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6513 Background: The Breakthrough Therapy program was established in July 2012 to expedite drug development and approval by the FDA. We compared the characteristics of clinical trials leading to FDA approval as well as the magnitude of clinical benefit and value framework scores of breakthrough-designated and non-breakthrough-designated cancer drugs. Methods: We searched the Drugs@FDA website for cancer drug approvals from July 2012 and December 2017. For each indication, we applied the value frameworks and used thresholds of high clinical benefit developed by American Society of Clinical Oncology Value Framework version 2 (ASCO VF v2; scores ≥45), the ASCO Cancer Research Committee (OS gains ≥2.5 months PFS gains ≥3 months), the European Society for Medical Oncology-Magnitude of Clinical Benefit Scale version 1.1 (ESMO-MCBS v1.1; grade of A or B for trials of curative intent and 4 or 5 for those of non-curative intent), and the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) Evidence Blocks (scores of 4 and 5). Trial characteristics and value framework scores were compared using Chi squared or Mann Whitney U tests. Results: We identified 106 pivotal trials supporting the approval of 52 individual drugs for 96 indications. Of these indications, 38 (40%) received breakthrough designation. Compared with trials for non-breakthrough drugs (n = 62), trials for breakthrough drugs (n = 44) had smaller sample size (median 373 vs 612, P= .03), were less often randomized (57% vs 86%; P= .001) and more likely to be open-label (84% vs 53%, P= .001). Trials for breakthrough drugs were more likely to demonstrate high clinical benefit using ASCO VF (68% vs 31%, P= .002) and NCCN Evidence Blocks (86% vs 56%, P= .002). A similar proportion of trials supporting breakthrough and non-breakthrough drugs demonstrated high clinical benefit using the ASCO Cancer Research Committee (82% vs 68%, P= .25) and ESMO-MCBS (35% vs 33%; P= .87) frameworks. Conclusions: In patients with advanced solid tumors, cancer drugs approved under breakthrough therapy designation were more likely to demonstrate high clinical benefit as defined by the ASCO VF and NCCN value frameworks. A similar proportion of approved breakthrough and non-breakthrough therapy drugs met the high benefit thresholds using the ASCO Cancer Research Committee and ESMO-MCBS frameworks.

6638 Background: Given rising cancer drug costs, Medicare recently proposed to tie some US drug prices to average prices paid by comparable countries. To understand the potential scope of this policy, we assessed differences in cancer drug prices in the US and selected European countries. We also evaluated the correlation between drug prices and their clinical benefit, as measured by two value frameworks: the American Society of Clinical Oncology Value Framework v2 (ASCO VF) and the European Society for Medical Oncology Magnitude of Clinical Benefit Scale v1.1 (ESMO-MCBS). Methods: We identified all new drugs for adult solid and hematologic cancers, approved by the FDA from 2009-2017 and that have also been approved by the EMA by December 31, 2018. US average sales prices (and if not available, wholesale acquisition costs) were extracted as of February 1, 2019, and compared to comparable currency-adjusted ex-factory drug costs in England, France, Germany, and Switzerland. ASCO VF and ESMO-MCBS scores were assessed for pivotal trials supporting solid tumor drugs; in case of multiple trials, we focused on the highest score. Consistent with the developers of the rating scales, “high benefit” was defined as scores of A-B (neo/adjuvant setting) and 4-5 (palliative setting) on the ESMO-MCBS scale and scores≥45 on the ASCO VF. Linear regression models and non-parametric Kruskal-Wallis test and were used to assess the association between drug prices and benefit scores. Results: The study cohort included 63 drugs approved by the FDA and the EMA during the study period. 46 (73%) were approved for solid tumors, and 17 (27%) were approved for hematologic malignancies. Overall, median cancer drug prices in included European countries were 52% (interquartile range: 37-72%) lower than US prices. There was no statistically significant association between monthly treatment cost and ASCO-VF or ESMO-MCBS scores in any country. There was also no association between price differential between US and median European drug prices and either ASCO-VF (P = 0.599) or ESMO-MBCS (P = 0.321) scores. Conclusions: Cancer drug prices in the US were significantly higher than in the compared European countries. Drug prices of cancer drugs were not associated with clinical benefit in the US or in European countries.

