RILA blood biomarker as a predictor of radiation-induced sarcoma in a matched cohort study

Purpose

Radiation-induced sarcoma (RIS) is a rare but serious event. Its occurrence has been discussed during the implementation of new radiation techniques and justified appropriate radioprotection requirements. New approaches targeting intrinsic radio-sensitivity have been described, such as radiation-induced CD8 T-lymphocyte apoptosis (RILA) able to predict late radio-induced toxicities. We studied the role of RILA as a predisposing factor for RIS as a late adverse event following radiation therapy (RT).

Patients and methods

In this prospective biological study, a total of 120 patients diagnosed with RIS were matched with 240 control patients with cancer other than sarcoma, for age, sex, primary tumor location and delay after radiation. RILA was prospectively assessed from blood samples using flow cytometry.

Results

Three hundred and forty-seven patients were analyzed (118 RIS patients and 229 matched control patients). A majority (74%) were initially treated by RT for breast cancer. The mean RT dose was comparable with a similar mean (± standard deviation) for RIS (53.7 ± 16.0 Gy) and control patients (57.1 ± 15.1 Gy) (p = .053). Median RILA values were significantly lower in RIS than in control patients with respectively 18.5% [5.5–55.7] and 22.3% [3.8–52.2] (p = .0008). Thus, patients with a RILA >21.3% are less likely to develop RIS (p < .0001, OR: 0.358, 95%CI [0.221–0.599].

Conclusion

RILA is a promising indicator to predict an individual risk of developing RIS. Our results should be followed up and compared with molecular and genomic testing in order to better identify patients at risk. A dedicated strategy could be developed to define and inform high-risk patients who require a specific approach for primary tumor treatment and long term follow-up.

Reirradiation with concurrent bevacizumab for recurrent high-grade gliomas in adult patients

PURPOSE

To analyse feasibility, prognostic factors and patterns of recurrence after concurrent reirradiation and bevacizumab for recurrent high-grade gliomas.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Between 2009 and 2015, 35 patients (median 57-year-old; 21 men, 14 women) with WHO grade III (n=11) or grade IV (n=24) gliomas were included in this retrospective and consecutive single-centre study. All patients received bevacizumab (median number of treatments: 12) concomitant with reirradiation (median dose: 45Gy, median number of fractions: 18) for recurrence with median 22 months (range: 5.6-123.7 months) from first irradiation (median dose: 60Gy).

RESULTS

The median follow-up was 9.2 months from reirradiation. The median overall survival from reirradiation was 10.5 months (95% confidence interval [95% CI]: 4.9-16.1) and the progression-free survival from reirradiation was 6.7 months (95% CI: 2.9-10.5). The median overall survival from initial diagnosis was 44.6 months (95% CI: 32-57.1). No grade 3 toxicity or above was reported. Prognostic factors significantly correlated with better overall survival in univariate analysis were: age at least 55 (P=0.024), initial surgery (P=0.003), and 2Gy equivalent dose (EQD2) at least 50Gy at reirradiation (P=0.046). Twenty-two patients bevacizumab-naïve at time of reirradiation had a significantly increased overall survival from reirradiation compared to patients treated with reirradiation after bevacizumab failure (17.7 vs. 5.4 months, P<0.001) as well as overall survival from initial diagnosis (58.9 vs. 33.5 months, P=0.006). This outcome was similar in patients with initial glioblastomas (P=0.018) or anaplastic gliomas (P=0.021). There was no correlation between overall survival and gross tumour volume or planning target volume, frontal localization, or number of salvage therapies before reirradiation (P>0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Concomitant reirradiation with bevacizumab in high-grade recurrent gliomas shows encouraging results in terms of survival and toxicities. Our data suggest that reirradiation should be favoured at initiation of bevacizumab, with EQD2 at least 50Gy.

Masitinib in advanced gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST) after failure of imatinib: a randomized controlled open-label trial

BACKGROUND

Masitinib is a highly selective tyrosine kinase inhibitor with activity against the main oncogenic drivers of gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST). Masitinib was evaluated in patients with advanced GIST after imatinib failure or intolerance.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Prospective, multicenter, randomized, open-label trial. Patients with inoperable, advanced imatinib-resistant GIST were randomized (1 : 1) to receive masitinib (12 mg/kg/day) or sunitinib (50 mg/day 4-weeks-on/2-weeks-off) until progression, intolerance, or refusal. Primary efficacy analysis was noncomparative, testing whether masitinib attained a median progression-free survival (PFS) (blind centrally reviewed RECIST) threshold of >3 months according to the lower bound of the 90% unilateral confidence interval (CI). Secondary analyses on overall survival (OS) and PFS were comparative with results presented according to a two-sided 95% CI.

