Olaparib plus Durvalumab, with or without Bevacizumab, as Treatment in PARP Inhibitor-Naïve Platinum-Sensitive Relapsed Ovarian Cancer: A Phase II Multi-Cohort Study.

PURPOSE: Early results from the phase II MEDIOLA study (NCT02734004) in germline BRCA1- and/or BRCA2-mutated (gBRCAm) platinum-sensitive relapsed ovarian cancer (PSROC) showed promising efficacy and safety with olaparib plus durvalumab. We report efficacy and safety of olaparib plus durvalumab in an expansion cohort of women with gBRCAm PSROC (gBRCAm expansion doublet cohort) and two cohorts with non-gBRCAm PSROC, one of which also received bevacizumab (non-gBRCAm doublet and triplet cohorts). PATIENTS AND METHODS: In this open-label, multicenter study, PARP inhibitor-naïve patients received olaparib plus durvalumab treatment until disease progression; the non-gBRCAm triplet cohort also received bevacizumab. Primary endpoints were objective response rate (ORR; gBRCAm expansion doublet cohort), disease control rate (DCR) at 24 weeks (non-gBRCAm cohorts), and safety (all cohorts). RESULTS: The full analysis and safety analysis sets comprised 51, 32, and 31 patients in the gBRCAm expansion doublet, non-gBRCAm doublet, and non-gBRCAm triplet cohorts, respectively. ORR was 92.2% [95% confidence interval (CI), 81.1-97.8] in the gBRCAm expansion doublet cohort (primary endpoint); DCR at 24 weeks was 28.1% (90% CI, 15.5-43.9) in the non-gBRCAm doublet cohort (primary endpoint) and 74.2% (90% CI, 58.2-86.5) in the non-gBRCAm triplet cohort (primary endpoint). Grade ≥ 3 adverse events were reported in 47.1%, 65.6%, and 61.3% of patients in the gBRCAm expansion doublet, non-gBRCAm doublet, and non-gBRCAm triplet cohorts, respectively, most commonly anemia. CONCLUSIONS: Olaparib plus durvalumab continued to show notable clinical activity in women with gBRCAm PSROC. Olaparib plus durvalumab with bevacizumab demonstrated encouraging clinical activity in women with non-gBRCAm PSROC. No new safety signals were identified.

Research trend in Sustainable Development Goals reporting: a systematic literature review.

This paper examines the common themes delivered in studies on corporate reporting in relation to Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Articles of the aforesaid studies were mostly acquired from Scopus and Web of Science (WoS) archives from year 2015 to 2022 in which the contents were carefully reviewed for selection. To systematise the literature, PRISMA 2020 statement is used. Descriptive analysis reveals an increase in publications on corporate SDG reporting, although most are focused on developed nations. The analysis also shows a scarcity of studies on the consumer goods, agricultural, fishery, and forestry sectors. Furthermore, current studies have yet to adopt a qualitative or mixed-method approach. There are fundamentally six themes that emerged from the review of literature-the degree of SDG engagement, the quality of SDG reporting, the determining factor in SDG reporting mechanism, the consequences of SDG reporting, the legitimisation approaches, as well as the institutional/stakeholder pressure. For determinants of SDG reporting, it is observed that environmental governance is not explored. This paper identifies the least addressed SDGs that businesses can focus on to accelerate their SDG contribution rate. This paper guides future research and informs decision-making by organisations and stakeholders interested in promoting sustainable development through SDG reporting.

Phase I study to assess the effect of adavosertib (AZD1775) on the pharmacokinetics of substrates of CYP1A2, CYP2C19, and CYP3A in patients with advanced solid tumors.

