Serum phospholipids fatty acids and breast cancer risk by pathological subtype: EpiGEICAM study

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Background: The role of fatty acids (FA) in breast cancer (BC) etiology is unclear. Most studies are based on self-reported dietary intake, without considering their internal transformation. This analysis tries to assess whether serum levels of 26 phospholipid FA (PL-FAs) and markers of their endogenous metabolism are associated with BC risk, both globally and by pathological BC subtype. Methods: EpiGEICAM-01 is a Spanish multicenter matched case-control study. BC cases and healthy women completed a lifestyle and a food frequency questionnaire, and serum samples were collected. Serum PL-FAs percentages were measured by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC–MS). Conditional and multinomial logistic regression models were used to quantify the association of PL-FAs tertiles with BC risk, overall and by pathologic BC subtypes [luminal, HER2+ and triple negative]. Models were adjusted for age and region (multinomial models), education level, body mass index (BMI), menopausal status, age at menarche and at first birth, hormone replacement therapy, alcohol consumption, last year physical activity, history of benign breast disease, family history of BC and caloric intake, and were corrected for multiple testing. Stratified analyses by BMI and menopausal status were also performed. Results: Questionnaires and serum samples were collected from 795 case-control pairs. Women with high serum levels of stearic acid [odds ratio (OR)T3vsT1= 0.44; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.30-0.66], linoleic acid (ORT3vsT1= 0.66; 95% CI = 0.49-0.90) and arachidonic to dihomo-γ-linolenic acids ratio (OR T3vsT1= 0.64 95%; CI = 0.48-0.84; differences were remarkable in overweight/obese women) presented lower BC risk. Participants with high concentrations of palmitoleic acid (ORT3vsT1= 1.65; 95% CI = 1.20-2.26), trans-ruminant palmitelaidic acid (ORT3vsT1= 1.51; 95% CI = 1.12-2.02; differences observed were noticeable both in postmenopausal and in overweight/obese women), trans-industrial elaidic acid (ORT3vsT1= 1.52; 95% CI = 1.14-2.03; markedly both in premenopausal and in non-obese women), and high oleic to stearic acids ratio (ORT3vsT1= 2.04; 95% CI = 1.45-2.87) showed higher risk. These associations were similar in all BC pathological subtypes. Conclusions: Our results, which should be confirmed in future studies, emphasize the importance of analyzing fatty acids individually, as well as the desaturase activity indices. A decrease in the dietary intake of trans-monounsaturated fatty acids could be a good strategy for BC prevention.

Evolution of the myeloid-derived suppressor cells in advanced breast cancer and comparative analysis with a healthy population cohort

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Background: High levels of myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) seem a negative prognostic factor in advanced breast cancer (ABC) patients (pts). Preclinical studies suggest an immunomodulatory effect of some classical anti-tumor agents through alteration of MDSCs homeostasis. We analyzed the association of MDSCs and clinical evolution of ABC pts, taking into account the systemic treatment (tx) modulation of MDSCs levels in pts from two studies (“A”: GEICAM/2015-04 PANGEA-BREAST, NCT03025880 “Efficacy and Safety of Pembrolizumab and Gemcitabine in HER2-negative ABC”, and “B”: PI-0502-2014 “Peripheral blood analyses of immune response induced by 1st line tx of ABC according to clinical guidelines”). Methods: MDSCs (CD33+ CD11b+) levels were determined by flow-cytometry in peripheral blood samples at three time points (basal, at cycles 3 and 6) from: 39 HER2-negative heavily pretreated pts from study “A”, 43 non-pretreated pts (all subtypes) from study “B” and 20 women from a healthy cohort (HC), with no cancer diagnosis. MDSCs levels from the different cohorts were compared and correlated with pts with Clinical Benefit (CB: partial/complete response + disease stabilization) vs pts with Progressive Disease (PD). Results: Tx response was assessed in 33 pts (85%) from study “A” and 39 pts (91%) from study “B”. CB was observed in 11 pts (28%) from study “A” and in 34 (79%) from study “B” while PD was observed in 22 pts (56%) from study “A” and in 5 (12%) from study “B”. Basal MDSCs levels were significantly higher in ABC pts (studies “A”+”B”) than in HC (15.95 vs 0.81 cells/µl, p = 0.009). At cycle 6, MDSCs were considerably lower in pts with CB vs DP (2.90 vs 13.75 cells/µl, p < 0.001). This decrease was more pronounced in study “B” than in study “A” pts (p < 0.001 vs p = 0.074, respectively), probably due to differences in number of events, tumor subtypes and tx between both studies. Conclusions: Our results suggest that ABC pts show alterations in MDSCs and that their decrease along tx may have a positive predictive value, highlighting the importance that immune-competent status may play in the evolution of ABC. MDSCs may represent a target for therapeutic purposes in ABC.

