Clinical feasibility of (neo)adjuvant taxane-based chemotherapy in older patients: analysis of >4,500 patients from four German randomized breast cancer trials

Tolerance and Outcomes of Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy in Geriatric Breast Cancer Patients

INTRODUCTION

Neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) is an established treatment option for patients with human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-positive (Her2+) or triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). However, the toxicities associated with NAC may lead to reduced tolerance in geriatric patients due to medical comorbidities. Our objective is to evaluate the tolerance and outcomes of NAC in geriatric patients with TNBC and Her2+ breast cancer.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

An institutional review board approved, retrospective study of 43 geriatric (≥70 y) and 103 non-geriatric (<70 y) patients with TNBC and Her2+ breast cancer was conducted. Demographic, comorbidity, treatment, and toxicity variables were collected. Log-rank tests and Cox regression visualized survival outcomes evaluated associations with clinical and demographic variables. Descriptive statistics were performed.

RESULTS

Following NAC, 30% geriatric patients had a pathologic complete response in the primary tumor, 54% had a partial response, and 16% had no response. Of the non-geriatric patients, 24% had a pathologic complete response, 64% had a partial response, and 12% showed no response. NAC-associated toxicities occurred in 81% of geriatric patients and 73% non-geriatric patients, with neutropenia occurring most frequently in both groups. Dose reduction and early discontinuation of NAC each occurred more frequently in the geriatric group (14%; 23%) than the non-geriatric group (7%; 6%). Higher post-treatment Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group scores were associated with worse overall survival and worse recurrence-free survival in both groups.

CONCLUSIONS

NAC was associated with reduced tumor and nodal stage in most geriatric patients; however, NAC-associated toxicities were common and led some patients to reduce or stop their NAC regimen prematurely.

Systemic therapy for older patients with early breast cancer

Over a third of breast cancers are diagnosed in patients ≥70 years. With the ageing of the population, the number of older breast cancer patients will continue to rise. Older patients are under-represented in clinical studies underpinning breast cancer therapy, and frequently do not receive guideline-concordant care. This review outlines the evidence on the efficacy and the safety of systemic treatment options for the management of early-stage breast cancer (EBC) in older adults and identifies where critical data gaps exist. Chemotherapy is beneficial for older patients with oestrogen receptor (ER)-negative EBC, whilst the benefit for those with ER-positive disease is less certain. Careful consideration should be given to the side-effect profile of the treatment regimen chosen, owing to the risks of myelosuppression and cardiac damage, as well as toxicities, such as neuropathy, that may impact independence. The impact of chemotherapy on quality of life (QOL) outcomes appears significant but reversible in this population. Gene expression profiling, benefit and chemotherapy toxicity prediction tools integrating global health considerations hold promise to better inform chemotherapy decisions in this population. Benefits on targeted anti-human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) agents is maintained in older EBC patients with a favourable safety profile. Endocrine therapy including aromatase inhibitors is the standard of care in this population, and extended treatment decisions should consider effects on bone health and life expectancy. More trials recruiting older adults with pragmatic designs and meaningful endpoints for this population are warranted to better inform systemic treatment decisions and discussion with patients.

Mucinous carcinoma in an octogenarian: Treatment and management of breast cancer in the elderly

Age is a risk factor for breast cancer in females, and over 60% of female breast cancer deaths occur in those aged 65 and older. As the population in the United States continues to age, it is expected that there will be a commensurate increase in the number of women diagnosed with breast cancer, making understanding of effective treatment and management of breast cancer in the elderly essential.

Here, we review the treatment and management of early breast cancer in the elderly. We report a case of invasive mucinous carcinoma in an 80-year-old female detected on routine clinical breast exam by her primary care physician. Mucinous carcinoma of the breast is a type of rare invasive neoplasm that generally carries an excellent prognosis. Following an ultrasound-guided core needle biopsy, a right breast needle localized segmental mastectomy was performed and the patient was prescribed an aromatase inhibitor for hormone-receptor positive tumor. After a follow-up of 8 years, the patient remains free of recurrence or metastasis and vibrantly living meaningful daily life.

Efficacy and safety of cyclophosphamide in anthracycline- and taxane-based neoadjuvant chemotherapy in breast cancer: a meta-analysis

Background

Our study aimed to compare the efficacy and safety of anthracycline plus taxane (AT)-based neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) with or without cyclophosphamide in the treatment of breast cancer.

Methods

We searched PubMed, Embase, Web of Science and the Cochrane Library for randomized controlled studies comparing the efficacy and safety of AT-based NAC with or without cyclophosphamide in breast cancer patients.

Results

Four eligible studies with 2,302 individuals were ultimately included in the quantitative analysis. After applying the AT-based NAC regimen, the overall rates of pathologic complete response (pCR) and breast conserving surgery in all included subjects were 26.5% and 70.6%, respectively. The rates of pCR [risk ratio (RR): 1.35; 95% CI: 0.75, 2.45; P=0.32], breast-conserving surgery (RR: 1.07; 95% CI: 0.97, 1.19; P=0.17) and clinical response (RR: 1.08; 95% CI: 0.97, 1.19; P=0.15) in patients in the cyclophosphamide group were similar to those in the control group. However, participants in the cyclophosphamide group had a lower no clinical response rate than those in the control group (RR: 0.72; 95% CI: 0.60, 0.87; P<0.001). Subjects in the cyclophosphamide group had significantly lower rates of infection (RR: 0.57; 95% CI: 0.41, 0.79; P<0.001) and diarrhea (RR: 0.46; 95% CI: 0.30, 0.68; P<0.001) and higher rates of thrombocytopenia (RR: 3.38; 95% CI: 1.96, 5.84; P<0.001), sensory/motor neuropathy (RR: 1.57; 95% CI: 1.03, 2.39; P=0.03) and nausea/vomiting (RR: 1.51; 95% CI: 1.11, 2.06; P=0.009) than those in the control group.

