Cognitive effects of aromatase inhibitors in early breast cancer patients: a prospective study.

Purpose: Several patients undergoing aromatase inhibitors (AIs) for breast cancer (BC) report cognitive difficulties, although studies on the cognitive effects have yielded mixed findings. This prospective study aimed to investigate the impact on cognitive function of adjuvant AIs and the changes over time.

Methods: Patients with diagnosis of early-stage BC, eligible for adjuvant AIs endocrine therapy, underwent comprehensive neuropsychological assessments for the evaluation of several cognitive domains before and after 12 months of therapy.

HER2-Driven Breast Cancer: Role of the Chaperonin HSP90 in Modulating Response to Trastuzumab-Based Therapeutic Combinations.

Mechanistic relationships between heat shock protein 90 (HSP90) and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) are complex and clinical correlations in breast cancer remain inconsistent. We investigated the role of HSP90 expression in the response of breast cancer cells to HER2-targeted treatments, by measuring cell viability/proliferation and protein expression after genetic and pharmacologic HER2/HSP90 modulation. HSP90 expression was also assessed by immunohistochemistry in a series of 72 metastatic, HER2+ breast cancer patients.

Predictive risk factors of recurrence in breast cancer after neoadjuvant treatment: the NEORISK study.

Background: Neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT) improves oncologic and cosmetic outcomes in breast cancer (BC), yet recurrence remains a concern. This study identifies factors associated with recurrence at 3 and 5 years in BC patients receiving NACT.

Methods: A retrospective analysis of 933 stage I - III BC patients (2014-2021) evaluated event-free survival (EFS) predictors using multivariate analyses.

Activity and Efficacy of Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy in Luminal-HER2 Negative Early Breast Cancer According to HER2 Score (Low vs. Score 0): A Retrospective Study.

Background: The predictive and prognostic role of HER2 status in patients with luminal-HER2 negative early breast cancer (BC) undergoing neoadjuvant chemotherapy is unclear. A retrospective analysis evaluating the correlation between HER2 status (low vs. score 0) and pCR/IDFS was conducted.

Role of radiomics in predicting early disease recurrence in locally advanced breast cancer patients: integration of radiomic features and RECIST criteria.

Background: Breast cancer (BC) is a major global health issue with significant heterogeneity among its subtypes. Neoadjuvant treatment (NAT) has been extended to include early BC patients, particularly those with HER2 + and triple-negative subtypes, to achieve pathological complete response and improve long-term outcomes. However, disease recurrence remains a challenge, highlighting the need for predictive biomarkers.

Accessible model predicts response in hormone receptor positive HER2 negative breast cancer receiving neoadjuvant chemotherapy.

Hormone receptor-positive/HER2-negative breast cancer (BC) is the most common subtype of BC and typically occurs as an early, operable disease. In patients receiving neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT), pathological complete response (pCR) is rare and multiple efforts have been made to predict disease recurrence. We developed a framework to predict pCR using clinicopathological characteristics widely available at diagnosis.

Real life outcome analysis of breast cancer brain metastases treated with Trastuzumab Deruxtecan.

Tumor dissemination to the central nervous system (CNS) is almost a rule in the treatment journey of advanced HER2+ breast cancer (BC). Recent results demonstrated high intracranial efficacy with Trastuzumab Deruxtecan (T-DXd). However, a real-world evidence is lacking in literature.

Randomized, open-label, phase II, biomarker study of immune-mediated mechanism of action of neoadjuvant subcutaneous trastuzumab in patients with locally advanced, inflammatory, or early HER2-positive breast cancer-Immun-HER trial (GOIRC-01-2016).

Background: It is possible to induce immunomodulation in HER2-positive breast cancer (BC) by modifying the route of administration of trastuzumab.

Methods: In this multicenter randomized phase II trial, all enrolled patients (pts) with T2-T4d HER2-positive BC received 3 cycles of neoadjuvant treatment (NAT) with fluorouracil, epirubicin and cyclophosphamide every 3 weeks (q21), followed by docetaxel/pertuzumab plus intravenous trastuzumab (arm A) or, docetaxel/pertuzumab plus subcutaneous (SC) trastuzumab (arm B) q21x4 cycles. After surgical operation, each pt was treated with trastuzumab q21x14 cycles using the same SC or intravenous formulation of NAT.

Adjuvant Targeted Therapy in Solid Cancers: Pioneers and New Glories.

Targeted therapy (TT) has revolutionized cancer treatment, successfully applied in various settings. Adjuvant TT in resected early-stage gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST), melanoma, non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), and breast cancer has led to practice-changing achievements. In particular, standard treatments include BRAF inhibitors for melanoma, osimertinib for NSCLC, hormone therapy or HER2 TT for breast cancer, and imatinib for GIST.

Real-world ANASTASE study of atezolizumab+nab-paclitaxel as first-line treatment of PD-L1-positive metastatic triple-negative breast cancer.

The combination of atezolizumab and nab-paclitaxel is recommended in the EU as first-line treatment for PD-L1-positive metastatic triple-negative breast cancer (mTNBC), based on the results of phase III IMpassion130 trial. However, 'real-world' data on this combination are limited. The ANASTASE study (NCT05609903) collected data on atezolizumab plus nab-paclitaxel in PD-L1-positive mTNBC patients enrolled in the Italian Compassionate Use Program.

