from the phase 2, NeoImmunoboost trial including 50 patients with primary nonmetastatic TNBC who received nab-paclitaxel+pembrolizumab followed by epirubicin/cyclophosphamide+pembrolizumab.

Disclosures: This study was partially funded by Merck Sharp & Dohme and other sources. Some authors declared participating on advisory boards for or receiving honoraria, research grants, or travel support from several sources.

Source: Fasching PA, Hein A, et al. Pembrolizumab in combination with nab-paclitaxel for the treatment of patients with early-stage triple-negative breast cancer – A single-arm phase II trial (NeoImmunoboost, AGO-B-041). Eur J Cancer. 2023 (Jan 24). Doi: 10.1016/j.ejca.2023.01.001

Key clinical point: Accelerated partial breast irradiation (APBI) using multicatheter brachytherapy after breast-conserving surgery is as effective as and safer than whole breast irradiation (WBI) and can be an excellent alternative to WBI in patients with early breast cancer (BC).

Major finding: The 10-year local recurrence rate was similar in the WBI (1.58%) and APBI (3.51%) groups (P = .074), and the incidence of treatment-related late side-effects worse than grade 2 was significantly lower in the APBI vs WBI group (P = .021).

Study details: Findings are from the phase 3, GEC-ESTRO trial including 1328 women with early invasive BC who were randomly assigned to receive WBI or APBI.

Disclosures: This study was funded by German Cancer Aid, Germany. Some authors declared receiving grants, consulting fees, financial support, or payment from several sources.

Source: Strnad V, Polgár C, et al, on behalf of Groupe Européen de Curiethérapie and European Society for Radiotherapy and Oncology. Accelerated partial breast irradiation using sole interstitial multicatheter brachytherapy compared with whole-breast irradiation with boost for early breast cancer: 10-year results of a GEC-ESTRO randomised, phase 3, non-inferiority trial. Lancet Oncol. 2023 (Feb 1). Doi: 10.1016S1470-2045(23)00018-9

Key clinical point: Accelerated partial breast irradiation (APBI) using multicatheter brachytherapy after breast-conserving surgery is as effective as and safer than whole breast irradiation (WBI) and can be an excellent alternative to WBI in patients with early breast cancer (BC).

Major finding: The 10-year local recurrence rate was similar in the WBI (1.58%) and APBI (3.51%) groups (P = .074), and the incidence of treatment-related late side-effects worse than grade 2 was significantly lower in the APBI vs WBI group (P = .021).

Study details: Findings are from the phase 3, GEC-ESTRO trial including 1328 women with early invasive BC who were randomly assigned to receive WBI or APBI.

Disclosures: This study was funded by German Cancer Aid, Germany. Some authors declared receiving grants, consulting fees, financial support, or payment from several sources.

Source: Strnad V, Polgár C, et al, on behalf of Groupe Européen de Curiethérapie and European Society for Radiotherapy and Oncology. Accelerated partial breast irradiation using sole interstitial multicatheter brachytherapy compared with whole-breast irradiation with boost for early breast cancer: 10-year results of a GEC-ESTRO randomised, phase 3, non-inferiority trial. Lancet Oncol. 2023 (Feb 1). Doi: 10.1016S1470-2045(23)00018-9

Key clinical point: Accelerated partial breast irradiation (APBI) using multicatheter brachytherapy after breast-conserving surgery is as effective as and safer than whole breast irradiation (WBI) and can be an excellent alternative to WBI in patients with early breast cancer (BC).

Major finding: The 10-year local recurrence rate was similar in the WBI (1.58%) and APBI (3.51%) groups (P = .074), and the incidence of treatment-related late side-effects worse than grade 2 was significantly lower in the APBI vs WBI group (P = .021).

Study details: Findings are from the phase 3, GEC-ESTRO trial including 1328 women with early invasive BC who were randomly assigned to receive WBI or APBI.

Disclosures: This study was funded by German Cancer Aid, Germany. Some authors declared receiving grants, consulting fees, financial support, or payment from several sources.

