Edgardo Rivera

Weekly Trastuzumab and Paclitaxel Therapy for Metastatic Breast Cancer With Analysis of Efficacy by HER2 Immunophenotype and Gene Amplification

PURPOSE This phase II study evaluated weekly trastuzumab and paclitaxel therapy in women with HER2-normal and HER2-overexpressing metastatic breast cancer. Efficacy was correlated with immunohistochemical and fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) assay results. PATIENTS AND METHODS Eligible patients had bidimensionally measurable metastatic breast cancer. Up to three prior chemotherapy regimens, including prior anthracycline and taxane therapy, were allowed. Trastuzumab 4 mg/kg and paclitaxel 90 mg/m2 were administered on week 1, with trastuzumab 2 mg/kg and paclitaxel 90 mg/m2 administered on subsequent weeks. HER2 status was evaluated using four different immunohistochemical assays and FISH. RESULTS Patients received a median of 25 weekly infusions (range, one to 85 infusions). Median delivered paclitaxel dose-intensity was 82 mg/m2/wk (range, 52 to 90 mg/m2/wk). The intent-to-treat response rate for all 95 patients enrolled was 56.8% (95% confidence interval, 47% to 67%). A response rate of 61.4% (4.5% complete response, 56.8% partial response) was observed in 88 fully assessable patients. In patients with HER2-overexpressing tumors, overall response rates ranged from 67% to 81% compared with 41% to 46% in patients with HER2-normal expression (ranges reflect the different assay methods used to assess HER2 status). Differences in response rates between patients with HER2-overexpressing tumors and those with normal HER2 expression were statistically significant for all assay methods, with CB11 and TAB250 antibodies and FISH having the strongest significance. Therapy was generally well tolerated, although three patients had serious cardiac complications. CONCLUSION Weekly trastuzumab and paclitaxel therapy is active in women with metastatic breast cancer. Therapy was relatively well tolerated; however, attention to cardiac function is necessary.

Weekly Paclitaxel Improves Pathologic Complete Remission in Operable Breast Cancer When Compared With Paclitaxel Once Every 3 Weeks

PURPOSE To determine the impact a change in schedule of paclitaxel administration from once every 3 weeks to frequent administration would have on the pathologic complete response (pCR) rate in the breast and lymph nodes for patients with invasive breast cancer treated with primary systemic chemotherapy (PST). PATIENTS AND METHODS Patients with clinical stage I-IIIA breast cancer were randomly assigned to receive PST of paclitaxel doses administered either weekly (for a total of 12 doses of paclitaxel) or once every 3 weeks (four cycles), followed by four cycles of fluorouracil/doxorubicin/cyclophosphamide (FAC) in standard doses every 3 weeks. Two different doses of paclitaxel were used based on lymph node status defined by ultrasound and fine needle aspiration. Clinical response and extent of residual disease in the breast and lymph nodes was assessed after completion of all chemotherapy. RESULTS A total of 258 patients were randomly assigned to receive doses of paclitaxel administered either weekly or once every 3 weeks, followed by FAC. Of these 258 patients, 110 patients had histologic lymph node involvement and 148 patients had clinical N0 disease. Weekly paclitaxel followed by FAC was administered to 127 patients and once-every-3-weeks paclitaxel followed by FAC was administered to 131 patients. Clinical response to treatment was similar between groups (P = .25). Patients receiving weekly paclitaxel had a higher pCR rate (28.2%) than patients treated with once-every-3-weeks paclitaxel (15.7%; P = .02), with improved breast conservation rates (P = .05). CONCLUSION The change in schedule of paclitaxel from once every 3 weeks to a more frequent administration significantly improved the ability to eradicate invasive cancer in the breast and lymph nodes.

