A randomized trial to evaluate the effects of a supervised exercise program on insomnia in patients with non-metastatic breast cancer undergoing chemotherapy: design of the FATSOMCAN study.

BACKGROUND: Up to 70% of breast cancer patients report symptoms of insomnia during and after treatment. Despite the ubiquity of insomnia symptoms, they are under-screened, under-diagnosed and poorly managed in breast cancer patients. Sleep medications treat symptoms but are ineffective to cure insomnia. Other approaches such as cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia, relaxation through yoga and mindfulness are often not available for patients and are complex to implement. An aerobic exercise program could be a promising treatment and a feasible option for insomnia management in breast cancer patients, but few studies have investigated the effects of such a program on insomnia. METHODS: This multicenter, randomized clinical trial evaluate the effectiveness of a moderate to high intensity physical activity program (45 min, 3 times per week), lasting 12 weeks, in minimizing insomnia, sleep disturbances, anxiety/depression, fatigue, and pain, and in enhancing cardiorespiratory fitness. Patients with breast cancer be recruited from six hospitals in France and randomly allocated to either the "training" or the "control" group. Baseline assessments include questionnaires [Insomnia Severity Index (ISI), Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index questionnaire (PSQI), Hospital Anxiety Depression Scale (HADS), Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS)], home polysomnography (PSG), and 7-day actigraphy coupled with completion of a sleep diary. Assessments are repeated at the end of training program and at six-month follow-up. DISCUSSION: This clinical trial will provide additional evidence regarding the effectiveness of physical exercise in minimizing insomnia during and after chemotherapy. If shown to be effective, exercise intervention programs will be welcome addition to the standard program of care offered to patients with breast cancer receiving chemotherapy. TRIAL REGISTRATION: National Clinical Trials Number (NCT04867096).

Feasibility of health-related quality of life (HRQoL) assessment for cancer patients using electronic patient-reported outcome (ePRO) in daily clinical practice.

INTRODUCTION: Routine Electronic Monitoring of Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQoL) (REMOQOL) in clinical care with real-time feedback to physicians could help to enhance patient-centered care. We evaluated the feasibility of REMOQOL in the French context in the QOLIBRY study. The primary objective was to assess the patients' compliance with REMOQOL. METHODS: The QOLIBRY study was a single-center, prospective study conducted in the University Hospital of Besançon (France). Eligible patients were those treated with systemic therapies for breast, lung or colorectal cancer at any stage. Patients were invited to complete the EORTC QLQ-C30 questionnaire and cancer-site-specific modules before each visit on tablets and/or computers in the hospital or at home. During the consultation, physicians had real-time access to visual summaries of HRQoL scores. Compliance was assessed as adequate if at least 66% of HRQoL assessments were completed during the 4 months of follow-up. RESULTS: Between March 2016 and October 2018, 177 patients were included in the QOLIBRY study. Median age was 64 years (IQR 54-71). The proportion of patients with an adequate compliance rate was 95.5% (n = 63) in the breast cancer cohort, 98.2% (n = 55) in the colorectal cancer cohort, and 90.9% (n = 50) in the lung cancer cohort. The physicians checked the HRQoL results in 73.1% of visits and prescribed supportive care and adapted patient management in 8.3% and 5.2% of visits, respectively. CONCLUSION & PERSPECTIVES: The results of QOLIBRY study suggest that REMOQOL is feasible in the French context. However, information about HRQoL monitoring, training of the physicians in the use of the software, and recommendations for using HRQoL results to guide care are essential and must be improved.

A phase 2 randomized trial to evaluate the impact of a supervised exercise program on cardiotoxicity at 3 months in patients with HER2 overexpressing breast cancer undergoing adjuvant treatment by trastuzumab: design of the CARDAPAC study.

