Real-world study of palbociclib combined with endocrine therapy for patients with metastatic breast cancer: A comparison of subsequent treatment patterns and HER2 expression analysis.

BACKGROUND: Cyclin-dependent kinase 4/6 inhibitors combined with endocrine therapy (ET) comprise the standard treatment for patients with hormone receptor-positive and human epidermal growth factor 2 (HER2)-negative metastatic breast cancer. The optimal systematic treatment after progression on palbociclib and the role of HER2 expression among these patients remain unclear. METHODS: The authors retrospectively identified 361 patients who received palbociclib combined with ET. Progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were analyzed based on subsequent treatments and HER2 status (PFSsub and OSsub, respectively). PFS1 and OS1 were calculated from palbociclib administration to disease progression/death and death from any cause, respectively. PFSsub and OSsub were calculated from subsequent treatment initiation. RESULTS: The median PFS1 and OS1 were 10.2 and 39.9 months, respectively. The median PFSsub and OSsub of 111 patients (54.7%) who received chemotherapy were 4.9 months and 20.0 months, respectively, whereas those of 89 patients (43.8%) who received endocrine backbone therapy were 5.9 months and 29.3 months, respectively. Among them, 31 patients (15.3%) who received abemaciclib combined with new ET showed better PFSsub and OSsub (12.2 months and not reached, respectively). The median PFS1 was significantly shorter in the HER2-low subgroup than in the HER2-zero subgroup among patients who received second-line or later palbociclib (6.1 vs. 7.8 months; p = .040) but did not differ among patients who received first-line palbociclib. CONCLUSIONS: Various regimens after palbociclib use were received. An improvement was noted in PFS among patients who received endocrine backbone therapy relative to chemotherapy, which may have been secondary to the receipt of chemotherapy by patients with more aggressive disease. HER2 status was not related to the effect of first-line palbociclib, but it may play a role in later lines.

Long-term Outcome Analysis of Pyrotinib in Patients With HER2-Positive Metastatic Breast Cancer and Brain Metastasis: A Real-World Study.

BACKGROUND: Pyrotinib is currently approved for the treatment of HER2-positive advanced breast cancer in China. Data on the overall survival (OS) and efficacy in patients with brain metastasis (BM) remain scarce. This study evaluated the effectiveness of pyrotinib in a real-world setting, especially in patients with BM. METHODS: We reviewed patients with metastatic breast cancer treated with pyrotinib-based therapy between June 2018 and June 2022. Progression-free survival (PFS), OS, objective response rate, and safety were analyzed following the administration of pyrotinib. RESULTS: A total of 239 patients were included. The median PFS in patients who received pyrotinib-based therapy as first-line (15/239), second-line (115/239), or third-or-higher-line (109/239) treatment was 14.00, 9.33, and 8.20 months, respectively, and the median OS was not reached, 29.07 and 22.23 months, respectively. The median PFS in patients who pretreated with trastuzumab (214/239), trastuzumab plus pertuzumab (22/239), lapatinib (68/239), or trastuzumab emtansine (14/239) was 9.33, 6.87, 7.20, and 7.20 months, respectively. In 61 patients with BM, the median PFS was 7.50 months, the median central nervous system (CNS)-PFS was 11.17 months, and the median OS was 21.27 months. Furthermore, 19 patients with concomitant brain radiotherapy tended to achieve a longer OS than 42 patients without radiation (34.17 vs. 20.70 months, P = .112). CONCLUSIONS: Long-term outcomes of pyrotinib-based therapy are promising for patients with HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer in real world and in patients with BM, regardless of the treatment lines and prior anti-HER2 therapies.

Effectiveness of gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonists for ovarian function suppression in premenopausal patients with hormone receptor-positive breast cancer: a retrospective single-center real-world study.

PURPOSE: This study evaluated the effectiveness of ovarian function suppression (OFS) of various gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonists (GnRHa) combined with aromatase inhibitors (AI) in premenopausal patients with hormone receptor-positive (HR-positive) breast cancer. Potential risk factors associated with insufficient OFS were analyzed. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Premenopausal HR-positive breast cancer patients who had received AI with GnRHa were studied retrospectively. Patients were divided into different groups according to monthly or trimonthly GnRHa schedules they received, and the effectiveness of OFS was compared between groups. Insufficient OFS was defined as at least one instance of estradiol ≥ 30 pg/ml. Patient data was gathered from medical records for this comparison. RESULTS: Of the 264 patients enrolled in this study, 117 were administered 3.6 mg of goserelin monthly (goserelin 1 M group), 63 received 3.75 mg of leuprorelin monthly (leuprorelin 1 M group) and 84 were given 11.25 mg of leuprorelin every three months (leuprorelin 3 M group). Overall, 7.20% experienced insufficient OFS. The incidence rates in the three GnRHa depot groups were 7.69%, 6.35%, and 7.14%, respectively, without a significant statistical difference (P = 0.900). Notably, younger patients exhibited a higher likelihood of insufficient OFS [OR = 0.900, 95%CI (0.824-0.982), P = 0.018]. CONCLUSION: Insufficient OFS remains a concern during GnRHa and AI treatment. The effectiveness of the three GnRHa depots commonly used in China seems comparable. Younger patients face a heightened risk of insufficient OFS.

