Improvement in adherence to Capecitabine and Lapatinib by way of a therapeutic education program.

PURPOSE: A patient non-adherence with oral anticancer agents is a well-recognized barrier to effective treatment. The aim of this prospective study was to evaluate the efficacy of a therapeutic education program among non-adherent patients treated with Capecitabine alone or associated with Lapatinib. METHODS: Sixty-five cancer patients were enrolled. Among them, 55 participated in the first observational phase of the study, measuring adherence using electronic MEMS pillboxes (medication event monitoring system). An adherence score was assessed in the form of a composite adherence score including intake dose and intake intervals. Ten non-adherent patients (adherence score < 80%) were included in the intervention phase of the study and were enrolled on a therapeutic education program. The efficacy of the program was evaluated on the basis of an improvement in adherence scores. We also studied factors influencing adherence. RESULTS: The average adherence score was 83.6 ± 15.7% in the overall population. Forty-one patients were adherent (adherence score > 80%) and 14 patients were non-adherent (adherence score < 80%). The therapeutic education program for non-adherent patients (n = 10) increased their adherence score by 17.8% and led 60% of these patients to become adherent. The number of toxicities during the first cycles was a predictive factor for non-adherence. CONCLUSION: This study showed an improvement in adherence to Capecitabine ± Lapatinib among non-adherent patients by way of a therapeutic education program.

Does a homeopathic medicine reduce hot flushes induced by adjuvant endocrine therapy in localized breast cancer patients? A multicenter randomized placebo-controlled phase III trial.

PURPOSE: Endocrine therapy (ET) used to reduce the risk of recurrence in hormone receptor-expressing disease (75% of breast cancers) is associated with worsening of climacteric symptoms with a negative impact on quality of life (QoL). Homeopathy might allow a better management of hot flushes (HF). METHODS: In this multicenter randomized double-blind placebo-controlled phase III study ( ClinicalTrials.gov NCT01246427), we enrolled ≥ 18 years old women with histologically proven non metastatic localized breast cancer, with Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group-Performance Status (ECOG-PS) ≤ 1, treated for at least 1 month with adjuvant ET, and complaining about moderate to severe HF. Patients should not be scheduled for chemotherapy or radiotherapy, and had no associated pathology known to induce HF. After a 2- to 4-week placebo administration, we randomly assigned (1:1) patients with HFS ≥ 10 using an interactive web-based centralized platform to BRN-01 homeopathic medicine complex (Actheane®) in arm A or Placebo (Arm P). Randomization was stratified by adjuvant ET (taxoxifen/aromatase inhibitor) and recruiting site. HF scores (HFS) were calculated as the mean of HF frequencies before randomization, at 4, and at 8 weeks post-randomization (pre-, 4w,- and 8w-) weighted by a 4-level intensity scale. Primary endpoint was assessed at 4-week post-randomization, as the variation between pre- and 4w-HFS. Secondary endpoints included HFS variation between pre- and 8w-HFS, compliance and tolerance assessed 8 weeks after randomization, and QoL and satisfaction assessed at 4- and 8-week post-randomization. RESULTS: Two hundred ninety-nine patients were included, and 138 (46.2%) randomized (A, 65; P, 73). Median 4w-HFS absolute variation (A, - 2.9; P, - 2.5 points, p = 0.756) and relative decrease (A, - 17%; P, - 15%, p = 0.629) were not statistically different. However, 4w-HFS decreased for 46 (75%) in A vs 48 (68%) patients in P arm. 4w-QoL was stable or improved for respectively 43 (72%) vs 51 (74%) patients (p = 0.470). CONCLUSIONS: The efficacy endpoint was not reached, and BRN-01 administration was not demonstrated as an efficient treatment to alleviate HF symptoms due to adjuvant ET in breast cancer patients. However, the study drug administration led to decreased HFS with a positive impact on QoL. Without any recommended treatment to treat or alleviate the HF-related disabling symptoms, Actheane® could be a promising option, providing an interesting support for better adherence to ET, thereby reducing the risk of recurrence with a good tolerance profile.

Long-term improvement of breast cancer survivors' quality of life by a 2-week group physical and educational intervention: 5-year update of the 'PACThe' trial.

BACKGROUND: The advantages of adapted physical activity and nutritional education (APANE) on breast cancer prognosis and quality of life (QoL) are well known, but long-term results are lacking. METHODS: A randomised controlled trial testing a 2-week intervention in hydrothermal centres including APANE enrolled 251 patients post-chemotherapy. QoL and weight control were significantly improved at 12 months. A 5-year follow-up was performed to evaluate the persistence of improvements. RESULTS: QoL increase (SF36) was persistent: effect-size at 2, 3, 4 and 5 years equalled respectively 0.27 (-0.01; 0.56), 0.28 (-0.02; 0.58), 0.41 (0.02; 0.81) and 0.45 (0.11; 0.80). Weight control observed after intervention lasted 2 years: 2.7% decrease at 1 year (P=0.0085), 2.5% at 2 years (P=0.025); and respectively for waist -2.4% (-3.6; -1.1) (P=0.000014) and -1.3% (-2.5; -0.1) (P=0.0072). CONCLUSIONS: A 2-week intervention in hydrothermal centres performed shortly after chemotherapy can durably improve breast cancer patients' QoL and reduce weight.

