Phenotypic Expansion of Autosomal Dominant LZTR1-Related Disorders with Special Emphasis on Adult-Onset Features.

Leucine zipper-like transcription regulator 1 (LZTR1) acts as a negative factor that suppresses RAS function and MAPK signaling; mutations in this protein may dysregulate RAS ubiquitination and lead to impaired degradation of RAS superfamily proteins. Germline LZTR1 variants are reported in Noonan syndrome, either autosomal dominant or autosomal recessive, and in susceptibility to schwannomatosis. This article explores the genetic and phenotypic diversity of the autosomal dominant LZTR1-related disorders, compiling a cohort of previously published patients (51 with the Noonan phenotype and 123 with schwannomatosis) and presenting two additional adult-onset cases: a male with schwannomatosis and Parkinson's disease and a female with Noonan syndrome, generalized joint hypermobility, and breast cancer. This review confirms that autosomal dominant LZTR1-related disorders exhibit an extreme phenotypic variability, ranging from relatively mild manifestations to severe and multi-systemic involvement, and offers updated frequences of each clinical feature. The aim is to precisely define the clinical spectrum of LZTR1-related diseases, using also two new emblematic clinical cases. Gaining insight into the mechanisms underneath this variability is crucial to achieve precision diagnostics and the development of therapeutic interventions.

Genetic Basis of Breast and Ovarian Cancer: Approaches and Lessons Learnt from Three Decades of Inherited Predisposition Testing.

Germline variants occurring in BRCA1 and BRCA2 give rise to hereditary breast and ovarian cancer (HBOC) syndrome, predisposing to breast, ovarian, fallopian tube, and peritoneal cancers marked by elevated incidences of genomic aberrations that correspond to poor prognoses. These genes are in fact involved in genetic integrity, particularly in the process of homologous recombination (HR) DNA repair, a high-fidelity repair system for mending DNA double-strand breaks. In addition to its implication in HBOC pathogenesis, the impairment of HR has become a prime target for therapeutic intervention utilizing poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) inhibitors. In the present review, we introduce the molecular roles of HR orchestrated by BRCA1 and BRCA2 within the framework of sensitivity to PARP inhibitors. We examine the genetic architecture underneath breast and ovarian cancer ranging from high- and mid- to low-penetrant predisposing genes and taking into account both germline and somatic variations. Finally, we consider higher levels of complexity of the genomic landscape such as polygenic risk scores and other approaches aiming to optimize therapeutic and preventive strategies for breast and ovarian cancer.

Biological Role and Clinical Implications of microRNAs in BRCA Mutation Carriers.

Women with pathogenic germline mutations in BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes have an increased risk to develop breast and ovarian cancer. There is, however, a high interpersonal variability in the modality and timing of tumor onset in those subjects, thus suggesting a potential role of other individual's genetic, epigenetic, and environmental risk factors in modulating the penetrance of BRCA mutations. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small noncoding RNAs that can modulate the expression of several genes involved in cancer initiation and progression. MiRNAs are dysregulated at all stages of breast cancer and although they are accessible and evaluable, a standardized method for miRNA assessment is needed to ensure comparable data analysis and accuracy of results. The aim of this review was to highlight the role of miRNAs as potential biological markers for BRCA mutation carriers. In particular, biological and clinical implications of a link between lifestyle and nutritional modifiable factors, miRNA expression and germline BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutations are discussed with the knowledge of the best available scientific evidence.

Mechanism of Action and Clinical Efficacy of CDK4/6 Inhibitors in BRCA-Mutated, Estrogen Receptor-Positive Breast Cancers: Case Report and Literature Review.

Sensitivity to endocrine therapy of patients with estrogen receptor (ER)-positive metastatic breast cancer and germline BRCA1/2 mutations is not yet fully elucidated. Furthermore, the registration trials of CDK 4/6 inhibitors in combination with endocrine therapy lacked of a pre-specified subgroup analysis in BRCA1/2 mutation carriers. We report clinical history of two patients with BRCA-mutated, ER-positive metastatic breast cancer treated with letrozole plus the CDK 4/6 inhibitor palbociclib. Biological and clinical implications of the treatment outcome observed in the two cases are discussed with the knowledge of scientific evidence to date available. Overall, biological rationale, preclinical, and clinical data support the prominent role of CDK 4/6 inhibitors plus endocrine therapy, even in combination with PARP inhibitors, in the treatment of BRCA-mutated, ER-positive breast cancers. However, the interaction between Cyclin/CDK pathway, ER and BRCA is complex and evidences reported so far, albeit reliable, await confirmation in the context of future randomized clinical trials.

