Correlating Predicted Adjuvant Therapy Benefit and Risk of Recurrence Between Breast Cancer Index (BCI) and the 21-Gene Oncotype DX Recurrence Score (RS).

Introduction: Breast Cancer Index (BCI) is a genomic assay that evaluates the benefit of extending endocrine therapy (ET) from 5 to 10 years and predicts recurrence risk (RR). We evaluated the association between BCI and Oncotype DX (ODX).

Patients: Women with hormone receptor (HR)-positive early-stage breast cancer (EBC) who had BCI and ODX performed were included.

Next-Generation HER2-Targeted Antibody-Drug Conjugates in Breast Cancer.

Human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) tyrosine kinase is overexpressed in 20% of breast cancers and associated with a less favorable prognosis compared to HER2-negative disease. Patients have traditionally been treated with a combination of chemotherapy and HER2-targeted monoclonal antibodies such as trastuzumab and pertuzumab. The HER2-targeted antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) trastuzumab emtansine (T-DM1) and trastuzumab deruxtecan (T-DXd) represent a novel class of therapeutics in breast cancer.

Correlation of the Ki67 Working Group prognostic risk categories with the Oncotype DX Recurrence Score in early breast cancer.

Background: The relationship between Ki67 assessed by immunohistochemistry (IHC) and the Oncotype DX Recurrence Score (RS) is unclear. The objective of this study was to determine the correlation between the 21-gene RS and IHC-measured Ki67 with the prognostic classification groups recommended by the International Ki67 Working Group (IKWG).

Methods: The authors performed a retrospective chart review of women who had hormone receptor (HR)-positive, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-negative early breast cancer with zero to three positive lymph nodes and both Ki67 and the 21-gene RS performed at their institution from 2013 to 2021.

Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Cancer Care and Quality of Life for Patients With Breast and Gynecologic Malignancies: A Single-Center Survey-Based Study.

This study evaluated the mental health and cancer treatment-related impact of the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic on patients with breast and gynecologic cancers. An 18-question survey was administered in June 2020 at a New York City-based cancer center to assess the quality of life (QOL) and overall health (OH) during both the pandemic time period from March 1, 2020, through June 30, 2020, and the pre-pandemic period (prior to March 1, 2020). Survey questions were answered on a 5-point Likert scale and a 7-point EORTC QOL scale.

Impact of body mass index on the efficacy of aromatase inhibitors in patients with metastatic breast cancer.

Purpose: Higher levels of estrogen in obese patients may lead to incomplete inhibition by aromatase inhibitors (AIs). The aim of this study was to determine the impact of body mass index (BMI) on efficacy of AIs in patients with metastatic hormone receptor (HR)-positive breast cancer (BC).

Methods: We performed a retrospective chart review of all female patients with metastatic HR-positive BC on an AI in first- or second-line settings and seen at our academic institution between 2001 and 2020.

Care disruptions among patients with lung cancer: A COVID-19 and cancer outcomes study.

Introduction: Patients with lung cancer (LC) are susceptible to severe outcomes from COVID-19. This study evaluated disruption to care of patients with LC during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Methods: The COVID-19 and Cancer Outcomes Study (CCOS) is a prospective cohort study comprised of patients with a current or past history of hematological or solid malignancies with outpatient visits between March 2 and March 6, 2020, at two academic cancer centers in the Northeastern United States (US).

Secondary Invasive Breast Events among Patients with Hormone-Positive Breast Cancer and High-Risk Oncotype DX Recurrence Scores 26-30 and ≥31.

Background: The Oncotype DX Recurrence Score (ODx RS) is the most widely adopted genomic assay used to guide treatment for patients with early-stage, hormone-positive (HR+) breast cancer (BC), with higher scores predicting greater risk of recurrence and benefit from chemotherapy. Patients with ODx RS >25 typically recieve adjuvant chemotherapy; however, data regarding efficacy of chemotherapy for reducing recurrence in this population have been mixed.

Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate outcomes of patients with early-stage HR+ BC with high-risk ODx RS (26-30 and ≥31) in order to assess treatment patterns and outcomes.

Prognostic Factors and Survival Outcomes among Patients with Breast Cancer and Brain Metastases at Diagnosis: A National Cancer Database Analysis.

Introduction: The aim of this study was to assess for clinicopathologic and socioeconomic features that predict improved survival for patients with advanced breast cancer with synchronous brain metastases at diagnosis.

Methods: We utilized the National Cancer Database (NCDB) to identify all patients with brain metastases present at diagnosis, with adequate information on receptor status (ER, PR, Her2), clinical T stage of cT1-4, clinical M1, with 3,943 patients available for analysis. The association between brain metastases patterns and patient/disease variables was examined by robust Poisson regression model.

Patient Perception of Telehealth Services for Breast and Gynecologic Oncology Care during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Single Center Survey-based Study.

Prior to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, telehealth was rarely utilized for oncologic care in metropolitan areas. Our large New York City based outpatient breast/gynecologic cancer clinic administered an 18-question survey to patients from March to June 2020, to assess the perceptions of the utility of telehealth medicine. Of the 622 patients, 215 (35%) completed the survey, and of the 215 respondents, 74 (35%) had participated in a telehealth visit.

Diabetes and Metformin Association with Recurrence Score in a Large Oncotype Database of Breast Cancer Patients.

Background: The Oncotype DX® (ODX) is a genomic assay that provides clinicians with a prediction of benefit of chemotherapy in node-negative, tamoxifen-treated breast cancer. However, the relationship between ODX recurrence score (RS) and diabetes, a common comorbidity in breast cancer patients, has been inadequately described in the literature. Specifically, the association of diabetes treatment with metformin and RS is inconclusive, with different studies reporting conflicting results.

BRCA Mutation Association with Recurrence Score and Discordance in a Large Oncotype Database.

Background: The Oncotype DX Breast Cancer Assay is a 21-gene assay used to predict the likelihood of distant recurrence and the benefit of chemotherapy in patients with node-negative, tamoxifen-treated breast cancer. Prior studies demonstrated 7-19% discordance, or a difference between the recurrence score (RS) and tumor grade (TG) in breast cancer patients. BRCA mutated tumors (BRCA+) have been shown to be associated with higher RS as compared to BRCA-negative patients (BRCA-).

Acquired amegakaryocytic thrombocytopenia as a rare cause of thrombocytopenia during pregnancy.

A rare case of acquired amegakaryocytic thrombocytopenia (AATP) in a 35-year-old woman who presented with anaemia and thrombocytopenia at 22 weeks gestation. The first diagnostic impression was of an evolving aplastic anaemia; however, the patient was simultaneously diagnosed with severe vitamin B deficiency in the setting of vegetarianism. Once the cyanocobalamin deficiency was corrected, a repeat bone marrow biopsy revealed an isolated depletion of megakaryocytes, which suggested the diagnosis of AATP.