Abstract P1-03-05: SPARC expression in primary metastatic breast cancer

Aim: To evaluate the prognostic value of the expression of secreted protein acidic and rich in cysteine (SPARC) in primary metastatic breast cancer (PMBC).

Patients and Methods: Fifty-two patients with PMBC diagnosed between 2005 and 2012 at x German centers were retrospectively analyzed for expression of SPARC in tumor cells using an immunoreactive score (IRS) integrating staining intensity and percentage of positive cells (IRS 0-12), and in stroma based on immunohistochemical (IHC) staining intensity only (IHC 0-3+). Association between SPARC expression, tumor characteristics and progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) was analyzed.

Results: Only Her2 expression was associated with expression of SPARC in stroma (p 0.028, OR 13.9 95% 1.3-145.5) but not in tumor cells. SPARC expression in stroma was associated with shorter PFS (hazard ratio (HR) 2.6; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.2-5.4; p 0.014), but not in tumor cells and shorter OS (HR 4.1; 95% CI 1.04-16; p 0.041) for SPARC expression in stroma of breast tumor. No clear association between expression of SPARC in tumor cells and outcome could be detected.

Conclusion: Only SPARC expression in stroma might be associated with shorter PFS and OS in patients with PMBC. This finding is in line with the known key role of expression of SPARC in the metastastatic process. Confirmation in prospective clinical trials is warranted.

Citation Format: Barinoff J, Brandi C, Thill M, Heinrichs C, Mensah J, Weikel W, Fisseler-Eckhoff A, Sinn P, Meyer A-S, Traut A, Schneeweiss A. SPARC expression in primary metastatic breast cancer. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Thirty-Eighth Annual CTRC-AACR San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium: 2015 Dec 8-12; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2016;76(4 Suppl):Abstract nr P1-03-05.

Prognostic Factors for Local, Loco-regional and Systemic Recurrence in Early-stage Breast Cancer

Aim: The risk of recurrence in breast cancer depends on factors such as treatment but also on the intrinsic subtype. We analyzed the risk factors for local, loco-regional and systemic recurrence, evaluated the differences and analyzed the risk of recurrence for different molecular subtypes. Material and Methods: A total of 3054 breast cancer patients who underwent surgery followed by adjuvant treatment at HSK hospital or Essen Mitte Hospital between 1998 and 2011 were analyzed. Based on immunohistochemical parameters, cancers were divided into the following subgroups: luminal A, luminal B (HER2-), luminal B (HER2+), HER2+ and TNBC (triple negative breast cancer). Results: 67 % of tumors were classified as luminal A, 13 % as luminal B (HER2-), 6 % as luminal B (HER2+), 3 % as HER2+ and 11 % as TNBC. After a median follow-up time of 6.6 years there were 100 local (3.3 %), 32 loco-regional (1 %) and 248 distant recurrences (8 %). Five-year recurrence-free survival for the overall patient collective was 92 %. On multivariate analysis, positive nodal status, TNBC subtype and absence of radiation therapy were found to be independent risk factors for all forms of recurrence. Age < 50 years, tumor size, luminal B (HER2-) subtype and breast-conserving therapy were additional risk factors for local recurrence. Compared to the luminal A subtype, the risk of systemic recurrence was higher for all other subtypes; additional risk factors for systemic recurrence were lymphatic invasion, absence of systemic therapy and mastectomy. Conclusion: Overall, the risk of local and loco-regional recurrence was low. In addition to nodal status, subgroup classification was found to be an important factor affecting the risk of recurrence.

Additional prognostic value of lymph node ratio over pN staging in different breast cancer subtypes based on the results of 1,656 patients

PURPOSE

Although the impact of lymph node ratio (LNR: ratio of metastatic to resected LNs) in breast cancer (BC) has been investigated, its prognostic value in molecular subtypes remains unclear. Our aim was to evaluate the impact of LNR compared to pN-stage in BC subtypes.

PATIENTS/METHODS

We analyzed the impact of LNR and pN-stage on disease-free (DFS) and overall survival (OS) in 1,656 patients with primary BC who underwent primary axillary surgery (removal of ≥10 LNs) between 1998 and 2011. The cut-off points for LNR were previously published. Using immunohistochemical parameters tumors were grouped in luminalA, luminalB/HER2-, luminalB/HER2+, HER2+ and triple negative (TNBC).

RESULTS

For the entire cohort 5/10-year DFS and OS rates were 88/77% and 88/75%, respectively. LNR and pN-stage were independent prognostic parameters for DFS/OS in multivariate analysis in the entire cohort and each molecular subgroup (p < 0.001). However, increasing LNR seemed to discriminated 10-year DFS slightly better than pN-stage in luminalA (intermediate/high LNR 65/44% versus pN2/pN3 71/53%), luminalB/HER2- (intermediate/high LNR 48/24% versus pN2/pN3 41/42%), and TNBC patients (intermediate/high LNR 49/24% versus pN2/pN3 56/33%).

