bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Beyond VEGF inhibition: Comparative efficacy analysis of novel VEGF and non-VEGF therapeutic agents in phase I trials for patients with metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC).
Authors: Patel Sukeshi R. , Ketchum Norma , Pollock Brad H. , Sarantopoulos John , Weitman Steven , Mahalingam Devalingam 
Published: March 2020

3541 Background: Recently, regorafenib (RGF), an oral multikinase inhibitor, was approved for patients (pts) with mCRC who have failed standard therapies. Compared to placebo, the phase III CORRECT study showed RGF improved median overall survival (mOS) from 5.0 to 6.4 months (mo) and median progression-free survival (mPFS) from 1.7 to 1.9 mo, regardless of K-Ras status. This suggests further VEGF inhibition is crucial in controlling mCRC progression. Many mCRC pts enroll on phase I studies with efficacy reported by some; however, a collective efficacy assessment aimed solely for mCRC in relation to class of agents has not been done. Methods: A historical cohort analysis included pts with mCRC enrolled amongst 28 phase I trials at the IDD, from 7/2008 – 9/2012. PFS and OS were estimated from Kaplan-Meier curves and groups were statistically compared with the log rank test. The magnitude of association between dichotomous factors and survival was estimated with the hazard ratio (HR). Results: A total of 75 pts were included. Median age 59 (33–80), males 61 %, K-ras mutated 39 %. ECOG PS 0–1 96 %. ≥3 prior lines of therapy 68 %. Class of drugs included: VEGF Inhibitors 32 %, Cytotoxic 25 %, Microenvironment Inhibitors 13 %, Apoptosis/Autophagy Inhibitors 11 %, EGFR/Growth Factor TKIs 8 %, others 11 %. For the whole cohort of 75 pts, mPFS was 2.8 mo (95% CI: 2.0–3.7). As of 12/1/12, among 65 pts, mOS was 5.6 mo (95% CI: 4.4-7.0). In subgroup analysis, mPFS was 3.4 (95% CI: 1.4–4.5) vs 2.8 months (95% CI: 2.0–3.5) for pts on VEGF and non-VEGF Inhibitors (HR 0.79, 95% CI: 0.43–1.44, p = 0.44), respectively. VEGF Inhibitor treated pts had a mOS of 5.5 months (95% CI: 1.6–10.0 months) vs 5.6 months (95% CI: 4.4–7.6) with non-VEGF Inhibitors (HR 1.02, 95% CI: 0.58–1.78, p = 0.96). Efficacy was similar regardless of K-Ras status. Conclusions: In pretreated mCRC, median PFS and OS for pts enrolled in phase I trials, irrespective of agent, was comparable to efficacy of RGF. Therefore, after failure of standard therapies, mCRC pts should be encouraged to enroll in clinical trials with efficacy reported in both VEGF and non-VEGF inhibitors.
5FU/LV with or without irinotecan in patients with resected stage II-III rectal cancer: Final analysis of R98 intergroup study.
