The outcome in patients with BRAF-mutated metastatic melanoma treated with anti-programmed death receptor-1 monotherapy or targeted therapy in the real-world setting

BACKGROUND

Immunotherapy and targeted therapy are currently two alternative backbones in the therapy of BRAF-mutated malignant melanoma. However, predictive biomarkers that would help with treatment selection are lacking.

METHODS

This retrospective study investigated outcomes of anti-programmed death receptor-1 monotherapy and targeted therapy in the first-line setting in patients with metastatic BRAF-mutated melanoma, focusing on clinical and laboratory parameters associated with treatment outcome.

RESULTS

Data from 174 patients were analysed. The median progression-free survival (PFS) was 17.0 months (95% CI; 8-39) and 12.5 months (95% CI; 9-14.2) for immunotherapy and targeted therapy, respectively. The 3-year PFS rate was 39% for immunotherapy and 25% for targeted therapy. The objective response rate was 72% and 51% for targeted therapy and immunotherapy. The median overall (OS) survival for immunotherapy has not been reached and was 23.6 months (95% CI; 16.1-38.2) for targeted therapy, with a 3-year survival rate of 63% and 40%, respectively. In a univariate analysis, age < 70 years, a higher number of metastatic sites, elevated serum LDH and a neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio above the cut-off value were associated with inferior PFS regardless of the therapy received, but only serum LDH level and the presence of lung metastases remained significant predictors of PFS in a multivariate analysis.

CONCLUSIONS

Present real-world data document the high effectiveness of immunotherapy and targeted therapy. Although targeted therapy had higher response rates, immunotherapy improved PFS and OS. While the prognostic value of LDH was confirmed, the potential use of blood cell count-derived parameters to predict outcomes needs further investigation.

Integrated dia-gnostics of diffuse gliomas

Recently, the World Health Organization (WHO) classification of tumours of the central nervous system (CNS) has brought essential changes. The currently valid revised WHO 2016 classification of CNS tumours introduced the concept of integrated dia-gnostics, which incorporated not only histopathological morphological finding and immunophenotype but also molecular-genetic characteristics of the tumour. Thus, the final integrated dia-gnosis comprises the traditional morphological and growth pattern characteristics of a tumour including histopathological grade and also specific molecular bio-markers. The classification of tumour based on a combination of both tumour phenotype and genotype enables more precise prognostic stratification, increases the objectivity of dia-gnostics and prediction of response to treatment. In 2017, an international platform, The Consortium to Inform Molecular and Practical Approaches to CNS Tumor Taxonomy - not official WHO (cIMPACT-NOW), was established to create and formulate practical recommendations for integrated dia-gnostics of CNS tumours and upcoming WHO classification. The incorporation of molecular bio-markers into the integrated dia-gnostics radically changed the classification of diffuse gliomas, which include entities with different morphological characteristics, genetic alterations and bio-logical behaviour. This review article summarizes essential morphological, immunophenotypical and molecular genetic characteristics of diffuse gliomas within the scope of integrated dia-gnostics according to the valid WHO classification of tumours of the CNS and subsequent recommendations of dia-gnostic approaches. This work was supported by grant of the Ministry of Health of the Czech Republic - Conceptual Development of a Research Organization (MMCI 00209805) and Grant Agency of Masaryk University (MUNI/A/1562/2018). The authors declare they have no potential conflicts of interest concerning drugs, products, or services used in the study. The Editorial Board declares that the manuscript met the ICMJE recommendation for biomedical papers.

Management of Immune-Related Endocrinopathies in Anticancer Treatment with Checkpoint Inhibitors

Modern immunotherapy with checkpoint inhibitors has become the backbone treatment for many cancers. However, it is often accompanied by immune-related side effects, which may differ depending on the nature of the treatment. The frequency of adverse reactions increases with the number of patients receiving immunotherapy. The situation has become even more difficult with the advent of combination immunotherapy. Although the kinetics of the onset and duration of toxicity have been well described, caution should be exercised. In clinical practice, cases with atypical courses often occur. Ignorance of the problem can lead to underestimation of symptoms and damage to the patient. Immune-related side effects are variable and any organ can be affected. In addition to skin, intestinal and liver toxicity, immune-related endocrinopathy is another relatively frequent toxicity. Thyroid, pituitary and adrenal glands are most commonly affected. Symptoms of endocrinopathy are often nonspecific, which may complicate a differential diagnosis. Fortunately, most toxicities are grade 1 and 2; however, in routine clinical practice, care must be exercised to detect the onset of life-threatening toxicity such as an adrenal crisis or type 1 diabetes mellitus with ketoacidosis. It is unclear whether high doses of corticosteroids are effective in preserving endocrine gland function. Long-term hormone replacement therapy is essential because immune-related endocrinopathy is often irreversible, unlike other immune-related toxicities. Close cooperation with an endocrinologist is therefore very important. This work was supported by MH CZ - DRO (MMCI, 00209805). The authors declare they have no potential conflicts of interest concerning drugs, products, or services used in the study. The Editorial Board declares that the manuscript met the ICMJE recommendation for biomedical papers.

