Phase I Study of Veliparib on an Intermittent and Continuous Schedule in Combination with Carboplatin in Metastatic Breast Cancer: A Safety and [18F]-Fluorothymidine Positron Emission Tomography Biomarker Study

BACKGROUND

Poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase inhibitors (PARPis) are U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved for treatment of BRCA-mutated metastatic breast cancer. Furthermore, the BROCADE studies demonstrated benefit of adding an oral PARPi, veliparib, to carboplatin and paclitaxel in patients with metastatic breast cancer harboring BRCA mutation. Given multiple possible dosing schedules and the potential benefit of this regimen for patients with defective DNA repair beyond BRCA, we sought to find the recommended phase II dose (RP2D) and schedule of veliparib in combination with carboplatin in patients with advanced breast cancer, either triple-negative (TNBC) or hormone receptor (HR)-positive, human epidermal growth receptor 2 (HER2) negative with defective Fanconi anemia (FA) DNA-repair pathway based on FA triple staining immunofluorescence assay.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Patients received escalating doses of veliparib on a 7-, 14-, or 21-day schedule with carboplatin every 3 weeks. Patients underwent [18]fluoro-3'-deoxythymidine (¹⁸ FLT) positron emission tomography (PET) imaging.

RESULTS

Forty-four patients (39 TNBC, 5 HR positive/HER2 negative with a defective FA pathway) received a median of 5 cycles (range 1-36). Observed dose-limiting toxicities were grade (G) 4 thrombocytopenia (n = 4), G4 neutropenia (n = 1), and G3 akathisia (n = 1). Common grade 3-4 toxicities included thrombocytopenia, lymphopenia, neutropenia, anemia, and fatigue. Of the 43 patients evaluable for response, 18.6% achieved partial response and 48.8% had stable disease. Median progression-free survival was 18.3 weeks. RP2D of veliparib was established at 250 mg twice daily on days 1-21 along with carboplatin at area under the curve 5. Patients with partial response had a significant drop in maximum standard uptake value (SUV_max ) of target lesions between baseline and early in cycle 1 based on ¹⁸ FLT-PET (day 7-21; p_trend  = .006).

CONCLUSION

The combination of continuous dosing of veliparib and every-3-week carboplatin demonstrated activity and an acceptable toxicity profile. Decrease in SUV_max on ¹⁸ FLT-PET scan during the first cycle of this therapy can identify patients who are likely to have a response.

IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE

The BROCADE studies suggest that breast cancer patients with BRCA mutation benefit from addition of veliparib to carboplatin plus paclitaxel. This study demonstrates that a higher dose of veliparib is tolerable and active in combination with carboplatin alone. With growing interest in imaging-based early response assessment, the authors demonstrate that decrease in [18]fluoro-3'-deoxythymidine positron emission tomography (FLT-PET) SUV_max during cycle 1 of therapy is associated with response. Collectively, this study established a safety profile of veliparib and carboplatin in advanced breast cancer while also providing additional data on the potential for FLT-PET imaging modality in monitoring therapy response.

A phase I study of an oral selective gamma secretase (GS) inhibitor RO4929097 in combination with neoadjuvant paclitaxel and carboplatin in triple negative breast cancer

Upregulation of Notch pathway is associated with poor prognosis in breast cancer. We present the results of a phase I study of an oral selective gamma secretase (GS) inhibitor (critical to Notch signaling), RO4929097 in combination with neoadjuvant chemotherapy for operable triple negative breast cancer. The primary objective was to determine the maximum tolerated dose (MTD) of RO4929097. Secondary objectives were to determine real-time pharmacokinetics of RO4929097 and paclitaxel, safety and pathologic (pCR) complete response to study treatment. Eligible patients, initiated carboplatin at AUC 6 administered intravenously (IV) on day 1, weekly paclitaxel at 80 mg/m2 IV and RO4929097 10 mg daily given orally (PO) on days 1-3, 8-10 and 15-17 for six 21-day cycles. RO4929097 was escalated in 10 mg increments using the 3 + 3 dose escalation design. Two DLTs were observed in 14 patients - Grade (G) 4 thrombocytopenia in dose level 1 (10 mg) and G3 hypertension in dose level 2 (20 mg). Protocol-defined MTD was not determined due to discontinuation of RO4929097 development. However, 4 of 5 patients enrolled to 20 mg dose of RO4929097 required dose reduction to 10 mg due to toxicities (including neutropenia, thrombocytopenia and hypertension) occurring during and beyond the DLT observation period. Thus, 10 mg would have been the likely dose level for further development. G3 or higher hematologic toxicities included neutropenia (N = 8, 57%) and thrombocytopenia (N = 5, 36%) patients. Six (43%) patients had G2-3 neuropathy requiring paclitaxel dose reduction. No signs of drug-drug interaction between paclitaxel and RO4929097 were evident. Five patients (36%) had pCR.

Circulating myeloid-derived suppressor cells increase in patients undergoing neo-adjuvant chemotherapy for breast cancer

This study sought to evaluate whether myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSC) could be affected by chemotherapy and correlate with pathologic complete response (pCR) in breast cancer patients receiving neo-adjuvant chemotherapy. Peripheral blood levels of granulocytic (G-MDSC) and monocytic (M-MDSC) MDSC were measured by flow cytometry prior to cycle 1 and 2 of doxorubicin and cyclophosphamide and 1st and last administration of paclitaxel or paclitaxel/anti-HER2 therapy. Of 24 patients, 11, 6 and 7 patients were triple negative, HER2+ and hormone receptor+, respectively. 45.8% had pCR. Mean M-MDSC% were <1. Mean G-MDSC% and 95% confidence intervals were 0.88 (0.23-1.54), 5.07 (2.45-7.69), 9.32 (4.02-14.61) and 1.97 (0.53-3.41) at draws 1-4. The increase in G-MDSC by draw 3 was significant (p < 0.0001) in all breast cancer types. G-MDSC levels at the last draw were numerically lower in patients with pCR (1.15; 95% CI 0.14-2.16) versus patients with no pCR (2.71; 95% CI 0-5.47). There was no significant rise in G-MDSC from draw 1 to 3 in African American patients, and at draw 3 G-MDSC levels were significantly lower in African Americans versus Caucasians (p < 0.05). It was concluded that G-MDSC% increased during doxorubicin and cyclophosphamide therapy, but did not significantly differ between patients based on pathologic complete response.

Abstract CT033: Phase 1b study of heat shock protein 90 inhibitor onalespib in combination with paclitaxel in patients with advanced, triple-negative breast cancer (NCT02474173)

Background: Heat shock protein 90 (HSP90) is a molecular chaperone that is required for proper folding and stabilization of proteins. Client proteins of HSP90 include many mediators of signal transduction known to be over-activated in triple negative breast cancer such as AKT, EGFR, members of RAS/MAPK signaling pathways and androgen receptor. Expression of HSP90 has been found to be upregulated in multiple triple negative breast cancer cell lines and associated with poor outcome of breast cancer patients. In addition, over-expression of HSP90 client proteins such as AKT and c-RAF has been implicated in paclitaxel resistance. Onalespib (AT13387) is a synthetic non-ansamycin small molecule that acts as an inhibitor of HSP90 by binding to the amino terminal of the protein and has dissociation constant (Kd) of 0.71 nM.

Materials and Methods: Patients with inoperable or metastatic triple negative or weakly hormone receptor positive breast cancer are treated with onalespib and paclitaxel on days 1, 8, 15 every 28 days. Paclitaxel is given at a standard dose of 80 mg/m2 while the dose of onalespib is gradually increased using standard 3+3 design (see table). In order to assess the effect of each drug on pharmacokinetics of the other drug, onalespib is given on day -7 prior to cycle 1 and skipped on day 1 of cycle 1 during which paclitaxel in administered alone. The primary objective of the study is to determine recommended phase 2 dose and assess the toxicity profile of the combination. The secondary objectives include effect of onalespib on pharmacokinetics of paclitaxel and effect of paclitaxel on pharmacokinetics of onalespib. Overall response rate, response duration and progression-free survival will also be assessed. Dose Escalation ScheduleDose LevelDoseOnalespib (mg/m2 IV on days 1, 8, 15)Paclitaxel (mg/m2 IV on days 1, 8, 15)Level -110080Level 112080Level 215080Level 320080Level 426080

Conclusion: The study opened to accrual on January 15, 2016 and is currently enrolling the first 3 patients to dose level 1.

Citation Format: Robert Wesolowski, Maryam B. Lustberg, Ewa Mrozek, Rachel Layman, Raquel Reinbolt, Ming Poi, Nadia Osman, Andrea Lively, Julie Stephens, Michael Grever, Bhuvaneswari Ramaswamy. Phase 1b study of heat shock protein 90 inhibitor onalespib in combination with paclitaxel in patients with advanced, triple-negative breast cancer (NCT02474173). [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 107th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2016 Apr 16-20; New Orleans, LA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2016;76(14 Suppl):Abstract nr CT033.

