Comparison of age-stratified survival outcomes of gallbladder cancers in an Indian population.

BACKGROUND: Gallbladder cancers (GBCs) occur a decade earlier in India in comparison to the global occurrence, limiting the applicability of existing literature on age adjusted outcomes. METHODS: Patients who underwent surgery between 01.01.2010 and 31.12.2020 for GBC were analyzed. Patients were divided into three age groups: group 1(≤40 years), group 2(41-60 years), group 3(>60 years) and their outcomes were compared. RESULTS: Total of 6190 patients were treated for suspected or diagnosed GBC with a median age of 57 years. Curative resection was performed in 749 (67.9%) patients, of whom 114 (16.2%), 471 (62.9%), and 164 (21.9%) patients were in groups 1, 2, and 3, respectively. 5-year disease-free survival (DFS) [46.8% vs. 58.5%, p = 0.031] and overall survival (OS)[53.5% vs. 66.6%, p = 0.05] of group 3 were significantly lower than group 1. Patient age (HR 1.021), AJCC stage (HR 6.413), pathologic residual disease in the gallbladder fossa (HR 2.44), and extranodal tumor deposits (HR 1.762) were identified as independent predictors of poor OS. CONCLUSIONS: Gallbladder cancers in the Indian population show poorer outcomes with advancing age. Higher proportion of males in the elderly group with a more advanced stage at presentation are plausible reasons for poorer outcomes.

Evaluation of Metronomic Therapy as a Low-Cost, Sustainable, Standard-of-Care Option in Desmoid Fibromatosis: Real-World Data From a Tertiary Care Center in India.

PURPOSE: Desmoid fibromatosis (DF) is a locally aggressive tumor with low mortality but significant morbidity. There is a lack of standard of care, and existing therapies are associated with significant barriers including access, cost, and toxicities. This study aimed to explore the efficacy and safety of the metronomic therapy (MT) in DF in a large, homogenous cohort from India. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This study involved histologically confirmed DF cases treated with MT comprising vinblastine (6 mg) and methotrexate (15 mg) both once a week, and tamoxifen (40 mg/m2) in two divided doses once daily between 2002 and 2018. RESULTS: There were 315 patients with a median age of 27 years; the commonest site was extremity (142 of 315; 45.0%). There were 159 (50.1%) male patients. Of the 123 (39.0%) prior treated patients, 119 had surgery. Of 315 patients, 263 (83.5%) received treatment at our institute (MT-151, 77-local treatment, 9-tyrosine kinase inhibitor, and 26 were observed). Among the MT cohort (n = 163, 61.2%), at a median follow-up of 36 (0.5-186) months, the 3-year progression-free and overall survival were 81.1% (95% CI, 74.3 to 88.4) and 99.2% (95% CI, 97.6 to 100), respectively. There were 35% partial responses. Ninety-two patients (56.4%) completed 1-year therapy, which was an independent prognosticator (P < .0001; hazard ratio, 0.177 [95% CI, 0.083 to 0.377]). MT was well tolerated. Predominant grade ≥3 toxicities were febrile neutropenia, 12 (7.4%) without any chemotoxicity-related death. The annual cost of MT was $130 US dollars. CONCLUSION: The novel, low-cost MT qualifies as one of the effective, less toxic, sustainable, standard-of-care options for the treatment of DF with global reach and merits wide recognition.

Feasibility of Hepatic Artery Infusion Chemotherapy for Colorectal Liver Metastasis in an Indian Setting.

Hepatic artery infusion chemotherapy (HAIC) is a popular treatment modality for the treatment of colorectal liver metastasis (CRLM). The aim of this study was to determine the feasibility of HAIC for high-risk resected CRLM delivered using repeated femoral puncture and delivering 5-fluorouracil infusional chemotherapy along with systemic adjuvant chemotherapy. The present study is a retrospective review of a prospectively maintained database. All patients who underwent HAIC for colorectal liver metastases between July 2022 and July 2023 were included. A total of 12 patients were included in the study of which 11 completed four sessions as planned. The median age was 47 (29-73) years with nine male (81%) and two female (18%) patients. Rectum (n = 7, 63%) was the most common primary location. All patients received systemic chemotherapy with 5-fluorouracil-based regimens prior to HAIC (median 12 cycles). The median number of metastasis was 2 (1-8). Eight patients had metastasis in unilobar distribution (73%). On completion of HAIC treatment, nine patients (64%) were completely disease free with a median follow-up of 8 months. None of the patients experienced any immediate adverse events during or after completion of the procedure. Conventional HAIC comes with various challenges such as unavailability of the agent floxuridine and the specialized HAIC pump. Percutaneous HAIC has a lower chance of infection. The delivery of HAIC using repeated femoral punctures and 5FU chemotherapy was successful in over 90% of the patients making it a feasible option in the treatment of CRLM.

