Abstract P1-17-01: Development of brain metastases in breast cancer patients treated in the neoadjuvant trials Geparquinto and Geparsixto

Background: The incidence of brain metastases (BM) in breast cancer patients is rising and has become a major clinical challenge. So far, the incidence of BM after modern neoadjuvant treatment is not clear.

Materials and Methods: In Geparquinto, patients with untreated HER2-positive breast cancer (n=615) received either lapatinib or trastuzumab, patients with HER2 negative breast cancer (n=1925) received bevacizumab in addition to an anthracycline and taxane-containing regimen and those not responding paclitaxel and everolimus (n=32). In Geparsixto, patients with HER2-positive tumors (n=273) received trastuzumab and lapatinib and patients with triple-negative tumors (n=315) received bevacizumab in addition to chemotherapy. We analyzed clinical factors associated with the occurrence of BM as first site of metastatic relapse after neoadjuvant treatment in both trials (n=3160).

Results: After a median follow-up of 61 months, 108 (3%) of a total of 3160 patients developed BM as first site of recurrence and 411 (13%) patients had distant metastases outside the brain. Brain metastases as first site of recurrence occurred later than other metastases (3--year-relapse free-rate 96.7% for patients who developed BM and 89.5% for patients who developed metastases outside the brain). Regarding subtypes of the primary tumor, 1% of luminal A (11/954), 2% of luminal B (7/381), 4% of HER2 positive (34/809) and 6% of triple-negative patients (56/1008) developed BM as first site of recurrence. In multivariate analysis, risk factors for the development of BM were larger tumor size (cT3-4; HR 1.9, 95%-CI 1.3-2.8, p=0.0022), node positive disease (HR 2.8, 95% CI 1.8-4.4, p<0.0001), no pCR after neoadjuvant chemotherapy (HR 2.7, 95% CI 1.6-4.7, p=0.0003) and HER2 positive (HR 3.8, 95% CI 1.9-7.8, p=0.0002) or triple-negative subtype (HR 8.1, 95% CI 4.2 – 15.8, p< 0.0001). Breast cancer subtype remained the most relevant risk factor for BM. Patients who developed BM were more often HER2 positive or triple-negative tumors compared with patients who developed metastases outside the brain (HER2 positive subtype 32 vs. 19%, triple-negative subtype 52 vs. 40%, p< 0.001).

Conclusion: Especially patients with HER2-positive and triple negative tumors are at risk of developing BM despite active systemic treatment. A better understanding of the underlying mechanisms is required in order to develop potential preventive strategies.

Citation Format: Witzel ID, Laakmann E, Fasching PA, Rezai M, Schem C, Solbach C, Tesch H, Klare P, Schneeweiss A, Zahm D, Blohmer J, Ingold-Heppner B, Huober J, Hanusch C, Jackisch C, Reinisch M, Untch M, von Minckwitz G, Müller V, Loibl S. Development of brain metastases in breast cancer patients treated in the neoadjuvant trials Geparquinto and Geparsixto [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2017 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; 2017 Dec 5-9; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2018;78(4 Suppl):Abstract nr P1-17-01.

Survival after neoadjuvant chemotherapy with or without bevacizumab or everolimus for HER2-negative primary breast cancer (GBG 44-GeparQuinto)†

BACKGROUND

The GeparQuinto study showed that adding bevacizumab to 24 weeks of anthracycline-taxane-based neoadjuvant chemotherapy increases pathological complete response (pCR) rates overall and specifically in patients with triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). No difference in pCR rate was observed for adding everolimus to paclitaxel in nonearly responding patients. Here, we present disease-free (DFS) and overall survival (OS) analyses.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Patients (n = 1948) with HER2-negative tumors of a median tumor size of 4 cm were randomly assigned to neoadjuvant treatment with epirubicin/cyclophosphamide followed by docetaxel (EC-T) with or without eight infusions of bevacizumab every 3 weeks before surgery. Patients without clinical response to EC ± Bevacizumab were randomized to 12 weekly cycles paclitaxel with or without everolimus 5 mg/day. To detect a hazard ratio (HR) of 0.75 (α = 0.05, β = 0.8) 379 events had to be observed in the bevacizumab arms.