Results of a Pilot Trial of Immunotherapy with Dendritic Cells Pulsed with Autologous Tumor Lysates in Patients with Advanced Cancer

Aims and background

The purpose of the study was to test the immunological and clinical effects of infusions of dendritic cells pulsed with autologous tumor lysate in patients with advanced cancer.

Patients and methods

Peripheral blood mononuclear cells from 15 patients with metastatic cancer (melanoma in 10, lung cancer in 2, renal cell carcinoma in 1, sarcoma in 1, breast cancer in 1) were harvested by leukapheresis after mobilization with GM-CSF (5 μg/kg/day s.c. for 4 days). Mononuclear cells were separated and cultured in GM-CSF (1000 U/ml) and interleukin-4 (1000 U/ml) for 7 days. Phenotype was assessed by 2-color flow cytometry and immunocytochemistry. On day 6, dendritic cells were pulsed with 1 g of fresh autologous tumor lysate for 24 h and infused intravenously. Interleukin-2 (6 million IU), interferon a (4 million IU) and GM-CSF (400 μg) were injected s.c. daily for 10 days beginning on the day of dendritic cell infusion. Treatment was repeated every 21 days for 3 courses.

Results

The morphology, immunocytochemistry and phenotype of cultured cells was consistent with dendritic cells: intense positivity for HLA-DR and CD86, with negativity for markers of other lineages, including CD3, CD4, CD8 and CD14. More than 5 × 107 dendritic cells were injected in all patients. Nine patients developed >5 mm delayed type cutaneous hypersensitivity reactions to tumor lysate ± GM-CSF after the first immunization (larger than GM-CSF in all cases). Median delayed type cutaneous hypersensitivity to lysate + GM-CSF was 3 cm after the third immunization. One melanoma patient with skin, liver, lung and bone metastases had a partial response lasting 8 months (followed by progression in the brain). Seven patients had stable disease for >3 months, and 7 had progression.

Conclusions

Infusion of tumor lysate-pulsed dendritic cells induces a strong cell-mediated antitumor immune reaction in patients with advanced cancer and has some clinical activity.

Medical oncology future plan of the Spanish Society of Medical Oncology: challenges and future needs of the Spanish oncologists

PURPOSE

The SEOM Future Plan is aimed at identifying the main challenges, trends and needs of the medical oncology speciality over the next years, including potential oncologist workforce shortages, and proposing recommendations to overcome them.

METHODS

The estimations of the required medical oncologists workforce are based on an updated Medical Oncologist Register in Spain, Medical Oncology Departments activity data, dedication times and projected cancer incidence. Challenges, needs and future recommendations were drawn from an opinion survey and an advisory board.

RESULTS

A shortage of 211 FTE medical oncologist specialists has been established. To maintain an optimal ratio of 158 new cases/FTE, medical oncology workforce should reach 1881 FTE by 2035.

CONCLUSIONS

Main recommendations to face the growing demand and complexity of oncology services include a yearly growth of 2.5% of medical oncologist's workforce until 2035, and development and application of more accurate quality indicators for cancer care and health outcomes measure.

Role of surgery in patients with recurrent, metastatic, or unresectable locally advanced gastrointestinal stromal tumors sensitive to imatinib: a retrospective analysis of the Spanish Group for Research on Sarcoma (GEIS)

BACKGROUND

Recurrent, metastatic, and locally advanced gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) can be treated successfully with imatinib mesylate. Surgery for residual disease has been suggested for nonrefractory metastatic GISTs to reduce the probability of resistant recurrent clones, although no randomized Phase III trial has been performed to answer the question about its benefit. We carried out an analysis of the outcome of patients with recurrent unresectable locally advanced or metastatic imatinib-sensitive priamary GIST in 14 institutions in Spain. We compared two cohorts: treated or not treated with surgery after partial response or stabilization by imatinib.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Data were obtained from the online GIST registry of the Spanish Group for Research in Sarcomas. Selected patients were then divided into two groups: group A, treated initially only with imatinib, and group B, treated additionally with metastasectomy. Baseline characteristics between groups were compared, and univariate and multivariate analysis for progression-free survival and overall survival (OS) were performed.

RESULTS

Analysis was undertaken in 171 patients considered nonrefractory to imatinib. The median follow-up time was 56.6 months. Focusing on OS, the Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status different than 0, extent of disease limited to one metastatic organ, and comparison between groups A or B achieved statistical difference in the multivariate analysis. Median survival was 59.9 months in group A and 87.6 months in group B.

