Is there a role of surgery in patients with recurrent or metastatic gastrointestinal stromal tumours responding to imatinib: A prospective randomised trial in China

ObjectivesFor advanced gastrointestinal stromal tumour (GIST) patients who are responding to imatinib mesylate, the role of surgery has not been formally demonstrated. This multicenter randomised controlled trial was designed to assess whether surgery to treat residual disease for patients with recurrent/metastatic GISTs responding to imatinib mesylate (IM) improved progression free survival (PFS) compared with IM treatment alone.MethodsBetween 3 and 12 months after starting IM for recurrent/metastatic GISTs, eligible patients were randomised to two arms: Arm A (surgery for residual disease) and Arm B (IM treatment alone). In Arm A (19 pts), surgery was performed to remove residual macroscopic lesions as completely as possible, and IM treatment continued after surgery. In Arm B (22 pts), IM was given alone at a dose of 400 mg per day until disease progression. The primary end-point was PFS measured from the date IM started. This study was registered in the ChiCTR registry with the ID number ChiCTR-TRC-00000244.ResultsThis randomised trial was closed early due to poor accrual. Only 41 patients were enrolled as opposed to 210 patients planned. 2-year PFS was 88.4% in the surgery arm and 57.7% in the IM-alone arm (P = 0.089). Median overall survival (mOS) was not reached in the surgery arm and 49 months in patients with IM-alone arm (P = 0.024).ConclusionsWhile no significant differences were observed in the two arms, this study suggests that surgical removal of the metastatic lesion may improve the outcome of advanced GIST patients and should stimulate additional research on this topic.     

Relationship between imatinib trough concentration and outcomes in the treatment of advanced gastrointestinal stromal tumours in a real-life setting

BackgroundImatinib has dramatically improved the prognosis of advanced gastrointestinal stromal tumours (GISTs). Clinical trial data showed that patients with trough imatinib plasma concentrations (Cmin) below 1100 ng/ml (quartile 1) had shorter time to progression, but no threshold has been defined.The main objective of this study was to investigate in advanced GIST whether a Cmin threshold value associated with a longer progression-free survival (PFS) could be specified. This would be the first step leading to therapeutic drug monitoring of imatinib in GIST.Patients and methodsAdvanced GIST patients (n = 96) treated with imatinib 400 mg/d (41 stomach, 34 small bowel, and 21 other primary site localisations) were prospectively included in this real-life setting study. Routine plasma level testing imatinib (Cmin) and clinical data of were recorded prospectively.ResultsSmall bowel localisation was associated with an increased relative risk of progression of 3.09 versus stomach localisation (p = 0.0255). Mean Cmin (±standard deviation) was 868 (±536) ng/ml with 75% inter-individual and 26% intra-patient variability. A Cmin threshold of 760 ng/ml defined by log-rank test was associated with longer PFS for the whole population (p = 0.0256) and for both stomach (p = 0.043) and small bowel (p = 0.049) localisations when analysed separately. Multivariate Cox regression analysis found that Cmin above 760 ng/ml was associated with 65% reduction risk of progression (p = 0.0271) in the whole population independently of the anatomical localisation.ConclusionConcentration of imatinib significantly influences duration of tumour control treatment in GIST patients with a Cmin threshold of 760 ng/ml associated with prolonged PFS in real-life setting.     

Sorafenib as third- or fourth-line treatment of advanced gastrointestinal stromal tumour and pretreatment including both imatinib and sunitinib,and nilotinib: A retrospective analysis

BackgroundTyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKI) improve the outcome of patients with advanced gastrointestinal stromal tumour (GIST), but treatment failure is frequent, and prognosis then bleak. Smaller trials in this setting suggested activity for sorafenib, a multikinase inhibitor of receptor tyrosine kinases and RAF serine/threonine kinases.Patients and methodsWe retrospectively evaluated the efficacy of sorafenib, starting dose 400 mg twice daily, in a large community-based cohort of 124 patients treated in 12 European and one United States (U.S.) cancer centre. All but one patient had a WHO performance score 0–2. All had failed both imatinib and sunitinib, 68 patients nilotinib and 26 had failed investigational therapy, too.ResultsTwelve (10%) patients responded to sorafenib and 70 (57%) patients achieved disease stabilisation. Sorafenib was moderately tolerated, and toxicity reported in 56% of the patients. Rash, hand-foot-syndrome and diarrhea occurred frequently. Sorafenib dosage was reduced in a third of patients, but this did not have an impact on progression-free survival (PFS) (p = 0.15). Median PFS was 6.4 months (95% confidence interval [CI], 4.6–8.0 months) and median overall survival (OS) 13.5 months (95% CI, 10.0–21.0 months). Patients with a good performance status and those who responded to sorafenib had a significant better PFS.ConclusionWe conclude that sorafenib is active in GIST resistant to imatinib, sunitinib and nilotinib. These results warrant further investigation of sorafenib or similar molecules in GIST.     

Phase II study of oral masitinib mesilate in imatinib-naïve patients with locally advanced or metastatic gastro-intestinal stromal tumour (GIST)

BackgroundMasitinib is a tyrosine kinase inhibitor with greater in vitro activity and selectivity for the wild-type c-Kit receptor and its juxtamembrane mutation than imatinib, without inhibiting kinases of known toxicities. This phase II study evaluated masitinib as a first-line treatment of advanced GIST.Patients and methodsImatinib-naïve patients with advanced GIST received oral masitinib at 7.5 mg/kg/d. Efficacy end-points included response rate (RR) at 2 months, best response according to RECIST, metabolic response rate, disease control rate (DCR), progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival rate (OS).ResultsThirty patients were enrolled with a median follow-up of 34 months. The most frequent grade 3–4 toxicities were rash (10%) and neutropaenia (7%). Two patients withdrew due to treatment-related adverse events. At 2 months, RR was 20% according to response evaluation criteria in solid tumours (RECIST) and 86% according to FDG-PET response criteria. Best responses were a complete response in 1/30 patient (3.3%), partial response in 15/30 patients (50%), stable disease in 13/30 patients (43.3%) and progressive disease in 1/30 patient (3.3%); (DCR: 96.7%). Median time-to-response was 5.6 months (0.8–23.8 months). Estimated median PFS was 41.3 months with PFS rate of 59.7% [37.9; 76.0] and 55.4 [33.9; 72.5] at 2 and 3 years, respectively. The OS at 2 and 3 years was stable at 89.9% [71.8; 96.6].ConclusionsMasitinib appears to be effective as a first-line treatment of advanced GIST with comparable results to imatinib in terms of safety and response. PFS and in particular OS data show promise that masitinib may provide sustainable benefits. There is sufficient compelling evidence to warrant a phase III clinical trial.     

Post-imatinib surgery in advanced/metastatic GIST: is it worthwhile in all patients?

BackgroundSurgical indication for metastatic gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST) treated with imatinib is not yet established.Materials and methodsWe analyzed 80 patients who underwent surgery for metastatic GIST after imatinib therapy from July 2002 to October 2007. Patients were divided into those with surgery at best clinical response (group A, n = 49) and those with surgery at focal progression (group B, n = 31). Primary end points were progression-free survival (PFS) and disease-specific survival (DSS).ResultsTwo-year postoperative PFS was 64.4% in group A and 9.7% in group B (P < 0.01). In group A, median PFS was not reached; in group B, it was 8 months. Median DSS from the time of imatinib onset was not reached in either group. Five-year DSS was 82.9% in group A and 67.6% in group B (P < 0.01). Multivariate analysis confirmed a significantly shorter PFS and DSS in group B. Surgical morbidity occurred in 13 patients (16.3%).ConclusionsSurgery for focal progressive lesions could be considered as part of the second-line/third-line armamentarium in selected cases. Surgery of residual disease upon best clinical response seems associated with survival benefit compared with historical controls in similar patient collectives treated with imatinib alone. However, evidence from prospective randomized trials is needed to make definite recommendations.     