Comparison of an Affibody-based Molecular Probe and 18F-FDG for Detecting HER2-Positive Breast Cancer at PET/CT.

Background Human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) affibody-based tracers could be an alternative to nonspecific radiotracers for noninvasive detection of HER2 expression in breast cancer lesions at PET/CT. Purpose To compare an affibody-based tracer, Al18F-NOTA-HER2-BCH, and fluorine 18 (18F) fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) for detecting HER2-positive breast cancer lesions on PET/CT images. Materials and Methods In this prospective study conducted from June 2020 to July 2023, participants with HER2-positive breast cancer underwent both Al18F-NOTA-HER2-BCH and 18F-FDG PET/CT. HER2 positivity was confirmed with pathologic assessment (immunohistochemistry test results of 3+, or 2+ followed by fluorescence in situ hybridization, indicated HER2 amplification). Two independent readers visually assessed the uptake of tracers on images. Lesion uptake was quantified using the maximum standardized uptake value (SUVmax) and target to background ratio (TBR) and compared using a general linear mixed model. Results A total of 42 participants (mean age, 56.3 years ± 10.1 [SD]; 41 female) with HER2-positive breast cancer were included; 42 (100%) had tumors that were detected with Al18F-NOTA-HER2-BCH PET/CT and 40 (95.2%) had tumors detected with 18F-FDG PET/CT. Primary tumors in two of 21 participants, lymph node metastases in four of 21 participants, bone metastases in four of 15 participants, and liver metastases in three of nine participants were visualized only with Al18F-NOTA-HER2-BCH. Lung metastasis in one of nine participants was visualized only with 18F-FDG. Al18F-NOTA-HER2-BCH enabled depiction of more suspected HER2-positive primary tumors (26 vs 21) and lymph node (170 vs 130), bone (92 vs 66), and liver (55 vs 27) metastases than 18F-FDG. The SUVmax and TBR values of primary tumors and lymph node, bone, and liver metastases were all higher on Al18F-NOTA-HER2-BCH images than on 18F-FDG images (median SUVmax range, 10.4-13.5 vs 3.4-6.2; P value range, <.001 to .02; median TBR range, 2.7-17.6 vs 1.2-7.8; P value range, <.001 to .001). No evidence of differences in the SUVmax and TBR for chest wall or lung metastases was observed between Al18F-NOTA-HER2-BCH and 18F-FDG (P value range, .06 to .53). Conclusion PET/CT with the affibody-based tracer Al18F-NOTA-HER2-BCH enabled detection of more primary lesions and lymph node, bone, and liver metastases than PET/CT using 18F-FDG. ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT04547309 © RSNA, 2024 Supplemental material is available for this article. See also the editorial by Ulaner in this issue.

Three-Week Versus 4-Week Schedule of nab-Paclitaxel in Patients With Metastatic Breast Cancer: A Randomized Phase II Study.

BACKGROUND: This head-to-head study compared a 3-week versus 4-week schedule of nab-paclitaxel in patients with metastatic breast cancer (mBC). METHODS: Patients with HER2-negative mBC were enrolled and randomly assigned (1:1) to receive nab-paclitaxel for a 3-week schedule (125 mg/m2 on days 1 and 8) or a 4-week schedule (same dose on days 1, 8, and 15) until disease progression or treatment intolerance. Patients with intolerable toxicities were allowed to receive a maintenance regimen after benefiting from nab-paclitaxel. The primary endpoint was progression-free survival (PFS). RESULTS: Ninety-four patients were included in the analysis (n = 47 in each arm). A longer median PFS (mPFS) was observed in the 3-week versus the 4-week schedule in the overall population (not reached vs. 6.8 months; hazard ratio [HR] = 0.44; P = .029). Patients in the 2 arms had a similar overall survival (28.0 vs. 25.8 months), objective response rate (51.1% vs. 48.9%), and disease control rate (93.6% vs. 80.9%). The 3-week schedule was associated with a lower rate of toxicity-related treatment discontinuation (8.5% vs. 29.8%) and dose delays (6.4% vs. 23.4%). CONCLUSION: This study demonstrated the better antitumor activity and safety profile of a 3-week over 4-week nab-paclitaxel schedule in HER2-negative mBC, suggesting that a 3-week schedule may be a better treatment regimen in clinical practice (ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT04192331).

