Surveilling the Potential for Precision Medicine-driven PD-1/PD-L1-targeted Therapy in HNSCC.

Immunotherapy is becoming an accepted treatment modality for many patients with cancer and is now approved for use in platinum-refractory recurrent or metastatic head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). Despite these successes, a minority of patients with HNSCC receiving immunotherapy respond to treatment, and few undergo a complete response. Thus, there is a critical need to identify mechanisms regulating immune checkpoints in HNSCC such that one can predict who will benefit, and so novel combination strategies can be developed for non-responders. Here, we review the immunotherapy and molecular genetics literature to describe what is known about immune checkpoints in common genetic subsets of HNSCC. We highlight several highly recurrent genetic lesions that may serve as biomarkers or targets for combination immunotherapy in HNSCC.

Real-world experience with adjuvant fec-d chemotherapy in four Ontario regional cancer centres.

BACKGROUND: The efficacy of adjuvant chemotherapy with fec-d (5-fluorouracil-epirubicin-cyclophosphamide followed by docetaxel) is superior to that with fec-100 alone in women with early-stage breast cancer. As the use of fec-d increased in clinical practice, health care providers anecdotally noted higher-than-expected toxicity rates and frequent early treatment discontinuations because of toxicity. In the present study, we compared the rates of serious adverse events in patients who received adjuvant fec-d chemotherapy in routine clinical practice with the rates reported in the pacs-01 trial. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed all patients prescribed adjuvant fec-d for early-stage breast cancer at 4 regional cancer centres in Ontario. Information was collected from electronic and paper charts by a physician investigator from each centre. Data were analyzed using chi-square tests, independent samples t-tests, one-way analysis of variance, and univariate regression. RESULTS: The 671 electronic and paper patient records reviewed showed a median patient age of 52.2 years, 229 patients (34.1%) with N0 disease, 508 patients (75.7%) with estrogen or progesterone receptor-positive disease (or both), and 113 patients (26%) with her2/neu-overexpressing breast cancer. Febrile neutropenia occurred in 152 patients (22.7%), most frequently at cycle 4, coincident with the initiation of docetaxel [78/152 (51.3%)]. Primary prophylaxis with hematopoietic growth factor support was used in 235 patients (35%), and the rate of febrile neutropenia was significantly lower in those who received prophylaxis than in those who did not [15/235 (6.4%) vs. 137/436 (31.4%); p < 0.001; risk ratio: 0.20]. CONCLUSIONS: In routine clinical practice, treatment with fec-d is associated with a higher-than-expected rate of febrile neutropenia, in light of which, primary prophylaxis with growth factor should be considered, per international guidelines. Adoption based on clinical trial reports of new therapies into mainstream practice must be done carefully and with scrutiny.

A randomized placebo-controlled study of tamoxifen after adjuvant chemotherapy in premenopausal women with early breast cancer (National Cancer Institute of Canada--Clinical Trials Group Trial, MA.12).

BACKGROUND: In the early 1990s, the role of adjuvant tamoxifen in premenopausal women with early breast cancer (EBC) was not established. Similarly, optimum timing relative to adjuvant chemotherapy and efficacy of tamoxifen in hormone receptor-negative tumors were unclear. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Premenopausal women with EBC, any hormone receptor status, after surgery received standard adjuvant chemotherapy [doxorubicin (adriamycin)/cyclophosphamide, cyclophosphamide/methotrexate/5-fluorouracil, or cyclophosphamide/epirubicin/5-fluorouracil] followed by randomization to tamoxifen or placebo for 5 years. Outcomes were overall survival (OS), disease-free survival (DFS), toxicity, and compliance with therapy. RESULTS: Median follow-up for 672 women was 9.7 years. Multivariate analysis showed improved DFS [78.2% versus 71.3% at 5 years; hazard ratio (HR) 0.77; P = 0.056] and a trend for improved OS (86.6% versus 82.1% at 5 years; HR 0.78; P = 0.12). There was no evidence of greater benefit for the receptor-positive subgroup. Compliance with treatment was suboptimal in both arms, with 103 (31%) women on tamoxifen and 70 (21%) on placebo-stopping therapy early because of toxicity, refusal, or other choices. CONCLUSIONS: Adjuvant tamoxifen, given after chemotherapy to premenopausal women with EBC, improved 5-year DFS. Poor compliance may have reduced treatment efficacy.

A framework for the organization and delivery of systemic treatment.

