Phylum Porifera

Biology - Science of Life

1. Prepared by: MARK D. CASABUENA MILE - Biology

2. S P O N G E S

3. INTRODUCTION The animal Phylum whose members are sessile and either asymmetrical and radially symmetrical; body organized around a system of water canals and chambers; cells not organized into tissues or organs. Approximately 9,000 species.

4. INTRODUCTION Most sponges are colonial and they may vary in size form a few millimeters to the great loggerhead sponges, which may reach 2 meters or more across. Many sponges are brightly colored because of pigments in the dermal cells. Red, yellow, oranges, green, and purple.

5. Characteristics of Phylum Porifera include: Multicellular ; body a loose aggregation of cells of mesenchymal origin. Asymmetrical or superficially radially symmetrical Mostly marine; all aquatic.

6. Epidermis of flat Pinacocytes , most interior surfaces lined with flagellated collar cells ( choanocytes ) that create water currents, gelatinous protein matrix called mesohyl ( mesoglea ) contains amoebocytes of various types and skeletal elements. Characteristics of Phylum Porifera include:

7. Skeletal structure of fibrillar collagen (a protein) and calcareous or siliceous crystalline spicules , often cocmbined with variously modified colagen ( spongin ). No organs or tissues; digestion intracellular; excretiona and respiration by diffusion. Characteristics of Phylum Porifera include:

8. Characteristics of Phylum Porifera include: Reactions to stimuli apparently local and independent; nervous system probably absent. All adults are sessile and attached to substratum. Asexual reproduction by buds or gemmules and sexual reproduction by eggs and sperm; free swimming ciliated larvae.

9. In the example, pinacocytes form the outer body wall, and mesenchyme cells and spicules are in the mesohyl . Porocytes that extend through the body wall form ostia . Choanocytes are the cells with a flagellum surrounded by a collar of microvilli that traps food particles. Food moves toward the base of the cell, where it is incorporated into a food vacuole and pass to amoeboid mesenchyme cells, where digestion takes place. Brown arrow shows the direction of movement of trapped food particles. Morphology of a Simple Sponge

10. MORPHOLOGY OF SPONGE

11. SPONGE BODY FORMS

12. (a) An ascon sponge. Choanocytes line the spongocoel in ascon sponges. (b) A sycon sponge. The body wall of sycon sponges appears folded. Choanocytes line radial canals that that open in the spongocoel . (c) A leucon sponge. The proliferation of canals and chambers results in the loss of the spongocoel as a distinct chamber. Multiple oscula are frequently present. Blue arrows show the direction of the water flow. SPONGE BODY FORMS

13. Asconoid : Flagellated Spongocels SPONGE BODY FORMS The asconoid sponges have the simplest type of organization. They are small and tube shaped. Water enters through microscopic dermal pore into a large cavity called the spongocoel , which is lined with choanocytes .

14. The choanocyte flagella pull the water through the pores and expel it through a single large osculum . Leucosolenia is an asconoid type of sponge . Its is slender, tubular individuals grow in groups attached to a common stolon ., or stem, to objects in a shallow seawater. Asconoid are found only in Class Calcarea . Asconoid : Flagellated Spongocels SPONGE BODY FORMS

15. Asconoid : Flagellated Spongocels

16. Syconoid sponges look somewhat the larger version of asconoids ; from which they derived. They have the tubular body and single osculum , but the body wall which is thicker and complex than that of asconoid , contains choanocyte lined radial canals that empty into spongocoel . Sy conoid : Flagellated Canals SPONGE BODY FORMS

17. The spongocoel in syconoids is lined with epithelial-type cells rather than flagellated cells as in asconoids . Water enters through a large number of of dermal ostia into incurrent canals and then filters through tiny openings called prosopyles into the radial canals. Sy conoid : Flagellated Canals SPONGE BODY FORMS

18. Sy conoid : Flagellated Canals The food is ingested by choanocytes , whose flagella force the water on through internal pores ( apopyles ) into he spongocoel . From there it emerges from the osculum . Syconoid do not usually form highly branched colonies as the asconoids do. During development, syconoid sponges pass through and asconoid stage, the flagellated canals form by the evangination of the body wall. SPONGE BODY FORMS