Conclusions

The AT-based NAC regimen with or without cyclophosphamide had similar clinical outcomes in breast cancer patients. The addition of cyclophosphamide might increase the risks of thrombocytopenia, sensory/motor neuropathy and nausea/vomiting.

Continuation of Annual Screening Mammography and Breast Cancer Mortality in Women Older Than 70 Years

BACKGROUND

Randomized trials have shown that initiating breast cancer screening between ages 50 and 69 years and continuing it for 10 years decreases breast cancer mortality. However, no trials have studied whether or when women can safely stop screening mammography. An estimated 52% of women aged 75 years or older undergo screening mammography in the United States.

OBJECTIVE

To estimate the effect of breast cancer screening on breast cancer mortality in Medicare beneficiaries aged 70 to 84 years.

DESIGN

Large-scale, population-based, observational study of 2 screening strategies: continuing annual mammography, and stopping screening.

SETTING

U.S. Medicare program, 2000 to 2008.

PARTICIPANTS

1 058 013 beneficiaries aged 70 to 84 years who had a life expectancy of at least 10 years, had no previous breast cancer diagnosis, and underwent screening mammography.

MEASUREMENTS

Eight-year breast cancer mortality, incidence, and treatments, plus the positive predictive value of screening mammography by age group.

RESULTS

In women aged 70 to 74 years, the estimated difference in 8-year risk for breast cancer death between continuing and stopping screening was -1.0 (95% CI, -2.3 to 0.1) death per 1000 women (hazard ratio, 0.78 [CI, 0.63 to 0.95]) (a negative risk difference favors continuing). In those aged 75 to 84 years, the corresponding risk difference was 0.07 (CI, -0.93 to 1.3) death per 1000 women (hazard ratio, 1.00 [CI, 0.83 to 1.19]).

LIMITATIONS

The available Medicare data permit only 8 years of follow-up after screening. As with any study using observational data, the estimates could be affected by residual confounding.

CONCLUSION

Continuing annual breast cancer screening past age 75 years did not result in substantial reductions in 8-year breast cancer mortality compared with stopping screening.

PRIMARY FUNDING SOURCE

National Institutes of Health.

Impact of Older Age and Comorbidity on Locoregional and Distant Breast Cancer Recurrence: A Large Population-Based Study

BACKGROUND

Studies have demonstrated worse breast cancer-specific mortality with older age, despite an increasing risk of dying from other causes due to comorbidity (competing mortality). However, findings on the association between older age and recurrence risk are inconsistent. The aim of this study was to assess incidences of locoregional and distant recurrence by age, taking competing mortality into account.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Patients surgically treated for nonmetastasized breast cancer between 2003 and 2009 were selected from The Netherlands Cancer Registry. Cumulative incidences of recurrence were calculated considering death without distant recurrence as competing event. Fine and Gray analyses were performed to characterize the impact of age (70-74 [reference group], 75-79, and ≥80 years) on recurrence risk.

RESULTS

A total of 18,419 patients were included. Nine-year cumulative incidences of locoregional recurrence were 2.5%, 3.1%, and 2.9% in patients aged 70-74, 75-79, and ≥80 years, and 9-year cumulative incidences of distant recurrence were 10.9%, 15.9%, and 12.7%, respectively. After adjustment for tumor and treatment characteristics, age was not associated with locoregional recurrence risk. For distant recurrence, patients aged 75-79 years remained at higher risk after adjustment for tumor and treatment characteristics (75-79 years subdistribution hazard ratio [sHR], 1.25; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.11-1.41; ≥80 years sHR, 1.03; 95% CI, 0.91-1.17).

CONCLUSION

Patients aged 75-79 years had a higher risk of distant recurrence than patients aged 70-74 years, despite the higher competing mortality. Individualizing treatment by using prediction tools that include competing mortality could improve outcome for older patients with breast cancer.

IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE

In this population-based study of 18,419 surgically treated patients aged 70 years or older, patients aged 75-79 years were at higher risk of distant recurrence than were patients aged 70-74 years. This finding suggests that patients in this age category are undertreated. In contrast, it was also demonstrated that the risk of dying without a recurrence strongly increases with age, and patients with a high competing mortality risk are easily overtreated. To identify older patients who may benefit from more treatment, clinicians should therefore take competing mortality risk into account. Prediction tools could facilitate this and thereby improve treatment strategy.

Interdisciplinary Screening, Diagnosis, Therapy and Follow-up of Breast Cancer. Guideline of the DGGG and the DKG (S3-Level, AWMF Registry Number 032/045OL, December 2017) - Part 2 with Recommendations for the Therapy of Primary, Recurrent and Advanced Breast Cancer

Purpose The aim of this official guideline coordinated and published by the German Society for Gynecology and Obstetrics (DGGG) and the German Cancer Society (DKG) was to optimize the screening, diagnosis, therapy and follow-up care of breast cancer. Method The process of updating the S3 guideline published in 2012 was based on the adaptation of identified source guidelines. They were combined with reviews of evidence compiled using PICO (Patients/Interventions/Control/Outcome) questions and with the results of a systematic search of literature databases followed by the selection and evaluation of the identified literature. The interdisciplinary working groups took the identified materials as their starting point and used them to develop suggestions for recommendations and statements, which were then modified and graded in a structured consensus process procedure. Recommendations Part 2 of this short version of the guideline presents recommendations for the therapy of primary, recurrent and metastatic breast cancer. Loco-regional therapies are de-escalated in the current guideline. In addition to reducing the safety margins for surgical procedures, the guideline also recommends reducing the radicality of axillary surgery. The choice and extent of systemic therapy depends on the respective tumor biology. New substances are becoming available, particularly to treat metastatic breast cancer.

