Patient-centered Outcomes in Breast Cancer: Description of EQ-5D-5L and EORTC-QLQ-BR23 Measurements in Real-world Data and Their Association With Survival

AIMS

In recent years, major improvements in breast cancer treatments have led to a significant increase in survival. Despite that, this population's quality of life (QoL) information is lacking, especially real-world data.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This was a prospective, multicentre, observational study of female breast cancer patients, without prior systemic treatment, treated between 2012 and 2019 in private health care in Brazil. QoL was assessed by two questionnaires, the EQ-5D-5L and the EORTC-QLQ-BR23. Additional data were retrospectively collected.

RESULTS

The study comprised 1372 patients, most with early-stage disease (80.2% stages 0-II). At a median follow-up of 25.6 months, the estimated 3-year overall survival was 93.6%. Patients with locally advanced and metastatic breast cancer had the lowest visual analogue scale scores and the highest symptom burden in all dimensions of EQ-5D-5L, but with the most significant improvement after treatment. With the EORTC-QLQ-BR23 questionnaire, patients undergoing lumpectomy had a better perception of body image. Axillary dissection led to greater arm symptoms after 12 months, radiotherapy enhanced breast symptoms and patients treated with chemotherapy had significant worsening in the effects of systemic therapy compared with endocrine or HER2 therapy. Staging and immunohistochemical subtype correlated with survival and with several QoL parameters, but overall survival was not independently affected by patient-reported outcomes in this cohort.

CONCLUSION

Our results show that early diagnosis and access to treatments with fewer side-effects, such as endocrine or targeted therapy, and less aggressive surgeries are the best strategies to achieve a better QoL for breast cancer patients.

Patient-centered outcomes in breast cancer: Description of EQ-5D-5L and EORTC-QLQ-BR23 measurements in real world data

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Background: Major improvements in breast cancer (BC) treatments have led to a significant increase in overall survival. Quality of life (QoL) is one of the main goals of cancer treatment and patient-centered outcomes are measured in almost all randomized clinical trials, but real-world data are lacking in the literature. Methods: This is a prospective, multicenter, observational study of female BC patients, without prior systemic treatment, treated between 2012 and 2019 in private healthcare in Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. QoL was assessed by EQ-5D-5L and EORTC-QLQ-BR23 at baseline, 3, 6, 9 and 12 months. All measures were presented as means and analyzed according to staging and subtypes using the Kruskal-Wallis test. A linear mixed model was used to assess the changes in the mean scores over time. Results were reported as increments relative to the baseline category, using 95% confidence intervals and p values. Results: A total of 1,372 female BC patients were evaluated, with a median age at diagnosis of 53.8 years. Stage 0, I, II, III and IV were diagnosed in 11%, 36%, 31%, 16% and 3% of the patients, respectively. Among the five dimensions of the EQ-5D-5L questionnaire, at baseline, the main reported problem was anxiety/depression, in which 37.1% and 19.5% reported slight and moderate symptoms, respectively. In the EQ VAS (visual analogue scale), patients stage III and IV had significantly lower score at baseline, 77.1 and 69.7 respectively, compared to stage I and II, 79.5 and 79.2 respectively (p = 0.016). Despite the high symptom burden at baseline, patients with metastatic BC had the most significant improvement after treatment, with 8.85 points difference at 12 months in absolute values from baseline (p = 0.005). Among EORTC-QLQ-BR23 measures, the baseline scores were similar between all stages, except for more “breast symptoms” in stage III patients, and more “systemic therapy” symptoms and better “sexual functioning” for stage IV patients, compared with early stages (p < 0.005). When we assess the impact of surgical treatment over time, patients undergoing lumpectomy had a better perception of “body image”, and axillary dissection led to more “arm symptoms” after 12 months. Similarly, radiotherapy enhanced “breast symptoms” and patients treated with chemotherapy had significantly more “systemic therapy” side effects compared with other treatments. Conclusions: In our population, patients with stage III/IV BC had worse baseline health perception, but those with metastatic disease had the greatest improvement over time, due to the benefit of systemic treatment. Patients undergoing chemotherapy, mastectomy, and radiation therapy reported worse QoL and long-term side effects. Early diagnosis and access to treatments with fewer side effects should be our future goals.