CONCLUSIONS

Based in its benefit in OS, our study supports surgery of metastatic disease in GIST patients who respond to imatinib therapy.

Familial breast cancer in Spain: A retrospective study of family history and clinical/pathologic characteristics from the GEICAM “El Álamo III” project

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Background: Family history (FH) of breast cancer (BC), ovarian cancer (OC), and individual features (IF), like early age of onset, bilateral BC, coexistence of BC and OC, and triple negative BC (TNBC) younger than 50 years, are suspicion criteria of hereditary BC. Although it is assumed in the literature that 15-30% of BC cases can be familial BC (FBC), only 5-10% of BC are hereditary, explained by a germline mutation in BRCA1 or 2. Moreover, there is no international consensus to define FBC (e.g. number of relatives affected, age of onset), in contrast with, e.g. Lynch syndrome and Amsterdam/Bethesda criteria, in order to offer genetic counseling. In Spain, there are not population-based studies analyzing the real percentage of BC with familial and/or individual high risk features. Methods: A retrospective study based on 10,641 Spanish BC patients diagnosed from 1998-2001, collected in the “El Álamo III project”, was conducted. Specific data regarding FBC were analyzed: IF (age of onset, bilateral breast cancer, ovarian cancer and TNBC; and FH features (first and second degree relatives with BC and /or OC). Results: The Table summarizes the results. Conclusions: 21% of BC patients in Spain diagnosed from 1998 to 2001 have at least one relative with BC and/or OC. In addition, 2.8 % of patients with no FH of BC/OC fulfill high risk criteria. However, several study characteristics, such as 18% patients with no FH recorded, and lack of data regarding age of affected relatives, limit the interpretation of these results, being necessary to improve the family data collection in further “El Álamo” project studies. [Table: see text]

Randomized phase III study of adjuvant chemotherapy for high-risk, node-negative breast cancer (BC) comparing FAC with FAC followed by weekly paclitaxel: First efficacy analysis of the GEICAM/2003-02 trial

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Background: Adjuvant weekly paclitaxel (wP) sequential to anthracyclines improves the outcome of operable node-positive BC patients (pts) [Sparano NEJM 2008, Martin BCRT 2009]; however, most BC pts are currently node-negative at diagnosis. The role of wP in these pts is not well established yet. Methods: Pts aged 18-70, with T1-T3/N0 operable BC and at least one high-risk St Gallen 1998 criteria (size >2 cm, hormone-receptor [HR] negative, grade 2/3, age <35 years,) were eligible. HER2+ pts were allowed, after 792 entered the trial, the study was amended to exclude them. Pts were stratified by site, menopausal status, nodal status diagnostic method (sentinel-node biopsy versus lymphadenectomy) and HR status and randomized to receive FAC x6 (500/50/500 mg/m2 every 3w) or FAC x4→wP x8 (paclitaxel 100 mg/m2 weekly). The primary endpoint was DFS. The trial was designed to detect an absolute 5-y DFS increase of 5% (80% FAC, 85% FAC→wP); a sample size of 1812 evaluable patients (906 per arm) was required to detect this difference (α=0.05, β= 80%). Assuming a drop-out rate of 6%, 1929 pts were required. The first analysis of DFS was planned when a median follow-up of 5 years was reached. Results: Between September 2003 and October 2008, 1925 pts (FAC 974, FAC→wP 951) were randomized. Patient characteristics were well balanced between arms, median age was 50, 73% of pts were HR positive and 9% HER2 positive. 97% of pts with FAC and 85% of pts with FAC→wP completed all treatment as planned. The median dose intensity was 98% with FACx6, 99% with FACx4 and 98% with wP. The most frequent grade 3-4 toxicities (>3% in either arm) with FAC vs FAC→wP were neutropenia (25% vs 22%) with 4% vs 3% of febrile neutropenia, fatigue (3% vs 8%), sensory neuropathy (0 vs 5%), and vomiting (4% in each arm). After a median follow-up of 5.3 years, the proportion of patients disease free is 93% and 90% with FAC→wP and FAC (HR for relapse 0.732, 95% CI: 0.542 to 0.990; log-rank p-value=0.0423). Conclusions: For pts with high-risk node-negative BC, adjuvant FAC→wP was associated with a small but significant improvement in DFS compared with FAC, with manageable toxicity.

