Key clinical point: The risk for breast cancer-specific mortality (BCSM) remains high beyond 5 years. The BCSM rate is significantly higher in hormone receptor (HR)-positive vs. HR-negative women.

Major finding: The overall BCSM rate was 14.9%. Of all BCSM, 54.2% of deaths occurred after 5 years and were significantly higher in HR-positive vs. HR-negative patients (P less than .001). Among patients with HR-positive and HR-negative breast cancer, independent risk factors for BCSM conditional on having survived 5 years were tumor size, nodal status, age, and year of diagnosis. Among patients with HR-positive status, tumor grade, marital status, and race were also independently associated with the risk for BCSM.

Study details: An observational study of 202,080 women with breast cancer with known HR status diagnosed between 1990 and 2005.

Disclosures: The study did not receive any funding. Some authors received research funding and/or advisory/consulting fees from various sources.

Source: Leone JP. Breast Cancer Res Treat. 2021 Apr 24. doi: 10.1007/s10549-021-06233-4.

Key clinical point: The risk for breast cancer-specific mortality (BCSM) remains high beyond 5 years. The BCSM rate is significantly higher in hormone receptor (HR)-positive vs. HR-negative women.

Major finding: The overall BCSM rate was 14.9%. Of all BCSM, 54.2% of deaths occurred after 5 years and were significantly higher in HR-positive vs. HR-negative patients (P less than .001). Among patients with HR-positive and HR-negative breast cancer, independent risk factors for BCSM conditional on having survived 5 years were tumor size, nodal status, age, and year of diagnosis. Among patients with HR-positive status, tumor grade, marital status, and race were also independently associated with the risk for BCSM.

Study details: An observational study of 202,080 women with breast cancer with known HR status diagnosed between 1990 and 2005.

Disclosures: The study did not receive any funding. Some authors received research funding and/or advisory/consulting fees from various sources.

Source: Leone JP. Breast Cancer Res Treat. 2021 Apr 24. doi: 10.1007/s10549-021-06233-4.

Key clinical point: The risk for breast cancer-specific mortality (BCSM) remains high beyond 5 years. The BCSM rate is significantly higher in hormone receptor (HR)-positive vs. HR-negative women.

Major finding: The overall BCSM rate was 14.9%. Of all BCSM, 54.2% of deaths occurred after 5 years and were significantly higher in HR-positive vs. HR-negative patients (P less than .001). Among patients with HR-positive and HR-negative breast cancer, independent risk factors for BCSM conditional on having survived 5 years were tumor size, nodal status, age, and year of diagnosis. Among patients with HR-positive status, tumor grade, marital status, and race were also independently associated with the risk for BCSM.

Study details: An observational study of 202,080 women with breast cancer with known HR status diagnosed between 1990 and 2005.

Disclosures: The study did not receive any funding. Some authors received research funding and/or advisory/consulting fees from various sources.

Source: Leone JP. Breast Cancer Res Treat. 2021 Apr 24. doi: 10.1007/s10549-021-06233-4.

Key clinical point: In patients with human epidermal growth factor 2 (HER2)-positive early breast cancer, trastuzumab emtansine vs. trastuzumab is associated with longer invasive disease-free survival (DFS) regardless of the type of neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT) received.

Major finding: Trastuzumab emtansine was associated with longer invasive DFS vs. trastuzumab in high-risk patients (hazard ratio [HR], 0.50; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.39-0.64), in patients who received anthracycline-based NACT (HR, 0.51; 95% CI, 0.38-0.67), and in those who received nonanthracycline-based NACT (HR, 0.43; 95% CI, 0.22-0.82).

Study details: This is a subgroup analysis of the KATHERINE trial comparing trastuzumab emtansine with trastuzumab in 1,486 HER2-positive patients with early breast cancer.

Disclosure: This study was funded by F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd. The authors received consulting fees, speaker bureau fees, honoraria, educational support, research funding, travel expenses, royalties from, and/or owned stocks in various organizations outside this work. Dr. Boulet was an employee of Parexel International GmbH contracted by F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd. Dr. Liu, Dr. Tesarowski, Dr. Lam, Dr. Song, and Dr. Smitt were/are employees of Genetech and/or owned stocks in Roche. All other authors declared no conflicts of interest.

Source: Mamounas EP et al. Ann Oncol. 2021 Apr 28. doi: 10.1016/j.annonc.2021.04.011.

Key clinical point: In patients with human epidermal growth factor 2 (HER2)-positive early breast cancer, trastuzumab emtansine vs. trastuzumab is associated with longer invasive disease-free survival (DFS) regardless of the type of neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT) received.

Major finding: Trastuzumab emtansine was associated with longer invasive DFS vs. trastuzumab in high-risk patients (hazard ratio [HR], 0.50; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.39-0.64), in patients who received anthracycline-based NACT (HR, 0.51; 95% CI, 0.38-0.67), and in those who received nonanthracycline-based NACT (HR, 0.43; 95% CI, 0.22-0.82).

Study details: This is a subgroup analysis of the KATHERINE trial comparing trastuzumab emtansine with trastuzumab in 1,486 HER2-positive patients with early breast cancer.

Disclosure: This study was funded by F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd. The authors received consulting fees, speaker bureau fees, honoraria, educational support, research funding, travel expenses, royalties from, and/or owned stocks in various organizations outside this work. Dr. Boulet was an employee of Parexel International GmbH contracted by F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd. Dr. Liu, Dr. Tesarowski, Dr. Lam, Dr. Song, and Dr. Smitt were/are employees of Genetech and/or owned stocks in Roche. All other authors declared no conflicts of interest.

Source: Mamounas EP et al. Ann Oncol. 2021 Apr 28. doi: 10.1016/j.annonc.2021.04.011.

Key clinical point: In patients with human epidermal growth factor 2 (HER2)-positive early breast cancer, trastuzumab emtansine vs. trastuzumab is associated with longer invasive disease-free survival (DFS) regardless of the type of neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT) received.

Major finding: Trastuzumab emtansine was associated with longer invasive DFS vs. trastuzumab in high-risk patients (hazard ratio [HR], 0.50; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.39-0.64), in patients who received anthracycline-based NACT (HR, 0.51; 95% CI, 0.38-0.67), and in those who received nonanthracycline-based NACT (HR, 0.43; 95% CI, 0.22-0.82).

Study details: This is a subgroup analysis of the KATHERINE trial comparing trastuzumab emtansine with trastuzumab in 1,486 HER2-positive patients with early breast cancer.

Disclosure: This study was funded by F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd. The authors received consulting fees, speaker bureau fees, honoraria, educational support, research funding, travel expenses, royalties from, and/or owned stocks in various organizations outside this work. Dr. Boulet was an employee of Parexel International GmbH contracted by F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd. Dr. Liu, Dr. Tesarowski, Dr. Lam, Dr. Song, and Dr. Smitt were/are employees of Genetech and/or owned stocks in Roche. All other authors declared no conflicts of interest.

Source: Mamounas EP et al. Ann Oncol. 2021 Apr 28. doi: 10.1016/j.annonc.2021.04.011.

Key clinical point: In patients with human epidermal growth factor 2 (HER2)-positive metastatic breast cancer and progressive brain metastases despite radiotherapy, pertuzumab in combination with high-dose trastuzumab shows modest central nervous system (CNS) response and good clinical benefit.

Major finding: The confirmed CNS objective response rate was 11% with all partial responses. The clinical benefit rate at 4 months was 68% and at 6 months was 51%. The grade 3-4 adverse event rate was 44%. There were no new safety signals.

