The role of postoperative radiotherapy in eccrine porocarcinoma: a multidisciplinary systematic review

OBJECTIVE

Eccrine porocarcinoma (EPC) is a malignant adnexal tumor accounting for about 0.005% of skin tumors. The standard treatment of EPC is the complete surgical excision of the primary lesion and of the clinically involved lymph nodes. There is limited evidence regarding the role of radiotherapy (RT) in managing EPC after surgery. Therefore, the aim of this multidisciplinary systematic review is to analyze the available evidence about postoperative RT in the curative treatment of EPC.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A systematic search strategy was launched trough the main scientific databases including PubMed, Scopus and Cochrane. An additional manual search and a chain citation were performed about potentially relevant papers. The key words used for the search included "eccrine porocarcinoma", "porocarcinoma", "radiotherapy", "radiation therapy", "adjuvant radiotherapy" and "postoperative radiotherapy".

RESULTS

A total of 104 publications were identified and 14 papers were included in the final analysis. The only articles found on adjuvant RT in EPC were case reports published between 1996 and 2019. There was a slight female prevalence (57% female/43% male) with a mean age of 65 years (range 37-85). Head-and-neck region was the most frequently involved anatomical site followed by legs.

CONCLUSIONS

Adjuvant radiotherapy after surgical removal of EPC could be considered in cases with positive or close margins and in cases with unfavorable histological features. In view of limited literature data and the rarity of EPC the best treatment sequence should always be discussed within the frame of a multidisciplinary setting.

ADVANCES IN KNOWLEDGE

adjuvant radiotherapy after surgical removal of EPC could be considered in cases with positive or close margins and in cases with unfavorable histological features.

Hyperthermic intrathoracic chemotherapy combined to iterative cytoreductive surgery to treat a pleural carcinosis from psudomixoma peritonei. A case report

Pseudomyxoma peritonei (PMP) is an uncommon disease with locally-invasive attitude. Intrathoracic spread is rarely reported and its management extremely challenging. A 51-year-old Caucasian female presented with left pleural carcinosis 9-months after two sequential abdominal surgical procedures combined with HIPEC for low-grade PMP. Cytoreductive surgery (pleurectomy/decortication) was followed by 60-minutes hyperthermic intrathoracic chemotherapy mitomycin-C (215 mg/m2) infusing at same temperature (42°C) and intrapleural pression (2-4 mmH2O). No intra-operative complication occurred, the post-op stay was uneventful and no sign of recurrence was observed 9-months after surgery. Cytoreductive thoracic surgery and hyperthermic chemotherapy (HITHOC) could be a feasible therapeutic option in very selected cases.

Skin cancer triage and management during COVID-19 pandemic

Linked articles: COVID‐19 SPECIAL FORUM. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol 2020; 34: e241–e255.

Pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors in MEN1 disease: a mono-centric longitudinal and prognostic study

PURPOSE

Multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 (MEN1) is an inherited endocrine neoplastic syndrome associated with a greater risk of endocrine tumor development like pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (p-NET), with different clinical characteristics from sporadic ones. This paper aims to compare clinical, hystological and morphological aspects of p-NET in patients affected from MEN1 (MEN1+) and not-affected ones (MEN1-).

METHODS

We performed a retrospective observational study. Data was collected between December 2010 and December 2015, including patients with a histological diagnosis of p-NET and radiological imaging. We compared clinical, histological, radiological, and prognostic aspects of MEN+ p-NET with MEN-1 p-NET.

RESULTS

Of the 45 patients enrolled, 13 MEN1+ and 21 MEN1- cases were analyzed. Frequency of not secreting p-NETs and insulin secreting p-NETs, histopathological grades and Ki67 expression were superimposable between MEN1+ and MEN1- patients. MEN1+ pNETs are more often multicentric compared to MEN1- pNETs. Frequency of liver and nodes metastatic spread was higher in MEN1- p-NET compared to MEN1+ p-NET. Analyzing p-NET according to the disease outcome, we found that recovered and stable p-NETs in MEN1+ patients, compared to MEN1- cases, are diagnosed at lower age (p = 0.04/p = 0.002) and that are more frequently multifocal lesions (p = 0.009/p = 0.002).