Phase II Clinical Trial of Ixabepilone (BMS-247550), an Epothilone B Analog, in Patients With Taxane-Resistant Metastatic Breast Cancer

PURPOSE Ixabepilone (BMS-247550) is an epothilone analog that optimizes the properties of naturally occurring epothilone B. Natural epothilones and their analogs promote tumor cell death by binding to tubulin and stabilizing microtubules, causing apoptosis. This international phase II trial assessed the activity of ixabepilone in patients with metastatic breast cancer (MBC) that was resistant to taxane therapy. PATIENTS AND METHODS MBC patients, who had experienced disease progression while receiving or within 4 months of taxane therapy (6 months if adjuvant taxane only), and who had a taxane as their last regimen, received ixabepilone (1- or 3-hour infusion of 50 mg/m(2) or 3-hour infusion of 40 mg/m(2) every 3 weeks). RESULTS Of 49 patients treated with 40 mg/m(2) ixabepilone during 3 hours, 35 (73%) had experienced disease progression within 1 month of their last taxane dose. The response rate was 12% (95% CI, 4.7% to 26.5%). All responses (n = 6) were partial; five of six patients had not responded to prior taxane therapy. In responders, the median response duration was 10.4 months. In 20 patients (41%), stable disease was the best outcome. Median time to progression was 2.2 months (95% CI, 1.4 to 3.2 months); median survival was 7.9 months. For treated patients across all cohorts (intent-to-treat population), the response rate was also 12% (eight of 66). Treatment-related adverse events in the study were manageable and primarily grade 1/2. Treatment-related neuropathy was mostly sensory and mild to moderate. CONCLUSION Ixabepilone (40 mg/m(2) as a 3-hour infusion every 3 weeks) demonstrates promising antitumor activity and an acceptable safety profile in patients with taxane-resistant MBC.

Phase II study of tariquidar, a selective P-glycoprotein inhibitor, in patients with chemotherapy-resistant, advanced breast carcinoma

The primary objective of this study was to determine whether addition of the selective P‐glycoprotein (P‐gp) inhibitor tariquidar (XR9576) to chemotherapy could induce an objective tumor response in patients who previously were resistant to the same agents. The secondary objectives were to evaluate P‐gp expression by immunohistochemistry (IHC), to determine functional activity of the P‐gp transporter before and after administration of tariquidar with serial technetium‐99m (99mTc)‐sestamibi scans, and to correlate those parameters with clinical response.

Maximum-tolerated dose defined for single-agent gemcitabine: a phase I dose-escalation study in chemotherapy-naive patients with advanced non-small-cell lung cancer.

PURPOSE We conducted a phase I trial of the novel nucleoside analog, gemcitabine, in chemotherapy-naive patients with advanced non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) to determine the maximum-tolerated dose and efficacy in this population. PATIENT AND METHODS Eligibility requirements included stage III or IV NSCLC, performance status < or = 1, and no prior chemotherapy. Gemcitabine was administered as a 30-minute intravenous infusion weekly for 3 weeks every 4 weeks. We enrolled patients at doses that ranged from 1,000 to 2,800 mg/m2/wk (three patients per cohort). Responses were assessed after every two courses (8 weeks). RESULTS We treated 33 chemotherapy-naive patients with stage III (n = 5) or IV (n = 28) NSCLC. Most had performance status 1, and 67% had adenocarcinoma. Eight of 32 assessable patients (25%) achieved a partial response. The projected median survival duration (all patients) is 49 weeks. The maximum-tolerated dose was 2,200 mg/m2/wk for 3 weeks every 4 weeks; dose-limiting toxicity was myelosuppression and reversible transaminase elevation. Other side effects were consistently mild. The maximum dose-intensity achieved with the first two cycles was 2,362 mg/m2/wk for 3 weeks every 4 weeks, which is a feasible phase II starting dose. CONCLUSION This study estimates a phase II starting dose of gemcitabine in chemotherapy-naive patients to be 2,400 mg/m2/wk for 3 consecutive weeks every 4 weeks; this is much higher than that previously reported in heavily pretreated patients. Twenty-five percent of patients with advanced NSCLC achieved a partial response to gemcitabine. This significant activity in conjunction with a very favorable toxicity profile supports the further evaluation of gemcitabine in combination with other active agents.

