Abstract P6-11-14: Long-Term Disease Control with Vinorelbine, Cisplatin and Continuous Infusion of 5-Fluorouracil -ViFuP Regimen-in Metastatic Triple Negative Breast Cancer Patients

Background: Triple negative breast cancers (TNBCs) are characterized by lack of estrogen, progesterone, HER-2-neu receptors expression and comprise 15% to 20% of all breast cancers. Studies have suggested that

TNBCs may be more sensitive to DNA damaging agents like cisplatin. Our previous experience had identified a combination chemotherapy -the ViFuP regimen-with noteworthy efficacy and safety as a first or subsequent line treatment for metastatic breast cancer (MBC) patients (pts). In this view we retrospectively examined the activity of ViFuP regimen in 2 cohorts (A and B) of metastatic TNBC pts.

Material and Methods: From January 2000 to December 2008, 115 pts with MBC were treated with ViFuP regimen, at the European Institute of Oncology, Milan, Italy. Among these, 35 pts (30%) had TNBC. Pts received continuous infusion 5-fluorouracil 200 mg/m2/day, vinorelbine 20 mg iv on days 1 and 3 and cisplatin 60 mg/m2on day 1. Therapy was given every three weeks. In A 22 pts (63%) were triple negative on primary tumor and in B 13 pts (37%) were triple negative in metastatic site. Median age was 54 years (range 35-73), 11 pts (31%) were pre-treated for MBC and 21 pts (60%) had ≥3 metastatic sites.

Results: Thirty three pts were evaluable for response and 34 pts were assessable for toxicity. Median duration of treatment was 3.57 months (range 1-5.7). Four pts (12%) had complete responses, 14 pts (42%) had partial responses and 11 pts (33%) had stable disease with a clinical benefit (CB) of 73% (95% CI, 55%-87%). Four pts (12%) had progressive disease. Median time to progression was 6 months (95% CI, 5-8 months). Main toxicity was haematological with 62% of the pts showing grade 3/4 leuco-neutropenia. Alopecia was almost absent.

Discussion: Treatment with ViFuP regimen was effective and safe in metastatic TNBC providing long-term disease control in a high proportion of pts. The prolonged CB supports this regimen as an additional therapeutic opportunity in this category of pts.

Citation Information: Cancer Res 2010;70(24 Suppl):Abstract nr P6-11-14.

Cisplatin, etoposide and continuous infusion bleomycin in patients with testicular germ cell tumors: efficacy and toxicity data from a retrospective study

We retrospectively reviewed medical charts of 54 patients who underwent orchidectomy for germ cell tumors (GCT) and received a regimen, given every 3 weeks, consisting of cisplatin 100 mg/m2 day 4 intravenous (i.v.), bleomycin 15 Units (U) day 1 i.v. push; bleomycin 10 U days 1-3 24 h i.v. continuous infusion (c.i.) and etoposide 100 mg/m2 days 1-5/i.v. (PEB). 53 of 54 patients achieved a complete remission without adjunctive surgery. At a median follow-up of 48.2 months (95%CI 41.7 - 54.8 months) all patients but one are alive with no evidence of disease recurrence. Patients receiving PEB experienced no pulmonary toxicity, nephrotoxicity nor neurological adverse events. PEB with c.i.bleomycin is an active regimen with a low rate of acute and late toxicity. The main limitations of our study are related to the retrospective analysis, the limited number of patients and the restricted follow-up time. A prolonged follow-up is necessary to evaluate long term toxicity and outcome.

Changes in circulating tumor cell detection in patients with localized breast cancer before and after surgery

BACKGROUND

Few data exist on the potential role of circulating tumor cells (CTCs) in patients with operable breast cancer. If the presence of CTCs in early breast cancer could predict an increased risk for relapse, it might be an early marker for treatment efficacy and could help in deciding treatment continuation.

METHODS

Thirty milliliters of peripheral blood was taken from 56 breast cancer patients before surgery and again 5 days after surgery, and the presence of CTCs was evaluated. In case of positivity of one of the perioperative samples, another sample was taken after 30 days. The presence of CTCs was assessed with the CellSearch System (Veridex, Warren, NJ).

