Vol 23, No 4 (2021)

Gastric cancer remains one of the most common malignancies in Russia. Despite steady decrease of gastric cancer incidence it still reaches 24.65 per 100 000 population (crude rate) in 2019 with about 36 000 new cases annually. More than 29 000 people die of gastric cancer every year. High mortality rate is mostly caused by an extremely significant proportion of patients with metastatic disease which reached 40.1% in 2019. The majority of cases is related to Helicobacter pylori infection, salty diet, tobacco exposure as well as hereditary syndromes. Staging of locally advanced gastric cancer includes contrast-enhanced computed tomography of the thorax, abdomen and pelvis as well as diagnostic laparoscopy with peritoneal washings. In patients with inoperable or disseminated cancer of the stomach additional analysis for HER2, microsatellite instability and PD-L1 status is recommended. Endoscopic or laparoscopic resection remains the mainstay of treatment in patients with early cancer. Laparoscopic gastrectomy in patients with locally advanced cancer is reserved for high-volume centers with extensive experience with the procedure. Recently, perioperative cytotoxic therapy became the standard of treatment in patients with locally advanced gastric cancer. FLOT regimen is recommended while FOLFOX6 or XELOX are considered possible in the elderly or frail patients. Drug therapy includes standard doublet or triplet chemotherapy regimens for metastatic disease with trastuzumab for HER2(+++) patients. Patients with MSI-H tumors can be treated with pembrolizumab starting with 2nd line while nivolumab is reserved for the 3rd and further lines regardless of PD-L1 status. Importantly, this year guidelines include multimodal prehabilitation including physical exercise, nutritional support and psychological counselling as a possibility in all patients in need of surgery. Also standardized enhanced recovery protocols are recommended for usage during the perioperative period.

On November 9, 2021 in the framework of the XXV Russian Oncology Congress the symposium was held where the various issues of approaches of drug treatment and surgical treatment of metastatic renal cell carcinoma and urothelial cancer were discussed. New drugs are being appeared, large clinical studies are being conducted, new prospects for immunotherapy of malignant neoplasms are being developed, nowadays. One of the new options is immune checkpoint inhibitors. In the framework of the symposium were presented the results of two trials – the JAVELIN Renal 101 and the JAVELIN Bladder 100, showing the efficacy and safety of the PD-L1 inhibitor avelumab. The symposium was supported by the alliance between Merck and Pfizer.

According to the official statistics, by the beginning of 2021, the overall number of registered HIV cases in Russia exceeded 1.1 million. For about 100 000 new HIV-infected patients have been registered annually in Russia recent years. Russia occupies one of the leading places in the incidence of HIV infection, and the growth rate of new HIV cases is not decreasing. HIV-infected patients have higher incidence of malignant neoplasms (MN) in comparison with the overall population and have the highest cancer mortality rates. The problem of HIV-associated malignancies is at the junction of two socially significant issues, and this situation especially taking into account in Russian Federation. The problems of diagnosis and treatment of MN are becoming topical, and it is extremely important to study HIV-associated malignancies epidemiology in the Russian Federation. This will help to create effective algorithms for organizing dispensary observation for HIV infected people, will help to early diagnosis of the disease, timely initiation of treatment and, as a result, will help to achieve the best oncological results.

Background. Neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT) with dual anti-HER2 blockade has become a priority in the treatment of patients with HER2+ breast cancer (BC) stages II–III. However, the question of the accordance of various systems for assessing tumor response to NACT, as well as identifying predictor factors for achieving a complete pathomorphological response (pCR) in HER2+ BC remains open.

Aim. To assess the accordance of various systems for assessing tumor response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT) in patients with HER2+ BC and to identify predictor factors for achieving pCR and residual cancer burden.

