bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Survival trends of men and women with metastatic clear cell renal cell carcinoma.
Authors: Grigg Claud , Trufan Sally , Clark Peter E , Riggs Stephen Boyd , Zhu Jason , Matulay Justin T. , Raghavan Derek , Burgess Earle F
Published: June 2021

4566

Background: Clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) is nearly twice as common in men as in women, and women with non-metastatic RCC have a better prognosis than men. The etiology for these disparities is not known, though sex-specific differences in risk factor prevalence and tumor biology have been reported. The differential impact of systemic therapies, including tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) and immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs), on prognosis in women and men with metastatic ccRCC is not defined. Methods: Clinicopathologic features and survival of patients with clinical stage IV ccRCC were obtained from the National Cancer Database (NCDB). Patients were grouped by date of metastatic diagnosis into three eras that correspond to major advances in systemic therapy: 2004-2005 (pre-TKI), 2006-2014 (TKI), and 2015-2016 (ICI). Uni- and multi-variable chi-square, logistic regression, and survival analyses were used for comparisons. Survival differences were assessed using Kaplan-Meier curves. Results: 15,025 male and 7,100 female patients with metastatic ccRCC were identified. Demographic features were similar between cohorts though females were slightly older (median 64.8 vs 62.7 mo, p < 0.0001), more likely to be black (6.5% vs 6.0%, p = 0.0119) or receiving Medicare benefits (46.4% vs 39.9%, p < 0.0001). In the combined cohort, median overall survival (OS) was higher in patients diagnosed in the ICI vs TKI (23.0 vs 16.5 mo) and pre-TKI eras (14.4 mo, log-rank p < 0.0001). Compared with men of the same age groups, OS was inferior for women age 50-64 yr (median 18.4 vs 21.1mo, p = 0.0084) and > 64 yr (15.3 vs 12.6mo, p = 0.0001), but not < 50 yr (20.3 vs 21.7mo, p = 0.6290). In the ICI era, median OS improved by a lesser absolute but similar relative amount for women compared to men (+5.6mo [+39%] and +7.2mo [+41%]), respectively). After controlling for age, race, Charlson-Deyo score, initial treatment modality, and insurance and socioeconomic status, women remained at increased risk of death in both the ICI era (HR 1.12 [95% CI 1.04-1.22], p = 0.004) and the TKI era (HR 1.08 [1.04-1.12], p < 0.001). Conclusions: Women with metastatic ccRCC have a worse prognosis than men which is not explained by demographic differences. This disparity is observed in both the TKI and ICI eras. This finding contrasts with previous studies suggesting women with localized RCC have a favorable prognosis compared with men. Further investigation into the sex-specific biology of metastatic ccRCC is warranted.
Surveillance after complete response in patients with metastatic non-seminomatous germ-cell tumor (NSGCT).
Authors: King Jennifer , Althouse Sandra K. , Cary Clint , Masterson Timothy A. , Foster Richard , Ashkar Ryan , Hanna Nasser H. , Einhorn Lawrence H. , Adra Nabil
Published: June 2021

5018

Background: The optimal management of patients (pts) with complete response (CR) after first-line chemotherapy remains unsettled with guidelines recommending either surveillance or retroperitoneal LN dissection (RPLND). We present long-term outcomes from a large dataset of pts managed with surveillance after achieving CR to first-line chemotherapy. Methods: The prospectively maintained Indiana University testicular cancer database was queried for pts with metastatic NSGCT treated between 1990-2017 who achieved a CR after first-line chemotherapy. CR was defined as normalization of tumor markers (AFP+hCG) and no residual mass > 1cm. Kaplan-Meier methods were used to analyze progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS). Results: 388 pts met eligibility and were included in this analysis. Median age at diagnosis was 28.4 (range, 13-61.5). Primary site was testis in 385 pts (99%). Primary tumor predominant histology was embryonal ca (241), mixed (61), seminoma (31), yolk sac tumor (20), choriocarcinoma (10), and teratoma (14). 126 pts (32.5%) had teratoma in the primary tumor. Metastasis sites were retroperitoneum (295), mediastinal LN (15), pulmonary (149), liver (15), bone (7), and brain (6). IGCCCG risk was good in 325, intermediate in 25, and poor in 32 pts. Pre-chemotherapy retroperitoneal LN size was available in 232 pts: < 3cm in 170 and ≥3cm in 62. Median pre-chemo AFP was 10.7 (1-31,000) and hCG was 16.5 (0-595,930). First-line chemo was BEPx3 in 274, BEPx4 in 30, other regimens in 82 pts. With a median follow-up of 3.9 yrs, 34 pts (8.8%) progressed. At most recent follow-up, 363 (93.6%) pts were alive with no evidence of disease and 10 pts (2.6%) died of their disease. The estimated 2-yr PFS was 90.1% (95% CI: 86.2-93%) and 2-yr OS was 97.8% (95% CI: 95.2-99%). The estimated 2-yr PFS by IGCCCG risk category was 90.4% for good vs 90.4% for intermediate vs 86.5% for poor risk (p = 0.23), and the estimated 2-yr OS was 98.6% for good vs 95.5% for intermediate vs 92.9% for poor risk disease respectively (p = 0.002). For the 34 pts who progressed on surveillance, 16 (4%) progressed in the retroperitoneum only. 3 pts had malignant transformation of teratoma to PNET, adenocarcinoma, or other elements. 11 of progressed pts were treated with surgery, 12 were treated with salvage chemo, and 11 were treated with surgery+chemo. At most recent follow up, 21 of progressed pts had NED, 10 had died of disease, and 3 were lost to follow up. Conclusions: Pts with metastatic NSGCT who achieve CR after first-line chemotherapy can be safely observed with surveillance. Most pts who relapse can be salvaged with surgery and/or chemotherapy.
Evaluation of PSA progression after initiation of enzalutamide or abiraterone: Real-world data on metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC).
Authors: López-Campos Fernando , Lorente David , Llacer Perez Casilda , Ramirez-Backhaus Miguel , Peleteiro Paula , Gomez-Iturriaga Alfonso , Henriquez-López Ivan , Lozano Rebeca , Romero Nuria , Alonso-Gordoa Teresa , Molina-Cerrillo Javier , Navarro-Castellón Joaquin , Castaño Ana , Pelari Lira , Hernández-Corrales Antonio , Morillo Virginia , García Raquel , Ferrer Albiach Carlos , Castro Elena , Olmos David
Published: June 2021

