# Baseline risk variability by eligibility criteria in Cohort 1 of the monarchE trial for high-risk HR-positive, HER2-negative breast cancer

## TL;DR

This study shows that high-risk breast cancer patients in the monarchE trial have varying recurrence risks based on specific criteria, which could help tailor treatment.

## Contribution

The study identifies distinct prognostic differences among high-risk breast cancer subgroups in the monarchE trial criteria.

## Key findings

- 5-year iDFS rates varied significantly across subgroups, with ≥N2 having the lowest at 77.3%.
- N1 + G3, ≥N2, and neoadjuvant chemotherapy were identified as poor prognostic factors.
- The study emphasizes the need for individualized risk assessment to optimize treatment benefits.

## Abstract

Baseline recurrence risk increasingly guides adjuvant endocrine therapy for hormone receptor (HR)-positive, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-negative early breast cancer (BC). The monarchE trial demonstrated the benefits of adding abemaciclib to endocrine therapy for high-risk patients. However, differences in baseline recurrence risks within monarchE Cohort 1 subgroups and their impact on absolute benefit remain unclear. This study assessed these prognostic differences.

We retrospectively analysed 989 patients with HR-positive, and HER2-negative BC who underwent surgery between January 2017 and August 2019 at our institution. Patients were categorised into four groups: non-eligible (not meeting monarchE criteria), N1 + >5 cm (1–3 lymph node metastases with tumours >5 cm), N1 + G3 (1–3 lymph node metastases with Grade 3 tumours), and ≥N2 (≥4 lymph node metastases). Survival outcomes, including invasive disease-free survival (iDFS), distant disease-free survival, and overall survival, were analysed using Kaplan–Meier and Cox proportional hazards models.

The 5-year iDFS rates were 94.7% (non-eligible), 88.9% (N1 + >5 cm), 83.3% (N1 + G3), and 77.3% (≥N2) (p < 0.001). Multivariate analysis identified N1 + G3 HR3.38, p = 0.005), ≥N2 (HR 3.39, p < 0.001), and neoadjuvant chemotherapy (HR 2.71, p = 0.003) as poor prognostic factors.

This study highlights the prognostic variability among high-risk subgroups aligned with monarchE Cohort 1 criteria. Individualized risk assessment will be key to optimizing the benefit of adjuvant therapy in HR-positive, HER2-negative breast cancer.

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s12282-025-01747-x.