Management of anticancer treatment in patients under chronic dialysis: results of the multicentric CANDY (CANcer and DialYsis) study

BACKGROUND

One million people worldwide benefit from chronic dialysis, with an increased rate in Western countries of 5% yearly. Owing to increased incidence of cancer in dialyzed patients, the management of these patients is challenging for oncologists/nephrologists.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

The CANcer and DialYsis (CANDY) retrospective multicenter study included patients under chronic dialysis who subsequently had a cancer (T0). Patients were followed up for 2 years after T0. Prescriptions of anticancer drugs were studied with regard to their renal dosage adjustment/dialysability.

RESULTS

A total of 178 patients from 12 institutions were included. The mean time between initiation of dialysis and T0 was 30.8 months. Fifty patients had received anticancer drug treatment. Among them, 72% and 82% received at least one drug needing dosage and one drug to be administered after dialysis sessions, respectively. Chemotherapy was omitted or prematurely stopped in many cases where systemic treatment was indicated or was often not adequately prescribed.

CONCLUSIONS

Survival in dialysis patients with incident cancer was poor. It is crucial to consider anticancer drug treatment in these patients as for non-dialysis patients and to use current available specific drug management recommendations in order to (i) adjust the dose and (ii) avoid premature elimination of the drug during dialysis sessions.

Mucosal Kaposi sarcoma, a Rare Cancer Network study

Kaposi's sarcoma (KS) most often affect the skin but occasionally affect the mucosa of different anatomic sites. The management of mucosal KS is seldom described in the literature. Data from 15 eligible patients with mucosal KS treated between 1994 and 2008 in five institutions within three countries of the Rare Cancer Network group were collected. The inclusion criteria were as follows: age >16 years, confirmed pathological diagnosis, mucosal stages I and II, and a minimum of 6 months' follow-up after treatment. Head and neck sites were the most common (66%). Eleven cases were HIV-positive. CD4 counts correlated with disease stage. Twelve patients had biopsy only while three patients underwent local resection. Radiotherapy (RT) was delivered whatever their CD4 status was. Median total radiation dose was 16.2 Gy (0–45) delivered in median 17 days (0–40) with four patients receiving no RT. Six patients underwent chemotherapy and received from 1 to 11 cycles of various regimens namely vinblastin, caelyx, bleomycine, or interferon, whatever their CD4 counts was. Five-year disease free survival were 81.6% and 75.0% in patients undergoing RT or not, respectively. Median survival was 66.9 months. Radiation-induced toxicity was at worse grade 1–2 and was manageable whatever patients' HIV status. This small series of mucosal KSs revealed that relatively low-dose RT is overall safe and efficient in HIV-positive and negative patients. Since there are distant relapses either in multicentric cutaneous or visceral forms in head and neck cases, the role of systemic treatments may be worth investigations in addition to RT of localized disease. Surgery may be used for symptomatic lesions, with caution given the risk of bleeding.

Rechallenge with trabectedin in patients with locally advanced or metastatic soft tissue sarcoma following drug holiday: The experience of the French Sarcoma Group (FSG)

10062

Background: Trabectedin (T) is a marine-derived alkaloid used to treat advanced soft tissue sarcomas (STS) after ifosfamide and/or anthracyclins failure. Since then, the FSG evaluated the clinical benefit in re-administrating T after an initial hold, either medically indicated or upon patient’s request. Methods: Following an online request, clinical and histopathological data were collected from six centers of the FSG who declared to have rechallenged patients. Baseline data were collected and analyze will be used. Results: From 1999 to 2011, 49 pts with T drug holiday have been identified (26 male/ 23 female), with a median age of 50 y [23-75]. Most frequent histotypes were: myxoid liposarcoma (18, 36.7%), leiomyosarcomas (13, 26.5 %) and well-differentiated/dedifferentiated liposarcoma (9, 18%). WHO grade were 1 in 14 (29%), 2 in 19 (39%) and 3 in 5 (10%) pts respectively. Patients who had a maximum of 2, 3 or 4 therapeutic sequences (TS) with T (drug-holiday and rechallenge) were 41/49 ,7/49 and 1/49 respectively. Median number of cycles for 1, 2, 3 and 4 TS were 7 [3-21], 6 [2-30], 6 [2-9] and 6. Median total number of cycles was 15 [6-43]. Median duration of drug-holiday for 1, 2 and 3 TS were 11 [3-91], 7 [2-29] and 4 months [1-5]. Grade 3-4 toxicities incidence decreased with the number of TS (occurred in 36%, 29%, 14% and 0% of pts with 1, 2, 3 and 4 TS) as well as mean T dose per cycle (1.3 mg/m², 1.2 mg/m², 1.1 mg/m² and 1.1 mg/m² for TS 1, 2, 3, 4). Efficacy decreased with number of TS (Number of CR/PR/SD/PD were 1 (2%)/15 (31%)/33 (67%)/0 for TS1; 0/4 (8%)/29 (59%)/16 (3%) for TS2; 0/1 (14%)/2 (29%)/4 (57%) for TS3 and 0/0/0/1(100%) for TS4). Median overall survival was 5.0 y [2.7-7.3] since T introduction, and 1.5 y [0.1-4.8], 0.8 y [0.5-1.3] and 0.6 y following 2nd, 3rd and 4th T reintroduction respectively. Objective response after TS2 were seen in 4 cases of grade 1 sarcomas. Conclusions: Due to the lack of cumulative toxicities over time with T, its rechallenging in responding patients to T (no progression under T) have to be considered in advanced STS.