Pegylated liposomal doxorubicin (Duomeisu®) monotherapy in patients with HER2-negative metastatic breast cancer heavily pretreated with anthracycline and taxanes: a single-arm, phase II study.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of pegylated liposomal doxorubicin (PLD) in patients with human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-negative metastatic breast cancer (MBC) heavily pretreated with anthracycline and taxanes. METHODS: In this single-arm, phase II study, patients with HER2-negative MBC previously treated with anthracycline and taxanes as second- to fifth chemotherapy received PLD (Duomeisu®, generic doxorubicin hydrochloride liposome) 40 mg/m2 every 4 weeks until disease progression, unacceptable toxicity, or completion of six cycles. Primary endpoint was progression-free survival (PFS). Secondary endpoints included overall survival (OS), objective response rate (ORR), disease control rate (DCR), clinical benefit rate (CBR), and safety. RESULTS: Of 44 enrolled patients (median age, 53.5 years; range, 34-69), 41 and 36 were evaluable for safety and efficacy, respectively. In total, 59.1% (26/44) of patients had ≥ 3 metastatic sites, 86.4% (38/44) had visceral disease, and 63.6% (28/44) had liver metastases. Median PFS was 3.7 months (95% confidence interval [CI] 3.3-4.1) and median OS was 15.0 months (95% CI 12.1-17.9). ORR, DCR, and CBR were 16.7%, 63.9%, and 36.1%, respectively. The most common adverse events (AEs) were leukopenia (53.7%), fatigue (46.3%), and neutropenia (41.5%), with no grade 4/5 AEs. The most common grade 3 AEs were neutropenia (7.3%) and fatigue (4.9%). Patients experienced palmar-plantar-erythrodysesthesia (24.4%, 2.4% grade 3), stomatitis (19.5%, 7.3% grade 2), and alopecia (7.3%). One patient displayed a left ventricular ejection fraction decline of 11.4% from baseline after five cycles of PLD therapy. CONCLUSION: PLD (Duomeisu®) 40 mg/m2 every 4 weeks was effective and well-tolerated in patients with HER2-negative MBC heavily pretreated with anthracycline and taxanes, revealing a potentially viable treatment option for this population. Trial registration Chinese Clinical Trial Registry: ChiCTR1900022568.

Comparison of renal clearance of [18F]AlF-RESCA-HER2-BCH and [18F]AlF-NOTA-HER2-BCH in mice and breast cancer patients.

PURPOSE: A novel HER2 affibody-based molecular probe, [18F]AlF-RESCA-HER2-BCH, was developed for reducing renal uptake, evaluated, and compared with [18F]AlF-NOTA-HER2-BCH. METHODS: In preclinical studies, micro-PET/CT was performed using HER2-positive gastric cancer patient-derived xenografts (PDX) model at 0.5-1 (dynamic), 2, 4, and 6 h post-injection. For blocking experiment, 0.5 mg cold affibody was co-injected with probes. Biodistribution were performed on HER2-positive PDX models at 2 h post-injection. For clinical study, PET/CT images were acquired at 2 h and 4 h after injection of 231.29 ± 17.77 MBq [18F]AlF-NOTA-HER2-BCH or [18F]AlF-RESCA-HER2-BCH in five breast cancer patients (4 HER2-positive and 1 HER2-low). Standardized uptake values (SUVs) were measured in tumors and source-organs for semi-quantitative analysis. The OLINDA/EXM software (version 1.2) was used to calculate the radiation doses. RESULTS: [18F]AlF-NOTA-HER2-BCH and [18F]AlF-RESCA-HER2-BCH were stably labeled with [18F]F, with high binding specificity and affinity to HER2. Micro-PET/CT of both tracers could clearly visualize HER2-positive PDX tumors with high uptake of 16.24 ± 1.74% ID/g and 14.39 ± 2.45% ID/g at 2 h post-injection. The renal accumulation of [18F]AlF-RESCA-HER2-BCH was significantly lower than that of [18F]AlF-NOTA-HER2-BCH (5.16 ± 0.22% ID/g vs. 158.73 ± 5.44% ID/g at 2 h, p < 0.0001). In the clinical study, both [18F]AlF-NOTA-HER2-BCH and [18F]AlF-RESCA-HER2-BCH demonstrated favorable tumor targeting and image contrast. [18F]AlF-RESCA-HER2-BCH showed a higher SUVmax in both primary tumor and metastases, and a significantly higher target-to-nontarget ratio in metastases than [18F]AlF-NOTA-HER2-BCH. Moreover, [18F]AlF-RESCA-HER2-BCH had lower renal accumulation (43.56 ± 7.88 vs. 79.81 ± 3.81 at 2 h, p < 0.0001; 33.23 ± 6.89 vs. 78.63 ± 4.00 at 4 h, p < 0.0001) as well as a significantly lower renal absorbed dose than [18F]AlF-NOTA-HER2-BCH (0.4450 ± 0.1117 mGy/MBq vs. 0.8030 ± 0.1604 mGy/MBq, p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: [18F]AlF-RESCA-HER2-BCH tended to provide better image contrast than [18F]AlF-NOTA-HER2-BCH with a higher target-to-nontarget ratio in detection of metastases. Notably, [18F]AlF-RESCA-HER2-BCH had lower renal accumulation than [18F]AlF-NOTA-HER2-BCH.

