Challenges in the treatment of hormone receptor-positive, HER2-negative metastatic breast cancer with brain metastases

Utidelone combined with anti‑angiogenic therapy for the treatment of anthracycline/taxane‑treated and endocrine‑resistant HR+/HER2‑ refractory breast cancer with brain metastases: A case report

For patients with hormone receptor-positive (HR+) and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-negative (HER2-) metastatic breast cancer (mBC), the treatment choices become more complex after progression on first-line CDK4/6 inhibitors combined with endocrine therapy. Currently, there are no guidelines that provide a unified standard protocol for this situation. Almost half of patients with mBC develop brain metastases (BMs), and once BMs occur, the survival of the patient is often significantly reduced. An anti-angiogenic drug and chemotherapy combination of has demonstrated synergistic effects in an mBC cell line. Anti-angiogenic drugs have shown therapeutic efficacy in the treatment of mBC, and utidelone has shown the ability to cross the blood-brain barrier and achieve a high concentration in brain tissue in preclinical studies. The present case report describes a patient with HR+/HER2- mBC and BMs that developed resistance to two CDK4/6 inhibitors and treatments with anthracyclines/taxanes. The patient received a fourth-line treatment regimen combining utidelone with a small-molecule anti-angiogenic drug, namely apatinib or anlotinib. The patient achieved a partial response with this combined regimen, and a progression-free survival (PFS) of 7.6 months, which was the best therapeutic outcome in the entire course of the illness. This result was superior to the second-line treatment with nab-paclitaxel, which resulted in a PFS of 8 months and best overall response of stable disease with slight shrinkage. The present case indicates that a combination of utidelone with apatinib/anlotinib exhibited antitumor activity in a patient with HR+/HER2- mBC with BMs. Therefore, this combination offers a promising therapeutic option for the clinical treatment of patients with breast cancer and BMs.

Robotic Radiosurgical Boost After Whole-Brain Radiotherapy for 12 Brain Metastases: En Bloc Consecutive Irradiation With Comprehensively Optimized Single Plan for Eight Lesions Totaling 118 cc

General radiotherapeutic management for >10 brain metastases (BMs) totaling >100 cm3, including multiple large lesions (>10-30 cm3) in close proximity, demonstrated limited efficacy and/or safety. We describe a case of 12 BMs, summating 122.2 cm3, including a 39.6 cm3 maximum lesion and adjacent ones. The patient had an 8.1-year treatment history for recurrent/metastatic breast cancer refractory to endocrine and chemotherapy. BMs were treated with conventional whole-brain radiotherapy (WBRT) with 30 Gy/10 fractions (fr), followed by an immediate stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) boost with 27 Gy/5 fr (52-64% isodoses) which covers the gross tumor boundaries of selected eight lesions (total 118.4 cm3). The SRS dose was defined to ensure the cumulative biologically effective dose (BED10) of just ≥80 Gy while minimizing the risk of radiation injury. The SRS was performed using a CyberKnife (CK) robotic system (Accuray Incorporated, Sunnyvale, California, United States) with a variable-sized collimator (10-40 mm), for which en bloc consecutive irradiation, using 215 beams based on a comprehensively optimized single plan (path), was adopted. The treatment time per fraction was ≤45 min (mean 5.6 min per lesion). Afterward, BMs demonstrated remarkable regression over six months, causing the total residual visible lesions of 12.6 cm3 (10.3%) at 11.4 months, despite the absence of obvious lesion shrinkage during the radiotherapy. WBRT, followed by an immediate 5-fr SRS boost with a total BED10 of 80 Gy to large and/or culprit lesions, can be an efficacious and safe treatment option for multiple BMs, totaling >120 cm3. En bloc consecutive irradiation with a single path provides overwhelmingly more efficient delivery for treating multiple lesions using CK in terms of irradiation time and comprehensive reduction of normal brain dose compared to individual planning. Volumetric-modulated arc-based >10-fr SRS with simultaneously integrated reduced-dose WBRT may be an alternative to further enhance efficacy and safety.

