Citations

Abstract Background: Up to 50% of patients with breast cancer experience chemotherapy-inducednausea (CIN) and 95% experience fatigue. A comprehensive understanding of biological mechanisms remains elusive. Herein, we evaluated the association of CIN and fatigue with clinical and multi-omics features, including serum and stool metabolites before (T1) to after chemotherapy (T2). Methods: Patients with breast cancer (n=36) who were to receive chemotherapy, provided symptom assessment using the Memorial Symptom Assessment Scale, stool and blood samples at T1 and T2. Patients provided dietary intake data using a Dietary Screener Questionnaire at T1. Descriptive and univariate analyses evaluated associations of co-occurringsymptoms and diet with CIN and fatigue at T2. Gut microbiome was sequenced using shotgun metagenomics. Targeted metabolomics was performed on stool and serum. Shift in the abundance of taxonomic groups and metabolite levels from T1 to T2 were evaluated in association with CIN and fatigue. Results: Approximately 64% of the patients experienced CIN and 94% experienced fatigue atT2. Three gastrointestinal symptoms co-occurred with CIN and fatigue. Higher daily average intake of calcium (p=0.013) and dairy (p=0.035) were associated with CIN. Levels of hexosylceramides, ceramide, phosphatidylcholine and sphingomyelins were significantly perturbed in association with CIN and fatigue (p<0.05). Conclusion: CIN and fatigue are associated with perturbation in the sphingolipid turnover pathway, which negatively impacts functions in the gut-liver axis that include apoptosis activity and change in bile acid levels. Confirmatory studies are warranted to support the development of interventions to alleviate CIN and fatigue in patients with breast cancer receiving chemotherapy.Keywords: breast cancer; chemotherapy-induced nausea; fatigue; metabolites; sphingolipids Citation Format: Komal Preet Singh, Brenda J. Ernst, Jun Chen, Surendra Dasari, Felipe Batalini, Cindy Tofthagen, Kathryn J. Ruddy, Keenan Pituch, Linda Chlan. Perturbations in gut liver axis functions are associated with chemotherapy induced nausea and fatigue in patients with breast cancer [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2026; Part 1 (Regular Abstracts); 2026 Apr 17-22; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2026;86(7 Suppl):Abstract nr 6309.

Abstract Background: Patients with residual invasive disease after neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) for HER2-positive breast cancer remain at high risk for recurrence even with standard adjuvant trastuzumab emtansine (T-DM1). H2NVAC, a multi-epitope HER2 peptide vaccine, has previously demonstrated the ability to elicit robust and durable immune responses. Here, we assessed the safety and early immunogenicity of H2NVAC in combination with T-DM1 in this high-risk population. Methods: Patients with stage II-III HER2-positive breast cancer and residual invasive disease following NAC and HER2-directed therapy received standard adjuvant T-DM1 alongside six priming doses of H2NVAC administered every 3 weeks. The primary endpoint was the occurrence of dose-limiting toxicity (DLT) within 21 days of the first vaccination, with adverse events graded per CTCAE v5.0. Immunogenicity assessments included HER2-specific T-cell responses measured by IFNγ ELISpot and HER-specific serum antibodies measured by ELISA at baseline and 30 days after the sixth priming dose. Results: 20 patients were enrolled. H2NVAC plus T-DM1 was well tolerated with no DLTs observed. All treatment-emergent AEs were grade 1-2, with fatigue (grade 1 60%, grade 2 5%), peripheral sensory neuropathy (grade 1 35%, grade 2 10%), elevated alkaline phosphatase (grade 1 40%), nausea (grade 1 35%, grade 2 5%), arthralgia (grade 1 30%), and injection-site reactions (grade 1 50%) being most common. Robust vaccine-specific T-cell responses by ELISpot were observed in 94% of evaluable patients, who mounted HER2-specific T-cell responses at 30 days after the sixth priming dose, with a mean 197-fold increase over baseline. Further CYTOF analysis showed a significant decrease in exhausted T-cell phenotypes, with reduced LAG3 and TIM3 expression on both CD4+ and CD8+ T cells. For antibody responses by ELISA, 26% of patients developed HER2 protein-specific antibody responses at this time point. There was no significant increase in antibodies to H2NVAC peptides or to unrelated tumor antigens (p53, IGFBP2, TERT, myoglobin) at 30 days after the sixth vaccine. Ongoing correlative analyses will assess the evolution of immune responses at later time points following completion of T-DM1 therapy. Conclusions: Concurrent administration of H2NVAC with T-DM1 was safe and did not increase toxicity beyond single-agent T-DM1. To our knowledge, this is the first study to demonstrate that a cancer vaccine can be delivered concurrently with an antibody-drug conjugate without increasing adverse effects while still eliciting robust T-cell responses. Ongoing analyses will further define the kinetics and durability of vaccine-induced antibody and T-cell responses at later time points, as well as evaluate the efficacy of H2NVAC in reducing recurrence risk in the randomized phase 2 trial. Citation Format: Saranya Chumsri, Sharmila Giri, Andy J. Ness, David W. Hillman, Nadine Norton, Davitte Cogen, Brian M. Necela, Aziza Nassar, Donald W. Northfelt, Pooja Advani, Rohit Rao, Alvaro Mareno-Aspitia, Brenda Ernst, Kathryn J. Ruddy, Matthew P. Goetz, Keith L. Knutson. Safety, tolerability, and early immune responses in the safety run-in of an HER2 multi-epitope vaccine combined with T-DM1 in residual HER2-positive breast cancer [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2026; Part 1 (Regular Abstracts); 2026 Apr 17-22; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2026;86(7 Suppl):Abstract nr 6715.

Abstract Breast cancer (BC) is the most common cancer among female adolescents and young adults (AYAs; 15-39 years). While advances in treatment have improved survival, cardiovascular disease (CVD) can result from systemic therapies, and CVD is a leading cause of death in AYA cancer survivors. AYAs with BC face nearly a four-fold increased risk of CVD compared to their peers without cancer. However, data on the effects of systemic treatment on CVD in this population remains limited. We estimated risk of CVD in AYAs diagnosed with invasive BC (2006-2020), who survived ≥2 years, and were diagnosed and treated in the Kaiser Permanente (KP) Northern and Southern California. Patients were categorized by receipt of anthracycline-, alkylating-, HER2-, platinum-, and taxane-based therapies within 2 years of diagnosis. We examined the cumulative incidence of CVD starting 2 years post-diagnosis and used Cox proportional hazards regression to determine factors associated with CVD. Among 3,071 AYAs, 35.1% were non-Hispanic (NH) White, 31.6% were Hispanic, 18.3% were NH Asian, and 8.2% were NH Black. Most received systemic therapy (90.6%), including anthracycline- and alkylator without HER2-targeted therapy (41.9%) and HER2-targeted therapy without anthracycline (20.9%). Fewer AYAs received a taxane and alkylator (13.0%) or anthracycline with alkylator and taxane along with a HER2-targeting agent (6.4%). Mean follow-up after cancer diagnosis was 7.2 years (range: 2.0-17.5). The 10-year cumulative incidence of CVD was highest among AYAs who received anthracycline/alkylator/taxane/HER2-targeting therapy (19.6%), intermediate for those with anthracycline/alkylator without HER2-targeting therapy (13.0%) and those who received HER2-targeted therapy without anthracycline (14.6%), and lowest for those who received taxane/alkylator (7.3%). In the multivariable model adjusted for demographic factors and radiation, compared to taxane/alkylator, anthracycline/alkylator/taxane/HER2-targeting therapy (hazard ratio (HR)=2.63, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.56-4.43); anthracycline/alkylator without HER2-targeting therapy (HR=1.75, CI 1.13-2.71); and HER2-targeting therapy without anthracycline (HR=2.13, CI 1.11-4.09) were associated with an increased risk of CVD. CVD risk was similar for taxane/alkylator and no systemic therapy. Other factors associated with higher risk of CVD included NH Black race/ethnicity (HR=1.90, CI 1.32-2.73 vs. NH White) and public health insurance (HR=1.67, CI 1.00-2.78 vs private). This study identifies AYA BC survivors at higher risk of CVD based on treatment regimens received, with highest risks found for those receiving anthracycline/alkylator/taxane/HER2 treatment combinations. In addition, AYAs of Black race/ethnicity and those with public health insurance experienced more CVD, underscoring the need for targeted interventions to mitigate these disparities. Citation Format: Theresa H. M. Keegan, Candice A. Sauder, Ann M. Brunson, Renata Abrahao, Anne C. Kirchhoff, Eric Haupt, Mallory Casperson, Ted Wun, Chun R. Chao, Andrew B. Smitherman, Hazel B. Nichols, Jessica Chubak, Erin E. Hahn, Lawrence H. Kushi, Kathryn J. Ruddy. Systemic therapy and cardiovascular disease in adolescent and young adult breast cancer survivors [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2026; Part 1 (Regular Abstracts); 2026 Apr 17-22; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2026;86(7 Suppl):Abstract nr 5219.

