bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
BRCA1/BRCA2 Germline Mutations in Locally Recurrent Breast Cancer Patients After Lumpectomy and Radiation Therapy: Implications for Breast-Conserving Management in Patients With BRCA1/BRCA2 Mutations
Authors: Turner Bruce C. , Harrold Elizabeth , Matloff Ellen , Smith Tanya , Gumbs Andrew A. , Beinfield Malcom , Ward Brian , Skolnick Mark , Glazer Peter M. , Thomas Alun , Haffty Bruce G.
Published: February 2017

PURPOSE: Breast cancer patients treated conservatively with lumpectomy and radiation therapy (LRT) have an estimated lifetime risk of local relapse (ipsilateral breast tumor recurrence [IBTR]) of 10% to 15%. For breast cancer patients carrying BRCA1 or BRCA2 (BRCA1/2) mutations, the outcome of treatment with LRT with respect to IBTR has not been determined. In this study, we estimate the frequency of BRCA1/2 mutations in a study of breast cancer patients with IBTR treated with LRT.

PATIENTS AND METHODS: Between 1973 and 1994, there were 52 breast cancer patients treated with LRT who developed an IBTR within the prior irradiated breast and who were willing to participate in the current study. From our database, we also identified 52 control breast cancer patients treated with LRT without IBTR. The control patients were individually matched to the index cases with respect to multiple clinical and pathologic parameters. Lymphocyte DNA specimens from all 52 locally recurrent patients and 15 of the matched control patients under age 40 were used as templates for polymerase chain reaction amplification and dye-primer sequencing of exons 2 to 24 of BRCA1, exons 2 to 27 of BRCA2, and flanking intron sequences.

RESULTS: After LRT, eight (15%) of 52 breast cancer patients had IBTR with deleterious BRCA1/2 mutations. By age, there were six (40%) of 15 patients with IBTR under age 40 with BRCA1/2 mutations, one (9.0%) of 11 between ages 40 and 49, and one (3.8%) of 26 older than age 49. In comparison to the six (40%) of 15 of patients under age 40 with IBTR found to have BRCA1/2 mutations, only one (6.6%) of 15 matched control patients without IBTR and had a BRCA1/2 mutation (P = .03). The median time to IBTR for patients with BRCA1/2 mutations was 7.8 years compared with 4.7 years for patients without BRCA1/2 mutations (P = .03). By clinical and histologic criteria, these relapses represented second primary tumors developing in the conservatively treated breast. All patients with BRCA1/2 mutations and IBTR underwent successful surgical salvage mastectomy at the time of IBTR and remain alive without evidence of local or systemic progression of disease.

CONCLUSION: In this study, we found an elevated frequency of deleterious BRCA1/2 mutations in breast cancer patients treated with LRT who developed late IBTR. The relatively long time to IBTR, as well as the histologic and clinical criteria, suggests that these recurrent cancers actually represent new primary breast cancers. Early onset breast cancer patients experiencing IBTR have a disproportionately high frequency of deleterious BRCA1/2 mutations. This information may be helpful in guiding management in BRCA1 or BRCA2 patients considering breast-conserving therapy.
Declining Rates of Extracapsular Extension After Radical Prostatectomy: Evidence for Continued Stage Migration
Authors: Jhaveri Faiyaaz M. , Klein Eric A. , Kupelian Patrick A. , Zippe Craig , Levin Howard S.
Published: February 2017

PURPOSE: Prostate-specific antigen (PSA)-based screening is responsible for a profound clinical stage migration in newly detected prostate cancers. Extracapsular extension (ECE) is an important predictor of outcome after radical prostatectomy (RP). We examined trends in the rate of ECE for cancers detected by PSA screening in 731 RP specimens between 1987 and 1997, when screening became routine urologic practice in the United States.

METHODS: The rates of ECE were examined in 311 prostates with nonpalpable (stage T1c) disease and 420 with palpable but clinically localized (stage T2) disease. Specimens were step-sectioned and examined by a senior pathologist. Rates of ECE were compared with respect to time, and logistic regression was used to identify predictors of ECE.

RESULTS: The rate of ECE decreased from 81% to 36% during the 10-year observation period. Multivariateanalysis involving clinical tumor stage, preoperative serum PSA level, and Gleason score demonstrated that year of treatment was an independent predictor of ECE, with a two-fold reduction of risk occurring during the study period (P < .001; odds ratio, 1.96; 95% confidence interval, 1.37 to 2.78).

CONCLUSION: PSA screening has resulted in a downward trend in pathologic stage in clinically localized prostate cancer, independent of preoperative PSA level, tumor stage, and Gleason score. This time-dependent downward stage migration suggests the need for continuous updating of predictive nomograms and caution in interpreting differences in contemporarily treated patients compared with historical controls. Further study is needed to determine whether this trend will translate into improved disease-free survival.
Long-Term Survival in Metastatic Transitional-Cell Carcinoma and Prognostic Factors Predicting Outcome of Therapy
Authors: Bajorin Dean F. , Dodd Paul M. , Mazumdar Madhu , Fazzari Melissa , McCaffrey John A. , Scher Howard I. , Herr Harry , Higgins Geralyn , Boyle Mary G.
Published: February 2017

PURPOSE: The variation in reported survival of patients with metastatic transitional-cell carcinoma (TCC) treated with systemic chemotherapy may be a consequence of pretreatment patient characteristics. We hypothesized that a prognostic factor–based model of survival among patients treated with methotrexate, vinblastine, doxorubicin, and cisplatin chemotherapy could account for such differences and help guide clinical trial design and interpretation.

PATIENTS AND METHODS: A database of 203 patients with unresectable or metastatic TCC was retrospectively subjected to a multivariate regression analysis to determine which patient characteristics had independent prognostic significance for survival. Patients were assigned to three risk categories depending on the number of unfavorable characteristics. Patient selection in phase II studies was addressed by developing a table of expected median survival for patient cohorts that had varying proportions of patients from the three risk categories.