BACKGROUND: Increasing systemic treatment and shortages of oncology professionals in Canada require innovative approaches to the safe and effective delivery of intravenous (IV) cancer treatment. We conducted a systematic review of the clinical and scientific literature, and an environmental scan of models in Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia, and New Zealand. We then developed a framework for the organization and delivery of IV systemic treatment. METHODS: The systematic review covered the medline, embase, cinahl, and HealthStar databases. The environmental scan retrieved published and unpublished sources, coupled with a free key word search using the Google search engine. The Systemic Treatment Working Group reviewed the evidence and developed a draft framework using evidence-based analysis, existing recommendations from various jurisdictions, and expert opinion based on experience and consensus. The draft was assessed by Ontario stakeholders and reviewed and approved by Cancer Care Ontario. RESULTS: The poor quantity and quality of the evidence necessitated a consensus-derived model. That model comprises four levels of care determined by a regional systemic treatment program and three integrated structures (integrated cancer programs, affiliate institutions, and satellite institutions), each with a defined scope of practice and a specific organizational framework. INTERPRETATION: New models of care are urgently required beyond large centres, particularly in geographically remote or rural areas. Despite limited applicable evidence, the development and successful implementation of this framework is intended to create sustainable, accessible, quality care and to measurably improve patient outcomes.

A phase II study of ZD0473 given as a short infusion every 3 weeks to patients with advanced or metastatic breast cancer: a National Cancer Institute of Canada Clinical Trials Group trial, IND 129.

BACKGROUND: ZD0473 is a new generation platinum compound with activity against a wide range of human tumor cell lines and xenografts, including carboplatin- and cisplatin-resistant lines. A phase II study of ZD0473 in advanced breast cancer was initiated by the National Cancer Institute of Canada Clinical Trials Group. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Women with metastatic breast cancer, measurable disease, an Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status of up to two, and a maximum of one prior cytotoxic agent for recurrent disease were enrolled and treated at 120 mg/m(2) every 3 weeks. After 13 patients were enrolled, the dose was increased to 150 mg/m(2) on the basis of emergent data from studies ongoing at the time. RESULTS: Thirty-three women were evaluable for toxicity and 26 patients for response. Toxicity was mainly hematological with grade 3/4 thrombocytopenia in 12 of 20 patients (60%) treated at 150 mg/m(2) and grade 3 thrombocytopenia in three of 13 patients (23%) at 120 mg/m(2). Grade 3/4 neutropenia occurred in 15 patients (75%) at 150 mg/m(2) and two patients (10%) at 120 mg/m(2). Non-hematological toxicities were generally mild or moderate. There was one partial response seen for a response rate of 3.8% (95% confidence interval 0.1% to 19.5%) and stable disease in 15 patients. CONCLUSION: ZD0473 has minor activity as a single agent in metastatic breast cancer. Combinations with other drugs including docetaxel are ongoing and may be of interest.

Phase III comparative study of vinorelbine combined with doxorubicin versus doxorubicin alone in disseminated metastatic/recurrent breast cancer: National Cancer Institute of Canada Clinical Trials Group Study MA8.

PURPOSE: This phase III study was performed to determine the superiority of doxorubicin (DOX) and vinorelbine (VNB) (arm 1) versus DOX alone (arm 2) in metastatic breast cancer (MBC) for overall survival (OS), time to treatment failure (TTF), toxicity, and quality of life (QOL). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Three hundred three patients were randomized to DOX 50 mg/m(2) intravenously (IV) on day 1 and VNB 25 mg/m(2) IV on days 1 and 8 (arm 1) or DOX 70 mg/m(2) IV on day 1 (arm 2). Both regimens were given every 3 weeks until a cumulative DOX dose of 450 mg/m(2). After 16 of the first 65 randomized patients experienced febrile neutropenia (FN), the doses were reduced to DOX 40 mg/m(2) on day 1 and VNB 20 mg/m(2) on days 1 and 8 versus DOX 60 mg/m(2) on day 1. Eligible patients were vinca alkaloid and anthracycline naive. Chemotherapy was first-line or second-line for MBC. RESULTS: Three patients were ineligible. Thus, 300 patients were assessable for toxicity and to determine time to disease progression (TTP), TTF, and OS. Two hundred eighty-nine patients were assessable for response, and 99 responders were assessable for response duration (RD). The response rates, QOL, and median RD, TTP, and TTF were not significantly different between the arms. Median OS was 13.8 months for arm 1 versus 14.4 months for arm 2 (P =.4). Grade 3 or 4 granulocytopenia was equivalent in both arms but more grade 3/4 neurotoxicity, mild venous toxicity, and FN were seen on arm 1. CONCLUSION: The survival with DOX and VNB is not superior to DOX alone in MBC.

Phase II trial of N,N-diethyl-2-[4-(phenylmethyl)phenoxy]ethanamine.HCl and doxorubicin chemotherapy in metastatic breast cancer: A National Cancer Institute of Canada clinical trials group study.