RESULTS

One to three CTCs were found in 16 (29%) of 56 patients before surgery, in 14 (30%) of 47 patients at day 5, and in 8 (30%) of 27 at day 30. No association with pathological characteristics was found, apart a borderline significant association between presence of CTCs at baseline and vascular invasion (P = 0.07). When we looked at concordance between CTCs at baseline and after day 5 (47 patients), we found 40% discordant samples (10 negative at baseline and positive at day 5, and 9 vice versa).

CONCLUSIONS

This study provides evidence of the presence of CTCs in approximately 30% of patients with localized breast cancer both before and after surgery, with change from positive to negative and vice versa in 40% of cases. No association with the pathological variables was found, except for vascular invasion and presence of preoperative CTCs. Long-term follow-up will be required to understand the significance of these data.

Circulating endothelial cells (CECs), progenitors (CEPs), and circulating tumor cells (CTCs) for prediction of response in patients with advanced breast cancer (ABC) receiving metronomic oral vinorelbine (oV): Preliminary results

e14572

Background: Metronomic administration of chemotherapy given once or more per week with no extended gaps was shown to be effectively anti-angiogenic, causing growth arrest or apoptosis of endothelial cells in tumor neo-vessels. Preclinical and clinical studies indicate that ultra-low concentrations of various microtubule inhibitors inhibit proliferation or migration of endothelial cells. We investigated in a phase II study the activity of metronomic administration of oV in ABC, kinetics and response prediction of CECs, CEPs, CTCs and of other biomarkers of angiogenesis (soluble VEGF, VEGFr2, TSP1, bFGF). CT perfusion scans were also performed. Methods: From February 2008, 47 pts with ABC received oV (50 mg/die TTW). Currently 20 pts are evaluable for both activity and biomarker assessment. Baseline levels of biomarkers of angiogenesis were correlated with clinical response. Results: Shown in Table . Conclusions: We found that the baseline value of apoptotic cells (expressed as % of total cells) was significantly correlated with outcome. The baseline total, viable, and apoptotic CEC count and CTCs might provide an indirect measure for angiogenic turnover and an indicator of better response to anti-angiogenic therapy, supporting the use of metronomic treatments in patients expressing high levels of baseline CECs. Updated results will be presented together with correlation with perfusion CT scan and levels of CTCs.

[Table: see text]

No significant financial relationships to disclose.

Circulating tumor cells in operable breast cancer: a pilot study

Abstract #5028

Background. Circulating tumor cells (CTCs) in the peripheral blood are an ideal source for the detection of disseminated tumor cells because of an easy sampling procedure. Their prognostic significance has been demonstrated in metastatic breast cancer, while little data exist in operable patients. Aims of this study are the evaluation of the prevalence and kinetics of CTCs before and after surgical treatment and the possible correlation between CTCs and clinico-pathological characteristics and biological features. Methods. We analyzed 30 ml of peripheral blood from 60 T1-T3, any N, M0 breast cancer pts, before surgery and after 5 days. In case of positivity of one of the perioperative samples, a further sample was taken after 30 days. The presence of CTCs was assessed with the CellSearch System (Veridex, USA). Samples were subjected to immunomagnetic enrichment with an anti-Epcam-antibody: CTCs were defined as nucleated cells expressing cytokeratin 8, 18 and 19 but lacking CD45. A sample was considered positive when 1 or more cells were detected. Results. Data are available for 50 pts. We found ≥1 CTC in 28% of the pts (n=14/50) before surgery, and in 29% of the patients (n= 12/42 ) at 5 days. The median number of CTCs was 1, with a range of 1-3. We found a borderline significant association between the presence of CTCs at baseline and the presence of vascular invasion (p=0.09). The presence of CTCs at baseline did not correlate with tumor size (p=0.66), grading (p=0.88), presence of estrogens receptor (p=0.30), presence of progesteron receptor (p=0.30), HER2/neu status of the tumor (p=1.0), or with the presence of lymph node metastases (p=0.71). In 42 pts we have the data of CTCs determined at baseline and at day 5: 27 patients showed concordant results (23 negative and 4 positive). Among the 15 patients with different results, 8 were negative at baseline and positive at day 5: 6 out of the 8 patients had positive nodes. At day 30 we analyzed samples from 18 subjects: persistence of at least 1 CTC was found in 18 % of patients (n=5). Conclusions. The results of this explorative study are very preliminary and a larger number of patients and a long-term follow-up will be required. However, it is of interest the borderline correlation between presence of CTCs at baseline and vascular invasion, and between appearance of CTCs and nodal involvement in postoperative samples. The study is ongoing and the patients will be followed during and after adjuvant treatment to explore the prognostic significance of persistency of CTCs. Complete data will be presented.

