bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
FOENIX-CCA2 quality of life data for futibatinib-treated intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (iCCA) patients with FGFR2 fusions/rearrangements.
Authors: Valle Juan W. , Hollebecque Antoine , Furuse Junji , Goyal Lipika , Meric-Bernstam Funda , Epstein Robert S. , Salimi Tehseen , Wacheck Volker , Liu Mei , Benhadji Karim A. , Bridgewater John A.
Published: June 2021

4097

Background: In FOENIX-CCA2 (NCT02052778), a pivotal phase 2 study among iCCA patients (pts) with FGFR2 fusions/rearrangements, the highly selective, irreversible FGFR1–4 inhibitor futibatinib demonstrated a confirmed objective response rate of 41.7%, with a 9.7-month median duration of response. Adverse events were manageable with dosing modifications that did not adversely impact on response. We report outcomes for the preplanned analysis of Patient-Reported Outcomes (PROs) during futibatinib treatment as a secondary objective of FOENIX-CCA2. Methods: Pts enrolled in FOENIX-CCA2 had locally advanced/metastatic unresectable iCCA with FGFR2 fusions/rearrangements, ≥1 prior line of therapy (including gemcitabine/cisplatin) and ECOG PS 0-1. Pts received oral futibatinib 20 mg continuous QD dosing per 21-day cycle. PRO measures included EORTC-QLQ-C30 (1 global health, 5 functional, 9 symptom scales), EQ-5D-3L, and EQ visual analogue scale (VAS). PROs were collected at screening, cycles 2 and 4, every 3 cycles thereafter, and end of treatment. PRO data were evaluated up to cycle 13, the last visit before data were missing for >50% of the PRO population (PRO primary assessment time point). Results: 92/103 (89.3%) pts enrolled had PRO completion data at baseline and a minimum of 1 follow-up assessment (median age 58 y, 56.5% female), with 48 pts having PRO data at cycle 13. At baseline, mean (SD) EORTC QLQ-C30 global health status score was 70.1 (19.4) and EQ VAS score 71.7 (20.3). Mean EORTC QLQ-C30 global health status scores were maintained from baseline to cycle 13, corresponding to 9.0 months on treatment, with no clinically meaningful (≥10-point) changes in individual functional measures (Table). EORTC QLQ-C30 scores across individual symptom measures were also stable from baseline through cycle 13; only constipation showed an average of 10.0-point worsening at only cycle 4. Mean EQ VAS scores were sustained from baseline to cycle 13 (mean change ranging -1.8 to +4.8 across cycles), with values maintained within the population norm range from across 20 countries. Conclusions: Quality of life data from the phase 2 FOENIX-CCA2 trial show that physical, cognitive and emotional functioning, and overall health status were maintained among pts with advanced iCCA receiving futibatinib. Clinical trial information: NCT02052778. [Table: see text]
Clinical outcomes analysis of TP53-mutated advanced and metastatic biliary tract cancers.
Authors: Lee Sunyoung S. , Tran Cao Hop Sanderson , Tzeng Ching-Wei David , Metwalli Zeyad , Koay Eugene Jon , Ludmir Ethan B. , Chun Yun Shin , Chun Stephen G. , Javle Milind M.
Published: June 2021

4106

Background: Advanced biliary tract cancers (BTC) are lethal cancers with limited treatment options and short survival. Median progression-free survival (mPFS) in the ABC-02 trial was 8.0 months with gemcitabine-cisplatin (GC) and 5.0 m with gemcitabine alone in the front-line setting. The ABC-06 trial showed mPFS of 4.0 m with second-line FOLFOX. TP53 mutation is known to be associated with poor prognosis in other cancers, but its impact on survival in advanced or metastatic BTC has not been detailed. Methods: Mutational profiles were obtained from a retrospective database collected via an institutional DNA/RNA sequencing panel, FoundationOne, or Guardant360. Out of 149 patients with TP53 mutations in BTC, 90 had advanced or metastatic BTC treated at a single institution between 2015 and 2021. These patients were not candidates for surgery, radiation, or liver-directed therapy. Results: Intrahepatic, hilar, distal, and gallbladder cancer diagnoses were confirmed in 66, 11, 10, and 3 patients. Median age was 63, with a male:female ratio of 1:1. Poorly, moderately, and well-differentiated adenocarcinomas were found in 62, 20, and 1 (not available in 7 patients). The most common TP53 mutations were R175H (n = 5) and R248Q (n = 4). Common co-mutated genes included KRAS (n = 15), ARID1A (n = 15), FGFR2 fusion (n = 14), IDH1 (n = 13), BAP1 (n = 10), CDKN2A (n = 9), and HER2 amplification (n = 8). Microsatellite unstable (MSI-H) tumors were found in 3 patients. The median tumor mutational burden was 2.5/Mb. Patients received front-line GC (n = 54), GC-nab-paclitaxel (GAP, n = 14), FOLFIRINOX (n = 3), and GC with targeted or trial therapy (n = 11, e.g. trastuzumab). mPFS with front-line therapy was 5.0 m (n = 90); it was 4.7 m with GC and 5.1 m with GAP. Patients who had co-mutated IDH1 or FGFR2 fusion had longer mPFS (9.5 and 6.9 m, respectively) than those who did not (n = 63, 3.7 m, p < 0.05) from front-line chemotherapy. mPFS after second-line FOLFOX (n = 17) and FOLFIRI (n = 10) was 2.1 and 1.9 m, respectively, and mPFS after third-line FOLFOX/FOLFIRI was 1.8 m (n = 8). The median overall survival (OS) of patients with co-mutated FGFR2, IDH1, or neither was 34.5, 22.0, and 13.1 m, respectively (p < 0.05). TP53-mutated BTC with mutations other than FGFR2/IDH1 did not show statistically significant difference in PFS or OS. Conclusions: Patients with TP53-mutated advanced BTC have shorter PFS than those without TP53 mutation in front and further-line settings. The presence of co-mutated FGFR2 or IDH1 is associated with improved PFS with chemotherapy (not FGFR/IDH1 inhibitors) and longer OS. Other co-mutations do not appear to have a survival benefit. It is crucial for clinicians to take into account the worse prognosis with TP53 mutation before starting front-line therapy in patients with advanced BTC and consider early clinical trial options.
Plasma biomarker study of lenvatinib in gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumors reveals Ang2 and FGF2 as predictors of treatment response: Results from the international phase II TALENT trial (GETNE 1509).
Authors: Capdevila Jaume , Jimenez-Valerio Gabriela , Martinez Alba , Hernando Jorge , Ibrahim Toni , Fazio Nicola , Lopez Carlos , Teule Alex , Valle Juan W. , Tafuto Salvatore , Custodio Ana B. , Reed Nicholas Simon , Raderer Markus , Grande Enrique , Garcia-Carbonero Rocio , Jiménez-Fonseca Paula , Alonso Vicente , Casanovas Oriol
Published: June 2021