Sarcoligo: Impact of local ablative treatment of oligometastatic sarcomas on overall survival

10042

Background: 40-50% of sarcomas become metastatic. Median survival of metastatic patients has improved over time. The probably multifactorial reasons for such improvement are not fully clear. Noteworthy, for patients with a controlled primary and a limited number of lung metastases, complete resection of their metastases yields survival rates of up to 40% at three years. Advances in surgery, radiotherapy and radiofrequency have fostered the use of local treatments for various metastatic sites (lung, liver, spine...). Methods: A multicentric retrospective study of the Groupe Sarcome Francais (GSF-GETO); approved by the nationally-review board and ethical committee, was conducted to assess the impact of local ablative treatment on overall survival. Patients who had had oligometastases (any site, 1-5 synchronous metastases) at diagnostic or during the course of disease between 2000 and 2010 were included. Results: Median age of the 243 oligometastatic sarcoma patients was 53 years-old (11-86). Patients had grade I, II and III in 7.5%, 29.6% and 63.3% of cases, respectively with various histologies. 69% of patients underwent local ablative treatment of metastases. Median follow-up was 59 months (4-212) for living patients. Median overall survival was 51 months (1-348). On univariate analysis, grade, histology, absence of chemotherapy, local ablative treatment (surgery, irradiation, radiofrequency or chemoembolisation) correlated with survival but not age or site of oligometastasis. On multivariate analyses, grade (hazard ratio HR 0.12 [CI95 0.3-0.6]) and local ablative treatment (HR 3.8 [CI95 2.1-7.1]) remained significant. Conclusions: Local ablative treatment of metastases is associated with better survival in sarcoma patients with oligometastatic disease. The role of the locoregional treatment of metastases and its impact on quality of life should be assessed prospectively.

Dual-point FDG-PET: A novel scanning technique in Hodgkin lymphoma with bulky disease

8077

Background: Interim 18F-FDG-PET (iPET) is the most important prognosticator in advanced-stage ABVD-treated Hodgkin Lymphoma (HL), but in early stage w/ or w/o bulky lesion a low PPV of iPET was reported. Dual-point PET scan (2P-PET) has been used to discriminate unspecific inflammatory from neoplastic FDG uptake. At the Tx end, with a single FDG-avid mass (SFAM), the specificity of PET in Tx response evaluation was sub-optimal. We report here preliminary results from a cohort of HL patients (p) presenting with bulky lesions, scanned with 2P-PET with the aim to increase specificity and PPV. Methods: From 12.2008 till 01.2012 24 HL bulky p from Italian, French and Polish centers underwent 2P-PET at baseline (2P-PET-0), after 2 ABVD (2P-PET-2) and at Tx end (2P-PET-end). 2P-PET scanning technique consisted in 2 consecutive image acquisitions +60’ (EaS) and +120’(LaS) after single, standard-dose FDG injection. Tx was ABVD (x4 or x6) ± consolidation RxT. No Tx change was done based on iPET results. Scans were reviewed by 2 expert readers in a consensus session. Standardized-Uptake Value (SUV)MAX was calculated both in EaS and LaS using Volume of Interest Regions (VOIs) in sites of residual FDG uptake already recorded in PET-0. ΔSUVMAX and FDG retention index (RI) were calculated from SUVs in the same VOIs of both scans. Results: In 24 p (1 stage I,12 II, 4 III, 7 IV), 34 2P-PET were done.10 p underwent 2P-PET-0: in 10/10 SUVMAX increased from EaS to LaS (ΔSUVMAX 1-4.3). 15 p had a 2P-PET-2: 12 with a mean-follow-up of 18.36 months were evaluable, 3 too short ( +1, +5, +6 months). 7/12 p showed a RI reduction of 55% (200-14): all are in continuous CR (CCR). 5/12 p. showed a 20% (11-26) RI increase: all progressed +1 to +9 months after Tx end. Overall 3/12 cases (1 false +, 2 false- with a Deauville score 4 and 2,3 respectively) were correctly classified after 2P-PET. 9 p with a SFAM had a 2P-PET-end: in the 5/9 with an increased RI of 23% (9-43) a biopsy proved HL relapse. In 4/9 a reduced RI of -29% (9-45) was found: in 2 biopsy disclosed presence of residual thymic along with inflammatory tissue and 2 were in CCR +2 to+8 after Tx end. Conclusions: DSUV Max increased at baseline and in all relapsing patients, and decreased in patients in CCR. The PPV and a PNV of 2P-PET were 100%.