RESULTS

With a median follow-up of 3.8 years, 3-year DFS was 80.8% and 3-year OS was 89.7%. Outcome was not different for patients receiving bevacizumab (HR 1.03; P = 0.784 for DFS and HR 0.974; P = 0.842 for OS) compared with patients receiving chemotherapy alone. Patients with TNBC similarly showed no improvement in DFS (HR = 0.99; P = 0.941) and OS (HR = 1.02; P = 0.891) when treated with bevacizumab. No other predefined subgroup (HR+/HER2-; locally advanced (cT4 or cN3) or not; cT1-3 or cT4; pCR or not) showed a significant benefit. No difference in DFS (HR 0.997; P = 0.987) and OS (HR 1.11; P = 0.658) was observed for nonearly responding patients receiving paclitaxel with or without everolimus overall as well as in subgroups.

CONCLUSIONS

Long-term results, in opposite to the results of pCR, do not support the neoadjuvant use of bevacizumab in addition to an anthracycline-taxane-based chemotherapy or everolimus in addition to paclitaxel for nonearly responding patients.

CLINICAL TRIAL NUMBER

NCT 00567554, www.clinicaltrials.gov.

Abstract P3-14-04: The choice of the indicator lesion impacts on the pCR rate – An analysis of 114 bilateral breast cancer patients treated within neoadjuvant trials

Background: Patients with bilateral breast cancer are usually excluded from participating in clinical trials. The German Breast Group has traditionally included these patients into their neoadjuvant trials. However, little is known about the outcome of the non-indicator lesion.

Methods: We prospectively captured the information on bilateral breast cancer in our database and collected retrospectively the information from the original histological and surgical reports on tumor size, nodal status, histology, grading, hormone receptor and HER2 status as well as type of surgery and pathological complete response defined as ypT0 ypN0 and ypT0/is ypN0 because both definitions have been used in our clinical studies. The treating physician decided on clinical presentation, which side to be the indicator lesion on which response was assessed for the purpose of the study. The synchronous carcinoma in the contralateral breast is considered as the non-indicator lesion.

Results: From the 6727 patients treated within the Gepartrio, Geparquattro, Geparquinto, and Geparsixto study 157 (2.3%) patients have been identified with the diagnosis of bilateral carcinoma. From the 114 bilateral patients with any information on the non indicator lesion 104 with information on pCR on both sides were used for further analysis. The median age was 51 (range 29-74) years. There were more cT1 (48.5% vs 9.6%, p<0.001) and cN0 (60.0% vs 38.4%, p = 0.004) tumors in the group of the non-indicator lesion compared to the indicator lesion group. In 56% the molecular subtype was identical 86% had a luminal A like tumor of indicator as well as the non-indicator lesion, none of the luminal B-like indicator lesions were identical, 27% of the HER2+/ HR +, 58% in the HER2+/ HR- group and 66% of the triple negative indicator lesions had an identical non indicator lesion. In general the tumor tended to be of lower malignant potential in the non- indicator lesion. Lobular carcinomas (23.4% vs 16.7%, p = 0.205); grade 3 (26% vs 36.7%, p = 0.101), ER positive (72% vs 67%, p = 0.427), HER2-positive (23.9 vs. 35.7%, p = 0.068). Overall the pCR rate (ypT0 ypN) was 20.2% in the non-indicator lesion group vs 13.9% the indicator lesion group (p = 0.276) and ypT0/is ypN0 was 30.8% and 17.6%, respectively (p = 0.0388). 64.4% had no pCR in the indicator as well as the non-indicator lesion, 11.5% had a pCR in the indicator as well as the non-indicator lesion, 4.8% in the indicator alone and 19.2% in the non-indicator alone. Breast conserving surgery was performed more often for non-indicator lesions than for indicator lesions (59% vs 44.4%, p = 0.144).

Conclusion: In general the selection for the indicator lesion was based on tumor size, nodal status and inclusion criteria. Probably, some of the indicator lesions would not have qualified for trial participation. The pCR rate including non-invasive residuals was significantly higher for the non-indicator lesions probably due to smaller tumors and less nodal involvement at baseline. However, based on our data bilateral breast carcinomas should not be excluded from neoadjuvant clinical trials.