Study details: A phase 2 PATRICIA study evaluated pertuzumab in combination with high-dose trastuzumab in 39 patients with HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer and progressive brain metastases despite radiotherapy.

Disclosures: The study was sponsored by F. Hoffmann-La Roche/ Genentech. The authors received consulting/advisory fees, research funding, royalties, and travel/accommodation expenses from various sources. Dr. Fung, Dr. Cheng, and Dr. Kirschbrown reported employment by, stocks, and other ownership interests in Genentech/Roche.

Source: Lin NU et al. J Clin Oncol. 2021 May 4. doi: 10.1200/JCO.20.02822.

Key clinical point: In patients with human epidermal growth factor 2 (HER2)-positive metastatic breast cancer and progressive brain metastases despite radiotherapy, pertuzumab in combination with high-dose trastuzumab shows modest central nervous system (CNS) response and good clinical benefit.

Major finding: The confirmed CNS objective response rate was 11% with all partial responses. The clinical benefit rate at 4 months was 68% and at 6 months was 51%. The grade 3-4 adverse event rate was 44%. There were no new safety signals.

Study details: A phase 2 PATRICIA study evaluated pertuzumab in combination with high-dose trastuzumab in 39 patients with HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer and progressive brain metastases despite radiotherapy.

Disclosures: The study was sponsored by F. Hoffmann-La Roche/ Genentech. The authors received consulting/advisory fees, research funding, royalties, and travel/accommodation expenses from various sources. Dr. Fung, Dr. Cheng, and Dr. Kirschbrown reported employment by, stocks, and other ownership interests in Genentech/Roche.

Source: Lin NU et al. J Clin Oncol. 2021 May 4. doi: 10.1200/JCO.20.02822.

Key clinical point: In patients with human epidermal growth factor 2 (HER2)-positive metastatic breast cancer and progressive brain metastases despite radiotherapy, pertuzumab in combination with high-dose trastuzumab shows modest central nervous system (CNS) response and good clinical benefit.

Major finding: The confirmed CNS objective response rate was 11% with all partial responses. The clinical benefit rate at 4 months was 68% and at 6 months was 51%. The grade 3-4 adverse event rate was 44%. There were no new safety signals.

Study details: A phase 2 PATRICIA study evaluated pertuzumab in combination with high-dose trastuzumab in 39 patients with HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer and progressive brain metastases despite radiotherapy.

Disclosures: The study was sponsored by F. Hoffmann-La Roche/ Genentech. The authors received consulting/advisory fees, research funding, royalties, and travel/accommodation expenses from various sources. Dr. Fung, Dr. Cheng, and Dr. Kirschbrown reported employment by, stocks, and other ownership interests in Genentech/Roche.

Source: Lin NU et al. J Clin Oncol. 2021 May 4. doi: 10.1200/JCO.20.02822.

Key clinical point: Immediate reconstruction after neoadjuvant chemotherapy in women with T4 breast cancer is associated with higher odds for complication resulting in unplanned reoperations and a longer time to postmastectomy radiotherapy.

Major finding: Unplanned reoperations for complications were more common after immediate vs. delayed and no reconstruction (22% vs. 7.3% and 4.4%, respectively; P less than .001). The median time to initiation of postmastectomy radiotherapy was longer after immediate reconstruction vs. delayed and no reconstruction (60 days vs. 42 days and 49 days, respectively; P less than .001). The median time to the first recurrence was 18 months and was not significantly different between the groups (P = .13).

Study details: A retrospective study of 269 consecutive women with stage T4 breast cancer treated with surgery, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy between 2007 and 2019.

Disclosure: This study was supported in part by the National Institutes of Health. Dr. Morrow received speaking honoraria from Roche. The other authors did not disclose any conflicts of interest.

Source: Pawloski KR et al. J Am Coll Surg. 2021 Apr 24. doi: 10.1016/j.jamcollsurg.2021.04.016.

Key clinical point: Immediate reconstruction after neoadjuvant chemotherapy in women with T4 breast cancer is associated with higher odds for complication resulting in unplanned reoperations and a longer time to postmastectomy radiotherapy.

Major finding: Unplanned reoperations for complications were more common after immediate vs. delayed and no reconstruction (22% vs. 7.3% and 4.4%, respectively; P less than .001). The median time to initiation of postmastectomy radiotherapy was longer after immediate reconstruction vs. delayed and no reconstruction (60 days vs. 42 days and 49 days, respectively; P less than .001). The median time to the first recurrence was 18 months and was not significantly different between the groups (P = .13).

Study details: A retrospective study of 269 consecutive women with stage T4 breast cancer treated with surgery, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy between 2007 and 2019.

Disclosure: This study was supported in part by the National Institutes of Health. Dr. Morrow received speaking honoraria from Roche. The other authors did not disclose any conflicts of interest.

Source: Pawloski KR et al. J Am Coll Surg. 2021 Apr 24. doi: 10.1016/j.jamcollsurg.2021.04.016.

Key clinical point: Immediate reconstruction after neoadjuvant chemotherapy in women with T4 breast cancer is associated with higher odds for complication resulting in unplanned reoperations and a longer time to postmastectomy radiotherapy.

Major finding: Unplanned reoperations for complications were more common after immediate vs. delayed and no reconstruction (22% vs. 7.3% and 4.4%, respectively; P less than .001). The median time to initiation of postmastectomy radiotherapy was longer after immediate reconstruction vs. delayed and no reconstruction (60 days vs. 42 days and 49 days, respectively; P less than .001). The median time to the first recurrence was 18 months and was not significantly different between the groups (P = .13).

Study details: A retrospective study of 269 consecutive women with stage T4 breast cancer treated with surgery, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy between 2007 and 2019.

Disclosure: This study was supported in part by the National Institutes of Health. Dr. Morrow received speaking honoraria from Roche. The other authors did not disclose any conflicts of interest.

Source: Pawloski KR et al. J Am Coll Surg. 2021 Apr 24. doi: 10.1016/j.jamcollsurg.2021.04.016.

Key clinical point: The presence and extent of coronary artery calcium (CAC), as automatically quantified on routinely performed computed tomography scans, are associated with cardiovascular and coronary artery diseases.

Major finding: The risk for cardiovascular disease increased with a higher CAC score (adjusted hazard ratio, 1.8, 2.1, and 3.4 for CAC scores 11-100, 101-400, and greater than 400, respectively). The risk for coronary artery disease also increased with an increase in CAC score (adjusted hazard ratio, 2.8, 4.3, and 7.8 for CAC scores 11-100, 101-400, and greater than 400, respectively).

Study details: A multicenter cohort study of 15,915 patients with breast cancer who received radiotherapy between 2005 and 2016. The CAC scores were automatically extracted from computed tomography scans using a deep learning algorithm.

Disclosure: This study was funded by the Dutch Cancer Society. The authors received grants, lecture fees, and research support from various sources. Dr. Leiner and Dr. Isgum owned shares of Quantib-U BV and/or a patent with royalties planned. No other conflicts of interest were reported.

Source: Gal R et al. JAMA Oncol. 2021 May 6. doi: 10.1001/jamaoncol.2021.1144.

Key clinical point: The presence and extent of coronary artery calcium (CAC), as automatically quantified on routinely performed computed tomography scans, are associated with cardiovascular and coronary artery diseases.

Major finding: The risk for cardiovascular disease increased with a higher CAC score (adjusted hazard ratio, 1.8, 2.1, and 3.4 for CAC scores 11-100, 101-400, and greater than 400, respectively). The risk for coronary artery disease also increased with an increase in CAC score (adjusted hazard ratio, 2.8, 4.3, and 7.8 for CAC scores 11-100, 101-400, and greater than 400, respectively).

