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Cecchini, Reena S.

https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9075-9357

Mayo Clinic

University of Pittsburgh

Citations 22

Lumpectomy Margins and Local Recurrence in DCIS
Wapnir, IL, Dignam, James J., Li, Jiahe, Suga, J.Marie, Brufsky, Adam M., Hopkins, Judith O. , Zeitzer, Kenneth, Lyons, Janice A., Conlin, Alison K., Kuerer, Henry M. , Siddique, Shahzad, Vallow, Laura A., Albain, Kathy S. , Cianfrocca, Mary, Julian, Thomas B. , Boileau, Jean Francois, Mamounas, Eleftherios P. , Suga, Jennifer M. , Cecchini, Reena S. , Dignam, James J. , Anderson, Stewart , Brufsky, Adam , Conlin, Alison, Kuerer, Henry M. , Mamounas, Eleftherios P. , Wolmark, Norman

JAMA Surgery | July 1, 2026 | Volume: No volume available | Issue: No issue available | Pages: No page available

10.1001/jamasurg.2026.2340 Get It

Importance The NRG Oncology research organization and NSABP B-35 randomized clinical trial prospectively collected margin width data on postmenopausal women with hormone receptor (HR)–positive ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) who underwent lumpectomy, whole-breast irradiation (WBI), and randomly assigned adjuvant anastrozole or tamoxifen therapy. This permitted analysis of outcomes per margin width. Objective To analyze the effect of margin width on ipsilateral breast tumor recurrence (IBTR). Design, Setting, and Participants NSABP B-35 was a phase 3, double-blind, randomized clinical trial in which patients were randomized to either 5 years of tamoxifen or anastrozole. Postmenopausal women with HR-positive DCIS and tumor-free margins were eligible. Enrollment was from January 6, 2003, to June 15, 2006, in academic and community hospital members of the NSABP. Study data were analyzed from July 2024 to April 2025. Interventions There were no specific interventions based on lumpectomy margin width. Main Outcomes and Measures Lumpectomy margin width data were prospectively collected within 3 months of randomization. A pathology form classified margins as positive (ink on tumor), close (<1 mm), or negative (≥1 mm). For the negative margin subgroup, closest margin width was stated separately. Thus, an ancillary analysis using 1-mm and 2-mm margin width partitions was performed. Results A total of 3104 postmenopausal women (mean [SD] age, 61 [7.8] years) were enrolled in NSABP B-35. In an ancillary analysis, 2707 patients were included in the 1-mm margin width partition group, and 2546 patients were included in the 2-mm margin width partition group. IBTR was the most common first event, occurring in 90 of 2707 patients (3.3%): 24 of 502 patients (4.8%) with a margin width less than 1 mm and 66 of 2205 patients (3.0%) with a margin width greater than or equal to 1 mm. Ten-year unadjusted cumulative incidence of IBTR events was 5.6% vs 4.0% for margins less than 1 mm vs margins greater than or equal to 1 mm ( P = .04). Using 2 mm as the discriminant threshold for margin width, 39 of 879 patients (4.4%) with margins less than 2 mm and 49 of 1667 patients (2.9%) with margins greater than or equal to 2 mm experienced an IBTR first. Ten-year unadjusted cumulative incidence of IBTR events with margins less than or equal to 2 mm was 5.3% vs 3.8% for those with margins greater than 2 mm ( P = .05). In models adjusting for other patient and tumor factors, margin width was not a significant predictor of IBTR risk (2-mm threshold hazard ratio, 1.33; 95% CI, 0.86-2.06). Conclusions and Relevance Results of this ancillary analysis of the NSABP B-35 trial show that absolute differences in IBTR rates using margin width groupings of less than 1 mm or greater than or equal to 1 mm and margin width groupings of less than 2 mm or greater than or equal to 2 mm in postmenopausal women with HR-positive DCIS receiving lumpectomy, WBI, and adjuvant endocrine therapy were small. Omission of reexcision lumpectomies based on margin widths of less than 1 mm or less than 2 mm can be reconsidered in appropriate patients. Trial Registration ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT00053898
A phase III trial evaluating addition of adjuvant chemotherapy to ovarian function suppression + endocrine therapy in premenopausal women with pN0-1, HR+/HER2– breast cancer and Oncotype recurrence score ≤ 25 (OFSET): NRG-BR009.
Mamounas, Eleftherios P., Tang, Gong, Puhalla, Shannon L., Ganz, Patricia A., Reid, Sonya A., Rastogi, P, White, Julia R., Clark, Amy S. , Haddad, Tufia C. , Vidal, Gregory A. , Mamounas, Eleftherios P. , Tang, Gong , Puhalla, Shannon L. , Swain, Sandra M. , Ganz, Patricia A. , Henry, N. Lynn , Cecchini, Reena S. , Reid, Sonya, Rastogi, Priya , Geyer, Charles E. , White, Julia , Wolmark, Norman

