Influence of migrant background on patient preference and expectations in breast and gynecological malignancies (NOGGO-expression V study): results of a prospective multicentre study in 606 patients in Germany

Background

An effective cross-cultural doctor-patient communication is vital for health literacy and patient compliance. Building a good relationship with medical staff is also relevant for the treatment decision-making process for cancer patients. Studies about the role of a specific migrant background regarding patient preferences and expectations are lacking. We therefore conducted a multicentre prospective survey to explore the needs and preferences of patients with a migrant background (PMB) suffering from gynecological malignancies and breast cancer to evaluate the quality of doctor-patient communication and cancer management compared to non-migrants (NM).

Methods

This multicentre survey recruited patients with primary or recurrence of breast, ovarian, peritoneal, or fallopian tube cancer. The patients either filled out a paper form, participated via an online survey, or were interviewed by trained staff. A 58-item questionnaire was primarily developed in German and then translated into three different languages to reach non-German-speaking patients.

Results

A total of 606 patients were included in the study: 54.1% (328) were interviewed directly, 9.1% (55) participated via an online survey, and 36.8% (223) used the paper print version. More than one quarter, 27.4% (166) of the participants, had a migrant background. The majority of migrants and NM were highly satisfied with the communication with their doctors.

First-generation migrants (FGM) and patients with breast cancer were less often informed about participation in clinical trials (p < 0.05) and 24.5% of them suggested the help of an interpreter to improve the medical consultation. Second and third-generation migrants (SGM and TGM) experienced more fatigue and nausea than expected.

Conclusions

Our results allow the hypothesis that training medical staff in intercultural competence and using disease-related patient information in different languages can improve best supportive care management and quality of life in cancer patients with migrant status.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12885-021-08731-6.

Abstract GS5-03: Lifestyle Intervention and Effect on Disease-free Survival in Early Breast Cancer Pts: Interim Analysis from the Randomized SUCCESS C Study

Background:

Recent trials have provided evidence that obesity and a low level of physical activity are not only associated with a higher risk of developing breast cancer, but also with an increased risk for recurrence and reduced survival in breast cancer patients (pts). The SUCCESS C study is the first randomized Phase III trial to evaluate the effect of an intensive lifestyle intervention program, focusing on both physical activity and healthy diet following adjuvant chemotherapy on disease-free survival in women with early breast cancer.

Methods:

SUCCESS C is a German multicenter, 2×2 factorial design, randomized phase III study comparing disease-free survival (DFS) in pts with HER2-negative early breast cancer treated with either 3 cycles of epirubicine, fluorouracil, cyclophosphamide chemotherapy followed by 3 cycles of docetaxel (FEC-D) or 6 cycles of docetaxel-cyclophosphamide (DC). The second randomization compares DFS in pts with a body mass index (BMI) of 24—40 kg/m2 receiving either a telephone-based individualized lifestyle intervention (LI) program aiming at moderate weight loss for 2 years (LI arm) or general recommendations for a healthy lifestyle alone (non-LI arm). DFS according to lifestyle intervention was analyzed using both univariable cox regressions and multivariable cox regressions adjusted for age (years, continuous), BMI (kg/m2, continuous), menopausal status (premenopausal, postmenopausal), tumor size (pT1, pT2, pT3/pT4), nodal stage (pN0, pN1, pN2, pN3), hormone receptor status (positive, negative), grading (G1, G2, G3), histological type (ductal, lobular, other) and chemotherapy randomization (FEC-D, DC). Median follow-up was 64.2 months.

Results:

Overall, 2292 of the 3643 pts recruited for the SUCCESS C study were randomized for the lifestyle intervention program (1146 pts in both the non-LI arm and the LI arm). The Intention-to-treat analysis revealed no difference in DFS between the two treatment arms (LI vs. non-LI) in univariable analysis (hazard ratio [HR] 0.99, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.76 — 1.28, p = 0.922) and in adjusted multivariable cox regression (HR 0.91, 95% CI 0.70 — 1.18, p = 0.48). At the 2-year follow up, pts in the LI arm lost on average 1.0 kg weight compared to the start of the LI program, while pts in the non-LI arm gained on average 0.95 kg (p &lt; 0.001). Overall, 1477 pts completed the 2-year LI program (non-LI arm: 80.7%, 925 of 1146 pts; LI arm: 48.2%, 552 of 1146 pts; p &lt; 0.001). Pts that completed the 2-year LI program had a significant better DFS than non-completers (HR 0.35, 95% CI 0.27 — 0.45, p &lt; 0.001). Among completers, pts in the LI arm had a significantly better DFS than pts in the non-LI arm both in univariable analysis (HR 0.53, 95% CI 0.35 — 0.82, p = 0.004) and in adjusted multivariable cox regression (HR 0.51, 95% CI 0.33 — 0.78, p = 0.002).

Conclusions:

This explorative and non-planned interim analysis indicates that the completion of a systematic telephone life style intervention program may positively impact patient outcome in early breast cancer.

