The role of HER2-targeted therapies in women with HER2-overexpressing metastatic breast cancer

Recent findings on chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-engineered immune cell therapy in solid tumors and hematological malignancies

Advancements in adoptive cell therapy over the last four decades have revealed various new therapeutic strategies, such as chimeric antigen receptors (CARs), which are dedicated immune cells that are engineered and administered to eliminate cancer cells. In this context, CAR T-cells have shown significant promise in the treatment of hematological malignancies. However, many obstacles limit the efficacy of CAR T-cell therapy in both solid tumors and hematological malignancies. Consequently, CAR-NK and CAR-M cell therapies have recently emerged as novel therapeutic options for addressing the challenges associated with CAR T-cell therapies. Currently, many CAR immune cell trials are underway in various human malignancies around the world to improve antitumor activity and reduce the toxicity of CAR immune cell therapy. This review will describe the comprehensive literature of recent findings on CAR immune cell therapy in a wide range of human malignancies, as well as the challenges that have emerged in recent years.

Design and evaluation of radiolabeled tracers for tumor imaging

The growing understanding of tumor biology and the identification of tumor-specific genetic and molecular alterations, such as the overexpression of membrane receptors and other proteins, allows for personalization of patient management using targeted therapies. However, this puts stringent demands on the diagnostic tools used to identify patients who are likely to respond to a particular treatment. Radionuclide molecular imaging is a promising noninvasive method to visualize and characterize the expression of such targets. A number of different proteins, from full-length antibodies and their derivatives to small scaffold proteins and peptide receptor-ligands, have been applied to molecular imaging, each demonstrating strengths and weaknesses. Here, we discuss the concept of molecular targeting and, in particular, molecular imaging of cancer-associated targets. Additionally, we describe important biotechnological considerations and desired features when designing and developing tracers for radionuclide molecular imaging.

A phase 2 study of everolimus combined with trastuzumab and paclitaxel in patients with HER2-overexpressing advanced breast cancer that progressed during prior trastuzumab and taxane therapy

Increased activation of the PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway is a common factor in putative mechanisms of trastuzumab resistance, resulting in dysregulation of cell migration, growth, proliferation, and survival. Data from preclinical and phase 1/2 clinical studies suggest that adding everolimus (an oral mTOR inhibitor) to trastuzumab plus chemotherapy may enhance the efficacy of, and restore sensitivity to, trastuzumab-based therapy. In this phase 2 multicenter study, adult patients with HER2-positive advanced breast cancer resistant to trastuzumab and pretreated with a taxane received everolimus 10 mg/day in combination with paclitaxel (80 mg/m² days 1, 8, and 15 every 4 weeks) and trastuzumab (4 mg/kg loading dose followed by 2 mg/kg weekly), administered in 28-day cycles. Endpoints included overall response rate (ORR), progression-free survival (PFS), overall survival (OS), and safety. Fifty-five patients were enrolled; one remained on study treatment at the time of data cutoff. The median number of prior chemotherapy lines for advanced disease was 3.5 (range 1–11). The ORR was 21.8 %, the clinical benefit rate was 36.4 %, the median PFS estimate was 5.5 months (95 % confidence interval [CI]: 4.99–7.69 months), and the median OS estimate was 18.1 months (95 % CI: 12.85–24.11 months). Hematologic grade 3/4 adverse events (AEs) included neutropenia (25.5 % grade 3, 3.6 % grade 4), anemia (7.3 % grade 3), and thrombocytopenia (5.5 % grade 3, 1.8 % grade 4). Nonhematologic grade 3/4 AEs included stomatitis (20.0 %), diarrhea (5.5 %), vomiting (5.5 %), fatigue (5.5 %), and pneumonia (5.5 %), all grade 3. These findings suggest that the combination of everolimus plus trastuzumab and paclitaxel is feasible, with promising activity in patients with highly resistant HER2-positive advanced breast cancer. This combination is currently under investigation in the BOLERO-1 phase 3 trial.

[Breast cancer in Finistère, France: epidemiological description and tendencies over a 10-year period (2000-2009) according to pathology data]

The aim of this study was the description of breast carcinoma over a 10-year period according to pathology data.

METHOD

Descriptive epidemiological study based on data collection of pathological code ADICAP (injury, organ, and applied technical), histological, hormonal, node and administrative data. From January 1st 2000 to December 31st 2009, 6186 women living in Finistère have had a diagnosis of invasive breast carcinoma. The incidence rate involved from 125 per 100,000 women to 136 in 2009. Average age to the first diagnosis was 61.4 ± 13.6; class of age with the more important incidence rate was for the 50-74 years old. The different histological subtypes varied over the period (P<0.0001). Tumour's size was notified for more than 75% in the whole period of the study. The average size evolved significantly over the period (P<0.0001 from 23.5mm [± 18.4] in 2000 to 21.02 [± 16.2] in 2009, particularly after 2003 [P<0.0002]). The grade status (SBR, MSBR and Elston Ellis) showed a trend to the gravity decrease over the period (respectively P=0.03 [r(2)=-0,04]; P<0.0001 [r(2)=-0.10]; P<0.0001 [r(2)=-0.08]).

CONCLUSION

Our results confirm the interest of pathology database for the description of invasive breast cancer.

