Phase II trial of carboplatin and bevacizumab in patients with breast cancer brain metastases

BACKGROUND

We aimed to examine the safety and efficacy of bevacizumab and carboplatin in patients with breast cancer brain metastases.

METHODS

We enrolled patients with breast cancer and > 1 measurable new or progressive brain metastasis. Patients received bevacizumab 15 mg/kg intravenously (IV) on cycle 1 day 1 and carboplatin IV AUC = 5 on cycle 1 day 8. Patients with HER2-positive disease also received trastuzumab. In subsequent cycles, all drugs were administered on day 1 of each cycle. Contrast-enhanced brain MRI was performed at baseline, 24-96 h after the first bevacizumab dose (day + 1), and every 2 cycles. The primary endpoint was objective response rate in the central nervous system (CNS ORR) by composite criteria. Associations between germline VEGF single nucleotide polymorphisms (rs699947, rs2019063, rs1570360, rs833061) and progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were explored, as were associations between early (day + 1) MRI changes and outcomes.

RESULTS

Thirty-eight patients were enrolled (29 HER2-positive, 9 HER2-negative); all were evaluable for response. The CNS ORR was 63% (95% CI, 46-78). Median PFS was 5.62 months and median OS was 14.10 months. As compared with an Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status (ECOG PS) of 0, patients with ECOG PS 1-2 had significantly worse PFS and OS (all P < 0.01). No significant associations between VEGF genotypes or early MRI changes and clinical outcomes were observed.

CONCLUSIONS

The combination of bevacizumab and carboplatin results in a high rate of durable objective response in patients with brain metastases from breast cancer. This regimen warrants further investigation.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

NCT01004172 . Registered 28 October 2009.

Abstract P5-23-01: Clinical and biological characterization of male breast cancer (BC) EORTC 10085/TBCRC 029/BOOG 2013-02/BIG 2-07: Baseline results from the prospective registry

BACKGROUND: Through the International Male Breast Cancer Program, a prospective registry for male BC was created with the goals of evaluating 1) the clinical and biological features of this disease and 2) assessing feasibility of a prospective therapeutic clinical trial.

METHODS: All men, with any stage histologically proven invasive breast cancer, age 3 18 years, and newly presenting at the participating institutions (within 3 months prior) were eligible. Patients were enrolled for 30 months after activation of the first center, through February 2017. Per the study design, if &lt;100 men enrolled, the study would be considered a failure and therapeutic trials would not be pursued through this network. Epidemiologic data, staging, pathologic features, and BRCA status were collected. Treatment and outcome data collection is ongoing. Optional collection of FFPE tumor samples, blood, and QOL were performed in the US, the Netherlands, and Latin America. Clinical database lock for this report was May 30, 2017. We currently report patient and disease characteristics and will update with patterns of treatment for the presentation. Outcomes and biological samples will be analyzed in the future.

RESULTS: 557 patients were enrolled: 75% in Europe, 20% in United States, 5% in other countries. 6.3% of patients had missing forms. Median age was 67 years (range 26-92). 93% were diagnosed 2010-2017. Among patients with complete data, 79% presented with a breast mass. 88% were M0 and 12% M1. Among M0 patients: 47%, 39%, 2%, and 11% had T1, T2, T3, and T4 disease respectively; 52% were N0. Overall, 98% had ER+ disease and 11% had HER2+ cancer. 14% had grade 1, 56% had grade 2, and 30% had grade 3 tumors. Among 112 men who underwent BRCA1 testing, 1 was positive. Among 118 men who had BRCA2 testing, 18 (15%) were positive. 21% of men had prior or concurrent malignancies, with the following most common sites: prostate, non-melanoma skin, colorectal, and melanoma. The prevalence of previously identified possible risk factors for male breast cancer were: overweight/obesity (72%), former/current smoker (51%), current alcohol 31 drink daily (41%), family history of breast cancer (35%), gynecomastia (16%), history radiation exposure (8%), use of anti-androgens (1%), and use of estrogens (1%).

CONCLUSION: Through an international collaborative effort, we were able to prospectively accrue 557 patients to a male breast cancer registry. These results demonstrate feasibility of pursuing a therapeutic clinical trial in men with breast cancer. In addition, this study shows the relatively low uptake of BRCA testing, high rates of concurrent/prior malignancy, and the rates of potentially modifiable risk factors in this patient population.

Funding from Breast Cancer Research Foundation, Susan G. Komen, Dutch Pink Ribbon Foundation, Swedish Breast Cancer Association (BRO) and EBCC Council.

