Search

Background: Up to 6% of patients (pts) with HER2 positive (pos) metastatic breast cancer (MBC) experience a radiologic complete response (rCR) to a first line of therapy, but these results mostly derive from dated and/or limited cohorts. Aim of this study was to define the clinico-pathological characteristics of HER2 positive (pos) MBC pts experiencing a rCR. Methods: Pts were selected from the database of the GIM14 study (NCT02284581) and classified according to the best radiologic response obtained to the first line chemotherapy (CT) and upon time-to-treatment-failure (TTF). rCR was defined as complete response (CR) with a TTF > 3 months. The association across variables was tested through logistic regression and their prognostic impact in terms of overall survival (OS) was estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method and compared using the log-rank test. Results: Of the 3,423 pts included in the GIM14 study, 814 had HER2 pos MBC. After exclusion of pts treated with first line endocrine therapy and/or with TTF < 3 months, 656 pts were included in the present analysis, of which 96 (14.6%) experienced a rCR. Instead, the best response was a partial response for 295 pts (45.0%), stable disease for 221 pts (33.7%), and progression for 44 pts (6.7%). Most pts (59.8%) presented de novo MBC; 379 pts (57.8%) had visceral metastases (mets), 609 pts (92.8%) did not have central nervous system (CNS) involvement and 318 pts (48.5%) had only 1 site of distant mets. Also, 445 pts (67.9%) had hormone receptor (HR) pos disease, a HER2 3+ score at immunohistochemistry (IHC) was present in 59.8% of cases versus 40.2% with HER2 2+ at IHC and in situ hybridization (ISH) + disease. Taxanes were the main CT backbone (489 pts, 74.5%), 341 pts (52.0%) had received a Trastuzumab-Pertuzumab doublet. At multivariable analysis, higher odds of experiencing a rCR were reported for presence of non-visceral mets (OR 1.87, 95%CI 1.10-3.17), low number of metastatic sites (OR 2.42, 95%CI 0.80-7.33 for 1 site only) and HER2 3+ score at IHC (OR 1.80, 95%CI 1.09-2.98). Disease-free interval (DFI) was associated to rCR at univariable but not at multivariable analysis. HR status, CT backbone and type of anti-HER2 regimen were not associated with rCR neither at univariable nor at multivariable analysis. Median follow-up was 76.2 months. Amongst pts with TTF>12 months, those with rCR had a significantly higher OS compared to those not experiencing a rCR (median OS 133 and 90 months, respectively; p=0.0191). OS rates in pts with TTF ≥ 12 months were 97.8% at 2-year follow-up and 59.4% at 5-year follow-up. Instead, in pts with TTF ≥ 60 months, OS rates were 76.7% at 10-year follow-up. Amongst the 96 pts experiencing a CR, 38 had a rCR with TTF between 12 and 60 months, while 22 pts had a rCR with a TTF ≥ 60 months. The remaining pts had a CR with a TTF < 12 months. Pts with HR negative (neg) disease were found to be more likely to experience a rCR with a with TTF between 12 and 60 months, whilst pts with HR pos disease had a higher probability to experience a rCR with a TTF ≥ 60 months (p=0.0074). Pts with HER2 3+ score at IHC had a higher probability to achieve a rCR with a TTF ≥ 12 months compared to pts with HER2 2+ score at IHC and ISH + (p=0.0216). Age at diagnosis, menopausal status, DFI, number and site of mets, CT backbone and anti-HER2 therapy did not influence the duration of the rCR obtained. Conclusions: This study characterized a real-world cohort of HER2 positive MBC patients experiencing radiologic complete response to a first line treatment. Based on these results a clinical trial focused on liquid biopsy-based minimal residual disease is being designed. Novel anti-HER2 agents are gaining momentum as ever increasingly effective treatments and future de-escalation strategies after complete response will represent a growing need. Citation Format: Linda Cucciniello, Eva Blondeaux, Claudia Bighin, Simona Gasparro, Stefania Russo, Arianna Dri, Palma Pugliese, Andrea Fontana, Giuseppe Naso, Antonella Ferzi, Ferdinando Riccardi, Valentina Sini, Luca Boni, Alessandra Fabi, Filippo Montemurro, Michelino De Laurentiis, Grazia Arpino, Lucia Del Mastro, Lorenzo Gerratana, Fabio Puglisi. Assessing the clinico-pathological characteristics of HER2 positive metastatic breast cancer patients experiencing radiologic complete response in a nationwide cohort [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2022 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; 2022 Dec 6-10; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2023;83(5 Suppl):Abstract nr P1-11-04.

Level of Experience and Coaching Style on the Quality of the KUD director's leadership affects the village business productivity. This study took 123 respondents who were directors of village businesses. The research approach uses an explanative method using Partial Least Square (SmartPLS 3.0). The research findings show that: (1) the level of experience of directors has a strong and significant effect on the Quality of Leadership with Partial Mediation of the Coaching Style; (2) The level of experience of KUD directors has a strong and significant effect on the Coaching Style performed by the directors; (3) Coaching Style performed by influential directors strong and significant towards the Quality of Leadership; (4) Level The experience of directors has a strong and significant effect on productivity Business with Partial Mediation of Coaching Style and Quality Good leadership from the board of directors; (5) The coaching style performed by the directors has a strong and significant effect on business productivity with Partial Mediation of good Leadership Qualities from the board of directors; (6) Good leadership qualities from the board of directors have a strong and significant effect to the productivity of business.

