Hepatic Artery Infusion Chemotherapy for Primary and Secondary Malignancies of the Liver: State of the Art and Current High-Level Evidence.

BACKGROUND: Hepatic artery infusion chemotherapy (HAI) has been proposed as a valuable adjunct for multimodal therapy of primary and secondary liver malignancies. This review provides an overview of the currently available evidence of HAI, taking into account tumor response and long-term oncologic outcome. SUMMARY: In colorectal liver metastases (CRLM), HAI in combination with systemic therapy leads to high response rates (85-90%) and conversion to resectablity in primary unresectable disease in up to 50%. HAI in combination with systemic therapy in CRLM in the adjuvant setting shows promising long-term outcomes with up to 50% 10-year survival in a large, non-randomized single-center cohort. For hepatocellular carcinoma patients, response rates as high as 20-40% have been reported for HAI and long-term outcomes compare well to other therapies. Similarly, survival for patients with unresectable intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma 3 years after treatment with HAI is reported as high as 34%, which compares well to trials of systemic therapy where 3-year survival is usually below 5%. However, evidence is mainly limited by highly selected, heterogenous patient groups, and outdated chemotherapy regimens. The largest body of evidence stems from small, often non-randomized cohorts, predominantly from highly specialized single centers. KEY MESSAGE: In well-selected patients with primary and secondary liver malignancies, HAI might improve response rates and, possibly, long-term survival. Results of ongoing randomized trials will show whether a wider adoption of HAI is justified, particularly to increase rates of resectability in advanced malignant diseases confined to the liver.

Smartphone-Based Psychotherapeutic Interventions in Blended Care of Cancer Survivors: Nested Randomized Clinical Trial.

BACKGROUND: Cancer is related to not only physical but also mental suffering. Notably, body image disturbances are highly relevant to cancer-related changes often persisting beyond recovery from cancer. Scalable and low-barrier interventions that can be blended with face-to-face psychotherapy for cancer survivors are highly warranted. OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study is to investigate whether smartphone-based bodily interventions are more effective to improve the mood of patients with cancer than smartphone-based fairy tale interventions (control intervention). METHODS: We recruited patients with cancer in 2 Swiss hospitals and conducted daily, fully automated smartphone-based interventions 6 times a week for 5 consecutive weeks, blended with weekly face-to-face group body psychotherapy. We applied 2 types of smartphone-based interventions using a within-subject design, randomly assigning patients daily to either bodily interventions or fairy tales. Each intervention type was presented 3 times a week. For this secondary analysis, 3-level mixed models were estimated with mood assessed by the 3 Multidimensional Mood Questionnaire subscales for good-bad mood, wakefulness, and calmness as key indicators. In addition, the effects on experience of presence, vitality, and burden assessed with visual analog scales were investigated. RESULTS: Based on the data from s=732 interventions performed by 36 participants, good-bad mood improved (ß=.27; 95% CI 0.062-0.483), and participants became calmer (ß=.98; 95% CI 0.740-1.211) following smartphone-based interventions. Wakefulness did not significantly change from pre- to postsmartphone-based intervention (ß=.17; 95% CI -0.081 to 0.412). This was true for both intervention types. There was no interaction effect of intervention type with change in good-bad mood (ß=-.01; 95% CI -0.439 to 0.417), calmness (ß=.22; 95% CI -0.228 to 0.728), or wakefulness (ß=.14; 95% CI -0.354 to 0.644). Experience of presence (ß=.34; 95% CI 0.271-0.417) and vitality (ß=.35; 95% CI 0.268-0.426) increased from pre- to postsmartphone-based intervention, while experience of burden decreased (ß=-0.40; 95% CI -0.481 to 0.311). Again, these effects were present for both intervention types. There were no significant interaction effects of intervention type with pre- to postintervention changes in experience of presence (ß=.14; 95% CI -0.104 to 0.384), experience of vitality (ß=.06; 95% CI -0.152 to 0.265), and experience of burden (ß=-.16; 95% CI -0.358 to 0.017). CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that both smartphone-based audio-guided bodily interventions and fairy tales have the potential to improve the mood of cancer survivors. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03707548; https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT03707548. INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT IDENTIFIER (IRRID): RR2-10.1186/s40359-019-0357-1.

Apical pulmonary lesions suspected of malignancy visible on neck CT angiography performed for acute stroke: Prevalence, treatment, and clinical implications - the PLEURA study.

