Breaking Research News from sources other than Breastcancer.org

Lumpie

Adjuvant Dose-Dense Doxorubicin-Cyclophosphamide vs Docetaxel-Doxorubicin-Cyclophosphamide for High-Risk Breast Cancer

Originally published in: European Journal of Cancer

https://www.practiceupdate.com/C/72259/56?elsca1=e...

This randomized trial compared dose-dense doxorubicin– cyclophosphamide with docetaxel– doxorubicin– cyclophosphamide for adjuvant treatment of high-risk breast cancer.After a median follow-up of 7 years, there was no difference in recurrence-free or overall survival between the two treatment strategies.

Lumpie

Found it! It's not the whole conference but this may be of interest to some....

Report Back From ASCO on Metastatic Breast Cancer

Receive the latest information on metastatic breast cancer advancements as presented at the American Society of Clinical Oncology Conference by Dr. Mark E. Robson, medical oncologist, Chief of Breast Medicine Serve at MSKCC. This webinar took place on August 6, 2018.

https://www.sharecancersupport.org/report-back-fro...

Heidihill

Thanks, Lumpie!

Lumpie

Disease-Free and Overall Survival in Operable HER2+ Breast Cancer Treated With Sequential vs Concurrent Chemotherapy

Originally published in: JAMA Oncology

https://www.practiceupdate.com/C/73070/56?elsca1=e...

Analysis of the ACOSOG Z1041 (Alliance) study of 280 patients revealed no difference in disease-free or overall survival for patients given a regimen of paclitaxel plus trastuzumab followed by fluorouracil, epirubicin, and cyclophosphamide plus trastuzumab compared with a regimen of fluorouracil, epirubicin, and cyclophosphamide followed by paclitaxel plus trastuzumab.Across a median follow-up of 5 years, no differences were found in disease-free or overall survival between the two approaches of administering trastuzumab with neoadjuvant chemotherapy in patients with HER2-positive breast cancer.

Lumpie

Fulvestrant + Goserelin vs Anastrozole + Goserelin vs Goserelin Alone in HR+, HER2− Premenopausal Women With Recurrent/Metastatic Breast Cancer

Study published in: European Journal of Cancer

https://www.practiceupdate.com/C/73455/56?elsca1=e...

This phase II trial compared fulvestrant plus goserelin with anastrozole plus goserelin with goserelin alone in premenopausal patients with HR+, HER2− recurrent/metastatic breast cancer. The median time to progression was longer with fulvestrant plus goserelin compared with anastrozole plus goserelin and goserelin alone. There was no difference in time to progression in terms of visceral metastases between groups.The authors conclude that the combination of fulvestrant and goserelin offers clinicians a new option in treating tamoxifen-pretreated premenopausal women with HR+, HER2− metastatic breast cancer.

Lumpie

Accurate Classification of BRCA1 Variants With Saturation Genome Editing

Study published in: Nature

https://www.practiceupdate.com/C/73409/56?elsca1=e...

• The authors of this study report on single-nucleotide variants identified in 13 exons involved in the expression of BRCA1. In particular, the authors highlight 300 nonfunctional missense mutations and 300 mutations that disrupt expression of BRCA1.
• The authors suggest that identifying single-nucleotide variants associated with pathological expression of BRCA1 should be of use in the oncology clinic.

Lumpie

Long-Term Clinical Outcomes and Biomarker Analyses of Atezolizumab Therapy in Metastatic Triple-Negative Breast Cancer

Study published in: JAMA Oncology

https://www.practiceupdate.com/C/73363/56?elsca1=e...

In this phase I study of 116 patients with metastatic triple-negative breast cancer (mTNBC) treated with atezolizumab, the drug's safety profile was consistent with that observed in patients with other tumor types. With a median follow-up of longer than 2 years, patients with an objective response to atezolizumab had a durable clinical response, and patients with higher tumor immune-cell infiltration had better clinical outcomes.Single-agent atezolizumab was well-tolerated and showed durable clinical activity in patients with mTNBC.