RESULTS: Two factors had independent prognosis: Karnofsky performance status (KPS) less than 80% and visceral (lung, liver, or bone) metastasis. Median survival times for patients who had zero, one, or two risk factors were 33, 13.4, and 9.3 months, respectively (P = .0001). The median survival time of patient cohorts could vary from 9 to 26 months simply by altering the proportion of patients from different risk categories.

CONCLUSION: The presence of baseline KPS less than 80% or visceral metastasis has an impact on survival. Reporting the proportion of patients with zero, one, and two risk factors will facilitate understanding of the relevance of the median survival in phase II trials. Phase III trials should stratify patients according to the number of risk factors to avoid imbalance in treatment arms.
Prognostic Significance of Occult Metastases Detected by Sentinel Lymphadenectomy and Reverse Transcriptase–Polymerase Chain Reaction in Early-Stage Melanoma Patients
Authors: Bostick Peter J. , Morton Donald L. , Turner Roderick R. , Huynh Kelly T. , Wang He-Jing , Elashoff Robert , Essner Richard , Hoon Dave S.B.
Published: February 2017

PURPOSE: Detection of micrometastases in the regional tumor-draining lymph nodes is critical for accurate staging and prognosis in melanoma patients. We hypothesized that a multiple-mRNA marker (MM) reverse transcriptase–polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) assay would improve the detection of occult metastases in the sentinel node (SN), compared with hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining and immunohistochemistry (IHC), and that MM expression is predictive of disease relapse.

PATIENTS AND METHODS: Seventy-two consecutive patients with clinical early-stage melanoma underwent sentinel lymphadenectomy (SLND). Their SNs were serially sectioned and assessed for MAGE-3, MART-1, and tyrosinase mRNA expression by RT-PCR, in parallel with H&E staining and IHC, for melanoma metastases. MM expression in the SNs was correlated with H&E and IHC assay results, standard prognostic factors, and disease-free survival.

RESULTS: In 17 patients with H&E- and/or IHC-positive SNs, 16 (94%) expressed two or more mRNAmarkers. Twenty (36%) of 55 patients with histopathologically negative SNs expressed two or more mRNA markers. By multivariate analysis, patients at increased risk of metastases to the SN had thicker lesions (P = .03), were 60 years of age or younger (P < .05), and/or were MM-positive (P < .001). Patients with histopathologically melanoma-free SNs who were MM-positive, compared with those who were positive for one or fewer mRNA markers, were at increased risk of recurrence (P = .02). Patients who were MM-positive with histopathologically proven metastases in the SN were at greatest risk of disease relapse (P = .01).

CONCLUSION: H&E staining and IHC underestimate the true incidence of melanoma metastases. MM expression in the SN more accurately reflects melanoma micrometastases and is also a more powerful predictor of disease relapse than are H&E staining and IHC alone.
Sequential Biochemical Modulation of Fluorouracil With Folinic Acid, N-Phosphonacetyl-L-Aspartic Acid, and Interferon Alfa-2a in Advanced Colorectal Cancer
Authors: Royce Melanie E , McGarry William , Bready Beth , Dakhil Shaker R. , Belt Robert J. , Goodwin J. Wendall , Gray Richard , Hoff Paulo M. , Winn Rodger , Pazdur Richard
Published: February 2017

PURPOSE: Several agents have been evaluated for their effect as biochemical modulators of fluorouracil (5-FU) in the treatment of metastatic colorectal carcinoma. In this study, we used folinic acid (FA), N-phosphonacetyl-L-aspartic acid (PALA), and recombinant interferon alfa-2a (IFNα-2a) in a sequential order to assess the efficacy of this approach in patients with metastatic colorectal carcinoma.

PATIENTS AND METHODS: Forty-four patients with metastatic colorectal carcinoma were enrolled onto the study. The treatment course consisted of three cycles: (cycle 1) FA 20 mg/m2 followed by 5-FU 425 mg/m2 on days 1 to 5; (cycle 2) PALA 250 mg/m2 on days 29, 36, 43, and 50 and 5-FU 2,600 mg/m2 as a 24-hour infusion on days 30, 37, 44, and 51; and (cycle 3) IFNα-2a 9 million units (MU) three times a week for 5 weeks beginning on day 57, with a continuous infusion of 5-FU 750 mg/m2 on days 57 to 61, and then weekly bolus of 5-FU 750mg/m2/wk on days 71, 78, and 85. Response was determined after cycle 3.

RESULTS: All patients had a Zubrod performance status ≥ 2, measurable disease, and had received no prior chemotherapy for their metastatic disease. A total of 212 cycles were given. Thirty-six patients were assessable for response. No complete responses were seen. Seven patients had a partial response, eight had stable disease, and 15 had progressive disease. The median duration of response was 25 weeks, and the median survival was 53 weeks. Grade 3 and 4 toxic effects included granulocytopenia, stomatitis, diarrhea, rash, nausea, and fatigue.

CONCLUSION: This trial provided no evidence that sequential biochemical modulation of 5-FU in patients with metastatic colorectal carcinoma had any therapeutic advantage over conventional treatment regimens of 5-FU plus FA.
Rapid Switching From Morphine to Methadone in Cancer Patients With Poor Response to Morphine
Authors: Mercadante Sebastiano , Casuccio Alessandra , Calderone Luciano
Published: February 2017

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to evidence the clinical effects of an abrupt substitution of morphine with methadone using a fixed ratio of 1:5 in patients for whom limiting adverse effects occurred before adequate analgesia was achieved with oral morphine.