PURPOSE: Adavosertib may alter exposure to substrates of the cytochrome P450 (CYP) family of enzymes. This study assessed its effect on the pharmacokinetics of a cocktail of probe substrates for CYP3A (midazolam), CYP2C19 (omeprazole), and CYP1A2 (caffeine). METHODS: Period 1: patients with locally advanced or metastatic solid tumors received 'cocktail': caffeine 200 mg, omeprazole 20 mg, and midazolam 2 mg (single dose); period 2: after 7- to 14-day washout, patients received adavosertib 225 mg twice daily on days 1-3 (five doses), with cocktail on day 3. After cocktail alone or in combination with adavosertib administration, 24-h pharmacokinetic sampling occurred for probe substrates and their respective metabolites paraxanthine, 5-hydroxyomeprazole (5-HO), and 1'-hydroxymidazolam (1'-HM). Safety was assessed throughout. RESULTS: Of 33 patients (median age 60.0 years, range 41-83) receiving cocktail, 30 received adavosertib. Adavosertib co-administration increased caffeine, omeprazole, and midazolam exposure by 49%, 80%, and 55% (AUC0-12), respectively; AUC0-t increased by 61%, 98%, and 55%. Maximum plasma drug concentration (Cmax) increased by 4%, 46%, and 39%. Adavosertib co-administration increased 5-HO and 1'-HM exposure by 43% and 54% (AUC0-12) and 49% and 58% (AUC0-t), respectively; paraxanthine exposure was unchanged. Adavosertib co-administration decreased Cmax for paraxanthine and 5-HO by 19% and 7%; Cmax increased by 33% for 1'-HM. After receiving adavosertib, 19 (63%) patients had treatment-related adverse events (six [20%] grade ≥ 3). CONCLUSION: Adavosertib (225 mg bid) is a weak inhibitor of CYP1A2, CYP2C19, and CYP3A. CLINICALTRIALS: GOV: NCT03333824.

Adavosertib (AZD1775) does not prolong the QTc interval in patients with advanced solid tumors: a phase I open-label study.

PURPOSE: Adavosertib is a small-molecule, ATP-competitive inhibitor of Wee1 kinase. Molecularly targeted oncology agents have the potential to increase the risk of cardiovascular events, including prolongation of QT interval and associated cardiac arrhythmias. This study investigated the effect of adavosertib on the QTc interval in patients with advanced solid tumors. METHODS: Eligible patients were ≥ 18 years of age with advanced solid tumors for which no standard therapy existed. Patients received adavosertib 225 mg twice daily on days 1-2 at 12-h intervals and once on day 3. Patients underwent digital 12-lead electrocardiogram and pharmacokinetic assessments pre-administration and time-matched assessments during the drug administration period. The relationship between maximum plasma drug concentration (Cmax) and baseline-adjusted corrected QT interval by Fridericia (QTcF) was estimated using a prespecified linear mixed-effects model. RESULTS: Twenty-one patients received adavosertib. Concentration-QT modeling of ΔQTcF and the upper limit of the 90% confidence interval corresponding to the geometric mean of Cmax observed on days 1 and 3 were below the threshold for regulatory concern (not > 10 ms). No significant relationship between ΔQTcF (vs baseline) and adavosertib concentration was identified (P = 0.27). Pharmacokinetics and the adverse event (AE) profile were consistent with previous studies at this dose. Eleven (52.4%) patients experienced 17 treatment-related AEs in total, including diarrhea and nausea (both reported in six [28.6%] patients), vomiting (reported in two [9.5%] patients), anemia, decreased appetite, and constipation (all reported in one [4.8%] patient). CONCLUSION: Adavosertib does not have a clinically important effect on QTc prolongation. CLINICALTRIALS: GOV: NCT03333824.

Olaparib and durvalumab in patients with relapsed small cell lung cancer (MEDIOLA): An open-label, multicenter, phase 1/2, basket study.

INTRODUCTION: Preclinical studies have demonstrated increased efficacy with combined DNA damage response inhibition and immune checkpoint blockade compared with either alone. We assessed olaparib in combination with durvalumab in patients with relapsed small cell lung cancer (SCLC). METHODS: Patients with previously treated limited or extensive-stage SCLC received oral olaparib 300 mg twice daily, as run-in for 4 weeks, then with durvalumab (1500 mg intravenously every 4 weeks) until disease progression. Primary endpoints were safety, tolerability, and 12-week disease control rate (DCR). Secondary endpoints included 28-week DCR, objective response rate (ORR), duration of response, progression-free survival, overall survival, change in tumor size, and programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) expression subgroup analyses. RESULTS: Forty patients were enrolled and analyzed for safety; 38 were analyzed for efficacy. Eleven patients (28.9% [90% confidence interval (CI), 17.2-43.3]) had disease control at 12 weeks. ORR was 10.5% (95% CI, 2.9-24.8). Median progression-free and overall survival were 2.4 (95% CI, 0.9-3.0)months and 7.6(95% CI, 5.6-8.8)months, respectively. The most common adverse events (≥40.0%) were anemia, nausea, and fatigue. Grade ≥ 3 adverse events occurred in 32 patients (80.0%). PD-L1 levels, tumor mutational burden, and other genetic mutations were evaluated, but no significant correlations with clinical outcomes wereobserved. CONCLUSIONS: Tolerability of olaparib with durvalumab was consistent with the safety profile of each agent alone. Although the 12-week DCR did not meet the prespecified target (60%), four patients responded, and median overall survival was promising for a pretreated SCLC population. Further analyses are required to identify patients most likely to benefit from this treatment approach.

