Independent Predictor Of Event-free Survival Research Articles

The Prognostic Impact of Tumor Size and BRAF Mutational Status in Middle Eastern Differentiated Thyroid Cancer.

Tumor size at diagnosis has been widely used as a major mortality risk factor in risk stratification of DTC. The current study was designed to analyze whether tumor size at diagnosis is a major prognostic factor in Middle Eastern DTC. We conducted a comparative study of the relationship between tumor size at diagnosis and event free survival (EFS) with respect to BRAF status in 1709 consecutive patients treated surgically for DTC. Patients were divided into four groups according to the size of tumor and BRAF mutation status: Group 1 (≤4 cm without BRAF mutation), Group 2 (≤4 cm with BRAF mutation), Group 3 (>4 cm without BRAF mutation) and Group 4 (>4 cm with BRAF mutation). Predictors of EFS were compared using the Log-rank test and Cox proportional hazards models. Tumor size >4cm was associated with adverse clinico-pathologic characteristics, such as older age, male gender, bilateral tumors, extrathyroidal extension, lymphovascular invasion, advanced tumor stage and persistent/recurrent disease. Tumor size was also inversely associated with BRAF mutation. Both tumor size (> 4cm) and BRAF mutation were associated with EFS on univariate analysis. On subgroup analysis, larger tumor size was an independent predictor of EFS (Group 3 vs. Group 1), irrespective of BRAF mutation status. Also, within the BRAF mutant tumors, larger tumor size was still an independent predictor of EFS (Group 4 vs. Group 2). Tumor size is an independent predictor of EFS in Middle Eastern DTC patients, regardless of BRAF mutational status.

Abstract PS16-07: Tumor infiltrating lymphocyte stratification refines AJCC TNM staging based outcomes of early-stage triple negative breast cancer treated with neoadjuvant anthracycline-free, docetaxel and carboplatin chemotherapy

Abstract Background: Stromal tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (sTILs) quantification is associated with pathological response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) and long term outcomes in setting of adjuvant anthracycline based chemotherapy. A previous study in TNBC patients treated with adjuvant anthracycline chemotherapy shows that at a cut point of 30%, sTILs can up and downstage traditional AJCC stage groups. Additive impact of sTILs on refining outcomes beyond pathological response and TNM stage for patients treated with anthracycline-free chemotherapy is not known. This study aimed to investigate impact of sTILs on outcomes in a large cohort of TNBC patients treated with Docetaxel plus carboplatin NAC. Methods: Patients with stage I (T size > 1cm) to III TNBC scheduled to receive 6 cycles of NAC docetaxel (75 mg/m2) plus carboplatin (AUC 6) (TCb) every 3 weeks from two studies (NCT01560663 and NCT02302742) were combined for this analysis. sTILs were evaluated on pre-treatment H&E slide using standard criteria centrally by one of the investigators (RS). Pathological complete response (pCR) was defined as ypT0/is ypN0. Logistic regression analysis was used to examine the effect of multiple variables on Event free survival (EFS) and overall survival (OS). Results: For 474 patients included in this analysis, median age was 52 years, 8% were Black, 13% had germline BRCA1/2 mutation, 44% had clinical Lymph node (LN) positive disease and 13%, 62% and 25% respectively had TNM stage I, II and III disease. Median sTILs were 5% (range 1-95%) and 25% had >30% sTILs. pCR and RCB 0+1 rates were 50.2% and 60.4% respectively. On multivariable analysis, T stage (OR=0.51, p=0.030), nodal status (OR=0.56, p=0.028), Ki67 (OR=2.74, p< 0.001) and sTILs (OR=2.01, p=0.014) were associated with pCR. pCR rate in those with sTILs < 30 vs sTILs >30 was 45.9% and 63.9% respectively (p=0.0014). At median follow-up of 58 months, 5 years EFS was 81.05% in all patients, 93.94% in those with pCR and 68.67% in those without pCR, 5 year OS was 84.83% in all patients, 96.53% in those with pCR and 74.13% in those with residual disease. On multivariate analysis lower T stage, negative LN status and increasing sTILS were associated with better EFS (T stage: HR =1.98, p=0.018; LN status: HR=2.92, p< 0.001; sTILs: HR:0.46, p=0.04) and OS (T stage: HR=1.89, p=0.040; LN status: HR=3.13, p=0.001; sTILs: HR=0.30, p=0.008). At a cut-point of 30%, sTILs up and downstaged anatomic AJCC TNM stage groups (table 1). Conclusions and Relevance: In patients treated with anthracycline-free TCb chemotherapy, sTILs were independent predictors of EFS and OS beyond clinicopathological features. Notably, 30% sTILs cut-point stratified outcomes beyond anatomical TNM staging. These, findings can aid in patient stratification for chemotherapy backbone de-escalation in future trials and have the potential to inform patient selection for adjuvant treatment escalation and de-escalation trials. Tumor infiltrating lymphocyte stratification refines AJCC TNM staging based outcomes of early-stage triple negative breast cancer treated with neoadjuvant anthracycline-free, docetaxel and carboplatin chemotherapy. Table. Citation Format: Miguel Martín, Rachel Yoder, Roberto Salgado, María del Monte-Millán, Enrique Álvarez, Isabel Echavarria, Joshua Staley, Coralia Bueno-Muiño, Yolanda Jerez Gilarranz, Andrew Godwin, María Cebollero, Oscar Bueno, José Ángel García-Sáenz, Fernando Moreno Antón, Uriel Bohn, Henry L Gómez, Tatiana Massarrah, Sara López-Tarruella, Priyanka Sharma. Tumor infiltrating lymphocyte stratification refines AJCC TNM staging based outcomes of early-stage triple negative breast cancer treated with neoadjuvant anthracycline-free, docetaxel and carboplatin chemotherapy [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2023 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; 2023 Dec 5-9; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2024;84(9 Suppl):Abstract nr PS16-07.