CONCLUSIONS

In our study pNETs in MEN1+ and pNETs in MEN1- don't significantly differ for prognosis but only for clinical features. p-NET stage disease and prognosis can be positively influenced by early diagnosis and screening in index patients' first-degree relatives.

Targeted therapy in advanced gastric carcinoma: the future is beginning

Gastric cancer represents one of the most common cancer worldwide. Unfortunately, the majority of patients present in advanced stage and outcome still remains poor with high mortality rate despite decreasing incidence and new diagnostic and therapeutic strategies. Although utility of classical chemotherapy agents has been widely explored, advances have been slow and the efficacy of these agents has reached a plateau of median overall survival not higher than 12 months. Therefore, researchers focused their attention on better understanding molecular biology of carcinogenesis and deeper knowledge of the cancer cell phenotype, as well on development of rationally designed drugs that would target specific molecular aberrancies in signal transduction pathways. These targets include cell surface receptors, circulating growth and angiogenic factors and other molecules involved in downstream intracellular signaling pathways, including receptor tyrosine kinases. However, therapeutic advances in gastric cancer are not so encouraging when compared to other solid organ malignancies such as breast and colorectal cancer. This article reviews the role of targeted agents in gastric cancer as single-agent therapy or in combination regimens, including their rational and emerging mechanism of action, current and emerging data. We focused our attention mainly on published phase III studies, therefore cornerstone clinical trials with trastuzumab and bevacizumab have been largely discussed. Phase III studies presented in important international meetings are also reviewed as well phase II published studies and promising new therapies investigated in preclinical or phase I studies. Today, in first-line treatment only trastuzumab has shown significantly increased survival in combination with chemotherapy, whereas ramucirumab as single agent resulted effective in progressing patients, but - despite several disappointing results - these are the proof of principle that targeting the proper molecular aberration is the best way for implementing outcome of therapy.

KRAS mutational status affects oxaliplatin-based chemotherapy independently from basal mRNA ERCC-1 expression in metastatic colorectal cancer patients

Background:

In this study, we evaluated the possibility that KRAS mutational status might be predictive of oxaliplatin (OXA) efficacy. We also explored the role of excision repair cross complementing group-1 (ERCC-1).

Methods:

Ninety anti-epidermal growth factor receptor-naive advanced colorectal cancer patients were retrospectively analysed. In all patients KRAS mutational status was assessed. In 60 patients mRNA ERCC-1 expression was also investigated. Response rate (RR) and progression-free survival (PFS) after FOLFOX-6±bevacizumab were evaluated according to KRAS status and mRNA ERCC-1 expression.

Results:

Among 90 patients 47% wild-type (wt) and 53% mutated (mt) KRAS tumours were found. Response rate was 26% in the wt KRAS group, whereas it was 56% in the mt KRAS group; the difference is statistically significant in the total sample (P=0.008) and when only patients receiving FOLFOX-6±bevacizumab as first-line are considered (P=0.01). Progression-free survival was longer in mt than in wt KRAS patients over all patients (10 vs 8 months, respectively, P=0.001) and in those treated as first-line (10 vs 8 months, respectively, P=0.0069). Mt KRAS patients experienced a longer survival (24 vs 18 months; P=0.01). ERCC-1 mRNA expression was not found to correlate with FOLFOX activity in our analysis.

Conclusion:

Our results suggest that activating mutation of KRAS oncogene may predict response to OXA. Basal expression of ERCC-1 mRNA does not explain the high efficacy of FOLFOX-6 in mt KRAS patients.

