Factors associated with relapse-free survival after neoadjuvant chemotherapy for breast cancer at a safety net medical center

Abstract

Background: This study was designed to assess prognostic factors associated with relapse-free survival (RFS) after neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) for breast cancer.

Methods: A single-institution retrospective analysis was performed including clinical, radiographic, and pathologic parameters for all breast cancer patients treated with NAC from 2015 to 2018. All patients had pre-and post-NAC MRI.

Results: For 102 patients, median follow-up was 47.4 months, and the five-year RFS was 74%. The 41 (40%) patients who achieved pathologic complete response (pCR) after NAC had a significantly higher five-year RFS than the 61 not achieving pCR. For 31 patients with triple-negative cancers, the five-year RFS was significantly higher in those achieving pCR vs. no pCR. The 44 (43%) patients who achieved radiographic complete response (rCR) after NAC had similar five-year RFS to the 58 (57%) not achieving rCR.

Conclusion: pCR, node-negativity after NAC, and triple-negative subtype were prognostic factors associated with relapse-free survival after NAC.

Keywords: Breast cancer; Complete response; Hispanic; Neoadjuvant chemotherapy.