Durvalumab (D) +/- tremelimumab (T) + chemotherapy (CT) in first-line (1L) metastatic (m) NSCLC: AE management in POSEIDON

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Background: In the Phase 3 POSEIDON study in 1L mNSCLC, adding T to D+CT resulted in statistically significant improvements in PFS and OS vs CT. No new safety signals were identified and treatment discontinuations due to treatment-related AEs (TRAEs) were similar for the T+D+CT and D+CT arms (15.5% and 14.1%). Here we present details of AEs and their management. Methods: 1013 pts with EGFR/ ALK wild-type mNSCLC were randomized 1:1:1 to 1L T+D+CT, D+CT or CT. Safety was assessed in all treated pts. Results: 330, 334 and 333 pts received T+D+CT, D+CT and CT; 78%, 82% and 74% received at least 4 cycles of platinum-based CT. The most common grade 3/4 TRAEs were hematologic (anemia in 17%, 15% and 20% of pts in the T+D+CT, D+CT and CT arms and neutropenia in 16%, 13% and 12%) and most were managed using standard approaches per local practice; 22%, 18% and 16% of pts received colony stimulating factors and 22%, 21% and 26% received blood transfusions. All grade immune-mediated AEs (imAEs) occurred in 34%, 19% and 5% of pts in the T+D+CT, D+CT and CT arms; a higher incidence of diarrhea/colitis, dermatitis/rash and endocrinopathies was seen with the addition of T to D+CT (Table). Grade 3/4 imAEs occurred in 10%, 7% and 2% of pts in the T+D+CT, D+CT and CT arms, and serious imAEs in 10%, 6% and 1%; imAEs led to discontinuation of any study treatment in 6%, 4% and 0.6%, and led to death in 0.6%, 0.3% and 0%. Most imAEs were low grade and manageable with systemic corticosteroids (received by 26%, 13% and 4% of pts in the T+D+CT, D+CT and CT arms) or endocrine therapy (12%, 8% and 1%). Median time from first dose to onset of imAEs (TTO) was generally > 60 days and the majority of non-endocrine imAEs resolved (Table). Conclusions: In POSEIDON, the safety profile of all regimens was manageable per standard guidelines and in line with the known profiles of D, T+D and CT; the most common grade 3/4 TRAEs were those typically associated with CT. As expected, more imAEs occurred with T+D+CT than D+CT, but the incidence of grade 3 or 4 imAEs, imAE-related deaths and treatment discontinuations due to imAEs was generally similar in the IO arms. T+D did not compromise the ability to administer planned CT. Clinical trial information: NCT03164616. [Table: see text]

Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer With CNS Metastasis: Disparities From a Real-World Analysis (GBOT-LACOG 0417)

Despite the advances in the approach to non–small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with CNS metastasis, access to timely diagnosis and treatment may not be optimal in many instances. Our main objective was to describe a cohort of patients with NSCLC with brain metastases from public and private cancer centers, and the differences between patients' presentation, treatment, and outcomes.

Worse survival in lung cancer patients with brain metastasis from public institutions.

The Evolving Field of Neoadjuvant Therapy in Locally-advanced Rectal Cancer: Evidence and Prospects

The standard treatment of locally advanced rectal cancer comprises neoadjuvant chemoradiation followed by total mesorectal excision. This strategy provides low local recurrence rate, however distant recurrence is still an issue and may impact on survival rates. Novel approaches in the neoadjuvant setting have been tested to improve early and late outcomes, as well as to reduce treatment-related toxicity and morbidity. In this review, we discuss the current literature of neoadjuvant treatment in locally advanced rectal cancer, including total neoadjuvant methods, protocols for radiation delivery, chemotherapy regimen and efforts to add novel targeted therapies, selective withdrawal of surgery or radiotherapy, and future perspectives. Moreover, we highlight relevant issues that have emerged with these new treatment possibilities.

