Radiotherapy statements of the 18th St. Gallen International Breast Cancer Consensus Conference-a German expert perspective.

PURPOSE: To summarize the radiotherapy-relevant statements of the 18th St. Gallen Breast Cancer Consensus Conference and interpret the findings in light of German guideline recommendations. METHODS: Statements and voting results from the 18th St. Gallen International Breast Cancer Consensus Conference were collected and analyzed according to their relevance for the radiation oncology community. The voting results were discussed in two hybrid meetings among the authors of this manuscript on March 18 and 19, 2023, in light of the German S3 guideline and the 2023 version of the Arbeitsgemeinschaft Gynäkologische Onkologie (AGO) guidelines. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: There was a high level of agreement between the radiotherapy-related statements of the 18th St. Gallen International Breast Cancer Consensus Conference and the German S3 and AGO guidelines. Discrepancies include the impact of number of lymph node metastases for the indication for postmastectomy radiotherapy.

Use of prognostic gene expression profiling tests in primary breast cancer treatment: a German real-world patient survey.

Aims: In primary breast cancer, gene expression profiling tests can support adjuvant chemotherapy treatment decisions. Real-world test use in Germany was investigated in an online survey of female breast cancer patients (n = 475). Materials & methods: Relationships between three groups were examined for clinical and statistical relevance: no test indication (n = 353), test indication and tested (n = 65), and test indication but not tested (n = 57). Results: A total of 47% of participants with a test indication were not tested. Test rates increased by 23% from 2012-2018 (49%) to 2019-2021 (60%). A total of 65% of patients without testing received chemotherapy, whereas only 38% of tested patients received chemotherapy. Conclusion: The use of gene expression profiling tests correlates with a real-world chemotherapy reduction. Gene expression profiling testing may improve patient confidence in the decision for or against chemotherapy.

In many cases, breast cancer can be removed by surgery. In addition to surgery, breast cancer patients may also receive chemotherapy; however, chemotherapy is not always useful. A gene expression profiling test can help physicians and patients decide if chemotherapy should be used. In a survey, 475 breast cancer patients in Germany were asked if they received such a test and chemotherapy. A total of 65% of patients who were not tested received chemotherapy compared with 38% of patients who were tested. Patients who received a test also felt more certain about their treatment decision. However, four of ten patients who were diagnosed between 2019 and 2021 and for whom a test would have helped in the treatment decision did not receive a test. Therefore, there is still room to increase the use of gene expression profiling tests for the benefit of breast cancer patients in Germany.

ABC7 Consensus: Assessment by a German Group of Experts.

Background: The "International Consensus Conference for Advanced Breast Cancer" was initiated more than 10 years ago. The rationale was to standardize treatment of advanced breast cancer (ABC) based on available evidence and to ensure that all ABC patients worldwide receive adequate treatment and access to new therapies. Topics of ABC7: The 7th International Consensus Conference for ABC (ABC7) took place from November 9 to 11, 2023 - as in previous years in Lisbon/Portugal. ABC7 focused not only on metastatic disease but also on locally advanced and inflammatory breast cancer. Special topics were the management of oligometastatic disease, leptomeningeal disease, brain metastases, and pregnant women with ABC. Due to the current situation worldwide, there was a special interest to patients living in conflict zones. As in previous years, patient advocates from around the world were integrated into the ABC conference and had a major input to the consensus. Rationale for the Manuscript: A German breast cancer expert panel comments on the voting results of the ABC7 panelists regarding their relevance for routine clinical practice in Germany. As with previous meetings, the ABC7 votes focused on modified or new statements. Regarding the statements not modified for the ABC7 consensus, they are discussed in the published manuscript from 2021 in which the German experts commented on the ABC6 consensus. The German comments are always based on the current recommendations of the "Breast Committee" of the Gynecological Oncology Working Group (Arbeitsgemeinschaft Gynäkologische Onkologie, AGO Mamma).

Discussion of ABC7 Consensus and German Recommendations.

The rationale behind the "International Consensus Conference for Advanced Breast Cancer" (ABC) is to standardize the treatment of patients with advanced or metastatic breast cancer worldwide using an evidence-based approach. The aim is also to ensure that patients in all countries receive adequate treatment based on current treatment recommendations and standards. The 7th International Consensus Conference on Advanced Breast Cancer (ABC7) took place from November 9 to 12, 2023 in Lisbon/Portugal. ABC7 focused on metastatic disease as well as on locally advanced and inflammatory breast cancer. Special topics included the treatment of oligometastatic patients, leptomeningeal disease, treatment of brain metastases, and pregnant women with ABC. As in previous years, patient advocates from all over the world participated in the consensus conference and were involved in decision making.

