Approaching neoadjuvant therapy in the management of early-stage breast cancer

Abstract

Neoadjuvant therapy is integral to the treatment of early-stage breast cancer. Goals of treatment include surgical downstaging of the tumor, rendering inoperable tumors resectable, and de-escalating axillary surgery in those with clinically positive nodes. Additionally, response to treatment provides important prognostic information regarding risk of recurrence and guides future adjuvant treatment. Although chemotherapy serves as the backbone of neoadjuvant treatment, an increased understanding of the tumor’s clinical course as well as its molecular and genetic make-up aids in individualizing treatment and developing novel agents. This review summarizes current clinical approaches and the future direction to the management of breast cancer patients in the neoadjuvant setting.