Should women with early breast cancer under 40 years of age have a routine 21-gene recurrence score testing: A SEER database study

PurposeTo investigate the effect of 21-gene recurrence score (RS) on chemotherapy-decision making and prognosis in breast cancer patients aged <40 years.MethodsUsing the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results program, we included patients aged <40 years with tumor size ≤5 cm, node negative, and estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer between 2004 and 2015. Correlations among the 21-gene RS, chemotherapy decision-making and prognosis were analyzed.ResultsWe included 2721 patients in this study. According to TAILORx cutoffs, 352 (12.9%), 1814 (66.7%), and 555 (20.4%) patients were classified as low-, intermediate-, and high-risk cohorts, respectively. The 21-gene RS categories were associated with the probability of receiving chemotherapy, with 7.1%, 33.4%, and 77.1% of patients in low-, intermediate-, and high-risk cohorts treated with chemotherapy, respectively (P < 0.001). Those in the intermediate-risk cohort were significantly less likely to receive chemotherapy over time (P = 0.008), and the trends of chemotherapy receipt were stable in the low-risk and high-risk cohorts over time. Multivariate analysis showed that the 21-gene RS was an independent prognostic indicator for breast cancer specific survival. In the stratified analysis, the receipt of chemotherapy was associated with better breast cancer specific survival in the high-risk cohort (P = 0.028), but not in the intermediate-risk cohort (P = 0.223).Conclusions21-gene RS has clinical implications for young breast cancer patients with respect to optimizing chemotherapy-decisions. Despite increasing rates of chemotherapy receipt in young patients, more studies are needed to determine the definitive effect of chemotherapy in young patients with three RS categories.     

Efficacy and Safety of Sintilimab Plus Pemetrexed and Platinum as First-Line Treatment for Locally Advanced or Metastatic Nonsquamous NSCLC: a Randomized,Double-Blind,Phase 3 Study (Oncology pRogram by InnovENT anti-PD-1-11)

IntroductionSintilimab, an anti–programmed death 1 antibody, plus pemetrexed and platinum had revealed promising efficacy for nonsquamous NSCLC in a phase 1b study. We conducted a randomized, double-blind, phase 3 study to compare the efficacy and safety of sintilimab with placebo, both in combination with such chemotherapy (ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT03607539).MethodsA total of 397 patients with previously untreated, locally advanced or metastatic nonsquamous NSCLC without sensitizing EGFR or anaplastic lymphoma kinase genomic aberration were randomized (2:1 ratio) to receive either sintilimab 200 mg or placebo plus pemetrexed and platinum once every 3 weeks for four cycles, followed by sintilimab or placebo plus pemetrexed therapy. Crossover or treatment beyond disease progression was allowed. The primary end point was progression-free survival (PFS) as judged by an independent radiographic review committee.ResultsAs of November 15, 2019, the median follow-up was 8.9 months. The median PFS was significantly longer in the sintilimab-combination group than that in the placebo-combination group (8.9 versus 5.0 mo; hazard ratio, 0.482, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.362–0.643; p < 0.00001). The confirmed objective response rate was 51.9% (95% CI: 45.7%–58.0%) in the sintilimab-combination group and 29.8% (95% CI: 22.1%–38.4%) in placebo-combination group. The incidence of grade 3 or higher adverse events was 61.7% in sintilimab-combination group and 58.8% in placebo-combination group.ConclusionsIn Chinese patients with previously untreated, locally advanced or metastatic nonsquamous NSCLC, the addition of sintilimab to chemotherapy with pemetrexed and platinum resulted in considerably longer PFS than with chemotherapy alone with manageable safety profiles.     

A systematic review of chyle leaks and their management following axillary surgery

IntroductionChyle leaks following surgery to the axilla are seldom encountered with an incidence <0.7%. Management varies with no consensus in the literature. Injury to branching tributaries of the thoracic duct may require lengthy management at significant cost to patient and clinical team. This paper aims to provide an up-to-date review to support clinical management.MethodsThe term ‘chyle’ was combined with ‘breast’ or ‘axilla.’ EMBASE, Medline and PubMed database searches were conducted. All papers published in English were included with no exclusion date limits.Results51 cases from 31 papers. All were female (mean age = 53.3yrs). 47/51 leaks were left-sided. 5/51 underwent sentinel node biopsy, 19/51 level II axillary node clearance (ANC), 23/51 level III ANC, 5/51 not specified. 59% (30/51) of leaks were identified within 2 postoperative days (mean = 3.3days). 96% initially managed conservatively: Drain = 38/51; low-fat diet = 34/51; compression bandaging = 20/51; Aspiration = 6/51. 40/51 (78%) were successfully managed conservatively, 11 patients returned to theater for secondary management. 7/11 recorded volumes >500mls/24 hrs before secondary surgery. Mean resolution time from initial surgery was 17.3days (range = 4–64days). No statistically significant difference (p = 0.72) in time to resolution between conservatively and surgically managed patients.ConclusionsChyle leaks are rarely seen following axillary surgery. Aberrant thoracic duct anatomy represents the likeliest aetiology. We advocate early recognition and tailored individual management. Conservative management with non-suction drainage, low-fat diet and axillary compression bandaging appear effective where output <500ml/24 hrs. Secondary surgical management should be considered in high chylous output (<500mls/24 hrs) patients unresponsive to conservative measures. We propose a management algorithm to aide clinicians.     

