Omission of Breast Surgery for Breast Cancer Patients With pCR on MRI and Vacuum-assisted Biopsy After NST (OPTIMIST)

[Background & Rationale for Study]

Optimization (rather than de-escalation) of surgery for breast cancer is essential for our patients, and thus it is an important topic discussed actively in all major conferences regarding breast cancer and oncology.

A previous study showed that lesion-to-background parenchymal signal enhancement ratio (L-to-B SER) ≤1.6 and/or size ≤ 0.2cm on breast MRI can distinguish pathological complete response (pCR) from minimal residual cancer following neoadjuvant systemic therapy (NST). In a separate prospective study, 40 patients with near pCR (either tumor size ≤ 0.5 cm or L-to-B SER ≤ 1.6 on MRI) were enrolled and evaluated for the accuracy of US-guided biopsy aided by MRI in predicting pCR in the breast after NST. US-guided multiple core needle biopsy (CNB) or VAB of the tumor bed, followed by standard surgical excision, was performed. Matched biopsy and surgical specimens were compared to assess pCR. In result, obtaining at least 5 biopsy cores based on tumor size ≤ 0.5 cm and an L-to-B SER of ≤ 1.6 on MRI resulted in 100% NPV and accuracy. No differences in accuracy were noted between CNB and VAB (90% vs. 90%). It was demonstrated that patients who meet these stringent criteria on MRI may forego surgery for breast cancer.

Also, a pooled analysis of data from The Royal Marsden, MD Anderson Cancer Center, and Seoul National University Hospital showed that a VAB obtaining at least 6 cores for a lesion ≤2cm on imaging after NST can accurately predict pCR at a FNR of 3.2%.

For patients who would not benefit from surgery, it is unnecessary in terms of both personal and national medical expenses. Therefore, in order to establish the rationale for whether surgery could be omitted for patients with predicted pCR, it is necessary to demonstrate that the survival rate of patients who skipped breast surgery after confirming no residual cancer on VAB is non-inferior than that of patients who underwent breast surgery.

[Study Objectives]

To show non-inferiority in terms of disease-free survival (DFS) of omission of breast surgery for breast cancer patients who show no residual tumor on VAB after NST.

[Study design]

Prospective, multicenter, single-arm, non-inferiority trial

Inclusion criteria

• Sex: female
• Age: 20 years and older
• Patients with no clinical/radiologic distant metastasis
• Tumor type: Invasive ductal carcinoma
• Tumor subtype: HER2 positive(including luminal B type, triple negative
• Extent of disease: initial tumor size ≤ 5cm, cN0-2
• Patients with measurable tumor size
• Patients who are expected to achieve pCR after neoadjuvant chemotherapy (MRI size ≤ 1.0 cm AND L-to-B SER ≤ 1.6)
• Patients with clip inserted to the primary tumor site before or during neoadjuvant chemotherapy
• Patients with informed consent who are competent to make a voluntary decision

Exclusion criteria

• Multifocal lesion (≥2)
• Extent of residual microcalcification after neoadjuvant chemotherapy > 2cm
• Bilateral breast cancer or inflammatory breast cancer
• Contraindication to radiotherapy
• History of previous contralateral breast cancer
• Breast cancer patients with distant metastasis
• Allergic history to MRI contrast
• Male breast cancer
• Patients incapable of giving informed consent owing to poor general conditions
• Patients with BRCA mutation
• Patients willing to receive breast surgery
• Patients with a history of cancer diagnosis within 5 years (However, skin cancer other than melanoma and breast carcinoma in situ other than ductal carcinoma in situ can be registered even if 5 years have not passed since the diagnosis)