Radiotherapy with concurrent docetaxel for advanced and recurrent breast cancer

A Feasibility Study of Neo-Adjuvant Low-Dose Fractionated Radiotherapy with Two Different Concurrent Anthracycline-Docetaxel Schedules in Stage IIA/B-IIIA Breast Cancer

Aims and Background

The aim of the study was to evaluate the feasibility of neoadjuvant low-dose fractionated radiotherapy, in combination with two anthracycline-docetaxel regimens, in breast cancer treatment.

Materials and Methods

Women with stage IIA/B-IIIA breast cancer were assigned to receive the treatment of low-dose fractionated radiotherapy (0.4 Gy/per fraction, 2 fractions per day, for 2 days, every 21 days for 8–6 cycles) with concomitant neoadjuvant chemotherapy with non-pegylated liposomal doxorubicin and docetaxel. Two chemotherapy schedules were planned to be combined with low-dose fractionated radiotherapy. The first schedule consisted of four cycles of non-pegylated liposomal doxorubicin sequentially followed by four cycles of docetaxel, and the second schedule consisted of six cycles of non-pegylated liposomal doxorubicin plus concomitant docetaxel. Acute toxicity was evaluated according to the Radiation Therapy Oncology Group score system. Pathological response was evaluated by the Mandard score and expressed as tumor regression grade.

Results

Between March 2008 and February 2009, 10 patients underwent low-dose fractionated radiotherapy and concomitant chemotherapy. No grade 3–4 breast toxicity was observed. Five patients had a clinical complete response. Seven patients underwent conservative surgery. Overall, tumor regression grade 1 (absence of residual cancer) was achieved in one patient (10%) and grade 2 (residual isolated cells scattered through the fibrosis) in 4 patients (40%). The pathologic major response rate (tumor regression grade 1 + 2) was 20% in patients receiving low-dose fractionated radiotherapy and sequential non-pegylated liposomal doxorubicin and docetaxel and 80% in the group receiving low-dose fractionated radiotherapy and concurrent non-pegylated liposomal doxorubicin and docetaxel treatment.

Conclusions

Concomitant low-dose fractionated radiotherapy combined with anthracycline and docetaxel is feasible. The toxicity profile of radio-chemotherapy was similar to that of chemotherapy alone: there was no acute skin or cardiac toxicity. The concurrent application of liposomal doxorubicin and docetaxel with low-dose fractionated radiation led to higher histological response rates compared to the sequential application of the same two drugs.

DEGRO practical guidelines for radiotherapy of breast cancer VI: therapy of locoregional breast cancer recurrences

Objective

To update the practical guidelines for radiotherapy of patients with locoregional breast cancer recurrences based on the current German interdisciplinary S3 guidelines 2012.

Methods

A comprehensive survey of the literature using the search phrases “locoregional breast cancer recurrence”, “chest wall recurrence”, “local recurrence”, “regional recurrence”, and “breast cancer” was performed, using the limits “clinical trials”, “randomized trials”, “meta-analysis”, “systematic review”, and “guidelines”.

Conclusions

Patients with isolated in-breast or regional breast cancer recurrences should be treated with curative intent. Mastectomy is the standard of care for patients with ipsilateral breast tumor recurrence. In a subset of patients, a second breast conservation followed by partial breast irradiation (PBI) is an appropriate alternative to mastectomy. If a second breast conservation is performed, additional irradiation should be mandatory. The largest reirradiation experience base exists for multicatheter brachytherapy; however, prospective clinical trials are needed to clearly define selection criteria, long-term local control, and toxicity.

Following primary mastectomy, patients with resectable locoregional breast cancer recurrences should receive multimodality therapy including systemic therapy, surgery, and radiation +/− hyperthermia. This approach results in high local control rates and long-term survival is achieved in a subset of patients. In radiation-naive patients with unresectable locoregional recurrences, radiation therapy is mandatory. In previously irradiated patients with a high risk of a second local recurrence after surgical resection or in patients with unresectable recurrences, reirradiation should be strongly considered. Indication and dose concepts depend on the time interval to first radiotherapy, presence of late radiation effects, and concurrent or sequential systemic treatment. Combination with hyperthermia can further improve tumor control.

In patients with isolated axillary or supraclavicular recurrence, durable disease control is best achieved with multimodality therapy including surgery and radiotherapy. Radiation therapy significantly improves local control and should be applied whenever feasible.