Citation Format: Janni W, Rack BK, Friedl TW, Müller V, Lorenz R, Rezai M, Tesch H, Heinrich G, Andergassen U, Harbeck N, Schochter F, De Gregorio A, Tzschaschel M, Huober J, Hepp P, Fehm TN, Schneeweiss A, Lichtenegger W, Blohmer J, Hauner D, Beckmann MW, Häberle L, Fasching PA, Hauner H. Lifestyle Intervention and Effect on Disease-free Survival in Early Breast Cancer Pts: Interim Analysis from the Randomized SUCCESS C Study [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2018 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; 2018 Dec 4-8; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2019;79(4 Suppl):Abstract nr GS5-03.

Abstract P1-17-01: Development of brain metastases in breast cancer patients treated in the neoadjuvant trials Geparquinto and Geparsixto

Background: The incidence of brain metastases (BM) in breast cancer patients is rising and has become a major clinical challenge. So far, the incidence of BM after modern neoadjuvant treatment is not clear.

Materials and Methods: In Geparquinto, patients with untreated HER2-positive breast cancer (n=615) received either lapatinib or trastuzumab, patients with HER2 negative breast cancer (n=1925) received bevacizumab in addition to an anthracycline and taxane-containing regimen and those not responding paclitaxel and everolimus (n=32). In Geparsixto, patients with HER2-positive tumors (n=273) received trastuzumab and lapatinib and patients with triple-negative tumors (n=315) received bevacizumab in addition to chemotherapy. We analyzed clinical factors associated with the occurrence of BM as first site of metastatic relapse after neoadjuvant treatment in both trials (n=3160).

Results: After a median follow-up of 61 months, 108 (3%) of a total of 3160 patients developed BM as first site of recurrence and 411 (13%) patients had distant metastases outside the brain. Brain metastases as first site of recurrence occurred later than other metastases (3--year-relapse free-rate 96.7% for patients who developed BM and 89.5% for patients who developed metastases outside the brain). Regarding subtypes of the primary tumor, 1% of luminal A (11/954), 2% of luminal B (7/381), 4% of HER2 positive (34/809) and 6% of triple-negative patients (56/1008) developed BM as first site of recurrence. In multivariate analysis, risk factors for the development of BM were larger tumor size (cT3-4; HR 1.9, 95%-CI 1.3-2.8, p=0.0022), node positive disease (HR 2.8, 95% CI 1.8-4.4, p&lt;0.0001), no pCR after neoadjuvant chemotherapy (HR 2.7, 95% CI 1.6-4.7, p=0.0003) and HER2 positive (HR 3.8, 95% CI 1.9-7.8, p=0.0002) or triple-negative subtype (HR 8.1, 95% CI 4.2 – 15.8, p&lt; 0.0001). Breast cancer subtype remained the most relevant risk factor for BM. Patients who developed BM were more often HER2 positive or triple-negative tumors compared with patients who developed metastases outside the brain (HER2 positive subtype 32 vs. 19%, triple-negative subtype 52 vs. 40%, p&lt; 0.001).

Conclusion: Especially patients with HER2-positive and triple negative tumors are at risk of developing BM despite active systemic treatment. A better understanding of the underlying mechanisms is required in order to develop potential preventive strategies.

Citation Format: Witzel ID, Laakmann E, Fasching PA, Rezai M, Schem C, Solbach C, Tesch H, Klare P, Schneeweiss A, Zahm D, Blohmer J, Ingold-Heppner B, Huober J, Hanusch C, Jackisch C, Reinisch M, Untch M, von Minckwitz G, Müller V, Loibl S. Development of brain metastases in breast cancer patients treated in the neoadjuvant trials Geparquinto and Geparsixto [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2017 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; 2017 Dec 5-9; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2018;78(4 Suppl):Abstract nr P1-17-01.

Abstract P2-05-02: Active surveillance with a combination of tumor marker CA27.29 and detection of circulating tumor cells two year after primary diagnosis strongly predicts subsequent prognosis

Introduction

The prognosis of patients with early breast cancer is commonly estimated by prognostic factors obtained at the time of the initial diagnosis. However, patients and physicians alike are seeking for factors evaluating the prognosis years thereafter during follow-up. The identification of a patient group with an unfavourable prognosis could lead to secondary treatment intervention, potentially improving outcome. Aim of the study was to assess the added prognostic value of circulating tumor cells (CTCs) and CA27.29 beyond established predictors.

Materials and Methods

Patients of the phase III SUCCESS-A study were included into this analysis (n=1005). SUCCESS-A is a chemotherapy study for high risk patients with a comprehensive translational research program, which included the determination of CTCs and CA27.29 two years after the initial diagnosis. A Cox regression model with disease-free survival (DFS) as outcome and well-established predictors (age, BMI, pT, pN, histology, grading, ER, PR, Her2neu) was compared with an extended Cox model with the well-established predictors and additionally CTC (&gt;0 versus 0) two years after randomization, and CA27.29 (in U/mL) measured after chemotherapy and again two years after randomization using a likelihood ratio test. In case of significance, the extended model was applied to predict for each patient the risk of disease recurrence within the next 12 months (0 to 100%). Cross-validated AUC, sensitivity and specificity values were determined to assess clinical usefulness of risk prediction.