PURPOSE: This multicenter phase II trial investigated the efficacy and toxicity of a combination of the novel intracellular histamine antagonist, N,N-diethyl-2-[4-(phenylmethyl)phenoxy]ethanamine.HCl (DPPE), and doxorubicin in patients with anthracycline-naïve metastatic breast cancer. Preclinical models and early single institutional studies suggested DPPE could potentiate the cytotoxicity of doxorubicin. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Forty-two women, 32 to 77 years old (median, 59 years), with anthracycline-naïve metastatic breast cancer were treated. Patients may have had one previous regimen of nonanthracycline chemotherapy, either in the adjuvant or metastatic disease treatment setting. DPPE (6 mg/kg) was administered as an 80 minute intravenous infusion with doxorubicin (60 mg/m(2)) given intravenously over the last 20 minutes of the DPPE infusion. Patients were premedicated with an antiemetic and sedating regimen. The DPPE/doxorubicin treatment was given every 21 days for a maximum of seven cycles. RESULTS: All 42 patients were assessable. Overall, toxicity was comparable to that expected with doxorubicin alone, with the exception of DPPE-related motion sickness, mild hallucinations, and cerebellar signs at the time of the infusion. These CNS side effects were manageable in an ambulatory care setting, improved with subsequent cycles of treatment, and did not usually require hospitalization. Four patients developed febrile neutropenia. Thirty-five patients received four or more cycles of chemotherapy. The overall response rate was 52.5% (95% confidence interval, 36% to 68%), with 9.5% complete responses (n = 4), 43% partial responses (n = 18), and 38% of patients with stable disease (n = 16). CONCLUSION: The antitumour effects of DPPE/doxorubicin the 52.5% response rate seems encouraging, particularly in consideration of the fact that a recently reported randomized National Cancer Institute of Canada Clinical Trials Group trial using single-agent doxorubicin 60 mg/m(2) in one of the treatment arms achieved a 31% response rate. Thus, a randomized phase III trial of doxorubicin versus doxorubicin plus DPPE is being conducted in this clinical setting.

Prospective randomized trial of docetaxel versus mitomycin plus vinblastine in patients with metastatic breast cancer progressing despite previous anthracycline-containing chemotherapy. 304 Study Group.

PURPOSE: This phase III study compared docetaxel with mitomycin plus vinblastine (MV) in patients with metastatic breast cancer (MBC) progressing despite previous anthracycline-containing chemotherapy. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients (n=392) were randomized to receive either docetaxel 100 mg/m2 intravenously (i.v.) every 3 weeks (n=203) or mitomycin 12 mg/m2 i.v. every 6 weeks plus vinblastine 6 mg/m2 i.v. every 3 weeks (n=189), for a maximum of 10 3-week cycles. RESULTS: In an intention-to-treat analysis, docetaxel produced significantly higher response rates than MV overall (30.0% v 11.6%; P < .0001), as well as in patients with visceral involvement (30% v 11%), liver metastases (33% v 7%), or resistance to previous anthracycline agents (30% v 7%). Median time to progression (TTP) and overall survival were significantly longer with docetaxel than MV (19 v 1 weeks, P=.001, and 1 1.4 v 8.7 months, P=.0097, respectively). Neutropenia grade 3/4 was more frequent with docetaxel (93.1 % v62.5%; P < .05); thrombocytopenia grade 3/4 was more frequent with MV (12.0% v 4.1%; P < .05). Severe acute or chronic nonhematologic adverse events were infrequent in both groups. Withdrawal rates because of adverse events (MV, 10.1%; docetaxel, 13.8%) or toxic death (MV, 1.6%; docetaxel, 2.0%) were similar in both groups. Quality-of-life analysis was limited by a number of factors, but results were similar in both groups. CONCLUSION: Docetaxel is significantly superior to MV in terms of response, TTP, and survival. The safety profiles of both therapies are manageable and tolerable. Docetaxel represents a clear treatment option for patients with MBC progressing despite previous anthracycline-containing chemotherapy.

Intraplaque verapamil injection for treatment of Peyronie's disease.

We report our findings on the effects of intraplaque injection of verapamil for the treatment of Peyronie's disease. We followed 11 men with Peyronie's disease in a nonrandomized constant dose study. During our study, four men received testosterone supplementation; five received vitamin E and/or potassium aminobenzoate (potaba) concurrent with verapamil; two received injections of verapamil only. Plaque size decreased significantly in 7 of 11 patients (55%); softening occurred in 6 (55%); 4 of 8 patients (50%) had decreased curvature. Deformities and symptoms did not recur in any patients who reported improvement. Three of 11 (27%) patients failed treatment and elected to undergo surgical correction. All four (100%) of our study participants with pain had complete resolution after intraplaque verapamil injection compared with Levine et al's 91%. We have demonstrated that intraplaque verapamil injection is a promising treatment for Peyronie's disease in that it may circumvent surgical intervention and may be used with concurrent therapies.