Nomogram for personalized prognostic assessment of children with favorable histology Wilms tumor: A retrospective analysis

ObjectiveThis retrospective study aimed to construct and validate a nomogram for personalized prognostic assessment of favorable histology Wilms tumor (FHWT) based on clinical and pathological variables. Methods and MaterialsThis was a retrospective study collected data from patients who underwent surgery for FHWT between March 2007 and November 2022 at Beijing Children's Hospital. Univariate and multivariate Cox proportional hazards regression analyses were conducted to determine the significance variables and constructed the nomogram in predicting event-free survival (EFS) in FHWT patients. ResultsA total of 401 FHWT patients were included in the study, with the median age of the patients was 3.4 years. The overall 1-, 3-, and 5-year OS rates were 98.2%, 96.3%, and 93.9%. The 1-, 3-, and 5-year EFS rates were 91.2%, 88.2%, and 86.6%. Subgroup analysis revealed age greater than 2 years was associated with a worse prognosis than age less than or equal to 2 years (P < 0.001), and patients with high-risk Wilms tumors were associated with a higher rate of recurrence and death (P < 0.001). Multivariate analysis showed that age (HR: 2.449, 95%CI: 1.004–5.973), stage (HR: 1.970, 95% CI:1.408–2.756), and histological risk (HR:9.414, 95% CI: 4.318–20.525) were identified as independent predictors of EFS (P < 0.05) and used to construct the nomogram. The prognostic nomogram demonstrated good calibration, great clinical utility, and the time-dependent receiver operating curve analysis showed that the nomogram had precise predictability, with area under the curve values of 0.85(95CI:0.796–0.913), 0.85(95CI:0.80–0.91), and 0.88(95CI:0.839–0.937) for 1-,3-year and 5-year EFS. ConclusionThis study provides valuable insights into the clinical characteristics and outcomes of FHWT patients. Accurate staging and histological risk assessment are important in predicting outcomes, and the prognostic nomogram we developed can be a useful tool for clinicians to assess patient prognosis and make informed treatment decisions.

Abstract 6278: Effect of tumor size and BRAF mutational status in Middle Eastern differentiated thyroid cancer

Abstract Background: Risk stratified treatment strategies have become a focus in the treatment of Differentiated Thyroid Cancer (DTC). Tumor size at diagnosis has been widely used as a major mortality risk factor in risk stratification of DTC, but whether this is generally applicable, particularly in patient with different BRAF genetic backgrounds, is unclear. The current study was designed to analyze whether tumor size at diagnosis is a major prognostic factor in Middle Eastern DTC. Methods: We conducted a comparative study of the relationship between tumor size at diagnosis and event free survival with respect to BRAF status in 1709 consecutive patients treated surgically for Middle Eastern DTC. Patients were divided into four groups according to the size of tumor (≤4 cm vs. &amp;gt;4 cm) and BRAF mutation status: Group 1 (≤4 cm without BRAF mutation, n = 587), Group 2 (≤4 cm with BRAF mutation, n = 765), Group 3 (&amp;gt;4 cm without BRAF mutation, n = 198) and Group 4 (&amp;gt;4 cm with BRAF mutation, n = 159). Predictors of event-free survival (EFS) were compared using the Log-rank test and Cox proportional hazards models. Results: Following multivariate analysis, patients with tumors &amp;gt;4cm did worse than patients with tumors &amp;lt;4cm with respect to EFS (Group 3 vs Group1 HRadjusted=1.38, 95% CI=1.02-1.86, p = 0.0359; Group 4 vs Group 2 HRadjusted=1.61, 95% CI=1.20-2.16, p = 0.0017). However, patients did not differ according to EFS, regardless of the presence of BRAF mutation within each size category (Group 2 vs Group 1 HRadjusted=0.98 CI=.78-1.23, p=0.8415 ; Group 4 vs Group 3 HRadjusted=1.17, 95% CI=0.84-1.62, p=0.3523] Conclusion: Tumor size is an independent predictor of EFS in Middle Eastern DTC patients, regardless of BRAF mutational status. Citation Format: Rong Bu, Abdul K. Siraj, Sandeep K. Parvathareddy, Kaleem Iqbal, Saud Azam, Zeeshan Qadri, Maha Al-Rasheed, Wael Haqawi, Allianah D. Benito, Khawla S. Al-Kuraya. Effect of tumor size and BRAF mutational status in Middle Eastern differentiated thyroid cancer [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2024; Part 1 (Regular Abstracts); 2024 Apr 5-10; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2024;84(6_Suppl):Abstract nr 6278.

Validation of Childhood Hodgkin International Prognostic Score (CHIPS) for Predicting Event-Free Survival in Intermediate and High-Risk Hodgkin Lymphoma