Citation Information: Cancer Res 2009;69(2 Suppl):Abstract nr 5028.

Participation in clinical trials as viewed by the patient: understanding cultural and emotional aspects which influence choice

BACKGROUND

Patients invited to take part in a clinical trial may evoke an archetype on which they may base their decision of adherence to participation, instead of on the study itself.

METHODS

A 17-item, multiple choice questionnaire was developed, tested and then administered to 102 Italian-speaking patients with advanced lung or breast cancers who had never been exposed to participation in a trial.

RESULTS

The questionnaire was answered by all patients. Eighty-five percent were positive about trial participation. Demographic factors did not influence patients' willingness to participate. Trust in the investigator (76%) or in the institute (64%) and hope of receiving a new chance for cure (78%) were cited as reasons to accept participation. A minority was concerned by potential conflicts of interest (31%) or the thought of being 'guinea pigs' (36%), and feared that doctors were interested in advancing their own research, even though there were more efficient drugs available (28%). Fifty percent feared receiving a little-known medicine, and 76% considered that a thorough explanation of toxicity/safety of the proposed treatment helped them decide.

CONCLUSION

Several prejudices, fears and some hopes have been captured by the questionnaire. Understanding such specifics will improve patient information leading patients to a more conscious motivation in deciding whether to participate in a clinical trial.

Opinions concerning euthanasia, life-sustaining treatment and acceleration of death: results of an Italian Association of Medical Oncology (AIOM) survey

BACKGROUND

Advance directives, acceleration of death, euthanasia and 'life-sustaining treatment' have sparked much heated debate among the media, the public, doctors and political leaders. We evaluate the personal opinions of Italian Association of Medical Oncology (AIOM) members.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

A 30-item questionnaire was developed and delivered to all 1,832 AIOM members.

RESULTS

Six-hundred and eighty-five (37%) oncologists completed and returned the questionnaires. Sixty-three per cent felt culturally and psychologically prepared to face these issues. Fifty-four per cent believed that what had been decided while the patient enjoyed good health is no longer applicable in an advanced state of terminal illness. Thirty-nine per cent believed that doctors should abide by these directives, while 49% believed that this should be discussed on a case-by-case basis. Fourteen per cent of oncologists were favourable towards euthanasia and 42% only in particular circumstances. Fifty-six per cent had received at least one request for accelerating death: 15% consented, 50% discussed it with the patient and 31% refused.

CONCLUSION

Advance directives, euthanasia, accelerated death and life-sustaining treatment represent considerable challenges for Italian oncologists. Although prepared to face these issues, AIOM members ask for a debate within the medical world and for a shared judicial regulation.

Variation of circulating tumor cell levels during treatment of metastatic breast cancer: prognostic and therapeutic implications

BACKGROUND

This study aimed to evaluate the prognostic significance of circulating tumor cells (CTCs) detection in advanced breast cancer patients.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We tested 80 patients for CTC levels before starting a new treatment and after 4, 8 weeks, at the first clinical evaluation and every 2 months thereafter. CTCs were detected using the CellSearch System.