Current Treatment of Isolated Locoregional Breast Cancer Recurrences

Patients with isolated locoregional breast cancer recurrences should be treated with curative intent. Mastectomy is regarded as the standard of care for patients with ipsilateral breast tumor recurrence. In a selected group of patients, partial breast irradiation after second breast-conserving surgery is a viable alternative to mastectomy. If a second breast conservation is performed, additional irradiation should be mandatory, especially in patients who had not been irradiated previously. In case of re-irradiation, the largest experience exists for multi-catheter brachytherapy. Prospective clinical trials are needed to clearly define selection criteria, long-term local control, and toxicity. In patients with resectable locoregional breast cancer recurrences after mastectomy, multi-modal therapy comprising complete resection, radiation therapy in previously unirradiated patients, and systemic therapy results in 5-year disease-free and overall survival rates of 69% and 88%, respectively. In radiation-naive patients with unresectable, isolated locoregional recurrences, radiation therapy is mandatory. In selected patients with previous irradiations and unresectable locoregional recurrences, a second irradiation as part of an individual treatment concept can be applied. The increased risk of severe toxicity should always be weighed up against the potential clinical benefit. A combination therapy with hyperthermia can further improve the treatment results.

Efficacy of concurrent chemoradiotherapy for patients with locally recurrent or advanced inoperable breast cancer

BACKGROUND

This study aimed to assess the efficacy and safety of chemoradiotherapy (CRT) for locally recurrent or advanced inoperable breast cancer.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Twenty patients treated between 2009 and 2013 were reviewed from a prospectively collected database. All patients had symptomatic recurrent or advanced breast cancer and had been deemed not to be ideal operative candidates. Treatment consisted of external beam radiotherapy to the primary tumor in the breast or regional lymph nodes, or both, concurrent with either capecitabine, paclitaxel, or cisplatin/etoposide chemotherapy. The grade of acute and late toxicity was evaluated, as was response to treatment, overall survival (OS), and local relapse-free survival (LRFS).

RESULTS

Of the 20 patients, 9 (45%) presented with primary disease and 11 (55%) had recurrent disease. A total of 11 (55%) patients had evidence of metastatic disease. The overall clinical response rate was 100%, with a clinical complete response (CR) observed in 65% of patients and a clinical partial response (PR) observed in 35% of patients. At a median follow up of 25.3 months, 2-year LRFS was 73% and 2-year OS was 80%. Local control was significantly better in patients with an initial diagnosis (hazard ratio [HR], 0.139; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.014-0.935) and in those who had not had previous in-field radiation (HR, 0.011; 95% CI, 0.005-0.512). The only grade ≥ 3 toxicity was acute dermatologic events (30%) and late dermatologic (15%) events.

CONCLUSION

Concurrent CRT with capecitabine, paclitaxel, or cisplatin/etoposide for recurrent or advanced inoperable breast cancer is well tolerated with impressive clinical response rates and durable local control.

The role of chemoradiotherapy in patients with unresectable T4 breast tumors

PURPOSE

Unresectable T4 tumors of the breast are usually treated with systemic therapies, while the role of local therapies remains debatable. This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of chemoradiotherapy as a part of T4 breast cancer treatment, and to assess the role of local radiotherapies in patients with unresectable T4 breast tumors.

MATERIALS/METHODS

Between February 1998 and June 2010, 39 unresectable T4 breast tumors were treated with chemoradiotherapy at our institutes. Clinical stages included stage IIIB (n = 15), stage IIIC (n = 3), and stage IV (n = 21). Twenty-one cases had undergone previous systemic therapies, whereas the remaining 18 cases reported no history of previous treatment. Radiation doses of 59-66 Gy (median 60 Gy) were administered to the breast in addition to concurrent chemotherapies. Acute adverse effects were assessed on a weekly basis during treatment to 2 weeks after completion of treatment, and were scored by the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events v3.0. Treatment response was assessed at 1 month after completion of chemoradiotherapy. Statistical analysis of survival was calculated using the Kaplan-Meier method.

RESULTS

Chemoradiotherapy was completed in all cases. Greater than grade 3 hematological toxicities were observed with regard to lymphocytes (33%), platelets (8%), neutrophils (3%), and hemoglobin (3%). Greater than grade 3 nonhematologic toxicities included chemoradiation dermatitis (23%) and pneumonitis (5%). Sixteen T4 tumors (41%) achieved complete response, whereas 23 (59%) achieved partial response. All patients were treated with chemotherapy and/or endocrine therapy following chemoradiotherapy. The median follow-up period was 20 months (range 3-96 months). Nineteen patients died because of progressive breast cancer. Infield recurrence or relapse was observed in 11 cases during the course of treatment, but only 3 cases were symptomatic. The 2-year overall local control rate was 73.6%, and the survival rate was 65.9%.

CONCLUSION

Chemoradiotherapy represents a viable option for local treatment of unresectable T4 breast tumors.