Systemic treatments for breast cancer brain metastasis

Breast cancer (BC) is the most common cancer in females and BC brain metastasis (BCBM) is considered as the second most frequent brain metastasis. Although the advanced treatment has significantly prolonged the survival in BC patients, the prognosis of BCBM is still poor. The management of BCBM remains challenging. Systemic treatments are important to maintain control of central nervous system disease and improve patients' survival. BCBM medical treatment is a rapidly advancing area of research. With the emergence of new targeted drugs, more options are provided for the treatment of BM. This review features currently available BCBM treatment strategies and outlines novel drugs and ongoing clinical trials that may be available in the future. These treatment strategies are discovered to be more efficacious and potent, and present a paradigm shift in the management of BCBMs.

Radiotherapeutic Strategies to Overcome Resistance of Breast Cancer Brain Metastases by Considering Immunogenic Aspects of Cancer Stem Cells

Breast cancer is the most diagnosed cancer in women, and symptomatic brain metastases (BCBMs) occur in 15-20% of metastatic breast cancer cases. Despite technological advances in radiation therapy (RT), the prognosis of patients is limited. This has been attributed to radioresistant breast cancer stem cells (BCSCs), among other factors. The aim of this review article is to summarize the evidence of cancer-stem-cell-mediated radioresistance in brain metastases of breast cancer from radiobiologic and radiation oncologic perspectives to allow for the better interpretability of preclinical and clinical evidence and to facilitate its translation into new therapeutic strategies. To this end, the etiology of brain metastasis in breast cancer, its radiotherapeutic treatment options, resistance mechanisms in BCSCs, and effects of molecularly targeted therapies in combination with radiotherapy involving immune checkpoint inhibitors are described and classified. This is considered in the context of the central nervous system (CNS) as a particular metastatic niche involving the blood-brain barrier and the CNS immune system. The compilation of this existing knowledge serves to identify possible synergistic effects between systemic molecularly targeted therapies and ionizing radiation (IR) by considering both BCSCs' relevant resistance mechanisms and effects on normal tissue of the CNS.

Synthesis and Anticancer Activity of Indole-Functionalized Derivatives of Betulin

Pentacyclic triterpenes, including betulin, are widespread natural products with various pharmacological effects. These compounds are the starting material for the synthesis of substances with promising anticancer activity. The chemical modification of the betulin scaffold that was carried out as part of the research consisted of introducing the indole moiety at the C-28 position. The synthesized new 28-indole-betulin derivatives were evaluated for anticancer activity against seven human cancer lines (A549, MDA-MB-231, MCF-7, DLD-1, HT-29, A375, and C32). It was observed that MCF-7 breast cancer cells were most sensitive to the action of the 28-indole-betulin derivatives. The study shows that the lup-20(29)-ene-3-ol-28-yl 2-(1H-indol-3-yl)acetate caused the MCF-7 cells to arrest in the G1 phase, preventing the cells from entering the S phase. The performed cytometric analysis of DNA fragmentation indicates that the mechanism of EB355A action on the MCF-7 cell line is related to the induction of apoptosis. An in silico ADMET profile analysis of EB355A and EB365 showed that both compounds are bioactive molecules characterized by good intestinal absorption. In addition, the in silico studies indicate that the 28-indole-betulin derivatives are substances of relatively low toxicity.

Prognostic Factors and Survival Outcomes among Patients with Breast Cancer and Brain Metastases at Diagnosis: A National Cancer Database Analysis

INTRODUCTION

The aim of this study was to assess for clinicopathologic and socioeconomic features that predict improved survival for patients with advanced breast cancer with synchronous brain metastases at diagnosis.