The efficacy and safety of palbociclib combined with endocrine therapy in patients with hormone receptor-positive HER2-negative advanced breast cancer: a multi-center retrospective analysis.

To explore the efficacy and safety of palbociclib combined with endocrine therapy (ET) in advanced breast cancer (ABC). We conducted a retrospective study involving patients with hormone receptor-positive (HR+) and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-negative (HER2-) ABC who received palbociclib combined with ET in the first- to third-line at three centers in China between January 2018 and October 2020. A total of 151 patients were included in this study. The median age of the patients at palbociclib initiation was 56 years (range 30-86 years) with a median follow-up of 10.9 months (range 2.0-41.2 months). Among these patients, 88 patients received palbociclib combined with ET as first-line therapy, and achieved a median progression-free survival (mPFS) of 19.8 months and an objective response rate (ORR) of 40.9%, meanwhile, in the first-line setting, 62 patients received palbociclib at an initial dose of 125 mg, achieving a mPFS of 20.9 months and an ORR of 46.8%. There were 39 and 24 patients who received palbociclib combined with ET as second- and third-line therapy, the mPFS were 10.0 months and 6.1 months, respectively. The most common and serious adverse events (AEs) were leukopenia and neutropenia. A total of 64 patients (42.4%) underwent palbociclib dose reduction due to AEs. Palbociclib combined with ET is an effective therapeutic regimen for HR+/HER2- ABC, particularly in the first-line setting with palbociclib initial dose of 125 mg, and AEs were manageable.

Activity of preclinical and phase I clinical trial of a novel androgen receptor antagonist GT0918 in metastatic breast cancer.

PURPOSE: To evaluate GT0918, a 2nd-generation AR antagonist, for its AR down-regulation activity among breast cancer patients. METHODS: The effect of GT0918 on AR protein expression was evaluated in AR expression breast cancer cells and in breast cancer xenograft model. A 3 + 3 phase I dose-escalation study was launched in Peking University Cancer Hospital. The endpoints included dose finding, safety, pharmacokinetics, and antitumor activity. RESULTS: GT0918 was demonstrated to effectively suppress the expression of AR protein and the growth of AR-positive breast cancer tumors in mouse xenograft tumor models. All patients treated with GT0918 were at a QD dose-escalation of five dose levels from 100 to 500 mg. The most common treatment-related AEs of any grade were asthenia, anemia, decreased appetite, increased blood cholesterol, increased blood triglycerides, decreased white blood cell count, and increased low-density lipoprotein. Grade 3 AEs were fatigue (2 of 18, 11.1%), aspartate aminotransferase increase (1 of 18, 5.6%), alanine aminotransferase increase (1 of 18, 5.6%), and neutrophil count decrease (1 of 18, 5.6%). Clinical benefit rate (CBR) in 16 weeks was 23.1% (3/13). Among 7 AR-positive patients, 6 can evaluate efficacy, and 2 completed 23.5- and 25-cycle treatment, respectively (as of 2020/1/20). PK parameters showed a fast absorption profile of GT0918 in the single-dose study. GT0918 and its major metabolite reached steady-state serum concentration levels at day 21 after multiple dosing. CONCLUSION: GT0918 can effectively inhibit AR-positive breast cancer tumor growth. GT0918 was demonstrated well tolerated with a favorable PK profile. The suitable dose of GT0918 was 500 mg QD and may provide clinical benefits for AR-positive mBC.

Multicenter phase II study of apatinib single or combination therapy in HER2-negative breast cancer involving chest wall metastasis.