Phase II study of neoadjuvant high-dose ifosfamide with concurrent radiotherapy followed by surgical resection in high-risk soft tissue sarcoma: A Spanish Group for Research on Sarcomas (GEIS) study

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Background: High-dose ifosfamide (HDI) has shown promising activity as single agent in first-line chemotherapy for advanced soft tissue sarcoma (STS). The purpose of this study was to assess the activity and toxicity of a preoperative doxorubicin-free regimen of HDI given concurrently with radiotherapy (RT) and followed by surgery in patients (pts) with localized high-risk STS. Methods: Pts with localized > 5 cm grade 2-3 and deep STS of the extremities and trunk wall, ≤65 years, no prior chemotherapy and ECOG PS 0-1 were enrolled in this multicenter phase II study. Pts received 3 cycles of preoperative HDI at a dose of 12 gr/m2 by continuous infusion over 5 days every 3 weeks, with mesna and prophylactic GCSF support, and concomitant external beam RT to a total dose of 50 Gy, followed by surgical resection. Postoperatively, pts with pathological response received 2 cycles of HDI and those with positive surgical margins 16 Gy of RT. The primary study endpoint was pathologic response (≥ 95% pathologic necrosis). A Simon 2-stage design (response rate P0=15%, P1=35%, α=0.10, β=0.10) required at least 2 responses in the first 17 pts to expand to a second cohort, and 7/32 responses to be considered of positive. Results: From March 08 to December 10, 34 pts were included. Two pts were ineligible. Median age was 54 (18-65). Tumor location was extremity (28 pts) and trunk wall (4). Preoperative planned treatment was completed in 87.5% pts. HDI was completed in 87.5% pts while RT in 94% pts. Grade 3-4 toxicities included neutropenic fever (3 pts), anemia (4), asthenia (2), infection (2) and radiation dermatitis (2). 31 pts underwent surgery: 27 were R0 resections, of which 2 were amputations, and 4 were R1 resections. Pathologic response was ≥ 95% necrosis in 9 pts (28%) and 50%-94% necrosis in 12 pts. After a median follow-up of 21 months, estimated 2-year rates for disease-free survival and overall survival were 58% (95%CI, 40%-77%) and 77% (95%CI, 61%-93%), respectively. Conclusions: Preoperative treatment with HDI given concurrently with RT in pts with high-risk STS is feasible and safe, yielding promising pathologic response rates.

Exploring pregnant women's views on influenza vaccination and educational text messages

BACKGROUND

The influenza vaccine has the potential to reduce morbidity among pregnant women and newborns but immunization coverage remains low. Effective interventions are needed to promote vaccine uptake in this population.

PURPOSE

The goal of this study was to explore attitudes toward influenza vaccination and interest in targeted educational text messages among urban pregnant women.

METHODS

English and Spanish language focus groups were conducted with pregnant women in New York City in April 2010. Transcripts were independently coded using content analysis.

RESULTS

The 40 participants ranged in age from 19-35 years (mean=26, SD=5). Their gestational age ranged from 8-40 weeks (mean=27, SD=8). Most were Latina (85%), had other children (70%), and were publicly insured (78%). Nearly half had received the seasonal influenza or influenza A (H1N1) 2009 monovalent vaccine. Barriers to vaccination included concerns regarding vaccine safety and efficacy, misperceptions regarding risks for influenza, and lack of provider recommendation. Pregnant women expressed interest in receiving educational text messages regarding influenza. Even women who had refused the influenza vaccine thought the text messages would encourage vaccine-related discussions during prenatal visits.

CONCLUSION

Among urban pregnant women, educational text messages regarding influenza would be well received and may effectively address current barriers to vaccination.

Common genetic variants and modification of penetrance of BRCA2-associated breast cancer

The considerable uncertainty regarding cancer risks associated with inherited mutations of BRCA2 is due to unknown factors. To investigate whether common genetic variants modify penetrance for BRCA2 mutation carriers, we undertook a two-staged genome-wide association study in BRCA2 mutation carriers. In stage 1 using the Affymetrix 6.0 platform, 592,163 filtered SNPs genotyped were available on 899 young (<40 years) affected and 804 unaffected carriers of European ancestry. Associations were evaluated using a survival-based score test adjusted for familial correlations and stratified by country of the study and BRCA2*6174delT mutation status. The genomic inflation factor (λ) was 1.011. The stage 1 association analysis revealed multiple variants associated with breast cancer risk: 3 SNPs had p-values<10(-5) and 39 SNPs had p-values<10(-4). These variants included several previously associated with sporadic breast cancer risk and two novel loci on chromosome 20 (rs311499) and chromosome 10 (rs16917302). The chromosome 10 locus was in ZNF365, which contains another variant that has recently been associated with breast cancer in an independent study of unselected cases. In stage 2, the top 85 loci from stage 1 were genotyped in 1,264 cases and 1,222 controls. Hazard ratios (HR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) for stage 1 and 2 were combined and estimated using a retrospective likelihood approach, stratified by country of residence and the most common mutation, BRCA2*6174delT. The combined per allele HR of the minor allele for the novel loci rs16917302 was 0.75 (95% CI 0.66-0.86, ) and for rs311499 was 0.72 (95% CI 0.61-0.85, ). FGFR2 rs2981575 had the strongest association with breast cancer risk (per allele HR = 1.28, 95% CI 1.18-1.39, ). These results indicate that SNPs that modify BRCA2 penetrance identified by an agnostic approach thus far are limited to variants that also modify risk of sporadic BRCA2 wild-type breast cancer.