Randomized trial of intensive cyclophosphamide, epirubicin, and fluorouracil chemotherapy compared with cyclophosphamide, methotrexate, and fluorouracil in premenopausal women with node-positive breast cancer. National Cancer Institute of Canada Clinical Trials Group.

PURPOSE: To determine the relative efficacy of an intensive cyclophosphamide, epirubicin, and fluorouracil (CEF) adjuvant chemotherapy regimen compared with cyclophosphamide, methotrexate, and fluorouracil (CMF) in node-positive breast cancer. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Premenopausal women with node-positive breast cancer were randomly allocated to receive either cyclophosphamide 100 mg/m2 orally days 1 through 14; methotrexate 40 mg/m2 intravenously (i.v.) days 1 and 8; and fluorouracil 600 mg/m2 i.v. days 1 and 8 or cyclophosphomide 75 mg/m2 orally days 1 through 14; epirubicin 60 mg/m2 i.v. days 1 and 8; and fluorouracil 500 mg/m2 i.v. days 1 and 8. Each cycle was administered monthly for 6 months. Patients administered CEF received antibiotic prophylaxis with cotrimoxazole two tablets twice a day for the duration of chemotherapy. RESULTS: The median follow-up was 59 months. One hundred sixty-nine of the 359 CMF patients developed recurrence compared with 132 of the 351 CEF patients. The corresponding 5-year relapse-free survival rates were 53% and 63%, respectively (P = .009). One hundred seven CMF patients died compared with 85 CEF patients. The corresponding 5-year actuarial survival rates were 70% and 77%, respectively (P = .03). The rate of hospitalization for febrile neutropenia was 1.1% in the CMF group compared with 8.5% in the CEF group. There was one case of congestive heart failure in a patient who received CMF compared with none in the CEF group. Acute leukemia occurred in five patients in the CEF group. CONCLUSION: The results of this trial show the superiority of CEF over CMF in terms of both disease-free and overall survival in premenopausal women with axillary node-positive breast cancer.

Docetaxel vs mitomycin plus vinblastine in anthracycline-resistant metastatic breast cancer.

This nonblinded, multicenter, randomized phase III study compares the median time to progression (primary endpoint), response rate, and quality of life, safety, and survival of docetaxel (Taxotere) vs mitomycin (Mutamycin) plus vinblastine (Velban) in patients with metastatic breast cancer in whom previous anthracycline-containing chemotherapy has failed. Patients were randomized to receive an intravenous infusion of either 100 mg/m2 of docetaxel for 1 hour every 3 weeks, or 12 mg/m2 of mitomycin every 6 weeks plus 6 mg/m2 of vinblastine every 3 weeks. This preliminary analysis presents data on 200 patients among 392 patients recruited. Median time to progression was longer in the group treated with docetaxel compared with the mitomycin/vinblastine group (17 vs 9 weeks). The overall response rates were higher with docetaxel (28% vs 13%, respectively), and fewer patients in the docetaxel group had progressive disease as their best overall response (29% vs 48%). As expected, thrombocytopenia was more common in the mitomycin/vinblastine group, and neutropenia occurred more frequently in the docetaxel group. Severe fluid retention in the docetaxel group (8.7%) resulted in treatment discontinuation in 5 patients (5%). Severe thrombocytopenia (12%) and constipation (6%) led to treatment discontinuation in 7 and 3 patients, respectively, in the mitomycin/vinblastine group. Based on this preliminary analysis, docetaxel appears to be equally as safe as and more active than mitomycin/ vinblastine in patients with metastatic breast cancer in whom previous anthracycline-containing chemotherapy has failed. These results are subject to cautious interpretation because this analysis was conducted on the first 200 patients who finished the study treatments, and these preliminary results may underestimate response and overstate treatment discontinuation rates. Thus, the final analysis on the entire patient population is necessary to confirm these preliminary findings.

Phase II study of the progesterone antagonist mifepristone in patients with untreated metastatic breast carcinoma: a National Cancer Institute of Canada Clinical Trials Group study.