RESULTS

Forty-nine patients had >or=5 CTCs at baseline. At the multivariate analysis, baseline number of CTCs was significantly associated with progression-free survival [hazard ratio (HR) 2.5; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.2-5.4]. The risk of progression for patients with CTCs >or=5 at last available blood draw was five times the risk of patients with 0-4 CTCs at the same time point (HR 5.3; 95% CI 2.8-10.4). Patients with rising or persistent >or=5 CTCs at last available blood draw showed a statistically significant higher risk of progression with respect to patients with <5 CTCs at both blood draws (HR 6.4; 95% CI 2.8-14.6).

CONCLUSION

CTCs basal value is a predictive indicator of prognosis and changes in CTC levels during therapy may indicate a clinical response. Testing CTC levels during targeted treatments might substitute other measurement parameters for response evaluation.

Optimizing clinical care of patients with metastatic breast cancer: a new oral vinorelbine plus trastuzumab combination

BACKGROUND

Trastuzumab (T) combined with i.v. vinorelbine (i.v.VNR) is an active regimen for patients with advanced breast cancer (ABC). In order to further improve quality of life of patients undergoing treatment for ABC, a new regimen using oral vinorelbine (oVNR) (d1 + d3) plus q3wks T was tested (ToVNR).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Thirty-nine patients with ABC, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2/neu 3+ or FISH positive received 288 treatment cycles with T 6 mg/kg (loading dose, 8 mg/kg) on d1 and oVNR 55 mg/m(2) on d1 + d3, q3wks until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity.

RESULTS

Thirty-seven patients and 286 treatment cycles were evaluated (two patients were lost to follow-up). Treatment was very well tolerated. Two patients had complete response (CR), 14 partial response (PR), 17 stable disease (SD) and four disease progression (PD) (overall response rate: 43%). Clinical benefit rate (CR + PR + SD >24 months) was 73%. Median time to progression was 8.9 months (range 2-27) and median duration of response was 10.9 months (range 2-27).

CONCLUSIONS

The ToVNR combination is active and very well tolerated. It favorably compares with the combination of T and weekly i.v. administered VNR, allowing a more convenient once every three weeks hospital admission and leaving patients and care providers free from the unpleasant effect of i.v.VNR.

Brain metastases in patients with advanced breast cancer

BACKGROUND

The incidence of brain metastases (BM) is apparently rising in patients with advanced breast cancer (ABC). We performed a case control study to define current features of breast cancer related to central nervous system (CNS) metastases.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

From March 1999 to May 2006, we identified 72 patients with symptomatic BM of breast cancer. A comparison group was randomly selected assigning to each case two patients with primary breast cancer and no BM, matched for year of diagnosis, age and tumour stage (pT status and nodal status).

RESULTS

Cases had a significantly higher rate of negative estrogen receptors (ERs) (60% in cases vs. 29% in controls), negative progesterone receptors (PgRs) (79% vs. 43%), HER2/neu over expression (44% vs. 13%) and immunostaining for Ki-67 > or =20% (84% vs. 55%), with p-value <0.001 for all four parameters in univariate analyses. On multivariate analysis, HER2/neu over expression and Ki-67 -20% were independent predictive factors of brain relapse (Odds Ratio (OR) 2.55, 95% confidence intervals (CI) 1.10-5.94 and OR 2.97, 95% CI 1.01-8.73, respectively). Endocrine unresponsive tumours (both ER and PgR <10%) showed an increased risk of relapse with BM of borderline significance (OR 1.91, 95% CI 0.87-4.12).

CONCLUSION

Patients with ER and PgR negative tumours either with or without HER-2/neu over expression should be considered at higher risk of BM.

