Aplicación de tres modelos pronósticos en cáncer de mama precoz / Application of three prognostic models in T1N0M0 breast cancer

Resumen Objetivo Aplicar tres modelos pronósticos "online" (índice pronóstico de Nothingham (NPI), Adjuvantonline! (AO) y PREDICT utilizados en la práctica oncológica para estratificar a pacientes y definir el uso de terapias adyuvantes en pacientes con cáncer de mama (CM) precoz, para evaluar su correlación y predicción de sobrevida en nuestra población. Métodos Obtuvimos datos clínicos de pacientes con CM invasor T1N0M0, tratados en el Centro de Cáncer de la Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile, desde enero de 1997 hasta diciembre de 2003. Resultados Analizamos datos de 125 pacientes. Edad mediana fue 55 años (35-80). La mayoría de los tumores fueron carcinomas ductales infiltrantes (72,8%), receptor de estrógeno (RE) positivos (88,8%), 80% recibieron terapia endocrina (TE). El beneficio estimado de la TE y la quimioterapia (QT) en la sobrevida global (SG), determinadas según AO y PREDICT, no fueron significativamente diferentes (1,3% y 1% para QT, p = 0,13; 0,9% y 1% para TE, p = 0,8; respectivamente). El modelo NPI estimó una mediana de SG superior (96%) a la calculada por AO (90,9%) y PREDICT (92,5%). La mortalidad específica por CM fue de 3%, similar a lo observado (3,2%). La mediana de SG estimada por todos los modelos en el grupo de pacientes fallecidos no fue estadísticamente diferente al grupo de sobrevivientes (p = 0,85). Conclusión Los modelos pronósticos predicen apropiadamente la SG en pacientes con CM precoz; sin embargo, en esta serie, no discriminaron pacientes de mal pronóstico.

Objective Apply three prognostic models "online" (Nothingham index (NPI), Adjuvantonline! (AO) and PREDICT used in routine oncology practice in order to stratify patients and define the use of adjuvant therapies in patients with stage I breast cancer (BC) to evaluate its correlation and overall survival (OS) in our population. Methods We obtained patients' medical records data with invasive BC T1N0M0, treated at the Cancer Center of the Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile, from January 1997 to December 2003. Results We analyzed data from 125 patients. Median age was 55 years (35 80). Most tumors were infiltrating ductal carcinoma (72.8%), estrogen receptor positive (88.8%), 80% received endocrine therapy (ET). The estimated ET and chemotherapy benefit was not significantly different according to the AO and PREDICT models (1.3% and 1% for CT, p = 0.13, 0.9% and 1% for ET p = 0.8, respectively). The estimated median OS on NPI (96%) was higher than calculated by AO (90.9%) and PREDICT (92.5%). Interestingly disease specific mortality estimated was 3%, similar to that observed (3.2%). While the estimated median OS by all models in the group of deceased patients was lower than in surviving, this difference did not reach statistical significance (p = 0.85). Conclusion The prognostic models applied effectively predict OS in Chilean patients with T1N0M0 BC, but in this series, they do not sufficiently discriminate patients with poor prognosis. The addition of co -morbidities to AO does not alter the results.

Cáncer de mama metastásico: Caracterización de una cohorte según subtipos / Survival of patients with metastatic breast cancer according to pathological types of tumors

Background: The prognosis of breast cancer (BC) is in part determined by the stage at diagnosis and its pathological characteristics. Aim: To evaluate the association between survival of women with metastatic breast cancer and pathological features of the tumor. Patients and Methods: We obtained clinical and pathological data from patients diagnosed with a metastatic BC between 1999 and 2013. The expression of estrogen (ER) and progesterone (PR) receptors and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) was determined by immunohistochemistry. Clinicopathological subtypes were defined as: Luminal A: ER or PR positive, HER2 negative, histological grade (HG) 1 or 2; Luminal B: ER or PR positive, HER2 negative or positive or HG 3; triple negative (TN): ER, PR and HER2 negative, independent of the HG, positive HER2: ER, PR negative and HER2 positive, independent of HG. We analyzed survival based on these subtypes. Results: We identified 54 patients aged 24 to 85 years, with metastatic BC at diagnosis. Seventy five percent had luminal tumors; 19.6% HER2 positive and 7.8% were TN. In 61% of evaluable tumors, HG was classified as 3. The frequency of HER2 positive and high HG tumors was greater in these patients with metastatic BC than in a non-metastatic local BC cohort. Survival was higher among patients with Luminal tumors than in women with non-Luminal cancer (56.4 and 11.4 months, respectively, p = 0.04). Conclusions: Patients with metastatic BC at diagnosis often had HER2 positive tumors and high HG. As in other studies, ER positive tumors had a better survival.

