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The optimal surgical management of BRCA-mutation carriers remains a subject of debate. To evaluate the appropriateness of breast cancer (BC) treatment, the oncological outcomes of BRCA-mutation carriers treated either with breast-conserving therapy (BCT) or mastectomy were compared. Additionally, the role of bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy (BSO) and potential independent predictive factors for BC treatment were analyzed.We retrospectively reviewed all the consecutive patients with a pathogenic germline mutation in the BRCA1/2 genes tested at our Institution between July 2008 and October 2018. Primary end-points were disease-free survival (DFS), distant disease-free survival (DDFS), and overall survival (OS).The characteristics and outcomes of 124 BRCA-associated BC patients were analyzed. Overall, 69 (55.7%) and 55 (44.3%) patients underwent BCT and mastectomy, respectively; 72 (58.1%) patients underwent BSO. After a median interval of 13.3 months, 24 patients underwent mastectomy after primary BCT. There was no significant difference in terms of DFS, DDFS, and OS between patients treated with BCT or mastectomy (p = 0.39,p = 0.27,p = 0.265, respectively). Patients treated with BSO had significantly better DDFS and OS compared to ovarian conservation (p = 0.033,p = 0.040, respectively). Three independent predictive factors for BCT were identified: age ≤41 years, genetic testing performed post-operatively, and breast tumors ≤21 mm.Our data suggest that BRCA-mutation carriers treated with BCT present similar oncological outcomes compared to mastectomy. Ovarian preservation decreases survival. Young BRCA-mutated patients with small BCs may not need up-front mastectomy, and BSO might be performed when ovarian cancer risk epidemiologically rises and potential reproductive desire is fulfilled.

BackgroundBRCA-mutation carriers have a lifetime risk of breast cancer (BC) that ranges from 36 to 70%. For patients (pts) without mutation, breast conserving surgery (BCS) (followed by radiation therapy) is the treatment of choice since it offers similar survival to that of unilateral mastectomy. However, the optimal local management in BRCA-mutation carriers remains a matter of debate and the role of bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy (BSO) in reducing BC risk might be influenced by age and medical BC treatments (such as GnRH analogues). Patients and methodsWe retrieved clinical pathologic characteristics of 124 BRCA-mutated BC pts, consecutively tested at our Institution from 2008 to 2018. Primary end-point was recurrence-free survival (RFS) evaluation in terms of disease-free survival (DFS), distant DFS (DDFS) and overall survival (OS). Secondary end-point was identification of independent predictive factors for BCS. Clinical pathologic characteristics were evaluated and compared using univariate and multivariate analysis. Kaplan-Mayer curves were used to describe DFS, DDFS and OS. ResultsMedian age at BC surgery was 41 years (range 24-74), most of the pts (79%) were pre-menopausal and presented with ductal invasive carcinoma (91.9%). As per biological subtype, 63 (50.8%) pts had luminal-like BC, 52 (41.9%) triple negative (TN) BC and 9 (7.3%) HER2 enriched-like BC. More than half pts (62.9%) presented with G3 tumors and median Ki-67 was 40% (range 5-95). 17 (13.7%) and 80 (64.5%) pts underwent neo-adjuvant and adjuvant chemotherapy, respectively; 64 (51.6%) pts received adjuvant endocrine therapy, 39 (31.5%) with the addition of GnRH analogue. When comparing BCS to mastectomy, regardless of BSO, we could not observe any statistically significant difference in all the RFS end-points. 10-year DFS rate was 56.4% and 79.5%, respectively (p=0.187); 10-year DDFS rate was 83.7% and 82.3%, respectively (p=0.689); 10-year OS rate was 87.7% and 85.1%, respectively (p=0.947). At a multivariate analysis, age ≤41 years (p=0.008; OR 0.309; 95% CI 0.190-0.513) and primary tumor dimension ≤21 mm (p=0.008; OR 0.320; 95% CI 0.114-0.426), were the only predictors of breast surgery type (BCS compared to any other surgical treatment). ConclusionsOur data suggest that young pre-menopausal BRCA-mutated pts with small tumors may not need up-front mastectomy and BSO might be postponed, when ovarian cancer risk epidemiologically rises and potential reproductive desire is fulfilled. Citation Format: Agnese Losurdo, Damiano Gentile, Monica Zuradelli, Andrea Sagona, Erika Barbieri, Monica Barile, Paolo Bianchi, Rosalba Torrisi, Wolfgang Gatzemeier, Marta Scorsetti, Corrado Tinterri, Armando Santoro. Breast conserving surgery in BRCA-mutation carriers. A single Institution experience [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2021 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; 2021 Dec 7-10; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2022;82(4 Suppl):Abstract nr P3-18-16.

Hippocrates (Kos, c.460–c.370 BC) reminds us that “It is more important to know what sort of person has a disease than to know what sort of disease a person has”. This is still true today and reflects the emerging role of personalized medicine for patient-specific risk stratification and treatment programs. This report documents my personal experience as a patient with aggressive prostate cancer, who, as a scientist, had the privilege to access cutting-edge medical care and molecular profiling.

Germline pathogenic variants (PVs) in the BRCA1 or BRCA2 genes cause high breast cancer risk. Recurrent or founder PVs have been described worldwide including some in the Bergamo province in Northern Italy. The aim of this study was to compare the BRCA1/2 PV spectra of the Bergamo and of the general Italian populations. We retrospectively identified at five Italian centers 1019 BRCA1/2 PVs carrier individuals affected with breast cancer and representative of the heterogeneous national population. Each individual was assigned to the Bergamo or non-Bergamo cohort based on self-reported birthplace. Our data indicate that the Bergamo BRCA1/2 PV spectrum shows less heterogeneity with fewer different variants and an average higher frequency compared to that of the rest of Italy. Consistently, four PVs explained about 60% of all carriers. The majority of the Bergamo PVs originated locally with only two PVs clearly imported. The Bergamo BRCA1/2 PV spectrum appears to be private. Hence, the Bergamo population would be ideal to study the disease risk associated with local PVs in breast cancer and other disease-causing genes. Finally, our data suggest that the Bergamo population is a genetic isolate and further analyses are warranted to prove this notion.