Final analysis of colorectal cancer patients treated with irinotecan and 5-fluorouracil plus folinic acid neoadjuvant chemotherapy for unresectable liver metastases

We have previously reported that neoadjuvant therapy with modified FOLFIRI enabled nearly a third of patients with metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) to undergo surgical resection of liver metastases. Here, we present data from the long-term follow-up of these patients. Forty patients received modified FOLFIRI: irinotecan 180 mg m(-2), day 1; folinic acid, 200 mg m(-2); and 5-fluorouracil: as a 400 mg m(-2) bolus, days 1 and 2, and a 48-h continuous infusion 1200 mg m(-2), from day 1. Treatment was repeated every 2 weeks, with response assessed every six cycles. Resected patients received six further cycles of chemotherapy postoperatively. Nineteen (47.5%) of 40 patients achieved an objective response; 13 (33%) underwent resection. After a median follow-up of 56 months, median survival for all patients was 31.5 months: for non-resected patients, median survival was 24 months and was not reached for resected patients. Median time to progression was 14.3 and 5.2 months for all and non-resected patients, respectively. Median disease-free (DF) survival in resected patients was 52.5 months. At 2 years, all patients were alive (8 DF), and at last follow-up, eight were alive (6 DF). Surgical resection of liver metastases after neoadjuvant treatment with modified FOLFIRI in CRC patients achieved favourable survival times.

SK3 polyglutamine tract polymorphism and acute oxaliplatin neurotoxicity: A translational study

21076

Background: Acute neurotoxicity of l-oxaliplatin (l-OHP), characterized by cold-induced paresthesias, muscle cramps and tightness, seems electrophysiologically related to an abnormal nerve hyperexcitability (NHE) resembling neuromyotonia, an autoimmune disease caused by autoantibodies directed against voltage-gated potassium channels (VGKC). This l-OHP-related channelopathy seems to be reversible, but there is no agreement about the channel involved, most investigators favouring voltage-gated sodium channels. SK3 VGKC are mainly located in the peripheral nervous system and are characterized by an highly polymorphic CAG motif. We hypothesized that SK3 potassium channel dysfunction might be responsible for nerve hyperexcitability in patients treated with l-OHP. Methods: Pts eligible for an l-OHP-containing regimen were enrolled. Detailed neurological examination, nerve conduction studies (NCS) and needle electromyography (EMG) were performed before and after l-OHP administration. Furthermore, a venous blood sample was obtained from each pt in order to perform genetic analysis. Genomic DNA was extracted from pts’ leukocytes and PCR-mediated amplification of the second polyglutamine CAG tract of SK3 gene was carried out; PCR products were analyzed on polyacrylamide gel stained with Ethidium Bromide. Results: We evaluated 20 pts (14M, 6F); mean age was 59 yrs. According to neurophysiologic data it was possible to divide pts into 3 groups: G0 (no symptoms or signs of NHE), 7 pts; G1 (cold induced paresthesias-mild NHE), 8 pts; G2 (muscle cramps-severe NHE), 5 pts. Genetic analysis showed different alleles ranging from 125 to 225 bp. In particular, 75% of pts carrying a 175 bp allele experienced severe acute toxicicy (G2 group), and 15% mild toxicity (G1 group). The 175 bp allele was found only in 1/7 G0 pts (15%); in these pts the alleles distribution was diffusely scattered. Conclusions: Acute and reversible NHE observed in some pts treated with l-OHP might be produced either by an increased sodium conductance or by a decreased activity of VGKC. The high percentage of the 175 bp allele, that we found in the G2 group, induces us to think that the polymorphism at CAG locus of SK3 may be responsible for l-OHP toxicity. Sequence analysis of PCR gene products is ongoing.

No significant financial relationships to disclose.

Predictive role of thymidylate synthase, dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase and thymidine phosphorylase expression in colorectal cancer patients receiving adjuvant 5-fluorouracil

OBJECTIVE

The combined assessment of thymidylate synthase (TS), dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase (DPD) and thymidine phosphorylase (TP) gene expressions in metastatic colorectal cancer has been reported to be able to predict the efficacy of fluoropyrimidine-based chemotherapy. In order to evaluate the prognostic role in the adjuvant setting, we investigated the TS, DPD and TP expression in primary tumors of colorectal cancer patients treated with 5-fluorouracil (5-FU).

METHODS

TS, DPD and TP expression levels were determined by immunohistochemistry in paraffin-embedded primary tumor tissues from 62 patients with Dukes' stage B and C colorectal cancers who underwent surgery and received adjuvant systemic chemotherapy with 5-FU. The median follow-up was 90 months (range 17-127).