RESULTS

Forty-four patients were randomized to receive masitinib (n = 23) or sunitinib (n = 21). Median follow-up was 14 months. Patients receiving masitinib experienced less toxicity than those receiving sunitinib, with significantly lower occurrence of severe adverse events (52% versus 91%, respectively, P = 0.008). Median PFS (central RECIST) for the noncomparative primary analysis in the masitinib treatment arm was 3.71 months (90% CI 3.65). Secondary analyses showed that median OS was significantly longer for patients receiving masitinib followed by post-progression addition of sunitinib when compared against patients treated directly with sunitinib in second-line [hazard ratio (HR) = 0.27, 95% CI 0.09-0.85, P = 0.016]. This improvement was sustainable as evidenced by 26-month follow-up OS data (HR = 0.40, 95% CI 0.16-0.96, P = 0.033); an additional 12.4 months survival advantage being reported for the masitinib treatment arm. Risk of progression while under treatment with masitinib was in the same range as for sunitinib (HR = 1.1, 95% CI 0.6-2.2, P = 0.833).

CONCLUSIONS

Primary efficacy analysis ensured the masitinib treatment arm could satisfy a prespecified PFS threshold. Secondary efficacy analysis showed that masitinib followed by the standard of care generated a statistically significant survival benefit over standard of care. Encouraging median OS and safety data from this well-controlled and appropriately designed randomized trial indicate a positive benefit-risk ratio. Further development of masitinib in imatinib-resistant/intolerant patients with advanced GIST is warranted.

GDC-0449 in patients with advanced chondrosarcomas: a French Sarcoma Group/US and French National Cancer Institute Single-Arm Phase II Collaborative Study

BACKGROUND

Pre-clinical data have suggested a therapeutic role of Hedgehog (Hh) pathway inhibitors in chondrosarcoma.

METHODS

This phase II trial included patients with progressive advanced chondrosarcoma. They received GDC-0449 150 mg/day (days 1-28, 28-day cycle). The primary end point was the 6-month clinical benefit rate (CBR) defined as the proportion of patients with non-progressive disease at 6 months. A 6-month CBR of 40% was considered as a reasonable objective to claim drug efficacy.

RESULTS

Between February 2011 and February 2012, 45 patients were included. Twenty had received prior chemotherapy. Thirty-nine were assessable for efficacy. The 6-month CBR was 25.6% (95% confidence interval 13.0-42.1). All stable patients had grade 1 or 2 conventional chondrosarcoma with documented progression within the 6 months before inclusion. All but one with available data also had overexpression of the Hh ligand. Median progression-free and overall survivals were 3.5 and 12.4 months, respectively. The most frequent adverse events were grade 1 or 2 myalgia, dysgeusia and alopecia.

CONCLUSIONS

GDC-0449 did not meet the primary end point of this trial. Results suggest some activity in a subset of patients with progressive grade 1 or 2 conventional chondrosarcoma. Further studies assessing its role in combination with chemotherapy are warranted.

CLINICALTRIALSGOV IDENTIFIER

NCT01267955.

Influence of imatinib interruption and rechallenge on the residual disease in patients with advanced GIST: results of the BFR14 prospective French Sarcoma Group randomised, phase III trial

BACKGROUND

We previously demonstrated that interruption of imatinib mesylate (IM) in responding patients (pts) with advanced gastrointestinal stromal tumours (GISTs) results in rapid reprogression. The impact of interruption on residual tumour, quality of response and secondary resistance has not been fully investigated.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Within the BRF14 study, 71 non-progressing patients were randomly assigned in the interruption arms after 1, 3 or 5 years. IM was resumed in the case of progressive disease (PD). Tumour status at randomisation, relapse and after IM rechallenge, progression-free survival (PFS) and time to secondary resistance were analysed.

RESULTS

At data cut-off, 51 of 71 patients had restarted IM following documented PD. Eighteen patients (35%) progressed on known lesions only, while 33 patients (65%) had new lesions, with concomitant progression of known lesions in 17 patients. Only 8 (42%) of complete remission (CR) patients and 12 (52%) of partial response (PR) patients at randomisation achieved a new CR and PR. Patients progressing rapidly after interruption had a poorer prognosis. Tumour status at randomisation influenced time to progression after rechallenge.

