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BACKGROUND: We evaluated a new chemoimmunotherapy combination based on the anti-PD1 monoclonal antibody pembrolizumab and the pyrimidine antimetabolite gemcitabine in HER2- advanced breast cancer (ABC) patients previously treated in the advanced setting, in order to explore a potential synergism that could eventually obtain long term benefit in these patients. METHODS: HER2-negative ABC patients received 21-day cycles of pembrolizumab 200 mg (day 1) and gemcitabine (days 1 and 8). A run-in-phase (6 + 6 design) was planned with two dose levels (DL) of gemcitabine (1,250 mg/m2 [DL0]; 1,000 mg/m2 [DL1]) to determine the recommended phase II dose (RP2D). The primary objective was objective response rate (ORR). Tumor infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) density and PD-L1 expression in tumors and myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) levels in peripheral blood were analyzed. RESULTS: Fourteen patients were treated with DL0, resulting in RP2D. Thirty-six patients were evaluated during the first stage of Simon's design. Recruitment was stopped as statistical assumptions were not met. The median age was 52; 21 (58%) patients had triple-negative disease, 28 (78%) visceral involvement, and 27 (75%) ≥ 2 metastatic locations. Progression disease was observed in 29 patients. ORR was 15% (95% CI, 5-32). Eight patients were treated ≥ 6 months before progression. Fourteen patients reported grade ≥ 3 treatment-related adverse events. Due to the small sample size, we did not find any clear association between immune tumor biomarkers and treatment efficacy that could identify a subgroup with higher probability of response or better survival. However, patients that experienced a clinical benefit showed decreased MDSCs levels in peripheral blood along the treatment. CONCLUSION: Pembrolizumab 200 mg and gemcitabine 1,250 mg/m2 were considered as RP2D. The objective of ORR was not met; however, 22% patients were on treatment for ≥ 6 months. ABC patients that could benefit of chemoimmunotherapy strategies must be carefully selected by robust and validated biomarkers. In our heavily pretreated population, TILs, PD-L1 expression and MDSCs levels could not identify a subgroup of patients for whom the combination of gemcitabine and pembrolizumab would induce long term benefit. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov and EudraCT (NCT03025880 and 2016-001,779-54, respectively). Registration dates: 20/01/2017 and 18/11/2016, respectively.
Assuntos
Neoplasias da Mama , Feminino , Humanos , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Antígeno B7-H1 , Mama , Neoplasias da Mama/tratamento farmacológico , GencitabinaRESUMO
PURPOSE OF THE STUDY: Trastuzumab combined with sequential chemotherapy with taxanes and anthracyclines as primary systemic therapy achieved high rates of pathologic complete response (pCR). Non-pegylated liposome-encapsulated doxorubicin (NPLD) has shown equal efficacy but minor cardiotoxicity compared to doxorubicin. This phase II study aimed to evaluate the activity and safety of trastuzumab with sequential chemotherapy for early or locally advanced HER2 positive BC. METHODS: Preoperative treatment included NPLD (60 mg/mq iv) plus cyclophosphamide (600 mg/mq iv) every 3 weeks for 4 cycles followed by docetaxel (35 mg/mq iv) plus trastuzumab (4 mg/mq loading dose iv, then 2 mg/mq iv) weekly for 16 weeks. Primary endpoint was pCR defined as the absence of residual invasive cancer both in the breast and regional nodes. Clinical staging was exploratory evaluated by CT-PET. RESULTS: 43 pts were treated from december 2005 to September 2011, 39 of them were evaluable for the purpose of study. Median age was 53 years (range: 31-78), the majority of pts had tumour stage cT2 (63%), tumour grade 3 (86%), clinical nodes involvement N+ (77%), ER positive (56%) and Ki-67 ≥20% (77%). pCR was reported in 19 (49%) of 39 pts. There was an association between Ki-67 ≥20% at baseline and pCR (p = 0.018). No cardiac toxicity or discontinuation of trastuzumab was reported. CT-PET modified the clinical stage for 10 patients showing new loco-regional lymph nodes. CONCLUSIONS: This study confirms that integrating anti-HER2 therapy in primary treatment for HER2 positive breast cancer is active. NPLD is a safe option to minimize cardiotoxicity.