PATIENTS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional prospective study was carried out on 24 consecutive patients who were switched from oral morphine to oral methadone because they experienced substantial adverse effects that limited further increase in morphine dose. A fixed conversion morphine-to-methadone ratio of 5:1 was chosen. Subsequently, doses were changed according to clinical need, with frequent visits or phone contacts. Pain and symptom intensity, preswitching doses of morphine, initial and subsequent doses of methadone, and survival were recorded.

RESULTS: A significant decrease in pain and symptom intensity was found within 24 hours after the substitution took place. The switching was effective in most patients (19 of 24), although five patients required alternative treatments. No significant changes in methadone dose were reported in the 3 days after switching. Methadone dose was significantly higher in patients who had lower preswitching doses of morphine and vice versa. No relevant complications were reported.

CONCLUSION: A rapid substitution of morphine with methadone using an initial fixed ratio of 5:1 is a safe and effective method for improving the balance between analgesia and adverse effects in cancer patients with poor morphine response. An appropriate system of patient monitoring is necessary, because further changes in dose may be required according to clinical needs.
Procarbazine, Lomustine, and Vincristine (PCV) Chemotherapy for Anaplastic Astrocytoma: A Retrospective Review of Radiation Therapy Oncology Group Protocols Comparing Survival With Carmustine or PCV Adjuvant Chemotherapy
Authors: Prados Michael D. , Scott Charles , Curran Walter J. , Nelson Diana F. , Leibel Steve , Kramer Simon
Published: February 2017

PURPOSE: To determine any differences in outcome for patients with anaplastic astrocytoma (AA) treated with adjuvant carmustine (BCNU) versus procarbazine, lomustine, and vincristine (PCV) chemotherapy.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: The Radiation Therapy Oncology Group (RTOG) database was reviewed for patients with newly diagnosed AA treated according to protocols that included either BCNU or PCV adjuvant chemotherapy. All patients were treated with radiation therapy. The outcome analysis included overall survival, taking into account patient age, extent of resection, Karnofsky performance status (KPS), and treatment group (BCNU v PCV). Stratified and nonstratified Cox proportional hazards models were used, as well as an analysis using matched cases between the groups.

RESULTS: A total of 257 patients were treated with BCNU according to RTOG protocols 70-18, 83-02, and 90-06; 175 patients were treated with PCV according to RTOG protocol 94-04. All pretreatment characteristics except KPS were well balanced by treatment group; 61% of the BCNU group had a KPS of 90 to 100 compared with 73% of the PCV group (P = .0075). No statistically significant difference in survival was observed in any age group or by KPS or extent of surgery. The stratified analysis also showed no trends for improved survival by treatment group (P = .40). The Cox model identified only age, KPS, and extent of surgery as important variables influencing survival, not treatment group. Matching cases between groups using age, KPS, and surgery resulted in 133 matched pairs. No difference in survival was observed (P = .41). In a Cox model in which each matched pair is a strata, there was no difference between groups (P = .20).

CONCLUSION: Using this retrospective analysis, there does not seem to be any survival benefit to PCV chemotherapy. Future phase III studies for patients with AA may need to consider whether BCNU or PCV is used in the control arm.
Granulocyte-Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor Treatment Before Doxorubicin and Cyclophosphamide Chemotherapy Priming in Women With Early-Stage Breast Cancer
Authors: Kobrinsky Nathan L. , Sjolander Diane E. , Cheang Mary S. , Levitt Ralph , Steen Preston D.
Published: February 2017

PURPOSE: To determine if inhibition of stem-cell activity induced by granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor ([GM-CSF]; Sargramostim; Immunex Corporation, Seattle, WA) withdrawal or priming protects hematopoietic stem cells from the cytotoxic effects of adjuvant chemotherapy for early-stage breast cancer.

PATIENTS AND METHODS: Serial blood counts were performed in 20 women with early-stage breast cancer receiving four courses of cyclophosphamide and doxorubicin chemotherapy. By a double-blind, placebo-controlled, balanced randomization, subjects received GM-CSF priming on days 5 to 1 for courses 1 and 3 or courses 2 and 4.

RESULTS: Compared with before priming, after priming the times to neutrophil nadir (12.8 ± 2.5 days v 14.8 ± 1.5 days, respectively; P = .0001) and platelet nadir (mean ± SD, 10.1 ± 1.9 days v 11.1 ± 2.2 days, P < .05) were shorter, indicating a shift of cytotoxicity to later progenitors. The neutrophil nadir was similar with and without priming (mean ± SD, 490 ± 310/μL v 550 ± 350/μL, respectively; P = .2); however, on day 16 the mean neutrophil count was higher (mean ± SD, 1030 ± 580/μL v 690 ± 370/μL, P = .004), and the proportion of patients with a neutrophil count less than 500/μL was lower after priming than before (six of 35 or 17.1% v 12 of 34 or 35.3%, respectively; P = .04). The platelet nadir was higher (mean ± SD, 166,000 ± 51,000/μL after priming v 151,000 ± 45,000/μL before priming, P = .007), and the duration of thrombocytopenia, ie, a platelet count less than 150,000/μL, was shorter (1.5 ± 2.1 days v 2.8 ± 2.9 days, P = .0025) after priming. Episodes of fever and neutropenia were not observed.

CONCLUSIONS: GM-CSF priming from days 5 to 1 before doxorubicin and cyclophosphamide chemotherapy was associated with an earlier neutrophil and platelet nadir. On day 16, a higher mean neutrophil count and a lower proportion of patients with severe (< 500/μL) neutropenia were observed. Beneficial effects on the severity and duration of thrombocytopenia were also noted. These observations support the hypothesis that GM-CSF priming protects hematopoietic progenitors from the cytotoxic effects of chemotherapy.
Radiation Therapy With Concomitant Hydroxyurea and Fluorouracil in Stage II and III Head and Neck Cancer
Authors: Haraf Daniel J. , Kies Merrill , Rademaker Alfred W. , Stenson Kerstin , Mittal Bharat , Pelzer Harold , Wenig Barry , Witt Mary Ellyn , Sulzen Laura , Weichselbaum Ralph R. , Vokes Everett E.
Published: February 2017

PURPOSE: In 1986, a multi-institutional phase II trial was begun to study the use of chemotherapy with concomitant radiation in patients with stage II and III head and neck cancer. End points were overall survival, progression-free survival, local/regional control, and toxicity in the setting of organ preservation with concomitant treatment.

