Clinical outcome of Turkish metastatic breast cancer patients with currently available treatment modalities--single center experience

D-Dimer: A Potential Solution to Problems of Cancer Screening, Surveillance, and Prognosis Assessment

Research has established a direct link between the plasma level of D-dimer and underlying malignancy. D-dimer has a strong association with the detection and prognosis of several cancers. For these reasons, this literature review aimed to evaluate the usefulness of elevated D-dimer levels in the initial screening of cancer, cancer recurrence surveillance, and for use as a cancer prognostic tool. A search of PubMed up to February 1, 2021, was carried out by reviewers. This literature review includes studies investigating the relationship between pretreatment plasma D-dimer levels and cancer. From the findings, pretreatment D-dimer levels can assist with cancer screening and prognosis assessment. Pretreatment plasma D-dimer levels can function as an effective cancer recurrence control. Elevated pre-treatment plasma D-dimer concentration is valuable in facilitating cancer screening, predicting an augmented risk of cancer recurrence, and anticipating a worse cancer prognosis.

The association of D-dimer with clinicopathological features of breast cancer and its usefulness in differential diagnosis: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Background

Studies have shown that D-dimer levels are significantly correlated with the differential diagnosis and clinicopathological features of breast cancer. However, the results are currently limited and controversial. Therefore, we performed this meta-analysis to evaluate the relationship between D-dimer levels and breast cancer.

Materials and methods

The PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Chinese Biomedical Literature, and Wanfang databases were searched to find studies that assessed the association of D-dimer with clinicopathological features of breast cancer and its usefulness in aiding with differential diagnosis. The standardized mean difference (SMD) was applied as the correlation measure.

Results

A total of 1244 patients with breast cancer from 15 eligible studies were included in the meta-analysis. D-dimer levels were higher in the breast cancer group than in the benign (SMD = 1.02; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.53–1.52) and healthy (SMD = 1.27; 95% CI = 0.85–1.68) control groups. In addition, elevated D-dimer levels were associated with progesterone receptor-negative tumors (SMD = -0.25; 95% CI = -0.44–-0.05). Similarly, there was a significant correlation between D-dimer levels and tumor node metastasis staging (n = 11, SMD = 0.82; 95% CI = 0.57–1.06) and lymph node involvement (n = 8, SMD = 0.79; 95% CI = 0.50–1.09). In contrast, other clinicopathological factors, including estrogen receptor expression and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 expression, were not associated with D-dimer levels.

Conclusion

The results of this meta-analysis indicate that plasma D-dimer levels can be used as an important reference for the early identification and staging of breast cancer.

Plasma d-dimer level correlated with advanced breast carcinoma in female patients

Background

Advanced breast cancer is a common disease among female in the world. There is a correlation between cancer and hyper coagulation. In a cancer state, there is an increase in the level of cross-linked fibrin degradation product (d-dimer)which indicates systemic activation of fibrinolysis and hemostasis. So, there is a relation between increase d-dimer value and advanced breast disease.

Objective

To confirm the relation between increase d-dimer levels and advanced breast carcinoma in female patients.

Patients and methods

A prospective study (cohort study) done in Baghdad teaching hospital (department of surgery) from Jan 2014 to Jan 2016. Seventy patients were categorized intotwo equal groups, group 1 with breast carcinoma, group 2 with benign breast tumor. Plasma d-dimer levels compared for each group, and in relation to (tumor size, stage, grade, lympho-vascular invasion, and lymph nodes involvement).

Results

D-dimer level was normal in group two (<0.25) mg/l and high in group one in other words, d-dimer level was increasing in advanced breast carcinoma group with enlarge tumor size, high stage, grade, lympho-vascular invasion and lymph nodes involvement.

Conclusions

Plasma d-dimer levels was good prognostic factor in breast carcinoma specially in advanced breast carcinoma and its considered factor clinical stage progression lympho-vascular invasion and metastasis.

Thirty-Year Trends of Survival and Time-Varying Effects of Prognostic Factors in Patients With Metastatic Breast Cancer-A Single Institution Experience

BACKGROUND

Metastatic breast cancer is generally considered an incurable disease. In our study we aimed to detect a time trend of survival over the past 30 years and account for time-varying effects of the prognostic factors.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

A total of 446 patients diagnosed with breast cancer at Saint Vincent de Paul Hospital, Lille, France between 1977 and 2013 who developed metastatic disease after a disease-free interval longer than 3 months and were followed-up for outcome. Data were analyzed using the Cox proportional hazards model and presented as hazard ratios (HRs).

