bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The impact of surgery on patients with VHL-associated tumors: An international patient survey.
Authors: Sundaram Murali , Atkinson Christian , Mann Joshua , Cooper Charley , Taylor-Stokes Gavin , Iliopoulos Othon 
Published: June 2023

4517 Background: Von Hippel-Lindau syndrome (VHL) is a rare hereditary neoplastic disorder caused by mutations in the VHL gene. Treatment (tx) options for patients are limited to multiple surgeries dispersed between regular scans, watchful waiting and txs that preserve organ function. Methods: An international, cross-sectional survey comprising patients in the United States (US), Canada (CA), the United Kingdom (UK), France (FR), and Germany (DE) was conducted. Patients were recruited via the VHL Alliance; data were collected between Dec 2021 and May 2022. For inclusion, patients must have renal cell carcinoma (RCC), pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (pNET), and/or central nervous system hemangioblastoma (CNS-Hb). Data collected included demographics, impact of most recent surgery on aspects of condition (1-7 scale 1 being greatly worsened and 7 being greatly improved), tx goals (top 3 goals from a list of 11), and patient preference in treatment. Patients were presented two scenarios “watch and wait” and potentially need surgery, or “take a once-daily pill” to delay a potential surgery. Results: 220 patients (68.2% female, median age 40.0, median disease duration 15.8 years) in the US (n=108), CA (n=37), the UK (n=21), FR (n=3), and DE (n=51) completed the study. 146 patients reported RCC (66.4%), n=122 reported pNET (55.5%), and n=190 reported CNS-Hb (86.4%). Among the top 4 symptoms experienced by patients were kidney cysts (n=82, 37.3%), numbness (n=59, 26.8%), dizziness (n=56, 25.5%), and fatigue/low energy (n=54, 24.5%). 205 (93.2%) patients had experienced surgery; n=171 (77.7%) had experienced multiple surgeries (median number of surgeries, 4.0). 166 patients recorded data on their most recent surgery. Of these, patients reported that their most recent surgery worsened (scored 1-3) their fatigue (51.8%), mental health (51.2%), and ability to go about daily life (45.2%). 47.3% of patients selected reduce the number of surgeries as a top tx goal, 46.4% selected being able to go about life as usual, 36.8% delay the need for surgery, and 33.2% improved quality of life. 73% of patients indicated they would prefer to take a pill which would possibly delay the time until surgery, rather than watch and wait to see if the tumor would grow. Conclusions: Surgery negatively impacts the lives of patients, leading to a worsening in their fatigue, mental health, and ability to go about daily life. Almost half of patients would like a treatment that reduces the number of surgeries, and over a third would like a treatment that delays the need for surgery. Nearly three quarters of patients would prefer to take a pill that might delay the need for surgery. Tx options that reduce the need for surgery would benefit this patient group.
First-line lenvatinib + pembrolizumab treatment across non-clear cell renal cell carcinomas: Results of the phase 2 KEYNOTE-B61 study.