RESULTS

Dukes' stage C cancer and high TS expression were independent markers of poor prognosis for disease-free survival (DFS; p = 0.0009 and p = 0.007, respectively) and overall survival (OS; p = 0.0005 and p = 0.011, respectively). By multivariate analysis, patients with high DPD expression had significantly shorter DFS (p = 0.007) and OS (p = 0.005) compared to patients with low DPD expression. In the combined analysis of 2 markers, patients with low TS and low DPD had the best outcome in terms of DFS (p = 0.007) and OS (p = 0.03). The analysis of all 3 proteins showed that the patients with low expression of all 3 markers had significantly longer DFS (p = 0.04) and OS (p = 0.01) than patients with a high value of any one of the protein expressions. However, the joint analysis of 3 markers (group with TS-/DPD-/TP-) could not identify a subgroup of patients with a better prognosis compared to the analysis of 2 markers (group with TS-/DPD-). The analysis of Dukes' stage C cancer patients confirmed a significant benefit in terms of DFS and OS (p = 0.001 and p = 0.006, respectively) when all 3 markers had low expression. We also found a positive significant correlation between TS and TP protein expression (p = 0.033).

CONCLUSIONS

This retrospective investigation suggests that the combined assessment of TS and DPD may be useful to evaluate the prognosis of patients with Dukes' B and C colon carcinoma receiving 5-FU adjuvant chemotherapy. The role of TP as a predictor for 5-FU-based therapy needs further investigations.

Schedule-dependent activity of 5-fluorouracil and irinotecan combination in the treatment of human colorectal cancer: in vitro evidence and a phase I dose-escalating clinical trial

Several schedules of 5-fluorouracil (FU) and irinotecan (IRI) have been shown to improve overall survival in advanced colorectal cancer (CRC). Preclinical evidence suggests that the sequential administration of IRI and FU produces synergistic activity, although their clinical use has not been fully optimised. We investigated the interaction between short-term exposure to SN-38, the active metabolite of IRI, and prolonged exposure to FU in human CRC HT-29 cells and observed that the synergism of action between the two agents can be increased by extending the time of cell exposure to FU and reducing the interval between administration of the two agents. Based on these findings, we performed a phase I trial in 25 advanced CRC patients using a modified IRI/FU regimen as first-line therapy and evaluated three dose levels of IRI (150-300 mg/m(2)) and two of continuous infusion of FU (800-1000 mg/m(2)) in a 3-weekly schedule. The most severe grade III-IV toxicities were neutropoenia in four cycles and diarrhoea in three. One patient achieved complete response (4%), 12 a partial response (48%), the overall response rate was 52% (+/-20, 95% CI); seven of 25 patients had stable disease (28%), the overall disease control was 80% (+/-16, 95% CI). This modified IRI/FU schedule is feasible and exhibits potentially interesting clinical activity.

Long-term follow-up of colorectal cancer (CRC) patients treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy with irinotecan and fluorouracil plus folinic acid (5-FU/FA) for unresectable liver metastases

3576

Background: In a prospective study, neoadjuvant therapy with irinotecan and 5-FU/FA (modified FOLFIRI) enabled a significant proportion of CRC patients (pts) with initially unresectable liver metastases (LM) to undergo potentially curative surgical resection (Annals of Oncology 15:933–939, 2004). Here we report data on survival and time to progression (TTP) from long-term follow-up. Methods: Forty patients received irinotecan 180 mg/m2 IV on day 1, FA 200 mg/m2 IV on days 1 and 2, 5-FU IV bolus 400 mg/m2 on days 1 and 2, and 5-FU 48-h continuous IV infusion 1200 mg/m2 on day 1. Treatment was repeated every 2 wks, with response assessed every 12 wks (6 cycles), and continued until an objective response (OR), indicating suitability for surgery, disease progression, or unacceptable toxicity. Pts undergoing liver resection received a further 6 cycles postoperatively. Results: Nineteen (47.5%) of 40 pts had OR; 13 (33%) underwent resection. Treatment was well tolerated, with adverse events typical of agents used. As of June 30, 2005, median follow up was 30.4 months (mo). Median survival for all pts was 30.1 mo; median survival in nonresected pts was 24 mo, and overall survival (OS) in resected pts was not reached. TTP was 14.3 mo for all pts and 5.2 mo for nonresected pts. Disease-free (DF) survival in resected pts was 28.2 mo. Of resected pts, all were alive and 9 were DF at 1 y, all were alive and 6 were DF at 2 y, and 9 were alive and 6 DF at last follow-up. Conclusion: Surgical resection of LM after neoadjuvant treatment with modified FOLFIRI in CRC pts was followed by favorable DF and OS times. These data encourage use of irinotecan in pts with unresectable LM. Forthcoming studies should include arms with irinotecan-based combination regimens.