Authors: Delbaldo Catherine , Ychou Marc , Zawadi Ayman , Douillard Jean-Yves , André Thierry , Guerin-Meyer Veronique , Lepère Céline , Dupuis Olivier , Faroux Roger , Jouhaud Annie , Quinaux Emmanuel , Piedbois Pascal 
Published: March 2020

3542 Background: The goal of the study was to test whether adding Irinotecan to a 5-FU/LV adjuvant regimen improves disease free survival (DFS) or overall survival (OS) in optimally resected stages II-III rectal cancers. Primary end-point was DFS. Methods: Six hundred patients were planned to be randomized between 5-FU/LV (control arm) or 5-FU/LV + irinotecan (experimental arm). As only 357 patients had been included from 03/1999 to 12/2005 (178 in control and 179 in experimental arm), the IDMC recommended to close accrual. The trial was stratified by control arm: Mayo-Clinic regimen (A: LV 20 mg/m², 5-FU 425 mg/m² bolus days (d) 1- 5 reapeted at d29,57,92,127 and 162) or LV5-FU2 regimen (A’: LV 200 mg/m², 5-FU 400 mg/m² bolus and 5-FU 600 mg/m² 22-hours infusion d1-2, q 2 w for 12 cycles). The experimental arm (B) was LV5-FU2 + irinotecan 180 mg/m² d1. Results: All 357 randomized patients were evaluable for efficacy. Patient characteristics were well balanced (median age 62 years, stage II 31 %, stage III 69 %, N0 31 %, 68 % received preoperative radiotherapy, and 80 % had sphincter conservation). With follow-up of 156 months, DFS and OS are not statistically increase (81vs 92 events for DFS in experimental and control arm, hazard ratio (HR)=0.805, p=0.154;63 vs 72 events for OS, HR=0.874, p=0.433). Patients allocated to the experimental arm had more grade 3-4 neutropenia when compared with the LV5FU2 control (33 % vs 16 %, p=0.03), but not when compared with the Mayo Clinic arm (32% vs 36%, p=0.84). Grade 3-4 diarrhea tend to be higher in the experimental arm, but analyses stratified by control arm or by radiotherapy failed to show significant differences across strata (test for interaction p=0.44). Conclusions: In patients with resected stage II-III rectal cancer, adding irinotecan to 5FU/LV led to a non significant increase of DFS and OS. The analysis was planned to have a 60 % power to detect a significant difference with 220 events. With a long term follow up of 8 years only 173 events were observed in our trial. Lack of power and good patient prognosis (thirty one percent of node negative patients) may have impacted the results.
Phase II trial of target-guided personalized chemotherapy in first-line metastatic colorectal.
Authors: Cubillo Antonio , Rodriguez-Pascual Jesus , López-Ríos Fernando , Plaza Carlos , García Elena , Alvarez-Gallego Rafael , De Vicente Emilio , Quijano Yolanda , Hernando Ovidio , Rubio Carmen , Hidalgo Manuel 
Published: March 2020

3543 Background: Chemotherapy (Ch) options for patients (pts) with colorectal cancer (CRC) have increased in the last years. However, there are no validated prospective molecular markers in CRC to select which agents are better to treat any individual case. The aim of this study was to determine the efficacy in terms of progression free survival (PFS) of a biomarker panel to guide treatment selection in this setting. Methods: Treatment naive, ECOG 0-1, metastatic CRC pts were accrued. Pts were prospectively analyzed with a predefined set of 10 molecular targets, including: KRAS, BRAF, and PI3K mutations and Topoisomerase-1(Top-1), ERCC-1, Thymidylate synthase (TS) and Thymidine phosphorylase (TP) expression by inmunohistochemistry ( IHC) performed in a tumor biopsy. Ch combination schema plus Cetuximab (C) or Bevacizumab (B) at standard doses was customized based on: Topo-1 +:Irinotecan (I). Topo-1- and ERCC-1 -:Oxaliplatin(O). Topo-1- and ERCC1 +:investigator option (I or O). TS -:Fluoropyrimidines (FP).TS +:No FP. TP -:5-FU, TP +:Capecitabine. Maintenance C or B treatment was allowed. Primary outcome measure was PFS. Results: 74 pts were accrued and all of them received biomarker guide treatment. All of them began personalized. Interim analysis on 61 pts (38 males, median age 65) showed.Topo-1 + in 33 pts (54%),ERCC-1- in 36( 59%) TS + in 44 (73%), TP – in 61 ( 100%), K-ras nativein 34 ( 55%), BRaf mutated in 2 (3,2%). With a median follow up time of 9,1 months (m). Median PFS (95% CI) is 8,6 (6,2-10,9) m, with a 41,3% (27,4-55,2) 12mPFS . Overall clinical benefit (Response + Stabilizations) was 74,5% (65,6-83,4).Toxicities Grade ≥ 3 included 18% neutropenia, 4,9% asthenia and 3,3% anemia. 12 pts (23%) received loco-regional treatment ( surgery or radiosurgery). Median Overall survival has not been reached. Conclusions: Target- Guided Personalized Ch in first line CRC pts is feasible and results in promising PFS with low toxicity. Update of final results and more detailed data will be presented. Clinical trial information: NCT01453257.
ALK and ROS1 gene rearrangements detected in colorectal cancer (CRC) by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH).
