Drug sensitivity testing on patient-derived sarcoma cells predicts patient response to treatment and identifies c-Sarc inhibitors as active drugs for translocation sarcomas.

BACKGROUND: Heterogeneity and low incidence comprise the biggest challenge in sarcoma diagnosis and treatment. Chemotherapy, although efficient for some sarcoma subtypes, generally results in poor clinical responses and is mostly recommended for advanced disease. Specific genomic aberrations have been identified in some sarcoma subtypes but few of them can be targeted with approved drugs. METHODS: We cultured and characterised patient-derived sarcoma cells and evaluated their sensitivity to 525 anti-cancer agents including both approved and non-approved drugs. In total, 14 sarcomas and 5 healthy mesenchymal primary cell cultures were studied. The sarcoma biopsies and derived cells were characterised by gene panel sequencing, cancer driver gene expression and by detecting specific fusion oncoproteins in situ in sarcomas with translocations. RESULTS: Soft tissue sarcoma cultures were established from patient biopsies with a success rate of 58%. The genomic profile and drug sensitivity testing on these samples helped to identify targeted inhibitors active on sarcomas. The cSrc inhibitor Dasatinib was identified as an active drug in sarcomas carrying chromosomal translocations. The drug sensitivity of the patient sarcoma cells ex vivo correlated with the response to the former treatment of the patient. CONCLUSIONS: Our results show that patient-derived sarcoma cells cultured in vitro are relevant and practical models for genotypic and phenotypic screens aiming to identify efficient drugs to treat sarcoma patients with poor treatment options.

A real-world study of cardiac events in > 3700 patients with HER2-positive early breast cancer treated with trastuzumab: final analysis of the OHERA study.

PURPOSE: Cardiac dysfunction risk associated with intravenous trastuzumab (H IV) treatment may differ in real-world practice versus randomized trials. We investigated cardiac events in patients with HER2-positive early breast cancer (EBC) treated with H IV as adjuvant therapy in routine practice. METHODS: The observational study of cardiac events in patients with HER2-positive EBC treated with Herceptin (OHERA; NCT01152606) enrolled patients with stage I-IIIb disease eligible for H IV in the adjuvant setting per the European Summary of Product Characteristics (SmPC). Primary outcomes were symptomatic congestive heart failure incidence (CHF; New York Heart Association class II-IV) and cardiac death. Patient visits/assessments were per local practice. RESULTS: 3733 Patients received ≥ 1 H IV dose per local practice; 88.9% received H IV for > 300 days (median follow-up: ~ 5 years). Prior to disease recurrence (if any), symptomatic CHF occurred in 106 patients (2.8%); 6 (0.2%) cardiac deaths occurred (5 in patients with cardiac disease history). Median time to symptomatic CHF onset was 5.7 months (95% CI 5.3-6.5); 77/106 (72.6%) patients with symptomatic CHF achieved resolution. CHF incidence was higher in patients ≥ 65 years, and those with pre-existing cardiac conditions, hypertension, or left ventricular ejection fraction ≤ 55% at baseline. CONCLUSIONS: OHERA is the largest prospective observational study to investigate the cardiac safety of H IV as adjuvant EBC therapy in a real-world setting. Symptomatic CHF and cardiac event incidences were consistent with randomized trials in this setting and baseline risk factors identified in the H IV European SmPC.

No association between low-dose aspirin use and breast cancer outcomes overall: a Swedish population-based study.

