A prospective genome-wide study of prostate cancer metastases reveals association of wnt pathway activation and increased cell cycle proliferation with primary resistance to abiraterone acetate-prednisone.

Background: Genomic aberrations have been identified in metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC), but molecular predictors of resistance to abiraterone acetate/prednisone (AA/P) treatment are not known. Patients and methods: In a prospective clinical trial, mCRPC patients underwent whole-exome sequencing (n = 82) and RNA sequencing (n = 75) of metastatic biopsies before initiating AA/P with the objective of identifying genomic alterations associated with resistance to AA/P. Primary resistance was determined at 12 weeks of treatment using criteria for progression that included serum prostate-specific antigen measurement, bone and computerized tomography imaging and symptom assessments. Acquired resistance was determined using the end point of time to treatment change (TTTC), defined as time from enrollment until change in treatment from progressive disease. Associations of genomic and transcriptomic alterations with primary resistance were determined using logistic regression, Fisher's exact test, single and multivariate analyses. Cox regression models were utilized for determining association of genomic and transcriptomic alterations with TTTC. Results: At 12 weeks, 32 patients in the cohort had progressed (nonresponders). Median study follow-up was 32.1 months by which time 58 patients had switched treatments due to progression. Median TTTC was 10.1 months (interquartile range: 4.4-24.1). Genes in the Wnt/ß-catenin pathway were more frequently mutated and negative regulators of Wnt/ß-catenin signaling were more frequently deleted or displayed reduced mRNA expression in nonresponders. Additionally, mRNA expression of cell cycle regulatory genes was increased in nonresponders. In multivariate models, increased cell cycle proliferation scores (≥ 50) were associated with shorter TTTC (hazard ratio = 2.11, 95% confidence interval: 1.17-3.80; P = 0.01). Conclusions: Wnt/ß-catenin pathway activation and increased cell cycle progression scores can serve as molecular markers for predicting resistance to AA/P therapy.

N0332 phase 2 trial of weekly irinotecan hydrochloride and docetaxel in refractory metastatic breast cancer: a North Central Cancer Treatment Group (NCCTG) Trial.

BACKGROUND: Because of the single-agent activity of irinotecan hydrochloride, combination of irinotecan and docetaxel treatment against metastatic breast cancer (MBC) should be evaluated. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Single-stage phase 2 study of irinotecan and docetaxel to evaluate tumor response, toxicity, time to progression, and overall survival was carried out. Regimen of docetaxel (25 mg/m(2)) and irinotecan (70 mg/m(2)) was administered on days 1 and 8 of each 3-week cycle. Patients had histologically confirmed breast adenocarcinoma and metastatic cancer measurable with RECIST. RESULTS: Of 70 patients enrolled, 64 were assessable. Prior treatment with an anthracycline and a taxane was required. Eighteen (28%) patients [95% confidence interval (CI) 15% to 31%] had tumor response, plus four patients had stable disease (less than 30% decrease in sum of longest diameter and less than 20% increase) for >6 months. The clinical benefit rate was 34% overall. Median duration of tumor response was 6.7 months (95% CI 4.2-37.7 months); median follow-up was 18.6 months (range 8.5-37.7 months). The most common severe adverse events included fatigue [n = 16 (25%)] and neutropenia [n = 13 (20%)]. CONCLUSIONS: Weekly dosing of combination of irinotecan and docetaxel is active against MBC. However, the response rate to our regimen was not significantly better than single-agent docetaxel. Other schedules of irinotecan plus docetaxel should be considered for future studies.

North Central Cancer Treatment Group (NCCTG) N0432: phase II trial of docetaxel with capecitabine and bevacizumab as first-line chemotherapy for patients with metastatic breast cancer.

BACKGROUND: Docetaxel (T; Taxotere) with capecitabine (X) is active against metastatic breast cancer (MBC); bevacizumab (BV) has demonstrated efficacy with taxanes in the first-line setting. This study was conducted to assess the safety and efficacy of TX-BV in patients with MBC. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In this single-arm, multicenter phase II study, patients received first-line bevacizumab 15 mg/kg and docetaxel 75 mg/m(2) on day 1 and capecitabine 825 mg/m(2) twice per day on days 1-14 every 21 days. Primary and secondary end points were tumor response rate (RR), overall survival (OS), progression-free survival (PFS), and toxicity. RESULTS: A total of 45 assessable patients received TX-BV for a median of seven cycles. Two complete and 20 partial responses were observed (overall RR 49%); nine patients had stable disease >6 months, for a clinical benefit rate of 69%. Median response duration was 11.8 months. Median OS and PFS were 28.4 and 11.1 months, respectively. Grade 3/4 adverse events included hand-foot syndrome (29%), fatigue (20%), febrile neutropenia (18%), and diarrhea (18%). In cycles 3-10, median dose levels of docetaxel and capecitabine were 60 mg/m(2) and 660 mg/m(2), respectively. CONCLUSION: TX-BV demonstrated significant activity; dose modifications were required to manage drug-related toxic effects.