Journal of Clinical Oncology | May 28, 2026 | Volume: 44 | Issue: 16_suppl | Pages: No page available

10.1200/jco.2026.44.16_suppl.tps650 Get It

TPS650 Background: The TAILORx and RxPONDER trials showed that recurrence score (RS) identifies many postmenopausal pts who do not benefit from addition of ACT to endocrine therapy (ET); however, RS also identifies subsets who do benefit (node-neg/high clinical risk/RS 16-20, node-neg/RS 21-25, and node-pos/RS ≤25). Most premenopausal pts in these trials did not receive ovarian function suppression (OFS) as part of their ET regimen. Given the observed benefit from OFS in high-risk premenopausal pts with HR+/HER2– BC in SOFT/TEXT, we question whether the ACT benefit in TAILORx/RxPONDER was due to chemotherapy-induced OFS. To address this, we developed OFSET, a phase III clinical trial comparing OFS+ET to ACT+OFS+ET. Methods: We hypothesize that addition of ACT to OFS+ET is superior to OFS+ET in improving invasive breast cancer-free survival (IBCFS) among premenopausal pts with early-stage HR+/HER2– tumors, and a 21-gene RS between 16-25 (for pN0 pts) and 0-25 (for pN1 pts). Secondary objectives include invasive disease-free survival, overall survival, distant recurrence-free interval, breast cancer-free interval, and health-related quality of life (HRQOL). Pts must be node-neg with RS 16-20 (plus high clinical risk), RS 21-25, or have 1-3 positive nodes with RS ≤25. Stratification is by nodal status/RS status (pN0 RS 16-25; pN1 RS 0-15; pN1 RS 16-25), intent to receive CDK4/6 inhibitor (yes; no), and age (18-39; ≥40). Pts are randomized after surgery to either OFS+ET or ACT+OFS+ET. ET is an aromatase inhibitor (AI) per physician discretion; or tamoxifen if AI is not tolerated or if OFS is incomplete. Radiotherapy will be administered per protocol guidelines. An HRQOL sub-study will assess severe menopausal symptoms (measured by FACT ESS-19) and pain severity (PROMIS) between arms. Blood and tumor specimens will be collected for future research. We anticipate accrual of 3,960 pts in 7 yrs, 7 mos. Per NSABP B-28/RxPONDER data, 5-yr IBCFS of pN1 pts on the ACT+OFS+ET arm is estimated at 92.3%. Per TAILORx data, 5-yr IBCFS of pN0 pts on the ACT arm is ~95%. Assuming 56% of pts to be pN0 and 44% pN1, and a 0.5% annual loss-to-follow-up rate, the definitive analyses to detect a hazard ratio: 0.75 with ACT+OFS+ET v OFS+ET, with 1-sided α of 0.025 and 80% power, will require 380 IBCFS events, expected to occur ~11 yrs after study initiation. Accrual is 496/3,960 (from 8/2023 to 1/2026). NCT #: NCT05879926. Clinical trial information: NCT05879926 .
Abstract PS5-07-04: NRG-BR009: A phase III trial evaluating addition of adjuvant chemotherapy to Ovarian Function Suppression + Endocrine Therapy in premenopausal women with pN0-1, HR+/HER2- breast cancer and recurrence score ≤25 (OFSET)
Swain, S. M., Tang, G., Puhalla, S. L., Ganz, P. A., Henry, N. L., Cecchini, R. S., Reid, S. A., Rastogi, P., Geyer, C. E., White, J. R., Clark, A. S., Haddad, T. C., Vidal, G. A., Wolmark, N., Mamounas, E. P., Puhalla, Shannon L. , Ganz, PA, Cecchini, Reena S. , Rastogi, P., Geyer, C. E.