BACKGROUND: Results from previous studies indicate that use of low-dose aspirin may improve breast cancer prognosis. We evaluated aspirin use and breast cancer outcomes in relation to clinical characteristics as well as dose and duration of aspirin use. METHODS: We used information from the Regional Breast Cancer Quality-of-Care Registries in three Swedish regions to identify 21,414 women diagnosed with a first stage I-III breast cancer between 1 April 2006 and 31 December 2012. The cohort was further linked to nationwide registers to retrieve information about dispensing low-dose aspirin before and after breast cancer diagnosis, comorbidity and causes of death. In a separate analysis, we investigated time to breast cancer death among 621 women with stage IV disease at diagnosis. Associations were evaluated using a multivariable Cox proportional hazards model. RESULTS: Among women with stage I-III breast cancer, 2660 (12.4%) used low-dose aspirin shortly before breast cancer diagnosis and 4091 (19.1%) were users during follow-up. Women were followed for a median of 3.8 years after diagnosis. There was no association between aspirin use and breast cancer-specific death in multivariable analyses (use before diagnosis: hazard ratio (HR) 0.93, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.77-1.12; use after diagnosis: HR 1.00, 95% CI 0.74-1.37). Similarly, aspirin use was not associated with risk of first recurrence/metastases in a subgroup of stage I-III breast cancer patients (HR 0.97, 95% CI 0.86-1.10). However, in analyses stratified by stage, an inverse association between low-dose aspirin use after diagnosis and breast cancer death was found for women with stage I tumors (HR 0.53, 95% CI 0.29-0.96). Among women with stage IV disease at diagnosis, aspirin use was not associated with time to breast cancer death (HR 0.91, 95% CI 0.67-1.23). CONCLUSION: In this large population-based cohort study there was no evidence that low-dose aspirin use before or after breast cancer diagnosis is associated with a reduced risk of adverse outcomes overall in breast cancer. However, a potential benefit was noted among women with stage I tumors, warranting further investigation.

Long-term safety and survival outcomes from the Scandinavian Breast Group 2004-1 randomized phase II trial of tailored dose-dense adjuvant chemotherapy for early breast cancer.

PURPOSE: Although adjuvant polychemotherapy improves outcomes for early breast cancer, the significant variability in terms of pharmacokinetics results in differences in efficacy and both short and long-term toxicities. Retrospective studies support the use of dose tailoring according to the hematologic nadirs. METHODS: The SBG 2004-1 trial was a randomized feasibility phase II study which assessed tailored dose-dense epirubicin and cyclophosphamide (EC) followed by docetaxel (T) (group A), the same regimen with fixed doses (group B) and the TAC regimen (group C). Women aged 18-65 years, ECOG PS 0-1 with at least one positive axillary lymph node were randomized 1:1:1. The primary endpoint of the study was the safety and feasibility of the treatment. Toxicity was graded according to CTC-AE version 3.0. The design and short-term toxicity have been previously published. Here, we report safety and efficacy data after 10 years of follow-up. RESULTS: A total of 124 patients were included in the study. After a median follow-up of 10.3 years, the probability for 10-year survival was 78.5, 75.1, and 63.4% and for relapse free survival 64.1, 71.0, and 59.5% for groups A, B, and C, respectively. There were no cases of clinically diagnosed cardiotoxicity or hematologic malignancies. No patient was lost to follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: In this randomized phase II trial, tailored dose adjuvant chemotherapy was feasible, without an increased risk for long-term adverse events after a median follow-up of 10 years.

Survival and level of care among breast cancer patients with brain metastases treated with whole brain radiotherapy.

PURPOSE: The benefit of whole brain radiotherapy (WBRT) for late stage breast cancer patients with brain metastases has been questioned. In this study we evaluated survival and level of care (hospital or home) following WBRT in a population-based cohort by personal and tumor characteristics. METHODS: We identified 241 consecutive patients with breast cancer and brain metastases receiving WBRT in Stockholm, Sweden, 1999-2012. Through review of medical records, we collected data on prognostic determinants including level of care before and after WBRT. Survival was estimated using Cox regression, and odds ratios (OR) of not coming home using logistic regression. RESULTS: Median age at WBRT was 58 years (range 30---88 years). Most patients (n = 212, 88%) were treated with 4 Gray × 5. Median survival following WBRT was 2.9 months (interquartile range 1.1-6.6 months), and 57 patients (24%) were never discharged from hospital. Poor performance status and triple-negative tumors were associated with short survival (WHO 3-4 median survival 0.9 months, HR = 5.96 (3.88-9.17) versus WHO 0-1; triple-negative tumors median survival 2.0 months, HR = 1.87 (1.23-2.84) versus Luminal A). Poor performance status and being hospitalized before WBRT were associated with increased ORs of not coming home whereas cohabitation with children at home was protective. CONCLUSION: Survival was short following WBRT, and one in four breast cancer patients with brain metastases could never be discharged from hospital. When deciding about WBRT, WHO score, level of care before WBRT, and the patient's choice of level of care in the end-of-life period should be considered.

Radiation-induced stress response in peripheral blood of breast cancer patients differs between patients with severe acute skin reactions and patients with no side effects to radiotherapy.