[Immunotherapy of Renal Cell Carcinoma]

Treatment of renal cell carcinoma is still palliative. Targeted therapy increases response rates and prolongs overall survival and progression-free survival compared with cytokines and chemotherapy. Checkpoint inhibitors constitute the up-date of therapeutic approaches, and anti-PD-1 antibody, one checkpoint inhibitor, is now well established as a second and/or third palliative treatment for patients with renal cell carcinoma. In this study, we present the latest data from current studies on cytokines, cancer vaccines, ipilimumab, and nivolumab. The therapeutic efficacies of combinations such as targeted therapy with immune checkpoint inhibitors and anti-CTLA-4 with anti PD-1 (-L1) have been reported in many studies. Preliminary results are encouraging but the high toxicities and elevated cost are limiting. Treatments with combinations of bevacizumab and atezolizumab, axitinib and pembrolizumab or avelumab, lenvatinib and pembrolizumab, and nivolumab and ipilimumab (results from study phase I, II, and sometimes III) are reported to be highly effective and to result in long-lasting responses with response-rates of 70-100%. So far, valid predictors for these therapies have not been forthcoming, but considerable work is being exerted in this area. Heng and Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSKCC) models are still being used to select patients for immunotherapy. Immunotherapy will definitely continue to play an important role in the treatment of patients with renal cell carcinoma; however, many questions remain.Key words: renal cell carcinoma - immunotherapy - checkpoint inhibitors - target therapy Supported by MH CZ - DRO (MMCI, 00209805) This work was supported by program of the Czech Ministry of Health No. P03-15-34 678A. The authors declare they have no potential conflicts of interest concerning drugs, products, or services used in the study. The Editorial Board declares that the manuscript met the ICMJE recommendation for biomedical papers.Submitted: 16. 8. 2017Accepted: 7. 9. 2017.

Oligometastatic Prostate Cancer

BACKGROUND

With advancements in diagnostic techniques, oligometastatic prostate cancer is diagnosed in patients who were, in the past, considered to have localized disease. Moreover, evidence of the effectiveness of treatment intensification for this disease is increasing, focusing on primary tumors as well as metastatic lesions. Thus, we can delay the start of systemic palliative treatment and improve overall survival. Many questions remain unclear, such as the definition of oligometastasis disease, or which patients should be offered aggressive treatment. Data are limited and come from small retrospective studies but show conclusively the benefits of survival in targeted primary prostate and metastatic prostate cancer therapy with surgery or radiotherapy. Often, stereotactic radiotherapy is used in this indication, with minimal side effects. In retrospective studies, 3-5 metastatic lesions were generally accepted for definition of oligometastatic disease, but patient subgroups were heterogeneous. A recent study attempts to better define oligometastatic disease and find out the right degree of intensification of treatment. When and in which patient to use metastasis-targeted therapy and when the standard systemic treatment is already meaningful. It is already clear that selected patients benefit from targeted personalized treatment.

PURPOSE

The purpose of this review is to offer an update of the problem of oligometastatic prostate cancer. The article presents an overview of data from contemporary literature, modern possibilities of diagnostic imaging methods and treatment options of oligometastatic prostate cancer including surgery and radiotherapy.  authors declare they have no potential conflicts of interest concerning drugs, products, or services used in the study. The Editorial Board declares that the manuscript met the ICMJE recommendation for biomedical papers. Submitted: 8. 2. 2019 Accepted: 5. 3. 2019.

Aflibercept Plus FOLFIRI vs. Placebo Plus FOLFIRI in Second-Line Metastatic Colorectal Cancer: a Post Hoc Analysis of Survival from the Phase III VELOUR Study Subsequent to Exclusion of Patients who had Recurrence During or Within 6 Months of Completing Adjuvant Oxaliplatin-Based Therapy

The aim of this post hoc analysis of the VELOUR study (ClinicalTrials.gov NCT00561470) was to investigate the treatment effect of adding aflibercept to second-line infusional 5-fluorouracil (5-FU), leucovorin and irinotecan (FOLFIRI) in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) who had failed any prior oxaliplatin-containing regimen. Adjuvant rapid relapsers (ARR), who were enrolled directly following relapse during or within 6 months of completion of oxaliplatin-containing adjuvant chemotherapy (N = 124, including 17 patients who also received bevacizumab as part of their adjuvant therapy), were excluded from the original VELOUR intention-to-treat (ITT) population (N = 1226). After exclusion of the ARR, overall survival (OS) in the ITT minus ARR (ITT-ARR) population (N = 1102) was longer in the aflibercept plus FOLFIRI arm than in the placebo plus FOLFIRI arm [hazard ratio (HR) 0.78, 95 % confidence interval (CI) 0.68-0.90; median survival difference 1.87 months]. In the subgroup of patients assigned to the prior bevacizumab stratum at randomization, OS was numerically longer in the aflibercept plus FOLFIRI arm than in the placebo plus FOLFIRI arm (HR 0.81; 95 % CI 0.63-1.04; median survival difference 2.14 months). Comparison of the post hoc analysis results with the primary analysis from VELOUR suggests that the inclusion of the directly enrolled ARR may have understated the aflibercept treatment benefit for both bevacizumab-pretreated and bevacizumab-naïve patients in the strictly second-line setting although no definitive conclusion may be inferred. The benefit associated with the addition of aflibercept to second-line FOLFIRI in patients with mCRC was observed whatever the timing of first-line disease progression. There were no unexpected safety concerns.

