bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Does radiation increase the risk of immunotherapy related pneumonitis in cancer patients with thorax radiotherapy combined immune checkpoint inhibitors: A meta-analysis.
Authors: Jie Yamin , Gu Anxin , Fu Pingfu , Kong Feng-Ming Spring 
Published: May 2020

e15099 Background: Thorax radiotherapy (TRT) combined with immunotherapy has shown promising results. However, it remains unclear whether TRT would increases the risk of immunotherapy related pneumonitis (IRP). Here, we performed a meta-analysis to compare the rates of IRP in patients treated with TRT to patients treated without TRT. Methods: A meta-analysis was conducted in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) statement. Two individual researchers conducted the platform searches on the PubMed upto Nov. 4th, 2019. Quality of studies was assessed independently by two researchers using the Cochrane Collaboration's tool for randomized clinical trials, and the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale for cohort studies. Any disagreements encountered were settled through senior authors. The single rate of pneumonitis along with the corresponding 95% confidence interval (CI) was estimated. The odds ratio (OR) and its 95% CI were computed using random-effects model after checking the heterogeneity across studies using the Cochran Q chi-square test and the I2 statistic. Data analyses were performed using R version 3.6.2, meta and metafor packages. Results: A total of 62 studies including 14648 patients on IRP were first selected. Thirteen studies had two arms data, 501 patients were in TRT arm, 1185 patients were in non-TRT arm. Two studies including 557 patients were treated with immunotherapy and concurrent/sequential TRT. The remaining 47 studies had no TRT patients or TRT data were unavailable. The pooled rate of any grade IRP of all 62 studies (14648 patients) was 6% (95% CI: 5%-8%). All grades IRP was significantly higher among patients treated with immunotherapy and TRT arm when compared to the non-TRT arm (OR = 1.44, 95% CI: 1.04-2.00, P = 0.030). In the subgroup analysis, no significance difference in IRP rate was found between patients with various cancer types or various types of immune checkpoint inhibitors (p = 0.7033, p = 0.7522, respectively). The rate of IRP in all TRT patients was 18% (95% CI: 13%-24%), comparing to 5% (95% CI: 4%-6%) in control group. Conclusions: This meta-analysis demonstrates that TRT combined immunotherapy had an elevated incidence of IRP compared to non-TRT (OR = 1.44, 95% CI: 1.04-2.00, P = 0.030). There remains a lack of data on risk factors of IRP in TRT patients, and future large-scale studies are warranted. To our knowledge, this is the first comprehensive meta-analysis of IRP for TRT patients.
Impact of body mass index on survival rates in patients receiving immune checkpoint inhibitors.
Authors: Maslov Diana , Tawagi Karine , Simenson Victoria , Yuan Helen , Parent Cameron , Bamnolker Adi , Goel Richa , Blake Zoe , KC Madhav , Matrana Marc Ryan , Johnson Daniel H. 
Published: May 2020

e15108 Background: Obesity is associated with 13 different cancer types, accounting for 40% of all cancers1. A few studies have linked a higher Body Mass Index (BMI) with longer Progression Free Survival (PFS) and Overall Survival (OS) from immune checkpoint inhibitors (CPI)s in patients with advanced melanoma, non-small cell lung cancer, and renal cell carcinoma2,3,4. Our study evaluates CPI efficacy in patients with multiple tumor types in relation to Body Mass Index (BMI). Methods: We retrospectively collected data from patients treated with CPIs alone who also received steroids during their treatment from a single institution. This data included demographics such as age, sex, and BMI. Response and progression were defined per RECIST v1.1. The association of BMI and PFS was assessed by exact chi-square test. Kaplan Meier and Cox proportional hazard regression methods were used to estimate the survival probability and hazard ratios. Results: We identified a total of 129 overweight or obese patients (49%) with stage IV cancer who received CPI therapy. CDC guidelines define overweight as BMI > 25 and obese as BMI > 30. There was a significant relationship between PFS and BMI. Median PFS for those overweight was 287 days and 479 days for obese. Those with BMI 18.5-25 (normal), median PFS was 128 days and 103 days for those underweight (BMI < 18.5), (p = .0024). There was also a significant relationship between OS and BMI. Median OS for those obese was 751 days, for those overweight was 462 days. Median OS for those normal weight was 281 days and those underweight was 273 days (p = .0005). Obese patients had a 48% reduced risk of progression of disease/death as compared to those who had normal BMI (Hazard Ratio 0.52, p = .019). Overweight had a 31.5% relative risk reduction (HR 0.685, p = .05). Overall Response Rate was not significant between the two groups but there was a strong trend (p = .087). Conclusions: Higher BMI was associated with improved PFS and OS in patients with metastatic cancer across 20 different tumor types. Further investigation into the immune mechanisms behind this may lead to improvement in CPI efficacy for all patients.
Phase I pilot study of RRx-001 + nivolumab in patients with traditionally non-checkpoint inhibitor-responsive cancers (PRIMETIME).
Authors: Carter Corey , Caroen Scott , Oronsky Bryan , Quinn Mary Flanagan , Williams Jeannie , Brzezniak Christina E. 
Published: May 2020

