bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Oral mucositis prevention by low-level laser therapy in head and neck cancer patients submitted to concurrent chemoradiation: A prospective randomized study
Authors: Castro G. , de Lima A. G. , Lopes D. R. , Ortegosa M. V. , Rosalmeida M. C. , Gil E. , Cavalcanti Leal A. I. , Federico M. H. , Villar R. C. , Snitcovsky I. 
Published: August 2020

6019 Background: Oral mucositis is a major treatment-related complication of concurrent chemoradiation (CRT) in head and neck cancer (HNC) patients (pts), affecting nutrition, pain control, quality of life and adequate treatment delivery. Low level laser (LLL) is a promising preventive therapy. We aimed to evaluate the efficacy of LLL to decrease and delay severe oral mucositis and its impact on RT interruptions. Methods: In this prospective, randomized, double-blind, phase III trial, pts were treated with either daily He-Ne LLL 2.5 J/cm2, or placebo laser, before RT. Eligible pts had to be diagnosed with SCC or undifferentiated carcinoma of oral cavity, pharynx, larynx, or metastatic to the neck with unknown primary site (UPS); age > 18 y; candidates to adjuvant or definitive CRT; signed informed consent. CRT consisted of conventional RT 60–70 Gy (1.8–2.0 Gy/d, 5 times/wk) + concurrent cisplatin 100 mg/m2 every 3 wks. Main endpoints were oral mucositis severity in wks 2, 4 and 6 (CTC-NCI v.2.0); RT interruptions due to mucositis; pain intensity (VAS). To detect a decrease in the incidence of grade 3 or 4 oral mucositis from 80 to 50%, we planned to enroll 74 pts, error I/II 5 and 20%, respectively. Results: 73 pts were included (77% male; mean age 53 y); primary site: oropharynx (31 pts), larynx (15), nasopharynx (10), hypopharynx (8), oral cavity (7 pts), UPS (2); 36 pts received prophylactic LLL. Mean delivered RT dose (Gy) was higher in pts treated with LLL (69.3 vs. 67.8, p = 0.04). The number of treatment fields was the same (6 vs. 6, p = 0.50) and the mean cisplatin dose-intensity was 40.9 and 40.1 mg/m2/wk (p = 0.3) between pts treated with LLL or placebo, respectively. During CRT, the number of pts diagnosed with grade 3 or 4 oral mucositis treated with LLL/placebo was 4/5 (wk 2, p = 1.0); 4/11 (wk 4, p = 0.08); and 8/9 (wk 6, p = 1.0), respectively. More pts treated with placebo had RT interruptions due to mucositis (6 vs. 0, p =0.02). The occurrence of severe pain did not differ between the study arms in wks 2, 4 and 6 (5/5, 8/8 and 8/8, p = 1.0). Conclusions: LLL therapy was effective in reducing grade 3 or 4 oral mucositis and in reducing RT interruptions in these HNC pts treated with concurrent CRT, which may translate into improved CRT efficacy and tolerance. No significant financial relationships to disclose.
Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-specific immunotherapy in nasopharygneal carcinoma (NPC)
Authors: Wirth L. J. , Fogg M. , Wang F. , Lorch J. , Haddad R. I. , Posner M. R. 