1077 Background: In Spain there is limited prospective data for unresectable locally advanced breast cancer (ULABC) or metastatic breast cancer (MBC) patients (pts) treated as per clinical practice. RegistEM study will provide epidemiological, pathological and clinical data, including treatments given for different disease stages. Understanding the real distribution of the different BC subtypes is the primary objective. Methods: This is a non-interventional cohort study enrolling approximately 1,400 pts with advanced disease diagnosed from January 2016 to December 2018, either after recurrence or as first diagnosis, in 38 Spanish sites. Biological samples (primary tumor, metastatic lesions, blood) are currently being collected. In this first analysis, we include 489 pts who met study criteria before October 31, 2017. All data are described in two subgroups: on the most recent tumor lesion or on the primary breast tumor. Results: At first diagnosis, 67.9%, 31.5% and 0.6% of pts had early BC (EBC), MBC and ULABC, respectively. In the total analysis population, median age at diagnosis of advanced disease was 59.6 years, most of pts were white (98.2%), female (99.4%) and postmenopausal (70%). Family history of BC and ovarian cancer was reported in 5.7% pts. In ~390 pts BC clinical subtypes distribution was luminal B(HER2-)-like (~55%), luminal B(HER2+)-like (~16%), luminal A-like or triple negative (TN) (~10% each) and HER2 enriched-like (~8%). Median time to recurrence (years) in EBC pts was: luminal A-like 5.8, luminal B(HER2-)-like 5.1, luminal B(HER2+)-like 3.9, HER2 enriched-like 2.7 and TN 1.7. Bone (59%), visceral (58%) and lymph node (27%) lesions were the most frequent metastatic locations. The two most frequent therapies in first line consisted in: endocrine therapy (ET) (47%) and ET+biological therapy (BT) (29%) for luminal A-like; ET (32%) and ET+BT (32%) for luminal B(HER2-)-like; chemotherapy (CT)+ET+BT (43%) and CT+BT (24%) for luminal B(HER2+)-like; CT+BT (68%) and CT (16%) for HER2 enriched-like; CT (59%) and CT+BT (34%) for TN. Conclusions: These first data confirm that luminal B (HER2-)-like subtype is the most predominant in MBC.

This study matches entries in ClinicalTrials.gov for cancer drug trials at initiation of the trial with later entries and with journal reports of the trials to assess modifications in trial design, external factors associated with such modifications, and transparency in reporting them.