BACKGROUND: Computed tomography angiography (CTA) of the supraaortic arteries is commonly used for acute stroke workup and may reveal apical pulmonary lesions (APL). AIM: To determine the prevalence, follow-up algorithms, and in-hospital outcomes of stroke patients with APL on CTA. METHODS: We retrospectively included consecutive adult patients with ischemic stroke, transient ischemic attack, or intracerebral hemorrhage and available CTA at a tertiary hospital between January 2014 and May 2021. We reviewed all CTA reports for the presence of APL. APL were classified as malignancy suspicious or benign appearing based on radiological-morphological criteria. We performed regression analyses to investigate the impact of malignancy suspicious APL on different in-hospital outcome parameters. RESULTS: Among 2715 patients, APL on CTA were found in 161 patients (5.9% [95%CI: 5.1-6.9]; 161/2715). Suspicion of malignancy was present in one third of patients with APL (36.0% [95%CI: 29.0-43.7]; 58/161), 42 of whom (72.4% [95%CI: 60.0-82.2]; 42/58) had no history of lung cancer or metastases. When performed, further investigations confirmed primary or secondary pulmonary malignancy in three-quarters (75.0% [95%CI: 50.5-89.8]; 12/16), with two patients (16.7% [95%CI: 4.7-44.8]; 2/12) receiving de novo oncologic therapy. In multivariable regression, the presence of radiologically malignancy suspicious APL was associated with higher NIHSS scores at 24 h (beta = 0.67, 95%CI: 0.28-1.06, p = 0.001) and all-cause in-hospital mortality (aOR = 3.83, 95%CI: 1.29-9.94, p = 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: One in seventeen patients shows APL on CTA, of which one-third is malignancy suspicious. Further work-up confirmed pulmonary malignancy in a substantial number of patients triggering potentially life-saving oncologic therapy.

Changes of peripheral T cell subsets in melanoma patients with immune-related adverse events.

Introduction: Immunotherapies have improved the prognosis of many cancer patients including patients with advanced melanoma. Immune checkpoint receptors including CTLA-4 and PD-1 have been established as main therapeutic targets for immunotherapy of melanoma. Although monotherapy is effective in melanoma patients, a dual therapy approach has been shown to be most effective. Dual checkpoint blockade, however, increases substantially the risk for immune-related adverse events (irAEs). Methods: In this study, we characterized peripheral immune cell subsets in patients with anti-PD-1 monotherapy and with dual immune receptors blockade targeting PD-1 and CTLA-4. Results: We found differences in peripheral T cells between patients who developed severe immune-related side effects and patients with mild irAEs. We identified several mainly changes in CD8+ T cell subsets in patients with severe irAE under dual PD-1 and CTLA-4 blockade. Discussion: This work suggests that peripheral immune cell dynamics could be associated with severe immune-related side effects in patients receiving immune checkpoint inhibitors. These changes could be used as future biomarkers in early diagnosis of irAEs.

Group-based body psychotherapy improves appreciation of body awareness in post-treatment cancer patients: A non-randomized clinical trial.

Introduction: Cancer-related impairments often co-occur with bodily disturbances. Body psychotherapy (BPT) can improve bodily wellbeing, yet evidence in cancer survivors is scarce. Hence, we aimed to evaluate whether blended group BPT alleviates bodily disturbances in post-treatment cancer patients. Methods: We conducted a bi-center study (registered in ClinicalTrials.gov, under No. NCT03707548), applying a pre-post convergent parallel design of weekly group BPT interspersed with smartphone-based ambulatory interventions using a waiting-period comparator. We included patients with completed curatively intended treatment for malignant neoplasms, suffering from bodily disturbances. The primary outcome was body image disturbances. Secondary outcomes were experiencing and appreciating body awareness, mental wellbeing, and health-related quality of life. Results: Forty patients (mean age 51.7 years) attended group BPT. Mixed-effect linear regression models contrasting intervention with the waiting period did not show statistically significant differences regarding the primary outcome [Pre-post difference contrasts: 1.44, 95% confidence interval (CI): -1.51 to 4.93, p = 0.339]. However, patients showed greater improvements in appreciating body awareness, measured by the "Body Mindfulness Questionnaire" (BMQ), from pre- to post-intervention as compared to the waiting period (pre-post difference contrasts: 7.31 95% CI: 4.15-10.47, Bonferroni-Holm corrected q = 0.0002). Discussion: We found no evidence that blended group BPT was effective in improving body image disturbances in post-treatment cancer patients, but found indications for an increase in body awareness appreciation. Clinical trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov, identifier NCT03707548.

Patterns of care for relapsed oesophageal cancer after initial curative trimodality therapy: Long-term follow-up of the SAKK 75/08 trial.

