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Higher selenium status has been associated with lower bone turnover markers (BTM) in epidemiological studies. However, the long-term impact of selenium supplementation on BTMs has not been studied. We investigated the effects of selenium supplementation on BTMs including osteocalcin (OC), procollagen type I N-terminal propeptide (PINP), collagen type I cross-linked C-telopeptide (CTX), and bone alkaline phosphatase (BALP) in the short (6 months) and long term (5 years). A total of 481 Danish men and women (60-74 years) were randomized to receive placebo-yeast versus 100, 200, or 300 μg selenium as selenium-enriched yeast daily for 5 years. Plasma selenium concentration was measured using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry, and BTMs were measured in nonfasted samples at baseline, 6 months, and 5 years. Data were analyzed by ANCOVA to investigate the shape of the dose-response relationships. Covariates included age, body mass index, baseline selenium status, baseline BTM, smoking, alcohol, supplement use, and medication. Plasma selenium concentration (mean 86.5 μg/d at baseline) increased significantly with increasing selenium supplementation to 152.6, 209.1, and 253.7 μg/L after 6 months and remained elevated at 5 years (158.4, 222.4, and 275.9 μg/L for 100, 200, and 300 μg supplemental selenium/d, respectively (p 0.001)). There was no change in plasma selenium concentration in the placebo-treated group. There was no significant effect of selenium supplementation on OC (6 months p = 0.37; 5 years p = 0.63), PINP (6 months p = 0.37; 5 years p = 0.79), CTX (6 months p = 0.91; 5 years p = 0.58) or BALP (6 months p = 0.17; 5 years p = 0.53). The relatively replete baseline selenium status in the study participants may explain this lack of effect. Testing in more deficient populations may provide further insights into the impact of selenium supplementation on bone health. © 2022 The Authors. Journal of Bone and Mineral Research published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of American Society for Bone and Mineral Research (ASBMR).

Background Women treated for breast cancer (BC) often suffer genitourinary syndrome of menopause. These symptoms may be alleviated by vaginal estrogen therapy (VET) or menopausal hormone therapy (MHT). However, there are concerns of risks of recurrence of BC and death following treatment. Methods Our study included longitudinal data from a national cohort of postmenopausal women, diagnosed 1997-2004 with early-stage invasive estrogen receptor–positive nonmetastatic BC, who received no treatment or 5 years of adjuvant endocrine therapy. We ascertained prescription data on hormone therapy, VET or MHT, from a national prescription registry. We evaluated mortality and risk of recurrence associated with use of VET and MHT vs non-use using multivariable models adjusted for potential confounders. Results Among 8461 women who had not received VET or MHT before BC diagnosis, 1957 and 133 used VET and MHT, respectively, after diagnosis. Median follow-up was 9.8 years for recurrence and 15.2 years for mortality. The adjusted relative risk of recurrence was 1.08 (95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.89 to 1.32) for VET (1.39 [95% CI = 1.04 to 1.85 in the subgroup receiving adjuvant aromatase inhibitors]) and 1.05 (95% CI = 0.62 to 1.78) for MHT. The adjusted hazard ratios for overall mortality were 0.78 (95% CI = 0.71 to 0.87) and 0.94 (95% CI = 0.70 to 1.26) for VET and MHT, respectively. Conclusions In postmenopausal women treated for early-stage estrogen receptor–positive BC, neither VET nor MHT was associated with increased risk of recurrence or mortality. A subgroup analysis revealed an increased risk of recurrence, but not mortality, in patients receiving VET with adjuvant aromatase inhibitors.

Several gene expression signatures based on mRNAs and a few based on long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) have been developed to provide prognostic information beyond clinical evaluation in breast cancer (BC). However, the comparison of such signatures for predicting recurrence is very scarce. Therefore, we compared the prognostic utility of mRNAs and lncRNAs in low-risk BC patients using two different classification strategies. Frozen primary tumor samples from 160 lymph node negative and systemically untreated BC patients were included, 80 developed recurrence—i.e., regional or distant metastasis while 80 remained recurrence-free (mean follow-up of 20.9 years). Patients were pairwise matched for clinicopathological characteristics. Classification based on differential mRNA or lncRNA expression using seven individual machine learning methods and a voting scheme classified patients into risk-subgroups. Classification by the seven methods with a fixed sensitivity of ≥90% resulted in specificities ranging from 16–40% for mRNA and 38–58% for lncRNA, and after voting, specificities of 38% and 60% respectively. Classifier performance based on an alternative classification approach of balanced accuracy optimization also provided higher specificities for lncRNA than mRNA at comparable sensitivities. Thus, our results suggested that classification followed by voting improved prognostic power using lncRNAs compared to mRNAs regardless of classification strategy.

Background: Global longitudinal strain (GLS) is recommended to detect subclinical changes preceding reduced left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) in trastuzumab related cardiotoxicity. Since the possibility to detect signs of acute myocardial deterioration at treatment initiation is not clarified, the objective of this study was to assess changes in GLS and biomarkers within the first 2 weeks of trastuzumab treatment. Methods: In a prospective cohort study, 45 patients with non-metastatic breast cancer (age 54, LVEF 62.8%, GLS -19.9%, 40% hypertension) scheduled for trastuzumab treatment were included. Echocardiography and measurement of troponin and NT-proBrain-Natriuretic-Peptide were conducted before initiation of trastuzumab, at days 3, 7, and 14 and after 3, 6, and 9 months. Results: A significant deterioration in LVEF from 62.8% (SD±3.6) to 58.4% (SD±4.1) (p

Purpose: We hypothesized that health care providers would behave in a more patient-centered manner after the implementation of communication skills training, without causing the consultation to last longer.Methods: This study was part of the large-scale implementation of a communication skills training program called "Clear-Cut Communication With Patients" at Lillebaelt Hospital in Denmark. Audio recordings from real-life consultations were collected in a pre-post design, with health care providers' participation in communication skills training as the intervention. The training was based on the Calgary-Cambridge Guide, and audio recordings were rated using the Observation Scheme-12.Results: Health care providers improved their communication behavior in favor of being more patient-centered. Results were tested using a mixed-effect model and showed significant differences between pre- and postintervention assessments, with a coefficient of 1.3 (95% Cl: 0.35-2.3; P=0.01) for the overall score. The consultations did not last longer after the training.Conclusions: Health care providers improved their communication in patient consultations after the implementation of a large-scale patient-centered communication skills training program based on the Calgary-Cambridge Guide. This did not affect the length of the consultations.

Neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT) has been found useful in downstaging tumours in women with primary operable breast cancer without increasing mortality. As a result of several studies supporting this, the Danish Breast Cancer Cooperative Group implemented new guidelines for the treatment of primary operable T2 N0/N1 M0 ductal carcinomas in late 2016, treating patients with six cycles of NACT. This study aimed to conduct a quality assessment of the efficacy of the NACT regime based on real-time data from a single Danish hospital.A retrospective observational study was conducted at Odense University Hospital, Denmark, from the introduction of the NACT regime to December 2018. Patients were identified using the surgical department's registry. Through medical chart review, predefined outcomes were collected on tumour characteristics, surgical outcomes, treatment response and type of NACT treatment. Descriptive statistics and Fisher's exact test were used on relevant data.Among the 64 patients, 67% completed a recommended NACT regime. A 55% majority underwent lumpectomy and 64% were spared axillary dissection. Complete pathological response was found in 28% of patients. After treatment, 38% of the pre-NACT N1 patients were downstaged to N0.This study indicated that the NACT regime was a favourable treatment strategy for these patients. Two-thirds of patients were able to undergo a recommended NACT regime. The majority of patients were both spared axillary dissection and mastectomy.none.not relevant.

Background: Retrospective studies have suggested that chemotherapy-induced leukopenia is associated with improved recurrence-free or overall survival. The SBG 2000–1 trial was designed to verify the favorable prognosis associated with chemotherapy-induced leukopenia in early breast cancer. Patients not experiencing chemotherapy-induced leukopenia were randomized into standard dosed or individually escalated chemotherapy doses based on the grade of leukopenia after a first standard dose. Patients and methods: 1452 women in Sweden and Denmark with operable node-positive or high-risk node-negative breast cancer aged 18–60 years were recruited to participate in this trial. Participants received a first FEC cycle at standard doses (600/60/600 mg/m2). Patients (n = 1052) with nadir leukopenia grade 0–2 after the first cycle were randomized between either 6 standard FEC or 6 tailored FEC courses with doses of epirubicin and cyclophosphamide escalated during courses 2 and 3 and thereafter aimed at achieving grade 3 leukopenia. Patients with nadir leukopenia grade 3–4 after the first course continued treatment with standard FEC. Results of the randomized comparison has been published previously. The present study focuses on chemotherapy-induced leukopenia as a covariable with outcome in randomized and non-randomized patients. The prognostic value of leukopenia after course 3, was studied in a Cox model adjusted for cumulative doses of epirubicin and cyclophosphamide. The association of chemotherapy-induced leukopenia with prognosis was a preplanned secondary endpoint for this trial. Results: The eight-year distant disease-free survival was 73%, 77%, 78% and 83% for patients with leucocyte nadir grade 0, 1, 2 and 3–4, respectively. Higher degree of leukopenia was highly significantly associated to improved distant disease-free survival (HR 0.84, 95% CI 0.74–0.96, p =.008) and overall survival (HR 0.87 (0.76–0.99, p =.032). Conclusion: This prospective study confirms that chemotherapy-induced leukopenia is a covariable with outcome in primary breast cancer, even after adjustment for chemotherapy doses.

Funding Acknowledgements The Danish Heart Foundation, Copenhagen (grant number: 14-R97-A5188-22839 and 15-R99-A5940). The Research Fond of the Region of Southern Denmark. Background Global longitudinal strain (GLS) is recommended to detect subclinical changes preceding reduced left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) in trastuzumab related cardiotoxicity. The possibility to detect signs of acute myocardial deterioration at treatment initiation is not thoroughly investigated. Accordingly, the aim of this study was to assess changes in GLS and biomarkers within the first two weeks of trastuzumab treatment. Methods In a prospective cohort study 45 patients with non-metastatic breast cancer (age 54, LVEF 62.8% (SD ± 3.6), GLS -19.9% (SD ± 2.1), 40% hypertension) were included. Examinations including echocardiography and measurement of troponin T and NT-proBrain Natriuretic Peptide were conducted before initiation of trastuzumab, at day 3, 7 and 14 and after 3, 6 and 9 months. Results A significant deterioration in LVEF, GLS, s’, e’ septal and s’RV occurred during the 9 months study period and was proceed by significant changes in all these parameters within the first 14 days. After 14 days 12 patients (27%) had an increase in GLS ≥10 %, which was associated with significantly lower LVEF at nine month at 55.2% (SD ± 4.1) vs. 59.5% (SD ± 3.5) (p = 0.001) compared to patients with Conclusion In this cohort study deteriorations in key echocardiographic parameters were detected within the first two weeks of trastuzumab treatment, and an early 10 % increase in GLS was associated with a lower LVEF at nine months. Abstract P1533 Figure 1

AIM: To investigate the effect of selenium supplementation at different dose levels on changes in HbA1c after 6 months and 2 years in a population of low selenium status.MATERIALS AND METHODS: The Denmark PRECISE study was a single-centre, randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled, multi-arm, parallel clinical trial with four groups. In total, 491 volunteers aged 60 to 74 years were randomly assigned to treatment with 100, 200 or 300 μg selenium/day as selenium-enriched yeast or placebo-yeast. HbA1c measurements were available for 489 participants at baseline, 435 at 6 months, and 369 after 2 years of selenium supplementation. Analyses were performed by intention to treat.RESULTS: The mean (SD) age, plasma-selenium concentration, and blood HbA1c at baseline were 66.1 (4.1) years, 86.5 (16.3) ng/g and 36.6 (7.0) mmol/mol, respectively. During the initial 6-month intervention period, mean HbA1c (95% CI) decreased by 1.5 (-2.8 to -0.2) mmol/mol for 100 μg/d of selenium supplementation and by 0.7 (-2.0 to 0.6) mmol/mol for the 200 and 300 μg/d groups compared with placebo (P = 0.16 for homogeneity of changes across the four groups). After 2 years of selenium supplementation, HbA1c had decreased significantly in all treatment groups, with no difference between active treatment and placebo.CONCLUSIONS: Selenium supplementation in an elderly European population of low selenium status did not significantly affect HbA1c levels after 2 years. Our findings corroborate a possible U-shaped response of selenium supplementation on glucose metabolism.