CONCLUSIONS

LNR is an important prognostic parameter for DFS/OS and might provide potentially more information than pN-stage in different molecular subtypes.

Sexual Function, Sexual Activity and Quality of Life in Women with Ovarian and Endometrial Cancer

Background: Gynecological cancer (GC) is assumed to have an impact on sexual function and activity, but pertinent evidence is currently limited. Patients and Methods: Sexual function and activity were investigated in patients with gynecological cancer (GC) and in a control group (C), using the "Sexual Activity Questionnaire" (SAQ), the "Female Sexual Function Index" (FSFI), and parts of the EORTC QLQ-C30. Results: 727 women (335 GC and 392 C) were given a questionnaire and 22.8 % of them responded. Response rates were equivalent for both groups (23.6 % [GC] and 22.2 % [C]). 51.5 % (C) and 59.5 % (GC) were not sexually active, mainly owing to lack of a partner (37 %) or lack of interest (21 %) (C group), and lack of interest (40 %, p < 0.05), physical problems (31.9 %, p < 0.05), and physical problems suffered by their partner (21 %, p < 0.05) (GC group). There were significant differences between both groups in the SAQ discomfort score (p < 0.05), but no significant differences in quality of life or other scores for sexuality. Conclusion: The quality of sexuality tends to be impaired in GC patients, but this does not appear to influence quality of life. A shift in priorities caused by the considerable anxiety about surviving the cancer might explain our findings.

Chemotherapy for 70-Year-Old Women with Breast Cancer in Germany: A Survey by the German Breast Group

Aim: Around half of all women in Germany with breast cancer are older than 65 and approximately one third of them is older than 70 years of age. In theory, the preferred therapeutic management of women with breast cancer aged 65 and above corresponds to that formulated for younger patients and complies with the S3 Guidelines and the therapy recommendations formulated by AGO. To study the current therapies used to treat women with breast cancer aged 70 and above in Germany, a survey of the clinics of the German Breast Group (GBG) was done. Method: An online survey was carried out with requests sent to 599 physicians registered as principal investigators in the database of the GBG. The 12-item questionnaire was used to investigate the systematic therapeutic management of 70-year-old patients in different settings. The indication for chemotherapy was taken as a given. Results: In a neoadjuvant setting, 62 % of physicians opted for anthracycline and taxane-based therapy as did 56.6 % of physicians in an adjuvant setting. One third of physicians preferred a taxane-based therapy with the anti-angiogenesis inhibitor bevacizumab as first-line therapy for primary metastatic cancer and after anthracycline-based therapy. Capecitabine (around 30 %) and navelbine (around 20 %) were proposed as second-line neoadjuvant and adjuvant therapies after prior anthracycline- and taxane-based therapy. Conclusion: The chemotherapy regimen prescribed for women with breast cancer aged 70 and above in Germany appears to be relatively standardised and corresponds to the recommendations given in the S3 Guidelines and by the AGO Breast Committee.

Clinicopathological differences between breast cancer in patients with primary metastatic disease and those without: a multicentre study

OBJECTIVE

Approximately 6% of breast cancer (BC) patients present with primary metastatic disease (pmBC) at first diagnosis. The clinicopathological differences between tumours from patients who have metastatic disease and those who do not are unclear.

METHODS

This study was an exploratory analysis of patients with pmBC treated in 8 German breast cancer centres between 1998 and 2010. Phenotypes were defined using the following immunohistochemical markers: oestrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR) and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (Her2). The control arm included the group of patients who had neither local recurrence nor distant metastases at a follow-up of at least 30 months after initial diagnosis.

RESULTS

A total of 2214 patients were included. Of these, 1642 had non metastatic BC, and 572 had pmBC. Eighty-five patients (15%) with pmBC were diagnosed at stage T1. On multivariate analysis, factors associated with pmBC were as follows: positive lymph node status, grade 3, lobular histology and Luminal B phenotype (Her 2 positive). Of the sample, 197 patients (34%) with pmBC were diagnosed as stage T2, 90 patients (16%) were diagnosed as stage T3, and 200 patients (35%) were diagnosed as stage T4. Only positive lymph node status and grade 3 were reported as risk factors for distant metastases in patients with stage T3 and T4 cancer.

CONCLUSION

There are differences in the clinicopathological features among breast cancer patients with primary metastases and those without. Receptor expression and histological type play a minor role in the risk for metastasis in patients with stage T3 and T4 disease when compared to patients with T1 pmBC tumours. On initial diagnosis, lobular histology and Luminal B positivity (Her 2 positive) in T1 pmBC were determined to be risk factors for primary metastatic disease.