BACKGROUND: Recurrent oesophageal cancer after the initial curative multimodality treatment is a disease condition with a poor prognosis. There is limited evidence on recurrence patterns and on the optimal therapeutic approach. METHODS: We analysed the pattern of disease recurrence and subsequent therapies in patients with recurrent oesophageal cancer based on prospectively collected data within a predefined subproject of the randomised phase 3 trial Swiss Group for Clinical Cancer Research (SAKK) 75/08. RESULTS: Among 300 patients included in the SAKK 75/08 trial, tumour recurrence was observed in 103 patients with a median follow-up of 5.8 years. Locoregional recurrence only was found in 26.2% of the patients, 21.4% of patients had both distant and locoregional recurrence and 52.4% of patients had distant recurrence only. Fifty-nine patients (58%) received at least one line of systemic therapy at recurrence, most commonly oxaliplatin-based combination therapies for adenocarcinoma and single-agent chemotherapy for squamous cell carcinoma. Local therapies, most commonly palliative radiotherapy, were used in 49 patients (48%). Six patients underwent a second curative resection or radiochemotherapy. We found no significant overall survival difference for isolated locoregional recurrence versus distant recurrence (15.1 versus 8.7 months, p = 0.167). In a multivariable Cox regression model, time from oesophagectomy to recurrence and the number of recurrence sites as well as the use of systemic therapy or a second curative local therapy significantly correlated with overall survival. CONCLUSIONS: Recurrent oesophageal cancer remains a disease with a poor prognosis and requires multidisciplinary management. A second curative approach for localised disease recurrence may be an option for highly selected patients.

High thromboembolic event rate in patients with locally advanced oesophageal cancer during neoadjuvant therapy. An exploratory analysis of the prospective, randomised intergroup phase III trial SAKK 75/08.

BACKGROUND: High rates of venous thromboembolic events (VTEs), mainly in advanced disease, are reported for patients with cancer of the upper gastrointestinal tract (stomach, pancreas) and for treatment with cisplatin. METHODS: Exploratory analysis of VTEs reported as adverse events and serious adverse events in a prospective, randomised, multicentre, multimodal phase III trial according to VTEs reported as adverse events and severe adverse events. Patients with resectable oesophageal cancer (T2N1-3, T3-4aNx) were randomized to 2 cycles of chemotherapy with docetaxel 75 mg/m2, cisplatin 75 mg/m2 followed by chemo-radiotherapy (CRT) and subsequent surgery (control arm) or the same treatment with addition of cetuximab (investigational arm). RESULTS: VTEs occurred in 26 of 300 patients included in the trial, resulting in an incidence rate (IR) of 8.7% [95% CI 5.7-12.4%]. A total of 29 VTEs were reported:13 (45%) VTEs were grade 2, 13 (45%) grade 3 and three (10%) fatal grade 5 events. 72% (21/29) of all VTEs occurred preoperatively (IR 6.7%): 14% (4/29) during chemotherapy and 59% (17/29) during CRT. In multivariable logistic regression only adenocarcinoma (IR 11.1%, 21/189 patients) compared to squamous cell cancer (IR 4.5%, 5/111 patients) was significantly associated with VTE-risk during treatment, OR 2.9 [95%CI 1.0-8.4], p = 0.046. Baseline Khorana risk score was 0 in 73% (19/26), 1-2 in 23% (6/26) and 3 in only 4% (1/26) of patients with VTEs. CONCLUSION: A high incidence of VTEs during preoperative therapy of resectable oesophageal cancer is observed in this analysis, especially in patients with adenocarcinoma. The role of prophylactic anticoagulation during neoadjuvant therapy in resectable esophageal cancer should be further evaluated in prospective clinical trials. According to our data, which are in line with other analysis of VTE-risk in patients with oesophageal cancer patients treated with neoadjuvant cisplatin-based chemotherapy and CRT, prophylactic anticoagluation could be considered balanced against individual bleeding risks, especially in patients with adenocarcinoma. In addition to the established risk factors, oesophageal adenocarcinoma treated with neoadjuvant cisplatin-based therapy may be regarded as a high-risk situation for VTEs. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Registered at clinicaltrials.gov, NCT01107639, on 21 April 2010.

Individually tailored whole-body vibration training to reduce symptoms of chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy: study protocol of a randomised controlled trial-VANISH.

