A new schedule of one week on/one week off temozolomide as second-line treatment of advanced neuroendocrine carcinomas (TENEC-TRIAL): a multicenter, open-label, single-arm, phase II trial

BACKGROUND

There is no consensus on the second-line treatment of patients with progressive high-grade neuroendocrine neoplasms (NENs G3) and large-cell lung neuroendocrine carcinoma. These patients generally have poor performance status and low tolerance to combination therapy. In this trial, we aim to evaluate the efficacy and safety of temozolomide given every other week in patients with advanced platinum-pretreated NENs G3.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

This trial is an open-label, non-randomized, phase II trial. Patients with platinum-pretreated metastatic neuroendocrine carcinoma were treated with 75 mg/m2/day of temozolomide for 7 days, followed by 7 days of no treatment (regimen one week on/one week off). The primary endpoint was the overall response rate. Secondary endpoints included progression-free survival (PFS), overall survival (OS), safety and tolerability. This study is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT04122911.

RESULTS

From 2017 to 2020, 38 patients were enrolled. Among the patients with determined Ki67, 12 out of 36 (33.3%) had a Ki67 index <55% and the remaining 24 out of 36 (66.6%) had an index ≥55%. Overall response rate was 18% (7/38), including one complete response and six partial responses. The median PFS was 5.86 months [95% confidence interval (CI) 4.8 months-not applicable) and the median OS was 12.1 months (95% CI 5.6-20.4 months). The 1-year PFS rate was 37%. No statistically significant difference in median PFS [hazard ratio 1.3 (95% CI 0.6-2.8); P = 0.44] and median OS [hazard ratio 1.1 (95% CI 0.5-2.4); P = 0.77] was observed among patients with Ki67 <55% versus ≥55%. Only G1-G2 adverse events were registered, the most common being G1 nausea, diarrhea and abdominal pain.

CONCLUSION

One week on/one week off temozolomide shows promising activity in patients with poorly differentiated NEN. The good safety profile confirmed the possibility of using this scheme in patients with poor performance status.

Response to Peptide Receptor Radionuclide Therapy in Pheocromocytomas and Paragangliomas: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

INTRODUCTION

Peptide receptor radionuclide therapy (PRRT) with 177Lu-DOTATATE and 90Y-DOTATOC showed efficacy in the metastatic setting of pheocromocytomas (PCCs) and paragangliomas (PGLs) where no standard therapies have been established.

BACKGROUND

A search of peer-reviewed and English articles reporting on 177Lu-DOTATATE and 90Y-DOTATOC efficacy was performed through Medline and Scopus. A subsequent meta-analysis was performed to evaluate the pooled effect size on disease control rate (DCR) with PRRT. Secondary endpoints were description of patients' genetic characteristics, hematologic toxicity, and time-to-outcome. The pooled effect was estimated with both a mixed-effects model and a random-effects model.

RESULTS

Twelve studies met the criteria for this meta-analysis: ten with 177Lu- and two with 90Y-PRRTs (213 patients). The largest one included 46 patients. Median ages ranged from 32.5 to 60.4 years. When reported, mutations of SDHB were the most frequent genetic alterations. The pooled DCRs were 0.83 (95% CI: 0.75-0.88) and 0.76 (95% CI: 0.56-0.89) for 177Lu- and 90Y-PRRT, respectively. The pooled DCR for PRRT was 0.81 (95% CI: 0.74-0.87).

CONCLUSIONS

We report an updated and solid estimate of DCR achieved with 177Lu- and 90Y-PRRT in PCCs and PGLs, showing that these therapies can be considered in the multidisciplinary treatment of PCCs and PGLs as alternatives to I-131 MIBG and chemotherapy.

