Eduardo Cazap, MD, PhD

2012-2013 BCRF Project:
The project led by Dr. Cazap is an international, multi-center, prospective, randomized trial in advanced breast cancer patients treated with two capecitabine dosing schedules; it compares progression free survival, selected hematologic and non-hematologic toxicities, and response rate of both schedules. A feasibility study was previously done in order to evaluate which countries and sites were suitable for the study according with the patient characteristics, potential number of patients to be accrued, quality of data and follow-up. Four countries and up to 15 sites have been identified to be involved in this trial.

The purpose of this SLACOM clinical trial is to compare the efficacy of a novel schedule of capecitabine dosing based upon Norton-Simon mathematical modeling with the standard dosing schedule of capecitabine in patients with metastatic breast cancer. Its secondary objectives are to compare the safety and tolerability, response rate and rate of stable disease more than six months of these two capecitabine dosing schedules.

Mathematical models have predicted that seven days of capecitabine followed by seven days of rest (7-7) is an optimal dosing schedule for this drug. Preclinical models support improved tolerability and efficacy of this schedule. The maximum tolerated dose of capecitabine 7-7 was determined by a Phase I trial in patients with metastatic breast cancer.

In this trial, eligible patients will have measurable or non-measurable metastatic breast cancer that is pathologically confirmed. There is no limit to the number of prior chemotherapy regimens although patients may not have received fluoropyrimidine for the treatment of metastatic disease. Patients with HER2-positive disease (3+ on immunohistochemistry or FISH >2) are excluded from this study.

Mid-year Progress: Five Latin American countries are now participating in this study: Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Peru and Mexico. Independent groups are working in collaboration with investigators from National Cancer Institutes of Brazil and Mexico.

An important achievement has been the recognition that independent breast cancer research can be developed and implemented in Latin American countries. Dr. Cazap and all the group of breast cancer researchers are confident that this research will continue to promote the improvement of breast cancer care at a global scale.

Bio:
Eduardo Cazap is the founder and first President of the Latin American & Caribbean Society of Medical Oncology (SLACOM) since 2004. In 2008 he was elected by the General Assembly of the International Union against Cancer (UICC) as President for the 2010-2012 term.

After graduating in 1972 as a medical doctor from the University of Buenos Aires in his native city, Dr. Cazap was resident in Internal Medicine and then specialist in medical oncology at the Military Central Hospital and the Universidad del Salvador. He also completed fellowships at Strong Memorial Hospital, Rochester, New York and the Lombardi Cancer Center at Georgetown University, Washington, D.C. He was also fellow of the American Cancer Society in 1985. Following his role as Principal Investigator of the Collaborative Cancer Research Treatment Program (PAHO- NCI) in 1984, he became Professor of Clinical Oncology at the Universidad del Salvador (1984-98) and then Professor of Medical Oncology at the Universidad Catolica Argentina (1988-2000).

As well as having published over 170 papers, he has held many prominent positions in the medical arena, including Medical Director of the Instituto Dr. Estevez, Buenos Aires (1985-99) and representing Latin America at the European Society of Medical Oncology (ESMO), Lugano, Switzerland. He was President of the Argentine Association of Clinical Oncology (AAOC) in 1996-98 and 2000-02. In 2000, he signed the Charter of Paris against Cancer. He has been a member of the Developing Countries Task Force for ESMO since 2002. Dr. Cazap was a member of the 2006 and 2008 UICC World Congress Program Planning Executive Committee. He is an active member of American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO), was Chairman of ASCO's International Affairs Committee, is member of the Cancer Prevention Committee and was also recently elected to the ASCO Board of Directors representing the international members. Dr. Cazap also chairs the International Clinical Trials Working Group (ICTWG), a joint effort of ASCO and the National Cancer Institute, aimed at the improvement of independent clinical cancer research at the international level. He also leads the International Cancer Prevention Stakeholders Group, under the umbrella of UICC and with the support of ASCO, to coordinate international activities and a common strategy in cancer prevention towards improvement of global cancer control.