Results

The markers CA27.29 and CTC were both significantly associated with subsequent prognosis (p &lt; 0.000001). The detection of CTCs increased the risk of subsequent DFS events (HR=2.14, 95%CI: 1.31-3.48), while CA27.29 after two years increased the risk for DFS events with a HR of 1.12 per U/mL increase (95%CI: 1.09-1.15). The combination of the two markers significantly empowered the prognostic relevance, with a HR of 6.64 for patients with CTCs and an elevated CA27.29 by 10 U/mL compared to patients without CTCs and without CA27.29 elevation. The mean risk of disease recurrence in the third year after randomization was 2.38%. Discrimination of patients with and without disease recurrence based on risk prediction from the extended Cox model (AUC: 0.80) was better than discrimination based on the clinical model without the markers CTC and CA27.29 (AUC: 0.64). Sensitivity with regard to decision thresholds 1%, 2%, 3%, and 4% predicted risk was 0.89, 0.77, 0.65, and 0.55, respectively. The corresponding specificity was 0.42, 0.69, 0.81, and 0.88.

Discussion

Both CTCs and CA29.27 values determined 2 years after primary diagnosis are clinically relevant predictors of subsequent prognosis for those patients. This study extends evidence for active surveillance of breast cancer survivors. Identifying a group of women with a high recurrence risk after two years could be the basis for the development of secondary adjuvant treatment.

Citation Format: Janni W, Rack B, Häberle L, Friedl TWP, Tesch H, Lorenz R, Jäger B, Fehm T, Müller V, Schneeweiß A, Lichtenegger W, Blohmer J, Beckmann MW, Scholz C, Pantel K, Trapp E, Fasching PA. Active surveillance with a combination of tumor marker CA27.29 and detection of circulating tumor cells two year after primary diagnosis strongly predicts subsequent prognosis [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2016 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; 2016 Dec 6-10; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2017;77(4 Suppl):Abstract nr P2-05-02.

Additional prognostic value of lymph node ratio over pN staging in different breast cancer subtypes based on the results of 1,656 patients

PURPOSE

Although the impact of lymph node ratio (LNR: ratio of metastatic to resected LNs) in breast cancer (BC) has been investigated, its prognostic value in molecular subtypes remains unclear. Our aim was to evaluate the impact of LNR compared to pN-stage in BC subtypes.

PATIENTS/METHODS

We analyzed the impact of LNR and pN-stage on disease-free (DFS) and overall survival (OS) in 1,656 patients with primary BC who underwent primary axillary surgery (removal of ≥10 LNs) between 1998 and 2011. The cut-off points for LNR were previously published. Using immunohistochemical parameters tumors were grouped in luminalA, luminalB/HER2-, luminalB/HER2+, HER2+ and triple negative (TNBC).

RESULTS

For the entire cohort 5/10-year DFS and OS rates were 88/77% and 88/75%, respectively. LNR and pN-stage were independent prognostic parameters for DFS/OS in multivariate analysis in the entire cohort and each molecular subgroup (p < 0.001). However, increasing LNR seemed to discriminated 10-year DFS slightly better than pN-stage in luminalA (intermediate/high LNR 65/44% versus pN2/pN3 71/53%), luminalB/HER2- (intermediate/high LNR 48/24% versus pN2/pN3 41/42%), and TNBC patients (intermediate/high LNR 49/24% versus pN2/pN3 56/33%).

CONCLUSIONS

LNR is an important prognostic parameter for DFS/OS and might provide potentially more information than pN-stage in different molecular subtypes.

Role of serum concentration of VEGFR1 and TIMP2 on clinical outcome in primary cervical cancer: results of a companion protocol of the randomized, NOGGO-AGO phase III adjuvant trial of simultaneous cisplatin-based radiochemotherapy vs. carboplatin and paclitaxel containing sequential radiotherapy

OBJECTIVE

Aim of the present study was to analyze the expression-profile of IGF1, IGFBP3, sICAM1, sVCAM1, MMP2, MMP9, TIMP2, VEGFA, VEGFD, VEGFC and VEGFR1 in patients with high-risk FIGO-stage Ib-IIb cervical cancer.

METHODS

Serum from 68 cervical cancer patients treated within a phase-III-trial with either simultaneous cisplatin radiochemotherapy or sequential systemic carboplatin and paclitaxel followed by percutaneous irradiation was analyzed by ELISA. Both target expression and correlation with important clinicopathological factors were analyzed following standard statistic procedures.