Understanding the choice of participating in clinical trials

9091

Background: The choice of whether to participate in a clinical trial by patients (pts) with cancer can be influenced, beyond trial information, by patient's own emotional and cultural properties, including past history as well as prejudices. Our hypothesis was that a better knowledge of these cultural and emotional features might be useful to improve patients-doctor dialogue, leading patients to a more conscious motivation to make the choice. Methods: We developed a 17-items, multiple-choice and open-answer questionnaire, to capture motivations for participating, or declining to take part, in clinical trials. Further information included family relationships, schooling and clinical symptoms. Patients were required to have advanced lung or breast cancer and to have never discussed participation in a clinical trial. Results: The questionnaire was answered by all the 42 pts who received it. Eighty-three percent of pts were positive about their participation. Trust in the investigator (43%) or in the Institute (21%) and hope to receive a new chance for cure (71%), both for themselves and for others, were a major motivation for a positive answer. Forty-eight percent thought participation in a clinical trial as a sign that no other “standard” treatments are available; 19% were worried of unknown side effects and 76% considered detailed information on expected toxicity to be helpful in making the decision. Sixty percent of patients were afraid of losing “precious time” by participating in a trial; 9% felt exploited as “guinea pigs” and 31% had a some degree of fear that a clinical trial is primarily motivated by economical interests. The most important reasons for accepting an oral experimental drug were its easy use (46%) and having more freedom (36%) Conclusions: Italian patients with advanced breast or lung cancer positively viewed participation in a clinical trial. Several hopes, prejudices and fears have been captured by the questionnaire, which might lead to improve the informed consent documentation and the consciousness of patients in taking their choice. Validation of the findings in a larger cohort of patients will lead to a study on the effect of a specific intervention on informing patients about clinical research.

No significant financial relationships to disclose.

Fulvestrant in heavily pre-treated patients with advanced breast cancer: results from a single compassionate use programme centre

PURPOSE

Fulvestrant ('Faslodex') is an oestrogen receptor (ER) antagonist with no agonist effects. The drug was administered to heavily pre-treated patients with advanced breast cancer (ABC). Patients received Fulvestrant after disease progression (PD) on a previous endocrine treatment or as maintenance treatment after chemotherapy.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Fifty-seven postmenopausal women with ER and/or progesterone receptor-positive ABC resistant to previous endocrine treatments prospectively received fulvestrant 250 mg via intramuscular injection q 28.

RESULTS

Twenty-seven patients received fulvestrant after PD and 30 received it as maintenance therapy after chemotherapy. All patients received fulvestrant as second-up to eight-line endocrine treatment for ABC. One patient (2%) had a partial response (PR) and 24 patients (42%) had stable disease > or =12 weeks (SD), including 11 patients who had SD > or =24 weeks. Thirty-two patients (56%) had de novo PD. Clinical benefit (CB; PR + SD > or =24 weeks) occurred in 12 patients (21%). Patients treated as maintenance and treated upon PD had 0 and 4% PR, 43 and 41% SD (including 20 and 19% SD > or =24 weeks), 57 and 55% PD, respectively. Overall, median time to progression (TTP) was 3 months. No differences in CB rate (20% vs. 23%), TTP (3 months vs. 3 months) and time to treatment failure (3 months vs. 3 months) were observed between patients receiving fulvestrant as maintenance therapy and those treated at PD on prior endocrine treatment. No grade 2-4 NCI-CTC toxicity was recorded.

CONCLUSIONS

Fulvestrant treatment was associated with prolonged CB and was well tolerated in this group of heavily pre-treated patients with ABC. The outcomes appeared to be similar for patients treated upon PD and those receiving fulvestrant as maintenance therapy.

Bisphosphonates and jaw osteonecrosis in patients with advanced breast cancer

BACKGROUND

In recent years, several cases of mandibular necrosis associated with long-term use of bisphosphonates have been reported. The estimated incidence varies from 1% to 4.6%.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We conducted an observational study with the aim of determining the incidence of jaw osteonecrosis in advanced breast cancer patients with bone metastases under bisphosphonate treatment and to identify subjects at higher risk of developing this complication evaluating preclinical signs. We considered two groups of patients. All the patients complaining of odontostomatological symptoms underwent maxillary CT scan and maxillo-surgeon clinical examination. Asymptomatic patients were asked to perform a standard orthopantomography (OPT).

