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. 2025 May 29;11(1):48.
doi: 10.1038/s41523-025-00764-5.

Clinicopathological and molecular characterization of inflammatory breast cancer, the prospective INFLAME registry study

Jasper J L van Geel #  1 , Elisabeth M Jongbloed #  2 , Jasmine Moustaquim  1   3 , Gonneke van der Schoor  4 , A Elise van Leeuwen-Stok  4 , Marcel Smid  2 , Carolien H M van Deurzen  5 , Saskia M Wilting  2 , Jelle Wesseling  2   6 , Gabe S Sonke  3 , John W M Martens  2 , Carolina P Schröder  7   8
Affiliations

Clinicopathological and molecular characterization of inflammatory breast cancer, the prospective INFLAME registry study

Jasper J L van Geel et al. NPJ Breast Cancer. .

Abstract

Inflammatory breast cancer (IBC) is rare, with challenging diagnostics and unfavorable outcomes. Therefore, more molecular insight into IBC is needed. The comprehensive Dutch prospective INFLAME registry related IBC follow-up and treatment to histopathology and molecular analysis. Of consecutive patients, nationwide identified with newly diagnosed IBC, clinicopathological, treatment and outcome data were collected. Histopathology and RNA-sequencing were related to outcome. 125 IBC patients were enrolled. Forty-one (34%) patients had HER2 + , and 31 (25%) had triple-negative IBC. The estimated 3-year OS was 78% in M0 IBC and 29% in M1. PFS was worst in triple-negative IBC (median 7.9 vs 16.3 and 15.8 months in M1 HER2+ and HR + /HER2- IBC). DFS and OS in M0 IBC were better with guideline-concordant trimodal therapy than without (HR 0.15 and 0.15; p = 0.000005 and 0.00038). The unique prospective INFLAME confirms unfavorable IBC characteristics and outcomes. International efforts may support guideline adherence and identify IBC-specific targets.

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Conflict of interest statement

Competing interests: The authors declare no competing interests.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1. Flow diagram.
Showing patients included in the INFLAME study and eligible for this analysis.
Fig. 2
Fig. 2. Survival by subtype in M0.
Disease-free survival (DFS) (a) and overall survival (OS) (b) by subtype in M0 inflammatory breast cancer. HER 2, human-epidermal growth factor receptor 2; HR, hormonal receptor.
Fig. 3
Fig. 3. Survival by subtype in M1.
Progression free survival (PFS) (a) and overall survival (OS) (b) by subtype in M1 inflammatory breast cancer. HER 2, human-epidermal growth factor receptor 2; HR, hormonal receptor.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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