Low-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein 1, a member of the low-density lipoprotein cholesterol receptor family, has been implicated in the progression of certain tumors; but it remains unclear whether it plays a role in infiltrating ductal breast carcinomas. We studied a series of 81 ductal breast tumors to determine the correlation of low-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein I overexpression with clinicopathologic and immunohistochemical characteristics associated with prognosis. Low-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein I overexpression was identified in 14% (11/81) of tumors and was correlated with a high nuclear grade (P = .043), high mitotic index (P = .006), and Ki-67 greater than 20% (P = .047). Furthermore, low-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein 1 expression was associated with aggressive carcinomas (triple-negative tumors [21%, 7/33] and Her-2/neu tumors [17%, 4/24]) but not with hormone-dependent carcinomas (0%, 0/24)(P = .040). There was no correlation between low-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein 1 expression and survival, but a trend was found between low-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein 1 overexpression and tumor recurrence. Low-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein 1 overexpression was related to proliferation and invasiveness in Her-2/neu and triple-negative breast carcinoma. Moreover, patients with low-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein 1-positive tumors had higher cholesterol levels (62.5%, 5/8) than those with low-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein 1-negative tumors (40%, 19/47). Nevertheless, the correlation between low-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein 1 and hypercholesterolemia was not statistically significant; but cholesterol levels were higher in patients with triple-negative breast carcinoma (60%, 15/25) and Her-2/neu carcinomas (40%, 6/15) than in luminal-A carcinomas (20%, 3/15) (P = .046). These findings suggest a relationship between hypercholesterolemia and aggressiveness of ductal breast carcinomas. (C) 2011 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Purpose Clinical practice guidelines (CPGs) and consensus statements (CSs) are used to apply evidence-based medicine or expert recommendations to clinical practice. Here we explore author financial conflicts of interest (FCOIs), sources of guideline funding, and their relationship with endorsement of specific drugs. Methods An electronic search of MEDLINE was conducted to identify CPGs and CSs for common solid cancers published between January 2003 and October 2013. The search was restricted to articles evaluating systemic therapy. We extracted data on self-reported author FCOIs, funding sources, use of manuscript writers, and endorsement of specific drugs in the abstract of the article. Results Of 142 articles evaluated, 64% were CPGs, and 36% were CSs. The proportion of articles reporting FCOIs improved from 11% in 2003 to 93% in 2013 (P for trend < .001). Only 45% of articles explicitly reported funding sources. Of these, 65% disclosed partial or full industry sponsorship. Use of manuscript writers was declared in 13%, but many articles did not explicitly report the role of authors in the writing of the manuscript. Endorsement of specific drugs was significantly associated with author FCOIs (odds ratio [OR], 7.29; P = .001), but not with industry funding (OR, 0.95; P = .37). Conclusion Reporting of FCOIs in CPGs and CSs has improved over time. Despite prevalent funding of guideline development by industry, such funding is not associated with endorsement of specific drugs. Author FCOIs are prevalent, and endorsement of a specific drug seems to be more common when authors have FCOIs with the pharmaceutical company marketing that drug.

Background: Src is a non-receptor tyrosine kinase involved in signalling and crosstalk between growth-promoting pathways. We aim to investigate the relationship of active Src in response to trastuzumab of HER2-positive breast carcinomas. Methods: We selected 278 HER2-positive breast cancer patients with (n = 154) and without (n = 124) trastuzumab treatment. We performed immunohistochemistry on paraffin-embedded tissue microarrays of active Src and several proteins involved in the PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway, PIK3CA mutational analysis and in vitro studies (SKBR3 and BT474 cancer cells). The results were correlated with clinicopathological factors and patients' outcome. Results: Increased pSrc-Y416 was demonstrated in trastuzumab-resistant cells and in 37.8% of tumours that correlated positively with tumour size, necrosis, mitosis, metastasis to the central nervous system, p53 overexpression and MAPK activation but inversely with EGFR and p27. Univariate analyses showed an association of increased active Src with shorter survival in patients at early stage with HER2/hormone receptor-negative tumours treated with trastuzumab. Conclusions: Src activation participates in trastuzumab mechanisms of resistance and indicates poor prognosis, mainly in HER2/hormone receptor-negative breast cancer. Therefore, blocking this axis may be beneficial in those patients.

Background Hormone receptor positive breast cancer is characterized by the potential for disease recurrence many years after initial diagnosis. Endocrine therapy has been shown to reduce the risk of such recurrence, but the optimal duration of endocrine therapy remains unclear. Methods We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to quantify the benefits and harms of extended adjuvant tamoxifen (>5 years of therapy) compared with adjuvant tamoxifen (5 years of therapy). Odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were computed for disease recurrence, death and adverse events. Subgroup analyses by timing of recurrence and baseline lymph node and menopause status were carried. Results Five trials comprising 21,554 patients were included. Extended adjuvant tamoxifen was not associated with a significant reduction in the risk of recurrence (OR:0.89, 95% CI 0.76–1.05, p = 0.17). There was no association between extended adjuvant tamoxifen and all-cause death (OR:0.99, 95% CI 0.84–1.16, p = 0.88). There was an apparent reduction in risk of recurrence occurring after completion of extended adjuvant tamoxifen with little evidence of effect during therapy, however, this difference was not significant (p for difference 0.10). Subgroup analysis suggested that a greater effect size among lymph node positive patients compared with those who are lymph node negative (NNT: 25 vs. 49). There was no apparent difference in the effect between pre- and post-menopausal patients. Endometrial carcinoma was substantially more frequent with extended adjuvant tamoxifen (OR:2.06, 95% CI 1.65–2.58, p