CONCLUSION

In advanced GIST patients interrupting IM, quality of response upon reintroduction did not reach the tumour status observed at randomisation. Rapid progression after imatinib interruption is associated with poor PFS after reintroduction.

Should adjuvant radiotherapy be administered in addition to front-line aggressive surgery (FAS) in patients with primary retroperitoneal sarcoma?

BACKGROUND

As most patients with retroperitoneal sarcomas (RPS) die of local recurrence, front-line aggressive surgery (FAS) has been developed, and it seems to achieve better local control. The aim of this study was to evaluate conformal postoperative radiotherapy (PORT) in patients who had enlarged surgery.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Between 1994 and 2008, 110 patients with primary RPS mainly operated by FAS were analysed. Sixty-two patients underwent surgery and no PORT (group S), and 48 received surgery and PORT (group S + R). The median age was 52. Most patients had 3D conformal PORT (81%) with a median dose of 50 Gy.

RESULTS

Comparing results at 5 years in the S and the S + R group, the cumulative rate of local failure was, respectively, 36% and 22% (NS); relapse-free survival was 47% and 60% (P = 0.02), and overall survival was, respectively, 77% and 71% (NS).

CONCLUSION

Even if patients with adjuvant PORT were at higher risk of recurrence, there was a trend for radiotherapy (RT) to decrease the local relapse rate and improve recurrence-free survival. This study confirms that adjuvant conformal RT should be evaluated in a randomized trial, the control arm being FAS. Adjuvant RT in the preoperative setting is being evaluated in an EORTC trial.

P1-06-12: Circulating Tumor Cells (CTC) Monitoring during Phase II Study with Lapatinib (L) and Capecitabine (C) in Patients with Brain Metastases from HER2−Positive (+) Metastatic Breast Cancer (MBC) before Whole Brain Radiotherapy (WBR): LANDSCAPE Study

Background: Decrease of CTC level during treatment in MBC has been reported as an independent prognostic and predictive factor of patients’ outcome. Monitoring CTC in addition to clinical response criteria is currently evaluated in early clinical trials in various cancer types. We sought to evaluate the clinical interest of peripheral blood CTC for patients included in the LANDSCAPE study which assessed the efficacy of upfront systemic treatment with L+C for newly diagnosed brain metastasis.

Methods: This analysis is a preplanned secondary endpoint of the LANDSCAPE study. Eligible pts had HER2+ MBC with BM not previously treated with WBR, C or L. Pts received L1250 mg/day and C2000 mg/m2/day, days 1–14, every 21 days. The primary endpoint was a centrally assessed CNS objective response (CNS-OR) defined as a ≥50% volumetric reduction of CNS lesions in the absence of increasing steroid use, progressive neurologic symptoms or progressive extra-CNS disease. CTC were detected in 7.5 ml of blood using the CellSearchSystem™, combining EpCAM immunomagnetic selection (IMS) followed by anti-cytokeratin (A45B/B3) fluorescently staining for CTC at baseline and at day (D) 21, before cycle 2.

Results: From 04/2009 to 08/2010, 45 pts were enrolled, 41 were evaluable for CTC at baseline and 38 at D21. Median age was 56 (range 35 to 79). PS was &gt;1 only in 2 pts. At baseline, 20/41 (48.8%) pts had ≥ 1CTC and 9 (22%) ≥ 5CTC (range 1–301, median 3). CTC were detected in pts with (18/37) or without disease outside SNC (2/6) (p=0.63). At a median follow-up of 10 months (range 2.9−16.5), median TTP was 6.0 months [95% CI 4.9; 7.4] vs. 4.3 [2.8; 5.9] months for pts without and with CTC at baseline respectively (p=0.14). After 21 days of treatment, a disappearance of CTC was observed in 11pts (31%). At D21, only 7 (18.4%) pts had ≥ 1CTC and 3 (8%) ≥ 5 CTC (p=0.006, D21 vs. baseline). In 43 evaluable pts, CNS-OR rate was 67% (95%CI 51–81), with a median time from inclusion to response of 1.8 month. Absence of CTC was not correlated with CNS-OR rate at baseline (17/21 (81%) vs. 11/19 (58%), NS). Strikingly, remaining positivity for CTC at D 21 (≥ 1CTC) was correlated with a poor response rate in CNS: 2/6 (33.3%) vs. 25/31 (80.6%) in pts with 0 CTC, p=0.03.