Large scale multifactorial likelihood quantitative analysis of BRCA1 and BRCA2 variants: An ENIGMA resource to support clinical variant classification.

The multifactorial likelihood analysis method has demonstrated utility for quantitative assessment of variant pathogenicity for multiple cancer syndrome genes. Independent data types currently incorporated in the model for assessing BRCA1 and BRCA2 variants include clinically calibrated prior probability of pathogenicity based on variant location and bioinformatic prediction of variant effect, co-segregation, family cancer history profile, co-occurrence with a pathogenic variant in the same gene, breast tumor pathology, and case-control information. Research and clinical data for multifactorial likelihood analysis were collated for 1,395 BRCA1/2 predominantly intronic and missense variants, enabling classification based on posterior probability of pathogenicity for 734 variants: 447 variants were classified as (likely) benign, and 94 as (likely) pathogenic; and 248 classifications were new or considerably altered relative to ClinVar submissions. Classifications were compared with information not yet included in the likelihood model, and evidence strengths aligned to those recommended for ACMG/AMP classification codes. Altered mRNA splicing or function relative to known nonpathogenic variant controls were moderately to strongly predictive of variant pathogenicity. Variant absence in population datasets provided supporting evidence for variant pathogenicity. These findings have direct relevance for BRCA1 and BRCA2 variant evaluation, and justify the need for gene-specific calibration of evidence types used for variant classification.

Osteoblastic progression during EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor therapy in mutated non-small cell lung cancer: a potential blunder.

AIMS AND BACKGROUND: Bone flare reaction as a sign of response to antineoplastic treatment has been redefined, including the onset of new osteoblastic lesions. If misunderstood as skeletal progression, this finding could lead to erroneous therapy discontinuation, changing the disease clinical course. We aim to describe this clinical phenomenon in patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) gene-activating mutations treated with tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI). METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the computed tomography scans of 43 EGFR-mutated patients with NSCLC treated with EGFR-TKI, analyzing the bone response in terms of increase in the quantity and/or density of lesions, and assessing objective tumor response to treatment. RESULTS: Osteoblastic reaction was detected in 10 cases (23%), showing different patterns: dimensional or density increase of known osteosclerotic metastases (pattern A, n = 4); response of previously lytic lesions (pattern B, n = 2); onset of new osteosclerotic lesions (pattern C, n = 4). Seven patients had partial response to TKI treatment, with response rate of 70%, vs 50% of patients with bone metastases without this reaction. No difference in terms of median overall survival or progression-free survival emerged between patients with or without osteoblastic reaction. CONCLUSIONS: The correct clinico-radiologic interpretation of osteoblastic reaction is crucial to avoid waste of therapeutic lines when TKI treatment has not yet exhausted its potential effectiveness. Clinical implications of ambiguous radiologic findings as described in this study deserve further discussion.

Triple negative status and BRCA mutations in contralateral breast cancer: a population-based study.

BACKGROUND AND AIM OF THE WORK: BRCA1/2 mutation carriers diagnosed with breast cancer have a strong life-time risk of developing contralateral breast cancer (CBC). We performed a population-based study with the aim of estimating the proportion of CBC associated with BRCA1/BRCA2 mutations, and the contribution of germline mutations to both molecular and clinical features of these tumors. METHODS: Fifty-five women with invasive CBC consecutively seen at the at the Genetic Oncology Service of the University Hospital of Parma from 2000 to 2011 were subjected to BRCA1/2 testing. Fifty-five case-matched, unilateral breast cancer (UBC)  patients (pts), which tested negative for BRCA1/2 mutations, were selected as control group. RESULTS: BRCA mutations were detected in 13 (24%) of 55 CBC pts. Women with BRCA1 mutations, and to a lesser extent BRCA2 mutations, were significantly more likely to present with high histologic grade, negative hormone receptor status and high proliferation rate in both first and second primary breast cancers than BRCA-negative, CBC tumors. A diagnosis of triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) was significantly more frequent in women with BRCA mutations in comparison with BRCA-negative, UBC controls. There were no survival differences between BRCA-positive and non-BRCA tumors. CONCLUSIONS: Results of the present study indicate that both first primary and second primary breast cancers in BRCA carriers are qualitatively distinct from BRCA negative CBC, and from sporadic UBC controls. These findings highlight relevant clinical considerations about the potential value of BRCA testing in women with CBC as well as therapeutic, preventive, and surveillance implications for patients carrying a mutation.

