Britt Skogseid

Temozolomide as Monotherapy Is Effective in Treatment of Advanced Malignant Neuroendocrine Tumors

Purpose: A retrospective analysis of the toxicity and efficacy of temozolomide in advanced neuroendocrine tumors. Experimental Design: Thirty-six patients with advanced stages of neuroendocrine tumor (1 gastric, 7 thymic and 13 bronchial carcinoids, 12 pancreatic endocrine tumors, 1 paraganglioma, 1 neuroendocrine foregut, and 1 neuroendocrine cecal cancer) were treated with temozolomide (200 mg/m2) for 5 days every 4 weeks. Patients had previously received a mean of 2.4 antitumoral medical regimens. Tumor response was evaluated radiologically according to the Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors every 3 months on an intent-to-treat basis. The circulating tumor marker plasma chromogranin A was also assessed. The expression of O6-methylguanine DNA methyltransferase, an enzyme implicated in chemotherapy resistance, was studied by immunohistochemistry (n = 23) and compared with response to temozolomide. Results: Median overall time to progression was 7 months (95% confidence interval, 3-10). Radiologic response was seen in 14% of patients and stable disease in 53%. Side effects were mainly hematologic; 14% experienced grade 3 or 4 thrombocytopenia (National Cancer Institute toxicity criteria). Ten patients had tumors with O6-methylguanine DNA methyltransferase immunoreactivity in <10% of nuclei, whereas four patients showed radiologic responses. Conclusions: Temozolomide as monotherapy had acceptable toxicity and antitumoral effects in a small series of patients with advanced malignant neuroendocrine tumors and four of these showed radiologic responses.

Combination chemotherapy in advanced adrenocortical carcinoma

BACKGROUND Adrenocortical carcinoma is a rare cancer that has a poor response to cytotoxic treatment. METHODS We randomly assigned 304 patients with advanced adrenocortical carcinoma to receive mitotane plus either a combination of etoposide (100 mg per square meter of body-surface area on days 2 to 4), doxorubicin (40 mg per square meter on day 1), and cisplatin (40 mg per square meter on days 3 and 4) (EDP) every 4 weeks or streptozocin (streptozotocin) (1 g on days 1 to 5 in cycle 1; 2 g on day 1 in subsequent cycles) every 3 weeks. Patients with disease progression received the alternative regimen as second-line therapy. The primary end point was overall survival. RESULTS For first-line therapy, patients in the EDP-mitotane group had a significantly higher response rate than those in the streptozocin-mitotane group (23.2% vs. 9.2%, P<0.001) and longer median progression-free survival (5.0 months vs. 2.1 months; hazard ratio, 0.55; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.43 to 0.69; P<0.001); there was no significant between-group difference in overall survival (14.8 months and 12.0 months, respectively; hazard ratio, 0.79; 95% CI, 0.61 to 1.02; P=0.07). Among the 185 patients who received the alternative regimen as second-line therapy, the median duration of progression-free survival was 5.6 months in the EDP-mitotane group and 2.2 months in the streptozocin-mitotane group. Patients who did not receive the alternative second-line therapy had better overall survival with first-line EDP plus mitotane (17.1 month) than with streptozocin plus mitotane (4.7 months). Rates of serious adverse events did not differ significantly between treatments. CONCLUSIONS Rates of response and progression-free survival were significantly better with EDP plus mitotane than with streptozocin plus mitotane as first-line therapy, with similar rates of toxic events, although there was no significant difference in overall survival. (Funded by the Swedish Research Council and others; FIRM-ACT ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT00094497.).

Prognostic Factors and Survival in 324 Patients with Pancreatic Endocrine Tumor Treated at a Single Institution

Purpose: Unequivocal pathologic markers for the prognosis of pancreatic endocrine tumors are often lacking. Suggestions for prognostic guidance include the WHO classification. Recently, a tumor-node-metastasis (TNM) staging system was proposed. We evaluate this system, as well as assess other potential prognostic factors such as tumor Ki67, size, endocrine syndrome, heredity, body mass index (BMI), and plasma chromogranin A, in a large patient material treated at a single institution. Experimental Design: A total of 324 patients with pancreatic endocrine tumor, consecutively diagnosed and treated at a tertiary referral center, were retrospectively evaluated. Median follow-up was 54 months (range, 1-423 months). Patient and tumor data were extracted from medical records. Univariate and multivariate analyses were done to recognize factors of prognostic value. Results: The median overall survival was 99 months (95% confidence interval, 81-117). Five- and 10-year survival rates were 64% and 44%, respectively. In univariate analysis, TNM stage, radical surgery, WHO classification, nonfunctioning tumor, Ki67 ≥2%, chromogranin A ≥3 times the upper normal limit, BMI <20 kg/m2, sporadic tumor, tumor size, and referral from our primary uptake area had a significant prognostic effect. In multivariate analysis, TNM stage, WHO classification, radical surgery, and Ki67 ≥2% retained their significance. Having a nonfunctioning tumor was not an independent marker of poor prognosis and neither was heredity. Conclusions: The recently suggested TNM staging system emerged as a useful clinical tool.