Conclusions: Early decrease (at D 21) in CTC level is correlated with a high response rate in newly diagnosed BM to L + C and underlines the predictive value of this blood marker in MBC pts even for brain metastasis. Longer follow-up is needed to assess its prognostic value under antiHER2 targeted therapy.

Citation Information: Cancer Res 2011;71(24 Suppl):Abstract nr P1-06-12.

[Intensity modulated radiotherapy as adjuvant post-operative treatment for retroperitoneal sarcoma: acute toxicity]

PURPOSE

To assess the acute toxicity of intensity modulated radiotherapy as post-operative adjuvant treatment for retroperitoneal sarcoma.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Patients who received adjuvant intensity modulated radiotherapy from January 2009 to September 2010 were retrospectively reviewed.

RESULTS

Fourteen patients entered the study (seven primary tumours and seven relapses). All tumours were liposarcoma and had macroscopically complete resection, epiploplasty was systematically realized. Median tumour size was 21 cm (range: 15-45), median planning target volume was 580 cm(3) (range: 329-1172) and median prescribed dose was 50.4 Gy (range: 45-54). Median follow-up was 11.5 months (range: 2-21.4). Acute toxicity was mild: acute digestive toxicity grade 1-2 occurred in 12/14 patients (86%). However, there was no weight loss of more than 5% during radiotherapy and no treatment interruption was required. Two months after completion of radiotherapy, digestive toxicity grade 1 remained present in 1/14 patients (7%). One case of grade 3 toxicity occurred during follow-up (transient abdominal pain). Three relapses occurred: two were outside treaded volume and one was both in and outside treated volume.

CONCLUSIONS

Intensity modulated radiotherapy in the postoperative setting of retroperitoneal sarcoma provides low acute toxicity. Longer follow-up is needed to assess late toxicity, especially for bowel, kidney and radio-induced malignancies.

Abstract P4-10-13: Therapeutic Delays, Mode of Diagnosis and Surgical Treatment of Operable Invasive Breast Cancer (BC) in Elderly Versus Non Elderly Patients in the Community

Background: National mammography screening program covers populations aged 50-74. We wondered whether breast cancer characteristics and treatment delays were influenced by age and screening method in a community-based breast unit.

Patients and Methods: We analyzed complete data of prospectively recorded community operable breast cancer cases in a single regional cancer center between Jan 1st, 2005 and Oct 10th, 2007. Pts were eligible if they i. had a final diagnosis of invasive BC ii. were operated as first trt for BC, iii. had no history of other previous malignancy within the past 5 year period. Logistic regression analyses (SAS) were used to determine factors influencing delays between first description of the lesion and first appointment at breast unit.

Results: 1044 pts met the inclusion criteria and had full data available. Age did not appear as a predictor of therapeutic delay, with both elderly and non-elderly pts having a median delay of 19 days between first screening/evidence of disease and 1st appointment at the breast unit. 59% of elderly and 65% of non-elderly pts had respectively had their breast cancer diagnosed through mammographic screening. As expected, mammographic screening as mode of discovery of the cancer was highest, among the 688 pts aged 50-74 (73%). Tumors characteristics and surgical treatment did not differ according to age categories elderly/non elderly as described in Table 1. Conservation rates were high in both populations.

Conclusion: Despite absence of national mammographic screening program in elderly populations, patterns of screening and care appear efficient in a community-based setting, with absence of therapeutic delays, similar tumor staging and similar accesss to conservative surgery as compared to younger populations.

Masatinib mesylate in imatinib-naive locally advanced or metastatic gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST): Results of the French Sarcoma Group phase II trial

