bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
BRAF inhibitor (BRAFi) dabrafenib in combination with the MEK1/2 inhibitor (MEKi) trametinib in BRAFi-naive and BRAFi-resistant patients (pts) with BRAF mutation-positive metastatic melanoma (MM).
Authors: Sosman Jeffrey Alan , Daud Adil , Weber Jeffrey S. , Kim Kevin , Kefford Richard , Flaherty Keith , Infante Jeffrey R. , Hamid Omid , Cebon Jonathan S. , Schuchter Lynn Mara , McWilliams Robert R. , Sznol Mario , Sharfman William Howard , Algazi Alain Patrick , Lewis Karl D. , Little Shonda M , Sun Peng , Long Georgina , Patel Kiran , Gonzalez Rene 
Published: March 2020

9005 Background: Dual inhibition of the MAP kinase (MAPK) pathway with dabrafenib (D) and trametinib (T) in combination has demonstrated clinical benefit compared to D alone in a randomized Phase II trial in V600 BRAF-mutant MM pts, thus delaying the development of BRAFi resistance. Little is known about the efficacy of D + T after BRAFi resistance has been acquired. This analysis evaluates the ability of D + T combination to treat acquired resistance compared to the D + T combination as first-line treatment. Methods: These data from a phase I/II study include 1. BRAFi-resistant group: pts who received 150/2 D+T in Part B (n=26) and Part C (n=43) following progression on BRAFi monotherapy (mono); 2. BRAFi-naïve group: pts who received initial 150/2 D+T in Part B (n=24) and Part C (n=54). Results: Baseline characteristics (ECOG PS, M staging, LDH) were similar across all groups.In the Part B BRAFi-resistant group, 93% of pts previously received D or vemurafenib and all pts received D prior to D+T in Part C. In BRAFi-resistant group, prior best response of CR/PR (38%, 56%), SD (35%, 27%), PD (27%, 7%) was observed in Parts B and C respectively. In BRAFi-resistant group, the ORR and PFS with D+T was lower than initial D+T in BRAFi-naive group. Median duration of response (DoR) in BRAFi-resistant group cannot be calculated due to small no. of pts responding. Median DoR for BRAFi-naïve pts was 11.3 mo and 10.5 mo in Parts B and C respectively. In Part C, the 12-mo overall survival rates in BRAFi-naïve (150/2) pts was 79% vs 70% for pts initially on D mono, despite 80% pts crossing over to D+T combination. Conclusions: The clinical activity for 150/2 D+T combination is consistently superior in BRAFi-naive group vs BRAFi-resistant group in both Parts B and C. Dual MAPK blockade can delay clinical resistance to BRAF inhibition. However, once BRAFi resistance has occurred, the combination of BRAFi + MEKi is far less effective. Clinical trial information: NCT01072175. [Table: see text]
Clinical activity, safety, and biomarkers of MPDL3280A, an engineered PD-L1 antibody in patients with locally advanced or metastatic melanoma (mM).