e15119 Background: RRx-001 is a minimally toxic small molecule that downregulates CD47 via Myc inhibition and repolarizes tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs). A phase 1 pilot study was undertaken to determine the safety and feasibility of RRx-001 and nivolumab in patients with advanced traditionally non-immunogenic cancers and no standard options. Methods: This single arm, open-label pilot study (NCT02518958) was designed to evaluate the safety profile of RRx-001 + nivolumab in patients with advanced malignancies. A 3+3 trial design was used to establish safety of the combination at each dose level and guide the decision to escalate dose. RRx-001 is infused once weekly while nivolumab is given at 3mg/kg once every 2 weeks. RRx-001 starting dose was 2 mg IV weekly with 4 dose level escalations up to 16 mg IV weekly. From January 2015 to November 2015, 12 patients received treatment for 4 cycles (total 12 weeks) with the combination due to unavailability of nivolumab, which was not supplied to the Sponsor. Treatment-emergent (all cause, TEAEs) and treatment-related (TRAEs) adverse events occurring within 16 weeks of the first dose of RRx-001 + nivolumab were characterized according to CTCAE v4.03. Results: 12 patients received > 1 dose of RRx-001 and nivolumab. One discontinuation occurred due to pneumonitis and one to voluntary withdrawal after a post-procedural infection. There were no dose-limiting toxicities. The main adverse event related to RRx-001 was pain on infusion (33.3%). The main adverse event related to the combination was pseudoprogression (larger tumors in symptomatically improved patients) (25%). The most common immune-related treatment-emergent AEs were pneumonitis (8.3%), and hypothyroidism (8.3%). Objective response rate at 12 weeks was 25% and the disease control rate (DCR) consisting of > SD was 67% by Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST) version 1.1. 25% of the patients progressed on the combination. Conclusions: RRx-001 + nivolumab was well-tolerated with preliminary evidence of anti-cancer activity in non-immunogenic cancers. Further analyses with a larger sample size are required to confirm activity. Clinical trial information: NCT02518958 .
Results of a phase Ib study investigating durvalumab in combination with eribulin in patients with metastatic HER2-negative breast cancer and recurrent ovarian cancer.
Authors: Landry Chrystal Ann , Ru Meng , Hickson Christopher , Klein Paula , Fasano Julie , Bhardwaj Aarti , Shapiro Charles L. , Irie Hanna , Shao Theresa , Selkridge Isaiah , Tiersten Amy 
Published: May 2020

e15120 Background: The release of tumor-associated antigens with cytotoxic chemotherapy treatment may enhance the response to immune checkpoint blockade. Eribulin is a novel microtubule inhibitor with proven overall survival (OS) benefit in metastatic breast cancer (MBC), which may also enhance intratumoral vascular remodeling. Durvalumab, a humanized monoclonal antibody, targets the programmed cell death ligand-1 (PD-L1) receptor. This study sought to determine the recommended phase II dose (RP2D) of eribulin in combination with durvalumab, as well as the safety and preliminary anti-tumor activity of the combination in patients with previously treated HER2-negative MBC and recurrent ovarian cancer (ROC). Methods: Cohorts of 3-6 patients with HER2-negative MBC and ROC were treated in a modified 3+3 design. Eligible patients received escalating doses of eribulin (1.1mg/m2 or 1.4 mg/m2 IV on day 1 and day 8) with durvalumab (1.12g IV on day 1) in 21-day cycles until dose-limiting toxicity (DLT), intolerable adverse events (AEs), disease progression, or other reasons for withdrawal. Primary endpoint: the rate of dose limiting toxicities (DLTs) during cycle 1 and 2 of therapy. Secondary endpoints: AE rate, Objective Response Rate (ORR), progression-free survival (PFS), and OS. Results: Nine patients [median age 63 (37-77)] with median 4 prior therapies for advanced disease were treated: 5 patients with HER2-negative MBC and 4 patients with ROC. The RP2D of eribulin was 1.4mg/m2 in combination with durvalumab. There were no DLTs experienced during the first two cycles of therapy. The most common treatment-related AEs ( > 50%) were fatigue, neutropenia, decreased white blood cell count, anemia, AST and alkaline phosphatase elevation, hyperglycemia, and nausea; most were grade 1/2. There was one immune-related AE of grade ≥3 (hepatitis). Three patients discontinued study drug related to toxicity [neutropenia (n = 1), hepatic toxicity (n = 2)]. ORR was 55% (all partial response) and 4 additional patients experienced stable disease; all MBC patients experienced a response to therapy. Median PFS was 6.2 months. Median OS has not been reached. Conclusions: The combination of eribulin and durvalumab had a favorable AE profile in patients with previously treated HER2- MBC and ROC. The early anti-tumor activity observed in this study suggests that further investigation of this combination is warranted. Clinical trial information: NCT03430518 .
A phase I study of APL-501, an anti-PD-1 antibody, in patients with recurrent or advanced solid tumors.
Authors: Voskoboynik Mark , Richardson Gary Edward , Mileshkin Linda R. , McNeil Catriona M. , Horvath Lisa , Benedetti Fabio M. , Choy Gavin S. , Sankar Neil , McCurry Shelly , Zhang Xiaoling , Gao Min , Shah Ajit K. , Millward Michael 
Published: May 2020