Background: Improving risk stratification of patients with Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) allows for optimization of treatment allocation and minimization of late effects when possible. The Childhood Hodgkin International Prognostic Score (CHIPS) was developed as a predictive model for event-free survival (EFS) in pediatric and adolescent HL using clinical data at diagnosis from patients with intermediate-risk HL treated on Children's Oncology Group protocol AHOD0031 (NCT00025259) with doxorubicin, bleomycin, vincristine, etoposide, prednisone, cyclophosphamide (ABVE-PC) chemotherapy and response-adapted radiation. Stage IV, large mediastinal mass, albumin &amp;lt;3.5 g/deciliter, and fever were identified as independent predictors of EFS and assigned one point each, resulting in CHIPS ranging from 0 to 4. CHIPS was highly predictive of EFS in this patient cohort, but has not been validated in high-risk patients or in patients treated with other therapeutic regimens. We aim to validate the CHIPS as a risk stratification tool for patients with intermediate or high-risk HL treated with Stanford V chemotherapy by the Pediatric Hodgkin Consortium (PHC). Methods: The PHC trial HOD99 (NCT00145600) enrolled patients on the high-risk arm with stage IIB, IIIB, or IV disease &amp;lt;22 years (n=123). HOD05 (NCT00352027) enrolled patients with intermediate-risk HL with stage IB, IA or IIA with “E” lesions, ≥3 nodal sites, or bulky mediastinal adenopathy, or IIIA disease &amp;lt;22 years (n=49). All patients received 12 weeks of Stanford V chemotherapy with doxorubicin, vinblastine, mechlorethamine, vincristine, bleomycin, etoposide, and prednisone followed by low-dose, response-adapted radiation therapy. All patients with absent B symptoms were deemed afebrile; patients missing documentation of any elements of CHIPS were excluded from the analysis. Results: Our final analysis included a total of 164 patients, 116 with high-risk HL from HOD99 and 48 with intermediate-risk HL from HOD05. One patient was excluded for missing fever data and 7 were excluded due to missing albumin values. Patients were classified into 2 groups based on their CHIPS value: CHIPS 0-1 (n=88, 53.7%) and CHIPS 2-4 (n=76, 46.3%). The EFS for patients in the CHIPS 0-1 and CHIPS 2-4 groups was analyzed using Kaplan-Meier curves (Figure 1). The 2-year EFS estimates for patients with CHIPS 0-1 and CHIPS 2-4 were 95.5% (95% confidence interval (CI) 91.2%-99.9%) and 80.3% (95% CI 71.8%-89.7%), respectively, with a log-rank p-value of 0.003. Similarly, the 4-year EFS estimates for patients with CHIPS 0-1 and CHIPS 2-4 were 93.2% (95% CI 88.0%-98.6%) and 77.6% (95% CI 68.7%-87.6%), respectively, with a log-rank p-value of 0.004. The reduced EFS in patients with higher CHIPS is consistent across different stages and early response assessment (Table 1). Conclusions: CHIPS is highly predictive of EFS in pediatric and adolescent patients with intermediate and high-risk HL treated with Stanford V chemotherapy, as it identifies a subset (CHIPS 2-4) with significantly lower EFS compared to the other subset (CHIPS 0-1). Assessment of CHIPS alongside novel approaches such as circulating tumor DNA and total metabolic tumor volume should be analyzed across trials to allow for further enhancements to risk stratification for pediatric, adolescent and young adult HL.

Role of 23.4Gy upfront whole-brain radiation therapy following high-dose methotrexate for primary central nervous system lymphoma: a comparative analysis of whole-brain radiation therapy versus no radiation therapy.

We aimed to investigate the role of upfront whole-brain radiation therapy (RT), with a reduced dose of 23.4Gy, following high-dose methotrexate (HD-MTX) in patients with primary central nervous system lymphoma (PCNSL). We retrospectively reviewed 185 patients with PCNSL treated with HD-MTX between January 2013 and January 2020; 145 patients underwent no RT and 40 patients underwent upfront RT. Using propensity score matching (PSM) to adjust for clinical factors, 40 patients were selected from each treatment group. Event-free survival (EFS) and overall survival (OS) were compared between treatment groups. At baseline, patients in the upfront RT group were younger, had higher LDH levels, received less frequent rituximab and stem cell transplantation than those in the no-RT group. Patients in the upfront RT group also showed a lower response rate after initial HD-MTX than those in the no-RT group (73% vs. 88%, p = 0.038). The median follow-up was 25.1 (interquartile range 13.7-43.0) months. Comparable 2-year EFS and OS rates were observed between the upfront RT and no-RT groups (56.6% vs. 53.8%, p = 0.170; and 81.7% vs. 75.3%, p = 0.097, respectively). Upfront RT was related to improved EFS and OS in patients with stable disease or progressive disease after HD-MTX, but not in patients with complete or partial response after HD-MTX. Upfront RT was also an independent predictor of EFS and OS in the PSM cohort. The cumulative incidences of treatment-related neurotoxicity at 3years were 20.2% and 21.2% in the upfront RT and no-RT groups, respectively (p = 0.630). Upfront RT with a reduced dose of 23.4Gy, showed favorable outcomes in patients with stable disease or progressive disease after initial HD-MTX. In addition, upfront RT appears to be an effective treatment for PCNSL when rituximab or stem cell transplantation is not feasible.

Percutaneous mitral balloon valvuloplasty. Single versus Inoue balloon. long term follow-up