Published: August 2020

6025 Background: Immunotherapy for EBV-associated NPC is intriguing, as viral proteins serve as foreign tumor antigens for cytotoxic T cells (CTLs). EBV-specific CTLs are effective in PTLD, but translating this success to NPC is challenging. We conducted a feasibility study to establish the manufacture and administration of autologous EBV-specific CTLs and explore correlates of response. Methods: Eligibility criteria include incurable EBV+ NPC, ECOG PS ≤ 1, adequate end-organ function, and no chemotherapy within 2 weeks (wks). CTLs were generated using autologous EBV-transformed B cells to generate autologous EBV-specific CTLs. CTLs were administered in 2 infusions, 2 wks apart (2 X 107 and 1 X 108 cells/m2, respectively, for the 1st 3 patients, then 1 X 108 cells/m2 X 2 for remaining patients). Response was determined at 8 wks. Results: Ten patients were enrolled. CTLs were successfully generated in 9. Two patients came off study during CTL manufacture, due to decline in PS (n = 1) and tumor invasion into the brain (n = 1). One patient has a product available when clinically appropriate. There were no infusion-related events. Seven patients received CTLs. One had stable disease (SD) and remains progression-free at 64 wks, 4 had progressive disease and 2 await restaging. Five patients had EBV viral loads (VL) pre- and post-CTLs. VL remained undetectable in 1, decreased from 5300 to 1300 copies/ml in 1, increased from undetectable to 153 copies/ml in 1, and in 2 increased from 46,524 to 269,072 and 7,621 to 59,336 copies/ml, respectively. A CD3+/CD8+ phenotype predominated in the CTLs. LMP2- and EBNA-1 CTL specificity was evaluated by IFN-γ ELISPOTs. There were 2 responders to EBNA-1 (range: 100 to 150 sfc/106 cells), and 7 responders to LMP2 (range: 120 to 433 sfc/106 cells). Conclusions: EBV-specific CTLs can be generated from patients with NPC. CTLs are well-tolerated and may have some efficacy, as seen in 1 patient with SD. LMP2-specific CTLs were frequent, whereas EBNA-1-specificity was less common. While the sample size is small, the presence of LMP2 activity alone may not account for response. Factors critical to EBV-specific immunotherapy in NPC remain unclear. A phase II study to establish efficacy of this approach in less heavily pretreated NPC is underway. No significant financial relationships to disclose.
Detection of Merkel cell polyomavirus in formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue of Merkel cell carcinoma and its correlation with prognosis
Authors: Andea A. A. , Patel R. , Ponnazhagan S. , Kumar S. , DeVilliers P. , Jhala D. , Eltoum I. , Manne U. , Siegal G. 
Published: August 2020

6027 Background: Polyomaviruses are frequently associated with malignancies in their hosts. Recently, a novel polyoma virus, named Merkel cell polyomavirus (MCV) was identified integrated to the genome of 6 of 10 fresh frozen samples of MCC. These findings suggest an involvement of MCV in the pathogenesis of MCC. Because MCC is a rare tumor, the most readily available tissue is archival formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded (FFPE) material. In this study we evaluated the presence of MCV in FFPE tissue and correlated its presence with tumor progression. Methods: Representative FFPE specimens from 18 tumors belonging to 14 patients with a diagnosis of MCC were retrieved. Following DNA extraction, we performed PCR using 4 different primer pairs amplifying sequences within the T antigen and VP1 gene of MCV. The identity of the PCR products was confirmed by direct sequencing. For clinical outcome analysis we used our MCC database containing 40 patients from 1997 to 2008 with a median follow-up interval of 20 months (range 1–108 months). Results: We detected MCV amplicons in 8 of 18 analyzed tumors (44.4%) from 7 of 14 cases (50%). PCR products from the T antigen portion of MCV were found in 6 of 18 tumors (33.3%) and from the VP1 gene in 2 of 18 tumors (11.1%). For 3 patients, MCV detection was performed in both the primary and metastatic tumors. In one of these the virus was found in both lesions while in the other 2 only the primary tumor demonstrated the virus. Two- and 5-year survival rates for the MCCs containing the virus were 47.6% and 0% respectively while for the rest of the cases in our database 2- and 5-year survival rates were 61.6% and 40.8% respectively; the difference did not reach however, statistical significance (p = 0.3). Conclusions: We identified MCV sequences in half of the cases analyzed demonstrating the feasibility of this technique in FFPE tissue. We also found that the tumors harboring MCV exhibit a trend for more aggressive behavior compared to the rest of MCCs. These findings suggest that MCV might have an etiologic role in carcinogenesis or tumor progression in MCC. Further studies investigating the biological significance of MCV integration in the human genome and the presence of MCV in other neuroendocrine tumors are warranted. No significant financial relationships to disclose.