Overall Survival With Maintenance Olaparib at a 7-Year Follow-Up in Patients With Newly Diagnosed Advanced Ovarian Cancer and a BRCA Mutation: The SOLO1/GOG 3004 Trial.

PURPOSE: In SOLO1/GOG 3004 (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT01844986), maintenance therapy with the poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase inhibitor olaparib provided a sustained progression-free survival benefit in patients with newly diagnosed advanced ovarian cancer and a BRCA1 and/or BRCA2 (BRCA) mutation. We report overall survival (OS) after a 7-year follow-up, a clinically relevant time point and the longest follow-up for any poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase inhibitor in the first-line setting. METHODS: This double-blind phase III trial randomly assigned patients with newly diagnosed advanced ovarian cancer and a BRCA mutation in clinical response to platinum-based chemotherapy to maintenance olaparib (n = 260) or placebo (n = 131) for up to 2 years. A prespecified descriptive analysis of OS, a secondary end point, was conducted after a 7-year follow-up. RESULTS: The median duration of treatment was 24.6 months with olaparib and 13.9 months with placebo, and the median follow-up was 88.9 and 87.4 months, respectively. The hazard ratio for OS was 0.55 (95% CI, 0.40 to 0.76; P = .0004 [P < .0001 required to declare statistical significance]). At 7 years, 67.0% of olaparib patients versus 46.5% of placebo patients were alive, and 45.3% versus 20.6%, respectively, were alive and had not received a first subsequent treatment (Kaplan-Meier estimates). The incidence of myelodysplastic syndrome and acute myeloid leukemia remained low, and new primary malignancies remained balanced between treatment groups. CONCLUSION: Results indicate a clinically meaningful, albeit not statistically significant according to prespecified criteria, improvement in OS with maintenance olaparib in patients with newly diagnosed advanced ovarian cancer and a BRCA mutation and support the use of maintenance olaparib to achieve long-term remission in this setting; the potential for cure may also be enhanced. No new safety signals were observed during long-term follow-up.

Investigations on the new mechanism of action for acetaldehyde-induced clastogenic effects in human lung fibroblasts.

Acetaldehyde (AA) has been classified as a probable human carcinogen by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC, WHO) and by the US Environmental Protection Agency due to its ability to cause tumours following inhalation or alcohol consumption in animals. Humans are constantly exposed to AA through inhalation from the environment through cigarette smoke, vehicle fumes and industrial emissions as well as by persistent alcohol ingestion. Individuals with deficiencies in the enzymes that are involved in the metabolism of AA are more susceptible to its toxicity and constitute a vulnerable human population. Studies have shown that AA induces DNA damage and cytogenetic abnormalities. A study was undertaken to elucidate the clastogenic effects induced by AA and any preceding DNA damage that occurs in normal human lung fibroblasts as this will further validate the detrimental effects of inhalation exposure to AA. AA exposure induced DNA damage, involving DNA double strand breaks, which could possibly occur at the telomeric regions as well, resulting in a clastogenic effect and subsequent genomic instability, which contributed to the cell cycle arrest. The clastogenic effect induced by AA in human lung fibroblasts was evidenced by micronuclei induction and chromosomal aberrations, including those at the telomeric regions. Co-localisation between the DNA double strand breaks and telomeric regions was observed, suggesting possible induction of DNA double strand breaks due to AA exposure at the telomeric regions as a new mechanism beyond the clastogenic effect of AA. From the cell cycle profile following AA exposure, a G2/M phase arrest and a decrease in cell viability were also detected. Therefore, these effects due to AA exposure via inhalation may have implications in the development of carcinogenesis in humans.

