Published online Aug 24, 2021. doi: 10.5306/wjco.v12.i8.702
Peer-review started: May 10, 2021
First decision: June 5, 2021
Revised: June 18, 2021
Accepted: July 12, 2021
Article in press: July 12, 2021
Published online: August 24, 2021
Processing time: 105 Days and 3.6 Hours
Currently, the detection of PIK3CA mutations is of special interest in personalized medicine because it is frequently found in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). The PI3KCA mutation is an independent negative prognostic factor for survival in metastatic breast cancer, and its prognostic value in liquid biopsy as a biomarker of treatment and early relapse is under investigation, both for metastatic disease and neoadjuvant scenario with curative intent.
A 54-year-old female patient with TNBC clinical stage IIIA, who, after receiving neoadjuvant chemotherapy (based on anthracyclines and taxanes), surgery, radiotherapy, and adjuvant capecitabine, was detected with a PI3KCA mutation in tissue and peripheral blood (ctDNA in liquid biopsy). After 10 mo, the patient had disease relapse of left cervical node disease.
The detection of PIK3CA mutation in TNBC after neoadjuvant treatment might be associated with early relapse or rapid disease progression.
Core Tip: This case report evaluates the detection of a PIK3CA mutation in liquid biopsy and tumor tissue in a patient with locally-advanced triple-negative breast cancer after receiving conventional oncological therapy and its association with early relapse and progression disease. This case highlights the importance of detecting the PIK3CA mutation as a potential biomarker of early relapse. In addition, the PIK3CA mutation could lead to additional interventions to detect metastatic disease earlier in the follow-up. There is limited information of liquid biopsy studies after surgery. Furthermore, there is very limited data about trials of PIK3CA mutations in Peruvian patients with non-metastatic breast cancer.