Prognosis of Metaplastic Breast Cancer: Poorer Than the Rest of Triple-Negative Breast Cancer

Background: The biologic behavior of metaplastic breast cancer (MBC) has not been well elucidated due to its rarity and heterogeneity. This study was designed to assess the clinical and tumor characteristics and outcomes of MBC patients as compared with invasive ductal carcinoma (IDC) in general and the triple-negative (TN) subtype.Materials and methods: This study included 35 MBC and 2,839 IDC patients diagnosed at the National Cancer Center, Korea between 2000 and 2008. We, retrospectively, reviewed the clinicopathologic characteristics and clinical outcomes.Results: The mean age was 47.4 years for MBC group and 48.3 years for IDC group. The MBC group presented with larger tumors (≥ T2, 78.8% vs 41.0%; P<0.001), higher histologic grade (grade 3, 92.0% vs 44.6%; P<0.001), fewer ER and PgR positivity (ER+, 14.3% vs 69.0% ; P<0.001 and PgR+, 25.7% vs 66.1%; P<0.001), higher Ki-67 expression (35.5%±26.2% vs 20.6% ±19.8%; P=0.024) and more TN subtypes (48.6% vs 11.9%; P<0.001) than IDC group. Excluding de novo stage IV patients, 14 of 32 (43.7%) MBC patients and 260 of 2782 (9.4%) IDC patents developed disease recurrence with a median follow-up of 36.2 months (range, 4.9-117.8 months). MBC was a poor prognostic factor for disease recurrence in univariate and multivariate analysis (HR 5.19; 95% CI, 2.04-13.18; P=0.001). MBC patients demonstrated aggressive pathologic features and experienced more disease recurrence (HR 4.77; 95% CI, 1.99-11.44; P=0.001) even when compared with 330 patients with TN subtype.Conclusions:Patients with metaplastic breast carcinoma appeared to have inherent aggressive tumor biology with poorer clinical outcomes than those with IDC in general and TN subtype.Partly supported by NCC Grant No 0610240

Citation Information: Cancer Res 2009;69(24 Suppl):Abstract nr 4057.

Charged Kaon interferometric probes of space-time evolution in Au+Au collisions at sqrt[S(NN)]=200 GeV

Bose-Einstein correlations of charged kaons are used to probe Au+Au collisions at sqrt[S(NN)]=200 GeV and are compared to charged pion probes, which have a larger hadronic scattering cross section. Three-dimensional Gaussian source radii are extracted, along with a one-dimensional kaon emission source function. The centrality dependences of the three Gaussian radii are well described by a single linear function of N(part)1/3 with a zero intercept. Imaging analysis shows a deviation from a Gaussian tail at r greater than or approximately equal to 10 fm, although the bulk emission at lower radius is well described by a Gaussian. The presence of a non-Gaussian tail in the kaon source reaffirms that the particle emission region in a heavy-ion collision is extended, and that similar measurements with pions are not solely due to the decay of long-lived resonances.

Measurement of bottom versus charm as a function of transverse momentum with electron-hadron correlations in p + p collisions at square root of s = 200 GeV

The momentum distribution of electrons from semileptonic decays of charm and bottom quarks for midrapidity |y|<0.35 in p+p collisions at square root of s=200 GeV is measured by the PHENIX experiment at the Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider over the transverse momentum range 2<pT<7 GeV/c. The ratio of the yield of electrons from bottom to that from charm is presented. The ratio is determined using partial D/D-->e(+/-)K(-/+)X (K unidentified) reconstruction. It is found that the yield of electrons from bottom becomes significant above 4 GeV/c in pT. A fixed-order-plus-next-to-leading-log perturbative quantum chromodynamics calculation agrees with the data within the theoretical and experimental uncertainties. The extracted total bottom production cross section at this energy is sigma(bb)=3.2(-1.1)(+1.2)(stat)(-1.3)(+1.4)(syst)mub.

Gluon-spin contribution to the proton spin from the double-helicity asymmetry in inclusive pi0 production in polarized p+p collisions at [sqrt]s=200 GeV

The double helicity asymmetry in neutral pion production for pT=1 to 12 GeV/c was measured with the PHENIX experiment to access the gluon-spin contribution, DeltaG, to the proton spin. Measured asymmetries are consistent with zero, and at a theory scale of micro2=4 GeV2 a next to leading order QCD analysis gives DeltaG[0.02,0.3]=0.2, with a constraint of -0.7<DeltaG[0.02,0.3]<0.5 at Deltachi2=9 (approximately 3sigma) for the sampled gluon momentum fraction (x) range, 0.02 to 0.3. The results are obtained using predictions for the measured asymmetries generated from four representative fits to polarized deep inelastic scattering data. We also consider the dependence of the DeltaG constraint on the choice of the theoretical scale, a dominant uncertainty in these predictions.

Synthesis and photoluminescence properties of spherical fine red (Y(1-x-y)Gd(x)EU(y))BO3 (0 < or = x < or = 0.36, 0.06 < or = y < or = 0.13) phosphors using ultrasonic spray pyrolysis

The post-heat treated (Y(1-x-y)Gd(x)Eu(y))BO3 (0 < or = x < or = 0.36, 0.06 < or = y < or = 0.13) powders crystallized in a solution of (Y(1-x-y)Gd(x)Eu(y))BO3 with the hexagonal vaterite crystal structure, irrespective of composition. The lattice parameter of the (Y(0.9-x)Gd(x)Eu(0.1))BO3 (0 < or = x < or = 0.36) powders slightly increased with an increase in Gd content. The average powder sizes were sub-micron order and the powders showed relatively uniform size distribution and smooth surface. We obtained improved powder morphologies by adding organic additives such as ethylene glycol and citric acid. For the post-treated (Y(0.9-x)Gd(x)Eu(0.1))BO3, the emission intensity became stronger with increasing Gd content up to x = 0.27. In addition, for the post-treated (Y(0.73-y)Gd(0.27)Eu(y))BO3, the emission intensity gradually increased with Eu content up to y = 0.13. In particular, the emission intensity of the (Y(0.6)Gd)0.27)Eu(0.13))BO3 powders synthesized was higher than that of the commercial (Y,Gd)BO3:Eu3+ product.