Clinical Cancer Research | February 17, 2026 | Volume: 32 | Issue: 4_Supplement | Pages: PS5-07-04-PS5-07-04

10.1158/1557-3265.sabcs25-ps5-07-04 Get It

Abstract As shown by the TAILORx and RxPONDER trials, recurrence score (RS) identifies many postmenopausal pts who do not benefit from addition of ACT to endocrine therapy (ET); however, it also identifies certain subsets of premenopausal pts who do benefit (node-neg/high clinical risk/RS 16-20, node-neg/RS 21-25, and node-pos/RS ≤25). Most premenopausal pts in these trials did not receive ovarian function suppression (OFS) as part of their ET regimen. Given the observed benefit from OFS in high-risk premenopausal pts with HR+/HER2- BC in the SOFT/TEXT trials, we question whether the noted ACT benefit in TAILORx/RxPONDER may have been the result of chemotherapy-induced OFS. To address this, we developed OFSET, a phase III clinical trial comparing OFS+ET v ACT+OFS+ET. We hypothesize that addition of ACT to OFS+ET is superior to OFS+ET in improving invasive breast cancer-free survival (IBCFS) among premenopausal, early-stage BC pts with HR+/HER2- tumors and a 21-gene RS between 16-25 (for pN0 pts) and 0-25 (for pN1 pts). Secondary objectives include invasive disease-free survival, overall survival, distant recurrence-free interval, breast cancer-free interval, and health-related quality of life (HRQOL). Pts must be node-neg with RS 16-20 (plus high clinical risk), or RS 21-25, or have 1-3 positive nodes with RS ≤25. Stratification is by nodal status/RS status (pN0 RS 16-25 v pN1 RS 0-15 and pN1 RS 16-25), intent to receive CDK4/6 inhibitor (yes; no), and age (18-39 v ≥40). Pts are randomized after surgery to either OFS+ET or ACT+OFS+ET. ET is an aromatase inhibitor (AI) per physician discretion; or tamoxifen if AI is not tolerated or if OFS is incomplete. Radiotherapy will be administered per protocol guidelines. The HRQOL substudy will assess differences between arms in severe menopausal symptoms (measured by FACT ESS-19) and pain severity (PROMIS). Blood and tumor specimens will be collected for future research. We anticipate accrual of 3,960 pts in 7 yrs, 7 mos. Per NSABP B-28/RxPONDER data, 5-yr IBCFS of pN1 pts on the ACT+OFS+ET arm is estimated at 92.3%. Based on TAILORx data, 5-yr IBCFS of pN0 pts on the ACT arm is ∼95%. Assuming 56% of pts to be pN0 and 44% pN1, and a 0.5% annual loss-to-follow-up rate, the definitive analyses to detect a hazard ratio: 0.75 with ACT+OFS+ET v OFS+ET, with 1-sided α of 0.025 and 80% power, will require 380 IBCFS events, expected to occur ∼11 yrs after study initiation. Accrual is 292/3,960 (from 8/2023 to 5/2025). Among 148 pts with OFS data available, 79 (53.4%) were prescribed goserelin and 69 (46.6%) leuprolide. A monthly dosing schedule was prescribed for 86.1% of pts receiving goserelin and 73.5% of those receiving leuprolide; the remaining received a 3-monthly schedule. NCT05879926 Support: U10 CA180868, -80822, UG1 CA189867, U24 CA196067 Citation Format: S. Swain, G. Tang, S. L. Puhalla, P. A. Ganz, N. L. Henry, R. S. Cecchini, S. A. Reid, P. Rastogi, C. E. Geyer, Jr., J. R. White, A. S. Clark, T. C. Haddad, G. A. Vidal, N. Wolmark, E. P. Mamounas. NRG-BR009: A phase III trial evaluating addition of adjuvant chemotherapy to Ovarian Function Suppression + Endocrine Therapy in premenopausal women with pN0-1, HR+/HER2- breast cancer and recurrence score ≤25 (OFSET) [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium 2025; 2025 Dec 9-12; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Clin Cancer Res 2026;32(4 Suppl):Abstract nr PS5-07-04.
Abstract PS5-08-20: A phase III trial evaluating De-escalation of Breast Radiation (DEBRA) following breast-conserving surgery of stage 1, HR+, HER2-, RS ≤18 breast cancer: NRG-BR007
White, J. R., Cecchini, R. S., Harris, E. E., Mamounas, E. P., Bazan, J. G., Stover, D. G., Ganz, P. A., Jagsi, R., Anderson, S. J., Théberge, Valérie, El-Tamer, M. B., Zellars, R. C., Shumway, D. A., Chen, G., Julian, T. B., Wolmark, N., Cecchini, Reena S. , Bazan, J.G., Ganz, PA, Anderson, SJ, Bergom, Carmen , El-Tamer, Mahmoud Bahij , Zellars, Richard C. , Shumway, D., Julian, TB

Clinical Cancer Research | February 17, 2026 | Volume: 32 | Issue: 4_Supplement | Pages: PS5-08-20-PS5-08-20