RESULTS

All 68 patients underwent a primary radical hysterectomy with pelvic and/or paraaortic lymphadenectomy. 85.3% of the extirpated tumors had clear surgical margins (R0). Increased levels of VEGFR1, TIMP2 and MMP2 were significantly associated with positive surgical margins (p=0.004, p=0.018 and p=0.004, respectively). High concentration of MMP2 and TIMP2 correlated additionally with an advanced age at time of diagnosis (p=0.001 and p=0.007, respectively). For the cut-off value of 100 pg/ml, an increased VEGFR1 was significantly associated with poor overall (OS) and progression-free (PFS) survival (p=0.017 and p=0.015, respectively). A TIMP2 concentration of lower than 90 ng/ml was significantly associated with poorer OS and PFS (p=0.009 and p=0.043, respectively). In the multivariate analysis, TIMP2 expression in serum was the only independent prognostic factor for OS (p=0.032, HR=6.51, 95% CI=1.17-36.01).

CONCLUSIONS

Expression-profile of specific biomarkers associated with tumor invasion, cell migration and angiogenesis seems to be of prognostic value for both OS and PFS in patients undergoing surgery due to primary cervical cancer. Further analyses are warranted to allow an implementation of such markers into clinical practice.

The 21-gene recurrence score assay impacts adjuvant therapy recommendations for ER-positive, node-negative and node-positive early breast cancer resulting in a risk-adapted change in chemotherapy use

Background

We carried out a prospective clinical study to evaluate the impact of the Recurrence Score (RS) on treatment decisions in early breast cancer (EBC).

Patients and methods

A total of 379 eligible women with estrogen receptor positive (ER+), HER2-negative EBC and 0–3 positive lymph nodes were enrolled. Treatment recommendations, patients' decisional conflict, physicians' confidence before and after knowledge of the RS and actual treatment data were recorded.

Results

Of the 366 assessable patients 244 were node negative (N0) and 122 node positive (N+). Treatment recommendations changed in 33% of all patients (N0 30%, N+ 39%). In 38% of all patients (N0 39%, N+ 37%) with an initial recommendation for chemoendocrine therapy, the post-RS recommendation changed to endocrine therapy, in 25% (N0 22%, N+ 39%) with an initial recommendation for endocrine therapy only to combined chemoendocrine therapy, respectively. A patients' decisional conflict score improved by 6% (P = 0.028) and physicians' confidence increased in 45% (P < 0.001) of all cases. Overall, 33% (N0 29%, N+ 38%) of fewer patients actually received chemotherapy as compared with patients recommended chemotherapy pre-test. Using the test was cost-saving versus current clinical practice.

Conclusion

RS-guided chemotherapy decision-making resulted in a substantial modification of adjuvant chemotherapy usage in node-negative and node-positive ER+ EBC.

Toxicity of adjuvant sequential chemo- and radiotherapy of high-risk endometrial carcinoma (HREC)—Results of a phase II multicenter feasibility NOGGO study

16074

Background: Isolated adjuvant radio- or chemotherapy (CHT) only reduces local or distant relapses in HREC without impact on overall-survival. Therefore a multicenter feasibility study on adjuvant sequential chemo- and radiotherapy of HREC was initiated in order to evaluate safety and toxicity. Planned number of patients was 40, if after 17 pts. no termination of therapy because of toxicity was necessary, study can be closed and a phase III-study can be initiated. The data on toxicity are presented. Methods: Eligibility criteria: adenocarcinomas G1/G2 stage IC or G3 stage IA-IC or all stages II and IIIA (histological), all tumours with more than 2 cm diameter in size or non endometrioid cancers stage IA-C, II and IIIA and all cases with vessel invasion. Surgery: abdominal hysterectomy with bilateral adnexectomy without lymphadenectomy or with pelvic and para-aortic lymphadenectomy and positive lymph nodes. Further: Karnofsky-Index > 70, normal bone marrow, kidney, and liver function with laboratory tests not higher than 1.5 times of the normal local reference values. CHT: 175 mg/m2 paclitaxel plus carboplatin AUC 5, q 3 weeks for 4 cycles beginning latest 6 weeks after surgery. Within 6 further weeks after CHT an external beam irradiation (total dose 50.4 Gy, 28 fractions with 1.8 GY/d) plus 3 intracavitary HDR-iridium-192- brachytherapy courses with 3 x 5 GY were performed. Results: To date 17 pts (mean 64.1 years) completed 68 cycles CHT and following radiotherapy. There was no termination of therapy. Grade III leucopenia was observed in 9 % with 2 pts. requiring prolongation of treatment interval. There were 3 and 1 % grade II anemia and thrombocytopenia respectively. Further grade II toxicity: alopecia 38, fatigue 12, nausea/emesis 3, sensory neuropathy 12 %. Administration of G-CSF (pegfilgrastim) and epoitin (darbepoetin) was necessary in 2 and 6 % of cycles. Conclusions: Adjuvant sequential chemo- and radiotherapy of HREC is feasible by safety and toxicity and a phase III study can be initiated.

No significant financial relationships to disclose.