Comparison of Whole-Body MRI, CT, and Bone Scintigraphy for Response Evaluation of Cancer Therapeutics in Metastatic Breast Cancer to Bone.

Background CT and bone scintigraphy have limitations in evaluating systemic anticancer therapy (SACT) response in bone metastases from metastatic breast cancer (MBC). Purpose To evaluate whether whole-body MRI enables identification of progressive disease (PD) earlier than CT and bone scintigraphy in bone-only MBC. Materials and Methods This prospective study evaluated participants with bone-only MBC between May 2016 and January 2019 (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT03266744). Participants were enrolled at initiation of first or subsequent SACT based on standard CT and bone scintigraphy imaging. Baseline whole-body MRI was performed within 2 weeks of entry; those with extraosseous disease were excluded. CT and whole-body MRI were performed every 12 weeks until definitive PD was evident with one or both modalities. In case of PD, bone scintigraphy was used to assess for bone disease progression. Radiologists independently interpreted images from CT, whole-body MRI, or bone scintigraphy and were blinded to results with the other modalities. Systematic differences in performance between modalities were analyzed by using the McNemar test. Results Forty-five participants (mean age, 60 years ± 13 [standard deviation]; all women) were evaluated. Median time on study was 36 weeks (range, 1-120 weeks). Two participants were excluded because of unequivocal evidence of liver metastases at baseline whole-body MRI, two participants were excluded because they had clinical progression before imaging showed PD, and one participant was lost to follow-up. Of the 33 participants with PD at imaging, 67% (22 participants) had PD evident at whole-body MRI only and 33% (11 participants) had PD at CT and whole-body MRI concurrently; none had PD at CT only (P < .001, McNemar test). There was only slight agreement between whole-body MRI and CT (Cohen κ, 0.15). PD at bone scintigraphy was reported in 50% of participants (13 of 26) with bone progression at CT and/or whole-body MRI (P < .001, McNemar test). Conclusion Whole-body MRI enabled identification of progressive disease before CT in most participants with bone-only metastatic breast cancer. Progressive disease at bone scintigraphy was evident in only half of participants with bone progression at whole-body MRI. © RSNA, 2020 Online supplemental material is available for this article.

Effect of food on the pharmacokinetics of the WEE1 inhibitor adavosertib (AZD1775) in patients with advanced solid tumors.

PURPOSE: To support future dosing recommendations, the effect of food on the pharmacokinetics of adavosertib, a first-in-class, small-molecule reversible inhibitor of WEE1 kinase, was assessed in patients with advanced solid tumors. METHODS: In this Phase I, open-label, randomized, two-period, two-sequence crossover study, the pharmacokinetics of a single 300 mg adavosertib dose were investigated in fed versus fasted states. RESULTS: Compared with the fasted state, a high-fat, high-calorie meal (fed state) decreased adavosertib maximum plasma concentration (Cmax) by 16% and systemic exposure (area under the plasma concentration-time curve [AUC]) by 6%; AUC0-t decreased by 7% and time to maximum plasma concentration was delayed by 1.97 h (P = 0.0009). The 90% confidence interval of the geometric least-squares mean treatment ratio for AUC and AUC0-t was contained within the no-effect limits (0.8-1.25), while that of Cmax crossed the lower bound of the no-effect limits. Adverse events (AEs) related to adavosertib treatment were reported by 20 (64.5%) of the 31 patients treated in this study. Grade ≥ 3 AEs were reported by four (12.9%) patients (one in the fed state, three in the fasted state); two of these AEs were considered treatment-related by the investigator. Three serious AEs were reported in three (9.7%) patients; these were not considered treatment-related. No patients discontinued because of treatment-related AEs, and no new safety signals were reported. CONCLUSION: A high-fat meal did not have a clinically relevant effect on the systemic exposure of adavosertib, suggesting that adavosertib can be administered without regard to meals.

6 versus 12 months of adjuvant trastuzumab for HER2-positive early breast cancer (PERSEPHONE): 4-year disease-free survival results of a randomised phase 3 non-inferiority trial.