[Controversy in the Postoperative Treatment of Low-grade Gliomas]

BACKGROUND

The optimal treatment for low-grade gliomas remains controversial. Neurosurgery, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy are the main treatment options. Despite advances in oncology, there are still a lot of uncertainties, and the optimal sequences, combinations, and timings of these procedures have not yet been optimized. It is still unclear whether temozolomide can replace effective, but toxic PCV chemotherapy (procarbazine, lomustine, vincristine) and whether temozolomide can be used upfront alone instead of radiotherapy alone. Mature results from phase III trials (CODEL, EORTC 22033-26033) will provide answers to these questions. Correlative analyses of survival data and molecular marker findings (1p/19q codeletion, IDH1/2 mutation, and MGMT promoter methylation status) are essential. Due to slow progressive nature of the disease, all clinical trials with low-grade gliomas are complicated by the need for long-term follow-up to obtain valid mature data, which makes any new treatment procedures or developments in basic research developed during the course of closed clinical trials difficult to apply in daily clinical practice. An example is the recently published RTOG 9802 study evaluating the role of adjuvant PCV in combination with radiotherapy for the treatment of high-risk low-grade glioma patients where the recruitment of patients was initiated almost two decades ago. Health-related quality of life after treatment of patients with expected long-term survival is also very important and its maintenance is currently the focus of considerable interest.

AIM

The main objective of the present review is to summarize the results of key clinical trials and highlight controversial issues that could have an impact on future daily practice. Another aim is to discuss these issues in the light of newly established molecular markers from the new 2016 WHO Classification of Tumors of the Central Nervous System.Key words: glioma - astrocytoma - radiotherapy - temozolomide - PCV - cognition This work was supported by MH CZ - RVO (MMCI, 00209805) and by project of the Ministry of Education, Youths and Sports of the Czech Republic CEITEC 2020 (LQ1601). The authors declare they have no potential conflicts of interest concerning drugs, products, or services used in the study. The Editorial Board declares that the manuscript met the ICMJE recommendation for biomedical papers.Submitted: 21. 2. 2017Accepted: 20. 3. 2017.

[The Role of Chemotherapy in the Treatment of Low-grade Gliomas]

BACKGROUND

The standard postsurgical options for low-grade gliomas include watchful waiting or radiotherapy depending on the risk factors for recurrence. The use of chemotherapy for the treatment of this disease is generally controversial, although the recently published results of the first of two large randomized phase III clinical trials (RTOG 9802 a EORTC 22033-26033), focusing on the evaluation of chemotherapy for the upfront treatment of newly diagnosed low-grade gliomas, are reassuring in this respect. The long-term results of a RTOG 9802 comparing radiotherapy alone with radiotherapy and six cycles of adjuvant PCV chemotherapy (procarbazine, lomustine, vincristine) in patients with high-risk low-grade gliomas will probably have an impact on daily clinical practice. The increase in median overall survival from 7.8 years to 13.3 years, mainly for patients with oligodendrogliomas, is unprecedented, but the toxicity of PCV is too high and molecular marker analysis remains inadequate. It is still unclear whether less toxic temozolomide can replace PCV and whether temozolomide can be used upfront alone instead of with radiotherapy. This question is addressed by the ongoing EORTC 22033-26033 study. The preliminary results show no significant difference in progression-free survival between patients receiving radiotherapy and those receiving temozolomide alone. Treatment with temozolomide was not associated with an improvement in cognitive function compared with treatment with radiotherapy. Despite limited follow-up, the study clearly confirmed the importance of molecular characterization of low-grade gliomas, as currently defined in the new 2016 WHO Classification of Tumors of the Central Nervous System.

AIM

The aim of the review is to summarize available information from listed key clinical trials of chemotherapy for low-grade gliomas and draw attention to unresolved issues concerning the use of chemotherapy for the treatment of this disease.Key words: glioma - astrocytoma - chemotherapy - PCV - temozolomide - RTOG 9802 This work was supported by MH CZ - RVO (MMCI, 00209805) and by project of the Ministry of Education, Youths and Sports of the Czech Republic CEITEC 2020 (LQ1601). The authors declare they have no potential conflicts of interest concerning drugs, products, or services used in the study. The Editorial Board declares that the manuscript met the ICMJE recommendation for biomedical papers.Submitted: 21. 2. 2017Accepted: 20. 3. 2017.