Phase II study of short CHOP-rituximab combination with early consolidation with ibritumomab-tiuxetan-Y90 (IT-Y90) in non-pretreated patients age 65 to 80 with CD20+ diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL)

6633

Background: IT-Y90was approved in follicular lymphoma, and some data indicates that it could be used in DLBCL. It has been reported that early TEP-TDM negativity is associated with a longer survival in DLBCL, which suggest that these patients could benefit of a less intensive protocol. Methods: We conducted an international, open-label, phase II non-randomised study, in patients aged between 65 and 80 with age-adjusted (aa) IPI score of 0 and 1 and CD20+ DLBCL. The primary objective was to evaluate the efficacy of 3 cycles of RCHOP14 followed by, in case of complete response (CR), an injection of IT-Y90. Results: Thirty patients (M/F= 1) were included. Median age was 72.6 years (range 65 - 80). Patients had a stage III/IV, elevated LDH and IPI=1 in 38%, 16.6 and 57% respectively. 25 patients received the full treatment. Five obtained an uncomplete FDG-PET response and were excluded after 2 RCHOP cycles. 23 patients received the full IT-Y90 dosage (0.4mCi/Kg) and two received the attenuated dosage (0.3mCi/Kg). Mean treatment time was 54 days (median 52; min 48-max 69). The CR rate after RCHOP treatment was 85% [95% CI: 65-94]. No treatment-related deaths occurred. Grade III-IV neutropenia and thrombocytopenia was observed in 45% and 4%, respectively. Five patients experienced at least one febrile neutropenia. After IT-Y90, mean duration time for platelets <50G/l was 2.08 weeks (median 2; min 0-max 5). Two patients required platelet transfusion. With a median follow-up of 29.5 months [95% CI: 23-39], the estimated 3-year PFS was 90% [95% CI: 80-100] and the 3-year OS was 100% [95% CI: 100-100]. Among patients treated with 90Y-IT, only 3 relapsed were recorded (at 6, 16 and 24 months). Conclusions: this study suggested the feasibility, and efficacy of a short regimen including one injection of IT-Y90for selected DLBCL in complete response after 3 cycles of RCHOP14. This results need to be confirmed by further studies.

Signalling and chemosensitivity assays in melanoma: is mutated status a prerequisite for targeted therapy?

Selection for targeted therapies in melanoma is currently based on the search for mutations in selected genes. We aimed at evaluating the interest of signalling and chemosensitivity studies in addition to genotyping for assessing the best suitable treatment in an individual patient. We extracted genomic DNA and melanoma cells from tumor tissue of a skin metastasis of a 17-year-old woman with stage IV melanoma progressing despite three successive lines of treatment. Despite the absence of mutation in BRAF, NRAS cKIT, the MAPK pathway was activated and a significant response to sorafenib, a mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK)/RAF inhibitor, was found in signalling and chemosensitivity assays. A treatment combining sorafenib and dacarbazine produced a partial response for 9 months, with marked necrosis in some lesions. Chemosensitivity assays and signalling pathway studies could be of great value in addition to genotyping for assessing the most appropriate treatment in melanoma.

High-dose chemotherapy consolidation for chemosensitive advanced soft tissue sarcoma patients: an open-label, randomized controlled trial

BACKGROUND

Metastatic soft tissue sarcoma (STS) prognosis remains poor and few cytotoxic agents offer proven efficacy. This randomized open phase III study examines whether high-dose (HD) chemotherapy with peripheral blood stem cells (PBSCs) could improve overall survival (OS) of chemosensitive patients.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Advanced STS patients aged 18-65 years received four courses of standard mesna, adryamycin, ifosfamide and dacarbazine (MAID) treatment. Chemotherapy-responding patients and patients with at least stable disease amenable to complete surgical resection were randomized to receive standard dose (SD) with two successive MAID cycles or HD treatments of one MAID then MICE intensification: mesna (3.6 g/m(2), day 1-5), ifosfamide (2.5 g/m(2), day 1-4), carboplatin [area under the curve (AUC) 5/day 2-4] and etoposide (300 mg/m(2), day 1-4) with PBSC reinjection at day 7.

RESULTS

From 2000 to 2008, 207 patients received four cycles of MAID and 87 assessable patients were randomly assigned to receive the following: 46 SD, 41 HD, with 45 and 38 maintained for analyses after secondary centralized histological review. Futility analyses led to study closure in November 2008. Three-year OS was 49.4% for the SD group versus 32.7% for HD arm, hazard ratio= 1.26, 95% confidence interval 0.70-2.29; progression-free survival was 32.4% and 14.0%, respectively. HD treatment led to higher grades 3-4 toxicity.

