Clinical outcomes and response to chemotherapy in a cohort of pancreatic cancer patients with germline variants of unknown significance (VUS) in BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes

PURPOSE

The clinical outcome and the efficacy of chemotherapy in pancreatic cancer patients with BRCA1/2 Variants of Unknown Significance (VUS) is unknown. We explored the effects of chemotherapy with or without Platinum in non metastatic and metastatic pancreatic cancer patients with BRCA1/2 VUS.

METHODS

A retrospective analysis of non-metastatic or metastatic pancreatic cancer patients with gBRCA1/2 VUS treated in 13 Italian centers between November 2015 and December 2020 was performed. All patients were assessed for toxicity and RECIST 1.1 response. Metastatic patients were evaluated for survival outcome.

RESULTS

30 pancreatic cancer patients with gBRCA1/2 VUS were considered: 20 were M+ and 10 were non-M+. Pl-CT was recommended to 16 patients: 10 M+ (6 FOLFIRINOX and 4 PAXG) and 6 non-M+ (3 FOLFIRINOX and 3 PAXG); 11 patients received Nabpaclitaxel-Gemcitabine (AG; 8 M+) and 3 patients (2 M+) were treated with Gemcitabine (G). The RECIST 1.1 response rate was 27% for AG and 44% for Pl-CT (22% for (m) FOLFIRINOX and 71% PAXG). 1 year Progression-Free Survival was 37.5% for patients treated with AG and 33% in the Pl-CT subgroup. Median Overall Survival (OS) was 23.5 months for patients treated with AG and 14 months for the Pl-CT subgroup. 1 Year and 2 Year OS were numerically better for AG (1 Year OS: 75% vs 60% and 2 Year OS: 50% and 20% in AG and Pl-CT subgroups, respectively) as well.

CONCLUSIONS

Pl-CT does not seem to be associated with a better outcome compared to AG chemotherapy in PDAC patients with BRCA 1/2 VUS.

The role of nanoliposomal irinotecan plus fluorouracil/leucovorin in the continuum of care of patients with metastatic pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma

BACKGROUND

The NAPOLI-I trial showed better outcome of nanoliposomal irinotecan (nal-IRI) plus 5-fluorouracil/leucovorin (5-FU/LV) compared to 5-FU/LV in patients with advanced pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma cancer (advPDAC) progressed to gemcitabine-based therapy. This study aims to explore the real-world efficacy and safety of 5-FU/LV-nal-IRI.

METHODS

This is a retrospective multicenter analysis including advPDAC patients receiving 5-FU/LV-nal-IRI after failure of gemcitabine-based therapy. Survival analyses were performed using Kaplan-Meier method, univariate and multivariate analyses by Cox regression.

RESULTS

A total of 296 patients (median age 64.4 years, ECOG PS ≥1 in 56% of cases) were treated at 11 Italian institutions between 2016 and 2018. 34% of them underwent primary tumor resection, and 79% received gemcitabine-nabpaclitaxel as first line. 5-FU/LV-nal-IRI was administered as second-line in 73% of cases. Objective response and disease control rate were 12% and 41%, respectively. Treatment was well tolerated with dose reductions in 50% of patients but no one permanent discontinuation; the commonest grade ≥3 toxicities were neutropenia (14%) and diarrhea (12%). Median PFS and OS from 5-FU/LV-nal-IRI initiation was 3.2 and 7.1 months, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

These real-world data confirm the 5-FU/LV-nal-IRI efficacy and safety in advPDAC patients progressed to gemcitabine-based therapy, with outcomes comparable to NAPOLI-1, even in a less-selected population and with more modern therapeutic algorithm.