Tumor-specific correlation of tumor-type M2 pyruvate kinase (Tu M2-PK) in patients with cervical carcinoma

5044

Background: Pyruvate kinase is a key enzyme in glycosis. Proliferating cells express the tetrameric isoenzyme pyruvate kinase type M2 (M2-PK), which decomposes to the dimeric form during tumor development (Tu M2-PK). This suggests that Tu M2-PK can be used as a tumor marker. The goal of the present study was to investigate the diagnostic value of Tu M2-PK in patients with cervix carcinoma and in patients with preinvasive lesions (CIN I-III). Methods: Plasma samples were investigated from a total of 116 patients using the quantitative sandwich enzyme immunoassay for Tu M2-PK (ScheBo, Tech GmbH). The patients were divided up into 3 groups depending on the severity of their condition: Group 1 (n = 43): CIN I-III; Group2 (n = 49): cervix carcinoma FIGO stage I-IV; Group3 (n = 24): relapse of cervical cancer. Results: The differentiation into three groups depending on the severity of the condition gave significant results, with the group of patients with relapsed cervix carcinoma having the highest concentration of Tu M2-PK (p < 0.001) (mean rank: Group 1 - 33.67, Group 2 - 62.48, Group 3 - 94.85 U/ml). In addition, there was a significant differentiation with respect to the FIGO stage, with increasing concentration for increasing stages (p < 0.001). In contrast with this there was no significant differentiation in patients with preinvasive lesions (p < 0.99). In the evaluation of the correlation with prognosis factors of cervix carcinoma (lymph-node status: N(+), N(−); lymphangioinvasion: L1;L0; angioinvasion: V1, V0 and grading G1–3) there were significantly higher values with positive lymph nodes (N+) (p < 0.0001). No significant differences were determined in the analysis of different tumor sub-types (squamous cell carcinoma, adenocarcinoma, adeno-squamous cell carcinoma) (p = 0.076). Conclusions: These are first results which indicate that Tu M2-PK can be used as a marker to differentiate between malignant and premalignant lesions for patients with cervical cancer. In addition, the concentration correlates with the stage of the disease.

No significant financial relationships to disclose.

Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutation rate in advanced ovarian cancer (AOC): Results of a prospective study in Caucasian patients (pts)

13127

Background: The EGFR is over expressed in 55% to 98% of advanced epithelial ovarian carcinoma. Different studies demonstrated EGFR status as an independent prognostic factor for OC. Recent studies in non small cell lung cancer suggest that the presence of the clinical response to tyrosine kinase inhibitors (e.g. ZD 1839) correlates with the somatic mutations in the kinase domain of EGFR, exons 18–21. For pts with OC data are not available on EGFR gene mutation. Methods: Shock-frozen samples from 32 patients (pts) with primary of ovarian cancer were stratified in two groups according to disease-free interval: ≤6 months (17 pts.) and <6 months (15 pts.). All pts were prospectively collected within Tumor bank Ovarian Cancer Project. Patient collective consisted only from west European Caucasian women. Additionally, 9 commercial available ovarian cancer cell lines (TOV-90, TOV-112D, TOV-21G, OVCAR-3, A2780, A2780 ADR, ES-2, SK-OV-3, and Caov-3) and 32 established ovarian cancer lines were analysed. Exon sequencing of genomic DNA was used to detect L858R deletion mutations of EGFR within exons 21 of the kinase domain. PCR and capillary electrophoresis (Chip-Format) were used to analyse 15 bp deletion in Exon 19. We focused on descriptive analysis. The Log-Rank test was applied to confirm statistically significance (p-value of <0.05). Results: Overall, 74.6% of the pts. were diagnosed FIGO stage III-IV. Median follow-up period was: 14.17 month (range: 2–42 months). Whether in cell lines, nor in tumor samples, stratified to response of platinum therapy any mutation of EGFR gene was observed. Conclusions: Our study indicates that the prevalence of mutation in the kinase domain of EGFR, exons 19 and 21 seems to be very low in pts. with AOC. Further studies should investigate other ethical groups of pts.

No significant financial relationships to disclose.

Analysis of the VEGF family and their receptors in serum/plasma of patients with pre-invasive and invasive cervical cancer

5016

Background: The vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) family and their receptors are essential regulators of angiogenesis and lymphangiogenesis. This study examined the significance of circulating VEGF, VEGF-C, VEGF-D and their receptors VEGFR-1 and VEGFR-2 in patients with preinvasive and invasive cancer in relation to conventional prognostic parameters. Methods: Blood samples were obtained from 125 women before initial treatment (CIN I-III n = 50; FIGO stage I-IV n = 51; relapse n = 24). Plasma (p) and serum(s) levels of pVEGF, sVEGF-D, sVEGFR-1, sVEGFR-2 (R&D Systems, USA) and sVEGF-C (IBL, Japan) were determined by using a quantitative sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Results: The highest level of pVEGF (p = 0.007) and sVEGFR-2 (p = 0.014) were detected in patients with recurrent disease, whereas the highest level of sVEGF-D (p = 0.046) were measured in patients with preinvasive lesions (CIN I-III). Furthermore, significantly elevated levels of sVEGF-C (p = 0.021) were detected in early stages (FIGO I-II) in comparison with advanced stages (FIGO III-IV) of cervical cancer. No significant difference in concentration was observed between the various grades of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN I-III). Correlations between conventional prognostic markers such as lymph node status (N0/N1), lymphangioinvasion (L0/L1), angioinvasion (V0/V1) and grading (G1/G2/G3) were investigated. Increased plasma levels of VEGF (p = 0.036) correlate with the dissemination of tumor cells to regional lymph nodes (N1),whereas serum VEGF-D levels were significantly decreased in women with lymph-node involvement (N1) (p = 0.045) and vascular invasion (L1) (p = 0.019). None of these members of the VEGF family were found to correlate significantly with histological subtype (squamous cell carcinoma, adenocarcinoma, adeno-squamous cell carcinoma) or grading of the tumor cells (G1/G2/G3). Conclusions: These results show that circulating concentrations of VEGF are associated with the stage of disease. In an early stage of cervical cancer a switch to a lymphangiogenic phenotype (VEGF-D, VEGF-C) might be possible.