RESULTS

A monotonic time trend of survival was detected: a 2.6% lower risk of death for each increasing year over the past 30 years. Three prognostic factors had time-varying effects; the liver first metastasis (HR during the first 16 months of follow-up: 2.26; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.65-3.11), the bone first metastasis (HR during the first 24 months of follow-up: 0.56; 95% CI, 0.43-0.74), and the disease-free interval (HR during the first 16 months of follow-up: 0.90; 95% CI, 0.85-0.95). The brain first metastasis, multiple first metastases, the lymph node ratio, and estrogen receptor status had a constant effect over time.

CONCLUSION

In our study we detected a constant time trend of improvement in prognosis of metastatic breast cancer patients over the past 30 years and identified prognostic factors with time-varying effects.

Prognostic factors for resection of isolated pulmonary metastases in breast cancer patients: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Lung is a common organ of metastases in patients with primary breast cancer. Pulmonary metastasis of primary breast cancer is usually considered as a systemic disease, however, the systemic approaches have achieved little progress in terms of prolonging survival time. In contrast, some studies revealed a probable survival benefit of pulmonary metastasectomy for such patients. However, the prognostic factor for pulmonary metastasectomy in breast cancer patients is still a controversial issue. The aim of this study was to conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis of cohort studies to assess the pooled 5-year overall survival (OS) rate and the prognostic factors for pulmonary metastasectomy from breast cancer.

METHODS

An electronic search in MEDLINE (via PubMed), EMBASE (via OVID), CENTRAL (via Cochrane Library), and Chinese BioMedical Literature Database (CBM) complemented by manual searches in article references were conducted to identify eligible studies. All cohort studies in which survival and/or prognostic factors for pulmonary metastasectomy from breast cancer were reported were included in the analysis. We calculated the pooled 5-year survival rates, identified the prognostic factors for OS and combined the hazard ratios (HRs) of the identified prognostic factors.

RESULTS

Sixteen studies with a total of 1937 patients were included in this meta-analysis. The pooled 5-year survival rates after pulmonary metastasectomy was 46% [95% confidence interval (95% CI): 43-49%]. The poor prognostic factors were disease-free interval (DFI) (<3 years) with HR =1.70 (95% CI: 1.37-2.10), resection of metastases (incomplete) with HR =2.06 (95% CI: 1.63-2.62), No. of pulmonary metastases (>1) with HR =1.31 (95% CI: 1.13-1.50) and the hormone receptor status of metastases (negative) with HR =2.30 (95% CI: 1.43-3.70).

CONCLUSIONS

Surgery with a relatively high 5-year OS rate after pulmonary metastasectomy (46%), may be a promising treatment for pulmonary metastases in the breast cancer patients with a good performance status and limited disease. The main poor prognostic factors were DFI (<3 years), resection of metastases (incomplete), No. of pulmonary metastasis (>1) and hormone receptor status of metastases (negative). And prospective randomized trials will be needed to address these issues in the future.

Systemic analysis on risk factors for breast cancer related lymphedema

BACKGROUND

To evaluate risk factors for upper extremity lymphedema due to breast cancer surgery.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Clinical studies published on PubMed, Ovid, EMbase, and Cochrane Library from January 1996 to December 2012 were selected.

RESULTS

Twenty-five studies were identified, including 12,104 patients. Six risk factors related to the incidence of lymphedema after breast cancer treatment were detected: axillary lymph node dissection (OR=3.73, 95%CI 1.16 to 11.96), postoperative complications (OR=2.64, 95%CI 1.10 to 6.30), hypertension (OR=1.83, 95%CI 1.38 to 2.42), high body mass index (OR=1.80, 95%CI 1.30 to 2.49), chemotherapy (OR=1.38, 95%CI 1.07 to 1.79) and radiotherapy (OR=1.35, 95%CI 1.10 to 1.66). We found significant protective factors for lymphedema: pathologic T classification (OR=0.57, 95%CI 0.36 to 0.91) and stage (OR=0.60, 95%CI 0.39 to 0.93), while some factors, like age, number of positive lymph nodes, number of lymph node dissection, demonstrated no obvious correlation.

CONCLUSIONS

Axillary lymph node dissection, postoperative complications, hypertension, body mass index, chemotherapy, radiotherapy are risk factors for lymphedema after breast cancer treatment. Attention should be paid to patients with risk factors to prevent the occurrence of lymphedema.

Trastuzumab-based Retreatment after Lapatinib in Heavily Pretreated HER2 Positive Metastatic Breast Cancer: an Anatolian Society of Medical Oncology Study

BACKGROUND

For HER2 positive metastatic breast cancer (MBC), continuing anti-HER2 therapy beyond progression is associated with improved outcome. However retreatment with trastuzumab after lapatinib progression is controversial. We retrospectively analyzed the efficacy of trastuzumab-based chemotherapy in HER2+ metastatic breast cancer patients whose disease progressed after lapatinib.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Between October 2010 and May 2013, 54 patients whose disease progressed after lapatinib were retreated with trastuzumab-based chemotherapy. Efficacy and toxicity results were evaluated retrospectively.