Metronomic chemotherapy (mCHT) refers to the minimum biologically effective dose of a chemotherapy agent given as a continuous dosing regimen, with no prolonged drug-free breaks, that leads to antitumor activity. Aim of the present study is to describe the use of mCHT in a retrospective cohort of metastatic breast cancer (MBC) patients in order to collect data regarding the different types and regimens of drugs employed, their efficacy and safety. Between January 2011 and December 2016, data of 584 metastatic breast cancer patients treated with mCHT were collected. The use of VRL-based regimens increased during the time of observation (2011: 16.8% - 2016: 29.8%), as well as CTX-based ones (2011: 17.1% - 2016: 25.6%), whereas CAPE-based and MTX-based regimens remained stable. In the 1st-line setting, the highest ORR and DCR were observed for VRL-based regimens (single agent: 44% and 88%; combination: 36.7% and 82.4%, respectively). Assuming VRL-single agent as the referee treatment (median PFS: 7.2 months, 95% CI: 5.3–10.3), the longest median PFS were observed in VRL-combination regimens (9.5, 95%CI 88.8–11.3, HR = 0.72) and in CAPE-single agent (10.7, 95%CI 8.3–15.8, HR = 0.70). The VICTOR-6 study provides new data coming from the real-life setting, by adding new information regarding the use of mCHT as an option of treatment for MBC patients.

Purpose Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) represents a subtype of breast cancer which lacks the expression of oestrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR) and human epidermal growth factor receptor-2 (HER2): TNBC accounts for approximately 20% of newly diagnosed breast cancers and is associated with younger age at diagnosis, greater recurrence risk and shorter survival time. Therapeutic options are very scarce. Aim of the present analysis is to provide further insights into the clinical activity of metronomic chemotherapy (mCHT), in a real-life setting. Methods We used data included in the VICTOR-6 study for the present analysis. VICTOR-6 is an Italian multicentre retrospective cohort study, which collected data of metastatic breast cancer (MBC) patients who have received mCHT between 2011 and 2016. Amongst the 584 patients included in the study, 97 were triple negative. In 40.2% of the TNBC patients, mCHT was the first chemotherapy treatment, whereas 32.9% had received 2 or more lines of treatment for the metastatic disease. 45.4% out of 97 TNBC patients received a vinorelbine (VRL)-based regimen, which resulted in the most used type of mCHT, followed by cyclophosphamide (CTX)-based regimens (30.9%) and capecitabine (CAPE)-based combinations (22.7%). Results Overall response rate (ORR) and disease control rate (DCR) were 17.5% and 64.9%, respectively. Median progression free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were 6.0 months (95% CI: 4.9–7.2) and 12.1 months (95% CI: 9.6–16.7). Median PFS was 6.9 months for CAPE-based regimens (95% CI: 5.0–18.4), 6.1 months (95% CI: 4.0–8.9) for CTX-based and 5.3 months (95% CI: 4.1–9.5) for VRL-based ones. Median OS was 18.2 months (95% CI: 9.1-NE) for CAPE-based regimens and 11.8 months for VRL- (95% CI: 9.3–16.7 and CTX-based ones (95%CI: 8.7–52.8). Tumour response, PFS and OS decreased proportionally in later lines. Conclusion This analysis represents the largest series of TNBC patients treated with mCHT in a real-life setting and provides further insights into the advantages of using this strategy even in this poor prognosis subpopulation.

How is the influence of leadership style and work environment on employee job satisfaction with organizational culture as a moderating variable at the PT WKS Jambi? This research uses quantitative methods. The data analysis used the structural-partial least square equation model. Eighty-four employees from each company plantation district were used as samples. The results showed that: 1). leadership style affects the work environment; 2). leadership style has a significant effect on organizational culture; 3). the work environment does not affect organizational culture; 4). organizational culture has a strong relationship with job satisfaction; 5). Leadership style does not affect job satisfaction; 6). the work environment does not affect job satisfaction; 7). through organizational culture, leadership style has a significant effect on job satisfaction; and 8. through organizational culture, the work environment does not significantly affect job satisfaction.