Materials and methods. The study included 49 women with HER2+ BC stage II–III, who underwent NACT with anti-HER2 blockade, followed by surgical treatment and morphological analysis of the results. The median age of the patients was 47 years; 91.8% had tumor size ≥T2, N+ status – 71.4%; tumor grade G3 – 73.5%, luminal and non-luminal HER2+ subtype – 44.9 and 55.1% of patients, respectively. Ki67≥30% was observed in 93.9% of cases, the level of TILs in the tumor was <10%, 10–20% and >20% – in 38.1, 9.5 and 52.4% of cases, respectively. The patients received combinations of anthracyclines and taxanes or the anthracycline-free regimen of docetaxel + carboplatin; 87.8% of patients received a dual blockade of trastuzumab + pertuzumab, and 12.2% – trastuzumab. After the end of NACT, all patients underwent a radical surgery (mastectomy or breast-conserving) with an assessment of the pathomorphological response, the pathomorphological stage of ypTN, and the residual cancer burden according to the RCB system.

Results. The rate of complete pathomorphological response (tpCR/RCB-0/ypT0N0) in HER2+ BC was 61.2%; significant predictors of achieving tpCR were only 3 factors: primary operable BC stages (T1–3N0–1) – the rate of tpCR was 71.4%, the level of TILs>20% – the proportion of tpCR reached 95.5%, and the dual anti-HER2 therapy (trastuzumab + pertuzumab) – tpCR was 65.1%. Residual tumor was presented by classes RCB-I, RCB-II, RCB-III in 10.2, 24.5, 4.1%. The RCB-I class included of patients with a residual tumor less than 1.0 cm in the absence of regional lymph node involvement (80% of cases); class RCB-II was represented by the presence of a residual tumor less than 2.0 cm in combination with the absence or presence of residual metastases in 1–3 lymph nodes (83.4%), and class RCB-III was presented the residual tumors ≥2.0 cm and N1–2 status in 100% of cases (p<0.0001).

Conclusion. Modern NACT with dual anti-HER2 blockade (trastuzumab + pertuzumab) are highly effective – the rate of tpCR is 61.2%, and in the presence of high TILs>20% reaches 95.5%. Residual tumor in most cases was presented by class RCB-I or RCB-II, only 4% of patients had massive residual tumor load (class RCB-III).

Aim. Pharmacoeconomic analysis of new Bruton tyrosine kinase inhibitor for the treatment of high-risk adult patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) within the framework of health state budget.

Materials and methods. In the course of this study, an analytical decision-making model was built in MS Excel, which allows to provide pharmacoeconomic analysis and analysis of the budget impact of acalabrutinib in comparison with the combination of venetoclax with obinutuzumab in the first line of therapy for high-risk CLL, as well as acalabrutinib and the combination of venetoclax with rituximab in the treatment of high-risk relapses and refractory forms of CLL. The model took into account only direct medical costs per patient (drug therapy costs).

Results. The “cost minimization” analysis showed that the use of the drug acalabrutinib in the 1st line and for the treatment of relapses and refractory forms of high-risk CLL is the preferred option compared to comparators, having comparable efficacy and lower cost. The cost reduction in the first-line therapy of high-risk CLL and the treatment of relapses and refractory forms of high-risk CLL compared with ibrutinib amounted to 0.8 million rubles or 15.4%, in the first-line therapy of high-risk CLL compared with the combination of venetoclax + obinutuzumab – 1.2 million rubles or 21.0%, in the treatment of relapses and refractory forms of high-risk CLL in comparison with the combination of venetoclax + rituximab – 0.9 million rubles or 17.6%. Budget impact showed that in the case of initiation of first-line acalabrutinib and treatment of relapses and refractory forms in high-risk CLL patients, the burden on the health care system budget can be reduced by 0.813 billion rubles or 16.0% for 1 year of therapy and by 1.219 billion rubles or 9.1% over 3 years of therapy, taking into account only the costs of drugs.

Background. In the Russian Federation, there are currently no official statistical data concerning the incidence of cutaneous T-cell lymphomas (CTCL) and the prevalence of CTCL due to the absence of isolation rubrics in the headings of lymphoproliferative diseases of the federal state statistical observation of the separate neologies.

Aim. To obtain and analyze the results of the number of patients with CTCL (mycosis fungoides and Sézary syndrome) who were on the dispensary observation in medical organizations of dermatovenereological profile in the period 2015 to 2020, the demographic and clinical-epidemiological characteristics, the applied methods of diagnosis and the therapy.

