Hagen F. Kennecke

Metastatic behavior of breast cancer subtypes.

PURPOSE Prognostic and predictive factors are well established in early-stage breast cancer, but less is known about which metastatic sites will be affected. METHODS Patients with early-stage breast cancer diagnosed between 1986 and 1992 with archival tissue were included. Subtypes were defined as luminal A, luminal B, luminal/human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2), HER2 enriched, basal-like, and triple negative (TN) nonbasal. Distant sites were classified as brain, liver, lung, bone, distant nodal, pleural/peritoneal, and other. Cumulative incidence curves were estimated for each site according to competing risks methods. Association between the site of relapse and subtype was assessed in multivariate models using logistic regression. RESULTS Median follow-up time among 3,726 eligible patients was 14.8 years. Median durations of survival with distant metastasis were 2.2 (luminal A), 1.6 (luminal B), 1.3 (luminal/HER2), 0.7 (HER2 enriched), and 0.5 years (basal-like; P < .001). Bone was the most common metastatic site in all subtypes except basal-like tumors. In multivariate analysis, compared with luminal A tumors, luminal/HER2 and HER2-enriched tumors were associated with a significantly higher rate of brain, liver, and lung metastases. Basal-like tumors had a higher rate of brain, lung, and distant nodal metastases but a significantly lower rate of liver and bone metastases. TN nonbasal tumors demonstrated a similar pattern but were not associated with fewer liver metastases. CONCLUSION Breast cancer subtypes are associated with distinct patterns of metastatic spread with notable differences in survival after relapse.

Breast Cancer Subtypes and the Risk of Local and Regional Relapse

PURPOSE The risk of local and regional relapse associated with each breast cancer molecular subtype was determined in a large cohort of patients with breast cancer. Subtype assignment was accomplished using a validated six-marker immunohistochemical panel applied to tissue microarrays. PATIENTS AND METHODS Semiquantitative analysis of estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR), Ki-67, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2), epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), and cytokeratin (CK) 5/6 was performed on tissue microarrays constructed from 2,985 patients with early invasive breast cancer. Patients were classified into the following categories: luminal A, luminal B, luminal-HER2, HER2 enriched, basal-like, or triple-negative phenotype-nonbasal. Multivariable Cox analysis was used to determine the risk of local or regional relapse associated the intrinsic subtypes, adjusting for standard clinicopathologic factors. RESULTS The intrinsic molecular subtype was successfully determined in 2,985 tumors. The median follow-up time was 12 years, and there have been a total of 325 local recurrences and 227 regional lymph node recurrences. Luminal A tumors (ER or PR positive, HER2 negative, Ki-67 < 1%) had the best prognosis and the lowest rate of local or regional relapse. For patients undergoing breast conservation, HER2-enriched and basal subtypes demonstrated an increased risk of regional recurrence, and this was statistically significant on multivariable analysis. After mastectomy, luminal B, luminal-HER2, HER2-enriched, and basal subtypes were all associated with an increased risk of local and regional relapse on multivariable analysis. CONCLUSION Luminal A tumors are associated with a low risk of local or regional recurrence. Molecular subtyping of breast tumors using a six-marker immunohistochemical panel can identify patients at increased risk of local and regional recurrence.

Randomized Phase II Study Comparing Two Schedules of Everolimus in Patients With Recurrent/Metastatic Breast Cancer: NCIC Clinical Trials Group IND.163

PURPOSE To evaluate the safety and efficacy of oral everolimus, a mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) inhibitor, in two different schedules in minimally pretreated patients with metastatic breast cancer and to explore for possible biologic correlates of response. PATIENTS AND METHODS Patients who received no or one prior chemotherapy regimen for metastatic breast cancer were entered onto this multicenter, noncomparative, randomized phase II study of everolimus 10 mg daily versus 70 mg weekly; the multinomial end points of response and progression were evaluated at 8 weeks. A two-stage accrual design was used, with 15 evaluable patients in each schedule in stage 1. Only daily therapy met criteria for continuing, and another 15 patients were added. pAKT, PTEN, carbonic anhydrase 9, estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor, and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) were evaluated for possible correlation with response. RESULTS The most common drug-related toxicities were fatigue, rash, anorexia, diarrhea, stomatitis, cough, and pneumonitis. Pneumonitis occurred at higher than expected rates and seemed to be schedule dependent, with the highest incidence on the daily schedule. Response rate with daily therapy was 12% (95% CI, 3.4% to 28.2%) compared with 0% (95% CI, 0.0% to 20.6%) for weekly therapy. Twenty-seven percent of patients on daily therapy discontinued treatment compared with 13% on weekly therapy (16% v 6% with pneumonitis, respectively). No biologic correlates of response could be identified, although there were trends favoring benefit in ER-positive and HER2-negative metastatic breast cancer. CONCLUSION Oral everolimus has activity in metastatic breast cancer that is schedule dependent. Daily therapy with 10 mg is worthy of further study in this patient population.

