Tc-99m tilmanocept versus Tc-99m sulfur colloid in breast cancer sentinel lymph node identification: Results from a randomized, blinded clinical trial

INTRODUCTION

No prior trials have compared sentinel lymph node (SLN) identification outcomes between Tc-99m tilmanocept (TcTM) and Tc-99m sulfur colloid (TcSC) in breast cancer (BC).

METHODS

We report on the secondary outcomes from a randomized, double-blinded, single surgeon clinical trial comparing post-injection site pain between TcTM and TcSC. Patients were randomized to receive a preoperative single, peritumoral intradermal injection of TcTM or TcSC. The number of total, "hot", and blue nodes detected and removed were compared between groups.

RESULTS

Fifty-two (27-TcSC and 25-TcTM) patients were enrolled and underwent definitive surgical treatment. At least one "hot" SLN was detected in all patients. Three (5.8%) patients had a disease positive-SLN. The total number of SLNs removed was 61 (mean 2.26 (standard deviation (SD) 0.90)) in the TcSC group and 54 (mean 2.16 (SD 0.90)) in the TcTM group, P = 0.69. The total number of "hot" nodes in the TcSC group was 1.96 (SD 0.76) compared to 2.04 (SD 0.73) in the TcTM group, P = 0.71.

CONCLUSIONS

The number of identified SLNs did not differ significantly between TcTM and TcSC. Given that no significant technical advantages exist between the two agents, surgeons should choose a radiopharmaceutical based on cost and side effect profile.

Breast tumor location in BRCA mutation carriers and implications for prevention

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Background: Although pathogenic mutations in the BRCA gene are known to confer a high risk of breast cancer, close to 65% of mutation carriers do not opt for prophylactic mastectomy. These women are managed with intense screening, which does not aid in prevention. Breast reduction mammoplasty is a surgical technique shown to reduce breast cancer risk (0.39-0.61 relative risk reduction), and can be modified to target specific areas of the breast. Given that most sporadic breast cancers involve the upper outer quadrant, we wondered if a majority of tumors in BRCA mutation carriers would also be confined to one quadrant, or if they would be equally distributed throughout the breast given the high baseline risk present. Identifying a particularly high risk area of the breast could potentially allow for the use of targeted cosmetic mammoplasty as a novel method of risk reduction. Methods: We reviewed imaging reports on 103 consecutive patients with BRCA mutations and invasive breast cancer, and categorized tumor location by quadrant. Tumors spanning > 1 quadrant were classified as being in both. Bilateral cancers were counted separately. Categorical variables were compared with the chi-squared test. Results: Mean age at breast cancer diagnosis was 44 years. Mean tumor size was 2.2 cm (0.1-7cm) with mean distance from the nipple of 4.8 cm (1-12 cm). 92% of tumors were invasive ductal carcinoma, 46% were hormone receptor positive, 10% Her2 positive, and 44% triple negative. 70% of the tumors were unicentric. Tumors were significantly more likely to be in the upper outer quadrant (54%, with the other quadrants having 11-17% of tumors respectively) whether or not multicentric tumors were included in the analysis (p < 0.00001). Her2 positive tumors were more likely to be multicentric than other subtypes (p = 0.021). Conclusions: More than half of breast cancers in BRCA mutation carriers form in the upper outer quadrant, suggesting that breast reduction mammoplasty targeting removal of the upper outer quadrant could significantly reduce breast cancer risk. For those women who choose not to have prophylactic mastectomies or are not yet ready, these data support an intermediate step to help decrease breast cancer risk, which warrants further study.

Pembrolizumab plus standard neoadjuvant therapy for high-risk breast cancer (BC): Results from I-SPY 2

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Background: Pembro is an anti-PD-1 antibody with single agent activity in HER2– metastatic BC. I-SPY 2 is a multicenter, phase 2 platform trial which evaluates novel neoadjuvant therapies; the primary endpoint is pathological complete response (pCR, ypT0/Tis ypN0). We report current efficacy results, with final results at ASCO. Methods: Patients (pts) with invasive BC ≥2.5 cm by exam or ≥2 cm by imaging are assigned weekly paclitaxel x 12 (control) +/- an experimental agent, followed by doxorubicin/cyclophosphamide x 4. Combinations of hormone-receptor (HR), HER2, & MammaPrint (MP) status define the 8 signatures studied. MP low HR+ BC is excluded. Adaptive randomization is based on each arm’s Bayesian probability of superiority over control. Graduation by signature is based on an arm’s Bayesian predictive probability of a successful 1:1 randomized phase 3 trial with a pCR endpoint. We provide raw & Bayesian estimated pCR rates adjusted for covariates, time effects over the course of the trial, & serial MRI modeling for pts not yet assessed for pCR surgically. Results: 69 pts were randomized to pembro (HER2- subsets only) from Dec 2015 until it graduated in Nov 2016. 46 pts have undergone surgery (table); the other 23 have on-therapy MRI assessments. In 29 HR–/HER2– (TNBC) pts, pembro increased raw & estimated pCR rates by >50% & 40%, respectively; in 40 HR+/HER– pts, it did so by 13% and 21%. 5 pts had immune-related grade 3 adverse events (AEs); 1 hypophysitis & 4 adrenal insufficiency. 4 pts presented after completion of AC (149-179 d after starting pembro); 1 presented prior to AC (37 d after starting pembro). 7 pts had grade 1-2 thyroid abnormalities. Conclusion: Pembro added to standard therapy improved pCR rates in all HER2- BCs that meet I-SPY 2 eligibility, especially in TNBC. Immune-mediated AEs were observed; pt follow up is ongoing. Clinical trial information: NCT01042379. [Table: see text]