Authors: Lee Chung-Han , Gurney Howard , Atduev Vagif , Suárez Cristina , Climent Duran Miguel A , Pook David William , Tomczak Piotr , Barthelemy Philippe , Lee Jae-Lyun , Nalbandian Taron , Stus Viktor , Ferguson Thomas , Wiechno Pawel , Gokmen Erhan , Lacombe Louis , Gedye Craig , Burgents Joseph , Sharma Manish , Peng Xiang , Albiges Laurence 
Published: June 2023

4518 Background: Lenvatinib (lenva) + pembrolizumab (pembro) is a first-line treatment for advanced clear cell renal cell carcinoma (RCC). Initial results of the single-arm, phase 2 KEYNOTE-B61 (NCT04704219) study showed antitumor activity of lenva + pembro in patients (pts) with advanced non-clear cell RCC who had opportunity for ≥24 wk of follow-up (n=82). We report results from the complete cohort of pts enrolled in KEYNOTE-B61 (N=158) with extended follow-up. Methods: Adults with previously untreated advanced non-clear cell RCC and measurable disease per RECIST v1.1 received lenva 20 mg PO QD + pembro 400 mg IV Q6W for up to 18 cycles (~2 y). The primary end point was ORR per RECIST v1.1 by blinded independent central review (BICR). Secondary end points included DOR, DCR, and PFS per RECIST v1.1 by BICR; OS; and safety. Histology was assessed by investigator (assessment by central review is planned). Results: Of 158 treated pts, 93 (59%), 29 (18%), and 21 (13%) had papillary, chromophobe, and unclassified histology, respectively. Additionally, 6 pts (4%) had translocation and 9 (6%) had other histology. 70 pts (44%) had IMDC favorable risk and 88 (56%) had intermediate/poor risk. Median follow-up was 14.9 mo (range 8.7-19.7). ORR was 49% (95% CI, 41-57; 9 CRs [6%]; 69 PRs [44%]). DCR was 82% (95% CI, 75-88). Median DOR was not reached (NR; range, 1.5+ to 15.3+ mo). By Kaplan-Meier estimate, 75% of responders had a response for ≥12 mo. ORR and DCR by histology are shown in the table. For the IMDC favorable risk group, ORR was 51% (95% CI, 39-64) and DCR was 87% (95% CI, 77-94). For the IMDC intermediate/poor risk group, ORR was 48% (95% CI, 37-59) and DCR was 78% (95% CI, 68-86). In all pts, median PFS and OS were 17.9 mo (95% CI, 13.5-NR) and NR (95% CI, NR-NR), respectively; 12-mo rates were 63% and 82%. Treatment-related AEs (TRAEs) occurred in 149 pts (94%) and were consistent with results from other studies. The most common (≥30%) TRAEs were hypertension (n=90; 57%), diarrhea (n=69; 44%), and hypothyroidism (n=58; 37%). Grade 3-4 TRAEs occurred in 81 pts (51%). Overall, 17 pts (11%) discontinued pembro, 14 (9%) discontinued lenva, and 5 (3%) discontinued both drugs because of TRAEs. No deaths occurred because of TRAEs. Conclusions: In pts with advanced non-clear cell RCC enrolled in KEYNOTE-B61, lenva + pembro showed antitumor activity with no new safety signals. These data support the use of lenva + pembro as first-line treatment for pts with non-clear cell RCC, regardless of histology. Clinical trial information: NCT04704219 . [Table: see text]
Efficacy of first-line (1L) immunotherapy (IO)-based regimens in patients with sarcomatoid and/or rhabdoid (S/R) metastatic non-clear cell renal cell carcinoma (nccRCC): Results from the International Metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma Database Consortium (IMDC).
Authors: Labaki Chris , Bakouny Ziad , Lemelin Audreylie , Ernst Matthew Scott , Takemura Kosuke , Wells J Connor , Pal Sumanta Kumar , Szabados Bernadett , Beuselinck Benoit , McKay Rana R. , Lee Jae-Lyun , Yuasa Takeshi , Parnis Francis , Bjarnason Georg A. , McGregor Bradley Alexander , Braun David A. , Xie Wanling , Xu Wenxin , Heng Daniel Yick Chin , Choueiri Toni K. 