[Table: see text]

Nevirapine restores hormone sensitivity in undifferentiated androgen-refractory prostate carcinoma cells

13149

Background: The majority of prostate carcinomas are hormone-dependent tumors and androgen deprivation is the mainstay of therapy for advanced prostate cancer. However, androgen deprivation is ineffective on intermediate androgen-independent cells that are responsible for the hormone-refractory prostate cancer progression. Furthermore, other signaling pathways - i.e. EGF - can provide additional molecular mechanisms contributing to androgen-independent tumor progression. Reverse transcriptase (RT) inhibitors represent differentiating agents able to induce a reprogramming of gene expression in several human tumor cell models. Indeed, nevirapine and efavirenz, two widely used RT inhibitors, block the activity of endogenous RT, a gene highly expressed in tumor cells. Methods: We evaluated the ability of nevirapine to antagonize tumor growth and induce hormone sensitivity in androgen-independent human prostate tumor PC-3 cells either in vitro or in vivo. Results: Nevirapine induced the expression of several molecular markers of an androgen-dependent phenotype, such androgen receptor (AR), PSA and K18 and a reduced expression of K5, a marker of the intermediate-cell phenotype. Indeed, nevirapine enhanced the ability of prostate tumor cells to up-regulate AR in response to dihidrotestosterone. Moreover, the pharmacological inhibition of RT resulted in a significant reprogramming of gene expression, characterized by down-regulation of the notch family receptors, the EGFR1, the VEGF receptor KDR, the FGF family receptors, as well as the angiogenic factors VEGF and FGF1. Interestingly, this exocrine differentiated phenotype correlated with a reversible inhibition of cell proliferation and migration in response to nevirapine. Furthermore, the treatment of mice xenografts of prostate carcinoma cells with efavirenz and nevirapine resulted in the inhibition of tumor growth and in a reduced tumorigenic potential of cells. Conclusions: These findings suggest that RT inhibition is able to convert the androgen-independent intermediate-cell phenotype into an androgen-dependent exocrine luminal phenotype and support the need for clinical trials to test the ability of RT inhibitors and LH-RH analogs in androgen-independent prostate tumors.

No significant financial relationships to disclose.

Multimodality treatment of non small cells lung cancer (NSCLC) brain metastases: Long term outcome

17046

Background: Lung cancer is the most common cause of cancer deaths and has the highest incidence for brain metastases of all malignancies. The prognosis of these patients (pts) remain poor with a median survival of 4–5 months. Whole brain radiation therapy (WBRT) in inoperable brain metastases prolongs survival to 3–5 months. In pts with 1 or ≤ 3 brain metastases neurosurgical resection improves median survival to 3.5–8 months. The aim of this study was to evaluate the long-term outcome of patients with brain metastases from NSCLC treated with multimodal strategy, including systemic chemotherapy, neurosurgery and radiotherapy. Methods: From 1997 to 2005, 56 pts were considered. Inclusion criteria were: single or multiple NSCLC brain metastases suitable of surgery; Karnofsky performance status ≥ 70%; controlled extracranial disease with Cisplatin-based chemotherapy; life expectancy > 4 months. Surgery was followed by 40 Gy WBRT. Statistical analysis was performed using the Kaplan-Meier method and Cox-regression analysis. Results: The median age was 58.4 years. The histological types were adenocarcinoma in 35 pts (62.5%), squamous cell carcinoma in 11 pts (19.7%) and large cell carcinoma in 10 pts (17.8%). The lesions were single in 39/56 pts (69.6%) and multiple in the other pts (30.4%). Radical surgery was performed in 37 pts (66%), while surgical citoreduction was possible in 19 pts (34%). The median follow-up period was 22.12 months (range 2–90 months). Overall survival (OS) of the whole group was 12.8 months; OS of pts radically resected was 16.5 months while OS of pts partially resected was 7.2 months. Based on Cox-regression analysis, age < 65 years and radical resection were independent predictors of survival (respectively p = 0.004–95% CI 1.46–7.6 and p = 0.04–95% CI 1.03–4.97), while the number of lesions was not relevant in terms of OS. Conclusions: Analysis of long-term outcome seems to confirm that the combined treatment of NSCLC brain metastases is a primary therapeutic option. In our series of 56 patients, radical surgery, not the number of metastases, was related with prolonged survival. Further randomized studies comparing surgery+WBRT vs gamma-knife-radiosurgery could define the best therapeutic option in the different subsets of pts.