10507

Background: Masitinib mesylate (AB1010, AB Science, Paris, France) is a novel protein tyrosine kinase inhibitor which, in vitro, has greater activity and selectivity than imatinib mesylate against bith wild-type c-Kit receptor and its mutated form in the juxtamembrane region. Masatinib also inhibits PDGFR and FGFR3. This multicenter phase II study evaluated the efficacy and safety of masatinib as a first-line treatment of advanced GIST. Methods: Imatinib-naïve patients with inoperable, locally advanced or metastatic GIST received oral masatinib (7.5 mg/kg/day) until progression, refusal or toxicity. A Simon “minimax two stage” design was used. Efficacy variables included response rate at two months, best response according to RECIST, disease control rate (DCR), metabolic response rate and progression free survival (PFS). Results: 30 patients with a median age of 58 years (60% of males) were included from June 2005 to April 2007 in five French institutions. The most frequent relevant grade 3 toxicities were rash (10%), neutropenia (7%) and abdominal pain (7%). One patient presented a grade 4 skin exfoliation. Three patients discontinued treatment due to suspected toxicity. At two months, the response rate was 20% (6/30 patients) according to RECIST (DCR of 98.7%, 29/30 patients) and 84.6% (11/13 evaluable patients) according to FDG-PET response criteria. After a median follow-up of 23.7 months, there were 6.7% of CR, 43.3% of PR, 46.7% of SD and 3.3% of PD as best response (DCR of 96.7%). Mean time to response was 5.7 months (0.8 to 23.3 months). The median PFS was 27.2 months with PFS rates of 68.8% at 1 year and 60.2% at 2 years. Up to date, all but one patient are alive (one patient died of post-surgical complications, unrelated to treatment). Mutational analyses of the patients’tumors are ongoing. Conclusions: The results observed with masatinib compare favorably with those reported with imatinib in front-line treatment of advanced GIST both in term of safety and efficacy and support the initiation of a phase III randomized clinical trial.

[Table: see text]

Comparison of cytopathological and histological results in 1,053 fine-needle aspiration cytology of breast lesions performed in a one-stop clinic

635

Background: Fine-needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) has been used extensively in the diagnosis of breast lesions, but false-negative rates are a matter of concern. However, immediate onsite evaluation of breast lesions, combining FNAC results with clinical and radiological data allows to improve its diagnostic accuracy. The objective of this study was to evaluate the concordance between cytopathological and histological results in a large series of FNAC performed during the first 3-yr period of the dedicated one-stop clinic set up in our institution since 2004. Methods: We reviewed data of all patients (pts) seen in the one stop clinic between May 2004 and March 2007 who had a lesion diagnosed by FNAC and verified by histology. For benign lesions, histological verification of the lesion was mandatory each time there was no perfect concordance between clinico-radiologic features and FNAC results (such as benign FNAC but BI-RAD 5). Pts characteristics, radiological findings, cytopathological and histological (by per-cutaneous biopsy or surgery) results were extracted from the hospital computerized prospectively registered medical records. Results: A total of 1053 nodular breast lesions (mean size: 24±23 mm, BI-RAD ACR 1/2/3/4/5: 2/10/68/283/684) in 1015 pts (mean age: 59±13 years) were studied. FNAC was US-guided in 521 lesions (49.4%). FNAC classified lesions as malignant in 741 (70.4%), benign in 127 (12.0%), suspicious in 143 (13.6%), and unsatisfactory in 42 (4.0%) cases. Among definitive benign or malignant diagnosis, FNAC and histological results showed concordance in 840/868 (96.7%) cases (738 malignant and 102 benign cases). The numbers of false-negative and false-positive lesions were respectively 25/127 (19%) and 3/741 (0.4%). Among the 143 suspicious and 42 unsatisfactory specimens, 114 and 20 were malignant, respectively. Conclusions: FNAC performed in a one-stop clinic allows obtaining an immediate on-site diagnosis of breast cancer with a good concordance with histological results and low rate of unsatisfactory specimens. However, affirming benign lesion requires a multi-disciplinary team: whenever clinico-radiologic features and FNAC results are non concordant, histologic assessment is mandatory.

No significant financial relationships to disclose.

The NER proteins are differentially expressed in ever smokers and in never smokers with lung adenocarcinoma

BACKGROUND

The expression levels of excision repair cross-complementation group 1 (ERCC1), replication protein A (RPA) and xeroderma pigmentosum group F (XPF) nucleotide excision repair proteins may be important in the response to platin-based therapy in lung cancer patients. It is not known whether ERCC1, RPA and XPF expression levels differ between ever smokers (ES) and never smokers (NS).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

ERCC1, RPA and XPF expression levels were immunohistochemically evaluated in 125 patients with resected lung adenocarcinoma (AC) and carefully reviewed smoking status.