Materials and methods. To conduct the study, the questionnaire was developed to obtain the information of the number of patients observed with diagnoses of "mycosis fungoides" and "Sézary syndrome" in medical organizations of the dermatovenereological profile of the Federal Subjects of the Russian Federation in the period 2015-2020, were researched the demographic characteristics, the diagnostic methods and the therapy in the studied group of patients.

Results. From 24 Federal Subjects of the Russian Federation were obtained the data concerning 163 patients with CTCL under the observation in medical organizations in the period 2015–2020. From 35 Federal Subjects of the Russian Federation the information showed the absence of patients with CTCL under the observation in medical organizations of dermatovenereological profile. We did not receive the data from 10 Federal Subjects of the Russian Federation. Among 163 patients in 144 (89%) were diagnosed mycosis fungoides, in 17 (10%) – Sézary syndrome and in 2 (1%) patients were diagnosed other variants of CTCL. The data concerning the demographic characteristics, the diagnosis and the therapy of CTCL were obtained in 155 of 167 patients. We showed that in 44% of cases, the disease was detected by dermatovenerologists, and the diagnosis was most often (39%) determined by oncologists. In 49% of cases the diagnosis was determined only on the basis of the results of histological study, the immunohistochemical study and the polymerase chain reaction were used in 33% and in 3% of cases, respectively. From 155 patients, 52% were under dispensary observation by oncologists, 41% by hematologists, 26% of patients were observed by dermatologists; 99 patients were under dispensary observation by only one specialist: 50 (32%) of patients – by oncologist, 40 (26%) of patients – by hematologist, 9 (6%) of patients – by dermatovenerologist. Nine (6%) of patients were under dispensary observation by three specialists. The information concerning the therapy was available in 92 (59%) of 155 patients. The most commonly applied method of treatment was chemotherapy – 72%, phototherapy was received by 26%, the same percentage (18%) was received in two groups: the application of interferon α2b and the application of methotrexate, 1% of patients received radiation therapy. The lethal outcome was registered in 53 (34%) patients. Median duration of the disease from the time of diagnosis to death was 3.5±5.0 years, the median – 2 years, the mode – 1 year.

Conclusion. For the first time, the attempt was made to summarize the data of the number of patients with CTCL, to describe the demographic, clinical and epidemiological characteristics, the data concerning diagnostics and the therapy. The obtained preliminary results are required further detailing investigation in close cooperation with the professional specialists such as hematologists and oncologists.

This publication is the Russian translation of the Plain Language Summary (PLS) of the Cochrane Systematic Review: Crighton GL, Estcourt LJ, Wood EM, Trivella M, Doree C, Stanworth SJ. A therapeutic-only versus prophylactic platelet transfusion strategy for preventing bleeding in patients with haematological disorders after myelosuppressive chemotherapy or stem cell transplantation. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2015, Issue 9. Art. No.: CD010981. DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD010981.pub2

Esophageal stenting is undoubtedly an effective method of choice for resolving malignant dysphagia in the presence of esophageal cancer. Nevertheless, the implantation of esophageal stents for malignant pathology is only a way to achieve adequate oral nutrition, which, unfortunately, does not increase the life expectancy in incurable patients. Early studies on the combination of chemoradiation therapy and stent implantation reported a relatively high rate of complications. Therefore, such therapeutic combinations have not been introduced into widespread practice. Nevertheless, to date, there is no convincing clinical data on the results of a combination of stenting methods and chemoradiation therapy, as well as their effect on the incidence of possible complications. Recent research has shown a very encouraging prospect. The combination of these techniques can increase life expectancy in incurable patients through continuous improvements in stent materials and designs.