A pilot study evaluating chemotherapy tolerability for breast cancer patients who have received prior treatment and chest radiation for Hodgkin Lymphoma

MICROABSTRACT

Women treated with chest radiation for Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) have significantly higher risk of developing breast cancer, and little is known about how these patients tolerate chemotherapy for breast cancer. This small retrospective study identified 15 patients, noting that these patients tolerate proposed chemotherapy regimens for breast cancer in rates similar to those without prior HL and therapeutic radiation.

PURPOSE

Women treated for Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) with chest radiation have significantly higher risk of developing breast cancer, and little is known about how these patients tolerate chemotherapy for breast cancer.

METHODS

Women with breast cancer diagnosed from 1986-2015 after radiation for HL were identified from hospitals and clinics in St. Paul and Minneapolis, Minnesota. Patient, tumor and treatment characteristics, and clinical outcomes were abstracted from medical records and summarized using descriptive statistics. Chemotherapy was defined as tolerated if all scheduled doses and cycles were completed without deviation from the initial plan, with lack of grade 3 or higher toxicity attributable to chemotherapy in categories including blood, cardiac, gastrointestinal, fatigue and pain.

RESULTS

Forty-two patients with breast cancer and prior radiation for HL were identified, 15 of which received chemotherapy for breast cancer. We noted 75% tolerability of taxane-based and 100% tolerability of anthracycline-based chemotherapy, suggesting that most patients with prior radiation for HL tolerate chemotherapy for breast cancer. A subset of patients (N = 7) in this study were also treated with chemotherapy for HL prior to breast cancer diagnosis, and 86% (6 of 7) also tolerated chemotherapy for breast cancer.

CONCLUSIONS

Treatment of breast cancer is strongly influenced by prior treatment of HL. Although this study was small and did not meet statistical significance, the data suggest that these patients tolerate proposed chemotherapy regimens for breast cancer in rates similar to those without prior HL and therapeutic radiation. Larger studies comparing specific chemotherapy dosing schedules are needed to address this complicated population.

Pertuzumab and trastuzumab with or without metronomic chemotherapy for older patients with HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer (EORTC 75111-10114): an open-label, randomised, phase 2 trial from the Elderly Task Force/Breast Cancer Group

BACKGROUND

Despite the high incidence of metastatic breast cancer and its related mortality in the elderly population, our knowledge about optimal treatment for older patients with cancer is far from adequate. We aimed to evaluate the efficacy of dual anti-HER2 treatment with or without metronomic chemotherapy in older patients with HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer.

METHODS

We did a multicentre, open-label, randomised, phase 2 trial in 30 centres from eight countries in Europe, in patients with histologically proven, HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer, without previous chemotherapy for metastatic disease, who were 70 years or older, or 60 years or older with confirmed functional restrictions defined by protocol, and had a life expectancy of more than 12 weeks and a performance status according to WHO scale of 0-3. Eligible patients were randomly assigned (1:1) by an online randomisation system based on the minimisation method to receive metronomic oral cyclophosphamide 50 mg per day plus trastuzumab and pertuzumab, or trastuzumab and pertuzumab alone. Trastuzumab was given intravenously with a loading dose of 8 mg/kg, followed by 6 mg/kg every 3 weeks. Pertuzumab was given intravenously with a loading dose of 840 mg, followed by 420 mg every 3 weeks. Patients were stratified by hormone receptor positivity, previous HER2 treatment, and baseline geriatric screening. The primary endpoint was investigator-assessed progression-free survival at 6 months as per Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST) version 1.1. A difference of 10% or greater between the two groups was sought. Efficacy analyses were by intention to treat; safety was assessed in all patients who received at least one dose of study treatment. In case of progression, all patients were offered trastuzumab emtansine. This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT01597414, and is completed.

FINDINGS

Between July 2, 2013, and May 10, 2016, 80 patients, of whom 56 (70%) had a potential frailty profile according to the geriatric screening G8 score (≤14), were randomly assigned to receive trastuzumab and pertuzumab (n=39) or trastuzumab and pertuzumab plus metronomic oral cyclophosphamide (n=41). Estimated progression-free survival at 6 months was 46·2% (95% CI 30·2-60·7) with trastuzumab and pertuzumab versus 73·4% (56·6-84·6) with trastuzumab and pertuzumab plus metronomic oral cyclophosphamide (hazard ratio [HR] 0·65 [95% CI 0·37-1·12], p=0·12). At a median follow-up of 20·7 months (IQR 12·5-30·4), the median progression-free survival was 5·6 months (95% CI 3·6-16·8) with trastuzumab and pertuzumab versus 12·7 months (6·7-24·8) with the addition of metronomic oral cyclophosphamide. The most frequent grade 3-4 adverse events were hypertension (in six [15%] of 39 patients in the trastuzumab and pertuzumab group vs five [12%] of 41 in the trastuzumab and pertuzumab plus metronomic oral cyclophosphamide group), diarrhoea (four [10%] vs five [12%]), dyspnoea (two [5%] vs four [10%]), fatigue (three [8%] vs two [5%]), pain (two [5%] vs two [5%]), and a thromboembolic event (0 [0%] vs four [10%]). Severe cardiac toxicities were occasionally observed in both groups. In the trastuzumab and pertuzumab group four patients died without progression, due to cardiac arrest during treatment (n=1), peritoneal infection (n=1), respiratory failure (n=1), and sudden death without a specified cause (n=1). In the trastuzumab and pertuzumab plus metronomic oral cyclophosphamide group, one patient died from heart failure.

