Palbociclib in combination with aromatase inhibitors in patients ≥ 75 years with oestrogen receptor-positive, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 negative advanced breast cancer: A real-world multicentre UK study.

BACKGROUND: Breast cancer incidence increases with age and real-world data is essential to guide prescribing practices in the older population. The aim of this study was to collect large scale real-world data on tolerability and efficacy of palbociclib + AI in the first line treatment of ER+/HER2-advanced breast cancer in those aged ≥75 years. METHODS: 14 cancer centres participated in this national UK retrospective study. Patients aged ≥75 years treated with palbociclib + AI in the first line setting were identified. Data included baseline demographics, disease characteristics, toxicities, dose reductions and delays, treatment response and survival data. Multivariable Cox regression was used to assess independent predictors of PFS, OS and toxicities. RESULTS: 276 patients met the eligibility criteria. The incidence of febrile neutropenia was low (2.2%). The clinical benefit rate was 87%. 50.7% of patients had dose reductions and 59.3% had dose delays. The 12- and 24- month PFS rates were 75.9% and 64.9%, respectively. The 12- and 24- month OS rates were 85.1% and 74.0%, respectively. Multivariable analysis identified PS, Age-adjusted Charlson Comorbidity Index (ACCI) and number of metastatic sites to be independent predictors of PFS. Dose reductions and delays were not associated with adverse survival outcomes. Baseline ACCI was an independent predictor of development and severity of neutropenia. CONCLUSION: Palbociclib is an effective therapy in the real-world older population and is well-tolerated with low levels of clinically significant toxicities. The use of geriatric and frailty assessments can help guide decision making in these patients.

Clinical implementation of pre-treatment DPYD genotyping in capecitabine-treated metastatic breast cancer patients.

PURPOSE: Metastatic breast cancer (mBC) patients with DPYD genetic variants linked to loss of dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase (DPD) activity are at risk of severe capecitabine-associated toxicities. However, prospective DPYD genotyping has not yet been implemented in routine clinical practice. Following a previous internal review in which two patients underwent lengthy hospitalisations whilst receiving capecitabine, and were subsequently found to be DPD deficient, we initiated routine DPYD genotyping prior to starting capecitabine. This study evaluates the clinical application of routine DPYD screening at a large cancer centre in London. METHODS: We reviewed medical records for consecutive patients with mBC who underwent DPYD genotyping before commencing capecitabine between December 2014 and December 2017. Patients were tested for four DPYD variants associated with reduced DPD activity. RESULTS: Sixty-six patients underwent DPYD testing. Five (8.4%) patients were found to carry DPYD genetic polymorphisms associated with reduced DPD activity; of these, two received dose-reduced capecitabine. Of the 61 patients with DPYD wild-type, 14 (23%) experienced grade 3 toxicities which involved palmar-plantar erythrodysesthesia (65%), and gastrointestinal toxicities (35%); no patient was hospitalised due to toxicity. CONCLUSIONS: Prospective DPYD genotyping can be successfully implemented in routine clinical practice and can reduce the risk of severe fluoropyrimidine toxicities.

Prompt diagnosis key in bladder cancer.

Bladder cancer is the most frequently diagnosed cancer involving the urinary tract and is the seventh most common cancer in the UK. Delayed diagnosis is associated with high-grade muscle invasive disease which has the potential to progress rapidly, metastasise and is often fatal. Urothelial cancer (transitional cell carcinoma) is the predominant histological subtype in Europe, where it accounts for 90% of all bladder cancers. Haematuria, which is typically intermittent, frank, painless and at times present throughout micturition, is the classical and most common presentation of bladder cancer. However, irritative symptoms such as dysuria, urgency, urge incontinence and frequency as well as obstructive symptoms can also be experienced. Fatigue; weight loss; anorexia; renal failure; respiratory symptoms and a suprapubic palpable mass are usually signs of advanced or metastatic malignancy. Cigarette smokers have up to four times the risk of bladder cancer compared with non-smokers. Other risk factors include: exposure to aniline dyes; use of cyclophosphamide; history of pelvic radiation; exposure to chemical carcinogens associated with certain industries; spinal cord injuries requiring long-term indwelling catheters; type 2 diabetes treated with pioglitazone and condylomata acuminata. Frank haematuria has a high diagnostic yield for malignancies involving the urinary tract and initial routine tests should be directed towards identifying a variety of potential non-malignant causes. A thorough physical examination should be undertaken to identify evidence of bleeding diathesis and metastatic malignancy. Suggested laboratory investigations include FBC, coagulation, creatinine and PSA. The diagnosis of bladder cancer is based on urine cytology, cystoscopy and pathological assessment of the bladder biopsy.