Prognostic time dependence of deletions affecting codons 557 and/or 558 of KIT gene for relapse-free survival (RFS) in localized GIST: a Spanish Group for Sarcoma Research (GEIS) Study

BACKGROUND

To assess whether deletions involving codons 557 and/or 558 (critical deletions) of exon 11 of KIT are relevant in the prognosis of relapse-free survival (RFS) in gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST) patients with a long follow-up.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

A univariate and multivariate analysis for RFS were carried out on 162 localized GIST patients over the entire follow-up period and over the intervals 0-4 years and >4 years. Factors assessed among others were Fletcher/National Institutes of Health and Miettinen-Lasota/Armed Forces Institute of Pathology (M-L/AFIP) risk categories, critical deletions and non-deletion-type mutation (NDTM) within exon 11 of KIT.

RESULTS

Multivariate analyses revealed that M-L/AFIP [relative risk (RR) 11.45, confidence interval (CI) 4.40-29.76, for the high-risk subgroup and RR 5.97, CI 2.09-17.06, for the intermediate subgroup] and critical deletions (RR 3.05, CI 1.59-5.85) were independent prognostic factors for RFS for the first 4 years and for the entire follow-up period. Beyond 4 years, the high-risk M-L/AFIP subgroup (RR 8.12, CI 1.48-44.4) and NDTM (RR 6.42, CI 1.17-35.12) were independent prognostic factors for RFS. The median follow-up was 84 months.

CONCLUSION

Critical deletions represent a time-dependent prognostic factor limited to the first 4 years after surgery, which could help identify a subset with higher and earlier risk for relapse in GIST patients.

Sequence variants at the TERT-CLPTM1L locus associate with many cancer types

The common sequence variants that have recently been associated with cancer risk are particular to a single cancer type or at most two. Following up on our genome-wide scan of basal cell carcinoma, we found that rs401681[C] on chromosome 5p15.33 satisfied our threshold for genome-wide significance (OR = 1.25, P = 3.7 x 10(-12)). We tested rs401681 for association with 16 additional cancer types in over 30,000 cancer cases and 45,000 controls and found association with lung cancer (OR = 1.15, P = 7.2 x 10(-8)) and urinary bladder, prostate and cervix cancer (ORs = 1.07-1.31, all P < 4 x 10(-4)). However, rs401681[C] seems to confer protection against cutaneous melanoma (OR = 0.88, P = 8.0 x 10(-4)). Notably, most of these cancer types have a strong environmental component to their risk. Investigation of the region led us to rs2736098[A], which showed stronger association with some cancer types. However, neither variant could fully account for the association of the other. rs2736098 corresponds to A305A in the telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT) protein and rs401681 is in an intron of the CLPTM1L gene.

[DPOAE and lateral inhibition in chronic tinnitus]

INTRODUCTION

According to our audiological data, 90% of tinnitus patients have deficits in inner ear function as a generator of tinnitus, mainly in the outer hair cells (OHC). This can be verified by registration of distortion products of otoacoustic emissions (DPOAE). Thus, the main origin of tinnitus is peripheral, and most patients suffer from accompanying hearing loss, even though it is sometimes mild or subjectively not even felt. Whether or not the tinnitus is disturbing, however, is determined through further auditory processing of the "signal" tinnitus and its psychological validation. With almost 50% of our tinnitus and hyperacusis patients, we find hyperfunctioning of the OHC, possibly originating from reduced or ineffective efferent control in the auditory pathway. Efferent activity can be measured by acoustic stimulation of the contralateral ear, which normally reduces the DPOAE amplitudes via efferent inhibition.

METHOD AND PATIENTS

DPOAE were recorded with 67 tinnitus patients (127 ears) with and without contralateral acoustic stimulation. Twenty-one persons (41 ears) served as controls.