RESULTS

ERCC1 was correlated with XPF (P = 0.001), but not with RPA (P = 0.11). In the univariate analysis, ERCC1 and XPF levels were higher in NS compared with ES (P = 0.004 and P = 0.003, respectively). In the multivariate analysis, the smoking status was predictive of the ERCC1 level [odds ratio (OR) 2.5, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.03-6.2] after adjustment for variables linked to the smoking status, including age and the presence of bronchioloalveolar (BAC) features. The smoking status was also predictive of both RPA (OR 6.7, 95% CI 1.5-33.3) and XPF levels (OR 12.5, 95% CI 2.9-50) after adjusting for age, sex and BAC features.

CONCLUSION

In patients with resected lung AC, ERCC1, RPA and XPF expression levels are higher in NS compared with ES.

Cetuximab efficacy and safety in a retrospective cohort of elderly patients with heavily pretreated metastatic colorectal cancer

BACKGROUND

Few data are available from clinical trials for elderly patients receiving cetuximab.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

The clinical data of consecutive patients aged > or =70 years given cetuximab for metastatic CRC were retrospectively captured from hospital pharmacy registries in seven centers.

RESULTS

Fifty-six patients received cetuximab+/-with irinotecan. Median age was 76 years (70-84), 86% of patients were pretreated with fluoropyrimidines, irinotecan and oxaliplatin and 69.6% had documented resistance to irinotecan. Objective response rate was 21% (95% CI: 11-32%). The median progression-free survival was 4.4 months (95% CI: 3.0-5.7 months) and the median overall survival was 16.0 months (95% CI: 13.5-18.5 months). Skin rash occurred in 75% of the patients (11% grade 3) and diarrhea in 80% (20% grades 3-4).

CONCLUSION

Tolerability of cetuximab was acceptable in elderly patients with pretreated metastatic CRC. Efficacy appeared similar to that observed in younger patients.

Imatimid-induced bone marrow necrosis detected on MRI examination and mimicking bone metastases

Imatinib has revolutionized the treatment and prognosis of patients with gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST). In contrast to liver and/or abdominal involvement, bone metastases are an uncommon event in GIST. We report here two patients with metastatic GIST who developed pelvic bone marrow focal lesions visible on MRI examinations, while Imatinib dramatically improved other tumor sites. A biopsy in one patient diagnosed bone marrow necrosis. The other patient had a favorable follow-up over several years, without bone metastases. Focal bone marrow abnormalities, detected on MRI examinations and mimicking bone metastases in patients who were otherwise responding, should be considered as probable bone marrow necrosis.

Long term progression-free survival correlates with KIT/PDGFR mutational status in advanced GIST patients treated with imatinib (IM)

10053

Background: IM is the first-line treatment for advanced GIST and must be given continuously until disease progression or intolerance. The median progression free survival (PFS) of pts included in consecutive prospective trials is around 2 years. Pt characteristics and the exact mutational status of GIST who benefit the most from IM in term of prolonged response to IM and prolonged PFS are unknown. Methods: two hundred and seventy six pts were included in 2 consecutive prospective trials since 2001 in 2 centers. Pts receiving IM for at least 3 yrs (3 to 5 yrs) who have no exhibited any kind of progression and receiving IM continuously until december 2006 have been retrospectively analyzed both clinically and biologically. KIT and PDGFR mutations were analyzed using DHPLC and direct sequencing of frequently mutated exons (KIT 9, 11, 13, 14, 17, PDGFR 12, 14, 18). Results: after a median follow-up of 4 yrs (3–5yrs), 31 pts are free of progression and received IM continuously. The characteristics of these long term survivors favorable cohort of pts are as following: man (61%), small bowel origin (60%), liver involvement (80%), synchronous metastasis at inclusion (58%), and normal initial hemoglobin level (92%>10 g/dl). As of now, 15 pts are evaluable for mutational analysis. All but one (exon 9) pts had an exon 11 mutation. The most commun genetic alteration was an in frame deletion between 550 to 558. Conclusions: Pts with metastatic GIST arising from small bowel harboring an exon 11 mutation in the vicinity of codon 557–558 may be a very favorable subgroup.

No significant financial relationships to disclose.