Simple Summary The Italian population is characterized by a high genetic heterogeneity mostly due to its long history of migration and colonization and to its geographical conformation. Consistently, several BRCA1/2 pathogenic variants (PVs) have been reported to be recurrent or even founder in defined geographical areas including the Bergamo province in Northern Italy. In this study, we retrospectively analyzed the data from 1019 women affected with breast cancer with BRCA1/2 PVs. We compared the BRCA1/2 PVs spectrum found in the carrier individuals from the Bergamo province (BGP) with that of the general Italian population. We found that the majority of the BGP PVs had a local origin and remained confined to the BGP or to the surrounding Lombardy region. We also observed that the BGP BRCA1/2 PV spectrum is private and conserved comprising a smaller number of variants with an average higher frequency with respect to that of carrier individuals from the rest of Italy. Abstract Germline pathogenic variants (PVs) in the BRCA1 or BRCA2 genes cause high breast cancer risk. Recurrent or founder PVs have been described worldwide including some in the Bergamo province in Northern Italy. The aim of this study was to compare the BRCA1/2 PV spectra of the Bergamo and of the general Italian populations. We retrospectively identified at five Italian centers 1019 BRCA1/2 PVs carrier individuals affected with breast cancer and representative of the heterogeneous national population. Each individual was assigned to the Bergamo or non-Bergamo cohort based on self-reported birthplace. Our data indicate that the Bergamo BRCA1/2 PV spectrum shows less heterogeneity with fewer different variants and an average higher frequency compared to that of the rest of Italy. Consistently, four PVs explained about 60% of all carriers. The majority of the Bergamo PVs originated locally with only two PVs clearly imported. The Bergamo BRCA1/2 PV spectrum appears to be private. Hence, the Bergamo population would be ideal to study the disease risk associated with local PVs in breast cancer and other disease-causing genes. Finally, our data suggest that the Bergamo population is a genetic isolate and further analyses are warranted to prove this notion.

Aim: Trastuzumab prolongs progression-free and overall survival in HER2+ breast cancer (BC), but these are associated with increased distant recurrences and central nervous system metastases (CNSm). We retrospectively evaluated outcome and prognostic factors in CNSm and non-CNSm patients. Methods: Records of HER2+ BC treated in 2000–2017 were reviewed. Results: 283/1171 (24%) HER2+ BC patients developed metastatic disease. 109/283 patients (39%) have CNSm associated with worse prognosis and increased risk of death (hazard ratio: 4.7; 95% CI: 3.5–6.4). Prognostic factors were: number of CNSm (single vs multiple lesions; 3-year overall survival 39 vs 18%; p = 0.003); brain radiation (30 vs 14%; p < 0.001); new HER2-targeting therapies (30.6 vs 22.5%; p = 0.025). Conclusion: Prognosis of BC patients with CNSm has improved using HER2-targeting therapies but remains poor.

Because the risk of relapse of node-negative breast cancer (BC) is varying, we evaluated the prognosis of patients with this disease and the factors associated with increased risk of relapse.The clinical charts of patients with BC with evidence of negative nodes and with a potential ≥ 5-year follow-up were retrospectively reviewed.We analyzed 1276 patients. Over a median follow-up of 71.6 months (range, 1-227.2 months), we observed 159 events of relapse or death. The median RFS was 170 months. The median overall survival (OS) was 192 months. At univariate analysis, older age, negative hormonal receptors, larger tumor size and higher proliferation index (Ki67) were associated with worse recurrence-free survival (RFS) and OS (P .05); higher grading was associated with worse RFS (P = .01). At multivariate analysis for RFS, age, Ki67 and tumor size confirmed their independent prognostic role. At multivariate analysis for OS, age and positive hormonal receptors showed an independent prognostic role. We observed no differences in prognosis between human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) positive and triple-negative (TN) BC, but TNBC showed a worse OS compared with luminal-like BC.In node-negative BC, age, hormone receptor status, tumor size and Ki67 were prognostic factors. The TNBC subtype was not associated with poorer prognosis compared with the HER2-positive subtype, but showed a worse OS compared with luminal-like BC.

Breast cancer susceptibility variants frequently show heterogeneity in associations by tumor subtype. To identify novel loci, we performed a genome-wide association study (GWAS) including 133,384 breast cancer cases and 113,789 controls, plus 18,908 BRCA1 mutation carriers (9,414 with breast cancer) of European ancestry, using both standard and novel methodologies that account for underlying tumor heterogeneity by estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR), and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) status and tumor grade. We identified 32 novel susceptibility loci (P-8), 15 of which showed evidence for associations with at least one tumor feature (false discovery rate PIn-silico analyses showed these five loci contained cell-specific enhancers that differed between normal luminal and basal mammary cells. The genetic correlations between five intrinsic-like subtypes ranged from 0.35 to 0.80. The proportion of genome-wide chip heritability explained by all known susceptibility loci was 37.6% for triple-negative and 54.2% for luminal A-like disease. These findings provide an improved understanding of genetic predisposition to breast cancer subtypes and will inform the development of subtype-specific polygenic risk scores.

