ANETT: PhAse II trial of NEoadjuvant TAK-228 plus Tamoxifen in patients with hormone receptor-positive breast cancer.

Introduction: Neoadjuvant endocrine therapy is often utilized to downstage Estrogen Receptor-positive (ER+) breast cancer prior to surgery. However, this approach is sometimes met with endocrine resistance mechanisms within the tumor. This trial examines the safety and efficacy of tamoxifen in combination with an mTORC1/2 inhibitor, TAK-228, in the neoadjuvant treatment of ER+ breast cancer.

Analysis of the Implementation of Telehealth Visits for Care of Patients With Cancer in Houston During the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the use of telemedicine amid the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic in patients with cancer and assess barriers to its implementation.

Patients And Methods: Telehealth video visits, using the Houston Methodist MyChart platform, were offered to patients with cancer as an alternative to in-person visits. Reasons given by patients who declined to use video visits were documented, and demographic information was collected from all patients.

A randomized, controlled phase II trial of neoadjuvant ado-trastuzumab emtansine, lapatinib, and nab-paclitaxel versus trastuzumab, pertuzumab, and paclitaxel in HER2-positive breast cancer (TEAL study).

Background: Neoadjuvant dual human epidermal growth factor receptor (HER2) blockade with trastuzumab and pertuzumab plus paclitaxel leads to an overall pathologic complete response (pCR) rate of 46%. Dual HER2 blockade with ado-trastuzumab emtansine (T-DM1) and lapatinib plus nab-paclitaxel has shown efficacy in patients with metastatic HER2-positive breast cancer. To test neoadjuvant effectiveness of this regimen, an open-label, multicenter, randomized, phase II trial was conducted comparing T-DM1, lapatinib, and nab-paclitaxel with trastuzumab, pertuzumab, and paclitaxel in patients with early-stage HER2-positive breast cancer.

Detection of breast cancer stem cell gene mutations in circulating free DNA during the evolution of metastases.

Purpose: Limited knowledge exists on the detection of breast cancer stem cell (BCSC)-related mutations in circulating free DNA (cfDNA) from patients with advanced cancers. Identification of new cancer biomarkers may allow for earlier detection of disease progression and treatment strategy modifications.

Methods: We conducted a prospective study to determine the feasibility and prognostic utility of droplet digital polymerase chain reaction (ddPCR)-based BCSC gene mutation analysis of cfDNA in patients with breast cancer.

The role of adjuvant chemotherapy in locally advanced bladder cancer.

Purpose: The standard of care for locally advanced bladder cancer (LABC) is neoadjuvant chemotherapy followed by cystectomy. However, the role of adjuvant therapy is unclear. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the outcomes of adjuvant chemotherapy for patients with LABC following neoadjuvant chemotherapy and cystectomy, and to determine whether select patients may benefit from adjuvant chemotherapy.