6th and 7th International consensus guidelines for the management of advanced breast cancer (ABC guidelines 6 and 7).

This manuscript describes the Advanced Breast Cancer (ABC) international consensus guidelines updated at the last two ABC international consensus conferences (ABC 6 in 2021, virtual, and ABC 7 in 2023, in Lisbon, Portugal), organized by the ABC Global Alliance. It provides the main recommendations on how to best manage patients with advanced breast cancer (inoperable locally advanced or metastatic), of all breast cancer subtypes, as well as palliative and supportive care. These guidelines are based on available evidence or on expert opinion when a higher level of evidence is lacking. Each guideline is accompanied by the level of evidence (LoE), grade of recommendation (GoR) and percentage of consensus reached at the consensus conferences. Updated diagnostic and treatment algorithms are also provided. The guidelines represent the best management options for patients living with ABC globally, assuming accessibility to all available therapies. Their adaptation (i.e. resource-stratified guidelines) is often needed in settings where access to care is limited.

Treatment of Early Breast Cancer: The 18th St. Gallen International Breast Cancer Consensus Conference against the Background of Current German Treatment Recommendations.

This year's 18th St. Gallen (SG) consensus conference on the treatment of early breast cancer (SGBCC: St. Gallen International Breast Cancer Conference) focused on practice-oriented questions. The individual situation and risk-benefit assessment were discussed in great detail. As in previous years, a German working group of leading breast cancer experts presented the results of the international SGBCC 2023 against the background of German treatment recommendations - especially the updated treatment recommendations of the Arbeitsgemeinschaft Gynäkologische Onkologie e. V. (AGO) - for everyday clinical practice in Germany. The German treatment recommendations of AGO are based on the current evidence. The comparison with the clinical approach in Germany has proven useful, as the SGBCC panel consists of experts from different countries and disciplines. That is why country-specific characteristics can be incorporated into the SGBCC recommendations.

ABC6 Consensus: Assessment by a Group of German Experts.

Background: The first International Consensus Conference for Advanced Breast Cancer (ABC1) took place 10 years ago in November 2011. The rationale was - and still is - to standardize treatment of advanced breast cancer (ABC) based on the available evidence and to ensure that worldwide all breast cancer patients receive adequate treatment and access to new therapies. Rationale for the Manuscript: The 6th International Consensus Conference for ABC (ABC6) took place from November 4 to 6, 2021 and was the first in a purely online format, due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In the present manuscript, a working group of German breast cancer experts comments on the voting results of the ABC6 panelists regarding their applicability for routine clinical practice in Germany. Method: The ABC6 votes mainly include modified or new statements. With regard to all statements not modified for the ABC6 consensus, the German experts refer to the published paper of the ABC5 consensus. The German experts base their comments on the current recommendations of the Breast Committee of the Gynecological Oncology Working Group (Arbeitsgemeinschaft Gynäkologische Onkologie, AGO Mamma). Topics: ABC6 focused on new treatment options and their implications for clinical practice. Optimal therapy sequencing for example was one of the issues. To solve the challenge of a more individualized treatment, precision medicine is fundamental. Oligometastatic disease, brain metastases and adequate supportive and palliative care were also addressed. Of special interest was the treatment of inoperable locally advanced breast cancer, which was discussed as a separate topic. As in previous years, patient advocates from around the world were an integral part of the ABC6 conference and had a major input into the consensus.

Advanced Breast Cancer: AGO Recommendations 2022 - Focus on ABC6 Consensus.

Over the past few years, there have been many developments in the treatment of advanced breast cancer; these have been incorporated into national and international treatment guidelines, resulting in an improved prognosis for these patients. The 6th International Consensus Conference for Advanced Breast Cancer (ABC6) was held in November 2021. The aim is to standardize the treatment of advanced breast cancer based on a high level of evidence, and to make new treatment options accessible to all patients. In this article we discuss the ABC6 consensus in the context of German treatment guidelines, and compare it with clinical practice in Germany. The authors refer to the current recommendations of the Breast Cancer Working Group for Gynecological Oncology (AGO Mamma) published in March 2022. The AGO Breast Cancer Guidelines are updated annually. Since discrepancies between national and international guidelines can occur due to country-specific regulations, this is a useful comparison to make. The German authors refer to the voting results of the ABC6 panelists from 6 November 2021.