Excerpt from editorial comment by Lee S. Schwartzberg MD, FACP

The long-term results of this phase I study of atezolizumab ... furthers the evidence base substantially. Most importantly, there appears to be a substantial fraction of TNBC patients who enjoy long-term survival after monotherapy with atezolizumab.

Lumpie

Prognostic Value of the Progesterone Receptor by Subtype in Patients With ER+, HER2− Breast Cancer

Study appeared in:The Oncologist

https://www.practiceupdate.com/C/72828/56?elsca1=e...

• This retrospective study evaluated the prognostic value of progesterone receptor (PR) status by histologic subtype of ER+/HER2− breast cancer. Absence of the PR receptor predicted worse outcomes.
• Absence of the PR receptor appears to be more important in tumors with a high rate of proliferative activity versus those with a low rate.

Lumpie

9 Weeks vs 1 Year Adjuvant Trastuzumab Plus Chemotherapy in HER2+ Breast Cancer

Published in: Annals of Oncology

https://www.practiceupdate.com/C/73412/56?elsca1=e...

This phase III randomized trial was designed to determine the noninferiority of 9 weeks vs 1 year of trastuzumab plus chemotherapy for patients with HER2-positive, localized breast cancer.The results failed to demonstrate noninferiority of the 9 weeks to 1 year. However, therapy with 9 weeks of trastuzumab was associated with a comparatively reduced risk of cardiac events, which may make the shorter regimen an option for those patients at low risk for relapse or for those who suffer cardiac events over the course of treatment.Five-year DFS is 88% in the long and 85% in the short arm. The 5-yr OS is 95.2% in the long and 95.0% in the short armCardiac events are significantly lower in the short arm

Lumpie

Trends in Breast Cancer Mortality by Stage at Diagnosis Among Young Women in the United States

Published in: Cancer

https://www.practiceupdate.com/C/73089/56?elsca1=e...

The study authors found evidence of substantial improvements in the effectiveness of breast cancer treatment on overall and cancer-specific survival from 1975 to 2015.Improvements appeared to have reached a plateau after 2005, except among young women with metastatic breast cancer, in whom survival continued to improve throughout the period.

Lumpie

Novel 18-Gene Signature for Predicting Relapse in ER+, HER2− Breast Cancer

Published in: Breast Cancer Research

https://www.practiceupdate.com/C/73095/56?elsca1=e...

This study tested the hypothesis that signatures optimized for 0- to 5-year and 5- to 10-year follow-up separately are more prognostic than a single signature optimized for 10 years in patients with ER+/HER2– breast cancer. The derived early and late signatures were not significantly more prognostic than the 18-gene 10-year signature, causing the researchers to reject the hypothesis.The 18-gene 10-year signature was internally validated, showing prognostic information similar to that of Oncotype DX Recurrence Score, PAM50 risk of recurrence score, Breast Cancer Index, and IHC4 (score based on four IHC markers), as well as in the external POLAR case–control set.

https://doi.org/10.1186/s13058-018-1040-9

Anonymous

I wish they would have posted some symptoms for each individual "spread" site. Since I have ILC, what would the symptoms of a peritoneal spread feel or look like?

Lumpie

claireinaz: I don't know but maybe try this forum:

https://community.breastcancer.org/forum/8/topics/...

... and you can search for others.

Good luck!

Anonymous

OMG, Lumpie, that thread is terrifying. I only saw that someone reported their tumor markers were elevated, but my MO doesn't rely on tumor markers. Quite frankly I stopped reading after just a few responses--they all talk about ascites, which seem to swell bellies out and cause nausea and bloating, and I remember my late husband in his late stages of cancer having to have his ascites from his pleural space drawn off every few days so he could breathe.

I think I'll tell myself no need to borrow trouble, and hope for the best.

Thanks, though~~

Lumpie

Claireinaz, Sorry it was disturbing! You are right - no need to borrow trouble (great saying). Worry another day.

Lumpie

Longitudinal Trajectory and Characterization of Cancer-Related Cognitive Impairment

Published in Journal of Clinical Oncology

https://www.practiceupdate.com/C/73752/56?elsca1=e...