Study details: A multicenter cohort study of 15,915 patients with breast cancer who received radiotherapy between 2005 and 2016. The CAC scores were automatically extracted from computed tomography scans using a deep learning algorithm.

Disclosure: This study was funded by the Dutch Cancer Society. The authors received grants, lecture fees, and research support from various sources. Dr. Leiner and Dr. Isgum owned shares of Quantib-U BV and/or a patent with royalties planned. No other conflicts of interest were reported.

Source: Gal R et al. JAMA Oncol. 2021 May 6. doi: 10.1001/jamaoncol.2021.1144.

Key clinical point: The presence and extent of coronary artery calcium (CAC), as automatically quantified on routinely performed computed tomography scans, are associated with cardiovascular and coronary artery diseases.

Major finding: The risk for cardiovascular disease increased with a higher CAC score (adjusted hazard ratio, 1.8, 2.1, and 3.4 for CAC scores 11-100, 101-400, and greater than 400, respectively). The risk for coronary artery disease also increased with an increase in CAC score (adjusted hazard ratio, 2.8, 4.3, and 7.8 for CAC scores 11-100, 101-400, and greater than 400, respectively).

Study details: A multicenter cohort study of 15,915 patients with breast cancer who received radiotherapy between 2005 and 2016. The CAC scores were automatically extracted from computed tomography scans using a deep learning algorithm.

Disclosure: This study was funded by the Dutch Cancer Society. The authors received grants, lecture fees, and research support from various sources. Dr. Leiner and Dr. Isgum owned shares of Quantib-U BV and/or a patent with royalties planned. No other conflicts of interest were reported.

Source: Gal R et al. JAMA Oncol. 2021 May 6. doi: 10.1001/jamaoncol.2021.1144.

Key clinical point: Breast-conserving surgery (BCS) with radiotherapy yields superior survival vs. mastectomy in patients with early-stage breast cancer.

Major finding: At a median follow-up of 6.28 years, mastectomy without radiotherapy vs. BCS with radiotherapy was associated with worse overall survival (OS; hazard ratio [HR], 1.79; P less than .001) and breast cancer-specific survival (BCSS; HR, 1.66; P less than .001). Mastectomy with radiotherapy also showed lower OS (HR, 1.24; P less than .001) and BCSS (HR, 1.28; P=.001) vs. BCS and radiotherapy.

Study details: A cohort study of 48,986 patients with primary invasive T1-2 N0-2 breast cancer who underwent breast surgery between 2008 and 2017.

Disclosure: This work was funded by the Swedish Breast Cancer Association. Dr de Boniface was supported by an investigator award from the Swedish Cancer Society, and Ms Johansson was supported by a research grant from the Swedish Research Council. The authors did not declare any conflict of interest.

Source: de Boniface J et al. JAMA Surg. 2021 May 5. doi: 10.1001/jamasurg.2021.1438.

Key clinical point: Breast-conserving surgery (BCS) with radiotherapy yields superior survival vs. mastectomy in patients with early-stage breast cancer.

Major finding: At a median follow-up of 6.28 years, mastectomy without radiotherapy vs. BCS with radiotherapy was associated with worse overall survival (OS; hazard ratio [HR], 1.79; P less than .001) and breast cancer-specific survival (BCSS; HR, 1.66; P less than .001). Mastectomy with radiotherapy also showed lower OS (HR, 1.24; P less than .001) and BCSS (HR, 1.28; P=.001) vs. BCS and radiotherapy.

Study details: A cohort study of 48,986 patients with primary invasive T1-2 N0-2 breast cancer who underwent breast surgery between 2008 and 2017.

Disclosure: This work was funded by the Swedish Breast Cancer Association. Dr de Boniface was supported by an investigator award from the Swedish Cancer Society, and Ms Johansson was supported by a research grant from the Swedish Research Council. The authors did not declare any conflict of interest.

Source: de Boniface J et al. JAMA Surg. 2021 May 5. doi: 10.1001/jamasurg.2021.1438.

Key clinical point: Breast-conserving surgery (BCS) with radiotherapy yields superior survival vs. mastectomy in patients with early-stage breast cancer.

Major finding: At a median follow-up of 6.28 years, mastectomy without radiotherapy vs. BCS with radiotherapy was associated with worse overall survival (OS; hazard ratio [HR], 1.79; P less than .001) and breast cancer-specific survival (BCSS; HR, 1.66; P less than .001). Mastectomy with radiotherapy also showed lower OS (HR, 1.24; P less than .001) and BCSS (HR, 1.28; P=.001) vs. BCS and radiotherapy.

Study details: A cohort study of 48,986 patients with primary invasive T1-2 N0-2 breast cancer who underwent breast surgery between 2008 and 2017.

Disclosure: This work was funded by the Swedish Breast Cancer Association. Dr de Boniface was supported by an investigator award from the Swedish Cancer Society, and Ms Johansson was supported by a research grant from the Swedish Research Council. The authors did not declare any conflict of interest.

Source: de Boniface J et al. JAMA Surg. 2021 May 5. doi: 10.1001/jamasurg.2021.1438.

Adjuvant T-DM1 is recommended for patients with HER2-positive early breast cancer with residual disease after neoadjuvant therapy based on phase 3 results. The KATHERINE study found a significant reduction for the risk of recurrence and death with adjuvant T-DM1 vs trastuzumab. Subgroup analyses from KATHERINE showed similar benefits with T-DM1 irrespective of type of neoadjuvant regimen. Furthermore, T-DM1 appeared to benefit small node-negative tumors and particularly those tumors considered high-risk (Mamounas). In the phase 3 TRAIN-2 study, similar pCR rates (68% vs 67%), as well as 3 year event-free (94% vs 93%) and overall (98% vs 98%) survival, were observed for non-anthracycline and anthracycline-containing regimens. These findings highlight the broad applicability of T-DM1 in the adjuvant setting, the rationale to support de-escalation and omission of anthracyclines for HER2-positive tumors, and the importance of tailoring therapy based on response.

Brain metastases occur in up to 50% of patients with HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer (MBC). Effective therapies for this population represent an unmet clinical need. The phase 2 PATRICIA study demonstrated activity of pertuzumab plus high-dose trastuzumab (6mg/kg weekly) for patients with HER2-positive MBC and central nervous system (CNS) progression after radiotherapy. In 37 patients evaluable for efficacy, the CNS objective response rate was 11%, clinical benefit rate at 4 and 6 months was 68% and 51%, respectively, and 2 patients had stable disease for over 2 years (Lin). Data supports the role of other HER2-targeted therapies for CNS disease including T-DM1, neratinib, and tucatinib. Among 291 patients with brain metastases in HER2CLIMB, the combination of tucatinib, capecitabine, and trastuzumab improved median overall survival (18 vs 12 months) and CNS progression-free survival (9.9 vs 4.2 months), compared with capecitabine plus trastuzumab. Further investigation exploring other novel therapy combinations and biomarkers will help further improve outcomes for these patients.

Adjuvant endocrine therapy decreases the risk for recurrence and improves survival for women diagnosed with HR-positive breast cancer. For young women, endocrine therapy options include tamoxifen, as well as ovarian suppression plus tamoxifen, or an aromatase inhibitor. Recommended duration of therapy is at least 5 years and can extend to 10 years. These treatments and duration may present challenges related to childbearing attempts and raise fertility concerns among young women.  In the Young Women’s Breast Cancer Study, among 643 women aged 40 years or younger and diagnosed with early stage HR-positive breast cancer, one-third reported fertility concerns impacting endocrine therapy decisions. Those who reported fertility concerns were more likely to exhibit non-initiation or non-persistence to endocrine therapy (40% vs 20%). Among women with fertility concerns, 7% did not initiate endocrine therapy, and 33% were non-persistent over 5 years (Sella). It is essential to integrate early oncofertility dialogue to help achieve optimal endocrine therapy and address family planning goals.

