Purpose: This study aims to develop a non-invasive method to distinguish between luminal and non-luminal breast cancer subtypes using super-resolution ultrasound (SRUS). Currently, subtype classification requires a tissue biopsy, which is invasive and may not fully capture the tumor's biological heterogeneity. Methods: The study retrospectively included 94 patients with histologically confirmed breast cancer who underwent SRUS imaging. Sixteen quantitative features of the tumor microvasculature-such as vessel density, blood flow intensity, and perfusion-were extracted. Three key predictors (fractional weighted vessel density, mean intensity, and perfusion index) were identified and combined into a predictive nomogram. Goal: The goal is to provide clinicians with a non-invasive imaging tool that can help personalize treatment decisions for breast cancer patients before therapy initiation, potentially reducing the need for repeat biopsies.
Study Type
OBSERVATIONAL
Enrollment
94
Not applicable- observational study
Anhui Provincial Cancer Hospital
Hefei, Anhui, China
Molecular subtype of breast cancer (luminal vs. non-luminal)
The primary outcome is the binary classification of breast cancer molecular subtype as luminal (including luminal A and luminal B) or non-luminal (including HER2-enriched and triple-negative/basal-like). Subtype assignment is based on immunohistochemical expression of estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR), human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2), and Ki-67, according to the St. Gallen International Expert Consensus.
Time frame: Baseline (at the time of diagnostic biopsy)
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