bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Fruquintinib combined with tislelizumab and SBRT as a later-line therapy in microsatellite stability (MSS) metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC): Results from the FRUIT trial.
Authors: Yuan Xianglin , Zhang Mingsheng , Hou Huiying 
Published: January 2023

150 Background: MSS patients (pts) account for the majority of all CRC pts and show poor response to immunotherapy. While fruquintinib plus PD-1 inhibitors is an effective option for MSS CRC pts in China who are refractory to multiple lines of therapy. In addition, immunomodulatory effects of stereotatic body radiotherapy (SBRT) have demonstrated in previous studies. Here, we report FRUIT trial of fruquintinib combined with tislelizumab and SBRT as a later-line therapy in MSS mCRC pts. Methods: In this single-arm, open-label, single-center, phase II trial (NCT04924179), we included mCRC pts who have failed with at least second-line therapy. Eligible pts undergo the following regimens on a 21-days cycle: fruquinitib (5mg, QD, PO, d1-14) plus tislelizumab (200mg, d1, I.V.) and SBRT (8-10Gy×5F, QOD). The primary endpoint is progression-free survival (PFS), and secondary endpoints are disease-control rate (DCR), objective response rate (ORR), overall survival (OS), and safety. The responses are evaluated according to RECIST Version 1.1 and adverse events are evaluated by CTCAE v5.0. Results: AS of August 31, 2022, 24 pts were included in the trial and 23 (11 male; media age 60 years; all pts with MSS; 7 had received 3 prior lines of therapy) in the efficacy analysis. 87%, 9% and 17% pts had received bevacizumab, regorafenib and cetuximab in previous therapy, respectively. Among 23 pts, median follow-up was 7.8 mo (95%CI: 4.31, 11.29). The median PFS was 5.1mo (95%CI: 0.57-9.63), with 9 pts still on treatment at data cutoff. 6pts achieved partial response (PR), 13 stable disease (SD), illustrating an ORR of 26% and a DCR of 83%. Adverse events (AEs) occurred in 22 (96%) pts which were mostly grade 1/2. 17% pts experienced a grade 3/4 AEs, including hypertension (9%), hand foot skin reaction (4%) and thrombocytopenia (4%). The combination regimen was well tolerate. Conclusions: Fruquintinib plus tislelizumab and SBRT as a later-line therapy in refractory MSS mCRC pts shows a promising clinical benefit, with a manageable safety profile, which suggests a potential new paradigm for therapy in MSS mCRC pts. Clinical trial information: NCT04924179 .
Synergistic effects of alpelisib (PI3K inhibitor) and ribociclib (CDK4/6 inhibitor) combination in preclinical colorectal cancer models.
Authors: Aslam Razia , Hennessy Bryan T , Toomey Sinead , Richards Catherine 
Published: January 2023

167 Background: Multiple activating genetic mutations in the phosphatidylinositol-3 kinase (PI3K) and the mitogen activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathways have been implicated in the development of resistance to anti-cancer therapies. Ribociclib has limited activity as a single agent in CRC. However, combining Ribociclib with targeted therapies of the MAPK and PI3K pathways may be a promising treatment strategy for CRC. Methods: We explored the in vitro efficacy of drug combinations Ribociclib (R) and Alpelisib (A) in four CRC cell lines with different mutational status; CACO2 ( PIK3CA/KRAS wild-type), LS1034 ( KRAS mutated), SNUC4 ( PIK3CA mutated) and DLD1 ( PIK3CA/KRAS mutated). Drug combination index (CI) was calculated using Calcusyn Biosoft software. We used a western immunoblotting method for protein analysis. The Chick Chorio-Allantoic Membrane (CAM) assay was used for in-vivo analysis of the effect of the drug combination. Results: IC50s for R and A were calculated for all four cell lines. CACO2 and DLD1 cells were resistant to Ribociclib (IC50 > 15µM). The cell lines had varying sensitivity to both drugs. Drug combination analysis showed that the combination of R and A has a synergistic anti-proliferative effect in all CRC cell lines tested. The combination of R and A is highly synergistic in LS1034 cells which harbour a KRAS mutation (CI = 0.16). Relative expression of the proteins Cyclin D1, E2F-1, p-BCL-2, p-AKT, p-Rb and p-S6 was determined by measuring the density of each band from the western blot experiments and normalizing to β-actin. Combined inhibition of CDK4/6 and PI3Kα caused a simultaneous reduction of p-RB, p-AKT and p-S6 and a more complete inhibition of the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway in all four cell lines tested. There was also an increase in the expression of the apoptotic marker pBCL2 in cells treated with the combination of R and A compared to vehicle control(VC). We observed a macroscopic reduction of visible tumour in all cell lines treated with the R and A combination in vivo as compared to VC. Microscopic examination also showed less Ki67 staining and negative cytokeratin staining in combination treated groups. Conclusions: We see a synergistic response to treatment with the combination of R and A in all cell lines and this combination may be a rational treatment strategy in colorectal cancer.