INTERPRETATION

Addition of metronomic oral cyclophosphamide to trastuzumab plus pertuzumab in older and frail patients with HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer increased median progression-free survival by 7 months compared with dual HER2 blockade alone, with an acceptable safety profile. Trastuzumab and pertuzumab plus metronomic oral cyclophosphamide, followed by trastuzumab emtansine after disease progression, might delay or supersede the need for taxane chemotherapy in this population.

FUNDING

F Hoffmann-La Roche.

Controversial issues in the management of older adults with early breast cancer

It is well recognized that the incidence of breast cancer increases significantly with age. Despite this, older people remain under-represented in many clinical trials and their management relies on extrapolation of data from younger patients. Providing an aggressive intervention can be challenging, particularly in less fit older patients where a conservative approach is commonly perceived to be more appropriate. The optimal management of this population is unknown and treatment decision should be personalized. This review article will discuss several controversial issues in managing older adults with early breast cancer in a multidisciplinary setting, including the role of surgical treatment of the axilla in clinically node negative disease, radiotherapy after breast conservation surgery in low-risk tumours, personalizing adjuvant systemic therapy, and geriatric assessments in breast cancer treatment decisions.

Cardiac safety of adjuvant non-pegylated liposomal doxorubicin combined with cyclophosphamide and followed by paclitaxel in older breast cancer patients

PURPOSE

To investigate the cardiac safety of adjuvant Non-Pegylated Liposomal Doxorubicin (NPL-DOX) combined to Cyclophosphamide (CTX) and followed by weekly Paclitaxel, in older patients (≥65 years) with diagnosis of high risk breast cancer. The main end point of this prospective study was the detection of early episodes of symptomatic congestive heart failure (CHF).

METHODS

The cardiac function was evaluated by left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) measurements with repeated echocardiograms, performed 2 weeks before the beginning of chemotherapy and every 6 months, until 30 months after the study entry; then yearly for at least 5 years.

RESULTS

Forty-seven patients were enrolled from two Italian Divisions of Medical Oncology. Final results revealed no early episodes of symptomatic CHF within the first 12 months from the enrolment. Only two cardiac events were observed: an episode of atrial flutter after the first cycle of NPL-DOX and CTX, with a quick return to normal rhythm, and a grade 3 (scored to NCI-CTCAE, version 3.0) CHF episode, 18 months later chemotherapy start. No other relevant toxicities were reported.

CONCLUSIONS

This adjuvant combination including NPL-DOX in elderly patients, resulted in a low rate of cardiac toxic effects. Comparative trials should be encouraged to confirm these findings.

A randomized phase 2 study comparing EC or CMF versus nab-paclitaxel plus capecitabine as adjuvant chemotherapy for nonfrail elderly patients with moderate to high-risk early breast cancer (ICE II-GBG 52)

BACKGROUND

Although greater than 40% of breast cancers occur in patients aged ≥65 years, these individuals are frequently undertreated. Taxane-based adjuvant chemotherapy is considered the treatment of choice but to the authors' knowledge has only limited evidence in elderly patients.

METHODS

Patients aged ≥65 years with a Charlson comorbidity index ≤2 and pT1/2 pN0/1 disease and either human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-positive, hormone receptor-negative, grade 3 (according to Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events [version 3.0]), high uPA/PAI-1 or any stage pT3/4 pN2/3 breast cancer were randomized to receive 4 cycles of adjuvant epirubicin and cyclophosphamide (EC) (epirubicin at a dose of 90 mg/m(2) and cyclophosphamide at a dose of 600 mg/m(2) intravenously [iv] on day 1 every 3 22 days) or 6 cycles of cyclophosphamide, methotrexate, and 5-fluorouracil (CMF) (cyclophosphamide at a dose of 500 mg/m(2), methotrexate at a dose of 40 mg/m(2), and 5-fluorouracil at a dose of 600 mg/m(2) iv on days 1 plus 8 every 29 days) versus 6 cycles of nab-paclitaxel and capecitabine (nPX) (nab-paclitaxel at a dose of 100 mg/m(2) iv on days 1, 8, and 15 every 21 days with 1 week of rest every 6 weeks plus capecitabine at a dose of 2000 mg/m(2) orally on days 1-14 every 21 days). Primary endpoints were treatment discontinuations and overall frequency of adverse events.

RESULTS

Thirteen of 198 patients (6.6%) discontinued EC/CMF and 69 of 193 patients (35.8%) discontinued nPX (P<.001) with 1 and 5 deaths observed during treatment, respectively. Grade 3 to 5 adverse events were more frequent among patients treated with EC/CMF (90.9%) than among those treated with nPX (64.8%) (P<.001), with hematological toxicities being more frequent with EC/CMF (88.4% vs 22.3%; P<.001), but nonhematological toxicities (hand-foot syndrome, diarrhea, mucositis, fatigue, sensory neuropathy, thromboembolisms, and metabolic disorders) being more frequent with nPX (58.5% vs 18.7%; P<.001). None of the geriatric scores (Charlson comorbidity index, Vulnerable Elders Survey [VES-13], Instrumental Activities of Daily Living [IADL], and G8) independently predicted grade 3 to 5 toxic events or treatment discontinuations. No differences in survival between the treatment groups were observed after 22.8 months.

CONCLUSIONS

Compared with EC/CMF, treatment with nPX led to more treatment discontinuations and nonhematological toxicities in elderly patients with moderate or high-risk breast cancer.