Post-mastectomy cancer recurrence with and without a continuous paravertebral block in the immediate postoperative period: a prospective multi-year follow-up pilot study of a randomized, triple-masked, placebo-controlled investigation

PURPOSE

Retrospective studies have associated perioperative regional anesthesia/analgesia during mastectomy for breast cancer with a decreased incidence of cancer recurrence. However, to date, no prospective data from a randomized controlled trial have been reported. In a previous study we found that extending a single-injection paravertebral block with a multiple-day perineural local anesthetic infusion improves analgesia. This follow-up study investigates the rates of cancer recurrence for the single-injection and multiple-day infusion treatments.

METHODS

Patients undergoing unilateral (n = 24) or bilateral mastectomy (n = 36) were included in the study. All patients had been diagnosed with breast cancer or tumor in situ, except for six patients who were receiving prophylactic bilateral mastectomy and were excluded from analyses. Patients received unilateral or bilateral single-injection thoracic paravertebral block(s) corresponding to their surgical site(s) with ropivacaine and perineural catheter(s). Subsequently, patients were randomized to receive either ropivacaine 0.4% (n = 30) or normal saline (n = 30) via their catheter(s) until catheter removal on postoperative day 3. Cancer recurrence from the date of surgery until at least 2 years post surgery was investigated via chart review.

RESULTS

Five of the 54 (9.2%) patients experienced a cancer recurrence following mastectomy-3 of 26 (11.5%) of the patients with perineural ropivacaine and 2 of 28 (7.1%) of the patients with perineural saline.

CONCLUSIONS

This pilot study found no evidence that extending a single-injection paravertebral block with a multi-day perineural local anesthetic infusion decreases the risk of post-mastectomy cancer recurrence. However, due to the small sample size of this investigation, further research is needed to draw definitive conclusions.

Abstract P6-11-04: The evaluation of ganitumab/metformin plus standard neoadjuvant therapy in high-risk breast cancer: Results from the I-SPY 2 trial

Background: I-SPY 2 is a multicenter, phase 2 trial using response-adaptive randomization within biomarker subtypes to evaluate novel agents when added to standard neoadjuvant therapy for women with high-risk stage II/III breast cancer - investigational agent(I) +paclitaxel(T) qwk, doxorubicin & cyclophosphamide(AC) q2-3 wk x 4 vs. T/AC (control arm). The primary endpoint is pathologic complete response (pCR) at surgery. The goal is to identify/graduate regimens that have ≥85% Bayesian predictive probability of success (statistical significance) in a 300-patient phase 3 neoadjuvant trial defined by hormone-receptor (HR) & HER2 status & MammaPrint (MP). Regimens may also leave the trial for futility (&lt; 10% probability of success) or following accrual of maximum sample size (10%&lt; probability of success &lt;85%). We report the results for experimental arm Ganitumab, a type I insulin-like growth factor receptor (IGF1R) inhibitor. IGF1R inhibitors are known to induce insulin resistance and all patients assigned to Ganitumab received metformin.

Methods: Women with tumors ≥2.5cm were eligible for screening. MP low/HR+ and HER2+ tumors were ineligible for randomization. Hemoglobin A1C≥ 8.0% were ineligible. MRI scans (baseline, 3 cycles after start of therapy, at completion of weekly T and prior to surgery) were used in a longitudinal statistical model to improve the efficiency of adaptive randomization. Ganitumab was given at 12mg/kg q2 weeks and metformin at 850mg PO BID, while receiving ganitumab. Analysis was intention to treat with patients who switched to non-protocol therapy counted as non-pCRs. Ganitumab/metformin was open only to HER2- patients, and eligible for graduation in 3 of 10 pre-defined signatures: HER2-, HR+HER2- and HR-HER2-.

Results: Ganitumab/metformin did not meet the criteria for graduation in the 3 signatures tested. When the maximum sample size was reached, accrual to this arm stopped. Ganitumab/metformin was assigned to 106 patients; there were 128 controls. We report probabilities of superiority for Ganitumab/metformin over control and Bayesian predictive probabilities of success in a neoadjuvant phase 3 trial equally randomized between Ganitumab/metformin and control, for each of the 3 biomarker signatures, using the final pathological response data from all patients. Safety data will be presented.

SignatureEstimated pCR Rate (95% probability interval)Probability Ganitumab/ Metformin Is Superior to ControlPredictive Probability of Success in Phase 3 Ganitumab/ Metformin N = 106Control N = 128  All HER2-22% (13%-31%)16% (10%-23%)89%33%HR+/HER2-14% (4%-24%)12% (4%-19%)66%21%HR-/HER2-32% (17%-46%)21% (11%-32%)91%51%

Conclusion: The I-SPY 2 adaptive randomization study estimates the probability that investigational regimens will be successful in a phase 3 neoadjuvant trial. The value of I-SPY 2 is to give insight about the performance of an investigational agent's likelihood of achieving pCR. For Ganitumab/metformin, no subtype came close to the efficacy threshold of 85% likelihood of success in phase 3, and this regimen does not appear to impact upfront reduction of tumor burden. Our data do not support its continued development for the neoadjuvant treatment of breast cancer.

