ABSTRACT
Purpose Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) has a poor outcome compared to other subtypes. Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have changed the treatment paradigm in metastatic diseases as well as in neoadjuvant setting. The response to these agents is affected by programmed death ligand 1 (PDL1) receptor expression which are reported objectively as a score. PDL1 is a prognostic marker also. Here, we present clinicopathological characteristics of metastatic TNBCs, report the proportion of PDL1 expression and its association with clinicopathological factors as well as survival. Methods This is a prospective study carried out at a tertiary cancer care centre in South India. Case records of all breast cancer patients treated in two years between August 2021 and July 2023 were reviewed, patients with metastatic TNBC were selected. Patient's characteristics, histological features, molecular profile, and treatment were analyzed. PDL1 testing was carried out on pretreatment tumor tissue sections with immunohistochemistry (IHC) (Dako 22C3). PDL1 staining was interpreted as negative or positive based on combined positive score (CPS), with an expression less than 10 considered negative. Results A total of 118 patients were analyzed. With a median age of 46 years (36-65 years), 52.5% (62/118) were premenopausal. Family history of Ca Breast was seen in 22% (26/118) patients. A majority of patients had left-sided tumor 55.9% (66/118). Visceral metastasis was more common 96.6% (82/118) than skeletal. Radical intent of treatment was adopted in 10% as patients had oligometastatic disease at presentation. As front-line treatment, anthracycline-based chemotherapy was administered to the majority 54.2% (64/118). The PDL1 expression with CPS more or equal to 10 was seen in 32.2% (38/118) patients. Survival was associated with menopausal status (p value=0.000) and family history (p value=0.028) but not with PDL1 nor sidedness in our study. Estimated survival at 12 months in PDL1 negative case is 10 ± 0.29 months, while in PDL1 positive case it is slightly more at 10 ± 0.75 months, but difference was not found to be statistically significant (p value=0.15). Conclusion TNBCs are highly aggressive subtype with limited treatment options and poorer outcomes. Our study shows PDL1 expression in 31.66% of the cases similar to other literature from India. Survival is associated with menopausal status and family history. No association was found between survival and PDL1 as well sidedness in our study.
ABSTRACT
Considerable advances in the diagnosis and treatment of cancer have made a huge impact on morbidity and mortality from neoplastic diseases. However, cancer remains the leading cause of death across the world. This is a retrospective study carried out at a tertiary cancer care centre (Kidwai Memorial Institute of Oncology, Bangalore) in South India. Case records of all cancer patients who died while receiving inpatient treatment between January 2022 and December 2022 under the Department of Medical Oncology were reviewed and studied. There was a total of 240 deaths. Out of these, the majority of deaths 147 (61.25%) were patients with haematological malignancies while the remaining 93 (38.75%) were patients with solid tumours. In patients with solid tumours, the majority 49 (52.7%) were in the age group of 40 to 60 years while only 18 (19.35%) patients were less than 40 years. The majority of patients were male sex i.e. 55(59.1%) and undergoing treatment with palliative intent 81 (87%). The most common organ was the lung in 21 patients (22.6%) followed by the breast while the most common system involved was the gastrointestinal tract in 28 (30.1%) patients. The most frequent cause of death was progressive disease in 72 (77.4%) while sepsis (11 patients; 11.8%) was the second most frequent cause of death in solid tumours. In haematological malignancies, also a significant number of 57 (38.8%) patients were in the age group of 40 to 60 years. Fifty-two (35.3%) patients were in the age group of 22 to 40 years. The majority were male sex (79 patients; 53.7%). About the phase of treatment, the majority of deaths 45 (30.6%) were during induction and under evaluation. Those with relapse/refractory disease were 38 (25.9%). A substantial number of patients had acute myeloid leukaemia 47 (32%) and five (3.4%) deaths were acute promyelocytic leukaemia patients. Twenty-three patients (15.6%) had acute lymphoblastic leukaemia. The most common cause of death was sepsis in 76 patients (51.7%) while intracranial bleeding was in 34 patients (23.1%). In some patients, there were multiple causes leading to death. Mortality audits are important to evaluate the services being provided at any centre. One can appreciate the lacunae in handling a particular disease or flaws in a treatment protocol or the staff delivering the treatment. Sepsis is the leading cause of death in patients with haematological malignancy; even in solid malignancy sepsis accounts for a substantial proportion of deaths and should be handled aggressively to save lives.
ABSTRACT
CONTEXT: A significant number of patients with head-and-neck cancers have an incurable disease with limited life expectancy. The objective of the present study was to compare two different short courses of hypofractionated palliative radiotherapy regimens to evaluate symptoms, disease response, and acute toxicity. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Previously untreated 50 patients of Stage IV B and IV C head and neck cancers were randomized to receive conventional hypofractionated palliative radiotherapy 30 Gy/10 fractions/2 weeks (control group) or Quad Shot regimen (study group) 14 Gy in 4 fractions given twice a day at least 6 h apart for 2 consecutive days. This regimen was repeated at 4 weekly intervals for a further two courses if there was no tumor progression. RESULTS: Symptom relief was similar among the two schedules for pain (60.86 vs. 57.17), dysphagia (60.86 vs. 52.17%), and hoarseness (43.85 vs. 38.09%). Overall response (that is partial response and stable disease) was seen in majority (>70%) of the patients in both the groups. Treatment was very well tolerated with no patient experiencing more than Grade 3 toxicity in the control group and Grade 2 toxicity in the study group. CONCLUSIONS: Quad Shot regimen is an effective hypofractionated palliative radiotherapy schedule with minimal toxicity, good symptom relief, and response rate as compared to conventionally used regimen (30 Gy/10 fractions/2 weeks).