Concordant HER2 status between malignant CSF cells and primary breast carcinoma tissue

1104

Background: Leptomeningeal diseases (LMD) from breast cancer are detected in up to 19% of patients with brain metastasis and their prognosis is extremely poor. Diagnosis of leptomeningeal disease requires positive cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) cytology. However, it is not known whether HER2 status of malignant CSF cells coincides with that of original breast carcinoma cells. We intended to determine whether CSF cytology specimen is suitable for evaluating HER2 status by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) in LMD to provide the basis for HER2 targeted intrathecal therapy. Methods: Both formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) breast carcinoma tissue and liquid based CSF cytology specimen were tested for HER2 status in 16 patients who developed LMD at National Cancer Center between Dec 2004 and Jul 2008. We evaluated HER2 gene amplification by FISH on destained CSF cytology slides which contained minimum 20 malignant cells per slide, and compared with HER2 status by immunohistochemistry (IHC) in FFPE breast carcinoma tissue. HER2 was determined positive when FISH ratio > 2.2 or IHC 3+ according to ASCO/CAP guideline. Results: Concordance rate of HER2 status between CSF cytology by FISH and FFPE tissue by IHC was 100% as shown in the table. Conclusions: When CSF cytology specimen was appropriately prepared yielding adequate cellularity without dry artifact, CSF cytology was suitable for evaluating HER2 status by FISH in LMD. Intrathecal HER2 targeted therapy could be attempted when FFPE breast carcinoma tissue is HER2 positive in view of highly concordant HER2 status by our data. Supported by NCC Grant No 0610240- 3.

[Table: see text]

No significant financial relationships to disclose.

Correlation of tumor size on preoperative breast MRI and pathologic tumor size in Asian patients

e11546

Background: As many Asian patients want breast conserving therapy (BCT), use of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) increase in preoperative diagnosis for breast cancer. But the impact of MRI on these patients has not been unclear. Methods: From January 2008 to July 2008, 423 patients underwent breast cancer surgery in National Cancer Center, Korea. We enrolled 357 patients consecutively in this retrospective study; 290 patients (non-MRI group) with preoperative mammography (MMG) and ultrasonography (US) vs. 66 patients (MRI group) with additional MRI to MMG, US and excluded 67 patients (42 patients with preoperative chemotherapy, 8 patients with ipsilateral recurrence, 17 patients whose MRI showed no residual lesion after excisional biopsy). We examined MRI effect on mastectomy rate, intraoperative conversion from BCT to mastectomy, positive margin rate in frozen specimen in both group. In MRI group, we evaluated the correlation between tumor size on US, MRI and pathologic tumor size. Results: Mean age of this study was 48.89 years (Non-MRI group: 50.70 years vs. MRI group: 46.33 years, p=0.001). The rate of mastectomy wasn’t different in both groups (Non-MRI group: 13.7% vs. MRI group: 19.4%, p=0.252). Intraoperative conversion to mastectomy was performed frequently in MRI group. (Non-MRI group: 1.7% vs. MRI group: 7.5%, p=0.023). But positive margin rate in frozen specimen was similar in both groups (Non-MRI group: 23.2% vs. MRI group: 34.0%, p=0.111). In MRI group, mean tumor size on MRI, US was 3.07cm, 1.98cm respectively. Mean pathologic tumor size was 2.67cm. The tumor size on MRI correlated strongly with the pathologic tumor size. The correlation coefficient was 0.732 (p=0.0001). But the tumor size on US didn’t correlate with the pathologic tumor size (p=0.066). In twenty nine patients whose MMG showed suspicious microcalcification, tumor size on MRI also correlated strongly with pathologic tumor size. The correlation coefficient was 0.693 (p=0.0001). But US didn’t show the correlation with the pathologic tumor size in these patients. Conclusions: Preoperative breast MRI didn’t give the impact on breast cancer surgery in Asian patients and could overestimate the size of tumor. But it could strongly correlate with the pathologic tumor size in Asian patients.

No significant financial relationships to disclose.

Remarkable complete pathologic response rate after preoperative paclitaxel, gemcitabine, and trastuzumab chemotherapy in HER2 positive stage II/III breast cancer: a phase II multicenter study