METHODS

We utilized the National Cancer Database (NCDB) to identify all patients with brain metastases present at diagnosis, with adequate information on receptor status (ER, PR, Her2), clinical T stage of cT1-4, clinical M1, with 3,943 patients available for analysis. The association between brain metastases patterns and patient/disease variables was examined by robust Poisson regression model. Cox proportional hazards model was used to quantify the associations between overall survival (OS) and these variables.

RESULTS

In univariable analysis, OS was significantly associated with the number of sites of metastases (p < 0.0001). Patients with 2 or more additional extracranial sites of metastases had significantly worse OS (median 8.8 months, 95% confidence interval [CI] 7.8, 9.9) than patients with brain metastases only (median OS 10.6 months, 95% CI 9.4, 12.9) or brain metastases plus one other extracranial site of metastases (median OS 13.1 months, 95% CI 11.8, 14.4). Risk factors which predicted poor prognosis included triple-negative disease, high comorbidity score, poorly differentiated tumors, invasive lobular histology, multi-organ involvement of metastases, and government or lack of insurance. Factors which improve survival include younger age and Hispanic race.

DISCUSSION/CONCLUSION

Using a large NCDB, we identified various factors associated with prognosis for patients with brain metastases at the time of breast cancer diagnosis. Insurance status and related socioeconomic challenges provide potential areas for improvement in care for these patients. This information may help stratify patients into prognostic categories at the time of diagnosis to improve treatment plans.

ADAM22/LGI1 complex as a new actionable target for breast cancer brain metastasis

BACKGROUND

Metastatic breast cancer is a major cause of cancer-related deaths in woman. Brain metastasis is a common and devastating site of relapse for several breast cancer molecular subtypes, including oestrogen receptor-positive disease, with life expectancy of less than a year. While efforts have been devoted to developing therapeutics for extra-cranial metastasis, drug penetration of blood-brain barrier (BBB) remains a major clinical challenge. Defining molecular alterations in breast cancer brain metastasis enables the identification of novel actionable targets.

METHODS

Global transcriptomic analysis of matched primary and metastatic patient tumours (n = 35 patients, 70 tumour samples) identified a putative new actionable target for advanced breast cancer which was further validated in vivo and in breast cancer patient tumour tissue (n = 843 patients). A peptide mimetic of the target's natural ligand was designed in silico and its efficacy assessed in in vitro, ex vivo and in vivo models of breast cancer metastasis.

RESULTS

Bioinformatic analysis of over-represented pathways in metastatic breast cancer identified ADAM22 as a top ranked member of the ECM-related druggable genome specific to brain metastases. ADAM22 was validated as an actionable target in in vitro, ex vivo and in patient tumour tissue (n = 843 patients). A peptide mimetic of the ADAM22 ligand LGI1, LGI1MIM, was designed in silico. The efficacy of LGI1MIM and its ability to penetrate the BBB were assessed in vitro, ex vivo and in brain metastasis BBB 3D biometric biohybrid models, respectively. Treatment with LGI1MIM in vivo inhibited disease progression, in particular the development of brain metastasis.

CONCLUSION

ADAM22 expression in advanced breast cancer supports development of breast cancer brain metastasis. Targeting ADAM22 with a peptide mimetic LGI1MIM represents a new therapeutic option to treat metastatic brain disease.

Clinical Perspectives in Brain Metastasis

Brain metastases (BMs) are responsible for decline in neurological function, reduction in overall quality of life, and mortality from recurrent or untreatable lesions. Advances in diagnostics and imaging have led to increased detection of central nervous system (CNS) metastases in patients with progressive cancers. Improved control of extracranial systemic disease, and the limited ability of current therapeutics to cross the blood-brain barrier (BBB) also contribute to the increase in incidence of brain metastases, as tumor cells seek refuge in the brain. Surgery, chemotherapy, and/or radiation (whole-brain radiation therapy and stereotactic radiation surgery [WBRT/SRS]) are a clinically established treatment paradigm for patients with brain metastases. With the advent of genetic and molecular characterization of tumors and their immune microenvironment, clinical trials seek to include targeted drugs into the therapeutic regimen for eligible patients. Several challenges, like treatment of multiple CNS lesions, superior uptake of chemotherapy into the brain, and trials with multidisciplinary approaches, are now being clinically addressed.