5024

Background: PSA value is widely used for the monitoring of treatment outcome in mCRPC in the clinical real-world setting. Early PSA changes are not considered in the definition of PSAProg due to the potential for spurious “flare” reactions. We aimed to evaluate the significance of an early PSA increase in mCRPC patients (pts) treated with enzalutamide or abiraterone (Enz/Abi). Methods: We retrospectively evaluated Enz/Abi-treated mCRPC pts from 11 hospitals between 2011-2020. Early PSAProg was defined as a 25% increase in PSA from baseline at 4 (PSAProg4) or 8 (PSAProg8) weeks after treatment initiation. PSA progression at 12 weeks (PSAProg12) was confirmed by a second reading. Uni- and multivariable (MV) Cox regression models were conducted to explore the association of PSAProg and overall survival (OS) in chemotherapy naïve patients treated with Abi or Enz. Interaction tests were conducted to explore differences in the impact of PSA progression on OS in Abi or Enz-treated pts. Results: We analyzed 511 chemotherapy-naïve mCRPC pts treated with Abi (N=391; 76.5%) or Enz (N=120; 23.5%). Median follow-up: 30.2 months. OS was longer in Enz-treated pts (38.1 vs 29m; HR 1.4; p=0.027). 59 (15.1%), 70 (17.9%) and 48 (12.3%) of Abi-treated and 9 (7.5%), 11 (9.2%) and 10 (8.3%) of Enz-treated pts experienced PSAProg4, PSAProg8 and PSAProg12, respectively, although differences were not statistically significant. PSAProg was associated with worse OS at all 3 timepoints only in Abi-treated pts. In Enz-treated pts, PSAProg4 had a large impact on OS, not observed in PSAProg8 or PSAProg12. We observed no significant interaction between agent (Enz/Abi) and PSA progression (Table). Conclusions: PSA progression at 4 weeks after Enz/Abi is significantly associated with shorter OS and may help identify pts not benefitting from Abi/Enz before clinical or radiographic progression. PSA pattern progression and its association with OS might differ depending on the drug used (Enz/Abi). Prospective validation studies are needed.[Table: see text]
Cortisol as biomarker for CYP17 inhibition in mCRPC patients treated with abiraterone acetate.
Authors: Bruin Maaike , van Nuland Merel , Jacobs Bart , Bergman Andre M. , Rosing Hilde , Beijnen Jos H. , Huitema Alwin
Published: June 2021

5035

Background: Abiraterone acetate is an effective metastatic castration resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) treatment, however, there is a high variability in response. It inhibits CYP17, thereby preventing the production of androgens. Abiraterone trough concentrations (Cmin) > 8.4 ng/mL have been associated with an increased progression free survival (PFS) (Eur J Cancer. 2017;72:54-61; Prostate Cancer Prostatic Dis. 2020;23(2):244-251). However, plasma levels do not directly provide information on the level of CYP17 inhibition. Ideally, testosterone levels should be measured, but these levels are below the detection limit of available assays. The synthesis of cortisol is also inhibited by abiraterone via CYP17 inhibition and might therefore be a biomarker for CYP17 inhibition. The objective of this study was to investigate if cortisol levels are related to abiraterone levels and to clinical response. Methods: An observational study was performed in mCRPC patients treated with abiraterone acetate. At the outpatient clinic, plasma samples were collected for pharmacokinetic (PK) monitoring at each hospital visit. Reference populations of healthy volunteers and mCRPC patients using enzalutamide were included to investigate the influence of mCRPC and abiraterone treatment on the circadian rhythm of cortisol. Abiraterone and cortisol levels were measured using validated liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) assays. Clinical (prostate specific antigen (PSA) independent) PFS and PSA response were evaluated. Results: In total, 117 mCRPC patients using abiraterone acetate, 100 mCRPC patients using enzalutamide and 12 healthy volunteers were included. A clear circadian rhythm of cortisol was described in healthy volunteers and unaffected in mCRPC patients using enzalutamide. Contrarily, a circadian rhythm of cortisol could not be identified in mCRPC patients using abiraterone acetate, due to continuous suppression throughout the day. Patients with an abiraterone Cmin > 8.4 ng/mL (n = 77) had a median cortisol concentration of 1.03 ng/mL vs. 2.59 ng/mL in patients with an abiraterone Cmin ≤8.4 ng/mL (n = 40) (p = 0.020). The median cortisol concentration in PSA responders (n = 63) was 1.02 ng/mL vs. 2.59 ng/mL for PSA non responders (n = 54) (p = 0.037). Patients in the highest cortisol tertile ( > 3.03 ng/mL) had a median PFS of 3.7 months (n = 39) vs. 13.8 months in patients with cortisol levels ≤3.03 ng/mL (n = 78) (p = 0.007). The median PFS was 16.3 months in patients with an abiraterone Cmin > 8.4 ng/mL and cortisol concentration < 3.03 ng/ml vs. 5.3 months in patients with an abiraterone Cmin > 8.4 ng/mL and cortisol concentration > 3.03 ng/ml (p = 0.02). Conclusions: This study demonstrates that cortisol levels are of additional value to abiraterone concentrations as a marker for abiraterone acetate efficacy. This might help be helpful to assess efficacy of abiraterone treatment.
Differential responses to taxanes and PARP inhibitors (PARPi) in ATM- versus BRCA2-mutated metastatic castrate-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) patients (pts).
Authors: Su Christopher T , Nizialek Emily , Berchuck Jacob E , Vlachostergios Panagiotis J. , Ashkar Ryan , Sokolova Alexandra , Barata Pedro C. , Aggarwal Rahul Raj , McClure Heather , Nafissi Nellie , Bryce Alan Haruo , Sartor A. Oliver , Cheng Heather H. , Adra Nabil , Sternberg Cora N. , Taplin Mary-Ellen , Cieslik Marcin , Antonarakis Emmanuel S. , Alva Ajjai Shivaram
Published: June 2021

