Efficacy of bendamustine and rituximab in splenic marginal zone lymphoma: results from the phase II BRISMA/IELSG36 study.

Splenectomy in addition to immunotherapy with rituximab can provide quick and sometimes durable disease control in patients with splenic marginal zone lymphoma (SMZL). However, systemic chemotherapy is ultimately required in many cases. The BRISMA (Bendamustine-rituximab as first-line treatment of splenic marginal zone lymphoma)/IELSG (International Extranodal Lymphoma Study Group)36 trial is an open-label, single arm phase II study designed by the IELSG in cooperation with the Fondazione Italiana Linfomi and the lymphoma Study Association according to Simon's two-stage method. The primary endpoint was complete response rate. Fifty-six patients with SMZL diagnosis confirmed on central revis…

Outcomes of single versus double hormone receptor–positive breast cancer. A GEICAM/9906 sub-study

Abstract Background Retrospective data suggest better outcomes for patients with double hormonal receptor (oestrogen [ER] and progesterone receptor [PgR])–positive (dHR+) early breast cancer, compared with single hormonal receptor–positive, sHR+, (ER+/PgR– or ER–/PgR+) disease. Here, we evaluate the classification according to intrinsic subtypes and clinical outcomes of sHR+ versus dHR+ in HER2-negative breast cancer patients enrolled in GEICAM/9906 study ( NCT00129922 ). Methods Archival tumours were retrieved retrospectively for the analysis of ER, PgR and HER2 status and classified into intrinsic subtypes using the PAM50 gene expression assay. Disease-free survival (DFS) and overall surv…

Finding the right dose of fulvestrant in breast cancer

Fulvestrant is a selective estrogen receptor downregulator, behaving as a complete antagonist. It was initially approved, at a dose of 250 mg, to treat hormone dependant breast cancer in second line setting. However, a series of pharmacological and pre-clinical studies have suggested that a higher dose of 500 mg may be more effective. The present work summarizes and discusses clinical trials that have aimed to test the benefits of administering fulvestrant at a higher dose. The data support the use of a higher, and more possibly, effective dose of the agent.

FIRST APPLICATION OF MINIMAL RESIDUAL DISEASE ANALYSIS IN SPLENIC MARGINAL ZONE LYMPHOMA TRIALS: PRELIMINARY RESULTS FROM BRISMA/IELSG36 PHASE II STUDY