Plasma phosphocreatine (PC) as a predictive biomarker for immune checkpoint inhibition in patients with refractory metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC): Analysis of the CCTG CO.26 trial.
Authors: Ma Lucy Xiaolu , Loree Jonathan M. , Jonker Derek J. , Kennecke Hagen Fritz , Berry Scott R. , Couture Felix , Ahmad Chaudhary E. , Goffin John R. , Kavan Petr , Harb Mohammed , Colwell Bruce , Samimi Setareh , Samson Benoit , Abbas Tahir , Aucoin Nathalie , Aubin Francine , Koski Sheryl L. , Tu Dongsheng , O'Callaghan Christopher J. , Chen Eric Xueyu 
Published: January 2023

183 Background: In response to energetic stress, colorectal cancer cells secrete creatine kinase brain-type (CKB). CKB converts creatine and ATP from the extracellular matrix to PC, which is imported intracellularly to sustain survival and metastatic spread. In addition, PC modulates immune cell functions and may play a role in mediating responses to immune checkpoint inhibition. CO.26 was a phase II trial (NCT02870920) that randomized patients (pts) with refractory mCRC to durvalumab plus tremelimumab (D+T) versus best supportive care (BSC). In an exploratory, post-hoc analysis, we investigated the role of plasma PC as a predictive biomarker for response to D+T. Methods: PC concentrations were determined from pre-treatment blood samples with HPLC-tandem mass spectrometer. A minimum p-value approach was used to select an optimum cut-off value which dichotomized patients into low (< 95.6 ng/ml) versus high (≥ 95.6 ng/ml) groups predictive for benefit. Cox proportional hazard models were used to analyze predictive impacts of PC on progression free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS). Results: Of 180 pts enrolled, pre-treatment blood samples were available for 162 pts (N =115 for D+T; 47 BSC). Pre-treatment PC was low in 15% (N=24) and high in 85% (N=138). There were no differences in baseline characteristics between pts included in this analysis and the total study pts, or PC low and high pts. D+T improved OS significantly in PC low pts (median OS 4.7 months vs 2.3 months; Hazard Ratio (HR) 0.32, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.11 – 0.95, p = 0.03). There was no improvement in PC high pts with D+T (median OS 6.8 vs 5.2 months; HR 0.80, 95% CI: 0.55 – 1.17, p = 0.24. Interaction p < 0.0001). Plasma PC values had no impact on PFS and rates of disease control. Conclusions: Pts with low plasma PC derived more benefit from immune checkpoint inhibition with D+T in pts with refractory mCRC. Further prospective validation studies are needed. Predictive analysis for OS with pre-treatment PC levels dichotomized by minimum p approach. [Table: see text]
The association between KRAS mutational status, clinicopathological factors including the preoperative systemic inflammatory response and outcomes in TNM stage I-III colon cancer.
