A meta-analysis of zinc levels in breast cancer

BACKGROUND

Breast cancer is the most commonly occurring neoplasm in females, comprising 16% of all female cancers worldwide. Various studies indicate some discrepancies regarding zinc (Zn) levels in various samples of breast cancer patients.

OBJECTIVE

The present study evaluated by meta-analysed the published data for Zn levels analyzed in breast tissue, plasma, serum, and hair samples and its relationship with breast cancer.

METHODS

The present meta-analysis included 36 studies, all of which were published in the years between 1984 to 2017 and selected by searching the databases MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, PubMed, Scopus, and the ISI Web of Knowledge. The articles were analyzed, and I² statistics were used to examine heterogeneity. The objective analysis was performed on data from the 36 studies, with total 1699 study subjects and 2009 controls.

RESULTS

Significant statistical differences overall were observed, based on a random effects model (SMD (95 % CI), -0.78[-1.40, -0.16], P = 0.014). Data from 19 of these studies indicated significant statistical differences between cancerous patients and controls with regard to serum and plasma Zn concentration (SMD [(95 %CI): -1.61(-2.43, -0.79)]. There was a significant statistical difference between the breast tissue and hair as regards Zn status (SMD (95%CI): 2.32(1.42, 3.21)) and (SMD (95v%CI): -1.80(-3.41, -0.20), respectively. Zn concentration levels typically decreased in blood and hair samples of patients with breast cancer, whereas it was elevated in tumor tissues.

CONCLUSIONS

There is a significant relationship between lowered serum Zn concentrations and risk of breast cancer onset or recurrences in women, but because of high heterogeneity, we recommend other primary studies.

Acceptable but limited efficacy of capecitabine-based doublets in the first-line treatment of metastatic triple-negative breast cancer: a pilot study

BACKGROUND

This open-label, nonrandomized phase II clinical trial investigated the efficacy of capecitabine-based doublets in the first-line treatment of metastatic triple-negative breast cancer (mTNBC).

METHODS

Eligible mTNBC women with measurable diseases were recruited to receive either TX regimen (docetaxel 75 mg/m(2) i.v. on day 1 plus capecitabine 1,000 mg/m(2) b.i.d. on days 1-14 every 3 weeks) or NX regimen (vinorelbine 25 mg/m(2) i.v. on days 1 and 8 plus capecitabine 1,000 mg/m(2) b.i.d. on days 1-14 every 3 weeks) for up to 6 cycles until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity. The primary end point was objective response rate (ORR) and secondary end points included progression-free survival (PFS), overall survival (OS) and clinical benefit rate (CBR).

RESULTS

Forty-five mTNBC patients, 27 in TX and 18 in NX were recruited. The total ORR was 20.0% and CBR was 40%. After a median follow-up of 28 months, PFS was 5.2 months (95% CI, 4.1-6.3 months) and OS was 18.2 months (95% CI, 8.7-27.7 months). The response rate was numerically but not statistically lower in the TX group than in the NX group (27.8 vs. 14.8%, p = 0.449). No difference was found in either PFS (4.9 vs. 5.2 months, p = 0.483) or OS (21.5 vs. 18.3 months, p = 0.964) between the two regimens.

CONCLUSIONS

Although the OS seems to be reasonable, the efficacy of capecitabine-containing TX or NX regimen was limited in terms of response and PFS in mTNBC patients, suggesting capecitabine-based doublet may be acceptable but has limited potency in this subtype.