Obesity, associated with inflammation, has been linked to poor prognosis in breast cancer. Research investigating the potential role of C-reactive protein (CRP), an obesity-associated systemic marker of inflammation, as a mediator of adverse prognostic effects of obesity has yielded inconsistent results. We examined the association of highly sensitive CRP (hsCRP) with obesity-related factors and breast cancer outcome. A cohort of 535 non-diabetic women diagnosed with T1-3, N0-1, M0 breast cancer, was assembled between 1989 and 1996 and followed prospectively. Circulating levels of hsCRP were analyzed on blood obtained postoperatively, prior to systemic therapy, in 501 women. Correlations and prognostic associations were analyzed using one-way analysis of variance, Spearman’s rank correlation coefficients (r) and Cox models. hsCRP was significantly correlated with body mass index (r = 0.60), insulin (r = 0.44), leptin (r = 0.54), and lipids, but not T or N stage, grade or estrogen receptor/progesterone receptor. At a median follow-up of 12 years, hsCRP was not associated with distant disease-free survival or overall survival in univariable [Q4 vs. Q1 hazard ratio (HR) 1.03, 95 % confidence interval (CI) 0.69–1.52, P = 0.9 and HR 1.27, 95 % CI 0.86–1.86, P = 0.24, respectively] or multivariable [Q4 vs Q1 HR 1.02, 95 % CI 0.66–1.59, P = 0.93 and HR 1.17, 95 % CI 0.76–1.81, P = 0.48 respectively] analyses. hsCRP was associated with age, comorbidities, and the insulin resistance syndrome but not with breast cancer outcome.

IMPORTANCE The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) advisory committees influence decisions relating to the regulatory approval of drugs in the United States. Outside of the field of oncology, prosponsor voting bias has been observed among members with financial conflicts of interest (FCOIs). OBJECTIVE To explore factors associated with Oncologic Drugs Advisory Committee (ODAC) recommendations and the influence ODAC members' FCOIs on the drug approval process. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS Retrospective analysis of 82 ODAC meeting transcripts between January 2000 and December 2014. Analysis was restricted to meetings at which votes were cast relating to oncologic drugs. The influence of methodology of trials supporting approval and frequency and type of self-reported FCOIs of voting members was explored using logistic regression. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES ODAC recommendation for drug approval and subsequent FDA approval. RESULTS Eighty-two transcripts of ODAC meetings between January 2000 and December 2014 were available for analysis. During the time period analyzed, ODAC members voted on 68 applications in 79 meetings (the remaining 3 meetings included voting questions regarding postmarketing safety or trial design). There was agreement between ODAC recommendations and final FDA approval; FDA approval was received for all 41 drugs that ODAC recommended approval. Additionally, the FDA approved 7 out of 41 agents that were not recommended for approval by ODAC (kappa = 0.83). In 51 of 79 meetings, more than 1 trial was available to support the indication of a particular drug, and favorable ODAC recommendations were more likely when this was the case (odds ratio [OR], 1.82; 95% CI, 1.19-2.78; P = .01). Availability of randomized data did not appear to be important with selected single-arm phase 2 trials leading to recommendations for approval, especially in rare diseases. There has been a significant reduction in FCOIs over time (31 of 77 voting members [40%] in 2000 vs 0 of 20 voting members in 2014 [0%]; P < .001). Recommendations for approval were made in 28 of 47 meetings with members reporting FCOIs while among meetings with no reported FCOIs, recommendations for approval were made in 13 of 35 meetings (OR, 1.19; 95% CI, 0.97-1.46; P = .10). No significant association between ODAC recommendations and FDA approval was observed for members with FCOIs with the sponsor (OR, 1.79; 95% CI, 0.97-1.46; P = .19 and OR, 3.48; 95% CI, 0.84-14.35; P = .09, respectively) compared with members with FCOIs with competitors (OR, 1.06; 95% CI, 0.78-1.44; P = .72 and OR, 0.94; 95% CI, 0.69-1.28; P = .69, respectively). CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE Availability of multiple trials is associated with higher odds of ODAC recommendation and drug approval. Availability of randomized data appears less important. Declaration of FCOIs among ODAC members was frequent during the time period of interest but has decreased significantly over time. There is no apparent association between FCOIs and ODAC recommendations and subsequent FDA approval.