Abstract #5105

Background: Preoperative paclitaxel (P) and gemcitabine (G) combination therapy given on D1/D8 every 3 weeks (wks) for 4 cycles was well tolerated and effective in stage II/III breast cancer (BC) in our previous phase II study, with an 18% pathological complete response (pCR) rate. Adding trastuzumab (H) to the preoperative chemotherapy increases both of the clinical and pathological response rates in HER2 positive BC patients (pts). Thus far, the highest pCR rate reported in the literature was obtained with anthracycline-based regimens in combination with trastuzumab. This study evaluated whether non-anthracycline combination chemotherapy with PGH could improve the pCR rate in HER2 positive BC. Methods: HER2 positive, stage II/III BC pts with cytologically confirmed axillary lymph node (LN), ≥ 18 years of age, with adequate organ function, and good performance status were eligible. No prior therapy was allowed. Pts received H intravenously (iv) at 4 mg/kg on D1 of the first cycle with subsequent weekly doses of 2 mg/kg in combination with P 80 mg/m2 and G 1,200 mg/m2, iv, on D1/D8 every 3 wks for 6 cycles. Within 2 wks postoperatively, patients received H 6 mg/kg every 3 wks for 11 cycles with tamoxifen or an aromatase inhibitor for 5 years if indicated. All pts received postoperative radiation therapy. Initial evaluation included sonogram and MRI of the breast, MUGA scan, or echocardiogram, and PET-CT. Results: All 53 planned pts were enrolled between April 2007 and February 2008. The median age was 43 years (range, 26–61 years), the median primary tumor size by sonogram was 5.3 cm (range, 2.0 to &gt; 12 cm) with 89 % ≥ stage IIIA, 42% T3/T4, and 28% N3. Twenty four tumors (45%) were multiple and 20 tumors (38%) were ER positive. By May 2008, 47 patients completed surgery with a 74% breast conservation rate. Twenty-eight of 47 (60%; 95% CI, 45-72) patients achieved pCR in both the tumor and lymph node, with 68% (32/47; 95% CI, 54-80) pCR in the primary tumor, and 77% (36/47; 95% CI, 63-86) pCR in the axillary LN. Median metastatic focus in 21 positive LNs (n=11 pts) was 1 mm (range, &lt;1–13mm). Grade III/IV adverse events (AE) were neutropenia (53%), febrile neutropenia (4%), and transient elevation of AST/ALT (9%). After 6 cycles of PGH chemotherapy, all patients maintained above normal LVEF. Conclusions: A remarkably high pCR was obtained by non-anthracyline based PGH combination therapy for HER2 positive stage II/III breast cancer. This combination is well tolerated with mild degree of AEs.&#x2028; Supported by NCC Grant No 0610240-3. Trastuzumab, paclitaxel, and gemcitabine were supplied by Roche, CJ Cheiljedang CO., and Eli Lilly and CO., respectively.

Citation Information: Cancer Res 2009;69(2 Suppl):Abstract nr 5105.

Comparable efficacies between premenopausal and postmenopausal metastatic breast cancer patients by letrozole with and without goserelin as first line hormone therapy: a phase II parallel group study

Abstract #6134

Background: The use of goserelin in premenopausal patients(pts) is to produce castrated level of estradiol (E2), and the remaining peripheral E2 production is inhibited by letrozole, which would accomplish comparable clinical outcomes as in postmenopausal metastatic breast cancer (MBC) pts by letrozole alone.&#x2028; Methods: Hormone receptor positive pre- and postmenopausal pts with MBC were eligible. Letrozole 2.5 mg once a day was administered with goserelin 3.6 mg every 4 weeks in premenopausal pts and serial serum E2, FSH, LH were measured. Bone mineral density (BMD) and serum bone turnover markers were also checked (n=34).&#x2028; Results: Among total 78 pts enrolled, 32 pre- and 38 postmenopausal pts were assessed for efficacy and adverse events (AE). The median age was 42 years (range, 32–52) for pre- and 53 years (range, 33–70) for postmenopausal pts. Baseline characteristics were similar in the two groups, except for significantly longer disease free interval in postmenopausal pts (22.2 months vs. 41.2 months, P=0.01). Clinical benefit (CR+ PR+ SD ≥ 24 weeks) rates (62.5% vs. 68.4%, P=0.62), and objective response (CR + PR) rates (28.1 % vs. 23.7%, P=0.79) were comparable between the two groups. Median TTP was 8.6 months vs. 9.6 months (P=0.61) with a median follow-up of 11.6 months and 14.6 months, respectively. In multivariate analysis, strong ER status was significantly associated with clinical benefit rate (P=0.01), and HER2 positivity (P&lt;0.001) and stage IV presentation (P=0.05) with shorter TTP. In premenopausal pts, the mean E2 level was dropped from 62.3 ± 81.8 pg/mL at baseline to 12.3 ± 2.2 pg/mL at week 2. AEs were mild with significantly more hot flushes in premenopausal pts. In premenopausal pts without bisphosphonate treatment, there was a trend of rising serum levels of osteocalcin (OC) (0% vs. 165%, P=0.065), bone alkaline phosphatase (bALP) (0% vs. 28%, P=0.055), and C-telopeptide (CTx) (0% vs. 108%, P=0.095), as well as a significant reduction in both lumbar spine (P=0.044) and femur (P=0.027) BMD. In contrast, in premenopausal pts with bone metastasis on bisphosphonate, there was no significant change in OC, bALP, CTx, and both BMD. In postmenopausal pts without bisphosphonate treatment, no significant change in OC, bALP, CTx, and femur BMD, while in pts with bone metastasis on bisphosphonate treatment, a significant decrease in OC (0% vs. -22%, P=0.050) and CTx (0% vs. -41%, P=0.020) and increase in both BMD (P=0.044, P=0.038 respectively) were observed.&#x2028; Conclusions: Clinical efficacies by letrozole and goserelin therapy in premenopausal MBC pts were comparable to those in postmenopausal pts by letrozole with mild AEs. While a modest increase in both bone formation and resorption especially in premenopausal pts, concurrent bisphosphonate therapy could stabilize bone metabolism in patients even with bone metastasis.&#x2028; Supported by NCC Grant No NCS-0610240-3. Letrozole for premenopausal group was supplied by Novartis.

Citation Information: Cancer Res 2009;69(2 Suppl):Abstract nr 6134.

Suppression pattern of neutral pions at high transverse momentum in Au + Au collisions at sqrt[sNN]=200 GeV and constraints on medium transport coefficients

For Au + Au collisions at 200 GeV, we measure neutral pion production with good statistics for transverse momentum, pT, up to 20 GeV/c. A fivefold suppression is found, which is essentially constant for 5 < pT < 20 GeV/c. Experimental uncertainties are small enough to constrain any model-dependent parametrization for the transport coefficient of the medium, e.g., q in the parton quenching model. The spectral shape is similar for all collision classes, and the suppression does not saturate in Au + Au collisions.