Citation Format: Giordano SH, Schröder CP, Poncet C, van Leeuwen-Stok E, Linderholm B, Abreu MH, Rubio I, Van Poznak C, Morganstern D, Cameron D, Vleugel MM, Smilde TJ, Bozovic-Spasojevic I, Korde L, Russell NS, den Hoed IDM, Honkoop AH, van der Velden AWG, van 't Riet M, Dijkstra N, Bogler O, Goulioti T, Hilsenbeck S, Ruddy KJ, Wolff A, van Deurzen CHM, Martens J, Bartlett JMS, Aalders K, Tryfonidis K, Cardoso F. Clinical and biological characterization of male breast cancer (BC) EORTC 10085/TBCRC 029/BOOG 2013-02/BIG 2-07: Baseline results from the prospective registry [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2017 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; 2017 Dec 5-9; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2018;78(4 Suppl):Abstract nr P5-23-01.

Brainstem and limbic encephalitis with paraneoplastic neuromyelitis optica

The spectrum of disorders associated with anti-neuromyelitis optica (NMO) antibody is being extended to include infrequent instances associated with cancer. We describe a patient with brainstem and limbic encephalitis from NMO-immunoglobulin G in serum and cerebrospinal fluid in the context of newly diagnosed breast cancer. The neurological features markedly improved with excision of her breast cancer and immune suppressive therapy. This case further broadens the NMO spectrum disorders (NMOSD) by an association between NMOSD and cancer and raises the question of coincidental occurrence and the appropriate circumstances to search for a tumor in certain instances of NMO.

A phase II study of preoperative capecitabine in women with operable hormone receptor positive breast cancer

Conventional preoperative chemotherapy regimens have only limited efficacy in hormone receptor positive (HR+) breast cancer and new approaches are needed. We hypothesized that capecitabine, which is effective in metastatic breast cancer, may be an active preoperative treatment for HR+ breast cancer. Women with HR+, HER2-negative operable breast cancer received capecitabine, 2000 mg/m² daily in divided doses for 14 days, followed by a 7-day rest period. Treatment was repeated every 21 days for a total of four cycles. The primary endpoint of the study was to determine the rate of pathological complete response (pCR). Because of slow accrual, the study was closed after 24 patients were enrolled. Three patients had a complete clinical response, and eight patients had a partial clinical response, for an overall clinical response rate of 45.8%. There were no cases of pCR. Of the 22 patients who had pathological response assessment by the Miller–Payne grading system, there were six grade 3 responses, and no grade 4 or 5 responses. Toxicity was manageable: the only grade 3 toxicities observed were one case each of diarrhea, palmar plantar erythrodysesthesia, hypokalemia, and mucositis. There was no association between baseline levels, or change in level from baseline to cycle 1, or from baseline to time of surgery, of thymidine phosphorylase (TYMP), thymidylate synthase (TYMS), dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase (DPYD), or Ki67 and pathological, clinical, or radiographic response. Preoperative capecitabine is a well-tolerated regimen, but appears not lead to pCR when used as monotherapy in HR+ breast cancer.

Early integration of palliative and supportive care in the cancer continuum: challenges and opportunities

Palliative care has become synonymously associated with hospice care in the minds of patients and physicians. Supportive care is a more acceptable term and leads to earlier referral. Miscommunication and a "collusion of hope" centered on cancer treatment is detrimental to care at the end of life and results in complicated bereavement. Patients, despite being told prognosis, may not comprehend the news even if delivered in an empathetic manner. There are resource and policy barriers to palliative care. However, integration of palliative care early in the management of advanced cancer has demonstrated multiple benefits without reducing survival.

Effect of renal function (RF) on outcomes in the adjuvant treatment of older women with breast cancer (>65 years): CALGB/CTSU 49907 (CC) ancillary data study

9515

Background: CC 49907 showed superiority of standard therapy (cyclophosphamide/doxorubicin [AC] or cyclophosphamide/methotrexate/5-fluorouracil [CMF]) over capecitabine[C]. Dose adjustments made for renal insufficiency (RI) for methotrexate and C; ideal body weight used. Purpose was to analyze the relationship between RF at baseline and 5 endpoints: toxicity, dose modification, therapy completion, relapse-free survival [RFS] and overall survival [OS]. Methods: Pre-treatment RF was calculated (Cockcroft-Gault). Endpoints assessed by regimen. RF was tested as a dichotomous and continuous variable of stages 1,2 vs. 3,4 kidney disease (National Kidney Foundation). Logistic regression modeled the relationship between renal stage and the first three endpoints of toxicity, dose modification and therapy completion. Toxicity divided by hematologic or not. The relationship of RFS and OS with RF was assessed with the logrank test and as a continuous variable with Wald chi square. Results: 619 patients; incidence of stage 3/4 RI(<60 ml/min) was: CMF=72%; AC=64%; C=75%. With AC the incidence of toxicity differed by renal function. 31% of patients with poorer function >grade 3 non-hematologic toxicity vs. 14% with better function(p=0.011). There was a suggestion of effect of RF on OS and RFS for C-treated patients. RF was not associated with dose modification, premature therapy termination, RFS or OS for the CMF-treated patients. Conclusions: 1) AC: declining RF was associated with increased non-hematologic toxicity. 2)Patients with RI who received dose modifications were not at increased risk for complications in comparison to those who did not have renal insufficiency and received full dose. 3)Declining RF did not affect therapy completion. 4)C: suggestion that worse RF was related to poorer RFS or OS. 5)Exclusion of patients from clinical trials with RI based on concern of excessive hematologic toxicity may not be justified with appropriate modification. 6)Results should be considered in the design of clinical trials for older patients.