No significant financial relationships to disclose.

Comparison of neoadjuvant 6 vs 8 cycles of docetaxel/doxorubicin/cyclophosphamide (TAC) in patients early responding to TACx2-the GEPARTRIO Study

576

Background: Primary breast cancer (BC) patients (P) with early response to neoadjuvant TACx2 (75mg/m, 50 mg/m, 500 mg/m, day 1, q21, supported with (pegylated) G-CSF and epoetin) experience a high pathologic complete remission (pCR) rate after further TACx4 (von Minckwitz et al, Ann Oncol 2005) compared to patients without early response (SABCS 2005, Abst 38). We compared prolongation to 8 cycles of TAC with conventional 6 cycles TAC in the chemosensitive subgroup. Methods: P with operable (T 2 cm by palpation) or locally advanced (T4 or N3, M0) BC were treated with TACx2. If tumor reduction was exceeding 50% according to breast ultrasound, P were randomized to receive either 4 or 6 additional cycles. Endpoints were pCR-rate (no invasive and no non-invasive residuals) (primary), sonographic response before surgery, breast conservation rate, safety and compliance (secondary). To detect an increase in pCR-rate from 20 to 26%, 606 evaluable patients were requested for each arm (α=0.05, β=0.2, one-sided). Results: 2106 P were recruited into the multi-centre, prospective, open-label, randomized GEPARTRIO-trial within 36 months. 1400 P with an early response to TACx2 were randomized with the last patient having surgery in Dec 05. Median clinical tumor size was 4.0 (1.0 - 30.0) cm at study entry. A planned safety and blinded efficacy interim analysis was performed on the first 600 patients (306 TACx6, 294 TACx8). Main toxicities (grade I-IV %TACx6 vs %TACx8) were: anemia (91 vs 93), thrombopenia (39 vs 49), neutropenia (65 vs 75), febrile neutropenia (10 vs 16), infection (29 vs 30), vomiting (42 vs 44), diarrhea (59 vs 52), stomatitis (66 vs 67), conjunctivitis (51 vs 57), allergic reactions (20 vs 14), edema (40 vs 47), asthenia (90 vs 93), hand-foot-syndrome (25 vs 28), nail (43 vs 50), dyspnea (33 vs 37), sensory neuropathy (51 vs 61). Treatment was discontinued early in 165 P (31.0%), 53 (19.8%) P during TACx6 and 112 (42.3%) P during TACx8. Overall pCR was reported in 102 (17.0%) of these patients. Conclusions: TACx8 is associated with moderate increase in toxicity and treatment discontinuations compared to TACx6. Final results on the primary and secondary endpoints will be presented.

[Table: see text]

Dose Finding Study for Combination Treatment with Topotecan and Gemcitabine of Patients with Recurrent Ovarian Cancer after Failure of First-Line Chemotherapy with Paclitaxel and Platinum

OBJECTIVES

Topotecan and gemcitabine have shown mono-activity against different solid tumors including recurrent ovarian cancer after failure of platinum- and paclitaxel-containing therapies. Both drugs affect DNA replication, topotecan additionally inhibits the DNA repair process. Efficacy profiles and different mechanisms of action make the combination of both drugs a promising regimen. Therefore the following dose-finding study was conducted to determine the maximum tolerated dose (MTD) and the dose-limiting toxicities (DLT) of this combination. Based on the monotherapy schedules topotecan was given on day 1-5, and gemcitabine on day 1 + 8 every 21 days.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Patients with histologically proven ovarian cancer who relapsed after platinum- and paclitaxel-containing therapy were enrolled. 3 different dose levels were investigated. No individual dose escalation or primary use of cytokines were allowed.

RESULTS

23 patients were enrolled, 50% were pretreated with at least 2 platinum-containing therapies; 80 courses were analyzed for toxicity. Thrombocytopenia and leucopenia were the major DLTs. The MTD for phase II trials is 0.50 mg/m(2) topotecan and 800/600 mg/m(2) gemcitabine. In this dose level only one therapy-related non-hematological adverse event >grade 2 (grade 3 mycotic stomatitis) and one grade 4 thrombocytopenia occurred. Responses were observed in 6 and stable disease in 4 out of 12 evaluable patients. Median survival was 15.3 (95% CI: 13.2-28.6) months.