INTRODUCTION: Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) is a prevalent and clinically meaningful side effect of cancer treatment. CIPN is induced by neurotoxic agents, causing severe sensory and/or motor deficits, resulting in disability and poor recovery, reducing patients' quality of life and limiting medical therapy. To date, effective treatment options are lacking. Whole-body vibration (WBV) training can attenuate motor and sensory deficits. We are conducting a two-armed, multicentre, assessor-blinded, randomised controlled trial, to investigate the effects of WBV on relevant symptoms of CIPN and determine the training characteristics. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: In this ongoing study, 44 patients who have completed therapy in the past 3 months, with a neurologically confirmed CIPN are assessed before and after a 12-week intervention and follow-up. The intervention group receives WBV twice a week. Exercises are individually tailored according to the initially determined optimal neuromuscular response. The control group receives care as usual.Primary endpoint is the patient reported reduction of CIPN-related symptoms (Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy/Gynaecology Oncology Group-Neurotoxicity). Secondary endpoints are compound muscle action potentials, distal motor latency, conduction velocity, F-waves from the tibial and peroneal nerve, antidromic sensory nerve conduction studies of the sural nerve, normalised electromyographic activity, peripheral deep sensitivity, proprioception, balance, pain, the feasibility of training settings, quality of life and the level of physical activity. AIM, ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: The study was approved by both responsible ethics committees. (1) Our results may contribute to a better understanding of the effects of WBV on motor and sensory functions and (2) may provide information whether WBV at the most effective setting, is feasible for neuropathic patients. (3) Our results may also contribute to improve supportive care in oncology, thereby enhancing quality of life and enabling the optimal medical therapy. All results will be published in international peer-reviewed journals as well as a manual for clinical practice. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT03032718.

A clinical trial of group-based body psychotherapy to improve bodily disturbances in post-treatment cancer patients in combination with randomized controlled smartphone-triggered bodily interventions (KPTK): study protocol.

BACKGROUND: Disturbances in bodily well-being represent one key source of suffering and impairment related to cancer. There is growing evidence that body psychotherapy (BPT) is efficacious for the treatment of various mental disorders. However, with regard to cancer patients, evidence is scarce. The aims of this project are to evaluate whether bodily disturbances in post-treatment cancer patients can be improved by group BPT, and to estimate the efficacy of intermittent smartphone-triggered bodily interventions. METHODS: The project is a bi-center study with two participating centers in Switzerland, applying a pre-post convergent parallel design of a weekly group BPT using a waiting-period comparator, including a nested RCT during the group BPT phase. During the BPT phase, either a smartphone-triggered bodily intervention or a smartphone-triggered control intervention is provided at random over 5 consecutive weeks, on 6 days weekly. Patients who had received curatively intended treatment for any malignant neoplasm (treatment being completed ≥3 months) and are suffering from bodily disturbances are screened to assess eligibility. Sample size estimation is based on an a priori power analysis. We plan to include a total of N = 88 subjects, aiming at at least 52 completers. Patients are surveyed three times (baseline assessment (T0), pre- (T1) and post-intervention assessment (T2)), and on a daily basis along BPT during five consecutive weeks. The primary outcome, bodily disturbances, is assessed using the 'Body Image Scale'(BIS). For the secondary outcomes standardized questionnaires are used to assess changes in experience of presence and vitality, mood, body mindfulness, somatic symptoms and somatic symptom disorder, quality of life, anxiety, and depression including suicidal tendency, vitality and mental health, as well as group cohesion. Using semi standardized interviews (at T0 and T2), we aim to explore the relation of BPT with bodily disturbances and body image in post-treatment cancer patients, as well as the acceptance and burden of the intervention. DISCUSSION: The proposed study has strong potential benefits for cancer patients, as it may pave the way for new therapeutic approaches to treat bodily disturbances, which persist despite curative tumor therapy. These may considerably improve patients' biopsychosocial well-being and quality of life. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03707548 (registered 9 October 2018; retrospectively registered).

First-in human, phase 1, dose-escalation pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic study of the oral dual PI3K and mTORC1/2 inhibitor PQR309 in patients with advanced solid tumors (SAKK 67/13).