No significant financial relationships to disclose.

S100A13, a new marker of angiogenesis in human astrocytic gliomas

S100 proteins are Ca(2+)-binding polypeptides involved in the tumourigenesis of several human neoplasms. S100A13 is a key regulator of the stress-dependent release of FGF1, the prototype of the FGF protein family involved in angiogenesis. Indeed, S100A13 is a copper binding protein able to enhance the export of FGF1 in response to stress in vitro and to induce the formation of a multiprotein aggregate responsible for FGF1 release. We investigated the expression of S100A13 in human astrocytic gliomas in relation to tumour grading and vascularization. A series of 26 astrocytic gliomas was studied to evaluate microvessel density and to assess FGF1, S100A13 and VEGF-A expression. FGF1 was equally expressed in the vast majority of tumours, whereas S100A13 and VEGF-A were significantly up-regulated in high-grade vascularized gliomas. Moreover, both S100A13 and VEGF-A expression significantly correlated with microvessel density and tumour grading. These data suggest that the up-regulation of S100A13 and VEGF-A expression correlates with the activation of angiogenesis in high-grade human astrocytic gliomas.

Neoadjuvant treatment of unresectable liver disease with irinotecan and 5-fluorouracil plus folinic acid in colorectal cancer patients

BACKGROUND

The aim of this study was to observe the effects of neoadjuvant therapy with irinotecan and 5-fluorouracil (5-FU)/folinic acid (FA) on the resection rate and survival of colorectal cancer patients with initially unresectable hepatic metastases.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Forty patients received neoadjuvant chemotherapy comprising irinotecan 180 mg/m(2) administered intravenously (i.v.) on day 1, FA 200 mg/m(2) i.v. on days 1 and 2, 5-FU 400 mg/m(2) i.v. bolus on days 1 and 2, and 5-FU 1200 mg/m(2) as a continuous 48-h i.v. infusion on day 1. The treatment was repeated every 2 weeks and response was assessed every 12 weeks (six cycles).

RESULTS

The objective response rate to chemotherapy was 47.5% (n = 19), with two complete responses and disease stabilization in 11 (27.5.%) patients. Responses were unconfirmed for 11 patients undergoing surgery within 2 weeks. Treatment was well tolerated and adverse events were typical of the chemotherapy agents used. Twenty-seven (67.5%) patients reported hematological toxicity (35.0% grade 3/4) and 14 (35.0%) reported gastrointestinal toxicity (12.5% grade 3/4). Thirteen patients (32.5%) underwent potentially curative liver resection following chemotherapy. Chemotherapy was particularly effective in patients with large metastases on entry to the study. The median time to progression is 14.3 months and, at a median follow-up of 19 months, all patients are alive.

CONCLUSIONS

Neoadjuvant therapy with irinotecan combined with 5-FU/FA enabled a significant proportion of patients with initially unresectable liver metastases to undergo surgical resection. The effects of treatment on survival have yet to be determined.

Long-Term Follow-Up of a Pilot Phase II Study with Neoadjuvant Epidoxorubicin, Etoposide and Cisplatin in Gastric Cancer

OBJECTIVE

The prognosis in T3-T4 or N+ gastric cancer is dismal, and the role of adjuvant therapy remains uncertain. Neoadjuvant chemotherapy could improve both resectability and survival. Here, we report the results of the long-term follow-up of a pilot study aimed at evaluating a neoadjuvant treatment in a group of patients carefully staged by computed tomography (CT), endoscopic ultrasound and laparoscopy.

