Abstract P2-26-01: Prospective breast biopsy collection at an urban safety-net hospital serving a diverse patient population
Authors: Ilinski Adrian , Mahdaviani Kiana , Fishman Michael , Cassidy Michael , Ko Naomi 
Published: March 2023

Background: Despite advances in breast cancer imaging, research and treatment, higher mortality among racial/ethnic minority and low-income populations persists. Consent and enrollment of diverse and vulnerable patients into breast cancer research is critical. Given this urgent need for diversity in breast cancer research, successful collection and banking of fresh biospecimens from diverse patients is key to ameliorating some of the cancer disparities. Given our access to a unique and vulnerable patient population, we developed and implemented a clinical information and biospecimen repository for patients evaluated in the breast radiology and breast oncology outpatient clinics at Boston Medical Center (BMC). Our goal was to consent patients for donation of percutaneous breast biopsy samples, surgical tissue, and blood to develop a breast cancer biospecimen bank. Our long-term goal is to provide high-yield human samples for translational research studies in breast cancer from a diverse and vulnerable patient population. Methods: We designed a multi-disciplinary team of clinical providers and basic science researchers to envision a breast cancer biospecimen bank for research. Key stakeholders were identified, workflow was arranged, IRB obtained, and research staff trained. Patients presenting with suspicious mass on breast imaging (BI-RADS 4C and 5 categories) were eligible to enroll. Two percutaneous biopsy cores were obtained for research at the time of ultrasound guided biopsy. We leveraged the Hematology Oncology translational research program at Boston Medical Center and pilot finding to launch the project. Results: Since initiation in April 2021, we approached 68 patients and consented 44, for a successful consent rate of 64.7%. Of the 44 patients consented, 22 (50.0%) identified themselves as Black/African American, 11 (25.0%) as White/Caucasian, 10 (22.73%) as Hispanic and 1 (2.27%) as Asian. Of all patients enrolled, 41 (93.2%) had a breast malignancy, of which 27 (70.7%) were hormone-sensitive and 7 (17.1%) were TNBC. Additionally, of the 44 patients on study, only 9 (20.4%) had commercial insurance or managed care plan on the day of the consent. In total, 84 percutaneous biopsy cores were collected from 42 patients. Corresponding surgical tissue, plasma, serum and PBMCs were also obtained. Conclusion: Our program demonstrates that the enrollment of diverse and vulnerable breast cancer patients onto cancer research is achievable. We successfully created a breast biopsy program to provide access to diverse human samples for breast cancer translational research studies. Currently this repository serves to address many ongoing translational projects to understand: 1) the gap in knowledge of inherent differences in tumor biology and tumor environment, 2) metabolic regulation in the breast cancer microenvironment, and 3) heterogeneity of tumors and its effects on clinical outcomes and microenvironment interactions.

Citation Format: Adrian Ilinski, Kiana Mahdaviani, Michael Fishman, Michael Cassidy, Naomi Ko. Prospective breast biopsy collection at an urban safety-net hospital serving a diverse patient population [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2022 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; 2022 Dec 6-10; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2023;83(5 Suppl):Abstract nr P2-26-01.