Microsatellite instability and chemosensitivity in solid tumours

The use of biomarkers that influence a targeted choice in cancer treatments is the future of medical oncology. Within this scenario, in recent years, an important role has been played by knowledge of microsatellite instability (MSI), a molecular fingerprint that identifies defects in the mismatch repair system. This knowledge has changed clinical practice in the adjuvant setting of colon cancer, and its role in the neoadjuvant setting in gastric tumours is becoming increasingly interesting, as well as in endometrial cancers in both early and advanced diseases. Furthermore, it has undoubtedly conditioned the first lines of treatment in the metastatic setting in different types of cancers. The incidence of MSI is different in different cancer types, as well as in early cancers versus metastatic disease. Knowing the incidence of MSI in the various histologies can provide insight into the potential use of this biomarker considering its prognostic value, especially in the early stages, and its predictive role with respect to treatment response. In particular, MSI can guide the choice of chemotherapy treatments in the adjuvant setting of colon and perioperative setting in gastric tumours, which could lead to immunotherapy treatments in these patients in both the early stages of the disease and the metastatic setting where the response to immunotherapy drugs in diseases with MSI is now well established. In this review, we focus on colon, gastric and endometrial cancers, and we briefly discuss other cancer types where MSI could have a potential role in oncological treatment decisions.

Chemotherapy toxicity and activity in patients with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma and germline BRCA1-2 pathogenic variants (gBRCA1-2pv): a multicenter survey

BACKGROUND

Germline BRCA1-2 pathogenic variants (gBRCA1-2pv)-related pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) showed increased sensitivity to DNA cross-linking agents. This study aimed at exploring safety profile, dose intensity, and activity of different chemotherapy regimens in this setting.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

gBRCA1-2pv PDAC patients of any age and clinical tumor stage who completed a first course of chemotherapy were eligible. A descriptive analysis of chemotherapy toxicity, dose intensity, response, and survival outcomes was performed.

RESULTS

A total of 85 gBRCA1-2pv PDAC patients treated in 21 Italian centers between December 2008 and March 2021were enrolled. Seventy-four patients were assessable for toxicity and dose intensity, 83 for outcome. Dose intensity was as follows: nab-paclitaxel 72%, gemcitabine 76% (AG); cisplatin 75%, nab-paclitaxel 73%, capecitabine 73%, and gemcitabine 65% (PAXG); fluorouracil 35%, irinotecan 58%, and oxaliplatin 64% (FOLFIRINOX). When compared with the literature, grade 3-4 neutropenia, thrombocytopenia, and diarrhea were increased with PAXG, and unmodified with AG and FOLFIRINOX. RECIST responses were numerically higher with the three- (81%) or four-drug (73%) platinum-containing regimens that outperformed AG (41%) and oxaliplatin-based doublets (56%). Carbohydrate antigen 19.9 (CA19.9) reduction >89% at nadir was reported in two-third of metastatic patients treated with triplets and quadruplets, as opposed to 33% and 45% of patients receiving oxaliplatin-based doublets or AG, respectively. All patients receiving AG experienced disease progression, with a median progression-free survival (mPFS) of 6.4 months, while patients treated with platinum-containing triplets or quadruplets had an mPFS >10.8 months. Albeit still immature, data on overall survival seemed to parallel those on PFS.

CONCLUSIONS

Our data, as opposed to figures expected from the literature, highlighted that platinum-based regimens provoked an increased toxicity on proliferating cells, when dose intensity was maintained, or an as-expected toxicity, when dose intensity was reduced, while no change in toxicity and dose intensity was evident with AG. Furthermore, an apparently improved outcome of platinum-based triplets or quadruplets over other regimens was observed.

Pancreatic adenocarcinoma: Beyond first line, where are we?

Pancreatic cancer is considered one of the most aggressive cancers, with an increasing incidence in recent years. To date, chemotherapy is still the standard of care for advanced metastatic disease, unfortunately providing only a slight advantage in terms of survival. The molecular and cellular characteristics of pancreatic cancer cells, as well as the cells that characterize the pancreatic tumour microenvironment, are the basis of the mechanisms of resistance to treatment. After progression during first-line treatment, few patients are eligible for second-line treatment due to the loss of performance status. To date, a clear survival advantage has not yet been demonstrated for second-line chemotherapy. Precision medicine could be the key to increasing responses to cancer treatment and finally impacting survival in this difficult-to-treat disease. In this review, we analyze current recommendations in the second-line setting and potential future prospects.