4113

Background: Predictive biomarkers of response to antiangiogenics currently remain elusive, with several molecules discovered but not fully validated nor clinically applied. TALENT trial is a multicenter prospective phase II study of lenvatinib, a VEGFR1-3 and FGFR1-4 multikinase inhibitor (MKI), in advanced G1/G2 neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) from pancreatic (panNETs) and gastrointestinal (giNETs) origins, which has reported the highest overall response rate (ORR) by central radiology assessment with a MKI in this setting. Here we report the plasma biomarker study. Methods: Proangiogenic profiling of plasma samples from patients included in the trial were analyzed by multiplex ELISA (custom made Quantibody Array, RayBiotech). Quantitative determinations of VEGF-A, FGF2, FGF4, Ang2, IL8, PlGF, VEGF-C, VEGF-D and VEGFR2 were obtained from 85 samples of sufficient quality (out of 111 patients included in the study). Association and prediction of response were evaluated for each biomarker and correlated with PFS, OS and ORR in all patients and the different subgroups included in the trial. Results: While none of the factors were able to discriminate PFS or OS in the whole population, a significant association of high-Ang2 and low-FGF2 to ORR was observed. Subgroup analysis confirmed this association in the two cohorts of patients, giNETs (p = 0.003) and panNETs (p = 0.024). In the panNET cohort, prior targeted therapy was mandatory. Prior sunitinib exposure was observed in 8 patients. Of the factors studied, Ang2 and VEGFR2 were significantly decreased in plasma from sunitinib-pretreated patients (-73% p = 0.022 and -62% p = 0.042 respectively). Furthermore, in these sunitinib-pretreated patients Ang-2 and VEGFR2 levels associated to ORR (p = 0.029 and p = 0.029 respectively) and were able to discriminate PFS (log rank p = 0.027 and 0.007 respectively). ROC curve analysis defined Ang2 and VEGFR2 plasma levels with optimal predictive power to be 415pg/ml and 1770pg/ml respectively (p = 0.021). Conclusions: Plasma proangiogenic profiling of TALENT patient samples unraveled high-Ang2 and low-FGF2 as predictive biomarkers of response to lenvatinib in both cohorts. In antiangiogenic-pretreated patients, Ang2 and VEGFR2 levels significantly predict response to treatment in panNETs. Importantly, current studies with MKIs should confirm the value of these markers for advanced NETs not only to predict response, but also to stablish sequential treatment options for these patients.
Baseline level and early on-treatment clearance of circulating mutant KRAS in metastatic pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma treated with chemotherapy with or without immunotherapy.
Authors: Till Jacob E. , Abdalla Aseel , Bhagwat Neha , Black Taylor A. , Wang Zhuoyang , Yee Stephanie S. , Gherardini Pier Federico , Kitch Lacey J. , Selinsky Cheryl , Lyman Jaclyn Paige , LaVallee Theresa , Fisher George A. , Rahma Osama E. , Ko Andrew H. , Wainberg Zev A. , Wolff Robert A. , O'Reilly Eileen Mary , Vonderheide Robert H. , O'Hara Mark H. , Carpenter Erica L.
Published: June 2021

4122

Background: Traditional imaging-guided therapeutic decision-making for patients with metastatic pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (mPDAC) may lag and, on occasion, be misleading. The concept of liquid biopsy-based molecular response holds promise for proximate and accurate therapy monitoring and assessment of emerging resistance to therapy. Here we investigate the association between baseline (pre-treatment) level and early, on-treatment changes in plasma circulating cell-free DNA (ccfDNA) mutant KRAS (ctKRAS) with progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) in mPDAC. Methods: 189 plasma samples were analyzed from 123 total patients with mPDAC. An initial cohort included 54 patients treated at the University of Pennsylvania who received first-line standard of care (SOC) regimens and had a baseline plasma sample. Of these, 21 also had an on-therapy sample collected at ̃8 weeks. We also analyzed an independent cohort of 69 patients enrolled in the PRINCE trial (NCT03214250) who had a baseline sample, of which 45 also had an on-treatment sample at ̃8 weeks. PRINCE trial patients received gemcitabine/nab-paclitaxel with immunotherapy (I/O) agents (APX005M and/or nivolumab). ctKRAS variant allele fraction (VAF) was quantified by droplet digital PCR on pre-amplified ccfDNA. Baseline ctKRAS was dichotomized at 5% VAF. ctKRAS clearance was defined as detectable ctKRAS at baseline followed by ctKRAS becoming undetectable in the on-treatment sample. Results: Baseline ctKRAS (above/below 5% VAF) and ctKRAS clearance were associated with PFS and OS in both cohorts (Table). Further, in a multivariate cox regression model, ctKRAS clearance associated with improved PFS (HR 3.8, 1.4-10.9 or 3.6, 1.8-7.2) in both the SOC and I/O cohorts, respectively, and OS in the SOC cohort (HR 5.5, 1.5-20.8) after adjusting for baseline VAF. Conclusions: Baseline ctKRAS is significantly associated with OS and PFS in mPDAC in both independent cohorts. Further, early on-treatment ctKRAS clearance is strongly associated with improved PFS and OS, independent of baseline ctKRAS VAF. These data strongly support further investigation of ccfDNA as a biomarker of response and resistance to therapy.[Table: see text]
Local and systemic recurrence following total neoadjuvant therapy (TNT) and resection for borderline resectable and locally advanced pancreatic adenocarcinoma: Long-term follow up from two phase II studies.
Authors: Ryan Grace E. , Murphy Janet E. , Ulysse Christine A. , Yeap Beow Y. , Wo Jennifer Yon-Li , Weekes Colin D. , Clark Jeffrey William , Allen Jill N. , Blaszkowsky Lawrence Scott , Nipp Ryan David , Drapek Lorraine C. , Parikh Aparna Raj , Bolton Christine , Maruna Jacob , Ferrone Cristina R. , Qadan Motaz , Lillemoe Keith D. , Ryan David P. , Fernandez Del-Castillo Carlos , Hong Theodore S.
Published: June 2021

