ASCO Watch List 2009
This year I’m focusing on Tumor Biology and Human Genetics, with close attention to molecular diagnostics.
Lots of abstracts look promising, including these:
CANCER GENETICS
Comen EA, Lautenberger J, McGee K et al. (Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, National Cancer Institute.)
Use of genome-wide scan in women with breast cancer to identify common germline variants that may be associated with recurrence.
J Clin Oncol 27:15s, 2009 (suppl; abstr 11049).
Conclusions: "Genome-wide SNP genotyping of women with breast cancer identified two novel loci that may be associated with disease recurrence. Further studies in larger cohorts will be performed to replicate these findings."
Read the ASCO abstract.
Geier LJ, Sheehan M, Elia M et al. (Kansas City Cancer Center.)
The oncologist as genetic consultant: Two-year results in a large community-based practice.
J Clin Oncol 27, 2009 (suppl; abstr e22140)
Conclusions: "This oncologist-centered model proved to be very effective in identifying mutation carriers, particularly among cancer survivors in whom the hereditary syndrome had been previously overlooked. Acceptance of this approach by pts, physicians, and payers has been extremely high. This model should be considered by oncology practices wanting to add GCRA to their service lines."
Read the ASCO abstract.
EPIDEMIOLOGY/MOLECULAR EPIDEMIOLOGY
Cheung WY, Zhai R, Kulke M et al. (University of Toronto, Harvard School of Public Health, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Massachusetts General Hospital, Princess Margaret Hospital.)
Epidermal growth factor (EGF) gene polymorphism, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC) risk.
J Clin Oncol 27:15s, 2009 (suppl; abstr 11029)
Conclusions: "EGF A61G polymorphism exerts its effect on EAC susceptibility through an interaction with GERD. Performing EGF genotyping for patients with severe or longstanding GERD can help to identify individuals at the greatest risk of EAC."
Read the ASCO abstract.
IMMUNOBIOLOGY
Busse A, Asemissen A, Schmittel A et al. (Charité-CBF, Charité-CBF/CCM.)
Immune self-tuning in renal cell carcinoma patients.
J Clin Oncol 27, 2009 (suppl; abstr e22069)
Conclusions: "RCC caused an immune-suppressive phenotype in PBMC characterized by increased mRNA expression levels of IL10 and TGFβ. Surprisingly, in contrast to IL10, a high TGFβ mRNA expression level was an independent good prognostic factor. Whether this observation can be attributed to recently described immune promoting functions of TGFβ needs to be determined."
Read the ASCO abstract.
MOLECULAR DIAGNOSTICS & STAGING
Tobin D, Bårdsen K, Kauczynska M et al. (Bhagawan Mahavir Jain Hospital; Shrey Hospital Private Ltd; SP Medical College; Dr. Kamakshi Memorial Hospital; Department of Genetics, Radium-Riskhospitalet; Mercy Health Center.
Performance of a blood-based gene-expression test, BCtect, for early breast cancer detection.
J Clin Oncol 27:15s, 2009 (suppl; abstr 11012)
Conclusions: "The blood based gene expression test showed similar diagnostic performance between women with early and late stage BC, and the test was independent of the subject’s BMI and menopausal status suggesting broad applicability of the test and indicating its clinical potential in younger women where mammography is of less value due to dense breast tissue. No correlation with lesion size was seen suggesting the lower limit of detection is below 8mm."
Read the ASCO abstract.
Müller BM, Kronenwett R, Hennig G et al. (Charité Hospital; Siemens Healthcare Diagnostics; University Hospital.)
Quantitative determination of predictive cancer biomarkers in formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue using a new, fully automated method for RNA isolation.
J Clin Oncol 27:15s, 2009 (suppl; abstr 11032)
Conclusions: "This novel RNA extraction method is a major technical improvement for implementation of reproducible, high-throughput and cost-efficient testing of cancer biomarkers in the clinical routine and in gene-expression research studies using archived FFPE material in molecular labs."
Read the ASCO abstract.
Rosenwald S, Gibori H, Gilad S et al. (Rosetta Genomics; Sheba Medical Center; NYU School of Medicine; Rabin Medical Center.)
Identification of tumor tissue origin by a microRNA-based molecular assay.
J Clin Oncol 27:15s, 2009 (suppl; abstr 11036)
Conclusions: "Previous studies highlighted the tissue-specificity of microRNA expression. We developed this potential into a diagnostic assay that identifies tumor origins with high accuracy. This assay provides an important new tool for diagnosing tumor tissue origin."
Read the ASCO abstract.
Lebanony D, Benjamin H, Gilad S et al. (Rosetta Genomics; NYU School of Medicine; Rabin Medical Center.)