BACKGROUND: PQR309 is an orally bioavailable, balanced pan-phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase (PI3K), mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) C1 and mTORC2 inhibitor. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This is an accelerated titration, 3 + 3 dose-escalation, open-label phase I trial of continuous once-daily (OD) PQR309 administration to evaluate the safety, pharmacokinetics (PK) and pharmacodynamics in patients with advanced solid tumours. Primary objectives were to determine the maximum tolerated dose (MTD) and recommended phase 2 dose (RP2D). RESULTS: Twenty-eight patients were included in six dosing cohorts and treated at a daily PQR309 dose ranging from 10 to 150 mg. Common adverse events (AEs; ≥30% patients) included fatigue, hyperglycaemia, nausea, diarrhoea, constipation, rash, anorexia and vomiting. Grade (G) 3 or 4 drug-related AEs were seen in 13 (46%) and three (11%) patients, respectively. Dose-limiting toxicity (DLT) was observed in two patients at 100 mg OD (>14-d interruption in PQR309 due to G3 rash, G2 hyperbilirubinaemia, G4 suicide attempt; dose reduction due to G3 fatigue, G2 diarrhoea, G4 transaminitis) and one patient at 80 mg (G3 hyperglycaemia >7 d). PK shows fast absorption (Tmax 1-2 h) and dose proportionality for Cmax and area under the curve. A partial response in a patient with metastatic thymus cancer, 24% disease volume reduction in a patient with sinonasal cancer and stable disease for more than 16 weeks in a patient with clear cell Bartholin's gland cancer were observed. CONCLUSION: The MTD and RP2D of PQR309 is 80 mg of orally OD. PK is dose-proportional. PD shows PI3K pathway phosphoprotein downregulation in paired tumour biopsies. Clinical activity was observed in patients with and without PI3K pathway dysregulation. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov # NCT01940133.

Web-Based Stress Management for Newly Diagnosed Patients With Cancer (STREAM): A Randomized, Wait-List Controlled Intervention Study.

Purpose Being diagnosed with cancer causes major psychological distress; however, a majority of patients lack psychological support during this critical period. Internet interventions help patients overcome many barriers to seeking face-to-face support and may thus close this gap. We assessed feasibility and efficacy of Web-based stress management (STREAM [Stress-Aktiv-Mindern]) for newly diagnosed patients with cancer. Patients and Methods In a randomized controlled trial, patients with cancer who had started first-line treatment within the previous 12 weeks were randomly assigned to a therapist-guided Web-based intervention or a wait-list (control), stratified according to distress level (≥ 5 v < 5 on scale of 0 to 10). Primary efficacy end point was quality of life after the intervention (Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy-Fatigue). Secondary end points included distress (Distress Thermometer) and anxiety or depression (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale). Treatment effect was assessed with analyses of covariance, adjusted for baseline distress. Results A total of 222 of 229 screened patients applied online for participation. Between September 2014 and November 2016, 129 newly diagnosed patients with cancer, including 92 women treated for breast cancer, were randomly assigned to the intervention (n = 65) or control (n = 64) group. Adherence was good, with 80.0% of patients using ≥ six of eight modules. Psychologists spent 13.3 minutes per week (interquartile range, 9.5-17.9 minutes per week) per patient for online guidance. After the intervention, quality of life was significantly higher (Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy-Fatigue: mean, 8.59 points; 95% CI, 2.45 to 14.73 points; P = .007) and distress significantly lower (Distress Thermometer: mean, -0.85; 95% CI, -1.60 to -0.10; P = .03) in the intervention group as compared with the control. Changes in anxiety or depression were not significant in the intention-to-treat population (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale: mean, -1.28; 95% CI, -3.02 to 0.45; P = .15). Quality of life increased in the control group with the delayed intervention. Conclusion The Web-based stress management program STREAM is feasible and effective in improving quality of life.

Capecitabine and Oxaliplatin Prior and Concurrent to Preoperative Pelvic Radiotherapy in Patients With Locally Advanced Rectal Cancer: Long-Term Outcome.

BACKGROUND: The risk/benefit ratio of any treatment can only be fully assessed if long-term results of both efficacy and toxicity are taken into account. Whereas the combined modality treatment of locally advanced rectal cancer (LARC) has considerably improved prognosis, particularly with regard to local control, long-term results-including patient-reported outcomes-are underreported. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients with LARC treated within a multicenter single-arm phase II study were prospectively assessed for at least 5 years after surgery. Study treatment consisted of capecitabine and oxaliplatin prior and concurrent to preoperative pelvic radiotherapy followed by total mesorectal excision. Progression-free survival time (first endpoint), overall survival time, and pattern of relapse were analyzed in the whole study population and in pre-planned exploratory subgroups. Patient-reported outcomes, including overall satisfaction with bowel, stoma, and urinary function, were assessed in 6-month intervals. RESULTS: Five-year progression-free and overall survival rate was 61% (95% confidence interval [CI], 46%-73%) and 78% (95% CI, 63%-87%), respectively. Distant to local recurrence rate was 3:1, with only 8% of patients relapsing locally. Main predictors for recurrence in univariate analyses were tumor downstaging (hazard ratio, 0.16; 95% CI, 0.05-0.56; P = .0011) and nodal downstaging (hazard ratio, 0.17; 95% CI, 0.06-0.52; P = .0005). The self-reported burden of symptoms related to bowel function was high in up to one-third of patients. A total of 28% of patients were dissatisfied with their urinary, bowel, or stoma function for at least 1 observation period. CONCLUSION: Combined-modality treatment of LARC results in a high and durable local disease control rate, especially in patients with tumor and/or nodal downstaging, at the cost of relevant long-term toxicity. Long-term care is required for a proportion of patients with poor gastrointestinal and/or urinary function after multimodality therapy. Reporting of long-term follow-up, including patient-recorded outcomes should be mandatory for future trials in LARC.