Source: Strnad V, Polgár C, et al, on behalf of Groupe Européen de Curiethérapie and European Society for Radiotherapy and Oncology. Accelerated partial breast irradiation using sole interstitial multicatheter brachytherapy compared with whole-breast irradiation with boost for early breast cancer: 10-year results of a GEC-ESTRO randomised, phase 3, non-inferiority trial. Lancet Oncol. 2023 (Feb 1). Doi: 10.1016S1470-2045(23)00018-9

Key clinical point: Exposure to ethylene oxide (EtO) emissions (proximity range 10 km) may increase the risk for ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) of the breast.

Major finding: The presence of EtO-emitting facilities within 10 km was associated with a significant increase in the risk for DCIS (hazard ratio [HR] 1.13; 95% CI 1.01-1.27); however, there was no increase in the risk for invasive breast cancers (HR 1.03; 95% CI 0.97-1.09).

Study details: This study evaluated the data of the US National Institutes of Health-AARP Diet and Health Study cohort including 12,222 cases of breast cancer diagnosed in 173,648 postmenopausal women over a median follow-up of 16 years.

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

Source: Jones RR et al. Ethylene oxide emissions and incident breast cancer and non-Hodgkin lymphoma in a U.S. cohort. J Natl Cancer Inst. 2023 (Jan 12). Doi: 10.1093/jnci/djad004

Key clinical point: Exposure to ethylene oxide (EtO) emissions (proximity range 10 km) may increase the risk for ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) of the breast.

Major finding: The presence of EtO-emitting facilities within 10 km was associated with a significant increase in the risk for DCIS (hazard ratio [HR] 1.13; 95% CI 1.01-1.27); however, there was no increase in the risk for invasive breast cancers (HR 1.03; 95% CI 0.97-1.09).

Study details: This study evaluated the data of the US National Institutes of Health-AARP Diet and Health Study cohort including 12,222 cases of breast cancer diagnosed in 173,648 postmenopausal women over a median follow-up of 16 years.

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

Source: Jones RR et al. Ethylene oxide emissions and incident breast cancer and non-Hodgkin lymphoma in a U.S. cohort. J Natl Cancer Inst. 2023 (Jan 12). Doi: 10.1093/jnci/djad004

Key clinical point: Exposure to ethylene oxide (EtO) emissions (proximity range 10 km) may increase the risk for ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) of the breast.

Major finding: The presence of EtO-emitting facilities within 10 km was associated with a significant increase in the risk for DCIS (hazard ratio [HR] 1.13; 95% CI 1.01-1.27); however, there was no increase in the risk for invasive breast cancers (HR 1.03; 95% CI 0.97-1.09).

Study details: This study evaluated the data of the US National Institutes of Health-AARP Diet and Health Study cohort including 12,222 cases of breast cancer diagnosed in 173,648 postmenopausal women over a median follow-up of 16 years.

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

Source: Jones RR et al. Ethylene oxide emissions and incident breast cancer and non-Hodgkin lymphoma in a U.S. cohort. J Natl Cancer Inst. 2023 (Jan 12). Doi: 10.1093/jnci/djad004

Key clinical point: Improved pretreatment values of the prognostic nutritional index (PNI), an indicator of nutritional immune status, was linked to better long-term survival outcomes in patients with breast cancer (BC).

Major finding: Although low pretreatment PNI did not have any effect on 1-year overall survival (OS) outcomes (odds ratio [OR] 1.55; P = .353), it was significantly associated with worse 3-year (OR 2.34; P < .001), 5-year (OR 3.18; P < .001), 8-year (OR 2.74; P = .001), and 10-year (OR 2.58; P = .021) OS.

Study details: Findings are from a meta-analysis of eight studies including 2322 patients with BC.

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

Source: Hu G et al. Low pretreatment prognostic nutritional index predicts poor survival in breast cancer patients: A meta-analysis. PLoS One. 2023;18(1):e0280669 (Jan 20). Doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0280669

Key clinical point: Improved pretreatment values of the prognostic nutritional index (PNI), an indicator of nutritional immune status, was linked to better long-term survival outcomes in patients with breast cancer (BC).

Major finding: Although low pretreatment PNI did not have any effect on 1-year overall survival (OS) outcomes (odds ratio [OR] 1.55; P = .353), it was significantly associated with worse 3-year (OR 2.34; P < .001), 5-year (OR 3.18; P < .001), 8-year (OR 2.74; P = .001), and 10-year (OR 2.58; P = .021) OS.

