Citations 161

Amenorrhea after lung cancer treatment

Menopause | August 28, 2018 | Volume: 26 | Issue: 3 | Pages: 306-310

10.1097/gme.0000000000001199 | PMID 30153217

Abstract Objective: More than 5,000 premenopausal women are diagnosed with lung cancer annually in the United States. Limited data exist regarding the risk of treatment-related amenorrhea, a surrogate for infertility and early menopause, after systemic therapies for lung cancer. Methods: Premenopausal women diagnosed with lung cancer under age 50 were surveyed at diagnosis and annually thereafter about their menstrual status as a part of the Mayo Clinic Epidemiology and Genetics of Lung Cancer Research Program. Types of lung cancer-directed treatments were recorded, and frequencies of self-reported menopause at each survey were calculated. Results: A cohort of 182 premenopausal women were included in this study, with average age at lung cancer diagnosis 43 years (SD 6). Among the 85 patients who received chemotherapy, 64% self-reported that they had become menopausal within a year of diagnosis. Platinum salts were universally included in these chemotherapy regimens, and the majority of these women also received taxanes within 1 year of diagnosis. Only 15% of the 94 patients who did not receive systemic therapy within 1 year of diagnosis experienced self-reported menopause. Three patients received targeted therapy alone, two of whom remained premenopausal at the final qualifying survey, completed a median of 3 years after diagnosis. Conclusions: Chemotherapy for lung cancer patients appears to increase risk of early loss of menses in survivors.
Management of genitourinary syndrome of menopause in women with or at high risk for breast cancer: consensus recommendations from The North American Menopause Society and The International Society for the Study of Women's Sexual Health

Menopause | May 15, 2018 | Volume: 25 | Issue: 6 | Pages: 596-608

10.1097/gme.0000000000001121 | PMID 29762200

Abstract The objective of The North American Menopause Society (NAMS) and The International Society for the Study of Women's Sexual Health (ISSWSH) Expert Consensus Panel was to create a point of care algorithm for treating genitourinary syndrome of menopause (GSM) in women with or at high risk for breast cancer. The consensus recommendations will assist healthcare providers in managing GSM with a goal of improving the care and quality of life for these women. The Expert Consensus Panel is comprised of a diverse group of 16 multidisciplinary experts well respected in their fields. The panelists individually conducted an evidence-based review of the literature in their respective areas of expertise. They then met to discuss the latest treatment options for genitourinary syndrome of menopause (GSM) in survivors of breast cancer and review management strategies for GSM in women with or at high risk for breast cancer, using a modified Delphi method. This iterative process involved presentations summarizing the current literature, debate, and discussion of divergent opinions concerning GSM assessment and management, leading to the development of consensus recommendations for the clinician. Genitourinary syndrome of menopause is more prevalent in survivors of breast cancer, is commonly undiagnosed and untreated, and may have early onset because of cancer treatments or risk-reducing strategies. The paucity of evidence regarding the safety of vaginal hormone therapies in women with or at high risk for breast cancer has resulted in avoidance of treatment, potentially adversely affecting quality of life and intimate relationships. Factors influencing decision-making regarding treatment for GSM include breast cancer recurrence risk, severity of symptoms, response to prior therapies, and personal preference. We review current evidence for various pharmacologic and nonpharmacologic therapeutic modalities in women with a history of or at high risk for breast cancer and highlight the substantial gaps in the evidence for safe and effective therapies and the need for future research. Treatment of GSM is individualized, with nonhormone treatments generally being first line in this population. The use of local hormone therapies may be an option for some women who fail nonpharmacologic and nonhormone treatments after a discussion of risks and benefits and review with a woman's oncologist. We provide consensus recommendations for an approach to the management of GSM in specific patient populations, including women at high risk for breast cancer, women with estrogen-receptor positive breast cancers, women with triple-negative breast cancers, and women with metastatic disease.
Abstract GS3-02: Invasive disease-free survival and gene expression signatures in CALGB (Alliance) 40601, a randomized phase III neoadjuvant trial of dual HER2-targeting with lapatinib added to chemotherapy plus trastuzumab