Modified FOLFIRINOX (mFOLFIRINOX) as neoadjuvant therapy and 'salvage' in patients with high risk locally advanced rectal cancers - tolerance and early outcomes.

BACKGROUND: There is limited data with regard to the use of modified 5-fluoroural-leucovorin-irinotecan-oxaliplatin (mFOLFIRINOX) in terms of tolerance and enabling total mesorectal excision (TME) of locally advanced rectal adenocarcinomas (LARC) with high-risk characteristics (T4b status, signet ring histology etc) post standard neoadjuvant long course chemoradiation (NACTRT) or short course radiation (SCRT) and chemotherapy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients with LARC from January 2018 to December 2020 receiving mFOLFIRINOX post NACTRT/SCRT to facilitate TME were evaluated. The primary endpoint was assessment of grade 3 and grade 4 treatment related toxicity and TME rates. Event free survival (EFS), where event was defined as disease progression or recurrence post resection after mFOLFIRINOX, was calculated by Kaplan Meier method. RESULTS: Forty-seven patients were evaluated with a median age of 33 years (Range:18-59), 45% T4b status, 96% radiological circumferential margin (CRM) involved (79% CRM positive post NACTRT/SCRT), 43% extramural venous invasion (n=33) and 36% signet ring histology. 62% had received prior NACTRT and 38% had received SCRT with chemotherapy before receiving mFOLFIRINOX. The most common grade 3 and grade 4 treatment related side effects included diarrhoea (7%), anaemia (4%) and infections (4%). Intended duration of mFOLFIRINOX or beyond was completed in 94% of patients. 60% of patients underwent curative local resection with R0 resection rates of 100% (n=28) and pathological complete response rates of 21%. The most common surgeries done were exenterations and abdominoperineal in 22% and 17% patients respectively. With a median follow up of 19 months, 24 patients had recurred or progressed for a median EFS of 20 months [95% confidence interval (CI): 15-24]. CONCLUSIONS: Locally advanced rectal cancers with high-risk characteristics are a niche group of cancers with less-than-optimal outcomes post standard neoadjuvant strategies. mFOLFIRINOX appears to be well tolerated and enables TME in a significant proportion of these patients.

Tata Memorial Centre Evidence Based Management of Breast cancer.

ABSTRACT: The incidence of breast cancer is increasing rapidly in urban India due to the changing lifestyle and exposure to risk factors. Diagnosis at an advanced stage and in younger women are the most concerning issues of breast cancer in India. Lack of awareness and social taboos related to cancer diagnosis make women feel hesitant to seek timely medical advice. As almost half of women develop breast cancer at an age younger than 50 years, breast cancer diagnosis poses a huge financial burden on the household and impacts the entire family. Moreover, inaccessibility, unaffordability, and high out-of-pocket expenditure make this situation grimmer. Women find it difficult to get quality cancer care closer to their homes and end up traveling long distances for seeking treatment. Significant differences in the cancer epidemiology compared to the west make the adoption of western breast cancer management guidelines challenging for Indian women. In this article, we intend to provide a comprehensive review of the management of breast cancer from diagnosis to treatment for both early and advanced stages from the perspective of low-middle-income countries. Starting with a brief introduction to epidemiology and guidelines for diagnostic modalities (imaging and pathology), treatment has been discussed for early breast cancer (EBC), locally advanced, and MBC. In-depth information on loco-regional and systemic therapy has been provided focusing on standard treatment protocols as well as scenarios where treatment can be de-escalated or escalated.

Tata Memorial Centre Evidence Based Management of Colorectal cancer.