Authors: Golder Allan Matthew , Pennel Kathryn AF , Mansouri David , Horgan Paul G. , Roxburgh Campbell SD , Biankin Andrew V , Edwards Joanne , McMillan Donald C. ,   GPOL Group
Published: January 2023

193 Background: TNM Stage is the most significant prognostic indicator in colon cancer however other tumour and host factors (eg the systemic inflammatory response (SIR)) are associated with long-term outcomes. The relationship between the tumour and the host SIR remains poorly understood. KRAS mutations are associated with adverse outcomes in metastatic disease and have been reported to have an inflammatory phenotype however this has not been widely studied in non-metastatic disease. The present study investigates the association between KRAS mutations, clinicopathological factors including the SIR and outcomes in TNM I-III colon cancer. Methods: Two cohorts of patients (single centre–2000-2008 and regional-2011-2014) undergoing curative surgery for TNM I-III colon cancer in the West of Scotland were shown to be well-matched and combined. Mutational status was analysed retrospectively. The SIR was stratified using Systemic Inflammatory Grade (SIG). 3-year overall and cancer specific survival (OS and CSS) were measured from date of surgery until date of death. Results: 267 patients were identified, 45% with KRAS mutations. KRAS mutations were associated with: right sided (p=0.013), well differentiated (p=0.011), BRAF-wt (p<0.001), PIK3CA-wt (p=0.027) and P53-wt (p=0.002) tumours. A trend was seen between KRAS mutations and female sex (p=0.074) and increased SIG (p=0.072). No association was seen with age, deprivation, smoking, ASA Grade, TNM Stage or EMVI. KRAS mutant status was associated with adverse 3-year CSS (74% versus 82%, p=0.006) and OS (69% versus 78%, p=0.070). For CSS, TNM Stage (HR 2.92, p<0.001), KRAS mutant status (HR 1.64, p=0.050) and Systemic Inflammatory Grade (HR 1.34, p=0.004) were independently prognostic. For OS: age (HR 1.39, p=0.022), TNM Stage (HR 1.50, p=0.016) and SIG (HR 1.25, p=0.005) were independently prognostic. A trend was seen between KRAS mutant status and adverse OS (HR 1.47, p=0.079). Conclusions: The present results show an association between KRAS mutational status and SIG. Furthermore, both of these factors were associated with adverse oncological outcomes. Further investigation into the association between KRAS-mutant status and the local/systemic inflammatory response in TNM I-III colon cancer is warranted. While comprehensive genomic profiling is likely to become increasingly common place, staging the host (SIR) should also be routinely undertaken.
Assessment of immunoscore and MRI tumor regression grade to predict complete pathologic response in patients with locally advanced rectal cancer: Data from phase II Averectal study.
Authors: Shamseddine Ali , Machmouchi Ahmad , Natout Mustafa , Turfa Rim , Kattan Joseph Gergi , Temraz Sally Naji , Tawil Ayman , Elkhaldi Mousa , Jaber Omar , Amarin Rula , Awabdeh Tala , Charafeddine Maya , Al Darazi Monita , Hussain Hero 
Published: January 2023

212 Background: In patients with locally advanced rectal cancer (LARC), magnetic resonance imaging is the most accurate non-invasive staging tool, enabling response assessment to total neoadjuvant therapy. Wang et al had reported that 46.6% of patients with Magnetic Resonance Tumor Regression Grade 1 (mrTRG=1; complete radiologic response) achieved pathologic complete response (pCR; no residual tumor cells). We reported previously in a Phase II Averectal study the correlation between pre-treatment biopsy Immunoscore (IS) and pCR probability (68% ± 22 SD in patients with a high IS as opposed to 52% ± 22 SD in patients with a low IS; P=0.036). This study explores the value of combining IS and mrTRG to predict pCR among LARC patients. Methods: This is an open-label, single-arm multicenter stage-2 phase II study investigating the efficacy and safety of 5 fractions of short course radiotherapy, followed by 6 cycles of mFOLFOX-6 plus avelumab, followed by Total Mesorectal Excision (TME), in patients with LARC. Mean density percentiles of CD3 and CD8 positive T cells infiltrating the tumor and the invasive margin in baseline tissue samples were used to calculate IS (62% is considered the cutoff between high and low IS). Baseline and post treatment MRI were reviewed by two independent radiologists to measure mrTRG and other variables. Results: Between July 2018 and October 2020, 44 patients were accrued, out of which 40 (90%) completed at least 1 cycle of mFOLFOX/Avelumab and underwent TME. Of the 40, 36 (90%) had baseline IS, mrTRG (pre-post treatment) and pTRG (pathologic Tumor Regression Grade) assessed. Out of 36, 15 (41.6%) achieved pCR, 24 (66.7%) had mrTRG=1 and 22 (61%) had high IS. Of the high IS (n=22) patients, 10 (45.45%) achieved pCR. Also, out of 24 patients with mrTRG=1, 11 (45.8%) attained pCR. Most importantly, of the patients with combined high IS and mrTRG=1 (n=14), 11 (78.6%) achieved pCR. In patients with both mrTRG=1 and high IS, pCR rate was 78.6% (11/14). This result is significantly different from pCR rate for patients with either high IS (10/22, 45.45%) or mrTRG=1 (11/24, 45.8%) with P=0.0247 and P=0.0243 respectively. Conclusions: Combining both IS and mrTRG achieved a promising predictive value for pCR in LARC and therefore upon further validation may be potentially used for patient selection in non-operative management strategies. Clinical trial information: NCT03503630 .