Cancer Research | February 15, 2018 | Volume: 78 | Issue: 4_Supplement | Pages: GS3-02-GS3-02

10.1158/1538-7445.sabcs17-gs3-02

Abstract Purpose Dual HER2 targeting increases pathologic complete response (pCR) rate to neoadjuvant therapy and improves outcomes in both early and metastatic HER2-positive disease. CALGB 40601 is a randomized phase III trial examining the impact of dual HER2 blockade consisting of trastuzumab (H) and lapatinib (L) added to paclitaxel (T) on pCR, considering tumor and microenvironment molecular features. We previously found that pCR was numerically but not significantly increased with dual therapy, and that tumor molecular subtype and evidence of immune activation significantly and independently affected pCR (Carey et al, JCO 2016). In this secondary analysis, we sought to evaluate the effects of treatment arm and gene expression-defined subgroups on invasive disease free survival (IDFS). Patients and Methods Patients (Pts) with stage II to III HER2-positive breast cancer underwent tumor biopsy followed by random assignment with equal probabilityto paclitaxel plus trastuzumab alone (TH) or with the addition of lapatinib (THL) for 16 weeks before surgery. A paclitaxel plus lapatinib (TL) arm was closed early based on reports of futility from other trials. A secondary endpoint was IDFS, defined as the time from surgery until local or distant recurrence, new primary, or death from any cause, whichever was first. Gene expression signatures were identified by RNA sequencing. Results Between 12/2008 and 2/2012, 305 pts were enrolled. 261 pts had IDFS and gene expression information available (THL, n = 103; TH, n =101; TL, n = 57); there were no significant differences in clinical characteristics between this subset and the entire population. The median IDFS follow-up was 4.6 years with 40 IDFS events having occurred (THL, n=7; TH, n=19; TL, n=14). IDFS was significantly longer in the THL arm compared to standard TH (HR=0.34; 95% CI: 0.14-0.82; p=0.02). IDFS was also significantly longer among pCR than non-pCR pts (HR=0.40; 95% CI: 0.19-0.81; p=0.01), and did not differ by hormone receptor (HR) status, clinical stage, tumor size, race, menopausal status or age. Among gene expression signatures, only immune activation measured by an IgG signature was associated with longer IDFS (HR=0.71; 95% CI: 0.51-0.98; p=0.04); this signature was previously also associated with pCR. Multivariate analysis showed dual therapy (HR=0.35; p=0.02), pCR (HR=0.36; p=0.01), IgG (HR=0.69; p=0.05), and molecular subtype (LumA vs HER2E, HR=0.24, p=0.005) were associated with longer IDFS. A subgroup analysis by hormone receptor status revealed that among pts with HR+ disease, pts with luminal A experienced longer IDFS (HR=0.23; p=0.02) compared to those with luminal B or HER2-enriched molecular subtypes. Conclusion Dual HER2-targeting with lapatinib added to 16 weeks of TH produced significantly longer IDFS than TH alone, despite modest effects on pCR. Similar to pts with HER2-negative disease, pts with luminal A had better IDFS than those with other molecular subtypes. Immune activation as measured by RNA-based signature independently predicted both pCR and IDFS. Support: U10CA180882, U10CA180821, U24CA196171, P50-CA58823, Susan G Komen, BCRF Citation Format: Krop IE, Hillman D, Polley M-Y, Tanioka M, Parker J, Huebner L, Henry NL, Tolaney SM, Dang C, Harris L, Berry DA, Perou CM, Partridge A, Winer EP, Carey LA. Invasive disease-free survival and gene expression signatures in CALGB (Alliance) 40601, a randomized phase III neoadjuvant trial of dual HER2-targeting with lapatinib added to chemotherapy plus trastuzumab [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2017 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; 2017 Dec 5-9; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2018;78(4 Suppl):Abstract nr GS3-02.
Survival benefit needed to undergo chemotherapy: Patient and physician preferences