A phase II trial of a combination of pemetrexed and gemcitabine in patients with metastatic breast cancer: an NCCTG study.

PURPOSE: This phase II study was undertaken to define the efficacy and toxicity of pemetrexed in combination with gemcitabine in patients with metastatic breast cancer. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients with measurable metastatic breast cancer who had previously received an anthracycline and a taxane in either the adjuvant or metastatic setting were treated with gemcitabine 1250 mg/m2 (intravenous; days 1 and 8) and pemetrexed 500 mg/m2 (intravenous; day 8) every 21 days. RESULTS: Fifty-nine patients received a median of five cycles (range one to 22) of treatment and were followed until death or for a median of 28 months (range 19.4-36.6) among living patients. Fourteen partial responses for an overall response rate of 24% [95% confidence interval (CI) 16% to 39%] were documented. Nine (15%; CI 5% to 32%) patients had stable disease for >6 months. The median survival time was 10.3 months (95% CI 8.3-18.9) and the 1 year survival rate was 49% (95% CI 38% to 64%). The median time to progression was estimated to be 3.7 months (95% CI 2.3-5.3). The most common grade 3 or 4 toxicities were neutropenia and thrombocytopenia in 83% and 27% of patients, respectively. Fourteen percent of patients experienced febrile neutropenia. Other common grade 3 or 4 non-hematological toxicities included fatigue (17%), dyspnea (15%), rash (7%) and anorexia (5%). CONCLUSIONS: The combination of pemetrexed and gemcitabine is clinically active, with an overall response rate of 24% in patients with metastatic breast cancer who have previously been treated with an anthracycline and a taxane. Myelosuppression (66% grade 4 neutropenia and 14% febrile neutropenia) was the major treatment-related toxicity observed for this combination.

A preliminary study of serum concentrations of soluble epidermal growth factor receptor (sErbB1), gonadotropins, and steroid hormones in healthy men and women.

Soluble ErbB (sErbB) growth factor receptors are being investigated as cancer biomarkers. Gonadotropic and steroid hormones have been shown to modulate the expression of ERBB family members in vivo. Accordingly, the range of sErbB1 values and their relationship to gonadotropic and steroid hormones need to be established in healthy subjects to provide a baseline for future clinical studies. We assayed sera from healthy men and women to determine p110 sErbB1 concentrations by acridinium-linked immunosorbent assay (ALISA). Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), estradiol, and testosterone concentrations were measured using the ACS:180 Immunoassay Analyzer. Luteinizing hormone (LH) and progesterone concentrations were quantified using the Access Immunoassay System. Unadjusted for age, p110 sErbB1 concentrations in healthy men and women do not differ significantly. However, sErbB1 concentrations show a strong age-gender interaction, increasing with age in men but decreasing with age in women. Consequently, sErbB1 concentrations are significantly higher in premenopausal women compared with either postmenopausal women or age-matched men and in age-matched men compared with postmenopausal women. Serum sErbB1 concentrations show significant negative associations with both FSH and LH concentrations in healthy women and a significant positive association with FSH concentrations in healthy men. Univariate linear regression models show that these respective gonadotropic hormones and age are independent predictors of sErbB1 concentrations in men and women. Multivariate models show that when age and FSH and LH concentrations are mutually adjusted for each other, they account for 22% of the variability observed in sErbB1 concentrations in healthy women. These data support the hypothesis that gonadotropic and steroid hormones may modulate ERBB1 expression in vivo and suggest that age- and gonadotropin-adjusted sErbB1 concentrations may be of clinical utility. Furthermore, these data demonstrate that gender, age, menstrual cycle phase, menopausal status, and exogenous hormone use must be considered when using serum p110 sErbB1 concentrations as cancer biomarkers.

Radiotherapy for isolated serum prostate specific antigen elevation after prostatectomy for prostate cancer.