5040

Background: PARPi have shown promise in mCRPC pts with mutations in DNA repair, but ATM- and BRCA2-altered pts may respond differently to PARPi. We hypothesized that differences may also exist for taxane therapy, aiding in treatment sequencing decisions. Methods: mCRPC pts (N = 137) with deleterious ATM or BRCA2 mutations who received taxanes, PARPi, or both were identified from 8 US academic centers. Demographic, treatment, and survival data were collected. Kaplan-Meier analyses were performed for time-to-treatment-discontinuation (TTD), as well as overall survival (OS), from time of first taxane or PARPi therapy. Cox hazard ratio (HR) regression analyses were performed, adjusting for Gleason sum (≤7 vs. 8-10). For OS, receipt of subsequent therapies following first taxane or PARPi was also included as a covariate. Results: 50 ATM- and 87 BRCA2-mutated pts were identified. 40/50 (80%) of ATM-mutated pts received taxane only or taxane prior to PARPi, while 10/50 (20%) received PARPi only or PARPi prior to taxane. ATM-mutated pts showed a trend towards longer TTD when taxane was given first vs PARPi given first (P = 0.08, adjusted HR for taxane treatment 0.50 [95% CI: 0.24–1.08]). Considering all pts who received taxane first, ATM-mutated pts had longer TTD than BRCA2-mutated pts who received taxane first ( P= 0.04, adjusted HR for ATM 0.61 [CI: 0.37–0.99]). Among ATM-mutated pts, OS was longer in those receiving taxane first ( P= 0.06, adjusted HR for taxane treatment 0.33 [CI: 0.10–1.05]). Among BRCA2-mutated pts, 43/87 (49%) received taxane first and 44/87 (51%) received PARPi first. BRCA2-mutated pts had longer TTD when PARPi was given first vs taxane given first ( P< 0.0001, adjusted HR for PARPi treatment 0.32 [CI: 0.19–0.56]). Considering all pts who received PARPi first, BRCA2-mutated pts also had longer TTD than ATM-mutated pts who received PARPi first ( P= 0.0031, adjusted HR for BRCA2 0.29 [CI: 0.12–0.66]). There was no significant OS difference in BRCA2-mutated pts regarding which treatment was given first ( P= 0.63, adjusted HR for PARPi treatment 1.18 [CI: 0.59–2.35]). Conclusions: Our data in ATM- and BRCA2-mutated mCRPC pts suggests a trend towards improved clinical outcomes when taxanes are used prior to PARPi in ATM-mutated pts, while the reverse sequence appears to be better for BRCA2-mutated pts.[Table: see text]
Differences in the tumor genomic landscape between African Americans (AA) and Caucasians (CA) advanced prostate cancer (aPC) patients (pts) by comprehensive genomic profiling (CGP) of cell-free DNA (cfDNA).
Authors: Barata Pedro C. , Reisinger Raquel , Bilen Mehmet Asim , Heath Elisabeth I. , Nandagopal Lakshminarayanan , Swami Umang , Kessel Adam , Jaeger Ellen , Wesolowski Sergiusz , Chipman Jonathan , Mack Alleda , Ravindranathan Deepak , Maughan Benjamin L. , Nussenzveig Roberto , Yandell Mark , Kohli Manish , Lilly Michael B. , Sartor A. Oliver , Agarwal Neeraj
Published: June 2021

5058

Background: Emerging data suggest differences in the tumor genomic profile of AA compared with CA men with aPC. We hypothesized that there will be significant differences in the tumor genomic landscape between AA and Ca pts as detected by cfDNA CGP. Methods: Pts with aPC and available cfDNA CGP by the Guardant (G360) 73 gene panel were included. In addition, G360 74 gene panel was used to identify CDK12 mutation (not detected in 73 gene panel) in an independent cohort of aPC pts. Barnard’s test was used to evaluate the association between genetic mutation and gene. Genomic landscape was also compared by a Bayesian Network (BN) machine learning approach. Results: A total of 552 pts (125 AA, 427 CA) tested by G360 73 gene panel were included. Multiple genomic aberrations were enriched in AA patients (Table). In the independent cohort of 261 aPC patients (AA=106 pts, CA=155 pts) tested by G360 74 gene panel, CDK12 mutation was significant enriched in AA pts. (9.4% vs. 1.9%, p=0.006). Machine learning analysis supported these results, and will be presented at the meeting. Conclusions: These hypothesis generating data suggest significant differences in the tumor genomic profile between AA and CA pts with aPC. Identification of molecular drivers of tumor progression enriched in AA pts may allow development of tailored systemic therapy for these men, and decrease disparities in disease related outcomes. Data need external validation. PB,RR,MAB contributed equally to this work.[Table: see text]
Impact of age on efficacy and safety of relugolix: A subgroup analysis from the randomized, phase 3 hero study versus leuprolide in men with advanced prostate cancer.
Authors: Cookson Michael , Shore Neal D. , George Daniel J. , Akaza Hideyuki , Saltzstein Daniel , Tutrone Ronald F. , Bossi Alberto , Brown Bruce , Selby Bryan , Lu Sophia , Walling Jacqueline M. , TOMBAL Bertrand F. , Saad Fred
Published: June 2021