METHODS: Eligible patients with stage II or III disease received chemotherapy and radiation on a 2-week cycle. Chemotherapy consisted of continuous infusion fluorouracil (5-FU) at 800 mg/m2/d for 5 consecutive days (days 1 to 5) and hydroxyurea (HU) at 1 g orally every 12 hours for 13 doses starting the evening before the start of irradiation. Radiation therapy was given as single 1.8- to 2.0-Gy fractions for 5 consecutive days (days 1 to 5) with chemotherapy. Each 5 days of treatment was followed by a 9-day break (days 6 to 14), during which no additional treatment was given. Treatment cycles were repeated until the completion of the planned radiation dose (six to eight cycles).

RESULTS: Between 1989 and 1996, 60 patients were enrolled. All patients were eligible for analysis, with a median follow-up of 52 months for surviving patients and 42 months for all patients. Grade 3 to 4 mucositis occurred in 57% of patients. The 5 year-actuarial overall survival, progression-free survival, and local/regional control were 65%, 82%, and 86%, respectively. Eight patients developed local and/or regional recurrence after treatment. Surgical salvage was possible in three of these patients. Thus, the ultimate 5-year local/regional control was 91%.

CONCLUSION: Concomitant radiation and chemotherapy with 5-FU and HU is an effective regimen in patients with stage II and III head and neck cancer. Progression-free survival and local/regional control appear to be superior to expected rates in patients treated with surgery and radiation. Further testing of this regimen in a phase III setting is indicated.
Health-Related Quality of Life 1 Year After Allogeneic or Autologous Stem-Cell Transplantation: A Prospective Study
Authors: Hjermstad Marianne J. , Evensen Stein A. , Kvaløy Stein O. , Fayers Peter M. , Kaasa Stein
Published: February 2017

PURPOSE: To evaluate health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in adults treated with high-dose chemotherapy followed by allogeneic (SCT) and autologous (ASCT) stem-cell transplantation 1 year after transplantation, using data from concurrent lymphoma patients receiving combination chemotherapy (CT) as a reference.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty-one leukemia patients (SCT group), 51 lymphoma patients (ASCT group), and 85 CT patients completed the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer QLQ-C30 questionnaire at baseline and after 1 year.

RESULTS: The SCT group (median age, 36 years) had better functioning scores and less symptomatology at baseline compared with the ASCT (median age, 41 years) and CT (median age, 37 years) groups. Statistically significant differences of 10 or more points on the 0 to 100 scales were found for 10 of 15 scales and items (P ≤ .01) between the SCT and ASCT groups. Global quality of life (79 v 58, P < .0001), role function (83 v 65, P = .001), sleep disturbances (6 v 28, P < .0001), and fatigue (25 v 44, P = .0001) deviated most. The differences were 10 or more points for seven of 15 scales and items comparing the SCT and CT groups, with sleep disturbances (6 v 35, P < .0001) and pain (11 v 29, P < .01) deviating most. Differences across groups were smaller after 1 year; cognitive function was the only scale with a statistically significant difference (ASCT 80 v CT 89; P = .002).

Patterns of change in HRQOL scores were different between groups during follow-up. A great improvement was found in the ASCT group (P < .01 for emotional and role function, fatigue, appetite, and constipation), whereas no significant changes were observed for the SCT group.

CONCLUSION: Prospective studies with extended follow-up periods are necessary to separate a slow recovery process from more permanently reduced HRQOL after transplantation and to examine the late side effects from previous treatment.
Phase I and Pharmacologic Study of the Combination of Paclitaxel, Cisplatin, and Topotecan Administered Intravenously Every 21 Days as First-Line Therapy in Patients With Advanced Ovarian Cancer
Authors: Herben Virginie M.M. , Nannan Panday Vinodh R. , Richel Dick J. , Schellens Jan H.M. , van der Vange Nine , Rosing Hilde , Beusenberg Fred D. , Hearn Solange , Doyle Edward , Beijnen Jos H. , ten Bokkel Huinink Wim W.
Published: February 2017

PURPOSE: To evaluate the feasibility of administering topotecan in combination with paclitaxel and cisplatin without and with granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) support as first-line chemotherapy in women with incompletely resected stage III and stage IV ovarian carcinoma.

PATIENTS AND METHODS: Starting doses were paclitaxel 110 mg/m2 administered over 24 hours (day 1), followed by cisplatin 50 mg/m2 over 3 hours (day 2) and topotecan 0.3 mg/m2/d over 30 minutes for 5 consecutive days (days 2 to 6). Treatment was repeated every 3 weeks. After encountering dose-limiting toxicities (DLTs) without G-CSF support, the maximum-tolerated dose was defined as 5 μg/kg of G-CSF subcutaneously starting on day 6.

RESULTS: Twenty-one patients received a total of 116 courses at four different dose levels. The DLT was neutropenia. At the first dose level, all six patients experienced grade 4 myelosuppression. G-CSF support permitted further dose escalation of cisplatin and topotecan. Nonhematologic toxicities, primarily fatigue, nausea/vomiting, and neurosensory neuropathy, were observed but were generally mild. Of 15 patients assessable for response, nine had a complete response, four achieved a partial response, and two had stable disease.