Citation Information: Cancer Res 2013;73(24 Suppl): Abstract nr P3-14-04.

Neoadjuvant bevacizumab and anthracycline-taxane-based chemotherapy in 678 triple-negative primary breast cancers; results from the geparquinto study (GBG 44)

BACKGROUND

We evaluated the pathological complete response (pCR) rate after neoadjuvant epirubicin, (E) cyclophosphamide (C) and docetaxel containing chemotherapy with and without the addition of bevacizumab in patients with triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Patients with untreated cT1c-4d TNBC represented a stratified subset of the 1948 participants of the HER2-negative part of the GeparQuinto trial. Patients were randomized to receive four cycles EC (90/600 mg/m(2); q3w) followed by four cycles docetaxel (100 mg/m(2); q3w) each with or without bevacizumab (15 mg/kg; q3w) added to chemotherapy.

RESULTS

TNBC patients were randomized to chemotherapy without (n = 340) or with bevacizumab (n = 323). pCR (ypT0 ypN0, primary end point) rates were 27.9% without and 39.3% with bevacizumab (P = 0.003). According to other pCR definitions, the addition of bevacizumab increased the pCR rate from 30.9% to 41.8% (ypT0 ypN0/+; P = 0.004), 36.2% to 46.4% (ypT0/is ypN0/+; P = 0.009) and 32.9% to 43.3% (ypT0/is ypN0; P = 0.007). Bevacizumab treatment [OR 1.73, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.23-2.42; P = 0.002], lower tumor stage (OR 2.38, 95% CI 1.24-4.54; P = 0.009) and grade 3 tumors (OR 1.68, 95% CI 1.14-2.48; P = 0.009) were confirmed as independent predictors of higher pCR in multivariate logistic regression analysis.

CONCLUSIONS

The addition of bevacizumab to chemotherapy in TNBC significantly increases pCR rates.

Influence of additives to the formulation of n.c.a. [¹¹C]PiB on sterile filter performance

The influence of different additives (PEG 300, PEG 400, PG) to the product solution of [(11)C]PiB was investigated with regard to tracer retention for a number of commonly used sterile filters for aseptic manufacturing of PET-tracers. The effect of the amount of additive with regard to tracer retention and the resulting viscosity of the filtration solution was determined. Recommendations for the individual combinations of filters and amounts of additives suitable for the different filtration methods that are implemented in commercially available synthesis modules are given as well.

Abstract P2-10-13: CD4 positive tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes are associated with improved prognosis in node-negative breast cancer

Background: The prognostic significance of CD8 positive cytotoxic lymphocytes in breast cancer is well accepted. However, the role of CD4 positive lymphocytes is ambiguous. We examined the prognostic relevance of CD4 positive tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes in previously published node-negative breast cancer cohorts using RNA expression.

Methods: Microarray based gene-expression data for CD4 (203547_at) were analyzed in four previously published cohorts (Mainz, Rotterdam, Transbig, Yu) of node-negative breast cancer patients not treated with adjuvant therapy (n = 824). A meta-analysis of previously published cohorts was performed using a random effects model. Prognostic significance of CD4 on metastasis-free survival (MFS) was examined in the whole cohort and in different molecular subtypes (ER+/HER2−, ER−/HER2−, HER2+). Independent prognostic relevance was analyzed using multivariate Cox regression.

Results: Higher RNA expression of CD4 was related to better MFS in a meta-analysis of the whole cohort (HR 0.66, 95% CI 0.49–0.90, p = 0.0074). Prognostic significance was most pronounced in the HER2+ positive molecular subtype (HR 0.32, 95% CI 0.14–0.75, p = 0.0091) as compared to ER+/HER2− (HR 0.62, 95% CI 0.29–1.32, P>0.05) and ER−/HER2− (HR 0.61, 95% CI 0.28–1.35, P>0.05) carcinomas of the breast. CD4 showed independent prognostic significance (HR 0.60, 95% CI 0.37–0.96, p = 0.032) in multivariate analysis. In addition to CD4, only histological grade of differentiation (HR 2.43, 95% CI 1.50–3.94, P < 0.001) and tumor size (HR 1.87, 95% CI 1.19–2.94, p = 0.007), but not age, HER2 status or hormone receptor status retained an independent prognostic association with MFS.