Utility of tumor marker levels in predicting survival of patients with appendiceal adenocarcinoma.
Authors: Yousef Abdelrahman M.G. , More Aditya , Zeineddine Mohammad A. , Chowdhury Saikat , Gu Yue , Dansby Julia , Naini Zahra Alavi , Uppal Abhineet , Raghav Kanwal Pratap Singh , Overman Michael J. , Fournier Keith F. , Shen John Paul Y.C. 
Published: January 2023

221 Background: Due to the rarity of appendiceal adenocarcinomas (AA), systematic study of these tumors has been limited. Thus, guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of AA are often based on other related tumor types such as colorectal cancer. However, given that AA has been shown to be molecularly and functionally distinct, there is a need for focused clinical data to guide disease management. In AA, tumor marker levels are used by some practitioners to monitor response to treatment and aid in diagnosis. This study evaluates the association of elevated tumor marker levels with survival outcomes. Methods: The MDACC database was queried to identify patients with AA between 1997 to 2022. Patients with reported values for the tumor markers CA-125 (n=1076), CA 19-9 (n=1060), and CEA (n=1249) were then selected for analysis. Elevation of tumor markers was defined as above the laboratory upper limit of normal (CA-125 > 37 U/mL, CA 19-9 > 37 U/mL, and CEA > 3 ng/mL and survival outcomes were compared with a log-rank (Mantel-Cox) test. This analysis was repeated while controlling for tumor grade, which was defined by low-grade: well, well to moderately differentiated and high-grade: moderate, moderate to poor, and poorly differentiated. Results: Elevated CA-125 was predictive of overall survival in all patients with median survival not-yet-reached for those with normal CA-125 vs. 87.4 months for those with elevated CA-125 (HR: 5.8, p < 0.0001). Similarly, elevated CA 19-9 and CEA were also predictive of overall survival (HR: 2.8, 4.6, respectively, p < 0.0001 for each). Given that tumor grade is the primary driver of prognosis in AA, survival analysis was repeated while controlling for tumor grade. While elevated levels of all tumor markers were predictive of overall survival for both low-grade and high-grade tumors, elevated CA-125 was an especially strong predictor of survival in patients with high-grade tumors (OS: 69.8 months vs. not-yet-reached, HR: 14.3, p < 0.0001). Moreover, high-grade patients with elevated CA-125 had a reduced 5-year survival rate of 56% vs. 91%. Elevated CA-125 also stratified 5-year survival rate in low-grade patients (83% vs. 99%). Elevated levels of CA 19-9 and CEA were strongly predictive of overall survival for patients with low-grade tumors (HR: 10.6, 26.8, respectively, p < 0.0001 for each). Notably, patients with low-grade tumors expressing normal levels of CA 19-9 or CEA had excellent 5-year survival rates of 99% and 100%, respectively. Conclusions: These results highlight the utility of using tumor marker levels in conjunction with tumor grade to more accurately predict prognosis in AA. CA 19-9 and CEA were particularly useful indicators of outcome in patients with low-grade AA, while CA-125 had greatest prognostic value in high-grade tumors.
Effect of immunotherapy on the survival outcomes in tumor mutational burden-high (TMB-H) microsatellite stable (MSS) metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC): A single-institution experience.
