9504 Background: CCNEs are important regulators of S phase entry in the cell cycle and are frequently deregulated in breast tumors. Recently, CCNE1 evaluated by western blot analysis was reported to be a very powerful prognostic factor in BC. To our knowledge no data have been reported for CCNE2. Methods: In this study we evaluated the prognostic and predictive value for ET of CCNE1 and CCNE2 by quantitative RT-PCR in 230 treated and untreated early BC patients. Median follow-up was 7.3 years for alive patients. Nineteen patients received adjuvant chemotherapy (CT), 151 ET and 71 no systemic treatment. Results: median expression values were 6.04 U and 1.56 U for CCNE1 and CCNE2 respectively. High levels (above the median) of CCNE1 and CCNE2 were associated with high grade (p<. 001) and ER- (p<. 001) tumors. Patient age <50 was correlated only with high levels of CCNE1 (p<. 008). In univariate analysis, high expression levels of both CCNEs were predictive of shorter relapse free survival (RFS) (HR=2.14, p= .001 for CCNE1 and HR=2.37, p< .001 for CCNE2), together with ER, grade, nodal status and T size. In a multivariate model, ER status (HR=0.39, p= .003), CCNE1 (HR=2.20, p=. 02) and nodal status (HR=2.90, p<0.001) were the three independent prognostic factors. CCNE2 became an independent prognostic marker with grade and tumor size when CCNE1 was omitted from the model. In the subgroup of node negative untreated patients (n=71), only CCNE2 was prognostic for RFS (HR=2.58, p= .04) while both markers appeared to be predictive factors for ET in the 112 ER+ patients (HR=2.79 for high CCNE1, p= .005 and .HR=1.97 for CCNE2, p= .05). Conclusions: Both CCNEs appear to have a predictive value for ET in ER+ BC patients. Interestingly, in the small subgroup of untreated node negative patients only CCNE2 was prognostic for RFS. Of note, CCNE2 was one of the genes found in common by several gene prognostic signatures identified through DNA microarray technology. Our results support a prospective study of these markers evaluating their potential clinical utility for treatment decision-making in early BC. No significant financial relationships to disclose.

Hospital acquired blood stream infection by Ralstonia pickettii in 9 cancer patients related to the heparin solution contamination used to flush the central venous catheter.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the activity and safety of oral capecitabine in combination with docetaxel and epirubicin (TEX) as first‐line treatment for patients with locally advanced/metastatic breast carcinoma.

The expression of fragile sites induced by aphidicolin (APC) was evaluated on metaphase chromosomes obtained from the peripheral blood lymphocytes of 26 women with breast cancer and 15 sex- and age-matched normal controls. Both the proportion of damaged cells (P < 0.001) and the mean number of gaps and breaks per cell (0.02 < P < 0.05) were significantly higher in the patient group. There were no differences in either the age-related fragile site levels or the expression of single fragile sites between patients and controls. Our findings indicate an increased genetic instability in women with breast carcinoma.

In this prospective randomized study, first-line treatment with the combination of cisplatin (P) and etoposide (E) was compared with the standard cyclophosphamide, methotrexate, and fluorouracil (CMF) combination in 140 patients. Complete remissions were obtained in 11% of 65 assessable patients on CMF and in 12% of 65 assessable patients on PE. Complete plus partial remission rates were 48% on CMF and 63% on PE (P = .08). Time to progression (median, 32 v 31 weeks), duration of response (48 v 39 weeks), and survival (75 v 76 weeks) were not different. Hematologic toxicity was significantly higher with PE, and gastrointestinal side effects were frequent with this treatment. This study demonstrated that the PE combination is effective as front-line chemotherapy. As far as response rate is concerned, a trend of superiority over CMF was observed, which was of borderline significance. Due to the lack of survival advantage and to toxicity, this combination is not recommended for routine clinical use. However, its high level of activity should be taken into account for further research.

A total of 39 patients with non-small cell carcinoma of the lung (NSCL) were treated with cisplatin, etoposide, and mitomycin. A major response rate (complete response + partial response) was seen in 15 patients (39%). Median survival for all patients was 340 days; median survival of the responding group was 514 days. Toxic effects included moderate hematologic toxicity, nausea, and vomiting. There were no treatment-related deaths. This regimen clearly is effective in treating NSCL.