Factors associated with depressive symptoms in patients with metastases from prostate cancer

9131

Background: The purpose of this study was to identify predictive factors of depression in patients with metastases from prostate cancer. Methods: Patients with evidence of metastases from prostate cancer were prospectively screened for depression. Depressive symptoms were defined by the Beck Depression Inventory-Short Form (BDI-SF) with a low cut-off score of 4 to optimize sensitivity as a screening test (Lowe AW, 2004). Self-report questionnaires including BDI-SF were sent to pts through the mail and then given back to the oncologist. In case of a BDI-SF > 4, a consultation with a psychiatrist was proposed, so that the diagnosis of depression could be made and treatment be started. Characteristics including marital status, spiritual well-being, educational level, ongoing treatment for prostate cancer, and the presence of pain requiring analgesic therapy were registered. Results: 92 patients were prospectively enrolled of whom 54 (60%) completed the self-report questionnaires. Median age was 69 years (range: 50–84). 31 pts (54%) had castration-refractory disease, of whom 30 were receiving chemotherapy: docetaxel (n=22), carboplatin-etoposide (n=6) and doxorubicin (n=2). Eighteen patients (33%) had a BDI-SF score > 4, of whom 10 (18%) had a major depressive disorder (MDD) according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders IV (DSM-IV) criteria. Logistic regression analysis showed that pain requiring analgesic therapy was the only predictive factor of depressive symptoms (OR=3.75; 95% confidence interval 1.1–12.4). In patients with pain requiring treatment, the incidence of depressive symptoms and MDD was 53% and 32%, respectively. In contrast to female with advanced breast cancer (Conforti R, 2004), marital status and belief in god were not predictive factors of depressive symptoms in this population of males. Conclusions: Pain requiring analgesic treatment was the only factor significantly associated with depressive symptoms in this sample of 54 patients with metastatic prostate cancer. A screening for depression should be systematically implemented at least in this subgroup of patients.

No significant financial relationships to disclose.

Localized myxoid/round cell liposarcoma in adult patients. IL6 protein expression analysis

10075

Background: Myxoid/round cell liposarcoma (MLPS) is an uncommon soft tissue sarcoma with a relatively favorable prognosis and is considered a low grade malignancy. Methods: Retrospective analysis of 123 localized MLPS adult patients (pts) treated at our institution from 1987 to 2005 was performed. Paraffin embedded tissue was analyzed for IL6, IL6 receptor, NFkB and bcl-2 protein expression (positive (+) or negative) by tissue microarray immunostaining. Results: The median age of the 77 males and 46 females was 42 years (yr) (range 15–70). Lower extremity (LE) was the site more affected (77 pts). Median tumor size was 11 cm (range 2.5–40 cm), 87 were deep tumors and 63 were grade 1 tumors. Preoperative biopsy was carried on 38 pts. All but 2 pts underwent surgery (R0 24%, R1/R2 76%); 44 pts had a second surgery. Chemotherapy (CT) and radiation therapy were given to 30% and 52% of pts respectively. Complete remission was achieved in 98% of pts. After a median follow up of 6 yr (range 0.1–19 yr) 53 pts relapsed (43%); 37 locally, 11 distant and 5 both. Metastases occurred in 26 pts, 17 solitary and 9 multiple. The 5-yr, 10-yr and 15-yr DFS were 56%, 48% and 44% respectively. Median time to first relapse was 6.5 yr (range 0.1–16 yr). The 5-yr, 10-yr and 15-yr OS are 90%, 79% and 64% respectively. Tumor site, pre-surgical biopsy, R0 surgery and second surgery correlates with a better DFS in the multivariate analysis. So far 19 tumors have been studied for, NFkB (+) 57%, IL6 (+) 47% and Bcl2 (+) 30%, positivity. All tumors (+) for IL6 were also (+) for IL6 receptor. None of the proteins correlated to DFS and/or OS. Conclusions: Pts with localized resected MLPS require a prolonged follow-up since relapses occur after 10 yrs. PFS and OS correlate with an optimal loco-regional treatment. Half of MLPS expressed IL6, probably involving an autocrine phenomenon; whether this cytokine is involved in tumor aggressiveness, remains to be established.

No significant financial relationships to disclose.

Can ERCC1 and topoisomerase II-alpha predict histological response and outcome after induction chemotherapy in locally advanced soft tissue sarcomas (LASTS)?

10074

Background: The impact of histological response (± 95% of necrosis) on patients (pts) outcome with LASTS treated by induction chemotherapy (CT) is still debated. Methods: From 1995 to 2005, 79 LASTS pts received induction CT consisting in two cycles of API-AI regimen and results were already reported (Gomez-Abuin, ASCO 2004). ERCC1, HER2 and Topoisomerase IIa (TopoII) was assessed by IHC on initial biopsies after paraffin embedding and correlated to histological response and pts outcome. Results: The median age of the 43 males and 36 females was 43 years (yr) (range 18–68) and the median tumor size at diagnosis was 109 mm (range 10–250 mm). CR was achieved in 4 pts, PR in 25 pts, SD in 45 pts and PD in 5 pts. R0 surgery was possible in 82% of pts; histological necrosis (HN) after chemotherapy was >95% in 25 pts, between 50–95% in 28 pts and <50% in 25 pts (median HN was 70%). All pts but one received postoperative radiotherapy. Relapse occurred in 37 pts; local in 3, distant in 33 and both in 1. After a median follow-up of 48 months (9–118 months) 51 pts are alive. The 5 yr DFS and OS were 45% and 60% respectively. Multivariate analysis correlated median HN to a better EFS and a non grade 3 to a better OS. Regarding protein expression (54 pts analyzed), a higher protein expression of TopoII was correlated to a better EFS (p=0.032) by univariate analysis and to OS by multivariate analysis (p=0.025). ERCC1 protein expression was not related to EFS and/or OS. There is no correlation between over expression of both proteins and any percentage of HN. Conclusions: A high rate of HN (> 70%) after induction chemotherapy treatment is predictive for a better EFS. TopoII expression seems to be a relevant early predictive marker for outcome of pts with LASTS treated with doxorubicine-containing induction CT.

No significant financial relationships to disclose.

Immunohistochemichal expression of biomarkers: a comparative study between diagnostic bronchial biopsies and surgical specimens of non-small-cell lung cancer

BACKGROUND

The increasing use of biomarkers as molecular determinants of responsiveness to conventional chemotherapy or molecular targeted therapy has raised the question of the reliability and reproducibility of their evaluation in bronchial biopsies as compared with corresponding resected surgical specimens.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Immunohistochemical expression of five markers related to signal transduction [epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), phospho-Akt], cell proliferation (Ki-67), DNA repair [excision repair cross-complementing (ERCC)1] and cellular 'immortality' [human telomerase catalytic component (hTERT)], was assessed in 41 patients with operable non-small-cell lung cancer in both bronchial biopsies and whole surgical specimens.

RESULTS

High correlation coefficients were observed between the expression of ERCC1, hTERT and Ki-67 in the biopsies and the surgical specimens [0.83 (P < 0.0001); 0.55 (P < 0.001) and 0.64 (P < 0.0001), respectively]. On the other hand, biomarker expression in biopsy was less correlated with the expression in the whole tissue sample for the markers of signal response and transduction [0.24 (P = 0.17) and 0.29 (P = 0.09) for EGFR and phospho-Akt, respectively].

CONCLUSIONS

Our results indicate a lack of association in the expression of important biomarkers between lung biopsies and corresponding resected tumors, with discordance rates ranging between 9% and 41%. Although these results need to be further validated in larger cohorts, they indicate that the evaluation of the expression of biomarkers in bronchial biopsies can be misleading.

Impact of EGFR expression on colorectal cancer patient prognosis and survival

BACKGROUND

Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) is overexpressed in many types of cancers, especially colorectal cancer (CRC), and seems to reflect more aggressive histological and clinical behaviors. The aim of this study was to evaluate EGFR immunohistochemical reactivity in CRC biopsies, and to analyze its relationship with various histological and clinical characteristics and survival.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

A composite EGFR score, obtained by multiplying the grade (% positive cells) by the intensity of labeling (0-9) was used to define patients with low or high EGFR expression whose clinicopathological features were then compared. Univariate tests and multivariate Cox proportional hazards model were applied for data analysis.

RESULTS

Tissue sections from 150 CRC patients with a median follow-up of 40 months were examined. Median patient age at diagnosis was 70 years (range 38-89 years). EGFR reactivity was positive for 143 patients (97%) and high for 118 (80%). According to multivariate analysis, EGFR overexpression was significantly associated with tumor stage, with a higher percentage of EGFR overexpression in T3 than T4 (P=0.003) and not with overall survival.

CONCLUSIONS

EGFR was overexpressed in this CRC patient population and was significantly associated with TNM (tumor-node-metastasis) stage T3. In the context of a new therapeutic strategy using EGFR-targeted therapies, although EGFR remains a controversial prognostic factor, this expression-stage association may play a crucial role in a decision to initiate an adjuvant treatment.