[News in Adjuvant Therapy of Non-seminomatous Germ Cell Testicular Tumors of Stage I]

Thanks to a multidisciplinary approach, testicular germinative tumors are now assigned to a group of highly curable oncologic diseases with favorable prognoses. Despite the gradual increase in the incidence of this type of cancer in recent years, mortality remains low. Yet, guidelines for postoperative treatment of stage I non-seminomatous germ cell testicular tumors remain inconsistent due to the low number of randomized studies. The probability of relapse is strongly associated with the occurrence of lymphangiogenesis. The period after primarily orchiectomy can be utilized for close monitoring, cisplatin-based adjuvant chemotherapy, or retroperitoneal lymphadenectomy. All variants of therapy offer a cure rate of about 99 %. The use of adjuvant chemotherapy, as well as retroperitoneal lymph node dissection, is associated with acute and late adverse effects. The effort to minimize side effects with preserving the lowest number of relapses resulted in the need for comparing the number of chemotherapy cycles and chemotherapy vs. retroperitoneal lymphadenectomy. The aim of this review is to evaluate the different treatment modalities for stage I testicular germ cell tumors with respect to their efficacy and toxicity.

[Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer - from Immunobiology to Immunotherapy]

BACKGROUND

The treatment of early or locally advanced stages of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is based on surgical resection or radiotherapy. Metastatic disease is always incurable, treatment is palliative, systemic based on chemotherapy or target therapy. NSCLC is the most common cause of cancer-related death worldwide, and new therapeutic approaches are needed. Based on the emerging data on the role of immune system in shaping of tumor outbreak and outcome, immunotherapy is currently in the center of interest of cancer research and therapy of solid cancers including NSCLC. Various anti-cancer vaccination approaches and antigen-independent immunomodulatory drugs are being developed and trialed. The most advanced in terms of approaching clinical practice are the so-called checkpoint inhibitors blocking cytotoxic T-lymphocyte antigen-4 (CTLA-4) or programmed cell death of the protein and its ligand (PD-1, PD-L1). Beside innovative drug development, the field of cancer immunotherapy focuses on the identification and clinical application of effective biomarkers of clinical efficacy and on the evaluation of combinations of immunotherapeutic drugs or with classical anti-cancer approaches, such as chemotherapy, radiotherapy or with targeted therapy.

AIM

In this review, we summarize basic principles of immnobiology of NSCLC in the context of innovative immunotherapeutics, strategy and phase III results of anti-cancer vaccines in NSCLC, results of NSCLC treatment with checkpoint inhibitors, and current challenges in immunotherapy of lung cancers.Key words: non-small cell lung cancer - immunotherapy - cancer vaccines - drug response biomarkersThis work was supported by MEYS - NPS I - LO1413.The authors declare they have no potential conflicts of interest concerning drugs, products, or services used in the study.The Editorial Board declares that the manuscript met the ICMJE recommendation for biomedical papers.Submitted: 10. 6. 2016Accepted: 16. 6. 2016.

Long-term Survival with Ipilimumab: Experience from a National Expanded Access Program for Patients with Melanoma

AIM

Evaluation of efficacy and safety of ipilimumab in patients with advanced, refractory melanoma enrolled into a national ipilimumab Expanded Access Program.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Adult patients with advanced/metastatic refractory melanoma were eligible for study inclusion. Ipilimumab was administered up to a total of four doses.

RESULTS

One hundred and ninety-six patients were analyzed. Full ipilimumab induction was administered to 66.8% of patients. Median overall survival (OS) in the entire cohort was 7.5 months. Median OS for patients after four doses of ipilimumab was significantly longer than for patients with fewer doses (12.3 months vs. 2.0 months respectively; p<0.001). Median OS for patients with objective tumor response was 42.3 months. Normal baseline serum lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and C-reactive protein (CRP) levels, and the number of affected organs correlated with improved OS.

CONCLUSION

The number of affected organs and combination of baseline LDH and CRP levels could potentially serve as predictors for both treatment response and OS.

[Side effects of Modern Immunotherapy and How to Solve Them in the Clinics]

BACKGROUND

The standard treatment of advanced melanoma has been changing in recent years. Palliative chemotherapy is being replaced by more efficient targeted therapies and modern immunotherapies based on antibodies against checkpoints of the immune response (so  called checkpoint inhibitors). Todays standard ipilimumab (ant-iCTLA 4 antibody) could significantly prolong overall survival and achieved longterm disease control in about 20% of patients. There are other perspective immune modulating agents, such as anti-PD 1 antibodies (nivolumab, pembrolizumab, pidilizumab) and anti-PD L1 antibodies. Unique mechanism of action is accompanied by new types of immunerelated adverse events.

