Work

Prognostic Performance of the Residual Cancer Burden Index With Respect to Molecular Breast Cancer Subtypes

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Objective: The use of neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) has improved outcomes in breast cancer (BC). The residual cancer burden index (RCB) predicts prognosis. This study evaluated RCB as a prognosticator in BC subtypes treated with NAC. Materials and Methods: A retrospective cohort of BC patients was analyzed. Five-year distant recurrence-free survival (DRFS), disease-free survival (DFS), and overall survival (OS) were analyzed. Statistical analyses included descriptive statistics, ANOVA, chi-square test, Fisher's exact test, Kaplan-Meier curves, Log-Rank test, and Cox regression. Results: Among 562 women, RCB correlated with BC subtypes and predicted worse DRFS, DFS, and OS. In stratified analyses by molecular subtype, the association was significant only for luminal B and triple-negative subtypes, with inconsistent findings for luminal A and human epidermal growth factor type 2-overexpressed subtypes. Conclusion: The RCB index was shown to be a prognostic marker in BC in a Brazilian population with BC. Significant associations were found only for the luminal B and triple negative subtypes. Further research is required to investigate the prognostic utility of RCB in other larger populations.

Source: European Journal of Breast Health

DOI: 10.4274/ejbh.galenos.2025.2025-5-6

Authors: Emanuelle Narciso Alvarez Valente, Anke Bergman, Marcelo Adeodato Belloa, Luiz Claudio Santos Thulera

Institution: Instituto Nacional de Câncer - INCA

Language: English

Topic: Breast Cancer Treatment Studies

Subfield: Cancer Research

Field: Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology

Domain: Life Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: diamond

OpenAlex ID: W4414018009