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e18868Background: Cancer has multiple processes that increase thrombogenicity. Thrombosis is the 2nd cause of death in cancer patients. CAT is common, could delay anti-cancer therapy and increase c...

e24286Background: CXCL13 mRNA expression has been associated with subtype specific outcome in breast cancer and its prognostic markers. Methods: Early breast cancer patients with T1-4, N1-2, M0 wer...

592Background: In HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer (mBC), the role of tumor infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) and mutation types remains unexplored. Herein we evaluated such parameters focusing...

e23244Background: Prevention of bone metastases is a major issue for breast cancer patients, as it would improve quality of life in a population where long survival with metastatic disease is antic...

e15191 Background: The rarity of NETs has contributed to a paucity of large epidemiologic studies. We investigated their clinical features and therapies in Greece Methods: Between October 2010 and ...

592 Background: High TIL may confer better prognosis to TNBC patients and may interfere with trastuzumab (T) benefit in HER2-positive breast cancer (BC) patients. Here, we investigated the effect o...

3617 Background: The aim of the trial was to compare two active adjuvant chemotherapy regimens in patients with early stage colorectal cancer (CRC). Methods: Patients were assigned to oxaliplatin 8...

1077 Background: Early breast cancer is a heterogeneous disease, and, therefore, prognostic tools have been developed to evaluate the risk for distant recurrence. We compared the Clinical Treatment...

e12537 Background: Five to 10% of BC pts develop the disease due to an inherited predisposition syndrome; BRCA1/2 germline mutations are most commonly associated. NCCN guidelines help identify a somewhat broad group of pts requiring further genetic evaluation and a narrower one, for whom genetic testing is specifically recommended. Aims: The identification of pts requiring genetic guidance and the description of subgroups fulfilling NCCN criteria for genetic testing, according to family history (FH), demographic and clinical features, in a group of unselected Greek BC pts. Methods: This is a retrospective, medical records analysis of all histologically confirmed, unselected BC pts who who visited our department (Medical Oncology Unit, Hippocratio Hospital) between 2009 and 2012. Demographic, histopathologic and family history data was extracted and analyzed. Results: Among 690 pts eligible for analysis, 682 of which (98.8%) of Greek ethnicity, 233 (33.7% ) had a HER2+ subtype, 311 (45%) ER/PR+, and 69 (10%) triple-negative. Information was incomplete for the remaining 76 (11.1%). General criteria for furthr genetic evaluation were fulfilled by 301 patient (43.6%). Two hundred and eighty-six of them (41.44% ) were diagnosed with BC at age ≤50 and 15 (2.17%) at age older than 50; 12 (1.7%) had at least 2 close relatives with BC and 3 (0.43%) had a personal history of ovarian cancer (OC). BRCA1/2 testing criteria were fulfilled by 259 pts (37.5%). 172 (24.9%) were diagnosed at age ≤45. Seventy-five (10.8%) were diagnosed at age 46-50, 22 of which (3.1%) had one close relative with BC or OC and 16 (2.3% ) had two close relatives with BC or OC. Thirty-six pts (5.2%) with triple negative BC were diagnosed at age

22092 Background: Molecular classification based on only four genes [estrogen receptors (ER), progesterone receptors (PgR), HER2, and melanophilin (MLPH)] identifies two distinct basal-like subtypes in high-risk breast cancer patients, associated with poor prognosis. The objective of the present study was to investigate possible differential EGF and VEGF receptor mRNA expression in the two basal-like subtypes. Methods: Patients were treated with adjuvant anthracycline-based dose-dense sequential chemotherapy (E-CMF vs. E-T-CMF) in the context of a randomized Phase III study. RNA was isolated from 217 fixed tumor tissue samples, followed by kinetic one-step RT- PCR for mRNA expression analysis of EGFR, VEGFR2 and VEGFR3. Identification of the basal-like subtypes was based on 2D hierarchical clustering. Results: One of the basal-like subtypes (14 of 217 patients, 6%, group A) was found to retain some expression of the HER2, ER and MLPH genes. The second basal-like subtype (18 of 217 patients, 8%, group B) w...