Published: June 2023

4519 Background: Patients with advanced RCC with S/R components exhibit poor clinical outcomes. IO-based combination therapies demonstrated substantial efficacy among patients with metastatic S/R ccRCC, compared to VEGF targeted therapy (VEGF-TT). Recent trials showed promising activity of IO-based regimens in patients with advanced nccRCC. We sought to assess the efficacy of IO regimens among patients with S/R nccRCC. Methods: Patients with advanced nccRCC treated with 1L IO regimens (IO/IO or IO/VEGF-TT) or 1L VEGF-TT monotherapy (sunitinib or pazopanib) were included. Cases were categorized as S/R or non-S/R. The primary outcomes were overall survival (OS) and time to treatment failure (TTF) in patients with S/R nccRCC receiving 1L IO or VEGF-TT. Overall response rate (ORR) was a secondary outcome. OS and TTF were compared between groups (IO vs. VEGF-TT) using Cox regression models adjusted for age, IMDC risk groups, and nccRCC subtype. ORR was compared between groups (IO vs. VEGF-TT) using a logistic regression adjusted for the same confounders. Results: Overall, 103 patients with S/R nccRCC were included, of whom 33 (32%) received 1L IO regimens. Median follow-up was 31 months. After adjustment for confounding factors, patients with S/R nccRCC treated with IO regimens presented with significantly improved survival outcomes as compared to those receiving VEGF-TT (median OS [mOS]: NR vs. 7.1 and mTTF: 9.4 vs. 2.9 mos for IO regimens and VEGF-TT, respectively). Similarly, a higher ORR was seen in patients with S/R nccRCC receiving IO regimens versus VEGF-TT (34.1 vs. 10.9%, respectively). Among 430 patients with non-S/R nccRCC (IO regimens: n=44), no significant differences in survival outcomes between regimen classes were seen (mOS: 24.4 vs. 14.8 and mTTF: 4.2 vs. 5.0 mos for IO regimens and VEGF-TT, respectively). Conclusions: To our knowledge, this represents the largest effort to characterize the outcomes of patients with S/R nccRCC treated with IO regimens. Patients with S/R nccRCC appear to derive a substantial and selective benefit from IO regimens (vs. VEGF-TT). These data support the use of IO-based regimens in patients with S/R nccRCC. [Table: see text]
Phase II study of cabozantinib (Cabo) with nivolumab (Nivo) and ipilimumab (Ipi) in advanced renal cell carcinoma with variant histologies (RCCvh).
Authors: McGregor Bradley Alexander , Huang Jiaming , Xie Wanling , Xu Wenxin , Bilen Mehmet Asim , Braun David A. , Zhang Tian , McKay Rana R. , McDermott David F. , Hammers Hans J. , Choueiri Toni K. 
Published: June 2023

4520 Background: New therapeutic approaches in RCCvh are needed. Herein, we report on treatment intensification with the combination of Cabo/Nivo/Ipi in patients with metastatic RCCvh in a multi-institutional prospective single arm phase II trial. (NCT04413123). Methods: Eligible patients (pts) had metastatic RCCvh with ECOG performance status of 0-1 and may have received one line of prior therapy excluding immunotherapy or Cabo. Pts underwent a baseline biopsy and received treatment with Nivo 3 mg/kg and Ipi 1 mg/kg intravenously Q3 weeks (W) for 4 cycles followed by Nivo 480 mg IV Q4W. Cabo was given continuously at dose of 40 mg daily; reductions to 20 mg daily and 20 mg every other day were allowed. The primary endpoint was objective response rate (ORR) by RECIST 1.1. Safety was a secondary endpoint. Results: 40 pts have been enrolled. At the time of data cut-off (Dec 9, 2022), 38 pts received at least 1 study drug. 11% (n=4) pts received prior systemic therapy. 45% (n=17) received all 4 doses of Nivo and Ipi; 18% (n=7) received 3 and 37% (n=14) received ≤ 2 doses. 61% (n=23) (15 of whom received 4 cycles Nivo/Ipi) received Nivo maintenance (median number of cycles, 5 (range, 1-21)). 71% (n=27) and 13% (n=5) required Cabo dose reduction to 20 mg and 20 mg every other day, respectively. Median follow-up was 8.4 (range, 2.1-23) months. Objective response was achieved in 8 pts (ORR 21%, two-sided 80% CI, 13%-32%). Median duration of response was not reached with 5 pts maintaining response > 6 months. Median progression-free survival was 8.9 (95% CI, 4.2-12.7) months. 74% (n=28) developed treatment-related grade 3 or higher toxicities; 37% (n=14) developed ≥ grade 3 elevation in AST or ALT. 29% (n=11) required high dose steroids (prednisone ≥ 40 mg daily or equivalent). 13% (n=5) discontinued all study drugs due to toxicity. No grade 5 toxicity has been reported. Conclusions: The study suggests activity for this combination in patients with RCCvh particularly among those without chromophobe histology. An additional cohort of 20 pts is enrolling with Cabo starting dose of 20 mg daily. Clinical trial information: NCT04413123 . [Table: see text]
Effect of KDR mutations on efficacy of immune checkpoint inhibitors in patients with bladder cancer.
