scholarly journals The Prognostic and Predictive Value of ESR1 Fusion Gene Transcripts in Primary Breast Cancer

Author(s):  
Silvia R. Vitale ◽  
Kirsten Ruigrok-Ritstier ◽  
A. Mieke Timmermans ◽  
Renée Foekens ◽  
Anita M.A.C. Trapman-Jansen ◽  
...  

Abstract Background: In breast cancer (BC), recurrent fusion genes of estrogen receptor alpha (ESR1) and AKAP12, ARMT1 and CCDC170 have been reported. In these gene fusions the ligand binding domain of ESR1 has been replaced by the transactivation domain of the fusion partner constitutively activating the receptor. As a result, these gene fusions can drive tumor growth hormone independently as been shown in preclinical models, but the clinical value of these fusions have not been reported. Here, we studied the prognostic and predictive value of different frequently reported ESR1 fusion transcripts in primary BC. Methods: We evaluated 732 patients with primary BC (131 ESR1-negative and 601 ESR1-positive cases), including two ER-positive BC patient cohorts: one cohort of 322 patients with advanced disease who received first-line endocrine therapy (ET) (predictive cohort), and a second cohort of 279 patients with lymph node negative disease (LNN) who received no adjuvant systemic treatment (prognostic cohort). Fusion gene transcript levels were measured by reverse transcriptase quantitative PCR. The presence of the different fusion transcripts was associated, in uni- and multivariable Cox regression analysis taking along current clinic-pathological characteristics, to progression free survival (PFS) during first-line endocrine therapy in the predictive cohort, and disease- free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS) in the prognostic cohort.Results: The ESR1-CCDC170 fusion transcript was present in 27.6% of the ESR1-positive BC subjects and in 2.3% of the ESR1-negative cases. In the predictive cohort, none of the fusion transcripts were associated with response to first-line ET. In the prognostic cohort, the median DFS and OS were respectively 37 and 93 months for patients with an ESR1-CCDC170 exon 8 gene fusion transcript and respectively 91 and 212 months for patients without this fusion transcript. In a multivariable analysis, this ESR1-CCDC170 fusion transcript was an independent prognostic factor for DFS (HR) (95% confidence interval (CI): 1.8 (1.2–2.8), P=0.005) and OS (HR (95% CI: 1.7 (1.1–2.7), P=0.023). Conclusions: Our study shows that in primary BC only ESR1-CCDC170 exon 8 gene fusion transcript carries prognostic value. None of the ESR1 fusion transcripts, which are considered to have constitutive ER activity, was predictive for outcome in BC with advanced disease treated with endocrine treatment.

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Laura Biganzoli ◽  
Saverio Cinieri ◽  
Rossana Berardi ◽  
Rebecca Pedersini ◽  
Amelia McCartney ◽  
...  

Abstract BackgroundLimited data are available on nab-paclitaxel in older breast cancer patients, with this population being under-represented in clinical trial. A weekly schedule is recommended, but there is a paucity of evidence regarding the optimal dose. We evaluated the efficacy of two different doses of weekly nab-paclitaxel, with a specific focus on their corresponding impact on patient function, in order to address the lack of data specifically relating to the older population.MethodsEFFECT is an open-label, phase II trial wherein 160 women with advanced breast cancer aged ≥ 65 years were enrolled from 15 institutions within Italy. Patients were randomly assigned 1:1 to receive nab-paclitaxel 100 mg/m2 (Arm A) or 125 mg/m2 (Arm B) on days 1,8,15 on a 28-day cycle, as first-line treatment for advanced disease. The primary endpoint was event-free survival (EFS), wherein an event was defined as disease progression (PD), functional decline (FD) or death.ResultsAfter a median follow-up of 32.6 months, 140 events were observed in 158 evaluable patients. Median EFS was 8.2 months (90% CI, 5.9-8.9) in Arm A, versus 8.3 months (90% CI, 6.2-9.7) in Arm B. Progression-free survival, overall survival and response rates were similar in both groups. A higher percentage of dose reductions and discontinuations due to adverse events (AEs) was noted in Arm B. The most frequently reported non-hematological AEs were fatigue (grade [G] 2-3 toxicity occurrence in Arm A versus B: 43% and 51%, respectively) and peripheral neuropathy (G2-3 Arm A versus B: 19% and 38%, respectively).ConclusionThe two weekly nab-paclitaxel regimens were comparable in all pre-specified outcomes. However, 100 mg/m2 was significantly better tolerated with fewer neurotoxicity-related events, representing a more feasible dose to be recommended for older patients with advanced disease.