Abstract P3-12-01: Locoregional failure rates do not vary by breast cancer subtype after mastectomy in a modern cohort of patients with T1-2 tumors with 1-3 pathologically involved lymph nodes

Purpose/Objective(s): A recent meta-analysis of 22 randomized trials accrued between 1964-86 demonstrated significantly higher rates of locoregional failure (LRF), total failure (TF) and breast-cancer mortality in women with 1-3 positive (+) axillary lymph nodes (ALN) who did not receive radiotherapy after mastectomy (mast.). Given the improvements in diagnostic and therapeutic approaches, the challenge today is whether breast cancer patients with T1-T2 tumors with 1-3+ ALN have similar substantial risk that routinely warrants the delivery of post mastectomy radiotherapy (PMRT). We further set out to explore whether the risk of failure varies by breast cancer subtype.

Materials/Methods: We reviewed patients with pathologic T1-2N1 breast cancer treated with initial mast. and adjuvant systemic therapy (ST) from 2000-2013. The primary endpoint was LRF, defined as a recurrence in either the ipsilateral chestwall or regional lympatics (axillary, internal mammary, or supraclavicular nodes). Secondary endpoints include rates of TF (LRF or distant metastases), disease-free survival (DFS, failure or death), and overall survival (OS). Patients were classified into 3 basic subtypes: hormone receptor positive/HER2 negative (HR+), HER2 positive (HER2+), and triple negative (TN). Survival analysis was performed using the Kaplan-Meier method. The log-rank test was used to compare survival between groups.

Results: We identified 550 eligible patients from our prospectively maintained cancer registry. Median follow-up was 5 years. Baseline characteristics included median age 53 yrs, 61% pathologic T2, 39% grade 3, 48% with lymphovascular invasion. Subtypes included 72% HR+ (n=393), 16% HER2+ (n=89), 12% TN (n=66) and 0.4% unknown (n=2). Treatment included chemotherapy in 78% (n=428), PMRT in 15% (n=82), and anti-endocrine therapy in 70% (n=385). A median of 18 ALN (range, 1-68) were removed, 10% (N=55) had sentinel-lymph node biopsy only, and 17%(N=95) had micrometastases (N1mic) only. A total of 296 pts had 1+ node, 165 pts 2+ nodes and 89 pts 3+ nodes. The 5 yr LRF rate for the entire cohort was 3.9% and patients with 1+, 2+, and 3+ nodes had 5 yr LRF of 2.6%, 4.7% and 6.4%, respectively (p=0.79). The 5 yr LRF for HR+, HER2+ and TN was 3.9%, 1.5%, and 6.6%, respectively (p=0.39). When stratified by 1+, 2+ or 3+ nodes, the 5 yr LRF for HR+ vs. HER2+ vs. TN were 2.4%, 6.8%, and 0% vs. 5.8%, 15.4%, and 0% vs. 5.7%, 0%, and 4.8%, p=0.43. The 5 yr TF, DFS, and OS rates for HR+, HER2+ and TN were 90.5% vs. 88.5%. vs. 83.6% (p=0.76); 84.9% vs. 82.6% vs. 79.2% (p=0.85); and 91.4% vs. 86.2% vs. 81.3% (p=0.83).

Conclusions: In a cohort of patients with T1-2N1 breast cancer treated with modern therapy, we found low rates of LRF which did not vary amongst HR+, HER2+ and TN patients. In particular, HR+ patients with 1+ LN had extremely low rates of LRF Given these low recurrence rates, caution should be given in routinely recommending PMRT for every woman with 1-3+ ALN after mast. and adjuvant ST.

Citation Format: Bazan JG, Majithia L, Quick AM, Terando AM, Agnese D, Mrozek E, Farrar W, White JR. Locoregional failure rates do not vary by breast cancer subtype after mastectomy in a modern cohort of patients with T1-2 tumors with 1-3 pathologically involved lymph nodes. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Thirty-Eighth Annual CTRC-AACR San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium: 2015 Dec 8-12; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2016;76(4 Suppl):Abstract nr P3-12-01.

Abstract P4-09-18: Characterization of circulating myeloid derived suppressor cells and cytokines in patients undergoing neo-adjuvant chemotherapy for breast cancer

Myeloid derived suppressor cells (MDSC) are immature immune cells that expand in patients (pts) with cancer and suppress anti-tumor immunity. MDSC are also known to support angiogenesis. Higher circulating MDSC levels are seen in patients with greater tumor burden. Therefore, circulating MDSC levels could be affected by chemotherapy and could correlate with response. In this prospective pilot trial, peripheral blood (PB) levels of granulocytic (G-MDSC) and monocytic (M-MDSC) MDSC were measured in pts with operable breast cancer (BC) treated with neo-adjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) to study their association with pathologic complete response. It was hypothesized that MDSC % would show an association with complete pathologic response (pCR). The association of 10 different cytokine levels (IL-1β, IL-2, IL-4, IL-5, IL-6, IL-10, IL-12, IL-13, IFN-γ, TNF-α) with pCR was also explored. Linear mixed models tested the associations between MDSC % or cytokines across time points with pCR. Levels of MDSC were measured by flow cytometry as a % of PB mononuclear cells prior to cycle (C) 1 and 2 of doxorubicin and cyclophosphamide (AC) and 1st and last administration of paclitaxel (T) or T and anti-HER2 therapy (in HER2+ pts). For other regimens, MDSC were measured prior to 1st, 2nd and last cycle. MDSC were defined as HLA-DR-, CD11b+, CD33+ cells with G-MDSC and M-MDSC cells expressing CD15 and CD14, respectively. Plasma cytokine levels were measured using a multiplex assay (Bio-Rad). Of 24 enrolled pts, 1, 20 and 3 had clinical stage I, II, IIIA, respectively. Median age was 48 (range 32-70). 11, 6 and 7 pts were triple negative (TN), HER2+ and hormone receptor (HR)+, respectively. PCR rate was 45.8% (46%, 50%, 43%, 20% for TN, HER2+, HR+ and &gt;10% HR+ pts). Rate of residual cancer burden (RCB) class 0-1 was 58.3% (63.6%, 50%, 57.1%, 40% in TN, HER2+, HR+ and &gt;10% HR+ pts). Mean M-MDSC % were &lt;1 at all time points. Mean G-MDSC % and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were 0.88 (0.23-1.54), 5.07 (2.45-7.69), 9.32(4.02-14.61) and 1.97 (0.53-3.41) at times 1-4. The increase in MDSC by C1 of T was significant (p&lt;0.0001) in all BC types. Baseline G-MDSC % did not differ in pts with or without pCR. G-MDSC levels at the last time point were also not statistically different but were numerically slightly lower in pts with pCR (1.15; 95%CI 0.14-2.16) versus pts with no pCR (2.71; 95%CI 0-5.47). Levels of all 10 cytokines were measurable in pts throughout NAC. The mean levels of IL-1β, IL-2, IL-4, IL-13 and IFN-γ peaked by C1 of T, while levels of IL-5, IL-6, IL-10, IL-12 and TNF-α were the highest at draw 1 and decreased during NAC. This pilot study confirmed feasibility of measuring circulating MDSC and cytokines in breast cancer pts receiving neo-adjuvant chemotherapy. The results showed that G-MDSC % increase during AC and then decrease during T and that a mixture of Th1 and Th2 cytokines peak during treatment. Levels of MDSC and cytokines did not significantly differ between pts with or without a pCR. However, a larger study with greater power to detect smaller differences and evaluate association between MDSC levels and pCR in different BC subtypes is needed.

Citation Format: Wesolowski R, Duggan M, Stiff A, Trikha P, Schoenfield L, Abdel-Rasoul M, Layman R, Ramaswamy B, Macrae E, Lustberg MB, Mrozek E, Carson WE. Characterization of circulating myeloid derived suppressor cells and cytokines in patients undergoing neo-adjuvant chemotherapy for breast cancer. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Thirty-Eighth Annual CTRC-AACR San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium: 2015 Dec 8-12; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2016;76(4 Suppl):Abstract nr P4-09-18.

Occurrence and characterization of everolimus adverse events during first and subsequent cycles in the treatment of metastatic breast cancer

PURPOSE

Endocrine therapy remains the standard therapy for patients with metastatic hormone receptor (HR)-positive breast cancer. The novel combination of everolimus and exemestane has been shown to prolong progression-free survival but with increased adverse events compared to exemestane alone. In this study, we aimed to describe the frequency and timing of everolimus dose reductions and/or interruptions due to adverse events.

METHODS

This is a single-center retrospective case series including all patients who received everolimus in combination with exemestane from May 1, 2012, through July 31, 2013. The primary objective was to determine the incidence of first-cycle interruptions or dose reductions with everolimus.

RESULTS

Forty-six patients were included in the analysis. First-cycle dose reductions or interruptions were observed in 21 (45.6 %) patients. The most common adverse events leading to dose reduction or interruption was stomatitis (57.1 %), fatigue (14.3 %), and diarrhea (14.3 %). The median time to dose reduction was 14 days, and the median duration of the interruption was 14 days. The median progression-free survival was 6.2 months, and the median time to treatment failure was 4.4 months.

CONCLUSIONS

In this case series, almost half of the patients treated with everolimus and exemestane required a dose reduction or interruption of everolimus during the first cycle of treatment. This early onset of adverse events requires thorough patient education and close clinical monitoring during the first 28 days of therapy.