Postsurgery corneal asphericity and spherical aberration due to ablation efficiency reduction and corneal remodelling in refractive surgeries

PURPOSE

To explain the origin of changes in corneal asphericity and induced spherical aberration after laser refractive surgery.

METHODS

A rigorous model, CASIM (corneal ablation simulator), has been developed to model the ablation profile design, the shot-by-shot ablation process and the corneal remodelling that occurs through healing. The dependence of corneal asphericity, induced spherical aberration, and achieved refractive correction on corneal remodelling, and the ablation efficiency reduction caused by the angle of incidence of the excimer beam on the curved cornea are compared to the clinical outcomes reported in the literature.

RESULTS

When the exact Munnerlyn formula is used, the CASIM modelling and the clinical data exhibit a high degree of correlation. The modelling predicts that the postoperative cornea will be oblate, with substantial induced spherical aberration. A 6-month postsurgery asphericity is predicted by CASIM with a correlation of R2=0.94. The corneal remodelling included in CASIM accounts, on the average, for 45 and 69% of the increase in asphericity and spherical aberration, respectively, with the remainder due to the ablation efficiency.

CONCLUSIONS

The modelling shows that clinically observed increases in corneal asphericity and induction of spherical aberration can be explained by the effects of corneal remodelling due to healing and by the ablation efficiency reduction due to laser angle of incidence. The model is capable of predicting clinical outcomes for procedures performed with flying spot laser systems and could be used to design compensated ablation profiles to improve the clinical outcomes for custom as well as conventional laser refractive procedures.

Onset of pi(0) suppression studied in Cu+Cu collisions at sqrt S NN=22.4, 62.4, and 200 GeV

Neutral pion transverse momentum (p(T)) spectra at midrapidity (|y| less than or approximately 0.35) were measured in Cu+Cu collisions at sqrt[s(NN)]=22.4, 62.4, and 200 GeV. Relative to pi_(0) yields in p+p collisions scaled by the number of inelastic nucleon-nucleon collisions (N(coll) the pi_(0) yields for p(T) more than or approximately 2 GeV/c in central Cu+Cu collisions are suppressed at 62.4 and 200 GeV whereas an enhancement is observed at 22.4 GeV. A comparison with a jet-quenching model suggests that final state parton energy loss dominates in central Cu+Cu collisions at 62.4 and 200 GeV, while the enhancement at 22.4 GeV is consistent with nuclear modifications in the initial state alone.

Luminescence properties of Ca(Y(0.915-x)Gd(x)Al0.025Eu0.06)BO4 phosphors under VUV irradiation

The major phase of post-treated Ca(Y(0.915-x)Gd(x)A10.025Eu0.06)BO4 (0 < or = x < or = 0.3) phosphors was solid solutions of the constituent oxides, which had an orthorhombic warwickite-like structure. The calculated crystallite size of the Ca(Y(0.915-x)Gd(x)Al0.025Eu0.06)BO4 phosphors was approximately 36 nm. The Gd additive significantly enhanced both the charge transfer (CT) transition of O2(-) -Eu3+ and the absorption of the host materials, thereby resulting in an increase in emission intensity. The Ca(Y(0.715)Gd0.2Al0.025Eu0.06)BO4 phosphor showed the highest emission intensity at 593 nm, which was over five times as strong as that of a Gd-free Ca(Y0.915Al0.025Eu0.06)BO4 phosphor. The addition of Gd was desirable for improving the photoluminescent properties of red-emitting Ca(Y0.915Al0.025Eu0.06)BO4 phosphors.

Photoluminescent properties of (la(1-x)Y(x))(0.94)Tb(0.06)PO4 phosphor powders prepared by ultrasonic spray pyrolysis

The calculated crystallite sizes of (La(1-x)Y(x))(0.94)Tb(0.06)PO4 (0 < or = x < or = 1.0) phosphors ranged from 37-39 nm. Annealed (La(1-x)Y(x))(0.94)Tb(0.06)PO4 (0 < or = x < or = 1.0) phosphors showed a smooth, regular, and spherical morphology. Strong excitation peaks were appeared at 226 and 270 nm for all the phosphors. These were caused by the crystal splitting of 7D and 9D of 4f75d1 configuration in Tb3+, respectively. The characteristic emission peaks were observed at 489, 543, 585, and 621 nm, which were caused by the 5D4-7F(j) (j = 6-3) transitions of Tb3+, respectively. The emission intensity at 543 nm increased with an increase in Y content up to 0.5 and then decreased for a higher Y content.

J/psi production in sqrt s_NN=200 GeV Cu+Cu collisions

Yields for J/psi production in Cu+Cu collisions at sqrt s_NN=200 GeV have been measured over the rapidity range |y|<2.2 and compared with results in p+p and Au+Au collisions at the same energy. The Cu+Cu data offer greatly improved precision over existing Au+Au data for J/psi production in collisions with small to intermediate numbers of participants, in the range where the quark-gluon plasma transition threshold is predicted to lie. Cold nuclear matter estimates based on ad hoc fits to d+Au data describe the Cu+Cu data up to N_part approximately 50, corresponding to a Bjorken energy density of at least 1.5 GeV/fm(3).

Particle-species dependent modification of jet-induced correlations in Au+Au collisions at sqrt[s_{NN}]=200 GeV

Measurements in Au+Au collisions at sqrt[s_{NN}]=200 GeV of jet correlations for a trigger hadron at intermediate transverse momentum (p_{T,trig}) with associated mesons or baryons at lower p_{T,assoc} indicate strong modification of the away-side jet. The ratio of jet-associated baryons to mesons increases with centrality and p_{T,assoc}. For the most central collisions, the ratio is similar to that for inclusive measurements. This trend is incompatible with in-vacuum fragmentation but could be due to jetlike contributions from correlated soft partons, which recombine upon hadronization.