CONCLUSION: Neutropenia was the DLT of this combination of paclitaxel, cisplatin, and topotecan. The recommended phase II dose is paclitaxel 110 mg/m2 (day 1), followed by cisplatin 75 mg/m2 (day 2) and topotecan 0.3 mg/m2/d (days 2 to 6) with G-CSF support repeated every 3 weeks.
Age, Sex, and Smoking Are Predictors of Circulating Insulin-Like Growth Factor 1 and Insulin-Like Growth Factor–Binding Protein 3
Authors: Kaklamani Virginia G. , Linos Athena , Kaklamani Evangelia , Markaki Ioanna , Mantzoros Christos
Published: February 2017

PURPOSE: Insulin-like growth factor (IGF-1) and its major binding protein (IGF-BP3) have recently been implicated in the pathogenesis of several malignancies. However, anthropometric and lifestyle predictors of these hormones have not been elucidated. Here we report the results of a cross-sectional study.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS: This cross-sectional study examines the relationship of a series of epidemiologic parameters (age, sex, height, body mass index, smoking, alcohol consumption, and coffee drinking) with IGF-1 and IGF-BP3 in a sample of 130 healthy adults.

RESULTS: We observed that serum levels of IGF-1 are higher, whereas levels of IGF-BP3 are lower, in men than in women. In addition, serum levels of IGF-1 are independently and negatively associated with age and positively associated with pack-year history of smoking. Finally, serum levels of IGF-BP3 are independently and negatively associated with the number of cigarettes smoked per day or pack-year history of smoking.

CONCLUSION: Age, sex, and smoking are independent predictors of IGF-1 and/or IGF-BP3. The influence of these epidemiologic variables on the pathogenesis of disease states associated with IGF-1 and IGF-BP3 warrants further exploration.
Pamidronate Reduces Skeletal Morbidity in Women With Advanced Breast Cancer and Lytic Bone Lesions: A Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Trial
Authors: Theriault Richard L. , Lipton Allan , Hortobagyi Gabriel N. , Leff Richard , Glück Stefan , Stewart John F. , Costello Sean , Kennedy Ian , Simeone Joseph , Seaman John J. , Knight Robert D. , Mellars Kathleen , Heffernan Maika , Reitsma Dirk J.
Published: February 2017

PURPOSE: To assess whether pamidronate can reduce the frequency of skeletal morbidity in women with lytic bone metastases from breast cancer treated with hormone therapy.

PATIENTS AND METHODS: Three hundred seventy-two women with breast cancer who had at least one lytic bone lesion and who were receiving hormonal therapy were randomized to receive 90 mg of pamidronate or placebo as a 2-hour intravenous infusion given in double-blind fashion every 4 weeks for 24 cycles. Patients were evaluated for skeletal complications: pathologic fractures, spinal cord compression, irradiation of or surgery on bone, or hypercalcemia. The skeletal morbidity rate (the ratio of the number of skeletal complications to the time on trial) was the primary efficacy variable. Bone pain, use of analgesics, quality of life, performance status, bone tumor response, and biochemical parameters were also evaluated.

RESULTS: One hundred eighty-two patients who received pamidronate and 189 who received placebo were assessable. The skeletal morbidity rate was significantly reduced at 12, 18, and 24 cycles in patients treated with 90 mg of pamidronate (P = .028, .023, and .008, respectively). At 24 cycles, the proportion of patients having had any skeletal complication was 56% in the pamidronate group and 67% in the placebo group (P = .027). The time to the first skeletal complication was longer for patients receiving pamidronate than for those given placebo (P = .049). There was no statistical difference in survival or in objective bone response rate. Pamidronate was well tolerated.

CONCLUSION: Treatment with 90 mg of pamidronate as a 2-hour intravenous infusion every 4 weeks in addition to hormonal therapy significantly reduces skeletal morbidity from osteolytic metastases.
Quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction for the Detection of Micrometastases in Patients With Breast Cancer
Authors: Slade Martin J. , Smith Brendan M. , Sinnett H. Dudley , Cross Nicholas C.P. , Coombes R. Charles
Published: February 2017

PURPOSE: Previous reports have indicated that reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) for cytokeratin 19 (CK-19) may be useful in the management of patients with breast cancer. However, the specificity of this technique is low, principally because of a high rate of false-positive results. To improve the specificity of this assay, we developed a quantitative RT-PCR methodology that enables an estimate to be made of the number of CK-19 transcripts in blood and bone marrow samples.

PATIENTS AND METHODS: We examined 45 peripheral-blood samples and 30 bone marrow samples from patients with a variety of nonneoplastic conditions using nested RT-PCR for CK-19. We also examined bone marrow and peripheral-blood samples from 23 patients with primary breast cancer and peripheral-blood samples from 37 patients with metastatic breast cancer. The number of CK-19 transcripts was estimated in positive specimens by competitive PCR and normalized to the number of ABL transcripts as an internal control for the quality and quantity of cDNA. RT-PCR results were compared with the numbers of CK-19–positive cells detected by immunocytochemistry.

RESULTS: Analysis of samples from patients without cancer enabled us to define an upper limit for the background ratio of CK-19 to ABL transcripts (1:1,000 for blood samples and 1:1,600 for bone marrow samples). Using these figures as cut-off points, elevated CK-19: ABL ratios were detected in peripheral-blood samples of 20 of 37 (54%) patients with metastatic breast cancer and in bone marrow samples of 14 of 23 (61%) patients with primary breast cancer. Only three of 23 (13%) primary breast cancer peripheral-blood samples and none of the control samples were positive by these criteria. Only two of 23 patients (9%) with primary breast cancer showed immunocytochemically detectable cells in the blood; 10 of 23 (43%) showed immunocytochemically detectable cells in the bone marrow. Of 36 patients with metastatic breast cancer, eight (22%) showed positive events.