Germline pathogenic mutations in breast cancer (BC) susceptibility genes (gBRCA1/2) are the most frequent inherited alterations in BC and are involved in the homologous recombination pathway, the principal mechanism of DNA double strand break repair. Platinum salts which act as DNA cross-linking agents are therefore more likely to be active in BRCA-deficient tumors. Women with gBRCA-associated tumors, particularly with triple negative BC, receiving neoadjuvant platinum containing regimens achieved higher pCR rates as compared to wild-type BC. However in two large randomized trials the addition of carboplatin significantly increased pCR rate only in wild-type tumors. On the contrary, the randomized TNT trial showed a significant benefit for carboplatin vs docetaxel in terms of response rate and PFS specifically in patients with advanced gBRCA -associated tumors. Biomarkers of sensitivity to DNA damaging agents beyond gBRCA mutations predicting activity of platinum salts have been proposed and should be validated prospectively.

Objectives: Predictive factors of response to eribulin are lacking. We aimed to investigate the activity and safety of eribulin in a real-world population of metastatic breast cancer (MBC) patients and to identify possible predictive factors of progression-free survival (PFS) and objective response. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 71 eribulin-treated MBC patients. Best response rate, PFS, and adverse events (AEs) were evaluated. The impact of different clinical-pathological factors on PFS was evaluated using the Cox proportional hazards model. Predictive factors of response were identified by discriminant function analysis (DFA). Results: Median PFS was 3.75 months (95% CI, 2.39–4.48); 12 patients (16.90%) achieved partial response (PR), 27 (38.03%) stable disease. The most common AEs were fatigue (25.83%), neutropenia (16.56%), and peripheral neuropathy (13.91%). A worse performance status (p = 0.025) and a higher number of metastatic organ sites (p = 0.011) were associated with a worse PFS under eribulin. Overall, in the DFA-predictive model, neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio at baseline, estrogen receptor, Ki67, histology, and age were predictive of PR with 100% accuracy. Conclusions: Activity and safety profiles of eribulin were consistent with literature data. Performance status and number of metastatic sites were predictive factors of PFS. DFA could be a promising tool to discriminate responses to eribulin among MBC patients.

Background. Due to its rarity, male breast cancer (mBC) remains an inadequately characterized disease, and current evidence for treatment derives from female breast cancer (FBC). Methods. We retrospectively analyzed the clinicopathological characteristics, treatment patterns, and outcomes of mBCs treated from 2000 to 2013. Results. From a total of 97 patients with mBC, 6 (6.2%) with ductal in situ carcinoma were excluded, and 91 patients with invasive carcinoma were analyzed. Median age was 65 years (range: 25–87 years). Estrogen receptors were positive in 88 patients (96.7%), and progesterone receptors were positive in 84 patients (92.3%). HER-2 was overexpressed in 13 of 85 patients (16%). Median follow-up was 51.5 months (range: 0.5–219.3 months). Five-year progression-free survival (PFS) was 50%, whereas overall survival (OS) was 68.1%. Patients with grades 1 and 2 presented 5-year PFS of 71% versus 22.5% for patients with grade 3 disease; 5-year OS was 85.7% for patients with grades 1 and 2 versus 53.3% of patients with grade 3. Ki-67 score >20% and adjuvant chemotherapy were also statistically significant for OS on univariate analyses. Twenty-six of 87 patients (29.8%) experienced recurrent disease and 16 of 91 patients (17.6%) developed a second neoplasia. Conclusion. Male breast cancer shows different biological patterns compared with FBC, with higher positive hormone-receptor status and lower HER-2 overexpression. Grade 3 and Ki-67 >20% were associated with shorter OS. Implications for Practice: There is little evidence that prognostic features established in female breast cancer, such as grading and Ki-67 labeling index, could be applied to male breast cancer as well. This study found that grade 3 was associated with shorter overall survival and a trend for Ki-67 >20%; this could help in choosing the best treatment option in the adjuvant setting. Many questions remain regarding the impact of HER-2 positivity on survival and treatment with adjuvant anti-HER-2 therapy. Regarding metastatic male breast cancer, the results suggest that common regimens of chemo-, endocrine and immunotherapy used in female breast cancer are safe and effective for men. Male breast cancer patients show a higher incidence of second primary tumors, especially prostate and colon cancers and should therefore be carefully monitored.

284 Background: The TMPRSS2:ERG gene fusion (T:E) is found in up to 70% of prostate cancers (PCa) and results in androgen dependent overexpression of ERG, promoting tumor growth. The early identification of T:E may be helpful even in low-risk PCa. Although T:E can be non-invasively detected in urine, its correlation with new imaging tools (MRI and high-frequency ultrasound) and clinical outcome remains vague.This study investigates T:E expression in patients scheduled for random/software-assisted MRI or micro-ultrasound (29Mhz) fusion biopsy. Methods: This is a prospective cohort study in patients with suspected PCa enrolled between 2016 and 2019, approved by local authorities with Prot. N. 336/19, 14/05/2019. Patients underwent systematic US-guided biopsy, plus targeted biopsy if they had ³1 suspicious lesion (PI-RADS V.2 >2) at mpMRI or PRIMUS >2 at MICRO-US. For each patient, 1 prostatic core from the highest PI-RADS or PRIMUS lesion was collected for T:E analysis (a core from the right lobe in negative patients). Histological analyses were performed by experienced genitourinary pathologists. RNA was extracted from a dedicated fresh biopsy and RT-PCR was performed with different primer couples to detect the most frequent T:E fusions. All amplified products were checked by sequencing. Results: The cohort consists of 92 patients (median PSA 7.13 ng/ml, IQR 5.25-11.04 - average age 65ys), 81 with a diagnosis of PCa after biopsy. mpMRI was performed on 63 (68.5%) patients and was positive in 58 (92%), who underwent fusion biopsy. T:E fusion transcripts were detected in 23.5% of individuals with a diagnosis of PCa. Among patients positive for T:E, those analyzed by MRI were 100% positive (73% PI-RADS ≥4), those analyzed by MICRO-US were 83% positive. Sensitivity of the T:E assay for any PCa was 23.5%, specificity 100%, with negative and positive predicting values of 15% and 100%. There was no correlation between T:E and family history, PSA, PIRADS, PRI-MUS and Gleason score. Conclusions: Our finding showed a 100% of specificity making T:E an attractive tool for early cancer detection. In the future, identification of T:E in semen could represent a screening test for clinical stratification of patients with suspected PCa.