Abstract Introduction The single balloon (SB) is the less expensive technique to perform mitral balloon valvuloplasty (MBV). Objectives: This study aimed to demonstrate that MBV with the Balt single (BSB) and Inoue ballon, the wordwire accepted technique, had similar outcome and long-term follow-up (FU). Methods From 1987 to 2013, 526 procedures were performed, being 312 with a FU, 56 (17,9%) with Inoue balloon (IB) and 256 (82,1%) with BSB. The mean FU 156±144 months, p&amp;lt;0.0001. Univariate analysis (UA) and multivariate Cox analysis (MCA) to determine independent predict variables of survival and event free survival (EFS) of death, cardiac surgery and new MBV, in both techniques groups. Results In IB and BSB groups there were, respectively: female 42 (75.0%) and 222 (86.7%); mean age 37.3±10.0 (19 to 63) and 38.0±12.6 (13 to 83) years, p=0.7138; sinus rhythm 51 (91.1%) and 215 (84.0%), p=0.1754; echo score (ES) 7.6±1.3 (5 to 10) and 7.2±1.5 (4 to 14) points, p=0.0528; echo mitral valve area (MVA) pre-MBV 0.96±0.18 and 0.93±0.21 cm2, p=0.2265; post-MBV mean MVA (Gorlin) were 2.00±0.52 and 2.02±0.37 cm2, p=0.9554; MBV dilatation área 6,09±0,27 and 7,02±0,30, p&amp;lt;0,0001. At the end of the FU, there were in IB and BSB groups, respectively: echo MVA 1.71±0.41 and 1.54±0.51 cm2, p=0.0552; new severe mitral regurgitation in 5 (8.9%) and 17 (6.6%) patients, p=0.5633; new MBV in 1 (1.8%) and 13 (5.1%), p=0.4779; mitral valve surgery in 3 (5.4%) and 27 (10.4%), p=0.3456; deaths 2 (3.6%) and 11 (4.3%), p=1.000; cardiac deaths 1 (1.8%) and 9 (3.5%), p=1.000; ME 5 (8.9%) and 46 (18.0%), p=0.1449. In UA and MCA the BSB or IB technique do not predict survival or EFS. The independent risk factors to survival were: age &amp;lt;50 years (p=0.016, HR=0.233, 95% IC 0.071- 0.764), ES ≤8 (p&amp;lt;0.001, HR=0.105, 95% IC 0.34–0.327), MBV dilatation area (p&amp;lt;0.001, HR 16.838, 95% IC 3.353–84.580) and no mitral valve surgery in the FU (p=0.001, HR0.152, 95% IC 0.050–0.459). Independent risk factors to EFS: no prior commissurotomy (p=0.012, HR=0.390, 95% IC 0.187–0.813) and post-MBV MVA ≥1.50 cm2 (p=0.001, HR=7.969, 95% IC 3.413–18.608). Conclusion In 25 years, survival and EFS were similar in BSB and IB technique. Independent predictors of surviva: age &amp;lt;50 years, ES≤8 points, MBV dilatation area &amp;gt;7 mm2 and no mitral valve surgery in the FU. Independent predictors of EFS: no prior commissurotomy and post-MBV MVA≥1.50 cm2 Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding source: None

Longer Inflation Duration and Predilation–Sizing–Postdilation Improve Bioresorbable Scaffold Outcomes in a Long-term All-Comers Canadian Registry

BackgroundReal-world long-term safety and efficacy of the ABSORB (Abbott Vascular, Santa Clara, CA) bioresorbable vascular scaffold has not been well characterized in the literature, particularly in the setting of acute coronary syndromes (ACS). Herein, we report outcomes up to 4 years in such a high-risk cohort, with identification of parameters associated with better outcomes. MethodsReABSORB is a Canadian dual-centre, prospective, nonrandomized, all-comers registry consisting of 125 consecutively enrolled nontrial patients between October 2012 and December 2016. Angiographic and clinical follow-up is now available up to 4 years. ResultsAverage age was 59 ± 11 years and 69% were male. Most (70.4%) presented with ACS and the median available follow-up was 1330 days (interquartile range, 1035-1483). Treated lesions (n = 163) were type A in 23%, type B (1 or 2) in 64%, and type C in 13%. Procedural success and device success were 98.2% and 98.8%, respectively. Using Kaplan–Meier methods, major adverse cardiac event-free survival (EFS) up to 4 years of clinical follow-up was 90.7% overall. However, use of a predilation–sizing–postdilation (PSP) technique was associated with an EFS rate of 95.8% vs 74.0% without PSP (P = 0.001). No significant differences in major adverse cardiac EFS rates were found between patients with or without ACS (92.7% vs 86.0%, respectively, P = 0.239). Use of PSP as well as inflation time ≥ 60 seconds were independent predictors of EFS at 2 years. ConclusionsIn this prospective, real-world registry with mostly ACS patients, use of the recommended PSP implantation technique and longer inflations times were associated with significantly higher EFS.

Prognostic Value of Metabolic and Volumetric Parameters of FDG PET in Pediatric Osteosarcoma: A Hypothesis-generating Study.

Purpose To preliminarily assess the potential prognostic value of various fluorine 18 fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) positron emission tomography (PET) parameters before, during, and after neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NCT). Materials and Methods Thirty-four patients with osteosarcoma were enrolled prospectively from 2008 to 2012 and underwent FDG PET/computed tomography (CT) imaging before (baseline scan), during (interim scan) and after NCT (posttherapy scan). The study was approved by the institutional review board and informed consent was received from patients. Maximum and peak standardized uptake value (SUVmax and SUVpeak), metabolic tumor volume (MTV), and total lesion glycolysis (TLG) were measured. Predictive value of FDG PET parameters for event-free survival (EFS) and overall survival (OS) were evaluated. Multivariable Cox regression analysis for EFS and OS was performed by using histologic response and initial presence of metastasis as covariates. Results At baseline scan, SUVpeak, MTV, and TLG were predictive of EFS (P = .006-.03) and OS (P = .001-.03) but not associated with histologic response. At interim and posttherapy scan, SUVmax, SUVpeak, MTV, and TLG were associated with histologic response (P = .0002-.04) and predictive of EFS (P = .004-.02) and OS (P = .001-.03). Multivariable Cox regression analysis revealed that the FDG PET parameters either at baseline, interim, or posttherapy were independently predictive of EFS and OS. In particular, baseline MTV was an independent predictor of EFS (hazard ratio, 5.0 [95% confidence interval {CI}: 1.5, 16.8]) and OS (hazard ratio, 29.4 [95% CI: 2.2, 392.2]). Conclusion SUVpeak, MTV, and TLG either at baseline, interim, or posttherapy were predictive of EFS and OS and may be useful prognostic biomarkers for osteosarcoma. © RSNA, 2018 Online supplemental material is available for this article.

Childhood Hodgkin International Prognostic Score (CHIPS) Predicts event-free survival in Hodgkin Lymphoma: A Report from the Children's Oncology Group.