Phase II trial of carboplatin (C) and bevacizumab (BEV) in patients (pts) with breast cancer brain metastases (BCBM)

513

Background: The anti-tumor and anti-edema effects of BEV provide a rationale for testing in BCBM. Carboplatin (C) is associated with CNS responses across multiple tumor types. We evaluated BEV + C in pts with BCBM. Methods: Pts with progressive, measurable BCBM (>/= 1 cm in longest dimension) were eligible. Cycle 1: BEV 15 mg/kg on Day 1, followed on Day 8 by carboplatin AUC=5 (plus trastuzumab if HER2+). In subsequent cycles, pts received BEV + C on Day 1 (plus trastuzumab if HER2+) of a 3 week (wk) cycle. Standard brain MRI was obtained at baseline (BL) and every 2 cycles. Non-CNS scans (CT or MRI) were performed after 2 cycles, 4 cycles, then every 4 cycles. Correlative brain imaging was obtained at BL, 12-96 hours after the first dose of BEV, and after 2 cycles. Circulating tumor cells and blood for VEGF polymorphisms were also collected. The primary endpoint was composite CNS objective response rate (CNS ORR). CNS partial response required all of the following: >/= 50% reduction in volumetric sum of target CNS lesions compared to BL, no progression of non-target lesions, no new lesions, stable/decreasing steroid dose, no progressive neurologic signs or symptoms, and no progression of non-CNS disease by RECIST 1.0. The study used a 2-stage design to distinguish between ORR 5% vs 20% (responses in >/= 1/12 pts to enter 2ndstage; responses in >/= 4/37 pts needed to be promising). Results: 38 pts were enrolled between 11/3/09-8/24/12 (30 HER2+; 8 HER2-negative). Most (76%) pts had received >/=2 lines of metastatic chemotherapy. 97% of pts with HER2+ disease received prior trastuzumab; 73% had prior lapatinib. All but 5 pts progressed after WBRT and/or SRS. As of 1/15/13, 3 pts remain on protocol therapy; 22 patients have died. The composite CNS ORR was 63% (95% CI 46%-78%). CNS ORR by RECIST was 45%. CNS responses were observed in both HER2+ and HER2-negative pts. Of 34 pts with >/= 24 wks potential follow-up time, median number of cycles was 8 (range 1-19). One grade 2 CNS hemorrhage event was reported; there were no cases of grade 3/4 CNS hemorrhage. Conclusions: BEV + carboplatin is associated with a high rate of durable CNS response in pts with BCBM. Updated results, including progression-free and overall survival will be presented. Clinical trial information: NCT01004172.

Early integration of palliative and supportive care in the cancer continuum: challenges and opportunities

Palliative care has become synonymously associated with hospice care in the minds of patients and physicians. Supportive care is a more acceptable term and leads to earlier referral. Miscommunication and a "collusion of hope" centered on cancer treatment is detrimental to care at the end of life and results in complicated bereavement. Patients, despite being told prognosis, may not comprehend the news even if delivered in an empathetic manner. There are resource and policy barriers to palliative care. However, integration of palliative care early in the management of advanced cancer has demonstrated multiple benefits without reducing survival.

A phase I study of EC145 administered weeks 1 and 3 of a 4-week cycle in patients with refractory solid tumors