Background Patients (pts) with human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 positive (HER2+) metastatic breast cancer (MBC) who have brain metastases (BM) have limited treatment options and lower health-related quality of life (HRQoL) compared with pts without BM (Hurvitz 2019). HER2CLIMB is a randomized trial (2:1) of tucatinib vs. placebo in combination with trastuzumab and capecitabine in pts with HER2+ MBC that included pts with stable and active brain metastases (NCT02614794). In HER2CLIMB, the addition of tucatinib to trastuzumab + capecitabine demonstrated a statistically significant and clinically meaningful improvement in overall survival (OS) in pts with HER2+ MBC and in those with stable and active BM, with importantly, a tolerable and manageable safety profile (Murthy 2020). An evaluation of the impact of tucatinib on HRQoL in pts with stable and active BM is presented here. Methods HRQoL data were available from 330 of 612 pts, including 163 pts with BMs. HRQoL was assessed using the EQ-5D-5L tool which includes a visual analog scale (EQ-VAS) and a descriptive system (EQ-5D) comprising 5 dimensions of health: mobility, self-care, usual activities, pain/discomfort, and anxiety/depression. Each dimension has 5 levels: no problems, slight problems, moderate problems, severe problems, and extreme problems. Data were collected at Cycle 1 Day 1, Cycles 3-9 (every 2 cycles; 21-day cycles), Cycle 12 and beyond (every 3 cycles), and at the 30-day follow-up. The EQ-5D-5L scores were summarized by cycle for each treatment arm. Time to deterioration, defined as a >7-point change from baseline on the EQ-VAS, was estimated by the Kaplan-Meier approach. The median time to deterioration (and 95% CIs) were computed for each arm. Results In total, 163 pts with stable and active BM were included in this HRQoL analysis, 107 pts on the tucatinib arm and 56 pts on the placebo arm. Compared to the placebo arm, pts on the tucatinib arm had an approximately 49% reduction in the risk of deterioration (hazard ratio: 0.51; 95% CI: 0.28, 0.93); the median time to deterioration has not been reached in the tucatinib arm with available follow-up and was 5.5 months (95% CI; 4.2, -) in the placebo arm. Decline in all domains of the EQ-5D-5L and the EQ-VAS scores were seen once pts discontinued therapy, particularly on the ‘usual activities’ domain. Additional available QoL data will be presented. Conclusions Pts with MBC and BM treated with tucatinib in combination with trastuzumab + capecitabine demonstrated significantly longer and clinically meaningful time to deterioration of HRQoL. HRQoL was maintained throughout the treatment course, allowing them to receive full benefit of the therapeutic approach and resulting in statistically significant and clinically meaningful improvement in OS. References Hurvitz SA, O’Shaugnessy J, Mason G, et al. Central Nervous System Metastasis in Patients with HER2-Positive Metastatic Breast Cancer: Patient Characteristics, Treatment, and Survival from SystHERs. Clin Cancer Res. 2019;25(8):2433-2441.Murthy RK, Loi S, Okines A, et al. Tucatinib, Trastuzumab, and Capecitabine for HER2-Positive Metastatic Breast Cancer. N Engl J Med. 2020;382(7):597-609. Citation Format: Andrew Wardley, Volkmar Mueller, Elisavet Paplomata, Laurence Crouzet, Nayyer Iqbal, Sramila Aithal, Margaret Block, Søren Cold, Marie-Agnes By, Olwen Hahn, Teja Poosarla, Erica Stringer-Reasor, Marco Colleoni, David Cameron, Giuseppe Curigliano, Kendra DeBusk, Muriel Siadak, Jorge Ramos, Xuebei An, Karen Gelmon. Impact of tucatinib on health-related quality of life in patients with HER2+ metastatic breast cancer with stable and active brain metastases [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2020 San Antonio Breast Cancer Virtual Symposium; 2020 Dec 8-11; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2021;81(4 Suppl):Abstract nr PD13-04.

OBJECTIVES: This study sought to evaluate the long-term risk of developing heart failure (HF) in patients receiving trastuzumab therapy.BACKGROUND: Trastuzumab has improved the prognosis in patients with HER2-positive breast cancer, but it can induce left ventricular dysfunction with reduced ejection fraction or HF during treatment. The long-term risk of HF is less well described.METHODS: In a nationwide Danish retrospective cohort study, 9,901 patients scheduled for adjuvant treatment for early-stage breast cancer were identified in the Danish Breast Cancer Cooperative Group database. Of these, 8,812 patients (25% HER2-positive; 51.7 ± 8.5 years of age) received chemotherapy including anthracycline; and if they were HER2 positive, trastuzumab was added. The primary endpoint was a diagnosis of HF assessed before and after 18 months in a landmark analysis to distinguish short- and long-term risks.RESULTS: Median follow-up was 5.4 years (interquartile range [IQR]: 4.1 to 6.8 years). In the trastuzumab group, 60 patients had HF by 9 years versus 51 in the group who were treated with chemotherapy alone, corresponding to incidence rates per 1,000 patient years of 5.3 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 4.1 to 6.8) versus 1.4 (95% CI: 1.1 to 1.8), respectively. The cumulative incidence of HF was higher in the trastuzumab group at both the short- and long-term (p < 0.01), yielding adjusted hazard ratios of 8.7 (95% CI: 4.6 to 16.5; p < 0.01) for early HF and 1.9 (95% CI: 1.2 to 3.3; p = 0.01) for late HF associated with trastuzumab treatment.CONCLUSIONS: Trastuzumab treatment is associated with a 2-fold increased risk of late HF compared with chemotherapy treatment alone.