The complex management of the breast angiosarcoma: a retrospective study

Background/Aim: Breast angiosarcoma is a rare and aggressive disease with a poor prognosis. Two subtypes have been identified: primary angiosarcoma (PBA) and secondary breast angiosarcoma (SBA). In this retrospective analysis, we describe and compare our institute experience with the data existing in the literature. Materials and Methods: We included in our analysis 29 patients who received a diagnosis of PBA or SBA between 2006 and 2019. Results: All patients received surgery as frontline treatment, but only 6 patients underwent to adjuvant treatment. Neoadjuvant chemotherapy was administeredon 2 patients. The preferred chemotherapeutic regimen was taxanes with or without gemcitabine, andassociated with anthracyclines. A lower median RFS and OS was reported in patients with PBA compared to those with SBA, but the difference observed was not statistically significant. Patients with PBA had alower median age at the diagnosis (38 vs 75). Conclusion: In our analysis we have shown a lower median RFS and OS in patients with PBA compared with those with SBA, and a significantly younger age at diagnosis in patients affected by PBA.

Association of Upfront Peptide Receptor Radionuclide Therapy With Progression-Free Survival Among Patients With Enteropancreatic Neuroendocrine Tumors

IMPORTANCE

Data about the optimal timing for the initiation of peptide receptor radionuclide therapy (PRRT) for advanced, well-differentiated enteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumors are lacking.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the association of upfront PRRT vs upfront chemotherapy or targeted therapy with progression-free survival (PFS) among patients with advanced enteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumors who experienced disease progression after treatment with somatostatin analogues (SSAs).

DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS

This retrospective, multicenter cohort study analyzed the clinical records from 25 Italian oncology centers for patients aged 18 years or older who had unresectable, locally advanced or metastatic, well-differentiated, grades 1 to 3 enteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumors and received either PRRT or chemotherapy or targeted therapy after experiencing disease progression after treatment with SSAs between January 24, 2000, and July 1, 2020. Propensity score matching was done to minimize the selection bias.

EXPOSURES

Upfront PRRT or upfront chemotherapy or targeted therapy.

MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES

The main outcome was the difference in PFS among patients who received upfront PRRT vs among those who received upfront chemotherapy or targeted therapy. A secondary outcome was the difference in overall survival between these groups. Hazard ratios (HRs) were fitted in a multivariable Cox proportional hazards regression model to adjust for relevant factors associated with PFS and were corrected for interaction with these factors.

RESULTS

Of 508 evaluated patients (mean ([SD] age, 55.7 [0.5] years; 278 [54.7%] were male), 329 (64.8%) received upfront PRRT and 179 (35.2%) received upfront chemotherapy or targeted therapy. The matched group included 222 patients (124 [55.9%] male; mean [SD] age, 56.1 [0.8] years), with 111 in each treatment group. Median PFS was longer in the PRRT group than in the chemotherapy or targeted therapy group in the unmatched (2.5 years [95% CI, 2.3-3.0 years] vs 0.7 years [95% CI, 0.5-1.0 years]; HR, 0.35 [95% CI, 0.28-0.44; P < .001]) and matched (2.2 years [95% CI, 1.8-2.8 years] vs 0.6 years [95% CI, 0.4-1.0 years]; HR, 0.37 [95% CI, 0.27-0.51; P < .001]) populations. No significant differences were shown in median overall survival between the PRRT and chemotherapy or targeted therapy groups in the unmatched (12.0 years [95% CI, 10.7-14.1 years] vs 11.6 years [95% CI, 9.1-13.4 years]; HR, 0.81 [95% CI, 0.62-1.06; P = .11]) and matched (12.2 years [95% CI, 9.1-14.2 years] vs 11.5 years [95% CI, 9.2-17.9 years]; HR, 0.83 [95% CI, 0.56-1.24; P = .36]) populations. The use of upfront PRRT was independently associated with improved PFS (HR, 0.37; 95% CI, 0.26-0.51; P < .001) in multivariable analysis. After adjustment of values for interaction, upfront PRRT was associated with longer PFS regardless of tumor functional status (functioning: adjusted HR [aHR], 0.39 [95% CI, 0.27-0.57]; nonfunctioning: aHR, 0.29 [95% CI, 0.16-0.56]), grade of 1 to 2 (grade 1: aHR, 0.21 [95% CI, 0.12-0.34]; grade 2: aHR, 0.52 [95% CI, 0.29-0.73]), and site of tumor origin (pancreatic: aHR, 0.41 [95% CI, 0.24-0.61]; intestinal: aHR, 0.19 [95% CI, 0.11-0.43]) (P < .001 for all). Conversely, the advantage was not retained in grade 3 tumors (aHR, 0.31; 95% CI, 0.12-1.37; P = .13) or in tumors with a Ki-67 proliferation index greater than 10% (aHR, 0.73; 95% CI, 0.29-1.43; P = .31).

CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE

In this cohort study, treatment with upfront PRRT in patients with enteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumors who had experienced disease progression with SSA treatment was associated with significantly improved survival outcomes compared with upfront chemotherapy or targeted therapy. Further research is needed to investigate the correct strategy, timing, and optimal specific sequence of these therapeutic options.

The psychological impact of COVID-19 pandemic on patients with neuroendocrine tumors: Between resilience and vulnerability

The COVID-19 pandemic has added another layer of complexity to the fears of patients with neuroendocrine tumors (NETs). Little is known regarding the psychological impact of the COVID-19 outbreak on patients with gastroenteropancreatic or bronchopulmonary (BP) NETs. We longitudinally surveyed the mental symptoms and concerns of NET patients during the plateau phase of the first (W1) and second epidemic waves (W2) in Italy. Seven specific constructs (depression, anxiety, stress, health-related quality of life, NET-related quality of life, patient-physician relationship, psychological distress) were investigated using validated screening instruments, including DASS-21, EORTC QLQ-C30, EORTC QLQ GI.NET21, PDRQ9 and IES-R. We enrolled 197 patients (98 males) with a median age of 62 years. The majority of the patients had G1/G2 neoplasms. Some 38% of the patients were on active treatment. At W1, the prevalence of depression, anxiety and stress was 32%, 36% and 26% respectively. The frequency of depression and anxiety increased to 38% and 41% at W2, whereas no modifications were recorded in the frequency of stress. Poor educational status was associated with higher levels of anxiety at both W1 (odds ratio [OR] = 1.33 ± 0.22; p = .07) and W2 (OR = 1.45 ± 0.26; p = .03). Notably, post-traumatic stress symptoms were observed in the 58% of the patients, and both single marital status (OR = 0.16, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.06-0.48; p = .0009) and low levels of formal education (OR = 0.47, 95% CI = 0.23-0.99; p = .05) predicted their occurrence. No significant deteriorations of health-related quality of life domains were observed from W1 to W2. High patient care satisfaction was documented despite the changes in health systems resource allocation. NET patients have an increased risk of developing post-traumatic stress symptoms as result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Specific screening measures and psychological interventions should be implemented in NET clinics to prevent, recognize and treat mental distress in this vulnerable population.

Selinexor and the Selective Inhibition of Nuclear Export: A New Perspective on the Treatment of Sarcomas and Other Solid and Non-Solid Tumors

Nucleocytoplasmic transport has been found dysregulated in many types of cancer and is often described as a poor prognostic factor. Specifically, Exportin-1 (XPO1) has been found overexpressed in many tumors and has become an attractive target in molecular oncology and therapeutics development. The selective inhibitor of nuclear export, Selinexor, is one of the most scientifically interesting drugs that targets XPO1 in clinical development. In this review, we summarized the most relevant preclinical and clinical results achieved for non-solid tumors, sarcomas, and other kind of solid tumors.

Is immunotherapy in the future of therapeutic management of sarcomas?

Sarcomas are rare, ubiquitous and heterogeneous tumors usually treated with surgery, chemotherapy, target therapy, and radiotherapy. However, 25-50% of patients experience local relapses and/or distant metastases after chemotherapy with an overall survival about 12-18 months. Recently, immuno-therapy has revolutionized the cancer treatments with initial indications for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and melanoma (immune-checkpoint inhibitors).Here, we provide a narrative review on the topic as well as a critical description of the currently available trials on immunotherapy treatments in patients with sarcoma. Given the promising results obtained with anti-PD-1 monoclonal antibodies (pembrolizumab and nivolumab) and CAR-T cells, we strongly believe that these new immunotherapeutic approaches, along with an innovative characterization of tumor genetics, will provide an exciting opportunity to ameliorate the therapeutic management of sarcomas.

