bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The impact of body mass index on the risk of early progression of smoldering multiple myeloma to symptomatic myeloma.
Authors: Gonsalves Wilson I. , Rajkumar S. Vincent , Dispenzieri Angela , Lacy Martha , Buadi Francis , Dingli David , Go Ronald S. , Kapoor Prashant , Hayman Suzanne R. , Lust John Anthony , Leung Nelson , Russell Stephen J. , Zeldenrust Steven R. , Lin Yi , Hwa Yi Lisa , Kourelis Taxiarchis , Kyle Robert A. , Gertz Morie A. , Kumar Shaji 
Published: September 2018

8032 Background: Human adipocytes can contribute directly to the in vitro growth and progression of multiple myeloma (MM) cell lines. Clinically, an elevated body mass index (BMI) has been associated with an increased risk of MGUS and a shorter time to progression (TTP) of MGUS to MM. However, the impact of BMI on the risk of early progression to MM from a more advanced plasma cell disorder such as smoldering MM (SMM) remains unknown. Methods: This study included patients (pts) with a known or new diagnosis of SMM evaluated at the Mayo Clinic, Rochester from January 2000-December 2010. Pts were classified based on their BMI as: normal (< 25) and elevated (>/= 25) BMI. Progression to symptomatic MM was defined by the development of hypercalcemia, renal insufficiency, anemia or lytic bone lesions. Results: There were 306 pts with a diagnosis of SMM who were included in this analysis. The median follow up was 106 months. There were 203 (66%) pts who progressed to symptomatic MM at last follow up. The median BMI of the group was 27.5 (Range: 17.2 – 56.4). There were 228 (75%) pts with an elevated BMI. There were 76 (28%) pts who had myeloma defining events (MDEs) such as a serum free light chain ratio > 100 or > 60% clonal bone marrow plasma cells at initial evaluation. MDEs were present in 17% and 33% of pts with a normal and elevated BMI respectively (P = 0.011). The median TTP of SMM to MM in pts with a normal and elevated BMI was 64 and 36 months respectively (P = 0.0006). The 2-year progression rate of SMM to symptomatic MM in pts with a normal and elevated BMI was 16% and 42% respectively (P < 0.0001). Upon limiting the analysis to only SMM pts without MDEs at initial evaluation (N =187), the 2-year progression rate to symptomatic MM with a normal and elevated BMI was 15% and 33% respectively (P = 0.013). In a multivariable model, only elevated BMI (P = 0.004) and increasing clonal bone marrow plasma cells (P = 0.001) was statistically significant in predicting for a 2-year progression to MM. Conclusions: SMM pts with an elevated BMI appear to have a higher risk of early progression to MM than those with a normal BMI. This study provides evidence of a potentially modifiable risk factor for the progression of SMM to MM and warrants confirmation in larger studies.
Treatment approaches and outcomes in extramedullary plasmacytomas.
Authors: Goyal Gaurav , Bartley Adam C. , Gonsalves Wilson I. , Kumar Shaji 
Published: September 2018

8050 Background: There is a lack of contemporary studies analyzing the optimum radiation dose and prognostic factors for outcomes of extramedullary plasmacytomas. In this study, we aim to answer these questions by utilizing the National Cancer Data Base (NCDB). Methods: This is a retrospective study of patients with histologically confirmed diagnosis of plasmacytoma from 2000-2011 using NCDB. Patients who had bone marrow involvement were excluded from the analysis. Hazard ratios were calculated using the Cox-proportional hazard method. In addition, we utilized survival trees as a novel tool for assessing prognostic effect of factors among four age quartiles (Q): Q1: 18-52, Q2:52-62, Q3:62-72, and Q4: ≥72 years. Results: A total of 5,056 patients were included in the study (median age 62 years; range, 52-72 years). Of these, 63% were males. Radiation therapy was received by 3,905 patients, with a median radiation dose of 45 Gy. A radiation dose of ≥40 Gy was associated with improved overall survival (OS) as compared to <40 Gy. Factors associated with worse OS included older age (≥65 years) and bone disease (Table). In survival tree analysis, radiation dose ≥44.5 Gy was associated with better OS in Q1 as compared to lower dose. For Q2 and Q3, disease location played a major role, with improved survival seen in upper aero-digestive and lymph node disease as compared to bone and soft tissue. In Q3, among the bone and soft tissue disease, radiation dose ≥ 43.5 Gy was associated with the better survival as compared to ≤43.5 Gy. In Q4, soft tissue and upper aerodigestive plasmacytomas had better outcomes as compared to bone and lymph node disease. Among the latter group, a radiation dose ≥30.3 Gy was associated with improved OS as compared to lower dose. Conclusions: This is the largest study of extramedullary plasmacytomas in the United States. This study shows that dose of radiation has a significant impact on outcomes, in addition to disease location and age. [Table: see text]
Phase II study of maintenance pembrolizumab (pembro) in extensive stage small cell lung cancer (ES-SCLC) patients (pts).
Authors: Gadgeel Shirish M. , Ventimiglia Jaclyn , Kalemkerian Gregory Peter , Fidler Mary J. , Chen Wei , Sukari Ammar , Halmos Balazs , Boerner Julie , Wozniak Antoinette J. , Galasso Cathy , Pennell Nathan A. 
Published: September 2018