Citation Format: Yee D, Paoloni M, van't Veer L, Sanil A, Yau C, Forero A, Chien AJ, Wallace AM, Moulder S, Albain KS, Kaplan HG, Elias AD, Haley BB, Boughey JC, Kemmer KA, Korde LA, Isaacs C, Minton S, Nanda R, DeMichele A, Lang JE, Buxton MB, Hylton NM, Symmans WF, Lyandres J, Hogarth M, Perlmutter J, Esserman LJ, Berry DA. The evaluation of ganitumab/metformin plus standard neoadjuvant therapy in high-risk breast cancer: Results from the I-SPY 2 trial [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2016 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; 2016 Dec 6-10; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2017;77(4 Suppl):Abstract nr P6-11-04.

Abstract P6-11-02: Efficacy of Hsp90 inhibitor ganetespib plus standard neoadjuvant therapy in high-risk breast cancer: Results from the I-SPY 2 trial

Background:Pathologic complete response(pCR) after neoadjuvant therapy is an established prognostic biomarker for high-risk breast cancer(BC). Improving pCR rates may identify new therapies that improve survival. I-SPY 2 uses response-adaptive randomization within biomarker subtypes to evaluate novel agents when added to standard neoadjuvant therapy for women with high-risk stage II/III breast cancer; the goal is to identify regimens that have ≥85% Bayesian predictive probability of success (statistical significance) in a 300-patient phase 3 neoadjuvant trial defined by hormone-receptor (HR), HER2 status and MammaPrint (MP). We report the results for Ganetespib, a selective inhibitor of Hsp90 that induces the degradation/deactivation of key drivers of tumor initiation, progression, angiogenesis, and metastasis.Ganetespib + taxanes previously have resulted in a superior therapeutic response compared to monotherapy in multiple solid tumor models including BC.

Methods:Women with tumors ≥2.5cm were eligible for screening and participation. MP low/HR+ tumors were ineligible for randomization. QTcF &gt;470msec and HbA1C &gt;8.0% were ineligible. MRI scans (baseline, +3 cycles, following weekly paclitaxel, T, and pre-surgery) were used in a longitudinal statistical model to improve the efficiency of adaptive randomization. Ganetespib was given with weekly T at 150 mg/m2 IV weekly (3 weeks on, 1 off). Patients were premedicated (dexamethasone 10mg and diphenhydramine HCl 25-50 mg, or therapeutic equivalents). Analysis was intention to treat with patients who switched to non-protocol therapy counted as non-pCRs. The Ganetespib regimen was open only to HER2- patients, and eligible for graduation in 3 of 10 pre-defined signatures: HER2-, HR+/HER2- and HR-/HER2-.

Results:Ganetespib did not meet the criteria for graduation in the 3 signatures tested. When the maximum sample size was reached, accrual stopped. Ganetespib was assigned to 93 patients; there were 140 controls. We report probabilities of superiority for Ganetespib over control and Bayesian predictive probabilities of success in a neoadjuvant phase 3 trial equally randomized between Ganetespib and control, for the 3 biomarker signatures, using the final pCR data from all patients. Safety data will be presented.

SignatureEstimated pCR Rate (95% probability interval)Probability Ganetespib Is Superior to ControlPredictive Probability of Ganetespib Success in a Phase 3 Trial Ganetespib N = 93Control N = 140  All HER2-26% (16%-37%)18% (8%-28%)91%47%HR+/HER2-15% (4%-27%)14% (4%-24%)60%19%HR-/HER2-38% (23%-53%)22% (9%-35%)96%72%

Conclusion:The I-SPY 2 adaptive randomization model efficiently evaluates investigational agents in the setting of neoadjuvant BC. The value of I-SPY 2 is that it provides insight as to the regimen's likelihood of success in a phase 3 neoadjuvant study. Although no signature reached the efficacy threshold of 85% likelihood of success in phase 3, we observed the most impact in HR-/HER2- patients, with a 16% improvement in pCR rate. While our data do not support the continued development of Ganetespib alone for neoadjuvant BC, combinations with Ganetespib, which could potentiate its effect, may be worth pursuing in I-SPY 2 or similar trials.

Citation Format: Forero A, Yee D, Buxton MB, Symmans WF, Chien AJ, Boughey JC, Elias AD, DeMichele A, Moulder S, Minton S, Kaplan HG, Albain KS, Wallace AM, Haley BB, Isaacs C, Korde LA, Nanda R, Lang JE, Kemmer KA, Hylton NM, Paoloni M, van't Veer L, Lyandres J, Perlmutter J, Hogarth M, Yau C, Sanil A, Berry DA, Esserman LJ. Efficacy of Hsp90 inhibitor ganetespib plus standard neoadjuvant therapy in high-risk breast cancer: Results from the I-SPY 2 trial [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2016 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; 2016 Dec 6-10; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2017;77(4 Suppl):Abstract nr P6-11-02.

Abstract P3-14-02: Post mastectomy breast reconstruction in elderly women: Complications and the impact of individual surgeons

Purpose/Objective

In the United States over 40% of incident breast cancer diagnoses are in women over 65 years of age. Effective breast cancer treatments allow elderly patients to live long, healthy lives; questions regarding long-term quality of life are increasingly important. In women over 65, post-mastectomy breast reconstruction (PMBR) is uncommon with reported rates of 6-30%. The goal of this study is to report complication rates in elderly PMBR patients and to evaluate the impact of individual surgeons on PMBR in elderly patients.