Authors: Hamid Omid , Sosman Jeffrey Alan , Lawrence Donald P. , Sullivan Ryan J. , Ibrahim Nageatte , Kluger Harriet M. , Boasberg Peter D. , Flaherty Keith , Hwu Patrick , Ballinger Marcus , Mokatrin Ahmad , Kowanetz Marcin , Chen Daniel S. , Hodi F. Stephen 
Published: March 2020

9010 Background: mM is an immunotherapy responsive disease where PD-L1 overexpression is prevalent. MPDL3280A, a human monoclonal antibody containing an engineered Fc-domain designed to optimize efficacy and safety, targets PD-L1, blocking PD-L1 from binding its receptors, including PD-1 and B7.1. Initial antitumor activity observed during dose escalation supported further expansion in mM with MPDL3280A as monotherapy and in combination with targeted therapy. Methods: Pts with mM of any histologic subtype received MPDL3280A administered IV q3w for up to 1 y. Objective response rate (ORR) was assessed by RECIST v1.1. Reported ORR includes u/cCR and u/cPR. In addition, a separate Ph 1b was initiated to evaluate the safety and efficacy of MPDL3280A with vemurafenib (vem) in pts with BRAF-V600 mutated mM. Results: As of Jan 10, 2013, 45 mM pts were treated at ≤1 (n=4), 10 (n=10), 25 (n=20) and 20 mg/kg (n=11) and evaluable for safety. Median pt age was 63 y (range 21-83 y), 100% were PS 0-1, 91% had prior surgery and 64% received prior systemic therapy. Pts received MPDL3280A treatment for a median duration of 127 days (range 1-282). The incidence of all G3/4 AEs, regardless of attribution, was 33%, including hyperglycemia (7%), elevated ALT (7%) and elevated AST (4%). No G3-5 pneumonitis was reported. No treatment-related deaths occurred on study. 35 mM pts who initiated treatment at doses of 1-20 mg/kg and enrolled prior to Jul 1, 2012, were evaluable for efficacy. An ORR of 26% (9/35) was observed, with all RECIST responses ongoing or improving. Further, some responding pts experienced tumor shrinkage within days of initial treatment. The 24-week PFS was 35%. Several additional pts had delayed antitumor activity after apparent radiographic progression and were counted as PD for the above analyses. Analysis of mandatory archival tumors showed a correlation between PD-L1 status and efficacy. Further, of three initial pts treated with MPDL3280A and vem, 2 experienced tumor shrinkage, including 1 CR. Conclusions: MPDL3280A was well tolerated as monotherapy, and durable ORs were observed. Therefore, further assessment of MPDL3280A as monotherapy and combination therapy is warranted. Clinical trial information: NCT01375842.
Phase I/II trial of PD-1 antibody nivolumab with peptide vaccine in patients naive to or that failed ipilimumab.
Authors: Weber Jeffrey S. , Kudchadkar Ragini Reiney , Gibney Geoffrey Thomas , De Conti Ronald C. , Yu Bin , Wang Wenshi , Sarnaik Amod , Martinez Alberto J , Kroeger Jodi , Eysmans Cabell , Gallenstein Donna , Zhao Xiuhua , Chen Ann 
Published: March 2020

9011 Background: Nivolumab, an IgG4 fully human monoclonal antibody against checkpoint protein PD-1, is active in metastatic melanoma, renal cell and non-small cell lung cancer. It was administered with a multi-peptide vaccine to patients (pts) with unresectable melanoma who failed at least one regimen for metastatic disease and were ipilimumab naïve, or failed ipilimumab, to assess the toxicity and tolerability of the combination and perform correlative immune assays. Methods: Three cohorts of 10 HLA A0201 positive ipilimumab-naïve pts received nivolumab at 1, 3 or 10 mg/kg, then three additional cohorts of pts who had failed prior ipilimumab received nivolumab at 3 mg/kg: two cohorts of 10 pts each who were A0201 positive and had either grade 2 or less ipilimumab toxicity, or grade 3 dose limiting ipilimumab toxicity; finally 40 pts were treated with antibody who had grade 2 or less ipilimumab toxicity and were not HLA restricted. Pre-treatment archived tumor tissue as well as pre- and post-treatment peripheral blood cells were collected. Results: Median age for all pts was 59;76% were M1c. Response rates by RECIST were 28% in 34 pts naïve to, and 32% for 46 pts who failed prior ipilimumab. Nivolumab did not induce the same irAEs in pts with prior ipilimumab induced toxicity. No cohort had more than one dose limiting toxicity. 2 pts had grade 3 pneumonitis. Three of ten pts who failed nivolumb had stable disease or a partial response to subsequent ipilimumab. Biomarker studies showed that elevated NY-ESO 1 and MART-1 specific CD8 T cells pre-treatment were associated with non-response (p<0.005 and <0.001), and that CTLA-4 positive CD4 T cells and T regulatory cells were elevated after treatment in non-responders (p<0.01). Immunohistochemical analysis of pre-treatment tumors indicated that PD-L1 staining was associated with response, but responses were also observed in pts whose tumors did not stain. Conclusions: Objective responses to nivolumab were observed after failing ipilimumab, and to ipilimumab after failing nivolumab. Elevation of CTLA-4 after nivolumab in non-responders suggest that sequential therapy with the combination should be tested. Tumor PD-L1 was associated with but not predictive of response. Clinical trial information: NCT01176461.
