Correlation of Ki-67 proliferative index with oncotype DX recurrence score in hormone receptor-positive, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-negative early breast cancer with low-burden axillary nodal disease - a review of 137 cases.

The use of chemotherapy in breast cancer management has significantly contributed to the decrease in its mortality. Currently, the prognosis is determined by molecular biomarkers, such as oestrogen receptors, and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2. However, the increasing use of advanced molecular technologies, including oncotype DX recurrence score (ODX-RS), has provided the ability to estimate the risk of recurrence. Research has demonstrated that the ODX-RS helps to predict recurrence risk and the potential benefit of chemotherapy in breast cancer. As a result, it can assist clinicians in making decisions regarding using the chemotherapy. The goal of work is to explore the correlation between the ODX-RS and Ki-67 proliferative index (Ki-67-PI). This study included 137 patients with oestrogen positive, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-negative early breast cancer, and had non- or early axillary disease. Patients with low Ki-67-PI were as follows: low ODX-RS in 17%, intermediate ODX-RS in 80%, and high ODX-RS in 2%. In the high Ki-67-PI group: low ODX-RS in 12%, intermediate ODX-RS in 48%, and high ODX-RS in 40%. In conclusion, the results show no significant correlation between the ODX-RS and Ki-67-PI (r = 0.511, p-value < 0.9).

The Oncotype DX Recurrence Score's Impact on the Management of Oestrogen-Positive/Human Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor 2-Negative, Low-Burden Axillary Status Breast Cancer (REHAB Study): Results of a Single Centre.

Background The Oncotype DX Recurrence Score (ODX-RS) is increasingly utilized in oestrogen receptor (ER)-positive/human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-negative, low-burden axillary disease early operable breast cancer. It has been demonstrated to predict the benefits of adjuvant chemotherapy, hence supporting individualized decisions on adjuvant therapy. Aim To investigate the application of ODX-RS as an adjuvant treatment decision tool in breast cancer operated in our unit. Methods A total of 107 eligible patients who were operated on between 2017 and 2021 in Basildon University Hospital, UK were enrolled in this study. In this retrospective study, the clinical data, including patient's age, tumour size, ER status, HER2 status, Ki67 proliferative index (Ki67-PI), nodal status, tumour grade, and ODX-RS, were collected. In the study design, the oncologist had the opportunity to assess the need for adjuvant chemotherapy for patients with ER-positive, HER2-negative, low-burden axillary lymph node disease, early breast cancer by using tumour characteristics and the PREDICT tool without knowing the ODX-RS results. The clinician's decision was matched against the breast multidisciplinary team's recommendations after ODX-RS utilisation, and the results were explored. Results The median ODX-RS of cohort tumours was 18 in the age group > 50 years, with ODX-RS ≥ 26 found in 18% of the group (n = 12). In the age group ≤ 50 years, 17% (n = 7) had ODX-RS between 21 and 25 and only 7% (n = 3) had ODX-RS ≥ 26. Without using ODX-RS, only 16% of the patients had been offered adjuvant chemotherapy in addition to the hormonal manipulation therapy; however, after using ODX-RS, up to 33% of the cohort was suitable for adjuvant chemotherapy in addition to the hormonal manipulation therapy. The changes in the recommendations after ODX-RS utilisation have been noticed in 29% of the cohort. Conclusion This study revealed that ODX-RS supported decision-making regarding postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy, especially when other tumour biomarkers, such as tumour size, grading, or Ki-67, indicated lower risk criteria. Patients with a high ODX-RS were offered chemotherapy where appropriate and its use led to a 15% rate of initial decision change in adjuvant treatment decisions; this involved either recommending chemotherapy or its omission.

Lymphovascular invasion in hormone-positive, human epidermal growth factor-negative, low-burden axillary disease in early breast cancer patients tested for oncotype DX recurrence score.

Introduction: The oncotype DX recurrence score (ODX-RS) is a validated 21-gene assay that can quantify the recurrence risk and assess the likelihood of adjuvant chemotherapy benefit in breast cancer. The presence of lymphovascular invasion (LVI) in breast cancer patients is regarded as a predictor for worse prognosis. This study sought to explore the association of ODX-RS with LVI in oestrogen receptor-positive, human epidermal growth factor receptor-2-negative, low-burden nodal disease, early breast cancer. Material and methods: After clinical improvement unit approval, an institutional database was queried to identify the breast cancer cases diagnosed in the period between 2017-2021 that fulfilled the inclusion criteria. The total resected tumours comprised 107 in 102 patients (5 patients had bilateral disease). The data related to patients' age and tumour grade, LVI detection, nodal status, and ODX-RS were analysed. Results: Lymphovascular invasion was identified in 32.6% of 107 tumours. In the age group > 50 years, 13 tumours had lymphovascular invasion (LVI +ve), 9 tumours had ODX-RS < 15 (69%), and only one tumour (8%) had ODX-RS ≤ 25, and this is associated with substantial chemotherapy benefit. In the age group ≤ 50 years, 21 tumours were LVI +ve, and 18 tumours had ODX-RS ≤ 25 (86%), which is associated with no chemotherapy benefit; only 3 tumours (14%) had ODX-RS > 25, and this indicated substantial chemotherapy benefit. Conclusions: This study revealed that in the targeted patient population lympho-vascular invasion did not have a statistically significant impact on ODX-RS (p = 0.29).

The Challenge of COVID-19: The Biological Characteristics and Outcomes in a Series of 130 Breast Cancer Patients Operated on During the Pandemic.

Background: The worldwide outbreak of the 2019 novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) emerged in Wuhan, China close to the end of 2019. We analyse the clinical characteristics and management outcomes of a small group of patients who have been treated in the early stage of the COVID-19 disease, and discuss the impact of the pandemic on the service delivered to breast cancer patients. Material Methods: We analysed a cohort of 130 breast cancer patients who underwent elective surgical procedures during the early period of COVID-19. The patients were operated on in the period from March 16th, 2020 to May 18th, 2020. Results: All the patients were female, with an age range of 33-88 years, with a median age of 57.6 years. Most of the cases were admitted as a day case surgery after passing through a preoperative screening pathway, which was developed gradually. Patients were contacted by phone after their surgery to ensure that they have had no symptoms and were reviewed in person two weeks after the procedure with histology results. Only one patient developed COVID-19 symptoms after surgery and recovered. Conclusions: Early and careful implementation of modified practice policies during emerging situation of viral pandemics will reduce the risk of perioperative complications, reduce the risk of patient to staff to patient transmission and minimize the negative impact of COVID-19 on breast cancer management.