PURPOSE The primary objective of this randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multicenter phase II study (Alliance A221805) was to screen two doses of duloxetine for preventing sensory oxaliplatin-induced peripheral neuropathy (OIPN). METHODS Participants were randomly assigned 1:1:1 to receive once daily 30 mg duloxetine, 60 mg duloxetine, or placebo. Eligible participants had stage II to III colorectal cancer and no baseline neuropathy, had Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status 0-2, were age 25 years and older, and received oxaliplatin via one of the following doses and schedules: 85 mg/m 2 every 2 weeks (6 or 12 doses) or 130 mg/m 2 every 3 weeks (4 doses). Duloxetine/placebo was taken once daily beginning day 1 of cycle 1 and continued for 17 weeks. The primary end point, a composite response reflecting sensory OIPN symptom severity and onset, was measured in weeks 19-21 using a validated participant-reported outcome survey assessing extremity numbness, tingling, and pain. Response was defined as a participant-reported highest score of ≤2 (ie, 1 = not at all; 2 = a little) on survey items. To be evaluable for the response end point, eligible participants must have initiated oxaliplatin and submitted ≥1 postbaseline OIPN survey. RESULTS Of the 199 participants (n = 66, 30 mg duloxetine; n = 66, 60 mg duloxetine; n = 67, placebo), 46, 47, and 50 (N = 143, 71.8%), respectively, were evaluable for primary end point analysis based on modified intention-to-treat criteria. Participant mean age was 55.1 years (standard deviation = 10.4). Most were White (n = 113, 80.7%) and male (n = 82, 58.6%). The proportion of responders among those receiving placebo (68.0%) was similar to those receiving duloxetine 30 mg (65.2%) or 60 mg (66.0%). Duloxetine adherence rates, measured via pill counts—30 mg (54%), 60 mg (57%), and placebo (59%) groups—were low (<75%). CONCLUSION Duloxetine is not more promising than placebo for preventing sensory OIPN.