OBJECTIVE: Breast cancer (BC) with chest wall metastasis (CWM) usually shows rich neovascularization. This trial explored the clinical effect of apatinib on human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-negative advanced BC involving CWM. METHODS: This trial involved four centers in China and was conducted from September 2016 to March 2020. Patients received apatinib 500 mg/d [either alone or with endocrine therapy if hormone receptor-positive (HR+)] until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity. Progression-free survival (PFS) was the primary endpoint. RESULTS: We evaluated 26 patients for efficacy. The median PFS (mPFS) and median overall survival (mOS) were 4.9 [range: 2.0-28.5; 95% confidence interval (95% CI): 2.1-8.3] months and 18 (range: 3-55; 95% CI: 12.9-23.1) months, respectively. The objective response rate (ORR) was 42.3% (11/26), and the disease-control rate was 76.9% (20/26). In the subgroup analysis, HR+ patients compared with HR-negative patients had significantly improved mPFS of 7.0 (95% CI: 2.2-11.8) monthsvs. 2.3 (95% CI: 1.2-3.4) months, respectively (P=0.001); and mPFS in patients without or with chest wall radiotherapy was 6.4 (95% CI: 1.6-19.5) monthsvs. 3.0 (95% CI: 1.3-4.6) months, respectively (P=0.041). In the multivariate analysis, HR+ status was the only independent predictive factor for favorable PFS (P=0.014). CONCLUSIONS: Apatinib was highly effective for BC patients with CWM, especially when combined with endocrine therapy. PFS improved significantly in patients with HR+ status who did not receive chest wall radiotherapy. However, adverse events were serious and should be carefully monitored from the beginning of apatinib treatment.

Efficacy of platinum in advanced triple-negative breast cancer with germline BRCA mutation determined by next generation sequencing.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the efficacy of platinum- and non-platinum-based regimens as first-line treatment for advanced triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) and analyze the relationship between their efficacy and BRCA gene status. METHODS: Retrospectively analyze clinical data of 220 patients diagnosed pathologically with advanced TNBC and treated at the Department of Breast Oncology, Peking University Cancer Hospital from 2013 to 2018 and evaluate the efficacy of chemotherapy. A total of 114 patients had BRCA1/2 gene tested by next generation sequencing (NGS) using peripheral blood, and we analyzed the correlation between their efficacy and BRCA1/2 gene status. RESULTS: Non-platinum-based chemotherapy (NPCT) was administered to 129 and platinum-based chemotherapy (PBCT) to 91 study patients. The clinical benefit rate (CBR) and median progression-free survival (PFS) were not statistically different between NPCT and PBCT groups. The median overall survival (OS) was 30.0 and 22.5 months for PBCT and NPCT group, respectively [P=0.090, hazard ratios (HR)=0.703]. BRCA status was assessed in 114 patients, 14 of whom had deleterious germline BRCA1/2 (gBRCA) mutations (seven in each group). In PBCT group, the CBR was 85.7% and 35.1% for patients with and without deleterious gBRCA mutations, respectively (P=0.039). The median PFS were 14.9 and 5.3 months and median OS were 26.5 and 15.5 months for patients with and without deleterious gBRCA mutations, respectively (P=0.001, P=0.161, respectively). Patients in PBCT group had significantly greater rates of grade 3-4 anemia (5.5%vs. 0%) and thrombocytopenia (8.8% vs. 0%), whereas palmar-plantar erythrodysesthesia (12.4% vs. 0%) and peripheral neuropathy (8.6% vs. 1.1%) occurred more frequently in NPCT group. CONCLUSIONS: Platinum-based regimens are more effective in patients with deleterious gBRCA mutations, but no difference in patients without BRCA gene mutations, so non-platinum is an option in patients without BRCA gene mutations considering the toxicity and side effect. And we recommend that patients with advanced TNBC should have BRCA gene test.

Phase I dose-escalation and expansion study of PARP inhibitor, fluzoparib (SHR3162), in patients with advanced solid tumors.