One-step nucleic acid amplification for detecting lymph node metastasis of head and neck cancer
Authors: Goda H. , Nakashiro K. , Yoshimura T. , Sumida T. , Wakisaka H. , Hato N. , Hyodo M. , Hamakawa H. 
Published: August 2020

6028 Background: Lymph node stage is an important prognostic factor in squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN). We previously reported the clinical usefulness of sentinel lymph node (SLN) biopsy diagnosed by concurrently performing histological examination using semiserial sections and genetic analysis by quantitative RT-PCR. However, these methods took about 3 hours. In this study, we have attempted to develop a more efficient method for intraoperative genetic detection of lymph node metastasis in SCCHN. Methods: A total of 291 lymph nodes (59 patients) resected on SLN biopsy for cN0 SCCHN or neck dissection for cN1/2 SCCHN were diagnosed by one-step nucleic acid amplification (OSNA) method using GD-100. The primary site was tongue, gingiva, oral floor, buccal mucosa, and pharynx in 44% (26), 37% (22), 10% (6), 5% (3), and 3% (2), respectively. OSNA consists of a short homogenization step followed by amplification of cytokeratin 19 (CK19) mRNA directly from the lysate. It is characterized by the use of 4 different primers specifically designed to recognize 6 distinct regions, so the CK19 primers do not amplify the known CK19 pseudogenes. The reaction process proceeds at a constant temperature (65°C) during strand displacement reaction. Amplification and detection of CK19 mRNA can be completed in a single step. Each lymph node was divided into two halves to diagnose metastasis. An alternative half was used for the OSNA assay with cytokeratin 19 (CK19) mRNA, and the remaining block was subjected to semiserial sectioning, sliced at 200-μm intervals and then examined by H&E and cytokeratin AE1/AE3 immunohistochemical staining. Results: Fifty-four of 291 lymph nodes were pathologically metastasis-positive. The optimal cut-off for the copy number of CK19 mRNA in assessing lymph node metastasis was 300 copies/μl, which had the highest diagnostic accuracy. The sensitivity and specificity of OSNA assay with CK19 mRNA was 92.6% (50/54) and 97% (230/237), respectively. An overall concordance rate between the OSNA assay and histopathology was 96.2%. The OSNA assay could be completed within 30 minutes. Conclusions: The OSNA assay showing high sensitivity and specificity can be used as a novel genetic detection tool of lymph node metastasis in SCCHN patients. No significant financial relationships to disclose.
ERCC1 polymorphism in patients with locally advanced head and neck squamous cell carcinoma treated with concomitant chemoradiation: Prevalence and impact on treatment efficacy
Authors: Abboud O. , Weng X. , Guertin L. , Bissada É. , Abou Chacra Z. , Nguyen-Tan P. , Fortin B. , Tabet J. , Audet M. , Soulieres D. 