Phase II study of the HSP90-inhibitor BIIB021 in gastrointestinal stromal tumors

BackgroundHSP90 inhibition leads to proteosomal degradation of activated KIT and has in vitro activity against gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST). BIIB021 is an oral non-ansamycin HSP90 inhibitor. We carried out a phase II study of BIIB021 in patients with GIST refractory to imatinib and sunitinib.Patients and methodsThe primary end-point was metabolic partial response (mPR) as assessed by fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (FDG-PET). The secondary end-points were pharmacokinetic assessments of BIIB021 and pharmacodynamic assessments of HSP70. Twenty-three patients were treated on two schedules: 12 pts received 600 mg twice a week (BIW) and 11 patients received 400 mg three times a week (TIW). All had prior imatinib and sunitinib but stopped >14 days before starting BIIB021.ResultsThe median age was 59 years (33–88 years), 61% male, 44% Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group 1 (ECOG1). The best response was PR by FDG-PET for five patients (3/12 at 600 mg BIW and 2/9 at 400 TIW) for an overall response rate of 22%. The response duration was 25–138 days. Adverse events (AEs) were mild to moderate. The mean C_max was 1.5 µmol and the mean AUC was 2.9 µmol h. C_max >1.5 µmol was associated with a decrease in standardized uptake value (SUV_max). HSP70 increased substantially following treatment.ConclusionsThis study met its primary end-point. BIIB021 leads to objective responses in refractory GIST patients. Pharmacodynamic studies confirmed HSP90 inhibition. Further evaluation of BIIB021 in GIST is warranted.     

Growth deceleration in children treated with imatinib for chronic myeloid leukaemia

PurposeThe aim is to study statural growth in a large cohort of children with chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML) treated with front-line imatinib.MethodsRetrospective data from 81 children less than 18 years of age with CML identified in the French pediatric registry were analysed. Height was expressed as standard deviation score (SDS).ResultsA gradual decrease in height SDS was observed over time since starting imatinib. The height SDS was significantly lower 12 months and 24 months after the start of imatinib overall (p < 10⁻⁴) irrespective of gender and pubertal age. The height SDS was significantly (p < 10⁻⁴) lower 12 months after the start of imatinib in boys and girls, and in the prepubertal age group as well as in the postpubertal age group, respectively. A similar finding was observed in the subgroups of boys and girls starting imatinib at a prepubertal or postpubertal age. Loss in height SDS 12 months after the start of imatinib was of the same range in boys when compared to girls and in patients who started imatinib at a prepubertal age compared to those who started at a postpubertal age.ConclusionGrowth velocity was altered during the first years of imatinib treatment in boys as well as in girls and in prepubertal age patients as well as in adolescents.     

A phase I–II study of everolimus (RAD001) in combination with imatinib in patients with imatinib-resistant gastrointestinal stromal tumors

Background: Imatinib is standard therapy for advanced gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST), but most patients develop resistance. This phase I–II study assessed the safety and efficacy of coadministering everolimus with imatinib in imatinib-resistant GIST.Patients and methods: In phase I, patients received imatinib (600/800 mg/day) combined with weekly (20 mg) or daily (2.5/5.0 mg) everolimus to determine the optimal dose. In phase II, patients were divided into two strata (progression on imatinib only; progression after imatinib and sunitinib/other tyrosine kinase inhibitor) and received everolimus 2.5 mg plus imatinib 600 mg/day. Primary end point was 4-month progression-free survival (PFS).Results: Combination treatment was well tolerated. Common adverse events were diarrhea, nausea, fatigue, and anemia. In phase II strata 1 and 2, 4 of 23 (17%) and 13 of 35 (37%) assessable patients, respectively, were progression free at 4 months; median PFS was 1.9 and 3.5 months, and median overall survival was 14.9 and 10.7 months, respectively. In stratum 1, 36% had stable disease (SD) and 54% progressive disease (PD), while in stratum 2, 2% had partial response, 43% SD, and 32% PD.Conclusion: Predetermined efficacy criteria were met in both strata. The combination of everolimus and imatinib after failure on imatinib and sunitinib merits further investigation in GIST.     