An update on BREAK-3, a phase III, randomized trial: Dabrafenib (DAB) versus dacarbazine (DTIC) in patients with BRAF V600E-positive mutation metastatic melanoma (MM).
Authors: Hauschild Axel , Grob Jean Jacques , Demidov Lev V. , Jouary Thomas , Gutzmer Ralf , Millward Michael , Rutkowski Piotr , Blank Christian U. , Miller Wilson H. , Kaempgen Eckhart , Martin-Algarra Salvador , Karaszewska Boguslawa , Mauch Cornelia , Chiarion-Sileni Vanna , Mirakhur Beloo , Guckert Mary E. , Swann R. Suzanne , Haney Patricia , Goodman Vicki L. , Chapman Paul B. 
Published: March 2020

9013 Background: Dabrafenib is a selective BRAF inhibitor with demonstrated efficacy in BRAF V600E-positive mutation in MM. The primary analysis of BREAK-3 (NCT01227889) compared progression-free survival (PFS) in patients (pts) with BRAF V600E-positive mutation MM treated with dabrafenib or DTIC. Methods: Median PFS for dabrafenib of 5.1 months (mo) and study methods were previously described (Hauschild A, et al. Lancet. 2012,380:358–365). Independent review ended at the primary analysis. PFS was updated in Jun 2012 at median follow-up of 10.5 mo for dabrafenib (67% of PFS events), and 9.9 mo for DTIC. Median overall survival (OS) was not reached, so another analysis of OS and safety was performed with data as of Dec 2012, at which time the median follow-up was 15.2 (dabrafenib) and 12.7 (DTIC) mo. PFS of subjects who crossed over was also evaluated at that time. Results: PFS hazard ratio was 0.37 [95% CI; 0.23, 0.57]; median PFS was 6.9 mo dabrafenib and 2.7 mo DTIC. In Dec 2012, 36/63 DTIC pts crossed over; median PFS was 4.3 [95% CI; 4.1, 6.1] mos. OS is presented in the Table.The four most common adverse events (AE) on the dabrafenib arm were hyperkeratosis (39%), headache (35%), arthralgia (35%), and pyrexia (32%). Serious AEs ≥ 5% on the dabrafenib arm included cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma/keratoacanthoma (10%) and pyrexia (5%). Conclusions: Longer follow-up confirms the benefits of dabrafenib on PFS and response rate. Median OS in the dabrafenib arm was over 18 mo and over 15 mo in the DTIC arm. OS results are confounded by crossover of DTIC pts to dabrafenib and likely by subsequent therapy after progression. The effects of subsequent therapy results will be investigated. The safety profile had no significant changes. Clinical trial information: NCT01227889. [Table: see text]
NRAS mutation: A potential biomarker of clinical response to immune-based therapies in metastatic melanoma (MM).