Cancer | March 22, 2017 | Volume: 123 | Issue: 15 | Pages: 2821-2828

10.1002/cncr.30671 | PMID 28323331

BACKGROUNDPublished studies have suggested that most patients with early stage breast cancer are willing, for modest survival benefits, to receive 6 months of adjuvant cyclophosphamide, methotrexate, and 5‐fluorouracil, an older regimen that is used infrequently today. We examined preferences regarding the survival benefit needed to justify 6 months of a contemporary chemotherapy regimen.METHODSThe Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group Protocol 5103 was a phase 3 trial that randomized breast cancer patients to receive standard adjuvant doxorubicin, cyclophosphamide, and paclitaxel with either bevacizumab or placebo. Serial surveys to assess quality of life were administered to patients enrolled between January 1, 2010, and June 8, 2010. Survival benefit needed to justify 6 months of chemotherapy by patients was collected at the 18‐month assessment. A parallel survey was sent to physicians who had enrolled patients in the study.RESULTSOf 519 patients who had not withdrawn at a time point earlier than 18 months, 87.8% responded to this survey. A total of 175 physicians participated. We found considerable variation in patient preferences, particularly for modest survival benefits: for 2 months of benefit, 57% would consider 6 months of chemotherapy, whereas 96% of patients would consider 6 months of chemotherapy for 24 months. Race and education were associated with the choices. Physicians who responded were less likely to accept chemotherapy for modest benefit.CONCLUSIONSAmong patients who received contemporary adjuvant chemotherapy in a randomized controlled trial, we found substantial variation in preferences regarding benefits that justified undergoing chemotherapy. Differences between patients' and physicians' choices were also apparent. Eliciting preferences regarding risks and benefits of adjuvant chemotherapy is critical. Cancer 2017;123:2821–28. © 2017 American Cancer Society.
Partners of young breast cancer survivors: A cross-sectional evaluation of psychosocial issues and mental health.

Journal of Clinical Oncology | March 21, 2017 | Volume: 35 | Issue: 5_suppl | Pages: 184-184

10.1200/jco.2017.35.5_suppl.184

184 Background: While evidence of the challenges of cancer caregiving has been growing, scant research addresses the experience of partners of young adults with cancer. These individuals and their relationships may be particularly vulnerable to stress, especially when managing the complexity of cancer care and survivorship with their partner. We sought to evaluate psychosocial concerns and mental health in the partners of young survivors of early stage breast cancer (BC). Methods: We invited partners of young women w/BC diagnosed at age ≤ 40 yrs enrolled in a prospective cohort study to participate in a one-time survey evaluating psychosocial concerns including quality of life, coping, social support, financial insecurity, partnership concerns, parenting concerns, anxiety and depression. Logistic regression was used to explore predictors of anxiety (score > 8 on Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS)). Results: Most respondents (284/289) were male, with median age 43 yrs (range 27-65). The median time of survey completion was 62 months (range 16 -114) after their partner’s dx. Respondents were mostly white (93%), working full time (94%), and college educated (78%); 29% reported some financial stress, 74% were parenting children < 18 yrs, and 32% reported at least a fair amount of relationship concern. 42% (106/250) had anxiety (39/289 respondents (13%) had incomplete/missing HADS). In univariable analyses, lower education, working full time, parenting concerns, insufficient social support and maladaptive coping were associated (p < .05) with anxiety. In the multivariable model, only maladaptive coping remained significantly associated with anxiety (p < .01, OR = 2.32 (95% CI: 1.22, 4.39)). Conclusions: Partners of young BC survivors who used less constructive/more maladaptive coping strategies experience negative mental health outcomes after tx has ended. Caregivers’ anxiety may have implications for both their own and survivors’ health and QOL. Future interventions might focus on the development of constructive coping strategies to enhance adjustment and role effectiveness in dealing with the impact of cancer.
Post-traumatic stress disorder in young breast cancer survivors.