Material/methods

We identified 19,417 Medicare beneficiaries diagnosed with localized breast cancer between 2005 and 2011 who underwent mastectomy. Medicare claims were used to identify PMBR, post-operative complications after PMBR (within 30 days of surgery), and long-term complications related to reconstruction (within three years following surgery). Mastectomy surgeon was identified from Medicare claims with surgeon characteristics identified through linkage to the American Medical Association (AMA) Masterfile.

Multi-level, multivariable logistic models clustered by surgeon and geographic area were used to determine the impact of surgeons on the likelihood of reconstruction. The intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) and median odds ratio (MOR) were used to describe the relative impact of the individual surgeon. The ICC estimates the proportion of variability explained by the surgeon on PMBR rates. The MOR quantifies the likelihood of a patient having a different PMBR outcome if the patient were to change surgeons (or geographic area); it is directly comparable to odds ratios. Odds ratios (OR) were used to describe the impact of fixed demographic and clinical covariates.

Results

Among the entire cohort, 1,234 (6.4%) patients underwent PMBR. The post-operative complication rate was 8.4% and the long-term complication rate was 19.9%. Eighteen percent of the variability in PMBR use was attributed to the individual surgeon (ICC 0.181). The MOR for surgeon was found to be 1.85 (95% CI [1.70,1.99]), indicating that a patient had an 85% chance of having a different outcome (receiving or not receiving PMBR) if the patient saw a different mastectomy surgeon. The MOR for geographic area indicated that a patient had a 32% chance of having a different outcome if the patient saw a surgeon in a different geographic area (1.32, 95% CI [1.17, 1.47]). Patients who were Asian, single, older, of lower socioeconomic status, and underwent radiation therapy were less likely to undergo PMBR. Patients who had pre-operative MRI or received chemotherapy were more likely to undergo PMBR. Patients who were treated by female surgeons or plastic surgeons were significantly more likely to undergo PMBR. Overall, the individual surgeon was the most predictive of PMBR, except for the use of pre-operative MRI and mastectomy surgeon's specialty being plastic surgery.

Conclusion

A small minority of older women undergo PMBR despite having low post-operative and long-term complication rates. The individual surgeon and geographic area significantly influences whether older breast cancer patients will undergo PMBR. Future research should focus on surgeon characteristics that may influence a patient's decision to undergo PMBR.

Citation Format: Schoenbrunner AR, Fero KE, Boero IJ, Matsuno R, Kronstadt N, Lance S, Reid C, Wallace AM, Gosman AA, Murphy JD. Post mastectomy breast reconstruction in elderly women: Complications and the impact of individual surgeons [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2016 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; 2016 Dec 6-10; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2017;77(4 Suppl):Abstract nr P3-14-02.

Comparison of brain MRI findings with language and motor function in the dystroglycanopathies

OBJECTIVE

To describe the spectrum of brain MRI findings in a cohort of individuals with dystroglycanopathies (DGs) and relate MRI results to function.

METHODS

All available brain MRIs done for clinical indications on individuals enrolled in a DG natural history study (NCT00313677) were reviewed. Reports were reviewed when MRI was not available. MRIs were categorized as follows: (1) cortical, brainstem, and cerebellar malformations; (2) cortical and cerebellar malformations; or (3) normal. Language development was assigned to 1 of 3 categories by a speech pathologist. Maximal motor function and presence of epilepsy were determined by history or examination.

RESULTS

Twenty-five MRIs and 9 reports were reviewed. The most common MRI abnormalities were cobblestone cortex or dysgyria with an anterior-posterior gradient and cerebellar hypoplasia. Seven individuals had MRIs in group 1, 8 in group 2, and 19 in group 3. Language was impaired in 100% of those in MRI groups 1 and 2, and degree of language impairment correlated with severity of imaging. Eighty-five percent of the whole group achieved independent walking, but only 33% did in group 1. Epilepsy was present in 8% of the cohort and rose to 37% of those with an abnormal MRI.

CONCLUSIONS

Developmental abnormalities of the brain such as cobblestone lissencephaly, cerebellar cysts, pontine hypoplasia, and brainstem bowing are hallmarks of DG and should prompt consideration of these diagnoses. Brain imaging in individuals with DG helps to predict outcomes, especially language development, aiding clinicians in prognostic counseling.

Salivary Testosterone Levels and Health Status in Men and Women in the British General Population: Findings from the Third National Survey of Sexual Attitudes and Lifestyles (Natsal-3)

CONTEXT

Salivary T (Sal-T) measurement by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectroscopy resents the opportunity to examine health correlates of Sal-T in a large-scale population survey.

OBJECTIVE

This study sought to examine associations between Sal-T and health-related factors in men and women age 18-74 years.

DESIGN AND SETTING

Morning saliva samples were obtained from participants in a cross-sectional probability-sample survey of the general British population (Natsal-3). Self-reported health and lifestyle questions were administered as part of a wider sexual health interview.

PARTICIPANTS

Study participants included 1599 men and 2123 women.

METHODS

Sal-T was measured using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectroscopy. Linear regression was used to examine associations between health factors and mean Sal-T.

RESULTS

In men, mean Sal-T was associated with a range of health factors after age adjustment, and showed a strong independent negative association with body mass index (BMI) in multivariable analysis. Men reporting cardiovascular disease or currently taking medication for depression had lower age-adjusted Sal-T, although there was no association with cardiovascular disease after adjustment for BMI. The decline in Sal-T with increasing age remained after adjustment for health-related factors. In women, Sal-T declined with increasing age; however, there were no age-independent associations with health-related factors or specific heath conditions with the exception of higher Sal-T in smokers.