Published: August 2020

6032 Background: Excision repair cross-complementation group 1 (ERCC1) is a gene coding for the nucleotide excision repair complex. Its increased expression and polymorphism at codon 118 have been linked to poor response to chemotherapy or chemoradiation in several types of cancer. ERCC1 removes the cisplatin adducts on the DNA of cells and its polymorphism appears to be a marker of chemotherapeutic resistance to platinum-based therapy. Objectives: To determine the prevalence of the polymorphism of ERCC1 (codon 118) in patients with locally advanced HNSCC treated with concomitant platinum-based chemoradiation therapy with or without prior surgery, and its effect on eficacy evaluated by locoregional control, disease-free survival and overall survival. Methods: Prospective data on efficacy was available on 460 consecutive patients treated with concomitant chemoradiation in our institution with a minimal follow-up of 2 years. Of these, 230 fixed and paraffin embedded biopsies or surgical specimens were collected. DNA was extracted from specimens and polymorphism of codon 118 was determined using a PCR technique. All analysis were performed using Kaplan-Meier survival curves, Fisher's test for categorical data and log-rank statistics for failure times. Results: DNA extraction was successful in 222 patients. Polymorphism mapping was possible in 178 specimens. Genotypic distribution in the population was the following : AAT/AAT:40% (Gr1), AAC/AAT: 48%(Gr2), AAC/AAC: 12% (Gr3). At 3 years, evaluation of efficacy for Gr1, Gr2, and Gr3 was determined. Locoregional control was respectively 77%, 83%, and 67% (p = NS), DFS was 58%, 68% and 55% (p=NS), and OS was 70%, 69%, and 70% (p = NS). Conclusions: ERCC1 polymorphism did not have an impact in our population on response to chemoradiation therapy. It can be postulated that ERCC1 does not seem to discriminate patients for whom another treatment option should be sought for patients with locally advanced SCCHN. Further data will be presented at the meeting including a multivariate analysis using different markers tested in our laboratory (KRAS, MGMT methylation, etc). No significant financial relationships to disclose.
A phase IIb 4-arm open-label randomized study to assess the safety and efficacy of h-R3 monoclonal antibody against EGFR in combination with chemoradiation therapy or radiation therapy in patients with advanced (stage III or IVA) inoperable head and neck cancer
Authors: Krishnamurthyreddy B. , Vidyasagar M. S. , Koteshwar R. , Shenoy A. , Viswanath L. , Thimmaiah N. , Babu G. , Joseph B. , Bonnathiya R. , Bapsy P. P. 
Published: August 2020

6041 Background: Patients (pt) with advanced inoperable squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN) have poor radiotherapy alone (RT) outcome. EGFR is over-expressed in >90% SCCHN. h-R3mAb (BIOMAb/nimotuzumab/TheraCIM) is a humanized monoclonal antibody, a validated oncotherapeutic-targeting EGFR. Objective: To investigate the safety and efficacy of concurrent h-R3mAb in combination with chemoradiotherapy of SCCHN. Methods: September 2004–2005, pt 18–70 yrs, SCCHN stageIII-IVA, 113 screened, 92 enrolled and randomly asssigned to, Group A: radical radiotherapy (pt) and Group B: chemoradiotherapy (pt). Randomization within Group A: [RT]v/s[RT+h-R3mAb] and within Group B: [RT+CT]v/s[RT+CT+ h-R3mAb] (n = 23 in each arm). Protocol: Radiotherapy: TD: 66 Gy,2Gy/Fr,5Fr/w,6.5wks. Radiation sensitizer (chemotherapy): CDDP-50mg/wk x 6wks. Study Drug (h-R3mAb): 200 mg/wk I.V.60min x 6weeks. Results: Evaluable (n = 76) in Group A-36 and Group B-40. F/u Analysis at 30 months after end of RT. Survival rate ITT: Group B: CT+RT+hR3- 69.5% v/s CT+RT-21.7% (p - 0.0011), Group A: RT alone - 21.7% v/s RT+ hR3–39.1% (ns). Progression-free survival: RT alone - 3(13.04 %) v/s RT+hR3mAb-8 (34.78 %), RT+CT-5 (21.74 %) v/s RT+CT+hR3mAb-13 (56.52%). Median overall survival (OS): CT+RT+hR3 - NR* v/s CT+RT- 21.96 months (hazard ratio [HR]-0.337, p - 0.0018) and RT alone - 25.02 v/s RT+hR3 - NR*(HR-0.678, p - 0.39). Disease-free survival: CT+RT+hR3- NR*v/sCT+RT-21.30 mths (HR-0.344, p - 0.0052) and RT alone-25.02 v/s RT+hR3- NA* (HR-0.599, p - 0.32). (NR*- median OS is yet to be reached). Safety: few grade - 1/2AE, no HAMA observed. OS per protocol - adding h-R3mAb to chemoradiation resulted in a reduction in risk of death (rrd) by 85% (HR 0.15, p - 0.0006) and to RT a 36 % rrd (HR0.64, p - 0.33). Conclusions: Concurrent use of h-R3mAb with RT or RT+CT is safe and efficacious. It enhances radiation and chemotherapy responses. Concurrent use of h-R3mAb with chemoradiotherapy enhances long-term loco-regional control and survival. Adding biological agents to physically targeted modality improves long-term therapeutic outcome of SCCHN. No significant financial relationships to disclose.