Health-Related Quality of Life in Patients With Advanced Colorectal Cancer Treated With Cetuximab: Overall and KRAS-Specific Results of the NCIC CTG and AGITG CO.17 Trial

PURPOSE National Cancer Institute of Canada Clinical Trials Group CO.17 demonstrated the antiepidermal growth factor receptor (anti-EGFR) monoclonal antibody cetuximab improves overall and progression-free survival in patients with advanced, chemotherapy-refractory colorectal cancer (CRC), particularly in patients with wild-type KRAS tumors. This article reports the health-related quality-of-life (HRQL) outcomes from CO.17. PATIENTS AND METHODS Patients (N = 572) with pretreated EGFR-detectable advanced CRC were randomly assigned to cetuximab and best supportive care (BSC) or to BSC alone. HRQL primary end points assessed by the EORTC QLQ-C30 were physical function (PF) and global health status (GHS); mean changes from baseline to 8 and 16 weeks were assessed. Post hoc analysis by KRAS mutation status was performed. RESULTS Questionnaire compliance was 94% at baseline, but it declined differentially (67% v 47% for cetuximab v BSC at 16 weeks). PF change scores were -3.9 for cetuximab and -8.6 for BSC (P = .046) at 8 weeks and were -5.9 and -12.5 for cetuximab and BSC, respectively, (P = .027) at 16 weeks. GHS change scores were -0.5 and -7.1 (P = .008) at 8 weeks and were -3.6 and -15.2 (P = .008) at 16 weeks for cetuximab and BSC, respectively. In patients who had tumors with wild-type KRAS status, cetuximab resulted in less PF deterioration at 8 weeks (-0.7 v -7.2; P = .11) and 16 weeks (-3.4 v -13.8; P = .008) compared with BSC. Patients with wild-type status who received cetuximab experienced improved GHS at 8 weeks, whereas patients who received BSC alone deteriorated (3.2 v -7.7; P = .002). Cetuximab preserved GHS at 16 weeks (-0.2 v -18.1; P < .001). No significant differences were noted between study arms for patients with mutated KRAS tumors. CONCLUSION Cetuximab offers important HRQL and survival benefits for pretreated patients with advanced, wild-type KRAS CRC.

Pre-operative bevacizumab, capecitabine, oxaliplatin and radiation among patients with locally advanced or low rectal cancer: A phase II trial

BACKGROUND To evaluate the safety and efficacy of pre-operative chemoradiation, using capecitabine, oxaliplatin and bevacizumab with standard doses of radiation, in patients with high-risk rectal cancer. METHODS Patients with locally advanced or low rectal cancer were treated with capecitabine 825 mg/m(2) twice daily on days 1-14 and 22-35, oxaliplatin 50mg/m(2) on days 1, 8, 22 and 29, bevacizumab 5mg/kg on days 14, 1, 15 and 29, and radiation 50.4 Gy in 28 fractions including boost. Total mesorectal excision was performed 7-9 weeks after chemoradiation. The primary end-point was complete tumour regression (ypT0NX) by central review. FINDINGS Forty-two evaluable patients were enrolled, and 38 proceeded to definitive surgery. Eighteen patients (43%) had clinical T4 tumours and/or N2 tumours. Mean relative dose intensity was >90% for all systemic agents, and 97% for radiation. Grade 3/4 diarrhoea occurred in 10 patients (24%) and pain in 4 patients (10%) pre-operatively, while grade 3/4 pain, fatigue and infection were each reported among 5 patients (13%) post-operatively. Re-operation due to complications occurred in 4 patients (11%). Complete tumour regression (ypT0) was seen in 9 patients (23.7%) of which two had N1 disease and the pathological complete response (pCR) rate (ypT0N0) was 18.4%. Central review changed pathologic stage in six cases (16%). INTERPRETATION In this study, pre-operative bevacizumab added to oxaliplatin, capecitabine and radiation was safe and resulted in a promising tumour regression rate. Surgical complications were closely monitored and occurred with the expected frequency. Central pathology review should be considered for trials with pathologic response as the primary end-point. FUNDING British Columbia Cancer Agency, Hoffmann-La Roche Canada and Sanofi-Aventis.