5075

Background: In the phase 3 HERO study, the oral GnRH receptor antagonist relugolix demonstrated sustained testosterone suppression superior to that of leuprolide and a comparative 54% decrease in risk of major adverse cardiovascular events. Relugolix was recently approved for use in the US for the treatment of adult patients with advanced prostate cancer. Here, we further characterize the impact of age on the use of relugolix in advanced prostate cancer from the HERO study. Methods: The HERO study was a randomized, open-label, parallel group study evaluating relugolix in men with advanced prostate cancer. Overall, 934 men with advanced prostate cancer underwent 2:1 randomization to receive relugolix 120 mg orally once daily after a single loading dose of 360 mg or leuprolide 3-month injections for 48 weeks. Subgroups analyzed by age were <65 years or ≥65 years and ≤75 years or >75 years. Assessments analyzed included sustained testosterone suppression to castrate levels (<50 ng/dL) from day 29 through 48 weeks, early and profound (<20 ng/dL) castration rates, prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels, and safety. Testosterone recovery (≥280 ng/dL) was evaluated in 184 patients who enrolled in the testosterone recovery substudy. Results: Of the 930 patients (relugolix:622;leuprolide:308) that received study drug in the HERO study, 173 (18.6%) were <65 years and 757 (81.4%) were ≥65 years of age, while 664 (71.4%) were ≤75 years and 266 (28.6%) were >75 years of age. Across all age subgroups, point estimates for sustained castration rates through 48 weeks for relugolix patients were consistent with the overall estimate of relugolix sustained castration rate observed in the overall population. Differences in sustained castrations rates at week 48 between relugolix and leuprolide groups were similar regardless of the age subgroup (table). The likelihood of testosterone recovery at 90 days after completion of treatment was higher in the relugolix group versus the leuprolide group in all age subgroups: <65 (79.1% vs 16.7%), ≥65 (48.6% vs 0%), ≤75 (60.0% vs 4.0%),and >75 years (40.7% vs 0%). No clinically relevant differences were noted in the incidence or types of adverse events within treatment groups in all the age subgroups analyzed. Conclusions: In this subgroup analysis of the HERO study, relugolix was effective regardless of age, and the benefit/risk profile remained favorable for relugolix compared with leuprolide, consistent with the overall population. Testosterone recovery was higher in the relugolix group than the leuprolide group for all age subgroups analyzed, with higher rates of recovery in younger versus older men. Clinical trial information: NCT03085095. [Table: see text]
A novel biosignature identifies DCIS patients with a poor biologic subtype with an unacceptably high rate of local recurrence after breast conserving surgery and radiotherapy.
Authors: Vicini Frank , Shah Chirag , Whitworth Pat W. , Shivers Steven C , Warnberg Fredrik , Mann Bruce , Bremer Troy
Published: June 2021

513

Background: There is an unmet need to identify women diagnosed with DCIS who have a low recurrence risk and could omit radiotherapy (RT) after breast conserving surgery (BCS), or an elevated recurrence risk after treatment with BCS plus RT. DCISionRT and its response subtype (Rst) biosignature were evaluated in a contemporary cohort treated with BCS with or without RT to identify these risk groups. Methods: Pathology, clinical data, and FFPE tissue samples were evaluable for 485 women diagnosed with DCIS at centers in Sweden (1996-2004), the USA (1999-2008), and Australia (2006-2011). Patients were treated with BCS (negative margins) with or without whole breast RT. Ipsilateral breast tumor recurrence (IBTR) included DCIS or invasive breast cancer (IBC) that was local, regional, or metastatic. The patients were classified into Low and Elevated risk groups to assess IBTR and IBC rates. Patients in the Elevated risk group were categorized by two subtypes: a good response subtype (good Rst) or a poor response subtype (poor Rst) after BCS plus RT. Biosignatures were calculated using biomarkers (p16/INK4A, Ki-67, COX-2, PgR, HER2, FOXA1, SIAH2) assayed using IHC on FFPE tissue. Hazard ratios and 10-year risks were calculated using Cox proportional hazards (CPH) and Kaplan-Meier analyses. Results: In the DCISionRT Elevated risk group, RT was associated with significantly reduced recurrence rates, but only for those patients with a good Rst (Table, IBTR HR=0.18, p<0.001, IBC HR=0.15, p=0.003, n=241). For Elevated risk group patients with a poor Rst, no benefit to RT was noted (Table). Additionally, irrespective of RT, patients with a poor Rst had 10-year IBTR/IBC rates of 25%/16%, which were much higher than good Rst rates of 6.6%/4.5% (IBE HR=3.6, p=0.02, IBC HR=4.4, p=0.04, n=190). For patients in the Low risk group, there was no significant difference in 10-year IBTR/IBC rates with and without RT (Table, IBTR p=0.4, IBC p=0.9, n=177). The distribution of clinicopathologic risk factors (age <50 years, grade 3, size >2.5 cm) did not identify poor vs. good response subtypes, and multivariable analysis (n=485) indicated these traditional clinicopathologic factors and endocrine therapy were not significantly associated with IBTR (p≥0.22) or IBC (p≥0.34). Conclusions: Biosignatures identified a Low risk patient group with low 10-year recurrence rates with or without RT who may be candidates for omitting adjuvant RT. Biosignatures also identified an Elevated risk group receiving BCS plus RT with a poor response subtype that had unacceptably high recurrence rates, warranting potential intensified or alternate therapy.[Table: see text]
Long-term results of simplified lymphatic microsurgical preventing healing approach (SLYMPHA) for the prevention of breast cancer-related clinical lymphedema after axillary lymph node dissection.
Authors: Ozmen Tolga , Layton Christina , Friedman-Eldar Orli , Melnikau Siarhei , Kesmodel Susan , Avisar Eli
Published: June 2021