BACKGROUND: Adjuvant trastuzumab significantly improves outcomes for patients with HER2-positive early breast cancer. The standard treatment duration is 12 months but shorter treatment could provide similar efficacy while reducing toxicities and cost. We aimed to investigate whether 6-month adjuvant trastuzumab treatment is non-inferior to the standard 12-month treatment regarding disease-free survival. METHODS: This study is an open-label, randomised phase 3 non-inferiority trial. Patients were recruited from 152 centres in the UK. We randomly assigned patients with HER2-positive early breast cancer, aged 18 years or older, and with a clear indication for chemotherapy, by a computerised minimisation process (1:1), to receive either 6-month or 12-month trastuzumab delivered every 3 weeks intravenously (loading dose of 8 mg/kg followed by maintenance doses of 6 mg/kg) or subcutaneously (600 mg), given in combination with chemotherapy (concurrently or sequentially). The primary endpoint was disease-free survival, analysed by intention to treat, with a non-inferiority margin of 3% for 4-year disease-free survival. Safety was analysed in all patients who received trastuzumab. This trial is registered with EudraCT (number 2006-007018-39), ISRCTN (number 52968807), and ClinicalTrials.gov (number NCT00712140). FINDINGS: Between Oct 4, 2007, and July 31, 2015, 2045 patients were assigned to 12-month trastuzumab treatment and 2044 to 6-month treatment (one patient was excluded because they were double randomised). Median follow-up was 5·4 years (IQR 3·6-6·7) for both treatment groups, during which a disease-free survival event occurred in 265 (13%) of 2043 patients in the 6-month group and 247 (12%) of 2045 patients in the 12-month group. 4-year disease-free survival was 89·4% (95% CI 87·9-90·7) in the 6-month group and 89·8% (88·3-91·1) in the 12-month group (hazard ratio 1·07 [90% CI 0·93-1·24], non-inferiority p=0·011), showing non-inferiority of the 6-month treatment. 6-month trastuzumab treatment resulted in fewer patients reporting severe adverse events (373 [19%] of 1939 patients vs 459 [24%] of 1894 patients, p=0·0002) or stopping early because of cardiotoxicity (61 [3%] of 1939 patients vs 146 [8%] of 1894 patients, p<0·0001). INTERPRETATION: We have shown that 6-month trastuzumab treatment is non-inferior to 12-month treatment in patients with HER2-positive early breast cancer, with less cardiotoxicity and fewer severe adverse events. These results support consideration of reduced duration trastuzumab for women at similar risk of recurrence as to those included in the trial. FUNDING: UK National Institute for Health Research, Health Technology Assessment Programme.

Integrated Pharmacodynamic Analysis Identifies Two Metabolic Adaption Pathways to Metformin in Breast Cancer.

Late-phase clinical trials investigating metformin as a cancer therapy are underway. However, there remains controversy as to the mode of action of metformin in tumors at clinical doses. We conducted a clinical study integrating measurement of markers of systemic metabolism, dynamic FDG-PET-CT, transcriptomics, and metabolomics at paired time points to profile the bioactivity of metformin in primary breast cancer. We show metformin reduces the levels of mitochondrial metabolites, activates multiple mitochondrial metabolic pathways, and increases 18-FDG flux in tumors. Two tumor groups are identified with distinct metabolic responses, an OXPHOS transcriptional response (OTR) group for which there is an increase in OXPHOS gene transcription and an FDG response group with increased 18-FDG uptake. Increase in proliferation, as measured by a validated proliferation signature, suggested that patients in the OTR group were resistant to metformin treatment. We conclude that mitochondrial response to metformin in primary breast cancer may define anti-tumor effect.

Management of hot flushes in UK breast cancer patients: clinician and patient perspectives.