Comparison of performance of various tumour response criteria in assessment of regorafenib activity in advanced gastrointestinal stromal tumours after failure of imatinib and sunitinib

PurposeTo compare performance of various tumour response criteria (TRCs) in assessment of regorafenib activity in patients with advanced gastrointestinal stromal tumour (GIST) with prior failure of imatinib and sunitinib.MethodsTwenty participants in a phase II trial received oral regorafenib (median duration 47 weeks; interquartile range (IQR) 24–88) with computed tomography (CT) imaging at baseline and every two months thereafter. Tumour response was prospectively determined on using Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumours (RECIST) 1.1, and retrospectively reassessed for comparison per RECIST 1.0, World Health Organization (WHO) and Choi criteria, using the same target lesions. Clinical benefit rate [CBR; complete or partial response (CR or PR) or stable disease (SD) ⩾ 16 weeks] and progression-free survival (PFS) were compared between various TRCs using kappa statistics. Performance of TRCs in predicting overall survival (OS) was compared by comparing OS in groups with progression-free intervals less than or greater than 20 weeks by each TRC using c-statistics.ResultsPR was more frequent by Choi (90%) than RECIST 1.1, RECIST 1.0 and WHO (20% each), however, CBR was similar between various TRCs (overall CBR 85–90%, 95–100% agreement between all TRC pairs). PFS per RECIST 1.0 was similar to RECIST 1.1 (median 44 weeks versus 58 weeks), and shorter for WHO (median 34 weeks) and Choi (median 24 weeks). With RECIST 1.1, RECIST 1.0 and WHO, there was moderate concordance between PFS and OS (c-statistics 0.596–0.679). Choi criteria had less favourable concordance (c-statistic 0.506).ConclusionsRECIST 1.1 and WHO performed somewhat better than Choi criteria as TRC for response evaluation in patients with advanced GIST after prior failure on imatinib and sunitinib.     

Development and validation of prognostic nomograms for metastatic gastrointestinal stromal tumour treated with imatinib

PurposeMetastatic gastrointestinal stromal tumour (GIST) is generally an incurable disease with variable response to imatinib. We aimed to develop prognostic nomograms to predict overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) for patients treated with imatinib.MethodsNomograms were developed in a training cohort (n = 330) of patients treated in a randomised trial (EORTC-ISG-AGITG 62005 phase III study) using Cox regression models, and validated in patients (n = 236) treated in routine clinical care from six referral centres. Nomogram performance was assessed by calculating the c statistic. A classification based on the nomograms’ scores was generated to group patients according to risk.ResultsNomogram risk factors for OS and PFS were size of the largest metastasis, tumour genotype, primary tumour mitotic count, haemoglobin and blood neutrophil count at commencement of imatinib. The nomograms predicted survival with a c statistic of 0.75 (training) and 0.62 (validation) for OS, and 0.69 (training) and 0.62 (validation) for PFS. When tested in the validation cohort, the nomograms discriminated well the high and intermediate risk from low risk patients (hazard ratio [HR] for OS 3.83, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.71–8.56; and 2.48, 95% CI 1.12–5.50; for PFS 2.84, 95% CI 1.66–4.87; and 1.45, 95% CI 0.87–2.41, respectively).ConclusionThe nomograms predicted the risk of GIST progression and death with good discrimination of risk groups, and may be of value for patient counselling and risk stratification.     