Early response to initial chemotherapy in Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) measured by computed tomography (CT) and/or positron emission tomography (PET) after two to three cycles of chemotherapy may inform therapeutic decisions. Risk stratification at diagnosis could, however, allow earlier and potentially more efficacious treatment modifications. We developed a predictive model for event-free survival (EFS) in pediatric/adolescent HL using clinical data known at diagnosis from 1103 intermediate-risk HL patients treated on Children's Oncology Group protocol AHOD0031 with doxorubicin, bleomycin, vincristine, etoposide, prednisone, cyclophosphamide (ABVE-PC) chemotherapy and radiation. Independent predictors of EFS were identified and used to develop and validate a prognostic score (Childhood Hodgkin International Prognostic Score [CHIPS]). A training cohort was randomly selected to include approximately half of the overall cohort, with the remainder forming the validation cohort. Stage 4 disease, large mediastinal mass, albumin (<3.5), and fever were independent predictors of EFS that were each assigned one point in the CHIPS. Four-year EFS was 93.1% for patients with CHIPS = 0, 88.5% for patients with CHIPS = 1, 77.6% for patients with CHIPS = 2, and 69.2% for patients with CHIPS = 3. CHIPS was highly predictive of EFS, identifying a subset (with CHIPS 2 or 3) that comprises 27% of intermediate-risk patients who have a 4-year EFS of <80% and who may benefit from early therapeutic augmentation. Furthermore, CHIPS identified higher risk patients who were not identified by early PET or CT response. CHIPS is a robust and inexpensive approach to predicting risk in patients with intermediate-risk HL that may improve ability to tailor therapy to risk factors known at diagnosis.

Significance of clinical and biologic features in Stage 3 neuroblastoma: a report from the International Neuroblastoma Risk Group project.

International Neuroblastoma Staging System (INSS) Stage 3 neuroblastoma is a heterogeneous disease. Data from the International Neuroblastoma Risk Group (INRG) database were analyzed to define patient and tumor characteristics predictive of outcome. Of 8,800 patients in the INRG database, 1,483 with INSS Stage 3 neuroblastoma and complete follow-up data were analyzed. Secondary analysis was performed in 1,013 patients (68%) with MYCN-non-amplified (NA) tumors. Significant prognostic factors were identified via log-rank test comparisons of survival curves. Multivariable Cox proportional hazards regression model was used to identify factors independently predictive of event-free survival (EFS). Age at diagnosis (P < 0.0001), tumor MYCN status (P < 0.0001), and poorly differentiating/undifferentiated histology (P = 0.03) were independent predictors of EFS. Compared to other Stage 3 subgroups, outcome was inferior for patients ≥ 547 days with MYCN-NA neuroblastoma (P < 0.0001), and within this cohort, serum ferritin ≥ 96 ng/ml was associated with inferior EFS (P = 0.02). For patients <547 days of age with MYCN-NA tumors, serum ferritin levels were prognostic of overall survival (OS) (P = 0.04) and chromosome 11q aberration was prognostic of EFS (P = 0.03). Among patients with INSS Stage 3 neuroblastoma patients, age at diagnosis, MYCN status and histology predict outcome. Patients <547 days of age with MYCN-NA tumors that lack chromosome 11q aberrations or those with serum ferritin <96 ng/ml have excellent prognosis and should be considered for therapy reduction. Prospective clinical trials are needed to identify optimal therapy for those patients ≥ 547 days of age with undifferentiated histology or elevated serum ferritin.

Prognostic factors influencing event-free survival and treatments in desmoid-type fibromatosis: analysis from a large institution

BackgroundPrognostic factors and optimal management of desmoid tumors have been discussed for decades. The authors present the results of a large series of patients with desmoid tumors treated at a single institution to investigate the prognostic factors influencing event-free survival (EFS) and suitable treatments for these rare tumors. MethodsTwo hundred fourteen patients with desmoid tumors admitted to the surgical department were included, of whom 20 were recommended for a policy of watchful waiting. The following clinical parameters were studied: admission status, age, sex, tumor site, tumor size, margin status, and therapeutic strategy. Univariate and multivariate analysis were performed for EFS. ResultsForty-two patients had local recurrence. One patient died of intra-abdominal disease. The 5-year and 10-year EFS rates were 78.8% and 77.9%, respectively. In univariate analysis, admission status, tumor site, tumor size, and group (R0 vs R1 and R0 vs R2) had significant impacts on EFS. EFS discrepancy was not significant between R1 and R2 or biopsy groups. In multivariate analysis, tumor size and admission status had independent value. The median delay to progression for patients undergoing watchful waiting was comparable with that for the surgical group. ConclusionsThis study demonstrates that tumor size and a history of recurrence are independent predictors of EFS. Surgery is warranted if it can be R0 and function sparing. Nonsurgical modalities or a policy of watchful waiting may be a better choice for unresectable disease.

18F-FDG PET After 2 Cycles of ABVD Predicts Event-Free Survival in Early and Advanced Hodgkin Lymphoma

Our objective was to assess the prognostic value of (18)F-FDG PET after 2 cycles of chemotherapy using doxorubicin, bleomycin, vinblastine, and dacarbazine (ABVD) in Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) patients overall and in subgroups of patients with early and advanced stages and with low and high risks according to the International Prognostic Score (IPS). One hundred fifteen patients with newly diagnosed HL were prospectively included in the study. All underwent standard ABVD therapy followed by consolidation radiotherapy in cases of bulky disease. After 2 cycles of ABVD, the patients were evaluated with PET (PET2). Prognostic analysis compared the 3-y event-free survival (EFS) rate to the PET2 results, clinical data, and IPS. Of the 104 evaluated patients, 93 achieved complete remission after first-line therapy. During a median follow-up of 36 mo, relapse or disease progression was seen in 22 patients. Treatment failure was seen in 16 of the 30 PET2-positive patients and in only 6 of the 74 PET2-negative patients. PET2 was the only significant prognostic factor. The 3-y EFS was 53.4% for PET2-positive patients and 90.5% for PET2-negative ones (P < 0.001). When patients were categorized according to low or high IPS risk and according to early or advanced stage of disease, PET2 was also significantly associated with treatment outcome. PET2 is an accurate and independent predictor of EFS in HL. A negative interim (18)F-FDG PET result is highly predictive of treatment success in overall HL patients, as well as in subgroups with early or advanced-stage disease and with low or high IPS risk.