6582 Background: FDA advisory committees influence decisions relating to the regulatory approval of drugs in the United States. Little is known about whether ODAC members’ FCOIs affect the FDA’s on...

539 Background: Hormone receptor positive breast cancer is characterized by the potential for disease recurrence many years after initial diagnosis. Endocrine therapy has been shown to reduce the risk of such recurrence, but the optimal duration of endocrine therapy remains unclear. Methods: We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to quantify the relative and absolute benefits and harms of extended adjuvant tamoxifen (>5 years of therapy) compared with adjuvant tamoxifen (≤5 years of therapy). Odds ratios (ORs), 95% confidence intervals (CIs), absolute risks, and the number needed to treat (NNT) were computed for pre-specified events including disease recurrence, distant recurrence, all-cause death, endometrial carcinoma, cardiovascular death and treatment discontinuation. Subgroup analyses by timing of recurrence and baseline lymph node and menopause status were carried out. Results: Six trials comprising 25,326 patients were included. Extended adjuvant tamoxifen was associated with a non-significant reduction in the risk of recurrence (OR 0.89, 95% CI 0.77-1.04, p=0.14, NNT 74). Similar results were seen for distant recurrence (OR 0.88, 95% CI 0.75-1.04, p=0.14, NNT 70). There was no association between extended adjuvant tamoxifen and all-cause death (OR 1.06, 95% CI 0.86-1.31, p=0.58). There was no reduction in risk during extended adjuvant therapy (i.e. between years 5 and 9), but a potential reduction in the risk of recurrence after completion of extended adjuvant tamoxifen (i.e. beyond 10 years after diagnosis). Subgroup analysis suggested benefit in lymph node positive patients. Endometrial carcinoma was substantially more frequent with extended adjuvant tamoxifen (OR 1.81, 95% CI 1.45-2.25, p

550 Background: Obesity, commonly associated with inflammation, is associated with poor prognosis in BC. Previous research suggests CRP, an obesity-associated marker of systemic inflammation, may mediate the adverse prognostic effects of obesity and be associated with fatigue. We examined the association of hsCRP with obesity-related factors, fatigue and distant disease-free and overall survival (DDFS, OS) in an early BC cohort. Methods: 501 non-diabetic women with T1-3, N0-1, M0 BC diagnosed 1989-96 provided fasting blood (mean 7.7 ± 4.3 weeks after surgery, prior to systemic therapy, stored at -80°C) which was analyzed for hsCRP (Roche Elecsys immunochemistry). 359 women also completed the EORTC QLQ-C30 (mean 8 ± 3.9 weeks post-surgery). Women were followed prospectively to 2007. Data were analyzed using Spearman's rank correlation coefficients (r) and Cox models. Results: Mean age was 50.5 ± 9.7 years; 282/159/24/36 subjects had T1/T2/T3/TX cancers; 350 were N0; 306 had ER+ and 278 PgR+ cancers (HER2 was not performed); 76/208/142 cancers were grade 1/2/3; adjuvant treatment involved radiation (369 subjects), chemotherapy (196), tamoxifen (107). Median hsCRP was 0.9 mg/L (25th/75th percentiles: 0.4/2.4 mg/L). hsCRP was correlated (all p < 0.0001) with age (r = 0.25), Body Mass Index (BMI, r = 0.6), insulin (r = 0.44), Homeostasis Model Assessment (r = 0.45) and leptin (r = 0.54), but not with EORTC fatigue (r = 0.02), T or N stage, grade or ER/PgR status (any + vs. both -). Median follow-up was 12 years. hsCRP was not associated with DDFS or OS in univariate analyses (Q4 vs. Q1 HR 1.03, 95% CI 0.69-1.52, p = 0.9 and HR 1.27, 95% CI 0.86-1.86, p = 0.24 respectively) or multivariate analyses adjusting for age, T, N, grade, ER/PgR status, treatment (HR 1.02, 95% CI 0.66-1.59, p = 0.93 and HR 1.17, 95% CI 0.76-1.81, p = 0.48 respectively). Conclusions: hsCRP (measured post-op, prior to systemic therapy) was associated with age, BMI and obesity associated physiologic factors; it was not associated with fatigue, DDFS or OS. Funded by The Breast Cancer Research Foundation (New York), The Canadian Cancer Society Research Institute (formerly The Canadian Breast Cancer Research Initiative).