Liver embolizations of patients with malignant neuroendocrine gastrointestinal tumors

Patients with neuroendocrine gastrointestinal tumors usually present with inoperable metastatic disease and severe hormonal symptoms. Specific chemotherapy, interferon‐α (IFN), and somatostatin analogs are established therapies for these patients, but all of them eventually fail. Hepatic arterial embolization can provide reduction of both hormonal symptoms and tumor burden in these patients.

Effect of Surgery on the Outcome of Midgut Carcinoid Disease with Lymph Node and Liver Metastases

We have evaluated survival and tumor-related symptoms in the presence of mesenteric lymph node and liver metastases in relation to surgical procedures in 314 patients (148 women, mean age at diagnosis 61 years; 249 with liver metastases) treated for midgut carcinoid tumors. Of the operated patients, 46% presented with severe abdominal pain and intestinal obstruction and were operated on before the diagnosis. Medical treatment (somatostatin analogs, interferon-a) was initiated in 67% and 86%, respectively. Surgical attempts included small intestine or ileocecal/right-sided colon resection with excision of mesenteric lymph node metastases. Most of the patients (n = 286) had mesenteric lymph node metastases; 33% of them had unresectable mesenteric lymph node metastases and underwent surgery without mesenteric dissection. Patients who underwent resection for the primary tumor had a longer survival than those with no resection (median survival 7.4 vs. 4.0 years; p <0.01). Patients who underwent successful excision of mesenteric metastases had a significantly longer survival than those with remaining lymph node metastases. Patients operated on for a primary tumor but with remaining lymph nodes but no liver metastases and who subsequently received interferon and somatostatin analog treatment had a median survival of 7.4 years. Resection of the primary tumor and the mesenteric lymph node metastases led to a significant reduction in tumor-related symptoms. Surgery to remove the primary intestinal tumor including mesenteric lymph node metastases is supported by the present results, even in the presence of liver metastases. Liver metastases and significant preoperative weight loss are identified as major negative prognostic factors for survival.

Thymic carcinoids in multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1

Thymic carcinoid is a rare malignancy with about 150 cases reported to date. It is associated with multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 (MEN-1), but compared with other MEN-1-related neoplasia little is known about it. We have recently described and studied 20 MEN-1-related cases and found that up to 25% of all reported thymic carcinoids are MEN-1 related. It is an insidious tumour not associated with Cushings syndrome or carcinoid syndrome. Local invasion, recurrence and distant metastasis are common with no known effective treatment. Its male predominance, the absence of loss of heterozygosity (LOH) in the MEN1 region, clustering in some MEN-1 families and the findings of different MEN1 mutations in these clustered families suggest the involvement of additional aetiological factors. We propose that computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the chest should be included as part of the clinical workup for all MEN-1 patients. Prophylactic thymectomy should be considered during subtotal or total parathyroidectomy on MEN-1 patients to reduce the risk of this malignancy.

Medical Treatment and Long-term Survival in a Prospective Study of 84 Patients With Endocrine Pancreatic Tumors

A prospective study was performed on 84 patients with neuroendocrine pancreatic tumors. Fifty‐nine (70%) had malignant tumors and received causal medical treatment. Streptozotocin in combination with 5‐fluorouracil or doxorubicin was used as first‐line treatment and produced overall objective responses in 20 of 44 (45%) patients with a median duration of response of 27.5 months. Thirty‐two patients who failed on chemotherapy subsequently received interferon treatment and 20 (63%) responded objectively with a median duration of 20.5 months. Octreotide, third‐line treatment in 14 patients, produced objective responses in four patients (28%) (median duration of response, 16 months). The median survival from diagnosis in malignant cases was 6.7 years. Even if none of the current medical therapies are curative for patients with malignant endocrine pancreatic tumors, a prolonged survival would be observed during the last decade. Since the age at diagnosis has not been dramatically reduced despite improvements in diagnostic methods, the prolonged survival might be attributed to causal medical treatment. Cancer 65:1883‐1890, 1990.