Authors: Johnson Douglas Buckner , Lovly Christine Marie , Flavin Marisa , Ayers Gregory Dan , Zhao Zhiguo , Iams Wade Thomas , Iafrate Anthony John , Berry Elizabeth Gates , Terry Charles R , Sullivan Ryan J. , Carvajal Richard D. , Sosman Jeffrey Alan 
Published: March 2020

9019 Background: NRAS mutant (mut) MM comprises a distinct, molecularly defined cohort of this disease that appears to have a poor prognosis compared to other genetic subsets. In contrast to BRAF mut MM, there are no effective small molecule inhibitors specifically targeting NRAS. Immune based therapy (IT) has become a mainstay in MM treatment, especially in BRAF wild type (WT) patients (pts). Biomarkers to predict which pts will benefit from IT have not been validated. The goal of this study was to evaluate whether genetic subtype (specifically NRAS) has a role in predicting benefit from IT in BRAF WT MM. Methods: We identified 173 pts from 3 institutions who underwent clinical genotyping (exome or PCR based) for NRAS and BRAF mutation from 1/09 – 8/12 and were treated with IT (defined as IL-2, ipilimumab (ipi), or anti-PD-1 (nivolumab, MK3475)/ PD-L1 (MPDL3280A)). Only BRAF WT pts were included. Primary endpoints were response rate (RR) and clinical benefit rate (CBR), defined as RR + stable disease lasting >24 wks to IT (best response as assessed by treating clinicians in any line of IT). Secondary endpoints were overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) from first line IT. Results: Of the 173 pts, 59 had NRAS mut MM compared to 114 WT/WT (no mutation in NRAS or BRAF). Improved clinical outcomes were seen in the NRAS mut compared to WT/WT cohort in terms of RR (32% vs. 18%, p=0.042), and CBR (49% vs. 30%, p=0.012). Improvements in PFS and OS did not reach statistical significance. By specific IT, NRAS mutation predicted benefit compared to WT/WT for anti-PD-1/PD-L1 (RR 78% vs. 19%, p=0.002; CBR 78% vs. 29%, p=0.013, n=30) and ipi (RR 18% vs. 12%, p=0.315; CBR 41% vs. 22%, p=0.018, n=137). No significant differences were observed with IL-2 (RR 33% vs. 28%, p=0.730; CBR 33% vs. 39%, p=0.741, n=33). Conclusions: This study demonstrates that pts with NRAS mut MM achieve increased clinical benefit from IT compared to pts with BRAF/NRAS WT MM. A larger, prospective analysis is necessary to validate and expand on these results, including those with BRAF mut and KIT mut MM. However, our data suggest that NRAS mutation status may be a biomarker of response to IT in MM and that molecularly targeted immunotherapy may be feasible.
Tumor-specific circulating cell-free DNA (cfDNA) to predict clinical outcome in BRAF V600 mutation-positive melanoma patients (pts) treated with the MEK inhibitor trametinib (T) or chemotherapy (C).
Authors: Schadendorf Dirk , Flaherty Keith , Hersey Peter , Nathan Paul D. , Garbe Claus , Milhem Mohammed M. , Demidov Lev V. , Hassel Jessica Cecile , Rutkowski Piotr , Mohr Peter , Dummer Reinhard , Trefzer Uwe , Larkin James M. G. , Utikal Jochen , Casey Michelle , Santiago-Walker Ademi , Sherman Laurie Jill , Martin Anne-Marie , Wu Frank S. , Robert Caroline 
Published: March 2020

9020 Background: Tumor-derived cfDNA in the blood is a potential alternative source to derive tumor mutation (mut) status and could be a useful biomarker of therapeutic response. Data from METRIC (NCT01245062), an open-label randomized Phase III study evaluating the efficacy and safety of T vs C, were used to assess: correlation between baseline tumor and cfDNA BRAF muts; correlation between baseline cfDNA levels and tumor burden (i.e., the sum of target lesion diameters); and efficacy based on baseline cfDNA BRAF mut status. Methods: BRAF mut status was established for 322 pts using an allele-specific PCR assay in tumor samples. Baseline plasma samples were available for 305/322 pts. cfDNA BRAF mut status was evaluated by Inostics GmBH using BEAMing technology. Spearman correlation coefficients were used to determine the association between cfDNA fraction (mut DNA molecules > 0.01%) and baseline tumor burden. A Cox proportional hazards model was used to assess the association between cfDNA mut status and progression-free survival (PFS). Results: The overall agreement between tumor and cfDNA BRAF V600E and V600K mut status was 77%, and 96% respectively. V600E or V600K cfDNA mut fraction did not correlate with baseline tumor burden (R=0.38 and 0.23, respectively). Benefit of T vs C was observed regardless of cfDNA BRAF mut status (HR= 0.42, 0.41, 0.47 for V600E, V600K, and not detectable (cfDNA ND) subgroups). Interestingly, cfDNA ND pts had longer PFS vs cfDNA V600E/K pts, independent of treatment (HR=0.37 for cfDNA ND vs V600E/K, p=<0.0001). For T cfDNA ND median PFS was not reached (n=52), however the first quartile was 4.5 months; for V600E (n=127) and V600K (n=21) median PFS was 3.5 and 4.4 months, respectively. For C median PFS was 3.5, 1.4, and 1.5 months for cfDNA ND (n=28), V600E (n=69), and V600K (n=7), respectively. Similarly, higher response rates were seen in cfDNA ND pts vs cfDNA V600E/K pts across both treatment arms. Conclusions: Free circulating DNA can be used to detect BRAF V600 muts. cfDNA mut fraction was not linked to tumor burden. The absence of circulating BRAF mut DNA in BRAF V600 pts may be a marker of a better outcome. Clinical trial information: NCT01245062.
