Developing Competency-Based Nursing Treatment for Persons With Tobacco Use Disorder.

BACKGROUND: Tobacco continues to have a deleterious impact on health outcomes in the United States. Professional nurses at all levels of practice have an opportunity to be a part of the solution. The development of nurse-specific competencies for treating tobacco use disorder (TUD) disorder is long overdue. A task force of American Psychiatric Nurses Association (APNA) subject matter experts was assembled to engage in the process of reviewing the available peer-reviewed literature and additional evidence-based resources (e.g., professional organization position statement, toolkits, national survey results) to create the Nursing Competencies for Treating Tobacco Use Disorders. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this article is ultimately to improve patient access to quality, evidence-based TUD nursing care by all nurses who are competent, full partners in TUD multidisciplinary care. METHOD: Search terms were defined and a scoping search and review of the TUD literature and resources was performed from November 2018 to November 2020. RESULTS: Over 300 articles and evidence-based resources (e.g., professional organization position statements, toolkits, etc.) were discovered. Thirteen competencies were developed and were internally and externally reviewed prior to APNA Board of Director's approval. CONCLUSION: TUD competencies have the potential to guide nursing education, practice, and research, allowing nurses to be full partners in the design, development, and implementation of effective TUD treatment.

Copy number variants analysis in a cohort of isolated and syndromic developmental delay/intellectual disability reveals novel genomic disorders, position effects and candidate disease genes.

BACKGROUND: Array-comparative genomic hybridization (array-CGH) is a widely used technique to detect copy number variants (CNVs) associated with developmental delay/intellectual disability (DD/ID). AIMS: Identification of genomic disorders in DD/ID. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We performed a comprehensive array-CGH investigation of 1,015 consecutive cases with DD/ID and combined literature mining, genetic evidence, evolutionary constraint scores, and functional information in order to assess the pathogenicity of the CNVs. RESULTS: We identified non-benign CNVs in 29% of patients. Amongst the pathogenic variants (11%), detected with a yield consistent with the literature, we found rare genomic disorders and CNVs spanning known disease genes. We further identified and discussed 51 cases with likely pathogenic CNVs spanning novel candidate genes, including genes encoding synaptic components and/or proteins involved in corticogenesis. Additionally, we identified two deletions spanning potential Topological Associated Domain (TAD) boundaries probably affecting the regulatory landscape. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: We show how phenotypic and genetic analyses of array-CGH data allow unraveling complex cases, identifying rare disease genes, and revealing unexpected position effects.

Microduplications encompassing the Sonic hedgehog limb enhancer ZRS are associated with Haas-type polysyndactyly and Laurin-Sandrow syndrome.

Laurin-Sandrow syndrome (LSS) is a rare autosomal dominant disorder characterized by polysyndactyly of hands and/or feet, mirror image duplication of the feet, nasal defects, and loss of identity between fibula and tibia. The genetic basis of LSS is currently unknown. LSS shows phenotypic overlap with Haas-type polysyndactyly (HTS) regarding the digital phenotype. Here we report on five unrelated families with overlapping microduplications encompassing the Sonic hedgehog (SHH) limb enhancer ZPA regulatory sequence (ZRS) on chromosome 7q36. Clinically, the patients show polysyndactyly phenotypes and various types of lower limb malformations ranging from syndactyly to mirror image polydactyly with duplications of the fibulae. We show that larger duplications of the ZRS region (>80 kb) are associated with HTS, whereas smaller duplications (<80 kb) result in the LSS phenotype. On the basis of our data, the latter can be clearly distinguished from HTS by the presence of mirror image polysyndactyly of the feet with duplication of the fibula. Our results expand the clinical phenotype of the ZRS-associated syndromes and suggest that smaller duplications (<80 kb) are associated with a more severe phenotype. In addition, we show that these small microduplications within the ZRS region are the underlying genetic cause of Laurin-Sandrow syndrome.

The Liebenberg syndrome: in depth analysis of the original family.