RESULTS

With 64% of the tinnitus patients, DPOAE amplitudes were not reduced significantly, compared with 34% of the controls. The medium amplitude reduction for controls was 1.76 dB, whereas for the tinnitus patients it was significantly less (0.91 dB).

CONCLUSION

For a considerable number of tinnitus patients, efferent control of OHC activity is restricted, but this seems to be confined to a certain type of tinnitus only.

Prognostic role of circulating melanoma cells detected by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction for tyrosinase mRNA in patients with melanoma

A need for factors predictive of prognosis is present in patients who are diagnosed with malignant melanoma. The detection of circulating melanoma cells by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction for tyrosinase mRNA is a possible negative prognostic factor. The aim of this study was to assess the prognostic value of reverse transcriptase-PCR for tyrosinase mRNA in peripheral blood samples. From January 2000 to February 2003, duplicate blood samples were drawn from 114 melanoma patients following surgery and informed consent, and were tested with reverse transcriptase-PCR, for tyrosinase mRNA. Outer primers for the first PCR were R1 (sense): TTGGCAGATTGTCTGTAGCC and R2 (antisense): AGGCATTGTGCATGCTGCT. For the second round of PCR, nested primers were R3 (sense): GTCTTTATGCAATGGAACGC and R4 (antisense): GCTATCCCAGTAAGTGGACT. Threshold for detection of the technique was determined by adding serially diluted MelJuSo cells to healthy volunteer blood samples. Overall, 91 (79.1%) patients tested negative for tyrosinase mRNA and 24 (20.9%) tested positive. The number of patients who tested positive by stage was 3/38 (7.9%) for stage I, 3/22 (13.6%) for stage II, 5/30 (16.7%) for stage III and 13/24 (54.2%) for stage IV (P< 0.0001). 11/90 (12.2%) patients with no evidence of disease (stage I, II and III) tested positive and 13/24 (54.2%) patients with clinically confirmed distant metastases (stage IV) tested positive (P<0.00001). With median follow-up of 372 days or to death (range: 0-1303 days), median progression-free survival has not been reached for tyrosinase-negative patients and was 265 days for tyrosinase-positive patients (P<0.00001, log-rank test=21.07). Median overall survival was 344 days for tyrosinase-positive patients and has not been reached for tyrosinase-negative patients (P=0.0001, log-rank test=21.38). Stage, Breslow thickness and result of RT-PCR were significant prognostic factors for disease-free survival in a multivariate analysis, and stage was the only significant prognostic factor for overall survival. In conclusion, detection of circulating melanoma cells by reverse transcriptase-PCR for tyrosinase mRNA is a significant adverse prognostic factor for disease-free survival in patients with malignant melanoma.

Pathological significance of deletions involving codons 557 and 558 of KIT gene in localized resected gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST) of intermediate and high risk: A study by the Spanish Group for Sarcoma Research (GEIS)

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Background: Approximately 60 to 85% of GISTs harbour activating mutations of the KIT or PDGFRA tyrosine kinase genes. Deletions affecting codons 557–558 of KIT are relevant to prognosis of resected GIST (Martin J, et al. J Clin Oncol. 2005, 23:6190). Methods: GIST of high or intermediate malignant risk according to Fletcher classification (Hum Pathol. 2002;33; 459) with a complete (R0) or microscopic residual (R1) resection were prospectively evaluated. Central pathology review was carried out. The mutational analysis of exons 9, 11, 13 and 17 of KIT and exons 12 and 18 of PDGFRA was undertaken from DNA extracted from paraffin-embedded tissue. The purpose of this study was to explore the correlation between deletion mutation involving 557–558 codons within KIT gene and known prognostic factors in GIST: mitotic count and size. Results: Of the 33 GIST, 19 were gastric, 13 of small bowell and one of other location. Median tumor size was 10.4 cm (1.9–22 cm), and median mitotic count was 2 (1–32). All cases showed an immunostaining with diffuse cytoplasmic pattern of c-kit (CD117). An 82% (27) presented either a KIT (23) or a PDGFRA (4) mutation. Eleven deletions affecting codons 557–558 of KIT were observed. KIT mutations were associated to spindle type histology and PDGFRA mutations to epithelioid histology. No statistical association between tumor size and KIT mutations, including patients with deletions 557–558, was found. Tumors carrying a deletion of codons 557–558 of KIT presented a different median of mitotic count (8 mit × 50 hpf) than the rest (2 mit × 50 hpf), this difference was statistically significant (p = 0,029) in the Mann-Whitney U test. Conclusions: Deletions affecting codons 557–558 of KIT define a group of cases with a high proliferative potential. The prognostic and predictive significance of these findings are waiting for a longer follow-up.