MicroRNA-based assay for differential diagnosis of squamous from non-squamous non-small cell lung carcinoma.
J Clin Oncol 27:15s, 2009 (suppl; abstr 11069)
Conclusions: "MicroRNAs are becoming an important tool for classification of cancers. A diagnostic assay based on the specificity of a single microRNA accurately identifies squamous from non-squamous NSCLC. This assay provides an important new tool for the classification of NSCLC."
Read the ASCO abstract.
Greco FA, Spigel DR, Yardley DA et al. (Sarah Cannon Research Institute; bioTheranostics.)
Unknown primary cancer (UPC): Accuracy of tissue of origin prediction by molecular profiling.
J Clin Oncol 27:15s, 2009 (suppl; abstr 11070)
Conclusions: "RT-PCR performed on FFPE initial diagnostic tissue was accurate in predicting the primary site of origin in 11 of 16 pts with UPC who eventually had their primary site identified clinically. These data provide a direct validation of the reliability of this RT-PCR assay in predicting the primary site in pts with UPC. When used in concert with clinical features and IHC stains, molecular profiling may provide the basis for more successful site-directed therapy for many of these pts. Prospective studies of RT-PCR in UPC are ongoing."
Read the ASCO abstract.
PROGNOSTIC FACTORS
Pachmann K, Camara O, Runnebaum IB et al. (Clinic for Internal Medicine II; University Hospital Friedrich Schiller University.)
Gauging the response of circulating epithelial tumor cells (CETC) and tumor stem cell subpopulations to therapy of early-stage cancer in the individual patient.
J Clin Oncol 27:15s, 2009 (suppl; abstr 11026).
Conclusions: "CETC and subpopulation monitoring provides an invaluable tool for prompt gauging of systemic therapy in early stage solid tumors as a tool for therapy guidance and optimal personalized therapies to improve therapy results and spare unnecessary treatments."
Read the ASCO abstract.
Mook S, Schmidt MK, van de Velde AO et al. (Netherlands Cancer Institute; Comprehensive Cancer Center Amsterdam (IKA); University of Texas.)
Validation of the web-based tool Adjuvant! in 5,381 Dutch breast cancer patients.
J Clin Oncol 27:15s, 2009 (suppl; abstr 11090)
Conclusions: "Adjuvant! accurately predicts 10-year OS for common tumor types in this first large scale European validation study and is of use for adjuvant treatment-decision making."
Read the ASCO abstract.
TUMOR & CELL BIOLOGY
Kalinsky K, Jacks LM, Hedvat C et al. (Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center).
Use of multiplex mutation genotyping to identify novel and protective mutations in breast cancer.
J Clin Oncol 27:15s, 2009 (suppl; abstr 11004)
Conclusions: "We have recently defined the positive prognostic significance of PIK3CA mutations in breast cancer. RAS mutations are confirmed to occur rarely in breast cancer. The finding of RET mutations in breast cancer is novel. Future tumor biomarker identification directed towards predictive measurement will assist in tailoring therapy to appropriate patient populations."
Read the ASCO abstract.
Tsai C, Chen T, Chang K, Hsiao S. (Taipei Veterans General Hospital; Taipei-Veterans General Hospital.)
Combination effects of gefitinib plus cisplatin in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC): Why have phase III trials failed?
J Clin Oncol 27:15s, 2009 (suppl; abstr 11022)
Conclusions: "In NSCLC cells, combination of GC showed antagonistic interaction likely because gefitinib interfered with cisplatin cell entry. Three-drug combination PCG was not better than two-drug combination PC or PG in either EGFR wild type or mutant cells. Clinically, simultaneously combined EGFR TKI with platinum in NSCLC should be avoided regardless of EGFR mutation status."
Read the ASCO abstract.
Kaiser T, Klein G, Solomayer E et al. (Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology; Center for Medical Research.)
Interactions of breast cancer cells with the microenvironment of the human bone marrow.
J Clin Oncol 27, 2009 (suppl; abstr e22097)
Conclusions: "These data indicate that the crosstalk with osteoblasts affects both the adhesive and the migratory ability of BrCa cells favoring the bone colonization process. Furthermore, the presented experimental conditions may provide useful tools to study effects of antiresorptive drugs like bisphosphonates to improve therapeutic strategies for treatment metastatic bone disease."
Read the ASCO abstract.
[OncologyWatch directory of open-access oncology journals.]
OncologyWatch: Posts about free-access articles on aspects of oncology theory, practice and policy (about the blogger). This blog is not a source for medical advice.
oncology molecular diagnostics
Comments and Links Appreciated!
