title: MRI evaluation of neoadjuvant low-dose fractionated radiotherapy with concurrent chemotherapy in patients with locally advanced breast cancer.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We address the diagnostic performance of breast MRI and the efficacy of neoadjuvant radiochemotherapy (NRC) treatment (NRC protocol) vs conventional neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) in patients with locally advanced breast cancer.
  
  
  METHODS
  The NRC protocol consists of six anthracycline/taxane cycles and concomitant low-dose radiotherapy on breast tumour volume. Breast MRI was performed at baseline and after the last therapy cycle in 18 and 36 patients undergoing the NRC protocol or conventional NAC (propensity matching).
  
  
  RESULTS
  In both groups, we observed reduced tumour dimensions after the last cycle (p<0.001), and the response evaluation criteria in solid tumours (RECIST) class directly correlated with the tumour regression grade class after the last cycle (p<0.001). Patients in the NRC group displayed a higher frequency of complete/partial response than those in the NAC group (p=0.034). 17 out of 18 patients in the NRC group met the criteria for avoiding mastectomy based on final MRI evaluation. The RECIST classification displayed a superior diagnostic performance in the prediction of the response to treatment [area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC)=0.72] than time-to-intensity curves and apparent diffusion coefficient (AUC 0.63 and 0.61). The association of the three above criteria yielded a better diagnostic performance, both in the general population (AUC=0.79) and in the NRC and the NAC group separately (AUC=0.82 and AUC=0.76).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The pathological response is predicted by MRI performed after the last cycle, if both conventional MRI and diffusion imaging are integrated. The NRC treatment yields oncological results superior to NAC. Advances in knowledge MRI could be used to establish the neoadjuvant protocol in breast cancer patients.
authors: Department of Bioimaging and Radiological Sciences, Catholic University, Rome, Italy. reagandus@alice.it
authors: E
authors: E
authors: Bufi
authors: P
authors: P
authors: Belli
authors: M
authors: M
authors: Costantini
authors: P
authors: P
authors: Rinaldi
authors: M
authors: M
authors: Di Matteo
authors: A
authors: A
authors: Bonatesta
authors: M C
authors: MC
authors: De Santis
authors: L
authors: L
authors: Nardone
authors: D
authors: D
authors: Terribile
authors: A
authors: A
authors: Mulé
authors: L
authors: L
authors: Bonomo
mesh_terms: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001940:Breast / Q000473:pathology; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*; D018270:Carcinoma, Ductal, Breast / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy; D002985:Clinical Protocols; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D038524:Diffusion Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods; D000077143:Docetaxel; D004317:Doxorubicin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods; D008875:Middle Aged; D020360:Neoadjuvant Therapy / Q000379:methods; D043823:Taxoids / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D043823:Taxoids; D000077143:Docetaxel; D004317:Doxorubicin