The aim of the study was to compare the radiation-induced oxidative stress response in blood samples from breast cancer patients that developed severe acute skin reactions during the radiotherapy, with the response in blood samples from patients with no side effects. Peripheral blood was collected from 12 breast cancer patients showing no early skin reactions after radiotherapy (RTOG grade 0) and from 14 breast cancer patients who developed acute severe skin reactions (RTOG grade 3-4). Whole blood was irradiated with 0, 5 and 2000mGy γ-radiation and serum was isolated. The biomarker for oxidative stress, 8-oxo-dG, was analyzed in the serum by a modified ELISA. While a significant radiation-induced increase of serum 8-oxo-dG levels was observed in serum of the RTOG 0 patients, no increase was seen in serum of the RTOG 3-4 patients. The radiation induced increase in serum 8-oxo-dG levels after 5mGy did not differ significantly from the increase observed for 2000mGy in the RTOG 3-4 cohort, thus no dose response relation was observed. A receiver operating characteristic (ROC) value of 0.97 was obtained from the radiation-induced increase in 8-oxo-dG indicating that the assay could be used to identify patients with severe acute adverse reactions to radiotherapy. The results show that samples of whole blood from patients, classified as highly radiosensitive (RTOG 3-4) based on their skin reactions to radiotherapy, differ significantly in their oxidative stress response to ionizing radiation compared to samples of whole blood from patients with no skin reactions (RTOG 0). Extracellular 8-oxo-dG is primarily a biomarker of nucleotide damage and the results indicate that the patients with severe acute skin reactions differ in their cellular response to ionizing radiation at the level of induction of oxidative stress or at the level of repair or both.

TP53 status for prediction of sensitivity to taxane versus non-taxane neoadjuvant chemotherapy in breast cancer (EORTC 10994/BIG 1-00): a randomised phase 3 trial.

BACKGROUND: TP53 has a crucial role in the DNA damage response. We therefore tested the hypothesis that taxanes confer a greater advantage than do anthracyclines on breast cancers with mutated TP53 than in those with wild-type TP53. METHODS: In an open-label, phase 3 study, women (age <71 years) with locally advanced, inflammatory, or large operable breast cancers were randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio to either a standard anthracycline regimen (six cycles of intravenous fluorouracil 500 mg/m², epirubicin 100 mg/m², and cyclophosphamide 500 mg/m² every 21 days [FEC100], or fluorouracil 600 mg/m², epirubicin 75 mg/m², cyclophosphamide 900 mg/m² [tailored FEC] starting on day 1 and then every 21 days) or a taxane-based regimen (three cycles of docetaxel 100 mg/m², intravenously infused over 1 h on day 1 every 21 days, followed by three cycles of intravenous epirubicin 90 mg/m² and docetaxel 75 mg/m² on day 1 every 21 days [T-ET]) at 42 centres in Europe. Randomisation was by use of a minimisation method that stratified patients by institution and initial tumour stage. The primary endpoint was progression-free survival (PFS) according to TP53 status. Analysis was by intention to treat. This is the final analysis of this trial. The study is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT00017095. FINDINGS: 928 patients were enrolled in the FEC group and 928 in the T-ET group. TP53 status was not assessable for 183 (20%) patients in the FEC group and 204 (22%) patients in the T-ET group mainly because of low tumour-cell content in the biopsy. 361 primary endpoint events were recorded in the FEC group and 314 in the T-ET group. In patients with TP53-mutated tumours, 5-year PFS was 59·5% (95% CI 53·4-65·1) in the T-ET group (n=326) and 55·3% (49·2-60·9) in the FEC group (n=318; hazard ratio 0·84, 98% CI 0·63-1·14; p=0·17). In patients with TP53 wild-type tumours, 5-year PFS was 66·8% (95% CI 61·4-71·6) in the T-ET group (n=398) and 64·7% (59·6-69·4) in the FEC group (n=427; 0·89, 98% CI 0·68-1·18; p=0·35). For all patients, irrespective of TP53 status, 5-year PFS was 65·1% (95% CI 61·6-68·3) in the T-ET group and 60·8% (57·3-64·2) in the FEC group (0·85, 98% CI 0·71-1·02; p=0·035). At the sites using FEC100 versus T-ET, the most common grade 3 or 4 adverse events were febrile neutropenia (75 [9%] of 803 vs 173 [21%] of 809, respectively), and neutropenia (653 [81%] vs 730 [90%], respectively). At the sites using tailored FEC versus T-ET, the most common grade 3 or 4 adverse events were febrile neutropenia (ten [8%] of 118 vs 26 [22%] of 116, respectively), and neutropenia (100 [85%] vs 115 [99%], respectively). Two patients died of toxicity during or within 30 days of chemotherapy completion and without disease relapse (one in each group). INTERPRETATION: Although TP53 status was prognostic for overall survival, it was not predictive of preferential sensitivity to taxanes. TP53 status tested by use of the yeast assay in this patient population cannot be used to select patients for an anthracycline-based chemotherapy versus a taxane-based chemotherapy. FUNDING: US National Cancer Institute, La Ligue Nationale Contre le Cancer, European Union, Pharmacia, and Sanofi-Aventis.