10555 Background: There is growing evidence that topoisomerase II-alpha (TOPOIIα) is a marker for anthracycline-, and microtubule-associated protein tau (MAPT) for taxane sensitivity. HER2 has been described as a marker of both anthracycline and taxane sensitivity.The goal of our study was to examine the predictive and prognostic value of TOPOIIα, MAPT and HER2 expression in breast cancer patients (pts) who received neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) based on anthracycline-taxane regimens. We analyzed the relationship between these biomarkers and pathological complete response (pCR), disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS). Methods: Between November 1993-2009, 140 pts (mean age 52 years) with locally advanced breast cancer (T1-4, N0-3, M0) were retrospectively studied. The study contained 2 groups: group A included 85 pts who received NAC with an anthracycline-taxane regimen and group B included the last 55 pts who received NAC with only an anthracycline-based regimen. HER2 was tested by immunohistochemistry (IH) or FISH, TOPOIIα by CISH and MAPT by IH. Expression of these proteins was evaluated in core needle breast biopsy. Results: Overall, 12 pts (8.5%) had a pCR. TOPOIIα was amplified in 6 (4%) of the tumors. Among pts without amplification, 6 (4%) had deletion of the TOPOIIα, and 10 (7%) polysomia of chromosome 17. TOPOIIα gene aberrations (amplification, deletion, polysomia), which was present in 22 (25%) of the tumors, was a strong predictive factor for pCR (p=0.018) but showed no direct association with prognostic outcome in multivariate analysis. HER2 amplification, which was present in 16% (21) of the tumors, show no direct association with pCR, DFS or OS. Finally, differences by treatment arm or pCR in low versus high MAPT expression groups were not observed, indicating that MAPT is not a useful predictive marker for taxane-based chemotherapy. In multivariate analysis high MAPT expression was associated with longer DFS (p=0.002). Conclusions: TOPOIIα gene aberrations but not HER2 are highly predictive of pCR for anthracycline-based regimen. MAPT is not associated with response to taxanes but has a prognostic value.

1120 Background: Sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) is a widely used staging method for patients with early breast cancer. Neoadjuvant Therapy (NT) modifies the anatomical conditions in the breast and axilla, and thus reliability of SLNB after NT remains controversial. The aim of this study is to prospectively evaluate the feasibility and accuracy of this procedure in this particular group of patients. Methods: Between December 2007-2011, 69 patients (mean age 56 years) with locally advanced breast cancer (LABC) were prospectively studied. Patients were T1-4, N0-1, M0. Prior to surgery, 61 patients received chemotherapy (CT) (adryamicin/cyclophosphamide followed by docetaxel) and 8 patients endocrine therapy (ET). Thirty nine patients were initially node-negative (cN0) and 30 patients had clinical/ultrasound node-positive confirmed by cytology (cN1) at presentation. All patients were clinical and ultrasound node-negative after NT. The study contained two groups of patients: group A (validation) included the first 29, associated with an axillary lymph node dissection (ALND) after NT, in order to validate the study, and group B included the last 40, only associated with an ALND when SLNB was positive or not found. Results: Whole SLNB identification rate was 89.9%, and no significant differences were found between patients initially cN0 (92%; 36/39) and initially cN1 (87%; 26/30). Four of 7 patients in whom SLNB was not found had residual nodal metastasis after NT (3 of them were initially cN1). Sentinel lymph nodes were successfully identified in 87% (7/8) of patients after ET and in 90% (55/61) of patients after CT. There was one false negative (FN) case after CT in group A (9% of overall false negative rate, initially cN0) and there were no FN cases after ET. Positive SLNB were higher in initially cN1 group (53%; 16/30) than in initially cN0 group (18%; 7/39). Conclusions: SLNB after NT (CT or ET) is safe and feasible in patients with LABC, not only in initially cN0 but also in initially cN1. It accurately predicts the status of the axilla and avoids unnecessary ALND.