Incidence and predictors of Bone Metastases (BM) and Skeletal-Related Events (SREs) in Small Cell Lung Cancer (SCLC): A Swiss patient cohort.

Objectives: Bone metastases (BM) and skeletal-related events (SREs) are frequent complications in patients with lung cancer. Whereas in non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) incidence, prognostic impact, and risk factors are well established, there is only little knowledge in patients with small cell lung cancer (SCLC). We retrospectively evaluated the incidence of BM, SRE and their treatment in a SCLC patient cohort treated at our hospital. We further assessed the role of Lactate Dehydrogenase (LDH), a possible predictor of BM development in SCLC patients. Materials and Methods: We retrospectively analyzed patients with the diagnosis of SCLC for BM, SRE, overall treatment patterns, outcome and established prognostic parameters by record review. The prognostic role of LDH was tested using univariate longitudinal regression analysis. Results: We identified 92 consecutive patients with SCLC diagnosed between 2000 and 2010 at our institution. Overall, 36.9% presented with BM at first diagnosis. Median time to BM from first diagnosis was 14.8 months (range) in limited disease (LD) and 0.9 months (range) in extensive disease (ED). The overall incidence of SRE was 18.4%. Only 19.6% of patients with BM were initially treated with bisphosphonates. Conclusions: Elevated LDH, as well as age ≥75 years were independent predictors for BM development in SCLC patients. Although SREs are relevant complications in SCLC, early antiresorptive treatment of BM to reduce the risk of SREs was rare. LDH served as a predictive factor for BM development in our SCLC cohort and therefore should be taken into account in future randomized controlled trials.

Web-based stress management for newly diagnosed cancer patients (STREAM-1): a randomized, wait-list controlled intervention study.

BACKGROUND: Being diagnosed with cancer causes major psychological distress, yet the majority of newly diagnosed cancer patients lack psychological support. Internet interventions overcome many barriers for seeking face-to-face support and allow for independence in time and place. We assess efficacy and feasibility of the first web-based stress management intervention (STREAM: STREss-Aktiv-Mindern) for newly diagnosed, German-speaking cancer patients. METHODS/DESIGN: In a prospective, wait-list controlled trial 120 newly diagnosed cancer patients will be included within 12 weeks of starting anti-cancer treatment and randomized between an immediate (intervention group) or delayed (control group) 8-week, web-based intervention. The intervention consists of eight modules with weekly written feedback by a psychologist ("minimal-contact") based on well-established stress management manuals including downloadable audio-files and exercises. The aim of this study is to evaluate efficacy in terms of improvement in quality of life (FACT-F), as well as decrease in anxiety and depression (HADS), as compared to patients in the wait-list control group. A sample size of 120 patients allows demonstrating a clinically relevant difference of nine points in the FACT score after the intervention (T2) with a two-sided alpha of 0.05 and 80 % power. As this is the first online stress management intervention for German-speaking cancer patients, more descriptive outcomes are equally important to further refine the group of patients with the largest potential for benefit who then will be targeted more specifically in future trials. These descriptive endpoints include: patients' characteristics (type of cancer, type of treatment, socio-demographic factors), dropout rate and dropout reasons, adherence and satisfaction with the program. DISCUSSION: New technologies open new opportunities: minimal-contact psychological interventions are becoming standard of care in several psychological disorders, where their efficacy is often comparable to face-to-face interventions. With our study we open this field to the population of newly diagnosed cancer patients. We will not only assess clinical efficacy but also further refine the target population who has the most potential to benefit. An internet-based minimal-contact stress management program might be an attractive, time- and cost-effective way to effectively deliver psychological support to newly diagnosed cancer patients and an opportunity to include those who currently are not reached by conventional support. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT02289014 .

Second-Line Therapy of Small-Cell Lung Cancer: Topotecan Compared to a Combination Treatment with Adriamycin, Cyclophosphamide And Vincristine (ACO) - a Single Center Experience.

