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Berghoff A, Bago-Horvath Z, De Vries C, Dubsky P, Pluschnig U, Rudas M, Rottenfusser A, Knauer M, Eiter H, Fitzal F, Dieckmann K, Mader RM, Gnant M, Zielinski CC, Steger GG, Preusser M, Bartsch R. Brain metastases free survival differs between breast cancer subtypes. Br J Cancer 2012; 106:440-6. [PMID: 22233926 PMCID: PMC3273356 DOI: 10.1038/bjc.2011.597] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2011] [Revised: 12/07/2011] [Accepted: 12/16/2011] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Brain metastases (BM) are frequently diagnosed in patients with HER-2-positive metastatic breast cancer; in addition, an increasing incidence was reported for triple-negative tumours. We aimed to compare brain metastases free survival (BMFS) of breast cancer subtypes in patients treated between 1996 until 2010. METHODS Brain metastases free survival was measured as the interval from diagnosis of extracranial breast cancer metastases until diagnosis of BM. HER-2 status was analysed by immunohistochemistry and reanalysed by fluorescent in situ hybridisation if a score of 2+ was gained. Oestrogen-receptor (ER) and progesterone-receptor (PgR) status was analysed by immunohistochemistry. Brain metastases free survival curves were estimated with the Kaplan-Meier method and compared with the log-rank test. RESULTS Data of 213 patients (46 luminal/124 HER-2/43 triple-negative subtype) with BM from breast cancer were available for the analysis. Brain metastases free survival differed significantly between breast cancer subtypes. Median BMFS in triple-negative tumours was 14 months (95% CI: 11.34-16.66) compared with 18 months (95% CI: 14.46-21.54) in HER-2-positive tumours (P=0.001) and 34 months (95% CI: 23.71-44.29) in luminal tumours (P=0.001), respectively. In HER-2-positive patients, co-positivity for ER and HER-2 prolonged BMFS (26 vs 15 m; P=0.033); in luminal tumours, co-expression of ER and PgR was not significantly associated with BMFS. Brain metastases free survival in patients with lung metastases was significantly shorter (17 vs 21 months; P=0.014). CONCLUSION Brain metastases free survival in triple-negative breast cancer, as well as in HER-2-positive/ER-negative, is significantly shorter compared with HER-2/ER co-positive or luminal tumours, mirroring the aggressiveness of these breast cancer subtypes.
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Dubsky PC, Jakesz R, Mlineritsch B, Pöstlberger S, Samonigg H, Kwasny W, Tausch C, Stöger H, Haider K, Fitzal F, Singer CF, Stierer M, Sevelda P, Luschin-Ebengreuth G, Taucher S, Rudas M, Bartsch R, Steger GG, Greil R, Filipcic L, Gnant M. Tamoxifen and anastrozole as a sequencing strategy: a randomized controlled trial in postmenopausal patients with endocrine-responsive early breast cancer from the Austrian Breast and Colorectal Cancer Study Group. J Clin Oncol 2012; 30:722-8. [PMID: 22271481 DOI: 10.1200/jco.2011.36.8993] [Citation(s) in RCA: 74] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE Anastrozole (ANA) alone delivers significant disease-free survival benefits over tamoxifen (TAM) monotherapy in postmenopausal women with early estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer. The ABCSG-8 (Austrian Breast and Colorectal Cancer Study Group 8) study is a large phase III clinical trial addressing the sequence strategy containing ANA in comparison with 5 years of TAM in a low- to intermediate-risk group of postmenopausal patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS Endocrine receptor-positive patients with G1 or G2 tumors were eligible. After surgery, patients were randomly assigned to 5 years of TAM or 2 years of TAM followed by 3 years of ANA. Adjuvant chemotherapy and G3 and T4 tumors were exclusion criteria. Intention-to-treat and censored analyses of on-treatment recurrence-free survival (RFS) were performed, and exploratory survival end points and toxicity were investigated. RESULTS Information from 3,714 patients, including 17,563 woman-years, with a median of 60 months of follow-up was available for this analysis. Median age was 63.8 years, 75% were node negative, and 75% had T1 tumors. Sequencing of ANA after identical 2-year treatment with TAM in both arms did not result in a statistically significant improvement of RFS (hazard ratio [HR], 0.80; 95% CI, 0.63 to 1.01; P = .06). Exploratory analyses of distant relapse-free survival indicated a 22% improvement (HR, 0.78; 95% CI, 0.60 to 1.00). On-treatment adverse events and serious adverse events were consistent with known toxicity profiles of ANA and TAM treatment. CONCLUSION Despite a low overall rate of recurrence in a population with breast cancer at limited risk of relapse, the a priori sequence strategy of 2 years of TAM followed by 3 years of ANA led to small outcome and toxicity benefits.
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Pfeiler G, Dubsky P, Steger GG, von Minckwitz G, Thürlimann B, Untch M. Highlights from the San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium 2011. Breast Care (Basel) 2012. [DOI: 10.1159/000336747] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
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Bartsch R, Berghoff A, Bago-Horvath Z, DeVries C, Dubsky P, Pluschnig U, Rudas M, Rottenfusser A, Fitzal F, Dieckmann K, Mader RM, Gnant M, Zielinski CC, Steger GG. P4-17-05: Brain Metastasis Free Survival (BMFS) Differs between Breast Cancer Subtypes. Cancer Res 2011. [DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.sabcs11-p4-17-05] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
BACKGROUND Brain metastases (BM) are frequently diagnosed in patients (pts) with Her2-positive metastatic breast cancer (BC); a rising incidence was also reported in triple-negative disease. We hypothesized that pts with triple-negative or Her2-positive tumours had shorter BMFS as compared to other BC subtypes.
