0000000000480544

AUTHOR

Pierfranco Conte

Abstract CT261: METAMECH -A Master Observational Trial empowering mechanobiology translational research and mechanobased proof of concept trials in breast cancer

Abstract Background: Breast cancer (BC) is the most frequent tumor in women worldwide. BC lethality is caused by aggressive, therapy-resistant metastases (mBC). Preliminary data have shown that mBC lesions are invariably embedded into a densely packed network of fibrous extracellular matrix, making the metastatic microenvironment a potent inducer of mechanical inputs, ultimately leading to the activation of the transcription factors YAP/TAZ. Aberrant mechano-signaling could thus represent a vulnerability of metastasis, which can be exploited to develop new therapeutic strategies. To investigate how metastatic outgrowth is regulated by the physical properties of the microenvironment, and how…

research product

Pertuzumab monotherapy after trastuzumab-based treatment and subsequent reintroduction of trastuzumab: activity and tolerability in patients with advanced human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-positive breast cancer.

Purpose The combination of pertuzumab and trastuzumab resulted in a clinical benefit rate (CBR) of 50% in patients with human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) –positive breast cancer whose disease progressed during prior trastuzumab-based therapy. To define whether this previously observed encouraging activity was a result of the combination of pertuzumab and trastuzumab or of pertuzumab alone, we recruited a third cohort of patients who received pertuzumab without trastuzumab. We then investigated the impact of reintroducing trastuzumab to patients whose disease progressed on pertuzumab monotherapy. Patients and Methods Twenty-nine patients with HER2-positive breast cancer whose d…

research product

Management and treatment of triple-negative breast cancer patients from the NEMESI study: An Italian experience

Abstract Aims Triple-negative breast cancers (TNBCs) lack expression of oestrogen, progesterone, and Human Epidermal Growth Factor 2 receptors. The NEMESI study described current Italian treatment practices in patients with operable, early-stage breast cancer (EBC). Patients and methods Retrospective, observational study involving 63 Italian oncology centres. Eligible patients were aged ⩾18 years with EBC (stage I–II) who had undergone surgery, received ⩾1 cycle of adjuvant chemotherapy and/or adjuvant hormonal therapy and attended an oncology centre between 1 January 2008 and 30 June 2008. This subanalysis focused on patients with TNBC. Variables evaluated included: demographic data/clinic…

research product

The challenge of the Molecular Tumor Board empowerment in clinical oncology practice: A Position Paper on behalf of the AIOM- SIAPEC/IAP-SIBioC-SIC-SIF-SIGU-SIRM Italian Scientific Societies

The development of innovative technologies and the advances in the genetics and genomics, have offered new opportunities for personalized treatment in oncology. Although the selection of the patient based on the molecular characteristics of the neoplasm has the potential to revolutionize the therapeutic scenario of oncology, this approach is extremely challenging. The access, homogeneity, and economic sustainability of the required genomic tests should be warranted in the clinical practice, as well as the specific scientific and clinical expertise for the choice of medical therapies. All these elements make essential the collaboration of different specialists within the Molecular Tumor Boar…

research product

Validation of the AJCC prognostic stage for HER2-positive breast cancer in the ShortHER trial

Abstract Background The 8th edition of the American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) staging has introduced prognostic stage based on anatomic stage combined with biologic factors. We aimed to validate the prognostic stage in HER2-positive breast cancer patients enrolled in the ShortHER trial. Methods The ShortHER trial randomized 1253 HER2-positive patients to 9 weeks or 1 year of adjuvant trastuzumab combined with chemotherapy. Patients were classified according to the anatomic and the prognostic stage. Distant disease-free survival (DDFS) was calculated from randomization to distant relapse or death. Results A total of 1244 patients were included. Compared to anatomic stage, the prognost…

research product