Background The BOLERO-2 trial reported efficacy and safety of Everolimus (EVE) and Exemestane (EXE) combination in HR+ advanced breast cancer (ABC) patients. The BALLET trial further evaluated the safety of EVE-EXE in HR+ ABC patients, without reporting efficacy data. Aim of the EVA real-life study was to collect data of efficacy and safety of EVE-EXE combination in the clinical setting, as well as exploring efficacy according to EVE Dose-Intensity (DI) and to previous treatment with Fulvestrant. Patients and methods This study aimed to describe the outcome of ABC pts treated with EVE-EXE combination in terms of median duration of EVE treatment and ORR in a real-life setting. Results From July 2013 to December 2015, the EVA study enrolled 404 pts. Median age was 61 years (33–83). Main metastatic sites were: bone (69.1%), soft tissue (34.7%) and viscera (33.2%). Median number of previous treatments was 2 (1–7). 43.3% of the pts had received Fulvestrant. Median exposure to EVE was 31.0 weeks (15.4–58.3) in the whole population. No difference was observed in terms of EVE exposure duration according to DI (p for trend = 0.27) or type of previous treatments (p = 0.33). ORR and Disease Control Rate (DCR) were observed in 31.6% and 60.7% of the patients, respectively, with the lowest ORRs confined in CHT pre-treated patients or in those who received the lowest DI of EVE. Grade 3-4 adverse events (AEs) were reported in 37.9% of the patients. Main AEs were: stomatitis (11.2%), non-infectious pneumonitis - NIP (3.8%), anaemia (3.8%) and fatigue (3.2%). Conclusions The EVA study provided new insights in the use of EVE-EVE combination in HR+ ABC pts many years after the publication of the pivotal trial. The combination is safe and the best response could be obtained in patients receiving the full dose of EVE and/or after hormone-therapy as Fulvestrant in ABC.

Background: Different studies suggest that fulvestrant 500 mg every 28 days (HD-FUL) could be an active treatment in HR+ advanced breast cancer (ABC) patients even treated with aromatase inhibitors in the adjuvant setting. The aim of this analysis is to describe the outcome of ABC patients treated with HD-FUL as first-line treatment in terms of median duration of treatment and the overall response rate in a real-world setting. Methods: For the purpose of the present analysis, we considered two data sets of HR+ ABC patients collected in Italy between 2012 and 2015 (EVA and GIM-13 AMBRA studies). Results: Eighty-one and 91 patients have been identified from the two data sets. The median age was 63 years (range 35–82) for the EVA and 57.8 years (range 35.0–82.3) for the AMBRA patients. ORRs were 23.5 and 24.3% in the whole population, 26.9% in the patients with bone only, and 21.8 and 21.4% in those with visceral metastases. The median duration of HD-FUL was 11.6 months (range 1–48) and 12.4 months (range 2.9–70.0) in the two data sets, respectively. Conclusion: These data suggest that HD-FUL should still continue to play a significant role as first-line therapy in HR+ ABC patients.

This study examines the relationship of Total Quality Management (TQM) to the satisfaction and loyalty of Outsourcing PT employees. PLN Bungo area, Indonesia. The TQM variables used include employee training, employee empowerment, teamwork, employee compensation, and management leadership. The research results are poured into a theoretical model that shows the satisfaction and loyalty of outsourcing employees. This study uses structural equation modeling (SEM) with the Partial Least Squares (PLS) approach. The computer program used is SmartPLS version 3.0. The number of samples used was 176 respondents. The results showed that employee empowerment, employee compensation, teamwork, and management leadership were significant positive predictors of employee satisfaction, and employee loyalty can be increased through employee satisfaction.

Nab-P is widely used in MBC, but limited data from clinical practice are available. This is an open-label, multicentre prospective cohort study prospectively collecting data of MBC pts treated with weekly, or every 3 week administration of Nab-P. For this survey a convenience sample was used. An attempt was made to get at least a sample of 200 pts, which guarantees a standard error of 3.5% for estimation of survival time at 1 year, overall response rate and grade 3-4 toxicity. Overall response rate was 32.1% in the whole population, without any significant difference according to schedule, previous paclitaxel exposure, presence of visceral metastases or line of treatment. Median time to progression was 6 months (95% confidence interval, 1-34), with no differences according to the schedule of treatment. No new data on toxicity were reported. Results from this real life experience suggest that Nab-P can be safely used with both the weekly and the 3-weekly schedule with comparable efficacy, leaving the choice to the physician according to the patient's needs and preference, with a carefully balance between activity and potential toxicity. Background Few data are available regarding efficacy and safety of nanoparticle albumin-bound (nab)-paclitaxel in advanced breast cancer patients outside a controlled trial, especially for the weekly schedule. Patients and Methods We prospectively collected data of advanced breast cancer patients who were candidates to be treated with weekly (125 mg/m2 for 3 consecutive weeks followed by a 1-week rest) or every 3 weeks (260 mg/m2) schedules of nab-paclitaxel, according to physician's decision. Results The study enrolled 209 patients, of whom 92 (39.3%) received weekly nab-paclitaxel. The median age was 58 (range, 31-84) years; 21.8% of the patients were classified as triple-negative breast cancer (estrogen-recetor/progesteron-receptor-negative). The median number of cycles was 5.5. The overall response rate was 32.1% in the whole population, without any significant difference according to schedule, previous paclitaxel exposure, presence of visceral metastases, or line of treatment. The median time to disease progression was 6 months (95% confidence interval, 1-34), with no differences according to the schedule of treatment. Severe adverse events (Grade 3-4) were observed in 60.6% of the patients. The main toxicities were alopecia (53.4%), neutropenia (3%), and sensory neuropathy (2.1%). Conclusion Our real-life data indicate that both schedules of nab-paclitaxel are manageable and safe in advanced breast cancer patients, even if previously treated with other taxanes.