Selenium, an essential trace element, is incorporated into selenoproteins with a wide range of health effects. Selenoproteins may reach repletion at a plasma selenium concentration of ~ 125 µg/L, at which point the concentration of selenoprotein P reaches a plateau; whether sustained concentrations higher than this are beneficial, or indeed detrimental, is unknown. In a population of relatively low selenium status, we aimed to determine the effect on mortality of long-term selenium supplementation at different dose levels. The Denmark PRECISE study was a single-centre, randomised, double-blinded, placebo-controlled, multi-arm, parallel clinical trial with four groups. Participants were 491 male and female volunteers aged 60-74 years, recruited at Odense University Hospital, Denmark. The trial was initially designed as a 6-month pilot study, but supplemental funding allowed for extension of the study and mortality assessment. Participants were randomly assigned to treatment with 100, 200, or 300 µg selenium/d as selenium-enriched-yeast or placebo-yeast for 5 years from randomization in 1998-1999 and were followed up for mortality for a further 10 years (through March 31, 2015). During 6871 person-years of follow-up, 158 deaths occurred. In an intention-to-treat analysis, the hazard ratio (95% confidence interval) for all-cause mortality comparing 300 µg selenium/d to placebo was 1.62 (0.66, 3.96) after 5 years of treatment and 1.59 (1.02, 2.46) over the entire follow-up period. The 100 and 200 µg/d doses showed non-significant decreases in mortality during the intervention period that disappeared after treatment cessation. Although we lacked power for endpoints other than all-cause mortality, the effects on cancer and cardiovascular mortality appeared similar. A 300 µg/d dose of selenium taken for 5 years in a country with moderately-low selenium status increased all-cause mortality 10 years later. While our study was not initially designed to evaluate mortality and the sample size was limited, our findings indicate that total selenium intake over 300 µg/d and high-dose selenium supplements should be avoided. This work was supported by: the Danish Cancer Society; The Research Foundation of the County of Funen; Cypress Systems Inc.; The Danish Veterinary and Food Administration; The Council of Consultant Physicians, Odense University Hospital; The Clinical Experimental Research Foundation at Department of Oncology, Odense University Hospital; K.A Rohde's Foundation; Dagmar Marshall's Foundation. Pharma Nord ApS, Vejle, Denmark provided the selenium and placebo tablets. The funders had no role in the design or conduct of the study; collection, management, analysis, and interpretation of the data; preparation, review, or approval of the manuscript; and decision to submit the manuscript for publication. Sí

Introduction: Recently, new targeted agents have been developed, which can prolong the effect of endocrine treatment (ET) by targeting resistance pathways in HR+/HER2− advanced breast cancer. This review examines available studies of everolimus, an mTOR inhibitor, and the CDK 4/6 inhibitors ribociclib, palbociclib and abemaciclib in terms of efficacy, tolerability and safety. Material and methods: A systematic literature search was performed in Pubmed. Evaluation of the quality of the identified studies was based on selected elements from the GRADE guidelines. Results: The literature search yielded eight randomized trials that all presented a significant increase in the progression free survival (PFS)/time to progression (TTP) for the targeted agents plus ET vs ET only. The improvement was evident as first-line therapy with an increase in PFS of 10–11 months when adding a CDK4/6 inhibitor to ET, as well as in patients previously treated for metastatic disease, with an increase of 5–6 months. The common adverse events (AEs) of the CDK 4/6 inhibitors were due to myelosuppression. In addition, abemaciclib was associated with liver toxicity and diarrhea, and ribociclib with liver toxicity and QTcF prolongation. The most common grade 3/4 AE of everolimus was stomatitis. The majority (five) of the trials had no serious limitations, and thus the quality of evidence was high. Discussion: The new targeted agents are all associated with an improvement of the PFS with an acceptable tolerability, and they should be offered to women with advanced HR+/HER2− breast cancer both as first-line therapy as well as among patients previously treated in metastatic regimens. However, further data regarding the impact on overall survival are required to evaluate the full benefit for patients. Price and differences in AEs could become substantial arguments for the choice of therapy for the individual patient.

Aims: Long-term selenium supplementation may have adverse effects on glucose metabolism and risk of type-2 diabetes in selenium-replete populations, such as the US. There is limited trial evidence on the effect of selenium supplementation on glucose metabolism in European populations whose selenium status is much lower than that of the US. We investigated the effect of selenium supplementation at different dose levels on changes in HbA1c after 6 months and 2 years in a population of relatively low selenium status. Materials and methods: The Denmark PRECISE study was a single-centre, randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled, multi-arm, parallel clinical trial with four groups. In total, 491 volunteers aged 60-74 years were randomly assigned to treatment with 100, 200, or 300 µg selenium/d as selenium-enriched-yeast or placebo-yeast. HbA1c measurements were available for 489 participants at baseline, 435 at 6 months, and 369 after 2 years of selenium supplementation. Analyses were performed by intention to treat. Results: The mean (SD) age, plasma-selenium concentration, and blood HbA1c at baseline were 66.1 (4.1) years, 86.5 (16.3) ng/g, and 36.6 (7.0) mmol/mol, respectively. During the initial 6- month intervention period, mean HbA1c (95% CIs) decreased by 1.5 (-2.8 to -0.2) mmol/mol for 100 µg/d of selenium supplementation and by 0.7 (-2.0 to 0.6) mmol/mol for the 200 and 300 µg/d groups compared with placebo (P = 0.16 for homogeneity of changes across the four groups). After 2 years of selenium supplementation, HbA1c had decreased significantly in all treatment groups, with no difference between active treatment and placebo. Conclusions: Selenium supplementation in an elderly European population of relatively low selenium status did not significantly affect HbA1c levels after 2 years. Our findings corroborate a possible U-shaped response of selenium supplementation on glucose metabolism.