Practice-Changing Perspectives regarding Systemic Therapy in Early Breast Cancer: Opinions of German Experts regarding the 17th St. Gallen International Consensus Conference.

The general topic of this year's 17th St. Gallen (SG) International Consensus Conference on the treatment of patients with early breast cancer (SG-BCC) was "Customizing local and systemic therapies for women with early breast cancer." This topic considers that each treatment decision must also consider the cancer-specific situation of the individual patient. This year, the votes of the SG-BCC were again discussed taking into account the multidisciplinary German S3 Guidelines and the recommendations of the Breast Cancer Working Group of the AGO (Arbeitsgemeinschaft Gynäkologische Onkologie; AGO Mamma). As the international panel of the SG-BCC consists of experts from different countries, the votes do represent an international cross-section of opinions. Therefore, it is useful to discuss the voting results with respect to the German evidence-based treatment guidelines. This publication focuses mainly on systemic treatment.

Treatment of Patients with Early Breast Cancer: Evidence, Controversies, Consensus: German Expert Opinions on the 17th International St. Gallen Consensus Conference.

This year's 17th St. Gallen (SG) Consensus Conference on the Treatment of Patients with Early Breast Cancer (SG-BCC) with the title "Customizing local and systemic therapies for women with early breast cancer" focused on the challenge of targeting the treatment of early breast cancer more specifically to the individual disease situation of each patient. As in previous years, a German working group of leading breast cancer experts discussed the results of the international SG-BCC 2021 in the context of the German guideline. It is helpful to compare the SG recommendations with the recently updated treatment recommendations of the Breast Commission of the German Working Group on Gynaecological Oncology (Arbeitsgemeinschaft Gynäkologische Onkologie e. V., AGO) and the S3 guideline because the SG-BCC panel comprised experts from different countries, which is why country-specific aspects can be incorporated into the SG recommendations. The German treatment recommendations of the AGO and the S3 guideline are based on current evidence. Nevertheless, any therapeutic decision must always undergo a risk-benefit analysis for the specific situation and to be discussed with the patient.

Assessment of Quality of Life in Postmenopausal Women with Early Breast Cancer Participating in the PACT Trial: The Impact of Additional Patient Information Material Packages and Patient Compliance.

BACKGROUND: Breast cancer patients' self-understanding of their disease can impact their quality of life (QoL); the relationship between compliance and QoL is poorly understood. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The Patient's Anastrozole Compliance to Therapy (PACT) program, a prospective, randomized study, investigated the effect of additional patient information material (IM) packages on compliance with adjuvant aromatase inhibitor (AI) therapy in postmenopausal women with hormone receptor-positive early breast cancer. The QoL subanalysis presented here examined the impact of IM packages on QoL and the association between QoL and compliance. European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) QLQ-C30 and QLQ-BR23 questionnaires were completed at baseline, 12 and 24 months, or study termination to assess health-related QoL and disease-related symptoms. RESULTS: Of the 4,844 patients randomized to standard therapy or standard therapy + IM packages (1:1), 4,253 were available for QoL analysis. No difference in QoL was observed between groups at baseline. IM packages did not have a statistically significant impact on patient QoL at the 12- or 24-month follow-up. Compliant patients experienced improvement in multiple items across the QLQ-C30 and QLQ-BR23 scales at 12 months. However, those results should be interpreted carefully due to limitations in the statistical analyses. CONCLUSIONS: Provision of IM packages did not influence patients' QoL or satisfaction with care during AI therapy. Compliant patients appear to experience improved QoL compared to noncompliant patients, perhaps indicating a more self-empowered perception of their condition.

Putting words into practice.

Many ABC/MBC (advanced or metastatic breast cancer) patients describe feelings of isolation and lack of support [1], often exacerbated by inadequate and insensitive communication. To examine these issues and the changing landscape of the wider breast cancer (BC) community, eight BC patients from across Europe took part in an advisory board. Each patient generously gave up their time to discuss how communication could be enhanced; driven by a desire to improve the experience and bolster support for future ABC/MBC patients. The most powerful and touching message emerged; maintaining the feeling of hope was vitally important as was the knowledge they were not alone in their diagnosis, with patient-to-patient communication representing an important 'lifeline'. It transpired that patients found certain language difficult, confusing and shocking to deal with, particularly as their disease journey was very much an emotional rather than clinical one. For those communicating with ABC/MBC patients, adopting an empathic, patient and personalized language and approach was considered invaluable. Here we examine further the key findings of the advisory board to help shape how, step-by-step, we can change the language we use in practice to effectively and sensitively communicate with ABC/MBC patients.