CONCLUSION: Quantitative RT-PCR for CK-19 detects a percentage of patients with breast cancer and may enable the progression or regression of the disease to be monitored.
Phase I Trial of Escalating Doses of Paclitaxel Plus Doxorubicin and Dexrazoxane in Patients With Advanced Breast Cancer
Authors: Sparano Joseph A. , Speyer James , Gradishar William J. , Liebes Leonard , Sridhara Rajeshwari , Mendoza Sandra , Fry David , Egorin Merrill J.
Published: February 2017

PURPOSE: To determine the maximum-tolerable dose (MTD) of paclitaxel given as a 3-hour intravenous (IV) infusion that could be used in conjunction with doxorubicin and dexrazoxane, and to determine the effect of dexrazoxane on the pharmacokinetics of paclitaxel and doxorubicin.

PATIENTS AND METHODS: Twenty-five patients with advanced breast cancer received dexrazoxane (600 mg/m2 by IV infusion over 15 minutes), followed 15 minutes later by doxorubicin (60 mg/m2 IV), followed 15 minutes later by paclitaxel (150 or 175 mg/m2 by IV infusion over 3 hours) in cohorts of three to six patients using a standard phase I design without (group A) and with (group B) granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF). Treatment continued until there was a substantial decrease in the left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), congestive heart failure, progressive disease, or physician discretion to discontinue.

RESULTS: The MTD of paclitaxel was 150 mg/m2, and adjunctive therapy with G-CSF was required to prevent febrile neutropenia. Dexrazoxane had no significant effect on the pharmacokinetics of paclitaxel or doxorubicin. After a median cumulative doxorubicin dose of 360 mg/m2 (range, 60 to 870 mg/m2), no patient developed congestive heart failure or had a decrease in LVEF below normal. An objective response occurred in all five patients with locally advanced breast cancer and in eight of 20 patients (40%; 95% confidence interval, 19% to 61%) with metastatic breast cancer.

CONCLUSION: When combined with doxorubicin (60 mg/m2) and dexrazoxane (600 mg/m2), paclitaxel given as a 3-hour infusion had an MTD of 150 mg/m2, and G-CSF was required to prevent febrile neutropenia. Dexrazoxane had no effect on the pharmacokinetics of paclitaxel or doxorubicin. No patient in this trial had a decrease in the LVEF below normal, compared with about 20% to 50% of patients treated with doxorubicin and paclitaxel without dexrazoxane in other trials.
Multi-Institutional Melanoma Lymphatic Mapping Experience: The Prognostic Value of Sentinel Lymph Node Status in 612 Stage I or II Melanoma Patients
Authors: Gershenwald Jeffrey E. , Thompson William , Mansfield Paul F. , Lee Jeffrey E. , Colome Maria I. , Tseng Chi-hong , Lee J. Jack , Balch Charles M. , Reintgen Douglas S. , Ross Merrick I.
Published: February 2017

PURPOSE: To compare the effect of pathologic sentinel lymph node (SLN) status with that of other known prognostic factors on recurrence and survival in patients with stage I or II cutaneous melanoma.

PATIENTS AND METHODS: We reviewed the records of 612 patients with primary cutaneous melanoma who underwent lymphatic mapping and SLN biopsy between January 1991 and May 1995 to determine the effects of tumor thickness, ulceration, Clark level, location, sex, and SLN pathologic status on disease-free and disease-specific survival.

RESULTS: In the 580 patients in whom lymphatic mapping and SLN biopsy were successful, the SLN was positive by conventional histology in 85 patients (15%) but negative in 495 patients (85%). SLN status was the most significant prognostic factor with respect to disease-free and disease-specific survival by univariate and multiple covariate analyses. Although tumor thickness and ulceration influenced survival in SLN-negative patients, they provided no additional prognostic information in SLN-positive patients.

CONCLUSION: Lymphatic mapping and SLN biopsy is highly accurate in staging nodal basins at risk for regional metastases in primary melanoma patients and identifies those who may benefit from earlier lymphadenectomy. Furthermore, pathologic status of the SLN in these patients with clinically negative nodes is the most important prognostic factor for recurrence. The information from SLN biopsy is particularly helpful in establishing stratification criteria for future adjuvant trials.
Phase II Study of Phenylacetate in Patients With Recurrent Malignant Glioma: A North American Brain Tumor Consortium Report
Authors: Chang Susan M. , Kuhn John G. , Robins H. Ian , Schold S. Clifford , Spence Alexander M. , Berger Mitchel S. , Mehta Minesh P. , Bozik Michael E. , Pollack Ian , Schiff David , Gilbert Mark , Rankin Cathy , Prados Michael D.
Published: February 2017

PURPOSE: To determine the response rate, time to treatment failure, and toxicity of phenylacetate in patients with recurrent malignant glioma and to identify plasma concentrations achieved during repeated continuous infusion of this agent.

PATIENTS AND METHODS: Adult patients with recurrent malignant glioma were treated with phenylacetate. The schedule consisted of a 2-week continuous, intravenous infusion followed by a 2-week rest period (14 days on, 14 days off). A starting dose of 400 mg/kg total body weight per day of phenylacetate was initially used and subsequently changed to 400 mg/kg/d based on ideal body weight. Intrapatient dose escalations were allowed to a maximum of 450 mg/kg ideal body weight/d. Tumor response was assessed every 8 weeks. The National Cancer Institute common toxicity criteria were used to assess toxicity. Plasma concentrations achieved during the patients' first two 14-day infusions were assessed.