BACKGROUND: The present analysis focuses on real-world data of Everolimus- Exemestane in advanced HR+ve, HER2-ve elderly breast cancer patients (aged 65 years) included in the EVA study, with unique findings in those aged 70 years. METHODS: Data are collected from clinical records and analysed according to age cut-off (< 65 years; 65 - 69 years and [greater than or equal to] 70 years). Relationship of analyzed variables with response were tested by mean of a Mantel- Haenszel chi square test. Time to event analysis was described by Kaplan Meier approach and association with baseline characteristics was analysed by stratified log-rank test and proportional hazard model. RESULTS: From July 2013 to December 2015, the EVA study enrolled overall 404 pts. 154 patients out of 404 (38,1%) were aged [greater than or equal to] 65 years, of whom 87 were [greater than or equal to] 70 years. Median duration of EVE treatment was 28.5 weeks (95% CI 19.0 - 33.8) in patients aged 65-69 years and 24,4 weeks (95% CI 19,2 - 33,2) in those aged [greater than or equal to] 70 years. Fewer patients aged 65 years received the highest EVE Dose-Intensity (> 7.5 mg/day) in comparison to younger patients (49,6% vs. 66,8%). Grade 3-4 toxicities occurred to 55 patients (35,7%), mainly stomatitis (10,9%), rash (5,8%) and non-infectious pneumonitis (NIP) (3,6%). Some toxicities, such as weight loss and anaemia were peculiarly observed in patients aged [greater than or equal to] 70 years. Five treatment-related deaths were collected (3,2%). CONCLUSIONS: EVE-EXE combination remains one of the potential treatments in HR+ patients also for elderly ones.

Employee engagement is a positive behavior that has been proven to influence employee performance. However, the majority of previous studies have proven it to permanent employees in one company. The purpose of this study is to show competency factors, work culture and leadership behavior as causes of employee engagement on contract employees and their effects on performance. By distributing questionnaires to 258 outsourcing employees of the State Electricity Company (PLN) Jambi Area and using SEM AMOS in processing data, it was found that competence, work culture, leadership behavior and employee engagement had a significant positive effect on employee performance. Employee engagement acts as a full mediation in the relationship between competence, work culture and leadership behavior on performance. Work culture has the greatest influence on employee engagement. The managerial implication is to integrate the work culture of PLN and the outsourcing company so that outsourcing employees are more engaged in PLN

Background:The CDK4/6 inhibitor palbociclib combined with endocrine therapy (ET) has proven to prolong progression-free survival (PFS) in women with hormone receptor-positive (HR+)/human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-negative (HER2−) metastatic breast cancer (MBC). Few data are available regarding the efficacy of such a regimen outside the clinical trials.Patients and methods:This is a multicentre prospective real-world experience aimed at verifying the outcome of palbociclib plus ET in an unselected population of MBC patients. The primary aim was the clinical benefit rate (CBR); secondary aims were the median PFS, overall survival (OS) and safety. Patients received palbociclib plus letrozole 2.5 mg (cohort A) or fulvestrant 500 mg (cohort B).Results:In total, 191 patients (92 in cohort A, 99 in cohort B) were enrolled and treated, and 182 were evaluable for the analysis. Median age was 62 years (range 47–79); 54% had visceral involvement; 28% of patients had previously performed one treatment line (including chemotherapy and ET), 22.6% two lines and 15.9% three. An overall response rate of 34.6% was observed with 11 (6.0%) complete responses and 52 (28.6%) partial responses. Stable disease was achieved by 78 patients (42.9%) with an overall CBR of 59.8%. At a median follow-up of 24 months (range 6–32), median PFS was 13 months without significant differences between the cohorts. When analysed according to treatment line, PFS values were significantly prolonged when palbociclib-based therapy was administered as first-line treatment (14.0 months), to decrease progressively in second and subsequent lines (11.7 and 6.7 months, respectively). Median OS was 25 months, ranging from 28.0 months in 1st line to 18.0 and 13.0 months in 2nd and subsequent lines, respectively.Conclusions:Our data indicate that palbociclib plus ET is active and safe in HR+/HER2− MBC, also suggesting a better performance of the combinations in earlier treatment lines.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.25874.].