Assuntos
Protocolos de Quimioterapia Combinada Antineoplásica/uso terapêutico , Neoplasias da Mama/tratamento farmacológico , Neoplasias da Mama/patologia , Carcinoma/tratamento farmacológico , Carcinoma/patologia , Receptor ErbB-2/sangue , Adulto , Idoso , Anticorpos Monoclonais Humanizados/administração & dosagem , Neoplasias da Mama/sangue , Carcinoma/sangue , Quimioterapia Adjuvante , Ciclofosfamida/administração & dosagem , Docetaxel , Doxorrubicina/administração & dosagem , Doxorrubicina/análogos & derivados , Feminino , Fluordesoxiglucose F18 , Humanos , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Terapia Neoadjuvante , Estadiamento de Neoplasias , Polietilenoglicóis/administração & dosagem , Tomografia por Emissão de Pósitrons , Compostos Radiofarmacêuticos , Taxoides/administração & dosagem , Tomografia Computadorizada por Raios X , TrastuzumabRESUMO
Aims. To compare HB&L and BACTEC systems for detecting the microorganisms contaminating the corneal storage liquid preserved at 31°C. Methods. Human donor corneas were stored at 4°C followed by preservation at 31°C. Samples of the storage medium were inoculated in BACTEC Peds Plus/F (aerobic microorganisms), BACTEC Plus Anaerobic/F (anaerobic microorganisms), and HB&L bottles. The tests were performed (a) after six days of storage, (b) end of storage, and (c) after 24 hours of preservation in deturgescent liquid sequentially. 10,655 storage and deturgescent media samples were subjected to microbiological control using BACTEC (6-day incubation) and HB&L (24-hour incubation) systems simultaneously. BACTEC positive/negative refers to both/either aerobic and anaerobic positives/negatives, whereas HB&L can only detect the aerobic microbes, and therefore the positives/negatives depend on the presence/absence of aerobic microorganisms. Results. 147 (1.38%) samples were identified positive with at least one of the two methods. 127 samples (134 identified microorganisms) were positive with both HB&L and BACTEC. 14 HB&L+/BACTEC- and 6 BACTEC+/HB&L- were identified. Sensitivity (95.5%), specificity (99.8%), and positive (90.1%) and negative predictive values (99.9%) were high with HB&L considering a 3.5% annual contamination rate. Conclusion. HB&L is a rapid system for detecting microorganisms in corneal storage medium in addition to the existing methods.
RESUMO
BACKGROUND: The aim of this phase II study was to assess the activity of panitumumab in combination with oxaliplatin, 5-fluorouracil, and external radiotherapy (RT) as preoperative treatment in locally advanced rectal cancer patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients had rectal adenocarcinoma, cT3N+ or cT4N-/+ stage, located <12 cm from the anal margin. Panitumumab was administered before the start of chemo-RT, and every 2 weeks in combination with 5-fluorouracil-oxaliplatin with concurrent RT. Rectal surgery was carried out 7-8 weeks after the end of neoadjuvant treatment. The primary end point was a pathological complete response rate of 25%. RESULTS: Sixty patients were enrolled from February 2007 to October 2009. Fifty-five (91.7%) patients underwent surgery. Rate of pathological complete response was 21.1% (95% confidence interval 10.4% to 31.6%). Pathological downstaging occurred in 33 of 57 (57.9%) patients. Grade 3-4 toxicity during neoadjuvant treatment was diarrhea (38.9%), cutaneous reactions (18.6%), nausea (5.1%), asthenia (3.4%), anorexia (3.4%), and neutropenia (1.7%). One toxic death was observed for diarrhea. CONCLUSIONS: In our study, the primary end point is not reached and panitumumab combination treatment was associated with high incidence of grade 3-4 diarrhea. The higher pathological complete response rate in comparison with the results of previous neoadjuvant rectal cancer trials with anti-epidermal growth factor receptor monoclonal antibodies supports further studies necessary to understand the possibility of optimal regimens and sequences with chemo-RT.