Risk stratification models and mutational analysis: Keys to optimising adjuvant therapy in patients with gastrointestinal stromal tumour

Imatinib is a standard of care in the adjuvant treatment of patients with resected gastrointestinal stromal tumour (GIST). Two important trials have shown a reduction in GIST recurrence rates for patients treated with imatinib 400 mg daily for 1 year; one of these trials also demonstrated a significant improvement in overall survival for patients with GIST at high risk of recurrence who were treated for 3 years. However, not all patients will benefit from adjuvant treatment. Considering the patient types in both trials, treatment decisions must take into account a number of factors including risk of recurrence and mutational status. Tumour characteristics including tumour size, location and mitotic index are the main prognostic factors of recurrence-free survival (RFS) after surgical resection of GISTs. Research, much of it in the advanced/metastatic setting, shows that mutational analysis is definitely predictive of treatment efficacy and probably prognostic of RFS. Patients on imatinib whose tumours harbour mutations in exon 11 of the KIT gene tend to have superior RFS compared with patients with exon 9 mutations. In contrast, patients with wild-type GIST often have disease that follows an indolent course and has limited sensitivity to imatinib in most cases. As such, increased use of existing risk-stratification schemes and mutational analysis will be essential for optimising tailored treatment approaches. In this review, the development and prognostic/predictive utility of key risk stratification tools and mutational analysis of GIST are discussed herein with the goal of facilitating adjuvant treatment decisions for patients with GIST.     

Follow-up strategies for patients with gastrointestinal stromal tumour treated with or without adjuvant imatinib after surgery

BackgroundPatients with gastrointestinal stromal tumour (GIST) are often followed up after surgery with longitudinally repeated imaging examinations to detect recurrence early. Studies on follow-up of GIST patients are few, the optimal follow-up methods are unknown and the recommendations for follow-up vary in guidelines.MethodsWe reviewed the current evidence for follow-up of patients treated with surgery alone and of patients who were treated with adjuvant or neoadjuvant imatinib.ResultsImaging of the abdomen and the pelvis with computerised tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) usually suffices, since metastases are uncommon at other sites. The frequency of imaging may be adjusted with the risk of recurrence with time.Very low risk GISTs are very frequently cured with surgery and usually require no regular follow-up after complete surgery, and annual CT of the abdomen and the pelvis for 5 years suffices for most patients with a low to intermediate risk for recurrence. Most high-risk patients are treated with imatinib for at least 3 years after surgery. CT or MRI may be carried out 6-monthly during adjuvant imatinib, 3 to 4-monthly during the 2 years that follow discontinuation of imatinib when the risk of recurrence is high, and then at 6–12 month intervals to complete 10 years of follow-up. Recurrence after the first 10 years of follow-up is infrequent.ConclusionsThe follow-up schedules are best tailored with the risk of recurrence. The risk of recurrence should be estimated with the prognostic tools that consider the most relevant prognostic factors.     

A randomised,open-label,phase II study of neo/adjuvant doxorubicin and ifosfamide versus gemcitabine and docetaxel in patients with localised,high-risk,soft tissue sarcoma

BackgroundDoxorubicin and ifosfamide (AI) is standard therapy for high-risk soft tissue sarcoma (STS) but often causes severe toxicities resulting in hospitalisation. Gemcitabine and docetaxel (GD) has efficacy in metastatic STS and may be better tolerated. We conducted a study to compare toxicities and efficacies of these regimens.MethodsThis open-label, phase II, single institution trial randomised 80 patients with localised, resectable, high grade STS ⩾5 cm to either neo/adjuvant AI or GD. AI was doxorubicin (75 mg/m²) and ifosfamide (2.5 g/m²/d) on days 1–3 with mesna 500 mg/m²/dose. GD was gemcitabine 900 mg/m² on days 1, 8 and docetaxel 100 mg/m² day 8. Both arms included filgrastim. The primary end-point was hospitalisation rate. Secondary end-points included disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS).ResultsBetween November 2004 and August 2012, 80 evaluable patients were randomised, 37 to AI and 43 to GT. In the AI arm, 13/37 (35%) patients were hospitalised versus 11/43 (26%) in the GD arm (p = 0.25). Hospitalisation rates were not significantly different after adjusting for age, gender, location, chemotherapy and number of cycles (p = 0.17). The 2-year and median DFS in the AI arm were 57% and 37 months, respectively, and 74% and not yet reached, respectively, in the GD arm. The most common serious adverse events with AI were haematologic. Metabolic derangements and constitutional symptoms were most common with GD.ConclusionsHospitalisation rate was less with GD but not statistically significant. There was a trend towards longer DFS with GD, and the regimen was tolerable, suggesting GD merits further study.FundingEli Lilly and Sanofi-Aventis.     