Conclusion: CD4 positive tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes have independent prognostic significance in node-negative breast cancer. A higher expression is associated with improved outcome.

Citation Information: Cancer Res 2012;72(24 Suppl):Abstract nr P2-10-13.

Radiosynthesis of carbon-11 labeled 6-methyldopamine ([¹¹C]MeDA)

A rapid and efficient n.c.a. radiosynthesis of 6-[(11)C]methyldopamine ([(11)C]MeDA) using the Stille cross-coupling reaction as a key step was developed. The labeling conditions for the formation of the intermediate compound (protected [(11)C]MeDA, [(11)C]7) were determined with respect to reaction temperature and time. The radiochemical yield 89 ± 1.4% (decay-corrected) of the protected intermediate [(11)C]7 was obtained at a reaction temperature of 60°C and a reaction time of 5 min using Pd(2)(dba)(3)/P(o-tolyl)(3) and CsF/CuBr as a co-catalyst system. The overall yield after deprotection with 45% HBr at 140°C for 10 min was 64 ± 3.9% (decay-corrected) within a total preparation time of 40 min, including hydrolysis, HPLC purification and formulation.

Responsiveness of adjacent ductal carcinoma in situ and changes in HER2 status after neoadjuvant chemotherapy/trastuzumab treatment in early breast cancer: Results from the GeparQuattro study (GBG 40)

6

Background: Adjacent ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) is in found in approximately 45% of invasive ductal carcinomas (IDC) of the breast. Pure DCIS overexpresses HER2 in approximately 45%. There is uncertainty whether adjacent DCIS impacts on the response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy and trastuzumab as well as whether HER2 expression in IDC component or adjacent DCIS changes throughout treatment.

Methods: Core biopsies and surgical tissue from participants of the GeparQuattro study with HER2-positive IDC were centrally examined for the area of invasive ductal component and adjacent DCIS before and after receiving neoadjuvant anthracycline-taxane-trastuzumab containing chemotherapy. HER2 overexpression in IDC and adjacent DCIS was quantified separately by immunohistochemistry using the Ventana automated staining system. Pathological complete response (pCR) was defined as no residual invasive or non-invasive tumor tissue.

Results: Fifty nine (37.3%) of 158 IDCs presented with adjacent DCIS at diagnosis. These tumors showed lower regression grades than pure IDC (p=0.033). Presence of adjacent DCIS was an independent negative predictor of pCR (odds ratio 0.42 [95% CI 0.2-0.9], p=0.027). Adjacent DCIS area decreased from pre-treatment to surgery (r=0.205) with 30 (50.8%) IDCs with adjacent DCIS showing complete eradication of adjacent DCIS. HER2 status of adjacent DCIS was highly correlated with HER2 status of IDC component before (r=0.892) and after treatment (r=0.676). Degree of HER2 overexpression of the IDC component decreased in 16 (33.3%) out of 49 patients without a pCR. These 16 IDCs showed lower RGs compared to the 33 IDCs with unchanged HER2 expression (p=0.055).

Conclusions: HER2-positive IDCs with adjacent DCIS is less responsive to neoadjuvant chemotherapy and trastuzumab compared to pure IDC. However, complete eradication of adjacent DCIS is frequently observed. HER2-overexpression of the invasive ductal component decreases in a subset of tumors, which showed less tumor regression.