A phase III trial of nab-paclitaxel versus dacarbazine in chemotherapy-naive patients with metastatic melanoma: A subanalysis based on BRAF status.
Authors: Hersh Evan , Del Vecchio Michele , Brown Michael Paul , Kefford Richard , Loquai Carmen , Testori Alessandro , Robert Caroline , Li Mingyu , Elias Ileana , Renschler Markus F. , Hauschild Axel 
Published: March 2020

9030 Background: Activating mutations of BRAF V600 can be found in 40%-50% of melanomas and are related to poor prognosis. In a phase 3 trial for the treatment of metastatic melanoma (MM) in chemotherapy-naive patients, nab-paclitaxel (nab-P) vs dacarbazine (DTIC) demonstrated a significant improvement in the primary endpoint of progression-free survival (PFS), assessed by independent radiological review (IRR), and a trend toward prolonged overall survival (OS) at the interim survival analysis. The study also explored the effect of BRAF status on the efficacy parameters. Methods: Chemotherapy-naive patients with stage IV melanoma (M1c stage 65%; elevated LDH 28%) and ECOG performance status 0-1 were randomized to nab-P 150 mg/m2 on days 1, 8, and 15 of a 28-day cycle (n = 264) or DTIC 1000 mg/m2 on day 1 of each 21-day cycle (n = 265) independent of BRAF status. Prespecified subgroup analyses of final PFS and interim OS in subgroups by BRAF status (V600E mutant, wild-type, or unknown) were performed. Results: BRAF mutation status was balanced between the treatment arms, with 36% and 38% of patients with known BRAF mutation status in the nab-P and DTIC arms, respectively. Patient characteristics were also balanced within BRAF subgroups. As shown in the Table, advantage in the nab-P arm vs DTIC arm was observed for both PFS and interim OS regardless of BRAFmutation status. Poststudy BRAF inhibitor treatment was also balanced. Conclusions: In this phase III trial, treatment effect was independent of BRAF mutation status, benefiting all patients who received nab-P vs DTIC. Therefore nab-P should be considered in the armamentarium for all chemotherapy-naive patients with MM. Clinical trial information: NCT00864253. [Table: see text]
Observation after a positive sentinel lymph node biopsy in patients with melanoma.