Comparison of toxicity experienced by older versus younger patients enrolled in breast cancer clinical trials

BACKGROUND

Elderly patients form a large proportion of patients with breast cancer but are underrepresented in clinical trials. We examined whether elderly patients experience more toxicity than younger patients within breast cancer clinical trials.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

All breast cancer trials open from 1999 to 2012 at BCCA, Vancouver Center, were reviewed. The primary endpoint was meaningful toxicity (MTOX), defined as any grade 3 or 4 adverse event (AE), any AE leading to dose delay or reduction, or premature discontinuation of therapy.

RESULTS

In the 46 trials enrolling 799 patients, the therapy given was chemotherapy to 18% of the patients, hormonal therapy to 40%, skeletal therapy to 14%, and targeted therapy and a combination of chemotherapy and targeted therapy to 14%. Elderly patients were more likely to enroll in hormonal and skeletal therapy trials, and younger patients were evenly distributed among the therapy types. Toxicity data were available for 778 patients (97%). Elderly patients and younger patients experienced a similar number and frequency of MTOX. The therapy type was the strongest predictor of toxicity on multivariate analysis. In non-chemotherapy-containing trials, elderly and younger patients had a similar frequency and number of toxicities. Few elderly patients were enrolled in cytotoxic chemotherapy trials, but they experienced no more toxicity than did the younger patients.

CONCLUSION

The appropriate selection of elderly patients using eligibility criteria, self selection, and/or clinician assessment will allow safe participation of elderly patients in breast cancer trials.

Present status of adjuvant chemotherapy for elderly breast cancer patients

Elderly breast cancer patients are underrepresented in clinical trials, leading to a lack of knowledge regarding their tolerance of modern chemotherapy regimens. In addition, physicians are often reluctant to treat older patients with chemotherapy due to potential side effects. This article summarizes the up-to-date literature on chemotherapy in elderly patients with breast cancer, evaluates the impact of the patients' comorbidities and treatment alterations and aims to encourage treating patients adequately according to their disease in combination with the biological age rather than the chronological age alone. Finally, a short overview is given of the recruiting studies in Europe evaluating chemotherapy in elderly patients.

Sequential paclitaxel followed by tegafur and uracil (UFT) or S-1 versus UFT or S-1 monotherapy as adjuvant chemotherapy for T4a/b gastric cancer (SAMIT): a phase 3 factorial randomised controlled trial

BACKGROUND

The prognosis for locally advanced gastric cancer is poor despite advances in adjuvant chemotherapy. We did the Stomach cancer Adjuvant Multi-Institutional group Trial (SAMIT) to assess the superiority of sequential treatment (paclitaxel then tegafur and uracil [UFT] or paclitaxel then S-1) compared with monotherapy (UFT or S-1) and also the non-inferiority of UFT compared with S-1.

METHODS

We did this randomised phase 3 trial with a two-by-two factorial design at 230 hospitals in Japan. We enrolled patients aged 20-80 years with T4a or T4b gastric cancer, who had had D2 dissection and a ECOG performance score of 0-1. Patients were randomly assigned to one of four treatment groups with minimisation for tumour size, lymph node metastasis, and study site. Patients received UFT only (267 mg/m(2) per day), S-1 only (80 mg/m(2) per day) for 14 days, with a 7-day rest period or three courses of intermittent weekly paclitaxel (80 mg/m(2)) followed by either UFT, or S-1. Treatment lasted 48 weeks in monotherapy groups and 49 weeks in the sequential treatment groups. The primary endpoint was disease-free survival assessed by intention to treat. We assessed whether UFT was non-inferior to S-1 with a non-inferiority margin of 1·33. This trial was registered at UMIN Clinical Trials Registry, number C000000082.

FINDINGS

We randomly assigned 1495 patients between Aug 3, 2004, and Sept 29, 2009. 374 patients were assigned to receive UFT alone, 374 to receive S-1 alone, 374 to received paclitaxel then UFT, and 373 to receive paclitaxel then S-1. We included 1433 patients in the primary analysis after at least 3 years of follow-up (359, 364, 355, and 355 in each group respectively). Protocol treatment was completed by 215 (60%) patients in the UFT group, 224 (62%) in the S-1 group, 242 (68%) in the paclitaxel then UFT group, and 250 (70%) in the paclitaxel then S-1 group. 3-year disease-free survival for monotherapy was 54·0% (95% CI 50·2-57·6) and that of sequential treatment was 57·2% (53·4-60·8; hazard ratio [HR] 0·92, 95% CI 0·80-1·07, p=0·273). 3-year disease-free survival for the UFT group was 53·0% (95% CI 49·2-56·6) and that of the S-1 group was 58·2% (54·4-61·8; HR 0·81, 95% CI 0·70-0·93, p=0·0048; pnon-inferiority=0·151). The most common grade 3-4 haematological adverse event was neutropenia (41 [11%] of 359 patients in the UFT group, 48 [13%] of 363 in the S-1 group, 46 [13%] of 355 in the paclitaxel then UFT group, and 83 [23%] of 356 in the paclitaxel then S-1 group). The most common grade 3-4 non-haematological adverse event was anorexia (21 [6%], 24 [7%], seven [2%], and 18 [5%], respectively).

INTERPRETATION

Sequential treatment did not improve disease-free survival, and UFT was not non-inferior to S-1 (and S-1 was superior to UFT), therefore S-1 monotherapy should remain the standard treatment for locally advanced gastric cancer in Japan.

FUNDING

Epidemiological and Clinical Research Information Network.