The overall objective of this nationwide, prospective, observational study was to assess trajectories in specific cognitive domains in patients with breast cancer (stage I–IIIC) receiving chemotherapy. The authors observed significant declines across cognitive domains for patients relative to controls, from both pre- to postchemotherapy and from prechemotherapy to 6 months postchemotherapy.The authors conclude that cancer-related cognitive impairment affects breast cancer patients such that it may impact multiple cognitive domains for at least 6 months after the end of chemotherapy.

http://ascopubs.org/doi/full/10.1200/JCO.2018.78.6...

ARTICLE CITATION

DOI: 10.1200/JCO.2018.78.6624 Journal of Clinical Oncology

Lumpie

Most Breast Cancer Diagnoses Given Over the Phone

This represents a reversal, with in-person diagnoses more common before 2006

HealthDay

https://www.practiceupdate.com/C/73875/56?elsca1=e...

Almost 60 percent of participants diagnosed from 2015 to 2017 learned about their diagnosis over the telephone. "When we analyzed the data, I was completely surprised to find such a clear trend," ... "Historically, physicians have decided to use their best judgment when delivering a diagnosis, whether it's in person or over the phone. Nowadays, some patients clearly want to hear this information over the phone."

Lumpie

Study: 45.2% of US resident physicians experience burnout Researchers surveyed US resident physicians and found that 14.1% reported career choice regret, while 45.2% reported symptoms of burnout. The findings, published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, showed significant associations between career choice regret and reported symptoms of burnout as well as clinical specialty.Physician's Briefing/HealthDay News

http://www.physiciansbriefing.com/Article.asp?AID=...

https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/article-abst...

JAMA. 2018;320(11):1114-1130. doi:10.1001/jama.2018.12615

{Since this issue impacts the environment of care, I thought it legitimate to share this news. Troubling, but not surprising.}

MinusTwo

Lumpie - thanks again for all your posts. What I particularly like is the quick summary so each of us can decide it is relates to us before wading through all the detailed reports.

NotVeryBrave

I agree. It is so helpful to learn a bit and determine if it's a study that we want to read or not. And I appreciate the wide range of topics, too.

Lumpie

Paying for Cancer Care at All Costs

https://www.curetoday.com/articles/paying-for-canc...

Financial toxicity, and the short- and long-term impact that it has on patients' well-being, continues to gain more and more attention. This article discusses new survey results that provide further insights into how much patients are willing to sacrifice, including 49% of respondents saying they're willing to declare bankruptcy. It is further evidence that while some progress is being made, a lot of work still continues to protect more patients and their families from the high costs of cancer care.

Lumpie

Treatment of Brain Metastases With Stereotactic Radiosurgery and Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors

Published in: Radiotherapy & Oncology

https://www.practiceupdate.com/C/73718/56?elsca1=e...

The combination of immunotherapy and radiosurgery is used for brain metastases, but data are limited relative to the safety and efficacy of the combination and as to the optimal timing of the two therapies. In this meta-analysis of 17 studies (534 patients; 1570 brain metastases), overall survival at 1 year was 64.6% with concurrent and 51.6% with non-concurrent therapy (P<.001). Regional brain control at 1 year was 38.1% with concurrent administration and 12.3% with immunotherapy given prior to radiosurgery (P=.049). The overall rate of radionecrosis was 5.3%.Although concurrent therapy may improve safety and efficacy compared with the sequential approach, prospective trials are needed to more accurately inform on this clinical scenario.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.radonc.2018.08.025

marijen

APNewsBreak: EPA says a little radiation may be healthy

https://apnews.com/6a573b6b020e453c90ecd5e84aa23f5...

Lumpie

Study evaluates personalized vaccine in treating various cancers

Published in HealthDay 10/1/2018

https://consumer.healthday.com/cancer-information-...

Researchers found that six of 11 individuals with HER2-positive cancers who received personalized HER2-targeting vaccine had clinical benefit, including one patient with ovarian cancer achieving complete response lasting 89 weeks and another with gastroesophageal cancer reaching partial response lasting for months. The findings were presented at a joint meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research, the Association for Cancer Immunotherapy, the Cancer Research Institute and the European Academy of Tumor Immunology.

