The pathobiological features of the breast cancer tissue that remains present after neoadjuvant therapy (NAT) are a major determinant of patient outcome. The decision to further treat this residual disease has traditionally been guided by the features of the tumour at diagnosis, but substantial biological differences exist between treatment-naive breast cancer and the post-NAT residual tissue. In this Review, the authors describe how the evaluation of the response of breast tumours to neoadjuvant treatment should be standardized, and provide an overview of potential biomarkers of prognosis.
- Frederique Penault-Llorca
- Nina Radosevic-Robin