PURPOSE This national study was undertaken to determine screening mammography rates among transgender and gender diverse (TGD) individuals. METHODS TGD individuals and cisgender women who qualified to receive screening mammography based on American College of Radiology guidelines were identified in the longitudinal OptumLabs Data Warehouse. The primary end point was the percentage of patients who had high rates of screening (>75% recommended screenings). Multivariable analyses were conducted in a matched population of transgender men to cisgender women to identify and adjust for factors associated with high adherence. Individuals were matched at a 1:4 ratio (transgender men: cisgender women) on age, race/ethnicity, year of enrollment in their health care plan, and duration of follow-up. RESULTS This study focused on 10,478 TGD individuals (3,778 transgender men; 1,294 transgender women; 5,406 with gender dysphoria not meeting other TGD criteria, NMOT) and 6,218,369 cisgender women. For transgender men, transgender women, individuals with gender dysphoria NMOT, and cisgender women, high mammography rates were observed in 41.1% (95% CI, 39.5 to 42.6), 7.4% (95% CI, 6.0 to 8.8), 11.9% (95% CI, 11.0 to 12.7), and 38.3% (95% CI, 38.3 to 38.4), respectively ( P < .0001). When transgender men were compared with 15,112 matched cisgender women, an age-based differential association was observed between sex and high mammography rates (interaction P = .0003); compared with cisgender women, transgender men appeared more likely to manifest high rates of screening at age 40-49 years (odds ratios [ORs], 1.38 [95% CI, 1.28 to 1.50]; P < .0001) and 50-59 years (OR, 1.57 [95% CI, 1.35 to 1.81]; P < .0001) but not in the older age groups. CONCLUSION The relatively high rates of screening mammography in cisgender women and transgender men suggest clinicians are offering mammography to individuals who are at average or high breast cancer risk, as compared with cisgender women, and not to transgender women at low risk.

142 Background: LuPSMA is a life-prolonging radioligand therapy that is widely considered to have favorable tolerability. SPPADE symptoms (Sleep disturbance, Pain, Physical dysfunction, Anxiety, Depression, low Energy) are common in prostate cancer, yet data on patient-reported outcomes with LuPSMA in real-world settings remain limited. Methods: The E2C2 study (NCT03892967) evaluates the impact of a collaborative care intervention on patient-centered outcomes and healthcare utilization. This analysis includes mCRPC patients who initiated LuPSMA at Mayo Clinic (June 2022-July 2023) and completed at least one symptom survey within 6 weeks before or 2 weeks after the first LuPSMA treatment (baseline survey). SPPADE symptoms were rated on 0-10 scales; scores of 4-6 indicate moderate and 7-10 severe burden. A composite z-score was derived by standardizing each SPPADE domain to the cohort mean and averaging z-scores across domains per patient. Patients were stratified by composite symptom burden using cohort median and upper-tertile cutoffs. Associations with PSA50 response and overall survival (OS, from start of LuPSMA) were assessed using chi-square and Kaplan-Meier methods. In a longitudinal subgroup of patients completing a baseline survey plus at least one additional PRO survey while receiving LuPSMA (≥2 surveys), scores were compared from baseline to best during-treatment using Wilcoxon and Mann-Whitney U tests. Results: Of 373 patients starting LuPSMA, 51 patients met inclusion criteria. Median age was 71 years, 31% had visceral metastases, and median baseline PSA was 42.1 ng/mL. Overall, 85% of patients reported at least one moderate symptom and 46% at least one severe symptom. The most common moderate-to-severe symptoms were low energy (58%), pain (52%), and sleep disturbance (49%). Using an upper-tertile cutoff of the composite SPPADE score, 17 patients had high and 34 had low/moderate symptom burden prior to LuPSMA. PSA50 response was achieved in 17.6% of patients with high vs 47.1% with low/moderate composite symptom scores (p = 0.08). Median OS was 9.2 vs 16.7 months for high vs low symptom groups (p = 0.15, median split). The longitudinal subgroup included 24 patients with serial ePRO assessments while on LuPSMA. Composite SPPADE scores improved from baseline to the best during-treatment assessment in both PSA50 responders (n=10) and non-responders (n=14), with median composite z-score Δ of 0.35 vs 0.20, respectively (p = 0.68). Conclusions: Among patients with mCRPC receiving LuPSMA, baseline SPPADE symptom burden was high. Though not statistically significant in this underpowered cohort, PSA response and OS were numerically inferior in those with higher baseline burden. These findings suggest that ePRO-captured symptom burden may provide prognostic and patient-centered insights beyond traditional clinical variables. Clinical trial information: NCT03892967 .