OBJECTIVE: Fluzoparib (SHR3162) is a novel, potent poly(ADP-ribose) polymerases (PARP)1, 2 inhibitor that showed anti-tumor activity in xenograft models. We conducted a phase I, first-in-human, dose-escalation and expansion (D-Esc and D-Ex) trial in patients with advanced solid cancer. METHODS: This was a 3+3 phase I D-Esc trial with a 3-level D-Ex at 5 hospitals in China. Eligible patients for D-Esc had advanced solid tumors refractory to standard therapies, and D-Ex enrolled patients with ovarian cancer (OC). Fluzoparib was administered orally once or twice daily (bid) at 11 dose levels from 10 to 400 mg/d. Endpoints included dose-finding, safety, pharmacokinetics, and antitumor activity. RESULTS: Seventy-nine patients were enrolled from March, 2015 to January, 2018 [OC (47, 59.5%); breast cancer (BC) (16, 20.3%); colorectal cancer (8, 10.1%), other tumors (8, 10.1%)]; 48 patients were treated in the D-Esc arm and 31 in the D-Ex arm. The maximum tolerated dose (MTD) was 150 mg bid, with a half-life of 9.14 h. Grade 3/4 adverse events included anemia (7.6%) and neutropenia (5.1%). The objective response rate (ORR) was 30% (3/10) in patients with platinum-sensitive OC and 7.7% (1/13) in patients with BC. Among patients treated with fluzoparib ≥120 mg/d, median progression-free survival (mPFS) was 7.2 [95% confidence interval (95% CI), 1.8-9.3] months in OC, 9.3 (95% CI, 7.2-9.3) months in platinum-sensitive OC, and 3.5 (range, 2.0-28.0) months in BC. In patients with germline BC susceptibility gene mutation (gBRCA Mut) (11/43 OC; 2/16 BC), mPFS was 8.9 months for OC (range, 1.0-23.2; 95% CI, 1.0-16.8) and 14 and 28 months for BC (those two patients both also had somaticBRCA Mut). CONCLUSIONS: The MTD of fluzoparib was 150 mg bid in advanced solid malignancies. Fluzoparib demonstrated single-agent antitumor activity in BC and OC, particularly in BRCA Mut and platinum-sensitive OC.

Circulating CD8+CD28- suppressor T cells tied to poorer prognosis among metastatic breast cancer patients receiving adoptive T-cell therapy: A cohort study.

BACKGROUND AIMS: This study aimed to determine the prognostic value of circulating CD8+CD28- T lymphocytes among breast cancer patients treated with adoptive T-lymphocyte immunotherapy after chemotherapy. METHODS: Two hundred and thirty-two breast cancer patients underwent adoptive T-cell immunotherapy. Circulating CD8+CD28- proportion was measured by flow cytometry. Median proportion of CD8+CD28- was 24.2% and set as the categorical cutoff value for further analysis. The median survival was estimated by Kaplan-Meier curve, with difference detection and hazard ratio estimation by log-rank test and Cox hazard proportion regression model. RESULTS: With adoptive T-cell therapy, patients with higher CD8+CD28- levels experienced median progression-free and overall survival of 7.1 months and 26.9 months, respectively-significantly shorter than patients with lower levels (11.8 and 36.2 months). CD8+CD28- proportion >24.2% demonstrated a hazard ratio (HR) of 2.06 (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.31-3.12) for progression and an HR of 1.97 (95% CI 1.06-3.67) for death. Among patients who had received previous first-line chemotherapy, CD8+CD28- proportion >24.2% demonstrated an HR of 2.66 (95% CI 1.45-4.88) for progression. Among patients exposed to previous second-line or higher chemotherapy, CD8+CD28- proportion >24.2% demonstrated a 486% higher risk for death (HR = 5.86, 95% CI 1.77-19.39). A 1% increase in suppressive T cells was associated with a 5% increased risk of death. DISCUSSION: Elevated peripheral blood CD8+CD28- was associated with poorer prognosis for metastatic breast cancer, especially for higher risk of progression among patients with first-line chemotherapy and higher risk of death among patients with more than second-line chemotherapy.

Combination versus sequential paclitaxel plus gemcitabine as first-line chemotherapy for women with metastatic breast cancer: a prospective randomized phase II study.

PURPOSE: Paclitaxel (T) plus gemcitabine (G) is an active concomitant combination for the treatment of metastatic breast cancer (MBC). However, the efficacy of sequential administration of these two drugs is unclear. This randomized phase II study was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of T and G administered either as a concomitant or as a sequential regimen in patients with MBC. METHODS: Patients with MBC (n=66) were randomized to either receive 6 cycles of concomitant T and G or 4 cycles of T followed by 4 cycles of G, as first line chemotherapy. With no progression, the arms would switch to maintenance with paclitaxel. Progression free survival (PFS) was defined as the primary endpoint; secondary endpoints were the overall response rate (ORR), overall survival (OS), and toxicity. In total, 33 patients were randomized to the concomitant or sequential arms. Patient characteristics were well balanced. The median number of chemotherapy cycles was 6 for the concomitant arm and 8 for the sequential arm. RESULTS: No significant difference was observed in terms of PFS, ORR, and OS. Only 13 (39.4%) patients progressed in the sequential arm. Although there was no significant difference between the two arms (p=0.056),the sequential arm had a remarkable trend of longer PFS than the concomitant arm. Toxicities were manageable and similar in both arms.The incidence of neutropenia was significantly higher in the concomitant arm (90.9%) than in the sequential arm (60.6%). Grade 3 or 4 neutropenia was not significantly different between the two arms. CONCLUSIONS: Concomitant and sequential treatment with paclitaxel and gemcitabine had no significant difference in terms of PFS.