Clinicopathologic characteristics and prognostic factors in 420 metastatic breast cancer patients with central nervous system metastasis.

Breast cancer is the second most common cause of central nervous system (CNS) metastases. Several risk factors for CNS metastases have been reported. The objective of the current study was to describe clinicopathologic characteristics and prognostic factors in breast cancer patients with CNS metastases.

Phase I study of capecitabine in combination with temozolomide in the treatment of patients with brain metastases from breast carcinoma

A single‐institution Phase I clinical trial was conducted to determine the maximum tolerated dose (MTD) and define the safety profile of temozolomide and capecitabine when used in combination to treat brain metastases from breast cancer.

Factors Associated With Participation in Breast Cancer Treatment Clinical Trials

PURPOSE It is well established that recruitment to clinical trials (CTs) is difficult and time consuming. This article reports on factors related to CT participation among women who were invited to participate in a CT for breast cancer. PATIENTS AND METHODS Breast cancer patients who were eligible for a CT were identified by 16 different cancer centers. After their invitation to participate in a trial, patients who were undecided about participation in a CT were recruited into the present study at that time. After a patient made a decision about trial participation, a telephone interview was conducted to assess knowledge of CTs, perceived benefits and drawbacks of CTs, and personal factors affecting the womens decision regarding participation. RESULTS A total of 208 patients participated in the study. Fifty-eight percent of the patients decided to participate in a trial. Logistic regression analyses showed that the factors best explaining participation were trial phase, perceived drawbacks, time and travel considerations, therapeutic benefit of trial, and physician recommendation. Participation rates were similar for both phase I and phase III trials. However, a higher percentage of women recruited to phase II trials accepted. CONCLUSION This study suggests that reducing drawbacks of CT participation, particularly travel time, and improving physician communication of trials are needed to increase trial participation.

Phase 3 study comparing the use of docetaxel on an every-3-week versus weekly schedule in the treatment of metastatic breast cancer†

Previous studies have evaluated 3‐week and weekly docetaxel schedules in patients with metastatic breast cancer (MBC). The varying efficacy results and toxicity profiles noted in these earlier studies led to a comparison of the schedules to determine which was safer and more efficacious.

Phase II Study of Pegylated Liposomal Doxorubicin in Combination With Gemcitabine in Patients With Metastatic Breast Cancer

PURPOSE We conducted a phase II clinical trial to determine the clinical efficacy and safety of pegylated liposomal doxorubicin in combination with gemcitabine in patients with metastatic breast cancer. PATIENTS AND METHODS Patients were eligible if they had measurable disease, no prior chemotherapy for metastatic disease, and a performance status </= 2 on the Zubrod scale. Patients received pegylated liposomal doxorubicin 24 mg/m2 intravenously on day 1, plus gemcitabine 800 mg/m2 intravenously on days 1 and 8 of each 21-day cycle. RESULTS Of 49 patients enrolled, 27 had received prior adjuvant chemotherapy (19 with an anthracycline). Prior median cumulative anthracycline dose was 240 mg/m2. In total, three complete responses and 21 partial responses were achieved in 46 assessable patients, for an overall response rate of 52% (95% confidence interval, 37% to 67%). Responses were observed in 11 (58%) of 19 patients with previous anthracycline exposure. Median response duration was 5.6 months, time to progression was 4.5 months, and overall survival was 16.1 months. Although the most common grade 3 to 4 toxicities were hematologic, few neutropenic complications resulted. The most frequent nonhematologic toxicities were nausea and vomiting, fatigue, stomatitis, and hand-foot syndrome. One patient previously treated with an anthracycline developed a transient decrease (21%) in the left ventricular ejection fraction, with cardiac function recovering within 2 months. CONCLUSION Pegylated liposomal doxorubicin in combination with gemcitabine is active and well tolerated in patients with metastatic breast cancer. Median overall survival was 16.1 months, and approximately 78% of patients derived clinical benefit from treatment. This regimen represents a therapeutic option for patients receiving front-line therapy for their metastatic breast cancer.