RESULTS

From February 2005 to October 2005, we observed five patients with jaw bone necrosis (6%). Diagnosis was radiological and clinical. In two patients a confirmatory biopsy was performed. In the same time interval, OPTs were collected from 76 asymptomatic patients. Three OPTs revealed radiological features of suspicious mandibular necrosis. Maxillary CT scan confirmed the presence of an osteolityc area with signs of periosteal reaction. All the three patients were referred to maxillo-surgeon and two out of three patients underwent mandibular biopsy, but histopathological results were not conclusive.

CONCLUSIONS

In our experience, the incidence of jaw bone necrosis in breast cancer patients seems to be higher than in other reports (6%). Radiological features of suspicious jaw necrosis were observed in three asymptomatic patients. We do not know how these findings should be considered. Anyway, standard OPT is a simple procedure, and may allow identification of periodontal conditions that in some way can predispose to the development of this uncommon event.

Pegylated liposomal doxorubicin (PLA) at a metronomic schedule for patients with advanced breast cancer (ABC)

10571

Background: The anti-angiogenic efficacy of chemotherapy (CT) is probably best obtained by administration of low doses of cytotoxics on a frequent or continuous schedule. The aim of this pilot study was to assess feasibility, clinical efficacy and tolerability of PLA, using a “metronomic” schedule in ABC. This schedule has been previously tested in the treatment of Kaposi sarcoma. Methods: From January to November 2005, 36 pts with ABC were treated with PLA, at a dose 20 mg/m2 q14. Almost all the pts were heavily pretreated for ABC and 44% of them received previous anthracycline therapy in adjuvant or metastatic setting. Results: Thirty-four pts were evaluable for toxicity and 29 for response. One pt (3%) had CR, 3 (11%) PR, 12 (41%) NC and 13 (45%) PD, for an overall clinical benefit of 28%. Median response duration was 2.59 mos; median TTP was 3.38 mos (95% CI 2.11–4.64). Treatment was well tolerated with neither G3-G4 NCI-CTC hematological toxicity. Only one pt experienced G3 palmar-plantar erythrodysesthesia (PPE). PPE was observed in other 15 pts (39%), with G2 occurring in 7 (21%). Other common G2 non-hematological toxicities were mucositis in 3 pts (9%) and constipation in 3 pts (9%) Dose reduction, due to subjective or hematological toxicity, was required in 10 pts (36%). No decrease in LVEF > 10% from baseline was observed. Conclusions: Metronomic PLA schedule in pretreated ABC pts seems to be an active and well-tolerated regimen. As to dose-dense CT, targets of metronomic CT might be, in addition to malignant cells, also endothelial and other stromal cells of the progressing metastasis, leading ultimately to the stability and eventually regression of the neoplastic lesion. The lower toxicity profile of the metronomic schedules make their use in pts with ABC very attractive and their testing in the adjuvant setting extremely challenging.

No significant financial relationships to disclose.

Dose-finding and pharmacokinetic study of an all-oral combination regimen of oral vinorelbine and capecitabine for patients with metastatic breast cancer

PURPOSE

A phase I study was performed to determine the maximal tolerated dose, recommended doses (RDs), safety and efficacy of oral vinorelbine when combined with capecitabine in an all-oral chemotherapy regimen in patients with metastatic breast cancer (MBC), with pharmacokinetic blood sampling to investigate potential drug-drug interactions.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Forty-four patients with MBC received as first- or second-line chemotherapy, oral vinorelbine at a dose of 60 or 80 mg/m2 on days 1 and 8 (and 15) with escalating doses of capecitabine from 1650 to 2500 mg/m2/day days 1-14 every 3 or 4 weeks. Three schedules were tested: day 1, day 8 and weekly regimens of oral vinorelbine with a 14-day course of capecitabine every 3 weeks; and a days 1 and 8 regimen of oral vinorelbine with a 14-day course of capecitabine every 4 weeks.