No significant financial relationships to disclose.

Common variants on chromosomes 2q35 and 16q12 confer susceptibility to estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer

Familial clustering studies indicate that breast cancer risk has a substantial genetic component. To identify new breast cancer risk variants, we genotyped approximately 300,000 SNPs in 1,600 Icelandic individuals with breast cancer and 11,563 controls using the Illumina Hap300 platform. We then tested selected SNPs in five replication sample sets. Overall, we studied 4,554 affected individuals and 17,577 controls. Two SNPs consistently associated with breast cancer: approximately 25% of individuals of European descent are homozygous for allele A of rs13387042 on chromosome 2q35 and have an estimated 1.44-fold greater risk than noncarriers, and for allele T of rs3803662 on 16q12, about 7% are homozygous and have a 1.64-fold greater risk. Risk from both alleles was confined to estrogen receptor-positive tumors. At present, no genes have been identified in the linkage disequilibrium block containing rs13387042. rs3803662 is near the 5' end of TNRC9 , a high mobility group chromatin-associated protein whose expression is implicated in breast cancer metastasis to bone.

Cerebral revascularization model in a swine

The purpose of this study was to analyze the suitability of the cerebral vasculature of the pig regarding a revascularization procedure. In two 60 kg pigs the femoral artery was exposed and canulated for selective angiography and interventional procedures. After the angiography, the pigs were brought to the animal OR for craniotomy and analysis of the intracranial cerebral arteries and the surgical exposure of the carotid arteries under the microscope. Angiography demonstrated the presence of a true internal-, external carotid artery and vertebral arteries. Both the vertebral and internal carotid arteries are feeding a rete mirabilis both at the cranial base and the cranio-cervical junction. At these sites further advancement of the angiography catheter was not possible. Out of these rete mirabilis, an intracranial carotid artery and an intracranial vertebral artery were formed, respectively. The intracranial cerebral vessels were of the dimension of 1 mm and less. The extracranial portion of the internal carotid artery was 2.5 mm of diameter. From these findings, we conclude that a direct cerebral revascularization procedure of the intracranial vessels is not possible in the swine. However, a global revascularization procedure on the extracranial portion of the internal carotid artery is thus feasible, both using a low- and high-flow anastamosis technique.

Gemcitabine/capecitabine in patients with metastatic breast cancer pretreated with anthracyclines and taxanes

PURPOSE

Gemcitabine and capecitabine are 2 anticancer drugs with a mechanism of action involving metabolism of pyrimidine nucleotides. Both are among the few agents active in patients with metastatic breast cancer (MBC) progressing after therapy with anthracyclines and taxanes. We have conducted a phase II trial of gemcitabine/capecitabine in patients with disease progression after treatment with anthracyclines and taxanes.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Treatment included gemcitabine 2000 mg/m2 on day 1 every 3 weeks and capecitabine 2500 mg/m2 daily (divided into 2 doses) on days 1-14 every 3 weeks; treatment was administered until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity was documented. All patients received concomitant oral pyridoxine 300 mg twice daily to prevent hand-foot syndrome (HFS). Of 39 patients treated, 33 had received previous treatment with anthracyclines, 6 had medical contraindication to anthracyclines, 35 had previously received taxanes, and 23 had received vinorelbine. Fourteen patients had previous high-dose chemotherapy with stem cell rescue and 5 had previously received trastuzumab. Patients were 31-79 years of age (median, 55 years) and, altogether, were given 386 courses of therapy (range, 1-36 courses per patient; median, 6 courses).

RESULTS

Grade 3/4 toxicities included HFS (11 courses, 6 patients), stomatitis (6 courses, 2 patients), diarrhea (5 courses, 4 patients), anemia (5 courses, 2 patients), thrombocytopenia (5 courses, 2 patients), and neutropenia (1 course, 1 patient). Response rate (all 39 patients were evaluable) was 48.7% (partial response, n = 19; stable disease, n = 7; progressive disease, n = 13). Thirty-six patients died because of disease progression, and 3 are alive with progressive disease. Median follow-up was 26 months or until death. Median duration of response was 15 months (range, 3-26 months). Median time to disease progression was 5 months (range, 1-26 months). Median overall survival duration was 10 months (range, 1-37 months).

CONCLUSION

In this cohort of patients heavily pretreated with anthracyclines and taxanes, the response rate to gemcitabine/capecitabine is encouraging, although response duration is limited.