Therefore, we aimed to compare BMFS in pts with Her2-positive, estrogen receptor (ER) positive and triple-negative BC treated at the Medical University of Vienna from 1999–2009. In Her2-positive tumours, we further investigated the influence of ER co-expression on BMFS, as Her2-positive / ER-positive tumours were reported to express less aggressive biological properties.
METHODS BMFS was defined as primary study endpoint and measured as the interval from diagnosis of metastatic BC until diagnosis of BM. A total of 168 pts were identified from a breast cancer database. 34 pts were excluded from this analysis as brain was the first site of disease progression; hence complete datasets from 134 pts were available (69 Her2-positive; 33 triple-negative; 32 ER-positive).
Her2 status was analyzed by immunohistochemistry (IHC) and reanalyzed by FISH if a score of 2+ was gained. ER was analyzed by IHC; ER negative tumours were defined by a cut-off value of <10% positively stained tumour cells. BMFS was estimated with the Kaplan-Meier product limit method and compared with the log-rank test; factors significantly associated with BMFS in the univariate analysis were included into a Cox proportional hazard model.
RESULTS Median BMFS in triple-negative pts was 14 months (m) (95% CI 12.17−15.83), as compared to 25 m (95% CI 13.37−36.62) in Her2-positive (p=0.001) and 35 m (95% CI 19.79−50.22) in ER-positive pts (p<0.001), respectively.
In Her2-positive pts, prior trastuzumab treatment for metastatic disease prolonged median BMFS (29 vs. 11 m; p<0.001); BMFS was further improved by trastuzumab in multiple lines (p=0.045) and co-positivity for ER and Her2 (30 vs. 15 m; p<0.001).
ER-expression (HR 2.03; 95%CI 1.22−3.36; p<0.05) and prior trastuzumab (HR 2.72; 95%CI 1.20−6.17; p=0.017) remained independent predictors of longer BMFS in the Cox regression model. In ER-positive, triple-negative as well as Her2-positive pts, no correlation was found between BMFS and factors such as grading, histological subtype, stage IV disease at primary diagnosis, disease-free interval <24 months from primary treatment to diagnosis of metastatic disease, presence of visceral metastases, presence of lung metastases, and prior capecitabine exposure.
CONCLUSIONS BMFS in triple-negative disease is significantly shorter as compared to Her2-positive or ER-positive tumours, mirroring the aggressiveness of this breast cancer subtype. Probably due to improved systemic disease control, trastuzumab significantly prolonged BMFS in Her2-positive pts. Longer BMFS in ER/Her2 co-positive disease reflects a less aggressive subtype of Her2-positive breast cancer which is less likely to benefit from strategies of BM screening or prevention.
Citation Information: Cancer Res 2011;71(24 Suppl):Abstract nr P4-17-05.
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Beslija S, Brodowicz T, Greil R, Inbar MJ, Kahán Z, Kaufman B, Lang I, Steger GG, Stemmer SM, Zielinski C, Zvirbule Z. OT2-01-02: First-Line Bevacizumab in Combination with Capecitabine or Paclitaxel for HER2−Negative Locally Recurrent or Metastatic Breast Cancer (LR/MBC): A Randomized Phase III Trial. Cancer Res 2011. [DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.sabcs11-ot2-01-02] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
Background
A number of phase III studies have shown significant progression-free survival (PFS) benefits with the combination of bevacizumab (Bev) and either first-line capecitabine (X) or taxane therapy in LR/MBC. The ongoing open-label, randomized, phase III CECOG-sponsored TURANDOT study (CECOG/BC.1.3.005) is investigating the efficacy and safety of first-line Bev plus paclitaxel (P) versus Bev plus X in this setting.
Materials and methods: Eligible patients (pts) are aged ≥18 years with HER2−negative, chemonaïve LR/MBC, an ECOG performance status of 0–2 and a life expectancy >12 weeks. Prior chemotherapy and concomitant hormonal therapy for LR/MBC are not permitted, but prior (neo)adjuvant chemotherapy is allowed if completed ≥6 months before randomization or ≥12 months if taxane based. Pts are randomized to receive Bev 10mg/kg days 1, 15 plus P 90mg/m2 days 1, 8, 15, q28d (Arm A) or Bev 15mg/kg day 1 plus X 1,000mg/m2 bid days 1–14, q21d (Arm B) until disease progression, unacceptable toxicity or withdrawal of consent. The primary objective is to demonstrate non-inferiority in overall survival (OS) with Bev plus P versus Bev plus X (upper limit ≤1.33 for the two-sided confidence interval for hazard ratio [HR]). Secondary objectives are: comparison of overall response rate (RECIST criteria); PFS; time to response; duration of response; time to treatment failure; safety (CTCAE version 3); and quality of life (EORTC QLQ-30). The recruitment target is 560 pts. A sample size of 490 pts in the per-protocol population will be required to provide 80% power to reject the null hypothesis of inferiority at a one-sided significance level of 0.025, assuming a 24-month median OS with Bev plus P and an alternative hypothesis of HR=1. Data cut-off for adverse event reports was 12 Apr 2010. Interim and final efficacy analyses will be triggered after 175 and 389 events, respectively.