CONCLUSION

This study failed to show an OS advantage for advanced STS patients treated with dose-intensified chemotherapy with PBSC.

Chemotherapy in patients with desmoid tumors: a study from the French Sarcoma Group (FSG)

BACKGROUND

Data regarding the role of chemotherapy (CT) in patients with recurrent and/or unresectable desmoid tumors (DTs) are scarce.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Records of patients with DT who were treated with CT in centers from the French Sarcoma Group were reviewed.

RESULTS

Sixty-two patients entered the study. The two most common locations were extremities (35.5%) and internal trunk (32.5%). Twelve patients (19.5%) were diagnosed with Gardner syndrome. Thirty-seven patients (54.7%) received previously one or more lines of systemic therapies (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs: 43.5%, antiestrogens: 43.5% and imatinib: 30.5%). Combination CT was delivered in 44 cases (71%) and single agent in 18 patients (29%), respectively. Thirteen patients (21%) received an anthracycline-containing regimen. The most frequent nonanthracycline regimen was the methotrexate-vinblastine combination (n=27). Complete response, partial response, stable disease and progressive disease were observed in 1 (1.6%), 12 (19.4%), 37 (59.6%) and 12 (19.4%) patients, respectively. The response rate was higher with anthracycline-containing regimens: 54% versus 12%, P=0.0011. Median progression-free survival (PFS) was 40.8 months. The sole factor associated with improved PFS was the nonlimb location: 12.1 months (95% confidence interval 5.6-18.7) versus not reached, P=0.03.

CONCLUSIONS

CT has significant activity in DT. Anthracycline-containing regimens appear to be associated with a higher response rate.

Not all sarcomas developed in irradiated tissue are necessarily radiation-induced--spectrum of disease and treatment characteristics

BACKGROUND

Sarcomas in irradiated tissue (SITs) are often considered with second cancers, although they usually present distinct dose-response, genetic and clinical patterns. The contribution of radiation in SIT development is likely, but remains unproven in many cases.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We reviewed the literature for published data on SITs.

RESULTS

SITs incidence ranged between 0.03% and 0.2%. Median latency was 15 years. Angiosarcoma was the second most common subtype after undifferentiated sarcomas of malignant fibrous histiocytoma (MFH). C-Myc overexpression can be used to identify radiation-induced angiosarcoma, and a recently described transcriptomic signature of genes involved in chronic oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction may indicate radiation causality. Osteosarcomas were often associated with genetic predisposition. Five-year survival rates rarely exceeded 30% because the therapeutic possibilities were often limited by the first cancer. Chemotherapy response may differ from that of de novo sarcomas.

CONCLUSION

SITs present different characteristics from non-sarcomatoid second cancers. Reporting of SIT cases and the establishment of tissue and serum banks is necessary to better understand and validate the recently discovered radiation signature.

Value of infliximab (Remicade®) in patients with low-risk myelodysplastic syndrome: final results of a randomized phase II trial (EORTC trial 06023) of the EORTC Leukemia Group

Tumor-necrosis factor alpha activity has been correlated to ineffective erythropoiesis in lower risk myelodysplastic syndromes. Infliximab (Remicade(®)) is an anti-tumor necrosis factor alpha chimeric antibody that is used in the treatment of patients with rheumatoid arthritis or Crohn's disease. Forty-six patients with myelodysplastic syndromes and a relatively low risk of developing acute leukemia were included in a randomized phase II study assessing the therapeutic activity of two dosages of infliximab administration (3 mg/kg vs. 5 mg/kg). The primary end point was the response rate. Responses were observed in 3 of 22 patients (13.1%) randomized to the 3 mg/kg arm, versus 0 of 21 patients randomized in the 5 mg/kg arm. According to the statistical design of the current study, neither of the two infliximab dose schedules tested showed sufficient activity as a single agent in this cohort of unselected patients with early myelodysplastic syndrome.

Osteosarcomas of the mandible: are they different from other tumor sites?

BACKGROUND

Osteosarcomas of the mandible (MOS) affect 1/10 million persons/year, mostly the young adult. Due to lack of specific data, the treatment of MOS is extrapolated from that of extragnathic OS but varies widely between institutions.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We aimed at providing a focused description of MOS histologies and grades through the English literature, at determining the evidence-based role of chemotherapy, of adjuvant radiation therapy and the potential of reconstructive surgery tailored through modern pre-operative multi-modal imaging.

RESULTS

The estimated proportion of high grade MOS was 58%. However, low-grade MOS may be underestimated as they are mostly reported as case reports. The intermediate grade was hardly found in the literature. Estimated weighted-mean proportions of chondroblastic and osteoblastic MOS were 37% and 46%, respectively. Multimodal imaging modalities including MRI has a great potential for accurate pre-operative assessment of tumor extensions into bone and soft tissues. Surgery is the mainstay of treatment and margins the most important factor. The role of neoadjuvant chemotherapy in treating occult systemic metastases and in increasing the probability of clear margins is controversial, as well as the histology-dependent response to chemotherapy. The role of adjuvant radiotherapy (mostly proposed for positive margins) and/or adjuvant chemotherapy is still controversial. Crude survival is around 77% and local control around 67%. Local failure is the main cause of death in MOS compared to extragnathic sites.

