The purpose of this study is to monitor the change in cancer size in women with breast cancer on anti-hormone treatment using different types of assessment including ultrasound scan (US), shearwave elastography (SWE) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and assess how this corresponds to the changes in the cancer biology.
Background Endocrine resistance is a significant problem in the management of breast cancer, with increasing evidence that the tumour microenvironment is influential on tumour growth and disease resistance. The neoadjuvant setting provides an excellent opportunity to observe tumour response to treatment in vivo, allowing development of methods for monitoring and predicting response to treatment. Aims To assess potential radiological and biological tumoural and peri-tumoural biomarkers in patients before and during neoadjuvant endocrine treatment. Our hypothesis is that there will be less response in women with abnormal peri-tumoural stroma, and that tumours with high monocarboxyl transporter (MCT4) and loss of caveolin-1 in stroma are resistant to endocrine treatment. Techniques and Methodology Patients with primary breast cancer receiving neoadjuvant letrozole will undergo radiological assessment with digital mammogram, US including SWE, and MRI. Core biopsies will be taken at diagnosis and at surgery from tumour and peri-tumoural stroma, and assessed for biomarkers lysyl oxidase (LOX), fibronectin, collagen, proliferation, MCT4 and caveolin-1. All data will be correlated to peri-tumoural abnormalities on MRI and SWE. Impact on breast cancer research This study will provide information on the ability of SWE and MRI to predict and detect endocrine resistance, correlated with biological markers that are associated with endocrine resistance. Identifying resistant tumours can prevent unnecessary treatment and reduce risks of recurrence as alternative or additional therapies can be utilised.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
NA
Purpose
BASIC_SCIENCE
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
31
Patients with primary breast cancer receiving neoadjuvant letrozole will undergo radiological assessment with digital mammogram, ultrasound (US) including shearwave elastography (SWE). These will be performed at 3 monthly intervals until surgical intervention is considered feasible.
Patients will be receiving neoadjuvant letrozole as standard therapy for breast cancer
Core biopsies will be taken at diagnosis, and at the time of surgery to allow biological assessment of changes in tumour
Stefani Clinical Trials Unit, Ninewells Hospital and Medical School
Dundee, Angus, United Kingdom
Change in Proliferative response
Pathological response to treatment by proliferation (Ki67) (%)
Time frame: At surgery, min 3 months max 24 months
Change in Pathological response
Residual cancer burden score
Time frame: At surgery, min 3 months max 24 months
Change in Shearwave stiffness
shearwave stiffness (kPa)
Time frame: 0,3,6, up to 24 months
Change in peritumoural imaging on MRI
MRI - digital contrast enhanced (DCE) and diffusion weighted imaging (DWI)
Time frame: 0 months and surgery (min 3 months, max 24 months)
caveolin-1
peri-tumoural immunohistochemical analysis
Time frame: 0 months and at time of surgery (min 3 months, max 24 months)
Monocarboxyl transport 4
peri-tumoural immunohistochemical analysis
Time frame: 0 months and at time of surgery (min 3 months, max 24 months)
lysyl oxidase
peri-tumoural immunohistochemical analysis
Time frame: 0 months and at time of surgery (min 3 months, max 24 months)
fibronectin
peri-tumoural immunohistochemical analysis
Time frame: 0 months and at time of surgery (min 3 months, max 24 months)
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Breast MRI scans will be performed at time of diagnosis and prior to surgery to allow comparison of MRI change and response to treatment
collagen
peri-tumoural immunohistochemical analysis
Time frame: 0 months and at time of surgery (min 3 months, max 24 months)