An Innovative Scoring System to Select the Optimal Surgery in Breast Cancer after Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy.

Introduction: The selection of surgery post-neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT) is difficult and based on surgeons' expertise. The aim of this study was to create a post-NEoadjuvant Score System (pNESSy) to choose surgery, optimizing oncological and aesthetical outcomes.

Methods: Patients (stage I-III) underwent surgery post-NACT (breast-conserving surgery (BCS), oncoplastic surgery (OPS), and conservative mastectomy (CMR) were included.

Conservative Surgery in cT4 Breast Cancer: Single-Center Experience in the Neoadjuvant Setting.

Background: The diffusion of screening programs has resulted in a decrease of cT4 breast cancer diagnosis. The standard care for cT4 was neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NA), surgery, and locoregional or adjuvant systemic therapies. NA allows two outcomes: 1.

Development of a nomogram for predicting pathological complete response in luminal breast cancer patients following neoadjuvant chemotherapy.

Background: Given the low chance of response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT) in luminal breast cancer (LBC), the identification of predictive factors of pathological complete response (pCR) represents a challenge. A multicenter retrospective analysis was performed to develop and validate a predictive nomogram for pCR, based on pre-treatment clinicopathological features.

Methods: Clinicopathological data from stage I-III LBC patients undergone NACT and surgery were retrospectively collected.

Incorporating weekly carboplatin in anthracycline and paclitaxel-containing neoadjuvant chemotherapy for triple-negative breast cancer: propensity-score matching analysis and TIL evaluation.

Background: The generation of data capturing the risk-benefit ratio of incorporating carboplatin (Cb) to neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT) for triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) in a clinical practice setting is urgently needed. Tumour-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) have an established role in TNBC receiving NACT, however, the role of TIL dynamics under NACT exposure in patients receiving the current standard of care is largely uncharted.

Methods: Consecutive TNBC patients receiving anthracycline-taxane [A-T] +/- Cb NACT at three Institutions were enrolled.

Predictive and prognostic effect of computed tomography-derived body composition analysis during neoadjuvant chemotherapy for operable and locally advanced breast cancer.

Objectives: Excess adiposity is associated with several factors involved in carcinogenesis and breast cancer progression. Evidence supporting the role of body composition in breast cancer treatment is promising, but still scanty and mainly focused on adjuvant treatment. The aim of this study was to evaluate the changes in body composition during neoadjuvant chemotherapy and its association with pathologic complete response and survival outcome in patients treated for operable/locally advanced breast cancer.

Prospective Study Investigating the Efficacy and Safety of a Scalp Cooling Device for the Prevention of Alopecia in Women Undergoing (Neo)Adjuvant Chemotherapy for Breast Cancer.

The prevention of chemotherapy-induced alopecia still represents an urgent need for every day clinical practice. In this regard, this prospective single-center study included breast cancer (BC) patients who underwent a scalp cooling device (Dignicap) during (neo)adjuvant chemotherapy with the aim to evaluate the efficacy and safety of this device in preventing alopecia. One hundred and seventy-eight patients (median age 43 years) were enrolled.

BRCA Mutation Status in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer Patients Treated with Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy: A Pivotal Role for Treatment Decision-Making.

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is characterized by earlier recurrence and shorter survival compared with other types of breast cancer. Moreover, approximately 15 to 25% of all TNBC patients harbor germline BRCA (gBRCA) 1/2 mutations, which confer a more aggressive phenotype. However, TNBC seems to be particularly sensitive to chemotherapy, the so-called 'triple negative paradox'.

Updated Neoadjuvant Treatment Landscape for Early Triple Negative Breast Cancer: Immunotherapy, Potential Predictive Biomarkers, and Novel Agents.

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is characterized by the absence of hormone receptor and HER2 expression, and therefore a lack of therapeutic targets. Anthracyclines and taxane-based neoadjuvant chemotherapy have historically been the cornerstone of treatment of early TNBC. However, genomic and transcriptomic analyses have suggested that TNBCs include various subtypes, characterized by peculiar genomic drivers and potential therapeutic targets.

Tailoring neoadjuvant treatment of HR-positive/HER2-negative breast cancers: Which role for gene expression assays?

Neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT) for breast cancer (BC) increases surgical and conservative surgery chances. However, a significant proportion of patients will not be eligible for conservative surgery following NACT because of large tumor size and/or low chemosensitivity, especially for hormone receptor (HR)-positive/ human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-negative tumors, for which pathological complete response rates are lower than for other BC subtypes. On the other hand, for luminal BC neoadjuvant endocrine therapy could represent a valid alternative.

PI3K Inhibitors in Advanced Breast Cancer: The Past, The Present, New Challenges and Future Perspectives.

Breast cancer is the leading cause of death in the female population and despite significant efforts made in diagnostic approaches and treatment strategies adopted for advanced breast cancer, the disease still remains incurable. Therefore, development of more effective systemic treatments constitutes a crucial need. Recently, several clinical trials were performed to find innovative predictive biomarkers and to improve the outcome of metastatic breast cancer through innovative therapeutic algorithms.