e16567 Background: Up to 10% of cases of Prostate Cancer (PCa) are hereditary. Germline pathogenic mutations in BRCA2 gene confer the highest risk (2.5 to 8.6 fold in men ≤ 65 yr). Beyond periodic Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) dosage and digital rectal examination (DRE), a targeted screening for carriers is still undefined. Prostate Health Index (PHI), a combination of the tPSA, fPSA and proPSA tests, may be a more accurate biomarker than PSA only to detect PCa. We evaluated how to better screen BRCA2 mutated men for PCa. Methods: We reviewed the genealogical trees of all women tested positive for germline BRCA2 pathogenic mutation at our clinic. We offered targeted BRCA2 mutational analysis to all first/second degree relative men between 40 and 69 yr. A targeted screening program (annual PSA and PHI dosages and DRE) was proposed to all men tested positive. In case of PSA and/or PHI values out of range ( > 4ng/ml and > 20, respectively) we proceeded with a multiparametric Magnetic Resonance Imaging (mpMRI) and fusion biopsy of suspected lesions. Results: From June 2008 to October 2018 610 breast/ovarian cancer patients had BRCA test: 35 (5.7%) tested positive for BRCA1 pathogenic mutation, 32 (5.2%) for BRCA2 pathogenic mutation. From October 2017 90 relatives were checked for the familial mutation and 24 (27%) (12 women, 12 men) tested positive for BRCA2 mutation. All the 12 men (median age 48 yr, IQR 44 to 60) accepted to join our screening program. During the first year all men had negative DRE. Median PSA was 0.70 (IQR 0.43 to 1.02), median PHI was 17.56 (IQR 11.85 to 24.06). One patient with out of range PHI value already had mpMRI resulted negative. During the second year 4 men underwent screening so far: they had negative DRE. Median PSA was 0.57 (IQR 0.38-0.77), median PHI was 16.88 (IQR 11.87-21.90). Two men had PHI out of range and will undergo mpMRI. Conclusions: An accurate review of the genealogical trees of breast/ovarian cancer BRCA2 mutated patients allows to identify male relatives potentially carriers of the same mutation. These men have a high lifetime risk of PCa and require an appropriate screening, currently absent. Our approach may be leveraged as proof of concept of selection and screening program in carriers of BRCA2 mutations.

Purpose To evaluate in current practice the performance of BOADICEA and BRCAPRO risk models and empirical criteria based on cancer family history for the selection of individuals for BRCA genetic testing. Patients and methods The probability of BRCA mutation according to the three tools was retrospectively estimated in 918 index cases consecutively undergone BRCA testing at 15 Italian cancer genetics clinics between 2006 and 2008. Results 179 of 918 cases (19.5%) carried BRCA mutations. With the strict use of the criteria based on cancer family history 173 BRCA (21.9%) mutations would have been detected in 789 individuals. At the commonly used 10% threshold of BRCA mutation carrier probability, the genetic models showed a similar performance [PPV (38% and 37%), sensitivity (76% and 77%) and specificity (70% and 69%)]. Their strict use would have avoided around 60% of the tests but would have missed approximately 1 every 4 carriers. Conclusion Our data highlight the complexity of BRCA testing referral in routine practice and question the strict use of genetic models for BRCA risk assessment.

Purpose We investigated in a single institution series of 124 women with operable breast cancer whether tumor clinicopathological features could predict the 70-gene signature (Mammaprint ® , MP) results, and whether MP results could help to make decisions for the use of chemotherapy (CT) in patients (pts) with ER positive breast cancer beyond recommendations of international guidelines. Results Among the 68 ER/PgR positive, HER2 negative tumors, Ki-67 ≥ 20% was the only significant predictor of a high risk-MP among standard clinicopathological features. In candidates for endocrine therapy with undetermined benefit from CT according to international guidelines, MP results would have led to different treatment decisions in 13/46 (28%) and in 20/68 (29%) pts according to NCCN and St. Gallen recommendations, respectively. Conclusions Ki-67 independently predicted high risk-MP in ER/PgR positive, HER2 negative tumors. MP results would have led to discordant treatment recommendations in about 30% of cases, generally increasing indication rate for CT. The results of large randomized trials are warranted in order to understand whether we should rely on multigene assays rather than on standard clinicopathological features for treatment decisions.

