Poster Presentation 31st Lorne Cancer Conference 2019

Molecular comparison of interval and screen-detected breast cancers (#139)

Dane Cheasley 1 , Kylie Gorringe 1 , Bruce Bruce Mann 2 , Ian G Campbell 1
  1. Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
  2. Royal Melbourne Hospital and Monash University, Melbourne, Vic, Australia

Breast cancer (BC) diagnosed after a negative mammogram but prior to the next screening episode is termed an “interval breast cancer” (IBC). Understanding the molecular differences between IBC and screen-detected breast cancers (SDBC) could improve mammographic screening and management options. Therefore, we assessed both germline and somatic genomic aberrations in a prospective cohort. Utilizing the Lifepool cohort of >54,000 women attending mammographic screening programs, 930 BC cases with screening status were identified (726 SDBC and 204 IBC). Clinico-pathological and family history information were recorded. Germline and tumour DNA were collected where available and sequenced for BC predisposition and driver gene mutations. Compared to SDBC, IBCs were significantly associated with a younger diagnosis age and tumour characteristics associated with worse prognosis. Germline DNA assessment of BC cases that developed post-enrolment  (276 SDBCs and 77 IBCs) for pathogenic mutations in 12 hereditary BC predisposition genes identified 8 carriers (2.27%). The germline mutation frequency was higher in IBC versus SDBC, although not statistically significant (3.90% versus 1.81%, p=0.174). Comparing somatic genetic features of IBC and SDBC matched for grade, histological subtype and hormone receptor revealed no significant differences, with the exception of higher homologous recombination deficiency scores in IBC, and copy number changes on chromosome Xq in TN SDBCs. Our data demonstrates that while IBCs are clinically more aggressive than SDBC, when matched for confounding clinico-pathological features they do not represent a unique molecular class of invasive BC, but could be a consequence tumour initiation timing and mammographic screening.