Authors: Weickhardt Andrew James , Nguyen Teresa T. , Paskulin Diego D. , Le Anh T. , Aisner Dara , Schulte Nathan , Chionh Fiona J.M. , Mariadason John , Tebbutt Niall C. , Doebele Robert Charles , Varella-Garcia Marileila 
Published: March 2020

3545 Background: Activation of ROS1 and ALK tyrosine kinases through gene fusions lead to unchecked cell proliferation and transformation. ROS1 and ALK gene fusions were found in about 5% and 2% of lung adenocarcinomas and are highly sensitive to specific tyrosine kinase inhibitors. This study aimed at identifying the presence of ROS1 and ALKrearrangements in CRC using FISH technology. Methods: Arrayed specimens of metastatic CRC (mCRC) patients were tested with a 4-target, 4-color break-apart FISH probe set (Abbott Molecular) designed to simultaneously evaluate the genomic status of ROS1 and ALK. Fused 3’/5’ signals of each gene were considered negative for rearrangement; single 3’/single 5’ (for ROS1) and split 3’-5’ or single 3’ (for ALK) were considered positive for rearrangement. Results: Among 236 mCRC patients tested, two were positive for ROS1 (single 3’ROS1 signals in 39% and 61% of tumor cells) and one was positive for ALK rearrangement (single 3’ALK in 41% of tumor cells). The upper cut-off for positive FISH patterns in the negative specimens was identified as <15% both for ROS1 and ALK. Interestingly, the ALK+ patient displayed intra-tumoral heterogeneity, detected in the tissue cores and confirmed in two resection blocks. The fusion partner for ALK was identified as EML4 by PCR-based tests and sequencing. The fusion partner(s) for ROS1 remains to be identified by other technologies. A small fraction of specimens presented duplicated or clustered copies of native ALK and ROS1. Conclusions: The novel FISH probe set was effective to identify the first cases of ROS1 rearrangements in CRC and re-confirm the occurrence of ALK rearrangements. This supports further evaluation of mCRC cases for ROS1 and ALK gene fusions as these may represent new targets for evaluation in clinical trials. Tumor heterogeneity in the ALK rearrangement must be addressed for screening tests. (Partially supported by research grant from Abbott Molecular and the Colorado CCSG P30CA046934).
Cochrane systematic review and meta-analysis of adjuvant chemotherapy for stage II colon cancer.
Authors: Meyers Brandon Matthew , Al-Shamsi Humaid Obaid , Figueredo Alvaro Tell 
Published: March 2020

3548 Background: Colon cancer is potentially curable by surgery in the early stages of the disease. Adjuvant chemotherapy improves disease-free and overall survival in patients with stage III disease, but the magnitude of benefit in stage II colon cancer is less clear. A previous Cochrane systematic review and meta-analysis (SR/MA) found improved disease-free, but not overall survival (Figueredo et al., 2008). An updated SR/MA was performed to determine the effects of adjuvant chemotherapy on disease-free and overall survival in patients with stage II colon cancer. Methods: Relevant databases (MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Cochrane) were independently searched by all authors, using the same search strategy employed in the original study (1/1988 to 9/2012). Randomized trials containing data on stage II colon cancer patients undergoing adjuvant 5-fluorouracil (5FU) chemotherapy versus observation were included. Pooled results were expressed as hazard ratios (HR) whenever possible, or risk ratios (RR), with 95% confidence intervals (95%CI) using a random effects model. Results: Seven studies were identified, and included in the final SR/MA. Six of the 7 studies were included in the disease-free survival analysis (n=4587). Adjuvant 5FU was associated with better disease-free survival (RR 0.84 (95%CI 0.75-0.94)). All 7 studies (n=5353) were included in the overall survival analysis showing an improvement with adjuvant 5FU (HR 0.87 (95%CI 0.78-0.97)). There was no evidence of heterogeneity across the studies (I2 = 0% for all analyses). Conclusions: In stage II colon cancer, adjuvant 5FU chemotherapy statistically improves both disease-free and overall survival. Our SR/MA demonstrates, for the first time, an overall survival advantage with adjuvant chemotherapy in stage II colon cancer.