Measurement of circulating insulin-like growth factors (IGFs), in particular IGF-binding protein (IGFBP)-2, at the time of diagnosis, is independently prognostic in many cancers, but its clinical performance against other routinely determined prognosticators has not been examined. We measured IGF-I, IGF-II, pro-IGF-II, IGF bioactivity, IGFBP-2, -3, and pregnancy-associated plasma protein A (PAPP-A), an IGFBP regulator, in baseline samples of 301 women with breast cancer treated on four protocols (Odense, Denmark: 1993–1998). We evaluated performance characteristics (expressed as area under the curve, AUC) using Cox regression models to derive hazard ratios (HR) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for 10-year recurrence-free survival (RFS) and overall survival (OS), and compared those against the clinically used Nottingham Prognostic Index (NPI). We measured the same biomarkers in 531 noncancer individuals to assess multidimensional relationships (MDR), and evaluated additional prognostic models using survival artificial neural network (SANN) and survival support vector machines (SSVM), as these enhance capture of MDRs. For RFS, increasing concentrations of circulating IGFBP-2 and PAPP-A were independently prognostic [HRbiomarker doubling: 1.474 (95% CIs: 1.160, 1.875, P = 0.002) and 1.952 (95% CIs: 1.364, 2.792, P RFS for NPI was 0.626 (Cox model), improving to 0.694 (P = 0.012) with the addition of IGFBP-2 plus PAPP-A. Derived AUCRFS using SANN and SSVM did not perform superiorly. Similar patterns were observed for OS. These findings illustrate an important principle in biomarker qualification—measured circulating biomarkers may demonstrate independent prognostication, but this does not necessarily translate into substantial improvement in clinical performance.

Current prognostic markers allocate the majority of lymph node (LN) negative and estrogen receptor (ER) positive breast cancer patients into the high-risk group. Accordingly, most patients receive systemic treatments although approximately 40% of these patients may have been cured by surgery and radiotherapy alone. Two studies identified seven prognostic microRNAs in systemically untreated, LN negative and ER positive breast cancer patients which may allow more precise patient classification. However, six of the seven microRNAs were analyzed in both studies but only found to be prognostic in one study. To validate their prognostic potential, we analyzed microRNA expression in an independent cohort (n = 110) using a pair-matched study design minimizing dependence of classical markers. The expression of hsa-miR-548c-5p was significantly associated with abridged disease-free survival (hazard ratio [HR]:1.96, p = 0.027). Contradicting published results, high hsa-miR-516-3p expression was associated with favorable outcome (HR:0.29, p = 0.0068). The association is probably time-dependent indicating later relapse. Additionally, re-analysis of previously published expression data of two matching cohorts (n = 100, n = 255) supports an association of hsa-miR-128-3p with shortened disease-free survival (HR:2.48, p = 0.0033) and an upregulation of miR-7-5p (p = 0.0038; p = 0.039) and miR-210-3p (p = 0.031) in primary tumors of patients who experienced metastases. Further analysis may verify the prognostic potential of these microRNAs.

ObjectiveSelenium is present in the active site of proteins important for thyroid hormone synthesis and metabolism. The objective of this study is to investigate the effect of selenium supplementation in different doses on thyroid function, under conditions of suboptimal dietary selenium intake.DesignThe Danish PREvention of Cancer by Intervention with SElenium pilot study (DK-PRECISE) is a randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial. A total of 491 males and females aged 60–74 years were randomized to 100 μg (n=124), 200 μg (n=122), or 300 μg (n=119) selenium-enriched yeast or matching yeast-based placebo tablets (n=126). A total of 361 participants, equally distributed across treatment groups, completed the 5-year intervention period.MethodsPlasma samples were analyzed for selenium and serum samples for TSH, free triiodothyronine (FT3), and free thyroxine (FT4) at baseline, and after 6 months, and 5 years of supplementation.ResultsPlasma selenium concentrations increased significantly and dose-dependently in treatment groups receiving selenium (P4concentrations decreased significantly and dose-dependently by 0.066 mIU/l (P=0.010) and 0.11 pmol/l (P=0.015), respectively, per 100 μg/day increase, with insignificant differences between 6 months and 5 years. No significant effects were found for FT3and FT3:FT4ratio.ConclusionsIn euthyroid subjects, selenium supplementation minutely and dose-dependently affects thyroid function, when compared with placebo, by decreasing serum TSH and FT4concentrations. Based on these findings, selenium supplementation is not warranted under conditions of marginal selenium deficiency. However, a role for selenium supplementation in the treatment of autoimmune thyroid diseases is still unresolved.

Udgivelsesdato: 2005-null Serum profiling by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry (MALDI-MS) holds promise as a clinical tool for early diagnosis of cancer and other human diseases. Sample preparation is key to achieving reproducible and well-resolved signals in MALDI-MS; a prerequisite for translation of MALDI-MS based diagnostic methods to clinical applications. We have investigated a number of MALDI matrices and several miniaturized solid-phase extraction (SPE) methods for serum protein concentration and desalting with the aim of generating reproducible, high-quality protein profiles by MALDI-MS. We developed a simple protocol for serum profiling that combines a matrix mixture of 2,5-dihydroxybenzoic acid and alpha-cyano-4-hydroxycinnamic acid with miniaturized SPE and MALDI-MS. Functionalized membrane discs with hydrophobic, ion-exchange or chelating properties allowed reproducible MALDI mass spectra (m/z 1000-12,000) to be obtained from serum. In a proof-of-principle application, SPE with chelating material and MALDI-MS identified protein peaks in serum that had been previously reported for distinguishing a person diagnosed with breast cancer from a control. These preliminary results indicate that this simple SPE/MALDI-MS method for serum profiling provides a versatile and scalable platform for clinical proteomics.