514

Background: Lymphedema (LE) is a serious complication of axillary lymph node dissection (ALND) with an incidence rate of 16%. SLYMPHA is a safe and relatively simple method, which decreases incidence of LE dramatically. Our initial study showed an 88% decrease in clinical LE rate after a median follow up of 15 months. The aim of this study was to confirm these results after a longer follow up period. Methods: All patients, undergoing ALND between January 2014 and November 2020 were included in the study. During follow-up visits, tape-measuring limb circumference method was used to detect clinical LE. The incidence of clinical LE was compared between patients with and without SLYMPHA. Univariate and multivariate analysis were used to assess the role of other factors in the appearance of clinical LE. Results: 580 patients were included in the study. 35% of cohort underwent SLYMPHA. Mean follow-up time was 44 ±31.9 months. Patients, who underwent SLYMPHA, had a significantly lower LE rate (10% vs 26%; p=0.002; OR 0.4 [0.31-0.77]). Diabetes and removing ³22 lymph nodes also correlated with increased LE however this effect disappeared on multivariate analysis. Conclusions: SLYMPHA is a safe and relatively simple method, which continued its efficacy after 4-years follow up. It should be considered as an adjunct procedure to ALND for all patients during initial surgery.[Table: see text]
Efficacy of epirubicin plus cyclophosphamide followed by taxanes versus carboplatin plus taxanes as adjuvant chemotherapy in triple-negative breast cancer: 8.1 years median follow-up on a randomized clinical trial.
Authors: Zheng Fangchao , Du Feng , Wang Yongsheng , Wang Xue , Wang Jiayu , Yue Jian , Ma Fei , Fan Ying , Xu Binghe , Yuan Peng
Published: June 2021

529

Background: Four cycles of adjuvant taxanes (paclitaxel or docetaxel) after four cycles of adjuvant doxorubicin plus cyclophosphamide (ECT) are considered a standard adjuvant treatment and improves survival outcomes of triple negative breast cancer (TNBC). The purpose of this analysis was to further assess whether adjuvant carboplatin plus taxanes (TP) was non-inferior to or superior to standard ECT chemotherapy in prolonging the survival time. Methods: This randomized, open-label, multicenter clinical trial conducted at three hospital in China from June, 2009 and October, 2015. Eligible early triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) patients were randomized (1:1) to receive ECT (four cycles of epirubicin 90 mg/m2 + cyclophosphamide 600 mg/m2 followed by four cycles of docetaxel 75 mg/m2 or paclitaxel 175 mg/m2 every 3 weeks, ECT arm, n = 154) or receive TP (six cycles of docetaxel 75 mg/m2 or paclitaxel 175 mg/m2 + carboplatin AUC 5 every 3 weeks; TP arm, n = 154), which was then followed by surgery. Results: Three hundred and eight patients were recruited in this trial and final date of follow-up was January 20, 2021. Baseline characteristics were balanced between ECT arm and TP arm. Median follow-up was 97.6 months. Median disease free survival (DFS) was not reached; 8-year DFS rate was 78.35% with ECT arm and 81.73% with TP arm (hazard ratio [HR] = 0.84; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.50 - 1.40; P = 0.496). Median overall survival (OS) was also not reached; 8-year OS rate was 87.15% with ECT arm and 89.14% with TP arm (HR = 0.87; 95% CI = 0.44 - 1.70; P = 0.676). For TNBC patients with DFS > 4 year, TP arm had a longer DFS than ECT ( P = 0.01), and had a tendency with better OS ( P = 0.4). In this subgroup analysis of SPARC > 50%, TP arm had a longer DFS than ECT ( P < 0.05), and also had a tendency with better OS ( P = 0.06). In subgroup analysis of PD-1 (-) and intravascular invasion (+), TP arm had a better DFS ( P = 0.02) and OS ( P = 0.03) than ECT arm. DFS or OS had no significant differences in ECT and TP arm with BRCA mutation or BRCA wild ( all P values > 0.05). Conclusions: TP chemotherapy showed significant non-inferiority for PFS and OS versus ECT in the first-line adjuvant treatment of early TNBC. For some particular subgroup of TNBC, TP may be a more effective chemotherapy than ECT. TP may be considered an effective alternative to early TNBC. Clinical trial information: NCT01150513.
Use of a novel convolutional neural network-based mammographic evaluation to assess response to adjuvant endocrine therapy in women with early-stage breast cancer.
Authors: McGuinness Julia Elizabeth , Ro Vicky , Mutasa Simukayi , Ha Richard , Crew Katherine D.
Published: June 2021

530

Background: The standard of care for early-stage hormone receptor (HR)-positive breast cancer (BC) is 5-10 years of adjuvant endocrine therapy (ET), which leads to a 50-60% relative risk reduction in BC recurrence. However, 10-40% of patients may relapse up to 20 years (y) after diagnosis, and there is a need for biomarkers of response to ET. We developed a novel, fully-automated convolutional neural network (CNN)-based mammographic evaluation that accurately predicts BC risk, which is being evaluated as a pharmacodynamic response biomarker to adjuvant ET. Methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort study among women with HR-positive stage I-III unilateral BC diagnosed at Columbia University Irving Medical Center from 2007-2017, who received adjuvant ET and had at least 2 mammograms of the contralateral breast (baseline and annual follow-up). Demographics, clinical characteristics, BC treatments, and relapse status were extracted from the electronic health record and New York-Presbyterian Hospital Tumor Registry. We performed CNN analysis of mammograms at baseline (start of ET) and annual follow-up. Our primary endpoint was change in CNN risk score, expressed as a continuous variable (range, 0-1). We used two-sample t-tests to assess for differences in mean CNN scores between patients who relapsed or remained in remission. We evaluated if CNN score at baseline and change from baseline were associated with relapse using logistic regression, with adjustment for known prognostic factors. Results: Among 870 evaluable women, mean age at diagnosis was 59.5y (standard deviation [SD], 12.4); 60.3% had stage I tumors, 72.6% underwent lumpectomy, and 45.8% received chemotherapy. With a median follow-up of 4.9y, there were 68 (7.9%) breast cancer relapses (36 distant, 26 local, 6 new primary). Median number of evaluable mammograms per patient was 5 (range, 2-13). Mean baseline CNN risk scores were significantly higher among women who relapsed compared to those in remission (0.258 vs 0.237, p = 0.022), which remained significant after adjustment for known prognostic factors. There was a significant difference in mean absolute change in CNN risk score from baseline to 1y follow-up between those who relapsed vs. remained in remission (0.001 vs. -0.022, p = 0.027), but this was no longer significant in multivariable analysis. Conclusions: We demonstrated that higher baseline CNN risk score was an independent predictor of BC relapse. A greater decrease in mean CNN risk scores at 1-year follow-up after initiating adjuvant ET was seen among BC patients who remained in remission compared to those who relapsed. Therefore, baseline CNN risk scores may identify patients at high-risk for breast cancer recurrence to target for more intensive adjuvant treatment. Early changes in CNN risk scores may be used to predict response to long-term ET in the adjuvant setting.
Impact of endocrine therapy on overall survival in ER negative/PR positive locoregional breast cancer: An analysis of the National Cancer Database.
Authors: Kollu Vidya , Osterloth Kohei , Borgert Andrew J. , Frankki Susan M. , Parsons Benjamin Marshall
Published: June 2021

