Weekly paclitaxel with trastuzumab and pertuzumab in patients with HER2-overexpressing metastatic breast cancer: overall survival and updated progression-free survival results from a phase II study.

We previously reported progression-free survival (PFS) results on a phase II trial of weekly paclitaxel, trastuzumab, and pertuzumab in patients with human epidermal growth factor receptor 2(HER2)-positive metastatic breast cancer (MBC) treated in the first- and second-line setting. Here, we report results for overall survival (OS) and updated PFS after an additional year of follow-up. Patients with HER2-positive MBC with 0-1 prior treatment were eligible. Treatment consisted of paclitaxel (80 mg/m(2)) weekly, and trastuzumab (loading dose 8 mg/kg â†’ 6 mg/kg) and pertuzumab (loading dose 840 mg â†’ 420 mg) every 3 weeks, all given intravenously. Primary endpoint was 6-month PFS. Secondary endpoints included median PFS, 6-month and median OS. Evaluable patients received at least one full dose of treatment. From January 2011 to December 2013, 69 patients were enrolled: 51 (74 %) and 18 (26 %) treated in first- and second-line metastatic settings, respectively. As of July 1, 2015, the median follow-up was 33 months (range 3-49 months; 67 patients were evaluable for efficacy). The median OS was 44 months (95 % CI 37.5-NR) overall and 44 months (95 % CI 38.3-NR) and 37.5 months (95 % CI 30.3-NR) for patients with 0 and 1 prior metastatic treatment, respectively; 6-month OS was 98 % (95 % CI 90-1). The 6-month PFS was 86 % (95 % CI 75-93) overall and 89 % (95 % CI 76-95) and 78 % (95 % CI 51-91) for patients with 0 and 1 prior therapy, respectively; and median PFS was 21.4 months (95 % CI 14.1-NR) overall and 25.7 months (95 % CI 14.1-NR) and 16.9 months (95 % CI 8.5-NR) for patients with 0-1 prior treatment, respectively. Treatment was well tolerated. Updated analysis demonstrates that weekly paclitaxel, when added to trastuzumab and pertuzumab, is associated with a favorable OS and PFS and offers an alternative to docetaxel-based therapy. http://www.ClinicalTrials.gov NCT0127604.

Genetic variant predicts bevacizumab-induced hypertension in ECOG-5103 and ECOG-2100.

BACKGROUND: Bevacizumab has broad anti-tumour activity, but substantial risk of hypertension. No reliable markers are available for predicting bevacizumab-induced hypertension. METHODS: A genome-wide association study (GWAS) was performed in the phase III bevacizumab-based adjuvant breast cancer trial, ECOG-5103, to evaluate for an association between genotypes and hypertension. GWAS was conducted in those who had experienced systolic blood pressure (SBP) >160 mm Hg during therapy using binary analysis and a cumulative dose model for the total exposure of bevacizumab. Common toxicity criteria (CTC) grade 3-5 hypertension was also assessed. Candidate SNP validation was performed in the randomised phase III trial, ECOG-2100. RESULTS: When using the phenotype of SBP>160 mm Hg, the most significant association in SV2C (rs6453204) approached and met genome-wide significance in the binary model (P=6.0 × 10(-8); OR=3.3) and in the cumulative dose model (P=4.7 × 10(-8); HR=2.2), respectively. Similar associations with rs6453204 were seen for CTC grade 3-5 hypertension but did not meet genome-wide significance. Validation study from ECOG-2100 demonstrated a statistically significant association between this SNP and grade 3/4 hypertension using the binary model (P-value=0.037; OR=2.4). CONCLUSIONS: A genetic variant in SV2C predicted clinically relevant bevacizumab-induced hypertension in two independent, randomised phase III trials.

Efficacy and effectiveness of five day treatment of uncomplicated falciparum with artemisinin or artesunate in Vietnam.

A study on efficacy and effectiveness of artemisinin (total dose of 60 mg/kg) and artesunate (total dose of 12 mg/kg over five days) in treatment of uncomplicated malaria was conducted in highly malaria transmitted areas in Vietnam. 126 uncomplicated malaria cases finished 14 day follow-up. 100% cure rate achieved at day 14 in patients of the efficacy groups received either artemisinin or artesunate, while it was 83% and 93% in patients treated respectively with artemisinin and artesunate of the effectiveness groups. Compliance of the treatment regimens was discussed.

Enhanced endothelial cell apoptosis in splenic tissues of patients with thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura.

Idiopathic thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) is a thrombotic microangiopathy of obscure etiology. The fundamental pathologic lesion is a hyaline thrombus composed of platelets and some fibrin accompanied by endothelial cell proliferation and detachment, in the absence of an inflammatory response. We have previously demonstrated that plasmas from patients with both idiopathic TTP and a related disorder, sporadic hemolytic-uremic syndrome (HUS), induce apoptosis and expression of the apoptosis-associated molecule Fas (CD95) in vitro in those lineages of microvascular endothelial cells (MVECs) that are affected pathologically. We now demonstrate the presence of enhanced MVEC apoptosis in splenic tissues from patients with TTP, documented by terminal deoxynucleotidyl-transferase-mediated dUTP nick-end labeling (TUNEL) and morphology. This is accompanied by elevated Fas expression. It contrasts with the absence of apoptosis in splenic tissues obtained after splenectomy for trauma or immune thrombocytopenic purpura. TUNEL-positive cells, identified by immunohistochemistry as MVECs or macrophages, presumably engulfing apoptotic ECs, are noted in numerous areas, including those apart from microthrombi. Thus, it is unlikely that EC apoptosis is simply a sequela of thrombus formation. Based on these data, we propose that MVEC apoptosis is of pathophysiologic significance in idiopathic TTP/sporadic HUS.