Authors: Bamboat Zubin M. , Coit Daniel G. , Konstantinidis Ioannis , Kuk Deborah , Panageas Katherine S. , Ariyan Charlotte Eielson , Brady Mary Susan 
Published: March 2020

9033 Background: The therapeutic benefit of completion lymph node dissection (CLND) in melanoma patients with a positive sentinel lymph node (SLN) remains unknown. This study describes the natural history of selected patients undergoing nodal observation (no-CLND) after a positive SLN biopsy and compares outcomes with those undergoing immediate CLND. Methods: A prospective database was used to identify melanoma patients with a positive SLN biopsy from 1994 to 2012. Patient and tumor characteristics, reasons for not undergoing CLND, patterns of initial recurrence, and melanoma-specific survival data were analyzed. Results: Of 4319 patients undergoing SLN biopsy, 505 (12%) had a positive SLN. 170 (34%) patients underwent nodal observation and 335 (66%) had an immediate CLND. Patients in the no-CLND group were older (65 vs. 56 years, p<0.001) and more likely to have lower extremity lesions (43% vs. 30%, p=0.004). There were no differences in tumor thickness, Clark level of invasion, presence of ulceration, or degree of SLN tumor between groups. In 89% of cases, the reason to forgo CLND was due to doctor and/or patient decision. Median follow up was 23.5 and 78.5 months for no-CLND and CLND groups and median time to first recurrence was similar at 9 and 12 months (p=NS) respectively. There was no difference in regional recurrence rates between groups (20%). Nodal disease as a site of first recurrence occurred in 16% of patients in the no-CLND group compared with 7% of CLND patients (p<0.001). In contrast, systemic disease as first site of recurrence occurred in 8% of no-CLND patients compared with 27% of CLND patients (p<0.001). While median relapse-free survival was better after CLND (34.5 vs. 20.9 months, p=0.02), melanoma-specific survival was similar (not reached, no-CLND vs. 110 months, CLND, p=0.14). Conclusions: Immediate CLND after a positive SLN biopsy is associated with fewer initial nodal basin recurrences but similar melanoma-specific survival. These results support ongoing equipoise in the two arms of MSLT-II.
Differential genomic profiles of tumor-involved and tumor-free sentinel lymph nodes in patients with melanoma.
Authors: Tarhini Ahmad A. , LaFramboise William A , Rao Uma N. M. , Edington Howard , Pingpank James F. , Holtzman Matthew Peter , Tawbi Hussein Abdul-Hassan , Geskin Albert , Rose Amy , Milburn Christy , Merriman Michelle , Sander Cindy , Sciulli Christin , Lin Yan , Kirkwood John M. 
Published: March 2020

9043 Background: For clinical stage I and II node negative melanoma the histologic status of the sentinel lymph node (SLN) is the most significant predictor of survival. Molecular characterization of node positive and node negative SLNs through gene expression profiling may improve the understanding of the molecular mechanisms of metastasis and identify specific gene signatures for SLN+/SLN- that correlate with clinical outcome. Methods: We characterized 15 SLN+ and 15 SLN- melanoma patients (T3a/b, T4a/b) who underwent SLN dissection for routine staging using transcriptome profiling analysis on 5μ sections of fresh LN samples. The primary endpoint was mRNA expression profiling using the U133A 2.0 Affymetrix gene chips. Significance Analysis of Microarrays v.4 was used to perform non-parametric analysis and statistical comparison for each transcript corrected for false discovery rate (q value) to control for type 1 errors arising from multiple tests. Pathway analysis was performed using Ingenuity Pathway Analysis software. Results: Tumor size ranged from 1-2mm in size. Twenty-one genes were expressed at significantly (q value <0.056) higher levels in SLN+ vs SLN-. These included CCNA2, CEP55, DCT, FEN1, HMMR, MLANA, PAICS, PBK, POSTN, RAB27A, RRM2, SHCBP1, SILV, TYR, CENPE, CCL20, CHEK1, LINS, TPX2, TTK, TYRP1. Pathway analysis (39 genes >1.4 fold; q < 0.12) identified the top disease categories as “Cancer” (26 genes, p = 5.7x10-9) and “Dermatological” (14 genes, p = 3.9x10-6). The top functional categories included “Cell Cycle” (21 genes p= 2.3x10-12) and “Cell Growth and Proliferation” (26 genes p=9x10-9). The relevant canonical pathways were “Eumelanin Biosynthesis” (p=3x10-5) and “Cell Cycle: G2/M DNA Damage Checkpoint Regulation” (p=1.2x10-4). Conclusions: We identified a 21 gene signature that is consistent with metastatic melanoma and its microenvironment and is differentially expressed in SLNs that are tumor involved. These gene families provide a signature of nodal involvement that may assist in diagnosis, and may be further explored towards prediction of outcome and development of therapy. A validation study is ongoing with clinical outcome association analyses as follow up is mature.