[Six cases of pulmonary MALT lymphoma: a heterogeneous therapeutic management]

Pulmonary mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue lymphomas (PMALT) account for around 1% of lymphomas. Clinical and radiological presentations, and the treatment of six PMALT were collected from 1993 to 2008. All patients received chemotherapy before disease progression. Two patients had a lobectomy and one received thoracic radiotherapy. In 2008, all the patients were alive and three were in remission. A "watch and wait" strategy is widely accepted for stable, asymptomatic patients and patients with low tumour mass. Surgery may be proposed for symptomatic patients who have localised PMALT. When a chemotherapy treatment is to be suggested, chlorambucil-based chemotherapy is preferred. There may be room for rituximab alone or in combination, but this remains to be precisely defined. Several larger studies are currently ongoing to assess the role of monoclonal antibodies and chemotherapy in MALT lymphomas. Subgroup analysis should help us to define the optimal treatment for PMALT.

Clinical characteristics and outcome of isolated extracerebral relapses of primary central nervous system lymphoma: a case series

There is very limited data on isolated systemic relapses of primary central nervous system lymphomas (PCNSL). We retrospectively reviewed the clinical characteristics and outcome of 10 patients with isolated systemic disease among 209 patients with PCNSL mainly treated with methotrexate-based chemotherapy (CT) with or without radiation therapy (RT). Isolated systemic relapse remained rare (4.8%, 10/209 patients). Median time from initial diagnosis to relapse was 33 months (range, 3-94). Sites of relapse were mostly extranodal. Three patients presented with early extra-cerebral (EC) relapse 3, 5 and 8 months from the beginning of initial treatment, respectively, and 7 patients had later relapses (range, 17-94 months). Treatment at relapse included surgery alone, RT alone, CT with or without radiotherapy, or CT with autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT). Median overall survival (OS) after relapse was 15.5 months (range, 5.8-24.5) compared to 4.6 months (range, 3.6-6.5) for patients with central nervous system (CNS) relapse (p = 0.35). In conclusion, isolated systemic relapses exist but are infrequent. Early EC relapse suggests the presence of systemic disease undetectable by conventional evaluation at initial diagnosis. Patient follow-up must be prolonged because systemic relapse can occur as late as 10 years after initial diagnosis. Whether EC relapses of PCNSL have a better prognosis than CNS relapses needs to be assessed in a larger cohort.

Upfront VIP-reinforced-ABVD (VIP-rABVD) is not superior to CHOP/21 in newly diagnosed peripheral T cell lymphoma. Results of the randomized phase III trial GOELAMS-LTP95

Peripheral T-Cell lymphomas (PTCL) are relatively rare diseases but appear to be highly aggressive and display worse remission and survival rates than B-cell lymphomas. Despite unsatisfactory results with the cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, prednisone (CHOP) regimen, it remains the reference front-line therapy in these diseases, but has not been challenged in phase III trials. The Groupe Ouest Est d'Etude des Leucémies et Autres Maladies du Sang (GOELAMS) devised an alternative therapeutic schedule including etoposide, ifosfamide, cisplatin alternating with doxorubicin, bleomycin, vinblastine, dacarbazine (VIP-reinforced-ABVD; VIP-rABVD) and compared it to CHOP/21 as front-line treatment in non-cutaneous PTCL. All newly diagnosed patients were eligible. The primary objective was to improve the 2-year event-free survival (EFS) rate. Secondary objectives were to compare the response rate, overall survival, and toxicities as well as identify prognostic factors. Eighty-eight patients were identified between 1996 and 2002. Both arms were well balanced for patients' characteristics in terms of histological and clinical presentation. No significant difference was observed between the two arms in terms of 2-year EFS. Anaplastic large cell lymphoma type and Ann Arbor stage I-II were identified as two independent favourable prognostic factors influencing survival. VIP-rABVD was not superior to CHOP/21 in terms of EFS as first-line treatment of PTCL, confirming that CHOP/21 remains the reference regimen in these lymphomas.

Primitive neuroectodermal tumor of the pelvis in an elderly patient

BACKGROUND

Peripheral primitive neuroectodermal tumors (PNET) belong to the rare family of primary bone neoplasms. Recent clinicopathological studies have revealed that Ewing's sarcoma and PNET have overlapping features and they are now included in the same classification, the Ewing's sarcoma family of tumors (EFTs). PNET have a marked predilection for the extremities and are very rare in the pelvis. These tumors can occur at any age with a peak of incidence in the second and third decades but are very rare in patients over 40 years.