8504 Background: The median progression free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) following initial chemotherapy in ES-SCLC pts are 2 and 7 months, respectively (Ready N, J Clin Oncol 2015). We evaluated the benefits of maintenance pembro in ES-SCLC pts who had response/stable disease after 4-6 cycles of platinum/etoposide. Methods: Pts were required to begin pembro within 8 weeks of completion of chemotherapy, with restaging scans no more than 3 weeks prior to start of pembro. Prophylactic cranial radiation was permitted. Pts were treated with pembro 200 mg I.V. every 3 weeks for a maximum of 2 years. Disease assessment was done every 2 cycles for the first 6 cycles and then as per investigator discretion. Primary end point of the study was PFS. PFS according to immune related response criteria (irPFS) and OS were also assessed. Tumor tissue was analyzed for PD-L1 expression by the DAKO 22C3 antibody. Any level of expression was considered as positive for PDL1. Blood for circulating tumor cells (CTCs) was collected prior to first, second and third cycle of pembro. Results: Of the 45 pts enrolled, 55% were males and 22% had brain metastases. Median age was 66 years. The median time from end of chemotherapy to start of pembro was 5 weeks. Median number of pembro cycles was 4 (1-20 cycles). 35 pts had measurable disease at study entry. The disease control rate with pembro was 42% (1 CR, 3 PR, 15 SD). At a median follow up of 6 months, the median PFS was 1.4 months (90% CI-1.3-4.0) and the irPFS was 4.7 months (90% CI- 1.8-6.7). The median OS was 9.2 months (90% CI-6.1-15.2). 11 pts are still on therapy (3-20 cycles). The median CTC prior to pembro was 1 (0-256, n=37 pts). Each unit increase in baseline CTC correlated with worse PFS (p = 0.052; adjusted for brain mets, age and sex). PDL1 could be assessed in 35 pts and was positive in 1 pt. Most common adverse events were fatigue, nausea, cough and dyspnea. One pt developed atrio-ventricular conduction block and 1 pt type 1 diabetes. Conclusions: Maintenance pembro did not improve PFS in these patients but favorable OS suggests that some SCLC patients can benefit from maintenance pembro. Biomarkers to identify patients most likely to benefit from pembro need to be defined. Clinical trial information: NCT02359019.
Impact of MET inhibitors on survival among patients (pts) with MET exon 14 mutant (METdel14) non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).
Authors: Awad Mark M. , Leonardi Giulia Costanza , Kravets Sasha , Dahlberg Suzanne Eleanor , Drilon Alexander E. , Noonan Sinead , Camidge D. Ross , Ou Sai-Hong Ignatius , Costa Daniel Botelho , Gadgeel Shirish M. , Steuer Conor Ernst , Forde Patrick M. , Zhu Viola Weijia , Fukuda Yoko Korenaga , Clark Jeffrey W. , Janne Pasi A. , Mok Tony , Sholl Lynette M. , Heist Rebecca Suk 
Published: September 2018