Abstract Background: Women younger than 40 generally fall outside the routine screening population for breast cancer (BC). We aimed to understand factors influencing diagnosis and treatment delays in these patients, and the impact of delays on disease-free survival (DFS). Methods: We included women aged ≤ 40 years at diagnosis of stage 0-IV BC enrolled in the Young Women’s BC Study from 2006-2016. Sociodemographics, initial BC symptoms, and disease status were collected via annual surveys. Medical record review was used to capture tumor characteristics and recurrence status. We used logistic regression to estimate associations between patient and tumor factors and three delay types: (1) self-delay (≥ 90 days from first symptom to presentation to a provider), (2) diagnosis delay (≥ 90 days from healthcare visit to diagnosis), and (3) treatment delay (≥ 60 days from diagnosis to first treatment). Odds ratios (OR) and 95 % confidence intervals (CI) were estimated in multivariable models after choosing factors via backwards selection (p≤0.05 retained). Hazard ratios (HR) and 95% CIs for the association between delays and DFS, overall and by stage, were estimated via Cox proportional hazard models, adjusted for tumor and treatment factors. Time to event was measured from diagnosis or treatment to recurrence, death, or last follow-up, whichever occurred first. Results: Of 1,297 patients, 1,071 who completed the long-form baseline survey were included. Median time from first symptom to presentation was 14 days (interquartile range (IQR)=2-45), presentation to diagnosis was 14 days (IQR=7-30), and diagnosis to treatment was 41 days (IQR=25-57). Overall, 14% (n=153) had a self-delay and 11% (n=120) had a diagnosis delay. Of 839 patients with self-detected tumors, 18% had a self-delay and 13% had a diagnosis delay. Among those with Stage 1-3 BC (N=928), 22% (n=205) had a treatment delay. In univariable models, income &lt;50K (p=0.01), lower financial comfort (p=0.01), and not living with a partner (p=0.03) were associated with higher odds of self-delay, while pregnancy within 1 year pre-diagnosis (p=0.05) and first-degree family history of any cancer (p=0.04) or BC (p=0.03) were associated with lower odds. Self-delays were more likely for women diagnosed with stage 4 BC (p=0.004) or with HER2+ tumors (p=0.03) and less likely for those with triple negative (TN) BC (p&lt;0.001). In the multivariable model, family history of BC (OR=0.40, 95% CI=0.17-0.80), income &lt;50K (OR=1.97, 95% CI=1.22-3.13) and TN subtype (OR v. luminal A=0.30, 95% CI=0.13-0.60) remained associated. Odds of diagnosis delay were higher among women who were younger (p=0.01) or with Stage 4 BC (p=0.004), and lower for those with luminal B (p=0.04), TN (p=0.01), or high grade tumors (p=0.03). In the multivariable model, younger age (OR per 1-year=0.94, 95% CI=0.89-0.99), and subtype (luminal B v. A OR=0.60, 95% CI=0.38-0.95; TN v. luminal A OR=0.35, 95% CI=0.16-0.70) remained associated. Multivariable models for self-and diagnosis delays remained similar when restricted to self-detected patients.Treatment delays were less likely among unemployed individuals (p=0.001), and women with a positive germline BC risk variant (p=0.002), luminal B (p=0.005) or TN (p&lt;0.001) subtypes, and high-grade tumors (p=0.03). Only tumor factors remained significant in the multivariable model, including subtype (luminal B v. A OR=0.59, 95% CI=0.41-0.86, TN v. luminal A OR=0.25, 95% CI=0.13-0.43), and stage (stage 3 v. 1 OR=0.37, 95% CI=0.20-0.65). Overall and by stage at diagnosis, delays were not statistically significantly associated with DFS before or after adjusting for tumor and treatment factors. Conclusions: Delays in breast cancer care are influenced by multiple psychosocial and clinical factors, and disparities exist by socioeconomic status. It is critical to decrease self- and diagnosis delays to prevent stage 4 breast cancer. Citation Format: B. X. Zhang, T. Sella, Y. Zheng, G. J. Kirkner, K. J. Ruddy, S. M. Rosenberg, V. F. Borges, L. Schapira, S. E. Come, J. Peppercorn, A. H. Partridge, K. D. Brantley. Delays in breast cancer diagnosis and treatment in young women [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 PS3-02-16.