Marital Status as an Independent Predictor of Event-Free Survival of Patients With Heart Failure

Depressive symptoms are a well-known predictor of mortality in patients with heart failure, and positive spousal support is associated with improved outcomes in these patients. However, in the context of depressive symptoms, the effect on survival of having a spouse is unknown. To determine the effect of marital status on event-free survival in patients with heart failure who did or did not have depressive symptoms. Depressive symptoms were assessed by using the Beck Depression Inventory-II in patients with heart failure who were followed-up for up to 4 years to collect data on mortality and hospitalizations. Patients were grouped according to the presence and absence of depressive symptoms by using the standard cutoff score of 14 on the Beck Depression Inventory-II. Kaplan-Meier and Cox regression analyses were used to compare event-free survival for married and nonmarried patients who were stratified according to the presence or absence of depressive symptoms. Of 166 patients, 56% were married, and 33% had depressive symptoms. Levels of depressive symptoms were similar between married and nonmarried patients (10.9 vs 12.1; P = .39). Married patients experienced longer event-free survival than did nonmarried patients (P = .009), even with stratification according to depressive symptoms (P = .01). Patients with a spouse had longer event-free survival than nonmarried patients did, even in the context of depressive symptoms.

Analysis of the host pharmacogenetic background for prediction of outcome and toxicity in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma treated with R-CHOP21

Knowledge on the impact of pharmacogenetics in predicting outcome and toxicity in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) is scant. We tested 106 consecutive DLBCL treated with R-CHOP21 for 19 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) from 15 genes potentially relevant to rituximab-CHOP (R-CHOP) pharmacogenetics. Associations of SNPs with event-free survival (EFS) and toxicity were controlled for multiple testing. Genotypic variants of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NAD(P)H) oxidase p22phox (CYBA rs4673) and alpha1 class glutathione S-transferase (GSTA1 rs3957357) were independent predictors of EFS (CYBA rs4673 TT genotype: HR 2.06, P=0.038; GSTA1 rs3957357 CT/TT genotypes: HR 0.38, P=0.003), after adjusting for International Prognostic Index (IPI). CYBA rs4673 and GSTA1 rs3957357 also predicted outcome in DLBCL subgroups by IPI. Impact of SNPs on toxicity was evaluated in 658 R-CHOP21 courses utilizing generalized estimating equations. NCF4 rs1883112 was an independent predictor against hematologic (odds ratios (OR): 0.45; P=0.018), infectious (OR: 0.46; P=0.003) and cardiac toxicity (OR: 0.37; P=0.023). Overall, host SNPs affecting doxorubicin pharmacodynamics (CYBA rs4673) and alkylator detoxification (GSTA1 rs3957357) may predict outcome in R-CHOP21-treated DLBCL. Also, NCF4 rs1883112, a SNP of NAD(P)H oxidase p40phox, may have a function in protecting against hematologic and nonhematologic toxicity. These results highlight the need to improve characterization of the host genetic background for a better prognostication of DLBCL.

The Pharmacogenetic Background of the Host Is An Independent Predictor of Outcome and Toxicity in Diffuse Large B Cell Lymphoma Treated with R-CHOP21