8511 Background: Dramatic responses to MET inhibitors have been reported in patients with NSCLC harboring activating mutations that cause MET exon 14 ( METdel14) skipping. We conducted a multicenter retrospective analysis of pts with METdel14 NSCLC to determine if treatment with MET inhibitors impacts survival. Methods: We collected clinicopathologic data on pts with METdel14 NSCLC. Event-time distributions were estimated using Kaplan-Meier and compared with the log-rank test. Multivariable Cox models were fitted to estimate hazard ratios. Results: Of the 148 pts with METdel14 mutant NSCLC, the median age was 72 (range 43-88); 57% were women, and 41% were never smokers. The most common histologies were adenocarcinoma (77%) and pulmonary sarcomatoid carcinoma (14%). Overlap with oncogenic driver mutations in other genes was rare. At the time of diagnosis, 70% of pts had stage I-III disease, and 30% had stage IV disease. Of the 34 pts with metastastic disease who never received a MET inhibitor, the median overall survival (mOS) was 8.1 months. In this cohort, cancers that also had concurrent MET amplification had a trend toward worse survival compared to cancers without MET amplification (5.2 months vs 10.5 months, P = 0.06). Of the 27 pts with metastatic disease who received at least one MET inhibitor (including crizotinib, glesatinib, capmatinib, and ABBV-399), the mOS was 24.6 months. A model adjusting for receipt of a MET inhibitor as first- or second-line therapy as a time-dependent covariate demonstrated that treatment with a MET inhibitor was associated with a significant prolongation in survival (HR 0.11, 95% CI 0.01-0.92, P = 0.04). Among 22 patients treated with crizotinib, the median progression-free survival (PFS) was 7.36 months. Conclusions: Forpts with METdel14 NSCLC, treatment with a MET inhibitor is associated with an improvement in overall survival. The prognosis of pts who never received treatment with a MET inhibitor appears to be poor, particularly among METdel14 cancers with concurrent MET amplification.
PD-L1 expression and response to immunotherapy in patients with MET exon 14-altered non-small cell lung cancers (NSCLC).
Authors: Sabari Joshua K. , Montecalvo Joseph , Chen Ruqin , Dienstag Jordan A. , Mrad Chebli , Bergagnini Isabella , Lai Wei-Chu Victoria , Arbour Kathryn Cecilia , Shu Catherine A. , Hellmann Matthew David , Riely Gregory J. , Kris Mark G. , Rudin Charles M. , Rekhtman Natasha , Drilon Alexander E. 
Published: September 2018

8512 Background: MET exon 14 skipping alterations ( METΔ14) are present in 4% of NSCLCs. Response to MET inhibition has been observed in ongoing prospective trials (44% response rate, phase 1 trial of crizotinib; Drilon et al ASCO 2016), however responses to other types or therapy, such as immunotherapy, is unknown. We evaluated the immunophenotype of METΔ14 lung cancers and response to PD-(L)-1-based immunotherapy. Methods: Pts with recurrent/metastatic NSCLC were eligible. METΔ14 was identified by broad hybrid capture-based next-generation sequencing (MSK-IMPACT). PD-L1 expression was determined by immunohistochemistry. Response to immune therapy was evaluated by RECIST v1.1. Results: 63 pts with METΔ14-positive non-small cell lung cancers were identified; 41 (65%) had sufficient tissue for PD-L1 analysis. Patient characteristics: median age 71 years, 58% female, median pack year smoking 5.85 years, histology: 73% (30/41) adenocarcinoma, 20% (8/41) pleomorphic carcinoma, 7% (3/41) squamous cell. Tumor PD-L1 expression was ≥50% in 44% (18/41, 95% CI 30-59%), 1-49% in 17% (7/41, 95% CI 8-32%), and < 1 in 39% (16/41, 95% CI 26-54%). The median age for patients with METΔ14 and PD-L1 positive (≥1%) tumors was 65 years (range 49-87); 60% (15/25) of patients were female; Histology: 72% (18/25) adenocarcinoma, 24% (6/25) sarcomatoid carcinoma, and 4% (1/25) squamous cell carcinoma. Immunotherapy was given to 15 pts: nivolumab (5), pembrolizumab (3), atezolizumab (2), durvalumab (1), and ipilimumab+nivolumab (4). The overall response rate to immunotherapy was 13% (2/15, 95% CI 3-39%). Overall response was 33% (1/3; 95% CI 6-80%) in patients with tumors PD-L1 ≥50%, and 20% (1/5, 95%CI 2-64%) in patients with tumors PD-L1 0%. Time on therapy ranged from 2 weeks to 9.6+ months. Conclusions: A substantial proportion of NSCLCs harboring METΔ14 alterations express PD-L1. Despite frequent PD-L1 expression, responses to immunotherapy were overall uncommon and lower than that observed with targeted therapy for this genomically defined subset of patients with lung cancers. Further exploration of this subset may reveal important mechanisms of immunotherapy resistance in PD-L1 expressing tumors.
Immune microenvironment in mesothelioma: Looking beyond PD-L1.
Authors: Thapa Bibhusal , Walkiewicz Marzena , Rivalland Gareth , Murone Carmel , Asadi Khashayar , Barnett Stephen , Knight Simon , Watkins Neil , Russell Prudence A , John Thomas 
Published: September 2018

