Use of Magnetic Resonance Imaging to Guide Preoperative Accelerated Partial Breast Irradiation in the Prone Position and Treatment Response in Clinical Stage 1 Hormone Sensitive Breast Cancer: A Phase 1/2 Study

Abstract

Purpose: The challenges of postoperative accelerated partial breast irradiation (APBI) include targeting inaccuracies and inability to measure tumor response. We hypothesized that the tumor could be targeted with preoperative APBI (pAPBI) using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in prone position with our established prone breast technique. This feasibility study aimed to assess the accuracy and tumor response of pAPBI using our MRI/computed tomography (CT)-guided prone technology.

Methods and materials: This prospective study enrolled patients aged >50 years with clinical stage IA ER+ breast cancer intending lumpectomy. Axillary ultrasound and MRI confirmed clinically negative nodes. Planning CT, MRI, and pAPBI (3850 cGy in 10 fractions twice a day) used the same prone immobilization platform. Another MRI was obtained 4 weeks after APBI to quantitatively measure tumor response. Lumpectomy was performed 4 to 6 weeks after pAPBI. Simon's 2-stage design required assessment after accrual of the first 19 patients for feasibility.

Results: Nineteen patients with clinical stage IA ER+/PR+/HER2- breast cancer with median age of 65 years (range, 51-78 years) completed pAPBI followed by lumpectomy and endocrine therapy. Median follow-up was 73.8 months (IQR, 58.6-82.5 months). Median clinical tumor size was 0.9 cm (IQR, 0.8-1.6 cm). There was complete pathologic response in 10.5% (2) patients and another 36.8% (7) were downstaged after pAPBI. MRI-detected tumor response significantly correlated with tumor response on pathology (P = .03). Cosmesis was rated as excellent/good in 89.5% (17) patients. Although 3 patients had macrometastases in nodes on final pathology despite a negative axillary ultrasound, local control was 95% and disease-free survival was 89.5% at a median follow-up of 73.8 months.

Conclusions: Using the same prone platform, patients successfully underwent CT simulation, MRI acquisition, and pAPBI followed by lumpectomy. Nearly half of patients demonstrated tumor response to pAPBI on imaging and pathology. Further utilization of this technology can be highly applicable to the delivery of pAPBI, stereotactic body radiation therapy, or tumor bed boost radiation in the prone position.