To evaluate the effectiveness of the FinHer protocol as a neoadjuvant treatment for HER2-positive breast cancer in terms of pathological response and 5-year survival outcomes in a resource-limited setting.
Key Findings:
The pCR rate was 30% following the neoadjuvant FinHer protocol.
ER and PR positivity were significantly associated with decreased pCR rates (p = 0.002).
HER2-enriched subtype had higher pCR rates (47%) compared to luminal B HER2-positive subtype (21.2%, p = 0.008).
Stage was the only significant predictor of DFS (p = 0.003) and OS (p = 0.002).
Stage III disease showed improved survival outcomes compared to oligometastatic disease (OS: HR 0.35, DFS: HR 0.40).
Interpretation:
The FinHer protocol demonstrates a feasible neoadjuvant treatment option for HER2-positive breast cancer, with significant implications for survival outcomes, particularly in resource-limited settings.
Limitations:
Retrospective design may introduce bias.
Limited generalizability due to single-center study.
Small sample size may affect the robustness of findings.
Conclusion:
The neoadjuvant FinHer protocol resulted in a 30% pCR rate, with ER/PR positivity linked to lower pCR rates. Stage III disease was associated with better survival outcomes compared to oligometastatic disease.