Side effects of standard adjuvant and neoadjuvant chemotherapy regimens according to age groups in primary breast cancer

BACKGROUND

Elderly breast cancer patients are underrepresented in clinical trials and this leads to a lack of knowledge regarding the tolerance and side effects of modern chemotherapy regimens, especially in dose-dense (dd) or dose-intensified combination.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

In this analysis, data from 4 German, randomized (neo-)adjuvant trials, including anthracycline-based chemotherapy, were evaluated for toxicity, compliance and feasibility. Patients were grouped according to age.

RESULTS

Of the 4,775 patients, 73.6% were < 60 years, 15.8% were 60-64 years and 10.6% were > 64 years. The patients' compliance decreased with increasing age, the rate of therapy discontinuations was 10.3%; 16.0% were > 64 years old (p < 0.001). The rate of dose reductions also increased with increasing age in the docetaxel/doxorubicin/cyclophosphamide (TAC) (p overall = 0.02) and 5-fluorouracil/epirubicin-cyclophosphamide (FE120C) (p overall < 0.001) treatment groups. Neutropenia grade 3 + 4 in patients of > 64 years was 77% in FE120C- compared to 55% in TAC-treated patients (with primary granulocyte colony-stimulating factors (G-CSFs)). The incidence of febrile neutropenia (FN) was lowest in the regimens without additional taxanes. FN in patients aged > 64 years was lower in the FE120C- than in TAC-and dd-doxorubicin/docetaxel-treated groups.

CONCLUSION

The range and intensity of toxicity increased with age. Neutropenia did not increase significantly in the dd groups; the highest rate was seen in FE120C-treated patients. FE120C without G-CSFs is not an option in patients older than 64 years.

Breast cancer management in the elderly

The increase in life expectancy in the western world means that we are faced with patients diagnosed with breast cancer in old age with increasing frequency. The management of these cases is a challenge for the oncologist, who must take into account the conditions associated with advanced age and the lack of trials in this population. In this review, we addressed the incorporation of geriatric assessment methods that may be useful in making decisions, the particular biological characteristics of breast cancer in elderly patients and their treatment in both localized and advanced disease. Finally, we collected recommendations based on scientific evidence regarding the monitoring and life-style after finishing treatment.

Toxicity Analysis in the ADEBAR Trial: Sequential Anthracycline-Taxane Therapy Compared with FEC120 for the Adjuvant Treatment of High-Risk Breast Cancer

BACKGROUND

Data from meta-analyses have shown taxane-containing therapies to be superior to anthracycline-based treatments for high-risk breast cancer.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

The ADEBAR trial was a multicenter phase III trial in which patients with lymph node-positive breast cancer were prospectively randomized for either sequential anthracycline-taxane or FEC120 therapy. Patients received 4× epirubicin (90 mg/m(2)) and cyclophosphamide (600 mg/m(2)) every 3 weeks (q3w), followed by 4× docetaxel (100 mg/m(2)) q3w (EC-Doc arm), or 6× epirubicin (60 mg/m(2)) and 5-fluorouracil (500 mg/m(2)) on days 1 and 8 and cyclophosphamide (75 mg/m(2)) on days 1-14, q4w (FEC arm). We compared both arms with respect to toxicity and feasibility.

RESULTS

Hematological toxicity was found significantly more often in the FEC arm. Febrile neutropenia was seen in 11.3% of patients in the FEC arm and in 8.4% of patients in the EC-Doc arm (p = 0.027). Non-hematological side effects of grade 3/4 were rarely seen in either arm. Therapy was terminated due to toxicity in 3.7% of the patients in the EC-Doc arm and in 8.0% of the patients in the FEC arm (p = 0.0009).

CONCLUSION

The sequential anthracycline-taxane regimen is a well-tolerated and feasible alternative to FEC120 therapy.

Chemotherapy for 70-Year-Old Women with Breast Cancer in Germany: A Survey by the German Breast Group

Aim: Around half of all women in Germany with breast cancer are older than 65 and approximately one third of them is older than 70 years of age. In theory, the preferred therapeutic management of women with breast cancer aged 65 and above corresponds to that formulated for younger patients and complies with the S3 Guidelines and the therapy recommendations formulated by AGO. To study the current therapies used to treat women with breast cancer aged 70 and above in Germany, a survey of the clinics of the German Breast Group (GBG) was done. Method: An online survey was carried out with requests sent to 599 physicians registered as principal investigators in the database of the GBG. The 12-item questionnaire was used to investigate the systematic therapeutic management of 70-year-old patients in different settings. The indication for chemotherapy was taken as a given. Results: In a neoadjuvant setting, 62 % of physicians opted for anthracycline and taxane-based therapy as did 56.6 % of physicians in an adjuvant setting. One third of physicians preferred a taxane-based therapy with the anti-angiogenesis inhibitor bevacizumab as first-line therapy for primary metastatic cancer and after anthracycline-based therapy. Capecitabine (around 30 %) and navelbine (around 20 %) were proposed as second-line neoadjuvant and adjuvant therapies after prior anthracycline- and taxane-based therapy. Conclusion: The chemotherapy regimen prescribed for women with breast cancer aged 70 and above in Germany appears to be relatively standardised and corresponds to the recommendations given in the S3 Guidelines and by the AGO Breast Committee.

Issues in the adjuvant treatment of common tumors (with a focus on breast cancer) in older adults (age >70)

Establishing an indication for adjuvant chemotherapy in older cancer patients represents a major challenge. after surgery, older cancer patients can also have a significant risk of relapse and cancer death (even reported to be higher than in younger patients), but this is counterbalanced by the fact that the chance of dying from a noncancer cause is also much higher. a careful geriatric evaluation including assessment of comorbidity can provide some insight into the life expectancy and expected benefit from adjuvant chemotherapy for individual patients. age-related physiological changes can decrease tolerance of classical chemotherapy regimens, indicating the need for close monitoring and preventive measures.