International Consensus Conference for Advanced Breast Cancer, Lisbon 2019: ABC5 Consensus - Assessment by a German Group of Experts.

The 5th International Consensus Conference for Advanced Breast Cancer (ABC5) took place on November 14-16, 2019, in Lisbon, Portugal. Its aim is to standardize the treatment of advanced breast cancer based on the available evidence and to ensure that all breast cancer patients worldwide receive adequate treatment and access to new therapies. This year, the conference focused on developments and study results in the treatment of patients with hormone receptor-positive/HER2-negative breast cancer as well as precision medicine. As in previous years, patient advocates from around the world were integrated into the ABC conference and had seats on the ABC consensus panel. In the present paper, a working group of German breast cancer experts comments on the results of the on-site ABC5 consensus votes by ABC panelists regarding their applicability for routine treatment in Germany. These comments take the recommendations of the Breast Committee of the Gynecological Oncology Working Group (Arbeitsgemeinschaft Gynäkologische Onkologie; AGO) into account. The report and assessment presented here pertain to the preliminary results of the ABC5 consensus. The final version of the statements will be published in Annals of Oncology and The Breast.

ABC5 International Consensus Conference on Advanced Breast Cancer, Lisbon, 16 November 2019: Commentary by the German panel of experts on the ABC5 voting results.

The Advanced Breast Cancer Fifth International Consensus Conference (ABC5) which focuses on the diagnosis and treatment of advanced breast cancer was held in Lisbon on November 14 - 16, 2019. The aim of the conference is to standardize the treatment of advanced breast cancer worldwide using evidence-based data and to ensure that patients with advanced breast disease anywhere in the world are treated appropriately and have access to the latest therapies. This year, the emphasis was on new developments and study results from patients with advanced breast cancer as well as precision medicine. The collaboration with patient advocates from all over the globe is also an important goal of the ABC Conference, which is why the international ABC panel also included a number of patient advocates. We present a commentary on the voting results of the ABC5 panelists in Lisbon by a working group of German breast cancer specialists together with the implications for routine clinical care in Germany. The commentary is based on the recommendations of the Breast Commission of the German Gynecological Oncology Working Group (AGO). This commentary is useful, it includes country-specific features for the ABC consensus.

Long-Term Side Effects of Adjuvant Therapy in Primary Breast Cancer Patients: Results of a Web-Based Survey.

BACKGROUND: Chronic treatment sequelae may substantially reduce the long-term quality of life in breast cancer survivors. METHODS: We report a comprehensive Web-based survey on the presence of long-term side effects of adjuvant anti-breast cancer therapy in 1,506 patients who had been diagnosed with primary breast cancer at least 1 year before. RESULTS: Fatigue, depression, depressive mood, concentration deficit, pain, changes of mucosa and skin appendages, as well as symptoms of peripheral neuropathy were the most prevalent reported complaints. Chemotherapies - taxane-based regimens in particular - were associated with increased rates of long-term symptoms, including persistent peripheral neuropathy. Overall, the data show a substantial prevalence of a wide variety of potentially treatment-associated symptoms over a protracted time frame after the diagnosis of breast cancer. The burden of symptoms was high for fatigue, depression, sleep disturbances, pain, and peripheral neuropathic symptoms. CONCLUSION: Estimating the burden of chronic toxicities should contribute to enhance rational decision-making on treatments including chemotherapy in patients with low versus high risk of recurrence.

Treatment of Early Breast Cancer Patients: Evidence, Controversies, Consensus: Focusing on Systemic Therapy - German Experts' Opinions for the 16th International St. Gallen Consensus Conference (Vienna 2019).

A German working group of leading breast cancer experts have discussed the votes at the International St. Gallen Consensus Conference in Vienna for the treatment of primary breast cancer with regard to the German AGO (Ar-beitsgemeinschaft Gynäkologische Onkologie) recommendations for clinical practice in Germany. Three of the German breast cancer experts were also members of this year's St. Gallen panel. Comparing the St. Gallen recommendations with the annually updated treatment recommendations of the Gynecological Oncology Working Group (AGO Mamma 2019) and the German S3 Guideline is useful, because the recommendations of the St. Gallen panel are based on expert opinions of different countries and disciplines. The focus of this article is on systemic therapy. The motto of this year's 16th St. Gallen Consensus Conference was "Estimating the magnitude of clinical benefit." The rationale behind this motto is that, for every treatment decision, a benefit-risk assessment must be taken into consideration for each patient.