The frequencies and clinical implications of mutations in 33 kinase-related genes in locally advanced rectal cancer.
Authors: Abdul Jalil Khairun Izlinda , Sheehan Katherine M , Toomey Sinead , Schmid Jasmin , O'grady Anthony , Cummins Robert , O'Neill Brian , McNamara Deborah A , Deasy Joseph , Grogan William , Breathnach Oscar S. , Rogers Ailin , Doherty Glen , Winter Des C , Gibbons David , Ryan John , Sheahan Kieran , Gillen Peter , Kay Elaine , Hennessy Bryan 
Published: March 2020

3549 Background: Locally advanced rectal cancer, LARC (T3/4 and/or N+) is currently treated with pre-operative chemoradiotherapy (pCRT), but responses are not uniform. The phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K), MAP-kinase (MAPK) and related pathways have been implicated in rectal cancer tumorigenesis. Here, we investigated the association between genetic variations in these pathways and clinical outcomes in LARC. Methods: We genotyped a total of 234 Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms (SNPs) including potentially clinically relevant mutations in 33 cancer related genes including PIK3CA, PIK3R1, AKT, STK11, KRAS, BRAF, MEK, CTNNB1, EGFR, MET and NRAS using the Sequenom platform. DNA samples utilized herein were extracted from pre-treatment rectal cancer biopsies of 201 patients who were then treated with long-course pCRT followed by surgical resection. Results: 62 different mutations were detected in 15 genes, with the highest frequencies occurring in KRAS (n=93, 47%), PIK3CA (n=29, 14%), MET (n=27, 13%), STK11 (n=13, 6.3%), CTNNB1 (n=12, 6%), BRAF (n=8, 4%) and NRAS (n=7, 3.5%). Mutations were also detected in AKT, PIK3R1, EGFR, GNAS, MEK1, PDGFRA, ALK and TNK2, but at frequencies of less than 2%. Pathologic complete response (pCR) was associated with excellent (97%) 5-year Recurrence-Free Survival (RFS) (Hazard ratio [HR], 0.076; 95% CI, 0.01-0.50, P=0.001). We found: 1) Mutations in PI3K pathway-related genes (PIK3CA, AKT, STK11) were significantly associated with absence of pCR (odd ratio [OR], 5.40; 95% CI, 1.24-23.54, P=0.024). However, mutations in MAPK pathway-related genes (KRAS, BRAF, NRAS, MEK) was not found to be significantly associated with pCR (P=0.805). 2) In contrast, in patients who did not achieve pCR (non-pCR), mutations in PI3K pathway-related genes were not associated with RFS. However, in these patients, codon 12 (G12D/G12V/G12S) and 13 mutations in KRAS were associated with poor RFS (HR, 0.336; 95% CI, 0.115-0.981, P=0.046). Conclusions: These results suggest that mutations in kinase signaling pathways may modulate treatment responsiveness and clinical outcomes in locally advanced rectal cancer and thus may constitute rational targets for novel therapies.
Molecular characteristics and prognostic implication of mucinous histology in colorectal cancer patients treated with adjuvant FOLFOX.