Results: Recruitment to the study began in Sep 2008 and was completed in Aug 2010, with 561 pts randomized. Follow-up is ongoing.
Conclusions: TURANDOT is the first study to examine the efficacy and safety of Bev plus P versus Bev plus X as first-line treatment for pts with LR/MBC.
Citation Information: Cancer Res 2011;71(24 Suppl):Abstract nr OT2-01-02.
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Fiegl M, Mlineritsch B, Hubalek M, Bartsch R, Pluschnig U, Steger GG. Single-agent pegylated liposomal doxorubicin (PLD) in the treatment of metastatic breast cancer: results of an Austrian observational trial. BMC Cancer 2011; 11:373. [PMID: 21864402 PMCID: PMC3178544 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2407-11-373] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2011] [Accepted: 08/24/2011] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND In advanced breast cancer, multiple sequential lines of treatments are frequently applied. Pegylated liposomal doxorubicin (PLD) has a favourable toxicity profile and can be used in first or higher lines of therapy. PLD has demonstrated response activity even after prior anthracycline exposure. METHODS 129 consecutive patients with advanced breast cancer, of whom the majority had been massively pretreated, received PLD as monotherapy within licensed approval, for which efficacy and toxicities were documented. RESULTS In a routine therapy setting, PLD was administered in a slightly reduced dose (median, 40 mg/m2 per cycle). Response rate (complete and partial remission) was 26%, and stable disease was observed in 19% of patients. Progression-free (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were 5.8 months and 14.2 months, respectively. There was no difference in terms of response and PFS, no matter if patients had already received anthracycline treatment. Interestingly, PFS proved similar regardless whether PLD was administered as palliative therapy in first, second or third line. Furthermore, PFS and OS were similar in patients with response or stable disease, underscoring the view that disease stabilization is associated with a profound clinical benefit. The most common side effects reported were palmar-plantar erythrodysesthesia (17%), exanthema (14%) and mucositis (12%). CONCLUSIONS Efficacy and toxicity data in these "real life" patients permit the conclusion that PLD is a valuable option in the treatment of advanced breast cancer even in heavily pretreated patients.
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Greil R, Borštnar S, Petráková K, Marcou Y, Pikiel J, Wojtukiewicz MZ, Koza I, Steger GG, Linn M, Das Gupta A, Cwiertka K. Combination therapy of lapatinib and Capecitabine for ErbB2-positive metastatic or locally advanced breast cancer: results from the Lapatinib Expanded Access Program (LEAP) in Central and Eastern Europe. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2011; 34:233-8. [PMID: 21577028 DOI: 10.1159/000327710] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The Lapatinib Expanded Access Program (LEAP) was initiated in 45 countries to provide lapatinib in combination with capecitabine to patients with ErbB2 (HER2)-positive breast cancer already treated with anthracyclines, taxanes and trastuzumab. We report the results from 12 Central and Eastern European countries. PATIENTS AND METHODS By 30 September 2008, 293 patients were enrolled. Patients were monitored for serious adverse events (SAEs) and for any decrease in left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF). Overall survival and progression-free survival were also assessed. RESULTS Mean treatment duration was 30 weeks; 107 patients (36.5%) discontinued therapy during the study, mainly due to disease progression (n = 86; 29.4%). A total of 78 SAEs were reported from 47 patients; the most frequently reported was diarrhoea (13 reports). Treatment had a relatively small effect on LVEF. Decreases were minor (0 to < 20%) in 61% of patients at the end of the study. During the study, 3 patients had decreased LVEF meeting the definition of an SAE; these events all resolved. Median overall and median progression-free survival were 37.6 and 21.1 weeks, respectively. CONCLUSIONS Heavily pretreated patients with ErbB2-positive locally advanced or metastatic breast cancer may benefit from treatment with lapatinib and capecitabine, with a low risk of cardiac toxicity.
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Mader RM, Wieser M, Berger W, Kalipciyan M, Hackl M, Steger GG, Grillari J. Relevance of microRNA modulation in chemoresistant colon cancer in vitro. Int J Clin Pharmacol Ther 2011; 49:67-68. [PMID: 21176732] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/30/2023] Open
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Mader RM, Kalipciyan M, Ohana P, Hochberg A, Steger GG. Suicide activation in a 5-fluorouracil resistant colon cancer model in vitro. Int J Clin Pharmacol Ther 2011; 49:69-70. [PMID: 21176733] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/30/2023] Open
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Ratzenboeck IE, Bartl B, Forstner B, Kalipciyan M, Steger GG, Mader RM. Cross-resistance of 5-fluorouracil-resistant colon carcinoma in vitro. Int J Clin Pharmacol Ther 2011; 49:81-82. [PMID: 21176738] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/30/2023] Open
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Steger GG, Barrios C, O'Shaughnessy J, Martin M, Gnant M. Abstract PD01-03: Review of Capecitabine for the Treatment of Triple-Negative Early Breast Cancer. Cancer Res 2010. [DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.sabcs10-pd01-03] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
Background: Patients with triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) have a high unmet therapeutic need with a generally poor prognosis. Initial data from two randomised, phase III trials of capecitabine (C) in early breast cancer (EBC), ABCSG-24 and FinXX, are promising. ABCSG-24 demonstrated significant improvements in pathological complete response (pCR) rate with the incorporation of C into a neoadjuvant regimen of epirubicin (E) plus docetaxel (D) (24.3% vs 16.0%; p=0.02) [Steger G, et al. ECCO-ESMO 2009; Abst 4BA]. FinXX revealed significant improvements in 3-year recurrence-free survival (RFS) with the addition of C to a sequential taxane-anthracycline adjuvant regimen (92.5% vs 88.9% control; hazard ratio [HR] 0.66, 95% CI 0.47-0.94; p=0.020) [Joensuu H, et al. Lancet Oncol 2009]. We review subgroup analyses from these two studies in patients with TNBC to assess the potential benefit of C in this patient subgroup.