Background The level of HER2/neu (HER2) amplification, defined as HER2/centromeric region of chromosome 17 (CEP17) ratio at dual-color fluorescent in-situ hybridization (FISH) test presents wide variations in clinical practice but its clinical significance is still undefined. We designed this retrospective study to investigate the correlations between level of HER2 amplification in primary (T) and/or metastases (M) and outcome in a cohort of HER2+ AdvBrCa pts treated with a H-containing therapy. Methods Retrospective multicentric study designed according to REporting recommendations for tumor MARKer prognostic studies (REMARK). To be included pts must have all the following: metastatic or locally advanced (not amenable of curative surgery) BrCa, HER2+ tumour defined as score 3+ at immunohistochemistry or FISH positive, treatment with a H-containing regimen (no H in neo- or adjuvant setting was allowed), at least one tumour sample from T and/or M available, measurable or evaluable disease, adequate follow up (FU) information.Outcome parameters included event-free survival (EFS) and overall survival (OS). All FISH tests were prospectively performed in a central laboratory of cytogenetic specifically for this study and in accordance with the international guidelines on FISH testing. Results Ninety-one females were identified and 63 included in the final analysis. Forty-seven pts had one specimen available from T or M, 16 pts had two specimens from either T and a corresponding M. All M samples were obtained before treatment with H. Median FU time is 19.2 months (range 1.2−94.6). In 11 out of 16 cases (69%) with two tumour specimens HER2/CEP17 ratio was higher in M than in T with a statistically significant difference in the median HER2/CEP17 ratio between T (8.3, range: 3.1−18.4) and the corresponding M (10.9, range: 4.6−20.8) (p=0.004). The incremental gain in HER2/CEP17 ratio was associated with significantly shorter OS after trastuzumab-based therapy (p=0.023). A trend towards a correlation between increase in level of HER2 amplification assessed in M and shorter EFS and OS was observed. No statistically significant correlation was found between level of HER2 amplification assessed in T and EFS and OS. Conclusions Level of HER2 amplification reported as HER2/CEP17 ratio is a dynamic parameter in HER2+ AdvBrCa as it increases from T to the matched M in a significant proportion of pts. The gain in HER2 gene copies may represent a prognostic factor for shorter OS when pts with HER2+ AdvBrCa are treated with a H-based therapy. Further studies on the level of HER2 amplification in BrCa metastases are strongly warranted to better understand the biology of HER2−positive breast cancer and to better identify patients with a poorer prognosis after treatment with H. Citation Information: Cancer Res 2011;71(24 Suppl):Abstract nr P1-12-22.

e12580Background: TILs have been proposed as a prognostic biomarker in many tumor types both in the adjuvant and neoadjuvant setting. In TNBC, TILs are present at the highest level and have been de...

Double heterozygosity (DH) for BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutations is a very rare finding, particularly in non-Ashkenazi individuals, and only a few cases have been reported to date. In addition, little is known on the pathological features of the tumors that occur in DH cases and on their family history of cancer. Four carriers of pathogenic mutations in both BRCA1 and BRCA2 were identified among women who underwent genetic counseling for hereditary susceptibility to breast and ovarian carcinoma at three different Italian institutions. Clinical, pathological, and family history data were collected from medical records and during genetic counseling sessions. All identified DH cases developed breast carcinoma and three of them were also diagnosed with ovarian carcinoma. Mean ages of breast and ovarian cancer diagnosis were 42.7 and 48.6 years, respectively. The majority of breast cancers showed a BRCA1-related phenotype, being negative for hormone receptors and HER2. Two cases reported different gastrointestinal tumors among relatives. Although the individuals described in this study show more severe clinical features in comparison to previously reported BRCA1 and BRCA2 DH cases, our observations support the hypothesis of a non specific phenotype of DH cases in terms of age of disease onset. In addition, our observations indicate that in DH patients breast carcinogenesis appears to be driven mainly by the mutations in BRCA1. The possible association of DH for BRCA gene mutations with gastrointestinal tumors is in keeping with previous reports, but needs to be confirmed by further analyses.

Rationale Breast cancer is the most common cancer affecting females worldwide and its lifetime risk increases with age. Human epidermal growth factor receptor gene-2 (HER-2) positive breast cancer represents about 20% of all breast cancers, 1 out of 10 is diagnosed in women over 70 years of age. It tends to be more aggressive and to spread more quickly than other subtypes, but the introduction in clinical practice of new anti-HER-2 agents combined with chemotherapy has significantly improved progression free and overall survival. Elderly patients are frequently undertreated because of concerns about their age, performance status, and comorbidities. Here, we report a case of an octogenarian patient treated with T-DM1 with brilliant results. Patient concerns An 87 years old woman affected with HER-2 positive breast cancer presented progression of disease with lymph node and skin metastases after 3 lines of chemoimmunotherapy. Diagnoses Breast cancer in elderly patient, lymph node, and skin metastases. Interventions Chemoimmunotherapy (trastuzumab emtansine). Outcome Objective response of the disease and significant clinical benefit. Lessons This case clearly suggests that age and comorbidities do not always represent an absolute contraindication to combined treatments.

Tamoxifen and GnRH analogues (GnRHa) represent the mainstay of endocrine manipulations in premenopausal women. The estrogen blockade obtained by aromatase inhibitors (AIs) plus GnRHa suppresses circulating estrogens more deeply than tamoxifen plus GnRHa. Retrospective and prospective evidence confirm a substantial activity for AIs and GnRHa in locally advanced and metastatic breast cancer. In early breast cancer inconsistent evidence emerged from 2 large randomized studies with anastrozole performing as tamoxifen in terms of DFS, but significantly worse as of OS while exemestane outperformed tamoxifen as of DFS particularly in very young and high-risk women. These findings support the use of AIs plus GnRHa in advanced breast cancer while long term efficacy and safety data are expected to define the appropriate indication of AIs in early breast cancer. In addition the clinical significance of persistent circulating estrogens and long term effects of estrogen deprivation in young women need further clarification.