Studies have shown sugar-sweetened beverages (SSB) increase the risk for insulin resistance, diabetes, and heart disease. In a subsample of Women’s Health Initiative participants, higher levels of insulin resistance were shown to be linked to an increased incidence of breast cancer and all-cause mortality after breast cancer. Researchers found that among 8,863 women diagnosed with early breast cancer, those who consumed SSB after diagnosis had higher breast cancer-specific mortality and all-cause mortality. Additionally, replacing SSB with coffee, tea or water was linked to a decrease in mortality (Farvid). These findings support discussion of lifestyle and dietary behaviors in the survivorship setting, as these modifiable risk factors can potentially have significant health implications.

References:

van der Voort A, van Ramshorst MS, van Werkhoven ED, et al. Three-year follow-up of neoadjuvant chemotherapy with or without anthracyclines in the presence of dual HER2-blockade for HER2-positive breast cancer (TRAIN-2): A randomized phase III trial. J Clin Oncol. 2020;38S:ASCO #501.

Lin NU, Borges V, Anders C, et al. Intracranial efficacy and survival with tucatinib plus trastuzumab and capecitabine for previously treated HER2-positive breast cancer with brain metastases in the HER2CLIMB trial. J Clin Oncol. 2020;38(23):2610-2619.

Pan K, Chlebowski RT, Mortimer JE, et al. Insulin resistance and breast cancer incidence and mortality in postmenopausal women in the Women's Health Initiative. Cancer. 2020;126(16):3638-3647.

Adjuvant T-DM1 is recommended for patients with HER2-positive early breast cancer with residual disease after neoadjuvant therapy based on phase 3 results. The KATHERINE study found a significant reduction for the risk of recurrence and death with adjuvant T-DM1 vs trastuzumab. Subgroup analyses from KATHERINE showed similar benefits with T-DM1 irrespective of type of neoadjuvant regimen. Furthermore, T-DM1 appeared to benefit small node-negative tumors and particularly those tumors considered high-risk (Mamounas). In the phase 3 TRAIN-2 study, similar pCR rates (68% vs 67%), as well as 3 year event-free (94% vs 93%) and overall (98% vs 98%) survival, were observed for non-anthracycline and anthracycline-containing regimens. These findings highlight the broad applicability of T-DM1 in the adjuvant setting, the rationale to support de-escalation and omission of anthracyclines for HER2-positive tumors, and the importance of tailoring therapy based on response.

Brain metastases occur in up to 50% of patients with HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer (MBC). Effective therapies for this population represent an unmet clinical need. The phase 2 PATRICIA study demonstrated activity of pertuzumab plus high-dose trastuzumab (6mg/kg weekly) for patients with HER2-positive MBC and central nervous system (CNS) progression after radiotherapy. In 37 patients evaluable for efficacy, the CNS objective response rate was 11%, clinical benefit rate at 4 and 6 months was 68% and 51%, respectively, and 2 patients had stable disease for over 2 years (Lin). Data supports the role of other HER2-targeted therapies for CNS disease including T-DM1, neratinib, and tucatinib. Among 291 patients with brain metastases in HER2CLIMB, the combination of tucatinib, capecitabine, and trastuzumab improved median overall survival (18 vs 12 months) and CNS progression-free survival (9.9 vs 4.2 months), compared with capecitabine plus trastuzumab. Further investigation exploring other novel therapy combinations and biomarkers will help further improve outcomes for these patients.

Adjuvant endocrine therapy decreases the risk for recurrence and improves survival for women diagnosed with HR-positive breast cancer. For young women, endocrine therapy options include tamoxifen, as well as ovarian suppression plus tamoxifen, or an aromatase inhibitor. Recommended duration of therapy is at least 5 years and can extend to 10 years. These treatments and duration may present challenges related to childbearing attempts and raise fertility concerns among young women.  In the Young Women’s Breast Cancer Study, among 643 women aged 40 years or younger and diagnosed with early stage HR-positive breast cancer, one-third reported fertility concerns impacting endocrine therapy decisions. Those who reported fertility concerns were more likely to exhibit non-initiation or non-persistence to endocrine therapy (40% vs 20%). Among women with fertility concerns, 7% did not initiate endocrine therapy, and 33% were non-persistent over 5 years (Sella). It is essential to integrate early oncofertility dialogue to help achieve optimal endocrine therapy and address family planning goals.

Studies have shown sugar-sweetened beverages (SSB) increase the risk for insulin resistance, diabetes, and heart disease. In a subsample of Women’s Health Initiative participants, higher levels of insulin resistance were shown to be linked to an increased incidence of breast cancer and all-cause mortality after breast cancer. Researchers found that among 8,863 women diagnosed with early breast cancer, those who consumed SSB after diagnosis had higher breast cancer-specific mortality and all-cause mortality. Additionally, replacing SSB with coffee, tea or water was linked to a decrease in mortality (Farvid). These findings support discussion of lifestyle and dietary behaviors in the survivorship setting, as these modifiable risk factors can potentially have significant health implications.

References:

van der Voort A, van Ramshorst MS, van Werkhoven ED, et al. Three-year follow-up of neoadjuvant chemotherapy with or without anthracyclines in the presence of dual HER2-blockade for HER2-positive breast cancer (TRAIN-2): A randomized phase III trial. J Clin Oncol. 2020;38S:ASCO #501.

Lin NU, Borges V, Anders C, et al. Intracranial efficacy and survival with tucatinib plus trastuzumab and capecitabine for previously treated HER2-positive breast cancer with brain metastases in the HER2CLIMB trial. J Clin Oncol. 2020;38(23):2610-2619.

Pan K, Chlebowski RT, Mortimer JE, et al. Insulin resistance and breast cancer incidence and mortality in postmenopausal women in the Women's Health Initiative. Cancer. 2020;126(16):3638-3647.

Adjuvant T-DM1 is recommended for patients with HER2-positive early breast cancer with residual disease after neoadjuvant therapy based on phase 3 results. The KATHERINE study found a significant reduction for the risk of recurrence and death with adjuvant T-DM1 vs trastuzumab. Subgroup analyses from KATHERINE showed similar benefits with T-DM1 irrespective of type of neoadjuvant regimen. Furthermore, T-DM1 appeared to benefit small node-negative tumors and particularly those tumors considered high-risk (Mamounas). In the phase 3 TRAIN-2 study, similar pCR rates (68% vs 67%), as well as 3 year event-free (94% vs 93%) and overall (98% vs 98%) survival, were observed for non-anthracycline and anthracycline-containing regimens. These findings highlight the broad applicability of T-DM1 in the adjuvant setting, the rationale to support de-escalation and omission of anthracyclines for HER2-positive tumors, and the importance of tailoring therapy based on response.

Brain metastases occur in up to 50% of patients with HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer (MBC). Effective therapies for this population represent an unmet clinical need. The phase 2 PATRICIA study demonstrated activity of pertuzumab plus high-dose trastuzumab (6mg/kg weekly) for patients with HER2-positive MBC and central nervous system (CNS) progression after radiotherapy. In 37 patients evaluable for efficacy, the CNS objective response rate was 11%, clinical benefit rate at 4 and 6 months was 68% and 51%, respectively, and 2 patients had stable disease for over 2 years (Lin). Data supports the role of other HER2-targeted therapies for CNS disease including T-DM1, neratinib, and tucatinib. Among 291 patients with brain metastases in HER2CLIMB, the combination of tucatinib, capecitabine, and trastuzumab improved median overall survival (18 vs 12 months) and CNS progression-free survival (9.9 vs 4.2 months), compared with capecitabine plus trastuzumab. Further investigation exploring other novel therapy combinations and biomarkers will help further improve outcomes for these patients.