Sentinel Lymph Node Detection by Lymphoscintigraphy in Malignant Melanoma

Aims and Background

Sentinel lymph node (SLN) detection is currently employed in patients with malignant melanoma (MM) to spare them unnecessary lymph node dissection.

Methods and Study Design

We investigated 241 patients (130 men and 111 women, median age, 50 years (range, 14-92)) with MM (192 before and 51 after surgical biopsy); two of them had more than one melanoma lesion. In each patient approx. 10 MBq of 99mTc Nanocoll in 0.1 mL (Nycomed Amersham Sorin; particle size range, 3-80 nm) was injected intradermally around the MM lesion or surgical scar. Dynamic acquisition was performed for 20 minutes (20 frames/min) and the study was concluded within four hours of injection. Using an external radioactive marker, the skin over the SLN was marked with China ink.

Results

294 SLNs were scintigraphically identified: 117 in the inguinal region, 147 in the axillae, four in the submandibular region, three in the laterocervical region and 23 at other sites. In two patients no drainage was detected. In 43 patients more than one sentinel node was identified. In 13 patients with lesions located in the trunk the tracer drained towards multiple lymph node stations or unexpected lymph nodes (nine cases). Histology and immunohistochemistry diagnosed MM in 25 SLNs; 19 were positive for metastasis with hematoxylin-eosin staining, five with Hmb45 and one with CD68 immunostaining. All 25 detected lymphatic basins were excised. In nine of these basins there was metastatic involvement of at least one other lymph node besides the SLN. During follow-up, which ranged from six to 86 months, metastatic disease was found in only one patient with a histologically negative SLN six months after surgery.

Conclusions

This study confirms the utility of scintigraphic SLN detection in patients with MM. In most of the cases the procedure led the surgeon to evaluate the drainage area, which is unpredictable for lesions in the trunk and may be difficult to delineate using only patent blue dye. Furthermore, in approximately 10% of cases we observed dual drainage from individual lesions, mainly those located on the trunk. We will proceed to compare the results obtained during follow-up with those of an investigational group of patients with melanoma who were not subjected to lymphoscintigraphy for SLN detection in order to obtain well-founded information on the prognostic value of this technique.

Preservation of nutritional-status in patients with refractory ascites due to hepatic cirrhosis who are undergoing repeated paracentesis

BACKGROUND AND AIM

Refractory ascites in liver-cirrhosis is associated with a poor prognosis. We performed a prospective study to investigate whether aggressive nutritional-support could improve outcomes in cirrhotic patients.

METHODS

Cirrhotic patients undergoing serial large-volume paracentesis for refractory-ascites were enrolled and randomized into three groups. Group A received post-paracentesis intravenous nutritional-support in addition to a balanced oral diet and a late-evening protein snack, group B received the same oral nutritional-protocol as the first group but without parenteral support, and group C (the control group) received a low-sodium or sodium-free diet. Clinical, anthropometric and laboratory nutritional parameters and biochemical tests of liver and renal function were reported for 12 months of follow-up.

RESULTS

We enrolled 120 patients, who were randomized into three groups of equal size. Patients on the nutritional-protocol showed better preservation of clinical, anthropometric and laboratory nutritional parameters that were associated with decreased deterioration of liver function compared with patients on the low-sodium or sodium-free diet (group C). Groups A and B had lower morbidity and mortality rates than the control group (C). Mortality rates were significantly better in patients who were treated with parenteral-nutritional-support than for the other two groups. In patients who were on the nutritional-protocol, there was a reduction in the requirement of taps for the treatment of refractory ascites.

CONCLUSIONS

Post-paracentesis parenteral-nutritional-support with a balanced oral diet and an evening protein snack appears to be the best care protocol for patients with liver-cirrhosis that has been complicated by refractory-ascites.

Validation of an extension of the international non-invasive criteria for the diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma to the characterization of macroscopic portal vein thrombosis

BACKGROUND AND AIM

We aimed to validate the non-invasive criteria for the characterization of portal vein thrombosis (PVT) in patients with cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). In a prospective study, we examined the impact of arterial hypervascularity, as established by the European Association for the Study of the Liver and the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases recommendations for the non-invasive diagnosis of HCC, as a criterion for characterizing macroscopic PVT (EASL/AASLD extension criteria).