Managing ixabepilone adverse events with dose reduction

Ixabepilone is a synthetic analogue of epothilone B approved for the treatment of patients with metastatic or locally advanced breast cancer in combination with capecitabine for cancer resistant to an anthracycline and a taxane, and as monotherapy for cancer resistant or refractory to anthracyclines, taxanes, and capecitabine. The principal dose-limiting adverse events (AEs) of ixabepilone's standard dose (40 mg/m(2) administered by 3-hour infusion once every 3 weeks) are peripheral neuropathy, neutropenia, and fatigue. An effective strategy to manage ixabepilone-related AEs is dose reduction by 20% (from 40 to 32 to 25 mg/m(2)); this does not appear to affect treatment efficacy and enables continuation of treatment after recovery (grade 1 or resolved). When appropriate, treatment can be restarted with a 20% dose reduction (to 32 mg/m(2)). For heavily pretreated patients, especially those with a low performance status, 32 mg/m(2) is an appropriate initial dose; the dose of capecitabine should also be lowered by 20%. Weekly ixabepilone (15-20 mg/m(2) on days 1, 8, and 15 every 28 days) may have an improved tolerability profile, but prospective studies with a large number of patients are required to determine whether it has therapeutic benefit comparable with the current approved regimen. More information is required on dosage and scheduling of ixabepilone in combination with other agents, including novel targeted therapies.

Anthracycline rechallenge using pegylated liposomal doxorubicin in patients with metastatic breast cancer: a pooled analysis using individual data from four prospective trials

BACKGROUND

The aim of this study was to determine the activity of anthracycline rechallenge using pegylated liposomal doxorubicin (PLD) in patients with metastatic breast cancer (MBC) previously treated with conventional anthracyclines.

METHODS

Pooled individual data from four prospective trials were used, and the primary end point of the pooled analysis was clinical benefit rate (CBR). The studies comprised 935 patients, of whom 274 had received PLD in the metastatic setting after prior exposure to conventional anthracyclines (rechallenge population).

RESULTS

The majority of patients were heavily pretreated. Previous anthracycline therapy was administered in the adjuvant (14%) or metastatic setting (46%), or both (40%). The overall CBR from rechallenge with PLD was 37.2% (95% CI, 32.4-42.0). In univariate analyses, the CBR was significantly higher in patients with less exposure to prior chemotherapy, in taxane-naive patients, and in patients with a favourable Eastern Cooperative Group performance status of 0 vs 1 vs 2 (53.3 vs 35.5 vs 18.2%; P<0.001). In multivariate analyses, performance status proved to be the only independent predictor of the CBR achieved with PLD rechallenge (P=0.038). There was no statistically significant difference in CBR regarding the setting, cumulative dose of and/or resistance to prior anthracyclines, or time since prior anthracycline administration.

CONCLUSION

Anthracycline rechallenge using PLD is effective in patients with MBC who have a favourable performance status, regardless of setting, resistance, cumulative dose or time since prior conventional anthracycline therapy.

Chemotherapy with low-dose capecitabine as palliative treatment in a patient with metastatic breast cancer: a case report

Chemotherapeutic agents are rarely used for symptom management in patients under palliative care setting. This is because chemotherapeutic agents not only have limited efficacy in palliative treatment but are also known to exert severe adverse effects. We describe our experience with a patient with metastatic breast cancer who was successfully treated with low-dose capecitabine, without the development of any severe toxicities and with significant improvement in activities of daily living (ADL) and quality of life (QOL).

The patient, a 43-year-old female, had breast cancer with liver, bone, and cutaneous metastases. She visited our clinic after a year-long hiatus during which she underwent alternative therapy. She presented with ulcerated lesions on the anterior chest and dyspnea due to malignant pleural effusion. After treatment for the latter, we administered capecitabine (600 mg/day) in accordance with the wishes of the patient and her attendants. The ulcerated lesions on the anterior chest, dyspnea, ADL and QOL improved significantly, without the development of any serious adverse effects. The findings of this case indicate that chemotherapy in the form of low-dose capecitabine monotherapy may be considered in patients under palliative care setting.

Randomized phase III trial comparing docetaxel plus epirubicin versus docetaxel plus capecitabine as first-line treatment in women with advanced breast cancer

BACKGROUND

The purpose of this study was to compare docetaxel plus epirubicin versus docetaxel plus capecitabine combinations as front-line treatment in women with advanced breast cancer (ABC).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Previously untreated patients with ABC were randomly assigned to receive docetaxel 75 mg/m(2) plus epirubicin 75 mg/m(2) (DE) on day 1 or docetaxel 75 mg/m(2) on day 1 plus capecitabine 950 mg/m(2) orally twice daily on days 1-14 (DC) in 21-day cycles. Previous anthracycline-based (neo)-adjuvant chemotherapy was allowed if completed >1 year before enrollment. The primary objective of the study was to compare time to disease progression (TTP).