4121 Background: The epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) protein is the nominal target of the monoclonal therapeutic antibody cetuximab. Yet, repeated failure of EGFR immunohistochemistry (IHC) in predicting treatment outcome has questioned its value in colorectal cancer (CRC). Therefore search for a valid molecular predictor of cetuximab efficacy is highly justified. Methods: 64 CRC patients were treated with standard chemotherapy plus cetuximab in the metastatic setting. RNA was isolated from fixed tumor tissue samples employing an experimental method based on magnetic beads from Siemens Medical Solutions Diagnostics, followed by kinetic one-step RT-PCR for EGFR, HER-2, HER-3, and HER-4 analysis. EGFR protein levels were also assessed by IHC in 62 of the patients, using the 31G7 clone of the mouse monoclonal antibody (Zymed). Slides scored 1+, 2+ and 3+ were considered EGFR protein positive. Results: After a median follow-up of 17 months, median survival was 15.1 months, while median time to disease progression (TTP) was 6.6 months. For the RT-PCR results an objective cut-off at the 2nd quartile (median) for the HER family was chosen. EGFR RNA levels above the median value, demonstrated predictive value in terms of a prolonged TTP (9.3 vs. 5.5 months, p=0.017). No difference was found in terms of survival (24.6 vs. 12.6 months, p=0.106). EGRF assessed by IHC and the rest of the HER family markers assessed by RT-PCR failed to predict TTP outcome or survival. Finally, no agreement was found between the IHC and RT-PCR methods when assessing EGFR. Conclusions: The results of this retrospective study show a predictive value of EGFR RNA levels assessed by RT-PCR on TTP, as opposed to EGFR protein levels. Prospective validation studies are needed to prove if this biomarker is the missing molecular predictor of response to cetuximab. No significant financial relationships to disclose.

4053 Background: The aim of our phase III study was to compare the effectiveness and the toxicity profile of 5-Fluorouracil (5- FU) + folinic acid (FA) + irinotecan (CPT-11) as adjuvant chemotherapy for resectable colon cancer (Dukes B2 and C) to that of 5-FU + FA which was considered the standard treatment. Since patients are still on follow-up regarding the primary endpoint, only safety results will be presented. Methods: Eligible patients received either 5-FU (450 mg/m2 bolus) + FA (200 mg/m2, 120 min infusion) + CPT- 11 (80 mg/m2, 90 min infusion) given 4 weeks on, two weeks off for a total of 6 treatment cycles (Arm A) or 5-FU (500 mg/m2 bolus) + FA (200 mg/m2, 120 min infusion) given 6 weeks on, two weeks off for a total of 4 treatment cycles (Arm B). Results: From January 1999 to September 2004, 910 patients (pts) were enrolled in this multi-center phase III trial. Safety data are available for 826 of the 910 pts, (415 in arm A and 411 in arm B). The total number of chemotherapy courses delivered was 8,906 (92%) in arm A and 8,775 (91%) in arm B, with median courses per patient 24 in both groups. Among patients who received treatment as randomized (403 in arm A and 398 in arm B), treatment was completed in 342 pts (82%) in arm A and in 341 pts (83%) in arm B. The number of patients who discontinued the treatment was 61 (15%) in arm A and 57 (14%) in arm B. Hospitalizations because of toxic effects happened in 37 pts (9%) in arm A and in 45 pts (11%) in arm B. Three deaths occurred in both arms. Use of G-CSF was more common in arm A (94 pts, 23%) than in arm B (38 pts, 9.5%) (p< 0.001). Significantly higher grade 3/4 neutropenia was observed in group A (11% in arm A and 3% in arm B, p< 0.001). Severe diarrhea was also frequently reported in both groups. Conclusions: These data show that both regimens have comparable and manageable toxicity profiles as adjuvant treatment in colon cancer. Severe neutropenia was more often seen in arm A. No significant financial relationships to disclose.