CONCLUSIONS

Sal-T levels were associated, independently of age, with a range of self-reported health markers, particularly BMI, in men but not women. The findings support the view that there is an age-related decline in Sal-T in men and women, which cannot be explained by an increase in ill health. Our results demonstrate the potential of Sal-T as a convenient measure of tissue androgen exposure for population research.

Treatment of Post-Latissimus Dorsi Flap Breast Reconstruction Pain With Continuous Paravertebral Nerve Blocks: A Retrospective Review

Objectives

The addition of a perioperative continuous paravertebral nerve block (cPVB) to a single-injection thoracic paravertebral nerve block (tPVB) has demonstrated improved analgesia in breast surgery. However, its use following isolated post-mastectomy reconstruction using a latissimus dorsi flap (LDF) has not previously been examined.

Methods

We performed a retrospective review of patients who underwent salvage breast reconstruction with a unilateral LDF by a single surgeon. Preoperatively, all patients received a single-injection tPVB with 0.5% ropivacaine. Additionally, patients had the option for catheter placement to receive a continuous 0.2% ropivacaine infusion with intermittent boluses. Infusions commenced in the recovery room and the catheters were removed on the morning of discharge. The primary endpoint was the mean pain numeric rating scale (NRS) scores for the 24-hour period beginning at 7:00 on post-operative day 1.

Results

A total of 22 patients were included in this study (11-cPVB and 11-tPVB). The mean NRS pain score of cPVB patients (3.5 (standard deviation (SD) 1.8) was lower than that of the single-injection tPVB patients (4.4 (SD 2.1), however this difference was not statistically significant (P = 0.31). The length of hospital stay and opioid use was not statistically different between groups.

Conclusions

Patients receiving a cPVB in addition to tPVB after LDF reconstruction experienced similar pain to those receiving tPVB alone. A larger, randomized clinical trial is warranted to fully determine the benefits of using cPVB in addition to tPVB for this procedure.

Adaptive Randomization of Veliparib-Carboplatin Treatment in Breast Cancer

BACKGROUND

The genetic and clinical heterogeneity of breast cancer makes the identification of effective therapies challenging. We designed I-SPY 2, a phase 2, multicenter, adaptively randomized trial to screen multiple experimental regimens in combination with standard neoadjuvant chemotherapy for breast cancer. The goal is to match experimental regimens with responding cancer subtypes. We report results for veliparib, a poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) inhibitor, combined with carboplatin.

METHODS

In this ongoing trial, women are eligible for participation if they have stage II or III breast cancer with a tumor 2.5 cm or larger in diameter; cancers are categorized into eight biomarker subtypes on the basis of status with regard to human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2), hormone receptors, and a 70-gene assay. Patients undergo adaptive randomization within each biomarker subtype to receive regimens that have better performance than the standard therapy. Regimens are evaluated within 10 biomarker signatures (i.e., prospectively defined combinations of biomarker subtypes). Veliparib-carboplatin plus standard therapy was considered for HER2-negative tumors and was therefore evaluated in 3 signatures. The primary end point is pathological complete response. Tumor volume changes measured by magnetic resonance imaging during treatment are used to predict whether a patient will have a pathological complete response. Regimens move on from phase 2 if and when they have a high Bayesian predictive probability of success in a subsequent phase 3 neoadjuvant trial within the biomarker signature in which they performed well.

RESULTS

With regard to triple-negative breast cancer, veliparib-carboplatin had an 88% predicted probability of success in a phase 3 trial. A total of 72 patients were randomly assigned to receive veliparib-carboplatin, and 44 patients were concurrently assigned to receive control therapy; at the completion of chemotherapy, the estimated rates of pathological complete response in the triple-negative population were 51% (95% Bayesian probability interval [PI], 36 to 66%) in the veliparib-carboplatin group versus 26% (95% PI, 9 to 43%) in the control group. The toxicity of veliparib-carboplatin was greater than that of the control.

CONCLUSIONS

The process used in our trial showed that veliparib-carboplatin added to standard therapy resulted in higher rates of pathological complete response than standard therapy alone specifically in triple-negative breast cancer. (Funded by the QuantumLeap Healthcare Collaborative and others; I-SPY 2 TRIAL ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT01042379.).

Adaptive Randomization of Neratinib in Early Breast Cancer

BACKGROUND

The heterogeneity of breast cancer makes identifying effective therapies challenging. The I-SPY 2 trial, a multicenter, adaptive phase 2 trial of neoadjuvant therapy for high-risk clinical stage II or III breast cancer, evaluated multiple new agents added to standard chemotherapy to assess the effects on rates of pathological complete response (i.e., absence of residual cancer in the breast or lymph nodes at the time of surgery).

METHODS

We used adaptive randomization to compare standard neoadjuvant chemotherapy plus the tyrosine kinase inhibitor neratinib with control. Eligible women were categorized according to eight biomarker subtypes on the basis of human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) status, hormone-receptor status, and risk according to a 70-gene profile. Neratinib was evaluated against control with regard to 10 biomarker signatures (prospectively defined combinations of subtypes). The primary end point was pathological complete response. Volume changes on serial magnetic resonance imaging were used to assess the likelihood of such a response in each patient. Adaptive assignment to experimental groups within each disease subtype was based on Bayesian probabilities of the superiority of the treatment over control. Enrollment in the experimental group was stopped when the 85% Bayesian predictive probability of success in a confirmatory phase 3 trial of neoadjuvant therapy reached a prespecified threshold for any biomarker signature ("graduation"). Enrollment was stopped for futility if the probability fell to below 10% for every biomarker signature.

