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Landscape of Neoadjuvant Therapy for Breast Cancer

  • Breast Oncology
  • Published:
Annals of Surgical Oncology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Neoadjuvant chemotherapy provides clinical outcomes equivalent to those achieved when the same regimen is provided in the adjuvant setting. The therapeutic response to neoadjuvant treatment may include a reduction in tumor burden that alleviates the morbidity associated with locoregional therapy. Important prognostic information can be gained based on the response to treatment and knowing the quantity and biology of the residual disease. The evaluation of investigational agents in the neoadjuvant setting is of particular value for accelerating drug development. This review highlights landmark trials and contemporary perspectives on neoadjuvant chemotherapy and hormonal therapy, treatment response as a prognostic biomarker, use of the neoadjuvant paradigm for new drug development, and clinical advances in neoadjuvant therapy by molecular subtype of breast cancer.

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Acknowledgment

The authors acknowledge the support provided in part by 1R01CA133049-01 (MPG), the Mayo Comprehensive Cancer Center Grant (CA15083; MPG), the Mayo Clinic Breast Cancer SPORE (CA 116201; MPG), and the Paul Calabresi Program in Clinical-Translational Research at the Mayo Clinic (CA 090628;TCH).

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The authors have no relevant financial disclosures.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Oncology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA

    Tufia C. Haddad MD & Matthew P. Goetz MD

  2. Department of Molecular Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA

    Matthew P. Goetz MD

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  1. Tufia C. Haddad MD
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  2. Matthew P. Goetz MD
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Correspondence to Matthew P. Goetz MD.

Additional information

Acknowledgment: This educational review series, “Neoadjuvant Therapy in Breast Cancer” is supported by an educational grant from Genentech, Inc. The Society of Surgical Oncology offers CME/MOC for this educational review series. Visit moc.surgonc.org for additional information.

Annals of Surgical Oncology educational reviews represent the journal’s commitment to the peer review and publication of high quality research necessary to define the safety, toxicity, or effectiveness of potential therapeutic agents compared with conventional alternatives.

This Educational Review Series may include information regarding the use of medications that may be outside the approved labeling for these products. Physicians should consult the current prescribing information for these products. Authors of Annals of Surgical Oncology educational reviews are provided at the time of article solicitation with this statement regarding off-label pharmaceutical information and research.

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Haddad, T.C., Goetz, M.P. Landscape of Neoadjuvant Therapy for Breast Cancer. Ann Surg Oncol 22, 1408–1415 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1245/s10434-015-4405-7

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