Correlation between breast cancer subtypes determined by immunohistochemistry and n-COUNTER PAM50 assay: a real-world study.

PURPOSE: Molecular subtyping based on gene expression profiling (i.e., PAM50 assay) aids in determining the prognosis and treatment of breast cancer (BC), particularly in hormone receptor (HR)-positive/human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-negative tumors, where luminal A and B subtypes have different prognoses and treatments. Several surrogate classifications have been proposed for distinguishing between the luminal A and B subtypes. This study determines the accuracy of local immunohistochemistry (IHC) techniques for classifying HR-positive/HER2-negative (HR+/HER2-) tumors according to intrinsic subtypes using the nCOUNTER PAM50 assay as reference and the HR status definition according the ASCO/CAP recommendations. METHODS: Molecular subtypes resulting from nCOUNTER PAM50 performed in our laboratory between 2014 and 2020 were correlated with three different proxy surrogates proposed in the literature based on ER, PR, HER2, and Ki67 expression with different cut-off values. Concordance was measured using the level of agreement and kappa statistics. RESULTS: From 1049 samples with the nCOUNTER test, 679 and 350 were luminal A and B subtypes, respectively. Only a poor-to-fair correlation was observed between the three proxy surrogates and real genomic subtypes as determined by nCOUNTER PAM50. Moreover, 5-11% and 18-36% of the nCOUNTER PAM50 luminal B and A tumors were classified as luminal A and B, respectively, by these surrogates. CONCLUSION: The concordance between luminal subtypes determined by three different IHC-based classifiers and the nCOUNTER PAM50 assay was suboptimal. Thus, a significant proportion of luminal A and B tumors as determined by the surrogate classifiers could be undertreated or over-treated.

A Pilot, Phase II, Randomized, Open-Label Clinical Trial Comparing the Neurotoxicity of Three Dose Regimens of Nab-Paclitaxel to That of Solvent-Based Paclitaxel as the First-Line Treatment for Patients with Human Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor Type 2-Negative Metastatic Breast Cancer.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to characterize the neurotoxicity of three different regimens of nab-paclitaxel compared with a standard regimen of solvent-based (sb) paclitaxel for the first-line treatment of HER2-negative metastatic breast cancer based on the Total Neurotoxicity Score (TNS), a tool specifically developed to assess chemotherapy-induced neurotoxicity. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a randomized, open-label study testing 4-week cycles of 80 mg/m2 sb-paclitaxel (PACL80/w) on days 1, 8, and 15; 100 mg/m2 nab-paclitaxel on days 1, 8, and 15 (NAB100/w); 150 mg/m2 nab-paclitaxel on days 1, 8, and 15 (NAB150/w); and 150 mg/m2 nab-paclitaxel on days 1 and 15 (NAB150/2w). In addition to the TNS, neuropathy was assessed using the National Cancer Institute Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (NCI-CTCAE). Tumor response and quality of life were also evaluated. RESULTS: Neurotoxicity, as evaluated by the TNS, did not significantly differ between the sb-paclitaxel group and any of the nab-paclitaxel groups. The frequency of (any grade) polyneuropathy, as measured by the NCI-CTCAE, was lower in the PACL80/w (n = 7, 50%) and NAB150/2w (n = 10, 62.5%) groups than in the NAB100/w (n = 13, 81.3%) or NAB150/w (n = 11, 78.6%) group. Although the differences were not statistically significant, compared with the other groups, in the NAB150/w group, the time to occurrence of grade ≥2 polyneuropathy was shorter, and the median time to recovery from grade ≥2 polyneuropathy was longer. Dose delays and reductions due to neurotoxicity and impact of neurotoxicity on the patients' experience of symptoms and functional limitations was greater with NAB150/w. Among the seven polymorphisms selected for genotyping, the variant alleles of EPHA5-rs7349683, EPHA6-rs301927, and EPHA8-rs209709 were associated with an increased risk of paclitaxel-induced neuropathy. CONCLUSION: The results of this exploratory study showed that, regardless of the dose, nab-paclitaxel did not differ from sb-paclitaxel in terms of neurotoxicity as evaluated with the TNS. However, results from NCI-CTCAE, dose delays and reductions, and functional tools consistently indicate that NAB150/w regimen is associated with a greater risk of chemotherapy-induced neuropathy. Thus, our results question the superiority of the TNS over NCI-CTCAE for evaluating chemotherapy-induced neuropathy and guiding treatment decisions in this context. The selection of the nab-paclitaxel regimen should be individualized based on the clinical context and potentially supported by pharmacogenetic analysis. Registry: EudraCT, 2012-002361-36; NCT01763710 IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: The results of this study call into question the superiority of the Total Neurotoxicity Score over the National Cancer Institute Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events for evaluating chemotherapy-induced neuropathy and guiding treatment decisions in this context and suggest that a regimen of 150 mg/m2 nab-paclitaxel administered on days 1, 8, and 15 is associated with a greater risk of chemotherapy-induced neuropathy and hematological toxicity compared with other lower-dose nab-paclitaxel regimens or a standard regimen of solvent-based paclitaxel. The selection of the nab-paclitaxel regimen should be individualized based on the clinical context and could benefit from pharmacogenetics analysis.