Background: Fulvestrant 500 mg (F500) is the most active endocrine single agent in hormone receptor-positive (HR+)/HER2-negative metastatic breast cancer (MBC). Few data are available regarding the effectiveness of the drug in a real-world setting. Patients and methods: This prospective, multicenter cohort study aimed to describe the patterns of treatment and performance of F500 in a large population of unselected women with MBC, focusing on potential prognostic or predictive factors for disease outcome and response. The primary endpoints were progression-free survival (PFS) and clinical benefit rate. Results: From January 2011 to December 2015, 490 consecutive patients treated with F500 were enrolled. Overall, three different cohorts were identified and analyzed: the first received F500 after progression from previous chemotherapy (CT) or endocrine therapy; the second received the drug for de novo metastatic disease; and the third was treated as maintenance following disease stabilization or a response from a previous CT line. Median overall survival (OS) in the whole population was 26.8 months, ranging from 32.4 in first line to 22.0 and 13.7 months in second line and subsequent lines, respectively. Both the presence of liver metastasis and the treatment line were significantly associated with a worse PFS, while only the presence of liver metastasis maintained its predictive role for OS in multivariate analysis. Conclusions: The effectiveness of F500 was detected in patients treated both upon disease progression and as maintenance. The relevant endocrine sensitivity of 80% of patients included in the study could probably explain the good results observed in terms of outcome.

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) shows a very bad prognosis, even in early stages of disease. Metronomic chemotherapy refers to the minimum biologically effective dose of a chemotherapy agent given as a continuous dosing regimen with no prolonged drug-free breaks that leads to antitumor activity. In the present article, we review preclinical and clinical data of metronomic administration of chemotherapy agents with or without biological agents in TNBC cell lines and patients, contextually reporting data from the VICTOR-2 study in the subgroup of patients with TNBC, in order to stimulate new ideas for the design of clinical trials in this subset of patients.

Raffaella Palumbo,1 Federico Sottotetti,1 Giuseppe Trifirò,2 Elena Piazza,3 Antonella Ferzi,4 Anna Gambaro,3 Elena Giulia Spinapolice,2 Emma Pozzi,1 Barbara Tagliaferri,1 Cristina Teragni,1 Antonio Bernardo1 1Departmental Unit of Oncology, IRCCS Fondazione Salvatore Maugeri, Pavia, Italy; 2Unit of Nuclear Medicine, IRCCS Fondazione Salvatore Maugeri, Pavia, Italy; 3Medical Oncology Luigi Sacco Hospital, Milano, Italy; 4Medical Oncology, Legnano Hospital, Legnano, Italy Background: A prospective, multicenter trial was undertaken to assess the activity, safety, and quality of life of nanoparticle albumin-bound paclitaxel (nab-paclitaxel) as second-line chemotherapy in HER2-negative, taxane-pretreated metastatic breast cancer (MBC).Patients and methods: Fifty-two women with HER2-negative MBC who were candidates for second-line chemotherapy for the metastatic disease were enrolled and treated at three centers in Northern Italy. All patients had previously received taxane-based chemotherapy in the adjuvant or first-line metastatic setting. Single-agent nab-paclitaxel was given at the dose of 260 mg/m2 as a 30-minute intravenous infusion on day 1 each treatment cycle, which lasted 3 weeks, in the outpatient setting. No steroid or antihistamine premedication was provided. Treatment was stopped for documented disease progression, unacceptable toxicity, or patient refusal.Results: All of the enrolled patients were evaluable for the study endpoints. The objective response rate was 48% (95% CI, 31.5%–61.3%) and included complete responses from 13.5%. Disease stabilization was obtained in 19 patients and lasted >6 months in 15 of them; the overall clinical benefit rate was 77%. The median time to response was 70 days (range 52–86 days). The median progression-free survival time was 8.9 months (95% CI, 8.0–11.6 months, range 5–21+ months). The median overall survival point has not yet been reached. Toxicities were expected and manageable with good patient compliance and preserved quality of life in patients given long-term treatment.Conclusion: Our results showed that single-agent nab-paclitaxel 260 mg/m2 every 3 weeks is an effective and well tolerated regimen as second-line chemotherapy in HER2-negative, taxane-pretreated MBC patients, and that it produced interesting values of objective response rate and progression-free survival without the concern of significant toxicity. Specifically, the present study shows that such a regimen is a valid therapeutic option for that ‘difficult to treat’ patient population represented by women who at the time of disease relapse have already received the most active agents in the adjuvant and/or metastatic setting (ie, conventional taxanes). Keywords: nab-paclitaxel, metastatic breast cancer, taxanes, quality of life

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) shows a very bad prognosis, even in early stages of disease. Metronomic chemotherapy refers to the minimum biologically effective dose of a chemotherapy agent given as a continuous dosing regimen with no prolonged drug-free breaks that leads to antitumor activity. In the present article, we review preclinical and clinical data of metronomic administration of chemotherapy agents with or without biological agents in TNBC cell lines and patients, contextually reporting data from the VICTOR-2 study in the subgroup of patients with TNBC, in order to stimulate new ideas for the design of clinical trials in this subset of patients.