RESULTS

With oral vinorelbine at 60 mg/m2, the RDs were established as oral vinorelbine 60 mg/m2 on days 1 and 8 plus capecitabine 2250 mg/m2/day days 1-14 and oral vinorelbine 60 mg/m2/week plus capecitabine 2000 mg/m2/day days 1-14. With oral vinorelbine at 80 mg/m2, the RD was oral vinorelbine 80 mg/m2 on days 1 and 8 plus capecitabine 2000 mg/m2/day days 1-14. Neutropenia was the main dose-limiting toxicity of the combination; it was reported in 40 patients (90.9%), with grade 3 in 14 patients (31.8%) and 6.2% of cycles, and grade 4 in 12 patients (27.3%) and 4.3% of cycles. Complications were rare with only three patients experiencing febrile neutropenia (one episode each). The most frequent non-haematological toxicity was gastrointestinal; however, the incidence of grade 3 was low, with no episode of grade 4. Hand-foot syndrome was reported in 14 patients (31.8%) and 22.6% of cycles, with grade 2 in two patients (4.5%) and 1.2% of cycles (two episodes each). No episode of grade 3 was observed. Objective responses were reported in 18 patients (three complete responses and 15 partial responses), yielding a response rate of 40.9% in the intention-to-treat population according to the investigator assessment. Results from the pharmacokinetic study demonstrated the absence of mutual pharmacokinetic interactions when both drugs were co-administered.

CONCLUSIONS

The combination of oral vinorelbine and capecitabine is safe and easy to administer in an outpatient setting. This all-oral combination chemotherapy may offer a good alternative to the intravenous route for patients with MBC. Based on these promising results, a phase II study has started using oral vinorelbine 60 mg/m2/week with capecitabine 2000 mg/m2/day days 1-14 every 3 weeks as first-line chemotherapy in patients with MBC.

Capecitabine/Vinorelbine: An Effective and Well-Tolerated Regimen for Women with Pretreated Advanced-Stage Breast Cancer

BACKGROUND

The combination of capecitabine and vinorelbine is a potentially valuable treatment regimen for patients with advanced-stage breast cancer. The drugs are easy to administer and do not cause significant alopecia. In order to identify the spectrum of toxicity of a regimen containing 2 drugs, we conducted an extended phase I study aimed at defining maximum tolerated doses, recommended doses, safety, and efficacy in patients with pretreated advanced-stage breast cancer.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Forty-nine patients with advanced-stage breast cancer were treated with escalating doses of oral capecitabine from 500 mg/m2 to 1375 mg/m2 twice daily on days 1-14 and escalating doses of vinorelbine from 12.5 mg/m2 to 25 mg/m2 intravenously (I.V.) on days 1 and 3 every 3 weeks. Almost all patients (90%) had received >or= 3 previous treatments for metastatic disease (anthracyclines, 76%; 5-flourouracil, 76%; taxanes, 29%).

RESULTS

Dose level 9 (capecitabine 1250 mg/m2 twice daily on days 1-14 and vinorelbine 22.5 mg/m2 I.V. on days 1 and 3) was identified as the maximum tolerated dose. The most frequent clinical adverse events were nausea (78%), asthenia (59%), constipation (51%), mucositis (47%), and hand-foot syndrome (41%). The majority of events were mild to moderate; the only grade 4 clinical adverse events were diarrhea, fever, and thromboembolism, each of which occurred in 1 patient (2%) at dose level 8. Objective confirmed responses were observed in 18 patients (37%), including 1 complete response (2%) and 17 partial responses (35%). Disease was stable in an additional 10 patients (20%), with a median duration of 6.3 months (range, 4-24 months).

CONCLUSION

The combination of the 2 drugs is very well tolerated and effective, especially considering the previous exposure to chemotherapy. The recommended dose for further phase II studies should be capecitabine 1250 mg/m2 twice daily on days 1-14 and vinorelbine 22.5 mg/m2 I.V. on days 1 and 3.