The Liebenberg syndrome was first described in 1973 in a five- generation family. A sixth generation was added in 2001, and in 2009 a hitherto unknown branch of the same family with similar anomalies extended the family tree significantly. This article describes the clinical findings and illustrates the abnormalities with radiographs and three-dimensional computed tomography scans. We discuss the genetic abnormality that causes Liebenberg syndrome, the genomic rearrangement at the PITX1 locus on chromosome 5.The structural variations seem to result in an ectopic expression of paired-like homeodomain transcription factor 1 (PITX1) in the forelimb causing a partial arm-to-leg transformation in these patients.

Frequency of symptomatic zinc deficiency in very low birth weight infants.

Current concepts on zinc requirements for premature infants rely on studies dating back more than 20 years. Given that nowadays more premature infants frequently survive we aimed to obtain recent frequency data on zinc deficiency in very low birth weight (VLBW) infants.226 VLBW infants born between July 2005 and December 2009 were retrospectively included in this study. Mean gestational age (GA) was 28.7 weeks (range 23+0 to 38+0) and mean birth weight 1120g (range 354-1495). All infants received zinc supplementation according to the ESPGHAN guidelines. 26 (11.5%) patients showed clinical signs for zinc deficiency of whom 15 had serum zinc concentrations < 50µg/dl, 9 between 50 and 70 µg/dl and 2 > 70 µg/dl. Infants presenting with dermatitis had significantly lower concentrations (mean 26.7 µg/dl, range 19-31) when compared to infants with diarrhoea or isolated peripheral oedema (35.3 µg/dl and 51.8 µg/dl respectively). Strongest independent risk factors were low GA, being small for GA and suffering from intestinal resection due to necrotizing enterocolitis. Frequency of zinc concentrations <50 µg/dl were calculated to be 6.6% in VLBW infants.Even though current guidelines for zinc supplementation were followed the frequency of zinc deficiency was found to be unexpectedly high in ELBW and SGA infants. Despite the retrospective nature of this single centre study, our data strongly suggest that recommendations on zinc supplementation in ELBW and SGA infants should be reviewed.

FOXP3 expression in cancer cells and anthracyclines efficacy in patients with primary breast cancer treated with adjuvant chemotherapy in the phase III UNICANCER-PACS 01 trial.

BACKGROUND: Predictive markers of response to chemotherapy are lacking in breast cancer patients. Forkhead Box Protein 3 (FOXP3) is an anti-oncogene whose absence in cancer cells could confer resistance to DNA damaging agent. So we made the hypothesis that FOXP3 expression predicts the response to anthracyclines in breast cancer patients and that adjuvant chemotherapy adding taxanes to anthracyclines confers an overall survival (OS) benefit over anthracyclines alone, in patients with FOXP3-negative tumors. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Expression of FOXP3 in cancer cells was evaluated by immunohistochemistry in tumor samples from 1097 patients who participated in the PACS01 randomized trial that evaluated in adjuvant setting the adjunction of docetaxel (Taxotere) to anthracyclines in patients with localized breast cancer. Kaplan-Meier analysis and Cox regression model were used to assess OS according to the presence or absence of FOXP3 expression in tumor cells. RESULTS: Four hundred and five tumors were found to express FOXP3 (37%). FOXP3 expression in breast cancer cells was associated with better OS (P = 0.003). Uni- and multivariate survival analyses according to treatment arm revealed that FOXP3 expression in breast cancer cells is independently associated with improved OS in patients treated with anthracycline-based adjuvant chemotherapy, but not in patients treated with sequential anthracycline-taxane. Moreover, in vitro experiments showed that FOXP3 induction in breast cancer cell lines using histone deacetylase inhibitor enhances anthracyclines efficacy. CONCLUSION: FOXP3 expression in tumor cells may be an accurate predictive biomarker of anthracycline efficacy in breast cancer.