Methods: Patients with operable breast cancer except T4d, ± nodal involvement were randomised in the ABCSG-24 study to 6x ED every 21 days (dl: E 75mg/m2 and D 75mg/m2, d2: pegfilgrastim 6mg) ± C (1,000mg/m2 b.i.d., d1-14). Patients with medium-to high risk EBC were randomised in the FinXX study to 3x D≥3x CycEF (D 80mg/m2 d1→cyclophosphamide [Cyc] 600mg/m2 d1, E 75mg/m2 d1, F 600mg/m2 d1, every 21 days) or 3x CD≥3x CycEC (C 900mg/m2 bid d1-15 + D 60mg/m2 d1→Cyc 600mg/m2 d1, E 75mg/m2 d1, C 900mg/m2 b.i.d., d1-15, every 21 days).
Results: Patients with TNBC in the ABCSG-24 study (n=122) had a significantly greater chance of achieving a pCR than non-TNBC (n=348) (odds ratio [OR] 5.29, 95% CI: 3.22-8.68, P<0.0001), irrespective of the regimen. In the total study population, the highest pCR rates were achieved in patients with TNBC receiving EDC therapy (47.5% vs 31.2% with ED; p=NS). Patients with TNBC in the FinXX study (n=202) had significantly shorter RFS than patients without TNBC (n=1,294) (81.7% vs 92.2%, HR 0.43, 95% CI 0.29-0.63; P<0.001). Within the TNBC subgroup, 3-year RFS was significantly longer in the C-containing arm (n=93) than in the control arm (n=109) (87.7% vs 76.6%, respectively; HR 0.43, 95% CI 0.21-0.90; p=0.024). RFS did not differ significantly in the C arm among patients with TNBC or non-TNBC (HR 0.74, 95% CI: 0.38-1.41; p=0.357). Conclusions: Initial data for C in EBC are promising with the ABCSG-24 and FinXX randomised, phase III trials demonstrating significant improvements in pCR and RFS, respectively, with the addition of C to standard (neo)adjuvant regimens. Exploratory subgroup analyses from these studies show additional benefit of C therapy in patients with TNBC, who are typically recognised as a group with poorer prognosis. An ongoing randomised, phase III study conducted by the CIBOMA collaborative group is prospectively investigating C maintenance therapy after adjuvant anthracycline/taxane in patients with TNBC. This is the first study of C to specifically target patients with early TNBC and interim safety data are expected in 2010.
Citation Information: Cancer Res 2010;70(24 Suppl):Abstract nr PD01-03.
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Tentes IK, Schmidt WM, Krupitza G, Steger GG, Mikulits W, Kortsaris A, Mader RM. Long-term persistence of acquired resistance to 5-fluorouracil in the colon cancer cell line SW620. Exp Cell Res 2010; 316:3172-81. [PMID: 20849845 DOI: 10.1016/j.yexcr.2010.09.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2010] [Revised: 09/02/2010] [Accepted: 09/04/2010] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Treatment resistance to antineoplastic drugs represents a major clinical problem. Here, we investigated the long-term stability of acquired resistance to 5-fluorouracil (FU) in an in vitro colon cancer model, using four sub-clones characterised by increasing FU-resistance derived from the cell line SW620. The resistance phenotype was preserved after FU withdrawal for 15weeks (~100 cell divisions) independent of the established level of drug resistance and of epigenetic silencing. Remarkably, resistant clones tolerated serum deprivation, adopted a CD133(+) CD44(-) phenotype, and further exhibited loss of membrane-bound E-cadherin together with predominant nuclear β-catenin localisation. Thus, we provide evidence for a long-term memory of acquired drug resistance, driven by multiple cellular strategies (epithelial-mesenchymal transition and selective propagation of CD133(+) cells). These resistance phenomena, in turn, accentuate the malignant phenotype.