Analysis of risk factors for recurrence after the resection of sacral chordoma combined with embolization

Background contextAlthough several authors have already reported on the high local recurrence rate of sacral chordomas after surgical resection, there are no reports on the risk factors for recurrence after resection when combined with preoperative tumor-related blood vessel embolism by digital subtraction angiography (DSA) technique.PurposeTo investigate the factors related to the continuous disease-free survival time (CDFS) after the resection of sacral chordomas combined with embolization.Study design/settingRetrospective review of the signs, images, and immunohistochemical data of patients with sacral chordomas treated with an initial operation combined with transcatheter arterial embolization.Patient sampleTwenty-two patients with sacral chordomas received initial resection combined with transcatheter arterial embolization.Outcome measuresRecurrence, proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) expression, basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) expression, CDFS.MethodsAll cases were selected and followed for an average of 39.2 months. The roles of gender, age, tumor size, tumor location, surgical method, radiation therapy, PCNA expression, and bFGF expression in local recurrence were analyzed using the log-rank test.ResultsSacral chordomas recurred in eight of 22 cases. The CDFS was significantly greater in tumors located below S3 as compared with those above S3. When evaluating PCNA and bFGF expression levels, the CDFS was greater in low expressions rather than high expressions. It was determined that the surgical method used was of prognostic significance to the CDFS.ConclusionsHigher tumor location and higher expressions of PCNA and bFGF will lead to a shorter CDFS. Resecting the tumor as completely as possible will decrease the chances of local recurrence of sacral chordomas.     

食管胸段鳞癌术后预防照射靶区初步分析

目的:探讨胸段食管鳞癌术后复发、转移的临床特征,了解术后放疗的靶区范围.方法:回顾性分析140例食管胸段鳞癌患者术后复发转移部位.结果:140例术后复发转移病例,中位进展时间18.3个月(15.4～21.1个月).吻合口复发占治疗失败13.6％,在所有部位的食管胸段鳞癌中,锁骨上、1～5区和7区淋巴结转移率高.3区、4区转移率从高到低排列是胸中段、胸上段和胸下段食管癌.而上腹部淋巴结转移率从高到低排列是胸下段、胸中段和胸上段食管癌.局部复发是治疗失败的最主要形式.结论:对于食管胸上段和胸中段鳞癌来说,吻合口、锁骨上、1～5区和7区应该作为术后预防照射的靶区,不必包上腹部淋巴结区.而食管胸下段鳞癌吻合口、锁骨上、1～5区和7区和上腹部淋巴结可能是术后预防性放疗的靶区.     

诱导化疗联合同步放化疗治疗局部晚期头颈部鳞癌的随机对照研究

目的:局部晚期(T3T4/N2N3)头颈部鳞癌的标准治疗为同步放化疗,在同步放化疗基础上加上诱导化疗是否能进一步提高生存率国际上仍有争议.本文随机对照研究分析诱导化疗+同步放化疗治疗局部晚期头颈部鳞癌的结果.方法:2005年1月至2007年6月我院首次接受治疗的局部晚期头颈部鳞癌患者120例,所有患者均不能手术,绝大多...     

Treatment outcomes of induction chemotherapy combined with intensity-modulated radiotherapy and adjuvant chemotherapy for locoregionally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma in Southeast China

Induction chemotherapy (IC) and adjuvant chemotherapy (AC) are used to enhance tumor locoregional control and support early treatment for distant metastases. However, optimum combinatorial treatment of these chemoradiotherapy regimens with radiotherapy in curing locoregionally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) remains unclear. Here, we evaluate the efficacy and therapeutic outcome of a combinatorial treatment strategy involving IC, intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT), and AC, by retrospectively analyzing 243 NPC patients who were treated by IC followed by IMRT and AC. The rates of 3-/5-year local-regional control rate, distant failure-free rate (DFFR), progression-free survival (PFS), and overall survival (OS) were 93.3%/90.3%, 84.2%/79.4%, 79.6%/74.4%, and 84.0%/72.6%, respectively. The 3-/5-year OS rates of patients in stage III or IVA were 91.5%/75.1% and 86.5%/56.5%, respectively. Combination cisplatin with paclitaxel showed no significance in OS as compared to cisplatin plus 5-fluorouracil (P-value = .17). Total four-cycle IC and AC was significantly beneficious versus three-cycle in DFFR (P-value = .04), as well as total 6 chemotherapy cycles compared to 4 in DFFR and PFS (P-value = .03 and P-value = .01, respectively). All survival indicators were adversely affected by T-category, while N-category could only predict DFFR and PFS. Radiation dosage represented as a second prognostic factor for local control. We propose that IC combined with IMRT and AC for locoregionally advanced NPC shows effective treatment outcomes.