A. Berrocal

Epigenetic activation of a cryptic TBC1D16 transcript enhances melanoma progression by targeting EGFR

Metastasis is responsible for most cancer-related deaths, and, among common tumor types, melanoma is one with great potential to metastasize. Here we study the contribution of epigenetic changes to the dissemination process by analyzing the changes that occur at the DNA methylation level between primary cancer cells and metastases. We found a hypomethylation event that reactivates a cryptic transcript of the Rab GTPase activating protein TBC1D16 (TBC1D16-47 kDa; referred to hereafter as TBC1D16-47KD) to be a characteristic feature of the metastatic cascade. This short isoform of TBC1D16 exacerbates melanoma growth and metastasis both in vitro and in vivo. By combining immunoprecipitation and mass spectrometry, we identified RAB5C as a new TBC1D16 target and showed that it regulates EGFR in melanoma cells. We also found that epigenetic reactivation of TBC1D16-47KD is associated with poor clinical outcome in melanoma, while conferring greater sensitivity to BRAF and MEK inhibitors.

Ipilimumab for advanced melanoma: experience from the Spanish Expanded Access Program

Ipilimumab, a fully human, recombinant, monoclonal antibody to cytotoxic T-lymphocyte antigen 4 improves overall survival (OS) in previously treated and untreated metastatic melanoma. This retrospective analysis reports data gathered by a questionnaire on the demographics, outcomes, and toxicity of ipilimumab administered through an Expanded Access Program (EAP). Ipilimumab 3 mg/kg was administered intravenously every 3 weeks for four cycles to adults with metastatic melanoma. Efficacy outcomes included complete response, partial response (PR), progressive disease, stabilized disease, and OS. EAP data were collected from EAP physicians. A subgroup analysis examined efficacy in elderly patients (≥70 years) and factors predictive of survival were identified. Of 355 requests for ipilimumab, resulting in 288 treatments, completed questionnaires were received for 153 ipilimumab recipients (median age 58 years, 57.2% men). Efficacy was evaluated in 144 patients: complete response in 1.3%, PR in 9.6%, PR with previous progression 8.4%, stabilized disease in 14.5%, and progressive disease in 66.2%. The median OS was 6.5 months (199 days); 1-year survival was 32.9%. Predictive survival factors included lymphocytes over 1000/ml (P=0.0008) and lactate dehydrogenase more than 1.5×upper limit of normal (P=0.003). Cutaneous, hepatic, and gastrointestinal toxicities were mild. In 30 patients aged more than 70 years, ipilimumab efficacy and tolerability was similar to that of the overall population. In the clinical practice setting, ipilimumab is effective and well tolerated in patients with advanced melanoma, including elderly patients, when administered at the recommended dosage. Ipilimumab improves treatment options for patients who, until recently, have had little hope of an improved prognosis.

Immune checkpoint inhibitors: therapeutic advances in melanoma

In recent years, new strategies for treating melanoma have been introduced, improving the outlook for this challenging disease. One of the most important advances has been the development of immunotherapy. The better understanding of the role of the immunological system in tumor control has paved the way for strategies to enhance the immune response against cancer cells. Monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) against the immune checkpoints cytotoxic T-lymphocyte antigen-4 (CTLA-4) and programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1) and its ligand (PD-L1) have demonstrated high activity in melanoma and other tumors. Ipilimumab, an anti CTLA-4 antibody, was the first drug of this class that was approved. Although the response rate with ipilimumab is low (less than 20% of patients have objective responses), 20% of patients have long survival, with similar results in the first and second line settings. Nivolumab and pembrolizumab, both anti PD-1 inhibitors, have been approved for the treatment of melanoma, with response rates of 40% and a demonstrated survival advantage in phase III trials. This has marked a new era in the treatment of metastatic melanoma and much research is now ongoing with other drugs targeting checkpoint inhibitors. In addition, the agonist of activating molecules on T cells and their combinations are being investigated. Herein we review the clinical development of checkpoint inhibitors and their approval for treatment of metastatic melanoma.

Melanoma: diagnosis, staging, and treatment. Consensus group recommendations.