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Robertson JFR, Steger GG, Neven P, Barni S, Gieseking F, Nolè F, Pritchard KI, O'Malley FP, Simon SD, Kaufman B, Petruzelka L. Activity of fulvestrant in HER2-overexpressing advanced breast cancer. Ann Oncol 2009; 21:1246-1253. [PMID: 19875750 DOI: 10.1093/annonc/mdp447] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) overexpression increases the aggressiveness of breast cancer cells resulting in poorer prognosis. Patients with HER2-positive disease are less responsive to endocrine therapies. Trastuzumab monotherapy results in objective responses in only approximately 15% of patients. Fulvestrant retains activity in cells overexpressing HER2 that are resistant to other endocrine treatments. This retrospective study evaluated response to fulvestrant treatment among HER2-positive patients with advanced breast cancer (ABC). PATIENTS AND METHODS Clinical experience data from 10 treatment centres were pooled. Postmenopausal patients with predominantly hormone receptor-positive and HER2-positive disease were included. Clinical benefit (CB) was defined as the proportion of patients achieving a response to treatment (partial or complete) or stable disease lasting >/=6 months. RESULTS Data for 102 patients were analysed. Fulvestrant resulted in an overall CB rate of 42% (43/101) in HER2-positive patients and 40% (25/63) in patients with visceral disease. Median duration of treatment was 14.5 months (range 6-44 months). Fulvestrant showed activity up to the fourth line of endocrine therapy and up to the seventh line of overall therapy. CONCLUSIONS Results indicate that fulvestrant may be a suitable treatment option in extensively pre-treated patients with HER2-positive, hormone receptor-positive ABC. Further exploration of its use in this patient population is warranted.
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Baselga J, Zambetti M, Llombart-Cussac A, Manikhas G, Kubista E, Steger GG, Makhson A, Tjulandin S, Ludwig H, Verrill M, Ciruelos E, Egyhazi S, Xu LA, Zerba KE, Lee H, Clark E, Galbraith S. Phase II genomics study of ixabepilone as neoadjuvant treatment for breast cancer. J Clin Oncol 2008; 27:526-34. [PMID: 19075286 DOI: 10.1200/jco.2007.14.2646] [Citation(s) in RCA: 83] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE This phase II study evaluated the efficacy and safety of ixabepilone as neoadjuvant therapy for invasive breast cancer not amenable to breast conservation surgery. Gene expression studies were undertaken using genes that were identified as potentially associated with sensitivity/resistance to ixabepilone in prior preclinical investigations. PATIENTS AND METHODS Patients with invasive breast cancer >or= 3 cm were eligible. Ixabepilone 40 mg/m(2) was administered as a 3-hour intravenous infusion on day 1 of a 21-day cycle for four or fewer cycles. RESULTS One hundred sixty-one patients were treated. The overall complete pathologic response (pCR) rate was 18% in breast and 29% in estrogen receptor (ER) -negative patients. Gene expression data were available for 134 patients. ER gene expression (ER1) was inversely related to pCR in breast and had a positive predictive value (PPV) of 37% and negative predictive value (NPV) of 92%. A 10-gene penalized logistic regression (PLR) model developed from 200 genes predictive of ixabepilone sensitivity in preclinical experiments included ER and tau and had higher PPV (45%) and comparable NPV (89%) to ER1. Grade 3 to 4 adverse events (AEs) were reported for 32% of patients. Except for neutropenia and leukopenia, all grade 3 to 4 AEs occurred in <or= 3% of patients. Reversible peripheral neuropathy was experienced by 3% of patients. CONCLUSION ER, microtubule-associated protein tau, and a 10-gene PLR model that included ER were identified as predictors of ixabepilone-induced pCR. RESULTS indicate an inverse relation between ER expression levels and ixabepilone sensitivity. Neoadjuvant ixabepilone demonstrated promising activity and a manageable safety profile in patients with invasive breast tumors.
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Schippinger W, Samonigg H, Schaberl-Moser R, Greil R, Thödtmann R, Tschmelitsch J, Jagoditsch M, Steger GG, Jakesz R, Herbst F, Hofbauer F, Rabl H, Wohlmuth P, Gnant M, Thaler J. A prospective randomised phase III trial of adjuvant chemotherapy with 5-fluorouracil and leucovorin in patients with stage II colon cancer. Br J Cancer 2007; 97:1021-7. [PMID: 17895886 PMCID: PMC2360441 DOI: 10.1038/sj.bjc.6604011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 70] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
The purpose of this trial was to investigate the efficacy of adjuvant chemotherapy with 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) and leucovorin (LV) in stage II colon cancer. Patients with stage II colon cancer were randomised to either adjuvant chemotherapy with 5-FU/LV (100 mg m−2 LV+450 mg m−2 5-FU weekly, weeks 1–6, in 8 weeks cycles × 7) or surveillance only. Five hundred patients were evaluable for analyses. After a median follow-up of 95.6 months, 55 of 252 patients (21.8%) have died in the 5-FU/LV arm and 58 of 248 patients (23.4%) in the surveillance arm. There was no statistically significant difference in overall survival (OS) between the two treatment arms (hazard ratios, HR 0.88, 95% CI 0.61–1.27, P=0.49). The relative risk for tumour relapse was higher for patients on the surveillance arm than for those on the 5-FU/LV arm; however, this difference was not statistically significant (HR 0.69, 95% CI 0.45–1.06, P=0.09). Consequently, disease-free survival (DFS) was not significantly different between the two trial arms. In conclusion, results of this trial demonstrate a trend to a lower risk for relapse in patients treated with adjuvant 5-FU/LV for stage II colon cancer. However, in this study with limited power to detect small differences between the study arms, adjuvant chemotherapy failed to significantly improve DFS and OS.