Assuntos
Adenocarcinoma/tratamento farmacológico , Adenocarcinoma/radioterapia , Protocolos de Quimioterapia Combinada Antineoplásica/uso terapêutico , Neoplasias Retais/tratamento farmacológico , Neoplasias Retais/radioterapia , Adenocarcinoma/cirurgia , Adulto , Idoso , Anticorpos Monoclonais/administração & dosagem , Anticorpos Monoclonais/efeitos adversos , Protocolos de Quimioterapia Combinada Antineoplásica/efeitos adversos , Biomarcadores Tumorais/genética , Diarreia/induzido quimicamente , Intervalo Livre de Doença , Feminino , Fluoruracila/administração & dosagem , Fluoruracila/efeitos adversos , Humanos , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Mutação , Terapia Neoadjuvante , Compostos Organoplatínicos/administração & dosagem , Compostos Organoplatínicos/efeitos adversos , Oxaliplatina , Panitumumabe , Tomografia por Emissão de Pósitrons , Cuidados Pré-Operatórios , Neoplasias Retais/genética , Neoplasias Retais/cirurgiaRESUMO
no abstract.
RESUMO
Hormone therapy with tamoxifen has long been the established adjuvant treatment for node-positive, estrogen-receptor-positive breast cancer in postmenopausal women. Since 30-40% of these patients fail to respond, reliableoutcome prediction is necessary for successful treatment allocation. Using pathobiological variables (available in mostclinical records: tumor size, nodal involvement, estrogen and progesterone receptor content) from 596 patients recruitedat a comprehensive cancer center, we developed a prediction model which we validated in an independent cohort of 175patients recruited at a general hospital. Calculated at 3 and 4 years of follow-up, the discrimination indices were 0.716[confidence limits (CL) 0.641, 0.752] and 0.714 (CL 0.650, 0.750) for the training data, and 0.726 (CL 0.591, 0.769) and0.677 (CL 0.580, 0.745) for the testing data. Waiting for more effective approaches from genomic and proteomic studies, amodel based on consolidated pathobiological variables routinely assessed at relatively low costs may be considered as thereference for assessing the gain of new markers over traditional ones, thus substantially improving the conventional use ofprognostic criteria.
Assuntos
Antineoplásicos Hormonais/uso terapêutico , Biomarcadores Tumorais/metabolismo , Neoplasias da Mama/tratamento farmacológico , Neoplasias da Mama/metabolismo , Modelos Estatísticos , Recidiva Local de Neoplasia/metabolismo , Tamoxifeno/uso terapêutico , Adulto , Idoso , Idoso de 80 Anos ou mais , Neoplasias da Mama/patologia , Quimioterapia Adjuvante , Estudos de Coortes , Feminino , Humanos , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Recidiva Local de Neoplasia/patologia , Nomogramas , Pós-Menopausa , Valor Preditivo dos Testes , Receptores de Estrogênio/metabolismo , Receptores de Progesterona/metabolismoRESUMO
The variation between different PSA assays seems to influence the interpretation of individual PSA values and the clinical decisions about prostate cancer. One reason for this variability could be the different reactivity of antibodies for the various molecular forms of serum PSA; as a result, samples containing the same amount of tPSA but different proportions of fPSA can produce very different values. In this study, serum samples were collected prospectively from 152 consecutive patients referred to 2 institutions (Regional Hospital, Venice, 90 subjects; San Bortolo Hospital, Vicenza, 62 subjects) for PSA elevation and/or symptoms. Serum samples were assessed according to the manufacturers' instructions on the following 2 analyzers: the Immulite 2000 assay (Diagnostic Products Corporation, Los Angeles, USA), which measures tPSA and fPSA, and the ADVIA Centaur (Bayer Diagnostics, Tarrytown, USA), which assays tPSA and cPSA. cPSA values were transformed into fPSA by the equation fPSA=tPSA-cPSA. When taking Immulite tPSA and f/tPSA values as 100%, ADVIA Centaur values were 92.6% and 122%, respectively, which means that 20% of patients would be classified differently according to the traditional biopsy cutoff. In conclusion, there are considerable differences between the 2 methods, which could affect clinical decisions.
