Chemotherapy toxicity and activity in patients with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma and germline BRCA1-2 pathogenic variants (gBRCA1-2pv): a multicenter survey.

BACKGROUND: Germline BRCA1-2 pathogenic variants (gBRCA1-2pv)-related pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) showed increased sensitivity to DNA cross-linking agents. This study aimed at exploring safety profile, dose intensity, and activity of different chemotherapy regimens in this setting. PATIENTS AND METHODS: gBRCA1-2pv PDAC patients of any age and clinical tumor stage who completed a first course of chemotherapy were eligible. A descriptive analysis of chemotherapy toxicity, dose intensity, response, and survival outcomes was performed. RESULTS: A total of 85 gBRCA1-2pv PDAC patients treated in 21 Italian centers between December 2008 and March 2021were enrolled. Seventy-four patients were assessable for toxicity and dose intensity, 83 for outcome. Dose intensity was as follows: nab-paclitaxel 72%, gemcitabine 76% (AG); cisplatin 75%, nab-paclitaxel 73%, capecitabine 73%, and gemcitabine 65% (PAXG); fluorouracil 35%, irinotecan 58%, and oxaliplatin 64% (FOLFIRINOX). When compared with the literature, grade 3-4 neutropenia, thrombocytopenia, and diarrhea were increased with PAXG, and unmodified with AG and FOLFIRINOX. RECIST responses were numerically higher with the three- (81%) or four-drug (73%) platinum-containing regimens that outperformed AG (41%) and oxaliplatin-based doublets (56%). Carbohydrate antigen 19.9 (CA19.9) reduction >89% at nadir was reported in two-third of metastatic patients treated with triplets and quadruplets, as opposed to 33% and 45% of patients receiving oxaliplatin-based doublets or AG, respectively. All patients receiving AG experienced disease progression, with a median progression-free survival (mPFS) of 6.4 months, while patients treated with platinum-containing triplets or quadruplets had an mPFS >10.8 months. Albeit still immature, data on overall survival seemed to parallel those on PFS. CONCLUSIONS: Our data, as opposed to figures expected from the literature, highlighted that platinum-based regimens provoked an increased toxicity on proliferating cells, when dose intensity was maintained, or an as-expected toxicity, when dose intensity was reduced, while no change in toxicity and dose intensity was evident with AG. Furthermore, an apparently improved outcome of platinum-based triplets or quadruplets over other regimens was observed.

Membrane human equilibrative nucleoside transporter 1 is associated with a high proliferation rate and worse survival in resected intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma patients not receiving adjuvant treatments.

Human equilibrative nucleoside transporter 1 (hENT-1) is a membrane nucleoside transporter mediating the intracellular uptake of nucleosides and their analogues. hENT-1 was recently reported to have a predictive role in intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (iCC) patients receiving adjuvant gemcitabine-based chemotherapy, but its biological and clinical significance in iCC remains unsettled. This study investigated the role of hENT-1 in regulating tumour growth and predicting the survival of 40 resected iCC patients not receiving adjuvant treatments. hENT-1 expression was found to be significantly higher in iCC than in the matched non-tumoural liver. Patients harbouring hENT-1 localised on the tumour cell membrane had a worse overall survival than membrane hENT-1-negative patients (median 21.2 months vs 30.3 months, p = 0.031), with an adjusted hazard ratio of 2.8 (95% confidence interval 1.01-7.76). Moreover, membrane hENT-1-positive patients had a higher percentage of Ki67-positive cells in tumour tissue than membrane hENT-1-negative patients (median 23% vs 5%, p < 0.0001). Functional analyses in iCC cell lines revealed that hENT-1 silencing inhibited cell proliferation and induced apoptosis in HUH-28 cells expressing hENT-1 on the cell membrane, but not in SNU-1079 cells expressing the transporter only in the cytoplasm. Overall, these findings suggest that membrane hENT-1 is involved in iCC proliferation and associated with worse survival in resected iCC patients. Further prospective studies on larger cohorts are required to confirm these results and better define the potential prognostic role of membrane hENT-1 in this setting of patients.

Port-a-Cath-related complications in 252 patients with solid tissue tumours and the first report of heparin-induced delayed hypersensitivity after Port-a-Cath heparinisation.

The use of the subcutaneous Port-a-Catheters (Port-a-Caths) provides an important mean of venous access for oncological patients. The aim of our retrospective consecutive single-centre study was to investigate Port-a-Cath-related complications in 252 cancer patients. Overall period of Port-a-Caths maintenance was 25 months. The strategy of our centre is to keep Port-a-Caths in situ up to the end of follow-up in adjuvant cancer patients. A total of 22 complications were recorded (8.73%). Interventional complications occurred in four patients. The main complications during Port-a-Cath use included thrombosis (4 patients, 1.58%), infections (4 patients, 1.58%), persistent pain or discomfort (3 patients, 1.19%) and dislocations (2 patients, 0.79%). Median time to the occurrence of any type of complications was 4.5 months. Eleven Port-a-Caths were removed due to complications (4.36%). Similar rate of Port-a-Cath-related thrombosis/infection was seen in adjuvant and advanced cancer patients (no statistical significance). Continuous infusion of anticancer therapy via a Port-a-Cath system is a relatively safe procedure, although major complications might occur. We are first to describe heparin-induced delayed hypersensitivity after heparinisation of Port-a-Cath. This fact should influence the preference to keep the Port-a-Cath after completion of adjuvant anticancer treatment.