RESULTS

Neratinib reached the prespecified efficacy threshold with regard to the HER2-positive, hormone-receptor-negative signature. Among patients with HER2-positive, hormone-receptor-negative cancer, the mean estimated rate of pathological complete response was 56% (95% Bayesian probability interval [PI], 37 to 73%) among 115 patients in the neratinib group, as compared with 33% among 78 controls (95% PI, 11 to 54%). The final predictive probability of success in phase 3 testing was 79%.

CONCLUSIONS

Neratinib added to standard therapy was highly likely to result in higher rates of pathological complete response than standard chemotherapy with trastuzumab among patients with HER2-positive, hormone-receptor-negative breast cancer. (Funded by QuantumLeap Healthcare Collaborative and others; I-SPY 2 TRIAL ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT01042379.).

Are self-identified "disadvantaged" students less likely to enter surgical residencies? A single-institution study

BACKGROUND

Given more emphasis on training primary care physicians for underserved areas, we hypothesized that students self-identifying as "disadvantaged" would be less likely to pursue surgical training.

METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed medical school data on students graduating 2005-2014. Students were stratified into "disadvantaged" and "nondisadvantaged". Data were recorded on age, grade point average, Medical College Admission Test (MCAT), gender, surgery grade, United States Medical Licensing Examination step 1 score, and residency match into a surgical field. A comparison of the proportion of students matching into a surgical field was assessed with chi-square test. Multivariate logistic regression was performed to assess the factors that predict the choice of general surgery versus another surgical field.

RESULTS

Of the 1140 students who graduated during the study period, 219 (19.2%) students self-identified as "disadvantaged". Of all students, 158 (13.9%) chose a surgical field. The disadvantaged group was older at entry and had lower grade point average and total MCAT scores. Twenty-seven (12.3%) disadvantaged students chose a surgical residency versus 130 (14.1%) nondisadvantaged students (P = 0.56). On multivariate logistic regression, female gender (odds ratio [OR] = 3.9; 95% confidence interval = [1.9-8.3], P < 0.01), disadvantaged status (OR = 2.8 [1.1-7.1], P = 0.03), and United States Medical Licensing Examination step 1 score ≥ 227 (OR = 0.43 [0.21-0.88], P = 0.02) were significantly associated with matching into general surgery versus another surgical specialty.

DISCUSSION

Although the disadvantaged cohort was older and had lower undergraduate GPAs and MCAT scores, the proportion of disadvantaged students matching into a surgical residency was not statistically different. To address the future shortage of general surgeons in underserved areas, increasing enrollment of "disadvantaged" students may alleviate the "surgical desert".

Evaluation of Facial Volume Changes after Rejuvenation Surgery Using a 3-Dimensional Camera

BACKGROUND

Surgical rejuvenation alters facial volume distribution to achieve more youthful aesthetic contours. These changes are routinely compared subjectively. The introduction of 3-dimensional (3D) stereophotogrammetry provides a novel method for measuring and comparing surgical results.

OBJECTIVES

We sought to quantify how specific facial areas are changed after rejuvenation surgery using the 3D camera.

METHODS

Patients undergoing facial rejuvenation were imaged preoperatively and postoperatively with 3D stereophotogrammetry. Images were registered using facial surface landmarks unaltered by surgery. Colorimetric 3D analysis depicting postoperative volume changes was performed utilizing the 3D imaging software and quantitative volume measurements were constructed.

RESULTS

Nine patients who underwent combined facelift procedures and fat grafting were evaluated. Median time for postoperative imaging was 4.8 months. Positive changes in facial volume occurred in the forehead, temples, and cheeks (median changes, 0.9 mL ± 4.3 SD; 0.8 mL ± 0.47 SD; and 1.4 mL ± 1.6 SD, respectively). Negative changes in volume occurred in the nasolabial folds, marionette basins, and neck/submental regions (median changes, -1.0 mL ± 0.37 SD; -0.4 mL ± 0.9 SD; and -2.0 mL ± 4.3 SD, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

The technique of 3D stereophotogrammetry provides a tool for quantifying facial volume distribution after rejuvenation procedures. Areas of consistent volume increase include the forehead, temples, and cheeks; areas of negative volume change occur in the nasolabial folds, marionette basins, and submental/chin regions. This technology may be utilized to better understand the dynamic changes that occur with facial rejuvenation and quantify longevity of various rejuvenation techniques.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

4 Diagnostic.

Abstract P3-01-05: The use of Tc-99 tilmanocept in sentinel lymph node biopsy after neoadjuvant chemotherapy in clinically node-negative patients with breast cancer

Background: Neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAT) has been shown to induce fibrosis and inflammation that alters lymphatic drainage of axillary lymph nodes in breast cancer. Technetium- 99 Tilmanocept (TcTM), a CD206-macrophage receptor targeted radiopharmaceutical, is a small agent with recent FDA-approval for lymphatic mapping. No prior studies have investigated the use of TcTM in the neoadjuvant setting. The aim of this study was to compare the identification rate, node-positivity rate, and number of total nodes evaluated in sentinel lymph node (SLN) biopsy with TcTM and vital blue dye (VBD) in clinically node-negative patients receiving NAT vs. initial surgery.