CEA serum level as early predictive marker of outcome during EGFR-TKI therapy in advanced NSCLC patients.

Considering the role of carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) serum levels as potential useful predictive marker during chemotherapy treatment, we studied its applicability in advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients treated with epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) tyrosine-kinase inhibitors (TKIs). Our retrospective cohort consists of 79 patients (33 EGFR mutated and 46 EGFR wild type or unknown) affected by advanced NSCLC, for whom CEA serum values at the beginning of TKI therapy and after the first month of treatment were available, regardless of treatment line. Baseline CEA value, percentage of CEA reduction after 1 month, and percentage of patients with ≥20 % CEA decrease after 1 month (CEA response) were correlated with disease control rate (DCR), progression-free (PFS), and overall (OS) survival, according to EGFR mutational status. Median baseline CEA levels were significantly higher in EGFR mutated (40.9 ng/ml; interquartile range (IQR) 8.9-197.6) than in wild-type cases (6.2 ng/ml; IQR 2.8-12.8; p = 0.003). Both percentage reduction in CEA levels (-10.7 vs. +13.4 %) and percentage of cases with CEA response (42 vs. 20 %) were significantly higher in mutated vs. wild-type/unknown patients (p = 0.007 and p = 0.027, respectively). In wild-type/unknown patients, CEA response was significantly correlated with DCR (p = 0.001) and resulted as a significant predictor of PFS both in univariate (p = 0.002) and in multivariate analyses (hazard ratio (HR) 0.27; 95 % confidence interval (CI) 0.11-0.66; p = 0.004); only a trend was found for OS prediction (p = 0.082). In EGFR-mutated group, CEA reduction did not show any correlation either with PFS or OS. CEA response after 1 month of EGFR-TKI therapy could be a useful marker, worthy to further studies, as early predictor of treatment outcome in EGFR wild-type/unknown unselected NSCLC cases for which no molecular predictor is yet available.

Gene mutations in small-cell lung cancer (SCLC): results of a panel of 6 genes in a cohort of Italian patients.

BACKGROUND: No target therapies are presently available in the treatment of small-cell lung cancer (SCLC). We investigated the presence of potentially drugable mutations in the EGFR, c-MET, BRAF, KRAS, PDGFRa and c-KIT genes in a retrospective series of SCLC from 2 Italian Institutions. Correlations with immunohistochemical, clinical and outcome features were evaluated. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Genes were studied by direct sequencing of DNA extracted from formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissues. Immunohistochemical expression of TTF-1, p63, chromogranin, synaptophysin, CD56 and bcl-2 was assessed. RESULTS: Samples from 113 SCLC patients were analyzed. All cases were wild-type for BRAF, KRAS, PDGFRa and c-KIT (data available for 82 patients). Two (1.8%) patients were EGFR-mutated (exon 19 delE746-A750 and exon 21 L858R); both were females, non-smoker and had limited disease. Overall survival of EGFR-mutated patients was 21 months as compared to 11 months in wild-type. Five (4.4%) patients were c-MET-mutated (4 on exon 14: 2 R988C, 1 D990N, 1 D102Y; 1 on exon 17 R1166Q); all were smokers, 3 were males and 4 had extensive disease. Their OS was comparable to wild-type cases (12 vs. 11 months). EGFR and c-MET mutations were mutually exclusive. Gene mutations did not correlate with immunophenotype. CONCLUSIONS: Targetable mutations are uncommon in SCLC. EGFR-mutated patients tended to be female and non-smoker and experienced a prolonged OS suggesting a possible positive prognostic effect. c-MET mutations did not affect survival. Target therapy might be considered in EGFR and c-MET-mutated patients.