BACKGROUND: The overexpression of human epidermal growth factor receptor-2 (HER2) in breast cancer is a poor prognosis. Trastuzumab improves overall survival but is associated with cardiotoxicity, especially a decline in left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF). In addition, chemotherapy and radiotherapy increase fatigue and pain, decrease physical capacity and health-related quality of life. To date, no study has evaluated the benefits of physical activity on the side effects of treatment in patients with HER2 positive breast cancer. The aim of this study is to evaluate the impact of 3 months' exercise intervention on myocardial function and in particular on the rate of cardiotoxicity. METHODS: This multicenter, randomized clinical trial will include 112 patients treated by adjuvant trastuzumab for HER2 positive breast cancer to investigate the effects of a 3 months' supervised exercise program (intermittent exercise, combining moderate and high intensities; 55 minutes duration, 3 times per week), on the rate of cardiotoxicity [defined by either a decrease of the LVEF under 50% or an absolute drop of LVEF of 10%] between baseline and at 3 months and on strength, aerobic capacity, metabolic, inflammatory and hormonal parameters. Health-related quality of life, fatigue, pain and level of physical activity will also be assessed. Participants are randomly allocated to one of the two groups ("training group" vs "standard oncological care"). Performance-based and self-reported outcomes are assessed at baseline, at the end of supervised exercise program and at six months follow-up. DISCUSSION: Although physical exercise is recommended to reduce the side effects of adjuvant treatments in breast cancer patients, no randomized study has been conducted to assess the benefits of a physical training program in patients with HER2 overexpressing breast cancer. Cardiac toxicity of trastuzumab may be minimized with an exercise program combining high and moderate intensities. This type of program may be safe, feasible and effective but also increase cardiorespiratory fitness and improve health-related quality of life. If these benefits are confirmed, this exercise intervention could be systematically proposed to patients during the course of treatment by trastuzumab in addition to standard oncological care. TRIAL REGISTRATION: National Clinical Trials Number ( NCT02433067 ); Registration 28 april 2015.

First-line trastuzumab plus taxane-based chemotherapy for metastatic breast cancer: cost-minimization analysis.

AIM: To carry out a cost-minimization analysis including a comparison of the costs arising from first-line treatment by trastuzumab plus docetaxel versus trastuzumab plus paclitaxel in patients with metastatic breast cancer. METHODS: All consecutive patients with human epidermal growth receptor 2-postive metastatic breast cancer who were treated at Besançon University Hospital and Saint Vincent private hospital between 2001 and 2010 by first-line therapy containing trastuzumab plus taxane were retrospectively studied. Economic analysis took into account costs related to drugs, hospitalization, and healthcare travel. RESULTS: Progression-free survival difference between the two treatments was not significant (p = 0.65). First-line treatment by trastuzumab plus taxane was estimated at approximately €68,000 (p = 0.74). The drug costs represented around 70-75% of the total cost, mainly related to the use of trastuzumab. CONCLUSION: Our economic analysis shows that although the costs of the two trastuzumab plus taxane regimens are similar, they may contribute to the on-going debate about the availability and use of innovative chemotherapy drugs, in particular in human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-positive metastatic breast cancer with new therapies such as trastuzumab-DM1 and pertuzumab.

Exercise Intervention on Insomnia in Patients with a Cancer: A Systematic Review of the Literature.

Cancer is associated with increased muscle weakness, reduced physical functioning, increased fatigue, but also sleep disturbances, including insomnia, that affect quality of life (QoL). Physical activity demonstrated benefits on functional capacity, resilience and cancer-related fatigue, but there is a paucity of available data regarding its effects on insomnia in patients with cancer. This systematic review aims to examine the efficacy of exercise levels with insomnia in cancer patients. A systematic search was performed for articles published in PubMed and Cochrane Library databases from December 2013 to February 2023. Included studies explored insomnia during or after cancer treatment, with various exercise interventions. The search identified nine studies included in this review. Due to substantial heterogeneity in the interventions across studies, meta-analysis was not performed. Three studies reported positive results for insomnia reduction by self-reported outcomes under a supervised aerobic exercise program alone or combined with strength training. The present systematic review establishes the role of exercise interventions for reducing cancer-related insomnia. Further studies are indeed warranted to improve the level of evidence for exercise interventions for implementation in the care of cancer-related insomnia.