INTRODUCTION: Menopausal problems are among the most prevalent and distressing problems following breast cancer treatment, with 70% women experiencing hot flushes and night sweats (HFNS). A working party was set up to support the development of new research into the management of these problems. METHODS: We conducted surveys to explore the need as perceived by women with breast cancer and establish current UK management practices. A patient survey was conducted through a charity, Breast Cancer Care, and a health professional survey via the UK Breast Intergroup. The HFNS Problem Rating Scale was used, as well as specific questions addressing the aims of the study. RESULTS: Six hundred and sixty-five patients responded and 185 health professionals. Twenty-eight percent women had considered stopping adjuvant endocrine treatment because of HFNS, yet 34% had never been asked about HFNS by any health professional. The most commonly offered interventions were SSRIs, such as venlafaxine, yet only 25% patients had been offered these drugs. Cognitive behavioural therapy was rarely suggested (2%) despite good evidence. DISCUSSION: This study shows a lack of coherence in the management of HFNS in breast cancer survivors, which may lead to reduced adherence to adjuvant therapy. There is an urgent need to develop guidelines to support management of HFNS after breast cancer.

The addition of whole-body magnetic resonance imaging to body computerised tomography alters treatment decisions in patients with metastatic breast cancer.

AIM: Accurate evaluation of distribution of disease and response to systemic anti-cancer therapy (SACT) is important in the optimal management of metastatic breast cancer. Whole-body magnetic resonance imaging (WB-MRI) has increased accuracy over computerised tomography of the chest, abdomen and pelvis (CT-CAP) for detecting liver and bone disease, but its effect on patient management is largely unexplored. This study investigates the effects of using WB-MRI alongside CT-CAP on SACT decisions in standard clinical practice for patients with metastatic breast cancer. METHODS: Metastatic breast cancer patients who had undergone WB-MRI within 14 d of CT-CAP were studied. Data on distribution and extent of disease and SACT response assessment from original WB-MRI and CT-CAP reports were compared. Contemporaneous medical records provided data on therapy decisions at each time point. RESULTS: Analyses were performed on 210 pairs of WB-MRI and CT-CAP in 101 patients. In 53.3% of episodes, WB-MRI reported additional sites of disease not reported on CT-CAP. Differences in SACT assessment were found in 28.0% of episodes, most commonly due to progressive disease (PD) on WB-MRI being reported as stable disease on CT-CAP (18.9%). Discordant SACT assessments were less common in first-line SACT than in subsequent lines of SACT (15.0% versus 41.6%; p = 0.0102). In 34.7% of episodes when SACT was changed, PD had been reported on WB-MRI only. CONCLUSIONS: SACT decisions in routine practice were altered by the use of WB-MRI. Further research is required to investigate whether earlier identification of PD by WB-MRI leads to improved patient outcomes.

Arterial input functions in dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging: which model performs best when assessing breast cancer response?

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the performance of six models of population arterial input function (AIF) in the setting of primary breast cancer and neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC). The ability to fit patient dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI (DCE-MRI) data, provide physiological plausible data and detect pathological response was assessed. METHODS: Quantitative DCE-MRI parameters were calculated for 27 patients at baseline and after 2 cycles of NAC for 6 AIFs. Pathological complete response detection was compared with change in these parameters from a reproduction cohort of 12 patients using the Bland-Altman approach and receiver-operating characteristic analysis. RESULTS: There were fewer fit failures pre-NAC for all models, with the modified Fritz-Hansen having the fewest pre-NAC (3.6%) and post-NAC (18.8%), contrasting with the femoral artery AIF (19.4% and 43.3%, respectively). Median transfer constant values were greatest for the Weinmann function and also showed greatest reductions with treatment (-68%). Reproducibility (r) was the lowest for the Weinmann function (r = -49.7%), with other AIFs ranging from r = -27.8 to -39.2%. CONCLUSION: Using the best performing AIF is essential to maximize the utility of quantitative DCE-MRI parameters in predicting response to NAC treatment. Applying our criteria, the modified Fritz-Hansen and cosine bolus approximated Parker AIF models performed best. The Fritz-Hansen and biexponential approximated Parker AIFs performed less well, and the Weinmann and femoral artery AIFs are not recommended. ADVANCES IN KNOWLEDGE: We demonstrate that using the most appropriate AIF can aid successful prediction of response to NAC in breast cancer.

Assessing response in breast cancer with dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging: are signal intensity-time curves adequate?