AIM

The aim of the article is to summarize current knowledge about the toxicity of these antibodies and propose solutions in routine clinical practice.

[Epidemiological and clinico-pathological characteristics of patients with renal carcinoma: a single institution analysis of 544 cases]

BACKGROUND

The incidence of renal cell carcinoma in the Czech Republic is one of the highest in the world. Curative treatment is still possible only surgically, while in the palliative treatment, partial success was reached using targeted therapies. While prognostic factors and models are commonly used in clinical practice, unfortunately, predictive biomarkers have not been found. The aim of our study was to verify the validity of selected prognostic factors on a consecutive patient cohort from the Czech population.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

The patient cohort consisted of 544 patients with RCC diagnosed and/or treated at our institute from 2003 to 2010. Individual clinical and histological prognostic factors and Heng prognostic model were validated.

RESULTS

Median time of follow-up for our cohort was 42 months (range 0.3-326 months), median age at diagnosis was 62 years, and almost 64% of patients were men. Distribution of clinical stages was as follows: 46.5% of I, II. 10.7%, III. 13.1%, IV. 20%. 26.4% of patients in stage I-III relapsed. We diagnosed mainly clear cell (84.6%) and papillary carcinoma (9.2%). Initially, 95.8% of patients underwent surgical treatment, systemic adjuvant and palliative treatment was applied in 3.7 and 37.7% of patients, respectively. Palliative targeted therapy was received by a total of 163 patients (30%). In first-line targeted therapy, the following median TTP was reached (in months): 10.8 for sunitinib, 6.3 for sorafenib and 5.2 months for immunotherapy. The most significant prognostic factors (p < 0.00001) were: stage of disease (HR = 9.61), size of the primary tumor (HR = 5.83), lymph nodes (HR = 8.26), presence of sarcomatoid tumor sections in the tumor (HR = 7.29), and tumor grade (HR = 4.0). Besides these, we also confirmed the prognostic importance of presence of eosinophilic granulations in the tumor (HR = 1.91, p = 0.02). When applying the Heng prognostic model, we achieved similar results for patients treated with targeted therapies.

CONCLUSION

The obtained epidemiological and clinico-pathological data are consistent with previously published data. These prognostic factors can be used for a differentiated approach to patients with RCC, both for establishing follow-up plan for patients after surgery as well as indication for targeted therapies.

[Malignant melanoma treated with radical chemotherapy, resemblance histology of melanoma to soft tissue sarcomas, case report]

BACKGROUND

Malignant melanoma is considered to be highly resistant to chemotherapy, radiotherapy, hormonotherapy and standard immunotherapy (interleukin 2, interferon alpha). Radical surgery in the early stages of the disease is still the most efficient method. Since the development of immunotherapy and targeted therapy, the role of palliative chemotherapy for advanced disease may be changing.

CASE

A case report regarding 44-year-old woman with extensive tumor of the pectoral wall with contralateral axillary lymphadenopathy is presented. On the basis of imaging methods, histology and immunohistochemistry, the tumor was defined as a sarcoma. Due to PAX7-FKHR fusion gene positivity, rhabdomyosarcoma was the most probable classification. The patient was treated with radical chemotherapy including iphosphamide, vincristine, actinomycin D and doxorubicin with the effect of partial regression of the tumor. This enabled radical surgery of the chest wall tumor. Pathology proved 70% necrosis of the tumor. A contralateral axillary dissection was performed with a finding of two lymph nodes infiltrated with melanoma. The immunohistochemistry markers S100, HMB-45 and Melan A were positive. This resulted in a reclassification of the chest wall tumor to malignant melanoma. The following PET/CT scan was negative. A massive progression of the disease occurred after 5 months. B-RAF mutation leads to a plan of targeted therapy with vemurafenib.

CONCLUSION

The case demonstrates the limits of the sensitivity and specificity of immunohistochemical markers of melanoma and the ability of this tumor to imitate various tumors including soft tissue sarcomas. A rare -PAX7-FKHR fusion gene positivity considered specific for rhabdomyosarcoma was found. An extraordinary response to radical chemotherapy with surgical resection led to an improvement of the quality of life and to a prolonged survival comparable with the effect of new targeted treatment for malignant melanoma.

Primary adenocarcinoma of the epididymis: the therapeutic role of retroperitoneal lymphadenectomy

AIMS

This case report describes a rare case of adenocarcinoma of the epididymis and the role of locoregional surgery in the therapeutic algorithm.

CLINICAL CASE

We report a case of primary adenocarcinoma of the epididymis in a 61-year-old man who was primarily examined for nodular enlargement of the head of the epididymis. Retroperitoneal lymphadenectomy which the patient underwent after radical orchiectomy revealed lymph node metastases, subsequently he received adjuvant chemotherapy. The patient remains free of disease for 20 months after surgery.