Emerging data and future directions for CDK4/6 inhibitor treatment of patients with hormone receptor positive HER2-non-amplified metastatic breast cancer

Cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK4/6) inhibitors in combination with endocrine therapy are currently the optimal first line treatment for hormone receptor (HR) positive, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) non-amplified metastatic breast cancer (MBC). However, not all patients benefit from this treatment and all patients will inevitably progress. Identifying therapeutic strategies in this setting is therefore of immediate clinical importance. We present an overview of the mechanisms of resistance to CDK4/6 inhibitors and review potential biomarkers that may guide therapy selection. We also discuss the use of CDK4/6 inhibitors in the context of non-HR-positive/HER2-non-amplified breast cancer and in combination with therapies other than endocrine therapy.

Investigational chemotherapy and novel pharmacokinetic mechanisms for the treatment of breast cancer brain metastases

In women, breast cancer is the most common cancer diagnosis and second most common cause of cancer death. More than half of breast cancer patients will develop metastases to the bone, liver, lung, or brain. Breast cancer brain metastases (BCBM) confers a poor prognosis, as current therapeutic options of surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy rarely significantly extend life and are considered palliative. Within the realm of chemotherapy, the last decade has seen an explosion of novel chemotherapeutics involving targeting agents and unique dosage forms. We provide a historical overview of BCBM chemotherapy, review the mechanisms of new agents such as poly-ADP ribose polymerase inhibitors, cyclin-dependent kinase 4/6 inhibitors, phosphatidyl inositol 3-kinaseinhibitors, estrogen pathway antagonists for hormone-receptor positive BCBM; tyrosine kinase inhibitors, antibodies, and conjugates for HER2+ BCBM; repurposed cytotoxic chemotherapy for triple negative BCBM; and the utilization of these new agents and formulations in ongoing clinical trials. The mechanisms of novel dosage formulations such as nanoparticles, liposomes, pegylation, the concepts of enhanced permeation and retention, and drugs utilizing these concepts involved in clinical trials are also discussed. These new treatments provide a promising outlook in the treatment of BCBM.

Incidence, pattern and prognosis of brain metastases in patients with metastatic triple negative breast cancer

Background

To identify the incidence, recurrence pattern and prognosis of brain metastases (BM) among women with metastatic triple negative breast cancer (mTNBC) treated consecutively at a single institution during a 7-year period.

Methods

Patients with histologically confirmed mTNBC were retrospectively identified. The incidence of BM as first site of recurrence and the cumulative BM incidence were computed. We used the Cox proportional hazards model to identify the univariate and multivariate factors associated with survival.

Results

Four hundred thirty three patients were included with a median overall survival (OS) of 21.6 months after median follow-up for 48.1 months. BM was found in 29% (127/433) of the patients and about a quarter (32/127) of BM was first recurrence. The cumulative incidence of BM at 1 and 2 years was 17 and 25%, respectively. The median time from the diagnosis of extracranial metastases to BM was 10 months. Median OS following a diagnosis of BM was 7.3 months. The longer median OS from time of first recurrent BM was noted compared with those of subsequent recurrent (17.3 vs 6.3 months, p = 0.008). However, patients with first recurrent BM were associated with shorter OS compared with those without BM (17.3 vs 22.1 months, p = 0.006). The independent factors that increased BM death risk were > 3 brain lesions, no BM-directed treatment, subsequent recurrent BM, symptomatic BM and uncontrolled extracranial metastasis.

Conclusions

Patients with mTNBC have a high incidence of early BM with subsequent poor survival. The findings lend support to consideration of screening imaging of the brain for mTNBC patients.