Association between the nuclear to cytoplasmic ratio of p27 and the efficacy of adjuvant polychemotherapy in early breast cancer.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the prognostic and predictive value of p27 expression in patients with early breast cancer. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Quantitative immunofluorescence assays for p27 were done on a tissue microarray that included 823 samples from patients randomized between anthracycline-based chemotherapy and no chemotherapy. Quantification of p27 was done using the AQUA® system (HistoRx, Inc., Branford, CT). Both p27 nuclear expression and the nuclear to cytoplasmic ratio were assessed. RESULTS: Nuclear p27 expression was not predictive for the efficacy of anthracycline-based chemotherapy [adjusted P=0.18 for disease-free survival (DFS)] nor prognostic [95% confidence interval (CI) 0.99-1.01, P=0.49]. However, p27 nuclear/cytoplasmic ratio was predictive for the efficacy of adjuvant chemotherapy (adjusted P=0.016 DFS). The adjusted hazard ratio (HR) for relapse associated with adjuvant chemotherapy was 0.56 (95% CI 0.37-0.84, P=0.005) and 1.06 (95% CI 0.76-1.47, P=0.74) for patients with high and low nuclear/cytoplasmic ratio, respectively. p27 N/C ratio was prognostic in patients treated with chemotherapy (HR for relapse or death for a 1 unit increase in p27 N/C ratio was 0.30, 95% CI 0.12-0.77) but not in the untreated arm (HR for relapse or death was 1.27, 95% CI 0.58-2.8). CONCLUSIONS: This study did not confirm the role of p27 nuclear expression as a prognostic parameter. However, the p27 nuclear/cytoplasmic ratio was predictive in patients treated with anthracycline-based chemotherapy.

High rate of extra-haematological toxicity compromises dose-dense sequential adjuvant chemotherapy for breast cancer.

BACKGROUND: A dose-dense strategy has been considered to improve results of adjuvant chemotherapy for breast cancer. This randomised phase II trial investigated the feasibility of this approach with sequential anthracyclines and taxanes-based chemotherapy. METHODS: Patients with high-risk node-positive breast cancer were treated with three cycles of fluorouracil 500 mg m(-2), epirubicin 100 mg m(-2), cyclophosphamide 500 mg m(-2) (FEC 100) followed by three cycles of docetaxel 100 mg m(-2) delivered at 2-weekly intervals supported by primary prophylaxis with filgrastim. All patients were randomised to either uninterrupted treatment (arm A) or to have a 2-week additional period of rest between the FEC and docetaxel (arm B). The primary endpoint was the rate of success of chemotherapy delivery. Using a two-stage Fleming design, 120 patients were required with one interim analysis. RESULTS: In March 2005, enrolment was stopped into arm A after the observation of severe skin toxicities. Following the planned interim analysis, the study was closed because of the high rate of grade 3/4 skin toxicities in both arms (arm A: 32.4% and arm B: 18.9%). CONCLUSION: Sequential dose-dense FEC 100 followed by docetaxel 100 mg m(-2) is not feasible. Feasibility still depends largely on several factors including the choice of drugs, dosage and sequence of administration.

Cost-effectiveness of adjuvant docetaxel for node-positive breast cancer patients: results of the PACS 01 economic study.

BACKGROUND: Using data from the PACS 01 randomized trial, we evaluated the cost-effectiveness of anthracyclines plus docetaxel (Taxotere; FEC-D) versus anthracyclines alone (FEC100) in patients with node-positive breast cancer. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Costs and outcomes were assessed in 1996 patients and the incremental cost-effectiveness ratios (ICERs) were estimated, using quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) as outcome. To deal with uncertainty due to sampling fluctuations, confidence regions around the ICERs were calculated and cost-effectiveness acceptability curves were drawn up. Sensitivity analyses were also carried out to assess the robustness of conclusions. RESULTS: The mean cost of treatment was 33% higher with strategy FEC-D, but this difference decreased to 18% at a 5-year horizon. The ICER of FEC-D versus FEC100 was estimated to be 9665euro per QALY gained (95% confidence interval euro2372-euro55 515). The estimated probability that FEC-D was cost-effective reached >96% for a threshold of euro50 000 per QALY gained. If the price of taxane decreased slightly, the ICER would reach some very reasonable levels and this strategy would therefore be much more cost-effective. CONCLUSION: The sequential use of FEC100 followed by docetaxel appears to be a cost-effective alternative, even when uncertainty is taken into account.