Methods: A retrospective review was conducted on patients undergoing SLN biopsy with TcTM and VBD from May 2013- May 2015 at UCSD. Patients with a history of prior SLN biopsy or axillary lymph node dissection were excluded. Patients undergoing neoadjuvant chemotherapy or receiving &gt; 3 months of neoadjuvant endocrine therapy were grouped and compared to patients undergoing initial surgical treatment. The SLN identification and node-positivity rates were compared with the X2 test. To compare the number of SLNs evaluated between groups, a zero-truncated negative binomial (ZTNB) count model was constructed to assess the effect of NAT and other covariates on the SLN count. Covariates included age, body mass index (BMI), gender, surgeon, mastectomy vs. lumpectomy, node positivity, pathologist, T-stage, and receptor status. A p-value &lt; 0.05 was used for statistical significance.

Results: Of the 417 total SLN cases identified, 72 (17.2%) cases were in patients who had received NAT (61- chemo, 11- endocrine). The SLN identification rate was 100% in both groups (p= 1.0). Overall, there were 68 (16.3%) cases of SLN-positivity, 14 (19.4%) in the NAT group versus 54 (15.7%) in the non-NAT group (p= 0.54). The median number of identified nodes was 3 in both groups. In the ZTNB count model, age, surgeon and evaluating pathologist were significant predictors of the total number of SLN evaluated. The use of NAT did not significantly affect the number SLNs evaluated. Incident rate ratios, confidence intervals and p-values are reported in the attached table.

Sentinel Lymph Node Count ModelVariabeIRR95% CI LL95% CI ULp-valueAge per 5 years0.960.930.990.03Surgeon #21.231.051.450.01NAT1.140.921.410.22Pathologist #20.720.570.900.005Pathologist #31.010.841.220.90Pathologist #40.930.661.320.70IRR: incident rate ratio, NAT: neoadjuvant chemoendocrine therapy, CI: confidence interval, LL: lower limit, UL: upper limit

Discussion: Prior studies have indicated that NAT may induce fibrosis and inflammation that may obscure lymphatic mapping procedures. For SLN biopsy with TcTM in VBD in our study, the use of NAT did not change the identification rate or node-positivity rate. Additionally, when controlling for covariates, the use of NAT did not change the total number of SLNs evaluated. While NAT might induce fibrosis and inflammation, SLN biopsy with TcTM and VBD is technically successful in clinically node-negative patients undergoing neoadjuvant chemotherapy.

Citation Format: Unkart JT, Wallace AM. The use of Tc-99 tilmanocept in sentinel lymph node biopsy after neoadjuvant chemotherapy in clinically node-negative patients with breast cancer. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Thirty-Eighth Annual CTRC-AACR San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium: 2015 Dec 8-12; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2016;76(4 Suppl):Abstract nr P3-01-05.

A window-of-opportunity biomarker study of etodolac in resectable breast cancer

Observational data show that nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) use is associated with a lower rate of breast cancer. We evaluated the effect of etodolac, an FDA-approved NSAID reported to inhibit cyclooxygenase (COX) enzymes and the retinoid X receptor alpha (RXR), on rationally identified potential biomarkers in breast cancer. Patients with resectable breast cancer planned for initial management with surgical resection were enrolled and took 400 mg of etodolac twice daily prior to surgery. Protein and gene expression levels for genes related to COX-2 and RXRα were evaluated in tumor samples from before and after etodolac exposure. Thirty subjects received etodolac and 17 subjects were assayed as contemporaneous or opportunistic controls. After etodolac exposure mean cyclin D1 protein levels, assayed by immunohistochemistry, decreased (P = 0.03). Notably, pre- versus post cyclin D1 gene expression change went from positive to negative with greater duration of etodolac exposure (r = −0.64, P = 0.01). Additionally, etodolac exposure was associated with a significant increase in COX-2 gene expression levels (fold change: 3.25 [95% CI: 1.9, 5.55]) and a trend toward increased β-catenin expression (fold change: 2.03 [95% CI: 0.93, 4.47]). In resectable breast cancer relatively brief exposure to the NSAID etodolac was associated with reduced cyclin D1 protein levels. Effect was also observed on cyclin D1 gene expression with decreasing levels with longer durations of drug exposure. Increased COX-2 gene expression was seen, possibly due to compensatory feedback. These data highlight the utility of even small clinical trials with access to biospecimens for pharmacodynamic studies.

Comparison of Post-injection Site Pain Between Technetium Sulfur Colloid and Technetium Tilmanocept in Breast Cancer Patients Undergoing Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy

BACKGROUND

No prior studies have examined injection pain associated with Technetium-99m Tilmanocept (TcTM).

METHODS

This was a randomized, double-blinded study comparing postinjection site pain between filtered Technetium Sulfur Colloid (fTcSC) and TcTM in breast cancer lymphoscintigraphy. Pain was evaluated with a visual analogue scale (VAS) (0-100 mm) and the short-form McGill Pain Questionnaire (SF-MPQ). The primary endpoint was mean difference in VAS scores at 1-min postinjection between fTcSC and TcTM. Secondary endpoints included a comparison of SF-MPQ scores between the groups at 5 min postinjection and construction of a linear mixed effects model to evaluate the changes in pain during the 5-min postinjection period.