Authors: Dai Honghai , Zhang Qin , Tan Yuan , Duan Qianqian 
Published: June 2023

4521 Background: KDR (kinase insert domain receptor) is the most important VEGF (vascular endothelial growth factor) receptor that mediates the signaling transduction initiated by the VEGF ligands. VEGF signaling can activate angiogenesis which plays a crucial role in tumor growth, metastasis, and treatment response. Here we explore the relationship between KDR mutation and its efficacy of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) in patients with bladder cancer. Methods: To explore the association between KDR mutations and the efficacy of ICIs in bladder cancer patients, we collected clinical and mutation data of 215 patients who received ICIs (PD-(L)1 and/or CTLA-4 inhibitors) from MSKCC cohort. Gene expression data and WES mutation data of 413 samples in the TCGA database were obtained from the UCSC Xena for analysis of the differences of potential biological mechanisms between KDR-mutant and KDR-wildtype tumors. TMB was calculated as the total number of somatic non-synonymous mutations per megabase. CIBERSORT was applied to infer 22 immune cell type proportions in TCGA advanced bladder cancers. Results: In MSKCC cohort, we observed 5.6% (12/215) samples had KDR mutation. Survival analysis showed that KDR-mutant patients had longer overall survival (OS) than that of wildtype patients (hazard ratio (HR) = 0.27, 95% CI: 0.07-1.09, logrank test P = 0.048); median OS (not reached versus 15 months). Then we compared the TMB between KDR-mutant and KDR-wildtype tumors, the results showed that KDR-mutant group had higher TMB in MSKCC cohort (median [IQR]: 17.58 [11.64–47.81] versus 7.90 [4.92–14.76], P=0.002) and TCGA cohort (median [IQR]: 10.69 [5.87–19.85] versus 4.60 [2.52–8.08], P=0.001). Analysis of 22 immune cell subsets in the TCGA advanced bladder cancers, B cells naive, plasma cells and macrophages M1 were significantly abundant in KDR-mutant tumors (all P <0.05). Conclusions: In ICI-treated bladder cancers, KDR mutation is associated with prolonged OS, higher TMB and activated antitumor immunity, which suggests that KDR mutation may serve as a potential biomarker to guide ICI therapy in bladder cancer.
Determinants of resistance to nivolumab (nivo) monotherapy investigated through genomic and transcriptomic analysis of renal cell carcinoma (RCC) tumors from the HCRN GU16-260 study.
Authors: Braun David A. , Street Kelly , Jegede Opeyemi , Ruthen Neil , Hugaboom Miya , Schindler Nicholas R , McDermott David F. , Plimack Elizabeth R. , Sosman Jeffrey A. , Haas Naomi B. , Hurwitz Michael E. , Hammers Hans J. , Signoretti Sabina , Atkins Michael B. , Wu Catherine J. 