Assuntos
Antígeno Prostático Específico/sangue , Neoplasias da Próstata/diagnóstico , Biópsia , Humanos , Masculino , Próstata/citologia , Próstata/patologia , Curva ROC , Análise de Regressão , Reprodutibilidade dos TestesRESUMO
PURPOSE: Based on the promising results of a Phase I study with a combination of gemcitabine and DTIC performed in advanced soft tissue sarcoma (ASTS) patients, and due to the limited efficacy of second or third line therapies in those patients, we designed a Phase II study to determine the activity of this new regimen. METHODS: Patients with ASTS, measurable disease, pretreated with chemotherapy, received gemcitabine 1,800 mg/m2 infused over 180 min followed by DTIC 500 mg/m2 (one cycle), every 2 weeks. The pharmacokinetics (PK) of gemcitabine and 2',2'-difluorodeoxyuridine (dFdU), and the accumulation of gemcitabine triphosphate (dFdCTP) by peripheral blood mononuclear cells were studied. The influence of the sequence of administration on those parameters was examined to exclude potential drug interactions. RESULTS: Twenty-six patients received a total of 158 cycles (mean four cycles, range 1-18). Grade 3-4 anemia (23% of patients), granulocytopenia (46%) or thrombocytopenia (12%), and grade 3 increase in AST (18%), ALT (21%), or gamma-glutamyl-transferase (9%) were noted. Response rate in 23 patients was 4% (95% CI: 0-24%), and in 8 of 11 patients stable disease lasted > 6 months. Progression-free rate (PFR) at 3 and 6 months was, respectively, 48 and 28%, and median overall survival 37 weeks. Pooled data from the Phase I and Phase II studies showed clinical benefit in patients with leiomyosarcomas (LMS) (57%) and malignant fibrous histiocytomas (MFH) (33%). The sequence of administration did not influence PK of gemcitabine or dFdU. There was a trend (P = 0.11) toward a lower accumulation of dFdCTP when DTIC preceded gemcitabine. CONCLUSIONS: Although the remission rate was low, PFR figures indicate that this regimen has activity in patients with ASTS. It should be compared with DTIC, or other gemcitabine-containing combinations, in patients with LMS or MFH, to determine whether this combination offers advantages in PFR or in overall activity.