CONCLUSIONS

The results of this phase I study demonstrate the feasibility and tolerability of this new combination in heavily pretreated patients. Based on these results a phase II study was initiated to evaluate the efficacy of this regimen.

A phase II study of topotecan plus gemcitabine in the treatment of patients with relapsed ovarian cancer after failure of first-line chemotherapy

BACKGROUND

Second-line chemotherapy for patients with ovarian cancer who failed platinum and paclitaxel treatment remains a therapeutic challenge. We investigated the toxicity profile and therapeutic efficacy of a novel combination regimen, topotecan plus gemcitabine, in a clinical phase II study.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Women with relapsed epithelial ovarian cancer after platinum and paclitaxel treatment were eligible to participate in this trial. Topotecan was given at an initial dose of 0.5 mg/m(2) daily (days 1-5), combined with gemcitabine 800 mg/m(2) and 600 mg/m(2) on days 1 and 8, respectively. Precluding good tolerability, this protocol facilitated subsequent dose increases of topotecan up to 1.0 mg/m(2). The primary objective was to determine the dose-limiting toxicity, whereas secondary objectives comprised measurable and CA-125 response rates, disease-free and overall survival.

RESULTS

The twenty-one patients (median age 57 years, range 37-70 years) who were allocated to this trial received a total of 94 courses of chemotherapy. Median follow-up was 20.5 months. Topotecan dosage could be escalated to 0.75 mg/m(2) in nine patients and 1 mg/m(2) in another two patients. Dose reduction was not necessary in any case. There were no episodes of neutropenic fever, sepsis or chemotherapy-related fatalities. Only one patient developed CTC grade 4 leukopenia after the first treatment cycle, whereas three patients showed grade 3/4 anaemia. Five patients experienced thrombocytopenia grade 4 without clinical sequelae. Non-hematological toxicities were mild and rare. Eleven patients could be evaluated for clinical tumour response, with three complete, and four partial remissions. Two patients each had stable and progressive diseases. The median progression-free survival rate was 8.8 months [95% confidence interval (CI) 6.3-13.4 months]. The median overall survival rate was 21.1 months (95% CI 14.8-22.1 months).

CONCLUSIONS

Topotecan combined with gemcitabine has a favourable toxicity profile and encouraging efficacy in patients with recurrent ovarian cancer.

The integration of anthracyclines in the treatment of advanced ovarian cancer

Since the publication of the Gynecologic Oncology Group (GOG) protocol 111 in 1996, and the results of the Arbeitgemeinschaft Gyna kologische Onkologie (AGO) trial Ovar-3 and the GOG protocol 158, the combination of platinum and paclitaxel has been adopted as the standard therapy in advanced ovarian cancer. One option for achieving further progress in the first-line treatment of advanced ovarian cancer might be the addition of noncross-resistant drugs to the two-drug regimen. Meta-analysis showed a survival benefit for platinum-anthracycline based combinations as compared to platinum-based combinations without anthracyclines. An AGO phase I/II trial compared epirubicin in combination with carboplatin and paclitaxel in untreated patients with gynecological malignancies. Based on the results of this study a randomized phase III trial together with the French GINECO group was conducted. The trial started 11/97 and was closed 11/99. All 1281 patients were randomized. Currently, 1132 end-of-therapy reports have been issued. Nine hundred eighty nine (87%) patients completed six cycles of treatment. Treatment and toxicity data are available for these patients. Three hundred thirty five patients had a measurable residual tumor after initial debulking surgery. Response data of 228 patients (111 ET-Carbo, 117 Carbo-T) are available.

Telomerase activity in cervical smears

It is well known that almost all carcinoma cells including those of the uterine cervix have re-established their telomerase activity. However, until now there is no conclusive picture on the telomerase activity in cervical dysplasias and about their relationship to HPV infection. To investigate this question, material from 34 patients (15 with normal epithelium, 11 with LGSIL, 8 with HGSIL) obtained by conventional cervical brushing was used and subjected to non-radioactive TRAP-ELISA (Boehringer Mannheim). The HPV analysis was performed by PCR on formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded biopsy material obtained after cytological investigation. We could show that telomerase activity is detectable in normal cervical epithelium, and that an gradual increase exists for both telomerase activity and HPV positivity from normal epithelium to HGSIL. However, HPV infection and telomerase activity appear to be independent of each other. The high frequency of telomerase positivity in patients with normal cervical epithelium indicates that telomerase activity is not a useful differential diagnostic aid. Whether patients with telomerase-positive dysplasias have a higher probability to progress into an invasive carcinoma remains to be clarified by follow-up studies.