BACKGROUND: Randomized trials established topotecan and the combination of adriamycin, cyclophosphamide and vincristine (ACO) as second-line therapy options for small-cell lung cancer. We retrospectively evaluated the outcome of SCLC patients undergoing second-line chemotherapy. PATIENTS AND METHODS: 92 consecutive patients with a diagnosis of SCLC between 2000 and 2010 were analyzed. RESULTS: 86 patients (93.5%) were evaluable for outcome analysis. All patients diagnosed with limited disease (LD) SCLC received platinum-based chemotherapy as first-line treatment. 69 patients (98.6%) diagnosed with extensive disease (ED) SCLC received first-line palliative chemotherapy. In the total cohort, the median overall survival (OS) was 10.3 months (19.2 months and 9.2 months for LD-SCLC and ED-SCLC, respectively). 42 patients received second-line therapy (ACO in 47.6% and topotecan in 31.0% of patients, respectively). Eight patients (19.0%) were re-challenged with platinum/etoposide. Neither the overall response rate (52.9% vs. 22.2%; p=0.128) nor progression-free survival (2.4 vs. 2.4 months; p=0.794) or OS (5.5 vs. 5.0 months; p=0.997) were significantly different between ACO and topotecan. ACO-treated patients showed a trend towards a longer duration of inpatient care. CONCLUSION: We showed similar outcomes as reported in clinical trials. Second-line combination chemotherapy with ACO did not show superiority to intravenous topotecan, but was associated with a clinically relevant longer hospitalization time.

Survival in overweight patients with advanced pancreatic carcinoma: a multicentre cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Obesity is a risk factor for developing pancreatic cancer. We investigated the impact of obesity on survival in patients diagnosed with locally advanced or metastatic pancreatic cancer. METHODS: In a multicentre, retrospective study, we included all patients with advanced or metastatic pancreatic cancer treated at four Swiss hospitals between 1994 and 2004. We categorized patients into four body mass index (BMI) groups (<18.5, 18.5 - 25, ≥ 25 - 29, ≥30 kg/m2) and used multivariable Cox regression to investigate the impact of BMI on survival. Missing data were handled using multiple imputations. RESULTS: 483 patients were included. Median age was 66 years (range 59-74), 47% were female, 82% had stage IV disease, 72% had an ECOG below 2, and 84% were treated with gemcitabine-based first-line chemotherapy. After a median follow-up of 8.5 months, 6 and 12-month survival probabilities of the whole cohort were 67% (95% CI 63% - 71%) and 37% (95% CI 33% - 42%), respectively. Unadjusted 12-month survival rates in each BMI group were: 48% (95% CI 33% - 62%), 42% (95% CI 36% - 48%), 30% (95% CI 22% - 38%), and 11% (95% CI 4% - 24%), respectively. In multivariable analysis, increasing BMI (HR 1.22, 95% CI 1.04 - 1.41, p = 0.012) and CA 19-9 (HR 1.07, 95% CI 1.02 - 1.11, p = 0.003) were significantly associated with worse survival prognosis. Patients with a good clinical performance status (ECOG < 2) had a better prognosis (HR 0.76, 95% CI 0.65 - 0.96, p = 0.019). CONCLUSIONS: Obese patients diagnosed with advanced pancreatic cancers have a worse prognosis compared to non-obese patients. BMI should be considered for risk stratification in future clinical trials.

Choi response criteria for prediction of survival in patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma treated with anti-angiogenic therapies.

OBJECTIVE: Anti-angiogenic drugs cause a reduction in tumour density (Choi criteria) first and then in size [Response Evaluation Criteria In Solid Tumours (RECIST)]. The prognostic significance of changes in tumour density in metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC) is unknown and was assessed in this study. METHODS: The prognostic significance of partial response (PR) as opposed to non-response [stable disease (SD) + progressive (PD)] to anti-angiogenic therapy was assessed in patients with mRCC separately for both criteria using the log-rank test and Cox regression models. RESULTS: Both criteria were applied to 35 patients. The response was identical for all eight patients with PR and most patients with PD (10/12) when using the RECIST and Choi criteria. Adding tumour density information, 14 patients with SD were re-categorised as having PR (7), SD (4), and PD (3). Patients with PR (Choi) were progression free significantly longer [hazard ratio (HR) 0.24; 95 % CI 0.10-0.57; P = 0.001] and had better overall survival (HR 0.36; 95 % CI 0.15-0.89; P = 0.026) compared to patients with SD or PD. The predictive value of PR according to RECIST was not statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS: In mRCC, the Choi criteria separate prognostic groups better when compared with RECIST. This may allow early discrimination of patients benefiting from continued treatment.