Ribociclib-Related Stevens-Johnson Syndrome: Oncologic Awareness, Case Report, and Literature Review.

Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS) and toxic epidermal necrolysis belong to a severe dermatopathic spectrum that includes frequently fatal mucocutaneous manifestations consisting of whole epidermal necrosis and sloughing with bullous transformation, blistering, and further skin detachment. Notably, cancer patients are at higher risk of developing SJS than the general population as a consequence of both the nature of neoplastic disease and frequent exposure to anticancer drugs. Ribociclib is a newly approved cycline-dependent kinase inhibitor that has been recently associated with a single case of SJS. We hereby present a case of ribociclib-related SJS. Early detection of threatening skin lesions is crucial to permit the immediate discontinuation of ribociclib given the predictable and unacceptable risk level. In cases of established SJS, early aggressive support should be initiated, ribociclib should be abruptly discontinued, and specific treatment based on actual evidence should be started.

Supervivencia del cáncer de próstata resistente a la castración en la práctica clínica y el papel del tratamiento / Survival of Castration-Resistant Prostate Cancer in Clinical Practice and the Role of Treatment

Resumen Objetivo: Evaluar en un contexto de práctica clínica la ventaja de supervivencia para pacientes con cáncer de próstata resistente a castración (CPRC) tratado activamente con diversos tratamientos que incluyen acetato de abiraterona (AA) y prednisona con o sin docetaxel. Material y método: Se analiza la supervivencia de pacientes con CPRC y se compara un grupo tratado con AA y prednisona (n = 33) con un control histórico formado por pacientes consecutivos tratados una década antes en la misma institución exclusivamente con retirada de antiandrógeno y medidas paliativas (n = 31). Se analizan variables clínico-patológicas predictivas de pronóstico en la población activamente tratada. Se evalúa la respuesta global a AA y el intervalo libre de progresión radiológica. Resultados: La supervivencia cáncer específica a 2 años fue 79% para pacientes tratados activamente y 17,2% para control (log-rank, p < 0,0001). Cinco de 13 pacientes con AA post-docetaxel (38,5%) recibieron después de AA quimioterapia de segunda línea (4 cabazitaxel y 1 vinorelbina) y 1 (7,7%) hormonoterapia con enzalutamida. Tres de 20 pacientes tratados con AA sin quimioterapia (15%) recibieron enzalutamida y solo 1 (5%) fue tratado con docetaxel. Los pacientes de menor edad (<65años; p = 0,02) y sin metástasis al diagnóstico (p = 0,04) tuvieron mejor pronóstico. Aquellos de PSA más alto (>45ng/ml; p = 0,09) y patrón de Gleason 5 en la biopsia se comportaron de manera más desfavorable. Globalmente el 75,8% tuvieron respuesta a AA (80% pre- y 69,2% post-quimioterapia; p = 0,1) y el 52,4% estuvieron libre de progresión radiológica al año (47,9% pre y 49,8% post-quimioterapia; log-rank, p = 0,3). Conclusión: El tratamiento de pacientes con CPRC prolonga la expectativa de supervivencia en un entorno de práctica clínica y es posible identificar factores predictivos de pronóstico en estos pacientes.

Abstract Purpose: To assess, in a clinical practice context, the survival advantages of patients with castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) actively treated with several treatments that include abiraterone acetate (AA) and prednisone, with or without docetaxel. Material and Methods: An analysis was performed on patient survival with CRPC, and was compared to a group treated with AA and prednisone (n = 33), with a historical control treated exclusively with anti-androgen withdrawal and palliative measures (n = 31). In the population actively treated, variables predictive of prognosis were analysed, as well as an evaluation of the overall response to AA and radiographic progression-free survival. Results: Cancer-specific survival at 2 years was 79% for patients actively treated and 17.2% for control group (P<.0001). Five (38.5%) of 13 patients treated with AA post-docetaxel received second-line chemotherapy after AA (4 cabazitaxel, 1 vinorelbine), and one (7.7%) enzalutamide. Three (15%) of 20 patients treated with AA without chemotherapy received enzalutamide and 1(5%) docetaxel. The younger patients (<65yrs; P=.02) without metastases at diagnosis (P=.04) had better prognoses. Patients with higher PSA levels (>45 ng/ml; P=.09) and a Gleason pattern 5 in the biopsy had less favourable outcomes. There was a 75.8% over response to AA (80% preand 69.2%post-chemotherapy; P=.1), and 69.2%post-chemotherapy; P=.1), and 52.4% were radiographic progression-free at 1 year of treatment (47.9% pre- and 49.8% post-chemotherapy; P=.3). Conclusion: Treatment of CRPC patients extends survival expectations in a clinical practice setting and prognostic predictors can be identified in these patients.

Left atrium myxosarcoma: an exceptional cardiac malignant primary tumor.

We report the case of a 32-year-old patient with a left atrium myxosarcoma, presenting with congestive heart failure. It is a rare cardiac malignant primary tumor that seems to derive from the same cellular line as myxomas, but the prognosis is very different. These tumors present local recidives and distance metastasis, so the mean survival is about 1 year, independent of any therapeutical option.