Comprehensive analysis of the 21-gene recurrence score in invasive ductal breast carcinoma with or without ductal carcinoma in situ component

Background Invasive ductal carcinoma (IDC) is often accompanied by ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS). Whether the DCIS component affects the 21-gene recurrence score (RS) is unclear. Methods Consecutive ER-positive, HER2-negative, N0-1 patients with RS results were included. Patients were divided into pure IDC and IDC with DCIS (IDC/DCIS) groups. The RS, the expression of its 16 cancer genes and prognosis were compared between IDC and IDC/DCIS patients. Results A total of 1458 patients were enrolled, 320 of whom had concomitant DCIS. DCIS component was independently associated with lower RS (P = 0.038). IDC/DCIS patients more often had a low-risk RS (P = 0.018) or intermediate-risk RS (P = 0.024). Regarding individual genes in the RS panel, Ki67, CCNB1 and MYBL2 in the proliferation group and MMP11 and CTSL2 in the invasion group were significantly lower among IDC/DCIS patients than pure IDC patients. Among IDC/DCIS patients, lower RS was independently correlated with a higher DCIS proportion and lower DCIS grade. Within a median follow-up of 31 months, the DCIS component in IDC did not significantly influence prognosis. Conclusions IDC with DCIS component is associated with a lower 21-gene RS, possibly due to lower expression of proliferation and invasion genes. DCIS proportion and grade independently influenced the 21-gene RS in IDC/DCIS patients. Due to the relatively short follow-up period and low recurrence rate, the impact of the DCIS component in IDC on prognosis needs further evaluation.

Automated summary

Patients with invasive ductal carcinoma (IDC) accompanied by ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) have a lower 21-gene recurrence score (RS) possibly due to lower expression of proliferation and invasion genes. The proportion and grade of DCIS independently influence the 21-gene RS in IDC/DCIS patients. Further evaluation is needed to determine the impact of the DCIS component in IDC on prognosis due to the relatively short follow-up period and low recurrence rate.