HER2 status in a population-derived breast cancer cohort: discordances during tumor progression.

This retrospective study investigates the correlation of intra-individual HER2 status between primary breast cancers and corresponding recurrences in a population derived cohort. The REMARK criteria were used as reference. In 151 breast cancer patients, primary tumors were analyzed for HER2 status on histopathology sections using immunohistochemistry (IHC) confirmed by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) for IHC 2+ and 3+. Recurrences (loco regional and distant) were investigated by aspiration cytology, using HER2 immunocytochemistry (ICC) or FISH (ICC in 84 patients and FISH in 102 patients). In the 151 patients, sites of recurrence were bone/bone marrow 30%, liver 16%, local recurrence 18%, lung/pleura 10%, axillary lymph nodes 9%, skin (non-local) 7%, supra clavicular lymph nodes 5%, and other sites 7%. In 15 patients (10%) HER2 status changed, 7 of 108 patients (6%) from HER2 negative to HER2 positive and 8 of 43 (19%) from HER2 positive to HER2 negative. Intra-patient agreement in HER2 status was 76% (95% CI 64-87%), and the disagreement was 10% (95% CI 5-15%). The multivariable Cox analysis showed a significantly increased risk of dying in the patient group with changed HER2 status compared to patients with concordant positive HER2 status. Overall survival HR is 5.47 (95% CI 2.01-14.91) and survival from relapse HR is 3.22 (95% CI 1.18-8.77). The unstable status for HER2 in breast cancer is clinically significant and should motivate more frequent testing of recurrences.

A randomised feasibility/phase II study (SBG 2004-1) with dose-dense/tailored epirubicin, cyclophoshamide (EC) followed by docetaxel (T) or fixed dosed dose-dense EC/T versus T, doxorubicin and C (TAC) in node-positive breast cancer.

The aim of the study was to evaluate the feasibility of tailored and dose-dense epirubicin and cyclophosphamide followed by docetaxel as adjuvant breast cancer therapy. Material and methods. Patients with node-positive breast cancer received either four cycles of biweekly and tailored EC (epirubicin 38-60-75-90-105-120 mg/m(2), cyclophosphamide 450-600-900-1200 mg/m(2)) followed by four cycles of docetaxel (60-75-85-100 mg/m(2)) (arm A) or the same regimen with fixed doses (E(90)C(600) + 4 → T(75) + 4) (arm B) or docetaxel, doxorubicin and cyclophosphamide (T(75)A(50)C(500)) every three weeks for six cycles (arm C). All patients received G-CSF support and prophylactic ciprofloxacin. Results. One-hundred and twenty-four patients were randomised in the study. In the A, B and C arm, 17% 19% and 3% of the patients had one or more cycles delayed due to side-effects whereas 24%, 5% and 15% experienced a grade 3 infection or febrile neutropenia. After the introduction of an extra week between the EC and T parts in the A and B arms, grade 3 hand-foot-skin reactions were reduced from 5 to 0.2%. Twenty-nine percent (A and B) and 20% (C) of the patients were hospitalised due to side-effects. Discussion. Dose-dense and tailored EC/T can be given with manageable toxicity and is after adjustment presently studied in the phase III Panther trial.

Vaccination with a plasmid DNA encoding HER-2/neu together with low doses of GM-CSF and IL-2 in patients with metastatic breast carcinoma: a pilot clinical trial.