METHODS

Twenty-five stage II-III patients with histologically proven gastric adenocarcinoma were enrolled in the study. All patients gave informed consent and were thoroughly staged. Patients were treated with epidoxorubicin (40 mg/m2 i.v.) on days 1 and 4, etoposide (VP-16; 100 mg/m2) on days 1, 3 and 4 and cisplatinum (80 mg/m2) on day 2, every 21-28 days for 3 pre-operative cycles before CT clinical restaging followed by laparotomy and D2 gastrectomy. Three further cycles of chemotherapy were planned after radical surgery.

RESULTS

Twenty-four patients received the planned pre-operative chemotherapy and underwent surgical resection; total (13 patients) or subtotal (7 patients) R0 D2 gastrectomy was possible in 20 patients. One patient died as a result of gastric bleeding. Perioperative complications occurred in 5 patients (failure of anastomosis in 1 patient and wound infection in the other 4). The pathologic response rate included 7 partial responses (29.1%) and 10 patients with stable disease (41.7%). The main toxicity was grade 3/4 neutropenia (68%), which occurred more frequently during the postoperative chemotherapy, and fatigue (68%). Fever or infection, however, were never observed. The median disease-free survival was 37 months, and median survival has not been reached after 40 months of median follow-up. One-, 2- and 3-year survival rates were 80, 64 and 60%, respectively.

CONCLUSION

The notable long-term survival in the present study suggests a comparison between the neoadjuvant approach, including new drug combinations, and adjuvant chemo- or chemoradio-therapy in locally advanced gastric cancer.

Weekly gemcitabine and 24-hour infusional 5-fluorouracil in advanced pancreatic cancer: a phase I-II study

OBJECTIVE

In this phase I-II study we explored the potential of the combination of weekly gemcitabine (GEM) and 24-hour continuous infusion of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) in order to determine the toxicity profile in pancreatic cancer. The efficacy of this drug combination was studied as a secondary endpoint.

METHODS

Twenty-one patients with histologically or cytologically proven unresectable or metastatic previously untreated pancreatic adenocarcinoma were included in this study. Two dose levels of GEM and two dose levels of 5-FU were evaluated in three cohorts of patients who received GEM 1,000 mg/m(2) and 5-FU 2,000 mg/m(2), GEM 1,200 mg/m(2) and 5-FU 2,000 mg/m(2), or GEM 1,200 mg/m(2) and 5-FU 2,250 mg/m(2), on days 1, 8, and 15, every 4 weeks, respectively.

RESULTS

Grade 3-4 neutropenia was observed in 10% of the cycles. Non-myelosuppressive toxicities included fatigue (22%), grade 1-2 diarrhea (12%) and grade 1 liver toxicity. There was no limiting toxicity and the maximum tolerated dose has not been reached. Two patients experienced a partial response (9.5 +/- 12.6%) and 12 patients had stable disease (57.1 +/- 21.2%). Seven of the 14 symptomatic patients improved their disease-related symptoms and 4 of the 8 patients evaluable for clinical benefit had a clinically beneficial response (50 +/- 34.6%). The median progression-free survival was 6 months (range 2-28), median survival was 11 months (range 3-32+), and the actuarial 1-year survival rate 33%.

CONCLUSION

The weekly administration of GEM combined with 24-hour continuous infusion of 5-FU shows a good safety profile at the dose levels evaluated. Some partial responses had also been achieved, disregarding the dose level of the two drugs. Survival confirms the activity of this drug combination.