Trasplante con precursores hematopoyéticos de cordón umbilical en adultos con neoplasias hematológicas en Chile: Serie clínica / Umbilical cord hematopoietic precursors transplantation: Report of five patients

Hematopoietic precursors transplantation is a therapeutic alternative for leukemia, some metabolic diseases and some immune deficiency syndromes. In its allogeneic variety leukemia eradication is based in the conditioning prior to transplantation and the allograñ effect against leukemia. Umbilical cord blood is an alternative source of hematopoietic precursors when there are no HLA compatible relatives available. Between 2003 and 2007 we have performed five umbilical cord blood transplant in adult patients in a University hospital. All patients had malignant diseases. Conditioning protocols were ablative in all except in one patient and in all, more than one unit of umbilical cord blood was used. Hematopoietic engraftment was confirmed in all patients and the main complications registered were infectious and associated to immunosuppression.

Detección de micrometástasis por RT-PCR de citokeratina 20 y su correlación con la sobrevida global en pacientes portadores de cáncer colorrectal / Cytokeratin 20 as a marker of tumor progression or dissemination in patients with colorectal cancer

Background: Colorectal cancer relapses or metastasizes in 30 percent of cases. Cytokeratin 20 is present in 95 percent of colorectal tumors and their metastases and could be used as a marker to detect tumor cells. Aim: To assess the usefulness and prognostic value of peripheral blood and bone marrow cytokeratin 20 determinations in patients with colorectal cancer. Material and methods: Blood and bone marrow samples were obtained from 56 patients with colorectal cancer aged 26 to 77 years (31 females) before surgical procedure. They were followed for a mean of 22 months (range 2.9 to 72 months) after surgery. Blood and bone marrow from 45 patients without cancer and 35 healthy subjects were used as negative controls. Messenger RNA expression of cytokeratin 20 was studied by real time and nested polymerase chain reaction. Results: Cytokeratin 20 was detected in 6 percent of controls and 41 percent of patients. There was no relation between cytokeratin 20 expression and age, gender, overall survival, tumor relapse, progression, localization or stage. Conclusions: Cytokeratin 20 determination is not useful as a marker of tumor progression or dissemination in patients with colorectal cancer.

Efecto de un inhibidor tirosina kinasa (imatinib) en pacientes con tumores estromales gastrointestinales metastásicos: Experiencia preliminar / Treatment of metastatic gastrointestinal stromal tumors with Imatinib: Report of four cases

Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST) have mutations of the tyrosine kinase receptor. When they are localized, the treatment of choice is surgical excision, but advanced tumors have a limited response to chemo or radiotherapy. Imatinib (STI571 or Glivec®) is a selective inhibitor or tyrosine kinase proteins that has been used successfully in the treatment of advanced GIST. We report four patients (two women) with a metastatic GIST that were treated with Imatinib 400 mg day and followed for 40 months. The disease tumor stabilized in three patients and in one it had an initial reduction and progressed at the end of follow up. Therefore Imatinib can be a therapeutic alternative in patients with metastatic GIST.