Overcoming T790M-driven acquired resistance to EGFR-TKIs in NSCLC with afatinib: a case report.

The identification of activating EGFR gene mutations and the availability of effective target therapies such as gefitinib and erlotinib have radically changed the therapeutic approach and prognosis for patients with advanced EGFR-mutated non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). However, despite an initial response to EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs), acquired resistance inevitably develops and the way to overcome it is an open challenge. We report the first case, to our knowledge, of a patient affected by metastatic EGFR-mutated NSCLC with T790M-driven acquired TKI resistance who obtained a significant response to afatinib. Considering the improvement achieved in all disease sites but those in the brain, this case puts a strain on afatinib's activity on brain metastases.

Correlation between erlotinib pharmacokinetics, cutaneous toxicity and clinical outcomes in patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

OBJECTIVES: An association between skin toxicity and outcome has been reported for NSCLC patients treated with erlotinib. Several explanations have been suggested, including pharmacokinetic and pharmacogenomic variability. The purposes of this study were to characterize erlotinib pharmacokinetic and to correlate drug serum and urine levels to toxicity and outcomes in advanced NSCLC patients. METHODS: Patients with stage IV NSCLC consecutively treated with erlotinib in second- or third-line were enrolled. Biological samples (blood, urine and tumor specimens) were collected. Erlotinib levels in serum and urine samples of all patients after 7 (T1) and 30 (T2) days of treatment were quantified by LC-MS/MS analysis, along with urinary 6ß-hydroxycortisol/cortisol ratio, as marker of metabolic phenotype of the CYP3A4/5 enzyme. RESULTS: 56 patients were recruited and for 46 all samples were available. At T1 erlotinib levels were 3.90 [2.13] µmol/l and 0.37 [2.90]µmol/mol creat in serum and urinary samples, respectively; at T2 drug concentrations were significantly lower (2.02 [4.05] µmol/l and 0.23 [4.47] µmol/mol creat, respectively). Patients with grade 3 skin toxicity showed serum T1 drug levels significantly higher than those with grade 0-2 (6.84 [2.28] vs. 3.08 [1.97] µmol/l, respectively, p=0.004) and had longer progression-free and overall survival. An inverse correlation between erlotinib serum levels and urinary 6ß-hydroxycortisol/cortisol ratio was observed in patients with grade 3 skin toxicity. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that the pharmacokinetics and metabolism of erlotinib are related to skin toxicity and may support further studies where erlotinib dosing is tailored according to pharmacokinetic parameters.

Predictive and prognostic value of early response assessment using 18FDG-PET in advanced non-small cell lung cancer patients treated with erlotinib.

BACKGROUND: [18F]fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG)-PET is being evaluated as a tool for the early detection of response to various targeted agents in solid tumors. The aim of this study was to evaluate the predictive value of PET response after 2 days of erlotinib in unselected pretreated patients with stage IV NSCLC. PATIENTS AND METHODS: FDG-PET/CT scans were conducted at baseline and after 2 days of erlotinib, with a CT evaluation performed at baseline and after 45-60 days of therapy. PET responses were evaluated by quantitative changes on SUVmax tumor/non-tumor ratio and classified according to EORTC criteria. PET responses were compared with RECIST responses and related to progression-free (PFS) and overall (OS) survival. Erlotinib effects on glucose uptake were also studied in a panel of NSCLC cell lines. RESULTS: Fifty-three patients were enrolled. At 2 days of erlotinib, 20 (38 %) patients showed partial metabolic response (PMR), 25 (47 %) had stable metabolic disease (SMD) and 8 (15 %) had progressive metabolic disease (PMD). All patients with PMD had confirmed RECIST progression at 45-60 days. Patients with early PMR and SMD had significantly longer PFS (p < 0.001 and p = 0.001, respectively) and OS (p = 0.001 for both) than PMD patients. CONCLUSIONS: FDG-PET assessment after 2 days of erlotinib could be useful to identify early resistant patients and to predict survival in unselected NSCLC pretreated population.