Adjuvant endocrine therapy decreases the risk for recurrence and improves survival for women diagnosed with HR-positive breast cancer. For young women, endocrine therapy options include tamoxifen, as well as ovarian suppression plus tamoxifen, or an aromatase inhibitor. Recommended duration of therapy is at least 5 years and can extend to 10 years. These treatments and duration may present challenges related to childbearing attempts and raise fertility concerns among young women.  In the Young Women’s Breast Cancer Study, among 643 women aged 40 years or younger and diagnosed with early stage HR-positive breast cancer, one-third reported fertility concerns impacting endocrine therapy decisions. Those who reported fertility concerns were more likely to exhibit non-initiation or non-persistence to endocrine therapy (40% vs 20%). Among women with fertility concerns, 7% did not initiate endocrine therapy, and 33% were non-persistent over 5 years (Sella). It is essential to integrate early oncofertility dialogue to help achieve optimal endocrine therapy and address family planning goals.

Studies have shown sugar-sweetened beverages (SSB) increase the risk for insulin resistance, diabetes, and heart disease. In a subsample of Women’s Health Initiative participants, higher levels of insulin resistance were shown to be linked to an increased incidence of breast cancer and all-cause mortality after breast cancer. Researchers found that among 8,863 women diagnosed with early breast cancer, those who consumed SSB after diagnosis had higher breast cancer-specific mortality and all-cause mortality. Additionally, replacing SSB with coffee, tea or water was linked to a decrease in mortality (Farvid). These findings support discussion of lifestyle and dietary behaviors in the survivorship setting, as these modifiable risk factors can potentially have significant health implications.

References:

van der Voort A, van Ramshorst MS, van Werkhoven ED, et al. Three-year follow-up of neoadjuvant chemotherapy with or without anthracyclines in the presence of dual HER2-blockade for HER2-positive breast cancer (TRAIN-2): A randomized phase III trial. J Clin Oncol. 2020;38S:ASCO #501.

Lin NU, Borges V, Anders C, et al. Intracranial efficacy and survival with tucatinib plus trastuzumab and capecitabine for previously treated HER2-positive breast cancer with brain metastases in the HER2CLIMB trial. J Clin Oncol. 2020;38(23):2610-2619.

Pan K, Chlebowski RT, Mortimer JE, et al. Insulin resistance and breast cancer incidence and mortality in postmenopausal women in the Women's Health Initiative. Cancer. 2020;126(16):3638-3647.

When Marisha Burden, MD, division head of hospital medicine at the University of Colorado at Denver, Aurora, would go to medical conferences, it seemed as if very few women were giving talks. She wondered if she could be wrong.

“I started doing my own assessments at every conference I would go to, just to make sure I wasn’t biased in my own belief system,” she said in a session at SHM Converge 2021, the annual conference of the Society of Hospital Medicine.

She wasn’t wrong.

In 2015, only 35% of all speakers at the SHM annual conference were women, and only 23% of the plenary speakers were women. In the years after that, when the society put out open calls for speakers, the numbers of women who spoke increased substantially, to 47% overall and 45% of plenary speakers.

The results – part of the SPEAK UP study Dr. Burden led in 2020 – show how gender disparity can be improved with a systematic process that is designed to improve it. The results of the study also showed that as the percentages of female speakers increased, the attendee ratings of the sessions did, too.

“You can do these things, and the quality of your conference doesn’t get negatively impacted – and in this case, actually improved,” Dr. Burden said.

That study marked progress toward leveling a traditionally uneven playing field when it comes to men and women in medicine, and the panelists in the session called on the field to use a variety of tools and strategies to continue toward something closer to equality.

Sara Spilseth, MD, MBA, chief of staff at Regions Hospital, in St. Paul, Minn., said it’s well established that although almost 50% of medical school students are women, the percentage shrinks each step from faculty to full professor to dean – of which only 16% are women. She referred to what’s known as the “leaky pipe.”

In what Dr. Spilseth said was one of her favorite studies, researchers in 2015 found that only 13% of clinical department leaders at the top 50 U.S. medical schools were women – they were outnumbered by the percentage of department leaders with mustaches, at 19%, even though mustaches are dwindling in popularity.

“Why does this exist? Why did we end up like this?” Part of the problem is a “respect gap,” she said, pointing to a study on the tendency of women to use the formal title of “doctor” when introducing male colleagues, whereas men who introduce women use that title less than half the time.

The COVID-19 pandemic has only made these disparities worse. Women are responsible for childcare much more frequently than men, Dr. Burden said, although the pandemic has brought caregiving duties to the forefront.

Dr. Spilseth said mentoring can help women navigate the workplace so as to help overcome these disparities. At Regions, the mentoring program is robust.

“Even before a new hire steps foot in the hospital, we have established them with a mentor,” she said. Sponsoring – the “ability of someone with political capital to use it to help colleagues” – can also help boost women’s careers, she said.

Her hospital also has a Women in Medicine Cooperative, which provides a way for women to talk about common struggles and to network.

Flexible work opportunities – working in transitional care units, being a physician advisor, and doing research – can all help boost a career as well, Dr. Spilseth said.

She said that at the University of Colorado, leaders set out to reach salary equity in a year and a half – and “it was a painful, painful process.” They found that different people held different beliefs about how people were paid, which led to a lot of unnecessary stress as they tried to construct a fairer system.

“On the back end of having done that, while it was a rough year and half, it has saved so much time – and I think built a culture of trust and transparency,” she said.

Recruiting in a more thoughtful way can also have a big impact, Dr. Spilseth said. The manner in which people are told about opportunities could exclude people without intending to.

“Are you casting a wide net?” she asked.

Adia Ross, MD, MHA, chief medical officer at Duke Regional Hospital, Durham, N.C., said that even in the face of obvious disparities, women can take steps on their own to boost their careers. She encouraged taking on “stretch assignments,” a project or task that is a bit beyond one’s current comfort level or level of experience or knowledge. “It can be a little scary, and sometimes there are bumps along the way,” she said.

All of these measures, though incremental, are the way to make bigger change, she said. “We want to take small steps but big strides forward.”

A version of this article first appeared on Medscape.com.

When Marisha Burden, MD, division head of hospital medicine at the University of Colorado at Denver, Aurora, would go to medical conferences, it seemed as if very few women were giving talks. She wondered if she could be wrong.

“I started doing my own assessments at every conference I would go to, just to make sure I wasn’t biased in my own belief system,” she said in a session at SHM Converge 2021, the annual conference of the Society of Hospital Medicine.

She wasn’t wrong.

In 2015, only 35% of all speakers at the SHM annual conference were women, and only 23% of the plenary speakers were women. In the years after that, when the society put out open calls for speakers, the numbers of women who spoke increased substantially, to 47% overall and 45% of plenary speakers.

The results – part of the SPEAK UP study Dr. Burden led in 2020 – show how gender disparity can be improved with a systematic process that is designed to improve it. The results of the study also showed that as the percentages of female speakers increased, the attendee ratings of the sessions did, too.

“You can do these things, and the quality of your conference doesn’t get negatively impacted – and in this case, actually improved,” Dr. Burden said.

That study marked progress toward leveling a traditionally uneven playing field when it comes to men and women in medicine, and the panelists in the session called on the field to use a variety of tools and strategies to continue toward something closer to equality.