Scant information is available on the impact of the host genetic background as a predictor of outcome and toxicity in diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL) treated with R-CHOP. We verified whether relevant single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of the host may further refine prognostic stratification and toxicity prediction in DLBCL treated with R-CHOP21. The study was based on 106 consecutive DLBCL provided with a prospectively collected dataset. Candidate SNPs belonged to genes known to be involved in the pharmacogenetics of cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, prednisone and rituximab, and included SNPs affecting:drug metabolism (cytochrome-P450: CYP2B6- 25504C>T, CYP2B6-15630G>T, CYP2C19-19153G>A, CYP3A4–392A>G, CYP3A4- 14365T>G, CYP3A5-6980G>A);drug detoxification: (gluthatione-S-transferase: GSTA1–4621T>C, GSTM1-null, GSTP1-1374A>G, GSTP1-2264C>T);drug transport (multidrug-resistance-related proteins: ABCC1-129623G>T, ABCC2-53394T>A, ABCC2-68692G>A, ABCB1-90855C>T, ABCB1-49691G>A, ABCG2-8824C>A, ABCG2-33G>A; anddrug pharmacodynamics (NADPH-subunits: NCF4–368A>G, RAC2-7418T>A, CYBA-4185C>T; TP53: p53-440G>C; Fcγ receptor: FCGR2A- 4487A>G, FCGR3A-5092T>G, FCGR3A-1301T>G/A; glucocorticoid receptor: GR- 1087A>G, GR-67G>A, GR-1829C>G).Genotyping of candidate SNPs was performed on PBMC collected at DLBCL diagnosis by SNP-minisequencing. Primary end points were event free survival (EFS) and toxicity. Associations of SNPs with primary endpoints were controlled for multiple testing by false discovery rate (FDR) analysis. Univariate log-rank analysis controlled for multiple comparisons by FDR testing identified GSTA1– 4621C>T, CYBA-4185C>T, and ABCC2-53394T>A as predictors of EFS. GSTA1 encodes a glutathione S-transferase facilititating solubility and excretion of cyclophosphamide and its derivatives. Patients carrying the GSTA1–4621 CT/TT genotypes displayed a better EFS (3-year EFS: 68.4%; SE: 5.9%) compared to GSTA1–4621 CC carriers (3-year EFS: 39.2%; SE: 9.2%) (p=.025; q=.200). CYBA encodes a NAD(P)H oxidase subunit. Patients carrying the CYBA-4185 TT genotype displayed a poorer EFS (3-year EFS: 41.7%; SE: 12.4%) compared to CYBA-4185 CT/CC carriers (3-year EFS: 61.2%; SE: 5.8%) (p=.008; q=.156). ABCC2 encodes an ATP-binding cassette transporter (MRP2) acting as an efflux system for doxorubicin and vincristine. Patients carrying the ABCC2-53394 AT/AA genotypes displayed a poorer EFS (3-year EFS: 34.1%; SE: 11.5%) compared to ABCC2- 53394 TT carriers (3-year EFS: 64.0%; SE: 5.8%) (p=.013; q=.156). Multivariate analysis identified GSTA1–4621 CT/TT (HR: 0.39; 95% CI 0.21–0.73; p=.004) and CYBA-4185 TT (HR: 2.01; 95% CI 1.01–3.97; p=.045) as independent predictors of EFS in DLBCL treated with R-CHOP21, along with IPI 3–5 (HR: 4.88; 95% CI 2.24–8.55; p= 1.5 × 10−4). CYBA- 4185C>T and GSTA1–4621C>T also predicted outcome in DLBCL subgroups by IPI. The impact of SNPs was also evaluated for toxicity in 658 R-CHOP21 courses by logistic regression analysis adjusted for age, sex, ECOG PS, IPI, comorbidities, organ function, and doses of cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin and vincristine. Generalized estimating equations (GEE) were used to build a multivariate model for toxicity, which adjusts for the clustering of treatment courses within a patient. NCF4–368AG/GG was an independent predictor of low risk of hematologic toxicity G3-4 (HR:0.45; p=.018), infection (HR:0.46; p=.003), and cardiac toxicity (HR:0.37; p=.023). The implications of these results are twofold. First, host SNPs affecting doxorubicin and/or cyclophosphamide pharmacodynamics (CYBA-4185C>T) and detoxification (GSTA1–4621C>T) are independent predictors of outcome in DLBCL treated with R-CHOP21. Poor EFS heralded by CYBA-4185C>T, a nonsynonimous SNP of NADPH-oxidase p22phox, may be due to reduced production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) that mediate doxorubicin cytotoxicity. Favorable EFS associated with GSTA1–4621C>T may be related to reduced expression of glutathione- S-transferase A1, a phase II enzyme involved in cyclophosphamide and doxorubicin detoxification. Second, NCF4–368AG/GG, a SNP belonging to NADPH-oxidase p40phox and regulating ROS generation, has an independent protective role against both hematologic and non-hematologic toxicity.

High expression of nucleoside transporter hENT1 predicts a worse event-free survival in relapsed/refractory Hodgkin lymphoma patients treated with gemcitabine, vinorelbine, and liposomal doxorubicin—A CALGB 59804 correlative study

7581 Background: CALGB 59804 was a phase I/II trial of gemcitabine, vinorelbine, and liposomal doxorubicin (GVD) for pts with relapsed Hodgkin lymphoma (HL). Overall response rate (RR) was 70% (manuscript in review). Plasma membrane nucleoside transporters such as hENT1 are important in transporting nucleoside analogs into cells to exert their pharmacologic effects. We hypothesized high hENT1 expression would predict better RR and outcome in pts treated with GVD. Methods: 58 of 91 pts enrolled in CALGB 59804 had sufficient tissue for study; 31 relapse biopsies and 27 initial diagnosis biopsies. Expression of hENT1 was evaluated by immunohistochemistry in formalin fixed tissue and scored independently by two hematopathologists (RL and EH) blinded to the clinical outcomes. Positivity for hENT1 was defined as &gt;25% of Reed-Sternberg (RS) cells expressing hENT1. Expression was correlated with clinical factors, including IPS at relapse, as well as the overall (OS) and event-free survival (EFS). Results: Expression of hENT1 in RS cells was heterogeneous among cases. 28/58 cases (48%) were hENT1-positive. hENT1-expression was not associated with age, gender, stage, IPS (≤2 or &gt;2), or maximum toxicity grade (≤2 or &gt;2). Compared to hENT1-negative pts, hENT1-positive pts were less likely to have complete or partial response (19/30, 63% versus 22/28, 76%, P=0.20, chi square). hENT1 expression was not significantly associated with OS (P=0.18). Univariate log-rank analysis showed hENT1 positivity and IPS &gt;2 correlated significantly with a lower EFS (P=0.05, and P=0.03, respectively). Multivariate Cox regression analysis confirmed that IPS &gt;2 and hENT1 positivity were independent predictors of EFS (Hazard ratio 2.16, 95%CI 1.08–4.35, P=0.03; and Hazard ratio 2.10, 95% CI 1.06–4.19, P=0.03, respectively). P-values are two-sided. Conclusions: Contrary to our hypothesis, there is an inverse relationship between EFS and hENT1 expression in relapsed HL pts treated with GVD. High expression of hENT1 did not identify gemcitabine-sensitive disease, but may identify a biologically aggressive and/or treatment refractory subtype of HL. No significant financial relationships to disclose.

Gains on Chromosome Arm 9q Represent a Novel and Independent Marker of Adverse Prognosis in Multiple Myeloma Patients Receiving Upfront High-Dose Chemotherapy and Autologous Stem Cell Transplantation.