Assuntos
Protocolos de Quimioterapia Combinada Antineoplásica/uso terapêutico , Sarcoma/tratamento farmacológico , Adulto , Idoso , Alanina Transaminase/sangue , Protocolos de Quimioterapia Combinada Antineoplásica/efeitos adversos , Protocolos de Quimioterapia Combinada Antineoplásica/farmacocinética , Área Sob a Curva , Aspartato Aminotransferases/sangue , Dacarbazina/administração & dosagem , Dacarbazina/efeitos adversos , Dacarbazina/análogos & derivados , Dacarbazina/farmacocinética , Desoxicitidina/administração & dosagem , Desoxicitidina/efeitos adversos , Desoxicitidina/análogos & derivados , Desoxicitidina/farmacocinética , Progressão da Doença , Intervalo Livre de Doença , Doxorrubicina/administração & dosagem , Doxorrubicina/efeitos adversos , Doxorrubicina/farmacocinética , Feminino , Doenças Hematológicas/induzido quimicamente , Humanos , Ifosfamida/administração & dosagem , Ifosfamida/efeitos adversos , Ifosfamida/farmacocinética , Infusões Intravenosas , Fígado/efeitos dos fármacos , Fígado/enzimologia , Pulmão/efeitos dos fármacos , Pulmão/patologia , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Indução de Remissão , Sarcoma/metabolismo , Sarcoma/patologia , Temozolomida , Tomografia Computadorizada por Raios X/métodos , Resultado do Tratamento , GencitabinaRESUMO
While tissue KRAS2 mutations have been extensively investigated, the role of circulating mutant KRAS2 gene in patients with colorectal carcinoma remains obscure. The aim of the present study was to explore the prognostic significance of circulating KRAS2 gene mutational status in subjects undergoing primary treatment for colorectal cancer. Codon 12 KRAS2 mutations were examined in DNA samples extracted from the serum of 86 patients with colorectal cancer and were compared with the KRAS2 status of their primary tumors. Tissue and serum KRAS2 status was compared with other clinicopathological variables (including CEA and CA 19-9 levels) and with cancer-related survival. KRAS2 mutations were found in tissue samples of 28 patients (33%); serum KRAS2 mutations were detected in 10 of them (36%). Serum KRAS2 status was significantly associated with Dukes' stage D (p=0.001) and with preoperative CA 19-9 levels (p=0.01). At multivariate analysis, cancer-related survival was associated with Dukes' stage (p<0.0001), CEA level (p=0.02), and mutant circulating KRAS2 (p=0.01). All 7 stage D patients with serum KRAS2 mutations died of the disease within 24 months of primary treatment; cancer-related survival was significantly better in 9 stage D patients without serum KRAS2 mutations, with 5 patients (56%) alive after 24 months and 1 patient (13%) alive after 44 months. Residual disease after surgery was evident in all 7 stage D patients with mutant circulating KRAS2, and in 5 out of 9 stage D patients without serum mutations. Serum KRAS2 status may impact substantially on the management of stage D colorectal carcinoma, since it appears to cor-relate with prognosis in this patient subgroup.
Assuntos
Neoplasias Colorretais/genética , Genes ras , Mutação , Proteínas Proto-Oncogênicas/sangue , Adulto , Idoso , Idoso de 80 Anos ou mais , Antígeno CA-19-9/sangue , Antígeno Carcinoembrionário/sangue , Neoplasias Colorretais/sangue , Neoplasias Colorretais/mortalidade , Neoplasias Colorretais/patologia , Feminino , Humanos , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Metástase Neoplásica , Prognóstico , Proteínas Proto-Oncogênicas/genética , Proteínas Proto-Oncogênicas p21(ras) , Proteínas rasRESUMO
Despite years of research and hundreds of reports on tumor markers in oncology, the number of markers that have emerged as clinically useful is pitifully small. Often, initially reported studies of a marker show great promise, but subsequent studies on the same or related markers yield inconsistent conclusions or stand in direct contradiction to the promising results. It is imperative that we attempt to understand the reasons that multiple studies of the same marker lead to differing conclusions. A variety of methodologic problems have been cited to explain these discrepancies. Unfortunately, many tumor marker studies have not been reported in a rigorous fashion, and published articles often lack sufficient information to allow adequate assessment of the quality of the study or the generalizability of study results. The development of guidelines for the reporting of tumor marker studies was a major recommendation of the National Cancer Institute - European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer (NCI - EORTC) First International Meeting on Cancer Diagnostics in 2000. As for the successful CONSORT initiative for randomized trials and for the STARD statement for diagnostic studies, we suggest guidelines to provide relevant information about the study design, preplanned hypotheses, patient and specimen characteristics, assay methods, and statistical analysis methods. In addition, the guidelines suggest helpful presentations of data and important elements to include in discussions. The goal of these guidelines is to encourage transparent and complete reporting so that the relevant information will be available to others to help them to judge the usefulness of the data and understand the context in which the conclusions apply.