Quantitative DCE-MRI parameters including K(trans) (transfer constant min(-1)) can predict both response and outcome in breast cancer patients treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC). Quantitative methods are time-consuming to calculate, requiring expensive software and interpretive expertise. For diagnostic purposes, signal intensity-time curves (SITCs) are used for tissue characterisation. In this study, we compare the ability of NAC-related changes in SITCs with K(trans) to predict response and outcomes. 73 women with primary breast cancer underwent DCE-MRI studies before and after two cycles of NAC. Patients received anthracycline and/or docetaxel-based chemotherapy. At completion of NAC, patients had local treatment with surgery & radiotherapy and further systemic treatments. SITCs for paired DCE-MRI studies were visually scored using a five-curve type classification schema encompassing wash-in and wash-out phases and correlated with K(trans) values and to the endpoints of pathological response, OS and DFS. 58 paired patients studies were evaluable. The median size by MRI measurement for 52 tumours was 38 mm (range 17-86 mm) at baseline and 26 mm (range 10-85 mm) after two cycles of NAC. Median baseline K(trans) (min(-1)) was 0.214 (range 0.085-0.469), and post-two cycles of NAC was 0.128 (range 0.013-0.603). SITC shapes were significantly related to K(trans) values both before (χ (2) = 43.3, P = 0.000) and after two cycles of NAC (χ (2) = 60.5, P = 0.000). Changes in curve shapes were significantly related to changes in K(trans) (χ (2) = 53.5, P = 0.000). Changes in curve shape were significantly correlated with clinical (P = 0.005) and pathological response (P = 0.005). Reductions in curve shape of ≥1 point were significant for overall improved survival using Kaplan-Meier analysis with a 5-year OS of 80.9 versus 68.6 % (P = 0.048). SITCs require no special software to generate and provide a useful method of assessing the effectiveness of NAC for primary breast cancer.

Use of dynamic contrast-enhanced MR imaging to predict survival in patients with primary breast cancer undergoing neoadjuvant chemotherapy.

PURPOSE: To investigate whether early changes in vascular parameters determined with dynamic contrast material-enhanced magnetic resonance (MR) imaging after two cycles of neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) are predictive of disease-free and overall survival in primary breast cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Institutional ethics approval and informed consent were obtained. Patients with primary breast cancer (median age, 45 years; age range, 22-70 years) recruited from January 2001 to September 2008 underwent dynamic contrast-enhanced MR imaging before and after two cycles of NAC. Quantitative and semiquantitative kinetic parameters were calculated, including the volume transfer constant (K(trans)) and the initial area under the gadolinium concentration-time curve over 60 seconds (IAUGC(60)). Cut points optimized to the receiver operating characteristic curve were used to dichotomize MR imaging data for Kaplan-Meier survival analysis. MR imaging parameters and known prognostic indicators in primary breast cancer were correlated with disease-free and overall survival by using the Cox proportional hazards model for univariate and multivariate analyses. RESULTS: MR imaging was performed before (n = 62) and after (n = 58) two cycles of NAC. The median follow-up time was 43.9 months for disease-free survival and 60.3 months for overall survival. There were 28 recurrences; 26 patients had distant metastases (two had additional local recurrence) and two had local recurrence only. There were 20 deaths, all of which were related to breast cancer. At univariate analysis, progesterone receptor status, the type of surgery performed, higher posttreatment K(trans) (P = .048), and larger posttreatment IAUGC(60) (P = .035) were significant predictors of worse disease-free survival. At multivariate analysis, progesterone receptor status (P = .002) and mean transit time (P = .025) were significant predictors of disease-free survival. Univariate analysis showed that clinical tumor stage (P = .005), progesterone receptor status (P = .025), and type of surgery performed (P = .017) were significant predictors of overall survival. Higher posttreatment K(trans) (P = .043), larger IAUGC(60) (P = .029), and larger tumor size at posttreatment MR imaging were predictive of worse overall survival (P = .018). Of these variables, K(trans) remained an independent indicator of overall survival (P = .038). CONCLUSION: Higher posttreatment tumor vascularization as depicted with dynamic contrast-enhanced MR imaging may be associated with higher recurrence and lower survival rates. Dynamic contrast-enhanced MR imaging parameters, in conjunction with traditional prognostic factors, have the potential to be prognostic biomarkers for disease-free and overall survival in primary breast cancer.