Reliability of EGFR and KRAS mutation analysis on fine-needle aspiration washing in non-small cell lung cancer.

INTRODUCTION: Molecular profiling of advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) has become essential for predicting customized medical treatment decision. In light of recent advances in non-invasive diagnostic procedures in NSCLC, we aimed to demonstrate the reliability of assessing molecular tests for epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and KRAS genes on cytological samples by comparing the molecular profile obtained on cells from scraped smears with that on paired needle washing in a series of NSCLC cases. METHODS: Thirty-two cytological specimens obtained by fine-needle aspiration biopsy procedures from primary or metastatic lesions of NSCLCs were Giemsa stained for a rapid on-site evaluation and, in case of an adequate sampling, the cellular material obtained from needle washing was collected into a saline solution. Scraped smears and needle washings were tested for EGFR and KRAS by polymerase chain reaction followed by direct sequencing. RESULTS: The concordance between EGFR and KRAS mutational status in 29 paired scraped smears and needle washing was 100%, with 7 paired samples showing the same EGFR mutation (4 L858R mutation, 2 E746_A750 deletion and 1 A767_V769 duplication) and 8 paired samples showing the same KRAS mutations (4 G12D, 1 G12A, 1 G12V and 2 G12C). Three scraped smears, uninformative for poor DNA quality, resulted EGFR mutated on paired needle washings. CONCLUSIONS: Needle washing obtained in the course of NSCLC non-invasive fine needle diagnostic procedures allows reliable mutation testing and can be regarded as an additional important source of biological material for molecular profiling of advanced NSCLC.

Epidermal growth factor receptor and Kras gene expression: reliability of mutational analysis on cytological samples.

Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and Kras gene mutations are crucial for discriminating patients responsive to anti-EGFR drugs in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and colorectal cancer (CRC), respectively. The majority of NSCLCs come to clinical attention at an advanced stage when surgery is no longer recommended and a considerable number of them are diagnosed by cytology only. A large number of metastatic CRCs are also diagnosed by imaging and minimally invasive techniques such as fine-needle aspiration biopsy. Here, we report our experience in the mutation analysis of EGFR and Kras on cytological material obtained from superficial and deep lesions of NSCLC and CRC. Our series included 63 cytological specimens from primary or metastatic lesions of 42 NSCLCs and 21 CRCs. The cytological material was adequate for the mutation analysis in 39/42 (93%) NSCLCs and in 20/21(95%) CRCs. EGFR and Kras mutations were found in 9 (23%) and 9 (23%) NSCLC cases, respectively. Kras mutations were found in 9/20 (45%) CRC specimens. Histological samples from the primary tumors were available in 9/42 NSCLCs and in 17/21 CRCs. The agreement of EGFR and Kras mutational status in cytological vs. histological samples was 100% for NSCLC and 88% for CRC. Our results suggest that standard cytology provides adequate material for the assessment of EGFR and Kras mutational status in NSCLC and CRC patients and could be specifically indicated in patients not eligible for surgery but candidate to anti-EGFR therapy.

EGFR mutation-specific antibodies in pulmonary adenocarcinoma: a comparison with DNA direct sequencing.

INTRODUCTION: Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) gene mutations are usually detected by direct sequencing to identify patients with advanced pulmonary adenocarcinomas as candidates for tyrosine kinase inhibitor therapy. The aim of the study was to evaluate the efficacy of EGFR mutation-specific antibodies in identifying EGFR-mutated adenocarcinomas. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty-three consecutive cases of pulmonary adenocarcinomas sequenced for EGFR mutations were retrieved from our files. Immunohistochemistry was performed with the rabbit monoclonal antibodies E746-A750del (6B6) and L858R (43B2). The results obtained using the 2 procedures were statistically compared by Coehn κ and by calculation of sensitivity and specificity. RESULTS: There were 21 women and 12 men, ranging in age from 48 to 78 years. All cases were lung adenocarcinomas, 23 primaries and 10 metastatic. The mutational spectrum was as follows: 12 cases mutated in exon 19 (9 with E746-A750del, 1 with homozygote L747-T751del, 1 with L747-P753del, 1 with E747-S752del), 6 in exon 21 (5 with L858R, 1 with L861Q+L862L), and 15 EGFR wild type. Immunohistochemistry detected 6/9 cases with an E746-A750del mutation (κ=0.744, sensitivity: 66.7%, specificity: 100%) and 5/5 cases with an L858R mutation (κ=1, sensitivity: 100%, specificity: 100%). Four cases showed faint and focal immunostaining and were interpreted as negative. All other cases were negative. Overall, the 2 antibodies had 61.1% sensitivity and 100% specificity for EGFR mutations. CONCLUSIONS: EGFR mutation-specific antibodies may represent a first-line screening tool to identify patients as candidates for tyrosine kinase inhibitor therapy.