Study details: Findings are from a meta-analysis of eight studies including 2322 patients with BC.

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

Source: Hu G et al. Low pretreatment prognostic nutritional index predicts poor survival in breast cancer patients: A meta-analysis. PLoS One. 2023;18(1):e0280669 (Jan 20). Doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0280669

Key clinical point: Improved pretreatment values of the prognostic nutritional index (PNI), an indicator of nutritional immune status, was linked to better long-term survival outcomes in patients with breast cancer (BC).

Major finding: Although low pretreatment PNI did not have any effect on 1-year overall survival (OS) outcomes (odds ratio [OR] 1.55; P = .353), it was significantly associated with worse 3-year (OR 2.34; P < .001), 5-year (OR 3.18; P < .001), 8-year (OR 2.74; P = .001), and 10-year (OR 2.58; P = .021) OS.

Study details: Findings are from a meta-analysis of eight studies including 2322 patients with BC.

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

Source: Hu G et al. Low pretreatment prognostic nutritional index predicts poor survival in breast cancer patients: A meta-analysis. PLoS One. 2023;18(1):e0280669 (Jan 20). Doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0280669

Key clinical point: Interval breast cancers (BC) detected between annual mammograms have significantly worse prognostic characteristics than BC detected during mammographic screening.

Major finding: Breast density is significantly associated with the development of an interval cancer (adjusted odds ratio 2.17; P = .003). Interval vs screen-detected BC were more often primary tumor stage II or higher (43% vs 12%; P < .001), regional lymph node stage I or higher (22% vs 12%; P = .003), triple negative (21% vs 6%; P < .001) with high Ki67 proliferation indices (62% vs 38%; P = .002), and significantly more invasive (P = .007).

Study details: Findings are from a retrospective cohort study including 1232 women diagnosed with BC within 1 year of screening, of which 1136 had screen-detected BC and 96 had interval BC.

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

Source: Ambinder EB et al. Interval breast cancers versus screen detected breast cancers: A retrospective cohort study. Acad Radiol. 2023 (Feb 3). Doi: 10.1016/j.acra.2023.01.007

Key clinical point: Interval breast cancers (BC) detected between annual mammograms have significantly worse prognostic characteristics than BC detected during mammographic screening.

Major finding: Breast density is significantly associated with the development of an interval cancer (adjusted odds ratio 2.17; P = .003). Interval vs screen-detected BC were more often primary tumor stage II or higher (43% vs 12%; P < .001), regional lymph node stage I or higher (22% vs 12%; P = .003), triple negative (21% vs 6%; P < .001) with high Ki67 proliferation indices (62% vs 38%; P = .002), and significantly more invasive (P = .007).

Study details: Findings are from a retrospective cohort study including 1232 women diagnosed with BC within 1 year of screening, of which 1136 had screen-detected BC and 96 had interval BC.

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

Source: Ambinder EB et al. Interval breast cancers versus screen detected breast cancers: A retrospective cohort study. Acad Radiol. 2023 (Feb 3). Doi: 10.1016/j.acra.2023.01.007

Key clinical point: Interval breast cancers (BC) detected between annual mammograms have significantly worse prognostic characteristics than BC detected during mammographic screening.

Major finding: Breast density is significantly associated with the development of an interval cancer (adjusted odds ratio 2.17; P = .003). Interval vs screen-detected BC were more often primary tumor stage II or higher (43% vs 12%; P < .001), regional lymph node stage I or higher (22% vs 12%; P = .003), triple negative (21% vs 6%; P < .001) with high Ki67 proliferation indices (62% vs 38%; P = .002), and significantly more invasive (P = .007).

Study details: Findings are from a retrospective cohort study including 1232 women diagnosed with BC within 1 year of screening, of which 1136 had screen-detected BC and 96 had interval BC.

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

Source: Ambinder EB et al. Interval breast cancers versus screen detected breast cancers: A retrospective cohort study. Acad Radiol. 2023 (Feb 3). Doi: 10.1016/j.acra.2023.01.007