[Prevalence of elevated serum CA 15-3 at time of metastatic relapse of breast cancer and correlation with hormone receptor status]. / Prévalence de l'élévation du CA 15-3 lors de la rechute métastatique des cancers du sein: corrélation avec l'expression des récepteurs hormonaux et de Her2.

CA15-3, a peptide derived from MUC-1, an hormonally-regulated protein, is the most widely used serum marker of breast cancer. CA15-3 level increases at the metastatic phase in 50-80% breast cancer patients. Although rise of CA15-3 precede symptoms of metastasis by a mean time of 2-9 months, current international guidelines do not recommend its routine use for screening for metastases because of moderate sensitivity and absence of clinical impact. We conducted a retrospective study among all patients with metastatic breast cancer seen by three senior breast oncologists during a 4-month period. We evaluated correlation of CA15-3 level at the time of metastatic relapse with ER, PgR and Her2 expressions, tumor type, size and nodal status at initial diagnosis, and sites of metastases. CA15-3 was increased in 168/272 patients (62%) at diagnosis of metastases. ER/PgR positivity was strongly correlated with elevated CA15-3 at this time (P < 0.0001). CA 15-3 was elevated in 69% of the cases of HR+ Her2- primary tumors at time of metastatic relapse. It was elevated in 56% of HR+ Her2+++, 46% of HR- Her2+++ cases and only in 41% of triple-negative cases (P = 0.003). these data confirm that CA 15-3 is very variably elevated at time of metastatic relapse of breast cancer, and this is dependant on HR status.

Modulation of ER phosphorylation on serine 118 by endocrine therapy: a new surrogate marker for efficacy.

BACKGROUND: Phosphorylation of serine 118 (ser118) has been reported to be involved in the activation of estrogen receptor (ER). In the present study, we evaluated whether endocrine therapy modulated ER phosphorylation on ser118. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We carried out a tissue microarray that included 80 primary breast tumors obtained before the administration of endocrine therapy. A second tissue microarray included 52 tumors obtained after endocrine therapy from the same patients. Immunostainings were carried out for ER, Pser118ER, Her2, insulin growth factor receptor (IGFR), p21-activated kinase 1 (PAK1), pMAPK, bcl2 and progesterone receptor. RESULTS: Pser118ER staining was higher in Her2- (P = 0.06), IGFR- (P = 0.0002) and pMAPK-expressing tumors (P = 0.001). The level of ER phosphorylation was not different according to the occurrence of clinical tumor response (P = 0.16). Pser118ER expression was significantly reduced by endocrine therapy. The mean Pser118ER score was 163 [standard deviation (SD) 81] before endocrine therapy and 80 (SD 90) after endocrine therapy (P = 0.0001, paired t-test). The magnitude of Pser118ER decrease was higher in tumors that responded to endocrine therapy (mean decrease 128, SD 86) as compared with refractory tumors (mean decrease 38, SD 130) (P = 0.017, t-test). CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that endocrine therapy modulates ER on ser118. Pser118ER immunostaining could be used as surrogate marker to monitor treatment efficacy.

p53 status and efficacy of primary anthracyclines/alkylating agent-based regimen according to breast cancer molecular classes.

BACKGROUND: We hypothesized that, among molecular subclasses of breast cancer, p53 status may have a differential predictive value for the efficacy of anthracyclines/alkylating agents-based regimen. We analysed the efficacy of a preoperative combination between 5-fluorouracil, anthracyclines and cyclophosphamide according to both p53 status and molecular classification. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Oestrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PgR), human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) expression and p53 status were determined by immunohistochemistry in 293 samples from two different centres. A logistic regression model was used for multivariate analysis of predictors for pathological complete response (pCR). RESULTS: p53 immunostaining (54%) was associated with high grade (P = 0.002) and ER negativity (P = 0.04). p53 was detected in 59% of triple-negative tumours (ER-/PgR-/HER2-, n = 120 patients). In the overall population, pCR (9.6%) was independently predicted by high tumour grade (P = 0.002) and ER/PgR/HER2 triple negativity (P = 0.0004), but not by p53 status (P = 0.12). p53 immunostaining was associated with a trend for a higher rate of pCR in triple-negative tumours [relative risk (RR) = 2.5, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.8-7.5, P = 0.09], but not in non-triple-negative tumours (RR = 0.73, 95% CI = 0.16-3.3, P = 0.69). CONCLUSION: p53 status may have a different predictive value for efficacy of anthracycline/alkylating agents-based regimen in each molecular subclass, a result which may explain the different results reported in literature.