Self-image of adolescent survivors of long-term childhood leukemia

The purpose of our research was to evaluate the attitude to face the life cycle and the impact that the experience of childhood leukemia may have had in a group of adolescents who had the disease cured. A questionnaire was administered at the Pediatric Hematology Center, San Gerardo Hospital, Monza, Italy, to all former patients age 12 to 20 years and off therapy from leukemia for at least 2 years (total of 116 adolescents) during 1997; 70 patients responded to the mailing and a comparison group of 70 secondary-school students was investigated. The two groups were matched as closely as possible on key characteristics (age, gender, socio-economic level of families, education and occupation of the parents, and geographic area of residence). The Offer Self-Image Questionnaire was the instrument used in this study. Overall, the teenagers in whom leukemia was cured showed a more positive and mature self-image (psychologic, social, attitude toward family, and coping) compared with the student group (statistical evidence, P < 0.05). An effective psychosocial support for patients and their families during their treatment, in addition to medical therapy, is strongly recommended. The majority of survivors of childhood cancer grow successfully without serious psychologic sequelae.

School functioning for the child with leukemia in continuous first remission: screening high-risk children

It is well known in the literature that cancer creates educationally related barriers for all children, which may or may not contribute to clinically relevant school problems. The goal of this study was to obtain a base rate for the characteristic pattern of school functioning for children with leukemia, so that the children with the most serious difficulties might be discovered and given the different and flexible help needed. From 1988 through 1994, a questionnaire was administered annually to teachers of all leukemic children in our center. The 291 questionnaire were used to compare the school functioning of children with leukemia with that of matched controls chosen by each teacher as representative of the class as a whole, excluding special education and developmentally disabled students. This approach to matching was chosen as a control for socioeconomic factors as well. The study was conducted with all patients with leukemia entering the center residing in the region of Lombardy, attending school, and either in therapy or out of therapy. After initial treatment, the children with leukemia in our center as a group attended school regularly and willingly. Analyses of variance (ANOVAs) were conducted on the total scores and on scores for each of the subareas of learning, socialization, and emotionality. T-tests, were given to contrast individual item scores of patients with those of their matched controls. On most individual items, children with leukemia did not differ from their classmates. However, significant discrepancies between children with leukemia and their classmates appeared consistently year after year on overall total scores and on each of the three major subcomponents of the test (learning, socialization, and emotionality). The groups most affected were children who were cranially irradiated and children who were under 6 years of age at diagnosis. Children who have been irradiated and children diagnosed under 6 years of age have the greatest risk for difficulties in school functioning and are candidates for greater attention and preventive efforts.

Number and distribution of melanocytic nevi in individuals with a history of childhood leukemia

BACKGROUND

An increased number of melanocytic nevi at the termination of chemotherapy has been documented in children with hematologic malignancies. The persistence of the increased number of nevi over time and the relationship with personal (e.g. phenotype) and disease related variables remain to be explored.

METHODS

One hundred Italian patients diagnosed as having acute lymphatic or myeloid leukemia, after 1975, were recruited and compared with a group of 100 control individuals drawn from friend of the enrolled patients. Information regarding lifetime sun exposure, phenotypic characteristics, and number of nevi was collected by experienced dermatologists. Counts of nevi were expressed both as totals and as counts per unit of body surface area ("density"). Multiple linear regression analysis was employed to control for potentially confounding factors when comparing patients and controls.

RESULTS

The patients and controls were fairly comparable in terms of constitutional characteristics, but the patients had a significantly higher number and density of nevi > or = 2 mm or larger in diameter. In addition, patients had a greater number of large nevi ( > or = 6 mm in greatest dimension), and of nevi in unusual areas, such as the palms and soles. Differences in nevus density between patients and controls were notably maintained in the older age group ( > 12 years). None of the disease-related factors analyzed (e.g. treatment protocol and radiotherapy), appeared to be significantly correlated with nevus density.

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with a history of childhood leukemia have a sustained increase in their nevus density. A fairly convincing body of evidence indicates that a large number of melanocytic nevi is the strongest risk factor for melanoma. Therefore, the utility of periodic skin examination of these should be considered.