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Schmidt WM, Sedivy R, Forstner B, Steger GG, Zöchbauer-Müller S, Mader RM. Progressive up-regulation of genes encoding DNA methyltransferases in the colorectal adenoma-carcinoma sequence. Mol Carcinog 2007; 46:766-72. [PMID: 17538945 DOI: 10.1002/mc.20307] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Epigenetic silencing is a prominent feature of cancer. Here, we investigated the expression of DNA demethylase and three DNA methyltransferases during colorectal tumorigenesis comparing the genes encoding DNA methyltransferases 1 (DNMT1), 3A, and 3B (DNMT3A and DNMT3B) with methyl-CpG binding domain protein 2 (MBD2), recently described as the only active DNA demethylase. Total RNA isolated from normal colonic mucosa (n = 24), benign adenomas (n = 18), and malignant colorectal carcinomas (n = 32) was analyzed by reverse transcriptase-PCR with subsequent quantification by capillary gel electrophoresis. In contrast to MBD2, expression of DNMT1 and DNMT3A increased in parallel to the degree of dysplasia, with significant overexpression in the malignant lesion when compared with mucosa or with benign lesions (DNMT1). Pairwise comparisons between tumors and matched, adjacent healthy mucosa tissue (n = 13) revealed that expression of all three genes encoding DNA methyltransferases increased by two- to three-fold. Our data suggest a relevant role of the DNA methyltransferases during colorectal tumorigenesis. This increase is not counterbalanced by enhanced expression of the demethylating component MBD2. As a consequence, epigenetic regulation in the adenoma-carcinoma sequence may be driven by increased methylating activity rather than suppressed demethylation.
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Schönau KK, Steger GG, Mader RM. Angiogenic effect of naive and 5-fluorouracil resistant colon carcinoma on endothelial cells in vitro. Cancer Lett 2007; 257:73-8. [PMID: 17686575 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2007.07.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2007] [Revised: 07/02/2007] [Accepted: 07/02/2007] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Tumour associated neovascularisation is a complex interplay between inhibitory and stimulatory angiogenic factors. Despite intense research in this field, little is known about the interaction between endothelial and chemoresistant cancer cells. For this purpose, we assessed the impact of cellular supernatants of the primary adenocarcinoma cell line CCL228, its lymph node metastasis CCL227, and four subclones resistant to different levels of 5-fluorouracil on the growth of microvascular and macrovascular endothelial cells. The growth of endothelial cells in vitro was affected to a moderate degree by supernatants from colon cancer cell lines. This effect was independent of the degree of chemoresistance. The stimulation of endothelial cells by the growth factors VEGF, bFGF, and PD-ECGF in the presence of supernatants from cancer cell lines was generally higher in macrovascular endothelial cells when compared with microvascular cells. The secretion of VEGF from colon cancer cells in vitro was inversely related to the degree of chemoresistance with the low chemoresistance phenotype producing VEGF 8.7-fold higher than the high resistance subclone. With a maximal secretion of 1500 pg VEGF/ml cell supernatant, the concentration necessary to directly stimulate the growth of endothelial cells was not achieved. In conclusion, chemoresistance affects the interaction between colon cancer cells and endothelial cells dependant on the endothelial cell type. Although the level of chemoresistance has a profound impact on the production of VEGF by cancer cells with low, intermediate or high resistance, it does not differentially affect growth stimulation or inhibition of endothelial cells in vitro.
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Steger GG, Galid A, Gnant M, Mlineritsch B, Lang A, Tausch C, Rudas M, Greil R, Wenzel C, Singer CF, Haid A, Pöstlberger S, Samonigg H, Luschin-Ebengreuth G, Kwasny W, Klug E, Kubista E, Menzel C, Jakesz R. Pathologic Complete Response With Six Compared With Three Cycles of Neoadjuvant Epirubicin Plus Docetaxel and Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor in Operable Breast Cancer: Results of ABCSG-14. J Clin Oncol 2007; 25:2012-8. [PMID: 17513805 DOI: 10.1200/jco.2006.09.1777] [Citation(s) in RCA: 71] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose Preoperative (neoadjuvant) chemotherapy for operable breast cancer downstages tumors initially not suitable for breast-conserving surgery. A pathologic complete response (pCR) to neoadjuvant chemotherapy may be a surrogate for longer overall survival, but this beneficial effect remains to be established. This phase III trial evaluated whether doubling the number of cycles of neoadjuvant treatment increased the pCR rate. Patients and Methods Patients with biopsy-proven breast cancer (T1-4a-c, N±, M0; stage I to III) were eligible and randomly assigned to either three or six cycles of epirubicin 75 mg/m2 and docetaxel 75 mg/m2 on day 1 and granulocyte colony-stimulating factor on days 3 through 10 (ED+G), every 21 days. The primary end point was the pCR rate of the breast tumor. Secondary end points were pathologic nodal status after surgery and the rate of breast-conserving surgery. Results A total of 292 patients were accrued, and 288 patients were assessable for efficacy and safety. Groups were well balanced for known prognostic factors. Six cycles of ED+G, compared with three cycles, resulted in a significantly higher pCR rate (18.6% v 7.7%, respectively; P = .0045), a higher percentage of patients with negative axillary status (56.6% v 42.8%, respectively; P = .02), and a trend towards more breast-conserving surgery (75.9% v 66.9%, respectively; P = .10). Rates of adverse events were similar, and no patients died on treatment. Conclusion Doubling the number of neoadjuvant ED+G cycles from three to six results in higher rates of pCR and negative axillary nodal status with no excess of adverse effects. Thus, six cycles of ED+G should be the standard neoadjuvant treatment for operable breast cancer if this combination is chosen.