Cancer patients diagnosed with COVID-19 infection: A multicenter retrospective cohort of nine Brazilian cancer centers

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Background: The COVID-19 infection was declared pandemic in March 2020. Since then, multiple studies have attempted to correlate clinical factors with risk of complications from COVID-19, including cancer. However, cancer patients are underrepresented in clinical trials and the results vary between different cohorts. Methods: We conducted a multicentre retrospective study, based on systematic review of medical records, including nine cancer centers, located in five different Brazilian cities. Patients were diagnosed with COVID-19 through RT-PCR between March 15, 2020 and August 13 , 2020. Poisson regression models were then used to test for an association between clinical characteristics and severity of COVID-19 infections. Results: 102 patients had data collected for analysis, 85 (83.3%) of whom were hospitalized due to complications from COVID-19 infection. The median age was 65.8 years, most were female patients (61.8%) and white (73,5%). 78.4% had a performance status of 0-1, and the most common cancer subtypes were gastrointestinal (30.4%), breast (22.6%) and hematological (13.7%). Almost 40% of population had stage IV disease. Mortality rate for all hospitalized patients was 36.5%, while for those admitted to the ICU it was 68.4%. Key univariable risk factors for mortality included age (RR 1.03), ECOG ≥ 2 (RR 1.83), hypertension (RR 1.72), lung metastasis (RR 1.67), and lymphocytes ≤ 1000 admission (RR 2.40). At the multivariable analysis, the risk factors were also age (RR 1.02), primary lung cancer (RR 2.61), lung metastasis (RR 2.86), and coronary disease (RR 3.76). Conclusions: Despite the high mortality of patients hospitalized with COVID-19, our data are compatible with other cohorts. Cancer patients must be carefully monitored in pandemic periods of infectious diseases.

Patient-centered outcomes in non-small-cell lung cancer: a real-world perspective

Aims: To assess non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patient-centered outcomes in the real world. Methods: This is a prospective study of NSCLC patients treated at a private cancer care institution in Brazil between 2014 and 2019. Results: The report comprises 337 patients. Advanced stage was associated with higher symptom burden - fatigue (p = 0.03), pain (p < 0.001) and arm pain (p = 0.022) - and worse global, social and physical functioning (all p < 0.001). In the first 2 years, most factors evolved to either improvement or stability: cough (p = 0.02), pain (p = 0.002), global functioning (p < 0.001) and emotional functioning (p < 0.001). Staging (p < 0.001), fatigue (p = 0.001) and gender (p = 0.004) were independently associated with overall survival. Conclusions: Our results demonstrate the feasibility of conducting real-world prospective analysis of patient-centered outcomes.

Next-generation sequencing of circulating tumor DNA for metastatic non-small cell lung cancer: a discussion on its implementation in the Brazilian clinical practice

The objective of this review is to address the barriers limiting access to next-generation sequencing (NGS) of circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) for metastatic nonsquamous non-small cell lung cancer in Brazil and to propose its implementation in practice. A selected panel of lung cancer experts was provided with relevant prompts to address at a conference; a paper was then compiled on the topic. The authors propose specific and realistic recommendations for implementing access to ctDNA NGS. Further, the authors address all barriers and impediments mentioned within this review. There is a great need to increase ctDNA NGS for cancer care in Brazil. Adapting the current cancer testing framework is essential to expanding the use of this tool.

Abstract 1996: Tumor mutational burden is affected by next-generation sequencing enrichment method in highly deaminated samples from solid tumors

Background: Tumor mutational burden (TMB) is currently under investigation as a biomarker for predicting response to anti-cancer immunotherapy. TMB can be defined as the number of somatic nonsynonymous mutations per Mb in a cancer genome, therefore DNA artifacts could lead to inaccurate measurements. Cytosine deamination (C:G&gt;T:A) is a well-known phenomenon in formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded (FFPE) samples, producing errors in next-generation sequencing (NGS). Herein, we measured TMB in FFPE samples using two comprehensive NGS panels for routine diagnostics implementation.

Methodology: TMB assessment was performed on FFPE samples by amplicon-based target enrichment on Thermo Fisher's Oncomine™ Tumor Mutation Load (OTML; n=9) and/or hybrid capture-based on Illumina's TruSight™ Oncology 500 Assay (TSO500; n=8), according to manufacturer's instructions. TMB values were compared for uracil-DNA glycosylase (UDG) treatment prior to PCR amplification and enrichment method. Samples were also compared according to their previous results in a clinically-certified NGS and an in-house microsatellite instability (MSI) assay. TMB &gt;=10 mutations/Mb was considered high, and MSI &gt;=20% was considered unstable.

Results and Discussion: The concordance between TMB values for OTML and TSO500 was 75% (n=4) and 62.5% (n=8) with and without UDG treatment, respectively. UDG reduced artifactual C:G&gt;T:A for both enrichment approaches, reinforcing its presence in FFPE DNA; however, there was no alterations on TMB results for both methods (TSO500 n=5; OTML n=7). C:G&gt;T:A variants could be successfully filtered by low allelic frequency (&lt;5%) or low quality (&lt;q20) in non-treated samples. For OTML, a high baseline noise was observed in samples with high deamination scores (&gt;60), leading to TMB overestimation (&gt;350), which could not be corrected even after UDG treatment and manufacture's bioinformatic adjustment. Interestingly, the same samples presented low TMB values for TSO500. Samples with low deamination rates were not influenced by UDG treatment or bioinformatics adjustment regardless of enrichment method. TMB values from a certified NGS was completely concordant for TSO500 (n=4) but only 25% for OTML (n=4). MSI was fully concordant between certified NGS and TSO500 (n=4) and between in-house method and TSO500 (n=4) (value not analyzed by OTML assay). No QC parameter predicted differences between high and low deaminated samples.

Conclusions: NGS enrichment methods strongly influenced TMB assessment. Hybrid-based capture showed better performance than amplicon-based. UDG treatment and higher allelic frequency cutoff could minimize false positives at variant calling level, although no significant effect could be observed for general TMB values. Future experiments should cover other alternatives to distinct FFPE DNA damages.

Citation Format: Michele A. Pereira, Feliciana L. Marinho, Joice P. Silva, Renato Puga, Maíra C. Freire, Mariana R. Monteiro, Rafael L. Guedes, Luiz H. Araujo. Tumor mutational burden is affected by next-generation sequencing enrichment method in highly deaminated samples from solid tumors [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research 2020; 2020 Apr 27-28 and Jun 22-24. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2020;80(16 Suppl):Abstract nr 1996.

Association of body mass index (BMI) with clinical efficacy of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) in advanced cancer patients: A retrospective analysis

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Background: Obesity is linked to an increased risk of cancer development. The excess of body fatness seems to be associated with alterations in hormonal, metabolic and inflammatory pathways, that may lead to activation of the carcinogenesis process. Previous studies suggested this obesity pro-inflammatory state could improve ICI clinical efficacy. Methods: Baseline characteristics and clinical outcomes were retrospectively collected from advanced cancer patients of any primary site, and treated with ICI in our institution. The BMI was determined for all pts and categorized into 2 groups: obese (BMI≥30) and non-obese (BMI < 30). Primary outcomes were the association of BMI category with overall survival (OS) and progression free survival (PFS) assessed by log-rank statistic, and both were stratified by sex, age, treatment agent and primary tumor site using the Cox-regression. Secondary outcome was the association of BMI with objective response rate (ORR). Results: We collected data from 448 advanced cancer pts - 192 (43%) as normal weight, 159 (36%) as overweight, 78 (17%) as obese and 19 (4%) as underweight. A total of 370 pts (83%) were included in the non-obese group (BMI < 30) and 78 (17%) patients in the obese group (BMI≥30). The majority of pts (387 - 84%) received anti-PD-1/anti-PD-L1; 128 pts (28%) were treated at 1st line and 200 pts (44%) at 2nd line. The obese group experienced longer mOS than the non-obese group - 21.8 months (95% CI NR - NR) vs. 14.9 months (95% CI 8.3 -21.5); HR = 0.82, (95% CI 0.57-1.18, P = 0.28). However, this was not statistically significant and even after stratification. The obese group had an inferior mPFS than the non-obese group - 4.7 months (95% CI 3.8- 5.7) vs. 5.3 months (95% CI 3.45-7.15); - HR = 0.99, (95% CI 0.76 -1.30), P = 0.95. There was no significative difference in mPFS and ORR according to BMI. Conclusions: Although study did not report an improved OS among high BMI pts treated with ICI, our results suggested a trend in survival benefit. The BMI should be explored as a stratification variable in the design of prospective trials with advanced cancer pts and ICI treatment.

Phase II trial of induction chemotherapy plus chemoradiotherapy with aspirin or placebo in high-risk rectal cancer (ICAR)

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Background: Induction chemotherapy (IC) followed by chemoradiation (CRT) is an attractive approach in locally-advanced, high-risk rectal cancer. Additionally, aspirin has shown potential to lower recurrence rate in colorectal cancer, and improve outcomes alongside CRT in rectal cancer, with higher rate of tumor downstaging. Methods: Randomized, double-blind phase 2 trial to evaluate induction treatment with XELOX, followed by capecitabine-based chemoradiotherapy with aspirin or placebo in a high risk population selected by MRI. The aim of this study was to evaluate MRI response after total neoadjuvant treatment with aspirin or placebo. Results: Of the 25 pts who started treatment between January 2018 and March 2019, 4 pts did not complete (1 pt grade 5 diarrhea; 1pt treatment adherence). Median age was 55yo (32.9 - 73.6), 8 pts (32%) were women, and 80% had 3 or more high-risk criteria. 20 pts (80%) showed symptom improvement in the first cycle of IC. Of the 21 patients who finished treatment until interim analysis, 11 pts received aspirin (2 pts had MRI complete response (CR), 3 pts had minor/no response, and 3 pts had progression disease (PD)). 10 pts received placebo (4 MRI CR, 3 pts had minor/no response, and no PD). Conclusions: Aspirin added to chemoradiotherapy was safe but did not improve response to total neoadjuvant treatment. The study was closed due absence of benefit. Clinical trial information: NCT03170115 .

Real-World Prevalence of PD-L1 Expression Among Tumor Samples From Patients With Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer

INTRODUCTION

We analyzed the prevalence of non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with a programmed cell death ligand 1 (PD-L1) tumor proportion score (TPS) of ≥ 50% and compared the results with the existing data from clinical trials and databases from other countries.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The Latin American Cooperative Oncology Group and Grupo Brasileiro de Oncologia Torácica performed a retrospective, cross-sectional study from August 2017 to April 2018. PD-L1 expression was collected from pathology reports from 5 laboratories in Brazil. All tests were sponsored by the pharmaceutical industry on request from the treating medical oncologist. PD-L1 expression was assessed by immunohistochemistry. The variables were summarized as absolute and relative frequencies or the median and interquartile range. Pearson's χ² test was used to compare the TPS categories stratified by sex, age, and histologic type. All analyses were performed with SAS, version 9.4, and were deemed statistically significant at P < .05.

RESULTS

A total of 1512 patients were included in the present study. Their median age was 66 years. Most patients were men (56.02%), and the most common histologic type was adenocarcinoma (58.04%); 109 tumors (11.31%) had EGFR mutations and 34 (3.64%) had ALK gene rearrangements. Overall, 56.54% had a PD-L1 TPS < 1%, 25.63% a TPS of 1% to 49%, and 17.83% a TPS of ≥ 50%. The factors associated with PD-L1 expression were histologic type (with adenocarcinoma samples having a greater proportion of TPS < 1%) and the laboratory that performed the test.

CONCLUSION

The prevalence of high PD-L1 expression among the Brazilian NSCLC samples was lower than previously described in other countries, which could affect the number of patients who might be candidates for immunotherapy alone.

Is there a role for conventional-dose chemotherapy in relapsed germ cell tumors?

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Background: Patients with germ cell tumors (GCT) that relapse after first-line platinum-based chemotherapy can still be successfully rescued with second-line regimens. High-dose chemotherapy has shown favorable outcomes, and is a preferred option in most instances. Herein, we argued if conventional-dose chemotherapy (CDCT) could also be an alternative in selected patients. Methods: We performed a retrospective observational study, analyzing medical data of 57 GCT male patients treated with salvage chemotherapy after relapse to first-line platinum-based treatment from 2000 to 2015 at the Brazilian National Cancer Institute. Results: The median age was 28 years (range 15 to 49). 26 patients (46%) were Afro-Brazilian, 45 (79%) were non-seminoma, and 53 (93%) had primary testis tumors. 14 patients (25%) had bone, liver or brain metastasis at relapse, and in 35 (61%) the progression-free interval (PFI) after first-line was < 3months. The International Prognostic Factors Study Group (IPFSG) risk classification at relapse for very-low/low, intermediate and high/very-high risk were 8 (14%), 25 (44%), 24 (42%), respectively. After a median follow-up of 8 years, the 2-year PFS was 30% (95% IC, 20 % to 45 %) and the 2-year overall survival (OS) was 34% (95% IC, 23% to 49%). PFI < 3m after first-line (HR 2,38; p<0,005) and AFP > 1000 at relapse (HR 2,38, p<0,023) were negative prognostic factors for PFS and OS. The 2-year PFS and OS for IPFSG risk classification very-low/low, intermediate and high/very-high risk were 75% and 73%, 28% and 32%, 18% and 24%, respectively. Conclusions: In patients with relapsed GCT and very-low/low risk disease by the IPFSG classification, CDCT may be a reasonable option, achieving long-term survival rates. However, CDCT was associated with poor outcome in intermediate and high/very-high risk groups. Further studies should be conducted to assess the best treatment in this subset, since even in second-line, many of patients are still potentially curable.

Outcome of Patients With Breast Cancer Treated in a Private Health Care Institution in Brazil

PURPOSE

Middle-income countries like Brazil often have a dichotomous health care system in which patients may be treated in either public or private institutions that differ substantially in terms of level of access to diagnostic and therapeutic procedures.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

This was a prospective, observational study to assess real-world data in 1,230 female patients with breast cancer who were treated in a private health care institution between 2012 and 2016 in Brazil.

RESULTS

Breast cancer in these patients mostly was diagnosed at early (79.0% stages I or II) or locally advanced (16.1% stage III) stages. The primary tumor was resected in 89.0% of cases, most often through breast-conserving surgery (55.1%). Patients with locally advanced disease received more aggressive therapy (eg, higher rates of mastectomy, axillary dissection and chemotherapy use) than patients with early-stage disease. The estimated 2-year overall survival (OS) was 95.3%. Survival was significantly longer among patients with stage I or II disease (2-year OS, 97.9% and 97.5%, respectively) than those with stage III or IV disease (89.4% and 69.5%, respectively; P < .01). Tumor grade was also correlated with OS in the overall cohort ( P = .05); triple-negative status was only prognostic for patients with stage III disease ( P < .01).

CONCLUSION

The data provided aid understanding of the current scenario of breast cancer presentation and treatment in the Brazilian private health care system and may serve as a foundation to guide resource allocation. Our results reinforce the need to pursue adequate access to cancer care in low- and middle-income countries to optimize patient outcome.

Abstract P6-08-25: Outcome of breast cancer patients treated in the private health care in Brazil

Background

Developing countries like Brazil often present a dichotomous health care system, where patients may be treated in either public or private institutions that differ substantially in terms of level of access to diagnostic and therapeutics procedures. Herein, we present the first report of a comprehensive study to assess real-world data in breast cancer patients treated in the private health care in Brazil.

Methods

This is a prospective study of breast cancer patients treated in a private health care institution, comprising six unities in Rio de Janeiro and surroundings. Eligible patients were at least 18 years old and had a histology-proven diagnosis of breast cancer between July 2012 and November 2016. For this analysis, only female patients with an invasive component were included. Patients with prior malignancies and those who initiated therapy in other institutions were excluded. Patients or relatives were contacted by telephone to ensure that all information was annotated. Data quality was certified by regular monitoring. This study was approved by the local Research Ethics Committee.

Results

One thousand three hundred and ninety patients were enrolled. One hundred sixty were excluded in this analysis, 11 due to male gender and 151 with exclusively in situ carcinoma. The report comprises 1230 female patients, predominantly diagnosed in early (79.0% stages I-II) or locally advanced (16.1% stage III) stages. One thousand thirty-three (84.0%) patients had hormone receptor (HR)-positive tumors, and 185 (15.0%) were HER2 positive. One hundred twenty-six (10.2%) cases were triple negative. The primary tumor was resected in 89.0% of times, most often through breast-conserving surgery (55.1%). Axillary lymph nodes were assessed in 83.4% of cases, and 32.0% required complete axillary dissection. Chemotherapy was used in 61.3% of cases, and radiation therapy in 59.6%. Patients with locally advanced disease received more aggressive therapy than patients with early stage (higher rates of mastectomy, axillary dissection and chemotherapy use). After a median follow up of 22.5 months (95% CI, 21.09-23.90), 54 (4.4%) deaths were reported. The estimated 2-year overall survival (OS) was 95.3%. 2-year OS was significantly longer among patients with stages I-II (97.9% and 97.5%, respectively) than in stages III and IV (89.4% and 69.5%, respectively) (p&lt;0.01). HER2/HR status (p&lt;0.01) and tumor grade (p=0.05) were also correlated to OS in the overall cohort, however triple-negative cases were only prognostic in stage III. Age (p=0.10), menopausal status (p=0.74), and histological subtype (p=0.55) were not correlated to OS.

Conclusion

To our knowledge, this is the most comprehensive and best-annotated study in breast cancer patients treated in the private health care in Brazil. More oncological interventions were used in advanced stages, reflecting international recommendations, but also a need to pursue early diagnoses, where outcome is optimal despite less aggressive therapy. Outcomes are favorably similar to the current literature from developed countries in all stages. The data provided helps comprehending the current scenario of breast cancer presentation and treatment in Brazil, and may serve as a foundation to guide resource allocation in the years to come.

Citation Format: Boukai A, Gonçalves AC, Andrade PM, Carvalho N, Almeida T, Lemos F, Padoan M, Teich NS, Araujo LH. Outcome of breast cancer patients treated in the private health care in Brazil [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2017 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; 2017 Dec 5-9; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2018;78(4 Suppl):Abstract nr P6-08-25.

Impact of Pre-Analytical Variables on Cancer Targeted Gene Sequencing Efficiency

Tumor specimens are often preserved as formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissue blocks, the most common clinical source for DNA sequencing. Herein, we evaluated the effect of pre-sequencing parameters to guide proper sample selection for targeted gene sequencing. Data from 113 FFPE lung tumor specimens were collected, and targeted gene sequencing was performed. Libraries were constructed using custom probes and were paired-end sequenced on a next generation sequencing platform. A PCR-based quality control (QC) assay was utilized to determine DNA quality, and a ratio was generated in comparison to control DNA. We observed that FFPE storage time, PCR/QC ratio, and DNA input in the library preparation were significantly correlated to most parameters of sequencing efficiency including depth of coverage, alignment rate, insert size, and read quality. A combined score using the three parameters was generated and proved highly accurate to predict sequencing metrics. We also showed wide read count variability within the genome, with worse coverage in regions of low GC content like in KRAS. Sample quality and GC content had independent effects on sequencing depth, and the worst results were observed in regions of low GC content in samples with poor quality. Our data confirm that FFPE samples are a reliable source for targeted gene sequencing in cancer, provided adequate sample quality controls are exercised. Tissue quality should be routinely assessed for pre-analytical factors, and sequencing depth may be limited in genomic regions of low GC content if suboptimal samples are utilized.

Genomic Characterization of Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer in African Americans by Targeted Massively Parallel Sequencing

PURPOSE

Technologic advances have enabled the comprehensive analysis of genetic perturbations in non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC); however, African Americans have often been underrepresented in these studies. This ethnic group has higher lung cancer incidence and mortality rates, and some studies have suggested a lower incidence of epidermal growth factor receptor mutations. Herein, we report the most in-depth molecular profile of NSCLC in African Americans to date.

METHODS

A custom panel was designed to cover the coding regions of 81 NSCLC-related genes and 40 ancestry-informative markers. Clinical samples were sequenced on a massively parallel sequencing instrument, and anaplastic lymphoma kinase translocation was evaluated by fluorescent in situ hybridization.

RESULTS

The study cohort included 99 patients (61% males, 94% smokers) comprising 31 squamous and 68 nonsquamous cell carcinomas. We detected 227 nonsilent variants in the coding sequence, including 24 samples with nonoverlapping, classic driver alterations. The frequency of driver mutations was not significantly different from that of whites, and no association was found between genetic ancestry and the presence of somatic mutations. Copy number alteration analysis disclosed distinguishable amplifications in the 3q chromosome arm in squamous cell carcinomas and pointed toward a handful of targetable alterations. We also found frequent SMARCA4 mutations and protein loss, mostly in driver-negative tumors.

CONCLUSION

Our data suggest that African American ancestry may not be significantly different from European/white background for the presence of somatic driver mutations in NSCLC. Furthermore, we demonstrated that using a comprehensive genotyping approach could identify numerous targetable alterations, with potential impact on therapeutic decisions.

Factors related to mortality in inferior vena cava injuries. A 5 year experience

Forty-nine patients sustaining Inferior Vena Cava (IVC) injuries, during a 5 year period were retrospectively analyzed in order to assess those factors related to early deaths. Mean age was 32 and 45 were male. GSW was the most frequent mechanism of injury (59.2%), followed by SW (28.6%) and blunt trauma (12.2%). There were 4 injuries in the supra diaphragmatic IVC, 14 retrohepatic, 16 suprarenal and the remaining 15 were in the infrarenal portion of the IVC. Twenty patients were in shock and 8 were unstable on admission. The liver was the most frequently injured organ in association with IVC and there were also 7 concomitant abdominal vascular injuries. Venorrhaphy was performed in 28 patients, IVC ligature in 5, intracaval shunt in 3 and in the remaining 13, only temporary hemostasis was attempted. Mortality rate was 100% in supra diaphragmatic injuries, 71.4% in retrohepatic, 68.8% in suprarenal and 33% in infrarenal injuries. There was a significant difference when comparing mortality rate in stable against shock or unstable patients on admission (p < 0.001), as well as in those with diaphragmatic IVC injuries compared with all other injury sites together (p < 0.05). Hemodynamic instability on admission was the most important cause of early deaths, and all patients with concomitant abdominal vascular injuries also died.