Sara Spilseth, MD, MBA, chief of staff at Regions Hospital, in St. Paul, Minn., said it’s well established that although almost 50% of medical school students are women, the percentage shrinks each step from faculty to full professor to dean – of which only 16% are women. She referred to what’s known as the “leaky pipe.”

In what Dr. Spilseth said was one of her favorite studies, researchers in 2015 found that only 13% of clinical department leaders at the top 50 U.S. medical schools were women – they were outnumbered by the percentage of department leaders with mustaches, at 19%, even though mustaches are dwindling in popularity.

“Why does this exist? Why did we end up like this?” Part of the problem is a “respect gap,” she said, pointing to a study on the tendency of women to use the formal title of “doctor” when introducing male colleagues, whereas men who introduce women use that title less than half the time.

The COVID-19 pandemic has only made these disparities worse. Women are responsible for childcare much more frequently than men, Dr. Burden said, although the pandemic has brought caregiving duties to the forefront.

Dr. Spilseth said mentoring can help women navigate the workplace so as to help overcome these disparities. At Regions, the mentoring program is robust.

“Even before a new hire steps foot in the hospital, we have established them with a mentor,” she said. Sponsoring – the “ability of someone with political capital to use it to help colleagues” – can also help boost women’s careers, she said.

Her hospital also has a Women in Medicine Cooperative, which provides a way for women to talk about common struggles and to network.

Flexible work opportunities – working in transitional care units, being a physician advisor, and doing research – can all help boost a career as well, Dr. Spilseth said.

She said that at the University of Colorado, leaders set out to reach salary equity in a year and a half – and “it was a painful, painful process.” They found that different people held different beliefs about how people were paid, which led to a lot of unnecessary stress as they tried to construct a fairer system.

“On the back end of having done that, while it was a rough year and half, it has saved so much time – and I think built a culture of trust and transparency,” she said.

Recruiting in a more thoughtful way can also have a big impact, Dr. Spilseth said. The manner in which people are told about opportunities could exclude people without intending to.

“Are you casting a wide net?” she asked.

Adia Ross, MD, MHA, chief medical officer at Duke Regional Hospital, Durham, N.C., said that even in the face of obvious disparities, women can take steps on their own to boost their careers. She encouraged taking on “stretch assignments,” a project or task that is a bit beyond one’s current comfort level or level of experience or knowledge. “It can be a little scary, and sometimes there are bumps along the way,” she said.

All of these measures, though incremental, are the way to make bigger change, she said. “We want to take small steps but big strides forward.”

A version of this article first appeared on Medscape.com.

When Marisha Burden, MD, division head of hospital medicine at the University of Colorado at Denver, Aurora, would go to medical conferences, it seemed as if very few women were giving talks. She wondered if she could be wrong.

“I started doing my own assessments at every conference I would go to, just to make sure I wasn’t biased in my own belief system,” she said in a session at SHM Converge 2021, the annual conference of the Society of Hospital Medicine.

She wasn’t wrong.

In 2015, only 35% of all speakers at the SHM annual conference were women, and only 23% of the plenary speakers were women. In the years after that, when the society put out open calls for speakers, the numbers of women who spoke increased substantially, to 47% overall and 45% of plenary speakers.

The results – part of the SPEAK UP study Dr. Burden led in 2020 – show how gender disparity can be improved with a systematic process that is designed to improve it. The results of the study also showed that as the percentages of female speakers increased, the attendee ratings of the sessions did, too.

“You can do these things, and the quality of your conference doesn’t get negatively impacted – and in this case, actually improved,” Dr. Burden said.

That study marked progress toward leveling a traditionally uneven playing field when it comes to men and women in medicine, and the panelists in the session called on the field to use a variety of tools and strategies to continue toward something closer to equality.

Sara Spilseth, MD, MBA, chief of staff at Regions Hospital, in St. Paul, Minn., said it’s well established that although almost 50% of medical school students are women, the percentage shrinks each step from faculty to full professor to dean – of which only 16% are women. She referred to what’s known as the “leaky pipe.”

In what Dr. Spilseth said was one of her favorite studies, researchers in 2015 found that only 13% of clinical department leaders at the top 50 U.S. medical schools were women – they were outnumbered by the percentage of department leaders with mustaches, at 19%, even though mustaches are dwindling in popularity.

“Why does this exist? Why did we end up like this?” Part of the problem is a “respect gap,” she said, pointing to a study on the tendency of women to use the formal title of “doctor” when introducing male colleagues, whereas men who introduce women use that title less than half the time.

The COVID-19 pandemic has only made these disparities worse. Women are responsible for childcare much more frequently than men, Dr. Burden said, although the pandemic has brought caregiving duties to the forefront.

Dr. Spilseth said mentoring can help women navigate the workplace so as to help overcome these disparities. At Regions, the mentoring program is robust.

“Even before a new hire steps foot in the hospital, we have established them with a mentor,” she said. Sponsoring – the “ability of someone with political capital to use it to help colleagues” – can also help boost women’s careers, she said.

Her hospital also has a Women in Medicine Cooperative, which provides a way for women to talk about common struggles and to network.

Flexible work opportunities – working in transitional care units, being a physician advisor, and doing research – can all help boost a career as well, Dr. Spilseth said.

She said that at the University of Colorado, leaders set out to reach salary equity in a year and a half – and “it was a painful, painful process.” They found that different people held different beliefs about how people were paid, which led to a lot of unnecessary stress as they tried to construct a fairer system.

“On the back end of having done that, while it was a rough year and half, it has saved so much time – and I think built a culture of trust and transparency,” she said.

Recruiting in a more thoughtful way can also have a big impact, Dr. Spilseth said. The manner in which people are told about opportunities could exclude people without intending to.

“Are you casting a wide net?” she asked.

Adia Ross, MD, MHA, chief medical officer at Duke Regional Hospital, Durham, N.C., said that even in the face of obvious disparities, women can take steps on their own to boost their careers. She encouraged taking on “stretch assignments,” a project or task that is a bit beyond one’s current comfort level or level of experience or knowledge. “It can be a little scary, and sometimes there are bumps along the way,” she said.

All of these measures, though incremental, are the way to make bigger change, she said. “We want to take small steps but big strides forward.”

A version of this article first appeared on Medscape.com.

The Food and Drug Administration has approved the interleukin-17 inhibitor secukinumab (Cosentyx) for the treatment of moderate to severe plaque psoriasis in pediatric patients aged 6 years and older who are candidates for systemic therapy or phototherapy. The expanded indication marks the first time the drug has been available for a pediatric population in the United States.

Children with plaque psoriasis are often undertreated because of fear of side effects of therapies, according to Kelly M. Cordoro, MD, professor of dermatology and pediatrics at the University of California, San Francisco. “Now, more and more medicines are being tested for safety and efficacy in children, and we no longer have to rely on adult studies to inform treatment choices for children,” Dr. Cordoro told this news organization.

The FDA approval of secukinumab for children aged 6 and older with moderate to severe psoriasis “is a welcome addition to the therapeutic toolbox for pediatric psoriasis,” she said. “We’ve entered an era where severe pediatric psoriasis has become a condition that can be adequately controlled with minimal risk and with the convenience of intermittent injections. This has changed the playing field for these children and their families completely. Given the potential short- and long-term negative impact of chronic inflammation on the body of a growing child, we now have approved treatments that can safely offset the risks of undertreated severe psoriasis on the functional and psychological health of the child.”