19. Sy conoid : Flagellated Canals This is evidence that syconoid sponges were derived from asconois ancestral stock. Syconoids are found in classes Calcarea and Hexactinellida . Syconoid is a commonly studied type of sponge. SPONGE BODY FORMS

20. Sy conoid : Flagellated Canals

21. Grantia ciliatum   Example of Sy conoid Sponges Scypha ciliata Spongia coronata  

22. Leu conoid : Flagellated Chambers Leuconoid organization is the most complex of the sponge types and the best adapted for increase in sponge size. Most Leuconoid forms large colonial masses. Each member of the mass having its own osculum , but individual members are poorly defined and often impossible to distinguish. SPONGE BODY FORMS

23. Leu conoid : Flagellated Chambers Clusters of flagellated chambers are filled with incurrent canals and discharge water into excurrent canals that eventually lead to the osculum . Most sponges are of Leuconoid type, which occurs in Class Calcarea and other classes. SPONGE BODY FORMS

24. Leu conoid : Flagellated Chambers

25. Spongilla lacustris Example of Leu conoid Sponges

26. Sponges have a cellular grade of organization. They do not possess any structures that can be considered organs. For instance, sponges do not have stomachs or kidneys. Instead, sponge cells of various types are responsible for bodily functions, the day-to-day activities that sustain life. Many of the most common types of cells are illustrated below in a cartoon view of the wall of a poriferan . STRUCTURAL ANATOMY Specialized Cell Types

27. These cells are the "skin cells" of sponges. They line the exterior of the sponge body wall. They are thin, leathery and tightly packed together. Pinacocytes Specialized Cell Types

28. These distinctive cells line the interior body walls of sponges. These cells have a central flagellum that is surrounded by a collar of microvilli . It is their striking resemblance to the single-celled protists called  choanoflagellates  that make many scientists believe that choanoflagellates are the sister group to the  animals . Specialized Cell Types Choanococytes

29. Choanocytes are versatile cells. Their flagella beat to create the active pumping of water through the sponge, while the collars of the choanocytes are the primary areas that nutrients are absorbed into the sponge. Specialized Cell Types Choanococytes

30. Furthermore, in some sponges the choanoflagellates develop into gametes. Specialized Cell Types Choanococytes

31. Between the two layers is a thin space called mesenchyme or mesohyl . The mesenchyme consists of a proteinaceous matrix, some cells, and spicules . Specialized Cell Types Mesenchyme

32. Some of the engulfed material may be distributed to another type of cell called an  amoebocyte .  The amoebocyte assists in the digestive process and in the distribution of nutrients to other cells of the body. Amoebocytes are also totipotent , meaning that they can change into other sponge cell types. In some species, amoebocytes are able to become egg or sperm cells for sexual reproduction.  Amoebocytes or Archeocytes Specialized Cell Types

33. Amoebocytes

34. The secretion of spicules is carried out by sclerocytes . Other cells, called spongocytes , secrete the spongin skeletat fibres when those are present. Sclerocytes Specialized Cell Types

35. Poriferans do not have any muscle cells, so their movement is rather limited. However, some poriferan cells can contract in a similar fashion as muscle cells. Myocytes and porocytes which surround canal openings and pores can contract to regulate flow through the sponge. Myocytes and Porocytes Specialized Cell Types

36. Porocyte

37. STRUCTURAL ANATOMY Sponge Skeleton Sponge skeletons are made up of hard, rod-like projections called spicules and a protein called collagen. Sponge classes are based on the composition of the spicules . Spicules made of calcium carbonate or silica are secreted by cells called sclerocytes .

38. STRUCTURAL ANATOMY Skeletal elements made of spongin are often referred to as spongin fibers because they are more flexible than calcium or silica spicules . Spongin is a protein and it is secreted by cells called  spongocytes . Although sponges have no muscle tissue and are sessile organisms, they do have muscle-like cells called  myocytes .   Myocytes surround canal openings and porocytes . These cells are able to contract in order to regulate water flow through the body.