PURPOSE: Elevated serum prostate specific antigen (PSA) may be the initial and only indication of disease recurrence after prostatectomy for prostate cancer. External beam radiotherapy may be given in this setting in an attempt to eradicate the disease but therapeutic outcomes after this approach require further description. We describe the intermediate term outcome in a large group of patients treated with radiotherapy and identify pre-therapy factors associated with disease outcome. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively studied a cohort of 166 consecutive patients treated with radiotherapy between July 1987 and May 1996. The Kaplan-Meier method was used to describe patient outcome for the overall study group, and statistical associations of pre-therapy variables with outcome were sought to identify predictive factors. RESULTS: At a median followup of 52 months 46% (95% confidence interval 38 to 55) of patients were expected to be free of biochemical relapse 5 years after radiotherapy. Multivariate analysis identified pathological classification (seminal vesicle invasion), tumor grade and preradiotherapy serum PSA as independent factors associated with biochemical relapse. Although in 1 of 6 patients a chronic complication was attributed to radiotherapy, it was often mild and self-limited in nature. CONCLUSIONS: In our current series approximately half of the patients treated with radiotherapy for an isolated elevation of serum PSA after prostatectomy were free of biochemical relapse at 5 years of followup. Radiotherapy may be given in this setting with modest long-term morbidity.

A phase II study of paclitaxel plus carboplatin as first-line chemotherapy for women with metastatic breast carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: This Phase II multicenter study evaluated the efficacy and toxicity of paclitaxel (200 mg/m(2) by 3-hour infusion) with carboplatin (area under the curve 6 mg/mL per minute) administered every 3 weeks as first-line therapy for women with metastatic breast carcinoma. METHODS: Eligible patients had measurable metastatic disease and an Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status of 0-2. Prior adjuvant chemotherapy, including anthracycline-based therapy, was allowed, as was prior hormonal therapy as part of either adjuvant treatment or treatment for metastasis. Prior therapy with taxanes or platinum was not allowed. RESULTS: A total of 53 patients were enrolled in this study, with 50 patients evaluable for response and toxicity. The overall response rate was 62% (95% confidence interval ¿CI, 48-75%); 16% of patients had complete responses and 46% had partial responses. The median time to progression was 7.3 months (95% CI, 5.9-12.9), and the 12-month survival estimate was 72% (95% CI, 61-86%). Therapy was generally well tolerated. Grade 3-4 neutropenia was the predominant toxicity, observed in 82% of patients, but there were no episodes of febrile neutropenia or sepsis. Hematopoietic growth factors were not routinely necessary. Grade 3 peripheral neuropathy occurred in 16% of patients. CONCLUSIONS: Paclitaxel (200 mg/m(2)) with carboplatin (area under the curve 6 mg/mL per minute) demonstrated substantial efficacy in patients with metastatic breast carcinoma, and the 12-month survival rate of 72% was encouraging. This therapy represents a viable option for patients with metastatic disease.

The radial distance of extraprostatic extension of prostate carcinoma: implications for prostate brachytherapy.

BACKGROUND: Extraprostatic extension (EPE) is an unfavorable prognostic factor in patients with prostate carcinoma. Prior studies have reported the linear extent of EPE measured circumferentially along the edge of the prostate. In this study, the authors defined and evaluated a novel measure of EPE in a large series of radical prostatectomy specimens. These results have important clinical implications in the management of localized prostate carcinoma by brachytherapy and other modalities. METHODS: The authors reviewed the preoperative records and biopsy findings from 376 patients who underwent radical retropubic prostatectomy between September 1991 and June 1993. Whole mount radical prostatectomy specimens were examined, and the location of EPE for each specimen was recorded. The radial EPE distance was measured perpendicular to the edge of the prostate. For specimens with multiple EPE sites, the maximum radial EPE distance was recorded. Established eligibility criteria for prostate brachytherapy were evaluated using these results, with emphasis placed on achieving adequate radiation dose coverage 3-5 mm beyond the capsule or the edge of the prostate. RESULTS: EPE was identified in 105 of 376 specimens (28%) at 248 sites. The radial EPE distance in these specimens had a mean of 0.8 mm (range, 0.04-4.4 mm) and a median of 0.5 mm. Of these 105 patients, the median and mean preoperative prostate specific antigen (PSA) concentrations were 11.8 ng/mL and 17.9 ng/mL, respectively. The mean and range of the Gleason score and prostate volume for all specimens were 6.3 (range, 3-9) and 39 cc (range, 8-294 cc), respectively. In 107 patients who met the selection criteria for prostate brachytherapy eligibility of a PSA level < 10 ng/mL, Gleason score < 7, and gland volume < 60 cc, the maximum and mean radial EPE distances were 0.6 mm and 0.03 mm, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The radial distance of EPE is an important measure that influences treatment strategies for patients with localized prostate carcinoma. Currently described criteria for the treatment of early stage prostate carcinoma by brachytherapy alone appear satisfactory to ensure effective radiation dose coverage of EPE of prostate tumors. Treating the prostate with a 3-5 mm margin by brachytherapy would encompass all known tumor in approximately 99% of the specimens examined in this study.