2013 ◽  
Vol 31 (15_suppl) ◽  
pp. 11018-11018
Author(s):  
Yan Ma ◽  
Ranjana Ambannavar ◽  
James Stephans ◽  
Jennie Jeong ◽  
Andrew Dei Rossi ◽  
...  

11018 Background: While several recently discovered gene fusions already play an important role in personalized cancer treatment, many cancer gene fusions remain to be discovered. Next generation sequencing has enabled identification of many rare gene fusion events in fresh or frozen solid tumors. There is a need to detect gene fusions in transcriptomes of formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tumor tissue, for which there is long-term clinical outcome data. We therefore sought to develop bioinformatics methods to detect fusion transcripts in FFPE tissue and to characterize their association with clinical outcomes. Methods: RNA sequencing libraries were created and sequenced from tumor biopsy tissues (Plos One 2012 7(7): e40092) of two ER+ breast cancer cohorts consisting of 136 and 77 patients, for which clinical outcomes were available. The fusion junctions were nominated by the RNA-seq aligner GSNAP and further filtered to consider discontinuous expression patterns at exon/intron levels. Results: A total of 108 candidate fusion transcripts were detected and RT-PCR assays confirmed 89% of the top ranking fusion transcript candidates. The majority (82%) of identified fusion gene partners are listed in the COSMIC database of known cancer sequence variations. Of note, several patients expressed multiple fusion transcripts that are significantly associated with tumor progression (P<0.001), including genes associated with cell proliferation and cellular metabolism. Furthermore, these patients also harbored inter-chromosomal gene fusions. It is noteworthy that several gene fusions were present in multiple patients. In one of these recurrent fusions the estrogen receptor gene acts as the fusion pair donor. Conclusions: Novel bioinformatics approaches developed here demonstrate the ability to detect fusion transcripts as biomarkers from archival FFPE tissues that associate with breast cancer progression. Some gene fusions were common in multiple patients and deserved further study.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Laura Biganzoli ◽  
Saverio Cinieri ◽  
Rossana Berardi ◽  
Rebecca Pedersini ◽  
Amelia McCartney ◽  
...  

Abstract Background: Limited data are available regarding the use of nab-paclitaxel in older patients with breast cancer. A weekly schedule is recommended, but there is a paucity of evidence regarding the optimal dose. We evaluated the efficacy of two different doses of weekly nab-paclitaxel, with a specific focus on their corresponding impact on patient function, in order to address the lack of data specifically relating to the older population. Methods: EFFECT is an open-label, phase II trial wherein 160 women with advanced breast cancer aged ≥ 65 years were enrolled from 15 institutions within Italy. Patients were randomly assigned 1:1 to receive nab-paclitaxel 100 mg/m2 (Arm A) or 125 mg/m2 (Arm B) on days 1,8,15 on a 28-day cycle, as first-line treatment for advanced disease. The primary endpoint was event-free survival (EFS), wherein an event was defined as disease progression (PD), functional decline (FD) or death. In each arm, the null hypothesis that the median EFS would be ≤7 months was tested against a one-sided alternative according to the Brookmeyer Crowley test. Secondary endpoints included objective response rate (ORR), clinical benefit rate (CBR), progression-free survival (PFS), overall survival (OS), and safety.Results: After a median follow-up of 32.6 months, 140 events were observed in 158 evaluable patients. Median EFS was 8.2 months (90% CI, 5.9-8.9; p=0.188) in Arm A, versus 8.3 months (90% CI, 6.2-9.7; p=0.078) in Arm B. Progression-free survival, overall survival and response rates were similar in both groups. A higher percentage of dose reductions and discontinuations due to adverse events (AEs) was noted in Arm B. The most frequently reported non-hematological AEs were fatigue (grade [G] 2-3 toxicity occurrence in Arm A versus B: 43% and 51%, respectively) and peripheral neuropathy (G2-3 Arm A versus B: 19% and 38%, respectively). Conclusion: Pre-specified outcomes were similar in both treatment arms. However, 100 mg/m2 was significantly better tolerated with fewer neurotoxicity-related events, representing a more feasible dose to be recommended for older patients with advanced disease.Trial registrationEudraCT identifier: 2012-002707-18, registered June 4 2012 - https://www.clinicaltrialsregister.eu/ctr-search/trial/2012-002707-18/IT#E . NIH ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT02783222, registered May 26 2016 – retrospectively registered, https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02783222


2020 ◽  
pp. 75-80
Author(s):  
S.A. Lyalkin ◽  
◽  
L.A. Syvak ◽  
N.O. Verevkina ◽  
◽  
...  