RESULTS: Forty-three patients were enrolled between December 1994 and December 1996. Of these, 40 patients were assessable for toxicity and response to therapy. Reversible symptoms of fatigue and somnolence were the primary toxicities, with only mild hematologic toxicity. Thirty (75%) of the 40 patients failed treatment within 2 months, seven (17.5%) had stable disease, and three (7.5%) had a response defined as more than 50% reduction in the tumor. Median time to treatment failure was 2 months. Thirty-five patients have died, with a median survival of 8 months. Pharmacokinetic data for this dose schedule showed no difference in the mean plasma concentrations of phenylacetate between weeks 1 and 2 or between weeks 5 and 6.

CONCLUSION: Phenylacetate has little activity at this dose schedule in patients with recurrent malignant glioma. Further studies with this drug would necessitate an evaluation of a different dose schedule.
Phase I and Pharmacologic Study of the Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitor SU101 in Patients With Advanced Solid Tumors
Authors: Eckhardt S. Gail , Rizzo Jinee , Sweeney Kevin R. , Cropp Gillian , Baker Sharyn D. , Kraynak,† Maura A. , Kuhn John G. , Villalona-Calero Miguel A. , Hammond Lisa , Weiss Geoffrey , Thurman Allison , Smith Lon , Drengler Ronald , Eckardt John R. , Moczygemba Judy , Hannah Alison L. , Von Hoff Daniel D. , Rowinsky Eric K.
Published: February 2017

PURPOSE: To evaluate the clinical feasibility and pharmacologic behavior of the platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) tyrosine kinase inhibitor SU101, administered on a prolonged, intermittent dosing schedule to patients with advanced solid malignancies.

PATIENTS AND METHODS: Twenty-six patients were treated with SU101 doses ranging from 15 to 443 mg/m2 as a 24-hour continuous intravenous (IV) infusion weekly for 4 weeks, repeated every 6 weeks. Pharmacokinetic studies were performed to characterize the disposition of SU101 and its major active metabolite, SU0020. Immunohistochemical staining of PDGF-α and -β receptors was performed on malignant tumor specimens obtained at diagnosis.

RESULTS: Twenty-six patients were treated with 52 courses (187 infusions) of SU101. The most common toxicities were mild to moderate nausea, vomiting, and fever. Two patients experienced one episode each of grade 3 neutropenia at the 333 and 443 mg/m2 dose levels. Dose escalation of SU101 above 443 mg/m2/wk was precluded by the total volume of infusate required, 2.5 to 3.0 L. Individual plasma SU101 and SU0020 concentrations were described by a one-compartment model that incorporates both first-order formation and elimination of SU0020. SU101 was rapidly converted to SU0020, which exhibited a long elimination half-life averaging 19 ± 12 days. At the 443 mg/m2/wk dose level, trough plasma SU0020 concentrations during weeks 2 and 4 ranged from 54 to 522 μmol/L. Immunohistochemical studies revealed PDGF-α and -β receptor staining in the majority (15 of 19) of malignant neoplasms.

CONCLUSION: SU101 was well tolerated as a 24-hour continuous IV infusion at doses of up to 443 mg/m2/wk for 4 consecutive weeks every 6 weeks. Although further dose escalation was precluded by infusate volume constraints, this SU101 dose schedule resulted in the achievement and maintenance of substantial plasma concentrations of the major metabolite, SU0020, for the entire treatment period.
Multitargeted Antifolate LY231514 as First-Line Chemotherapy for Patients With Advanced Non–Small-Cell Lung Cancer: A Phase II Study
Authors: Rusthoven James J. , Eisenhauer Elizabeth , Butts Charles , Gregg Richard , Dancey Janet , Fisher Bryn , Iglesias Jose
Published: February 2017

PURPOSE: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of the multitargeted antifolate LY231514 (MTA) in patients receiving initial chemotherapy for unresectable, advanced non–small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients with measurable, advanced NSCLC who had not received previous chemotherapy for advanced disease were considered for this study. Eligible patients who gave written informed consent initially received MTA 600 mg/m2 intravenously (IV) for 10 minutes every 3 weeks. After three patients received treatment at this dose, the dose was reduced to 500 mg/m2 IV at the same infusion time and frequency because of toxicity seen in this study and another Canadian MTA trial in colorectal cancer. Patients received up to four cycles after complete or partial remission or six cycles after stable disease was documented.

RESULTS: Thirty-three patients were accrued onto the study. All were assessable for toxicity, and 30 patients were assessable for response. All but one patient had an Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status score of 0 or 1, 18 patients (55%) had adenocarcinoma, and nine patients (27%) had squamous cell carcinoma. Twenty-five patients (76%) had stage IV disease, and the remainder had stage IIIB disease at trial entry. Seven patients experienced a confirmed partial response and no complete responses were seen; thus, the overall response rate was 23.3% (95% confidence interval, 9.9% to 42.3%). The median duration of response was 3.1 months (range, 2.3 to 13.5 months) after a median follow-up period of 7.9 months. Four (67%) of six patients with stage IIIB disease and three (12.5%) of 24 with stage IV disease responded to treatment. Four patients (13.3%) experienced febrile neutropenia and 13 (39%) experienced grade 3 or 4 neutropenia, whereas only one patient (3%) developed grade 4 thrombocytopenia. Nonhematologic toxicity was generally mild or moderate, but 39% of patients developed a grade 3 skin rash. Most other toxicities comprised grade 1 or 2 stomatitis, diarrhea, lethargy, and anorexia. Ten patients stopped protocol therapy because of toxicity.

CONCLUSION: MTA seems to have clinically meaningful activity as a single agent against advanced NSCLC. Toxicity is generally mild and tolerable. Further study of this agent in combination with cisplatin and other active drugs is warranted in this disease.
Graft-Versus-Tumor Induction With Donor Leukocyte Infusions as Primary Therapy for Patients With Malignancies
Authors: Porter David L. , Connors Jean M. , Van Deerlin Vivianna M.D. , Duffy Kathleen M. , McGarigle Carol , Saidman Susan L. , Leonard Debra G.B. , Antin Joseph H.
Published: February 2017

PURPOSE: Histocompatible allogeneic donor leukocyte infusions (DLIs) were administered as primary cancer therapy in a phase I trial to determine (1) whether mixed chimerism could be detected without a prior allogeneic transplantation, (2) the toxicity of primary DLI, and (3) whether a graft-versus-tumor (GVT) reaction could be observed.

