Oncotype DX Recurrence Score Predicts Survival in Invasive Micropapillary Breast Carcinoma: A National Cancer Database Analysis

  • Ali J. Haider
  • , Mohummad Kazmi
  • , Kyle Chang
  • , Waqar M. Haque
  • , Efstathia Polychronopoulou
  • , Jonathon S. Cummock
  • , Sandra Hatch
  • , Andrew M. Farach
  • , Upendra Parvathaneni
  • , E. Brian Butler
  • , Bin S. Teh

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

(1) Background: Invasive micropapillary carcinoma (IMPC) is a rare, aggressive breast cancer subtype marked by high lymph node metastasis rates. While Oncotype DX recurrence score (RS) offers prognostic information for patients with hormone-receptor-positive (HR+) breast cancer, its utility in IMPC—a histology with distinct biologic behavior—remains unvalidated. This study evaluates whether Oncotype DX offers prognostic information with respect to overall survival (OS) in non-metastatic, early-stage patients with IMPC of the breast. (2) Methods: The National Cancer Database (2004–2020) was queried to select for women with ER+/HER2−, T1-T2N0-N1 IMPC who underwent Oncotype DX testing and received no neoadjuvant therapy. Patients were stratified by RS: low (≤11), intermediate (12–25), and high (>25). Kaplan–Meier survival curves and log-rank tests compared 5-year OS between groups. Multivariable Cox proportional hazards models assessed RS as an independent predictor, adjusting for age, race, comorbidities, grade, radiation, and insurance status. (3) Results: A total of 1325 women met the selection criteria. The cohort demonstrated significant survival disparities by RS (log-rank p = 0.017). Five-year OS rates were 97.5%, 97.5%, and 93.7% for low, intermediate, and high-risk patients, respectively. Adjusted multivariate analysis confirmed RS as an independent prognosticator: low (HR = 0.31, 95% CI: 0.15–0.75) and intermediate (HR = 0.32, 95% CI: 0.15–0.75) scores correlated with reduced mortality versus high RS. Omission of radiation therapy (HR = 2.68, 95% CI: 1.05–6.86) and higher comorbidity burden (0 comorbidities vs. ≥2: HR = 0.25, 95% CI: 0.10–0.61) were significantly associated with worse survival. (4) Conclusions: Oncotype DX is predictive for OS in IMPC, with high RS (>25) portending poorer outcomes. The survival detriment associated with RT omission aligns with prior studies demonstrating RT benefit in higher-risk cohorts. These findings validate RS as a prognostic tool in IMPC and underscore its potential to refine adjuvant therapy, particularly RT utilization. Future studies should explore RS-driven treatment personalization in IMPC, including comorbidity management and adjuvant radiation to improve outcomes in this distinct patient population.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Article number559
JournalCurrent Oncology
Volume32
Issue number10
DOIs
StatePublished - Oct 2025

Keywords

  • breast cancer
  • invasive micropapillary carcinoma
  • oncotype DX
  • prognosis
  • radiation therapy
  • recurrence score
  • survival

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Oncology

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