ABSTRACT: This review article examines the evidence-based management of colorectal cancers, focusing on topics characterized by ongoing debates and evolving evidence. To contribute to the scientific discourse, we intentionally exclude subjects with established guidelines, concentrating instead on areas where the current understanding is dynamic. Our analysis encompasses a thorough exploration of critical themes, including the evidence surrounding complete mesocolic excision and D3 lymphadenectomy in colon cancers. Additionally, we delve into the evolving landscape of perioperative chemotherapy in both colon and rectal cancers, considering its nuanced role in the context of contemporary treatment strategies. Advancements in surgical techniques are a pivotal aspect of our discussion, with an emphasis on the utilization of minimally invasive approaches such as laparoscopy and robotic surgery in both colon and rectal cancers, including advanced rectal cases. Moving beyond conventional radical procedures, we scrutinize the feasibility and implications of endoscopic resections for small tumors, explore the paradigm of organ preservation in locally advanced rectal cancers, and assess the utility of total neoadjuvant therapy in the current treatment landscape. Our final segment reviews pivotal trials that have significantly influenced the management of colorectal liver and peritoneal metastasis.

Low-dose versus standard-dose olanzapine with triple antiemetic therapy for prevention of highly emetogenic chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting in patients with solid tumours: a single-centre, open-label, non-inferiority, randomised, controlled, phase 3 trial.

BACKGROUND: Olanzapine is an effective antiemetic agent but it results in substantial daytime somnolence when administered at the standard dose. Our aim was to compare the efficacy of low-dose versus standard-dose olanzapine after highly emetogenic chemotherapy in patients with solid tumours. METHODS: This was a single-centre, open-label, non-inferiority, randomised, controlled, phase 3 trial done in a tertiary care referral centre in India (Tata Memorial Centre, Homi Bhabha National Institute, Mumbai). Patients aged 13-75 years with an Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status of 0-2, who were receiving doxorubicin-cyclophosphamide or high-dose cisplatin for a solid tumour were eligible. Patients were randomly assigned (1:1), with block randomisation (block sizes of 2 or 4) and stratified by sex, age (≥55 or <55 years), and chemotherapy regimen, to receive low-dose (2·5 mg) oral olanzapine or standard-dose (10·0 mg) oral olanzapine daily for 4 days, in combination with a triple antiemetic regimen. Study staff were masked to treatment allocation but patients were aware of their group assignment. The primary endpoint was complete control, defined as no emetic episodes, no rescue medications, and no or mild nausea in the overall phase (0-120 hours), assessed in the modified intention-to-treat (mITT) population (ie, all eligible patients who received protocol-specified treatment, excluding those who had eligibility violations and who withdrew consent after randomisation). Daytime somnolence was the safety endpoint of interest. Non-inferiority was shown if the upper limit of the one-sided 95% CI for the difference in the complete control proportions between the treatment groups excluded the non-inferiority margin of 10%. This study is registered with the Clinical Trial Registry India, CTRI/2021/01/030233, is closed to accrual, and this is the final data analysis. RESULTS: Between Feb 9, 2021, and May 30, 2023, 356 patients were pre-screened for eligibility, of whom 275 patients were enrolled and randomly assigned (134 to the 2·5 mg olanzapine group and 141 to the 10·0 mg olanzapine group). 267 patients (132 in the 2·5 mg group and 135 in the 10·0 mg group) were included in the mITT population, of whom 252 (94%) were female, 15 (6%) were male, and 242 (91%) had breast cancer. 59 (45%) of 132 patients in the 2·5 mg olanzapine group had complete control in the overall phase versus 59 (44%) of 135 in the 10·0 mg olanzapine group (difference -1·0% [one-sided 95% CI -100·0 to 9·0]; p=0·87). In the overall phase, there were significantly fewer patients in the 2·5 mg olanzapine group than in the 10·0 mg olanzapine group with daytime somnolence of any grade (86 [65%] of 132 vs 121 [90%] of 135; p<0·0001) and of severe grade on day 1 (six]5%] vs 54 [40%]; p<0·0001). INTERPRETATION: Our findings suggest that olanzapine 2·5 mg is non-inferior to 10·0 mg in antiemetic efficacy and results in reduced occurrence of daytime somnolence among patients receiving highly emetic chemotherapy and should be considered as a new standard of care. FUNDING: Progressive Ladies Welfare Association.