RESULTS

Fifty-two patients underwent injection (27-fTcSC, 25-TcTM). At 1-min postinjection, patients who received fTcSC experienced a mean change in pain of 16.8 mm (standard deviation (SD) 19.5) compared with 0.2 mm (SD 7.3) in TcTM (p = 0.0002). At 5 min postinjection, the mean total score on the SF-MPQ was 2.8 (SD 3.0) for fTcSC versus 2.1 (SD 2.5) for TcTM (p = 0.36). In the mixed effects model, injection agent (p < 0.001), time (p < 0.001) and their interaction (p < 0.001) were associated with change in pain during the 5-min postinjection period. The model found fTcSC resulted in significantly more pain of 15.2 mm (p < 0.001), 11.3 mm (p = 0.001), and 7.5 mm (p = 0.013) at 1, 2, and 3 min postinjection, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Injection with fTcSC causes significantly more pain during the first 3 min postinjection compared with TcTM in women undergoing lymphoscintigraphy for breast cancer.

Single-injection thoracic paravertebral block and postoperative analgesia after mastectomy: a retrospective cohort study

BACKGROUND

The treatment of postoperative pain after mastectomy is an area of increasing interest, as this treatment option is now considered a standard of care for those affected by breast cancer. Thoracic paravertebral nerve block (tPVB) using local anesthetics administered before mastectomy can theoretically provide postoperative analgesia, thereby facilitating a more comfortable and shorter hospitalization.

METHODS

In this retrospective cohort study, we aimed to determine the duration and degree to which tPVB provides postoperative analgesia in patients who underwent either unilateral or bilateral mastectomy (n = 182). We retrospectively examined the numeric rating scale (NRS) for pain scores recorded by nursing staff throughout individual patient hospitalizations, looking specifically at the following time points: arrival from the postanesthesia care unit to the surgical wards, noon on postoperative day 1 (POD1), and discharge. We also examined the number of days until patients were discharged from the hospital.

RESULTS

Our results revealed a statistically significant decrease in NRS in pain scores for patients who had received a tPVB (n = 92) on arrival from the postanesthesia care unit to the surgical wards (mean NRS decrease of 1.9 points; 99% confidence interval [CI], -3.0 to -0.8; P < .001) but did not show statistically significant decreases in NRS for pain scores for patients at noon on POD1 (mean NRS decrease of 0.3 points at noon on POD1, P = .43) or at discharge (mean NRS decrease of 0.1 point at discharge, P = .65). Moreover, use of tPVB did not have an impact on time until discharge (average decrease of 0.5 hours; 95% CI, -6 to +5 hours, P = .87).

CONCLUSIONS

Single-injection tPVB appears to provide meaningful postoperative analgesia in the immediate postoperative period after mastectomy but not after the first day of surgery.

Increased Likelihood of Mastectomy in Human Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor 2-positive Ductal Carcinoma In Situ

Patients with human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2neu)-positive breast invasive cancer are known to have larger, more aggressive tumors. Little research exists on the relationship between HER2neu status and extent of ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS). A retrospective review of a single-institution database was performed for patients with DCIS between the years 2002 and 2011. A single blinded breast radiologist reviewed preoperative imaging. Pathology was reviewed for extent of DCIS. Primary outcome was mastectomy. Multivariate logistic regression was used to determine adjusted mastectomy risk. There were 166 cases, 34 HER2neu-positive. HER2neu receptor-positive patients had larger lesions on imaging: 4.0 versus 2.7 cm, by 2.9 versus 1.5 cm ( P = 0.0499 and 0.0182). HER2neu-positive patients with DCIS were more likely than HER2neu-negative to undergo mastectomy than lumpectomy (53 vs 28%, P = 0.006). Pathology revealed a trend toward larger lesions in HER2neu-positive patients (2.96 vs 2.22 cm, nonsignificant). Patients with HER2neu-positive disease were three times more likely to undergo mastectomy (odds ratio, 2.9; 95% confidence interval, 1.23 to 6.78). Patients with HER2neu-positive DCIS had greater extent of disease by imaging and were more likely to undergo mastectomy than HER2neu-negative. These findings will help surgeons counsel patients on surgical treatment.

Increased likelihood of mastectomy in human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-positive ductal carcinoma in situ

Patients with human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2neu)-positive breast invasive cancer are known to have larger, more aggressive tumors. Little research exists on the relationship between HER2neu status and extent of ductal carcinoma In Situ (DCIS). A retrospective review of a single-institution database was performed for patients with DCIS between the years 2002 and 2011. A single blinded breast radiologist reviewed preoperative imaging. Pathology was reviewed for extent of DCIS. Primary outcome was mastectomy. Multivariate logistic regression was used to determine adjusted mastectomy risk. There were 166 cases, 34 HER2neu-positive. HER2neu receptor-positive patients had larger lesions on imaging: 4.0 versus 2.7 cm, by 2.9 versus 1.5 cm (P = 0.0499 and 0.0182). HER2neu-positive patients with DCIS were more likely than HER2neu-negative to undergo mastectomy than lumpectomy (53 vs 28%, P = 0.006). Pathology revealed a trend toward larger lesions in HER2neu-positive patients (2.96 vs 2.22 cm, nonsignificant). Patients with HER2neu-positive disease were three times more likely to undergo mastectomy (odds ratio, 2.9; 95% confidence interval, 1.23 to 6.78). Patients with HER2neu-positive DCIS had greater extent of disease by imaging and were more likely to undergo mastectomy than HER2neu-negative. These findings will help surgeons counsel patients on surgical treatment.