Nab-paclitaxel/gemcitabine combination is more effective than gemcitabine alone in locally advanced, unresectable pancreatic cancer - A GISCAD phase II randomized trial

BACKGROUND

The role of combination chemotherapy has not yet been established in unresectable locally advanced pancreatic cancer (LAPC) lacking dedicated randomized trials.

METHODS

This phase II trial tested the efficacy of Nab-paclitaxel (NAB-P)/Gemcitabine (G) versus G alone. Patients were randomized, 1:1 to G 1000 mg/m² on days 1, 8 and 15 every 28 days versus NAB-P 125 mg/m² on days 1, 8 and 15 every 28 days plus G 1000 mg/m² on days 1, 8 and 15 every 28 days. Disease progression rate after three cycles of chemotherapy was the primary end-point. Progression-free survival (PFS), overall survival (OS) and response rate were secondary end-points.

FINDINGS

A total of124 patients were enrolled. The study showed a reduction of a progressive disease from 45.6% with G to 25.4% with NAB-P/G (P = 0.01) at 3 months. Noteworthy, at 6 months in the G arm, 35.6% of patients present a metastatic spread versus 20.8% in the NAB/G arm. The response rate was 5.3% in the G arm and 27% in the NAB/G arm. Median PFS was 4 months for the G arm and 7 months for the NAB-P/G arm. Median OS was 10.6 in the G arm and 12.7 months in the NAB-P/G arm. One patient died during treatment with G due to a stroke.

INTERPRETATION

NAB-P/G reduced the rate of LAPC patients progressing after three cycles of chemotherapy compared with G, especially in terms of distant relapses. It positively affects PFS. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first randomized trial providing evidence that combination chemotherapy is superior to gemcitabine alone in this setting. CLINICALTRIALS.

GOV IDENTIFIER

NCT02043730.

Outcome of oncological patients admitted with COVID-19: experience of a hospital center in northern Italy

BACKGROUND

Recent literature regarding the outcome of cancer patients infected with COVID-19 are not encouraging. Nevertheless, current evidence on the risk and benefits of continuing oncological treatment of cancer patients during the pandemic remains insufficient. We provide our experience in a center with high access for patients with COVID-19-associated pneumonia in Lombardy, Italy. We conducted a retrospective study using a prospectively maintained database of patients admitted to our hospital between 25 February 2020 and 9 April 2020 with a confirmed diagnosis of COVID-19 pneumonia.

RESULTS

A total of 53 patients with a history or current oncological disease were included in this study. Sixteen oncological patients (30.2%) died during hospitalization. Multivariable logistic regression analysis found that age (Odds ratio [OR]: 1.17, p = 0.009), diabetes (OR: 15.05, p = 0.028) and active oncological disease (OR 13.60, p = 0.015) were independently associated with in-hospital mortality. The mortality rate of the total number of cancer patients is about twice as high as that of non-oncological patients admitted to our hospital with a diagnosis of COVID-19.

CONCLUSION

The presence of active oncological disease is independently related to mortality as well as age and diabetes. The majority of patients who died were frail. Careful evaluation of the risks and benefits of treatment in frail patients is needed, considering that difficult access to intensive care may have affected the mortality rate.

Observational retrospective evaluation of treatment with liposomal irinotecan plus fluorouracil/leucovorin for metastatic pancreatic cancer patients: An Italian large real-world analysis

