Poor survival outcomes in HER2 positive breast cancer patients with low grade, node negative tumours

We present a retrospective analysis on a cohort of low-grade, node-negative patients showing that human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) status significantly affects the survival in this otherwise very good prognostic group. Our results provide support for the use of adjuvant trastuzumab in patients who are typically classified as having very good prognosis, not routinely offered standard chemotherapy, and who as such do not fit current UK prescribing guidelines for trastuzumab

Significant increased recurrence rates among breast cancer patients with HER2-positive, T1a,bN0M0 tumors.

Abstract Abstract #701 Background: Controversy surrounds the prognosis of breast cancer patients with T1a,bN0M0 tumors following locoregional therapy and the need for adjuvant systemic therapy, especially for HER2+ disease. The purposes of the study were to determine the recurrence-free survival (RFS), and distant recurrence-free survival (DRFS) in small HER2+ tumors compared with hormone receptor ( HR)+ and triple receptor- (TN) tumors.&amp;#x2028; Methods: Stage T1a,bN0M0 breast cancers diagnosed between 1973-2003 were reviewed by dedicated breast pathologists. HER2+ tumors were defined as 3+ by IHC or gene amplification. Patients were categorized into 3 groups:TN (ER-, PR-and HER2-), HER2+ (regardless of HR status) and HR+ (HER2-). RFS and DRFS were estimated by the Kaplan-Meier method and compared with the log-rank test. Cox proportional hazards models were fit to determine the association of each group with the risk of recurrence after adjustment for other characteristics.&amp;#x2028; Results: Of the 1796 patients, 427 were excluded from the analysis due to being male (2), lack of receptor information (249), and adjuvant chemotherapy (176) leaving 1369 pts for analysis. Median age was 57 years,(range, 26-88). There were 381(28%) T1a and 988(72%) T1b tumors; HR+ 68%, TN 23%, HER2+ 9%. Patients who had HER2+ breast cancer tended to be younger,(p=0.001); have more T1a tumors, (p=0.001); and have higher nuclear grade,(p&amp;lt;0.001). At a median follow-up of 74 months(range 1-350), there were 160 recurrences and 77 distant metastases. Five and 10-year RFS and DRFS are summarized in the table. After adjustment for other characteristics, patients with HER2+ breast cancer had a significantly worse RFS (HR: 5.19, 95% CI: 3.21-8.39, p&amp;lt;0.0001) and DRFS (HR: 4.66, 95% CI: 2.47-8.80, p&amp;lt;0.0001) compared to patients with HR-positive breast cancer.&amp;#x2028; Conclusions: Breast cancer patients with HER2+ T1a,bN0M0 tumors have a significant risk of relapse and should be considered candidates for adjuvant systemic therapy including anti-HER2 agents.&amp;#x2028; &amp;#x2028; Citation Information: Cancer Res 2009;69(2 Suppl):Abstract nr 701.</jats:p

High Risk of Recurrence for Patients With Breast Cancer Who Have Human Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor 2–Positive, Node-Negative Tumors 1 cm or Smaller

PURPOSE: To evaluate the risk of recurrence in women diagnosed with T1a and T1b, node-negative, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) -positive breast cancer. METHODS: We reviewed 965 T1a,bN0M0 breast cancers diagnosed at our institution between 1990 and 2002. Dedicated breast pathologists confirmed HER2 positivity if 3+ by immunohistochemistry or if it had a ratio of 2.0 or greater by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH). Patients who received adjuvant chemotherapy or trastuzumab were excluded. Kaplan-Meier product was used to calculate recurrence-free survival (RFS) and distant recurrence-free survival (DRFS). Cox proportional hazard models were fit to determine associations between HER2 status and survival after adjustment for patient and disease characteristics. Additionally, 350 breast cancers from two other institutions were used for validation. RESULTS: Ten percent of patients had HER2-positive tumors. At a median follow-up of 74 months, there were 72 recurrences. The 5-year RFS rates were 77.1% and 93.7% in patients with HER2-positive and HER2-negative tumors, respectively (P < .001). The 5-year DRFS rates were 86.4% and 97.2% in patients with HER2-positive and HER2-negative tumors, respectively (P < .001). In multivariate analysis, patients with HER2-positive tumors had higher risks of recurrence (hazard ratio [HR], 2.68; 95% CI, 1.44 to 5.0; P = .002) and distant recurrence (HR, 5.3; 95% CI, 2.23 to 12.62; P < .001) than those with HER2-negative tumors. Patients with HER2-positive tumors had 5.09 times (95% CI, 2.56 to 10.14; P < .0001) the rate of recurrences and 7.81 times (95% CI, 3.17 to 19.22; P < .0001) the rate of distant recurrences at 5 years compared with patients who had hormone receptor-positive tumors. CONCLUSION: Patients with HER2-positive T1abN0M0 tumors have a significant risk of relapse and should be considered for systemic, anti-HER2, adjuvant therapy.Journal ArticleResearch Support, N.I.H. ExtramuralResearch Support, Non-U.S. Gov'tinfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishe