Prevalence of Homologous Recombination Deficiency Among Patients With Germline RAD51C/D Breast or Ovarian Cancer.

Importance: RAD51C and RAD51D are involved in DNA repair by homologous recombination. Germline pathogenic variants (PVs) in these genes are associated with an increased risk of ovarian and breast cancer. Understanding the homologous recombination deficiency (HRD) status of tumors from patients with germline PVs in RAD51C/D could guide therapeutic decision-making and improve survival. Objective: To characterize the clinical and tumor characteristics of germline RAD51C/D PV carriers, including the evaluation of HRD status. Design, Setting, and Participants: This retrospective cohort study included 91 index patients plus 90 relatives carrying germline RAD51C/D PV (n = 181) in Spanish hospitals from January 1, 2014, to December 31, 2021. Genomic and functional HRD biomarkers were assessed in untreated breast and ovarian tumor samples (n = 45) from June 2022 to February 2023. Main Outcomes and Measures: Clinical and pathologic characteristics were assessed using descriptive statistics. Genomic HRD by genomic instability scores, functional HRD by RAD51, and gene-specific loss of heterozygosity were analyzed. Associations between HRD status and tumor subtype, age at diagnosis, and gene-specific loss of heterozygosity in RAD51C/D were investigated using logistic regression or the t test. Results: A total of 9507 index patients were reviewed, and 91 patients (1.0%) were found to carry a PV in RAD51C/D; 90 family members with a germline PV in RAD51C/D were also included. A total of 157 of carriers (86.7%) were women and 181 (55.8%) had received a diagnosis of cancer, mainly breast cancer or ovarian cancer. The most prevalent PVs were c.1026+5_1026+7del (11 of 56 [19.6%]) and c.709C>T (9 of 56 [16.1%]) in RAD51C and c.694C>T (20 of 35 [57.1%]) in RAD51D. In untreated breast cancer and ovarian cancer, the prevalence of functional and genomic HRD was 55.2% (16 of 29) and 61.1% (11 of 18) for RAD51C, respectively, and 66.7% (6 of 9) and 90.0% (9 of 10) for RAD51D. The concordance between HRD biomarkers was 91%. Tumors with the same PV displayed contrasting HRD status, and age at diagnosis did not correlate with the occurrence of HRD. All breast cancers retaining the wild-type allele were estrogen receptor positive and lacked HRD. Conclusions and Relevance: In this cohort study of germline RAD51C/D breast cancer and ovarian cancer, less than 70% of tumors displayed functional HRD, and half of those that did not display HRD were explained by retention of the wild-type allele, which was more frequent among estrogen receptor-positive breast cancers. Understanding which tumors are associated with RAD51C/D and HRD is key to identify patients who can benefit from targeted therapies, such as PARP (poly [adenosine diphosphate-ribose] polymerase) inhibitors.

Two Germline Pathogenic Variants in Cancer Susceptibility Genes and Their Null Implication in Breast Cancer Pathogenesis: The Importance of Tumoral Homologous Recombination Deficiency Testing.

Homologous recombination proficiency in patients with breast cancer despite germline PALB2/RAD51C pathogenic variants.

Development and Independent Validation of a Prognostic Gene Expression Signature Based on RB1, PTEN, and TP53 in Metastatic Hormone-sensitive Prostate Cancer Patients.

BACKGROUND: Androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) with docetaxel (D) and/or antiandrogen receptor therapies (ARTs) are the standard therapies in metastatic hormone-sensitive prostate cancer (mHSPC). Alterations in the tumor suppressor genes (TSGs) RB1, PTEN, and TP53 are associated with an aggressive evolution and treatment resistance in castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC). OBJECTIVE: To study the clinical implications of TSG mRNA expression in mHSPC patients. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: This is a multicenter retrospective biomarker study in mHSPC patients. TSGlow status was defined when two or more out of the three TSGs presented low RNA expression by nCounter in formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded samples and TSGwt for the remaining cases. The microarray data from the CHAARTED trial were analyzed as an independent validation cohort. OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS AND STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: Molecular data were correlated with CRPC-free survival (CRPC-FS) and overall survival (OS) by the Kaplan-Meier method and multivariate Cox analysis. RESULTS AND LIMITATIONS: A total of 226 patients were included, of whom 218 were eligible: 93 were treated with ADT and 125 with ADT + D; 75.7% presented de novo stage IV and 67.9% high-volume disease. TSGlow (19.2%) was independently correlated with shorter CRPC-FS (hazard ratio [HR] 1.8, p = 0.002) and OS (HR 2, p = 0.002). In the CHAARTED trial, TSGlow was independently correlated with lower CRPC-FS (HR 2.2, p = 0.02); no differences in clinical outcomes according to treatment were observed in TSGlow patients, while a significant benefit was observed for ADT + D in the TSGwt group for CRPC-FS (HR 0.4, p < 0.001) and OS (HR 0.4, p = 0.001). However, no interaction was observed between TSG signature and treatment in either series. Study limitations are the retrospective design, small sample size, and lack of inclusion of patients treated with ADT + ART. CONCLUSIONS: TSGlow expression correlates with adverse outcomes in patients with mHSPC. The investigation of new therapeutic strategies in these patients is warranted. PATIENT SUMMARY: The low RNA expression of tumor suppressor genes in the tumors is correlated with adverse outcomes in patients with metastatic hormone-sensitive prostate cancer.

Prospective Assessment of Bone Metabolism Biomarkers and Survival in Metastatic Castration-resistant Prostate Cancer Patients Treated with Radium-223: The PRORADIUM Study.

BACKGROUND: Radium-223 is an active therapy option for bone metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC). The lack of adequate biomarkers for patient selection and response assessment are major drawbacks for its use. OBJECTIVE: To assess the prognostic value of bone metabolism biomarkers (BMBs) in ra-223-treated mCRPC patients. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: A prospective cohort study of mCRPC patients treated with Ra-223 (PRORADIUM study: NCT02925702) was conducted. OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS AND STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: The main objective of the study was to evaluate the association between high (≥median) baseline values in at least three bone formation (bone alkaline phosphatase [BAP] and C-terminal type-I collagen propeptide) and bone resorption (N-terminal telopeptide and pyridinoline) biomarkers, and survival. The independent prognostic value of each BMB was also assessed. The association with time to radiographic, clinical, and prostate-specific antigen (PSA) progression; time to skeletal-related events; and PSA response were secondary objectives. Multivariable (MV) Cox-regression models were evaluated. RESULTS AND LIMITATIONS: A total of 169 patients were included. Of the patients, 70.4% received Ra-223 in second/third line; 144 (85.2%) were Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group 0-1, 126 (74.6%) were in pain, and 80 (47.5%) had more than ten bone metastases. Sixty-seven (39.6%) patients had elevation in at least three BMBs. The median overall survival was 12.1 mo (95% confidence interval [CI]: 10-14.7). No association was observed with other treatment-related secondary outcome parameters. Patients with high values in three or more BMBs had significantly worse survival (9.9 vs 15.2 mo; hazard ratio [HR]: 1.8 [95% CI: 1.3-2.5]; p < 0.001) in the univariate analysis, but not independent in the MV analysis (HR: 1.33; 95% CI: 0.89-2; p = 0.181). High baseline BAP was the only biomarker associated with survival in the MV model (HR: 1.89; 95% CI: 1.28-2.79; p = 0.001). Addition of BAP to the MV clinical model increased the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve 2-yr value from 0.667 to 0.755 (p = 0.003). CONCLUSIONS: Biomarkers of bone formation, especially BAP, have prognostic value in mCRPC patients treated with radium-223. Its predictive value remains to be assessed, ideally in prospective, adequately powered, randomised clinical trials. PATIENT SUMMARY: In this study, we evaluate the role of bone metabolism biomarkers to help improve the use of radium-223 as therapy for advanced prostate cancer. We found that bone alkaline phosphatase may be a suitable tool.

SEOM clinical guideline on heritable TP53-related cancer syndrome (2022).

Li-Fraumeni syndrome is caused by heterozygous germline pathogenic variants in the TP53 gene. It involves a high risk of a variety of malignant tumors in childhood and adulthood, the main ones being premenopausal breast cancer, soft tissue sarcomas and osteosarcomas, central nervous system tumors, and adrenocortical carcinomas. The variability of the associated clinical manifestations, which do not always fit the classic criteria of Li-Fraumeni syndrome, has led the concept of SLF to extend to a more overarching cancer predisposition syndrome, termed hereditable TP53-related cancer syndrome (hTP53rc). However, prospective studies are needed to assess genotype-phenotype characteristics, as well as to evaluate and validate risk-adjusted recommendations. This guideline aims to establish the basis for interpreting pathogenic variants in the TP53 gene and provide recommendations for effective screening and prevention of associated cancers in carrier individuals.

Prophylactic mastectomy and bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy in patients with breast cancer: a systematic review of postsurgical sexual function and menopausal hormone therapy symptom mitigation.

INTRODUCTION: Preventative surgical procedures for patients who are breast cancer (BRCA) positive-namely, bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy and mastectomy-have been linked to changes in sexual function, including surgically induced menopause. A patient's decision to undergo preventive surgery as opposed to high-risk screening is heavily reliant on advice received from one's health care provider. Quality of life should be considered when shared decision making is conducted with patients. OBJECTIVES: To assemble and analyze findings related to patient-reported sexual function after these surgical procedures, to see if and how either procedure affects sexual function from patient baseline, and to determine whether the effects can be mitigated with menopausal hormone therapy. METHODS: A literature review based on the PubMed, Embase, and MEDLINE databases was conducted from inception through January 25, 2022. To be included, studies had to meet an a priori list of Medical Subject Headings: "BRCA" AND "sexual dysfunction" OR "dyspareunia." GRADE criteria were used to determine the quality of studies relating to menopause hormone therapy. RESULTS: The search yielded 14 results, and 11 reported sufficient data for systematic review. Sexual function was measured via validated and investigator-generated surveys. All studies, no matter the survey metric, found significant reduction in sexual function with bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy; no studies revealed sexual function changes associated with mastectomy postsurgery. Few studies indicated that menopause hormone therapy resulted in significant improvement in sexual function, and all studies reported that postoperative sexual function could not reach baseline levels with therapy. No studies were high quality by GRADE metrics. CONCLUSION: Prophylactic mastectomies and bilateral salpingo-oophorectomies among patients who are BRCA positive cause SF changes postprocedure. Menopausal hormone therapy offers little help in mediating symptoms. Significantly more research is needed to explore potential changes in sexual function, as it is an important aspect of quality of life for patients with BRCA positivity.

Impact of concurrent tumour events on the prostate cancer outcomes of germline BRCA2 mutation carriers.

BACKGROUND: Several studies have reported the association of germline BRCA2 (gBRCA2) mutations with poor clinical outcomes in prostate cancer (PCa), but the impact of concurrent somatic events on gBRCA2 carriers survival and disease progression is unknown. PATIENTS AND METHODS: To ascertain the role of frequent somatic genomic alterations and histology subtypes in the outcomes of gBRCA2 mutation carriers and non-carriers, we correlated the tumour characteristics and clinical outcomes of 73 gBRCA2 and 127 non-carriers. Fluorescent in-situ hybridisation and next-generation sequencing were used to detect copy number variations in BRCA2, RB1, MYC and PTEN. Presence of intraductal and cribriform subtypes was also assessed. The independent impact of these events on cause-specific survival (CSS), metastasis-free survival and time to castration-resistant disease was assessed using cox-regression models. RESULTS: Somatic BRCA2-RB1 co-deletion (41% versus 12%, p < 0.001) and MYC amplification (53.4% versus 18.8%, p < 0.001) were enriched in gBRCA2 compared to sporadic tumours. Median CSS from diagnosis of PCa was 9.1 versus 17.6 years in gBRCA2 carriers and non-carriers, respectively (HR 2.12; p = 0.002), Median CSS in gBRCA2 carriers increased to 11.3 and 13.4 years in the absence of BRCA2-RB1 deletion or MYC amplification, respectively. Median CSS of non-carriers decreased to 8 and 2.6 years if BRCA2-RB1 deletion or MYC amplification were detected. CONCLUSIONS: gBRCA2-related prostate tumours are enriched for aggressive genomic features, such as BRCA2-RB1 co-deletion and MYC amplification. The presence or absence of these events modify the outcomes of gBRCA2 carriers.

Transcriptional Profile Associated with Clinical Outcomes in Metastatic Hormone-Sensitive Prostate Cancer Treated with Androgen Deprivation and Docetaxel.

(1) Background: Androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) and docetaxel (DX) combination is a standard therapy for metastatic hormone-sensitive prostate cancer (mHSPC) patients. (2) Methods: We investigate if tumor transcriptomic analysis predicts mHSPC evolution in a multicenter retrospective biomarker study. A customized panel of 184 genes was tested in mRNA from tumor samples by the nCounter platform in 125 mHSPC patients treated with ADT+DX. Gene expression was correlated with castration-resistant prostate cancer-free survival (CRPC-FS) and overall survival (OS). (3) Results: High expression of androgen receptor (AR) signature was independently associated with longer CRPC-FS (hazard ratio (HR) 0.6, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.3-0.9; p = 0.015), high expression of estrogen receptor (ESR) signature with longer CRPC-FS (HR 0.6, 95% CI 0.4-0.9; p = 0.019) and OS (HR 0.5, 95% CI 0.2-0.9, p = 0.024), and lower expression of tumor suppressor genes (TSG) (RB1, PTEN and TP53) with shorter OS (HR 2, 95% CI 1-3.8; p = 0.044). ARV7 expression was independently associated with shorter CRPC-FS (HR 1.5, 95% CI 1.1-2.1, p = 0.008) and OS (HR 1.8, 95% CI 1.2-2.6, p = 0.004), high ESR2 was associated with longer OS (HR 0.5, 95% CI 0.2-1, p = 0.048) and low expression of RB1 was independently associated with shorter OS (HR 1.9, 95% CI 1.1-3.2, p = 0.014). (4) Conclusions: AR, ESR, and TSG expression signatures, as well as ARV7, RB1, and ESR2 expression, have a prognostic value in mHSPC patients treated with ADT+DX.

Clinical Factors Associated With Long-Term Benefit in Patients With Metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma Treated With Axitinib: Real-World AXILONG Study.

BACKGROUND: Axitinib monotherapy obtained approval in pre-treated mRCC patients and recently in combination with pembrolizumab or avelumab in the first-line setting. However, patient profiles that may obtain increased benefit from this drug and its combinations still need to be identified. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Retrospective multicentre analysis describing clinical characteristics associated with axitinib long-responder (LR) population by comparing two extreme-response sub-groups (progression-free survival [PFS] ≥9 months vs. disease progression/refractory patients [RP]). A multivariate logistic-regression model was used to analyse clinical factors. Efficacy and safety were also analysed. RESULTS: In total, 157 patients who received axitinib in second or subsequent line were evaluated (91 LR and 66 RP). Older age at start of axitinib and haemoglobin levels > LLN were independent predictive factors for LR in multivariate analyses. In LR patients, median (m) PFS was 18.1 months, median overall survival was 36.0 months and objective response rate (ORR) was 45.5%. In 59 LR patients receiving axitinib in second-line, mPFS was 18.7 months, mOS was 44.8 months and ORR was 43.9%. mOS was significantly longer in second line compared to subsequent lines (44.8 vs. 26.5 months; P = .009). In LR vs. RP, mPFS with sunitinib in first-line was correlated with mPFS with axitinib in second-line (27.2 vs. 10.9 months P < .001). The safety profile was manageable and consistent with known data. CONCLUSIONS: This study confirms the long-term benefits of axitinib in a selected population, helping clinicians to select the best sequential approach and patients who could obtain a greater benefit from axitinib.

Molecular profiling of advanced solid tumours. The impact of experimental molecular-matched therapies on cancer patient outcomes in early-phase trials: the MAST study.

INTRODUCTION: Molecular-matched therapies have revolutionized cancer treatment. We evaluated the improvement in clinical outcomes of applying an in-house customized Next Generation Sequencing panel in a single institution. METHODS: Patients with advanced solid tumors were molecularly selected to receive a molecular-matched treatment into early phase clinical trials versus best investigators choice, according to the evaluation of a multidisciplinary molecular tumor board. The primary endpoint was progression-free survival (PFS) assessed by the ratio of patients presenting 1.3-fold longer PFS on matched therapy (PFS2) than with prior therapy (PFS1). RESULTS: Of a total of 231 molecularly screened patients, 87 were eligible for analysis. Patients who received matched therapy had a higher median PFS2 (6.47 months; 95% CI, 2.24-14.43) compared to those who received standard therapy (2.76 months; 95% CI, 2.14-3.91, Log-rank p = 0.022). The proportion of patients with a PFS2/PFS1 ratio over 1.3 was significantly higher in the experimental arm (0.33 vs 0.08; p = 0.008). DISCUSSION: We demonstrate the pivotal role of the institutional molecular tumor board in evaluating the results of a customized NGS panel. This process optimizes the selection of available therapies, improving disease control. Prospective randomized trials are needed to confirm this approach and open the door to expanded drug access.

Fertility and breast cancer: A literature review of counseling, preservation options and outcomes.

Fertility preservation is an important issue in breast cancer patients undergoing oncological treatment. Fertility counseling is a crucial need given the physical and psychological stress experienced by patients. Cryopreservation of mature oocytes is currently the standard fertility-preserving procedure. Other options such as ovarian tissue preservation or gonadal protection during chemotherapy are still experimental, but have proven effectiveness. Prompt referral to a fertility unit is highly recommended in order to ensure quality of care. In this article, we focus on the different strategies to preserve fertility in breast cancer patients, assessing also the safety of pregnancy and breastfeeding after cancer. A systemic literature review was performed for research articles published in English in PubMed, or as abstracts from the European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO), San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium (SABCS) and American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) annual meetings, using the search terms "breast cancer" and "fertility".

Prevalence and Clinicopathological Characteristics of Moderate and High-Penetrance Genes in Non-BRCA1/2 Breast Cancer High-Risk Spanish Families.

(1) Background: Over the last decade, genetic counseling clinics have moved from single-gene sequencing to multigene panel sequencing. Multiple genes related to a moderate risk of breast cancer (BC) have emerged, although many questions remain regarding the risks and clinical features associated with these genes. (2) Methods: Ninety-six BC index cases (ICs) with high-risk features for hereditary breast and ovarian cancer (HBOC) and with a previous uninformative result for BRCA1/2 were tested with a panel of 41 genes associated with BC risk. The frequency of pathogenic variants (PVs) was related to the clinical characteristics of BC. (3) Results: We detected a PV rate of 13.5% (excluding two cases each of BRCA1 and MUTYH). Among the 95 assessed cases, 17 PVs were identified in 16 ICs, as follows: BRCA1 (n = 2), CHEK2 (n = 3), ATM (n = 5), MUTYH (n = 2), TP53 (n = 2), BRIP1 (n = 1), CASP8 (n = 1), and MSH2 (n = 1). We also identified a novel loss-of-function variant in CASP8, a candidate gene for increased BC risk. There was no evidence that the clinical characteristics of BC might be related to a higher chance of identifying a PV. (4) Conclusions: In our cohort, which was enriched with families with a high number of BC cases, a high proportion of mutations in ATM and CHEK2 were identified. The clinical characteristics of BC associated with moderate-risk genes were different from those related to BRCA1/2 genes.

Hereditary Leiomyomatosis and Renal Cell Cancer Syndrome in Spain: Clinical and Genetic Characterization.

Hereditary leiomyomatosis and renal cell cancer syndrome (HLRCC) is a very rare hereditary disorder characterized by cutaneous leiomyomas (CLMs), uterine leiomyomas (ULMs), renal cysts (RCys) and renal cell cancers (RCCs). We aimed to describe the genetics, clinical features and potential genotype-phenotype associations in the largest cohort of fumarate hydratase enzyme mutation carriers known from Spain using a multicentre, retrospective study of individuals with a genetic or clinical diagnosis of HLRCC. We collected clinical information from medical records, analysed genetic variants and looked for genotype-phenotype associations. Analyses were performed using R 3.6.0. software. We included 197 individuals: 74 index cases and 123 relatives. CLMs were diagnosed in 65% of patients, ULMs in 90% of women, RCys in 37% and RCC in 10.9%. Twenty-seven different pathogenic variants were detected, 12 (44%) of them not reported previously. Patients with missense pathogenic variants showed higher frequencies of CLMs, ULMs and RCys, than those with loss-of-function variants (p = 0.0380, p = 0.0015 and p = 0.024, respectively). This is the first report of patients with HLRCC from Spain. The frequency of RCCs was lower than those reported in the previously published series. Individuals with missense pathogenic variants had higher frequencies of CLMs, ULMs and RCys.

HDAC5 Inhibitors as a Potential Treatment in Breast Cancer Affecting Very Young Women.

BACKGROUND: Breast cancer in very young women (BCVY) defined as <35 years old, presents with different molecular biology than in older patients. High HDAC5 expression has been associated with poor prognosis in breast cancer (BC) tissue. We aimed to analyze HDAC5 expression in BCVY and older patients and their correlation with clinical features, also studying the potential of HDAC5 inhibition in BC cell lines. METHODS: HDAC5 expression in 60 BCVY and 47 older cases were analyzed by qRT-PCR and correlated with clinical data. The effect of the HDAC5 inhibitor, LMK-235, was analyzed in BC cell lines from older and young patients. We performed time and dose dependence viability, migration, proliferation, and apoptosis assays. RESULTS: Our results correlate higher HDAC5 expression with worse prognosis in BCVY. However, we observed no differences between HDAC5 expression and pathological features. Our results showed greatly reduced progression in BCVY cell lines and also in all triple negative subtypes when cell lines were treated with LMK-235. CONCLUSIONS: In BCVY, we found higher expression of HDAC5. Overexpression of HDAC5 in BCVY correlates with lower survival rates. LMK-235 could be a potential treatment in BCVY.

Sunitinib rechallenge in advanced renal cell carcinoma: outcomes of a multicenter retrospective study.

PURPOSE: The aim of this multicenter study was to evaluate the clinical outcomes of patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC) who received sunitinib retreatment. METHODS: Clinical data from patients treated with sunitinib rechallenge in nine Spanish centers were retrospectively analyzed. All patients received first-line sunitinib until progression or intolerance, followed by one or more successive drugs and rechallenge with sunitinib thereafter. RESULTS: Thirty-seven patients were included. At first-line treatment, objective response rate (ORR) was 69.4% and median progression-free survival (PFS) was 19.4 months. At rechallenge, ORR was 27.2% and 39.4% of patients obtained stabilization of disease. Median PFS was 6.2 months. Clinical benefit was obtained by 21 patients (75%) with > 6-month interval between sunitinib treatments and by 1 patient (20%) among those with ≤ 6-month interval (P = 0.016). Hemoglobin levels ≥ lower level of normal were associated with clinical benefit (P = 0.019) and with PFS (P = 0.004). Median overall survival from start of first-line sunitinib was 52.7 months. No new adverse events were observed at rechallenge. CONCLUSIONS: Sunitinib rechallenge is a feasible treatment option for selected patients with mRCC.

Epigenetic Deregulation of Protocadherin PCDHGC3 in Pheochromocytomas/Paragangliomas Associated With SDHB Mutations.

CONTEXT: SDHB mutations are found in an increasing number of neoplasms, most notably in paragangliomas and pheochromocytomas (PPGLs). SDHB-PPGLs are slow-growing tumors, but ∼50% of them may develop metastasis. The molecular basis of metastasis in these tumors is a long-standing and unresolved problem. Thus, a better understanding of the biology of metastasis is needed. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to identify gene methylation changes relevant for metastatic SDHB-PPGLs. DESIGN: We performed genome-wide profiling of DNA methylation in diverse clinical and genetic PPGL subtypes, and validated protocadherin γ-C3 (PCDHGC3) gene promoter methylation in metastatic SDHB-PPGLs. RESULTS: We define an epigenetic landscape specific for metastatic SDHB-PPGLs. DNA methylation levels were found significantly higher in metastatic SDHB-PPGLs than in SDHB-PPGLs without metastases. One such change included long-range de novo methylation of the PCDHA, PCDHB, and PCDHG gene clusters. High levels of PCDHGC3 promoter methylation were validated in primary metastatic SDHB-PPGLs, it was found amplified in the corresponding metastases, and it was significantly correlated with PCDHGC3 reduced expression. Interestingly, this epigenetic alteration could be detected in primary tumors that developed metastasis several years later. We also show that PCDHGC3 down regulation engages metastasis-initiating capabilities by promoting cell proliferation, migration, and invasion. CONCLUSIONS: Our data provide a map of the DNA methylome episignature specific to an SDHB-mutated cancer and establish PCDHGC3 as a putative suppressor gene and a potential biomarker to identify patients with SDHB-mutated cancer at high risk of metastasis who might benefit from future targeted therapies.

Breast Cancer in Very Young Patients in a Spanish Cohort: Age as an Independent Bad Prognostic Indicator.

PURPOSE: Breast cancer (BC) in very young women (BCVY) is more aggressive than in older women. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the relevance of a range of clinico-pathological factors in the prognosis of BCVY patients. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed 258 patients diagnosed with BCVY at our hospital from 1998 to 2014; the control group comprised 101 older patients with BC. We correlated clinicopathological factors, treatments, relapse and exitus with age and with previously published miRNA expression data. RESULTS: We identified some significant differences in risk factors between BCVY and older patients. The age at menarche, number of pregnancies, and age at first pregnancy were lower in the BCVY group and had a greater probability of recurrence and death in all cases. Lymph node-positive patients in the BCVY group are associated with a worse prognosis (P = .02), an immunohistochemical HER2+ subtype, and disease relapse (P = .03). Moreover, there was a shorter time between diagnosis and first relapse in BCVY patients compared with controls, and they were more likely to die from the disease (P = .002). Finally, from our panel of miRNAs deregulated in BC, reduced miR-30c expression was associated with more aggressive BC in very young patients, lower overall survival, and with axillary lymph node metastases. CONCLUSIONS: Patient age and axillary lymph node status post-surgery are independent and significant predictors of distant disease-free survival, local recurrence-free survival, and overall survival. The HER2+ subtype and lower miR-30c expression are related to poor prognosis in lymph node-positive young BC patients.

Implementation of massive sequencing in the genetic diagnosis of hereditary cancer syndromes: diagnostic performance in the Hereditary Cancer Programme of the Valencia Community (FamCan-NGS).

BACKGROUND: Approximately 5 to 10% of all cancers are caused by inherited germline mutations, many of which are associated with different Hereditary Cancer Syndromes (HCS). In the context of the Program of Hereditary Cancer of the Valencia Community, individuals belonging to specific HCS and their families receive genetic counselling and genetic testing according to internationally established guidelines. The current diagnostic approach is based on sequencing a few high-risk genes related to each HCS; however, this method is time-consuming, expensive and does not achieve a confirmatory genetic diagnosis in many cases. This study aims to test the level of improvement offered by a Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) gene-panel compared to the standard approach in a diagnostic reference laboratory setting. METHODS: A multi-gene NGS panel was used to test a total of 91 probands, previously classified as non-informative by analysing the high-risk genes defined in our guidelines. RESULTS: Nineteen deleterious mutations were detected in 16% of patients, some mutations were found in already-tested high-risk genes (BRCA1, BRCA2, MSH2) and others in non-prevalent genes (RAD51D, PALB2, ATM, TP53, MUTYH, BRIP1). CONCLUSIONS: Overall, our findings reclassify several index cases into different HCS, and change the mutational status of 14 cases from non-informative to gene mutation carriers. In conclusion, we highlight the necessity of incorporating validated multi-gene NGS panels into the HCSs diagnostic routine to increase the performance of genetic diagnosis.

Pazopanib: Evidence review and clinical practice in the management of advanced renal cell carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: Pazopanib is indicated in the first-line treatment of metastatic renal cell cancer (mRCC). The aim of this study was to review the efficacy, safety, and pharmacokinetics of pazopanib and see how these aspects are linked to clinical practice. METHODS: A non-exhaustive systematic review was conducted according to the three topics. No publication restrictions were imposed and the selected languages were Spanish and English. After that, a summary of the main results and findings of the review was presented and discussed during three meetings (one for each topic) with 13 medical oncologists that usually treat mRCC. At these meetings, a questionnaire on the first-line use of pazopanib in clinical practice was also drawn up. After the meetings, the questionnaire was completed by 60 specialist medical oncologists in renal cancer. RESULTS: The efficacy and safety of pazopanib have been demonstrated in several clinical trials, and subsequently confirmed in studies in real-world clinical practice. In addition to its clinical benefit and good safety profile, quality of life results for pazopanib, which compare favorably to sunitinib, make it a good option in the first-line treatment of patients. Special populations have been included in studies conducted with pazopanib, and it is safe for use in elderly patients, poor functional status, kidney failure, and mild or moderate hepatic impairment, and in patients with concomitant cardiovascular disease. The results of the questionnaire have shown that pazopanib is perceived as an effective drug, in which quality of life (QoL) outcomes are valued above all. CONCLUSIONS: This paper offers a comprehensive and critical summary of efficacy, tolerability, and pharmacokinetics of pazopanib in the treatment of mRCC. Pazopanib is an effective treatment with an acceptable safety profile. Its QoL and tolerability results offer certain advantages when compared with other therapeutic alternatives, and its use appears to be safe in different patient profiles.

Impact on clinical practice of the implementation of guidelines for the toxicity management of targeted therapies in kidney cancer. The protect-2 study.

BACKGROUND: The impact of such recommendations after their implementation of guidelines has not usually been evaluated. Herein, we assessed the impact and compliance with the Spanish Oncology Genitourinary Group (SOGUG) Guidelines for toxicity management of targeted therapies in metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC) in daily clinical practice. METHODS: Data on 407 mRCC patients who initiated first-line targeted therapy during the year before and the year after publication and implementation of the SOGUG guideline program were available from 34 Spanish Hospitals. Adherence to SOGUG Guidelines was assessed in every cycle. RESULTS: Adverse event (AE) management was consistent with the Guidelines as a whole for 28.7% out of 966 post-implementation cycles compared with 23.1% out of 892 pre-implementation cycles (p = 0.006). Analysis of adherence by AE in non-compliant cycles showed significant changes in appropriate management of hypertension (33% pre-implementation vs. 44.5% post-implementation cycles; p < 0.0001), diarrhea (74.0% vs. 80.5%; p = 0.011) and dyslipemia (25.0% vs. 44.6%; p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Slight but significant improvements in AE management were detected following the implementation of SOGUG recommendations. However, room for improvement in the management of AEs due to targeted agents still remains and could be the focus for further programs in this direction.