PURPOSE: Mifepristone (RU486) is a progesterone receptor (PgR) antagonist that has been shown to be active in some preclinical hormone-dependent breast cancer tumor models and to produce a few responses in patients with pretreated metastatic disease in two small trials. This trial was designed to assess the response rate and toxic effects of mifepristone in a favorable group of women with PgR-positive recurrent breast cancer who had received no prior therapy. METHODS: Postmenopausal patients with PgR-positive, bidimensionally measurable disease were eligible provided they had received no other therapy for recurrence. Prior adjuvant hormonal treatment was permitted if a disease-free interval of at least 24 months had been observed. Mifepristone 200 mg was given daily and disease was reassessed every 4 weeks. Standard criteria for tumor response and toxic effects were used. RESULTS: A total of 28 patients were registered in the trial: all were eligible and assessable. Three partial responses were noted for an overall response rate of 10.7% (95% confidence interval [CI], 2% to 28%). Toxic effects were generally mild to moderate and consisted primarily of nausea, lethargy, anorexia, and hot flashes. CONCLUSION: Mifepristone had minimal activity in this optimal group of patients. While there may be reason to conduct some clinical studies with it in combination with antiestrogens on the basis of some preclinical work, our data do not support its use as a single agent in the management of breast cancer.

Docetaxel in patients with metastatic breast cancer: a phase II study of the National Cancer Institute of Canada-Clinical Trials Group.

PURPOSE: The National Cancer Institute of Canada-Clinical Trials Group (NCIC-CTG) conducted a phase II study to assess the efficacy and toxicity of docetaxel as first-line chemotherapy in metastatic breast cancer (MBC). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Fifty-one patients with measurable MBC were studied. Three patients were ineligible and were excluded from analysis. The planned dose of docetaxel was 100 mg/m2 intravenously (i.v.) every 3 weeks. Prior adjuvant chemotherapy was allowed if at least 12 months had elapsed from completion of treatment to recurrence. RESULTS: The most severe toxicity was granulocytopenia. Ten patients (20.8%) were hospitalized for febrile neutropenia. The protocol was amended to a starting dose of 75 mg/m2 for the last 16 patients. Sixty percent of patients experienced hypersensitivity reactions (HSRs). After two protocol amendments, the use of a premedication regimen of oral dexamethasone and i.v. H1 and H2 blockers prevented significant HSRs. Edema developed in 62% of patients and was cumulative, was present in 50% who received greater than 400 mg/m2, and was not improved by premedication regimens. Following an independent radiology review, 22 partial remissions and four complete responses in 47 assessable patients were confirmed (response rate, 55%; 95% confidence interval [CI], 40% to 69%). The response rate for 15 assessable patients registered at 75 mg/m2 was 40% (95% CI, 16% to 67%); for 32 assessable patients registered at 100 mg/m2, the response rate was 63%, (95% CI, 43% to 78%). CONCLUSION: Docetaxel is an active agent in MBC. Its activity as a single agent is comparable to many combination chemotherapy regimens and is not affected by prior adjuvant chemotherapy. Studies are ongoing to improve its therapeutic index and to incorporate docetaxel in combination chemotherapy regimens.

New developments in chemotherapy for metastatic breast cancer.

Breast cancer remains a major cause of morbidity and early death for women. Despite aggressive implementation of preventive measures including screening and adjuvant therapy, this disease will likely continue to have a significant impact unless better treatments are found. A number of new agents have recently been developed that show promising results in the setting of metastatic disease including losoxantrone, vinorelbine, edatrexate, paclitaxel and docetaxel. Some have shown exciting activity where tumor progression has occurred following anthracycline therapy. Appropriate evaluation of new chemotherapeutic agents requires a clear description of the population studied as well as standardized assessments of outcomes. Evaluations are more relevant and more quickly done in multicenter trials. Because of the heterogeneity of metastatic breast cancer and differences in outcome measurement, randomized trials continue to be essential in defining which agents are the most appropriate candidates for further study.

Dollars and sense: considerations for experimental model design.

Our recent review indicates that numerous factors are involved in selecting an animal model for the study of human disease processes. These include: anatomic, neurologic, physiologic, and pathologic parameters, concept of discrimination, volume of knowledge available, and costs. Regarding costs, data was collected from twelve medical research institutions in relation to the eight animals selected for comparative cost analysis: rhesus monkey, cynomolgus monkey, Sprague-Dawley (S.D.) rat, dog (mongrel), cat (mixed breed), swine (piglet), guinea pig, and rabbit. Biologically, the choices are vast and depend upon the investigator and the experimental design. Economically, pricing is a substantial constraint that varies widely and is institutionally dependent. Furthermore, within the same institution, costs differ according to the source of funding (e.g., private, federal, state, or institutional). However, if the investigator carefully considers these biologic and economic factors, it is possible to select an appropriate animal model.