10.1158/1557-3265.sabcs25-ps5-08-20 Get It

Abstract Background: Approximately 50% of newly diagnosed invasive breast cancers are stage 1, with the majority being ER/PR-positive, HER2-negative. Genomic assays such as the Oncotype DX® have identified patients (pts) with reduced risk of distant metastasis and without benefit from chemotherapy added to endocrine therapy (ET), freeing them from excess toxicity. Genomic assays are also recognized as prognostic for in-breast recurrence (IBR) after breast-conserving surgery (BCS) and could similarly allow de-escalation of adjuvant radiotherapy (RT). Reducing overtreatment is of interest to pts, providers, and payers. Methods: We hypothesize that BCS alone is non-inferior to BCS plus RT for IBR and breast preservation in women intending ET for stage 1 invasive breast cancer (ER and/or PR-positive, HER2-negative with an Oncotype DX Recurrence Score [RS] of ≤18). Stratification is by age (<60; ≥60), tumor size (≤1 cm; >1-2cm), and RS (≤11, >11-18/MammaPrint Low). Pts are randomized post-BCS to Arm 1 with breast RT using standard methods (moderate or ultra hypo- or conventional-fractionated whole breast RT with/without boost, or APBI) with ≥5 yrs of ET (tamoxifen or AI) or Arm 2 with ≥5 yrs of ET (tamoxifen or AI) alone. The specific regimen of ET in both arms is at the treating physician’s discretion. Eligible pts are stage 1: pT1 (≤2 cm), pN0, age ≥50 to <70 yrs, s/p BCS with negative margins (no ink on tumor), s/p axillary nodal staging (SNB or ALND), ER and/or PR-positive (ASCO/CAP), HER2-negative (ASCO/CAP), and Oncotype DX RS ≤18 (diagnostic core biopsy or resected specimen). A “low risk” MammaPrint is permissible if completed as part of usual care prior to screening. Primary endpoint is IBR (invasive breast cancer or DCIS). Secondary endpoints are breast conservation rate, invasive in-breast recurrence, relapse-free interval, distant disease-free survival, overall survival, patient-reported breast pain, patient-reported worry about recurrence, and adherence to ET. We assume a clinically acceptable difference in IBR of 4% at 10 yrs to judge omission of RT as non-inferior (10-yr event-free survival for RT group is 95.6% v 91.6% for the omission-of-RT group). BR007 is powered to detect non-inferiority with 80% power and a one-sided α=0.025, assuming that there would be a ramp-up in accrual in the first two years (leveling off in Yrs 3-5); 1,670 pts (835 per arm) are required for randomization. Conservative loss to follow-up is 1%/yr. Some T1a pts screened may have Oncotype DX scores >18, making them ineligible for the study. In the accrual process, 1,714 pts will be required to register to ensure that our final randomized cohort is 1,670 pts. As of July 9, 2025, 1,490 pts have been screened and 1,349 randomly assigned. NCT #: NCT04852887 Support: U10 CA180868, -180822, U24 CA196067, UG1 CA189867 Citation Format: J. R. White, R. S. Cecchini, E. E. Harris, E. P. Mamounas, J. G. Bazan, D. G. Stover, P. A. Ganz, R. Jagsi, S. J. Anderson, C. Bergom, V. Théberge, M. B. El-Tamer, R. C. Zellars, D. A. Shumway, G. Chen, T. B. Julian, N. Wolmark. A phase III trial evaluating De-escalation of Breast Radiation (DEBRA) following breast-conserving surgery of stage 1, HR+, HER2-, RS ≤18 breast cancer: NRG-BR007 [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium 2025; 2025 Dec 9-12; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Clin Cancer Res 2026;32(4 Suppl):Abstract nr PS5-08-20.
NRG-BR007: A phase III trial evaluating de-escalation of breast radiation (DEBRA) following breast-conserving surgery of stage 1, HR+, HER2-, RS ≤18 breast cancer.
White, Julia , Mamounas, Eleftherios P. , Bazan, Jose G. , Ganz, Patricia A. , Théberge, Valérie, Zellars, Richard C. , Shumway, Dean A. , Chen, Guang‐Pei , Julian, Thomas B. , Cecchini, Reena S. , Harris, Eleanor E R , Mamounas, Eleftherios P. , Stover, Daniel G. , Jagsi, Reshma , Anderson, Stewart , Bergom, Carmen , El-Tamer, Mahmoud Bahij , Wolmark, Norman

Journal of Clinical Oncology | May 28, 2025 | Volume: 43 | Issue: 16_suppl | Pages: No page available