4133

Background: With the advent of FOLFIRINOX, the management of pancreatic cancer has undergone a profound change. There has been a shift to TNT with FOLFIRINOX followed by radiation and an attempt at surgical resection. Recent trials of TNT have demonstrated an ability to resect locally advanced (LA) and borderline resectable disease. There is a lack of prospective data demonstrating local and systemic recurrence rates after TNT. Methods: Two previously reported prospective clinical trials (Murphy JE, et al, JAMA Oncol 2018, 2019) of total neoadjuvant therapy were conducted between 2012 and 2018 for borderline and LA disease (NCT01591733, NCT01821729). Patients received FOLFIRINOX for 8 cycles. Upon restaging, patients with resolution of vascular involvement received short-course chemoradiotherapy (5 Gy x 5 with protons or 3 Gy x 10 w photons) with capecitabine (N=34). Patients with persistent vascular involvement received long-course chemoradiotherapy with capecitabine (N=56). All patients were considered for resection after TNT except for those patients with metastatic or unresectable disease. Results: 97 eligible patients were enrolled and started treatment on the borderline resectable (n = 48) and locally advanced (n= 49) study. 90 patients completed therapy. 80 patients were taken to the operating room. 61 patients had R0 resection and 5 patients had R1 resection. The table shows the distribution of local recurrences, local recurrences and metastatic disease, and metastatic disease alone. With a median follow-up of 5.2 years (range: 2.4-6.0), of the 61 R0 patients, 22 patients remained alive and free of disease, 7 patients had a local recurrence, 4 patients had locoregional and metastatic recurrence, and 24 patients had a metastatic recurrence. 3 patients who underwent R0 resection died of unrelated causes. Median survival for patients undergoing R0 resection is 43.8 months. Conclusions: Total neoadjuvant therapy for locally advanced and borderline resectable pancreatic cancer is potentially curable and may change the pattern of spread.[Table: see text]
Impact of KRAS mutational status on outcomes in patients with pancreatic cancer (PDAC).
Authors: Ma Lucy Xiaolu , Jang Gun Ho , Zhang Amy , Denroche Robert Edward , Dodd Anna , Ramotar Stephanie , Hutchinson Shawn , Wang Yifan , Tehfe Mustapha , Ramjeesingh Ravi , Biagi James Joseph , Lam Bernard , Wilson Julie , Notta Faiyaz , Fischer Sandra , Grant Robert C , Zogopoulos George , Gallinger Steven , Knox Jennifer J. , O'Kane Grainne M.
Published: June 2021

4142

Background: KRAS mutations (m) (KRASm) are present in over 90% of pancreatic adenocarcinomas (PDAC) with a predominance of G12 substitutions. KRAS wildtype (WT) PDAC relies on alternate oncogenic drivers, and the prognostic impact of these remains unknown. We evaluated alterations in WT PDAC and explored the impact of specific KRASm and WT status on survival. Methods: WGS and RNAseq were performed on 570 patients (pts) ascertained through our translational research program from 2012-2021, of which 443 were included for overall survival (OS) analyses. This included 176 pts with resected and 267 pts with advanced PDAC enrolled on the COMPASS trial (NCT02750657). The latter cohort underwent biopsies prior to treatment with first line gemcitabine-nab-paclitaxel or mFOLFIRINOX as per physician choice. The Kaplan-Meier and Cox proportional hazards methods were used to estimate OS. Results: KRAS WT PDAC (n = 52) represented 9% of pts, and these cases trended to be younger than pts with KRASm (median age 61 vs 65 years p = 0.1). In resected cases, the most common alterations in WT PDAC (n = 23) included GNASm (n = 6) and BRAFm/fusions (n = 5). In advanced WT PDAC (n = 27), alterations in BRAF (n = 11) and ERBB2/3/4 (n = 6) were most prevalent. Oncogenic fusions (NTRK, NRG1, BRAF/RAF, ROS1, others) were identified in 9 pts. The BRAF in-frame deletion p.486_491del represented the most common single variant in WT PDAC, with organoid profiling revealing sensitivity to both 3rd generation BRAF inhibitors and MEK inhibition. In resected PDAC, multivariable analyses documented higher stage (p = 0.043), lack of adjuvant chemotherapy (p < 0.001), and the KRAS G12D variant (p = 0.004) as poor prognostic variables. In advanced disease, neither WT PDAC nor KRAS specific alleles had an impact on prognosis (median OS WT = 8.5 mths, G12D = 8.2, G12V = 10.0, G12R = 12.0, others = 9.2, p = 0.73); the basal-like RNA subtype conferred inferior OS (p < 0.001). A targeted therapeutic approach following first line chemotherapy was undertaken in 10% of pts with advanced PDAC: MMRd (n = 1), homologous recombination deficiency (HRD) (n = 19), KRASG12C (n = 1), CDK4/6 amplification (n = 3), ERBB family alterations (n = 2), BRAF variants (n = 2). OS in this group was superior (14.7 vs 8.8 mths, p = 0.04), mainly driven by HRD-PDAC where KRASm were present in 89%. Conclusions: In our dataset, KRAS G12D is associated with inferior OS in resected PDAC, however KRAS mutational status was not prognostic in advanced disease. This suggests that improved OS in the WT PDAC population can only be achieved if there is accelerated access to targeted drugs for pts.
Phase 2 trial of gemcitabine, cisplatin, plus nivolumab with selective bladder sparing in patients with muscle- invasive bladder cancer (MIBC): HCRN GU 16-257.
Authors: Galsky Matt D. , Daneshmand Siamak , Chan Kevin G. , Dorff Tanya B. , Cetnar Jeremy Paul , O Neil Brock , D'souza Anishka , Mamtani Ronac , Kyriakopoulos Christos , Garcia Philip , Izadmehr Sudeh , Yu Menggang , Zhao Qianqian , Mehrazin Reza , Lewis Sara C , Sfakianos John , Pal Sumanta K.
Published: June 2021