Tumor markers in metastatic breast cancer subtypes: frequency of elevation and correlation with outcome

BACKGROUND Little is known about the correlations between tumor markers (TMs), breast cancer subtypes, site(s) of metastasis and prognosis. METHODS Women diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer were included. Breast cancer subtypes were defined as LuminalA, LuminalB, LuminalHer2, Her2, Basal and non-Basal triple negative (TN). Levels of elevation of TM values [cancer antigen 15-3 (CA 15-3), carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) and cancer antigen 125 (CA 125)] among the subtypes were analyzed. Site(s) of metastasis and outcomes were captured. RESULTS Eight hundred and ten patients were included. Luminal subtypes were associated with an elevation in at least one TM: 90.8% of LuminalHer2+, 90% of LuminalB and 88.6% of LuminalA. TMs were less frequently elevated in Basal (74.1%) and non-Basal TN (71.4%) cases (P < 0.001). CA 15-3 was the most frequently elevated TM. The incidence of TM elevation did not differ between patients with solitary versus multiple metastatic sites. Breast cancer-specific survival (BCSS) was significantly worse for patients with elevated TMs (P = 0.001). CONCLUSIONS TM elevation of CA 15-3, CEA and/or CA 125 was documented in the majority of patients with metastatic breast cancer with CA 15-3 occurring most commonly. Luminal subtypes expressed elevated TMs significantly more frequently compared with the non-Luminal groups. TM elevation was not different between the different sites of metastasis. Overall, elevated TMs predicted a worse BCSS.

Intervals Longer Than 20 Weeks From Breast-Conserving Surgery to Radiation Therapy Are Associated With Inferior Outcome for Women With Early-Stage Breast Cancer Who Are Not Receiving Chemotherapy

PURPOSE To determine the interval from breast-conserving surgery (BCS) to radiation therapy (RT) that affects local control or survival. PATIENTS AND METHODS The 10-year Kaplan-Meier (KM) local recurrence-free survival (LRFS), distant recurrence-free survival (DRFS), and breast cancer-specific survival (BCSS) were computed for 6,428 women who had T1 to 2, N0 to 1, M0 breast cancer that was diagnosed in British Columbia between 1989 and 2003, and who were treated with BCS and RT without chemotherapy. Intervals from BCS to RT were grouped by weeks as follows: < or = 4 (n = 83), greater than 4 to 8 (n = 2,288; reference group); greater than 8 to 12 (n = 2,606); greater than 12 to 16 (n = 961); greater than 16 to 20 (n = 358); and greater than 20 weeks (n = 132). Cox proportional hazards models and matching were used to control for confounding variables. RESULTS The median follow-up time was 7.5 years. The 10-year KM outcomes were as follows: LRFS, 95.4%; DRFS, 90.5%; and BCSS, 92.5%. Compared with the greater than 4 to 8 weeks group, hazard ratios (HR) were not significantly different for any outcome among patients who were treated up to 20 weeks after BCS. However, LRFS (hazard ratio [HR], 2.00; P = .15), DRFS (HR, 1.86; P = .02) and BCSS (HR, 2.15; P = .009) were inferior for women with BCS-to-RT intervals greater than 20 weeks compared with those greater than 4 to 8 weeks. The matched analysis yielded similar results. CONCLUSION Outcomes were statistically similar for BCS-to-RT intervals up to 20 weeks, but they were inferior for intervals beyond 20 weeks. Time can be reasonably allowed for the breast to heal and for patients to consider treatment options, but RT should start within 20 weeks of BCS.

Risk of early recurrence among postmenopausal women with estrogen receptor-positive early breast cancer treated with adjuvant tamoxifen†

Adjuvant aromatase inhibitors (AIs), instead of or after tamoxifen, are effective in decreasing recurrence in postmenopausal women with estrogen receptor (ER)‐positive breast cancer. An understanding of which patients are at risk of early recurrence while they are receiving tamoxifen may improve clinical decision making.

Adjuvant chemotherapy for stage III colon cancer: does timing matter?

BACKGROUND: Clinical trials commonly mandate that adjuvant chemotherapy for colon cancer should commence within 8 weeks (56 days) of surgery. OBJECTIVE: We investigated the consequences of the timing of adjuvant chemotherapy for stage III colon cancer. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This is a retrospective review of all patients with newly diagnosed stage III colon cancer who received adjuvant chemotherapy in 2 provincial centers in 1999 and 2000. The impact of time to adjuvant chemotherapy on overall survival and relapse-free survival was analyzed by the use of univariate and multivariate Cox modeling, adjusting for prognostic factors. RESULTS: Three hundred forty-five subjects were included. Median time to adjuvant chemotherapy was 50 days (range, 20–242 days); in 111 (32.2%) patients, it was beyond 56 days. On univariate analysis, time >56 days was nonsignificantly associated with a hazard ratio of death of 1.31 (P = .12). Similar results were seen for relapse-free survival. Planned exploratory analysis suggests that the commencement of adjuvant chemotherapy up to 10 weeks postsurgery still confers a benefit. CONCLUSIONS: Delaying adjuvant chemotherapy in stage III colon cancer beyond 8 to 10 weeks postsurgery appears to be associated with diminished benefit.

Phase 2 study of MK-2206, an allosteric inhibitor of AKT, as second-line therapy for advanced gastric and gastroesophageal junction cancer: A SWOG cooperative group trial (S1005)

The AKT inhibitor MK‐2206 at a dose of 60 mg every other day was evaluated in gastric/gastroesophageal junction cancers.