Radiofrequency Tissue Ablation Using Cooled Tip for Liver Metastases of Endocrine Tumors

Tumors derived from hormone-producing cells are generally highly differentiated, and vast experience indicates benefit with combinations of surgical and medical treatment for metastatic disease. Tumor debulking surgery is an accepted approach for reducing hormonal symptoms and to establish better conditions for medical treatment. Radiofrequency treatment (RF), a novel method for destroying liver tumors, was used to treat 43 liver metastases in 21 patients with endocrine tumors (12 with midgut carcinoid disease; 4 with nonfunctional endocrine pancreatic tumors; 1 with a VIPoma; 1 with a glucagonoma; 1 with a gastrinoma; 2 with adrenal carcinomas). Among these patients we treated with intention to cure in 14 by RF alone or RF plus surgery. Ablation was performed either percutaneously or intraoperatively using a cooled-tip needle, applying 50 to 90 watts over 10 to 12 minutes under ultrasound guidance. Contrast-enhanced computed tomography, liver function tests, and tumor markers were followed before and after RF. There were two complications: One patient suffered from conservatively treated bile leakage, and another had pleural effusion and fever for 7 days post-RF. Two lesions developed signs of incomplete necrosis after 6 months, yielding a local recurrence rate of (4.6%). Of the 15 patients treated with curative intent, we attained cure (i.e., no residual macroscopic tumor) in 4 patients. We conclude that RF using cooled-tip needles is safe and efficient; it may be performed percutaneously and intraoperatively; and it may expand the indications for liver resection.

Surgery for Asymptomatic Pancreatic Lesion in Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia Type I

Abstract. Patients with multiple endocrine neoplasia (MEN) type I underwent pancreatic surgery at presymptomatic (n = 8, mean age 33 years) or symptomatic (n = 12, mean age 51 years) stages of pancreatic endocrine involvement with the principal aim to evaluate postoperative morbidity, survival, and malignant potential of the pancreatic lesion. Radiologic signs of malignancy were not identified in any patient prior to exploration. All patients displayed multiple tumors with generally complex immunoreactivity. Normal postoperative pancreatic tumor markers were recorded in five of the asymptomatic patients, which became abnormal in three of them at a mean of 3 years after surgery. All patients remained without symptoms for a mean of 6 years after operation. In four symptomatic individuals (33%) metastases were identified at exploration, and two died with tumor; 83% of symptomatic patients displayed persistent or recurrent endocrine morbidity from the pancreatic lesion. Recognizing lead time bias, this limited and uncontrolled patient comparison suggests that exploration at the symptomatic stage of pancreatic involvement in MEN-I patients is unsatisfactory. Rather than to obtain biochemical cure, surgery in asymptomatic patients might be regarded as a means of cancer prevention. The malignancy of the pancreatic lesion may be preceded by several decades of biochemical abnormality. Extensive screening for this lesion allows diagnosis during adolescence and the timely application of primary exploration. Active management of individuals with repeated biochemical analyses followed by selective reintervention could enable satisfactorily maintained pancreatic functions and substantial duration of cancer prevention.

Menin represses JunD-activated transcription by a histone deacetylase-dependent mechanism.

Recently the multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 (MEN-1) tumor suppressor gene was cloned. MEN-1 encodes a nuclear protein, called menin, of hitherto unknown function. In order to investigate the biological function of menin we employed the yeast two-hybrid system to identify menin-interacting proteins. Here we report that menin functions as a transcriptional repressor through interaction with the transcription factor JunD. The interaction is mediated via the N-terminal transcription activation domain of JunD, and the C-terminal part of menin. In transient co-transfection experiments, expression of menin leads to specific repression of JunD transcriptional activity, which is dependent on the integrity of the menin C-terminal region. C-Terminal truncations of the protein not only abolish repression, but increase JunD transcriptional activity, implying the existence of a functional domain separate from the JunD-binding region. Menin-mediated repression is relieved by the histone deacetylase inhibitor trichostatin A, indicating that deacetylation of histones is an essential component of this repression mechanism, as has recently been demonstrated for the retinoblastoma protein. Missense, in-frame deletions, frameshift and nonsense mutations lead to inactivation of menin or possibly to truncated proteins. This would result in loss of repression of menin/JunD target genes, as well as non-target genes through indirect mechanisms, deregulation of cellular growth control and endocrine tumorigenesis.