The objective: was to evaluate the efficacy of the first line chemotherapy in patients with metastatic triple negative breast cancer (TNBC). Materials and methods. Open randomized study was performed including 122 patients with metastatic TNBC. The efficacy and safety of the first line chemotherapy of regimens АТ (n=59) – group 1, patients received doxorubicine 60 мг/м2 and paclitaxel 175 мг/м2 and ТР (n=63) – group 2, patients received paclitaxel 175 мг/м2 and carboplatin AUC 5 were evaluated. Results. The median duration of response was 9.5 months (4.5–13.25 months) in patients received AT regimen and 8.5 months (4.7–12.25 months), in TP regimen; no statistically significant differences were observed, р=0.836. The median progression free survival was 7 months (95% CI 5–26 months) in group 1 and 7.5 months (95% CI 6–35 months) in group 2, p=0.85. Both chemotherapy regimens (AT and TP) had mild or moderate toxicity profiles (grade 1 or 2 in most patients). No significant difference in gastrointestinal toxicity was observed. The incidence of grade 3–4 neutropenia was higher in patients of group 2 (TP regimen): 42.8% versus 27% (р<0.05). Conclusions. Both regimens of chemotherapy (AT and TP) are appropriate to use in the first line setting in patients with metastatic TNBC. Key words: metastatic triple negative breast cancer, chemotherapy, progression free survival, chemotherapy toxicity.


2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (15) ◽  
pp. 8098
Author(s):  
Abdul Shukkur Ebrahim ◽  
Zeyad Hailat ◽  
Sudeshna Bandyopadhyay ◽  
Daniel Neill ◽  
Mustapha Kandouz

Cell–cell communication proteins Eph and ephrin constitute the largest family of receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs). They are distinguished by the fact that both receptors and ligands are membrane-bound, and both can drive intracellular signaling in their respective cells. Ever since these RTKs have been found to be involved in cancer development, strategies to target them therapeutically have been actively pursued. However, before this goal can be rationally achieved, the contributions of either Eph receptors or their ephrin ligands to cancer development and progression should be scrutinized in depth. To assess the clinical pertinence of this concern, we performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of the prognostic/predictive value of EphB2 and its multiple cognate ephrin ligands in breast cancer. We found that EphB2 has prognostic value, as indicated by the association of higher EphB2 expression levels with lower distant metastasis-free survival (DMFS), and the association of lower EphB2 expression levels with poorer relapse-free survival (RFS). We also found that higher EphB2 expression could be a prognostic factor for distant metastasis, specifically in the luminal subtypes of breast cancer. EFNB2 showed a marked correlation between higher expression levels and shorter DMFS. EFNA5 or EFNB1 overexpression is correlated with longer RFS. Increased EFNB1 expression is correlated with longer OS in lymph node (LN)-negative patients and the luminal B subtype. Higher levels of EFNB2 or EFNA5 are significantly correlated with shorter RFS, regardless of LN status. However, while this correlation with shorter RFS is true for EFNB2 in all subtypes except basal, it is also true for EFNA5 in all subtypes except HER2+. The analysis also points to possible predictive value for EphB2. In systemically treated patients who have undergone either endocrine therapy or chemotherapy, we found that higher expression of EphB2 is correlated with better rates of RFS. Bearing in mind the limitations inherent to any mRNA-based profiling method, we complemented our analysis with an immunohistochemical assessment of expression levels of both the EphB2 receptor and cognate ephrin ligands. We found that the latter are significantly more expressed in cancers than in normal tissues, and even more so in invasive and metastatic samples than in ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS). Finally, in an in vitro cellular model of breast cancer progression, based on H-Ras-transformation of the MCF10A benign mammary cell line, we observed dramatic increases in the mRNA expression of EphB2 receptor and EFNB1 and EFNB2 ligands in transformed and invasive cells in comparison with their benign counterparts. Taken together, these data show the clinical validity of a model whereby EphB2, along with its cognate ephrin ligands, have dual anti- and pro-tumor progression effects. In so doing, they reinforce the necessity of further biological investigations into Ephs and ephrins, prior to using them in targeted therapies.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Simon Haefliger ◽  
Muriel Genevay ◽  
Michel Bihl ◽  
Romina Marone ◽  
Daniel Baumhoer ◽  
...  