e14552 Background: MEK/ERK pathway is considered one of the main controllers of cell proliferation and survival and its deregulation has been involved in several tumors. Different mechanisms have been described leading to ERK activation and nuclear translocation including mutations on genes encoding pathway constituents', or upstream factors overexpression. Little is known about the status of this pathway in GC. The aim of our study was to evaluate the expression of different factors of this pathway in GC and their correlation with patient outcome. Methods: Fifty-eight patients with localized stage Ib-III GC who underwent radical surgery followed by adjuvant chemoradiotherapy were selected. ERK and its activated form (pERK) expression were analyzed by IHC, and KRAS and BRAF mutations were determined by PCR. Additionally, expression of upstream factors such as EGFR, HER2, VEGFR and downstream factor such as MST2 was evaluated by IHC. Finally, EGFR and HER2 copy number alterations were analyzed by FISH. Association of these markers to overall survival was assessed using the log rank test, and survival curves were plotted with Kaplan-Meier methodology. Results: Among the 58 tumors analyzed, 7% arose from the cardias and 33% corresponded to signet ring cell carcinomas. ERK and pERK expression was observed in the majority of tumors (86 and 64%, respectively, p=0.002). Cytoplasmic pERK expression did not show any association with the clinico-pathological characteristics. Notably, nuclear pERK (pERKnc) expression was observed in 12% of the cases and it showed a significant correlation with patient survival (p=0.05), conferring a worse prognosis. Moreover, EGFR overexpression (p=0.03) correlated with pERKnc. Finally, multivariate Cox analysis for survival confirmed that stage (HR 0.31, p=0.01) and pERKnc (HR 2.7, p=0.04) are unique independent prognostic factors. Conclusions: MEK/ERK pathway is commonly activated in localized GC, backed up by ERK and pERK being highly expressed in these tumors. Moreover, EGFR expression correlates with nuclear ERK expression, suggesting that ERK translocation to the nucleus could be mediated by this factor. More importantly, nuclear ERK has appeared as an independent marker of poor prognosis.

Background: The addition of trastuzumab (T) to neoadjuvant chemotherapy increases pCR rate in patients with HER2 + breast cancer. Lapatinib (L) in combination with chemotherapy is also an active drug in breast cancer patients. This study investigates the efficacy of trastuzumab or lapatinib added to chemotherapy in the neoadjuvant setting. Methods: Patients (Pt) with tumors greater than 2 cm (or less with positive axilla) and HER2+ (Herceptest 3+ or 2+ with FISH+) that have not received any prior treatment for breast cancer were recruited. Pts were randomized to receive epirubicin 90 mg/m2 plus cyclophosphamide 600 mg/m2 × 4 cycles (cy) followed by docetaxel 100 mg/m2 (with growth colony stimulating factor support) plus either T 8 mg/kg loading dose and then 6 mg/Kg intravenous (EC-DT) or L 1250 mg orally (EC-DL). Patients were stratified according to tumor size (T1-2 vs T3-4), and estrogen receptor status (positive vs negative). The primary end-point was pathological complete response (pCR) in the breast measured by Miller and Payne criteria. Secondary end-points were clinical response (by imaging test), toxicity and correlation between pCR and tumor biomarkers. Results: From February-09 to October-10, 102 pts were randomized (50 EC-DT, 52 EC-DL). Pts characteristics were well balanced between arms. Median age was 48 years (30-79), 56% of pts were premenopausal, 7% grade I, 45% grade III. 14/59/12/15% were T1/T2/T3/T4 and 69% N+. 58% were estrogen receptor positive and 44% progesterone receptor positive. Three patients were FISH negative after central assessment and were not considered evaluable for efficacy. pCR rate in the breast was 52% (95% CI: 38–66) for EC-DT and 25% (95% CI: 13.5−37.5) for EC-DL (p-value=0.0065). pCR—pN0 was 48% (95% CI: 34–62) for EC-DT and 24% (95% CI: 12 - 35) for EC-DL (p-value=0.01). Clinical response was 77% with EC-DT and 65% with EC-DL (p-value=0.176). Grade III-IV toxicity was similar between arms except for diarrhea that was more frequent in EC-DL 14% than in EC-DT 2% (p-value=0.03); more patients discontinue treatment due to toxicity with EC-DL (1 vs 6; p-value=0.055). Conclusions: Our study shows that EC-DT was more efficacious and less toxic than EC-DL in the neoadjuvant treatment of HER2+ pts. Biomarker profiling in the tumors, including activation levels of tyrosine-kinase receptors, signaling pathways and surrogate markers (proliferation and apoptosis) is ongoing; their correlation with pCR will be presented at the meeting. Citation Information: Cancer Res 2011;71(24 Suppl):Abstract nr PD07-04.