Management of elderly patients with breast cancer: updated recommendations of the International Society of Geriatric Oncology (SIOG) and European Society of Breast Cancer Specialists (EUSOMA)

As the mean age of the global population increases, breast cancer in older individuals will be increasingly encountered in clinical practice. Management decisions should not be based on age alone. Establishing recommendations for management of older individuals with breast cancer is challenging because of very limited level 1 evidence in this heterogeneous population. In 2007, the International Society of Geriatric Oncology (SIOG) created a task force to provide evidence-based recommendations for the management of breast cancer in elderly individuals. In 2010, a multidisciplinary SIOG and European Society of Breast Cancer Specialists (EUSOMA) task force gathered to expand and update the 2007 recommendations. The recommendations were expanded to include geriatric assessment, competing causes of mortality, ductal carcinoma in situ, drug safety and compliance, patient preferences, barriers to treatment, and male breast cancer. Recommendations were updated for screening, primary endocrine therapy, surgery, radiotherapy, neoadjuvant and adjuvant systemic therapy, and metastatic breast cancer.

Adjuvant therapy for women over age 65 with breast cancer

BACKGROUND

Women over age 65 with breast cancer are often not treated in accordance with current guidelines as far as adjuvant therapy is concerned, because of the lack of adequate scientific evidence.

METHODS

This article is based on a selective review of pertinent literature retrieved by a PubMed search, as well as on the German S3 guidelines for the diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up care of breast cancer, the treatment recommendations of the German Working Group on Gynecological Oncology (Arbeitsgemeinschaft Gynäkologische Onkologie, AGO) and the German Society of Radiation Oncology (Deutsche Gesellschaft für Radioonkologie), US National Comprehensive Cancer Network, and the Cochrane database.

RESULTS

Women over age 65 are underrepresented in randomized trials of treatments for breast cancer. Geriatric assessment is essential for therapeutic decision-making. Endocrine treatment is feasible for nearly all patients with hormone-sensitive tumors. In selected patients over age 65, chemotherapy significantly improves overall survival. The best evidence regarding toxicity is available for anthracycline monotherapy and for combined therapy with doxorubicin/cyclophosphamide or taxane/doxorubicin. Women without cardiac disease can be given trastuzumab, which may lead to reversible cardiotoxicity. Adjuvant radiotherapy significantly improves local tumor control and survival. Adjuvant radiotherapy that is carried out with modern treatment planning, as recommended by the current guidelines, is no more toxic to older patients than to younger ones; thus, it should always be given, unless there is a special reason not to.

CONCLUSION

Women with breast cancer over age 65 whose life expectancy is greater than 5 years, and who are not otherwise too ill, should be given chemotherapy, trastuzumab, and radiotherapy as standard adjuvant treatment. Adjuvant therapy can be reduced or omitted in frail patients. Patients over age 65 should be given the opportunity to enroll in clinical trials.

Reporting of myelotoxicity associated with emerging regimens for the treatment of selected solid tumors

In this article, we reviewed and quantified reporting of the risk of myelotoxicity, specifically febrile neutropenia (FN), and the related use of supportive care with colony-stimulating factor (CSF) or antibiotics in clinical trials published between January 2005 and June 2009, evaluating emerging regimens for the treatment of selected solid tumors. Our analysis showed that clinically significant neutropenia and neutropenia-related events were generally described in the studies evaluated (grade 3/4 neutropenia incidence, 72%; FN incidence, 53%). However, use of CSF and antibiotics was infrequently and inconsistently reported (trials reporting prophylactic CSF and antibiotics use: in the methods section, 38% and 10%, respectively; in the results section, 19% and 1%, respectively). These results highlight the need for a standardized approach to reporting neutropenic outcomes and use of supportive care measures. This can assist clinicians in prospectively managing relevant toxicities associated with these emerging regimens and thereby facilitate their safe and effective use in clinical practice.

Prophylaxis of chemotherapy-induced febrile neutropenia with granulocyte colony-stimulating factors: where are we now?

Updated international guidelines published in 2006 have broadened the scope for the use of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) in supporting delivery of myelosuppressive chemotherapy. G-CSF prophylaxis is now recommended when the overall risk of febrile neutropenia (FN) due to regimen and individual patient factors is >or=20%, for supporting dose-dense and dose-intense chemotherapy and to help maintain dose density where dose reductions have been shown to compromise outcomes. Indeed, there is now a large body of evidence for the efficacy of G-CSFs in supporting dose-dense chemotherapy. Predictive tools that can help target those patients who are most at risk of FN are now becoming available. Recent analyses have shown that, by reducing the risk of FN and chemotherapy dose delays and reductions, G-CSF prophylaxis can potentially enhance survival benefits in patients receiving chemotherapy in curative settings. Accumulating data from 'real-world' clinical practice settings indicate that patients often receive abbreviated courses of daily G-CSF and consequently obtain a reduced level of FN protection. A single dose of PEGylated G-CSF (pegfilgrastim) may provide a more effective, as well as a more convenient, alternative to daily G-CSF. Prospective studies are needed to validate the importance of delivering the full dose intensity of standard chemotherapy regimens, with G-CSF support where appropriate, across a range of settings. These studies should also incorporate prospective evaluation of risk stratification for neutropenia and its complications.