660

Background: In the NAPOLI I phase III trial, Nanoliposomal irinotecan (nal-IRI) plus 5-fluorouracil/leucovorin (5-FU/LV) showed better outcome compared to 5FU/LV in patients with metastatic Pancreatic Cancer (MPC) progressed to 1st- line gemcitabine-based therapy. Aim of this study is to explore the real-world efficacy and safety of 5FU/LV-nal-IRI by a compassionate use programme and to identify potential prognostic factors that could affect survival in this setting. Methods: This is a retrospective multi-center analysis including patients with MPC who received 5FU/LV-nal-IRI after failure of a gemcitabine-based therapy. Survival analyses were carried out by the Kaplan-Meier method. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed by using the log-rank test and the Cox regression. Results: A total of 296 pts (median age, 69 years, range 30-82; 50% male; ECOG PS 0, 44%) were treated at 11 Italian institutions from June 2016 and November 2018. 34% of the pts have been previously resected on their primary tumor, and 76% received gemcitabine-nabpaclitaxel as 1st - line treatment. 5FU/LV-nal-IRI has been administered as 2nd - line in 72% of the pts, while in 23% of the cases as 3rd - line or more. The median OS was 7.1 months [95% confidence interval (CI) 6.1 - 8.1] and the median PFS was 3.3 months (95% CI 2.9 - 3.6). At six months, OS and PFS rate were 53.4% and 31.4% respectively. ORR was 12% and DCR was 40%. 52% of pts received more than 4 cycle with dose reduction in 148 pts (50%). Most common grade 3 toxicities were neutropenia (14%), diarrhea (11%), anemia (3%), nausea (3%), fatigue (3%), mucositis (2%) and vomiting (1%). Baseline characteristics associated with better OS were ECOG PS 0, normal CEA, neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio ≤5 and haemoglobin ≥11 g/dL. Conclusions: These real-world data confirm the efficacy and safety of 5FU/LV-nal-IRI in patients with MPC progressed to a gemcitabine-based therapy, with outcome comparable to NAPOLI-1 even in a less selected population and with more active 1st - line combination therapy. In this cohort, well known prognostic markers has been confirmed, as expected.

Yoga Protocol for Cancer Patients: A Systematic Exploration of Psychophysiological Benefits

BACKGROUND

Several studies report that practicing Yoga may lead to numerous psychophysiological benefits in patients undergoing treatment for cancer. Moreover, it may result in an effective alternative for coping with sleep disturbances, anxiety, depression and fatigue symptoms. A study based on the "Yoga in Oncology" project of the Foundation Poliambulanza was carried out, and it was designed to explore the benefits of Yoga, therefore corroborating Yoga as a therapeutic activity that can have a beneficial impact on patients diagnosed with cancer.

METHODS

Seventy patients were recruited, of whom 20% were males and 80% were females 18 years of age and older. All patients were being treated at the oncology department for gastrointestinal, mammary or genital carcinoma, and the disease was metastatic in 80% of patients. Data were collected between April 2013 and May 2017. The protocol consisted of a weekly 90-minute Yoga lesson for 8 consecutive weeks, and the data collection was carried out in 2 phases: (T0) preprotocol assessment and (T1) postprotocol assessment. Psychophysiological assessment was carried out with the following scales: the (BFI) Brief Fatigue Inventory, (HADS) Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale and (PSQI) Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index.

RESULTS

Data analysis showed a significant difference between the (T0) and (T1) HADS (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale) scores. The constructs of this scale consist of psychological variables for the assessment of anxiety and depression. In contrast, scores from the (BFI) Brief Fatigue Inventory and (PSQI) Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index did not show significant differences between (T0) and (T1): such scales are relative to psychophysiological variables for an assessment of the perception of fatigue and quality of sleep.

CONCLUSION

It is noteworthy that the data, once analyzed, showed a significant difference between preprotocol and postprotocol levels of anxiety and depression but not for the perception of fatigue or the quality of sleep. In accordance with the scientific literature, data from this study highlight that practicing Yoga may promote changes in the levels of perceived anxiety and depression in patients undergoing treatment for cancer, thus positively affecting their (QoL). It is clear that the difference in significance between the psychological and physiological variables considered here and the statistical significance found only in levels of anxiety and depression encourage further studies to account for the nature of fatigue and sleep disturbances and how to address these symptoms in oncological patients. Moreover, other points of interest for future clinical research regard the evaluation of the reason for the possible denial to participate to this kind of study, as well as the social-cultural differences in patients' behavior.