The incidence of malignant melanoma is increasing worldwide. In Spain, its incidence is increasing faster than any other cancer type, with a 5-year survival rate of about 85%. The impact and characteristics of malignant melanoma in the Spanish population can be ascertained from the national melanoma registry of the Academia Española de Dermatología y Venereología. This review presents consensus group recommendations for the diagnosis, staging and treatment of malignant melanoma in Spain. Incidence and mortality are discussed, as well as evaluation of various prevention and treatment strategies. Prognostic factors, such as BRAF and C-KIT mutations, which are expected to become routine staging procedures over the next few years, are outlined, especially in relation to treatment options. The use of recently approved targeted agents such as ipilimumab, a cytotoxic T lymphocyte-associated antigen 4 (CTLA-4) inhibitor, and vemurafenib, a BRAF inhibitor, in metastatic disease are also discussed.

Chemotherapy-Induced Neutropenia Does Not Correlate With DNA Repair Gene Polymorphisms and Treatment Efficacy in Advanced Non–Small-Cell Lung Cancer Patients

BACKGROUND Platinum doublets are standard chemotherapy for advanced non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The aim of this study was to assess whether neutropenia is: (1) an indicator for treatment efficacy, or (2) associated with specific polymorphisms. PATIENTS AND METHODS Four hundred ninety-four patients, treated with cisplatin-docetaxel were retrospectively analyzed. Relative dose intensity (RDI) was assessed for both drugs. Neutrophil counts were assessed only on Day 21 of each cycle. Genotyping was performed for 4 different polymorphisms in ERCC1, XRCC3, XPD-23, and XPD-10. RESULTS The median overall survival was 9 months. The mean RDI was 0.94 for cisplatin and 0.93 for docetaxel. Four hundred three patients received ≥ 3 cycles of chemotherapy, and 239 received ≥ 6 cycles. Thirty-one percent developed neutropenia, and 19% had Grade (G)3-4 neutropenia. RDI was lower in patients with neutropenia (G1-4; 0.87-0.93) when compared with those without (G0; 0.94-0.95; P < .02). Male patients (P = .02) had inferior survival when compared with female patients, and ECOG (Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group) 1-2 patients (P < .001) had worse survival when compared with ECOG 0. There was no significant survival difference with respect to Grade of neutropenia (G0, 8.7 vs. G1-2, 11.6 vs. G3-4, 9.6 months; P = .41). In ECOG 0 patients, survival was significantly better for neutropenic G1-4 (hazard ratio [HR], 0.55; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.31-0.96; P = .034) when compared with non-neutropenic (G0) patients. No association was observed between examined polymorphisms and neutropenia. CONCLUSION RDI was significantly higher in patients who did not develop neutropenia during treatment, but as the nadir period was not explored in our study, the low occurrence of neutropenia in our cohort is considered underestimated. There was no significant survival difference with respect to grade of neutropenia. Finally, none of the examined single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were associated with the presence of neutropenia, disease characteristics, response rates, or survival.

Guidelines for biomarker testing in metastatic melanoma: a National Consensus of the Spanish Society of Pathology and the Spanish Society of Medical Oncology

This consensus statement, conceived as a joint initiative of the Spanish Society of Pathology (SEAP) and the Spanish Society of Medical Oncology (SEOM), makes diagnostic and treatment recommendations for the management of patients with advanced or metastatic melanoma based on the current scientific evidence on biomarker use. This document thus provides an opportunity to improve healthcare efficiency and resource use, which will benefit these patients. Based on the data available so far, this expert group recommends routinely testing patients with metastatic melanoma for BRAF mutation status, as the result affects the subsequent therapeutic management of these patients. The analysis of genetic alterations in KIT may be reasonable in patients with primary tumours in acral or mucosal sites or on chronically sun-exposed skin, in an advanced condition, but not in patients with other types of melanomas. This panel believes that testing for other genetic alterations, such as NRAS mutation status in patients not carrying BRAF mutations, GNAQ/GNA11 mutational analysis or genetic alterations in PTEN, is not currently indicated as routine clinical practice, because the results do not influence treatment planning in these patients at the present time. Other important issues addressed in this document are the organisational requirements and quality controls needed for proper testing of these biomarkers, and the legal implications to be borne in mind.