Expression patterns and predictive value of phosphorylated AKT in early-stage breast cancer.

BACKGROUND: AKT phosphorylation is a critical step in the activation of growth factor receptors and can mediate tumor resistance to anthracyclines. We evaluated the expression patterns and predictive value of phosphorylated AKT (pAKT) in breast cancer tissues. PATIENTS AND METHODS: pAKT expression was assessed by immunohistochemistry in 823 tumors from patients with early breast cancer enrolled in two randomized trials. The distribution of pAKT expression was correlated with HER2 and epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) expression. The predictive value of pAKT for the efficacy of adjuvant chemotherapy was determined by test for interaction. RESULTS: pAKT, EGFR, and HER2 were expressed in 119 of 781 (15%), 118 of 758 (16%), and 99 of 775 (13%) assessable tumors. Staining was positive for pAKT in 28 of 99 (28%) and 90 of 676 (13%) HER2+ and HER2- tumors (P < 0.001). pAKT was expressed in 15 of 94 (16%) and 75 of 563 (13%) HER2-/EGFR+ and HER2-/EGFR- tumors, respectively (P = 0.49). A positive staining for pAKT did not correlate with prognosis (P = 0.94), and did not predict the resistance to anthracyclines (test for interaction, P = 0.70). CONCLUSIONS: AKT phosphorylation is associated with HER2 expression but not EGFR expression in patients with early breast cancer. pAKT is not predictive for the efficacy of anthracycline-based adjuvant chemotherapy.

[Upper limb lymphedema revealing breast cancer]. / Lymphoedème du membre supérieur révélant un cancer du sein.

INTRODUCTION: Upper limb lymphedema occurs in 15 to 20% of patients after breast cancer treatment. Upper limb lymphedema without any history of neoplasia is an unusual situation. In this situation, breast cancer should be suspected. EXEGESIS: We reported two women, 53 and 67 years old, who developed upper limb lymphedema, 18 and 8 months before the diagnosis of breast cancer. In the two cases, clinical examination (breast and axillary palpation) was normal. In one case, mammography led to the diagnosis and in the other breast MRI was required to confirm the cancer. DISCUSSION: Upper limb lymphedema may be the presenting clinical feature of breast cancer. Breast cancer should be actively sought despite normal clinical and radiological findings. Breast MRI is required in this situation.

Breast cancer molecular subclassification and estrogen receptor expression to predict efficacy of adjuvant anthracyclines-based chemotherapy: a biomarker study from two randomized trials.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to determine the predictive value of breast cancer molecular subclassification regarding the benefit of adjuvant anthracycline-based chemotherapy. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Tumor samples from 823 patients included in two randomized trials that compared an anthracycline-based chemotherapy with no treatment were used to construct a tissue array. Estrogen receptor (ER), Her2, epidermal growth factor receptor, cytokeratine 5/6 expressions were determined by immunohistochemistry (IHC). The potential predictive factors of treatment effect on disease-free survival (DFS) were assessed by interaction tests and multivariate analysis. RESULTS: Sixty-four (8%), 98 (12%), 109 (14%) and 527 (66%) patients presented a Her2+/ER-, basal-like, Her2-/ER-/nonbasal and luminal-like breast cancer. ER expression, when assessed by IHC, was an independent predictive factor for the benefit of chemotherapy on DFS (test for interaction, P = 0.0015). The molecular subclassification significantly predicted the efficacy of chemotherapy (test for interaction, P = 0.01), but had no significant added value (P = 0.32) as compared to the ER by treatment interaction. Adjuvant chemotherapy was associated with an adjusted hazard ratio for relapse or death of 0.42 [95% confidence interval (CI): 0.17-1.05], 0.54 (95% CI: 0.27-1.08), 0.35 (95% CI: 0.18-0.68), 1.07 (95% CI: 0.81-1.41) for patients with Her2+/ER-, basal-like, Her2-/ER-/nonbasal and luminal-like tumors, respectively. CONCLUSION: The breast cancer molecular subclassification was predictive for chemotherapy efficacy in adjuvant setting, but did not provide significant additional information to ER.