39. TYPES OF SPICULES Megascleres are large spicules measuring from 60-2000  µm  and often function as the main support elements in the skeleton. Acanthostyles are spiny styles. Anatriaenes , orthotriaenes and protriaenes are triaenes-megascleres with one long and three short rays. Strongyles are megascleres with both ends blunt or rounded. Tornotes are megascleres with spear shaped ends. Tylotes are megascleres with knobs on both ends.

40. TYPES OF SPICULES Microscleres are small spicules measuring from 10-60 µm and are scattered throughout the tissue and are not part of the main support element. Anisochelas are microscleres with dissimilar ends. Chelae are microscleres with shovel-like structures on the ends. Euasters are star-shaped microscleres with multiple rays radiating from a common centre.

41. Forceps are microscleres bent back on themselves. Isochelas are microscleres with two similar ends. Microstrongyles are microscleres with both ends blunt or rounded. Oxeas are microscleres with both ends pointed. Oxyasters are star-shaped microscleres with thin pointed rays. Sigmas are "C" or "S" shaped microscleres . Spherasters are microscleres with multiple rays radiating from a spherical centre TYPES OF SPICULES

42. All the life activities of the sponge depends on the current of water flowing through the body. A sponge pumps remarkable amount of water. Leuconia , for example leuconoid sponge about 10 cm tall and 1 cm in diameter. It is estimated that water enters through some 81,000 incurrent canals at a velocity of 0.1 cm/second. SPONGE PHYSIOLOGY

43. SPONGE PHYSIOLOGY However, Leuconia has more the 2 million flagellated chambers whose combined diameter is much greater than that of the canals, so that in the chambers the water slows down to 0.001 cm/second, allowing ample opportunity for food to capture by the collar cells. Leuconia alaskensis

44. SPONGE PHYSIOLOGY All of the water expelled in a single osculum at a velocity of 8.5 cm/second: a jet force capable of carrying waste products some distance away from the sponge. Some large sponges can filter 1500 liters of water a day. Sponges feed primarily on particles suspended in the water pumped though their canal systems. Detritus particles, planktonic organisms organisms , and bacteria are consumed nonselectively in the size range from 50 µm (average diameter of ostia ).

45. SPONGE PHYSIOLOGY Digestion is entirely intracellular (occurs within cells) and present evidence indicates that this chore is performed by archeocytes . Particles taken in by the choanocytes are passed on the archeocytes for digestion. There are no respiratory or excretory organs; both functions are apparently carried out by diffusion in individual cells. Contractile vacuoles have found in archeocytes and choanocytes of freshwater sponges.

46. HABITAT OF SEA SPONGES Source: Comstock Images/Comstock/Getty Images

47. HABITAT OF SEA SPONGES With 15,000 species in waters around the world, sponges (phylum Porifera ) are a widespread, extremely primitive animal species. Because of their simple design these creatures have been able to adapt to a variety of habitats and conditions. Nearly every type of water body is populated by sponges.

48. Coral Reefs The easiest place to find a sea sponge is on a coral reef. Sponges are one of the most common animals in these giant, self-contained ecosystems. These sponges are suspension feeders that eat particles they filter out of ocean water. On the reef, sponges easily get enough food because they're surrounded by other life forms. These sponges make the water cleaner and healthier for their cohabitants by filtering out detritus. Examples of common reef sponges include the fan sponge HABITAT OF SEA SPONGES

49. Examples of common reef sponges include the fan sponge ( Phyllospongia lamellosa ), the azure vase sponge ( Callyspongia plicifera ) and the tube sponge ( Callyspongia vaginalis ). HABITAT OF SEA SPONGES Phyllospongia lamellosa Callyspongia plicifera Callyspongia vaginalis