Assuntos
Biomarcadores Tumorais/normas , Neoplasias/diagnóstico , Biomarcadores Tumorais/análise , Humanos , Prognóstico , EditoraçãoRESUMO
A reverse-phase HPLC method based on ion-pair formation with UV detection was set up for the simultaneous determination of gemcitabine diphosphate (dFdCDP) and triphosphate (dFdCTP) in human cells. The separation was achieved on a Tracer Excel ODSA column (100 mm x 4.6mm i.d., 3 microm particle size) at room temperature. Nine nucleotides were separated by isocratic elution in 26 min. Accuracy, linearity, sensitivity and precision studies for dFdCDP, dFdCTP, adenosine diphosphate (ADP) and triphosphate (ATP) validated this method. This assay was used to provide data from gemcitabine treated patients and in vitro grown human cancer cells.
Assuntos
Antimetabólitos Antineoplásicos/análise , Cromatografia Líquida de Alta Pressão/métodos , Desoxicitidina/análogos & derivados , Monócitos/química , Neoplasias Ovarianas/química , Espectrofotometria Ultravioleta/métodos , Antimetabólitos Antineoplásicos/sangue , Linhagem Celular Tumoral , Desoxicitidina/análise , Desoxicitidina/sangue , Feminino , Humanos , Padrões de Referência , Reprodutibilidade dos Testes , Sensibilidade e Especificidade , GencitabinaRESUMO
Several methods for analyzing CgA using either monoclonal or polyclonal antibodies have been developed, which differ in their diagnostic performance. The present paper describes the results of a prospective multicenter study aimed at comparing the clinical value of the two most widely used commercially available CgA assay kits in patients affected by neuroendocrine tumors (NETs). Two hundred sixty-one patients from 40 different centers and 99 healthy subjects were evaluated. CgA levels were measured with two different methods, a two-step immunoradiometric assay (IRMA) and an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). CgA was measured centrally by two reference laboratories, one of which used IRMA and the other ELISA, and it was measured by the participating institutions with the method routinely used by each of them. The major findings of the present study were: (i) the two assays for the determination of CgA present good diagnostic performance; (ii) both assays are robust and guarantee comparable results when applied in different settings (central vs local laboratory); (iii) the negative/positive cutoff points (87 ng/mL for IRMA and 21.3 U/L for ELISA) were established according to standardized criteria; (iv) the results obtained with the two assays in basal clinical samples of patients affected by NETs show an apparently satisfactory correlation (rs = 0.843, p < 0.0001). However, a possibly clinically meaningful 36% discordance rate was found. These findings support the hypothesis that the two CgA kits might provide partially different information.
Assuntos
Biomarcadores Tumorais/sangue , Cromograninas/sangue , Ensaio de Imunoadsorção Enzimática , Ensaio Imunorradiométrico , Tumores Neuroendócrinos/sangue , Adulto , Idoso , Cromogranina A , Intervalos de Confiança , Ensaio de Imunoadsorção Enzimática/normas , Feminino , Humanos , Ensaio Imunorradiométrico/normas , Itália , Laboratórios Hospitalares , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Estudos Prospectivos , Kit de Reagentes para Diagnóstico , Reprodutibilidade dos TestesRESUMO
Despite years of research and hundreds of reports on tumour markers in oncology, the number of markers that have emerged as clinically useful is pitifully small. Often initially reported studies of a marker show great promise, but subsequent studies on the same or related markers yield inconsistent conclusions or stand in direct contradiction to the promising results. It is imperative that we attempt to understand the reasons that multiple studies of the same marker lead to differing conclusions. A variety of methodological problems have been cited to explain these discrepancies. Unfortunately, many tumour marker studies have not been reported in a rigorous fashion, and published articles often lack sufficient information to allow adequate assessment of the quality of the study or the generalisability of the study results. The development of guidelines for the reporting of tumour marker studies was a major recommendation of the US National Cancer Institute and the European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer (NCI-EORTC) First International Meeting on Cancer Diagnostics in 2000. Similar to the successful CONSORT initiative for randomised trials and the STARD statement for diagnostic studies, we suggest guidelines to provide relevant information about the study design, preplanned hypotheses, patient and specimen characteristics, assay methods, and statistical analysis methods. In addition, the guidelines suggest helpful presentations of data and important elements to include in discussions. The goal of these guidelines is to encourage transparent and complete reporting so that the relevant information will be available to others to help them to judge the usefulness of the data and understand the context in which the conclusions apply.