Discordances in estrogen receptor status, progesterone receptor status, and HER2 status between primary breast cancer and metastasis.

BACKGROUND: The primary aim of this retrospective study was to investigate intraindividual correlation of estrogen receptor (ER) status, progesterone receptor (PR) status, and HER2 status between primary breast cancer and metastatic breast cancer (mBC). Secondary aims included patients' characteristics, overall survival, feasibility of histopathological evaluation in the metastatic setting, and predictive factors associated with receptors status discordance. METHODS: Patients with either biopsy of metastatic relapse or surgery of metastasis were identified. Demographics, tumor characteristics, treatment characteristics, and ER, PR, and HER2 statuses were retrospectively obtained in patients' reports. Receptors statuses were assessed by immunohistochemistry with a positivity cutoff of more than 10% for ER and PR. HER2 was considered as positive if overexpression was scored at 3+ in immunohistochemistry or if amplification ratio was >2 in fluorescent in situ hybridization. RESULTS: From a cohort of 489 patients with mBC, 269 patients had histopathological samples of metastatic relapse. Histopathological analysis of the specimen confirmed the diagnosis of mBC in 235 patients. Discordance in one or more receptors between primary breast cancer and mBC was found in 99 patients (42%). A switch in receptor status was identified for ER in 17% of tumors (p = 4 × 10(-3)), PR in 29% of cancers (p < 4 × 10(-4)), and HER2 in 4% of lesions (p = .16). Exposure to chemotherapy and to anthracycline-based chemotherapy was statistically associated with switches in ER status. Seven (2%) second malignancies and three benign diseases (1%) were diagnosed. CONCLUSIONS: This study confirms that discordance in ER and PR receptor expression between the primary breast tumor and the corresponding metastatic lesions is high, whereas HER2 status remains relatively constant. Chemotherapy, and specifically anthracycline-based chemotherapy, was associated with switch in ER status. These results were obtained in a selected population of patients; further studies are warranted to confirm these data and to determine the interest of systematic rebiopsy in the metastatic setting.

Cardiotoxicity is mitigated after a supervised exercise program in HER2-positive breast cancer undergoing adjuvant trastuzumab.

Background: Trastuzumab is used, alone or in conjunction with standard chemotherapy, to treat HER2-positive breast cancer (BC). Although it improves cancer outcomes, trastuzumab. can lead to cardiotoxicity. Physical exercise is a safe and effective supportive therapy in the management of side effects, but the cardioprotective effects of exercise are still unclear. Objectives: The primary aim of this study was to test whether trastuzumab-induced cardiotoxicity [left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) under 50%, or an absolute drop in LVEF of 10%] was reduced after a supervised exercise program of 3 months in patients with HER2-positive breast cancer. Secondary endpoints were to evaluate (i) cardiotoxicity rates using other criteria, (ii) cardiac parameters, (iii) cardiorespiratory fitness and (iv) whether a change in LVEF influences the cardiorespiratory fitness. Methods: 89 women were randomized to receive adjuvant trastuzumab in combination with a training program (training group: TG; n = 46) or trastuzumab alone (control group: CG; n = 43). The primary and secondary endpoints were evaluated at the end of the supervised exercise program of 3 months (T3). Results: After exercise program, 90.5 % of TG patients and 81.8% of CG patients did not exhibit cardiotoxicity. Furthermore, whatever the used criterion, percentage of patients without cardiotoxicity were greater in TG (97.6 and 100% respectively) than in CG (90.9 and 93.9% respectively). LVEF and GLS values remained stable in both groups without any difference between the groups. In contrast, at T3, peak VO2 (+2.6 mL.min-1.kg-1; 95%CI, 1.8 to 3.4) and maximal power (+21.3 W; 95%CI, 17.3 to 25.3) increased significantly in TG, whereas they were unchanged in CG (peak VO2: +0.2 mL.min-1.kg-1; 95%CI, -0.5 to 0.9 and maximal power: +0.7 W, 95%CI, -3.6 to 5.1) compared to values measured at T0. No correlation between LVEF changes and peak VO2 or maximal power was observed. Conclusion: A 12-week supervised exercise regimen was safe and improved the cardiopulmonary fitness in particular peak VO2, in HER2-positive BC patients treated with adjuvant trastuzumab therapy. The study is under powered to come to any conclusion regarding the effect on cardiotoxicity. Clinical trial registration: www.ClinicalTrials.gov, identifier: NCT02433067.