Epidermal growth factor receptor intron-1 polymorphism predicts gefitinib outcome in advanced non-small cell lung cancer.

INTRODUCTION: Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) gene intron 1 contains a polymorphic single sequence dinucleotide repeat (CA)n whose length has been found to inversely correlate with transcriptional activity. This study was designed to assess the role of (CA)n polymorphism in predicting the outcome of gefitinib treatment in advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). METHODS: Blood and tumor tissue from 58 patients with advanced NSCLC submitted to gefitinib were collected. EGFR intron 1 gene polymorphism, along with EGFR gene mutation, gene copy number and immunohistochemistry expression were determined. Moreover, a panel of lung cancer cell lines characterized for EGFR intron 1 polymorphism was also studied. RESULTS: EGFR intron 1 polymorphism showed a statistically significant correlation with the gefitinib response (response rate 25 versus 0%, for patients with a (CA)16 and with a (CA)else genotype, respectively; p = 0.044). Patients with a (CA)16 genotype had a longer survival compared with those with a (CA)else genotype (11.4 versus 4.8 months, respectively; p = 0.037). In addition, cell lines lacking the (CA)16 allele showed a statistically significant higher IC50 compared with cell lines bearing at least one (CA)16 allele (p = 0.003). CONCLUSIONS: This study supports a potential role of EGFR intron 1 polymorphism in predicting the outcome of gefitinib treatment in advanced NSCLC.

Immunoglobulin G fragment C receptor polymorphisms and clinical efficacy of trastuzumab-based therapy in patients with HER-2/neu-positive metastatic breast cancer.

PURPOSE: The anti-HER-2/neu monoclonal antibody trastuzumab has been shown to engage both activatory (fragment C receptor [Fc gamma R]IIIa; Fc gamma RIIa) and inhibitory (Fc gamma RIIb) antibody receptors and Fc gamma R polymorphisms have been identified that may affect the antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity (ADCC) of natural-killer cells/monocytes. In this study, we tested whether Fc gamma R polymorphisms are associated with clinical outcome of patients with breast cancer who received trastuzumab. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Fifty-four consecutive patients with HER-2/neu-amplified breast cancer receiving trastuzumab plus taxane for metastatic disease were evaluated for genotype for the Fc gamma RIIIa-158 valine(V)/phenylalanine(F), Fc gamma RIIa-131 histidine(H)/arginine(R), and Fc gamma RIIb-232 isoleucine(I)/threonine(T) polymorphisms. Trastuzumab-mediated ADCC of patients' peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) was measured by chromium-51 release using a HER-2/neu-expressing human breast cancer cell line as a target. Controls comprised thirty-four patients treated with taxane alone. RESULTS: Our population was in Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium except for the Fc gamma RIIb polymorphism. The Fc gamma RIIIa-158 V/V genotype was significantly correlated with objective response rate (ORR) and progression-free survival (PFS). Also, there was trend significance in ORR and PFS for the Fc gamma RIIa-131 H/H genotype. The combination of the two favorable genotypes (VV and/or H/H) was independently associated with better ORR and PFS compared with the other combinations. The ADCC analysis showed that V/V and/or H/H PBMCs had a significantly higher trastuzumab-mediated cytotoxicity than PBMCs harboring different genotypes. CONCLUSION: These data support for the first time the hypothesis that Fc gamma R-mediated ADCC plays an important role in the clinical effect of trastuzumab. Prospective studies are needed to confirm the role of Fc gamma R polymorphisms in predicting clinical outcome of patients with breast cancer treated with trastuzumab-based therapy.