Locoregional failure rates after mastectomy for breast cancer patients with T1-2 tumors and axillary nodal microscopic metastases

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Background: The indications for postmastectomy radiotherapy (PMRT) are expanding to include patients 1-3 axillary nodal metastases (ALN). Improvements in diagnostic evaluation have led to increasing numbers of breast cancer (BC) patients who are found to have microscopic nodal metastases (N1mic). The challenge today is whether these BC patients have risk that warrants the routine delivery of PMRT. Methods: We reviewed patients with pathologic T1-2N1 BC treated with initial mastectomy (mast) and adjuvant systemic therapy (ST) from 2000-2013. The primary endpoint was locoregional failure (LRF), defined as a recurrence in either the ipsilateral chestwall or regional lymphatics (axillary, internal mammary, or supraclavicular). Secondary endpoints were disease-free survival (DFS, failure or death) and overall survival (OS). The log-rank test was used to compare survival between groups. Results: We identified 550 eligible patients from our prospectively maintained cancer registry with 5 year median follow-up. 95 patients (17%) had N1mic disease. Baseline characteristics include: median age 53 yrs, 61% pathologic T2, 39% grade 3, 72% hormone receptor positive, 16% HER2+, 12% triple-negative. Treatment included chemotherapy in 78% (n = 428), PMRT in 15% (n = 82), and anti-endocrine therapy in 70% (n = 385). A median of 18 ALN (range, 1-68) were removed. Among the patients with N1mic disease, 81 had 1+ node, 13 had 2+ nodes, and 1 had 3+ nodes. The 5 yr LRF was 0% for patients with N1mic disease vs. 4.6% in those macro metastases (p = 0.84). The 5 yr LRF rate for the entire cohort was 3.9%; patients with 1+, 2+, and 3+ nodes had 5 yr LRF of 2.6%, 4.7% and 6.4%, respectively (p = 0.79). Patients with N1mic disease had a trend towards improved DFS (91.6% vs. 82.3%, p = 0.07) and significantly improved OS (96.9% vs. 87.6%, p = 0.03) compared to patients with macrometastases. Conclusions: In a cohort of patients with T1-2,N1 BC treated with modern therapy, we found overall low rates of LRF. Patients with N1mic disease had no LRF events and improved OS compared to patients with macrometastases. These findings support that PMRT should not be routinely recommended for N1mic BC patients with T1-2 tumors.

Impact of breast cancer treatment on body mass index (BMI) over time

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Background: Weight gain concerns breast cancer patients, can impact quality of life, may lead to therapy non-adherence, and is associated with increased recurrence risk and mortality. Early placebo-controlled trials did not identify a clear correlation between Tamoxifen (TAM) and weight gain; gain due to aromatase inhibitors (AIs) is not well characterized. We hypothesized that weight gain occurs more frequently than previously reported in breast cancer patients receiving endocrine therapy. Methods: This is a retrospective chart review investigating body mass index (BMI) change in women after breast cancer therapy. Patients with early stage breast cancer and whom had BMI and treatment data (at least 90 days) from 2003-2012 were identified in The Columbus Breast Cancer Tissue Bank. Patients were separated by treatment received: chemotherapy with and without endocrine therapy vs. endocrine therapy alone (including both TAM and AIs) vs. no other treatment. Results: A total of 970 subjects were included in the analysis. At diagnosis and/or treatment initiation, patients’ mean BMI was 29.2 ± 7.0 kg/m2; mean age 53.7± 11.6 years; and average length of therapy/follow up per patient, 1833 days (range 90-3,990). Patients who received an AI alone had significantly decreased BMIs during therapy (-0.65± 0.29 kg/m2, p = 0.025), whereas patients receiving chemotherapy alone, chemotherapy with TAM, or TAM followed by AI therapy, had significantly increased BMIs (0.51 ± 0.25, 0.73 ± 0.26, 1.01 ± 0.51 kg/m2; p = 0.039, 0.005, 0.045, respectively). Both older age and a higher BMI at diagnosis were associated with a significantly greater decline in BMI over treatment time (p < 0.001 and p < 0.001, respectively). In a multivariate regression model, after adjusting for age and initial BMI effect, the BMI change noted among different treatment groups was no longer significantly different (p = 0.43). BMI change was not statistically associated with treatment length (p = 0.26). Conclusions: Our review of a large, early stage breast cancer patient cohort showed no association between weight gain and endocrine therapy after adjusting for the effect of initial BMI and age at diagnosis. Additional study is needed to identify other factors impacting weight in this population.

Abstract P1-09-03: Prevention of aromatase Inhibitor (AI)-induced joint symptoms with omega-3 fatty acid supplementation: A randomized placebo-controlled pilot study

Introduction: AI-induced joint symptoms negatively impact drug adherence and quality of life. Based on observations that n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) have anti-inflammatory effects and that the mechanism of AI-induced joint symptoms may be partly due to inflammation, we hypothesized that women taking more n-3 PUFAs are less likely to develop AI-induced joint symptoms.

Methods: We conducted a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study comparing n-3 PUFA vs placebo in postmenopausal breast cancer patients starting adjuvant AIs. Participants were randomized to n-3 supplements [2.58 g eicosapentaenoic acid + 1.74 g docosahexaenoic acid/day; Marine Nutriceuticals, Mt. Bethel, PA] vs matched placebo for 24 weeks (wks). Primary endpoints was feasibility; secondary outcomes were self-reported symptoms as assessed by the Brief Pain Inventory short form (BPI-SF), Functional Assessment of Cancer Treatment, Breast & Endocrine Symptoms (FACTB-ES), and Stanford's Health Assessment and Disability Index (HAQ) at baseline prior to AI receipt, 12 and 24 wks. Compliance and toxicity were evaluated monthly. Serial peripheral blood n-3 PUFA levels and inflammatory cytokines (IL-6, TNFR2, IL-17) were drawn. MRI of hands/wrists was performed in selected patients using a 3 Tesla dedicated wrist coil at baseline and treatment end.

Results: Forty-four women were enrolled and randomized to study drug; 42 received ≥1 cycle (4 wks) of treatment; 36 had ≥1 post treatment evaluation at wk 12 or 24. Median age was 59.5 (range 43-76); history of prior taxane (n=15, 34%). The two groups’ baseline characteristics were similar. Overall, 93% and 88% of patients took &gt;80% of the placebo and n-3 PUFA doses, respectively. Baseline erythrocyte n-3 PUFA was similar for both groups (6.6% ± 1.6%, 7.2% ±1.9%, p=0.20), but higher in the n-3 PUFA arm by wk 24 (6.5%±1.0% vs 15.0%±3.3%, p&lt;0.001). Most toxicities were grade 1; the n-3 PUFA arm had only 1 (2.5%) grade 3 toxicity (diarrhea). The n-3 PUFA arm reported lower mean BPI-SF scores after treatment [(-.0.28/ -0.25 at week 12/24); but not statistically significant compared to placebo (p=0.494 and 0.601)]. Based on BPI-SF, the n-3 PUFA arm reported less interference of pain symptoms compared to placebo at 12 weeks (-.72, p=0.08). This arm also had a decreased walking, activity and working (WAW) score on BPI-SF at 12 weeks (-.81 p=0.05), and reported significantly greater pain relief from medications at 12 (p=0.043) and 24 weeks (p=0.011). Both arms had similar baseline and wk 24 serum IL-6 levels; levels decreased from baseline to wk 24 in the n-3 PUFA arm (-0.54±0.25, p=0.048). There was a non-significant trend (p= 0.2) toward decreased wrist inflammation by MRI imaging at 24 wks in the n-3 PUFA arm.

Conclusions: This is the first randomized pilot study to show that n-3 PUFA supplementation to prevent AI-induced joint symptoms is feasible and well tolerated. There is preliminary evidence that this intervention may help reduce the burden of AI-induced arthralgias.

OSU Study #11022; ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT01478477. Grants from the National Cancer Institute (CA037447-26) to the Alliance for Clinical Trials in Oncology supported this pilot study.

Citation Format: Maryam B Lustberg, Tonya Orchard, Xueliang Pan, Raquel Reinbolt, Amanda Logan, Joanne Lester, Rachel M Layman, Erin Macrae, Ewa Mrozek, Bhuvaneswari Ramaswamy, Robert Wesolowski, Michael Berger, Michael Knopp, Charles Loprinzi, Charles L Shapiro, Lisa Yee. Prevention of aromatase Inhibitor (AI)-induced joint symptoms with omega-3 fatty acid supplementation: A randomized placebo-controlled pilot study [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Thirty-Seventh Annual CTRC-AACR San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium: 2014 Dec 9-13; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2015;75(9 Suppl):Abstract nr P1-09-03.

Abstract P1-09-04: Longitudinal evaluation of taxane-induced neuropathy in early stage breast cancer

Introduction

Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) is a dose-limiting toxicity of several chemotherapy drug classes, including taxanes. Peripheral neuropathies have been shown to lead to pain, falls, and difficulty in walking and performing activities of daily living in a variety of patient populations. Although the prevalence of CIPN has been noted in cancer patients, the development of self-reported symptoms, gait changes and balance changes during treatment have not been well explored to date. We hypothesized that the use of taxane-based chemotherapy will result in significant changes in spatiotemporal gait and balance parameters, as well as self-reported quality of life and function.