CASE REPORT

We report the case of a 69-year-old man with PNET sarcoma. Outcome was favorable after combined modality treatment including chemotherapy based on the Memphis protocol - adapted from that used for Ewing's sarcoma in children - and surgery.

CONCLUSION

Our case is uncommon because of the age at diagnosis, the fortuitous way of revelation, and the choice of dose-intense chemotherapy adapted from the Memphis protocol (cyclophosphamide- and doxorubicin-based) for children, which was efficient and safe. It supports the fact that an adult, and even an old patient, with good physical status, may be treated safely and radically even with dose-adapted aggressive chemotherapy.

Aromatase inhibition in male breast cancer patients: Biological and clinical implications

1130

Background: Because male breast cancer (MBC) is rare, treatment recommendations are derived from results of trials in female patients (pts). Although, several studies have shown the superiority of third-generation aromatase inhibitors (AI) over tamoxifen in menopausal women with advanced breast cancer, the role of such molecules remains unknown in male pts. We report here the largest experience about the efficacy of AI in MBC pts with advanced disease and their impact on estradiol (E) levels. Methods: MBC pts were selected from the breast cancer database of the Centre Antoine-Lacassagne (Nice, France) as follows: Metastatic disease with at least one measurable or assessable non-measurable lesion, estrogen receptor (ER) and/or or progesterone receptor (PR) positive, availability of complete clinical and histological data, evidence of progressive disease at initiation of AI, receipt of at least one month of treatment with non steroidal (anastrozole, letrozole) or steroidal (exemestane) AI. Sex hormone levels were retrospectively assessed on serum samples from our institutional serum bank. Results: 15 pts entered the study. Median age was 68 (range 39–85). 7 pts received previous lines of hormonal therapy (median = 1) and 3 pts a previous line of chemotherapy before the introduction of AI. The best response was complete response in 2 pts (13%), partial response in 4 pts (27%), stable disease (SD) in 2 pts (13%) and progressive disease (PD) in 7 pts (47%). The median duration of objective response (OR) was 11.6 months (95% confidence interval [CI] 7.6–15.5). At the time of analysis, 8 pts (53%) had died and 7 (47%) were still alive. The median PFS and OS were 4.4 months (95% CI 0.1–8.6) and 33 months (95% CI 18.4–47.6) respectively. The 1-year PFS and OS rates were 20% (95% CI 9.7–30.3) and 84.6% (95% CI 74.6–94.6), respectively. 9 out of 11 pts with available samples had E levels less than the lower limit of the assay during AI treatment. Among the 9 pts with E level decrease, four had OR, one had SD, and four had PD. 1 pt had E levels higher than the upper limit of the assay during AI treatment. This pt showed disease progression. Further data on FSH and testosterone levels will be presented at the meeting. Conclusions: AI are active in MBC pts. This activity is correlated with a significant reduction in E levels.

No significant financial relationships to disclose.

Neo/adjuvant chemotherapy does not improve outcome in resected primary synovial sarcoma: a study of the French Sarcoma Group

BACKGROUND

There are only scarce data about the benefit of adjunctive chemotherapy in patients with localized synovial sarcoma (SS).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Data from 237 SS patients recorded in the database of the French Sarcoma Group were retrospectively analyzed. The respective impact of radiotherapy, neo-adjuvant chemotherapy and adjuvant chemotherapy on overall survival (OS), local recurrence-free survival (LRFS) and distant recurrence-free survival (DRFS) were assessed after adjustment to prognostic factors.

RESULTS

The median follow-up was 58 months (range 1-321). Adjuvant, neo-adjuvant chemotherapy and postoperative radiotherapy were administered in 112, 45 and 181 cases, respectively. In all, 59% of patients treated with chemotherapy received an ifosfamide-containing regimen. The 5-year OS, LRFS and DRFS rates were 64.0%, 70% and 57%, respectively. On multivariate analysis, age >35 years old, grade 3 and not-R0 margins were highly significant independent predictors of worse OS. After adjustment to prognostic factors, radiotherapy significantly improved LRFS but not DRFS or OS. Neither neo-adjuvant nor adjuvant chemotherapy had significant impact on OS, LRFS or DRFS.

CONCLUSION

As for other high-grade soft-tissue sarcomas, well-planned wide surgical excision with adjuvant radiotherapy remains the cornerstone of treatment for SS. Neo-adjuvant or adjuvant chemotherapy should not be delivered outside a clinical trial setting.

Very Late Local Relapse of Ewing's Sarcoma of the Head and Neck treated with Aggressive Multimodal Therapy

Ewing's sarcoma's relapse rarely occurs more than two years after the initial diagnosis. We report the case of a 26-year-old man with a history of Ewing's sarcoma of the left maxillary sinus at the age of 10 who presented with a very late local relapse, 16 years after the first occurrence of disease. Ultimate control was achieved after multimodal therapy including surgery, high-dose chemotherapy, and radiotherapy. This report indicates that local relapses of Ewing's sarcoma can be treated with curative intent in selected cases.