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Karthaus M, Kretzschmar A, Kröning H, Biakhov M, Irwin D, Marschner N, Slabber C, Fountzilas G, Garin A, Abecasis NGF, Baronius W, Steger GG, Südhoff T, Giorgetti C, Reichardt P. Dalteparin for prevention of catheter-related complications in cancer patients with central venous catheters: final results of a double-blind, placebo-controlled phase III trial. Ann Oncol 2005; 17:289-96. [PMID: 16317012 DOI: 10.1093/annonc/mdj059] [Citation(s) in RCA: 173] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cancer patients receiving chemotherapy experience thromboembolic complications associated with the use of long-term indwelling central venous catheters (CVCs). This prospective, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multicenter study evaluated whether prophylactic treatment with a low molecular weight heparin could prevent clinically relevant catheter-related thrombosis. PATIENTS AND METHODS Patients with cancer undergoing chemotherapy for at least 12 weeks (n=439) were randomly assigned, in a 2:1 ratio, to receive either dalteparin (5000 IU) or placebo, by subcutaneous injection, once daily for 16 weeks. Patients underwent upper extremity evaluation with either venography or ultrasound at the time of a suspected catheter-related complication (CRC) or upon completion of study medication. The primary end point, as determined by a blinded adjudication committee, was the occurrence of a CRC, defined as the first occurrence of any one of the following: clinically relevant catheter-related thrombosis that was symptomatic or that required anticoagulant or fibrinolytic therapy; catheter-related clinically relevant pulmonary embolism; or catheter obstruction requiring catheter removal. RESULTS There was no significant difference in the frequency of CRCs between the dalteparin arm (3.7%) and the placebo arm (3.4%; P=0.88), corresponding to a relative risk of 1.0883 (95% confidence interval 0.37-3.19). No difference in the time to CRC was observed between the two arms (P=0.83). There was no significant difference between the dalteparin and placebo groups in terms of major bleeding (1 versus 0) or overall safety. CONCLUSIONS Dalteparin prophylaxis did not reduce the frequency of thromboembolic complications after CVC implantation in cancer patients. Dalteparin was demonstrated to be safe over 16 weeks of treatment in these patients.
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Steger GG, Bartsch R, Wenzel C, Pluschnig U, Hussian D, Sevelda U, Locker GJ, Gnant MF, Jakesz R, Zielinski CC. Fulvestrant (‘Faslodex’) in pre-treated patients with advanced breast cancer: A single-centre experience. Eur J Cancer 2005; 41:2655-61. [PMID: 16230005 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejca.2005.07.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2005] [Revised: 07/01/2005] [Accepted: 07/07/2005] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Fulvestrant ('Faslodex') is a new oestrogen receptor (ER) antagonist with no agonist effects. This report describes the experience of a single centre including 126 postmenopausal women with advanced breast cancer (ABC) in a fulvestrant Compassionate Use Programme. All patients had previously received endocrine treatment for early or ABC. Patients received fulvestrant as first- (n=7), second- (n=51), third- (n=50) or fourth-line endocrine therapy (n=18) for ABC (median duration of treatment: 4 months [range 3-27(+) months], follow-up: 13 months [range 1-38(+) months]). Twelve patients had partial responses (PR) and 43 patients experienced stable disease (SD) > or = 6 months (objective response rate: 9.5%; clinical benefit [CB] rate: 43.6%). Ten of 12 patients with a PR had HER2-negative tumours, and 9/12 had ER-positive and progesterone receptor (PgR)-positive disease (two patients had unknown HER2 status and one had unknown ER and PgR status). Nine of the 18 patients with HER2-positive tumours experienced CB with fulvestrant. Although CB rates were similar when fulvestrant was given as first- to fourth-line endocrine treatment, the proportion of those experiencing CB who had a PR appeared to decrease when fulvestrant was used later in the sequence. Fulvestrant was well tolerated; six patients experienced adverse events (all grade I/II). These data demonstrate that fulvestrant is an effective and well-tolerated therapy for patients with ABC progressing on prior therapies.
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Köstler WJ, Brodowicz T, Hudelist G, Rudas M, Horvat R, Steger GG, Singer CF, Attems J, Rabitsch W, Fakhrai N, Elandt K, Wiltschke C, Hejna M, Zielinski CC. The efficacy of trastuzumab in Her-2/neu-overexpressing metastatic breast cancer is independent of p53 status. J Cancer Res Clin Oncol 2005; 131:420-8. [PMID: 15864644 DOI: 10.1007/s00432-005-0670-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2004] [Accepted: 01/10/2005] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Her-2/neu and p53-mediated signalling have been shown to interact at various cellular levels. However, the clinical relevance of p53 alterations in patients receiving trastuzumab for Her-2/neu-overexpressing metastatic breast cancer (MBC) remains unknown. The present study was performed to corroborate previous in vitro findings from our laboratory showing that trastuzumab induces growth arrest and apoptosis in a p53-independent manner. METHOD Retrospective immunohistochemical (IHC) analysis for p53 protein expression was carried out on tumour specimens from 104 patients receiving trastuzumab-based treatment for Her-2/neu-overexpressing MBC at a single institution. p53 status was correlated with response (R) and clinical benefit (CB), median progression-free survival (PFS) time and overall survival (OAS) time in univariate and multivariate analyses. RESULTS Characteristics were similar between p53-negative and p53-positive tumours (all P>0.05). In univariate analyses, R (39% vs 26%, P=0.208), CB (70% vs 57%, P=0.218), PFS (6.2 months vs 4.2 months, P=0.186) and OAS (23.8 months vs 23.2 months, P=0.650) were similar for p53-positive tumours and p53-negative tumours, respectively. In multivariate analyses, p53 status was not a significant predictor of R, CB, PFS or OAS (all P>0.05). CONCLUSIONS p53 status, as determined by IHC, is not a predictor of the clinical efficacy of trastuzumab-based treatment in patients with Her-2/neu-overexpressing MBC.