METHODS

A total of 96 cases of PVT detected using ultrasonography in patients with cirrhosis and HCC were included in the study. When coincidental arterial hypervascularity was detected by contrast perfusional ultrasonography and helical computed tomography, the thrombus was considered malignant according to our EASL/AASLD extension criteria. In all cases, an ultrasound-guided biopsy examination of the thrombus was performed.

RESULTS

Coincidental hypervascularity was found in 54 of 96 nodules (56.2%), and all were malignant upon biopsy (100% positive predictive value). Twenty-four (25%) had negative results with both techniques (non-vascular thrombus). Biopsies showed HCC in five non-vascular thrombi (5.3% of all thrombi) and in 13 of 18 thrombi with a hypervascularity result from only one technique.

CONCLUSIONS

The EASL/AASLD extension criteria for non-invasive diagnosis of malignant thrombosis were satisfied in 75.2% of malignant thrombi; thus, a biopsy is frequently required in this setting. However, in the presence of coincidental hypervascularity of a thrombus with both techniques, a biopsy is not required (absolute positive predictive value for malignancy). Relying on imaging techniques in thrombi could miss the diagnosis of malignant portal invasion in up to 24.9% of cases.

Oxidative stress and steatosis are cofactors of liver injury in primary biliary cirrhosis

BACKGROUND

Factors responsible for the progression of primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) are still poorly understood. In the present study, we investigated the associations between the stage of PBC and the immune reaction triggered by oxidative stress; the presence of obesity, steatosis,steatohepatitis; and other toxic, metabolic, or steatogenic factors.

METHODS

We studied clinical, laboratory, and histological data for 274 untreated patients with serum antimitochondrial antibody (AMA)-positive PBC. Circulating IgG against human serum albumin adducted with malondialdeyde, the major product of lipid peroxidation, was measured in these patients and in a group of 98 sex-, age and body mass index (BMI)-matched controls.

RESULTS

Steatosis was present in 40.5% of all patients. Steatohepatitis was present in 14.9% of all patients. There was a significant association between the frequencies of steatosis and steatohepatitis and the worsening of PBC. Circulating IgG against lipid peroxidation products was significantly higher in the PBC patients than in the controls. Titers of lipid peroxidation-related antibodies were significantly increased in patients with steatosis and inpatients at more advanced stages. Bivariate analysis revealed a significant association between indirect evidence of oxidative stress, steatosis, steatohepatitis, age, BMI, frequency of diabetes, alcohol intake, iron grade after Perl's stain, and PBC stage. Logistic regression analysis confirmed that the titers of antibodies against lipid peroxidation products (odds ratio 4.5, p< .001, 95% confidence interval 3.9–14.4), the presence of steatosis (odds ratio 4.1, 95% confidence interval 2.5–15.4, p< .001), higher BMI (odds ratio 3.9, p< .021, 95%confidence interval 1.4–9.5), and alcohol intake (males ≥ 30 g/day, females ≥ 20 g/day, odds ratio 4.5,95% confidence interval 1.3–19.8, p< .029) were independently associated with more advanced stages of the disease.

CONCLUSIONS

The immune reactions triggered by oxidative stress, steatosis, obesity, and alcohol intake are independent predictors of PBC stage progression.

Predicting fibrosis worsening in obese patients with NASH through parenchymal fibronectin, HOMA-IR, and hypertension

OBJECTIVES

Few published studies have examined the results obtained from repeat liver biopsies in obese patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). The progressive form of this disease may be largely limited to a subgroup of NAFLD patients with nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). The presence of intralobular fibronectin (Fn) and other variables was investigated in relation to subsequent fibrosis progression.

METHODS

In this prospective study, 271 obese patients admitted to the hospital with NAFLD and abnormal liver enzymes were scheduled to undergo a repeat liver biopsy at least 5 years after the initial biopsy. After excluding cirrhotic patients, basal biopsy specimens obtained from patients who underwent a second liver biopsy were stained with antibodies against Fn. The progression of fibrosis in the follow-up sample was correlated with the amount of Fn and other clinicopathological variables.