Clinical impact of neutropenia and febrile neutropenia in mCRC pts treated with FOLFOXIRI/bevacizumab (bev): A pooled analysis of TRIBE and TRIBE2 studies

11591

Background: FOLFOXIRI/bev is a valid option as first-line therapy for unresectable mCRC. TRIBE and TRIBE2 trials reported better activity and efficacy of the triplet/bev when compared with doublets/bev at the price of a higher incidence of chemo-related toxicities, including neutropenia (N). Here we aim at providing a detailed description of this adverse event, including the occurrence of febrile neutropenia (FN) and the use of granulocyte-colony stimulating factors (G-CSFs), in order to estimate the clinical relevance of N during FOLFOXIRI/bev. Methods: Safety data of 1175 pts enrolled in the TRIBE and TRIBE2 studies were reviewed. The incidence of N, the incidence and severity of FN, and the use of G-CSF in the triplet/bev and in the doublets/bev arms were compared using the Chi-square or the Fisher exact test as appropriate. Results: Out of 1175 pts included in the final analysis, 586 (49.8%) were treated with FOLFOXIRI/bev. Five pts (0.8%) in the doublets/bev arms and 29 (4.9%) in the triplet/bev arms received a primary prophylaxis with G-CSF. Among other pts, 118 (20.2%) in the doublets/bev arms and 276 (49.9%) in the triplet/bev arms experienced ≥ G3 N (p < 0.001). FN occurred in 25 (4.3%) and 41 (7.4%) cases respectively (p=0.041). Out of 78 FN episodes, 4 (13.3%) out of 30 in the doublets/bev arms and 13 out of 48 (27.1%) in the triplet/bev arms were associated with a poor MASCC score (<21) (p=0.17). G-CSF was used in 1069 (10.8%) cycles, 270 (5.3%) in doublets/bev and 799 (16.6%) in triplet/bev arms. In both arms, the majority of N and FN episodes were observed in the first two months (318 ≥ G3 N episodes out of 675 (47.1%), and 54 FN episodes out of 78 (69.2%)). Conclusions: FOLFOXIRI/bev was associated with a higher risk of N and FN than doublets/bev. However, the risk of FN was lower than 10%, thus not requiring a systematic use of primary G-CSF prophylaxis. The majority of FN episodes was associated with a good MASCC score, thus having a limited clinical impact. The vast majority of FN episodes occurred in the first two months of treatment, suggesting a closer monitoring of this adverse event during the first courses of therapy.

Neuroendocrine differentiation in castration resistant prostate cancer. Nuclear medicine radiopharmaceuticals and imaging techniques: A narrative review

BACKGROUND

Androgen Deprivation Therapy (ADT) is the primary treatment for patients suffering from relapsing or advanced prostate cancer (PC). Hormone therapy generally guarantees adequate clinical control of the disease for some years, even in those patients affected by widespread skeletal and soft tissue metastases. Despite ADT, however, most patients treated with hormones eventually progress to castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC), for which there are no effective treatments. This clinical reality is an open challenge to the oncologist because of those neoplasms which elaborate neuroendocrine differentiation (NED).

METHODS

An online search of current and past literature on NED in CRPC was performed. Relevant articles dealing with the biological and pathological basis of NED, with nuclear medicine imaging in CRPC and somatostatin treatment in NED were analyzed.

EVIDENCE FROM THE LITERATURE

NED may arise in prostate cancer patients in the late stages of ADT. The onset of NED offers prognostic insight because it reflects a dramatic increase in the aggressive nature of the neoplasm. Several genetic, molecular, cytological and immunohistochemical markers are associated with this transformation. Among these, overexpression of somatostatin receptors, seen through Nuclear Medicine testing, is one of the most studied.

CONCLUSIONS

Preliminary studies show that the overexpression of somatostatin receptors related to NED in CRPC may easily be studied in vivo with PET/CT. This finding offers a potentially useful objective for targeted therapy in CRPC. If the overexpression of SSTRs is shown to afflict a significant segment of patients with CRPC, this will open further study of possible therapeutic options based on this marker.