4503

Background: Transurethral resection of bladder tumor (TURBT) plus systemic therapy has been known for decades to achieve durable bladder-intact survival in a subset of patients with MIBC but efforts to advance this paradigm have been complicated by (a) lack of prospective studies exclusively testing cisplatin-based neoadjuvant chemotherapy, (b) lack of rigorous methods to define clinical complete response (cCR) and its association with long term outcomes and (c) limited understanding of the role of “salvage” cystectomy. Methods: Eligible patients were cisplatin-eligible with cT2-T4aN0M0 urothelial bladder cancer. Patients received 4 cycles of gemcitabine, cisplatin, plus nivolumab followed by clinical restaging including urine cytology, MRI/CT of the bladder, cystoscopy and bladder/prostatic urethral biopsies. Patients achieving a cCR (normal cytology, imaging, and cT0/Ta) were eligible to proceed without cystectomy and receive nivolumab q2 weeks x 8 followed by surveillance; otherwise, patients underwent cystectomy. Coprimary endpoints included (1) cCR rate and (2) ability of cCR to predict 2-year metastasis-free survival (MFS). The key secondary endpoint was the impact of genomic alterations in baseline TURBT (TMB, ERCC2, FANCC, RB1, ATM) on performance of cCR for predicting MFS. The cCR rate coprimary endpoint, and interim analysis of 1-year outcomes, are reported. Results: Between 8/2018-11/2020, 76 patients were enrolled at 7 sites (male 79%, median age 69; cT2 = 56%, cT3 = 32%, cT4 = 12%) and 64 (84%) have completed post-cycle 4 restaging; 31/64 achieved a cCR (48%; 95% CI 36%, 61%). The median follow-up of cCR patients is 13.7 months (range, 2.5-24 months). One cCR patient opted for immediate cystectomy (pTaN0M0). Outcomes for the entire cohort are summarized in the table below. Local recurrence has occurred in 8/31 cCR patients and 6 underwent cystectomy (pT0N0 = 1, pTaN0 = 1, pTisN0 =1, pT2N0 = 2, pT4N1 = 1). TMB ≥ 10 mut/Mb (p=0.02) or mutant ERCC2 (p=0.02) were associated with cCR or pT0. Conclusions: TURBT + gemcitabine, cisplatin, plus nivolumab achieves stringently defined cCR in a large subset of patients with MIBC. 1-year bladder intact survival is possible though the durability of responses, and role of genomic biomarkers in management algorithms, requires longer follow-up. Clinical trial information: NCT03558087. [Table: see text]
Outcomes of patients who progressed while receiving avelumab + axitinib (A + Ax) and received subsequent treatment (Tx) in JAVELIN Renal 101.
Authors: Albiges Laurence , Voss Martin H , Rini Brian I. , Gravis Gwenaelle , Grimm Marc-Oliver , Nathan Paul D. , Bjarnason Georg A. , Tomita Yoshihiko , Penkov Konstantin , McGregor Bradley , Huang Bo , Thomaidou Despina , Mariani Mariangela , Di Pietro Alessandra , Choueiri Toni K.
Published: June 2021

4514

Background: There are limited data on the outcomes of patients receiving second-line (2L) therapy following immunotherapies plus tyrosine-kinase inhibitors in the first-line (1L). We describe the outcomes of patients with advanced renal cell carcinoma (aRCC) who had received 1L A + Ax in the phase 3 JAVELIN Renal 101 trial and went on to receive subsequent Tx. Methods: At the cutoff date for the third interim analysis (April 28, 2020), patients who received 1L A + Ax (n = 442) and received any subsequent lines of Tx were assessed. We report the overall survival (OS), progression-free survival on next-line systemic therapy (PFS2) per type of Tx, and duration of 2L Tx. Results: Anticancer drug therapies were received by 204/442 patients following A + Ax Tx. Of patients who received a follow-up anticancer drug Tx, 163/204 received a single agent (SA), and 41/204 received a combination Tx (CT) regimen. The most common 2L SA was cabozantinib (60/163), and the most frequent 2L CT was everolimus + lenvatinib (12/41). OS, PFS2, and duration of treatment (DOT) for the various subgroups are summarized in the table below. Analyses on additional subgroups will also be presented. Conclusions: In patients with aRCC who received 2L CT following 1L treatment with A + Ax, long-term OS and PFS2 were observed. Clinical trial information: NCT02684006. [Table: see text]
Circulating tumor cell-driven use of neoadjuvant chemotherapy in patients with muscle-invasive bladder cancer.
Authors: Beije Nick , de Kruijff Ingeborg Elisabeth , de Jong Joep , Klaver Sjoerd O. , de Vries Peter , Jacobs Rens , Somford Diederik Meindert , te Slaa Ed , van der Heijden Toine , Witjes Johannes Alfred , Fossion Laurent , Boeve Egbert , van der Hoeven John , van Melick Harm H.E. , Wijburg Carl J , Martens John W.M. , De Wit Ronald , Kraan Jaco , Sleijfer Stefan , Boormans Joost L.
Published: June 2021