2577

Background: Folic acid is internalized via two main pathways; a reduced folate carrier (RFC) or a folate-specific receptor (FR). While FR is minimally distributed in normal tissues, it is over-expressed in many human tumors, including cancers of the ovary, lung and kidney. Experimental data indicate that EC145, a conjugate of folic acid and the vinca alkaloid desacetylvinblastine hydrazide (DAVLBH), is a high-affinity ligand for the folate receptor (FR) but not for RFC. EC145 is also highly active against FR-positive KB tumors in vivo. This phase I trial assessed the safety and pharmacokinetics (PK) of escalating bolus doses of EC145. Methods: The phase I study treated eligible patients with EC145 as an intravenous bolus according to a ‘flat dose‘ escalation plan on days 1, 3, 5 (week 1) and 15, 17, 19 (week 3) of a 4-week cycle. Endpoints included determination of a safe and tolerable EC145 dose, development of a PK model, and identification of antitumor activity. Results: As of Dec 2006, 16 patients had received bolus EC145 (1.2, 2.5 or 4 mg; n = 3, 11 and 2, respectively). EC145 was generally well tolerated at bolus doses < 2.5 mg with one patient continuing on study for 6 cycles. Overall, the most common side effects were fatigue (n = 9), constipation (n = 7) and neuropathy (n = 6). DLT at 4 mg included reversible ileus and neuropathy. Formal PK analysis will be available at the time of presentation. One patient has had a minor response and another has exhibited disease stabilization > 5 months (both ovarian cancer patients). Upon declaration of the bolus MTD, the trial was amended to explore the utility of a 1-hour EC145 infusion to take full advantage of potential high affinity interaction between EC145 and the FR to effect drug targeting. As of Jan 2, 2007, three patients had been accrued to a dose level of 2.5 mg over 1 hr, and all tolerated the therapy without significant toxicity. Conclusions: EC145 may be administered safely as a 2.5 mg intravenous bolus dose on days 1, 3, 5 (week 1) and 15, 17, 19 (week 3) of a 28-day schedule.

No significant financial relationships to disclose.

Chemo-hormonal therapy for biochemical progression of prostate cancer

4559

Background: Androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) is effective for relapsed prostate cancer, but is rarely curative. The purpose of this trial was to determine the feasibility, toxicity and PSA response of chemotherapy and ADT for men with PSA relapse. Methods: Eligible men had a rising PSA and no metastases after prostatectomy and/or radiation for localized disease. Treatment consisted of four cycles of docetaxel (70 mg/M2) every 21 days and estramustine 280 mg three times daily on days 1–5. After chemotherapy, goserelin acetate and bicalutamide 50 mg daily were prescribed for 15 months. Results: Sixty-two patients were enrolled at four institutions: median age 65 (range 49–78), median PSA 3.01 ng/mL (range 0.08–47.04), 24% Gleason 8–10. A complete PSA response (CR) was defined as PSA at or below assay-specific lower limit (0.01–0.2 ng/mL). The proportion of patients with CR after chemotherapy, after ADT and at one year off ADT was 53%, 63% and 36%. Testosterone was > 100 ng/dL (median 250 ng/dL) one year off ADT in 97%. Patients with a PSA < 3.0 ng/mL had a significantly longer time to progression (p-value 0.0002). At the time of last follow-up 24/56 (43%) who are at least one year off ADT have not progressed. Median TTP is 34 months from treatment initiation (maximum 74 months free from progression). Toxicity was manageable with no toxic deaths: there were 4 thromboses on chemotherapy and 38% of cycles were associated with grade III/IV neutropenia with 5 cases of documented infections. Conclusion: Chemotherapy prior to hormone therapy was feasible for early prostate cancer relapse. Forty-three percent of men who are at least one year off ADT with recovered testosterone have not progressed. This approach is being tested in a randomized trial with investigation of predictors of response.

No significant financial relationships to disclose.

Tyrosine kinases expressed in vivo by human prostate cancer bone marrow metastases and loss of the type 1 insulin-like growth factor receptor

An important biological feature of prostate cancer (PCa) is its marked preference for bone marrow as a metastatic site. To identify factors that may support the growth of PCa in bone marrow, expression of receptor and nonreceptor tyrosine kinases by androgen-independent PCa bone marrow metastases was assessed. Bone marrow biopsies largely replaced by PCa were analyzed using reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction amplification with degenerate primers that amplified the conserved kinase domain. Sequence analyses of the cloned products demonstrated expression of multiple kinases. Expression of the receptor and nonreceptor tyrosine kinases, alpha platelet-derived growth factor receptor and Jak 1, respectively, was confirmed by immunohistochemistry. In contrast, the type 1 insulin-like growth factor receptor, thought to play a role in PCa development, was lost in metastatic PCa. These results implicate several specific growth factors and signaling pathways in metastatic androgen-independent PCa and indicate that loss of the type 1 insulin-like growth factor receptor contributes to PCa progression.

Genitourinary cancers in older adults

Prostate and bladder carcinoma are, in large part, diseases of older adults, and they are discussed in this context. Pathology, diagnosis, and staging are reviewed. Surgical and medical approaches to these malignancies, and the limitations of these approaches, are highlighted. Renal cell carcinoma, while a relatively rare neoplasm, remains a formidable challenge: approximately 50% of patients die within 5 years of diagnosis. Advances in molecular genetics and histopathologic classification, as well as surgical management and investigational therapies, are emphasized.