10.1200/jco.2025.43.16_suppl.tps625 Get It

TPS625 Background: Approximately 50% of newly diagnosed invasive breast cancers are stage 1, with the majority being ER/PR-positive, HER2-negative. Genomic assays such as the Oncotype DX have identified patients (pts) with reduced risk of distant metastasis and without benefit from chemotherapy added to endocrine therapy (ET), freeing them from excess toxicity. Genomic assays are also recognized as prognostic for in-breast recurrence (IBR) after breast-conserving surgery (BCS) and could similarly allow de-escalation of adjuvant radiotherapy (RT). Reducing overtreatment is of interest to pts, providers, and payers. Methods: We hypothesize that BCS alone is non-inferior to BCS plus RT for IBR and breast preservation in women intending ET for stage 1 invasive breast cancer (ER and/or PR-positive, HER2-negative with an Oncotype DX Recurrence Score [RS] of ≤18). Stratification is by age (<60; ≥60), tumor size (≤1 cm; >1-2cm), and RS (≤11, >11-18/MammaPrint Low). Pts are randomized post-BCS to Arm 1 with breast RT using standard methods (moderate or ultra hypo- or conventional-fractionated whole breast RT with/without boost, or APBI) with ≥5 yrs of ET (tamoxifen or AI) or Arm 2 with ≥5 yrs of ET (tamoxifen or AI) alone. The specific regimen of ET in both arms is at the treating physician’s discretion. Eligible pts are stage 1: pT1 (≤2 cm), pN0, age ≥50 to <70 yrs, s/p BCS with negative margins (no ink on tumor), s/p axillary nodal staging (SNB or ALND), ER and/or PR-positive (ASCO/CAP), HER2-negative (ASCO/CAP), and Oncotype DX RS ≤18 (diagnostic core biopsy or resected specimen). A “low risk” MammaPrint is permissible if completed as part of usual care prior to screening. Primary endpoint is IBR (invasive breast cancer or DCIS). Secondary endpoints are breast conservation rate, invasive in-breast recurrence, relapse-free interval, distant disease-free survival, overall survival, patient-reported breast pain, patient-reported worry about recurrence, and adherence to ET. We assume a clinically acceptable difference in IBR of 4% at 10 yrs to judge omission of RT as non-inferior (10-yr event-free survival for RT group is 95.6% v 91.6% for the omission-of-RT group). BR007 is powered to detect non-inferiority with 80% power and a one-sided α=0.025, assuming that there would be a ramp-up in accrual in the first two years (leveling off in Yrs 3-5); 1,670 pts (835 per arm) are required for randomization. Conservative loss to follow-up is 1%/yr. Some T1a pts screened may have Oncotype DX scores >18, making them ineligible for the study. In the accrual process, 1,714 pts will be required to register to ensure that our final randomized cohort is 1,670 pts. As of 1-6-2025: 1,168/1,670 pts have been randomly assigned, and 1,294 screened. Support: U10 CA180868, -180822, UG1 CA189867. Clinical trial information: NCT04852887 .
A phase III trial evaluating addition of adjuvant chemotherapy to ovarian function suppression + endocrine therapy in premenopausal women with pN0-1, HR+/HER2- breast cancer (BC) and oncotype recurrence score (RS) ≤25 (OFSET): NRG-BR009.
Mamounas, Eleftherios P. , Puhalla, Shannon L. , Ganz, Patricia A. , Reid, Sonya , Rastogi, Priya , White, Julia , Clark, Amy S. , Haddad, Tufia C. , Vidal, Gregory A. , Mamounas, Eleftherios P. , Tang, Gong , Swain, Sandra M. , Henry, N. Lynn , Cecchini, Reena S. , Geyer, Charles E. , Wolmark, Norman

Journal of Clinical Oncology | May 28, 2025 | Volume: 43 | Issue: 16_suppl | Pages: No page available