Primary Therapy of Early Breast Cancer: Evidence, Controversies, Consensus: Spectrum of Opinion of German Specialists on the 16th St. Gallen International Breast Cancer Conference (Vienna 2019).

The results of the international St. Gallen Consensus Conference for the treatment of patients with primary breast cancer were discussed this year by a working group of leading breast cancer experts in view of the therapy recommendations for everyday clinical practice in Germany. Three of the breast cancer experts are also members of this year's St. Gallen panel. The comparison of the St. Gallen recommendations with the annually updated treatment recommendations of the AGO 2019 as well as the S3 guideline is useful, since the recommendations of the St. Gallen panel represent the opinions of experts from various countries and disciplines. The recommendations of the S3 guideline and AGO are based on evidence-based research of the literature. This year's 16th St. Gallen conference featured the motto "Magnitude of clinical benefit". In addition to the evidence-based data, each therapeutic decision must also undergo a benefit/risk assessment of the patient's individual situation and be discussed with the patient.

ABC4 Consensus: Assessment by a German Group of Experts.

The Advanced Breast Cancer Fourth Consensus (ABC4) on diagnosis and treatment of advanced breast cancer (ABC) again took place in Lisbon, on November 2-4, 2017, and was chaired by Fatima Cardoso, MD, PhD. This year's contents focused very much on new developments in the treatment of ABC. For example, the significance of inhibition of cyclin-dependent kinases 4 and 6 (CDK4/6) in hormone receptor (HR)-positive ABC, of dual antibody blockade in human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-positive ABC, and of poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) inhibition in triple-negative ABC, as well as the potential therapeutic consequences, were discussed. Other key issues were BRCA-associated breast cancer, treatment of brain metastases, and personalized therapy decision-making using molecular testing (so-called 'precision medicine'). As in past years, an important objective of the ABC conference was cooperation with representatives of patient organizations from around the world. This cooperation was further intensified during the ABC4. Following the main conference, the 'Global Alliance' was founded, with the goal of publicizing and coordinating measures necessary worldwide from the patient advocates' standpoint. - The ABC consensus inevitably cannot accommodate country-specific needs, due to the truly global expert panel. Therefore, a working group of German breast cancer experts commented - as in the past years - on the on-site voting results by the ABC panelists upon which the final ABC4 consensus will be based, with particular consideration of the German guidelines on diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer for everyday treatment in Germany.

4th International Consensus Conference on Advanced Breast Cancer (ABC4), Lisbon, November 4, 2017 : ABC4 Consensus: Assessment by a Panel of German Experts.

The fourth international advanced breast cancer consensus conference (ABC4) on the diagnosis and treatment of advanced breast cancer (ABC) headed by Professor Fatima Cardoso was once again held in Lisbon on November 2 - 4, 2017. To simplify matters, the abbreviation ABC will be used hereinafter in the text. In clinical practice, the abbreviation corresponds to metastatic breast cancer or locally far-advanced disease. This year the focus was on new developments in the treatment of ABC. Topics discussed included the importance of CDK4/6 inhibition in hormone receptor (HR)-positive ABC, the use of dual antibody blockade to treat HER2-positive ABC, PARP inhibition in triple-negative ABC and the potential therapeutic outcomes. Another major area discussed at the conference was BRCA-associated breast cancer, the treatment of cerebral metastasis, and individualized treatment decisions based on molecular testing (so-called precision medicine). As in previous years, close cooperation with representatives from patient organizations from around the world is an important aspect of the ABC conference. This cooperation was reinforced and expanded at the ABC4 conference. A global alliance was founded at the conclusion of the consensus conference, which aims to promote and coordinate the measures considered necessary by patient advocates worldwide. Because the panel of experts was composed of specialists from all over the world, it was inevitable that the ABC consensus also reflected country-specific features. As in previous years, a team of German breast cancer specialists who closely followed the consensus voting of the ABC panelists in Lisbon and intensively discussed the votes has therefore commented on the consensus in the context of the current German guidelines on the diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer 1 ,  2 used in clinical practice in Germany. The ABC consensus is based on the votes of the ABC panelists in Lisbon.