The approved pediatric dosing for secukinumab is 75 mg or 150 mg depending on the child’s weight at the time of dosing, and it is administered by subcutaneous injection every 4 weeks after an initial loading regimen. According to a press release from Novartis, the FDA approval came on the heels of two phase 3 studies that evaluated the use of secukinumab in children aged 6 to younger than 18 years with plaque psoriasis. The first was a 52-week, randomized, double-blind, placebo- and active-controlled study which included 162 children 6 years of age and older with severe plaque psoriasis. The doses evaluated were 75 mg for children who weighed less than 50 kg and 150 mg for those 50 kg or greater.

At week 12, the Psoriasis Area Severity Index (PASI)-75 response was 55% among children in the 75-mg dosing group vs. 10% in the placebo group and 86% in the 150-mg dosing group vs. 19% in the placebo group.

Meanwhile, the Investigator’s Global Assessment modified 2011 (IGA) “clear” response was achieved in 32% of children in the 75-mg dosing group vs. 5% in the placebo group and in 81% of children in the 150-mg dosing group vs. 5% in the placebo group. An IGA “almost clear” skin response was achieved in 81% of children in the 75-mg dosing group vs. 5% in the placebo group.

The second phase 3 study was a randomized open-label, 208-week trial of 84 subjects 6 years of age and older with moderate to severe plaque psoriasis. According to the Novartis press release, the safety profile reported in both trials was consistent with the safety profile reported in adult plaque psoriasis trials and no new safety signals were observed. The updated prescribing information for secukinumab can be found here.

“When considering treatment with a systemic agent such as a biologic, it is important to consider objective measures of severity, such as extent of disease and involvement of joints but also subjective indicators of severity such as impact beyond the skin on psychological well-being,” Dr. Cordoro said in the interview. “Kids with psoriasis in visible locations may socially isolate themselves due to embarrassment or bullying. Therefore, the impact of moderate to severe psoriasis not only on overall health but on self-esteem and identity formation can be significant, and therefore adequately treating children of all ages to prevent the downstream negative consequences of childhood psoriasis is critical.”

Dr. Cordoro reported having no financial disclosures.

[email protected]

The Food and Drug Administration has approved the interleukin-17 inhibitor secukinumab (Cosentyx) for the treatment of moderate to severe plaque psoriasis in pediatric patients aged 6 years and older who are candidates for systemic therapy or phototherapy. The expanded indication marks the first time the drug has been available for a pediatric population in the United States.

Children with plaque psoriasis are often undertreated because of fear of side effects of therapies, according to Kelly M. Cordoro, MD, professor of dermatology and pediatrics at the University of California, San Francisco. “Now, more and more medicines are being tested for safety and efficacy in children, and we no longer have to rely on adult studies to inform treatment choices for children,” Dr. Cordoro told this news organization.

The FDA approval of secukinumab for children aged 6 and older with moderate to severe psoriasis “is a welcome addition to the therapeutic toolbox for pediatric psoriasis,” she said. “We’ve entered an era where severe pediatric psoriasis has become a condition that can be adequately controlled with minimal risk and with the convenience of intermittent injections. This has changed the playing field for these children and their families completely. Given the potential short- and long-term negative impact of chronic inflammation on the body of a growing child, we now have approved treatments that can safely offset the risks of undertreated severe psoriasis on the functional and psychological health of the child.”

The approved pediatric dosing for secukinumab is 75 mg or 150 mg depending on the child’s weight at the time of dosing, and it is administered by subcutaneous injection every 4 weeks after an initial loading regimen. According to a press release from Novartis, the FDA approval came on the heels of two phase 3 studies that evaluated the use of secukinumab in children aged 6 to younger than 18 years with plaque psoriasis. The first was a 52-week, randomized, double-blind, placebo- and active-controlled study which included 162 children 6 years of age and older with severe plaque psoriasis. The doses evaluated were 75 mg for children who weighed less than 50 kg and 150 mg for those 50 kg or greater.

At week 12, the Psoriasis Area Severity Index (PASI)-75 response was 55% among children in the 75-mg dosing group vs. 10% in the placebo group and 86% in the 150-mg dosing group vs. 19% in the placebo group.

Meanwhile, the Investigator’s Global Assessment modified 2011 (IGA) “clear” response was achieved in 32% of children in the 75-mg dosing group vs. 5% in the placebo group and in 81% of children in the 150-mg dosing group vs. 5% in the placebo group. An IGA “almost clear” skin response was achieved in 81% of children in the 75-mg dosing group vs. 5% in the placebo group.

The second phase 3 study was a randomized open-label, 208-week trial of 84 subjects 6 years of age and older with moderate to severe plaque psoriasis. According to the Novartis press release, the safety profile reported in both trials was consistent with the safety profile reported in adult plaque psoriasis trials and no new safety signals were observed. The updated prescribing information for secukinumab can be found here.

“When considering treatment with a systemic agent such as a biologic, it is important to consider objective measures of severity, such as extent of disease and involvement of joints but also subjective indicators of severity such as impact beyond the skin on psychological well-being,” Dr. Cordoro said in the interview. “Kids with psoriasis in visible locations may socially isolate themselves due to embarrassment or bullying. Therefore, the impact of moderate to severe psoriasis not only on overall health but on self-esteem and identity formation can be significant, and therefore adequately treating children of all ages to prevent the downstream negative consequences of childhood psoriasis is critical.”

Dr. Cordoro reported having no financial disclosures.

[email protected]

The Food and Drug Administration has approved the interleukin-17 inhibitor secukinumab (Cosentyx) for the treatment of moderate to severe plaque psoriasis in pediatric patients aged 6 years and older who are candidates for systemic therapy or phototherapy. The expanded indication marks the first time the drug has been available for a pediatric population in the United States.

Children with plaque psoriasis are often undertreated because of fear of side effects of therapies, according to Kelly M. Cordoro, MD, professor of dermatology and pediatrics at the University of California, San Francisco. “Now, more and more medicines are being tested for safety and efficacy in children, and we no longer have to rely on adult studies to inform treatment choices for children,” Dr. Cordoro told this news organization.

The FDA approval of secukinumab for children aged 6 and older with moderate to severe psoriasis “is a welcome addition to the therapeutic toolbox for pediatric psoriasis,” she said. “We’ve entered an era where severe pediatric psoriasis has become a condition that can be adequately controlled with minimal risk and with the convenience of intermittent injections. This has changed the playing field for these children and their families completely. Given the potential short- and long-term negative impact of chronic inflammation on the body of a growing child, we now have approved treatments that can safely offset the risks of undertreated severe psoriasis on the functional and psychological health of the child.”

The approved pediatric dosing for secukinumab is 75 mg or 150 mg depending on the child’s weight at the time of dosing, and it is administered by subcutaneous injection every 4 weeks after an initial loading regimen. According to a press release from Novartis, the FDA approval came on the heels of two phase 3 studies that evaluated the use of secukinumab in children aged 6 to younger than 18 years with plaque psoriasis. The first was a 52-week, randomized, double-blind, placebo- and active-controlled study which included 162 children 6 years of age and older with severe plaque psoriasis. The doses evaluated were 75 mg for children who weighed less than 50 kg and 150 mg for those 50 kg or greater.

At week 12, the Psoriasis Area Severity Index (PASI)-75 response was 55% among children in the 75-mg dosing group vs. 10% in the placebo group and 86% in the 150-mg dosing group vs. 19% in the placebo group.

Meanwhile, the Investigator’s Global Assessment modified 2011 (IGA) “clear” response was achieved in 32% of children in the 75-mg dosing group vs. 5% in the placebo group and in 81% of children in the 150-mg dosing group vs. 5% in the placebo group. An IGA “almost clear” skin response was achieved in 81% of children in the 75-mg dosing group vs. 5% in the placebo group.