Direct effects of GnRH agonists in human hormone-sensitive endometrial cells

The antiproliferative effect of two GnRH agonists (leuprorelin acetate and triptorelin), alone or combined with tamoxifen (TAM) or medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA), on human estrogen-sensitive endometrial cancer cells (Ishikawa) was investigated. Although ineffective when tested alone in all the culture conditions used, both analogues counteracted or even suppressed the estrogen-stimulated growth of Ishikawa cells. The antiestrogenic effect of TAM or MPA was not modified by their association with high doses of the GnRH analogues, but low concentrations of triptorelin combined with MPA 10(-7) M determined a reduction in cell numbers which was greater than that obtained with the progestin or the analogue alone. In addition, analogue treatment prevented the estrogen-induced decrease in the level of estrogen receptors. Our data provide evidence that GnRH agonists can directly inhibit estrogen-stimulated endometrial cancer cell growth and suggest that they may interfere with steroid-receptor machinery.

Reduced expression and altered subcellular localization of the cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor p27(Kip1) in human colon cancer

The p27(Kip1) protein is a negative regulator of the cell cycle and a potential tumor suppressor gene. Reduced expression of the p27(Kip1) protein has been reported in several human tumors and has been associated with higher tumor grade and increased mortality in breast, lung, colon, prostate, bladder, and gastric cancers. On the other hand, increased expression of the p27(Kip1) protein, in the absence of gene mutation, has been observed in primary colon and breast cancers. It was recently suggested that sequestration in the cytoplasm might be an alternative way to inactivate p27(Kip1)-associated inhibitory activity. This study was undertaken to further evaluate p27(Kip1) expression in primary colon tumors and to verify whether differences exist between normal and cancer tissues in terms of subcellular localization of this protein. Both normal and neoplastic tissues expressed variable amounts of the p27(Kip1) protein, as assessed by western blot analyses. Although the mean values were not different between tumor and normal mucosa samples, the expression of total p27(Kip1) was reduced in a subset of tumors. Decreased levels of total p27(Kip1) were associated with high tumor grade (P=0.03) and stage (P=0.04). Moreover, while there was no significant difference in nuclear p27(Kip1), the amount of p27(Kip1) in the cytoplasmic fraction was significantly higher in the tumor samples than in the normal mucosa samples (P=0.0001). These results suggest that p27(Kip1) expression is lost in a subset of colorectal tumors and that alterations in the subcellular localization of this protein might play a role in colon carcinogenesis.

Reduced expression and altered subcellular localization of the cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor p27(Kip1) in human colon cancer

The p27(Kip1) protein is a negative regulator of the cell cycle and a potential tumor suppressor gene. Reduced expression of the p27(Kip1) protein has been reported in several human tumors and has been associated with higher tumor grade and increased mortality in breast, lung, colon, prostate, bladder, and gastric cancers. On the other hand, increased expression of the p27(Kip1) protein, in the absence of gene mutation, has been observed in primary colon and breast cancers. It was recently suggested that sequestration in the cytoplasm might be an alternative way to inactivate p27(Kip1)-associated inhibitory activity. This study was undertaken to further evaluate p27(Kip1) expression in primary colon tumors and to verify whether differences exist between normal and cancer tissues in terms of subcellular localization of this protein. Both normal and neoplastic tissues expressed variable amounts of the p27(Kip1) protein, as assessed by western blot analyses. Although the mean values were not different between tumor and normal mucosa samples, the expression of total p27(Kip1) was reduced in a subset of tumors. Decreased levels of total p27(Kip1) were associated with high tumor grade (P=0.03) and stage (P=0.04). Moreover, while there was no significant difference in nuclear p27(Kip1), the amount of p27(Kip1) in the cytoplasmic fraction was significantly higher in the tumor samples than in the normal mucosa samples (P=0.0001). These results suggest that p27(Kip1) expression is lost in a subset of colorectal tumors and that alterations in the subcellular localization of this protein might play a role in colon carcinogenesis.

Direct antiproliferative effect of triptorelin on human breast cancer cells

We investigated the effect of Triptorelin (Decapeptyl, DEC) alone or combined with Tamoxifen (TAM) or Medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA) in human breast cancer cells. DEC did not affect the growth of estrogen-insensitive MDA-MB-231 cells, while it inhibited the estrogen-stimulated proliferation of MCF-7 and CG-5 cells. No amplification of growth inhibition induced by TAM or MPA was determined by DEC. Progesterone receptor levels of CG-5 cells were significantly enhanced by DEC in the presence of 17 beta-estradiol (E2) with respect to those in control and E2-treated cells.