Cetuximab in combination with chemoradiotherapy before surgery in patients with resectable, locally advanced esophageal carcinoma: a prospective, multicenter phase IB/II Trial (SAKK 75/06).

PURPOSE: This multicenter phase IB/II trial investigated cetuximab added to preoperative chemoradiotherapy for esophageal cancer. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients with resectable, locally advanced esophageal cancer received two 3-week cycles of induction chemoimmunotherapy (cisplatin 75 mg/m(2) day 1, docetaxel 75 mg/m(2) day 1, cetuximab 250 mg/m(2) days 1, 8,15 [400 mg/m(2) loading dose]) followed by chemoimmunoradiation therapy (CIRT) and surgery. CIRT consisted of 45 Gy radiotherapy (RT) plus concurrent cisplatin 25 mg/m(2) and cetuximab 250 mg/m(2) weekly for 5 weeks in cohort 1. If fewer than three of seven patients experienced limiting toxicity (LT), the next seven patients also received docetaxel (20 mg/m(2) weekly × 5). If fewer than three patients experienced LTs, 13 additional patients were treated at this dose. RESULTS: In total, 28 patients (median age, 64 years) with predominantly node-positive (82%) esophageal adenocarcinoma (15 patients) or squamous cell carcinoma (13 patients) were enrolled and 24 (86%) completed the entire trimodal therapy. During CIRT, no LT occurred, rash was not exacerbated within the RT field, and the main grade 3 toxicities were esophagitis (seven patients), anorexia (three), fatigue (three), and thrombosis (two). Surgery (R0 resection) was performed in 25 patients. Anastomotic leakage occurred in three patients: two recovered spontaneously and one successfully underwent re-operation. There were no deaths at 30 days and no treatment-related mortality after 12 months. Nineteen patients (68%) showed complete or near complete pathologic regression. CONCLUSION: Adding cetuximab to preoperative chemoradiotherapy is feasible without increasing postoperative mortality. Phase III investigation has begun based on the high histopathologic response and R0 resection rate.

Is a change in patient-reported dysphagia after induction chemotherapy in locally advanced esophageal cancer a predictive factor for pathological response to neoadjuvant chemoradiation?

GOALS OF WORK: In patients with locally advanced esophageal cancer, only those responding to the treatment ultimately benefit from preoperative chemoradiation. We investigated whether changes in subjective dysphagia or eating restrictions after two cycles of induction chemotherapy can predict histopathological tumor response observed after chemoradiation. In addition, we examined general long-term quality of life (QoL) and, in particular, eating restrictions after esophagectomy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients with resectable, locally advanced squamous cell- or adenocarcinoma of the esophagus were treated with two cycles of chemotherapy followed by chemoradiation and surgery. They were asked to complete the EORTC oesophageal-specific QoL module (EORTC QLQ-OES24), and linear analogue self-assessment QoL indicators, before and during neoadjuvant therapy and quarterly until 1 year postoperatively. A median change of at least eight points was considered as clinically meaningful. MAIN RESULTS: Clinically meaningful improvements in the median scores for dysphagia and eating restrictions were found during induction chemotherapy. These improvements were not associated with a histopathological response observed after chemoradiation, but enhanced treatment compliance. Postoperatively, dysphagia scores remained low at 1 year, while eating restrictions persisted more frequently in patients with extended transthoracic resection compared to those with limited transhiatal resection. CONCLUSIONS: The improvement of dysphagia and eating restrictions after induction chemotherapy did not predict tumor response observed after chemoradiation. One year after esophagectomy, dysphagia was a minor problem, and global QoL was rather good. Eating restrictions persisted depending on the surgical technique used.

[Adjuvant!Online--an Internet-based decision tool for adjuvant chemotherapy in early breast cancer]. / Adjuvante Chemotherapie--Entscheidungshilfe aus dem Internet: Adjuvant!Online.

Adjuvant chemotherapy dramatically improves prognosis for early breast cancer. Large, international randomized studies with thousands of patients not only introduced new effective drugs, but also led towards more individualized treatment strategies based on a number of prognostic factors. The integration, however, of the growing amount of information from clinical trials into every-day decision-making becomes an increasingly difficult task. Adjuvant!Online is an open-access computer program (www.adjuvantonline.com). From the entries of patient information and tumour characteristics the program calculates a prognostic estimate of outcome in terms of relapse and survival with and without adjuvant chemotherapy. This article focuses on the advantages and pitfalls in using Adjuvant!Online for informed treatment decisions in early breast cancer.