BACKGROUND: Adjuvant trastuzumab (Herceptin) treatment of breast cancer patients significantly improves their clinical outcome. Vaccination is an attractive alternative approach to provide HER-2/neu (Her2)-specific antibodies and may in addition concomitantly stimulate Her2-reactive T-cells. Here we report the first administration of a Her2-plasmid DNA (pDNA) vaccine in humans. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The vaccine, encoding a full-length signaling-deficient version of the oncogene Her2, was administered together with low doses of GM-CSF and IL-2 to patients with metastatic Her2-expressing breast carcinoma who were also treated with trastuzumab. Six of eight enrolled patients completed all three vaccine cycles. In the remaining two patients treatment was discontinued after one vaccine cycle due to rapid tumor progression or disease-related complications. The primary objective was the evaluation of safety and tolerability of the vaccine regimen. As a secondary objective, treatment-induced Her2-specific immunity was monitored by measuring antibody production as well as T-cell proliferation and cytokine production in response to Her2-derived antigens. RESULTS: No clinical manifestations of acute toxicity, autoimmunity or cardiotoxicity were observed after administration of Her2-pDNA in combination with GM-CSF, IL-2 and trastuzumab. No specific T-cell proliferation following in vitro stimulation of freshly isolated PBMC with recombinant human Her2 protein was induced by the vaccination. Immediately after all three cycles of vaccination no or even decreased CD4+ T-cell responses towards Her2-derived peptide epitopes were observed, but a significant increase of MHC class II restricted T-cell responses to Her2 was detected at long term follow-up. Since concurrent trastuzumab therapy was permitted, lambda-subclass specific ELISAs were performed to specifically measure endogenous antibody production without interference by trastuzumab. Her2-pDNA vaccination induced and boosted Her2-specific antibodies that could be detected for several years after the last vaccine administration in a subgroup of patients. CONCLUSION: This pilot clinical trial demonstrates that Her2-pDNA vaccination in conjunction with GM-CSF and IL-2 administration is safe, well tolerated and can induce long-lasting cellular and humoral immune responses against Her2 in patients with advanced breast cancer.

Preoperative accelerated radiotherapy combined with chemotherapy in a defined cohort of patients with high risk soft tissue sarcoma: a Scandinavian Sarcoma Group study.

BACKGROUND: We recently reported outcomes from a Scandinavian Sarcoma Group adjuvant study (SSG XX group A) conducted on localized and operable high risk soft tissue sarcoma (STS) of the extremities and trunk wall. SSG XX, group B, comprised of patients in a defined cohort with locally advanced STS considered at high risk for intralesional surgery. These patients received preoperative accelerated radiotherapy, together with neoadjuvant and adjuvant chemotherapy. Herein we report the results of this group B. METHODS: Twenty patients with high-grade, locally advanced and deep STS located in lower extremities (n = 12), upper extremities (5) or trunk wall (3) were included. The median age was 59 years and 14 patients were males. The treatment regimen consisted of 6 cycles of doxorubicin (60 mg/m2) and ifosfamide (6 g/m2), with three cycles given neoadjuvantly, and preoperative radiotherapy (1, 8 Gyx2/daily to 36 Gy) between cycles 2 and 3. After a repeated MRI surgery was then conducted, and the remaining 3 chemotherapy cycles were given postoperatively at 3 weeks intervals. Survival data, local control, toxicity of chemotherapy and postoperative complications are presented. RESULTS: Median follow-up time for metastasis-free survival (MFS) was 2.8 years (range 0.3-10.4). The 5-year MFS was 49.5% (95% confidence interval [CI] 31.7-77.4). The median follow-up time was 5.4 years (range 0.3-10.4) for overall survival (OS). The 5-year OS was 64.0% (95% CI 45.8-89.4). The median tumour size was 13 cm, with undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcoma (n = 10) and synovial sarcoma (n = 6) diagnosed most frequently. All patients completed surgery. Resection margins were R0 in 19 patients and R1 in 1 patient. No patients had evidence of disease progression preoperatively. Three patients experienced a local recurrence, in 2 after lung metastases had already been diagnosed. Eleven patients (55%) had postoperative wound problems (temporary in 8 and persistent in 3). CONCLUSIONS: Preoperative chemotherapy and radiotherapy were associated with temporary wound-healing problems. Survival outcomes, local control and toxicities were deemed satisfactory when considering the locally advanced sarcoma disease status at primary diagnosis. Trial registration This study was registered at ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier NCT00790244 and with European Union Drug Regulating Authorities Clinical Trials No. EUDRACT 2007-001152-39.

