Patient factors and modifications to intended chemotherapy for women with Stages I–IIIA breast cancer Journal Article


Authors: Bhimani, J.; Wang, P.; Gallagher, G. B.; O'Connell, K.; Blinder, V.; Burganowski, R.; Ergas, I. J.; Griggs, J. J.; Heon, N.; Kolevska, T.; Kotsurovskyy, Y.; Kroenke, C. H.; Laurent, C. A.; Liu, R.; Nakata, K. G.; Persaud, S.; Roh, J. M.; Tabatabai, S.; Valice, E.; Bandera, E. V.; Bowles, E. J. A.; Kushi, L. H.; Kantor, E. D.
Article Title: Patient factors and modifications to intended chemotherapy for women with Stages I–IIIA breast cancer
Abstract: Modifications to intended chemotherapy regimens may be due to various reasons and may impact patient outcomes. Understanding which factors are associated with chemotherapy modifications can help inform treatment planning and improve cancer care. We examined the association between patient/tumor factors and modifications to intended chemotherapy in women with Stages I–IIIA breast cancer who were treated at Kaiser Permanente Northern California and Kaiser Permanente Washington from 2005 to 2019. Modifications were defined as any dose reductions in the first cycle or throughout chemotherapy, regimen change, treatment delay (single delay >14 days) or receiving fewer cycles of any drugs than expected. We used generalized linear models of the Poisson family with a log-link function to calculate prevalence ratios (PRatios). Of 9700 women receiving adjuvant chemotherapy, 34.6% had chemotherapy modifications. Selected results are shown: positive associations were observed with age (PRatio80+ vs. 18–39: 1.93; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.50–2.50; p-trend <.001), body mass index (BMI) (PRatio≥35 vs. 18.5 to <25: 1.53; 95% CI: 1.41–1.65; p-trend <.001), and Charlson comorbidity index (PRatio3+ vs. 0: 1.33; 95% CI: 1.19–1.48; p-trend <.001), while more recent years of diagnosis were associated with decreased prevalence of treatment modifications (PRatio2015-2019 vs. 2005–2009: 0.65; 95% CI: 0.61–0.69; p-trend <.001). Stage was also positively associated (PRatioStage IIIA vs. I: 1.24; 95% CI: 1.13–1.35; p-trend <.001), as was human epidermal growth factor-2 positive status (PRatio: 1.99; 95% CI: 1.89–2.10). In conclusion, patients with the highest likelihood of chemotherapy modifications represent those who may have more complex prescribing needs, including those of older age, higher BMI, and more comorbidity. Further understanding of how modifications could impact outcomes within these groups can inform and improve cancer care. © 2025 UICC.
Keywords: breast cancer; adjuvant chemotherapy; chemotherapy modification; patient factors
Journal Title: International Journal of Cancer
Volume: 157
Issue: 7
ISSN: 0020-7136
Publisher: John Wiley & Sons  
Publication status: Published
Date Published: 2025-10-01
Online Publication Date: 2025-06-02
Start Page: 1342
End Page: 1353
Language: English
DOI: 10.1002/ijc.35494
PROVIDER: scopus
PMCID: PMC12335361
PUBMED: 40454906
DOI/URL:
Notes: Article -- MSK Cancer Center Support Grant (P30 CA008748) acknowledged in PubMed and PDF -- MSK corresponding author is Peng Wang -- Source: Scopus
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MSK Authors
  1. Victoria Susana Blinder
    117 Blinder
  2. Narre Heon
    18 Heon
  3. Elizabeth David Kantor
    46 Kantor
  4. Jenna Bhimani
    19 Bhimani
  5. Sonia Persaud
    26 Persaud
  6. Peng Wang
    11 Wang