RESULTS

The median age of patients was 46 (range 27-67). Fourteen patients (26%) had metastases at the time of diagnosis. All of the patients had received trastuzumab in an adjuvant or metastatic setting, while 16 (30%) had received two lines of trastuzumab. All patients had received lapatinib plus capecitabine. The median chemotherapy line for the metastatic setting was 2 (range 1-7). Cranial metastases were identified in 27 (50%) patients. 53 patients received trastuzumab-based chemotherapy following lapatinib progression while one patient received trastuzumab monotherapy. Combination chemotherapy consisted of navelbin (n=33), taxane (n=10), gemcitabine (n=2), platinum (n=2) and platinum with taxane (n=6). The median treatment cycle was 5 (range 1-44). Among 49 patients assessed for response 2 (4%) showed CR, 12 (25%) PR, 11 (22%) SD and 24 (49%) disease progression. Asymptomatic cardiotoxicity was reported in 2 (4%) of the patients. At a median follow-up of 9 months (1-39), median progression-free survival was 5 months (95% CI 4.1-5.9) and median overall survival was 10 months (95% CI 6.9-13.0). PFS and OS were not affected by the absence/presence of cranial metastases.

CONCLUSIONS

Retreatment with trastuzumab-based therapy after lapatinib progression showed efficacy in heavily treated MBC patients.

A systemic analysis on pemetrexed in treating patients with breast cancer

BACKGROUND

This systemic analysis was conducted to evaluate the efficacy and safety of pemetrexed based chemotherapy in treating patients with metastatic breast cancer as first or second line chemotherapy.

METHODS

Clinical studies evaluating the efficacy and safety of pemetrexed based regimens on response and safety for patients with breast cancer were identified using a predefined search strategy. Pooled response rate (RR) of treatment were calculated.

RESULTS

In first line pemetrexed based regimens, 10 clinical studies which including 513 patients with advanced breast cancer were considered eligible for inclusion. For second line pemetrexed based chemotherapy, 5 clinical studies which including 281 patients with advanced breast cancer were considered eligible. Systemic analysis suggested that, in all patients, pooled RR was 32.6% (167/513) in pemetrexed based first line regimens, and 13.9 % (39/281) in pemetrexed based second line regimens. Major adverse effects were neutropenia, leukopenia, fatigue, and anemia in pemetrexed based first line treatment; and lymphopenia, neutropenia, leukopenia, as well as anemia in second line chemotherapy. One treatment related death occurred with pemetrexed based second line treatment.

CONCLUSION

This systemic analysis suggests that pemetrexed based first line regimens are associated with a reasonable response rate and acceptable toxicity, however with low response rate for treating patients with metastatic breast cancer when is used in the second line.

Investigation of antitumor effects of sorafenib and lapatinib alone and in combination on MCF-7 breast cancer cells

BACKGROUND

Breast cancer evolution and tumor progression are controlled by complex interactions between steroid receptors and growth factor receptor signaling. Aberrant growth factor receptor signaling can augment or suppress estrogen receptor function in hormone-dependent breast cancer cells. Thus, we aimed to investigate antitumor effects of sorafenib and lapatinib alone and in combination on MCF-7 breast cancer cells.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Cytotoxicity of the sorafenib and lapatinib was tested in MCF-7 cells by XTT assays. 50, 25, 12.5 and 6.25μM concentrations of sorafenib and 200, 100, 50 and 25μM concentrations of lapatinib were administered alone and in combination. Results were evaluated as absorbance at 450nM and IC50 values are calculated according to the absorbance data

RESULTS

Both sorafenib and lapatinib showed concentration dependent cytotoxic effects on MCF-7 cells. Sorafenib exerted cytotoxic effects with an IC50 value of 32.0μM; in contrast with lapatinib the IC50 was 136.6μM. When sorafenib and lapatinib combined, lapatinib increased cytotoxic effects of sorafenib at its ineffective concentrations. Also at the concentrations where both drugs had cytotoxic effects, combination show strong anticancer effects and killed approximately 70 percent of breast cancer cells.

CONCLUSIONS

Combinations of tyrosine kinase inhibitors and cytotoxic agents or molecular targeted therapy has been successful for many types of cancer. The present study shows that both sorafenib and lapatinib alone are effective in the treatment of breast cancer. Also a combination of these two agents may be a promising therapeutic option in treatment of breast cancer.