A phase II study of radiotherapy and concurrent paclitaxel chemotherapy in breast-conserving treatment for node-positive breast cancer

PURPOSE

Administering adjuvant chemotherapy before breast radiotherapy decreases the risk of systemic recurrence, but delays in radiotherapy could yield higher local failure. We assessed the feasibility and efficacy of placing radiotherapy earlier in the breast-conserving treatment course for lymph node-positive breast cancer.

METHODS AND MATERIALS

Between June 2000 and December 2004, 44 women with node-positive Stage II and III breast cancer were entered into this trial. Breast-conserving surgery and 4 cycles of doxorubicin (60 mg/m(2))/cyclophosphamide (600 mg/m(2)) were followed by 4 cycles of paclitaxel (175 mg/m(2)) delivered every 3 weeks. Radiotherapy was concurrent with the first 2 cycles of paclitaxel. The breast received 39.6 Gy in 22 fractions with a tumor bed boost of 14 Gy in 7 fractions. Regional lymphatics were included when indicated. Functional lung volume was assessed by use of the diffusing capacity for carbon monoxide as a proxy. Breast cosmesis was evaluated with the Harvard criteria.

RESULTS

The 5-year actuarial rate of disease-free survival is 88%, and overall survival is 93%. There have been no local failures. Median follow-up is 75 months. No cases of radiation pneumonitis developed. There was no significant change in the diffusing capacity for carbon monoxide either immediately after radiotherapy (p = 0.51) or with extended follow-up (p = 0.63). Volume of irradiated breast tissue correlated with acute cosmesis, and acute Grade 3 skin toxicity developed in 2 patients. Late cosmesis was not adversely affected.

CONCLUSIONS

Concurrent paclitaxel chemotherapy and radiotherapy after breast-conserving surgery shortened total treatment time, provided excellent local control, and was well tolerated.

Lapatinib in combination with radiation diminishes tumor regrowth in HER2+ and basal-like/EGFR+ breast tumor xenografts

PURPOSE

To determine whether lapatinib, a dual epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)/HER2 kinase inhibitor, can radiosensitize EGFR+ or HER2+ breast cancer xenografts.

METHODS AND MATERIALS

Mice bearing xenografts of basal-like/EGFR+ SUM149 and HER2+ SUM225 breast cancer cells were treated with lapatinib and fractionated radiotherapy and tumor growth inhibition correlated with alterations in ERK1 and AKT activation by immunohistochemistry.

RESULTS

Basal-like/EGFR+ SUM149 breast cancer tumors were completely resistant to treatment with lapatinib alone but highly growth impaired with lapatinib plus radiotherapy, exhibiting an enhancement ratio average of 2.75 and a fractional tumor product ratio average of 2.20 during the study period. In contrast, HER2+ SUM225 breast cancer tumors were highly responsive to treatment with lapatinib alone and yielded a relatively lower enhancement ratio average of 1.25 during the study period with lapatinib plus radiotherapy. Durable tumor control in the HER2+ SUM225 model was more effective with the combination treatment than either lapatinib or radiotherapy alone. Immunohistochemical analyses demonstrated that radiosensitization by lapatinib correlated with ERK1/2 inhibition in the EGFR+ SUM149 model and with AKT inhibition in the HER2+ SUM225 model.

CONCLUSION

Our data suggest that lapatinib combined with fractionated radiotherapy may be useful against EGFR+ and HER2+ breast cancers and that inhibition of downstream signaling to ERK1/2 and AKT correlates with sensitization in EGFR+ and HER2+ cells, respectively.

Phase I trial with a combination of docetaxel and ¹⁵³Sm-lexidronam in patients with castration-resistant metastatic prostate cancer

BACKGROUND

This study was designed to evaluate toxicity and preliminary efficacy of 2 cycles of concomitant standard dose/schedule of (153)Sm-lexidronam plus Q 3 weeks schedule escalating doses of docetaxel in metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC).

METHODS

mCRPC patients with progressive bone metastases were treated in 4 cohorts. Docetaxel doses were escalated from 50, 50, 0 mg/m(2) (on days 1, 22, 43, per 12-week cycle) to 75, 75, 75 mg/m(2). (153)Sm-lexidronam was administered on days 2 (Q 12 weeks) at dose of 1 mCi/kg/cycle (maximum of 2 cycles).

RESULTS

Thirteen patients received an average of 3.6 doses of docetaxel (range, 2-6 doses, median 4) and 1.5 doses of (153)Sm-lexidronam (range, 1-2, median 2). Toxicity was primarily hematologic. There were total 35 episodes grade 3/4 neutropenia with a median 7 (range 7-14) days to recovery to ≤grade 1. One dose limiting grade 3 thrombocytopenia occurred on cohorts 3 and 4. Eight of 13 (62%) patients had PSA > 50% decrease as best response during the treatment. Median time to bone disease progression was 5.2 months (range 91 days-10 months+); 6/13 (46%) patients had stable/improved bone scans at 6 months and 6/6 (100%) symptomatic patients had improvement in pain.