e15125 Background: APL-501 is a humanized monoclonal antibody targeting programmed cell death-1 (PD-1). APL-501 is being evaluated in patients (pts) with advanced recurrent and relapsed solid tumors who had not been previously treated with an immune checkpoint inhibitor in an ongoing 3-part Phase 1 trial (NCT03053466). Herein, we present the emerging pharmacokinetic (PK) and receptor occupancy (RO), safety and preliminary efficacy. Methods: Weight-based dose escalation (1, 3, and 10 mg/kg, Part 1) and Extension (Part 2) has been completed and the study is currently enrolling specific tumor types (MSI-H/dMMR and Carcinoma of Unknown Primary [CUP]) into the Expansion Cohorts (Part 3). Relapsed/refractory solid tumor pts were enrolled in Part 1 and Part 2. Key exclusion criteria included prior therapy targeting PD-1/PD-L1 and uncontrolled CNS metastases. APL-501 was administered IV over 1 hour every 14 days. Serum and PBMCs were collected for PK and RO analysis, respectively. RO was assessed using different T-cell markers measured by flow cytometry of PBMC. Anti-tumor activity was assessed by investigators using RECIST and irRECIST. Safety was assessed using CTCAE, v4.03. Results: As of 31 Dec 2019, 22 pts were enrolled with a mean age of 62.1 (SD: 12.2) years. ECOG PS 0/1 reported at 10/12 pts, respectively. Pts had a median number of 3 prior lines of therapy (range, 1 – 9) and median time to treatment from initial diagnosis was 30.1 months (range, 6.7 – 184.8). Across doses evaluated, APL-501 demonstrated dose proportional PK. One hundred percent (100%) RO was observed across all doses evaluated. No dose limiting toxicities were reported. Fifteen pts (68.2%) had related AEs; two pts (9.1%) had Grade ≥ 3 related AEs to APL-501. Eight pts had stable disease and two pts had partial response by RECIST (esophageal adenocarcinoma and CUP). Seven pts remained on therapy for ≥ 24 weeks. The recommended phase 2 dose (RP2D) has been determined to be 400 mg IV every 14 days (non-weight-based) based on safety and PK modeling. Conclusions: Preliminary results indicate clinical activity of APL-501 in relapsed/refractory malignant disease with a generally tolerable safety profile. The PK and RO profile, across all doses evaluated, appears comparable to marketed PD-1 inhibitors. Continued exploration of APL-501 with the RP2D in CUP and MSI-H/dMMR tumors is being planned. Clinical trial information: NCT03053466 .
Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) response in metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients with WNT pathway mutations (APC/CTNNB1).
Authors: Iranzo Patricia , Callejo Ana , Pedrola Anna , Pardo Aranda Nuria , Navarro Alejandro , Martinez-Marti Alex , Cedres Perez Susana , Ros Javier , Assaf Juan David , Saoudi Nadia , Carbonell Caterina , Amat Ramon , Frigola Joan , Jimenez Jose , Dienstmann Rodrigo , Palmer Hector G. , Vivancos Ana , Felip Enriqueta 
Published: May 2020