Evaluación de un modelo computacional para la indicación de quimioterapia en cáncer de mama / Evaluation of a computer program in use of adjuvant chemotherapy in early breast cancer

El cáncer de mama es la segunda causa de muerte por cáncer en mujeres en Chile. El tratamiento adyuvante con quimioterapia ha demostrado disminuir la recurrencia y muerte por la enfermedad. La recomendación de usar adyuvancia en un paciente individual es compleja y depende de la evaluación del riesgo de recaída, muerte y condición del enfermo. Adjuvant! es un modelo computacional útil en la predicción de la sobrevida y beneficio de la terapia adyuvante en pacientes con cáncer de mama. El modelo Adjuvant! se estudió en nuestra población de pacientes para conocer el beneficio estimado de la quimioterapia y la relación con su prescripción. Se aplicó Adjuvant! a 125 pacientes con cáncer de mama precoz (T1N0M0) tratadas con cirugía conservadora y radioterapia, 20 (16%) recibieron quimioterapia adyuvante. Según el modelo, el beneficio absoluto en sobrevida global a 10 años con quimioterapia en este grupo es de 1.3% (0,1-11,1%) y la reducción absoluta en el riesgo de recurrencia de 6.45% (0.4-20%). Un 25% de pacientes obtendría un beneficio en sobrevida global mayor del 2% y un 58,4% (73/125) mayor al 1%. De las pacientes de nuestra serie que recibieron quimioterapia un 50% (10/20) recibirían un beneficio esperado en sobrevida global menor al 2%. La mediana de beneficio del tratamiento combinado quimioterapia / hormonoterapia en la sobrevida global es de 1,8% (2-11,1) y en la sobrevida libre de enfermedad de 10.5% (1-25,6%). En estudios clásicos, al consultar a pacientes ya tratadas, más del 50% usarían nuevamente quimioterapia por un beneficio absoluto menor al 1%.

Breast cancer is the second cause of female death in Chile. Adjuvant chemotherapy has reduced breast cancer recurrence and death. The decision to use adjuvant chemotherapy for a specific patient is complex and must consider the general condition of the patient and its risks of recurrence and death. The computer model called Adjuvant! was designed for breast cancer to predict survival and determine the benefit of adjuvant chemotherapy. The Adjuvant! model was calculated for our population of breast cancer patients to determine the predicted benefit of chemotherapy and compare it with the actual indication. The Adjuvant model was applied to 125 patients with early breast cancer, (T1N0M0), treated with breast conserving surgery and post operative radiotherapy. Adjuvant chemotherapy was use in 20 patients (16%). According to the predictive model the absolute 10-year survival benefit with chemotherapy is 1.3% (0.1-11.1%) and the absolute recurrence risk reduction is 6.45% (0.4-20%). For 25% of the patients chemotherapy would result in an overall survival benefit larger than 2% and for 58.4% (73/125) larger than 1%. In our series 50% (10/20) received chemotherapy with a predicted overall survival benefit less than 2%. The median benefit with the combination of chemotherapy and hormonal therapy in overall survival was 1.8% (0.2-11.1) and in disease free survival was 10.5% (1-25.6%). Reports from the literature indicate that more that 50% of patients treated with chemotherapy would agree to receive it again for a benefit less than 1%.

Tratamiento endovascular del síndrome de vena cava superior / Endovascular treatment of superior vena cava syndrome

Background: Superior vena cava syndrome (SVCS) is caused by the obstruction of venous drainage from the upper portion of the body. Common clinical findings are headache and cervical, facial and upper limb edema. Occasionally, clouding of consciousness appears. Aim: to report our experience with endovascular treatment of SVCS. Material and methods: Retrospective review of all patients with SVCS subjected to endovascular treatment between 1999 and 2005. Results: Eight patients were treated, all of them with malignancies. Six had a benign obstruction due to the presence of a chemotherapy catheter located in the superior vena cava, one had obstruction secondary to radiation therapy and one a tumor compression of the superior vena cava. Two patients underwent thrombolytic therapy. Angioplasty and stenting was performed in all patients. The chemotherapy catheter was removed to all patients and installed again in one. One patient had a hemothorax secondary to a simultaneous needle lung biopsy under video thoracoscopy. No patient died in relation to the procedure. Congestive signs and symptoms subsided in all patients within 24 hours after the procedure. During follow up, only one patient had symptoms related to vena cava obstruction and three died due to their malignant tumor. Conclusions: Endovascular treatment of SVCS has a low rate of complications and provides immediate and mid-term symptom relief.