The next generation of biologic agents: therapeutic role in relation to existing therapies in metastatic breast cancer

The use of more active cytotoxic agents (eg, anthracyclines and taxanes) in the adjuvant setting has impacted treatment options in metastatic breast cancer (MBC). Various new approaches to combination therapy are being investigated, including classic and novel cytotoxic agents and targeted therapies. The heterogeneous molecular pathways involved in the development of breast cancer provide numerous potential targets for therapeutic intervention. Molecular technologies have facilitated the development of various new therapies targeted at disrupting processes as diverse as angiogenesis and DNA repair. Targeted therapies have the potential to improve outcomes in MBC, and their use has increased dramatically over recent years after the introduction of human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (EGFR2)-targeted therapy with trastuzumab. Lapatinib and bevacizumab have recently been approved for patients with MBC. Numerous other targeted agents are undergoing preclinical investigation or are being evaluated in clinical trials. The maximum benefit of targeted therapies has been realized by their combined use with cytotoxic agents. Overall, single-agent use of targeted therapies has failed to produce dramatic benefit in patients with advanced breast cancer. This article reviews the data from studies of established and emerging targeted therapies in the treatment of MBC and describes how best to incorporate these agents into current treatment paradigms.

Impact of albumin on drug delivery--new applications on the horizon

Over the past decades, albumin has emerged as a versatile carrier for therapeutic and diagnostic agents, primarily for diagnosing and treating diabetes, cancer, rheumatoid arthritis and infectious diseases. Market approved products include fatty acid derivatives of human insulin or the glucagon-like-1 peptide (Levemir(®) and Victoza(®)) for treating diabetes, the taxol albumin nanoparticle Abraxane(®) for treating metastatic breast cancer which is also under clinical investigation in further tumor indications, and (99m)Tc-aggregated albumin (Nanocoll(®) and Albures(®)) for diagnosing cancer and rheumatoid arthritis as well as for lymphoscintigraphy. In addition, an increasing number of albumin-based or albumin-binding drugs are in clinical trials such as antibody fusion proteins (MM-111) for treating HER2/neu positive breast cancer (phase I), a camelid albumin-binding nanobody anti-HSA-anti-TNF-α (ATN-103) in phase II studies for treating rheumatoid arthritis, an antidiabetic Exendin-4 analog bound to recombinant human albumin (phase I/II), a fluorescein-labeled albumin conjugate (AFL)-human serum albumin for visualizing the malignant borders of brain tumors for improved surgical resection, and finally an albumin-binding prodrug of doxorubicin (INNO-206) entering phase II studies against sarcoma and gastric cancer. In the preclinical setting, novel approaches include attaching peptides with high-affinity for albumin to antibody fragments, the exploitation of albumin-binding gadolinium contrast agents for magnetic resonance imaging, and physical or covalent attachment of antiviral, antibacterial, and anticancer drugs to albumin that are permanently or transiently attached to human serum albumin (HSA) or act as albumin-binding prodrugs. This review gives an overview of the expanding field of preclinical and clinical drug applications and developments that use albumin as a protein carrier to improve the pharmacokinetic profile of the drug or to target the drug to the pathogenic site addressing diseases with unmet medical needs.

Optimizing the management of HER2-positive early breast cancer: the clinical reality

Breast cancer positive for HER2 (human epidermal growth factor receptor 2) is associated with a poor prognosis for patients with both early-stage and metastatic breast cancer. Trastuzumab has been shown to be effective and is now considered the standard of care for early-stage patients with HER2-positive breast cancer. In that population, trastuzumab has been studied in six randomized clinical trials. Overall, use of this agent leads to a significant reduction in risk of disease recurrence and improvement in overall survival. Despite the strong evidence for the use of trastuzumab in managing HER2-positive early breast cancer (EBC), a number of clinical controversies remain. The authors of this paper undertook a review of the available scientific literature on adjuvant trastuzumab to produce practical considerations from Canadian oncologists. The panel focused their discussion on five key areas: Management of node-negative disease with tumours 1 cm or smaller in size. Management of HER2-positive EBC across the spectrum of the disease (that is, nodal and steroid hormone receptor status, tumour size) Timing of trastuzumab therapy with chemotherapy for early-stage disease: concurrent or sequential. Treatment duration of trastuzumab for EBC. The role of non-anthracycline trastuzumab-based regimens.

Wide-field imaging of fluorescent deoxy-glucose in ex vivo malignant and normal breast tissue

Rapid in situ determination of surgical resection margins during breast cancer surgery would reduce patient time under anesthesia. We present preliminary data supporting the use of a fluorescent glucose analog (2-NBDG) as an optical contrast agent to differentiate freshly excised breast tissue containing cancerous cells from normal breast tissue. Multi-spectral images of 14 breast cancer specimens acquired before and after incubation with 2-NBDG demonstrated increased fluorescent signal in all of the malignant tissue due to increased 2-NBDG consumption. We demonstrate that 2-NBDG has potential as an optical contrast agent to differentiate cancerous from non-cancerous tissue.

Novel cytotoxic backbones and targeted therapies: recent data and ongoing clinical trials

Novel therapies are emerging for treatment of patients with localized or advanced breast cancer. Targeted therapies such as trastuzumab, lapatinib, and bevacizumab have demonstrated significant clinical benefit in the metastatic setting, and trastuzumab has also improved patient outcome as adjuvant therapy in HER2+ breast cancer. Novel chemotherapies are also being developed to improve drug delivery, enhance efficacy, or decrease drug toxicity. These novel cytotoxic agents are being combined with established targeted therapies and are showing early promise for the treatment of patients with advanced breast cancer. Finally, new targeted therapies have shown clinical benefit, either as single agents or in combination with established targeted therapy or chemotherapy.