e15137 Background: APC and CTNNB1 mutations (mut) lead to an aberrant activation of the WNT pathway which has been linked to lack of benefit of immunotherapy in patients (pts) with lung cancer. Our aim is to describe the pts’ characteristics of a NSCLC cohort with APC or CTNNB1 mut and their association with outcomes (Overall survival [OS] and Progression-Free-Survival [PFS]) when treated with ICI. Methods: We selected NSCLC pts with mut in APC or CTNNB1 by targeted NGS (tissue), whole exome sequencing (tissue) or Guardant 360(plasma) between January 2014 and October 2019. Functionality of mut and β-catenin protein expression by immunohistochemistry (IHC) were correlated with outcome. Results: We identified a total of 37 patients with 44 mutually-exclusive mutations in APC (31) or CTNNB1 (6), 25 adenocarcinomas (68%). Of APC mut cohort, 16 had pathogenic mut (52%) and 15 of unknown significance (48%). All 6 CTN NB1 mut were known pathogenic. Median OS (mOS) in metastatic setting was 21.6 months (m) (CI95% 14.9-NR), without differences between APC and CTNNB1 groups (HR 1.5, p = 0.4) or when stratified by mut functionality (HR 1.1, p = 0.8). Globally, 21 pts received treatment with ICI (57%, 19 APC, 2 CTNNB1), median PFS (mPFS) was 5.43m (1.8-21.7), with trend for shorter mPFS in CTNNB1 mut (mPFS 1.7m) vs. APC mut (mPFS 6.6m, HR 1.5, p = 0.1). Among patients treated with ICI, 8 (38%) had coexisting driver targetable alterations ( EGFR, ERBB2 or MET) and 13 (62%) other functional mut were found ( TP53, KRAS, STK11, BRCA2, ATM). mPFS was 3.9m (1.8-NR) in the subgroup with driver mut vs. 6.6m (1.4-NR) for remaining pts (HR 1.36, p = 0.5). In 15 pts β-catenin IHC was performed, being positive in 7 cases (47%), 4 of them received ICI with a mPFS 12.1m. Conclusions: In our experience, benefit with ICI is not influenced by the presence of APC mut, and small numbers of CTNNB1 cohort limit conclusive statements. Additional studies are required to assess WNT pathway activation on top of genomics and correlate with the ICI efficacy.
Tolerability of dual checkpoint blockade with nivolumab and ipilimumab: A meta-analysis.
Authors: Carvajal Alejandro Ramon , Huang Judy , Wu Shenhong 
Published: May 2020

e15149 Background: The dual checkpoint blockade of PD-1 and CTLA-4 with nivolumab and ipilimumab have been used extensively for cancer immunotherapy in clinical practice and trials due to its efficacy. A critical concern is the tolerability of the combination due to the increased risk of severe immune-mediated adverse events. A meta-analysis of clinical trials was performed to assess the treatment tolerability measured as discontinuation due to adverse events. Methods: A search through PubMed as well as abstracts presented at the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) conferences until December 2019 was performed to identify clinical trials in which the combination of nivolumab and ipilimumab was given to cancer patients. Eligible clinical trials reported a discontinuation rate due to adverse events for the groups of patients receiving nivolumab and ipilimumab. A random or fixed effects model was used to determine summary incidences, relative risks, and 95% confidence intervals. Results: Seven clinical studies which included a total of 3,213 patients (combo: 1746, control: 1467) with various cancers were selected. Overall, the intolerability of nivolumab and ipilimumab measured as the summary incidence of discontinuation due to adverse events was 25.1% (95% CI: 17.8-34.1%). The rate varied significantly with the type of cancer (P < 0.001). The lowest discontinuation rate was in uveal melanoma, with a rate of 11% (95% CI: 2.9-34.2%), and the highest discontinuation rate was in melanoma at 46.3% (95% CI: 36.6-56.4%). In comparison with chemotherapy controls from randomized controls, the intolerability was significantly higher with an relative risk of 2.1 (95% CI: 1.78-2.84) for the combination. Conclusions: There is a substantial risk for intolerability in cancer patients receiving the combination nivolumab and ipilimumab. Further studies are needed for risk mitigation.
Overall survival in high and very high PD-L1 expressing patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer treated with immune checkpoint inhibitors in a real-world data setting.
Authors: Zhang Chenan , Sweetnam Connor , Wolf Frank , Walters Sheetal , Hirsch Jonathan , Brown Thomas D. 
Published: May 2020