Analysis of scientific literature data has revealed several ways in which retrotransposons, when activated, are involved in carcinogenesis. First, retroelements can encode oncogenic proteins. For example, the Np9 protein is translated from HERV-K endogenous retrovirus transcript. Second, retroelements are used as alternative promoters of protooncogenes. Accordingly, their activation contributes to the enhanced expression of oncogenes (e.g. CSF1R, IRF5, MET, RAB3IP, CHRM3). Third, retroelements are located in the introns of some genes, and upon their activation, they form chimeric transcripts, such as LTR2-FABP7, LTR-ALK, LTR-ERBB4, LINE1-MET, which have pronounced oncogenic activity. Fourth, retroelements are transposed into tumor suppressor genes (e.g. APC, NF1, MSH2, PTEN, RB1, TSC2, STK11, VHL) and inactivate them, which is associated with the presence of hot spots of insertional mutagenesis in them. As a result, the growth of tumors and the survival of their cells are stimulated. It is important to note that protein products of tumor suppressor genes, such as TP53, RB1, VHL, BRCA1, ATM, are characterized by the ability to inhibit the activity of retroelements. Accordingly, when even one oncosuppressive gene is inactivated, a kind of "vicious circle" can be triggered when the control of expression of retroelements is weakened. The latter, in turn, inactivate other tumor suppressors containing hot spots of insertional mutagenesis. This stimulates new pathways of carcinogenesis and the production of oncogenes associated with transposons. Thus, it is possible to explain in a new way the mechanisms of tumor formation in hereditary tumor syndromes. This is due to the fact that the weakening of the function of an oncosuppressor in a germinal heterozygous mutation may be sufficient to trigger a “vicious circle” involving retroelements, oncogenes and other oncosuppressors. Similar mechanisms are likely for sporadic malignant tumors. However, the initiating event in them can be the direct activation of transposons under the influence of stressors, chemical and physical carcinogens. In addition to the events described, activation of retroelements causes genomic instability, which contributes to complex genomic rearrangements often observed in malignant tumors. MicroRNAs and long noncoding RNAs, the sources of which are retroelements, also play an important role in the evolution of tumors. Their study is promising for the development of targeted therapy for neoplasms.

Background. Taking into account the literature data, the activation of the PI3K-AKT-mTOR cascade plays a role in the development of leiomyosarcoma (LMS), and the expression of markers of this signaling pathway in the tumor is associated with a more aggressive course of the disease. In addition, there is some data on the effective use of mTOR inhibitors in LMS.

Aim. To study the frequency of expression of mTOR and phospho-mTOR markers in relapse of high-grade uterine LMS and to evaluate the effect of phospho-mTOR expression on the immediate and long-term results of the use of doxorubicin-containing chemotherapy regimens and the combination of gemcitabine + docetaxel.

Materials and methods. The study included 31 patients with high-grade uterine LMS operated on for relapse. IHC was performed using mTOR and phospho-mTOR antibodies on ready-made histological preparations of the surgical material. The expression level of these markers was estimated as a percentage from 0 to 100%. The immediate and long-term results of the most commonly used drug treatment regimens (doxorubicin-containing regimens and gemcitabine + docetaxel combinations) were analyzed depending on the level of phospho-mTOR expression in the tumor.

Results. The expression of mTOR in the tumor was detected in 4 patients with an expression level from 1 to 2%, and the expression of phospho-mTOR was detected in 20 patients with an expression level from 1 to 70%. Median OS in the group without phospho-mTOR expression was 135 months, in the group with expression – 104 months, p=0.732. When using doxorubicin-containing regimens in the group with phospho-mTOR expression, 12% of patients had a partial response (PR), median PFS was 26.7 months, in the group without expression there was no PR, median PFS was 8.7 months, p=0.67. When using a combination of gemcitabine + docetaxel, in the group with phospho-mTOR expression, 24% of patients had PR, median PFS was 11.1 months, in the group without expression, 14% of patients had PR, median PFS was 12.4 months, p=0.372.

Conclusion. Phospho-mTOR expression was detected in 2/3 of patients with high-grade uterine LMS. There was no effect of the expression of this marker on the OS of all included patients and on PFS in patients who received chemotherapy according to the gemcitabine + docetaxel regime. There was a tendency to an increase in PFS in the group with phospho-mTOR expression in patients who received doxorubicin-containing chemotherapy regimens.

Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST) are the most common type of mesenchymal malignancies of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. Almost 10% of them are originated outside of the GI tract (extra-GIST), while GIST of the greater omentum constitutes about 1% among stromal tumors. More than 80% of GIST have mutations in c-KIT and PDGFRA genes. Herein we demonstrate the case of successful treatment of patient with giant omental GIST with c-KIT exon 11 mutation. 64-years-old woman, was admitted to the Department of abdominal oncology with complaints of shortness of breath and abdominal enlargement in volume. CT-scan revealed a large tumor in the abdominal cavity with tumor size of 54×34×22 cm. The patient underwent left thoraco-abdominal approach. It was found that the tumor was originated from the greater omentum with several metastases located on the peritoneum of the left lateral channel. Resection of the large omentum, splenectomy, liver resection and was done. Postoperative immunohistochemical study showed the expression of CD117, CD34 in tumor cells. Ki-67 index was 12–15%. Genetic study revealed c-KIT exon 11 mutation. Treatment with imatinib 400 mg per day was started. Patient has been treated with imatinib for 12 years. On control examination we have found a metastasis in the anterior abdominal wall 3,5×3×2,5 cm in diameter. Afterwards we performed resection of anterior abdominal wall with metastasis on 9 November 2017. Immunohistochemical study confirmed metastasis of GIST. The index of tumor proliferation activity (Ki-67) was 45%. Patient prolonged imatinib treatment at the dose of 400 mg per day after operation. No signs of progression have been revealed on control examination 72 months after the operation. 12-year progression-free survival during imatinib treatment is unique in our practice. Moreover, in the case of further progression, we have second and third-line targeted therapy (sunitinib and regorafenib) and surgery treatment in local progression.

Aim. To evaluate the safety and efficacy of long-term continuous use of Avegra® BIOCAD (international nonproprietary name – INN: bevacizumab) as a targeted therapy in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer in real-world practice.

Materials and methods. The paper presents the interim results of a multicenter prospective observational post-approval study of the safety and efficacy of Avegra® BIOCAD (INN: bevacizumab) combined with chemotherapy in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer. Inclusion criteria: histology verified diagnosis of metastatic colorectal cancer; therapy with bevacizumab (by JSC BIOCAD, Russia) to all patients included in the study, as part of real-world clinical practice, at a dose of 5 mg/kg every 2 weeks or 7.5 mg/kg every 3 weeks in combination with standard cytotoxic regimens (FOLFOX 6, XELOX, etc.). The main safety criteria are the incidence of adverse reactions to bevacizumab and the rate of treatment withdrawal due to the development of adverse reactions to bevacizumab. Additional criteria are objective response rate (complete and partial response to therapy), disease control rate (ORR and stable disease), and rate of disease progression.

Results. At the time of the interim analysis, 441 patients with metastatic colorectal cancer in 28 research centers of the Russian Federation (Moscow, Saint Petersburg and regional clinics) were included in the study. Median age of patients is 62 (28–87) years. Patients had an ECOG performance status of 0–1, with a median follow-up of 7.3 months. After the therapy, the disease control rate was 79.5%. The median PFS was 8 months (95% CI 7.04 to 9.00). The median OS was not reached. Toxicity associated with bevacizumab manifested predominantly as arterial hypertension (3%), diarrhea (1,1%) and asthenia (0.9%). Nine (2.1%) SARs were observed; three (0.6%) of them (COVID-19, intestinal obstruction, multiple organ failure) resulted in mortality. The obtained results are well consistent with the previously known bevacizumab safety profile characteristics.

Conclusion. The interim analysis results confirm the favorable safety profile and high efficacy of Avegra® BIOCAD (INN: bevacizumab) combined with standard cytotoxic regimens (FOLFOX, XELOX, etc.) as first-line therapy in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer. The real-world data for ORR and PFS are comparable with clinical trials results. At the time of the interim analysis publication, the study is ongoing. Final conclusions on the safety and efficacy of bevacizumab (by JSC BIOCAD, Russia), will be made after the study is completed.