Low correlation between Ki67 assessed by qRT-PCR in Oncotype Dx score and Ki67 assessed by Immunohistochemistry.

Breast cancers expressing high levels of Ki67 are associated with poor outcomes. Oncotype DX test was designed for ER+/HER2- early-stage breast cancers to help adjuvant chemotherapy decision by providing a Recurrent Score (RS). RS measures the expression of 21 specific genes from tumor tissue, including Ki67. The primary aim of this study was to assess the agreement between Ki67RNA obtained with Oncotype DX RS and Ki67IHC. Other objectives were to analyze the association between the event free survival (EFS) and the expression level of Ki67RNA; and association between RS and Ki67RNA. Herein, we report a low agreement of 0.288 by Pearson correlation coefficient test between Ki67IHC and Ki67RNA in a cohort of 98 patients with early ER+/HER2- breast cancers. Moreover, Ki67RNAhigh tumors were significantly associated with the occurrence of events (p = 0.03). On the other hand, we did not find any association between Ki67IHC and EFS (p = 0.26). We observed a low agreement between expression level of Ki67RNA and Ki67 protein labelling by IHC. Unlike Ki67IHC and independently of the RS, Ki67RNA could have a prognostic value. It would be interesting to better assess the prognosis and predictive value of Ki67RNA measured by qRT-PCR. The Ki67RNA in medical routine could be a good support in countries where Oncotype DX is not accessible.

[Prevalence and management of pain in patients with metastatic cancer in Franche-Comté]. / Prévalence et prise en charge de la douleur chez les patients présentant un cancer métastatique en Franche-Comté.

INTRODUCTION: Pain management is a major public health problem, especially in oncology. In order to assess professional practice, the IRFC-FC conducted a survey amongst patients with metastatic osteophilic solid tumor in Franche-Comté. The aims were to assess the pain prevalence, and its characteristics, its management and its impact on patients' quality of life in patients in pain. METHODS: An observational, prospective and multicenter survey was conducted using a self-report questionnaire. Patients with metastatic breast or prostate cancer managed in 5 day-hospitals of the IRFC-FC over a period of three months were included. RESULTS: Two hundred thirty-three questionnaires were analyzed. Pain prevalence rate was 48.5%. Three quarters of patients in pain had chronic background pain, moderate to severe, with or without breakthrough pain. Considering their pain intensity and their analgesic therapy, 42.0% of patients seem to have an inadequate treatment. Eighty-five percent of treated patients reported to be compliant and felt that their pain was well managed despite a strong impact on their quality of life. CONCLUSION: The setting of a specific clinical pathway is essential to secure the standardized, optimal and efficient management of patients in pain. The assessment of patient satisfaction and quality of life must be integrated in clinical practice to identify patients in pain for which the treatment is inappropriate.

[Efficacy, safety and cost of eribulin in patients with metastatic breast cancer]. / Efficacité, tolérance et coût de l'éribuline chez des patientes présentant un cancer du sein métastatique.