Buccal mucosa cells as in vivo model to evaluate gefitinib activity in patients with advanced non small cell lung cancer.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the role of pretreatment and posttreatment expression in buccal mucosa cells of signal transduction proteins activated by epidermal growth factor receptor, including phosphorylated epidermal growth factor receptor (p-EGFR), phosphorylated mitogen-activated protein kinase (p-MAPK), and phosphorylated AKT (p-AKT), in predicting gefitinib activity in advanced non-small cell lung cancer patients. Expression of the same proteins was also assessed on corresponding tissue samples for comparison. Moreover, EGFR gene mutations and copy number were analyzed. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: Protein expression was evaluated by standard immunocytochemistry in buccal smears, obtained by scraping immediately before and after 2 weeks of gefitinib treatment, and in the available archival tumor specimens. EGFR gene mutations were evaluated by direct sequencing and gene copy number was determined by fluorescence in situ hybridization. Data were correlated with gefitinib toxicity and objective response. RESULTS: Fifty-eight patients with pretreated advanced non-small cell lung cancer were enrolled and nine of these patients (15%) showed an objective response to gefitinib (including two complete responses). Toxicity (P = 0.025) and baseline p-AKT expression in buccal mucosa cells (P = 0.061) showed a potential predictive role. On the contrary, the probability of achieving an objective response was not affected by pretreatment expression of EGFR, p-EGFR, and p-MAPK, either in buccal mucosa or in tumor tissue. Responders showed a nonstatistically significant trend toward a more pronounced reduction in the expression of p-EGFR, p-MAPK, and p-AKT after gefitinib treatment. Among responders, five of six (83%) tumors showed EGFR gene mutation, whereas none of the tumors from patients with stable or progressive disease did (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Epithelial cells obtained from buccal mucosa may be used to assess the pharmacodynamic effect of EGFR-targeted agents, and pretreatment p-AKT expression may be a possible predictive biomarker of in vivo gefitinib activity.

BRCA mutations, molecular markers, and clinical variables in early-onset breast cancer: a population-based study.

Early age at onset is generally considered an indicator of genetic susceptibility to breast cancer. To address both the proportion of early-onset breast cancer associated with BRCA-1 or BRCA-2 germline mutation and the contribution of germline mutations to the clinical features and outcome of these tumors, we analyzed molecular status and clinical variables of a population-based sample of 66 Italian women diagnosed with breast cancer before the age of 40 who were unselected for family history. BRCA mutations were screened by automated sequencing of the entire BRCA-1 and BRCA-2 coding regions and splice junctions. Twenty-eight late-onset (over 45 years), sporadic, breast cancers were designated as "control group" for comparisons with early-onset cases. BRCA mutations (10 BRCA-1 and 6 BRCA-2) were detected in 15 (22.7%) out of 66 tested patients. The combination of ER, PR, HER-2/neu negativity and p53 positivity was significantly more frequent in BRCA-1 positive tumors than in BRCA-2 positive and non-BRCA tumors (P=0.03). Taken collectively, BRCA-positive tumors correlated with high histologic grade and ER negativity compared with non-BRCA and sporadic tumors (P=0.05 and 0.003, respectively). There were no significant differences between BRCA-associated breast cancers (BABC) and non-BABC in relapse-free, event-free, and overall survival. Our data confirm that the combination of age at onset and tumor phenotype can provide an efficient model for identifying individuals with a high probability of carrying BRCA mutations and support the hypothesis that breast cancer in BRCA carriers is qualitatively distinct from other early-onset breast cancers and from late-onset, sporadic, breast carcinomas. Further studies on incident cases are necessary to define the independent prognostic significance of germline BRCA mutations.

A breast cancer patient from Italy with germline mutations in both the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes.

We report the first case in Italy of a non-Ashkenazi double heterozygote for BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes. This finding is predictably rare, with a maximum frequency of 1/250,000. The proband and her mother were diagnosed with early-onset breast cancer. No other relatives with breast and/or ovarian cancer were observed. The implications of this case in regard to genetic testing and counseling are substantial.