C-11 methionine positron emission tomography/computed tomography localizes parathyroid adenomas in primary hyperparathyroidism

In patients with primary hyperparathyroidism (pHPT), positive preoperative localization studies enable to perform a minimally invasive approach for parathyroid surgery. However, current imaging techniques are not always successful. We therefore conducted a study to determine the sensitivity of C-11 methionine positron emission tomography/computed tomography (Met-PET/CT) in localizing parathyroid adenomas in pHPT. Met-PET/CT scans of the neck and mediastinum of 33 patients undergoing parathyroidectomy for primary HPT were compared with intraoperative and histological findings. Primary HPT was caused by a single gland adenoma in 30 patients, while another 3 patients had multiglandular disease. Met-PET/CT scan correctly located a single gland adenoma in 25 out of 30 (83%) patients with pHPT, among them 2 patients with persistent disease, 7 patients with prior neck surgery, and 8 patients with concomitant thyroid nodules. In 3 patients with multiglandular disease, Met-PET/CT showed only one enlarged parathyroid gland in two individuals and was negative in the third patient. Statistical analysis found a significant correlation between true-positive results and the weight (2.42+/-4.05 g) and diameter (2.0+/-1.18 cm) of parathyroid adenomas while the subgroup with false negative findings had significantly smaller (0.98+/-0.54 cm) and lighter (0.5+/-0.38 g) glands. Sensitivity was 83% for single gland adenomas and 67% for multiglandular disease. Met-PET/CT correctly localized 83% of single gland parathyroid adenomas in patients with pHPT. However, preoperative localization of multiglandular disease due to double adenomas or parathyroid hyperplasia remained difficult.

The Luminal B Marker NHERF1 Predicts Endocrine Resistance

Background:Tumors of the luminal B subtype of ER postive breast cancer are characterized by high proliferation as compared to the luminal A subtype. The luminal B have a worse prognosis. We aimed to identify genes specifically expressed in the luminal B subtype of breast cancers and analyze the prognostic impact of these genes and their relationship to endocrine therapy.Methods:121 genes overexpressed in LumB tumors were identified in a test set of 171 Breast cancer samples and reproducibly obtained in four independent validation datasets. The scaffold protein NHERF1 was analyzed in a large scale meta-analysis of microarray datasets encompassing n=3030 breast cancer samples.Results:NHERF1 is an ER regulated gene located on chromosome 17 coding for a scaffold protein involved in growth factor signal transduction. NHERF1 expression among ER positive tumors is associated with larger tumor size, higher histolocigal grading, and HER2 expression. A prognostic value of NHERF1 was observed among ER positive tumors (univariate HR 1.49, 95% CI 1.23-1.80, P<0.001) but not among ER negative samples. NHERF1 remained significant in multivariate analysis (HR 1.37, 95% CI 1.05-1.79, P=0.020) and is not a surrogate marker for high proliferation. A benefit of endocrine treatment seems to be restricted to NHERF1 negative tumors.Conclusions:Markers like NHERF1 specific for the luminal B subtype of breast cancer correlate with poor prognosis and seem to be predictive for endocrine treatment response.

Citation Information: Cancer Res 2009;69(24 Suppl):Abstract nr 3164.

Correlation of Thymidine Phosphorylase Expression and Lymphocyte Infiltration Detected by Microarray Analysis of Breast Cancer

Background:Thymidine phosphorylase (TP) expression in carcinoma cells has been described as a prognostic factor in breast cancer and a predictive factor for response to 5-FU chemotherapy in some studies. Analysis from prostate cancer reported a correlation of TP with lymphocyte infiltrates of tumors.Material and Methods:Affymetrix microarray data of n=79 normal tissue samples and n=1781 primary breast cancers were analyzed for TP mRNA expression. To study relationships of TP expression with immune cell infiltration of breast tumors we used several metagenes representing certain types of immune cells. Immunohistochemical analysis of TP protein expression using a monoclonal antibody was applied for validation studies.Results:Among normal tissues highest expression of TP mRNA was observed in cells and tissues of the immune system. The profile of TP expression displayed highest correlation with a metagene representing cells of the myeloid lineage as moncytes, macrophages and dendritic cells. Analysis of microarray data from 1781 breast cancer samples suggests that TP expression detected by this method originates mainly from infiltrating immune cells. In line with this observation TP mRNA expression correlated with a immune cell infiltration score determined by pathological inspection of the tumor. However, we also observed a correlation of TP with a metagene of interferone inducible genes which seem to be expressed by carcinoma cells. When we tried to validate these data on the protein level using immunohistochemistry TP expression was demonstrated both in carcinoma cells and stromal cells of the tumor to a varying degree.Discussion:We were able to confirm previous data from prostate cancer that TP expression is strongly correlated to the presence of an intense lymphocyte infiltrate of the tumor for breast cancer. However, microarray data of a bulk tumor sample cannot reveal the cellular origin of TP expression.Conclusion:Thus from this data it is not clear whether lymphocytes of the myeloid lineage either are the actual source of TP expression or induce its expression in carcinoma cells.