Advances in cutaneous melanoma

After several decades of slow progress in the field of melanoma, significant advances have been reported in recent years. These include a better understanding of the molecular biology of the tumour, a new staging classification system, insights into the patterns of relapse in early stage, and new drugs for the treatment of advanced disease. Ipilimumab and vemurafenib have just been approved and provide a survival benefit in stage IV. Both compounds are under evaluation in the adjuvant setting, where interferon remains the only drug with proven efficacy. Further investigation is required to treat patients with primary or secondary resistance to new drugs.

Oncology outside hospital: a new experience for the benefit of longer survivors

In May 2007, the Consorcio Hospital General Universitario de Valencia created the position of “Liaison Oncologist”. The holder of this position is responsible for coordinating specialised and primary hospital care in the geographic area of Valencia known as Health Care Department 9 to reduce the waiting time between cancer diagnosis and treatment. In this article we describe the implementation of the innovative proposal of the Liaison Oncologist’s Consultation Clinic, which, apart from speeding up and directing diagnostic processes, facilitates access to treatment, prevents duplication of consultations and exploratory procedures by establishing therapeutic plans (preferential channels), gives continuity to diagnostic and therapeutic mechanisms, and permits active follow-up of patients who have finished treatment. An analysis of the results obtained shows that the clinic has allowed us to integrate the various aspects of medical oncology into one system and make it available to patients and primary and specialised care professionals. This system provides the patient with the highest quality of integrated health care, ensures the availability of continued health care to long-term survivors and establishes preferential channels between primary care and specialised cancer care to achieve a quick diagnosis.

Spanish Multidisciplinary Melanoma Group (GEM) guidelines for the management of patients with advanced melanoma.

Advanced melanoma is a relatively uncommon condition whose therapeutic management has undergone major changes over the past four years. The present article aims to establish recommendations for the management of these patients based on the best available evidence reached by consensus of a group of professionals familiar in the treatment of these patients. These professionals, belonging to Spanish Multidisciplinary Melanoma Group, reviewed the diagnostic process and the incorporation of newtechniques of molecular diagnosis of advanced disease; treatment and monitoring of stage III both as adjuvant locoregional treatments have been addressed, as well as new therapies for stage IV.We have reviewed the palliative treatment alternatives for disseminated disease, such as surgery, radiotherapy or non-cytotoxic systemic treatments. Finally, we have also reviewed the most relevant toxicities of new drugs and their management in clinical practice.

Treatment patterns of adjuvant interferon-α2b for high-risk melanoma: a retrospective study of the Grupo Español Multidisciplinar de Melanoma - Prima study.

Adjuvant interferon-&agr;2b (IFN-&agr;2b) has been studied extensively in clinical trials, but there have been few studies of real-world use. The aim of this study is to describe the IFN-&agr;2b real-world patterns in patients with high-risk melanoma in Spain. This was a retrospective and multicentre chart review study of an unselected cohort of patients with melanoma at high risk for relapse (stage IIB/IIC/III) treated with IFN-&agr;2b. Patterns were assessed in terms of dose and compliance to planned treatment. A survival analysis was carried out for the full population and according to Kirkwood scheme compliance and the presence of ulceration. Of 327 patients treated with IFN-&agr;2b, 318 received a high-dose regimen following the standard Kirkwood scheme; thus, patterns are described for this regimen. A total of 121 (38%) and 88 (28%) patients had at least one dose reduction during the induction and maintenance phases, respectively. Dose delay was required in fewer than 10% of patients. A total of 78, 40 and 38% of the patients completed the induction phase, maintenance phase and completed treatment, respectively. The median progression-free and overall survival for the full population were 3.2 and 10.5 years, respectively. There were no differences in progression-free survival and overall survival according to Kirkwood scheme compliance and the presence of ulceration. The most frequent adverse events were neutropenia (31%) and fatigue (30%). High-dose IFN-&agr;2b is the most frequently used regimen in Spain as an adjuvant systemic treatment for high-risk melanoma. Despite poor compliance, in this retrospective study, IFN-&agr;2b treatment provided a benefit consistent with that described previously.