Trastuzumab Plus Gemcitabine-Cisplatin for Treatment-Naïve Human Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor 2-Positive Biliary Tract Adenocarcinoma: A Multicenter, Open-Label, Phase II Study (TAB).

PURPOSE: Human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) overexpression is seen in 4%-16% of biliary tract cancers (BTCs). We aimed to evaluate the clinical activity of gemcitabine-cisplatin (GC) plus anti-HER2 antibody trastuzumab as initial treatment in HER2-positive BTCs. METHODS: This study was an investigator-initiated, open-label, single-arm, multi-institutional, phase II trial in adult patients with HER2-positive (defined as immunohistochemistry [IHC] 3+ or IHC 2+ and fluorescent in situ hybridization-positive), treatment-naïve BTCs. The primary end point of the study was 6-month progression-free survival (PFS). Next-generation sequencing was performed on tissue samples to evaluate mutational status. RESULTS: From March 2020 to August 2022, of the 876 screened patients, 118 (13.4%) were found to have HER2-positive status, of whom 90 were enrolled in the study. Most patients had GBC (n = 96; 96%) with two or more sites of metastatic disease (n = 70; 78%). With a median follow-up of 17.3 (95% CI, 15.22 to 19.32) months, 72 patients had disease progression with a median PFS of 7 (95% CI, 6.2 to 7.8) months. The diagnosis to event 6-month PFS rate was 75.6% (95% CI, 66.6 to 84.6). A complete or partial response was seen in 50 (55.5%) patients and 22 (24.4%) patients had stable disease as the best response to treatment, for an overall disease control rate of 80%. The presence of isolated TP53 mutations was associated with inferior PFS compared with other mutations (TERT promoter, HER2, PIK3CA, etc) or no detected mutations (6.51 v 12.02 v 10.58 months; P < .001). CONCLUSION: The combination of GC and trastuzumab achieved its primary end point of improving PFS compared with historical data in the treatment-naïve HER2-positive BTC. Evaluating additional mutations such as TP53 and PIK3CA along with HER2 testing may help to preferentially select patients for anti-HER2 therapy in the future (Clinical Trial Registry India number: CTRI/2019/11/021955).

Chemotherapy-Induced Alopecia: Can We Measure the Level of Distress in Oncology Patients? (The ALDO Study).

Prathepa JagadishChemotherapy-induced alopecia (CIA) has a strong and definite negative impact on body image in terms of perception of aging, depression, loss of interest, and confidence. This study involved the translation and validation of the chemotherapy-induced alopecia distress scale (CADS) into Hindi and Marathi (stage I) and the translated versions were used to assess the distress level associated with CIA at our tertiary care center (stage II). The level of distress associated with CIA was measured in terms of mild, moderate, and severe distress. The majority of the patients (58.66%) experienced severe distress due to CIA. The study demonstrates the validity and reliability of the CAD scale in our population. Indian married women with higher age group with cancer are affected more due to CIA. There was no significant association between socioeconomic status, number of chemotherapy cycles received, frequency of chemotherapy administration, and CIA distress. CADS is valid and predictive of the presence of severe distress in our chemotherapy patients. The treatment or prevention of CIA should be preceded by the counseling and support provided by the chemotherapy nurses.

Survival of Trial-Like and Non-Trial-Like Patients With Immunotherapy in Advanced Hepatocellular Carcinoma in Real World: A Collaborative Multicenter Indian Study (IMHEP).