[Dose intensified adjuvant chemotherapy in high risk breast carcinoma with 4-9 positive lymph nodes]

OBJECTIVE

Taxanes and anthracyclines represent the two most active groups of agents for the treatment of breast cancer. We evaluated this combination in patients with more than 3 positive lymph nodes in an adjuvant, dose-intensive, sequential therapy in comparison with the standard chemotherapy regimen epirubicin/cyclophosphamide in relation to toxicities.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Since 9/96 127 patients with 4-9/over 9 positive lymph nodes have been recruited from 21 participating centers in an ongoing trial. 67 patients were prospectively randomised for first-line chemotherapy to treatment group A (epirubicin 90 mg/m2-paclitaxel 175 mg/m2; 4 cycles bi-weekly, supported by G-CSF 5 micrograms/kg day 5-13 and 3 sequential cycles of CMF 600/40/600 mg/m2 at 2-weeks interval) and 60 patients to treatment group B (epirubicin 90 mg/m2-cyclophosphamide 600 mg/m2, 4 cycles tri-weekly, and 3 sequential cycles of CMF 600/40/600 mg/m2 at 3-weeks interval).

RESULTS

Preliminary safety and toxicity data are evaluable for 679 cycles. Data about response rate and disease-free-survival and overall survival will be delivered later. For the hematological toxicity the main grade 3 and 4 adverse events for A vs. B were: leucopenia 9.8% vs. 8.4%, febrile neutropenia 1.6% vs. 0.8%--anemia (< 5.9 mmol/l), 0.4% vs. 0.2%--thrombopenia 0% vs. 0%. Non-hematological toxicity occurred more frequently in group A (grade 2, 3, 4):--neuropathy 4.4% vs. 0%,--nausea/emesis 27.8% vs. 19.3%,--fatigue 14.6% vs. 3.4% and mucositis 2.8% vs. 0.3%.

[Preoperative chemotherapy of breast carcinoma]

Preoperative chemotherapy represents the standard procedure in inflammatory breast cancer. However, only recently it could be demonstrated that preoperative chemotherapy is beneficial even for patients with operable primary breast cancer. The number of breast conserving surgeries could be increased significantly. Furthermore this in vivo chemosensitivity assay can provide important prognostic as well as predictivy informations. Preoperative chemotherapy is not associated with an increased risk for the patients as outcome is similar to patients with conventional adjuvant treatment. We investigated new regimens to improve this type of chemotherapy and reached a remission rate of 93% with a combination of adriamycin and docetaxel (ADoc). A randomized study (GEPARDO-study) comparing ADoc with ADoc + tamoxifen has recently been started in Germany by the German Adjuvant Breast Cancer Study Group (GABG).

Combined treatment of inoperable carcinomas of the uterine cervix with radiotherapy and regional hyperthermia. Results of a phase II trial

AIM

The disappointing results for inoperable, advanced tumors of the uterine cervix after conventional radiotherapy alone necessitates improving of radiation therapy. Simultaneous chemotherapy or altered radiation fractionation, such as accelerated regimen, increase acute toxicity and treatment is often difficult to deliver in the planned manner. The purpose of this phase II study was to investigate the toxicity and effectiveness of a combined approach with radiotherapy and regional hyperthermia.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

From January 1994 to October 1995 18 patients with advanced carcinomas of the uterine cervix were treated in combination with radiotherapy and hyperthermia. The patients were treated with 6 to 20 MV photons delivered by a linear accelerator in a 4-field-box technique to a total dose of 50.4 Gy in 28 fractions. In the first and fourth week 2 regional hyperthermia treatments were each applied with the Sigma-60 applicator from a BSD-2000 unit. After this a boost to the primary tumor was given with high-dose-rate iridium-192 brachytherapy by an afterloading technique with 4 x 5 Gy at point A to a total of 20 Gy and for the involved parametrium anterioposterior-posterioanterior to 9 Gy in 5 fractions.

RESULTS

The acute toxicity was low and similar to an external radiotherapy alone treatment. No Grade III/IV acute toxicity was found. The median age was 47 years (range 34 to 67 years). In 16 of 18 patients a rapid tumor regression was observed during combined thermo-radiotherapy, which allowed the use of intracavitary high-dose-rate brachytherapy in these cases. Complete and partial remission were observed in 13 and 4 cases, respectively. One patient did not respond to the treatment. The median follow-up was 24 months (range 17 to 36 months). The local tumor control rate was 48% at 2 years. Median T20, T50 and T90 values were 41.7 degrees C (range 40.3 to 43.2 degrees C), 41.1 degrees C (range 39.2 to 42.5 degrees C) and 39.9 degrees C (range 37.7 to 41.9 degrees C), respectively. Cumulative minutes of T90 > 40 degrees C (Cum40T90) and cumulative minutes, which were isoeffective to 43 degrees C, were calculated (CEM43T90, CEM43T50, CEM43T20). CEM43T90 was found to be a significant parameter in terms of local tumor control for the 4 hyperthermia treatments (p = 0.019).

CONCLUSIONS

This treatment modality has proved to be feasible and well tolerable. The rapid tumor shrinkage in the combined approach of radiotherapy with hyperthermia before beginning brachytherapy seems to be a good prerequisite for improving of the disappointing results in cure of advanced cancer of the uterine cervix.