50. Midrange Marine Sponges You can find sponges just about anywhere in the sea if there are structural surfaces. Whether they spread carpetlike across rocks or blossom in elaborate shapes from spicules anchoring them to underwater structures, sponges have found ways to eke out a comfortable existence in the more expansive ocean areas. HABITAT OF SEA SPONGES

51. The waters surrounding hydrothermic vents are often popular with animals such as sponges because of the vents' warmth and water flow. Hydrothermic vents are 3,000 to 7,000 feet below the surface. Sometimes, very large sponge species develop in these areas where more room is available but food is still abundant. HABITAT OF SEA SPONGES Midrange Marine Sponges

52. An example is the barrel sponge ( Xestospongia muta ), roughly the same shape and size as a barrel and often big enough to hold a person. HABITAT OF SEA SPONGES Xestospongia muta

53. Deep Sea Sponges Sponges can even thrive in the deepest, darkest parts of the ocean. Porifera have been found living up to 25,000 feet beneath the ocean's surface. Fewer animals can withstand the harsh conditions at the bottom of the sea, so food is often scarce HABITAT OF SEA SPONGES

54. HABITAT OF SEA SPONGES Deep Sea Sponges To overcome this hardship some sponges have developed the ability to catch their food rather than relying on filtration feeding. These carnivorous sponges snare small animals at the current pushes past the sticky hooks on their branched arms. Then they envelop their prey in a mucus for digestion .

55. HABITAT OF SEA SPONGES Deep Sea Sponges The harp sponge ( Chondrocladia lyra ) and the ping-pong tree sponge ( Chondrocladia lampadiglobus ) are examples of carnivorous sponges. Chondrocladia lyra Chondrocladia lampadiglobu

56. HABITAT OF SEA SPONGES Freshwater Sponges Sponges are found in both marine and freshwater habitats. More than 200 species live in freshwater environments. Freshwater sponges are found throughout the world and at nearly every latitude.

57. HABITAT OF SEA SPONGES Freshwater Sponges Sponges have evolved to live in just about any form a body of water can take. Rivers, lakes, streams, springs, marshes, swamps, caves, temporary bodies of water -- somewhere in the world, all of these are homes to freshwater sponges.

58. HABITAT OF SEA SPONGES Freshwater Sponges Freshwater sponges are extremely durable creatures, able to withstand just about any situation such as drought, chemical pollution, and fluctuations in water flow, pH, temperature, and hardness. Spongilla lacustris , the most common freshwater sponge, is widely abundant in North America, Europe and Asia.

59. HABITAT OF SEA SPONGES Freshwater Sponges The Ogulin cave sponge ( Eunapius subterraneus ) is the only known species of subterranean freshwater sponge. It lives only in the Ogulin caverns in Croatia.

60. Sponges are important because of their roles in recycling nutrients and the part they play in the coral reef life cycle. For instance, sponges break down complex organic material into food for other things living on the coral reefs. Scientists believe they may be important factors to changes in water quality, whether good or bad. Scientists analyze how fast sponges breathe and the amount of nitrogen they release while doing so. ECOLOGICAL ROLES OF SPONGES

61. ECOLOGICAL ROLES OF SPONGES Scientists believe they may be important factors to changes in water quality, whether good or bad. Scientists analyze how fast sponges breathe and the amount of nitrogen they release while doing so. Sponges collect bacteria when they filter the water around them. These bacteria are believed to be able to do many things.

62. ECOLOGICAL ROLES OF SPONGES First, these bacteria may be able to create forms of nitrogen from the nitrogen gas in the water that may be nutritional for the sponge. They may also be able to turn ammonium from the sponge’s breathing into nitrogen gas that is then released into the atmosphere.