Authors: Lee Dae-Won , Han Sae Won , Lee Hyun Jung , Rhee Ye-Young , Bae Jeong Mo , Cho Nam-Yun , Lee Kyung-Hun , Kim Tae Yong , Oh Do-Youn , Im Seock-Ah , Bang Yung-Jue , Jeong Seung-Yong , Park Kyu Joo , Park Jae-Gahb , Kang Gyeong Hoon , Kim Tae-You 
Published: March 2020

3550 Background: There have been controversies in prognostic impact of mucinous histology in colorectal cancer (CRC) and its implication in pts treated with adjuvant FOLFOX is unclear. This study aimed at elucidating the molecular characteristics and prognostic implication of mucinous histology in pts treated with adjuvant FOLFOX. Methods: Stage II and III CRC pts who received adjuvant FOLFOX were analyzed. Pts were grouped according to the mucinous content: > 50%, mucinous adenocarcinoma (MAC); < 50%, adenocarcinoma with intermediated mucinous component (AIM); and without any mucinous component, nonmucinous adenocarcinoma (NMA). Clinicopathologic features, MSI status (N = 518), CpG island methylator phenotype (CIMP) (N = 322) BRAF mutation (N = 269) and disease-free survival (DFS) were compared. Results: Among a total of 521 pts, 27 (5.2%) had MAC, 41 (7.9%) AIM, and 453 (86.9%) NMA. MAC and AIM had higher frequency of proximal location and lower angiolymphatic invasion. MAC had higher proportion of T4 tumors. AIM had higher frequency of age ≥65 years and female. In terms of molecular characteristics, MAC and AIM showed similarly higher proportion of MSI-high and CIMP-high compared to NMA. BRAF mutation also showed similar trend. In contrast to the similarities between MAC and AIM, DFS was significantly different. MAC showed significantly worse DFS compared with AIM and NMA, whereas AIM and NMA showed similar DFS. Multivariate analysis revealed MAC as an independent negative prognostic factor of DFS (adjusted HR 7.96, 95% CI 3.76-16.8). Conclusions: AIM and MAC has distinct clinico-pathologic features and molecular characteristics compared with NMA. Only MAC but not AIM has an adverse prognostic impact on stage II or III CRC treated with adjuvant FOLFOX compared with NMA. [Table: see text]
Association of DNA promoter hypermethylation of decoy receptor 1 (DCR1) with poor response to irinotecan in metastatic colorectal cancer.
Authors: Van Criekinge Wim , Bosch Linda JW , Trooskens Geert , Snaebjornsson Petur , Haan Josien , Pelosof Lorraine Cheryl , Koopman Miriam , Tol Jolien , Louwagie Joost , Dehaspe Luc , van Grieken Nicole C.T. , Ylstra Bauke , Verheul Henk M.W. , van Engeland Manon , Nagtegaal Iris D. , Herman James Gordon , Punt Cornelis J. A. , Carvalho Beatriz , Meijer Gerrit A. 
Published: March 2020

3552 Background: Heterogeneity in the biology of colorectal cancer (CRC) is associated with variable responses to standard chemotherapy. We aimed to identify DNA hypermethylated genes as predictive biomarkers for irinotecan treatment of patients with metastatic CRC. Methods: The presence of DNA methylation for a selected panel of 22 genes was assessed by methylation specific PCR (MSP) on primary tumors of 185 patients with metastatic CRC treated with first-line capecitabine (CAP, n=90) or a combination of capecitabine and irinotecan (CAPIRI, n=95) in the phase 3 CAIRO trial. Methylation status of each gene was correlated to progression free survival (PFS) by treatment regimen. Genes for which methylation status associated with response to irinotecan, were validated in 166 patients treated with first-line CAP (n=78) or CAPIRI (n=88). Results: Decoy Receptor 1 (DCR1) was identified as a novel hypermethylated gene in CRC. In CAPIRI treated patients, DCR1 methylation was correlated to a shorter PFS compared to patients with unmethylated DCR1 (hazard ratio [HR]=0.4 (95%CI =0.3-0.7), p = 0.0009). In patients with methylated DCR1 PFS did not improve with CAPIRI treatment, compared to treatment with CAP (discovery set: HR=0.8 (95%CI=0.5-1.3, p=0.4); validation set: HR=1.1 (95%CI 0.7-1.7, p=0.6)), in contrast to patients with unmethylated DCR1 (discovery set: HR=2.5 (95%CI 1.7-3.3, p=0.00004); validation set: HR=1.7 (95%CI 1.1-2.0, p=0.004)). Conclusions: CRC patients with methylated DCR1 did not benefit from adding irinotecan to capecitabine therapy, indicating that DCR1 methylation status may guide selecting metastatic CRC patients for irinotecan-based therapy.
Colorectal cancer gene expression profiling using nanostring nCounter analysis.