Eribulin gained its approval in March 2011 for the treatment of patients with locally advanced or metastatic breast cancer (MBC) whose disease has progressed despite anthracycline and taxane-containing regimens. This study retrospectively assessed the efficacy, safety and cost of this treatment for all patients with MBC treated by eribulin in Franche-Comté. Ninety-four patients received eribulin between July 2006 and October 2013. The median age was 62 years (35-83). Median overall survival was 10.3 months [95% CI: 7.6 to 17.9]. Median progression-free-survival was 3.8 months [95% CI: 2.9 to 5.0]. Clinical benefit was obtained in 55% evaluable patients [95% CI: 43.1 to 66.9] by RECIST criteria. Most common grade 3-4 adverse events (AEs) were neutropenia (38%), asthenia (10%) and peripheral neuropathy (7%). Median cost of the treatment was 9767 € per patient (6344-17,517). This analysis found similar results to the EMBRACE study despite less selected population. A medico-economic evaluation cost-utility type would assess the effectiveness of this strategy compared to standard treatments.

Long-term follow-up of patients with metastatic breast cancer treated by trastuzumab: impact of institutions.

PURPOSE: Trastuzumab in Human Epidermal growth Receptor 2-positive (HER2+) metastatic breast cancer (MBC) was established as standard therapy since 2001. The objective of this study was to search for significant prognostic factors in patients with HER2+ MBC treated by trastuzumab taking into account the institution where the treatment was given. PATIENTS & METHODS: All patients with HER2+ MBC treated by trastuzumab between 2001 and 2010 in the 8 hospitals of Franche Comte region were analysed. Univariate and multivariate analysis were conducted to search for factors related to overall survival (OS). RESULTS: Among 1234 patients with MBC treated by chemotherapy between 2001 and 2010, 217 patients received trastuzumab. In this subset, the median age was 60 years, 8% and 38% had brain and liver metastases at first occurrence of MBC, 36% of, tumours were hormonal receptors positive. Patients were treated in 48% and 52% of cases in specialized and in general hospitals, respectively. The median OS length was 45.2 months (IQR 23.2-89.3 months). In univariate analysis the following factors were significantly related to favourable OS: inclusion in clinical trials, treatment in a specialized hospital, positive hormonal receptors status, age <50. In multivariate analysis remained significant: treatment in specialized hospital (aHR 0.78; 95%CI 0.64-0.94; p = 0.03) and age <50 (aHR 0.76; 95%CI 0.59-0.95; p = 0.02). CONCLUSION: Exposure to trastuzumab erases all established prognostic factors at the metastatic setting. The fact that patients treated in specialized hospitals presented a longer survival emphasizes the dramatic impact of this therapy and the relevance to optimize its use.

[Economic assessment of the routine use of Oncotype DX® assay for early breast cancer in Franche-Comte region]. / Évaluation économique de l'utilisation en routine du test Oncotype DX® dans la prise en charge des cancers du sein en Franche-Comté.

Oncotype DX® has been validated as quantifying the likelihood of distant recurrence at 10 years and overall chemotherapy benefit in patients with estrogen-receptor-positive and HER-2-negative early breast cancer. In 2012, this genomic signature was routinely available for patients in Franche-Comté, France. Patients eligible for Oncotype DX(®) testing had a ER-positive, HER-2-négative early breast cancer with a nodal involvement limited to 0 or 1 positive-node without extracapsular spread; an adjuvant chemotherapy was indicated based on usual prognostic factors. The aim was to assess the economic impact of Oncotype DX(®) testing in a French region. A cost-minimisation analysis from the French Public Healthcare System perspective was performed. The availability of Oncotype DX(®) in Franche-Comté, France, and its use in clinical routine allowed a decrease of 73 % of adjuvant chemotherapy without increase of the cost of the patients' management and with a potential reduction of the cost for the French Public Healthcare System. This strategy was successful and may allow the reimbursement of this test in France for patients with early breast cancer.