8515 Background: Studies using immune checkpoint inhibitors in mesothelioma (MM) have shown promise. Differences in response to PD-L1 and PD-1 inhibitors (10% vs 25%) have been reported. Also, expression of PD-L1 alone appears to be a limited predictor. As the roles of the multiple check point receptors and their ligands become defined, an understanding of their expression and interplay in the mm tumour microenvironment, which could affect suitability for checkpoint inhibition therapy, has become necessary. Methods: Tissue microarrays were constructed and stained with PD-L2, LAG3 and TIM3 antibodies. Tumour infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) were assessed in the stroma and expressed as a % of stromal area within invasive tumour. These data were combined with PD-L1 expression, CD4+ and CD8+ infiltration in the same cohort reported previously. To quantify the immunosuppressive milieu, we combined our assessment of PD-L1, PD-L2 and TIM3 expression to derive an “Immune checkpoint score (ICS)” and explored its correlation with the tumour microenvironment and clinicopathological covariates. We are also exploring its predictive value in an independent cohort of mm patients who have received anti-PD-1 treatment. Results: Amongst 329 patients evaluated, PD-L1 was positive (+) in 41.7% and PD-L2+ in 24.5%. TIM3+ lymphocytes were found in 99.4% but LAG3+ lymphocytes in only 0.2%. 28/173 (16%) of PD-L1- patients were PD-L2+ and 31/136 (22%) PD-L1 and PD-L2 negative patients had high infiltration with TIM3+ lymphocytes. High ICS was associated with non-epithelioid histology, increased TILs and poorer survival. On multivariate analysis, high TILs, non-epithelioid histology and poor physiological status remained significantly associated with poorer survival. Data on the predictive role of ICS score will also be reported. Conclusions: While co-expression of PD-L1, PD-L2 and TIM3 can occur, their expression is mutually exclusive in a large proportion of patients. The expression of PD-L2 may explain differences in responses seen between PD-1 compared to PD-L1 inhibitors. A comprehensive assessment of these multiple immunosuppressive pathways may be necessary to truly gauge the immunosuppressive environment and tailor immunotherapy for individual cases.
A phase II study of pembrolizumab for patients with previously treated advanced thymic epithelial tumor.
Authors: Cho Jinhyun , Ahn Myung-Ju , Yoo Kwai Han , Lee Hansang , Kim Hee Kyung , Heo Mi Hwa , Hong Joo Hyun , Sun Jong-Mu , Lee Se-Hoon , Ahn Jin Seok , Park Keunchil 
Published: September 2018

8521 Background: No standard treatment exists for patients with thymic epithelial tumor (TET) who progress after platinum-containing chemotherapy. We conducted a phase II study of pembrolizumab in patients with TET to evaluate the efficacy and safety. Methods: Between March 2016 and December 2016, patients with histologically confirmed TET who progressed after platinum-containing chemotherapy were eligible. Patients were excluded if they had an active autoimmune disease requiring systemic treatment within the past one year. Patients received 200mg of pembrolizumab intravenously every 3 weeks until tumor progression or unacceptable toxicity. The trial was registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT02607631. Results: 33 patients were enrolled, 26 with thymic carcinoma (TC) and 7 with thymoma (T). 19 (57.3%) patients received ≥ 2 prior lines of systemic chemotherapy. Median number of cycles was 8 (ranges, 1-13) and median follow up was 6.3 months (ranges, 1.4-9.9). Of 33 patients, 8 (24.2%) achieved partial responses, 17 (51.5%) stable disease, and 8 (24.2%) progressive disease as best response, resulting in overall response rate of 24.2% (7 confirmed PR). The median progression-free survival was not reached for 7 T and 6.2 months for 26 TC. The most common adverse events of any grade include dyspnea (33.3%), chest wall pain (30.3%), anorexia (21.2%) and fatigue (21.2%). Treatment-related adverse events ≥ grade 3 associated with immune related adverse events (irAE) include hepatitis (12.1%), myocarditis (9.1%), myasthenia gravis (6.1%), thyroiditis (3.0%), ANCA-associated rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis (3.0%), colitis (3.0%), and subacute myoclonus (3.0%) except anemia (3.0%). 8 (24.2%) patients (5 T, 3 TC) discontinued study treatment due to irAE, which were manageable with immediate administration of high dose corticosteroid and other immunosuppressive agents in most of patients (87.5%). Conclusions: Pembrolizumab showed promising antitumor activity in refractory or relapsed TET. Given the relatively high incidence of irAEs, early detection and management of autoimmune toxicity is essential to ensure feasibility of pembrolizumab treatment in patients with TET. Clinical trial information: NCT02607631.
Impact of adjuvant chemotherapy in non-metastatic node positive bronchial neuroendocrine tumors (BNET).
Authors: Westin Gustavo Figueiredo Marcondes , Alsidawi Samer , Leventakos Konstantinos , Halfdanarson Thorvardur Ragnar , Molina Julian R. 
Published: September 2018