A phase II study of Yondelis (trabectedin, ET-743) as a 24-h continuous intravenous infusion in pretreated advanced breast cancer.

Yondelis (trabectedin, ET-743) is a novel marine-derived anticancer compound found in the ascidian Ecteinascidia turbinata. It is currently under phase II/III development in breast cancer, hormone refractory prostate cancer, sarcomas and ovarian cancer. Activity in breast cancer experimental models has been reported, and preliminary evidence of activity in this setting during the phase I programme has also been observed. The present study assessed the activity and feasibility of trabectedin in women with advanced breast cancer previously treated with conventional therapies. Patients with advanced disease previously treated with at least one but not more than two regimens that included taxanes or anthracyclines as palliative therapy were eligible. Trabectedin 1.5 mg m(-2) was administered as a 24-h continuous infusion every 3 weeks. Patients were kept on therapy until disease progression, unacceptable toxicity or patient refusal. Twenty-seven patients were included between April 1999 and September 2000. Their median age was 54 years (range: 36-67) and 63% of them had two metastatic sites. Twenty-two patients were performance status 1. All patients had previously received anthracyclines, and 23 out of 27 patients had received taxanes. Of 21 patients with measurable disease, three confirmed partial responses, one unconfirmed partial response and two minor responses (49 and 32% tumour shrinkage) were observed; six patients had stable disease. Median survival was 10 months (95% confidence interval: 4.88-15.18). Transient and noncumulative transaminitis was observed in most of the patients. The pharmacokinetic profile of trabectedin in this patient's population is in line with the overall data available with this schedule. The policy of dose adjustments based on the intercycle peaks of bilirubin and alkaline phosphatase appears to have a positive impact in the therapeutic index of trabectedin. Trabectedin can induce response and tumour control in previously treated advanced breast cancer, with manageable toxicity, thus warranting further development as a single agent or in combination regimens.

Dealing with metastatic breast cancer in elderly women: results from a French study on a large cohort carried out by the 'Observatory on Elderly Patients'.

BACKGROUND: Treatment of elderly patients with metastatic breast cancer (MBC) is not clearly defined and seems to vary according to the subjective appreciation of the physician. PATIENTS AND METHODS: After interviewing 107 French specialists qualified in oncology, data concerning 1009 MBC patients were collected: 500 patients were between 65 and 74 years and 509 were >75 years of age. Differences in diagnosis and treatment strategy were analyzed for both age groups to identify the physician's criteria of choice and the eventual use of the geriatric assessment among those criteria. RESULTS: At diagnosis, synchronous metastatic disease was more frequent in patients over 75 years old (52% versus 39%; P<0.001). Physicians indicated that treatment was based on age and on a subjective evaluation of the patient's general status. Sixty-eight per cent of younger patients and only 31% of older ones received chemotherapy (P<0.001). In the older group drug doses were lower than those usually recommended in three-quarters of cases. Only 10% of physicians considered that they under-treat patients using the FEC 50 regimen. Over 75 years of age, hormone therapy was offered to most patients, including 8% with hormone-independent tumors. Geriatric covariates were never considered. Geriatricians rarely, if ever, played a role in the therapeutic decision. CONCLUSIONS: Inclusion of elderly patients with MBC in prospective trials is warranted to define standards of care and reduce heterogeneity in the decision-making process.

Randomized trial of adjuvant ovarian suppression in 926 premenopausal patients with early breast cancer treated with adjuvant chemotherapy.