Trastuzumab treatment beyond brain progression in HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer

BACKGROUND

Although trastuzumab therapy improves survival in patients with human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-positive metastatic breast cancer, 40% of patients develop brain metastasis (BM) even when extracranial disease is under control. We studied whether trastuzumab therapy beyond or after BM was beneficial to patients with BM.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

The effect of trastuzumab on survival after BM was analyzed in 78 HER2-positive breast cancer patients. Patients were grouped according to trastuzumab therapy; no treatment and treatment before and after BM were diagnosed.

RESULTS

Overall survival after the diagnosis of BM as well as time to progression (TTP) of intracranial tumors was prolonged in patients who received trastuzumab after BM was diagnosed. Conversely, BM occurred much later in patients who received trastuzumab before BM. In the multivariate Cox regression model, age at BM <50 years, disease-free interval >or=24 months, TTP of intracranial tumor >or=4.8 months, and trastuzumab treatment after BM were significantly associated with longer survival after the onset of BM.

CONCLUSIONS

Trastuzumab therapy after the onset of BM in HER2-positive breast cancer patients is associated with a significant survival benefit after BM diagnosis compared with patients who never received or completed trastuzumab before the BM diagnosis.

Source breakup dynamics in Au + Au collisions at sqrt[s(NN)]=200 GeV via three-dimensional two-pion source imaging

A three-dimensional correlation function obtained from midrapidity, low p(T), pion pairs in central Au+Au collisions at sqrt[s(NN)]=200 GeV is studied. The extracted model-independent source function indicates a long range tail in the directions of the pion pair transverse momentum (out) and the beam (long). A proper breakup time tau(0) ~ 9 fm/c and a mean proper emission duration Delta tau ~ 2 fm/c, leading to sizable emission time differences ({|Delta t(LCM)|} approximately 12 fm/c), are required to allow models to be successfully matched to these tails. The model comparisons also suggest an outside-in "burning" of the emission source reminiscent of many hydrodynamical models.

Elliptic flow for phi mesons and (anti)deuterons in Au+Au collisions at square root of sNN=200 GeV

Differential elliptic flow (v(2)) for phi mesons and (anti)deuterons (d)d is measured for Au+Au collisions at square root of sNN=200 GeV. The v(2) for phi mesons follows the trend of lighter pi+/- and K+/- mesons, suggesting that ordinary hadrons interacting with standard hadronic cross sections are not the primary driver for elliptic flow development. The v(2) values for (d)d suggest that elliptic flow is additive for composite particles. This further validation of the universal scaling of v(2) per constituent quark for baryons and mesons suggests that partonic collectivity dominates the transverse expansion dynamics.

Phase II study of primary chemotherapy with paclitaxel plus gemcitabine in patients with stage II and III breast cancer

11080

Background: Adding taxane in the preoperative therapy increases both clinical and pathologic responses in pts with early breast cancer (BC). Clinical outcomes were superior by adding gemcitabine (G) to paclitaxel (P) compared with P alone in metastatic BC. This study evaluated clinical and pathological response rates and adverse events by primary chemotherapy with P and G in stage II and III BC. Methods: Patients (pts) with histologically confirmed stage II and III BC with positve axillary nodes by PET or positive FNA under sono guidance, age = 18 years, adequate organ functions and good PS were eligible. No prior hormonal or chemo-therapy, radiation, or surgery was allowed. Pts received P 80 mg/m2 and G 1,200 mg/m2, intravenously, d1/d8 every 3 weeks x 4. Postoperatively, doxorubicin 60 mg/m2 and cyclophosphamide 600 mg/m2, intravenously, d1 every 3 weeks x 4 were given followed by radiation therapy. Assessment for clinical response was majorly done by ultrasound. Results: All planned 44 pts were enrolled between September 2005 and April 2006. The median age was 43 years (range, 30–72 years), the median primary tumor size was 5.5 cm (range, 2.1 to 12.4 cm) with 27%, stage II and 73%, stage III BC. Thirty three tumors (75%) were multiple and 25 %, single. Thirty tumors (68 %) were ER or PR positive and 32 %, HER2 IHC 3+. The median relative dose intensities were 0.97 for both P and G . Clinical responses were 1-CR (2%), 34-PR (77%), 7-SD (16%) and 1-PD (2%). One pt did not return after 1st cycle (2%). 43 pts underwent surgery with 28 (64%) breast conserving surgery. Eight pts achieved pathologic CR in primary tumors (18%), 11 in axillary nodes (25%), and 5 in combined tumor and axillary nodes (11%). Grade III/IV toxicities were neutropenia (57%), leucopenia (14 %), febrile neutropenia (2%), and headache (2%). Conclusions: Preoperative P and G combination therapy given on d1/d8 every 3 weeks for 4 cycles is well tolerable and effective for stage II and III breast cancer. Supported in part by NCC Grant No. 06102240 and SHIN POONG PHARM CO., LTD. which provided paclitaxel and gemcitabine.

No significant financial relationships to disclose.