8533 Background: BNET are a rare and frequently indolent group of neoplasms. Lobectomy is frequently done for patients with non-metastatic disease, and the role of adjuvant chemotherapy for patients with node positive disease (N+) is debated. Methods: Utilizing the National Cancer Database from 2004-2012 we identified 1682 patients with N+ non-metastatic BNET. All patients underwent primary resection, had pathologically confirmed diagnosis, complete follow up data, and were alive > 30 days following surgery. Overall survival (OS) was analyzed utilizing Kaplan-Meier curves, and log-rank tests were used to compare 2 groups of patients that differed based on receiving or not adjuvant chemotherapy. Subgroup analyses were performed based on histologic subtypes. Cox proportional hazards was performed to control for age, sex, race, grade, surgical margins, type of surgery, year of diagnosis, Charlson/Deyo Score, insurance, facility type, and location. Results: 651 patients with typical carcinoid (CT), 239 atypical carcinoid (ACT), 426 large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma (LCNEC), and 366 neuroendocrine carcinoma (NEC) were analyzed. The cohort median age was 61, and the female:male ratio was 1.8 for CT, ACT and NEC, and 1 for LCNEC 90% of patients were White and there were no significant differences amongst histologic subtypes. 6% of patients with CT received ADJ-CT, compared to 40% ACT, 42% NEC, and 70% LCNEC. In a multivariate analysis, only increasing age was associated with worse prognosis across all histologic subtypes, and non-academic facility for CT, and male sex for NEC. ADJ-CT was not associated with OS benefit for patients with ACT (HR 1.1; 95% CI 0.68-1.78; p:0.6), was associated with inferior OS in CT (HR: 3.8 (95% CI 1.9-7.0; p = 0.004) and NEC (HR: 2.15; 95% CI 1.5-3.0; p < 0.001), and may provide benefit for LCNEC (HR: 0.67; 95% CI 0.5-0.9; p = 0.009). Conclusions: Adjuvant chemotherapy was not associated with survival benefit for patients with node positive and non-metastatic BNET except for LCNEC, and may be harmful for patients with CT and NEC.
A nomogram for predicting post-operative cancer specific survival in AJCC 8th edition stage I NSCLC patients.
Authors: Liang Wenhua , Zeng Yuan , He Jianxing 
Published: September 2018

8540 Background: The AJCC 8th edition staging system has moved 4-5 cm 7th edition stage Ib NSCLC to current stage IIa, thus theoretically all current stage I patients are not considered candidates for adjuvant therapy (ad-Tx). This study was to develop a clinical nomogram for predicting cancer specific survival (CSS) of the current stage I resected NSCLC to identify those with higher risk for cancer-related deaths and potentially benefiting from ad-Tx. Methods: NSCLC cases between 1998 and 2013 was extracted from the SEER database and were randomly divided into training (n = 23,496) and validation (n = 7,915) cohorts. We identified and integrated the recurrence-associated factors to build a nomogram. The model was subjected to bootstrap internal validation and independent validation. The predictive accuracy and discriminative ability were illustrated by calibration plots and concordance index (C-index). We determined the cut-off for high-risk group by matching the nomogram-predicted 5-year CSS with that of the current 4-5 cm stage IIa cases. Results: In multivariate analysis, independent factors for CSS were examined lymph node count ( < 16 vs. > = 16), tumor size, resection scope (lobectomy/segmentectomy/wedge resection), differentiation grade, histology (squamous vs. non-squamous vs. former BAC with majority being AIS/MIA) and visceral pleural invasion, which were then integrated into the model (sex and age were not included due to lack of direction to ad-Tx selection). The calibration curves showed excellent agreement between nomogram prediction and actual observation. The C-index of the nomogram was higher than that of staging system (Ia1, Ia2, Ia3, Ib) (training set, 0.60 vs. 0.56, P < 0.01; validation set, 0.60 vs. 0.57, P < 0.01). Specifically, 21.5% stage Ib patients (8.8% of all stage I) were categorized into high risk group (score > 29.5) and had inferior CSS compared with 4-5 cm stage IIa patients. Conclusions: We established a nomogram that can individually predict CSS for 8th edition stage I NSCLC. By this model, we identified a subset of patients with relatively high risk for recurrence. Further study to determine the impact of postoperative ad-Tx on these high risk patients is undergoing.