PATIENTS AND METHODS: Eighteen patients were studied. Patients received interferon alfa-2b for a minimum of 4 weeks, followed by DLI (level 1). Patients with no toxicity or engraftment were eligible to receive cytarabine or cyclophosphamide followed by another course of DLI (level 2). Engraftment was determined using polymerase chain reaction amplification of donor and host-specific DNA polymorphisms.

RESULTS: Donor cells were detected in the blood in 14 of 16 assessable patients within 1 hour of DLI. Chimerism detectable 4 weeks after DLI was observed in four patients, and five patients were not assessable. Prior autologous transplantation was associated with late chimerism (P = .0014). Acute graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) occurred in four of 16 assessable patients (grade 1, two patients; grade 2, one patient; grade 4, one patient). One patient with grade 4 acute GVHD developed pancytopenia. Only the four patients treated after prior autologous transplantation developed acute GVHD (P = .0005). Three of four patients with acute GVHD and late chimerism responded to primary DLI, and one patient was not assessable for response.

CONCLUSION: Allogeneic adoptive immunotherapy resulted in sustained chimerism, acute GVHD, and a GVT response in heavily pretreated patients. This indicates that it may be possible to generate a direct GVT response for patients with malignancies without the need for intensive conditioning therapy immediately before DLI. Immunosuppression may be required for sustained donor cell engraftment.
Hickman Catheter–Related Infections in Neutropenic Patients: Insertion in the Operating Theater Versus Insertion in the Radiology Suite
Authors: Nouwen Jan L. , Wielenga Jenne J. , van Overhagen Hans , Laméris J. S. , Kluytmans Jan A.J.W. , Behrendt Myra D. , Hop Wim C.J. , Verbrugh Henri A. , de Marie Simon
Published: February 2017

PURPOSE: To determine the influence of microbial air quality during Hickman catheter insertion in the operating theater versus insertion in the radiology suite on the incidence of catheter-related infections (CRIs).

PATIENTS AND METHODS: Hemato-oncologic patients with prolonged neutropenia on antimicrobial prophylaxis were entered onto the study. Catheters were inserted by experienced radiologists under sonographic and fluoroscopic guidance.

RESULTS: Forty-eight Hickman catheters in 39 patients were inserted (23 in the operating theater, 25 in the radiology suite). CRIs were seen in 16 catheters (33%; six per 1,000 catheter days; eight in each group). Local infections were found in nine catheters (22%; six in the operating theater v three in the radiology suite; not significant [NS]), catheter-related bacteremia was found in 10 (29%; three in the operating theater v seven in the radiology suite; NS). Coagulase-negative staphylococci (CoNS) caused all CRIs. Despite early vancomycin therapy, 11 (69%; four in the operating room group v seven in the radiology suite group; NS) of the catheters with CRIs had to be removed prematurely. At 90 days after insertion, catheter survival was 78% and 60% (NS) for the operating room and radiology suite, respectively. Multivariate analysis showed that neutropenia increased the CRI risk 20-fold (P = .004) and was strongly related to premature catheter removal owing to infection (relative risk = 11.9; P = .009). Neutropenia on the day of insertion was also significantly correlated with CRI (P = .04) and premature catheter removal owing to infection (P = .03). Serial cultures of blood, exit site, and catheter hub did not predict the development of CRI.

CONCLUSION: The high incidence of Hickman CRI caused by CoNS was not associated with insertion location (operating theater v radiology suite). Neutropenia, including neutropenia on the day of insertion, was a significant risk factor for CRI and infection-related catheter removal.
Time Trends in Systemic Adjuvant Treatment for Node-Negative Breast Cancer
Authors: Hébert-Croteau Nicole , Brisson Jacques , Latreille Jean , Gariépy Gilles , Blanchette Caty , Deschênes Luc
Published: February 2017

PURPOSE: We conducted a population-based study in Quebec, Canada, to assess longitudinal changes in systemic adjuvant therapy for node-negative breast cancer.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: A stratified random sample was selected among women with newly diagnosed node-negative breast cancer in 1988, 1991, and 1993. Information on the patient, her tumor, source of care, and treatment was abstracted from medical charts. Patients were classified as being at minimal, moderate, or high risk of recurrence on the basis of criteria proposed at the 4th International Conference on Adjuvant Therapy of Primary Breast Cancer (St. Gallen, Switzerland, 1992), and systemic adjuvant treatment received was dichotomized as being consistent or not consistent with consensus recommendations.

RESULTS: Overall, 1,578 cases of invasive breast carcinoma were reviewed. The proportion of patients who were given hormonal or cytotoxic treatment increased from 51.7% to 73.1% from 1988 to 1993. Virtually all women at minimal risk were treated in 1991 and 1993 according to the consensus statement. The proportions of women so treated were 75.0% and 65.4% in the moderate- and high-risk categories, respectively, in 1991. In 1993, these proportions were 71.4% and 67.0%, respectively. Omission of chemotherapy, especially in high-risk women with estrogen receptor–negative tumors who were 50 to 69 years of age, was the most frequent inconsistency with guidelines.

CONCLUSION: Systemic adjuvant therapy for node-negative breast cancer has gained acceptance. Better understanding of the decision-making process, of the perception of the risks and benefits involved, and of the impact of alternative strategies for the dissemination of consensus recommendations are needed to promote the use of chemotherapy in specific categories of women who are at high risk of recurrence.