CONCLUSIONS

Concurrent 6-month administration of 4 doses (75 mg/m(2)) of standard Q 3 weeks schedule of docetaxel with 2 Q 3 months infusions of 1 mCi/Kg (153)Sm-lexidronam is feasible with reversible bone marrow suppression, and deserves further testing in mCRPC patients with extensive bone metastasis.

Robotic stereotactic radioablation concomitant with neo-adjuvant chemotherapy for breast tumors

PURPOSE

Robotic stereotactic radioablation (RSR) allows stereotactic irradiation of thoracic tumors; however, it has never been used for breast tumors and may have a real potential. We conducted a Phase I study, including neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT), a two-level dose-escalation study (6.5 Gy x 3 fractions and 7.5 Gy x 3 fractions) using RSR and breast-conserving surgery followed by conventional radiotherapy.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

To define toxicity, we performed a dermatologic exam (DE) including clinical examination by two independent observers and technical examination by colorimetry, dermoscopy, and skin ultrasound. DE was performed before NACT (DE0), at 36 days (DE1), at 56 days (DE2), after the NACT treatment onset, and before surgery (DE3). Surgery was performed 4-8 weeks after the last chemotherapy session. A pathologic examination was also performed.

RESULTS

There were two clinical complete responses and four clinical partial responses at D56 and D85. Maximum tolerable dose was not reached. All patients tolerated RSR with no fatigue; 2 patients presented with mild pain after the third fraction of the treatment. There was no significant toxicity measured with ultrasound and dermoscopy tests. Postoperative irradiation (50 Gy) has been delivered without toxicity.

CONCLUSION

The study showed the feasibility of irradiation with RSR combined with chemotherapy and surgery for breast tumors. There was no skin toxicity at a dose of 19.5 Gy or 22.5 Gy delivered in three fractions combined with chemotherapy. Lack of toxicity suggested that the dose could be increased further. Pathologic response was acceptable.

Docetaxel-induced interstitial pneumonitis following non-small-cell lung cancer treatment

Interstitial pneumonitis has been described infrequently following administration of docetaxel, used alone or in combination with other chemotherapeutic agents or concurrent irradiation, for non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). This toxicity is of special relevance in NSCLC, as clinical severity and differential diagnosis may be especially challenging. It seems to be due to type I and type IV hypersensitivity reactions to the drug. Clinical and radiographic features are nonspecific and diagnosis is made by exclusion. The rate of grade III-IV docetaxel-induced pneumonitis, ranging from 7 to 47%, depends on several factors, including total dose, chemotherapy schedule and especially concomitant docetaxel treatment with gemcitabine and radiotherapy. Although the usual outcome is cure, it sometimes eventually progresses to pulmonary fibrosis despite steroid treatment. This toxicity must be taken into account when planning treatment strategies for NSCLC in order to reduce its rate and to achieve prompt diagnosis and treatment.

Does Concurrent Radiochemotherapy Affect Cosmetic Results in the Adjuvant Setting After Breast-Conserving Surgery? Results of the ARCOSEIN Multicenter, Phase III Study: Patients’ and Doctors’ Views

PURPOSE

To evaluate the cosmetic results of sequential vs. concurrent adjuvant chemotherapy with radiotherapy after breast-conserving surgery for breast cancer, and to compare ratings by patients and physicians.

METHODS AND MATERIALS

From 1996 to 2000, 716 patients with Stage I-II breast cancers were included in a multicenter, Phase III trial (the ARCOSEIN study) comparing, after breast-conserving surgery with axillary dissection, sequential treatment with chemotherapy first followed by radiotherapy vs. chemotherapy administered concurrently with radiotherapy. Cosmetic results with regard to both the overall aspect of the breast and specific changes (color, scar) were evaluated in a total of 214 patients (107 in each arm) by means of questionnaires to both the patient and a physician whose rating was blinded to treatment allocation.

RESULTS

Patients' overall satisfaction with cosmesis was not statistically different between the two arms, with approximately 92% with at least satisfactory results (p = 0.72), although differences between the treated and untreated breasts were greater after the concurrent regimen (29% vs. 14% with more than moderate differences; p = 0.0015). Physician assessment of overall cosmesis was less favorable, with lower rates of at least satisfactory results in the concurrent arm (60% vs. 85%; p = 0.001). Consequently, the concordance for overall satisfaction with cosmesis between patients and doctors was only fair (kappa = 0.62).

CONCLUSION

After breast-conserving surgery, the concurrent use of chemotherapy with radiotherapy is significantly associated with greater differences between the breasts. These differences do not translate into patients' lessened satisfaction with cosmesis.