Published: June 2023

4524 Background: Nivo monotherapy demonstrated anti-tumor activity in treatment-naïve RCC in Part A of HCRN GU16-260 across all IMDC groups and in multiple histologies. Patient tumor samples were collected to characterize the tumor-immune microenvironmental determinants of effective anti-tumor immunity with nivo. Methods: Whole exome sequencing (WES) was performed on formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue collected within one year prior to nivo. For single-cell RNA-sequencing (scRNA-seq), eligible patients (pts) with any RCC histology underwent tumor biopsy prior to and/or at resistance to nivo monotherapy. Gene expression signatures discovered through scRNA-seq were used to interrogate previously published bulk transcriptomic data of nivo in the treatment-refractory setting. Results: WES analysis (n = 96 tumors) identified recurrent focal amplifications within chromosome 11q13 (amp11q13), which was observed in 6 of 18 (33.3%) of tumors from pts with progressive disease (PD) compared to 0 of 20 (0%) of tumors from pts with complete or partial response (CR/PR; p = 0.005). amp11q13 was associated with worse progression free survival (PFS; p = 0.008) and overall survival (OS; p = 0.010). ScRNA-seq was performed on tumors from 17 pts (8 with baseline only, 7 with progression only, and 2 with paired baseline and progression samples) across 7 trial sites. Trajectory inference analysis of tumor-infiltrating T cells revealed a bifurcating structure, starting with naïve T cells and ending either in terminally exhausted CD8+ T cells or SLAMF7+ CD8+ T cells. Surprisingly, the SLAMF7+ T cell population expressed high levels of cytotoxic genes (including GZMA, GZMB, GNLY) and markers of tissue residency ( ZNF683/HOBIT and ITGAE/CD103). Of the 14 pts with at least 100 sequenced tumor-infiltrating T cells, the presence of a higher percentage of SLAMF7+ CD8+ T cells (relative to total T cells) was associated with primary resistance to nivo (mean percentage in PD [n = 4] pts 32.7%; stable disease [n = 4] pts, 9.1%; CR/PR [n = 6] pts, 2.2%; p = 0.019 for CR/PR vs PD). Of 172 pre-treatment tumors from the nivo arms of the CheckMate-009/010/025 trials that we analyzed by bulk RNA-seq, a signature score derived using genes expressed in the SLAMF7+ CD8+ T cell trajectory branch was enriched in pts with PD compared to CR/PR as best response (p = 0.032). Conclusions: Bulk genomic and single-cell transcriptomic analyses uncovered somatic alterations (amp11q13) and infiltrating T cell populations ( SLAMF7+ CD8+) associated with resistance to frontline nivo monotherapy in a phase II study in RCC. Additional independent and functional validation studies are in progress.
Health-related quality of life (HRQoL) of risk-based patient subgroups with advanced renal cell cancer (aRCC) treated with nivolumab plus cabozantinib (NIVO+CABO) vs sunitinib (SUN) in the CheckMate 9ER trial.
Authors: Cella David , Choueiri Toni K. , Blum Steven I. , Ejzykowicz Flavia , Wallace Joel , Zhang Joshua , Simsek Burcin , Ivanescu Cristina , Motzer Robert J. 
Published: June 2023

4527 Background: In CheckMate 9ER, NIVO+CABO improved or maintained HRQoL vs SUN in previously untreated aRCC. We report an exploratory analysis of HRQoL in International Metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma Database Consortium (IMDC) risk-based subgroups treated with NIVO+CABO vs SUN in CheckMate 9ER (minimum follow-up, 36.5 mo). Methods: Subgroups were stratified by IMDC categories of favorable (F) risk (score = 0) or intermediate/poor (I/P) risk (score = 1–6) at randomization. HRQoL was evaluated using Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy–Kidney Symptom Index (FKSI-19). Changes from baseline (BL) through wk 151 were analyzed using mixed-model repeated measures (MMRM). Bother due to treatment side effects (FKSI-19 item GP5) was assessed using a generalized estimating equations model (response dichotomized as minimal [“not at all” or “a little bit”] vs notable [“somewhat,” “quite a bit,” or “very much”]). Cox proportional hazards (CPH) modeling was used to evaluate time to confirmed deterioration (TTCD). Results: Differences in least square means (LSM) for FKSI-19 scores through wk 151 indicated HRQoL benefit in the NIVO+CABO arm over the SUN arm for I/P-risk patients (n = 505) but not for F-risk patients (n = 146). In the I/P-risk subgroup, longitudinal analysis of FKSI-19 total scores indicated that HRQoL improved through wk 151 in the NIVO+CABO arm but decreased from BL in the SUN arm. HRQoL declined from BL through wk 151 in F-risk patients in the NIVO+CABO and SUN arms. Patients were less likely to be bothered by side effects of NIVO+CABO vs SUN regardless of risk (I/P-risk odds ratio [OR], 0.50; 95% CI, 0.34–0.75; F-risk OR, 0.51; 95% CI, 0.28–0.91). TTCD analysis of FKSI-19 scores of the I/P-risk subgroup indicated that the NIVO+CABO arm had lower deterioration risk than the SUN arm. For the F-risk subgroup, risk based on FKSI-19 total scores was similar for both treatment arms. Conclusions: Compared with SUN, NIVO+CABO improved or maintained HRQoL in I/P-risk patients and had less side effect bother in all subgroups. There were no significant differences between treatment arms for F-risk patients. Clinical trial information: NCT03141177 . [Table: see text]
CASSIOPE: A prospective noninterventional study of cabozantinib treatment following prior vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) -targeted therapy in patients with advanced renal cell carcinoma (aRCC).