"...it's a good sign to see an apparent benefit in a phase 1 trial, but cautioned that the research is "incredibly early. It's too early to start jumping for joy. They show some clear evidence of a benefit, and it's a good investment to pursue this lead."

The researchers plan on combining the current vaccine with a drug that can help overcome a cancer's ability to suppress the immune system in the next phase of research. The drugs are called checkpoint inhibitors.

The findings were presented Sunday at a meeting sponsored by the Cancer Research Institute, the Association of Cancer Immunotherapy, the European Academy of Tumor Immunology and the American Association for Cancer Research, in New York City. Research presented at meetings should be considered preliminary until published in a peer-reviewed journal.

Amica

On Oct 1st Dr. James P Allison, of M.D. Anderson, along with Dr Tasuko Honjo of Japan, won a shared Nobel Prize in Medicine for their individual ground-breaking immunotherapy research on cancer.

Nobel Prize for Medicine 2018

Dr Allison Nobel Prize

Lumpie

Carefully Selected News and Features About Metastatic Breast Cancer Research

Watch Meetings From Across the U.S.

A number of local and national conferences focused specifically on metastatic breast cancer take place throughout the country each year. On this page you will find links to conferences that took place over the past year in Seattle, Boston, Chicago and Los Angeles.

You can also find a link to the CSPAN recording of Former Vice President Joe Biden's keynote remarks at the inaugural annual summit of the Biden Cancer Initiative, held in Washington, DC. This is not specific to metastatic breast cancer, but it provides insights into new directions in cancer research.

https://metastatictrialtalk.org/2018/10/03/confere...

Lumpie

FDA Public Workshop: Partners in Progress 2018 - Cancer Patient Advocates and FDA

The FDA Oncology Center of Excellence will hold its second annual educational workshop for new cancer patient advocates, Partners in Progress: Cancer Patient Advocates and FDA. The objectives are to provide basic training on the role of the FDA and cancer patient advocates in oncology product development. This broad introduction to FDA regulatory aspects of oncology product development is most relevant to attendees with limited knowledge and experience in cancer product development and patient advocacy.

Date: November 27, 2018

Time: 9:00 am to 4:00 pm

{Both remote/webcast and in-person participation are options. Registration required.}

https://www.fda.gov/AboutFDA/CentersOffices/Office...

Lumpie

Radiotherapy in Early-Stage, Low-Recurrence Risk, Hormone-Sensitive Breast Cancer

Journal of the National Cancer Institute

This pooled analysis used gene expression profiling data along with pooled individual-level data (7 trials including 1778 patients) to determine the impact of omitting radiotherapy on recurrence and mortality rates associated with stage I, ER+/PR+, HER2− breast cancer.Although omission of radiotherapy was associated with a small increase in locoregional recurrence, the researchers uncovered no evidence that omitting it made any difference the rate of distant recurrence or in survival.

https://www.practiceupdate.com/C/73723/56?elsca1=e...

https://doi.org/10.1093/jnci/djy128

Lumpie

Second Opinion at NCI Center Valuable for Breast Cancer Patients

Almost 43 percent of those presenting to NCI center for second opinion have change in diagnosis

HealthDay Oct. 2, 2018

https://www.practiceupdate.com/C/74304/56?elsca1=e...

Further reporting on same topic here:

https://www.news-medical.net/news/20180926/Study-S...

Originally Published in the Annals of Surgical Oncology

Lumpie

Pathological Response and Survival in TNBC After Neoadjuvant Carboplatin + Docetaxel

Published in: Clinical Cancer Research

• This study looked at recurrence-free and overall survival according to the degree of pathologic response in patients with stage I–III triple-negative breast cancer treated with neoadjuvant carboplatin plus docetaxel. The rate of pathological complete response (pCR) was 55%. The rate of residual cancer burden class I was 13%. At 3 years, overall survival for patients with pCR was 94% vs 79% for those without pCR.
• These results indicate that neoadjuvant carboplatin plus docetaxel shows promise in extending survival in patients with triple-negative breast cancer.