Phase II trial of combination docetaxel and cisplatin in patients with locally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma
Authors: Yamouni M. , Benhadji K. A. , Beldjilali Y. , Lahfa I. , Khellafi H. , Abdelaoui A. , Djellali L. , Bouzid K. 
Published: August 2020

6044 Background: The standard treatment of locally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma is cisplatin-based chemotherapy followed by locoregional radiotherapy. The purpose of this study is to assess the antitumor activity and toxicity of a new neoadjuvant chemotherapy regimen combining docetaxel (D) and cisplatin (C). Methods: Previously untreated patients (pts) with histologically diagnosed locally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma (stages IVA and IVB, TNM/UICC 1997) received D 75 mg/m2 and C 75 mg/m2 both on day 1, with cycles repeated every 21 days. All pts received three cycles in a neoadjuvant setting before radiotherapy (4 to 6 weeks after the third cycle of DC, 65–70 Gy 5 fractions/week). Pts were evaluated by clinical examination, CT scan of the nasopharynx, and nasofibroscopy with biopsy. The primary end point was tumor response. Secondary end points were disease-free survival (DFS), toxicity, and overall survival (OS). Results: 93 pts (65 male, 28 female) were enrolled. Median age was 42 years (range 18–69), WHO performance status was 0–1 in 87 pts and 2 in 6 pts. 75 pts (81%) had an undifferentiated carcinoma of nasopharyngeal type (UCNT) and 18 pts (19%) a differenciated carcinoma of the nasopharynx. 31 pts had stage IVA disease and 62 pts had stage IVB. Toxicity, tumor response, and survival at 5 years (median follow up 49.5 months) were assessable in 90 pts. After 270 cycles, grade 3–4 toxicities (WHO) were: neutropenia (12 %), febrile neutropenia (2%), anemia (1%), nausea and vomiting (23%), diarrhea (8%), mucositis (1%), reversible alopecia (70%). Two pts had onycholysis. Response rates for the 90 pts were: complete response 32.2% (29 pts), partial response 54.4% (49 pts), stable disease 11.1% (10 pts), and progressive disease 2.2% (2 pts). The overall response rate (ORR) was 86.6% and 89% amongst the UCNT. After radiotherapy, 88 pts had a complete response and one patient had stable disease. DFS and OS at 5 years were 52% and 55%, respectively. Conclusions: DC chemotherapy followed by radiation therapy is an effective regimen for the treatment of advanced UCNT and has an acceptable safety profile. These data need to be compared with concurrent chemoradiotherapy to assess the best strategy for the management of advanced UCNT. No significant financial relationships to disclose.
Multicenter phase II study of cetuximab plus docetaxel in 84 patients with recurrent or metastatic, platinum-pretreated SCCHN
Authors: Knoedler M. K. , Gauler T. , Matzdorff A. , Jordan O. , Schroeder M. , Gruenwald V. , Dietz A. , Arnold D. , Hennemann B. , Keilholz U. 