Background Breast cancer is the most frequent malignancy among women worldwide and the second most common cause of cancer-related death in developed countries. The aim of the present analysis is to describe trends in incidence, mortality, prevalence, and relative survival in Denmark from 1980 to 2012 focusing on age, comparing persons aged 70 years or more with those aged less than 70 years. Material and methods Cancer of the breast was defined as ICD-10 code C50. Data derived from the NORDCAN database with comparable data on cancer incidence, mortality, prevalence and relative survival in the Nordic countries, where the Danish data were delivered from the Danish Cancer Registry and the Danish Cause of Death Registry with follow-up for death or emigration until the end of 2013. Results The proportion of patients diagnosed with breast cancer over the age of 70 years increased with time to 29% of women and 44% of men in 2012. Incidence rates increased with time and peaked around 2010 in all age groups except for those aged 90 years or more. Mortality rates were clearly separated by age with increasing mortality rates by increasing age group for both women and men. Relative survival increased over time in all age groups, but patients aged 70 years or more had a poorer relative survival than those aged less than 70 years. In 2012, 58 521 persons (all ages) were alive in Denmark after a diagnosis of breast cancer. Conclusion Poorer survival of Danish breast cancer patients over the age of 70 years is likely to be due to inferior treatment and non-adherence to treatment guidelines. There is a need for clinical trials focusing on patients over the age of 70 years.

ObjectiveEpidemiological studies imply an association between circulating IGF1 and breast cancer, whereas the role of IGF2, which also acts on the IGF1 receptor, is less settled. This study investigates the association between IGF2 and breast cancer in patients with localized disease.DesignThe participants were women with well-characterized, early stage, localized breast cancer (n=43) and matched healthy women (n=38), from whom fasting serum levels of IGF-related peptides were measured.ResultsIn patients, mean free IGF2 was increased (+57%, PP=0.003) when compared with controls. Similar changes were seen in free IGF1 (+28%, P=0.004) and total IGF1 (−16% P=NS). Pro-IGF2 and IGF-binding protein 1 (IGFBP1) were unchanged. IGFBP2 was reduced by 22% in the patients (P=0.004). The patients showed reduced IGFBP3 protease activity and accordingly increased levels of intact IGFBP3, whereas total IGFBP3 was unchanged.ConclusionWomen with localized, early-stage breast cancer show elevated circulating free IGF1 and IGF2, reduced total IGF2 and alterations in IGFBPs. The changes observed despite minimal cancer disease suggest a role for the circulating IGF system in the progression of breast cancer in women.

The prevalence of the postmastectomy pain syndrome (PMPS) and its clinical characteristics was assessed in a group of patients who had undergone surgery for breast cancer at the Department of Surgery, Odense University Hospital, within the period of 1 May 2003 to 30 April 2004. The study included 258 patients and a reference group of 774 women. A questionnaire was mailed to the patients 1 1/2 year after surgery and to the women in the reference group. The PMPS was defined as pain located in the area of the surgery or ipsilateral arm, present at least 4 days per week and with an average intensity of at least 3 on a numeric rating scale from 0 to 10. The prevalence of PMPS was found to be 23.9%. The odds ratio of developing PMPS was 2.88 (95% confidence interval 1.84-4.51). Significant risk factors were as follows: having undergone breast surgery earlier (OR 8.12), tumour located in the upper lateral quarter (OR 6.48) and young age (OR 1.04). This study shows that, although recent advances in the diagnostic and surgical procedures have reduced the frequency of the more invasive surgical procedures, there still is a considerable risk of developing PMPS after treatment of breast cancer.

Udgivelsesdato: 2008 From January 1, 1990 to December 31, 1994, DBCG conducted a randomised trial in 1 615 postmenopausal women with operable, high-risk, receptor-positive or -unknown breast cancer. The patients were after surgery randomised to Tamoxifen for 1 year (TAM1), Tamoxifen for 2 years (TAM 2) or Tamoxifen for 6 months followed by megestrol acetate for 6 months (TAM/MA). When the preplanned sample size of 1 500 patients was reached it was decided to continue randomisation to TAM1 or TAM2 and the study was finally closed December 31, 1996. With a median follow-up of more than 10 years, there was no difference in disease-free survival (DFS) or overall survival (OS) among the three treatment arms. Similar results were obtained in the original and extended comparisons of Tamoxifen for 1 versus 2 years. A multivariate analysis in the per-protocol treated patients did not show significant differences in hazard ratios for DFS or OS among the three arms. Side-effects were rare but more common in the TAM2 and TAM/MA arms.

Although cross-sectional studies have shown a positive association between Se and cholesterol concentrations, a recent randomised controlled trial in 501 elderly UK individuals of relatively low-Se status found that Se supplementation for 6 months lowered total plasma cholesterol. The Danish PRECISE (PREvention of Cancer by Intervention with Selenium) pilot study (ClinicalTrials.gov ID: NCT01819649) was a 5-year randomised, double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial with four groups (allocation ratio 1:1:1:1). Men and women aged 60–74 years (n491) were randomised to 100 (n124), 200 (n122) or 300 (n119) μg Se-enriched yeast or matching placebo-yeast tablets (n126) daily for 5 years. A total of 468 participants continued the study for 6 months and 361 participants, equally distributed across treatment groups, continued for 5 years. Plasma samples were analysed for total and HDL-cholesterol and for total Se concentrations at baseline, 6 months and 5 years. The effect of different doses of Se supplementation on plasma lipid and Se concentrations was estimated by using linear mixed models. Plasma Se concentration increased significantly and dose-dependently in the intervention groups after 6 months and 5 years. Total cholesterol decreased significantly both in the intervention groups and in the placebo group after 6 months and 5 years, with small and nonsignificant differences in changes in plasma concentration of total cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol, non-HDL-cholesterol and total:HDL-cholesterol ratio between intervention and placebo groups. The effect of long-term supplementation with Se on plasma cholesterol concentrations or its sub-fractions did not differ significantly from placebo in this elderly population.