Overexpression of the osteopontin correlates with the aggressiveness of endometrial cancer

16048

Background: To test the hypothesis that expression of osteopontin (OPN), an integrin-binding glycoprotein, can independently predict the potential aggressiveness of endometrial cancer. Methods: The status of OPN expression in benign and malignant endometrial cancer cell lines and tissues was analyzed by real time PCR, Western blot, and immunohistochemistry. Nonparametric Spearman's correlation coefficient method was used to assess the statistical significance of the correlation between clinicopathologic characteristics of tumor and OPN expression. Results: An increased expression of OPN was observed in the endometrial cancer compared to normal endometrial tissue samples. When the level of OPN in normal tissue was set at 1, its level in benign endometrial hyperplasia was slightly increased at 1.2, whereas the OPN level in the highly malignant endometrial carcinoma tissue was greatly increased by nearly 3–5 folds. Amongst the 160 cases examined immunohistochemically, of the 43 grade 1 endometrial carcinomas, 31 were unstained and 12 stained weakly positive (+). For the 41 grade 3 or serous type endometrial carcinomas analyzed, 25 (60%) stained strongly positive (+++), 8 (19%) stained moderately positive (++) and 4 (9%) stained weakly positive (+). These results showed that the level of OPN expressed between grade 1 and grade 3 or more was significantly different (Spearman's correlation coefficient method, p = 0.001). However, Kaplan-Meier survival analysis showed that the increased level of OPN expression was not significantly associated with reduced survival time of the patients. Conclusion: The results suggest that the increased OPN level may be involved in the malignant transformation of endometrial adenocarcinoma cells.

No significant financial relationships to disclose.

The regulatory mechanism involved in paclitaxel-induced apoptosis: The role of ATF-3 on apoptosis in cervical cancer cell line (HeLa cell)

16052

Background: Paclitaxel, which is a potent anti-cancer drug and microtubule-binding agent, has been found to be effective against several tumors, including cervical cancer. However, the exact mechanism underlying the apoptotic effects of paclitaxel is poorly understood. Methods: We show that paclitaxel induces apoptosis, as demonstrated by DNA fragmentation, TUNEL assay, and flow cytometry analysis in cervical cancer HeLa cells, correlating with enhanced caspase-3 activation and p73 as well as p21, which are inhibited strongly by p73 siRNA. Results: The paclitaxel treatment followed by the overexpression of wild type ATF3 potentiated apoptosis is by enhancing p73 expression, but these events were attenuated in C-terminal deleted ATF3 or ATF3 siRNA-transfected cells. Interestingly, paclitaxel-induced ATF3 colocalizes with transfected GFP-p73 in nucleus, but not in p73 siRNA-transfected cells. Conversely, p73 may not affect ATF3 expression, as increase of ATF3 expression did not detect in p73-overexpressing cells. Furthermore, we observed that ATF3 binds to DNA binding domain of p73, confirmed by GST-pull down assay for ATF3. Additionally, ATF3 potentiates p21 gene, a downstream target of p73, promoter activity and p73-p21 binding activity induced by paclitaxel and also we have obtained similar data in the tissue of cervical cancer patient treated with paclitaxel. Conclusions: Collectively, these results demonstrate that overexpression of ATF3 potentiates paclitaxel-induced apoptosis in HeLa cells, at least in part, through stimulating the p73 expression and its transcriptional activity. ATF3 may function as a tumor-inhibiting factor by regulating directly p73 and may suggest a functional link between ATF3 and p73.

No significant financial relationships to disclose.

System size and energy dependence of jet-induced hadron pair correlation shapes in Cu+Cu and Au+Au collisions at square root sNN=200 and 62.4 GeV

We present azimuthal angle correlations of intermediate transverse momentum (1-4 GeV/c) hadrons from dijets in Cu+Cu and Au+Au collisions at square root sNN=62.4 and 200 GeV. The away-side dijet induced azimuthal correlation is broadened, non-Gaussian, and peaked away from Delta phi=pi in central and semicentral collisions in all the systems. The broadening and peak location are found to depend upon the number of participants in the collision, but not on the collision energy or beam nuclei. These results are consistent with sound or shock wave models, but pose challenges to Cherenkov gluon radiation models.

J/psi production versus transverse momentum and rapidity in p+p collisions at square root s=200 GeV

J/psi production in p+p collisions at square root s=200 GeV has been measured by the PHENIX experiment at the BNL Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider over a rapidity range of -2.2<y<2.2 and a transverse momentum range of 0<pT<9 GeV/c. The size of the present data set allows a detailed measurement of both the pT and the rapidity distributions and is sufficient to constrain production models. The total cross section times the branching ratio is Bll sigma pp J/psi=178+/-3stat+/-53sys+/-18norm nb.

J/psi production versus centrality, transverse momentum, and rapidity in Au+Au collisions at square root sNN=200 GeV

The PHENIX experiment at the BNL Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider (RHIC) has measured J/psi production for rapidities -2.2<y<2.2 in Au+Au collisions at square root sNN=200 GeV. The J/psi invariant yield and nuclear modification factor RAA as a function of centrality, transverse momentum, and rapidity are reported. A suppression of J/psi relative to binary collision scaling of proton-proton reaction yields is observed. Models which describe the lower energy J/psi data at the CERN Super Proton Synchrotron invoking only J/psi destruction based on the local medium density predict a significantly larger suppression at RHIC and more suppression at midrapidity than at forward rapidity. Both trends are contradicted by our data.

Chronological analysis of architectural and acoustical indices in music performance halls

This study aims to identify the changes in architectural and acoustical indices in halls for music performance built in the 18th through the 20th Centuries. Seventy-one halls are classified in five specific periods from the Classical Period (1751-1820) to the Contemporary Period (1981-2000) based on chronology in music and architectural acoustics. Architectural indices such as room shape, seating capacity, room volume, balcony configuration, and the like as well as acoustical indices such as RT, EDT, G, C80, IACC, and the like for the halls found in the literature are chronologically tabulated and statistically analyzed to identify trends and relationships in architectural and acoustical design for each of the historical periods identified. Some indices appear correlated with each other.