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MESH Headings
- Adult
- Aged
- Aged, 80 and over
- Antibodies, Monoclonal/therapeutic use
- Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized
- Antineoplastic Agents/therapeutic use
- Biomarkers, Tumor/metabolism
- Breast Neoplasms/drug therapy
- Breast Neoplasms/metabolism
- Breast Neoplasms/secondary
- Carcinoma, Ductal, Breast/drug therapy
- Carcinoma, Ductal, Breast/metabolism
- Carcinoma, Ductal, Breast/secondary
- Female
- Humans
- Middle Aged
- Prognosis
- Receptor, ErbB-2/metabolism
- Retrospective Studies
- Survival Rate
- Trastuzumab
- Treatment Outcome
- Tumor Suppressor Protein p53/metabolism
- Up-Regulation
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Köstler WJ, Steger GG, Krainer M, Kornek GV, Locker GJ, Brodowicz T, Marosi C, Singer CF, Hudelist G, Rabitsch W, Wiltschke C, Zielinski CC. Single-agent trastuzumab versus trastuzumab plus cytotoxic chemotherapy in metastatic breast cancer: a single-institution experience. Anticancer Drugs 2005; 16:185-90. [PMID: 15655416 DOI: 10.1097/00001813-200502000-00010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Trastuzumab has shown significant single-agent activity in patients with Her-2/neu overexpressing metastatic breast cancer, and increased response rates, progression-free and overall survival when added to standard chemotherapy. Despite higher response rates, the combination with chemotherapy has higher toxicity and it remains unknown whether single-agent trastuzumab is equally effective as the combined treatment in terms of progression-free and overall survival. We therefore carried out a retrospective multivariate analysis of 117 patients with Her-2/neu overexpressing metastatic breast cancer who were treated with trastuzumab with or without chemotherapy at a single institution between November 1999 and December 2003. Response rates tended to be higher in patients receiving trastuzumab in combination with chemotherapy (34 versus 8%, p=0.060). However, this did not translate into a benefit in progression-free survival: median (95% confidence interval) progression-free survival was 6.2 (4.45-7.95) months in patients receiving trastuzumab plus chemotherapy versus 4.2 (1.77-6.63) months in those receiving single-agent trastuzumab (p=0.560). Likewise, no significant difference in overall survival was observed: 27.0 (19.9-34.0) versus 23.1 (16.2-30.0) months (p=0.809). We conclude that in the absence of extensive visceral involvement necessitating a higher response rate, single-agent trastuzumab may be a safe and less-toxic alternative to its combined use with other chemotherapy agents. This needs to be confirmed in prospective randomized trials.
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Schmidt WM, Kalipciyan M, Dornstauder E, Rizovski B, Sedivy R, Steger GG, Müller MW, Mader RM. Gene expression profiling of colon cancer reveals a broad molecular repertoire in 5-fluorouracil resistance. Int J Clin Pharmacol Ther 2004; 41:624-5. [PMID: 14692722 DOI: 10.5414/cpp41624] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
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Köstler WJ, Schwab B, Singer CF, Neumann R, Rücklinger E, Brodowicz T, Tomek S, Niedermayr M, Hejna M, Steger GG, Krainer M, Wiltschke C, Zielinski CC. Monitoring of Serum Her-2/neuPredicts Response and Progression-Free Survival to Trastuzumab-Based Treatment in Patients with Metastatic Breast Cancer. Clin Cancer Res 2004; 10:1618-24. [PMID: 15014012 DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-0385-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 118] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE The present pilot study was performed to elucidate whether early changes in serum Her-2/neu extracellular domain (ECD) levels during trastuzumab-based treatment would predict the clinical course of disease in patients with metastatic breast cancer. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN Sera from 55 patients with Her-2/neu-overexpressing metastatic breast cancer obtained immediately before each weekly administration of trastuzumab were analyzed by a serum Her-2/neu ELISA. RESULTS Whereas response rates were significantly higher in patients with elevated (>or=15 ng/ml) ECD levels before initiation of treatment (35% versus 7%, P = 0.045), progression-free and overall survival did not differ significantly between patients with normal and elevated ECD levels. In patients responding to treatment, ECD levels decreased significantly as early as from day 8 of treatment onwards (all P for weekly measurements versus baseline <0.001). In contrast, no significant change in ECD levels was observed in patients with progressive disease. Multiple logistic regression analyses identified kinetics of ECD levels as the only factor that allowed for the accurate prediction of response likelihood as early as from day 8 of trastuzumab-based treatment onwards (P = 0.020). In addition, determination of serial ECD levels allowed for the prediction of the risk for disease progression within the observed period as early as day 15 of treatment (P = 0.010). CONCLUSIONS Serial monitoring of the ECD may represent a valuable tool for early prediction of the probability of response and progression-free survival to trastuzumab-based treatment and is thus likely to contribute to an optimization of treatment and resource allocation.
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