MINImal vs. MAXimal Invasive Axillary Staging and Treatment After Neoadjuvant Systemic Therapy in Node Positive Breast Cancer: Protocol of a Dutch Multicenter Registry Study (MINIMAX)

Sabine R. de Wild*, Janine M. Simons, MINIMAX Group, Marie Jeanne T.F.D. Vrancken Peeters, Marjolein L. Smidt, Linetta B. Koppert

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleAcademicpeer-review

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Abstract

Background: Node positive breast cancer (cN+) patients with an axillary pathologic complete response after neoadjuvant systemic therapy (NST) are not expected to benefit from axillary lymph node dissection (ALND). Therefore, less invasive axillary staging procedures have been introduced to establish response-guided treatment. However, evidence is lacking with regard to their oncologic safety and impact on quality of life (QoL). We hypothesize that if response-guided treatment is given, less invasive staging procedures are non-inferior to standard ALND in terms of oncologic safety, and superior to standard ALND in terms of QoL. Patients and Methods: MINIMAX is a Dutch multicenter registry study that includes patients with cN1-3M0 unilateral invasive breast cancer, who receive NST, followed by axillary staging and treatment according to local protocols. In a retrospective registry of ±4000 patients, the primary endpoint is oncologic safety at 5 and 10 years (disease-free, breast-cancer-specific and overall survival, and axillary recurrence rate). In a prospective multicenter registry, the primary endpoints are QoL at 1 and 5 years, and we aim to verify the 5-year oncologic safety. With an estimated 5-year disease-free survival of 72.5% and anticipated loss to follow-up of 10%, a sample size of 549 is needed to have 80% power to detect non-inferiority (with a 10% margin) of less invasive staging procedures. Conclusion: In cN+ patients treated with NST, less invasive axillary staging procedures are already implemented globally. Evidence is needed to support the assumed oncologic safety and superior QoL of such procedures. This study will contribute to evidence-based guidelines.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)e59-e64
JournalClinical Breast Cancer
Volume22
Issue number1
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Jan 2022

Bibliographical note

Funding Information: The MINIMAX study received a grant from Dutch Cancer Society (KWF – Pink Ribbon, 12518) for data management performed by IKNL and as salary for PhD-students.

Publisher Copyright: © 2021 The Authors

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