Scaling properties of azimuthal anisotropy in Au+Au and Cu+Cu Collisions at sqrt[s NN]=200 GeV

Differential measurements of elliptic flow (v2) for Au+Au and Cu+Cu collisions at sqrt[sNN]=200 GeV are used to test and validate predictions from perfect fluid hydrodynamics for scaling of v2 with eccentricity, system size, and transverse kinetic energy (KE T). For KE T identical with mT-m up to approximately 1 GeV the scaling is compatible with hydrodynamic expansion of a thermalized fluid. For large values of KE T mesons and baryons scale separately. Quark number scaling reveals a universal scaling of v2 for both mesons and baryons over the full KE T range for Au+Au. For Au+Au and Cu+Cu the scaling is more pronounced in terms of KE T, rather than transverse momentum.

Evidence for a long-range component in the pion emission source in Au+Au collisions at sqrt sNN=200 GeV

Emission source functions are extracted from correlation functions constructed from charged pions produced at midrapidity in Au+Au collisions at sqrt[s(NN)]=200 GeV. The source parameters extracted from these functions at low k(T) give first indications of a long tail for the pion emission source. The source extension cannot be explained solely by simple kinematic considerations. The possible role of a halo of secondary pions from resonance emissions is explored.

Measurement of direct photon production in p+p collisions at sqrt[s] = 200 GeV

Cross sections for midrapidity production of direct photons in p+p collisions at the Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider (RHIC) are reported for transverse momenta of 3 < pT < 16 GeV/c. Next-to-leading order perturbative QCD (pQCD) describes the data well for pT >5 GeV/c, where the uncertainties of the measurement and theory are comparable. We also report on the effect of requiring the photons to be isolated from parton jet energy. The observed fraction of isolated photons is well described by pQCD for pT >7 GeV/c.

Measurement of high-pT single electrons from heavy-flavor decays in p + p collisions at square root of s = 200 GeV

The momentum distribution of electrons from decays of heavy flavor (charm and bottom) for midrapidity absolute value of y < 0.35 in p + p collisions at square root of s = 200 GeV has been measured by the PHENIX experiment at the BNL Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider over the transverse momentum range 0.3 < pT < 9 GeV/c. Two independent methods have been used to determine the heavy-flavor yields, and the results are in good agreement with each other. A fixed-order-plus-next-to-leading-log perturbative QCD calculation agrees with the data within the theoretical and experimental uncertainties, with the data/theory ratio of 1.71+/-0.02stat+/-0.18sys for 0.3 < pT < 9 GeV/c. The total charm production cross section at this energy has also been deduced to be sigma cc = 567+/-57stat+/-193sys microb.

Dense-medium modifications to jet-induced hadron pair distributions in Au+Au collisions at sqrt s NN=200 GeV

Azimuthal correlations of jet-induced high-p(T) charged hadron pairs are studied at midrapidity in Au+Au collisions at sqrt[s(NN)]=200 GeV. The distribution of jet-associated partner hadrons (1.0<p(T)<2.5 GeV/c) per trigger hadron (2.5<p(T)<4.0 GeV/c) is found to vary with collision centrality, in both shape and yield, indicating a significant effect of the nuclear collision medium on the jet fragmentation process.

Aromatase inhibitors (AIs) with or without GnRH agonist as first-line hormone therapy in pre- and post-menopausal Korean women with metastatic breast cancer (MBC): Clinical outcomes in correlation with tumor ER/PR/HER2 status

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Background: Clinical outcomes of patients (pts) with MBC by AIs in comprehensive relationship with ER/PR/HER2 status have been scant that the study was performed to analyze their predictive values singly and in combination. Methods: 111 pts who took letrozole or anastrozole as first-line hormonal therapy for MBC were identified from the database at NCC Hospital between Nov. 2001 and Aug. 2005. Pts on AIs concomitantly with or immediately followed by chemotherapy were excluded. AIs/GnRH agonists were used when hormonal levels were not postmenopausal. ER/PR were scored strong, intermediate or weak. HER2+ was IHC 3+ or FISH+. HER2− was IHC 0, 1+ or 2+/FISH−. Clinical benefit (CB) included CR/PR/improving or SD ≥6 months. Results: Median age was 54 years (range, 29–78). Overall 66% achieved CB (CR/PR 18%, improving 26%, and SD ≥ 6mo 22%) with median TTP, 9 mo (range, 1–50, 95% CI, 7–11), and median survival, 41 mo (range, 2–50). Age, AIs with (20) vs. without (91) GnRH agonist, DFI ≤ vs. > 24 mo, adjuvant tamoxifen, or prior metastatic chemotherapy did not affect clinical outcomes. Disease sites (%) were bone (64), LN (52), lung/pleura (41), liver (25), breast (20) and skin (7). Bone only disease had longer TTP (p = 0.004), while liver involvement was associated with short TTP (p = 0.0001)/OS (p = 0.007). ER was 56% strong +, 21% intermediate +, 15% weak +, 5% - and 3% unknown, PR: 24% strong +, 23% intermediate +, 24% weak +, 23% -, and 5% unknown, and HER2: 23% +, 67% -, and 10% unknown. Staining intensity did not affect CB in ER+ tumors. More CB (p = 0.002)/longer TTP (p = 0.003) with strong/intermediate PR+ tumors vs. weak PR+/PR− tumors, and more CB with ER+/PR+ tumors vs. ER+/PR− tumors (P = 0.016) were observed. More CB with HER2− tumors vs. HER2+ tumors (p = 0.001), and with PR+/HER2− tumors vs. the rest (PR−/HER−, PR+/HER+, PR−/HER+) (p = 0.0007) were seen. HER2 positivity was associated with less CB (p = 0.0004)/shorter TTP (p = 0.0157) in ER+/PR+ tumors vs. no influence on CB (p = 0.245)/TTP (p = 0.52) in ER+/PR− tumors. Conclusions: AIs with or without GnRH agonist are effective therapy for pts with MBC, specifically with ER+/PR+/HER2− tumors regardless of ages.

No significant financial relationships to disclose.