The present analysis focuses on real-world data of Everolimus-Exemestane in advanced HR+ve, HER2-ve elderly breast cancer patients (aged 65 years) included in the EVA study, with unique findings in those aged 70 years.Data are collected from clinical records and analysed according to age cut-off (65 years; 65 - 69 years and {greater than or equal to} 70 years). Relationship of analyzed variables with response were tested by mean of a Mantel-Haenszel chi square test. Time to event analysis was described by Kaplan Meier approach and association with baseline characteristics was analysed by stratified log-rank test and proportional hazard model.From July 2013 to December 2015, the EVA study enrolled overall 404 pts. 154 patients out of 404 (38,1%) were aged {greater than or equal to} 65 years, of whom 87 were {greater than or equal to} 70 years. Median duration of EVE treatment was 28.5 weeks (95% CI 19.0 - 33.8) in patients aged 65-69 years and 24,4 weeks (95% CI 19,2 - 33,2) in those aged {greater than or equal to} 70 years. Fewer patients aged 65 years received the highest EVE Dose-Intensity (7.5 mg/day) in comparison to younger patients (49,6% vs. 66,8%). Grade 3-4 toxicities occurred to 55 patients (35,7%), mainly stomatitis (10,9%), rash (5,8%) and non-infectious pneumonitis (NIP) (3,6%). Some toxicities, such as weight loss and anaemia were peculiarly observed in patients aged {greater than or equal to} 70 years. Five treatment-related deaths were collected (3,2%).EVE-EXE combination remains one of the potential treatments in HR+ patients also for elderly ones.

AIMS AND BACKGROUND: The addition of trastuzumab to chemotherapy for HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer has significantly improved progression-free survival and overall survival, although most patients develop resistance or have a primarily resistant disease. The aim of the study was to describe the efficacy and safety of a first-line treatment in unselected metastatic HER2-positive breast cancer patients, treated according to clinical practice. METHODS: From 2000 to 2009, we conducted a retrospective multi-institutional analysis of 182 consecutive patients with HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer who underwent first-line treatment with trastuzumab. The primary end points were progression-free survival and overall survival; the secondary end points were survival after progression in patients treated with second-line chemotherapy with or without trastuzumab and safety. A total of 172 patients were analyzed. RESULTS: Median progression-free survival and overall survival were 1.2 (95% CI, 1.1-1.4) and 4.4 years (95% CI, 3.6-5.4), respectively. For 100 patients who received second-line chemotherapy, median survival after progression was significantly longer in those who also received trastuzumab: 2.8 (95% CI, 2.1-4.0) versus 1.2 years (95% CI, 0.6-1.9). CONCLUSIONS: Although based on retrospective data, the study confirms the role of trastuzumab as first-line treatment in metastatic breast cancer outside of a controlled trial. Moreover, information obtained on the use of trastuzumab beyond disease progression supports its use in this setting

Background Preclinical data suggest that treatment with lapatinib reinduces sensitivity to trastuzumab in human epidermal growth factor receptor 2(HER2)-positive breast cancer cells. Patients and methods Between January 2007 and November 2010, 179 HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer patients were treated with lapatinib and capecitabine at nine Italian institutions. We evaluated the clinical outcome of 69 patients (38.5%) retreated with trastuzumab after lapatinib progression. Results Visceral metastases were identified in 51 (74%) and brain metastases in 16 patients (23%). All patients were pretreated with both trastuzumab- and lapatinib-based therapy. We observed with retreatment with trastuzumab-based therapy: 1 complete remission (2%), 18 partial remission (29%) and 10 stable disease ≥6 months (14%) and 47% of clinical benefit (CB). Median duration of response was 8.1 months [95% confidence interval (CI) 5.5–10.7]. No unexpected toxic effects occurred. At a median follow-up of 13 months, median progression-free survival was 4.9 months (95% CI 4.2–5.6) and overall survival (OS) 19.4 months (95% CI 14.0–25.0). Median OS was longer for patients experiencing CB (not reached versus 13.4 months for patients without CB, P = 0.002). Brain involvement was associated with lower median OS (17.3 versus 23.3 months for patients without brain disease; P = 0.021). Conclusion Retreatment with trastuzumab-based therapy showed CB in 47% of patients progressing during lapatinib-based therapy, leading to a prolonged OS.

e13076Background: mCHT is the minimum biologically effective dose of a CHT agent, given at regular dosing regimen with no prolonged drug free interval. Aim of this observational retrospective study...

e19084 Background: Bone metastases represent an increasing clinical problem in advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) as disease-related survival improves. This is a multicenter, retrospective survey aimed to explore the impact of bone involvement in this severe, life-threatening disease. Methods: Data on clinicopathology, skeletal outcomes, skeletal-related events (SREs), and bone-directed therapies for 421 deceased NSCLC patients (48.6% aged >66 years) with evidence of bone metastasis were statistically analyzed. Results: ECOG performance status at diagnosis of NSCLC was 0 in 41.4% of patients, 1 in 42.8% and 2 in 13.9%. The most frequent stage at diagnosis was IV (76.8%). Adenocarcinoma was the commonest histotype (70.3%) and EGFR status was unknown in 77.7%. Chemotherapy was the preferred I line treatment in 82.2%. Lung cancer frequently spreaded to bone, with metastases evident at diagnosis in up to 57.2% of patients. In the remaining cases median time to bone metastases was 9 months. Patients ECOG performance status when bone metastases were detected was 1 in 46.6% and 2 in 22.9%. In our sample multiple bone metastases were detected in 82.5% of patients and 71.2% were osteolitic. Axial skeleton was interested in 74.6% of cases, pelvic bones in 46.7% and limb bones in 29.3%. Bone metastases related pain was reported by 84% of patients. Median Verbal Numerical Rating Scale (VNRS) for pain was 4 and it measured >4 in 47.2% of cases. Bisphosphonates was administered in 65.6% of patients; zoledronic acid was mainly used (61.1%). Osteonecrosis of the jaw was reported in only 1.1 % of cases. Median number of SREs/patient was one, less than half of the patients (41.7%) experienced at least one SRE, 21.2% experienced at least two SREs, and only 2.1% experienced at least three SREs. The most common SRE was the need of radiotherapy (73.8%). Median time to first SRE was 3 months. Median survival after bone metastases diagnosis was 8 months and after first SRE was 6 months. Conclusions: These preliminary data suggest that bone metastases are a relevant clinical event in the natural history of patients affected by NSCLC. Final results will be available next ASCO meeting.