13500 Background: Cetuximab is an anti-EGFR monoclonal antibody with activity in colorectal cancer. Patients most likely to benefit should be identified using molecular markers. Methods: A retrospective analysis was performed on patients treated with cetuximab who had paraffin embedded tissue available for testing. Tumor specimens were tested for EGFR (31G7, Zymed), PTEN (28H6, Novocastra) and pAkt 1/2/3 (Thr 308, Santa Cruz) expression by IHC. The EGFR gene status was investigated by FISH (Vysis). Results: Seventy-two patients were identified. EGFR expression was detected in 32/68 patients tested. PTEN was positive in all cases tested (64/64) and pAkt in 52 of 64 patients, in >70% of cells in 21/64 cases. Most patients were treated with cetuximab in various combinations, three patients received it as a single agent and 7 patients in more than one line of therapy. Median follow-up from diagnosis was 30.7 months and from Cetuximab initiation 6.9 months. Median survival from diagnosis has not been reached yet but from initiation of Cetuximab it is 13.6 months. 19 patients achieved a PR and 1 a CR. Most patients with PR were treated in first or second line however, 6 patients achieved a PR in 3rd line and 3 in subsequent lines. The patient with complete response, was treated in first line with CPT 11 and Cetuximab. TTP was 7.4 months for patients treated with Cetuximab in 1st line, 7.5 in 2nd line and 5.3 in 3rd line. Survival did not correlate significantly with any of the immunohistochemically assessed parameters. TTP correlated significantly with pAkt overexpression for patients treated in 3rd line (p=0.0065). The CR was seen in the only patient with EGFR amplification.The presence of skin toxicity did not correlate with response to therapy. Conclusions: Overexpression of pAkt may correlate with response to Cetuximab in colorectal cancer. No significant financial relationships to disclose.

3583 Background: IRI and OXA are both effective in the treatment of CRC. A theoretical framework supports the hypothesis that sequential administration of cytotoxic drugs at adequate doses can maximize the cell kill and overcome drug resistance. The aim of the study was to compare the response rate (RR), the time to tumor progression (TTP), the overall survival (OS) and to assess the toxicity profile of previously untreated patients with advanced CRC randomly assigned between IRI-LV-5FU (arm A) versus IRI-LV-5FU followed by OXA-LV-5FU (arm B). Methods: Intent to treat analysis was performed on 429 patients (219 in arm A and 210 in arm B) who were randomized from 31/10/2001 to 21/10/2004. The treatment schedules consisted of weekly IRI, 80 mg/m2 or OXA, 45 mg/m2 plus LV 200 mg/m2 followed immediately by intravenous bolus 5FU, 450 mg/m2 for 6 weeks followed by a 2-week rest period. Treatment was continued for 4 cycles, patients in arm B were treated initially with IRI-LV-5FU for 2 cycles followed by sequential administration of 2 cycles of OXA-LV-5FU. Results: The study failed to show any superiority of the sequential regimen. There were no significant differences between the two arms in the overall RR (26% versus 28%, p=0.631), TTP (Median, 7.8 versus 8.4 months, p=0.149). Toxicity profiles (grade III and IV) were equally frequent in both arms (diarrhea 13% versus 13.5%, febrile neutropenia 2% versus 1.5%, neurotoxicity 0% versus 0.5%). Conclusions: IRI-LV-5FU or IRI-LV-5FU followed by QXA-LV-5FU show equally substantial activities with manageable toxicity profile in advanced CRC. No significant financial relationships to disclose.

4274 Introduction: Advanced and/or unresectable pancreatic cancer is a lethal disease with a median survival lasting no longer than two months. Many chemotherapeutic regimens are investigated with ...

4212 Background: In an attempt to improve response rates and mainly survival in patients with advanced gastric cancer, new chemotherapy regiment need to be tested. Based on impressive results of an...

8282 Background: the use of chemotherapy in elderly patients (over 75 years-old) with cancer is a subject of controversy, regarding the toxicity and the tolerability of treatment in this population...