Nottingham Prognostic Index Plus (NPI+): a modern clinical decision making tool in breast cancer

Rakha, Emad; Soria, Daniele; Green, Andrew R.; Lemetre, Christophe; Powe, Desmond G.; Nolan, Christopher C.; Garibaldi, Jonathan M.; Ball, Graham; Ellis, Ian O.

Abstract

Current management of breast cancer (BC) relies on risk stratification based on well-defined clinicopathologic factors. Global gene expression profiling studies have demonstrated that BC comprises distinct molecular classes with clinical relevance. In this study, we hypothesized that molecular features of BC are a key driver of tumour behaviour and when coupled with a novel and bespoke application of established clinicopathologic prognostic variables, can predict both clinical outcome and relevant therapeutic options more accurately than existing methods. In the current study, a comprehensive panel of biomarkers with relevance to BC was applied to a large and well-characterised series of BC, using immunohistochemistry and different multivariate clustering techniques, to identify the key molecular classes. Subsequently, each class was further stratified using a set of well-defined prognostic clinicopathologic variables. These variables were combined in formulae to prognostically stratify different molecular classes, collectively known as the Nottingham Prognostic Index Plus (NPI+). NPI+ was then used to predict outcome in the different molecular classes with.Seven core molecular classes were identified using a selective panel of 10 biomarkers. Incorporation of clinicopathologic variables in a second stage analysis resulted in identification of distinct prognostic groups within each molecular class (NPI+). Outcome analysis showed that using the bespoke NPI formulae for each biological breast cancer class provides improved patient outcome stratification superior to the traditional NPI. This study provides proof-of-principle evidence for the use of NPI+ in supporting improved individualised clinical decision making.

Citation

Rakha, E., Soria, D., Green, A. R., Lemetre, C., Powe, D. G., Nolan, C. C., …Ellis, I. O. (2014). Nottingham Prognostic Index Plus (NPI+): a modern clinical decision making tool in breast cancer. British Journal of Cancer, 110(7), https://doi.org/10.1038/bjc.2014.120

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Publication Date: Mar 11, 2014
• Deposit Date: Jan 30, 2015
• Publicly Available Date: Jan 30, 2015
• Journal: British Journal of Cancer
• Print ISSN: 0007-0920
• Electronic ISSN: 1532-1827
• Publisher: Cancer Research UK
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 110
• Issue: 7
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/bjc.2014.120
• Public URL: https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/725340
• Publisher URL: http://www.nature.com/bjc/journal/v110/n7/full/bjc2014120a.html