Efficacy and safety of ultra-low dose 0.005% estriol vaginal gel for the treatment of vulvovaginal atrophy in postmenopausal women with early breast cancer treated with nonsteroidal aromatase inhibitors: a phase II, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the efficacy and safety of ultra-low dose 0.005% estriol vaginal gel in women with breast cancer receiving nonsteroidal aromatase inhibitors (NSAIs) and experiencing treatment-related vulvovaginal symptoms and signs. METHODS: Women with hormone receptor-positive early breast cancer receiving NSAIs were randomized to either estriol vaginal gel or placebo for 12 weeks. Vaginal maturation, vaginal pH, and total and individual scores of symptoms and signs of vulvovaginal atrophy were assessed at baseline and at weeks 3 and 12; sexual functioning was also evaluated using the Female Sexual Functioning Index (FSFI) questionnaire, as well as circulating estrogens, follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH). RESULTS: Sixty-one women with a mean age of 59 years were included: 50 received 0.005% estriol vaginal gel and 11 received placebo. Active treatment significantly improved maturation value and pH, vaginal dryness and global scores of symptoms and signs. Active treatment also increased the total FSFI score and all the FSFI domains, with the exception of pain. Small oscillations were observed in FSH and LH, which remained within the postmenopausal range. Estriol levels increased initially and normalized by week 12, and estradiol and estrone remained mostly undetectable throughout the study. CONCLUSIONS: Ultra-low dose 0.005% estriol vaginal gel showed efficacy in improving the symptoms and signs of vulvovaginal atrophy. These results, together with minimal oscillations in hormonal levels throughout the treatment, support the use of ultra-low dose 0.005% estriol vaginal gel as a treatment option for vulvovaginal atrophy in women with breast cancer receiving NSAIs with an indication for treatment with vaginal estrogens. : Video Summary:http://links.lww.com/MENO/A531.

Video Summary:http://links.lww.com/MENO/A531.

A phase II study of epirubicin, cisplatin and capecitabine as neoadjuvant chemotherapy in locally advanced or inflammatory breast cancer.

AIM: To assess the efficacy and safety of epirubicin, capecitabine and cisplatin (EXC) combination therapy in locally advanced breast cancer (LABC) and investigate the predictive value of selected biomarkers. METHODS: Newly diagnosed LABC patients received four 3-weekly cycles of neoadjuvant EXC (epirubicin 60 mg/m(2) day 1; capecitabine 1000 mg/m(2) bid, days 1-14; cisplatin 60 mg/m(2)day 1) and two cycles of post-operative EXC. RESULTS: Eight (17%) of 48 patients had inflammatory breast cancer. Overall response rate was 74% (95% CI: 59-86%), including complete responses in 13% (95% CI: 5-26%). Nine (22%; 95% CI: 11-38%) of 41 patients undergoing surgery achieved pathologic complete response (pCR), giving a pCR rate of 19% (95% CI: 9-33%) in the intent-to-treat population. Haematological toxicity was manageable. The most problematic toxicities were chemotherapy-induced nausea/vomiting and hypercoagulative disorders. None of the biomarkers investigated, including HER2, predicted response. CONCLUSION: EXC showed high efficacy in LABC, with high clinical response and pCR rate. Nausea and vomiting were unexpectedly frequent, and more aggressive prophylaxis and management of these side effects is recommended in future studies of this combination.

The effect of radiotherapy on fat content and fatty acids in myxoid liposarcomas quantified by MRI.

BACKGROUND: Myxoid liposarcomas are highly radiosensitive. Consequently radiotherapy is often used pre-operatively to reduce tumor volume and lessen the post-operative deficit. In soft-tissue sarcomas therapy response is mainly evaluated using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and the fundamental criterion for a positive response is decreased tumor size. In myxoid liposarcomas an increased fat content is also known to occur as a response to radiotherapy. OBJECTIVE: To highlight the difficulties of MRI for therapy response evaluation in irradiated myxoid liposarcomas, by using MRI Dixon techniques enabling objective quantification of proton density fat fraction (%) and the number of double bonds (ndb; unsaturation degree) of fatty acids. Secondly, to compare quantitative fat fraction measurements versus visual grading of fat content on T1-weighted images. CASE DESCRIPTIONS: Prior to surgery, two patients with myxoid liposarcoma were treated with 50Gy. Following radiotherapy, both tumors on MRI showed reduced size, elevated fat fraction and transformed fat fraction histograms with diverse changes of ndb, while histopathological specimens showed discordant treatment effects; one case having good response and the other having poor response. CONCLUSIONS: A decrease in tumor size and increase in fat content on MRI cannot be interpreted as positive therapy response in radiotherapy of myxoid liposarcomas. Our data also give further supporting evidence that differentiation and maturation of tumor cells is the cause for the lipoma-like areas seen after radiotherapy. Finally, quantitative MRI Dixon techniques are preferable to visual grading for estimating the fat content in lipomatous tumors.