Survival benefit of early androgen receptor inhibitor therapy in locally advanced prostate cancer: Long-term follow-up of the SPCG-6 study

BackgroundThe optimal timing of endocrine therapy in non-metastatic prostate cancer (PCa) is still an issue of debate.MethodsA randomised, double-blind, parallel-group trial comparing bicalutamide 150 mg once daily with placebo in addition to standard care in patients with hormone-naïve, non-metastatic PCa. Kaplan–Meier analysis was used to estimate overall survival (OS) and multivariate Cox proportional hazard model was performed to analyse time-to-event (death).FindingsA total of 1218 patients were included into the Scandinavian Prostate Cancer Group (SPCG)-6 study of which 607 were randomised to receive bicalutamide in addition to their standard care and 611 to receive placebo. Median follow-up was 14.6 years. Overall, 866 (71.1%) patients died, 428 (70.5%) in the bicalutamide arm and 438 (71.7%) in the placebo arm, p = 0.87. Bicalutamide significantly improved OS in patient with locally advanced disease (hazard ratios (HR) = 0.77 (95% confidence interval (CI): 0.63–0.94, p = 0.01), regardless of baseline prostate-specific antigen (PSA), with a survival benefit which was apparent throughout the study period. In contrast, survival favoured randomisation to the placebo arm in patients with localised disease (HR = 1.19 (95% CI: 1.00–1.43), p = 0.056). However, a survival gain from bicalutamide therapy was present in patients with localised disease and a baseline PSA greater than 28 ng/mL at randomisation. In multivariate Cox proportional hazard model, only including patients managed on watchful waiting as their standard of care (n = 991) OS depended on age, World Health Organisation (WHO) grade, baseline PSA, clinical stage and randomised treatment.InterpretationThroughout the 14.6 year follow-up period the addition of early bicalutamide to standard of care resulted in a significant OS benefit in patients with locally advanced PCa. In contrast, patients with localised PCa and low PSA derived no survival benefit from early bicalutamide. The optimal timing for initiating bicalutamide in non-metastatic PCa patients is dependent on disease stage and baseline PSA.     

Comparison of RECIST and Choi criteria for computed tomographic response evaluation in patients with advanced gastrointestinal stromal tumor treated with sunitinib

BackgroundControversies exist about computed tomography (CT) response evaluation criteria for patients with gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST).Patients and methodsFifty-one patients with advanced GIST treated second line with sunitinib were evaluated with contrast-enhanced CT every 3 months. Response was rated according to RECIST and Choi criteria. Progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were estimated by Kaplan–Meier analysis.ResultsAccording to RECIST, patients were categorized as complete response (CR; n = 0; 0%), partial remission (PR; n = 1; 2.0%), stable disease (SD; n = 37; 72.5%), and progressive disease (PD; n = 13; 25.5%) at 3 months. When Choi criteria were applied responses were CR (n = 0; 0%), PR (n = 16; 31.4%), SD (n = 21; 41.1%), and PD (n = 14; 27.5%). Despite these discrepancies, patients rated as SD with RECIST and PR as well as SD according to Choi criteria displayed similar PFS (41.3, 40.7, and 41.3 weeks, respectively) and OS (100.4, 91.6, and 108.0 weeks, respectively). Patients with PD had significantly shorter PFS (10.1 weeks for both criteria) and OS (29.1 weeks for RECIST; 28.9 weeks for Choi) regardless of the response classification applied.ConclusionIn contrast to absence of progression, discrimination of PR from SD with Choi criteria was of no predictive value.     

