Expert survey on management of prostate cancer in India: Real-world insights into practice patterns.

To gain insights on the diverse practice patterns and treatment pathways for prostate cancer (PC) in India, the Urological Cancer Foundation convened the first Indian survey to discuss all aspects of PC, with the objective of guiding clinicians on optimizing management in PC. A modified Delphi method was used, wherein a multidisciplinary panel of oncologists treating PC across India developed a questionnaire related to screening, diagnosis and management of early, locally advanced and metastatic PC and participated in a web-based survey (WBS) (n = 62). An expert committee meeting (CM) (n = 48, subset from WBS) reviewed the ambiguous questions for better comprehension and reanalyzed the evidence to establish a revote for specific questions. The threshold for strong agreement and agreement was ≥90% and ≥75% agreement, respectively. Sixty-two questions were answered in the WBS; in the CM 31 questions were revoted and 4 questions were added. The panelists selected answers based on their best opinion and closest to their practice strategy, not considering financial constraints and access challenges. Of the 66 questions, strong agreement was reached for 17 questions and agreement was achieved for 22 questions. There were heterogeneous responses for 27 questions indicative of variegated management approaches. This is one of the first Indian survey, documenting the diverse clinical practice patterns in the management of PC in India. It aims to provide guidance in the face of technological advances, resource constraints and sparse high-level evidence.

Biomarkers in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancers: Indian Consensus Guidelines for Molecular Testing.

Novel molecular targets and promising targeted therapies have reshaped diagnostics in patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Despite this progress, the implementation of molecular screening to identify predictive biomarkers in Indian clinical and pathology settings has been challenging due to operational and logistical constraints. This consensus guideline brings together medical oncologists, molecular pathologists and pathologists from India to provide a quick and competent reference for biomarker testing in NSCLC. The guideline summarizes the importance of targetable mutations in NSCLC such as epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), rearrangements in anaplastic lymphoma kinase and receptor tyrosine kinase encoded by ROS-1 gene, overexpression of programmed cell death ligand-1 and resistant EGFR mutations. It reaffirms recommendations from international working groups, discusses vulnerable pre-analytical procedures and provides a balanced review on the pros and cons of different diagnostic tests (immunohistochemistry, fluorescence in situ hybridization, polymerase chain reaction-based testing and next-generation sequencing). The document also provides an algorithm to aid diagnostic decision-making and a checklist to assess the quality of testing laboratories that will help the medical oncologists make an informed choice. Overall, these recommendations are based on evidence and clinical experience and will aid policymakers, oncologists, health care practitioners and pathologists who strive to implement molecular strategies and make informed decisions for improved care in NSCLC in India.Funding: AstraZeneca Pharma India Limited.

Cabazitaxel for Metastatic Castration-Resistant Prostate Cancer: Retrospective Data Analysis from an Indian Centre.

Objective: To determine the efficacy and safety of cabazitaxel in metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) patients from the named patient programme (NPP) at our centre. Methods: mCRPC patients who progressed on docetaxel were given cabazitaxel intravenously every 3 weeks until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity occurred. Overall survival, progression-free survival, prostate-specific antigen response, quality of life (QOL) changes, and safety were reported. Results: Nine men received cabazitaxel (median: 7 cycles; range: 1-27) under the NPP and were followed until death. Median survival was 14.07 months (1.07-23.80) and progression-free survival was 2.67 months (1.07-20.27). QOL was stable for most patients. Common adverse events (grade ≥3) were neutropenia (n = 8), anaemia (n = 4), and leucopenia (n = 4). Conclusion: These data from 9 patients are consistent with the results reported in the TROPIC study with a manageable safety profile.

Usefulness of (18)F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography in dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans on treatment with imatinib.

Dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans (DFSP) is a rare locally aggressive tumor with distant metastases being unusual. We present a case of metastatic DFSP treated with imatinib showing complete metabolic response to treatment.

A prospective randomized phase II study comparing metronomic chemotherapy with chemotherapy (single agent cisplatin), in patients with metastatic, relapsed or inoperable squamous cell carcinoma of head and neck.

BACKGROUND: Cetuximab based treatment is the recommended chemotherapy for head and neck squamous cell cancers in the palliative setting. However, due to financial constraints, intravenous (IV) chemotherapy without cetuximab is commonly used in lesser developed countries. We believe that oral metronomic chemotherapy may be safer and more effective in this setting. METHODS: We conducted an open label, superiority, parallel design, randomized phase II trial comparing oral MCT [daily celecoxib (200mg twice daily) and weekly methotrexate (15mg/m(2))] to intravenous single agent cisplatin (IP) (75mg/m(2)) given 3 weekly. Eligible patients had head and neck cancers requiring palliative chemotherapy with ECOG PS 0-2 and adequate organ functions who could not afford cetuximab. The primary end point was progression-free survival. RESULTS: 110 Patients were recruited between July 2011 to May 2013, 57 randomized to the MCT arm and 53 to the IP arm. Patients in the MCT arm had significantly longer PFS (median 101 days, 95% CI: 58.2-143.7 days) compared to the IP arm (median 66 days, 95% CI; 55.8-76.1 days) (p=0.014). The overall survival (OS) was also increased significantly in the MCT arm (median 249 days, 95% CI: 222.5-275.5 days) compared to the IP arm (median 152 days, 95% CI: 104.2-199.8 days) (p=0.02). There were fewer grade 3/4 adverse effects with MCT, which was not significant. (18.9% vs. 31.4%, P=0.14). CONCLUSION: Oral metronomic chemotherapy has significantly better PFS and OS than single agent platinum in the palliative setting.

Weekly chemotherapy as Induction chemotherapy in locally advanced head and neck cancer for patients ineligible for 3 weekly maximum tolerable dose chemotherapy.

OBJECTIVE: To study the safety and efficacy of weekly chemotherapy as part of induction chemotherapy, in locally advanced head and neck cancer for patients, who are unfit for upfront radical treatment. MATERIALS AND METHODS: It is a retrospective analysis of on-use weekly chemotherapy as Induction chemotherapy in locally advanced head and neck cancer, who are technically unresectable are unfit for upfront radical treatment. Induction chemotherapy given was a 2 drug combination of paclitaxel (80 mg/m 2 ) and carboplatin AUC 2. The decision to give weekly induction chemotherapy was given on the basis of presence of 2 more following features: Poor performance status (ECOG PS 2-3), presence of uncontrolled co morbidities, BMI below 18.5 kg/m 2 and age more than 60 years. The Statistical Package for the Social Sciences software (SPSS version 16.0) was used for analysis. The response rates, toxicity (accordance with CTCAE vs. 4.02), completion rate (Cp) of radical intent treatment post neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT), progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) are reported. RESULTS: Fifteen patients were considered for such therapy. Fourteen out of fifteen patients completed NACT. The median numbers of planned weekly cycles were 6 (3-8). Response (CR + PR) was seen in 10 patients. Overall grade 3-4 toxicity was seen in 6 patients. No toxicity related mortality was noted. The calculated completion rate (Cp) of radical intent treatment post NACT was 46.7%. The median PFS and OS were 10.36 months (95% CI 6.73-14.00 months) and 16.53 months (95% CI 4.22-28.84). CONCLUSION: Use of induction chemotherapy with weekly regimen is safe and effective selected cohort of patients with locally advanced disease who are unfit for upfront radical treatment.