4523

Background: International guidelines for the treatment of non-metastatic muscle-invasive bladder cancer (MIBC) recommend neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC), which, however, is underutilized in practice. We hypothesized that the absence of circulating tumour cells (CTCs), an established prognostic marker in MIBC, may identify patients with such a favourable prognosis that NAC may be withheld. Methods: The CirGuidance study included adults with clinical stage T2-T4aN0-N1M0 muscle-invasive urothelial carcinoma of the bladder who were fit to undergo radical cystectomy. CTCs were enumerated using the CellSearch system. CTC-negative patients (no CTCs detectable) underwent radical surgery without NAC; CTC-positive patients (≥1 detectable CTCs) were advised to receive NAC followed by radical surgery, but NAC could be withheld at the discretion of the treating physician. The primary endpoint was the two-year overall survival (OS) in the CTC-negative group, analysed in the intention-to-treat population. The prespecified criterion for trial success was a two-year OS of minimally 75% (95% confidence interval (CI) ±5%) in the CTC-negative group. Results: Of 315 patients screened for eligibility, 273 were enrolled in the study. The median age was 69 years; the median follow-up was 36 months. The two-year OS in the CTC-negative group was 69.5% (n = 203; 95% CI 62.6%-75.5%); in the CTC-positive group it was 58.2% (n = 70; 95% CI 45.5%-68.9%). CTC-positive patients had a higher rate of cancer-related mortality (hazard ratio (HR) 1.61, 95% CI 1.05-2.45, p = 0.03) and disease relapse (HR 1.87, 95% CI 1.28-2.73, p = 0.001) than CTC-negative patients. Explorative analyses suggested that CTC-positive patients who had received NAC (n = 22) survived longer than CTC-positive patients who had not (n = 48), with a two-year OS of 74.8% (95%CI 49.5%-88.8%) versus 52.0% (95% CI 37.2%-65.0%), respectively. Conclusions: The two-year OS in the CTC-negative group did not meet the prespecified criterion for trial success. However, given the trial population’s advanced age and high rate of non-cancer related mortality, the benefit of NAC is likely to be limited in CTC-negative MIBC patients. CTC enumeration at the moment of diagnosis could aid in the decision to prescribe neoadjuvant chemotherapy for a muscle-invasive bladder cancer patient as a criterion in addition to clinical characteristics. Clinical trial information: NL3954.
Association between neutrophil-to-eosinophil ratio (NER) and efficacy outcomes in the JAVELIN Renal 101 study.
Authors: Tucker Matthew D. , Voss Martin H , Choueiri Toni K. , Bilen Mehmet Asim , Grimm Marc-Oliver , Nathan Paul D. , Kollmannsberger Christian K. , Tomita Yoshihiko , Huang Bo , Thomaidou Despina , Mariani Mariangela , Di Pietro Alessandra , Rini Brian I.
Published: June 2021

4549

Background: Baseline NER has been reported to be associated with outcomes of immuno-oncology based combination treatment in advanced renal cell carcinoma (aRCC). We report outcomes by baseline NER of patients with aRCC in the JAVELIN Renal 101 trial who received avelumab + axitinib (A + Ax) or sunitinib (S). Methods: We calculated the median NER (mNER) for patients in the A + Ax and the S arms at the data cutoff (April 20, 2020) for the 3rd interim analysis (IA3). Progression-free survival (PFS), overall survival (OS), and objective response (OR) by NER are reported. Multivariate Cox regression analyses of PFS and OS were also conducted. Results: At the IA3 cutoff date, the mNERs for the A + Ax arm (n = 383) and S arm (n = 396) were 29.2 and 27.0, respectively. OR, PFS and OS for both arms are summarized in the table below. Better observed treatment outcomes in OR (63.9% vs 55.2%) and median PFS (15.5 vs, 11.1 months) were observed for patients with a NER < median vs. NER ≥ median in the A + Ax arm, while there were not major differences in outcome based on NER in the S arm. The stratified hazard ratio (HR) for PFS in patients with a NER < median compared with those with a NER ≥ median in the A + Ax arm was 0.81 (95% CI, 0.630-1.035) and 0.93 (95% CI, 0.728-1.181) in the S arm. Patients with a NER < median had improved OS compared with those with a NER ≥ median in the A + Ax arm (stratified HR, 0.67; 95% CI, 0.481-0.940) and the S arm (stratified HR, 0.57; 95% CI, 0.424-0.779). Multivariate analysis showed that a low NER was associated with longer PFS and OS by treating baseline NER as either a continuous variable or a binary variable (dichotomized by median). Conclusions: Baseline NER may be predictive of OR and PFS in aRCC patients treated with A + Ax, and prognostic for overall survival regardless of therapy. Clinical trial information: NCT02684006. [Table: see text]
Analysis of two poor prognosis subgroups in ACIS evaluating apalutamide + abiraterone acetate plus prednisone (APA + AAP) versus placebo (PBO) + AAP in metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC).
Authors: Saad Fred , Efstathiou Eleni , Attard Gerhardt , Flaig Thomas W. , Franke Fabio , Goodman Oscar , Oudard Stephane , Steuber Thomas , Suzuki Hiroyoshi , Pieczonka Christopher Michael , Parnis Francis , Wu Daphne , Yeruva Kesav , De Porre Peter , Brookman-May Sabine Doris , Li Susan , Li Jinhui , Mundle Suneel , McCarthy Sharon Anne , Rathkopf Dana E. ,   for the ACIS Investigators
Published: June 2021