Introduction: Genomic aberrations represent important prognostic markers in many hematological cancers. In multiple myeloma (MM), chromosome 13q and 17p deletions (13q−, 17p−) have emerged as important outcome predictors that indicate a dismal prognosis. Other chromosomal abnormalities have been discussed as prognostic markers in this disease but came not out as independent variables when they were tested in a multivariable fashion. However, the complexity of genomic rearrangements and the clinical heterogeneity seen in malignant plasma cell disorders argue against 13q− and 17p− as the sole genomic change of prognostic relevance. The significance of chromosome arm 1q, 9q, and 11q extra copies - three frequent genomic imbalances in MM - is undetermined.Material and Methods: 90 patients (pts.) treated with one or two cycles of high-dose chemotherapy (HD-CTX) followed by autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT) at a single center were analyzed by tri-color FISH and five DNA probes mapping to chromosome bands 1q21, 9q34, 11q25, 13q14, and 17p13. A multivariable analysis (Cox proportional hazards regression model) including genetic and clinical variables was performed.Results: The most frequent aberrations in the present series were (in order of decreasing prevalence): +1q (n=39/78, 50.0%), +9q (n=38/78, 48.7%), 13q− (n=42/90, 46.6%), and +11q (n=39/85, 45.9%). 17p− was identified in only 3 out of 88 patients (3.4%), while +17p were present in 13 out of 88 patients (14.8%). The median follow-up time was 37 months (m) and the median event free survival (EFS) and overall survival (OS) time from first ASCT of the entire cohort was 26 m and 71 m, respectively. Multivariable analysis including genetic aberrations, ß2-microblobulin, albumin, LDH, Salmon/Durie stage, and age at time of diagnosis revealed +9q and 13q− as the only independent predictors of EFS (p=0.003 and p=0.01, respectively). The mEFS in patients with 13q− was 19.0 m and 20.7 m in patients with +9q. In patients with concurrent +9q and 13q−, mEFS was only 12.2 m. In patients lacking these two abnormalities, mEFS was not reached. OS was not significantly influenced by any genetic or clinical variable in our series, most likely due to effective salvage treatment after relapse.Conclusions: +9q represents a novel and independent marker of adverse prognosis in MM. A single FISH experiment applying two DNA probes allows easy and rapid assessment of outcome in patients with malignant plasma cell disorders.

Long-term results of blood and marrow transplantation for Hodgkin's lymphoma.

To evaluate the long-term outcome after allogeneic (allo) and autologous (auto) blood or marrow transplantation (BMT) in patients with relapsed or refractory Hodgkin's lymphoma (HL). We analyzed the outcome of 157 consecutive patients with relapsed or refractory HL, who underwent BMT between March 1985 and April 1998. Patients <or= age 55 with HLA-matched siblings were prioritized toward allo BMT. The median age was 28 years (range, 13 to 52 years) for the 53 allo patients and 30.5 years (range, 11 to 62 years) for the 104 auto patients. The median follow-up after BMT for surviving patients was 5.1 years (range, 1 to 13.8 years). For the entire group, the probabilities of event-free survival (EFS) and relapse at 10 years were 26% (95% confidence interval [CI], 18% to 33%) and 58% (95% CI, 48% to 69%), respectively. According to multivariate analysis, disease status before BMT (sensitive relapse if responding to conventional-dose therapy or resistant disease if not) (hazard ratio [HR] = 0.39, P < .0001) and date of BMT (HR = 0.93, P = .004) were independent predictors of EFS, whereas only disease status (HR = 0.35, P < .0001) influenced relapse. There was a trend for probability of relapse in sensitive patients to be less after allo BMT at 34% (range, 8% to 59%) versus 51% (range, 36% to 67%) for the auto patients (HR = 0.51, P = .17). There was a continuing risk of relapse or secondary acute myeloid leukemia (AML)/myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) for 12 years after auto BMT, whereas there were no cases of secondary AML/MDS or relapses beyond 3 years after allo BMT. There seems to be a clinical graft-versus-HL effect associated with allo BMT. Allo BMT for HL also seems to have a lower risk of secondary AML/MDS than auto BMT. Thus, allo BMT warrants continued study in HL.

Prognostic Factors in Patients with Localized Ewing’s Sarcoma: The effect on survival of actual received drug dose intensity and of histologic response to induction therapy

To bring to the fore the most important prognostic factors in Ewing’s sarcoma (ES) with current protocols, we studied the classical prognostic factors, dose intensity (DI) of actual received drugs, age and histological response to induction therapy and their correlation in 39 patients with localized ES treated from 11/85 to 06/95 to identify eventual predictors of event-free survival (EFS). Inclusion criteria were age 35 yr or less, definitive local treatment by our team and chemotherapy including at least 4 drugs: vincristine (VCR), dactinomycin (DACT), doxorubicin (DOXO) cyclophosphamide (CPX). The endpoint was the absence of relapse. Parameters related to the status of patients were tested using the Chi square test or Fisher’s exact test. The non parametric Kruskal-Wallis test was used for quantitative data. When necessary stratified analysis was done using the Mantel Cox test. With a median followup of 7 yr, overall survival (OS) and EFS were both 67% at 7 yr. According to univariate analysis, the significant predictors of survival were the DI of VCR and DACT, the histological response to preoperative chemotherapy (CT), the patient’s age (< 18 yr DFS: 84%; > 18 yr DFS: 38%). The risk of metastases was almost tenfold higher in patients with low received DI of VCR (DFS 40% versus 95%) and of DACT (DFS 48% versus 94%). The prognostic value of primary tumor characteristics (tumoral volume or location) was erased by the comprehensive treatment. Following multivariate analysis, the actual received DI of VCR (p < 0.02) and DACT (p < 0.03) and the histological response to preoperative CT (p < 0.05) were retained as the only significant independent predictors of EFS. Taking into account the actual received DI of VCR and DACT, the prognostic value of age disappears. In conclusion, this study points out the main role of the drug DI in ES (particularly VCR and DACT) and of histological response to preoperative CT.