Published: August 2020

6048 Background: Cetuximab and docetaxel are both active in squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN). We investigated the efficacy of cetuximab plus docetaxel as second-line treatment in platinum-pre-treated patients with recurrent and or metastatic SCCHN. Methods: 84 patients were enrolled and received cetuximab (initial dose of 400 mg/m2, followed by subsequent weekly doses of 250 mg/m2) and docetaxel (35 mg/m2 on days 1, 8, 15 of a 4-week cycle) for a maximum of 6 cycles. Patients with stable disease continued to receive cetuximab until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity. The primary endpoint was the objective response rate according to RECIST criteria. Secondary endpoints were response rate in relation to platinum sensitivity, progression-free survival, overall survival, and toxicity. Results: According to RECIST there were 10 PR (12%) and 23 SD (27%), resulting in a disease control rate of 39%. Response to protocol treatment was unrelated to previous platinum sensitivity. Median progression-free survival was 4 months (95% CI, 2.9 to 5.1) and median overall survival was 7 months (95% CI, 5.5 to 8.5). The duration on protocol treatment exceeded 12 months in 6 (8%) patients. Grade III/IV toxicities included gastric perforation (n = 1), pneumonia (n = 7), mucositis and skin toxicities. Conclusions: Cetuximab plus docetaxel was an active second-line treatment regimen with acceptable toxicity in patients with platinum-pretreated SCCHN. The responsiveness was independent of previous platinum sensitivity. [Table: see text]
Analysis of the impact of growth factor on the haematological safety of dose-dense regimen in the randomized phase II adjuvant trial BO3
Authors: Delbaldo C. , Serin D. , Priou F. , Laplaige P. , Greget S. , Angellier E. , Teissier E. , Berdah J. , Fabbro M. , Quinaux E. 
Published: August 2020

605 Background: In a randomized phase II study, P. Piedbois et al. explored a dose-dense docetaxel (T) followed by epirubicin/cyclophosphamide (EC) every two weeks versus the reverse sequence, versus standard-dose docetaxel, epiribucin and cyclophosphamide (TEC) every 3 weeks. The main purpose of this second analysis was to further explore the haematological safety of each regimen in patients receiving primary prophylactic pegfilgrastim. Methods: One hundred patients with node-positive invasive breast adenocarcinoma were randomized between (arm A) docetaxel 75 mg/m2, epiribucin 75 mg/m2 and cyclophosphamide 500 mg/m2 (TEC) every 3 weeks for 6 cycles (35 patients) or (arm B) epiribucin 100 mg/m2 and cyclophosphamide 600 mg/m2 every 2 weeks for 4 cycles, followed by T 100 mg/m2 (EC→T) every 2 weeks for 4 cycles (31 patients) or (arm C) T→ EC (34 patients). Among the 99 patients who received chemotherapy, 79 received pegfilgrastim 6 mg subcutaneous day 1 from the first cycle (27 in arm A, 23 in arm B and 29 in arm C). The safety data of these 79 patients were reported here. Results: Our results showed grade 3/4: neutropenia (arm A 30 %, arm B 39 %, arm C 31 %) and febrile neutropenia (FN) (arm A 11 %, arm B 13 %, arm C 3 %), grade 2–4: anaemia (arm A 26 %, arm B 61 %, arm C 55 %) and thrombocytopenia (arm A 15 %, arm B 9 %, arm C 3 %), respectively. Crude proportion and time to toxicity summaries showed that in dose-dense arms, patients allocated to the EC→ T sequence were more exposed to FN than patients allocated to the T→ EC. In the Cox model taking into account all allocated treatment and age, treatment was a predictor of grade 2–4 anaemia, whereas age was significantly correlated to grade 2–4 thrombocytopenia. There was no clear relationship between haematological toxicity and dose intensity across all treatment arms. Except for nausea (17 % versus 3 %) and neurological toxicity (13 % versus 3 %), non-haematological toxicities were similar in arm B and C. Conclusions: These analyzes confirmed that dose-dense regimens EC→ T or T→ EC are feasible with pegfilgrastim primary prophylaxis. The T→ EC sequence seems to be associated with a better haematological tolerance, and should be the preferred dose-dense regimen providing similar efficacy. The trial was supported by Amgen. No significant financial relationships to disclose.