age distribution at the time of MBC diagnosis: 41-57 years (n=3) and 76/79 years (n=2). Two patients had solitary metastatic lesions (bone, n=2; lung, n=1), one patient had extensive bone metastases, and one patient had multiple bony and pulmonary metastases. In only one of the five cases did the patient receive chemotherapy in the supposed palliative situation. Discussion: There are patients who, despite the diagnosis of distant metastases, may be considered cured of their disease; however, these cases are rare. The long-term survivors in our study cohort comprised a relatively heterogeneous group with regard to age at MBC diagnosis, therapy and metastatic sites. The factors contributing to the quite rare and felicitous case of long-term survival or even cure, can hardly be evaluated systematically and remain a black box. It appears, however, that aggressive chemotherapy-containing regimens, are not the key to solving the mystery of this black box.

Raffaella Palumbo,1 Federico Sottotetti,1 Giuseppe Trifirò,2 Elena Piazza,3 Antonella Ferzi,4 Anna Gambaro,3 Elena Giulia Spinapolice,2 Emma Pozzi,1 Barbara Tagliaferri,1 Cristina Teragni,1 Antonio Bernardo1 1Departmental Unit of Oncology, IRCCS Fondazione Salvatore Maugeri, Pavia, Italy; 2Unit of Nuclear Medicine, IRCCS Fondazione Salvatore Maugeri, Pavia, Italy; 3Medical Oncology Luigi Sacco Hospital, Milano, Italy; 4Medical Oncology, Legnano Hospital, Legnano, Italy Background: A prospective, multicenter trial was undertaken to assess the activity, safety, and quality of life of nanoparticle albumin-bound paclitaxel (nab-paclitaxel) as second-line chemotherapy in HER2-negative, taxane-pretreated metastatic breast cancer (MBC).Patients and methods: Fifty-two women with HER2-negative MBC who were candidates for second-line chemotherapy for the metastatic disease were enrolled and treated at three centers in Northern Italy. All patients had previously received taxane-based chemotherapy in the adjuvant or first-line metastatic setting. Single-agent nab-paclitaxel was given at the dose of 260 mg/m2 as a 30-minute intravenous infusion on day 1 each treatment cycle, which lasted 3 weeks, in the outpatient setting. No steroid or antihistamine premedication was provided. Treatment was stopped for documented disease progression, unacceptable toxicity, or patient refusal.Results: All of the enrolled patients were evaluable for the study endpoints. The objective response rate was 48% (95% CI, 31.5%–61.3%) and included complete responses from 13.5%. Disease stabilization was obtained in 19 patients and lasted >6 months in 15 of them; the overall clinical benefit rate was 77%. The median time to response was 70 days (range 52–86 days). The median progression-free survival time was 8.9 months (95% CI, 8.0–11.6 months, range 5–21+ months). The median overall survival point has not yet been reached. Toxicities were expected and manageable with good patient compliance and preserved quality of life in patients given long-term treatment.Conclusion: Our results showed that single-agent nab-paclitaxel 260 mg/m2 every 3 weeks is an effective and well tolerated regimen as second-line chemotherapy in HER2-negative, taxane-pretreated MBC patients, and that it produced interesting values of objective response rate and progression-free survival without the concern of significant toxicity. Specifically, the present study shows that such a regimen is a valid therapeutic option for that ‘difficult to treat’ patient population represented by women who at the time of disease relapse have already received the most active agents in the adjuvant and/or metastatic setting (ie, conventional taxanes). Keywords: nab-paclitaxel, metastatic breast cancer, taxanes, quality of life