PURPOSE: Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) is the initial line of management in advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), but survivals in the real world are not known. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective study of patients with advanced HCC receiving ICIs (as first-line therapy or as later lines of therapy) across 11 Indian institutions was conducted. Patients were divided into either cohort 1 (trial-like receiving ICI as first-line therapy), with a Child Pugh score (CTP) of ≤6, an Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status (ECOG PS) of 0/1, and no VP4 (main portal vein thrombosis [MPVT]) or cohort 2 (trial unlike) who did not satisfy at least one of the above criteria. The primary end point was 12-month overall survival (OS). RESULTS: Between January 2017 and January 2022, 133 patient data were analyzed. The presence of MPVT was seen in 33 patients (25%). The ICIs used were atezolizumab-bevacizumab, nivolumab, and pembrolizumab in 89 (66%), 44 (33%), and one (1%) patients, respectively. With a median follow-up of 13.8 months, the 12-month OS for the entire cohort was 33.4% (95% CI, 23.6 to 43.2). Patients in cohort 1 (n = 31) had a significantly improved OS compared with patients in cohort 2 (n = 102; 12-month OS, 57.9% [95% CI, 38.5 to 77.3] v 24% [95% CI, 13.4 to 34.6]; P = .005). Patients with CTP A as compared with CTP B (9.7 v 4.3 months; P < .001) and an ECOG PS of 0/1 as compared with a PS of ≥2 (8.7 v 7.2 months; P = .04) and without MPVT (9.4 v 4.0; P < .001) had superior survivals. CONCLUSION: Patients with advanced HCC in the real world, trial-like have survivals in consonance with trial data, whereas patients with features excluding them from trials, such as main portal vein thrombosis, poor ECOG PS, and child Pugh B status, have markedly inferior survivals, despite good tolerance to immunotherapy.

Practice Patterns and Survival in Patients with Resected Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinomas (PDAC) - Results from the Multicentre Indian Pancreatic & Periampullary Adenocarcinoma Project (MIPPAP) Study.

BACKGROUND: There is limited data from India with regard to presentation, practice patterns and survivals in resected pancreatic ductal adenocarcinomas (PDACs). METHODS: The Multicentre Indian Pancreatic & Periampullary Adenocarcinoma Project (MIPPAP) included data from 8 major academic institutions across India and presents the outcomes in upfront resected PDACs from January 2015 to June 2019. RESULTS: Of 288 patients, R0 resection was achieved in 81% and adjuvant therapy was administered in 75% of patients. With a median follow-up of 42 months (95% CI: 39-45), median DFS for the entire cohort was 39 months (95% CI: 25.4-52.5), and median overall survival (OS) was 45 months (95% CI: 32.3-57.7). A separate analysis was done in which patients were divided into 3 groups: (a) those with stage I and absent PNI (SI&PNI-), (b) those with either stage II/III OR presence of PNI (SII/III/PNI+), and (c) those with stage II/III AND presence of PNI (SII/III&PNI+). The DFS was significantly lesser in patients with SII/III&PNI+ (median 25, 95% CI: 14.1-35.9 months), compared to SII/III/PNI + (median 40, 95% CI: 24-55 months) and SI&PNI- (median, not reached) (p = 0.036)). CONCLUSIONS: The MIPPAP study shows that resectable PDACs in India have survivals at par with previously published data. Adjuvant therapy was administered in 75% patients. Adjuvant radiotherapy does not seem to add to survival after R0 resection.

Gemcitabine, Cisplatin, and Nab-Paclitaxel as a First-Line Therapy for Advanced Biliary Tract Cancers.

INTRODUCTION: Locally advanced, inoperable, or metastatic gallbladder cancers (GBC) are treated with either gemcitabine-platinum combinations or gemcitabine alone based on physician discretion. However, the combination of gemcitabine, cisplatin, and nab-paclitaxel (GCNP) has shown increased response rates and prolonged survival in a phase II trial of biliary tract patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Consecutive series of patients diagnosed with locally advanced (liver infiltration > 5 cm, large nodes at porta, abutting duodenum), inoperable, and metastatic biliary tract patients between January 2018 and August 2022 were evaluated for first-line chemotherapy GCNP, in the multidisciplinary joint clinic (MDJC). The primary endpoint was ORR, and the major secondary endpoint was event-free survival (EFS). RESULTS: A total of 142 patients received GCNP during the specified time period. The median age of the cohort was 52 years (range: 21-79), the majority were females (61.3%), and the majority were GB (81.7%). Response rates were available in 137 patients. Complete response, partial response, and stable disease were seen in 9 (6.3%), 87 (61.3%), and 24 (16.9%), respectively, for an ORR of 67.6% and a clinical benefit rate of 84.5%. The median EFS was 9.92 (95% CI, 7.69-12.14) months. Of the 52 patients in whom GCNP was given with NACT intent for locally advanced GBC, 17 patients underwent surgery (34%). CONCLUSION: Our study indicates that GCNP leads to improved response rates, increased chances of resectability, and possibly better survival in patients with GBC.