Citation Information: Cancer Res 2009;69(24 Suppl):Abstract nr 2139.

Geparquinto: First Planned Safety Analysis on 60 Patients with HER2 Negative Primary Breast Cancer Receiving Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy ± Bevacizumab or ± RAD001 (GBG 44)

Background:New targeted agents are investigated in neoadjuvant trials to estimate rapidly the potential efficacy of these drugs in early stage breast cancer. Patients (pts) without mid course response are in need for improved therapy. As the tolerability of these new treatment combinations is unknown, an internal pilot phase for safety was incorporated into the phase III GeparQuinto trial with an antiangiogenic treatment and RAD001 for HER2neg primary breast cancer pts.Patients and Methods:In the GeparQuinto trial with a planned overall sample size of 2500 pts we examine the additive effect of bevacizumab (BEV) to EC – docetaxel (DOC) on pathological complete response. Pts not responding to EC ± BEV are considered to be chemo-resistant. To overcome drug resistance, these non-responding pts were randomized to weekly paclitaxel (PAC) ± RAD (Everolimus; RAD001). Female pts with untreated, histologically confirmed uni- or bilateral, cT3/4a-d, HER2– breast cancer and no clinically relevant cardiovascular co-morbidities are randomized to 4 cycles of E (90mg/m²) + C (600 mg/m²) q3w ± BEV (15 mg/kg i.v.) q3w. After 4 cycles, the response was evaluated. Pts with response continue with DOC (100mg/m²) ± BEV (15mg/kg) q3w. If the tumor size did not decrease by ≥50%, pts were randomized to PAC (80mg/m² weekly) ± RAD (5mg orally daily, starting with a dose escalation over 14 days and 7-14 days prior the first PAC infusion) for 12 weeks. Surgery was performed in all pts after total treatment duration of 24 weeks. Grade 3+4 toxicities of the first cycle EC ± BEV, DOC ± BEV and PAC ± RAD was monitored for 20, 40, 60 P and an interim safety analysis was performed when 60 pts completed all cycles.Results:Of the 60 HER2 neg pts, 30 received 4xEC, 30 4xEC+BEV. 40 responders continued treatment with DOC (N=21) and DOC+BEV (N=19). 20 non-responders were randomized to PAC (n= 9) and PAC+RAD (n= 11). 2 pts discontinued treatment early.Premature treatment discontinuation was observed in 12 of 60 pts [during EC (2x), DOC (3x), DOC+BEV (1x), PAC (4x) and PAC+RAD (2x)], but only in 6 pts due to toxicity [DOC (2x); DOC+BEV (1x); PAC (3x)]. Other reasons were protocol violation (1x), incompliance (1x), progress [EC (1x), DOC (1x), PAC (2x)].BEV increased only the rate of leucopenia grade (gr) 3-4 during EC [gr 1-4 (3-4): –BEV: 93.8 % (40.6%) vs. +BEV: 90% (70.0%); p=0.666 (0.024)] and of mucositis during DOC [gr 1-4 (3-4): –BEV: 52.4% (9.5%) vs. +BEV: 100% (36.8%); p<0.0001 (0.06)]. RAD increased the rate of neutropenia during PAC [gr 1-4 (3-4): –RAD: 11.1% (0.0%) vs. +RAD: 80.0% (10.0%); p=0.005 (1.0)]. No significant differences were found for other hematologic and non-hematologic toxicities.Conclusion:The addition of BEV to EC-DOC was considered safe and the pilot phase was terminated. Safety data from all 60 pts treated with PAC ± RAD will be presented at the meeting.

Citation Information: Cancer Res 2009;69(24 Suppl):Abstract nr 1096.