Combined peripheral natural killer cell and circulating tumor cell enumeration enhance prognostic efficiency in patients with metastatic triple-negative breast cancer.

OBJECTIVE: Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is a heterogeneous disease with poor prognosis. Circulating tumor cells (CTCs) are a promising predictor for breast cancer prognoses but their reliability regarding progression-free survival (PFS) is controversial. We aim to verify their predictive value in TNBC. METHODS: In present prospective cohort study, we used the Pep@MNPs method to enumerate CTCs in baseline blood samples from 75 patients with TNBC (taken at inclusion in this study) and analyzed correlations between CTC numbers and outcomes and other clinical parameters. RESULTS: Median PFS was 6.0 (range: 1.0-25.0) months for the entire cohort, in whom we found no correlations between baseline CTC status and initial tumor stage (P=0.167), tumor grade (P=0.783) or histological type (P=0.084). However, among those getting first-line treatment, baseline CTC status was positively correlated with ratio of peripheral natural killer (NK) cells (P=0.032), presence of lung metastasis (P=0.034) and number of visceral metastatic site (P=0.037). Baseline CTC status was predictive for PFS in first-line TNBC (P=0.033), but not for the cohort as a whole (P=0.118). This prognostic limitation of CTC could be ameliorated by combining CTC and NK cell enumeration (P=0.049). CONCLUSIONS: Baseline CTC status was predictive of lung metastasis, peripheral NK cell ratio and PFS in TNBC patients undergoing first-line treatment. We have developed a combined CTC-NK enumeration strategy that allows us to predict PFS in TNBC without any preconditions.

[Bushen Daozhuo Granules for type â ¢ prostatitis: A multicenter randomized controlled clinical trial].

OBJECTIVE: To study the safety and efficacy of Bushen Daozhuo Granules (BDG) in the treatment of type Ⅲ prostatitis. METHODS: This multicenter randomized controlled clinical trial included 478 patients with type Ⅲ prostatitis, 290 in the trial group and 188 as controls, the former treated with BDG at 200 ml bid and the latter with tamsulosin hydrochloride sustainedrelease capsules at 0.2 mg qd, both for 4 weeks. Before treatment, after 4 weeks of medication, and at 4 weeks after drug withdrawal, we obtained the NIH Chronic Prostatitis Symptom Index (NIHCPSI) scores and compared the safety and effectiveness rate between the two groups of patients. RESULTS: Compared with the baseline, the NIHCPSI score was markedly decreased in the control group after 4 weeks of medication (21.42 ± 4.02 vs 15.67 ± 3.65, P < 0.05) but showed no statistically significant difference from that at 4 weeks after drug withdrawal (19.03 ± 3.86) (P>0.05), while the NIHCPSI score in the trial group was remarkably lower than the baseline both after 4 weeks of medication and at 4 weeks after drug withdrawal (10.92 ± 2.06 and 12.91 ± 2.64 vs 21.58 ± 3.67, P < 0.05). The trial group exhibited both a higher rate of total effectiveness and safety than the control (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: BDG is safe and effective for the treatment of type Ⅲ prostatitis.

Efficacy and safety of trastuzumab combined with chemotherapy for first-line treatment and beyond progression of HER2-overexpressing advanced breast cancer.

OBJECTIVE: To observe the efficacy and safety of trastuzumab combined with chemotherapy in patients with human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-overexpressing advanced breast cancer. METHODS: A total of 90 patients with HER2-overexpressing advanced breast cancer were enrolled in this study. All patients were diagnosed with ductal invasive breast cancer by pathological analysis, and were aged between 31-73 years with a median of 51 years. HER2-positivity was defined as 3(+) staining in immunochemistry or amplification of fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH, ratio ≥2.0). Trastuzumab was administered in combination with chemotherapy as first-line treatment and beyond progression as a secondline, third-line, and above treatment in 90, 34, 14, and 6 patients, respectively. The chemotherapy regimen was given according to normal clinical practice. The response rate was evaluated every two cycles, and the primary endpoints were progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS). Survival curves were estimated by using Kaplan-Meier graphs and were compared by using log-rank test statistics. Multivariate analysis was done using Cox's proportional hazards regression model, and the level of significance was P<0.05. RESULTS: All 90 patients received at least one dose of trastuzumab, and efficacy could be evaluated in 85 patients. The median follow-up was 50 months. In total, 72 (80.00%) patients had visceral metastasis, and 43 (47.78%) patients had progressed after one or more extensive chemotherapy regimens for metastatic diseases. The median PFS for first-line trastuzumab was 10 months (range, 2-59 months), and the median OS after metastasis or initially local advanced disease was 22 months (range, 2-116 months). CONCLUSIONS: Trastuzumab combined with chemotherapy was active and well-tolerated as a first-line treatment and even beyond progression in HER2-overexpressing advanced breast cancer as a second-line or third-line treatment. However, its efficacy is certainly less beyond this point.