63. This process would lower excess nitrogen levels in coral reefs, also preventing harmful ecosystem changes. Scientists believe that the conversion of nitrogen gas into useful nitrogen is also beneficial to the survival of other organisms in the area. They are hoping to have discovered a pathway for the removal of excess nitrogen from coral reefs. ECOLOGICAL ROLES OF SPONGES

64. REPRODUCTION OF SPONGES

65. Most sponges are monocious (both sexes occur in the same individual) but do not usually self-fertilized because individual sponges produce eggs and sperm at different times. Certain choanocytes loss their collars and flagella and undergo meiosis to form flagellated sperm. Other choanocytes (and amoeboid cells in sponges) probably undergo meiosis to form eggs. REPRODUCTION OF SPONGES S exual Reproduction

66. Sperm and eggs are released in sponge oscula . Fertilization occurs in the ocean water, and planktonic larvae are develop. in a few sponges, eggs are retained in the mesohyl of the parent. Sperm cell exit one sponge through the osculum and enter another sponge with incurrent water. Sperm are trapped by choanocytes and incorporated by the vacuole. REPRODUCTION OF SPONGES

67. In some sponges, early development occurs in mesohyl . Cleavage of a zygote results in the formation of a flagellated larval stage. ( A larva is an immature stage that undergo a dramatic change in structure before attaining the adult body form.) The larva breaks free and water currents carry the larva out of the parent sponge. After no more than two days of a free-swimming existence, the larva settles to the substrate and begins to develop the adult body form. (figure 9.8) REPRODUCTION OF SPONGES

68. DEVELOPMENT OF SPONGE LARVAL STAGES

69. Figure 9.8 – Development of Sponge Larval Stages. (a ) Most sponges have a parenchymula larva (0.2mm). Flagellated cells cover most of the larva’s outer surface. After the larva settles and attaches, the outer cells lose their flagella, move to the interior, and formed choanocytes . Interior cells move to the periphery and form pinacocytes . DEVELOPMENT OF SPONGE LARVAL STAGES

70. DEVELOPMENT OF SPONGE LARVAL STAGES (b) Some sponges have amphiblastula larva (0.2 mm), which is hollow and has half of the larva composed of flagellated cells. On settling, the flagellated cells invaginate into the interior of the embryo and form choanocytes . Nonflagellated cells overgrow to choanocytes and form the choanocytes .

71. DEVELOPMENT OF SPONGE LARVAL STAGES (c) Gemmules (0.9mm) are resistant capsules containing masses of amoeboid cells. Gemmules are released when a parent sponge dies (e.g. in the winter), and amoeboid cells form a new sponge when favorable conditions return.

72. DEVELOPMENT OF SPONGE LARVAL STAGES As exual Reproduction Asexual reproduction of freshwater and some marine sponges involves the formation of resistant capsule, called gemmules , containing masses of amoeboid cells. When the parent sponge dies in the winter, it releases gemmules , which can sur4vive both freezing and drying. When favorable conditions return in the spring, amoeboid cells stream out of a tiny opening called micropyle , and organize into a sponge.

73. Sponges have tremendous ability to repair injuries and to restore lost parts, a process called regeneration. Regeneration does not imply entire reorganization of the entire animal, but only of the wounded portion. On the other hand, if a sponge is cut into small fragments, or if the cells of a sponge are entirely disassociated and are allowed to fall into small groups, an aggregates, entire new sponges can develop from this fragments or aggregates of cells. This process has been termed somatic embryogenesis. Regeneration and somatic embryogenesis

74. Regeneration and somatic embryogenesis Somatic embryogenesis involves a complete reorganization of the structure and functions of the participating cells or bits of tissue. Isolated from the influence of adjoining cells, they can realize their own potential to change in shape or function as they develop into a new organism.

75. Sponges in this class are typified by skeletal spicules composed of calcium carbonate. The spicules often protrude through the epipinecodermal covering of the body wall, giving the organism a rough texture. Calcareous sponges are small, usually only a few inches high, and are generally dull in appearance, although several species are brightly colored . CLASSIFICATION OF SPONGES Class C alcarea

76. CLASSIFICATION OF SPONGES Class C alcarea Members of this class are among the simplest sponges, and all three morphological types— asconoid , syconoid , and leuconoid —are represented. There are approximately 150 known species, exclusively marine and shallow-water dwellers.

