Applicability of magnetic seeds for target lymph node biopsy after neoadjuvant chemotherapy in initially node-positive breast cancer patients: data from the AXSANA study

• DOI: 10.1007/s10549-023-07100-0
• Publication Date: 2023-09-08T17:01:52Z
• Authors: Steffi Hartmann; Maggie Banys-Palu...; Elmar Stickeler; Jana de Boniface; Oreste Davide Gen...; Michalis Kontos; Stephan Seitz; Gabriele Kaltenecker; Fredrik Wärnberg; Linda Holmstrand ...; Hans-Christian Ko...; Sarah Fröhlich; Thorsten Kühn
• Keywords: Neoadjuvant Therapy

Abstract Purpose Currently, various techniques are available to mark and selectively remove initially suspicious axillary lymph nodes (target nodes, TLNs) in breast cancer patients receiving neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT). To date, limited data on whether the use of magnetic seeds (MS) is suitable for localizing TLNs. This study aimed investigate feasibility MS undergoing target node biopsy (TLNB) or targeted dissection (TAD) after NACT. Methods Prospective from ongoing multicentric AXSANA were extracted selected whom TLN had been marked with an before NACT who enrolled June 2020 2023. The endpoints analysis detection rate, rate lost markers, potential impairment resonance imaging (MRI) assessment. Results In 187 27 sites seven countries, placed into 151 these, post-NACT surgery completed at time analysis. 146 (96.0%), a could successfully be detected. three patients, seed was removed but no lymphoid tissue detected histopathology. markers 1.2% (2 out 164 MS). 15 (9.9%), MRI assessment reported compromised by placement. Conclusion show excellent applicability TLNB/TAD when inserted high DR low markers. Axillary can impair breast. Trial registration number NCT04373655 (date May 4, 2020).