Paclitaxel in patients (pts) with advanced angiosarcomas

10033

Background: Angiosarcomas represent a heterogenous group of rare sarcomas with specific clinical behaviour and risk factors. Paclitaxel has been suggested to induce tumor control in a proportion of pts with angiosarcoma while being inactive in other soft tissue sarcomas subtypes. The objective of this retrospective study was to investigate the antitumor activity of this compound in a larger series and a multicenter setting. Patients and Methods: Data from pts with angiosarcoma treated with paclitaxel in centers of the EORTC Soft Tissue and Bone Sarcoma Group were collected using a standardized data collection form. Results: Data from 32 pts were collected from 10 centers. There were 17 males and 15 females with a median age of 60.4 years (range 24–91). Eight pts (25%) had angiosarcomas of the face and scalp, 24 pts (75%) at other primary sites. Ten (31 %) pts had a previous cancer history, 7 of whom had been irradiated for breast cancer. Ten (31 %) pts had received 1st line chemotherapy (ctx) and 3 pts 2nd line ctx prior to treatment with paclitaxel. All 13 (40%) pretreated pts had doxorubicin, 5 pts in combination with ifosfamide as 1st line and 3 pts ifosfamide as 2nd line ctx. 21 (66 %) pts received paclitaxel 175 mg/m2 every 3 weeks, and 11 (34 %) received 75–100 mg/m2weekly. The overall response rate (RR) was 62.5 % [including 1 CR (3%) and 19 PR (59%)]; in pts with face and scalp primary sites the RR was 75% (1CR, 5 PR), whereas pts with angiosarcoma at other sites achieved a response in 58% (14 PR). PFS was 7.6 months for all 32 pts. Conclusion: Paclitaxel was an active agent in angiosarcoma in this retrospective multicenter study, also in angiosarcoma originating at other sites than scalp and face. These results need to be confirmed in a controlled, prospective phase II study.

No significant financial relationships to disclose.

Home infusions of biphosphonate in cancer patients: a prospective study

The objective of the study was to determine outcome and satisfaction of cancer patients treated by home-infusions of biphosphonates. 107 patients entered the study and 97 of them chose to receive infusions of zoledronic acid (Z) in the home setting. Patient satisfaction and quality of care (QoC) were assessed by a 22-item questionnaire. Changes from baseline were determined for bone pain using a 0-10 cm visual analogue scale pain score (VAS). Patients expressed a high level of satisfaction specifically with regard to nursing care. Seventy patients experienced a significant decrease in the median pain score during the home-therapy phase not due to an increased use of analgesic therapy (P = 0.03). Z was well tolerated with no major adverse events. The authors conclude that home infusions of biphosphonates, on the condition that the supportive care team is well-organized, is a safe procedure that could be advantageous for patients by increasing satisfaction and compliance with treatment.

ELYPSE 2: A prospective randomized trial comparing filgrastim (G-CSF) in primary and secondary prophylaxis in patients (pts) at high risk for febrile neutropenia (FN)

8614

Background: FN is a frequent life-threatening consequence of cytotoxic chemotherapy (CT). G-CSF reduces the risk of FN, but primary (1ry) prophylaxis using G-CSF may be cost efficient only if FN incidence is ≥20%. The identification of pts at high risk for FN with simple criterias would be useful in clinical practice. Here we report a randomized phase II trial comparing G-CSF in 1ry vs 2ry prophylaxis in a high risk group of pts (based on our risk model JCO 1996;14:737, Br J Cancer 2003;88:181). Methods: Pts ≥18 years with solid tumors or NHL at high risk for FN after CT were incluable: these were pts with day 1 or day 5 lymphocytes (Ly) count ≤700/μL AND “high risk CT” (HRCT) In pts with d1 and d5 Ly ≤700/μL, the observed incidence of FN was 40% and 66% respectively G-CSF (300 to 480μg/d from d6–12) was randomized either as in 1ry prophylaxis (Arm 1), or as 2ry prophylaxis after FN (Arm 2). Primary endpoint was the rate of grade 4 FN. Hypothesis was a reduction of 40% of the risk of FN with 1ry prophylaxis. Results: Between 03/97 and 12/04, 137 pts were included in 7 centers. The median age was 53 years (range 18–80) with 54% males. Most frequent tumors were sarcomas (36%), breast carcinomas (18%), lymphomas (15%), head and neck carcinomas (10%), and lung carcinomas (6%). 23% patients had PS>1 at the first line of chemotherapy. No difference was observed in terms of duration of hospitalization or antibiotherapy. Median number of days of G-CSF administration was 14 days (0–24) vs 0 (0–17) days (p<0.0000). After the 1st course, grade 4 FN was 38% in Arm 2 (2ry prophylaxis) and 25% in Arm 1 (1ry prophylaxis), showing a 34% reduction of FN in arm 1 (p=0.14): 1ry prophylaxis was associated with a significant reduction of FN using logistic regression (p=0.04). Incidence of FN after the 2 course in pts receiving 2ry prophylaxis was 22%. Among the subgroup of pts with PS>2 and Ly ≤700/μL, (a group with a reported 20% risk for early death, Br J Cancer 2001;85:816), 2 of 8 patients (25%) died after the 1st course, vs 0/13 in the G-CSF group (p=0.05). This difference was not significant in the whole group. Conclusions: This study confirms that lymphopenic pts receiving HRCT are a high risk group of pts for FN for whom 1ry prophylaxis with G-CSF reduces the incidence of FN.