AbstractMyoepithelial neoplasms of soft tissue are rare tumors with clinical, morphological, immunohistochemical, and genetic heterogeneity. The morphological spectrum of these tumors is broad, and the diagnosis often requires immunostaining to confirm myoepithelial differentiation. Rarely, tumors show a morphology that is typical for myoepithelial neoplasms, while the immunophenotype fails to confirm myoepithelial differentiation. For such lesions, the term “myoepithelioma-like” tumor was introduced. Recently, two cases of myoepithelioma-like tumors of the hands and one case of the foot were described with previously never reported OGT-FOXO gene fusions. Here, we report a 50-year-old woman, with a myoepithelial-like tumor localized in the soft tissue of the forearm and carrying a OGT-FOXO1 fusion gene. Our findings extend the spectrum of mesenchymal tumors involving members of the FOXO family of transcription factors and point to the existence of a family of soft tissue tumors that carry the gene fusion of the OGT-FOXO family.


2002 ◽  
Vol 20 (11) ◽  
pp. 2672-2679 ◽  
Author(s):  
Poul H.B. Sorensen ◽  
James C. Lynch ◽  
Stephen J. Qualman ◽  
Roberto Tirabosco ◽  
Jerian F. Lim ◽  
...  

PURPOSE: Alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma (ARMS) is an aggressive soft tissue malignancy of children and adolescents. Most ARMS patients express PAX3-FKHR or PAX7-FKHR gene fusions resulting from t(2;13) or t(1;13) translocations, respectively. We wished to confirm the diagnostic specificity of gene fusion detection in a large cohort of RMS patients and to evaluate whether these alterations influence clinical outcome in ARMS. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We determined PAX3-FKHR or PAX7-FKHR fusion status in 171 childhood rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) patients entered onto the Intergroup Rhabdomyosarcoma Study IV, including 78 ARMS patients, using established reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction assays. All patients received central pathologic review and were treated using uniform protocols, allowing for meaningful outcome analysis. We examined the relationship between gene fusion status and clinical outcome in the ARMS cohort. RESULTS: PAX3-FKHR and PAX7-FKHR fusion transcripts were detected in 55% and 22% of ARMS patients, respectively; 23% were fusion-negative. All other RMS patients lacked transcripts, confirming the specificity of these alterations for ARMS. Fusion status was not associated with outcome differences in patients with locoregional ARMS. However, in patients presenting with metastatic disease, there was a striking difference in outcome between PAX7-FKHR and PAX3-FKHR patient groups (estimated 4-year overall survival rate of 75% for PAX7-FKHR v 8% for PAX3-FKHR; P = .0015). Multivariate analysis demonstrated a significantly increased risk of failure (P = .025) and death (P = .019) in patients with metastatic disease if their tumors expressed PAX3-FKHR. Among metastatic ARMS, bone marrow involvement was significantly higher in PAX3-FKHR–positive patients. CONCLUSION: Not only are PAX-FKHR fusion transcripts specific for ARMS, but expression of PAX3-FKHR and PAX7-FKHR identifies a very high-risk subgroup and a favorable outcome subgroup, respectively, among patients presenting with metastatic ARMS.


2005 ◽  
Vol 23 (33) ◽  
pp. 8322-8330 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ruth E. Langley ◽  
James Carmichael ◽  
Alison L. Jones ◽  
David A. Cameron ◽  
Wendi Qian ◽  
...  

Purpose To compare the effectiveness and tolerability of epirubicin and paclitaxel (EP) with epirubicin and cyclophosphamide (EC) as first-line chemotherapy for metastatic breast cancer (MBC). Patients and Methods Patients previously untreated with chemotherapy (except for adjuvant therapy) were randomly assigned to receive either EP (epirubicin 75 mg/m2 and paclitaxel 200 mg/m2) or EC (epirubicin 75 mg/m2 and cyclophosphamide 600 mg/m2) administered intravenously every 3 weeks for a maximum of six cycles. The primary outcome was progression-free survival; secondary outcome measures were overall survival, response rates, and toxicity. Results Between 1996 and 1999, 705 patients (353 EP patients and 352 EC patients) underwent random assignment. Patient characteristics were well matched between the two groups, and 71% of patients received six cycles of treatment. Objective response rates were 65% for the EP group and 55% for the EC group (P = .015). At the time of analysis, 641 patients (91%) had died. Median progression-free survival time was 7.0 months for the EP group and 7.1 months for the EC group (hazard ratio = 1.07; 95% CI, 0.92 to 1.24; P = .41), and median overall survival time was 13 months for the EP group and 14 months for the EC group (hazard ratio = 1.02; 95% CI, 0.87 to 1.19; P = .8). EP patients, compared with EC patients, had more grade 3 and 4 mucositis (6% v 2%, respectively; P = .0006) and grade 3 and 4 neurotoxicity (5% v 1%, respectively; P < .0001). Conclusion In terms of progression-free survival and overall survival, there was no evidence of a difference between EP and EC. The data demonstrate no additional advantage to using EP instead of EC as first-line chemotherapy for MBC in taxane-naïve patients.


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