Methods

We characterized the alterations in gait and balance that occur in non-metastatic breast cancer patients during taxane chemotherapy. We evaluated (1) spatiotemporal gait parameters, including cadence and step length, and (2) balance parameters, including time-to-contact and 95% ellipse area, using each patient as her own control. Laboratory assessment of gait and balance was conducted at baseline and at completion of therapy in selected patients. We compared the natural history of changes in gait and balance parameters with changes in CIPN status as measured by validated patient reported outcomes, including EORTC QLQ-C30, CIPN-20, and Brief Pain Inventory Short Form (BPI-SF), and the Duke Activity Status Index (DASI). Time points included pre-chemotherapy, after each cycle of chemotherapy, and one month after the end of therapy to collect information on neuropathy, pain and functional capacity. The preliminary data were illustrated using individual plots; trend lines (changing over time) were based on least square means at each time point, which were estimated using the linear mixed models for repeated measures.

Results

To date, 15 patients with localized breast cancer have been enrolled; patient recruitment is ongoing. The median age is 42 years (range 25-67). Ten patients (67%) received weekly paclitaxel, 1 patient (7%) received paclitaxel every 2 weeks, and 4 patients (27%) received docetaxel every 3 weeks. Preliminary results with these 15 patients, based on least square means at each timepoint, showed trends in several parameters. As treatments progressed, patients tended to develop more difficulty in quiet balance and in their ability to actively shift weight in the sagittal and frontal planes. From the CIPN-20, they also tended to develop increased difficulty with sensory and motor systems. From the QLQ-C30, their global health status also tended to worsen. For most of these parameters, the largest changes were observed between the 2nd and 3rd treatments, though some changes were not observed until the 4th treatment. From the BPI-SF, no trends in pain symptoms or pain interference were observed within this preliminary cohort.

Conclusions

Gait and balance testing is feasible in the clinical setting. Preliminary observations suggest that balance, function and quality of life may all be affected by taxane therapy, even without pain symptoms. The findings of this study will enable us to better characterize the neurotoxic effect of taxanes and to ultimately test the effectiveness of preventative measures and interventions.

Funding by NCI R03CA182165-01.

Citation Format: Maryam B Lustberg, Scott Monfort, Janani Singaravelu, Raquel E Reinbolt, Xueliang Pan, Bhuvaneswari Ramaswamy, Rachel M Layman, Robert Wesolowski, Ewa Mrozek, Erin Macrae, Charles Shapiro, Robyn Patrick, Charles L Loprinzi, Ajit Chaudhari. Longitudinal evaluation of taxane-induced neuropathy in early stage breast cancer [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Thirty-Seventh Annual CTRC-AACR San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium: 2014 Dec 9-13; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2015;75(9 Suppl):Abstract nr P1-09-04.

Neoadjuvant dual HER2-targeted therapy with lapatinib and trastuzumab improves pathologic complete response in patients with early stage HER2-positive breast cancer: a meta-analysis of randomized prospective clinical trials

BACKGROUND

Randomized clinical trials (RCT) that evaluated the addition of lapatinib to trastuzumab plus neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) in patients with HER2-positive, operable breast cancer revealed a questionable improvement in pathologic complete response (pCR) rate. We performed a meta-analysis of prospective RCTs that examined the effect of adding lapatinib to trastuzumab and NAC on pCR rate.

METHODS

PubMed databases and abstracts from the proceedings of the American Society of Clinical Oncology and the San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium were searched for RCTs that compared lapatinib plus trastuzumab and NAC with trastuzumab in combination with NAC and that included pCR as the primary outcome. Our main objective was to estimate the effect of adding lapatinib to trastuzumab plus NAC on pCR rate, defined as no residual invasive cancer in breast and axillary lymph nodes.

RESULTS

In total, 1,017 patients with early stage breast cancer from 5 trials were included. Four trials examined the addition of lapatinib to trastuzumab plus NAC; this resulted in statistically significant improvement in pCR, defined as no residual carcinoma in breast and lymph nodes. The pCR rate was 55.76% and 38.36% in the lapatinib plus trastuzumab and the trastuzumab plus NAC arms, respectively (odds ratio [OR]: 1.94; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.44-2.60). In three trials, the rates of pCR, defined as no residual invasive carcinoma in breast only, for the lapatinib plus trastuzumab and trastuzumab-alone groups were 55.01% and 40.70%, respectively, also resulting in significant improvement (OR: 1.78; 95% CI: 1.27-2.50).

CONCLUSION

The addition of lapatinib to trastuzumab in combination with neoadjuvant chemotherapy significantly improves pCR rates in patients with HER2-positive breast cancer.

Yoga and self-reported cognitive problems in breast cancer survivors: a randomized controlled trial

OBJECTIVES

Cancer survivors often report cognitive problems. Furthermore, decreases in physical activity typically occur over the course of cancer treatment. Although physical activity benefits cognitive function in noncancer populations, evidence linking physical activity to cognitive function in cancer survivors is limited. In our recent randomized controlled trial, breast cancer survivors who received a yoga intervention had lower fatigue and inflammation following the trial compared with a wait list control group. This secondary analysis of the parent trial addressed yoga's impact on cognitive complaints.

METHODS

Posttreatment stage 0-IIIA breast cancer survivors (n = 200) were randomized to a 12-week, twice-weekly Hatha yoga intervention or a wait list control group. Participants reported cognitive complaints using the Breast Cancer Prevention Trial Cognitive Problems Scale at baseline, immediately postintervention, and 3-month follow-up.

RESULTS

Cognitive complaints did not differ significantly between groups immediately postintervention (p = 0.250). However, at 3-month follow-up, yoga participants' Breast Cancer Prevention Trial Cognitive Problems Scale scores were an average of 23% lower than wait list participants' scores (p = 0.003). These group differences in cognitive complaints remained after controlling for psychological distress, fatigue, and sleep quality. Consistent with the primary results, those who practiced yoga more frequently reported significantly fewer cognitive problems at 3-month follow-up than those who practiced less frequently (p < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

These findings suggest that yoga can effectively reduce breast cancer survivors' cognitive complaints and prompt further research on mind-body and physical activity interventions for improving cancer-related cognitive problems.

A Phase II study of bevacizumab in combination with trastuzumab and docetaxel in HER2 positive metastatic breast cancer

BACKGROUND

Preclinical and early clinical data support the use of Vascular Epithelial Growth Factor (VEGF)-targeted therapy with trastuzumab in Human Epidermal Receptor 2 (HER2) positive breast cancer. Adding bevacizumab to a taxane (docetaxel or paclitaxel) improves progression free survival (PFS) of metastatic breast cancer (MBC) patients.

OBJECTIVES

We evaluated the efficacy and feasibility of combining bevacizumab with trastuzumab and docetaxel in patients with HER2- positive MBC who received 0-1 prior chemotherapy regimens for metastatic disease. The primary end point was PFS.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Eligible patients received bevacizumab (15 mg/kg), trastuzumab (8 mg/kg loading dose followed by 6 mg/kg), and docetaxel (100 mg/m2 initially, later amended to 75 mg/m2) every three weeks for six cycles and then were allowed to receive bevacizumab and trastuzumab alone. Results Thirteen (50%) of 26 patients enrolled completed all 6 cycles of bevacizumab, trastuzumab and docetaxel and went on to receive bevacizumab and trastuzumab alone (median: 11 cycles). The most common grade 3 or 4 toxicities include: neutropenia (8%), septic death (4%), infection not associated with neutropenia (15%), fatigue (27%), mylagia and/or arthraligia (20%), and hand-foot syndrome (8%). One patient (4%) and six patients (23%) developed grade 3 and grade 2 hypertension, respectively. Two (8%) patients had transient grade 2 drop in Left Ventricular Ejection Fraction (LVEF) with full recovery later. The median progression free survival (PFS) was 14.3 months (95% CI: 9.3-35 months), the objective response rate (ORR), defined as the best response of complete response (CR) or partial response (PR) was (12/26) 46%. The clinical benefit rate (CBR), defined as the best response of CR or PR or stable disease (SD) for at least 24 weeks, was (18/26) 69% (95% CI: 48-86%).

CONCLUSION

The combination of bevacizumab, trastuzumab and docetaxel is well tolerated and is clinically active in patients with HER2-positive MBC, with response rate and PFS comparable to previous reports utilizing higher dose of docetaxel (100 mg/m2). Recent randomized trials did not demonstrate additional overall survival (OS) benefit of adding bevacizumab to trastuzumab and docetaxel despite an improvement in PFS. Identification of predictive biomarkers and careful patient selection should be incorporated in further investigation of anti-VEGF in breast cancer.

Breast cancer and aging: results of the U13 conference breast cancer panel

Breast cancer is predominantly a disease of older women, yet there is a knowledge gap due to the persisting misalignment between the age distribution of women with breast cancer and the age distribution of participants in clinical trials. The purpose of this report is to state the U13 conference breast cancer panel's recommendations regarding therapeutic clinical trials that will fill gaps in knowledge regarding the care of older patients with breast cancer. The U13 conference was a collaboration between the Cancer and Aging Research Group and the National Institute on Aging and the National Cancer Institute (NCI). Clinical trials should be developed for frail and vulnerable patients who would not enroll on the standard phase III trials, as well as efforts need to be made to increase enrollment of fit older patients on standard phase III trials. As a result of this conference, panel members are working with the NCI and cooperative groups to address these knowledge gaps. With the aging population and increasing incidence of breast cancer with age, it is essential to study the feasibility, toxicity, and efficacy of cancer therapy in this at-risk population.