PURPOSE: The aim of this multicenter trial was to evaluate the role of ovarian suppression in patients with early breast cancer previously treated with local surgery and adjuvant chemotherapy. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Nine hundred and twenty-six premenopausal patients with completely resected breast cancer and either axillary node involvement or histological grade 2 or 3 tumors were randomized after surgery to adjuvant chemotherapy alone (control arm) or adjuvant chemotherapy plus ovarian suppression (ovarian suppression arm). Ovarian suppression was obtained by either radiation-induced ovarian ablation or triptorelin for 3 years. The analyses were performed with Cox models stratified by center. RESULTS: Median follow-up was 9.5 years. Mean age was 43 years. Ninety per cent of patients had histologically proven positive axillary nodes, 63% positive hormonal receptors and 77% had received an anthracycline-based chemotherapy regimen. Ovarian suppression was by radiation-induced ovarian ablation (45% of patients) or with triptorelin (48%). At the time of randomization, all patients had regular menses or their follicle-stimulating hormone and estradiol levels indicated a premenopausal status. The 10-year disease-free survival rates were 49% [95% confidence interval (CI) 44% to 54%] in both arms (P = 0.51). The 10-year overall survival rates were 66% (95% CI 61% to 70%) for the ovarian suppression arm and 68% (95% CI 63% to 73%) for the control arm (P = 0.19). There were no variations in the treatment effect according to age, hormonal receptor status or ovarian suppression modality. However, in patients <40 years of age and with estrogen receptor-positive tumors, ovarian suppression significantly decreased the risk of recurrence (P = 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: The results of this trial, after at least 10 years of follow-up, do not favor the use of ovarian suppression after adjuvant chemotherapy. The potential beneficial effect in younger women with hormono-dependent tumors should be further assessed.

Risk factors for brain relapse in patients with metastatic breast cancer.

BACKGROUND: The occurrence of brain metastases is an emerging problem in patients with metastatic breast cancer. In the present study, we looked at risk factors for brain metastasis among patients with metastatic breast cancer. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The risk factors for brain metastasis were first determined in a series of 215 patients with metastatic breast cancer. Risk factors identified in the multivariate analysis were re-evaluated in a confirmatory series of 199 patients with metastatic breast cancer. All the patients had been included in prospective randomized trials that evaluated chemotherapy or endocrine therapy in an adjuvant setting. RESULTS: In the first series, the presence of lung metastases (hazard ratio = 4.3, 95% CI: 1.9-9.3, P=0.0003) and negative hormone receptor status (hazard ratio = 4.2, 95% CI: 1.7-11, P=0.002) were the only predictive factors associated with the occurrence of brain metastases in the multivariate analysis. The second series confirmed that the presence of lung metastases and negative hormone receptor status were associated with the occurrence of brain metastases. CONCLUSION: The presence of lung metastases as the first site of relapse and a negative hormone receptor status are predictive for the occurrence of brain metastases in patients with metastatic breast cancer. A prophylactic treatment should be evaluated in these subsets of patients.

Quality of life after sentinel lymph node biopsy in early breast cancer.

AIM: This study assessed the effects of multiple therapeutic factors on quality of life (QOL) in the treatment of breast cancer. METHODS: We surveyed 179 recurrence-free women with early breast cancer who had undergone a sentinel lymph node procedure, between January 1999 and June 2001. Age, tumour size, breast and axillary procedure, nodal status, chemotherapy, supra-clavicular fossa radiotherapy, and hormone therapy were tested as possible factors associated with poor QOL. RESULTS: Information on QOL was obtained for 148 out of 179 patients. Age less than 55 years and chemotherapy were factors associated with impairment of physical well-being. Tumour size was associated with poor socio-familial well-being. Factors associated with altered arm subscale scores were age <55, axillary procedure, nodal status, chemotherapy and supra-clavicular fossa radiotherapy. Unexpectedly, sentinel lymph node (SLN) procedure delayed the onset of chemotherapy if the metastatic status of SLN was not diagnosed intra-operatively. CONCLUSION: Efforts are needed to improve the QOL of young patients. Axillary procedure affects only QOL related to arm morbidity.