10.1200/jco.2025.43.16_suppl.tps615 Get It

TPS615 Background: The TAILORx and RxPONDER trials demonstrated that RS identifies many postmenopausal pts with node-neg and node-pos BC and RS ≤25, who do not benefit from addition of ACT to endocrine therapy (ET). Both trials also showed that certain subsets of premenopausal pts (node-neg/high clinical risk/RS 16-20, node-neg/RS 21-25, and node-pos/RS ≤25) benefited from adding ACT to ET. Most premenopausal pts in these trials did not receive ovarian function suppression (OFS) as part of their ET regimen. Given the observed benefit from OFS in high-risk premenopausal pts with HR+/HER2- BC in the SOFT/TEXT trials, many questioned whether all or part of the observed ACT benefit in the TAILORx/RxPONDER trials may have been the result of chemotherapy-induced OFS. To address this question, we developed OFSET, a phase III, multicenter clinical trial comparing OFS+ET v ACT+OFS+ET. Methods: We hypothesize that addition of ACT to OFS+ET is superior to OFS+ET in improving invasive breast cancer-free survival (IBCFS) among premenopausal, early-stage BC pts with HR+/HER2- tumors, and a 21-gene RS between 16-25 (for pN0 pts) and 0-25 (for pN1 pts). Secondary objectives include invasive disease-free survival, overall survival, distant recurrence-free interval, breast cancer-free interval, and health-related quality of life (HRQOL). Pts must be node-neg with RS 16-20 (plus high clinical risk), or RS 21-25, or have 1-3 positive nodes with RS ≤25. Stratification is by nodal status/RS status (pN0 RS 16-25 v pN1 RS 0-15 and pN1 RS 16-25), intent to receive CDK4/6 inhibitor (yes; no), and age (18-39 v ≥40). Pts are randomized after surgery to either OFS+ET or ACT+OFS+ET v ET is an aromatase inhibitor (AI). Choice is per investigator discretion; tamoxifen is allowed if AI is not tolerated or if OFS is incomplete. Radiotherapy will be administered per investigator discretion per protocol guidelines. The HRQOL sub-study will assess differences in severe menopausal symptoms, measured by the FACT ESS-19 score between arms, as well as increased pain severity (PROMIS). Blood and tumor specimens will be collected for future research. Accrual of 3,960 pts is anticipated to be completed in 7 yrs, 7 mos. Per NSABP B-28 and RxPONDER data, 5yr IBCFS of pN1 pts on the ACT+OFS+ET arm is estimated at 92.3%. Based on TAILORx data, 5yr IBCFS of pN0 pts on the ACT arm is ~95%. Assuming 56% of pts to be pN0 and 44% pN1, and a 0.5% annual loss-to-follow-up rate, the definitive analyses to detect a hazard ratio: 0.75 with ACT+OFS+ET v OFS+ET, with one-sided α of 0.025 and 80% power, will require 380 IBCFS events, expected to occur~11 yrs after study initiation. OFSETwas activated Aug 2023. As of 1-6-25, accrual is: 188/3,960. NCT #: NCT05879926. Support: U10CA180868, -80822, UG1CA189867, U24CA196067. Clinical trial information: NCT05879926 .
Breast Tumor-Bed Biopsy for Pathological Complete Response Prediction
Cecchini, Reena S. , Santos, Jennifer De Los , Umphrey, Heidi , Julian, Thomas B. , Mamounas, Eleftherios P. , White, Julia , Balanoff, Christa , Tan, Antoinette R. , Weber, Joseph J., Edmonson, David , Brown‐Glaberman, Ursa, Diego, Emilia J. , Teshome, Mediget , Matsen, Cindy , Seaward, Samantha A. , Wapnir, Irene , Wagner, Jamie L., Tjoe, Judy A., Thompson, Alastair M., Seaward, Samantha A , Basik, Mark , Mamounas, Eleftherios P. , Lucas, Peter C. , Wolmark, Norman