e12566 Background: Capecitabine is an active agent in the treatment of advanced breast cancer (ABC). It is commonly administered at the approved dosage of 1250 mg/m2 twice daily for 2 weeks followed by 1 week rest period. Methods: The study population included 162 pts retrospectively analyzed with ABC treated with capecitabine between 2006 and 2015 at our Institute. Capecitabine was given 14 day on,7 day off cycle at a daily dose of 1900 mg/m2, a modified schedule used to minimize side effects. The objective were overall response rate (ORR), median duration of treatment (MDT) progression-free survival (PFS), overall survival (OS). Results: The median age was 64 years (range 33-89). Pts with hormone receptor positive ABC were 133 (82%), 6 (4%) had HER-2 positive disease and 29 (18%) a triple negative profile. One hundred and thirty eight (85%) had already received chemotherapy in adjuvant and/or metastatic setting; anthracycline and taxanes were given in 64 pts (40%), anthracycline in 60 pts (37%) and taxane in 4 pts (2%), 9 pts (6%) received other regimens of chemotherapy. Twenty-five pts (15%) were chemo-naive. One hundred and thirty-three pts (82%) received endocrine therapy. Sixty-four pts (38%) had predominantly non-visceral metastases, 26 pts (16%) exclusive visceral involvement, 72 (44%) exhibited both characteristics. ORR was 58% (CR = 2%, PR = 16% SD = 40%) and MDT was 6.9 months. The median PFS and OS were 6.9 months and 21 months, respectively. We defined as “long responders” 19 pts (12%) with disease control interval > 24 months and, among them, as “very long responders”, 9 pts (6%) who exceeded 36 months. Efficacy was unrelated to biological profiles, sites of metastasis or previous therapies. No grade 3 and 4 adverse events occurred. Conclusions: Our results show that in pts with ABC a lower dose of capecitabine has a good toxicity profile and similar overall response rate and survival data in comparison to the approved dose. In addition, we identified a subset of long and very long responders but further studies are warranted to evaluate clinical/biological predictors of a long-term response.

Due to its low cardiac toxicity, non-pegylated liposomal doxorubicin (NPLD) may represent an attractive therapeutic option as salvage therapy for patients with metastatic breast cancer who have already received anthracycline-based chemotherapy.We retrospectively reviewed 47 consecutive patients with metastatic breast cancer treated with NPLD at our Institution between 2008 and 2012. Patients received weekly NPLD at a dose of 20 mg/m(2) i.v. until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity.Nine patients (19.1%) achieved a partial response and 11 (23.4%) had stable disease, with a disease control rate of 42.6%; 27 patients (57.4%) had progressive disease. The median progression-free survival and overall survival were 2.7 and 11.5 months, respectively. Grade 3 and 4 adverse events did not occur. No cardiac events were observed.Weekly NPLD represents a safe and effective therapy and may be considered a new therapeutic option for heavily pre-treated patients with metastatic breast cancer.

Background The epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and ERBB2 (HER2) pathways and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-dependent angiogenesis have a pivotal role in cancer pathogenesis and progression. Robust experimental evidence has shown that these pathways are functionally linked and implicated in acquired resistance to targeted therapies making them attractive candidates for joined targeting. We undertook this phase I trial to assess the safety, the recommended dose for phase II trials (RPTD), pharmacokinetics (PK), pharmacodynamics (PD), and the preliminary antitumour activity of the combination of lapatinib and sorafenib in patients with advanced refractory solid tumours. Methods Four cohorts of at least three patients each received lapatinib once daily and sorafenib twice daily together on a continuous schedule. Doses of lapatinib and sorafenib were escalated based on dose-limiting toxicities (DLTs) in the first treatment cycle following a traditional 3+3 design until the RPTD was reached. Additional patients were treated at the RPTD to characterise PK profiles of this combination and to investigate the potential interaction between lapatinib and sorafenib. Serum samples were collected at baseline and then prospectively every two cycles to assess changes in PD parameters. This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT00984425. Findings Thirty patients with advanced refractory solid tumours were enroled. DLTs were grade three fatigue and grade 3 atypical skin rash observed at dose levels 3 and 4, respectively. The higher dose level explored (lapatinib 1250mg/day and sorafenib 400mg twice daily) represented the RPTD of the combination. The most common drug-related adverse events were fatigue (68%), hypocalcemia (61%), diarrhoea (57%), lymphopaenia (54%), anorexia (50%), rash (50%), and hypophosphatemia (46%). PK analysis revealed no significant effect of sorafenib on the PK profile of lapatinib. Of the 27 assessable patients for clinical activity, one achieved a confirmed complete response, four (15%) had a partial response, and 12 (44%) achieved disease stabilisation. The disease control rate overall was 63%. Interpretation Combination treatment with lapatinib and sorafenib was feasible with promising clinical activity and without significant PK interactions. Long term tolerability seems to be challenging.

Background The level of HER2/neu amplification may vary widely in breast cancers with HER2/neu alteration. The clinical significance of this phenomenon is still unclear. This study was aimed to explore the level of HER2/neu amplification in primary tumours and metastases in HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer (MBC) and its potential impact on survival after a trastuzumab-containing therapy. Methods We retrospectively identified MBC patients treated with a trastuzumab-containing therapy and performed dual-colour FISH on tumour samples from either primary tumour and/or metastasis in a central laboratory. Results We retrieved 110 tumour samples from 91 patients and included 79 tumour samples (primary = 56; metastasis = 23) from 63 patients in the final analysis. We found higher level of HER2/neu amplification in the metastases than in the primary tumours (median HER2/CEP17 ratio: 10.5 vs 7.0, respectively). In 69% of patients ( n = 16) with two tumour samples, the level of HER2/neu amplification was higher in the metastasis than in the paired primary tumour (median HER2/CEP17 ratio: 10.9 vs 8.3, respectively, p = 0.004). The incremental gain in level of HER2/neu amplification was associated with significantly shorter OS after trastuzumab-containing therapy ( p = 0.023, HR 1.014, CI95%: 1.002–1.025). Conclusions The level of HER2/neu amplification tends to increase from the primary tumour to the paired metastases in a significant proportion of patients with HER2-positive MBC. This phenomenon, although still not completely understood, could lead to a shorter OS after trastuzumab therapy.