Modified FOLFIRINOX compared to Gemcitabine & nab-Paclitaxel in advanced pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma - results of a match-pair analysis.

Background & objectives: FOLFIRINOX and gemcitabine plus nab-paclitaxel (GN) are the most commonly used regimens in advanced pancreatic ductal adenocarcinomas (PDACs). As there is limited data on comparison of these two regimens, the present study was aimed to compare survivals and tolerance for both regimens through a match-pair analysis. Methods: The data of 350 patients with metastatic and locally advanced PDAC, treated between January 2013 and December 2019, were retrieved. A 1:1 matching, using age and performance status, without replacement was performed by using nearest neighbour matching method. Results: A total of 260 patients (130 modified FOLFIRINOX and 130 GN) were matched. The median overall survival (OS) was 12.98 months [95% confidence interval (CI) 7.257-8.776 months] in modifications of FOLFIRINOX (mFOLFIRINOX) cohort and 12.06 months (95% CI 6.690-8.88 months) in GN group (P=0.080). The incidence of grade 3 and 4 infections, diarrhoea, oral mucositis, and fatigue was higher with mFOLFIRINOX. Patients who received second line therapy had improved OS as compared to those who did not (14.06 vs. 9.07 months, P<0.001). Interpretation & conclusions: GN and mFOLFIRINOX appear to have similar survival outcomes in an unselected match paired patient population with advanced PDAC. A markedly increased incidence of non-myelosuppressive grade 3 and grade 4 side-effects and lack of survival improvements suggest a need for nuanced use of the mFOLFIRINOX regimen. Administration of second-line chemotherapy improves OS in patients with advanced PDAC.

Perioperative Modified FLOT Versus EOX in Locally Advanced Resectable Gastric and Gastro-Oesophageal Junction Adenocarcinoma: Results of a Matched-Pair Analysis.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: There is limited real-world data on the efficacy of 2-weekly cycles of docetaxel, oxaliplatin, leucovorin, and fluorouracil (FLOT) compared to epirubicin, oxaliplatin, and capecitabine (EOX) as perioperative therapy in esophagogastric adenocarcinomas (EGAC). METHODS: The data of 611 patients with EGAC treated with perioperative chemotherapy and planned for curative resection between January 2013 and December 2019 were retrieved. Patients receiving EOX and a dose-modified version of FLOT (mFLOT) were evaluated. A 1:1 matching, using age, tumour location, signet ring histology, and Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status, without replacement was performed by using nearest neighbour matching method. The primary endpoint of the study was 3-year event-free survival (EFS). RESULTS: A total of 593 patients (261 with EOX and 332 with mFLOT) were matched. One hundred and nighty-eight patients (76%) and 285 patients (86%) in the EOX and mFLOT cohorts underwent curative resection, respectively (p = 0.002). With a median follow-up of 35 and 53 months, respectively, the primary outcome of 3-year EFS was statistically superior in patients receiving mFLOT as compared to the EOX regimen (60% vs. 39%; p < 0.001). There was a greater incidence of grade 3 and grade 4 neutropenia (neoadjuvant: 18% vs. 2%; p < 0.001, adjuvant: 18% vs. 1%; p = 0.001) and febrile neutropenia (neoadjuvant: 8% vs. 1.1%; p < 0.001, adjuvant: 6% vs. 0; p = 0.001) with mFLOT. INTERPRETATION AND CONCLUSION: mFLOT is associated with improved resection rates and survival in comparison to EOX as perioperative therapy in gastric adenocarcinomas in this large real-world cohort, with manageable increase in clinically relevant toxicities such as grade 3 and grade 4 febrile neutropenia and neutropenia.

Role of Surgery in the Treatment of Abdominal Desmoid Fibromatosis: A Single-Center Experience.