Authors: Staehler Michael D. , Bigot Pierre , Barthelemy Philippe , Hamberg Paul , Suárez Cristina , Eymard Jean-Christophe , Gajate Pablo , Perrot Valérie , Qvick Bryan , Dutailly Pascale , Procopio Giuseppe 
Published: June 2023

4529 Background: Cabozantinib is a tyrosine kinase inhibitor approved as monotherapy for aRCC in the USA, and as first-line therapy for patients with intermediate or poor risk aRCC, or after previous VEGF-targeted therapy in Europe. In the METEOR trial, a substantial proportion of patients required cabozantinib dose modifications. We report a real-world study of cabozantinib use for aRCC. Methods: CASSIOPE was a non-interventional prospective cohort study (conducted Apr 2018–May 2022; NCT03419572). Enrollment spanned 11 European countries (91 sites) where cabozantinib is marketed for aRCC. Patients had aRCC and had received ≥ 1 prior VEGF-targeted therapy (excluding cabozantinib). Decision to initiate cabozantinib was made prior to enrolment. The primary endpoint was cabozantinib usage (dose interruptions, reductions or discontinuations due to AEs) in the second- (2L) or later- (≥ 3L) line settings. Secondary endpoints included objective response rate (ORR), progression-free survival (PFS), overall survival (OS) and tolerability. Data were analyzed descriptively for patients with safety follow-up after ≥ 1 cabozantinib dose. Results: In total, 679 patients were included (73.0% male; median [range] age 67.0 [29–93] yrs; 85.7% clear-cell aRCC; 80.3% prior nephrectomy). Median (range) observation period was similar for 2L (n = 335; 8.51 [0.2–15.4] mo) and ≥ 3L cabozantinib (n = 343; 9.26 [0.0–15.0] mo). Usage data are shown. For the overall population, ORR (95% CI) and median (95% CI) PFS according to local assessment were 21.9% (17.5%–26.9%) and 7.8 (6.3–8.7) mo for 2L cabozantinib, and 38.0% (32.7%–43.5%) and 8.7 (7.6–9.6) mo for ≥ 3L cabozantinib. Median OS (95% CI) was 13.0 (12.6–not calculated [NC]) mo for 2L, and 17.1 (13.8–NC) mo for ≥ 3L cabozantinib. Most patients (90.4%) reported treatment-related AEs (Grade 1, 71.1%; Grade 2, 70.3% of patients), most commonly any grade diarrhea (52.4%), palmar-plantar erythrodysesthesia syndrome (27.2%), decreased appetite (25.5%), hypertension (21.9%), asthenia (21.6%), fatigue (20.5%) and nausea (20.3%). Conclusions: In this real-world study, tolerability of ≥ 2L cabozantinib was consistent with the METEOR trial safety profile: cabozantinib dose modifications due to AEs were common, but discontinuation rates due to AEs were substantially less frequent. Cabozantinib activity was maintained across lines. Clinical trial information: NCT03419572 . [Table: see text]