Aim: A growing evidence supports the efficacy and safety of different dosing schedules of nab-paclitaxel (nab-P) through several treatment lines in MBC, also in taxane-pretreated patients (pts). We report the final results of a multicenter experience with single-agent nab-P as 2nd and further chemotherapy (CT) in MBC, focusing on potential predictive and/or prognostic factors for treatment response and disease outcome. Methods: From February 2011, 150 consecutive MBC pts were treated at 8 Italian Institutions, 85 (cohort A) with the 260mg/m2 q3w schedule (46 in 2nd line, 21 in 3rd and 18 in ≥ 4th) and 65 (cohort B) with the 125 mg/m2 (20 in 2nd line, 10 in 3rd and 35 in ≥ 4th). Visceral involvement: 72%; ≥3 metastatic sites: 60%; median DFI ≤24 months: 35%; taxane-based CT in the adjuvant or metastatic setting: 68% and 65%, respectively. Results: The objective response rate (ORR) in the whole population was 48% (6 CR, 65 PR, 51 SD ≥ 16 weeks), for an overall clinical benefit rate of 83%. At a median follow-up of 18 months (range 6-30), median PFS was 7.8 months (range 3-23+), median OS has not yet been reached. Major toxicities were expected and manageable with both the schedules, without differences in the ≥65 years pts (38%). Statistical analysis showed no predictive or prognostic value of the evaluated patient- and disease-related variables (DFI, tumor subtype, site and number of metastatic sites, previous taxane-based CT, prior lines for metastatic disease, dosing schedules), while the line of CT significantly affected both the probability of response (61% ORR in 2nd line versus 38% in ≥3 lines; p Conclusions: Our data confirm that both the tested nab-P regimens produce encouraging ORR and PFS values in taxane-pretreated MBC, in advanced lines of treatment too. The suggested higher activity of the q3w schedule in pts with more aggressive disease further supports the possibility of tailoring the dosing schedules according to the different patient profiles and clinical situations. Disclosure: All authors have declared no conflicts of interest.

568 Background: Preclinical data suggest that treatment with lapatinib may reinduce sensitivity to trastuzumab in HER2+ breast cancer cells (Scaltriti, Oncogene 2009;28:803). We evaluated the activ...

e11502 Background: The combination of B with P as first-line treatment for patients (pts) with HER2-ve mBC showed clinical benefits in terms of progression-free survival (PFS) and objective respons...

Purpose: The VICTOR-1 study demonstrated that the all-oral metronomic combination of vinorelbine and capecitabine is highly active and well tolerated in hormone receptor-positive/HER2-negative patients. The VICTOR-2 study was designed to confirm these results. Methods: Patients received mVNR 40 mg three times a week and mCAPE 500 mg three times a day, continuously. The primary endpoint was the clinical benefit rate (CBR); secondary endpoints were toxicity, objective response rate (ORR), and progression-free survival (PFS). Results: Eighty patients were evaluable for the primary efficacy analysis. Median age was 65.3 years; most patients had HR-positive tumors (65 %). The CBR was 45.7 % (95 % CI 28.8–63.4) and 51.1 % (95 % CI 35.8–66.3) in first- and ≥ second-line therapy, respectively. The ORR was 35.5 % in first-line (95 % CI 19.2–54.6) and 25.6 % in ≥second-line (95 % CI 13.5–41.2). The median duration of response was 11.3 and 6.4 months and PFS rates at 1 year were 24.3 and 22.2 %, respectively. In triple-negative breast cancer patients (N = 28, 35 %) a lower, but clinically relevant CBR (35.7, 95 % CI 18.6–55.9) was observed. The main toxicities per cycle were non-febrile neutropenia (1.1 %), hand-foot syndrome (1.0 %), nausea and vomiting (1.0 %), leucopenia (0.8 %), fatigue (0.7 %), and diarrhea (0.4 %). Conclusion: The VICTOR-2 study confirms the clinical activity of mVNR and mCAPE in HER2-negative breast cancer patients, suggesting that the easy schedule of administration, which requires monthly blood tests and limits patients’ dependence on hospitals, and the low cost of the drugs are valuable elements, even for countries with limited access to innovative or expensive drugs.

This paper introduces a method of analysis of short-term heart rate variability control during the evolution of ischemic transient attacks by autoregressive (AR) spectral identification. Signals are obtained from ECG Holter recordings of patients with two different ischemic pathologies: Syndrome X, which is believed to be due to coronary microvascular dysfunction, and Chronic Stable Angina. Parameters such as the power and the carrier frequency of the VLF, LF and HF bands are considered. Some of these parameters may describe characteristic different behaviors of the cardiovascular control system during the two ischemic pathologies, in the attempt to keep a stable neurovegetative state.

seasonal sampling of three stations in Gulbahce Bay (Aegean Sea) for the zoobenthic organisms associated with a Zostera marina bed was carried out during 1993-94. Temperature, salinity and oxygen were recorded each sampling period. A total of 7 taxonomic groups were determined: Polychaeta was the dominant group comprising 77 YO of the total taxa and individuals, followed by Crustacea, Bivalvia and other groups such as Nemertea. Sipuncula, Turbellaria and Phoronida. Of the 108 taxa encountered, the polychaetes Notomastus latericeus and Caulleriella alata accounted for 49 YO of the total populations. The species abundance did not show major changes among seasons, with in fall (982 indiv:m-') and lowest in spring (754 indiv. am-*). Diversity and evenness were relatively high and fairly constant, and were affected by the dominance levels of the species.