Assuntos
Biomarcadores Tumorais/análise , Pesquisa Biomédica/normas , Disseminação de Informação , Neoplasias/diagnóstico , Humanos , Projetos de Pesquisa/normasRESUMO
PURPOSE: Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) is overexpressed in approximately 50% of invasive breast carcinomas and it is correlated with hormone resistance and poor prognosis. EGFR suppression by gefitinib, a quinazoline derivative that inhibits phosphorylation of the specific receptor, represents a novel therapeutic strategy. A dose-finding study was performed to evaluate the combination of gefitinib with weekly epirubicin in patients with pretreated metastatic breast cancer. METHODS: Fifteen patients were enrolled at four sequential dose levels. Gefitinib was administered orally, at the fixed daily dose of 250 mg. The starting dose of epirubicin was 20 mg/m2. Escalating dose levels of epirubicin were planned by increments of 5 mg/m2 per level, up to the maximum tolerated dose (MTD). Pharmacodynamic studies were performed by determining serum and tissue ERBB2 and EGFR. RESULTS: At the first three dose levels tested no patient experienced a dose-limiting toxicity (DLT). In cohort 4, two patients experienced DLTs (grade 4 dyspnea and asthenia, grade 3 diarrhea and thrombocytopenia) identifying the MTD of epirubicin as 35 mg/m2. Of the 14 cases assessable for response, partial response was documented in two patients, and stable disease in seven, giving an overall disease control rate of 64.2%. The comparison of pre- and post-therapy ERBB2 and EGFR values was not statistically significant between the subgroups of patients regarding responsiveness to treatment. CONCLUSIONS: The recommended dose of epirubicin for phase II studies is 30 mg/m2 in combination with gefitinib at the daily dose of 250 mg. Pharmacodynamic studies did not identify any biomarker predictive of response.
Assuntos
Protocolos de Quimioterapia Combinada Antineoplásica/uso terapêutico , Neoplasias da Mama/tratamento farmacológico , Adulto , Idoso , Neoplasias da Mama/sangue , Neoplasias da Mama/secundário , Relação Dose-Resposta a Droga , Epirubicina/administração & dosagem , Receptores ErbB/sangue , Feminino , Gefitinibe , Humanos , Dose Máxima Tolerável , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Invasividade Neoplásica , Quinazolinas/administração & dosagem , Receptor ErbB-2/sangueRESUMO
The aim of the present preliminary study was to investigate the presence of free DNA (FDNA) in urine as a possible marker for the diagnosis of bladder cancer. Naturally voided morning urine specimens were collected from 57 patients with suspected bladder cancer before cystoscopy. A standard urine test was performed; the specimens were then processed in order to obtain a quantitative evaluation of the presence of free DNA in the urine. Twenty-two patients were excluded from the study because they had leukocyturia and/or bacteriuria. Free DNA concentrations higher than 250 ng/mL were found in all 16 patients showing bladder cancer at cystoscopy and in seven (36.8%) of the 19 patients with negative cystoscopy. Urinary FDNA seems to have an excellent sensitivity: we observed no false negative cases and 36.8% false positive cases. By contrast, only 6.25% of the bladder cancer patients had positive urine cytology. Our results seem promising, although further studies and larger numbers are needed to define urinary free DNA as a reliable marker of bladder cancer.