CONCLUSIONS

Primary adenocarcinoma of epididymis is a rare finding with an unfavorable prognosis in higher stages as it responds poorly to radiotherapy and chemotherapy. Our case report confirms the importance of retroperitoneal lymphadenectomy in patients with local or locoregional disease. It may be curative even in case of proven lymphadenopathy and should be performed in all patients without distant metastases.

[Genetic background of cisplatin induced ototoxicity]

BACKGROUND

Cisplatin induced ototoxicity is a serious adverse effect of cisplatin therapy. Cisplatin induced ototoxicity shows significant interindividual variability. This variability is probably based on genetic background. Recent papers describe association of cisplatin ototoxicity with allelic variants of glutathion-S-transferase coding genes.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We have analyzed 55 patients treated with cisplatin therapy without any previous hearing impairment. Audiometric examination was performed before the start of cisplatin therapy and then before and after each cycle of cisplatin. DNA isolated from peripheral blood samples was used to analyze genetic polymorphisms of selected genes coding for glutathion-S-transferases.

RESULTS

We have demonstrated association of early onset of cisplatin induced hearing impairment with absence of null allele of GSTT1 (p = 0.009). Both GSTM1 gene deletion and single nucleotide polymorphism in GSTP1 gene (rs1695) did not show any association with cisplatin induced ototoxicity.

CONCLUSION

Early onset of cisplatin induced hearing impairment is more probable in persons with two functional alleles of GSTT1 gene.

[Multimodal treatment of glioblastoma multiforme: results of 86 consecutive patients diagnosed in period 2003-2009]

BACKGROUNDS

Glioblastoma multiforme is the most common malignant primary tumor of the brain in adults. Standard therapy consists in maximal surgical resection and adjuvant concurrent chemoradiotherapy and adjuvant therapy with temozolomid. This approach improves survival in comparison with postsurgical radiotherapy alone.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Consecutive patients with histologically confirmed glioblastoma multiforme in the period from January 2003 to December 2009 underwent postoperative radiotherapy (1.8-2.0 Gy/d, total of 60 Gy) plus concurrent daily chemotherapy (temozolomide 75 mg/m2/d), followed by 6 cycles of temozolomide (150 to 200 mg/m2 for 5 days, every 28 days) and were analyzed retrospectively. The primary end point was to describe the correlation between known clinical factors, treatment and progression free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS). We assessed the toxicity and safety of the chemoradiotherapy.

RESULTS

Eighty-six patients (median age, 56 years; 60% male) were included. Most of them (> 80%) were of performance status (PS) 0-1 at the beginning of chemoradiotherapy. Total macroscopic resection was performed in 20% of the patients, subtotal in 65%, partial in 9%, and just biopsy in 6%. Median PFS was 7.0 months (2.0-35.5), median OS was 13.0 months (2.5-70). Postoperative performance status (PS), the extent of resection, and administration of planned treatment without reduction had statistically significant influences on PFS and OS. Median PFS and OS were 22.0, 7.0 and 6.0 months for PFS (p = 0.0018) in patients with PS O, 1 and 2 respectively and 32.0, 13.0 and 9.0 months for OS (p = 0.0023). Patients with total removal of tumor had longer PFS (14.0 vs 6.0 months, HR = 0.5688; p = 0.0301) and OS (23.0 vs 12.0 months, HR 0.4977; p = 0.0093), as did patients without dose reduction of radiotherapy and/or chemotherapy. Patients with radiotherapy dose of over 54 Gy had PFS 8.0 vs 3.0 months (HR = 0.3313; p = 0.0001) and OS 15.0 vs 5.0 months (HR = 0.1730; p < 0.0001). Similarly, treatment with concurrent chemotherapy for more than 40 days was also important: PFS 8.0 vs 5.0 months (HR = 0.5300; p = 0.0023) and OS 17.0 vs 9.5 months (HR = 0.5943; p = 0.0175). Age, gender and position of tumor had no significant influence. Treatment-related hematology toxicity grades 3 and 4 occurred relatively often: thrombocytopenia (9%), leukopenia (6%), neutropenia (6%) and lymphopenia (25%). Thrombo-embolic events were dominant in non-hematology toxicity. Serious toxicity occurred mainly in the subgroup of patients with PS 2. Treatment of progression was useful in selected patients. Second surgery was of the most benefit (OS 24.0 vs 12.5 months, HR = 0.5325; p = 0.0111).

CONCLUSION

Postoperative performance status, extent of resection, successful administration of the majority of planned concurrent chemoradiotherapy and possibility of surgical treatment at the time of recurrence correlate with better prognosis for our patients with glioblastoma. Our experience indicates that performance status should be the main factor in decisions about treatment intensity. Treatment of malignant glioma requires a multidisciplinary team.

[EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors as a targeted therapy for bronchioloalveolar carcinoma of the lung: a case report of a clinically prompt and intensive response and literature review]

INTRODUCTION

Bronchioloalveolar carcinoma (BAC) is an adenocarcinoma belonging to non-small cell lung carcinomas (NSCLC) that, in addition to its morphology and endobronchial spread, presents with certain specific clinical characteristics: greater incidence in women, non-smokers and younger patients, presence of malignant bronchorrhea and lower susceptibility to conventional cytostatic therapies in comparison to other subtypes of NSCLC. On the other hand, nonmucinous type of BAC may show better therapeutic response to targeted therapy with epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKI) erlotinib or gefitinib, as it is 5 times more frequently a carrier of EGFR gene mutations compared to conventional lung adenocarcinomas.

CASE DESCRIPTION

We present a case of a 41 years old man, non-smoker for the last 5 years, who was diagnosed with a pneumonic form of nonmucinous bronchioloalveolar carcinoma. Metastases to regional and distant lymph nodes and massive involvement of skeleton with infiltrations in the bone marrow were present at the diagnosis. During the first line palliative chemotherapy with combination regimen of carboplatin and paclitaxel, the disease progressed significantly and the patient's condition deteriorated (performance status (PS) 3, severe dyspnoea at rest, malignant bronchorrhea). Subsequently, administration of erlotinib was initiated based on a series of case studies describing good response of BAC to treatment with EGFR TKI. An evident improvement of the patient's condition was observed as early as 4 days of administration, together with regression of peripheral lymphadenopathy. Nearly complete disappearance of pulmonary infiltrates was observed after 30 days of therapy, with the patient becoming asymptomatic, PS 0. Molecular genetics confirmed the tumour phenotype to be highly responsive to EGFR TKI therapy. The tumour contained EGFR mutation in exon 19 (in-frame L747-753insS deletion) and wild-type K-ras. Disease relapse in the liver occurred 6 months later confirming disease progression. Further treatment remained ineffective despite brief stabilisations of liver enzyme progression following repeated administration of pemetrexed and gefitinib. The patient died 12 months after the diagnosis.

CONCLUSIONS

Our case confirms the importance of targeted therapy when treating tumours of an appropriate phenotype. Such treatment may have prompt and intensive effect that may reverse the course of the disease even in patients with poor overall health status.

[New therapeutic options in therapy of glioblastoma multiforme]

Glioblastoma multiforme is one of the most aggressive malignant brain tumours with limited therapeutics options. Standard therapy is maximal surgical resection and adjuvant concurrent chemo-radiotherapy and maintenance therapy with temozolomide. This approach improves median and 5-year survival in comparison with postsurgical radiotherapy alone. Additional predictive and prognostic biomarkers are necessary, especially due to the development of targeted therapy--antibodies and tyrosine kinase inhibitors. These new therapeutic approaches are under intensive investigation. The most promising data currently available are for anti-angiogenic therapies, such as bevacizumab and cediranib. This review presents a summary of the possible role of targeted therapy in the treatment of glioblastoma multiforme.

[Cetuximab and irinotecan for the treatment of metastatic colorectal cancer--pilot results from Masaryk Memorial Cancer Institute]

BACKGROUND

Combination of cetuximab and irinotecan is an efficacious second- (and further-)-line treatment-alternative in patients with EGFR-positive metastatic colorectal cancer refractory to irinotecan. In this retrospective study we present treatment results of patients treated combination of cetuximab and irinotecan in Masaryk Memorial Cancer Institute.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Results were collected on forty-seven patients who started the therapy from July 2005 to February 2008. Primary outcomes were: response rate, time to progression and overall survival. Secondary outcomes were: treatment-related toxicity and identification of any predictive and prognostic markers. P-value was based on Gehan-Wilcoxon test or chi-square test and P-values < or = 0.05 were considered significant. The Kaplan-Meier method was used to estimate overall (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS).

RESULTS

Forty-two patients were valuable for the treatment response. Objective response rate (complete and partial remission) was 35.7% (15 patients) and disease control (response and disease stabilization) was achieved in 30 patients (71.4%). The median time to progression was 6, 4 months (range 1, 5-25 months). On the date of statistical processing (median follow-up: 9, 2 months, range 2, 5-27 months) there were 26 patients alive and the median overall survival was 17, 1 months. We have confirmed correlation between the grade of the skin rush and the treatment response (p = 0.05) and time to progression ( p = 0.01), on the other hand there was no association between EGFR expression and these parameters. The therapy was also effective in 8 of 14 patients (57%), who had documented resistance to irinotecan.

CONCLUSIONS

We have confirmed the efficacy of cetuximab and irinotecan combination for the therapy of patients with pretreated metastatic colorectal cancer. Our results are optimistic, but have to be validated in the course of time. The existence of nonresponding patients and by reason of pharmacoeconomy, we should give attention to the new molecular predictive and prognostic markers such as: K-ras-mutation and EGFR gene copy number.