Insulin control of glucose metabolism in man: a new kinetic analysis

Analyses of the control of glucose metabolism by insulin have been hampered by changes in bloog glucose concentration induced by insulin administration with resultant activation of hypoglycemic counterregulatory mechanisms. To eliminate such mechanisms, we have employed the glucose clamp technique which allows maintenance of fasting blood glucose concentration during and after the administration of insulin. Analyses of six studies performed in young healthy men in the postabsorptive state utilizing the concurrent administration of [14C]glucose and 1 mU/kg per min (40 mU/m2 per min) porcine insulin led to the development of kinetic models for insulin and for glucose. These models account quantitatively for the control of insulin on glucose utilization and on endogenous glucose production during nonsteady states. The glucose model, a parallel three-compartment model, has a central compartment (mass = 68 +/- 7 mg/kg; space of distribution = blood water volume) in rapid equilibrium with a smaller compartment (50 +/- 17 mg/kg) and in slow equilibrium with a larger compartment (96 +/-21 mg/kg). The total plasma equivalent space for the glucose system averaged 15.8 liters or 20.3% body weight. Two modes of glucose loss are introduced in the model. One is a zero-order loss (insulin and glucose independent) from blood to the central nervous system; its magnitude was estimated from published data. The other is an insulin-dependent loss, occurring from the rapidly equilibrating compartment and, in the basal period, is smaller than the insulin-independent loss. Endogenous glucose production averaged 1.74 mg/kg per min in the basal state and enters the central compartment directly. During the glucose clamp experiments plasma insulin levels reached a plateau of 95 +/-8 microU/ml. Over the entire range of insulin levels studied, glucose losses were best correlated with levels of insulin in a slowly equilibrating insulin compartment of a three-compartment insulin model. A proportional control by this compartment on glucose utilization was adequate to satisfy the observed data. Insulin also rapidly decreased the endogenous glucose production to 33% of its basal level (0.58 mg/kg per min), this suppression being maintained for at least 40 min after exogenous insulin infusion was terminated and after plasma insulin concentrations had returned to basal levels. The change in glucose utilization per unit change in insulin in the slowly equilibrating insulin compartment is proposed as a new measure for insulin sensitivity. This defines insulin effects more precisely than previously used measures, such as plasma glucose/plasma insulin concentration ratios. Glucose clamp studies and the modeling of the coupled kinetics of glucose and insulin offers a new and potentially valuable tool to the study of altered states of carbohydrate metabolism.

Differences in the relationship between lipid CHD risk factors and body composition in Caucasians and Japanese

OBJECTIVES

To examine differences in the relationship between fat distribution and lipid coronary risk factors in Caucasian and Japanese population and further to determine whether the cut-points for body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference (WC) proposed by WHO and NHLBI are applicable to Japanese population as a predictor of a lipid risk factor abnormality or not.

RESEARCH METHODS AND PROCEDURES

Subjects were 895 participants of the Baltimore Longitudinal Study of Aging in the US (BLSA) and 1705 participants of the Longitudinal Study of Aging by the National Institutes for Longevity Science in Japan (NILS-LSA). Subjects were divided into four demographic groups as younger (age<65 y) men and women, and older (age> or =65 y) men and women. Blood total cholesterol, triglycerides, LDL- and HDL-cholesterol and anthropometry were measured. Regression coefficients of BMI and WC on risk factors, sensitivity and specificity of the BMI and WC cut-points for blood lipid abnormality, and mean values of blood lipids at BMI or WC cut-points were computed in both populations.

RESULTS

Height, weight, WC and BMI were significantly greater in the BLSA than those in the NILS-LSA subjects. Total cholesterol, HDL- and LDL-cholesterol were significantly greater in the NILS-LSA than in the BLSA subjects. Sensitivities of BMI and WC cut-points were much lower in the NILS-LSA than in the BLSA subjects. Specificities of BMI and WC cut-points were higher in the NILS-LSA than in the BLSA subjects. Mean values of triglycerides, total cholesterol, HDL- and LDL-cholesterol at BMI=25 were significantly greater in the NILS-LSA than in the BLSA subjects. At the WC cut-point (94 cm for men, 80 cm for women), mean values of all lipids were significantly greater in the NILS-LSA than in the BLSA subjects with the exception of triglycerides in younger women.

CONCLUSIONS

The Japanese subjects have smaller BMI and WC, worse total and LDL-cholesterol levels and better HDL-cholesterol levels compared to Caucasians. Sensitivities of BMI and WC for predicting lipid risk factor abnormality are much lower in Japanese. The cut-points for BMI and WC proposed by WHO and NHLBI may be too high for predicting an abnormality in triglycerides, total and LDL-cholesterol in Japanese. For detecting an abnormal HDL-cholesterol level, the BMI and WC cut-points may not be as beneficial for the Japanese population as for Caucasians.