545

Background: Breast cancer expressing PR, but not ER (ER-/PR+) are uncommon, comprising 2–8% of breast cancers, with less known about their characteristics and responsiveness to therapy. The role of adjuvant endocrine therapy (ET) in ER-/PR+ locoregional breast cancer is unclear as these patients have been largely excluded from prospective clinical trials. Despite a lack of data patients are often treated with adjuvant ET due to perceived possible benefit. We used the National Cancer Data Base (NCDB) to assess role of adjuvant ET in ER-/PR + breast cancer. Methods: Using the NCDB, we included adults ≥ 18 and ≤ 70 years old in order to minimize the non-cancer related deaths. We selected only female patients with stage I, II, and III. Patients have received definitive surgery (lumpectomy with radiation or mastectomy) with negative margins. Systemic therapy (ST) was defined as receipt of chemotherapy and/or immunotherapy. We excluded those who had unknown ST status, unknown ET status, unknown HER 2 status, who did not receive definitive surgery and those whose survival time was missing. Patients were stratified into four groups based on HER2 status and receipt of ET. Both Multivariable Cox proportional hazards regression modeling was utilized to determine predictors of overall survival (OS). A propensity score matched cohort was developed based on relevant demographic and clinical factors. The primary endpoint assessed was OS. All analyses were performed using SAS 9.4. Results: We identified 5344 patients (74% were Caucasian, 20% were African American and 6% were others) with ER-/PR+(74% were HER2 - and 26% were HER2 +) locoregional breast cancer (51% were Stage I, 38 % were stage II and 11% were stage III). Grade 1 cancer was seen in 2%, grade 2 in 18%, and majority being grade 3 in 80%. Of which 3093 (58%) patients received ET and 4462 (83%) received ST. Majority of patients were in age group 50-70 comprising of 69% patients, 8 % in age 18—39, 23% in age 40-49 with Charlson-Deyo Score of 0 in 83%, 1 in13%, 2-3 in 4%. In a propensity matched cohort (N=3980), ET was not significantly associated with OS among HER2 negative (HER2-) patients (HR=1.05, 95% CI 0.86-1.28, p=0.63). In HER2+ patient ET was associated with significantly improved OS (HR=0.65, 95% CI 0.42-0.99, p=.047). Conclusions: Receiving ET was not associated with improved OS in locoregional ER-/PR+/HER2- breast cancer based on our study using a propensity matched cohort in the NCDB. However, was frequently administered. Interestingly, improved OS was seen in locoregional ER-/PR+/HER2+ breast cancer with adjuvant ET.
Head-to-head comparison of single agent (SA) plinabulin (Plin) versus pegfilgrastim (Peg) for the prevention of chemotherapy-induced neutropenia (CIN) in the phase 3 trial PROTECTIVE-1.
Authors: Blayney Douglas W. , Shi Yuankai , Bondarenko Igor , Ogenstad Stephan , Zhang Qingyuan , Du Lihua , Huang Lan , Mohanlal Ramon
Published: June 2021

547

Background: Peg is the current standard of care (SoC) for the prevention of CIN, with a low absolute neutrophil (N) count (ANC) week 1 after chemotherapy (chemo) with normalization in week 2. Breakthrough designation agent from FDA, Plin, a novel, non-G-CSF agent for the prevention of CIN, produces a normal ANC in week 1 of cycle (C) 1 by potentially protecting progenitor cells in bone marrow from chemo assault, and also has anticancer activity (Blayney, St Gallen 2019; ASCO 2019). Here we report data from a pre-specified interim analysis from PROTECTIVE-1 (Study 105; NCT03102606). Methods: Breast cancer (BC), lung (NSCLC) and prostate cancer (HRPC) pts with at least 1 risk factor as per NCCN, received docetaxel (Doc) 75 mg/m2 with either Peg 6mg (n=53) or Plin 40 mg (n=52) over 4 cycles, and had ANC blood draws on Day (D) 1, 2,6,7,8,9,10,15 in C1 (Covance Central Laboratory). Plin was given on D1, as a 30 min IV infusion, 30 min after Doc, and Peg, 24 hrs after Doc. Primary objective was to demonstrate non-inferiority (NI) of SA Plin vs SA Peg for duration of severe neutropenia (DSN) in C1. NI of Plin vs Peg would be declared if the upper limit of 95% confidence interval for the mean DSN difference between Plin and Peg would be <0.65 day. Other endpoints included C1 platelet count, C1 bone pain scores (validated questionnaire), C1-4 clinical sequelae of CIN through [febrile neutropenia (FN), infection, antibiotic and hospitalization rate, and Doc discontinuation (Discont) and delays], and safety (AEs, hematology and chemistry, vital signs) Results: Predefined DSN NI criterion between SA Plin and SA Peg was met. C1 Grade 4 toxicity was not different between Plin and Peg (p=NS). Clinical sequelae of CIN were comparable or slightly better for Plin vs Peg (see Table). Plin caused less bone pain (p=0.01) and less thrombocytopenia (p<0.0001 on D15) vs Peg. AE frequency and overall safety was comparable for SA Plin and SA Peg. Conclusions: SA Plin has efficacy for Doc CIN prevention non-inferior compared to SoC Peg, and accordingly has comparable (or numerically better) profile for clinical sequelae of CIN. Plin has an advantage for bone pain, platelet counts, convenience of use (same day vs next day dosing) over SoC Peg and has anticancer activity. Clinical trial information: NCT03102606. [Table: see text]
Use of a high-sensitivity anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH) assay to determine ovarian function after chemotherapy for early breast cancer.
Authors: Clatot Florian , Thomas Kelsey , Lambertini Matteo , Olympios Nathalie , Duhamel Orianne , Perdrix Anne , Anderson Richard
Published: June 2021

