LOBCAN: Understanding, supporting and improving outcomes for women with invasive LOBular breast carcinoma: a pan-CANadian prospective cohort study

Project aims/goals​​​

  • To estimate and compare the 5- and 10-year breast cancer-specific survival (BCSS), overall survival (OS) and locoregional (LRR) and distant (DR) recurrence rates for women with ILC and mixed IDC-ILC by tumour stage and receptor status. 
  • To evaluate the effects of treatment (surgical procedure, chemotherapy, radiation and hormonal therapies) on 5- and 10-year BCSS, OS, LRR, and DR in pure and mixed IDC-ILC.
  • ​To characterize psychosocial outcomes for patients with ILC and mixed IDC-ILC, and identify psychosocial and informational needs at diagnosis.
  • ​To study gene expression profiling of ILC and mixed IDC-ILC tumour specimens to determine their molecular subtype and identify prognostic gene signatures that predict survival.
  • ​To characterize the immune infiltrate of ILC and mixed IDC-ILC tumour specimens.​​ 

Summary

​​The purpose of this study is to gain a better understanding of lobular breast cancer and improve diagnosis, treatment, and outcomes for this understudied breast cancer subtype. Lobular breast cancer is the second most common form of breast cancer, compared to invasive ductal breast cancer, making up about 15% of breast cancers cases. Traditionally, lobular and ductal breast cancers have been managed in the same way but lobular breast cancer has a unique growth pattern that often does not form solid masses. Because of this, lobular breast cancer is missed by screening mammograms and can be harder to find. When it is found it is often at a later stage, leading to worse outcomes for patients.

With rates of lobular breast cancer increasing, this study will identify ways to find and manage lobular breast cancer separately from ductal breast cancer. Using information from participant completed questionnaires, medical records, and tumour and blood samples, this study will guide earlier and more accurate diagnosis methods and treatment practices, allowing researchers and clinicians to improve care for individuals with lobular breast cancer.​ 

Anticipated outcomes and impact

​​Findings from this prospective study have the potential to inform treatment strategies to improve survival and prevent recurrence for ILC and could also spur future RCTs. Additionally, the proposed research also has the potential to significantly advance our understanding of the diagnostic evaluation and management of ILC, with findings that may guide best-practice management of ILC to improve survival and prevent recurrence.​ 

Key Researchers