P4-10-07: Clinico-Pathologic Features of Breast Cancer Patients with Primary Metastatic Disease Versus Localized Disease: A Multicenter Study

Objective: Approximately 6% of breast cancer patients present with primary metastatic disease (pmBC) at first diagnosis. Clinicopathological differences to non-metastatic patients are undetermined.

Methods: Exploratory analysis of patients with pmBC treated in 8 breast cancer units between 1998 and 2010. Tumor characteristics of these patients were compared with non-metastatic breast cancer patients (BC) of one breast cancer center who had neither local-recurrence nor distant metastases during 30 months of follow-up after first diagnosis. Standard staging in patients with first diagnosis of BC included chest X-ray, abdominal ultrasonography and bone scan. Molecular subtypes were analyzed and defined by immunohistochemical markers (ER, PR, Her2-receptor).

Results: 2.214 patients were included, 1.642 with BC and 572 with pmBC, respectively. Patients with pmBC were 7 years older (BC 58 years of age vs. pmBC 65 years; p=0.000) and were more likely to be postmenopausal (74% vs. 83%; p=0.000). Most common localizations of distant first metastases were bone (61,5%), liver (24%), lung (21%) and non-axillary lymph nodes (12%).

85 (15%) patients with pmBC were diagnosed in stage T1. Factors associated with pmBC in multivariate analysis for this group were positive lymph node status (OR 3.4; 95%CI 2.3−6.0; p=0.000), grading 3 (OR 2.3; 95%CI 1.3−4.0; p=0.003), lobular histology (OR 2.3; 95%CI 1.2−4.5; p=0,010) and phenotype Luminal B (OR 2.4; 95%CI 1.25−5.0; p=0.014). 197 (34%) patients with pmBC were diagnosed in stage T2; positive lymph node status (OR 4.8; 95%CI 1.1−3.0; p=0.017) and grading 3 (OR 1.6; 95% CI 1.6−2.3; p=0.019) were reported as risk factors for this group. 90 (16%) and 200 (35%) patients were diagnosed with stages T3 and T4, respectively. In T3/4 tumors a positive lymph node status (OR 5.2; 95% CI 2.9−9.3; p=0.000) and grading 3 (OR 2.2; 95%CI 1.2−3.9; p=0.009) could be defined as significant risk factors for distant metastases. Postmenopausal status was associated with primary metastases in stage T2 (OR 1.8; 95%CI 1.2−2.9; p=0.008) and T3/4 (OR 2.4; 95%CI 1.2−4.7; p=0.011) but not in T1 tumors (OR 1.3; 95%CI 0.7−2.1; p=0.420). There was no association with hormone or Her2 receptor status nor with a specific phenotype for T2-4 tumors.

Conclusion: The clinico-pathological features of breast cancer patients with or without primary metastases differ. In all stages positive lymph node status and higher grading were associated with pmBC significantly. Lobular histology was reported as a risk factor for T1-2 compared to patients without metastases. This feature was not found for T3/4 pmBC. T1 pmBC were likely to be associated with luminal B phenotype. T3-4 pmBC have not been associated with any phenotype or hormone receptor constellation as risk factor for metastases. Tumor biology seems to play a minor role for risk of metastases in T3-4 stages compared to patients with T1-tumors. Findings from this analysis should be considered in the choice of staging methods, especially in stage T1.

Citation Information: Cancer Res 2011;71(24 Suppl):Abstract nr P4-10-07.

Revitalization of clinical skills training at the University of the Western Cape

Most educational institutions that offer health related qualifications make use of clinical skills laboratories. These spaces are generally used for the demonstration and assessment of clinical skills. The purpose of this paper is to share our experiences related to the revitalization of skills training by introducing the skills lab method at the School of Nursing (SoN), University of the Western Cape (UWC). To accommodate the contextual changes as a result of the restructuring of the higher education landscape in 2003, the clinical skills training programme at UWC had to be reviewed. With a dramatic increase in the student numbers and a reduction in hospital beds, the skills lab method provided students with an opportunity to develop clinical skills prior to their placement in real service settings. The design phase centred on adopting a skills training methodology that articulates with the case-based approach used by the SoN. Kolb's, experiential learning cycle provided the theoretical underpinning for the methodology. The planning phase was spent on the development of resources. Eight staff members were trained by our international higher education collaborators who also facilitated the training of clinical supervisors and simulated patients. The physical space had to be redesigned to accommodate audio visual and information technology to support the phases of the skills lab method. The implementation of the skills lab method was phased in from the first-year level. An interactive seminar held after the first year of implementation provided feedback from all the role players and was mostly positive. The results of introducing the skills lab method include: a move by students towards self-directed clinical skills development, clinical supervisors adopting the role of facilitators of learning and experiential clinical learning being based on, amongst others, the students' engagement with simulated patients. Finally, the recommendations relate to tailor-making clinical skills training by using various aspects of teaching and learning principles, i.e. case-based teaching, experiential learning and the skills lab method.