5037

Background: In the double-blind PBO-controlled ACIS study, investigator-assessed radiographic progression-free survival (rPFS) was significantly improved with APA + AAP vs PBO + AAP in chemo-naive mCRPC, with no significant new safety signals (Rathkopf ASCO GU 2021). Among prespecified subgroups, efficacy and safety were explored in two difficult to treat subgroups: pts with visceral disease (VD; liver, lung, and/or adrenal gland metastasis) or age ≥ 75 y. Methods: Pts with mCRPC with ongoing ADT and no prior life-prolonging treatment were randomized 1:1 to APA (240 mg QD) + AA (1000 mg QD) + P (5 mg BID) or PBO + AAP. Stratified: presence or absence of VD, ECOG PS 0 or 1, geographic region. Primary end point: rPFS (randomization to radiographic progression or death); secondary end points: overall survival (OS), time to initiation of cytotoxic chemotherapy, time to chronic opioid use, time to pain progression, safety. Results: 982 pts enrolled. 14.6% had VD and 35.9% were ≥ 75 y. Median rPFS, OS, and time to pain progression favored APA + AAP vs AAP (HR < 1) in both subgroups (Table). For pts ≥ 75 y, rPFS and OS were ≥ 7 mo longer with APA + AAP. Overall, treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs) were similar (all > 94%) in pts with VD, ≥ 75 y, and overall safety population; hypertension was more frequent with APA + AAP vs AAP mainly in pts ≥ 75 y (31.7% vs 17.6%). Grade 3/4 TEAEs (APA + AAP vs AAP): VD, 60.8%, n = 74 vs 48.5%, n = 68; ≥ 75 y, 71.5%, n = 186 vs 68.5%, n = 165; overall, 63.3%, n = 490 vs 56.2%, n = 489. TEAEs leading to discontinuation: VD, 17.6% vs 5.9%; ≥ 75 y, 26.3% vs 20.6%; overall, 16.9% vs 12.5%. TEAEs leading to death: VD, 6.8% vs 5.9%; ≥ 75 y, 5.4% vs 13.9%; overall, 3.5% vs 7.6%. Conclusions: In this analysis of two difficult to treat subgroups, addition of APA to AAP favored rPFS and OS. Safety, while generally consistent with the overall population, showed higher hypertension rate in ≥ 75 y and TEAEs leading to discontinuation in VD. Clinical trial information: NCT02257736. [Table: see text]
Darolutamide (DARO) tolerability from extended follow up and treatment response in the phase 3 ARAMIS trial.
Authors: Fizazi Karim , Shore Neal D. , Smith Matthew Raymond , Tammela Teuvo , Pieczonka Christopher Michael , Aragon-Ching Jeanny B. , Morris David , Le Berre Marie-Aude , Srinivasan Shankar , Petrenciuc Oana , Zurth Christian , Kuss Iris
Published: June 2021

5079

Background: Patients (pts) with nonmetastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (nmCRPC) need therapy that prolongs survival with little added toxicity, thus preserving quality of life. The second-generation androgen receptor inhibitors (ARIs) including DARO, apalutamide, and enzalutamide offer durable survival in nmCRPC but differences exist in AE profiles (eg, fatigue, falls, fractures, rash, mental impairment, and hypertension) that can limit daily activities. These AEs may require dose modifications and limit pts’ willingness to continue treatment, with an adverse impact on efficacy. DARO is a structurally distinct ARI that significantly extended metastasis-free survival and overall survival (OS) vs placebo (PBO) in ARAMIS (NCT02200614), with minimal AE risk. We report tolerability from extended follow-up and treatment response analyses from ARAMIS. Methods: Pts with nmCRPC (N=1509) were randomized 2:1 to DARO or PBO with androgen deprivation therapy. The ARAMIS trial was unblinded at the primary analysis, after which all pts could receive open-label (OL) DARO. Tolerability was assessed every 16 weeks. Pharmacodynamic modeling investigated the association between treatment response (maximum prostate-specific antigen [PSA] decline from baseline) and OS at 2 years using a Cox proportional hazards model. Results: As shown in the table, DARO remained well tolerated over the double-blind (DB) and OL periods: 98.8% of pts on DARO received the full planned dose and almost all pts with dose modifications were able to resume and re-establish the planned dose (DARO 89.6% vs PBO 89.7%). Discontinuation of DARO due to AEs increased slightly from the DB period (9.0%) to the DB+OL period (10.5%). Pharmacodynamic modeling showed that longer OS was positively associated with maximum PSA decline in DARO-treated pts. Conclusions: DARO remained well tolerated with extended treatment at the recommended dose of 600 mg twice daily. Almost all pts with nmCRPC were able to receive the full planned dose, increasing the likelihood of clinical benefit from effective disease control (PSA decline) and prolonged survival. Tolerability of different ARIs in the real world should be assessed. Clinical trial information: NCT02200614. [Table: see text]
Cardiac safety of dual anti-HER2 blockade with pertuzumab plus trastuzumab (P+T) in the APHINITY trial.
Authors: de Azambuja Evandro , Eiger Daniel , Procter Marion Jennifer , Ponde Noam Falbel , Guillaume Sebastien , Parlier Damien , Lambertini Matteo , Desmet Antoine , Caballero Carmela Aves , Aguila Christian , Jerusalem Guy Heinrich Maria , Walshe Janice Maria , Frank Elizabeth S. , Bines Jose , Loibl Sibylle , Piccart-Gebhart Martine J. , Ewer Michael S. , Dent Susan Faye , Plummer Chris , Suter Thomas M
Published: June 2021