Zoledronic acid inhibits NFAT and IL-2 signaling pathways in regulatory T cells and diminishes their suppressive function in patients with metastatic cancer.

Regulatory T cells (Treg) suppress anti-tumor immune responses and their infiltration in the tumor microenvironment is associated with inferior prognosis in cancer patients. Thus, in order to enhance anti-tumor immune responses, selective depletion of Treg is highly desired. We found that treatment with zoledronic acid (ZA) resulted in a selective decrease in the frequency of Treg that was associated with a significant increase in proliferation of T cells and natural killer (NK) cells in peripheral blood of patients with metastatic cancer. In vitro, genome-wide transcriptomic analysis revealed alterations in calcium signaling pathways in Treg following treatment with ZA. Furthermore, co-localization of the nuclear factor of activated T cells (NFAT) and forkhead box P3 (FOXP3) was significantly reduced in Treg upon ZA-treatment. Consequently, reduced expression levels of CD25, STAT5 and TGFß were observed. Functionally, ZA-treated Treg had reduced capacity to suppress T and NK cell proliferation and anti-tumor responses compared with untreated Treg in vitro. Treatment with ZA to selectively inhibit essential signaling pathways in Treg resulting in reduced capacity to suppress effector T and NK cell responses represents a novel approach to inhibit Treg activity in patients with cancer.

Transcriptional Profiling of Breast Cancer Metastases Identifies Liver Metastasis-Selective Genes Associated with Adverse Outcome in Luminal A Primary Breast Cancer.

PURPOSE: The complete molecular basis of the organ-specificity of metastasis is elusive. This study aimed to provide an independent characterization of the transcriptional landscape of breast cancer metastases with the specific objective to identify liver metastasis-selective genes of prognostic importance following primary tumor diagnosis. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: A cohort of 304 women with advanced breast cancer was studied. Associations between the site of recurrence and clinicopathologic features were investigated. Fine-needle aspirates of metastases (n = 91) were subjected to whole-genome transcriptional profiling. Liver metastasis-selective genes were identified by significance analysis of microarray (SAM) analyses and independently validated in external datasets. Finally, the prognostic relevance of the liver metastasis-selective genes in primary breast cancer was tested. RESULTS: Liver relapse was associated with estrogen receptor (ER) expression (P = 0.002), luminal B subtype (P = 0.01), and was prognostic for an inferior postrelapse survival (P = 0.01). The major variation in the transcriptional landscape of metastases was also associated with ER expression and molecular subtype. However, liver metastases displayed unique transcriptional fingerprints, characterized by downregulation of extracellular matrix (i.e., stromal) genes. Importantly, we identified a 17-gene liver metastasis-selective signature, which was significantly and independently prognostic for shorter relapse-free (P < 0.001) and overall (P = 0.001) survival in ER-positive tumors. Remarkably, this signature remained independently prognostic for shorter relapse-free survival (P = 0.001) among luminal A tumors. CONCLUSIONS: Extracellular matrix (stromal) genes can be used to partition breast cancer by site of relapse and may be used to further refine prognostication in ER positive primary breast cancer.

Unique proteomic signature for radiation sensitive patients; a comparative study between normo-sensitive and radiation sensitive breast cancer patients.