Heterogeneous atypical cell populations are present in blood of metastatic breast cancer patients

INTRODUCTION

Circulating tumor cells (CTCs) are commonly isolated from the blood by targeting the epithelial cell adhesion molecule (EpCAM) through positive selection. However, EpCAM can be downregulated during metastatic progression, or it can be initially not present. We designed the present prospective trial to characterize CTCs as well as other circulating cell populations in blood samples from women with metastatic breast cancer without EpCAM-dependent enrichment and/or isolation technology.

METHODS

A total of 32 patients with metastatic breast cancer were enrolled, and blood samples were processed using a previously described negative depletion immunomagnetic methodology. Samples from healthy volunteers were run as controls (n = 5). Multistep sequential labeling was performed to label and fix cell-surface markers followed by permeabilization for cytokeratins (CK) 8, 18 and 19. Multiparametric flow cytometry (FCM) analysis was conducted using a BD LSR II flow cytometer or a BD FACSAria II or FACSAria III cell sorter. Immunocytochemical staining on postenrichment specimens for DAPI, EpCAM, CD45, CK, epidermal growth factor receptor and vimentin was performed. Expression of these markers was visualized using confocal microscopy (CM).

RESULTS

CD45-negative/CK-positive (CD45- CK+) populations with EpCAM + and EpCAM - expression were identified with both FCM and CM from the negatively enriched patient samples. In addition, EpCAM + and EpCAM - populations that were CK + and coexpressing the pan-hematopoietic marker CD45 were also noted. There were more CK + EpCAM - events/ml than CK + EpCAM + events/ml in both the CD45- and CD45+ fractions (both statistically significant at P ≤ 0.0005). The number of CK + CD45- and CK + CD45+ events per milliliter in blood samples (regardless of EpCAM status) was higher in patient samples than in normal control samples (P ≤ 0.0005 and P ≤ 0.026, respectively). Further, a significant fraction of the CK + CD45+ events also expressed CD68, a marker associated with tumor-associated macrophages. Higher levels of CD45-CK + EpCAM - were associated with worse overall survival (P = 0.0292).

CONCLUSIONS

Metastatic breast cancer patients have atypical cells that are CK + EpCAM - circulating in their blood. Because a substantial number of these patients do not have EpCAM + CTCs, additional studies are needed to evaluate the role of EpCAM - circulating cells as a prognostic and predictive marker.

A phase I study of neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NCT) with the gamma secretase (GS) inhibitor RO4929097 in combination with paclitaxel (P) and carboplatin (C) in women with triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC)

1043

Background: Notch receptors are overexpressed in TNBC. Notch activation involves the cleavage of Notch ligand/receptor complex by GS. RO4929097 (RO) is an oral inhibitor of GS. We are conducting a phase I NCT trial of intermittent RO in combination with P and C in TNBC to determine the dose limiting toxicity (DLT) and the maximum-tolerated dose (MTD) of RO. Because RO induces CYP3A4/5, plasma P and RO are quantified in real time to ensure P AUC exposure is not decreased. Methods: Women ≥ 18 years with clinical stage II/III TNBC received C AUC=6 on day 1 and weekly P 80 mg/m2 in combination with RO on days 1-3, 8-10 and 15-17 for six 21-day cycles. The starting dose of RO was 10 mg and escalated according to the 3+3 rule. DLT was defined as grade ≥3 (G3) non-hematologic toxicity (n-HT), grade 4 (G4) thrombocytopenia (TCP) or G4 neutropenia (NP) during cycle#1 (c1). Plasma specimens were analyzed for PK by a validated LC-MS/MS assay. Results: 13 pts were enrolled. Two pts enrolled at 10 mg RO with C AUC 6 developed G3,4 TCP during c1. The study was amended; the dose of C was decreased to AUC 5. No DLTs were observed with 10 mg RO and C AUC 5. Only 1 DLT ( G3 HTN) occured with 20 mg RO, but all 4 pts enrolled on this cohort required dose reductions of RO during subsequent cycles. The RO dose was de-escalated to 10 mg, additional 3 pts were treated with 10 mg RO. G≥3 HT included: G4 NP in 2 pts, G4 TCP in 1 pt, G3 NP in 6 pts, G3 anemia in 4 pts and G3 TCP in 5 pts. G≥3 n-HT included: G3 sensory neuropathy in 3 pts. G3 HTN, G3 fatigue and G3 depression occured in 1 pt each. There were no hospitalizations for treatment-related toxicities. PK studies indicate that P AUC ranged from 80% to 134% on week 3 compared to week 1. Ten pts completed 6 cycles of NCT, 3 are still receiving NCT. Five of 10 (50%) pts had complete pathologic response (pCR) in breast and axilla and 3 (30%) pts had minimal residual cancer in breast. Conclusions: The MTD of intermittent RO administered in combination with P and C is 10 mg. This MTD does not result in decreased P exposures. The pCR (50%) and minimal residual disease (30%) suggests this regimen is active in TNBC. Supported by the NCI/NIH Award Number U01CA076576. Clinical trial information: NCT01238133.

NCI 8609: Interim fluoro-3’-deoxythymidine (FLT) PET imaging findings from the phase I trial of PARP inhibitor veliparib (V) and carboplatin (C) in advanced breast cancer

1023

Background: We are currently conducting a phase I trial of PARP inhibitor, V on an intermittent (7 or 14 day) or continuous (21 day) schedule in combination with C in patients (pts) with advanced breast cancer. We are using FLT PET/CT sequentially to assess DNA damage induced by varying dose schedules of PARP inhibitor, where uptake of FLT depends on the proliferation rate of the tumor. Methods: Eligible pts received C-AUC 5 Q 3weeks (except dose level 1-AUC 6) plus escalating doses of V, BID on 7, 14, or 21-day schedules based on a standard 3+3 dose escalation design. We performed FLT PET/CT at baseline, cycle 1 day 7 and 14 and after cycle 3. Lesions were track-matched with the FDG PET/CT and semi-quantitatively assessed using 2D ROI placement in a matched, blinded fashion. Results: 38 pts have been accrued to 7 dose levels and FLT-PET imaging was successfully obtained in all pts with the proliferative whole body mapping revealing expected bone-marrow, liver and RESuptake. FLT-PET uptake showed a significant (p < 0.001) decrease between baseline and day 7 (N = 25) with an overall trend to rebound nearly to baseline at day 14 for pts that did not show a significant decrease in FLT uptake reduction after cycle 3. The 14-day (n = 15) dosing schedule resulted in more pronounced day 14 reduction in FLT uptake when compared to those on the 7-day (n = 7) schedule. A FLT rebound to baseline level appeared to be associated with limited therapy response. There were no reported toxicities from FLT imaging. Conclusions: FLT-PET was consistently obtained with excellent whole body quality. All lesions revealed a FLT (proliferation) uptake that was different from the FDG (metabolism) uptake. FLT uptake indicated an initial reduction of proliferation at day 7, followed by a rebound at day 21 in all patients on the 7 or 14 day schema. The trial protocol was therefore amended to include a 21 day schema which is currently still ongoing. FLT appears to be a promising in-vivo imaging marker that may serve as a guiding tool to optimize dosing schema in addition to assessing/ predicting overall response. Study support- U01 CA076576 /Wright Center of Innovation ODSA TECH09-028. Clinical trial information: NCT01251874.

Docetaxel-induced skin toxicities in breast cancer patients subsequent to paclitaxel shortage: a case series and literature review

PURPOSE

As the result of a recent national shortage in paclitaxel, some patients who were receiving or scheduled to receive weekly paclitaxel were converted to every 3-week (q3w) docetaxel with granulocyte colony-stimulating factor support. Our institution noted higher than expected incidence of severe skin toxicity events attributable to docetaxel during the shortage period among our breast cancer patients. In this report, we summarize the clinical course of the first five cases, review the literature surrounding docetaxel-induced skin toxicity, and offer possible prevention and treatment strategies to improve docetaxel tolerability.

METHODS

The observation period for this case series was August 1 through October 21, 2011. All patients treated with docetaxel were identified from our electronic medical record. Operable stage I-III breast cancer patients who received ≥ 1 dose of docetaxel monotherapy at 75-100 mg/m(2) q3w were included in this study. The cases of grade 3-4 docetaxel-induced skin toxicities identified by the treating oncologists were then contacted and signed an informed consent through an Institutional Review Board-approved protocol.

RESULTS

Thirty-four patients met the inclusion criteria. Five patients (14.7 %) experienced grade 3 skin toxicity events attributable to docetaxel, a significantly higher rate than previously reported for docetaxel dosed at 75-100 mg/m(2).

CONCLUSIONS

Docetaxel-induced dermatologic toxicity is well characterized; nonetheless, its etiology is largely unknown and evidence-based prevention and management strategies are lacking. This report shows that the use of docetaxel 75-100 mg/m(2) q3w subsequent to dose-dense doxorubicin and cyclophosphamide regimen can lead to unacceptable rate of severe skin toxicity.

Severe and prolonged lymphopenia observed in patients treated with bendamustine and erlotinib for metastatic triple negative breast cancer

PURPOSE

Triple negative breast cancers (TNBC) frequently have high epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) expression and are sensitive to DNA-damaging agents. Improved therapies are needed for this aggressive malignancy.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We performed a phase I trial of bendamustine and erlotinib, an EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor, in patients with metastatic TNBC, ECOG performance status ≤2, and ≤1 prior chemotherapy for metastatic disease. Each 28-day cycle included intravenous bendamustine on days 1, 2 and oral erlotinib on days 5-21 with dose escalation according to a 3 + 3 phase I study design. Dose-limiting toxicity (DLT) was determined by toxicities related to study therapy observed during cycle 1.