Background: Breast cancer micrometastases are frequently found during pathological examination of sentinel lymph nodes and complete axillary lymph node dissection. Despite this, their clinical relevance is still debated. The aim of this study is to investigate features that affect disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS) in patients with nodal micrometastases from breast cancer. Material and methods: We retrospectively investigated the outcome of 122 patients with nodal micrometastases from breast cancer followed up for 60 months. Results: At univariate analysis, worse DFS was related to features of primary tumor (multifocality P = 0.002; size > 2c m, P = 0.022; grade P = 0.022; absence of estrogen P < 0.001 and progesterone P < 0.001 receptors; HER-2 overexpression P = 0.006; vascular invasion P = 0.039; proliferative fraction ‡20% P = 0.034) and micrometastases (sinusal localization P = 0.010). Among the above-mentioned features, two were strongly associated with worse DFS in the multivariate model, i.e. negative receptorial status [hazard ratio (HR) = 11.24, 95% confidence interval (CI) 4.06‐ 31.09; P < 0.001] and sinusal localization of micrometastasis (HR = 3.66, 1.18‐11.36; P = 0.025). The OS was influenced by multifocality (P < 0.001) and receptor status (P = 0.005). Conclusion: Our results indicate that in patients affected by breast cancer, in addition to the well-known pathological features of primary tumor, sinusal localization of micrometastasis strongly impacts on the prognosis.

Background. Zoledronic acid belongs to the new generation of bisphosphonates with demonstrated clinical benefit for the treatment of bone metastases from different kinds of neoplasms. Hypocalcemia and serum creatinine elevation are expected adverse events during this therapy. The monitoring of serum calcium and creatinine is therefore recommended. The primary aim of this study was to establish the actual incidence of hypocalcemia and serum creatinine elevation during treatment with zoledronic acid. Skeletal-related events and side effects were also assessed. Methods. Serum creatinine and calcium levels were evaluated in 240 consecutive patients (83 males, 157 females; mean age, 62 years) with metastatic bone lesions from different solid tumors treated with zoledronic acid. Results. Overall, 93 of 240 patients (38.8%) developed hypocalcemia, which was grade (G)1 in 45 patients (48.4%), G2 in 37 patients (39.8%), G3 in 10 patients (10.8%), and G4 in one patient (1.1%). The median time to occurrence of hypocalcemia (any grade) was 2.3 months after the beginning of the treatment (range, 0–34.9 months). Increased serum creatinine was observed in 33 of 240 patients (13.7%), of whom 19 had G1 (57.6%), 11 had G2 (33.3%), and three had G3 (9.1%). The median time to serum creatinine increase (for any grade) was 4.7 months (range, 0–29.2 months). Conclusions. Our analysis shows a high incidence of hypocalcemia and increased serum creatinine level during treatment with zoledronic acid. These results strongly support the need for accurate monitoring of plasma calcium and creatinine levels.

Neoadjuvant chemotherapy has been successfully used in the treatment of patients with colorectal liver metastases. The selection of patients for surgical resection after chemotherapy still poses a significant clinical challenge. (18)F-FDG PET is a useful tool in the assessment of liver metastases but the data regarding its sensitivity after chemotherapy is scarce. Our aim was to assess the value of this imaging modality in the selection of patients with colorectal liver metastasis for surgery following adjuvant chemotherapy.We reviewed the diagnostic performances of (18)F-FDG PET and contrast-enhanced CT scan data from patients with colorectal liver metastases following treatment with chemotherapy. Nineteen patients (12 males, 7 females; median age 61 years; range 41-79) were evaluated. Chemotherapy regimens were: FOLFOX (14 patients), FOLFIRI (3 patients), 5-FU/FA (1 patient) and UFT-irinotecan-oxaliplatin (1 patient). Median time between end of chemotherapy and CT scan was 3.4 weeks, between end of chemotherapy and PET was 5.9 weeks and between end of chemotherapy and surgery was 9.9 weeks. All patients underwent surgery and had histopathological confirmation of liver lesions. Nine patients had segmentectomy, 2 patients had wedge resection, 5 patients had right hepatectomy and 3 patients had explorative laparotomy with liver biopsies.Data from all 19 patients, comprising 65 liver lesions, were confirmed by histo-pathology. Results on a per-lesion basis showed a sensitivity of 62% for (18)F-FDG PET and 70% for CT scan. A complete agreement between (18)F-FDG PET or CT scan and histology was documented in 5 and 3 patients, respectively. The sensitivity of (18)F-FDG PET was shown to increase for lesions larger than 1 cm (74% vs. 18%).These results suggest that (18)F-FDG PET and CT scan have sub-optimal sensitivity in the evaluation of colorectal liver lesions after neo-adjuvant chemotherapy, especially for lesions1 cm. The combined use of the two imaging techniques does not significantly increase the sensitivity of lesion detection.