JAMA Surgery | May 7, 2025 | Volume: 160 | Issue: 7 | Pages: 723

10.1001/jamasurg.2025.1072 Get It

Importance Use of modern neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) regimens has markedly increased rates of pathologic complete response (pCR) in breast cancer, raising the question of whether surgical removal of the primary tumor is required for patients with pCR. For surgery to be omitted, one must be able to accurately predict pCR before surgery. Objective To investigate if adding post-NAC core needle biopsy of the tumor bed to trimodality imaging in patients who have clinical complete response (cCR) will predict pCR (resolution of both invasive disease and ductal carcinoma in situ) in 90% or more cases. Design, Setting, and Participants This was a phase 2, prospective, nonrandomized clinical trial. Patients were enrolled from August 2017 to June 2019. This is the final analysis, which was completed in December 2023. The setting included academic and community hospital center members of NRG (ie, the National Surgical Adjuvant Breast and Bowel Project, the Radiation Therapy Oncology Group, and the Gynecologic Oncology Group) in the US and Canada. Patients with operable (T1-T3, stage I-III) invasive ductal carcinoma who completed NAC and achieved cCR and radiological complete response (rCR) or near rCR by mammography (mass ≤1 cm and no malignant microcalcifications), ultrasound (mass ≤2 cm), and magnetic resonance imaging (no mass with rapid rise or washout kinetics). Interventions Patients underwent marker-directed stereotactic multiple-core needle biopsy of the tumor bed with marker placement before breast-conservation surgery. Main Outcomes and Measures End points were negative predictive value (NPV) and sensitivity of the biopsy. Results A total of 105 patients were enrolled with 101 evaluable (mean [SD] age, 52.8 [10.5] years); 77 patients (76.2%) were younger than 60 years, and all breast cancer subtypes were represented with 32 (31.7%) triple-negative breast cancer, 21 (20.8%) hormone receptor–positive/epidermal growth factor receptor 2 ( ERBB2 ; formerly HER2 )–negative ( ERBB2 −) breast cancer, and 46 (45.5%) ERBB2 -positive ( ERBB2 +) breast cancer. In 101 evaluable patients, 36 had residual disease at surgery (pCR = 64%). With imaging criteria, NPV of the biopsy was 78.3% (95% CI, 67.9%-86.6%), and the sensitivity of the biopsy was 50% (95% CI, 32.9%-67.1%). In an exploratory subset analysis, the NPV in patients with ERBB2 + breast cancer was 90% (95% CI, 76.3%-97.2%). On retrospective central review, 62 of 101 enrolled patients met imaging eligibility criteria. In this exploratory post hoc analysis, NPV in these patients was 86.8% (95% CI, 74.7%-94.5%). Conclusions and Relevance These findings do not support breast conservation treatment without surgery based on the study criteria for cCR and rCR/near rCR by trimodality imaging and negative tumor-bed biopsy. Strict adherence to imaging criteria may be required to achieve acceptable predictive values. TRIAL Registration ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT03188393
Best practices and pragmatic approaches for patient-reported outcomes and quality of life measures in cancer clinical trials
Bandos, Hanna , Torres‐Saavedra, Pedro A. , Lee, Minji K. , Duan, Fenghai , Cecchini, Reena S. , Dueck, Amylou C. , Dueck, A. C. , Gunn, Heather J., Culakova, Eva , Gunn, Heather , Unger, Joseph M. , Steingrimsson, Jon Arni

JNCI Monographs | October 17, 2024 | Volume: 2025 | Issue: 68 | Pages: 14-21

10.1093/jncimonographs/lgae047 Get It

Abstract Patient-reported outcomes (PROs) are often collected in cancer clinical trials. Data obtained from trials with PROs are essential in evaluating participant experiences relating to symptoms, financial toxicity, or health-related quality of life. Although most features of clinical trial design, implementation, and analyses apply to trials with PROs, several considerations are unique. In this paper, we focus on specific issues such as selection of the tool, timing and frequency of assessments, and data collection methods. We discuss how the estimand framework can be used in connection with PROs, properties of common estimation methods, and handling of missing outcomes. With a plethora of literature available, we aim to summarize best practices and pragmatic approaches to the design and analysis of the studies incorporating PROs.
Quality-of-life outcomes from NRG Oncology NSABP B-39/RTOG 0413: whole-breast irradiation vs accelerated partial-breast irradiation after breast-conserving surgery
Ganz, Patricia A. , Cecchini, Reena S. , White, Julia , Vicini, Frank A. , Arthur, Douglas W., Rabinovitch, Rachel , Kuske, Robert R. , Julian, Thomas B. , Parda, David S., Scheier, Michael F. , Winter, Kathryn, Paik, Soonmyung , Kuerer, Henry M. , Vallow, Laura A., Pierce, Lori J. , Mamounas, Eleftherios P. , Germain, Isabelle, Gustafson, Gregory S, Grossheim, Linda , Petersen, Ivy A. , Curran, Walter J. , White, Julia R , Hudes, Richard S , Wolmark, Norman , Mamounas, Eleftherios P. , McCormick, Beryl L. , Bear, Harry D. , Wolmark, Norman

JNCI: Journal of the National Cancer Institute | September 10, 2024 | Volume: 117 | Issue: 1 | Pages: 103-111