With increasing multidisciplinary management and emphasis on masterly inactivity for abdominal fibromatosis (AF), the indications for surgery are evolving. This retrospective analysis looked at outcomes following surgery. Two groups of patients who underwent surgery for AF between November 2011 and August 2021 were identified-intra-abdominal fibromatosis (IAF) and abdominal wall fibromatosis (AWF). All treatment-related details and follow-up data were gathered from a database and analyzed. Sixteen patients underwent surgery for IAF. R0 resection (wide margin) was achieved in 13 patients (81.2%). Over a median follow-up period of 51.7 (range 5-103) months, 5 patients developed recurrence (31.2%). The conditional probabilities of OS and DFS at 5 years were 80% (95% CI 58.7-100) and 42.2% (95% CI 20.3-87.8), respectively. Ten patients with AWF underwent surgery. R0 resection was achieved at 70% (7/10). Over a median follow-up period of 54.8 (range 12.9-96.7) months, 2 patients (20%) developed recurrence. The conditional probabilities of OS and DFS at 5 years were 88.9% (95% CI 70.6-100) and 77.8% (95% CI 54.9-87.8), respectively. Surgery has a vital role in the management of AF presenting with progressive/symptomatic lesions, especially when watchful waiting is not an option, and must be considered as one of the first-line active therapy. Timely curative surgery avoids disease progression and its morbidity with acceptable recurrence rates and provides durable remissions.

An Analysis of Tolerance and Early Survival Outcomes with Perioperative Modified FLOT in Gastric Cancers.

Anant RamaswamyPurpose Perioperative chemotherapy with fluorouracil plus leucovorin, oxaliplatin, and docetaxel (FLOT) is a current standard of care for locoregionally advanced gastric adenocarcinomas. There is limited real world data with regard to the tolerance and efficacy of this regimen. Materials and Methods This is a retrospective analysis of gastric cancer patients who were offered neoadjuvant perioperative modified FLOT regimen between December 2016 and October 2018, at the Tata Memorial Hospital, Mumbai. Chemotherapy-related side-effects are reported along with overall survival (OS), as calculated by Kaplan-Meier method. Results Three hundred and forty-three consecutive patients were started on neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT) with mFLOT of which 298 patients (87%) completed the planned treatment. A total of 294 patients (86%) underwent curative resection of gastric cancer. Common grade 3 and grade 4 toxicities during NACT were diarrhea in 42 patients (12%) and febrile neutropenia in 27 patients (8%). Toxic death was seen in nine (2.6%) patients. A total of 264 patients (77%) completed planned adjuvant chemotherapy. Common grade 3 and grade 4 toxicities during adjuvant therapy were diarrhea in 42 patients (12%) and febrile neutropenia in 16 patients (6%). With a median follow-up of 19 months, the estimated 2-year median OS was 69.4%. Conclusion Administration of modified FLOT regimen in locoregionally advanced gastric cancers is feasible in clinical practice with high completion rates, though requiring dose modifications due to the incidence of clinically relevant grade 3 to 5 toxicities. Early outcomes with the regimen are on par with survivals from the FLOT-AIO study.

A pro-oxidant combination of resveratrol and copper reduces chemotherapy-related non-haematological toxicities in advanced gastric cancer: results of a prospective open label phase II single-arm study (RESCU III study).

It has been reported that chemotherapy toxicity is primarily not due to the drugs themselves, but is caused by cell-free chromatin particles (cfChPs) that are released from chemotherapy-induced dying cells. cfChPs from dying cells are readily internalized by healthy cells, wherein they inflict dsDNA breaks and activate inflammatory cytokines. cfChPs can be deactivated by oxygen radicals that are generated upon admixing the nutraceuticals resveratrol (R) and copper (Cu). Pre-clinical studies have shown that administration of R-Cu can reduce chemotherapy toxicity via the generation of oxygen radicals which deactivate cfChPs released from chemotherapy-induced dying cells. We investigated if R-Cu would reduce toxicity of docetaxel-based multi-agent chemotherapy in advanced gastric cancer. This single-arm phase II study was designed to assess the efficacy of orally administered R-Cu in ameliorating toxic side effects, as per National Cancer Institute Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events v4.03, in patients with advanced gastric cancer receiving docetaxel-based multi-agent chemotherapy. The primary objective was to reduce the proportion of patients experiencing grade ≥ 3 toxicity from 90 to 70%. Between October 2019 and April 2021, 30 patients, with a median age of 54 years, were enrolled of whom 73% were male. R-Cu treatment did not reduce the overall cumulative incidence of grade ≥ 3 toxicity (77%), or of ≥ 3 haematological toxicity (73%). However, the incidence of non-haematological toxicities comprising hand-foot syndrome (N = 4), diarrhoea (N = 3) and vomiting (N = 1) were markedly reduced (13%). Median progression-free survival (PFS) was 8 months (95% CI: 5.9-10.1), and overall survival (OS) was 16 months (95% confidence interval: 6.3-28.3). A marked reduction in non-haematological toxicities was seen in patients receiving R-Cu compared to historical data without adversely affecting PFS or OS. (292).Clinical trial information CTRI/2019/07/020289.