552

Background: It is now well established that AMH can indicate the extent of chemotherapy-induced damage on the ovarian reserve. Very low AMH levels in women after chemotherapy for early breast cancer (eBC) may indicate treatment-induced premature ovarian failure (POI), but the evidence to implement its routine clinical use remains limited. Methods: AMH was measured (Roche cobas autoanalyser) in 197 women aged 40-45 years at diagnosis treated with anthracycline/cyclophosphamide/taxane based chemotherapy for eBC, with no previous endocrine therapy and no subsequent aromatase inhibitor exposure or ovarian suppression. 76% were ER positive and received tamoxifen. The primary objective was to assess the relationships between AMH levels at 6 months after chemotherapy (AMH6) with subsequent ovarian function at 30 months. This included accuracy of prediction of loss of ovarian function at 30 months (E30) after chemotherapy by AMH levels at 6 months (AMH6) and the value of other endocrine/clinical factors pretreatment and at 6 months. Multivariate analysis was performed with data were split into 70% training and 30% testing sets with results reported for model performance on the test set. Results: AMH fell from a median of 0.62 (IQR 0.21-1.31) ng/ml pretreatment to become undetectable ( < 0.01ng/ml) in 137 (70%) of women at 6 months. AMH showed very little recovery, being undetectable in 115 women at 18 months and 119 at 30 months. In those with detectable AMH at 30 months, it remained very low, median 0.07ng/ml, max 0.82ng/ml but nevertheless it reflected ovarian function. Thus median estradiol at 30 months (E30) was 50 pmol/l (IQR 34-68) in women with undetectable AMH at that time, vs 313 pmol/l (IQR 102-1052) in the 80 women with detectable AMH. AMH at 6 months was predictive of ovarian function at 30 months, as E30 was 56 pmol/l (IQR 40-104) in women with undetectable AMH6 vs 258pmol/l (IQR 69-780; p < 0.0001) in women with detectable AMH6, and the positive predictive value (PPV) of AMH being undetectable at 6 months and remaining so at 30 months was 77%. Random forest analysis identified BMI as a non-endocrine predictive factor of E30. Using a stringent cutoff of ≤50pmol/l (13.6 pg/ml) and adding 1:9 weighting to improve PPV gave a test validated PPV of 79.0% while maintaining AUC at 83.7% for prediction of E30. Other classifiers performed less well than random forests. Conclusions: Measurement of AMH at 6 months after chemotherapy has predictive value for later ovarian function, and combining this with other endocrine and baseline data improves discriminative ability. This approach indicates the potential role of multivariate analysis based on AMH measured shortly after chemotherapy to helping optimise subsequent endocrine therapy.
Discovery and validation of novel methylated DNA markers of cervical cancer.
Authors: Bakkum-Gamez Jamie Nadine , Graham Rondell P. , Broderick Brendan T. , Slettedahl Seth , Mahoney Douglas W. , Lemens Maureen , Cao Xiaoming , Foote Patrick H. , Burger Kelli , Berger Calise K. , O'Connell Maria , Doering Karen A. , Schoolmeester J. Kenneth , Kerr Sarah , Taylor William R. , Sherman Mark E. , Kisiel John B.
Published: June 2021

5526

Background: HR-HPV DNA testing, with or without cervical cytology, provides excellent sensitivity for detection of cervical cancer (CC) and its precursors; negative test results indicate that risk of disease is extremely low and enable women to undergo reduced screening with safety. However, management of women who screen positive remains challenging as many will prove to have self-limited HR-HPV infections. DNA methylation is an early event in carcinogenesis that could enhance CC screening specificity. Methods: For discovery, DNA from 70 FFPE CC (36 squamous, 34 adenocarcinoma) tissues that were reviewed microscopically, 18 fresh frozen benign cervicovaginal (BCV) tissues collected at the time of benign hysterectomy, and 18 buffy coats from cancer-free women underwent reduced representation bisulfite sequencing (RRBS) to identify MDMs associated with CC. Candidate MDM selection was based on area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) discrimination, methylation fold change, and low background methylation among benign controls. Candidate MDMs were re-tested using methylation-specific PCR (MSP) to confirm performance. Blinded biological validation was performed using MSP on DNA extracted from independent FFPE CC (38 squamous, 43 adenocarcinoma) and BCV (40) tissues. The performance of CC MDMs was also tested in DNA extracted from cervical dysplasia (36 adenocarcinoma in situ (AIS), 32 cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) 2/3, 11 CIN 1) FFPE tissues. Results: From RRBS discovery and technical validation via MSP, 30 candidate MDMs showed marked methylation fold changes (10 to >1000) across both CC histologies compared to BCV tissue from cancer-free women. Each of the 30 MDMs highly discriminated CC from BCV tissue with 9 MDMs having an AUC >0.90 (Table). CC MDMs also highly discriminated AIS from BCV but did not perform well in CIN 2/3 and CIN 1 (Table). Conclusions: Whole methylome sequencing, stringent filtering criteria, and biological validation have yielded outstanding candidate MDMs for CC that highly discriminate CC from BCV, notably with high specificity. Performance in cervical dysplasias varied with higher positivity rates in AIS than in CIN 2/3 and CIN 1. Translation to testing these novel MDMs in lower genital tract biospecimens and the addition of HR-HPV to the CC panel are warranted.[Table: see text]
Differential benefit from fractionated dose-dense first-line chemotherapy for epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) according to KELIM-evaluated tumor primary chemosensitivity: Exploratory analyses of ICON-8 trial.
Authors: You Benoit , Clamp Andrew , Cook Adrian David , McNeish Iain A. , Colomban Olivier
Published: June 2021