510

Background: Trastuzumab (T) increases the incidence of cardiac events (CEs) in patients (pts) with early breast cancer (BC). Dual blockade with P+T improves BC outcomes and is the standard of care for high-risk HER2-positive BC pts following the phase 3 APHINITY trial that evaluated the addition of P or placebo (Pla) to T and chemotherapy (CT). We analyzed the cardiac safety of P+T in APHINITY. Methods: APHINITY eligibility required a left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) ≥55% at study entry. LVEF assessment was performed every 3 months (mos) during treatment, every 6 mos up to month 36, and yearly thereafter. Primary CE was defined as heart failure (HF) class III/IV and a significant decrease in LVEF of at least 10 percentage points from baseline and to <50%, or cardiac death. Secondary CE was defined as a confirmed significant decrease in LVEF or CEs confirmed by the cardiac advisory board. Results: The safety analysis population consists of 4,769 pts. With 74 mos median follow-up (FU), CEs were observed in 159 pts (3.3%): 83 (3.5%) in the P+T and 76 (3.2%) in Pla+T arms, respectively. Most CEs occurred during anti-HER2 therapy: 123/159 (77.4%) and were asymptomatic or mildly symptomatic LVEF decrease (133/159; 83.6%) (Table 1). There were 2 cardiac deaths in each arm (0.1%). More CEs occurred in pts receiving an anthracycline-based CT compared to those receiving non-anthracycline CT (139 vs. 20 CEs, respectively). Acute recovery from a CE based on subsequent LVEF values was observed in 127/155 pts (81.9%). Conclusions: Dual blockade with P+T does not increase the risk of CE compared to Pla+T alone. The use of anthracycline-based CT increases the risk of a CE; hence non-anthracycline CT may be considered particularly in pts with other cardiovascular risk factors. Clinical trial information: NCT01358877. [Table: see text]
Discovery and validation of a genomic signature to identify women with early-stage invasive breast cancer who may safely omit adjuvant radiotherapy after breast-conserving surgery.
Authors: Sjöström Martin , Chang S. Laura , Hartman Linda , Holmberg Erik , Feng Felix Y , Speers Corey Wayne , Pierce Lori J. , Malmström Per , Fernö Mårten , Karlsson Per
Published: June 2021

512

Background: Adjuvant radiotherapy (RT) is currently the standard of care for women with early-stage invasive breast cancer (BC) treated with breast conserving surgery (BCS). However, some women may have very low risk of recurrence and could safely be spared RT. This study aimed to identify these women using a molecularly-based approach. Methods: We performed an analysis of the SweBCG91-RT cohort, a trial randomizing women with node-negative stage I-II invasive BC +/- RT following breast conserving surgery, with sparse use of adjuvant systemic therapy. Only patients with ER+, HER2- tumors, and not treated with adjuvant systemic therapy, were included in this analysis. Transcriptome-wide profiling of tumors was performed using the Affymetrix Human Exon 1.0 ST microarray. The SweBCG91-RT cohort was divided into a training cohort of 243 patients and a validation cohort of 354 patients. Biological gene sets and individual genes related to locoregional recurrence in patients not receiving RT of the training set were identified, and a 16-gene signature was trained using elastic net regression. The signature, named Profile for the Omission of Local Adjuvant Radiation (POLAR), was locked prior to validation. Results: In the validation cohort, POLAR was prognostic for locoregional recurrence (LRR) in patients not treated with RT (multivariable Cox model adjusting for age, grade, tumor size, and luminal A vs luminal B: HR = 1.7 [1.2,2.3], p < 0.001). Patients categorized as POLAR low-risk had a 10-year locoregional recurrence rate of 7% in the absence of RT. Notably, there was no significant benefit from RT for these POLAR low-risk patients (HR = 1.1 [0.38,3.3], p = 0.83), whereas patients categorized as POLAR high-risk had a significant decreased risk of locoregional recurrence when treated with RT (recurrence rate without RT at 10-years 19%, HR = 0.43 [0.24,0.78], p = 0.0053). Conclusions: These data suggest that the novel POLAR genomic signature based on LRR biology can not only identify patients who have a low risk of LRR without adjuvant RT after BCS but who also would not benefit from RT, thus being prime candidates for RT omission.
Clinical validation of EndoPredict in premenopausal women with estrogen receptor-positive (ER+), human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-negative (HER2-) primary breast cancer.
Authors: Constantinidou Anastasia , Marcou Yiola , Simmons Timothy , Bernhisel Ryan , Hughes Elisha , Meek Stephanie , Kakouri Eleni I. , Georgiou Georgios , Zouvani Ioanna , Savvidou Gabriella , Kuhl Vanessa , Doedt Jennifer , Wagner Susanne , Gutin Alexander , Lanchbury Jerry , Kronenwett Ralf , Rakha Emad A.
Published: June 2021

537

Background: The EndoPredict 12-gene prognostic assay is validated to predict distant recurrence-free survival (DRFS) and response to chemotherapy in post-menopausal women with ER+, HER2- breast cancer. This study evaluated the performance of EndoPredict in pre-menopausal women. Methods: Stored tumor samples from women with ER+, HER2- primary breast cancer who were pre-menopausal at the time of diagnosis and were systemically treated with endocrine therapy alone were obtained from two sites (University of Nottingham and University of Cyprus). These samples were tested with EndoPredict to produce a 12-gene molecular score (EP). Pathologic tumor size and nodal status were algorithmically combined with the EP score to produce the clinicomolecular EPclin score. Cases with tumors > pT3, which were treated with chemotherapy, or for whom the EPclin score was missing or invalid were excluded. Associations of EP and EPclin with 10-year DRFS were evaluated in terms of hazard ratios (HRs) from Cox proportional hazards models stratified by cohort. 10-year DRFS was estimated for EPclin high-risk and low-risk women by Kaplan-Meier analysis. Results: Out of 411 eligible cases, 385 had a valid EPclin score and were included in the analysis. Mean age at breast cancer diagnosis was 46.5 years (standard deviation 4.7). Most women (N = 239, 62.6%) had grade II tumors and 16.1% (N = 62) had node-positive disease. Over the observation period (median 9.7 years, interquartile range 6.6-13.9 years), 35 women had a distant recurrence within 10 years. Both the molecular EP score and the molecular-clinicopathologic EPclin score were associated with increased risk of distant recurrence [HR 1.3, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.2-1.5; p < 0.001 and HR 3.6, 95% CI 2.3-5.7; p < 0.001, respectively]. Of these patients, 249 (64.7%) were categorized as low risk by EPclin score while the remaining 136 (35.3%) were categorized as high risk. Compared to EPclin low-risk women, EPclin high-risk patients were more likely to experience distant recurrence (HR 4.6, 95% CI 1.4-15.2; p = 0.004). At 10 years post-diagnosis, EPclin low-risk women who received endocrine therapy alone had a DRFS of 97% (95% CI 93-99%). Conversely, EPclin high-risk women had a DRFS of only 76% (95% CI 67-82%). Conclusions: The EPclin score is highly associated with DRFS in pre-menopausal women who received adjuvant endocrine therapy alone. Based on these data, pre-menopausal women with EPclin low-risk breast cancer may safely forgo adjuvant chemotherapy in addition to endocrine therapy.
Subgroup analysis of rucaparib versus chemotherapy as treatment for BRCA-mutated, advanced, relapsed ovarian carcinoma: Effect of platinum sensitivity in the randomized, phase 3 study ARIEL4.
Authors: Oza Amit M. , Lisyanskaya Alla Sergeevna , Fedenko Alexander A. , Dvorkin Mikhail , de Melo Andreia Cristina , Shparyk Yaroslav V. , Rakhmatullina Irina , Bondarenko Igor , Colombo Nicoletta , Svintsitskiy Valentyn , Cibula David , Póka Róbert , Oaknin Ana , Safra Tamar , Mackowiak-Matejczyk Beata , Ma Ling , McLachlan Karen Retta , Goble Sandra , Kristeleit Rebecca Sophie
Published: June 2021