e15156 Background: Clinical trials show improved survival for advanced non-small cell lung cancer (aNSCLC) patients whose tumors are positive for PD-L1 expression when treated with immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI), including pembrolizumab (Pb) and nivolumab (Nb). It is unclear whether relatively higher PD-L1 expression by tumor proportion score (TPS) is associated with better response to treatment, and whether this can be generalized to a real-world setting. Methods: We assessed overall survival (OS) across categories of PD-L1 expression levels among aNSCLC patients who received ICI monotherapy in the advanced/metastatic setting (stages IIIB or IV, or documented metastatic disease at diagnosis). Sub-analyses were performed based on first, second, or subsequent lines of treatment, as well as for patients receiving only Pb. The patient population is a sample from community health systems based in the United States, with data derived from electronic medical records and supplemented with molecular data integration from diagnostics labs. Results: 874 aNSCLC patients received ICI in the advanced/metastatic setting in the first line (n = 246, 28%), second line (n = 456, 52%), or third or later lines (n = 172, 20%). ICI-treated patients in any line with TPS of 1-49% (n = 148), 50-89% (n = 124), and 90-100% (n = 97) had OS of 6.9, 11.5, and 11.7 months, respectively. Pb-treated patients in any line with TPS of 1-49% (n = 38), 50-89% (n = 104), and 90-100% (n = 72) had OS of 5.5, 10.1, and 11.7 months, respectively. ICI-treated patients in the 1st line with TPS of 1-49% (n = 10), 50-89% (n = 80), and 90-100% (n = 59) had OS of 3.7, 8.0, and 7.4 months, respectively. Pb-treated patients in the first line with TPS of 1-49% (n = 7), 50-89% (n = 80), and 90-100% (n = 58) had OS of 3.7, 8.0, and 9.5 months, respectively. Conclusions: Results suggest OS benefit for real-world ICI-treated aNSCLC patients with PD-L1 TPS ≥50%, consistent with observations in clinical trials. The data further suggest additional benefits in the highest TPS category of 90-100% among Pb-treated patients, while the evidence is weaker for all ICI-treated patients, although comparisons did not reach statistical significance. A similar trend was seen in analyses of both patients treated in first-line only and in any line. Further analyses, to include comparison to clinical trial results, are warranted.
Type, timing, and patient characteristics associated with immune-related adverse event development in patients with advanced solid tumors treated with immune checkpoint inhibitors.
Authors: Qin Qian , Patel Vaibhav G. , Wang Bo , Mellgard George , Gogerly-Moragoda Mahalya , Zhong Xiaobo , Parikh Anish B , Leiter Amanda , Gallagher Emily J. , Galsky Matt D. , Oh William K. , Tsao Che-Kai 
Published: May 2020

e15160 Background: Development (DV) of immune-related adverse events (IRAEs) to immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) have been associated (asso/) with (w/) favorable treatment (tx) response, but heterogeneity in clinical presentation remains a concern. We aim to characterize the type, timing, and risk factors asso/ w/ IRAE DV in ICI-treated solid tumor (ST) patients (pts). Methods: The characteristics (char), tx course, and clinical outcomes of ST pts who received at least 2 ICI doses at our institution from 1/1/2011 to 4/29/2017 were reviewed. IRAEs were identified and graded (GR) based on CTCAE (v.4.0). Fisher’s exact test and multivariable regression analyses (MVA) were performed to study the differences between pts w/ versus without (w/o) IRAE. Results: Of the 344 pts identified, 111 pts (32%) had IRAE(s) w/ 145 total events (GR 1: 31%, GR 2: 57%, GR 3: 12%), of which 45% required systemic steroids (SS), 27% lead to ICI discontinuation (DC), and 17% lead to hospitalization (HP, Table). Median time to any IRAE was 12 weeks (w, range 1-149.5w). The most common IRAEs were endocrine (30%), gastrointestinal (GI, 28%), and skin (24%) related. On univariable analysis, antibiotic use, melanoma, and combination ICI use were asso/ w/ IRAE DV; melanoma remained significant on MRA (odds ratio, OR: 3.58 [1.68, 7.64], p = 0.0010). Pts w/ IRAE had higher disease control rate (complete/partial response + stable disease) than pts w/o IRAE (OR: 2.20 [1.29, 3.75], p = 0.0038). Conclusions: Our real-world data showed higher IRAE incidence when compared to those reported in trials, although no GR 4/5 IRAEs occurred. Melanoma was asso/ w/ IRAE DV on MRA, possibly due to the type, dose, and combination of ICIs. These findings warrant further investigation to better identify those at the highest risk to develop clinically significant IRAE. [Table: see text]