Imatinib in advanced chordoma: A retrospective case series analysis

IntroductionImatinib showed activity in 50 chordoma patients treated within a Phase II study. In that study, 70% of patients remained with stable disease (SD), median progression free survival (PFS) was 9 months and median overall survival (OS) was 34 months. We now report on a retrospective series of PDGFB/PDGFRB positive advanced chordoma patients treated with imatinib as a single agent within a compassionate-use programme at Istituto Nazionale Tumori, Milan, Italy (INT) between August 2002 and November 2010, when the programme was closed.Methods48 patients were consecutively treated with imatinib 800 mg/d. All patients had inoperable and progressive disease before starting imatinib. Demographics, treatment duration, toxicity and response rate by Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST) were retrospectively recorded.ResultsThe median duration of therapy was 7 months (1–46.5). No patient is on therapy at present. 46 patients were evaluable for response. No partial responses were detected. Best response was: stable disease 34 (74%), progressive disease 12 (26%). At a median follow-up of 24.5 months (0.5–117), median PFS was 9.9 months (95% confidence interval (CI) 6.7–13). Eight patients (16.5%) remained on therapy >18 months and 10 patients (21%) remained progression-free >18 months. Median OS was 30 months (95% CI 20–40), with 24 (50%) patients dead at the time of the present analysis.ConclusionsWe confirm the activity of imatinib in locally advanced and metastatic chordoma, in terms of >70% tumour growth arrest in previously progressive patients. Median duration of response lasted almost 10 months, with >20% of patients progression-free at 18+ months.     

Venous thromboembolism,interleukin-6 and survival outcomes in patients with advanced ovarian clear cell carcinoma

BackgroundWe compared survival outcomes and risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE) among patients with advanced and early-stage ovarian clear cell carcinoma (OCCC) and serous ovarian carcinoma (SOC), as well as potential links with interleukin-6 (IL-6) levels.MethodsA multicenter case-control study was conducted in 370 patients with OCCC and 938 with SOC. In a subset of 200 cases, pretreatment plasma IL-6 levels were examined.FindingsPatients with advanced OCCC had the highest 2-year cumulative VTE rates (advanced OCCC 43.1%, advanced SOC 16.2%, early-stage OCCC 11.9% and early-stage SOC 6.4%, P < 0.0001) and the highest median levels of IL-6 (advanced OCCC 17.8 pg/mL, advanced SOC 9.0 pg/mL, early-stage OCCC 4.2 pg/mL and early-stage SOC 5.0 pg/mL, P = 0.006). Advanced OCCC (hazard ratio [HR] 3.38, P < 0.0001), thrombocytosis (HR 1.42, P = 0.032) and elevated IL-6 (HR 8.90, P = 0.046) were independent predictors of VTE. In multivariate analysis, patients with advanced OCCC had significantly poorer 5-year progression-free and overall survival rates than those with advanced SOC (P < 0.01), and thrombocytosis was an independent predictor of decreased survival outcomes (P < 0.01). Elevated IL-6 levels led to poorer 2-year progression-free survival rates in patients with OCCC (50% versus 87.5%, HR 4.89, P = 0.016) than in those with SOC (24.9% versus 40.8%, HR 1.40, P = 0.07).InterpretationAdvanced OCCC is associated with an increased incidence of VTE and decreased survival outcomes, which has major implications for clinical management of OCCC.     

Phase 1 dose-escalation study of oral tyrosine kinase inhibitor masitinib in advanced and/or metastatic solid cancers