A randomized, placebo-controlled trial of the safety and efficacy of oral ganciclovir for prophylaxis of cytomegalovirus disease in HIV-infected individuals. Terry Beirn Community Programs for Clinical Research on AIDS.

OBJECTIVE: Evaluate safety and efficacy of oral ganciclovir (GCV) for preventing cytomegalovirus (CMV) disease in HIV-infected persons at high risk for CMV disease. DESIGN: Double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized clinical trial in primary care clinics and private practice offices specializing in the care of people with HIV. Interventions were oral GCV (1000 mg three times/day) or placebo. Protocol amendment allowed switch to open-label oral GCV. Main outcome measures were confirmed CMV retinal or gastrointestinal mucosal disease, and death. The study enrolled 994 people co-infected with CMV and HIV, with at least one CD4 count recorded < 100 x 10(6) cells/l. RESULTS: At study completion (15 months median follow-up), CMV event rates in the oral GCV and control groups were 13.1 and 14.6 per 100 person years, respectively, a hazard ratio (HR) of 0.92 [95% confidence interval (CI), 0.65-1.27; P = 0.6]. At protocol amendment event rates were 12.7 and 15.0, respectively (HR, 0.85; 95% CI, 0.56-1.30; P = 0.45). At study completion, event rates for death were 26.6 and 32.0 (HR, 0.84; P = 0.09), and at protocol amendment were 18.9 and 19.6 (HR, 0.95; P = 0.78), respectively. At protocol amendment for the CMV endpoint, the oral GCV treatment effect was associated with baseline use of didanosine (ddI). For patients taking ddI at randomization, HR was 7.48 (P = 0.02). For patients not taking ddI, HR was 0.62 (P = 0.04). These HR were statistically different (P = 0.0006). CONCLUSIONS: In our study, 3 g/day oral GCV did not significantly reduce CMV disease incidence, but there was a suggestion of a death-rate reduction. Furthermore, results suggest that oral GVC decreased risk of CMV disease in patients not prescribed ddI, and increased risk in those prescribed ddI. For the CMV endpoint, our study differs markedly from the only similar study, although for the death endpoint, a combined analysis of studies indicated significant reduction in death rate.

Evidence for D4 receptor regulation of retinomotor movement in isolated teleost cone inner-outer segments.

In the retinas of teleost fish, cone photoreceptors change shape in response to light and circadian signals. They elongate in the dark, contract in the light, and under conditions of constant darkness undergo appropriate movements at expected dusk and dawn. Dopamine induces cones to contract, thus mimicking the effect of light or expected dawn. To identify the receptor subtype responsible for mediating dopamine regulation of cone retinomotor movements, we have carried out pharmacological studies using isolated fragments of teleost cones consisting of cone inner segments-cone outer segments (CIS-COS). Isolated CIS-COS retain the ability to elongate in dark culture and contract when subsequently exposed to light or dopamine. We report that dark-induced elongation of CIS-COS was inhibited by dopamine and its agonists with an effectiveness ranking of dopamine = quinpirole > bromocriptine >>> SKF-38393. After 60 min of elongation in dark culture, CIS-COS myoids contracted when subsequently cultured in the dark with dopamine or quinpirole. Quinpirole-induced inhibition of elongation and quinpirole-induced contraction were completely blocked by clozapine at 1 microM or by sulpiride at 100 microM. These effectiveness profiles for dopamine agonists and antagonists suggest that dopamine regulation of cone retinomotor movement is mediated by a D4-like receptor.

Exemplary data: sample size and power in the design of event-time clinical trials.

In planning a complex clinical trial with time to event as the outcome, it is difficult to derive the power of the test statistic analytically. In this paper we describe an algorithm for generating exemplary data from an alternative hypothesis that can be used to compute the expected value of a logrank test statistic and its power under that alternative. Exemplary data are nonrandomly computer-generated data that are constructed from a complex stochastic process and have desirable characteristics such as distributional moments similar to those of the process. An algorithm for generating exemplary timed events data is presented and its use in evaluating power for the planning of clinical trials demonstrated. These data represent "expectations" of outcome, data censoring, and censoring event times. A test statistic, z, such as the logrank can be computed from the data. It is distributed asymptotically, N(mu A, 1), under the alternative hypothesis and its value is used to estimate mu A and the power of the test for a given trial scenario. The results compare favorably to results from analytical methods and Monte Carlo simulations published in the literature. The advantages of the method lie in the degree of flexibility in study design, choice of models that describe the timing of events, and the range of testing methods that can be used. Although Monte Carlo methods may appear to have similar flexibility, the exemplary algorithm is more practical because only one data set need be analyzed and the modifications can be achieved without reprogramming.