RESULTS

One hundred and thirty-six women were treated on each arm and median TTP was 10.6 versus 11.0 months (P = 0.7), for DE and DC, respectively. According to RECIST criteria we observed 15 (11%) versus 11 (8%) complete responses and 55 (40%) versus 61 (45%) partial responses (P = 0.8), with DE and DC, respectively. Severe toxicity included grade 3-4 neutropenia (57% versus 46%; P = 0.07), febrile neutropenia (11% versus 8%; P = 0.4), hand-foot syndrome (0% versus 4%; P = 0.02), grade 2-3 anemia (20% versus 7%; P = 0.001) and asthenia (12% versus 6%; P = 0.09) with DE and DC, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

The DE and DC regimens have similar efficacy but different toxicity. Either regimen can be used as front-line treatment of ABC.

Phase I trial of metastatic renal cell carcinoma with oral capecitabine and thalidomide

Background: The highly vascular nature of renal carcinoma cells suggests that inhibition of angiogenesis may be beneficial in this disease. Thalidomide has been described as inhibitor of the fibroblast growth factor (FGF) and the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). Therefore and in consideration of the promising response rates of the combination of IL-2, IFN-alpha and 5-FU [1] in metastatic renal cancer, we found it reasonable to test the combination of 5-FU and thalidomide. Thus, we conducted a phase I trial to determine safety, side effects and responses to such a treatment.

Methods: Patients with metastasized renal cell cancer after nephrectomy and progress after IL-2 and interferon treatment, received oral 5-FU at a dose of 1250 mg/qm² twice a day for two weeks, then after pausing a week, the oral application was restarted. In addition, oral thalidomide was applied constantly at a maximum dose of 400 mg/d. The combined therapy was given for three months. The primary endpoint was duration until disease progression, the secondary endpoint the response to treatment. Response was determined by CT scans three months after the end of treatment.

Results: In total, 12 male patients participated in the trial and received the combined oral therapy. Concerning clinical response, one mixed response (8%), a stable disease in 4/12 patients (33%) and progression was seen in 7 patients (58%). The survival from the start of the therapy showed a median of 21 months with three patients being alive. At present, the longest survival after the therapy is 51 months.

Conclusions: The combination of oral 5-FU and thalidomide showed clinical response with tolerable side effects. Further studies will be required to assess the outcome of this treatment regimen.

XeNA: capecitabine plus docetaxel, with or without trastuzumab, as preoperative therapy for early breast cancer

Combinations of capecitabine and a taxane are highly active in metastatic breast cancer, and synergy between capecitabine and docetaxel has also been demonstrated. Such combinations potentially would provide a promising non-anthracycline-based alternative for patients with early breast cancer. Non-anthracycline preoperative regimens are a particularly interesting proposition in human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-positive breast cancer, as they offer less cardiotoxicity and thus can be used concomitantly with preoperative trastuzumab therapy. Capecitabine plus docetaxel (XT) and trastuzumab with XT (HXT) are promising non-anthracycline regimens for the preoperative treatment of women with HER2-negative and HER2-positive breast cancer, respectively. The Xeloda in Neoadjuvant (XeNA) trial, an open-label, multicenter, phase II study, independently assesses the efficacy of preoperative XT in HER2-negative and HXT in HER2-positive breast cancer. A particularly important feature of the XeNA study is the use of pathologic complete response (pCR) plus near pCR (npCR) as the primary endpoint. pCR is associated with long-term survival, and although it is valuable as a surrogate marker, pCR has some limitations. Measurement of residual breast cancer burden (RCB) has been proposed as a more practical alternative to predict survival after preoperative chemotherapy. The combination of RCB-0 and RCB-I (npCR) expands the subset of patients shown to benefit from preoperative chemotherapy, and achievement of pCR or npCR is associated with long disease-free survival. In XeNA, the sum of pCR and npCR will facilitate correlative studies designed to identify patients most likely to benefit from XT and HXT and may expedite the clinical evaluation of these novel preoperative regimens.