RESULTS

Eleven patients were treated, 5 on dose level 1 and 6 on dose level 2. One patient had DLT on dose level 2. However, cumulative toxicities were observed, including grade 3/4 lymphopenia in 91 % (95 % CI 0.59-0.998) with progressively decreased CD4 counts and grade ≥3 infections in 36 % (95 % CI 0.11-0.69) of patients.

CONCLUSIONS

Combination therapy with bendamustine and erlotinib causes excessive toxicity with severe, prolonged lymphopenia, depressed CD4 counts, and opportunistic infections and should not be pursued further. Future trials of bendamustine combinations in TNBC patients should account for potential cumulative lymphocyte toxicity necessitating patient monitoring during and after treatment.

Abstract P2-11-07: Endothelial progenitor cells as novel markers of anthracycline induced cardiac injury

Background: Anthracyclines including doxorubicin (DOX) cause myocardial damage that manifests as either subclinical decrements of left ventricular ejection function (LVEF) or overt cardiomyopathy. LVEF changes and cardiac risk factors are insufficient predictors of future DOX cardiotoxicity. Bone marrow derived endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) are mobilized and are homed to sites of myocardial injury to help with repair of damaged myocardium. We hypothesized that EPC levels would be indicative of early DOX cardiotoxicity. Hence, we prospectively collected serial blood samples to evaluate functional EPCs, Troponin I (Ti) and B-natriuretic peptide (BNP), in patients (pts) receiving DOX-based chemotherapy.

Methods: Eligible pts were initiating adjuvant DOX for early stage breast cancer. Pts underwent cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR), Ti, BNP, and EPC at baseline, after 1 cycle of DOX, and after completion of DOX. CD133+ progenitor cells were isolated from the peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) using AutoMACS (automated magnetic cell sorting, Miltenyi Biotech). In vitro colony forming unit (CFU) assay was performed for isolated CD133+ progenitor cells on MethoCult (Stemcell Technology). After 8 days of culture, EPC colonies were counted using a two-step image analysis algorithm. Repeated measures analysis of variance modeled changes in cardiac markers over time. Logistic regression was used to correlate variables with abnormal Ti.

Results: Forty two women were enrolled. The average age was 52 years (range 33–68) and stage distribution was I (14%), II (58%) and III (28%). All but one patient received peg-fligrastim after DOX. Thirty six pts had EPC/cardiac biomarkers and twenty nine pts had CMRs at all three time points. LVEF decreased 1.6% following completion of DOX (95% CI: −3.8 to 0.6, p = 0.16). There was a non-linear trend in EPCs over time (p = 0.05), with an initial increase followed by a decrease, with average values of 59 (95% CI: 50–70), 65 (95% CI: 55–75), and 50 (95% CI: 40–60), respectively, across the three time points. By the end of treatment, 54% (95% CI: 0.37–0.71) of women had abnormal troponins (median: 0.03, range: 0.02 to 0.17). Variables associated with abnormal troponins included lower baseline EPCs (p = 0.095), older age (p = 0.075) and initial increase in BNP post cycle 1 (p &lt; 0.03). In a multivariable model, age (p = 0.04) and BNP (p = 0.04) were independent prognostic factors for abnormal troponins, where the odds of abnormal troponins was 65% higher for every 5-year increase in age (OR = 1.65, 95% CI: 1.02–2.66) and 58% higher for every 1.5-fold increase in BNP (OR = 1.58, 95% CI: 1.01–2.46). Baseline EPC did not remain in the final model with p = 0.12.

Conclusions: DOX was well-tolerated with no significant changes in LVEF as measured by serials CMRs. Older age and increased BNP were independent prognostic factors for rise in Ti. We observed an initial increase of EPCs with DOX exposure followed by a decrease after the end of treatment. Although not statistically significant, lower EPCs at baseline, corresponding to lower cardiac reserve, were correlated with abnormal Ti. This is the first study reporting an intriguing association of EPCs with traditional cardiac biomarkers during DOX chemotherapy. Funded by R21 CA143787-02.

Citation Information: Cancer Res 2012;72(24 Suppl):Abstract nr P2-11-07.

Development and validation of sensitive liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry method for quantification of bendamustine in mouse brain tissue

A liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry method for quantification of bendamustine in mouse brain tissue was developed and fully validated. Methanol was used to precipitate proteins in brain tissue. Bendamustine and internal standard (chlorambucil) were separated with reverse-phase chromatography on a C-18 column with a gradient of water and 95% methanol in 0.1% formic acid. Positive mode electrospray ionization was applied with selected reaction monitoring to achieve 5 ng/ml lower limits of quantitation in mouse brain tissue. The calibration curve for bendamustine in mouse brain was linear between 5 and 2000 ng/ml. The within- and between-batch accuracy and precision of the assay were within 15% at 10, 100 and 1000 ng/ml. The recovery and matrix effect of bendamustine in mouse brain tissue ranged from 41.1% to 51.6% and 107.4% to 110.3%, respectively. The validated method was then applied to quantitate bendamustine in an animal study. Results indicate the assay can be applied to evaluate bendamustine disposition in mouse brain tissue. This assay will be applied in the future to detect and quantify bendamustine in human brain tissue samples.

Microcirculatory fraction (MCF(I)) as a potential imaging marker for tumor heterogeneity in breast cancer

Cancer is a heterogeneous disease by nature. Current imaging studies usually ignore intratumor variability in imaging biomarkers. We postulate that quantifying tumor heterogeneity with imaging techniques can provide useful information about cancer biology and potentially serve as novel imaging biomarkers. In this retrospective study, we identify a potential imaging marker, the microcirculatory fraction (MCF(I)), that quantifies tumor heterogeneity in normoxic/hypoxic cellular composition. We demonstrate its application on a test population of 22 women with stage II/III HER-2 negative breast cancer receiving antiangiogenic-cytotoxic combination neoadjuvant chemotherapy. Early change in MCF(I) (ΔMCF(I)) is assessed with dynamic contrast enhanced magnetic resonance imaging at the end of Cycle 2 and associated with pathologic response. Its performance is compared with other established volumetric imaging biomarkers (initial tumor volume and volume change) by statistical and graphic methods. We demonstrate that a significant (P<.01) difference in ΔMCF(I) can be detected between good (median ΔMCF(I) 0.27) and poor (median ΔMCF(I) -0.12) responders, despite the limited population size. Differences in the volumetric biomarkers are not statistically significant. Receiver operating characteristic analysis also shows that ΔMCF(I) is a good predictor for pathologic response (AUC=0.86, 95% CI 0.69-1.00, P<.01), while predictions made with the established volumetric biomarkers are not significantly better than random guesses. We conclude that ΔMCF(I) has the potential of being a better predictive biomarker for therapeutic response assessment. Our findings support our postulation that quantifying tumor heterogeneity with imaging techniques can provide additional information that can serve as novel biomarkers.

Phase I/II trial of non-cytotoxic suramin in combination with weekly paclitaxel in metastatic breast cancer treated with prior taxanes

PURPOSE

Suramin, a polysulfonated naphthylurea, inhibits the actions of polypeptide growth factors including acidic and basic fibroblast growth factors (aFGF and bFGF), which confer broad spectrum chemotherapy resistance. We hypothesized that suramin at non-cytotoxic doses in combination with weekly paclitaxel would be well tolerated and demonstrate anti-tumor activity.

METHODS

Women with metastatic breast cancer who had been previously treated with a taxane in the adjuvant or metastatic setting were eligible. The primary objective of the phase I was to determine the dose of intravenous (IV) weekly suramin that resulted in plasma concentrations between 10 and 50 umol/l over 8-48 h (or the target range) in combination with IV 80 mg/m(2) of weekly paclitaxel. The primary objective of the phase II trial was to determine the anti-tumor activity of the dosing regimen defined in phase I. Therapy was continued until disease progression or development of unacceptable toxicity.

RESULTS

Thirty-one patients were enrolled (9: phase I; 22: phase II). In phase I, no dose-limiting toxicities were observed. Pharmacokinetics during the first cycle showed suramin concentrations within the target range for 21 of 24 weekly treatments (88 %). In phase II, the objective response rate (ORR) was 23 % (95 % CI 8-45 %), the median progression-free survival was 3.4 months (95 % CI 2.1-4.9 months), and the median overall survival was 11.2 months (95 % CI 6.6-16.0 months).

CONCLUSIONS

Non-cytotoxic doses of suramin in combination with weekly paclitaxel were well tolerated. The efficacy was below the pre-specified criteria required to justify further investigation.