Serum epoxide hydrolase (preneoplastic antigen) in human and experimental liver injury.

Reports of an increase in a serum epoxide hydrolase (sEH), immunochemically related to microsomal EH in humans and rats with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), suggested its use as a serum marker for this disease. We have now measured sEH levels (as either immunochemically determined content or enzyme activity) in a number of human and experimental models of liver disease. sEH was elevated above the normal range in at least 50% of individuals with HCC, including: 3 of 6 northern Californians; 4 of 7 Koreans with hepatitis B-associated HCC; hepatitis B-associated HCC in woodchucks; and male rats receiving chronic treatment with aflatoxin B1 or ciprofibrate. sEH was rarely elevated in other forms of chronic liver disease. Only 2 of 9 Koreans with hepatitis B-associated cirrhosis, 1 of 8 carriers, but none with chronic active hepatitis or infection with no apparent liver disease had elevated sEH. In addition, no elevations were found in woodchucks with noncancerous viral hepatitis. In aflatoxin B1- and M1-treated rats sEH was not elevated in those with only hyperplastic foci or hepatocellular adenomas, and in two rat initiation-promotion protocols sEH was elevated only in those rats which received the entire set of treatments. sEH was also increased during acute hepatotoxicity in rats treated with CCl4 or 1,2-dibromo-3-chloropropane. The mechanism of increase in sEH during hepatocarcinogenesis appears to be different from that of other markers of HCC, for in the Korean patients, there was no correlation between sEH concentrations and those of alpha-fetoprotein or ferritin, nor was there a correlation with alpha-fetoprotein concentrations in the aflatoxin-treated rats. Furthermore, the increase in sEH does not correlate with induction of microsomal EH in the liver of experimental animals. Studies to date indicate that sEH is selective for HCC and severe hepatonecrotic injury, and may be of some use in the diagnosis of HCC, particularly as a complement to other serum markers.

Immunochemical comparison of human and rhesus monkey liver microsomal and the hepatocellular carcinoma-induced human serum epoxide hydrolases (preneoplastic antigens): basis for an enzyme-linked immunoabsorbent assay.

An antibody (anti-EH) specific for microsomal epoxide hydrolase (mEH) from rhesus monkey liver has been used to test the immunochemical relationship between human liver mEH and the serum EH levels in human patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Immunoblots of separated rhesus monkey and human liver microsomal proteins revealed that anti-EH was selective for a single polypeptide band of similar mol. wt, approximately 49 kd, in both species. Anti-EH was also able to precipitate 100% of the activity for two substrates specific in the mouse for mEH, cis-stilbene oxide and benzo[a]-pyrene-4,5-oxide, in solubilized human liver microsomes. In contrast, only 20% of the microsomal trans-stilbene oxide hydrolase activity was precipitated under similar conditions, providing immunochemical evidence that a distinct EH, with substrate selectivity similar to the cytosolic EH, resides in human liver microsomes. Immunoprecipitation of serum from a patient with elevated EH activity resulted in total precipitation of cis-stilbene oxide hydrolase activity. An enzyme-linked immunoabsorbant assay (ELISA) was developed using anti-EH with detection limits of 1 ng/ml. A high correlation between the enzymatically and immunochemically determined levels of serum EH provided further evidence for the immunochemical similarity of human liver microsomal and serum EH. In addition, the ELISA was equally capable of identifying elevated serum EH in patients with HCC, and should prove invaluable in evaluating the effectiveness of serum EH levels as a marker for HCC.

Design for a fast fluorescence laser scanning microscope.

The design of a fast fluorescence laser scanning microscope is described and illustrated, with discussion of the design consideration of the principal components, including the optical elements. The system, now under construction at the Optical Sciences Center of the University of Arizona, is expected to provide very-high-speed scanning, at a high spatial sampling density, of large object areas while retaining a flexibility of applications. The projected scanning rate approximates the rate achieved by flow cytometry; the projected rates of information generation should be orders of magnitude higher.

Ultrafast laser scanner microscope: design and construction.

The design of an ultrafast laser scanner microscope has been completed, and an experimental model has been constructed. Details of the novel objective lens design, the automatic focus system, the high-speed polygon scanner and the fast clock system are given. Results from initial tolerance testing as well as the first recorded images are presented.