77. CLASSIFICATION OF SPONGES Class C alcarea Leucosolenia blanca Grantia compressa

78. CLASSIFICATION OF SPONGES Class Hexactinellida (Glass Sponges) These are deep-sea sponges. They lack an epidermal covering, and their skeletons are composed of spicules of silica. The spicules , which often form a latticework, have six points or some multiple thereof. Glass sponges are pale in color and are cup- or basket-shaped. The spongocoel is large, and the osculum is covered by a grillwork of fused spicules .

79. CLASSIFICATION OF SPONGES Class Hexactinellida (Glass Sponges) When the living tissue is removed, the cylindrical skeletons often have the appearance of spun glass. The glass sponge known as Venus's-flower-basket ( Euplectella  ) supplies a home for certain shrimps that become trapped by the lattice of spicules . The body plan of Hexactinellida is between syconoid and leuconoid .

80. Euplectella aspergillum Class Hexactinellida (Glass Sponges) Euplectella timorensis CLASSIFICATION OF SPONGES

81. CLASSIFICATION OF SPONGES Most sponges belong in this class. It includes sponges with a skeleton made up of silicon-containing spicules or spongin fibers or both. In the latter case, the spongin provides a matrix in which the spicules are embedded . The Demospongiae vary in size from small, encrusting forms to very large, irregular masses. All are leuconoid ; many are brightly colored. Class Demospongiae

82. CLASSIFICATION OF SPONGES Class Demospongiae The freshwater sponges ( family Spongillidae ) belong to this class; they are frequently green because of symbiotic algae that live in the amoebocytes . The fibrous sponges also belong to this class; they include the common bath sponges , Hippospongia communis  and  Spongia officinalis ,  and most of the other sponges used commercially.

83. CLASSIFICATION OF SPONGES Class Demospongiae The boring sponges (family Clionidae ) are extremely interesting because of their ability to bore into calcareous rocks and mollusk shells. They begin their boring as larvae and spend their lives in the tunnels they form. Sulfur sponges (  Cliona  species) are bright yellow boring forms inhabiting shallow waters on the east and west coasts of the United States.

84. Hippospongia communis   CLASSIFICATION OF SPONGES Class Demospongiae

85. CLASSIFICATION OF SPONGES Class Demospongiae Spongia officinalis

86. CLASSIFICATION OF SPONGES Class Demospongiae Cliona aethiopicus

87. From Sea Sponge to HIV Medicine Tectitethya crypta  (formerly known as  Cryptotheca crypta ) is a large, shallow-water sponge found in the Caribbean. It was first studied for medical purposes in the 1950s when few scientists or doctors thought to look for medicines in the ocean. But in the sponge, scientists isolated two chemicals—aptly named spongothymidine and spongouridine —which were used as models for the development of a number of anti-viral and anti-cancer drugs. Usefulness OF SPONGES

88. These include the HIV drug AZT, a breakthrough in AIDS treatment in the late 1980s, anti-viral drugs to treat herpes, and an anti-leukemia drug. The latter was approved in 1969 and was the first marine-drug approved for cancer treatment. From Sea Sponge to HIV Medicine http://ocean.si.edu/ocean-photos/sea-sponge-hiv-medicine

89. Sea Sponge Drug Boosts Breast Cancer Survival ? A certain drug developed from sea sponges could possibly boost breast cancer survival in women, according to a new study. Researchers led by Professor Chris Twelves , based at the University of Leeds and Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, looked at 1,800 women with breast cancer that had started to metastasize, or spread, to other parts of the body. They found that when treating patients with the cancer drug eribulin , specifically those with advanced triple negative breast cancer, they lived on average an extra five months. By Jenna L acurci Nov 03, 2014 08:22 P M

90. " Despite advances in the diagnosis and treatment of women with breast cancer, more than 11,600 women still die from invasive breast cancer each year in the UK. New and better treatments are needed for people fighting the disease," study author, Professor Chris Twelves said in a  statement . And Twelves and colleagues hope that eribulin could be the drug that can make a difference. Eribulin , which was originally developed from a sea sponge called Halichondria okadai , works by stopping the cancer cells from separating into two new cells. Sea Sponge Drug Boosts Breast Cancer Survival ?