Authors: Ciombor Kristen Keon , Deane Natasha G , Lewis Keeli B , Chen Xi , Zhang Bing , Washington Mary Kay , Shi Chanjuan , Beauchamp R. Daniel 
Published: March 2020

3555 Background: A more accurate method of identifying stage 2 and 3 colorectal cancer (CRC) patients at highest risk for recurrence after surgical resection is needed. Gene expression signatures utilizing microarray-derived gene expression data from fresh frozen primary CRCs to predict risk of recurrence have been developed by us and others. Advances in technology platforms for gene expression measurements and their applicability to formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded (FFPE) specimens offer new opportunity to develop clinically useful diagnostics based on molecular profiles. Methods: 58 patient FFPE samples of all stages stored from 1-12 years were collected from the Vanderbilt GI SPORE Translational Pathology and Imaging Core and annotated with appropriate clinicopathologic data. 414 genes were selected from our 34-gene prognostic classifier and other published CRC gene signatures, as well as gene elements associated with intestinal stem cell biology and epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT). RNA was extracted from the tumors, and gene expression analysis was completed using the nCounterplatform. Results: Quality of extracted RNA from tumor blocks was similar among the tumors and adequate for analysis. No significant differences were seen in signal strength (p=0.94, Kruskal-Wallis test) or intra-class variation (correlation coefficient = 0.99) across material extracted from new and old blocks. Fold change values for the 70 most highly differentially expressed genes on the nCounter platform correlated well with Affymetrix U133 plus 2 microarray (R2=0.819). Genes associated with EMT clustered according to prognosis, with poorer prognoses seen in patients with high TWIST expression or low E-cadherin and SMAD4 expression. There was a trend toward better survival outcomes with high expression of E-cadherin and SMAD4 (p=0.072, log-rank test). Conclusions: This preliminary study demonstrates the feasibility of this approach to determine gene expression patterns in FFPE tumor tissue samples. Our data suggest that this approach may be applied to identify clinically applicable prognostic gene expression profiles that may be validated in archived patient samples that are well annotated with patient outcome data.
Preoperative radiotherapy (preop RT) in rectal cancer: Impact of chemotherapy on the outcome—Long-term results of the randomized 22,921 phase III trial of EORTC.
Authors: Bosset Jean Francois , Calais Gilles , Mineur Laurent , Maingon Philippe , Radosevic-Jelic Ljiljana , Daban Alain , Bardet Etienne , Beny Alexander , Ollier Jean Claude , Bolla Michel , Marchal Dominique , VAN Laethem Jean Luc , Klein Vincent , Giralt Jordi , Clavere Pierre , Cellier Pascal , Collette Laurence 
Published: March 2020

3560 Background: This 2x2 factorial design clinical trial evaluated the addition of Fluorouracil-based chemotherapy (CT) to preop RT and the use of adjuvant CT in patients with resectable T3-T4 M0 rectal cancer. The 5-year results showed that adding CT preoperatively or postoperatively had no significant effect on overall survival (OS) nor on disease-free survival (DFS) but a divergence seemed to emerge respectively at 2 and 5 years in the postop CT group. We report results with a median of 10.4 years. Methods: A total of 1011 patients were allocated in four treatment arms: preop RT ; preop RT + 2 CT courses ; preop RT + 4 postop CT courses ; preop RT-CT + postop CT. Preop RT was 45 Gy over 5 weeks. A one 5-day course of CT consisted of 5-Fu 350 mg/m²/d and Leucovorin 20 mg/m²/d. The effect of preop CT and adjuvant CT on OS and DFS was assessed by Logrank test (2-sided 5% significance level) stratified respectively for postop and for preop treatment. Written informed consent was obtained from all patients before randomization. Results: There is no significant difference in OS, nor in DFS between the groups receiving preop CT or not (p = 0.91 and p = 0.38 respectively). There is no significant difference in OS nor in DFS between the groups treated by postop CT or not (p = 0.32 and p = 0.29 respectively). The 10-year cumulative incidence of local recurrences is ~9 % in all the CT groups and 17.4 % in the preop RT alone group (p = 0.0044). The 10 year cumulative incidence of distant metastases (DM) is ~35 % in all treatment groups. Conclusions: With more that 10-years follow-up there is no benefit in rectal cancer by adding Fluorouracil-based chemotherapy preoperatively nor postoperatively to preop RT in terms of OS, DFS, nor in term of DM. Clinical trial information: 00002523.