Clinical Profile and Outcome of Patients With Human Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor 2-Positive Breast Cancer With Brain Metastases: Real-World Experience.

PURPOSE: There are sparse data in patients with human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-positive breast cancer with brain metastases from real-world settings, especially where access to newer targeted therapies is limited. METHODS: This was a single institution, retrospective cohort study of patients with HER2-positive breast cancer diagnosed between January 2013 and December 2017 to have brain metastases and treated with any HER2-targeted therapy. The main objectives were to estimate progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) from the time of brain metastases. RESULTS: A total of 102 patients with a median age of 52 (interquartile range, 45-57) years were included, of whom 63 (61.8%) had received one line and 14 (13.7%) had received two lines of HER2-targeted therapies before brain metastasis, 98 (96.1%) were symptomatic at presentation, 22 (25.3%) had solitary brain lesion, 22 (25.3%) had 2-5 lesions, and 43 (49.4%) had ≥ 5 lesions. Local treatment included surgical resection in nine (8.9%) and radiotherapy in all (100%) patients. The first HER2-targeted therapy after brain metastasis was lapatinib in 71 (68.6%), trastuzumab in 19 (18.6%), lapatinib and trastuzumab in three (2.9%), trastuzumab emtansine in four (3.9%), and intrathecal trastuzumab in five (4.9%) patients. At a median follow-up of 13.9 months, the median PFS and OS were 8 (95% CI, 6.2 to 9.8) months and 14 (95% CI, 10.8 to 17.2) months, respectively, with a 2-year OS of 25% (95% CI, 16.7 to 34.4). The median PFS in patients who received lapatinib-capecitabine regimen (n = 62) was 9.0 (95% CI, 7.3 to 10.7) months. CONCLUSION: There was a substantial clinical benefit of local and systemic therapy in patients with brain metastases and HER2-positive disease in a real-world setting with limited access to newer HER2-targeted drugs.

Ramucirumab in Indian Patients with Advanced Gastric Cancer-Does Borderline Performance Status and Heavy Burden of Disease in Real World Practice Impact Clinical Benefit?

Vikas OstwalBackground Ramucirumab is considered a standard of care as second-line therapy (CT2) in advanced gastric cancers (AGCs). The aim of this study was to assess practice patterns and outcomes with ramucirumab among Indian patients with AGCs. Materials and Methods A computerized clinical data entry form was formulated by the coordinating center's (Tata Memorial Hospital) medical oncologists and disseminated through personal contacts at academic conferences as well as via email for anonymized patient data entry. The data was analyzed for clinical characteristics, response rates, and survival outcomes. Results A total of 26 physicians contributed data, resulting in 55 patients receiving ramucirumab and being available for analysis. Median age was 53 years (range: 26-78), 69.1% of patients had greater than two sites of disease, and baseline Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group's performance score (ECOG PS) ≥ 2 was seen in 61.8% of patients. Ramucirumab was used as monotherapy in 10.9% of patients, while the remaining 89.1% received ramucirumab combined with chemotherapy. Median event-free survival (EFS) and median overall survival (OS) with ramucirumab were3.53 months (95% CI: 2.5-4.57) and 5.7 months (95% CI: 2.39-9.0), respectively. Common class specific grade adverse events seen with ramucirumab included gastrointestinal (GI) hemorrhage (9.1% - all grades) and uncontrolled hypertension (Grade 3/4 - 3.6%). Conclusions Ramucirumab appears to have similar efficacy in Indian AGC patients when compared with real-world data from other countries in terms of median EFS, but OS appears inferior due to more patients having borderline ECOG PS and high metastatic disease burden. GI hemorrhages appear more common than published data, although not unequivocally related to ramucirumab.