Vascular characterisation of triple negative breast carcinomas using dynamic MRI.

OBJECTIVES: Triple-negative (ER-/PR-/HER2-) breast carcinomas (TNBC) are aggressive tumours with underexplored imaging features. This study investigates whether their vascular characteristics as assessed by dynamic contrast-enhanced (DCE) and dynamic susceptibility contrast-enhanced (DSC) MRI are distinct from the prognostically more favourable ER+/PR+/HER2- cancers. METHODS: Patients with primary breast cancer underwent MRI before neoadjuvant chemotherapy and were identified as ER-/PR-/HER2- or ER+/PR+/HER2- from core biopsy specimens. MRI parameters reflecting tissue perfusion, permeability, and extracellular leakage space were measured. Values for inflow transfer constant (K(trans)), outflow rate constant (k(ep)), leakage space (v(e)), area under the gadolinium curve (IAUGC(60) ), relative blood volume (rBV) and flow (rBF), and Mean Transit Time (MTT) were compared across receptor status and with known prognostic variables. RESULTS: Thirty seven patients were assessable in total (16 ER-/PR-/HER2-, 21 ER+/PR+/HER2-). Lower v(e) (p = 0.001), shorter MTT (p = 0.007) and higher k(ep) values (p = 0.044) were observed in TNBC. v(e) was lower across all T stages, node-negative (p = 0.004) and low-grade TNBC (p = 0.037). v(e) was the best predictor of triple negativity (ROC AUC 0.80). CONCLUSIONS: TNBC possess characteristic features on imaging, with lower extracellular space (higher cell density) and higher contrast agent wash-out rate (higher vascular permeability) suggesting a distinctive phenotype detectable by MRI.

Primary human breast adenocarcinoma: imaging and histologic correlates of intrinsic susceptibility-weighted MR imaging before and during chemotherapy.

PURPOSE: To investigate the histopathologic and dynamic magnetic resonance (MR) imaging correlates of intrinsic susceptibility-weighted (ISW) MR imaging in patients with primary human breast adenocarcinoma and to assess the relationship between baseline transverse relaxation rate (R2*) and T2* relaxivity change (ΔR2*) and the response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Institutional ethics approval and informed consent were obtained. Between September 2001 and January 2008, 83 women (median age, 46 years; age range, 26-72 years) with breast cancer were recruited to undergo dynamic contrast medium-enhanced (DCE), dynamic susceptibility contrast-enhanced (DSC), and ISW MR imaging before and after two cycles of NAC. After excluding necrotic, infiltrating, and invasive lobular carcinomas, 31 patients were available for baseline assessment and 27 were available for response assessment. Transfer constant, leakage space, rate constant, initial area under the gadolinium concentration-time curve at 60 seconds, relative blood volume (rBV), relative blood flow (rBF), and R2* were calculated. Relationships between baseline R2* and histopathologic variables (tumor grade, estrogen receptor status, progesterone receptor status, human epidermal growth factor 2 status), tumor size, and dynamic MR imaging parameters were sought. Baseline adenocarcinoma R2* (n = 31) and ΔR2* (n = 27) were correlated with final pathologic response. RESULTS: Inverse correlations between baseline R2* and rBV (ρ = -0.48, P = .013) and rBF (ρ = -0.44, P = .024) were found, but not after NAC. No relationships were observed between baseline R2* and other kinetic imaging parameters, histopathologic characteristics, or tumor size (P > .05). Baseline R2* values were lower in tumors than in normal breast tissue (31.8 sec(-1) vs 36.2 sec(-1), P = .017) but not after NAC. Increases in R2* were observed after treatment (31.1 sec(-1) vs 34.8 sec(-1), P = .006), with larger increases correlating with pathologic response. ΔR2* was not as effective as DCE or DSC MR imaging parameters in the prediction of response. CONCLUSION: R2* is influenced by blood volume in untreated breast adenocarcinomas. Increases in R2* after two cycles of NAC correlate with pathologic response. Therapy-induced uncoupling of the relationship between R2* and rBV and rBF is consistent with responding tumors becoming hypoxic early during treatment. SUPPLEMENTAL MATERIAL: http://radiology.rsna.org/lookup/suppl/doi:10.1148/radiol.10100421/-/DC1.