Abstract 5586: Phase I study of PARP inhibitor ABT-888 and carboplatin with novel imaging in metastatic breast cancer (MBC) (NCI-8609)

Purpose: ABT-888 is an oral inhibitor of PARP 1 and 2 and potentiates activity of platinums in preclinical models. We are conducting a phase I study of ABT-888 on 2 different schedules (7 and 14 day) plus q 3 week carboplatin (C) to identify the recommended phase II dose schedules (RPTD-7and 14 day) for this regimen in patients (pts) with MBC who are: (1) triple negative (TN); or (2) estrogen receptor positive (ER+) with defective Fanconi Anemia (FA) pathway (no FANCD2 foci in tumor). Study design: Eligible pts received C-AUC 5 Q 3weeks (except dose level 1-AUC 6) plus escalating doses of ABT-888 BID on a 7 or 14-day schedule using a 3+3 dose escalation design. Blood samples were collected during cycles 1 and 2 for PAR assay and CTCs isolated to measure gamma H2Ax. We performed 3′-[F-18] Fluoro-3′-deoxythymidine(FLT) PET scans to assess cellular tumor proliferation at baseline, cycle 1 day 7 and 14 and after cycle 3. FDG-PET-CT scans were used to assess response. Results: 22 pts (20-TN, 2-ER+ w/FA defect) with median age of 56.5 yrs (range 31-69) were enrolled on 5 dose levels. Dose level 1 with C at AUC 6 was too toxic with 3 DLTs (Table 1). Further dose escalations were performed with C at AUC-5. Dose reductions in C were made in subsequent cycles for thrombocytopenia, anemia and fatigue. Maximum reduction in thymidine uptake in tumors was seen on day 7 FLT scans. CTCs were isolated using an immunomagnetic negative depletion method on 8 pt samples to date (median-59, range 0-684 CTCs). Gamma H2Ax analysis on sequential samples is ongoing. Four pts have had an unconfirmed partial response (PR) with &gt; 50% tumor shrinkage; 2 of the 4 pts had a defective FA pathway. Conclusions: Thrombocytopenia is the major DLT when ABT-888 is given in combination with C, where lower AUC of C is better tolerated and shows promising activity of this combination. FA deficiency (5/14=27%) seen in this group is consistent with our previous reports. The study is supported U01 CA076576.

PD10-01: Prevalence of Dysfunctional Fanconi Anemia (FA) DNA Repair Pathway in Breast Cancer

Purpose: BRCA1/2 deficient breast tumors are highly sensitive to poly- ADP-ribose polymerase inhibitors (PARPi). The Fanconi Anemia (FA) associated gene products along with BRCA 1/2 function in a common pathway that regulates the cellular response to DNA damage, suggesting that tumors with dysfunction of any of the components of FA network would be susceptible to PARPi. Understanding the prevalence of such defects in breast tumors using reproducible methodology will help us target these tumors with novel agents and potentially improve outcomes. Hence we sought to assess the prevalence of FA pathway defect in breast tumors by the absence of nuclear FANCD2 (a pivotal protein in the FA/BRCA pathway which is monoubiquitylated in the nucleus in response to DNA damage) repair foci using a novel immunofluorescence method and correlate this with known molecular markers of breast cancer.

Methods: Using primary tumors obtained from the ongoing PARPi clinical trials (NCT01017640 and NCT01251874) and tumor bank, we evaluated 102 breast tumors for the somatic functionality of the FA pathway (FANCD2 foci formation) by the FA Triple Stain Immuno-Fluorescence (FATSI) test performed in a CLIA-certified laboratory using paraffin embedded tissues. The tissue sections are incubated with a primary antibody cocktail of rabbit polyclonal FANCD2 antibody and a monoclonal anti-Ki67 mouse antibody, followed by co-incubation with a secondary antibody (FITC conjugated to anti-rabbit IgG and Alexafluor 594 donkey anti-mouse), mounted on glass slides in a DAPI containing embedding medium and evaluated by a fluorescence microscope. Absence of nuclear FANCD2 formation in 100 proliferating tumor cells was considered positive for FA defect. Hormone receptor (HR) and Her2 status was compared between the groups using Fisher's exact test.

Results: A total of 102 primary breast tumors were analyzed for FANCD2 by FATSI test of which 62 were triple negative (TN), 37 were HR positive and 3 were Her2 positive. Of these, 29 tumors (28%) were positive for FA defect with no significant differences among the molecular subtypes (26% in TN vs 32% in HR + vs 33% in Her2+).

Phase II trial of neoadjuvant exemestane in combination with celecoxib in postmenopausal women who have breast cancer

PURPOSE

Within breast tissue, aromatase expression and activity is increased by prostaglandin E2, providing a rationale for combining the COX-2 inhibitor celecoxib with an aromatase inhibitor. To evaluate the effect of these drugs on aromatase and other biomarkers, a phase II trial of neoadjuvant exemestane followed sequentially by celecoxib plus exemestane was performed.

METHODS

Postmenopausal women with estrogen receptor (ER) and/or progesterone (PR) positive stages II-III breast cancers received 8 weeks of exemestane 25 mg daily, followed by 8 weeks of exemestane 25 mg daily and celecoxib 400 mg twice daily. Core biopsies were collected pretreatment, after 8 weeks of exemestane, and at definitive breast cancer surgery. A tissue microarray was constructed and immunohistochemistry (IHC) for aromatase, ER, PR, HER-2, Ki-67, and COX-2 was performed.

RESULTS

Twenty-two women were enrolled. Celecoxib was discontinued in 4 (18%) women for toxicity (all grade 1 and 2) and 2 (9%) developed serious cardiac events occurring at 1 and 4 months after completing treatment. By US, there were 8 (36%)-partial responses and 12 (55%)-stable disease. There were no pathological complete responses (pCR). There were statistically significant decreases in ER (P = .003), PR (P = .002), Ki-67 (P < .001), and COX-2 (P = .004) expression. No significant differences in aromatase or HER-2 expression were observed (P = .13 and P = .39, respectively).

CONCLUSION

The addition of celecoxib to exemestane was tolerated by the majority of women and anti-tumor response was observed. Additional studies, including gene expression, are required to more fully understand the basis for the decreased expression of ER, PR, Ki-67, and COX-2.

Abstract 3284: Isolation of circulating tumor cells (CTCs) with mesenchymal and stem cell markers in localized and metastatic breast cancer using a novel negative selection enrichment

Background: Breast circulating tumor cells (CTCs) are commonly isolated by positive selection enrichment technology, which targets the epithelial cell adhesion activating molecule, EpCAM. However, CTCs with low or no EpCAM expression, such as those from basal and normal-like subtypes, are more likely to be missed by this method. We developed a novel negative enrichment technology to detect CTCs with mesenchymal and stem cell markers in localized and metastatic breast cancer (BC).

Patients and Methods: Twenty nine patients with localized and metastatic BC initiating chemotherapy were enrolled. CTCs were isolated in 10 mL of peripheral blood using negative selection with immunomagnetic tagging and removal of CD45 positive cells at 3 time points: pretreatment, after one cycle of treatment (TP1) and at end of treatment or at disease progression in metastatic patients (TP2). Immunocytochemical staining for nucleus, cytokeratin (8,18,19), vimentin, and CD44 was completed on available samples. Double staining for nucleus and cytokeratin with high nucleus to cytoplasm ratio defined a CTC. Enrollment is ongoing.

Results: Median age was 57 yrs (range 28-78 yrs); stage distributions were I-2 (7%), II-10 (35%), III-3 (10%), and IV-14 (48%); 19 (66%) were estrogen receptor positive (ER+), 4 (14%) estrogen and progesterone receptor negative (ER-PR-HER2 non-overexpressing) and 6 (21%) HER2 overexpressing. Negative enrichment yielded an average log10 depletion of nucleated cells of 2.74 and an overall, average log10 depletion of 5.2 (&gt;100,000 enrichment). No CTCs were identified in 5 healthy volunteers or in buffy coats purchased from the Red Cross. CTCs were identified in all stages at pretreatment but decreased to 0 in three patients by TP1. Baseline median CTC level was 373/mL in localized BC (range 2.2-1975/mL) and 761/mL in metastatic BC (range 9.9-47513/mL). In localized BC, the median percent (%) change in CTCs was +2% at TP1 (n= 13; range −100% to +14945%) and −95% at TP2 (n=5; range −100% to −13%). In metastatic BC, median CTC numbers decreased by 41% at TP1 (n=11; range −100% to +4222%) and increased at TP2 in 2 patients by 231% and 730%. Baseline CTC levels and changes at TP1 were not significantly different between localized and metastatic groups by the Wilcoxen Rank Sum test. All tested CTCs expressed vimentin and CD44. In addition to CTCs, a population of cells without detectable cytokeratin expression but positive for the other markers was identified in some samples. Further characterization of these cells for epithelial mesenchymal transition markers is underway.

Conclusions: CTCs identified with this novel negative selection method have both mesenchymal and stem cell markers in localized and metastatic BC. Higher CTC numbers with epithelial characteristics are detected with this method relative to what is reported with positive selection.

Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 101st Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2010 Apr 17-21; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2010;70(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 3284.

Phase II trial of pyrazoloacridine (NSC#366140) in patients with metastatic breast cancer

PURPOSE

Pyrazoloacridine (PZA) is an investigational nucleic acid binding agent that inhibits the activity of topoisomerases 1 and 2. We conducted a phase II clinical study to determine the efficacy and toxicities of PZA in patients with metastatic breast cancer (MBC).

EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN

In this phase II multicenter study, patients who were treated with no more than one prior chemotherapy for MBC were treated with 750 mg/m² of PZA given as a 3-hour intravenous infusion every 3 weeks. Treatment cycles were continued until disease progression or unacceptable toxicities. The study was designed to distinguish between a response rate of < 15% vs > 30% (alpha = 0.10, beta = 0.10) using Simons optimal 2-stage design. At least 2 responses were required in the first 12 patients in the 1st stage and 6 of 35 in the 2nd stage to recommend the agent for further study.