Trifluridine/Tipiracil (TAS-102) in Refractory Metastatic Colorectal Cancer: A Multicenter Register in the Frame of the Italian Compassionate Use Program

BACKGROUND

TAS-102 is indicated for patients with metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) previously treated with, or not considered candidates for, available therapies. Given the complete inefficacy in half of patients, the lack of predictive factors, the palliative setting, and the financial and clinical toxicity, optimizing the cost-benefit ratio is crucial. The "ColonLife" nomogram allows an estimate of the 12-week life expectancy of patients with refractory mCRC.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We collected data from patients treated at eight Italian centers in the compassionate use program. Baseline characteristics of patients who were or were not progression free at 6 months were compared. The discriminative ability of the ColonLife nomogram was assessed. Among patients who received both TAS-102 and regorafenib, clinical outcomes of the two sequences were compared.

RESULTS

This study included 341 patients. Six (2%) and 93 (27%) patients achieved response and disease stabilization, respectively. The median progression-free survival (PFS) was 2.4 months with an estimated 6-month PFS rate of 19%; the median overall survival (OS) was 6.2 months. An Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status (ECOG PS) of 0, normal lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), and a time from the diagnosis of metastatic disease of >18 months were independently associated with higher chances of a patient being progression free at 6 months. The discriminative ability of ColonLife was confirmed. Among 121 patients who received both regorafenib and TAS-102, no differences in first or second PFS or OS were reported between the two sequences.

CONCLUSION

One out of five patients achieves clinical benefit with TAS-102. ECOG PS, LDH, and time from diagnosis of metastatic disease may help to identify these patients. Excluding patients with very short life expectancy appears a reasonable approach.

IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE

Improving the cost-efficacy ratio of TAS-102 in metastatic colorectal cancer is needed to spare useless toxicities in a definitely palliative setting. Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status, lactate dehydrogenase levels, and time from the diagnosis of metastatic disease may help to identify patients more likely to achieve benefit. Properly designed prognostic tools (i.e., the "ColonLife" nomogram) may enable excluding from further treatments patients with very limited life expectancy.

Estimating Survival Probabilities of Advanced Gastric Cancer Patients in the Second-Line Setting: The Gastric Life Nomogram

OBJECTIVE

We built and externally validated a nomogram for predicting the overall survival (OS) probability of advanced gastric cancer patients receiving second-line treatment.

METHODS

The nomogram was developed on a set of 320 Italian patients and validated on two independent sets (295 Italian and 172 Korean patients). Putative prognostic variables were selected using a random forest model and included in the multivariable Cox model. The nomogram's performance was evaluated by calibration plot and C index.

RESULTS

ECOG performance status, neutrophils to lymphocytes ratio, and peritoneal involvement were selected and included into the multivariable model. The C index was 0.72 (95% CI 0.68-0.75) in the development set, 0.69 (95% CI 0.65-0.73) in the Italian validation set, but only 0.57 (95% CI 0.52-0.62) in the Korean set. While Italian calibrations were quite good, the Korean one was poor. Regarding 6-month OS predictions, calibration was best in both Caucasian cohorts and worst the in Asian one.

CONCLUSIONS

Our nomogram may be a useful tool to predict 3- or 6-month OS in Caucasian gastric cancer patients eligible for second-line therapy. Based on three easy-to-collect variables, the Gastric Life nomogram may help clinicians improve patient selection for second-line treatments and assist in clinical trial enrollment.

Impact of a Psycho-Educational Team in early Breast Cancer Patients' Coping Strategies: The Venere Project

AIMS AND BACKGROUND

The main purpose of our psycho-educational groups was to help women with breast cancer, learn how to cope with the physical, emotional, and lifestyle changes associated with cancer as well as with medical treatments that can be painful and traumatic. With this study, we wanted to detect the effects that group action had on the women who participated in it.

METHODS

We studied a total of 97 patients who participated in 13 psycho-education groups. The whole sample was female patients who had breast cancer with no recurrence or metastases.

