Multiparametric Contrast-Enhanced Ultrasound in Early Prediction of Response to Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy and Recurrence-Free Survival in Breast Cancer

Abstract

We aimed to explore the value of contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) in early prediction of pathologic complete response (pCR) and recurrence-free survival (RFS) in locally advanced breast cancer (LABC) patients treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC). LABC patients who underwent CEUS before and during NAC from March 2014 to October 2018 were included and assessed. Logistic regression analysis and the Cox proportional hazards model were used to identify independent variables associated with pCR and RFS. Among 122 women, 44 underwent pCR. Molecular subtype, peak intensity (PEAK) and change in diameter were independent predictors of pCR after one cycle of NAC (area under the receiver operating characteristic curve [AUC], 0.81; 95% CI: 0.73, 0.88); Molecular subtype, PEAK and change in time to peak (TTP) were independently associated with pCR after two cycles of NAC (AUC, 0.85; 95% CI: 0.77, 0.91). A higher clinical T (hazard ratio [HR] = 4.75; 95% CI: 1.75, 12.87; p = 0.002) and N stages (HR = 3.39; 95% CI: 1.25, 9.19; p = 0.02) and a longer TTP (HR = 1.06; 95% CI: 1.01, 1.11; p = 0.02) at pre-NAC CEUS were independently associated with poorer RFS. CEUS can be used as a technique to predict pCR and RFS early in LABC patients treated with NAC.