Correlation between breast cancer receptor subtypes and nodal remission

Background: An axillary pathological complete response (pCR) after neoadjuvant systemic treatment, used in breast cancer with axillary metastases, is defined as no residual cancer in the axilla reported by the pathologist.

Aim: The aim of the study is to correlate the ER, PR, HER2 receptor subtype in breast cancer patients axillary node positive with axillary pCR after neoadjuvant systemic treatment.

Material and methods: 97 consecutive breast cancer patients with axillary metastases were enrolled in the study. Axillary lymph node dissection was performed after neoadjuvant systemic treatment.

Results: Twenty five out of 97 breast cancer patients with axillary metastases achieved an axillary pCR (fraction 0.26). In triple negative ER(-) PR(-) HER2(-), ER(-) PR(-) HER2(+), ER(+) PR(+) HER2(-) and ER(+) PR(+) HER2(+) breast cancer group, these fractions were 0.48 (17/35), 0.21 (3/14), 0.13 (5/39) and 0 (0/9), respectively.

Conclusions: The rate of the axillary pCR is statistically significantly higher in triple negative breast cancer patients in comparison with ER(+) PR(+) HER2(-) tumors (p < 0.002; χ² = 9.639) and ER(+)PR(+)HER2(+) cancers (p < 0.03; χ² = 5.222). Identification of these patients with the axillary pCR could result in more axilla conserving therapies.