[Adjuvant treatment for stage I of testicular germ cell tumours]

BACKGROUND

Testicular germ cell tumors (TGCT) are the most frequent malignancy seen in young men. More than 95% of patients diagnosed with early stage TGCT are cured. In management of stage I seminoma there are several treatment options, including adjuvant radiotherapy, adjuvant chemotherapy with one cycle of carboplatin or surveillance. Patients with stage I nonseminoma are treated with adjuvant chemotherapy, with nerve sparing retroperitoneal lymph node dissection or surveillance being considered another treatment alternatives for stage I disease.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Fifty five patients with stage I TGCT were diagnosed and treated in Masaryk Memorial Cancer Institute between January 2000 to December 2004. In a retrospective analysis, we reviewed treatment outcome and treatment strategy used in these patients. Patients characteristics also included histological subtype, risk status, age at the time of diagnosis, relapse rate, delayed toxicity, etc. Despite the small number of patients included in the analysis (55), there was observed a clear preference toward adjuvant radiotherapy in seminoma patients (95%) and adjuvant chemotherapy in nonseminoma patients (97%). During median follow up (5,6 years in seminoma group, 5,7 years in nonseminoma group) only two patients experienced relapse of disease in the seminoma group and none in the nonseminoma group. One patient died of metastatic colorectal cancer. Acute toxicity was acceptable, with no treatment related death. The long- term side effects were not significant (no grade 3 or 4 toxicity).

CONCLUSION

The achieved cure rates were high, with acceptable toxicity. The role of adjuvant chemotherapy with carboplatin in stage I seminoma remains controversial. Further management of TGCT should be guided by complete and correct assessment of known risk factors to ensure the potential for cure.

[Treatment of seminoma I stage disease]

About 35% of men with malignant testicular germ cell cancer are diagnosed with seminoma, up to 80% of them with stage I disease. The number of men succesfully treated reaches 100%. For many years radiotherapy following radical orchiectomy was considered the golden standard for treatment. Treatment efficiency of radiotherapy is limited by it's late sequlae, notably gastrointestinal diseases, second cancer development, cardiovascular toxicity or infertility. Therefore there has been an effort made to minimalise this late toxicity--by radiation field reduction, radiation dose reduction, surveilance or chemotherapy with carboplatine as a single agent. According to available studies the efficiency of radiotherapy reduced either in field area or dose are as efficient as previously used radiation regimens and is as efficient as adjuvant chemotherapy with carboplatine. On the other hand the results of surveillance studies are comparable to those of active therapies, especially in patients with contra-indications to active treatment especially without prognostic risk factors, i.e. tumour size >4 cm, invasion to rete testis, pre-operative elevation of tumoru markers (beta HCG). All of the above described treatment modalities (adjuvant radiotherapy or chemotherapy and surveillance of patients without risk factors) reach comparable 5 years' survival from 93.1% in surveillance to 96% in patients after radiotherapy or chemotherapy. Nowadays, according to the new NCCN guidelines 2008, we have several options for management strategies for post--orchiectomy treatment, i.e., adjuvant radiotherapy, surveillance and newly also adjuvant carboplatine - based chemotherapy. In our review article we discuss advantages and disadvantages of the various treatment modalities.

[Cardiotoxicity of drugs used in oncology]

Administration of cytotoxic drugs is accompanied by many serious side effects, with cardiac toxicity as one of the most dangerous. In clinical practice anthracyclines are the best known chemotherapeutic agents linked to cardiotoxicity, however there are a number of other anti-cancer drugs (cyclophosphamide, taxans, trastuzumab, 5-fluorouracil, imunomodulators etc) that may cause cardiac toxicity as well. Basic mechanism through which anthracylines cause cardiac damage is recognized, though many pathogenetic ways of their toxicity still remain to be elucidated. Administration of trastuzumab is also clearly associated with cardiotoxicity, however, depression of left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) caused by this agent (unlike anthacyclines) seems to be fully reversible. For monitoring cardiotoxicity we use several methods--biochemical examination, use of X-ray, radionuclides or ultrasound. The most commonly used method to identify patients with heart damage is echocardiography with clinical examination. When a cardiac damage (mostly congestive heart failure with low LVEF) occures, following treatment depends on clinical symptoms and LVEF. These patients are then treated according to common internal medecine recommendations. Several cardioprotective agents have been tested, among these dexarazoxane seems do show significant cardioprotective activity. Also liposomal encapsulation of anthacyclines may reduce heart damage, especially early cardiotoxicity. Cardiotoxicity of cytostatic agents is a very serious side effect of anti-cancer therapy, which may affect survival more than the malignancy itself. Therefore a concentrated effort should be expended to prevent cardiac damage or at least to its early identification and prompt treatment.