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Comparison of the epidermal growth factor receptor gene and protein in primary non-small-cell-lung cancer and metastatic sites: implications for treatment with EGFR-inhibitors

BACKGROUND

Very recent studies have suggested that EGFR gene copy number and expression obtained by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) and immunohistochemistry (IHC) should be used to predict which lung cancer patients are expected to respond to anti-EGFR treatments. However, it is still not known whether EGFR expression differs in metastases compared to primary non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

EGFR status was analysed by IHC and FISH on tumor samples of primary NSCLC and at least one distant metastatic lesion in 30 patients.

RESULTS

Ten cases (33.3%) showed primary tumor/metastasis discordance by IHC analysis (n = 30): in seven cases, EGFR was expressed in the primary tumor but not in the metastasis, while three samples showed EGFR expression in the metastasis but not in the primary tumor (Pearson correlation coefficient = 0.331, P = 0.0074). By FISH (n = 26), seven (27%) cases were discordant: six cases showed a high-level of EGFR polysomy in the primary tumor but not in the metastasis and one case showed a high-level of EGFR polysomy in the metastasis but not in the primary sample (Pearson correlation coefficient = 0.52, P = 0.007).

CONCLUSION

EGFR expression is not stable during metastatic progression in a significant proportion of NSCLC. These findings have to be considered in future prospective studies.

Dexamethasone-based regimens versus melphalan-prednisone for elderly multiple myeloma patients ineligible for high-dose therapy

Dexamethasone alone increases life expectancy in patients with relapsed multiple myeloma (MM); however, no large randomized study has compared dexamethasone and dexamethasone-based regimens with standard melphalan-prednisone in newly diagnosed MM patients ineligible for high-dose therapy. In the Intergroupe Francophone du Myélome (IFM) 95-01 trial, 488 patients aged 65 to 75 years were randomized between 4 regimens of treatment: melphalan-prednisone, dexamethasone alone, melphalan-dexamethasone, and dexamethasone-interferon alpha. Response rates at 6 months (except for complete response) were significantly higher among patients receiving melphalan-dexamethasone, and progression-free survival was significantly better among patients receiving melphalan (P < .001, for both comparisons), but there was no difference in overall survival between the 4 treatment groups. Moreover, the morbidity associated with dexamethasone-based regimens was significantly higher than with melphalan-prednisone, especially for severe pyogenic infections in the melphalan-dexamethasone arm and hemorrhage, severe diabetes, and gastrointestinal and psychiatric complications in the dexamethasone arms. Overall, these results indicated that dexamethasone should not be routinely recommended as first-line treatment in elderly patients with MM. In the context of the IFM 95-01 trial, the standard melphalan-prednisone remained the best treatment choice when efficacy and patient comfort were both considered. These results might be useful in the context of future combinations with innovative drugs.

Results of 58872 and 58921 trials in acute myeloblastic leukemia and relative value of chemotherapy vs allogeneic bone marrow transplantation in first complete remission: the EORTC Children Leukemia Group report

The first EORTC (European Organization of Research and Treatment of Cancer) acute myeloblastic leukemia (AML) pilot study (58872) was conducted between January 1988 and December 1991. Out of 108 patients, 78% achieved complete remission (CR), and event-free survival (EFS) and survival rates (s.e., %) at 7 years were 40 (5) and 51% (6%), respectively. It indicated that mitoxantrone could be substituted for conventional anthracyclines in the treatment of childhood AML without inducing cardiotoxicity. The aim of the next EORTC 58921 trial was to compare the efficacy and toxicity of idarubicin vs mitoxantrone in initial chemotherapy courses, further therapy consisting of allogeneic bone marrow transplantation (alloBMT) in patients with an HLA-compatible sibling donor or chemotherapy in patients without a donor. Out of 177 patients, recruited between October 1992 and December 2002, 81% reached CR. Overall 7-year EFS and survival rates were 49 (4) and 62% (4%), respectively. Out of 145 patients who received the first intensification, 39 had a sibling donor. In patients with or without a donor, the 7-year disease-free survival (DFS) rate was 63 (8) and 57% (5%) and the 7-year survival rate was 78 (7) and 65% (5%), respectively. Patients with favorable, intermediate and unfavorable cytogenetic features had a 5-year EFS rate of 57, 45 and 45% and a 5-year survival rate of 89, 67 and 53%, respectively.