Effectiveness of a Global Multidisciplinary Supportive and Educational Intervention in Thermal Resort on Anthropometric and Biological Parameters, and the Disease-Free Survival after Breast Cancer Treatment Completion (PACThe).

A growing knowledge highlights the strong benefit of regular physical activity in the management of breast cancer patients, but few studies have considered biological parameters in their outcomes. In the prospective randomised trial after breast cancer treatment completion "PACThe," we determined the effects of physical activity and nutritional intervention on the biological and anthropometric status of patients after one year of follow-up, and clarified the link between biomarkers at allocation and disease-free survival. 113 patients from the population of the "PACThe" study (n = 251) were analysed for biological parameters. Patients were randomized after chemotherapy in two arms: the intervention "SPA" receiving a 2-week session of physical training, dietary education, and physiotherapy (n = 57), and the control "CTR" (n = 56). Diet questionnaire, anthropometric measures, and blood parameters were determined at allocation and one year later. Survival and recurrence were checked over 7 years. Data were considered as a function of BMI, i.e., ≤25 for normal, 25-30 for overweight, and >30 for obese patients. At allocation, the large standard deviation for nutrient-intake values reflected an unbalanced diet for some patients in the three groups. At one-year follow-up, we noticed an increase in glucose (p < 10-6), insulin (p < 10-7), and adiponectin (p < 0.022) plasma levels for both intervention arms, which were more accentuated for the >30 groups. Using the Cox model, we demonstrated that the highest testosterone plasma values were linked to an increase of the recurrence risk (HR [CI-95%] = 5.06 [1.66-15.41]; p=0.004). One-year after a global multidisciplinary supportive and educational intervention, we found few anthropometric and biological changes, mainly related to the patient's initial BMI. We highlighted the importance of plasma testosterone in the evaluation of patient's recurrence risk. Future studies would help better understand the mechanisms by which such multidisciplinary interventions could interact with breast cancer recurrence and define the most effective modalities.

Impact of liposomal doxorubicin-based adjuvant chemotherapy on autonomy in women over 70 with hormone-receptor-negative breast carcinoma: A French Geriatric Oncology Group (GERICO) phase II multicentre trial.

RATIONALE: Breast cancer is a disease of ageing. Functional independence in elderly patients, measured with the Katz activities of daily living (ADL) scale, predicts overall survival and the need for welfare support. Few prospective studies have examined the feasibility of adjuvant chemotherapy and its impact on autonomy in women over 70 years of age with high-risk breast cancer. This multicentre phase II trial was designed to assess the impact of adjuvant anthracycline-based chemotherapy on these patients' autonomy. DESIGN AND METHODS: In a two-stage Fleming design, women aged ≥70 years with histologically proven hormone-receptor-negative early breast cancer and a significant risk of recurrence (pN+ or "high risk" pN0) received 4 cycles of nonpegylated liposomal doxorubicin 60 mg/m(2) and cyclophosphamide 600 mg/m(2) every 3 weeks postoperatively, on an outpatient basis. The primary endpoint was the change in the ADL score during chemotherapy. Secondary endpoints include comprehensive geriatric, quality-of-life and acceptability assessments, tolerability, and long-term outcome. The results for the primary endpoint and other scales at completion of adjuvant chemotherapy are reported here, while long-term follow-up is not yet complete. RESULTS: Forty patients (median age 75 [70-82]) were enrolled between February 2006 and November 2007. Chemotherapy had no deleterious impact on ADL, cognition, mental status, or the frequency of comorbidities. In contrast, the number of patients at risk of malnutrition, based on the Mini Nutritional Assessment, more than doubled between baseline and the end of chemotherapy, rising from 15% to 38%. Quality-of-life deteriorated in terms of social and role functioning, likely owing to fatigue, loss of appetite, nausea and vomiting. Treatment acceptability was good. The main adverse effect was neutropenia, 15% of the patients experiencing febrile neutropenia. No cardiac toxicity or toxic deaths occurred. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates the feasibility of an adjuvant chemotherapy regimen combining nonpegylated liposomal doxorubicin and cyclophosphamide in fit elderly women <85 years with breast cancer. Although chemotherapy had an impact on social and role functioning, autonomy was not impaired and toxicity was acceptable. Special attention should be paid to nutritional status before and after treatment.