5530

Background: ICON8 phase III trial did not show improvement in PFS or OS with first-line weekly dose-dense chemotherapy in EOC. This analysis evaluated the impact of tumor intrinsic primary chemosensitivity (assessed with modeled CA-125 ELIMination rate constant K (KELIM) based on the CA-125 kinetics during the first 100 days of chemo), on survival by treatment arms. Methods: Retrospective analysis of ICON8 where EOC patients were treated with chemo (Arm 1, standard (std) carboplatin AUC5-6 & paclitaxel 175mg/m2 q3weeks; Arm 2, carboplatin AUC 5-6 q3weeks and weekly paclitaxel 80 mg/m2; or Arm 3, weekly carboplatin AUC 2 & paclitaxel 80 mg/m2; ratio1:1:1) and debulking primary surgery (immediate (IPS), or delayed (DPS)). The association between standardized KELIM (dichotomized as favorable ≥ 1, or unfavorable < 1) and efficacy of treatment arms and surgery completeness was assessed univariate & multivariate analyses. Results: Of 1,566 enrolled patients, KELIM was calculated in 1,004 with ≥ 3 CA-125 available values. KELIM did not differ by treatment arm. Irrespective of surgical strategy, both KELIM and surgery completeness were significant prognostic factors, but treatment arms were not. In 354 IPS patients, 225 had unfavorable KELIM (63%). Weekly dose-dense carboplatin-paclitaxel (Arm 3) (compared to std chemo-Arm 1) was associated with improved survival in unfavorable KELIM patients (PFS:19.6 vs 11.0 months, HR 0.80 [0.54-1.17]; OS : 53.7 vs 40.1 months, HR 0.75 [0.50-1.14]), and worse survival in those with favorable KELIM (PFS: 26.7 vs 48.2 months, HR 1.27 [0.72-2.22]; OS: NR vs 69.2 months, HR 1.05 [0.53-2.06]). Maximum benefit was seen in highest-risk diseases (unfavorable KELIM + incomplete IPS; n = 116; PFS: 17.0 vs 7.4 months, HR 0.49 [0.29-0.82]; OS: 42.6 vs 27.0 months, HR 0.56 [0.33-0.96]). In 611 patients treated with neo-adjuvant chemo +/- DPS (279 unfavorable KELIM, 46%), the same trend for higher survival benefit from dose-dense carboplatin-paclitaxel was found in those with unfavorable KELIM (PFS: 10.8 vs 7.4 months, HR 0.84 [0.63-1.13]; OS: 26.4 vs 23.5 months, HR 0.80 [0.60-1.08]), and reversely. The higher KELIM, the higher the likelihood of complete surgery (OR 4.82 [3.21-7.37]). The prognostic impact of the surgery completeness was greater in unfavorable KELIM patients. Conclusions: In ICON8 trial, both the tumor primary chemosensitivity (by KELIM) and completeness of debulking surgery were major drivers of the prognosis & survival. Dose-dense fractionated chemotherapy in 1st-line setting may be beneficial for patients with lower tumor chemosensitivity, whilst it might be detrimental in those with highly chemosensitive disease. The greatest OS benefit (HR 0.56) from dose-dense chemotherapy was seen in highest-risk diseases (unfavorable KELIM and incomplete IPS).
Metronomic cyclophosphamide and bevacizumab for the treatment of recurrent gynecologic carcinosarcoma: A multi-institution, retrospective study.
Authors: Bouberhan Sara , Hyde Jill S. , Foxall McKenzie , Penson Richard T. , Arend Rebecca Christian
Published: June 2021

5532

Background: The recent findings from the GOG 261 trial established carboplatin and paclitaxel as the standard first-line therapy for advanced gynecologic carcinosarcoma (GCS). Response rates to alternative regimens are limited, and the optimal chemotherapy for later line treatment of gynecologic carcinosarcoma has not yet been determined. The objective of this retrospective study is to report clinical response to treatment regimens for patients with GCS treated at 2 large academic referral comprehensive cancer centers. Methods: This multi-institution, retrospective analysis identified patients with recurrent GCS treated between January 1, 2015 and August 1, 2020 at the Massachusetts General Hospital and the University of Alabama O’Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center. All eligible patients received platinum/taxane as their first-line treatment regimen and were subsequently treated for recurrent disease. Subsequent treatment strategies were investigated. Objective responses were determined based on the clinical radiologist’s interpretation. Time on treatment (TOT) and treatment toxicity were identified for each subject. Given the small number of patients in this series, descriptive statistics were employed. Results: 29 patients met inclusion criteria. 15 patients had recurrent uterine carcinosarcoma, and 14 patients had recurrent ovarian carcinosarcoma. The most commonly used treatment regimens were: liposomal doxorubicin (PLD)/bevacizumab (ORR: 13%; Range TOT: 2-7 months), metronomic oral cyclophosphamide (MOC)/bevacizumab (ORR: 17%; Range TOT: 1-18 months), weekly paclitaxel/bevacizumab (ORR 60%; Range TOT: 3-18.5 months), liposomal doxorubicin (PLD) (ORR: 0%; Range TOT: 1-3 months), and weekly paclitaxel (ORR: 33%; Range TOT: 4.5-5.5). All regimens were generally well tolerated, and only 3 patients discontinued treatment due to toxicity concerns. Conclusions: In summary, in our cohort of gynecologic carcinosarcoma patients, the most active regimen (defined by mean TOT) was paclitaxel/bevacizumab, but prolonged TOT was also observed in the patients treated with MOC/bevacizumab. Given the rarity and aggressive nature of this tumor, further studies into optimal second line chemo (and beyond) are warranted; although, the combination of MOC/bevacizumab should be considered given the tolerability and the duration of treatment in this patient population.