Authors: Gaber Ola , Karan Canan , Walko Christine Marie , Knepper Todd C , Kim Richard D. , Sahin Ibrahim Halil 
Published: January 2023

239 Background: The benefit of immunotherapy for patients with mCRC with high tumor mutational burden (TMB-H) has been widely debated. In 2020, the FDA approved the use of pembrolizumab for the treatment of patients with TMB-H unresectable or metastatic solid tumors, with TMB-H defined as ≥10 mutations/Mb on a commercial tissue-based assay, based on KEYNOTE 158 results. However, the clinical value of applying this universal cut off to mCRC needs further investigation. Methods: We queried Moffitt Cancer Center (MCC) databases for patients with MSS mCRC, harboring TMB-H (tested with tissue and/or liquid biopsies) who received immunotherapy between January 2018 and December 2021. Patients with incomplete records were excluded. Clinical data were extracted by trained staff from electronic medical records. Objective response rate was measured by using clinical assessment from chart review. Results: We identified 40 patients with TMB-H MSS mCRC 13 of whom received immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy. Female patients represented 31% (n=4) of the 13 treated patients. Median age for the patients was 60 years (range 34-71. Thirty-eight percent (n=5) of the primary tumors originated in the right side. Thirty-one percent (n=4) presented with stage 4 CRC at diagnosis. Histopathology was adenocarcinoma in 92% (n=12) and one had neuroendocrine differentiation. Tumors were well-differentiated 8% (n=1), moderately differentiated 46% (n=6), or poorly differentiated 23% (n=3). Four patients (31%) had POLE/ POLD-1 mutations. The objective response rate (ORR) was 31% (4/13) with responses limited to tumors only with POLE/ POLD-1 mutations (100%, 4/4). The median progression free survival (mPFS) was 3.8 months for the overall cohort and 28.5 months for patients with POLE/POLD-1 mutated tumors. Agent specific analysis showed mPFS for patients treated with pembrolizumab was 3.5 months (mean 5.2; range 0.6-15.7), and 3.4 months (mean 12.1; range 0.5-12.1) for patients treated with nivolumab. Five patients received immunotherapy in combination with regorafenib. The mPFS for these patients was 3.4 months (mean 3.8; range 0.5-8.0). Of five patients with TMB>30 (38%), 4 (80%) had POLE/POLD-1 mutated tumors. One case without POLE/POLD-1 mutations, but with a TMB>30 did not experience any response. Conclusions: Although TMB-H demonstrated therapeutic significance in the KEYNOTE 158 study, the utility of 10 mutations/MB as a universal cutoff warrants additional evaluation. Here we report that a TMB-H cutoff value of ≥ 10 for patients with MSS CRC was not associated with clinically meaningful response to immunotherapy, but patients with MSS CRC with POLE/ POLD-1 mutations may be more likely to benefit from immunotherapy.
Safety of ramucirumab in patients with advanced gastric cancer in Europe and North America: A prospective observational registry.
Authors: Silvestro Lucrezia , De Vita Ferdinando , Vogel Arndt , Ettrich Thomas Jens , Van Cutsem Eric , Di Bartolomeo Maria , D'yachkova Yulia , Liepa Astra M. , Smolyakova Natalia , Lukanowski Mariusz , Huang Yu-Jing 
Published: January 2023

341 Background: The objective was to describe the safety of ramucirumab (Ram) for previously treated advanced gastric cancer under real-world conditions in Europe and North America. Methods: This was a non-interventional, descriptive study of adult patients with advanced gastric or gastroesophageal junction adenocarcinoma whose disease had progressed after first-line chemotherapy (I4T-MC-JVDD). Data collection began in December 2015 and was completed in August 2021. Patients were followed up to 12 months after initiation of Ram. Safety outcomes included adverse events (AEs)/serious AEs (SAEs), and AEs leading to dose adjustment or death. Subgroups of interest were elderly, patients with cardiac comorbidities, hepatic, or renal impairment. Results: 606 patients were classified in 3 cohorts: Ram monotherapy (Ram Mono, N=51); Ram plus paclitaxel (Ram+PTX, N=547); or Ram plus other anti-cancer agents (N=8). Most patients were male (70%), white (97%) and aged ≥65 (55%); 22% of the population was ≥75 years old. Metastatic cancer was reported in 552 patients (96%); primary tumor location was gastric in 417 patients (69%) and in the gastroesophageal junction in 189 patients (31%). Patients were previously treated mainly with platinum (97%) and fluoropyrimidine (96%). Hypertension was the most frequently reported historical medical condition (25%). At baseline, 23% patients had documented cardiac comorbidities, 11% hepatic impairment and 6% renal impairment. The median duration of Ram was 8 weeks (IQR=4.0-10.6) in Ram Mono and 15 weeks (IQR=8.4-26.7) in Ram+PTX. Regardless of causality, 98% of patients experienced ≥1 AE; most commonly fatigue (31%) and abdominal pain (20%) in Ram Mono cohort; and fatigue (46%) and neuropathy (31%) in Ram+PTX cohort. In total, 40% experienced ≥1 AE of special interest; most commonly bleeding/hemorrhage (21% [mainly epistaxis]) and hypertension (11%). In total, 33 patients (5%) died due to AEs that occurred on, or within 90 days of last dose of Ram, 9 (2%) were related to Ram treatment as per physician’s assessment. Conclusions: The observed safety profile of Ram in the real-world setting was manageable and consistent with the established safety profile of Ram identified from clinical trials. No new safety concerns or notable findings were observed overall or in the subgroups of interest. Clinical trial information: ENCEPP/SDPP/9400 . [Table: see text]