5517

Background: In ARIEL4 (NCT02855944), rucaparib significantly improved the primary endpoint of progression-free survival (PFS) vs chemotherapy (CT) in patients with advanced, relapsed ovarian carcinoma (OC) harboring a deleterious BRCA1/2 (BRCA) mutation (median PFS 7.4 [95% CI 7.3–9.1] vs 5.7 [5.5–7.3] months; hazard ratio (HR) 0.64 [95% CI 0.49–0.84]; P=0.001). This prespecified exploratory analysis investigated the effect of platinum sensitivity on the efficacy of rucaparib vs CT in ARIEL4. Methods: Patients were randomized 2:1 to oral rucaparib 600 mg twice daily or CT and stratified based on progression-free interval (≥1 to <6 months = platinum resistant; ≥6 to <12 months = partially platinum sensitive; ≥12 months = fully platinum sensitive). In the CT group, patients with platinum-resistant or partially platinum-sensitive disease received weekly paclitaxel 60–80 mg/m2; patients with fully platinum-sensitive disease received investigator’s choice of platinum-based CT (single-agent carboplatin or cisplatin, or platinum doublet). Patients could crossover from CT to rucaparib following radiologic disease progression. Efficacy endpoints were explored in patients with a confirmed BRCA mutation (patients with a reversion mutation were excluded), based on the randomization strata of platinum sensitivity. Results: The visit cutoff date was September 30, 2020. PFS and objective response rates (ORR) per RECIST v1.1 for rucaparib vs CT across subgroups are presented in the Table. The most common treatment-emergent adverse events in the rucaparib group were anemia/decreased hemoglobin (platinum-resistant patients: rucaparib 47% vs CT 40%; partially platinum-sensitive patients: 63% vs 27%; fully platinum-sensitive patients: 58% vs 20%) and nausea (52% vs 21%; 51% vs 23%; 60% vs 68%). In the intent-to-treat population, 74/116 (64%) patients in the CT group crossed over to receive rucaparib: 39/59 (66%) with platinum-resistant, 25/31 (81%) with partially platinum-sensitive, and 10/26 (38%) with fully platinum-sensitive disease. Conclusions: Results from this exploratory subgroup analysis suggest that rucaparib is a reasonable treatment option for heavily pretreated patients across all platinum sensitivity subgroups. Safety was consistent with prior rucaparib studies. Clinical trial information: NCT02855944. [Table: see text]
Pembrolizumab in combination with bevacizumab and pegylated liposomal doxorubicin in patients with platinum-resistant epithelial ovarian cancer.
Authors: Michels Judith , Ghiringhelli François , Frenel Jean-Sebastien , Brard Caroline , You Benoit , Floquet Anne , Eberst Lauriane , Bahleda Rastilav , Genestie Catherine , Balleyguier Corinne , Broutin Sophie , Pautier Patricia , Colomba Emeline , Pommeret Fanny , Massard Christophe , Marabelle Aurelien , Leary Alexandra
Published: June 2021

5522

Background: There is a medical unmet need for effective treatments in platinum resistant ovarian cancer patients. We assessed the safety and efficacy of a combination of pembrolizumab with bevacizumab and pegylated liposomal doxorubicin (PLD). Methods: This is an open-label phase 1b trial in patients ECOG 0 or 1 with platinum-resistant epithelial ovarian, fallopian tube, or primary peritoneal cancer. The safety of the dual combinations of pembrolizumab with bevacizumab or with PLD were previously evaluated in 6 patients respectively. In the absence of dose limiting toxicities (DLT) the triple combination was evaluated at a maximum tolerated dose (MTD)-1 for PLD in 3 patients and in the absence of DLT at MTD. The sample size was calculated according to the modified toxicity probability interval design. The primary evaluation criteria was the safety, the secondary endpoint was the outcome. Pharmacokinetics of the flat dose of bevacizumab will be evaluated. Results: 22 patients were enrolled from September 2019 until June 2020 in six French centers. 3 initial patients have been treated at 20mg/m2 of PLD (MTD-1) and 19 patients were treated at the dose of 30mg/m2 of PLD (MTD) combined with 200mg of pembrolizumab until progression, unacceptable toxicity, or withdrawal of consent and 400mg of bevacizumab for a total of six cycles. The patients’ characteristics are reported in the table. No DLT occurred. Grade 3 palmar-plantar erythrodysesthesia were reported in 4 patients. The recommended phase II dose of PLD was 30mg/m2 in combination with pembrolizumab and bevacizumab. For patients treated at MTD, the overall response rate was 32% (6 partial responses) with 74% of clinical benefit with a durable response in 10 patients (53%). Median number of cycles was 7.5 (2 to not reached). Two patients are still on treatment. Correlative studies are ongoing. Conclusions: The combination was well tolerated and demonstrated clinical benefit in 74% platinum resistant ovarian cancer patients with durable response (>6 months) in 53% of patients. Clinical trial information: NCT03596281. [Table: see text]