Radiation therapy is a cornerstone of modern cancer treatment. Understanding the mechanisms behind normal tissue sensitivity is essential in order to minimize adverse side effects and yet to prevent local cancer reoccurrence. The aim of this study was to identify biomarkers of radiation sensitivity to enable personalized cancer treatment. To investigate the mechanisms behind radiation sensitivity a pilot study was made where eight radiation-sensitive and nine normo-sensitive patients were selected from a cohort of 2914 breast cancer patients, based on acute tissue reactions after radiation therapy. Whole blood was sampled and irradiated in vitro with 0, 1, or 150 mGy followed by 3 h incubation at 37°C. The leukocytes of the two groups were isolated, pooled and protein expression profiles were investigated using isotope-coded protein labeling method (ICPL). First, leukocytes from the in vitro irradiated whole blood from normo-sensitive and extremely sensitive patients were compared to the non-irradiated controls. To validate this first study a second ICPL analysis comparing only the non-irradiated samples was conducted. Both approaches showed unique proteomic signatures separating the two groups at the basal level and after doses of 1 and 150 mGy. Pathway analyses of both proteomic approaches suggest that oxidative stress response, coagulation properties and acute phase response are hallmarks of radiation sensitivity supporting our previous study on oxidative stress response. This investigation provides unique characteristics of radiation sensitivity essential for individualized radiation therapy.

Radiation-induced changes in levels of selected proteins in peripheral blood serum of breast cancer patients as a potential triage biodosimeter for large-scale radiological emergencies.

The threat of a large scale radiological emergency, where thousands of people may require fast biological dosimetry for the purpose of triage, makes it necessary to search for new, high throughput biological dosimeters. The authors tested an assay based on the quantitative analysis of selected proteins in peripheral blood serum. They were particularly interested in testing proteins that are specific to irradiation of skin, as these can be used in cases of partial body exposure. Candidate proteins were identified in an earlier study with mice, where skin of the animals was exposed to different doses of radiation and global expression of serum proteins was analyzed. Eight proteins were found, the expression of which showed a consistent dose-response relationship. Human analogues of these proteins were identified, and their expression was measured in peripheral blood serum of 16 breast cancer patients undergoing external beam radiotherapy. The proteins were Apolipoprotein E; Apolipoprotein H; Complement protein 7; Prothrombinase; Pantothenate Kinase 4; Alpha-2-macroglobulin; Fetuin B and Alpha-1-Anti-Chymotrypsin. Measurements were carried out in blood samples collected prior to exposure (control), on the day after one fraction (2 Gy), on the day after five fractions (10 Gy), on the day after 10 fractions (20 Gy), and 1 mo after 23-25 fractions (total dose of 46-50 Gy). Multivariate analysis was carried out, and a multinomial logistic regression model was built. The results indicate that the combined analysis of Apolipoprotein E, Factor X, and Pantothenate Kinase 4 allows discriminating between exposure to 2 Gy and lower and between 10 Gy and higher. The discrimination is possible up to 1 mo after exposure.

FACT: an open-label randomized phase III study of fulvestrant and anastrozole in combination compared with anastrozole alone as first-line therapy for patients with receptor-positive postmenopausal breast cancer.

PURPOSE: To compare the effect of therapy with anastrozole versus a combination of fulvestrant and anastrozole in women in first relapse of endocrine-responsive breast cancer. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Postmenopausal women, or premenopausal women receiving a gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist, with estrogen receptor- and/or progesterone receptor-positive disease at first relapse after primary treatment of localized disease were open-label randomly assigned to a fulvestrant loading dose (LD) regimen followed by monthly injection plus 1 mg of anastrozole daily or to 1 mg of anastrozole daily alone. The primary end point was time to progression (TTP). RESULTS: In all, 514 women were randomly assigned to fulvestrant plus anastrozole (experimental arm; n = 258) or anastrozole (standard arm; n = 256). Approximately two thirds had received adjuvant antiestrogens, but only eight individuals had received an aromatase inhibitor. Median TTP was 10.8 and 10.2 months in the experimental versus standard arm, respectively (hazard ratio [HR] = 0.99; 95% CI, 0.81 to 1.20; P = .91); median overall survival was 37.8 and 38.2 months, respectively (HR = 1.0; 95% CI, 0.76 to 1.32; P = 1.00). Incidences of prespecified adverse events (AEs) were similar. Hot flashes were more common in the experimental arm: 63 patients (24.6%) versus 35 patients (13.8%) in the standard arm (P = .0023). Death owing to AEs was reported in 11 (4.3%) and five patients (2.0%) in the experimental versus standard arm, respectively. CONCLUSION: Fulvestrant (250 mg + LD regimen) in combination with anastrozole offered no clinical efficacy advantage over anastrozole monotherapy in this population of individuals with a relatively high proportion of previous adjuvant antiestrogen exposure.