Journal of Clinical Oncology | February 24, 2017 | Volume: 34 | Issue: 3_suppl | Pages: 202-202

10.1200/jco.2016.34.3_suppl.202

202 Background: Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is associated with morbidity and mortality in affected populations. Cancer survivors experience PTSD at a rate higher than the general population, with young age and female gender identified as risk factors. While young women with breast cancer experience greater psychosocial distress in general following diagnosis (dx), little is known about PTSD in this population. Methods: Women dx’d with Stage I-III breast cancer at age ≤ 40 were surveyed as a part of a multi-site cohort study. Demographic, treatment, psychosocial characteristics (including self-reported psychiatric conditions and use of psychiatric medications prior to dx), anxiety and depression (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale), fear of recurrence (Lasry Scale), and social support (Medical Outcomes Study) were assessed within 1 year after dx. PTSD was measured at 30 months post-dx using the PTSD Checklist – Civilian Version; a score ≥ 50 was considered positive for PTSD. Univariable and stepwise multivariable logistic regression were used to evaluate factors associated with PTSD. Results: 572 women were eligible for this analysis; median age at dx was 37 (range: 17-40); 87% had Stage I or II cancer. 37/572 women (6.5%) met criteria for PTSD at 30 months. Lower educational attainment, less financial comfort, less social support, stage 2 (vs. 1) disease, receipt of chemotherapy, fear of recurrence, anxiety and depression, and psychiatric comorbidities were associated (p ≤ 0.05) with PTSD in univariable analyses. Chemotherapy (OR = 3.48, 95% CI = 1.09-11.06), anxiety by HADS (OR = 20.29, 95% CI = 7.83-52.53), and psychiatric comorbidities (OR = 4.22, 95% CI = 1.40-12.74) were associated with increased likelihood of PTSD, whereas college education (OR = 0.25, 95% CI = 0.10-0.59) and greater social support (OR = 0.41, 95% CI = 0.17-0.99) appeared to be protective in multivariable analyses. Conclusions: PTSD affects a minority of young breast cancer survivors, with the prevalence in our cohort similar to that seen in other breast cancer populations. Early identification of those at risk for developing PTSD is essential for the adequate treatment of affected women and for the improvement of health outcomes and quality of life in cancer survivors.
Impact of Young and Strong on physical activity in young breast cancer survivors.

Journal of Clinical Oncology | February 24, 2017 | Volume: 34 | Issue: 3_suppl | Pages: 175-175

10.1200/jco.2016.34.3_suppl.175

175 Background: Inactivity is common in breast cancer survivors and has been linked to poor outcomes. Few trials have tested physical activity (PA) interventions in young women with breast cancer, who may face unique PA barriers due to demands of jobs and young families. Methods: Young and Strong was a cluster-randomized study evaluating the effect of education interventions for young breast cancer survivors.Sites were randomized 1:1 to a young women’s intervention (YWI), focused on fertility and other issues facing young women, or to a physical activity intervention (PAI). At PAI sites, providers were instructed to discuss PA with patients, and participants were given materials to encourage PA. PA was measured with the modified Godin Leisure Score Index at baseline, and 3, 6, and 12 months. Medical records were reviewed to assess provider attention to PA. Changes in weekly min of PA were compared between the PAI and YWI groups using general estimating equations to evaluate clustered binary and Gaussian data. Results: 467 patients enrolled between 7/12 -12/13 across 54 sites. Median age at dx was 40yrs (range 22-45). At baseline, participants were moderately active. PA increased in both groups over time (Table); there was no significant difference in PA between groups at any time (all p > 0.1). Provider attention to PA was documented in 74% of participants on PAI and 61% on YWI (p = 0.15), and correlated with PA at 12 months (median 100 min/wk of PA in participants with provider attention to PA vs. 60 min/wk in those without, p = 0.016). Participants who reported reading all or most the PAI materials reported higher levels of PA vs. those who read less (78% vs. 64%, p = 0.05) Conclusions: Young breast cancer survivors assigned to a PA intervention did not increase PA more than those assigned to an intervention focused on young women’s issues. However, the higher levels of PA among women who engaged with the PAI materials and those whose oncology providers addressed PA suggests the importance of enhancing patient and provider engagement with healthy lifestyle information and recommendations. Clinical trial information: NCT01647607. [Table: see text]
Age, race, BMI, and pathologic complete response following neoadjuvant chemotherapy: An analysis of four alliance clinical trials.

