ABSTRACT
Background:
Hormone receptor-positive
tumors are unlikely to exhibit a complete pathological
tumor response. The
association of CDK 4/6 inhibitor plus
hormone therapy has changed this perspective. Case presentation In this study, we retrospectively reviewed the charts of
patients with a
diagnosis of
luminal A/B advanced/metastatic
tumors treated with a CDK 4/6 inhibitor-based
therapy. In this part of the study, we present clinical and ultrasound evaluation. Eight
female patients were considered eligible for the study aims. Three complete and five partial responses were reported, including a clinical
tumor response of 50% or more in five out of nine assessed lesions (55%). All
patients showed a response on ultrasound. The mean lesion size measured by ultrasound was 27.1 ± 15.02 mm (range, 6-47 mm) at the baseline; 16.08 ± 14.6 mm (range, 0-40 mm) after 4 months (T1); and 11.7 ± 12.9 mm (range, 0-30 mm) at the 6 months follow-up (T2). Two
patients underwent
surgery. The radiological complete response found confirmation in a pathological complete response, while the partial response matched a moderate residual
disease.
Conclusion:
The evaluation of
breast cancer by ultrasound is basically informative of response and may be an easy and practical tool to monitor advanced
tumors, especially in advanced/unfit
patients who are reluctant to invasive exams.