Azimuthal angle correlations for rapidity separated Hadron pairs in d+Au collisions at square root of sNN=200 GeV

Deuteron-gold (d+Au) collisions at the Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider provide ideal platforms for testing QCD theories in dense nuclear matter at high energy. In particular, models suggesting strong saturation effects for partons carrying small nucleon momentum fraction (x) predict modifications to jet production at forward rapidity (deuteron-going direction) in d+Au collisions. We report on two-particle azimuthal angle correlations between charged hadrons at forward/backward (deuteron/gold going direction) rapidity and charged hadrons at midrapidity in d+Au and p+p collisions at square root of sNN=200 GeV. Jet structures observed in the correlations are quantified in terms of the conditional yield and angular width of away-side partners. The kinematic region studied here samples partons in the gold nucleus with x~0.1 to ~0.01. Within this range, we find no x dependence of the jet structure in d+Au collisions.

Common suppression pattern of eta and pi0 mesons at high transverse momentum in Au + Au collisions at square root S(NN) = 200 GeV

Inclusive transverse momentum spectra of eta mesons have been measured within p(T) = 2-10 GeV/c at midrapidity by the PHENIX experiment in Au + Au collisions at square root S(NN) = 200 GeV. In central Au+Au the eta yields are significantly suppressed compared to peripheral Au + Au, d + Au, and p + p yields scaled by the corresponding number of nucleon-nucleon collisions. The magnitude, centrality, and p(T) dependence of the suppression is common, within errors, for eta and pi0. The ratio of eta to pi0 spectra at high p(T) amounts to 0.40 < R(eta/pi)0 < 0.48 for the three systems, in agreement with the world average measured in hadronic and nuclear reactions and, at large scaled momentum, in e+e- collisions.

Serum HER-2 concentration in patients with primary breast cancer

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate whether serum HER-2/neu (HER-2) concentration is a valid index of HER-2 status in women with primary breast cancer, and to establish a normal reference range for serum HER-2 concentration in Korean women.

METHODS

Serum HER-2 concentration was measured and immunohistochemistry (IHC) and fluorescence in situ hybridisation (FISH) carried out on tissue samples from 86 consecutive female patients. The results of the three datasets were compared. The cut off value of HER-2 concentration was determined from the mean +2SD values derived from the serum of 93 healthy volunteers.

RESULTS

The IHC and FISH data were significantly correlated (p<0.01), but neither showed significant correlation with the serum HER-2 data. The cut off value of serum HER-2 was 10.2 microg/l, and the serum HER-2 concentration of patients with primary breast cancer ranged from 5.0 to 17.5 microg/l. Only five patients had a serum HER-2 value above the cut off value.

CONCLUSIONS

Serum HER-2 concentration cannot be substituted for IHC or FISH to evaluate HER-2 status, nor can it be used as a diagnostic tumour marker in primary breast cancer, considering the low prevalence of serum HER-2 elevation.

Single electrons from heavy-flavor decays in collisions at

The invariant differential cross section for inclusive electron production in p+p collisions at [FORMULA: SEE TEXT] has been measured by the PHENIX experiment at the BNL Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider over the transverse momentum range 0.4<or=pT<OR=5.0 GeV/c in the central rapidity region ([FORMULA: SEE TEXT]). The contribution to the inclusive electron spectrum from semileptonic decays of hadrons carrying heavy flavor, i.e., charm quarks or, at high , bottom quarks, is determined via three independent methods. The resulting electron spectrum from heavy-flavor decays is compared to recent leading and next-to-leading order perturbative QCD calculations. The total cross section of charm quark-antiquark pair production is determined to be [FORMULA: SEE TEXT].

Measurement of identified and inclusive photon second-harmonic parameter and implications for direct photon production in [FORMULA: SEE TEXT] Au+Au

The azimuthal distribution of identified pi0 and inclusive photons has been measured in [FORMULA: SEE TEXT] Au+Au collisions with the PHENIX experiment at the Relativistic Heavy-Ion Collider (RHIC). The second-harmonic parameter (nu2) was measured to describe the observed anisotropy of the azimuthal distribution. The measured inclusive photon is consistent with the value expected for the photons from hadron decay and is also consistent with the lack of direct photon signal over the measured pT range 1-6 GeV/c. An attempt is made to extract nu2 of direct photons.

Nuclear modification of electron spectra and implications for heavy quark energy loss in Au+Au collisions at [FORMULA: SEE TEXT]

The PHENIX experiment has measured midrapidity ([FORMULA: SEE TEXT]) transverse momentum spectra ([FORMULA: SEE TEXT]) of electrons as a function of centrality in Au+Au collisions at [FORMULA: SEE TEXT]. Contributions from photon conversions and from light hadron decays, mainly Dalitz decays of pi0 and eta mesons, were removed. The resulting nonphotonic electron spectra are primarily due to the semileptonic decays of hadrons carrying heavy quarks. Nuclear modification factors were determined by comparison to nonphotonic electrons in p+p collisions. A significant suppression of electrons at high pT is observed in central Au+Au collisions, indicating substantial energy loss of heavy quarks.

J/psi production and nuclear effects for d + Au and p + p collisions at square root of S(NN) = 200 GeV

J/psi production in d + Au and p + p collisions at square root of S(NN) = 200 GeV has been measured by the PHENIX experiment at rapidities -2.2 < y < +2.4. The cross sections and nuclear dependence of J/psi production versus rapidity, transverse momentum, and centrality are obtained and compared to lower energy p + A results and to theoretical models. The observed nuclear dependence in d + Au collisions is found to be modest, suggesting that the absorption in the final state is weak and the shadowing of the gluon distributions is small and consistent with Dokshitzer-Gribov-Lipatov-Altarelli-Parisi-based parametrizations that fit deep-inelastic scattering and Drell-Yan data at lower energies.