Beaver and colleagues ([1][1]) reported that the detection of mutant PIK3CA circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) in early-stage breast cancer patients before and after surgery could improve selection of systemic postsurgical therapies. They reported that 14 of 15 patients with PIK3CA mutations in the

Introduction Patients with clinically and pathologically similar breast tumors often have very different outcomes and treatment responses. Current prognostic markers allocate the majority of breast cancer patients to the high-risk group, yielding high sensitivities in expense of specificities below 20%, leading to considerable overtreatment, especially in lymph node-negative patients. Seventy percent would be cured by surgery and radiotherapy alone in this group. Thus, precise and early indicators of metastasis are highly desirable to reduce overtreatment. Previous prognostic RNA-profiling studies have only focused on the protein-coding part of the genome, however the human genome contains thousands of long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) and this unexplored field possesses large potential for identification of novel prognostic markers. Methods We evaluated lncRNA microarray data from 164 primary breast tumors from adjuvant naïve patients with a mean follow-up of 18 years. Eighty two patients who developed detectable distant metastasis were compared to 82 patients where no metastases were diagnosed. For validation, we determined the prognostic value of the lncRNA profiles by comparing the ability of the profiles to predict metastasis in two additional, previously-published, cohorts. Results We showed that lncRNA profiles could distinguish metastatic patients from non-metastatic patients with sensitivities above 90% and specificities of 64-65%. Furthermore; classifications were independent of traditional prognostic markers and time to metastasis. Conclusions To our knowledge, this is the first study investigating the prognostic potential of lncRNA profiles. Our study suggest that lncRNA profiles provide additional prognostic information and may contribute to the identification of early breast cancer patients eligible for adjuvant therapy, as well as early breast cancer patients that could avoid unnecessary systemic adjuvant therapy. This study emphasizes the potential role of lncRNAs in breast cancer prognosis. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s13058-015-0557-4) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

The purpose of this study was to examine the effect on survival of delaying the start of adjuvant chemotherapy for early breast cancer for up to 3 months after surgery. In the nation-wide clinical trials of the Danish Breast Cancer Cooperative Group, 7501 breast cancer patients received chemotherapy within 3 months of surgery between 1977 and 1999: 352 with classical cyclofosfamide, metotrexate and 5-fluorouracil (CMF); 6065 with CMF i.v. and 1084 with cyclofosfamide, epirubicin and 5-fluorouracil. For the analysis, the time between surgery and the start of chemotherapy was divided into four strata (1–3, 4, 5 and 6–13 weeks). The results show that within the three groups of chemotherapy, there was an even distribution of known prognostic factors across the four strata of initiation of chemotherapy. There was no pattern indicating a benefit from early start of chemotherapy. No significant interactions were found for subgroups of patients with a poorer prognosis (many involved lymph nodes, high-grade malignancies or hormone receptor negative disease). In conclusion, we have found no evidence for a survival benefit due to early initiation of adjuvant chemotherapy within the first 2–3 months after surgery.

Introduction There are currently no highly sensitive and specific minimally invasive biomarkers for detection of early‐stage breast cancer. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are present in the circulation and may be unique biomarkers for early diagnosis of human cancers. The aim of this study was to investigate the differential expression of miRNAs in the serum of breast cancer patients and healthy controls. Methods Global miRNA analysis was performed on serum from 48 patients with ER‐positive early‐stage breast cancer obtained at diagnosis (24 lymph node‐positive and 24 lymph node‐negative) and 24 age‐matched healthy controls using LNA‐based quantitative real‐time PCR (qRT‐PCR). A signature of miRNAs was subsequently validated in an independent set of 111 serum samples from 60 patients with early‐stage breast cancer and 51 healthy controls and further tested for reproducibility in 3 independent data sets from the GEO Database. Results A multivariable signature consisting of 9 miRNAs (miR‐15a, miR‐18a, miR‐107, miR‐133a, miR‐139‐5p, miR‐143, miR‐145, miR‐365, miR‐425) was identified that provided considerable discrimination between breast cancer patients and healthy controls. Further, the ability of the 9 miRNA signature to stratify samples from breast cancer patients and healthy controls was confirmed in the validation set (p = 0.012) with a corresponding AUC = 0.665 in the ROC‐curve analysis. No association between miRNA expression and tumor grade, tumor size, menopausal‐ or lymph node status was observed. The signature was also successfully validated in a previously published independent data set of circulating miRNAs in early‐stage breast cancer (p = 0.024). Conclusions We present herein a 9 miRNA signature capable of discriminating between ER‐positive breast cancer and healthy controls. Using a specific algorithm based on the 9 miRNA signature, the risk for future individuals can be predicted. Since microRNAs are highly stable in blood components, this signature might be useful in the development of a blood‐based multi‐marker test to improve early detection of breast cancer. Such a test could potentially be used as a screening tool to identify individuals who would benefit from further diagnostic assessment., Highlights Novel circulating miRNA signature in early‐stage breast cancer.May improve early detection of breast cancer.A risk score reflects the risk of breast cancer.Possible new screening tool in addition to mammography.

Background Previous results have suggested an association of the region of 19q13.3 with several forms of cancer. In the present study, we investigated 27 public markers within a previously identified 69 kb stretch of chromosome 19q for association with breast cancer by using linkage disequilibrium mapping. The study groups included 434 postmenopausal breast cancer cases and an identical number of individually matched controls. Methods and Results Studying one marker at a time, we found a region spanning the gene RAI (alias PPP1R13L or iASPP) and the 5' portion of XPD to be associated with this cancer. The region corresponds to a haplotype block, in which there seems to be very limited recombination in the Danish population. Studying combinations of markers, we found that two to four neighboring markers gave the most consistent and strongest result. The haplotypes with strongest association with cancers were located in the gene RAI and just 3' to the gene. Coinciding peaks were seen in the region of RAI in groups of women of different age. In a follow-up to these results we sequenced 10 cases and 10 controls in a 44 kb region spanning the peaks of association. This revealed 106 polymorphisms, many of which were not in the public databases. We tested an additional 44 of these for association with disease and found a new tandem repeat marker, called RAI-3'd1, located downstream of the transcribed region of RAI, which was more strongly associated with breast cancer than any other marker we have tested (RR = 2.44 (1.41–4.23, p = 0.0008, all cases; RR = 6.29 (1.49–26.6), p = 0.01, cases up to 55 years of age). Conclusion We expect the marker RAI-3'd1 to be (part of) the cause for the association of the chromosome 19q13.3 region's association with cancer.