RESULTS

Two patients in the first stage had a response allowing accrual to second stage. A total of 15 patients (out of 35 planned) were treated on the study prior to premature closure. Three patients had a partial response (20%) lasting 4.5-6 months. Two patients had stable disease for 3 and 5 months. The dose limiting toxicity was granulocytopenia with ten patients requiring dose reduction or dose delay for grade 4 neutropenia. Other grade 3 and 4 toxicities include vomiting (n = 2), nausea (n = 2), neurotoxicity (n = 1), fatigue (n = 1), anemia (n = 1), dyspnea 9n = 1) and renal (n = 1).

CONCLUSIONS

Pyrazoloacridine demonstrated modest activity in patients with metastatic breast cancer.

Randomized phase II adjuvant trial of dose-dense docetaxel before or after doxorubicin plus cyclophosphamide in axillary node-positive breast cancer

PURPOSE

An anthracycline-based combination followed by, or combined with, a taxane is the sequence used in most adjuvant chemotherapy regimens. We hypothesized that administering the taxane before the anthracycline combination would be associated with fewer dose reductions and delays than the reverse sequence. To test this hypothesis, a randomized phase II multicenter adjuvant chemotherapy trial was performed.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Fifty-six patients with axillary node-positive, nonmetastatic breast cancer were randomly assigned either to group A (docetaxel [DOC] 75 mg/m(2) intravenously [IV] every 14 days for four cycles followed by doxorubicin 60 mg/m(2) and cyclophosphamide 600 mg/m(2) [AC] IV every 14 days for four cycles); or to group B (AC followed by DOC) at the identical doses and schedule. Pegfilgrastim 6 mg subcutaneous injection was administered 1 day after the chemotherapy in all treatment cycles. The primary objective was to administer DOC without dose reductions or delays before or after AC and calculate the relative dose intensity (RDI) of DOC and AC.

RESULTS

The majority of toxicities were grade 0 to 2 irrespective of sequence. The RDI for DOC was 0.96 and 0.82, respectively, in groups A (DOC followed by AC) and B (AC followed by DOC), with more frequent dose reductions occurring in group B (46% v 18%). The RDI for AC was 0.95 and 0.98 in groups A and B, respectively.

CONCLUSION

The administration of DOC before AC results in fewer DOC dose reductions and a higher RDI than the reverse sequence. Larger trials evaluating the sequence of DOC before anthracyclines are justified.

Phase II study of weekly docetaxel and capecitabine in patients with metastatic breast cancer

PURPOSE

This phase II study evaluated the safety and efficacy of weekly docetaxel and capecitabine in patients with metastatic breast cancer.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Thirty-nine patients with metastatic breast cancer received 30 mg/m2 of docetaxel on days 1, 8, and 15 in combination with capecitabine 800 mg/m2 twice daily on days 1-21, repeated every 28 days.

RESULTS

The median number of treatment cycles was 4 (range, 1-20 cycles). Grade 3 toxicities per patient were asthenia (n = 7; 18%), diarrhea (n = 7; 18%), nausea/vomiting (n = 5; 13%), stomatitis (n = 5; 13%), neutropenia (n = 5; 13%), and hand-foot syndrome (n = 4; 10%). There were only 2 grade 4 toxicities, febrile neutropenia and pulmonary embolism. The overall response rate was 44% (95% confidence interval (CI), 28%-60%), median duration of response was 9.1 months (95% CI, 6.2-12 months), and median time to progression was 5.5 months (95% CI, 3.7-7.3 months).

CONCLUSION

Weekly docetaxel with capecitabine was active with acceptable toxicities. Additional trials to define the optimal schedule of docetaxel and capecitabine are justified.

Phase II study of sequentially administered mitomycin (MMC) and irinotecan (CPT-11) in patients (pts) with metastatic breast cancer (MBC)

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Background: MMC and CPT-11 are synergistic in preclinical studies, as MMC increases expression of Topoisomerase I (Topo I), the target of CPT-11. Three out of 5 heavily pretreated MBC pts benefited from MMC and CPT-11 in a phase I trial. We designed a phase II trial of this combination in MBC pts and hypothesized that increased Topo I expression in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) would correlate with longer time to progression (TTP). Methods: Pt eligibility: ECOG PS 2 or less; no more than 2 prior chemotherapy regimens for MBC; adequate organ function; measurable and non-measurable disease were permitted. Treatment: intravenous (IV) MMC-6 mg/m2 on day 1 and IV CPT-11–125 mg/m2 on days 2 and 8 every 28 days. Genotyping of NQ01 (enzyme that activates MMC) was evaluated by pyrosequencing; Topo I gene expression by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was evaluated in PBMC pretreatment, 24 hrs, 48 hrs, and 8 days after MMC. Results: Thirty-two pts enrolled with the following characteristics: median age 50 years (range 29–73); median PS 0 (range 0–2); postmenopausal 29 (91%) pts; estrogen receptor (ER) negative 14 (44%) pts; HER-2/neu 3+ by IHC 7 (22%) pts, and 10 (31%) pts were ER(−), PR(−) and HER-2/neu (−). Six (19%) pts had no prior chemotherapy; 7 (22%)-1 prior regimen; and 19 (59%)-2 prior regimens. Pts received a median of 4 cycles (range 1–12). Four (12%) pts experienced grade 4 toxicity (1-neutropenia without fever, 1-abdominal pain, 1-pulmonary embolism, and 1-diarrhea). The most common grade 3 toxicities were neutropenia in 13(41%) pts, nausea in 7 (22%) pts, diarrhea in 6 (19%) pts, fatigue in 5 (16%) pts, and thrombocytopenia in 2 (6%) pts. Median TTP was 4.7 months (95% CI, 4.0 to 5.4 months). For 10 triple negative pts the median TTP of 5.4 months was not different. Baseline and induced Topo I gene expression was greatest in NQ01 wild-type genotype, however, increased Topo I expression in PBMC was associated with shorter TTP. Conclusions: Sequential administration of MMC and CPT-11 had acceptable toxicities and antitumor activity. Our hypothesis that increased Topo I expression in PBMC correlates with longer TTP was incorrect.

No significant financial relationships to disclose.

Phase II study of celecoxib in metastatic differentiated thyroid carcinoma

CONTEXT

There is increased cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) expression in malignant thyroid nodules compared with nonneoplastic and benign thyroid tissue.

OBJECTIVE

The objective of the study was to evaluate the efficacy of celecoxib, a selective COX-2 inhibitor, in treating patients with progressive metastatic differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC) and to explore the relationship of clinical response to tumor COX-2 expression with immunohistochemistry in a subset of patients.

DESIGN

The study was a prospective phase II trial with Fleming single-stage design powered at 80% with a 5% rejection error to detect more than 20% progression-free survival at 12 months.

SETTING

Ambulatory patients were from tertiary referral academic medical centers.

PATIENTS

Patients in the study had progressive metastatic DTC and had failed prior standard therapy.

INTERVENTION

Patients were treated with celecoxib 400 mg orally twice a day for 12 months.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE

The main outcome measure was progression-free survival at 12 months of treatment using Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors and/or serum thyroglobulin.

RESULTS

Twenty-three of 32 patients experienced progressive disease or stopped therapy due to toxicity, thus fulfilling the intent-to-treat study endpoint for celecoxib failure. One patient achieved partial response, and one patient completed 12 months of therapy progression-free. The patient with partial response was on therapy along with seven other patients when the study was terminated.

CONCLUSIONS

Celecoxib 400 mg orally twice per day fails to halt progressive metastatic DTC in most patients.

Determination of refractive index profiles of Ag+ -Na+ ion-exchange multimode strip waveguides by variable wavefront shear double-refracting interferometry microinterferometry

The results of experimental determination of multimode strip waveguide refractive index profiles and Ag concentration profiles obtained by using the variable wavefront shear double-refracting interferometry microinterferometer Biolar PI and an electron microprobe are presented. The strip waveguides under investigation are formed in soda lime glass in an external electric-field-assisted Ag+ -Na+ ion-exchange process from the molten AgNO3 salt by use of dielectric masks with channel apertures. A dry electrochemical technique of dielectric mask formation is applied. The influence of waveguide-forming parameters on the shape of Ag concentration profiles and the range of silver diffusion are shown. Changes in the usually assumed boundary conditions of electric-field calculations in ion-exchange numerical modeling are suggested.

Side diffusion modeling by the explicit consideration of a space-charge buildup under the mask during strip waveguide formation in the Ag+ -Na+ field-assisted ion-exchange process

A space-charge buildup under the blocking mask in a field-assisted Ag+ -Na+ ion-exchange modeling is assumed. It results in the distortion of electric field lines in the direction under the mask edges. As a result, side diffusion occurs and the numerical model shows the same range of side diffusion as the experimental data. Explicit consideration of the space-charge buildup under the mask and solving the Poisson equation for the electric field determination make it possible to use more realistic boundary conditions in the numerical model, compared to the boundary conditions generally used.

Survivorship and complications of treatment in breast cancer

The majority of women treated today for breast cancer are long-term survivors. The overall benefits of adjuvant therapy in women with breast cancer favor treatment even in the subset of patients with node-negative invasive breast cancer. The short- and long-term side effects of combined modality treatment have a significant impact on morbidity and quality of life. Continued emphasis on improving survival, decreasing recurrence, and minimizing treatment toxicity are the goals of ongoing breast cancer research.