RESULTS

We obtained a second liver biopsy from 149 patients after a median time of 6.4 years. Of these, 132 showed suitable Fn staining for semi-quantitative assessments. In all, 44 out of 83 patients (53%) with basal NASH showed fibrosis progression by at least one stage in the second liver biopsy. The amount of Fn (odds ratio=14.1; P<0.001), a diagnosis of hypertension (odds ratio=4.8; P=0.028), and homeostasis model assessment parameter of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) scores (>8, odds ratio=1.9; P=0.004) were independent predictive factors of worsening fibrosis.

CONCLUSIONS

A semi-quantitative assessment of the amount of parenchymal Fn present at an early stage in obese patients with NASH is valuable for predicting the progression of fibrosis. Similarly, lobular Fn deposition may be a sensitive and early indicator of active fibrogenetic processes in the liver. Hypertension and higher HOMA-IR scores are other clinical independent risk factors that predict the progression of fibrosis.

Contrast-enhanced sonography versus biopsy for the differential diagnosis of thrombosis in hepatocellular carcinoma patients

AIM: To clarify which method has accuracy: 2nd generation contrast-enhanced ultrasound or biopsy of portal vein thrombus in the differential diagnosis of portal vein thrombosis.

METHODS: One hundred and eighty-six patients with hepatocellular carcinoma and portal vein thrombosis underwent in blinded fashion a 2nd generation contrast-enhanced ultrasound and biopsy of portal vein thrombus; both results were examined on the basis of the follow-up of patients compared to reference-standard.

RESULTS: One hundred and eight patients completed the study. Benign thrombosis on 2nd generation contrast-enhanced ultrasound was characterised by progressive hypoenhancing of the thrombus; in malignant portal vein thrombosis there was a precocious homogeneous enhancement of the thrombus. On follow-up there were 50 of 108 patients with benign thrombosis: all were correctly diagnosed by both methods. There were 58 of 108 patients with malignant thrombosis: amongst these, 52 were correctly diagnosed by both methods, the remainder did not present malignant cells on portal vein thrombus biopsy and showed on 2nd generation contrast-enhanced ultrasound an inhomogeneous enhancement pattern. A new biopsy during the follow-up, guided to the area of thrombus that showed up on 2nd generation contrast-enhanced ultrasound, demonstrated an enhancing pattern indicating malignant cells.

CONCLUSION: In patients with hepatocellular carcinoma complicated by portal vein thrombosis, 2nd generation contrast-enhanced ultrasound of portal vein thrombus is very useful in assessing the benign or malignant nature of the thrombus. Puncture biopsy of thrombus is usually accurate but presents some sampling errors, so, when pathological results are required, 2nd generation contrast-enhanced ultrasound could guide the sampling needle to the correct area of the thrombus.

Liver iron excess in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma developed on non-alcoholic steato-hepatitis

BACKGROUND/AIMS

Liver iron deposits are frequent in patients with non-alcoholic steato-hepatitis (NAFLD), but their role is not well defined. To investigate the effect of liver iron excess on the prevalence of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in patients with NASH-related cirrhosis.

METHODS

Hepatic iron was measured retrospectively with a semiquantitative method in liver biopsies of 153 patients with NASH-related cirrhosis: 51 with HCC and 102 controls without HCC, matched for age, sex and stage of liver disease. The corrected total iron score (0-60) was the sum of three scores: the hepatocytic iron score (0-36), sinusoidal iron score (0-12), and portal iron score (0-12), multiplied by 3/3, 2/3, or 1/3 depending on the localisation of the iron in the nodules.

RESULTS

Conditional logistic regression analysis showed that iron deposits (corrected total iron score>0) were more frequent in HCC patients than in controls. The median corrected total iron score was significantly higher in HCC patients than in controls. The liver iron overload was sinusoidal.

CONCLUSIONS

Iron deposition in the liver was more frequent in patients with NASH-related cirrhosis with HCC than in HCC-free controls. Liver iron overload may be associated with development of HCC in patients with NASH-related cirrhosis.