RESULTS

All patients were evaluated with the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) and the Body Image Scale (BIS). We found no significant effect on anxiety and body image for the brief psycho- educational group for women with breast cancer in this study. It is possible to highlight a statistical difference and hence an improvement between the results of the HADS depression test at T0 (first evaluation at the first meeting) and T1 (retest in the final meeting).

CONCLUSION

The tests did not show a significant effect on anxiety and body image perception, but the patients reported that the psycho-educational group was an important intervention for their life. Outcome measurement is more complex in psychosocial research because many variables come into play and each phase of treatment is characterized by different types of problems for the patient: physical, relational and psychological aspects are involved.

Prognostic value of neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio in advanced EGFR-mutated non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) treated with a tyrosine-kinase inhibitors: A retrospective analysis in a series of western patients

e23045

Background: Several studies demonstrated that an elevated neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) correlate with a poor prognosis both in early and advanced stage of NSCLC. The aim of this retrospective analysis was to investigate the correlation between NLR and prognosis in caucasian patients diagnosed with advanced EGFR-mutated NSCLC and treated with tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs). Methods: A retrospective database was used to identify consecutive patients diagnosed with advanced EGFR-mutated NSCLC and treated with TKIs. From January 2011 to December 2015, 63 patients from five Institutions were enclosed in our series. NLR was derived from the absolute neutrophil and the absolute lymphocyte counts of a full blood count.Survival curves were calculated with Kaplan-Meier method and data were compared by log-rank test. Prognostic significance of NLR were assessed using a Cox regression analysis. Results: Sixty-three eligible patients were stratified according to the mean pretreatment NLR value (3.57 ± 2.42). The chosen cut-off for NLR was 3.5. Forty patients had NLR < 3.5 while 23 patients had a value of NLR > 3.5.A statistical significant difference, both in PFS and OS, was found in the NLR < 3.5 group compared with the higher NLR group (PFS: p < 0.01, OS: p < 0.05). According to univariate analysis, histological type (adenocarcinoma vs non-adenocarcinoma) and NLR value correlate significantly with PFS and OS. In Cox multivariate analysis, only NLR ³ 3.5 resulted significantly associated as independent prognostic factor for worse PFS (HR 2.275, 95% CI 1.257-4.116, p < 0.01) and OS (HR 2.699, 95% CI 1.187-6.137, p < 0.05). Conclusions: Pre-treatment NLR seems to represent a reliable, simple, and easy to reproduce, laboratory tool to predict survival and outcome to therapies in western caucasian EGFR-mutated NSCLC patients. Further prospective trials are needed to definitively confirm its prognostic and predictive role.

Impact of time to surgery after neoadjuvant chemotherapy in operable breast cancer patients

BACKGROUND

The optimal time interval between the end of neoadjuvant systemic therapy (NST) and breast surgery is still unclear. It is not known if a delay in surgery might influence the benefit of primary chemotherapy. The aim of this study is to evaluate the relationship between time to surgery (TTS) and survival outcomes.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

According to TTS, women with diagnosis of BC treated with NST were divided into two cohorts: group A = 21 days or fewer and group B = longer than 21 days. OS and RFS were estimated and compared according to TTS and known prognostic factors.

RESULTS

A total of 319 patients were included in the study: 61 in group A and 258 in group B. Median TTS was 34 days. No association between clinical stage, nuclear grade, type of chemotherapy, type of surgery and TTS was detected. OS and RFS were significantly worse for group B compared with group A, with a hazard ratio of 3.1 (95% CI, 1.1-8.6 p = 0.03) and 3.1 (95% CI, 1.3-7.1 p = 0.008) respectively. Multivariate analysis confirmed that TTS was an independent prognostic factor in term of OS (p = 0.03) and RFS (p = 0.01). Even in the subgroup of patients with pCR, TTS continued to be an independent prognostic factor for both OS and RFS (p = 0.05 and p = 0.03).

CONCLUSIONS

TTS after NST seems to influence survival outcomes. BC patients underwent surgery within 21 days experienced maximal benefit from previous treatment: this advantage is consistent and maintained over time.