Significant overexpression of Hsp110 gene during colorectal cancer progression.

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most frequent malignant diseases in the world. Metastatic spread of the cancer to the lymph nodes is a crucial factor for progression and therapeutic management of the disease. We analysed gene expression profiles of CRC patiens by low-density cancer-focused oligonucleotide microarrays to identify new predictive markers of the extent of the disease and for better understanding of CRC progression. Relative expression levels of 440 genes known to be involved in cancer biology were obtained by low-density oligonucleotide microarrays from 20 tumor samples. Statistical analysis of gene expression data identified 3 genes (HSP110, HYOU1 and TCTP) significantly up-regulated in primary tumors of patients who developed lymph node metastasis. We have shown, for the first time, that up-regulation HSP110 and HYOU1 expression is associated with lymph node involvement in CRC. We validated the differences in HSP110 expression in an independent group of 30 patients of all clinical stages by real-time PCR. We identified significant up-regulation of HSP110 expression in colorectal tumors compared to adjacent non-tumoral tissue (p<0.0003). We observed significant differences of HSP110 gene expression between metastatic and localized disease (p=0.031) and negative trend of HSP110 gene expression and overall survival of CRC patients. We suggest that HSP110 gene is a promising molecular predictor in CRC.

[Gene expression profiling in prediction of tumor response to neoadjuvant concomitant chemoradiotherapy in patients with locally advanced rectal carcinoma: pilot study]. / Vyuzitie profilov génovej expresie k stanoveniu odpovedi k neoadjuvantnej konkomitantnej chemorádioterapii u pacientov s karcinómom rekta: pilotná stúdia.

BACKGROUND: Neoadjuvant concomitant chemoradiotherapy has become a standard treatment of locally advanced rectal adenocarcinomas (LARA). It can reduce tumor volume, thus increases a feasibility of sphincter-sparing surgery, shows less acute toxicity, improves local control rate. It is based on fluoropyrimidines (5-fluorouracil, capecitabine) with concurrent radiotherapy. The aim of the study was to evaluate the capability of gene expression method to identify nonresponders (NR) pretherapeutically. METHODS AND RESULTS: 17 patients with LARA, clinical stage II, III according to IUCC were enrolled into our pilot study. Response to therapy was determined clinically by transrectal ultrasonography and CT/MRI before and after therapy and histopathologically by TRG (tumor regression grade) according to Mandard. Patients with TRG 1-2 were included to responders group (R) and patients with TRG 4-5 composed NR group. Gene expression levels of 440 genes were obtained by low-density oligonucleotide microarrays. Gene expression data analysis based on SAM (Significance Analysis of Microarrays) and t-test methods identified 8 genes (RB1, RBBP4, HYOUI, JUNB, MDM4, CANX, MMP2, TCF7L2) significantly upregulated in NR. CONCLUSIONS: Validation of identified changes on the mRNA level (Real-Time PCR) and on protein level (immunohistochemistry) is ongoing. We suggest that low-density oligonucleotide microarray technology could contribute to individualize the therapy of patients with LARA.

[Possibilities of resistance prediction to neoadjuvant concomitant chemoradiotherapy in the treatment algorithm of patients with rectal carcinoma]. / Moznosti predikcie rezistencie k neoadjuvatnej konkomitatnej chemorádioterapii u pacientov s karcinómom konecníka.

BACKGROUNDS: Neoadjuvant concomitant chemoradiotherapy has become a standard treatment of locally advanced rectal adenocarcinomas (LARA). It leads to shrinkage of the tumor mass and subsequently to an increase in complete resections (R0 resections), increasing a feasibility of sphincter-sparing intervention avoiding colostomy. It is based on concurrent application of fluoropyrimidines (5-fluorouracil, capecitabine) and radiotherapy (45 - 50,4 Gy). It shows less acute toxicity and improves local control rate in comparison to adjuvant treatment. Unfortunately, neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy is not beneficial for all patients. The treatment response ranges from a complete pathological remission (pCR, ypT0ypN0) to a resistance. It is reported that cca 15 percent of patients with advanced rectal cancer show pCR which is indicative of improved long-term prognosis. DESIGN: The following is a review of the significance of neoadjuvant concomitant chemoradiotherapy in the treatment algorithm of patients with LARA and summary of potentional clinical-pathological and molecular markers of response prediction to neoadjuvant therapy. The most important clinical studies concern serum tumor markers levels, clinical lymph node classification. The components of the carcinogenic pathways are explored, including oncogenes, tumor supressor genes, microsatellite instability (MSI) and potentional markers involved in apoptosis, angiogionesis, proliferation as well as metastasis and invasion, are reviewed. Finally, the role of specific enzymes associated with the metabolism of fluoropyrimidines are examined. CONCLUSIONS: No one marker has been consistently identified as clinically applicable. Studies designed to determine the potentional markers are hampered by various techniques as well as tumor heterogenity and recent scientific approach--studying individual molecular markers. Gene expression profiling analysis of multiple genes from the same tumor is becoming reality. We suppose that this assessment will lead in future in finding combination of markers for predicting prognosis and response to therapy in rectal cancer.