91. Cancer that metastasizes to other organs accounts for a whopping 90 percent of all cancer deaths. And for those with breast cancer, if diagnosed when the disease has already starting making its way to other parts of the body, 10-year survival is around one in 10. That's compared to nearly nine in 10 for those diagnosed at the earliest stage . "These results are encouraging and may offer valuable extra time to patients whose cancers have stopped responding to conventional treatments and have few options left," explained Martin Ledwick , head information nurse at Cancer Research UK. Sea Sponge Drug Boosts Breast Cancer Survival ?

92. " Advanced breast cancer can be very difficult to treat so these results take us a small, important step in the right direction." " Although eribulin isn't a cure," he added, "it's an extra treatment option for patients with advanced breast cancer, which can be priceless to them and their families." The results were presented at the 2014 National Cancer Research Institute (NCRI) Cancer Conference in Liverpool and the study's abstract can be found  here . Sea Sponge Drug Boosts Breast Cancer Survival ?

93. Study Abstract Efficacy of eribulin in patients with metastatic breast cancer (MBC): a pooled analysis by HER2 and ER status Chris Twelves 1 , Javier Cortes 2 , Linda Vahdat 3 , Martin Olivo 4 , Yi He 4 , Peter A Kaufman 5 , Ahmad Awada 6 , 1 Leeds Institute of Cancer and Pathology and St James's Institute of Oncology, Leeds, UK, 2 Vall d'Hebron University Hospital, Barcelona, Spain, 3 Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, USA, 4 Eisai Inc., Woodcliff Lake, USA, 5 Norris Cotton Cancer Center and Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center, Lebanon, USA, 6 Medical Oncology Clinic, Institut Jules Bordet, Université Libre de Bruxelles , Brussels, Belgium,

94. Background Eribulin has been assessed in two phase 3, open-label trials in patients with locally recurrent or MBC progressing after an anthracycline and taxane . Eribulin significantly increased overall survival (OS) compared with treatment of physician's choice (TPC) in one study and showed a non-significant trend for improved OS vs capecitabine in the other. We present an unplanned pooled analysis of these data.

95. Method In the EMBRACE trial, women had received 2–5 lines of chemotherapy for advanced disease. In this ?3 rd  line setting, patients were randomized 2:1 to eribulin mesylate (1.4mg/m 2  iv on days 1 and 8 every 21 days) or TPC. In study 301, patients who had received 0–2 prior chemotherapies for advanced disease were randomized 1:1 to eribulin (as above) or capecitabine (1.25 g/m 2  orally b.i.d . days 1–14 every 21 days). We analysed OS (based on survival curve adjusted by study) by 2-sided stratified log-rank tests and Cox regression in the overall intent-to-treat population and in the HER2–, triple negative (TNBC) and HER2+ subgroups. Between-treatment analyses were stratified by region, prior capecitabine use and study (plus HER2 status [overall group] and TNBC [HER2– group]).

96. Results 1864 patients (median age 54yrs) were included, most had been treated in the 2 nd  (31.5%) or 3 rd  line (32.7%) MBC settings. Eribulin provided significantly improved OS vs control overall (15.2 vs 12.8 months, HR=0.85, 95%CI=0.77,0.95, p=0.003), and in HER2– (15.2 vs 12.3 months, HR=0.82, 95%CI=0.72,0.93, p=0.002) and TNBC (12.9 vs 8.2 months, HR=0.74, 95%CI=0.60,0.92, p=0.006) patients, but not HER2+ patients (13.5 vs 12.2 months, HR=0.82, 95%CI=0.62,1.06, p=0.135). As reported before, the eribulin safety profile was similar in the studies.

97. Conclusion Eribulin significantly improved OS vs standard therapies in MBC patients with HER2– and TNBC; in patients with HER2+ disease the difference did not reach statistical significance but numbers were smaller . Source: http ://www.natureworldnews.com/articles/10043/20141103/sea-sponge-drug-boosts-breast-cancer-survival.htm