Cerebral metastases in metastatic breast cancer: disease-specific risk factors and survival

BACKGROUND

Survival of patients suffering from cerebral metastases (CM) is limited. Identification of patients with a high risk for CM is warranted to adjust follow-up care and to evaluate preventive strategies.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Exploratory analysis of disease-specific parameter in patients with metastatic breast cancer (MBC) treated between 1998 and 2008 using cumulative incidences and Fine and Grays' multivariable regression analyses.

RESULTS

After a median follow-up of 4.0 years, 66 patients (10.5%) developed CM. The estimated probability for CM was 5%, 12% and 15% at 1, 5 and 10 years; in contrast, the probability of death without CM was 21%, 61% and 76%, respectively. A small tumor size, ER status, ductal histology, lung and lymph node metastases, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 positive (HER2+) tumors, younger age and M0 were associated with CM in univariate analyses, the latter three being risk factors in the multivariable model. Survival was shortened in patient developing CM (24.0 months) compared with patients with no CM (33.6 months) in the course of MBC.

CONCLUSION

Young patients, primary with non-metastatic disease and HER2+ tumors, have a high risk to develop CM in MBC. Survival of patients developing CM in the course of MBC is impaired compared with patients without CM.

Prognostic impact of additional extended surgical procedures in advanced-stage primary ovarian cancer

BACKGROUND

Treatment of advanced-stage ovarian carcinoma includes radical cytoreductive surgery, which aims at removing all visible tumor tissue followed by platinum and paclitaxel chemotherapy. Complete tumor resection may require extended surgical procedures. This paper reports on the prognostic impact of extensive surgery and surgical morbidity in patients with advanced-stage ovarian carcinoma.

METHODS

Patients with ovarian carcinoma [Fédération Internationale de Gynécologie et d'Obstétrique (FIGO) stage IIIB-IV] undergoing primary surgery in our tertiary gynecologic oncology unit between 1997 and 2007 were eligible for this study. The impact of established prognostic factors and the interaction with extent of surgical procedures on survival were assessed.

RESULTS

A total of 267 patients aged between 29 and 88 years (median 64 years) were eligible for this study. Overall survival time was improved in patients who underwent complete tumor resection [hazard ratio (HR) 3.61 (1.91-6.61), P < 0.001]. No significant survival difference was observed between completely operated patients in whom extended or standard surgical procedures were applied [HR 1.37 (0.70-2.69), P = 0.358], and severe surgical complications were found to be equally distributed between the two patient groups.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results may encourage the application of extended surgical procedures in patients who would otherwise be rendered incompletely debulked after primary cytoreduction. We could demonstrate an impact of complete tumor resection on patient prognosis and this was not traded off for extensive additional surgical morbidity.

Pattern and clinical predictors of lymph node metastases in epithelial ovarian cancer

Para-aortic lymphadenectomy is part of staging in early epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) and could be part of therapy in advanced EOC. However, only a minority of patients receive therapy according to guidelines or have attendance to a specialized unit. We analyzed pattern of lymphatic spread of EOC and evaluated if clinical factors and intraoperative findings reliably could predict lymph node involvement, in order to evaluate if patients could be identified in whom lymphadenectomy could be omitted and who should not be referred to a center with capacity of performing extensive gynecological operations. Retrospective analysis was carried out of all patients with EOC who had systematic pelvic and para-aortic lymphadenectomy during primary cytoreductive surgery. One hundred ninety-five patients underwent systematic pelvic and para-aortic lymphadenectomy. Histologic lymph node metastases were found in 53%. The highest frequency was found in the upper left para-aortic region (32% of all patients) and between vena cava inferior and abdominal aorta (36%). Neither intraoperative clinical diagnosis nor frozen section of pelvic nodes could reliably predict para-aortic lymph node metastasis. The pathologic diagnosis of the pelvic nodes, if used as diagnostic tool for para-aortic lymph nodes, showed a sensitivity of only 50% in ovarian cancer confined to the pelvis and 73% in more advanced disease. We could not detect any intraoperative tool that could reliably predict pathologic status of para-aortic lymph nodes. Systematic pelvic and para-aortic lymphadenectomy remains part of staging in EOC. Patients with EOC should be offered the opportunity to receive state-of-the-art treatment including surgery