Udgivelsesdato: 2008 INTRODUCTION: A cohort of premenopausal patients with primary hormone receptor positive breast cancer was prospectively identified to be eligible for the DBCG 89B trial. We perform a long-term follow-up and evaluate the external validity of the trial. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Following registration in a population-based registry, patients were invited to be randomized to ovarian ablation (OA) versus nine courses of three-weekly cyclophosphamide, methotrexate and 5-fluorouracil (CMF). The same procedures were used in all patients, including report forms, central review, querying, and analysis of data. Multivariate analysis was used to adjust for differences in base-line characteristics. RESULTS: Participation in the randomization varied according to center and time period. One thousand six hundred and twenty eight eligible patients were registered and 525 randomized in the DBCG 89B trial. Median estimated follow-up was 9.5 years for disease-free survival and 12.1 years for overall survival. Non-enrolled patients had a disease-free and overall survival similar to randomized patients. Within 5 years of surgery, results were similar following OA and CMF, but disease-free survival was significant inferior with OA more than five years after surgery, adjusted hazard ratio 1.38 (95% CI 1.03 to 1.85; p=0.03). This convened ten years after surgery to an inferior survival with OA, and the adjusted hazard ratio was 2.37 (95% CI 1.43 to 3.91; p

Udgivelsesdato: 2007-Mar-1 Promising results for prediction of outcome in breast cancer have been obtained by genome wide gene expression profiling. Some studies have suggested that an extensive overtreatment of breast cancer patients might be reduced by risk assessment with gene expression profiling. A patient group hardly examined in these studies is the low-risk patients for whom outcome is very difficult to predict with currently used methods. These patients do not receive adjuvant treatment according to the guidelines of the Danish Breast Cancer Cooperative Group (DBCG). In this study, 26 tumors from low-risk patients were examined with gene expression profiling. An intermediate risk group of 34 low-malignant T2 tumors that fulfilled all other low-risk criteria than tumor size was included to increase statistical power. A 32-gene classifier, HUMAC32, was identified and it predicted metastases with 80% sensitivity and 77% specificity. The classifier was also validated in an independent group of high-risk tumors resulting in comparable performance of HUMAC32 and a 70-gene classifier developed for this group. Furthermore, the 70-gene signature was tested in our low- and intermediate-risk samples. The results demonstrated high cross-platform consistency of the classifiers. Higher performance of HUMAC32 was demonstrated among the low-malignant cancers compared with the 70-gene classifier. This suggests that although the metastatic potential to some extend is determined by the same genes in groups of tumors with different characteristics and risk, expression-based classification specifically developed in low-risk patients have higher predictive power in this group.

Numerous mechanisms have been proposed to explain the anti-carcinogenic effects of Se, among them altered carcinogen metabolism. We investigated the effect of Se supplementation on activities of glutathione peroxidase (GPX), glutathione reductase (GR) and glutathioneS-transferase (GST) in different blood compartments, and expression of selected phase 1 and phase 2 genes in leucocytes (GPX1,γ-glutamylcysteine ligasecatalytic subunit (GCLC), AP-1 transcription factorFos-related antigen 1(Fra1),NAD(P)H:quinone oxidoreductase(NQO1), andaryl hydrocarbon receptor repressor(AhRR)). Healthy elderly Danes (n105; age 71·3 (sd4·26) years; 36 % reporting use of multivitamin/mineral supplements) participated and were supplemented daily for 5 years with placebo, 100 μg, 200 μg or 300 μg Se as Se-enriched yeast (SelenoPrecise®). Blood samples were collected after 5 years of intervention. When all four groups were compared we found no effect of Se supplementation on plasma GPX or GR, on erythrocyte GPX, GR or GST, or on thrombocyte GR or GST. We found increased thrombocyte GPX activity at the two highest dosage levels in women only, but not in men. No effects onGPX1,NQO1orAhRRgene expression were found. When all Se-supplemented groups were pooled we found significant down regulation of the expression of some phase 2 genes (GCLC,Fra1). A significant increase inAhRRgene expression with smoking was found but was independent of Se supplementation. Down regulation of phase 2 genes could increase the risk of cancer. However, further studies are needed to establish whether the observed effect in leucocytes reflects a similar expression pattern in target tissues.

Although the optimal efficacy of cytotoxic therapy plateaued in the 1970s, no consensus yet exists regarding which cytotoxic combination to offer as first-line therapy for metastatic breast cancer. Comparison of a combination of CAF/CEF with other cytotoxic combinations reveals that an anthracycline-containing regimen not only increases response rate, but also improves time to progression and survival. Regarding appropriate duration of cytotoxic therapy, randomized trials indicate that therapy in excess of 6 months is beneficial. Although the main objective of cytotoxic therapy in patients with metastatic disease is to palliate symptoms at the least toxic cost, the finding that adjuvant cytotoxic therapy improves survival provides a clinical and ethical rational for continued research into new drugs and combinations in the hope that new strategies can be employed not only against metastatic breast cancer but may be applied with benefit also in the adjuvant situation.

One hundred and forty-two patients with Hodgkin's disease PS I or II were treated with total or subtotal nodal irradiation as part of a prospective randomized trial in the Danish National Hodgkin Study during the period 1971-83. They were followed till death or--at the time of this analysis--from 15 to 146 months after initiation of therapy. The initial tumour burden of each patient was assessed, combining tumour size of each involved region and number of regions involved. Tumour burden thus assessed proved to be the single most important prognostic factor with regard to disease free survival. Other known prognostic factors such as number of involved regions, mediastinal size, pathological stage, systemic symptoms, and ESR were related to tumour burden and lost their prognostic significance in a multivariate analysis. The only other factors of independent significance were histologic subtype and, to a lesser extent, sex. Combining tumour burden and histologic subtype made it possible to single out a group of patients with a very poor disease free survival. These patients also had a poorer survival from Hodgkin's disease and thus clearly candidates for additional initial treatment.