Transformation of alkylating regimen of thiotepa into tepa determines the disease progression through GSTP1 gene polymorphism for metastatic breast cancer patients receiving thiotepa containing salvage chemotherapy.

BACKGROUND: The shifts to second-line chemotherapy for metastatic breast cancer (MBC) were widely required based on pharmaceutical molecular profiles to reach out precision medicine. The emerging precise treatment of cancer requires the implementation of clarified pharmacogenetic profiles which are capable of elucidating the predictive responses to cancer chemotherapy. Therefore we were interested in the analysis of the roles of single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) of GSTP1 (glutathione S-transferase pi 1 gene) alleles to identify pharmacological links with predictors of clinical responses and toxicities. METHODS: 93 MBC patients receiving thiotepa plus docetaxel chemotherapy were enrolled in this study. Optimized CYP3A5, CYP2B6, and GSTP1 were predominantly selected as candidate genes and their three SNPs (CYP2B6 G516T, CYP3A5 A6986G, and GSTP1 A313G) were genotyped by matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization/time of flight (MALDI-TOF) mass spectrometry. Progression-free survival (PFS), disease control rate, and chemo-related toxicities were recorded. RESULTS: GSTP1 A313G (rs1695) was identified to be related with disease progression. In particular, patients harboring AG/GG genotype demonstrated a statistically longer PFS than those with AA. Multivariate analysis confirmed that AG/GG genotype was associated with both clinical responses and liver-localized metastatic lesions. No correlation was found between these three SNPs and chemotherapy-induced toxicity. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that the GSTP1 polymorphism is a novel prognostic marker for clinical response to thiotepa-containing chemotherapy regimens. Such evidence could provide insight into the role of pharmacogenetics to deprive of biases in shifting regimens solely by empirical choices.

[Prostatic inflammation-induced chronic pelvic pain: Roles of substance P and c-fos in the spinal cord].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the possible pain mechanism of chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CP/CPPS). METHODS: The models of CP/CPPS were established in male Wistar rats by the autoimmune method. The paw withdrawal threshold (PWT) was detected using Von Frey filament. The expressions of the substance P and c-fos in the prostate and spinal L5-S2 segments were determined by immunohistochemistry followed by analysis of their correlation with CP/CPPS. RESULTS: Compared with the control rats, the CP/CPPS models showed significantly decreased PWT (P < 0.05), remarkable prostatic inflammation, enlarged scope of lesions, and obvious interstitial lymphocytic infiltration (P < 0.05). Both the expressions of substance P and c-fos were markedly elevated in the prostate and spinal dorsal horn (L5-S2) of the rat models (P < 0.05), but the expression of substance P in the prostate exhibited no correlation with that in the spinal cord (r = 0.099, P = 0.338), nor did that of c-fos (r = 0.027, P = 0.454). CONCLUSION: The upregulated expressions of substance P and c-fos in the spinal cord L5-S2 sections may be associated with the pain mechanism of CP/CPPS.

[Roles of substance P and transient receptor potential vanilloid 1 in neuralgia in rats with chronic nonbacterial prostatitis].

OBJECTIVE: To study the possible mechanisms of chronic nonbacterial prostatitis (CNP) pain. METHODS: CNP models were established in male Wistar rats by the autoimmune method. Then the paw withdrawal threshold (PWT) was detected using the Von Frey filament, prostate pathological examination was conducted, the expressions of substance P (SP) and transient receptor potential vanilloid 1 (TRPV1) in the prostate tissue and L5-S2 spinal segments were determined by immunohistochemistry and their correlations were analyzed. RESULTS: Compared with the control group, the CNP model rats showed markedly decreased PWT (P < 0.05) and obvious inflammation in the prostate tissue, with significant differences in the scope of lesion and interstitial lymphocyte infiltration (P < 0.05). The expressions of SP and TRPV1 in the prostate and spinal cord dorsal horn L5-S2 were remarkably upregulated in the models as compared with the control rats (P < 0.05). However, the expression of SP in the prostate was not correlated with that in the spinal cord (r = 0.099, P = 0.338), nor was that of TRPV1 (r = 0.000, P = 0.5). CONCLUSION: SP and TRPV1 were involved in the formation and persistence of pain in CNP rats through their upregulated expressions in the L5-S2 spinal segments.