Background Studying the clinical utility of deep-inspirational breath-hold (DIBH) in left breast cancer radiotherapy (RT) was aimed at focusing on dosimetry and feasibility aspects. Methods In this prospective trial all enrolled patients went through planning CT in supine position under both DIBH and free breathing (FB); in whole breast irradiation (WBI) cases prone CT was also taken. In 3-dimensional conformal radiotherapy (3DCRT) plans heart, left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD), ipsilateral lung and contralateral breast doses were analyzed. The acceptance of DIBH technique as reported by the patients and the staff was analyzed; post-RT side-effects including radiation lung changes (visual scores and lung density measurements) were collected. Results Among 130 enrolled patients 26 were not suitable for the technique while in 16, heart or LAD dose constraints were not met in the DIBH plans. Among 54 and 34 patients receiving WBI and postmastectomy/nodal RT, respectively with DIBH, mean heart dose (MHD) was reduced to < 50%, the heart V25 Gy to < 20%, the LAD mean dose to < 40% and the LAD maximum dose to about 50% as compared to that under FB; the magnitude of benefit was related to the relative increase of the ipsilateral lung volume at DIBH. Nevertheless, heart and LAD dose differences (DIBH vs. FB) individually varied. Among the WBI cases at least one heart/LAD dose parameter was more favorable in the prone or in the supine FB plan in 15 and 4 cases, respectively; differences were numerically small. All DIBH patients completed the RT, inter-fraction repositioning accuracy and radiation side-effects were similar to that of other breast RT techniques. Both the patients and radiographers were satisfied with the technique. Conclusions DIBH is an excellent heart sparing technique in breast RT, but about one-third of the patients do not benefit from that otherwise laborious procedure or benefit less than from an alternative method. Trial registration: retrospectively registered under ISRCTN14360721 (February 12, 2021)

We consider this simple clinical tool appropriate for assisting individual positioning aiming at maximum heart protection during left breast irradiation.

Neoadjuvant therapy is a common form of treatment in locally advanced breast cancer (LABC) patients. Besides some guidelines for grading regression, a standardized general scheme is not yet available. The aim of our study was to compare the prognostic impact of different regression grading systems, namely the TR/NR, Chevallier, Sataloff, Denkert-Sinn, Miller-Payne, NSABP-B18, Residual Disease in Breast and Nodes and Residual Cancer Burden (RCB) on disease-free (DFS) and overall survival (OS). Data of 746 breast cancer patients treated in neoadjuvant setting between 1999 and 2019 have been included. The different regression grades and follow-up data were collected from medical charts. Statistical analysis included the Kaplan-Meier method, log-rank test and multivariate Cox regression. The average patient age was 55 years. The DFS and OS estimates of patients with complete pathological regression and residual in situ carcinoma have been significantly more favorable than those having partial regression or no signs of regression (pDFS<0.001, pOS < 0.001). Significant differences were found between DFS estimates of classes with partial regression and without regression defined by RCB. Concerning DFS estimates, the RCB classification (p = 0.019), while regarding OS data the y-stage (p = 0.011) and the nodal status (ypN; p = 0.045) were significant prognosticators by multivariate Cox regression. Regression grading systems help the evaluation of regression in LABC patients treated with neoadjuvant therapy. Of the several grading systems compared, the RCB classification makes the best distinction between the outcomes of the different classes, therefore we recommend the inclusion of RCB into the histopathological findings.

Fulvestrant is a pure estrogen receptor (ER) antagonist approved for the treatment of metastatic ER positive breast cancer in postmenopausal women with disease progression following antiestrogen therapy. The clinical results of fulvestrant demonstrated encouraging activity in tumors in spite of HER2 positivity, but data about its use after progression on anti-HER2 agents are limited. Partial responses and durations of response of 12, 25, and 38 months in three cases with multiple metastases of ER positive and HER2 positive breast cancer were observed; all patients had been treated with 1–4 regimens of an anti-HER2 agent in combination with chemotherapy or an aromatase inhibitor before the initiation of fulvestrant. Fulvestrant is a valuable option with limited toxicity and durable response in metastatic HER2 and ER positive breast cancer after progression on anti-HER2 agents as well. Therapeutic benefit even in extensive skin metastases and (irradiated) brain metastases may be expected. Further investigations are warranted to establish where it fits into the multimodal management of ER and HER positive breast cancer.

The presence of normal tissues in the irradiated volume limits dose escalation during pelvic radiotherapy (RT) for prostate cancer. Supine and prone positions on a belly board were compared by analyzing the exposure of organs at risk (OARs) using intensity modulated RT (IMRT). The prospective trial included 55 high risk, localized or locally advanced prostate cancer patients, receiving definitive image-guided RT. Computed tomography scanning for irradiation planning was carried out in both positions. Gross tumor volume, clinical and planning target volumes (PTV) and OARs were delineated, defining subprostatic and periprostatic rectal subsegments. At the height of the largest antero-posterior (AP) diameter of the prostate, rectal diameters and distance from the posterior prostate wall were measured. IMRT plans were generated. Normal tissue exposure and structure volumes were compared between supine and prone plans using paired t-test. In the volumes of the prostate, PTV, colon and small bowel, no significant differences were found. In prone position, all rectal volumes, diameters, and rectum-prostate distance were significantly higher, the irradiated colon and small bowel volume was lower in dose ranges of 20-40 Gy, and the exposure to all rectal segments was more favorable in 40-75 Gy dose ranges. No significant difference was found in the exposure of other OARs. Prone positioning on a belly board is an appropriate positioning method aiming rectum and bowel protection during pelvic IMRT of prostate cancer. The relative reduction in rectal exposure might be a consequence of the slight departure between the prostate and rectal wall.