Benefit of adjuvant chemotherapy in elderly ER-negative breast cancer patients: benefits and pitfalls

Approximately 50% of breast cancer (BC) cases occur in women aged 65 and older, and more than 30% occur in those aged over 70, yet very old (older than 70) patients are under-represented in clinical trials. In the Oxford meta-analysis, the hazard ratios for recurrence and BC mortality in women aged over 70 were 0.88 and 0.87, respectively, suggesting a benefit from chemotherapy in this group of patients as well; however, the large confidence intervals surrounding reductions in this subgroup reflect the small number of older patients recruited in randomized trials in Early Breast Cancer Trialists' Collaborative Group meta-analyses. If we consider the tumor biology of BC in older adults, we will see that they are more likely to develop a tumor with high estrogen receptor (ER)- and/or progesterone receptor-positive status and a lower proliferative index. However, the biology of these tumors appears to change according to chronological age into aggressive forms diagnosed in these patients as well. This subgroup analysis for the benefit of adjuvant chemotherapy in elderly patients (at least 65 years) is reported in a few studies, even though a limited statistical significance has been revealed. Retrospective evidences suggest that even more aggressive treatments such as taxanes and dose-dense schedule appear feasible (but probably more toxic) in the elderly. Age is no longer considered the only criterion for choosing the right treatment for patients with BC; in fact, functional status and comorbidity have to be taken into consideration as well. Fit elderly patients with more aggressive forms (node-positive and ER-poor disease) seem to obtain the same benefits as younger patients, and thus have to be treated in the same manner.

Pegfilgrastim primary prophylaxis vs. current practice neutropenia management in elderly breast cancer patients receiving chemotherapy

We investigated the incidences of febrile neutropenia (FN) and related complications in elderly (> or =65 years) breast cancer patients receiving chemotherapy supported by pegfilgrastim primary prophylaxis (PP; n=150) or current practice (CP) neutropenia management (n=104) in a subanalysis of NeuCuP (Neulasta) vs. current practice neutropenia management). Studies involving regimens with moderately high to high (> or =15%) FN risk were identified by literature review, and individual patient data were integrated for analysis. FN incidence was 6% (95% CI: 2, 10%) in the PP group and 24% (95% CI: 16, 32%) in the CP group. In cycle 1, incidences were 3 and 15%, respectively. FN-related hospitalisation incidence was 5% (PP group) and 15% (CP group), while dose reductions (>/=15%) occurred in 15 and 29% of patients. Pegfilgrastim provided effective PP in elderly patients, a population who may be vulnerable to chemotherapy-related FN and for whom current practice may not provide adequate protection.

Adjuvant chemotherapy for early breast cancer in the elderly

The use of cytotoxic therapy in the fit elderly breast cancer patient has been tempered with concerns of age, physical function, and co-morbid illness. In the appropriate patient with biologically aggressive disease, such as receptor poor breast cancer, it is reasonable to consider combination chemotherapy as part of an adjuvant program. If this approach is to be employed, the physician must also consider the patient's co-morbid conditions and status of function in society as potential indicators of toxicity or lack of benefit. In this case, a formal geriatric assessment is of value. A Cancer and Leukemia Group B (CALGB) trial of monotherapy vs combination cytotoxic therapy as adjuvant treatment for localized breast cancer patients over 65 years of age has determined that the combination approach is superior to single agent therapy. In an unplanned analysis of receptor rich and receptor poor tumors, the patients with receptor poor tumors seemed to achieve the greatest benefit from combination cytotoxic therapy. Adjuvant chemotherapy can also be considered for patients with high-risk receptor rich breast cancers. However, the use of chemotherapy in the elderly patient with breast cancer is largely based upon data emerging from trials in younger patients. Studies specifically for patients over 65 years of age are urgently needed in this population to provide evidence-based proof of the current approach.

Effects of sevelamer on the progression of vascular calcification in patients on chronic haemodialysis

BACKGROUND/AIM

Vascular calcification is thought to be associated with a high cardiovascular mortality rate in patients with end-stage renal disease. Control of hyperphosphataemia is important for the treatment of the vascular calcification. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effects of sevelamer hydrochloride on the progression of aortic calcification in haemodialysis (HD) patients.

METHODS

42 HD patients were studied in this study and divided into two groups (sevelamer vs. calcium). Sevelamer was added and titrated up to achieve serum P control for 6 months. The estimations of aortic calcification index (ACI) by abdominal computed tomography scans were performed twice in each patient. We compared the changes in serum calcium, phosphorus, intact parathyroid hormone, and lipids in two groups.

RESULTS

Serum phosphorus levels decreased significantly from 6.7 +/- 0.7 to 6.2 +/- 0.5 mg/dl with no changes in serum intact parathyroid hormone levels in the sevelamer group (p < 0.01), and increased from 6.5 +/- 1.0 to 6.7 +/- 1.1 mg/dl in the calcium group (p < 0.05). Serum calcium levels did not change in the sevelamer group and calcium group. The serum levels of total cholesterol decreased significantly from 158.5 +/- 20.7 to 146.2 +/- 24.1 mg/dl (p = 0.024) and the low-density lipoprotein cholesterol level from 65.3 +/- 14.4 to 54.7 +/- 11.6 mg/dl (p = 0.014) in the sevelamer group. Serum C-reactive protein decreased significantly from 0.14 +/- 0.13 to 0.08 +/- 0.11 mg/dl in the sevelamer group (p = 0.038) and significantly increased (0.18 +/- 0.09 vs. 0.22 +/- 0.12 mg/dl) in the calcium group (p = 0.042). The mean changes in ACI (DeltaACI) were 3.6 +/- 1.5% in the sevelamer group and 8.2 +/- 3.1% in the calcium group.

CONCLUSIONS

Sevelamer allows a better serum phosphorus control compared with calcium-based phosphate binder and suppresses the progression of aortic calcification in HD patients.