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Biomarcadores Tumorais/urina , DNA/urina , Neoplasias da Bexiga Urinária/urina , Idoso , Idoso de 80 Anos ou mais , Humanos , Pessoa de Meia-IdadeRESUMO
In this paper, we provide a working classification for circulating biomarkers according to their potential clinical application. We broadly divided biomarkers into four groups: (i) biomarkers of cancer risk, (ii) biomarkers of tumour-host interactions, (iii) biomarker of tumour burden, and (iv) function-related biomarkers. We hope this classification will provide a framework to which the results of future studies can be added. We also discuss the promises and pitfalls in the optional use of biomarkers in oncology.
Assuntos
Biomarcadores Tumorais/sangue , Neoplasias/diagnóstico , Biomarcadores Tumorais/classificação , Biomarcadores Tumorais/fisiologia , Previsões , Humanos , Neoplasias/sangue , Prognóstico , Fatores de Risco , Carga TumoralRESUMO
The vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and the plasminogen activator system play an essential role in solid tumor angiogenesis and in tumor invasion and metastasis. In the present study we investigated the relationship between patient outcome and levels of VEGF, urokinase plasminogen activator (uPA) and plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) in tumor cytosols of 196 node-negative primary invasive breast cancer patients who did not receive any adjuvant therapy. The median follow-up was 65 months. VEGF, uPA and PAI-1 were measured by commercially available enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. Cox's univariate analysis showed that pT (p = 0.0007), uPA (p = 0.0156) and PAI-1 (p = 0.0015) had a significant impact on relapse-free survival, whereas VEGF did not have any prognostic value (p = 0.18). Bivariate analysis showed significant interactions between uPA and PAI-1 (p = 0.0035) and between VEGF and PAI-1 (p = 0.006). Our study confirms that uPA and PAI-1 cytosol levels can be considered as prognostic factors for relapse-free survival in node-negative breast cancer. Moreover, the interaction between VEGF and PAI-1 warrants further investigation into the relationship between the biomarkers of angiogenesis and those of the protease cascade.
Assuntos
Biomarcadores Tumorais , Neoplasias da Mama/metabolismo , Inibidor 1 de Ativador de Plasminogênio/biossíntese , Ativador de Plasminogênio Tipo Uroquinase/biossíntese , Fator A de Crescimento do Endotélio Vascular/biossíntese , Adulto , Idoso , Idoso de 80 Anos ou mais , Citosol/metabolismo , Ensaio de Imunoadsorção Enzimática , Feminino , Humanos , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Metástase Neoplásica , Neovascularização Patológica , Inibidor 1 de Ativador de Plasminogênio/metabolismo , Pós-Menopausa , Pré-Menopausa , Prognóstico , Modelos de Riscos Proporcionais , Fatores de Tempo , Fator A de Crescimento do Endotélio Vascular/metabolismoRESUMO
The identification of markers predicting the response to therapy is of the utmost importance in oncology. Several authors have suggested that increased levels of glutathione (GSH) and glutathione S-transferase (GST) activity might be meaningful predictors of poor responsiveness to chemotherapy in several human cancers, but the biological assays have not been standardised and published studies show conflicting evidence. The aim of the present study was to select a validated panel of tests to assess the GST/GSH system in a clinical setting. Matched blood and tissue samples (normal and malignant) from 52 cancer patients with either non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) or head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (SCCHN) were investigated. GSH levels and GST activity were higher in cancer tissues than in matched normal tissues in both malignancies. The difference was statistically significant in NSCLC (P=0.0004 and P=0.0002, for GSH and GST, respectively) and borderline in SCCHN (P=0.03 and P=0.02, for GSH and GST, respectively). Moreover a strong correlation was found between the GSH level in whole blood and GST activity in cancer tissue in both malignancies (P=0.003, r=0.53 in NSCLC, P<0.0001, r=0.89 in SCCHN). In conclusion, reliable and robust methods for routine use in tissue extracts and in whole blood have been validated. Our finding regarding the GSH level in blood indicates that circulating GSH could have a clinical relevance as a surrogate marker of GST activity in tumour tissue.