e20636 Background: Physicians and nurses had underestimated the incidence of chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV) after both high emetogenic chemotherapy (HEC) and moderately emetogenic chemotherapy (MEC) (Grumberg, Cancer 2004;100:2261–8; Erazo Valle, Curr Med Res Opin 2006;22:2403–10). We have assessed if physicians and nurses’ perception of CNIV in their own practices after the introduction of Aprepitant was closer to reality. Methods: A prospective, observational unicenter study of adult patients receiving their first chemotherapy cycle was performed. Medical oncologists and oncology nurses also estimated the incidence of acute (Day 1) and delayed (Days 2–5) CINV after first administration of HEC and MEC. Eligible patients completed a 6-day diary including emetic episodes, nausea assessment, and antiemetic medication use. Observed incidence rates of acute and delayed CINV were compared with physician/nurse predictions. Results: Twenty-nine physicians and nurses and 95 patients (86.3% receiving HEC and 13.7%MEC) were recruited. Acute nausea and emesis were observed in 14.3% and 2.4% respectively of HEC patients receiving Aprepitant, and delayed nausea and emesis were observed in 14.3% and 7.1% of these patients, respectively. Physicians and nurses accurately predicted the incidence of acute and delayed CINV after HEC patients receiving Aprepitant. Acute nausea and emesis were observed in 22.2% and 0% respectively of MEC patients and delayed nausea and emesis in 33.3% and 22.2% of MEC patients, respectively. All physicians and nurses underestimated the incidence of acute nausea and delayed nausea and emesis after MEC by 15, 28 and 18 percentage points, respectively. Conclusions: The addition of aprepitant in the prevention of CINV after HEC allows a better control of CINV that is perceived accurately by physicians and nurses. By contrary, physicians and nurses continue markedly underestimating the incidence of CINV after MEC. CINV still remain important targets for improved therapeutic intervention and physicians and nurses must be aware about the real incidence of CNIV. No significant financial relationships to disclose.

21505 Background: Prognostic factors for GS used in available studies are the presence of metastasis, performance status and factors included in FIGO staging. The objective of this retrospective study was to analyze clinical and pathological prognostic factors, trying to improve the usual (FIGO) classification. Methods: We analyzed 75 patients with ovarian (11) or uterine sarcoma (64) diagnosed from 6/1983 to 12/2007. Pathology: 26 leiomyosarcoma, 35 carcinosarcoma, 10 endometrial stromal, 4 high-grade undifferentiated sarcoma. Results: Medium age was 57 (26–82) years. With a median follow-up of 30.4 months (6–305), 5-year and 10-year survival was 71% and 69%. Survival significant prognostic factors in the univariate analysis: histologic subtype (stromal 100%, leiomyo 69%, carcinosarcoma 64%, undifferentiated 50%, p=0.01); tumor grade (I=100%, II=80%, III=58%, p=0.0003); AJCC sarcoma staging (I=100%, II=71%, III=68%, IV=55%, p=0.005); FIGO staging (I=89%, II=67%, III=58%, IV=50%, p=0.004). Disease relapse...