Intra-arterial chemotherapy in patients with liver metastases from colorectal cancer has some limitations such as hepatic toxicity and extra-hepatic progression. With the aim of overcoming these limitations, a phase II trial was designed to assess the efficacy and tolerability of a hybrid chemotherapy regimen with systemic infusion of oxaliplatin and folinic acid associated with intra-arterial 5-fluorouracil. Thirty-nine patients with colorectal liver metastases were recruited. The median age was 59 years, 30 patients (77%) had synchronous metastases, and half of the patients were chemo-naive. A total of 313 chemotherapy cycles were administered (median number 8). Treatment was well tolerated and hepatic toxicity negligible. Out of 34 evaluable patients an ORR of 41%. was observed. Eight patients (21%) underwent radical liver surgery. The median time to progression (TTP) was 10 months (range 2-63) and the median overall survival (OS) 21 months (range 6-63). Extra-hepatic progression was observed in six patients. Our results suggest that this regimen is active even if technical complications are frequent. Our aim to reduce hepatic toxicity and extra-hepatic progression was reached.

during the course of the disease 1 . Fluorouracil (5-FU) has been the main cytotoxic drug used in the treatment of colorectal cancer. Among the numerous schedules tested in the last decades, protracted venous infusion 5-FU has demonstrated higher response rates than bolus 5-FU, with a different toxicity profile and a small increase in overall survival 2 . A significant step forward has been achieved in recent years with new chemotherapeutic drugs such as irinotecan and oxaliplatin 3-6 and biological agents such as cetuximab and bevacizumab 7,8 . These have improved the outcomes of patients with advanced colorectal cancer. By optimizing the use of these new, active drugs, a median survival of 21.5 months has been reported 9 . Third- and fourth-line treatments are still often used for patients who have progressed to the most active regimens and still have good performance status and good to intermediate chemosensitive disease. Due to the lack of standard regimens after failure of irinotecan and oxaliplatin, protracted venous infusion 5-FU remains the most widely used drug in this group of patients, despite central venous catheter-related complications such as thrombosis and sepsis and their negative impact on quality of life. Capecitabine is an oral fluoropyrimidine primarily metabolized in the liver and converted to 5-FU by thymidine phosphorylase in tumor tissue 10 . In terms of disease progression and overall survival, this drug has shown results equivalent to those of bolus 5-FU and leucovorin, with a more favorable toxicity profile 11,12 . Moreover, it has been suggested that patients prefer oral chemotherapy to intravenous regimens 13 . Mitomycin C (MMC) has been widely used in the treatment of colorectal cancer over the last 30 years, with a wide range of response rates 14 . Based on in vitro data showing synergistic or at least additive effects for the two drugs when MMC is administered before 5-FU 15 , the combination of protracted venous infusion

e12021 Background: Skin metastases (SM) occur in 20% of metastatic breast cancer (mBC). Clinical trials rarely describe them, even if they affect quality of life and self-perception of the disease. Eribulin (E) is a new drug, approved in mBC, after at least 2 lines of chemotherapy. The aim of this survey is to evaluate the activity of E treatment on SM compared to other metastatic sites, and on cutaneous symptoms (pain, infiltration, bleeding, smell, ulceration). Methods: This multicenter survey was conducted from November 2012 to January 2013 in 14 Italian Cancer Centers. Oncologists completed a database with patient (pts), tumor and treatment characteristics. Descriptive summary statistics were applied. Progression-free survival (PFS) was calculated according to Kaplan-Meier method. Results: 109 pts with mBC on E treatment were considered. 23/109 (21%) pts with SM were identified and analyzed. E was started between January 2012 and October 2012. Median age 63 (31-81). Prior chemotherapy lines: 4 (1-10). Prior hormonal lines: 1 (0-4). Basal Karnofski performance status 90 (50-100). 21/23 pts had other metastases, the remaining 2 had exclusively skin disease. SM were predominantly in the thorax (91%) and presented infiltration in 78%, ulceration in 70%, pain in 43%, bleeding in 43% and smell in 17% of cases. According to RECIST criteria, after E 43% of patients obtained a partial response (PR), 35% stable disease (SD), 22% progressive disease (PD). We evaluated skin response independently and found that 26% obtained a complete response (CR); 22% PR, 39% SD, 13% PD. Skin responses were in complete accordance with overall response in 16/23 (70%) pts, in partial accordance in 4 pts (skin CR, with an overall PR) and were discordant in 3 pts (1 skin SD despite overall PR, and 2 cutaneous CR despite overall PD). We found an improvement in SM symptoms: pain control was gained in 50% (5/10) of pts, as well as improvement in smell (50%, 2/4) and bleeding (50%, 5/10). Infiltration disappeared in 3/18 pts (17%). With a median follow up of 6 months, 21 (91%) pts had PD, median PFS was 4.3 months (95%CI 2.9–6). Conclusions: During E an improvement in skin metastases symptoms was observed; in the majority of cases, the response rate of SM was coherent with systemic responses.

e11065 Background: In randomised trials IRx consisting of chemotherapy (cRx) + H produced pathological complete responses (pCR, defined variously as absence of invasive cancer, or, absence of invasive and in-situ cancer) in 29-40% of pts with HER2+ BC. Most of the regimens which have been studied include an anthracycline (A), raising concerns about cardiac toxicity from H +A. Our unit adopted the non-A based TCH regimen which was developed by the BCIRG, as our standard for both IRx and adjuvant Rx of HER+BC in 2006, following the presentation of the data from the BCIRG 006 trial, in which TCH produced similar levels of activity to a more aggressive A+H containing regimen, but with substantially less cardiac toxicity. In preparation for a random assignment trial in which TCH will be compared to TC+/- Lapatinib (L) +/- H we studied the efficacy of the TCH regimen in producing pCR. Methods: We reviewed the records of all patients that received IRx TCH. The TCH regimen consisted of T 75mg/m2, C AUC 6 and H 6m...

2521 Background: Combined targeting of ERBB receptors and VEGF-dependent signaling pathways has proven to be a successful strategy in preclinical studies. L is a dual HER2/EGFR tyrosine kinase inhi...