BackgroundMasitinib is a tyrosine kinase inhibitor with a pre-clinical profile suggesting greater affinity and selectivity in vitro for the wild-type c-Kit receptor and its juxtamembrane mutation than imatinib.MethodsThis dose-escalation study was conducted in patients with advanced and/or metastatic cancer to determine the maximum tolerated dose (MTD) for orally administered masitinib over a 12-week period. Secondary objectives were a clinical assessment of masitinib’s activity in cancer patients and establishment of a pharmacokinetic profile.ResultsForty patients with various solid tumours (predominantly GIST, 19 patients) were treated with masitinib at doses ranging between 0.7 and 17.2 mg/kg/day. Although the MTD was not formally reached, an acceptable dose for chronic use was identified at 12 mg/kg/day. Treatment-related AEs were frequent (38/40 patients), however, the majority were grade 1 or 2 and demonstrated dose dependency at higher concentrations. Pharmacokinetic results showed a linear, dose-dependent increase of C_max and AUC. One of two GIST patients with imatinib intolerance had a partial response at 11.1 mg/kg/day. About 29% of the imatinib-resistant GIST population and 38% of the overall population had stable disease.ConclusionsThe safety profile of masitinib at 12 mg/kg/day b.i.d. for the treatment of solid cancers appears favourable and compatible with a long-term regimen. Tumour control rate in imatinib-resistant patients was encouraging, hence, the activity of masitinib in c-Kit expressing tumours, such as GIST, warrants further exploration as first-line anticancer therapy as well as for imatinib-resistant patients.     

Diagnosis,prognosis and treatment of patients with gastrointestinal stromal tumour (GIST) and germline mutation of KIT exon 13

BackgroundThe demonstration of the role of activating mutations of KIT or PDGFRA and the development of targeted therapies have modified the prognosis of patients with gastrointestinal stromal tumours (GISTs). Identification of kindreds with KIT or PDGFRA germline mutation raised new questions, especially regarding the diagnosis, management, monitoring and treatment of these patients.MethodsWe identified index patients of three different families with a KIT exon 13 germline mutation. Pedigree of GIST kindred was assessed in oncogenetic consultation, and medical records were reviewed. Efficacy of imatinib in GISTs with KIT exon 13 was evaluated and compared with published data.ResultsAll KIT germline mutations were p.K642E. Twenty affected patients were identified in the three families. GISTs were multiple and occurred before 45 years in all but one case. All resected tumours were of spindle cell histology, CD117 positive, and had low or intermediate risk of relapse. Lentigines involving the palms and soles were detected in four patients, and three patients had motrice dysphagia. Nine affected patients died of their disease, all but one before 65 years. Affected patients were most often symptomatic and required iterative surgical resections. Imatinib was efficient in GISTs with p.K642E mutation with a disease control rate superior to 90% whatever the sporadic or inherited origin of the tumour.ConclusionsWe propose a regular screening of kindreds who have germline mutation. Treatment with imatinib should be considered for those with symptomatic tumour, larger than 3 cm and/or growing rapidly.     

Associations of sexual dysfunction symptoms with PSA-detected localised and advanced prostate cancer: A case-control study nested within the UK population-based ProtecT (Prostate testing for cancer and Treatment) study

BackgroundSexual dysfunction might be symptomatic of cancer spreading beyond the prostate by local invasion, a mechanism of tumour progression associated with prognosis. Conversely, among men with raised prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels, a negative association might be expected if sexual dysfunction was symptomatic of benign, rather than malignant, prostatic disease.Patients and methodsCases and controls were selected from among men recruited to the UK population-based ProtecT (Prostate testing for cancer and Treatment) study. Men aged 50–69 years were invited for PSA testing and those with a PSA level ?3.0 ng/ml were invited for biopsy. We investigated whether symptoms of sexual dysfunction, determined by self-completed questionnaire prior to biopsy, were associated with prostate cancer.ResultsOf the 8924 men who had a PSA level ?3.0 ng/ml (11% of the men who had a PSA test), 6585 underwent biopsy of whom 2813 and 421, respectively, were subsequently diagnosed with localised and advanced prostate cancer and 3351 had a negative biopsy result. No individual symptom of sexual dysfunction was associated with risk of prostate cancer. The symptom score was associated with advanced (odds ratio (OR) per one unit increase in score = 1.06; 1.00–1.12; P = 0.07) but not with localised (OR = 1.00; 0.97–1.02; P = 0.9) prostate cancer (P = 0.05 for heterogeneity).ConclusionsOur study provides weak evidence that sexual dysfunction may be associated with PSA-detected advanced, but not localised, prostate cancer among men with raised PSA levels.