Journal of Clinical Oncology | February 24, 2017 | Volume: 33 | Issue: 28_suppl | Pages: 33-33

10.1200/jco.2015.33.28_suppl.33

33 Background: Pathologic complete response (pCR) is an important prognostic indicator and surrogate endpoint, particularly for patients with hormone receptor-negative breast cancer. Previous studies have suggested differential response to pre-operative therapy by age and body mass index (BMI), though no association has been seen by race. We assessed associations of age at diagnosis, BMI and race with pCR accounting for breast cancer subtype. Methods: Women enrolled in four clinical trials of neoadjuvant chemotherapy (CALGB 40601 and 40603; ACOSOG Z1031 and Z1041) were eligible for this analysis. Age, race, and BMI were abstracted from patient records at baseline. Tumor subtype was assessed using immunohistochemical staining and/or fluorescence in situ hybridization. Logistic regression models were used to determine the association of race/ethnicity and age at diagnosis with pCR, the absence of residual invasive disease in the breast after neoadjuvant chemotherapy, adjusting for subtype (HER2+, ER+/ HER2-, triple negative), age, study arm, lymph node status, tumor size, and tumor grade. Results: 1,146 women with a mean age of 51.5 years were included. 156 (13.6%) were of black race. 590 (51.5%) of tumors were HER2+, 169 (14.7%) were ER+/HER2- and 387 (33.8%) were triple negative. In multivariate analyses controlling for tumor characteristics and other factors, black race (OR: 1.07, 95% CI: 0.67-1.70), age (OR: 0.99, 95% CI: 0.97-1.00) and BMI (OR: 0.99, 95% CI: 0.96-1.01) were not significant predictors of pCR. Similar associations we observed when stratified by subtype, and we found no interaction between age and black race (p=0.06), black race and BMI (p=0.54) or age and BMI (p=0.73). Conclusions: After accounting for tumor characteristics, we observed no differences in pCR rates according to race, age or BMI.
Accrual of Older Patients With Breast Cancer to Alliance Systemic Therapy Trials Over Time: Protocol A151527

Journal of Clinical Oncology | February 24, 2017 | Volume: 35 | Issue: 4 | Pages: 421-431

10.1200/jco.2016.69.4182 | PMID 27992272

Purpose Despite increasing awareness of accrual challenges, it is unknown if accrual of older patients to breast cancer treatment trials is improving. Methods We examined accrual of older patients to Alliance for Clinical Trials in Oncology systemic therapy breast cancer trials during 1985-2012 and compared disease characteristics and reasons for therapy cessation for older (age ≥ 65 years and ≥ 70 years) versus younger (age < 65 years and < 70 years) participants. To examine accrual trends, we modeled age as a function of time, using logistic regression. Results Overall, 17% of study participants were ≥ 65 years of age. Approximately 15%, 24%, and 24% of participants in adjuvant, neoadjuvant, and metastatic trials were age ≥ 65 years, and 7%, 15%, and 13% were age ≥ 70 years, respectively. The odds of a patient age ≥ 65 years enrolling significantly increased over time for adjuvant trials (odds ratio [OR] per year, 1.04; 95% CI, 1.04 to 1.05) but decreased significantly for neoadjuvant and metastatic trials (OR, 0.62; 95% CI, 0.58 to 0.67 and OR, 0.98, 95% CI, 0.97 to 1.00). Similar trends were seen for those age ≥ 70 years but these were statistically significant for adjuvant and neoadjuvant trials only (OR, 1.05, 95% CI, 1.04 to 1.07; and OR, 0.57, 95% CI, 0.52 to 0.62). In general, those age ≥ 65 years ( v those < 65 years) in adjuvant studies had a higher mean number of lymph nodes involved and more hormone receptor-negative tumors, although tumor sizes were similar. Early protocol treatment cessation was also more frequent in those age ≥ 65 years (50%) versus < 65 years (35.9%) across trials. Conclusion Older patients with breast cancer remain largely underrepresented in cooperative group therapeutic trials. We observed some improvement in accrual to adjuvant trials but worsening of accrual for neoadjuvant/metastatic trials. Novel strategies to increase accrual of older patients are critical to meaningfully change the evidence base for this growing patient population.
A Standard Set of Value-Based Patient-Centered Outcomes for Breast Cancer

JAMA Oncology | December 29, 2016 | Volume: 3 | Issue: 5 | Pages: 677

10.1001/jamaoncol.2016.4851 | PMID 28033439