The second phase 3 study was a randomized open-label, 208-week trial of 84 subjects 6 years of age and older with moderate to severe plaque psoriasis. According to the Novartis press release, the safety profile reported in both trials was consistent with the safety profile reported in adult plaque psoriasis trials and no new safety signals were observed. The updated prescribing information for secukinumab can be found here.

“When considering treatment with a systemic agent such as a biologic, it is important to consider objective measures of severity, such as extent of disease and involvement of joints but also subjective indicators of severity such as impact beyond the skin on psychological well-being,” Dr. Cordoro said in the interview. “Kids with psoriasis in visible locations may socially isolate themselves due to embarrassment or bullying. Therefore, the impact of moderate to severe psoriasis not only on overall health but on self-esteem and identity formation can be significant, and therefore adequately treating children of all ages to prevent the downstream negative consequences of childhood psoriasis is critical.”

Dr. Cordoro reported having no financial disclosures.

[email protected]

To the Editor:

Phacomatosis pigmentokeratotica (PPK) is a rare epidermal nevus syndrome complicated by multiple extracutaneous anomalies, including skeletal defects and neurologic anomalies. Less common associations include lateral curvature of the spine and hyperhidrosis. We present a patient with PPK and unilateral Raynaud phenomenon in addition to a segmental distribution of melanocytic nevi, hyperhidrosis, and scoliosis.

A 9-year-old girl was born with a yellow-orange alopecic plaque on the right side of the scalp (Figure 1). There also were 2 large, irregularly pigmented patches localized on the right side of the upper back and buttock. Over 3 years, numerous papular nevi developed within these pigmented patches and were diagnosed as speckled lentiginous nevi (Figure 2). In addition, numerous nevi of various sizes affected the right face, right shoulder, right arm (Figure 3), and right neck and were clearly demarcated along the midline. Several nevi also were noted within the nevus sebaceous on the right scalp. These skin lesions expanded progressively with age. At 6 years of age, she was diagnosed with hyperhidrosis of the right half of the body, which was most pronounced on the face. Raynaud phenomenon restricted to the right hand also was noted (Figure 4). Upon cold exposure, the digits become pale white, cold, and numb; then blue; and finally red. She lacked other features of connective tissue disease, and autoantibody testing was negative. She also was noted to have an abnormal lateral curvature of the spine (scoliosis). Auditory, ocular, and neurologic examinations were normal. Cranial and cerebral magnetic resonance imaging showed no central nervous system abnormalities. Her family history was negative for nevus spilus, nevus sebaceous, and neurofibromatosis. The clinical findings in our patient led to the diagnosis of PPK.

Raynaud phenomenon involving only the right hand was a unique finding in our patient. In 3 years of follow-up, our patient developed no evidence of connective tissue disease or other systemic illness. We speculate that Raynaud phenomenon of the right hand along with hyperhidrosis of the right side of the body could be a result of dysfunction of the autonomic nervous system. We propose that Raynaud phenomenon represents an unusual manifestation of PPK and may broaden the spectrum of extracutaneous anomalies associated with the disease. The finding of segmental nevi outside of the confines of the nevus spilus was another unusual manifestation of mosaicism.

To the Editor:

Phacomatosis pigmentokeratotica (PPK) is a rare epidermal nevus syndrome complicated by multiple extracutaneous anomalies, including skeletal defects and neurologic anomalies. Less common associations include lateral curvature of the spine and hyperhidrosis. We present a patient with PPK and unilateral Raynaud phenomenon in addition to a segmental distribution of melanocytic nevi, hyperhidrosis, and scoliosis.

A 9-year-old girl was born with a yellow-orange alopecic plaque on the right side of the scalp (Figure 1). There also were 2 large, irregularly pigmented patches localized on the right side of the upper back and buttock. Over 3 years, numerous papular nevi developed within these pigmented patches and were diagnosed as speckled lentiginous nevi (Figure 2). In addition, numerous nevi of various sizes affected the right face, right shoulder, right arm (Figure 3), and right neck and were clearly demarcated along the midline. Several nevi also were noted within the nevus sebaceous on the right scalp. These skin lesions expanded progressively with age. At 6 years of age, she was diagnosed with hyperhidrosis of the right half of the body, which was most pronounced on the face. Raynaud phenomenon restricted to the right hand also was noted (Figure 4). Upon cold exposure, the digits become pale white, cold, and numb; then blue; and finally red. She lacked other features of connective tissue disease, and autoantibody testing was negative. She also was noted to have an abnormal lateral curvature of the spine (scoliosis). Auditory, ocular, and neurologic examinations were normal. Cranial and cerebral magnetic resonance imaging showed no central nervous system abnormalities. Her family history was negative for nevus spilus, nevus sebaceous, and neurofibromatosis. The clinical findings in our patient led to the diagnosis of PPK.

Raynaud phenomenon involving only the right hand was a unique finding in our patient. In 3 years of follow-up, our patient developed no evidence of connective tissue disease or other systemic illness. We speculate that Raynaud phenomenon of the right hand along with hyperhidrosis of the right side of the body could be a result of dysfunction of the autonomic nervous system. We propose that Raynaud phenomenon represents an unusual manifestation of PPK and may broaden the spectrum of extracutaneous anomalies associated with the disease. The finding of segmental nevi outside of the confines of the nevus spilus was another unusual manifestation of mosaicism.

To the Editor:

Phacomatosis pigmentokeratotica (PPK) is a rare epidermal nevus syndrome complicated by multiple extracutaneous anomalies, including skeletal defects and neurologic anomalies. Less common associations include lateral curvature of the spine and hyperhidrosis. We present a patient with PPK and unilateral Raynaud phenomenon in addition to a segmental distribution of melanocytic nevi, hyperhidrosis, and scoliosis.

A 9-year-old girl was born with a yellow-orange alopecic plaque on the right side of the scalp (Figure 1). There also were 2 large, irregularly pigmented patches localized on the right side of the upper back and buttock. Over 3 years, numerous papular nevi developed within these pigmented patches and were diagnosed as speckled lentiginous nevi (Figure 2). In addition, numerous nevi of various sizes affected the right face, right shoulder, right arm (Figure 3), and right neck and were clearly demarcated along the midline. Several nevi also were noted within the nevus sebaceous on the right scalp. These skin lesions expanded progressively with age. At 6 years of age, she was diagnosed with hyperhidrosis of the right half of the body, which was most pronounced on the face. Raynaud phenomenon restricted to the right hand also was noted (Figure 4). Upon cold exposure, the digits become pale white, cold, and numb; then blue; and finally red. She lacked other features of connective tissue disease, and autoantibody testing was negative. She also was noted to have an abnormal lateral curvature of the spine (scoliosis). Auditory, ocular, and neurologic examinations were normal. Cranial and cerebral magnetic resonance imaging showed no central nervous system abnormalities. Her family history was negative for nevus spilus, nevus sebaceous, and neurofibromatosis. The clinical findings in our patient led to the diagnosis of PPK.

Raynaud phenomenon involving only the right hand was a unique finding in our patient. In 3 years of follow-up, our patient developed no evidence of connective tissue disease or other systemic illness. We speculate that Raynaud phenomenon of the right hand along with hyperhidrosis of the right side of the body could be a result of dysfunction of the autonomic nervous system. We propose that Raynaud phenomenon represents an unusual manifestation of PPK and may broaden the spectrum of extracutaneous anomalies associated with the disease. The finding of segmental nevi outside of the confines of the nevus spilus was another unusual manifestation of mosaicism.