10.1093/jnci/djae219 Get It

Abstract Background NRG Oncology NSABP B-39/RTOG 0413 compared whole-breast irradiation (WBI) to accelerated partial-breast irradiation (APBI). APBI was not equivalent to WBI in local tumor control. Secondary outcome was quality of life (QOL). Methods The QOL sub-study used validated self-report questionnaires, including the Breast Cancer Treatment Outcome Scale (BCTOS) and the 36-Item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36) vitality scale. Assessments occurred before random assignment, at treatment completion (chemotherapy or radiotherapy), 4 weeks later, at 6, 12, 24, and 36 months. Primary aims: cosmesis change equivalency (baseline to 3 years; a priori margin of equivalence 0.4 standard deviations) and fatigue change superiority (baseline to end of treatment [EOT]) for APBI vs WBI, by patient groups treated with or without chemotherapy when appropriate. Results From March 21, 2005 to May 25, 2009, 975 patients enrolled in this sub-study; 950 had follow-up data. APBI had 3-year cosmesis equivalent to WBI (95% CI = -0.0001 to -0.16; equivalence margin -0.22 to -0.22) in all patients. The APBI group without chemotherapy had less EOT fatigue (P = .011; mean score APBI 63 vs WBI 59); the APBI group receiving chemotherapy had worse EOT fatigue (P = .011; APBI 43 vs WBI 49). The APBI group reported less pain (BCTOS) at EOT (WBI 2.29 vs APBI 1.97) but worse pain at 3 years (WBI 1.62 vs APBI 1.71). APBI patients reported greater convenience of care than with WBI and reported less symptom severity at EOT and 4 weeks later. Conclusion Cosmetic outcomes were similar for the APBI and WBI groups, with small statistically significant differences in other outcomes that varied over time. Differences in fatigue and other symptoms appeared to resolve by ≥6 months. APBI may be preferred by some patients, for whom extended treatment is burdensome. ClinicalTrials.gov NCT00103181.
NRG-BR007: A phase III trial evaluating de-escalation of breast radiation (DEBRA) following breast-conserving surgery of stage 1, HR+, HER2-, RS ≤18 breast cancer.
White, Julia , Mamounas, Eleftherios P. , Théberge, Valérie, Zellars, Richard C. , Shumway, Dean A. , Chen, Guang‐Pei , Julian, Thomas B. , Cecchini, Reena S. , Harris, Eleanor E R , Mamounas, Eleftherios P. , Stover, Daniel G. , Ganz, Patricia A. , Jagsi, Reshma , Anderson, Stewart , Bergom, Carmen , El-Tamer, Mahmoud Bahij , Wolmark, Norman

Journal of Clinical Oncology | May 29, 2024 | Volume: 42 | Issue: 16_suppl | Pages: TPS622-TPS622

10.1200/jco.2024.42.16_suppl.tps622 Get It

TPS622 Background: Approximately 50% of newly diagnosed invasive breast cancers are stage 1, with the majority being ER/PR-positive, HER2-negative. Genomic assays such as the Oncotype DX have identified patients (pts) with reduced risk of distant metastasis and without benefit from chemotherapy added to endocrine therapy, freeing them from excess toxicity. Genomic assays are also recognized as prognostic for in-breast recurrence (IBR) after BCS and could similarly allow de-escalation of adjuvant radiotherapy (RT). Reducing overtreatment is of interest to pts, providers, and payers. Methods: We hypothesize that breast-conserving surgery (BCS) alone is non-inferior to BCS plus RT for IBR and breast preservation in women intending endocrine therapy (ET) for stage 1 invasive breast cancer (ER and/or PR-positive, HER2-negative with an Oncotype DX Recurrence Score [RS] of ≤18). Stratification is by age (<60; ≥60), tumor size (≤1 cm; >1-2cm), and RS (≤11, >11-18/MammaPrint Low). Pts are randomized post-BCS to Arm 1 with breast RT using standard methods (moderate or ultra hypo- or conventional-fractionated whole breast RT with/without boost, or APBI) with ≥5 yrs of ET (tamoxifen or AI) or Arm 2 with ≥5 yrs of ET (tamoxifen or AI) alone. The specific regimen of ET in both arms is at the treating physician’s discretion. Eligible pts are stage 1: pT1 (≤2 cm), pN0, age ≥50 to <70 yrs, s/p BCS with negative margins (no ink on tumor), s/p axillary nodal staging (SNB or ALND), ER and/or PR-positive (ASCO/CAP), HER2-negative (ASCO/CAP), and Oncotype DX RS ≤18 (diagnostic core biopsy or resected specimen); (a “low risk” MammaPrint is permissible if completed as part of usual care prior to screening). Primary endpoint is IBR (invasive breast cancer or DCIS). Secondary endpoints are breast conservation rate, invasive in-breast recurrence, relapse-free interval, distant disease-free survival, overall survival, patient-reported breast pain, patient-reported worry about recurrence, and adherence to ET. We assume a clinically acceptable difference in IBR of 4% at 10 yrs to judge omission of RT as non-inferior (10-yr event-free survival for RT group is 95.6% v 91.6% for the omission-of-RT group). BR007 is powered to detect non-inferiority with 80% power and a one-sided α=0.025, assuming that there would be a ramp-up in accrual in the first two years (leveling off in yrs 3-5); 1,670 pts (835 per arm) are required for randomization. Conservative loss to follow-up is 1%/yr. Some T1a pts screened may have Oncotype DX scores >18, making them ineligible for the study. In the accrual process, 1,714 pts will be required to register to ensure that our final randomized cohort is 1,670 pts. Current accrual (02-05-2024) is 805 screened and 716 randomly assigned. Clinical trial information: NCT04852887 .