Abstract Background: Smoking, a known risk factor for numerous cancers, negatively impacts long-term survival in breast cancer (BC) survivors (Parada H Jr et al., 2017; Pierce et al., 2019). This study aims to characterize baseline smoking behaviors among breast cancer patients who self-reported smoking during an initial survey. Objectives: To assess attributes of patients self-reporting as current smokers near BC diagnosis, examining demographics, habits, quality of life, cancer treatments, comorbidities, and finances. Methods: Patients with newly diagnosed BC seen at Mayo Clinic Rochester between 2014-2024 were invited to enroll in the Mayo Clinic Breast Disease Registry. Consenting participants who completed self-reported questionnaires at baseline were included in this study. Smoking status and related variables at the time of survey completion were assessed via a baseline questionnaire, classifying participants as current, former, or never smokers. Of 3,959 participants completing baseline surveys, 3,729 were analyzed after excluding 103 with missing smoking data and 127 with their baseline survey returned &gt;1-year post-diagnosis. Categorical variables were summarized with frequencies and percents, continuous variables with distributional statistics. Univariable associations with current smoking were assessed via two-sample t-tests (continuous) and chi-square or Fisher exact tests (categorical). Significant variables (p&lt;0.05) were included in a multivariable logistic regression model. Results: Among 3,729 BC patients (mean age 58.3 years, SD 12.9), 99.1% were female, 97.1% White, and 98.7% non-Hispanic. Only 2.7% reported financial difficulty, 56.4% had a bachelor's degree or higher, 81.7% were married or equivalent, and 21.7% consumed ≥5 alcoholic drinks/week. Tumor stage distribution was as follows: Stage 0 (13.9%), Stage 1 (43.9%), Stage 2 (28.9%), Stage 3 (8.9%), and Stage 4 (4.5%); 33.8% received chemotherapy, 56.5% radiotherapy, 63.6% endocrine therapy, and 42.2% underwent mastectomy. Current smokers (2.6%, n = 95) had a median diagnosis age of 59.1 (IQR 31.8-87.1),with 32.6% consuming ≥5 drinks/week (vs. 21.5% in non-smokers, univariable p = 0.012), 69.5% with less than a Bachelor’s degree (vs. 42.9%, p&lt;0.001), 9.6% facing financial difficulty (vs. 2.5%, p&lt;0.001), and 10.5% diagnosed within 270-365 days after survey return (vs. 4.2%, p = 0.022). Tumor stage showed 47% with Stage 1 (vs. 43.7%, p = 0.245); 33.7% received chemotherapy, 60.0% radiotherapy, and 58.9% endocrine therapy. Current smokers had a mean smoking initiation age of 19.9 (SD 6.2), smoked 12.5 cigarettes/day (SD 7.9) for 32.8 years (SD 14.1), with mean 22.3 pack-years (SD 17.2).Univariable associations of demographic and clinical characteristics with current smoking showed Compared to never or former smokers, current smokers at the time of survey took a longer time to return their baseline survey (p = 0.022), were more likely to consume five or more alcoholic drinks per week (p = 0.012), were more likely to have difficulty paying their bills (p&lt;0.001) and were less likely to obtain a Bachelor's degree or higher (p&lt;0.001). These associations remained significant after multivariable adjustment. Conclusion: Current smoking (2.6%) soon after a BC diagnosis was independently associated with delayed survey return, higher alcohol use, financial difficulty, and lower education. Assessing smoking status and referring patients to smoking cessation programs are critical for addressing these risk factors and improving health outcomes. These findings highlight distinct socioeconomic and behavioral profiles among current smokers, suggesting potential targets for tailored interventions. Citation Format: S. Hirani, R. A. Vierkant, N. L. Larson, S. D. D’Andre, F. J. Couch, J. E. Olson, K. J. Ruddy. Identifying Smoking-Related Factors in Breast Cancer Patients: Mayo Clinic Registry Insight [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 PS1-04-18.